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Summary of significant accounting policies and estimates | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of significant accounting policies and estimates | Summary of significant accounting policies and estimates Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. Change in Presentation Effective June 30, 2022, the Company reclassified certain stockholders' equity amounts on the consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statements of changes in stockholders' equity and redeemable non-controlling interests. The reclassification included separately presenting the par value of common stock, and combining previously disclosed share capital and contributed capital amounts in the currently reported additional paid-in capital amount. The reclassification had no impact on previously reported total stockholders’ equity amounts. Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. In presenting the consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates regarding valuations of financial instruments, loans and allowances for credit losses, the outcome of legal and regulatory matters, goodwill and other intangible assets, share-based compensation plans and income taxes. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from the estimates. Accounting Standards Recently Adopted ASU 2023-07 – Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures In November 2023, the FASB issued this ASU to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The revised guidance requires disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), the title and position of the CODM and how the CODM uses the reported measures of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and make decisions about resource allocation, among other requirements. The Company adopted this guidance effective December 31, 2024. Refer to note 21 for additional information. Financial Instruments and F ai r Value Financial Instruments Securities owned, securities sold but not yet purchased, investments and derivative contracts are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each period. Fair Value Measurements Accounting guidance for the fair value measurement of financial assets defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value measurement hierarchy, and requires certain fair value measurement disclosures. Fair value, as defined by the accounting guidance, is the price that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy established by this accounting guidance prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques into the following three categories (highest to lowest priority): Level 1:Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets; Level 2:Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and Level 3:Unobservable inputs that are significant to the overall fair value measurement. The Company's financial instruments that are recorded at fair value generally are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy using quoted market prices or other pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. Financial instruments classified within Level 1 are valued based on quoted market prices in active markets and consist of U.S. Treasury securities and corporate equities. Level 2 financial instruments primarily consist of investment grade and high-yield corporate debt, convertible bonds, U.S. Agency securities, mortgage and asset-backed securities, and municipal obligations. Financial instruments classified as Level 2 are valued based on quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, pricing models which incorporate market observable inputs and quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active. Some financial instruments such as auction rate securities ("ARS") and trade claims are classified within Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy as observable pricing inputs are not available due to limited market activity for the asset or liability. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had $2.7 million and $2.7 million respectively, of ARS in Level 3 assets. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $2.7 million of trade claims in Level 3 assets. See note 8 for further details. Consolidation The Company consolidates all subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest, as well as any variable interest entities ("VIEs") where the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary, when it has the power to make the decisions that most significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE and has the obligation to absorb significant losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company reviews factors, including the rights of the equity holders at risk and obligations of equity holders to absorb losses or receive expected residual returns, to determine if the entity is a VIE. Under U.S. GAAP, a general partner will not consolidate a partnership or similar entity under the voting interest model. See note 10 for further details. Financing Receivables The Company's financing receivables include customer margin loans, securities purchased under agreements to resell ("reverse repurchase agreements"), and securities borrowed transactions. The Company uses financing receivables to extend margin loans to customers, meet trade settlement requirements, and facilitate its matched-book arrangements and inventory requirements. The Company's financing receivables are secured by collateral received from clients and counterparties. In many cases, the Company is permitted to sell or re-pledge securities held as collateral. These securities may be used to collateralize repurchase agreements, to enter into securities lending agreements, to cover short positions or to fulfill the obligation of securities fails to deliver. The Company monitors the fair value of the collateral received on a daily basis and may require clients and counterparties to deposit additional collateral or return collateral pledged, when appropriate. Customer receivables, primarily consisting of customer margin loans collateralized by customer-owned securities, are stated net of allowance for credit losses. The Company reviews large customer accounts that do not comply with the Company's margin requirements on a case-by-case basis to determine the likelihood of collection and records an allowance for credit loss following that process. For small customer accounts that do not comply with the Company's margin requirements, the allowance for credit loss is generally recorded as the amount of unsecured or partially secured receivables. The Company also periodically makes loans to financial advisors and other revenue producers as part of its hiring process. These loans are recorded as notes receivable on its consolidated balance sheet. Allowances are established on these loans if the employee is no longer associated with the Company and the loan has not been promptly repaid. Legal and Regulatory Reserves The Company records reserves related to legal and regulatory proceedings in accounts payable and other liabilities. The determination of the amounts of these reserves requires significant judgment on the part of management. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes reserves for litigation and regulatory matters where available information indicates that it is probable a liability had been incurred and the Company can reasonably estimate the amount of that loss. When loss contingencies are not probable or cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company does not establish reserves. When determining whether to record a reserve, management considers many factors including, but not limited to, the amount of the claim; the stage and forum of the proceeding, the sophistication of the claimant, the amount of the loss, if any, in the client's account and the possibility of wrongdoing, if any, on the part of an employee of the Company; the basis and validity of the claim; previous results in similar cases; and applicable legal precedents and case law. Each legal and regulatory proceeding is reviewed with counsel in each accounting period and the reserve is adjusted as deemed appropriate by management. Any change in the reserve amount is recorded in the results of that period. The assumptions of management in determining the estimates of reserves may be incorrect and the actual disposition of a legal or regulatory proceeding could be greater or less than the reserve amount. Leases Right-of-use ("ROU") assets and lease liabilities are initially recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term, excluding non-base rent components such as fixed common area maintenance costs and other fixed costs such as real estate taxes and insurance. The discount rates used in determining the present value of leases are the Company’s incremental borrowing rates, developed based upon each lease’s term. The lease term may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. For operating leases, the ROU assets also include any prepaid lease payments and initial direct costs incurred and are reduced by lease incentives. For these leases, lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term if the ROU asset has not been impaired or abandoned. Goodwill The Company's goodwill resides in separate reporting units within its Wealth Management and Corporate/Other operating segments. Goodwill of a reporting unit is subject to at least an annual test for impairment to determine if the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Goodwill of a reporting unit is required to be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Due to the volatility in the financial services sector and equity markets in general, determining whether an impairment of goodwill has occurred is increasingly difficult and requires management to exercise significant judgment. Goodwill within the Corporate/Other operating segment largely relates to the Company’s acquisition of BondWave LLC, which closed on December 29, 2023. The Company's annual goodwill impairment analysis performed as of December 31, 2024 over the goodwill within the Private Client Division ("PCD") reporting unit, a separate reporting unit within Wealth Management, applied the same valuation methodologies with consistent inputs as that performed as of December 31, 2023. In estimating the fair value of the reporting units, the Company uses traditional standard valuation methods, including the market comparable approach and income approach. The market comparable approach is based on comparisons of the subject company to public companies whose stocks are actively traded ("Price Multiples") or to similar companies engaged in an actual merger or acquisition ("Precedent Transactions"). As part of this process, multiples of value relative to financial variables, such as earnings, revenue, EBITDA or stockholders' equity, are developed and applied to the appropriate financial variables of the subject company to indicate its value. The income approach involves estimating the present value of the subject company's future cash flows by using projections of the cash flows that the business is expected to generate, and discounting these cash flows at a given rate of return ("Discounted Cash Flow" or "DCF"). Each of these standard valuation methodologies requires the use of management estimates and assumptions. In its Price Multiples valuation analysis, the Company uses various operating metrics of comparable companies, including revenues, after-tax earnings, and EBITDA as well as price-to-book value ratios at a point in time. The Company analyzes prices paid in Precedent Transactions that are comparable to the business conducted in each of the reporting units. The DCF analysis includes the Company's assumptions regarding discount rate, growth rates of the reporting unit's revenues, expenses, EBITDA, and capital expenditures, adjusted for current economic conditions and expectations. The Company weighs each of the three valuation methods equally in its overall valuation. Given the subjectivity involved in selecting which valuation method to use, the corresponding weightings, and the input variables for use in the analyses, it is possible that a different valuation model and the selection of different input variables could produce a materially different estimate of the fair value of the respective reporting unit. Intangible Assets Intangible assets are primarily comprised of trademarks, trade names and an Internet domain name, carried on the balance sheet at $35.7 million. Indefinite intangible assets are subject to at least an annual test for impairment to determine if the estimated fair value is less than their carrying amount. The fair value of the trademarks and trade names was substantially in excess of their carrying value as of December 31, 2024. Defined-lived intangible assets are comprised of software licenses, developed technology and customer relationships. These intangible assets carried at $2.9 million are amortized over their estimated lives and are periodically evaluated for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows. Share-Based Compensation Plans As part of the compensation to employees and directors, the Company uses stock-based compensation, consisting of restricted stock and stock appreciation rights. In accordance with ASC Topic 718, "Compensation - Stock Compensation," the Company classifies the restricted stock awards as equity awards, which requires the compensation cost to be recognized in the consolidated income statements over the requisite service period of the award at grant date fair value and adjusted for actual forfeitures. The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the grant date closing price of the Company's Class A non-voting common stock ("Class A Stock") adjusted for the present value of the dividend to be received upon vesting. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes model. Key assumptions used to estimate the fair value include the expected term and the expected volatility of the Company's Class A Stock over the term of the award, the risk-free interest rate over the expected term, and the Company's expected annual dividend yield. The Company classifies stock appreciation rights ("OARs") as liability awards, which requires the fair value to be remeasured through earnings at each reporting period until the award vests. The fair value of OARs is also determined using the Black-Scholes model at the end of each reporting period. The compensation cost is adjusted each reporting period for changes in fair value prorated for the portion of the requisite service period rendered. Revenue Recognition Brokerage Customers' securities transactions are reported on a settlement date basis, which is generally one business day after trade date for securities transactions. Related commission income and expense is recorded on a trade date basis. Principal Transactions Transactions in proprietary securities and related revenue and expenses are recorded on a trade date basis. Securities owned and securities sold but not yet purchased are reported at fair value generally based upon quoted prices. Realized and unrealized changes in fair value are recognized in principal transactions, net in the period in which the change occurs. Investment Banking Fees Advisory fees from mergers, acquisitions and restructuring transactions are recorded when services for the transactions are completed and income is reasonably determinable, generally as set forth under the terms of the engagement. Retainer fees and engagement fees are recognized ratably over the service period. Underwriting fees are recorded when the transactions are completed. Transaction-related expenses, primarily consisting of legal, travel and other costs directly associated with the transaction, are deferred and recognized in the same period as the related investment banking transaction revenue. Underwriting revenues and the related expenses are presented gross on the consolidated income statements. Interest Interest revenue represents interest earned on margin debit balances, securities borrowed transactions, reverse repurchase agreements, fixed income securities, firm investments, and cash and cash equivalents. Interest revenue is recognized in the period earned based upon average or daily asset balances, contractual cash flows, and interest rates. Asset Management Asset management advisory fees are generally recognized over the period the related service is provided based on the account value at the valuation date per the respective asset management agreements. In certain circumstances, OAM is entitled to receive performance (or incentive) fees when the return on assets under management ("AUM") exceeds certain benchmark returns or other performance targets. Performance fees are generally based on investment performance over a 12-month period and are not subject to adjustment once the measurement period ends. Such fees are computed as of the fund's year-end when the measurement period ends and generally are recorded as earned in the fourth quarter of the Company's fiscal year. Asset management advisory fees and performance fees are included in advisory fees in the consolidated income statements. Assets under management are not included as assets of the Company. Bank Deposit Sweep Income Bank deposit sweep income consists of revenues earned from the Advantage Bank Deposit Program. Under this program, client funds are swept into deposit accounts at participating banks and are eligible for FDIC deposit insurance up to FDIC standard maximum deposit insurance amounts. The Company earns the fee paid on these deposits after administrative fees are paid to the administrator of the program. The fee earned in the period is recorded in bank deposit sweep income and the portion of interest credited to clients is recorded in interest expense in the consolidated income statements. Balance Sheet Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company defines cash equivalents as highly liquid investments with original maturities of less than 90 days that are not held for sale in the ordinary course of business. Receivables from / Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations Securities borrowed and securities loaned are carried at the amounts of cash collateral advanced or received. Securities borrowed transactions require the Company to deposit cash or other collateral with the lender. The Company receives cash or collateral in an amount generally in excess of the market value of securities loaned. The Company monitors the market value of securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis and may require counterparties to deposit additional collateral or return collateral pledged, when appropriate. Securities failed to deliver and receive represent the contract value of securities which have not been delivered or received, respectively, by settlement date. Receivables from / Payables to Customers Receivables from and payables to customers include balances arising from customer securities and margin transactions. Receivables from customers are recorded when margin loans are extended to customers and are recorded on a settlement date basis. Payables to customers are recorded when customers deposit cash into their accounts and are recorded on a settlement date basis. Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell and Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase Reverse repurchase agreements and securities sold under agreements to repurchase ("repurchase agreements") are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are recorded at their contractual amounts plus accrued interest. The resulting interest income and expense for these arrangements are included in interest income and interest expense in the consolidated income statements. The Company presents the reverse repurchase and repurchase transactions on a net-by-counterparty basis when the specific offsetting requirements are satisfied. Notes Receivable Notes receivable primarily represent recruiting and retention payments generally in the form of upfront loans to financial advisors and key revenue producers as part of the Company's overall growth strategy. These notes generally amortize over a service period of 3 to 9 years from the initial date of the note or based on productivity levels of employees. All such notes are contingent on the employees' continued employment with the Company. The unforgiven portion of the notes becomes due on demand in the event the employee departs during the service period. Amortization of notes receivable is included in the consolidated income statements in compensation and related expenses. Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of furniture, fixtures, and equipment is provided on a straight-line basis generally over 3 to 7 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease. Drafts Payable Drafts payable represent amounts drawn by the Company against a bank. Bank Call Loans Bank call loans are generally payable on demand and bear interest at various rates, and such loans are collateralized by firm and/or customer's margin securities. Foreign Currency Translations Foreign currency balances have been translated into U.S. dollars as follows: monetary assets and liabilities at exchange rates prevailing at period end; revenue and expenses at average rates for the period; and gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements, net of related tax effects, are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheets. The functional currency of the overseas operations is the local currency in each location except for Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. and Oppenheimer Investments Asia Limited which have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent it believes these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and the results of recent operations. The Company records uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two-step process whereby it determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The Company records interest and penalties accruing on unrecognized tax benefits in pre-tax income as interest expense and other expense, respectively, in its consolidated income statements. The Company permanently reinvests eligible earnings of its foreign subsidiaries and, accordingly, does not accrue any U.S. income taxes that would arise if such earnings were repatriated. OPY Acquisition Corp. I On October 26, 2021, OPY Acquisition Corp. I (“OHAA”), a special purpose acquisition company, consummated its $126.5 million initial public offering (the “OHAA IPO”). OPY Acquisition LLC I (the “Sponsor”), a Delaware series limited liability company and the Company’s subsidiary, was the sponsor of and consolidated OHAA. Upon IPO completion, funds totaling $127.8 million, including proceeds from the OHAA IPO of $126.5 million and $1.3 million of investment from the Sponsor, were held in a trust account until the earlier of (i) the completion of a Business Combination or (ii) ten business days after April 29, 2023, 18 months from the closing of the OHAA IPO (“Combination Period”), pursuant to OHAA's certificate of incorporation. On October 26, 2023, OHAA’s stockholders approved an amendment to its certificate of incorporation to extend the deadline by which it must complete its initial business combination from October 30, 2023 to June 30, 2024 on a month-to-month basis. In the fourth quarter of 2023, after careful consideration of the special purpose acquisition company market and after having completed an extensive search, OHAA determined it would be unable to deliver and fund a high quality value enhancing transaction to stockholders despite the extension. Therefore, on December 18, 2023, OHAA determined not to further extend the term it had to complete an initial business combination and instead announced its intention to dissolve and liquidate. On December 28, 2023, all OHAA Class A ordinary shares were cancelled with shareholders receiving their respective share redemption amounts. Accordingly, there were no “Redeemable non-controlling interests” or restricted cash balances associated with the publicly held OHAA Class A ordinary shares recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023. OHAA was dissolved in March 2024. Oppenheimer Principal Investments LLC Oppenheimer Principal Investments LLC ("OPI") is a Delaware special purpose "Series" limited liability company formed in December 2020 and designed to retain and reward talented employees of the Company, primarily in connection with the deployment of Company capital into successful private market investments, and also in connection with the Company's receipt of non-cash compensation from investment banking assignments. OPI is designed to promote alignment of Company, client and employee interests as they relate to profitable investment opportunities. This program acts as an incentive for senior employees to identify attractive private investments for the Company and its clients, and as a retention tool for key employees of the Company. OPI treats its members as partners for tax purposes generally and with respect to the separate Series formed to participate in (i) the incentive fees generated by successful client investments in the Company's Private Market Opportunities program, or (ii) principal investments made by the Company or a portion of the gains thereon, either through the outright purchase of an investment or consideration earned in lieu of an investment banking fee or other transaction fee. Employees who become members of a Series receive a "profit interest", as that term is used in Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") regulations, and receive an allocation of capital appreciation of the investment held by the particular Series that exceeds a threshold amount established for each Series. Participating employees are also subject to vesting and forfeiture requirements for each Series investment. Vested profit interests are accounted for as compensation expense under FASB Topic ASC 710. Additionally, the Company’s policy is to consolidate those entities where it owns the majority voting interests. The Company owns the majority voting interest of OPI through Oppenheimer Alternative Investment Management (“OAIM”), the managing member of OPI and a subsidiary of OAM. Pursuant to the Company’s policy for consolidation, the Company consolidates OPI.

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