NewStar Reports Third Quarter 2013 Consolidated Net Income of $6.4 Million, or $0.12 Per Diluted Share

• Loan Growth – New funded loan volume was $284 million in the third quarter, up from $180 million in the same quarter last year, and total loans exceeded $2 billion, up 10% from year-end.
   
• Credit Costs – Provision for credit losses decreased $1.9 million from the prior quarter to $2.4 million, or 0.47% of average loans, annualized.
   
• Asset Quality – NPAs decreased by 9% from the prior quarter and non-accruing loans fell to 2.1% of consolidated loans, while charge-offs decreased to 0.18% of loans, annualized. 
   
• Funding – Completed seventh term debt securitization and redeemed at par all outstanding bonds issued through first term debt securitization in 2005. 
   
• Revenue – Risk-adjusted revenue¹ was relatively unchanged from the prior quarter as lower provision expense was offset by the impact of slimmer margins, but consolidated revenue declined 7% from the prior quarter due to lower net interest income.
   
• Net Interest Margin – Margin narrowed to 3.35% for the third quarter from 4.68% in the prior quarter due to lower deferred loan fee amortization driven by fewer prepayments, discrete items related to the term debt securitization completed in the third quarter, and the recognition of deferred loan income in the prior quarter in connection with the resolution of certain problem loans.

BOSTON, Nov. 6, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewStar Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq:NEWS), a specialized commercial finance company, today reported consolidated net income of $6.4 million, or $0.12 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2013.  Net income excluding the results of the Arlington Fund, a consolidated variable interest entity ("VIE"), was $6.2 million². These results compare to net income of $5.6 million, or $0.11 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2013 and $6.1 million, or $0.11 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2012. Operating income before income taxes was $9.9 million for the third quarter of 2013 compared to $9.3 million in the second quarter of 2013 and $10.5 million in the third quarter of 2012. 

"Our operating results in the third quarter were highlighted by strong loan growth, continued improvement in asset quality and solid earnings. We also continued to make significant progress on other key objectives, including completion of our seventh loan securitization," said Tim Conway, NewStar's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Although deal activity typically slows in the summer, we were able to carry our momentum from last quarter to drive strong loan growth as the portfolio topped $2 billion.  Earnings also improved as higher fee revenue and lower credit costs offset slimmer margins, which were impacted by non-recurring factors, higher leverage and lower portfolio yields. Asset quality continued to improve as we reduced NPAs by 9% and brought the non-accrual rate down to just 2.1% of loans," he added. "On the funding side, we completed a $400 million loan securitization, increasing balance sheet leverage to 3x. Our stock has also performed well as the market continues to recognize the value of asset origination platforms like NewStar," he concluded.

Managed and Owned Loan Portfolios

• Total new funded loan volume was approximately $284 million in the third quarter compared to $319 million in the prior quarter and $180 million in the third quarter of the prior year. Higher volumes reflected higher asset-based lending volume and increased demand for acquisition financing from financial sponsors compared to the same period last year.     
• The managed loan portfolio increased slightly to $2.5 billion as of September 30, 2013 compared to $2.4 billion as of June 30, 2013 as new funded loan volume was partially offset by loan run-off from scheduled amortization and prepayments of existing loans in the NewStar Credit Opportunities Fund.
• Consolidated loans increased by 7% from the prior quarter and 10% since the end of 2012, reflecting new loan volume and lower runoff in the third quarter, as well as, the consolidation of loans managed in the Arlington Fund. 
• Excluding loans in the Arlington Fund, the owned loan portfolio increased 5% from the prior quarter to $1.9 billion as of September 30, 2013 as new funded loan origination exceeded run-off from scheduled amortization and prepayments of existing loans.   
• The Leveraged Finance loan portfolio, excluding loans in the Arlington Fund, increased by $16 million during the third quarter of 2013 to over $1.5 billion, while asset-based loans and leases in our Business Credit portfolio increased 38% to $278 million.   
• Assets managed for third party institutional investors, including the Arlington Fund, increased to $547 million at September 30, 2013 as the growth in assets managed for the new Arlington Fund exceeded the run-off of assets managed in the NewStar Credit Opportunities Fund. 
• Asset-based lending and equipment finance business lines originated approximately $32 million and $14 million, respectively, in the third quarter of 2013, or 17% of new loan volume retained on the balance sheet.
• Real estate loans decreased by $12 million, or 9.6%, during the quarter to $110 million, or 5.4% of consolidated loans.  
• The owned loan portfolio (excluding the Arlington Fund) remained balanced across industry sectors and highly diversified by issuer. As of September 30, 2013, no outstanding borrowings by a single obligor represented more than 1.5% of total loans outstanding, and the ten largest obligors comprised approximately 10.3% of the loan portfolio.

Arlington Fund

• Loans managed for the benefit of the Arlington Fund and consolidated into NewStar's results increased to $130 million as of September 30, 2013 from $85 million as of June 30, 2013.
• Borrowings under the Fund's warehouse credit facilities were approximately $93 million and the Fund's membership interests characterized as debt in accordance with GAAP were $25 million at September 30, 2013. 
• The net results (after-tax) of the Fund included in NewStar's financial statements as a consolidated VIE were $0.5 million up from $0.1 million, or approximately $0.01 per share in the third and second quarters of 2013. 

Net Interest Income / Margin

• The portfolio yield decreased to 6.33% in the third quarter of 2013 compared to 7.33% in the prior quarter, and 6.45% in the third quarter of 2012. Net interest income also decreased by approximately $5.7 million to $19.5 million for the third quarter of 2013 compared to $25.2 million for the second quarter of 2013 and $21.7 million in the third quarter of 2012.  Net interest income and portfolio yield were both negatively impacted by the prior recognition of deferred interest income on problem loans resolved during the second quarter and higher amortization of deferred loan fees related to an elevated level of prepayments during the second quarter. 
• Adjusting for the negative impact of non-accruing loans on a non-GAAP basis, the loan portfolio yield would have been 14 bps higher, or 6.47%.
• Net interest margin narrowed to 3.35% for the third quarter of 2013 compared to 4.68% for the second quarter of 2013 as net interest income decreased $5.7 million from the second quarter and interest expense increased $1.8 million.  As noted above, the decline in interest income was due primarily to prior quarter higher amortization of deferred loan fees associated with the increase in loan prepayments during the second quarter and the recognition of deferred interest income on certain problem loans resolved during the quarter. The increase in interest expense reflected higher average borrowings due primarily to the completion of a new term debt securitization and the related accelerated amortization of capitalized financing fees, as well as the consolidation of the Arlington Fund's debt.

Non-Interest Income

• Non-interest income was $5.1 million for the third quarter of 2013, up from $1.5 million for the second quarter of 2013, and $3.2 million for the third quarter of 2012. The change from the second quarter was due primarily to a $1.1 million increase in value of an equity position retained in connection with a restructuring of an impaired loan, $0.9 million increase in equity method of accounting interests in impaired borrowers and a $0.4 million of gains on debt repurchases during the third quarter of 2013. 
• Other non-interest income in the third quarter of 2013 consisted primarily of $0.6 million of asset management income, $0.8 million of amendment and exit fees and $0.5 million of unused fees on revolving credit commitments. It also included approximately $0.6 million of revenue related to OREO currently being managed by the Company, which, prior to 2013, was reported net of related expenses and is now recognized on a gross basis in the Company's financial results.   

Expenses

• Operating expenses decreased by $1.2 million to $11.5 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared to $12.8 million in the second quarter of 2013 due to lower compensation, general and administrative expenses, and lower operating expense related to OREO currently being managed by the Company, which, prior to 2013, was reported net of related revenue as part of non-interest income and is now recognized as an expense on a gross basis in the Company's financial results.
• Operating expenses excluding non-cash equity compensation³ were $10.8 million in the third quarter of 2013, or 1.9% of average assets on an annualized basis, compared to $11.6 million in the prior quarter.
• The efficiency ratio excluding non-cash equity compensation⁴ in the third quarter of 2013 was 43.8% compared to 43.9% in the prior quarter.
• The Company had 101 full-time employees as of September 30, 2013, compared to 103 at June 30, 2013.

Income Taxes

• Deferred income taxes decreased to $30.7 million as of September 30, 2013 compared to $32.1 million as of June 30, 2013 due primarily to the vesting of performance-based equity awards and a decrease in the allowance for credit losses, as well as the related timing differences of when credit costs are recognized according to GAAP and when they are excluded for income tax.
• Approximately $20.0 million and $8.6 million of the deferred tax asset as of September 30, 2013 were related to our allowance for credit losses and equity compensation, respectively.

Loan Credit Quality

• Total credit costs (including provision for credit losses and losses on OREO or interests retained in connection with workouts of impaired loans) in the third quarter of 2013 decreased by $3.8 million to $2.4 million from $6.2 million in the prior quarter. 
• Specific provision expense was approximately $2.4 million in the third quarter of 2013, down from $6.5 million in the second quarter of 2013. 
• The allowance for credit losses was $40.4 million, or 2.01% of consolidated loans and approximately 97% of NPLs, at September 30, 2013, compared to $39.0 million, or 2.07% of loans and approximately 83% of NPLs, at June 30, 2013.
• Non-performing assets decreased by $5.5 million, or 9%, from the prior quarter. Charge-offs on non-performing assets totaled $0.9 million. 
• At September 30, 2013, loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $41.7 million (net of charge-offs), or 2.07% of consolidated loans, were on non-accrual status compared to loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $46.9 million (net of charge-offs), or 2.49% of loans at June 30, 2013. Non-performing assets, net of charge-offs, specific reserves and other adjustments were $54.6 million, or 2.69% of consolidated loans as of September 30, 2013.

Funding and Capital

• Completed $400.0 million tem debt securitization in September. All notes were priced at par yielding a weighted average spread of approximately Libor plus 221 bps. Achieved advance rate of approximately 85%, placing six classes of notes with investors totaling approximately $339 million, rated AAA/Aaa through BBB-.
• Amended commercial real estate credit facility with Macquarie Bank Limited in October, extending the maturity date by one year to June 2017 and providing $25.5 million of additional advances for existing eligible assets, allowing for an additional advance of up to $15.0 million to fund an additional commercial mortgage loan, and releasing $41.1 million of principal payments as unrestricted cash.  
• Called in October the term debt securitization which was completed in 2005 at par.
• Balance sheet leverage increased to 3.0x as of September 30, 2013 from 2.7x at June 30, 2013 due primarily to the new term debt securitization and an increase in borrowing by the Arlington Fund on its credit facility.
• Added liquidity with total cash and equivalents as of September 30, 2013 of $362.3 million, of which $87.8 million (excluding cash at the Arlington Fund) was unrestricted. Unrestricted cash increased from approximately $83.4 million at June 30, 2013 and restricted cash increased from approximately $228.3 million to $274.3 million due primarily to timing differences.  Cash at the Arlington Fund totaled $2.0 million.

Book Value

• Book value per share was $12.53 at the end of the third quarter of 2013, up $0.14 from $12.39 at the end of the prior quarter and up $0.66 from $11.87 at the end of the third quarter of 2012 primarily due to net income, the amortization of equity compensation into stockholders' equity and an increase in the value of investments in debt securities.

Share Count

• Average diluted shares outstanding were 52.7 million shares for the quarter, which was up slightly from 52.6 million shares for the prior quarter. Total outstanding shares at September 30, 2013 were 48.7 million, up slightly from 48.6 million as of June 30, 2013.

Conference Call and Webcast

NewStar will host a webcast/conference call to discuss the results today at 10:00 am Eastern Time. All interested parties are invited to participate via telephone or webcast, which will be hosted through the Investor Relations section at www.newstarfin.com. Please visit the website to register for the webcast and test your connection prior to the call. You can also access the conference call by dialing 877-755-7419 approximately 5-10 minutes prior to the call. International callers should dial 973-200-3080. All callers should reference "NewStar Financial."   

For convenience, an archived replay of the call will be available through November 13, 2013 by dialing 855-859-2056. International callers should call 404-537-3406. For all replays, please use the passcode 88699205. The audio replay will also be available through the Investor Relations section at www.newstarfin.com.            

About NewStar Financial

NewStar Financial (Nasdaq:NEWS) is a specialized commercial finance company focused on meeting the complex financing needs of companies and private investors in the middle market. The Company specializes in providing senior secured debt financing options to mid-sized companies to fund working capital, growth strategies, acquisition and recapitalization, as well as, equipment purchases. NewStar originates loans and leases directly through a team of experienced, senior bankers and marketing officers organized around key industry and market segments. The Company targets 'hold' positions of up to $35 million and selectively underwrites or arranges larger transactions for syndication to other lenders.

NewStar is headquartered in Boston MA and has regional offices in Darien CT, Atlanta GA, Chicago IL, Dallas TX, Los Angeles CA, New York, NY, Philadelphia, PA, Portland, OR, and San Francisco, CA. For more detailed information, please visit our website at www.newstarfin.com.  

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, strategic plans, objectives, future performance, financing plans and business. As such, they are subject to material risks and uncertainties, including our limited operating history; the general state of the economy; our ability to compete effectively in a highly competitive industry; and the impact of federal, state and local laws and regulations that govern non-depository commercial lenders and businesses generally.

More detailed information about these risk factors can be found in NewStar's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including Item 1A ("Risk Factors") of our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by the Risk Factors contained in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q. NewStar is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. NewStar plans to file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 with the SEC on or before November 11, 2013 and urges its shareholders to refer to that document for more complete information concerning NewStar's financial results.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Net income excluding the Arlington Fund ("Managed VIEs") is a non‑GAAP performance measure that we use to assess our business without giving effect to the consolidation of the Arlington Fund. Although, we consolidate all of the assets and liabilities of the Arlington Fund in accordance with GAAP, our maximum exposure to loss is limited to our investments in membership interests in Arlington Fund as well as our loan receivable and any accrued management fees receivable by us from the Arlington Fund. Since these items that define our economic relationship with Arlington Fund are eliminated upon consolidation, management uses net income excluding managed VIEs to assess its core economic performance. In addition, we manage the assets of the Arlington Fund solely for the benefit of its investors and lenders. If we were to liquidate, the assets of the Arlington Fund would not be available to our general creditors, and as a result, we do not consider the assets of the Arlington Fund to be part our assets.   Conversely, the investors in the debt of Arlington Fund have no recourse to our general assets. Therefore, the Arlington Fund's debt is not considered the Company's obligation.

References to "risk-adjusted revenue" mean the sum of net interest income after provision for credit losses as determined under GAAP and non-interest income as determined under GAAP. NewStar management uses "risk adjusted revenue" to make operational and investment decisions, and NewStar believes that it provides useful information to investors in their evaluation of our financial performance and condition. A calculation of risk-adjusted revenue is included on page 12 of this release. 

References to "operating expenses, excluding non-cash equity compensation" mean operating expenses as determined under GAAP, excluding compensation expense related to restricted stock grants and option grants.  GAAP requires that these items be included in operating expenses. NewStar management uses "operating expenses, excluding non-cash equity compensation" to make operational and investment decisions, and NewStar believes that they provide useful information to investors in their evaluation of our financial performance and condition. Excluding the financial results and expenses incurred in connection with the compensation expense related to restricted stock grants and option grants eliminates unique amounts that make it difficult to assess our core performance and compare our period‑over‑period results. A reconciliation of operating expenses, excluding non-cash equity compensation to operating expenses is included on page 12 of this release.  

¹ Risk-adjusted revenue is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this press release and page 12 for reconciliation to GAAP net income.

² Net Income excluding the results of the new Arlington Fund is a non-GAAP measure. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this press release and page 12 for reconciliation to GAAP net income.

³ Operating expenses excluding non-cash equity compensation is a non-GAAP measure. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this press release and page 12 for reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measurements.

⁴ Efficiency ratio excluding non-cash equity compensation is a non-GAAP measure. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this press release and page 12 for reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measurements.