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Variable Interest Entities
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2023
Mar. 31, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]    
Variable Interest Entities
14.
Variable Interest Entities
In accordance with ASC 810, an enterprise is determined to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE if it holds a controlling financial interest. A controlling financial interest is defined as (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The consolidation guidance requires an analysis to determine (a) whether an entity in which Ben holds a variable
 
interest is a VIE and (b) whether Ben’s involvement, through holding interests directly or indirectly in the entity or contractually through other variable interests (for example, management and performance-related fees), would give it a controlling financial interest. The performance of that analysis requires the exercise of judgment. Based on management’s analysis, there are no VIEs that require consolidation, other than those described below.
VIEs for Which the Company is the Primary Beneficiary
CT Risk Management, L.L.C.
CT Risk Management, L.L.C. (“CT”), a Delaware limited liability company, is currently governed by the Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement entered into on April 27, 2022. CT was created to reduce the impact of a potential market downturn on the interests in alternative assets held by the Customer ExAlt Trusts that collateralize the loans receivable from the Customer ExAlt Trusts held by BFF, or other Ben entities (such loans receivable are eliminated solely for financial reporting purposes in our consolidated financial statements) by distributing any potential profits to certain of the Customer ExAlt Trusts thereby offsetting any reduction in the value of the alternative assets.
CT is considered a VIE as the
at-risk
equity holder, BFF, does not have all of the characteristics of a controlling financial interest due to BFF’s receipt of returns being limited to its initial investment in CT. The Company concluded that BCC is the primary beneficiary of CT as BFF has the power to direct the most significant activities and has an obligation to absorb potential losses of CT. Accordingly, the results of CT are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
As of June 30, 2023 and March 31, 2023, the consolidated statements of financial condition include assets of this consolidated VIE with a carrying value of $1.7 million and $4.0 million, which is recorded in the investments held by Ben line item of the consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company recorded losses of $2.3 million for three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to gains of $1.8 million for the same period of 2022, respectively, which is reported in the gain (loss) on financial instruments, net line item of the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
Customer ExAlt Trusts
The Company determined that all of the Customer ExAlt Trusts used in connection with its operations are VIEs of which Ben is the primary beneficiary as defined under ASC 810. The Company concluded that it is the primary beneficiary of the Customer ExAlt Trusts as it has the power to direct the most significant activities and has an obligation to absorb potential losses of the Customer ExAlt Trusts. Accordingly, the results of the Customer ExAlt Trusts are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Although the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the Customer ExAlt Trusts for purposes of ASC 810, it is neither designated as a beneficiary under the trust agreements nor recognized as a beneficiary of such trusts under applicable state trust law. The assets of the Customer ExAlt Trusts may only be used to settle obligations of the Customer ExAlt Trusts. Other than potentially funding capital calls above the related reserve (refer to Note 17), there is no recourse to the Company for the Customer ExAlt Trusts’ liabilities. The cash flows generated by these VIEs are included within the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
 
The consolidated statements of financial condition includes the following amounts from these consolidated VIEs as of the dates presented:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
  
June 30, 2023
    
March 31, 2023
 
Assets:
     
Cash and cash equivalents
   $ 1,662    $ 3,259
Restricted cash
     821      819
Investments, at fair value
     486,944      491,859
Other assets
     5,412      5,891
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Total Assets of VIEs
   $ 494,839    $ 501,828
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Liabilities:
     
Accounts payable and accrued expense
   $ 2,458    $ 1,945
Other liabilities
     108      132
Customer ExAlt Trusts loan payable, net
     49,529      52,129
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Total Liabilities of VIEs
   $ 52,095    $ 54,206
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Equity:
     
Treasury stock
   $ (3,444    $ (3,444
Noncontrolling interests
     (132,361      (118,299
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
     14,190      9,900
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Total Equity of VIEs
   $ (121,615    $ (111,843
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
The consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the periods presented includes the following amounts from these consolidated VIEs.
 
    
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
  
2023
    
2022
 
Revenues
     
Investment income (loss), net
   $ 500    $ (25,117
Loss on financial instruments, net
     (1,803      (10,785
Interest and dividend income
     8      4
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Total revenues
     (1,295      (35,898
Operating expenses
     
Interest expense
     1,874      2,329
Provision for credit losses
            12,607
Professional services
     1,261      582
Other expenses
     357      600
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Total operating expenses
     3,492      16,118
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
   $ (4,787    $ (52,016
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
   $ (13,866    $ (28,711
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
17. Variable Interest Entities
In accordance with ASC 810, an enterprise is determined to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE if it holds a controlling financial interest. A controlling financial interest is defined as (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The consolidation guidance requires an analysis to determine (a) whether an entity in which Ben holds a variable interest is a VIE and (b) whether Ben’s involvement, through holding interests directly or indirectly in the entity or contractually through other variable interests (for example, management and performance-related fees), would give it a controlling financial interest. The performance of that analysis requires the exercise of judgment. Based on management’s analysis, there are no VIEs that require consolidation, other than those described below.
VIEs for Which the Company is the Primary Beneficiary
CT Risk Management, L.L.C.
On March 20, 2020, CT Risk Management, L.L.C. (“CT”), which is currently governed by the Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement entered into on April 27, 2022, was created as a Delaware limited liability company to reduce the impact of a potential market downturn on the interests in alternative assets held by the Customer ExAlt Trusts that collateralize the loans receivable from the Customer ExAlt Trusts held by BFF, or other Ben entities (such loans receivable are eliminated solely for financial reporting purposes in our consolidated financial statements) by distributing any potential profits to certain of the Customer ExAlt Trusts thereby offsetting any reduction in the value of the alternative assets.
CT is considered a VIE as the
at-risk
equity holder, BFF, does not have all of the characteristics of a controlling financial interest due to BFF’s receipt of returns being limited to its initial investment in CT. The Company concluded that BCC is the primary beneficiary of CT as BFF has the power to direct the most significant activities and has an obligation to absorb potential losses of CT. Accordingly, the results of CT are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
As of March 31, 2023, the consolidated statements of financial condition include assets of this consolidated VIE with a carrying value of $4.0 million, which is recorded in the investments held by Ben line item of the consolidated statements of financial condition. There were no put options held as of March 31, 2022. The Company recorded a loss of $3.5 million, $5.2 million, and $7.8 million, for the years ended March 31, 2023, December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, which is reported in the gain (loss) on financial instruments, net line item of the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
 
Customer ExAlt Trusts
The Company determined that all of the Customer ExAlt Trusts used in connection with its operations are VIEs of which Ben is the primary beneficiary as defined under ASC 810. The Company concluded that it is the primary beneficiary of the Customer ExAlt Trusts as it has the power to direct the most significant activities and has an obligation to absorb potential losses of the Customer ExAlt Trusts. Accordingly, the results of the Customer ExAlt Trusts are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Although the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the Customer ExAlt Trusts for purposes of ASC 810, it is neither designated as a beneficiary under the trust agreements nor recognized as a beneficiary of such trusts under applicable state trust law. The assets of the Customer ExAlt Trusts may only be used to settle obligations of the Customer ExAlt Trusts. Other than potentially funding capital calls above the related reserve (refer to Note 20), there is no recourse to the Company for the Customer ExAlt Trusts’ liabilities. The cash flows generated by these VIEs are included within the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
The consolidated statements of financial condition includes the following amounts from these consolidated VIEs as of the dates presented:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
   March 31, 2023      March 31, 2022  
Assets:
     
Cash and cash equivalents
   $ 3,259    $ 10,024
Restricted cash
     819      5,517
Investments, at fair value
     491,859      659,921
Other assets
     5,891      3,361
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Total Assets of VIEs
   $ 501,828    $ 678,823
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Liabilities:
     
Accounts payable and accrued expense
   $ 1,945    $ 5,350
Other liabilities
     132      479
Customer ExAlt Trusts loan payable, net
     52,129      65,674
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Total Liabilities of VIEs
   $ 54,206    $ 71,503
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Equity:
     
Treasury stock
   $ (3,444    $ (3,444
Noncontrolling interests
     (118,299      982
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
     9,900      (1,326
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Total Equity of VIEs
   $ (111,843    $ (3,788
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
The consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the periods presented include the following amounts from these consolidated VIEs.
 
(Dollars in thousands)
  Year Ended
March 31, 2023
    Three
Months Ended
March 31, 2022
    Year Ended
December 31, 2021
    Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
Revenues
       
Investment income (loss), net
  $ (54,010   $ (10,811   $ 15,534   $ 132,620
(Gain) loss on financial instruments, net
    (35,085     (44,661     29,512     (15,838
Interest income
    54     —         7,110     1,798
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total revenues
    (89,041     (55,472     52,156     118,580
Operating expenses
       
Interest expense
    8,956     1,046     —         4,675
Provision for credit losses
    13,843     4,774     14,319     —    
Professional services
    5,032     —         350     —    
Other expenses
    1,905     1,860     695     502
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total operating expenses
    29,736     7,680     15,364     5,177
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
  $ (118,777   $ (63,152   $ 36,792   $ 113,403
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
  $ (117,861   $ (55,229   $ (30,513   $ 47,582
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
VIEs for Which the Company is not the Primary Beneficiary
The Company is not required to consolidate VIEs in which it has concluded it does not have a controlling financial interest, and thus is not the primary beneficiary. The guaranty with Bradley Capital discussed in Note 16 creates a variable interest held by Ben in Bradley Capital. Ben is not the primary beneficiary of Bradley Capital as it has no ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact that entity’s economic performance. There are no amounts of assets or liabilities related to Bradley Capital reflected in our statement of financial position for any periods presented. As described in Note 16, through December 9, 2022, and subsequent periods on or after the Forbearance Agreement is no longer effective, Ben’s maximum exposure under the possible future guaranty obligation is $20.0 million.