The Agency secure two week extension on financing as staff hours get cut

The Agency have renegotiated their debt repayment terms, with a repayment due today extended by two weeks.

They advised their shareholders that their current funder, Macquarie Bank, "remained supportive of the company and expressed an interest to extend the current debt facility."

The repayment will now be due April 9.

The Agency have also been in discussions with other credible debt providers regarding refinancing of its primary bank debt, with an update expected near the next repayment date.

All non-commissioned staff at The Agency will now see their hours cut, effective mid-April, given the reduced workloads due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

Things have never been busier given they have 4500 tenants.

The Agency thanked the Federal Government for the new Job Keeper program which allows companies to access $1,500 per fortnight per employee should The Agency's turnover decline by 30 per cent.

They may well be bracing for the prospect, with The Agency's managing director Paul Niardone saying the new initiative will assist them in keeping their team employed and potentially lessen the time they will be working to reduced hours.

Mr Niardone said it is clear there is a need for immediate measures so The Agency continue to deliver their selling and management goals.

“We do not want to follow the example of other large companies and stand down the workforce to ride this crisis out", Mr Niardone said.

"We want to avoid staff reduction as much as possible and avoid causing anyone the additional stress of having to find a job in what is already a trying time.

"What we do want to do is work together to ensure that we support each other and remain in employment.” 

They advised the business continuity measures have been supported by the "vast majority of its staff".

“It is not just about ensuring the business and all its staff can successfully navigate this period of uncertainty, but that we use this time to reinforce our systems and practices and ensure we are well positioned to take advantage of what in time will become an improving market," Niardone said.

The Agency's share price spiked last week, up ¢2 to ¢6 a share. Shares are currently trading at ¢5, reflecting a $15 million market capitalisation.

The Agency boasts a rent roll valued at $23.5 million and mortgage book valued at $5.2 million.