Pathward Financial, Inc. Announces Results for 2024 Fiscal Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024

Pathward Financial, Inc. ("Pathward Financial" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:CASH) reported net income of $33.6 million, or $1.35 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to net income of $35.9 million, or $1.36 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

The Company reported net income of $168.4 million, or $6.62 per share, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, compared to net income of $163.6 million, or $5.99 per share, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized return on average assets of 2.20% compared to 2.33% for the prior year period.

CEO Brett Pharr said, "2024 was a great year for Pathward. We recertified as a Great Place to Work, remained committed to our remote first approach, announced new partnerships and extended others, celebrated employees who won multiple awards, and, most recently, announced that our newly rebranded Partner Solutions team won Finovate's Best Banking as a Service provider. These successes translated to solid financial results as well. We reported earnings per diluted share of $6.62 for the fiscal year, which was just above the high end of our updated guidance range and represents year-over-year growth of 11%."

Company Highlights and Business Developments

• On August 28, 2024, Pathward announced the sale of its commercial insurance premium finance business. The Company expects this transaction will close by October 31, 2024.

• On September 25, 2024, Pathward, N.A., ("Bank" or "Pathward"), a subsidiary of Pathward Financial, celebrated its 20th year serving the payments industry with the announcement it renamed its "Banking as a Service" business line to "Partner Solutions."

• On September 30, 2024, Pathward Financial and Pathward announced the Bank's Partner Solutions line of business won the 2024 Finovate Award for Best Banking as a Service Provider. According to Finovate, its awards recognize the companies driving fintech innovation forward and the individuals bringing new ideas to life.

Financial Highlights for the 2024 Fiscal Fourth Quarter

• Total revenue for the fourth quarter was $167.9 million, an increase of $6.9 million, or 4%, compared to the same quarter in fiscal 2023, driven by an increase in net interest income, partially offset by a reduction in noninterest income.

• Net interest margin ("NIM") increased 47 basis points to 6.66% for the fourth quarter from 6.19% during the same period last year, primarily driven by increased yields on earning assets and an improved earning asset mix from the continued optimization of the portfolio. When including contractual, rate-related processing expense, which includes the expenses associated with custodial deposits, NIM would have been 5.15% in the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter compared to 4.87% during the fiscal 2023 fourth quarter. Servicing fee income on off-balance sheet custodial deposits is not included in this calculation. See non-GAAP reconciliation table below.

• Total gross loans and leases at September 30, 2024 decreased $290.9 million to $4.08 billion compared to September 30, 2023 and decreased $537.4 million when compared to June 30, 2024. When excluding insurance premium finance loans of $800.1 million and $617.1 million, respectively, total gross loans and leases at September 30, 2024 increased $509.2 million, or 14%, when compared to September 30, 2023 and increased $79.7 million, or 2%, compared to June 30, 2024.

• During the 2024 fiscal fourth quarter, the Company repurchased 236,308 shares of common stock at an average share price of $63.44. As of September 30, 2024, there were 7,000,000 shares available for repurchase under the current common stock share repurchase program.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 was $115.9 million, an increase of 10% from the same quarter in fiscal 2023. The increase was mainly attributable to increased yields, higher average interest-earning asset balances and an improved earning asset mix.

The Company's average interest-earning assets for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 increased by $201.1 million to $6.93 billion compared to the same quarter in fiscal 2023, due to growth in average outstanding balances of loans and leases, partially offset by a decrease in total investment security balances and a decrease in cash balances. The fourth quarter average outstanding balance of loans and leases increased $406.4 million compared to the same quarter of the prior fiscal year, primarily due to an increase in commercial finance and warehouse finance loans, partially offset by a decrease in consumer finance loans.

Fiscal 2024 fourth quarter NIM increased to 6.66% from 6.19% in the fourth fiscal quarter of last year. When including contractual, rate-related processing expense, NIM would have been 5.15% in the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter compared to 4.87% during the fiscal 2023 fourth quarter. See non-GAAP reconciliation table below. The overall reported tax-equivalent yield ("TEY") on average earning asset yields increased 41 basis points to 6.89% compared to the prior year quarter, driven by an improved earning asset mix. The yield on the loan and lease portfolio was 8.67% compared to 8.33% for the comparable period last year and the TEY on the securities portfolio was 3.12% compared to 3.13% over that same period.

The Company's cost of funds for all deposits and borrowings averaged 0.24% during the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter, as compared to 0.29% during the prior year quarter. The Company's overall cost of deposits was 0.07% in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2024, as compared to 0.12% during the prior year quarter. When including contractual, rate-related processing expense, the Company's overall cost of deposits was 1.76% in the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter, as compared to 1.56% during the prior year quarter. See non-GAAP reconciliation table below.

Noninterest Income

Fiscal 2024 fourth quarter noninterest income decreased 7% to $52.0 million, compared to $56.1 million for the same period of the prior year. The decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in card and deposit fees, rental income, and other income. The period-over-period decrease was partially offset by an increase in gain on sale of other and tax services product fees.

The period-over-period decrease in card and deposit fee income was primarily related to lower servicing fee income due to a reduction in custodial deposits. Servicing fee income totaled $3.2 million during the 2024 fiscal fourth quarter, compared to $7.8 million for the same period of the prior year. For the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024, servicing fee income on custodial deposits totaled $8.6 million.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense increased 10% to $129.9 million for the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter, from $118.2 million for the same quarter last year. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in compensation and benefits, card processing expense, other expense, and legal and consulting expense. The period-over-period increase was partially offset by a decrease in operating lease depreciation and amortization expenses.

The card processing expense increase was due to rate-related agreements with Partner Solutions relationships. 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 is based on a percentage of the Effective Federal Funds Rate ("EFFR") and reprices immediately upon a change in the EFFR. Approximately 57% of the deposit portfolio was subject to these rate-related processing expenses during the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter. For the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2024, contractual, rate-related processing expenses were $26.3 million, as compared to $27.6 million for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024, and $22.5 million for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023.

Income Tax Expense

The Company recorded an income tax expense of $3.1 million, representing an effective tax rate of 8.2%, for the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter, compared to an income tax benefit of $2.7 million, representing an effective tax rate of (7.9%), for the fourth quarter last fiscal year. The current quarter increase in income tax expense compared to the prior year quarter was primarily due to a decrease in investment tax credits.

The Company originated $26.1 million in renewable energy leases during the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter, resulting in $7.2 million in total net investment tax credits. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company originated $42.6 million in renewable energy leases resulting in $13.7 million in total net investment tax credits. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, the Company originated $68.4 million in renewable energy leases, compared to $93.6 million for the comparable prior year period. Investment tax credits related to renewable energy leases are recognized ratably based on income throughout each fiscal year.

Investments, Loans and Leases

The Company's investment security balances at September 30, 2024 totaled $1.77 billion, as compared to $1.76 billion at June 30, 2024 and $1.84 billion at September 30, 2023.

Total gross loans and leases totaled $4.08 billion at September 30, 2024, as compared to $4.61 billion at June 30, 2024 and $4.37 billion at September 30, 2023. The primary driver for the sequential and year-over-year decrease was related to the insurance premium finance portfolio moving to held for sale. The decrease was partially offset by growth in total commercial finance loans, excluding insurance premium finance loans, and warehouse finance loans. A decrease in seasonal tax services loans also led to the sequential decrease. When excluding insurance premium finance loans, total gross loans and leases at September 30, 2024 increased $79.7 million, or 2%, compared to June 30, 2024 and increased $509.2 million, or 14%, when compared to September 30, 2023.

Commercial finance loans, which comprised 81% of the Company's loan and lease portfolio, totaled $3.30 billion at September 30, 2024, reflecting a decrease of $564.6 million from June 30, 2024 and a decrease of $427.6 million, or 11%, from September 30, 2023. The sequential decrease in commercial finance loans was primarily driven by the insurance premium finance portfolio moving to held for sale during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, which had a balance of $594.4 million at September 30, 2024. The decrease was partially offset by a $20.9 million increase in the term lending portfolio, a $19.3 million increase in the other commercial finance portfolio, and an $11.6 million increase in the factoring portfolio. The decrease in commercial finance loans when comparing the current period to the same period of the prior year was primarily driven by the aforementioned insurance premium finance loans along with a decrease in lease financing. This decrease was partially offset by increases in the term lending, asset-based lending, SBA/USDA, and other commercial finance portfolios. When excluding insurance premium finance loans, commercial finance loans at September 30, 2024 increased $52.5 million, or 2%, compared to June 30, 2024 and increased $372.5 million, or 13%, when compared to September 30, 2023.

Asset Quality

The Company's allowance for credit losses ("ACL") totaled $45.3 million at September 30, 2024, a decrease compared to $79.8 million at June 30, 2024 and a decrease compared to $49.7 million at September 30, 2023. The decrease in the ACL at September 30, 2024, when compared to June 30, 2024, was primarily due to a $28.6 million decrease in the allowance related to the seasonal tax services portfolio, a $3.4 million decrease in the allowance related to the consumer finance portfolio, and $2.5 million decrease in the allowance related to the commercial finance portfolio.

The $4.4 million year-over-year decrease in the ACL was primarily driven by a $4.4 million decrease in the allowance related to the commercial finance portfolio and a $0.1 million decrease in the allowance related to the consumer finance portfolio, partially offset by a $0.1 million increase in the allowance related to the warehouse finance portfolio.

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

The Company's ACL as a percentage of total loans and leases decreased to 1.11% at September 30, 2024 from 1.73% at June 30, 2024. The decrease in the total loans and leases coverage ratio was primarily driven by the consumer finance portfolio and the seasonal tax services portfolio, partially offset by an increase in the commercial finance portfolio. The decrease in the consumer finance loan coverage ratio was due to seasonal activity. The increase in the commercial finance loan and lease coverage ratio was primarily related to the $594.4 million of insurance premium finance loans that were held for sale as of September 30, 2024 and, as such, had no related ACL balance. That portfolio carried a lower reserve rate compared to the rest of the commercial finance portfolio.

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

The Company recognized a provision for credit losses of $0.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $9.0 million for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. The period-over-period decrease in provision for credit losses was primarily due to decreases in provision for credit losses in the commercial finance portfolio of $4.7 million and the tax services portfolio of $3.2 million, partially offset by an increase of $0.1 million in provision for credit losses in the warehouse finance portfolio. The decrease in provision for credit losses in the commercial finance portfolio was primarily due to the insurance premium finance portfolio moving to held for sale during the quarter and reversing out the provision for credit losses on that portfolio. The Company recognized net charge-offs of $35.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to net charge-offs of $41.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. Net charge-offs attributable to the seasonal tax services, consumer finance, and commercial finance portfolios for the current quarter were $28.4 million, $3.9 million, and $3.3 million, respectively. Net charge-offs attributable to the tax services, commercial finance and consumer finance portfolios for the same quarter of the prior year were $36.1 million, $5.1 million, and $0.1 million, respectively.

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

The Company's nonperforming assets at September 30, 2024 were $43.0 million, representing 0.57% of total assets, compared to $46.3 million, or 0.61% of total assets at June 30, 2024 and $58.0 million, or 0.77% of total assets at September 30, 2023.

The decrease in the nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets at September 30, 2024 compared to June 30, 2024, was primarily driven by a decrease in nonperforming loans in the commercial finance and consumer finance portfolios, partially offset by an increase in nonperforming loans in the tax services portfolio due to seasonal activity. When comparing the current period to the same period of the prior year, the decrease in nonperforming assets was primarily due to decreases in nonperforming loans in the commercial finance portfolio, partially offset by increases in the seasonal tax services portfolio and consumer finance portfolio.

The Company's nonperforming loans and leases at September 30, 2024, were $41.6 million, representing 0.87% of total gross loans and leases, compared to $44.6 million, or 0.96% of total gross loans and leases at June 30, 2024 and $56.2 million, or 1.26% of total gross loans and leases at September 30, 2023.

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

The average balance of total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities was $6.38 billion for the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to $6.39 billion for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Total average deposits for the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter decreased by $5.7 million to $6.20 billion compared to the same period in fiscal 2023. The decrease in average deposits was due to decreases in wholesale deposits and savings deposits, partially offset by increases noninterest bearing deposits and money market deposits.

Total end-of-period deposits decreased 11% to $5.88 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $6.59 billion at September 30, 2023. The decrease in end-of-period deposits was primarily driven by decreases in noninterest-bearing deposits of $715.8 million, money market deposits of $10.6 million, and savings deposits of $10.3 million, partially offset by an increase in wholesale deposits of $20.1 million.

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $433.3 million in deposits related to government stimulus programs. Of the total amount of government stimulus program deposits, $198.2 million are on activated cards while $235.1 million are on inactivated cards.

As of September 30, 2024, the Company managed $201.9 million of customer deposits at other banks in its capacity as custodian. These deposits provide the Company with the ability to earn servicing fee income, typically reflective of the EFFR. The sequential quarter decrease in these customer deposits held at other banks reflects normal seasonal patterns in deposits on balance sheet as well as the Company retaining more deposits on its balance sheet to fund loan growth by the Company during the current quarter.

Regulatory Capital

The Company and its subsidiary Pathward®, N.A. (the "Bank") remained above the federal regulatory minimum capital requirements at September 30, 2024, 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 primarily comprised of amortizing securities that should provide consistent cash flow.

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:

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call and earnings webcast with a corresponding presentation at 4:00 p.m. Central Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. 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 1-833-470-1428 approximately 10 minutes prior to start time and reference access code 291724.

The Quarterly Investor Update slide presentation prepared for use in connection with the Company's conference call and earnings webcast is available under the Presentations link in the Investor Relations - Events & Presentations section of the Company's website at www.pathwardfinancial.com. A webcast replay will also be archived at www.pathwardfinancial.com for one year.

Upcoming Investor Events

• Piper Sandler East Coast Financial Services Conference, Nov. 14, 2024 | Naples, 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 Partner Solutions 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 Securities and Exchange Commission ("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," "target," 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 diluted share guidance, annual effective tax rate and related performance expectations; progress on key strategic initiatives; expected results of our partnerships; impacts of our improved data analytics, underwriting and monitoring processes; expected nonperforming loan resolutions and net charge off rates; the performance of our securities portfolio; the impact of card balances related to government stimulus programs; customer retention; loan and other product demand; new products and services; credit quality; the level of net charge-offs and the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses; and technology. 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 unusual and infrequently occurring events, including the impact on financial markets from geopolitical conflicts such as the military conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, weather-related disasters, or public health events, such as pandemics, and any governmental or societal responses thereto; 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, and their related impacts on macroeconomic conditions, customer behavior, funding costs and loan and securities portfolios; changes in tax laws; the strength of the United States' economy and the local economies in which the Company operates; adverse developments in the financial services industry generally such as bank failures, responsive measures to mitigate and manage such developments, related supervisory and regulatory actions and costs, and related impacts on customer behavior; inflation, market, and monetary fluctuations; our liquidity and capital positions, including the sufficiency of our liquidity; 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 and acceptance 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 borrowing, 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, 2023, and in other filings made with the SEC. The Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update, revise or clarify 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.

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.