Profits plunge as pandemic takes a severe toll on lender
Leeds-based lender, Non-Standard Finance, (NSF) has reported a normalised loss before tax of £35.2m (2019: normalised profit before tax of £14.7m) a fall of 339% in its audited full year results to 31 December 2020.
Normalised revenue was down 11% to £164.1m (2019: £183.7m) and reported revenue down to £162.7m (2019: £180.8m).
COVID-19 had a severe impact on the Group’s net loan book which fell by 28%, though all three of NSF’s businesses were able to adapt, enabling the Group to continue to trade within its financial covenants since the half year results.
NSF has also confirmed its Guarantor Loans Division is to be placed into a managed run-off, following a probe launched by the Financial Conduct Authority. (FCA)
NSF has recorded total exceptional charges of £97.8m (2019: £80.6m).
This includes a charge of £15.4m based on the estimated costs of a customer redress programme; and the non-cash write-off of all remaining goodwill assets and acquired intangibles totalling £74.8m (2019: £65.8m) to give a reported loss before tax of £135.7m (2019: reported loss of £76m).
NSF states: “Whilst the estimated cost of redress is based upon a detailed methodology and analyses developed in conjunction with the Group’s advisers, as the FCA has not yet approved the methodology proposed, there is a risk of a less favourable outcome.
“Independent reviews are being conducted to determine any read-across for the Group’s other divisions, taking account of recent decisions at the Financial Ombudsman Service.
“The directors recognise that, whilst the review work done so far has not identified any systemic issues requiring an increase in provision, there remains a risk the final outcome of these reviews may result in the identification of customers who may require redress, and the cost of redress for the Group could be materially higher than is currently provided for in the financial statements.”
Commenting on its current trading, NSF says month-on-month growth in loan issuance in both branch-based lending and home credit, combined with historically low impairment, has meant it is trading ahead of budget.
But its report also warns: “The Group’s ability to remain a going concern is subject to a material uncertainty and is dependent upon the completion of a substantial capital raise.”
John van Kuffeler, group chief executive officer, said: “The impact of the pandemic on our business was as significant as it was swift and was a major factor behind the large reported loss in 2020.
“Despite best endeavours we have also fallen short in a number of regulatory areas which have led to increased complaint costs and a future redress programme, both of which have had a material financial impact.
“However, I am immensely proud of the way in which our staff and self-employed agents responded to these issues so that we were able to navigate what was a highly challenging business environment.
“We remained focused on good customer outcomes and embarked upon a cautious return to lending during the second half of 2020.
“Unfortunately, the impact of the pandemic and the regulatory-led changes in guarantor loans has meant the division is being placed into a managed run-off.
“Once our regulatory issues are resolved, we intend to execute a substantial capital raise in the region of £80m in the third quarter of 2021.
“If successful, it is expected the Capital Raise will strengthen the Group’s balance sheet and provide a platform for controlled growth.”
