Earnings Release • Feb 23, 2024
Earnings Release
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| Informazione Regolamentata n. 1693-4-2024 |
Data/Ora Inizio Diffusione 23 Febbraio 2024 19:24:56 |
Euronext Star Milan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Societa' | : | GENERALFINANCE S.p.A. | |
| Identificativo Informazione Regolamentata |
: | 186538 | |
| Utenza - Referente | : GENERALFINANCEN01 - Saviolo |
||
| Tipologia | : | 1.1 | |
| Data/Ora Ricezione | : | 23 Febbraio 2024 19:24:56 | |
| Data/Ora Inizio Diffusione | : | 23 Febbraio 2024 19:24:56 | |
| Oggetto | : | Results as at 31 december 2023 approved, 41st year since establishment. |
|
| Testo del comunicato |
Vedi allegato
The excellent credit quality was confirmed: gross NPE ratio2 at 0.6% and cost of risk3 at 6 basis points, also following the application of the new method for calculating past due loans in relation to the "New DoD"
Roughly 80% of advances covered by insurance guarantee, through the long-established strategic partnership with Allianz Trade, a global leader in credit insurance.
Milan, 23 February 2024. The Board of Directors of Generalfinance – meeting under the chairmanship of Maurizio Dallocchio – approved the draft financial statements for 2023, which show a net profit of €15.1 million, a significant increase (+38%) compared to 2022, and shareholders' equity of €66.4 million.
Massimo Gianolli, Chief Executive Officer of Generalfinance, declared: "2023 was a very important year of confirmation. The first year post-listing saw us replicate strong growth in commercial, equity and income aggregates, in line with the targets communicated to the market.
From a commercial standpoint, during the year we registered strong growth in the flow of disbursements, exceeding €2.2 billion, +29% compared to 2022, with net profit up by 38%, thus confirming the constant
1 Turnover including operations involving advances on future receivables
2 Gross non-performing loans divided by gross loans to customers
3 Net value adjustments on loans divided by annual disbursement
4 Operating costs – net of non-recurring expenses – divided by net interest and other banking income
5 Net profit divided by equity minus net profit
growth trend, in a liquidity shortage scenario for companies that are distressed or with low ratings – our target customers – which have limited access to bank credit.
We have become a major player in the distressed business loan market, further consolidating our credibility and track record during the year.
The credit for these results goes to the entire team and to the stakeholders of Generalfinance, whom I sincerely thank."
| Income for: | Year 2023 | Year 2022 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interest margin | 8,980 | 7,267 | 24% |
| Net fee and commission income | 27,219 | 23,596 | 15% |
| Net interest and other banking income | 36,199 | 30,865 | 17% |
| Operating costs | -12,934 | -13,188 | -2% |
| Pre-tax profit from current operations | 22,002 | 16,470 | 34% |
| Profit for the year | 15,067 | 10,885 | 38% |
| Balance sheet item | Year 2023 | Year 2022 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial assets measured at amortised cost | 462,365 | 385,434 | 20% |
| Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost | 409,388 | 368,388 | 11% |
| Shareholders' equity | 66,433 | 56,775 | 17% |
| Total assets | 500,043 | 443,815 | 13% |
| Indicator | Year 2023 | Year 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost/Income ratio | 36% | 43% | |
| ROE | 29% | 24% | |
| Net interest income/Net interest and other | 25% | 24% | |
| banking income | |||
| Net fee and commission income/Net interest | 75% | 76% | |
| and other banking income |
Net interest income amounted to €9.0 million, up (+24%) compared to 2022, mainly due to the growth in loans disbursed; the increase in market rates (3-month EURIBOR) led to a simultaneous rise in interest expense and interest income for the variable rate loans and advances component, which account for the bulk of liabilities and assets. However, due to the different timing of the adjustment of interest rates on liabilities and assets, the sudden rise in market rates – despite the balance between variable rate assets and liabilities – resulted in a negative effect ("basis risk") in 2023 on net interest income.
Net fee and commission income amounted to €27.2 million, up compared to €23.6 million in 2022 (+15%). The trend in fee and commission income was affected by the highly positive trend in turnover (+27% year on year), reflecting the excellent commercial and operating performance of the Company during the year.
Net interest and other banking income amounted to €36.2 million (+17%), while net value adjustments on loans amounted to €1.3 million, determining a cost of risk, calculated by correlating the adjustments with the annual disbursement, equal to 6 basis points.
Operating costs amounted to €12.9 million (-2% compared to 2022, the year in which the extraordinary costs related to the IPO transaction completed in June were incurred). At the end of the year, Generalfinance had 71 employees, compared to 63 at the end of 2022.
Taking into account the tax item of approximately €6.9 million, the net result for the year was approximately €15.1 million, compared to €10.9 million recorded in 2022.
Financial assets measured at amortised cost – represented largely by net loans to customers – stood at €462 million, up by 20% compared to 31 December 2022, due mainly to the increase in the flow of loans disbursed, which rose from €1,674 million in 2022 to €2,161 million in 2023 (+29%). The overall disbursement percentage (average between "with recourse" and "without recourse") – ratio of the amount disbursed to turnover in the year – increased from 83% in 2022 to 84% in 2023; the DSO (Days Sales Outstanding) decreased from 75 in 2022 to 69 in 2023, reflecting the extremely low asset duration profile.
Within the aggregate, gross non-performing loans totalled €2.8 million, with a gross NPE ratio of approximately 0.6%, compared to 0.35% in 2022. The coverage of non-performing loans stood at around 32%.
In this regard, it should be noted that, during the inspection by the Bank of Italy and, consequently, as part of the sanctioning proceedings initiated referred to below, the Supervisory Authority challenged the Company's mechanism for the calculation of past-due loans on the basis of the new definition of "default" – "New DoD" – pursuant to art. 178 of Regulation (EU) no. 575/2013 ("CRR"), which entered into force on 1 January 2021, deeming it non-compliant with the reference regulations.
In this regard, as part of its counter-arguments, the Company formulated a series of considerations by taking into account, on the one hand, the numerous interpretative doubts that the new definition of default has raised among market operators and, on the other, the specific nature of the Company's business. In fact, Generalfinance finances companies through the purchase of trade – and non-financial – receivables that originate from transactions between companies and which are normally characterised, owing to their very nature, by more flexible payment times and possible disputes that may impact the timing of collections.
However, the Supervisory Authority did not agree with these considerations and clarified its position on the criteria for calculating past-due positions, specifying that "the relative relevance threshold of past due receivables [must] be calculated by placing the value of the amount of the advances for trade receivables in the denominator of the ratio, rather than the total nominal receivables (including the portion not paid in advance)".
Consequently, the Company adjusted the mechanism for calculating past-due receivables with recourse by referring to the ratio between past-due exposures (invoices) and the total exposure on the Transferor. The credit position is now classified as "default" when, on the basis of this new calculation mechanism, the pastdue amount exceeds the absolute materiality threshold (€100 or €500 depending on the counterparty) or relative materiality threshold (1%) for 90 consecutive days. This new methodology was applied to the portfolio on 31 December 2023, with a retroactive calculation starting from 1 October 2023.
Despite the aforementioned change in methodology, in Q4 2023 there was no significant impact deriving from the application of the "New DoD", thanks to a proactive collection activity and specific management of relations with some transferor customers. Moreover, past-due amounts may be subject to greater volatility in the future due to the more stringent methodology introduced.
Cash and cash equivalents – largely represented by sight deposits with banks – amounted to €21.6 million, confirming the prudent liquidity management profile, while total balance sheet assets amounted to €500.0 million, compared to €443.8 million at the end of 2022.
Property, plant and equipment – operating properties and rights of use relating to property and operating assets – amounted to €5,0 million, in line with the amount of the previous year. Intangible assets – mainly represented by the proprietary IT platform – amounted to €2.6 million, compared to €2 million in 2022.
Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost, equal to €409.4 million, are made up of payables of €376.8 million and securities issued of €32.6 million.
Payables are mainly represented by the RCF pool loan stipulated in January (€174.3 million) with some Italian banks, in addition to the other bilateral lines with banks and factoring companies. In addition, the item includes the payable to the vehicle (€166.0 million) related to the securitisation transaction in progress.
The securities consist of two subordinated bonds issued, in addition to the outstanding commercial paper issued at the reporting date.
Generalfinance was subject to inspections by the Bank of Italy in the period 3 October - 30 December 2022, pursuant to art. 108 of the Consolidated Law on Banking. On 30 March 2023, the Supervisory Authority formalised the results of the inspection to the Company, as well as the initiation of two sanctioning proceedings regarding anti-money laundering, on the one hand, and the reporting of cases of default, large risks and internal control functions, on the other, in respect of which Generalfinance presented its counterarguments in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
Therefore, on 29 December 2023, the Supervisory Authority notified Generalfinance of two separate sanction proposals, then confirmed on 22 February 2024, which refer to the following irregularities challenged by the Bank of Italy:
in both cases, the sanction is equal to the minimum legal requirement (€30,000 each). These sums have been fully allocated in the 2023 financial statements.
With reference to the information provided by ESMA in the public statement "Implications of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on half-yearly financial reports" on 14 March 2022 and the CONSOB communication of
19 March 2022 "Conflict in Ukraine: CONSOB warnings for supervised issuers on financial reporting and on the obligations related to compliance with the restrictions imposed by the European Union on Russia, as well as on the obligations of managers of online portals", in the context of the constant monitoring of its loan portfolio the Company has paid particular attention, on the geopolitical front, to the developments of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which resulted in the invasion by Russia of the Ukrainian territory on 24 February 2022 and in the imposition of economic sanctions by the European Union, Switzerland, Japan, Australia and NATO countries on both Russia and Belarus and some representatives of these countries; the conflict and sanctions have had, since February 2022, significant negative repercussions on the global economy, also taking into account the negative effects on the trend in raw material costs (with particular reference to the prices and availability of electricity and gas), as well as on the performance of the financial markets.
In said context, it should be stressed that Generalfinance has zero direct presence in the Russian/Ukrainian/Belarusian market (areas directly impacted by the conflict), since the Company has factoring relations solely with transferors active in Italy. As at 31 December 2023, Generalfinance did not have any exposures to Transferred Debtors based in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Generalfinance has suspended the credit lines relating to Transferred Debtors operating in the countries directly involved in the conflict.
Shareholders' equity as at 31 December 2023 amounted to €66.4 million, compared to €56.8 million as at 31 December 2022.
The capital ratios of Generalfinance – also including pro-forma profit for the fourth quarter of 2023 – show the following values:
The ratios are well above the minimum regulatory values set forth in Bank of Italy Circular 288.
As of today's date, no significant events occurred after the end of the year.
The positive trend in commercial activity recorded in 2023 – trend in turnover, loans disbursed and the customer base – and the favourable reference context for Generalfinance's activities allows us to look at the Company's economic and financial performance in 2024 with optimism. In fact, the Company expects further growth in profits compared to those achieved in 2023 and in line with the objectives defined in the Strategic Plan.
The Board of Directors – taking into account the need to continuously strengthen the capital ratios in line with the long-term strategic objectives – proposes to allocate the net profit for the year as follows:
the TUF, at the end of the accounting day of 16 April (record date); the payment will be made from 17 April through the authorised intermediaries with whom the shares are registered in the Monte Titoli System. Based on the share price as at February 22, the dividend yield of the share is 6.1%. The total dividend therefore amounts to € 7,454,688.940.
***
Finally, it should be noted that, at the meeting of 21 February 2023, pursuant to recommendation 9 of the Corporate Governance Code, the Board of Statutory Auditors periodically verified the independence requirements of its members and conducted the periodic self-assessment of the body with regard to the continued possession of the requirements envisaged for its members as well as with regard to the correctness and effectiveness of its functioning. As a result of the checks carried out, it emerged that the Board of Statutory Auditors meets the requirements of integrity and independence envisaged by art. 2, rec. 7, of the Corporate Governance Code and the professionalism requirements envisaged for the assumption of the office as well as the correctness and effectiveness of its functioning.
***
Mr Ugo Colombo, as Financial reporting manager, hereby states that, pursuant to art.154-bis, paragraph 2 of the TUF (Consolidated Law on Finance), the accounting information contained in this press release corresponds to the documentary results, the books and the accounting records.
***
Generalfinance's results as at 31 December 2023 will be presented to the financial community in a conference call set for 26 February 2024 at 10.00 (C.E.T.). A set of slides supporting the presentation will be available by the same day, before the start of the conference call, on the homepage of the corporate website www.generalfinance.it or at the link https://investors.generalfinance.it/en/financial-reportsandpresentations/.
The conference call will be conducted in Italian and in English.
The Financial Statements as at 31 December 2023 will be made available to the public, according to law, at the company's registered office and at Borsa Italiana, as well as on the website www.generalfinance.it and on the website of the authorised storage mechanism .
***
Founded in 1982 and led by Massimo Gianolli for over 30 years, Generalfinance is a supervised financial intermediary specialised in factoring, able to guarantee rapid and customised interventions according to the different needs of its customers. Operating from its two offices in Milan and Biella with a team of roughly 60 professionals, Generalfinance is a leader in the segment of factoring for distressed companies.
Chief Financial Officer – Investor Relations Ugo Colombo | [email protected] |+39 3355761968
CDR Communication Vincenza Colucci | [email protected] |+39 3356909547 Simone Concetti | [email protected] |+39 3346132553
CDR Communication Angelo Brunello | [email protected] |+39 3292117752
| Asset items | 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10. | Cash and cash equivalents | 21,640,716 | 43,725,230 |
| 20. | Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss | 22,974 | 20,300 |
| c) other financial assets mandatorily measured at fair value | 22,974 | 20,300 | |
| 40. | Financial assets measured at amortised cost | 462,365,495 | 385,434,057 |
| a) loans to banks | 65,750 | 0 | |
| b) receivables from financial companies | 200,017 | 0 | |
| c) loans to customers | 462,099,728 | 385,434,057 | |
| 70. | Equity investments | 12,500 | 0 |
| 80. | Property, plant and equipment | 4,993,230 | 4,865,994 |
| 90. | Intangible assets | 2,603,700 | 2,047,798 |
| - of which goodwill |
0 | 0 | |
| 100. | Tax assets | 5,677,911 | 4,572,048 |
| a) current | 5,120,420 | 4,148,970 | |
| b) deferred | 557,491 | 423,078 | |
| 120. | Other assets | 2,726,576 | 3,149,078 |
| Total assets | 500,043,102 | 443,814,505 |
| Liabilities and shareholders' equity items | 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10. | Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost | 409,388,039 | 368,388,464 |
| a) payables | 376,750,770 | 331,170,709 | |
| b) securities issued | 32,637,269 | 37,217,755 | |
| 60. | Tax liabilities | 7,125,134 | 4,927,373 |
| a) current | 7,077,869 | 4,880,108 | |
| b) deferred | 47,265 | 47,265 | |
| 80. | Other liabilities | 14,037,517 | 11,585,712 |
| 90. | Employee severance indemnity | 1,471,156 | 1,316,956 |
| 100. | Provisions for risks and charges | 1,587,887 | 821,254 |
| b) pension and similar obligations | 164,705 | 142,487 | |
| c) other provisions for risks and charges | 1,423,182 | 678,767 | |
| 110. | Share capital | 4,202,329 | 4,202,329 |
| 140. | Share premium reserve | 25,419,745 | 25,419,745 |
| 150. | Reserves | 21,624,119 | 16,171,811 |
| 160. | Valuation reserves | 119,783 | 95,474 |
| 170. | Profit (loss) for the year | 15,067,393 | 10,885,387 |
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | 500,043,102 | 443,814,505 |
(values in Euro)
| Items | 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10. | Interest income and similar income | 30,591,811 | 14,013,202 |
| of which: interest income calculated using the effective interest method |
30,591,811 | 14,013,202 | |
| 20. | Interest expense and similar charges | (21,612,119) | (6,745,881) |
| 30. | Net interest income | 8,979,692 | 7,267,321 |
| 40. | Fee and commission income | 31,709,532 | 27,426,186 |
| 50. | Fee and commission expense | (4,490,201) | (3,829,758) |
| 60. | Net fee and commission income | 27,219,331 | 23,596,428 |
| 70. | Dividends and similar income | 0 | 584 |
| 80. | Net profit (loss) from trading | 622 | (299) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110. | Net result of other financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss |
(150) | 857 |
| b) other financial assets mandatorily measured at fair value | (150) | 857 | |
| 120. | Net interest and other banking income | 36,199,495 | 30,864,891 |
| 130. | Net value adjustments/write-backs for credit risk of: | (1,264,087) | (1,206,562) |
| a) financial assets measured at amortised cost | (1,264,087) | (1,206,562) | |
| 150. | Net profit (loss) from financial management | 34,935,408 | 29,658,329 |
| 160. | Administrative expenses | (13,853,626) | (13,044,192) |
| a) personnel expenses | (7,196,181) | (6,748,499) | |
| b) other administrative expenses | (6,657,445) | (6,295,693) | |
| 170. | Net provisions for risks and charges | (82,218) | (24,035) |
| b) other net provisions | (82,218) | (24,035) | |
| 180. | Net value adjustments/write-backs on property, plant and equipment | (801,884) | (737,841) |
| 190. | Net value adjustments/write-backs on intangible assets | (442,855) | (335,855) |
| 200. | Other operating income and expenses | 2,246,804 | 953,950 |
| 210. | Operating costs | (12,933,779) | (13,187,973) |
| 260. | Pre-tax profit (loss) from current operations | 22,001,629 | 16,470,356 |
| 270. | Income taxes for the year on current operations | (6,934,236) | (5,584,969) |
| 280. | Profit (loss) from current operations after tax | 15,067,393 | 10,885,387 |
| 300. | Profit (loss) for the year | 15,067,393 | 10,885,387 |
| Fine Comunicato n.1693-4-2024 | Numero di Pagine: 11 |
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