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Ocwen Financial Corporation Announces Third Quarter 2010 Financial Results

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Nov. 4, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocwen Financial Corporation ("Ocwen" or the "Company") (NYSE:OCN) today reported a net loss of $8.8 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to a net loss of $42.0 million for the third quarter of 2009. The loss in the third quarter of 2010 is attributable to one-time expenses including $33.9 million in transaction related charges for the HomEq acquisition and $20.1 million in charges for litigation primarily related to the Cartel judgment. The most significant item contributing to the reduction in the net loss between the third quarter of 2009 and the third quarter of 2010 is the absence of $56.5 million in one-time income tax expense recognized in the third quarter of 2009, most in connection with the separation of Altisource (f/k/a Ocwen Solutions). The majority of the remaining favorable variance is attributable to an increase in the size of Ocwen's Servicing segment where the total unpaid principal balance increased from $40.3 billion in the third quarter of 2009 to $76.1 billion in the third quarter of 2010, or 89%, and to lower servicing cost per loan. Net loss per diluted share was $.09 for the third quarter of 2010 compared to a loss of $0.51 for the third quarter of 2009. 
/ Source: GlobeNewswire

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Nov. 4, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocwen Financial Corporation ("Ocwen" or the "Company") (NYSE:OCN) today reported a net loss of $8.8 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to a net loss of $42.0 million for the third quarter of 2009. The loss in the third quarter of 2010 is attributable to one-time expenses including $33.9 million in transaction related charges for the HomEq acquisition and $20.1 million in charges for litigation primarily related to the Cartel judgment. The most significant item contributing to the reduction in the net loss between the third quarter of 2009 and the third quarter of 2010 is the absence of $56.5 million in one-time income tax expense recognized in the third quarter of 2009, most in connection with the separation of Altisource (f/k/a Ocwen Solutions). The majority of the remaining favorable variance is attributable to an increase in the size of Ocwen's Servicing segment where the total unpaid principal balance increased from $40.3 billion in the third quarter of 2009 to $76.1 billion in the third quarter of 2010, or 89%, and to lower servicing cost per loan. Net loss per diluted share was $.09 for the third quarter of 2010 compared to a loss of $0.51 for the third quarter of 2009. 

Third quarter 2010 pre-tax income from continuing operations was affected by:

  • One-time transaction related expenses associated with the HomEq servicing acquisition of $33.9 million including severance and WARN Act compensation of $30.3 million, technology contract exit costs of $2.3 million and other expenses of $1.3 million.
  • $20.1 million in litigation related charges, primarily related to a judgment against Ocwen in the Cartel case of $12.7 million including punitive damages.
  • A non-cash reduction in the fair market value of Auction Rate Securities of $3.0 million.
  • Interest and amortization of loan expense for the $350 million term loan which closed in the second quarter of 2010 of $6.3 million.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $28.1 million or $0.27 per share, compared to a net loss of $9.1 million or $0.13 per share for the same period in 2009. 

THIRD QUARTER BUSINESS PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

  • Completed the acquisition of the $22.4 billion HomEq servicing portfolio and platform on September 1, 2010.
  • Hired and trained 777 people for HomEq prior to closing and successfully transferred 134,000 loans to the Ocwen platform upon closing.
  • Increased revenue on the Saxon servicing portfolio from an average annualized rate of 39 basis points per dollar of average Unpaid Principal Balance to 79 basis points.
  • Reduced the advance ratio to Unpaid Principal Balance on the Saxon portfolio from 8.0% at boarding to 6.7%
  • Completed 15,928 modifications, of which 4,241 were HAMP modifications, which was at the upper end of our guidance of 14,000 to 16,000.

Chairman William Erbey stated, "The closing of the acquisition of HomEq and boarding of this portfolio on Ocwen's platform has gone exceptionally well. September revenue for the HomEq portfolio met our internal expectations. Furthermore, revenue from our Saxon servicing portfolio increased almost three fold in our first full quarter, fully recovering from a slow start. Both of these acquisitions demonstrate the scalability of Ocwen's platform and enable us to significantly lower our cost per loan serviced."

Ronald Faris, President and CEO of Ocwen, stated, "The performance of our loan portfolio continues to improve, resulting in declining advances and increased liquidity. The delinquency rate on the Saxon portfolio has started to decline, contributing to a decrease in Ocwen's advances on the Saxon portfolio by $47.0 million during the third quarter. We expect advances to decline further as we bring the performance of the Saxon and HomEq portfolios more in line with similar loans in Ocwen's legacy portfolio. Our results to date with newly acquired portfolios support our belief that Ocwen can improve the performance of any seasoned non-prime portfolio that may become available for purchase." 

Faris added, "After completing the HomEq and Saxon acquisitions, Ocwen ended the third quarter with $312.6 million in cash and fully collateralized available credit.  79% of our advance borrowings are financed on term notes with the largest having a revolving period extending through August of 2013. On this basis, Ocwen's liquidity and positioning for growth are stronger than ever." 

The Company does not believe that the recent issues in the residential mortgage business regarding foreclosure processes and loan put backs had a measurable effect on Ocwen's results in the third quarter.

Servicing

In comparison to the third quarter of 2009, revenue was 51% higher, and the total unpaid principal balance serviced increased from $40.3 billion at September 30, 2009 to $76.1 billion at September 30, 2010. Operating expenses increased by 118% primarily due to $33.9 million in transaction expenses related to the HomEq acquisition. Pre-tax income for Servicing of $5.4 million was 69% lower than the same quarter last year but after adjusting for one-time charges income was 121%, or $21.6 million, higher due to growth and unit cost reductions.

Loans and Residuals

Loans and Residuals incurred a loss from continuing operations before taxes of $0.8 million as compared to a loss of $3.4 million in the third quarter of 2009. The balance of assets in this segment was $109.9 million at September 30, 2010, which includes $69.7 million of non-recourse assets associated with the four securitization trusts that we first included in our financial statements in 2010. The improvement in operating results reflects fewer loans becoming non-performing and a flattening of the decline in real estate valuations. 

Asset Management Vehicles

The loss from continuing operations before taxes for Asset Management Vehicles was $0.3 million as compared to $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2009. The carrying value of our investment in asset management vehicles was $12.3 million at September 30, 2010.

Corporate

In the third quarter of 2010, Corporate losses from continuing operations before taxes were $27.0 million compared to pre-tax profit of $3.9 million in the third quarter of 2009. The following items affected results in the quarter:

  • Litigation charge of $20.1 million primarily related to the Cartel judgment of $12.7 million.
  • Reduction in the estimated fair market value of Auction Rate Securities of $3.0 million, versus a $7.3 million increase in the third quarter of 2009.

Total consolidated assets increased by 84%, or $1.49 billion, to $3.26 billion during the first nine months of 2010, and total liabilities increased by 162%, or $1.46 billion, to $2.37 billion. These increases were primarily the result of purchasing and financing advances and mortgage servicing rights for the $6.9 billion in servicing acquired from Saxon and the $22.4 billion in servicing acquired from HomEq.  

Ocwen Financial Corporation is a leading provider of residential and commercial loan servicing, special servicing and asset management services. Ocwen is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida with offices in California, the District of Columbia and Georgia and support operations in India and Uruguay.  Utilizing advanced technology and world-class training and processes, we provide solutions that make our clients' loans worth more. Additional information is available at .

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, but not limited to, the securitization market and our plans to securitize loans and expectations as to the impact of rising interest rates and cost-effective resources in India. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic and market conditions, prevailing interest or currency exchange rates, governmental regulations and policies, international political and economic uncertainty, availability of adequate and timely sources of liquidity, federal income tax rates, real estate market conditions and trends and the outcome of ongoing litigation as well as other risks detailed in Ocwen's reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon. Ocwen undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements.

CONTACT: Ocwen Financial Corporation John P. Van Vlack, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Accounting Officer (561) 682-7721 John.VanVlack@Ocwen.com