SEC Company Response from AMERICAN CHURCH MORTGAGE CO (CIK 0000934543) — May 20, 2005
AMERICAN CHURCH MORTGAGE CO (CIK 0000934543)
Date: May 20, 2005 · CIK: 0000934543 · Accession: 0000934543-05-000011
AI Filing Summary & Sentiment
Referenced dates: May 10, 2005
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May 20, 2005
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549
Attention: Robert Telewicz, Staff Accountant
RE: American Church Mortgage Company
Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004
File No. 33-87570
Mr. Telewicz:
We are in receipt of the Commission's followup letter dated May 10, 2005
which requests additional information regarding the methodology used by American
Church Mortgage Company ("ACMC") to calculate the fair market value of its bond
portfolio. We have prepared the following response to the Commission's follow up
question below.
Bond Portfolio, Page F-8
In accordance with SFAS 115 we utilize fundamental analysis in valuing our
bond portfolio. Listed below are the current factors we use in our fundamental
analysis.
We monitor the 10-year Treasury Bond yield as a benchmark in valuing
our bond portfolio. We also consider four other factors in determining our bond
portfolio's fair market value. These factors are:
1) Any change in the underlying value of the collateral;
2) The average rate of return on the investment;
3) The bond issuer's payment status;
4) The current average price of any new church bond issues.
The average rates of return on our bond portfolio as of December 31, 2002,
2003 and 2004 were 8.89%, 7.93% and 7.53% respectively. The 10-year Treasury
Bond yield as of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 were 4.61%, 4.01% and 4.27%
respectively. ACMC's bond portfolio has averaged over 300 basis points or 3.00%
above current Treasury Bond yields.
A graph representing the relationship between the 10 year Treasury Bond
rate and the Average Rate of Return on ACMC's bond portfolio is attached. ACMC
has determined that if its church bond portfolio has an Average Rate of Return
above 300 basis points (3.00%) over the 10- year Treasury Bond yield, that the
cost of its bond portfolio is its fair market value.
An analysis of our current bond portfolio as of December 31, 2004 shows
that approximately 72% of our bond portfolio has been purchased since January 1,
2001, representing in excess of $7,800,000 in principal bonds purchased at par
value.
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Securities and Exchange Commission
May 20, 2005
Page Two
Also enclosed is a historical graph between the 10-year Treasury Bond yield
versus the bond rates that American Investors Group, Inc. is using in pricing
any new church bond issue. The average rate of return on American Investors
Group, Inc.'s new bond issues were 8.35%, 7.08% and 7.55% for the three years
ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Historically, American Investors Group,
Inc. has priced new church bond offerings at approximately 300 basis points or
3.00% above the 10-year Treasury Bond rate. ACMC buys all of its church bonds
from American Investors Group, Inc..
The 10-year Treasury Bond yield has remained relatively flat over the last
three year period. The Average Rate of Return on ACMC's bond portfolio has been
above American Investors Group Inc.'s average new church bond rates and American
Investors Group Inc.'s new church bond issues have historically been above
Treasury Bond yields. ACMC has determined that the carrying value of the bond
portfolio approximates fair value because (i) there has been minimal changes in
the 10- year Treasury Bond yield; and (ii) ACMC's Average Rate of Return on its
bond portfolio is higher then the average rate of return on new Church Bonds
issued by American Investors Group, Inc. In addition we look at the quality of
the underlying collateral, payment history and interest rate since initial
purchase.
We continue to evaluate our fundamental bond portfolio pricing analysis on
an ongoing basis. We believe that the 10 year Treasury Bond yield is a benchmark
by which to value our bond portfolio since there is no active secondary market
for church bonds. We have determined that if our average rate of return on our
bond portfolio is 300 basis points over the 10 year Treasury Bond yield, that
the fair market value our bond portfolio approximates cost.
In summation, the Average Rate of Return on our bond portfolio, American
Investors Group Inc.'s new church bond issue pricing, the 10-year Treasury Bond
yield, and the ongoing payment performance of a bond issuer, are factors that
influence our bond portfolio valuation. Giving consideration to all these
factors, we maintain our bond portfolio's fair market value approximates its
cost at December 31, 2004.
If the Commission has any questions or needs any additional information,
please contact Scott J. Marquis, Vice-President at (952) 252-0909 or the
undersigned at (952) 952-0911.
Sincerely,
/s/ Philip J. Myers
Philip J. Myers
President
American Church Mortgage Company
Encl.(2)
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