CASH - Pathward Financial Inc.(TM) Announces Results for 2022 Fiscal Third Quarter

- Fiscal 2022 Third Quarter Net Income of $22.4 million, or $0.76 Per Diluted Share -

- Reinstates Guidance, With Fiscal 2023 GAAP EPS Range of $5.25 to $5.75 -

Pathward Financial, Inc. ^TM , (“Pathward Financial” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CASH), formally known as Meta Financial Group, Inc., reported net income of $22.4 million, or $0.76 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared to net income of $38.7 million, or $1.21 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2021. During the quarter the Company recognized $3.4 million of pre-tax expenses related to rebranding efforts and $3.1 million of pre-tax separation related expenses. Excluding the impact of the rebranding and separation expenses, net of tax, the Company's adjusted net income for the quarter totaled $27.3 million, or $0.93 per share. See non-GAAP reconciliation table below.

CEO Brett Pharr said, “We continue to benefit from low-cost deposits provided from our banking-as-a-service business to fund our various asset class opportunities in Commercial Finance. This model will generate higher returns once the market lending rates begin to reflect the higher rate environment. Our third-quarter results were impacted by a slowdown in the renewable energy tax credit lending market and one-time expenses related to rebranding and efficiency initiatives. While certain revenues were down due to the prior-year benefiting from stimulus-related card fee income and the delayed start of last year’s tax season, we are pleased with the continued growth of our Commercial Finance portfolio and its credit quality”

“As we potentially enter a recessionary period, we believe Pathward Financial is positioned to perform well, as we would benefit from higher yields on our new business and existing variable loan portfolios while typically experiencing growth in our working capital lines,” Pharr added.

Business Development Highlights for the 2022 Fiscal Third Quarter

• On July 13, 2022, the Company announced it changed its name to Pathward Financial, Inc.™, and its bank subsidiary, MetaBank®, N.A., changed its name to Pathward™, N.A. ("Pathward" or the "Bank"). Certain changes were made immediately, with a full transition to Pathward expected by the end of this calendar year, including the launch of a new brand identity and website. The Company recognized $3.4 million of pre-tax expenses related to rebranding efforts during the third quarter of fiscal 2022. The Company continues to estimate total rebranding expenses will range between $15 million to $20 million.

• As part of the Company's priority to work with partners that use a broader suite of the capabilities and multi-product solutions that it provides, the Company will not be renewing its agreements with Liberty Tax and Jackson Hewitt. This change is expected to boost operational efficiencies over time. Taxpayer advance volumes are expected to be reduced by approximately 30% next year. No significant impact is anticipated to refund transfer volumes. During the quarter, the Company recognized $1.2 million of pre-tax one-time partner termination related expenses.

Financial Highlights for the 2022 Fiscal Third Quarter

• Total revenue for the third quarter was $126.1 million, a decrease of $4.8 million, or 4%, compared to the same quarter in fiscal 2021, primarily driven by a decrease in noninterest income, partially offset by an increase in interest income.

• Net interest income for the third quarter was $72.2 million, an increase of $3.7 million compared to $68.5 million in the third quarter last year.

• Net interest margin ("NIM") increased to 4.76% for the third quarter from 3.75% during the same period of last year. The prior year period was impacted by excess cash associated with the Company's participation in the U.S. Treasury Department's Economic Impact Program.

• Total gross loans and leases at June 30, 2022 increased $188 million, to $3.68 billion, or 5%, compared to June 30, 2021 and decreased $43 million, or 1%, when compared to March 31, 2022. The increase compared to the prior year quarter was primarily driven by growth in our commercial finance portfolio, partially offset by the sale of all remaining community banking loans during the fiscal 2022 first quarter. The primary driver for the decrease on a linked quarter basis was the seasonal decline in tax services loans.

• The Company originated $4.4 million in aggregate principal of renewable energy loan financing for the third quarter of fiscal 2022, resulting in $1.0 million in total net investment tax credits. During the third quarter of fiscal 2021. the Company originated $13.5 million in aggregate principle of renewable energy loan financing resulting in $3.4 million in total net investment tax credits.

• On May 15, 2022, the Company retired the outstanding $75.0 million subordinated debt, which was due August 15, 2026. As a result of the retirement, the Company will save more than $4 million of interest expense per year.

• The Company resumed share repurchases on July 1, 2022, and through July 22, 2022, the Company repurchased 305,700 shares of common stock at an average share price of $40.74. There are 4,562,477 shares available for repurchase under the common stock share repurchase program announced during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021.

• The Company reinstated guidance and expects fiscal year 2023 GAAP earnings per share to be in the range of $5.25 and $5.75. The Company expects fiscal year 2023 adjusted earnings per share to be in the range of $5.10 and $5.60. See non-GAAP reconciliation table below.

Tax Season Recap

During the third quarter of fiscal 2022, total tax services product revenue was $10.3 million, compared to $13.6 million in the prior year quarter. Total tax services product income, net of losses and direct product expenses, increased 9% to $43.5 million from $40.0 million, when comparing the first nine months of fiscal 2022 to the same period of the prior fiscal year.

While taxpayer advances came in below the Company's expectations, overall refund transfer revenues grew 9% year-over-year. Looking ahead to next year, the Company continues to expect strong refund transfer volumes and greater efficiency in its Tax line of business as a result of the non-renewal of the Company's two aforementioned tax partner relationships.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 was $72.2 million, an increase of 5% from the same quarter in fiscal 2021. The increase was mainly attributable to investment interest income, an improved earning asset mix, and increased loan balances.

The third quarter average outstanding balance of loans and leases increased $128.9 million compared to the same quarter of the prior year, primarily due to increases in our core loan and lease portfolios, partially offset by the sale of the remaining community bank portfolio. The Company’s average interest-earning assets for the third quarter decreased by $1.23 billion to $6.08 billion compared with the same quarter in fiscal 2021, primarily due to a reduction in cash balances as a result of high cash levels during the prior year period related to the Company's participation in government stimulus programs. The decrease in interest-earnings assets was partially offset by growth in total investments and total loans and leases.

Fiscal 2022 third quarter NIM increased to 4.76% from 3.75% in the third quarter of last year. The overall reported tax-equivalent yield (“TEY”) on average earning asset yields increased 104 basis points to 4.89% compared to the prior year quarter, primarily driven by a decrease in lower-yielding cash balances. Growth in loan and lease and investment securities balances also contributed to the year-over-year TEY increase. The yield on the loan and lease portfolio was 6.69% compared to 6.90% for the comparable period last year and the TEY on the securities portfolio was 2.14% compared to 1.62% over that same period.

The Company's cost of funds for all deposits and borrowings averaged 0.12% during the fiscal 2022 third quarter, as compared to 0.09% during the prior year quarter. The increase in cost of funds was primarily related to accelerated interest expense of $0.9 million during the fiscal 2022 third quarter associated with the retirement of the subordinated debt. The Company's overall cost of deposits was 0.01% in the fiscal third quarter of 2022, the same as the prior year quarter.

Noninterest Income

Fiscal 2022 third quarter noninterest income decreased to $54.0 million, compared to $62.5 million for the same period of the prior year. The decrease was driven by a reduction in gain on sale of loan and leases by $4.8 million, a decrease in payments fee income of $4.5 million, and a decrease in tax services product fee income of $2.7 million. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in rental income of $2.1 million and an increase in other income of $1.3 million. The prior year’s quarter benefited from greater card fee income associated with stimulus activity as well as a delayed tax season. Furthermore, the company recorded fewer gains on loan sales in the current fiscal year as the SBA and USDA sale volumes have been impacted by supply chain constraints within the solar construction market.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense increased 19% to $96.7 million for the fiscal 2022 third quarter, from $81.5 million for the same quarter last year. The increase in expense was primarily driven by an increase in compensation expense, legal and consulting expense, card processing, occupancy and equipment expense, and operating lease equipment depreciation. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in other expense. Compensation expense for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 includes $3.1 million of separation-related expenses stemming from expense reduction initiatives. In addition, the Company recognized $3.4 million in rebranding expenses and $1.2 million in expenses related to the non-renewal of the aforementioned tax partner agreements.

Income Tax Expense

The Company recorded income tax expense of $7.0 million, representing an effective tax rate of 22.6%, for the fiscal 2022 third quarter, compared to $4.9 million, representing an effective tax rate of 11.0%, for the third quarter last year. The current quarter increase in income tax expense was primarily due to a reduction in renewable energy investment tax credit lending volume compared to the prior year period.

The Company originated $4.4 million in solar leases during the fiscal 2022 third quarter, compared to $13.5 million in last year's third quarter. Investment tax credits related to solar leases are recognized ratably based on income throughout each fiscal year. For the nine months ended June 30, 2022, the Company originated $26.9 million in solar leases, compared to $72.0 million for the comparable prior year period. The timing and impact of future solar tax credits are expected to vary from period to period, and the Company intends to undertake only those tax credit opportunities that meet the Company's underwriting and return criteria.

Outlook

The following forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s expectations as of the date of this release, and are subject to substantial uncertainty. The Company's results may be materially affected by many factors, such as changes in economic conditions and customer demand, changes in interest rates, inflation, uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, and other factors detailed below under “Forward-looking Statements.” Because the Company’s reported GAAP results include certain income and expense items that are not expected to continue indefinitely and may include additional elements that the Company cannot currently predict, the Company is also providing guidance on a non-GAAP or “adjusted” basis.

The Company reinstated guidance and expects fiscal year 2022 GAAP earnings per share to be in the range of $5.04 and $5.24 and fiscal year 2023 GAAP earnings per share to be in the range of $5.25 and $5.75. This guidance assumes a Fed Funds rate of 3.5% by September of 2023.

When adjusting for gain on sale of trademarks, rebrand related expenses, and separation related expenses, the Company expects fiscal year 2022 adjusted earnings per share to be in the range of $4.28 and $4.48 and fiscal year 2023 adjusted earnings per share to be in the range of $5.10 and $5.60. See non-GAAP reconciliation table below.

Investments, Loans and Leases

The Company's investment security balances at June 30, 2022 totaled $2.00 billion, as compared to $2.09 billion at March 31, 2022 and $1.98 billion at June 30, 2021.

Total gross loans and leases totaled $3.69 billion at June 30, 2022, as compared to $3.73 billion at March 31, 2022 and $3.50 billion at June 30, 2021. The primary driver for the decrease on a linked quarter basis was the seasonal tax services portfolio, along with a reduction in consumer finance loans, partially offset by an increase in the commercial finance portfolio. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by increases within commercial finance, warehouse finance, and consumer finance, partially offset by the sale of all remaining community bank loans.

Commercial finance loans, which comprised 80% of the Company's gross loan and lease portfolio, totaled $2.95 billion at June 30, 2022, reflecting growth of $33.1 million, or 1%, from March 31, 2022 and $361.4 million, or 14%, from June 30, 2021.

As of June 30, 2022, the Company had 79 loans outstanding with total loan balances of $21.1 million originated as part of the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"), compared with total loan balances of $43.0 million at March 31, 2022 and $143.3 million at June 30, 2021. In total, approximately 90% of the PPP loan balances were forgiven through June 30, 2022.

When excluding PPP loans and the community bank portfolio, total loans and leases grew 20% at June 30, 2022 when compared to the same period of the prior year.

Asset Quality

The Company’s allowance for credit losses ("ACL") totaled $75.2 million at June 30, 2022, a decrease compared to $88.6 million at March 31, 2022 and a decrease from $91.2 million at June 30, 2021. The decrease in the ACL at June 30, 2022, when compared to March 31, 2022, was primarily due to a $8.2 million decrease in the seasonal tax services loan portfolio, and to a lesser extent, a $2.7 million decrease in the consumer finance portfolio and a $2.5 million decrease in the commercial finance portfolio.

The $16.0 million year-over-year decrease in the ACL was primarily driven by a $13.2 million decrease attributable to the disposition of the community banking portfolio, along with a $2.4 million decrease in the consumer finance portfolio and a $1.7 million decrease in the tax services portfolio. These decreases were partially offset by a $1.2 million increase within the commercial finance portfolio, which reflects the year-over-year loan and lease growth.

The following table presents the Company's ACL as a percentage of its total loans and leases.

The Company's ACL as a percentage of total loans and leases decreased to 2.04% at June 30, 2022 from 2.38% at March 31, 2022. The decrease in the total loans and leases coverage ratio was primarily driven by the seasonal tax services loan portfolio, along with a decrease in the coverage ratio for both the commercial and consumer finance portfolios. The Company expects to continue to diligently monitor the ACL and adjust as necessary in future periods to maintain an appropriate and supportable level.

Activity in the allowance for credit losses for the periods presented was as follows.

The Company recognized a reversal of provision for credit losses of $1.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, compared to $4.6 million of provision for credit losses expense for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. Net charge-offs were $12.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, compared to $12.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. Net charge-offs attributable to the tax services, consumer finance, and commercial finance portfolios for the quarter were $8.0 million, $2.3 million, and $1.9 million, respectively.

The Company's past due loans and leases were as follows for the periods presented.

The Company's nonperforming assets at June 30, 2022 were $26.8 million, representing 0.40% of total assets, compared to $38.3 million, or 0.56% of total assets at March 31, 2022 and $45.1 million, or 0.64% of total assets at June 30, 2021. The decrease in the nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets at June 30, 2022 compared to March 31, 2022, was driven by decreases in nonperforming assets in the commercial and consumer finance portfolios. When comparing the current period to the same period of the prior year, the decrease in nonperforming assets was due to a decrease in nonperforming assets in the community bank portfolio, partially offset by an increase in nonperforming assets in the commercial and consumer finance portfolios.

The Company's nonperforming loans and leases at June 30, 2022, were $26.6 million, representing 0.71% of total gross loans and leases, compared to $35.8 million, or 0.95% of total gross loans and leases at March 31, 2022 and $41.9 million, or 1.17% of total gross loans and leases at June 30, 2021. The decreases are related to the aforementioned decrease in nonperforming assets in the community bank portfolio, partially offset by an increase in nonperforming assets in the commercial and consumer finance portfolios.

The Company has various portfolios of consumer lending and tax services loans that present unique risks that are statistically managed. Due to the unique risks associated with these portfolios, the Company monitors other credit quality indicators in their evaluation of the appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses on these portfolios, and as such, these loans are not included in the asset classification table below. The Company's loans and leases held for investment by asset classification were as follows for the periods presented.

Deposits, Borrowings and Other Liabilities

Total average deposits for the fiscal 2022 third quarter decreased by $1.24 billion to $5.74 billion compared to the same period in fiscal 2021. The decrease in average deposits was primarily due to a decrease in noninterest-bearing deposits of $841.8 million, a decrease in interesting-bearing deposits of $336.3 million, and to a lesser extent, decreases within wholesale, savings, and time deposits, partially offset by an increase in money market deposits.

The average balance of total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities was $5.81 billion for the three-month period ended June 30, 2022, compared to $7.08 billion for the same period in the prior fiscal year, representing a decrease of 18%.

Total end-of-period deposits decreased 3% to $5.71 billion at June 30, 2022, compared to $5.89 billion at June 30, 2021. The decrease in end-of-period deposits was primarily driven by a decrease in interest-bearing checking of $255.2 million and a decrease in wholesale deposits of $72.2 million, partially off-set by an increase in noninterest-bearing deposits of $134.7 million.

As of June 30, 2022, the Company managed $1.22 billion of customer deposits at other banks in its capacity as custodian.

Regulatory Capital

The Company and Pathward remained above the federal regulatory minimum capital requirements at June 30, 2022, continued to be classified as well-capitalized, and in good standing with the regulatory agencies. Regulatory capital ratios of the Company and the Bank are stated in the table below. Regulatory Capital is not affected by the unrealized loss on accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). The securities portfolio is made up of nearly all amortizing securities that should provide consistent cash flow and is not expected to require sales to realize the losses to fund future loan growth.

The tables below include certain non-GAAP financial measures that are used by investors, analysts and bank regulatory agencies to assess the capital position of financial services companies. Management reviews these measures along with other measures of capital as part of its financial analysis.

The following table provides the non-GAAP financial measures used to compute certain of the ratios included in the table above, as well as a reconciliation of such non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measure in accordance with GAAP:

The following table provides a reconciliation of tangible common equity and tangible common equity excluding AOCI, each of which is used in calculating tangible book value data, to Total Stockholders' Equity. Each of tangible common equity and tangible common equity excluding AOCI is a non-GAAP financial measure that is commonly used within the banking industry.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call and earnings webcast at 4:00 p.m. Central Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on Thursday, July 27, 2022. The live webcast of the call can be accessed from Pathward’s Investor Relations website at www.pathwardfinancial.com . Telephone participants may access the conference call by dialing 1-844-200-6205 (International: +1-929-526-1599) approximately 10 minutes prior to start time and reference access code 943947. A webcast replay will also be archived at www.pathwardfinancial.com for one year.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Company and Pathward may from time to time make written or oral “forward-looking statements,” including statements contained in this press release, the Company’s filings with the SEC, the Company’s reports to stockholders, and in other communications by the Company and Pathward, which are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

You can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “may,” “hope,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “could,” “future,” or the negative of those terms, or other words of similar meaning or similar expressions. You should carefully read statements that contain these words because they discuss our future expectations or state other “forward-looking” information. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and assumptions about future events, and include statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, expectations, estimates, and intentions, which are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause our actual growth, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance and business prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Such statements address, among others, the following subjects: future operating results; the impact of measures expected to increase efficiencies or reduce expenses; the timing of and expenses related to our new brand rollout; customer retention; loan and other product demand; expectations concerning acquisitions and divestitures; new products and services; credit quality; the level of net charge-offs and the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses; technology; and the Company's employees. The following factors, among others, could cause the Company's financial performance and results of operations to differ materially from the expectations, estimates, and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements: maintaining our executive management team; expected growth opportunities may not be realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the potential adverse effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and any governmental or societal responses thereto, or other unusual and infrequently occurring events, including the impact on financial markets from geopolitical conflicts such as the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine; successfully completing our announced rebranding and our ability to achieve brand recognition for Pathward equal to or greater than we have enjoyed for MetaBank; our ability to successfully implement measures designed to reduce expenses and increase efficiencies; changes in trade, monetary, and fiscal policies and laws, including actual changes in interest rates and the Fed Funds rate; changes in tax laws; the strength of the United States' economy, and the local economies in which the Company operates; inflation, market, and monetary fluctuations; the timely and efficient development of new products and services offered by the Company or its strategic partners, as well as risks (including reputational and litigation) attendant thereto, and the perceived overall value of these products and services by users; Pathward's ability to maintain its Durbin Amendment exemption; the risks of dealing with or utilizing third parties, including, in connection with the Company’s prepaid card and tax refund advance businesses, the risk of reduced volume of refund advance loans as a result of reduced customer demand for or usage of Pathward’s strategic partners’ refund advance products; our relationship with, and any actions which may be initiated by, our regulators; changes in financial services laws and regulations, including laws and regulations relating to the tax refund industry and the insurance premium finance industry; technological changes, including, but not limited to, the protection of our electronic systems and information; the impact of acquisitions and divestitures; litigation risk; the growth of the Company’s business, as well as expenses related thereto; continued maintenance by Pathward of its status as a well-capitalized institution; changes in consumer spending and saving habits; losses from fraudulent or illegal activity; technological risks and developments and cyber threats, attacks, or events; and the success of the Company at maintaining its high quality asset level and managing and collecting assets of borrowers in default should problem assets increase.

The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. Additional discussions of factors affecting the Company’s business and prospects are reflected under the caption “Risk Factors” and in other sections of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, and in other filings made with the SEC. The Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries, whether as a result of new information, changed circumstances, or future events or for any other reason.