• Investment Activity – New funded credit investments exceeded $720 million in the seasonally slower third quarter, up 76% from the same quarter last year and down 29% from last quarter.
  • Asset Growth – Managed loans and credit investments increased by $447 million to $4.6 billion, or 11%, from the prior quarter and $2.0 billion, or 80%, from the same period last year. 
  • Funding – Asset growth was supported by a combination of long term capital from the issuance of subordinated notes under an existing commitment and the issuance of new asset-backed securities. 
  • Net Interest Margin – The margin widened to 2.57% for the third quarter from 1.99% in the second quarter, as expected, due primarily to the negative impact of interest expense recognized in connection with debt prepayment in the second quarter which did not recur in the third quarter. 
  • Revenue – Total revenue1 increased by $3.5 million to $26.7 million, or 15% from the prior quarter as a $7.4 million increase in net interest income generated from higher loan balances was partly offset by a $4 million decrease in non-interest income due primarily to unrealized losses on a total return swap.
  • Credit – Credit costs remained within expected ranges, increasing by $1.3 million from the prior quarter to $4.5 million due primarily to higher general provision expense related to loan growth, as specific provisions decreased to $1.6 million from $2.5 million in the prior quarter.
  • Stockholders Equity – Pre-tax ROAE increased to 5.3% in the third quarter from 5.2% last quarter. 
  • Strategic Initiatives – Increased pro forma assets under management by approximately $2.3 billion to $6.9 billion through the acquisition of Boston-based FOC Partners, a credit-oriented investment manager on October 7, 2015.

BOSTON, Nov. 04, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NewStar Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:NEWS) (“NewStar” or the “Company”), an internally-managed, commercial finance company, today announced financial results for its third quarter of 2015, reporting net income of $5.1 million, or $0.11 per diluted share. These results compare to net income of $5.0 million, or $0.10 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2015 and $5.0 million, or $0.10 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2014. Operating income before income taxes was $8.8 million for the third quarter of 2015 compared to $8.6 million for the second quarter and $8.5 million in the third quarter of 2014.

Tim Conway, NewStar’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented on the Company’s quarterly performance: “We continued to make significant progress on our strategic priorities and remain on track to reach our targets.  Our ability to increase earnings through a period of heightened volatility in the credit markets reflects the growth in our core earnings power driven by our increased scale and fee revenue engines.  We remain on pace to reach our volume target for the full year based on new investment activity despite a seasonal slowdown in the third quarter.  Investment activity over the last twelve months exceeded $3.1 billion.  Importantly, the yield profile on new investments has also improved overall and the outlook for the pricing environment in our target markets remains favorable.  We are well positioned to capitalize on these trends through our strategic relationships and have the flexibility to allocate capital across our multiple origination platforms.”  

Managed and Owned Investment Portfolios

  • Total new funded credit investments exceeded $720 million in the third quarter of 2015 compared to $1 billion in the prior quarter and $409 million in the same quarter last year.  Investment activity was driven by demand for acquisition financing derived from new middle market LBO activity and co-lending activity through our strategic relationships, combined with our emphasis on providing larger credit commitments and increasing the number of lead managed transactions. 
  • Balance sheet runoff from scheduled amortization, prepayments and sales totaled approximately $234 million, down from $419 million in the prior quarter.
  • Average yields on new loans and other credit investments in the third quarter were 6.7%, up from 6.6% in the prior quarter due primarily to an improved pricing environment during the third quarter. 
  • Loans and other investments outstanding, excluding managed assets, increased approximately 13% from the prior quarter and 67% from the third quarter of 2014. Growth in the third quarter was driven primarily by lending activity generated through our Leveraged Finance group. 
  • The Leveraged Finance loan portfolio increased by $328 million during the third quarter to almost $3.1 billion, while asset-based loan balances in our Business Credit portfolio increased 15% to $275 million, and loans and leases in our Equipment Finance portfolio increased 25% to $175 million.   
  • New equipment loan and lease volume was $31 million in the third quarter, down slightly from $35 million last quarter and up from $10 million in the third quarter of 2014, while asset-based lending activity totaling $25 million increased from $19 million last quarter, but decreased from $32 million in the comparable quarter last year.  Equipment finance and asset-based lending activity represented 12% of new loan volume retained on the balance sheet in the third quarter.   
  • Assets held in managed funds remained consistent at almost $1 billion as of September 30, 2015.
  • The owned loan portfolio remained balanced across industry sectors and highly diversified by issuer. Exposure to energy sectors was 2.2%, up from approximately 1.0% at the end of the prior quarter, reflecting highly selective investment activity in the third quarter intended to capitalize on dislocation in the sector.  As of September 30, 2015, no outstanding borrowings by a single obligor represented more than 1.21% of total loans outstanding, and the ten largest obligors comprised approximately 10.2% of the loan portfolio.

Net Interest Income / Margin

  • Net interest income increased by $7.4 million, or 47%, to $23.2 million in the third quarter compared to $15.8 million in the prior quarter as a $7.7 million increase in interest income significantly exceeded a $0.3 million increase in interest expense.  Part of the increase in net interest income was related to a favorable comparison to the prior quarter, which reflected the recognition of debt extinguishment expenses totaling approximately $3.6 million.  The balance of the increase, or approximately $3.8 million, was due to higher interest income driven by growth in earning assets. 
  • The portfolio yield remained relatively stable at 6.32% in the third quarter of 2015 compared to 6.31% in the prior quarter and 6.13% in the third quarter of 2014.  The increase in yield over the prior year was due primarily to higher yields on new loans originated. 
  • Net interest margin widened to 2.57% for the third quarter of 2015 compared to 1.99% for the prior quarter as the cost of funds decreased by 49 bps in the quarter due to the accelerated amortization of deferred financing fees in connection with the prepayment of corporate debt in the second quarter which did not recur in the third quarter.  

Non-Interest Income

  • Non-interest income was $3.5 million for the third quarter of 2015, down from $7.4 million for the second quarter and up $3.3 million from the third quarter of 2014. The change from the second quarter was due primarily to a decline in the value of a reference portfolio of syndicated loans underlying a total return swap, requiring the recognition of a $3 million charge to earnings to write-down the fair value of the referenced portfolio.  At September 30, 2015, the reference portfolio underlying the swap had an unrealized loss of approximately $1.8 million.    
  • Other non-interest income in the third quarter of 2015 was centered in $3.4 million of capital markets fees, $1.0 million of asset management fees, $0.7 million of unused fees on revolving credit commitments, and a gain on the sale of loans of $0.4 million. It also included an impairment charge of approximately $0.5 million related to an equity position held by the Company.     

Credit Performance

  • Total credit costs in the third quarter of 2015 remained within expected ranges, increasing $1.3 million to $4.5 million from $3.2 million in the prior quarter due primarily to an increase in general provision related to loan growth. 
  • Total specific provision expense decreased by approximately $0.9 million in the third quarter of 2015 to $1.6 million compared to $2.5 million in the prior quarter. 
  • The allowance for credit losses was $54.5 million, or 1.76% of consolidated loans and approximately 51% of NPLs, at September 30, 2015, compared to $49.9 million, or 1.81% of loans and approximately 49% of NPLs, at June 30, 2015. The change in the ratio was driven primarily by an increase in the loan portfolio. 
  • Non-performing assets increased slightly to $107.7 million, or 3.48% as a percentage of loans at September 30, 2015 compared to $105.0 million or 3.79% of loans at the end of the prior period due to the addition of one legacy loan totaling $7.0 million to non-accrual status during the third quarter of 2015. 

Expenses

  • Operating expenses increased by approximately $2 million to $13.4 from $11.4 million due to higher accrued compensation expense. 
  • Expenses as a percentage of average assets were 1.45% in the third quarter compared to 1.39% of average assets for the prior quarter.
  • Adjusted operating expenses, excluding non-cash equity compensation were $12.5 million in the third quarter compared to $10.6 million in the second quarter. 
  • The Company had 110 full-time employees at September 30, 2015 compared to 107 full-time employees at June 30, 2015.

Income Taxes

  • Deferred income taxes increased to $35.6 million as of September 30, 2015 compared to $29.8 million as of June 30, 2015 due primarily to changes in the timing differences between when depreciation on leased equipment in our Equipment Finance portfolio is recognized for book and tax purposes.
  • Approximately $25.8 million and $9.6 million of the net deferred tax asset as of September 30, 2015 were related to our allowance for credit losses and equity compensation, respectively, which was partially offset by $2.9 million of deferred tax liabilities related to the lease portfolio.

Funding and Capital

  • Total cash and equivalents as of September 30, 2015 were $198.3 million, of which $57.5 million was unrestricted. Unrestricted cash increased from approximately $25.3 million at June 30, 2015 due primarily to the timing of cash distributions from CLO trusts. Restricted cash decreased to approximately $140.9 million at September 30, 2015 from approximately $189.5 million as of June 30, 2015 as restricted cash in the 2015-1 CLO was employed in new investments, as well as timing differences in settlement dates of CLO trusts and other non-recourse, secured financing arrangements.
  • Advances under credit facilities decreased by approximately $10 million during the third quarter as the repayment of advances under warehouse lines from the proceeds of two new securitizations were mostly offset by additional advances to fund new lending activity.
  • Increased the commitment amounts of two warehouse credit facilities agented by Citi and Wells Fargo by $75 and $50 million to $275 million and $475 million, respectively. 
  • Term debt securitizations increased from the prior quarter by approximately $347 million to $1.9 billion at September 30, 2015.  The increase was due primarily to the issuance of asset-backed notes totaling approximately $405 million through a new CLO Trust and a new securitization of equipment loans and leases, which was partly offset by continued amortization of the 2007-1 CLO. 
  • Completed a $398 million term debt securitization through the issuance of asset-backed notes through a new CLO trust 2015-2.  The notes were backed by a diversified portfolio of commercial loans originated by our Leveraged Finance group.  The Company retained all of the membership interests and a portion of the Class E notes, totaling $70.1 million.
  • Completed a $100 million equipment lease securitization through the issuance of $82.9 million of asset-backed notes backed by a diversified portfolio of equipment loans and leases totaling approximately $100.1 million originated through our Equipment Finance group.  The Company retained all of the membership interests and Class B notes totaling $40.6 million. 
  • $50 million of additional subordinated notes were issued in the quarter under an existing commitment from funds managed by GSO Capital and Franklin Square.  An additional $25 million was drawn after the end of the quarter, leaving a $25 million remaining to be drawn by December 2015.   
  • Total debt increased by approximately $428 million to $3.1 billion at September 30, 2015, which led to an increase in balance sheet leverage to 4.8x from 4.1x at June 30, 2015. The increase was due primarily to the company’s issuance of subordinated notes and asset-backed securities in connection with two securitization transactions.  

Equity

  • Book value per share increased $0.04 to $14.40 at the end of the third quarter of 2015, up from $14.36 at the end of the prior quarter due primarily to comprehensive income for the quarter, which reflected approximately $2.6 of unrealized losses on securities recorded in other comprehensive income. Book value per share increased 13.1% from the same quarter of last year.
  • The company purchased 0.07 million shares of its common stock in the third quarter for an aggregate purchase price of $0.8 million under the stock repurchase program authorized in August 2014.
  • Average diluted shares outstanding were 48.2 million shares for the quarter, down from 48.5 million for the prior quarter, and total outstanding shares at September 30, 2015 were 45.8 million, consistent with June 30, 2015.
  • Pre-tax returns on average equity increased to 5.3% in the third quarter, from 5.2% in the prior quarter.

Conference Call and Webcast

NewStar will host a webcast/conference call to discuss the results today at 10:00 am Eastern Time. All interested parties are invited to participate via telephone or webcast, which will be hosted through the Investor Relations section at www.newstarfin.com. Please visit the website to register for the webcast and test your connection prior to the call. You can also access the conference call by dialing 877-755-7419 approximately 5-10 minutes prior to the call.  International callers should dial 973-200-3080. All callers should reference “NewStar Financial.”   

For convenience, an archived replay of the call will be available through November 11, 2015 by dialing 855-859-2056. International callers should call 404-537-3406. For all replays, please use the passcode 62163542. The audio replay will also be available through the Investor Relations section at www.newstarfin.com.   

About NewStar Financial

NewStar Financial Inc. (NASDAQ:NEWS) is an internally-managed, commercial finance company focused on meeting the complex financing needs of companies and private investors in the middle markets. The Company specializes in providing a range of corporate debt financing options to mid-sized companies to fund working capital, growth strategies, acquisition and recapitalization, as well as equipment purchases. NewStar originates loans and leases directly through specialized lending platforms staffed by teams of experienced, senior bankers and marketing officers organized around key industry and market segments. The Company also manages a series of credit funds that offer co-investment opportunities in middle market loans to institutional investors.   NewStar provides credit commitments of up to $50 million and will selectively underwrite or arrange larger transactions through a strategic relationship with GSO Capital and funds sponsored by Franklin Square Capital Partners, or for syndication to other lenders. 

NewStar is headquartered in Boston MA and has regional offices in Atlanta GA, Chicago IL, Dallas TX, Darien, CT, New York, NY, Portland OR and San Francisco CA. For more detailed information, please visit our website at www.newstarfin.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our ability to support continued future asset growth.  All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, strategic plans, the market price for NewStar’s stock prevailing from time to time, the nature of other investment opportunities presented to NewStar from time to time, objectives, future performance, financing plans and business. As such, they are subject to material risks and uncertainties, including our ability to leverage new and future assets to support growth, the continued success of our strategic relationships; the general state of the economy; our ability to compete effectively in a highly competitive industry; our ability to integrate acquired businesses; and the impact of federal, state and local laws and regulations that govern non-depository commercial lenders and businesses generally.

More detailed information about these risk factors can be found in NewStar’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) of our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, and as supplemented by any Risk Factors contained in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q.  NewStar is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. NewStar plans to file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 with the SEC on or before November 13, 2015 and urges its shareholders to refer to that document for more complete information concerning NewStar’s financial results.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

References to “Adjusted net income”, “Adjusted net income per diluted share”, “Adjusted revenue”, “Adjusted interest expense”, “Adjusted income before taxes”, “Adjusted equity” and “Adjusted net interest margin” exclude the debt extinguishment costs from the Company’s financial results that are required to be included under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Pre-Tax returns on average equity excluding the effects of [certain] unrealized losses, excludes the unrealized losses recognized in our total reserve swap that are required to be included under GAAP.   NewStar uses these adjusted financial measures to make operational and investment decisions, and NewStar believes that they provide useful information to investors in their evaluation of our financial performance and condition.  Excluding the expenses incurred in connection with the debt extinguishment costs eliminates the impact of the acceleration of the amortization of deferred financing fees that may make it difficult to compare our period over period results.  References to Adjusted operating expenses refer to operating expenses, excluding compensation expense related to restricted stock grants and option grants that are required to be included under GAAP.  NewStar management uses Adjusted operating expenses to make operational and investment decisions, and NewStar believes that they provide useful information to investors in their evaluation of our financial performance and condition.  Excluding the financial results and expenses incurred in connection with the compensation expense related to restricted stock grants and option grants eliminates unique amounts that make it difficult to assess our core performance and compare our period over period results. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their respective most directly comparable GAAP measures are included on pages 13 and 14 of this release.  

Total revenue is defined as the sum of net interest income and non-interest income

NewStar Financial, Inc.                  
Consolidated Balance Sheets                  
(unaudited)                  
                   
                   
    September 30,   June 30,   December 31,   September 30,  
($ in thousands)     2015       2015       2014       2014    
Assets:                  
                   
Cash and cash equivalents   $   57,472     $   25,308     $   33,033     $   111,611    
Restricted cash       140,854         189,529         95,411         131,805    
Cash collateral on deposit with custodian       53,738         42,552         38,975         –    
Investments in debt securities, available-for-sale       94,328         108,454         46,881         21,023    
Loans held-for-sale, net       427,418         338,304         200,569         46,863    
Loans and leases, net       2,991,370         2,688,971         2,305,896         2,045,338    
Deferred financing costs, net       41,606         33,485         26,514         21,207    
Interest receivable       9,668         10,590         7,477         5,236    
Property and equipment, net       624         652         660         698    
Deferred income taxes, net       35,627         29,762         28,078         25,427    
Income tax receivable       –         218         3,388         5,216    
Unsettled trade receivables       –         16,734         396         –    
Other assets       16,574         21,998         23,731         32,530    
Total assets   $   3,869,279     $   3,506,557     $   2,811,009     $   2,446,954    
                   
Liabilities:                  
                   
Credit facilities   $   625,595     $   634,923     $   487,768     $   284,348    
Term debt securitizations       1,890,765         1,543,955         1,193,187         1,225,653    
Repurchase agreements       137,640         99,210         57,227         57,371    
Senior notes       300,000         300,000         –         –    
Corporate debt       –         –         238,500         238,500    
Subordinated notes       189,852         138,215         156,831         –    
Accrued interest payable       28,261         13,940         6,576         7,426    
Unsettled trade payables       –         93,211         78         –    
Income tax payable        3,352         –         –         –    
Other liabilities       33,534         25,726         29,845         25,562    
Total liabilities       3,208,999         2,849,180         2,170,012         1,838,860    
Total stockholders’ equity       660,280         657,377         640,997         608,094    
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $   3,869,279     $   3,506,557     $   2,811,009     $   2,446,954    

 

NewStar Financial, Inc.                
Consolidated Statements of Operations                
(unaudited)                
                 
                 
  Three Months Ended  
  September 30,    June 30,   December 31,   September 30,  
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)   2015       2015       2014       2014    
Net interest income:                
Interest income $   54,574     $   46,871     $   35,601     $   33,907    
Interest expense     31,345         31,085         17,102         14,304    
Net interest income     23,229         15,786         18,499         19,603    
Provision for credit losses     4,534         3,208         5,280         3,369    
Net interest income after provision for credit losses     18,695         12,578         13,219         16,234    
                 
Non-interest income (loss):                
Fee income     4,573         4,777         495         740    
Asset management income     1,019         1,015         511         488    
Loss on derivatives     (5 )       (10 )       (12 )       (10 )  
Gain (loss) on sale of loans     360         (31 )       (41 )       (23 )  
Other (loss) income      (2,455 )       1,678         (1,212 )       2,066    
Total non-interest income (loss)     3,492         7,429         (259 )       3,261    
Operating expenses:                
Compensation and benefits     9,561         7,710         7,100         7,721    
General and administrative expenses     3,819         3,734         3,652         3,260    
Total operating expenses     13,380         11,444         10,752         10,981    
Operating income before income taxes     8,807         8,563         2,208         8,514    
Results of Consolidated VIE     –         –         –         –    
Income before income taxes     8,807         8,563         2,208         8,514    
Income tax expense      3,665         3,563         982         3,494    
Net income  $   5,142     $   5,000     $   1,226     $   5,020    
                 
Net income  per share:                
Basic $   0.11     $   0.11     $   0.03     $   0.10    
Diluted $   0.11     $   0.10     $   0.02     $   0.10    
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:                
Basic     45,744,881         45,912,304         47,571,956         47,899,685    
Diluted     48,238,467         48,535,763         50,527,250         50,803,293    

 

NewStar Financial, Inc.          
Consolidated Statements of Operations          
(unaudited)          
           
    For the Nine Months  
    Ended September 30,  
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)     2015       2014    
Net interest income:          
Interest income   $   141,194     $   100,570    
Interest expense       84,764         40,673    
Net interest income       56,430         59,897    
Provision for credit losses       14,720         21,828    
Net interest income after provision for credit losses       41,710         38,069    
           
Non-interest income:          
Fee income       10,508         1,972    
Asset management income       2,954         543    
Loss on derivatives       (24 )       (27 )  
Gain (loss) on sale of loans       314         (189 )  
Other income       1,295         9,176    
Total non-interest income       15,047         11,475    
Operating expenses:          
Compensation and benefits       24,004         23,283    
General and administrative expenses       11,052         11,481    
Total operating expenses       35,056         34,764    
Operating income before income taxes       21,701         14,780    
Results of Consolidated VIE          
Interest income       –         5,268    
Interest expense – credit facilities       –         2,865    
Interest expense – Fund membership interest       –         1,292    
Other income       –         229    
Operating expenses       –         249    
Net results from Consolidated VIE       –         1,091    
           
Income before income taxes       21,701         15,871    
Income tax expense       9,020         6,503    
Net income   $   12,681     $   9,368    
           
Net income per share:          
Basic   $   0.27     $   0.19    
Diluted   $   0.26     $   0.18    
           
Weighted average shares outstanding:          
Basic       46,138,595         48,500,868    
Diluted       48,705,481         51,897,255    

 

NewStar Financial, Inc.                
Selected Financial Data                
(unaudited)                
                 
                 
    Three Months Ended
    September 30,   June 30,   December 31,   September 30,
($ in thousands)     2015       2015       2014       2014  
Performance Ratios:                
Return on average assets     0.56 %     0.61 %     0.19 %     0.82 %
Return on average equity       3.10         3.05         0.79         3.28  
Pre-tax return on average equity (ROAE)       5.31         5.23         1.42         5.56  
Net interest margin, before provision       2.57         1.99         2.90         3.24  
Operating expenses as a percentage of average total assets       1.45         1.39         1.65         1.79  
Efficiency ratio       50.07         49.30         58.94         48.03  
Portfolio yield       6.32         6.31         5.97         6.13  
                 
Credit Quality Ratios:                
Delinquent loan rate for loans 60 days or more                
past due (at period end)     0.93 %     1.67 %     1.84 %     1.07 %
Delinquent loan rate for accruing loans 60 days                
or more past due (at period end)       0.28         –          –          –   
Non-accrual loan rate (at period end)       3.48         3.69         3.70         3.67  
Non-performing asset rate (at period end)       3.48         3.79         3.84         4.25  
Annualized net charge off rate (end of period loans)       –          0.58         0.59         0.11  
Annualized net charge off rate (average period loans)       –          0.56         0.59         0.10  
Allowance for credit losses ratio (at period end)       1.76         1.81         1.84         1.99  
                 
Capital and Leverage Ratios:                
Equity to assets     17.06 %     18.75 %     22.80 %     24.85 %
Debt to equity       4.76         4.13         3.32         2.97  
Book value per share   $   14.40     $   14.36     $   13.75     $   12.73  
                 
Average Balances:                
Loans and other debt products, gross   $   3,422,587     $   2,975,756     $   2,365,225     $   2,193,343  
Interest earning assets       3,579,431         3,179,911         2,531,808         2,398,564  
Total assets       3,664,525         3,297,290         2,582,340         2,433,159  
Interest bearing liabilities       2,882,669         2,595,877         1,919,677         1,794,368  
Equity       658,375         657,133         616,440         607,686  
                 
Allowance for credit loss activity:                
Balance as of beginning of period   $   49,947     $   50,739     $   41,910     $   39,099  
General provision for credit losses       2,925         725         2,946         1,586  
Specific provision for credit losses       1,609         2,483         2,334         1,783  
Net (charge offs) recoveries       –         (4,000 )       (3,497 )       (558 )
Balance as of end of period   $   54,481     $   49,947     $   43,693     $   41,910  
                 
Supplemental Data (at period end):                
Investments in debt securities, gross   $   108,318     $   117,318     $   53,098     $   24,298  
Loans held-for-sale, gross       431,811         342,035         202,369         47,107  
Loans held-for-investment, gross       3,090,290         2,765,706         2,370,255         2,103,858  
Loans and investments in debt securities, gross       3,630,419         3,225,059         2,625,722         2,175,263  
Unused lines of credit       484,721         439,161         317,583         303,643  
Standby letters of credit       8,082         8,416         7,911         8,637  
Total funding commitments   $   4,123,222     $   3,672,636     $   2,951,216     $   2,487,543  
                 
Loans held-for-sale, gross   $   431,811     $   342,035     $   202,369     $   47,107  
Loans held-for-investment, gross       3,090,290         2,765,706         2,370,255         2,103,858  
Total loans, gross       3,522,101         3,107,741         2,572,624         2,150,965  
Deferred fees, net       (50,201 )       (31,758 )       (23,176 )       (17,479 )
Allowance for loan losses – general       (29,314 )       (26,519 )       (22,258 )       (19,460 )
Allowance for loan losses – specific       (23,798 )       (22,189 )       (20,725 )       (21,825 )
Total loans, net   $   3,418,788     $   3,027,275     $   2,506,465     $   2,092,201  

 

NewStar Financial, Inc.          
Selected Financial Data          
(unaudited)          
           
           
    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
($ in thousands)     2015       2014    
Performance Ratios:          
Return on average assets     0.52 %     0.50 %  
Return on average equity       2.58         2.03    
Net interest margin, before provision       2.35         3.24    
Operating expenses as a percentage of average total assets       1.43         1.86    
Efficiency ratio       49.05         48.15    
Portfolio yield       6.19         6.12    
           
Credit Quality Ratios:          
Annualized net charge off rate (end of period loans)       0.17         1.38    
Annualized net charge off rate (average period loans)       0.18         1.27    
           
Average Balances:          
Loans and other debt products, gross   $   3,049,205     $   2,311,986    
Interest earning assets       3,214,755         2,515,976    
Total assets       3,277,018         2,518,916    
Interest bearing liabilities       2,602,713         1,890,302    
Equity       657,673         616,390    
           
Allowance for credit loss activity:          
Balance as of beginning of period   $   43,693     $   41,854    
General provision for credit losses       7,647         2,092    
Specific provision for credit losses       7,073         19,736    
Net charge offs       (3,932 )       (21,772 )  
Balance as of end of period   $   54,481     $   41,910    

 

NewStar Financial, Inc.                    
Non-GAAP Selected Financial Data                    
(unaudited)                    
                     
                     
    Three Months Ended    
    September 30,   June 30,    December 31,   September 30,    
($ in thousands)     2015       2015       2014       2014      
Performance Ratios:                    
Adjusted pre-tax return on average equity (ROAE)         7.39 %            
Adjusted net interest margin, before provision         2.44              
Adjusted operating expenses as a percentage of average total assets     1.36       1.28         1.53         1.70   .  
                     
Consolidated Statement of Operations  Adjustments (1):                    
                     
Interest income $   54,574     $   46,871              
Interest expense     31,345         31,085              
Plus: accelerated amortization of expenses (2)       –         3,557              
Adjusted interest expense       31,345         27,528              
                     
Adjusted net interest income     23,229         19,343              
Total non-interest income       3,492         7,429              
                     
Adjusted revenue       26,721         26,772              
Provision for credit losses     4,534         3,208              
Total operating expenses       13,380         11,444              
                     
Adjusted income before income taxes       8,807         12,120              
Adjusted income tax expense     3,665         5,043              
Adjusted net income   $   5,142     $   7,077              
                     
Adjusted net income per share:                  
Basic $   0.11     $   0.15              
Diluted $   0.11     $   0.15              
                     
Operating expenses   $   13,380     $   11,444     $   10,752     $   10,981      
Less: non-cash equity compensation expense (3)       839         881         789         569      
Adjusted operating expenses   $   12,541     $   10,563     $   9,963     $   10,412      
                     
Average Balances:                    
Equity   $   658,375     $   657,133              
Plus: accelerated amortization of expenses (after tax) (2)           519              
Adjusted equity   $   658,375     $   657,652              
                     
    Three Months Ended    
    September 30,   June 30,   December 31,   September 30,    
      2015       2015       2014       2014      
Risk-adjusted revenue                    
Net interest income after provision for credit losses   $   18,695     $   12,578     $   13,219     $   16,234      
Non-interest income       3,492         7,429         (259 )       3,261      
Risk-adjusted revenue   $   22,187     $   20,007     $   12,960     $   19,495      
                     
(1) Adjustments are pre-tax, unless otherwise noted.                    
(2) Accelerated amortization of deferred financing fees related to early repayment of corporate credit facility.              
(3) Non-cash compensation charge related to restricted stock grants and option grants.                 

 

NewStar Financial, Inc.          
Non-GAAP Selected Financial Data          
(unaudited)          
           
           
    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
($ in thousands)     2015       2014    
Performance Ratios:          
Operating expenses as a percentage of average total assets       1.33         1.76    
           
Consolidated Statement of Operations  Adjustments(1):          
Operating expenses   $   35,056     $   35,013    
Less: non-cash equity compensation expense (2)       2,450         1,796    
Adjusted operating expenses   $   32,606     $   33,217    
           
           
    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
      2015       2014    
Risk-adjusted revenue          
Net interest income after provision for credit losses   $   41,710     $   39,180    
Non-interest income       15,047         11,704    
Risk-adjusted revenue   $   56,757     $   50,884    
           
(1) Adjustments are pre-tax.          
(2) Non-cash compensation charge related to restricted stock grants and option grants.       

 

NewStar Financial, Inc.                                                  
Portfolio Data                                                  
(unaudited)                                                  
                                                   
      September 30,       June 30,       December 31,       September 30,    
($ in thousands)     2015       2015       2014       2014    
                                                   
Portfolio Data:                                                  
Senior secured cash flow   $   2,880,473     79.3 %   $   2,560,569     79.4 %   $   2,044,126     77.9 %   $   1,704,028     78.3 %  
Senior secured asset-based       471,781     13.0         415,675     12.9         385,882     14.7         303,627     14.0    
First mortgage       100,590     2.8         94,009     2.9         105,394     4.0         109,283     5.0    
Other       177,575     4.9         154,806     4.8         90,320     3.4         58,328     2.7    
Total   $   3,630,419     100.0 %   $   3,225,059     100.0 %   $   2,625,722     100.0 %   $   2,175,266     100.0 %  
                                                   
Leveraged Finance   $   3,080,004     84.8 %   $   2,751,893     85.3 %   $   2,136,744     81.4 %   $   1,764,604     81.1 %  
Business Credit       274,617     7.6         239,187     7.4         286,918     10.9         225,650     10.4    
Real Estate       100,590     2.8         94,009     2.9         105,394     4.0         109,283     5.0    
Equipment Finance       175,208     4.8         139,970     4.4         96,666     3.7         75,726     3.5    
Total   $   3,630,419     100.0 %   $   3,225,059     100.0 %   $   2,625,722     100.0 %   $   2,175,263     100.0 %  
                                                   
                                                   
Managed Portfolio                                                  
NewStar Financial, Inc. portfolio   $   3,630,419         $   3,225,059         $   2,625,722         $   2,175,263        
Loans owned by Arlington Program       395,370             378,501             383,834             337,326        
Loans owned by Clarendon Fund       392,281             388,271             236,703             –        
Loans owned by NewStar TRS Fund       163,857             136,733             85,024             –        
Loans owned by NewStar Credit                                                   
Opportunities Fund       23,694             29,785             36,272             48,225        
Total   $   4,605,621         $   4,158,349         $   3,367,555         $   2,560,814        
                                                   
                                                   
Managed Assets                                                  
NewStar Financial, Inc.   $   3,869,279         $   3,506,557         $   2,811,009         $   2,446,954        
Arlington Program       400,000             400,000             400,000             400,000        
Clarendon Fund       400,000             400,000             400,000             –        
NewStar TRS Fund       163,857             136,733             110,575             –        
NewStar Credit Opportunities Fund       25,962             31,443             39,047             50,431        
Total   $   4,859,098         $   4,474,733         $   3,760,631         $   2,897,385        

CONTACT: For information contact:
Robert K. Brown
500 Boylston St., Suite 1250
Boston, MA 02116
P. 617.848.2558
F. 617.848.4390
[email protected]