UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-Q
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2010
 
or
 
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from _________ to ___________.
 
Commission File Number 0-15235
 
MITEK SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
(State of Incorporation)
87-0418827
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
8911 Balboa Ave., Suite B
San Diego, California
(Address of principal executive offices)
92123
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number: (858) 503-7810
 
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  x    No  ¨
 
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  ¨    No  ¨
 
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 Check one):
 
Large Accelerated Filer ¨
Accelerated Filer ¨
   
Non-Accelerated Filer ¨
Smaller Reporting Company x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ¨    No  x
 
There were 20,507,728 shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of February 10, 2011.

 
 

 

MITEK SYSTEMS, INC.
 
FORM 10-Q
 
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2010
 
Special Note About Forward–Looking Statements
 
(ii)
Part I - Financial Information
         
ITEM 1.
 
Financial Statements
 
1
         
ITEM 2.
 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
12
         
ITEM 3.
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
16
         
ITEM 4.
 
Controls and Procedures
 
16
         
Part I I - Other Information
         
ITEM 1.
 
Legal Proceedings
 
17
         
ITEM 1A.
 
Risk Factors.
 
17
         
ITEM 2.
 
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
17
         
ITEM 3.
 
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
18
         
ITEM 4.
 
(Removed and Reserved)
 
18
         
ITEM 5.
 
Other Information.
 
18
         
ITEM 6.
 
Exhibits
 
18
         
Signatures
  
19

 
(i)

 

In this report, unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms "Mitek," "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Mitek Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements

We make forward-looking statements in this report, particularly in Part I, Item 2. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and in the documents that are incorporated by reference into this report, if any.  These forward-looking statements relate to Mitek's outlook or expectations for earnings, revenues, expenses, asset quality or other future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations, or the impact of legal, regulatory or supervisory matters on Mitek's business, results of operations or financial condition.  Specifically, forward looking statements used in this report may include statements relating to future business prospects, revenue, income and financial condition of Mitek.
 
Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate," "may," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "target" or similar expressions.  These statements reflect Mitek's judgment based on currently available information at December 31, 2010 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
 
In addition to those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Part II, Item 1A of this report, and in Mitek's other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations.  These factors include, but are not limited to:
 
 
·
adverse economic conditions;
 
·
general decreases in demand for Mitek products and services;
 
·
intense competition (including entry of new competitors), including among competitors with substantially greater resources than Mitek;
 
·
loss of key customers or contracts;
 
·
increased or adverse federal, state and local government regulation;
 
·
inadequate capital;
 
·
unexpected costs;
 
·
lower revenues and net income than forecast;
 
·
the risk of litigation;
 
·
the possible fluctuation and volatility of operating results and financial condition;
 
·
adverse publicity and news coverage;
 
·
inability to carry out marketing and sales plans; and
 
·
loss of key employees and executives.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, or in the case of a document incorporated by reference, as of the date of that document.  Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect any events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
 
The above list is not intended to be exhaustive and there may be other factors that would preclude us from realizing the predictions made in the forward-looking statement.  We operate in a continually changing business environment and new factors emerge from time to time.  We cannot predict such factors or assess the impact, if any, of such factors on their respective financial positions or results of operations.
 

 
(ii)

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
MITEK SYSTEMS, INC
BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2010
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
    CURRENT ASSETS:
           
    Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,141,488     $ 1,305,049  
    Accounts receivable including related party of $243 and $3,705,
    1,632,582       1,221,599  
      respectively, net of allowance of $6,003 in both periods
               
    Deferred maintenance fees
    94,707       93,337  
    Inventory, prepaid expenses and other current assets
    38,729       87,335  
      Total current assets
    3,907,506       2,707,320  
    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net
    31,722       34,293  
    SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS, net
    194,307       228,596  
    OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS
    29,465       38,247  
 TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 4,163,000     $ 3,008,456  
 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
    CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
    Accounts payable
  $ 261,288     $ 228,514  
    Accrued payroll and related taxes
    330,839       196,531  
    Deferred revenue
    1,179,345       831,372  
    Deferred rent, current
    9,193       9,193  
    Other accrued liabilities
    7,399       21,870  
Total current liabilities
    1,788,064       1,287,480  
    Convertible debt
    -       679,801  
    Deferred rent, non-current
    37,083       39,716  
 TOTAL LIABILITIES
    1,825,147       2,006,997  
 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
    Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized,
               
      none issued and outstanding
    -       -  
    Common stock, $0.001 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized,
               
      20,319,378 and 17,816,249 issued and outstanding, respectively
    20,319       17,816  
    Additional paid-in capital
    18,612,599       16,477,981  
    Accumulated deficit
    (16,295,065 )     (15,494,338 )
      Total stockholders' equity
    2,337,853       1,001,459  
 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 4,163,000     $ 3,008,456  
 
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 
-1-

 

MITEK SYSTEMS, INC
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 
   
For the three months ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
SALES
           
  Software
  $ 940,688     $ 676,925  
  Maintenance and professional services
    462,874       482,086  
      1,403,562       1,159,011  
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
               
  Cost of sales-software
    153,343       292,109  
  Cost of sales-maintenance and professional services
    54,356       61,057  
  Selling and marketing
    399,312       164,564  
  Research and development
    589,337       506,455  
  General and administrative
    623,244       333,163  
    Total costs and expenses
    1,819,592       1,357,348  
OPERATING LOSS
    (416,030 )     (198,337 )
                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
               
  Interest and other expense (see Note 5)
    (384,247 )     (22,715 )
  Interest income
    1,242       445  
    Total other expense - net
    (383,005 )     (22,270 )
                 
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    (799,035 )     (220,607 )
                 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
    (1,692 )     (2,339 )
                 
NET LOSS
  $ (800,727 )   $ (222,946 )
                 
NET LOSS PER SHARE - BASIC AND DILUTED
  $ (0.04 )   $ (0.01 )
                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON
               
SHARES AND COMMON SHARE EQUIVALENTS
               
OUTSTANDING - BASIC AND DILUTED
    18,845,990       16,751,137  

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 
-2-

 

MITEK SYSTEMS, INC
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
   
For the three months ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
Net loss
  $ (800,727 )   $ (222,946 )
     Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
               
     provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
           Non-cash interest expense on convertible debt
    384,124       21,008  
           Stock-based compensation expense
    234,043       25,414  
           Depreciation and amortization
    40,306       43,615  
           Amortization of capitalized debt issuance costs
    53,945       2,509  
     Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
           Accounts receivable
    (410,983 )     (338,138 )
           Deferred maintenance fees
    (1,370 )     212  
           Inventory, prepaid expenses and other current assets
    3,443       16,164  
           Accounts payable
    32,774       267,426  
           Accrued payroll and related taxes
    134,308       1,498  
           Deferred revenue
    347,973       (235,654 )
           Deferred rent
    (2,633 )     (55,497 )
           Other accrued liabilities
    (14,471 )     (32,224 )
     Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    732       (506,613 )
                 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
     Purchases of property and equipment
    (3,446 )     -  
     Net cash used in investing activities
    (3,446 )     -  
                 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
     Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
    750,000       -  
     Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    89,153       -  
     Proceeds from the issuance of convertible debt-net
    -       922,223  
     Net cash provided by financing activities
    839,153       922,223  
                 
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    836,439       415,610  
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    1,305,049       674,115  
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  $ 2,141,488     $ 1,089,725  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
               
     Cash paid for interest
  $ 75     $ 1,496  
     Cash paid for income taxes
  $ 1,692     $ -  
                 
NON-CASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
     Debt discount on convertible note due to warrants
  $ -     $ 226,068  
     Beneficial conversion feature related to convertible debt issued
  $ -     $ 401,568  
     Conversion of debt to common stock
  $ 1,063,926     $ -  
 
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 
-3-

 

MITEK SYSTEMS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1.
Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited financial statements as of December 31, 2010 of Mitek Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X and accordingly, they do not include all information and footnote disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Refer to the Company’s financial statements on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010 for additional information.  The financial statements do, however, reflect all adjustments (solely of a normal recurring nature) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results of the interim periods presented.
 
Results for the three months ended December 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of results which may be reported for any other interim period or for the year as a whole.
 
Liquidity
 
During the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company has incurred losses of approximately $801,000 and $223,000, respectively, and has an accumulated deficit of approximately $16,300,000 as of December 31, 2010.  The Company had approximately $2,141,000 in cash and cash equivalents on December 31, 2010, compared to a cash balance of approximately $1,305,000 as of September 30, 2010.
 
Subsequent to the end of the quarter, on January 31, 2011, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with its primary operating bank.  The agreement permits the Company to borrow, repay and reborrow, from time to time until January 31, 2013, up to $400,000 subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement as discussed in greater detail in Note 5 to the financial statements included in this report.
 
Net cash provided by operating activities during the three months ended December 31, 2010 was approximately $1,000.  The primary use of cash from operating activities was the loss during the three month period of approximately $801,000 and an increase in accounts receivable of approximately $411,000.  The primary sources of cash from operating activities were increases in deferred revenue of approximately $348,000, accrued payroll and related taxes of approximately $134,000 and accounts payable of $33,000.  The primary non-cash adjustments to operating activities were non-cash interest expense on the convertible debentures of approximately $384,000, stock-based compensation expense of approximately $234,000, amortization of capitalized debt issuance costs of approximately $54,000 and depreciation and amortization of approximately $40,000.
 
Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $3,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2010, related to the purchase of capital equipment.  No cash was used in investing activities during the three months ended December 31, 2009.
 
Cash generated from financing activities during the three months ended December 31, 2010 included the following:
 
(i) the sale in October 2010 of 500,000 shares of the Company's common stock at $1.50 per share in a private placement with an accredited investor, resulting in proceeds of approximately $750,000; and
 
(ii) proceeds of approximately $89,000 from the exercise of warrants and stock options.
 
Based on its current operating plan, the Company believes the current cash balance and cash expected to be generated from operations will be adequate to satisfy its working capital needs for the next twelve months.  In the absence of positive cash flows from operations, the Company may need to raise, and its business may be dependent upon raising, significant additional funds to continue its activities.  If adequate funds are not available, the Company may be forced to significantly curtail its operations or to obtain funds through entering into additional collaborative agreements or other arrangements that may be on unfavorable terms.  If additional funds are required, the Company's failure to raise sufficient additional funds on favorable terms, or at all, would have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial position.

 
-4-

 

Earnings per share
 
The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:
 
   
Three months ended
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net loss
  $ (800,727 )   $ (222,946 )
                 
Weighted-average common shares and share equivalents outstanding - basic and diluted
    18,845,990       16,751,137  
                 
Earnings per share:
               
Basic and diluted
  $ (0.04 )   $ (0.01 )
 
For the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, 2,425,368 and 894,693 potentially dilutive shares were not included in the diluted per share calculation as their inclusion would have been antidilutive.
 
2.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-13, Revenue Recognition: Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements (“ASU 2009-13”), which amends Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 605, Revenue Recognition.  ASU 2009-13 revises the current accounting treatment to specifically address how to determine whether an arrangement involving multiple deliverables contains more than one unit of accounting.  This guidance is applicable to revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified during the first fiscal year that begins after June 15, 2010.  The guidance may be applied either prospectively from the beginning of the fiscal year for new or materially modified arrangements or retrospectively.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements.
 
In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-14, Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements (“ASU 2009-14”), which amends ASC Topic 985, Software.  ASU 2009-14 amends the ASC to change the accounting model for revenue arrangements that include both tangible products and software elements, such that tangible products containing both software and non-software components that function together to deliver the tangible product’s essential functionality are no longer within the scope of software revenue guidance.  The changes to the ASC as a result of this update are effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements.
 
In December 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-17, which amends the FASB ASC for the issuance of FASB Statement No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), to require a comprehensive qualitative analysis be performed to determine whether a holder of variable interests in a variable interest entity also has a controlling financial interest in that entity.  In addition, the amendments require the same type of analysis be applied to entities that were previously designated as qualified special-purpose entities.  This guidance is effective as of the start of the first annual reporting period beginning after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within the first annual reporting period, and for all subsequent annual and interim reporting periods.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements.
 
In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASU 2010-06”), which amends ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, adding new requirements for disclosures for Levels 1 and 2, separate disclosures of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements and clarification of existing fair value disclosures.  ASU 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the requirement to provide Level 3 activity of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, which will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010; although, early adoption is permitted.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements.
 
In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-09, Subsequent Events – Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements (“ASU 2010-09”) that amends ASC Subtopic 855-10, Subsequent Events – Overall.  ASU 2010-09 requires an SEC filer to evaluate subsequent events through the date that the financial statements are issued but removed the requirement to disclose this date in the notes to the entity’s financial statements.  The amendments are effective upon issuance of the final update and accordingly, the Company has adopted the provisions of ASU 2010-09.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

 
-5-

 

In March 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-11, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASU 2010-11”): Scope Exception Related to Credit Derivatives.  ASU 2010-11 improves disclosures originally under SFAS No. 161.  ASU 2010-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after June 15, 2010.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements.
 
In April 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-17, Milestone Method of Revenue Recognition ("ASU 2010-17") to (i) limit the scope of this ASU to research or development arrangements and (ii) require that guidance in this ASU be met for an entity to apply the milestone method (record the milestone payment in its entirety in the period received).  However, the FASB clarified that, even if the requirements in ASU 2010-17 are met, entities would not be precluded from making an accounting policy election to apply another appropriate accounting policy that results in the deferral of some portion of the arrangement consideration.  ASU 2010-17 will apply to milestones in both single-deliverable and multiple-deliverable arrangements involving research or development transactions.  ASU 2010-17 will be effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within those fiscal years) beginning on or after June 15, 2010; although, early adoption is permitted.  Entities can apply this guidance prospectively to milestones achieved after adoption; however, retrospective application to all prior periods is also permitted.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements.
 
3.
Revenue Recognition

During the quarter ended December 31, 2010, the Company entered into an agreement with JP Morgan Chase, one of the world's leading financial institutions, for the licensing of the Company's Mobile Deposit product.  The agreement includes additional software products and services that the Company expects to deliver later in its fiscal year.  In addition, the arrangement includes extended payment terms.  As a result, revenue under the arrangement will be recognized upon delivery of all products defined in the arrangement to the extent payments have become due for each product, in accordance with ASC Topic 985-605, Software Revenue Recognition.  Included in deferred revenue at December 31, 2010, is a portion of the contract value for which the Company has collected its first payment.
 
4.
Capitalized Software Development Costs

The Company evaluates its capitalized software development costs at each balance sheet date to determine if the unamortized balance related to any given product exceeds the estimated net realizable value of that product.  Any such excess is written off through accelerated amortization in the quarter it is identified.  Determining net realizable value, as defined by FASB ASC Topic 985-20, Costs of Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Marketed ("ASC 985-20"), requires making estimates and judgments in quantifying the appropriate amount to write off, if any.  Actual amounts realized from the software products could differ from those estimates.  Also, any future changes to the Company's product portfolio could result in significant increases to its cost of license revenue as a result of the write-off of capitalized software development costs.  The Company completed its first production general release of ImageNet Mobile Deposit in October 2008, and entered into an agreement with a major financial institution in November 2008 to conduct a performance evaluation of the product.  In accordance with ASC 985-20, the Company ceased capitalizing software development costs related to this product on the date that it completed its first production general release.
 
  In June 2009, the Company began to recognize revenue from the sale of ImageNet Mobile Deposit, at which time it started amortizing the capitalized software development costs associated with the product in accordance with ASC 985-20.  Under ASC 985-20, the annual amortization shall be the greater of the amount computed using (a) the ratio that current gross revenues for a product bear to the total of current and anticipated future gross revenues for that product or (b) the straight-line method over the remaining estimated economic life of the product including the period being reported on.  The Company determined it was appropriate to amortize the related capitalized software development costs over the remaining economic life of the product, estimated to be three years.  The Company recorded amortization of software development costs of approximately $34,000 in both the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
5.
Debt
 
Convertible Debt
 
On December 10, 2009, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with accredited investors pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue in exchange for aggregate consideration of approximately $1,000,000 the following securities: (i) 5% senior secured convertible debentures in the principal amount of approximately $1,000,000, and (ii) warrants to purchase an aggregate of 337,501 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $0.91 per share.  Each investor received a warrant to purchase that number of shares of the Company’s common stock that equals 25% of the quotient obtained by dividing such investor’s aggregate subscription amount by $0.75.  The transaction resulted in proceeds to the Company of approximately $922,000, net of transaction costs and expenses.

 
-6-

 

Interest is payable in cash or stock at the rate of 5% per annum on each conversion date (as to the principal amount being converted), on each early redemption date (as to the principal amount being redeemed) and on the maturity date.  The principal amount of the debentures, if not paid earlier, is due and payable on December 10, 2011.  The Company has the right to redeem all or a portion of the debentures before maturity by payment in cash of the outstanding principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest being redeemed.  The Company agreed to honor any notices of conversion that it receives from the holder before the date the Company pays off the debentures.  The debentures are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at any time at the discretion of the holder at a conversion price per share of $0.75, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends and the like.  The Company has the right to force conversion of the debentures if (i) the closing price of its common stock exceeds 200% of the then effective conversion price for 20 trading days out of a consecutive 30 trading day period or (ii) the average daily trading volume for its common stock exceeds 100,000 shares per trading day for 20 trading days out of a consecutive 30 trading day period and the closing price of its common stock exceeds 100% of the then effective conversion price for 20 trading days out of a consecutive 30 trading day period.  The debentures impose certain covenants on the Company including restrictions against paying cash dividends or distributions on shares of its outstanding common stock.  The debentures are secured by all of the Company’s assets under the terms of a security agreement it entered into with the investors dated December 10, 2009.
 
In evaluating the accounting for the convertible note, the Company considered whether the conversion option related to the convertible debentures required bifurcation and separate accounting as a liability at fair value.  Because the conversion option entitles the holder to convert to a fixed number of shares at a fixed price, the Company believes it is not required to bifurcate the conversion option and the related debt host.  Similarly, the warrant contract entitles the holder to convert to a fixed number of shares at a fixed price and is therefore recorded in stockholders’ equity.
 
Of the gross proceeds, approximately $786,000 was allocated to the debentures and approximately $226,000 to the warrants.  The value of the warrants was estimated using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. The amount allocated to the warrants was recorded as a discount on the debentures and is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the debentures.  In addition, based on the conversion price of $0.75 and relative value of the debentures, a beneficial conversion feature of approximately $402,000 was recorded as an additional discount on the debentures and is being amortized to interest expense in the accompanying statements of operations over the term of the debentures.
 
The fair value of the vested warrants was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following assumptions:
 
Risk-free interest rate
    2.19%  
Expected term (in years)
    5.00  
Stock price volatility
    2.07  
Expected dividend yield
    0%  
 
In December 2010, the Company converted the then outstanding balance of the debentures of approximately $1,064,000, including accrued interest of approximately $51,000, into 1,418,573 shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $0.75 per share.  In addition, the Company recognized as interest expense the remaining unamortized discount of approximately $320,000 related to the beneficial conversion feature at the time of conversion in accordance with ASC Topic 470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options.
 
Credit Facility
 
Subsequent to the end of the quarter, on January 31, 2011, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with its primary operating bank.  The agreement permits the Company to borrow, repay and reborrow, from time to time until January 31, 2013, up to $400,000 subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement.  The Company’s obligations under this agreement are secured by a security interest in its equipment and related collateral.  Interest on the facility accrues at an annual rate equal to one percentage point (1.00%) above the Prime Rate, fixed on the date of each advance.  Interest on the outstanding amount under the loan agreement is payable monthly.  The loan agreement contains customary covenants for credit facilities of this type, including limitations on the disposition of assets, mergers and reorganizations.  The Company is also obligated to meet certain financial covenants under the loan agreement, including minimum liquidity.  The Company has not utilized the line of credit loan agreement as of the date of this report.
 
 
-7-

 

6.
Income Taxes
 
At September 30, 2010, the Company had net deferred tax assets of approximately $7,110,000.  The deferred tax assets are primarily comprised of federal and state net operating loss carryforwards (approximately 79% of the net deferred tax assets at October 1, 2010).  Such carryforwards will begin to expire in 2016 and will continue to expire through 2023.  Under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the amount of and the benefit from net operating losses that can be carried forward may be limited in certain circumstances.  The Company carries a deferred tax valuation allowance equal to 100% of total net deferred assets.  In recording this allowance, management has considered a number of factors, but chiefly, the Company's recent history of sustained operating losses.  Management has concluded that a valuation allowance is required for 100% of the total deferred tax assets as it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
 
The Company has not determined the amount of the annual limitation on operating loss carryforwards that can be utilized in a taxable year.  Any operating loss carryforwards that will expire prior to utilization as a result of such limitations will be removed from deferred tax assets with a corresponding reduction of the valuation allowance.  Based on the 100% valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets, the Company does not anticipate that future changes in the Company's unrecognized tax benefits will impact its effective tax rate.
 
The Company's policy is to classify interest and penalties related to income tax matters as income tax expense.  The Company had no accrual for interest or penalties as of September 30, 2010 or December 31, 2010, and has not recognized interest and/or penalties in the statements of operations for the three month period ended December 31, 2010.
 
7.
Stockholders' Equity
 
In October 2010, the Company sold 500,000 shares of common stock at $1.50 per share to an accredited investor in a private placement, resulting in proceeds of $750,000.
 
In December 2010, the Company issued 1,418,573 shares of common stock upon the conversion of the outstanding convertible debentures as discussed in greater detail in Note 5 to the financial statements included in this report.
 
Warrants
 
Historically, the Company has granted warrants to purchase its common stock to service providers and investors.  As of December 31, 2010, the Company had warrants to purchase 695,283 shares of its common stock outstanding with exercise prices ranging from $0.70 to $0.92 per share, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends and the like.  These warrants expire from June 2011 to December 2014.
 
Included in the warrants discussed above, the Company entered into a warrant agreement with John H. Harland Company, a related party, pursuant to which the Company granted to John H. Harland Company the right to purchase 321,428 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.70 per share, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends and the like.  These warrants expire from February 2012 to May 2012.
 
In connection with the issuance of the convertible debentures in December 2009, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 337,501 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $0.91 per share as discussed in greater detail in Note 5 to the financial statements included in this report.
 
The following table summarizes warrant activity in the three months ended December 31, 2010:
 
   
Number
   
Weighted-average
 
   
of warrants
   
exercise price
 
Oustanding and exercisable at September 30, 2010
    895,283     $ 0.84  
Issued
    -       -  
Exercised
    (200,000 )   $ 0.92  
Expired
    -       -  
Oustanding and exercisable at December 31, 2010
    695,283     $ 0.82  

 
-8-

 

On November 29, 2010, a warrant holder exercised a warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's common stock.  The warrant, which was granted on June 11, 2004 at an exercise price of $0.92 per share, was exercised under the cashless exercise method, resulting in the issuance of 76,942 net shares of the Company's common stock.  On December 9, 2010, the warrant holder exercised a warrant to purchase another 100,000 shares of the Company's common stock at $0.92 per share under the cashless exercise method, resulting in the issuance of 80,591 net shares of the Company's common stock.  Subsequent to the end of the quarter, on January 4, 2011, the warrant holder exercised a warrant to purchase an additional 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $0.92 per share.  This warrant was also exercised under the cashless exercise method and resulted in the issuance of 169,333 net shares of common stock.
 
Stock-based Compensation
 
The Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of the FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”).
 
The fair value of stock-based awards to employees and directors is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The Black-Scholes model requires subjective assumptions, including future stock price volatility and expected time to exercise, which greatly affect the calculated values.  The expected term of options granted is derived from historical data on employee exercises and post-vesting employment termination behavior.  The risk-free rate selected to value any particular grant is based on the U.S. Treasury rate that corresponds to the expected life of the grant effective as of the date of the grant.  The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company's stock price.  These factors could change in the future, affecting the determination of stock-based compensation expense in future periods.
 
The value of stock-based compensation is based on the single option valuation approach under ASC 718.  It is assumed no dividends will be declared.  The estimated fair value of stock-based compensation awards to employees is amortized using the straight-line method over the vesting period of the options.  The estimated expected remaining contractual life of stock option grants at December 31, 2010 was approximately 1.7 years on grants to directors and 6.9 years on grants to employees.
 
The fair value calculations for stock-based compensation awards to employees for the three months ended December 31, 2010 were based on the following assumptions:
 
Risk-free interest rate
  0.26% - 1.18%  
Expected life (in years)
 
5.71
 
Expected volatility
 
194%
 
Expected dividends
 
None
 
 
ASC 718 requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits ensuing from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options to be classified as financing cash flows.  Due to the Company's valuation allowance from losses in the previous years, there was no such tax benefits during the three months ended December 31, 2010.  Prior to the adoption of ASC 718 those benefits would have been reported as operating cash flows had the Company received any tax benefits related to stock option exercises.
 
The Company granted stock options to purchase 710,031 shares of its common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2010.
 
The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense related to stock options under ASC 718 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, which was allocated as follows:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Research and development
  $ 51,640     $ 9,935  
Sales and marketing
    44,275       2,350  
General and administrative
    138,128       13,129  
                 
Stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options included in operating expenses
  $ 234,043     $ 25,414  

 
-9-

 

The following table summarizes vested and unvested options, fair value per share weighted average remaining term and aggregate intrinsic value at December 31, 2010:
 
   
Number of Shares
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Per Share
   
Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual
Life (in Years)
   
Aggregate Intrinsic
Value
 
                         
Vested
    3,020,129       0.57       5.03     $ 16,187,444  
Unvested
    1,781,082       1.52       9.34       8,219,566  
Total
    4,801,211       0.81       6.62     $ 24,407,010  

As of December 31, 2010, the Company had $2,445,111 of unrecognized compensation expense expected to be recognized over the weighted average remaining vesting life of approximately 4.0 years.
 
A summary of option activity under the Company’s stock equity plans during the three months ended December 31, 2010 is as follows:
 
               
Weighted Average
 
         
Weighted Average
   
Remaining
 
   
Number of
   
Exercise Price Per
   
Contractual Term
 
   
Shares
   
Share
   
(in Years)
 
Oustanding, September 30, 2010
    4,534,328     $ 0.66       6.21  
                         
Granted:
                       
Board of Directors
    -       -          
Executive Officers
    356,830     $ 2.60          
Employees
    353,201     $ 2.51          
Exercised
    (443,148 )   $ 0.35          
Cancelled
    -       -          
                         
Oustanding, December 31, 2010
    4,801,211     $ 0.97       6.62  
 
The following table summarizes significant ranges of outstanding and exercisable options as of December 31, 2010:
 
         
Weighted
               
Weighted
       
         
Average
               
Average
       
   
Number of
   
Remaining
   
Weighted
   
Number of
   
Exercise Price of
   
Number of
 
Range of
 
Options
   
Contractual Life
   
Average
   
Exercisable
   
Exercisable
   
Unvested
 
Exercise Prices
 
Outstanding
   
(in Years)
   
Exercise Price
   
Options
   
Options
   
Options
 
$0.07 - $0.09
    696,680       6.87     $ 0.09       425,735     $ 0.09       270,945  
$0.35 - $0.69
    1,054,500       5.53     $ 0.42       1,043,224     $ 0.42       11,276  
$0.70 - $0.79
    985,500       7.82     $ 0.79       423,050     $ 0.78       562,450  
$0.80 - $1.50
    1,064,000       4.06     $ 1.02       1,005,796     $ 1.03       58,204  
$1.53 to $2.60
    1,000,531       9.16     $ 2.28       122,324     $ 2.00       878,207  
      4,801,211       6.62     $ 0.97       3,020,129     $ 0.69       1,781,082  
 
On December 13, 2010, the Company’s 2000 Stock Option Plan expired in accordance with the terms of the plan, and since that date no further options could be granted under the plan.  Options granted under the plan that were outstanding at such date remain in effect until such options are exercised, forfeited or expire in accordance with the plan.  As of December 31, 2010, options to purchase 720,968 shares of the Company’s common stock were outstanding under the plan.
 
 
-10-

 

8. 
Product Revenue and Concentrations
 
Product Revenues
 
During the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company’s revenues were derived primarily from its Character Recognition Product line.
 
Below is a summary of revenues from all product lines:
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Revenue
           
Software licenses
  $ 940,688     $ 676,925  
Maintenance and professional services
    462,874       482,086  
Total Revenue
  $ 1,403,562     $ 1,159,011  

Revenue Concentration
 
The Company sells its products primarily to original equipment manufacturers, system integrators and resellers who ultimately sell to depository institutions.  For the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company had the following revenue concentrations:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Customers from which revenues were in excess of 10% of total revenue
           
Number of customers
    2       3  
Aggregate percentage of revenue
    55.4 %     53.0 %

Below is a summary of revenue from customers of which revenues were in excess of 10% of total revenue and the corresponding accounts receivable balances for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:

   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Revenues
  $ 777,677     $ 614,460  
Accounts receivable balance
  $ 759,000     $ 487,261  

Vendor Concentration
 
During the three months ended December 31, 2010, the Company had purchases from one major vendor that comprised approximately 15% of total purchases for the quarter.  Management does not believe the Company is exposed to any significant concentration risk related to purchases from these vendors.  The Company had no purchases from any one major vendor comprising 10% or more of total purchases during the three months ended December 31, 2009.  The balance of accounts payable due to vendors to which purchases were in excess of 10% of total purchases was approximately $57,000 as of December 31, 2010.
 
9. 
Related Parties
 
John H. Harland Company ("JHH Co.") made investments in the Company in February and May 2005.  JHH Co. acquired a total of 2,142,856 shares of unregistered common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $1,500,000 or $0.70 per share.  As part of the acquisition of shares, JHH Co. received warrants to purchase 321,428 additional shares of common stock at $0.70 per share.  This transaction resulted in JHH Co. and its subsidiary, Harland Financial Solutions (collectively "John Harland"), being considered related parties of the Company due to the amount of the Company's common stock beneficially owned by John Harland.  John Harland is not involved in the management decisions of the Company and does not participate in any board meetings, unless invited.

 
-11-

 

The Company recognized revenues from John Harland of approximately $14,000 and $17,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, for professional services, including software maintenance.  There was an outstanding accounts receivable balance due from John Harland of approximately $200 and $5,400 at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
10. 
Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Company's principal executive office, as well as its research and development facility, is located in an office building in San Diego, California that the Company leases under a non-cancelable operating lease.  The lease costs are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term.  The term of the lease on this facility commenced in December 2005 and expires in December 2012.  In February 2009, the lease was amended to allow the Company to defer the payment of 50% of the basic rent due for the months of February through September 2009.  The Company repaid the deferred rent with interest at an annual rate of 6% in equal monthly installments between October 2009 and March 2010.  In addition, in connection with the February 2009 amendment, the Company waived its right to exercise an early termination option.  In September 2009, the lease was further amended to reduce the amount of office space subject to the lease by approximately 1,722 square feet from approximately 15,927 square feet to approximately 14,205 square feet, which reduced the Company's basic rent proportionately starting in December 2009.  The base monthly rent for the facility in fiscal 2011 under this lease is approximately $26,000.  The base monthly rent increases every twelve months by approximately 3%.
 
The Company's facility is covered by adequate insurance and management believes the leased space is sufficient for the Company's current and future needs.
 
ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
To the extent that this management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations contains forward-looking statements regarding the financial condition, operating results, business prospects or any other aspect of the Company, please be advised that our actual financial condition, operating results and business performance may differ materially from those projected or estimated by us in forward-looking statements.  We have attempted to identify certain of the factors that we currently believe may cause actual future experiences and results to differ from our current expectations.  Please see "Special Note About Forward–Looking Statements" at the beginning of this report.  Please consider our forward-looking statements in light of those risks as you read this report.
 
Business
 
For more than 20 years, Mitek has provided financial institutions with advanced imaging and analytics software to authenticate and extract data from imaged checks and other financial documents.  Mitek’s patented technology is currently used by leading financial organizations in the United States to help process more than 10 billion items per year.
 
Today, Mitek is applying its patented technology and extensive expertise in image correction, optical character recognition and intelligent data extraction to mobile devices.  Using Mitek Mobile Apps, camera-equipped smartphone users can now deposit checks, pay bills, save receipts and fax documents while on the road or sitting at a desk, eliminating trips to the bank, post office and file cabinet.  Users simply take a picture of the document and our products do the rest, correcting image distortion, extracting relevant data, routing images to their desired location, and processing transactions through users’ financial institutions.
 
During the past fiscal year, we have leveraged our technology and industry customer relationships to enter the rapidly growing market for mobile financial and business applications.  Our new mobile applications use our proprietary technology to capture and read data from photos of documents taken using camera-equipped smartphones.
 
We have developed and deployed Mobile Deposit®, a software application that allows users to remotely deposit a check using their smartphone camera.  Additionally, we have developed and deployed Mobile Receipt™, a receipt archival and expense report application, and Mobile Phax™, a mobile document faxing application using our proprietary technology.  In October 2010, we announced our newest product, Mobile Photo Bill Pay™, a mobile bill paying application that allows users to pay their bills using their smartphone camera.

 
-12-

 

Application of Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP.  Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses.  These estimates by management are affected by management's application of accounting policies are subjective and may differ from actual results.  Our critical accounting policies include revenue recognition, allowance for accounts receivable, fair value of equity instruments and accounting for income taxes.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
We enter into contractual arrangements with integrators, resellers and end users that may include licensing of our software products, product support and maintenance services, consulting services, resale of third-party hardware, or various combinations thereof, including the sale of such products or services separately.  Our accounting policies regarding the recognition of revenue for these contractual arrangements is fully described in the notes to our financial statements included in this report.
 
We consider many factors when applying GAAP to revenue recognition.  These factors include, but are not limited to:
 
 
·
the actual contractual terms, such as payment terms, delivery dates, and pricing of the various product and service elements of a contract;
 
·
time period over which services are to be performed;
 
·
creditworthiness of the customer;
 
·
the complexity of customizations to our software required by service contracts;
 
·
the sales channel through which the sale is made (direct, VAR, distributor, etc.);
 
·
discounts given for each element of a contract; and
 
·
any commitments made as to installation or implementation “go live” dates.
 
Each of the relevant factors is analyzed to determine its impact, individually and collectively with other factors, on the revenue to be recognized for any particular contract with a customer.  Management is required to make judgments regarding the significance of each factor in applying the revenue recognition standards, as well as whether or not each factor complies with such standards.  Any misjudgment or error by management in its evaluation of the factors and the application of the standards, especially with respect to complex or new types of transactions, could have a material adverse effect on our future revenues and operating results.
 
Accounts Receivable
 
We constantly monitor collections from our customers and maintain a provision for estimated credit losses that is based on historical experience and on specific customer collection issues.  While such credit losses have historically been within our expectations and the provisions established, we cannot guarantee that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rates that we have in the past.  Since our revenue recognition policy requires customers to be deemed creditworthy, our accounts receivable are based on customers whose payment is reasonably assured.  Our accounts receivable are derived from sales to a wide variety of customers.  We do not believe a change in liquidity of any one customer or our inability to collect from any one customer would have a material adverse impact on our financial position.
 
 Fair Value of Equity Instruments
 
The valuation of certain items, including valuation of warrants, beneficial conversion feature related to convertible debt and compensation expense related to stock options granted, involve significant estimations with underlying assumptions judgmentally determined.  The valuation of warrants and stock options are based upon a Black Scholes valuation model, which involve estimates of stock volatility, expected life of the instruments and other assumptions.
 
Deferred Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.  We maintain a valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset due to uncertainty regarding the future realization based on historical taxable income, projected future taxable income, and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences.  Until such time as we can demonstrate that we will no longer incur losses or if we are unable to generate sufficient future taxable income we could be required to maintain the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets.

 
-13-

 

Capitalized Software Development Costs
 
Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred.  However, the costs incurred for the development of computer software that will be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed are capitalized when technological feasibility has been established.  These capitalized costs are subject to an ongoing assessment of recoverability based on anticipated future revenues and changes in hardware and software technologies.  Costs that are capitalized include direct labor and related overhead.
 
Amortization of capitalized software development costs begins when product sales commence.  Amortization is provided on a product-by-product basis on either the straight-line method over periods not exceeding three years or the sales ratio method.  Unamortized capitalized software development costs determined to be in excess of net realizable values of the product are expensed immediately.
 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Comparison of the Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
 
Net Sales
 
Net sales were approximately $1,404,000 and $1,159,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, an increase of approximately $245,000 or 21%.  Sales of software licenses increased by approximately $264,000 or 39% to approximately $941,000 in the three months ended December 31, 2010 from approximately $677,000 in the three months ended December 31, 2009.  The increase in software license sales in the current three-month period primarily relates to an increase in sales of our Mobile Deposit software application of approximately $204,000.  Sales of maintenance and professional services were approximately $463,000 and $482,000 in the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, a decrease of approximately $19,000 or 4%, primarily due to the timing of the renewals of maintenance contracts.
 
We recognized revenue from professional services, including software maintenance, from John H. Harland Company and its subsidiary, Harland Financial Solutions, of approximately $14,000 and $17,000 in the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  John H. Harland Company and its subsidiary, Harland Financial Solutions, is a related party as discussed in greater detail in Note 9 to the financial statements included in this report.
 
During the quarter ended December 31, 2010, we entered into an agreement with JP Morgan Chase, one of the world's leading financial institutions, for the licensing of our Mobile Deposit product.  The agreement includes additional software products and services that we expect to deliver later in this fiscal year.  In addition, the arrangement includes extended payment terms.  As a result, revenue under the arrangement will be recognized upon delivery of all products defined in the arrangement to the extent payments have become due for each product, in accordance with ASC Topic 985-605, Software Revenue Recognition.  Included in deferred revenue at December 31, 2010, is a portion of the contract value for which we have collected the first payment.
 
Cost of Sales
 
Cost of sales was approximately $208,000 in the three months ended December 31, 2010, compared to approximately $353,000 in the three months ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of approximately $145,000 or 41%, primarily the result of decreased sales of products containing third-party software on which we pay royalties.  Stated as a percentage of sales, cost of sales was 15% for the three months ended December 31, 2010, compared to 30% for the three months ended December 31, 2009.
 
Selling and Marketing Expenses
 
Selling and marketing expenses include payroll, employee benefits, and other headcount-related costs associated with sales and marketing personnel and advertising, promotions, trade shows, seminars, and other programs.  Selling and marketing expenses were approximately $399,000 and $165,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, an increase of approximately $234,000 or 142%.  The increase in the current three month period is primarily due to increases in personnel costs of approximately $153,000 due to increased headcount, stock-based compensation expense of approximately $42,000, advertising and public relations costs of approximately $22,000 and travel and other direct operating expenses of approximately $17,000.  Stated as a percentage of net sales, selling and marketing expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were 28% and 14%, respectively.

 
-14-

 

Research and Development Expenses
 
Research and development expenses include payroll, employee benefits, consultant expenses and other headcount-related costs associated with product development.  These costs are incurred to develop new products and to maintain and enhance existing products.  We retain what we believe to be sufficient staff to sustain our existing product lines, including development of new, more feature-rich versions of our existing product, as we determine the marketplace demands.  We also employ research personnel, whose efforts are instrumental in ensuring product paths from current technologies to anticipated future generations of products within our area of business.
 
Research and development expenses were approximately $589,000 and $506,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, an increase of approximately $83,000 or 16%.  The increase in the current fiscal quarter primarily relates to increases in personnel costs of approximately $128,000 due to increased headcount, and stock-based compensation expense of approximately $42,000, partially offset by a decrease in outside services of approximately $85,000.  Stated as a percentage of net sales, research and development expenses were 42% and 44% in the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
General and Administrative Expenses
 
General and administrative expenses include payroll, employee benefits, and other personnel-related costs associated with the finance, facilities, and legal, accounting and other administrative fees.  General and administrative expenses were approximately $623,000 in the three months ended December 31, 2010, compared to approximately $333,000 in the three months ended December 31, 2009, an increase of approximately $290,000 or 87%.  The increase in the current three month period was primarily due to increases in stock-based compensation expense of approximately $125,000, legal fees of approximately $57,000, other direct operating expenses of approximately $46,000, outside services of approximately $37,000 and personnel costs of approximately $25,000.  Stated as a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses were 44% and 29% in the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Other (Expense) Income
 
Interest and other expense was approximately $384,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010, compared to approximately $23,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2009, an increase of approximately $361,000.  The increase in the current period primarily relates to accretion of the discount on the convertible debentures issued in December 2009 and accrued interest on the principal amount of those convertible debentures, including the remaining unamortized discount of approximately $320,000 related to the beneficial conversion feature at the time of conversion of the debentures in December 2010.  Interest income was approximately $1,000 in the three months ended December 31, 2010, compared to a negligible amount in the three months ended December 31, 2009.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
On December 31, 2010, we had approximately $2,141,000 in cash and cash equivalents compared to approximately $1,305,000 on September 30, 2010, an increase of approximately $836,000 or 64%.  The increase in cash was primarily due to the proceeds from the private placement we completed on October 1, 2010, in which we sold 500,000 shares of our common stock at $1.50 per share to an accredited investor, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $750,000.  The balance of accounts receivable was approximately $1,633,000 at December 31, 2010, compared to approximately $1,222,000 at September 30, 2010, an increase of approximately $411,000 or 34%.  The increase in accounts receivable was primarily due to increased sales and the timing of customer billings and the receipt of payments.
 
Deferred revenue was approximately $1,179,000 at December 31, 2010, compared to approximately $831,000 at September 30, 2010, an increase of approximately $348,000 or 42%.  Included in deferred revenue are maintenance and support service fees that are deferred and recognized as income over the contract period on a straight-line basis.  We believe that as the installed base of our products grows and as customers purchase additional complementary products, the maintenance and support service fees that are deferred, as well as those recognized as income over the contract term, will increase.  Also included in deferred revenue is an unrecognized license fee related to the agreement we entered into with JP Morgan Chase in December 2010, which will be recognized as revenue upon delivery of all products defined in the arrangement to the extent payments have become due for each product.
 
Net cash provided by operating activities during the three months ended December 31, 2010 was approximately $1,000.  The primary use of cash from operating activities was the loss during the three month period of approximately $801,000 and an increase in accounts receivable of approximately $411,000.  The primary sources of cash from operating activities were increases in deferred revenue of approximately $348,000, accrued payroll and related taxes of approximately $134,000 and accounts payable of $33,000.  The primary non-cash adjustments to operating activities were non-cash interest expense on the convertible debentures of approximately $384,000, stock-based compensation expense of approximately $234,000, amortization of capitalized debt issuance costs of approximately $54,000 and depreciation and amortization of approximately $40,000.

 
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Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $3,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2010, related to the purchase of capital equipment.  No cash was used in investing activities during the three months ended December 31, 2009.
 
Cash generated from financing activities during the three months ended December 31, 2010 included the following:
 
(i) the sale in October 2010 of 500,000 shares of our common stock at $1.50 per share in a private placement with an accredited investor, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $750,000; and
 
(ii) proceeds of approximately $89,000 from the exercise of warrants and stock options.
 
We had working capital of approximately $2,120,000 and a 2.2 current ratio at December 31, 2010, compared to approximately $1,420,000 and a 2.1 current ratio at September 30, 2010.  At December 31, 2010, our total liability to equity ratio was 0.78 to 1 compared to 2.00 to 1 on September 30, 2010.
 
Subsequent to the end of the quarter, on January 31, 2011, we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with our primary operating bank.  The agreement permits us to borrow, repay and reborrow, from time to time until January 31, 2013, up to $400,000 subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement.  Our obligations under this agreement are secured by a security interest in our equipment and related collateral.  Interest on the facility accrues at an annual rate equal to one percentage point (1.00%) above the Prime Rate, fixed on the date of each advance.  Interest on the outstanding amount under the loan agreement is payable monthly.  The loan agreement contains customary covenants for credit facilities of this type, including limitations on the disposition of assets, mergers and reorganizations.  We are also obligated to meet certain financial covenants under the loan agreement, including minimum liquidity.  We have not utilized the line of credit loan agreement as of the date of this report.
 
Based on our current operating plan, we believe the current cash balance and cash expected to be generated from operations will be adequate to satisfy our working capital needs for the next twelve months.  In the absence of positive cash flows from operations, we may need to raise, and our business may be dependent upon raising, significant additional funds to continue our activities.  If adequate funds are not available, we may be forced to significantly curtail our operations or to obtain funds through entering into additional collaborative agreements or other arrangements that may be on unfavorable terms.  If additional funds are required, our failure to raise sufficient additional funds on favorable terms, or at all, would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position.
 
ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Disclosure not required as a result of the Company's status as a smaller reporting company.
 
ITEM 4. 
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As of the end of the period covered by this report, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15.  Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of December 31, 2010, our disclosure controls and procedures were designed and functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
 
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
 
There have not been any changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d - 15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 31, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
We are not aware of any legal proceedings or claims that we believe may have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, cash flow or liquidity.
 
RISK FACTORS
 
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in “Part I. Item 1—Description of Business—Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.  These risks and uncertainties have the potential to materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, projected results and future prospects.  As of the date of this report, other than the risk factors set forth below, we do not believe that there have been any material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.
 
We have a history of losses and we may not achieve profitability in the future.
 
Our operations resulted in a net loss of approximately $801,000 and $223,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  In addition, as a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting, and other expenses related to being a public company.  As a result of these expenditures, we will have to generate and sustain increased revenue to achieve and maintain future profitability.  We may not achieve sufficient revenue to achieve or maintain profitability.  We have incurred and may continue to incur significant losses in the future for a number of reasons, including due to the other risks described in this report, and we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays, and other unknown factors.  Accordingly, we may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability and we may continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future.
 
A few of our stockholders have significant control over our voting stock which may make it difficult to complete some corporate transactions without their support and may prevent a change in control.
 
As of December 31, 2010: (i) John M. Thornton, who is the Chairman of our Board of Directors and his spouse, Sally B. Thornton, who is also a member of our Board of Directors, beneficially owned approximately 14% of our outstanding common stock; (ii) our directors and executive officers as a group, including Mr. and Mrs. Thornton, beneficially owned approximately 23% of our outstanding common stock; and (iii)  John H. Harland Company beneficially owned approximately 12% of our outstanding common stock.  The foregoing stockholders may have considerable influence over the outcome of all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of directors.  In addition, this ownership could discourage the acquisition of our common stock by potential investors and could have an anti-takeover effect, possibly depressing the trading price of our common stock.
 
Our common stock price has been volatile.  You may not be able to sell your shares of our common stock for an amount equal to or greater than the price at which you acquire your shares of common stock.
 
The market price of our common stock has been, and is likely to continue to be, highly volatile.  Future announcements concerning us or our competitors, quarterly variations in operating results, announcements of technological innovations, the introduction of new products or changes in our product pricing policies or those of our competitors, claims of infringement of proprietary rights or other litigation, changes in earnings estimates by analysts or other factors could cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate substantially.  In addition, the stock market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have particularly affected the market prices for the common stocks of technology companies and that have often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies.  These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.  During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, the closing price of our common stock ranged from $0.56 to $1.78.  During the first three months of fiscal 2011, the closing price of our common stock price ranged from $1.75 to $6.05.
 
ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
On October 1, 2010, we sold an aggregate of 500,000 shares of common stock at $1.50 per share to an accredited investor in a private placement.
 
The foregoing transaction did not involve any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions, or any public offering, and the registrant believes the transactions were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 in reliance on Section 4(2) thereof and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering.  The purchaser of our common stock disclosed above was accredited and either received adequate information about the registrant or had access, through its relationship with the registrant, to such information.  An appropriate legend was affixed to the share certificate issued in the above transaction.

 
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ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
 
None.
 
ITEM 4.
(REMOVED AND RESERVED)
 
ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
None.
 
ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
 
See the exhibit index immediately following signature page to this report.

 
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SIGNATURES
 
In accordance with 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.
 
February 14, 2011
MITEK SYSTEMS, INC.
     
 
By:
/s/ James B. DeBello
   
James B. DeBello
   
President, Chief Executive Officer, and
   
Chief Financial Officer
   
(Principal Executive Officer and Principal
Financial Officer)

 
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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
No.
 
Exhibit Title
31.1
 
Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
31.2
 
Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
32.1*
 
Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*
 
Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
* Furnished herewith

 
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