COLUMBIA, Md., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fieldstone Investment Corporation (Nasdaq: FICC) today announced its results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 .
KEY FINANCIAL RESULTS
-- Fieldstone reported a net loss of $45.0 million in the third quarter of
2006, or $0.97 per share, compared with net income of $3.8 million, or
$0.08 per share, in the second quarter of 2006.
-- Core net loss was $20.7 million in the third quarter of 2006, or $0.45
per share, compared with core earnings of $4.0 million, or $0.08 core
earnings per share, in the second quarter of 2006.
-- During the third quarter of 2006, the provision for loan losses
increased to $28.0 million from $5.5 million in the second quarter of
2006 due to continuing increases in delinquencies on more recent
originations. To address the increased delinquencies, Fieldstone has
enhanced collections efforts on early stage delinquencies, revised
product offerings to eliminate the products with the highest
delinquencies, and initiated third-party delinquency and loss
mitigation monitoring for all 2006 originations in its portfolio.
-- Fieldstone recorded a $25.1 million non-cash mark to market charge
reflecting the effect of the decline in interest rates on the carrying
value of its interest rate swap agreements.
-- The investment portfolio totaled $5.9 billion at September 30, 2006, an
increase of $167.7 million during the third quarter of 2006.
-- Fieldstone had $2.2 billion of borrowing capacity and $181 million of
available liquidity as of September 30, 2006. The $53.1 million of
charges for the provision for loan losses and mark to market of
derivative contracts were non-cash charges.
-- Fieldstone funded $1.4 billion of loans in the third quarter of 2006,
for a total of $4.0 billion of loans funded in 2006 year to date.
-- Cost to produce new mortgage loans was $37.5 million in the third
quarter of 2006, which was 2.69% of loan fundings, compared with $37.6
million, or 2.58% of fundings, in the prior quarter. Cost to produce
in the third quarter of 2006 includes $0.8 million of costs related to
operations center consolidations and $0.6 million for a litigation
reserve. Excluding these incremental charges, cost to produce as a
percentage of loan fundings remained flat between the second and third
quarters.
-- Fieldstone sold $586.3 million of loans in the third quarter, 42% of
the loans it originated during the quarter, and received average
premiums of 1.6% on those sales.
'We are disappointed to report a core loss for the third quarter, the result primarily of increased reserves due to the accelerated delinquencies of the newer loans in our portfolio and continued market pressures on sale margins,' stated Michael J. Sonnenfeld, President and Chief Executive Officer. 'We are working to lower our portfolio delinquencies, to lower our cost to originate new loans and to improve the level of our loan originations. Our servicing initiatives include accelerated intervention on delinquent loans, engagement of a delinquency and loss mitigation monitor for our 2006 loans and elimination prospectively of our highest delinquency products. Our cost management initiatives include changes to our commission plan to reduce premiums paid to third parties, consolidation of our operations centers and implementation of our new loan origination system. Our origination initiatives include introduction of new alt-A products, a simplified rate sheet that reflects the actual rates at which we lend, and a new commission plan based on a loan's net value to the company. We have not reduced our credit quality nor changed our pricing discipline to increase originations, and we have eliminated the lowest credit, highest risk loans from our guidelines. While we will not realize the full benefit of these initiatives immediately, we are confident that they will improve our competitive position in the marketplace. We continue to believe that our operating initiatives will enable us to enhance shareholder value over time by generating profitable originations and building a stable, match-funded portfolio of residential mortgage loans. We continue to maintain adequate working capital and liquidity, which were not reduced either by the reserve for our increased delinquencies nor by the mark to market of our interest rate swaps.'
DIVIDEND GUIDANCE
Fieldstone is revising its 2006 guidance for dividends for common stockholders to between $1.31 and $1.41 per share, compared with previous guidance of $1.60 to $1.80 per share. The revised guidance, which is based on continued negative trends in prepayment fees, delinquencies, and losses on loans originated in 2005 and 2006, is targeted so that approximately 85% of estimated 2006 REIT income plus $0.36 per share carry forward of 2005 REIT taxable income will be distributed to shareholders in 2006. REIT taxable income was $36.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 .
The dividend guidance is based on management's current estimates and forecasts for the fiscal year 2006, including the following:
-- Total annual loan fundings of between $5.4 billion and $5.8 billion.
-- Investment portfolio balance of $5.8 billion by year end 2006, which
reflects a portfolio debt to equity leverage ratio of approximately 13
to 1.
-- Average net interest spread of 3.05% on new loans added to the
investment portfolio during the fourth quarter of 2006, which is the
difference between the average interest rate of new loans over the two
year swap rate.
-- Prepayment fee income averaging approximately 0.35% of the portfolio
balance throughout the remainder of 2006 compared to 0.65% in 2005, as
more borrowers delay refinancing until after their prepay fee period
expires.
-- Common shares outstanding of 46.9 million as of September 30, 2006.
Management's estimates and forecasts are subject to uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that Fieldstone's actual results or dividends will not be materially different than those estimated in this release.
Fieldstone paid a regular quarterly dividend on October 27, 2006 of $0.34 per share for the third quarter of 2006 to stockholders of record on September 29, 2006 , for cumulative 2006 dividends of $1.26 per share.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
This press release discloses Fieldstone's financial results under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Also presented are certain non-GAAP financial measures that management believes provide useful information to investors regarding Fieldstone's financial performance. The non-GAAP financial measures presented include core income from continuing operations, core earnings per share from continuing operations, core net income, core earnings per share, core return on average assets, core return on average equity, core net interest income and margin, cost to produce, and REIT taxable income. Additional information about each of these non-GAAP financial measures, including a definition, the reason management believes its presentation provides useful information to investors, and a reconciliation of each of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable measure under GAAP is provided in Schedule 2 of this press release.
Financial information in this press release presents the results of Fieldstone's previous conforming origination business as a discontinued operation, following the sale in the first quarter of 2006 of the assets related to that business, and has been restated for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 to correct the timing of the Company's recognition of income tax expense, as previously announced on April 3, 2006 . Fieldstone's continuing operations include its Investment Portfolio, Wholesale, Retail, and Corporate segments. With the exception of net income and core net income, the results of operations discussed in this press release do not include the results of the discontinued operations, unless otherwise indicated.
Net Income and Earnings per Share
Fieldstone reported a net loss for the third quarter of 2006 of $45.0 million , or $0.97 per share, compared with net income of $3.8 million , or $0.08 per share, for the second quarter of 2006. Net income decreased during the quarter due primarily to a $22.6 million increase in the provision for loan losses, a $24.1 million increase in the non-cash loss on the mark to market of derivative contracts, and a $3.0 million decrease in net interest income from the portfolio. This increase in the provision for loan losses is due to a rise in and acceleration of delinquencies, which is consistent with the deteriorating loan performance currently being experienced throughout the mortgage industry as home price appreciation slows and to the aging of the portfolio. The increase in delinquencies resulted in a $28.0 million provision for loan losses during the quarter. The decrease in net interest income is due to the decline in core net yield on loans held for investment to 2.08% from 2.41% in the prior quarter, which includes a 0.05% increase in non-performing interest. In addition, new loans added to the portfolio had narrower net interest spreads compared with the loans that were originated during prior periods which are now prepaying. The non-cash mark to market loss on derivative contracts is the result of the decline in the forward LIBOR curve on the interest rate swaps Fieldstone uses to 'lock in' the interest spread for loans held in the portfolio, which eliminates the risk of future fluctuations in net interest margin.
The $45.0 million net loss in the third quarter of 2006 compared with a net income of $23.0 million earned in the same period in 2005 was primarily the result of a $17.0 million increase in the provision for loan losses, a $16.0 million decrease in the gains on sales of mortgage loans, an $11.3 million decrease in net interest income, and a $32.7 increase in the non-cash mark to market loss recognized on derivative contracts compared to the third quarter of 2005. The provision for loan losses primarily increased in response to Fieldstone's higher delinquencies. The decrease in the gains on sales of mortgage loans included a $0.4 million pre-tax charge to gains on sales to reduce second lien loans held for sale to the lower of cost or market value, a reduction in average gross premiums on loan sales to 1.6% in the third quarter of 2006 from 2.7% in the third quarter of 2005, and a 38% reduction in sales volume as a result of lower originations. The decrease in net interest income is due to a decline in core net yield on loans held for investment to 2.08% from 3.01% in the comparable period in 2005, as the effect of the intense market competition for new loans was to limit the increase in the coupon on new loans to less than the rise in financing costs. The fluctuation in the mark to market valuation change is the result of the decrease in the forward LIBOR curve.
Core Net Income and Core Earnings per Share
Fieldstone reported a core net loss of $20.7 million , or $0.45 per share, for the third quarter of 2006 compared with core earnings of $4.0 million , or $0.08 core earnings per share, in the second quarter of 2006 due primarily to the $22.6 million increase in the provision for loan losses and the decreased net interest income.
The $20.7 million of core net loss in the third quarter of 2006 compared with core net income of $15.2 million , or $0.31 core earnings per share, in the third quarter of 2005 is primarily due to the increase in the provision for loan losses and the decrease in gains on sales.
REIT Taxable Income
Federal tax rules calculate REIT taxable income in a manner that, in certain respects, differs from the calculation of consolidated net income pursuant to GAAP. For a discussion of these differences, see Schedule 2 to this release.
Estimated REIT taxable income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 is as follows:
(in millions) Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2006
Consolidated GAAP pre-tax net loss $(37.2)
Plus:
Non-performing interest in excess of actual
charge-offs 7.7
Provision for loan losses in excess of actual
charge-offs 19.9
Variance in recognition of net origination
expenses (3.0)
Less:
Taxable REIT subsidiary pre-tax net loss 24.1
Mark to market valuation changes on derivatives 24.2
Variance in recognition of equity compensation
expense and miscellaneous other 0.5
Estimated REIT taxable income $36.2
REIT taxable income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 includes approximately $8 million of interest income on non-performing loans, reflecting Fieldstone's preliminary adoption of recent IRS publications recommending that lenders should include interest on non-performing loans in taxable income (although reversed for GAAP income purposes) until the earlier of foreclosure or loan charge-off.
Mortgage Loan Fundings
Three Months Ended
September 30, June 30, September 30,
($000) 2006 2006 2005
Wholesale Division $1,206,760 $1,263,911 $1,642,987
Retail Division 187,518 196,106 235,716
Total Fundings
by Continuing
Operations 1,394,278 1,460,017 1,878,703
Discontinued Conforming
Division -- -- 376,092
Total Fundings $1,394,278 $1,460,017 $2,254,795
Fieldstone funded a total of $1.4 billion of mortgage loans during the third quarter of 2006, a 5% decrease over the second quarter of 2006 and a 26% decrease from the fundings by continuing operations during the third quarter of 2005. The current quarter decrease in loan fundings compared with the prior quarter reflects the results of Fieldstone's continued application during the quarter of its price and credit disciplines, in the context of an expected decrease in total mortgage originations during the quarter, as forecast by the Mortgage Bankers Association of America.
Fieldstone introduced several initiatives late in the third quarter of 2006 designed to increase the level of its originations, lower the cost of its originations, and maintain the quality of its loans. These include the rollout of several new products and pricing, the introduction of a simplified rate sheet, and a revised commission plan. Management believes that these new initiatives contributed to a favorable origination performance relative to the overall decline in the origination market as a whole, and expects to continue to see the impact of these initiatives throughout the remainder of 2006 and into 2007.
Liquidity
Fieldstone maintained adequate liquidity and capital to fund its operations. As of September 30, 2006 , Fieldstone had $2.2 billion of borrowing capacity with 5 financial institutions and $181 million of cash and available liquidity.
Net Interest Income and Margin
Net interest margin after provision for loan losses for loans held for investment for the three months ended September 30, 2006 , June 30, 2006 , and September 30, 2005 was as follows:
Q3 2006 Q2 2006 Q3 2005
Coupon interest income 7.37% 7.21% 6.64%
Amortization of deferred origination costs (0.41)% (0.44)% (0.69)%
Prepayment fees 0.33% 0.37% 0.72%
Yield on loans held for investment 7.29% 7.14% 6.67%
Cost of financing loans held for
investment (1) 5.94% 5.63% 4.35%
Net yield on loans held for investment (2) 1.36% 1.63% 2.40%
Provision for loan losses (1.91)% (0.39)% (0.87)%
Yield on loans held for investment, after
provision (0.55)% 1.24% 1.53%
(1) Cost of financing for loans held for investment does not include the effect of the interest rate swap agreements.
(2) Net yield on loans held for investment does not equal the arithmetic difference between the yield on loans held for investment less the cost of financing loans held for investment due to the difference between the principal balance of the loans held for investment and the principal balance of the debt financing those loans.
Net interest income after the provision for loan losses on loans held for investment was a loss of $8.1 million for the third quarter of 2006 compared with net interest income after provision for loan losses of $17.4 million for the preceding quarter and $19.5 million for the third quarter of 2005. The decrease in Fieldstone's net interest margin after provision for loan losses compared to the prior quarter was due primarily to an increase in the provision for loan losses, reflecting the increase in and acceleration of delinquencies for originations since the second half of 2005, and the 0.31% increase in the cost of financing the loans in its portfolio as interest rates continued to rise during the quarter. This expense increase was only partially offset by a 0.16% increase in coupon interest income in the third quarter due primarily to continued market competition, which limited the rate increases on new loans, and an increase in non-performing interest. The 1.8% decrease in net yield after the provision for loan losses compared to the prior quarter also reflects the prepayment of older loans with higher net interest margins during the current quarter, as borrowers of Fieldstone's older adjustable rate mortgage loans refinanced around the period that their loans reset from its initial fixed rate to an adjusting rate.
Net interest income on loans held for sale was $3.3 million for the third quarter of 2006, representing a 3.94% net interest yield, compared with $3.4 million for the second quarter of 2006, a 4.15% net interest yield, and $4.0 million for the third quarter of 2005, a 3.73% net interest yield. The decline in net interest income compared with the third quarter of 2005 is due primarily to the higher balance of loans held for sale in 2005.
Core Net Interest Income and Margin
Core yield on loans held for investment after provision for loan losses for the three months ended September 30, 2006 , June 30, 2006 , and September 30, 2005 was as follows:
Q3 2006 Q2 2006 Q3 2005
Yield on loans held for
investment(1) 7.29% 7.14% 6.67%
Core cost of financing for loans
held for investment 5.22% 4.83% 3.73%
Core yield on loans held for
investment(2) 2.08% 2.41% 3.01%
Provision for loan losses -
loans held for investment (1.91)% (0.39)% (0.87)%
Core yield on loans held for
investment, after provision for
loan losses 0.17% 2.02% 2.14%
(1)Includes coupon interest income and prepayment fees, net of amortization of deferred costs.
(2)Core yield on loans held for investment does not equal the arithmetic difference between the yield on loans held for investment less the core cost of financing loans held for investment due to the difference between the principal balance of the loans held for investment and the principal balance of the debt financing those loans.
Core net interest income after the provision for loan losses on loans held for investment was $2.4 million for the third quarter of 2006, compared with $28.4 million for the second quarter of 2006 and $27.3 million for the third quarter of 2005. The core net interest margin after the provision for loan losses on loans held for investment decreased in the third quarter of 2006 compared with the preceding quarter due to the increase in the provision for loan losses and the 0.39% increase in core cost of financing for loans held for investment, reflecting an increase in the weighted average swap rate as older, lower rate swaps expired. New swaps for loans at current market rates resulted in an increase in Fieldstone's weighted average swap rate to 4.31% in the third quarter of 2006 from 3.85% in the preceding quarter and 2.92% in the third quarter of 2005.
The increase in the provision for loan losses and the core cost of financing in the third quarter of 2006 was partially offset by a 0.15% increase in the yield on loans held for investment, which includes both new originations at higher market coupons and higher coupons on the remaining loans which have reset from their initial fixed rate to an adjustable rate.
The decrease in core yield after provision for loan losses on loans held for investment in the third quarter of 2006 compared with the same period of 2005, was the result of the increased provision for loan losses and financing costs increasing more than the rise in coupon rates for new loans, partially offset by a $0.8 billion increase in 2006 in the average balance of Fieldstone's portfolio of loans held for investment.
Gains on Sales of Mortgage Loans, Net
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net were $3.4 million in the third quarter of 2006, compared with $2.0 million for the prior quarter, and $19.4 million for the third quarter of 2005. Gains on sales increased in the third quarter of 2006 compared with the prior quarter, due primarily to a $4.5 million charge against gains on sales required to state certain second lien loans at the lower of cost or market during the second quarter. The lower of cost or market charge was partially offset by decreased gross sales premiums during the third quarter as a result of tighter interest spreads on new originations.
The sales premiums earned on first lien mortgages declined to 1.8% in the third quarter of 2006 from 2.1% in the prior quarter, as a result of the market-driven reduction in the net interest spread on new loans sold.
Origination Expenses and Cost to Produce
Cost to produce
Three Months Ended
September 30, June 30, September 30,
2006 2006 2005
($000)
Branch direct production expense $27,177 $28,190 $32,096
Premiums paid to brokers 7,016 8,016 12,791
Fees collected (8,522) (9,346) (10,772)
Net production costs 25,671 26,860 34,115
Corporate overhead 11,859 10,759 9,960
Cost to produce(1) 37,530 37,619 44,075
Mortgage loan fundings(1) $1,394,278 $1,460,017 $1,878,703
(1)Excludes cost to produce and mortgage loan fundings relating to discontinued operations.
Cost to produce
Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2006 2005
($000)
Branch direct production expense $82,034 $86,891
Premiums paid to brokers 20,714 32,263
Fees collected (24,948) (28,057)
Net production costs 77,800 91,097
Corporate overhead 32,960 27,973
Cost to produce(1) 110,760 119,070
Mortgage loan fundings(1) $3,865,614 $4,711,567
(1)Excludes cost to produce and mortgage loan fundings relating to
discontinued operations.
Three Months Ended
Cost to produce as % of September 30, June 30, September 30,
mortgage loan fundings 2006 2006 2005
Branch direct production
expense 1.95% 1.93% 1.71%
Premiums paid to brokers 0.50% 0.55% 0.68%
Fees collected (0.61%) (0.64%) (0.57%)
Net production costs 1.84% 1.84% 1.82%
Corporate overhead 0.85% 0.74% 0.53%
Cost to produce as % of
mortgage loan fundings 2.69% 2.58% 2.35%
Nine Months Ended
Cost to produce as % of September 30, September 30,
mortgage loan fundings 2006 2005
Branch direct production expense 2.13% 1.84%
Premiums paid to brokers 0.54% 0.68%
Fees collected (0.65%) (0.60%)
Net production costs 2.02% 1.92%
Corporate overhead 0.85% 0.61%
Cost to produce as % of mortgage
loan fundings 2.87% 2.53%
Fieldstone's cost to produce was $37.5 million , which was 2.69% of loan fundings, in the third quarter of 2006 compared to $37.6 million , or 2.58% of fundings. The cost to produce as a percentage of loan fundings increased in the third quarter of 2006 due primarily to the inclusion of $0.8 million of costs recorded during the quarter related to the consolidation of operations centers as well as increased legal expenses, including a $0.6 million litigation reserve. Excluding these incremental costs, cost to produce as a percentage of fundings remained flat between the second and third quarters of 2006.
The costs related to consolidating operations centers as a result of cost management initiatives were accelerated and recognized in the current period in accordance with GAAP, but will reduce recurring costs in future periods. Fieldstone implemented several cost management initiatives during the third quarter of 2006, which included pricing and commission changes, implementation of Fieldstone's new loan origination system, and vendor re-structuring. Management expects cost to produce to improve over time due to benefits realized from these cost management initiatives as well as an increased funding volume.
Mortgage Loans Held for Investment, Net
($000) Q3 2006 Q2 2006 Q3 2005
Beginning principal
balance $5,694,891 $5,495,705 $4,828,569
Loans funded for
investment 742,009 819,154 1,019,811
Transfers from
mortgage loans held
for sale, net 145,594 -- --
Less: Loan repayments (660,438) (593,067) (566,552)
Transfers to real
estate owned (36,454) (26,901) (9,349)
Ending principal
balance 5,885,602 5,694,891 5,272,479
Plus: Net deferred
loan origination costs 33,620 37,372 39,410
Ending balance
mortgage loans held
for investment 5,919,222 5,732,263 5,311,889
Allowance for loan
losses - loans held
for investment (64,034) (44,749) (39,329)
Ending balance
mortgage loans held
for investment, net $5,855,188 $5,687,514 $5,272,560
Allowance for loan
losses as a
percentage of the
principal balance of
loans held for
investment 1.09% 0.79% 0.75%
Fieldstone's portfolio grew by $167.7 million in the third quarter of 2006 to approximately $5.9 billion . The constant prepayment rate (CPR) of the loans which reached their two year interest rate reset during the current quarter averaged 80 CPR compared with an average of 87 CPR in the second quarter of 2006. The decrease is primarily attributable to slowing home price appreciation, which may delay the ability of some borrowers to refinance their loans. The increase in loan foreclosures during the quarter reflects the increase in delinquencies on more recent originations and the aging of the portfolio. As of September 30, 2006 , Fieldstone has achieved its targeted portfolio leverage ratio of 13 to 1, and the Company expects to sell a higher percentage of the loans it originates during the fourth quarter.
The increase in loan losses as a percentage of the principal balance had a significant adverse impact on third quarter 2006 earnings, and is consistent with the increasing and accelerating delinquencies on more recent originations, decreased cure rates for delinquencies, and deteriorating delinquency roll rates to foreclosure that are currently being experienced. Despite the negative impact of the increased provision for loan losses on third quarter 2006 earnings, the provision for loan losses is based on delinquencies, which provide only an estimate of future losses. To date, realized losses on securitized pools comprise only 0.30% of the original principal pool balances.
Delinquency, life to date losses, and weighted average coupon rates as of September 30, 2006 of loans held for investment by securitization pool were as follows:
As of September 30, 2006
Current % of
Balance as Principal
Current Factor of Balance
($000) Principal Original Seriously
Balance Principal Delinquent(1)
Loans held for
investment-securitized:
FMIC Series 2003-1 $43,431 9% 19.1%
FMIT Series 2004-3 210,706 21% 19.7%
FMIT Series 2004-4 270,219 31% 14.7%
FMIT Series 2004-5 421,364 47% 8.5%
FMIT Series 2005-1 405,719 54% 7.5%
FMIT Series 2005-2 730,423 76% 8.1%
FMIT Series 2005-3 1,000,842 86% 7.2%
FMIT Series 2006-1 855,668 92% 7.2%
FMIT Series 2006-2 782,093 98% 3.6%
Total 4,720,465 60% 7.2%
Loans held for
investment-to be
securitized 975,340 100% 1.0%
Loans held for
investment-previously
securitized 189,797 12% 20.9%
Total loans held for
investment $5,885,602 56% 7.2%
(1) Seriously delinquent is defined as a mortgage loan that is 60 plus days past due or in the process of foreclosure.
As of September 30, 2006
% of Avg. Age of
Cumulative Loans from
Realized Weighted Funding
Losses(2) Avg. Coupon (months)
($000)
Loans held for
investment-securitized:
FMIC Series 2003-1 0.55% 9.57% 38
FMIT Series 2004-3 0.45% 8.65% 29
FMIT Series 2004-4 0.49% 9.21% 26
FMIT Series 2004-5 0.40% 7.14% 24
FMIT Series 2005-1 0.43% 6.90% 22
FMIT Series 2005-2 0.30% 7.10% 16
FMIT Series 2005-3 0.16% 7.30% 12
FMIT Series 2006-1 0.10% 7.90% 9
FMIT Series 2006-2 0.00% 8.26% 3
Total 0.30% 14
Loans held for investment-to
be securitized 0.00% 2
Loans held for
investment-previously
securitized 0.25% 34
Total loans held for investment 0.27% 7.9% 13
(2) Realized losses include charge-offs to the allowance for loan losses--loans held for investment related to loan principal balances and do not include previously accrued but uncollected interest, which is reversed against current period interest income.
The total portfolio delinquency status of mortgage loans held for investment as of September 30, 2006 , June 30, 2006 , and September 30, 2005 was as follows:
September 30, 2006 June 30, 2006
($000) Principal % of Principal % of
Balance Total Balance Total
Current $4,932,170 83.8% $4,965,056 87.2%
30 days past due 528,003 9.0% 411,390 7.2%
60 days past due 171,742 2.9% 117,641 2.1%
90+ days past due 100,039 1.7% 60,972 1.1%
In process of
foreclosure 153,648 2.6% 139,832 2.4%
Total $5,885,602 100.0% $5,694,891 100.0%
Seriously
delinquent(1)% 7.2% 5.6%
(1) Seriously delinquent is defined as a mortgage loan that is 60 plus days past due or in the process of foreclosure.
September 30, 2005
($000) Principal % of
Balance Total
Current $4,835,343 91.7%
30 days past due 258,807 4.9%
60 days past due 64,461 1.2%
90+ days past due 37,707 0.7%
In process of
foreclosure 76,161 1.5%
Total $5,272,479 100.0%
Seriously
delinquent(1)% 3.4%
(1) Seriously delinquent is defined as a mortgage loan that is 60 plus days past due or in the process of foreclosure.
Fieldstone remains committed to the credit quality of loans originated, and has developed a number of initiatives to respond to the increases in early payment defaults, delinquencies, and losses, including:
1) Revised product offerings and pricings to eliminate products with
the most significant losses.
2) Limiting the age of appraisals and narrowing acceptable thresholds
for the automated verification of broker appraisals.
3) Utilization of new technology and resources to identify high risk
loans prior to origination and flag these loans for additional
manual procedures.
4) Implementation of enhanced collections efforts on early stage
delinquencies.
5) Comprehensive third-party delinquency and loss mitigation oversight
of 2006 originations.
6) Increased internal staffing addressing servicer work-flow.
Management believes that these initiatives, along with the continued use of an industry-leading servicer, will aid Fieldstone in maintaining levels of delinquencies and losses that are less than the market as a whole during the current market cycle.
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale, Net
($000) Q3 2006 Q2 2006 Q3 2005
Beginning principal balance $330,389 $314,147 $545,159
Loans funded, held for sale 652,270 640,863 1,234,984
Transfers from mortgage
loans held for investment -- -- --
Less: Loans sold (586,266) (630,091) (1,247,546)
Transfers to mortgage
loans held for
investment (145,594) -- --
Loans paid off /other (6,271) 5,470 (6,581)
Ending principal balance 244,528 330,389 526,016
Plus: Net deferred loan
origination costs 1,171 455 3,704
Less: Valuation allowances (2,234) (6,412) (850)
Ending balance mortgage
loans held for sale, net $243,465 $324,432 $528,870
Mortgage loans held for sale, net totaled $243.5 million as of September 30, 2006 , which consisted of the portion of the non-conforming fixed rate, second lien, and adjustable rate loans originated by Fieldstone not held for investment. Mortgage loans held for sale decreased during the quarter as a result of Fieldstone's election to hold second lien loans meeting expected return criteria for investment during the third quarter. The valuation allowance as of September 30, 2006 included the charges during 2006 to reduce certain second lien loans to the lower of cost or market and a $0.7 million allowance for loans deemed to be unsaleable at standard premiums.
Income Taxes
Fieldstone recognized a total income tax benefit of $3.8 million during the third quarter of 2006, related to the $9.7 million pre-tax net loss of Fieldstone Mortgage Company (FMC), Fieldstone's taxable REIT subsidiary. FMC had a pre-tax net loss of $9.2 million during the second quarter of 2006 and pre-tax net income of $13.3 million in the third quarter of 2005.
Conference Call
Fieldstone will hold a conference call on Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its third quarter 2006 operating results. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 800-565-5442 (domestic) or 913-312-1298 (international). Please dial in at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call will also be webcast live on the Internet at www.FieldstoneInvestment.com. Interested participants should go to the Fieldstone website at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call, select the 'Press Room' tab, choose 'Live Webcast of Third Quarter 2006 Earnings Call' and follow the related instructions.
A replay of the conference call will be available on Fieldstone's website at www.FieldstoneInvestment.com shortly after the conclusion of the call and will be archived on Fieldstone's website for a minimum of 30 days following the conference call. Interested participants may also access a replay of the conference call by telephone after 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, November 9, 2006 until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 by dialing 888-203-1112 (domestic) or 719-457-0820 (international), passcode 6848285.
About Fieldstone
Fieldstone Investment Corporation owns and manages a portfolio of non-conforming mortgage loans originated primarily by its mortgage origination subsidiary, Fieldstone Mortgage Company, and has elected to be a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes. Founded in 1995, Fieldstone Mortgage Company is a nationwide residential mortgage banking company that originates non-conforming and conforming residential mortgage loans through independent mortgage brokers serviced by regional wholesale operations centers and a network of retail branch offices located throughout the country. Fieldstone is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland.
Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this press release may constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to (i) statements regarding the expected building of Fieldstone's investment portfolio and origination business in 2006; (ii) the expected achievement of targeted leveraged returns on new loans; (iii) the decision to retain fewer loans originated in the fourth quarter of 2006 in its investment portfolio, (iv) expectations regarding its funding levels, cost to produce, and initiatives on origination growth and cost management; (v) initiatives designed to mitigate delinquencies and losses and the results of those initiatives, (vi) expectations regarding its competitive position, (vii) opinions with respect to maintenance of its liquidity position, (viii) the decision to retain certain second lien loans in its investment portfolio, and (ix) the revision of management's previous guidance on dividends, including management's current estimates and forecasts for 2006 on which this guidance is based, contained in the section titled 'Dividend Guidance' of this press release. These statements are being made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results and the timing of certain events may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Fieldstone's ability to control or predict, including but not limited to (i) Fieldstone's ability to successfully implement or change aspects of its portfolio strategy; (ii) interest rate volatility and the level of interest rates generally; (iii) the sustainability of loan origination volumes and levels of origination costs; (iv) continued availability of credit facilities for the liquidity needed to support the origination of mortgage loans; (v) the ability to sell or securitize mortgage loans on favorable economic terms; (vi) deterioration in the credit quality of Fieldstone's loan portfolio; (vii) the nature and amount of competition; (viii) the impact of changes to the fair value of Fieldstone's interest rate swaps on its net income, which will vary based upon changes in interest rates and could cause net income to vary significantly from quarter to quarter; and (ix) other risks and uncertainties outlined in Fieldstone Investment Corporation's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are made as of the date of this press release, and Fieldstone undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
FIELDSTONE INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Condition
(Unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
September 30, June 30, September 30,
2006 2006 2005
(As restated)
Assets
Cash $26,470 $31,638 $34,549
Restricted cash 5,307 4,344 11,431
Mortgage loans held
for sale, net 243,465 324,432 528,870
Mortgage loans held
for investment 5,919,222 5,732,263 5,311,889
Allowance for loan
losses - loans held
for investment (64,034) (44,749) (39,329)
Mortgage loans held
for investment, net 5,855,188 5,687,514 5,272,560
Accounts receivable 35,183 31,543 9,587
Accrued interest
receivable 35,656 31,946 25,633
Trustee receivable 91,885 103,071 118,317
Prepaid expenses and
other assets 14,202 13,085 12,734
Real estate owned 47,382 34,786 11,188
Derivative assets 15,740 36,740 40,577
Deferred tax asset 16,036 14,572 17,904
Furniture and
equipment, net 9,025 8,909 9,314
Total assets $6,395,539 $6,322,580 $6,092,664
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Warehouse financing -
loans held for sale $205,812 $277,773 $429,551
Warehouse financing -
loans held for
investment 1,011,821 874,788 693,565
Securitization
financing 4,684,087 4,614,204 4,336,677
Reserve for losses -
loans sold 25,205 28,028 37,784
Dividends payable 15,948 20,638 -
Accounts payable,
accrued expenses and
other liabilities 29,273 23,453 24,924
Total liabilities 5,972,146 5,838,884 5,522,501
Commitments and
contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock $0.01
par value; 90,000,000
shares authorized;
shares issued and
outstanding of
46,904,485 as of
September 30, 2006,
46,904,485 as of
June 30, 2006, and
48,820,876 as of
September 30, 2005 469 469 488
Paid-in capital 473,966 473,270 496,983
Accumulated (deficit)
earnings (51,042) 9,957 77,664
Unearned compensation - - (4,972)
Total shareholders'
equity 423,393 483,696 570,163
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity $6,395,539 $6,322,580 $6,092,664
FIELDSTONE INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited; in thousands, except share and per share data)
Three Months Ended
Sept. 30, June 30, Sept. 30,
2006 2006 2005
(As restated)
Revenues:
Interest income:
Loans held for
investment $107,081 $100,440 $84,940
Loans held for sale 7,399 6,991 7,677
Total interest income 114,480 107,431 92,617
Interest expense:
Loans held for
investment 87,163 77,589 54,361
Loans held for sale 4,069 3,587 3,721
Total interest expense 91,232 81,176 58,082
Net interest income 23,248 26,255 34,535
Provision for loan
losses - loans held
for investment 28,035 5,466 11,045
Net interest (expense)
income after
provision for
loan losses (4,787) 20,789 23,490
Gains on sales of
mortgage loans, net 3,393 1,953 19,439
Other income (expense)
- portfolio
derivatives (13,755) 10,821 15,630
Fees and other income (451) (575) 478
Total revenues (15,600) 32,988 59,037
Expenses:
Salaries and employee
benefits 18,553 19,166 18,781
Occupancy 2,481 1,861 1,703
Depreciation and
amortization 1,159 995 922
Servicing fees 2,730 2,723 2,208
General and
administration 8,290 7,742 8,097
Total expenses 33,213 32,487 31,711
(Loss) Income from
continuing operations
before income taxes (48,813) 501 27,326
Income tax benefit (expense) 3,794 3,304 (3,763)
(Loss) Income from
continuing operations (45,019) 3,805 23,563
Discontinued operations, net of
income tax (including loss on
disposal of $0.9 million, pre-tax) - - (538)
Net (loss) income $(45,019) $3,805 $23,025
(Loss) Earnings per share of common
stock-basic and diluted:
Continuing operations $(0.97) $0.08 $0.48
Discontinued operations - - (0.01)
Total $(0.97) $0.08 $0.47
Basic weighted average common
shares outstanding 46,644,485 47,677,853 48,462,126
Diluted weighted average common
shares outstanding 46,644,485 47,677,853 48,479,152
FIELDSTONE INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited; in thousands, except share and per share data)
Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
2006 2005
(As restated)
Revenues:
Interest income:
Loans held for investment $302,634 $248,350
Loans held for sale 20,991 24,810
Total interest income 323,625 273,160
Interest expense:
Loans held for investment 233,668 134,742
Loans held for sale 10,261 10,082
Total interest expense 243,929 144,824
Net interest income 79,696 128,336
Provision for loan losses
- loans held for investment 38,894 22,402
Net interest (expense)
income after provision
for loan losses 40,802 105,934
Gains on sales of
mortgage loans, net 15,641 53,941
Other income (expense) -
Portfolio derivatives 9,224 26,540
Fees and other income (676) 773
Total revenues 64,991 187,188
Expenses:
Salaries and employee
benefits 58,588 54,204
Occupancy 6,165 4,998
Depreciation and amortization 3,089 2,474
Servicing fees 8,022 6,555
General and
administration 23,595 22,418
Total expenses 99,459 90,649
(Loss) Income from
Continuing operations
before income taxes (34,468) 96,539
Income tax benefit (expense) 7,827 (6,060)
(Loss) Income from
continuing operations (26,641) 90,479
Discontinued operations,
net of income tax
(including loss on
disposal of $0.9
million, pre-tax) (1,645) (1,874)
Net (loss) income $(28,286) $88,605
(Loss) Earnings per
share of common
stock-basic and
diluted:
Continuing operations $(0.57) $1.86
Discontinued operations (0.03) (0.04)
Total $(0.60) $1.82
Basic weighted average common
shares outstanding 47,526,139 48,462,080
Diluted weighted average common
shares outstanding 47,526,139 48,478,654
FIELDSTONE INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Schedule 1 - Supplemental Data
(Unaudited; dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended
Sept. 30, June 30, Sept. 30,
2006 2006 2005
Mortgage Loan Fundings
Non-conforming
wholesale division $1,206,760 $1,263,911 $1,642,987
Retail division 187,518 196,106 235,716
Total continuing
operations 1,394,278 1,460,017 1,878,703
Discontinued operations - - 376,092
Total $1,394,278 $1,460,017 $2,254,795
Non-Conforming
Mortgage Loan
Funding Statistics
Weighted average
interest rate 8.6% 8.5% 7.3%
Average interest
swap rate during
period 5.4% 5.5% 4.3%
Net interest spread 3.2% 3.0% 3.0%
Weighted average
credit score 652 647 655
Weighted average
loan to value 87.6% 86.2% 83.9%
Full documentation( 1) 50.9% 52.1% 53.9%
Percentage held for
investment 53.2% 56.1% 56.0%
Mortgage Loan Sales
Non-conforming
wholesale and
retail divisions $586,266 $630,091 $943,028
Discontinued
operations - - 304,518
Total $586,266 $630,091 $1,247,546
Gain on Sale Margin
from Continuing
Operations
Gross premiums -
loan sales, net of
derivative gain/(loss) 1.6% 1.7% 2.7%
Fees collected, net
of premiums paid 0.5% 0.2% 0.1%
Provision for loan
losses - loans sold (0.6)% (0.2)% 0.0%
Direct origination
costs (0.8)% (0.7)% (0.7)%
Sub-total: Gain on
sales before 0.7% 1.0% 2.1%
lower of cost or
market adjustment
Lower of cost
or market
adjustment(3) (0.1)% (0.7)% -
Gain on sale of
mortgage loans,
net 0.6% 0.3% 2.1%
Gross premiums -
loan sales, net of
derivative
gain/(loss)
First lien mortgage
loans 1.8% 2.1% 3.0%
Second lien
mortgage loans (1.3)% (0.7)% 1.4%
Total 1.6% 1.7% 2.7%
Statements of
Condition Data
Average equity as a
percentage of
average assets 7.1% 8.1% 9.6%
Debt to capital 14.1 12.1 9.7
Book value per
share $9.03 $10.31 $11.68
Seriously
delinquent -
mortgage loans
held for sale (2) 1.7% 2.1% 0.5%
Seriously
delinquent -
mortgage loans
held for
investment(2) 7.2% 5.6% 3.4%
-- Full documentation of non-conforming mortgage loan fundings also
includes the bank statements program.
-- Seriously delinquent is defined as a mortgage loan that is 60 plus days
past due or in the process of foreclosure.
-- Allowance to reduce second lien loans held for sale to their net
realizable market value. The allowance has been expressed as a
percentage of total loan sales to calculate the gain on sale of
mortgage loans, net as a percentage of total loan sales.
FIELDSTONE INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES
Schedule 1 - Supplemental Data
(Unaudited; dollars in thousands)
Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
2006 2005
Mortgage Loan Fundings
Non-conforming
wholesale division $3,331,194 $4,087,199
Retail division 534,420 624,368
Total continuing
operations 3,865,614 4,711,567
Discontinued
operations 127,797 1,014,087
Total $3,993,411 $5,725,654
Non-Conforming Mortgage
Loan Funding Statistics
Weighted average
interest rate 8.5% 7.4%
Average interest
swap rate during
period 5.2% 4.0%
Net interest spread 3.3% 3.4%
Weighted average
credit score 648 654
Weighted average
loan to value 86.3% 83.9%
Full documentation(1) 52.2% 55.6%
Percentage held
for investment 52.3% 42.8%
Mortgage Loan Sales
Non-conforming
wholesale and
retail divisions $1,870,907 $2,678,774
Discontinued
operations 226,380 908,217
Total $2,097,287 $3,586,991
Gain on Sale Margin from
Continuing Operations
Gross premiums -
loan sales, net
of derivative
gain/(loss) 1.9% 2.9%
Fees collected,
net of premiums
paid 0.3% 0.1%
Provision for loan
losses - loans
sold (0.4)% (0.2)%
Direct origination
costs (0.7)% (0.8)%
Sub-total: Gain on
sales before 1.1% 2.0%
lower of cost or
market adjustment
Lower of cost
or market
adjustment(3) (0.3)% -
Gain on sale of
mortgage loans,
net 0.8% 2.0%
Gross premiums - loan
sales, net of derivative
gain/(loss)
First lien
mortgage loans 2.2% 3.1%
Second lien
mortgage loans 0.0% 1.8%
Total 1.9% 2.9%
Statements of Condition
Data
Average equity as a
percentage of average
assets 7.9% 9.8%
Debt to capital
Book value per share
Seriously delinquent -
mortgage loans held for
sale (2)
Seriously delinquent -
mortgage loans held for
investment(2)
(1) Full documentation of non-conforming mortgage loan fundings also
includes the bank statements program.
(2) Seriously delinquent is defined as a mortgage loan that is 60 plus
days past due or in the process of foreclosure.
(3) Allowance to reduce second lien loans held for sale to their net
realizable market value. The allowance has been expressed as a
percentage of total loan sales to calculate the gain on sale of
mortgage loans, net as a percentage of total loan sales.
FIELDSTONE INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Schedule 2-Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Regulation G Reconciliations
Core income from continuing operations, core earnings per share from continuing operations (diluted), core net income, core earnings per share (diluted), core net interest income and margin, core return on average assets, core return on average equity, cost to produce, and REIT taxable income are non-GAAP financial measures of Fieldstone'
