TREE-2014.3.31-10Q
Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q 
 
 
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2014
Or 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                 
Commission File No. 001-34063 
 
 
TREE.COM, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
26-2414818
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 11115 Rushmore Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28277
(Address of principal executive offices)
(704) 541-5351
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
 Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  ý  No  o 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  ý  No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer  o
 
Accelerated filer  x
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer  o
 
Smaller reporting company  o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  o  No  ý 
As of May 5, 2014 there were 11,320,449 shares of the Registrant's common stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding, excluding treasury shares.
 




TABLE OF CONTENTS


 
 
Page
Number
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 

2
Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1.  Financial Statements 

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited) 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenue
$
40,036

 
$
28,080

Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)
1,665

 
1,356

Selling and marketing expense
27,449

 
17,255

General and administrative expense
6,133

 
6,556

Product development
1,932

 
1,205

Depreciation
755

 
885

Amortization of intangibles
28

 
43

Restructuring and severance
202

 
(2
)
Litigation settlements and contingencies
7,707

 
1,028

Total costs and expenses
45,871

 
28,326

Operating loss
(5,835
)
 
(246
)
Other income (expense):
 

 
 

Interest expense
—

 
(7
)
Loss before income taxes
(5,835
)
 
(253
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
1

 
(20
)
Net loss from continuing operations
(5,834
)
 
(273
)
Discontinued operations:
 
 
 
Gain from sale of discontinued operations, net of tax
—

 
98

Loss from operations of discontinued operations, net of tax
(574
)
 
(2,542
)
Loss from discontinued operations
(574
)
 
(2,444
)
Net loss
$
(6,408
)
 
$
(2,717
)
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
Basic
11,142

 
10,967

Diluted
11,142

 
10,967

Net loss per share from continuing operations:
 

 
 

Basic
$
(0.52
)
 
$
(0.02
)
Diluted
$
(0.52
)
 
$
(0.02
)
Net loss per share from discontinued operations:
 

 
 

Basic
$
(0.05
)
 
$
(0.22
)
Diluted
$
(0.05
)
 
$
(0.22
)
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders:
 

 
 

Basic
$
(0.58
)
 
$
(0.25
)
Diluted
$
(0.58
)
 
$
(0.25
)
 
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

3
Table of Contents

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 (in thousands, except par value and share amounts)
 
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
(Unaudited)
 
 

ASSETS:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
89,499

 
$
91,667

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
24,062

 
26,017

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $544 and $408, respectively
13,373

 
12,850

Prepaid and other current assets
1,611

 
1,689

Current assets of discontinued operations
527

 
521

Total current assets
129,072

 
132,744

Property and equipment, net
5,652

 
5,344

Goodwill
3,632

 
3,632

Intangible assets, net
10,656

 
10,684

Other non-current assets
103

 
111

Non-current assets of discontinued operations
100

 
129

Total assets
$
149,215

 
$
152,644

LIABILITIES:
 

 
 

Accounts payable, trade
$
1,387

 
$
4,881

Deferred revenue
25

 
49

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
31,200

 
23,265

Current liabilities of discontinued operations (Note 14)
31,905

 
32,004

Total current liabilities
64,517

 
60,199

Other non-current liabilities
210

 
334

Deferred income taxes
4,849

 
4,849

Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations
306

 
254

Total liabilities
69,882

 
65,636

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)


 


SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
 

 
 

Preferred stock $.01 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; none issued or outstanding
—

 
—

Common stock $.01 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued 12,675,487 and 12,619,835 shares, respectively, and outstanding 11,306,555 and 11,250,903 shares, respectively
127

 
126

Additional paid-in capital
905,880

 
907,148

Accumulated deficit
(813,941
)
 
(807,533
)
Treasury stock 1,368,932 and 1,368,932 shares, respectively
(12,733
)
 
(12,733
)
Total shareholders' equity
79,333

 
87,008

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
149,215

 
$
152,644

 
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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Table of Contents

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
Treasury Stock
 
Total
 
Number
of Shares
 
Amount
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Number
of Shares
 
Amount
 
(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2013
$
87,008

 
12,620

 
$
126

 
$
907,148

 
$
(807,533
)
 
1,369

 
$
(12,733
)
Comprehensive loss:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2014
(6,408
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(6,408
)
 
—

 
—

Comprehensive loss
$
(6,408
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-cash compensation
1,618

 
—

 
—

 
1,618

 
—

 
—

 
—

Dividends
(8
)
 
—

 
—

 
(8
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Net-share settlement of stock-based compensation, net of issuance of common stock upon stock option exercise
(2,877
)
 
55

 
1

 
(2,878
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Balance as of March 31, 2014
$
79,333

 
12,675

 
$
127

 
$
905,880

 
$
(813,941
)
 
1,369

 
$
(12,733
)
 
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

5
Table of Contents

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities attributable to continuing operations:
 

 
 

Net loss
$
(6,408
)
 
$
(2,717
)
Less: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
574

 
2,444

Net loss from continuing operations
(5,834
)
 
(273
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities attributable to continuing operations:
 

 
 

Loss on disposal of fixed assets
—

 
24

Amortization of intangibles
28

 
43

Depreciation
755

 
885

Non-cash compensation expense
1,616

 
1,433

Deferred income taxes
(1
)
 
18

Bad debt expense
186

 
29

Changes in current assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts receivable
(969
)
 
(2,085
)
Prepaid and other current assets
(576
)
 
(2,348
)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities
4,520

 
(2,520
)
Income taxes payable
658

 
(430
)
Deferred revenue
(24
)
 
(6
)
Other, net
(115
)
 
(186
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities attributable to continuing operations
244

 
(5,416
)
Cash flows from investing activities attributable to continuing operations:
 

 
 

Capital expenditures
(1,069
)
 
(587
)
Decrease in restricted cash
1,954

 
386

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities attributable to continuing operations
885

 
(201
)
Cash flows from financing activities attributable to continuing operations:
 

 
 

Payments related to net-share settlement of stock-based compensation, net of proceeds from exercise of stock options
(2,877
)
 
(671
)
Dividends
(81
)
 
—

Net cash used in financing activities attributable to continuing operations
(2,958
)
 
(671
)
Total cash used in continuing operations
(1,829
)
 
(6,288
)
Net cash used in operating activities attributable to discontinued operations
(339
)
 
(576
)
Total cash used in discontinued operations
(339
)
 
(576
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(2,168
)
 
(6,864
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
91,667

 
80,190

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
89,499

 
$
73,326

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

6
Table of Contents

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




NOTE 1—ORGANIZATION
Company Overview
Tree.com, Inc. ("Tree.com" or the "Company") is the parent of LendingTree, LLC, which owns several brands and businesses that provide information, tools, advice, products and services for critical transactions in consumers' lives. Its family of brands includes: LendingTree®, GetSmart®, LendingTree AutosSM, LendingTree EducationSM, LendingTree Home ProsSM and InsuranceTree®. Together, these brands serve as an ally for consumers who are looking to comparison-shop for loans, education programs, home services providers and other services from multiple businesses and professionals that will compete for their business.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Tree.com and all its wholly-owned entities. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.
Discontinued Operations
The businesses of RealEstate.com and RealEstate.com, REALTORS® (which together represent the former Real Estate segment) and LendingTree Loans are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for all periods presented. The notes accompanying these consolidated financial statements reflect our continuing operations and, unless otherwise noted, exclude information related to the discontinued operations.
Real Estate
On March 10, 2011, management made the decision and finalized a plan to close all of the field offices of the proprietary full-service real estate brokerage business known as RealEstate.com, REALTORS®. The Company exited all markets in which it previously operated by March 31, 2011. In September 2011, the remaining assets of RealEstate.com were sold, which consisted primarily of internet domain names and trademarks, for $8.3 million and recognized a gain on sale of $7.8 million.
LendingTree Loans
On May 12, 2011, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Discover Bank ("Discover"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discover Financial Services, as amended on February 7, 2012, for the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of its LendingTree Loans business. The sale was completed on June 6, 2012. 
The asset purchase agreement as amended provided for a purchase price of approximately $55.9 million in cash for the assets, subject to certain conditions. Of this total purchase price, $8.0 million was paid prior to the closing, $37.9 million was paid upon the closing and the contingent amount of $10.0 million was paid and recognized as a gain from sale of discontinued operations in the second quarter of 2013.
Discover generally did not assume liabilities of the LendingTree Loans business that arose before the closing date, except for certain liabilities directly related to assets Discover acquired. Of the purchase price paid, as of March 31, 2014, $18.1 million is being held in escrow pending resolution of certain actual and/or contingent liabilities that remain with the Company following the sale. The escrowed amount is recorded as restricted cash at March 31, 2014.
Separate from the asset purchase agreement, Tree.com agreed to provide certain marketing-related services to Discover in connection with its mortgage origination business for approximately seventeen months following the closing, or such earlier point as the agreed-upon services are satisfactorily completed. The services were satisfactorily completed in the second quarter of 2013. Discover remains a network lender on the Company's mortgage exchange following completion of the services.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2014 and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements, and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of our financial position for the periods presented. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014, or any

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Table of Contents

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


other period. The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 was derived from audited financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the "2013 Form 10-K"). These consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. Accordingly, they should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2013 Form 10-K. 
NOTE 2—SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting Estimates
Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions during the preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. They also impact the reported amount of net earnings during any period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 
Significant estimates underlying the accompanying consolidated financial statements, including discontinued operations, include: loan loss obligations; the recoverability of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets; the determination of income taxes payable and deferred income taxes, including related valuation allowances; restructuring reserves; various other allowances, reserves and accruals; and assumptions related to the determination of stock-based compensation. 
Certain Risks and Concentrations
Tree.com's business is subject to certain risks and concentrations including dependence on third-party technology providers, exposure to risks associated with online commerce security and credit card fraud.
Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk at March 31, 2014, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable, as disclosed in the consolidated balance sheet. Cash and cash equivalents are in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits, but are maintained with quality financial institutions of high credit. The Company generally requires certain network lenders to maintain security deposits with the Company, which in the event of non-payment, would be applied against any accounts receivable outstanding.
Due to the nature of the mortgage lending industry, interest rate increases may negatively impact future revenue from the Company's lender network.
Lenders participating on the Company's lender network can offer their products directly to consumers through brokers, mass marketing campaigns or through other traditional methods of credit distribution. These lenders can also offer their products online, either directly to prospective borrowers, through one or more online competitors, or both. If a significant number of potential consumers are able to obtain loans from participating lenders without utilizing the Company's service, its ability to generate revenue may be limited. Because the Company does not have exclusive relationships with the lenders whose loan offerings are offered on its online marketplace, consumers may obtain offers and loans from these lenders without using its service.
The Company maintains operations solely in the United States.
Litigation Settlements and Contingencies
Litigation settlements and contingencies consists of expenses related to actual or anticipated litigation settlements, in addition to legal fees incurred in connection with various patent litigation claims the Company pursues against others.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
There are no recently issued accounting pronouncements that were adopted during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 or that are expected to impact the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


NOTE 3—RESTRICTED CASH
Restricted cash and cash equivalents consists of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Cash in escrow for surety bonds
$
2,453

 
$
2,453

Cash in escrow for corporate purchasing card program
400

 
400

Cash in escrow for sale of LendingTree Loans
18,118

 
18,117

Cash in escrow for earnout related to an acquisition (a)
—

 
1,956

Cash restricted for loan loss obligations
3,051

 
3,051

Other
40

 
40

Total restricted cash and cash equivalents
$
24,062

 
$
26,017

(a)
During the first quarter of 2014, the Company reached and executed a settlement with the disputing party on the earnout related to an acquisition, upon which $2.0 million of cash previously held in escrow was released, of which $1.0 million was paid out to the disputing party. This settlement had no impact on the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
NOTE 4—GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The balance of goodwill and intangible assets, net is as follows (in thousands): 
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Goodwill
$
486,720

 
$
486,720

Accumulated impairment losses
(483,088
)
 
(483,088
)
Net goodwill
$
3,632

 
$
3,632

 
 
 
 
Intangible assets with indefinite lives
$
10,142

 
$
10,142

Intangible assets with definite lives, net
514

 
542

Total intangible assets, net
$
10,656

 
$
10,684

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
The Company's goodwill is associated with its one reportable segment, lending. Intangible assets with indefinite lives relate to the Company's trademarks.
Intangible Assets with Definite Lives
Intangible assets with definite lives relate to the following (dollars in thousands):
 
Cost
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Purchase agreements
$
236

 
$
(224
)
 
$
12

Technology
25,194

 
(25,194
)
 
—

Customer lists
6,682

 
(6,181
)
 
501

Other
1,517

 
(1,516
)
 
1

Balance at March 31, 2014
$
33,629

 
$
(33,115
)
 
$
514


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Table of Contents

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


 
Cost
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Purchase agreements
$
236

 
$
(212
)
 
$
24

Technology
25,194

 
(25,194
)
 
—

Customer lists
6,682

 
(6,166
)
 
516

Other
1,517

 
(1,515
)
 
2

Balance at December 31, 2013
$
33,629

 
$
(33,087
)
 
$
542

Amortization of intangible assets with definite lives is computed on a straight-line basis and, based on balances as of March 31, 2014, future amortization is estimated to be as follows (in thousands):
 
Amortization Expense
Remainder of current year
$
58

Year ending December 31, 2015
60

Year ending December 31, 2016
60

Year ending December 31, 2017
60

Year ending December 31, 2018
60

Thereafter
216

Total intangible assets with definite lives, net
$
514

 
NOTE 5—PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
The balance of property and equipment, net is as follows (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Computer equipment and capitalized software
$
19,550

 
$
18,130

Leasehold improvements
2,096

 
2,096

Furniture and other equipment
1,029

 
981

Projects in progress
1,740

 
2,145

Total gross property and equipment
24,415

 
23,352

Accumulated depreciation
(18,763
)
 
(18,008
)
Total property and equipment, net
$
5,652

 
$
5,344

 

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Table of Contents

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


NOTE 6—ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Accrued litigation liabilities
$
500

 
$
500

Accrued advertising expense
12,560

 
8,837

Accrued compensation and benefits
1,872

 
3,378

Accrued professional fees
8,281

 
1,806

Accrued restructuring costs (a)
289

 
284

Customer deposits and escrows
4,433

 
4,279

Deferred rent
259

 
245

Other
3,006

 
3,936

Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities
$
31,200

 
$
23,265

(a)
An additional $0.1 million and $0.2 million of accrued restructuring liability is classified in other long term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. 
NOTE 7—SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 
The basic and diluted earnings per share were determined based on the following share data (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Weighted average basic common shares
11,142

 
10,967

Effect of stock options
—

 
—

Effect of dilutive share awards
—

 
—

Weighted average common shares
11,142

 
10,967

For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we had losses from continuing operations and, as a result, no potentially dilutive securities were included in the denominator for computing diluted earnings per share, because the impact would have been anti-dilutive. Accordingly, the weighted average basic shares outstanding were used to compute earnings per share amounts for these periods. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately 0.7 million and 0.7 million shares, respectively, related to potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share, because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
 
Common Stock Repurchases
On January 11, 2010, the board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10 million of Tree.com's common stock.  During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock pursuant to this stock repurchase program. At March 31, 2014, approximately $0.8 million remains authorized for share repurchase. 
On May 7, 2014, the board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $10 million of Tree.com's common stock.

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


NOTE 8—STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards is included in the following line items in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Cost of revenue
$
6

 
$
2

Selling and marketing expense
233

 
217

General and administrative expense
1,061

 
1,030

Product development
316

 
184

Total non-cash compensation expense
$
1,616

 
$
1,433

Stock Options
A summary of changes in outstanding stock options is as follows:
 
Number of Options
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value(a)
 
 
 
(per option)
 
(in years)
 
(in thousands)
Options outstanding at January 1, 2014
1,038,999

 
$
8.98

 
 
 
 

Granted (b)
42,757

 
33.59

 
 
 
 

Exercised
(2,692
)
 
11.44

 
 
 
 

Forfeited
—

 
—

 
 
 
 

Expired
(10
)
 
0.47

 
 
 
 

Options outstanding at March 31, 2014
1,079,054

 
9.95

 
4.74
 
$
22,865

Options exercisable at March 31, 2014
935,005

 
$
9.23

 
4.21
 
$
20,394

(a)
The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company's closing stock price of $31.04 on the last trading day of the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on March 31, 2014. The intrinsic value changes based on the fair market value of the Company's common stock.
(b)
During the first quarter of 2014 the Company granted stock options with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $17.13 that vest over a period of three years from their grant date. For purposes of determining stock-based compensation expense, the grant date fair value per share of the stock options was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires the use of various key assumptions, including the following:
Expected term (1)
6.0 years

Expected dividend (2)
—

Expected volatility (3)
54
%
Risk-free interest rate (4)
1.85
%
(1)
The expected term of stock options granted was calculated using the 'Simplified Method', which utilizes the midpoint between the weighted-average time of vesting and the end of the contractual term. This method was utilized for the stock options due to the lack of historical exercise behavior by the Company's employees.
(2)
For all stock options granted in 2014, no dividends are expected to be paid over the contractual term of the stock options, resulting in a zero expected dividend rate.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


(3)
The expected volatility rate is based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock for the four years preceding the grant date, supplemented with the historical volatility of its peer group for the two years preceding the Company's historical volatility over the expected term. A blended rate was used because the Company became a public company in 2008 and, therefore, does not have a historical volatility equal to the expected term of these awards.
(4)
The risk-free interest rate is specific to the date of grant. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields for notes with comparable expected terms as the awards, in effect at the grant date.
A summary of the information about stock options outstanding and exercisable is as follows:
 
 
Options Outstanding
 
Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices
 
Outstanding
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Exercisable
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
 
 
 
(in years)
 
(per option)
 
 
 
(per option)
$0.01 to $4.99
 
15

 
0.12
 
$
1.52

 
15

 
$
1.52

$5.00 to $7.45
 
304,032

 
7.47
 
6.65

 
202,740

 
6.65

$7.46 to $9.99
 
601,783

 
3.78
 
8.46

 
601,783

 
8.46

$10.00 to $14.99
 
3,679

 
0.56
 
12.25

 
3,679

 
12.25

$15.00 to $19.99
 
80,125

 
1.18
 
15.00

 
80,125

 
15.00

$20.00 to $33.59
 
89,420

 
5.35
 
26.60

 
46,663

 
20.19

Options at March 31, 2014
 
1,079,054

 
4.74
 
$
9.95

 
935,005

 
$
9.23

Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock
A summary of the changes in outstanding nonvested RSUs and restricted stock is as follows:
 
RSUs
 
RSUs
Market Condition
 
Number of Units
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Number of Units
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
 
 
(per unit)
 
 
 
(per unit)
Nonvested at January 1, 2014
599,122

 
$
14.15

 
—

 
$
—

Granted
102,440

 
33.59

 
500

 
33.59

Vested
(141,116
)
 
13.54

 
—

 
—

Forfeited
(10,371
)
 
16.44

 
—

 
—

Nonvested at March 31, 2014
550,075

 
$
17.89

 
500

 
$
33.59

 

 
Restricted Stock
 
Restricted Stock
Market Condition
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
 
 
(per share)
 
 
 
(per share)
Nonvested at January 1, 2014
119,500

 
$
22.47

 
62,500

 
$
13.93

Granted
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Vested
(20,833
)
 
17.49

 
(62,500
)
 
13.93

Forfeited
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Nonvested at March 31, 2014
98,667

 
$
23.53

 
—

 
$
—


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


NOTE 9—INCOME TAXES
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in thousands, except percentages)
Income tax benefit (provision)
$
1

 
$
(20
)
Effective tax rate
—
%
 
7.9
%
For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the effective tax rate varied from the statutory rate primarily due to the existence of a valuation allowance that has been provided to offset the Company's net deferred tax asset, after excluding deferred tax liabilities related to indefinite lived intangible assets that are not going to provide a source of taxable income in the foreseeable future.
For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the effective income tax rate varied from the statutory rate due primarily to the impact of the valuation allowance, indefinite-lived intangible assets and state taxes.
Valuation Allowance
There have been no changes to the Company's valuation allowance assessment for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
NOTE 10—DISCRETIONARY CASH BONUS
During February 2013, the Company incurred a compensation charge of $0.9 million related to a discretionary cash bonus payment to employee stock option holders. 
NOTE 11—CONTINGENCIES
Overview
Tree.com is involved in legal proceedings on an ongoing basis. In assessing the materiality of a legal proceeding, the Company evaluates, among other factors, the amount of monetary damages claimed, as well as the potential impact of non-monetary remedies sought by plaintiffs (e.g., injunctive relief) that may require it to change its business practices in a manner that could have a material adverse impact on the business. With respect to the matters disclosed in this footnote, unless otherwise indicated, the Company is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of losses that could potentially result from the application of such non-monetary remedies.
As of both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had a litigation settlement accrual for its continuing operations of $0.5 million. The litigation settlement accrual relates to litigation matters that were either settled or a firm offer for settlement was extended, thereby establishing an accrual amount that is both probable and reasonably estimable.
Specific Matters
Intellectual Property Litigation
Zillow
LendingTree v. Zillow, Inc., et al. Civil Action No. 3:10-cv-439. On September 8, 2010, the Company filed an action for patent infringement in the US District Court for the Western District of North Carolina against Zillow, Inc., Nextag, Inc., Quinstreet, Inc., Quinstreet Media, Inc. and Adchemy, Inc. The complaint was amended to include Leadpoint, Inc. d/b/a Securerights on September 24, 2010. The complaint alleges that each of the defendants infringe one or both of the Company's patents—U.S. Patent No. 6,385,594, entitled "Method and Computer Network for Co-Ordinating a Loan over the Internet," and U.S. Patent No. 6,611,816, entitled "Method and Computer Network for Co-Ordinating a Loan over the Internet." Collectively, the asserted patents cover computer hardware and software used in facilitating business between computer users and multiple lenders on the internet. The defendants in this action asserted various counterclaims against the Company, including the assertion by certain of the defendants of counterclaims alleging illegal monopolization via our maintenance of the asserted patents. In July 2011, the Company reached a settlement agreement with Leadpoint, Inc., pursuant to which all claims against Leadpoint, Inc. and all counter-

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


claims against the Company by Leadpoint, Inc. were dismissed. In November 2012, the Company reached a settlement agreement with Quinstreet, Inc. and Quinstreet Media, Inc. (collectively, the "Quinstreet Parties"), pursuant to which all claims against the Quinstreet Parties and all counterclaims against the Company by the Quinstreet Parties were dismissed. This matter went to trial beginning in February 2014, and on March 12, 2014, the jury returned a verdict. The jury found that the defendants Zillow, Inc., Adchemy, Inc., and NexTag, Inc. did not infringe the two patents referenced above and determined that those patents are invalid due to inventorship defects. The jury found in the Company's favor on the defendants' counterclaims alleging inequitable conduct and antitrust violations. Judgment was entered on March 31, 2014. Certain matters remain pending with the court, including the Company's motions for a new trial and to correct the inventorship defect and restore the validity of the patents and the defendants' motions for sanctions and awards of attorneys' fees. The Company believes it has strong grounds for appeal and filed a notice of appeal on April 22, 2014. The range of possible loss on the motions for sanctions and awards of attorneys' fees is estimated to be between $0 to $9.7 million. The Company believes the defendants' motions for sanctions and attorneys' fees lack merit and intends to defend these motions vigorously.
Internet Patents Corp.
Internet Patents Corporation f/k/a InsWeb v. Tree.com, Inc., No. C-12-6505 (U.S. Dist. Ct., N.D. Cal.).  In December 2012, the plaintiff filed a patent infringement lawsuit against the Company seeking a judgment that it had infringed a patent held by the plaintiff. Process was formally served with respect to this matter in April 2013. The plaintiff sought injunctive relief, damages, costs, expenses, pre- and post-judgment interest, punitive damages and attorneys' fees. The plaintiff alleged that the Company infringes U.S. Patent No. 7,707,505, entitled "Dynamic Tabs for a Graphical User Interface". On October 25, 2013, the court dismissed the suit based on the finding that the plaintiff's claims failed as a matter of law because the asserted patent is invalid for lack of patent-eligible subject matter. The plaintiff filed a notice of appeal on November 7, 2013. In December 2013, the Company's case was consolidated with three other pending appeals involving the asserted patents. The plaintiff filed its opening appellate brief in January 2014, and the Company filed a joint appellate response brief in April 2014. The Company believes the plaintiff's allegations lack merit and intends to defend against this action vigorously.
Money Suite
The Money Suite Company v. LendingTree, LLC, No. 1:13-ev-986 (U.S. Dist. Ct, D Del.). In June 2013, the plaintiff filed a patent infringement lawsuit against LendingTree, LLC ("LendingTree") seeking a judgment that it infringed a patent held by plaintiff. The plaintiff alleges that LendingTree infringes U.S. Patent No. 6,684,189 for "an apparatus and method using front end network gateways and search criteria for efficient quoting at a remote location". The plaintiff seeks damages (including pre- and post- judgment interest thereon), costs and attorneys' fees. In December 2013, the court stayed this case pending review of the patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Company believes the plaintiff's allegations lack merit and intends to defend against this action vigorously. 
Other Litigation
Boschma
Boschma v. Home Loan Center, Inc., No. SACV7-613 (U.S. Dist. Ct., C.D. Cal.).  On May 25, 2007, the plaintiffs filed this putative class action against Home Loan Center, Inc. ("HLC") in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The plaintiffs allege that HLC sold them an option "ARM" (adjustable-rate mortgage) loan but failed to disclose in a clear and conspicuous manner, among other things, that the interest rate was not fixed, that negative amortization could occur and that the loan had a prepayment penalty. Based upon these factual allegations, the plaintiffs asserted violations of the federal Truth in Lending Act, violations of the Unfair Competition Law, breach of contract, and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The plaintiffs purport to represent a class of all individuals who between June 1, 2003 and May 31, 2007 obtained an option ARM loan through HLC on their primary residence located in California, and seek rescission, damages, attorneys' fees and injunctive relief. The plaintiffs have not yet filed a motion for class certification, but have filed a total of eight complaints in connection with this lawsuit. Each of the first seven complaints has been dismissed by the federal and state courts. The plaintiffs filed the eighth complaint (a "Second Amended Complaint") in Orange County (California) Superior Court on March 4, 2010 alleging only the fraud and Unfair Competition Law claims. As with each of the seven previous versions of plaintiffs' complaint, the Second Amended Complaint was dismissed in April 2010. The plaintiffs appealed the dismissal and on August 10, 2011, the appellate court reversed the trial court's dismissal and directed the trial court to overrule the demurrer. The case was remanded to superior court. During 2013, the parties agreed to a $450,000 settlement, which was approved in 2013. A nominal payment into the settlement fund was made in late 2013. The Company expects administration of the settlement to be completed by the third quarter of 2014. A provision

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


for the remaining $435,000 is included in current liabilities of discontinued operations at March 31, 2014. The impact of the settlement was not material.
Dijkstra
Lijkel Dijkstra v. Harry Carenbauer, Home Loan Center, Inc. et al., No. 5:11-cv-152-JPB (U.S. Dist. Ct., N.D.WV).  On November 7, 2008, the plaintiffs filed this putative class action in Circuit Court of Ohio County, West Virginia against Harry Carenbauer, HLC, HLC Escrow, Inc. et al. The complaint alleges that HLC engaged in the unauthorized practice of law in West Virginia by permitting persons who were neither admitted to the practice of law in West Virginia nor under the direct supervision of a lawyer admitted to the practice of law in West Virginia to close mortgage loans. The plaintiffs assert claims for declaratory judgment, contempt, injunctive relief, conversion, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duty, intentional misrepresentation or fraud, negligent misrepresentation, violation of the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act ("CCPA"), violation of the West Virginia Lender, Broker & Services Act, civil conspiracy, outrage and negligence. The claims against all defendants other than Mr. Carenbauer, HLC and HLC Escrow, Inc. have been dismissed. The case was removed to federal court in October 2011. On January 3, 2013, the court granted a conditional class certification only with respect to the declaratory judgment, contempt, unjust enrichment and CCPA claims. The conditional class includes consumers with mortgage loans in effect any time after November 8, 2007 who obtained such loans through HLC, and whose loans were closed by persons not admitted to the practice of law in West Virginia or by persons not under the direct supervision of a lawyer admitted to the practice of law in West Virginia. On February 26, 2014, the court granted and denied certain of each party's motions for summary judgment. With respect to the Class Claims, the court granted plaintiff's motions for summary judgment with respect to declaratory judgment, unjust enrichment and violation of the CCPA. The court granted HLC's motion for summary judgment with respect to contempt. In addition, the court denied HLC's motion to decertify the class. With respect to the claims applicable to the named plaintiff only (the "Individual Claims"), HLC's motions for summary judgment were granted with respect to conversion, breach of fiduciary duty, intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation and outrage. HLC and the plaintiff have reached a tentative settlement agreement with respect to the remaining Individual Claims. The trial for the Class Claims has not yet been scheduled by the court. The Company believes that the plaintiffs' allegations related to the Class Claims lack merit and intends to defend against this action vigorously. 
The range of possible loss is estimated to be between $0.6 million and $1.95 million, of which some or all may be covered by insurance. A reserve of $0.6 million and a corresponding insurance recoverable of $0.5 million have been established for this matter in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2014. 
Massachusetts Division of Banks
On February 11, 2011, the Massachusetts Division of Banks (the "Division") delivered a Report of Examination/Inspection to LendingTree, which identified various alleged violations of Massachusetts and federal laws, including the alleged insufficient delivery by LendingTree of various disclosures to its customers. On October 14, 2011, the Division provided a proposed Consent Agreement and Order to settle the Division's allegations, which the Division had shared with other state mortgage lending regulators. Thirty-four of such state mortgage lending regulators (the "Joining Regulators") indicated that if LendingTree would enter into the Consent Agreement and Order, they would agree not to pursue any analogous allegations that they otherwise might assert. As of May 7, 2014, none of the Joining Regulators have asserted any such allegations.
 The proposed Consent Agreement and Order calls for a fine to be allocated among the Division and the Joining Regulators and for LendingTree to adopt various new procedures and practices. The Company has commenced negotiations toward an acceptable Consent Agreement and Order. It does not believe its mortgage exchange business violated any federal or state mortgage lending laws; nor does it believe that any past operations of the mortgage business have resulted in a material violation of any such laws. Should the Division or any Joining Regulator bring any actions relating to the matters alleged in the February 2011 Report of Examination/Inspection, the Company intends to defend against such actions vigorously. The range of possible loss is estimated to be between $0.5 million and $6.5 million, and a reserve of $0.5 million has been established for this matter in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2014. 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


NOTE 12—SEGMENT INFORMATION 
The Company has one reportable segment, its lending operating segment. Its additional operating segments—auto, education and home services—are included in the "Other" category in the reconciliation of segment information below.
The expenses presented below for the lending segment and the operating segments shown in the Other category include allocations of certain corporate expenses that are identifiable and directly benefit those segments. The unallocated expenses included in the "Corporate" category are those corporate overhead expenses that are not directly attributable to an operating segment and include: finance, legal, executive technology support and human resources.
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, is the primary metric by which the chief operating decision maker evaluates the performance of the Company's businesses, on which its internal budgets are based and by which management is compensated. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income or loss (which excludes interest expense and taxes) adjusted to exclude amortization of intangibles and depreciation, and excluding (1) non-cash compensation expense, (2) non-cash intangible asset impairment charges, (3) gain/loss on disposal of assets, (4) restructuring and severance expenses, (5) litigation settlements and contingencies and legal fees for certain patent litigation, (6) adjustments for significant acquisitions or dispositions, and (7) one-time items. For the periods presented in this report, there are no adjustments for one-time items, except for a $0.9 million related to a discretionary cash bonus payment to employee stock option holders during the three months ended March 31, 2013.
Assets and other balance sheet information are not used by the chief operating decision maker.
Summarized information by segment and reconciliations to Adjusted EBITDA and income (loss) before income taxes is as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Lending
 
Other
 
Corporate
 
Total
Revenue
$
36,928

 
$
3,108

 
$
—

 
$
40,036

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)
1,545

 
120

 
—

 
1,665

Selling and marketing expense
25,619

 
1,830

 
—

 
27,449

General and administrative expense
1,246

 
782

 
4,105

 
6,133

Product development
1,623

 
309

 
—

 
1,932

Depreciation
363

 
293

 
99

 
755

Amortization of intangibles
—

 
28

 
—

 
28

Restructuring and severance
148

 
15

 
39

 
202

Litigation settlements and contingencies
—

 
—

 
7,707

 
7,707

Total costs and expenses
30,544

 
3,377

 
11,950

 
45,871

Operating income (loss)
6,384

 
(269
)
 
(11,950
)
 
(5,835
)
Adjustments to reconcile to Adjusted EBITDA:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Amortization of intangibles
—

 
28

 
—

 
28

Depreciation
363

 
293

 
99

 
755

Restructuring and severance
148

 
15

 
39

 
202

Loss on disposal of assets
—

 
8

 
—

 
8

Non-cash compensation
599

 
265

 
752

 
1,616

Litigation settlements and contingencies
—

 
—

 
7,707

 
7,707

Adjusted EBITDA
$
7,494

 
$
340

 
$
(3,353
)
 
$
4,481

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating loss
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
(5,835
)
Interest expense
 

 
 

 
 

 
—

Loss before income taxes
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
(5,835
)


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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 (a)
 
Lending
 
Other
 
Corporate
 
Total
Revenue
$
25,673

 
$
2,407

 
$
—

 
$
28,080

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)
1,156

 
173

 
27

 
1,356

Selling and marketing expense
15,160

 
2,095

 
—

 
17,255

General and administrative expense
978

 
511

 
5,067

 
6,556

Product development
950

 
255

 
—

 
1,205

Depreciation
374

 
417

 
94

 
885

Amortization of intangibles
—

 
43

 
—

 
43

Restructuring and severance
—

 
—

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Litigation settlements and contingencies
—

 
—

 
1,028

 
1,028

Total costs and expenses
18,618

 
3,494

 
6,214

 
28,326

Operating income (loss)
7,055

 
(1,087
)
 
(6,214
)
 
(246
)
Adjustments to reconcile to Adjusted EBITDA:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Amortization of intangibles
—

 
43

 
—

 
43

Depreciation
374

 
417

 
94

 
885

Restructuring and severance
—

 
—

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Loss on disposal of assets
—

 
—

 
25

 
25

Non-cash compensation
413

 
142

 
878

 
1,433

Discretionary cash bonus
—

 
—

 
920

 
920

Litigation settlements and contingencies
—

 
—

 
1,028

 
1,028

Adjusted EBITDA
$
7,842

 
$
(485
)
 
$
(3,271
)
 
$
4,086

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating loss
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
(246
)
Interest expense
 

 
 

 
 

 
(7
)
Loss before income taxes
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
(253
)
(a)
For comparative purposes, revenue from and expenses related to personal loan offerings have been recast from the "Other" category to the lending segment.
NOTE 13—RESTRUCTURING
Accrued restructuring liabilities primarily relate to lease obligations for call center leases exited in 2010, which are expected to be completed by 2015. Restructuring expense and payments against liabilities are as follows (in thousands): 
 
Continuing
Lease
Obligations
Balance at December 31, 2013
$
462

Restructuring expense
4

Payments
(74
)
Balance at March 31, 2014
$
392

At March 31, 2014, restructuring liabilities of $0.3 million are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $0.1 million are included in other non-current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. At December 31, 2013, restructuring liabilities of $0.3 million are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $0.2 million are included

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


in other non-current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. We do not expect to incur significant additional costs related to the restructuring noted above. 
NOTE 14—DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Real Estate
On March 10, 2011, management made the decision and finalized a plan to close all of the field offices of the proprietary full-service real estate brokerage business known as RealEstate.com, REALTORS®. The Company exited all markets by March 31, 2011. In September 2011, the remaining assets of RealEstate.com were sold, which consisted primarily of internet domain names and trademarks. Accordingly, these real estate businesses are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. No significant future cash flows are anticipated from the disposition of this business.
The revenue and net loss for the real estate businesses that are reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations are as follows (in thousands): 
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Revenue
$
—

 
$
1

 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
$
(16
)
 
$
7

Income tax benefit
—

 
—

Net income (loss)
$
(16
)
 
$
7

The liabilities of real estate businesses that are reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are as follows (in thousands): 
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Current liabilities
$
(15
)
 
$
(45
)
Net liabilities
$
(15
)
 
$
(45
)
LendingTree Loans
On May 12, 2011, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement, later amended on February 7, 2012, that provided for the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of its LendingTree Loans business to Discover. The sale was completed on June 6, 2012. Discover has participated as a network lender since closing of the transaction. An evaluation of the facts and circumstances of the transaction and the applicable accounting guidance for discontinued operations indicates that the LendingTree Loans business should be reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. The continuing cash flows related to this transaction are not significant and, accordingly, are not deemed to be direct cash flows of the divested business.
The Company agreed to indemnify Discover for a breach or inaccuracy of any representation, warranty or covenant made by it in the asset purchase agreement, for any liability of LendingTree Loans that was not assumed, for any claims by its stockholders against Discover and for its failure to comply with any applicable bulk sales law, subject to certain limitations. Discover submitted a claim for indemnification relating to the sale prior to the closing of certain loans that were listed in the asset purchase agreement as to be conveyed to Discover at closing. In May 2013, this indemnification claim and other miscellaneous items were settled by agreeing to credit Discover for $1.3 million in future services. A majority of these credits were applied against services during the year ended December 31, 2013. The remaining credits were exhausted in the first quarter of 2014.

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


The revenue and net loss for LendingTree Loans that are reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations are as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Revenue
$
2

 
$
(1,195
)
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
$
(555
)
 
$
(2,498
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
(3
)
 
(51
)
Gain from sale of discontinued operations, net of tax
—

 
98

Net income (loss)
$
(558
)
 
$
(2,451
)
The assets and liabilities of LendingTree Loans that are reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are as follows (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Current assets
$
527

 
$
521

Non-current assets
100

 
129

Current liabilities
(31,890
)
 
(31,959
)
Non-current liabilities
(306
)
 
(254
)
Net liabilities
$
(31,569
)
 
$
(31,563
)
Significant Assets and Liabilities of LendingTree Loans
Upon closing of the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of the LendingTree Loans business on June 6, 2012, LendingTree Loans ceased to originate consumer loans. The remaining operations are being wound down. These wind-down activities have included, among other things, selling the balance of loans held for sale to investors, paying off and then terminating the warehouse lines of credit and settling derivative obligations, all of which have been completed. Liability for losses on previously sold loans will remain with LendingTree Loans and are discussed below.
Loan Loss Obligations
LendingTree Loans sold loans it originated to investors on a servicing-released basis, so the risk of loss or default by the borrower was generally transferred to the investor. However, LendingTree Loans was required by these investors to make certain representations and warranties relating to credit information, loan documentation and collateral. These representations and warranties may extend through the contractual life of the loan. Subsequent to the loan sale, if underwriting deficiencies, borrower fraud or documentation defects are discovered in individual loans, LendingTree Loans may be obligated to repurchase the respective loan or indemnify the investors for any losses from borrower defaults if such deficiency or defect cannot be cured within the specified period following discovery. In the case of early loan payoffs and early defaults on certain loans, LendingTree Loans may be required to repay all or a portion of the premium initially paid by the investor.
The Company's HLC subsidiary continues to be liable for these indemnification obligations, repurchase obligations and premium repayment obligations following the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of its LendingTree Loans business in the second quarter of 2012. As of March 31, 2014, approximately $21.2 million is being held in escrow pending resolution of certain of these contingent liabilities. The Company has been negotiating with certain secondary market purchasers to settle any existing and future contingent liabilities, but it may not be able to complete such negotiations on acceptable terms, or at all. Because LendingTree Loans does not service the loans it sold, it does not maintain nor generally have access to the current balances and loan performance data with respect to the individual loans previously sold to investors. Accordingly, LendingTree Loans is unable to determine, with precision, its maximum exposure for breaches of the representations and warranties it made to the investors that purchased such loans.

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company revised its estimation process for evaluating the adequacy of the reserve for loan losses to use a settlement discount framework. This model estimates the lifetime losses on the population of remaining loans originated and sold by LendingTree Loans using actual defaults for loans with similar characteristics and projected future defaults. It also considers the likelihood of claims expected due to alleged breaches of representations and warranties made by LendingTree Loans and the percentage of those claims investors estimate LendingTree Loans may agree to repurchase. A settlement discount factor is then applied to the result of the foregoing to reflect publicly announced bulk settlements for similar loan types and vintages, as well as LendingTree Loans' non-operating status, in order to estimate a range of potential obligation.
The estimated range of remaining loan losses using this settlement discount framework was determined to be $17.0 million to $31.0 million at March 31, 2014. The reserve balance recorded as of March 31, 2014 was $28.5 million. Management has considered both objective and subjective factors in the estimation process, but given current general industry trends in mortgage loans as well as housing prices and market expectations, actual losses related to LendingTree Loans' obligations could vary significantly from the obligation recorded as of the balance sheet date or the range estimated above.
Additionally, Tree.com has guaranteed certain loans sold to two investors in the event that LendingTree Loans is unable to satisfy its repurchase and warranty obligations related to such loans.
The following table represents the loans sold for the periods shown and the aggregate loan losses through March 31, 2014:
 
 
March 31, 2014
Period of Loan Sales
 
Number of
Loans Sold
 
Original
Principal
Balance
 
Number of
Loans with
Losses
 
Original
Principal
Balance of
Loans with
Losses
 
Amount of
Aggregate
Losses
 
 
 
 
(in billions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
(in millions)
2014
 
—

 
$
—

 
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

2013
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

2012
 
9,200

 
1.9

 
—

 
—

 
—

2011
 
12,500

 
2.7

 
1

 
0.3

 
0.1

2010
 
12,400

 
2.8

 
4

 
1.1

 
0.1

2009
 
12,800

 
2.8

 
5

 
1.2

 
0.2

2008
 
11,000

 
2.2

 
33

 
6.9

 
2.2

2007
 
36,300

 
6.1

 
160

 
22.1

 
8.2

2006
 
55,000

 
7.9

 
207

 
24.5

 
13.4

2005 and prior years
 
86,700

 
13.0

 
89

 
12.3

 
5.0

Total
 
235,900

 
$
39.4

 
499

 
$
68.4

 
$
29.2

Based on historical experience, it is anticipated that LendingTree Loans will continue to receive repurchase requests and incur losses on loans sold in prior years. 
The activity related to loss reserves on previously sold loans is as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Loan loss reserve, beginning of period
$
28,543

 
$
27,182

Provisions
—

 
1,197

Charge-offs to reserves
—

 
—

Loan loss reserve, end of period
$
28,543

 
$
28,379

The liability for losses on previously sold loans is presented as current liabilities of discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This report contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements also include statements related to our anticipated financial performance, business prospects and strategy; anticipated trends and prospects in the various industries in which our businesses operate; new products, services and related strategies; and other similar matters. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions about future events, which are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. The use of words such as "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "intends," "plans" and "believes," among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. 
Actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include those matters discussed or referenced in Part II, Item 1A—Risk Factors. 
Other unknown or unpredictable factors that could also adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations may arise from time to time. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking statements discussed in this report may not prove to be accurate. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which only reflect the views of Tree.com management as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results or expectations, except as required by law. 
Company Overview
Tree.com is the parent of LendingTree, LLC which owns several brands and businesses that provide information, tools, advice, products and services for critical transactions in consumers' lives. Our family of brands includes: LendingTree®, GetSmart®, LendingTree EducationSM, LendingTree AutosSM, LendingTree Home ProsSM and InsuranceTree®. Together, these brands serve as an ally for consumers who are looking to comparison-shop for loans and other services from multiple businesses and professionals that will compete for their business. 
The businesses of RealEstate.com and RealEstate.com, REALTORS® and LendingTree Loans are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for all periods presented. The analysis within Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations reflects our continuing operations.
Reportable and Operating Segments
Our four operating segments are lending, auto, education and home services. We sometimes refer to these operating segments as our “businesses”. Of these, only our lending operating segment meets the criteria for a reportable segment. We formerly referred to this reportable segment as our mortgage segment. The auto, education and home services operating segments are reported in the "Other" category in our segment reconciling information. See Note 12—Segment Information to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
Recent Mortgage Interest Rate Trends
Interest rate and market risks can be substantial in the mortgage lead generation business. Fluctuations in interest rates affect consumer demand for new mortgages and the level of refinancing activity which, in turn, affects lender demand for mortgage leads. Typically, a decline in mortgage interest rates will lead to reduced lender demand for leads from third-party sources, as there are more consumers in the marketplace seeking refinancings and, accordingly, lenders receive more organic lead volume. Conversely, an increase in mortgage interest rates will typically lead to an increase in lender demand for third-party leads, as there are fewer consumers in the marketplace and, accordingly, the supply of organic mortgage lead volume decreases. 
According to Freddie Mac, in 2013, mortgage interest rates rose gradually through the first five months of the year. In June 2013, mortgage interest rates increased more significantly, subsequently peaking at 4.49% in September 2013, then dropped more than a quarter-point early in the fourth quarter of 2013 and then increased again to 4.46% by the end of 2013.

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Table of Contents

Mortgage interest rates declined slightly during the first quarter of 2014 to 4.34% in March 2014 and averaged 4.36% during the quarter, as compared to averages of 3.50% and 4.30% during the first and fourth quarters of 2013, respectively. Higher average mortgage interest rates during the first quarter of 2014 resulted in a 57% and 23% decline in the total dollar volume of mortgage originations as compared to the first and fourth quarters of 2013, respectively, according to Mortgage Bankers Association ("MBA") data.
For the remaining quarters of 2014, MBA is projecting the dollar volume of aggregate mortgage originations to be above first quarter 2014 levels. Notwithstanding that anticipated improvement from the first quarter 2014, full year 2014 projected aggregate mortgage originations of almost $1.1 trillion are expected to represent a decline of 39% decline from 2013 and the lowest level of originations since 2000, resulting from increasing mortgage interest rates projected to hit 5% and average 4.8% in 2014. The rise in mortgage interest rates will also continue to move the mix of mortgage originations towards purchase, with estimated refinance share of originations of 63% in 2013 declining to 39% in 2014, according to MBA data.
The U.S. Real Estate Market
The U.S real estate market continued its recovery in 2013 as job growth improved and demand drove the market, resulting in nationwide sales of existing homes at their highest level since 2006, according to the National Association of Realtors. However, nationwide sales of existing homes during the first quarter of 2014 have declined approximately 7% as compared to both the first and fourth quarters of 2013, likely associated with rising mortgage interest rates and price growth. The median existing home price was up almost 8% in March 2014 as compared to one year ago. The National Association of Realtors expects some improvement in the months ahead with ongoing job creation and some weather delayed shopping activity, particularly if existing home inventory continues to improve and mortgage interest rates rise only modestly.
Results of Operations for the Three Months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
Revenue
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Lending
$
36,928

 
$
11,255

 
44
%
 
$
25,673

Other
3,108

 
701

 
29
%
 
2,407

Corporate
—

 
—

 
—
%
 
—

Total revenue
$
40,036

 
$
11,956

 
43
%
 
$
28,080


Revenue from our lending segment increased in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, due to increases in each of the products within this segment. Within our lending segment, revenue from mortgage products increased by $8.2 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, primarily driven by increased revenue from our purchase mortgage product. Revenue from non-mortgage products within our lending segment increased $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013. Our non-mortgage products within our lending segment include the following products: reverse mortgage, home equity, personal loans and rate table. Our reverse mortgage and rate table products were introduced in the first quarter of 2013 and our personal loan product was re-launched in the third quarter of 2013.
The number of consumers matched on our lending exchange increased by 62% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, although our average revenue earned from network lenders per matched consumer decreased by 11% during this time. The decrease in revenue earned per matched consumer was primarily due to the increased relative contribution of our purchase and non-mortgage lending products, which have lower revenue per matched consumer rates than refinance, which had been a bigger portion of our business previously.
Other revenue, which includes our auto, education, home services and other businesses, increased in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $1.1 million in our auto business, partially offset by decreases in our education and home services businesses of $0.4 million. 

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Cost of revenue
Cost of revenue consists primarily of costs associated with compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) relating to internally-operated call centers, third-party call center fees, credit scoring fees, credit card fees and website network hosting and server fees.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Lending
$
1,545

 
$
389

 
34
 %
 
$
1,156

Other
120

 
(53
)
 
(31
)%
 
173

Corporate
—

 
(27
)
 
(100
)%
 
27

Total cost of revenue
$
1,665

 
$
309

 
23
 %
 
$
1,356

As a percentage of total revenue
4
%
 
 

 
 

 
5
%
Lending cost of revenue increased in the first quarter of 2014 from the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to increases of $0.2 million in credit card fees, and $0.1 million in credit scoring fees.
Other cost of revenue decreased in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to decreases in third-party call center fees.
Selling and marketing expense
Selling and marketing expense consists primarily of advertising and promotional expenditures, fees paid to lead sources and compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) for personnel engaged in sales or marketing functions. Advertising and promotional expenditures primarily include online marketing, as well as television, print and radio spending. Advertising production costs are expensed in the period the related ad is first run.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Lending
$
25,619

 
$
10,459

 
69
 %
 
$
15,160

Other
1,830

 
(265
)
 
(13
)%
 
2,095

Corporate
—

 
—

 
—
 %
 
—

Total selling and marketing expense
$
27,449

 
$
10,194

 
59
 %
 
$
17,255

As a percentage of total revenue
69
%
 
 

 
 

 
61
%
The increase in lending selling and marketing expense in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013 is primarily due to an increase of $10.0 million in advertising expense, as discussed below.
The increase in lending advertising expense corresponds to a 62% increase in consumers matched with network lenders in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.
Other selling and marketing expense decreased in the first quarter of 2014 from the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to a decrease of in compensation and benefits as a result of a decrease in headcount.
Total selling and marketing expense as a percentage of revenue increased in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to the continuation of the national advertising campaign for our LendingTree brand launched in the second quarter of 2013. 

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Table of Contents

Advertising expense is the largest component of selling and marketing expense, and is comprised of the following:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Online
$
20,752

 
$
8,064

 
64
 %
 
$
12,688

Broadcast
2,628

 
2,125

 
422
 %
 
503

Other
1,413

 
(16
)
 
(1
)%
 
1,429

Total advertising expense
$
24,793

 
$
10,173

 
70
 %
 
$
14,620

We increased our online advertising expenditures in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013 in order to generate additional lending lead volume to meet the increased demand of network lenders on our mortgage exchange. In addition, we further increased our broadcast spend to support our new national advertising campaign for our LendingTree brand, which commenced in the second quarter of 2013.
We will continue to adjust selling and marketing expenditures dynamically in relation to revenue producing opportunities.
General and administrative expense
General and administrative expense consists primarily of compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) for personnel engaged in finance, legal, tax, corporate information technology, human resources and executive management functions, as well as facilities and infrastructure costs and fees for professional services. 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Lending
$
1,246

 
$
268

 
27
 %
 
$
978

Other
782

 
271

 
53
 %
 
511

Corporate
4,105

 
(962
)
 
(19
)%
 
5,067

Total general and administrative expense
$
6,133

 
$
(423
)
 
(6
)%
 
$
6,556

As a percentage of total revenue
15
%
 
 

 
 

 
23
%
 General and administrative expense in both lending and the other businesses increased in the first quarter of 2014 from the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to increases in compensation and benefits of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. During the first quarter of 2013, a portion of the incentive compensation for individuals in the lending and other businesses was allocated to corporate. The incentive compensation plan was modified for 2014 and during the first quarter of 2014, the lending and other businesses reflect the full incentive compensation for individuals in these businesses.  Additionally, non-cash incentive compensation increased in the first quarter of 2014 from the first quarter of 2013.
Corporate general and administrative expense decreased during the same period, primarily due to decreased compensation and benefits of $1.3 million, partially offset by an increase in professional fees of $0.2 million. The decrease in compensation and benefits in the first quarter of 2014 from the first quarter of 2013 is primarily due to a compensation charge of $0.9 million related to a discretionary cash bonus payment to employee stock option holders in the first quarter of 2013, in addition to the reduction in incentive compensation classified in corporate due to the allocation discussed above.
General and administrative expense in the first quarter of 2014 was spread over proportionately greater revenue during the period, resulting in an improvement in general and administrative expense as a percentage of revenue.
Product development
Product development expense consists primarily of compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) that are not capitalized, for personnel engaged in the design, development, testing and enhancement of technology. 

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Table of Contents

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Lending
$
1,623

 
$
673

 
71
%
 
$
950

Other
309

 
54

 
21
%
 
255

Corporate
—

 
—

 
—
%
 
—

Total product development
$
1,932

 
$
727

 
60
%
 
$
1,205

As a percentage of total revenue
5
%
 
 

 
 

 
4
%
Product development expense increased in the first quarter of 2014 as compared to the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to increases in compensation and other employee-related costs. We increased headcount in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013 in order to support planned product launches for 2014.
Depreciation
Depreciation expense decreased to $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2013 primarily due to certain fixed assets that fully depreciated in 2013.
Litigation settlements and contingencies
Litigation settlements and contingencies consists of expenses related to actual or anticipated litigation settlements, in addition to legal fees incurred in connection with various patent litigations we are pursuing. During the first quarter of 2014 and 2013, we recorded $7.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively, primarily due to legal fees incurred in connection with various patent litigations we are currently pursuing.
During the first quarter of 2014, we participated in a jury trial for the Zillow litigation described in Note 11—Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements, included elsewhere in this report. The legal expenses associated with this jury trial increased our litigation settlements and contingencies expense for the first quarter of 2014. We will continue to incur litigation expenses on this matter for post-trial matters, including a notice of appeal we filed and costs relating to various pending post-trial motions. While we expect legal expenses related to this matter to decline significantly in future periods, we cannot predict the additional impact that this litigation may have on full year 2014 litigation settlements and contingencies.
Operating loss
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Lending
$
6,384

 
$
(671
)
 
(10
)%
 
$
7,055

Other
(269
)
 
818

 
(75
)%
 
(1,087
)
Corporate
(11,950
)
 
(5,736
)
 
92
 %
 
(6,214
)
Operating loss
$
(5,835
)
 
$
(5,589
)
 
2,272
 %
 
$
(246
)
As a percentage of total revenue
(15
)%
 
 

 
 

 
(1
)%
Operating income decreased in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013 despite an increase in revenue of $12.0 million, primarily due to increases in selling and marketing expense of $10.2 million, litigation settlements and contingencies of $6.7 million and product development expense of $0.7 million.
Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") is a non-GAAP measure and is defined in "Tree.com's Principles of Financial Reporting" below. The following table is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) for continuing operations by segment.

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Table of Contents

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Lending
 
Other
 
Corporate
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Adjusted EBITDA by segment
$
7,494

 
$
340

 
$
(3,353
)
 
$
4,481

Adjustments to reconcile to net income (loss) from continuing operations:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Amortization of intangibles
—

 
(28
)
 
—

 
(28
)
Depreciation
(363
)
 
(293
)
 
(99
)
 
(755
)
Restructuring and severance
(148
)
 
(15
)
 
(39
)
 
(202
)
Loss on disposal of assets
—

 
(8
)
 
—

 
(8
)
Non-cash compensation
(599
)
 
(265
)
 
(752
)
 
(1,616
)
Litigation settlements and contingencies
—

 
—

 
(7,707
)
 
(7,707
)
Other expense, net
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Income tax benefit (provision)
—

 
—

 
1

 
1

Net income (loss) from continuing operations
$
6,384

 
$
(269
)
 
$
(11,949
)
 
$
(5,834
)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
 
Lending
 
Other
 
Corporate
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Adjusted EBITDA by segment
$
7,842

 
$
(485
)
 
$
(3,271
)
 
$
4,086

Adjustments to reconcile to net income (loss) from continuing operations:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Amortization of intangibles
—

 
(43
)
 
—

 
(43
)
Depreciation
(374
)
 
(417
)
 
(94
)
 
(885
)
Restructuring and severance
—

 
—

 
2

 
2

Loss on disposal of assets
—

 
—

 
(25
)
 
(25
)
Non-cash compensation
(413
)
 
(142
)
 
(878
)
 
(1,433
)
Discretionary cash bonus
—

 
—

 
(920
)
 
(920
)
Litigation settlements and contingencies
—

 
—

 
(1,028
)
 
(1,028
)
Other expense, net
—

 
—

 
(7
)
 
(7
)
Income tax benefit (provision)
—

 
—

 
(20
)
 
(20
)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
$
7,055

 
$
(1,087
)
 
$
(6,241
)
 
$
(273
)
Income tax provision
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in thousands, except percentages)
Income tax benefit (provision)
$
1

 
$
(20
)
Effective tax rate
—
%
 
7.9
%
During the first quarter of 2014, the effective tax rate varied from the statutory rate primarily due to the existence of a valuation allowance that has been provided to offset our net deferred tax asset, after excluding deferred tax liabilities related to indefinite lived intangible assets that are not going to provide a source of taxable income in the foreseeable future.
During the first quarter of 2013, the effective income tax rate varied from the statutory rate due primarily to the impact of the valuation allowance, indefinite-lived intangible assets and state taxes.

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Table of Contents

There have been no changes to our valuation allowance assessment for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Discontinued Operations
For the first quarters of 2014 and 2013, losses from discontinued operations of $0.6 million and $2.4 million, respectively, were primarily attributable to operating losses associated with the LendingTree Loans business, the sale of which was completed on June 6, 2012. The loss in the first quarter of 2014 primarily relates to legal fees associated with ongoing legal proceedings.
Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources
General
We expect our cash and cash equivalents and cash flows from operations to be sufficient to fund our operating and other needs for the next twelve months and beyond.
As of March 31, 2014, we had $89.5 million of cash and cash equivalents and $24.1 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents, compared to $91.7 million of cash and cash equivalents and $26.0 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2013.
Cash Flows from Continuing Operations
Our cash flows attributable to continuing operations are as follows:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
244

 
$
(5,416
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
885

 
(201
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(2,958
)
 
(671
)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities attributable to continuing operations in the first three months of 2014 was $0.2 million and consisted primarily of losses from continuing operations of $5.8 million, offset by positive adjustments for non-cash items of $2.6 million and cash provided by working capital of $3.5 million.  Adjustments for non-cash items primarily consisted of $1.6 million in non-cash compensation expense and $0.8 million of depreciation.  Accounts receivable increased $1.0 million due to increases in revenue.  Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities increased $4.5 million, primarily due to legal fees associated with the jury trial for the Zillow patent litigation. We expect a significant use of cash during the second quarter of 2014 as legal fees from the jury trial are paid.
Net cash used in operating activities attributable to continuing operations in the first three months of 2013 was $5.4 million and consisted of losses from continuing operations of $0.3 million, positive adjustments for non-cash items of $2.4 million and cash used for working capital of $7.6 million. Adjustments for non-cash items primarily consisted of $1.4 million of non-cash compensation expense and $0.9 million of depreciation. Accounts receivable increased by $2.1 million, primarily due to increases in revenue. Accounts payable and other current liabilities decreased by $2.5 million, as we paid previously incurred expenses from improved cash flow.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash provided by investing activities attributable to continuing operations in the first three months of 2014 of $0.9 million consisted primarily of a decrease in restricted cash of $2.0 million, which was partially offset by capital expenditures of $1.1 million. During the first quarter of 2014, the Company reached and executed a settlement with the disputing party on the earnout related to an acquisition, upon which $2.0 million of cash previously held in escrow was released.
Net cash used in investing activities attributable to continuing operations in the first three months of 2013 of $0.2 million resulted primarily from capital expenditures of $0.6 million, offset by a decrease in restricted cash of $0.4 million.

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Table of Contents

Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities attributable to continuing operations in the first three months of 2014 of $3.0 million consisted primarily of $2.9 million in employee withholding taxes paid by us upon employees' surrender of shares to satisfy withholding obligations on equity awards.
Net cash used in financing activities in the first three months of 2013 of $0.7 million was primarily due to the vesting and issuance of stock to employees (less withholding taxes).
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any other off-balance sheet arrangements other than our operating lease obligations and funding commitments pursuant to our surety bonds.
Summary of Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth below our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2013. There have been no material changes to our contractual obligations since December 31, 2013.
 
Payments Due By Period as of December 31, 2013
Contractual Obligations
Total
Less Than
1 Year
1-3 Years
3-5 Years
More Than
5 Years
Loan loss reserve (a)
$
28,543

$
28,543

$
—

$
—

$
—

Operating lease obligations (b)
2,812

1,809

1,003

—

—

Total contractual obligations
$
31,355

30,352

1,003

—

—

(a)
Our HLC subsidiary continues to be liable for the indemnification obligations, repurchase obligations and premium repayment obligations following the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of our LendingTree Loans business in the second quarter of 2012. An estimate of these obligations is reflected within current liabilities of discontinued operations on the December 31, 2013 consolidated balance sheet. We have been negotiating with certain secondary market purchasers to settle any existing and future contingent liabilities. Due to uncertainties in the timing of these negotiations, which could occur at any time, the balance of the loan loss reserve has been reflected as due in less than one year.
(b)
Our operating lease obligations are associated with office space, equipment and services used in both our continuing and discontinued operations. These obligations have not been reduced by the $0.4 million of minimum sublease rental income to be received in the future under non-cancelable subleases.
Seasonality
Revenue is subject to the cyclical and seasonal trends of the U.S. housing and mortgage markets. Home sales typically rise during the spring and summer months and decline during the fall and winter months, while refinancing and home equity activity is principally driven by mortgage interest rates as well as real estate values. However, in recent periods additional factors affecting the mortgage and real estate markets have impacted customary seasonal trends.
New Accounting Pronouncements
There are no recently issued accounting pronouncements that were adopted during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 or that are expected to impact the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Tree.com's Principles of Financial Reporting
We report Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization, adjusted for certain items discussed below (Adjusted EBITDA), as a supplemental measure to GAAP. This measure is one of the primary metrics by which we evaluate the performance of our businesses, on which our internal budgets are based and by which management is compensated. We believe that investors should have access to the same set of tools that we use in analyzing our results. This non-GAAP measure should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. We provide and encourage investors to examine the reconciling adjustments between the GAAP and non-GAAP measure discussed below.
Definition of Adjusted EBITDA
We report Adjusted EBITDA as operating income or loss (which excludes interest expense and taxes) adjusted to exclude amortization of intangibles and depreciation, and to further exclude (1) non-cash compensation expense, (2) non-cash intangible asset impairment charges, (3) gain/loss on disposal of assets, (4) restructuring and severance expenses, (5) litigation settlements and contingencies and legal fees for certain patent litigation, (6) adjustments for significant acquisitions or dispositions, and (7) one-time items. Adjusted EBITDA has certain limitations in that it does not take into account the impact to our statement of operations of certain expenses, including depreciation, non-cash compensation and acquisition-related accounting. We endeavor to compensate for the limitations of the non-GAAP measures presented by also providing the comparable GAAP measures with equal or greater prominence and descriptions of the reconciling items, including quantifying such items, to derive the non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. 
One-Time Items
Adjusted EBITDA is adjusted for one-time items, if applicable. Items are considered one-time in nature if they are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual and have not occurred in the past two years or are not expected to recur in the next two years, in accordance with SEC rules. For the periods presented in this report, there are no adjustments for one-time items, except for $0.9 million related to a discretionary cash bonus payment to employee stock option holders in the first quarter of 2013.
Non-Cash Expenses that are Excluded from Adjusted EBITDA
Non-cash compensation expense consists principally of expense associated with grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options. These expenses are not paid in cash, and we include the related shares in our calculations of fully diluted shares outstanding. Upon settlement of restricted stock units, exercise of certain stock options or vesting of restricted stock awards, the awards may be settled, on a net basis, with us remitting the required tax withholding amount from our current funds.
Amortization of intangibles are non-cash expenses relating primarily to intangible assets acquired through acquisitions. At the time of an acquisition, the intangible assets of the acquired company, such as purchase agreements, technology and customer relationships, are valued and amortized over their estimated lives.
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We do not have any financial instruments that are exposed to significant market risk. We maintain our cash and cash equivalents in short-term, highly liquid money market investments. A hypothetical 100-basis point increase or decrease in market interest rates would not have a material impact on the fair value of our cash equivalents and marketable securities or our results of operations or cash flows.
Fluctuations in interest rates affect consumer demand for new mortgages and the level of refinancing activity which, in turn, affects lender demand for mortgage leads. Typically, a decline in mortgage interest rates will lead to reduced lender demand for leads from third-party sources, as there are more consumers in the marketplace seeking refinancings and, accordingly, lenders receive more organic lead volume. Conversely, an increase in mortgage interest rates will typically lead to an increase in lender demand for third-party leads, as there are fewer consumers in the marketplace and, accordingly, the supply of organic mortgage lead volume decreases.

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Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), management, with the participation of our principal executive officer (our Chief Executive Officer) and principal financial officer (our Chief Financial Officer), evaluated, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective, as of March 31, 2014, to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed and filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified, and that management will be timely alerted to material information required to be included in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our first fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of business, we are party to litigation involving property, contract, intellectual property and a variety of other claims. The amounts that may be recovered in such matters may be subject to insurance coverage. We have provided information about certain legal proceedings in which we are involved in Part I, Item 3 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the "2013 10-K"), and updated that information in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Other than the risk factor set forth below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors included in Part I, Item 1A—Risk Factors of the 2013 Form 10-K.
We may fail to adequately protect our intellectual property rights or may be accused of infringing intellectual property rights of third parties.
We regard our intellectual property rights, including patents, service marks, trademarks and domain names, copyrights, trade secrets and similar intellectual property (as applicable), as critical to our success. Our businesses also rely heavily upon software codes, informational databases and other components that make up their products and services.
We rely on a combination of laws and contractual restrictions with employees, customers, suppliers, affiliates and others to establish and protect these proprietary rights. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for a third party to copy or otherwise obtain and use trade secrets or copyrighted intellectual property without authorization which, if discovered, might require legal action to correct. In addition, third parties may independently and lawfully develop substantially similar intellectual properties.
We have generally registered and continue to apply to register, or secure by contract when appropriate, our principal trademarks and service marks as they are developed and used, and reserve and register domain names when and where we deem appropriate. We generally consider the protection of our trademarks to be important for purposes of brand maintenance and reputation. While we vigorously protect our trademarks, service marks and domain names, effective trademark protection may not be available or may not be sought in every country in which products and services are made available, and contractual disputes may affect the use of marks governed by private contract. Similarly, not every variation of a domain name may be available or be registered, even if available. Our failure to protect our intellectual property rights in a meaningful manner or challenges to related contractual rights could result in erosion of brand names and limit our ability to control marketing on or through the Internet using our various domain names or otherwise, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have been granted patents and we have patent applications pending with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and various foreign patent authorities for various proprietary technologies and other inventions. The status of any patent involves

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complex legal and factual questions, and the breadth of claims allowed is uncertain. Accordingly, any patent application filed may not result in a patent being issued, and any issued patents may not be adjudicated valid by a court or afford adequate protection against competitors with similar technology. In March 2014, a federal jury found our two issued patents invalid due to inventorship defects. In addition, third parties may create new products or methods that achieve similar results without infringing upon patents that we own.
Likewise, the issuance of a patent to us does not mean that our processes or inventions will be found not to infringe upon patents or other rights previously issued to third parties.
From time to time, in the ordinary course of business we are subjected to legal proceedings, claims and counterclaims, or threatened legal proceedings, claims or counterclaims, including allegations of infringement of the trademarks, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property rights of third parties. In addition, litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of proprietary rights claimed by others. Any litigation of this nature, regardless of outcome or merit, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management and technical resources, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Patent litigation tends to be particularly protracted and expensive. During the first quarter of 2014, we participated in a jury trial for the litigation described in Note 11— Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. The legal expenses associated with this jury trial were material, and negatively affected our results of operations for 2013 and the first quarter of 2014.  We have filed a notice of appeal, and certain matters remain pending with the court, including the Company's motions for a new trial and to correct inventorship and the defendants' motions for sanctions and awards of attorneys' fees.  Accordingly, we will continue to incur expenses on this matter, and these expenses together with the possibility of an adverse result on any of these post-trial matters may have a material adverse effect on our future financial condition and results of operations.
Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
On January 11, 2010, the board of directors approved a stock repurchase program which allowed for the repurchase of up to $10 million of our common stock. At March 31, 2014, approximately $0.8 million remained authorized for share repurchase under this program. On May 7, 2014, the board of directors authorized an additional $10 million to the stock repurchase program. Under this program, we can repurchase stock in the open market or through privately-negotiated transactions. We began this program in February 2010 and we have used available cash to finance these repurchases. We will determine the timing and amount of any additional repurchases based on our evaluation of market conditions, applicable SEC guidelines and regulations, and other factors. This program may be suspended or discontinued at any time at the discretion of our board of directors. We did not repurchase any equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2014.
Additionally, the Tree.com Third Amended and Restated 2008 Stock and Award Incentive Plan allows employees to forfeit shares of our common stock to satisfy federal and state withholding obligations upon the exercise of stock options, the settlement of restricted stock unit awards and the vesting of restricted stock awards granted to those individuals under this plan. During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, all of the shares purchased were related to these obligations under the Tree.com Third Amended and Restated 2008 Stock and Award Incentive Plan. The withholding of those shares does not affect the dollar amount or number of shares that may be purchased under the stock repurchase program described above.

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The following table provides information about the company's purchases of equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2014.
Period
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
 
Average Price
Paid per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
 
Maximum
Number/Approximate
Dollar Value of Shares
that May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
January 2014
 
3,638

 
$
32.63

 
—

 
$
771

February 2014
 
84,131

 
$
33.00

 
—

 
$
771

March 2014
 
387

 
$
31.96

 
—

 
$
771

Total
 
88,156

 
$
32.98

 
—

 
$
771

(a)
The $0.8 million reflected excludes the additional $10 million authorized by the board of directors on May 7, 2014 to the stock repurchase program.
Item 5.     Other Information
None.
Item 6.  Exhibits
Exhibit
 
Description
 
Location
 
 
 
 
 
10.1

 
Employment Agreement dated January 9, 2014 between Tree.com, Inc. and Douglas R. Lebda
 
†
10.2

 
Employment Agreement dated January 9, 2014 between Tree.com, Inc. and Gabriel Dalporto
 
†
10.3

 
Form of Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award
 
†
10.4

 
Form of Notice of Restricted Stock Award
 
†
10.5

 
Form of Notice of Stock Option Award
 
†
31.1

 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
†
31.2

 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
†
32.1

 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
††
32.2

 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
††
101.INS

 
XBRL Instance Document
 
†††
101.SCH

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
†††
101.CAL

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
†††
101.DEF

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
†††
101.LAB

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
†††
101.PRE

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
†††
___________________________________________________________________________
† Filed herewith
†† This certification is being furnished solely to accompany this report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, and is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the registrant, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
††† Furnished herewith. Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

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SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
Date: May 7, 2014
 
 
TREE.COM, INC.
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ ALEXANDER MANDEL
 
 
Alexander Mandel
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(principal financial officer and duly authorized officer)


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