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) August 9, 2018

 

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 August 9, 2018 the registrant issued a press release announcing its financial results for the first quarter ended June 30, 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 August 9, 2018  
 

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: August 9, 2018  
   
  By: /s/ Patrick J. Farrell
  Name: Patrick J. Farrell
  Title: Chief Financial Officer
 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit Number Description  

 

99.1 Press Release, Dated August 9, 2018  
 

Section 2: EX-99.1 (EX-99.1)

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

StoneCastle Financial Corp. Reports Second Quarter 2018 Results

 

NEW YORK, August 9, 2018 – 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 second fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2018.

 

Second Quarter 2018 Investment Highlights:

 

Invested $5.26 million in one investment
   
Received $33,891 in pay downs from one investment

 

Investment Activity in the Second Quarter 2018 Included:

 

Invested $5.26 million in Preferred Shares of Community Funding 2018, LLC 9.34%

 

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 June 30, 2018 (excluding cash and cash equivalents) was approximately 8.72%. Excluding the $20.2 million investment in iShares U.S. Preferred Stock ETF, the estimated annualized yield was 9.09%.

 

Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results

 

Net investment income was $2,610,258 or $0.40 per share, comprised of $4,380,477 in gross income and $1,770,219 of expenses. Realized capital gains were $33,891. Net Assets at quarter end were $144,100,538, up $2,809,098 from the prior quarter. The Company’s Net Asset Value was $22.01 per share, up $0.43 from the prior quarter.

 

In the second quarter, the Company paid a cash distribution of $0.38 per share. The distribution was paid on June 28, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 21, 2018.

 

The Company had $45.5 million outstanding on its $62.0 million credit facility at the quarter end, which represents approximately 23.8% 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 June 30, 2018, the Company had total assets of $190,918,081 consisting of total investments of $186,961,326, cash of $245,842 and other assets of $3,710,913.  Other assets include interest and dividends receivable of $2,819,886 and prepaid assets of $891,027.

 

During the quarter, the Company had one pay down totaling $33,891.

 

Quarterly Conference Call

 

StoneCastle Financial will host a webcast and conference call on August 9, 2018 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 August 23, 2018. 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 13680803. 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 (unaudited)

 

   June 30, 2018  March 31, 2018
Assets          
Investments in securities, at fair value (cost: $185,642,227 and $180,099,433 respectively)  $186,961,326   $178,801,423 
Cash   245,842    1,051,837 
Interest and dividends receivable   2,819,886    1,787,921 
Prepaid assets   891,027    954,861 
Total assets   190,918,081    182,596,042 
           
Liabilities          
Payable for securities purchased   -    20,064,987 
Loan payable   45,500,000    20,000,000 
Investment advisory fee payable (1)   832,978    701,873 
Loan interest payable   159,951    123,337 
Directors fee payable   12,492    12,631 
Accrued expenses payable   312,122    401,774 
Total liabilities   46,817,543    41,304,602 
Net Assets  $144,100,538   $141,291,440 
           
Net Assets consist of:          
Common stock at par ($0.001 per share)  $6,548   $6,547 
Paid-in-capital   144,984,096    144,948,534 
Accumulated net investment loss   (734,105)   (856,640)
Accumulated net realized loss on investments   (1,475,100)   (1,508,991)
Net unrealized appreciation / (depreciation) on investments   1,319,099    (1,298,010)
Net Assets  $144,100,538   $141,291,440 
           
Net Asset Value Per Share:          
Common Stock Shares Outstanding   6,548,242    6,546,638 
Net asset value per common share  $22.01   $21.58 
Market price per share  $22.89   $21.75 
Market price premium to net asset value per share   4.00%   0.79%
   
(1)  Investment advisory fee payable shown net of waiver for March 31, 2018 of $86,726.
 

STONECASTLE FINANCIAL CORP.
Statement of Operations (unaudited)

 

   For The Three  For The Three
   Months Ended  Months Ended
   June 30, 2018  March 31, 2018
Investment Income          
Interest  $3,074,584   $3,099,378 
Dividends   1,050,289    553,888 
Origination fee income   160,195    488,397 
Other Income   95,409    91,881 
Total Investment Income   4,380,477    4,233,544 
           
Expenses          
Investment advisory fees (1)   833,660    789,284 
Interest expense   493,347    304,188 
Professional fees   98,059    118,126 
Transfer agent, custodian fees and administrator fees   57,701    65,256 
Bank fees   54,154    53,886 
Directors’ fees   51,230    50,668 
ABA marketing and licensing fees   37,285    37,328 
Investor relations fees   30,865    30,526 
Delaware franchise tax   22,438    22,192 
Insurance expense   17,951    17,753 
Valuation fees   16,062    16,961 
Printing   14,173    22,691 
Due diligence expense   -    16,000 
Miscellaneous fees   43,294    66,129 
Total expenses before waiver   1,770,219    1,610,988 
Less: Advisory fee waiver (2)   (0)   (86,726)
Net expenses after waiver   1,770,219    1,524,262 
Net Investment Income  $2,610,258   $2,709,282 
           
Realized and Unrealized Gain / (Loss) on Investments          
Net realized gain / (loss) on investments  $33,891   $(1,432,027)
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments   2,617,109    1,362,187 
Net realized and unrealized gain / (loss) on investments   2,651,000    (69,840)
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting From Operations  $5,261,258   $2,639,442 
     
  (1)  Investment advisory fee reflects gross contractual fee.
  (2) Investment advisory fee waiver reflects waiver of fees related to purchase of $20.1 million iShares U.S. Preferred Stock Index ETF on March 28th and March 29th 2018.
 

STONECASTLE FINANCIAL CORP.
Financial Highlights (unaudited)

 

   For The Three
   Months Ended
   June 30, 2018
Per Share Operating Performance     
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $21.58 
Net investment income(1)   0.40 
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments(1)   0.41 
Total from investment operations   0.81 
      
Less distributions to shareholders     
From net investment income   (0.38)
Total distributions   (0.38)
      
Net asset value, end of period  $22.01 
Per share market value, end of period  $22.89 
      
Total Investment Return(2)     
Based on market value   7.04%
Based on net asset value   3.74%
      
Ratios and Supplemental Data     
Net assets, end of period (in millions)  $144.1 
      
Ratios (as a percentage to average net assets):     
Expenses before waivers(3)(4)*   4.98%
Expenses after waivers(5)*   4.98%
Net investment income(6)*   7.34%
Portfolio turnover rate**   0%
      
Revolving Credit Agreement     
Total revolving credit agreement outstanding (000’s)  $45,500 
Asset coverage per $1,000 for revolving credit agreement(7)   4,167 
     
(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 3.59%.
(4) Ratio of expenses before waivers to average managed assets equals 3.80%.
(5) Ratio of expenses after waivers to average managed assets equals 3.80%.
(6) Ratio of net investment income to average managed assets equals 5.61%.
(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