AMTPQ Ameritrans Capital Corporation (CE)

Ameritrans Capital Corporation (NASDAQ: AMTC, AMTCP) today reported financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2007. Highlights for Second Quarter 2008: Total Assets of $65.3 million Total interest income increased to $1.56 million Net Asset Value at December 31, 2007 of $5.21 per share Continued strong performance of taxicab medallion portfolio Continued expansion of middle market corporate loan portfolio Declared quarterly dividend of $0.01 per share on Common Stock Ameritrans reported a net loss of $292,338 available to common stockholders for the second quarter of fiscal year 2008 or $0.09 versus a net loss of $87,014 or $0.03 per basic and diluted common share for the same period of fiscal year 2007. On an operating basis, before payment of the Company�s preferred stock dividends, excluding realized losses, equity in loss of investee and gains on the sale of medallions and automobiles, the Company reported an operating profit of $44,173 for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 compared to an operating profit of $54,694 during the quarter ended December 31, 2006. The Company�s interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2007 increased $182,453 or 13% to $1,559,445 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. The increase in investment income between the periods can be attributed to a significant increase in the size of Ameritrans� loan portfolio, offset by lower interest rates charged on a larger total loan portfolio for the quarter. Fees and other income decreased by $431 or less than 1% to $58,701 as compared to the three months ended December 30, 2006. Additionally, a onetime loss of $175,105 was recorded in the quarter in connection with the anticipated disposition of certain equity investments. Net income for the quarter was negatively impacted by a loss in investees of $77,031, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2006 which had been negatively impacted by a loss of $66,648. At December 31, 2007, our net portfolio consisted of approximately $63 million spread among more than 432 active investments. The portfolio is invested in approximately 51% taxicab medallion loans, 28% in diversified business loans, 16% in senior-secured corporate loans and 7% in life insurance settlement contracts and equity investments. Commenting on the results, Gary C. Granoff, Chairman and CEO of Ameritrans said, �During the quarter ended December 31, 2007, the Company�s taxicab medallion and diversified loan portfolios continued their strong performance. Our taxicab medallion and diversified loan portfolios continue to perform extremely well and experience record-low delinquency and default rates.� Michael Feinsod, President of Ameritrans, stated, �During the quarter, we continued to expand our corporate loan program, increasing the portfolio by more than 60% to $10 million. The portfolio we have been able to assemble continues to benefit from, and reflects, the tightening in the credit markets over the recent months. We anticipate that terms, structure, and pricing will continue to move in our favor. We plan to continue the prudent and selective growth of this portfolio. As we have recently begun this line of business, Ameritrans owns no middle market loans originated prior to June 2007.� Mr. Feinsod continued, �We continue to explore methods to expand the corporate loan business, including the engagement of an independent advisory firm to augment our internal underwriting capabilities. We also are actively investigating alternative methods to finance this new line of business. As of December 31, 2007, the Company held approximately $10 million of first-lien bank loans. The average EBITDA of the current portfolio companies is approximately $40 million with average underlying common equity of $120 million. Due to their leveraged capital structures, we have found that many middle-market companies meet the requirements for SBIC investment. We believe that we can continue to build a portfolio of primarily senior corporate loans that will allow us to capitalize on Ameritrans� unique corporate structure. We plan to focus on less volatile lower risk senior loans as opposed to second-lien and mezzanine investments which we believe will provide the foundation for steady returns to the Company and its shareholders.� Lastly, effective as of February 13, 2008, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.01 per share on its common stock, $0.0001 par value, for the period October 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007. The dividend is payable on or about March 12, 2008 to shareholders of record as of February 25, 2008. The dividend is being declared from estimated earnings for the period ending June 30, 2008. Ameritrans Capital Corporation is an internally managed, closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (�BDC�) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Ameritrans originates, structures and manages a portfolio of medallion loans, secured business loans and selected equity securities. Ameritrans' wholly owned subsidiary Elk Associates Funding Corporation is licensed by the United States Small Business Administration as a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) in 1980. The Company maintains its offices at 747 Third Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10017. This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those presently anticipated or projected. Ameritrans Capital Corporation cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as to management's expectations on this date. AMERITRANS CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES � CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETSAS OF DECEMBER 31, 2007 (UNAUDITED) AND JUNE 30, 2007 � � ASSETS � December 31, 2007 June 30, 2007 � Loans receivable $ 58,623,020 $ 57,693,496 Less: unrealized depreciation on loans receivable (282,708) (286,550) Loans receivable, net 58,340,312 57,406,946 � Cash and cash equivalents 524,861 251,394 Accrued interest receivable, net of unrealized depreciation of $22,316 and $51,500, respectively 681,013 596,553 Assets acquired in satisfaction of loans 38,250 56,030 Receivables from debtors on sales of assets acquired in satisfaction of loans 286,506 225,625 Equity investments 2,344,796 2,837,719 Investment in life settlement contracts 2,345,813 1,910,077 Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net 167,221 183,043 Prepaid expenses and other assets 617,297 477,496 � TOTAL ASSETS $65,346,069 $63,944,883 AMERITRANS CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES � CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2007 (UNAUDITED) AND JUNE 30, 2007 � LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS� EQUITY � December 31, 2007 June 30, 2007 LIABILITIES Debentures payable to SBA $12,000,000 $12,000,000 Notes payable, banks 31,195,697 29,332,500 Notes payable, related parties 100,000 150,000 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 387,156 431,577 Accrued interest payable 288,042 301,591 Dividends payable 84,375 84,375 � TOTAL LIABILITIES 44,055,270 42,300,043 � COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 3,4, 5, 6 and 9) � STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Preferred stock 500,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding - - 9 3/8% cumulative participating callable preferred stock $ 0.01 par value, $12.00 face value, 500,000 shares authorized; 300,000 shares issued and outstanding 3,600,000 3,600,000 Common stock, $ 0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 3,405,583 and 3,401,208 shares issued and 3,395,583 and 3,391,208 shares outstanding at 12/31/07 and 6/30/07 respectively 341 340 Additional paid-in-capital 21,139,504 21,119,817 Deferred compensation (59,155) (94,475) Stock options outstanding 133,613 118,475 Accumulated deficit (3,255,377) (2,987,539) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (198,127) (41,778) � 21,360,799 21,714,840 Less: Treasury stock, at cost, 10,000 shares of common stock (70,000) (70,000) � TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 21,290,799 21,644,840 � TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $65,346,069 $63,944,883 AMERITRANS CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS � � � FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006 (UNAUDITED) � Three MonthsEnded December31, 2007 Three MonthsEnded December31, 2006 Six MonthsEnded December31, 2007 Six MonthsEnded December31, 2006 INVESTMENT INCOME Interest on loans receivable $ 1,559,445 $ 1,376,992 $ 3,109,540 $ 2,601,133 Gain on sale of medallions and automobiles - 9,315 - 9,315 Realized losses on equity securities, net (175,105) - (29,914) - Equity in loss of investee (Note 3) (77,031) (66,648) (161,468) (38,509) Fees and other income 58,701 59,132 155,543 238,219 Leasing income � - � 39,846 � - � 62,817 � TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME � 1,366,010 � 1,418,637 � 3,073,701 � 2,872,975 OPERATING EXPENSES Interest 674,254 545,499 1,309,834 1,081,645 Salaries and employee benefits 426,624 335,220 785,425 618,078 Occupancy costs 68,025 55,103 137,043 109,741 Professional fees 146,687 184,646 348,842 358,671 Other administrative expenses 274,476 232,159 532,334 548,134 Loss and impairments on assets acquired in satisfaction of loans, net - 1,921 - 31,669 Write off and depreciation on interest and loans receivable, net � (16,093) � 66,728 � 25,354 � 94,649 TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES � 1,573,973 � 1,421,276 � 3,138,832 � 2,842,587 NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (207,963) $ (2,639) $ (65,131) $ 30,388 DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED STOCK $ (84,375) $ (84,375) $ (168,750) $ (168,750) � NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS $ (292,338) $ (87,014) $ (233,881) $ (138,362) � WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING - Basic and diluted � 3,395,583 � 3,391,208 � 3,394,465 � 3,391,208 � NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE - Basic and diluted $ (0.09) $ (0.03) $ (0.07) $ (0.04)