Banking newcomer 86 400 more than doubled its bottom line loss last year after launching its maiden deposit and loan products in the Australian market.
The company, which obtained a full banking licence in July 2019, posted a net loss of A$22.3 million for the 12 months to the end of June as technology investments and staff recruitment boosted operating costs by almost 70 per cent.
Chairman Anthony Thomson indicated in his report to shareholders that the result was within expectations and that funds raised from investors would be required to fund further losses.
“Fast growing banks require substantial capital and we’re pleased to have closed our Series A capital raise in March of this year with $34m of new equity, bringing our total capital to $90m,” Thomson said in his report.
“The funds will help further accelerate product and feature development and support our mortgage book growth as well as fund our planned losses.”
At the end of June the bank had net assets of $50 million and paid up capital of $90 million.
According to disclosures in the notes to its accounts, 86 400 operated as a subsidiary of Cuscal until the end of February.
However, following the completion of the series A capital raising that brought new investors on to the company’s share register, 86 400 began to operate as a stand-alone tax entity within its own holding company.
Cuscal’s interest in 86 400 stood at 70 per cent at the end of June, but may have been further diluted in the months since balance date after the bank launched a series B capital raise.
Directors revealed in the accounts that the series B program was necessary to meet a “cash flow forecast” it had made for the 2021 financial year.
“The group has prepared a cash flow forecast which relies on the injection of additional capital in the next 12 months for its continued banking operations, including ongoing IT and product development,” the directors state in the financial accounts.
“As at 24 August 2020, the Series B capital raise is ongoing with no firm commitments or funds yet received, as commitments are not due until after the date of signing the financial statements.
“While the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on local and international capital markets, the directors have a reasonable basis to believe that, based on the progress of the Series B capital raise to date, there is likely to be a sufficient level of interest from new and existing shareholders to raise the required capital for continued banking operations.”
In the event that the capital raising program is delayed or under-subscribed, the directors said the company could implement “a number of cost-saving opportunities”.
Thomson said in his report the Series B offer had received strong initial interest from Australian and international institutional investors.
At the end of June 86 400’s total loans and advances stood at $30 million.
The bank is currently ramping up marketing of mortgages through brokers and is expected to expand its loan book significantly in the current year.
“With our home loan offerings gaining momentum, we have a clear path to profitability and will expand our lending products throughout the coming year, along with a range of smart products and features to further differentiate us in the market,” Thomson said.