MRLN - Marlin Reports First Quarter 2019 Earnings and Declares a Cash Dividend of $0.14 Per Share

First Quarter Summary:

• Net income of $5.1 million, or $0.41 per diluted share down from $6.2 million, or $0.50 per diluted share a year ago
• Net Investment in Leases and Loans totaled $1.0 billion, up 9.9% from a year ago, and total managed assets ended the first quarter at $1.2 billion, up 19.1% from a year ago
• Total sourced origination volume of $208.4 million, up 27.1% year-over-year; Direct origination volume of $43.6 million, up 41.1% year-over-year
• Total origination yield of 12.76%, up 40 basis points from the prior quarter and up 32 basis points year-over-year      
• Annualized net charge-offs of 1.83%, compared with 2.30% in the prior quarter and 1.68% in the first quarter last year
• Equity to assets ratio decreased to 16.17%, compared with 17.17% in the first quarter last year

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., May 02, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marlin (NASDAQ: MRLN), a nationwide provider of capital solutions to small businesses (“Marlin” or the “Company”), today reported first quarter 2019 net income of $5.1 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, compared with net income of $6.2 million, or $0.50 per share a year ago. First quarter net income on an adjusted basis was $5.0 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, compared with $6.2 million or $0.50 per diluted share a year ago.

Commenting on the Company’s results, Jeffrey A. Hilzinger, Marlin’s President and CEO, said, “We enjoyed a solid start to 2019 as strong execution delivered excellent origination volume growth and stable portfolio performance.  First quarter total sourced origination volume was $208.4 million, up 27.1% year-over-year, and a record for a first quarter.  Growth in the quarter was driven by increased customer demand for both our Equipment Finance and Working Capital Loan products and was strong in both our Direct and Indirect origination channels.  We also referred or sold $56.5 million of leases and loans as part of our capital markets initiatives. Because of these origination and capital markets activities, our Net Investment in Leases and Loans is now consistently in excess of $1 billion and up 10% from a year ago.  Total managed assets, which includes both our balance sheet portfolio and assets we sell but continue to service for others, grew to more than $1.2 billion, an increase of 19.1% from the first quarter last year. In addition, our focus on maintaining disciplined underwriting standards continues to be a top priority and portfolio performance during the quarter was stable and within expectations.”

Mr. Hilzinger concluded, “First quarter net income of $0.41 per diluted share was negatively impacted by $0.04 because of the timing of expense recognition due to the adoption of a new lease accounting standard.  We expect the timing impact to normalize over the course of the year and we continue to expect earnings to be more heavily-weighted towards the second half of 2019, as our recent investments in our salesforce continue to generate returns.  Importantly, we are affirming our previously issued earnings guidance for the full year.”

Results of Operations
Total sourced origination volume for the first quarter of $208.4 million was up 27.1% from a year ago. Direct origination volume of $43.6 million in the first quarter was up 41.1% from $30.9 million in the first quarter of 2018. Indirect origination volume in the first quarter of 2019 was $149.9 million, up 16.3% from $128.8 million in the first quarter last year. Assets originated for sale in the first quarter of $11.3 million compared with none in the first quarter last year. Referral volume totaled $3.6 million, down from $4.2 million in the first quarter last year.

Net interest and fee margin as a percentage of average finance receivables was 9.59% for the first quarter, down 17 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2018 and down 84 basis points from a year ago. The year-over-year decrease in margin percentage was primarily a result of an increase in interest expense resulting from the higher cost of funds associated with the securitization that was executed in the second half of 2018, partially offset by an increase of 32 basis points in new origination loan and lease yield. The Company’s interest expense as a percent of average total finance receivables increased to 239 basis points in the first quarter of 2019 compared with 220 basis points for the fourth quarter of 2018 and 149 basis points for the first quarter of 2018.  The sequential quarter increase was primarily due to an increase in deposits costs, while the year-over-year increase was due to a higher cost of funds associated with both deposits and long-term borrowings from the securitization.

On an absolute basis, net interest and fee income was $24.0 million for the first quarter of 2019 compared with $23.8 million for the first quarter last year.

Non-interest income was $12.9 million for the first quarter of 2019, compared with $7.1 million in the prior quarter and $5.2 million in the prior year period. The increase compared with the prior and year-ago quarters is primarily due to the Company’s January 1, 2019 adoption of ASC 842 – Lease Accounting, which increased non-interest income by $5.6 million, as certain lessor costs, including property taxes that are paid by the lessee to the lessor are required to be presented gross in the consolidated statement of operations.  To a lesser extent, the increase was due to an increase in gains-on-sale and an increase in insurance-related income. Non-interest expense was $24.8 million for the first quarter of 2019, compared with $16.4 million in the prior quarter and $16.6 million in the first quarter last year. The increase in non-interest expense compared with the prior and year-ago quarters was primarily due to the aforementioned adoption of ASC 842, which increased non-interest expense by $6.2 million due to the change in presentation of property taxes paid by the lessee to the lessor gross in the consolidated statement of operations. 

The Company’s efficiency ratio for the first quarter was 67.2% compared with 57.1% in the first quarter last year. The Company’s non-GAAP efficiency ratio for the first quarter was 57.8% compared with 55.8% in the first quarter last year.   Marlin expects its efficiency ratio to improve in the remainder of 2019 as the Company continues to generate returns from recent investments in sales and marketing, leverages its fixed costs through continued portfolio growth and generates continued operational efficiencies through its various process improvement activities.

Marlin recorded an income tax expense of $1.6 million, representing an effective tax rate of 23.8% for the first quarter of 2019, compared with an income tax expense of $1.7 million, representing an effective tax rate of 21.4%, for the first quarter of 2018.

Portfolio Performance
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total finance receivables was 1.66% at March 31, 2019 relatively consistent with 1.62% at December 31, 2018 and 1.68% at March 31, 2018.

Finance receivables over 30 days delinquent were 1.11% of the Company’s total finance receivables portfolio as of March 31, 2019, up 2 basis points from December 31, 2018 and up 6 basis points from March 31, 2018. Finance receivables over 60 days delinquent were 0.66% of the Company’s total finance receivables portfolio as of March 31, 2019, up 1 basis point from December 31, 2018 and up 2 basis points from March 31, 2018. Annualized first quarter net charge-offs were 1.83% of average total finance receivables versus 2.30% in the fourth quarter of 2018 and 1.68% a year ago.

As of March 31, 2019, the Company’s consolidated equity to assets ratio was 16.17%. This compares to 17.01% and 17.17%, in the prior quarter and year ago quarter, respectively.

Corporate Developments
On February 7, 2019 the Company announced the launch of its new brand, Marlin Capital Solutions, to better reflect the breadth of services it offers to small businesses and equipment finance partners. The new brand reflects Marlin’s transformation and serves to inform existing and prospective customers and partners that the company isn’t just a source of capital, but a source of solutions. The transformation is accompanied by a new logo, website, and tagline.

Marlin’s Board of Directors today declared a $0.14 per share quarterly dividend. The dividend is payable May 23, 2019, to shareholders of record on May 13, 2019. Based on the closing stock price on May 1, 2019, the annualized dividend yield on the Company’s common stock is 2.57%.

Business Outlook
The Company is affirming its previously issued guidance for the full year ending December 31, 2019 as follows:

• Total Sourced Origination volume is expected to finish approximately 20% above 2018 levels
• Portfolio performance is expected to remain in line with the results observed over the last 12 months
• Net interest and fee margin, as a percentage of average finance receivables, is expected to be between 9.5% and 10.0%
• ROE is expected to continue to improve in 2019 as the Company continues to improve operating scale
• Adjusted EPS is expected to be between $2.30 and $2.40 per share

Conference Call and Webcast
Marlin will host a conference call on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss the Company’s first quarter 2019 results. The conference call details are as follows:

First Quarter 2019 Financial Results Conference Call

For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a replay of the call will also be available from 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on May 3, 2019 through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 17, 2019 by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) and 1-412-317-6671 (international) and referencing the replay pin number: 13689688.

About Marlin
Marlin is a nationwide provider of capital solutions to small businesses with a mission of helping small businesses fulfill their American dream. Our products and services are offered directly to small businesses and through financing programs with independent equipment dealers and other intermediaries. For more information about Marlin, visit marlincapitalsolutions.com or call toll free at (888) 479-9111.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements (including statements regarding future financial and operating results) involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance or achievements. All statements contained in this release that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking, and the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” “may,” “intend” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Economic, business, funding, market, competitive, legal and/or regulatory factors, among others, affecting our business are examples of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. More detailed information about these factors is contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the sections captioned “Risk Factors” and “Business” in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Regulation G – Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In this release the Company uses certain financial measures which are not calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Company defines net income on an adjusted basis as net income excluding an after-tax charge related to a reserve for restitution in connection with certain payment processing practices in effect prior to February 2016 and charges for associated legal and consulting fees, the after-tax hurricane credit and insurance loss reserves, the after-tax executive severance, and the net tax benefit from the tax cut and jobs act, as applicable. The Company defines diluted earnings per share on an adjusted basis, return on average assets on an adjusted basis and return on average equity on an adjusted basis as the calculation used for the “as reported” number substituting net income as reported with net income on an adjusted basis while using the same denominator in the “as reported” number, where appropriate. The Company defines efficiency ratio on an adjusted basis as the calculation used for the “as reported” ratio adjusting the numerator for the reserve for restitution in connection with certain payment processing practices in effect prior to February 2016, hurricane insurance loss reserves, executive severance, certain acquisition related expenses, and the impact of pass-through lease expenses that are required to be presented on a gross basis in the income statement, as applicable.  The Company adjusts the denominator in the “as reported” ratio for pass-through lease revenue that is required to be presented on a gross basis in the income statement, as applicable. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful performance metrics for management, investors and lenders, because it provides a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons of the Company's financial performance without the effects of certain adjustments in accordance with GAAP that may not necessarily be indicative of current operating performance.

Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP financial measures. They may not be indicative of the historical operating results of the Company nor are they intended to be predictive of potential future results. Investors should not consider non-GAAP financial measures in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Investor Contacts:
Mike Bogansky
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
856-505-4108

Lasse Glassen
Addo Investor Relations
lglassen@addoir.com
424-238-6249

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Notes and Footnotes:              

(1) COF is defined as interest expense for the period divided by average interest bearing liabilities, annualized.
(2) Net investment in total finance receivables includes net investment in Equipment Finance leases and loans and Working Capital Loans.           
(3) Adjusted General and administrative expense excludes Non-GAAP General and administrative expense items as defined in the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures and acquisition related intangible amortization and pass-through lease expense that is required to be presented on a gross basis in the income statement.
(4) Adjusted non-interest expense excludes Non-GAAP non-interest expense items as defined in the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures and acquisition related sales commissions, acquisition related intangible amortization, and pass-through lease expense that is required to be presented on a gross basis in the income statement.
**Equipment Finance consists of equipment leases and loans; Working Capital Loans consist of small business loans.

Notes and Footnotes:              
(1) COF is defined as interest expense for the period divided by average interest bearing liabilities, annualized.
(2) Net investment in total finance receivables includes net investment in Equipment Finance leases and loans and Working Capital Loans.           
(3) Adjusted General and administrative expense excludes Non-GAAP General and administrative expense items as defined in the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures and acquisition related intangible amortization and pass-through lease expense that is required to be presented on a gross basis in the income statement.
(4) Adjusted non-interest expense excludes Non-GAAP non-interest expense items as defined in the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures and acquisition related sales commissions, acquisition related intangible amortization, and pass-through lease expense that is required to be presented on a gross basis in the income statement.
**Equipment Finance consists of equipment leases and loans; Working Capital Loans consist of small business loans.

Notes and Footnotes:              
(1) COF is defined as interest expense for the period divided by average interest bearing liabilities, annualized.
(2) Net investment in total finance receivables includes net investment in Equipment Finance leases and loans and Working Capital Loans.           
(3) Adjusted General and administrative expense excludes Non-GAAP General and administrative expense items as defined in the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures and acquisition related intangible amortization and pass-through lease expense that is required to be presented on a gross basis in the income statement.                     
(4) Adjusted non-interest expense excludes Non-GAAP non-interest expense items as defined in the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures and acquisition related sales commissions, acquisition related intangible amortization, and pass-through lease expense that is required to be presented on a gross basis in the income statement.
**Equipment Finance consists of equipment leases and loans; Working Capital Loans consist of small business loans.

Notes and Footnotes:              
(1) COF is defined as interest expense for the period divided by average interest bearing liabilities, annualized.
(2) Net investment in total finance receivables includes net investment in Equipment Finance leases and loans and Working Capital Loans.           
(3) Adjusted General and administrative expense excludes Non-GAAP General and administrative expense items as defined in the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures and acquisition related intangible amortization and pass-through lease expense that is required to be presented on a gross basis in the income statement.                     
(4) Adjusted non-interest expense excludes Non-GAAP non-interest expense items as defined in the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures and acquisition related sales commissions, acquisition related intangible amortization, and pass-through lease expense that is required to be presented on a gross basis in the income statement.
**Equipment Finance consists of equipment leases and loans; Working Capital Loans consist of small business loans.