PATHWARD FINANCIAL, INC.

Previous wording

The following discussion focuses on the consolidated financial condition of the Company at March 31, 2025, compared to September 30, 2024, and the consolidated results of operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and the related management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.

Current wording

The following discussion focuses on the consolidated financial condition of the Company at June 30, 2025, compared to September 30, 2024, and the consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and the related management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.

Previous wording

As described in Note 17. "Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements" to the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company has restated its unaudited historical consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2024 and for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024. Prior period financial information restated for three and six months ended March 31, 2024, was restated in the Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. As a result the previously reported financial information as of March 31, 2024 and for the three and six months ended March 31, 2024 in this management's discussion and analysis has been updated to reflect the restatements.

Current wording

As described in Note 17. "Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements" to the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company has restated its unaudited historical consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2024 and for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024. Prior period financial information restated for three and nine months ended June 30, 2024, was restated in the Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. As a result the previously reported financial information as of June 30, 2024 and for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024 in this management's discussion and analysis has been updated to reflect the restatements.

Previous wording

Financial Highlights for the 2025 Fiscal Second Quarter

Current wording

Financial Highlights for the 2025 Fiscal Third Quarter

Previous wording

•Total revenue for the second quarter was $274.8 million, an increase of $17.2 million, or 7%, compared to the same quarter in fiscal 2024, driven by an increase in both noninterest income and net interest income.

Current wording

•Total revenue for the third quarter was $195.8 million, an increase of $7.1 million, or 4%, compared to the same quarter in fiscal 2024, driven by an increase in noninterest income.

Previous wording

•Net interest margin ("NIM") increased 35 basis points to 7.12% for the second quarter from 6.77% during the same period of last year, primarily driven by increased yields and balances in the loan and lease portfolio and an improved earning asset mix from the continued balance sheet optimization.

Current wording

•Net interest margin ("NIM") increased 17 basis points to 7.43% for the third quarter from 7.26% during the same period of last year, primarily driven by an improved earning asset mix from the continued balance sheet optimization and lower cost of funds.

Previous wording

•Total gross loans and leases at March 31, 2025 increased $52.9 million to $4.46 billion compared to March 31, 2024 and decreased $97.8 million when compared to December 31, 2024. When excluding the insurance premium finance loans, which sold during the first quarter of fiscal 2025, of $525.5 million at March 31, 2024, total gross loans and leases at March 31, 2025 increased $578.4 million, or 15%, when compared to March 31, 2024.

Current wording

•Total gross loans and leases at June 30, 2025 increased $127.7 million to $4.74 billion compared to June 30, 2024 and increased $278.5 million when compared to March 31, 2025. When excluding the insurance premium finance loans, which sold during the first quarter of fiscal 2025, of $620.1 million at June 30, 2024, total gross loans and leases at June 30, 2025 increased $747.8 million, or 19%, when compared to June 30, 2024.

Previous wording

•During the 2025 fiscal second quarter, the Company repurchased 575,804 shares of common stock at an average share price of $78.11. As of March 31, 2025, there were 5,722,336 shares available for repurchase under the current common stock share repurchase program.

Current wording

•During the 2025 fiscal third quarter, the Company repurchased 603,780 shares of common stock at an average share price of $74.49. As of June 30, 2025, there were 5,118,556 shares available for repurchase under the current common stock share repurchase program.

Previous wording

For the six months ended March 31, 2025, total tax services product revenue was $85.0 million, an increase of 17% compared to the same period of the prior year. Total tax services product fee income increased by $9.5 million and net interest income on tax services loans increased $2.6 million, while total tax services product expense increased marginally when compared to the prior year.

Current wording

For the nine months ended June 30, 2025, total tax services product revenue was $95.2 million, an increase of 16% compared to the same period of the prior year. The increase in revenue was driven by increases in tax product fee income, refund advance fee income, and tax services net interest income.

Previous wording

Provision for credit losses for the tax services portfolio increased $0.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2025 when compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to an increase in loan originations.

Current wording

Provision for credit losses for the tax services portfolio decreased $0.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2025 when compared to the same period of the prior year, due to improvements in data analytics, underwriting and monitoring.

Previous wording

•Total tax services product income, net of losses and direct product expenses, increased 29% to $47.6 million from $36.9 million, when comparing the first six months of fiscal 2025 to the same period of the prior fiscal year.

Current wording

Total tax services product income, net of losses and direct product expenses, increased 27% to $59.8 million from $47.1 million, when comparing the first nine months of fiscal 2025 to the same period of the prior fiscal year.

Previous wording

At March 31, 2025, the Company’s total assets decreased to $6.99 billion compared to $7.53 billion at September 30, 2024, primarily due to reductions of $645.9 million in loans held for sale and $329.7 million in securities AFS, partially offset by growth of $389.7 million in loans and leases and $95.9 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Current wording

At June 30, 2025, the Company’s total assets decreased to $7.23 billion compared to $7.53 billion at September 30, 2024, primarily due to reductions of $641.9 million in loans held for sale and $373.9 million in securities AFS, partially offset by growth of $668.1 million in loans and leases and $100.0 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Previous wording

Total cash and cash equivalents were $254.2 million at March 31, 2025, increasing from $158.3 million at September 30, 2024. The increase is primarily due to the proceeds from the sale of the commercial insurance premium finance business, net transaction costs, the sale of the transportation portfolio within working capital, and the sale of debt securities AFS, partially offset by the repayment of short-term borrowings during the six months ended March 31, 2025. The Company maintains its cash investments primarily in interest-bearing overnight deposits with the FHLB of Des Moines and the FRB. At March 31, 2025, the Company did not have any federal funds sold.

Current wording

Total cash and cash equivalents were $258.3 million at June 30, 2025, increasing from $158.3 million at September 30, 2024. The increase is primarily due to the proceeds from the sale of the commercial insurance premium finance business, net transaction costs, the sale of the transportation portfolio within the Company's working capital lending solutions, and the sale of debt securities AFS, partially offset by the repayment of short-term borrowings during the nine months ended June 30, 2025. The Company maintains its cash investments primarily in interest-bearing overnight deposits with the FHLB of Des Moines and the FRB. At June 30, 2025, the Company did not have any federal funds sold.

Previous wording

The Company's investment security balances at March 31, 2025 totaled $1.44 billion, as compared to $1.77 billion at September 30, 2024. The decrease is primarily due to $217.9 million of debt securities AFS sold by the Bank during the six months ended March 31, 2025. The Company’s portfolio of securities customarily consists primarily of MBS, which have expected lives much shorter than the stated final maturity, non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions, which mature in approximately 15 years or less, and other tax exempt municipal mortgage related pass through securities which have average lives much shorter than their stated final maturities. During the six months ended March 31, 2025, the Company made $2.3 million of purchases of investment securities.

Current wording

The Company's investment security balances at June 30, 2025 totaled $1.40 billion, as compared to $1.77 billion at September 30, 2024. The decrease is primarily due to $217.9 million of debt securities AFS sold by the Bank during the nine months ended June 30, 2025. The Company’s portfolio of securities customarily consists primarily of MBS, which have expected lives much shorter than the stated final maturity, non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions, which mature in approximately 15 years or less, and other tax exempt municipal mortgage related pass through securities which have average lives much shorter than their stated final maturities. During the nine months ended June 30, 2025, the Company made $2.3 million of purchases of investment securities.

Previous wording

Through the Bank, the Company owns stock in the FHLB due to the Bank’s membership and participation in this banking system as well as stock in the FRB. The FHLB requires a level of stock investment based on a pre-determined formula. The Company’s investment in these stocks was $24.3 million at March 31, 2025 and $36.0 million at September 30, 2024, as redemptions were partially offset by purchases of FHLB membership stock during the six months ended March 31, 2025.

Current wording

Through the Bank, the Company owns stock in the FHLB due to the Bank’s membership and participation in this banking system as well as stock in the FRB. The FHLB requires a level of stock investment based on a pre-determined formula. The Company’s investment in these stocks was $29.5 million at June 30, 2025 and $36.0 million at September 30, 2024, as redemptions were partially offset by purchases of FHLB membership stock during the nine months ended June 30, 2025.

Previous wording

Loans held for sale at March 31, 2025 totaled $45.8 million, decreasing from $691.7 million at September 30, 2024. This decrease was primarily driven by the sale of the commercial insurance premium finance loans and a reduction in SBA/USDA loans held for sale, partially offset by growth in consumer credit products held for sale at March 31, 2025 compared to September 30, 2024.

Current wording

Loans held for sale at June 30, 2025 totaled $49.8 million, decreasing from $691.7 million at September 30, 2024. This decrease was primarily driven by the sale of the commercial insurance premium finance loans and a reduction in SBA/USDA loans held for sale, partially offset by an increase in consumer credit products held for sale at June 30, 2025 compared to September 30, 2024.

Previous wording

Total gross loans and leases totaled $4.46 billion at March 31, 2025, as compared to $4.08 billion at September 30, 2024. The increase was due to growth in the commercial finance, tax services, and warehouse finance loan portfolios, partially offset by a reduction in the consumer finance loan portfolio. See Note 5. Loans and Leases, Net to the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Current wording

Total gross loans and leases totaled $4.74 billion at June 30, 2025, as compared to $4.08 billion at September 30, 2024. The increase was due to growth in the commercial finance, warehouse finance, and the tax services loan portfolios, partially offset by a reduction in the consumer finance loan portfolio. See Note 5. Loans and Leases, Net to the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Previous wording

Commercial finance loans, which comprised 79% of the Company's loan and lease portfolio, totaled $3.52 billion at March 31, 2025, reflecting an increase of $229.2 million, 7%, from September 30, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by increases of $211.8 million in term lending, $133.1 million in SBA/USDA, and $70.6 million in asset-based lending, partially offset by decreases of $137.8 million in factoring loans and $31.2 million in other commercial finance.

Current wording

Commercial finance loans, which comprised 80% of the Company's loan and lease portfolio, totaled $3.82 billion at June 30, 2025, reflecting an increase of $522.4 million, 16%, from September 30, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by increases of $449.1 million in term lending, $139.0 million in asset-based lending, and $106.3 million in SBA/USDA, partially offset by decreases of $121.3 million in factoring loans, $18.0 million in lease financing and $32.6 million in other commercial finance.

Previous wording

Total end-of-period deposits decreased 1% to $5.82 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $5.88 billion at September 30, 2024, primarily driven by decreases in noninterest-bearing deposits of $63.0 million and in wholesale deposits of $25.0 million, partially offset by increases in interest-bearing deposits of $21.1 million and in savings deposits of $15.9 million.

Current wording

Total end-of-period deposits increased 2% to $6.01 billion at June 30, 2025, compared to $5.88 billion at September 30, 2024, primarily driven by increases in noninterest-bearing deposits of $152.6 million, interest-bearing deposits of $9.6 million, and savings deposits of $2.1 million, partially offset by a decrease in wholesale deposits of $25.0 million.

Previous wording

As of March 31, 2025, the Company had $386.7 million in deposits related to government stimulus programs.

Current wording

As of June 30, 2025, the Company had $365.6 million in deposits related to government stimulus programs.

Previous wording

The Company's total borrowings decreased from $410.4 million at September 30, 2024 to $33.4 million at March 31, 2025, primarily driven by a decrease in short-term borrowings of $377.0 million as the Company used total deposits to fund loans and leases and investment balances. The Company's short-term borrowings fluctuate on a daily basis due to the nature of a portion of its noninterest-bearing deposit base.

Current wording

The Company's total borrowings decreased from $410.4 million at September 30, 2024 to $148.4 million at June 30, 2025, primarily driven by a decrease in short-term borrowings of $262.0 million as the Company used total deposits to fund loans and leases and investment balances. The Company's short-term borrowings fluctuate on a daily basis due to the nature of a portion of its noninterest-bearing deposit base.

Previous wording

At March 31, 2025, the Company’s stockholders’ equity totaled $814.0 million, a decrease of $8.1 million, from $822.2 million at September 30, 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss, partially offset by an increase in additional paid-in capital and retained earnings. The Company and Bank remained above the federal regulatory minimum capital requirements at March 31, 2025, and continued to be classified as well-capitalized, and in good standing with the regulatory agencies. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further information.

Current wording

At June 30, 2025, the Company’s stockholders’ equity totaled $818.1 million, a decrease of $4.0 million, from $822.2 million at September 30, 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss, partially offset by an increase in retained earnings. The Company and Bank remained above the federal regulatory minimum capital requirements at June 30, 2025, and continued to be classified as well-capitalized, and in good standing with the regulatory agencies. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further information.

Previous wording

As of March 31, 2025, the Company managed $1.12 billion of customer deposits at other banks in its capacity as custodian. These deposits provide the Company with the ability to earn servicing fee income, typically reflective of the EFFR.

Current wording

As of June 30, 2025, the Company managed $430.7 million of customer deposits at other banks in its capacity as custodian. These deposits provide the Company with the ability to earn servicing fee income, typically reflective of the EFFR.

Previous wording

(1) Tax rate used to arrive at the TEY for the six months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was 21%.

Current wording

(1) Tax rate used to arrive at the TEY for the nine months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 was 21%.

Previous wording

The Company recorded net income of $75.0 million, or $3.14 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to net income of $69.9 million, or $2.74 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Current wording

The Company recorded net income of $42.1 million, or $1.81 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to net income of $44.9 million, or $1.78 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

Previous wording

The Company recorded net income of $104.9 million, or $4.35 per diluted share, for the six months ended March 31, 2025, compared to net income of $104.8 million, or $4.07 per diluted share, for the six months ended March 31, 2024.

Current wording

The Company recorded net income of $147.1 million, or $6.17 per diluted share, for the nine months ended June 30, 2025, compared to net income of $149.7 million, or $5.85 per diluted share, for the nine months ended June 30, 2024.

Previous wording

For the six months ended March 31, 2025, net interest income was $261.5 million, an increase of 6%, from $247.6 million compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year.

Current wording

For the nine months ended June 30, 2025, net interest income was $383.8 million, an increase of 4%, from $370.3 million compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year.

Previous wording

The Company’s average interest-earning assets for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 increased by $122.2 million to $7.76 billion compared to the same quarter in fiscal 2024, due to increases in average outstanding balances of interest earning cash and total loan and lease balances, partially offset by a decrease in total investment securities. The second quarter average outstanding balance of loans and leases increased $182.1 million compared to the same quarter of the prior fiscal year, primarily due to increases in the warehouse finance and tax services portfolios, partially offset by decreases in the consumer finance and commercial finance loan portfolios. The decrease in the average outstanding balance of commercial finance loans and leases was primarily driven by the sale of the insurance premium finance loans during the first quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Current wording

The Company’s average interest-earning assets for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 decreased by $202.2 million to $6.60 billion compared to the same quarter in fiscal 2024, due to decreases in average outstanding balances of total investment securities, partially offset by increases in total loan and lease balances and interest earning cash balances. The third quarter average outstanding balance of loans and leases increased $167.0 million compared to the same quarter of the prior fiscal year, primarily due to increases in the warehouse finance, partially offset by decreases in the commercial finance, consumer finance and tax services loan portfolios. The decrease in the average outstanding balance of commercial finance loans and leases was primarily driven by the sale of the insurance premium finance loans during the first quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Previous wording

Fiscal 2025 second quarter NIM increased to 7.12% from 6.77% in the second fiscal quarter of 2024. The overall reported tax-equivalent yield (“TEY”) on average interest-earning assets increased 20 basis points to 7.43% compared to the prior year quarter, driven by an improved earning asset mix. The yield on the loan and lease portfolio was 9.54% compared to 9.27% for the comparable period last year and the TEY on the securities portfolio was 3.11% compared to 3.20% over that same period.

Current wording

Fiscal 2025 third quarter NIM increased to 7.43% from 7.26% in the third fiscal quarter of 2024. The overall reported tax-equivalent yield (“TEY”) on average interest-earning assets increased 7 basis points to 7.52% compared to the prior year quarter, driven by an improved earning asset mix. The yield on the loan and lease portfolio was 9.33% compared to 9.61% for the comparable period last year and the TEY on the securities portfolio was 3.10% compared to 3.16% over that same period.

Previous wording

For the six months ended March 31, 2025, NIM was 7.24%, an increase of 49 basis points from 6.75% compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year.

Current wording

For the nine months ended June 30, 2025, NIM was 7.30%, an increase of 40 basis points from 6.90% compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year.

Previous wording

The Company's cost of funds for all deposits and borrowings averaged 0.32% during the fiscal 2025 second quarter, as compared to 0.47% during the prior year quarter. The Company's overall cost of deposits was 0.23% in the fiscal second quarter of 2025, as compared to 0.38% during the prior year quarter.

Current wording

The Company's cost of funds for all deposits and borrowings averaged 0.08% during the fiscal 2025 third quarter, as compared to 0.20% during the prior year quarter. The Company's overall cost of deposits was 0.02% in the fiscal third quarter of 2025, as compared to 0.11% during the prior year quarter.

Previous wording

The Company recognized a provision for credit losses of $35.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to $29.7 million for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. The period-over-period increase in provision for credit losses was primarily due to increases in provision for credit losses in the commercial finance portfolio of $2.8 million, the consumer finance portfolio of $1.6 million, and the seasonal tax services portfolio of $1.0 million. The Company recognized net charge-offs of $6.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to net charge-offs of $9.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. Net charge-offs attributable to the commercial finance portfolio and the consumer finance portfolio for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 were $6.9 million and $6.3 million, respectively, while recoveries of $6.8 million were recognized in the tax services portfolio. Net charge-offs attributable to the commercial finance portfolio and the consumer finance portfolio for the same quarter of the prior year were $4.7 million and $10.5 million, respectively, while recoveries of $5.8 million were recognized in the tax services portfolio.

Current wording

The Company recognized a provision for credit losses of $9.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $11.9 million for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. The period-over-period decrease in provision for credit losses was primarily due to increases in provision for credit losses in the commercial finance portfolio of $3.6 million, offset by decreases in the provision for credit losses in the tax services portfolio of $1.4 million and $4.5 million in the consumer finance portfolio. The Company recognized net charge-offs of $6.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to net charge-offs of $16.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. Net charge-offs attributable to the commercial finance portfolio and the consumer finance portfolio for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, were $1.7 million and $5.8 million, respectively, while net recoveries of $1.4 million were recognized in the tax services portfolio. Net charge-offs attributable to the commercial finance portfolio and the consumer finance portfolio for the same quarter of the prior year were $6.9 million and $9.7 million, respectively, while net recoveries of $0.4 million were recognized in the tax services portfolio.

Previous wording

The Company recognized a provision for credit losses of $53.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $37.5 million for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. The increase was primarily due to increases in provision for credit losses in all loan portfolios. The Company recognized net charge-offs of $22.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2025, compared to net charge-offs of $22.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2024. Net charge-offs attributable to the commercial finance portfolio and the consumer finance portfolio for the six months ended March 31, 2025 were $14.9 million and $14.0 million, respectively. Net recoveries of $6.3 million were recognized in the tax services portfolio for the six months ended March 31, 2025. Net charge-offs attributable to the commercial finance portfolio and the consumer finance portfolio were $9.3 million and $18.3 million, respectively, for the same six months of the prior year, while net recoveries of $4.9 million were recognized in the tax services portfolio.

Current wording

The Company recognized a provision for credit losses of $63.2 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $49.4 million for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. The increase was primarily due to increases in provision for credit losses in all loan portfolios except the tax services portfolio. The Company recognized net charge-offs of $28.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2025, compared to net charge-offs of $38.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2024. Net charge-offs attributable to the commercial finance portfolio and consumer finance portfolio for the nine months ended June 30, 2025, were $16.6 million and $19.8 million, respectively, while recoveries of $7.7 million were recognized in the tax services portfolio. Net charge-offs attributable to the commercial finance portfolio and consumer finance portfolio were $16.2 million and $28.0 million, respectively, for the same nine months of the prior year, while net recoveries of $5.4 million were recognized in the tax services portfolio.

Previous wording

Fiscal 2025 second quarter noninterest income increased 7% to $138.5 million, compared to $128.9 million for the same period of the prior year. The increase in noninterest income when comparing the current period to the same period of the prior year was primarily driven by secondary market revenue, refund advance and other tax product income, and refund transfer product fees, partially offset by a loss on sale of investment securities, a reduction in card and deposit fees, and a loss on sale of divestiture related to closing business activities from the insurance premium finance business sale that occurred during the first quarter of the fiscal year. The increase in the secondary market revenue was primarily driven by the gain from the sale of the transportation portfolio within working capital.

Current wording

Fiscal 2025 third quarter noninterest income increased 11% to $73.4 million, compared to $65.9 million for the same period of the prior year. The increase in noninterest income when comparing the current period to the same period of the prior year was primarily driven by secondary market revenue, card and deposit fees, and total tax services product fee income, partially offset by reductions in gain on other and rental income.

Previous wording

The period-over-period decrease in card and deposit fee income was primarily related to lower quarterly average deposit balances held at partner banks along with lower servicing fee income due to a reduction in rates following reductions in the EFFR. Servicing fee income on custodial deposits totaled $6.5 million during the 2025 fiscal second quarter, compared to $10.4 million for the same period of the prior year. For the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2024, servicing fee income on custodial deposits totaled $4.5 million.

Current wording

Included in card and deposit fees is servicing fee income on custodial deposits, which totaled $7.9 million during the 2025 fiscal third quarter, compared to $8.6 million for the same period of the prior year. For the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2025, servicing fee income on custodial deposits totaled $6.5 million. The period-over-period decrease in servicing fee income on deposit balances held at partner banks was primarily due to a reduction in rates following reductions in the EFFR. The sequential quarter increase in servicing fee income was due to an increase in custodial deposits.

Previous wording

Noninterest income for the six months ended March 31, 2025 increased to $195.9 million from $181.7 million for the same period of the prior year.

Current wording

Noninterest income for the nine months ended June 30, 2025 increased to $269.3 million from $247.6 million for the same period of the prior year.

Previous wording

Noninterest expense increased 5% to $148.2 million for the fiscal 2025 second quarter, from $140.7 million for the same quarter last year. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in operating lease equipment depreciation expense, other expense, refund transfer product expense, card processing expense, and occupancy and equipment expense. This increase was partially offset primarily by reductions in compensation and benefits expense, refund advance product expense, and impairment expense. Occupancy and equipment expense was impacted by continued investment in our technology infrastructure. The Company expects to continue investments in technology as well as risk and compliance over the balance of fiscal 2025.

Current wording

Noninterest expense increased 11% to $139.3 million for the fiscal 2025 third quarter, from $125.5 million for the same quarter last year. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in legal and consulting expense, other expense, card processing expense, occupancy and equipment expense, and operating lease equipment depreciation expense.

Previous wording

Card processing expense is primarily driven by rate-related agreements with Partner Solutions relationships. The amount of expense paid under those agreements is based on an agreed upon rate index that varies depending on the deposit levels, floor rates, market conditions, and other performance conditions. Generally, this rate index is based on a percentage of the EFFR and reprices immediately upon a change in the EFFR. Approximately 62% of the deposit portfolio was subject to these rate-related processing expenses during the fiscal 2025 second quarter. For the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2025, contractual, rate-related processing expenses were $28.4 million, as compared to $25.6 million for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2024 and $30.1 million for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024.

Current wording

Card processing expense is primarily driven by rate-related agreements with Partner Solutions relationships. The amount of expense paid under those agreements is based on an agreed upon rate index that varies depending on the deposit levels, floor rates, market conditions, and other performance conditions. Generally, this rate index is based on a percentage of the EFFR and reprices immediately upon a change in the EFFR. Approximately 62% of the deposit portfolio was subject to these rate-related processing expenses during the fiscal 2025 third quarter. For the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2025, contractual, rate-related processing expenses were $25.1 million, as compared to $28.4 million for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2025 and $27.6 million for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Previous wording

Noninterest expense for the six months ended March 31, 2025 increased to $276.0 million from $261.8 million for the same period of the prior year.

Current wording

Noninterest expense for the nine months ended June 30, 2025 increased to $415.3 million from $387.3 million for the same period of the prior year.

Previous wording

The Company recorded income tax expense of $16.2 million, representing an effective tax rate of 17.7%, for the fiscal 2025 second quarter, compared to an income tax expense of $16.9 million, representing an effective tax rate of 19.4%, for the second quarter last fiscal year. The current quarter decrease in income tax expense compared to the prior year quarter was primarily due to an investment tax credit.

Current wording

The Company recorded income tax expense of $4.8 million, representing an effective tax rate of 10.2%, for the fiscal 2025 third quarter, compared to an income tax expense of $6.1 million, representing an effective tax rate of 11.9%, for the third quarter last fiscal year. The current quarter decrease in income tax expense compared to the prior year quarter was primarily due to a decrease in income.

Previous wording

The Company originated $1.9 million in renewable energy leases during the fiscal 2025 second quarter, resulting in $0.5 million in total net investment tax credits. During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company originated $25.9 million in renewable energy leases resulting in $7.0 million in total net investment tax credits. For the six months ended March 31, 2025, the Company originated $11.2 million in renewable energy leases, compared to $38.1 million for the comparable prior year period. Investment tax credits related to renewable energy leases are recognized ratably based on income throughout each fiscal year.

Current wording

The Company originated $2.1 million in renewable energy leases during the fiscal 2025 third quarter, resulting in $0.2 million in total net investment tax credits. During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company originated $4.3 million in renewable energy leases resulting in $1.2 million in total net investment tax credits. For the nine months ended June 30, 2025, the Company originated $13.3 million in renewable energy leases, compared to $42.1 million for the comparable prior year period. Investment tax credits related to renewable energy leases are recognized ratably based on income throughout each fiscal year.