goeasy Ltd. Reports Record Results for the Second Quarter & Announces Enhancements to Securitization Facility

Loan Portfolio of $1.80 billion, up 58%
Revenue of $202 million, up 34%
Net Charge Off Rate of 8.2%, down from 10.0%
Adjusted Quarterly Net Income of $43.7 million, up 50%
Adjusted Quarterly Diluted Earnings per Share of $2.61, up 38%
Securitization Facility Increased from $200 million to $600 million, with Interest Reduction of 110 bps

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Aug. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- goeasy Ltd. GSY, ("goeasy" or the "Company"), a leading full-service provider of goods and alternative financial services, today reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 and announced a commitment from National Bank Financial Markets to increase its existing revolving securitization warehouse facility (the "Securitization Facility") from $200 million to $600 million, including a new 3-year term extension, improved eligibility criteria and a 110 basis point reduction in the interest rate payable on advances from 1-month Canadian Dollar Offered Rate ("CDOR") plus 295 bps to CDOR plus 185 bps.
        
Second Quarter Results

During the quarter, the Company experienced an increased level of demand within its direct-to-consumer lending channels, aided by strong growth in its point-of-sale finance channel. Increased originations and loan growth, complemented by improved credit performance and the April 30, 2021 closing of the previously announced acquisition of LendCare Holdings Inc. ("LendCare"), led to record financial results.

The Company generated a record $379 million in total loan originations in the second quarter, up 122% compared to the $171 million produced in the second quarter of 2020, and a sequential increase of 39% from the $272 million in loan originations in the first quarter of 2021. In addition to the approximately $445 million gross consumer loan portfolio acquired through the acquisition of LendCare, the increase in loan origination volume led to organic growth in the loan portfolio of an additional $74 million during the quarter, resulting in a total gross consumer loan receivable portfolio of $1.80 billion, up 58% from $1.13 billion as at June 30, 2020. The growth in consumer loans led to an increase in revenue, which was a record $202 million in the quarter, up 34% over the same period in 2020.

During the quarter, the Company also continued to experience strong credit and payment performance. When combined with the amalgamation of the structurally lower credit risk of the LendCare portfolio, the net charge off rate for the second quarter was 8.2%, compared to 10.0% in the second quarter of 2020. As a result of the continued improvement in underlying credit quality, the improving economic recovery, and the amalgamation of LendCare, the Company reduced its overall allowance for future credit losses to 7.90% from 9.88% in the prior quarter.

Operating income for the second quarter of 2021 was $56.1 million, up 4% from $54.0 million in the second quarter of 2020, while the operating margin for the second quarter was 27.7%, down from 35.8% in the prior year. After adjusting for items related to the acquisition of LendCare and an unrealized fair value loss on investments recorded in the quarter, the Company reported record adjusted operating income of $79.9 million, up $25.9 million or 48% over the second quarter of 2020. Adjusted operating margin for the second quarter was 39.5%, up from 35.8% in the prior year.

Net income in the second quarter was $19.5 million, compared to $32.5 million in the same period of 2020, which resulted in diluted earnings per share of $1.16, compared to $2.11 in the second quarter of 2020. After adjusting for non-recurring and unusual items on an after-tax basis, including $8.6 million of transaction and integration costs related to the acquisition of LendCare, $1.6 million in amortization of acquired intangible assets, a $10.5 million day one IFRS loss provision related to the acquired LendCare loan portfolio and a $3.5 million unrealized fair value loss on investments recorded in the second quarter of 2021, adjusted net income was a record $43.7 million, up 50% from $29.1 million in 2020, resulting in adjusted diluted earnings per share of $2.61, up 38% from $1.89 in the second quarter of 2020.

Return on equity during the quarter was 12.0%, compared to 37.0% in the second quarter of 2020. After adjusting for the non-recurring and unusual items previously noted, adjusted return on equity was 26.9% in the quarter, compared to adjusted return on equity of 33.1% in the same period of 2020.

"The second quarter was highlighted by a significant increase in loan originations, continued strength in the credit performance of our portfolio, and the expansion of our point-of-sale lending channel through the acquisition of LendCare," said Jason Mullins, goeasy's President and Chief Executive Officer, "As we have now entered a period of accelerated growth, revenues lifted 34%, while adjusted diluted earnings per share rose 38%. To support our future growth, we were also pleased to announce a $400 million increase to our securitization facility, supplemented by a material pricing reduction to a variable coupon rate of approximately 2.3%," Mr. Mullins concluded, "I'd like to extend my sincere appreciation to the entire goeasy team for successfully navigating through another period of pandemic related disruption and for the excellent job integrating our new colleagues at LendCare into the Company."

Other Key Second Quarter Highlights

easyfinancial (including the acquired LendCare portfolio)

• Revenue of $165 million, up 43%
• 33% of the loan portfolio secured, up from 11.1%
• 65% of net loan advances in the quarter were issued to new customers, up from 49%
• 38% of applications were acquired online, consistent with 39%
• 34% of new customers acquired through point-of-sale, up from 23%
• Average loan book per branch improved to $3.8 million, an increase of 5%
• Weighted average interest yield of 33.7%, down from 38.7%
• Record operating income of $74.9 million, up 25%
• Operating margin of 45.4%, down from 51.9% due to the higher rate of growth
  

easyhome

• Record revenue of $37.5 million, up 7%
• Same store revenue growth of 7.9%
• Consumer loan portfolio within easyhome stores increased to $56.9 million, up 41%
• Revenue from consumer lending increased to $7.3 million, up 43%
• Record operating income of $9.3 million, up 24%
• Record operating margin of 24.9%, up from 21.4%

Overall

• 45^th consecutive quarter of same store sales growth
• 80^th consecutive quarter of positive net income
• 2021 marks the 17^th consecutive year of paying dividends and the 7^th consecutive year of a dividend increase
• Total same store revenue growth of 20.2%
• Adjusted return on equity of 26.9% in the quarter and adjusted return on tangible common equity of 38.5%
• Fully drawn weighted average cost of borrowing reduced to 4.8%, down from 5.1%
• Net external debt to net capitalization of 64% on June 30, 2021, down from 70% in the prior year and below the Company's target leverage ratio of 70%
  

Six Months Results

For the first six months of 2021, goeasy produced revenues of $373 million, up 17% compared with $318 million in the same period of 2020. Operating income for the period was $120.0 million compared with $98.2 million in the first six months of 2020, an increase of $21.8 million or 22%. Net income for the first six months of 2021 was $131 million and diluted earnings per share was $8.10 compared with $54.5 million or $3.51 per share, increases of 141% and 131%, respectively. Excluding the effects of the adjusting items related to the acquisition of LendCare and unrealized fair value gains on investments, adjusted net income for the first six months of 2021 was $80.4 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $4.95, increases of 57% and 51%, respectively, while adjusted return on equity was 27.7%.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

Total assets were $2.45 billion as of June 30, 2021, an increase of 81% from $1.35 billion as of June 30, 2020, driven by growth in the consumer loan portfolio, including the $445 million gross consumer loan portfolio acquired through the acquisition of LendCare, the intangible assets and goodwill arising from the LendCare acquisition, and the return on the Company's investment in Affirm Holdings Inc. ("Affirm").

During the second quarter of 2021, the Company recognized a $3.5 million after-tax unrealized fair value loss on its investments, which was mainly related to the unhedged contingent shares of its investment in Affirm. Year to date, the Company has recorded total unrealized fair value gains related to its investment in Affirm and the total return swap (the "TRS"), which was put in place to substantively hedge the market exposure related to the non-contingent portion of the equity held in Affirm, of $83.5 million.

During the quarter, the Company also invested an additional $4.0 million to increase its minority equity interest in Brim Financial Inc. ("Brim"), a Canadian fintech platform company and globally certified credit card issuer, bringing the Company's total investment in Brim to $10.5 million as at June 30, 2021. The investment in Brim aligns with the Company's strategic vision of broadening its digital platform and near-prime product range.

The Company also announced today that it has obtained a commitment to increase its existing revolving securitization warehouse facility to $600 million, from its current $200 million capacity. The Securitization Facility, originally established in December 2020, will continue to be structured and underwritten by National Bank Financial Markets under a new three-year agreement, which incorporates favourable key modifications, including improvements to eligibility criteria and advance rates. The interest on advances will be payable at the rate of 1-month Canadian Dollar Offered Rate plus 185 bps, an improvement of 110 bps over the previous rate. Based on the current 1-month CDOR rate of 0.42% as of August 4, 2021, the interest rate would be 2.27%. The Company will continue utilizing an interest rate swap agreement to generate fixed rate payments on the amounts drawn and mitigate the impact of interest rate volatility. Proceeds from the Securitization Facility will be used for general corporate purposes, primarily funding growth of the Company's consumer loan portfolio, originated by both its easyfinancial Services Inc. and LendCare subsidiaries.

Cash provided by operating activities before the net growth in gross consumer loans receivable in the quarter was $48.3 million. Based on the cash on hand at the end of the quarter and the borrowing capacity under the Company's revolving credit facilities, including the aforementioned expansion of the Securitization Facility, goeasy has approximately $870 million in total funding capacity, which it estimates is sufficient to fund its organic growth through the fourth quarter of 2023. At quarter-end, the Company's fully drawn weighted average cost of borrowing reduced to 4.8%, down from 5.1% in the prior year, with incremental draws on its senior secured revolving credit facility bearing a rate of approximately 3.5% and incremental draws on its amended Securitization Facility bearing a rate of approximately 2.3%.

As of June 30, 2021, the Company also estimates that once its existing and available sources of capital are fully utilized, it could continue to grow the loan portfolio by approximately $200 million per year solely from internal cash flows. The Company also estimates that if it were to run-off its consumer loan and consumer leasing portfolios, the value of the total cash repayments paid to the Company over the remaining life of its contracts would be approximately $2.9 billion. If, during such a run-off scenario, all excess cash flows were applied directly to debt, the Company estimates it would extinguish all external debt within 18 months.

Future Outlook

The Company has provided a new 3-year forecast for the years 2021 through 2023. The Company continues to pursue a long-term strategy that includes expanding its product range, developing its channels of distribution and leveraging risk-based pricing, which increase the average loan size and extends the life of its customer relationships. As such, the total yield earned on its consumer loan portfolio will gradually decline, while net charge-off rates moderate and operating margins expand. The forecasts outlined below contemplate the Company's expected domestic organic growth plan and do not include the impact of any future mergers or acquisitions, or the associated gains or losses associated with its investments.

"With the economic recovery underway, the launch of our new auto loan product and the rapid expansion of our point-of-sale platform, we expect the growth of our portfolio to accelerate as we capture a larger share of the $200 billion non-prime consumer credit market," said Mr. Mullins, "Our updated three-year forecast reflects growing our consumer loan book to nearly $3 billion by the end of 2023, while gradually reducing the cost of borrowing for our consumers, improving the underlying credit performance and expanding our margins through operating leverage. We remain focused on our goal of becoming the largest and best-performing non-prime consumer lender in Canada, while continuing to deliver market leading returns for our shareholders."

Dividend

The Board of Directors has approved a quarterly dividend of $0.66 per share payable on October 8, 2021 to the holders of common shares of record as at the close of business on September 24, 2021.

Forward-Looking Statements

All figures reported above with respect to outlook are targets established by the Company and are subject to change as plans and business conditions vary. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the foregoing guidance. Actual results may differ materially.

This press release includes forward-looking statements about goeasy, including, but not limited to, its business operations, strategy, expected financial performance and condition, the estimated number of new locations to be opened, targets for growth of the consumer loans receivable portfolio, annual revenue growth targets, strategic initiatives, new product offerings and new delivery channels, anticipated cost savings, planned capital expenditures, anticipated capital requirements, liquidity of the Company, plans and references to future operations and results and critical accounting estimates. In certain cases, forward-looking statements are statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and/or can be identified by the use of words such as ‘expects', ‘anticipates', ‘intends', ‘plans', ‘believes', ‘budgeted', ‘estimates', ‘forecasts', ‘targets' or negative versions thereof and similar expressions, and/or state that certain actions, events or results ‘may', ‘could', ‘would', ‘might' or ‘will' be taken, occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking statements are based on certain factors and assumptions, including expected growth, results of operations and business prospects and are inherently subject to, among other things, risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company's operations, economic factors and the industry generally, as well as those factors referred to in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form and Management Discussion and Analysis, as available on www.sedar.com, in the section entitled "Risk Factors". There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by the Company, due to, but not limited to, important factors such as the Company's ability to enter into new lease and/or financing agreements, collect on existing lease and/or financing agreements, open new locations on favourable terms, purchase products which appeal to customers at a competitive rate, respond to changes in legislation, react to uncertainties related to regulatory action, raise capital under favourable terms, manage the impact of litigation (including shareholder litigation), control costs at all levels of the organization and maintain and enhance the system of internal controls. The Company cautions that the foregoing list is not exhaustive.

The reader is cautioned to consider these, and other factors carefully and not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or alter the forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by law.

About goeasy

goeasy Ltd., a Canadian company, headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, provides non-prime leasing and lending services through its easyhome, easyfinancial and LendCare brands. Supported by more than 2,200 employees, the Company offers a wide variety of financial products and services including unsecured and secured instalment loans. Customers can transact seamlessly through an omni-channel model that includes an online and mobile platform, over 400 locations across Canada, and point-of-sale financing offered in the retail, power sports, automotive, home improvement and healthcare verticals, through more than 4,000 merchants across Canada. Throughout the Company's history, it has acquired and organically served over 1 million Canadians and originated over $6.7 billion in loans, with one in three easyfinancial customers graduating to prime credit and 60% increasing their credit score within 12 months of borrowing.

Accredited by the Better Business Bureau, goeasy is the proud recipient of several awards including Waterstone Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures, Glassdoor Top CEO Award, Achievers Top 50 Most Engaged Workplaces in North America, Greater Toronto Top Employers Award, the Digital Finance Institute's Canada's Top 50 FinTech Companies, ranking on the TSX30 and placing on the Report on Business ranking of Canada's Top Growing Companies. The company and its employees believe strongly in giving back to the communities in which it operates and has raised over $3.8 million to support its long-standing partnerships with BGC Canada, Habitat for Humanity and many other local charities.

goeasy Ltd.'s. common shares are listed on the TSX under the trading symbol "GSY". goeasy is rated BB- with a stable trend from S&P and Ba3 with a stable trend from Moody's. Visit www.goeasy.com.

For further information contact:

Jason Mullins
President & Chief Executive Officer
(905) 272-2788

Farhan Ali Khan
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations
(905) 272-2788