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 SharePLEASANTON, 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