Shiven Shah
Analyst · Chris Brendler with D.A. Davidson. Please proceed with your question
Thanks, Jared. And good afternoon, everyone. Now turning to our third quarter 2021 financial results, I would like to note that all comparisons to 2020 from an income statement perspective are based on a pro form fair value adjusted view for 2020 to be able to present a like-for-like comparison. You'll recall that on January 1, 2021, the company transitioned to the fair value accounting methods for its core installment receivables from the incurred credit loss application method. We had solid financial results in the third quarter, highlighted by strong profitability, robust originations and receivable growth and a healthy balance sheet. Third quarter adjusted revenue was $92 million, an increase of 25% versus adjusted revenue for the third quarter a year ago and up 17% sequentially. Ending receivables balance on an amortized cost basis was $293 million at the end of the third quarter up 13% sequentially and 22% compared to the third quarter a year ago. Originations continue to rebound during the quarter as customer demand returns. Total originations were a record $165 million, up 14% sequentially, 25% from the third quarter a year ago, and 14% from the third quarter of 2019. 51% of originations were from new customers, which was up approximately 40% last quarter and the year ago. Originations from new customers grew 57% year-over-year and 41% sequentially. Our annualized net charge off ratio as a percentage of average receivables was 36% for the third quarter. As expected, we saw charge offs begin returning to pre-COVID levels, increasing 750 basis points from the 28% net charge off ratio for the second quarter and up 1,150 basis points from the net charge off ratio for the third quarter of 2020. Looking ahead, we expect the net charge offer ratio to approach historical levels in the mid to high 30% range annually. Change in fair value premium was in line with the previous quarter, as growth in ending receivables of $33 million was offset by a lower increase in the fair value premium, which increased 90 basis points versus 110 basis points increase in the previous quarter. The increase in fair value premium was driven by origination growth leading to a longer remaining light of the portfolio, as well as an increase in portfolio yield due to a shift to more bank partner originations and fewer customers enrolled in hardship programs. Turning now to expenses. Total operating expenses for the third quarter, excluding interest expense, as well as ad backs and one-time items were $44 million or 48% of revenue compared to $37 million or 48% of revenue for last quarter and from $32 million or 43% of revenue for the third quarter of 2020. This increase versus last year was primarily driven by an acceleration of originations in the 2021 third quarter and the corresponding impact on direct marketing and acquisition expense. Sales and marketing expenses increased to $16 million or 17% of total revenues for the third quarter, from $12 million or 15% of total revenue last quarter, and from $10 million or 13% of revenue for the third quarter of 2020 as demand accelerated, coupled with a higher percentage of originations coming from new customers. As demand returns, we expect a balanced mix between new and returning customers as we saw this quarter and marketing cost as a percentage of revenue to remain near third quarter levels for the remainder of the year. Customer operations expenses for the third quarter, totaled $11 million or 11% of total revenue compared to $10 million or 13% of total revenue last quarter and $9 million or 12% of total revenue for the third quarter of 2020. We continue to drive operating efficiency in our customer center with an automatic approval rate up to 58% versus 51% last quarter and 21% a year ago. This has led our customer center headcount to be down since the beginning of the year. Looking ahead, we expect customer operation expense percentage growth to be less than half of origination percentage growth sequentially. As we saw this quarter with origination growth of over 14% and customer operations expense growth of less than 7%. Technology product and analytics expenses for the third quarter totaled $7 million or 8%, which was the same as last quarter and $5 million or 7% of revenue for the third quarter of 2020. We continued to invest in technology resources to support enhancements of our AI powered underwriting engine, as well as support the scaling of new products, and as a result, we expect technology expenses as a percentage of revenues to remain in the high-single digits. G&A expenses, excluding one-time and buy backs, for the third quarter total $11 million or 12% of total revenue compared to $10 million or 12% of total revenue last quarter and $8 million or 10% of total revenue for the third quarter of 2020. The increase in G&A expenses was driven by investments in personnel and infrastructure to support the company’s augmentation of internal controls, operational risk, and compliance functions as, in addition to higher insurance expenses, as the company transitioned to becoming a public entity. We expect G&A expenses as a percentage of revenues to remain consistent with the third quarter of 2021 for the remainder of the year. Adjusted EBITDA was approximately flat sequentially and year-over-year at $32 million as higher net revenues were offset by increased expenses, primarily related to sales and marketing to drive origination growth. For the nine months ending September 30, 2021 adjusted EBITDA was $96 million, a 46% versus the nine months ending September 30, 2020, driven by receivables of growth in a lower net charge-off ratio. Our adjusted EBITDA margin for the third quarter was 35% compared to 44% last year, and 41% for the second quarter of 2021. As we expected adjusted EBITDA margin began normalizing in the third quarter as net charge-off ratios began returning to pre-COVID levels coupled with increased marketing spend driven by origination growth. Interest expenses, excluding debt amortization for the third quarter, totaled $6 million or 6% of total revenue compared to $4 million or 6% of total revenue last year, and $6 million or 7% of total revenue for the third quarter of 2021. Interest expense was flat versus the previous quarter as we self-funded all of our receivables growth from our cash flow from operations, and did not draw additional net senior debt. We recognized adjusted net income of $17 million for the third quarter compared to $18 million the previous quarter and $19 million the third quarter of 2020. Adjusted net income for the first nine months of the year was $54 million up $20 million or 60% from the first nine months of 2020. As of September 30, 2021, OppFi had $84.5 million total shares outstanding excluding $25.5 million earn out shares. Adjusted earnings for share for the third quarter was $0.21 and $0.64 for the first nine months of the year. Turning now to the balance sheet. Our balance sheet continues to remain healthy, driven by strong free cash flow with Q3 2021 cash balances ending at $57 million in a net debt to equity ratio of less than two times. As I mentioned, we did not draw additional net senior debt in the third quarter, and self-funded receivables growth, transaction expenses, and tax distributions. Equity grew $39 million, which includes $69 million of one-time fair value adoption impact and net income of $73 million partially offset by tax distributions and tax transaction related adjustments to equity. From a funding capacity standpoint, we have a diversified capital structure with nearly $500 million of funding capacity to support our future growth plans, including to securing financing recently to fund our salary cap and credit card businesses. I now want to turn to our 2021 guidance on our financials. The company is reiterating its full year 2021 financial outlook with revenues between $350 million and $360 million. Adjusted EBITDA between $120 million and $125 million, and adjusted net income between $62 million and $66 million. OppFi’s expectations for its full year 2021 revenue, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income were based on various material assumptions, including the following. Ending receivables of approximately $315 million to $325 million, which would represent approximately 15% to 20% year-over-year growth, reduced in previous expectations due to slower than an expected demand recovery. Net charge-offs, a percentage of average receivables of approximately 35% to 40% due to lower growth and receivables. And yields consistent with historical levels for the fourth quarter of 2021. As Jared highlighted earlier, we are focusing on capturing more market share through product innovation and design. You’re confident that our growth trajectory next year will show year-over-year growth in a more normalized demand environment coupled with our product extensions. Having said that, we remain focused on positioning the platform to capitalize on accelerating volumes over time. More specifically in tandem with our bank partners, we recently introduced a more personalized approach to pricing. As we roll out more competitive rates for stronger credit customers, we believe the shift will drive higher volumes and lower net charge-off partially offset by slightly lower gross revenue yield. To conclude, we remain confident in the law long-term prospects of being able to execute our mission, to serve the millions of U.S. consumers who are unable to access credit from traditional sources. We are committed to investing in our platform to drive future growth and increase market share. We are currently working through 2020 key assumptions and investment scenarios that will be finalized based on consumer demand at year end, as well as on our Q4 traction on new products and personalized price testing. And as such we plan to provide 2022 guidance on the next earning call. With that, we would now like to turn the call over to the operator for the Q&A session of our call. Operator?