MeridianLink Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results

Second quarter revenue of $78.7 million grows 4% year-over-year driven by lending software solutions revenue of $61.6 million, reflecting growth of 11% year-over-year

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MeridianLink, Inc. (NYSE: MLNK), a leading provider of modern software platforms for financial institutions and consumer reporting agencies, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

“Our second quarter performance highlights the resilience of our business model, continued demand for MeridianLink^® One, and our disciplined execution as a leading vertical SaaS company,” said Nicolaas Vlok, chief executive officer of MeridianLink^®. “Our lending software solutions continue to perform well in the face of macroeconomic headwinds due to the power of our platform. New and existing customers continue to partner with MeridianLink to execute a digital lending strategy that wins in the market.”

Quarterly Financial Highlights:

• Revenue of $78.7 million, an increase of 4% year-over-year
• Lending software solutions revenue of $61.6 million, an increase of 11% year-over-year
• Operating loss of $(1.1) million, or (1)% of revenue, and non-GAAP operating income of $15.5 million, or 20% of revenue
• Net loss of $(9.7) million, or (12)% of revenue, and adjusted EBITDA of $31.8 million, or 40% of revenue
• Cash flows from operations of $14.4 million, or 18% of revenue, and free cash flow of $12.4 million, or 16% of revenue
• MeridianLink returned $29.9 million to stockholders via 1.6 million of stock repurchases

Business and Operating Highlights:

• MeridianLink named Larry Katz President of the Company and will welcome Elias Olmeta as our new Chief Financial Officer on August 26, 2024. Mr. Katz will continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer until Mr. Olmeta starts. With these leadership changes, we are enhancing our industry expertise and aligning our customer-facing organization to further scale the business.
• New and existing customers chose MeridianLink One to enhance their lending solutions, including a MeridianLink^® Consumer customer who adopted MeridianLink^® Mortgage, Mortgage Access, and our Debt Optimization solution.
• MeridianLink announced 3Rivers Federal Credit Union’s successful go-live on MeridianLink^® Access and Opening, resulting in a significant decrease in loan application times.
• We enhanced our product capabilities through a new integration between MeridianLink^® Insight and Collect that provides customers with advanced analytics to run their businesses, including a new payment propensity index.
• To offer our customers innovative AI capabilities, we partnered with Conductiv, a leader in providing missing, permissioned data to meet underwriting guidelines, helping customers achieve up to a 47% increase in approval rates without increasing losses.

Business Outlook

Based on information as of today, August 8, 2024, the Company issues third quarter financial guidance and updates full year 2024 financial guidance as follows:

Third Quarter Fiscal 2024:

• Revenue is expected to be in the range of $78.0 to $81.0
• Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $30.0 to $33.0

Full Year 2024:

• Revenue is expected to be in the range of $312.0 to $318.0
• Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $123.0 to $128.0

Conference Call Information

MeridianLink will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter results today, August 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). The conference call can be accessed by dialing [phone] from North America toll-free or the International number of [phone] with Conference ID 49245. A live webcast of the conference call can be accessed from the investor relations page of MeridianLink’s website at ir.meridianlink.com. An archived replay of the webcast will be available at the same website following the conclusion of the call. A telephonic replay will be available until 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time) on Thursday, August 15, 2024, by dialing [phone] from North America or the International number of [phone] with Playback Passcode 49245.

MeridianLink uses its investor relations website (https://ir.meridianlink.com), press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls and webcasts, blog posts on its website, as well as its social media channels, such as its LinkedIn page (www.linkedin.com/company/meridianlink), X (formerly Twitter) feed (@meridianlink), and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MeridianLink/), as a means of disclosing material information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Information contained on or accessible through the websites is not incorporated by reference into this release, and links for these websites are inactive textual references only.

About MeridianLink

MeridianLink^® (NYSE: MLNK) empowers financial institutions and consumer reporting agencies to drive efficient growth. MeridianLink’s cloud-based digital lending, account opening, background screening, and data verification software solutions leverage shared intelligence from a unified data platform, MeridianLink^® One, to enable customers of all sizes to identify growth opportunities, effectively scale up, and support compliance efforts, all while powering an enhanced experience for staff and consumers alike.

For more than 25 years, MeridianLink has prioritized the democratization of lending for consumers, businesses, and communities. Learn more at www.meridianlink.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the financial measures presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, we provide certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin; non-GAAP operating income (loss); non-GAAP net income (loss); non-GAAP cost of revenue; non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses; non-GAAP research and development expenses; non-GAAP general and administrative expenses; and free cash flow. The presentation of these financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. Rather, we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when viewed in addition to and not in lieu of our reported GAAP financial results, provide investors with additional meaningful information to assess our financial performance and trends, enable comparison of financial results between periods, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics utilized internally in analyzing and operating our business. The following definitions are provided:

• Non-GAAP operating income (loss): GAAP operating income (loss), excluding the impact of share-based compensation, employer payroll taxes on employee stock transactions, expenses associated with our secondary offering, restructuring related costs, expenses related to debt modification, charges in connection with litigation unrelated to our core business, and sponsor and third-party acquisition-related costs.
  
  
• Non-GAAP net income (loss): GAAP net income (loss), excluding the impact of share-based compensation, employer payroll taxes on employee stock transactions, expenses associated with our secondary offering, restructuring related costs, expenses related to debt modification, charges in connection with litigation unrelated to our core business, and the effect of income taxes, including the partial valuation allowance, on non-GAAP items. The effects of income taxes on non-GAAP items reflect a fixed long-term projected tax rate of 24%.
  
  The Company employs a structural long-term projected non-GAAP income tax rate of 24% for greater consistency across reporting periods, eliminating effects of items not directly related to the Company's operating structure that may vary in size and frequency. This long-term projected non-GAAP income tax rate is determined by analyzing a mix of historical and projected tax filing positions, assumes no additional acquisitions during the projection period or include the impact from the partial deferred tax asset valuation allowance, and takes into account various factors, including the Company’s anticipated tax structure, its tax positions in different jurisdictions, and current impacts from key U.S. legislation where the Company operates. We will reevaluate this tax rate, as necessary, for significant events such as significant alterations in the U.S. tax environment, substantial changes in the Company’s geographic earnings mix due to acquisition activity, or other shifts in the Company’s strategy or business operations.
  
  
• Adjusted EBITDA: net income (loss) before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense, employer payroll taxes on employee stock transactions, expenses associated with our secondary offering, restructuring related costs, expenses related to debt modification, charges in connection with litigation unrelated to our core business, and deferred revenue reductions from purchase accounting for acquisitions prior to the adoption of ASU 2021-08, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers,” which we early adopted on January 1, 2022 on a prospective basis. Deferred revenue from acquisitions prior to the adoption of ASU 2021-08 was recognized on a straight line basis through December 31, 2023.
  
  
• Non-GAAP cost of revenue: GAAP cost of revenue, excluding the impact of share-based compensation, employer payroll taxes on employee stock transactions, and amortization of developed technology.
  
  
• Non-GAAP operating expenses: GAAP operating expenses, excluding the impact of share-based compensation, employer payroll taxes on employee stock transactions, expenses associated with our secondary offering, expenses related to debt modification, expenses related to debt modification, charges in connection with litigation unrelated to our core business, and depreciation and amortization, as applicable.
  
  
• Free cash flow: GAAP cash flow from operating activities less GAAP purchases of property and equipment (Capital Expenditures) and capitalized costs related to developed technology (Capitalized Software).

Reconciliations to comparable GAAP financial measures are available in the accompanying schedules, which are posted as part of this earnings release on our website. No reconciliation is provided with respect to certain forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures as the GAAP measures are not accessible on a forward-looking basis. We cannot reliably predict all necessary components or their impact to reconcile such financial measures without unreasonable effort. The events necessitating a non-GAAP adjustment are inherently unpredictable and may have a significant impact on our future GAAP financial results.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains, and our above-referenced conference call and webcast will contain, statements which are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Generally, these statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “will,” and variations of such words or similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Further, statements describing our strategy, outlook, guidance, plans, intentions, or goals are also forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect our predictions, expectations, or forecasts, including, but not limited to, statements regarding, and guidance with respect to, our strategy, our future financial and operational performance, future economic and market conditions, our strategic initiatives, our leadership transition and plans, our stock repurchase programs, including the execution and amount of repurchases, the status of litigation matters, including expected or contemplated settlements, associated timing, and estimated fees and expenses, our ability to retain and attract customers and product partners, the benefit to us and our customers of integrations with our product partners, our development or delivery of new or enhanced solutions and anticipated results of those solutions for our customers, our ability to effectively implement, integrate, and service our customers, our market size and growth opportunities, our competitive positioning, projected costs, technological capabilities and plans, and objectives of management. Actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements and will be affected by a variety of risks and factors that are beyond our control including, without limitation, risks related to our business and industry, as well as those set forth in Item 1A. Risk Factors, or elsewhere, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year, any updates in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed for periods subsequent to such Form 10-K, and our other SEC filings. These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions as of the date hereof. The plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements may not be achieved, and you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We undertake no obligation, other than as required by applicable law, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (in thousands, except share and per share data)
	As of
	June 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	93,009		$	80,441
Accounts receivable, net		35,924			32,412
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		11,323			11,574
Total current assets		140,256			124,427
Property and equipment, net		2,664			3,337
Right of use assets, net		806			1,140
Intangible assets, net		226,525			251,060
Goodwill		610,063			610,063
Other assets		6,622			6,224
Total assets	$	986,936		$	996,251
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	6,035		$	4,405
Accrued liabilities		30,608			30,673
Deferred revenue		28,337			17,224
Current portion of debt, net of debt issuance costs		3,768			3,542
Total current liabilities		68,748			55,844
Debt, net of debt issuance costs		467,073			420,004
Deferred tax liabilities, net		10,928			10,823
Long-term deferred revenue		261			792
Other long-term liabilities		390			541
Total liabilities	$	547,400		$	488,004
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; zero shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023		—			—
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 600,000,000 shares authorized, 75,773,928 and 78,447,701 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		126			129
Additional paid-in capital		675,191			654,634
Accumulated deficit		(235,781	)		(146,516	)
Total stockholders’ equity		439,536			508,247
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	986,936		$	996,251

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) (in thousands, except share and per share data)
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Revenues, net	$	78,676		$	75,415		$	156,492		$	152,550
Cost of revenues:
Subscription and services		23,373			23,984			44,717			47,485
Amortization of developed technology		4,803			4,510			9,532			8,964
Total cost of revenues		28,176			28,494			54,249			56,449
Gross profit		50,500			46,921			102,243			96,101
Operating expenses:
General and administrative		29,237			24,409			54,416			46,964
Research and development		9,905			11,754			19,390			25,566
Sales and marketing		11,467			8,558			22,003			16,771
Restructuring related costs		988			717			4,179			3,621
Total operating expenses		51,597			45,438			99,988			92,922
Operating (loss) income		(1,097	)		1,483			2,255			3,179
Other (income) expense, net:
Interest and other income		(1,636	)		(784	)		(2,592	)		(1,254	)
Interest expense		9,797			9,316			19,379			18,347
Total other expense, net		8,161			8,532			16,787			17,093
Loss before income taxes		(9,258	)		(7,049	)		(14,532	)		(13,914	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		412			(1,819	)		444			(3,018	)
Net loss	$	(9,670	)	$	(5,230	)	$	(14,976	)	$	(10,896	)
Net loss per share:
Basic	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.19	)	$	(0.13	)
Diluted	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.19	)	$	(0.13	)
Weighted average common stock outstanding:
Basic		76,527,803			80,911,113			76,923,824			80,786,427
Diluted		76,527,803			80,911,113			76,923,824			80,786,427

Net Revenues by Major Source (unaudited) (in thousands)
	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Subscription fees	$	65,946	$	63,770	$	131,858	$	130,175
Professional services		9,559		9,002		18,569		17,437
Other		3,171		2,643		6,065		4,938
Total	$	78,676	$	75,415	$	156,492	$	152,550

Net Revenues by Solution Type (unaudited) (in thousands)
	Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023		2024			2023
Lending software solutions	$	61,644		$	55,778	$	122,547		$	113,779
Data verification software solutions		17,032			19,637		33,945			38,771
Total	$	78,676		$	75,415	$	156,492		$	152,550
% Growth attributable to:
Lending software solutions		8	%				6	%
Data verification software		(4	)%				(3	)%
Total % growth		4	%				3	%
___________

Percent Revenue Related to the Mortgage Loan Market (unaudited)
	Three Months Ended June 30,		Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024	2023	2024	2023
Lending software solutions	10%	13%	11%	12%
Data verification software	55%	61%	56%	61%
Total % revenue related to mortgage loan market	20%	26%	20%	25%

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (in thousands)
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(14,976	)	$	(10,896	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		29,096			28,955
Provision for expected credit losses		561			441
Amortization of debt issuance costs		464			669
Share-based compensation expense		20,429			13,893
Deferred income taxes		105			(4,192	)
Loss on disposal of property and equipment		6			—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable		(4,073	)		(2,640	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(197	)		(2,395	)
Accounts payable		1,675			2,955
Accrued liabilities		(277	)		(1,663	)
Deferred revenue		10,581			9,058
Net cash provided by operating activities		43,394			34,185
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capitalized software additions		(3,684	)		(4,562	)
Purchases of property and equipment		(152	)		(305	)
Return of escrow deposit		—			30,000
Acquisition, net of cash acquired – Beanstalk Networks LLC		—			326
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(3,836	)		25,459
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchases of common stock		(73,788	)		(5,145	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		722			1,025
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan		944			793
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of restricted stock units		(1,676	)		(1,050	)
Principal payments of debt		(2,278	)		(2,175	)
Payments of deferred offering costs		(74	)		—
Proceeds from debt		50,000			—
Payments of debt issuance costs		(840	)		—
Net cash used in financing activities		(26,990	)		(6,552	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		12,568			53,092
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		80,441			55,780
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	93,009		$	108,872
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	18,893		$	17,955
Cash paid for income taxes		433			2,577
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Shares withheld with respect to net settlement of restricted stock units		1,676			—
Excise taxes payable included in repurchases of common stock		505			—
Share-based compensation expense included in capitalized software additions		138			136
Purchase price allocation adjustment related to income tax effects for StreetShares acquisition		—			245
Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities		—			3
Vesting of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units		1			5

Reconciliation from GAAP to Non-GAAP Results (unaudited) (in thousands, except share and per share data)
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Operating (loss) income	$	(1,097	)	$	1,483		$	2,255		$	3,179
Add: Share-based compensation expense		12,500			9,367			20,436			14,556
Add: Employer payroll taxes on employee stock transactions		508			322			930			448
Add: Expenses associated with public offering		308			—			1,698			—
Add: Litigation-related charges		1,864			—			1,864			—
Add: Expenses related to debt modification		473			—			473			—
Add: Restructuring related costs^(2)		988			717			4,179			3,621
Non-GAAP operating income	$	15,544		$	11,889		$	31,835		$	21,804
Operating margin		(1	)%		2	%		1	%		2	%
Non-GAAP operating margin		20	%		16	%		20	%		14	%
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Net loss	$	(9,670	)	$	(5,230	)	$	(14,976	)	$	(10,896	)
Add: Share-based compensation expense		12,500			9,367			20,436			14,556
Add: Employer payroll taxes on employee stock transactions		508			322			930			448
Add: Expenses associated with public offering		308			—			1,698			—
Add: Litigation-related charges		1,864			—			1,864			—
Add: Expenses related to debt modification		473			—			473			—
Add: Restructuring related costs^(2)		988			717			4,179			3,621
Subtract: Income tax effect on non-GAAP items		(3,994	)		(2,497	)		(7,099	)		(4,470	)
Non-GAAP net income	$	2,977		$	2,679		$	7,505		$	3,259
Non-GAAP basic net income per share	$	0.04		$	0.03		$	0.10		$	0.04
Non-GAAP diluted net income per share	$	0.04		$	0.03		$	0.09		$	0.04
Weighted average shares used to compute Non-GAAP basic net income per share		76,527,803			80,911,113			76,923,824			80,786,427
Weighted average shares used to compute Non-GAAP diluted net		79,291,173			83,487,132			80,020,336			82,994,599
Net loss margin		(12	)%		(7	)%		(10	)%		(7	)%
Non-GAAP net income margin		4	%		4	%		5	%		2	%
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Net loss	$	(9,670	)	$	(5,230	)	$	(14,976	)	$	(10,896	)
Interest expense		9,797			9,316			19,379			18,347
Taxes		412			(1,819	)		444			(3,018	)
Depreciation and amortization		14,573			14,424			29,096			28,955
Share-based compensation expense		12,500			9,367			20,436			14,556
Employer payroll taxes on employee stock transactions		508			322			930			448
Expenses associated with public offering		308			—			1,698			—
Litigation-related charges^(1)		1,864			—			1,864			—
Expenses related to debt modification		473			—			473			—
Restructuring related costs^(2)		988			717			4,179			3,621
Deferred revenue reduction from purchase accounting for acquisitions prior to 2022		—			19			—			39
Adjusted EBITDA	$	31,753		$	27,116		$	63,523		$	52,052
Net loss margin		(12	)%		(7	)%		(10	)%		(7	)%
Adjusted EBITDA margin		40	%		36	%		41	%		34	%
(1) Litigation-related charges pertains to litigation settlements and related legal fees. During the three months ended June 30, 2024, $1.5 million relates to estimated settlements of class action lawsuits and $0.4 million relates to third-party legal fees directly related to the settlements.
(2) Restructuring related costs for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 are inclusive of net acceleration (forfeitures) of share-based compensation associated with restructuring in the amount of $0.1 million and ($0.4 million), respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 $0.0 million and ($0.7 million), respectively.

Reconciliation from GAAP to Non-GAAP Results (unaudited) (in thousands)
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Cost of revenue	$	28,176		$	28,494		$	54,249		$	56,449
Less: Share-based compensation expense		1,363			1,157			2,145			2,009
Less: Employer payroll taxes on employee stock transactions		97			88			144			109
Less: Amortization of developed technology		4,803			4,510			9,532			8,964
Non-GAAP cost of revenue	$	21,913		$	22,739		$	42,428		$	45,367
Cost of revenue as a % of revenue		36	%		38	%		35	%		37	%
Non-GAAP cost of revenue as a % of revenue		28	%		30	%		27	%		30	%
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
General and administrative	$	29,237		$	24,409		$	54,416		$	46,964
Less: Share-based compensation expense		6,792			5,231			11,185			7,494
Less: Employer payroll taxes on employee stock transactions		206			107			343			158
Less: Expenses associated with public offering		308			—			1,698			—
Less: Litigation-related charges		1,864			—			1,864			—
Less: Expenses related to debt modification		473			—			473			—
Less: Depreciation expense		363			495			739			990
Less: Amortization of intangibles		9,407			9,419			18,825			19,001
Non-GAAP general & administrative	$	9,824		$	9,157		$	19,289		$	19,321
General and administrative as a % of revenue		37	%		32	%		35	%		31	%
Non-GAAP general and administrative as a % of revenue		12	%		12	%		12	%		13	%
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Research and development	$	9,905		$	11,754		$	19,390		$	25,566
Less: Share-based compensation expense		2,531			1,875			4,033			3,658
Less: Employer payroll taxes on employee stock transactions		125			97			246			125
Non-GAAP research and development	$	7,249		$	9,782		$	15,111		$	21,783
Research and development as a % of revenue		13	%		16	%		12	%		17	%
Non-GAAP research and development as a % of revenue		9	%		13	%		10	%		14	%
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Sales and marketing	$	11,467		$	8,558		$	22,003		$	16,771
Less: Share-based compensation expense		1,814			1,104			3,073			1,395
Less: Employer payroll taxes on employee stock transactions		80			30			197			56
Non-GAAP sales and marketing	$	9,573		$	7,424		$	18,733		$	15,320
Sales and marketing as a % of revenue		15	%		11	%		14	%		11	%
Non-GAAP sales and marketing as a % of revenue		12	%		10	%		12	%		10	%
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	14,356		$	6,104		$	43,394		$	34,185
Less: Capitalized software		1,847			2,638			3,684			4,562
Less: Capital expenditures		60			171			152			305
Free cash flow	$	12,449		$	3,295		$	39,558		$	29,318
Net cash provided by operating actives as a % of revenue		18	%		8	%		28	%		22	%
Free cash flow as a % of revenue		16	%		4	%		25	%		19	%