Home Blog

What Homeowners Need to Know


Refinancing your mortgage can be a strategic way to improve your financial position as a homeowner. Whether your goal is to reduce your monthly payment, access home equity, or adjust your loan terms, understanding how a home refinance works is the first step.

This guide breaks down the most common types of home refinance options, including rate-and-term refinance and cash-out refinance, so you can make an informed decision based on your goals.

Overview

Refinancing replaces your current mortgage with a new loan to lower costs, change terms, or tap home equity. The two main options are rate-and-term (to improve rate, term, payment structure, or loan type) and cash-out (to convert equity into cash for uses such as renovations or debt consolidation).

When considering refinancing, compare the potential savings with the closing costs (often 1% to 5% of the loan amount), consider equity and credit requirements, and factor in how long you’ll keep the home. The best strategy aligns with your goals, timeline, and overall financial plan, ideally with guidance from a Loan Advisor.

WhiteHorse (WHF) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript


Image source: The Motley Fool.

Date

Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 2 p.m. ET

Call participants

  • Chief Executive Officer — Stuart Aronson
  • Chief Financial Officer — Joyson Thomas
  • Corporate Counsel — Robert Brinberg

Takeaways

  • GAAP net investment income and core NII — $5.6 million, or 25.3¢ per share, declined from $6.6 million, or 28.7¢ per share, in the previous quarter.
  • NAV per share — $11.47 at quarter end, decreased by approximately 1.8% compared to the prior quarter’s $11.68.
  • Net realized and unrealized losses — $6.3 million, or roughly 28.4¢ per share, driven by markdowns in Honors Holdings, Outward Hound, and Lumen Latam.
  • Share repurchases — Approximately 412,000 shares repurchased at a weighted-average price of $7.31, resulting in 8¢ per share accretion to NAV.
  • Distributions — Quarterly base distribution of 25¢ per share and a supplemental distribution of $0.01 per share declared and paid.
  • Fee waiver extension — Adviser extended temporary incentive fee reduction from 20% to 17.5% for 2026.
  • Portfolio activity — Gross capital deployments totaled $25.4 million against repayments and sales of $38 million, resulting in net repayments of $12.6 million before JV transfers.
  • JV transfers — Two new deals and two existing investments totaling $18.9 million transferred to the STRS JV; JV fair value stood at $327.1 million with a 9.9% effective yield at quarter end.
  • Nonaccrual investments — Four issuers on nonaccrual, making up approximately 3.0% of the debt portfolio at fair value, up from 2.4% previously.
  • Portfolio yield — Weighted-average effective yield on income-producing debt declined to 10.8%, and the overall portfolio yield fell to 8.7% from 9.1% last quarter.
  • Fee income — $400,000 reported for the quarter, down from $800,000 previously.
  • Risk ratings — 88.3% of portfolio positions rated one or two, an increase from 85.9% in the prior quarter.
  • Leverage levels — Gross leverage was 1.31x and net effective debt-to-equity ratio was 1.12x compared to prior quarter’s 1.26x and 1.15x, respectively.
  • Shareholder alignment — Officers and directors purchased shares in the open market during the period.
  • Liquidity — Cash resources at quarter end were $49.4 million, comprising $37.6 million in restricted cash and $11.8 million reserved for distributions and buybacks.

Need a quote from a Motley Fool analyst? Email [email protected]

Risks

  • CEO Aronson stated, “previously flagged credit marks drove net realized and unrealized losses for the quarter,” referencing markdowns in Honors Holdings, Outward Hound, and Lumen Latam.
  • Weighted-average effective yield on the portfolio declined to 8.7% from 9.1% in the prior quarter, reflecting reduced portfolio earning power.
  • The percentage of nonaccrual loans by fair value rose to 3.0% from 2.4%, with Outward Hound newly added to nonaccrual and no assurance on timing or certainty of restructuring recovery.
  • Fee income decreased to $400,000 from $800,000, indicating lower fee-driven revenue contribution relative to past quarters.

Summary

WhiteHorse Finance (WHF 0.66%) reported declines in both net investment income and NAV per share, citing portfolio markdowns largely limited to previously disclosed positions. Capital deployment lagged repayments, resulting in a reduction in total investments, while ongoing share repurchases have driven NAV accretion and reflect strategic capital allocation priorities. Management highlighted a continued sharp discount of the stock to NAV, emphasized an extension of the reduced incentive fee waiver, and noted improvements in portfolio risk ratings despite headwinds from nonaccrual credits and compressed portfolio yields.

  • Management indicated that current capital deployment is being balanced between new investments and the ongoing share repurchase program, with “plenty of capacity left” to continue buybacks at attractive discounts.
  • Deal flow has recovered in recent weeks, with pricing up 25 to 100 basis points depending on deal size, and a current pipeline of 10 mandated deals skewed toward the sponsor segment for the STRS JV.
  • Officers and affiliates increased open market share purchases, which management cited as “further demonstrating our view of WhiteHorse Finance’s current market valuation.”
  • JV investment continues to generate accretive, low-teens returns on equity, with $3.6 million in recognized income and $14 million in remaining committed JV capital available to be deployed as needed.
  • Available balance sheet capacity for new assets is limited to $15 million after reserving capital for buybacks, and JV capacity is approximately $10 million pro forma for pending deals and repayments.

Industry glossary

  • BDC: Business Development Company, a regulated investment company providing financing to small and mid-sized businesses.
  • STRS JV: A joint venture partnership between WhiteHorse Finance and STRS Ohio for co-investing in loans.
  • LME risk: Liability management execution risk, where a borrower may transfer assets to new lenders at the expense of existing creditors’ seniority.
  • SOFR: Secured Overnight Financing Rate, the current benchmark interest rate for many floating-rate loans.
  • Nonaccrual: A loan classification indicating that interest payments are no longer being collected, typically due to borrower financial distress.

Full Conference Call Transcript

Robert Brinberg: Before I begin, I would like to remind everyone that certain statements which are not based on historical facts made during this call, including any statements relating to financial guidance, may be deemed forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because these forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. assumes no obligation or responsibility to update any forward-looking statements. Today’s speakers may refer to material from the WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. First Quarter 2026 Earnings Presentation, which was posted to our website this morning.

With that, allow me to introduce WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.’s CEO, Stuart Aronson. Stuart, you may begin.

Stuart Aronson: Thank you, Rob. Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for joining us today. As you are aware, we issued our earnings this morning before the market opened, and I hope you have had the chance to review our results for the period ending 03/31/2026, which can also be found on our website. On today’s call, I will begin by addressing our first quarter results and current market conditions, then Joyson Thomas, our Chief Financial Officer, will discuss our performance in greater detail, after which we will open the floor for questions. At a high level, our first quarter results reflected three main themes. One, previously flagged credit marks drove net realized and unrealized losses for the quarter.

Two, core earnings moderated, reflecting a lower portfolio yield in Q1 driven in part by one additional investment being placed on nonaccrual. And three, share repurchases provided a meaningful offset through NAV accretion. More specifically, our results for 2026 included net realized and unrealized losses that were largely consistent with the markdown we had forewarned investors about on our last shareholder call. As we shared on that call, we had three accounts where we expected markdowns this quarter, Honors Holdings, Outward Hound, and Lumen Latam, and those positions drove the bulk of our net realized and unrealized losses for the quarter.

Q1 GAAP net investment income and core NII were $5.6 million, or 25.3¢ per share, compared with Q4 GAAP net investment income and core NII of $6.6 million, or 28.7¢ per share. NAV per share at the end of Q1 was $11.47, compared with $11.68 at the end of Q4, a decrease of approximately 1.8%. The change in NAV reflected net realized and unrealized losses of approximately 28.4¢ per share, partially offset by share repurchases that were accretive to NAV by approximately 8¢ per share. NAV was also impacted by distributions paid during the quarter, which included a $0.01 per share supplemental dividend.

We will continue our distribution policy framework that was previously discussed, where the company intends to distribute a quarterly base distribution of 25¢, as well as make potential supplemental distributions above the base level in the future pursuant to our distribution policy. Turning to shareholder value, our shares have continued to trade at a meaningful discount to NAV, and both management and the board remain focused on actions that we believe can help enhance shareholder value over time. So far, that focus has included disciplined portfolio positioning, selective capital deployment, accretive share repurchases, and steps to support distributable earnings.

As we discussed on our last call, the board expanded the company’s share repurchase program, and late in the first quarter, we also implemented a 10b5-1 plan to allow us to continue executing on that authorization outside of our normal trading window. In accordance with the plan’s terms, we remained active under the program during Q1 and into Q2, and those repurchases were accretive to NAV as I mentioned earlier. Joyson will provide additional detail on the quarter’s repurchase activity. More broadly, while our stock continues to trade at a substantial discount to book value, we believe repurchasing shares remains one of the most attractive uses of capital available to us.

At the same time, we are continuing to balance that opportunity against new investment activity and our targeted leverage levels. In addition, the adviser has agreed to extend its temporary voluntary waiver of the incentive fee for 2026, reducing the applicable fee rate from 20% to 17.5%. We view that extension as another constructive step to support distributable earnings and shareholder value. As we have said previously, this fee waiver is temporary and any decision regarding future periods will be revisited based on the current conditions and in consultation with the board of directors.

We have been encouraged by the alignment shown through open market purchases by certain officers and directors, which we believe further reflects confidence in the underlying value of WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. Turning to our portfolio activity, we had gross capital deployments of $25.4 million in Q1, which was more than offset by repayments and sales of $38 million, resulting in net repayments of approximately $12.6 million before the effects of transferring assets into the STRS JV. Gross capital deployments consisted of three new originations totaling $18.5 million, and the remaining amounts were deployed to fund add-ons to 12 existing investments. In addition, there was $700 thousand in net fundings on revolver commitments during the quarter.

Of our three new originations in Q1, one was a non-sponsor deal and two were sponsor. The sponsor deals are targeted to be transferred to the STRS JV. Our new originations in Q1 had an average leverage of approximately 5.5x EBITDA. All of our Q1 deals were first-lien loans. Pricing reflected competitive market conditions; our focus remained on structure and credit quality. Total repayments and sales were primarily driven by complete or partial realizations in three portfolio companies: Trimlight, Monarch Collective Holdings, and Lumen Latam. During the quarter, the BDC transferred two new deals and two existing investments to the STRS JV totaling $18.9 million.

At the end of Q1, the STRS JV portfolio had an aggregate fair value of $327.1 million and an average effective yield of 9.9%. We continue to successfully utilize the STRS JV and believe WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.’s equity investment in the JV continues to provide attractive returns for our shareholders. After net repayments and JV transfer activity, as well as realized and unrealized losses recognized during the quarter, total investments decreased from the prior quarter by $35.6 million to $543 million. This compares to our portfolio’s fair value of $578.6 million at the end of Q4.

During the quarter, we recognized $4.7 million in net realized losses and approximately $1.6 million of net unrealized losses, for an aggregate total of $6.3 million in net realized and unrealized losses in Q1, approximately 28.4¢ per share. The net mark-to-market losses were primarily driven by a $2.8 million unrealized loss in Honors Holdings and a $2.1 million unrealized loss in Outward Hound, partially offset by a $2.6 million gain from the reversal of unrealized losses on investment realizations and approximately $400 thousand of net markups across the portfolio.

In addition, we recognized realized losses primarily driven by approximately $3 million from the Lumen Latam sale, as well as $1.1 million from a foreign exchange loss on the repayment of the Trimlight Canadian term loan and approximately $2.2 million from the sale of the ThermoDisc asset. Importantly, the markdowns on Honors Holdings, Outward Hound, and Lumen Latam were the same three credits we identified for investors on our prior call as situations on which we expected to incur markdowns in the quarter.

At the end of Q1, 98.8% of our debt portfolio was first-lien, senior secured, and our portfolio continued to reflect a balanced mix of sponsor and non-sponsor investments, with non-sponsor representing approximately 38% of the portfolio at fair value. Weighted-average effective yield on our income-producing debt investments decreased to 10.8% at the end of Q1 compared to 11.0% at the end of Q4. The weighted-average effective yield on our overall portfolio also decreased to 8.7% at the end of Q1, compared to approximately 9.1% at the end of Q4. Yield was affected by the one new investment being put on nonaccrual during the quarter.

With respect to nonaccrual status, Outward Hound was placed on nonaccrual during the quarter, and with the final sale of our residual position occurring this quarter, ThermoDisc was removed from our nonaccruals. Excluding the impact of those changes, nonaccruals represented approximately 3.0% of the total debt portfolio at fair value, compared with 2.4% at fair value at the end of the prior quarter. The four issuers on nonaccrual at quarter end were Honors Holdings, New Cycle Solutions, Outward Hound, and PlayMonster. As always, we continue to actively manage our underperforming credits, leveraging our dedicated restructuring resources and the broader capabilities of H.I.G.

With respect to Outward Hound, we continue to work with the borrower and believe a debt restructuring is likely in coming months, with an expectation that part of that asset will return to accrual status based on the new structure. Given the complexity of the process, we believe that outcome is more likely to occur next quarter than this quarter, although there can be no assurance until the restructuring is completed as to what will happen and when. On Honors Holdings, also known as Camarillo Fitness, the company continues to struggle; we do not yet know whether we will have a further markdown this quarter. Lumen Latam is now completely exited, so that situation is resolved.

At this time, we are not aware of any further material markdowns beyond what I have just described. Aside from the credits on nonaccrual, our portfolio continues to perform well, and in our portfolio reviews on any companies where there is underperformance, we are seeing private equity owners support those credits with new equity, which is an indication from the private equity firms that they have confidence in those companies and borrowers. I would also note that, consistent with what we shared last quarter, we have modest exposure to Internet or software companies. The BDC’s software exposure across six portfolio names represents approximately 11.1% of the portfolio at cost and 9.9% at fair value.

Market conditions remain competitive, although for several months, geopolitical events had slowed the M&A market, with transaction volume being lower than normal. That said, over the past few weeks, we have seen a recovery in deal flow volumes, and our team is currently working on deals at close to 100% of capacity. Negative press around direct lending and private credit has resulted in a shift in supply and demand, particularly on larger deals. On the smaller deals, as a result, pricing is up 25 to 50 basis points, and on the midsize and larger deals, pricing is up more like 50 to 100 basis points, with most of that movement being on the sponsor side, where prices had compressed.

We had previously shared with the market that pricing was very aggressive. In the lower mid-market, we are seeing pricing of SOFR plus 475 to 525. In the mid-market sponsor segment, pricing is SOFR plus 500 to 550, and in the larger-cap market, pricing is SOFR plus 500 to 575. The non-sponsor market remains stable at pricing of SOFR plus 600 and above. We are also highly focused on minimizing liability management execution risk in new investments and our portfolio. For investors less familiar with the term, LME risk refers to the risk that a borrower can move assets away from the existing lenders and pledge them to new lenders, effectively subordinating the original senior debt.

We are working to ensure that structures and documentation provide adequate protection against this risk. Looking forward, there is too much geopolitical and consumer sentiment uncertainty to have any clarity as to where the market is going to be in the balance of the year. What I would say is that the mid-market and lower mid-market that we participate in continue to function. Other than the slight price increase and conservatism on credit standards, including extremely high conservatism on anything software-related, the markets are functioning. In the non-sponsor market, conditions remain stable and less competitive than in the sponsor market. Average leverage is approximately 4.0x to 4.5x, and pricing continues to be generally at SOFR plus 600 and above.

With our non-sponsored portfolio performing as well as or better than our sponsored portfolio, we continue to focus significant resources on the non-sponsored market, where there is better risk/return in many cases and much less competition than what we are seeing in the sponsor market. We currently have 21 originators covering 12 regional markets. Given market conditions, we are looking for good risk/return across the market and finding surprisingly good opportunities. Additionally, we continue to expect a normal level of repayment activity over time, although actual repayment timing will be driven by M&A, refinancing activity, and company-specific situations. As for our pipeline, we currently have 10 deals mandated. Of those 10 deals, four are non-sponsor and six are sponsor.

All of the non-sponsor deals are priced at SOFR plus 600 or above, and all of the sponsored deals will be targeted for the STRS JV. All of the non-sponsored deals are targeted for the balance sheet of the BDC. While there can be no assurance that any of these deals will close, or whether we have room in the BDC for any or all of those deals, we will be assessing capacity based on repayments and the availability of capital to continue the share buyback. Subsequent to quarter end, no deals have closed in the BDC.

With capital reserved for share buybacks, the BDC’s remaining capacity is very limited—approximately $15 million for new assets on the balance sheet after reserving roughly $11 million for the share repurchase program. At the end of the first quarter, the STRS JV’s remaining capacity was approximately $35 million, and pro forma for recently mandated deals eventually being transferred and anticipated repayments, the JV’s capacity is approximately only $10 million. With that, I will turn the call over to Joyson for additional performance details and a review of our portfolio composition.

Operator: Joyson?

Joyson Thomas: Thanks, Stuart, and thanks everyone for joining today’s call. During the quarter, we reported GAAP net investment income and core NII of $5.6 million, or 25.3¢ per share. This compares with Q4 GAAP NII and core NII of $6.6 million, or 28.7¢ per share, as well as our previously declared first quarter base distribution of 25¢ per share and a supplemental distribution of $0.01 per share. Q1 fee income was approximately $400 thousand, compared with $800 thousand in the prior quarter, driven primarily by a $100 thousand prepayment fee from Monarch Collective and a $100 thousand amendment fee from U.S. Petroleum Partners.

The prior quarter’s fee income included a nonrecurring prepayment fee of $300 thousand received in connection with the prepayment exit of ELM in that quarter. For the quarter, we reported a net decrease in net assets resulting from operations of $700 thousand. Our risk ratings during the quarter showed that approximately 88.3% of our portfolio positions carried either a one or two rating, an increase from the 85.9% reported in the prior quarter. Upgrades during the quarter included our investments in Claridge, which were upgraded from a three to a two rating, while downgrades were primarily driven by moving our position in UserZoom from a two to a three rating.

As a reminder, a one rating indicates that a company has seen its risk of loss reduced relative to initial expectations, and a two rating indicates the company is performing according to such initial expectations. Regarding the JV specifically, we continue to utilize the platform as a complement to the BDC. As Stuart mentioned earlier, we transferred two new deals and two existing investments during the first quarter to the STRS JV totaling $18.9 million. During the quarter, the JV had three portfolio investments fully repaid, and as of 03/31/2026, the JV’s portfolio held positions in 42 portfolio companies with an aggregate fair value of $327.1 million, compared to an aggregate fair value of $323.6 million as of 12/31/2025.

Leverage for the JV at the end of Q1 was 1.08x, compared with 1.07x at the end of the prior quarter. Investment in the JV continues to be accretive for the BDC’s earnings, generating a low-teens return on equity. During Q1, income recognized from our JV investment aggregated to approximately $3.6 million, compared to approximately $3.8 million reported in Q4. As we have noted in prior calls, the yield on our investment in the JV may fluctuate period over period as a result of a number of factors, including the timing and amount of additional capital investments, changes in asset yields in the underlying portfolio, and the overall credit performance of the JV’s investment portfolio.

Turning to our balance sheet now, we had cash resources of approximately $49.4 million at the end of Q1, including $37.6 million of restricted cash representing interest and principal proceeds received at quarter end, as well as approximately $11.8 million at the fund level reserved for the quarterly distribution that was paid in early April as well as for share repurchases. Cash balances at the end of Q1 were elevated due to realizations on our investments as well as the JV transfers outpacing deployments during the quarter. As of 03/31/2026, the company’s asset coverage ratio for borrowed amounts as defined by the 1940 Act was 176.2%, which was above the minimum asset coverage ratio of 150%.

At quarter end, gross leverage was 1.31x, compared with 1.26x in the prior quarter, while our net effective debt-to-equity ratio after adjusting for cash on hand was 1.12x, compared with 1.15x in the prior quarter. The decline in net effective leverage relative to the increase in gross leverage primarily reflected higher cash amounts on the balance sheet at quarter end as a result of the repayments that Stuart and I noted earlier. In regards to our share repurchase program, the company repurchased approximately 412 thousand shares during Q1 at a weighted-average price of approximately $7.31 per share, which was accretive to NAV by approximately 8¢ per share.

Subsequent to quarter end, and through the market close of yesterday, the company has repurchased an additional approximately 210 thousand shares. Cumulatively, since the inception of our share repurchase program beginning in 2025, we estimate that our buybacks have contributed approximately 31¢ per share of NAV accretion, demonstrating our commitment to creating shareholder value. As Stuart noted earlier, certain company insiders and affiliates also purchased shares in the open market during the quarter, further demonstrating our view of WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.’s current market valuation. Before I conclude and open up the call to questions, I would like to discuss our recent distributions and corresponding distribution policy.

This morning, we announced that our board declared a second quarter base distribution of 25¢ per share. The distribution will be payable on 07/06/2026 to stockholders of record as of 05/21/2026. As we said previously, we will continue to evaluate our quarterly distribution both in the near and medium term based on the core earnings power of our portfolio, in addition to other relevant factors that may warrant consideration. With that, I will now turn the call back over to the operator for your questions.

Operator: Thank you. If you would like to ask a question, press star 1. Once again, that is star 1 to ask a question. We will move first to Heli Sheth with Raymond James. Your line is open.

Heli Sheth: Good afternoon. Thanks for the question. On the buybacks, how are you considering repurchasing shares on a go-forward basis in terms of weighing buybacks versus deployments, especially if the more muted M&A market that we have seen recently persists? And then on the pipeline, what are you expecting for the remainder of the year? Are you seeing anything different there in terms of industry sector mix, or incumbent versus new borrowers?

Stuart Aronson: Yes. Again, the M&A market has picked up in the last three to four weeks. Pricing is higher than we have seen on deals in about two, two and a half years, so the assets that we are seeing right now are, on a relative basis, pretty attractive. That said, with our shares trading at roughly a 35% discount to NAV, we do get more lift from deploying money into share buybacks. So, with the shares where they are now, or close to where they are now, my anticipation is we will continue to buy back shares, and we do have plenty of capacity left after having increased the allocation to share buybacks last quarter.

We are seeing a good flow of opportunities in both the sponsor and non-sponsored market. It is a little bit surprising that, due to market liquidity issues, the pricing on smaller deals is as low or lower than the pricing on larger deals, and that has us currently biased towards the mid-market and upper mid-market deals, where the structures are more conservative based on geopolitical disruption, and the pricing, again, is higher than on the smaller deals. That said, we think the geopolitical situation is highly unpredictable and, notwithstanding the fact that until today the stock market has been very optimistic about what is going on, we think there is a lot of volatility risk.

As I mentioned in my prepared remarks, we really cannot give you an assessment of where the market will be going forward. The only assessment I can offer is that today’s market, in terms of pricing and deal structures, tends to be more conservative than what we have seen in the past couple of years, so, again, it is more attractive. In terms of industries, we are not seeing very much on the software technology side, and the things we are seeing we are being very, very cautious about given the ongoing concerns with what AI will do to displacing existing leaders in the technology community.

We are seeing a nice mix of both industrial credits and business service credits, with volatility and economic cyclicality risk that ranges from anywhere moderate down to very low. But, again, we are seeing better deal flow now by far than what we were seeing two or three months ago.

Operator: Got it. Thanks for the time. Once more, that is star 1 to ask a question. We will move next to Christopher Nolan with Ladenburg Thalmann. Your line is open.

Christopher Nolan: Hi. Is there any limit to what you can take the percentage of the total portfolio occupied by the JV?

Stuart Aronson: The equity in the JV is considered a bad asset vis-à-vis the 30% bad asset limit we have, and all BDCs have. That said, we are nowhere near that limit right now, and we have the BDC representing most of the use of the capacity of that 30%. We think it would be unlikely that we would change the size of the JV in the near future, though.

Christopher Nolan: Alright. Well, if your portfolio is $578 million, 30% of that is $173 million, and your equity in the JV is roughly $55 million, so you have a lot of space to grow that JV. I guess my real question is, it seems that you are running off first-lien loans, and so the percentage that the JV occupies is higher. And, also, given the JV is generating attractive returns, you are in this interesting spot where it is accretive to actually not only buy back your own shares, but, because of the increasing percentage from the JV, you are getting a higher yielding asset overall. Is that the way you are looking at it, or am I missing something?

And should we expect the overall size of the BDC investment portfolio to decline in coming quarters?

Stuart Aronson: We see the JV as positive and accretive, which is why we have grown the JV over time. And yes, as we buy back shares using on-balance-sheet liquidity, the JV is a slightly larger percentage of the overall portfolio. But, again, in terms of dollars committed to the JV, at the moment, we do not intend to make any changes. At current share price levels, we see buybacks as highly accretive. If we start running short on buyback capacity, the management company and the board will discuss whether it makes sense to allocate additional capital into share buybacks.

But at the moment, as I mentioned earlier, there is plenty of capital for the share buybacks, and so we have not taken any additional actions from last quarter.

Joyson Thomas: Chris, I was just going to add with respect to the JV specifically, it is a total $175 million program between ourselves and STRS Ohio. Of the $175 million commitments, we still have $14 million uncalled, and that includes both the traditional equity investment as well as the subordinated debt investment that is structured as part of our $175 million commitments in total.

Christopher Nolan: Okay. Is the plan to tap that additional equity?

Joyson Thomas: That is correct. For instance, in the prior quarter, we had three realizations in the STRS JV portfolio, so by and large, the transfers that we sent down to the JV were funded by those excess proceeds. As we kind of tap out on leverage and any excess cash available at the JV level, we would then call and deploy that remaining $14 million.

Christopher Nolan: Okay. Thanks, Tristan.

Operator: It does appear that there are no further questions at this time. Thank you. This does conclude today’s meeting. We appreciate your time and participation. You may now disconnect.

Jefferies raises Praxis Precision Medicines stock price target on pipeline catalysts




Jefferies raises Praxis Precision Medicines stock price target on pipeline catalysts

Amex Platinum Card Removes Uber VIP Benefit


Amex Platinum Card Removes Uber VIP Benefit

Effective today May 7, 2026, Uber VIP has been removed from the $200 Uber Cash benefit and replaced with Signature Support for Amex, a premium level of phone customer service including 24/7 access to live customer support agents. The $200 Uber Cash benefit is not changing.

Signature Support for Amex can be accessed in the account section of the Uber, Uber Eats, or Postmates apps via the Partner Rewards Hub or Help pages. Further details are available at uber.com/signaturesupport.

Who is eligible for Signature Support?

You’re eligible for Signature Support if you:

  • Are a U.S. Consumer American Express Platinum Card® or Centurion® Member
  • Have added your eligible American Express Card to your Uber Wallet, and
  • Are using Uber, Uber Eats, or Postmates on an iOS or Android device

If an eligible American Express Card is added to multiple Uber accounts, Signature Support will apply only to the first Uber account to which the Card was added.

How to access Signature Support?

Eligible users can access Signature Support through two in-app entry points.

  • Partner Rewards Hub: You can find Signature Support by navigating to the Partner Rewards Hub in the Uber, Uber Eats, or Postmates app. To reach the Partner Rewards hub:
    1. Open the UberUber Eats, or Postmates app
    2. Select Account
    3. Select Partner Rewards
  • Help Section: You can also access Signature Support within the Help section of the apps, by selecting a help topic for Rides or Eats and navigating to “Call Signature Support.” To reach the Help section, select “Account” and then “Help.”

Note: Eligibility and access may take up to 24 hours to update after adding an eligible American Express Card to your Uber Wallet.

Using Signature Support phone assistance

  • The dedicated phone number is displayed only in the Partner Rewards Hub or within the Help section in the apps
  • Calls must be placed from the phone number associated with your Uber account
  • If your account is not eligible, the phone support option may not appear, or you may not be able to connect with Uber Support.

HT: Upgraded Points

Daily Market Coverage Mar. 25, 2026 9AM-11AM (ET) | Yahoo Finance



Daily Market Coverage Mar. 25, 2026 9AM-11AM (ET) | Yahoo Finance

==
Yahoo Finance provides free stock ticker data, up-to-date news, portfolio management resources, comprehensive market data, advanced tools, and more information to help you manage your financial life.

Connect with us:
— Facebook:
— X/Twitter:
— Instagram:
— TikTok:
— LinkedIn:

See the Latest News & Data:

Get the Yahoo Finance App:
— iOS (
— Android (

source

Cosigner Release on Private Student Loans: The Truth


Key Points

  • 90% denial rate: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that roughly 9 out of 10 borrowers who applied for cosigner release on private student loans were rejected.
  • Vague criteria: Lender rules often hinge on undefined phrases like “sufficient income” and “satisfactory credit,” giving servicers wide latitude to deny applications.
  • Refinancing is often the real exit: For many families, refinancing the loan into the student’s name alone is a more reliable way to remove a cosigner than waiting on a release request.

When parents cosign a private student loan, they’re usually told that once the borrower makes a set number of on-time payments, the cosigner can apply to be released from the loan.

On paper, it sounds like an exit plan. In practice, federal regulators and consumer advocates have flagged cosigner release as one of the most opaque corners of the private student loan market — and the data suggests very few people who try actually get out.

Roughly 90% of cosigner release applications were denied, according to a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report on industry practices. The CFPB also found that borrowers and cosigners had little visibility into what specifically would qualify them, and were often left without a clear explanation when they were turned down.

What Is Cosigner Release?

A cosigner is a second person (often a parent) who promises to repay a private student loan if the primary borrower can’t. The loan sits on both parties’ credit reports and counts against both of their debt-to-income ratios. That can make it harder for the cosigner to qualify for a mortgage, a car loan, or even an apartment lease.

Cosigner release was designed to give parents an off-ramp after their child got on their feet financially after college. After the primary borrower makes a set number of consecutive on-time payments (typically 12 to 48 months, depending on the lender) the borrower can apply to take the loan into their name alone. If approved, the cosigner is removed from the obligation entirely. The credit report no longer shows the balance, and the loan no longer counts against their borrowing capacity.

For the borrower, qualifying for release usually requires more than just a payment history. Lenders want to see proof of income sufficient to handle the loan on its own, plus a credit check that meets the lender’s underwriting standards.

90% Rejection Rate

The CFPB’s findings gives families a window into how cosigner release actually works. Based on its review of complaints and industry data, the bureau reported that 90% of borrowers who applied for cosigner release were denied. The agency cited two recurring problems.

The first was disclosure. Borrowers and cosigners often didn’t know what specific criteria they had to meet, and even when they were denied, lenders frequently provided no actionable explanation.

The second was process. Some servicers required borrowers to submit applications during narrow windows, restart payment counters after any forbearance or modified repayment schedule, or supply documentation that wasn’t disclosed up front.

The CFPB also flagged auto-default clauses in many private student loan contracts that put loans into default automatically if a cosigner died or filed bankruptcy — even when the borrower had been paying on time. Some of those practices have since been curtailed, but the underlying release rate problem has not meaningfully shifted in the years since.

How Private Student Loan Lenders Compare

Each lender sets its own threshold, and the published rules vary widely:

  • Ascent Student LoansBorrowers can request release after 12 consecutive on-time principal-and-interest payments.
  • College Ave Student LoansRelease can be requested after the borrower has completed half the original payment schedule.
  • Sallie MaeRelease is available after 12 on-time principal-and-interest payments, with no 30-day-plus delinquencies in the prior 12 months, no hardship forbearance or modified repayment in that window, and a credit review showing no bankruptcy, foreclosure, or 90-day delinquencies in the prior 24 months.
  • Earnest Student LoansDoes not offer cosigner release on its in-school loans. Borrowers who want a cosigner removed have to refinance.

Beyond the published rules, most lenders layers in two phrases that do most of the work in a denial: “sufficient income” and “satisfactory credit.” Neither is defined in numeric terms. A borrower making $55,000 a year with a 720 credit score might qualify at one lender and be denied at another with identical loan terms.

Student Loan Refinancing Is The Real Pathway Forward

Many lenders quietly prefer that borrowers refinance their student loans rather than pursue release, and the math often works out in the borrower’s favor anyway.

A student loan refinance means taking out a new student loan in the student’s name only to pay off the existing loan that has a cosigner attached. If the student qualifies on their own credit and income and the refinance loan is completed, the parent is removed from the obligation the day the old loan is paid off.

Refinancing can also lower the interest rate if the borrower’s credit has improved since the original loan was taken out. Lenders that offer student loan refinancing (including Earnest, SoFi, ELFI, and Splash Financial) underwrite to the new borrower’s standalone profile, which is the same financial test most cosigner release programs apply, just packaged as a new loan.

What This Means For Families

For parents who cosigned during their child’s college years, the practical impact is significant. The loan stays on the parent’s credit report for years after graduation, potentially impacting future life choices.

Even when the primary borrower is paying on time and never misses, the balance still counts against the cosigner’s debt-to-income ratio when underwriters evaluate new credit. A $40,000 student loan balance can shave tens of thousands of dollars off what a parent qualifies to borrow on a mortgage.

Cosigners also carry the credit risk. If the borrower hits a rough patch and goes 30 or 60 days late, that mark hits both credit reports and (under most release programs) also resets the on-time payment clock the borrower would need to qualify for release later.

Don’t Miss These Other Stories:

@media (min-width: 300px){[data-css=”tve-u-19ddaacff7c”].tcb-post-list #post-76739 [data-css=”tve-u-19ddaacff83″]{background-image: url(“https://thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/JP-Morgan-150×150.jpeg”) !important;}}

College Tuition Up 914% Since 1983, J.P. Morgan Reports

College Tuition Up 914% Since 1983, J.P. Morgan Reports
@media (min-width: 300px){[data-css=”tve-u-19ddaacff7c”].tcb-post-list #post-18246 [data-css=”tve-u-19ddaacff83″]{background-image: url(“https://thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Credible_Student_Loans_Review_1280x720-150×150.png”) !important;}}

5 Legal Ways To Lower Your Student Loan Payment

5 Legal Ways To Lower Your Student Loan Payment
@media (min-width: 300px){[data-css=”tve-u-19ddaacff7c”].tcb-post-list #post-9906 [data-css=”tve-u-19ddaacff83″]{background-image: url(“https://thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/WP_FIRED-150×150.jpg”) !important;}}

8 Ways That Student Loans Can Get You Fired

8 Ways That Student Loans Can Get You Fired

Editor: Colin Graves

The post Cosigner Release on Private Student Loans: The Truth appeared first on The College Investor.

About Alejandro Borrayo – MortgageDepot


Alejandro Borrayo is a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator dedicated to helping clients navigate the home financing process with clarity and confidence. He specializes in a wide range of loan programs, including Conventional, FHA, VA, Non-QM, and DSCR, allowing him to tailor solutions that align with each borrower’s unique financial goals.

Alejandro is known for guiding clients through every stage of the loan journey—from initial consultation and pre-approval to closing—ensuring a smooth and well-informed experience. His strong background in credit analysis and loan structuring enables him to identify the best options for both first-time buyers and seasoned investors, whether they are purchasing or refinancing.

With a natural ability to build relationships and a results-driven mindset, Alejandro works closely with all parties involved in the transaction to keep timelines on track and expectations clear. His bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish allows him to effectively serve a diverse client base, making the process more accessible and comfortable.

Backed by an engineering education, Alejandro brings a detail-oriented and problem-solving approach to every transaction. Clients value his transparency, responsiveness, and commitment to delivering reliable, compliant lending solutions tailored to their needs.

 

Only one Supreme Court Justice has ever served longer than Clarence Thomas



The first baby boomer on the Supreme Court hit a milestone on Thursday, becoming the second-longest serving justice in history at a time when his influence has never seemed greater.

Once an outlier on the nation’s highest court, Justice Clarence Thomas has become a towering figure in the conservative legal movement over the last decade as he helped secure landmark rulings on abortion, voting and Second Amendment rights.

The only justice with a longer tenure is liberal William O. Douglas. Thomas would overtake Douglas in 2028 if he remains on the court — and there’s no sign he plans to retire anytime soon.

“I think he’s more energized and excited now than when I first met him,” said John Yoo, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who served in Republican President George W. Bush’s administration after his time as a Thomas clerk three decades ago.

Thomas was confirmed in 1991 after contentious hearings that included sexual harassment allegations. More recently, his acceptance of luxury trips has raised a storm of ethics questions. He’s nevertheless gone from near-silence at oral arguments to asking the first questions and penning a landmark ruling expanding Second Amendment rights.

Following the appointment of three conservative justices by Republican President Donald Trump, Thomas is now the most senior member of a supermajority that’s also overturned abortion as a constitutional right, ended affirmative action in college admissions and sharply limited the Voting Rights Act.

“The court has radically moved in his direction over the course of his time on the court,” said Stanford University law professor Pamela Karlan. Thomas’ seniority means he can decide who writes an opinion if he’s part of a majority that doesn’t include Chief Justice John Roberts, a factor that can nudge other votes behind closed doors, Karlan said.

Off the bench, Thomas’ sphere of influence also includes his large, close-knit network of former clerks, who have served in the Trump administration and are increasingly filling out the ranks of federal judges.

“That is an important legacy that he will leave,” said Sarah Konsky, director of the Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic at the University of Chicago Law School. “Even as justices’ own time on the court winds down, significant influence lives on through their clerks.”

That’s not to say Thomas’ time on the court is up. In a recent speech, Thomas tied the nation’s highest ideals to a conservative vision of limited government — and launched a broadside on progressivism seen by critics as unfair and inappropriate. In the room at the University of Texas, though, it earned a standing ovation.

Thomas, who became the second Black member of the court, now has a tenure that tops 34 years, putting him ahead of Justice Stephen J. Field, who was appointed by Lincoln before the end of the Civil War and served as the only 10th justice until 1897.

For Thomas, 77, it’s a long way from the hearings at which his nomination by Republican President George H.W. Bush was nearly derailed by allegations that he had sexually harassed Anita Hill, a charge he forcefully denied.

Thomas has more recently come under scrutiny for lavish, undisclosed trips from a GOP megadonor and the conservative political activism of his wife, who backed false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump. The justice has said he wasn’t required to disclose the trips he took with friends and ignored calls to recuse himself from cases related to the election.

On the court, though, recent years have also brought perhaps the most significant work of his career, especially a 2022 opinion he wrote that found people generally have the right to carry a gun in public. The justice did not respond to a request for comment on his tenure.

His own jurisprudence has changed little over the years, said Scott Gerber, author of “First Principles: The Jurisprudence of Clarence Thomas.” Even as the majority moves his way, he’s continued to write dissents that get noticed.

“He’s incredibly consistent,” Gerber said. Once known for solo dissents, “now he writes majority opinions.”

Believe unveils AZTEC, its first US record label joint venture, with music exec Az Cohen


Paris-headquartered music company Believe has teamed up with music executive Az Cohen to launch a new joint venture record label called AZTEC, based in New York.

The move marks Believe’s first such JV in the United States. The partnership was jointly announced today (May 7) by Cohen and Romain Vivien, Believe’s Global Head of Music.

The news arrives a week after Believe expanded its Label & Artist Solutions business in the US, led by music industry veteran Thomas Maxwell as Vice President, US, Label & Artist Solutions (LAS), Believe.

Cohen brings more than a decade of experience in the independent music industry to the partnership.

Believe noted that he previously held roles at 300 Entertainment, “helping scale” the company through its sale to Atlantic Records.

During his time at 300, he built and launched Sparta Distribution, the label’s independent distribution and artist development arm, which has generated more than 8 billion streams across its catalog since its launch.

Earlier in his career, Cohen managed Post Malone during the period the artist broke into mainstream.

Cohen will serve as president of the AZTEC joint venture with Believe, working out of Believe’s New York City offices, according to an announcement.

“AZTEC is about patience, commitment and shaping careers that stand the test of time.”

Az Cohen, AZTEC

Commenting on the partnership, Cohen said: “In an industry that’s become increasingly about quick wins and short-term virality, we are artists, engineers, planners and warriors with a singular focus: building empires with our artists and partners.”

“AZTEC is about patience, commitment and shaping careers that stand the test of time.”

Romain Vivien, Believe’s Global Head of Music, said: “Our joint venture with AZTEC reflects Believe’s continued commitment to building artist-first partnerships and supporting entrepreneurs who deeply understand the creative and cultural landscape.”

“Our joint venture with AZTEC reflects Believe’s continued commitment to building artist-first partnerships and supporting entrepreneurs who deeply understand the creative and cultural landscape.”

Romain Vivien, Believe

Added Vivien: “Az brings an exceptional ability to spot talent and build sustainable careers, and together we are creating an ecosystem designed for the next generation of artists.”

Believe said AZTEC completes a wider portfolio of in-house imprints and acquired brands like French label Play Two, South Indian music label Think Music, and Brazil’s Ok Music!

AZTEC has yet to announce initial artist signings. The joint venture will take advantage of Believe’s global network, as the latter continues scaling its international footprint and expanding to the US.

For Believe, the company said the move extends its strategy of growing its portfolio of entrepreneurial partnerships worldwide, including Tenace Records, formed with Tileyard Music in the UK, and All Night Long, an electronic music label launched with French management firm Kidding Aside.

In October 2024, Believe redesigned its global strategy, which it said was aimed at “driving further artist development and increasing the value created for artists and labels at all stages of their careers”.

Music Business Worldwide

Consumers Credit Union $150 Checking Bonus, Direct Deposit Not Required


Update 5/7/26: Deal is back, this time requires a deposit of $250+ (previously it was $5+)

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $150
  • Availability: Anybody can join, even if they don’t live in Illinois but you’ll need to pay $5 to join Consumers Cooperative Association. More information here. Must be a US Resident. 
  • Direct deposit required: No
  • Additional requirements: Yes, see below 
  • Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
  • Credit card funding: Yes, up to $200
  • Monthly fees:  None 
  • Early Account Termination Fee: None
  • Expiration date: May 15, 2026

The Offer

Direct link to offer

  • Finder is offering a $150 digital gift card when you open a new Consumers Credit Union Rewards checking account and meet the following requirements:
    • Deposit $250+ at account opening
    • Maintain that $250+ deposit for 60 days 
  • Account can also earn up to 5% APY, more details here.

 

The Fine Print

  • Eligible First Deposit means your first deposit of $5 or more into the new account before the end of the Promotion Period.
  • Must keep a $5 balance for at least 60 days
  • You must be a New Customer, meaning you haven’t owned a Consumers Credit Union account in the last 20 years.
  • Mismatched names or emails between Finder and Consumers Credit Union may disqualify the reward.
  • All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees

This account has no monthly fees

Early Account Termination Fee

Bonus paid via a portal and minimum account length period mentioned. 

Our Verdict

Bonus itself seems good, I very much doubt it will last until the end date so I would recommend applying ASAP if interested. According to the old thread we have it seems like they might be ChexSystems sensitive. We will still add this to our list of the best bank account bonuses. 

Finder came good on the Axos promotion in the end. They have also agreed to donate $10 to our charity partner ‘Cure Alzheimer’s Fund‘ (will have more on this in a separate post) for deals such as this completed when clicked from Doctor of Credit (we tried to negotiate a better deal for you guys, but this wasn’t possible unfortunately). To be clear we receive $0 and zero other benefits. 

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:

  • A Beginners Guide To Bank Account Bonuses
  • Bank Account Quick Reference Table (Spreadsheet) (very useful for sorting bonuses by different parameters)
  • PSA: Don’t Call The Bank
  • Introduction To ChexSystems
  • Banks & Credit Unions That Are ChexSystems Inquiry Sensitive
  • What Banks & Credit Unions Do/Don’t Pull ChexSystems?
  • How To Use Our Direct Deposit Page For Bank Bonuses Page
  • Common Bank Bonus Misconceptions + Why You Should Give Them A Go
  • How Many Bank Accounts Can I Safely Open Within A Year For Bank Bonus Purposes?
  • Affiliate Links & Bank Bonuses – We Won’t Be Using Them
  • Complete List Of Ways To Close Bank Accounts At Each Bank
  • Banks That Allow/Don’t Allow Out Of State Checking Applications
  • Bank Bonus Posting Times