
1974 The original Partnership was Phar-Way, formed by Roy
Pharis and Steve Dillaway as General Partners, with initial capital of
$18,000. The Partnership’s primary purpose during the highly inflationary
1970’s was to buy and sell “fixer-up” real estate.
1981 The Partnership properties were sold, Roy Pharis was
bought out, and the Partnership evolved into trust deed investments. Phar-Way
II was formed and Steve Dillaway became the sole General Partner (GP).
The Partnership business was a part-time activity. While its capital base
had certainly grown, it remained relatively small ($82,537 at January
1, 1985).
1985 The GP acquired a line of
credit directly to the Partnership, secured by its trust deeds and personally
guaranteed by the GP. The aim was to increase the Partnership’s
capital base, increase the Partnership’s yield, and decrease the
Partnership’s risk.
1986 The GP began devoting full
time to the Partnership. At December 31, 1986, the Partnership capital
was $270,828. By December 31, 1990, the net worth of the Partnership was
$2,928,828.
1988 The GP took steps to protect
the Partnership in the event of a severe recession or his inability to
continue as GP. First, the Partnership began investing a majority of its
portfolio in First Trust Deeds, rather than junior trust deeds. Second,
the line of credit terms were negotiated so in the event the line of credit
matures and is not in default, the obligation is automatically converted
to a three-year term.
These decisions proved prudent and protected the Partnership against
the huge losses suffered by the savings and loan industry and others in
real estate lending in the early 1990’s. The Limited Partners’
average annual return for the five-year period ending December 31, 1995
was 9.99%!
1989 The Limited Partner Committee
was established. The Committee is composed of veteran business persons
and attorneys who meet quarterly with the GP to review Partnership activities
and advise in setting goals and policies.
Simultaneously, a licensing agreement with The Loan Company, a California
corporation, allowed the Partnership to use The Loan Company name and
logo in San Diego County.
1990 The Partnership books were converted from a cash basis
to accrual method of accounting.
1992 The Partnership accumulated cash. To attract qualified
borrowers, the GP reduced the interest rate charged and extended the typical
loan term from three to five years. To protect the Partnership against
interest rate fluctuation, the GP began underwriting adjustable rate mortgages
and amortized loans for a major part of the loan portfolio.
1997 Ed Mateer became the Chief
Underwriter, bringing twenty-five years of real estate lending, brokering,
and appraising acumen to upper management.
The Partnership undertook an offering to raise capital to $10 million.
This goal was reached during the first quarter of 2000.
Key man insurance in the amount of $500,000 was put in place in the event
of Steve Dillaway’s death.
1999 A Reserve for Doubtful Accounts
was established.
August 2000, the Partnership
Agreement was amended and restated in its entirety with the assistance
of the Limited Partner Committee. The name of the Partnership was changed
to The Loan Company of San Diego, a California Limited Partnership.
September 2000, the Limited Partners approved restructuring
the GP’s interest in the Partnership. The GP’s share of net
profits remained the same, but was divided between Steve Dillaway, an
individual, and The Loan Company, a California corporation. Simultaneously,
Ed Mateer acquired a 20% equity interest in the corporate GP. The establishment
of the corporate GP eliminated the need to dissolve the Partnership or
find a new GP in the event of the death, disability, or retirement of
Steve Dillaway.
January 2001, pursuant to the approved restructuring,
Steve Dillaway transferred one-half of his GP interest to the Corporation.
February 2001, the Partnership began an offering
with the intention of raising capital to $20 million. This goal was reached
in September 2003.
Since the year ending December 31, 2002, The Loan Company’s financial
statements have been audited and an Independent Auditors’ Report
has been issued.
2004 The Partnership began an
offering with the intention of raising capital to $40 million. This offering
was ended in August 2005 with capital standing at $36,233,212.
2005 Security law mandated a six-month Quiet Period before
undertaking a new offering (August 1, 2005 through February 2, 2006).
During this time, no investment monies could be accepted and no additional
Limited Partners could be added to the Partnership.
During the Quiet Period, several amendments to the Partnership Agreement
were proposed and approved, including 1) the size of the Limited Partner
Committee was increased; 2) provisions were made for Steve Dillaway’s
GP interest to be converted to a Preferred Limited Partner Interest upon
his dissociation ( death, retirement, or incapacity); and 3) the Limited
Partners’ ability to withdraw capital was enhanced.
In December 2005, the Partnership’s lines of credit were increased
to $12 million.
2006 In February, the Partnership
began an offering with the intention of raising capital to $100 million
over the next four to five years. This is a private offering open only
to individuals who satisfy stringent suitability requirements.
In July 2006, Laurie Dunlop, the Partnership’s longtime CPA and
Chief Financial Officer, acquired a 5% equity interest in the corporate
GP.
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