Marlin Reports First Quarter 2020 Results and Declares a Cash Dividend of $0.14 Per Share

 First Quarter Summary:

• Net loss of $11.8 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, compared with net income of $5.1 million, or $0.41 per diluted share a year ago and $8.4 million, or $0.69 per diluted share last quarter. Net loss on an adjusted basis* of $10.0 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, compared with net income on an adjusted basis of $5.0 million, or $0.40 per diluted share a year ago
• Total sourced origination volume of $157.4 million, down 24.5% year-over-year. Total origination yield of 12.45%, up 2 basis points from the prior quarter and down 31 basis points year-over-year
• Net Investment in Leases and Loans totaled $970.1 million, compared with $1.0 billion a year ago; total managed assets ended the first quarter at $1.3 billion, up 6.8% from a year ago
• Total Allowance for credit losses of $52.1 million, representing a $30.4 million increase from December 31, 2019, which includes an $11.9 million increase from the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (“CECL”); The allowance as a percentage of receivables was 4.66% for equipment finance and 12.20% for working capital
• Annualized net charge-offs of 3.11%, compared with 3.00% in the prior quarter and 1.83% in the first quarter last year
• As previously announced, the Company’s Capital Maintenance and Liquidity Agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was terminated; Total Risk-based capital ratio of 19.94%, or 9.94% above the Company’s minimum regulatory requirement

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., April 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marlin Business Services Corp. (NASDAQ: MRLN), a nationwide provider of capital solutions to small businesses (“Marlin” or the “Company”), today reported first quarter 2020 net loss of $11.8 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, compared with net income of $8.4 million, or $0.69 per diluted share in the prior quarter, and $5.1 million, or $0.41 per share a year ago.

Jeffrey A. Hilzinger, Marlin’s President and CEO, said, “Marlin continues to carefully evaluate the public health crisis and resulting economic dislocation to its small business customers resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. Beginning in early March, we initiated a series of measures to protect our employees from the effects of the pandemic, carefully manage our liquidity and capital position, and protect the value of our portfolio. We are continuing to lend and support our customers and partners during these challenging times. In addition, for existing customers and partners, we have implemented programs to help them weather the crisis including a payment deferral program for customers that have been directly impacted by COVID-19, and we are a participating lender in the second round of funding under the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program administered by the SBA.”

Mr. Hilzinger continued, “As we navigate this evolving and uncertain environment, we remain focused on the tasks at hand—supporting our employees, valued customers and partners while ensuring business continuity and financial stability.  This has been a particularly stressful time for our employees, and I want to thank all of my colleagues for their deep commitment to our company and our customers during this unprecedented experience. We look forward to serving our customers and communities well in a time of need and emerging from this crisis as a stronger enterprise.”

Results of Operations
Total sourced origination volume for the first quarter of $157.4 million was down 24.5% from a year ago. Direct origination volume of $37.8 million in the first quarter was down 13.2% from $43.6 million in the first quarter of 2019. Indirect origination volume in the first quarter of 2020 was $113.8 million, down 24.1% from $149.9 million in the first quarter last year. Assets originated for sale in the first quarter of $3.3 million compared with $11.3 million in the first quarter last year. Referral volume totaled $2.5 million, down from $3.6 million in the first quarter last year.

Net interest and fee margin as a percentage of average finance receivables was 9.34% for the first quarter, down 10 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2019 and down 25 basis points from a year ago. The sequential quarter decrease was driven primarily by a change in the presentation of residual income driven by the adoption of CECL.  During 2019 and prior periods, residual income was presented in fee income; however, effective in the first quarter 2020, residual income is included in the future cash flows used to assess credit losses and therefore this activity is reflected in the allowance for credit losses.  The year-over-year decrease in margin percentage was also primarily related to the residual income presentation change described above, as well as a 31 basis point decrease in new origination loan and lease yield partially offset by a decrease in interest expense resulting from lower deposit rates. The Company’s interest expense as a percent of average total finance receivables was 225 basis points in the first quarter of 2020 compared with 236 basis points for the fourth quarter of 2019 and 239 basis points for the first quarter of 2019, resulting from lower rates and a shift in mix, as higher rate long-term debt pays down. 

On an absolute basis, net interest and fee income was $23.6 million for the first quarter of 2020 compared with $24.0 million in the first quarter last year.

The Company adopted CECL during the first quarter, which resulted in an $11.9 million increase to the Allowance for credit losses as of January 1, 2020. During the quarter, the Company’s expectations for future net cash flows of the portfolio, the credit environment and economic conditions changed considerably to reflect the impact from COVID-19, which in turn significantly impacted estimated lifetime credit losses. As a result, the provision for credit losses was $25.2 million in the first quarter of 2020, compared to $5.4 million in the first quarter of 2019.

Non-interest income was $12.2 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared with $13.5 million in the prior quarter and $12.9 million in the prior year period. The sequential and year-over-year decrease in non-interest income is primarily due to a decrease in gains from the sale of assets. Non-interest expense was $29.9 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared with $16.4 million in the prior quarter and $24.8 million in the first quarter of 2019. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to a Goodwill impairment charge of $6.7 million in the first quarter, which represented a full write-down of the Company’s Goodwill previously established in connection with its past two acquisitions. The sequential quarter increase was due to the seasonality of property tax expenses, which are primarily incurred in the first quarter.

The Company’s efficiency ratio for the first quarter was 83.5% compared with 67.2% in the first quarter last year. Excluding the impact of certain non-GAAP adjustments, the Company’s efficiency ratio on an adjusted basis* for the first quarter was 52.7% compared with 57.8% in the first quarter of 2019.  

Marlin recorded a $7.4 million tax benefit in the first quarter, resulting in an effective tax rate of 38.6%.  The CARES Act, enacted on March 27, 2020, allowed for the carryback of the Company’s net operating losses (“NOLs”) into tax years with higher federal tax rates, resulting in a NOL re-measurement benefit of $3.3 million for the first quarter of 2020. This discrete item was the primary driver in year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter increases in effective tax rates. Comparatively, the fourth quarter of 2019 reflected a $2.9 million tax expense representing an effective tax rate of 25.5%, and in the first quarter 2019, the Company recorded $1.6 million of tax expense, representing an effective tax rate of 23.8%.   

Portfolio Performance
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total finance receivables was 5.09% at March 31, 2020 compared with 3.29% at December 31, 2019 adjusted for the $11.9 million January 1, 2020 adoption of CECL.  In addition, the prior year under the incurred loss allowance model, the percentage was with 2.15% at December 31, 2019 and 1.66% at March 31, 2019.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded a $25.2 million provision for credit losses, which was $19.8 million greater than the $5.4 million provision recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and $14.9 million greater than the $10.3 million recognized in the fourth quarter of 2019.  The increase in provision for the first quarter of 2020 was primarily attributed to increases resulting from updates to the Company’s estimate for changes in economic conditions due to COVID-19.

Finance receivables over 30 days delinquent were 1.79% of the Company’s total finance receivables portfolio as of March 31, 2020, up 39 basis points from December 31, 2019 and up 70 basis points from March 31, 2019. Finance receivables over 60 days delinquent were 1.00% of the Company’s total finance receivables portfolio as of March 31, 2020, up 17 basis points from December 31, 2019 and up 36 basis points from March 31, 2019. Annualized first quarter net charge-offs were 3.11% of average total finance receivables versus 3.00% in the fourth quarter of 2019 and 1.83% a year ago.

As a result of the impact from COVID-19, the Company has experienced an increase in the amount of loan and lease restructure requests from customers who have been impacted by the pandemic.  The Company is currently offering a 90 day payment deferral program for equipment finance loans and leases and a 30-60 day payment deferral program for working capital loans for customers who are current under their existing obligations and can demonstrate that their ability to repay has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.  As of March 31, 2020, the Company had $12.5 million and $7.0 million of net investment in payment deferral agreements for equipment finance and working capital, respectively.

Portfolio Concentration
In response to COVID-19, the Company took aggressive action to adjust its underwriting standards, focusing on industries identified as highly impacted. Businesses in these industries were in most cases deemed non-essential by state governments and were therefore subject to mandatory shutdown due to social distancing requirements.  We have a well-diversified portfolio across industries and geographical areas for both Equipment Finance and Working Capital.  The following table reflects our contracts in highly impacted industries where net investment is in excess of 5% of the total portfolio:

⁽¹⁾ Miscellaneous Services is an amalgamation of service related SIC codes, the largest of which are Business Services, Repair Services, and Equipment Rental and Leasing.

Capital and Liquidity
As of March 31, 2020, the Company had $211.1 million of Cash and cash equivalents, an increase of $88 million from December 31, 2019.  As of March 31, 2020, the Company had additional available liquidity of $30 million from lines of credit with financial institutions and the Federal Reserve discount window.  There were no borrowings made on these additional sources of liquidity as of March 31, 2020 or subsequently.

As of March 31, 2020, the Company’s consolidated equity to assets ratio was 14.92%. This compares to 17.80% and 16.17%, in the prior quarter and year ago quarter, respectively.  The Company’s Total Risk-based capital ratio was 19.94% as of March 31, 2020, which was 9.94% above our minimum regulatory requirement.

Corporate Developments
During the first quarter, the Company invested approximately $4.3 million to repurchase 264,470 shares at an average price of $16.09.  As of March 31, 2020, there remained approximately $4.7 million available under the $10 million stock repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors in August of 2019.  

On April 30, 2020, Marlin’s Board of Directors declared a $0.14 per share quarterly dividend. The dividend is payable on May 21, 2020, to shareholders of record on May 11, 2020. Based on the closing stock price on April 28, 2020, the annualized dividend yield on the Company’s common stock is 6.66%.

On March 31, 2020 the Company announced the termination of its Capital Maintenance and Liquidity Agreement (the “CMLA Agreement”) with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), and the FDIC’s rescission of certain nonstandard conditions in the FDIC’s original order granting federal deposit insurance to the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Marlin Business Bank. As a result of the termination of the CMLA Agreement, the Company’s consolidated capital maintenance requirements have been reduced going forward to the standard regulatory thresholds. Based on the termination of the CMLA Agreement, the Company’s capital requirements were reduced by approximately $47 million, to well capitalized levels, for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

Business Outlook
Due to the rapidly changing economic environment and high level of uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, it is impossible to predict the pandemic’s impact on the Company’s future financial results. As such, the Company is withdrawing its forward-looking financial guidance for the full-year ending December 31, 2020, which was provided on January 30, 2020.

* Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Net income (loss) on an adjusted basis and adjusted efficiency ratio are financial measures that are not in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  See “Regulation G – Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for a detailed description and reconciliation of such Non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in accordance with Regulation G.

Conference Call and Webcast
Marlin will host a conference call on Friday, May 1, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss the Company’s first quarter 2020 results. The conference call details are as follows:

For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a replay of the call will also be available from 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 1, 2020 through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 15, 2020 by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) and 1-412-317-6671 (international) and referencing the replay pin number: 13701739.

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. Such forward-looking statements represent only the company’s current beliefs regarding future events and are not guarantees of performance or results.  All forward-looking statements (including statements regarding expectations of 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,” “could”, “intend” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Economic, business, funding, market, competitive, legal and/or regulatory factors, among others (including but not limited to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic), 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 under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in our periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are also available in the “Investors” section of our website. 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.  Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

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 after-tax income and expenses that are deemed to be unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence and are not indicative of the underlying performance of the business for the period presented.  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 any discrete pre-tax adjustments used to present net income on an adjusted basis as well as the impact of pass-through lease expenses that are required to be presented on a gross basis in the income statement, acquisition related expense, and Rep and Warranty liability adjustments, 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 defines General and administrative annualized percent of average finance receivables, on an adjusted basis, as the calculation used for the “as reported” ratio, adjusting the numerator for acquisition related general and administrative expenses, Rep and Warranty liability adjustments, and pass-through lease expenses that are required to be presented on a gross basis in the income statement, as applicable.  The adjusted ratio uses the same denominator as the “as reported” ratio.  The Company defines Non-interest expense divided by average total managed assets, on an adjusted basis, as the calculation used for the “as reported” ratio adjusting the number for any discrete pre-tax adjustments used to present net income on an adjusted basis as well as the impact of pass-through lease expenses that are required to be presented on a gross basis in the income statement, acquisition related expenses, and Rep and Warranty liability adjustments, as applicable.  The adjusted ratio uses the same denominator as the “as reported” ratio.  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

-Tables to Follow--

MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)

MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)

MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures

MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Quarterly Data
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

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 adjusts certain items, as defined in the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures.  See schedule for details.
(4) Adjusted non-interest expense adjusts certain items, as defined in the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures.  See schedule for details.
(5) Effective January 1, 2020, in connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-13 "CECL", residual income is no longer recorded as a component of fee income and instead is presented within the allowance for loan loss.
**Equipment Finance consists of equipment leases and loans; Working Capital Loans consist of small business loans.

MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Quarterly Data
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts) 

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 adjusts certain items, as defined in the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures.  See schedule for details.
(4) Adjusted non-interest expense adjusts certain items, as defined in the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures.  See schedule for details.
(5) Effective January 1, 2020, in connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-13 "CECL", residual income is no longer recorded as a component of fee income and instead is presented within the allowance for loan loss.
**Equipment Finance consists of equipment leases and loans; Working Capital Loans consist of small business loans.

MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Quarterly Data
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

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 adjusts certain items, as defined in the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures.  See schedule for details.
(4) Adjusted non-interest expense adjusts certain items, as defined in the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures.  See schedule for details.
(5) Effective January 1, 2020, in connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-13 "CECL", residual income is no longer recorded as a component of fee income and instead is presented within the allowance for loan loss.
**Equipment Finance consists of equipment leases and loans; Working Capital Loans consist of small business loans.

MARLIN BUSINESS SERVICES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Quarterly Data
 (Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

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 adjusts certain items, as defined in the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures.  See schedule for details.
(4) Adjusted non-interest expense adjusts certain items, as defined in the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures.  See schedule for details.
(5) Effective January 1, 2020, in connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-13 "CECL", residual income is no longer recorded as a component of fee income and instead is presented within the allowance for loan loss.
**Equipment Finance consists of equipment leases and loans; Working Capital Loans consist of small business loans.