, /PRNewswire/ -Â VersaBank (TSX: VBNK) (NASDAQ: VBNK), a North American leader in business-to- business digital banking, as well as technology solutions for cybersecurity, today announced its wholly owned US subsidiary, VersaBank USA, has entered into an agreement with Thrive Financial Inc. ("Thrive Financial"), a Virginia-based technology platform for point-of-sale financing of home improvement projects, connecting homeowners, merchants, and lenders nationally, under which Thrive will utilize the Bank's R ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total assets grew 21% year over year and 9% sequentially to just shy of CAD 5.5 billion [13] - Consolidated revenue reached a record CAD 31.6 million, up 17% year over year and 5% sequentially [14] - Reported net income was CAD 6.6 million, with adjusted net income of CAD 9.7 million excluding restructuring costs [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Canadian Banking operations was CAD 26.6 million, up 4% sequentially [15] - U.S. Banking operations revenue was CAD 3.1 million, a 25% sequential increase [16] - The credit asset portfolio grew to a record CAD 4.78 billion, with the receivable purchase program increasing 15% year over year [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Canadian consumer spending showed resilience despite economic uncertainties, contributing to growth in credit assets [7] - The Canadian insolvency deposit business remained stable, with expectations of increased deposits due to economic conditions [35] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is realigning its corporate structure to that of a standard U.S. bank, which is expected to enhance shareholder value and reduce corporate costs [5][22] - Expansion of the receivable purchase program in both the U.S. and Canada is a key focus, with the introduction of a securitized financing solution [10][21] - The company is advancing its digital deposit receipt initiative, which aims to provide interest-bearing stable coins that are federally insured [23][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving a fiscal year-end target of CAD 290 million for U.S. RPP funding [21] - The outlook for Canadian RPP business is improving with the addition of securitization capabilities [21] - The company anticipates a breakout year in 2026, driven by growth in U.S. operations and digital deposit initiatives [20] Other Important Information - Non-interest expenses for Q3 included CAD 4.2 million related to corporate realignment, with expectations of similar charges in Q4 [15][56] - The net interest margin on credit assets was 2.55%, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: What were balances at quarter end for the US RPP program? - The balance was approximately CAD 125 million [29] Question: How many partners are generating loans currently? - Currently, only WaterCrest is funding loans, but there are several partners expected to enter the securitization program soon [30][31] Question: How will the securitized financing offering impact growth? - The securitized financing offering is expected to drive the majority of growth in the near term, with enhancements planned for the traditional RPP program [32] Question: What is the outlook for Canadian insolvency deposits? - The company expects an increase in insolvency deposits due to a decline in GDP, which may lead to more insolvencies [35] Question: Can you provide insight on the NIM trajectory going forward? - The company anticipates a flat net interest margin for the current quarter, with potential for slight increases in the future [45]

Group 1: US Receivable Purchase Program (RPP) - VersaBank has entered into an agreement with its second US RPP partner, aiming to leverage its innovative RPP to fund loan and lease originations [1] - The US RPP portfolio has surpassed US$70 million (approximately CAD$100 million) in assets within 75 days of adding the first partner, with a target of US$290 million in fiscal 2025 [2][3] - The company expects to add more RPP partners, driven by favorable market conditions as alternative funding costs rise [3] Group 2: Financial Performance and Net Interest Margin - VersaBank's net interest margin (NIM) has expanded significantly in the first two months of the second quarter of fiscal 2025, influenced by factors such as the normalization of the yield curve and the replacement of higher interest rate term deposits [4] - The addition of higher margin US RPP assets is also contributing positively to the NIM [4] Group 3: CMHC-Insured Loans - The bank is on track to reach its target of $1 billion in commitments for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)-insured loans by the end of fiscal 2025, with commitments exceeding $730 million as of April 15, 2025 [6] - CMHC-insured loans are zero risk-weighted, requiring no risk-weighted capital, thus generating an attractive spread that contributes favorably to the credit asset net interest margin [6] Group 4: Expansion of Deposit Broker Network - VersaBank has expanded its deposit broker network by adding BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., which is expected to further enhance the bank's NIM in fiscal 2025 [5] Group 5: Overview of VersaBank - VersaBank operates a branchless, digital, business-to-business model, utilizing proprietary technology to address underserved segments of the banking industry [9] - The bank launched its Receivable Purchase Program in the US market, which has been successful in Canada for nearly 15 years [9]