Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Sachem Capital Achieves Record Revenue of $12.7 Million and

Generates $6.2 Million of Net Income for 2019

 

Solid balance sheet with cash and short-term marketable securities of approximately $34.8 million and stockholders’ equity of $82.6 million as of December 31, 2019

 

Company will defer decision on further 2020 dividends until July

 

Conference Call and Webcast to be Held at 11:00 AM EST on Tuesday, March 31st

 

Branford, Connecticut, March 30, 2020 -- Sachem Capital Corp. (NYSE American: SACH) announces its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2019. In addition, the company will host a conference call on Tuesday, March 31st at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time to discuss in greater detail its financial condition and operating results for the year ended December 31, 2019 and its outlook for 2020, including dividend payments.

 

Results of operations

 

Total revenue for 2019 was $12.7 million compared to approximately $11.7 million for 2018, an increase of approximately $1.0 million, or 8.3%. Interest income increased approximately 8.8% and origination fee income increased approximately 7.7%.

 

Total operating costs and expenses for 2019 were approximately $6.5 million compared to approximately $3.9 million for 2018, an increase of approximately $2.6 million, or 64.5%. Interest and amortization of deferred financing costs increased by approximately 76.4%, reflecting higher levels of indebtedness, which, in turn contributed to increased income and the growth in our mortgage loan portfolio. Total operating costs and expenses included approximately $439,000 of deferred financing costs, non-cash expenses, as well as an additional $340,000 of expenses relating to the termination of the Webster credit facility in May 2019. In addition, 2019 operating expenses also included a $417,000 impairment loss attributable to real estate owned.

 

Net income for 2019 was approximately $6.2 million compared to approximately $7.8 million for 2018 due primarily to the increase in operating costs and expenses. As a result of the reduction in net income and the increase in the weighted number of common shares outstanding, net income per share for 2019 was $0.32 compared to $0.50 for 2018.

 

Financial Condition

 

At December 31, 2019, total assets were $141.2 million compared to $82.0 million at December 31, 2018. Most of this increase was attributable to increases in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities ($34.6 million), mortgage loans receivable ($16.3 million) and real estate owned ($5.3 million).

 

Total liabilities at December 31, 2019 were $58.7 million compared to $33.2 million reflecting a higher level of indebtedness.

 

Shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2019 was $82.6 million compared to $52.8 million at December 31, 2018. The increase reflects the net proceeds of $30.9 million realized from sales of common shares in 2019.

 

   

 

 

Dividends

 

In 2019, the Company paid a total of $9.7 million of dividends, of which $6.7 million represented 2019 taxable income. In addition, in January 2020 the Company paid a dividend of $0.12 per share, or $2.65 million in the aggregate, which will be applied to 2020 taxable income. In light of the uncertain outlook for 2020 due to COVID-19, out of an abundance of caution and a desire to preserve liquidity, the company has decided to defer any decision regarding further 2020 dividends until after the end of the second quarter of 2020. The Company currently operates and qualifies as a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) for federal income taxes and intends to continue to qualify and operate as a REIT. Under federal income tax rules, a REIT is required to distribute a minimum of 90% of taxable income each year to its shareholders and the company intends to comply with this requirement for the current year.

 

John Villano, CPA, the company’s chief executive and chief financial officer stated: “As previously discussed, 2019 was a transformative year for the Company – we raised over $90 million of fresh capital, which was used to pay off the entire outstanding balance on our $35 million credit facility and to expand our mortgage portfolio. Although the expenses relating to these transactions had a material adverse impact on our 2019 operating results, we believe the long-term benefits will enhance our operating performance. Given recent developments, our strategy has put us in a much better position to deal with the impact of COVID-19. We started 2020 with tremendous enthusiasm and great expectations given the $34.8 million of liquid assets available to us. However, like many others, we were not prepared for the pervasive impact of the COVID-19 that is not only a health crisis, but which has also created an economic crisis. We have reoriented our focus from growth to preservation of capital until we can accurately assess the impact COVID-19 will have on our business. Thus, we intend to tighten our lending criteria and to, temporarily, table our expansion strategy to reduce our risk. We think in the short-term there will be plenty of opportunities for us in the geographic markets in which we traditionally operated. We have experienced tremendous growth over the last three years and our shareholders have benefitted accordingly. However, our primary concern, aside from the health and safety of our employees, is to maintain and preserve everything we have achieved to date so that we will be well-positioned to take advantage of new market opportunities once the pandemic subsides. We believe this is the best course of action for Sachem and its shareholders.”

 

Investor Conference Call

 

The company will host a conference call on March 31, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, to discuss in greater detail its financial results for the year ending December 31, 2019 as well as its outlook for 2020 and strategy for dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interested parties can access the conference call by calling 844-602-0380 for U.S. callers, or +862-298-0970 for international callers. The call will be available on the company’s website via webcast at https://www.sachemcapitalcorp.com. John Villano, the company’s Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer will lead the conference call.

 

The webcast will also be archived on the company’s website and a telephone replay of the call will be available approximately one hour following the call, through 11:00 a.m. on April 14, 2020, and can be accessed by calling: 877-481-4010 for U.S. callers or +919-882-2331 for international callers and entering conference ID: 33917.

 

About Sachem Capital Corp.

 

Sachem Capital Corp. specializes in originating, underwriting, funding, servicing and managing a portfolio of first mortgage loans. It offers short term (i.e., three years or less) secured, nonbanking loans (sometimes referred to as “hard money” loans) to real estate investors to fund their acquisition, renovation, development, rehabilitation or improvement of properties located primarily in Connecticut. The Company does not lend to owner occupants. The company’s primary underwriting criteria is a conservative loan to value ratio. The properties securing the company’s loans are generally classified as residential or commercial real estate and, typically, are held for resale or investment. Each loan is secured by a first mortgage lien on real estate. Each loan is also personally guaranteed by the principal(s) of the borrower, which guaranty may be collaterally secured by a pledge of the guarantor’s interest in the borrower. The company also makes opportunistic real estate purchases apart from its lending activities. The company believes that it qualifies as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for federal income tax purposes and has elected to be taxed as a REIT beginning with its 2017 tax year.

 

   

 

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, strategy and plans, and our expectations for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “seek,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “likely,” “continue,” “design,” and the negative of such terms and other words and terms of similar expressions are intended to identify forward- looking statements.

 

We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to several risks, uncertainties and assumptions as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2019 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2020. Because of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

 

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. In addition, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. We disclaim any duty to update any of these forward-looking statements.

 

All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements as well as others made in this press release. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made by us in the context of these risks and uncertainties.

 

Investor & Media Contact:

Crescendo Communications, LLC

Email: sach@crescendo-ir.com

Tel: (212) 671-1021

 

   

 

  

SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.

BALANCE SHEETS

  

   December 31, 
   2019   2018 
Assets          
Assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $18,841,937   $99,310 
Cash - restricted   -    59,549 
Short-term marketable securities   15,949,802      
Escrow deposits   -    12,817 
Mortgages receivable   94,348,689    78,011,653 
Mortgages receivable, affiliate   -    879,457 
Interest and fees receivable   1,370,998    1,397,038 
Other receivables   141,397    155,000 
Due from borrowers   840,930    695,218 
Prepaid expenses   24,734    14,866 
Property and equipment, net   1,346,396    1,180,107 
Deposits on property and equipment   71,680    12,000 
Real estate owned   8,258,082    2,943,438 
Deferred financing costs   16,600    553,597 
           
Total assets  $141,211,245   $86,014,050 
           
           
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity          
Liabilities:          
Notes payable (net of deferred financing costs of $2,687,190)  $55,475,810   $- 
Line of credit   -    27,219,123 
Mortgage payable   784,081    290,984 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   249,879    316,413 
Security deposits held   7,800    7,800 
Advances from borrowers   848,268    317,324 
Due to shareholder   -    1,200,000 
Deferred revenue   1,205,740    1,058,406 
Notes payable   75,433    - 
Dividend payable   -    2,624,566 
Accrued interest   3,416    176,619 
Total liabilities   58,650,427    33,211,235 
           
Commitments and Contingencies          
           
Shareholders' equity:          
           
Preferred shares - $.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued   -    - 
Common stock - $.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 22,117,301 and 15,438,621 issued and outstanding   22,117    15,439 
Paid-in capital   83,856,308    53,192,859 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (50,878)   - 
Accumulated deficit   (1,266,729)   (405,483)
Total shareholders' equity   82,560,818    52,802,815 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  $141,211,245   $86,014,050 

  

   

 

  

SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.

STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

      

   Years Ended 
   December 31, 
   2019   2018 
Revenue:          
Interest income from loans  $9,751,733   $8,960,883 
Investment income   81,111    - 
Origination fees   1,519,294    1,411,100 
Late and other fees   265,310    189,078 
Processing fees   167,070    138,317 
Rental income, net   69,300    101,789 
Other income   826,688    837,339 
Net gain on sale of real estate   -    74,864 
           
Total revenue   12,680,506    11,713,370 
           
Operating costs and expenses:          
Interest and amortization of deferred financing costs   2,938,237    1,665,891 
Professional fees   542,920    417,312 
Compensation, fees and taxes   1,534,447    1,248,107 
Exchange fees   44,192    33,535 
Other expenses and taxes   90,412    20,707 
Excise tax   -    19,000 
Depreciation   63,566    32,529 
Expense in connection with termination of credit facility   340,195    - 
General and administrative expenses   478,513    437,011 
Net loss on sale of real estate   34,919    - 
Impairment loss   417,094    67,493 
           
Total operating costs and expenses   6,484,495    3,941,585 
           
Net income   6,196,011    7,771,785 
           
Other comprehensive loss:          
Unrealized loss on investment securities   (50,878)   - 
           
Comprehensive income  $6,145,133   $7,771,785 
           
Basic and diluted net income per common share outstanding:          
Basic  $0.32   $0.50 
Diluted  $0.32   $0.50 
           
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:          
Basic   19,415,237    15,425,772 
Diluted   19,415,237    15,425,772 

  

   

 

  

SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

        

   Years Ended 
   December 31, 
   2019   2018 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES          
Net income  $6,196,011   $7,771,785 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Write-off and amortization of deferred financing costs   722,580    137,241 
Depreciation expense   63,566    32,529 
Stock based compensation   43,147    37,589 
Impairment loss   417,094    67,493 
Loss on sale of real estate   34,919    (74,864)
Abandonment of office furniture   12,000    - 
Unrealized (gain) loss on investments        - 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
(Increase) decrease in:          
Escrow deposits   12,817    98,372 
Interest and fees receivable   (154,196)   (994,900)
Other receivables   13,603    234,570 
Due from borrowers   385,424    (243,423)
Prepaid expenses   (9,868)   (10,346)
Deposits   (59,680)   (12,000)
(Decrease) increase in:          
Due to note purchaser   -    (723,478)
Accrued interest   (173,203)   136,027 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   (66,535)   (74,345)
Deferred revenue   147,334    (49,994)
Advances from borrowers   530,944    (116,207)
Total adjustments   1,919,946    (1,555,736)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES   8,115,957    6,216,049 
           
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES          
Purchase of investments and marketable securities   (16,000,680)   - 
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned   1,087,004    1,848,558 
Acquisitions of and improvements to real estate owned, net   (1,266,949)   (541,525)
Purchase of property and equipment   (241,855)   (710,815)
Security deposits   -    5,250 
Principal disbursements for mortgages receivable   (64,742,552)   (42,078,191)
Principal collections on mortgages receivable   43,347,362    24,641,469 
NET CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES   (37,817,670)   (16,835,254)
           
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES          
Proceeds from line of credit   42,720,829    77,564,529 
Repayment of line of credit   (69,939,952)   (60,187,019)
Proceeds from notes sold to shareholder   1,017,000    - 
Repayment of notes sold to shareholder   (2,217,000)   - 
Principal payments on mortgage payable   -    (10,117)
Dividends   (9,681,823)   (6,787,795)
Costs in connection with ATM   -    (160,479)
Financing costs incurred   (2,872,774)   (595,278)
Proceeds from mortgage payable   795,000    - 
Prepayment of mortgage payable   (301,903)   - 
Proceeds from notes payable, net   75,434    - 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock   30,544,945    - 
Proceeds from exercise of warrants   82,035      
Proceeds from issuance of notes   58,163,000    - 
           
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES   48,384,791    9,823,841 
           
NET INCREASE(DECREASE) IN CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH   18,683,078    (795,364)
           
CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH- BEGINNING OF YEAR   158,859    954,223 
           
CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH - END OF YEAR  $18,841,937   $158,859 

  

   

 

  

SACHEM CAPITAL CORP.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW (Continued)

            

   Years Ended 
   December 31, 
   2019   2018 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOWS          
INFORMATION          
Taxes paid  $-   $53,191 
Interest paid  $2,237,240   $1,370,714 
           
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION-NON-CASH          
Dividends declared and payable  $-   $2,624,566 
           

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued notes payable in the amount of $169,338 for the acquisition of mortgages receivable.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company purchased a mortgage receivable from a third party at a discount in the amount of $21,433.

 

Real estate acquired in connection with the foreclosure of certain mortgages, inclusive of interest and other fees receivable, during the year ended December 31, 2018 amounted to $3,173,963.

 

Assignment of mortgage receivable to shareholder in the amount of $1,200,000, during the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

The reversal of previously accrued capitalized costs during the year ended December 31, 2018, amounted to $6,212.

 

Real estate acquired in connection with the foreclosure of certain mortgages, inclusive of interest and other fees receivable, during the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $5,406,477.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, mortgages receivable, affiliate in the amount of $879,457 were reduced to $0 as the underlying loans were transferred to the Company and are included in mortgages receivable.