☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2021
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to .
Commission File Number: 0-22140
META FINANCIAL GROUP INC.®
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
42-1406262
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
5501 South Broadband Lane, Sioux Falls, South Dakota57108
(Address of principal executive offices and Zip Code)
(877) 497-7497
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value
CASH
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files). Yes☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company See the definitions of "large accelerated filer." "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large accelerated filer
☒
Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☐
Smaller reporting company
☐
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
December 31, 2021
September 30, 2021
ASSETS
(Unaudited)
(Audited)
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,230,100
$
314,019
Securities available for sale, at fair value
1,782,739
1,864,899
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $50,364 and $56,391, respectively)
50,994
56,669
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at cost
28,400
28,400
Loans held for sale
36,182
56,194
Loans and leases
3,684,261
3,609,563
Allowance for credit losses
(67,623)
(68,281)
Accrued interest receivable
17,240
16,254
Premises, furniture, and equipment, net
44,130
44,888
Rental equipment, net
234,693
213,116
Foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets, net
298
2,077
Goodwill and intangible assets
341,166
342,653
Prepaid assets
17,007
10,513
Other assets
210,071
199,686
Total assets
$
7,609,658
$
6,690,650
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Deposits
$
6,525,569
$
5,514,971
Long-term borrowings
92,274
92,834
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
165,658
210,961
Total liabilities
6,783,501
5,818,766
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock, 3,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and no shares outstanding at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively
—
—
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 90,000,000 shares authorized, 30,158,420 and 31,686,483 shares issued, 30,080,717 and 31,669,952 shares outstanding at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively
301
317
Common stock, Nonvoting, $0.01 par value; 3,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued, none outstanding at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively
—
—
Additional paid-in capital
610,816
604,484
Retained earnings
217,992
259,189
Accumulated other comprehensive income
724
7,599
Treasury stock, at cost, 77,703 and 16,531 common shares at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively
(4,318)
(860)
Total equity attributable to parent
825,515
870,729
Noncontrolling interest
642
1,155
Total stockholders’ equity
826,157
871,884
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
7,609,658
$
6,690,650
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The interim unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 included in Meta Financial Group, Inc.’s (“Meta” or the “Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on November 23, 2021. Accordingly, footnote disclosures which would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the audited consolidated financial statements have been omitted.
The financial information of the Company included herein has been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and has been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for reporting on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Such information reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. The results of the three months ended December 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year financial statement presentation. These changes and reclassifications did not impact previously reported net income or comprehensive income.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATES ("ASU")
Significant accounting policies in effect and disclosed within the Company’s most recent audited consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2021 remain substantially unchanged. The following ASUs became effective for the Company on October 1, 2021, none of which had a material impact on the Company’s significant accounting policies or Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:
–ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.
–ASU 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs.
–ASU 2020-10, Codification Improvements.
NOTE 3. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
Rebranding
On December 7, 2021, the Company executed a Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Beige Key, LLC (the “Assignee”) for the sale of all of the Company’s worldwide right, title and interest in and to company names and tradenames including Meta and other "Meta" formative names including MetaBank and Meta Financial Group, and the domain names, social media accounts and goodwill associated with the foregoing (collectively, the “Meta” tradenames) in exchange for $60.0 million in cash. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement, the Company has one year from the Agreement execution date to phase out and cease all use of the Meta tradenames. From the date of the Agreement until the date such phase out is completed (the “Phase Out Period”), Assignee has granted the Company a non-exclusive royalty free license in the United States and Canada to use the Meta tradenames in the manner in which they were used by the Company prior to the Agreement.
The Company received $50.0 million upon execution and delivery of the Agreement, at which time the Meta tradenames were assigned to the Assignee. The Company has recognized the $50.0 million as noninterest income during the period ended December 31, 2021. The remaining $10.0 million was paid by the Assignee and is being held in an escrow account by a third-party agent until the agreed upon activities within the Phase Out Period have been completed, at which time the funds will be released to the Company. The Company’s receipt of the $10.0 million payment is contingent upon phase out activities that have not yet been completed and has not been recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2021.
The Company has not incurred any material expenses related to rebranding efforts as of December 31, 2021; however, the Company is expecting to incur $15.0 million to $20.0 million in rebranding expenses over the next fiscal year.
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of available for sale ("AFS") and held to maturity ("HTM") debt securities are presented below.
Debt Securities AFS
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortized Cost
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized (Losses)
Fair Value
At December 31, 2021
Corporate securities
$
25,000
$
—
$
—
$
25,000
SBA securities
146,639
4,200
—
150,839
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
2,793
6
—
2,799
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions
250,241
2,056
(1,425)
250,872
Asset-backed securities
379,192
2,331
(2,674)
378,849
Mortgage-backed securities
978,336
6,962
(10,918)
974,380
Total debt securities AFS
$
1,782,201
$
15,555
$
(15,017)
$
1,782,739
At September 30, 2021
Corporate securities
$
25,000
$
—
$
—
$
25,000
SBA securities
151,958
5,251
—
157,209
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
2,497
10
—
2,507
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions
266,048
3,347
(1,100)
268,295
Asset-backed securities
393,103
3,003
(1,247)
394,859
Mortgage-backed securities
1,016,478
9,728
(9,177)
1,017,029
Total debt securities AFS
$
1,855,084
$
21,339
$
(11,524)
$
1,864,899
Debt Securities HTM
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortized Cost
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized (Losses)
Fair Value
At December 31, 2021
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions
$
47,751
$
14
$
(679)
$
47,086
Mortgage-backed securities
3,243
35
—
3,278
Total debt securities HTM
$
50,994
$
49
$
(679)
$
50,364
At September 30, 2021
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions
Gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, were as follows:
LESS THAN 12 MONTHS
OVER 12 MONTHS
TOTAL
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair Value
Gross Unrealized (Losses)
Fair Value
Gross Unrealized (Losses)
Fair Value
Gross Unrealized (Losses)
Debt Securities AFS
At December 31, 2021
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions
$
110,535
$
(1,425)
$
—
$
—
$
110,535
$
(1,425)
Asset-backed securities
198,807
(2,376)
46,215
(298)
245,022
(2,674)
Mortgage-backed securities
702,224
(8,427)
90,298
(2,491)
792,522
(10,918)
Total debt securities AFS
$
1,011,566
$
(12,228)
$
136,513
$
(2,789)
$
1,148,079
$
(15,017)
At September 30, 2021
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions
$
101,046
$
(1,100)
$
—
$
—
$
101,046
$
(1,100)
Asset-backed securities
127,110
(283)
91,553
(964)
218,663
(1,247)
Mortgage-backed securities
759,035
(7,418)
60,792
(1,759)
819,827
(9,177)
Total debt securities AFS
$
987,191
$
(8,801)
$
152,345
$
(2,723)
$
1,139,536
$
(11,524)
Debt Securities HTM
At December 31, 2021
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions
$
42,068
$
(679)
$
—
$
—
$
42,068
$
(679)
Total debt securities HTM
$
42,068
$
(679)
$
—
$
—
$
42,068
$
(679)
At September 30, 2021
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions
$
26,096
$
(471)
$
—
$
—
$
26,096
$
(471)
Total debt securities HTM
$
26,096
$
(471)
$
—
$
—
$
26,096
$
(471)
At December 31, 2021, there were 80 securities AFS in an unrealized loss position. Management assessed each investment security with unrealized losses for credit loss and determined substantially all unrealized losses on these securities were due to credit spreads and interest rates versus credit loss. As part of that assessment, management evaluated and concluded that it is more-likely-than-not that the Company will not be required and does not intend to sell any of the securities prior to recovery of the amortized cost. At December 31, 2021, there was no ACL for debt securities AFS.
The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity are shown below. Certain securities have call features that allow the issuer to call the security prior to maturity. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities in mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Therefore, MBS are not included in the maturity categories in the following maturity summary. The expected maturities of certain SBA securities may differ from contractual maturities because the borrowers may have the right to prepay the obligation. However, certain prepayment penalties may apply.
The Company held $9.9 million at December 31, 2021 and $12.7 million at September 30, 2021 in marketable equity securities. The Company recognized $2.3 million in unrealized loss in an investee during the three months ended December 31, 2021. All other marketable equity securities and related activity were insignificant for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. No marketable securities were sold during the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
Non-marketable equity securities with a readily determinable fair value totaled $5.6 million at December 31, 2021 and $4.6 million at September 30, 2021. The Company recognized $0.3 million in unrealized losses and $0.1 million in unrealized gainsduring the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. No such securities were sold during the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
Non-marketable equity securities without readily determinable fair value totaled $15.9 million at December 31, 2021 and $16.0 million at September 30, 2021. There was one security sold during the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 for a $0.1 million gain.
FRB Stock
The Bank is required by federal law to subscribe to capital stock (divided into shares of $100 each) as a member of the FRB of Minneapolis with an amount equal to six per centum of the paid-up capital stock and surplus. One-half of the subscription is paid at time of application, and one-half is subject to call of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. FRB of Minneapolis stock held by the Bank totaled $19.7 million at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021. These equity securities are 'restricted' in that they can only be owned by member banks.
FHLB Stock
The Company's borrowings from the FHLB are secured by specific investment securities. Such advances can be made pursuant to several different credit programs, each of which has its own interest rate and range of maturities.
The investments in the FHLB stock are required investments related to the Company's membership in and current borrowings from the FHLB of Des Moines. The investments in the FHLB of Des Moines could be adversely impacted by the financial operations of the FHLB and actions of their regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
The FHLB stock is carried at cost since it is generally redeemable at par value. The carrying value of the stock held at the FHLB was $8.7 million at December 31, 2021 and $8.7 million at September 30, 2021.
These equity securities are ‘restricted’ in that they can only be sold back to the respective institution from which they were acquired or another member institution at par. Therefore, FRB and FHLB stocks are less liquid than other marketable equity securities, and the fair value approximates cost.
Equity Security Impairment
The Company evaluates impairment for investments held at cost on at least an annual basis based on the ultimate recoverability of the par value. All other equity investments, including those under the equity method, are reviewed for other-than-temporary impairment on at least a quarterly basis. The Company recognized no impairment for such investments for the three months ended December 31, 2021.
NOTE 5. LOANS AND LEASES, NET
Loans and leases consist of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2021
September 30, 2021
Term lending
$
1,038,378
$
961,019
Asset based lending
337,236
300,225
Factoring
402,972
363,670
Lease financing
245,315
266,050
Insurance premium finance
385,473
428,867
SBA/USDA
209,521
247,756
Other commercial finance
178,853
157,908
Commercial finance
2,797,748
2,725,495
Consumer credit products
173,343
129,251
Other consumer finance
144,412
123,606
Consumer finance
317,755
252,857
Tax services
100,272
10,405
Warehouse finance
466,831
419,926
Community banking
—
199,132
Total loans and leases
3,682,606
3,607,815
Net deferred loan origination costs
1,655
1,748
Total gross loans and leases
3,684,261
3,609,563
Allowance for credit losses
(67,623)
(68,281)
Total loans and leases, net
$
3,616,638
$
3,541,282
During the three months ended December 31, 2021, the Company transferred $168.4 million of Community Banking loans to held for sale. During the three months endedDecember 31, 2020, the Company transferred $100.4 million of Community Banking loans to held for sale.
During the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company originated $385.6 million and $303.5 million of SBA/USDA, consumer credit product loans, and other consumer finance as held for sale, respectively.
The Company sold held for sale loans resulting in proceeds of $562.7 millionand loss on sale of $4.4 million during the three months ended December 31, 2021. The Company sold held for sale loans resulting in proceeds of $451.7 millionand gains on sale of $3.5 million during the three months ended December 31, 2020.
In connection with the Company's sale of the Bank's Community Bank division to Central Bank, the Company entered into a servicing agreement with Central Bank for the retained Community Bank loan portfolio that became effective on February 29, 2020 (the "Closing Date"). The Company recognized $0.2 million and $1.1 million in servicing fee expense during the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $3.3 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.
Since the Closing Date, the Company has entered into subsequent loan portfolio sale agreements with Central Bank and other third parties. The Company sold additional loans from the retained Community Bank portfolio in the amount of $192.5 million and $129.8 million in the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $308.1 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. All loans from the retained Community Bank portfolio have been sold as of December 31, 2021.
Loans purchased and sold by portfolio segment, including participation interests, were as follows:
Three Months Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2021
2020
Loans Purchased
Loans held for investment:
Commercial finance
$
1,720
$
—
Warehouse finance
55,993
62,631
Community banking
—
2,299
Total purchases
$
57,713
$
64,930
Loans Sold
Loans held for sale:
Commercial finance
$
33,023
$
30,324
Consumer finance
376,444
291,540
Community banking
153,222
129,788
Loans held for investment:
Community banking
30,235
—
Total sales
$
592,924
$
451,652
Leasing Portfolio. The net investment in direct financing and sales-type leases was comprised of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2021
September 30, 2021
Carrying amount
$
255,907
$
278,341
Unguaranteed residual assets
13,329
14,393
Unamortized initial direct costs
435
490
Unearned income
(23,921)
(26,684)
Total net investment in direct financing and sales-type leases
$
245,750
$
266,540
The carrying amount of direct financing and sales-type leases subject to residual value guarantees was $4.0 million at December 31, 2021.
The components of total lease income were as follows:
Three Months Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2021
2020
Interest income - loans and leases
Interest income on net investments in direct financing and sales-type leases
$
4,573
$
5,319
Leasing and equipment finance noninterest income
Lease income from operating lease payments
11,086
10,041
Profit recorded on commencement date on sales-type leases
—
71
Other(1)
1,325
69
Total leasing and equipment finance noninterest income
12,411
10,181
Total lease income
$
16,984
$
15,500
(1) Other leasing and equipment finance noninterest income consists of gains (losses) on sales of leased equipment, fees and service charges on leases and gains (losses) on sales of leases.
Undiscounted future minimum lease payments receivable for direct financing and sales-type leases, and a reconciliation to the carrying amount recorded at December 31, 2021 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Remaining in 2022
$
78,421
2023
86,354
2024
54,978
2025
26,113
2026
7,124
Thereafter
2,918
Total undiscounted future minimum lease payments receivable for direct financing and sales-type leases
255,908
Total carrying amount of direct financing and sales-type leases
$
255,908
The Company did not record any contingent rental income from direct financing and sales-type leases in the three months ended December 31, 2021.
The COVID-19 pandemic began impacting the U.S. and global economies in the first calendar quarter of 2020, with significant deterioration of macroeconomic conditions and markets into 2021. Although macroeconomic conditions and markets have improved since the beginning of 2021, the ultimate impact of this pandemic on the Company's loan and lease portfolio remains difficult to predict. Management continues to evaluate the loan and lease portfolio in order to assess the impact on repayment sources and underlying collateral that could result in additional losses and the impact to our customers and businesses as a result of COVID-19 and will refine its estimate as more information becomes available.
Activity in the allowance for credit losses and balances of loans and leases by portfolio segment was as follows:
Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
(Dollars in thousands)
Beginning Balance
Provision (Reversal)
Charge-offs
Recoveries
Ending Balance
Allowance for credit losses:
Term lending
$
29,351
$
(858)
$
(2,085)
$
314
$
26,722
Asset based lending
1,726
911
(16)
137
2,758
Factoring
3,997
12,502
(1,275)
18
15,242
Lease financing
7,629
(822)
(16)
66
6,857
Insurance premium finance
1,394
(270)
(177)
97
1,044
SBA/USDA
2,978
233
(217)
2
2,996
Other commercial finance
1,168
181
—
—
1,349
Commercial finance
48,243
11,877
(3,786)
634
56,968
Consumer credit products
1,242
385
—
—
1,627
Other consumer finance
6,112
1,560
(819)
107
6,960
Consumer finance
7,354
1,945
(819)
107
8,587
Tax services
2
(714)
(254)
2,567
1,601
Warehouse finance
420
47
—
—
467
Community banking
12,262
(12,684)
—
422
—
Total loans and leases
68,281
471
(4,859)
3,730
67,623
Unfunded commitments(1)
690
(285)
—
—
405
Total
$
68,971
$
186
$
(4,859)
$
3,730
$
68,028
(1) Reserve for unfunded commitments is recognized within other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
(1) Reserve for unfunded commitments is recognized within other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
Information on loans and leases that are deemed to be collateral dependent and are evaluated individually for the ACL was as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
At December 31, 2021
At September 30, 2021
Term lending
$
68,838
$
20,965
Asset based lending
5,992
—
Factoring
16,503
1,268
Lease financing
13,254
3,882
SBA/USDA
797
—
Commercial finance(1)
105,384
26,115
Community banking
—
14,915
Total
$
105,384
$
41,030
(1) For commercial finance, collateral dependent financial assets have collateral in the form of cash, equipment, or other business assets.
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Company allowed modifications, such as payment deferrals and temporary forbearances, to credit-worthy borrowers who are experiencing temporary hardship due to the effects of COVID-19. Accordingly, if all payments were less than 30 days past due prior to the onset of the pandemic effects, the loan or lease will not be reported as past due during the deferral or forbearance period. As of December 31, 2021, $0.4 million of loan and lease balances that were granted deferral payments by the Company were still in their deferment period. These modifications consisted solely of payment deferrals ranging from 30 days to six months. These modifications are in line with applicable regulatory guidelines and, therefore, they are not reported as troubled debt restructurings. Other than the loan modifications that are on nonaccrual status, the Company is accruing and recognizing interest income on these modifications during the payment deferral period.
Federal regulations provide for the classification of loans and other assets such as debt and equity securities considered by the Bank's primary regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), to be of lesser quality as “substandard,” “doubtful” or “loss.” The loan classification and risk rating definitions are as follows:
Pass - A pass asset is of sufficient quality in terms of repayment, collateral and management to preclude a special mention or an adverse rating.
Watch - A watch asset is generally a credit performing well under current terms and conditions but with identifiable weakness meriting additional scrutiny and corrective measures. Watch is not a regulatory classification but can be used to designate assets that are exhibiting one or more weaknesses that deserve management’s attention. These assets are of better quality than special mention assets.
Special Mention - A special mention asset is a credit with potential weaknesses deserving management’s close attention and, if left uncorrected, may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset. Special mention assets are not adversely classified and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification. Special mention is a temporary status with aggressive credit management required to garner adequate progress and move to watch or higher.
The adverse classifications are as follows:
Substandard - A substandard asset is inadequately protected by the net worth and/or repayment ability or by a weak collateral position. Assets so classified will have well-defined weaknesses creating a distinct possibility the Bank will sustain some loss if the weaknesses are not corrected. Loss potential does not have to exist for an asset to be classified as substandard.
Doubtful - A doubtful asset has weaknesses similar to those classified substandard, with the degree of weakness causing the likely loss of some principal in any reasonable collection effort. Due to pending factors, the asset’s classification as loss is not yet appropriate.
Loss - A loss asset is considered uncollectible and of such little value that the asset’s continuance on the Bank’s balance sheet is no longer warranted. This classification does not necessarily mean an asset has no recovery or salvage value, leaving room for future collection efforts.
Loans and leases, or portions thereof, are generally charged off when collection of principal becomes doubtful. Typically, this is associated with a delay or shortfall in payments of 210 days or more for commercial insurance premium finance, 180 days or more for the purchased student loan portfolios, 120 days or more for consumer credit products and leases, and 90 days or more for community banking loans and commercial finance loans. Action is taken to charge off ERO loans if such loans have not been collected by the end of June and taxpayer advance loans if such loans have not been collected by the end of the calendar year. Nonaccrual loans and troubled debt restructurings are generally individually evaluated for expected credit losses.
The Company recognizes that concentrations of credit may naturally occur and may take the form of a large volume of related loans and leases to an individual, a specific industry, or a geographic location. Credit concentration is a direct, indirect, or contingent obligation that has a common bond where the aggregate exposure equals or exceeds a certain percentage of the Company’s Tier 1 Capital plus the allowable Allowance for Credit Losses.
The Company has various portfolios of consumer finance 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 outstanding balances of consumer finance loans and tax services loans were $317.8 million and $100.3 million at December 31, 2021, respectively, and $252.9 million and $10.4 million at September 30, 2021, respectively. The amortized cost basis of loans and leases by asset classification and year of origination was as follows:
Loans and leases that are 90 days or more delinquent and accruing by year of origination at December 31, 2021 were as follows:
Amortized Cost Basis
Term Loans and Leases by Origination Year
Revolving Loans and Leases
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Prior
Term lending
$
—
$
84
$
595
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
679
Lease financing
132
973
79
380
126
93
—
1,783
Insurance premium finance
19
702
—
—
—
—
—
721
SBA/USDA
—
—
647
—
—
66
—
713
Commercial finance
151
1,759
1,321
380
126
159
—
3,896
Consumer credit products
—
471
5
141
—
—
—
617
Other consumer finance
—
7
—
—
—
910
—
917
Consumer finance
—
478
5
141
—
910
—
1,534
Total 90 days or more delinquent and accruing
$
151
$
2,237
$
1,326
$
521
$
126
$
1,069
$
—
$
5,430
Certain loans and leases 90 days or more past due as to interest or principal continue to accrue because they are (1) well-secured and in the process of collection or (2) consumer loans exempt under regulatory rules from being classified as nonaccrual until later delinquency, usually 120 days past due.
When analysis of borrower or lessee operating results and financial condition indicates that underlying cash flows of the borrower’s business are not adequate to meet its debt service requirements, the loan or lease is evaluated for impairment. Often, this is associated with a delay or shortfall in scheduled payments, as described above.
The following table provides the average recorded investment in nonaccrual loans and leases:
Three Months Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2021
2020
Term lending
$
13,922
$
14,876
Asset based lending
4,011
1,074
Factoring
12,247
935
Lease financing
3,033
3,556
SBA/USDA
216
600
Commercial finance
33,429
21,041
Community banking
—
8,433
Total loans and leases
$
33,429
$
29,474
The recognized interest income on the Company's nonaccrual loans and leases for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was not significant.
The Company’s troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") typically involve forgiving a portion of interest or principal on existing loans, making loans at a rate materially less than current market rates, or extending the term of the loan. There were $10.1 million of commercial finance loans and $0.1 million of consumer finance loans that were modified in a TDR during the three months ended December 31, 2021, all of which were modified to extend the term of the loan. There were $0.1 million of consumer finance loans that were modified in a TDR during the three months ended December 31, 2020 and no community banking loans.
During the three months ended December 31, 2021, the Company had $2.3 million of commercial finance loans and $0.5 million of consumer finance loans that were modified in a TDR within the previous 12 months and for which there was a payment default. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Company had $0.3 million of commercial finance loans, $0.1 million of consumer finance loans, and no community banking loans that were modified in a TDR within the previous 12 months and for which there was a payment default. TDR net charge-offs and the impact of TDRs on the Company's allowance for credit losses were insignificant during the three months ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
The Company has granted restricted share awards with dividend rights that are considered to be participating securities. Accordingly, a portion of the Company’s earnings is allocated to those participating securities in the earnings per share calculation under the two-class method. Basic EPS is computed using the two-class method by dividing income available to common stockholders after the allocation of dividends and undistributed earnings to the participating securities by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is calculated using the more dilutive of the treasury stock method or the two-class method. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised, and is computed after giving consideration to the weighted average dilutive effect of the Company’s stock options, performance share units, and nonvested restricted stock, where applicable. Diluted EPS under the two-class method also considers the allocation of earnings to the participating securities. Antidilutive securities are disregarded in earnings per share calculations. Diluted EPS shown below reflects the two-class method, as diluted EPS under the two-class method was more dilutive than under the treasury stock method.
A reconciliation of net income and common stock share amounts used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is presented below.
Three Months Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
2021
2020
Basic income per common share:
Net income attributable to Meta Financial Group, Inc.
$
61,324
$
28,037
Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities
(953)
(554)
Basic net earnings available to common stockholders
60,371
27,483
Undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested restricted stockholders
929
521
Reallocation of undistributed earnings to nonvested restricted stockholders
(929)
(521)
Diluted net earnings available to common stockholders
$
60,371
$
27,483
Total weighted-average basic common shares outstanding
30,238,621
32,782,285
Effect of dilutive securities(1)
Performance share units
22,034
8,610
Total effect of dilutive securities
22,034
8,610
Total weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding
30,260,655
32,790,895
Net earnings per common share:
Basic earnings per common share
$
2.00
$
0.84
Diluted earnings per common share(2)
$
2.00
$
0.84
(1) Represents the effect of the assumed exercise of stock options and vesting of performance share units and restricted stock, as applicable, utilizing the treasury stock method.
(2) Excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, were 477,488 and 660,659 weighted average shares of nonvested restricted stock because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
Undiscounted future minimum lease payments expected to be received for operating leases at December 31, 2021 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Remaining in 2022
$
27,557
2023
31,660
2024
23,698
2025
17,366
2026
10,508
Thereafter
14,227
Total undiscounted future minimum lease payments receivable for operating leases
$
125,016
NOTE 8. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The Company held a total of $309.5 million of goodwill at December 31, 2021. The recorded goodwill is a result of multiple business combinations that have been consummated since fiscal year 2015, with the most recent pursuant to the Crestmark Acquisition that closed on August 1, 2018. Goodwill is assessed for impairment at least annually or more often if conditions indicate a possible impairment. The assessment is done at a reporting unit level, which is one level below the operating segments. See Note 14. Segment Reporting for additional information on the Company's segment reporting. There have been no changes to the carrying amount of goodwill during the three months ended December 31, 2021.
The changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s intangible assets were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Trademark(1)
Non-Compete(2)
Customer Relationships(3)
All Others(4)
Total
Intangible Assets
At September 30, 2021
$
9,823
$
40
$
17,868
$
5,417
$
33,148
Acquisitions during the period
—
—
—
1
1
Amortization during the period
(263)
(39)
(1,054)
(132)
(1,488)
At December 31, 2021
$
9,560
$
1
$
16,814
$
5,286
$
31,661
Gross carrying amount
$
14,624
$
2,481
$
82,088
$
10,142
$
109,335
Accumulated amortization
(5,064)
(2,480)
(55,026)
(4,638)
(67,208)
Accumulated impairment
—
—
(10,248)
(218)
(10,466)
At December 31, 2021
$
9,560
$
1
$
16,814
$
5,286
$
31,661
At September 30, 2020
$
10,901
$
422
$
24,333
$
6,036
$
41,692
Acquisitions during the period
—
—
—
5
5
Amortization during the period
(272)
(95)
(1,486)
(160)
(2,013)
Write-offs during the period
—
—
—
(24)
(24)
At December 31, 2020
$
10,629
$
327
$
22,847
$
5,857
$
39,660
Gross carrying amount
$
14,624
$
2,481
$
82,088
$
10,123
$
109,316
Accumulated amortization
(3,995)
(2,154)
(48,993)
(4,047)
(59,189)
Accumulated impairment
—
—
(10,248)
(219)
(10,467)
At December 31, 2020
$
10,629
$
327
$
22,847
$
5,857
$
39,660
(1) Book amortization period of 5-15 years. Amortized using the straight line and accelerated methods.
(2) Book amortization period of 3-5 years. Amortized using the straight line method.
(3) Book amortization period of 10-30 years. Amortized using the accelerated method.
(4) Book amortization period of 3-20 years. Amortized using the straight line method.
The estimated amortization expense of intangible assets assumes no activities, such as acquisitions, which would result in additional amortizable intangible assets. Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets in the remaining nine months of fiscal 2022 and subsequent fiscal years was as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Remaining in 2022
$
4,933
2023
5,102
2024
4,384
2025
3,826
2026
3,252
Thereafter
10,164
Total anticipated intangible amortization
$
31,661
The Company tests intangible assets for impairment at least annually or more often if conditions indicate a possible impairment. There were no impairments to intangible assets during the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Intangible expense is recorded within the impairment expense line of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
NOTE 9. OPERATING LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Operating lease ROU assets, included in other assets, were $32.7 million and $25.2 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Operating lease liabilities, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities, were $34.5 million and $26.7 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Undiscounted future minimum operating lease payments and a reconciliation to the amount recorded as operating lease liabilities at December 31, 2021 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Remaining in 2022
$
3,301
2023
3,892
2024
3,854
2025
3,718
2026
3,195
Thereafter
21,732
Total undiscounted future minimum lease payments
39,692
Discount
(5,167)
Total operating lease liabilities
$
34,525
The weighted-average discount rate and remaining lease term for operating leases at December 31, 2021 were as follows:
Weighted-average discount rate
2.33
%
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
10.90
The components of total lease costs for operating leases were as follows:
Three Months Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2021
2020
Lease expense
$
1,137
$
954
Short-term and variable lease cost
35
63
ROU asset impairment
—
224
Sublease income
(176)
(108)
Total lease cost for operating leases
$
996
$
1,133
NOTE 10. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Repurchase of Common Stock
The Company's Board of Directors authorized the November 20, 2019 share repurchase program to repurchase up to 7,500,000 shares of the Company's outstanding common stock. All remaining shares available for repurchase under this program were repurchased during the fiscal 2022 first quarter. This authorization was effective from November 21, 2019 through December 31, 2022. On September 7, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors announced a new share repurchase program to repurchase up to an additional 6,000,000 shares of the Company's outstanding common stock. This authorization is effective from September 3, 2021 through September 30, 2024. During the three months ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, the Company repurchased 1,711,501 and 1,864,474 shares, respectively, as part of the share repurchase programs.
Under the repurchase programs, repurchased shares were retired and designated as authorized but unissued shares. The Company accounts for repurchased shares using the par value method under which the repurchase price is charged to paid-in capital up to the amount of the original proceeds of those shares. When the repurchase price is greater than the original issue proceeds, the excess is charged to retained earnings. As of December 31, 2021, 5,604,375 shares of common stock remained available for repurchase.
For the three months ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, the Company also repurchased 61,172 and 79,101 shares, or $3.4 million and $1.8 million of common stock, respectively, in settlement of employee tax withholding obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock.
NOTE 11. STOCK COMPENSATION
The Company maintains the Meta Financial Group, Inc. 2002 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the "2002 Omnibus Incentive Plan"), which, among other things, provides for the awarding of stock options, nonvested (restricted) shares, and performance share units ("PSUs") to certain officers and directors of the Company. Awards are granted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors based on the performance of the award recipients or other relevant factors.
Compensation expense for share-based awards is recorded over the vesting period at the fair value of the award at the time of the grant. The exercise price of options or fair value of nonvested (restricted) shares and performance share units granted under the Company’s 2002 Omnibus Incentive Plan is equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the grant date, adjusted for dividends where applicable. The Company has elected, with the adoption of ASU 2016-09, to record forfeitures as they occur.
The following tables show the activity of nonvested (restricted) shares and PSUs granted, vested, or forfeited under the 2002 Omnibus Incentive Plan for the three months ended December 31, 2021. There were no options granted, exercised, or forfeited under this plan during the three months ended December 31, 2021.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Number of Shares
Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant
Nonvested shares outstanding, September 30, 2021
547,063
$
30.22
Granted
136,883
57.90
Vested
(187,198)
34.38
Forfeited or expired
(8,430)
42.59
Nonvested shares outstanding, December 31, 2021
488,318
$
36.17
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Number of Units
Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant
Performance share units outstanding, September 30, 2021
60,894
$
34.03
Granted(1)
34,235
57.03
Vested
—
—
Forfeited or expired
—
—
Performance share units outstanding, December 31, 2021
95,219
$
42.30
(1) The number of PSUs granted reflects the target number of PSUs able to be earned under a given award.
At December 31, 2021, stock-based compensation expense not yet recognized in income totaled $11.6 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average remaining period of 1.88 years.
The Company recorded an income tax expense of $14.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021, resulting in an effective tax rate of 18.89%, compared to an income tax expense of $3.5 million, or an effective tax rate of 10.77%, for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The Company’s effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily because of the anticipated effect of investment tax credits during fiscal year 2022. The Company’s effective tax rate in the future will depend in part on actual investment tax credits earned as part of its financing of solar energy projects.
The table below compares the income tax expense components for the periods presented.
Three Months Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2021
2020
Provision at statutory rate
$
15,876
$
6,630
Tax-exempt income
(172)
(249)
State income taxes
3,087
1,488
Interim period effective rate adjustment
1,827
5,467
Tax credit investments, net - federal
(5,670)
(10,123)
Research tax credit
—
(323)
IRC 162(m) nondeductible compensation
263
334
Other, net
(935)
309
Income tax expense
$
14,276
$
3,533
Effective tax rate
18.89
%
10.77
%
NOTE 13. REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
Topic 606 applies to all contracts with customers unless such revenue is specifically addressed under existing guidance. The table below presents the Company’s revenue by operating segment. For additional descriptions of the Company’s operating segments, including additional financial information and the underlying management accounting process, see Note 14. Segment Reporting to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
(Dollars in thousands)
Consumer
Commercial
Corporate Services/Other
Consolidated Company
Three Months Ended December 31,
2021
2020
2021
2020
2021
2020
2021
2020
Net interest income(1)
$
26,271
$
22,347
$
44,926
$
41,848
$
416
$
1,804
$
71,613
$
65,999
Noninterest income:
Refund transfer product fees
579
647
—
—
—
—
579
647
Tax advance product fees(1)
1,233
1,960
—
—
—
—
1,233
1,960
Payment card and deposit fees
25,132
22,564
—
—
—
—
25,132
22,564
Other bank and deposit fees
—
—
231
234
6
3
237
237
Rental income(1)
—
5
11,077
9,880
—
—
11,077
9,885
Net gain realized on investment securities(1)
—
—
—
—
137
—
137
—
Gain on sale of trademarks
—
—
—
—
50,000
—
50,000
—
Gain (loss) on sale of other(1)
—
—
4,864
2,591
(8,329)
256
(3,465)
2,847
Other income(1)
765
159
2,785
2,461
(1,889)
4,695
1,661
7,315
Total noninterest income
27,709
25,335
18,957
15,166
39,925
4,954
86,591
45,455
Revenue
$
53,980
$
47,682
$
63,883
$
57,014
$
40,341
$
6,758
$
158,204
$
111,454
(1) These revenues are not within the scope of Topic 606. Additional details are included in other footnotes to the accompanying financial statements. The scope of Topic 606 explicitly excludes net interest income as well as many other revenues for financial assets and liabilities, including loans, leases, and securities.
Following is a discussion of key revenues within the scope of Topic 606. The Company provides services to customers that have related performance obligations that must be completed to recognize revenue. Revenues are generally recognized immediately upon the completion of the service or over time as services are performed. Any services performed over time generally require that the Company renders services each period; therefore, the Company measures progress in completing these services based upon the passage of time. Revenue from contracts with customers did not generate significant contract assets and liabilities.
Refund Transfer Product Fees. Refund transfer fees are specific to the tax products offered by Refund Advantage and EPS. These fees are for products, services such as payment processing, and product referral commissions. Software partner fees paid and/or incurred are recorded on a net basis. The Company’s obligation for product fees and commissions is satisfied at the time of the product delivery and obligation for payment processing is satisfied at the time of processing. The transaction price for such activity is based upon stand-alone fees within the terms and conditions. At December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, there were no receivables related to refund transfer fees, which reflect earned revenue with unconditional rights to payment for product fee income. All refund transfer fees are recorded within the Consumer reporting segment.
Card Fees. Card fees relate to Meta Payments, Refund Advantage, and EPS products. These fees are for products and services such as card activation, product support, processing, and servicing. The Company earns these fees based upon the underlying terms and conditions with each cardholder over the contract term. Agreements with the Company’s cardholders are considered daily service contracts as they are not fixed in duration. The Company’s obligation for card activation and product support fees is satisfied at the time of product delivery, while the obligation for processing and servicing is satisfied over the course of each month. The transaction price for such activity is based upon the stand-alone fees within the terms and conditions of the cardholder agreements. Card fee revenue also includes income from sponsorships, associations and networks, and interchange income. Sponsorship income relates to fees charged to the Company’s ATM sponsorship partners, where the obligation is satisfied over the course of each month. Association and network income reflect incentives, performance bonuses and rebates with MasterCard and Visa. The obligation for such income is satisfied at the time when certain thresholds of transaction volume have been met. Interchange income is generated by cardholder activity, and therefore the Company’s obligations are satisfied as activity occurs. The transaction price for such activity is based on underlying rates and activity thresholds within the terms and conditions of the applicable agreements. Card fee revenue also includes breakage revenue. Breakage represents the estimated amount that will not be redeemed by the holder of unregistered, unused prepaid cards for goods or services. Breakage revenue is recognized ratably over the expected customer usage period and is an estimate based on cardholder behavior and breakage rates. Breakage is also impacted by escheatment laws. Card fees are recorded within both the Consumer and Commercial reporting segments, the substantial majority of which is derived from the Company's payments divisions and reported in payments card and deposit fees. Card fees not related to the Company's payments divisions are reported within other bank and deposit fees.
Bank and Deposit Fees. Fees are earned on depository accounts for consumer and commercial customers and include fees for account services, overdraft services, and event-driven services (i.e. returned checks, ATM surcharge, card replacement, and wire transfers). The Company’s obligation for event-driven services is satisfied at the time of the event when the service is delivered, while its obligation for account services is satisfied over the course of each month. The Company’s obligation for overdraft services is satisfied at the time of overdraft. The transaction price for such activity is based upon stand-alone fees within the terms and conditions of the deposit agreements. Bank and deposit fees are recorded within both the Consumer and Commercial reporting segments, the majority of which are derived from the Company's payments divisions.
Principal vs Agent. The Consumer reporting segment includes principal/agent relationships. Within this segment, Meta Payments division relationships are recorded on a gross basis within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, as Meta is the principal in the contract, with the exception of association/network contracts and partner/processor contracts for prepaid cards, which are recorded on a net basis within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as Meta is the agent in these contracts. Also within this segment, Tax Service relationships are recorded on a gross basis within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, as Meta is the principal in the contract, with the exception of contracts with software providers and merchants, which are recorded on a net basis within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as Meta is the agent in these contracts.
An operating segment is generally defined as a component of a business for which discrete financial information is available and whose results are reviewed by the chief operating decision-maker. Operating segments are aggregated into reportable segments if certain criteria are met.
The Company reports its results of operations through the following three business segments: Consumer, Commercial, and Corporate Services/Other. The Meta Payments and Tax Services divisions, as well as the Consumer Credit Products and ClearBalance business lines, are reported in the Consumer segment.The Crestmark and AFS divisions are reported in the Commercial segment. The Community Bank division and Student Loan lending portfolio are included in the Corporate Services/Other segment. The Corporate Services/Other segment also includes certain shared services as well as treasury related functions such as the investment portfolio, warehouse finance, wholesale deposits and borrowings. The Company does not report indirect general and administrative expenses in the Consumer and Commercial segments.
The following tables present segment data for the Company:
ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities using a hierarchy system and requires disclosures about fair value measurement. It clarifies that fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts.
The fair value hierarchy is as follows:
Level 1 Inputs - Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at measurement date.
Level 2 Inputs - Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which significant assumptions are observable in the market.
Level 3 Inputs - Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market and are used only to the extent that observable inputs are not available. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
Debt Securities Available for Sale and Held to Maturity. Debt securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and debt securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost.
The fair value of debt securities available for sale, categorized primarily as Level 2, is recorded using prices obtained from independent asset pricing services that are based on observable transactions, but not quoted markets. Management reviews the prices obtained from independent asset pricing services for unusual fluctuations and compares to current market trading activity.
Equity Securities. Marketable equity securities and certain non-marketable equity securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair values of marketable equity securities are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1 inputs).
The following tables summarize the fair values of debt securities available for sale and equity securities as they are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Fair Value At December 31, 2021
(Dollars in thousands)
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Debt securities AFS
Corporate securities
$
25,000
$
—
$
25,000
$
—
SBA securities
150,839
—
150,839
—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
2,799
—
2,799
—
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions
250,872
—
250,872
—
Asset-backed securities
378,849
—
378,849
—
Mortgage-backed securities
974,380
—
974,380
—
Total debt securities AFS
$
1,782,739
$
—
$
1,782,739
$
—
Common equities and mutual funds(1)
$
9,854
$
9,854
$
—
$
—
Non-marketable equity securities(2)
$
5,618
$
—
$
—
$
—
(1) Equity securities at fair value are included within other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021.
(2) Consists of certain non-marketable equity securities that are measured at fair value using net asset value ("NAV") per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient and are excluded from the fair value hierarchy.
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions
268,295
—
268,295
—
Asset-backed securities
394,859
—
394,859
—
Mortgage-backed securities
1,017,029
—
1,017,029
—
Total debt securities AFS
$
1,864,899
$
—
$
1,864,899
$
—
Common equities and mutual funds(1)
$
12,668
$
12,668
$
—
$
—
Non-marketable equity securities(2)
$
4,560
$
—
$
—
$
—
(1) Equity securities at fair value are included within other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021.
(2) Consists of certain non-marketable equity securities that are measured at fair value using NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient and are excluded from the fair value hierarchy.
Foreclosed Real Estate and Repossessed Assets. Real estate properties and repossessed assets are initially recorded at the fair value less selling costs at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. The carrying amount represents the lower of the new cost basis or the fair value less selling costs of foreclosed assets that were measured at fair value subsequent to their initial classification as foreclosed assets.
Loans and Leases. The Company does not record loans and leases at fair value on a recurring basis. However, if a loan or lease is individually evaluated for risk of credit loss and repayment is expected to be solely provided by the values of the underlying collateral, the Company measures fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Fair value is determined by the fair value of the underlying collateral less estimated costs to sell. The fair value of the collateral is determined based on internal estimates and/or assessments provided by third-party appraisers and the valuation relies on discount rates ranging from 4% to 35%.
The following table summarizes the assets of the Company that are measured at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition on a non-recurring basis:
Fair Value At December 31, 2021
(Dollars in thousands)
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Loans and leases, net individually evaluated for credit loss
Commercial finance
$
13,095
$
—
$
—
$
13,095
Total loans and leases, net individually evaluated for credit loss
13,095
—
—
13,095
Foreclosed assets, net
298
—
—
298
Total
$
13,393
$
—
$
—
$
13,393
Fair Value At September 30, 2021
(Dollars in thousands)
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Loans and leases, net individually evaluated for credit loss
Commercial finance
$
3,404
$
—
$
—
$
3,404
Community banking
9,371
—
—
9,371
Total loans and leases, net individually evaluated for credit loss
12,775
—
—
12,775
Foreclosed assets, net
2,077
—
—
2,077
Total
$
14,852
$
—
$
—
$
14,852
Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair Value at
December 31, 2021
Fair Value at
September 30, 2021
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Range of Inputs
Loans and leases, net individually evaluated for credit loss
$
13,095
12,775
Market approach
Appraised values(1)
4% - 35%
Foreclosed assets, net
$
298
2,077
Market approach
Appraised values(1)
9% - 20%
(1) The Company generally relies on external appraisers to develop this information. Management reduced the appraised value by estimating selling costs and other inputs in a range of 4% to 35%.
Management discloses the estimated fair value of financial instruments, including assets and liabilities on and off the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. These fair value estimates were made at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021 based on relevant market information and information about financial instruments. Fair value estimates are intended to represent the price at which an asset could be sold or a liability could be settled. However, since there is no active market for certain financial instruments of the Company, the estimates of fair value are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties, and include matters of significant judgment. Changes in assumptions as well as tax considerations could significantly affect the estimated values. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value estimates are not intended to represent the underlying value of the Company, on either a going concern or a liquidation basis.
The following tables present the carrying amount and estimated fair value of the financial instruments held by the Company:
At December 31, 2021
(Dollars in thousands)
Carrying Amount
Estimated Fair Value
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,230,100
$
1,230,100
$
1,230,100
$
—
$
—
Debt securities available for sale
1,782,739
1,782,739
—
1,782,739
—
Debt securities held to maturity
50,994
50,364
—
50,364
—
Common equities and mutual funds(1)
9,854
9,854
9,854
—
—
Non-marketable equity securities(1)(2)
18,567
18,567
—
12,949
—
Loans held for sale
36,182
36,182
—
36,182
—
Loans and leases
3,682,606
3,624,832
—
—
3,624,832
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stocks
28,400
28,400
—
28,400
—
Accrued interest receivable
17,240
17,240
17,240
—
—
Financial liabilities
Deposits
6,525,569
6,525,579
6,494,700
30,879
—
Other short- and long-term borrowings
92,274
93,309
—
93,309
—
Accrued interest payable
661
661
661
—
—
(1) Equity securities at fair value are included within other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 2021.
(2) Includes certain non-marketable equity securities that are measured at fair value using NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient and are excluded from the fair value hierarchy.
At September 30, 2021
(Dollars in thousands)
Carrying Amount
Estimated Fair Value
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
314,019
$
314,019
$
314,019
$
—
$
—
Debt securities available for sale
1,864,899
1,864,899
—
1,864,899
—
Debt securities held to maturity
56,669
56,391
—
56,391
—
Common equities and mutual funds(1)
12,668
12,668
12,668
—
—
Non-marketable equity securities(1)(2)
17,509
17,509
—
12,949
—
Loans held for sale
56,194
56,194
—
56,194
—
Loans and leases
3,607,815
3,616,646
—
—
3,616,646
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stocks
28,400
28,400
—
28,400
—
Accrued interest receivable
16,254
16,254
16,254
—
—
Financial liabilities
Deposits
5,514,971
5,515,035
5,482,471
32,564
—
Other short- and long-term borrowings
92,834
93,938
—
93,938
—
Accrued interest payable
579
579
579
—
—
(1) Equity securities at fair value are included within other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at September 30, 2021.
(2) Includes certain non-marketable equity securities that are measured at fair value using NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient and are excluded from the fair value hierarchy.
NOTE 16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Management has evaluated subsequent events that occurred after December 31, 2021. During this period, up to the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, management did not identify any material subsequent events that would require recognition or disclosure in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of or for the quarter ended December 31, 2021.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.®
AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Meta Financial Group, Inc.®("Meta" or the "Company" or "us") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, MetaBank®, National Association ("MetaBank" or "the Bank") may from time to time make written or oral “forward-looking statements,” including statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the Company’s reports to stockholders, and other communications by the Company and MetaBank, 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,” 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; our ability to remediate the material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting and otherwise maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting; the expected impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related governmental actions on our business, industry, and the capital markets; customer retention; expectations regarding the Company's and the Bank's ability to meet minimum capital ratios and capital conservation buffers; loan and other product demand; expectations concerning acquisitions and divestitures; new products and services; credit quality; the level of net charge-offs and the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses; technology; and management and other employees. 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: successfully transitioning and 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 the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and any governmental or societal responses thereto including the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines, or other unusual and infrequently occurring events; successfully completing our announced rebranding and our ability to achieve brand recognition equal to or greater than we currently enjoy; changes in tax laws; the strength of the United States' economy, and the local economies in which the Company operates; changes in trade, monetary, and fiscal policies and laws, including actual changes in interest rates and the Fed funds rate; inflation, market, and monetary fluctuations; 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 tax refund advance business; the risk of reduced volume of refund advance loans as a result of reduced customer demand for or usage of Meta’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 and recent and potential changes in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; technological changes, including, but not limited to, the security 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 MetaBank of its status as a well-capitalized institution; changes in consumer 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update, revise, or clarify these forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in its entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. 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, 2021, and in other filings made with the SEC. The Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update 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.
The Company, a registered bank holding company, is a Delaware corporation, the principal assets of which are all the issued and outstanding shares of the Bank, a national bank. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Company include Meta and the Bank, and all direct or indirect subsidiaries of Meta on a consolidated basis.
The Company’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CASH.”
The following discussion focuses on the consolidated financial condition of the Company at December 31, 2021, compared to September 30, 2021, and the consolidated results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, for the year ended September 30, 2021 and the related management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Business Development Highlights for the 2022 Fiscal First Quarter
•Entered into an agreement with Beige Key LLC to sell the Meta names and trademarks for $60 million, of which $50 million was recognized as noninterest income in the first fiscal quarter. The Company plans to use a portion of the proceeds to implement its new corporate name and brand, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2022, and estimates its rebranding expenses will range between $15.0 million to $20.0 million. The remainder of the proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes including tax-efficient capital allocation.
•Sold all remaining $192.5 million of community banking loans, reducing this portfolio to zero and generating a favorable pre-tax impact of approximately $3.9 million after netting the recovery of provision expense from the portfolio's $12.3 million allowance and the loss on sale of loans of $8.4 million.
•Extended the agreement with Emerald Financial Services, LLC, a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of H&R Block, through June 30, 2025. The agreement adds valuable new financial product offerings and capabilities for customers, including Spruce Accounts, a spending account with an attached debit card, and a connected savings account. These innovative products, designed to help a consumer better manage their financial resources, are powered by MetaBank.
•Originated $21.2 million in aggregate principal of renewable energy loan financing for the first quarter of fiscal 2022, resulting in $5.7 million in total net investment tax credits.
•Repurchased 1,711,501 shares, at an average price of $58.97, in the first fiscal quarter. The company purchased an additional 230,000 shares through February 3, 2022 at an average share price of $59.85 and has 5,374,375 shares available for repurchase under the common stock share repurchase program announced during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021.
Financial Highlights for the 2022 Fiscal First Quarter
Total revenue for the first quarter was $158.2 million, an increase of $46.7 million, or 42%,compared to the same quarter in fiscal 2021, primarily driven by the gain on sale of Meta names and trademarks.
Net interest income for the first quarter was $71.6 million, an increase of $5.6 million compared to $66.0 million in the first quarter last year.
Net interest margin ("NIM") was essentially unchanged, declining to 4.59% for the first quarter from 4.65% during the same period of last year. The increase in higher-yielding loans and leases was offset by an increase in lower-yielding investment securities balances and the continued low interest rate environment.
Total gross loans and leases at December 31, 2021 increased $243.0 million, to $3.68 billion, or 7%, compared to December 31, 2020 and increased $74.8 million, or 2%, when compared to September 30, 2021. The increase was driven by growth across our loan portfolios, partially offset by the sale of all remaining community banking loans during the quarter.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
At December 31, 2021, the Company’s total assets increased by $919.0 million to $7.61 billion compared to September 30, 2021, primarily due to an increase of $916.1 million in cash and cash equivalents.
Total cash and cash equivalents was $1.23 billion at December 31, 2021, increasing from $314.0 million at September 30, 2021, primarily resulting from an increase in noninterest-bearing deposits of $808.2 million and the net cash proceeds from the sale of our remaining legacy community bank loans of $147.1 million. Otherwise, the Company maintains its cash investments primarily in interest-bearing overnight deposits with the FHLB of Des Moines and the FRB. At December 31, 2021, the Company did not have any federal funds sold.
The total investment portfolio decreased $87.8 million, or 5%, to $1.83 billion at December 31, 2021, compared to $1.92 billion at September 30, 2021, as maturities and principal pay downs exceeded purchases. The Company’s portfolio of securities customarily consists primarily of MBS, which have expected lives much shorter than the stated final maturity, non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions, which mature in approximately 15 years or less, and other tax exempt municipal mortgage related pass through securities which have average lives much shorter than their stated final maturities. All MBS held by the Company at December 31, 2021 were issued by a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality. During the three months ended December 31, 2021, the Company purchased $20.9 million of investment securities.
Loans held for sale at December 31, 2021 totaled $36.2 million, decreasing from $56.2 million at September 30, 2021. This decrease was primarily driven by a reduction in SBA/USDA loans held for sale during the three months ended December 31, 2021.
The Company’s total loans and leases increased $74.8 million, or 2%, to $3.68 billion at December 31, 2021, from $3.61 billionat September 30, 2021. The increase was primarily driven by growth in the commercial finance and warehouse finance portfolios, partially offset by the sales of the remaining community banking loans. See Note 5 to the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Tax services loans increased $89.9 million, commercial finance loans increased $72.3 million, consumer finance increased $64.9 million, and warehouse finance increased $46.9 million at December 31, 2021 compared to September 30, 2021. The increase in commercial finance loan balances was largely driven by the term lending category. The seasonality of the Company's tax services business led to the increase in tax services loans at December 31, 2021 compared to September 30, 2021.
Community banking loans decreased $199.1 million, or 100%, at December 31, 2021 compared to September 30, 2021, attributable to the sales of the remaining community banking loans.
Through the Bank, the Company owns stock in the FHLB due to the Bank’s membership and participation in this banking system as well as stock in the Federal Reserve Bank. The FHLB requires a level of stock investment based on a pre-determined formula. The Company’s investment in these stocks remained unchanged from $28.4 million at September 30, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
Total end-of-period deposits increased 18% to $6.53 billion at December 31, 2021, compared to September 30, 2021, primarily driven by an increase in noninterest-bearing deposits of $1.25 billion partially offset by a decrease in interest-bearing checking of $254.3 million. The increase in noninterest-bearing deposits was driven by government stimulus-related dollars loaded on various partner cards. As of December 31, 2021, EIP program card balances outstanding totaled $1.38 billion, of which only $28.1 million was on Meta's balance sheet with the remainder being held by other banks.
The Company's total borrowings decreased $0.6 million, or 1%, from $92.8 million at September 30, 2021 to $92.3 million at December 31, 2021.
At December 31, 2021, the Company’s stockholders’ equity totaled $826.2 million, a decrease of $45.7 million, from $871.9 million at September 30, 2021. The decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction in retained earnings related to activity from the Company's share repurchase programs. The Company and Bank remained above the federal regulatory minimum capital requirements at December 31, 2021, continued to be classified as well-capitalized, and in good standing with the regulatory agencies. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further information.
Payments Noninterest-bearing Checking Deposits
The Company may hold negative balances associated with cardholder programs in the payments division that are included within noninterest-bearing deposits on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Negative balances can relate to any of the following payments functions:
–Prefundings: The Company deploys funds to cards prior to receiving cash (typically 2-3 days) where the prefunding balance is netted at a pooled partner level utilizing ASC 210-20.
–Discount fundings: The Company funds cards in an amount that is estimated to be less than final breakage values on card programs. Consumers may spend more than is estimated. These discounts are netted at a pooled partner level using ASC 210-20. The majority of these discount fundings relate to one partner.
–Demand Deposit Account ("DDA") overdrafts: Certain programs offered allow cardholders traditional DDA overdraft protection services whereby cardholders can spend a limited amount in excess of their available card balance. When overdrawn, these accounts are re-classed as loans on the balance sheet within the Consumer Finance category.
The Company meets the Right of Set off criteria in ASC 210-20, Balance Sheet - Offsetting, for all payments negative deposit balances with the exception of DDA overdrafts. The following table summarizes the Company's negative deposit balances within the payments division:
(Dollars in Thousands)
December 31, 2021
September 30, 2021
Noninterest-bearing deposits
$
6,625,632
$
5,492,646
Prefunding
(314,896)
(436,111)
Discount funding
(29,515)
(26,440)
DDA overdrafts
(11,585)
(11,862)
Noninterest-bearing checking, net
$
6,269,636
$
5,018,233
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General
The Company recorded net income of $61.3 million, or $2.00 per diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2021, compared to net income of $28.0 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2020. Total revenue for the fiscal 2022 first quarter was $158.2 million, compared to $111.5 million for the same quarter in fiscal 2021. The increase in net income was primarily driven by the gain on sale of the Meta names and trademarks.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income for the fiscal 2022 first quarter was $71.6 million, an increase of 9%, from the same quarter in fiscal 2021. The increase was mainly attributable to an improved earning asset and liability mix, along with increased loan balances.
The first quarter average outstanding balance of loans and leases increased $211.3 million compared to the same quarter of the prior year, primarily due to increases in our core loan and lease portfolios, partially offset by the sale of the remaining community bank portfolio. The Company’s average interest-earning assets for the first quarter increased by $547.2 million to $6.18 billion compared with the same quarter in fiscal 2021, primarily due to growth in total investments and total loans and leases.
Fiscal 2022 first quarter NIM decreased to 4.59% from 4.65% in the first quarter of last year. The overall reported tax equivalent yield (“TEY”) on average earning assets decreased by 13 basis points to 4.69% compared to the prior year quarter, primarily driven by an increase in lower-yielding investment securities balances of $561.4 million. The TEY on the securities portfolio was 1.58% compared to 1.79% for the comparable period last year.
The Company's cost of funds for all deposits and borrowings averaged 0.08% during the fiscal 2022 first quarter, compared to 0.15% during the prior year quarter, primarily driven by a reduction in wholesale deposit balances along with an increase in noninterest-bearing deposits. The Company's overall cost of deposits was 0.01% in the fiscal 2022 first quarter, compared to 0.06% in the same quarter last year.
The following tables present, for the periods indicated, the Company’s 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 rates. Tax-equivalent adjustments have been made in yield on interest-bearing assets and net interest margin. Nonaccruing loans and leases have been included in the table as loans carrying a zero yield.
Net interest income and net interest rate spread including noninterest-bearing deposits
$
71,613
4.61
%
$
65,999
4.67
%
Net interest margin
4.59
%
4.65
%
Tax equivalent effect
0.02
%
0.02
%
Net interest margin, tax-equivalent(3)
4.61
%
4.67
%
(1) Tax rate used to arrive at the TEY for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was 21%.
(2) At December 31, 2020, $162.5 million of the total balance were interest-bearing deposits where interest expense was paid by a third party and not by the Company. On October 1, 2021, the Company reclassified the balances related to that program to noninterest bearing checking due to the product moving to noninterest bearing.
(3) Net interest margin expressed on a fully-taxable-equivalent basis ("net interest margin, tax-equivalent") is a non-GAAP financial measure. The tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the estimated income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and adjusting for federal and state exemption of interest income. The Company believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest margin expressed on a fully taxable equivalent basis and, accordingly, believes the presentation of this non-GAAP financial measure may be useful for peer comparison purposes.
Provision for Credit Losses
The Company recognized provision for credit losses of $0.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $6.1 million for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. Net charge-offs were $1.1 millionfor the quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared to $2.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2020. The majority of the net charge-offs for the quarter were attributable to the commercial finance portfolio.
Fiscal 2022 first quarter noninterest income increased to $86.6 million from $45.5 million for the same period of the prior year. The significant increase was driven by the $50 million gain on sale of the Meta names and trademarks and to a lesser extent an increase in payments fee income and rental income.
The Company also recognized a loss on sale of other during the quarter of $3.5 million, a $6.3 million decrease from the prior year period, primarily consisting of a $8.4 million loss attributable to the sale of the remaining community bank loans and a $3.4 million gain on sale of SBA loans.
Also partially offsetting the increase in noninterest income during the quarter was a decrease in other income, which includes a net unrealized loss of $3.3 million on a prior investment in MoneyLion Inc.This loss partially offsets a net unrealized gain of $4.1 million recognized by the Company during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 following the completion of MoneyLion's de-SPAC process and listing on the New York Stock Exchange on September 22, 2021.
Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense increased 14% to $82.4 million for the fiscal 2022 first quarter, from $72.6 million for the same quarter last year. The increase in expense was primarily driven by an increase in compensation expense, other expense, occupancy and equipment expense, and card processing expense. When comparing the fiscal 2022 first quarter to the fourth quarter of 2021, non-interest expense decreased by $11.2 million.
Income Tax Expense
The Company recorded an income tax expense of $14.3 million, representing an effective tax rate of 18.9%, for the fiscal 2022 first quarter, compared to $3.5 million, representing an effective tax rate of 10.8%, for the first quarter last year. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to increased earnings.
The Company originated $21.2 million in solar leases during the fiscal 2022 first quarter, compared to $38.5 million during last year's first quarter. Investment tax credits related to solar leases are recognized ratably based on income throughout each fiscal year. The timing and impact of future solar tax credits are expected to vary from period to period, and Meta intends to undertake only those tax credit opportunities that meet the Company's underwriting and return criteria.
Asset Quality
Generally, when a loan or lease becomes delinquent 90 days or more or when the collection of principal or interest becomes doubtful, the Company will place the loan or lease on a nonaccrual status and, as a result, previously accrued interest income on the loan or lease is reversed against current income. The loan or lease will generally remain on a non-accrual status until six months of good payment history has been established or management believes the financial status of the borrower has been significantly restored. Certain relationships in the table below are over 90 days past due and still accruing. The Company considers these relationships as being in the process of collection. Insurance premium finance loans, consumer finance and tax services loans are generally not placed on non-accrual status, but are instead written off when the collection of principal and interest become doubtful.
Loans and leases, or portions thereof, are charged-off when collection of principal becomes doubtful. Generally, this is associated with a delay or shortfall in payments of greater than 210 days for insurance premium finance, 180 days for tax and other specialty lending loans, 120 days for consumer credit products and 90 days for other loans. Action is taken to charge off ERO loans if such loans have not been collected by the end of June and taxpayer advance loans if such loans have not been collected by the end of the calendar year. Non-accrual loans and troubled debt restructurings are generally considered impaired.
The Company believes that the level of allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2021 was appropriate and reflected probable losses related to these loans and leases; however, there can be no assurance that all loans and leases will be fully collectible or that the present level of the allowance will be adequate in the future. See the section below titled “Allowance for Credit Losses” for further information.
The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of the Company's nonperforming assets.
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2021
September 30, 2021
Nonperforming Loans and Leases
Nonaccruing loans and leases:
Commercial finance
$
37,760
$
19,330
Community banking
—
14,915
Total nonaccruing loans and leases
37,760
34,245
Accruing loans and leases delinquent 90 days or more:
Commercial finance
3,896
12,489
Consumer finance
1,534
1,236
Tax services(1)
—
7,962
Total accruing loans and leases delinquent 90 days or more
5,430
21,687
Total nonperforming loans and leases
43,190
55,932
Other Assets
Nonperforming operating leases
850
3,824
Foreclosed and repossessed assets:
Commercial finance
298
2,077
Total foreclosed and repossessed assets
298
2,077
Total other assets
1,148
5,901
Total nonperforming assets
$
44,338
$
61,833
Total as a percentage of total assets
0.58
%
0.92
%
(1) Certain tax services loans do not bear interest.
At December 31, 2021, nonperforming loans and leases totaled $43.2 million, representing 1.2% of total loans and leases, compared to $55.9 million, or 1.52% of total loans and leases at September 30, 2021.
Classified Assets. Federal regulations provide for the classification of certain loans, leases, and other assets such as debt and equity securities considered by the Bank's primary regulator, the OCC, to be of lesser quality as “substandard,” “doubtful” or “loss,” with each such classification dependent on the facts and circumstances surrounding the assets in question. An asset is considered “substandard” if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. “Substandard” assets include those characterized by the “distinct possibility” that the Bank will sustain “some loss” if the deficiencies are not corrected. Assets classified as “doubtful” have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified “substandard,” with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make “collection or liquidation in full,” on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, “highly questionable and improbable.” Assets classified as “loss” are those considered “uncollectible” and of such minimal value that their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss reserve is not warranted.
General allowances represent loss allowances which have been established to recognize the inherent risk associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, have not been allocated to particular problem assets. When assets are classified as “loss,” the Bank is required either to establish a specific allowance for losses equal to 100% of that portion of the asset so classified or to charge off such amount. The Bank’s determinations as to the classification of its assets and the amount of its valuation allowances are subject to review by its regulatory authorities, which may order the establishment of additional general or specific loss allowances.
On the basis of management’s review of its loans, leases, and other assets, at December 31, 2021, the Company had classified loans and leases of $176.3 million as substandard, $19.9 million as doubtful and none as loss. At September 30, 2021, the Company classified loans and leases of $264.2 million as substandard, $12.1 million as doubtful and none as loss.
Allowance for Credit Losses. Effective October 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses(Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, and subsequent related ASUs (collectively “Topic 326”), which measures credit loss for most financial assets, including trade and other receivables, debt securities held to maturity, loans, net investments in leases, purchased financial assets with credit deterioration, and off-balance sheet credit exposures. ASU 2016-13 requires the use of a current expected credit losses ("CECL") methodology to determine the allowance for credit losses ("ACL") for loans and debt securities held to maturity. CECL requires loss estimates for the remaining estimated life of the assets to be measured using historical loss data, adjustments for current conditions, and adjustments for reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions.
The ACL represents management’s estimate of expected credit losses over the life of each financial asset as of the balance sheet date. The Company individually evaluates loans and leases that do not share similar risk characteristics with other financial assets for credit loss, generally this means loans and leases identified as troubled debt restructurings or loans and leases on nonaccrual status. All other loans and leases are evaluated collectively for credit loss. A reserve for unfunded credit commitments such as letters of credit and binding unfunded loan commitments is recorded in other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
Individually evaluated loans and leases are a key component of the ACL. Generally, the Company measures credit loss on individually evaluated loans based on the fair value of the collateral less estimated selling costs, as the Company considers these financial assets to be collateral dependent. If an individually evaluated loan or lease is not collateral dependent, credit loss is measured at the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan or lease initial effective interest rate.
The Company's ACL totaled $67.6 million at December 31, 2021, a decrease compared to $68.3 million at September 30, 2021. The reduction in the ACL at December 31, 2021 was primarily due to a $12.3 million decrease attributable to the community banking portfolio, as all loans have now been sold. This decrease was partially offset by increases within commercial finance of $8.7 million, tax services of $1.6 million, and consumer finance of $1.2 million.
The following table presents the Company's ACL as a percentage of its total loans and leases.
As of the Period Ended
December 31, 2021
September 30, 2021
June 30, 2021
March 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Commercial finance
2.04
%
1.77
%
1.73
%
1.77
%
1.88
%
Consumer finance
2.70
%
2.91
%
3.80
%
4.70
%
4.39
%
Tax services
1.60
%
0.02
%
58.99
%
12.90
%
1.53
%
Warehouse finance
0.10
%
0.10
%
0.10
%
0.10
%
0.10
%
Community banking
—
%
6.16
%
4.36
%
4.03
%
4.01
%
Total loans and leases
1.84
%
1.89
%
2.61
%
2.71
%
2.10
%
Management closely monitors economic developments and considers these factors when assessing the appropriateness of its ACL. The Company's ACL as a percentage of total loans and leases decreased to 1.84% at December 31, 2021 from 1.89% at September 30, 2021. The decrease in the total loans and leases coverage ratio reflected the release of the community banking portfolio allowance. The coverage ratio for the commercial finance portfolio increased compared to September 30, 2021 quarter due to specific reserves on two individually evaluated loan relationships. The consumer finance coverage decreased primarily due to an improved overall macroeconomic outlook. The Company expects to continue to diligently monitor the ACL and adjust as necessary in future periods to maintain an appropriate and supportable level.
Management believes that, based on a detailed review of the loan and lease portfolio, historic loan and lease losses, current economic conditions, the size of the loan and lease portfolio and other factors, the level of the ACL at December 31, 2021 reflected an appropriate allowance against expected credit losses from the lending portfolio. Although the Company maintains its ACL at a level it considers to be appropriate, investors and others are cautioned that there can be no assurance that future losses will not exceed estimated amounts, or that additional provisions for credit losses will not be required in future periods.
The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The financial information contained within these financial statements is, to a significant extent, based on approximate measures of the financial effects of transactions and events that have already occurred. Management has identified its critical accounting policies, which are those policies that, in management's view, are most important in the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations, and include those for the ACL, goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. These policies involve complex and subjective decisions and assessments. Some of these estimates may be uncertain at the time they are made, could change from period to period, and could have a material impact on the financial statements. A discussion of the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021. There were no significant changes to these critical accounting policies and estimates during the first three months of fiscal 2022.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company’s primary sources of funds are deposits, derived principally through its payments division, borrowings, principal and interest payments on loans and leases and mortgage-backed securities, and maturing investment securities. In addition, the Company utilizes wholesale deposit sources to provide temporary funding when necessary or when favorable terms are available. While scheduled loan repayments and maturing investments are relatively predictable, deposit flows and early loan repayments are influenced by the level of interest rates, general economic conditions and competition. The Company uses its capital resources principally to meet ongoing commitments to fund maturing certificates of deposits and loan commitments, to maintain liquidity, and to meet operating expenses.
At December 31, 2021, the Company had unfunded loan and lease commitments of $1.36 billion. Management believes that loan repayment and other sources of funds will be adequate to meet its foreseeable short- and long-term liquidity needs.
As U.S. banking organizations, the Company and the Bank are required to comply with the regulatory capital rules adopted by the Federal Reserve and the OCC (the "Capital Rules") that became effective on January 1, 2015, subject to phase-in periods for certain requirements and other provisions of the Capital Rules. Under the Capital Rules and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s and Bank’s capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
The Capital Rules require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum ratios (set forth in the table below) of total risk-based capital and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and a leverage ratio consisting of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). At December 31, 2021, both the Company and the Bank exceeded federal regulatory minimum capital requirements to be classified as well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action requirements. The Company and the Bank took the accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) opt-out election; under the rule, non-advanced approach banking organizations were given a one-time option to exclude certain AOCI components.
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 analyses and has included this non-GAAP financial information, and corresponding reconciliation to total equity.
At December 31, 2021
Company
Bank
Minimum to be Adequately Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
Minimum to be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
The following table provides a reconciliation of the amounts included in the table above for the Company.
(Dollars in thousands)
Standardized Approach(1)
December 31, 2021
Total stockholders' equity
$
826,157
Adjustments:
LESS: Goodwill, net of associated deferred tax liabilities
300,382
LESS: Certain other intangible assets
32,294
LESS: Net deferred tax assets from operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards
19,855
LESS: Net unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities
403
LESS: Noncontrolling interest
642
ADD: Adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-13
6,527
Common Equity Tier 1(1)
479,108
Long-term borrowings and other instruments qualifying as Tier 1
13,661
Tier 1 minority interest not included in common equity Tier 1 capital
444
Total Tier 1 capital
493,213
Allowance for credit losses
55,125
Subordinated debentures (net of issuance costs)
59,220
Total capital
$
607,558
(1) Capital ratios were determined using the Basel III capital rules that became effective on January 1, 2015. Basel III revised the definition of capital, increased minimum capital ratios, and introduced a minimum common equity tier 1 capital ratio; those changes are being fully phased in through the end of 2021.
The following table provides a reconciliation of tangible common equity and tangible common equity excluding AOCI, each of which is used in calculating tangible book value data, to total stockholders' equity. Each of tangible common equity and tangible common equity excluding AOCI is a non-GAAP financial measure that is commonly used within the banking industry.
(Dollars in thousands)
At December 31, 2021
Total stockholders' equity
$
826,157
LESS: Goodwill
309,505
LESS: Intangible assets
31,661
Tangible common equity
484,991
LESS: AOCI
724
Tangible common equity excluding AOCI
$
484,267
Since January 1, 2016, the Company and the Bank have been required to maintain a capital conservation buffer above the minimum risk-based capital requirements in order to avoid certain limitations on capital distributions, stock repurchases and discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. The capital conservation buffer is exclusively composed of Common Equity Tier 1 capital, and it applies to each of the three risk-based capital ratios but not the leverage ratio. The required Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and total risk-based capital ratios with the buffer are currently 7.0%, 8.5% and 10.5%, respectively.
Based on current and expected continued profitability and subject to continued access to capital markets, we believe that the Company and the Bank will continue to meet the capital conservation buffer of 2.5% in addition to required minimum capital ratios.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Contractual Obligations" in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 for a summary of our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2021. There were no material changes outside the ordinary course of our business in contractual obligations from September 30, 2021 through December 31, 2021.
See Note 19. Commitments and Contingencies in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 for discussion of the Company’s off-balance sheet financing arrangements as of September 30, 2021. There were no material changes from September 30, 2021 through December 31, 2021.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
MARKET RISK
The Company derives a portion of its income from the excess of interest collected over interest paid. The rates of interest the Company earns on assets and pays on liabilities generally are established contractually for a period of time. Market interest rates change over time. Accordingly, the Company’s results of operations, like those of most financial institutions, are impacted by changes in interest rates and the interest rate sensitivity of its assets and liabilities. The risk associated with changes in interest rates and the Company’s ability to adapt to these changes is known as interest rate risk and is the Company’s only significant “market” risk.
The Company monitors and measures its exposure to changes in interest rates in order to comply with applicable government regulations and risk policies established by the Board of Directors, and in order to preserve stockholder value. In monitoring interest rate risk, the Company analyzes assets and liabilities based on characteristics including size, coupon rate, repricing frequency, maturity date and likelihood of prepayment.
The Company’s primary objective for its investment portfolio is to provide a source of liquidity for the Company. In addition, the investment portfolio may be used in the management of the Company’s interest rate risk profile. The investment policy generally calls for funds to be invested among various categories of security types and maturities based upon the Company’s need for liquidity, desire to achieve a proper balance between minimizing risk while maximizing yield, the need to provide collateral for borrowings, and the need to fulfill the Company’s asset/liability management goals.
The Company believes that its growing portfolio of longer duration, low-cost deposits generated from its payments division provides a stable and profitable funding vehicle, but also subjects the Company to greater risk in a falling interest rate environment than it would otherwise have without this portfolio. This risk is due to the fact that, while asset yields may decrease in a falling interest rate environment, the Company cannot significantly reduce interest costs associated with these deposits, which thereby compress the Company’s net interest margin.
The Board of Directors and relevant government regulations establish limits on the level of acceptable interest rate risk at the Company, to which management adheres. There can be no assurance, however, that, in the event of an adverse change in interest rates, the Company’s efforts to limit interest rate risk will be successful.
Interest Rate Risk (“IRR”)
Overview. The Company actively manages interest rate risk, as changes in market interest rates can have a significant impact on reported earnings. The Company's interest rate risk analysis is designed to compare income and economic valuation simulations in market scenarios designed to alter the direction, magnitude and speed of interest rate changes, as well as the slope of the yield curve. The Company does not currently engage in trading activities to control interest rate risk although it may do so in the future, if deemed necessary, to help manage interest rate risk.
Earnings at risk and economic value analysis. As a continuing part of its financial strategy, the Bank considers methods of managing an asset/liability mismatch consistent with maintaining acceptable levels of net interest income. In order to monitor interest rate risk, the Board of Directors has created an Asset/Liability Committee whose principal responsibilities are to assess the Bank’s asset/liability mix and implement strategies that will enhance income while managing the Bank’s vulnerability to changes in interest rates.
The Company uses two approaches to model interest rate risk: Earnings at Risk (“EAR analysis”) and Economic Value of Equity (“EVE analysis”). Under EAR analysis, net interest income is calculated for each interest rate scenario and compared to the net interest income forecast in the base case. EAR analysis measures the sensitivity of interest-sensitive earnings over a one-year minimum time horizon. The results are affected by projected rates, prepayments, caps and floors. Management exercises its best judgment in making assumptions regarding events
that management can influence, such as non-contractual deposit re-pricing, as well as events outside of management's control, such as customer behavior on loan and deposit activity and the effect that competition has on both lending and deposit pricing. These assumptions are subjective and, as a result, net interest income simulation results will differ from actual results due to the timing, magnitude, and frequency of interest rate changes, changes in market conditions, customer behavior and management strategies, among other factors. The Company performs various sensitivity analyses on assumptions of deposit attrition, loan prepayments, and asset re-pricing, as well as market-implied forward rates and various likely and extreme interest rate scenarios, including rapid and gradual interest rate ramps, rate shocks and yield curve twists.
The EAR analysis used in the following table reflects the required analysis used no less than quarterly by management. It models basis point parallel shifts in market interest rates over the next one-year period. The following table shows the results of the scenarios as of December 31, 2021:
Net Sensitive Earnings at Risk
Change in Interest Income/Expense for a given change in interest rates
Over/(Under) Base Case Parallel Shift
(Dollars in Thousands)
Book Value
-100
Base
+100
+200
+300
+400
Total interest-sensitive income
6,756,157
253,563
268,999
302,981
337,684
372,937
408,378
Total interest-sensitive expense
258,732
426
713
2,064
3,452
4,878
6,343
Net interest-sensitive income
253,137
268,286
300,917
334,232
368,059
402,035
Percentage change from base
-5.6
%
—
%
12.2
%
24.6
%
37.2
%
49.9
%
The EAR analysis reported at December 31, 2021, shows that Total Interest Sensitive Income will change more rapidly than Total Interest Sensitive Expense over the next year. IRR is a snapshot in time. The Company’s business and deposits are predictably cyclical on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis. The Company’s static IRR results could vary depending on which day of the week the month ends, primarily related to payroll processing and timing of when certain programs are prefunded and when the funds are received.
Under EVE analysis, the economic value of financial assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet instruments is derived under each rate scenario. The economic value of equity is calculated as the difference between the estimated market value of assets and liabilities, net of the impact of off-balance sheet instruments.
The EVE analysis used in the following table reflects the required analysis used no less than quarterly by management. It models immediate basis point parallel shifts in market interest rates. The following table shows the results of the scenarios as December 31, 2021:
Economic Value Sensitivity
Standard (Parallel Shift)
Economic Value of Equity at Risk %
-100
+100
+200
+300
+400
Percentage change from base
-15.3
%
11.2
%
20.0
%
27.5
%
34.7
%
The EVE at risk reported at December 31, 2021 shows that the economic value of equity position is expected to benefit from rising interest rates due to the large amount of noninterest-bearing funding.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Management, under the direction of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act")) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the 1934 Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to
management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
In connection with the preparation of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, management evaluated the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. The evaluation was performed under the direction of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to determine the effectiveness, as of December 31, 2021, of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, at December 31, 2021, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company required to be included in the Company's periodic SEC filings.
In the fiscal fourth quarter of 2021, the Company identified a material weakness in the control environment of the Crestmark Leasing division related to segregation of duties over lease disbursements. More specifically, users were identified who had the ability to both initiate and approve lease disbursements subsequent to the implementation of a new leasing system in May 2021 and there was not a monitoring control in place to ensure segregation of those duties. Additionally, the user entitlement review control, specific to this application, was determined to be not effective as it did not identify this segregation of duties issue. Management determined the deficiencies represent a material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting on the basis that the deficiencies could result in a misstatement potentially impacting the Company's financial statement accounts and disclosures that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
REMEDIATION PLAN FOR REPORTED MATERIAL WEAKNESS
Management performed testing of leasing related disbursements during the impacted period and did not identify any instances where the segregation of the disbursement initiation and approval duties was not maintained. The Company has implemented a remediation plan to address the material weakness described above with respect to the internal control environment of the Crestmark Leasing division and is committed to maintaining a strong internal controls environment. To address the material weakness, the Company implemented automated controls to ensure segregation of duties is maintained for disbursements performed within the leasing system and reperformed inspection of access rights within the Leasing Division system. These immediate remediation steps were completed by October 15, 2021, and management is evaluating implementation of additional enhancements to the Leasing division system control environment.
INHERENT LIMITATIONS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTROLS
Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable (not absolute) assurance that its objectives will be met. Furthermore, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management conducted an evaluation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, there were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the 1934 Act) during the fiscal first quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
There are no material pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or to which any of our properties are subject. There are no material proceedings known to us to be contemplated by any governmental authority. From time to time, we are involved in a variety of litigation matters in the ordinary course of our business and anticipate that we will become involved in new litigation matters in the future.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
A description of our risk factors can be found in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. There were no material changes to those risk factors during the three months ended December 31, 2021, except that the following risk factor is hereby added:
We are planning to rebrand and the rebranding strategy may not produce the benefits expected, may involve substantial costs and may not be favorably received by our customers.
To reflect the evolution and growth of our business, including our corporate mission of financial inclusion for all®, we are planning to rebrand under a name to be determined as part of the rebranding process. As previously announced, in connection with the sale of our rights to our current trade names and marks including METABANK and META FINANCIAL GROUP for $60 million, we have agreed to phase out and cease all use of the META marks and names, and change our corporate names by December 7, 2022.
Developing and maintaining awareness and integrity of our brand are important to achieving widespread acceptance of our existing and future product and service offerings and attracting new customers. Successful promotion of our rebranding will depend on the effectiveness of our marketing efforts and on our ability to provide reliable and useful banking solutions. We plan to invest resources to promote our new brand, but we cannot predict how such marketing efforts will be received and there is no guarantee that we will be able to achieve or maintain brand recognition or status under our new names and marks that is comparable to the recognition and status we previously enjoyed. If our rebranding strategy does not produce the benefits expected, it could adversely affect our ability to retain and attract customers, and may have a negative impact on our operations, business, financial results and financial condition.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
(a) None.
(b) None.
(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
The Company's Board of Directors authorized a 7,500,000 share repurchase program on November 20, 2019 that was publicly announced on November 20, 2019 and is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2022. All remaining shares available for repurchase under this program were repurchased during the fiscal 2022 first quarter. On September 3, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an additional 6,000,000 share repurchase program that was publicly announced on September 7, 2021 and is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2024. The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases of our common stock during the fiscal 2022 first fiscal quarter.
Total Number Of Shares Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Maximum Number Of Shares that may yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
October 1 to 31
901,654
$
58.63
843,600
6,472,276
November 1 to 30
481,663
62.40
478,545
5,993,731
December 1 to 31
389,356
58.27
389,356
5,604,375
Total
1,772,673
1,711,501
(1) All shares not purchased as part of the Company's publicly announced repurchase program were acquired in satisfaction of the tax withholding obligations of holders of restricted stock unit awards, which vested during the quarter.
(2) The average price paid per share is calculated on a trade date basis for all open market transactions and excludes commissions and other transaction expenses.
Section 906 certification of Chief Financial Officer.
101
The following financial information from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL) includes: (i) Cover Page, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity, (vi) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vii) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged in summary and in detail.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
* Certain schedules or exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit will be furnished supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request; provided, however that the Company may request confidential treatment for any schedule or exhibit so furnished.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Date: February 8, 2022
By:
/s/ Brett L. Pharr
Brett L. Pharr,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Date: February 8, 2022
By:
/s/ Glen W. Herrick
Glen W. Herrick,
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
