Cass Information Systems (CASS)

Risks

• The COVID-19 pandemic creates significant risks and uncertainties for the Company’s business and results of operations.
• Vaccine mandates could hinder Cass' ability to attract and retain employees.
• General political, economic or industry conditions may be less favorable than expected.
• Unfavorable developments concerning customer credit quality could affect Cass’ financial results.
• In certain circumstances, Cass remits payment of invoices prior to receiving funds from its customers. As such, Cass could experience losses if such funds are not received from customers after payment is remitted.
• The Company has lending concentrations, including, but not limited to, faith-based ministries located in selected cities, franchise restaurants, and privately-held businesses located in or near St. Louis, Missouri, that could suffer a significant decline which could adversely affect the Company.
• Fluctuations in interest rates could affect Cass’ net interest income and balance sheet.
• The Company may be adversely impacted by the replacement of LIBOR as a reference rate.
• Operations of the Company’s customer base are impacted by macro-economic factors such as a strong dollar and/or volatility in commodity prices. A reduction in its customers’ operations could have a material adverse effect on Cass’ results of operations.
• Operational difficulties or cybersecurity problems could damage Cass’ reputation and business.
• Cass must respond to rapid technological changes and these changes may be more difficult or expensive than anticipated.
• Methods of reducing risk exposures might not be effective.
• Customer borrowing, repayment, investment, deposit, and payable processing practices may be different than anticipated.
• The Company’s allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) is subject to continuing evaluation and may be insufficient.
• Competitive product and pricing pressure within Cass’ markets may change.
• Management’s ability to maintain and expand customer relationships may differ from expectations.
• The introduction, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives and strategies, including, but not limited to, the expansion of payment and processing activities to new markets, the expansion of products and services to existing markets and opening of new bank branches, may be less successful or may be different than anticipated. Such a result could adversely affect Cass’ business.
• The Company and the Bank are subject to liquidity risk.
• Management’s ability to retain key officers and employees may change.
• The Company and the Bank are subject to extensive government regulation and supervision and possible enforcement or other legal actions that could detrimentally affect Cass’ business.
• The Company may need to raise additional capital or sell assets if it fails to meet regulatory capital requirements or meet commitments and liquidity needs. Such capital may not be available on favorable terms, or at all.
• Legal and regulatory proceedings and related matters with respect to the financial services industry, including those directly involving the Company and its subsidiaries, could adversely affect Cass or the financial services industry in general.
• The Company’s accounting policies and methods are the basis of how Cass reports its financial condition and results of operations, and they require management to make estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. In addition, changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or other authoritative bodies, could materially impact Cass’ financial statements.
• Cass is subject to examinations and challenges by tax authorities, which, if not resolved in the Company’s favor, could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
• Cass’ stock price can become volatile and fluctuate widely in response to a variety of factors.
• Certain events beyond the Company’s control, such as severe weather, natural disasters, terrorist activities or other hostilities, may adversely affect the general economy, financial and capital markets, specific industries, and the Company.