CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/14 -- Builders Capital Mortgage Corp. (TSX VENTURE: BCF) (Builders Capital or the company) today released financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2014, which represent the first quarter of its 2014 fiscal year and the company's first full quarter as a publicly-traded mortgage investment corporation (MIC).
First Quarter Results
For the three months ended March 31, 2014, mortgage revenue was $786,410, representing annualized gross revenue of 13.6% of gross share capital. This revenue consisted of $760,085 in interest and $26,325 in lender fees charged to borrowers.
First quarter operating expenses, excluding the provision for mortgage losses, were $87,682, or 11.1% of revenues. The provision for loan losses of $60,763 was estimated by management, based on an analysis of historical bad debts of the predecessor companies and current analysis of the construction finance marketplace. This is a collective provision and does not relate to any individual mortgage.
Total comprehensive income for the first quarter was $637,965, or $0.27 per share, based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. This translates into earnings of $0.46 per Class A Non-Voting Share. Given the dividend priority granted to Class A Non-Voting Shares held by the public, the effective Class A Non-Voting Share dividend cover ratio for the quarter was 2.3.
"We are pleased with our initial financial performance as a public entity," said Sandy Loutitt, President of Builders Capital. "Our tight focus on financing short-term, wood-frame residential construction in strong urban markets like Calgary and Edmonton positions us to generate above average risk weighted returns. Builders Capital has an established, full-service asset management platform and a strong team of experienced professionals who are proven performers. We're ready to grow."
Mortgage Portfolio
At March 31, 204, Builders Capital's mortgage portfolio consisted of 35 mortgage loans with an aggregate value of $24.6 million. Of the 30 mortgages the company acquired at its start-up, five with values totaling $3.7 million at December 31, 2013 were paid out during the first quarter. These were replaced by ten new mortgages totaling $3.8 million. No loans were in default during the quarter.
Distributions
On March 21, 2014, Builders Capital declared a first quarter dividend of $0.1973 per Class A Non-Voting share to shareholders of record on March 31, 2014, payable on April 30, 2014. The dividend amount was calculated to provide an 8% return on the $10.00 initial Class A Non-Voting share price, prorated for the 90 days in the quarter. On an annual basis, this level of distribution is equivalent to $0.80 per Class A Non-Voting share.
Subsequent to quarter-end, on April 30, 2014, the company declared a dividend of $0.3456 per share to Class B Non-Voting Shareholders of record on April 28, 2014, payable on April 30, 2014. This dividend applied to the 2013 stub period, for which Class A Non-Voting Shareholders had already received a dividend, and the first quarter of 2014.
Outlook
Builders Capital expects that continued steady housing starts in southern Alberta, its primary market, will drive strong demand for construction financing for at least the next several years. In addition to strengthening its position in Alberta, the company intends to expand lending to other western Canadian markets in the future.
"In particular, like Alberta, Saskatchewan is expected to continue to exceed average GDP growth in Canada," said Loutitt. "We believe that employment growth, a strengthening economy and high levels of net migration make Saskatchewan a good market for Builders Capital."
Loutitt noted that, despite favourable conditions in both provinces, prevailing low interest rates have increased borrower's sensitivity to price. "In response, we will be reducing rates and stepping up our marketing," he said. "We are confident that these strategies will allow us to continue to grow, fully utilize our capital, and remain both competitive and profitable."
A more detailed discussion of the company's financial results can be found in its 2014 First Quarter Management's Discussion and Analysis, which will be posted along with the unaudited interim condensed financial statements for the period on Builders Capital's website (www.builderscapital.ca) and SEDAR (www.sedar.com) on May 30, 2014.
About Builders Capital
Builders Capital is a mortgage lender providing short-term course of construction financing to builders of residential, wood-frame properties in Western Canada. The company was formed on March 28, 2013 but did not commence active operations until December 12, 2013, on the closing of its initial public offering, following which it acquired a portfolio of mortgages from two predecessor companies. Builders Capital's investment objective is to generate attractive returns, relative to risk, in order to provide stable and steady distributions to shareholders while remaining focused on capital preservation and staying within the criteria mandated for mortgage investment corporations, as defined in the Income Tax Act.
As a MIC, Builders Capital is not subject to income tax provided that it distributes all of its taxable income as dividends to shareholders within 90 days of its December 31st year-end. Such dividends are generally treated by shareholders as interest income, so that each shareholder is in the same tax position as if their proportionate share of mortgage investments made by the company had been made directly by the shareholder.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including statements with respect to management's beliefs, estimates and intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "outlook", "objective", "may", "will", "expect", "intent", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "should", "plans" or "continue" or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. These include, among other things, risks associated with mortgage lending, competition for mortgage lending, real estate values, interest rate fluctuations, environmental matters and the general economic environment. The company cautions that the foregoing list is not exhaustive, as other factors could adversely affect its results, performance or achievements. Readers are cautioned against undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what management believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, Builders Capital undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts:
Builders Capital Mortgage Corp.
John Strangway
Chief Financial Officer
(403) 685-9888
www.builderscapital.ca
