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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2023
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with U.S. GAAP as established by the FASB to ensure consistent reporting of financial condition. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Siebert and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. Upon consolidation, all intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated. The U.S. dollar is the functional currency of the Company and numbers are rounded for presentation purposes. Reclassification Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the presentation of the current period. The Company reclassified $137,000 related to a certain revenue stream from the line item “Commissions and fees” to “Other income” on the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 to conform to the presentation of the current period. The reclassification has not materially impacted the Company’s financial statements, and did not result in a change in total revenue, net income or cash flows from operations for the periods presented. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Siebert and its wholly-owned and majority-owned consolidated subsidiaries. Upon consolidation, all intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated. For the period of March 31, 2022 to October 18, 2022, the Company determined that RISE was a VIE for which the Company was the primary beneficiary. As discussed in more detail in Note 4 – RISE, as of October 18, 2022, the Company’s ownership in RISE increased to 68% and has not changed through December 31, 2023; therefore, the Company continues to consolidate RISE under the voting interest model (“VOE model”). For consolidated subsidiaries that are not wholly-owned, the third-party holdings of equity interests are referred to as noncontrolling interests. The net income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests for such subsidiaries is presented as net income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests on the consolidated statements of operations. The portion of total equity that is attributable to noncontrolling interests for such subsidiaries is presented as noncontrolling interests on the consolidated statements of financial condition. For investments in entities in which the Company does not have a controlling financial interest but has significant influence over its operating and financial decisions, the Company applies the equity method of accounting with net income and losses recorded in earnings of equity method investment in related party. Variable Interest Entities The Company evaluates whether an entity is a VIE and determines if the primary beneficiary status is appropriate on a quarterly basis. The Company consolidates a VIE for which it is the primary beneficiary. When assessing the determination of the primary beneficiary, the Company considers all relevant facts and circumstances, including factors such as the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, the obligation to absorb the losses and/or the right to receive the expected returns of the VIE. If the Company determines that it is the primary beneficiary, the Company will consolidate the entity under the VIE model. Segment Information The Company operates and reports financial information in one operating segment. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. All the Company’s revenues and substantially all of the Company’s assets are attributed to or located in the United States. Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. These estimates relate primarily to expenses in the normal course of business as to which the Company receives no confirmations, invoices, or other documentation at the time the books are closed. The Company uses its best judgment, based on knowledge of these expenses incurred, to estimate the amount of such expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company is not aware of any material differences between the estimates used in closing the Company’s books for the periods presented and the actual amounts of expenses incurred when the Company subsequently receives the actual confirmations, invoices, or other documentation. Estimates are used in the allowance for credit losses, valuation of certain investments, depreciation, income taxes, and the contingent liabilities related to legal and healthcare expenses. The Company also estimates the valuation allowance for its deferred tax assets based on the more likely than not criteria. The Company believes that its estimates are reasonable. Fair Value ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and establishes a hierarchy of fair value inputs. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market. Valuation techniques that are consistent with the market, income, or cost approach, as specified by ASC 820, are used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels: Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for an identical asset or liability that the Company can assess at the measurement date. Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a variety of factors, such as the type of security, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. As such, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, the Company’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that the Company believes market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. A description of the valuation techniques applied to the Company’s major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis is as follows: U.S. government securities: U.S. government securities are valued using quoted market prices and as such, valuation adjustments are not applied. Accordingly, U.S. government securities are generally categorized in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Certificates of deposit: Certificates of deposit are included in investments which are recorded at fair value, which approximates cost. When certificates of deposits are held directly with banking institutions and issued directly to the Company, these are categorized within cash equivalents in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. When certificates of deposits are available for trading, they are categorized within securities owned, at fair value in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Corporate bonds: The fair value of corporate bonds is determined using recently executed transactions, market price quotations (when observable), bond spreads, or credit default swap spreads obtained from independent external parties such as vendors and brokers, adjusted for any basis difference between cash and derivative instruments. The spread data used is for the same maturity as the bond. If the spread data does not reference the issuer, then data that references a comparable issuer is used. When position-specific external price data is not observable, fair value is determined based on either benchmarking to similar instruments or cash flow models with yield curves, bond, or single-name credit default swap spreads and recovery rates as significant inputs. Corporate bonds are generally categorized in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Equity securities: Equity securities are valued based on quoted prices from the exchange. To the extent these securities are actively traded, valuation adjustments are not applied, and they are categorized in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Securities quoted in inactive markets or with observable inputs are categorized into level 2. If there are no observable inputs or quoted prices, securities are categorized as level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy. Level 3 assets are not actively traded and subjective estimates based on managements’ assumptions are utilized for valuation. Municipal securities: Municipal securities are valued using recently executed transactions, market price quotations (when observable), bond spreads from independent external parties such as vendors and brokers, adjusted for any basis difference between cash and derivative instruments. The spread data used is for the same maturity as the bond. Municipal securities are generally categorized in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Unit investment trusts (“UITs”): Units of UITs are carried at redemption value, which is the price at which the issuing company may choose to repurchase a security before its maturity date, which represents fair value. Units of UITs are categorized as level 2. Options: Options are valued based on quoted prices from the exchange. To the extent these securities are actively traded, valuation adjustments are not applied, and they are categorized in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Securities quoted in inactive markets or with observable inputs are categorized into level 2. If there are no observable inputs or quoted prices, securities are categorized as level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy. Level 3 assets are not actively traded and subjective estimates based on managements’ assumptions are utilized for valuation. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents are all cash balances that are unrestricted. The Company has defined 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. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not hold any cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company maintained its cash balances at various financial institutions. These balances are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000 per institution. The Company is subject to credit risk to the extent that the financial institution with which it conducts business is unable to fulfill its contractual obligations and deposits exceed FDIC limits. At certain times, cash balances may exceed FDIC insured limits. Cash and Securities Segregated For Regulatory Purposes MSCO is subject to Exchange Act Rule 15c3-3, referred to as the “Customer Protection Rule,” which requires segregation of funds in a special reserve account for the exclusive benefit of customers. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $158.8 million in cash deposits in special reserve accounts and $115.5 million in securities segregated for regulatory purposes. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had approximately $135.2 million in cash deposits in special reserve accounts and $141.0 million in securities segregated for regulatory purposes. Receivables From and Payables To Customers Receivables from and payables to customers include amounts due and owed on cash and margin transactions. Receivables from customers include margin loans to securities brokerage clients and other trading receivables. Margin loans are collateralized by customer securities and are carried at the amount receivable, net of an allowance for credit losses. Collateral is required to be maintained at specified minimum levels at all times. The Company monitors margin levels and requires customers to provide additional collateral, or reduce margin positions, to meet minimum collateral requirements if the fair value of the collateral changes. The Company expects the borrowers will continually replenish the collateral as necessary because the Company subjects the borrowers to an internal qualification process to align investing objectives and risk tolerance in addition to monitoring customer activity. Receivables from and payables to customers amounts include any amounts received from interest on credit balances or paid on margin debit balances. The Company elected the practical expedient for FASB ASC Topic 326 – “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses” (“Topic 326”) which permits it to compare the amortized cost basis of the loaned amount with the fair value of collateral received at the reporting date to measure the estimate of expected credit losses. The Company had no expectation of credit losses for its receivables from customers as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Securities beneficially owned by customers, including those that collateralize margin or other similar transactions, are not reflected on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Receivables From and Payables to Non-Customers Receivables from and payables to non-customers include amounts due and owed on cash and margin transactions on non-customer accounts owned and controlled by principal officers and directors of MSCO. Receivables from non-customers include margin loans to securities brokerage clients and other trading receivables. Margin loans are collateralized by non-customer securities and are carried at the amount receivable, net of an allowance for credit losses. Collateral is required to be maintained at specified minimum levels at all times. The Company monitors margin levels and requires non-customers to provide additional collateral, or reduce margin positions, to meet minimum collateral requirements if the fair value of the collateral changes. The Company expects the borrowers will continually replenish the collateral as necessary because the Company subjects the borrowers to an internal qualification process to align investing objectives and risk tolerance in addition to monitoring non-customer activity. Receivables from and payables to non-customers amounts include any amounts received from interest on credit balances or paid on margin debit balances. The Company elected the practical expedient for Topic 326 which permits it to compare the amortized cost basis of the loaned amount with the fair value of collateral received at the reporting date to measure the estimate of expected credit losses. The Company has no expectation of credit losses for its receivables from non-customers as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Securities beneficially owned by non-customers, including those that collateralize margin or other similar transactions, are not reflected in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Receivables From, Payables To, and Deposits With Broker-Dealers and Clearing Organizations Receivables from and payables to broker-dealers and clearing organizations includes amounts receivables from or payables to MSCO and RISE clearing broker-dealers, fail-to-deliver and fail-to-receive items, and amounts receivable for unsettled regular-way transactions. Deposits with broker-dealers and clearing organizations include amounts held on deposit with broker-dealers and clearing organizations. Amounts payables to broker-dealers and clearing organizations are offset against corresponding amounts receivables from broker-dealers and clearing organizations. Receivables from these broker-dealers and clearing organizations are subject to clearing agreements and include the net receivable from net monthly revenues as well as cash on deposit. MSCO customer transactions for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were both self-cleared and cleared on a fully disclosed basis through NFS. RISE customer transactions for the year ended December 31, 2023 were cleared on fully disclosed basis through MSCO. For the year ended December 31, 2022 were cleared on fully disclosed basis through GSCO and Pershing. RISE did not have any customer transactions through MSCO for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company signed a four-year renewal with NFS commencing August 1, 2021 and ending on July 31, 2025, and NFS’s fees are offset against the Company’s revenues on a monthly basis. In June 2023, the Company entered into an amendment to its service agreement with Broadridge Securities Processing Solutions, LLC that, among other things, extends the term of their arrangement for a five-year period ending June 2028. All other broker-dealer and clearing organization relationships operate on a month-to-month basis. Receivables from and deposits with broker-dealers and clearing organizations are in scope of the amended guidance for Topic 326. The Company continually reviews the credit quality of its counterparties and historically has not experienced a default. Further, management reassessed the risk characteristics of its receivables and applied the collateral maintenance practical expedient for the secured receivables in line with the CECL guidance. As a result, the Company had no expectation of credit losses for these arrangements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Current Expected Credit Losses The Company follows Topic 326 which applies to financial assets measured at amortized cost, held-to-maturity debt securities and off-balance sheet credit exposures. For on-balance sheet assets, an allowance must be recognized at the origination or purchase of in-scope assets and represents the expected credit losses over the contractual life of those assets. Expected credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures must be estimated over the contractual period the Company is exposed to credit risk as a result of a present obligation to extend credit. The impact to the periods presented is not material since the Company’s in-scope assets are primarily subject to collateral maintenance provisions for which the Company elected to apply the practical expedient of reporting the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the amortized cost for the in-scope assets as the allowance for current expected credit losses. Securities Borrowed and Securities Loaned Securities borrowed transactions are recorded at the amount of cash collateral delivered to the counterparty. Securities loaned transactions are recorded at the amount of cash collateral received. For securities borrowed and loaned, the Company monitors the market value of the securities and obtains or refunds collateral as necessary. The Company can elect to use an approach to measure the allowance for credit losses using the fair value of collateral where the borrower is required to, and reasonably expected to, continually adjust and replenish the amount of collateral securing the instrument to reflect changes in the fair value of such collateral. The Company has elected to use this approach for its allowance for credit losses on securities borrowed. As a result of this election, and the fully collateralized nature of these arrangements, the Company had no expectation of credit losses on its securities borrowed balances as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Netting of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Substantially all of the Company’s securities borrowing and securities lending activity is transacted under master agreements that may allow for net settlement in the ordinary course of business, as well as offsetting of all contracts with a given counterparty in the event of default by one of the parties. However, for financial statement purposes, the Company does not net balances related to these financial instruments. These financial instruments are presented on a gross basis in the consolidated statements of financial condition. The potential effect of rights of setoff associated with the Company’s recognized assets and liabilities is as follows:
|  | As of December 31, 2023 |
|  | Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets and Liabilities |  |  | Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition1 |  |  | Net Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition |  |  | Collateral Received or Pledged2 |  |  | Net Amount3 |
Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities borrowed |  | $ | 394,709,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 394,709,000 |  |  | $ | 371,076,000 |  |  | $ | 23,633,000 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities loaned |  | $ | 419,433,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 419,433,000 |  |  | $ | 404,312,000 |  |  | $ | 15,121,000 |
|  | As of December 31, 2022 |
|  | Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets and Liabilities |  |  | Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition1 |  |  | Net Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition |  |  | Collateral Received or Pledged2 |  |  | Net Amount3 |
Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities borrowed |  | $ | 336,909,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 336,909,000 |  |  | $ | 326,618,000 |  |  | $ | 10,291,000 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities loaned |  | $ | 327,180,000 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 327,180,000 |  |  | $ | 316,648,000 |  |  | $ | 10,532,000 |
1) | Amounts represent recognized assets and liabilities that are subject to enforceable master agreements with rights of setoff.
2) | Represents the fair value of collateral the Company had received or pledged under enforceable master agreements.
3) | Represents the amount for which, in the case of net recognized assets, the Company had not received collateral, and in the case of net recognized liabilities, the Company had not pledged collateral.
Securities Owned and Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased at Fair Value Securities owned, at fair value represent marketable securities owned by the Company at trade-date valuation. Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value represent marketable securities sold by the Company prior to purchase at trade-date valuation. These securities are classified as trading securities and in accordance with ASC 940, these securities are measured initially at fair value and any realized or unrealized gains or losses to fair value are included in profit or loss. Below is a table with further detail on the Company’s securities.
Type of Security |  | Classification |  | Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition |  | Recording of Realized and Unrealized Gain or Loss
Certificates of deposit, Corporate bonds, municipal securities, options |  | Trading |  | Securities owned, at fair value |  | Principal transactions and proprietary trading
Equities |  | Trading |  | Securities owned, at fair value; Securities sold, not yet purchased at fair value |  | Market making, Principal transactions and proprietary trading
U.S. government securities |  | Trading |  | Securities owned, at fair value |  | Principal transactions and proprietary trading
U.S. government securities |  | Trading |  | Cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes |  | Principal transactions and proprietary trading
Property, Office Facilities, and Equipment, Net Property, office facilities, and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation for equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally not exceeding four years. Office facilities are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful life, generally between four and ten years, or the remaining life of the lease term unless the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee, or the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise an option to purchase the underlying asset, in which case the lessee will amortize over the estimated useful life of the office facilities. Depreciation for property is calculated using the straight-line-method over the estimated useful life of the property, not exceeding forty years. Software, Net The Company capitalizes certain costs for certain software and amortizes them over their useful life, generally not exceeding three years. Depending on the terms of the contract, the Company either records costs from software hosting arrangements as prepaid assets and amortizes them over the contract term, or the costs are expensed as incurred. The Company enters into certain software hosting arrangements where the associated professional development services work is capitalized and then amortized over the term of the contract. Other software costs such as routine maintenance and various data services are expensed as incurred. Leases The Company reviews all relevant contracts to determine if the contract contains a lease at its inception date. A contract contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an underlying asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. If the Company determines that a contract contains a lease, it recognizes, on the consolidated statements of financial condition, a lease liability and a corresponding right-of-use asset on the commencement date of the lease. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term using the rate implicit in the lease or, if not readily determinable, the Company’s secured incremental borrowing rate. An operating lease right-of-use asset is initially measured at the value of the lease liability minus any lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred plus any prepaid rent. The Company’s leases are classified as operating leases and consist of real estate leases for office space, data centers and other facilities. Each lease liability is measured using the Company’s secured incremental borrowing rate, which is based on an internally developed rate based on the Company’s size, growth, risk profile and a duration similar to the lease term. The Company’s leases have remaining terms of approximately 1 to 5 years as of December 31, 2023. The Company does not include renewal options as the renewal options are not reasonably certain to be exercised; however, the Company continues to monitor the lease renewal options. The Company’s operating leases contain both lease components and non-lease components. Non-lease components are distinct elements of a contract that are not related to securing the use of the underlying assets, such as common area maintenance and other management costs. The Company has elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components, and as such, the variable lease cost primarily represents variable payments such as common area maintenance and utilities which are usually determined by the leased square footage in proportion to the overall office building. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is included in line item “Rent and occupancy” on the consolidated statements of operations. Equity Method Investments Investments in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not control, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and are included in the line item “Equity method investment in related party” on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Under this method of accounting, the Company’s share of the net income or loss of the investee is presented before the income before provision for income taxes on the consolidated statements of operations. The Company evaluates its equity method investments whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may be impaired. If the impairment is determined to be other-than-temporary, the Company will recognize an impairment loss equal to the difference between the expected realizable value and the carrying value of the investment. Investments, Cost Investments in equity shares without a readily determinable fair value and for which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for at cost adjusted for observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer, and impairments. Those investments are classified within Investments, cost on the consolidated statements of financial condition. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had investments, cost of $0 and $850,000, respectively. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess purchase price of businesses acquired over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is not subject to amortization but rather is evaluated for impairment annually, or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change indicating it would more likely than not result in a reduction of the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value, including goodwill. Goodwill may be evaluated for impairment by performing a qualitative assessment. This qualitative assessment considers various financial, macroeconomic, industry, and reporting unit specific qualitative factors. If the qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill, or, if for any other reason the Company determines to it be appropriate, then a quantitative assessment will be performed. The quantitative assessment process utilizes an income and market approach to arrive at an indicated fair value range for the reporting unit. The fair value calculated for the reporting unit is compared to its carrying amount, including goodwill, to ascertain if goodwill impairment exists. If the fair value exceeds the carrying amount, including goodwill for the reporting unit, it is not considered impaired. If the fair value is below the carrying amount, including goodwill for the reporting unit, then an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the calculated fair value, up to but not exceeding the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The Company’s annual impairment test date is December 31. The Company completed a qualitative assessment for its reporting unit during its most recent annual impairment review. The Company concluded that it has one reportable segment and tests goodwill on a consolidated basis. Based on this qualitative assessment, the Company determined that there was no evidence of impairment to the balance of its goodwill as of both December 31, 2023 and 2022. Drafts Payable Drafts payable represent checks drawn by the Company against customer accounts which remained outstanding and had not cleared the bank as of the end of the period. Deferred Contract Incentive The Company entered into an amendment with its agreement with NFS whereby the Company received a one-time business development credit of $3 million, and NFS will pay the Company four annual credits of $100,000, which are both recorded in the line item “Deferred contract incentive” on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Annual credits shall be paid on the anniversary of the date on which the first credit was paid. The business development credit and annual credits will be recognized as contra expense over four years and one year, respectively, in the line item “Clearing fees, including execution costs” on the consolidated statements of operations. Contract Termination Liability The Company entered into a settlement agreement with Kakaopay whereby it will pay Kakaopay $5 million, payable in quarterly installments. The Company accounted for this transaction as an exit or disposal cost obligation in accordance with ASC 420, “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations.” Accordingly, the Company recognized the liability at fair value by using a present value technique that used a discount rate equivalent to the bank prime rate as of the date of the agreement. The liability is recorded on the line item “Contract termination liability” on the consolidated statements of financial condition. The expense was recorded in the line item “Transaction termination costs” on the consolidated statements of operations. Refer to Note 5 – Transaction with Kakaopay for further detail. Revenue Recognition The primary sources of revenue for the Company are as follows: Commissions and Fees The Company earns commission revenue for executing trades for clients in individual equities, options, insurance products, futures, fixed income securities, as well as certain third-party mutual funds and ETFs. Commission revenue associated with combined trade execution and clearing services, as well as trade execution services on a standalone basis, is recognized at a point in time on the trade date when the performance obligation is satisfied. The performance obligation is satisfied on the trade date because that is when the underlying financial instrument or purchaser is identified, the pricing is agreed upon, and the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to / from the customer. The Company enters into arrangements with managed accounts of other pooled investment vehicles (funds) to distribute shares to investors (“distribution fees”). The Company may receive distribution fees paid by the fund up front, over time, upon the investor’s exit from the fund (that is, a contingent deferred sales charge), or as a combination thereof. The Company believes that its performance obligation is the sale of securities to investors and as such this is fulfilled on the trade date. Any fixed amounts are recognized on the trade date and variable amounts are recognized to the extent it is probable that a significant revenue reversal will not occur until the uncertainty is resolved. For variable amounts, as the uncertainty is dependent on the value of the shares at future points in time as well as the length of time the investor remains in the fund, both of which are highly susceptible to factors outside the Company’s influence, the Company does not believe that it can overcome this constraint until the market value of the fund and the investor activities are known, which are usually monthly or quarterly. Distribution fees recognized in the current period are primarily related to performance obligations that have been satisfied in prior periods. Principal Transactions and Proprietary Trading Principal transactions and proprietary trading primarily represent two revenue streams. The first revenue stream is riskless transactions in which the Company, after executing a solicited order, buys or sells securities as principal and at the same time buys or sells the securities with a markup or markdown to satisfy the order. The second revenue stream is entering into transactions where U.S. government securities and other securities are traded by the Company. Principal transactions and proprietary trading are recognized at a point in time on the trade date when the performance obligation is satisfied. The performance obligation is satisfied on the trade date because that is when the underlying financial instrument or purchaser is identified, the pricing is agreed upon, and the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to / from the customer or trading counterparty. Market Making Market making revenue is generated from the buying and selling of securities. Market making transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis as the securities transactions occur. The performance obligation is satisfied on the trade date because that is when the underlying financial instrument or purchaser is identified, the pricing is agreed upon, and the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to / from the counterparty. Stock Borrow / Stock Loan The Company borrows securities on behalf of retail clients to facilitate short trading, loans excess margin and fully-paid securities from client accounts, facilitates borrow and loan contracts for broker-dealer counterparties, and provides stock locate services to broker-dealer counterparties. The Company recognizes self-clearing revenues net of operating expenses related to stock borrow / stock loan. Stock borrow / stock loan also includes any revenues generated from the Company’s fully paid lending programs on a self-clearing or introducing basis. The Company does not utilize stock borrow / stock loan activities for the purpose of financing transactions. Securities borrowed and securities loaned transactions are recorded at the amount of cash collateral advanced or received, respectively, with all related securities, collateral, and cash both held at and moving through DTC or OCC as appropriate for each counterparty. Securities borrowed transactions require the Company to deposit cash or other collateral with the lender. Securities loaned transactions require the receipt of collateral by the Company in the form of cash in an amount generally in excess of the fair value of securities loaned. The Company monitors the fair value of securities borrowed and loaned daily, with additional collateral obtained or returned as necessary. Securities borrow and loan fees represent interest or (rebate) on the cash received or paid as collateral on the securities borrowed or loaned. The Company applies a practical expedient to ASC 326 regarding its securities borrowed and loaned balances and their underlying collateral. Inherent in this activity, the Company and its counterparties to securities borrowed and loaned transactions, mark to market the collateral, securing these transactions on a daily basis through DTC or OCC. The counterparty continually replenishes the collateral securing the asset in accordance with standard industry practice. Based on the above factors, there is no material current expected credit loss under ASC 326 for securities borrowed and loaned transactions is not needed as of December 31, 2023. The performance obligation is satisfied on the contract date because that is when the underlying financial instrument or purchaser is identified, the pricing is agreed upon, and the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to / from the counterparty. Advisory Fees The Company earns advisory fees associated with managing client assets. The performance obligation related to this revenue stream is satisfied over time; however, the advisory fees are variable as they are charged as a percentage of the client’s total asset value, which is determined at the end of the quarter. Interest, Marketing and Distribution Fees The Company earns interest from clients’ accounts, net of payments to clients’ accounts, and on the Company’s bank balances and securities. Interest income also includes interest payouts from introducing relationships related to short interest, net of charges. The Company also earns margin interest which is the net interest charged to customers for holding financed margin positions. Marketing and distribution fees consist of 12b-1 fees which are trailing payments from money market funds. Interest, marketing and distribution fees are recorded as earned. The Company enters into arrangements with managed accounts of other pooled investment vehicles (funds) to distribute shares to investors. The Company may receive distribution fees paid by the fund up front, over time, upon the investor’s exit from the fund (that is, a contingent deferred sales charge), or as a combination thereof. The Company believes that its performance obligation is the sale of securities to investors and as such this is fulfilled on the trade date. Any fixed amounts are recognized on the trade date and variable amounts are recognized to the extent it is probable that a significant revenue reversal will not occur until the uncertainty is resolved. For variable amounts, as the uncertainty is dependent on the value of the shares at future points in time as well as the length of time the investor remains in the fund, both of which are highly susceptible to factors outside the Company’s influence, the Company does not believe that it can overcome this constraint until the market value of the fund and the investor activities are known, which are usually monthly or quarterly. Distribution fees recognized in the current period are primarily related to performance obligations that have been satisfied in prior periods. Other Income Other income represents fees generated from consulting services to a technology provider, payment for order flow, and transactional fees generated from client accounts. The performance obligation for consulting services to a technology provider is providing consulting services and is satisfied over time in line with the duration of the consulting contract. The performance obligation related to payment for order flow is providing financial services and is satisfied at a point in time. The performance obligation related to transactional fees generated from client accounts is providing financial services to clients and is satisfied over time. The Company also earns revenue from an agreement with JonesTrading Institutional Service, LLC (“JonesTrading”) whereby JonesTrading pays the Company a percentage of the net revenue produced by certain historical institutional customers less any related expenses. Revenue from JonesTrading is determined based on the factors outside of the Company’s control and the Company records the income amount on a monthly basis when the actual amount of income is known. Costs to Obtain or Fulfill a Contract; Other For the periods presented, there were no costs capitalized related to obtaining or fulfilling a contract with a customer, and thus the Company has no balances for contract assets or contract liabilities. The Company concludes that its revenue streams have the same underlying economic factors, and as such, no disaggregation of revenue is required. Performance Obligation The following table presents each revenue category and its related performance obligation:
Revenue Stream |  | Performance Obligation |  | Recognition
Commission and fees |  | Provide financial services to customers and counterparties |  | Point in time recognition
Principal transactions and proprietary trading |  | Provide financial services to customers and counterparties |  | Point in time recognition
Market making |  | Provide financial services to customers and counterparties |  | Point in time recognition
Stock borrow / stock loan |  | Provide financial services to customers and counterparties |  | Point in time recognition
Advisory fees |  | Provide financial services to customers and counterparties |  | Over time recognition
Interest, marketing and distribution fees |  |  |  |
Interest |  | NA |  | Over time recognition
Marketing fees |  | Provide financial services to customers and counterparties |  | Point in time recognition
Distribution fees |  | Fixed: provide financial services to customers and counterparties; Variable: NA |  | Fixed: Point in time recognition; Variable: Over time recognition
Other income |  |  |  |
Consulting services to a technology provider |  | Provide consulting services |  | Over time recognition
Payment for order flow |  | Provide financial services to customers |  | Point in time recognition
Transactional fees generated from client accounts |  | Provide financial services to customers |  | Point in time recognition
Revenue from agreement with JonesTrading |  | NA |  | Point in time recognition
Share-Based Compensation The Company grants share-based compensation and accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation,” which establishes accounting for share-based compensation to employees for services. Under the provisions of ASC 718-10-35, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award on that date and is expensed at the grant date (for the portion that vests immediately) or ratably over the related vesting periods. Refer to Note 22 – Employee Benefit Plans for further detail. Advertising and Promotion Advertising and promotion costs are expensed as incurred and were $155,000 and $543,000 for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively. 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 consolidated financial statements. Under this method, the Company determines deferred tax assets and liabilities on the basis of the differences between the consolidated financial statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities by 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 that the Company believes that 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 results of recent operations. If the Company determines that it would be able to realize deferred taxes in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, the Company would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. The Company records uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) the Company 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 (2) 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 recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits on the provision for income taxes line on the consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest and penalties would be included on the related tax liability line on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Capital Stock The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of a single class of common stock. Shares authorized were 100 million as of both December 31, 2023 and 2022. Per Share Data Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income available to the Company’s common stockholders by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares during the year. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income available to the Company’s common stockholders by the number of shares outstanding under the basic calculation and adding all dilutive securities, which consist of options. The Company has no dilutive securities as of both December 31, 2023 and 2022. New Accounting Standards In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2023-09, “Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-09”). The ASU is intended to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. The amendments in the ASU address investor requests for enhanced income tax information primarily through changes to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. ASU 2023-09 will be effective for the Company for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, though early adoption is permitted. The Company is still evaluating the presentational effect that ASU 2023-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements, but the Company expects considerable changes to its income tax footnote. Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2023 The Company did not adopt any new accounting standards during the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company has evaluated other recently issued accounting standards and does not believe that any of these standards will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures as of December 31, 2023.

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