GlobeNewswire Inc | Oct 29, 2021 08:30AM EDT

October 29, 2021

-- Income year-over-year before income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2021 increased by 57.4% compared to prior year second quarter -- Pre-tax yield for the three months ended September 30, 2021 increased to 4.8% compared to 2.6% during the prior year second quarter -- Originations year-over-year on new Contracts purchased for the three months ended September 30, 2021 increased by 9.1% compared to prior year second quarter -- Originations year-over-year on Direct Loans for the three months ended September 30, 2021 increased by 83.7% compared to prior year second quarter -- Accounts 60+ days delinquent decreased to 2.3%, excluding Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts, compared to 2.9% as of the prior year second quarter -- Net Portfolio Yield for the three months ended September 30, 2021 increased to 22.5% compared to 18.6% during the prior year second quarter

CLEARWATER, Fla., Oct. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clearwater, Florida - Nicholas Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: NICK) announced net income for the three months ended September 30, 2021 of $1.6 million compared to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Diluted net income per share was $0.21 for the three months ended September 30, 2021 as compared to $0.16 for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Revenue decreased 10.6% to $12.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 as compared to $14.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The Company reported income before income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2021 of $2.1 million compared to $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The Company recorded an income tax expense of approximately $0.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021 as compared to $0.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2020.

The Company announced net income for the six months ended September 30, 2021 of $3.3 million compared to $2.7 million for the six months ended September 30, 2020. Diluted net income per share was $0.44 for the six months ended September 30, 2021 as compared to $0.34 for the six months ended September 30, 2020. Revenue decreased 10.8% to $25.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2021 as compared to $28.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2020. The Company reported income before income taxes for the six months ended September 30, 2021 of $4.5 million compared to $3.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2020. The Company recorded an income tax expense of approximately $1.1 million during the six months ended September 30, 2021 as compared to $0.5 million during the six months ended September 30, 2020.

For the six months ended September 30, 2021, the Company originated $52.0 million in finance receivables, collected $59.4 million in principal payments, reduced debt by $16.8 million and cash by $10.1 million.

Although the consistent excellent portfolio performance is great, we are even more encouraged by our ability to once again increase our Indirect contract originations on a year over year basis for the third quarter in a row, commented Doug Marohn, President and CEO of Nicholas Financial, Inc. We have also been able to do the same on Direct Loan production, only on a significantly larger scale. Our continued ability to increase both Indirect and Direct origination volume has been a key factor in reducing our portfolio liquidation as we look toward receivable growth in fiscal year 2022 and beyond.

Additionally, our branch expansion efforts continued in the second quarter with the opening of our latest brick and mortar office in Houston, TX, Marohn went on to say. Houston represents our 47th operational branch and signifies our re-entry into Texas with a physical local office. We are continuing our expansion efforts as we develop the Dallas/Ft. Worth and San Antonio markets in Texas, as well as the Phoenix market in Arizona."

Nicholas Financial, Inc. also celebrated the grand opening of our Central Business Operations facility in Charlotte, NC during the 2nd Fiscal Quarter. This center is home to our training, recruiting, expansion, branch operations, direct consumer loan and other related departments. It exemplifies our commitment to reinvesting in our personnel through training, development and technology, concluded Doug Marohn.

Key Performance Indicators on Contracts Purchased (Purchases in thousands) Numberof Average Fiscal Contracts PrincipalAmount Amount Average Average Average Year/ Purchased Purchased# Financed* APR* Discount%* Term* Quarter ^ 2022 3,654 $ 39,185 $ 10,745 23.1 % 6.9 % 47 2 1,707 18,880 11,061 23.0 % 6.7 % 47 1 1,947 20,305 10,429 23.2 % 7.0 % 46 2021 7,307 $ 74,025 $ 10,135 23.4 % 7.5 % 46 4 2,429 24,637 10,143 23.2 % 7.5 % 46 3 1,483 15,285 10,307 23.4 % 7.5 % 46 2 1,709 17,307 10,127 23.5 % 6.8 % 46 1 1,686 16,796 9,962 23.5 % 8.0 % 46 2020 7,647 $ 76,696 $ 10,035 23.4 % 7.9 % 47 4 1,991 19,658 9,873 23.5 % 7.9 % 46 3 1,753 17,880 10,200 23.3 % 7.6 % 47 2 2,011 20,104 9,997 23.5 % 7.9 % 46 1 1,892 19,054 10,071 23.4 % 8.3 % 47 2019 7,684 $ 77,499 $ 10,091 23.6 % 8.2 % 47

Key Performance Indicators on Direct Loans Originated (Originations in thousands) Numberof Principal Fiscal Loans Amount Average Average Average Year Amount/ Originated Originated Financed*^ APR* Term* Quarter 2022 2,904 $ 12,777 $ 4,396 30.1 % 26 2 1,588 7,040 4,433 30.0 % 26 1 1,316 5,737 4,359 30.1 % 25 2021 3,497 $ 14,148 $ 4,131 29.6 % 25 4 753 3,284 4,362 29.6 % 25 3 1,265 4,605 3,641 30.9 % 22 2 924 3,832 4,147 29.2 % 25 1 555 2,427 4,373 28.7 % 26 2020 3,142 $ 12,638 $ 4,017 28.2 % 25 4 720 3,104 4,310 28.6 % 25 3 1,137 4,490 3,949 28.4 % 24 2 739 2,988 4,043 27.4 % 25 1 546 2,056 3,765 28.2 % 24 2019 1,918 $ 7,741 $ 4,036 26.4 % 26

*Each average included in the tables is calculated as a simple average.^Average amount financed is calculated as a single loan amount.#Bulk portfolio purchase excluded for period-over-period comparability

Nicholas Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:NICK) is a specialized consumer finance company, operating branch locations in both Southeastern and Midwestern U.S. States. The Company engages primarily in acquiring and servicing automobile finance installment contracts (Contracts) for purchases of used and new automobiles and light trucks. Additionally, Nicholas Financial originates direct consumer loans (Direct Loans) and sells consumer-finance related products. For an index of Nicholas Financial, Incs new releases or to obtain a specific release, please visit our website at www.nicholasfinancial.com.

Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain various forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that represent the Companys current expectations or beliefs concerning future events. Statements other than those of historical fact, as well as those identified by words such as anticipate, estimate, intend, plan, expect, project, believe, may, will, should, would, could, probable and any variation of the foregoing and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. The Companys actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results or performance to differ from the expectations expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements include the following: the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the mitigation efforts by governments and related effects on our financial condition, business operations and liquidity, our customers, our employees, and the overall economy; recently enacted, proposed or future legislation and the manner in which it is implemented; changes in the U.S. tax code; the nature and scope of regulatory authority, particularly discretionary authority, that may be exercised by regulators, including, but not limited to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Justice, U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and individual state regulators having jurisdiction over the Company; the unpredictable nature of regulatory proceedings and litigation; employee misconduct or misconduct by third parties; uncertainties associated with management turnover and the effective succession of senior management; media and public characterization of consumer installment loans; labor unrest; the impact of changes in accounting rules and regulations, or their interpretation or application, which could materially and adversely affect the Companys reported consolidated financial statements or necessitate material delays or changes in the issuance of the Companys audited consolidated financial statements; the Company's assessment of its internal control over financial reporting; changes in interest rates; risks relating to the acquisition or sale of assets or businesses or other strategic initiatives, including increased loan delinquencies or net charge-offs, the loss of key personnel, integration or migration issues, the failure to achieve anticipated synergies, increased costs of servicing, incomplete records, and retention of customers; risks inherent in making loans, including repayment risks and value of collateral; cybersecurity threats, including the potential misappropriation of assets or sensitive information, corruption of data or operational disruption; our dependence on debt and the potential impact of limitations in the Companys amended revolving credit facility or other impacts on the Company's ability to borrow money on favorable terms, or at all; the timing and amount of revenues that may be recognized by the Company; changes in current revenue and expense trends (including trends affecting delinquency and charge-offs); the impact of extreme weather events and natural disasters; changes in the Companys markets and general changes in the economy (particularly in the markets served by the Company). All forward-looking statements and cautionary statements included in this document are made as of the date hereof based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or cautionary statement.

Nicholas Financial, Inc.Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income(Unaudited, Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

Threemonthsended Six monthsended September 30, September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Revenue: Interestand feeincome on $ 12,572 $ 14,064 $ 25,166 $ 28,215 financereceivablesUnrealizedgain on - 45 - 45 equityinvestmentsTotal $ 12,572 $ 14,109 $ 25,166 $ 28,260 RevenueExpenses: Operating 7,916 8,131 16,265 15,474 expensesProvisionfor credit 1,395 3,050 2,125 6,350 lossesInterest 1,121 1,569 2,309 3,218 expenseTotal 10,432 12,750 20,699 25,042 expensesIncomebefore 2,140 1,359 4,467 3,218 incometaxesIncome tax 536 92 1,135 521 expenseNet income $ 1,604 $ 1,267 $ 3,332 $ 2,697 Earnings per share:Basic $ 0.21 $ 0.16 $ 0.44 $ 0.34 Diluted $ 0.21 $ 0.16 $ 0.44 $ 0.34

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets(Unaudited, In Thousands)

September 30, March31, 2021 2021 Cash and restricted cash $ 22,851 $ 32,977 Finance receivables, net 165,561 170,318 Repossessed assets 859 685 Operating lease right-of-use assets 4,801 3,392 Other assets 4,397 5,066 Total assets $ 198,469 $ 212,438 Credit facility, net of debt issuance costs $ 69,599 $ 86,154 Note payable 3,244 3,244 Operating lease liabilities 4,817 3,367 Other liabilities 3,719 4,451 Total liabilities 81,379 97,216 Shareholders? equity 117,090 115,222 Total liabilities and shareholders? equity $ 198,469 $ 212,438 Book value per share $ 15.44 $ 14.95

Threemonthsended Six monthsended September 30, September 30, (In thousands) (In thousands) Portfolio Summary 2021 2020 2021 2020 Average finance receivables $ 178,873 $ 203,407 $ 180,364 $ 208,608 ^(1)Average indebtedness ^(2) $ 72,044 $ 113,233 $ 75,611 $ 117,983 Interest and fee income on $ 12,572 $ 14,064 $ 25,166 $ 28,215 finance receivablesInterest expense 1,121 1,569 2,309 $ 3,218 Net interest and fee income $ 11,451 $ 12,495 $ 22,857 $ 24,997 on finance receivablesPortfolio yield^ (3) 28.11 % 27.66 % 27.91 % 27.05 %Interest expense as apercentage of average 2.51 % 3.09 % 2.56 % 3.09 %finance receivablesProvision for credit lossesas a percentage of average 3.12 % 6.00 % 2.36 % 6.09 %finance receivablesNet portfolio yield ^(3) 22.48 % 18.57 % 22.99 % 17.87 %Operating expenses as apercentage of average 17.70 % 15.99 % 18.04 % 14.84 %finance receivablesPre-taxyield as apercentage of average 4.78 % 2.58 % 4.95 % 3.03 %finance receivables ^(4)Netcharge-offpercentage 4.88 % 5.56 % 4.23 5.79 %^(5)Finance receivables $ 177,013 $ 198,168 Allowance percentage ^(6) 2.52 % 5.79 Total reserves percentage ^ 6.50 % 9.84 %(7)

Note: All three-month statement of income performance indicators expressed as percentages have been annualized.

(1)Average finance receivables represent the average of finance receivables throughout the period.(2)Average indebtedness represents the average outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility.(3)Portfolio yield represents interest and fee income on finance receivables as a percentage of average finance receivables. Net portfolio yield represents (a)interest and fee income on finance receivables minus (b)interest expense minus (c)the provision for credit losses, as a percentage of average finance receivables.(4)Pre-taxyield represents net portfolio yield minus operating expenses, as a percentage of average finance receivables.(5)Netcharge-offpercentage represents net charge-offs (charge-offs less recoveries) divided by average finance receivables, outstanding during the period.(6)Allowance percentage represents the allowance for credit losses divided by finance receivables outstanding as of ending balance sheet date.(7)Total reserves percentage represents the allowance for credit losses, purchase price discount, and unearned dealer discounts divided by finance receivables outstanding as of ending balance sheet date.

The following tables present certain information regarding the delinquency rates experienced by the Company with respect to automobile finance installment contracts (Contracts) and direct consumer loans (Direct Loans), excluding any Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts:

(In thousands, except percentages)

Contracts Balance Outstanding 30?59days 60?89days 90?119days 120+ Total September 30, $ 157,940 $ 7,990 $ 2,905 $ 1,024 $ 19 $ 11,938 2021 5.06 % 1.84 % 0.65 % 0.01 % 7.56 %September 30, $ 185,287 $ 10,232 $ 3,962 $ 1,560 $ 42 $ 15,796 2020 5.52 % 2.14 % 0.84 % 0.02 % 8.53 % Direct Loans Balance Outstanding 30?59days 60?89days 90?119days 120+ Total September 30, $ 18,844 $ 416 $ 145 $ 53 $ 0 $ 614 2021 2.21 % 0.77 % 0.28 % 0.00 % 3.26 %September 30, $ 12,720 $ 349 $ 159 $ 52 $ 0 $ 560 2020 2.74 % 1.25 % 0.41 % 0.00 % 4.40 %

The following table presents selected information on Contracts purchased and Direct Loans originated by the Company:

Contracts Direct Loans Threemonthsended Threemonthsended September 30, September 30, (Purchasesinthousands) (Originationsinthousands) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Purchases/ $ 18,880 $ 17,307 $ 7,040 $ 3,832 OriginationsAverage APR 23.0 % 23.5 % 30 % 29.2 %Average 6.7 % 6.8 % N/A N/A discountAverage term 47 46 26 25 (months)Averageamount $ 11,061 $ 10,127 $ 4,433 $ 4,147 financedNumber of 1,707 1,709 1,588 924 contracts Contracts Direct Loans Six monthsended Six monthsended September 30, September 30, (Purchasesinthousands) (Originationsinthousands) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Purchases/ $ 39,185 $ 34,103 $ 12,777 $ 6,259 OriginationsAverage APR 23.1 % 23.5 % 30.1 % 29.0 %Average 6.9 % 7.4 % N/A N/A discountAverage term 47 46 26 26 (months)Averageamount $ 10,745 $ 10,045 $ 4,396 $ 4,260 financedNumber of 3,654 3,395 2,904 1,479 contracts

The following table presents selected information on the entire Contract and Direct Loan portfolios of the Company:

Contracts Direct Loans As of As of September 30, September 30, Portfolio 2021 2020 2021 2020 Average APR 22.9 % 22.7 % 29.0 % 27.7 %Average 7.48 % 7.60 % N/A N/A discountAverageterm 50 51 27 27 (months)Number ofactive 20,927 24,656 5,006 3,673 contracts

Contact: Irina Nashtatik NASDAQ: NICKCFO Web site:www.nicholasfinancial.comPh # (727)-726-0763