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) February 28, 2019

 

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))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company o

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

 

Item 2.02           Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On February 28, 2019 the registrant issued a press release announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018. 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 February 28, 2019  
 

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: February 28, 2019

 

By: /s/ Patrick J. Farrell

Name: Patrick J. Farrell

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit Number   Description  
       
99.1   Press Release, Dated February 28, 2019  
 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

StoneCastle Financial Corp. Reports Fourth Quarter 2018 Results

 

NEW YORK, February 28, 2019 – 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, 2018.

 

Fourth Quarter 2018 Investment Highlights:

 

Invested $6.3 million in two investments

 

Received full call proceeds of $428,000 from one investment

 

Investment Activity in the Fourth Quarter 2018 Included:

 

Invested $4.6 million in Young Partners, L.P., Zero Coupon Secured Loan, 10.5% Yield to Maturity, 11/9/2020

 

Invested $1.7 million in Tulsa Valley Bancshares, Fixed Term Loan, 6.38%, 12/31/2028

 

A complete listing of investments as of the end of the quarter can be found on the Company’s website at www.stonecastle-financial.com.

 

The estimated annualized yield generated by the invested portfolio as of December 31, 2018 (excluding cash and cash equivalents) was approximately 9.32%.

 

Fourth Quarter 2018 Financial Results

 

Net investment income was $2,769,692 or $0.42 per share, comprised of $4,712,280 in gross income and $1,942,588 of expenses. Net Assets at quarter end were $140,379,621. The Company’s Net Asset Value was $21.43 per share. The unrealized appreciation of the portfolio decreased by ($3,371,852), or ($0.51).

 

In the fourth quarter, the Company paid a cash distribution of $0.52 per share, comprised of a regular quarterly cash distribution of $0.38 per share and a special cash distribution of $0.14 per share. The distribution was paid on January 2, 2019 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 24, 2018.

 

The Company had $51.0 million outstanding on its $62.0 million credit facility at the quarter end, which represents approximately 26.0% of total assets. According to regulated investment company rules, the Company may borrow only up to 33.3% of its total assets.

 

Portfolio and Investment Summary

 

As of the close of business on December 31, 2018, the Company had total assets of $196,213,789 consisting of total investments of $189,070,497, cash of $2,831,334 and other assets of $4,311,958. Other assets include interest and dividends receivable of $3,056,292, principal receivable of $428,000, and prepaid assets of $827,666.

 

During the quarter, the Company invested $4.6 million in Young Partners, L.P., a holding company for Citizens Bancshares Company, Kansas City, Missouri, and $1.7 million in a subordinated loan in Tulsa Valley Bancshares, Tulsa, OK. The Company received full call proceeds of $428,000 from First Priority Financial Corporation, Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C, 9%.

 

Quarterly Conference Call

 

StoneCastle Financial will host a webcast and conference call on February 28, 2019 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 14, 2019. The replay can be accessed by dialing 1-844-512-2921 for domestic callers or 1-412-317-6671 for international callers. The passcode for the replay is 13686916. 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 at a 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

 

STONECASTLE FINANCIAL CORP.

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

   December 31, 2018   September 30, 2018 
Assets          
Investments in securities, at fair value (cost: $190,966,167 and $185,417,086 respectively)  $189,070,497   $186,893,267 
Cash   2,831,334    247,772 
Receivable for investment securities redeemed   428,000    - 
Interest and dividends receivable   3,056,292    2,858,829 
Prepaid assets   827,666    822,001 
Total assets   196,213,789    190,821,869 
           
Liabilities          
Loan payable   51,000,000    45,000,000 
Dividends payable   3,406,057    - 
Investment advisory fee payable   871,281    835,917 
Loan interest payable   76,117    241,246 
Directors fee payable   13,325    12,908 
Accrued expenses payable   467,388    336,712 
Total liabilities   55,834,168    46,426,783 
Net Assets  $140,379,621   $144,395,086 
           
Net Assets consist of:          
Common stock at par ($0.001 per share)  $6,550   $6,550 
Paid-in-Capital   145,025,061    145,025,061 
Accumulated net investment loss   (1,257,435)   (621,069)
Accumulated net realized loss on investments   (1,498,885)   (1,491,637)
Net unrealized appreciation / (depreciation) on investments   (1,895,670)   1,476,181 
Net Assets  $140,379,621   $144,395,086 
           
Net Asset Value Per Share:          
Common Stock Shares Outstanding   6,550,110    6,550,110 
Net asset value per common share  $21.43   $22.04 
Market price per share  $19.30   $22.42 
Market price premium / (discount) to net asset value per share   -9.94%   1.72%
 

STONECASTLE FINANCIAL CORP.

Statement of Operations

 

   For The Three  For The Three
   Months Ended  Months Ended
   December 31, 2018  September 30, 2018
Investment Income          
Interest  $3,457,576   $3,204,190 
Dividends   1,188,628    1,086,034 
Origination fee income   8,790    8,392 
Other Income   57,286    103,005 
Total Investment Income   4,712,280    4,401,621 
           
Expenses          
Investment advisory fees   871,281    835,234 
Interest expense   570,584    535,870 
Professional fees   180,337    99,138 
Transfer agent, custodian fees and administrator fees   55,172    56,700 
Directors’ fees   53,669    49,935 
ABA marketing and licensing fees   37,694    37,694 
Bank fees   27,057    43,057 
Investor relations fees   26,204    31,204 
Delaware franchise tax   22,419    22,685 
Insurance expense   18,148    18,148 
Valuation fees   16,489    17,488 
Printing   8,673    9,018 
Due diligence expense   -    8,777 
Miscellaneous fees (proxy, rating agency, etc.)   54,861    35,305 
Total expenses   1,942,588    1,800,253 
Net Investment Income  $2,769,692   $2,601,368 
           
Realized and Unrealized Gain / (Loss) on Investments          
Net realized loss on investments  $(7,248)  $(16,537)
Net change in unrealized appreciation / (depreciation) on investments   (3,371,852)   157,082 
Net realized and unrealized gain / (loss) on investments   (3,379,100)   140,545 
Net Increase / (decrease) in Net Assets Resulting From Operations  $(609,408)  $2,741,913 
 

STONECASTLE FINANCIAL CORP.

Financial Highlights

 

     For The Three
Months Ended
December 31, 2018
  Per Share Operating Performance     
  Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $22.04 
  Net investment income(1)  $0.42 
  Net realized and unrealized gain / (loss) on investments(1)  $(0.51)
  Total from investment operations  $(0.09)
        
  Less distributions to shareholders     
  From net investment income  $(0.52)
  Total distributions  $(0.52)
        
  Net asset value, end of period  $21.43 
  Per share market value, end of period  $19.30 
        
  Total Investment Return (2)     
  Based on market value   -11.44%
  Based on net asset value   0.03%
        
  Ratios and Supplemental Data     
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)  $140.4 
        
  Ratios (as a percentage to average net assets):     
  Expenses before waivers(3)(4)*   5.41%
  Expenses after waivers(5)*   5.41%
  Net investment income(6)*   7.72%
  Portfolio turnover rate **   0%
        
  Revolving Credit Agreement     
  Total revolving credit agreement outstanding (000’s)  $51,000 
  Asset coverage per $1,000 for revolving credit agreement(7)   3,753 

 

(1) Based on the average shares outstanding during quarter.  
(2) Reflects reinvestment of distributions at the price obtained under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Total return does not include sales load and offering expenses and are not annualized.
(3) Excluding interest expense, the ratio would have been 3.82%.
(4) Ratio of expenses before waivers to average managed assets equals 3.98%.
(5) Ratio of expenses after waivers to average managed assets equals 3.98%.
(6) Ratio of net investment income to average managed assets equals 5.68%.
(7) Calculated by subtracting the Company’s total liabilities (excluding the loan) from the Company’s total assets and dividing the amount by the loan outstanding in 000’s.
* Annualized
** Not-annualized