Willis Lease Finance Earns $9.7 Million or $1.17 Per Share in Second Quarter

NOVATO, CA – August 6, 2013 – Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC), the premier independent jet engine lessor in the commercial finance sector, today reported earnings of $9.7 million, or $1.17 per diluted share, in the second quarter ended June 30, 2013, compared to $1.6 million, or $0.19 per diluted share in the preceding quarter and $2.4 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, in the second quarter a year ago. For the first six months of 2013, net income attributable to common shareholders was $11.3 million, or $1.36 per diluted share, compared to $5.0 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, in the first six months of 2012.

“Our second quarter results included several large items which impacted net profits and complicates quarterly comparisons,” said Charles F. Willis, Chairman and CEO. “The largest contributor to the bottom line was the $8.6 million reduction to our deferred tax liability, which was booked following a recent tax court case that upheld tax benefits for domestic corporations deploying assets overseas. While tax law is always complex, the result of this court decision is that we are able to recover the tax basis in certain assets that had been reduced over the past ten years, resulting in a larger tax provision than is now required.”

Second quarter 2013 Highlights (at or for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2013, compared to June 30, 2012 and March 31, 2013):
 The tax recovery of $8.6 million reduced our deferred tax liability and resulted in a current period income tax benefit, improving after-tax income.
 Lease portfolio increased 4.7% to $1.02 billion from $0.97 billion a year ago, largely due to the purchase- leaseback transaction with Scandinavian Airlines that was completed in the first quarter of 2013.
 Total revenues grew 8.0% to $38.0 million from $35.2 million a year ago, reflecting portfolio growth and increased maintenance reserve revenues.
 Lease rent revenues increased 3.9% to $24.8 million compared to $23.8 million a year ago.
 Maintenance reserve revenues increased 24.9% to $11.8 million compared to $9.4 million a year ago.
 Average utilization for the second quarter was 83%, compared to 82% in the second quarter a year ago and
84% in the first quarter of 2013.
 Expenses included a $2.0 million write-down of equipment for an engine that will be parted out and $1.8
million in engine maintenance costs for the repair of a widebody engine.
 Total net finance costs increased 39.0% to $9.9 million, compared to $7.1 million a year ago, reflecting
higher debt levels and higher average financing costs. The higher interest costs (pre-tax) were partially
offset by the elimination of the quarterly $0.8 million preferred dividend (after-tax).
 Joint venture earnings of $3.4 million benefitted from the recording of $9.0 million in maintenance reserve
revenues under aircraft leases terminated in the period.
 Liquidity available from the revolving credit facility was $111.0 million at quarter end compared to $83.0
million in the first quarter of 2013 and $122.0 million a year ago.
 Tangible book value per common share was $24.00 compared to $22.62 a year ago.
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“Our WOLF A340 LLC joint venture (formed in 2005 with Waha Capital), in which we have a 50% interest, owns two A340 aircraft which have recently returned from long-term leases with Emirates,” said Donald Nunemaker, President. “With these aircraft reaching the end of their lease terms in the second quarter, the maintenance reserves held for these assets were recorded as revenue by the joint venture at their respective lease end, contributing to pre-tax earnings of $3.4 million in the period. While our core business continues to be focused on aircraft engines, these aircraft have been solidly profitable for us, with the largest contribution coming at the end of the leases. The eight CFM56-5C4/P engines from the recently returned aircraft are now in the process of being marketed for lease, with one engine already under lease.”

“Our portfolio utilization percentage of 83% for the recent quarter has changed very little over the last twelve months,” continued Nunemaker. “Demand remains firm for most engine types, with the exception being the V2500-A5 engine type which continues to be hampered by oversupply in the market. Despite little movement in utilization, for the six month period ended June 30, 2013, lease rents, maintenance reserve and other revenue are all running ahead of the same period last year. Gain on sale, however, is down $2.5 million during the same period. Our asset sales and corresponding gains tend to be somewhat ‘lumpy’ and don’t happen every quarter. We have always said that we take an opportunistic approach to selling assets based upon when we think we can get the best terms and conditions, and we expect to continue with this approach.”

Balance Sheet
At June 30, 2013, Willis Lease had 194 commercial aircraft engines, 3 aircraft parts packages and 7 aircraft and other engine-related equipment in its lease portfolio, with a net book value of $1.02 billion, compared to 191 commercial aircraft engines, 3 aircraft parts packages and 11 aircraft and other engine-related equipment in its lease portfolio, with a net book value of $0.97 billion a year ago. The Company’s funded debt-to-equity is 3.50 to 1 at quarter end, compared to 3.75 to 1 at March 31, 2013 and 2.82 to 1 a year ago.