Oportun Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: OPRT) shares experienced a notable uptick, surging by as much as 4.48% to $2.33 in the extended trading session. That effectively counteracted the 3.04% decline observed during the regular session, concluding at $2.23. This positive movement in OPRT shares occurred in the absence of any discernible market-influencing news, prompting an exploration of recent internal developments within the company.
Recently, Oportun (OPRT) disclosed its financial outcomes for the third quarter concluding on September 30, 2023. Concurrently, the company furnished an operational briefing highlighting its robust performance across various dimensions. Within the quarter, OPRT’s member base expanded to 2.1 million, reflecting a noteworthy 13% increase from the 1.9 million recorded at the close of the preceding year’s equivalent quarter. Similarly, product volume rose to 2.3 million, indicating a 14% surge from the 2.0 million reported at the conclusion of the corresponding quarter in the prior year.
Aggregate Originations at Oportun amounted to $483 million, registering a 24% decline in comparison to the $634 million reported in the analogous quarter of the prior year. This reduction primarily stemmed from a decrease in originated loans, attributable to the company’s strategic adjustment of credit underwriting standards. The focus on lending to existing and returning members aimed at enhancing credit outcomes played a pivotal role in this approach.
Furthermore, OPRT recently forged a new partnership with Castlelake, L.P., a globally recognized alternative investment firm specializing in asset-based opportunities. Pursuant to this agreement, certain funds and affiliates of Castlelake will extend a private structured financing solution amounting to $200 million to Oportun. According to the terms, these funds will be utilized by OPRT to facilitate the origination of its personal loan products.
This transaction follows a $400 million whole loan flow sale agreement between the two entities. Under this arrangement, Castlelake is set to acquire personal loan production originated by Oportun over the ensuing 12 months. The continuity of transactions with Castlelake underscores the persistent and robust demand for Oportun’s personal loan production among institutional investors.
Oportun remains committed to cultivating a strategic relationship with Castlelake, with a joint focus on aiding members in building financial resilience and gaining access to the broader financial landscape. Notably, Oportun sustains a diverse array of capital sources, encompassing committed warehouse facilities, asset-backed securitizations, corporate-level debt financing, and whole loan sales.
