Thursday, July 26, 2007

All Hail Our New Benevolent Leaders

We're like a cat on our ninth life around here. I'm glad we've survived for the time-being, but I have to imagine major changes are on the way. I don't see why anybody would purchase us as is unless they had plans to shake things (or people) up. I guess that's what Sun Capital excels in.

FBR Group To Sell First NLC To Sun Capital Partners Transaction Includes Recapitalization of First NLC, Reduces FBR's Ownership to 20%

ARLINGTON, Va., July 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Friedman, Billings, Ramsey Group, Inc. (FBR Group) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners (Sun Capital) that will result in a $75 million recapitalization of First NLC Financial Services, LLC (FNLC), FBR Group's non-conforming mortgage origination subsidiary. Sun Capital and FBR Group will invest $60 million and $15 million respectively, on a pari passu basis.

As a result of this transaction, FBR Group's future exposure to FNLC will be limited to its $15 million investment in the recapitalization, plus a $3 million indemnification to Sun Capital for certain potential liabilities. During the third quarter, FBR Group expects to fund approximately $15 million in losses associated with further restructuring and operating costs incurred prior to entering into the transaction with Sun Capital. FBR Group will also retain ownership of approximately $250 million of conforming and non- conforming mortgages recently originated by FNLC which are expected to be sold or securitized during the third quarter.

Full article: http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NETH05726072007-1.htm

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

More S&P Woes

FBR Securitization Trust has been listed among the issuers who have had their credit ratings placed on CreditWatch in the following article:

S&P Warns on Subprime-Backed Issues

On July 10, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services placed its credit ratings on 612 classes of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) backed by U.S. subprime collateral on CreditWatch with negative implications. The affected classes total approximately $12.078 billion in rated securities, which represents 2.13% of the $565.3 billion in U.S. RMBS rated by Standard & Poor's between the fourth quarter of 2005 and the fourth quarter of 2006. A list of the issuers of the RMBS securities in question appears at the end of this article.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Who Are We Trashing?

There's been a lot of talk in the comments section about the fact that I am focusing on the negative aspects at FNLC and some folks think that I should be concentrating on the things that are trying to make this company better. I often receive comments about two members of the exec team in particular, and there seems to be a perception that they are being unfairly singled out for all of the company's woes.

You know what? That is true. These two people are being unfairly singled out. They aren't to blame for all of FNLC's current problems. Let's not forget all of their cronies and sycophants who do their bidding while historically turning a blind eye to disastrous (and illegal) situations simply because they were still benefitting from the money they generated!

I ask you, the Last NLC community, to refrain from bashing the same two individuals over and over again. They have had plenty of help bringing this company to the verge destruction, and we shouldn't forget the below-average and underqualified management team members who have constantly demonstrated their ability to "do what is required" to save their own jobs while slogging through the path of least resistance. These fine examples of incompetence deserve our attention as well.

And for those of you looking for some positivity about FNLC, I suggest you read whatever nonsense passes for news and information on the corporate intranet site these days. I am well beyond giving the company any benefit of the doubt to believe that they have any of my best interests or well-being in mind and I will continue to make sure that the voices of the employees who have their livelihoods hanging in the balance with every poorly-made exec decision are heard.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

At Least We Know Where The Rent Money Is Coming From

It's an Independence Holiday Week Miracle...

First NLC Financial Services Closes $481.8 Million Asset-Backed Securitization

BOCA RATON, FL -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 07/02/07 -- First NLC Financial Services, LLC ("the Company"), a wholly owned mortgage subsidiary of Friedman, Billings, Ramsey Group, Inc. (NYSE: FBR), today announced it has securitized $481.8 million of first-lien and second-lien residential mortgage loans originated by the Company through First NLC Trust 2007-1.
The securitization closed on June 26, 2007 and is expected to be treated as a sale for financial reporting purposes.

Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Moody's Investor Services, Inc. rated the securities. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC served as lead manager for the transaction. The securities were sold only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
This release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Source: http://www.sys-con.com/read/397664.htm