Finance of America Companies Q1 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

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Provided by Quartr
May 8, 2023

There are 6 speakers on the call.

Operator

Afternoon. Thank you for attending today's Finance of America First Quarter 2023 Earnings Call. My name is Frances, and I'll be your moderator today. All lines will be muted during the presentation portion of the call with an opportunity for questions and answers at the end. I would now like to pass the conference over to our host, Michael Fant with Finance of America.

Speaker 1

Thank you, and good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to Finance of America's Q1 earnings call. With me today are Graeme Fleming, Chief Executive Officer and Johan Gerrick, Chief Financial Officer. As a reminder, this call is being recorded, and you can find the earnings release and supplement on our Investor Relations website at www.financeofamerica.com. In addition, we will refer to certain non GAAP financial measures on this call.

Speaker 1

You can find reconciliations of non GAAP to GAAP financial measures to the extent available without unreasonable efforts discussed on today's call in our earnings press release and supplement on the Investor Relations page of our website. Also, I would like to remind everyone that comments on this conference Call may be forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the company's expected operating and financial performance for future periods. These statements are based on the company's current expectations and are subject to the Safe Harbor statement for forward looking statements that you will find in today's earnings release. Actual results for future periods may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward looking statements due to a number of risks or other factors, including those that are described in the Risk Factors section of Finance of America's Annual Report on Form 10 ks for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2023. As such, risk factors may be amended and updated in our subsequent filings with the SEC.

Speaker 1

We are not undertaking any commitment to update these statements Please note, these are interim period financials and are unaudited. Now, I would like to turn the call over to Finance of America's Chief Executive Officer, Graham Fleming. Graham?

Speaker 2

Thank you, Michael. Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for joining us on our Q1 2023 earnings call. I'm excited to join the call today as Finance of America's CEO. I believe strongly that Finance of America provides a truly differentiated and modern retirement solutions platform that gives older Americans more choices and new ways to consider and fund their retirement, and I am honored to drive that vision forward. For today's call, I will begin with a brief discussion of our financial results for the quarter.

Speaker 2

I will then spend the remaining time focused on our go forward business structure and strategic priorities. Johan will then offer a deeper dive into our financials. We achieved several milestones in the Q1. This was largely due to our efforts over the past year to streamline the organization and invest in core businesses that underpin Our modern retirement platform with home equity as its centerpiece. Current demographic trends point to substantial market opportunity And we believe FOA has the significant competitive advantages needed to capitalize on this.

Speaker 2

On a continuing operations basis, We recorded GAAP net income of $55,000,000 or $0.29 per basic share in Q1, driven primarily by favorable increases and valuations across our asset base. On an adjusted basis, we recognized a net loss of $15,000,000 or $0.08 per fully diluted share. For the year, we expect our adjusted diluted earnings per share for continuing operations to be between $0.09 and $0.12 as we complete the integration of AAG and optimize our corporate structure. As Johan will touch on in a moment, we recently updated our segment reporting To align with our new operating structure, we believe the new structure offers a simpler and more accurate breakdown of Finance of America today and moving forward. Both our Retirement Solutions and Portfolio Management businesses delivered profitable results on an adjusted basis in Q1.

Speaker 2

This was encouraging as we expected a substantial reduction in volume for the Q1 of the year. Overall, profitability in our continuing operations was down quarter over quarter on an adjusted basis as lower profitability in our operating segments wasn't fully offset by a reduction in corporate expenses. We remain focused on our efforts to right size our corporate structure to better align with our current footprint and expect to materially complete this work by the Q3 of 2023. Since the Q1 of 2022, we have seen a 32% reduction in corporate salaries and benefits, and we expect to see further reductions in the coming quarters. Finally, in line with our commitment to strengthen our balance sheet, A series of actions, including the recently closed AEG acquisition, as well as the concurrent $30,000,000 equity raise from existing shareholders, Increase our tangible book value for continuing operations from $108,000,000 at the end of last year to over $200,000,000 this quarter, A significant improvement and further validation that our efforts are beginning to deliver real results.

Speaker 2

Further into our balance sheet and operating improvement efforts, in Q2, we signed an agreement to sell a majority share of the remainder of the lender services businesses. This transaction is expected to close in Q2. The previously announced sale of our title insurance business to Essence is also on track to close early in Q3, subject to regulatory approvals and customer closing conditions. Once both of those transactions have closed, we will have completed the full scale transformation of Finance of America into a modern retirement solutions platform. Our new structure and suite of innovative solutions are designed to help retirees age in place and thrive later in life.

Speaker 2

Looking beyond, we expect that the acquisition of the assets of AAG will materially enhance Finance of America's growth prospects and position the company as a leader in the retirement solutions field. This acquisition marks a new chapter in our strategic plan to expand awareness of our offerings and accelerate growth in the market. We are quite optimistic about what this new combination means for our business in terms of 1, increased market share As we are now the largest originator of reverse mortgages by volume 2, greater reach and awareness among consumers as a result of our increased presence and brand awareness and 3, our ability to grow the customer base through a combination of direct to consumer outreach via the AAG brand and strategic educational partnerships and initiatives via Finance of America Reverse. Importantly, AAG's expanded reach and retail presence will complement the innovative proprietary product suite At Finance of America Reverse, the AAG brand's direct to consumer retail channel alone reaches more than 10,000,000 consumers annually Via targeted marketing and advertising. This combination creates a remarkable opportunity for Finance of America to become a lifelong resource For an enormous number of customers, we strongly believe there is a growing need for a modern retirement solutions platform like ours.

Speaker 2

In the U. S, the retirement savings gap is approaching $4,000,000,000,000 yet homeowners aged 62 and older Have amassed more than $11,500,000,000,000 in home equity value. This is the market opportunity, helping older homeowners Use their homes as a superpower to achieve their financial goals, whether by tapping home equity via AAG or FAR, Securing a Finance of America home improvement loan or generating additional income by home sharing with SilverNest. Together, AAG and FAR will enable the overall Finance of America company to better serve the growing needs of retirees across the nation. We are excited by the long term potential of Finance of America and our modern retirement solutions platform.

Speaker 2

Given the transformative changes and investments we have made to position Finance America for the future, we are confident our strategy will result in continued growth and success. And with that, I will pass the call to Johan to discuss the financials.

Speaker 3

Thank you, Graham, and good afternoon, everyone. As Graham mentioned, we have made significant changes to our financial reporting in the Q1. Following the successful wind down of our mortgage operations, along with the recently announced divestitures of our commercial, Title Insurance and Lender Services businesses, we have designated each of these business lines as discontinued operations. For the quarter, our continuing operations reported net income of $55,000,000 or $0.29 per basic share, Primarily driven by the market rate changes that increased the value of our reverse assets. Excluding these fair value changes and other nonrecurring items, The company reported an adjusted net loss of $15,000,000 or $0.08 per fully diluted share as earnings in our operating Segments were more than offset by corporate expenses.

Speaker 3

From a balance sheet perspective, the acquisition of the assets of AAG occurred on March 31st, adding $5,600,000,000 in assets $62,000,000 in equity to the company. Most significantly, we added $5,400,000,000 in loans held for investment subject to HMBS obligations. Additionally, the $30,000,000 capital raise from existing shareholders and profitable results for the quarter led to a significant improvement in tangible equity. As of March 31, the company reported $203,000,000 intangible equity, an increase of 88% from December 31. Additionally, we have worked diligently to delever our balance sheet.

Speaker 3

As of September 30 last year, the company had $2,300,000,000 in other financing lines of credit. As of March 31, that number had decreased by 52% to 1,100,000,000 Over the same time frame, loans held for investment and loans held for sale declined from $2,200,000,000 to $800,000,000 or a reduction of 62%. As we streamline our organization, We have also updated our segments to more closely align with our go forward business strategy that Graham laid out a moment ago. Beginning this quarter, we will present our operating results through 3 reporting segments: Retirement Solutions, Portfolio Management and Corporate and Other. Our Retirement Solutions segment fulfills Finance of America's goal to help older homeowners achieve their financial goals in retirement and includes all origination activity for the company, including reverse mortgage and home improvement lending.

Speaker 3

For the quarter, we funded 357,000,000 down from the prior quarter as volume softened due to seasonality and competitive pressures. Even with this decline, The segment recognized $2,000,000 in adjusted net income for the quarter as revenue margins for the segment improved to 7.3% from 4.6% in the 4th quarter. Please note that the results for the operations acquired from AAG are not yet included in our P and L, but will be included in Retirement Solutions beginning in the Q2. We expect the acquisition to drive profitable growth as we realize both revenue and expense synergies over the coming quarters. Our Portfolio Management segment did not see any reporting changes due to the realignment.

Speaker 3

For the quarter, portfolio management recognized $99,000,000 in pretax income As market rate adjustments led to increased values of our reverse assets. On an adjusted basis, The segment recognized $4,000,000 of adjusted net income in Q1. Combined, these two segments And $6,000,000 in adjusted net income for the quarter. As mentioned earlier, the company reported a total adjusted net loss of 15,000,000 The delta represents the unallocated cost of our current corporate infrastructure. As we work to streamline our organization And complete the remaining transactions.

Speaker 3

We will further reduce corporate overhead to align with the size and simplicity of our organization. As Graeme mentioned, and I want to reiterate, we have already seen a significant reduction in corporate expenses. Since the Q1 of 'twenty two, we have reduced corporate salaries and benefits by 32% and we'll continue to optimize this. In conclusion, Finance of America has worked hard to position itself for success moving forward. So far, We have executed on every step we set out to take and plan to continue to make the right decisions to improve profitability, Strengthen liquidity and derisk our balance sheet.

Speaker 3

With that, let me now hand it back to Graeme for closing remarks.

Speaker 2

Thank you, Johan. Overall, we are pleased with our start to the year. The continuing operations of our business was profitable and we hope to deliver further value by focusing on our core businesses and rightsizing our corporate infrastructure. Moving forward, we are confident we will drive continued strength in Retirement Solutions And portfolio management as we work through these efforts, and we believe in the long term earnings power of our organization. With that, operator, we'll open up for questions.

Operator

Thank you. Please remember to pick up your handset before asking your question. Our first question comes from the line of Stephen Laws with Raymond James. Please go ahead.

Speaker 4

Hi, good afternoon. It looks like a really solid quarter. You guys Came in a little ahead of me and always love to see that. Kind of wanted to get your thoughts. Maybe 1st, Graham, from a higher level, can you talk about The turmoil of banks, kind of what if any direct impacts are there from that?

Speaker 4

And maybe how much did you compete with banks For some of your loan products or maybe in home improvement or asked another way, credit availability is Contracting elsewhere in the system, how much are you seeing anybody turn yet to your products? Do you think that's a coming opportunity? How do you think about the bigger picture in the banking market?

Speaker 2

Yes. So Steven, thanks for the question. So let's look at it through 2 lenses, right? On the reverse side, right, we haven't necessarily seen banks in that space for a number of years, right? It's been non bank lenders.

Speaker 2

Although we would be thrilled if the banks came into the space, it would increase the visibility of the products with our customer base. But on the home improvement, right, we have seen or we've read right around Goldman and Marcus and Them selling their portfolio and potentially exiting that business. So we do see that as an opportunity. We haven't seen we've been focused on the integration of AAG and getting those LOs licensed and getting the marketing up the curve. So We've been focused on getting the AAG guys back to where they were pre acquisition.

Speaker 2

Haven't seen any earlier indications yet On the tightening of credit, we have seen some widening of spreads here in Q2 As we work through some deals, but nothing that indicates it's going to be longer term, right? But We have seen some widening, but we haven't seen much in the way

Speaker 4

of credit tightening at this

Speaker 2

point. Yes,

Speaker 4

I appreciate those I kind of leave a follow-up on outlook for origination volume. Johanna, I think in your prepared remarks, maybe you said Seasonality and maybe a little bit more competition, but can you talk about volumes maybe in April? And it seems like margins really improved sequentially and how you're seeing margins hold up quarter to date?

Speaker 3

Yes. Stephen, thank you. Yes, so we expect volumes To pick up in Q2, obviously, on the back of the AAG acquisition, right? And so As I look at where we stand today, probably closer to Q4, once we get The AAV integration fully up to speed. Just from a practical perspective, The 1st few weeks in April, we had to go through typical integration things when you do an asset acquisition.

Speaker 3

So there were some licensing. We're just getting everybody fully integrated into the platform and that's working perfectly. So April, obviously, we won't have the full benefit Of the origination power of AEG, but once we roll into the second part of Q2, I expect that to be operating Smoothly and as they had prior to the acquisition. As Greg said, spreads It widened a little bit starting here in April, probably on the back of the banking dislocation, so to speak. So margin may be a little bit softer in Q2, but it's so early.

Speaker 3

It's hard to say where we ended up to be honest.

Speaker 4

Yes. Fair enough. Appreciate the comments this afternoon. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you for your questions. The next question comes from Leon Cooperman with Omega Advisors. Please go ahead.

Speaker 5

Thank you. There have been a number of changes in the company as you transition to a modern Retirement structure, what do you think your normalized earnings are as you restructure the company Looking at 12, 18 months from today.

Speaker 2

Normalized.

Speaker 3

12, 18 months from today. It's going to be obviously volume dependent. But I think if we look at where we sold Q4, right, and we say, okay, with the AAD acquisition, We can get something better than that, right? And then you say what is a decent bottom line For that business, and I still believe that it's somewhere in the 4% to 5% range of funded volume, Right. And then you look at the Portfolio Management segment, which should run relatively stable.

Speaker 3

And once we layer in the AAG acquisition, that number should maybe be twice as high as what it is today. And then we do some further rationalization. In Q1, we said we expect our corporate expenses to come down To what it half of it what it was at the peak. So we're about 2 thirds of the way there, I'd say. So when you layer all of that in, It should give you a good indication of kind of where the profitability is.

Speaker 5

Is that an excess of $0.50 a share?

Speaker 3

Yes, I mean, at the right volume, could be, yes.

Speaker 5

Okay. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you for your question. At this time, there are no further questions waiting. So I'll pass the conference back over Graham for any additional remarks.

Speaker 2

Yes. Thank you, Francis. I want to thank everybody for joining the call. I appreciate the questions And we look forward to our next earnings call in August to provide an update on our progress. So thank you everybody for joining.

Operator

That concludes the Finance of America 1st Quarter 2023 Earnings Call. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect your line.

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