NewStar Reports First Quarter Consolidated Net Income of $6.2 Million, or $0.12 Per Diluted Share

• New Loan Volume – New funded loan volume was $275 million, up $130 million or 90% from the first quarter of 2013.
• Net Interest Margin – Margin widened slightly to 3.50% for the fourth quarter from 3.41% due to increased interest income on higher average loan balances.
• Revenue – Risk-adjusted revenue¹ was up slightly from the prior quarter to $22.7 million as gains from the sale of equity interests retained in restructurings of impaired loans offset higher credit costs
• Credit Costs – Provision for credit losses increased $3.5 million from the prior quarter primarily due primarily to a $2.6 million charge on a previously impaired loan.
• Asset Quality – NPAs increased slightly to 3.8% of loans from 3.6% for the prior quarter as one new loan totaling $10.4 million was classified as non-accruing.
• Funding – Completed new term debt securitization totaling $348 million in April 2014.
• Stock Repurchase Program – On May 5, 2014, the Company authorized the repurchase of up to $20 million of the Company's common stock.

BOSTON, May 7, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewStar Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq:NEWS), a specialized commercial finance company, today reported consolidated net income of $6.2 million, or $0.12 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2014. Net income excluding the results of the Arlington Fund, a consolidated variable interest entity ("VIE"), was $6.0 million². These results compare to net income of $6.4 million, or $0.12 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2013 and $6.2 million, or $0.12 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2013. Operating income before income taxes was $9.4 million for the first quarter of 2014 consistent with the fourth quarter of 2013 and $10.4 million in the first quarter of 2013.

"I am pleased to report that we started the year with a solid quarter highlighted by strong loan demand and consistent earnings. Origination volume was up sharply from the same quarter last year driven largely by loan demand derived from increasing middle market M&A activity," said Tim Conway, NewStar's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Importantly, the quality of our current new business pipelines reflects a continuation of this positive trend into the second quarter and the pricing environment in our target markets remains relatively stable despite the excessive liquidity evident in the broader loan markets. As a result, we believe that middle market lending continues to offer the best relative value among credit investment options and NewStar is among only a few independent commercial lenders positioned to capitalize on it," he added.

Managed and Owned Loan Portfolios

• Total new funded loan volume was approximately $275 million in the first quarter compared to $331 million in the prior quarter (excluding the fourth quarter portfolio purchase from the NewStar Credit Opportunities Fund) and $145 million in the first quarter of the prior year. Higher volumes reflected increased demand for acquisition financing from financial sponsors compared to the same quarter in the prior year.
• Consolidated loans were relatively consistent with the prior quarter, but up 24% from the first quarter of 2013, reflecting strong new loan volume, as well as the consolidation of loans managed in the Arlington Fund.
• Excluding loans in the Arlington Fund, the owned loan portfolio remained at $2.2 billion when compared to the prior quarter, but was up 15% from the end of the first quarter of 2013.
• The Leveraged Finance loan portfolio, excluding loans in the Arlington Fund, were consistent with the fourth quarter of 2013 at $1.8 billion, while asset-based loans and leases in our Business Credit portfolio increased 1% to $240 million.   
• Assets managed for third party institutional investors, including the Arlington Fund, decreased to $215 million at March 31, 2014, reflecting expected runoff of assets from the NewStar Credit Opportunities Fund. 
• Asset-based lending and equipment finance business lines each originated approximately $12 million in the first quarter of 2014, or 10% of new loan volume retained on the balance sheet.
• The owned loan portfolio (excluding the Arlington Fund) remained balanced across industry sectors and highly diversified by issuer. As of March 31, 2014, no outstanding borrowings by a single obligor represented more than 1.4% of total loans outstanding, and the ten largest obligors comprised approximately 9.8% of the loan portfolio (excluding the Arlington Fund).

Arlington Fund

• Loans managed for the benefit of the Arlington Fund and consolidated into NewStar's results decreased to $165 million as of March 31, 2014 from $173 million as of December 31, 2013. At March 31, 2014, Loans held-for-sale included $26.8 million of loans intended to be sold to the Arlington Fund.  
• Borrowings under the Fund's warehouse credit facilities were approximately $115 million and the Fund's membership interests characterized as debt in accordance with GAAP were $30 million at March 31, 2014, both of which are consolidated into NewStar's results.
• The net results (after-tax) of the Fund included in NewStar's financial statements as a consolidated VIE were $0.7 million in the first quarter, or approximately $0.01 per share, up from $0.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. 

Net Interest Income / Margin

• Net interest income increased to $21.8 million for the first quarter of 2014 compared to $21.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 and $21.0 million in the first quarter of 2013. 
• The portfolio yield decreased to 6.18% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to 6.37% in the prior quarter, and 6.50% in the first quarter of 2013, reflecting the impact of lower yields on new loan volume and repricings.  
• Net interest margin widened to 3.50% for the first quarter of 2014 compared to 3.41% for the fourth quarter of 2013 as interest income increased $1.1 million from the fourth quarter on higher average loan balances and interest expense increased $0.4 million. The increase in interest expense reflected higher average borrowings due primarily to the completion of a new term debt securitization and advances under warehouse lines, as well as, the consolidation of the Arlington Fund's debt.

Non-Interest Income

• Non-interest income was $6.7 million for the first quarter of 2014, up from $3.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, and $3.1 million for the first quarter of 2013. The change from the fourth quarter was due primarily to gains totaling $6.5 million recognized from the sale of equity retained in prior debt restructurings, which were partially offset by a $1.6 million loss recognized through equity method of accounting for interests in impaired borrowers. 
• Other non-interest income in the first quarter of 2014 consisted primarily of $0.4 million of unused fees on revolving credit commitments, $0.4 million of amendment and exit fees, and $0.3 million of fees generated by Business Credit. It also included approximately $0.7 million of revenue related to OREO currently being managed by the Company, which was offset by related OREO costs included in general and administrative expenses.   

Expenses

• Operating expenses remained consistent at $12.2 million in the first quarter of 2014 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2013.
• Operating expenses excluding non-cash equity compensation³ were $11.5 million in the first quarter and in the fourth quarter of 2013, or 1.8% of average assets on an annualized basis for each period.
• The efficiency ratio excluding non-cash equity compensation⁴ in the first quarter of 2014 was 40.39% compared to 46.15% in the prior quarter.
• The Company had 98 full-time employees as of March 31, 2014 compared to 101 at December 31, 2013.

Income Taxes

• Deferred income taxes decreased to $27.6 million as of March 31, 2014 compared to $30.2 million as of December 31, 2013 due primarily to a charge-offs in the first quarter of 2014, as well as the related timing differences between when credit costs are recognized according to GAAP and when they are recognized for income tax.
• Approximately $19.5 million and $8.6 million of the deferred tax asset as of March 31, 2014 were related to our allowance for credit losses and equity compensation, respectively.

Loan Credit Quality

• Total credit costs (including provision for credit losses and losses on OREO or interests retained in connection with workouts of impaired loans) in the fourth quarter of 2013 increased by $3.5 million to $5.8 million from $2.3 million in the prior quarter primarily due to a $2.6 million specific provision on a previously impaired loan. 
• Specific provision expense was approximately $4.1 million in the first quarter of 2014, up from $1.8 million in the prior quarter. 
• The allowance for credit losses was $39.6 million, or 1.72% of consolidated loans and approximately 52% of NPLs, at March 31, 2014, compared to $41.9 million, or 1.80% of loans and approximately 59% of NPLs, at December 31, 2013. 
• Non-performing assets increased by $5.8 million, or 7%, from the prior quarter as one legacy impaired loan totaling approximately $10.4 million was placed on non-accrual. Net charge-offs on non-performing assets totaled $5.5 million in the quarter. Total charge-offs were $8.0 million.
• At March 31, 2014, loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $76.6 million (net of charge-offs), or 3.33% of consolidated loans, were on non-accrual status compared to loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $70.7 million (net of charge-offs), or 3.04% of loans at December 31, 2013. Non-performing assets, net of charge-offs, specific reserves and other adjustments were $90.0 million, or 3.82% of consolidated loans as of March 31, 2014.

Funding and Capital

• Total cash and equivalents as of March 31, 2014 were $133.4 million, of which $24.1 million was unrestricted. Unrestricted cash decreased from approximately $43.4 million at December 31, 2013 due primarily to continued investment in new loan origination. Restricted cash decreased from approximately $167.9 million to $103.6 (excluding cash at the Arlington Fund) million due primarily to timing differences in settlement dates of CLO trusts and other non-recourse, secured financing arrangements. Restricted cash at the Arlington Fund totaled $5.7 million.
• Advances under credit facilities decreased by approximately $37 million. A credit facility provided by Wells Fargo used to fund asset based lending activity was amended during the quarter to increase the commitment amount by $25.0 million to $100.0 million.
• Term debt decreased by approximately $34 million at March 31, 2014 due primarily to run-off of loans held in CLO trusts that were completed during 2006 and 2007. The corporate credit facility was amended during the first quarter to increase the commitment and the amount borrowed by $28.5 million to $228.5 million.
• Completed eighth term debt securitization totaling $348.4 million in April 2014. All floating rate notes were priced at par to yield a weighted average spread of approximately Libor plus 232 bps. Placed various classes of rated notes totaling approximately $290 million with investors, which represented an advance rate of approximately 83% of CLO assets. 
• Total debt decreased by approximately $81.4 million to $1,881.4 million at March 31, 2014, which led to a decrease in balance sheet leverage to 3.0x from 3.2x at December 31, 2013. The decrease was due primarily to run-off of loans held in CLOs completed in 2006 and 2007 and lower advances under the asset-based lending credit facilities with Wells Fargo and DZ Bank.    

Equity

• On May 5, 2014, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $20 million of the company's common stock from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and amount of any shares purchased will be determined by the company's management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. The repurchase program, which will expire on April 30, 2015 unless extended by the Board of Directors, may be suspended or discontinued at any time without notice.
• Book value per share was $12.76 at the end of the first quarter of 2014, up $0.10 from $12.66 at the end of the prior quarter and up $0.57 from $12.19 at the end of the first quarter of 2013 primarily due to net income, the amortization of equity compensation into stockholders' equity and an increase in the value of investments in debt securities.
• Average diluted shares outstanding were 52.8 million shares for the quarter, which was down slightly from 53.0 million shares for the prior quarter. Total outstanding shares at March 31, 2014 were 48.9 million, up slightly from 48.7 million at December 31, 2013.

Conference Call and Webcast

NewStar will host a webcast/conference call to discuss the results today at 10:00 am Eastern Time. All interested parties are invited to participate via telephone or webcast, which will be hosted through the Investor Relations section at www.newstarfin.com. Please visit the website to register for the webcast and test your connection prior to the call. You can also access the conference call by dialing 877-755-7419 approximately 5-10 minutes prior to the call. International callers should dial 973-200-3080. All callers should reference "NewStar Financial."   

For convenience, an archived replay of the call will be available through May 14, 2014 by dialing 855-859-2056. International callers should call 404-537-3406. For all replays, please use the passcode 34850441. The audio replay will also be available through the Investor Relations section at www.newstarfin.com.  

About NewStar Financial

NewStar Financial Inc. (Nasdaq:NEWS) is a specialized commercial finance company focused on meeting the complex financing needs of companies and private investors in the middle market. The Company specializes in providing senior secured debt financing options to mid-sized companies to fund working capital, growth strategies, acquisition and recapitalization, as well as, equipment purchases. NewStar originates loans and leases directly through a team of experienced, senior bankers and marketing officers organized around key industry and market segments. The Company targets 'hold' positions of up to $35 million and selectively underwrites or arranges larger transactions for syndication to other lenders.

NewStar is headquartered in Boston MA and has regional offices in Darien CT, Atlanta GA, Chicago IL, Dallas TX, Los Angeles CA, New York, NY, Portland OR and San Francisco CA. For more detailed information, please visit our website at www.newstarfin.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding NewStar's intention to repurchase shares of its common stock from time to time under a stock repurchase program. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, strategic plans, the market price for NewStar's stock prevailing from time to time, the nature of other investment opportunities presented to NewStar from time to time, objectives, future performance, financing plans and business. As such, they are subject to material risks and uncertainties, including our limited operating history; the general state of the economy; our ability to compete effectively in a highly competitive industry; and the impact of federal, state and local laws and regulations that govern non-depository commercial lenders and businesses generally.

More detailed information about these risk factors can be found in NewStar's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including Item 1A ("Risk Factors") of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by the Risk Factors contained in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q. NewStar is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. NewStar plans to file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 with the SEC on or before May 12, 2014 and urges its shareholders to refer to that document for more complete information concerning NewStar's financial results.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Net income excluding the Arlington Fund ("Managed VIEs") is a non‑GAAP performance measure that we use to assess our business without giving effect to the consolidation of the Arlington Fund. Although, we consolidate all of the assets and liabilities of the Arlington Fund in accordance with GAAP, our maximum exposure to loss is limited to our investments in membership interests in Arlington Fund as well as our loan receivable and any accrued management fees receivable by us from the Arlington Fund. Since these items that define our economic relationship with Arlington Fund are eliminated upon consolidation, management uses net income excluding managed VIEs to assess its core economic performance. In addition, we manage the assets of the Arlington Fund solely for the benefit of its investors and lenders. If we were to liquidate, the assets of the Arlington Fund would not be available to our general creditors, and as a result, we do not consider the assets of the Arlington Fund to be part our assets.   Conversely, the investors in the debt of Arlington Fund have no recourse to our general assets. Therefore, the Arlington Fund's debt is not considered the Company's obligation.

References to "risk-adjusted revenue" mean the sum of net interest income after provision for credit losses as determined under GAAP and non-interest income as determined under GAAP. NewStar management uses "risk adjusted revenue" to make operational and investment decisions, and NewStar believes that it provides useful information to investors in their evaluation of our financial performance and condition. A calculation of risk-adjusted revenue is included on page 10 of this release. 

References to "operating expenses, excluding non-cash equity compensation" mean operating expenses as determined under GAAP, excluding compensation expense related to restricted stock grants and option grants.  GAAP requires that these items be included in operating expenses. NewStar management uses "operating expenses, excluding non-cash equity compensation" to make operational and investment decisions, and NewStar believes that they provide useful information to investors in their evaluation of our financial performance and condition. Excluding the financial results and expenses incurred in connection with the compensation expense related to restricted stock grants and option grants eliminates unique amounts that make it difficult to assess our core performance and compare our period‑over‑period results. A reconciliation of operating expenses, excluding non-cash equity compensation to operating expenses is included on page 10 of this release. 

¹ Risk-adjusted revenue is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this press release and page 10 for reconciliation to GAAP net income.

²  Net Income excluding the results of the new Arlington Fund is a non-GAAP measure. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this press release and page 10 for reconciliation to GAAP net income.

³ Operating expenses excluding non-cash equity compensation is a non-GAAP measure. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this press release and page 10 for reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measurements.

⁴ Efficiency ratio excluding non-cash equity compensation is a non-GAAP measure. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this press release and page 10 for reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measurements.