Nicholas Financial Reports 1st Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 Results

 

  • Income year-over-year before income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased by 25.2% compared to prior year first quarter
  • Pre-tax yield for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased to 5.1% compared to 3.5% during the prior year first quarter
  • Originations year-over-year on new Contracts purchased for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased by 20.9% compared to prior year first quarter
  • Originations year-over-year on Direct Loans for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased by 136.4% compared to prior year first quarter
  • Accounts 60+ days delinquent decreased to 1.9%, excluding Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts, compared to 2.5% as of the prior year first quarter
  • Net Portfolio Yield for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased to 23.5% compared to 17.2% during the prior year first quarter

CLEARWATER, Fla., July 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nicholas Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: NICK) announced net income for the three months ended June 30, 2021 of $1.7 million compared to $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Diluted net income per share was $0.22 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to $0.18 for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Revenue decreased 11.0% to $12.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to $14.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The Company reported income before income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2021 of $2.3 million compared to $1.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The Company recorded an income tax expense of approximately $0.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to $0.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2021, the Company originated $26.0 million in finance receivables, collected $30.0 million in principal payments, reduced debt by $13.4 million and cash by $9.5 million.

“The more exciting news this quarter is the realization of year-over-year increases in both new indirect contract purchases and direct loan originations,” stated Doug Marohn, President and CEO of Nicholas Financial, Inc. “This has helped level off the liquidation rate of our portfolio. We have not returned to a net portfolio growth situation quite yet, but the rate of shrinkage has slowed.”

“Helping to fuel those year-over-year increases in production is our continued focus on the Direct Loan product as well as the commitment to expanding our branch network. The Direct Loan product continues to gain momentum and is becoming a larger portion of our portfolio every month. In terms of expansion, we have reentered the Houston, Texas market and expect to open the branch in the 2nd Quarter of FY 2022. We are also actively working the Dallas, San Antonio and Austin markets in Texas and plan to open offices there this fiscal year. Phoenix, Arizona is currently being developed, as well,” continued Marohn.

“The elevated operational expense is attributed to our investments in our workforce and our network,” concluded Marohn. “As a result of our improved financial results, we are able to reinvest in technology, training, personnel development as well the expansion of our branch network. These investments will yield positive results for years to come.”

The 2021 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of Nicholas Financial, Inc. will be held at the Company’s Central Business Operations hub, located at 3600 Arco Corporate Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28273, Suite 210, on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. EST. The Company will simultaneously hold a virtual shareholder meeting. The URL Path for the virtual meeting is https://agm.issuerdirect.com/nick.

Key Performance Indicators on Contracts Purchased  
(Purchases in thousands)  
    Number of         Average                      
Fiscal Year   Contracts   Principal Amount   Amount   Average       Average       Average  
/Quarter   Purchased   Purchased#   Financed*^   APR*       Discount%*       Term*  
2022   1,947   $ 20,305   $ 10,429   23.2   %   7.0   %   46  
1   1,947     20,305     10,429   23.2   %   7.0   %   46  
2021   7,307   $ 74,025   $ 10,135   23.4   %   7.5   %   46  
4   2,429     24,637     10,143   23.2   %   7.5   %   46  
3   1,483     15,285     10,307   23.4   %   7.5   %   46  
2   1,709     17,307     10,127   23.5   %   6.8   %   46  
1   1,686     16,796     9,962   23.5   %   8.0   %   46  
2020   7,647   $ 76,696   $ 10,035   23.4   %   7.9   %   47  
4   1,991     19,658     9,873   23.5   %   7.9   %   46  
3   1,753     17,880     10,200   23.3   %   7.6   %   47  
2   2,011     20,104     9,997   23.5   %   7.9   %   46  
1   1,892     19,054     10,071   23.4   %   8.3   %   47  
2019   7,684   $ 77,499   $ 10,091   23.6   %   8.2   %   47  

Key Performance Indicators on Direct Loans Originated  
(Originations in thousands)  
    Number of   Principal                    
Fiscal Year   Loans   Amount   Average Amount   Average       Average  
/Quarter   Originated   Originated   Financed*^   APR*       Term*  
2022   1,316   $ 5,737   $ 4,359   30.1   %   25  
1   1,316     5,737     4,359   30.1   %   25  
2021   3,497   $ 14,148   $ 4,131   29.6   %   25  
4   753     3,284     4,362   29.6   %   25  
3   1,265     4,605     3,641   30.9   %   22  
2   924     3,832     4,147   29.2   %   25  
1   555     2,427     4,373   28.7   %   26  
2020   3,142   $ 12,638   $ 4,017   28.2   %   25  
4   720     3,104     4,310   28.6   %   25  
3   1,137     4,490     3,949   28.4   %   24  
2   739     2,988     4,043   27.4   %   25  
1   546     2,056     3,765   28.2   %   24  
2019   1,918   $ 7,741   $ 4,036   26.4   %   26  

*Each average included in the tables is calculated as a simple average.

^Average amount financed is calculated as a single loan amount.

#Bulk portfolio purchase excluded for period-over-period comparability

Nicholas Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:NICK) is a specialized consumer finance company, operating branch locations in both Southeastern and Midwestern U.S. States. The Company engages primarily in acquiring and servicing automobile finance installment contracts (“Contracts”) for purchases of used and new automobiles and light trucks. Additionally, Nicholas Financial originates direct consumer loans (“Direct Loans”) and sells consumer-finance related products. For an index of Nicholas Financial, Inc’s new releases or to obtain a specific release, please visit our website at www.nicholasfinancial.com.

Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that represent the Company’s current expectations or beliefs concerning future events. Statements other than those of historical fact, as well as those identified by words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,” “project,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “probable” and any variation of the foregoing and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results or performance to differ from the expectations expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements include the following: the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the mitigation efforts by governments and related effects on our financial condition, business operations and liquidity, our customers, our employees, and the overall economy; recently enacted, proposed or future legislation and the manner in which it is implemented; changes in the U.S. tax code; the nature and scope of regulatory authority, particularly discretionary authority, that may be exercised by regulators, including, but not limited to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Justice, U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and individual state regulators having jurisdiction over the Company; the unpredictable nature of regulatory proceedings and litigation; employee misconduct or misconduct by third parties; uncertainties associated with management turnover and the effective succession of senior management; media and public characterization of consumer installment loans; labor unrest; the impact of changes in accounting rules and regulations, or their interpretation or application, which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s reported consolidated financial statements or necessitate material delays or changes in the issuance of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements; the Company’s assessment of its internal control over financial reporting; changes in interest rates; risks relating to the acquisition or sale of assets or businesses or other strategic initiatives, including increased loan delinquencies or net charge-offs, the loss of key personnel, integration or migration issues, the failure to achieve anticipated synergies, increased costs of servicing, incomplete records, and retention of customers; risks inherent in making loans, including repayment risks and value of collateral; cybersecurity threats, including the potential misappropriation of assets or sensitive information, corruption of data or operational disruption; our dependence on debt and the potential impact of limitations in the Company’s amended revolving credit facility or other impacts on the Company’s ability to borrow money on favorable terms, or at all; the timing and amount of revenues that may be recognized by the Company; changes in current revenue and expense trends (including trends affecting delinquency and charge-offs); the impact of extreme weather events and natural disasters; changes in the Company’s markets and general changes in the economy (particularly in the markets served by the Company). All forward-looking statements and cautionary statements included in this document are made as of the date hereof based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or cautionary statement.

Nicholas Financial, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited, Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
     
  Three months ended  
  June 30,  
  2021   2020  
Revenue:            
Interest and fee income on finance receivables $ 12,594   $ 14,151  
Expenses:            
Operating expenses   8,348     7,343  
Provision for credit losses   730     3,300  
Interest expense   1,188     1,649  
Total expenses   10,266     12,292  
Income before income taxes   2,328     1,859  
Income tax expense   599     429  
Net income $ 1,729   $ 1,430  
Earnings per share:            
Basic $ 0.22   $ 0.18  
Diluted $ 0.22   $ 0.18  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited, In Thousands)
 
  June 30,   March 31,  
  2021   2021  
Cash and restricted cash $ 23,473   $ 32,977  
Finance receivables, net   168,128     170,318  
Repossessed assets   805     685  
Operating lease right-of-use assets   3,430     3,392  
Other assets   4,772     5,066  
Total assets $ 200,608   $ 212,438  
Credit facility, net of debt issuance costs $ 72,871   $ 86,154  
Note payable   3,244     3,244  
Operating lease liabilities   3,410     3,367  
Other liabilities   4,751     4,451  
Total liabilities   84,276     97,216  
Shareholders’ equity   116,332     115,222  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 200,608   $ 212,438  
Book value per share $ 15.21   $ 14.95  
  Three months ended    
  June 30,    
  (In thousands)    
Portfolio Summary 2021     2020    
Average finance receivables (1) $ 181,970     $ 213,859    
Average indebtedness (2) $ 79,217     $ 122,786    
Interest and fee income on finance receivables $ 12,594     $ 14,151    
Interest expense   1,188       1,649    
Net interest and fee income on finance receivables $ 11,406     $ 12,502    
Portfolio yield (3)   27.68   %   26.47   %
Interest expense as a percentage of average finance receivables   2.61   %   3.08   %
Provision for credit losses as a percentage of average finance receivables   1.60   %   6.17   %
Net portfolio yield (3)   23.47   %   17.22   %
Operating expenses as a percentage of average finance receivables   18.35   %   13.73   %
Pre-tax yield as a percentage of average finance receivables (4)   5.12   %   3.49   %
Net charge-off percentage (5)   3.59   %   6.01   %
Finance receivables $ 180,823     $ 208,808    
Allowance percentage (6)   2.90   %   5.39   %
Total reserves percentage (7)   7.01   %   9.56   %

Note: All three-month statement of income performance indicators expressed as percentages have been annualized.        

(1)   Average finance receivables represent the average of finance receivables throughout the period.
(2)   Average indebtedness represents the average outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility.
(3)   Portfolio yield represents interest and fee income on finance receivables as a percentage of average finance receivables. Net portfolio yield represents (a) interest and fee income on finance receivables minus (b) interest expense minus (c) the provision for credit losses, as a percentage of average finance receivables.
(4)   Pre-tax yield represents net portfolio yield minus operating expenses, as a percentage of average finance receivables.
(5)   Net charge-off percentage represents net charge-offs (charge-offs less recoveries) divided by average finance receivables, outstanding during the period.
(6)   Allowance percentage represents the allowance for credit losses divided by finance receivables outstanding as of ending balance sheet date.
(7)   Total reserves percentage represents the allowance for credit losses, purchase price discount, and unearned dealer discounts divided by finance receivables outstanding as of ending balance sheet date.

The following tables present certain information regarding the delinquency rates experienced by the Company with respect to automobile finance installment contracts (“Contracts”) and direct consumer loans (“Direct Loans”), excluding any Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts:

(In thousands, except percentages)

Contracts Balance                                          
  Outstanding   30 – 59 days     60 – 89 days     90 – 119 days     120+     Total    
June 30, 2021 $ 164,929   $ 7,087     $ 2,575     $ 644     $ 10     $ 10,316    
          4.30   %   1.56   %   0.39   %   0.01   %   6.26   %
June 30, 2020 $ 196,943   $ 9,584     $ 3,595     $ 1,334     $ 26     $ 14,539    
          4.87   %   1.83   %   0.68   %   0.01   %   7.39   %
             
Direct Loans Balance                                          
  Outstanding   30 – 59 days     60 – 89 days     90 – 119 days     120+     Total    
June 30, 2021 $ 15,721   $ 285     $ 70     $ 53     $ 0     $ 408    
          1.81   %   0.45   %   0.34   %   0.00   %   2.60   %
June 30, 2020 $ 11,684   $ 244     $ 81     $ 79     $ 0     $ 404    
          2.09   %   0.69   %   0.68   %   0.00   %   3.46   %



The following table presents selected information on Contracts purchased and Direct Loans originated by the Company:    

  Contracts     Direct Loans    
  Three months ended     Three months ended    
  June 30,     June 30,    
  (Purchases in thousands)     (Originations in thousands)    
  2021     2020     2021     2020    
Purchases/Originations $ 20,305     $ 16,796     $ 5,737     $ 2,427    
Average APR   23.2   %   23.5   % 30.1   % 28.7   %
Average discount   7.0   %   8.0   % N/A     N/A    
Average term (months)   46       46       25       26    
Average amount financed $ 10,429     $ 9,962     $ 4,359     $ 4,373    
Number of contracts   1,947       1,686       1,316       555    
                                 



The following table presents selected information on the entire Contract and Direct Loan portfolios of the Company:

  Contracts     Direct Loans    
  As of     As of    
  June 30,     June 30,    
Portfolio 2021     2020     2021     2020    
Average APR   22.8   %   22.6   % 28.8   % 27.4   %
Average discount   7.53   %   7.62   % N/A     N/A    
Average term (months)   50     51     27     27    
Number of active contracts   21,995       25,931     4,354     3,412    

Contact: Irina Nashtatik     NASDAQ: NICK
CFO   Web site: www.nicholasfinancial.com
Ph # (727)-726-0763