Blend Labs (BLND) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 08, 2025 04:30 PM ET Company Participants Amir Jafari - CFO, Head of Finance & OperationsNima Ghamsari - Co-Founder, Chairman and HeadAaron Kimson - Vice PresidentRyan Tomasello - Managing DirectorDavid Unger - Equity ResearchJoseph Vafi - Managing Director, Equity ResearchSeth Gilbert - Director - Equity Research Conference Call Participants Dylan Becker - Research Analyst Operator Thank you for standing by. My name is Rebecca, and I will be your conference opera ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Platform revenue for Q1 2025 was $26.8 million, above the midpoint of guidance, representing a 12% year-over-year growth and marking the third consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth [32][33] - Non-GAAP operating income for Q1 2025 was $1 million, with a non-GAAP operating margin of 4%, coming in at the high end of guidance [35][36] - Free cash flow reached a record $15.5 million, representing a free cash flow margin of 58% [37][38] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Mortgage suite revenue was $14.6 million, while consumer banking suite revenue grew 45% year-over-year to $9.6 million [33] - Professional services revenue for Q1 2025 was $2.5 million [34] - Economic value per funded loan for Q1 2025 was $93, slightly below guidance, with expectations for Q2 to be $88 [38][40] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The average homeowner has approximately $315,000 in equity, indicating a significant opportunity for lenders in the home equity market, which has grown double digits year-over-year [19] - The company anticipates HAMDA originations to range from $1.15 to $1.25 million for Q2 2025 [41] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is transitioning to a software-first model, focusing on strategic partnerships rather than building non-core services [6][7] - The potential sale of the title insurance business is seen as a final step in simplifying operations and enhancing focus on software solutions [7][31] - The acquisition of Mr. Cooper by Rocket is viewed as a catalyst for the industry, validating the company's vision for a unified digital mortgage experience [10][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that Q1 was volatile but recognized that such volatility typically leads to spikes in originations [28][29] - The company is optimistic about the potential for growth driven by banking deregulation and M&A trends in the industry [25][31] - The strong sales momentum and record free cash flow are seen as indicators of the company's strategic direction and potential for accelerated growth [25][36] Other Important Information - The company ended Q1 2025 with approximately $110 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities [36] - The company repurchased approximately 923,000 shares of Class A common stock for a total of $3.1 million [37] Q&A Session Summary Question: How are you thinking about the dual benefit of higher ARPU products with rapid refi and home loan? - The product is designed to be frictionless and tailored to specific situations, driving higher conversion rates for customers [44][45][46] Question: What does simplification mean for the evolution of Blend's financial profile? - Simplification is aimed at accelerating growth while maintaining profitability, allowing for higher margins and faster growth [48][49] Question: Can you discuss the $50 million expansion and its timeline for realization? - The relationship has evolved over years, starting with mortgage and expanding to multiple products, with about half of RPO typically collected in the next twelve months [54][55][57] Question: How does business deposit account opening compare to retail deposit account opening? - The experience is similar but requires different checks and supports multiple account types, aimed at providing a frictionless experience for small business owners [59][60] Question: How is the company thinking about reinvesting for growth? - The company plans to invest in growth areas like rapid refi and AI, focusing on delivering the best products before expanding further [63][64][70] Question: What is the company's capital deployment philosophy post-title sale? - The company will continue to reinvest efficiently, focusing on AI and go-to-market strategies to enhance customer engagement and product offerings [76][78]