UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) March 5, 2015

 

StoneCastle Financial Corp.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Delaware

 

333-189307

 

90-0934878

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(Commission

 

(IRS Employer

of incorporation)

 

File Number)

 

Identification No.)

 

152 West 57th Street, 35th floor, New York, NY

 

10019

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (212) 354-6500

 

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 2.02                                           Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On March 5, 2015 the registrant issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2014. The text of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

 

The information disclosed under this item 2.02 is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 9.01                                           Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits:

 

Exhibit Number

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release, dated March 5, 2015

 

2



 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

STONECASTLE FINANCIAL CORP.

 

 

Date: March 5, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Patrick J. Farrell

 

Name:

Patrick J. Farrell

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

3



 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit Number

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release, Dated March 5, 2015

 

4


Exhibit 99.1

 

GRAPHIC

 

StoneCastle Financial Corp. Reports Fourth

Quarter 2014 Results And Declares Distribution

 

NEW YORK, March 5, 2015 — StoneCastle Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: BANX) (“StoneCastle Financial” or the “Company”), an investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), today announced results for the fourth fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2014.

 

Fourth Quarter 2014 Investment Highlights:

 

·                  Invested $67.8 million in debt, preferred stock and equity in 14 investments

 

·                  A total of  $22.5 million drawn and invested from revolving credit facility

 

·                  Received repayment of $18.0 million from 9 investments.

 

Highlighted investment activity in the fourth quarter 2014 included:

 

·                  A $13.25 million investment in Citizens Bancshares Co, 8.75% Senior Term Loan

 

·                  A $8.0 million  investment in  Amboy Capital Trust I, 9.00% Trust Preferred  Security

 

·                  A $3.5 million investment in MidWest Community Financial Corp., 8.80% Subordinated Debenture

 

·                  A $2.5 million investment in SB Financial Corp, 6.5% Non-Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Perpetual Preferred Share, Series B

 

A full listing of investments as of the end of the quarter can be found in the Company’s annual report.

 

At December 31, 2014, the estimated yield generated by the Invested Portfolio (excluding cash and cash equivalents), which comprised 96% of Total Assets, was approximately 8.11%

 

“The average time from an initial meeting with a prospective issuer to deal closing has been longer than expected…” stated Joshua Siegel, StoneCastle Financial’s Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, “…and the slower pace of deployment negatively impacted our financial results.  However, we believe that quarterly results, in this case, do not reflect the long term prospects for the business.”

 

Fourth Quarter 2014 Financial Results

 

Net investment income was $1,263,951, or $0.23 per share, comprised of $2,954,151 in gross income and $1,690,200 of expenses.  Realized losses were $237,395 and the unrealized appreciation of the portfolio investments totaled $1,118,716. This equates to a net realized and unrealized gain on investments of $0.10 per share. The Company incurred offering costs of $0.05 from the follow-on offering concluded in the fourth quarter.

 

The Company paid a quarterly cash distribution of $0.50 per share on January 2, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 12, 2014.

 

For the quarter ended December 31, 2014, the Company’s net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $2,145,272.

 

At December 31, 2014, the Company had Net Assets of $142.1 million, and the Company’s Net Asset Value was $21.86 per share. The Company had drawn and invested $22.5 million on its total $70 million credit facility (which increased from $45 million to $70 million in January 2015) and represents approximately 12.0% of total assets.  According to the current regulated investment company rules, the Company may borrow up to 33.3% of its total assets.

 

Portfolio and Investment Summary

 

As of the close of business on December 31, 2014, the Company had total assets of $183.0 million, consisting of investments with a fair value of $176.5 million (“Invested Portfolio”), cash and money market fund investments of $4.5 million, and other assets of $2.0

 



 

million.  “Total Assets” includes long term investments at market value, cash, interest and dividends receivable, other assets and any proceeds from borrowings used to make a portfolio investment.

 

During the quarter ended December 31, 2014, the Company invested $67.8 million in debt, preferred stock and equity.  The Company received repayment from calls on 9 investments totaling $18.0 million.

 

First Quarter Distribution

 

As of today’s date, the Company declared a cash distribution of $.50 per share payable on March 30, 2015 to stockholders of record on March 20, 2015.

 

Quarterly Conference Call

 

StoneCastle Financial will host a webcast and conference call March 5, 2015 at 5:00 pm Eastern time.

 

The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-9039 for domestic callers or 1-201-689-8470 for international callers. Participants may also access the call via live webcast by visiting StoneCastle Financial’s investor relations website at www.stonecastle-financial.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay will be available shortly after the call and be available through midnight (Eastern Time) on March 19, 2015. The replay can be accessed by dialing 1-877-870-5176 for domestic callers or 1-858-384-5517 for international callers. The passcode for the replay is 13596897. The archive of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website for a limited time.

 

About StoneCastle Financial Corp.

 

StoneCastle Financial is an SEC registered non-diversified, closed-end management investment company listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “BANX.” StoneCastle Financial intends to make long-term, passive, non-control investments in community banks seeking capital for organic growth, acquisitions, share repurchases and other refinancing activities. Its investment objective is to provide current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation. StoneCastle Financial is managed by StoneCastle Asset Management LLC.

 

Disclaimer and Risk Factors:

 

There is no assurance that StoneCastle Financial will achieve its investment objective. StoneCastle Financial is subject to numerous risks, including investment and market risks, management risk, income and interest rate risks, banking industry risks, preferred stock risk, convertible securities risk, debt securities risk, liquidity risk, valuation risk, leverage risk, non-diversification risk, credit and counterparty risks, market discount from net asset value risk and market disruption risk. Shares of closed-end investment companies may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) their net asset value. Shares of StoneCastle Financial may not be appropriate for all investors. Investors should review and consider carefully StoneCastle Financial’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Learn more at www.stonecastle-financial.com.

 

The Annual Report, Semi-Annual Report and other regulatory filings of the Company with the SEC are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s website at www.stonecastle-financial.com, and may discuss these or other factors that affect the Company.

 

CONTACT:                               Investor Contact:

 

Julie Muraco

 

347-887-0324

 

GRAPHIC

 

Copyright 2015 StoneCastle Financial Corp.

 



 

STONECASTLE FINANCIAL CORP.

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

September 30, 2014

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term investments, at fair value

 

$

170,247,971

 

$

131,389,580

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

10,714,128

 

9,739,710

 

Interest and dividends receivable

 

1,350,047

 

703,370

 

Prepaid Assets

 

714,507

 

686,986

 

Total assets

 

183,026,653

 

142,519,646

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loan Payable

 

22,500,000

 

38,000,000

 

Payable for securities purchased

 

13,923,525

 

 

Dividends payable

 

3,250,518

 

 

Investment advisory fee payable

 

589,632

 

538,841

 

Offering expenses payable

 

58,047

 

 

Loan interest payable

 

52,090

 

67,692

 

Accrued expenses

 

521,056

 

160,243

 

Total liabilities

 

40,894,868

 

38,766,776

 

NET ASSETS

 

$

142,131,785

 

$

103,752,870

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, at par ($0.001 per share)

 

6,501

 

4,699

 

Paid-in-capital

 

145,565,472

*

110,562,196

*

Distributions in excess of net investment income

 

(3,250,518

)

(5,505,639

)

Net unrealized depreciation on investments

 

(189,670

)

(1,308,386

)

Total Net Assets

 

$

142,131,785

 

$

103,752,870

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMON STOCK SHARES OUTSTANDING:

 

6,501,035

 

4,699,035

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value per common share

 

$

21.86

 

$

22.08

 

Market price per share

 

$

19.47

 

$

25.15

 

Market price (discount)/premium to net asset value per share

 

-10.93

%

13.91

%

 


*Includes accumulated net realized gain on investments

 



 

STONECASTLE FINANCIAL CORP.

Statement of Operations

 

 

 

For The Year Ended
December 31, 2014

 

For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
2014

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends

 

$

5,604,991

 

$

2,041,679

 

Interest

 

2,631,820

 

844,303

 

Origination fee income

 

300,355

 

355

 

Other income

 

92,637

 

67,814

 

Total Investment Income

 

8,629,803

 

2,954,151

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

Investment advisory fees

 

1,883,324

 

589,632

 

Interest expense

 

489,173

 

221,358

 

Professional fees

 

296,616

 

150,673

 

ABA marketing and licensing fees

 

500,000

 

126,027

 

Tax expense

 

240,609

 

116,165

 

Due diligence expense

 

92,636

 

92,636

 

Transfer agent, custodian fees and administrator fees

 

253,049

 

71,297

 

Directors’ fees

 

178,300

 

46,876

 

Miscellaneous fees

 

577,345

 

275,536

 

Total expenses

 

4,511,052

 

1,690,200

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME

 

4,118,751

 

1,263,951

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized gain / (loss) on investments

 

231,818

 

(237,395

)

Net change in unrealized appreciation /(depreciation) on investments

 

183,030

 

1,118,716

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

 

414,848

 

881,321

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

4,533,599

 

$

2,145,272

 

 



 

STONECASTLE FINANCIAL CORP.

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
2014

 

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

 

$

22.08

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) From Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income *

 

0.23

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) *

 

0.10

**

Offering costs*

 

(0.05

)

Total Income from operations

 

0.28

 

 

 

 

 

Less Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

 

(0.50)

+

Net Asset Value, end of period

 

$

21.86

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, end of period

 

$

142,131,785

 

 

 

 

 

Market value, end of period

 

$

19.47

 

Total investment return based on market value (1)

 

-20.58

%

 

 

 

 

RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCK SHAREHOLDERS: (2)

 

 

 

Ratio of operating expenses

 

5.45

%

Ratio of net investment income

 

1.03

%

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate (3)

 

36

%

 


(1)        Based on share market price and reinvestment of distributions at the price obtained under the dividend investment plan. Total return does not include sales load and offering expenses.

 

(2)        Annualized

 

(3)        Not annualized

 

*              Based on the average shares outstanding during quarter.

 

**         Includes $0.08 per share differential related to actual distribution paid versus average distribution paid, in accordance with the SEC Form N-2 instructions for calculating the financial highlights.

 

+                Actual distribution declared per share. Based on average shares, this would have been $0.58 per share.