Pathward Financial, Inc. Announces Results for 2023 Fiscal First Quarter

- Net Income of $27.8 million, or $0.98 Per Diluted Share -

- Raises Fiscal 2023 GAAP EPS Guidance Range to $5.55-$5.95 -

Pathward Financial, Inc.™ (“Pathward Financial” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CASH) reported net income of $27.8 million, or $0.98 per share, for the three months ended December 31, 2022, compared to net income of $61.3 million, or $2.00 per share, for the three months ended December 31, 2021.

During the quarter, when adjusting for the gain on sale of names and trademarks, expenses related to rebranding efforts and separation expense, the Company recognized adjusted net income of $23.2 million, or $0.81 per share. For the same period of the prior year, the Company recognized adjusted net income of $24.0 million, or $0.78 per share when excluding the impact of the gain on sale of trademarks and rebranding and separation expenses. See non-GAAP reconciliation table below.

CEO Brett Pharr said, “Pathward Financial performed well during the first fiscal quarter of 2023. Commercial Finance loans grew 7 percent compared to the prior year period, and credit quality across the portfolio remains strong. As we head into a potential recessionary environment, we are confident in our active collateral management and the quality of our loan portfolio. At the same time, our broad range of partners enables us to excel in the Banking as a Service industry, even during economic downtimes. Primarily as a result of the rising interest rate environment, we are pleased to raise our fiscal year 2023 GAAP EPS range, and our unique business model positions us well for the remainder of the year.”

Business Highlights

• During the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, the Company recognized the remaining $10.0 million as part of the agreement with Beige Key, LLC to cease all use of the Meta name and trademarks. The $10.0 million was recognized as noninterest income as a gain on sale of names and trademarks. As part of the corporate rebrand, the Company recognized $3.7 million of pre-tax expenses related to rebranding efforts during the first quarter of fiscal 2023. Since the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 through the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, the Company has recognized $16.9 million in expenses related to rebranding efforts. The Company does not anticipate any further material expenses related to rebranding efforts.

Financial Highlights for the 2023 Fiscal First Quarter

• Total revenue for the first quarter was $149.8 million, a decrease of $8.4 million, or 5%, compared to the same quarter in fiscal 2022, primarily driven by the $50.0 million gain on sale of names and trademarks recognized during the prior year period, partially offset by an increase in interest income and the $10.0 million gain on sale of names and trademarks recognized during the first quarter of fiscal year 2023.
• Net interest margin ("NIM") increased 103 basis points to 5.62% for the first quarter from 4.59% 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 December 31, 2022 decreased $174.5 million, or 5%, to $3.51 billion, compared to December 31, 2021 and decreased $26.6 million, or 1%, when compared to September 30, 2022. The decrease compared to the prior year quarter was primarily due to a reduction in warehouse finance loans and the sale of the $81.5 million student loan portfolio during the fiscal 2022 fourth quarter, partially offset by growth in the commercial finance portfolio. The primary driver for the decrease on a linked quarter basis was the reduction in warehouse finance loans.
• During the fiscal 2023 first quarter, the Company repurchased 653,994 shares of common stock at an average share price of $38.10. An additional 478,200 shares of common stock at an average price of $45.45 were repurchased in January 2023 through January 20, 2023. As of January 20, 2023, there are 3,162,783 shares available for repurchase under the common stock share repurchase program announced during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021.
• The Company expects fiscal year 2023 GAAP earnings per share to be in the range of $5.55 to $5.95. See Outlook section and non-GAAP reconciliation table below.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was $84.1 million, an increase of 17% from the same quarter in fiscal 2022. The increase was mainly attributable to increased yields and an improved earning asset mix.

The first quarter average outstanding balance of loans and leases decreased $182.1 million compared to the same quarter of the prior fiscal year, primarily due to a reduction in warehouse finance loans and the sales of the remaining community bank and student loan portfolios, partially offset by an increase in the commercial finance loans. The Company’s average interest-earning assets for the first fiscal quarter decreased by $249.2 million to $5.93 billion compared with the same quarter in fiscal 2022, 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 commercial finance loans and leases.

Fiscal 2023 first quarter NIM increased to 5.62% from 4.59% in the first fiscal quarter of last year. The overall reported tax-equivalent yield (“TEY”) on average earning asset yields increased 101 basis points to 5.70% compared to the prior year quarter, primarily driven by an increase in loan and lease and investment securities yields, along with a decrease in lower-yielding cash balances. The yield on the loan and lease portfolio was 7.70% compared to 6.96% for the comparable period last year and the TEY on the securities portfolio was 2.76% compared to 1.58% over that same period.

The Company's cost of funds for all deposits and borrowings averaged 0.07% during the fiscal 2023 first quarter, as compared to 0.08% during the prior year quarter. The Company's overall cost of deposits was 0.01% in the fiscal first quarter of 2023, the same as the prior year quarter.

Noninterest Income

Fiscal 2023 first quarter noninterest income decreased to $65.8 million, compared to $86.6 million for the same period of the prior year. The decrease was primarily attributable to the gain on sale of names and trademarks as the Company recognized a $10.0 million gain during the current quarter as compared to a $50.0 million gain during the same period of the prior year. The period over period decrease was partially offset by increases in card and deposit fee income, gain on sale of other, other income and rental income.

The increase in card and deposit fee income was primarily from servicing fee income on off-balance sheet deposits, which totaled $12.9 million during the 2023 fiscal first quarter, as compared to $5.9 million for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2022 and an insignificant amount for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2021.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense increased 27% to $105.1 million for the fiscal 2023 first quarter, from $82.4 million for the same quarter last year. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in card processing expense, compensation expense, legal and consulting expense, and operating lease equipment depreciation.

The card processing expense increase was due to structured agreements with banking as a service ("BaaS") partners. The amount of expense paid under those agreements is based on an agreed upon rate index that varies depending on the deposit levels, floor rates, market conditions, and other performance conditions. Generally this rate index averages between 50% to 85% of the Effective Federal Funds Rate ("EFFR") and reprices immediately upon a change in the EFFR. Approximately 43% of the deposit portfolio was subject to these higher card processing expenses. For the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2022, card processing expenses related to these structured agreements were $14.0 million, as compared to $7.4 million for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2022 and $0.1 million for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2021.

Income Tax Expense

The Company recorded an income tax expense of $6.6 million, representing an effective tax rate of 18.8%, for the fiscal 2023 first quarter, compared to income tax expense of $14.3 million, representing an effective tax rate of 18.9%, for the first quarter last fiscal year. The current quarter decrease in income tax expense was primarily due to decreased earnings.

The Company originated $11.4 million in solar leases during the fiscal 2023 first quarter, resulting in $3.1 million in total net investment tax credits. During the first quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company originated $21.2 million in solar leases resulting in $5.7 million in total net investment tax credits. Investment tax credits related to solar leases are recognized ratably based on income throughout each fiscal year. 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 expects fiscal year 2023 GAAP earnings per share to be in the range of $5.55 to $5.95. When adjusting for gain on sale of trademarks, rebrand related expenses, and separation related expenses, the Company expects fiscal year 2023 adjusted earnings per share to be in the range of $5.40 to $5.80. See non-GAAP reconciliation table below.

Investments, Loans and Leases

The Company's investment security balances at December 31, 2022 totaled $1.89 billion, as compared to $1.92 billion at September 30, 2022 and $1.83 billion at December 31, 2021.

Total gross loans and leases totaled $3.51 billion at December 31, 2022, as compared to $3.54 billion at September 30, 2022 and $3.68 billion at December 31, 2021. The primary driver for the decrease on a linked quarter basis was a reduction in warehouse finance loans and commercial finance loans, partially offset by an increase in the consumer finance portfolio and the seasonal increase in tax services loans. The year-over-year decrease was primarily due a reduction in warehouse finance loans, the sale of the student loan portfolio during the fiscal 2022 fourth quarter and a reduction in seasonal tax services loans, partially offset by growth in our commercial finance portfolio.

Commercial finance loans, which comprised 86% of the Company's gross loan and lease portfolio, totaled $3.01 billion at December 31, 2022, reflecting a reduction of $16.8 million, or 1%, from September 30, 2022 and an increase of $209.1 million, or 7%, from December 31, 2021.

Asset Quality

The Company’s allowance for credit losses ("ACL") totaled $52.6 million at December 31, 2022, an increase compared to $45.9 million at September 30, 2022 and a decrease from $67.6 million at December 31, 2021. The increase in the ACL at December 31, 2022, when compared to September 30, 2022, was primarily due to a $4.7 million increase in the commercial finance portfolio, a $1.4 million increase in the consumer finance portfolio and a $0.6 million increase in the seasonal tax services loan portfolio.

The $15.0 million year-over-year decrease in the ACL was primarily driven by a $8.1 million decrease in the commercial finance portfolio, a $5.7 million decrease in the consumer finance portfolio and a $1.0 million decrease in the tax services portfolio. The year-over-year decrease in the commercial finance portfolio was primarily due to a reduction in specific reserves on two individually evaluated loans during the second quarter of fiscal 2022 while the decrease in the consumer finance portfolio was primarily attributable to the sale of the student loan portfolio during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022.

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 increased to 1.50% at December 31, 2022 from 1.30% at September 30, 2022. The increase in the total loans and leases coverage ratio was primarily driven by the commercial and consumer finance portfolios. The increase in the commercial finance coverage ratio was primarily due to a specific reserve on an individually evaluated loan relationship while the increase in consumer finance was related to seasonal activity. 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 provision for credit losses of $9.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, compared to $0.2 million of provision for credit losses expense for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. The increase in provision for credit losses during the current quarter compared to the prior year period was primarily driven by the release of provision for credit losses related to the community bank portfolio during the prior year period. Net charge-offs were $3.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, compared to $1.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. Net charge-offs attributable to the commercial finance, tax services, and consumer finance portfolios for the current quarter were $2.0 million, $1.0 million, and $0.2 million, respectively.

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

The Company's nonperforming assets at December 31, 2022 were $45.0 million, representing 0.68% of total assets, compared to $30.9 million, or 0.46% of total assets at September 30, 2022 and $44.3 million, or 0.58% of total assets at December 31, 2021.

The Company's nonperforming loans and leases at December 31, 2022, were $40.9 million, representing 1.16% of total gross loans and leases, compared to $29.2 million, or 0.82% of total gross loans and leases at September 30, 2022 and $43.2 million, or 1.16% of total gross loans and leases at December 31, 2021.

The increase in the nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets at December 31, 2022 compared to September 30, 2022, was driven by an increase in nonperforming loans in the commercial finance portfolio, primarily due to one lending relationship that moved to nonperforming during the period. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in nonperforming tax services loans due to seasonal timing. When comparing the current period to the same period of the prior year, the slight increase in nonperforming assets was due to an increase in nonperforming loans in the consumer finance portfolio.

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 2023 first quarter decreased by $284.7 million to $5.64 billion compared to the same period in fiscal 2022. The decrease in average deposits was primarily due to decreases in noninterest bearing deposits, wholesale deposits and savings deposits, partially offset by an increase in money market deposits. Prior period deposit balances were elevated due to the Company's participation in government stimulus programs.

The average balance of total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities was $5.70 billion for the three-month period ended December 31, 2022, compared to $6.01 billion for the same period in the prior fiscal year, representing a decrease of 5%.

Total end-of-period deposits decreased 11% to $5.79 billion at December 31, 2022, compared to $6.53 billion at December 31, 2021. The decrease in end-of-period deposits was primarily driven by a decrease in noninterest-bearing deposits of $690.5 million and wholesale deposits of $60.8 million.

As of December 31, 2022, the Company managed $2.23 billion of customer deposits at other banks in its capacity as custodian. The balance of these deposits increased as of December 31, 2022 as compared to September 30, 2022 primarily due to seasonal activity. These deposits provide the Company with excess deposits that can earn record keeping service fee income, typically reflective of the EFFR.

Approximately 43% of the deposit balances at December 31, 2022 are subject to variable card processing expenses that are derived from the terms of contractual agreements with certain BaaS partners. These agreements are tied to a portion of a rate index, typically the EFFR.

Regulatory Capital

The Company and its subsidiary Pathward™, N.A. (the "Bank") remained above the federal regulatory minimum capital requirements at December 31, 2022, and 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 Wednesday, January 25, 2023. 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 611903. A webcast replay will also be archived at www.pathwardfinancial.com for one year.

Upcoming Investor Events

• KBW Winter Financial Services Conference, Feb 16, 2023 | Boca Raton, FL

About Pathward Financial, Inc.™

Pathward Financial, Inc.™ (Nasdaq: CASH) is a U.S.-based financial holding company driven by its purpose to power financial inclusion for all™. Through our subsidiary, Pathward™, N.A., we strive to increase financial availability, choice, and opportunity across our Banking as a Service and Commercial Finance business lines. These strategic business lines provide end-to-end support to individuals and businesses. Learn more at www.pathwardfinancial.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Company and the Bank 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 the Bank, 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 including our earnings per share guidance and related performance expectations; the impact of measures expected to increase efficiencies or reduce expenses; 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; our ability to achieve brand recognition for the Bank 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; the Bank'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 the Bank'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 the Bank 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, 2022, 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.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

Average Balances, Interest Rates and Yields

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the total dollar amount of interest income from average interest-earning assets and the resulting yields, as well as the interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, expressed both in dollars and in rates. Only the yield/rate reflects tax-equivalent adjustments. Nonaccruing loans and leases have been included in the table as loans carrying a zero yield.