Form 8-K - Current report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

______________________________________________________________________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

______________________________________________________________________

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 27, 2024

Willis Lease Finance Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware

001-15369

68-0070656

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

(Commission File
Number)

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

4700 Lyons Technology Parkway

Coconut Creek, FL 33073

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (561) 349-9989

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

Trading Symbol

Name of exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

WLFC

Nasdaq Global Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On September 27, 2024, Willis Lease Finance Corporation (the “Company”) entered into Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement with Development Bank of Japan Inc., which refinances the Company’s Series A-1 and Series A-2 preferred stock into one $65 million preferred stock series with a seven-year term, at the rate per annum of 8.35% per share.

A copy of the news release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

The foregoing description of the Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the definitive agreement, which will be filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2024.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements & Exhibits.


Exhibit No.						Description
99.1						News Release issued by Willis Lease Finance Corporation dated October 1, 2024.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned duly authorized officer.

Dated: October 1, 2024


			WILLIS LEASE FINANCE CORPORATION

			By:			/s/ Scott B. Flaherty
						Scott B. Flaherty
						Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1


NEWS RELEASE	CONTACT:	Scott B. Flaherty
		EVP & Chief Financial Officer
		561.349.9989

Announcement of Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement

COCONUT CREEK, FL — October 1, 2024 — Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC”) today reported that on September 27, 2024, WLFC entered into a Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement with the Development Bank of Japan Inc., which refinances WLFC’s $50 million of aggregate Series A-1 and Series A-2 preferred stock into one $65 million preferred stock series with a seven-year term, at the rate per annum of 8.35% per share.

“The Development Bank of Japan’s preferred stock investment is the result of a strong, long-term relationship between our two organizations, and we are proud to have them as partners,” said Scott B. Flaherty, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of WLFC. “The expansion of their investment provides WLFC with incremental equity to support the continued growth of our business.”

Willis Lease Finance Corporation

Willis Lease Finance Corporation leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair, and overhaul providers worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with engine and aircraft trading, engine lease pools and asset management services through Willis Asset Management Limited, as well as various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Additionally, through Willis Engine Repair Center®, Jet Centre by Willis, and Willis Aviation Services Limited, the Company’s service offerings include Part 145 engine maintenance, aircraft line and base maintenance, aircraft disassembly, parking and storage, airport FBO and ground and cargo handling services.

Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements, which give only expectations about the future and are not guarantees. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: the effects on the airline industry and the global economy of events such as war, terrorist activity and the COVID-19 pandemic; changes in oil prices, rising inflation and other disruptions to world markets; trends in the airline industry and our ability to capitalize on those trends, including growth rates of markets and other economic factors; risks associated with owning and leasing jet engines and aircraft; our ability to successfully negotiate equipment purchases, sales and leases, to collect outstanding amounts due and to control costs and expenses; changes in interest rates and availability of capital, both to us and our customers; our ability to continue to meet changing customer demands; regulatory changes affecting airline operations, aircraft maintenance, accounting standards and taxes; the market value of engines and other assets in our portfolio; and risks detailed in WLFC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other continuing reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

# # #

Cover	Sep. 27, 2024
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Sep. 27, 2024
Entity Registrant Name	Willis Lease Finance Corp
Entity Central Index Key	0001018164
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity File Number	001-15369
Entity Tax Identification Number	68-0070656
Entity Address, Address Line One	4700 Lyons Technology Parkway
Entity Address, City or Town	Coconut Creek
Entity Address, State or Province	FL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	33073
City Area Code	561
Local Phone Number	349-9989
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
Trading Symbol	WLFC
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false