March 22, 2011 04:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Discover Financial Services Reports Record First Quarter Net Income of $465 Million or $0.84 Per Diluted Share
Increases the Quarterly Dividend to $0.06 Per Share
RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) today reported net income for the first quarter of 2011 of $465 million, as compared to a net loss of $104 million for the first quarter of 2010.
“Our results this quarter represented record earnings for any first quarter in Discover's history, driven by on-going improvements in credit performance and accelerating growth in Discover card sales as well as third party payments volumes”
First Quarter Highlights
- Discover card sales volume was $24 billion in the quarter, an increase of 7% from the prior year.
- The company acquired The Student Loan Corporation, adding student loans with a fair value of $3.1 billion to its private student loan portfolio. Total loans grew 3% year over year, including the student loan acquisition.
- Credit quality continued to improve as the credit card net charge-off rate declined sequentially 99 basis points to 5.96%, and credit card loans over 30 days delinquent declined 47 basis points to 3.59%.
- Payment Services had record pretax income of $43 million, up 16% from the prior year. Transaction volume for the segment was $43 billion in the quarter, an increase of 21% from the prior year.
- The company declared a first quarter dividend of $0.06 per share, representing a restoration of the dividend to the pre-financial crisis level.
"Our results this quarter represented record earnings for any first quarter in Discover's history, driven by on-going improvements in credit performance and accelerating growth in Discover card sales as well as third party payments volumes," said David Nelms, chairman and chief executive officer of Discover. “I am optimistic that our additional student loan capabilities, additional marketing investments and the gradually improving economy will further contribute to profitable loan growth in the future."
Segment Results:
Direct Banking
Direct Banking pretax income of $677 million in the first quarter of 2011 was an $885 million improvement from the first quarter of 2010. Pretax income included $30 million related to The Student Loan Corporation.
Total loans ended the quarter at $51.7 billion, up 3% compared to the prior year, reflecting the acquisition of $3.1 billion in private student loans partially offset by a decline in credit card loans. Credit card loans ended the quarter at $44.3 billion, a 3% decline from the prior year, driven by an increase in the payment rate partially offset by a 7% year over year increase in Discover card sales volume.
Net interest margin increased 21 basis points from the prior year to 9.22%, principally due to a decrease in funding related costs, which resulted in a $25 million increase in net interest income. Net interest income increased $46 million from the prior quarter, primarily driven by an increase in total loan balances related to the student loan acquisition.
The delinquency rate for credit card loans over 30 days past due declined to 3.59%, an improvement of 180 basis points from the prior year, and 47 basis points from the prior quarter. The credit card net charge-off rate decreased to 5.96% for the first quarter of 2011, down 304 basis points from the prior year and 99 basis points from the prior quarter.
Provision for loan losses of $418 million decreased $969 million from the prior year, driven by lower charge-offs and a reduction in the allowance for loan losses. Improvement in the outlook for credit performance over the next 12 months led to a reduction in the loan loss reserve rate, which resulted in a reserve release of $271 million in the first quarter of 2011 versus a reserve build of $305 million in the first quarter of 2010.
Other income increased $6 million, or 1%, from the prior year. The increase reflects a purchase gain of $16 million and transition services revenue related to the acquisition of The Student Loan Corporation. This was partially offset by a decline in late fees and the discontinuance of overlimit fees beginning in February 2010.
Expenses were up $115 million, or 26%, from the prior year, reflecting increased marketing and advertising spending, higher compensation expense and costs related to The Student Loan Corporation acquisition. The first quarter of 2010 included a $23 million benefit related to a dispute settlement.
Payment Services
Payment Services pretax income of $43 million in the quarter was up $6 million, or 16%, from the prior year driven principally by an $11 million increase in revenues.
Payment Services dollar volume was a record $43.2 billion for the first quarter, up 21% from the prior year, driven by higher PULSE, Diners Club International and third-party issuer volume. The number of transactions on the PULSE network increased 29%.
Effective Tax Rate
The company's effective tax rate declined to 35.4%, reflecting the resolution of a number of state tax matters.
Dividends
The company’s board declared a cash dividend of $0.06 per share of common stock, payable on April 21, 2011, to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 7, 2011.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
The company will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter results on Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at 4:00 p.m. Central time. Interested parties can listen to the conference call via a live audio webcast at http://investorrelations.discoverfinancial.com.
About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company operates the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers personal and student loans, online savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its Discover Bank subsidiary. Its payment businesses consist of Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discoverfinancial.com.
