TIDMOPM
RNS Number : 5452N
1PM PLC
25 September 2019
25 September 2019
1pm plc
(the "Group" or the "Company")
FINAL RESULTS FOR THE YEARED 31 MAY 2019
Another year of record revenues and continued strong
profitability
Robust demand for finance from smaller UK SMEs and consumers
Increased total dividend proposed in line with progressive
policy
1pm plc, the AIM listed independent specialist finance provider,
is pleased to announce final results for the year ended 31 May 2019
in line with market expectations, reporting robust trading and
demonstrating further growth in revenue and profit before tax,
exceptional items and share based payments ("PBTE").
The Company operates a flexible 'hybrid' funding model, enabling
it to both write business on its own book and to broke-on to third
party funders. It provides a multi-product offering of Asset, Loan,
Invoice and Vehicle finance generating strong demand from smaller
UK SMEs and consumers.
Commenting on the Group's performance, John Newman,
Non-executive Chairman, said:
"I am pleased to report that the Group has delivered a further
year of robust performance and growth. The financial year was a
period of development for the Group with the businesses previously
acquired as part of the Group's "buy and build" strategy focussed
on operational performance and on delivering organic growth. The
achievement of a number of earn-out targets has demonstrated the
success of the strategy and the continuing commitment of the local
management teams. The focus of our strategy is for our Group to be
a well-diversified and risk-mitigated alternative finance provider,
recognised as having a comprehensive range of business finance
products to offer to an expanding base of UK SMEs and
consumers."
Financial Highlights:
-- Revenue for the year of GBP31.8m (2018: GBP30.0m), an increase of 6%
-- PBTE for the year of GBP8.1m (2018: GBP7.8m), an increase of 4%
-- Fully diluted earnings per share of 6.61 pence per share (2018: 6.46 pence) an increase of 2%
-- Total dividend for the year (combined interim paid and final
proposed) of 0.84 pence per share (2018: 0.65 pence per share), an
increase of 29%
-- Consolidated net assets at 31 May 2019 of GBP53.8m (2018: GBP47.7m), an increase of 13%
-- Return on Net tangible Assets of 24% (2018: 32%)
-- Strong visibility on future earnings with approximately 50%
of revenue for the current year to 31 May 2020 already secured as
"unearned income"
-- Aggregate funding facilities available to lend of GBP167.1m
(2018: GBP162.6m), an increase of 3%
-- Blended cost of borrowings reduced by 5% to approximately 3.9% (2018: 4.1%)
-- Net interest margin maintained at approximately 12%
-- Consistent write-off levels. Net of recoveries from
previously written-off receivables, write-offs in the year amounted
to GBP0.6m, representing approximately 1% of the year-end own book
net portfolio (2018: approximately 1%)
-- Bad debt provisioning increased, with a balance sheet
provision held at 31 May 2019 of 1.9% of the net lending portfolio
(2018: 1.5%)
Operational Highlights:
-- Total new business origination up 13% in the year to GBP161.0m (2018: GBP142.9m), comprising:
- GBP104.9m, or 65%, of new business origination (2018:
GBP80.0m) broked-on for commission income, including all vehicle
finance origination of GBP54.1m (2018 GBP37.3m)
- GBP56.1m, or 35%, of new business origination (2018: GBP62.9m) for own book portfolio
-- Deals written on own book from internal cross-selling of the
Group's products during the year of GBP4.8m (2018: GBP1.9m), an
increase of 2.5 times
-- Maiden interim dividend paid and final dividend proposed in
accordance with stated progressive dividend policy
-- Acquisitions performing in line with management expectations
with the full realisation of earn-out consideration for two more
acquired entities - Positive Cashflow Finance and Bradgate Business
Finance - during the year
-- Senior Management team hires completed with Heads of Asset,
Loan, Invoice and Vehicle Finance in situ together with Heads of
Group functions - IT, HR, Risk, Marketing and Compliance
-- Awarded SME Champion at the Leasing Life Awards and Highly
Commended at both the Leasing World Service Excellence and the
International Asset Finance Network awards.
On current trading and prospects, Ian Smith, Chief Executive
Officer, added:
"In what have remained uncertain prevailing business conditions,
we are delighted to be reporting continued year-on-year growth in
revenue and underlying profits. The results for the year ended 31
May 2019 demonstrate the strength of our market position, our
multi-product offering and our flexible operating model. The Group
is well positioned to deliver further strategic growth in order to
increase shareholder value over the next five years."
For further information, please contact:
1pm plc
Ian Smith, Chief Executive Officer 01225 474230
James Roberts, Chief Financial Officer 01225 474230
Cenkos (NOMAD)
Max Hartley / Ben Jeynes (NOMAD), Julian
Morse (Sales) 0207 397 8900
Walbrook PR 0207 933 8780
Paul Vann 07768 807631
paul.vann@walbrookpr.com
About 1pm:
1pm's strategy is to focus on providing or arranging the finance
UK SMEs require to fund their businesses and arranging vehicle and
property-backed finance for consumers. The multi-product range for
SMEs includes asset, vehicle, loan and invoice finance facilities.
The Group operates a "hybrid" lending and broking model enabling it
to optimize business levels through market and economic cycles.
More information is available on the Company website
www.1pm.co.uk
Chairman's Statement
For the year ended 31 May 2019
Performance and dividend
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to report that
our business has delivered another year of robust performance and
growth. The Group's revenue was GBP31.8m (2018: GBP30.0m) an
increase of 6% and Group profit before tax and exceptional items
was GBP8.1m (2018: GBP7.8m), an increase of 4%.
Fully diluted earnings per share, taking account of shares
issued relating to the successful achievement of acquisition
earn-out targets, were 6.61p (2018: 6.46p), an increase of 2%.
At 31 May 2019 the Group's net assets stood at GBP53.8m (2018:
GBP47.7m), an increase of 13% and the return on net tangible assets
(excluding goodwill) was 24% (2018: 32%).
The financial year was a period of development for the Group
with the businesses acquired as part of the Group's "buy and build"
strategy focusing on operational performance and delivering organic
growth. The achievement of earn-out targets has demonstrated the
success of the strategy and the continuing commitment of the
management teams.
As announced on 26 July 2018, the Board had reviewed its
dividend policy and the outcome was the introduction of an enhanced
and progressive policy. The first step was taken with the Board's
recommendation of a dividend of 0.65p per share for the year ended
31 May 2018, which was an increase of approximately 30% over the
previous year. This policy also included for the first time an
interim dividend and a payment of 0.28p was paid to shareholders on
1 May 2019. The Board are now recommending, subject to shareholder
approval, a final dividend of 0.56p per share which will be payable
on 12 December 2019 to shareholders who are on the Company's
register of members on 1 November 2019. This total dividend of
0.84p is an increase of 29% over the previous year.
Our strategy
The Group Strategic Report sets out in detail progress against
our goals and objectives. The focus of our strategy is for our
Group to be a well-diversified and risk-mitigated alternative
finance provider, recognised as having a comprehensive range of
business finance products to offer to an expanding base of UK
customers.
The balancing and management of risk is an important
responsibility for the Board at all times but particularly so where
there exists considerable economic and political uncertainty. A key
aspect of the successful delivery of our strategy is the Group's
business model which positions the Group both as a first-line
funder and as a broker. We are confident that this flexibility
within our business model ensures that the Group can balance its
risk exposure in a prudent manner, while maintaining competitive
levels of customer service.
The successful pursuit of our "buy and build" strategy over the
last three years has delivered significant growth in our business.
In considering the opportunities for further development from this
enlarged platform, the Board has decided to extend the Group's
investment in people and our business infrastructure. This will
include a rebranding project that will give the Group a single
identification across its core business product lines.
These developments will involve additional costs but represent
an investment that will support further and sustainable growth.
This is referred to in more detail in the Chief Executive Officer's
Review.
Governance and culture
Our business operates in a regulated environment and a key
responsibility for the Board is to ensure that strong and effective
governance operates throughout the Group. Our Head of Compliance
and Governance, Jennifer Bodey, who has extensive regulatory
experience and is now also our Company Secretary, has continued our
programme to enhance our independent compliance department.
The Board has four sub-committees, namely Audit, Remuneration,
Nominations, and Governance and Risk, with membership comprising
either of only, or a majority of, non-executive directors. The
committees meet on a regular basis and their effectiveness in
meeting their responsibilities is assessed annually by the
Board.
There is a clear emphasis within the Group on maintaining a
corporate culture that adheres to our core values of being
"trusted, flexible, fair and personal". These values underpin
everything that we do in our business and are key in ensuring
responsible attitudes and behaviours are foremost in every member
of our team.
Our people
Our expectations for the year under review were high and were
dependent on the continued success of acquired businesses. The
achievement of those expectations as evidenced by the Group's
results, reflects the quality and dedication of the people within
our Group. On behalf of the Board, I wish to record our thanks and
appreciation for their hard work and commitment.
Outlook
The economic and political uncertainties we are experiencing are
casting a shadow over UK business generally. In these conditions,
we will continue to be prudent in our lending and ensure that our
impairment provisions are adequate and continue to be increased in
these more uncertain times.
The investment in people and the business infrastructure I have
referred to carries with it additional costs and will constrain our
profit growth in the current year. However, these costs are largely
exceptional or non-recurring and are essential in securing our
planned strategic growth and increased shareholder value over the
next five years.
The level of new business generation remains satisfactory and
our range of financial products provides flexible sources of
financing options for our customers. We are fortunate in having an
excellent management team and the support of colleagues at every
level who share the Board's vision and determination to achieve our
strategic objectives this year and beyond.
John Newman
Chairman
25 September 2019
Chief Executive Officer's Review
For the year ended 31 May 2019
Introduction
The 1pm group is a multi-product, speciality finance business
providing funding for UK SMEs as a lender and arranging funding for
both UK SMEs and consumers as a broker. This 'hybrid' lending and
broking model enables the Group to optimally manage credit risk,
capital allocation, revenues and customer service through changing
market and economic conditions.
The Group comprises four product divisions, namely Asset
Finance, Vehicle Finance, Loan Finance and Invoice Finance,
supported by group functions, namely Risk, Compliance, Finance, IT,
Human Resources and Marketing. The financial results for the Group
for the year ended 31 May 2019 consolidate the results of the
parent company, 1pm plc, plus each of the trading entities that
form the product divisions and group functions.
Following a period of sustained organic and inorganic growth
during the recent "buy and build" phase of the Group's successful
strategic expansion, the financial year ended 31 May 2019 saw a
focus on organic growth and a series of operational initiatives
designed to enhance performance and to begin the transition of the
business from a series of individual companies towards a more
integrated Group. Given that focus, I am delighted to report
further year-on-year organic growth in deal origination, revenue,
profit before tax and fully diluted earnings per share, as well as
notable progress in the Group's capabilities and operational
performance.
This has been achieved as a result of the commitment, hard work
and sense of purpose consistently shown by all colleagues in the
Group. It is a privilege to lead a talented management team and
such an enthusiastic group of colleagues, now comprising 189
personnel. I congratulate and extend my thanks to all fellow
employees for delivering this performance.
Sustainable, robust business model
In addition to the hybrid commercial model of being a lender and
a broker, which is important in mitigating risk, the 1pm group is
operated on sound principles designed for the development of a
sustainable, robust business, with Spread, Security and Margin all
core to our operating policies.
Spread is maintained in all our lending activities, across new
business introduction channels, asset types and categories, lending
products, geography, deal size and deal quality. The Group's
lending portfolios comprise multiple 'small-ticket' lease, loan and
invoice finance arrangements, with no major concentrations.
Equally, spread and diversity are maintained in respect of our own
borrowing and funding facilities, which are sourced from a range of
wholesale funding providers.
Security is always taken, ranging from company debentures,
charges on property and assets, title to assets and, for
lower-value lending, personal guarantees from directors and
proprietors. Where receivables become impaired, the Group has a
strong track record of recovering value through its security, in
particular, following up on personal guarantees, which has proven
to be a successful recovery instrument for 'small-ticket' low-value
exposures.
Margin is maintained through appropriate risk pricing for the
type of lending entered into and a relentless drive to gradually
reduce the cost of borrowing as the Group scales-up. The blended
net interest margin achieved in the year to 31 May 2019 was
approximately 12% (2018: 13%). Competitive pressures increased
during the year, but the Board's policy is not to reduce prices or
relax credit rules in order to chase top-line growth, but rather to
maintain interest rates charged and credit quality. Furthermore,
interest rates charged are fixed for the lending term and interest
rates incurred on borrowings drawn are equally fixed. The Group
matches the term of borrowings drawn to the term of lending
provided.
These core operating policies are supported by human
underwriting as opposed to fully automated algorithms for credit
decisions. Whilst an essential element of the Group's development
is the deployment of greater digital capability, for example to
assist with underwriting processes, credit decisions are taken by
people. This is considered essential for the lending market in
which the Group operates.
The final core principle is our cautious approach to
provisioning. The net write off rate (the gross value of
receivables written-off less recoveries) in the year to 31 May 2019
was approximately 1% of the averaged gross lending portfolio, a
similar level to 2018 and previous years. The stock of provisions
carried in the balance sheet at 31 May 2019 was, however, 1.9%
(2018: 1.5%) of the net lending portfolio at year-end, hence
approximately twice the write-off rate historically experienced.
Provisions continue to be gradually increased during this period of
economic uncertainty.
The board is confident that these factors - the lending and
broking model, the focus on Spread, Security and Margin, fixed
interest and matched term borrowing, human underwriting and a
cautious approach to growth and provisioning - all combine to form
a sustainable, robust business, delivering strong financial
results. This confidence underpins the Group's progressive dividend
policy. The details of the proposed dividend are set out in the
Chairman's Report.
Market positioning and new business origination
The recent expansion strategy was designed and implemented to
deliberately position the Group as a provider of all the main
finance products that smaller UK SMEs require, namely funding for
expansion in the form of assets and vehicles, loans and invoice
finance facilities, the latter often replacing the traditional and
formerly common-place bank overdraft. For those SME borrowers, the
funding required is often for business-critical assets without
which a small business would not function and, as such, repayments
tend to be prioritised, leading generally to a higher level of
'borrower resilience' in this sector than might otherwise be
expected.
The Group's market positioning as a multi-product provider of
business-critical finance for UK SMEs has therefore proven
effective and, despite the continuing effect of uncertainty from
the UK's current macro-political and economic situation, demand has
been steadily increasing. New business origination in the year to
31 May 2019 amounted to GBP161.0m, a like for like increase of 13%
over the previous financial year.
Of this origination, given the flexibility afforded by the
hybrid lending and broking model and prevailing market conditions,
35% was funded on balance sheet and 65% was broked-on, compared
with 44% and 56% respectively in the prior year. The Group's policy
is to not carry residual balance sheet risk in respect of light
commercial vehicles and cars and so 100% of all finance deals
originated for such assets are broked-on. Excluding vehicle finance
origination, 53% of new business was funded on balance sheet and
47% broked-on, compared with 60% and 40% respectively in the prior
year illustrating the 'hybrid' operating model in action.
An operational synergy arising from being a multi-product
provider is the opportunity to originate deals from cross selling
among the various trading entities in the Group. Cross selling has
progressed steadily during the year and approximately GBP4.8m of
deals originated and written during the year were internally
generated.
Financial results
Total revenue for the year to 31 May 2019 was GBP31.8m, a purely
organic increase of 6% year-on year. Revenue comprises, firstly,
interest and other income (such as facility fees, document fees and
asset assurance income) of GBP25.4m from own-book lending (2018:
GBP24.8m), an increase of 2% and, secondly, commission income of
GBP6.4m from broking activities (2018: GBP5.2m), an increase of
23%. Interest and other income from lending therefore accounts for
80% and commission income from broking accounts for 20% of total
revenues.
The business enjoys good visibility of future revenue in that
'unearned income' (i.e. future revenue from own-book deals already
written on the Group's balance sheet) as at 31 May 2019 amounted to
GBP17.6m, which represents approximately 50% of market guidance for
total revenue in the current financial year ending 31 May 2020.
The Group's profit before tax and exceptional items for the year
ended 31 May 2019 was GBP8.1m (2018: GBP7.8m), an increase of 4%.
Profit before tax was GBP7.9m (2018: GBP7.9m), and profit after tax
was GBP6.4m (2018: GBP6.4m). At 31 May 2019, consolidated net
assets stood at GBP53.8m (2018: GBP47.7m), an increase of 13%. The
return on capital employed was therefore 12% (2018: 13%) and the
return on net tangible assets (excluding goodwill held in the
balance sheet) was 24% (2018: 32%).
As at 31 May 2019, there were 87,596,428 shares in issue (2018:
86,207,540). The increase during the year consisted of 1,388,888
shares issued in relation to earn-out arrangements for previous
acquisitions. Given this issue of shares, earnings per share were
7.30p (2018: 7.57p), and on a fully diluted basis were 6.61p (2018:
6.46p).
Lending portfolio performance
As at 31 May 2019, the lending portfolio, stated gross of
unearned interest income, was GBP141.7m compared with GBP143.9m in
the prior year, the decrease reflecting the increased proportion of
new deal origination brokered during the year.
During the year the Group recovered GBP0.7m from previously
fully written-off impaired receivables and incurred GBP1.3m of new
write-offs, resulting in net write-offs in the year of GBP0.6m,
representing 0.5% of the year-end portfolio and 1.9% of revenue
(2018: GBP1.4m, representing 1.0% of the year-end portfolio and
4.6% of revenue).
At year-end, the Group's balance sheet included GBP2.4m of bad
debt provision, representing 1.9% of the year-end net portfolio
(2018: GBP1.8m, representing 1.5% of the year-end portfolio). The
additional provision charged during the year amounted to GBP0.2m
with a GBP0.4m restatement to the prior year reflecting the
adoption of IFRS 9.
Borrowing facilities
The Group continues to be supported by a range of wholesale
funding facility providers and high net worth individual debt
providers, the vast majority of whom either renewed or increased
facilities during the year. Aggregate borrowing facilities as at 31
May 2019 were GBP167m, an increase of 2% over the prior year. The
blended cost of borrowing was maintained at approximately 4%.
Facilities in place provide sufficient headroom for the Group's
current requirements. Future organic growth plans are being
supported by an active initiative that will optimise the range of
borrowing facilities in respect of quantum, term, cost and
flexibility of use that will match the Group's multi-product
offering and spread of lending.
Transitional progress
As set out in more detail in the Chief Operating Officer's
report, the year to 31 May 2019 was one of substantial progress in
the on-going transition from a collection of individual companies
assembled in the buy-and-build phase of expansion, towards a more
integrated group. Central to this transition has been the evolution
of the four customer and operations focused product divisions,
Asset Finance, Vehicle Finance, Loan Finance and Invoice Finance,
supported by the development of the core business functions of
Risk, Finance, Compliance, Human Resources, IT and Marketing.
The evolution of the product divisions has coincided with a
number of the acquired entities reaching the end of their earn-out
periods and successfully achieving their targets, each validating
the initial decision to acquire. Reaching the end of earn-out
periods has provided and continues to provide opportunities for
promotion and management succession, further integration and
alignment. The Asset Finance division, for example, which
previously comprised three sites, now comprises two and is being
reorganised into origination channels, namely broker-introduced
business, vendor-introduced (sales-aid) business and direct
origination.
Successful integration into a group also creates the right
conditions and impetus for re-positioning the business in its
chosen markets. The Group's marketing efforts in the current
financial year will include a project to rebrand the business into
a single, nationally recognised business and operational
integration will include further IT improvements, systems
developments and digital capability enhancements under the
"Platform1" project, both at the customer interface and in
back-office processing.
Culture, compliance and governance
The Group's stated purpose; "to grow together" and our core
values; "flexible, fair, trusted and personal" form the basis of a
distinct emerging culture, which continues to develop as we
transition and mature. The business is customer outcome-led and
sets its compliance and governance standards for all its lending
and broking activities by reference to the principles and
guidelines of the Financial Conduct Authority and the codes of
conduct of relevant industry bodies. Further details are set out in
the Group Culture and Governance Report.
Strategic development
The success of Phase 1 of the Group's recent expansion,
underpinned by the financial results delivered and the transitional
changes now in progress, have given us the platform to set out our
plans for Phase 2 of our strategic growth through to the year 2024,
the details of which are set out in the Strategic Review. The next
phase of organic growth will consist of adhering to the core
principles and policies that form the foundations of our
sustainable, robust business model and then adding scale to each of
our product divisions in order to deliver further growth in profits
and returns.
Planned investment
Laying the foundations for further strategic growth requires
investment. This includes leadership, management capabilities and
experience. During the year ended 31 May 2019, investment was made
in senior management positions, including leadership of certain of
the Group's product divisions and core group functions and, as a
consequence, a full year's worth of related employment costs will
be incurred in the current financial year. In addition, the Board
has agreed to make further investments in sales and new business
personnel and, as noted, to reorganise its Asset Finance division
operations and to rationalise the Group into a single, nationally
recognised brand. The Group will also continue the upgrading of its
IT and communications systems to deliver online offerings, improve
processing times and make its infrastructure more robust, enabling
it to deliver future growth.
Additional costs will therefore be incurred in the financial
year ending 31 May 2020, some of which are non-recurring, but the
benefits will be derived in ensuing years. The Group's sound
funding position supports the investment required to deliver the
growth plan and enables these actions to be taken.
Summary
The results for the year ended 31 May 2019 demonstrate the
strength of our market position and multi-product offering,
together with a sustainable, robust operating model, risk and
provisioning policies. In current uncertain business conditions,
the Group is delighted to report year-on-year growth in new
business origination, revenue and underlying profits. Following a
successful strategic buy-and-build phase in recent years, the year
ended 31 May 2019 was one of organic growth and operational
transition with the foundations being laid for the next phase of
expansion through to 2024. We look forward with confidence to
further developing the Group and to building value for our
shareholders.
Ian Smith
Chief Executive Officer
25 September 2019
Group Strategic Report
For the year ended 31 May 2019
Strategic Objectives
The strategic objectives set out in Phase 1 of the Group's
buy-and-build expansion devised in 2014 were as follows:
-- to build scale through operating a model of distributed entities
-- to develop a multi-channel, multi-product offering for business lending to SMEs
-- to deploy a 'hybrid' model of being both a funder and a broker
-- to be appropriately geared with cost-effective wholesale funding facilities
-- to strictly adhere to cautious underwriting and robust credit control procedures
-- to be 'digitally capable'
These strategic objectives are complete with the exception of
the 'Platform1' digital capability and systems integration project,
which is on-going. The achievement of these objectives has
delivered the transformation of 1pm from a single-product company
relying on broker-introduced business, to a well-diversified and
risk-mitigated alternative finance provider, with multiple
introducer channels and now providing the full range of finance
products that smaller UK SMEs require.
During the financial year ended 31 May 2019, plans were
specified for Phase 2 of the Group's strategic growth for the
period through to the financial year ended 31 May 2024. In the next
phase of development, the Group's overall goal is to build on the
market position attained, adding scale in each of its product
divisions in order to become the non-bank, speciality finance
provider of choice for UK SME lending. To achieve this goal, the
Group's strategic objectives now are to:
-- Continue to add scale through both organic growth and
carefully selected acquisitions with a view to building a lending
portfolio of approximately GBP350m by 2024.
-- Continue to reduce the cost of borrowing through optimising
the size, term, cost and mix of funding facilities
-- Increase the amount of new business origination funded on
balance sheet while maintaining the flexibility to act as a broker
to other lenders
-- Invest in marketing, branding, business intelligence,
innovation and systems to further enhance our digital capability
and the use of 'FinTech'
-- Invest in key hires, training and succession
-- Exploit the leverage available to the Group from its
multi-product offering, cross selling and operational synergies
-- In due course, consider new products and additional territories for further expansion.
The Board is pleased with early progress in delivering these
objectives and comments on each as follows:
Adding scale:
The Board has agreed to invest in additional sales personnel in
each division and to organise the Asset Finance and Loans divisions
by introduction channel with a view to increasing organic new
business origination for all its products. In addition, as the
sectors in which the Group operates continue to be fragmented,
there are opportunities to add scale through carefully selected
acquisitions. The Board will continue to evaluate such
opportunities with a focus, at present, on smaller strategic
'bolt-on' acquisitions that would ideally be funded from cash
resources and applicable debt facilities.
Optimising borrowing facilities:
The Group's raw material is cash to lend and its cash management
objective is to maintain a strong capital base to support its
current operations and planned growth whilst continuing to reduce
the cost of capital in order to provide increasing returns for
shareholders. The total borrowing facilities now in place provide
the headroom the Group requires to meet organic growth targets for
the foreseeable future. The Group operates a centralised Treasury
function and a policy of sourcing different funding instruments
appropriate to each of the financial products it provides, as
follows:
-- In respect of Asset Finance, the Group is continuing to
increase its block discount facilities and to pursue complementary
credit instruments that will reduce the overall cost of
borrowing.
-- In respect of Loans, the Group utilises block discount
facilities and a Secured Loan Note facility, comprising loans from
high net worth individuals.
-- In respect of Invoice Finance, the Group utilises a
'back-to-back' bank facility for lending against customers'
receivables.
In each case, security is provided to each lender in the form of
an assignment of the underlying lease, loan or invoice receivables.
As the Group only provides funds to UK SMEs, it neither operates
in, nor has significant exposure to, currencies other than
sterling.
As at 31 May 2019, the Group's gearing ratio was 3.4 times its
net tangible assets (2018: 4.8 times) and 1.7 times its net assets
(2018: 2.0 times). This is considered appropriate for the nature of
business undertaken by the Group and is comfortably within the most
stringent own book funding covenants of 5.5 times net tangible
assets or 3.0 times net assets. The Group is not subject to any
external regulatory capital requirements.
Increase own-book lending whilst maintaining flexibility from
broking:
Lending on the Group's balance sheet is more profitable than
broking over the term of a lease, loan or invoice finance facility.
With increasing scale and the headroom in the Group's funding
facilities, more new business origination is being funded on
balance sheet and will continue to increase, provided market
conditions allow our pricing, margin and credit quality to be
maintained. It continues to be the Group's policy to broke-on
consumer finance deals, such as for bridging, and second charge
property loans and for all vehicle financing.
Investing in operational capability:
The Group has two key projects in progress, the first to
increase marketing activities and to rebrand each of the Group's
trading entities under one nationally recognised name and the
second to enhance digital capability under a continuation of the
Platform1 IT and Systems project. Progress on both projects is in
line with management expectations as to timing and costs.
Investing in key hires, training and succession:
The Board is pleased with the addition of skills, capabilities
and experience through key hires at Operating Board level and has
progressed, and is progressing, succession plans at certain of the
Group's subsidiary undertakings where acquisition earn-out
arrangements have come to a successful conclusion.
Exploiting leverage and synergies:
Related to the completion of earn-out arrangements and
reorganisation by introducer channel and group functions, progress
has been made in delivering synergies from integrating operations,
such as the reduction of three sites to two in the Asset Finance
division and the operation of the Risk function, including
Underwriting, Recoveries and Collections, on a group-wide basis.
New business origination from cross selling continues to increase
with a mix of both customer-facing and office-based personnel
identifying cross selling opportunities for follow-up.
New products and territories:
As the Group is in the early stages of its Phase 2 strategic
plan, new products and territories for further expansion are not
yet under consideration, although the Group has obtained
appropriate regulatory permissions for broking certain additional
consumer finance products to augment its organic growth
aspirations.
Key performance indicators:
The Board and senior management regularly review and monitor key
metrics in assessing the performance of the Group. Some of these
key metrics to help gauge the Group's meaningful progress are
detailed below.
Revenue - increased 6% to GBP31.8m (prior year GBP30.0m)
Profit Before Tax and Exceptional Items - increased 4% to
GBP8.1m (prior year GBP7.8m)
Diluted Earnings Per Share - increased 2% to 6.61p (prior year
6.46p)
New Business Origination - increased 13% to GBP161m (prior year
GBP143m)
Number of 'live' accounts - increased 9% to 21,100 (prior year
19,300)
Funding interest rate - reduced to a blended rate of 3.9% (prior
year 4.1%)
Principal risks and uncertainties:
'Principal risks' are defined as a risk or a combination of
risks that, given the Group's current position, could seriously
affect the performance, future prospects or reputation of the
Group. These risks could potentially materially threaten the
business model, performance, solvency or liquidity, or prevent the
delivery of the strategic objectives. The Board has overall
responsibility for ensuring that risk is appropriately managed
across the Group and, through the Risk Committee, has established
the Group's appetite to risk, approved its structure,
methodologies, policies, and management roles and
responsibilities.
As well as regular external reviews and audits from the Group's
statutory auditors and the quarterly audits from its various
funding partners, the Group has numerous internal checks and
balances. Initial responsibility rests with the Operating Board
which manages the business divisions and functions with line
managers responsible for identifying and managing risks arising in
their business areas. This is augmented by the Group's central and
independent compliance and finance functions with responsibility
for reporting to the Board. The Group has a Head of Risk who
reviews all significant Group credit exposures and a Head of
Compliance and Governance who reviews all significant Group
operating risks and adherence to regulatory requirements.
The key risks identified and which the Board has reasonable
expectation are appropriately mitigated are:
Credit Risk - the risk of default, potential write off,
disruption to cash flow and increased recovery costs on a debt that
is either not repaid individually or if there is a wider market
deterioration. This is mitigated by the Group adopting prescribed
lending policies and adhering to strict credit and underwriting
criteria specifically tailored to each business area. The Group
also has the ability to 'broke-on' business rather than write it on
its own book. As such, any market deterioration impact can be
reduced by broking-on prospective deals.
Funding Risk - the risk of the Group not being able to meet its
current and future financial obligations over time, specifically
that funding is not available to meet the Group's growth targets.
The Group has funding facilities across block discounting, the
Secured Loan Note programme and back-to-back invoice finance
facilities, aggregating to GBP167m with ample headroom to meet its
growth targets for the foreseeable future. The Board is also
actively engaged in securing additional facilities to enable it to
exploit any further future business opportunities.
Acquisition Risk - the risk that the Group's acquisition
programme does not deliver value, overstretches resource beyond its
capacity or has failed to identify problems within the acquired
businesses. The Group has paid appropriate consideration for its
acquired businesses with post synergy price-to-earnings multiples
expected to be in the range 5.5 to 6.5 times. It has also spent
considerable time and effort, and will continue to do so, to
bolster its central resources and infrastructure to assist in
integrating and generating synergies from the acquisitions.
Finally, the Group has conducted thorough and detailed internal and
external due diligence on all acquisitions, ensured appropriate
warranties, indemnities and lock-in periods are included in the
purchase agreements and has purchased well-established businesses
with successful and respected management teams.
Regulatory Risk - the risk of legal or regulatory action
resulting in fines, penalties and sanctions that could arise from
the Group's failure to identify and adhere to regulatory
requirements in the UK. In addition, there is the risk that new or
enhanced regulations could adversely impact the Group. The Group
has appointed a Head of Governance and Compliance, who reports to
the Board and who manages a well-established and independent
compliance department with appropriate resources and access to
external advisors. The department looks both internally at the
Group ensuring its practices are appropriate and externally at
future developments to ensure the Group is prepared to adopt any
changes in regulation as and when they arise.
Future Strategy:
The Group intends to maintain its focus on lending to UK SMEs,
providing all the key finance products they require, whilst
broking-on consumer business to other lenders. In pursuing organic
growth, the Group will aim to secure further cost-effective
wholesale borrowing facilities and will focus on driving other
economies of scale and integration benefits from the enlarged scope
of its operations and entities.
The alternative finance sector generally and in particular, the
leasing, loans and invoice finance segments in the UK, are
fragmented which presents opportunities for further acquisition
activity. The Board will continue to consider such opportunities as
they arise.
Summary:
The Board remains confident in maintaining its commitment to
provide a range of finance solutions to support the UK SME sector
and in its pursuit of controlled organic and strategic growth in
order to deliver increased shareholder value.
Ian Smith
Chief Executive Officer
25 September 2019
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
FOR THE YEARED 31 MAY 2019
2019 2018
GBP'000 GBP'000
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Revenue 31,814 30,013
Cost of sales (10,271) (10,118)
--------- ---------
GROSS PROFIT 21,543 19,895
Administrative expenses (13,292) (11,979)
Exceptional items (221) 254
Share-based payments (3) (204)
--------- ---------
OPERATING PROFIT 8,027 7,966
Finance costs (218) (179)
Finance income 67 63
--------- ---------
PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX 7,876 7,850
Adjusted earnings before interest,
tax
exceptional items and share-based
payments 8,100 7,800
Exceptional items (221) 254
Share-based payments (3) (204)
PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX 7,876 7,850
------------------------------------- --------- ---------
Income Tax (1,524) (1,448)
--------- ---------
PROFIT FOR THE YEAR 6,352 6,402
========= =========
Profit attributable to:
Owners of the parent 6,352 6,402
========= =========
Earnings Per Share expressed
in pence per share
Basic 7.30 7.57
========= =========
Diluted 6.61 6.46
========= =========
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
31 MAY 2019
2019 2018
GBP'000 GBP'000
ASSETS
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Goodwill 27,847 27,847
Intangible assets 493 465
Property, plant and equipment 1,418 1,612
Trade and other receivables 50,710 50,096
Deferred tax 945 568
-------- --------
81,413 80,588
-------- --------
CURRENT ASSETS
Inventories - 365
Trade and other receivables 74,432 75,577
Cash and cash equivalents 1,851 2,070
-------- --------
76,283 78,012
-------- --------
TOTAL ASSETS 157,696 158,600
======== ========
EQUITY
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Called up share capital 8,760 8,621
Share premium 25,134 24,721
Employee shares 298 295
Treasury shares (300) (300)
Retained earnings 19,888 14,342
-------- --------
TOTAL EQUITY 53,780 47,679
-------- --------
LIABILITIES
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables 29,805 33,256
Financial liabilities - borrowings 469 1,603
Provisions 801 1,903
-------- --------
31,075 36,762
-------- --------
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables 67,563 69,398
Financial liabilities - borrowings 3,278 2,625
Tax payable 1,309 918
Provisions 691 1,218
-------- --------
72,841 74,159
-------- --------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 103,916 110,921
-------- --------
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 157,696 158,600
======== ========
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEARED 31 MAY 2019
Called Retained Share Treasury Employee Total
up Share Earnings Premium Shares Shares Equity
Capital
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Balance at 1 June
2017 5,494 8,755 14,170 - 91 28,510
Total comprehensive
income - 6,402 - - - 6,402
Transactions with
owners
Cost of treasury shares - - - (300) - (300)
Dividends - (419) - - - -
Issue of share capital 3,127 - 10,551 - - 13,678
Value of employee
services - - - - 204 204
Balance at 31 May
2018 8,621 14,738 24,721 (300) 295 48,679
========== ========== ========= ========= ========= =========
Restated - IFRS 9
adoption - (396) - - - (396)
Total 8,621 14,342 24,721 (300) 295 47,679
========== ========== ========= ========= ========= =========
Total comprehensive
income - 6,352 - - - 6,352
Transactions with
owners
Cost of treasury shares - - - - - -
Dividends - (806) - - - (806)
Issue of share capital 139 - 413 - - 552
Value of employee
services - - - - 3 3
Balance at 31 May
2019 8,760 19,888 25,134 (300) 298 53,780
========== ========== ========= ========= ========= =========
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARED 31 MAY 2018
2019 2018
Cash generated from operations GBP'000 GBP'000
Profit before tax 7,876 7,850
Depreciation and amortisation
charges 778 571
Finance costs 218 179
Finance income (67) (63)
(Gain) on disposal of property
plant & equipment - (30)
Decrease/(Increase) in inventory 365 (230)
Decrease in trade and other receivables 531 2,854
(Decrease) in trade and other
payables (5,286) (9,854)
Movement in other non-cash items (1,131) (453)
-------- ---------
3,284 824
Cash flows from operating activities
Interest Paid (218) (179)
Tax paid (1,510) (1,612)
-------- ---------
Net cash from operating activities (1,556) (967)
-------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of subsidiaries - (9,879)
Purchase of software, property,
plant & equipment (778) (1,034)
Proceed from sale of fixed assets 0 278
Contingent consideration paid (533) -
Interest received 67 63
-------- ---------
Net cash from investing activities (1,244) (10,572)
-------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities
Loan repayments in year (1,237) (1,001)
Loans issued in year 756 300
Purchase of own shares in EBT - (300)
Proceeds from issue of share capital - 13,040
Transaction costs related to share
issue - (853)
Equity dividends paid (806) (419)
-------- ---------
Net cash from financing activities (1,287) 10,767
-------- ---------
(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (975) (772)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of year 1,306 2,078
-------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at the
end of the year 331 1,306
======== =========
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards ("IRFS") as adopted by
the European Union and International Reporting Interpretations
Committee ("IFRIC") interpretations and with those parts of the
Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical
cost convention.
2. SEGMENTAL REPORTING
The Group has one business segment to which all revenue,
expenditure, assets and liabilities relate. At present this is how
information is reported to senior management. The directors
regularly review the appropriateness of operating as one business
segment for statutory reporting purposes. In future, the Group may
report four distinct business units - Asset Finance, Loan Finance,
Invoice Finance and Vehicle Finance.
3. PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX
The profit before income tax is stated after charging:
2019 2018
GBP'000 GBP'000
Depreciation - owned assets 610 503
Amortisation - computer software 168 68
Net bad debt charge 553 1,513
Funding facility interest charges 4,457 4,031
Introducer commissions 3,767 3,383
Fees payable to the company's
auditor for audit of company's
subsidiaries 70 77
Fees payable to the company's
auditor for the company's annual
accounts 13 13
======== ========
4. DIVIDENDS
2019 2018
GBP'000 GBP'000
Ordinary shares GBP0.10 each
Final 561 419
Interim 245 -
================ =============
Total 806 419
================ =============
The company paid a final dividend of GBP560,348 being 0.65p per
Ordinary GBP0.10 share relating to the financial year ending 31 May
2018. For the year ending 31 May 2019, the company paid a maiden
interim dividend of GBP245,269 being 0.28p per Ordinary GBP0.10
share and, subject to shareholder approval at the Company's Annual
General Meeting on 6 November 2019, the directors are recommending
the payment of a final dividend of GBP498,318 (equivalent to 0.56p
per share). Taken together, the interim and this recommended final
dividend would equate to total dividends in relation to the year
ending 31 May 2019 of GBP743,587 (equivalent to 0.84p per
share).
5. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share is calculated by dividing the earnings
attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. For diluted
earnings per share, the weighted average number of shares is
adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary
shares.
2019
Weighted
average Per-share
Earnings number of amount
GBP'000 shares pence
Basic EPS
Earnings attributable to ordinary
shareholders 6,352 87,048,483 7.30
Effect of dilutive securities
Options and contingent consideration - 9,009,945 (0.68)
Diluted EPS
Adjusted earnings 6,352 96,058,428 6.61
========= =========== ==========
2018
Weighted
average Per-share
Earnings number of amount
GBP'000 shares pence
Basic EPS
Earnings attributable to ordinary
shareholders 6,402 84,600,672 7.57
Effect of dilutive securities
Options and contingent consideration - 14,485,055 (1.11)
Diluted EPS
Adjusted earnings 6,402 99,085,727 6.46
========= =========== ==========
6. PUBLICATION OF NON-STATUTORY ACCOUNTS
The financial information set out in this announcement does not
comprise the Group's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 May
2019 and 31 May 2018. The financial information has been extracted
from the statutory accounts of the Group for the years ended 31 May
2019 and 31 May 2018.
The auditors' opinion on those accounts was unmodified and did
not contain a statement under section 498 (1) or 498 (3) Companies
Act 2006 and did not include references to any matters to which the
auditor drew attention by the way of emphasis.
The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 May 2018 have been
delivered to the Registrar of Companies. Those for the year ended
31 May 2019 will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies
following the Company's Annual General Meeting.
7. ANNUAL REPORT AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual Report and Accounts will be available from the
Company's website, www.1pm.co.uk, from 25 September 2019 and will
be posted to shareholders on that date. The Annual Report contains
notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company which will be
held at The Apex City of Bath Hotel, James Street West, Bath BA1
2DA on 6 November 2019 at 10.00 a.m.
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
FR LZLLLKKFFBBF
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