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Off-Balance-Sheet Risk and Concentration of Credit Risk
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12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2013
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| Off-Balance-Sheet Risk and Concentration of Credit Risk [Abstract] | |
| Off-Balance-Sheet Risk and Concentration of Credit Risk |
Off-Balance-Sheet Risk and Concentration of Credit Risk
Securities America, Triad, Investacorp and Ladenburg do not carry accounts for customers or perform custodial functions related to customers’ securities. They introduce all of their customer transactions, which are not reflected in these financial statements, to clearing brokers, which maintain cash and the customers’ accounts and clear such transactions. Also, the clearing brokers provide the clearing and depository operations for proprietary securities transactions. These activities create exposure to off-balance-sheet risk in the event that customers do not fulfill their obligations to the clearing brokers, as each of Securities America, Triad, Investacorp and Ladenburg has agreed to indemnify such clearing brokers for any resulting losses. Each of Securities America, Triad, Investacorp and Ladenburg continually assesses risk associated with each customer who is on margin credit and records an estimated loss when management believes collection from the customer is unlikely.
The clearing operations for the Securities America, Triad, Investacorp and Ladenburg securities transactions are provided by two clearing brokers, which are large financial institutions. At December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, amounts due from these clearing brokers were $31,391 and $16,973, respectively, which represents a substantial concentration of credit risk should these clearing brokers be unable to fulfill their obligations.
In the normal course of business, Securities America, Triad, Investacorp and Ladenburg may enter into transactions in financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Securities America, Triad and Ladenburg sold securities that they do not own and will therefore be obligated to purchase such securities at a future date. These obligations have been recorded in the statements of financial condition at the market values of the related
securities, and such entities will incur a loss if, at the time of purchase, the market value of the securities has increased since the applicable date of sale.
The Company and its subsidiaries maintain cash in bank deposit accounts, which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash.
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