Cass Information Systems reports Second Quarter 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Cass Information Systems (Nasdaq: CASS) reported Q2 2024 earnings of $0.32 per diluted share, down from $0.52 in Q2 2023. Net income was $4.5 million, compared to $7.1 million in Q2 2023. Key highlights:

• Facility expense transaction volumes increased 25.1%
• Processing fee growth of 8.9%
• Transportation dollar volumes decreased 6.5% to $9.1 billion
• Net interest income decreased 0.5%
• Provision for credit losses of $400,000

The company faced challenges including the loss of over $100 million in non-interest bearing funding due to a client's cyber event and $3.4 million in one-time expenses. However, Cass successfully onboarded new facility clients and launched new initiatives in transportation and waste management.

Positive

• Facility expense transaction volumes increased by 25.1% year-over-year
• Processing fees grew by 8.9% compared to Q2 2023
• Net interest margin improved to 3.32% from 3.25% in Q2 2023
• Loans increased by $25.0 million (2.4%) compared to March 31, 2024
• Maintained exceptional credit quality with no non-performing loans or charge-offs

Negative

• Earnings per diluted share decreased to $0.32 from $0.52 in Q2 2023
• Net income declined to $4.5 million from $7.1 million in Q2 2023
• Transportation dollar volumes decreased by 6.5% year-over-year
• Financial fees decreased by $1.0 million (8.9%) due to decline in transportation dollar volumes
• Loss of over $100 million in non-interest bearing funding due to a client's cyber event
• Incurred $3.4 million in one-time expenses

Insights

Financial Analyst

Net income for Cass Information Systems significantly dropped to $4.5 million in Q2 2024 from $7.1 million in Q2 2023. This translates to a decrease in earnings per share (EPS) to $0.32 per diluted share, compared to $0.52 previously. The decline suggests that the company's profitability is under pressure, likely due to a combination of operational challenges and a cyber event that resulted in the loss of over $100 million of non-interest-bearing funding.

The return on average equity (ROE) at 8.01% and return on average assets (ROA) at 0.78% reflect a weaker performance compared to industry benchmarks. Investors might be concerned about the sustainability of these returns given the recent setbacks.

Processing fee growth of 8.9% is a positive sign, showing that there is still demand for Cass's services. However, a decrease in transportation dollar volumes by 6.5% and a corresponding drop in financial fees by an equal percentage is worrying. These declines could be tied to external factors such as the ongoing freight recession.

Overall, while there are some bright spots in the performance figures, the significant drop in net income and EPS, combined with increased expenses and operational challenges, indicate that the company is struggling to maintain its previous levels of profitability. Investors should keep a close eye on how the company manages these issues moving forward.

Market Research Analyst

The transportation and facility expense volumes provide important insights into Cass's core operations. While facility expense dollar volumes increased by 10.1%, transportation dollar volumes decreased by 6.5%. The increase in facility volumes is promising and reflects successful onboarding of new clients.

However, the decrease in transportation volumes is indicative of macroeconomic challenges, such as the freight recession. This downturn also negatively impacts financial fees, highlighting the interconnected nature of Cass's revenue streams. The launch of new solutions like their working capital solution for shippers and carriers may help mitigate these declines, but the impact will need to be closely monitored.

The company's strategy to focus on signed client implementations and convert pipeline opportunities into signed deals is a positive move. It shows a proactive approach to drive revenue growth despite current challenges. The partnership with FreightWaves SONAR for supply chain intelligence further enhances Cass's service offerings, potentially bolstering their market position.

In essence, while the company faces certain operational challenges, its strategic initiatives and new partnerships could provide avenues for recovery and growth. Investors should watch how effectively these strategies are executed in the coming quarters.

Industry Expert

Cass's performance in the financial fees and net interest income segments provides a deep dive into the company's revenue generation mechanisms. The decrease in financial fees by 8.9% ties back to the transportation segment's woes, showcasing the critical role this sector plays in Cass's overall financial health.

The loss of $100 million due to a cyber event is a significant blow and highlights the vulnerabilities in digital financial operations. Cybersecurity remains a growing concern in the financial sector and this event underscores the importance of robust security measures.

Additionally, the provision for credit losses of $400,000 compared to a release in the prior year indicates a cautious stance, reflecting potential concerns over credit quality or economic conditions affecting their clientele.

Cass's net interest margin improvement to 3.32% despite a drop in net interest income signifies efficient asset management. However, the decrease in average interest-earning assets of $52.3 million is problematic, pointing to decreased liquidity and investment capacity.

The termination of the noncontributory defined-benefit pension plan is a strategic move to reduce long-term liabilities, though it incurs a one-time expense. This decision will lower operating expenses annually, aligning with the company's goal to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Overall, while Cass is facing immediate challenges, its efforts to streamline operations and enhance financial stability through strategic adjustments are steps in the right direction. Investors should remain cognizant of the potential for short-term volatility but consider the long-term benefits of these strategies.

Second Quarter Results

(All comparisons refer to the second quarter of 2023, except as noted)

• Net income of $4.5 million, or $0.32 per diluted common share.
• Return on average equity and assets of 8.01% and 0.78%, respectively.
• Increase in facility expense transaction volumes of 25.1%.
• Processing fee growth of 8.9%.
• Maintained exceptional credit quality, with no non-performing loans or charge-offs.

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cass Information Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CASS), (the Company or Cass) reported second quarter 2024 earnings of $0.32 per diluted share, as compared to $0.52 in the second quarter of 2023 and $0.52 in the first quarter of 2024. Net income for the period was $4.5 million, as compared to $7.1 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $7.2 million in the first quarter of 2024.

Martin Resch, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, noted, “The first half of 2024 has been both exciting and disappointing. We successfully onboarded several large facility clients, increasing year over year facilities transactions by 25.1%, with a full queue of additional signed deals still to implement. In Transportation we launched Amplify by Cass, our new working capital solution for shippers and carriers, and have already enrolled a number of shippers, in addition to announcing our new partnership with FreightWaves SONAR for supply chain intelligence. In our Waste division, we signed our first resellers and referral partners for our Waste Invoice Management Solution, allowing us to scale sales exponentially. On top of all of this, we have robust pipelines throughout our business lines.” Resch added, “Low points include the loss of over $100 million of non-interest bearing funding due to a cyber event at a client and incurring an aggregate of $3.4 million of one-time expenses. Our focus for the second half of the year will be on signed client implementations, converting pipeline opportunities to signed deals and reducing run rate expense levels using the new technology that has been completed in the last year. Speed to revenue at lower operating expense is the goal going forward.”

Second Quarter 2024 Highlights

Transportation Dollar Volumes – Transportation dollar volumes were $9.1 billion during the second quarter of 2024, a decrease of 6.5% as compared to the second quarter of 2023 and an increase of 1.6% as compared to the first quarter of 2024. The average dollars per transaction declined to $1,023 during the second quarter of 2024 as compared to $1,056 in the second quarter of 2023. The average dollars per transaction was $1,019 during the first quarter of 2024. Transportation dollar volumes are key to the Company’s revenue as higher volumes generally lead to an increase in payment float, which generates interest income, as well as an increase in payments in advance of funding, which generates financial fees.

Facility Expense Dollar Volumes – Facility expense dollar volumes totaled $5.0 billion during the second quarter of 2024, an increase of 10.1% as compared to the second quarter of 2023 and a decrease of 5.5% as compared to the first quarter of 2024. The increase as compared to the second quarter of 2023 is largely reflective of new client volume. The decrease as compared to the first quarter of 2024 is due to seasonality of energy usage partially offset by an increase in transaction volumes.

Processing Fees – Processing fees increased $1.7 million, or 8.9%, as compared to the second quarter of 2023. The increase in processing fees was largely driven by an increase in facility transaction volumes of 25.1%. The Company has experienced recent success in winning facility clients with high transaction volumes. Transportation invoice volumes decreased 3.4% over the same period. The decline in transportation volumes is largely due to the on-going freight recession.

Financial Fees – Financial fees, earned on a transactional level basis for invoice payment services when making customer payments, decreased $1.0 million, or 8.9%. The decrease in financial fee income was primarily due to a decline in transportation dollar volumes of 6.5%, in addition to changes in the manner certain vendors receive payments. The Company expects financial fees to increase in future quarters as a result of the launch of its new working capital solution as well as other initiatives to increase revenue related to customer payments.

Net Interest Income – Net interest income decreased $84,000, or 0.5%. The decrease in net interest income was attributable to a decline in average interest-earning assets of $52.3 million, or 2.6%. The Company had fewer funds to invest due to the loss of approximately $100.0 million of CassPay related balances in February 2024 as a result of a cyber attack on a large client. The Company does not expect these payment volumes and related balances from this client to return.

The Company’s net interest margin improved to 3.32% as compared to 3.25% in the second quarter of 2023 driven by an increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets of 43 basis points, partially offset by a $197.9 million decrease in average non-interest bearing funding, consisting of $145.6 million in average non-interest bearing deposits and $52.3 million in average accounts and drafts payable and a 46 basis point increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

Provision for Credit Losses - The Company recorded a provision of credit losses of $400,000 during the second quarter of 2024 as compared to a release of credit losses of $120,000 in the second quarter of 2023. The provision for credit losses for the second quarter of 2024 was largely driven by the increase in total loans of $25.0 million, or 2.4%, as compared to March 31, 2024.

Personnel Expenses - Personnel expenses increased $425,000, or 1.4%. Salaries and commissions increased $642,000, or 2.7%, primarily as a result of merit increases. Share-based compensation decreased $435,000 reflecting the Company’s financial performance and the impact on performance-based restricted stock between the periods. Looking forward to the second half of 2024, the Company expects to take advantage of recent technology investments to begin decreasing the run rate level of salaries and commissions expense.

Also, on July 16, 2024, the Company approved an Amendment providing for the termination of its noncontributory defined-benefit pension plan. The Company expects to record one-time termination expenses of approximately $5.0 million through operating expense related to the plan termination. The expense related to the termination is expected to be incurred during the fourth quarter of 2024 and first quarter of 2025 as the plan liabilities are settled. The successful termination of the plan is expected to reduce run rate operating expense by approximately $1.0 million on an annual basis.

Non-Personnel Expenses - Non-personnel expenses increased $3.0 million. Included in non-personnel expenses for the second quarter of 2024 are $2.1 million of reserves and other losses on outstanding receivables in addition to $1.3 million related to estimated late fees to be incurred on facility transactions. The late fees were mostly driven by a check processing delay with our third-party vendor, the same CassPay client which incurred the cyber attack.

Loans - When compared to March 31, 2024, ending loans increased $25.0 million, or 2.4%. The Company experienced growth in its franchise restaurant and equipment finance portfolios during the second quarter of 2024.

Payments in Advance of Funding – Average payments in advance of funding decreased $41.7 million, or 16.4%, primarily due to a 6.5% decrease in transportation dollar volumes, which led to fewer dollars advanced to freight carriers, as well as the continued consolidation of freight carriers.

Deposits – Average deposits decreased $16.6 million, or 1.6%, when compared to the second quarter of 2023 and $34.1 million, or 3.2%, as compared to the first quarter of 2024. The Company has experienced a migration of client funds from non-interest bearing to interest-bearing driven by the rising interest rate environment. In addition, seasonal tax and compensation payments contributed to the decrease in average non-interest bearing deposits as compared to the first quarter of 2024.

Accounts and Drafts Payable - Average accounts and drafts payable decreased $52.3 million, or 5.0%. The decrease in these balances, which are non-interest bearing, are primarily reflective of the cyber event at a CassPay client which decreased average balances by approximately $100.0 million and a decrease in transportation dollar volumes of 6.5%, partially offset by an increase in facility dollar volumes of 10.1%. Accounts and drafts payable are a significant source of funding generated by payment float from transportation, facility and CassPay clients.

Shareholders’ Equity - Total shareholders’ equity has increased $116,000 since December 31, 2023 as a result of net income of $11.6 million, partially offset by dividends of $8.0 million, an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $2.2 million primarily related to the fair value of available-for-sale investment securities and the repurchase of Company stock of $1.0 million.

About Cass Information Systems

Cass Information Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated information and payment management solutions. Cass enables enterprises to achieve visibility, control and efficiency in their supply chains, communications networks, facilities and other operations. Disbursing over $90 billion annually on behalf of clients, and with total assets of $2.3 billion, Cass is uniquely supported by Cass Commercial Bank. Founded in 1906 and a wholly owned subsidiary, Cass Commercial Bank provides sophisticated financial exchange services to the parent organization and its clients. Cass was recently named as one of America’s best midsize companies by a leading publication and is part of the Russell 2000^®. More information is available at www.cassinfo.com.

Forward Looking Information

This information contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include future financial and operating results, expectations, intentions, and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the impact of economic and market conditions, inflationary pressures, risks of credit deterioration, interest rate changes, governmental actions, market volatility, security breaches and technology interruptions, energy prices and competitive factors, among others, as set forth in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Note to Investors

The Company has used, and intends to continue using, the Investors portion of its website to disclose material non-public information and to comply with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors are encouraged to monitor Cass’s website in addition to following press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts.

Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
($ and numbers in thousands, except per share data)
	Quarter Ended June 30, 2024				Quarter Ended March 31, 2024				Quarter Ended June 30, 2023				Six-Months Ended June 30, 2024				Six-Months Ended June 30, 2023
Processing fees	$	21,103			$	21,253			$	19,386			$	42,356			$	38,899
Financial fees		10,628				10,777				11,662				21,405				22,921
Total fee revenue	$	31,731			$	32,030			$	31,048			$	63,761			$	61,820
Interest and fees on loans		13,592				12,776				12,931				26,368				25,166
Interest and dividends on securities		4,383				4,437				4,677				8,820				9,471
Interest on federal funds sold and other short-term investments		3,267				4,441				2,100				7,708				5,213
Total interest income	$	21,242			$	21,654			$	19,708			$	42,896			$	39,850
Interest expense		5,312				5,178				3,694				10,490				6,938
Net interest income	$	15,930			$	16,476			$	16,014			$	32,406			$	32,912
(Provision for) release of credit losses		(400	)			(95	)			120				(495	)			460
Loss on sale of investment securities		(13	)			—				(199	)			(13	)			(160	)
Other		1,342				1,267				1,224				2,609				2,520
Total revenues	$	48,590			$	49,678			$	48,207			$	98,268			$	97,552
Salaries and commissions		24,259				23,976				23,617				48,235				46,222
Share-based compensation		474				1,226				909				1,700				2,858
Other benefits		5,124				5,405				4,906				10,529				10,378
Total personnel expenses	$	29,857			$	30,607			$	29,432			$	60,464			$	59,458
Occupancy		826				861				907				1,687				1,762
Equipment		1,988				1,881				1,749				3,869				3,399
Other		10,122				7,322				7,251				17,444				15,092
Total operating expenses	$	42,793			$	40,671			$	39,339			$	83,464			$	79,711
Income from operations before income taxes	$	5,797			$	9,007			$	8,868			$	14,804			$	17,841
Income tax expense		1,313				1,855				1,730				3,168				3,586
Net income	$	4,484			$	7,152			$	7,138			$	11,636			$	14,255
Basic earnings per share	$	.33			$	.53			$	.53			$	.86			$	1.05
Diluted earnings per share	$	.32			$	.52			$	.52			$	.84			$	1.03
Share data:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		13,538				13,530				13,553				13,534				13,576
Weighted-average common shares outstanding assuming dilution		13,822				13,785				13,854				13,804				13,859

Consolidated Balance Sheets
($ in thousands)
	(unaudited) June 30, 2024				(unaudited) March 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	223,727			$	192,803			$	372,468
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value		540,802				621,929				627,117
Loans		1,061,991				1,036,997				1,014,318
Less: Allowance for credit losses		(13,633	)			(13,299	)			(13,089	)
Loans, net	$	1,048,358			$	1,023,698			$	1,001,229
Payments in advance of funding		214,581				221,552				198,861
Premises and equipment, net		33,469				32,613				30,093
Investments in bank-owned life insurance		49,840				49,496				49,159
Goodwill and other intangible assets		20,281				20,463				20,654
Accounts and drafts receivable from customers		78,407				32,856				110,651
Other assets		73,131				98,169				68,390
Total assets	$	2,282,596			$	2,293,579			$	2,478,622
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity:
Deposits
Non-interest bearing	$	372,031			$	412,879			$	524,359
Interest-bearing		640,315				666,213				616,455
Total deposits	$	1,012,346			$	1,079,092			$	1,140,814
Accounts and drafts payable		996,832				944,793				1,071,369
Other liabilities		43,493				40,207				36,630
Total liabilities	$	2,052,671			$	2,064,092			$	2,248,813
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	$	7,753			$	7,753			$	7,753
Additional paid-in capital		204,128				204,361				208,007
Retained earnings		149,236				148,845				145,782
Common shares in treasury, at cost		(81,554	)			(82,316	)			(84,264	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(49,638	)			(49,156	)			(47,469	)
Total shareholders’ equity	$	229,925			$	229,487			$	229,809
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,282,596			$	2,293,579			$	2,478,622

Average Balances (unaudited)
($ in thousands)
	Quarter Ended June 30, 2024			Quarter Ended March 31, 2024			Quarter Ended June 30, 2023			Six-Months Ended June 30, 2024			Six-Months Ended June 30, 2023
Average interest-earning assets	$	1,958,427		$	2,063,239		$	2,010,771		$	2,010,833		$	2,086,333
Average loans		1,039,461			1,016,246			1,075,891			1,027,854			1,076,055
Average securities available-for-sale		589,480			635,422			686,777			612,451			705,703
Average short-term investments		265,291			352,163			185,230			308,727			239,886
Average payments in advance of funding		213,185			194,338			254,869			203,761			247,918
Average assets		2,308,045			2,381,582			2,370,359			2,344,813			2,434,494
Average non-interest bearing deposits		407,079			447,900			552,718			427,489			553,178
Average interest-bearing deposits		638,328			631,622			509,319			634,975			549,985
Average borrowings		11			11			3,199			11			4,509
Average interest-bearing liabilities		638,339			631,633			512,518			634,986			554,494
Average accounts and drafts payable		996,944			1,035,833			1,049,281			1,016,388			1,072,105
Average shareholders’ equity	$	225,265		$	226,669		$	214,066		$	225,967		$	211,940

Consolidated Financial Highlights (unaudited)
($ and numbers in thousands, except ratios)
	Quarter Ended June 30, 2024				Quarter Ended March 31, 2024				Quarter Ended June 30, 2023				Six-Months Ended June 30, 2024				Six-Months Ended June 30, 2023
Return on average equity		8.01	%			12.66	%			13.37	%			10.36	%			13.56	%
Return on average assets		0.78	%			1.20	%			1.21	%			1.00	%			1.18	%
Net interest margin (1)		3.32	%			3.26	%			3.25	%			3.29	%			3.24	%
Average interest-earning assets yield (1)		4.41	%			4.27	%			3.98	%			4.34	%			3.91	%
Average loan yield		5.26	%			5.06	%			4.82	%			5.16	%			4.72	%
Average investment securities yield (1)		2.84	%			2.71	%			2.64	%			2.77	%			2.63	%
Average short-term investment yield		4.95	%			5.07	%			4.55	%			5.02	%			4.38	%
Average cost of total deposits		2.04	%			1.93	%			1.38	%			1.99	%			1.25	%
Average cost of interest-bearing deposits		3.35	%			3.30	%			2.88	%			3.32	%			2.50	%
Average cost of interest-bearing liabilities		3.35	%			3.30	%			2.89	%			3.32	%			2.52	%
Allowance for credit losses to loans		1.28	%			1.28	%			1.25	%			1.28	%			1.25	%
Non-performing loans to total loans		—	%			—	%			—	%			—	%			—	%
Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) to loans		—	%			—	%			—	%			—	%			—	%
Common equity tier 1 ratio		14.32	%			14.84	%			13.66	%			14.32	%			13.66	%
Total risk-based capital ratio		15.08	%			15.60	%			14.39	%			15.08	%			14.39	%
Leverage ratio		11.32	%			10.92	%			10.65	%			11.32	%			10.65	%
(1) Yields are presented on tax-equivalent basis assuming a tax rate of 21%.
Transportation invoice volume		8,879				8,771				9,193				17,649				18,291
Transportation dollar volume	$	9,081,343			$	8,939,646			$	9,711,801			$	18,020,989			$	19,980,252
Facility expense transaction volume		4,337				4,264				3,467				8,601				6,935
Facility expense dollar volume	$	5,039,283			$	5,329,566			$	4,578,490			$	10,368,848			$	9,891,875

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240718609271/en/

Cass Investor Relations

ir@cassinfo.com

Source: Cass Information Systems, Inc.

FAQ

What was Cass Information Systems' (CASS) earnings per share in Q2 2024?

Cass Information Systems reported earnings of $0.32 per diluted share in Q2 2024, down from $0.52 in Q2 2023.

How did Cass Information Systems' (CASS) facility expense transaction volumes change in Q2 2024?

Cass Information Systems saw a 25.1% increase in facility expense transaction volumes compared to Q2 2023.

What was the impact of the cyber event on Cass Information Systems (CASS) in Q2 2024?

The cyber event at a client resulted in a loss of over $100 million in non-interest bearing funding for Cass Information Systems.

How did Cass Information Systems' (CASS) transportation dollar volumes perform in Q2 2024?

Transportation dollar volumes for Cass Information Systems decreased by 6.5% to $9.1 billion in Q2 2024 compared to Q2 2023.

What new initiatives did Cass Information Systems (CASS) launch in Q2 2024?

Cass Information Systems launched Amplify by Cass, a new working capital solution for shippers and carriers, and partnered with FreightWaves SONAR for supply chain intelligence.