Newtek Business Services Inc (NEWT)

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CORRECTING and REPLACING NewtekOne, Inc. News Release

Source: GlobeNewswire Inc.

Today NewtekOne, Inc. (“NewtekOne”) timely filed its annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023. The purpose of this press release is to update and replace NewtekOne’s press release dated March 5, 2024, which announced NewtekOne’s unaudited fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results.
NewtekOne, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results

Full Year 2023 Basic Earnings per Share of $1.89 and Diluted Earnings per Share of $1.88

NewtekOne, Inc. (Nasdaq: NEWT), announced today its audited financial and operating results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

This is NewtekOne's fourth quarter reporting, and third full quarter reporting, as a financial holding company following the Company's January 6, 2023 completion of the acquisition of National Bank of New York City ("NBNYC") (renamed Newtek Bank, N.A.) and the withdrawal of NewtekOne's BDC election. NewtekOne now consolidates the balance sheets and results of operations of its former portfolio companies (now consolidated subsidiaries) and no longer applies investment company accounting.

Barry Sloane, CEO, President and Chairman commented, “We are pleased to report our first full year as a financial holding company owning Newtek Bank, a nationally chartered bank. We achieved basic earnings per share (EPS) of $1.89 and diluted EPS of $1.88. We believe that we can achieve EPS growth in today’s environment, given the majority of our net revenue is non-interest-bearing, making our business model unique and valuable. For the full year 2023, Newtek Bank realized return on average assets ("ROAA") of 5.7%, return on tangible common equity ("ROTCE") of 35.7%, and an efficiency ratio of 49.9%. NewtekOne, Newtek Bank's financial holding company, realized ROAA of 3.6%, and ROTCE of 27.6%1. We believe these metrics clearly depict a thriving business; one that serves independent business owners in all 50 states and that is well positioned for financial and operational growth in future quarters, demonstrated by our expanding net interest margin. Our operating structure does not use branches, traditional bankers, brokers, or business development officers to source business opportunities, and instead, relies upon the patented NewTracker(R) system which generates approximately 1,000 unique business referrals each day. Unlike other financial holding companies, we have been able to expand our business during these difficult times in the banking sector, which we attribute to our unique and time-tested business model that utilizes technology to minimize or eliminate the concept of traditional bankers, brokers, branches and business development officers. With NewtekOne’s common equity Tier 1 capital (CET1) ratio of 16.2%, total capital ratio of 19.1%, and 13.6% leverage ratio, we believe we have the equity to continue to grow our business, pay an attractive market dividend and grow retaining earnings.”

Mr. Sloane continued, “With 2023 behind us, we can look back with pride over the year’s multiple accomplishments and building a strong foundation for our future. The conversion from a BDC to a financial holding company resulted in the Company no longer qualifying as a regulated investment company (RIC) for federal income tax purposes and no longer qualifying for accounting treatment as an investment company. Accordingly, we believe prior year and year-over-year comparisons are difficult and it is important to analyze many of our financial metrics on a quarter-over-quarter sequential basis. Additionally, when analyzing NewtekOne, we also believe it is important to consider our time-tested, differentiated business model which has provided multiple streams of income from its lines of business. These changes came with many operational and accounting challenges. We are on a path to realizing our goal of being recognized as the premier business and financial solutions provider for independent business owners in the U.S. By purchasing a nationally chartered bank, we were able to add depository services to our already-robust menu of high-quality business and financial solutions that we believe can enable our clients to operate at a higher level. Most of our clients go to their depository institutions multiple times per week or month. Extremely important to note is that our conversion to a bank holding company in no way implies that NewtekOne and Newtek Bank will look like or operate like the universe of traditional bank holding companies or banks. As a result, we do not think we should be valued like a traditional bank, as our business model offers our investors more than net interest income, and therefore, we believe should garner distinct valuation compared to the universe of traditional banks. We also value this non-interest income as reoccurring income. We firmly believe that our business model can be executed with prudent risk management practices while servicing our clients with multiple solutions that can enhance their business and commercial endeavors. Our operating metrics are built on growth objectives with respect to ROA, ROE, and efficiency ratios, which we believe is distinct from the asset-growth strategies of the traditional banking industry."

NewtekOne Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Highlight

As noted above, we believe it is important to analyze many of our financial metrics on a quarter-over-quarter sequential basis:

Net income was $10.8 million, or $0.43 per basic and diluted common share, for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to net income of $10.9 million, or $0.43 per basic and diluted common share, for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Net interest income was $8.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023; an increase of 2.5% over $8.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Total assets were $1.4 billion at December 31, 2023, which remained relatively consistent to the balance at September 30, 2023.
Total borrowings were $644.1 million at December 31, 2023; a decrease of 0.7% from $648.7 million at September 30, 2023.
Loans held for investment were $806.1 million at December 31, 2023; an increase of 4.1% over $774.6 million at September 30, 2023.
Cash and cash equivalents were $184.0 million, including $30.9 million of restricted cash, at December 31, 2023; a decrease of 17.7% from to $223.7 million, including $71.7 million of restricted cash, at September 30, 2023.
Net interest margin2 was 2.76% for the three months ended December 31, 2023; an increase of 6.2% over 2.60% for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
ROTCE of 25.7% for the three months ended December 31, 2023; an increase of 23.6% over 20.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
ROAA1,2 of 3.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2023; an increase of 3.3% over 3.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Efficiency ratio2 of 66.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2023; an increase of 4.4% compared to 63.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Total risk-based capital ratio2 was 19.1% at December 31, 2023; an increase of 7.9% over 17.7% at September 30, 2023.
Tier-1 leverage ratio2 was 13.6% at December 31, 2023; a decrease of 6.8% compared to 14.6% at September 30, 2023.
On January 12, 2024, the Company paid its fourth quarterly cash dividend as a financial holding company of $0.18 per share to shareholders of record as of December 29, 2023.
The Company is forecasting full year 2024 EPS in a range of $1.80 to $2.00 per basic and diluted common share and intends to update this forecast when it releases its first quarter 2024 financial results.
NewtekOne Financial Highlights Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023

Net income was $47.3 million, or $1.89 per basic common share and $1.88 per diluted common share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.
Net interest income was $26.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.
Newtek Bank, N.A.

Total deposits were $463.5 million at December 31, 2023, which represents a 227.3% increase in deposits, compared to $141.6 million in deposits at NBNYC at December 31, 2022.
Insured deposits represented approximately 85.8% of total deposits at December 31, 2023.
Net interest margin2 was 4.43% for the three months ended December 31, 2023; an increase of 26.9% over 3.49% for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
ROTCE1,2 of 66.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2023; an increase of 50.7% over 44.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
ROAA1,2 of 9.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2023; an increase of 65.0% over 6.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Efficiency ratio1,2 of 34.4% for the three months ended December 31, 2023; a decrease of 14.6% compared to 40.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Total risk-based capital ratio2 was 22.8% at December 31, 2023, a decrease of 8.8% from 25.0% at September 30, 2023.
Tier-1 leverage ratio2 was 16.6% at December 31, 2023; an increase of 11.4% from 14.9% at September 30, 2023.
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1 Non-GAAP; reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures are set forth on the last page of the financial information accompanying this press release.

2 Assets under supervision, capital ratios, risk-weighted assets and supplementary leverage ratio are preliminary data and subject to change prior to any filings with regulatory agencies and the filing of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Lending Highlights

In April 2023, the Company began funding SBA 7(a) loans out of Newtek Bank with Preferred Lender Program (PLP) status.
Total SBA 7(a) loan fundings of $260.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023; an increase of 24.2% over $209.9 million of SBA 7(a) loans funded for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Total SBA 7(a) loan fundings of $815.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.
The Company forecasts $925.0 million in total SBA 7(a) loan fundings for 2024, which would represent a 13.5% increase over 2023.
Newtek Bank closed $60.5 million of SBA 504 loans for the three months ended December 31, 2023; an increase of 241.8% over $17.7 million SBA 504 loans closed for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Total SBA 504 loan closings of $142.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.
Newtek Bank and the Company’s non-bank subsidiaries closed a record$1.1 billion of loans, across all loan products, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $923.8 million of loans closed by NewtekOne, its subsidiaries and portfolio companies for the same period in 2022.
The Company’s 2023 prior-period comparative financial statements have been adjusted to correct errors made in the Company’s condensed financial statements previously issued in the first, second, and third quarters of 2023. Amounts referenced in this press release refer to results on an "As Adjusted" basis unless otherwise noted. Specifically, as set forth in the "Summary of Revisions to Prior Period Financial Statements," annexed hereto, which revises certain line items in the Company’s condensed financial information for the first, second, and third quarters of 2023 as previously reported, the Company’s: (i) year-to-date EPS (basic and diluted) reflects an increase of $0.36 per share and $0.36 per share, respectively; (ii) year-to-date Net Income reflects an increase of $7.9 million; and (iii) Total Assets reflects an increase of $15.3 million. The increases in Total Assets was primarily driven by the recognition of net deferred tax assets and income tax receivables as well as intangible assets. The increases in Net Income resulted principally from the after-tax impact of the recognition of servicing assets at Newtek Bank, and the recognition of deferred loan origination costs, net, in connection with accounting for loans originated by Newtek Bank. The revised calculations of EPS are attributed to application of the treasury stock and if-converted methods, as well as revisions to the allocation of undistributed earnings to preferred stock under the two class method, in conjunction with other adjustments to net income. The Company's management continues to assess the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (“ICFR”), including any deficiencies in ICFR which led to these accounting errors.

Continuing, Mr. Sloane said, “The goal of owning a nationally chartered bank was driven by recognizing that our client base communicates with their bank digitally with high frequency, so the opportunity and our ability to communicate with our clients through our Newtek Advantage® platform, and assist them on a daily basis to become part of their operating ecosystem, has been our goal and is now closer to reality. We have witnessed the customer traffic to Newtekone.com and Newtekbank.com increase to approximately 18,000 unique digital visitors per month, providing our customers with the opportunity to access the Newtek Advantage®, communicate with us, and see all we have to offer. We seek to employ the most cutting-edge technology and AI in order to enhance the client experience, improve work flow processes, and acquire clients in an environment that has less friction and higher levels of business satisfaction.”

Mr. Sloane concluded, “We spent a good part of 2023 building out our bank infrastructure, continuing to hire top-quality executives and establishing additional policies and procedures, all at a great expense, an investment we believe will provide a great return in the future. Obviously, the investment and upfront expense is to better enable us to safely and soundly grow our business, and develop a lasting infrastructure. Also important to note, is that we have been able to grow our loan-loss reserves dramatically during our first twelve months of operations ending December 31, 2023. We ended 2023 with a 3.7% loan loss reserve to loans held for investment, and we expect to prudently manage credit risk and related reserves as the future conditions of the economy take shape.”

This earnings release should be read in conjunction with NewtekOne's annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024.

Note Regarding Dividend Payments

Amount and timing of dividends, if any, remain subject to the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors.

NewtekOne®, Your Business Solutions Company®, is a financial holding company, which along with its bank and non-bank consolidated subsidiaries, provides a wide range of business and financial solutions under the Newtek® brand to the small- and medium-sized business (“SMB”) market. Since 1999, NewtekOne has provided state-of-the-art, cost-efficient products and services and efficient business strategies to SMB relationships across all 50 states to help them grow their sales, control their expenses and reduce their risk.

NewtekOne’s and its subsidiaries’ business and financial solutions include: banking (Newtek Bank, N.A.), Business Lending, SBA Lending Solutions, Electronic Payment Processing, Technology Solutions (Cloud Computing, Data Backup, Storage and Retrieval, IT Consulting), eCommerce, Accounts Receivable Financing & Inventory Financing, Insurance Solutions, Web Services, and Payroll and Benefits Solutions.

Newtek®, NewtekOne®, Newtek Bank, National AssociationTM, Your Business Solutions Company®, Newtek Advantage® and One Solution for All Your Business Needs® are registered trademarks of NewtekOne, Inc.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the Private Securities Litigation and Reform Act of 1995. Information regarding the Company’s assets under supervision, capital ratios, risk-weighted assets, supplementary leverage ratio and balance sheet data consists of preliminary estimates and are subject to change prior to any filings with regulatory agencies and filing of the Company's Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023. These statements and other forward-looking statements herein are based on the current beliefs and expectations of NewtekOne's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. In addition, earnings per share guidance reflects risks, uncertainties and assumptions with respect to facts and circumstances that are beyond our control, in particular concerning interest rates, monetary policy and prevailing economic conditions (including the impacts from a government shutdown ) during the relevant periods, any of which may differ significantly from our assumptions about the applicable period, causing our actual operating results, including our earnings per share, to differ materially from the stated guidance. See “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission available on NewtekOne's website (https://investor.newtekbusinessservices.com/sec-filings) and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (www.sec.gov). Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of NewtekOne speak only as to the date they are made, and NewtekOne does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.

SOURCE: NewtekOne, Inc.

Investor Relations & Public Relations
Contact: Jayne Cavuoto
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