<< Back
E-LOAN, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Annual Results for 2004
Q4 2004 Total Revenue of $36.2 Million and EPS of $0.02 Per Share; Q4 2004 Total Revenue Up 36% and Home Equity Revenue Up 53% From Q4 2003; Revenue for 2004 of $135 Million and EPS of $0.01 Per Share Exceed Guidance; Record Annual Diversified Revenue for 2004 Totaled $98 Million Up 22% From 2003; E-LOAN President and COO, Mark Lefanowicz Promoted to Chief Executive Officer; Initial 2005 Guidance of $165 Million Revenue and Pre-Tax EPS of $0.13 Per Share

PLEASANTON, Calif., Feb 17, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- E-LOAN, Inc. (Nasdaq: EELN), an online consumer direct lender, today reported results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2004. The company also announced today that it promoted its current President and Chief Operating Officer, Mark Lefanowicz, to Chief Executive Officer assuming the role from founder, Chris Larsen, who remains as Chairman.

Overview of Results

    Fourth Quarter 2004 Results

    -- Total revenue of $36.2 million, up 36% from Q4 2003.

-- Net income for the fourth quarter of 2004 was $1.0 million or $0.02 per share on 66.7 million diluted shares, up from $200 thousand net income in Q4 2003.

-- Diversified revenue -- comprising total revenue, excluding prime refinance mortgage - was $25.2 million, up 33% from Q4 2003, which accounted for 70% of E-LOAN's total revenue in Q4 2004.

-- Home Equity revenue was $12.3 million, up 53% from Q4 2003. Home equity sold loan volume and revenue per loan increased 17% and 45%, respectively, in the quarter compared to Q4 2003.

-- Diversified mortgage revenue -- comprising purchase and non-prime mortgage - was $8.8 million, up 10% from the fourth quarter of 2003. Diversified mortgage sold loan volume decreased 9% in the quarter compared to Q4 2003, offset by a 26% increase in revenue per loan compared to Q4 2003.

-- Auto revenue was $2.8 million, up 8% from Q4 2003. Auto sold loan volume decreased 10% in the quarter compared to Q4 2003, offset by a 10% increase in revenue per loan compared to Q4 2003.

-- Refinance mortgage revenue was $11 million, up 45% from Q4 2003. Refinance mortgage sold loan volume and revenue per loan increased 34% and 25%, respectively, in the quarter compared to Q4 2003.

-- Direct margin -- defined as revenue minus variable and fixed operations expense - was $18.4 million, up 58% from Q4 2003.

-- Marketing expense totaled $11.9 million, up 24% from Q4 2003.

-- General and administrative expenses totaled $3.3 million, up 85% from Q4 2003. The majority of the $1.5 million increase compared to Q4 2003 is due to expenses related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance efforts.

Annual 2004 Results

-- Total revenue for the year ended 2004 was $135 million, down 11% from 2003.

-- Net income for the fiscal year ended 2004 was $805 thousand or $0.01 per share on 66.1 million diluted shares, down from $23 million net income in 2003.

-- The decline in 2004 total revenue and income as compared to 2003 is due to a significant drop in the mortgage refinance market in 2004.

-- Diversified revenue -- comprising total revenue, excluding prime refinance mortgage -- was $98 million in 2004, up 22% from $80 million in 2003.

-- Total diversified revenue accounted for 73% of E-LOAN's total revenue in 2004 compared to 53% in 2003.

-- Sold loan volume for the year 2004 totaled $5.2 billion.

-- Cash balance grew to $55 million or $0.83 per share as of December 31, 2004, compared to $34 million as of December 31, 2003.

"By delivering solid results and record diversified revenue in 2004, we demonstrated the responsiveness of our business model to an ever changing interest rate environment," said Chris Larsen, founder and Chairman of E-LOAN. "During the year we also made outstanding progress in our capital markets execution, positively impacting revenue per loan, operations cost per loan, and the company's cash balance."

Larsen continued, "We believe the progress we made in 2004, combined with the immense opportunity for online lending and our unique brand, has positioned us well for growth in 2005 and beyond. "

Executive Promotion

E-LOAN today announced that it has promoted its President and Chief Operating Officer, Mark Lefanowicz, to Chief Executive Officer. E-LOAN's founder, Chris Larsen, will remain Chairman of the Board of Directors and continue to be actively involved in the strategic direction of the company.

"Over the course of Mark's tenure at E-LOAN he has repeatedly demonstrated his deep understanding of our business and dexterity as a strategist and tactician," said Chris Larsen, founder and Chairman of E-LOAN. "His contributions to the company's progress, and commitment to our pro-consumer values have made him an invaluable asset to E-LOAN. His promotion marks another natural and important step in the growth of the company."

Mr. Lefanowicz has served as a Director of E-LOAN since October 2002 and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in January 2004. In June 2004, Mr. Lefanowicz was promoted to President of E-LOAN. In addition to his new role as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lefanowicz will maintain his position as President and continue to serve as a Director of E-LOAN.

"I will continue to work with Chris to develop and execute the strategies that further E-LOAN's mission to serve consumers by making the lending experience more open, fair and lower cost while capitalizing on the remarkable market opportunity before us," said Mark Lefanowicz, Chief Executive Officer and President of E-LOAN.

Financial Guidance

"We're pleased to provide our initial financial guidance for 2005," said Matt Roberts, E-LOAN's Chief Financial Officer. "We expect total 2005 revenues of approximately $165 million -- representing a 22 percent improvement over 2004 results. In 2005, we anticipate that diversified revenue will grow to approximately $122 million, comprising 74 percent of total revenue, and representing a 25 percent increase over our 2004 diversified revenue. We expect 2005 pre-tax EPS of approximately $0.13 per share compared to EPS of $0.01 per share in 2004"

Key assumptions in the forecast for 2005 are as follows:

    -- 10-year Treasury rates of 4.0 to 5.0 % for the remainder of the year.
    -- E-LOAN total 2005 sold loan volume of approximately $5.8 billion.
    -- Marketing spend of approximately $58 million.
    -- Combined technology and G&A expense of $20 million.
    -- Average diluted shares outstanding of 68 million.

    Operating and Financial Tables

    Revenues

E-LOAN's revenues are primarily from the gain on sale of first mortgage, home equity and auto loans that we originate, fund and then sell. We also earn interest income on mortgage and home equity loans from the time of funding through the time of sale.

Components of Revenue    Q4 2004           Q3 2004           Q4 2003
    ($ in thousands)
                                  % of               % of             % of
                       $ Total   Revenue  $ Total  Revenue  $ Total  Revenue
    Refi Mortgage       $9,530      26%    $6,823      19%   $7,356     28%
    Interest
     Income on Refi
     Mortgage            1,464       4%       472       1%      213      1%
    Diversified
     Mortgage (1)        7,403      20%     7,598      22%    6,513     25%
    Interest Income
     on Diversified
    Mortgage             1,423       4%       688       2%    1,549      6%
    Home Equity         10,709      30%    13,216      38%    7,063     27%
    Interest Income
     on Home Equity      1,586       4%       930       3%      988      4%
    Auto (2)             2,784       8%     3,665      10%    2,568     10%
    Closing
     Services (3)        1,065       3%     1,407       4%       --     --
    Other (4)              272       1%       299       1%      311      1%
    Total Revenue      $36,236     100%   $35,098     100%  $26,561    100%

    Total
     Diversified
     Revenue (5)       $25,242      70%   $27,802      79%  $18,992     72%

     (1) Diversified Mortgage comprises purchase and non-prime mortgage loans.
     (2) Auto Revenues include interest income from the retained interest
         asset.
     (3) Closing Services Revenues are from Escrow Closing Services, Inc., a
         wholly-owned subsidiary, which provides mortgage closing services,
         including HUD-1 Settlement Statement and document preparation,
         signing, disbursement and recordation services for a portion of our
         Home Equity business.
     (4) Other Revenue comes from credit monitoring services and credit card,
         personal loan and student loan referrals.
     (5) Diversified Revenue is comprised of total revenues excluding prime
         refinance mortgage and its related interest income.


    Loan Volume
    The following table provides a comparison of unit and volume statistics:

                         Q4 2004              Q3 2004              Q4 2003
                  $ Millions   Loans   $ Millions   Loans  $ Millions  Loans
    Sold Loans
      Refinance
       Mortgage        $447    2,037       $332     1,568      $333    1,748
      Diversified
       Mortgage         354    1,931        378     1,948       391    2,217
      Home Equity       321    6,309        404     7,954       273    6,004
      Auto              144    8,729        177    10,780       159    8,860
    Total Sold
     Loans           $1,266   19,006     $1,290    22,250    $1,156   18,829

    Closed Loans
      Refinance
       Mortgage        $440    2,002       $340     1,599      $324    1,701
      Diversified
       Mortgage         342    1,845        388     2,015       379    2,133
      Home Equity       313    6,163        408     8,049       278    6,088
      Auto              143    8,655        177    10,773       156    8,682
    Total Closed
     Loans           $1,237   18,665     $1,312    22,436    $1,138   18,604


    Direct Margin

Direct margin is defined as revenue minus variable and fixed operations expense. The following table provides detail of direct margin classified by revenue-related categories, both in dollars and expressed as a percentage of its related revenue.

Direct Margins      Q4 2004              Q3 2004           Q4 2003
    ($ in thousands)
                                % of                % of              % of
                   $ Total     Revenue  $ Total   Revenue  $ Total   Revenue

    Mortgage       $10,225       60%     $7,353      51%    $6,787     49%
    Mortgage
     Interest
     Margin          1,114       39%        584      50%       976     55%
    Home Equity      5,283       49%      7,148      54%     2,462     35%
    Home Equity
     Interest
     Margin            727       46%        430      46%       478     48%
    Auto               641       23%      1,673      46%       625     24%
    Closing
     Services          161       15%        152      11%        --     --
    Other              272      100%        299     100%       311    100%
    Total          $18,423              $17,639            $11,639


    Conversion Statistics
    We release conversion rates on a one-quarter lagged basis because of the
lag time that exists between the time an application is submitted and the time
the associated loan actually funds. Our conversion rates are based on a static
pool analysis calculated by dividing the number of qualified applications
received in the quarter by the number of funded loans that resulted from those
applications.


    Conversion %            Q4 2003      Q1 2004      Q2 2004      Q3 2004
    Mortgage
      Pre-Approval              6%           6%           7%           7%
      Purchase                 17%          20%          13%          14%
      Refinance                21%          22%          19%          21%
      Total Mortgage           13%          16%          13%          14%
    Home Equity                36%          34%          35%          33%
    Auto                       26%          28%          27%          27%


    Conference Call and Webcast

Chris Larsen, Founder and Chairman of E-LOAN, will host a conference call to discuss the company's fourth quarter 2004 financial results today, February 17 at 7:30 a.m. (PST). Please dial 712-257-0021 at 7:25 a.m. (PST) and reference pass code "E-LOAN." A replay of the call will be available after 9:00 a.m. (PST) on February 17, 2005 until 11:59 p.m. (PST), February 24, 2005. The replay may be accessed by dialing 402-998-1398. A live webcast and replay of the conference call will be available via the investor relations section of the company's website at www.eloan.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. E-LOAN's actual results may differ from the results described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, general conditions in the mortgage and auto industries, interest rate fluctuations, and the impact of competitive products. These and other risk factors are detailed in E-LOAN's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About E-LOAN

E-LOAN is an online consumer direct lender dedicated to providing borrowers across the credit spectrum with a more enjoyable and affordable way to obtain mortgage, auto and home equity loans. By making credit scores freely available to consumers and integrating them with a suite of sophisticated advice tools, E-LOAN is pioneering the nascent debt management advice category -- helping consumers proactively manage their loan portfolios to lower their overall borrowing costs. The company relentlessly advocates eliminating the unnecessary processes, fees, hassle, haggle and lack of transparency traditionally associated with the consumer loan experience. Protecting consumers' financial privacy is a paramount concern, prompting E-LOAN to implement industry leading privacy practices and advocate strong consumer financial privacy protection laws. In June 2004, an independent study conducted by TRUSTe and The Ponemon Institute ranked E-LOAN as one of the top 20 most trusted companies for privacy in America. E-LOAN was the highest ranked online financial services company to make the top 20.

Consumers can log onto www.eloan.com or call 1-888-E-LOAN-22 to access E- LOAN's products, services and team of dedicated loan and debt advice professionals. E-LOAN, Inc. is publicly traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol EELN. From inception through December 2004, E-LOAN has originated and sold over $24.1 billion in consumer loans.

Press & Investor Contact:
     Tiffany Fox
     925-847-6314
     tiffanyf@eloan.com


                                 E-LOAN, Inc.
                           Statement of Operations
                   (in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                      Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended
                                       Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,
                                         2004      2003     2004       2003


    Revenues                           $36,236   $26,561  $135,364   $152,707

    Operating Expenses
      Operations                        17,813    14,922    66,478     69,716
      Sales & marketing                 11,873     9,553    47,617     41,368
      Technology                         2,296     1,854     8,824      8,414
      General & administration           3,344     1,803    11,763      8,864

        Total operating expenses        35,326    28,132   134,682    128,362

    Income from operations                 910    (1,571)      682     24,345

    Other income, net                       36        24        87        140

    Income before taxes                    946    (1,547)      769     24,485

    Income taxes                            87     1,737        36     (1,183)

    Net income/(loss)                   $1,033      $190      $805    $23,302


    Net income/(loss) per share:
      Income per share
          Basic                          $0.02     $0.00     $0.01      $0.38
          Diluted                        $0.02     $0.00     $0.01      $0.35
      Weighted average shares
          Basic                         63,785    61,844    63,078     60,678
          Diluted                       66,653    66,215    66,087     66,037


                                 E-LOAN, Inc.
                          Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                (in thousands)

                                                December 31,      December 31,
                                                    2004              2003

                   ASSETS
    Cash and cash equivalents ($2,350 and
     $4,850 restricted cash)                       $55,066           $33,973
    Loans held-for-sale                             17,506            50,874
    Accounts receivable, prepaids and other
     current assets                                 19,714            28,990
    Fixed assets, net                               12,014            11,484
    Retained interests in auto loans - trading      13,954            11,658
        Total assets                              $118,255          $136,979

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
       Warehouse and other lines payable           $14,735           $44,283
       Accounts payable, accrued expenses and
        other liabilities                           16,632            10,366
        Total liabilities                           31,367            54,649

    Stockholders' equity:
    Common stock                                        64                62
    Additional paid-in-capital                     268,894           265,144
    Accumulated deficit                           (182,071)         (182,876)
        Total stockholders' equity                  86,888            82,330
        Total liabilities and stockholders'
         equity                                   $118,255          $136,979

SOURCE E-LOAN, Inc.

Tiffany Fox of E-LOAN, Inc., +1-925-847-6314, or tiffanyf@eloan.com

http://www.prnewswire.com

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding E-LOAN's business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.