TORONTO, Oct. 25, 2022 /CNW/ - First National Financial Corporation (TSX: FN) (TSX: FN.PR.A) (TSX: FN.PR.B) (the "Company" or "FNFC") today announced its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. The Company derives virtually all of its earnings from its wholly owned subsidiary, First National Financial LP ("FNFLP" or "First National"), one of Canada's largest non-bank mortgage originators and underwriters.

Third Quarter Summary

• Mortgages under administration ("MUA") were a record $129.3 billion compared to $122.3 billion at September 30, 2021
• Revenue was $392.4 million compared to $353.7 million a year ago
• Net income was $40.1 million ($0.66 per share), compared to $47.6 million ($0.78 per share) a year ago
• Pre-FMV Income⁽¹⁾ was $48.2 million compared to $64.9 million a year ago

Common Share Dividend Increase
Today, First National's Board of Directors announced an increase in the Company's regular monthly dividend effective with the payment to be made December 15, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business November 30, 2022. At that time, the monthly dividend will rise to an annualized rate of $2.40 per common share from the current annualized rate of $2.35 per common share.

Management Commentary
"During this period of market adjustment brought on by rapidly rising interest rates, we continue to manage First National with a long-term mindset," said Jason Ellis, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our focus on providing responsive, differentiated services to Canadian borrowers and independent mortgage brokers enabled us to profitably originate $6.9 billion of new mortgages in the quarter and renew $2.3 billion despite much lower activity levels in most Canadian real estate markets and strong competition pursing fewer opportunities. For shareholders, solid performance brought with it the opportunity to increase our dividend for the 15^th time since our initial public offering in 2006. By growing MUA and adding to our portfolio of mortgages pledged under securitization, we are creating a platform for future earnings through mortgage administration, net securitization margin and renewal opportunities. Going forward, we will remain locked in on our fundamentals including enhancement of business processes and efficiencies to ensure First National performs for all stakeholders."

Third Quarter Review

First National's MUA, the source of most of its earnings, increased 6% to $129.3 billion at September 30, 2022 from $122.3 billion a year earlier and at an annualized rate of 6% since June 30, 2022. At September 30, 2022, single-family MUA was $87.6 billion, up 3% from $84.7 billion at September 30, 2021, while commercial MUA was $41.7 billion, up 11% from $37.6 billion a year ago.

New single-family mortgage origination in the quarter was $4.7 billion compared to $6.1 billion in 2021, a decrease of 23%. Volumes reflected reduced housing market activity brought on by rising interest rates and strong competition for fewer origination opportunities. Even so, new single- family originations were above the level generated immediately prior to the pandemic. (First National's Q3 2019 single family originations were $4.2 billion.)  Single-family renewals were $1.9 billion compared to $1.7 billion a year ago, a 12% increase reflecting available renewal opportunities and normalization of prepayment speeds that had been elevated in 2021. First National's MERLIN technology and operating systems continued to support efficient and effective mortgage underwriting across the country.

New commercial segment originations were $2.2 billion compared to $2.3 billion a year ago, a 4% decrease, as strong demand for insured multi-unit property mortgages was offset by lower volumes of conventional mortgages. Even so, new commercial originations were well above the level generated immediately prior to the pandemic. (First National's Q3 2019 commercial mortgage originations were $1.4 billion.) Commercial mortgage renewals of $362 million decreased 40% from $604 million a year ago. In 2021, there were $330 million short-term renewals (less than six months) as commercial borrowers waited to make a longer-term decision.

Of the Company's $9.1 billion of new originations and renewals in third quarter of 2022, $5.5 billion was placed with institutional investors (Q3 2021 - $7.7 billion) and $3.4 billion was originated for First National's own securitization programs (Q3 2021 - $2.6 billion).

Revenue increased 11% to $392.4 million from $353.7 million a year ago. This growth reflected a rapidly rising interest rate environment with bond yields and mortgage rates increasing as monetary policy tightened to counteract inflation. These changes had a wide-ranging impact and led to higher interest earned on securitized mortgages, higher interest revenue earned on mortgages accumulated for securitization and higher interest earned on mortgage investments. These revenue increases were partially offset by the impact of lower residential origination volumes on placement fees as noted in the summary below.

Third quarter revenue performance included:

• $58.5 million of placement fees, 31% or $26.5 million lower than a year ago due to lower single-family origination which affected the volume of mortgages that the Company placed with its institutional investors
• $55.4 million of mortgage servicing income, 8% or $4.0 million higher than a year ago primarily due to growing interest earned on funds held in escrow as a result of higher overnight interest rates and to lesser extent, growth in administration revenue
• $43.2 million of net interest revenue – securitized mortgages, 8% or $3.1 million higher than a year ago on 2% portfolio growth, despite temporary compression between the Company's prime lending rate and its short term, CDOR-based funding costs
• $30.0 million of mortgage investment income, 87% or $14.0 million higher than a year ago due primarily to the higher interest rate environment which resulted in more interest income earned on both the mortgage loan investment portfolio and mortgages accumulated for securitization
• $4.6 million of gains on deferred placement fees, 31% or $1.1 million higher than a year ago reflecting a 50% increase in multi-unit residential mortgages originated and sold to institutional investors

Income before income taxes decreased 16% to $54.6 million from $65.1 million a year ago. These figures were affected marginally by the impact of changing capital market conditions between the comparative quarters. Earnings before income taxes and gains and losses on financial instruments ("Pre-FMV Income¹") which excludes the impact of these changes, decreased 26% to $48.2 million from $64.9 million in the third quarter of 2021. This change was the result of several factors: a 23% reduction in new residential origination due to reduced housing transactions with the significant increase in mortgage rates, the Company's response to competitive pressures to temporarily increase broker incentives, tight interest rate spreads for Prime-based securitized floating rate mortgages, and headcount in relation to current origination levels.

Net income was $40.1 million ($0.66 per share) in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $47.6 million ($0.78 per share) a year ago.

Dividends
Total common share dividends paid or declared in the third quarter amounted to $35.2 million, unchanged from a year ago. The common share payout ratio in the third quarter was 89%. If gains and losses on financial instruments are excluded, the dividend payout ratio would have been 101% compared to 75% in the third quarter a year ago.

First National paid $0.8 million of dividends on its preferred shares in the third quarter compared to $0.7 million in the same period a year ago. As announced on June 15, 2022, the dividend rate for the Class A Series 2 Preference Shares for the period July 1 to September 30, 2022, was set at 3.547%, as determined in accordance with the terms of the Series 2 Preference Shares (up from 2.685% in the immediately preceding quarter).

For the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any similar provincial legislation, First National advises that its dividends are eligible dividends, unless otherwise indicated.

Outstanding Securities
At September 30, 2022 and October 25, 2022 there were 59,967,429 common shares; 2,984,835 Class A preference shares, Series 1; 1,015,165 Class A preference shares, Series 2; 200,000 November 2024 senior unsecured notes; and 200,000 November 2025 senior unsecured notes outstanding.

Outlook
The third quarter saw the continuation of trends established at the beginning of 2022: a competitive marketplace and reduced origination activity. The quarter also featured more increases in Bank of Canada's ("BoC") overnight rate as it addressed risks associated with inflation. Between July 1, 2022 and September 30, 2022, the overnight rate increased by another 100 basis points. Equally important as the increases were the BoC's statements indicating the likelihood of more interest rate hikes to come. These increases contributed to significantly higher mortgage rates and reduced the affordability of housing across the country. Despite this uncertain business environment, the Company successfully grew MUA and continued to build its portfolio of mortgages pledged under securitization. First National will benefit from this growth in the future: earning income from mortgage administration, net securitization margin and increased renewal opportunities.

In the short term, the expectation for the remainder of 2022 is lower origination as higher mortgage rates further reduce housing affordability and dampen activity across the country. Management recognizes that home purchasing activity through the second half of 2020 and all of 2021 was unsustainable and that while drivers such as higher immigration might support the market, a continued moderation in housing activity is possible. Although, management is confident that First National will remain competitive and a leader in the marketplace, it estimates that year-over-year origination will moderate in line with housing activity across Canada. Management anticipates commercial origination will also slow as the market digests changing property valuations given the new underlying financial environment. At this time, the Company foresees a solid fourth quarter for commercial originations but weaker commitments going into 2023.       

During the pandemic, the value of First National's business model has been demonstrated. By designing systems that do not rely on face-to-face interactions, the Company's business practices have resonated with mortgage brokers and borrowers alike. The economic effects of COVID-19 are expected to slowly diminish although the duration and impact of the pandemic is unknown at this time, as is the long-term efficacy of the government and central bank interventions. It is still not possible to reliably estimate the length and severity of these developments and the impact on the financial results and condition of the Company and its operating subsidiaries in future periods.

First National is well prepared to execute its business plan. The Company expects to enjoy the value of its continued goodwill with broker partners earned over the last 30+ years and reinforced during the pandemic. With diverse relationships over an array of institutional investors and solid securitization markets, the Company has access to consistent and reliable sources of funding.

The Company is confident that its strong relationships with mortgage brokers and diverse funding sources will continue to set First National apart from its competition. The Company will continue to generate income and cash flow from its $36 billion portfolio of mortgages pledged under securitization and $90 billion servicing portfolio and focus on the value inherent in its significant single-family renewal book.

Conference Call and Webcast

A taped rebroadcast of the conference call will be available until November 2, 2022 at midnight ET. To access the rebroadcast, please dial (416) 764-8677 or (888) 390-0541 and enter passcode 618771 followed by the number sign. The webcast is also archived at www.firstnational.ca for three months.

Complete consolidated financial statements for the Company as well as management's discussion and analysis are available at www.sedar.com and at www.firstnational.ca.

About First National Financial Corporation
First National Financial Corporation (TSX:FN, TSX:FN.PR.A, TSX:FN.PR.B) is the parent company of First National Financial LP, a Canadian-based originator, underwriter and servicer of predominantly prime residential (single-family and multi-unit) and commercial mortgages. With over $129 billion in mortgages under administration, First National is one of Canada's largest non-bank mortgage originators and underwriters and is among the top three in market share in the mortgage broker distribution channel.  For more information, please visit www.firstnational.ca.

Forward-Looking Information
Certain information included in this news release may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of terms such as "may", "will, "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "continue" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking information may relate to management's future outlook and anticipated events or results, and may include statements or information regarding the future financial position, business strategy and strategic goals, product development activities, projected costs and capital expenditures, financial results, risk management strategies, hedging activities, geographic expansion, licensing plans, taxes and other plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Particularly, information regarding growth objectives, any future increase in mortgages under administration, future use of securitization vehicles, industry trends and future revenues is forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, interest rate changes and responses to such changes, the demand for institutionally placed and securitized mortgages, the status of the applicable regulatory regime and the use of mortgage brokers for single family residential mortgages. This forward-looking information should not be read as providing guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be an accurate indication of whether or not, or the times by which, those results will be achieved. While management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward looking-information is subject to certain factors, including risks and uncertainties listed under ''Risks and Uncertainties Affecting the Business'' in the MD&A, that could cause actual results to differ materially from what management currently expects. These factors include reliance on sources of funding, concentration of institutional investors, reliance on relationships with independent mortgage brokers and changes in the interest rate environment. This forward-looking information is as of the date of this release, and is subject to change after such date. However, management and First National disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

¹ Non-GAAP Measures
The Company uses IFRS as its accounting framework. IFRS are generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for Canadian publicly accountable enterprises for years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. The Company also refers to certain measures to assist in assessing financial performance. These "non-GAAP measures" such as "Pre-FMV EBITDA" and "After tax Pre-FMV Dividend Payout Ratio" should not be construed as alternatives to net income or loss or other comparable measures determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of performance or as a measure of liquidity and cash flow. Non-GAAP measures do not have standard meanings prescribed by GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

Reconciliation of Quarterly Determination of Pre-FMV Income¹

SOURCE First National Financial Corporation