Walker & Dunlop Reports 21% Growth in Earnings on Quarterly Revenues of $247 Million

Rhea-AI Summary

Walker & Dunlop reported Q3 2020 revenues of $247.0 million, a 16% increase year-over-year, with net income rising 21% to $53.2 million, or $1.66 per diluted share. Total transaction volume decreased 6% to $8.4 billion, despite a 36% increase in Agency lending. Year-to-date revenues reached $734.0 million, up 22% from 2019. The company declared a dividend of $0.36 per share for Q4 2020, and the servicing portfolio expanded to $103.4 billion, a 13% increase. Cash on hand totaled $294.9 million.

Positive

• Total revenues increased by 16% year-over-year, reaching $247.0 million.
• Net income rose 21% to $53.2 million, with diluted EPS up 19% to $1.66.
• Year-to-date revenues of $734.0 million, up 22% from 2019.
• Servicing portfolio expanded to $103.4 billion, a 13% increase.
• Declared a dividend of $0.36 per share for Q4 2020.

Negative

• Total transaction volume decreased by 6% year-over-year to $8.4 billion.
• Adjusted EBITDA fell 17% to $45.2 million.
• Brokered volume decreased by 45% compared to Q3 2019.

BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

THIRD QUARTER 2020 HIGHLIGHTS

• Total revenues of $247.0 million, up 16% from Q3'19
• Total transaction volume of $8.4 billion, down 6% from Q3'19
• Net income of $53.2 million, up 21% from Q3'19 and diluted earnings per share of $1.66, up 19% from Q3'19
• Servicing portfolio of $103.4 billion at September 30, 2020, up 13% from Q3'19
• Declared dividend of $0.36 per share for the quarter

YEAR-TO-DATE 2020 HIGHLIGHTS

• Total revenues of $734.0 million, up 22% from 2019
• Total transaction volume of $26.9 billion, up 21% from 2019
• Net income of $163.1 million and diluted earnings per share of $5.11, up 25% and 24% respectively from 2019

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE: WD) (the "Company") reported third quarter 2020 total revenues of $247.0 million, an increase of 16% over the third quarter of 2019. Net income for the third quarter of 2020 was $53.2 million, or $1.66 per diluted share, up 21% and 19%, respectively, from the third quarter of last year. Third quarter 2020 adjusted EBITDA¹ was $45.2 million, down 17% over the same period in 2019. Third quarter total transaction volume decreased 6% from the prior-year quarter to $8.4 billion, with Agency lending up 36%, offset by a 45% decrease in brokered volume and a 32% decrease in property sales volume. The Company ended the third quarter with $294.9 million of cash on the balance sheet.

Willy Walker, Chairman and CEO commented, "Walker & Dunlop's fantastic financial performance in Q3 was due to the combination of our exceptional people, brand, and technology. We continue to grow market share, with 69% of our quarterly loan refinancing activity done on loans new to Walker & Dunlop, and 25% of our $7.3 billion in debt financing done with new clients. This expanding client base and market share translated into significant year-over-year growth in revenues and earnings. Our team has found ways to continue growing and delivering exceptional financial results in the midst of the pandemic due to our best-in-class corporate culture that has once again been recognized by Fortune Magazine as a "Great Place to Work in 2020."

Mr. Walker continued, "In 2015, we established Vision 2020, a five-year strategic growth plan to double Walker & Dunlop's revenues, loan servicing portfolio, and annual loan origination volumes. We have accomplished Vision 2020, taking our servicing portfolio from $50 billion in 2015 to over $100 billion today, taking annual loan originations from $16 billion to over $30 billion, and taking total revenues from under $500 million to just under $1 billion by the end of 2020. This is an incredible accomplishment -- even for a team and company that has demonstrated market-leading growth since we went public in 2010. But what is even more exciting is where we go from here. We have the people, brand, technology and scale to take Walker & Dunlop to a new level and accomplish our long-standing mission to be the premier commercial real estate finance company in the United States over the next five years."

THIRD QUARTER 2020 OPERATING RESULTS
TRANSACTION VOLUMES
(dollars in thousands)		Q3 2020			Q3 2019		$ Variance			% Variance
Fannie Mae	$	1,977,607		$	2,012,291		$	(34,684)		(2)	%
Freddie Mac		3,136,313			1,747,316			1,388,997		79
Ginnie Mae - HUD		373,480			281,249			92,231		33
Brokered		1,711,541			3,100,717			(1,389,176)		(45)
Principal Lending and Investing2		105,488			149,800			(44,312)		(30)
Debt financing volume	$	7,304,429		$	7,291,373		$	13,056		-	%
Property sales volume		1,106,162			1,615,963			(509,801)		(32)
Total transaction volume	$	8,410,591		$	8,907,336		$	(496,745)		(6)	%

Discussion of Results:

• Our third quarter Agency volumes grew by 36% during the quarter, reflecting an active multifamily financing market due to tight spreads and a low interest rate environment. The overall demand for our Agency loan products remained high despite the macroeconomic disruption caused by COVID-19. The Agencies are continuing to lend to the multifamily industry during this period of market disruption, just as they did during the great financial crisis of 2007-2010.
   
• Brokered volume was down in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 but has increased from the second quarter of 2020. Capital providers besides the Agencies continue to be cautious as a result of uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, financing on asset classes other than industrial and multifamily remained limited across the industry.
   
• The decrease in principal lending and investing volume, which includes interim loan volume, originations for Walker & Dunlop Investment Partners, Inc. ("WDIP") separate accounts, and joint venture bridge lending, was primarily due to a year-over-year decrease in interim loans originated for our bridge lending joint venture and WDIP separate accounts as a result of uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the quarter, we began accepting applications for our interim loan program after a pause during the second quarter of 2020 and originated one short-term interim loan that paid off prior to September 30, 2020.
   
• Property sales volume began to pick up in the third quarter but declined year over year as the overall commercial real estate acquisition market remained slower than 2019 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

MANAGED PORTFOLIO
(dollars in thousands)		Q3 2020			Q3 2019		$ Variance			% Variance
Fannie Mae	$	46,224,549		$	39,429,007		$	6,795,542		17	%
Freddie Mac		35,726,109			32,395,360			3,330,749		10
Ginnie Mae - HUD		9,639,820			9,998,018			(358,198)		(4)
Brokered		11,513,521			9,628,896			1,884,625		20
Principal Lending and Investing		273,754			303,218			(29,464)		(10)
Total servicing portfolio	$	103,377,753		$	91,754,499		$	11,623,254		13	%
Assets under management		1,936,679			1,620,603			316,076		20
Total Managed Portfolio	$	105,314,432		$	93,375,102		$	11,939,330		13	%
Weighted-average servicing fee rate (basis points)		23.4			23.3
Weighted-average remaining servicing portfolio term (years)		9.4			9.6

Discussion of Results:

• Our servicing portfolio continues to experience steady growth due to our significant Agency debt financing volumes and relatively few maturities and prepayments over the past year.
   
• During the third quarter of 2020, we added $3.4 billion of net loans to our servicing portfolio, and over the past 12 months, we added $11.6 billion of net loans to our servicing portfolio, 87% of which were Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans.
   
• Only $4.7 billion of Agency loans in our servicing portfolio, with a weighted-average servicing fee of 22.7 basis points, are scheduled to mature over the next two years.
   
• The slight increase in the weighted-average servicing fee was due primarily to an increase in Fannie Mae loans as a percentage of the overall servicing portfolio year over year.
   
• We added net mortgage servicing rights ("MSRs") from originations of $27.4 million in the quarter and $108.3 million over the past 12 months.
   
• The MSRs associated with our servicing portfolio had a fair value of $975.0 million as of September 30, 2020, compared to $884.4 million as of September 30, 2019.
   
• Assets under management (AUM) as of September 30, 2020 primarily consisted of $1.3 billion of loans and funds managed by WDIP and $0.6 billion of loans in our interim lending joint venture. The year-over-year increase in AUM is principally related to WDIP's fundraising activity over the past 12 months.
   
• For most of the loans we service under the Fannie Mae DUS program and for loans under Ginnie Mae's program, should a borrower fail to make debt service payments, we are obligated to advance the principal and interest and guaranty fees, and we will be reimbursed by either Fannie Mae or Ginnie Mae. At the end of the third quarter of 2020, we had $4.9 million of outstanding advances under our Fannie Mae and HUD servicing agreements, compared to $4.8 million and $2.9 million at the end of June and March, respectively. We have a warehouse facility in place to fund 90% of any advances of principal and interest related to our Fannie Mae portfolio. We had no borrowings outstanding under this facility as of September 30, 2020. We are not obligated to make advances for any of the other loan types that we service.

 

REVENUES
(dollars in thousands)		Q3 2020			Q3 2019		$ Variance			% Variance
Loan origination and debt brokerage fees, net	$	83,825		$	65,144		$	18,681		29	%
Fair value of expected net cash flows from servicing, net ("MSR Income")		78,065			50,785			27,280		54
Servicing fees		60,265			54,219			6,046		11
Net warehouse interest income, LHFS		4,869			909			3,960		436
Net warehouse interest income, LHFI		2,689			5,263			(2,574)		(49)
Escrow earnings and other interest income		2,275			15,163			(12,888)		(85)
Property sales broker fees		6,756			9,575			(2,819)		(29)
Other revenues		8,272			11,209			(2,937)		(26)
Total revenues	$	247,016		$	212,267		$	34,749		16	%
Key revenue metrics (as a percentage of debt financing volume):
Origination related fees3		1.15	%		0.91	%
MSR Income3		1.08			0.71
MSR Income - Agency loans4		1.42			1.26

Discussion of Results:

• Overall debt financing volume was flat year over year, while a change in the mix of debt financing volume to more Agency originations led to the increase in the origination fee rate and the increase in loan origination and debt brokerage fees.
   
• A substantial increase in the weighted-average servicing fee on Fannie Mae loans was the primary driver of the increase in MSR Income.
   
• The increase in the volume of Agency loans as a percentage of overall debt financing volume led to the increase in MSR Income as a percentage of debt financing volume.
   
• The increase in the weighted-average servicing fee on Fannie Mae loans was the primary driver of the increase in MSR Income from Agency loans as a percentage of debt financing volume, partially offset by an increase in the percentage of overall debt financing volume coming from Freddie Mac loans.
   
• The $11.6 billion net increase in the servicing portfolio over the past 12 months was the principal driver of the growth in servicing fees year over year, coupled with the slight increase in the servicing portfolio's weighted-average servicing fee.
   
• The increase in net warehouse interest income from loans held for sale ("LHFS") was due to a 55% increase in the average balance of LHFS outstanding and an increase in the net spread from 30 basis points in the prior year to 106 basis points in the current year as the rate on mortgage loans from which we receive interest income declined at a slower rate than the short term interest rates we pay for our warehouse borrowings.
   
• The decrease in net warehouse interest income from loans held for investment ("LHFI") was due to a smaller average balance of loans outstanding and a substantial decrease in the net spread. During the prior year, the Company held a large loan that was fully funded with corporate cash, resulting in an overall high net spread. During the current year, a much smaller balance of loans was fully funded with corporate cash.
   
• Escrow earnings and other interest income decreased due to a substantial year-over-year decrease in short-term interest rates, upon which our earnings rates are based, partially offset by a slight increase in the average escrow balance.
   
• The decrease in property sales broker fees was directly a result of the decrease in property sales volume year over year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

EXPENSES
(dollars in thousands)		Q3 2020			Q3 2019		$ Variance			% Variance
Personnel	$	114,548		$	93,057		$	21,491		23	%
Amortization and depreciation		41,919			37,636			4,283		11
Provision (benefit) for credit losses		3,483			(772)			4,255		(551)
Interest expense on corporate debt		1,786			3,638			(1,852)		(51)
Other operating expenses		16,165			19,393			(3,228)		(17)
Total expenses	$	177,901		$	152,952		$	24,949		16	%
Key expense metrics (as a percentage of total revenues):
Personnel expenses		46	%		44	%
Other operating expenses		7			9

Discussion of Results:

• The increase in personnel expenses was largely the result of (i) a 15% increase in average headcount and associated salaries, benefits, and annual bonus as we continue to scale our business through strategic acquisitions and organic hiring, (ii) an increase in commissions expense driven by the year to date increase in loan origination and debt brokerage fees, and (iii) an increase in the annual Company bonus due to our improved financial performance year over year.
   
• Amortization and depreciation increased primarily due to the growth in the average balance of MSRs outstanding year over year.
   
• The increase in provision for credit losses for the third quarter was partially related to the manner in which we were required to calculate our allowances for credit losses. During the prior year, these allowances were calculated based on an incurred loss methodology. During the current year, as a result of the implementation of the current expected credit loss ("CECL") accounting standard, the allowances were calculated based on an expected lifetime credit losses methodology, resulting in higher allowance balances in spite of continued strong credit performance of our at risk and balance sheet portfolios. Additionally, in the third quarter of 2020, we recorded a $2.4 million provision for loan losses related to a previously defaulted loan from Q1 2019 as our efforts to work out the loan with the sponsors were ultimately not successful. We have not experienced a significant deterioration in the overall credit quality of the at risk servicing or balance sheet portfolios due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
   
• The decrease in the interest expense on corporate debt is related to the decrease in the average 30-day LIBOR upon which our long-term debt interest is based and the repricing of the debt in the fourth quarter of 2019.

• The decrease in other operating expenses stemmed primarily from a sustained decrease in travel and entertainment costs in the third quarter, a direct impact of COVID-19 pandemic-related limitations and travel restrictions.

 

KEY PERFORMANCE METRICS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)		Q3 2020			Q3 2019		$ Variance			% Variance
Walker & Dunlop net income	$	53,190		$	44,043		$	9,147		21	%
Adjusted EBITDA		45,165			54,539			(9,374)		(17)
Diluted EPS	$	1.66		$	1.39		$	0.27		19	%
Operating margin		28	%		28	%
Return on equity		20			18

Discussion of Results:

• The increase in net income was the result of a 17% increase in income from operations, as the growth in total revenues outpaced the growth in total expenses during the third quarter. Additionally, income tax expense for the third quarter of 2020 benefitted from excess tax benefits of $3.0 million from employee stock option exercises with substantially less activity in the prior year.
   
• The decrease in adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by the increase in personnel expense and decreases in escrow earnings, interest income from LHFI, and property sales broker fees, partially offset by increases in loan origination and debt brokerage fees, servicing fees, and interest income from LHFS and a decrease in other operating expenses.

 

KEY CREDIT METRICS
(dollars in thousands)		Q3 2020			Q3 2019		$ Variance			% Variance
At risk servicing portfolio5	$	41,848,548		$	36,005,403		$	5,843,145		16	%
Maximum exposure to at risk portfolio6		8,497,807			7,360,037			1,137,770		15
Defaulted loans	$	48,481		$	20,981		$	27,500		131	%
Key credit metrics (as a percentage of the at risk portfolio):
Defaulted loans		0.12	%		0.06	%
Allowance for risk-sharing		0.17			0.02
Key credit metrics (as a percentage of maximum exposure):
Allowance for risk-sharing		0.83	%		0.10	%

Discussion of Results:

• Our at risk servicing portfolio, which is comprised of loans subject to a defined risk-sharing formula, increased due to the significant level of Fannie Mae volume during the past 12 months. As of September 30, 2020, there were two defaulted loans that were provisioned for during the first and fourth quarters of 2019. Both properties have been foreclosed on and final settlement of any losses will occur in the future upon disposition of the assets by Fannie Mae.
   
• Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Fannie Mae instituted a mortgage forbearance program in April in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Under the terms of the forbearance program, borrowers impacted by COVID-19 can request that debt service payments be deferred for a period of up to three months, after which the deferred payments must be repaid over a 12-month period. As of September 30, 2020, we had granted COVID-19-related forbearance on 11 loans in our at risk servicing portfolio with only one loan with a $5.8 million unpaid principal balance still in forbearance at the end of the quarter.
   
• The allowance for risk-sharing as a percentage of the at risk portfolio increased due to the implementation of CECL during the current year and due to our forecast of an increase in short-term future losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, we have not experienced a significant deterioration in the overall credit quality of the at risk servicing portfolio due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
   
• The on-balance sheet interim loan portfolio, which is comprised of loans for which the Company has full risk of loss, was $273.8 million at September 30, 2020 compared to $387.5 million at September 30, 2019. There was one defaulted loan in our interim loan portfolio at September 30, 2020, which defaulted and was partially provisioned for during 2019. The Company increased the specific reserve on that loan during the third quarter of 2020. All other loans in the on-balance sheet interim loan portfolio are current and performing as of September 30, 2020. The interim loan joint venture holds $566.1 million of loans as of September 30, 2020, for which the Company indirectly shares in a small portion of the risk of loss. All loans in the interim loan joint venture are current and performing as of September 30, 2020.

YEAR-TO-DATE 2020 OPERATING RESULTS

Total transaction volume for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $26.9 billion, a 21% increase from the same period last year.

Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were $734.0 million compared to $600.0 million for the same period last year, a 22% increase. The change in total revenues was largely driven by (i) a 26% increase in loan origination and debt brokerage fees, which was largely related to an increase in debt financing volume (ii) a 78% increase in MSR Income, which was attributable to the overall increase in debt financing volume, an increase in Agency volume as a percentage of total debt financing volume, and a substantial increase in the weighted-average service fee on Fannie Mae loan volume, (iii) an 8% increase in servicing fees related to growth in our servicing portfolio, and (iv) a 15% increase in net warehouse interest income as a result of a substantially larger average balance of loans held for sale and a sharp increase in the spread on these loans. Partially offsetting these increases was a 64% decline in escrow earnings and other interest income due to a substantial decline in short-term interest rates and a 12% drop in other revenues largely as a result of decreased prepayment fees.

Total expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were $521.1 million and $427.7 million, respectively. The 22% increase in total expenses was primarily driven by an increase in personnel expense of 25% due to increases in (i) salaries and benefits expenses resulting from a rise in average headcount due to the continued growth of our business, (ii) commissions expense resulting from higher loan origination and debt brokerage fees due to growth in debt financing volume, (iii) bonus expense resulting from improved Company financial performance year over year, and (iv) retention costs due to the Company's banker and broker hiring efforts over the past year. Personnel expenses as a percentage of total revenues remained consistent at 42% year over year despite the increased expenses. Amortization and depreciation costs increased 10% due to an increase in the average balance of MSRs outstanding and an increase in write offs due to prepayments year over year. Provision for credit losses increased substantially year over year. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a provision expense of $23.6 million as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its expected impacts on future losses in the at risk servicing portfolio under the new CECL accounting standard. The Company has recorded additional provision expense of $8.4 million during the subsequent quarters in 2020, primarily related to the increase in the Company at risk servicing portfolio balance and for a defaulted interim loan for which we recorded additional expense in the third quarter of 2020. Interest expense on corporate debt decreased 39% as a result of a decrease in short-term interest rates year over year and the repricing of the debt in the fourth quarter of 2019. Other operating expenses decreased 8% primarily due to decreases in travel and entertainment expenses as a direct result of COVID-19 impacts.

Operating margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was 29%. The consistency in operating margin was due to a 22% increase in both total revenues and total expenses year over year.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $163.1 million compared to net income of $130.5 million for the same period last year, a 25% increase. The increase in net income was primarily a result of a 24% increase in income from operations. Additionally, income tax expense in 2020 benefitted from an increase in excess tax benefits from employee stock option exercises compared to the prior year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, adjusted EBITDA was $157.7 million and $183.8 million, respectively. The 14% decrease was largely driven by the increase in personnel expense and the decrease in escrow earnings, partially offset by increases in loan origination and debt brokerage fees and servicing fees.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, return on equity was 21% and 19%, respectively.

DIVIDENDS AND SHARE REPURCHASES

On October 28, 2020, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.36 per share for the fourth quarter of 2020. The dividend will be paid November 30, 2020 to all holders of record of our restricted and unrestricted common stock as of November 13, 2020.

During the first quarter of 2020, the Company's Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program that permits the repurchase of up to $50.0 million of the Company's common stock over a 12-month period beginning on February 11, 2020. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 415 thousand shares of its common stock under the share repurchase program at a weighted-average price of $57.17 per share. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had $26.3 million of authorized share repurchase capacity remaining under the 2020 share repurchase program.

Any future purchases made pursuant to the share repurchase program will be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time as permitted by federal securities laws and other legal requirements. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases will be determined by the Company in its discretion and will be subject to economic and market conditions, stock price, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

1 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure the Company presents to help investors better understand our operating performance. For a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income, refer to the sections of this press release below titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Adjusted Financial Metric Reconciliation to GAAP."
2 Includes debt financing volumes from our interim loan platform, our interim loan joint venture, and WDIP separate accounts.
3 Excludes the income and debt financing volume from Principal Lending and Investing.
4 MSR Income as a percentage of Agency volume.
5 At risk servicing portfolio is defined as the balance of Fannie Mae DUS loans subject to the risk-sharing formula described below, as well as a small number of Freddie Mac loans on which we share in the risk of loss. Use of the at risk portfolio provides for comparability of the full risk-sharing and modified risk-sharing loans because the provision and allowance for risk-sharing obligations are based on the at risk balances of the associated loans. Accordingly, we have presented the key statistics as a percentage of the at risk portfolio.
For example, a $15 million loan with 50% risk-sharing has the same potential risk exposure as a $7.5 million loan with full DUS risk sharing. Accordingly, if the $15 million loan with 50% risk-sharing were to default, we would view the overall loss as a percentage of the at risk balance, or $7.5 million, to ensure comparability between all risk-sharing obligations. To date, substantially all of the risk-sharing obligations that we have settled have been from full risk-sharing loans.
6 Represents the maximum loss we would incur under our risk-sharing obligations if all of the loans we service, for which we retain some risk of loss, were to default and all of the collateral underlying these loans was determined to be without value at the time of settlement. The maximum exposure is not representative of the actual loss we would incur.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its quarterly results on Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time. Listeners can access the webcast via the link: https://walkerdunlop.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_saG1xSJPRwqtINgtaJtrZg or by dialing +1 408 901 0584, Webinar ID 918 4754 2791, Password 289044. Presentation materials related to the conference call will be posted to the Investor Relations section of the Company's website prior to the call. An audio replay will also be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, along with the presentation materials.

About Walker & Dunlop

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is one of the largest commercial real estate finance companies in the United States. The Company provides a comprehensive range of capital solutions for all commercial real estate asset classes, as well as investment sales brokerage services to owners of multifamily properties. Walker & Dunlop is included on the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and was ranked as one of FORTUNE Magazine's Fastest Growing Companies in 2014, 2017, and 2018. Walker & Dunlop's 900+ professionals in 40 offices across the nation have an unyielding commitment to client satisfaction.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our financial statements presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company uses adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure. The presentation of adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. When analyzing our operating performance, readers should use adjusted EBITDA in addition to, and not as an alternative for, net income. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before income taxes, interest expense on our term loan facility, and amortization and depreciation, adjusted for provision (benefit) for credit losses net of write-offs, stock-based incentive compensation charges, and non-cash revenues such as the fair value of expected net cash flows from servicing, net. Because not all companies use identical calculations, our presentation of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Furthermore, adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of free cash flow for our management's discretionary use, as it does not reflect certain cash requirements such as tax and debt service payments. The amounts shown for adjusted EBITDA may also differ from the amounts calculated under similarly titled definitions in our debt instruments, which are further adjusted to reflect certain other cash and non-cash charges that are used to determine compliance with financial covenants.

We use adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the operating performance of our business, for comparison with forecasts and strategic plans and for benchmarking performance externally against competitors. We believe that this non-GAAP measure, when read in conjunction with the Company's GAAP financials, provides useful information to investors by offering.

• the ability to make more meaningful period-to-period comparisons of the Company's on-going operating results;
• the ability to better identify trends in the Company's underlying business and perform related trend analyses; and
• a better understanding of how management plans and measures the Company's underlying business.

We believe that adjusted EBITDA has limitations in that it does not reflect all of the amounts associated with the Company's results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP and that adjusted EBITDA should only be used to evaluate the Company's results of operations in conjunction with net income. For more information on adjusted EBITDA, refer to the section of this press release below titled "Adjusted Financial Metric Reconciliation to GAAP."

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, projections, plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," or "potential" or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans, or intentions.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect our current views about future events and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed or contemplated in any forward-looking statement.

While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith projections, assumptions and expectations, they are not guarantees of future results. Furthermore, we disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, data or methods, future events or other changes, except as required by applicable law. Factors that could cause our results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: (1) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business, results of operations, and financial condition, including due to its principal and interest advance obligations on Fannie Mae and Ginnie Mae loans it services, and the domestic economy, (2) general economic conditions and multifamily and commercial real estate market conditions, (3) regulatory and/or legislative changes to Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae or HUD, (4) our ability to retain and attract loan originators and other professionals, and (5) changes in federal government fiscal and monetary policies, including any constraints or cuts in federal funds allocated to HUD for loan originations.

For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or contemplated in any forward-looking statements, see the section titled "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any updates or supplements in subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our other filings with the SEC. Such filings are available publicly on our Investor Relations web page at www.walkerdunlop.com.

 

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Unaudited
	September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,			September 30,
	2020			2020			2020			2019			2019
(in thousands)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	294,873		$	275,202		$	205,309		$	120,685		$	65,641
Restricted cash		12,383			10,894			30,745			8,677			9,138
Pledged securities, at fair value		134,295			128,296			121,495			121,767			120,302
Loans held for sale, at fair value		3,227,287			1,733,598			1,186,577			787,035			1,259,075
Loans held for investment, net		342,056			404,527			454,213			543,542			454,430
Mortgage servicing rights		805,655			778,269			722,486			718,799			697,350
Goodwill and other intangible assets		251,002			251,165			247,257			182,959			183,122
Derivative assets		37,290			27,085			158,233			15,568			25,554
Receivables, net		51,837			50,188			52,185			52,146			56,149
Other assets		143,025			133,825			133,475			124,021			110,240
Total assets	$	5,299,703		$	3,793,049		$	3,311,975		$	2,675,199		$	2,981,001
Liabilities
Warehouse notes payable	$	3,328,327		$	1,863,654		$	1,305,846		$	906,128		$	1,263,036
Note payable		292,272			292,819			293,371			293,964			294,255
Guaranty obligation, net		53,474			54,872			55,758			54,695			52,656
Allowance for risk-sharing obligations		70,495			69,191			64,110			11,471			7,256
Derivative liabilities		3,858			13,739			172,623			36			17,726
Performance deposits from borrowers		9,079			11,696			29,575			7,996			8,711
Other liabilities		427,073			396,527			347,377			358,624			335,119
Total liabilities	$	4,184,578		$	2,702,498		$	2,268,660		$	1,632,914		$	1,978,759
Equity
Preferred shares	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Common stock		306			304			303			300			300
Additional paid-in capital		230,302			238,094			236,007			237,877			231,297
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		1,468			249			(1,181)			737			1,015
Retained earnings		883,049			851,904			801,139			796,775			763,195
Total stockholders' equity	$	1,115,125		$	1,090,551		$	1,036,268		$	1,035,689		$	995,807
Noncontrolling interests		—			—			7,047			6,596			6,435
Total equity	$	1,115,125		$	1,090,551		$	1,043,315		$	1,042,285		$	1,002,242
Commitments and contingencies		—			—			—			—			—
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,299,703		$	3,793,049		$	3,311,975		$	2,675,199		$	2,981,001

 

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income Unaudited
	Quarterly Trends															Nine months ended
																September 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	Q3 2020			Q2 2020			Q1 2020			Q4 2019			Q3 2019			2020			2019
Revenues
Loan origination and debt brokerage fees, net	$	83,825		$	77,907		$	76,373		$	69,921		$	65,144		$	238,105		$	188,550
Fair value of expected net cash flows from servicing, net		78,065			90,369			68,000			47,771			50,785			236,434			132,995
Servicing fees		60,265			56,862			55,434			55,126			54,219			172,561			159,424
Net warehouse interest income		7,558			9,401			5,495			6,095			6,172			22,454			19,604
Escrow earnings and other interest income		2,275			2,671			10,743			12,988			15,163			15,689			43,847
Other revenues		15,028			15,615			18,112			25,289			20,784			48,755			55,609
Total revenues	$	247,016		$	252,825		$	234,157		$	217,190		$	212,267		$	733,998		$	600,029
Expenses
Personnel	$	114,548		$	106,920		$	89,525		$	97,082		$	93,057		$	310,993		$	249,086
Amortization and depreciation		41,919			42,317			39,762			39,552			37,636			123,998			112,920
Provision for credit losses		3,483			4,903			23,643			4,409			(772)			32,029			2,864
Interest expense on corporate debt		1,786			2,078			2,860			3,292			3,638			6,724			11,067
Other operating expenses		16,165			13,069			18,090			14,881			19,393			47,324			51,715
Total expenses	$	177,901		$	169,287		$	173,880		$	159,216		$	152,952		$	521,068		$	427,652
Income from operations	$	69,115		$	83,538		$	60,277		$	57,974		$	59,315		$	212,930		$	172,377
Income tax expense		15,925			21,479			12,672			15,019			15,246			50,076			42,102
Net income before noncontrolling interests	$	53,190		$	62,059		$	47,605		$	42,955		$	44,069		$	162,854		$	130,275
Less: net income (loss) from noncontrolling interests		—			—			(224)			39			26			(224)			(182)
Walker & Dunlop net income	$	53,190		$	62,059		$	47,829		$	42,916		$	44,043		$	163,078		$	130,457
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on pledged available-for-sale securities		1,219			1,430			(1,917)			(278)			123			731			1,090
Walker & Dunlop comprehensive income	$	54,409		$	63,489		$	45,912		$	42,638		$	44,166		$	163,809		$	131,547
Basic earnings per share	$	1.69		$	1.98		$	1.53		$	1.38		$	1.42		$	5.21		$	4.22
Diluted earnings per share		1.66			1.95			1.49			1.34			1.39			5.11			4.11
Cash dividends declared per common share		0.36			0.36			0.36			0.30			0.30			1.08			0.90
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding		30,560			30,352			30,226			29,996			29,987			30,379			29,885
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding		31,074			30,860			31,160			30,976			30,782			30,995			30,742

 

SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING DATA Unaudited
	Quarterly Trends															Nine months ended
																September 30,
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)	Q3 2020			Q2 2020			Q1 2020			Q4 2019			Q3 2019			2020			2019
Transaction Volume:
Components of Debt Financing Volume
Fannie Mae	$	1,977,607		$	2,762,299		$	4,171,491		$	1,692,839		$	2,012,291		$	8,911,397		$	6,352,661
Freddie Mac		3,136,313			1,769,280			997,796			1,526,321			1,747,316			5,903,389			4,853,889
Ginnie Mae - HUD		373,480			640,150			354,687			197,350			281,249			1,368,317			651,009
Brokered (1)		1,711,541			1,495,500			3,993,885			3,884,101			3,100,717			7,200,926			6,479,852
Principal Lending and Investing (2)		105,488			14,091			107,950			532,434			149,800			227,529			403,506
Total Debt Financing Volume	$	7,304,429		$	6,681,320		$	9,625,809		$	7,833,045		$	7,291,373		$	23,611,558		$	18,740,917
Property Sales Volume		1,106,162			446,684			1,730,617			1,979,010			1,615,963			3,283,463			3,414,092
Total Transaction Volume	$	8,410,591		$	7,128,004		$	11,356,426		$	9,812,055		$	8,907,336		$	26,895,021		$	22,155,009
Key Performance Metrics:
Operating margin		28	%		33	%		26	%		27	%		28	%		29	%		29	%
Return on equity		20			23			19			17			18			21			19
Walker & Dunlop net income	$	53,190		$	62,059		$	47,829		$	42,916		$	44,043		$	163,078		$	130,457
Adjusted EBITDA (3)		45,165			48,394			64,129			64,076			54,539			157,687			183,831
Diluted EPS		1.66			1.95			1.49			1.34			1.39			5.11			4.11
Key Expense Metrics (as a percentage of total revenues):
Personnel expenses		46	%		42	%		38	%		45	%		44	%		42	%		42	%
Other operating expenses		7			5			8			7			9			6			9
Key Revenue Metrics (as a percentage of debt financing volume):
Origination related fees (4)		1.15	%		1.17	%		0.79	%		0.93	%		0.91	%		1.01	%		1.02	%
Gains attributable to MSRs (5)		1.08			1.36			0.71			0.65			0.71			1.01			0.73
Gains attributable to MSRs - Agency (6)		1.42			1.75			1.23			1.40			1.26			1.46			1.12
Other Data:
Market capitalization at period end	$	1,657,545		$	1,580,183		$	1,250,860		$	1,995,236		$	1,772,272
Closing share price at period end	$	53.00		$	50.81		$	40.27		$	64.68		$	55.93
Average headcount		887			860			837			815			775
Components of Servicing Portfolio:
Fannie Mae	$	46,224,549		$	45,160,004		$	41,166,040		$	40,049,095		$	39,429,007
Freddie Mac		35,726,109			33,222,090			32,191,699			32,583,842			32,395,360
Ginnie Mae - HUD		9,639,820			9,749,888			9,750,696			9,972,989			9,998,018
Brokered (7)		11,513,521			11,519,629			11,326,492			10,151,120			9,628,896
Principal Lending and Investing (8)		273,754			336,473			387,314			468,123			303,218
Total Servicing Portfolio	$	103,377,753		$	99,988,084		$	94,822,241		$	93,225,169		$	91,754,499
Assets under management (9)		1,936,679			1,884,673			2,001,984			1,958,078			1,620,603
Total Managed Portfolio	$	105,314,432		$	101,872,757		$	96,824,225		$	95,183,247		$	93,375,102
Key Servicing Portfolio Metrics (end of period):
Weighted-average servicing fee rate (bps)		23.4			23.3			23.3			23.2			23.3
Weighted-average remaining term (years)		9.4			9.5			9.5			9.6			9.6

(1)				Brokered transactions for life insurance companies, commercial banks, and other capital sources.
(2)				Includes debt financing volumes from our interim lending platform, our interim lending joint venture, and WDIP separate accounts.
(3)				This is a non-GAAP financial measure. For more information on adjusted EBITDA, refer to the section above titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
(4)				Excludes the income and debt financing volume from Principal Lending and Investing.
(5)				The fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with the servicing of the loan, net of any guaranty obligations retained. Excludes the income and debt financing volume from Principal Lending and Investing.
(6)				The fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with the servicing of the loan, net of any guaranty obligations retained, as a percentage of Agency volume.
(7)				Brokered loans serviced primarily for life insurance companies.
(8)				Consists of interim loans not managed for our interim loan joint venture.
(9)				Interim loans serviced for our interim loan joint venture and WDIP assets under management.

 

KEY CREDIT METRICS Unaudited
	September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,			September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2020			2020			2020			2019			2019
Risk-sharing servicing portfolio:
Fannie Mae Full Risk	$	37,018,792		$	35,707,326		$	34,148,159		$	33,063,130		$	32,291,310
Fannie Mae Modified Risk		9,165,490			9,411,097			6,973,167			6,939,349			7,067,397
Freddie Mac Modified Risk		52,685			52,696			52,706			52,817			52,828
Total risk-sharing servicing portfolio	$	46,236,967		$	45,171,119		$	41,174,032		$	40,055,296		$	39,411,535
Non-risk-sharing servicing portfolio:
Fannie Mae No Risk	$	40,267		$	41,581		$	44,715		$	46,616		$	70,300
Freddie Mac No Risk		35,673,424			33,169,394			32,138,992			32,531,025			32,342,532
GNMA - HUD No Risk		9,639,820			9,749,888			9,750,696			9,972,989			9,998,018
Brokered		11,513,521			11,519,629			11,326,492			10,151,120			9,628,896
Total non-risk-sharing servicing portfolio	$	56,867,032		$	54,480,492		$	53,260,895		$	52,701,750		$	52,039,746
Total loans serviced for others	$	103,103,999		$	99,651,611		$	94,434,927		$	92,757,046		$	91,451,281
Interim loans (full risk) servicing portfolio		273,754			336,473			387,314			468,123			303,218
Total servicing portfolio unpaid principal balance	$	103,377,753		$	99,988,084		$	94,822,241		$	93,225,169		$	91,754,499
Interim Loan Joint Venture Managed Loans (1)	$	639,466		$	695,267		$	802,559		$	741,000		$	607,769
At risk servicing portfolio(2)	$	41,848,548		$	40,640,024		$	37,864,262		$	36,699,969		$	36,005,403
Maximum exposure to at risk portfolio(3)		8,497,807			8,266,261			7,729,120			7,488,985			7,360,037
Defaulted loans		48,481			48,481			48,481			48,481			20,981
Specifically identified at risk loan balances associated with allowance for risk-sharing obligations		48,481			48,481			48,481			48,481			20,981
Defaulted loans as a percentage of the at risk portfolio		0.12	%		0.12	%		0.13	%		0.13	%		0.06	%
Allowance for risk-sharing as a percentage of the at risk portfolio		0.17			0.17			0.17			0.03			0.02
Allowance for risk-sharing as a percentage of maximum exposure		0.83			0.84			0.83			0.15			0.10

(1)	Consists of $73.3 million as of September 30, 2020, $71.1 million as of June 30, 2020 and March 31 2020, $70.5 million as of December 31, 2019 and $70.1 million as of September 30, 2019 of loans managed directly for our interim loan joint venture partner and interim loan joint venture managed loans. We indirectly share in a portion of the risk of loss associated with interim loan joint venture managed loans through our 15% equity ownership in the joint venture. We have no exposure to risk of loss for the loans serviced directly for our interim loan joint venture partner. The balance of this line is included as a component of assets under management in the Supplemental Operating Data table.
(2)	At risk servicing portfolio is defined as the balance of Fannie Mae DUS loans subject to the risk-sharing formula described below, as well as a small number of Freddie Mac loans on which we share in the risk of loss. Use of the at risk portfolio provides for comparability of the full risk-sharing and modified risk-sharing loans because the provision and allowance for risk-sharing obligations are based on the at risk balances of the associated loans. Accordingly, we have presented the key statistics as a percentage of the at risk portfolio. For example, a $15 million loan with 50% risk-sharing has the same potential risk exposure as a $7.5 million loan with full DUS risk sharing. Accordingly, if the $15 million loan with 50% risk-sharing were to default, we would view the overall loss as a percentage of the at risk balance, or $7.5 million, to ensure comparability between all risk-sharing obligations. To date, substantially all of the risk-sharing obligations that we have settled have been from full risk-sharing loans.
(3)	Represents the maximum loss we would incur under our risk-sharing obligations if all of the loans we service, for which we retain some risk of loss, were to default and all of the collateral underlying these loans was determined to be without value at the time of settlement. The maximum exposure is not representative of the actual loss we would incur.

 

ADJUSTED FINANCIAL METRIC RECONCILIATION TO GAAP Unaudited
	Quarterly Trends															Nine months ended
																September 30,
(in thousands)	Q3 2020			Q2 2020			Q1 2020			Q4 2019			Q3 2019			2020			2019
Reconciliation of Walker & Dunlop Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA
Walker & Dunlop Net Income	$	53,190		$	62,059		$	47,829		$	42,916		$	44,043		$	163,078		$	130,457
Income tax expense		15,925			21,479			12,672			15,019			15,246			50,076			42,102
Interest expense on corporate debt		1,786			2,078			2,860			3,292			3,638			6,724			11,067
Amortization and depreciation		41,919			42,317			39,762			39,552			37,636			123,998			112,920
Provision (benefit) for credit losses		3,483			4,903			23,643			4,409			(772)			32,029			2,864
Net write-offs		—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Stock compensation expense		6,927			5,927			5,363			6,659			5,533			18,216			17,416
Fair value of expected net cash flows from servicing, net		(78,065)			(90,369)			(68,000)			(47,771)			(50,785)			(236,434)			(132,995)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	45,165		$	48,394		$	64,129		$	64,076		$	54,539		$	157,687		$	183,831

 

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SOURCE Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

FAQ

What were Walker & Dunlop's Q3 2020 revenue figures?

Walker & Dunlop reported total revenues of $247.0 million for Q3 2020.

How much did Walker & Dunlop's net income increase in Q3 2020?

Net income increased by 21% to $53.2 million in Q3 2020.

What is the dividend declared by Walker & Dunlop for Q4 2020?

Walker & Dunlop declared a dividend of $0.36 per share for Q4 2020.

What was the transaction volume for Walker & Dunlop in Q3 2020?

The total transaction volume for Q3 2020 was $8.4 billion, which is a 6% decrease from the previous year.

What is the status of Walker & Dunlop's servicing portfolio?

As of September 30, 2020, the servicing portfolio stood at $103.4 billion, reflecting a 13% increase year-over-year.