Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net income of $65.3 million, representing a 19% increase year-over-year, and earnings per diluted share of $2.56, a 29% increase compared to the prior year's quarter [28] - Net interest income increased by 17%, with a net interest margin expanded to 6.23% compared to the same quarter last year [27][29] - Adjusted net interest margin, including rate-related processing expenses, was 4.65%, slightly behind last year's quarter [61] - Total loans and leases increased by 18% year-over-year, totaling $4.4 billion [41] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Pre-tax net income for tax services grew 24% to $36.9 million, driven by a 12% increase in refund advance fee income [9][30] - Non-interest income grew by 2%, primarily due to increases in refund advance fee income, partially offset by lower card and deposit fees [17] - The Commercial Finance Division saw growth in asset-based lending, term lending, and SBA and USDA loans, while insurance premium finance and consumer finance experienced declines [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Off-balance sheet deposits totaled $1.2 billion as of March 31, with expectations for a gradual drawdown towards a low point typically seen in the September quarter [18] - The company is holding approximately $741 million of deposits related to government stimulus programs [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to focus on adding loans and leases with the highest risk-adjusted returns and redeploying cash from its securities portfolio into higher-yielding loan verticals [35] - There is a strong emphasis on growing fee income in banking-as-a-service (BaaS), with a healthy pipeline of inquiries from potential partners [36][71] - The company plans to continue investing in technology and human capital to adapt to the demands of the BaaS marketplace [37][75] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the tax season results and the ability to adjust to changing conditions, noting a strong performance despite the IRS opening later than the previous year [30] - The company expects to return approximately $219 million of unclaimed deposits to the Treasury Department and anticipates average off-balance sheet deposits to be around $440 million for the full year [41] - Management highlighted a focus on maintaining strong credit performance and being selective in equipment finance and structured finance [76] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 764,000 shares at an average price of $51.20 during the quarter [42] - The effective tax rate is estimated to be in the range of 16% to 20% for the year [42] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook on expense side and compensation - Management indicated that there were roughly $2 million of non-recurring expenses in the quarter, with expectations to revert to December quarter run rates for compensation [44][66] Question: Loan growth in insurance premium finance - Management expects the insurance premium finance business to normalize back up in April and May, aligning with renewal months for corporate clients [67] Question: Banking as a service landscape and partner pipeline - The company reported a significant increase in its partner pipeline, with a focus on established players rather than new entrants [71][72] Question: Credit management and expectations - Management noted a focus on collateral health and expressed confidence in the credit book, emphasizing that opportunities are arising as companies seek financing alternatives [84]

For the quarter ended March 2024, Pathward Financial (CASH) reported revenue of $247.25 million, up 8.2% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $2.56, compared to $2.18 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $240.49 million, representing a surprise of +2.81%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +8.02%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $2.37.While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- a ...

Pathward Financial (CASH) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.56 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.37 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.18 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 8.02%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this holding company for Meta Bank would post earnings of $1.23 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.06, delivering a surprise of -13.82%.Over the last fo ...

Financial Highlights for the 2024 Fiscal Second Quarter • Net interest margin ("NIM") increased 11 basis points to 6.23% for the second quarter from 6.12% during the same period last year, primarily driven by increased yields on earning assets and an improved earning asset mix from the continued optimization of the portfolio. When including contractual, rate-related processing expense, NIM would have been 4.65% in the fiscal 2024 second quarter compared to 4.89% during the fiscal 2023 second quarter due to ...

Guido Mieth/DigitalVision via Getty Images Every so often, it makes sense to revisit the companies that we are bullish or bearish on. It's good to see how things are going and to see whether or not the picture has changed. Sometimes, new information will present itself that makes us change our opinion. Other times, we will be able to reaffirm our own thoughts on the matter. Regardless of how our opinions change, the stock price almost certainly will. Ideally, it will be moving in the direction that we w ...

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pathward®, N.A., one of the nation’s leading financial empowerment companies driven by its purpose to power financial inclusion, today announced that its Senior Vice President of Risk, Process and Performance for its Banking as a Service business line, Nichole Price, has been named to American Banker's 2024 list of The Most Influential Women in Payments. The award celebrates senior executives guiding the future of the global payments industry, while also examining topics ...

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pathward Financial, Inc. ("Pathward Financial" or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CASH) announced that the Company will pay a cash dividend of $0.05 per share for the second fiscal quarter of 2024. This dividend will be payable on April 1, 2024 to shareholders of record as of March 12, 2024. At December 31, 2023, the Company had total assets of $7.93 billion and shareholders’ equity of $729.3 million. This press release and other important information about the Company are avai ...

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pathward Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: CASH) and its subsidiary Pathward®, N.A., an industry leading financial empowerment company driven by its purpose to power financial inclusion, today announced that Neeraj Mehta has been appointed as an independent member of the Board of Directors, effective Feb. 27, 2024. Mehta will serve as a member of the Audit Committee and Governance, Nominating and Sustainability Committee of the Pathward Financial, Inc. and Pathward, N.A. boards. ...

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pathward®, N.A., today announced the release of its “Small Business Credit Habits and Needs” report, which found that while one in three small businesses have struggled with cash flow in the changing economy, 70% consider themselves to be in growth mode. Based on a survey of 1,000 small business owners and executive decision-makers, the report aims to uncover their financing needs compared to the loan products available to them. Despite indicating optimism for future g ...

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. 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. Equity Securities. Mark ...