UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
(cid:1)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008
or
(cid:2)
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 001-07172
BRT REALTY TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Massachusetts
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
60 Cutter Mill Road, Great Neck, New York
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Shares of Beneficial
Interest, $3.00 Par Value
13-2755856
(I.R.S. employer
identification no.)
11021
(Zip Code)
516-466-3100
Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes (cid:2) No (cid:1)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.
Yes (cid:2) No (cid:1)
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 (cid:1) No (cid:2)
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is
not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated
by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K (cid:2)
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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer (cid:2) Accelerated filer (cid:1)
Non-accelerated filer (cid:2) Smaller reporting company (cid:2)
Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes (cid:2) No (cid:1)
The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was 105,159,000 based
on the last sale price of the common equity on March 31, 2008, which is the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed
second quarter.
As of December 1, 2008, the registrant had 11,702,547 Shares of Beneficial Interest outstanding, excluding treasury shares.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the proxy statement for the annual meeting of shareholders of BRT Realty Trust to be filed not later than January 28, 2009 are
incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K, together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by us contains certain
forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-
looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include this statement for purposes of complying with
these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain beliefs and assumptions and describe our future plans,
strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of words such as “may,” “will,” “will likely result,” “shall,” “believe,” “expect,”
“intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project” or similar expressions or variations thereof. You should not rely on forward-looking statements
since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could
materially affect actual results, performance or achievements. We do not intend to update our forward looking statements. Factors which may
cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to:
•(cid:160) continuation of the credit crisis;
•(cid:160) defaults by borrowers in paying debt service on outstanding loans;
•(cid:160) an inability to originate loans;
•(cid:160) national and local economic and business conditions;
•(cid:160) general and local real estate conditions;
•(cid:160) the impairment in the value of real property securing our loans due to general and local real estate
conditions;
•(cid:160) increased competition from entities engaged in mortgage lending
•(cid:160) changes in Federal, state and local governmental laws and regulations; and
•(cid:160) the availability of and costs associated with sources of liquidity.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that our expectations will be realized.
Item l. Business.
General
PART I
We are a real estate investment trust, also known as a REIT. Our business is to originate and hold for investment senior and junior
commercial mortgage loans secured by real property in the United States. The loans we originate generally have relatively high yields and are
short term or bridge loans with an average duration ranging from six months to one year. We generally lend at a floating rate of interest based
on a spread over the prime rate and receive an origination fee for the loans we originate.
In the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 (Fiscal 2008), the well publicized crisis in the credit and real estate markets affected our
primary business in a significant way and required us to refocus our activities. The credit crisis caused many of our borrowers to default on
their monetary obligations to us, both non-payment of interest and an inability to repay loans at maturity, which required us to focus significant
resources on servicing our loan portfolio, work-out activities, pursuing foreclosure actions and acquiring the underlying real property by
foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure, operating real property acquired by us in foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure (including
interfacing with receivers and local property managers), and engaging in activities related to the sale process with respect to properties we
decide to sell. Although we pursued loan originations in Fiscal 2008, we did so at a reduced level due to both limited demand for our short-
term bridge loans and our concerns about the ability of potential borrowers, in the current credit environment, to refinance and repay a loan that
we originate or to be able to sell the underlying collateral or to be able to otherwise raise funds in order to repay a loan. In the year ended
September 30, 2008, we originated $66,027,000 principal amount of loans, compared to $120,349,000 principal amount of loans originated in
the year ended September 30, 2007 (Fiscal 2007).
From time to time, we participate as both an equity investor in, and a mortgage lender to, joint ventures which acquire income-
producing real property and in the past we have purchased equity securities in other REITs. We are a member of a joint venture with CIT
Capital USA, Inc., which originates and holds for investment senior commercial mortgage loans secured by real property in the United States.
With respect to information regarding segment reporting, the information included in Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial
Statements is hereby incorporated by reference.
We were organized as a business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our address is 60 Cutter Mill Road,
Suite 303, Great Neck, New York 11021, telephone number 516-466-3100. Our website address is www.brtrealty.com .
The Effect of the Credit and Real Estate Crisis on BRT
The crisis in the credit and real estate markets, which commenced in the second half of Fiscal 2007 and accelerated in Fiscal 2008,
adversely affected our business in Fiscal 2008 in the following ways:
• Most of our borrowers repay the principal of our loan with the proceeds of another loan or from the proceeds derived from a
sale of the property collateralizing our loan. Due to freezes by lending institutions in making loans collateralized by
commercial real estate, the imposition of stringent lending standards by institutional lenders and the current lack of any
mortgage securitizations, our borrowers have been significantly limited in their ability to refinance loans (or otherwise raise
funds) or sell the underlying properties, causing them to default under our loans.
2
•
Properties securing 28.41% of our mortgage portfolio were multi-family residential properties being converted to
condominium ownership at the commencement of Fiscal 2008. Proceeds from the sale of residential condominium units
were generally used by our borrowers engaged in the conversion of multi-family residential properties to condominium
ownership to pay interest and reduce the principal on our loans. As a result of the significant weakness in the residential and
condominium sales markets and the difficulty that potential purchasers of residential condominium units have had in
obtaining mortgage loans, borrowers engaged in condominium conversions were unable to sell condominium units, which
caused them to default on their payment obligations under our mortgage loans.
• Due to the deterioration in the real estate and credit markets, potential borrowers who typically utilize our short-term lending
significantly limited or ceased real estate activities, resulting in a reduction in new loan originations and reduced revenues.
• The market value of real property underlying many of our loans is less than the market value at the time the loan was
underwritten and the commitment was issued.
In Fiscal 2008, the crisis in the credit and real estate markets and its effects on our business caused (i) us to take provisions for loan
losses of $15,260,000, and to record impairment charges against real estate properties, including our real estate properties held for sale, and
our equity investment in our joint ventures of $9,210,000, (ii) an increase in foreclosure related expenses of $1,549,000, (iii) a net loss,
before gain on sales of securities, of $20,200,000, offset by a net gain of $19,940,000 on the sale of available-for-sale securities, yielding a
net loss of $260,000, and (iv) an anticipated tax loss for calendar 2008.
Our Loan Portfolio
At September 30, 2008, we had 41 loans outstanding secured by properties located in 9 states. These loans had an aggregate principal
balance of $136,435,000, before allowance for possible losses of $6,710,000, and had an aggregate contractual interest rate of 12.42%. With
respect to the outstanding loans at September 30, 2008, $18,407,000, or 13.5%, were not earning interest. This compares with a loan portfolio
at September 30, 2007 of $249,526,000, before allowance for possible losses of $8,917,000, with an average contractual rate of interest
of 12.74%. Of these loans $63,627,000, or 25.5%, were not earning interest. A decrease in originations year-over-year, combined with loan
repayments, contributed to the 45% decrease in outstanding real estate loans year-over-year. Also contributing significantly to the decrease in
outstanding real estate loans was the acquisition by us in Fiscal 2008 of real estate by foreclosure and deed in lieu of foreclosure, which secured
loans having an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $122,295,000, before allowances for possible losses (resulting in the reclassification
of these loans on our balance sheet at September 30, 2008 from real estate loans to real estate owned or held for sale).
Our loan portfolio at September 30, 2008, primarily consists of senior mortgage loans and senior participations in mortgage
loans. Loans representing 85% of the principal amount of our total outstanding loans were secured by properties located in New York and New
Jersey, 9% by properties located in Florida, and the balance by properties located in six other states.
During the year ended September 30, 2008, we originated $66,027,000 of mortgage loans and approximately $56,824,000 of
outstanding mortgage loans were repaid in whole or in part. At September 30, 2008, our three largest mortgage loans outstanding (before
allowance for possible losses) of approximately $26,075,000, $22,800,000 and $6,498,000, respectively, each of which is secured by one
property, represented approximately 9.66%, 8.44% and 2.41%, respectively, of our total assets. There were no other mortgage loans in our
portfolio that represented more than 2.35% of our total assets as of September 30, 2008.
At September 30, 2008, we had 19 loans outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $36,312,000 (representing 26.61% of our
outstanding portfolio) to borrowing entities controlled by a single individual, of which $9,039,000 were originated in Fiscal 2008. All these
loans are performing and no loan loss allowances have been taken with respect to any of these loans.
3
At September 30, 2008, approximately 99% of our mortgage loans had a floating rate of interest calculated based on a variable spread
above the prime rate, with a stated minimum interest rate (also referred to as adjustable rate mortgages), and the balance of our mortgage loans
provided for a fixed rate of interest. Interest on our mortgage loans is payable to us monthly. Under our first mortgage loans, we usually require
and hold funds in escrow that are payable to us monthly and are used to pay real estate taxes. We may also require and hold funds in escrow
for casualty insurance premiums.
In certain instances, a borrower will fund an interest reserve out of the net loan proceeds, from which all or a portion of the interest
payments due us are made for a specified period of time.
The following table sets forth information regarding mortgage loans outstanding at September 30, 2008 before giving effect to
deferred fee income:
# OF
LOANS
EARNING
INTEREST
NOT
EARNING
INTEREST
TOTAL
ALLOWANCE
FOR POSSIBL
E
LOSSES
REAL
ESTATE
LOANS NET
PRIOR
LIENS
First mortgage loans
Condominium Units
(existing multi-
family and
commercial
residential units)
Multi-family residential
Hotel Condominium
Units
Undeveloped Land
Shopping Centers/Retail
Office
Industrial
Hotel
Residential
Second mortgage loans
Retail
Multi-family residential
Total
4 $
3
4,986,000 $
32,270,000
2,393,000 $
6,498,000
7,379,000 $
38,768,000
(850,000 ) $
(3,515,000 )
6,529,000
35,253,000
1
8
16
1
1
1
3
5,273,000
15,192,000
52,787,000
1,500,000
1,055,000
3,258,000
22,000
-
6,162,000
-
-
-
-
2,700,000
5,273,000
21,354,000
52,787,000
1,500,000
1,055,000
3,258,000
2,722,000
-
(1,645,000 )
-
-
-
-
(700,000 )
5,273,000
19,709,000
52,787,000
1,500,000
1,055,000
3,258,000
2,022,000
1
2
41 $
-
1,685,000
118,028,000 $
654,000
-
18,407,000 $
654,000
1,685,000
136,435,000 $
-
-
(6,710,000 ) $
654,000 $ 6,802,000
1,685,000 9,885,000
129,725,000 $16,687,000
Loan Defaults
At September 30, 2008, five mortgage loans (each to a separate borrower), with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of
$18,407,000 (before allowances for possible losses), were not earning interest. Subsequent to September 30, 2008, we acquired in foreclosure
properties securing two of theses loans. These acquisitions will result in the reclassification of these two non-earnings loans from real estate
loans to real estate owned or held for sale. These properties are as follows:
• A 44 unit multi-family residential complex located in Naples, Florida, which secured a loan of $6,498,000 before an
allowance for possible losses of $3,515,000. These units were to be offered for sale by our borrower as condominium
units. However, in view of the difficult condominium market in Naples, Florida and the difficulty potential purchasers will
have in securing mortgages for these units, we currently intend to operate this as a rental property.
• A land parcel with 8,250 square feet of buildable residential space and three underground parking spaces in a property under
construction in Manhattan, New York, secured a loan of $6,162,000, before allowances for possible losses of
$1,645,000. We are reviewing our options with respect to this property.
4
The other properties, subject to foreclosure proceedings at September 30, 2008 (which are in various foreclosure stages), are as
follows:
•
First and second mortgage loans secured by a portfolio of retail, office and residential properties located in New Jersey,
securing a loan with an outstanding balance as of September 30, 2008 of $654,000 (paid down to $294,000 subsequent to
September 30, 2008).
• A first mortgage loan secured by three separate multi-family properties located in Utica and Syracuse, New York, with an
outstanding balance of $2,393,000, before a loan loss allowance of $850,000.
• A single family residence located in Purchase, New York securing a first mortgage loan with an outstanding balance of
$2,700,000, before loan loss allowances of $700,000.
In the event of a default by a borrower on a mortgage loan, we will, in substantially all cases, foreclose on the mortgage or other
collateral held by us and may seek to protect our investment through negotiations with the borrower or other interested parties. From the time a
loan becomes non-performing until the time that a foreclosure sale or bankruptcy auction occurs, a satisfactory workout is completed or the
loan is reinstated by the borrower, we generally do not receive any interest payments under our loan, thereby affecting our revenues, net
income and cash distributions to our shareholders. Foreclosure proceedings in certain jurisdictions can take a considerable period of time, and
may extend for as long as two years. In addition, if a borrower files for protection under the United States bankruptcy laws during the
foreclosure process, the delays may be longer. In a mortgage foreclosure proceeding, we will typically seek to have a receiver appointed by the
court or an independent third party property manager appointed with the borrower's consent in order to preserve the property’s income stream
and provide for the maintenance of the property. At the conclusion of the foreclosure or negotiated workout process, the rents collected by the
receiver or the third party manager, as the case may be, less costs and expenses of operating the property and the receiver's or manager's fees,
are usually paid over to us.
Our Real Estate Assets
At September 30, 2008, we owned 13 properties acquired in foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure having a book value of $73,853,000
(including $34,665,000 of real estate assets held for sale). In Fiscal 2008, $104,172,000 of real assets were acquired by foreclosure or deed in
lieu of foreclosure (net of loan charge offs of $17,467,000), of which $34,885,000 (book value) were sold. This compares to real estate assets
acquired in Fiscal 2007 in foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure having a book value of $9,420,000 at September 30, 2007 (including
$9,355,000 of real estate properties held for sale). In addition, a consolidated joint venture owns one property, having a book value of
$3,159,000 and $3,272,000 as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The following sets forth information concerning properties
acquired in foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure and owned by us at September 30, 2008:
TYPE OF PROPERTY
Multi-family residential, 388 units
Multi-family residential, 250 units (1)
Multi-family residential, 156 units (2)
Multi-family residential, 128 units (3)
Multi-family residential, 112 units (4)
Multi-family residential, 54 units (5)
Multi-family residential, 88 units (4)
Condominium units, 167 units
Condominium units, 56 units (6)
Condominium units, 15 units (7)
Condominium units, 20 units
Undeveloped land
Cooperative apartments, 26 units
TOTAL
LOCATION
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Smyrna, Tennessee
Madison, Tennessee
Madison, Tennessee
Madison, Tennessee
Apoka, Florida
Miami, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
Avalon, Florida
Daytona Beach, Florida
New York, New York
5
$
BOOK VALU
E,
NET OF
IMPAIRMEN
T
CHARGES
8,905,000
7,480,000
7,027,000
6,343,000
4,086,000
2,359,000
2,342,000
12,956,000
10,016,000
1,050,000
830,000
10 ,437,000
22,000
73,853,000
$
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
A wholly-owned subsidiary of ours entered into a contract of sale, dated as of December 3, 2008, with an unaffiliated entity, to
sell this property for a purchase price of $7,900,000.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of ours entered into a contract of sale, dated as of November 25, 2008, with an unaffiliated entity, to
sell this property for a purchase price of $7,404,000.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of ours entered into a contract of sale, dated as of December 3, 2008, with an unaffiliated entity, to
sell this property for a purchase price of $6,612,000.
Two wholly-owned subsidiaries of ours entered into a contract of sale, dated as of December 3, 2008, with an unaffiliated entity,
to sell, two properties included in the above table; one property for a purchase price of $4,350,000 and one property for a
purchase price of $3,000,000.
A wholly-owned subsidiary entered into a contract of sale, dated as of November 14, 2008, with an unaffiliated party, to sell this
property for a purchase price of $2,430,000.
Twenty-five units ($4,507,000 in book value) are held for sale and 31 units ($5,509,000 in book value) are included in real estate
properties.
Seven units ($521,000 in book value) are held for sale and eight units ($529,000 in book value) are included in real estate
properties.
Consummation of each of the transactions referenced in footnotes 1-5 above is conditioned upon satisfaction of specific terms and
conditions and delivery of specific documents as is customary in similar transactions. Each contract of sale provides each purchaser with a due
diligence period, pursuant to which each purchaser may, in its sole discretion, terminate its contract of sale during the due diligence
period. The sale price for each of these properties, less brokerage commissions and other estimated costs of sale, approximates the book value
for each property as set forth in the above table. There can be no assurance that any one or more of these transactions will be completed.
With respect to properties acquired in foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, we supervise local property managers, and our staff
supervises or is directly responsible for repairing and improving the property and completing construction projects commenced by our
borrower. In Fiscal 2008, we expended a total of $3,914,000 for improvements and construction costs with respect to properties acquired in
foreclosure and deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.
With respect to unsold residential condominium units we acquire, we examine the local real estate market to determine the advisability
of selling or leasing vacant units and engage in a sales or leasing program, or in both activities at a single project, as we deem
appropriate. These activities include retaining sales and leasing agents, preparing advertising materials, negotiating brokerage agreements,
supervising activities of brokers selected by us, and seeking mortgage financing opportunities for potential purchasers. We also engage in
leasing activities for multi-family properties we acquire in foreclosure and deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.
Generally, our policy is to sell properties we acquire by foreclosure and deed in lieu of foreclosure after completing necessary repairs
and maintenance and engaging in leasing activities, if required. We may elect to retain a property if we determine that it is a property which
has a longer term potential for appreciation.
6
At September 30, 2008, less than 1% of our total assets, or an aggregate of approximately $1,857,000, was represented by interests in
unconsolidated joint ventures that collectively own six properties.
Our Investment Strategy
Our objective is to provide our shareholders with returns over time, including quarterly cash distributions and capital appreciation, by
originating mortgage loans secured by a diversified portfolio of real property. Due to the current credit crisis however, our business focus has
temporarily shifted emphasis from originating loans to servicing our loan portfolio, workout activities, pursuing foreclosure actions, acquiring
the underlying property in a foreclosure preceding and supervising real estate assets.
We pursue lending opportunities with property owners and prospective property owners who require short-term financing until
permanent or construction financing can be obtained or until the property is sold. Our investment policy emphasizes the origination of short-
term real estate mortgage loans secured by senior liens on real property. As of September 30, 2008, 98% of the principal balance of our
portfolio consisted of first mortgage loans or pari passu participations in first mortgage loans. Our lending activities focus on operating
properties such as multi-family residential properties (including residential property being renovated and converted to condominium
ownership), office buildings, shopping centers, mixed use buildings, hotels/motels, and industrial buildings. We also will provide senior
mortgage loans secured by unimproved land, but generally require that the unimproved land collateralizing our loan has proper entitlements
and that zoning is in place for the intended purpose. Although we continue to pursue loan originations, in the current business environment, the
demand for short-time bridge loans has significantly declined and as a result, we have not received a significant number of loan inquiries and
applications which satisfy our underwriting criteria. Accordingly, until there is a significant reversal of the credit crisis, we expect our
originations to continue to be at a reduced level.
We also originate and hold for investment loans secured by improved commercial or multi-family residential property which is vacant,
pending renovation and sale or leasing of the property. From time to time, we sell senior, junior and pari passu participations in mortgage loans
that we originate. We may also acquire participations in mortgage loans originated by others, and we may invest in the securities of other
REITs.
When we invest in junior mortgage loans and junior loan participations, the collateral securing our loan is subordinate to the liens of
senior mortgages or senior participations. At September 30, 2008, approximately 2% of our real estate mortgages, or $2,340,000 in principal
amount, were represented by junior mortgages and junior participations. In certain cases, we may find it advisable to make additional
payments in order to maintain the current status of prior liens or to discharge them entirely or to make working capital advances to support
current operations. It is possible that the amount which may be recovered by us in cases in which we hold a junior position may be less, or
significantly less, than our total investment, less allowances for possible loan losses.
Our lending activities are national in scope. We solicit mortgage loans which will be secured by a property located anywhere within
the United States. It is not our present intention to originate or otherwise invest in any mortgage loan which is secured by property located
outside the United States.
Our Origination Process and Underwriting Criteria
We originate mortgage loans in a number of ways. We rely on relationships developed by our officers and loan originators with real
estate investors, commercial real estate brokers, mortgage brokers and bankers. Historically, we have experienced a great deal of repeat
business with our borrowers.
When underwriting a loan, the primary focus of our analysis is the fundamental value of a property, which we determine by
considering a number of factors, including location, current use and potential for alternative use, current and potential net operating income, if
any, the local market for condominium conversion if conversion of the property to condominium ownership is contemplated or is a potential
alternative, comparable sales prices, existing zoning regulations and intended use if the loan is to be secured by undeveloped land, and local
demographics. We also examine the financial condition of the principals of a potential borrower and the experience of our potential borrower’s
principals in real estate ownership and management and, if applicable, real estate development.
7
Loan approvals are based on a review of property information as well as other due diligence activities undertaken by us, including a
site visit to the property, an in-house property valuation, a review of the results of operations of the property (historical and projected, if any)
or, in the case of an acquisition of the property by our prospective borrower, a review of the prospective borrower's projected results of
operations for the property, and a review of the financial condition and a credit report and background check of the principals of the prospective
borrower. We do not obtain independent property appraisals, but instead rely on our in-house activities described above. If management
determines that an environmental assessment of the underlying property is necessary, then such an assessment is conducted by an experienced
third-party service provider. Before a loan commitment is issued, the loan must be reviewed and approved by our loan committee. Loan
approval occurs after the assent of not less than four of the seven members of our loan committee, all of whom are executive officers of BRT.
We generally obtain a non-refundable cash deposit for legal, travel, and other expenses from a prospective borrower prior to or at the time of
issuing a loan commitment, and our loan commitments are generally issued subject to receipt by us of title documentation and title insurance, in
a form satisfactory to us, for the underlying property. The approval of our Board of Trustees is required for each loan which exceeds
$20,000,000 in principal amount, and the approval of our Board of Trustees is also required where loans by us to one borrower exceed
$50,000,000, in the aggregate.
We usually require either a personal guarantee or a "walk-away guarantee" from the principal or principals of the borrower, in
substantially all of the loans originated by us. A "walk-away guarantee" generally provides that the full guarantee of the principal or principals
of the borrower terminates if the borrower conveys title to the property to us within a negotiated period of time after a loan default if the
payment of mortgage interest to us, real estate taxes and other operating expenses are current. The "walk-away guarantee" is intended to
provide an incentive to the principals of a borrower, in a situation where our borrower has defaulted, to have the collateral deeded to us in lieu
of foreclosure, thereby reducing the cost of foreclosure proceedings. By complying with the terms of the "walk-away guarantee," the principals
of the borrower can avoid the risk of being personally responsible for any difference between the amount owed to us and the amount we
recover in a foreclosure proceeding. If we make more than one loan to a borrower, we may require that all or some of the outstanding loans to
that borrower be cross-collateralized. In our judgment, during Fiscal 2008, the “walk-away guarantors” that we secured upon the origination of
certain loans provided us with leverage in negotiating loan paydowns from “walk away guarantors” and assisted in expediting the foreclosure
process on our defaulted loans.
We originated $66,027,000 of mortgage loans in Fiscal 2008. This compares with $120,349,000 of mortgage loans originated by us in
Fiscal 2007. As previously discussed, we believe the decline in our originations is primarily due to the current credit crisis, and it is our
expectation that the current crisis will continue to adversely impact our loan originations in Fiscal 2009. We cannot project when the credit
crisis will stabilize and reverse. Most of our potential borrowers do not have a current need or have a reduced need for our short term lending
solutions as their activity in the real estate market has slowed or been curtailed.
Our Credit Facility
We have a revolving credit facility with a group of banks consisting of Capital One Bank, VNB New York Corp., Signature Bank and
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company to finance our real estate mortgage lending, and pursuant to which these banks make available to us
up to an aggregate of $185,000,000 on a revolving basis. The revolving credit facility matures on February 1, 2010, with no extension
options. The amount which can be outstanding under the revolving credit facility may not exceed an amount equal to the sum of (i) 65% of our
first mortgages, plus (ii) 50% of our second mortgages and (iii) 50% of the fair market value of certain of our owned real estate pledged to the
lending banks as collateral, and the sum of (ii) and (iii) may not exceed 15% of the borrowing base. At September 30, 2008 and November 30,
2008, $51,000,000 and $69,000,000, respectively, was available to be drawn down by us under the revolving credit facility and $3,000,000 and
$6,000,000, respectively, was outstanding. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at 30 day LIBOR plus 225 basis points,
or 4.74% per annum as of September 30, 2008 and 4.15% per annum as of November 30, 2008. The loan agreement between us and our
lenders contains affirmative and negative covenants, including (1) a requirement that the ratio of shareholders' equity (including trust preferred
securities) to bank debt shall not be less than 1.00 to 1.00, and (2) a required debt coverage ratio of 1.50 to 1.00. We are in compliance with the
covenants.
8
Through the date of this filing, all of our draw requests have been fulfilled by our lending banks in a timely manner.
CIT Joint Venture
BRT Joint Venture No. 1 LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of ours, which we refer to as the BRT member, entered into a joint venture
agreement by and among (a) CIT Capital USA, Inc., which we refer to as the CIT member and which is a wholly owned subsidiary of CIT
Group, Inc., and (b) BRT Funding LLC, a limited liability company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware, which we refer to as the
joint venture. The joint venture is engaged in the business of investing in short-term commercial real estate loans for terms of six months to
three years, similar to those that we originate. The BRT member is the managing member of the joint venture. The initial capitalization of the
joint venture is up to $100,000,000, of which 25% is funded by the BRT member and 75% by the CIT member. At September 30, 2008, we
had an equity investment in the venture of $8,862,000.
We have agreed to present all loan proposals received by us to the joint venture for its consideration on a first refusal basis until the
joint venture originates loans with an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000.
Due to the credit crisis, the joint venture did not originate any loans in Fiscal 2008. The joint venture’s activities in 2008 principally
consisted of managing its loan portfolio. In Fiscal 2008, $19,366,000 of the joint venture’s loans were repaid and the joint venture acquired
one property in foreclosure, which secured a loan of $1,350,000. The asset acquired, a hotel property located in Goldsboro, North Carolina,
which had a book value of $1,143,000, after loan loss allowances, was sold subsequent to Fiscal 2008 for $1,200,000. Additionally, the joint
venture commenced foreclosure proceedings in Fiscal 2008 with respect to a defaulted loan of $26,421,000 secured by a multi-family property
located in Mesa, Arizona. Subsequent to September 30, 2008, the borrower filed for protection under the federal bankruptcy laws. The
bankruptcy and foreclosure proceedings are pending.
Following is a summary of the material provisions of the joint venture agreement, which is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
joint venture agreement, a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on November 8, 2006.
Funding . For so long as the joint venture does not have a line of credit from a third party lender (which it neither has nor is pursuing),
the BRT member is to fund 25% of each loan made by the joint venture, and the CIT member is to fund 75%.
Allocations . We manage the joint venture and receive a management allocation calculated as 1% of the loan portfolio amount,
annualized, and payable quarterly. The joint venture will distribute net available cash to its two members on a pro-rata basis until each member
receives a return of 9% (inclusive of origination fees, if any), annualized on its outstanding advances. If the joint venture provides each member
with an annualized 9% return, thereafter, additional available net cash is distributed 37.5% to the CIT member and 62.5% to the BRT member.
Clawback. If the joint venture sustains any loss of principal with respect to loans that are foreclosed upon, the BRT member will
reimburse the CIT member up to 75% of the actual loss, but only to the extent that amounts received by BRT member from cash distributions
exceed the BRT member's 9% return, with such reimbursement to be capped at two-thirds of 1% of the highest aggregate principal amount of
the venture's loans outstanding. The reimbursement, if any, is calculated based upon calendar year results.
9
Restrictions. The joint venture agreement includes a number of restrictions on the activities of BRT, the BRT member, CIT and the
CIT member, some of which are summarized herein:
During the term of the joint venture agreement and until eighteen months following the dissolution of the joint venture (which period
is referred to as the restricted period), CIT's commercial real estate business unit will not, without the consent of BRT or the BRT member,
make any commercial real estate loans to any borrowers that are initially introduced to the joint venture by the BRT member, by a mortgage
broker associated with the BRT member or by any of BRT's affiliates.
During the term of the joint venture agreement, without the consent of CIT or of the CIT member, BRT will not make any commercial
real estate loan other than through the joint venture or as provided by the joint venture agreement; provided however, that BRT is not precluded
during the term of the joint venture agreement from making any loan that is disapproved or deemed disapproved by the joint venture or that the
joint venture is not able to make because of the absence of available funding.
During the term of the joint venture agreement, BRT will not enter into any transaction or arrangement with any other person to
manage or service such person's mortgage loan portfolio or other real estate loans. BRT has also agreed that it shall not during the term of the
joint venture agreement, enter into any joint venture or partnership to make, manage or service any third parties mortgage loan portfolio or
other real estate loans.
Termination. The joint venture agreement is terminable by either member upon 60 days notice. Upon any such termination, any loans
then held by the joint venture will continue to be held by the joint venture until the maturity or, if earlier, repayment, of such loans.
We have agreed to pay a fee of 4% of the funds advanced by the CIT member to the joint venture, as and when such funds are
advanced, to a merchant banking firm that performed certain services for us and the joint venture in the transaction. One of the managing
directors of the merchant bank is an independent director of One Liberty Properties, Inc., which is an affiliate of BRT. The merchant banking
firm is otherwise unrelated to BRT.
Trust Preferred Securities
We have issued trust preferred securities, in an aggregate principal amount of $56,702,000, through two wholly-owned single purpose
subsidiaries. Trust preferred securities in an aggregate principal amount of $25,774,000 require distributions at a rate of 8.23% per annum
through April 30, 2016, and trust preferred securities in an aggregate principal amount of $30,928,000 require distributions at a rate of 8.49%
per annum through April 30, 2016. The trust preferred securities mature on April 30, 2036 and are redeemable at our option, at par, beginning
on April 30, 2011.
Our Investment in Entertainment Properties Trust
As of September 30, 2008, we owned 131,289 common shares of Entertainment Properties Trust, which is referred to herein as
EPR. These shares have an average cost for book purposes of $13.13 per share and an aggregate book value of $1,725,000. As of September
30, 2008, the market value of this investment was approximately $7,185,000, or $54.72 per share, and as of November 30, 2008 was
approximately $3,221,000, or $24.53 per share In our 2008 fiscal year, EPR paid or declared cash dividends to shareholders at a quarterly rate
of $.84 per share, which provided us with an annual yield of 25.6% on our book cost. From time to time, we evaluate our investment in EPR
and determine whether or not to sell any EPR shares, taking into consideration EPR's results of operations and business prospects, as well as
general market conditions. In Fiscal 2008, we sold 493,511 shares of EPR for a gain for book purposes of $19,940,000.
10
Competition
With respect to our real estate lending activities, we compete for originations with other entities, including other mortgage REITs,
commercial banks, savings and loan associations, specialty finance companies, conduits, pension funds, public and private lending companies,
investment funds, hedge funds, mortgage bankers and others. With respect to our sale of real estate assets, we compete with any entity seeking
to dispose of like properties, including other REIT’s, banks, pension funds, hedge funds, real estate developers and private real estate
investors. Many of our competitors possess greater financial and other resources than we possess.
Competitive variables in our lending activities include market visibility, size of loans offered, rate, fees, term and underwriting
standards. To the extent a competitor offers a lower rate, is willing to risk more capital in a particular transaction, and/or employ more liberal
underwriting standards, our origination volume and profit margins could be adversely impacted. We compete by offering rapid response time in
terms of approval and closing and by offering “no prepayment penalty” loans. We may offer a higher loan to value ratio than institutional
competitors. In order to supplement our marketing activities, we engage in an active national advertising program. Mortgage lending has been
historically competitive, but in current environment it is difficult to determine our direct and indirect competitors and the extent of the
competition.
With respect to the sale of real estate properties, competition is primarily dependent on price. Other competitive factors which a potential
buyer may take into account, most of which are outside of our control, are location, physical condition of the property and availability of
mortgage financing.
Our Structure
We share facilities, personnel and other resources with several affiliated entities including, among others, Gould Investors L.P., a
master limited partnership involved in the ownership and operation of a diversified portfolio of real estate, and One Liberty Properties, Inc., a
publicly-traded equity REIT. Jeffrey A. Gould, our President and Chief Executive Officer, George Zweier, our Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer, two other officers engaged in loan origination, underwriting and servicing activities, and five others engaged in underwriting
and servicing activities devote substantially all of their business time to us, while our other personnel (including several officers) share their
services on a part-time basis with us and other affiliated entities that share our executive offices. The allocation of expenses for the shared
facilities, personnel and other resources is computed in accordance with a shared services agreement by and among us and the affiliated
entities. The allocation is based on the estimated time devoted by executive, administrative and clerical personnel to the affairs of each entity
that is a party to the Shared Services Agreement.
In addition, we are party to an Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement, between us and REIT Management Corp., our
advisor. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement, REIT Management Corp. furnishes advisory and administrative services
with respect to our business, including, without limitation, arranging credit lines, interfacing with our lending banks, participating in our loan
analysis and approvals, providing investment advice, providing assistance with building inspections and litigation strategy and support. In
addition, in connection with non-performing loans, REIT Management Corp., among other activities, engages in negotiations with borrowers,
guarantors, and their advisors related to workouts, participates in strategic decisions relating to workouts and foreclosures and may interface
with receivers, managing agents and court appointed trustees with respect to specific collateral securing our loans.
For services performed by REIT Management Corp. under the Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement, REIT Management Corp.
receives an asset management fee equal to .6% of our invested assets and an incentive fee from borrowers payable upon funding a loan
commitment of .5% of the total commitment amount, provided that we have received at least a loan commitment fee of 1% from the borrower
in any such transaction and any loan commitment fee in excess of 1.5% of the total commitment amount is retained by us. REIT Management
Corp. is wholly owned by the chairman of our Board of Trustees and he and certain of our executive officers, including our President and Chief
Executive Officer, receive compensation from REIT Management Corp. We discuss compensation paid by REIT Management Corp. to our
Chairman and President and Chief Executive Officer and to certain of our executive officers in our proxy statement for our Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.
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We believe that the Shared Services Agreement and the Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement allow us to benefit from access
to, and from the services of, a group of senior executives with significant real estate knowledge and experience.
We also engage affiliated entities to manage some of the properties acquired by us in foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure and
some of the properties owned by joint ventures in which we are an equity participant. These management services include, among other
things, rent billing and collection, property repair, maintenance and improvement, contractor negotiation, construction management and sales
and leasing activities. In management's judgment, the fees paid by us to these affiliated entities are competitive with fees that would be
charged for comparable services by unrelated entities.
Available Information
You can access financial and other information regarding our company on our website: www.brtrealty.com. The information on our
website is not a part of, nor is it incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report. We make available, free of charge, copies of our Annual
Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and Amendments to those reports filed or furnished
pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically
filing such material with, or furnishing such material to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
In addition to the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K, readers should carefully consider the following
risk factors:
Risks Related to Our Business
We have experienced a substantial increase in the frequency of defaults on our loans and continuing defaults will result in continuing
declines in revenues, cash available for distribution to shareholders.
Loan defaults result in a decrease in interest income and may require the establishment of, or an increase in, loan loss reserves. The
decrease in interest income resulting from a loan default or defaults may be for a prolonged period of time as we seek to recover, primarily
through legal proceedings, the outstanding principal balance, accrued interest and default interest due on a defaulted loan, plus the legal costs
incurred in pursuing our legal remedies. Legal proceedings, which may include foreclosure actions and bankruptcy proceedings, are expensive
and time consuming. The decrease in interest income, and the costs involved in pursuing our legal remedies will reduce the amount of cash
available to meet our expenses. In addition, the decrease in interest income, the costs incurred by us in a defaulted loan situation and increases
in loan loss reserves will have an adverse impact on our net income, taxable income, shareholders’ equity, the cash distributions paid by us to
our shareholders and our ability to continue to pay cash distributions in the future.
In Fiscal 2008, we realized an increase in the number of borrowers defaulting on their monetary obligations to us. At September 30,
2007, we had seven non-earning loans having an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $63,627,000, before loan loss allowances. During
Fiscal 2008, nine additional borrowers with an outstanding principal balance of $84,235,000 defaulted in their monetary obligations to us. Of
the $147,862,000 in defaulted loans, real properties underlying loans totaling $122,295,000 in principal amount were acquired by us in
foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure in Fiscal 2008 and were reclassified on our books from real estate loans to real estate properties
(including real estate properties held for sale) at a book value of $104,828,000, after charge-offs of $17,467,000. Accordingly, real estate loans
not earning interest decreased from $63,627,000, before loan loss allowances, at September 30, 2007 to $18,407,000, before loan loss
allowances, at September 30, 2008, and real properties, including real properties held for sale, increased from $12,691,000 at September 30,
2007 to $77,012,000 at September 30, 2008, after giving effect to real property sales with a book value of $34,885,000 and impairment charges
of $8,160,000 during Fiscal 2008. Non-earning loans represented 13.50% of the principal balance of our outstanding loans and 6.82% of our
total assets at September 30, 2008. The non-accrual of interest income on non-earning loans had the effect of reducing our revenues by
$8,030,000 in Fiscal 2008 and may continue to reduce our revenues and our net income in Fiscal 2009. Continuing uncertainty in the credit and
real estate markets may result in additional defaults by our borrowers in Fiscal 2009.
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The inability of our borrowers to refinance or sell underlying real property may lead to additional defaults on our loans.
Substantially all of our mortgage portfolio is short term and due within one year. In addition, our borrowers are required to pay all or
substantially all of the principal balance of our loans at maturity, in most cases with little or no amortization of principal over the term of the
loan. In order to satisfy this obligation, at the maturity of a loan a borrower will be required to refinance or sell the property or otherwise raise
a substantial amount of cash. The ability to refinance or sell or otherwise raise a substantial amount of cash is dependent upon certain factors
which neither we nor our borrowers control, such as national, local and regional business and economic conditions, government economic
policies and the level of interest rates. Due to the current credit crisis, institutional lenders have substantially restricted or suspended lending
and have increased the costs of borrowing and tightened credit standards. As a result, our borrowers are finding it very difficult and costly to
refinance or sell the property, thereby affecting their ability to repay loans due to us. If a borrower is unable to pay the balance due at maturity
and we are not willing to extend or restructure the loan or make other accommodations with a borrower, we will, in most cases, foreclose on the
property, which can be expensive and time consuming and will adversely affect our net income, shareholders’ equity and cash distributions to
shareholders.
We are subject to certain risks associated with borrower concentrations, which causes us to be vulnerable to adverse changes
regarding these borrowers.
At September 30, 2008, 21 first mortgage loans, representing 62.4% of our loan portfolio, or $85,187,000, to three separate borrowers
were outstanding. Nineteen loans, in the aggregate principal amount of $36,312,000, were originated to one borrower, all of which are secured
by three commercial redevelopment projects in Newark, New Jersey. We also originated a $26,075,000 loan to a different borrower, securing a
commercial property in Manhattan, New York, and a $22,800,000 loan to another borrower, securing a commercial property in Brooklyn, New
York; each of these two borrowers intends to convert its property into a residential condominium project. Each individual loan we originate is
separately and independently underwritten. All of these loans are currently performing and are secured by first mortgages on commercial real
properties. These significant borrowing concentrations cause 62.4% of our portfolio to be subject to the economic conditions of three
borrowers. If one or more of these borrowers experience financial or other difficulties in the future, they may default in their obligations,
which would result in their loans being reclassified as non-earning. As a result, we would likely foreclose on the property, which will
adversely affect our net income, shareholders’ equity and cash distributions to shareholders.
Decrease in our loan originations could negatively affect our results of operations.
Due to the crisis in the credit and real estate markets, many of our borrowers and potential borrowers have less of a need for our short-
term lending, as their activity in the real estate markets slowed or was curtailed. In addition, we were concerned with the ability of potential
borrowers to refinance or sell properties in order to repay our loans. As a result, in Fiscal 2008 there was a 45% decrease in the principal
amount of loans originated as compared to Fiscal 2007. Unless there are positive changes in the credit markets, the level of originations will
continue at a reduced level, which could negatively affect our revenues, net income, shareholders’ equity and cash distributions to shareholders.
13
Our allowance for loan losses and impairment charges against owned real estate may not be adequate to cover actual losses.
Our loan losses could exceed the allowance for loan losses that we have recorded in our financial statements, and impairment charges
against the value of real estate acquired by us in foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure may ultimately prove to be inadequate. We establish
and maintain an allowance for loan losses to manage the risk associated with loan defaults. We also take impairment charges to reduce the
value of real estate property owned by us, if in our judgment, the value of the real estate property owned has declined. Regardless of the
underwriting criteria utilized at the time of origination or valuation allowances taken with respect to loans or impairment charges taken with
respect to real estate owned, losses may be experienced as a result of specific or systemic factors beyond our control, including, among other
things, an economic recession and changes in market conditions affecting the value of our loan collateral and real estate assets.
As of September 30, 2008, our allowance for loan losses was $6,710,000 compared to $8,917,000 as of September 30, 2007. In
addition, at September 30, 2008, real estate owned by us, which was acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure, had a book value of
$73,853,000, after $17,467,000 in loan loss allowances taken against the loans prior to acquisition, and $8,160,000 in impairment charges taken
against real property assets after acquisition. The allowance for loan losses and the impairment charges against owned real property reflects
our estimate of the probable losses in our loan portfolio and our estimate of real property values at the relevant balance sheet date. Our
allowance for loan losses and impairment charges against owned real property are based on an evaluation of known risks and economic factors.
The determination of an appropriate level of loan loss allowances and impairment charges is an inherently difficult process and is based on
numerous assumptions. The amount of future losses and future impairment of real estate is susceptible to changes in economic, operating and
other conditions, including changes in interest rates, that may be beyond our control and these losses may exceed current estimates. Our
allowance for loan losses and impairment charges may not be adequate to cover actual losses and we may need to take additional reserves and
charges in the future. Actual losses and additional allowances and impairment charges in the future could materially and adversely affect our
business, net income, shareholders’ equity and cash distributions to our shareholders.
A prolonged economic slowdown or a lengthy or severe recession could harm our operations.
Declines in the U.S. economy, severe liquidity issues in the credit markets and the resulting decline in the real estate markets in Fiscal
2008, contributed to significant defaults by our borrowers, a significant reduction in our loan originations and increased provisions for loan
losses and impairment charges on our assets. If the decline in the U.S. economy does not stabilize and reverse in 2009, we will likely
experience an additional decline in loan originations and increases in loan losses and asset impairment charges in Fiscal 2009. Borrowers may
also be less able to pay principal and interest on loans if the economy continues to weaken. Declining real property values also would increase
loan-to-value ratios on our loans and, therefore, weaken our collateral coverage and increase the possibility of a loss if a borrower
defaults. Any sustained period of increased defaults and foreclosures would adversely affect our interest income, financial condition, business
prospects and our ability to make cash distributions to our shareholders.
If a significant number of our mortgage loans are in default or we otherwise must write down our loans, a breach of our revolving
credit facility could occur.
Our revolving credit facility with Capital One Bank, VNB New York Corp., Signature Bank and Manufacturers and Traders Trust
Company includes financial covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including a debt service coverage ratio and an equity
to indebtedness ratio. If additional mortgage loans held by us go into default or if generally accepted accounting principles require us to take
additional significant loan loss reserves against our loans or significant impairment charges against our real estate assets, our financial position
could be materially adversely affected causing us to be in breach of the financial covenants.
A breach by us of the covenants to maintain the financial ratios would place us in default under our revolving credit facility, and, if the
banks called a default and required us to repay the full amount outstanding under the revolving credit facility, we might be required to rapidly
dispose of assets, which could have an adverse impact on the amounts we receive on such disposition. If we are unable to dispose of assets in a
timely fashion to the satisfaction of the banks, the banks could foreclose on that portion of our loan portfolio pledged to the banks as collateral,
which could result in the disposition of loans at below market values. The disposition of loans at below our carrying value would adversely
affect our net income, reduce our shareholders’ equity and adversely affect our ability to pay cash distributions to our shareholders.
14
Failure to have an adequate funding source would adversely affect our results.
Our loan originations require us to have adequate funds available in order to originate loans. Our primary source of funds for our originations
is our revolving credit facility. In the event that our lending banks determine not to satisfy our loan draw down requests or do not renew our
credit facility upon its expiration in February 2010 on terms that are acceptable to us, we will be forced to secure additional funding sources in
order to continue originating loans. Under the current market conditions, the availability of both debt and equity funding has contracted
severely. The failure to secure financing on acceptable terms or in sufficient amounts could reduce our taxable income by limiting our ability
to originate loans and increasing our financing expenses. A reduction in our revenues, net income and taxable income could impair our
liquidity and our ability to pay distributions to our shareholders. We cannot assure you that any or sufficient funding will be available to us in
the future on terms that are acceptable to us.
Financing with high loan-to-value ratios may involve increased risk of loss and may adversely affect us.
Our primary source of recovery in the event of a loan default is the real property underlying a defaulted loan. Therefore, the value of
our loan depends upon the value of the underlying real property. The value of the underlying property is dependent on numerous factors outside
of our control, including national, regional and local business and economic conditions, government economic policies and the level of interest
rates. A loan-to-value ratio is the ratio of the amount of our financing, plus the amount of any senior indebtedness, if any, to the estimated
market value of the property underlying a loan, as determined by our internal valuation process. In the current economic environment, the
market value of real property underlying many of our loans is less than the market value at the time the loan commitment was issued and the
loan funded. The higher the loan to value ratio, the greater the risk that the amount obtainable from sale of a property (including a foreclosure
or bankruptcy sale) may be insufficient to repay the loan in full upon default.
The geographic concentration of our portfolio may make our revenues and the value of our portfolio vulnerable to adverse changes in
local economic conditions.
Although we originate and hold for investment loans secured by real property located anywhere in the United States, 85% of our
outstanding loans are secured by properties located in New York and New Jersey. A lack of geographical diversification makes our mortgage
portfolio more sensitive to local or regional economic conditions. In particular, if the current economic crisis causes a more dramatic decline in
the economies of these two states compared with the rest of the United States, this could result in a greater risk of default under our loans
compared with the default rate for loans secured by properties in other states. This could result in a reduction of our revenues, increases in our
loan loss allowances and impairment charges and a reduction of our net income, which reductions and increases may not be as acute if our
portfolio were more geographically diverse.
Our revenues and the value of our portfolio are affected by a number of factors that affect investments in real property generally.
We are subject to the general risks of the real estate market. These include adverse changes in national and local economic conditions,
demographics, retailing trends and traffic patterns, competitive overbuilding, casualty losses and other factors beyond our control. The value of
the collateral underlying our loans, as well as the real property owned by us and by joint ventures in which we are an equity participant, also
may be negatively affected by factors such as the cost of complying with environmental regulations and liability under applicable
environmental laws, interest rate changes and the availability of financing. Income from a commercial or multifamily residential property will
also be adversely affected if a significant number of tenants are unable to pay rent, if tenants terminate or cancel leases or if available space
cannot be rented on favorable terms. Operating and other expenses of properties, particularly significant expenses such as real estate taxes,
maintenance costs and casualty and liability insurance costs, generally do not decrease when income decreases and even if revenues increase,
operating and other expenses may increase faster than revenues.
15
Failure to pay interest on our debt may adversely affect us.
Default in making interest payments on debt could affect our ability to fund our operations. As of September 30, 2008, we had
approximately $56,702,000 of trust preferred securities outstanding, maturing in 2036. Payments of interest under the instruments governing
the trust preferred securities, totaling $1,187,000 per quarter, must be paid before we can pay dividends on our common shares.
As of September 30, 2008, we had a revolving credit facility of $185,000,000, of which $51,000,000 was available and $3,000,000
was outstanding. As of November 30, 2008, $6,000,000 is outstanding under this facility. This facility matures in February 2010. Our failure
to pay interest or principal on the facility would result in a default by us, and the lenders under the facility could require the immediate payment
of all amounts outstanding under the facility. This would negatively affect our liquidity position, operations and restrict our ability to originate
loans.
The increased risk of loans secured by undeveloped land may harm our results of operations.
We provide loans that are secured by undeveloped land. Loans secured by undeveloped land, aggregating $21,354,000, before
allowance for loan losses, represented 15.6% of our loan portfolio at September 30, 2008. We also have acquired by deed-in-lieu of
foreclosure undeveloped land which is recorded on our books at $10,436,000, after taking into account a charge-off of $4,050,000. Land loans
are subject to a higher risk of default because such properties are not income producing properties. In addition, the market value of such
properties is volatile. Although we only make loans on undeveloped land if entitlements and zoning is in place for the intended use, there is
always the risk that entitlements and zoning may be changed or lapse. Consequently, in the event of a default and foreclosure, we may not be
able to sell such property for an amount equal to our investment. As a result, we may lose a significant portion of our investment, adversely
affecting our net income, shareholders’ equity and cash distributions to our shareholders. In the event of a default of a loan secured by
undeveloped land, we may elect to hold the property until the market becomes more favorable. In such case during the holding period, which
may likely be for a longer period of time than the holding period for income producing real property, we will not receive any income from this
property and we will be required to pay the costs of carrying the property, primarily real estate taxes, which could adversely affect our net
income, shareholders’ equity and cash distributions to shareholders.
We are subject to the risks associated with loan participations, such as lack of full control rights.
Some of our investments are participating interests in loans in which we share the rights, obligations and benefits of the loan with
participating lenders pursuant to a participation agreement. We may need the consent of these parties to exercise our rights under such loans,
including rights with respect to amendment of loan documentation, the institution of, and control over, foreclosure actions entering into
forebearance agreements with borrowers, and sale of the underlying property upon acquisition in foreclosure. In addition, if under the
participation agreement our participation represents a minority or junior interest, the other participants may be able to take actions which are
not consistent with our interests or objectives.
16
We may have less control of our investment when we invest in joint ventures.
We have made loans to, and acquired equity interests in, joint ventures that own income producing real property. At September 30,
2008, our equity investment in these joint ventures aggregated $9,669,000. Our co-venturers may have different interests or goals than we do
and our co-venturers may not be able or willing to take an action that is desired by us. A disagreement with respect to the activities of the joint
venture could result in a substantial diversion of time and effort by our management and could result in our exercise, or one of our co-venturers
exercise, of the buy/sell provision typically contained in our joint venture organizational documents. In addition, there is no limitation under
our charter documents as to the amount of funds that we may invest in joint ventures. Accordingly, we may invest a substantial amount of our
funds in joint ventures which ultimately may not be profitable as a result of disagreements with and among our co-venturers.
We are exposed to risk of environmental liabilities with respect to properties to which we take title.
In the course of our business, we foreclose on defaulted loans and take title to real property. We could be subject to environmental
liabilities with respect to these properties. We may be held liable to governmental entities or to third parties for property damage, personal
injury, investigation and clean-up costs in connection with environmental contamination, or may be required to investigate or clean up
hazardous or toxic substances, or chemical releases at a property, even if the environmental issues arose prior to our ownership of the property .
The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. In addition, as the owner or former owner of a
contaminated site, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental
contamination associated with the property. If we become subject to significant environmental liabilities, our business, financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
We operate in a highly competitive market.
We have significant competition in our business. We compete with many third parties engaged in finance and real estate investment
activities, including other REITs, specialty finance companies, savings and loan associations, banks, mortgage bankers, insurance companies,
mutual funds, institutional investors, investment banking firms, lenders, governmental bodies and other entities. Some of these competitors
have substantially greater financial resources than we do and generally may be able to accept more risk. As such, they have the ability to make
larger loans and to reduce the risk of loss from any one loan by having a more diversified loan portfolio. They may also enjoy significant
competitive advantages that result from, among other things, enhanced operating efficiencies. An increase in the availability of funds to
lenders, or a decrease in the amount of borrowing activity, may increase competition for making loans and may reduce obtainable yields or
increase the credit risk inherent in the available loans.
The credit crisis has severely and adversely impacted mortgage lending activities by institutional lenders, specialty companies and
others engaged in commercial mortgage lending activities, and it has been extremely difficult for owners or buyers of real estate to refinance or
to finance an acquisition. In the normal course, we would expect a business environment of the type we are presently experiencing to provide
us with opportunities. However, the extreme difficulty in finding long-term financing has significantly reduced, and in some cases eliminated,
potential borrowers from acquiring real properties, development activity, condominium conversion and repositioning or upgrading real
property. Although we believe that we are in a position to originate short term bridge loans without significant competition, the flow of
business has been limited and we have been more cautious in our loan approvals.
Changes in interest rates may adversely affect our results of operations.
Our results of operations are likely to be harmed during any period of unexpected or rapid changes in interest rates. A substantial or
sustained increase in interest rates could harm our ability to originate mortgage loans or acquire participations in mortgage loans. Interest rate
fluctuations may also harm our earnings by causing an increase in mortgage prepayments or by changing the spread between the interest rates
on our borrowings and the interest rates on our mortgage assets.
17
Our revenues and the value of our portfolio may be negatively affected by casualty events occurring on properties securing our loans.
We require our borrowers to obtain, for our benefit, comprehensive insurance covering the property and any improvements to the
property collateralizing our loan in an amount intended to be sufficient to provide for the cost of replacement in the event of casualty. In
addition, joint ventures in which we are an equity participant carry comprehensive insurance covering the property and any improvements to
the property owned by the joint venture for the cost of replacement in the event of a casualty. Further, we carry insurance for such purpose on
properties owned by us. However, the amount of insurance coverage maintained for any property may not be sufficient to pay the full
replacement cost following a casualty event. In addition, the rent loss coverage under a policy may not extend for the full period of time that a
tenant may be entitled to a rent abatement that is a result of, or that may be required to complete restoration following a casualty event. In
addition, there are certain types of losses, such as those arising from earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and terrorist attacks, that may be
uninsurable or that may not be economically insurable. Changes in zoning, building codes and ordinances, environmental considerations and
other factors may make it impossible for our borrower, a joint venture or us, as the case may be, to use insurance proceeds to replace damaged
or destroyed improvements at a property. If any of these or similar events occur, the amount of coverage may not be sufficient to replace a
damaged or destroyed property and/or to repay in full the amount due on all loans collateralized by such property. As a result, our returns and
the value of our investment may be reduced.
Senior management and other key personnel are critical to our business and our future success may depend on our ability to retain
them.
We depend on the services of Fredric H. Gould, chairman of our board of trustees, Jeffrey A. Gould, our president and chief executive
officer, and other members of senior management to carry out our business and investment strategies. Jeffrey A. Gould devotes a limited
amount of his business time to entities affiliated with us. In addition to Jeffrey A. Gould, only three other executive officers, Mitchell Gould,
our executive vice president, Lonnie Halpern, a vice president and George Zweier our vice president and chief financial officer, and three other
executive personnel devote substantially all of their business time to us. The remainder of our executive management personnel share their
services on a part-time basis with entities affiliated with us and located in the same executive offices pursuant to a shared services
agreement. We rely on part-time executive officers to provide certain services to us, including legal, accounting and computer services, since
we do not employ full-time executive officers to handle these services. If the shared services agreement is terminated, we will have to obtain
such services or hire employees to perform them. We may not be able to replace these services or hire such employees in a timely manner or on
terms, including cost and level of expertise, that are as favorable as those we receive under the shared services agreement.
In addition, in the future we may need to attract and retain qualified senior management and other key personnel, both on a full-time
and part-time basis. The loss of the services of any of our senior management or other key personnel or our inability to recruit and retain
qualified personnel in the future, could impair our ability to carry out our business and our investment strategies.
We do not carry key man life insurance on members of our senior management.
Our transactions with affiliated entities involve conflicts of interest.
Entities affiliated with us and with certain of our executive officers provide services to us and on our behalf and we intend to continue
the relationships with such entities in the future. Although our policy is to obtain terms in transactions with affiliates that are at least as
favorable as those that we would receive if the transactions were entered into with unaffiliated entities, these transactions raise the potential that
we may not receive terms as favorable as those that we would receive if the transactions were entered into with unaffiliated entities.
18
Risks Related to the REIT Industry
Failure to qualify as a REIT would result in material adverse tax consequences and would significantly reduce cash available for
distributions.
We operate so as to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Qualification as a REIT involves the
application of technical and complex legal provisions for which there are limited judicial and administrative interpretations. The determination
of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control may affect our ability to qualify as a REIT. In addition, no
assurance can be given that legislation, new regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions will not significantly change the tax
laws with respect to qualification as a REIT or the Federal income tax consequences of such qualification. If we fail to qualify as a REIT, we
will be subject to Federal, state and local income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our taxable income at regular
corporate rates and would not be allowed a deduction in computing our taxable income for amounts distributed to shareholders. In addition,
unless entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions, we would be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years
following the year during which qualification is lost. The additional tax would reduce significantly our net income and the cash available for
distributions to shareholders.
We are subject to certain distribution requirements that may result in our having to borrow funds at unfavorable rates.
To obtain the favorable tax treatment associated with being a REIT, we are required, among other things, to
distribute to our shareholders at least 90% of our ordinary taxable income (subject to certain adjustments) each year. To the extent that we
satisfy the distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our taxable income, we are subject to Federal corporate income tax on our
undistributed taxable income. In addition, we are subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which certain distributions
paid by us with respect to any calendar year are less than the sum of 85% of our ordinary income, 95% of our capital gain net income and
100% of our undistributed income from prior years.
As a result of differences in timing between the receipt of income and the payment of expenses, and the inclusion of such income and
the deduction of such expenses in arriving at taxable income, and the effect of nondeductible capital expenditures, the creation of reserves and
the timing of required debt service (including amortization) payments, we may need to borrow funds on a short-term basis in order to make the
distributions to our shareholders necessary to retain the tax benefits associated with qualifying as a REIT, even if we believe that then
prevailing market conditions are not generally favorable for such borrowings. Such borrowings could reduce our net income and the cash
available for distributions to our shareholders.
Compliance with REIT requirements may hinder our ability to maximize profits.
In order to qualify as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning among other things, our
sources of income, the amounts we distribute to our shareholders and the ownership of securities. We may also be required to make
distributions to shareholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. Accordingly,
compliance with REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits.
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must also ensure that at the end of each calendar quarter at least 75% of the value of our assets
consists of cash, cash items, government securities and qualified REIT real estate assets. The remainder of our investment in securities cannot
include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities
of such issuer. In addition, no more than 5% of the value of our assets can consist of the securities of any one issuer, other than a qualified
REIT security. If we fail to comply with these requirements, we must dispose of the portion of our assets in excess of such amounts within 30
days after the end of the calendar quarter in order to avoid losing our REIT status and suffering adverse tax consequences. This requirement
could cause us to dispose of assets for consideration of less than their true value and could lead to a material adverse impact on our results of
operations and financial condition.
19
We cannot assure you of our ability to pay dividends in the future.
We intend to make distributions to our shareholders in amounts such that all or substantially all of our taxable income in each year,
subject to certain adjustments, is distributed within the time frames prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with respect
to REITs. This, along with other factors, should enable us to qualify for the tax benefits accorded to a REIT under the Code. We have not
established a minimum dividend payment level and our ability to pay dividends is adversely affected by the risk factors described in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K. All distributions are made at the discretion of our board of trustees and will depend on our earnings, taxable
income, financial condition, maintenance of our REIT status and such other factors as our board of trustees may deem relevant from time to
time. Our board of trustees suspended the payment of dividends on our common shares c ommencing with the next dividend payment date, the
first business day of January, 2009. Since we will likely report a tax loss for the year ended December 31, 2008, no distributions are likely to
be required in 2009 for us to retain our REIT status. In view of the problems facing the real estate industry and the Trust at the present time,
and the need to preserve capital, the board considered it prudent to suspend the payment of dividends. Our board of trustees will review the
dividend policy at each regularly scheduled quarterly board meeting.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
20
Executive Officers of Registrant
Set forth below is a list of our executive officers whose terms will expire at our 2009 annual Board of Trustees’ meeting. The business
history of officers who are also Trustees will be provided in our proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than January
28, 2009.
Name
Fredric H. Gould*
Jeffrey A. Gould*
Mitchell K. Gould
Matthew J. Gould*
Simeon Brinberg**
David W. Kalish
Israel Rosenzweig
Mark H. Lundy**
George E. Zweier
Lonnie Halpern
Office
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
President and Chief Executive Officer; Trustee
Executive Vice President
Senior Vice President; Trustee
Senior Vice President; Senior Counsel; and Secretary
Senior Vice President, Finance
Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President, General Counsel; and Assistant
Secretary
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Vice President
Fredric H. Gould is the father of Jeffrey A. and Matthew J. Gould.
*
** Simeon Brinberg is the father-in-law of Mark H. Lundy.
Mitchell K. Gould (age 36), employed by us since May 1998, has been a Vice President since March 1999 and Executive Vice
President since March 2007. From January 1998 until May 1998, Mr. Gould was employed by Bear Stearns Companies, Inc. where he was
engaged in originating and underwriting commercial real estate loans for securitization.
Simeon Brinberg (age 74) has been our Secretary since 1983, a Senior Vice President since 1988, and Senior Counsel since March
2006. Mr. Brinberg has been a Vice President of Georgetown Partners, Inc., the managing general partner of Gould Investors L.P., since
October 1988. Gould Investors L.P. is primarily engaged in the ownership and operation of real estate properties held for investment. Since
June 1989, Mr. Brinberg has been a Vice President of One Liberty Properties, Inc. (currently a Senior Vice President), a REIT engaged in the
ownership of income producing real properties leased to tenants under long term leases. Mr. Brinberg is a member of the New York Bar and
was engaged in the private practice of law for approximately 30 years prior to 1988.
David W. Kalish (age 61) has been our Senior Vice President, Finance since August 1998. Mr. Kalish was our Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer from June 1990 until August 1998. He has been Chief Financial Officer of One Liberty Properties, Inc. and
Georgetown Partners, Inc. since June 1990. For more than five years prior to June 1990, Mr. Kalish, a certified public accountant, was a partner
of Buchbinder Tunick & Company LLP and its predecessors.
Israel Rosenzweig (age 61) has been a Senior Vice President since April 1998. Mr. Rosenzweig has been a Vice President of
Georgetown Partners, Inc. since May 1997 and since 2000 has been President of GP Partners, Inc., an affiliate of Gould Investors L.P. which is
engaged in providing advisory services in the real estate and financial services industries to an investment advisor. He also has been a Senior
Vice President of One Liberty Properties, Inc. since May 1997.
21
Mark H. Lundy (age 46) has been our General Counsel and Assistant Secretary since March 2007 and a Senior Vice President since
March 2005. Prior to March 2005 and from 1993 he was a Vice President. He has been the Secretary of One Liberty Properties, Inc. since June
1993 and he also serves as a Senior Vice President of One Liberty Properties, Inc. Mr. Lundy has been a Vice President of Georgetown
Partners, Inc. (currently Senior Vice President) since July 1990. He is a member of the bars of New York and Washington, D.C.
George E. Zweier (age 44) has been employed by us since June 1998 and was elected Vice President, Chief Financial Officer in
August 1998. For approximately five years prior to joining us, Mr. Zweier, a certified public accountant, was an accounting officer with the
Bank of Tokyo--Mitsubishi Limited in its New York office.
Lonnie Halpern (age 33) has been employed by us since August 2005 and was elected a Vice President in March 2007. Mr. Halpern is
a member of the bars of New York and Massachusetts, and was an associate at Goodwin Procter LLP, New York, N.Y. from September 2001
to March 2004 and Hogan & Hartson LLP, New York, N.Y. from April 2004 to July 2005.
Item 2. Properties .
Our executive offices are located at 60 Cutter Mill Road, Great Neck, New York, where we currently occupy approximately 12,000
square feet with Gould Investors L.P., REIT Management Corp., One Liberty Properties, Inc. and other related entities. The building in which
our executive offices are located is owned by a subsidiary of Gould Investors L.P. For the year ended September 30, 2008, we contributed
$88,000 to the annual rent of $432,000 paid by Gould Investors L.P., REIT Management Corp., One Liberty Properties, Inc., and related
entities. We also lease, under a direct lease with the Gould Investors L.P. subsidiary, an additional 1,800 square feet directly adjacent to the
12,000 square feet at an annual rental of $58,000.
At September 30, 2008, we did not own any single real property asset with a book value equal to or greater than 5% of our total assets.
At September 30, 2008, we owned 14 properties (including real estate properties held for sale), with an aggregate book value of $77,012,000
(after taking into account provisions for loan losses and impairment charges), of which 13 properties were acquired in foreclosure or deed in
lieu of foreclosure. Reference is made to the caption “Our Real Estate Assets” in Item 1 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for a schedule of
the principal real property assets acquired by us in foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure and owned at September 30, 2008.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings .
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
None.
22
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Our common shares of beneficial interest, or Beneficial Shares, are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the
symbol “BRT.” The following table shows for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices of the Beneficial Shares on the NYSE as
reported on the Composite Tape and the per share dividend declared in the periods indicated:
Fiscal Year Ended September 30 ,
High
Low
Dividend
Per Share
2008
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
$
18.20 $
16.50
16.37
12.98
14.40 $
10.89
10.39
6.65
.62
.62
.62
1.33 *
* Includes a special dividend of $.71 per share declared on September 8, 2008 and paid on October 2, 2008 with the regular $.62 per
share dividend.
Fiscal Year Ended September 30 ,
High
Low
Dividend
Per Share
2007
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
$
31.25 $
32.00
31.63
26.22
27.06 $
27.65
25.72
15.25
.58
.62
.62
.62
On December 9, 2008, the high and low sales prices of our Beneficial Shares on the NYSE was 3.29 and 2.80, respectively.
As of December 9, 2008, there were approximately 1,330 holders of record of our Beneficial Shares and approximately 6,350
shareholders.
We qualify as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes. In order to maintain that status, we are required to distribute to our
shareholders at least 90% of our annual ordinary taxable income. The amount and timing of future cash distributions will be at the discretion of
our Board of Trustees and will depend upon our financial condition, earnings, taxable income, business plan, cash flow and other factors.
Provided we are not in default of the affirmative and negative covenants contained in our revolving credit facility with Capital One Bank, VNB
New York Corp., Signature Bank, and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, the credit facility does not preclude the payment by us of
the cash distributions necessary to maintain our status as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes.
Stock Performance Graph
This graph compares the performance of our shares with the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and a peer group index consisting of
publicly traded mortgage REITS. The graph assumes $100 invested on September 30, 2003 and assumes the reinvestment of dividends.
23
9/03
9/04
9/05
9/06
9/07
9/08
BRT Realty Trust
S&P 500
FTSE NAREIT Mortgage
100.00
100.00
100.00
122.48
113.87
129.04
143.50
127.82
108.24
188.84
141.62
120.62
126.57
164.90
74.04
77.74
128.66
51.22
Copyright © 2008 Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
(www.researchdatagroup.com/S&P.htm)
24
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The table below provides information as of September 30, 2008 with respect to our Beneficial Shares that may be issued under the
BRT Realty Trust 1996 Stock Option Plan and the BRT Realty Trust 2003 Incentive Plan:
Number of
Securities
to be issued
upon exercise
of outstanding
options,
warrants and
Rights
(a)
22,500 (1)
—
22,500 (1)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
Total
Weighted-
Average
exercise price
of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
(b)
$
$
9.07
—
9.07
Number of
securities
remaining
available-for
future
issuance under
equity
compensation
Plans - excluding
securities
reflected in
column (a)
(c)
118,660
—
118,660
(1)
Does not include 197,540 shares of restricted stock issued to officers, directors, employees and consultants. None of these restricted
shares vest until 2009, unless vesting is accelerated by our Compensation Committee and Board of Trustees under special
circumstances.
25
Purchase of Securities
On March 10, 2008, our board of trustees authorized a program for us to repurchase up to 1,000,000 of our common shares in the open
market from time to time. Set forth below is a table which provides the purchases we made in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2008:
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
July 1, 2008-
July 31, 2008
August 1, 2008 -
August 31, 2008
September 1, 2008 -
September 30, 2008
Total Number of
Shares (or Units
Purchased)
Average Price
Paid per Share
(or Unit)
Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares (or Units)
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs
67,334 shs.
$11.41
67,334 shs.
932,666 shs.
-
-
-
932,666
shs.
-
-
-
932,666 shs.
26
Item 6. Selected Financial Information.
The following table, not covered by the report of the independent registered public accounting firm, sets forth selected historical
financial data for each of the fiscal periods in the five years ended September 30, 2008. This table should be read in conjunction with the
detailed information and financial statements appearing elsewhere herein.
Operating statement data
Total revenues
Total expenses (1) (2)
Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities
Income from continuing operations
(Loss) income from discontinued
operations (3)
Net (loss) income
(Loss) income per beneficial share:
Income from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Basic (loss) earnings per share
Income from continuing operations
(Loss) income from discontinued operations
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
Cash distribution per common share
Balance sheet data:
Total assets
Earning real estate loans (4)
Non-earning real estate loans (4)
Allowance for possible losses
Real estate properties, net
Investment in unconsolidated ventures at equity
Available-for-sale securities at market
Real estate properties held for sale
Borrowed funds
Junior subordinated notes
Mortgage payable
Shareholders’ equity
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
23,084 $
42,047
19,940
2,196
42,900 $
30,570
19,455
34,702
37,488 $
20,708
-
19,279
25,491 $
11,975
680
14,441
(2,456 )
(260 )
368
35,070
792
20,071
1,773
16,214
.19 $
(.21 )
(.02 ) $
.19 $
(.21 )
(.02 ) $
3.30 $
.04
3.34 $
3.29 $
.04
3.33 $
2.43 $
.10
2.53 $
2.42 $
.10
2.52 $
1.86 $
.23
2.09 $
1.85 $
.23
2.08 $
3.19 $
2.44 $
2.14 $
1.96 $
270,020 $
118,028
18,407
6,710
42,347
9,669
10,482
34,665
3,000
56,702
2,315
186,772
328,109 $
185,899
63,627
8,917
3,336
14,167
34,936
9,355
20,000
56,702
2,395
235,175
368,426 $
283,282
1,346
669
3,342
9,608
53,252
2,833
141,464
56,702
2,471
154,435
264,837 $
192,012
1,617
669
6,117
8,713
48,453
-
110,932
-
2,542
142,655
17,661
9,114
1,641
10,347
1,655
12,002
1.36
.22
1.58
1.34
.21
1.55
1.79
96,796
132,229
3,096
881
5,887
7,793
41,491
-
53,862
-
2,609
132,063
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Includes $15,260,000 and $9,300,000 of provision for loan losses for the Fiscal years ended 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Includes $4,607,000 of impairment charges in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.
Includes $4,603,000 of impairment charges in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.
Earning and non-earning loans are presented without deduction of the related allowance for possible losses and deferred fee
income.
27
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Overview
We are a real estate investment trust, also known as a REIT. Our business is to originate and hold for investment short-term senior
and junior commercial mortgage loans, and our primary source of revenue is interest income, which is the interest our borrowers pay on our
loans. A lesser source of revenues is loan fee income generated on the origination and extension of loans, operating income from real
properties (including operating income from real properties acquired in foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure) and investment income.
A weakness in the single family housing markets and the significant problems in the sub-prime residential lending markets, which became
apparent during 2007, spread to the commercial real estate, credit and equity markets in the last half of our 2007 Fiscal Year and accelerated in
our 2008 Fiscal year. Although we do not have any sub-prime exposure, nor any CMBS investments, and never issued or purchased
collateralized debt obligations, the weakness in these markets resulted in banks and other lending institutions severely limiting credit and
tightening lending standards, which affected our borrowers and potential borrowers in the following ways:
• The principal source of loan repayments by many borrowers has been obtaining a new mortgage loan with an institutional lender or
selling the property, often after repositioning or upgrading the property, and using the proceeds from the refinance or sale to repay our
loan. As a result of the limited credit availability and increased lending standards imposed by banks and institutional lenders,
refinancings and sales have been extremely difficult to complete and many borrowers, being unable to refinance or sell, have
defaulted on their monetary obligations to us.
• Borrowers engaged in residential condominium conversions typically use the proceeds from the sale of condominium units to repay
the short-term bridge loans we provide. It has been extremely difficult for potential purchasers of condominium units to acquire
mortgage financing, thereby resulting in a significant reduction in the sale of condominium units. As a result, borrowers engaged in
condominium conversions have defaulted on their obligations to us.
• Borrowers, real estate investors and developers have been unable to finance new real estate transactions. This has reduced the
demand for short-term bridge loans, our principal lending product.
As a result of the adverse effects of the credit crisis on our borrowers and potential borrowers, as delineated above, our business has
been adversely affected in the following ways:
• Nine loans, aggregating $84,235,000 in principal amount, went into default and became non-earning loans in Fiscal 2008;
• We added $15,260,000 to our loan loss allowance in Fiscal 2008 and had a total of $6,710,000 in loan loss allowances outstanding
against non-earning loans of $18,407,000 at September 30, 2008;
• We acquired in Fiscal 2008 by foreclosure and deed in lieu of foreclosure, ten properties having an aggregate principal loan balance
of $122,295,000, before charge-offs of $17,467,000, which secured defaulted loans;
• We disposed of certain properties acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure in Fiscal 2008, for an aggregate consideration
of $36,398,000, with a book value of $34,885,000, and at September 30, 2008, owned $73,853,000 (book value) of real properties
acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure, including real properties held for sale;
28
• We recorded impairment charges of $8,160,000 in Fiscal 2008 against our real properties, including those held for sale and recorded
an impairment charge of $1,050,000 against the value of our equity in one of our joint ventures;
• We expended $2,009,000 in professional fees pursuing foreclosing actions in Fiscal 2008, without taking into account the time and
expenses of our staff in the foreclosure and workout process; and
• Loan originations decreased by 45% in Fiscal 2008 as compared to Fiscal 2007, from $120,349,000 to $66,027,000.
Until the credit markets stabilize and credit is made available to real estate owners and developers, we could experience (i) more borrower
defaults, (ii) additional foreclosure actions (with an increase in direct and indirect expenses in pursuing such actions), (iii) the acquisition of
additional properties in foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure, and (iv) reduced origination activity, all of which will result in a decline in
our revenues and net income (or an increase in our net loss). Although the federal government has passed legislation and the Federal Reserve
Board and Treasury Department have taken action to stimulate the banking industry to make credit more available, we cannot estimate whether
this will have an impact on the real estate industry and on commercial mortgage lending.
Year Ended September 30, 2008 Compared to Year Ended September 30, 2007
Revenues
Interest on real estate loans. Interest on real estate loans decreased by $16,819,000, or 50%, to $16,785,000 for the year ended September 30,
2008 from $33,604,000 for the year ended September 30, 2007. The average balance of loans outstanding decreased by approximately
$85,600,000, accounting for a decrease in interest income of $10,549,000. This is due to reduced originations primarily caused by a weakness
in the real estate and credit markets nationally, which has limited investments in real estate and the demand for bridge financing. Also
contributing substantially to the decrease is an increase in non-earning loans in 2008 compared with 2007, resulting in $4,421,000 of the
decline in interest income. Additionally, decreases in the prime rate since September 30, 2007 have caused the average interest rate on the
earning loan portfolio to decline to 12.62% in the year ended September 30, 2008 from 13.34% in the year ended September 30, 2007, which
caused interest income to decrease by $1,849,000.
Loan fee income. Loan fee income decreased by $2,868,000, or 56%, to $2,285,000 for the year ended September 30, 2008 from $5,153,000
for the year ended September 30, 2007. The decrease for the year is the result of a significant decline in our loan originations over the last year
due to the current weakness in the real estate and credit markets.
Operating income from real estate. Operating income from real estate properties increased by $762,000, or 51%, for the year ended
September 30, 2008 to $2,248,000 from $1,486,000 for the year ended September 30, 2007. The increase was primarily the result of rental
revenues received from tenants at a multi-family condominium conversion property located near Orlando, Florida which we acquired by
foreclosure in December 2007 and a multi-family garden apartment complex located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which we acquired by foreclosure
in July 2008.
Other, primarily investment income. Other, primarily investment income declined by $891,000, or 34%, to $1,766,000 for the year ended
September 30, 2008 from $2,657,000 for the year ended September 30, 2007. This decline was primarily due to reduced dividend income from
EPR shares due to the sale of 493,511 shares of EPR in the current fiscal year.
29
Expenses
Interest expense on borrowed funds. Interest expense on borrowed funds decreased to $6,644,000 for the year ended September 30, 2008,
from $10,177,000 for the year ended September 30, 2007, a decline of $3,533,000, or 35%. For the year ended September 30, 2008, the
average outstanding balance of borrowed funds declined $39,000,000 as a result of our paydown of the credit facility due to a decline in our
loan portfolio. This decline accounted for a decrease in interest expense of $2,494,000. A decline of 193 basis points in the interest rate paid
on the credit facility caused a further decrease in interest expense of $861,000. The remaining decrease of $178,000 was the result of a decline
in the amortization of deferred fees on our credit facility.
Advisor’s fee. Advisor’s fee, which is calculated based on invested assets, decreased by $578,000, or 25%, for the year ended September 30,
2008, to $1,730,000 from $2,308,000 for the year ended September 30, 2007. This was a result of a decreased level of invested assets. This
resulted from a decline in outstanding mortgage loans, due to net paydowns and the sale of investment securities.
Provision for loan losses. The provision for losses increased by 64% to $15,260,000 for the year ended September 30, 2008 as compared to
$9,300,000 for the year ended September 30, 2007. These reserves are based on a comparison of the recorded carrying value of the loan to
either the present value of the loan’s expected cash flow, the loan’s estimated market price or the estimated fair value of the collateral securing
the loan. The increase was based on our evaluation of our portfolios of loans, current and expected market conditions and the adequacy of our
allowance for losses. The $15,260,000 loan loss provision in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 was taken against nine loans with an
aggregate principal balance of $71,312,000.
Impairment charges. For the year ended September 30, 2008, we recorded impairment charges of $4,607,000 with respect to certain of our
owned real estate and our equity investment in a joint venture. In making this determination, management analyzed its real estate properties and
joint ventures and determined that this provision was necessary to reflect a decline in the value of certain properties in the our real estate
portfolio and a decline in the value of one of our joint ventures. We did not record any impairment charges in fiscal 2007.
Foreclosure related professional fees. Foreclosure related professional fees increased to $2,009,000 for the year ended September 30, 2008
from $460,000 for the year ended September 30, 2007, an increase of $1,549,000, or 337%. This increase is the result of legal fees and
expenses incurred in connection with foreclosure actions and workout activity and is directly related to increases in our non-earning loans that
took place during 2008.
General and administrative expense. General and administration expense increased $590,000, or 9%, from $6,249,000 for the year ended
September 30, 2007 to $6,839,000 for the year ended September 30, 2008. The increase resulted from several factors. Payroll and related
expenses increased by $272,000, the result of increased staffing levels, and amortization of restricted stock. There was also an increase in
professional fees of $58,000 due to increased auditing fees. Additionally, we incurred increased allocated expenses, pursuant to a shared
services agreement, of $132,000, related primarily to additional allocation of legal and accounting time spent on foreclosure and non-earning
loan matters. Travel expenses increased by approximately $61,000 due to increased travel to inspect properties collateralizing our loans and to
properties acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure, marketing expenses increased by $46,000 and insurance expenses increased
by $21,000.
Other taxes. Other taxes decreased by $999,000, or 80%, to $251,000 in the year ended September 30, 2008 from $1,250,000 in the year
ended September 30, 2007, resulting from a decrease in the amount of federal excise tax recorded. The federal excise tax is based on taxable
income generated during the current year, but not distributed. Since we expect a loss in 2008, we expect our distributions and excise tax to be
reduced.
Operating expenses relating to real estate properties. Operating expenses relating to real estate properties increased $3,246,000, or 487%, from
$666,000 in the year ended September 30, 2007 to $3,912,000 in the year ended September 30, 2008. The increase is the result of operating
expenses relating to ten properties acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure in the current fiscal year, and expenses for real estate
taxes and insurance on several properties during foreclosure proceedings.
30
Amortization and depreciation. Amortization and depreciation increased $635,000, or 397%, from $160,000 in the year ended September 30,
2007 to $795,000 in the year ended September 30, 2008, due to the addition of five properties that were acquired in foreclosure or deed in lieu
of foreclosure in fiscal 2008 and are not classified as held for sale.
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures increased $186,000 in the year ended September
30, 2008 to $1,358,000 from $1,172,000 in the year ended September 30, 2007. This increase in the year is primarily the result of income
received from our joint venture with the CIT Group, of which $268,000 represents an out of period adjustment. While the earnings of the CIT
venture declined in the current year due to loan loss provisions and impairment charges, our equity earnings did not decline as we recorded an
impairment charge against our portion of the ventures assets.
Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities. Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities increased $485,000, or 3% in the year ended
September 30, 2008 to $19,940,000 from $19,455,000 in the year ended September 30, 2007. In the current year, we sold 493,511 shares of
Entertainment Properties Trust. These securities, with a cost basis of $6,482,000, were sold for $26,423,000. In the prior year, we sold 384,800
shares of Entertainment Properties Trust and other securities. These securities, with a cost basis of $5,131,000, were sold for $24,586,000.
Discontinued operations. D iscontinued operations represents the revenue, expenses, and gains from the sale of properties either held for sale or
sold during the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. (Loss) income from discontinued operations decreased in the year ended September
30, 2008 from $368,000 in the year ended September 30, 2007 to ($2,456,000) in the year ended September 30, 2008. The discontinued
operations in the current year reflects income of operations of $635,000, impairment charges of $4,603,000 and gain on the sale of assets of
$1,512,000. Included within income from operations is $556,000 from the operations of a multi-family apartment complex in Chattanooga,
Tennessee, $341,000 from the operations of a retail center in Stuart, Florida, a loss of $36,000 related to an industrial property in South
Plainfield, New Jersey, a loss of $335,000 from the operations of condominium units in three separate projects in Florida and $109,000 from
six multi-family apartment complexes located in Tennessee. The impairment charge of $4,603,000 related to real estate properties held for sale
reflects a decline in the market values of real estate. The gain on the sale of real estate assets of $1,512,000 includes a gain of $1,026,000 from
the sale of two cooperative units in Manhattan, New York, $219,000 from the sale of an industrial property in South Plainfield, New Jersey,
$261,000 from the sale of 16 condominium units in Florida, $12,000 from the sale of a retail center and parcel of land in Stuart, Florida and a
loss of $4,000 on the sale of the Chattanooga property. The discontinued operations in the prior period represent the sale of a multi-family
residential property in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Year Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to Year Ended September 30, 2006
Revenues
Interest on real estate loans. Interest on real estate loans increased to $33,604,000 for the year ended September 30, 2007, as compared to
$29,527,000 for the year ended September 30, 2006, an increase of $4,077,000, or 14%. During the 2007 fiscal year, we experienced an
increase in the average balance of loans outstanding from $216,400,000 in the prior fiscal year to $279,000,000. This resulted in an increase in
interest income of $8,359,000. A decline in the interest rate earned on our loan portfolio from 13.62% to 13.34% resulted in a decline in
interest income of $623,000. Additionally during the 2007 fiscal year we experienced an increase in non-earning loans. These non-earning
loans resulted in a decline in interest income of $ 3,660,000 in fiscal 2007.
Fee income. Fee income increased by $1,417,000 in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Extension fee income increased by $1,074,000
as many borrowers exercised extension options. Fee amortization increased by $151,000 primarily the result of accelerated amortization from
the early payoff of loans. The remaining increase of $192,000 was the result of fee income earned on loans that did not close. Comparison of
fee income, period versus period, is not consistent with loan originations as fees are amortized over the original term and are accelerated upon
prepayment of a loan.
31
Operating income from real estate properties. Operating income from real estate properties increased by $272,000, or 22%, to $1,486,000 in
the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 from $1,214,000 in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. This increase is the result of additional
rental income received on our Yonkers, New York property in the 2007 fiscal year. In the prior fiscal year there was a vacancy at our Yonkers,
New York property for a portion of the year due to the bankruptcy of one of the two tenants at this property. This space was re-leased in July
2006 to a new tenant.
Other, primarily investment income. Other income, primarily investment income, declined by $354,000, or 12%, from $3,011,000 in the fiscal
year ended September 30, 2006 to $2,657,000 in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. This decline was primarily due to the sale of
384,800 shares of EPR in fiscal 2007, as a result of which we received less dividend income of $732,000. This decline was offset by an
increase in investment income of $378,000 resulting from an increase in our invested balances and an increase in the dividend rate paid on the
remaining shares of EPR that we own.
Expenses
Interest expense on borrowed funds . Interest expense on borrowed funds declined to $10,177,000 in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007
from $10,718,000 in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. This decline of $541,000, or 5%, is due to a decline in the average balance of
borrowed funds outstanding. The average balance of borrowed funds outstanding declined by $20,700,000, from $135,100,000 in the 2006
fiscal year to $114,400,000 in the 2007 fiscal year. This resulted in a decrease in interest expense of $1,338,000. This decline was offset in part
by an increase in the average rate paid (excluding fee amortization) on our borrowings from 7.41% to 7.91% causing a $362,000 increase in
interest expense. In addition, the amortization of borrowing costs accounted for an increase in interest expense of $435,000.
Advisor’s fee. The advisor’s fee paid to REIT Management Corp., which is calculated pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, was amended
effective January 1, 2007 to provide for a reduction in the fee paid by us to the Advisor. Accordingly, the fee paid to the Advisor decreased by
$374,000 or 14% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The amendment to the Advisory Agreement caused a decline of $805,000 in
the advisor’s fee. The decline was offset by an increase in the fee of $431,000, resulting from an increased level of invested assets, primarily
loans, the basis upon which the fee is calculated.
Provision for loan losses. The aggregate provision for loan loss was $9,300,000 in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Management
analyzed the loan portfolio and determined that due to the condition of the real estate and credit markets, a general decline in the value of real
estate in various regions of the country, including Florida, where a portion of our collateral is located, and the financial condition of some of
our borrowers, it was necessary to record a loan loss provision to reflect a decrease in the value of the collateral securing several loans. The
$9,300,000 loan loss provision was taken against six loans with an aggregate principal balance of $70,823,000 of which $61,648,000 was
outstanding at September 30, 2007. No provisions were taken in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006.
Foreclosure related professional fees. Foreclosure related professional fees increased to $460,000 for the year ended September 30, 2007
from $45,000 for the year ended September 30, 2006, an increase of $415,000, or 922%. This increase is the result of legal fees and expenses
incurred in connection with foreclosure actions and workout activity and is directly related to increases in our non-earning loans in 2007.
General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased to $6,249,000 in the fiscal year ended September 30,
2007 from $5,764,000 in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. This increase of $485,000, or 9%, was the result of several factors. We
incurred increased legal and professional expenses of $129,000 due to the renegotiation of our Advisory Agreement, and the fees of an
independent compensation consultant retained by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Trustees. We also recognized increased payroll
and related expenses of $257,000 due to increased staffing and salaries, and the amortization of restricted shares issued in January 2007.
Advertising, promotional and travel expense increased by $183,000 as we continued to increase our marketing efforts. The expenses allocated
to us pursuant to a shared services agreement among us and related entities for legal and accounting services increased by $125,000 in the year
ended September 30, 2007, primarily as the result of the increased level of foreclosure and workout activity, and services related to the public
offering which took place in December 2006. The remaining increase in expense of $57,000 was due to higher operating expenses in several
categories, none of which was significant. Offsetting these increases was the payment in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006, of $296,000
in legal, professional and printing expenses related to a contemplated public offering which was cancelled due to adverse market conditions.
32
Other taxes. Other taxes increased by $687,000, or 122%, to $1,250,000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 from $563,000 in the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. This was the result of an increase in the amount of federal excise tax recorded. The federal excise tax is
based on taxable income generated during the current fiscal year, but not distributed.
Operating expenses relating to real estate owned. Operating expenses relating to real estate owned, declined by $125,000, or 16%, to $666,000
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 from $791,000 in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. This was the result of reduced
operating expenses at our Yonkers property.
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures. Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures increased by $1,179,000,
from a loss of $7,000 in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 to income of $1,172,000 in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. In the
2007 fiscal year we recognized $1,079,000 of income related to our joint venture with CIT. This joint venture began operations in the current
fiscal year and accounted for significantly all the earnings in this category. In the 2006 fiscal year we recorded our share of a loss from the
operations of a joint venture that owned a property located in Atlanta, Georgia, which was sold in December 2005. This loss was the result of
increased interest expense of $882,000, resulting from the prepayment of the first mortgage upon the sale of the property and a loss from
operations at the property. Our share of these items totaled $999,000. Offsetting these declines was the receipt by us of $757,000, which was
our share of an early termination fee paid by a tenant to our joint venture which owned a property located in Dover, Delaware and income from
operations during the 2006 fiscal year. This property was sold in the first fiscal quarter of 2007.
Disposition of real estate related to unconsolidated joint ventures. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, we realized a gain of
$1,819,000 from the disposition of real estate related to unconsolidated joint ventures which represented our share of the gain from the sale in
November 2006 of a corporate and retail center located in Dover, Delaware. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006, we realized a
gain on disposition of real estate related to unconsolidated joint ventures, the result of the sale in December 2005 of a multi-family apartment
property located in Atlanta, Georgia. The venture recognized a gain of approximately $5,100,000, of which we recorded $2,531,000 as our
share.
Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities. Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities increased to $19,455,000 in the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2007. In the 2007 fiscal year, we sold 384,800 shares of EPR and other miscellaneous securities which resulted in net proceeds
of $24,597,000 and had a cost basis of $5,142,000. There were no sales of securities in fiscal 2006.
Discontinued operations. D iscontinued operations declined by $424,000 from $792,000 in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 to
$368,000 in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The discontinued operations in the 2007 fiscal year represent the operation of two
properties acquired in foreclosure in the 2007 fiscal year and the operation of a property in Charlotte, North Carolina that was disposed of in
the 2007 fiscal year. A gain of $352,000 was recognized on the sale of the Charlotte, North Carolina property. Discontinued operations in the
2006 fiscal year reflect the operations of the Charlotte, North Carolina property, acquired in foreclosure in January 2005, and a $726,000 gain
from the sale of two cooperative apartment units. The remaining decline of $142,000 related to several properties and included a prepayment
penalty on a refinance.
33
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We require significant capital to fund our loan originations and operating expenses. While the distribution requirements under the
REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, limits our ability to retain earnings and thereby replenish or increase
capital to our operations, we believe that our existing sources of capital will be adequate for purposes of meeting our short-term and long-term
liquidity needs.
Our capital sources include cash flow from operations and borrowings under our revolving credit facility and our margin lines of
credit. Our total available liquidity at September 30, 2008 was approximately $88,965,000, including $35,765,000 of unrestricted cash and
cash equivalents, $48,000,000 of available liquidity under our revolving credit facility and $5,200,000 of available liquidity under our margin
lines of credit.
Cash from Operations
During the twelve months ended September 30, 2008, we generated cash of $2,978,000 from operating activities, $56,824,000 from
collections from real estate loans, $26,423,000 from the sale of available for sale securities, $36,398,000 from the sale of real estate assets and
$6,971,000 from the issuance of shares pursuant to our dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan. These funds, in addition to cash on
hand, were used primarily to fund originations of $66,027,000, $3,914,000 to stabilize and improve the properties we acquired by foreclosure
or deed in lieu of foreclosure, and to pay cash distributions of $28,633,000 to our shareholders.
Credit Facilities
We have a revolving credit facility with a group of banks consisting of Capital One Bank, VNB New York Corp., Signature Bank and
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company. Under the revolving credit facility, Capital One Bank, VNB New York Corp., Signature Bank and
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company make available to us up to an aggregate of $185,000,000 on a revolving basis. Under the credit
facility, we are required to maintain cash or marketable securities at all times of not less than $15,000,000. Borrowings under the credit facility
are secured by specific receivables and the facility provides that the amount borrowed will not exceed (1) 65% of first mortgages, plus (ii) 50%
of second mortgages plus (iii) the fair market value of certain owned real estate pledged to the participating banks and the sum of (ii) and (iii)
may not exceed $22,500,000 and 15% of the borrowing base. At September 30, 2008, $51,000,000 was available to be drawn based on the
lending formula under our credit facility and $3,000,000 was outstanding.
We also have the ability to borrow under our margin lines of credit maintained with national brokerage firms, secured by the common
shares we own in EPR and other investment securities. Under the terms of the margin lines of credit, we may borrow up to 50% of the market
value of the shares we pledge. At September 30, 2008 and November 30, 2008, $5,175,000 and $2,764,000 respectively, was available under
the margin lines of credit, of which zero was outstanding. If the value of the EPR shares (our principal securities investment) continues to
decline, the available funds under the margin lines of credit would decline.
Trust Preferred Securities
In March 2006, a wholly owned single purpose subsidiary of ours, completed a private placement of $25,774,000 of trust preferred
securities. The sole assets of the trust consist of a like amount of junior subordinate notes issued by us, which mature in April 2036. The trust
preferred securities and the notes have a 30-year term, ending April 2036, and fixed rate of 8.23% until April 2016 and then bear interest at a
floating rate of three-month LIBOR plus 3%.
In April 2006, a wholly owned single purpose subsidiary of ours, completed a private placement of $30,928,000 of trust preferred
securities. The sole assets of the trust consist of a like amount of junior subordinate notes issued by us, which mature in April 2036. The trust
preferred securities and the notes have a 30-year term, ending April 2036, and fixed rate of 8.44% until April 2016 and then bear interest at a
floating rate of three-month LIBOR plus 2.9%.
34
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
None.
Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth as of September 30, 2008 our known contractual obligations:
Total
Less than
1 Year
Payment due by Period
1-3
Years
3-5 More than
5 Years
Years
Long-Term Debt Obligations
$
59,017,000 $
86,000 $
188,000 $ 2,041,000 $
56,702,000
Capital Lease Obligations
Operating Lease Obligation
Purchase Obligations
Other Long-Term Liabilities
Reflected on Company
Balance Sheet Under GAAP
Total
Interest Rates
—
—
—
—
—
929,000
58,000
116,000
116,000
639,000
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$
59,946,000 $
144,000 $
304,000 $ 2,157,000 $
57,341,000
Since approximately 99% of the aggregate principal amount of loans outstanding at September 30, 2008 provides for adjustable
interest rates with stated minimum interest rates, an increase or decrease in interest rates should not have a material adverse effect on our
revenues and net income. Interest on our mortgage loans is payable to us monthly.
Significant Accounting Estimates and Critical Accounting Policies
Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements. The preparation of
financial statements and related disclosure in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires
management to make certain judgments and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and
accompanying notes. Certain of our accounting policies are particularly important to understand our financial position and results of operations
and require the application of significant judgments and estimates by our management; as a result they are subject to a degree of uncertainty.
These significant accounting policies include the following:
Allowance for Possible Losses and Impairment Charges
We conduct a quarterly comprehensive review of (i) each loan in our mortgage portfolio, including the real estate securing each loan,
(ii) each of our real estate assets, (iii) each loan in the CIT joint venture’s mortgage portfolio, including the real estate securing each loan, and
(iv) each real estate asset owned by any joint venture. This review is conducted in order to determine whether a provision for loan loss should
be taken by us or the CIT joint venture with respect to outstanding loans, and whether we or any joint venture should take an impairment
charge with respect to the real estate assets owned by us or any joint venture.
35
In reviewing the value of the collateral underlying a loan and the real estate assets owned, whether by us or our joint ventures, we seek
to arrive at the fair value of each piece of collateral and each real estate asset by using one or more valuation techniques, such as comparable
sales, discounted cash flow analysis or replacement cost analysis. Determination of the fair value of the collateral securing a loan requires
significant judgment, estimates and discretion by management. Our real estate assets held for sale and our joint venture’s real estate assets are
evaluated for indicators of impairment using an undiscounted cash flow analysis. If the analysis suggests that the undiscounted cash flows to be
generated by the property will be insufficient to recover the investment made by us or any joint venture, as the case may be, an impairment
provision will be calculated based upon the excess of the carrying amount of the property over its fair value. Real estate assets which are held
for sale are valued at the lower of the recorded cost or estimated fair value, less the cost to sell. We do not obtain any third party appraisals
regarding the value of the property securing loans made by us or our joint ventures, or the real estate assets owned by us or our joint
ventures. Instead, we rely on our own “in-house” analysis and valuations. Any valuation allowances taken with respect to our loan portfolio or
real estate assets reduces our net income, assets and shareholders’ equity to the extent of the amount of the valuation allowance, but it will not
affect our cash flow until such time as the property is sold. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, $15,260,000 of additional allowances
for loan losses were recorded against our mortgage portfolio, $8,160,000 of impairment charges were taken with respect to our real estate assets
and a $1,050,000 impairment charge was taken with respect to our investment in the CIT joint venture.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize interest income and rental income on an accrual basis, unless we make a judgment that impairment of a loan or of real
estate owned renders doubtful collection of interest or rent in accordance with the applicable loan documents or lease. In making a judgment as
to the collectability of interest or rent, we consider, among other factors, the status of the loan or property, the borrower’s or tenant’s financial
condition, payment history and anticipated events in the future. Income recognition is suspended for loans when, in the opinion of management,
a full recovery of income and principal becomes doubtful. Income recognition is resumed when the loan becomes contractually current and
continued performance is demonstrated. Accordingly, management must make a significant judgment as to whether to treat a loan or real estate
owned as impaired. If we make a decision to treat a “problem” loan or real estate asset as not impaired and therefore continue to recognize the
interest and rent as income on an accrual basis, we could overstate income by recognizing income that will not be collected and the
uncollectible amount will ultimately have to be written off. The period in which the uncollectible amount is written off could adversely affect
taxable income for a specific year and our ability to pay cash distributions.
Cash Distribution Policy
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, since our organization. To qualify as a
REIT, we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we distribute currently (within the
time frames prescribed by the Code and the applicable regulations) to our shareholders at least 90% of our adjusted ordinary taxable income. It
is the current intention of our management to comply with these requirements and maintain our REIT status. As a REIT, we generally will not
be subject to corporate Federal income tax on taxable income we distribute currently in accordance with the Code and applicable regulations to
shareholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to Federal income taxes at regular corporate rates and may
not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent tax years. Even if we qualify for Federal taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain
state and local taxes on our income and to Federal income and excise taxes on undistributed taxable income, i.e., taxable income not distributed
in the amounts and in the time frames prescribed by the Code and applicable regulations thereunder.
36
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.
Our primary component of market risk is interest rate sensitivity. Our interest income, and to a lesser extent our interest expense, are
subject to changes in interest rates. We seek to minimize these risks by originating loans that are indexed to the prime rate, with a stated
minimum interest rate, and borrowing, when necessary, from our available revolving bank credit lines which are indexed to LIBOR. At
September 30, 2008, approximately 99% of our portfolio was comprised of variable rate loans tied primarily to the prime rate. Accordingly,
changes in the prime interest rate would affect our net interest income. When determining interest rate sensitivity, we assume that any change
in interest rates is immediate and that the interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of the period remain constant over
the period being measured. We assessed the market risk for our variable rate mortgage receivables and variable rate debt and believe that a one
percent increase in interest rates would cause an increase in income before taxes of $266,000 and a one percent decline in interest rates would
cause a increase in income before taxes of approximately $30,000 based on line of credit balance and loan portfolio as of September 30, 2008.
In addition, we originate loans with short maturities and maintain a strong capital position. As of September 30, 2008, 85% of our loan
portfolio was secured by properties located in New York and New Jersey, and it is therefore subject to risks associated with the economies of
these localities.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
This information appears in a separate section of this Report following Part IV.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
A review and evaluation was performed by our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial
Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by
this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on that review and evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that our current disclosure controls
and procedures, as designed and implemented, were effective. There have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other
factors that could significantly affect our internal controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation. There were no significant material
weaknesses identified in the course of such review and evaluation and, therefore, we took no corrective measures.
Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control
over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as a
process designed by, or under the supervision of, a company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by a company’s
board, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that:
•
•
•
pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the
assets of a company;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance
with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of a company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management
and directors of a company; and
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of a
company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
37
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of
any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions
or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2008. In making this
assessment, our management used criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in
Internal Control-Integrated Framework.
Based on its assessment, our management believes that, as of September 30, 2008, our internal control over financial reporting was
effective based on those criteria.
Our independent auditors, Ernst & Young, LLP, have issued an audit report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting. This report appears on page F1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 9B. Other Information.
None.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
PART III
Apart from certain information concerning our executive officers which is set forth in Part I of this report, the other information
required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the applicable information in the proxy statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, including the information set forth under the captions “Election of Trustees,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance,” “Corporate Governance of Our Company - Code of Business Conduct and Ethics,” “Corporate Governance of Our Company -
Audit Committee” and “Corporate Governance of Our Company - Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.”
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The information concerning our executive compensation required by Item 11 shall be included in the proxy statement to be filed
relating to our 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The information concerning our beneficial owners required by Item 12 shall be included in the proxy statement to be filed relating to
our 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
The information concerning relationships and certain transactions required by Item 13 shall be included in the proxy statement to be
filed relating to our 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
38
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
The information concerning our principal accounting fees required by Item 14 shall be included in the proxy statement to be filed
relating to our 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)
1.
All Financial Statements.
The response is submitted in a separate section of this report following Part IV.
2.
Financial Statement Schedules.
The response is submitted in a separate section of this report following Part IV.
3.
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
Exhibits:
Third Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-K of BRT Realty Trust for
the year ended September 30, 2005).
By-laws of BRT Realty Trust, formerly known as Berg Enterprise Realty Group (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form
10-K of BRT Realty Trust for the year ended September 30, 2005).
Amendment to By-laws, dated December 10, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K of BRT Realty Trust
filed December 11, 2007).
Junior Subordinated Indenture between JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as trustee, dated March 21, 2006 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 8-K of BRT Realty Trust filed March 22, 2006).
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement among BRT Realty Trust, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Nattional Association, Chase Bank USA,
National Association and the Administrative Trustees named therein, dated March 21, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2
to the Form 8-K of BRT Realty Trust filed March 22, 2006).
Junior Subordinated Indenture between BRT Realty Trust and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as trustee, dated as of
April 27, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 8-K of BRT Realty Trust filed May 1, 2006).
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement among BRT Realty Trust, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Chase Bank USA,
National Association and The Administrative Trustees named therein, dated as of April 27, 2006 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 to the Form 8-K of BRT Realty Trust filed May 1, 2006).
Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2007, between BRT Realty Trust and REIT Management
Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K of BRT Realty Trust filed November 27, 2006).
Shared Services Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2002, by and among Gould Investors L.P., BRT Realty Trust, One Liberty
Properties, Inc., Majestic Property Management Corp., Majestic Property Affiliates, Inc. and REIT Management Corp. (filed
herewith).
Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of January 9, 2006, between by BRT Realty Trust and North Fork Bank (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K of BRT Realty Trust filed January 11, 2006).
Second Consolidated and Restated Secured Promissory Note, dated October 31, 2006, by BRT Realty Trust in favor of North Fork
Bank, in the aggregate principal amount of $185,000,000. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K of BRT Realty
Trust filed November 2, 2006).
Letter, dated January 13, 2006, by North Fork Bank to BRT Realty Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K
of BRT Realty Trust filed January 17, 2006).
10.6
10.7
10.8
Second Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2006, between BRT Realty Trust and North Fork Bank
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K of BRT Realty Trust filed November 2, 2006).
Purchase Agreement among BRT Realty Trust, BRT Realty Trust Statutory Trust I and Merrill Lynch International, dated March 21,
2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K of BRT Realty Trust filed March 22, 2006).
Purchase Agreement among BRT Realty Trust, BRT Realty Trust Statutory Trust II, and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., dated as of April
27, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K of BRT Realty Trust filed May 1, 2006).
39
10.9
14.1
Limited Liability Company Agreement of BRT Funding LLC, dated as of November 2, 2006, by and among BRT Funding LLC, CIT
Capital USA, Inc. and BRT Joint Venture No. 1 LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Form 8-K of BRT Realty Trust
filed November 8, 2006).
Revised Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of BRT Realty Trust, adopted June 12, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1
to the Form 8-K of BRT Realty Trust filed June 14, 2006).
21.1
Subsidiaries (filed herewith).
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP (filed herewith).
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”) (filed herewith).
31.2
Certification of Senior Vice President - Finance pursuant to Section 302 of the Act (filed herewith).
31.3
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Act (filed herewith).
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Act (filed herewith).
32.2
Certification of Senior Vice President-Finance pursuant to Section 906 of the Act (filed herewith).
32.3
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Act (filed herewith).
(b)
Exhibits.
See Item 15(a)(3) above.
(c)
Financial Statements.
See Item 15(a)(2) above.
40
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
SIGNATURES
Date: December 11, 2008
BRT REALTY TRUST
By:
/s/ Jeffrey A. Gould
Jeffrey A. Gould
Chief Executive Officer, President and Trustee
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on
behalf of the Registrant and in the capacity and on the dates indicated.
Signature
/s/ Fredric H. Gould
Fredric H. Gould
/s/ Jeffrey A. Gould
Jeffrey A. Gould
/s/ Kenneth Bernstein
Kenneth Bernstein
/s/ Alan Ginsburg
Alan Ginsburg
/s/ Louis C. Grassi
Louis C. Grassi
/s/ Matthew J. Gould
Matthew J. Gould
/s/ Gary Hurand
Gary Hurand
/s/ Jeffrey Rubin
Jeffrey Rubin
/s/ Jonathan Simon
Jonathan Simon
/s/ Elie Weiss
Elie Weiss
/s/ George E. Zweier
George E. Zweier
Title
Date
Chairman of the Board
December 11, 2008
Chief Executive Officer, President
and Trustee
December 11, 2008
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Chief Financial Officer,
Vice President (Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer)
41
December 11, 2008
December 11, 2008
December 11, 2008
December 11, 2008
December 11, 2008
December 11, 2008
December 11, 2008
December 11, 2008
December 11, 2008
Annual Report on Form 10-K
Item 8, Item 15(a)(1) and (2)
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2008 and 2007
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules for the year ended September 30, 2008:
III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
IV - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate
Page No.
F-1
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-8
F-28
F-30
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or
the notes thereto.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of
BRT Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
We have audited BRT Realty Trust and Subsidiaries’ (the “Trust”) internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2008, based on
criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (the COSO criteria). The Trust’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting
and for its assessment of the effectiveness of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting included in the accompanying Management Report on
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting
based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was
maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk
that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and
performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for
our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of
records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of
management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any
evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or
that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, BRT Realty Trust and Subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of
September 30, 2008, based on the COSO criteria .
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated
balance sheets of BRT Realty Trust and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2008 of the Trust and our report dated
December 10, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
New York, New York
December 10, 2008
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of
BRT Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of BRT Realty Trust and Subsidiaries (the “Trust”) as of September 30, 2008
and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended September 30, 2008. Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial
statements and schedules are the responsibility of the Trust’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements and schedules based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of BRT
Realty Trust and Subsidiaries at September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended September 30, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our
opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly
in all material respects the information set forth therein.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), BRT Realty Trust
and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control –
Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated December 10,
2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
New York, New York
December 10, 2008
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
F-2
BRT REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)
ASSETS
Real estate loans
Earning interest
Non-earning interest
Deferred fee income
Allowance for possible losses
Real estate properties net of accumulated
depreciation of $1,501 and $782
Investment in unconsolidated
ventures at equity
Cash and cash equivalents
Available-for-sale securities at market
Real estate properties held for sale
Other assets including $168 and $41 relating to real estate properties held for sale
Total Assets
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Borrowed funds
Junior subordinated notes
Mortgage payable
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities including $584 and $136 relating to
real estate properties held for sale
Deposits payable
Dividends payable
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred shares, $1 par value:
Authorized 10,000 shares, none issued
Shares of beneficial interest, $3 par value:
Authorized number of shares, unlimited, issued
12,711 and 12,249 shares
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated other comprehensive income – net
unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities
(Distributions in excess of net income)/retained earnings
Cost of 1,206 and 1,163 treasury shares of beneficial interest
Total Shareholders’ Equity
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
September 30,
2008
2007
118,028 $
18,407
136,435
(882 )
(6,710 )
128,843
185,899
63,627
249,526
(1,268 )
(8,917 )
239,341
42,347
3,336
9,669
14,167
35,765
10,482
34,665
8,249
270,020 $
17,103
34,936
9,355
9,871
328,109
3,000 $
56,702
2,315
3,602
2,064
15,565
83,248
-
-
-
38,133
166,402
7,126
(14,311 )
(10,578 )
186,772
270,020 $
20,000
56,702
2,395
3,631
3,250
6,956
92,934
-
-
-
36,746
160,162
25,097
23,191
(10,021 )
235,175
328,109
$
$
$
$
BRT REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts)
Revenues:
Interest on real estate loans, including $0, $15 and $109 from related parties
Loan fee income
Operating income from real estate properties
Other, primarily investment income
$
16,785 $
2,285
2,248
1,766
33,604 $
5,153
1,486
2,657
29,527
3,736
1,214
3,011
Year Ended September 30,
2008
2007
2006
Total Revenues
Expenses:
Interest - borrowed funds
Advisor's fees, related party
Provision for loan loss
Impairment charges
Foreclosure related professional fees
General and administrative – including $1,039, $907 and $782 to related party
Other taxes
Operating expenses relating to real estate properties
including interest on mortgages payable of $149, $154 and $159
Amortization and depreciation
Total Expenses
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures,
gain on sale of available-for-sale securities, minority interest and
discontinued operations
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated ventures
Gain on disposition of real estate related to unconsolidated ventures
(Loss) income before gain on sale of available-for-sale securities, minority
interest and discontinued operations
Net gain on sale of available-for-sale securities
Minority interest
Income from continuing operations
Discontinued Operations:
Income from operations
Impairment charges
Gain on sale of real estate assets
(Loss) income from discontinued operations
Net (loss) income
(Loss) earnings per share of beneficial interest:
Income from continuing operations
(Loss) income from discontinued operations
Basic (loss) earnings per share
Income from continuing operations
(Loss) income from discontinued operations
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
Cash distributions per common share
23,084
42,900
37,488
6,644
1,730
15,260
4,607
2,009
6,839
251
3,912
795
10,177
2,308
9,300
-
460
6,249
1,250
666
160
10,718
2,682
-
-
45
5,764
563
791
145
42,047
30,570
20,708
(18,963 )
1,358
-
(17,605 )
19,940
(139 )
2,196
635
(4,603 )
1,512
(2,456 )
(260 ) $
.19 $
(.21 )
(.02 ) $
.19 $
(.21 )
(.02 ) $
12,330
1,172
1,819
15,321
19,455
(74 )
34,702
16
-
352
368
35,070 $
3.30 $
.04
3.34 $
3.29 $
.04
3.33 $
16,780
(7 )
2,531
19,304
-
(25 )
19,279
66
-
726
792
20,071
2.43
.10
2.53
2.42
.10
2.52
3.19 $
2.44 $
2.14
$
$
$
$
$
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic
Diluted
11,648,885
10,501,738
7,931,734
11,648,885
10,518,297
7,959,955
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
BRT REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
Years Ended September 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006
(Amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
Shares of
Beneficial
Interest
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
Accumulated
Other
Compre-
hensive
Income
Unearned
Compen-
sation
(Distributions
In Excess of
Net Income)/
Retained
Earnings
Treasury
Shares
Total
$
26,841 $
83,723 $
33,503 $
(1,311 ) $
10,465 $
(10,566 ) $
142,655
-
(1,311 )
-
1,311
-
-
-
353
2,524
-
5
(32 )
589
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,816
-
27,194
85,498
38,319
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,877
(17,026 )
-
-
-
20,071
-
448
32
(17,026 )
453
-
-
-
589
20,071
-
-
-
-
4,816
24,887
13,510
(10,086 )
154,435
754
5,648
-
-
-
-
6,402
8,798
68,296
-
-
-
-
-
-
(2 )
(43 )
765
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(13,222 )
-
36,746
160,162
25,097
1,387
5,584
-
-
-
-
(1 )
(201 )
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(25,389 )
-
-
-
35,070
-
-
22
43
-
-
77,094
(25,389 )
20
-
765
35,070
-
-
-
-
(13,222 )
21,848
23,191
(10,021 )
235,175
-
-
6,971
(37,242 )
-
-
-
11
201
(37,242 )
10
-
share ($2.14 per share)
Balances, September 30,
2005
Reclassification upon the
adoption of FASB No
123(R)
Shares issued – dividend
reinvestment and stock
purchase plan(117,731
shares)
Distributions – common
Exercise of stock options
Restricted stock vesting
Compensation expense -
stock option and
restricted stock
Net income
Other comprehensive
income net unrealized
gain on sale of available-
for-sale securities
Comprehensive income
Balances, September 30,
2006
Shares issued – dividend
reinvestment and stock
purchase plan (251,440
shares)
Shares issued –
underwritten public
offering (2,932,500
shares)
Distributions – common
share ($2.44 per share)
Exercise of stock options
Restricted stock vesting
Compensation expense -
restricted stock
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
net unrealized loss on
available-for-sale
securities (net of
reclassification
adjustment for gains of
$13,918 included in net
income)
Comprehensive income
Balances, September 30,
2007
Shares issued – dividend
reinvestment and stock
purchase plan (462,315
shares)
Distributions – common
share ($3.19 per share)
Exercise of stock options
Restricted stock vesting
Compensation expense -
restricted stock
Shares repurchased (67,334
shares)
Net loss
Other comprehensive loss
net unrealized loss on
available-for-sale
securities (net of
reclassification
adjustment for gains of
$18,588 included in net
income)
Comprehensive loss
Balances, September 30,
2008
-
-
858
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(260 )
-
(769 )
-
858
(769 )
(260 )
-
-
-
-
(17,971 )
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(17,971 )
(18,231 )
$
38,133 $
166,402 $
7,126 $
- $
(14,311 ) $
(10,578 ) $
186,772
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
BRT REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income
Year Ended September 30,
2007
2008
2006
$
(260 ) $
35,070 $
20,071
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan loss
Impairment charges
Amortization and depreciation
Amortization of deferred fee income
Amortization of restricted stock and stock options
Net gain on sale of real estate assets from discontinued operations
Net gain on sale of available-for-sale securities
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated ventures
Gain on disposition of real estate related to unconsolidated venture
Distributions of earnings of unconsolidated ventures
Increases and decreases from changes in other assets and liabilities:
Increase in straight line rent
Decrease (increase) in interest and dividends receivable
Increase in prepaid expenses
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Increase in deferred costs
Other
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Collections from real estate loans
Proceeds from sale of participation interests
Repurchase of participation interest
Additions to real estate loans
Net costs capitalized to real estate owned
Collections of loan fees
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned
Purchase of available-for-sale securities
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities
Contributions to unconsolidated ventures
Distributions of capital of unconsolidated ventures
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowed funds
Repayment of borrowed funds
Proceeds from sale of junior subordinated notes
Mortgage payable amortization
Exercise of stock options
Cash distribution – common shares
Issuance of shares- dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan
Net proceeds from secondary offering
Repurchase of shares
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
15,260
9,210
1,506
(2,128 )
858
(1,512 )
(19,940 )
(1,358 )
-
1,766
(16 )
1,291
(159 )
(1,214 )
(463 )
137
2,978
56,824
-
-
(66,027 )
(3,914 )
2,144
36,398
-
26,423
(1,076 )
4,413
55,185
66,000
(83,000 )
-
(80 )
10
(28,633 )
6,971
-
(769 )
(39,501 )
9,300
-
990
(4,993 )
765
(352 )
(19,455 )
(1,172 )
(1,819 )
5,952
(128 )
1,191
(1,584 )
(1,982 )
(309 )
(278 )
21,196
152,129
1,110
(5,750 )
(120,349 )
(106 )
3,646
625
(49 )
24,597
(12,948 )
5,557
48,462
145,000
(266,464 )
-
(76 )
20
(22,924 )
6,402
77,094
-
(60,948 )
-
-
608
(3,669 )
589
(726 )
-
7
(2,531 )
681
(57 )
(1,418 )
(19 )
4,058
(2,523 )
(146 )
14,925
157,540
61,188
-
(309,727 )
(244 )
4,924
778
-
-
(40 )
987
(84,594 )
255,000
(224,468 )
55,000
(71 )
453
(16,438 )
2,877
-
-
72,353
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
18,662
17,103
35,765 $
8,710
8,393
17,103 $
2,684
5,709
8,393
$
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
BRT REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(Continued)
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for interest expense
Cash paid during the year for income and excise taxes
Year Ended September 30,
2007
2008
2006
6,196 $
10,135 $
9,389
1,070 $
703 $
396
$
$
2008
2007
2006
Non cash investing and financing activity:
Reclassification of loans to real estate and real estate held for sale upon foreclosure
$
104,828 $
9,469 $
-
Accrued distributions
$
15,565 $
6,956 $
4,491
Junior subordinated notes issued to purchase statutory trust common securities
Seller financing provided for sale of real estate
Reclassification of real estate properties to real estate held for sale
$
$
$
- $
- $
1,702
- $
2,560 $
7,118 $
- $
-
-
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-7
BRT REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2008
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION, BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization and Background
BRT Realty Trust is a real estate investment trust organized as a business trust in 1972 under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. Our primary business activity is to generate income by originating and holding for investment, for our own account,
senior and junior real estate mortgage loans secured by real property. The Trust may also participate as both an equity investor in,
and as a mortgage lender to, joint ventures which acquire income producing properties.
Principles of Consolidation; Basis of Preparation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BRT Realty Trust and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Many wholly-
owned subsidiaries were organized to take title to various properties acquired by BRT Realty Trust by foreclosure or deed in lieu of
foreclosure. BRT Realty Trust and its subsidiaries are hereinafter referred to as the “Trust” or the “Company.”
The Trust is a managing member of one joint venture where it exercises substantial operating control and accordingly, the accounts
of this venture are consolidated with the Trust.
Income Tax Status
The Trust qualifies as a real estate investment trust under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended.
The Trustees may, at their option, elect to operate the Trust as a business trust not qualifying as a real estate investment trust.
Income Recognition
Income and expenses are recorded on the accrual basis of accounting for financial reporting purposes. The Trust does not accrue
interest on impaired loans where, in the judgment of management, collection of interest according to the contractual terms of the
loan documents is considered doubtful. Among the factors the Trust considers in making an evaluation of the amount of interest
that is collectable, are the financial condition of the borrower, the status of the underlying collateral and anticipated future
events. The Trust accrues interest on performing impaired loans and records cash receipts as a reduction of interest receivable. For
impaired non-accrual loans, interest is recognized on a cash basis.
Loan commitment and extension fee income on loans held in our portfolio is deferred and recorded as loan fee income over the life
of the commitment and loan. Commitment fees are generally non-refundable. When a commitment expires or the Trust no longer
has any other obligation to perform, the remaining fee is recognized into income.
Rental income includes the base rent that each tenant is required to pay in accordance with the terms of their respective leases
reported on a straight line basis over the initial term of the lease.
The basis on which cost was determined in computing the realized gain or loss on available-for-sale securities is average historical
cost.
F-8
Allowance for Possible Losses
A loan evaluated for impairment is deemed to be impaired when based on current information and events, it is probable, in the
judgment of management, that the Trust will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan
documents. When making this evaluation numerous factors are considered, including, market evaluations of the underlying
collateral, estimated operating cash flow from the property during the projected holding period, and estimated sales value computed
by applying an estimated capitalization rate to the projected stabilized net operating income of the specific property, less selling
costs, discounted at market discount rates. If upon completion of the evaluation, the value of the collateral securing the loan is less
than the recorded investment in the loan, an allowance is created with a corresponding charge to expense.
Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Properties Held For Sale
Real estate properties, shown net of accumulated depreciation, is comprised primarily of real property acquired by foreclosure or
deed in lieu of foreclosure.
When real estate is acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure, it is recorded at the lower of the recorded investment of
the loan or estimated fair value at the time of foreclosure or delivery of a deed in lieu of foreclosure. The recorded investment is the
face amount of the loan that has been decreased by any deferred fees, loan loss allowances and any valuation adjustments. Real
estate assets, including assets acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure, that are operated for the production of income
are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Costs incurred in connection with the foreclosure of the properties collateralizing
the real estate loans are expensed as incurred in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 15
“Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Trouble Debt Restructuring” and costs subsequently incurred to extend the life or
improve the assets subsequent to foreclosure are capitalized.
Real estate is classified as held for sale when management has determined that it has met the criteria established by SFAS No.
144“Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of long-lived assets ”. Properties which are held for sale are not depreciated and
their operations are shown in discontinued operations. Real estate assets that are expected to be disposed of are valued at the lower
of the carrying amount or their value less costs to sell on an individual asset basis.
The Trust accounts for the sale of real estate when title passes to the buyer, sufficient equity payments have been received and there
is reasonable assurance that the remaining receivable, if any, will be collected.
Valuation Allowance on Real Estate Assets
The Trust reviews each real estate asset owned, including investments in real estate ventures, to determine whether the carrying
amount of the asset can be recovered. Recognition of impairment is required if the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be
generated by the assets are less than the assets’ carrying amount. Measurement of impairment is based upon the estimated fair value
of the asset. Upon evaluating a property, many factors are considered, including estimated current and expected operating cash flow
from the property during the projected holding period, costs necessary to extend the life or improve the asset, expected
capitalization rates, projected stabilized net operating income, selling costs, and the ability to hold and dispose of such real estate
owned in the ordinary course of business. Valuation adjustments may be necessary in the event that effective interest rates, rent-up
periods, future economic conditions, and other relevant factors vary significantly from those assumed in valuing the property. If
future evaluations result in a diminution in the value of the property, the reduction will be recognized as an addition to the valuation
allowance. Real estate assets operated for the production of income are evaluated for impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144.
Investments in Unconsolidated Ventures at Equity
Investments in ventures in which the Trust does not have the ability to exercise operational or financial control, are accounted for
using the equity method. Accordingly, the Trust reports its pro rata share of net profits and losses from its investments in
unconsolidated ventures in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
F-9
With respect to its joint ventures, where the Trust (1) is the managing member but does not exercise substantial operating control
over these entities pursuant to EITF 04-5, “Determining Whether a Partner of the General Partners as a Group Controls a Limited
Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights and (2) such entities are not variable-interest entities
pursuant to FASB Interpretation No. 46 (R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” it has determined that such joint ventures
should be accounted for under the equity method of accounting for financial statement purposes.
Loan Participations
SFAS No. 140 “ Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities” allows the
recognition of transfers of financial assets as sales, provided control has been relinquished. Control is deemed to be relinquished
only when all of the following conditions have been met: (i) the assets have been isolated from the transferor, even in bankruptcy or
other receivership (true sale opinions are required), (ii) the transferee has the right to pledge or exchange the assets received and (iii)
the transferor has not maintained effective control over the transferred assets. In accordance with this standard, the Trust only
recognizes its retained interest of loan participations in the financial statements.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:
Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable (included in Other assets), accounts payable and accrued liabilities: The carrying
amounts reported in the balance sheet for these instruments approximate their fair values due to the short term nature of these
accounts.
Available-for-sale securities: Investments in securities are considered “available-for-sale,” and are reported on the balance sheet
based upon quoted market prices.
Real estate loans: Substantially all of the earning mortgage loans of the Trust have variable interest rate provisions, which are based
upon a margin over the prime rate, which approximate market rates for similar types of loans. Accordingly, the carrying amounts of
the earning, non-impaired mortgage loans approximate their fair values. For loans which are impaired, the Trust has valued such
loans based upon the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral.
At September 30, 2008, the estimated carrying value of the credit facility exceeds its estimated fair value by approximately
$52,000, assuming a market interest rate of 6.49%.
At September 30, 2008, the estimated carrying value of the junior subordinated notes exceed its estimated fair value by
approximately $6,529,000, assuming a market interest rate of 10%.
At September 30, 2008, the estimated carrying value of the mortgage payable exceeds its estimated fair value by
approximately $76,000, assuming a market interest rate of 7.38%.
Equity Based Compensation
In fiscal 2006, the Trust adopted SFAS No. 123R “Share-Based Payment” applying the modified prospective method of accounting
for stock options. FAS 123R, among other things, eliminated the alternative to use the intrinsic value method of accounting for
stock based compensation and requires entities to recognize the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity
instruments based on the grant date fair value of those awards (with limited exceptions). Prior to the adoption of FAS 123R, the
Trust accounted for its stock based awards in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees.” The Trust estimates fair value of its stock options using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.
Pursuant to FAS 123R the Trust’s compensation expense for restricted stock awards is amortized over the vesting period of such
awards, based upon the estimated fair value of such restricted stock at the grant date.
Per Share Data
Basic earnings (loss) per share was determined by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders for each year by
the weighted average number of shares of beneficial interest outstanding during each year. Diluted earnings per share reflects the
potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue shares of beneficial interest were exercised or converted
into shares of beneficial interest or resulted in the issuance of shares of beneficial interest that then shared in the earnings of the
Trust. Diluted earnings per share was determined by dividing net income applicable to common shareholders for each year by the
total of the weighted average number of shares of beneficial interest outstanding plus the dilutive effect of the Trust’s unvested
restricted stock and outstanding options using the treasury stock method.
F-10
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments, primarily direct United States treasury obligations and money market type
U.S. Government obligations, with maturities of three months or less when purchased.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying
notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Segment Reporting
SFAS No. 131, “ Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” established standards for the way that
public business enterprises report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and requires that those
enterprises report selected information about operating segments in interim financial reports. SFAS No. 131 also established
standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographical areas, and major customers. Management has
determined that it operates in two reportable segments: a loan and investment segment and a real estate segment. Our loan segment
includes all activities related to the origination and servicing of our loan portfolio and other investments and our real estate segment
includes all activities related to the operation and disposition of our real estate assets.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, “ Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 provides
guidance for using fair value to measure certain financial assets and liabilities. This statement clarifies the principle that fair value
should be based on the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. SFAS No.157 establishes
a fair value hierarchy, giving the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data.
SFAS No. 157 applies whenever other standards require assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. The Trust adopted SFAS
No. 157 on October 1, 2008.
The Trust’s financial assets and liabilities, other than a fixed-rate mortgage, are generally short-term in nature, or bear interest at
variable current market rates, and consist of cash and cash equivalents, interest, rents and other receivables, other assets, and
accounts payable and accrued expenses. The carrying amounts of these assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on a
recurring basis, but are considered to be recorded at amounts that approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The
valuation of the Company’s available-for-sale securities was determined to be a Level 1 within the valuation hierarchy established
by SFAS No. 157, and are approximated on current market quotes received from financial sources that trade such securities.
Accordingly, the adoption of SFAS No. 157, as it relates to fair value measurements of financial assets and liabilities, has not had a
material effect on the Trust’s consolidated financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”
("SFAS No. 159"). SFAS No. 159 provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value.
The objective of SFAS No. 159 is to reduce both complexity in accounting for financial instruments and the volatility in earnings
caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently. The FASB believes that SFAS No. 159 helps to mitigate this type of
accounting-induced volatility by enabling companies to report related assets and liabilities at fair value, which would likely reduce
the need for companies to comply with detailed rules for hedge accounting. SFAS No. 159 also establishes presentation and
disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for
similar types of assets and liabilities. The Trust adopted SFAS No. 159 on October 1, 2008 and has elected not to report selected
financial assets and liabilities at fair value.
F-11
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations – a replacement of FASB Statement No. 141”,
which applies to all transactions or events in which an entity obtains control of one or more businesses. SFAS 141(R) (i) establishes
the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, (ii) requires expensing of
most transaction costs, and (iii) requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all of the information needed to
evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. SFAS 141(R) is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2008 and early adoption is not permitted. The impact of adopting SFAS 141 (R) on the Trusts
consolidated financial statements will be the requirement to expense most transaction costs relating to its acquisition activities.
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 160 “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements an
amendment of ARB No 51”. SFAS 160 requires non-controlling interest in a consolidated subsidiary to be displayed in the
statement of financial position as a separate component of equity and earnings and losses attributable to non-controlling interests are
no longer reported as part of consolidated earnings, rather they are disclosed on the face of the income statement. This statement is
effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. Adoption is prospective and early adoption is not permitted. The Trust
is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of FAS 160 will have on its consolidated financial statements.
Reclassification
Certain amounts reported in previous financial statements have been reclassified in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements to conform to the current year's presentation.
NOTE 2 - REAL ESTATE LOANS
At September 30, 2008, information as to real estate loans is summarized as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
Earning
Interest
Non-Earning
Interest
Total
Allowance
For
Possible
Losses
Real Estate
Loans, Net
First mortgage loans:
Short-term (three years or
less):
Condominium units
$
(existing multi family
and commercial units)
Multi-family residential
Hotel condominium units
Land
Shopping centers/retail
Office
Industrial
Hotel
Residential
Second mortgage loans:
Retail
Multi-family residential
Deferred fee income
Real estate loans, net
$
32,270 $
4,986
5,273
15,192
52,787
1,500
1,055
3,258
22
-
1,685
118,028
(783 )
117,245 $
6,498 $
2,393
-
6,162
-
-
-
-
2,700
38,768 $
7,379
5,273
21,354
52,787
1,500
1,055
3,258
2,722
(3,515 ) $
(850 )
-
(1,645 )
-
-
-
-
(700 )
35,253
6,529
5,273
19,709
52,787
1,500
1,055
3,258
2,022
654
-
18,407
(99 )
18,308 $
654
1,685
136,435
(882 )
135,553 $
-
-
(6,710 )
-
(6,710 ) $
654
1,685
129,725
(882 )
128,843
F-12
At September 30, 2008, five non-performing loans were outstanding to five separate unaffiliated borrowers, having an aggregate
principal balance of $18,407,000, before loan loss allowances, and which represented 13.49% of total gross loans and 6.82% of total
assets.
Information as to the loans included in non-performing at September 30, 2008 is summarized as follows: (dollar amounts in
thousands)
Loan designation Naples, FL Utica/Syracuse, NY
Principal balance $
Accrued interest
Cross collateral or
cross default
provision
Secured
Security
6,498 $
-
No
2,393 $
-
No
No
Yes
3 Multi-
family
apartment
buildings
Yes
44 Unit
Multi-
family
apartment
complex
Recourse
New York,
NY
Purchase,
NY
New Jersey,
NJ
6,162 $
-
No
2,700 $
-
Yes
654
-
Yes
Land
parcel
Yes
Single
family
home
Yes
5 Retail/
office
buildings
Recourse/non
recourse
Impaired
Allowance for
possible losses
Collateral
dependent
Recourse
Recourse
Recourse
Recourse
Yes
$
Yes
Yes
3,515 $
Yes
Yes
850 $
1,645 $
No
700
-
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
At September 30, 2007 information as to real estate loans is summarized as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
Earning
Interest
Non-Earning
Interest
Total
Allowance
For
Possible
Losses
Real Estate
Loans, Net
First mortgage loans:
Short-term (three years or less):
Condominium units
(existing multi family
and commercial units)
Multi-family residential
$
Hotel condominium units
Land
Shopping centers/retail
Office
Residential
Second mortgage loans and
mezzanine
loans:
Retail
Multi-family residential
Deferred fee income
Real estate loans, net
$
27,869 $
73,168
4,550
37,602
26,741
3,500
3,396
37,847 $
13,563
-
6,164
1,138
-
-
65,716 $
86,731
4,550
43,766
27,879
3,500
3,396
(2,962 ) $
(2,530 )
-
(3,425 )
-
-
-
62,754
84,201
4,550
40,341
27,879
3,500
3,396
3,000
6,073
185,899
(1,146 )
184,753 $
4,915
-
63,627
(122 )
63,505 $
7,915
6,073
249,526
(1,268 )
248,258 $
-
-
(8,917 )
-
(8,917 ) $
7,915
6,073
240,609
(1,268 )
239,341
F-13
A summary of the changes in non-earning loans before allowance for possible losses of $6,710,000 and $8,917,000 for the years
ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 respectively, is as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
Beginning principal balance
$
63,627 $
1,347
2008
2007
Additions
Protective advances
Total additions
Payoffs and paydowns
Reclassified to performing
Transferred to owned real estate
Total reductions
84,235
905
85,140
6,927
1,138
122,295
130,360
74,659
-
74,659
1,857
-
10,522
12,379
Ending principal balance
$
18,407 $
63,627
At September 30, 2008, no earning loans were deemed impaired and accordingly no loan loss allowances have been established. Of
the real estate loans that were earning interest at September 30, 2007, $16,000,000 was deemed impaired and was subject to loan
loss allowances of $3,000,000. During the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, an average of
$37,036,000, $33,416,000 and $3,122,000 respectively, of real estate loans were deemed impaired, on which, $0, $3,038,000 and
$137,000 respectively, of interest income was recognized.
Loans originated by the Trust generally provide for interest rates, which are indexed to the prime rate. The weighted average
contractual interest rate on all loans was 12.42% and 12.74% at September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
At September 30, 2008, three separate unaffiliated borrowers each had loans outstanding in excess of 5% of the total loan portfolio
before loan loss allowances. Information regarding these loans is set forth in the table below:
Gross Loan
Balance
36,312,000
$
# Of
Loans
% Of Gross
Loans
% Of
Assets
Type
19
26.61 %
13.45 % Existing office with
NJ (19)
State/
(Number)
Status
Performing
26,075,000
1
19.11 %
22,800,000
1
16.71 %
retail/and land
assemblage
9.66 % Existing office/condo
conversion
8.44 % Existing retail/office
building
NY (1)
Performing
NY (1)
Performing
No other borrower or single loan accounted for more than 4.77% of the Trust’s loan portfolio or 2.41% of the Trust’s assets at
September 30, 2008.
The Trust’s portfolio consists primarily of senior and junior mortgage loans, secured by residential and commercial property, 85%
of which are located in the New York metropolitan area which includes New Jersey, 9% in the state of Florida, and 6% in six other
states.
F-14
Annual maturities of real estate loans receivable before allowances for possible losses during the next five years and thereafter are
summarized as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
Year Ending September 30,
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013 and thereafter
Total
Amount
136,422
-
13
-
-
136,435
$
$
If a loan is not repaid at maturity, the Trust may either extend the loan or consider the loan past due and may commence foreclosure
proceedings. The Trust analyzes each loan separately to determine the appropriateness of an extension. In analyzing each situation,
management examines many aspects of the loan receivable, including the value of the collateral, the financial strength of the
borrower, past payment history and plans of the owner of the property. There was $243,200,000 of real estate loans receivable
which matured in fiscal 2008, of which, $86,108,000 were extended, $15,112,000 were paid off, $124,005,000 were foreclosed
upon, and $17,974,000 are currently in foreclosure.
At September 30, 2008, the three largest real estate loans had principal balances outstanding of approximately $26,075,000,
$22,800,000 and $6,498,000 respectively prior to loan loss allowances. Of the total interest and fees earned on real estate loans
during the year ended September 30, 2008, 19.01%, 1.55% and 0% related to these loans, respectively. The third loan was non
performing at and for the year ended September 30, 2008. The collateral for such loan was acquired by foreclosure subsequent to
year end.
Included within the real estate loans at September 30, 2008 is one loan participation that was purchased from BRT Funding LLC, at
par. This loan participation of $6,322,000 was purchased pursuant to the joint venture agreement with CIT Capital USA, Inc in the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2007.
NOTE 3 - ALLOWANCE FOR POSSIBLE LOAN LOSSES
An analysis of the allowance for possible losses is as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
Year Ended September 30,
2008
2007
2006
Balance at beginning of
year
Provision for loan loss
Charge-offs
Balance at end of year
$
$
8,917 $
15,260
(17,467 )
6,710 $
669 $
9,300
(1,052 )
8,917 $
669
-
-
669
The allowance for possible losses applies to four loans aggregating $17,753,000 at September 30, 2008, five loans aggregating
$61,648,000 at September 30, 2007 and two loans aggregating $26,116,000 at September 30, 2006.
F-15
NOTE 4 - REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES
A summary of real estate properties for the year ended September 30, 2008 is as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
9/30/07
Balance
Additions
Costs
Capitalized
Transfers to
held for sale
Depreciation
and
Amortization
Impairment
Charges
9/30/08
Balance
$
3,272
-
-
- $
(113 )
- $
3,159 (a)
64 $
-
-
29,449 $
7,202
10,437
1,562 $
1,756
-
(7,118 )
-
-
(554 ) $
(53 )
-
(3,557 ) 19,846 (b)
-
8,905 (c)
- 10,437 (d)
$
3,336 $
47,088 $
3,318 $
(7,118 ) $
(720 ) $
(3,557 ) $ 42,347
Shopping
centers/retail
Condominium
units and coop
shares
Multi-family
Land
Total real estate
properties
At September 30, 2008 real estate properties consisted of eight properties, six of which were acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu
of foreclosure in the current fiscal year.
(a) The Trust holds, with a minority partner, a leasehold interest in a portion of a retail shopping center located inYonkers, New
York. The leasehold interest is for approximately 28,500 square feet and, including all option periods, expires in 2045. The
minority equity interest, was 30%, or $121,000, at September 30, 2008, and was 10%, or $222,000, at September 30, 2007,
respectively. These amounts are included as a component of accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated
balance sheet.
(b) The Trust acquired condominium units in four separate projects located in Florida. We own 258 units in these four projects of
which 226 were classified as real estate properties. (The remaining 32 units were classified as real estate held for sale.) These
units have a book value of $19,847,000, net of impairment charges of $3,557,000 taken during the current fiscal year and is
also net of loan charges offs of $2,537,000.
(c) The Trust acquired by foreclosure during the current fiscal year a 388 unit multi-family apartment complex in Fort Wayne,
Indiana. At September 30, 2008, this property had a book value of $8,905,000. This balance is net of loan charge offs of
$6,430,000
(d) During the current fiscal year, the Trust acquired a development parcel located in Daytona Beach, Florida by deed in lieu of
foreclosure. This property has a current book value of $10,437,000. This balance is net of loan charge offs of $4,050,000.
Future minimum rentals to be received by the Trust, pursuant to noncancellable operating leases in excess of one year, from
properties on which the Trust holds title to at September 30, 2008, are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
Year Ending September 30,
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Thereafter
Total
Amount
$
928
928
964
1,021
1,021
3,158
8,020
$
F-16
NOTE 5 - IMPAIRMENT CHARGES
The Trust recorded $9,210,000 in impairment charges in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 as follows:
Real estate properties
Investment in unconsolidated joint venture at equity
Real estate properties held for sale
Total impairment charges
$
$
3,557,000
1,050,000
4,607,000
4,603,000
9,210,000
The Trust reviews each real estate asset owned, including investments in unconsolidated joint ventures, to determine whether the
carrying amount of the asset can be recovered. Based on current market conditions and management’s assessment of the market
value of its properties the Trust recorded an impairment charge of $ 9,210,000 in connection with certain real estate properties, real
estate properties held for sale and investment in unconsolidated joint ventures.
There were no impairment charges taken in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 or 2006.
NOTE 6 - INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES AT EQUITY
BRT Funding LLC
BRT Joint Venture No. 1 LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trust which is referred to as the BRT member, entered into a joint
venture agreement with CIT Capital USA, Inc., which is referred to herein as the CIT member and which is a wholly owned
subsidiary of CIT Group, Inc. to form BRT Funding LLC, a limited liability company established under the laws of the State of
Delaware, which is referred to as “the Joint Venture.” The Joint Venture engages in the business of investing in short-term
commercial real estate loans for terms of six months to three years, commonly referred to as bridge loans. The BRT member is the
managing member of the Joint Venture. The initial capitalization of the Joint Venture may be up to $100 million of which 25% is
being funded by the BRT member and 75% is being funded by the CIT member.
We have agreed to present all loan proposals received by us to the joint venture for its consideration on a first refusal basis, under
procedures set forth in the joint venture agreement, until the joint venture originates loans with an aggregate principal amount of
$100 million (or, in the event that a line of credit at the maximum level is obtained, $150 million).
For so long as the joint venture does not have a line of credit from a third party lender, the BRT member funds 25% of each loan
made by the joint venture, and the CIT member funds 75%. In the event that the joint venture obtains a line of credit from a third
party lender, the joint venture will draw down on the line of credit to fund one third of each loan made by the joint venture, the BRT
member will fund one sixth of the principal amount of such loans and the CIT member will fund half of the principal amount of
such loans. The joint venture funded 100% of the loans that met its investment criteria until the joint venture originated loans in the
aggregate principal amount of $50 million. The $50 million benchmark was satisfied in fiscal 2007. Accordingly, all loans hereafter
made by the joint venture will be funded 50% by the joint venture and 50% by BRT, in each such case pursuant to a participation
agreement with respect to each such loan to be entered into by us with the joint venture. At September 30, 2008, the joint venture
held $32,744,000 in outstanding first mortgage loans (before allowances for loan losses).
We manage the joint venture and receive a management allocation calculated as 1% of the loan portfolio amount, annualized, and
payable quarterly. Origination fees up to 2% of the principal amount of a loan are distributed 37.5% to the CIT member and 62.5%
to the BRT member. Any origination fees in excess of 2% of the principal amount of a loan, but not exceeding 3% of the principal
amount of the loan, are paid to REIT Management Corp., BRT's advisor. Any joint venture origination fees which exceed 3% of the
principal amount of a loan are paid 37.5% to the CIT member and 62.5% to the BRT member. The joint venture will distribute net
available cash to its two members on a pro-rata basis until each member receives a return of 9% (inclusive of origination fees),
annualized on its outstanding advances. If the joint venture provides each member with an annualized 9% return, thereafter,
additional available net cash is distributed 37.5% to the CIT member and 62.5% to the BRT member.
F-17
Loan proposals presented to the joint venture are reviewed by BRT's loan committee. Three individuals have been designated by the
CIT member to receive notice of, to attend and to participate in any such meeting of BRT's loan committee. If a proposed loan
meets the joint ventures specified investment criteria (as delineated in the joint venture agreement), it will be deemed accepted by
both members. If a proposed loan does not meet such criteria, then following the meeting of the loan committee, the CIT member
has two business days to indicate its disapproval of the proposal, and if such disapproval is not provided, then the loan proposal is
deemed approved; provided, however, that in the event that the CIT member requests additional information with respect to any
loan proposal, the CIT member has two business days following the earlier of (i) the receipt of such information or (ii) the loan
closing to approve or disapprove of such loan. BRT may originate for its own account any loan that is disapproved, or deemed
disapproved, by the CIT member.
If the joint venture sustains any loss of principal with respect to loans that are foreclosed upon, the BRT member will reimburse the
CIT member up to 75% of the actual loss, but only to the extent that amounts received by BRT member from cash distributions
exceed the BRT member's 9% return, with such reimbursement to be capped at two-thirds of 1% of the highest aggregate principal
amount of the venture's loans outstanding. The reimbursement, if any, is calculated based upon calendar year results.
The BRT member is responsible for the payment of a fee to a merchant bank for arranging the transaction and securing capital from
the CIT member. One of the managing directors of the merchant bank is an independent director of One Liberty Properties, Inc.
which is an affiliate of BRT. The merchant banking firm is otherwise unrelated to BRT. The fee, which may total $3 million
provided that the CIT member contributes its entire $75 million in capital, is being amortized over five years. As of September 30,
2008 the Trust has paid a fee of $1,382,000. Amortization of the fee totaled $298,000 in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008
and $200,000 for the period from November 2, 2006 to September 30, 2007 and is shown as a reduction in equity in earnings of
unconsolidated joint ventures. The Trust’s equity investment in this unconsolidated joint venture totaled $8,862,000 and
$12,054,000 at September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007.
Condensed financial information regarding the Joint Venture is shown below (dollar amounts in thousands ):
Condensed Balance Sheet
Assets
Cash
Real estate loans:
Earning interest
Non-earning interest
Deferred fee income
Allowance for possible losses
Other assets
Real estate property held for sale
Total assets
Liabilities and equity
Other liabilities
Equity
Total liabilities and equity
September 30,
2008
September 30,
2007
$
359 $
484
6,323
26,421
32,744
(160 )
(2,703 )
29,881
82
1,143
31,465 $
48,733
-
48,733
(503 )
-
48,230
829
-
49,543
211 $
31,254
31,465 $
410
49,133
49,543
$
$
$
F-18
Condensed Statement of Operations
Interest and fees on real estate loans
Other income
Total revenues
Provision for loan loss
Professional fees
Loss on discounted payoff of loan
Other expenses
Total Operating expenses
Income from continuing operations
Discontinued Operations:
Loss from operations
Impairment charges
Discontinued Operations
Net income attributable to members
Amount recorded in income statement r elated to venture (1)
For the Period
from
November 2,
2006 to
September 30,
2007
Year Ended
September 30,
2008
$
$
$
3,852 $
59
3,911
2,703
387
440
54
3,584
4,121
-
4,121
-
-
-
1
1
327
4,120
(50 )
(262 )
(312 )
-
-
-
15 $
4,120
208 $
1,079
(1) This amount is net of $ 298,000 and $200,000 for the year ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 respectively, of amortization of
the fee the Trust paid to a merchant bank for arranging the transaction with the CIT member. This amount also includes a
management allocation equal to 1% per annum of the loan portfolio, as defined, of $298,000 and $268,000 in the fiscal years ended
2008 and 2007 respectively, paid to the BRT member. The fiscal period ended September 30, 2007 amount of $268,000 was
recorded as an out of period adjustment in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. The fiscal period ended September 30, 2008
also includes an impairment charge of $1,050,000 related to this joint venture.
At September 30, 2008, information as to real estate loans held by the joint venture is summarized as follows (dollar amounts in
thousands):
First mortgage loans
# of Loans
Total
Earning
Interest
Not
Earning
Interest
Multi-family residential
Land
Deferred fee income
Allowance for loan loss
Real estate loans, net
$
1
1
2
$
26,421 $
6,323
32,744
(160 )
(2,703 )
29,881 $
- $
6,323
6,323
(28 )
-
6,295 $
26,421
-
26,421
(132 )
(2,703 )
23,586
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 there were no loan originations. Subsequent to September 30, 2008, the borrower
securing the multi-family residential loan filed for protection under federal bankruptcy laws. The bankruptcy and foreclosure
proceedings are pending.
F-19
Other Real Estate Ventures
The Trust is also a partner in unconsolidated joint ventures which own and operate six properties. These real estate ventures
generated $100,000 and $93,000 in equity earnings for the year ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Trust’s
equity investment in these unconsolidated joint ventures totaled $1,857,000 and $2,113,000 at September 30, 2008 and 2007
respectively.
NOTE 7 - AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES
The cost of available-for-sale securities at September 30, 2008 was $3,356,000. The fair value of these securities was $10,482,000
at September 30, 2008. Gross unrealized gains at September 30, 2008 were $7,146,000 and are reflected as accumulated other
comprehensive income on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Gross unrealized losses totaled $20,000 at September 30,
2008.
Included in available-for-sale securities are 131,289 shares of Entertainment Properties Trust (NYSE:EPR), which have a cost basis
of $1,725,000 and a fair value at September 30, 2008 of $7,184,000. The fair value of the Trust's investment in Entertainment
Properties Trust at November 30, 2008 was $3,221,000. During the year ended September 30, 2008 the Trust sold 493,511 shares
of Entertainment Properties Trust with a cost basis of $6,482,000 for $26,422,000, which resulted in a gain of $19,940,000. In the
prior fiscal year the Trust sold 384,800 shares of Entertainment Properties Trust and other miscellaneous securities with a cost basis
of $5,142,000 for $24,597,000 which resulted in a gain of $19,455,000.
NOTE 8 -REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES HELD FOR SALE
A summary of changes in real estate properties held for sale is shown below (Dollar amounts in thousands):
Balance
9/30/07
Additions
Transfers
From
Real Estate
Assets
Improvements
Impairment
Charges
Sales
Balance
9/30/08
Commercial
Industrial
Condominium
Units
Multi-family
Total
$
7,982
1,373
-
-
- $
-
-
-
9,355 $
- $
57,084
57,084 $
$
7,118
-
7,118 $
7 $
-
238
351
596 $
(630 ) $
-
(7,359 )
(1,373 )
-
-
(578 )
(3,395 )
(4,603 ) $
(1,750 ) $
5,028
(24,403 ) 29,637
(34,885 ) $ 34,665
At September 30, 2008 real estate properties held for sale consisted of eight separate properties that were acquired by foreclosure or
deed in lieu of foreclosure during the current fiscal year. The first two properties consist of 32 condominium units located in
Florida (39 additional units of these two properties are classified as real estate properties). These condominium units have a book
value at September 30, 2008 of $5,028,000, net of impairment charges of $578,000 that were recorded in the current fiscal year.
The remaining six properties are six multi family garden apartment complexes, all located in the Nashville, Tennessee metropolitan
area. These six properties contain a total of 788 units and have a book value of $29,637,000, net of impairment charges of
$2,410,000 that were recorded during the current fiscal year and are also net of loan charge offs of $4,450,000. As of December 3,
2008, all six of these properties were under contract to be sold for amounts that approximate book value and are subject to standard
due diligence pursuant to which purchaser may in its own discretion terminate its contract of sale during the due diligence period.
F-20
NOTE 9 -DEBT OBLIGATIONS
Debt obligations consist of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
Credit facility
Junior subordinated notes
Mortgage payable
Total debt obligations
Borrowed Funds
September 30,
2008
2007
$
3,000 $
20,000
56,702
56,702
2,315
2,395
$
62,017 $
79,097
The Trust has a $185 million credit facility with Capital One Bank, VNB New York Corp., Signature Bank and Manufacturers and
Traders Trust Company. The facility bears interest at LIBOR + 225 basis points. The credit facility matures on February 1, 2010
with no extension options. Under the credit facility, the Trust is required to maintain cash or marketable securities at all times of not
less than $15 million. The amount which can be outstanding under the revolving credit facility may not exceed an amount equal to
the sum of (1) 65% of our earning first mortgages, plus (2) 50% of our earning second mortgages and (3) 50% of the fair market
value of certain of our owned real estate, all of which are pledged to the lending banks as collateral and the sum of (2) and (3) may
not exceed 15% of the borrowing base or $22.5 million. At September 30, 2008 and November 30, 2008, $51 million and$ 69
million, was available to be drawn under the credit facility and $3 million and $6 million, was outstanding. The following is
summary information relating to the credit facility.
Average balance
Outstanding balance at year end
Weighted average interest rate during the year
Weighted average interest rate at year end
For the Year Ended September 30,
$
$
2008
18,740,000 $
3,000,000 $
5.65 %
4.74 %
2007
54,041,000
20,000,000
7.58 %
7.37 %
The interest rates do not reflect deferred fee amortization of $534,000 and $654,000 for the years ended September 30, 2008 and
2007, respectively which is a component of interest expense. These fees are being amortized over the life of the credit facility. At
September 30, 2008, there was $154,000 of unamortized deferred fees which is included in other assets.
In addition to the credit facility, the Trust has the ability to borrow funds through its two margin accounts. In order to maintain one
of the accounts, an annual fee equal to .3% of the market value of the pledged securities, which is included in interest expense, is
paid. Marketable securities with a fair market value at September 30, 2008 of $10,482,000 were pledged as collateral. At
November 30, 2008 these securities had a market value of $5,604,000. The following is summary information relating to the
margin accounts:
Average balance
Outstanding balance at year end
Weighted average interest rate during the year
Weighted average interest rate at year end
For the Year Ended September
30,
2008
2007
3,691,000
-
7.51 %
-
- $
-
-
-
The interest rates do not include a fee of .3% which totaled $85,000 and $144,000 for the year ended September 30, 2008 and 2007,
respectively of the account value which is a component of interest expense.
F-21
Junior Subordinated Notes
BRT issued $30,928,000 principal amount 30-year subordinated notes to BRT Realty Trust Statutory Trust II, an unconsolidated
affiliate of BRT. The Statutory Trust was formed to issue $928,000 worth of common securities (all of the Statutory Trust's
common securities) to BRT and to sell $30 million of preferred securities to third party investors. The notes pay interest quarterly at
a fixed rate of 8.49% per annum for ten years at which time they convert to a floating rate of LIBOR plus 290 basis points. The
Statutory Trust remits dividends to the common and preferred security holders under the same terms as the subordinated notes. The
notes and preferred securities mature in April 2036 and may be redeemed in whole or in part anytime after April 2011, without
penalty, at BRT's option. To the extent BRT redeems notes, the Statutory Trust is required to redeem a corresponding amount of
preferred securities. Issuance costs of $944,000 were incurred in connection with this transaction and are included in other assets.
These costs are being amortized over the intended 10-year holding period of the notes. At September 30, 2008 unamortized
issuance costs totaled $715,000.
BRT issued $25,774,000 principal amount 30-year subordinated notes to BRT Realty Trust Statutory Trust I, an unconsolidated
affiliate of BRT. The Statutory Trust was formed to issue $774,000 worth of common securities (all of the Statutory Trust's
common securities) to BRT and to sell $25 million of preferred securities to third party investors. The notes pay interest quarterly at
a fixed rate of 8.23% per annum for ten years at which time they convert to a floating rate of LIBOR plus 300 basis points. The
Statutory Trust remits dividends to the common and preferred security holders under the same terms as the subordinated notes. The
notes and preferred securities mature in April 2036 and may be redeemed in whole or in part anytime after May 2011, without
penalty, at BRT's option. To the extent BRT redeems notes, the Statutory Trust is required to redeem a corresponding amount of
preferred securities. Issuance costs of $822,000 were incurred in connection with this transaction and are included in other assets.
These costs are being amortized over the intended 10 year holding period of the notes. At September 30, 2008 unamortized
issuance costs totaled $614,000.
BRT Realty Trust Statutory Trusts I and II are variable interest entities under FIN 46R. Under the provisions of FIN 46 (R), BRT
has determined that the holders of the preferred securities are the primary beneficiaries of the two Statutory Trusts. Accordingly,
BRT does not consolidate the Statutory Trusts and has reflected the obligations of the Statutory Trusts under the caption "Junior
Subordinated Notes." The investment in the common securities of the Statutory Trusts is reflected in other assets and is accounted
under the equity method of accounting.
Mortgage Payable
The mortgage payable represents a first mortgage on a long term leasehold position on a shopping center owned by a joint venture
in which the Trust holds a majority interest. The mortgage with an original principal balance of $2,850,000 bears interest at a fixed
rate of 6.25% for the first five years and has a maturity of October 1, 2011. There is an option to extend the mortgage to October 1,
2016. At September 30, 2008, the outstanding balance was $2,315,000.
Scheduled principal repayments on the mortgage during the initial and extended maturity are as follows (dollar amounts in
thousands):
Years Ending September 30,
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013 and thereafter
Amount
86
91
97
84
1,957
2,315
$
$
F-22
NOTE 10 - INCOME TAXES
The Trust has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust ("REIT”), as defined under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended. As a REIT, the Trust will generally not be subject to Federal income taxes at the corporate level if it distributes at least
100% of its REIT taxable income, as defined, to its shareholders. To maintain its REIT status, the Trust must distribute at least 90%
of its income; however if it does not distribute 100% of its income, it will be taxed on undistributed income. There are a number of
organizational and operational requirements the Trust must meet to remain a REIT. If the Trust fails to qualify as a REIT in any
taxable year, its taxable income will be subject to Federal income tax at regular corporate tax rates and it may not be able to qualify
as a REIT for four subsequent tax years. Even if it is qualified as a REIT, the Trust is subject to certain state and local income taxes
and to Federal income and excise taxes on its undistributed taxable income. For income tax purposes the Trust reports on a calendar
year.
During the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Trust recorded $251,000 and $1,250,000, respectively, of corporate tax
expense which included (i) $158,000 and $1,253,000, respectively, for the payment of Federal excise tax which is based on taxable
income generated but not yet distributed; and (ii) $93,000 and ($3,000), respectively, for state and local taxes relating to the 2008
and 2007 tax years.
Earnings and profits, which determine the taxability of dividends to shareholders, differs from net income reported for financial
statement purposes due to various items among which are timing differences related to loan loss provision, impairment charges,
depreciation methods and carrying values.
The taxable loss is expected to be approximately $1,300,000 lower than the financial statement loss during calendar 2008, primarily
due to approximately $1,400,000 of additional gains on the sale of investment securities which have a lower basis for tax purposes.
NOTE 11 -SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Distributions
During the year ended September 30, 2008, the Trust declared cash distributions in the amount of $3.19 per share. It is estimated
that 55% of the distribution or $1.74 will be capital gain distributions and the remaining $1.45 will be ordinary income.
Underwritten Public Offering
On December 11, 2006, the Trust sold 2,800,000 shares of beneficial interest, par value $3.00 per share pursuant to an underwritten
public offering and on December 13, 2007, the underwriters exercised their over allotment option to the extent of 132,500
shares. The net proceeds to the Trust, after deducting the underwriting discount and offering expenses incurred by the Trust, were
$77.1 million which were used to pay down the revolving credit facility by $58 million and to pay off in full our outstanding
balance of $19 million on the margin line.
Stock Options
On December 6, 1996, the Board of Trustees adopted the BRT 1996 Stock Option Plan (Incentive/Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan),
whereby a maximum of 450,000 shares of beneficial interest are reserved for issuance to the Trust’s officers, employees, trustees
and consultants or advisors to the Trust. Incentive stock options are granted at per share amounts at least equal to the fair value at
the date of grant, whereas for nonstatutory stock options, the exercise price may be any amount determined by the Board, but not
less than the par value of a share. In December 2001, the 1996 stock option plan was amended to allow for an additional 250,000
shares to be issued.
In December 2000, the Board of Trustees granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan, options to purchase 165,500 shares of
beneficial interest at $7.75 per share to a number of officers, employees and consultants of the Trust. The options are cumulatively
exercisable at a rate of 25% per annum, commencing after two years and expire ten years after grant date. During the current year,
1,250 of the options were exercised. At September 30, 2008, options to purchase 11,500 shares are remaining, all of which are
exercisable.
In December 2001 the Board of Trustees granted, under the 1996 Stock Option Plan, options to purchase 89,000 shares of beneficial
interest at $10.45 per share to a number of officers, employees and consultants of the Trust. The options are cumulatively
exercisable at a rate of 25% per annum, commencing after one year and expiring ten years after grant date. During the current year
noneof the options were exercised. At September 30, 2008, options to purchase 11,000 shares are remaining, all of which are
exercisable.
F-23
The Trust recorded $17,000 of compensation expense during the year ended September 30, 2006 using the fair value method related
to options which all vested in the prior year. No further compensation expense has been recorded as all stock options were fully
vested as of December 31, 2005.
Changes in the number of shares under all option arrangements are summarized as follows:
Outstanding at beginning of period
Cancelled
Exercised
Year Ended September 30,
2007
2008
2006
23,750
-
(1,250 )
26,250
-
(2,500 )
83,186
(5,000 )
(51,936 )
Outstanding at end of period
22,500
23,750
26,250
Exercisable at end of period
22,500
23,750
26,250
Option prices per share outstanding
$
7.75-$10.45 $
7.75-$10.45 $
7.75-$10.45
As of September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006 the outstanding options had a weighted average remaining contractual life of
approximately 2.6, 3.6 and 4.6 years and a weighted average exercise price of $9.07, $9.00 and $8.88 respectively.
Restricted Shares
On December 16, 2002, the Board of Trustees adopted and on March 24, 2003 the shareholders of The Trust approved the 2003
BRT Incentive Plan, whereby a maximum of 350,000 shares of beneficial interest may be issued in the form of options or restricted
shares to the Trust’s officers, employees, trustees and consultants.
During the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Trust issued 63,430, 45,175 and 42,450 restricted shares under the
Plan, respectively. The shares vest five years from the date of issuance and under certain circumstances may vest earlier. For
accounting purposes, the restricted stock is not included in the outstanding shares shown on the balance sheet until they vest. For
the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Trust recognized $855,000, $765,000 and $572,000 of compensation
expense respectively. At September 30, 2008, $2,328,000 has been deferred as unearned compensation and will be charged to
expense over the remaining vesting periods. The weighted average vesting period is 2.72 years.
Changes in number of shares under the 2003 BRT Incentive Plan is shown below:
Outstanding at beginning of the year
Issued
Cancelled
Vested
Outstanding at the end of the year
Years Ended September 30,
2007
2008
2006
157,985
63,430
(575 )
(23,300 )
197,540
125,010
45,175
(7,200 )
(5,000 )
157,985
86,310
42,450
-
(3,750 )
125,010
F-24
(Loss) Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share (dollar amounts in thousands):
Numerator for basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share:
$
Net (loss ) income
(260 ) $
35,070 $
20,071
2008
2007
2006
Denominator:
Denominator for basic (loss) earnings per share –
weighted average shares
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options
11,648,885
10,501,738
7,931,734
7,549
16,559
28,221
Denominator for diluted (loss) earnings per share –
adjusted weighted average shares and assumed
conversions (1)
11,648,885 10,518,297 7,959,955
Basic (loss) earnings per share
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
$
$
(.02 ) $
3.34 $
(.02 ) $
3.33 $
2.53
2.52
(1) Outstanding shares for 2008 are the same for basic and diluted as the effect of dilutive shares in the computation of earnings
per share would have been antidilutive.
Treasury Shares
On March 10, 2008, the Board of Trustees approved a share repurchase program whereby the Trust may repurchase up to
1,000,000 of its shares of beneficial interest. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 the Trust repurchased 67,334
shares at an average cost of $11.41 per share. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 no shares were
purchased by the Trust.
During the year ended September 30, 2008, 64,680 treasury shares were issued in connection with the exercise of stock options
and the issuance of restricted stock under the Trust’s stock option and incentive plans. In the year ended September 30, 2007,
the Trust issued 47,675 treasury shares in connection with the exercise of stock options under the Trust’s existing stock option
plan. As of September 30, 2008, the Trust owns 1,206,000 treasury shares of beneficial interest at an aggregate cost of
$10,578,000.
NOTE 12 - ADVISOR'S COMPENSATION AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Certain of the Trust's officers and trustees are also officers, directors of REIT Management Corp. ("REIT"), (The Advisor) to
which the Trust pays advisory fees for administrative services and investment advice. Fredric H. Gould, chairman of the board, is
the sole shareholder of REIT Management Corp. The agreement, as amended, expires on December 31, 2010. Advisory fees are
currently charged to operations at a rate of .6% on invested assets. Prior to January 1, 2007, advisory fees were charged to
operations at a rate of 1% on real estate loans and ½ of 1% on other invested assets. Advisory fees amounted to $1,730,000,
$2,308,000 and $2,682,000 for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
The Trust’s borrowers pay fees directly to REIT based on loan originations, which generally are one-time fees payable upon
funding of a loan, in the amount of ½ of 1% of the total loan. Prior to January 1, 2007, this fee was 1%. These fees, were
$223,000, $775,000 and $3,200,000 for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Management of certain properties for the Trust is provided by Majestic Property Management Corp., a corporation in which the
chairman of the board is the sole shareholder, under renewable year-to-year agreements. Certain of the Trust’s officers and
Trustees are also officers and directors of Majestic Property Management Corp. Majestic Property Management Corp. provides
real property management, real estate brokerage and construction supervision services to the Trust and its joint venture
properties. For the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006 fees for these services aggregated $139,000, $209,000 and
$322,000, respectively.
The chairman of the board is also chairman of the board of One Liberty Properties, Inc., a related party, and is an executive
officer and sole shareholder of Georgetown Partners Inc., the managing general partner of Gould Investors L.P. and the sole
member of Gould General LLC, a general partner of Gould Investors L.P., a related party. Certain of the Trust’s officers and
Trustees are also officers and directors of Georgetown Partners Inc. The allocation of expenses for the shared facilities,
personnel and other resources is computed in accordance with a shared services agreement by and among us and the affiliated
entities, which we refer to as the Shared Services Agreement. During the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
allocated general and administrative expenses reimbursed by the Trust to Gould Investors L.P. pursuant to the Shared Services
Agreement, aggregated $1,039,000, $907,000 and $782,000, respectively. At September 30, 2008, $167,000 remains unpaid and
is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
F-25
NOTE 13 -SEGMENT REPORTING
Management has determined that it operates in two reportable segments, a loan and investment segment which includes the
origination and servicing of our loan portfolio and our investments and a real estate segment which includes the operation and
disposition of our real estate assets.
The following table summarizes our segment reporting for the year ended September 30, 2008 (dollar amounts in thousands):
Revenues
Interest expense
Provision for loan loss
Impairment charges
Other expenses
Amortization and depreciation
Total expenses
Loan and
Investment Real Estate
Total
$
20,836 $
2,248 $
23,084
4,633
15,260
1,050
8,160
-
29,103
2,011
-
3,557
6,581
795
12,944
6,644
15,260
4,607
14,741
795
42,047
Loss before other revenue and expense items
(8,267 )
(10,696 )
(18,963 )
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated ventures
Net gain on sale of available-for-sale securities
Minority interest
Income (loss) from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Income from operations
Impairment charges
Gain on sale of real estate assets
Loss from discontinued operations
Net income (loss)
Segment assets
1,258
19,940
-
12,931
100
-
(139 )
(10,735 )
1,358
19,940
(139 )
2,196
-
-
-
-
635
(4,603 )
1,512
(2,456 )
635
(4,603 )
1,512
(2,456 )
$
12,931 $
(13,191 ) $
(260 )
$
188,309 $
81,711 $ 270,020
In prior fiscal years the Trust operated in a single segment due to the immateriality of its real estate holdings. Information for the fiscal
year ended 2007 and 2006 are summarized below as if the Trust had operated in two reportable segments in those years:
Revenue
Expense
Other revenue and expense items
Discontinued operations
Net income
Segment assets
Revenue
Expense
Other revenue and expense items
2007
Loan and
Investment
Real Estate
Total
41,414 $
28,742
20,534
-
33,206 $
1,486 $
1,828
1,838
368
1,864 $
42,900
30,570
22,372
368
35,070
311,656 $
16,543 $
328,109
2006
Loan and
Investment
Real Estate
Total
36,274 $
18,841
-
1,214 $
1,867
2,499
37,488
20,708
2,499
$
$
$
$
Discontinued operations
Net income
Segment assets
NOTE 14 -COMMITMENT
-
17,433 $
792
2,638 $
792
20,071
351,040 $
17,386 $
368,426
$
$
The Trust maintains a non-contributory defined contribution pension plan covering eligible employees and
officers. Contributions by the Trust are made through a money purchase plan, based upon a percent of qualified employees' total
salary as defined therein. Pension expense approximated $287,000, $240,000 and $237,000 during the years ended September
30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. At September 30, 2008, $124,000 remains unpaid and is included in accounts payable
and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
F-26
NOTE 15 -QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
1 st Quarter
Oct.-Dec
2 nd
Quarter
Jan.-March
3 rd
Quarter
April-June
2008
4 th
Quarter
July-Sept.
Total
For Year
Revenues
Provision for loan loss
Impairment charges
$
7,508 $
-
-
5,303 $
5,300
-
5,309 $
6,400
4,607
4,964 $
3,560
-
23,084
15,260
4,607
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of
unconsolidated real estate ventures,
gain on sale of available-for-sale
securities, minority interest and
discontinued operations
Gain on sale of available for sale
securities
Discontinued operations (a)
Net income (loss)
Income (loss) per beneficial share
continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Basic earnings (loss) per share
Revenues
Provision for loan loss
Impairment charges
Income (loss) before equity in earnings
of unconsolidated real estate
ventures, gain on sale of available-
for-sale securities, minority interest
and discontinued operations
Gain on sale of available for sale securities
Discontinued operations
Net income (loss)
2,377
(5,530 )
(11,794 )
(4,016 )
(18,963 )
-
457
3,230
3,818
1,101
(14 )
7,885
(2,003 )
(5,682 )
8,237
(2,011 )
2,206
19,940
(2,456 )
(260 )
$
$
.24 $
.04
.28 $
(.09 ) $
.09
- $
(.31 ) $
(.17 )
(.48 ) $
.36 $
(.17 )
.19 $
.19
(.21 )
(.02 ) (b)
1 st Quarter
Oct.-Dec
2 nd Quarter
Jan.-March
3 rd Quarter
April-June
2007
4 th Quarter
July-Sept.
Total
For Year
$
12,745 $
-
-
10,994 $
-
-
10,544 $
1,000
-
8,617 $
8,300
-
42,900
9,300
-
6,044
-
358
8,289
5,484
15,298
-
20,864
4,830
4,121
-
9,406
(4,028 )
36
10
(3,489 )
12,330
19,455
368
35,070
Income (loss) per beneficial share c ontinuing
operations
Discontinued operations
Basic earnings (loss) per share
$
$
.91 $
.04
.95 $
1.88 $
-
1.88 $
.85 $
-
.85 $
(.31 ) $
-
(.31 ) $
3.30
.04
3.34 (b)
(a) Includes impairment charges of $2,193,000 and $2,410,000 in the 3 rd and 4 th quarters of 2008, respectively.
(b) Calculated on weighted average shares outstanding for the fiscal year. May not foot due to rounding.
F-27
BRT REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III – REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES, REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES HELD FOR SALE AND ACCUMULATED
DEPRECIATION
SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Initial Cost to Company
Costs Capitalized
Subsequent
to Acquisition
Gross Amount At
Which Carried at
September 30, 2008
Description
Commercial
Yonkers, NY.
South Daytona,
FL.
Residential
Apopka, FL
North Miami
Beach, FL
Fort Wayne, IN.
Archwood
Highland Ridge
Enon Springs
Arbors
Miscellaneous
Total
Encumbrances Land
$
2,315
$
- $ 10,437
3,247
-
2,199
-
1,653
-
825
-
1,802
-
1,280
-
1,480
-
1,408
2,315 $ 24,331 $
$
Buildings
and
Improvements Improvements
53
-
77
1,693
1,756
53
121
5
15
150
3,923
4,000 $
-
12,991
7,959
5,549
3,283
7,187
5,058
5,871
5,602
57,500 $
Carrying
Costs Land
-
- $
- 10,437
2,659
-
2,007
-
1,653
-
-
810
1,476
-
1,279
-
1,412
-
-
1,299
- $ 23,032 $
$
Buildings
and
Improvements Total
4,053 $ 4,053
- 10,437
10,716 13,375
8,132 10,139
8,958
7,305
4,086
3,276
7,480
6,004
6,343
5,064
7,027
5,615
5,316
6,615
55,481 $ 78,513 (a) $
Accumulated
Depreciation
and
Amortization
894
-
419
123
53
-
-
-
-
12
1,501 (b)
F-28
Date of
Construction
Depreciation
Life For
Latest
Income
Statement
39 years
N/A
27.5 years
27.5 years
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
27.5 years
Date
Acquired
Aug-00
Feb-08
Oct-07
Feb-08
July-08
July-08
July-08
July-08
July-08
Sept-08
(c)
BRT REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III – REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES, REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES HELD FOR SALE
AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(continued)
Notes to the schedule:
(a) Total real estate properties (including properties held for sale)
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
Net real estate properties
(b) Amortization of the Trust’s leasehold interests is over the shorter of estimated useful life or the
$
$
78,513
1,501
77,012
term of the respective land lease.
Information not readily obtainable.
(c)
A reconciliation of real estate properties (including real estate properties held for sale) is as follows:
Balance at beginning of year
Additions:
Acquisitions through foreclosure
Capital improvements
Deductions:
Sales
Depreciation/amortization
Impairment charges
Year Ended September 30,
2007
2008
2006
$
12,691 $
6,175 $
6,117
104,172
3,914
108,086
9,355
106
9,461
34,885
720
8,160
43,765
2,833
112
-
2,945
-
244
244
74
112
-
186
Balance at end of year
$
77,012 $
12,691 $
6,175
The aggregate cost of investments in real estate assets for Federal income tax purposes is approximately $2,940,000 higher than book value.
F-29
BRT REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE IV - MORTGAGE LOANS ON REAL ESTATE
SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
# of
Loans
Interest
Rate
Final
Maturity
Date
Periodic
Payment
Terms
Prime+4.00
Prime+7.00
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Prime+4.00
Prime+4.75
Prime+5.00
Prime+5.00
Prime+5.50
Prime+5.00
Prime+3.75
Prime+7.00
Oct-08
Sept-09
March-09
Dec-08
Demand
Feb-09
March-09
Feb-09
Feb-09
Sept-09
Interest monthly,
principal at maturity
Interest monthly,
principal at maturity
Interest monthly,
principal at maturity
Interest monthly,
principal at maturity
Interest monthly,
principal at maturity
Interest monthly,
principal at maturity
Interest monthly,
principal at maturity
Interest monthly,
principal at maturity
Interest monthly,
principal at maturity
Interest monthly,
principal at maturity
Description
First mortgage loans s hort
term
Multi-family/Condo
Conversion NY, NY
Retail/Office Brooklyn, NY
Land, New York, NY
Multi-family/Condo Retail
New York, NY
Land New York, NY
Retail/Office Newark, NJ
1
1
1
1
1
1
Condo Hotel Ft. Lauderdale, FL 1
Retail/Office Newark, NJ
Retail Newark, NJ
Hotel Ft. Wayne, IN
$ 0 – 999
$ 1000 – 1,999
$ 2,000 – 2,999
Junior mortgage loans
Misc.
$ 0 - 999
$ 1,000 – 1,999
Total
1
1
1
10
8
10
2
1
41
Face
Amount
of
Mortgages
Carrying
Amount
Of
Mortgages
Prior
Liens
- $
26,075 $
26,075
Principal
Amount
of Loans
subject
to delinquent
principal or
interest
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
22,800
22,373
6,322
6,195
6,162
5,313
5,273
4,637
3,898
3,258
6,294
6,173
4,418 $
6,162
5,295
5,273
4,618
3,884
3,186
4,214
11,477
28,471
4,181
10,575
24,161
2,393
9,198
654
$
10,987
5,700
1,090
1,250
1,087
1,250
$
16,687 $
136,435 $
128,843 $
18,407
F-30
BRT REALTY TRUST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE IV - MORTGAGE LOANS ON REAL ESTATE
SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(Continued)
Notes to the schedule:
(a) The following summary reconciles mortgage loans at their carrying values:
Balance at beginning of year
Additions:
Advances under real estate loans
Amortization of deferred fee income
Repurchase of participation interest
Deductions:
Collections of principal
Sale of participation interests
Provision for loan loss
Collection of loan fees
Transfer to real estate upon foreclosure, net of charge
offs and unamortized fees
Year Ended September 30,
2007
2008
2006
$
239,341 $
281,343 $
191,599
66,027
2,128
-
68,155
56,824
-
15,260
2,144
122,909
4,993
5,750
133,652
152,129
1,110
9,300
3,646
104,425
178,653
9,469
175,654
309,727
3,669
-
313,396
157,540
61,188
-
4,924
-
223,652
Balance at end of year
$
128,843 $
239,341 $
281,343
(b) Carrying amount of mortgage loans are net of allowances for loan losses in the amount of $6,710, $8,917 and $669 in 2008, 2007
and 2006, respectively.
(c) Carrying amount of mortgage loans are net of deferred fee income in the amount of $882, $1,268 and $2,616 in 2008, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.
(d) The aggregate cost of investments in mortgage loans is the same for financial reporting purposes and Federal income tax purposes.
F-31
SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT 10.2
Shared Services Agreement (the "Agreement") dated as of January 1, 2002 by and among Gould Investors L.P. ("Gould"), a
Delaware limited partnership; BRT Realty Trust ("BRT"), a Massachusetts business trust; One Liberty Properties, Inc., a Maryland
corporation ("OLP"); Majestic Property Management Corp., a Delaware corporation ("MPMC"); Majestic Property Affiliates, Inc., a New
York corporation ("Majestic"); and REIT Management Corp., a New York corporation ("REIT").
WHEREAS, Gould has been providing to the parties to this Agreement (Gould and such entities being referred to collectively
herein as the "Affiliated Entities" and individually as an "Affiliated Entity") certain facilities and executive and administrative services and
the Affiliated Entities desire that Gould continue to provide such facilities and services to them, on the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth herein;
WHEREAS, one or more of the Affiliated Entities provides facilities and services to the other Affiliated Entities and it is the
desire of the parties hereto that the provision of such services shall continue, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants set forth below, and other good and valuable
consideration, the parties agree as follows:
1. Services
(a) Gould has provided and shall continue to provide to each Affiliated Entity the following services (each a "Service" and, collectively, the
"Services"):
(i) Office Space. A portion of the office facility currently occupied by Gould to conduct its business, including, without limitation, utilities,
maintenance services, office furnishings and equipment, and other associated facilities and services. The portion of the office facility provided
to each Affiliated Entity shall be reasonable in light of the reasonable requirements of Gould and the Affiliated Entities.
(ii) Administration. Executive, legal, accounting, administrative and clerical personnel and required administrative, secretarial and clerical
services including, but not limited to, office supplies and services, payroll, payroll taxes, employee benefits, billing and collection services,
and financial reporting services comparable to those currently provided for the Affiliated Entities.
(iii) Mailroom Services. All services necessary to continue current mailroom services, including, without limitation, all licenses, postage
meters, postage accounts, postage stamps, courier and express mail delivery services.
(iv) Telecommunications Services. All services necessary to maintain current telecommunications services, including, without limitation,
telephones, telephone line services, wireless telephones, wireless services, telephone calls, facsimile equipment and related maintenance
contracts and T1 line and service for internet communications.
(v) Computer Services. Data processing services and personal computer services, including without limitation data process operators and
software for use in connection with such services.
(b) Certain of the Affiliated Entities provide the following Services to other Affiliated Entities, which the Affiliated Entity providing such
Services shall continue to provide:
(i) Office Space. A portion of its office facility including utilities, maintenance services, office furnishing and equipment and other
associated facilities and services. The portion of the office facility provided shall be reasonable in light of the reasonable requirements of
each Affiliated Entity involved in providing and using such office facility.
(ii) Administration. Executive, accounting, administrative and clerical personnel, including but not limited to payroll, payroll taxes,
employee benefits comparable to those currently being provided.
(c) Gould and each Affiliated Entity providing Services shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Services required to be
provided by it in a timely and efficient manner, and shall assign to each of the Services substantially the same priority as assigned to
similar services performed in its own operations.
2. Term
2.1 The term of this Agreement shall commence as of January 1, 2002 and shall continue until December 31, 2002, unless earlier
terminated or extended in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.
2.2 The term of this Agreement will automatically be extended for additional one-year periods unless terminated by Gould as to one or
more Affiliated Entities upon written notice given to the Affiliated Entity to be terminated at least three (3) months prior to the scheduled
termination date.
2.3 Any one of the Affiliated Entities, other than Gould, may withdraw from this Agreement , at any time during the term hereof, upon
three (3) months' prior written notice to each of the other Affiliated Entities.
3 Fees and payment for the Services
3.1 (a) In consideration of the provision of Services to the Affiliated Entities, each Affiliated Entity shall pay to Gould and to any other
Affiliated Entity providing Services, on a quarterly basis, its allocated share of the cost of all such Services ("Allocated Expenses") based
on the following formula:
(i) The total amount paid by Gould and any other Affiliated Entity for all salaries, payroll taxes, and benefits and all other payroll related
expenses (collectively, "Payroll Expenses") shall be determined for each quarter annual period.
(ii) The total amount paid by Gould and any other Affiliated Entity for all other costs, including, without limitation, rent, utilities, cost of
supplies, mail room expenses, computer use, communication costs, and all other operating costs (collectively, "Overhead Costs") shall be
determined for each quarter annual period.
(iii)Each executive and administrative employee of the Affiliated Entities performing services for more than one Affiliated Entity in any
quarter shall complete and deliver to the accounting personnel of Gould a timesheet (in the form prepared by Gould) in which such
employee shall set forth the percentage of the employee's working time in the applicable quarter devoted to the business and affairs of each
Affiliated Entity.
(iv) The Payroll Expense of each employee for the applicable quarter shall be allocated to each Affiliated Entity based on the time devoted
by such employee, as set forth in the timesheet, to the business and affairs of any one or more Affiliated Entities.
(v) All Overhead Costs for the applicable quarter, shall be allocated to each Affiliated Entity by multiplying the Overhead Costs for the
quarter by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the time devoted by all personnel to the affairs of an Affiliated Company and the
denominator of which is the time devoted by all reporting personnel to the affairs of all Affiliated Companies. Additionally, each Affiliated
Entity shall reimburse Gould and the Affiliated Entities providing services on a quarterly basis for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by Gould or any Affiliated Entity, on behalf of an Affiliated Entity. Such Allocated Expenses and out-of-pocket expenses, shall be
payable within thirty (30) days of the end of each quarter annual period.
(b) The Payroll Expenses and Overhead Costs attributable to Secretary or clerical person who shall not be required to complete time sheets
shall be allocated based on the timesheets of the executive for who such secretary or clerical person directly works and accounting
personnel shall be allocated based on the determination of the chief accounting officer of each Affiliated Entity.
4. Obligations and Relationship
The relationship established hereunder between the parties shall not be construed as a partnership, joint venture or other form of joint
enterprise. Except as specifically authorized by a party hereto, no party shall be authorized to make any representations or to create or
assume any obligation or liability in respect or on behalf of the other party, and this Agreement shall not be construed as constituting either
party as the agent of the other party.
5. Limited Liability: Indemnification
5.1 Neither Gould nor any Affiliated Entity shall be liable to any other Affiliated Entity for any loss, claim, expense or damage, or any act
or omission performed or omitted by it hereunder so long as its act or omission does not constitute fraud, bad faith or gross negligence. In
no event shall Gould or any Affiliated Entity be liable for indirect, special consequential or exemplary damages. Neither Gould nor any
Affiliated Entity providing services shall be liable to any other Affiliated Entity for the consequences of any failure or delay in performing
any such Services if such failure shall be caused by labor disputes, strikes or other events or circumstances beyond such person's control.
5.2 In any action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of Gould or any Affiliated Entity providing Services,) to which
Gould or any Affiliated Entity providing Services, or any of their respective agents or employees performing Services hereunder (the
"Indemnitee") was or is a party by reason of its performance or non-performance of Services, all Affiliated Entities shall indemnify the
Indemnitee and hold the Indemnitee harmless from and against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid (with the consent of the other
party) in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection therewith if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and
provided that the Indemnitee's conduct does not constitute gross negligence, fraud or intentional misconduct. Any indemnification pursuant
to this paragraph shall be allocated among Affiliated Entities in as equitable and reasonable a manner as is practicable.
6. Confidentiality
Any and all information obtained by any party in connection with the Services contemplated by this Agreement shall be held in the
strictest confidence and not disclosed to any other person without the written consent of the other party.
7. Notices
All notices and other communications permitted or required hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered by
hand to an officer of the other party.
8. Binding Effect
This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors.
9. No Third Party Beneficiaries
This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and shall not confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, cause of action or
other right in addition to those existing without reference to this Agreement.
10. Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to these matters.
11. Assignment; Amendment; Waiver
This Agreement is not assignable except to a successor to the business of Gould or any Affiliated Entity. Neither the rights nor the duties
arising hereunder may be assigned or delegated. This Agreement may not be amended nor may any rights hereunder be waived except by an
instrument in writing signed by the party sought to be charged with the amendment or waiver. The failure of a party to insist upon strict
adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist
upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement.
12. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the
provisions, policies or principles thereof relating to choice or conflict of laws.
13. Headings
The section and other headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused in this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date and year first above written.
GOULD INVESTORS L.P.
By: Georgetown Partners, Inc.
By: s/
Matthew Gould, President
BRT REALTY TRUST
By: s/
Jeffrey Gould, President
ONE LIBERTY PROPERTIES, INC.
By: s/
Jeffrey Fishman, President
MAJESTIC PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CORP.
By: s/
Daniel Lembo, President
MAJESTIC PROPERTY AFFILIATES CORP.
By: s/
Robert Huhem, President
REIT MANAGEMENT CORP.
By: s/
Fredric H. Gould, President
ADDENDUM TO SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT
The Shared Services Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2002, sets forth the allocation of expenses among the Affiliated Entities,
which allocation has been in existence and applied for many years in the same manner as is set forth in the Shared Services Agreement.
BRT and OLP are entities whose shares are publicly traded, with the shares of BRT and OLP being listed for trading on The New York
Stock Exchange and The American Stock Exchange, respectively. This Addendum is intended to clarify certain provisions of the Shared
Services Agreement and the relationship between the Affiliated Entities and particularly the relationship between Gould and BRT and OLP
in view of the fact that Gould is the primary provider of executive and administrative personnel for the benefit of BRT and OLP.
Accordingly, the following clarifications of the Shared Services Agreement are set forth and to the extent that the provisions of the
Addendum amend the Shared Services Agreement this addendum shall be deemed an amendment thereof:
1. The executive and administrative personnel provided to BRT and to OLP by Gould (and any other Affiliated Entity) are leased to and
hired by OLP and BRT, and Gould (and any other Affiliated Entity providing personnel to BRT or OLP) is responsible for such persons
compensation, including federal, state and local payroll taxes, FICA payments, etc.
2. With respect to personnel hired by BRT and OLP from Gould or any other Affiliated Entity, the Compensation Committees of BRT and
OLP, respectively and the Board of Trustees of BRT or the Board of Directors of OLP, respectively, in their sole and absolute discretion may
grant to one or more of the executive and administrative personnel provided to them stock options under one or more of the stock option plans
of either of said entities. The granting of options by either BRT or OLP may be made notwithstanding the expenses allocated to either BRT or
OLP by Gould or any other Affiliated Entity for the salary and payroll taxes of any personnel provided to either BRT or OLP.
3. If any executive or administrative personnel are "leased" to BRT or OLP by Gould or any other Affiliated Entity, BRT or OLP in their
sole and absolute discretion may reject any such person prior to the commencement of any activities or services, and any such person may
be discharged by BRT or OLP at any time during the course of the provision of such services, and the entity to which such individual or
individuals shall be assigned (BRT, OLP or any other Affiliated Entity) shall control the functions and activities of such individual in the
performance of services. Gould and the Affiliated Entity providing the personnel shall have the right and power to discharge such
individual at any time, provided, however, Gould and the Affiliated Entity providing the personnel shall in all events comply with the
provisions of paragraph 1 of the Shared Services Agreement.
4. Any Affiliated Entity shall have the right at any time to determine and/or dispute the amount allocated to it, pursuant to the Shared
Services Agreement. If any Affiliated Entity is not satisfied with the amount allocated to it or the economic value attributable to the
services provided, including, without limitation, services performed by an individual leased to an Affiliated Entity, then the dissatisfied
Affiliated Entity shall set forth in writing (a "Complaint") the issues which it disputes and the reasonable value, in its judgment, of the
services provided or performed and shall provide the Complaint to Gould or the other Affiliated Entity involved. If the Affiliated Entities
involved cannot agree upon a fair value for such services within a period not to exceed forty-five days from the receipt of the Complaint by
the Affiliated Entity providing the services, then the dissatisfied Affiliated Entity may commence an arbitration before the American
Arbitration Association ("AAA") to determine the fair value of the services provided. Any such arbitration must be commenced within six
months of the expiration of the forty-five day period and shall be held in the County of Nassau, before an independent arbitrator selected in
accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association whose decision in connection therewith shall be final and binding upon
the parties. Each Affiliated Entity involved shall bear an equal portion of the costs incurred in such arbitration. If the procedure set forth is
not followed the allocation as made shall be conclusively binding on all parties.
5. In view of the fact that each Affiliated Entity provides the same or substantially similar employment benefits, each individual employed
by one Affiliated Entity who is providing services for the benefit of another Affiliated Entity is in receipt of the same or substantially
similar employment benefits as is provided to the employees of the Affiliated Entity receiving such services.
6. Pursuant to the Shared Services Agreement, payment for the services provided is made on a periodic basis. The allocated expenses for
the compensation of any personnel has and shall continue to include the payroll of any individual whose services are provided, including
all payroll taxes, FICA, etc.
COMPANY
Forest Green Corporation
TRB No. 1 Corp.
Blue Realty Corp.
TRB 69th Street Corp.
TRB Lawrence Realty Corp.
TRB Yonkers Corp.
TRB Hartford Corp.
TRB Charlotte Apartments LLC
BRT Joint Venture No. 1 LLC
BRT Realty Trust Statutory Trust I
BRT Realty Trust Statutory Trust II
TRB Stuart LLC
TRB Plainfield LLC
TRB West 15 th Street LLC
TRB Fort Wayne LLC
TRB Apopka LLC
TRB Miami Beach LLC
TRB MB Owner LLC
TRB West Palm Beach LLC
TRB West Palm Beach II LLC
TRB Chattanooga LLC
TRB Daytona LLC
TRB Highland Ridge LLC
TRB Cumberland LLC
TRB Archwood LLC
TRB Enon Springs LLC
TRB Crestbrook LLC
TRB Arbors LLC
TRB Chelsea LLC
TRB Avalon LLC
TRB Naples LLC
EXHIBIT 21.1
SUBSIDIARIES
STATE OF INCORPORATION
New York
New York
Delaware
New York
New York
New York
Connecticut
North Carolina
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Florida
New Jersey
New York
Indiana
Florida
Florida
Florida
Florida
Florida
Tennessee
Florida
Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee
New York
Florida
Florida
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
EXHIBIT 23.1
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-128458 pertaining to the shelf registration of
securities) and in the related Prospectuses, and the Registration Statements (Form S-8 No. 333-101681 pertaining to the 1996 Stock Option
Plan, Form S-8 No. 333-104461 pertaining to the 2003 Incentive Plan and Form S-3 No. 333-118915 pertaining to the Dividend Reinvestment
and share Purchase Plan) of BRT Realty Trust and subsidiaries, of our reports dated December 10, 2008, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements and schedules of BRT Realty Trust and Subsidiaries and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of
BRT Realty Trust and Subsidiaries, included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended September 30, 2008.
New York, New York
December 10, 2008
I, Jeffrey A. Gould, certify that:
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 of BRT Realty Trust;
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 officers 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 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 officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal controls 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: December 11, 2008
/s/ Jeffrey A. Gould
Jeffrey A. Gould
President and Chief Executive Officer
I, David W. Kalish, certify that:
EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 of BRT Realty Trust;
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 officers 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 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 officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal controls 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: December 11, 2008
/s/ David W. Kalish
David W. Kalish
Senior Vice President-Finance
I, George Zweier, certify that:
EXHIBIT 31.3
CERTIFICATION
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 of BRT Realty Trust;
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 officers 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 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 officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal controls 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: December 11, 2008
/s/ George Zweier
George Zweier
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
(SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002)
The undersigned, Jeffrey A. Gould, does hereby certify to his knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that based upon a review of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008
of the registrant, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof:
(1) The report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
(2) The information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
registrant.
Date: December 11, 2008
/s/ Jeffrey A. Gould
Jeffrey A. Gould
President and Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT 32.2
CERTIFICATION OF SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT-FINANCE
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
(SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002)
The undersigned, David W. Kalish, does hereby certify to his knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that based upon a review of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2007
of the registrant, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof:
(1) The report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
(2) The information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
registrant.
Date: December 11, 2008
/s/ David W. Kalish
David W. Kalish
Senior Vice President-Finance
EXHIBIT 32.3
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
(SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002)
The undersigned, George Zweier, does hereby certify to his knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that based upon a review of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2007 of the
registrant, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof:
(1) The report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
(2) The information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
registrant.
Date: December 11, 2008
/s/ George Zweier
George Zweier
Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer