JMP JMP Group LLC

JMP Group LLC (NYSE:JMP), an investment banking and alternative asset management firm, reported financial results today for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

• On January 1, 2015, JMP Group completed a corporate restructuring transaction whereby it converted from a C-corporation (JMP Group Inc.) to a publicly traded partnership (JMP Group LLC); in its first quarter under the new structure, the company made three cash distributions totaling $0.105 per share, an increase of 50% from the dividend of $0.07 per share paid in the fourth quarter of 2014.
• Adjusted net revenues, which exclude certain non-cash items and non-controlling interests, were $37.6 million, a decrease of 14.2% from $43.8 million for the first quarter of 2014. For more information on adjusted net revenues, including a reconciliation to net revenues, see the section below titled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
• Operating net income was $5.1 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, an increase of 17.1% from $4.4 million, or $0.19 per share, for the first quarter of 2014. For more information on operating net income, including a reconciliation to net income attributable to JMP Group, see the section below titled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
• Total net revenues under generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, were $41.0 million, compared to $37.7 million for the first quarter of 2014.
• The net loss attributable to JMP Group on a GAAP basis was $1.9 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.0 million, or $0.17 per share, for the first quarter of 2014. Excluding a one-time tax liability of $0.31 per share for recognizing previously unrealized gains in the transfer of CLO securities and hedge fund limited partnership interests to the new holding company as part of JMP Group’s corporate restructuring, GAAP net income would have been $0.22 per share for the first quarter of 2015.

“JMP Group got off to a good start in 2015, with operating earnings per share increasing 21% year over year to $0.23 in our first quarter as a publicly traded partnership,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Joe Jolson. “Excluding net investment income and corporate costs, our fully-taxed operating subsidiaries earned a solid $0.14 per share, an increase of 27% from the previous quarter but a decrease of 22% from the first quarter of last year, when JMP Securities produced record results. Our return on equity improved to 15.6% for the quarter, though our book value per share fell slightly to $6.14 per share, due to a one-time tax liability related to our restructuring transaction.

“For the first quarter, we paid out roughly 45% of our operating EPS in cash distributions, increasing the payout ratio from 35% in the fourth quarter of last year. We recently increased our quarterly distribution to $0.111 per share, declaring three monthly cash distributions of $0.037 per share for the second quarter, representing an increase of 122% from the dividend paid in the second quarter of 2014, when the company was a C-corporation. We continue to anticipate that our payout ratio will be between 50% and 70% of operating earnings this year, compared to approximately 30% in 2014. The upper end of that range could take the form of one or more special distributions based on our actual investment income as the year progresses.”

Segment Results of OperationsAt JMP Securities, the broker-dealer segment, adjusted net revenues were $26.8 million, a decrease of 16.0% from $31.8 million for the first quarter of 2014. The broker-dealer segment’s operating margin on adjusted net revenues was 17.0%, compared to 10.8% for the prior quarter and 20.5% for the first quarter of 2014.

At Harvest Capital Strategies, the asset management segment, adjusted net revenues of $5.0 million decreased 19.5% from $6.2 million for the first quarter of 2014. JMP Group’s return on its capital invested in hedge funds managed by Harvest Capital Strategies was 1.8% for the quarter.

At JMP Credit Advisors, the corporate credit management segment, adjusted net revenues totaled $1.4 million, an increase of 29.1% from $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2014.

A summary of JMP Group’s operating net income per share by segment for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, and for comparable prior periods is set forth below.

  Quarter Ended ($ as shown) Mar. 31, 2015   Dec. 31, 2014   Mar. 31, 2014 Broker-dealer $0.13 $0.07 $0.18 Asset management 0.01 0.04 0.00 Corporate credit management 0.01 0.00 0.00 Operating platform EPS 0.14 0.11 0.18 Net corporate income 0.09 0.09 0.01 Operating EPS (diluted) $0.23 $0.20 $0.19

Note: Due to rounding, numbers in columns above may not sum to totals presented.

For more information on segment reporting; adjusted net revenues, including a reconciliation to net revenues; and operating net income, including a reconciliation to net income, see the section below titled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Composition of Revenues

Investment BankingInvestment banking revenues were $20.7 million, a decrease of 17.4% from $25.1 million for the first quarter of 2014.

A summary of the company’s investment banking revenues and transaction counts for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, and for comparable prior periods is set forth below.

  Quarter Ended Mar. 31, 2015   Dec. 31, 2014   Mar. 31, 2014 ($ in thousands) Count   Revenues Count   Revenues Count   Revenues Public equity 34 $16,595 27 $10,714 33 $19,521 Debt and convertible securities 5 857 5 1,670 6 1,571 Private capital markets and other 1 547 2 1,685 1 698 Strategic advisory 4 2,695 2 1,824 3 3,263 Total 44 $20,694 36 $15,893 43 $25,053

BrokerageNet brokerage revenues were $6.1 million, a decrease of 8.9% from $6.7 million for the first quarter of 2014.

Asset ManagementAsset management-related fee revenues were $4.9 million, a decrease of 19.9% from $6.1 million for the first quarter of 2014. For more information on asset management-related fee revenues, see the section below titled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Client assets under management at March 31, 2015, totaled $2.0 billion, including $0.9 billion of funds managed by Harvest Capital Strategies and HCAP Advisors and $1.1 billion par value of loans and cash managed by JMP Credit Advisors. Client assets under management were $2.1 billion at December 31, 2014, and $1.8 billion at March 31, 2014. Including sponsored funds in which Harvest Capital Strategies owns an economic interest, client assets under management totaled $2.5 billion at March 31, 2015.

At March 31, 2015, private capital, including corporate credit, small business lending, venture capital and real estate-related advisory services, represented 63.0% of client assets under management, including sponsored funds.

Principal TransactionsPrincipal transactions generated net realized and unrealized gains of $3.7 million, compared to net realized and unrealized losses of $3.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

A summary of the company’s principal transaction revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, and for comparable prior periods is set forth below.

 

Quarter Ended

(in thousands) Mar. 31, 2015   Dec. 31, 2014   Mar. 31, 2014 Hedge fund investments $1,313 $1,366 $1,707 Investment in Harvest Capital Credit Corporation 999 (1,129 ) (163 ) Investment in Harvest Growth Capital funds (22 ) 438 (302 ) Other principal investments 1,454   491   344   Principal transaction revenues before non-controlling interests 3,744 1,166 1,586 Non-controlling interests – Harvest Growth Capital funds -   10,963   (5,279 ) Total principal transaction revenues $3,744   $12,129   ($3,693 )

Due to Harvest Capital Strategies’ role as the manager and managing member of Harvest Growth Capital and Harvest Growth Capital II, GAAP previously required that JMP Group consolidate the two venture capital funds, despite the company’s very limited ownership of each one. Following a recent amendment to GAAP standards regarding consolidation, JMP Group no longer consolidates the funds; the company elected to adopt the new standards early, as they are not effective until 2016. In the table above, principal transaction revenues before non-controlling interests are presented so that all periods are comparable. Total principal transaction revenues, while not comparable across periods due to the recently revised accounting standards, reflect GAAP for each of the periods shown.

Collateralized Loan ObligationsThe net return on invested capital managed by JMP Credit Advisors was 4.6%, compared to 4.3% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

At March 31, 2015, discounts and reserves (including liquidity discounts, allowances for loan losses and deferred loan fees) equaled $12.1 million, or 1.2% of gross performing loans outstanding at JMP Credit. At March 31, 2014, such discounts and reserves equaled $9.1 million, or 1.2% of gross performing loans outstanding. There were no impaired loans at either March 31, 2015, or March 31, 2014.

The net loan loss provision for the quarter totaled $0.1 million, and at March 31, 2015, general loan loss reserves equaled 0.4% of gross performing loans at JMP Credit.

Net Interest IncomeNet interest income was $5.5 million, compared to $3.8 million for the first quarter of 2014.

Expenses

Compensation and BenefitsCompensation and benefits expense was $27.1 million, compared to $31.4 million for the first quarter of 2014. With regard to annually awarded compensation, a concept which excludes amortization expense from share-based awards but accelerates and recognizes the cost of net deferred compensation related to the period, compensation and benefits expense was 66.1% of adjusted net revenues, compared to 69.3% for the first quarter of 2014. Further excluding compensation expense related to strategic initiatives and hedge fund incentive fees, the compensation ratio was 66.0%, in line with 66.0% for the first quarter of 2014. For more information on compensation ratios, see the section below titled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Non-Compensation ExpenseNon-compensation expense was $6.9 million, compared to $6.5 million for the first quarter of 2014.

PersonnelAt March 31, 2015, the company had 233 full-time employees, compared to 235 at December 31, 2014, and 232 at March 31, 2014.

Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresIn addition to the GAAP financial results presented in this press release, JMP Group presents the non-GAAP financial measures discussed below. These non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance investors’ overall understanding of the company’s current financial performance. Furthermore, company management believes that this presentation enables more a meaningful comparison of JMP Group’s financial performance in various periods. However, the non-GAAP financial results presented should not be considered a substitute for results that are presented in a manner consistent with GAAP. A limitation of the non-GAAP financial measures presented is that the adjustments concern gains, losses or expenses that JMP Group generally expects to continue to recognize. The adjustment of these non-GAAP items should not be construed as an inference that these gains or expenses are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring. Therefore, both GAAP measures of JMP Group’s financial performance and the respective non-GAAP measures should be considered together. The non-GAAP measures presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

Adjusted Net RevenueAdjusted net revenue is a non-GAAP financial measure that (i) includes asset management fees, net interest income, and other revenues eliminated upon the consolidation of Harvest Growth Capital and Harvest Growth Capital II (prior to the early adoption of a new GAAP consolidation standard as of January 1, 2015), (ii) reverses the general loan loss provision taken with regard to certain CLOs, (iii) reverses net unrealized gains and losses on strategic equity investments and warrants, (iv) excludes non-controlling interests in net unrealized gains and losses on Harvest Growth Capital and Harvest Growth Capital II (prior to the early adoption of a new GAAP consolidation standard as of January 1, 2015), (v) excludes non-controlling interests in other sources of revenue that are consolidated according to GAAP, and (vi) reverses unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses on investments related to deferred compensation. In particular, adjusted net revenue adjusts for:

• base management and incentive fees earned by Harvest Capital Strategies as manager of Harvest Growth Capital and Harvest Growth Capital II, both venture capital funds; Harvest Capital Strategies is managing member of Harvest Growth Capital and Harvest Growth Capital II and, as a result of its ownership, JMP Group consolidated the two funds and eliminated the fees in consolidation until adopting an amended GAAP standard as of January 1, 2015; presenting these fees in prior periods as though Harvest Growth Capital and Harvest Growth Capital II were deconsolidated presented the entities’ results in a manner similar to those of the other investment funds managed by Harvest Capital Strategies;
• the non-specific, non-cash loan loss provision recorded with regard to loans acquired during the period by JMP Credit Advisors CLO II and JMP Credit Advisors III, which is required by GAAP;
• unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses on the company’s strategic equity investments as well as certain warrant positions;
• non-controlling interests in net unrealized gains and losses generated by Harvest Growth Capital and Harvest Growth Capital II, of which Harvest Capital Strategies is manager and managing member; JMP Group consolidated the two funds under GAAP until January 1, 2015, when an amended GAAP standard no longer required consolidation; in prior periods, unrealized gains and losses that did not accrue to the company were reversed; and
• unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses on investments in the company’s hedge funds that are made on behalf of employees who opt for such investments under the terms of their deferred compensation agreements; any gains or losses will accrue to the individual employee once the deferred compensation is released to that individual.

A reconciliation of JMP Group’s net revenues to its adjusted net revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, and for comparable prior periods is set forth below.

  Quarter Ended (in thousands) Mar. 31, 2015   Dec. 31, 2014   Mar. 31, 2014   Revenues: Non-interest revenues $35,518 $47,665 $34,397 Net interest income 5,489 4,737 3,760 Loan loss (provision)/credit (57 ) 1,229   (497 ) Total net revenues 40,950 53,631 37,660   Add back/(subtract):

General loan loss provision/(credit) – collateralized loan obligations

91 (487 ) 545

Net unrealized (gain)/loss on strategic equity investments and warrants

(1,020 ) 1,073 174 Non-controlling interests – Harvest Growth Capital funds - (10,675 ) 5,675 Non-controlling interests – other revenues (2,619 ) (1,805 ) (189 )

Unrealized mark-to-market loss/(gain) – deferred compensation

195   (321 ) (70 )   Adjusted net revenues $37,597   $41,416   $43,795  

Company management has utilized adjusted net revenue, adjusted in the manner described above, as an additional device to aid in understanding and analyzing JMP Group’s financial results for the periods presented. Management believes that adjusting net revenue in these ways is useful in that it allows for a better evaluation of the performance of JMP Group’s ongoing business and facilitates a meaningful comparison of the company’s results in a given period to those in prior and future periods.

Asset Management-Related Fee RevenuesAsset management-related fee revenue is a non-GAAP financial measure that sums asset management fees with certain fee revenues (in particular, asset management fundraising fees generated by JMP Securities, loan fees, and revenues from fee-sharing arrangements with other asset managers) that are reported in JMP Group’s financial statements as other income. In addition, until January 1, 2015, JMP Group consolidated Harvest Growth Capital and Harvest Growth Capital II in accordance with GAAP; for prior periods, asset management fees generated by the two funds were included in asset management-related fee revenues as though deconsolidated.

A statement of JMP Group’s asset management-related fee revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, and for comparable prior periods is set forth below.

  Quarter Ended (in thousands) Mar. 31, 2015   Dec. 31, 2014   Mar. 31, 2014   Base management fees: Fees reported as asset management fees $3,710 $ 3,576 $2,984

Fees earned at Harvest Growth Capital and Harvest Growth Capital II

- 281 378 Less: Non-controlling interest in HCAP Advisors (300 ) (267 ) (191 ) Total base management fees 3,410   3,590   3,171     Incentive fees: Fees reported as asset management fees 952 7,013 2,561 Less: Non-controlling interest in HCAP Advisors (194 ) (558 ) 175   Total incentive fees 758   6,455   2,736     Other fee income: Total fundraising and other fees 740   1,769   222     Asset management-related fee revenues $4,908   $ 11,814   $6,129  

Company management has utilized asset management-related fee revenue as a means of assessing the performance of JMP Group’s combined asset management activities, including its fundraising and other services for third parties. Management believes that asset management-related fee revenues, as presented above, provide useful information by indicating the relative contributions of base management fees and performance-related incentive fees, thus facilitating a comparison of those fees in a given period to those in prior and future periods. Management also believes that asset management-related fee revenue is a more meaningful measure than standalone asset management fees as reported, because asset management-related fee revenues represent the combined impact of JMP Group’s various asset management activities on the company’s total net revenues.

Compensation RatioA compensation ratio expresses compensation expense as a percentage of net revenues in a given period. As utilized by JMP Group, an adjusted compensation ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure that employs adjusted net revenues as the denominator in its calculation. Furthermore, this ratio adjusts the financial impact of certain compensation-related and transaction-related expenses that are or are not recognized under GAAP. In particular, the adjusted compensation ratio reverses compensation expense and unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses related to stock-based awards, deferred compensation and non-controlling interests (so that the compensation expenses used in the numerator correspond to the adjusted net revenues generated in the periods presented). The adjusted compensation ratio is further adjusted by excluding compensation paid to employees hired in connection with JMP Group’s strategic investments in new business initiatives. In addition, the company presents an adjusted compensation ratio that excludes any compensation related to incentive fees generated by hedge funds, a majority of which is passed through to the funds’ investment teams if earned.

A statement of JMP Group’s compensation ratio for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, and for comparable prior periods is set forth below.

Quarter Ended ($ in thousands) Mar. 31, 2015   Dec. 31, 2014   Mar. 31, 2014   Compensation Ratios Adjusted net revenues $37,597 $41,416 $43,795   Compensation and benefits $27,064 $25,910 $31,376 Subtract/(add back): Compensation expense – stock options and SARs 674 509 395 Compensation expense – RSUs 407 1,181 853 Compensation expense – net deferred compensation 1,069 (2,004) (597) Unrealized mark-to-market gain – deferred compensation (195) 321 70 Compensation expense – non-controlling interest 267 (289) 322 Adjusted compensation and benefits 24,842 26,192 30,333 Subtract: Compensation expense – strategic initiatives - (850) 610 Adjusted compensation and benefits, excluding strategic initiatives $24,842 $27,042 $29,723   Adjusted ratio of compensation expense to revenues 66.1% 63.2% 69.3%

Adjusted ratio of compensation expense to revenues, excluding strategic initiatives

66.1% 65.3% 67.9%   Compensation Ratios Excluding Hedge Fund Incentive Fees Adjusted net revenues $37,597 $41,416 $43,795 Subtract: Compensation expense – hedge fund incentive fees 68 5,477 2,445 Adjusted net revenues, excluding hedge fund incentive fees $37,529 $35,939 $41,350   Adjusted compensation and benefits, excluding strategic initiatives $24,842 $27,042 $29,723 Subtract: Compensation expense – hedge fund incentive fees 68 5,477 2,445

Adjusted compensation and benefits, excluding strategic initiatives and hedge fund incentive fees

$24,774 $21,565 $27,278  

Adjusted ratio of compensation expense to revenues, excluding strategic initiatives and hedge fund incentive fees

66.0% 60.0% 66.0%

Company management has utilized compensation ratios, adjusted in the manners described above, to assess JMP Group’s personnel expenses as they relate to its revenues for the periods presented. Management believes that adjusted compensation ratios provide useful information by including or excluding certain expenses as a means of representing the company’s ongoing personnel costs resulting from its core business activities. Management also believes that compensation ratios are useful measures because they allow and facilitate meaningful comparisons of the company’s personnel expenses in a given period to those in prior and future periods.

Operating Net IncomeOperating net income is a non-GAAP financial measure that (i) reverses compensation expense related to stock-based awards and deferred compensation, (ii) reverses the general loan loss provision taken with regard to certain CLOs, (iii) reverses net unrealized gains and losses on strategic equity investments and warrants, and (iv) assumes an effective tax rate. In particular, operating net income adjusts for:

• the grant of RSUs and stock options;
• net deferred compensation, which consists of (a) deferred compensation awarded at year-end 2012 and 2013 and reflected in operating net income for 2012 and 2013, though recognized as a GAAP expense in 2013, 2014 and 2015, less (b) compensation awarded at year-end 2013 and year-end 2014 and deferred into 2014, 2015 and 2016;
• the non-specific, non-cash loan loss provision recorded with regard to loans acquired during the period by JMP Credit Advisors CLO II and JMP Credit Advisors III, which is required by GAAP;
• unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses on the company’s strategic equity investments as well as certain warrant positions; and
• a combined federal, state and local income tax rate of 38% at the taxable direct subsidiary of parent company JMP Group, while applying a tax rate of 0% to the company’s other direct subsidiary, which is a “pass-through entity” for tax purposes.

A reconciliation of JMP Group’s net income to its operating net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, and for comparable prior periods is set forth below.

  Quarter Ended (in thousands, except per share amounts) Mar. 31, 2015   Dec. 31, 2014   Mar. 31, 2014   Net income attributable to JMP Group LLC ($1,892) $4,664 $3,998   Add back: Income tax expense 7,000 2,409 1,696 Income before taxes 5,108 7,073 5,694   Add back/(subtract): Compensation expense – stock options and SARs 674 509 395 Compensation expense – RSUs 407 1,181 853 Compensation expense – net deferred compensation 1,069 (2,004) (597) General loan loss provision – collateralized loan obligations 91 (487) 545

Unrealized mark-to-market loss/(gain) – strategic equity investments and warrants

(1,020) 1,073 174 Operating income before taxes 6,329 7,345 7,064   Income tax expense 1,198 2,792 2,684 Operating net income $5,131 $4,553 $4,380   Operating net income per share: Basic $0.24 $0.22 $0.20 Diluted (1) $0.23 $0.20 $0.19   Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 21,216 20,716 21,820 Diluted (1) 22,218 22,502 22,806

(1)

 

In 2013 and the first quarter of 2014, JMP Group issued restricted share units, or RSUs, bearing non-forfeitable distribution equivalent rights. GAAP requires RSUs with non-forfeitable distribution equivalent rights to be included in the diluted share count (without applying the treasury method). Management presents a non-GAAP diluted share count for the period, in keeping with the presentation for quarters not impacted by this GAAP requirement for such RSUs. The non-GAAP diluted share count reflects the impact of such RSUs under the treasury method, which is consistent with the calculation of the dilutive impact of all other RSUs outstanding. On a GAAP basis, diluted EPS for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, was calculated using the weighted average number of basic shares outstanding, instead of diluted shares outstanding, because the company had a net loss and was thus required to use the less dilutive share count. The weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding on for the quarter was 22,728,162; given that denominator, operating net income per diluted share would remain $0.23.

Company management has utilized operating net income on a total and per share basis, adjusted in the manner described above, as an additional device to aid in understanding and analyzing JMP Group’s financial results for the periods presented. Management believes that operating net income provides useful information by excluding certain items that may not be representative of the company’s core operating results or core business activities. Management also believes that operating net income is a useful measure because it allows for a better evaluation of the performance of JMP Group’s ongoing business and facilitates a meaningful comparison of the company’s results in a given period to those in prior and future periods.

Segment ReportingIn order to demonstrate the contribution to the company’s results of each of its primary businesses on a standalone basis, JMP Group presents the operating net income generated by each segment in the tables that follow. Management believes that this presentation enables investors to better understand the separate but interrelated financial operations of the company’s various business lines and to more accurately assess the contribution of each to JMP Group’s aggregate results.

Total net revenues have been adjusted, in part, as detailed above in the section titled “Adjusted Net Revenue,” and the resulting adjusted net revenues (i) reverses the general loan loss provision taken with regard to certain CLOs, (ii) reverses net unrealized gains and losses on strategic equity investments and warrants, (iii) excludes non-controlling interests in other sources of revenue that are consolidated according to GAAP, and (iv) reverses unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses on investments related to deferred compensation. Total non-interest expenses have been adjusted, in part, as detailed above in the section titled “Operating Net Income,” and the resulting adjusted non-interest expense reverses compensation expense related to stock-based awards and deferred compensation. Expenses derived from non-controlling interests in entities that are consolidated according to GAAP have also been reversed. For the purposes of calculating operating net income, an effective tax rate of 38% is assumed for JMP Group’s taxable subsidiary.

A statement of JMP Group’s operating net income on a segment basis for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, is set forth below.

  Quarter Ended March 31, 2015     Corporate     Net     Broker- Asset Credit Operating Corporate Elimin- JMP (in thousands, except per share amounts) Dealer Mgmt. Mgmt. Platforms   Income ations Group   Revenues: Investment banking $20,694 - - $20,694 - - $20,694 Brokerage 6,065 - - 6,065 - - 6,065 Asset management-related fees - $5,000 $1,370 6,370 - ($1,462 ) 4,908 Principal transactions - - - - $2,918 - 2,918 Gain on sale and payoff of loans - - - - (390 ) - (390 ) Net dividend income - - - - 191 - 191 Net interest income - - - - 3,209 - 3,209 Provision for loan losses - - - - 2   -   2   Adjusted net revenues 26,759 5,000 1,370 33,129 5,930 (1,462 ) 37,597   Expenses: Non-interest expense/(income) 22,200 4,755 1,022 27,977 4,753   (1,462 ) 31,268   Operating income before taxes 4,559 245 348 5,152 1,177 - 6,329   Income tax expense/(benefit) 1,732 93 132 1,957 (759 ) -   1,198   Operating net income $2,827 $152 $216 $3,195 $1,936   -   $5,131     Operating net income per share: Basic $0.13 $0.01 $0.01 $0.15 $0.09 - $0.24

Diluted (1)

$0.13 $0.01 $0.01 $0.14 $0.09 - $0.23

(1)

  In 2013 and the first quarter of 2014, JMP Group issued restricted share units, or RSUs, bearing non-forfeitable distribution equivalent rights. GAAP requires RSUs with non-forfeitable distribution equivalent rights to be included in the diluted share count (without applying the treasury method). Management presents a non-GAAP diluted share count for the period, in keeping with the presentation for quarters not impacted by this GAAP requirement for such RSUs. The non-GAAP diluted share count reflects the impact of such RSUs under the treasury method, which is consistent with the calculation of the dilutive impact of all other RSUs outstanding. On a GAAP basis, diluted EPS for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, was calculated using the weighted average number of basic shares outstanding, instead of diluted shares outstanding, because the company had a net loss and was thus required to use the less dilutive share count. The weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding on for the quarter was 22,728,162; given that denominator, operating net income per diluted share would remain $0.23.

Book Value per ShareAt March 31, 2015, JMP Group’s book value per share was $6.14, as set forth below.

(in thousands, except per share amounts)   Mar. 31, 2015   Dec. 31, 2014   Mar. 31, 2014   Shareholders' equity $130,431 $132,597 $130,373   Book value per share $6.14 $6.25 $5.97   Basic shares outstanding 21,229 21,216 21,833  

Quarterly operating ROE (1)

15.6% 13.5% 13.6%

LTM operating ROE (1)

12.9% 12.4% 11.4%

(1)

  Operating return on equity (ROE) equals operating net income divided by average shareholders’ equity.

Share Repurchase ActivityJMP Group did not repurchase any of its common shares during the quarter. At March 31, 2015, approximately 0.6 million shares remained eligible for repurchase under the company’s existing repurchase authorization.

Cautionary Note Regarding Quarterly Financial ResultsDue to the nature of its business, JMP Group’s quarterly revenues and net income may fluctuate materially depending on: the size and number of investment banking transactions on which it advises; the timing of the completion of those transactions; the size and number of securities trades which it executes for brokerage customers; the performance of its asset management funds and inflows and outflows of assets under management; gains or losses stemming from sales of or prepayments on, or losses stemming from defaults on, loans underlying the company’s collateralized loan obligations; and the effect of the overall condition of the securities markets and economy as a whole. Accordingly, revenues and net income in any particular quarter may not be indicative of future results. Furthermore, JMP Group’s compensation expense is generally based upon revenues and can fluctuate materially in any quarter, depending upon the amount and sorts of revenue recognized as well as other factors. The amount of compensation and benefits expense recognized in a particular quarter may not be indicative of such expense in any future period. As a result, the company suggests that its annual results may be the most meaningful gauge for investors in evaluating the performance of its business.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements provide JMP Group’s current expectations or forecasts about future events, including beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. The company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the factors described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2015, as well as in the similarly captioned sections of other periodic reports filed by the company under the Exchange Act. The Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and all other periodic reports are available on JMP Group’s website at www.jmpg.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Unless required by law, JMP Group undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this press release.

Conference CallJMP Group will hold a conference call to discuss the results detailed herein at 10:00 a.m. EDT on Friday, April 24, 2015. To participate in the call, dial (888) 566-6060 (domestic) or (973) 200-3100 (international). The conference identification number is 32727130.

The conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet and will be accessible via a link in the investor relations section of the company’s website, at investor.jmpg.com/events.cfm. The Internet broadcast will be archived and will remain available on the website for future replay.

About JMP GroupJMP Group LLC is an investment banking and asset management firm that provides investment banking, equity research, and sales and trading services to corporate and institutional clients as well as alternative asset management products and services to institutional and high-net-worth investors. JMP Group conducts its investment banking and research, sales and trading activities through JMP Securities; its hedge fund and other investment activities though Harvest Capital Strategies; the underwriting and management of investments in senior secured debt through JMP Credit Advisors; and the management of Harvest Capital Credit Corporation (NASDAQ: HCAP), a business development company that finances small and midsized businesses, through HCAP Advisors. For more information, visit www.jmpg.com.

  JMP GROUP LLC Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)   Mar. 31, 2015   Dec. 31, 2014   Assets   Cash and cash equivalents $49,337 $101,362 Restricted cash and deposits 75,164 67,102 Marketable securities owned, at fair value 36,952 29,466 Other investments 87,930 208,947 Loans held for investment, net of allowance for loan losses 1,952 1,997

Loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued, net of allowance for loan losses

1,031,613 1,038,848 Deferred tax assets 11,509 10,570 Other assets 44,554 57,900 Total assets $1,339,011 $1,516,192   Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity   Liabilities: Marketable securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value $17,677 $15,048 Accrued compensation 10,853 54,739 Asset-backed securities issued 995,046 1,001,137 Bond payable 94,300 94,300 Deferred tax liability 21,129 19,161 Other liabilities 39,274 42,878 Total liabilities 1,178,279 1,227,263   Stockholders' Equity: Total JMP Group Inc. shareholders' equity 130,431 132,597 Non-redeemable non-controlling interest 30,301 156,332 Total equity 160,732 288,929 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $1,339,011 $1,516,192 JMP GROUP LLC Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

  Quarter Ended (in thousands, except per share amounts) Mar. 31, 2015   Mar. 31, 2014   Revenues: Investment banking $20,694 $25,053 Brokerage 6,065 6,656 Asset management fees 4,662 5,544 Principal transactions 3,744 (3,693 ) Gain/(loss) on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans (578 ) 380 Net dividend income 191 235 Other income 740   222   Non-interest revenues 35,518   34,397     Interest income 12,777 8,588 Interest expense (7,288 ) (4,828 ) Net interest income 5,489   3,760     Provision for loan losses (57 ) (497 ) Total net revenues 40,950   37,660     Non-interest expenses: Compensation and benefits 27,064 31,376 Administration 1,692 1,722 Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees 798 925 Travel and business development 938 851 Communications and technology 970 948 Occupancy 813 825 Professional fees 974 807 Depreciation 226 227 Other 530   212   Total non-interest expense 34,005   37,893     Net income/(loss) before income tax expense 6,945 (233 ) Income tax expense 7,000   1,696   Net income/(loss) (55 ) (1,929 )

Less: Net income/(loss) attributable to non-redeemable non-controlling interests

1,837   (5,927 ) Net income/(loss) attributable to JMP Group LLC ($1,892 ) $3,998     Net income/(loss) attributable to JMP Group LLC per share: Basic ($0.09 ) $0.17 Diluted ($0.09 ) $0.17   Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 21,216 21,820 Diluted 21,216 23,612

Investor Relations ContactJMP Group LLCAndrew Palmer, 415-835-8978apalmer@jmpg.comorMedia Relations ContactsDukas Public RelationsSeth Linden, 212-704-7385seth@dukaspr.comorZach Leibowitz, 212-704-7385zach@dukaspr.com