CURO Group Holdings Corp. Announces Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

WICHITA, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–CURO Group Holdings Corp. (NYSE: CURO) (“CURO” or the “Company”), a tech-enabled, omni-channel consumer finance company serving a full spectrum of non-prime and prime consumers in the U.S. and Canada, today announced financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2021.

“The second quarter was very busy for us as we made significant strides on every value-creation front – growth, profitability, margins, capital and scale. We are pleased to continue to mitigate risk while driving long-term value for our stakeholders,” said Don Gayhardt, CURO’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our Canadian operations remained a bright spot in the second quarter, as our Canada Direct Lending and Canada POS segments delivered sequential loan growth of 5.1% and 9.9%, respectively. Our U.S. segment posted modest sequential loan growth in the second quarter that exceeded our expectations. With our acquisition of Flexiti in the first quarter of 2021 and the continued growth in our Canada Direct Lending segment, 76% of our company owned gross loans receivable are in Canada as of June 30, 2021, compared to 56% as of June 30, 2020.”

“On June 1, 2021, we announced a major milestone for Flexiti with the signing of LFL Group, Canada’s largest home furnishings retailer, to a 10-year exclusive point-of-sale merchant agreement. We believe this relationship generates more than C$800 million of annualized point-of-sale finance beginning in mid-2022 when fully on-boarded. We believe that this agreement positions Flexiti to become the largest point-of-sale financing provider in Canada and are confident that it will create significant value for us. Flexiti’s originations for the second quarter increased by more than 115% year over year. We look forward to capitalizing on the significant growth that Flexiti brings to our business and to serving a larger number of Canadian consumers across all the ways through which they access credit.”

“During the second quarter, we also began to monetize our investment in Katapult with the closing of the Katapult and FinServ merger on June 9, 2021. We received cash of $146.9 million and stock representing 20.7% fully-diluted ownership in the new public company. Our investment in Katapult allows us to continue to participate in the rapidly growing U.S. e-commerce point-of-sale finance space and we are pleased to maintain representation on the company’s board of directors.”

“We announced on July 13, 2021, the difficult decision to close 49 U.S. stores, or about 25% of our total U.S. stores, during the second and third quarters to manage local store market density and to respond to our customers’ evolving usage patterns. The impacted locations generated only 8% of our U.S. store revenue in 2020. CURO remains highly focused on serving the needs of all customers through our store and online channels. This was a consolidation of underperforming stores, not a departure from our commitment to leveraging our omni-channel competitive advantage. Since our platform allows customers to transition seamlessly online, to an adjacent store or to contact centers, this consolidation reduces annual operating costs by approximately $20 million while maximizing the likelihood of retaining a large percentage of customers from the impacted stores.”

“We priced on July 16, 2021 a Senior Secured Notes offering of $750 million at 7.5%. This replaces our Senior Secured Notes due 2025, extends maturities to 2028, lowers the coupon by 75 bps and provides additional capital structure flexibility, particularly as it relates to the financing of our growing Canadian businesses.”

“Finally, we continued to strengthen our management team and are pleased to announce that Dan Kirsche joined us this week as our new EVP and Chief Technology Officer. Dan has a great background leading software engineering for digital marking and consumer lending organizations and is very well-suited to help us execute on our technology priorities.”

Consolidated Summary Results – Unaudited

Second quarter 2021 and recent developments include:

• Year-over-year growth in Company Owned gross loans receivable and combined gross loans receivable of $312.7 million, or 68.5%, and $315.7 million, or 64.4%, respectively.
• Canada Direct Lending gross loans receivable grew $104.5 million, or 40.7%, year over year, and Canada point-of-sale (“POS”) Lending gross loans receivable were $221.5 million. The Canada POS Lending segment was added with the acquisition of Flexiti Financial Inc. (“Flexiti”) on March 10, 2021.
• U.S. Company Owned gross loans receivable declined $13.2 million, or 6.6%, year over year. Excluding the runoff of impacted loan portfolios in California and Virginia, U.S. Company Owned gross loans receivable grew $35.8 million, or 28.3%, compared to the same period in the prior year.
• Sequentially, (described within this release as the change from the first quarter to the second quarter) Company Owned gross loans receivable and gross combined loans receivable increased $38.2 million, or 5.2%, and $42.9 million, or 5.6%, respectively.
• Revenue and Net Revenue increased $ 5.2 million, or 2.8%, and $10.7 million, or 8.1%, respectively year over year.
• Consolidated net charge-off (“NCO”) rates for U.S. and Canada Direct Lending improved 540 bps year over year and 50 bps sequentially. U.S. and Canada Direct Lending past-due loans improved 150 bps year over year and remained stable sequentially.
• Diluted Earnings per Share from continuing operations of $2.39 compared to $0.51 in the prior-year quarter, primarily affected by the closing of the Katapult Holdings Inc. (“Katapult”) merger. Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share of $0.40 compared to $0.53 for the second quarter of 2020.
• Katapult’s merger with FinServ Acquisition Corp. (“FinServ”) closed on June 9, 2021. As a result, we received cash of $146.9 million and Katapult (NASDAQ: KPLT) stock with a value of $192.0 million as of July 27, 2021. Our fully-diluted ownership of Katapult as of June 30, 2021 was 20.7%, including potential earn-out shares.
• On June 1, 2021, Flexiti signed a 10-year agreement to become the exclusive POS financing partner to the LFL Group (“LFL”), Canada’s largest home furnishings retailer. LFL operates over 300 stores in Canada under multiple banners including Leon’s and The Brick. Flexiti estimates that the LFL POS relationship will generate over C$800 million in annual financed sales beginning in mid-2022 when fully on-boarded.
• Under the terms of our $50.0 million share repurchase program announced in April 2021, we purchased in the open market 375,880 shares through July 27, 2021.
• Our Board of Directors declared an $0.11 per share dividend payable on August 19, 2021 to stockholders of record as of August 9, 2021.
• Closed, or announced the closing of, 49 U.S. stores to better align with changing customer trends and preferences for online transactions.
• Priced and upsized to $750 million a 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Offering due 2028. The proceeds will be used to (i) redeem our 8.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2025, (ii) to pay fees, expenses, premiums and accrued interest therewith and (iii) for general corporate purposes.

Year-to-date 2021 developments include:

• Revenue decreased $79.1 million, or 17.1%, compared to the prior year, due to the effect of COVID-19 and two rounds of significant U.S. government stimulus that reduced U.S. loan balances.
• Net Revenue increased $3.8 million, or 1.3%, year over year as the negative effect on revenue of lower average loan balances was mitigated by significant improvements in credit quality and the effect of changes in loan balances on loan loss provisioning.
• Diluted Earnings per Share from continuing operations of $2.99 compared to $1.37 in the prior year. Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share of $1.09 compared to $1.31 for 2020.

From the second quarter of 2020 through the first quarter of 2021, we experienced lower customer demand, good credit performance, increased or accelerated repayments and favorable payment trends as customers were aided by government stimulus programs while periodically enduring pandemic lockdowns (collectively “COVID-19 Impacts”). Second quarter of 2021 was impacted less by COVID-19 Impacts but was still affected by loan demand in the U.S. than pre-COVID-19 levels and additional pandemic lockdowns in Canada.

Consolidated Revenue by Product and Segment

The following table summarizes revenue by product, including credit services organization (“CSO”) fees, for the period indicated:

During the three months ended June 30, 2021, total revenue increased $5.2 million, or 2.8%, to $187.7 million, compared to the prior-year period. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to an increase in Canada Direct Lending revenue of $16.7 million, or 36.9%, and $7.0 million of Canada POS Lending revenue from a full post-acquisition quarter for Flexiti. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in U.S. revenue of $18.5 million, or 13.5%.

Canada POS Lending revenue includes merchant discount revenue (“MDR”), which is recognized over the life of the underlying loan term. The Flexiti gross acquired loan portfolio (“Acquired Portfolio”), prior to the fair value discount recorded as a result of purchase accounting, was $208.6 million as of March 10, 2021 (date of acquisition). The Acquired Portfolio was remeasured at fair value of $196.1 million as of the date of acquisition. The fair value discount is based on estimated future net cash flows and is recognized in net revenue over the expected life of the Acquired Portfolio (approximately 12 months). This amortization resulted in an increase in revenue and an increase in loan loss provision of $1.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The Acquired Portfolio also included $14.1 million of unearned MDR, annual and administrative fees, which are recognized over the expected life of the Acquired Portfolio. Since those unrecognized amounts do not represent future cash flows from the Acquired Portfolio, the unearned MDR, annual and administrative fees were not included in the opening balance sheet as of March 10, 2021, and thus, are not amortized to revenue for the Acquired Portfolio. For the second quarter of 2021, Canada POS Lending revenue and net revenue was lower by $5.6 million and $5.5 million, respectively, (“acquisition-related adjustments”) compared to what would have been reported if the unearned MDR and fees had been recognized over the expected life of the Acquired Portfolio. To assist users of our financial statements in analyzing the expected future performance of the Flexiti loan portfolio (for example, expected yields for loans originated post-acquisition) and earnings, we have provided results with and without these acquisition-related adjustments. See “Reconciliation of Net Income from Continuing Operations and Diluted Earnings per Share to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share” for additional detail. The acquisition-related adjustments will decline each quarter with the Acquired Portfolio and will be fully amortized by the second quarter of 2022.

From a product perspective, Revolving LOC revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $11.3 million, or 19.9%, year over year, primarily driven by growth in Canada Direct Lending revenue of $11.6 million, or 45.0%, and Canada POS lending of $6.5 million, partially offset by a decline in U.S. revenue of $6.8 million, or 22.1%. Excluding the effects of the Virginia runoff portfolio, U.S. Revolving LOC revenue decreased $0.3 million, or 1.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the prior-year period.

For the three months ended June 30, 2021, Installment revenue decreased $11.2 million, or 9.9%, compared to the prior-year period. Excluding the effects of the impacted California Installment loan portfolios, U.S. Installment revenue decreased $0.5 million, or 0.6%.

Ancillary revenue increased $5.1 million, or 38.4% versus the prior-year period, primarily due to the sale of insurance products to Revolving LOC and Installment loan customers in Canada.

The following table summarizes revenue by product, including CSO fees, for the period indicated:

Year-over-year comparisons were also influenced by COVID-19 Impacts. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, total revenue declined $79.1 million, or 17.1%, to $384.2 million, compared to the prior year. Geographically, U.S. revenues declined 28.9% while Canada Direct Lending revenues increased 15.4% due to the continued popularity and growth of Revolving LOC loans in Canada. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, Canada POS Lending revenue was $8.6 million, which included a $4.0 million reduction related to acquisition-related adjustments for the period.

From a product perspective, Revolving LOC revenues increased $3.1 million, or 2.4%, compared to the prior year, primarily due to growth in Canada Direct Lending revenue of $17.0 million, or 31.0%, and Canada POS Lending of $7.9 million, partially offset by declines in U.S. revenue of $21.9 million, or 30.0%. Excluding the effects of the Virginia runoff portfolio, U.S. Revolving LOC revenue decreased $7.2 million, or 13.7%, for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the prior-year period.

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, Installment revenues decreased $88.7 million, or 28.9%, compared to the prior year. Excluding the effects of the impacted California Installment loan portfolios, Installment revenue decreased 23.1%.

Ancillary revenues increased $6.5 million, or 22.4%, versus the prior year from the sale of insurance products to Revolving LOC and Installment loan customers in Canada.

The following table presents online revenue and online transaction compositions, including CSO fees, of the products and services that we currently offer within the U.S. and Canada Direct Lending segments:

Online revenue as a percentage of consolidated revenue increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 due to COVID-19 Impacts and the resulting transition of customers using our online channel which allows for a safe and contactless option.

Consolidated Loans Receivable

The following table reconciles Company Owned gross loans receivable, a GAAP-basis balance sheet measure, to Gross combined loans receivable, a non-GAAP measure⁽¹⁾. Gross combined loans receivable includes loans originated by third-party lenders through CSO programs, which are not included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements but from which we earn revenue by providing a guarantee to the unaffiliated lender.

Gross combined loans receivable increased $315.7 million, or 64.4%, to $806.3 million as of June 30, 2021, from $490.6 million as of June 30, 2020. The increase was driven by Canada Direct Lending growth of $104.5 million, or 40.7%, and Canada POS Lending gross loans receivables of $221.5 million. Excluding Flexiti loan balances, gross combined loans receivable increased $94.3 million, or 19.2% year over year. U.S. gross combined loans receivable declined $10.2 million, or 4.4%, due to (i) COVID-19 Impacts, (ii) the runoff of California Installment and Virginia Revolving LOC loans as a result of regulatory impacts, and (iii) additional government stimulus in the first half of 2021. Excluding the California and Virginia runoff portfolios, U.S. gross combined loans receivable grew 24.2%.

Sequentially, gross combined loans receivable increased $42.9 million, or 5.6%, as markets continued to reopen and consumer demand increased. Geographically, U.S. and Canada grew sequentially by 2.5% and 6.9%, respectively, primarily driven by Canada POS Lending growth of $19.9 million, or 9.9% and Canada Direct Lending Revolving LOC growth of $18.4 million, or 5.8%. Gross combined loans receivable performance by product is described further in the following sections.

Results of Consolidated Operations

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

Reconciliation of Net Income from Continuing Operations and Diluted Earnings per Share to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share, non-GAAP measures

Reconciliation of Net Income from Continuing Operations to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, Non-GAAP Measures

Contacts

Investor Relations:

Roger Dean

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Acting Chief Accounting Officer

Phone: 844-200-0342

Email: IR@curo.com

Or

Financial Profiles, Inc.

Curo@finprofiles.com

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