Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
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Dec. 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] |
3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES A. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements reflect the accounts of Cohen & Company Inc. and its subsidiaries that are required to be consolidated under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company consolidates the Operating LLC, which is its main operating subsidiary and through which it conducts nearly all of its activities. With the exception of the junior subordinated notes included as a component of debt and any deferred tax asset or liability, nearly all of the assets and liabilities included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet are owned by the Operating LLC or its consolidated subsidiaries. In addition, with the exception of interest expense related to the junior subordinated notes and corporate tax expense, nearly all revenues, expenses, gains, and losses recognized in the consolidated statement of operations are generated by the Operating LLC or its consolidated subsidiaries.
Effective December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company controlled 51.00% of the voting interest and owned 29.8% and 28.7%, respectively, of the economic interest of the Operating LLC. Although the Company’s economic interest is below 50%, it continues to consolidate the Operating LLC as it controls over 50% of the voting interests. Earnings and loss are allocated to the Company and other members of the Operating LLC based on their economic interest rather than their voting interest. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, 70.4%, 71.6%, and 72.6%, respectively, of the Operating LLC’s income or loss were treated as a non-controlling interest. See notes 21 and 31. B. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
C. Adoption of New Accounting Standards
In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings ("TDRs") and Vintage Disclosures. The amendments in this ASU eliminate TDR recognition and measurement guidance and instead, require that an entity evaluate (consistent with the accounting for other loan modifications) whether the modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. The amendments also enhance existing disclosure requirements and introduce new requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The Company's adoption of the provisions of ASU 2022-02, effective January 1, 2023, did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity. This ASU simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models currently required. The ASU removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception. The ASU also simplifies the diluted earnings per share (EPS) calculation in certain areas. The Company's adoption of the provisions of ASU 2020-06, effective January 1, 2024, did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. The amendments clarify that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. Early adoption is permitted. The Company's adoption of the provisions of ASU 2022-03, effective January 1, 2024, did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-02, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method. These amendments allow reporting entities to elect to account for qualifying tax equity investments using the proportional amortization method, regardless of the program giving rise to the related income tax credits. The ASU responds to stakeholder feedback that the proportional amortization method provides investors and other allocators of capital with a better understanding of the returns from investments that are made primarily for the purpose of receiving income tax credits and other income tax benefits. The Company's adoption of the provisions of ASU 2023-02, effective January 1, 2024, did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The amendments in this ASU are designed to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhance disclosures about significant segment expenses and other segment items on an interim and annual basis. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 during the year ended December 31, 2024.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740). The amendments in this ASU address investor requests for more transparency about income tax information through improvements to income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. The Company's adoption of the provisions of ASU 2023-09, effective January 1, 2025, did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See note 23.
In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-01, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards. The ASU provides an illustrative example intended to demonstrate how entities that account for profits interest and similar awards would determine whether a profits interest award should be accounted for as share-based payment arrangements in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (FASB ASC) 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. The Company's adoption of the provisions of ASU 2024-01, effective January 1, 2025, did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-02, Codification Improvements — Amendments to Remove References to the Concepts Statements. The ASU amends the Codification to remove references to various concepts statements. In most instances, the references are extraneous and not required to understand or apply the guidance. In other instances, the references were used in prior Statements to provide guidance in certain topical areas. The Company's adoption of the provisions of ASU 2024-02, effective January 1, 2025, did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In March 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-02, Liabilities (405): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 122, which amends an SEC paragraph noted in the Codification pursuant to the issuance of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 122, which removes the text of SAB Topic 5 FF, Accounting for Obligations to Safeguard Crypto-Assets an Entity Holds. For its Platform Users, the ASU is effective immediately. The Company's adoption of the provisions of ASU 2025-02, effective January 1, 2025, did not have an effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
D. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term, highly liquid investments that have original maturities of three months or less. A portion of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are in the form of short-term investments and are not held in federally insured bank accounts. E. Financial Instruments The Company accounts for its investment securities at fair value under various accounting literature including FASB ASC 320, Investments — Debt and Equity Securities (“ASC 320”), pertaining to investments in debt and equity securities and the fair value option of financial instruments in FASB ASC 825, Financial Instruments (“ASC 825”). The Company also accounts for certain assets at fair value under applicable industry guidance such as: (a) FASB ASC 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies (“ASC 946”) and (b) FASB ASC 940-320, Proprietary Trading Securities (“ASC 940-320"). Certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities are required to be measured at fair value. For those assets and liabilities, the Company determines fair value according to the fair value measurement provisions included in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”). ASC 820 establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a valuation hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. The definition of fair value focuses on the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). An exit price valuation will include margins for risk even if they are not observable. ASC 820 establishes a valuation hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels (level 1, 2, and 3).
In addition, the Company has elected to account for certain of its other financial assets at fair value under the fair value option provisions included in ASC 825. This standard provides companies the option of reporting certain instruments at fair value (with changes in fair value recognized in the statement of operations) that were previously either carried at cost, not recognized on the financial statements, accounted for as an equity method investment, or carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognized as a component of equity rather than in the statement of operations. The election is made on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable. See note 9 for the information regarding the effects of applying the fair value option to the Company’s financial instruments on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. For financial instruments held by Cohen Securities, the Company accounts for them under ASC 940-320. ASC 940-320 requires all financial instruments to be carried at fair value with unrealized and realized gains included recorded in the consolidated statement of operations. The main difference between ASC 940-320 and ASC 320 is that ASC 940-320 does not allow for available for sale or held to maturity treatment. For financial instruments held outside of Cohen Securities, the Company accounts for them under ASC 320. ASC 320 requires that the Company classify its investments as either (i) held to maturity, (ii) available for sale, or (iii) trading. This determination is made at the time a security is purchased. ASC 320 requires that both trading and available for sale securities are to be carried at fair value. However, in the case of trading assets, both unrealized and realized gains and losses are recorded in the statement of operations. For available for sale securities, only realized gains and losses are recognized in the statement of operations while unrealized gains and losses are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”). However, if the reporting entity elects to account for an otherwise available for sale security under the fair value option (ASC 825), then the security is accounted for at fair value with both unrealized and realized gains recorded in the statement of operations. In all the periods presented, all securities accounted for under ASC 320 were either classified as trading or available for sale. No securities were classified as held to maturity. Furthermore, the Company elected the fair value option, in accordance with ASC 825, for all securities that were classified as available for sale. Therefore, for all periods presented, all securities owned by the Company were accounted for at fair value with unrealized and realized gains and losses recorded in the consolidated statement of operations. When the Company acquires a financial instrument, its balance sheet classification and where in the statement of operations gains and losses are recorded depends on the reason the financial instrument was acquired. The table below summarizes the different reasons the Company acquires financial instruments and the related classification:
When the Company acquires an investment that is required to be accounted for under the equity method, the Company will elect the fair value option when the fair value of the investment is either readily determinable or is eligible to be accounted for at NAV under the practical expedient of ASC 946. In those cases, the investment will be included as a component of other investments, at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet and unrealized and realized gains will be included as a component of principal transactions and other income in the in the consolidated statement of operations. If the fair value is not readily determined, the Company will account for the investment under the equity method. In those cases, the investment will be included as a component of investments in equity method affiliates in the consolidated balance sheet and the Company will recognize its allocable share of the investee’s income or loss as a component of income / (loss) from equity method affiliates in the consolidated statement of operations. See note 12. The determination of fair value is based on either quoted market prices of an active exchange, independent broker market quotations, market price quotations from third-party pricing services, or, when independent broker quotations or market price quotations from third-party pricing services are unavailable, valuation models prepared by the Company’s management. These models include estimates, and the valuations derived from them could differ materially from amounts realizable in an open market exchange. Also, from time to time, the Company may be deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE and may be required to consolidate it and its investments under the provisions included in ASC 810. See note 18. In those cases, the Company’s classification of the assets as trading, other investments, at fair value, available for sale, or held to maturity will depend on the intended use of the investment by the variable interest entity. Investments-Trading Unrealized and realized gains and losses on securities classified as investments-trading are recorded in net trading in the consolidated statements of operations. Trading Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased Trading securities sold, not yet purchased represent obligations of the Company to deliver the specified security at the contracted price, thereby creating a liability to purchase the security in the market at prevailing prices. The Company is obligated to acquire the securities sold short at prevailing market prices, which may exceed the amount reflected on the consolidated balance sheets. Unrealized and realized gains and losses on trading securities sold, not yet purchased are recorded in net trading in the consolidated statements of operations.
Other Investments, at Fair Value All gains and losses (unrealized and realized) from securities classified as other investments, at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets are recorded as either (i) a component of principal transactions and other income or (ii) if acquired as part of CCM's activities, investment banking and new issue revenue in the consolidated statement of operations. Other investments sold, not yet purchased
Other investments sold, not yet purchased represent obligations of the Company to deliver the specified security at the contracted price, thereby creating a liability to purchase the security in the market at prevailing prices. These investments differ from investments classified as trading securities sold, not yet purchased as they are either acquired for purposes of earning a return rather than supporting the Company’s trading or gestation repo operations or they are acquired as an economic hedge to investments classified as other investments, at fair value. They may be entered into as speculative investments as well. The Company is obligated to acquire the securities sold short at prevailing market prices, which may exceed the amount reflected on the statement of financial condition. Unrealized and realized gains and losses on other investments sold, not yet purchased are recorded as a component of principal transactions and other in the consolidated statement of operations.
F. Derivative Financial Instruments FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”), provides for optional hedge accounting. When a derivative is deemed to be a hedge and certain documentation and effectiveness testing requirements are met, reporting entities can record all or a portion of the change in the fair value of a designated hedge as an adjustment to OCI rather than as a gain or loss in the statements of operations. To date, the Company has not designated any derivatives as hedges under the provisions included in ASC 815. All of the derivatives that the Company enters into contain master netting arrangements. If certain requirements are met, the offsetting provisions included in FASB ASC 210, Balance Sheet (“ASC 210”), allow (but do not require) the reporting entity to net the derivative asset and liability on the consolidated balance sheets. It is the Company’s policy to present the assets and liabilities on a net basis if the conditions of ASC 210 are met. However, in general the Company does not enter into offsetting derivatives with the same counterparties. Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value. If the derivative was entered into as part of the Company’s broker-dealer operations, it will be included as a component of investments-trading or trading securities sold, not yet purchased. Otherwise, it is included in other investments, at fair value or other investments sold, not yet purchased. The Company may, from time to time, enter into derivatives as investments or to manage its risk exposures arising from (i) fluctuations in foreign currency rates with respect to the Company’s investments in foreign currency denominated investments; (ii) the Company’s investments in interest sensitive investments; (iii) the Company's investments in equities; and (iv) the Company’s facilitation of mortgage-backed trading. Derivatives entered into by the Company may include (a) foreign currency forward contracts; (b) purchase and sale agreements of TBAs and other forward agency MBS contracts; (c) other extended settlement trades; and (d) share forward arrangements ("SFAs"). See note 10. TBAs are forward contracts to purchase or sell MBS with collateral that remains “to be announced” until just prior to the trade settlement. In addition to TBAs, the Company sometimes enters into forward purchases or sales of agency MBS where the underlying collateral has been identified. These transactions are referred to as other forward agency MBS contracts. TBAs and other forward agency MBS contracts are accounted for as derivatives by the Company under ASC 815. The settlement of these transactions is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In addition to TBAs and other forward agency MBS contracts as part of the Company’s broker-dealer operations, the Company may from time to time enter into other securities or loan trades that do not settle within the normal securities settlement period. In those cases, the purchase or sale of the security or loan is not recorded until the settlement date. However, from the trade date until the settlement date, the Company’s interest in the security is accounted for as a derivative as either a forward purchase commitment or forward sale commitment. The Company will classify the related derivative either within investments-trading or other investments, at fair value depending on where it intends to classify the investment once the trade settles.
Derivatives involve varying degrees of off-balance sheet risk, whereby changes in the level or volatility of interest rates or market values of the underlying financial instruments may result in changes in the value of a particular financial instrument in excess of its carrying amount. Depending on the Company’s investment strategy, realized and unrealized gains and losses are recognized in principal transactions and other income or in net trading in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations on a trade date basis. See note 10. G. Receivables from and payables to brokers, dealers, and clearing agencies Receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing agencies may include amounts receivable for deposits placed with clearing agencies, funds in the Company’s accounts held with clearing agencies, and amounts receivable from securities or repo transactions that have failed to deliver. Payables to brokers, dealers, and clearing agencies may include amounts payable from securities or repo transactions that have failed to receive as well as amounts borrowed from clearing agencies under margin loan arrangements. In addition, receivables or payables arising from unsettled regular way trades are reflected on a net basis either as a component of receivables from or payables to brokers, dealers, and clearing agencies. These receivables are subject to the requirements of ASU 2016-13, which potentially may require the recording of credit losses. The Company’s trades and contracts are cleared through a clearing organization and settled daily between the clearing organization and the Company. Due to this daily settlement, the amount of unsettled credit exposures is limited to the amount owed the Company for a very short period of time. The Company continually reviews the credit quality of its counterparties and has not incurred a material loss. As a result, the Company has not recorded a credit loss allowance on these receivables. See note 6. H. Furniture, Equipment, and Leasehold Improvements, Net Furniture, equipment, and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation, and amortization, and are included as a component of other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Furniture and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life of 3 to 5 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their useful life or lease term, which generally ranges from 5 to 10 years. See note 16. I. Goodwill and Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives Goodwill represents the amount of the purchase price in excess of the fair value assigned to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed in various acquisitions completed by the Company. See note 13. In accordance with FASB ASC 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized to expense but rather are analyzed for impairment. The Company measures its goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or when events indicate that goodwill may be impaired. The impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value; however, any loss recognized could not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. Any impairment loss is included in the consolidated statements of operations as impairment of goodwill and is included as a component of operating expense. The Company includes intangible assets comprised primarily of its broker-dealer licenses in other assets on its consolidated balance sheets that it considers to have indefinite useful lives. The Company reviews these assets for impairment on an annual basis. J. Variable Interest Entities ASC 810 contains the guidance surrounding the definition of a VIE, the definition of variable interests, and the consolidation rules surrounding VIEs. In general, VIEs are entities in which equity investors lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support. The Company has variable interests in VIEs through its management contracts and investments in various securitization entities, the CK Capital Value Fund, CREO JV, U.S. Insurance JV, SPAC sponsor entities, and interest in SPVs. Once it is determined that the Company holds a variable interest in a VIE, ASC 810 requires that the Company perform a qualitative analysis to determine (i) which entity has the power to direct the matters that most significantly impact the VIE’s financial performance and (ii) if the Company has the obligation to absorb the losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive the benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The entity that has both of these characteristics is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and required to consolidate the VIE. This assessment must be done on an ongoing basis. The Company has included the required disclosures for VIEs in its consolidated financial statements. See note 18 for further details. K. Collateralized Securities Transactions The Company may enter into transactions involving purchases of securities under agreements to resell (“reverse repurchase agreements” or “receivables under resale agreements”) or sales of securities under agreements to repurchase (“repurchase agreements”). The resulting interest income and expense are included in net trading in the consolidated statements of operations. In the case of reverse repurchase agreements, the Company generally takes possession of securities as collateral. Likewise, in the case of repurchase agreements, the Company is required to provide the counterparty with securities as collateral. In certain cases, a repurchase agreement and a reverse repurchase agreement may be entered into with the same counterparty. If certain requirements are met, the offsetting provisions included in ASC 210 allow (but do not require) the reporting entity to net the asset and liability on the consolidated balance sheets. ASC 210 provides the option to present reverse repo and repo on a net basis if certain netting conditions are met. The Company's accounting policy is to present repo transactions on a gross basis even if netting thresholds are met.
The Company classifies reverse repurchase agreements as a separate line item within the assets section of the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company classifies repurchase agreements as a separate line item within the liabilities section of the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. In the case of reverse repurchase agreements, if the counterparty is unable or unwilling to fulfill its obligation to repurchase the collateral securities at maturity, the Company can sell the collateral securities to repay the obligation. However, the Company is at risk that it may sell at unfavorable market prices and may sustain significant losses. The Company’s policy to control this risk is monitoring the market value of securities pledged or used as collateral on a daily basis and requiring additional collateral in the event the market value of the existing collateral declines. In the case of repurchase agreements, if the counterparty makes a margin call and the Company is unable or unwilling to meet the margin call, the counterparty can sell the securities to repay the obligation. The Company is at risk that the counterparty may sell the securities at unfavorable market prices and the Company may sustain significant losses. The Company controls this risk by monitoring its liquidity position to ensure it has sufficient cash or liquid securities to meet margin calls. In general, reverse repurchase agreements and repurchase agreements allow each counterparty to re-pledge or resell the collateral securities to other counterparties.
The Company also receives fees for arranging repo financing for counterparties. See discussion of Agency Repo in note 11. L. Debt Debt is recorded at its face amount, less any discount or plus any premium. Debt issuance costs are included as a component of discount on debt. Any discount on debt is amortized as a component of interest expense using the effective interest method. The Company has not elected to account for any of its debt at fair value under ASC 825. See note 20. M. Revenue Recognition Investment banking and new issue
Investment banking and new issue revenue consists of (a) revenue from advisory services, (b) revenue from underwriting, (c) revenue associated with arranging and placing the issuance of newly created financial instruments, and (d) gains and losses (unrealized and realized) and income and expense earned on securities classified as other investments, at fair value and other investments, sold not yet purchased received or acquired as part of CCM's activities These revenues are recognized when the Company satisfies its performance obligations by providing the related services and when collectability is reasonably assured. Underwriting revenue arises from securities offerings in which the Company acts as an underwriter. Underwriting expenses include legal fees, selling concessions, and clearing and settlement charges incurred in connection with the underwriting activities and are recorded as a component of subscriptions, clearing and execution in the consolidated statement of operations. Underwriting revenue and expenses are recorded on a gross basis.
Net trading Net trading includes: (i) all gains, losses, interest income, dividend income, and interest expense from securities classified as investments-trading and trading securities sold, not yet purchased; (ii) interest income and expense from collateralized securities transactions; and (iii) commissions and riskless trading profits. Net trading is reduced by margin interest, which is recorded on an accrual basis. Riskless trades are transacted through the Company’s proprietary account with a customer order in hand, resulting in little or no market risk to the Company. Transactions that settle in the regular way are recognized on a trade date basis. Extended settlement transactions are recognized on a settlement date basis (although in cases of extended settlement trades, the unsettled trade is accounted for as a derivative between trade and settlement date). See note 10. The investments classified as trading (both investments-trading and trading securities sold, not yet purchased) are carried at fair value. The determination of fair value is based on quoted market prices of an active exchange, independent broker market quotations, market price quotations from third-party pricing services or, when independent broker quotations or market price quotations from third-party pricing services are unavailable, valuation models prepared by the Company’s management. The models include estimates, and the valuations derived from them could differ materially from amounts realizable in an open market exchange. Asset management Asset management revenue consists of management fees earned from Investment Vehicles. In the case of CDOs, the fees earned by the Company generally consist of senior, subordinated, and incentive fees. The senior asset management fee is generally senior to all the securities in the CDO capital structure and is recognized on a monthly basis as services are performed. The senior asset management fee is generally paid on a quarterly basis. The subordinated asset management fee is an additional payment for the same services but has a lower priority in the CDO cash flows. If the CDO experiences a certain level of asset defaults and deferrals, these fees may not be paid. There is no recovery by the CDO of previously paid subordinated asset management fees. It is the Company’s policy to recognize these fees on a monthly basis as services are performed. The subordinated asset management fee is generally paid on a quarterly basis. However, if the Company determines that the subordinated asset management fee will not be paid (which generally occurs on the quarterly payment date), the Company will stop recognizing additional subordinated asset management fees on that particular CDO and will reverse any subordinated asset management fees that are accrued and unpaid. The Company will begin accruing the subordinated asset management fee again if payment resumes and, in management’s estimate, continued payment is reasonably assured. If payment were to resume but the Company was unsure of continued payment, it would recognize the subordinated asset management fee as payments were received and would not accrue such fees on a monthly basis. The incentive management fee is an additional payment, made typically after five to seven years of the life of a CDO, which is based on the clearance of an accumulated cash return on investment (“Hurdle Return”) received by the most junior CDO securities holders. It is an incentive for the Company to perform in its role as asset manager by minimizing defaults and maximizing recoveries. The incentive management fee is not ultimately determined or payable until the achievement of the Hurdle Return by the most junior CDO securities holders. The Company recognizes incentive fee revenue when it is probable and there is not a significant chance of reversal in the future. In the case of Investment Vehicles other than CDOs, generally the Company earns a base fee and, in some cases, also earns an incentive fee. Base fees will generally be recognized on a monthly basis as services are performed and will be paid monthly or quarterly. The contractual terms of each arrangement will determine the Company’s revenue recognition policy for incentive fees in each case. However, in all cases the Company recognizes the incentive fees when they are probable and there is not a significant chance of reversal in the future. Principal transactions and other income Principal transactions include all gains, losses, and income from financial instruments classified as other investments, at fair value (excluding gains and losses on CCM financial instruments received as non-cash consideration for investment banking and new issue services), and other investments sold, not yet purchased in the consolidated balance sheets. Investments classified as other investments, at fair value and other investments sold, not yet purchased are carried at fair value. The determination of fair value is based on quoted market prices of an active exchange, independent broker market quotations, market price quotations or models from third-party pricing services, or, when independent broker quotations or market price quotations or models from third-party pricing services are unavailable, valuation models prepared by the Company’s management. These models include estimates, and the valuations derived from them could differ materially from amounts realizable in an open market exchange. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Other income/(loss) includes foreign currency gains and losses, interest earned on cash and cash equivalents, interest earned and losses incurred on notes receivable, and other miscellaneous income including transaction break up fees and revenue from revenue sharing arrangements. N. Interest Expense, net Interest expense incurred, other than interest income and expense included as a component of net trading, is recorded on an accrual basis and presented in the consolidated statements of operations as a separate non-operating expense. See note 20. O. Leases The Company leases office space and certain computer and related equipment. From time to time, the Company sub-leases office space to other tenants. Under the requirements of ASC 842, the Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at the inception date of the contract. The Company measures operating lease liabilities using an estimated incremental borrowing rate as there is no rate implicit in the Company’s operating lease arrangements. An incremental borrowing rate was calculated for each operating lease based on the term of the lease, the U.S. Treasury term interest rate, and an estimated spread to borrow on a secured basis. During the periods presented, all leases to which the Company was a party were classified as operating leases and rent expense was recognized on a straight-line basis and included as a component of business development, occupancy, and equipment in the consolidated statements of operations. P. Non-Controlling Interest The equity interests of any consolidated subsidiary that are not owned by the Company are treated as non-controlling interests. See note 21.
Q. Equity-Based Compensation The Company accounts for equity-based compensation issued to its employees using the fair value-based methodology prescribed by the provisions related to share-based payments included in FASB ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). In the periods presented herein, the Company had three different types of grants that fall under ASC 718.
First, the Company may grant restricted common stock in Cohen & Company Inc. to employees and directors. These grants vest over a period of time and only have service based vesting criteria. In these cases, the Company determines the fair value of the grants by taking the closing stock price of Cohen & Company Inc. on the grant date and multiplying it by the number of restricted shares granted. The recipient is entitled to dividends during the vesting period but they are paid only if (and to the extent) the restricted share grant ultimately vests. The Company recognizes the expense over the service period on a straight line basis. The Company assumes no forfeitures up front and records forfeitures as they occur by reducing expense.
Second, the Company may grant operating units of the Operating LLC to employees. These grants also vest over a period of time and only have service based vesting criteria. Because there is a fixed exchange ratio between units of the Operating LLC and shares of Cohen & Company Inc., the fair value of the grant is calculated by taking the closing stock price of Cohen & Company Inc. on the grant date, adjusting for the exchange ratio, and then multiplying by the number of units of the Operating LLC granted. The recipient is entitled to distributions during the vesting period but they are paid only if (and to the extent) the unit grant ultimately vests. Any distributions paid for periods prior to vesting are treated as compensation expense. The Company recognizes the expense over the service period on a straight line basis. The Company assumes no forfeitures up front and record forfeitures as they occur by reducing expense.
Third, employees may invest in the membership interests of consolidated SPAC sponsor entities. Because these entities are consolidated and the employees are investing in the consolidated company's non-controlling interest, these equity interests fall under ASC 718. Generally, the employee invests a de minimis amount and receives an allocation of the founder shares held by the sponsor entity. The investment generally does not have any explicit vesting criteria associated with it. Generally, the employee's investment will be worthless if the SPAC in which the sponsor entity has invested is liquidated and it will become worth something if the SPAC completes its business combination. Therefore, the Company treats these grants as having a performance condition (i.e. the completion of the SPAC business combination). Further, at the time of the investments, the Company treats this performance condition as being non-probable. The effect of this is that the Company records no expense related to these investments until (and only if) the business combination is completed. Upon completion of the business combination, the Company records compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of the grant. The fair value of the grant is equal to the public trading price of the SPAC on the date the business combination is completed adjusted for certain sale restrictions imposed on the shares the employee receives (generally, the shares are restricted for sale for some time period and subject to certain hurdle prices before they become freely tradeable). The Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the appropriate discount to place on shares that are subject to hurdle prices. The compensation amount is recorded with an offsetting credit to non-controlling interest. From that point forward, the shares received by the employee are treated as part of the non-controlling interest and allocated income, expense, gains, and losses accordingly until the applicable sponsor entity is liquidated or otherwise de-consolidated.
R. Accounting for Income Taxes Cohen & Company Inc. is treated as a C corporation for United States federal and state income tax purposes. The Company’s voting-controlled subsidiary, the Operating LLC, is treated as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and in most of the states in which it does business. However, in the periods presented, the Operating LLC or its subsidiaries have been subject to entity level income taxes in certain foreign jurisdictions as well as in New York City and Philadelphia. 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 based on the differences between the U.S. GAAP and tax basis 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 records net deferred tax assets to the extent the Company believes these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such a determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and recent financial operations. As shown in note 23 to the consolidated financial statements contained herein, the Company currently has significant recognized as well as unrecognized deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets should only be recognized to the extent that the Company determines it can benefit in the future from the asset. Generally, this determination is based on the Company's estimates of its ability to generate future taxable income. This determination is complex and subject to judgment. The determination is ongoing and subject to change. If the Company were to change this determination in the future, a significant deferred tax benefit or deferred tax expense would be recognized as a component of earnings. The Company’s policy is to record penalties and interest as a component of income tax expense / (benefit) in the consolidated statements of operations. S. Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss) The Company reports the components of comprehensive income / (loss) within the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income / (loss). Comprehensive income / (loss) includes net income / (loss) from foreign translation adjustment. T. Earnings / (Loss) Per Common Share In accordance with FASB ASC 260, Earnings Per Share (“ASC 260”), the Company presents both basic and diluted earnings / (loss) per common share in its consolidated financial statements and footnotes. Basic earnings / (loss) per common share (“Basic EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income or loss allocable to common stockholders or members by the weighted average number of common shares and restricted stock entitled to non-forfeitable dividends outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share (“Diluted EPS”) reflects the potential dilution of common stock equivalents (such as restricted stock and restricted units entitled to forfeitable dividends, in-the-money stock options, and convertible debt, if they are not anti-dilutive). See note 26 for the computation of earnings/(loss) per common share. U. Business Concentration A significant portion of the Company’s asset management revenues in a year may be derived from a small number of transactions. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company earned asset management revenue from CDOs of $965 and $7,852 from other investment funds.
Other than revenue earned in its gestation repo operations, the Company’s trading revenue is generated from transactions with a diverse set of institutional customers. The Company does not consider its trading revenue, other than revenue earned in its gestation repo operations, to be concentrated from a customer or counterparty perspective. See note 11 for discussion of concentrations within the gestation repo operations.
V. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments. These determinations were based on available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is required to interpret market data to develop the estimates and, therefore, these estimates may not necessarily be indicative of the amount the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. Refer to note 9 for a discussion of the valuation hierarchy with respect to the investments carried by the Company at fair value. Cash equivalents: Cash equivalents are carried at historical cost, which is assumed to approximate fair value. The estimated fair value measurement of cash and cash equivalents is classified within level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Investments-trading: These amounts are carried at fair value. The fair value is based on either quoted market prices of an active exchange, independent broker market quotations, market price quotations from third-party pricing services, or valuation models when quotations are not available. Other investments, at fair value: These amounts are carried at fair value. The fair value is based on quoted market prices of an active exchange, independent broker market quotations, or valuation models when quotations are not available. In the case of investments in alternative investment funds, fair value is generally based on the reported net asset value of the underlying fund. Receivables under resale agreements: Receivables under resale agreements are carried at their contracted resale price, have short-term maturities, and are repriced frequently or bear market interest rates and, accordingly, these contracts are at amounts that approximate fair value. The estimated fair value measurements of receivables under resale agreements are based on observations of actual market activity and are generally classified within level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. Trading securities sold, not yet purchased: These amounts are carried at fair value. The fair value is based on quoted market prices of an active exchange, independent market quotations, market price quotations from third-party pricing services, or valuation models when quotations are not available. Other investments, sold not purchased: These amounts are carried at fair value. The fair value is based on quoted market prices of an active exchange, independent broker market quotations, or valuation models when quotations are not available.
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase: The liabilities for securities sold under agreement to repurchase are carried at their contracted repurchase price, have short-term maturities, and are repriced frequently with amounts normally due in one month or less and, accordingly, these contracts are at amounts that approximate fair value. The estimated fair value measurements of securities sold under agreement to repurchase are based on observations of actual market activity and are generally classified within level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.
Debt: These amounts are carried at outstanding principal less unamortized discount. However, a substantial portion of the Company's debt was assumed in the AFN Merger and recorded at fair value as of that date. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the fair value of the Company’s debt was estimated to be $42,369 and $44,352, respectively. The estimated fair value measurements of the debt are generally based on discounted cash flow models prepared by the Company’s management primarily using discount rates for similar instruments issued to companies with similar credit risks to the Company and are generally classified within level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. Derivatives: These amounts are carried at fair value. Derivatives may be included as a component of investments-trading; trading securities sold, not yet purchased; and other investments, at fair value. See notes 10 and 11. The fair value is generally based on quoted market prices on an exchange that is deemed to be active for derivative instruments such as foreign currency forward contracts and Eurodollar futures. For derivative instruments, such as TBAs and other extended settlement trades, the fair value is generally based on market price quotations from third-party pricing services.
W. Investments in Special Purpose Acquisition Companies ("SPACs") Sponsor Entities
The Company invests in the sponsor entities of SPACs. Sponsor entities are limited liability companies (each an "LLC") that pool their members' interests and invest in the private placement of a SPAC. The SPAC will also raise funds in a public offering and seek to complete a business combination within an agreed upon time frame. The SPAC will use the proceeds raised from the private placement to pay transaction and operating expenses during the period it is seeking a business combination. The proceeds of the public offering are placed in an interest bearing trust and can only be used to complete the business combination. Generally, the public investors must approve any business combination prior to its effectiveness. If a business combination is not completed within the agreed upon time frame, the SPAC will liquidate and return the public investors' investment to them. If there are funds remaining after liquidation, the sponsor entities may receive some portion of their investment back, but it is likely they will suffer a total loss of their investment. If the business combination is completed, the sponsor entities' private placement in the SPAC entitles them to a combination of unrestricted common stock, restricted common stock, and (in some cases) warrants of the post-business combination SPAC (which is a publicly traded company). The following summarizes the Company's accounting policies related to its investments in these entities:
Y. Recent Accounting Developments
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. The ASU requires additional disclosure of the nature of expenses included in the income statement as well as disclosures about specific types of expenses included in the expense captions presented in the income statements. The ASU is effective for all entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-04, Debt— Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20): Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt Instruments, which clarifies the requirements for determining whether certain settlements of convertible debt instruments should be accounted for as an induced conversion or extinguishment of convertible debt. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-03, Business Combinations (Topic 805) and Consolidation (Topic 810): Determining the Accounting Acquirer in the Acquisition of a Variable Interest Entity. The ASU revises current guidance for determining the accounting acquirer for a transaction effected primarily by exchanging equity interests in which the legal acquiree is a variable interest entity that meets the definition of a business. The amendments require an entity to consider the same factors that are currently required for determining which entity is the accounting acquirer in other acquisition transactions. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted in an interim or annual reporting period in which financial statements have not yet been issued (or made available for issuance). The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-04, Compensation— Stock Compensation (Topic 718) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Clarifications to Share-Based Consideration Payable to a Customer. The amendments in this ASU affect the timing of revenue recognition for entities that offer to pay share-based consideration (e.g., equity instruments) to a customer (or to other parties that purchase the entity’s goods or services from the customer) to incentivize the customer (or its customers) to purchase its goods and services. Specifically, the amendments clarify the requirements for share-based consideration payable to a customer that vests upon the customer purchasing a specified volume or monetary amount of goods and services from the entity. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted in an interim or annual reporting period in which financial statements have not yet been issued (or made available for issuance). The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.
In July 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-05, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets. The amendments provide all entities with a practical expedient to assume that current conditions as of the balance sheet date do not change for the remaining life of the assets when estimating expected credit losses for current accounts receivable and current contract assets arising from transactions accounted for under Topic 606. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025 and interim periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted in both interim and annual reporting periods in which financial statements have not yet been issued or made available issuance. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.
In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-06, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software. The amendments in this ASU require that an entity capitalize software costs when both management has authorized and committed to funding the software project, and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended (referred to as the "probable-to-complete recognition threshold"). In evaluating the probable-to complete recognition threshold, an entity is required to consider whether there is significant uncertainty associated with the development activities of the software. The ASU is effective for all entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.
In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-07, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Derivatives Scope Refinements and Scope Clarification for Share-Based Noncash Consideration from a Customer in a Revenue Contract. The ASU clarifies derivative scope exceptions for certain contracts with underlings that are based on the operations or activities of one of the parties to the contract. The ASU also clarifies the applicability of ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and its interaction with other ASC Topics (including ASC Topic 815 on derivatives and hedging and ASC Topic 321 on equity securities), in the accounting for share-based noncash consideration (such as warrants or shares) received from a customer for the transfer of goods or services. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods within those periods. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-11, Interim Reporting (Topic 270) Narrow- Scope Improvements. The amendments in this ASU do not change the fundamental nature of interim reporting or expand or reduce current interim disclosure. The amendments in this ASU clarify the guidance in ASC Topic 270 by providing a comprehensive list of required interim disclosures and codifying a disclosure principle that requires the Company to disclose events and changes that occur after the end of the most recent annual reporting period that have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-12, Codification Improvements. (Topic 815) The amendments in this ASU update the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for a broad range of Topics arising from technical corrections, unintended application of the Codification, clarifications, and other minor improvements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.
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