UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K
ýAnnual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20182019
¨ Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from ________ to ________
Commission File Number: 000-50058

PRA Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware   75-3078675
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
120 Corporate Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia23502(888) 772-7326
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)(Registrant's Telephone No., including area code)

120 Corporate Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia23502
(888) 772-7326
(Address of principal executive offices, zip code, telephone number)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per sharePRAANASDAQ Global Select Market
(Title of Class)(Name of Exchange on which registered)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES  þ   NO  ¨Yes     No  
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15 (d) of the Act. YES  ¨   NO  þYes     No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES  þ   NO  ¨Yes     No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). YES  þ   NO  ¨Yes     No  
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer  þ   Accelerated filer  ¨   Non-accelerated filer  ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  Smaller reporting company  ¨ 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. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES  ¨   NO  þYes     No  
The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 201828, 2019 was $1,705,630,140$1,255,667,779 based on the $38.55$28.14 closing price as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
The number of shares of the registrant's Common Stock outstanding as of March 6, 2019February 25, 2020 was 45,325,738.45,416,258.
Documents incorporated by reference: Portions of the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its 20192020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.





Table of Contents


  
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
   
  
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 8.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
   
   
   
 


2


Table of Contents


continued
  
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
   
  
Item 15.
Item 16.
   
Signatures 

3





Cautionary Statements Pursuant to Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding overall cash collection trends, gross margin trends, operating cost trends, liquidity and capital needs and other statements of expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends, and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions referred to above may include the following:
a prolonged economic recovery or a deterioration in the economic or inflationary environment in the Americas or Europe, including the interest rate environment;
changes in the credit or capital markets, which affect our ability to borrow money or raise capital;
our ability to replace our portfolios of nonperforming loans with additional portfolios;portfolios sufficient to operate efficiently and profitably;
our ability to purchase nonperforming loans at appropriate prices;
our ability to collect sufficient amounts on our nonperforming loans to fund our operations;
the possibility that we could recognize significant decreases in our estimate of future recoveries on nonperforming loans;
changes in, or interpretations of, federal, state, local, or foreigninternational laws, including bankruptcy and collection laws, or changes in the administrative practices of various bankruptcy courts, which may impactcould negatively affect our business or our ability to collect on our nonperforming loans;
our ability to collect sufficient amounts on our nonperforming loans;
the possibility that we could incur significant allowance charges on our finance receivables;
changes in or interpretations of, bankruptcy or collection laws that could negatively affect our business, including by causing an increase in certain types of bankruptcy filings involving liquidations, which may cause our collections to decrease;accounting standards and their interpretations;
our ability to manage risks associated with our international operations;
changes in tax laws and interpretations regarding earnings of our domestic and foreigninternational operations;
the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act") including interpretations and determinations by tax authorities;
the possibility that we could incur goodwill or other intangible asset impairment charges;
adverse effects from the vote byexit of the United Kingdom ("UK") to leavefrom the European Union ("EU");
adverse outcomes in pending litigation or administrative proceedings;
our loss contingency accruals may not be adequate to cover actual losses;
adverse outcomes in pending litigation or administrative proceedings;
the possibility that class action suits and other litigation could divert management's attention and increase our expenses;
the possibility that we could incur business or technology disruptions or cyber incidents;
disruptions of business operations caused by the under performance or failure of information technology infastructure, networks or telephone systems;
our ability to collect and enforce our nonperforming loans may be limited under federal, state, local and foreign laws;international laws, regulations, and policies;
our ability to comply with existing and new regulations of the collection industry, the failure of which could result in penalties, fines, litigation, damage to our reputation, or the suspension or termination of or required modification to our ability to conduct our business;
investigations, reviews, or enforcement actions by governmental authorities, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB"), which could result in changes to our business practices, negatively impact our portfolio purchasingacquisitions volume, make collection of account balances more difficult, or expose us to the risk of fines, penalties, restitution payments, and litigation;
the ability of our European operations to comply with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR");
the possibility that compliance with foreigncomplex and evolving international and United States ("U.S.") laws and regulations that apply to our international operations could increase our cost of doing business in international jurisdictions;
our ability to raisecomply with data privacy regulations such as the funds necessary to repurchase the convertible senior notes or to settle conversions in cash;General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR");
our ability to retain, expand, renegotiate or replace our credit facilities and our ability to comply with the covenants under our financing arrangements;
our ability to raise the funds necessary to repurchase our convertible senior notes or to settle conversions in cash;
our ability to refinance our indebtedness, including our outstanding convertible senior notes;
changes in interest or exchange rates, which could reduce our net income, and the possibility that future hedging strategies may not be successful, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition;successful;
the possibility that the adoption of future accounting standards could negatively impact our business;
default by or failure of one or more of our counterparty financial institutions could cause us to incur significant losses;
uncertainty about the future of the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate ("LIBOR") may adversely affect our business; and
the risk factors discussed herein and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
You should assume that the information appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") is accurate only as of the date it was issued. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.


You should carefully consider the factors listed above and review the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page 9,, as well as the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section beginning on page 24 and the "Business" section beginning on page 5.
Our forward-looking statements could be wrong in light of these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The future events, developments or results described in, or implied by, this Form 10-K could turn out to be materially different. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to publicly update or revise our forward-looking statements after the date of this Form 10-K and you should not expect us to do so.


Investors should also be aware that while we do, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts and others, we do not, by policy, selectively disclose to them any material nonpublic information or other confidential commercial information. Accordingly, investors should not assume that we agree with any statement or report issued by any analyst regardless of the content of the statement or report. We do not, by policy, confirm forecasts or projections issued by others. Thus, to the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts, or opinions, such reports are not our responsibility.
PART I
Item 1. Business.Business.
General
Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia and incorporated in Delaware, we are a global financial and business services company with operations in the Americas, Europe, and Europe.Australia.
Our primary business is the purchase, collection, and management of portfolios of nonperforming loans. The accounts we acquirepurchase are primarily the unpaid obligations of individuals owed to credit grantors, which include banks and other types of consumer, retail, and auto finance companies. We acquirepurchase portfolios of nonperforming loans at a discount in two broad categories: Core and Insolvency. Our Core operation specializes in purchasing and collecting nonperforming loans, which we purchased at a discount to face value since either the credit grantor and/or other third-party collection agencies have been unsuccessful in collecting the full balance owed. Our Insolvency operation consists primarily of purchasing and collecting on nonperforming loan accounts where the customer is involved in a bankruptcy proceeding.proceeding or the equivalent in some European countries. We also provide fee-based services on class action claims recoveries and by servicing consumer bankruptcy accounts in the U.S.
We have one reportable segment accounts receivable management, based on similarities among the operating units, including the nature of the products and services, the nature of the production processes, the types or classes of customers for our products and services, the methods used to distribute our products and services, and the nature of the regulatory environment.
We were initially formed as Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, on March 20, 1996. We formed Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. in August 2002 in order to become a publicly traded company and our common stock began trading on the NASDAQNasdaq Global Select Market ("NASDAQ"Nasdaq") on November 8, 2002. We changed our legal name to PRA Group, Inc. on October 23, 2014.
We acquired Aktiv Kapital AS ("Aktiv"), a Norway-based company specializing in the purchase, collection, and management of portfolios of nonperforming loans throughout Europe and Canada, on July 16, 2014. On April 26, 2016, we acquired DTP S.A. ("DTP"), a Polish-based debt collection company, further building our in-house collection efforts in Poland.
We expanded into South America on August 3, 2015 by acquiring 55% of the equity interest in RCB Investimentos S.A. ("RCB"), a servicing platform for nonperforming loans in Brazil, with the remaining 45% of the equity interest retained by the executive team and previous owners of RCB.Brazil. On December 20, 2018, we entered into a strategic partnership with Banco Bradesco S.A. (“Bradesco”), under which Bradesco purchased 79% of our interest in RCB's servicing platform. RCB will continue to be operated by RCB’s founders togetherplatform with Bradesco. PRA retainedGroup retaining an 11.7% equity interest in RCB's servicing platform.interest. The sale did not impact the nonperforming loan purchasing business that we have established in Brazil in partnership with the previous owners of RCB, as it was not part of the sale to Bradesco. Accordingly,
On March 1, 2019, we will continueentered into a share purchase agreement to use RCBacquire the majority of the assets of a business in Canada, which was consolidated through our current Canadian business.
Additionally, we are planning to service our portfolios of nonperforming loansbegin operations in South America.Australia in the future, leveraging an entity we set up in 2011. 
All references in this Form 10-K to the "PRA Group," "our," "we," "us," the "Company" or similar terms are to PRA Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.



Nonperforming Loan Portfolio PurchasesAcquisitions
To identify buying opportunities, we maintain an extensive marketing effort with our senior officers contacting known and prospective sellers of nonperforming loans. From these sellers, we have purchasedaquired a variety of nonperforming loans including Visa® and MasterCard® credit cards, private label and other credit cards, installment loans, lines of credit, deficiency balances of various types, legal judgments, and trade payables. Sellers of nonperforming loans include major banks, credit unions, consumer finance companies, telecommunication providers, retailers, utilities, automobile finance companies, student loan companies, and other debt owners. The price at which we acquirepurchase portfolios depends on the age of the portfolio, whether it is a Core or Insolvency portfolio, geographic distribution, the seller's selection criteria, our historical experience with a certain asset type or credit grantor, and other similar factors.


Nonperforming Loan Portfolio Purchasing Process
We acquirepurchase portfolios of nonperforming loans from credit grantors through auctions and negotiated sales. In an auction process, the seller will assemble a portfolio of nonperforming loans and will seek purchase prices from specifically invited potential purchasers. In a privately negotiated sale process, the credit grantor will contact one or more purchasers directly, receive a bid, and negotiate the terms of sale. In either case, typically, invited purchasers will have already successfully completed a qualification process that can include the seller's review of any or all of the following: the purchaser's experience, reputation, financial standing, operating procedures, business practices, and compliance oversight.
We acquirepurchase portfolios of nonperforming loans through either single portfolio transactions, referred to as spot sales, or through the pre-arranged purchase of multiple portfolios over time, referred to as forward flow sales. Under a forward flow contract, we agree to purchase statistically similar nonperforming loansloan portfolios from credit grantors on a periodic basis, at a negotiated price equal to a set percentage of face value of the nonperforming loans over a specified time period, generally from three to twelve months.
Nonperforming Loan Portfolio Collection Operations
Call Center Operations
In higher volume markets, our collection efforts leverage internally staffed call centers. In some newer markets or in markets that have less consistent debt purchasing patterns, most notably outside the U.S., we may utilize external vendors to do some of this work. Whether the accounts are being worked internally or externally, we utilize our proprietary analysis to proportionally direct work efforts to those customers most likely to pay. The analysis driving those decisions relies on various models and variables that have the highest correlation to profitable collections from call activity.
Legal Recovery - Core Portfolios
An important component of our collections effort involves our legal recovery operations and the judicial collection of accounts ofbalances from customers who, in general, we believe have the ability, but not the willingness, to resolve their obligations. There are some markets in which the collection process follows a prescribed, time-sensitive and sequential set of legal actions, but in the majority of instances, we use models and analysis to select those accounts reflecting a high propensity to pay in a legal environment. Depending on the characteristics of the receivable and the applicable local collection laws, we determine whether to commence legal action to judicially collect on the receivable. The legal process can take an extended period of time and can be costly, but when accounts are selected properly, it also usually generates net cash collections that likely would not have been realized otherwise. We use a combination of internal staff (attorney and support), and external staff to pursue legal collections under certain circumstances.circumstances, as we deem appropriate.
Insolvency Operations
Insolvency Operations in the U.S. manages customer filings under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on debtor accounts derived from two sources: (1) our purchased pools of bankrupt accountsnonperforming loans and (2) our Core purchased pools of nonperforming loans that have filed for bankruptcy protection after being acquiredpurchased by us. We file proofs of claim ("POCs") or claim transfers and actively manage these accounts through the entire life cycle of the bankruptcy proceeding to substantiate our claims and ensure that we participate in any distributions to creditors. Outside of the U.S., similar insolvency work is primarily outsourced to third parties.
Insolvency accounts in the U.S. are typically those filed under Chapter 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, have an associated payment plan that generally ranges from three to five years in duration, and can be acquiredpurchased at any stage in the bankruptcy plan life cycle. Portfolios sold close to the filing of the bankruptcy plan will generally take months to generate cash flow; however, aged portfolios sold years after the filing of the bankruptcy plan will typically generate cash flows immediately. Non-U.S. insolvency accounts may have some slight differences, but generally operate in a similar manner. In Canada, we purchase Consumer Proposal, Consumer Credit Counselingconsumer proposal, consumer credit counseling and Bankrupt Accounts.bankrupt accounts. In the UK, we purchase Individual Voluntary Arrangements, Company Voluntary Arrangements, Trust Deedsindividual voluntary arrangements, company voluntary arrangements, trust deeds, and Bankrupt Accounts.bankrupt accounts. In Germany, we acquirepurchase consumer bankruptcies, which may also consist of small business loans with a personal guarantee.


Fee-Based Services
In addition to the purchase, collection, and management of portfolios of nonperforming loans, we provide fee-based services including class action claims recovery purchasing and servicing through Claims Compensation Bureau, LLC ("CCB") and third-party servicing of bankruptcy accounts in the U.S.


Seasonality
Cash collections in the Americas tend to be higher in the first quarterhalf of the year due to the high volume of income tax refunds received by individuals in the U.S., and trend lower as the year progresses. Customer payment patterns in all of the countries in which we operate can be affected by seasonal employment trends, income tax refunds, and holiday spending habits geographically.habits.
Competition
Purchased portfolio competition is derived from both third-party contingent fee collection agencies and other purchasers of debt that manage their own nonperforming loans or outsource such servicing. Our primary competitors in our fee-based business are providers of outsourced receivables management services. Regulatory complexity and burdens, combined with seller preference for experienced portfolio purchasers, create significant barriers to successful entry for new competitors particularly in the U.S. While both markets remain competitive, the contingent fee industry is more fragmented than the purchased portfolio industry.
We face bidding competition in our acquisitionpurchase of nonperforming loans and in obtaining placements for our fee-based businesses. We also compete on the basis of reputation, industry experience, and performance. We believe that our competitive strengths include our disciplined and proprietary underwriting process, the extensive data set we have developed since our founding in 1996, our ability to bid on portfolios at appropriate prices, our capital position, our reputation from previous portfolio purchase transactions, our ability to close transactions in a timely fashion, our strong relationships with credit grantors, our team of well-trained collectors who provide quality customer service while complying with applicable collection laws, and our ability to efficiently and effectively collect on various asset types.
Compliance
Our approach to compliance is multifaceted and comprehensive and is overseen by both the Board of Directors and management. Our compliance management system includes policies and procedures, training, monitoring, and consumer complaint response. In addition, our compliance expectations extend to our service providers. Our compliance management system is predicated on the following:
our Code of Conduct, which applies to all directors, officers and employees, is available at the Investor Relations page of our website at www.pragroup.com;
our Code of Conduct, which applies to all directors, officers, and employees, is available at the Investor Relations page of our website at www.pragroup.com;
compliance and ethics training for our directors, officers, and employees;
a confidential telephone and email hotline and web-based portals to report suspected compliance violations, fraud, financial reporting, accounting, and auditing matters, and other acts that may be illegal and/or unethical;
regular testing by our compliance and internal audit departments of controls embedded in business processes designed to foster compliance with laws, regulations, and internal policy; and
regular evaluation of the legislative and regulatory environment and monitoring of statutory and regulatory changes and relevant case law, so that operations personnel are aware of and in compliance with the laws and judicial decisions that may impact their job duties.
Regulation
We are subject to a variety of federal, state, local, and foreigninternational laws that establish specific guidelines and procedures that debt collectors must follow when collecting customer accounts, including laws relating to the collection, use, retention, security, and transfer of personal information. It is our policy to comply with the provisions of all applicable federal, state, local, and foreigninternational laws in all our activities even though there are inconsistencies between jurisdictions and frequent changes in these laws and regulations, including their interpretation application and inconsistencies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.application. Our failure to comply with these laws could result in enforcement action against us, the payment of significant fines and penalties, restrictions upon our operations, or our inability to recover amounts owed to us. Significant laws and regulations applicable to our business include the following:
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ("FDCPA"), which imposes certain obligations and restrictions on the practices of debt collectors, including specific restrictions regarding the time, place and manner of the communications.
Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA"), which obligates credit information providers to verify the accuracy of information provided to credit reporting agencies and investigate consumer disputes concerning the accuracy of such information.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ("FDCPA"), which imposes certain obligations and restrictions on the practices of debt collectors, including specific restrictions regarding the time, place and manner of the communications.



Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which requires that certain financial institutions, including collection agencies, develop policies to protect the privacy of consumers' private financial information and provide notices to consumers advising them of their privacy policies.
Electronic Funds Transfer Act, which regulates electronic fund transfer transactions, including a consumer’s right to stop payments on a pre-approved fund transfer and right to receive certain documentation of the transaction.
Telephone Consumer Protection Act ("TCPA"), which, along with similar state laws, places certain restrictions on users of certain automated dialing equipment and pre-recorded messages that place telephone calls to consumers.
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act("SCRA"), which gives U.S. military service personnel relief from credit obligations they may have incurred prior to entering military service and may also apply in certain circumstances to obligations and liabilities incurred by a servicemember while serving on active duty.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which provides standards to protect the confidentiality of patients' personal healthcare and financial information in the U.S.
U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which prohibits certain contacts with consumers after the filing of bankruptcy petitions and dictates what types of claims will or will not be allowed in a bankruptcy proceeding including how such claims may be discharged.
Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires that telecommunications companies operating in the U.S. take steps to ensure functionally equivalent services are available for their consumers with disabilities, and requires accommodation of consumers with disabilities, such as the implementation of telecommunications relay services.
U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA"), United Kingdom Bribery Act ("UK Bribery Act") and Other Applicable Legislation. Our operations outside the U.S. are subject to the FCPA, which prohibits U.S. companies and their agents and employees from providing anything of value to a foreign official for the purposes of influencing any act or decision of these individuals in order to obtain an unfair advantage or help obtain or retain business. Although similar to the FCPA, the UK Bribery Act is broader in scope and covers bribes given to or received by any person with improper intent.
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act"), which restructured the regulation and supervision of the financial services industry in the U.S. and created the CFPB. The CFPB has rulemaking, supervisory, and enforcement authority over larger consumer debt collectors. The Dodd-Frank Act, along with the Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices ("UDAAP") provisions included therein, and the Federal Trade Commission Act, prohibit unfair, deceptive, and/or abusive acts and practices.
Foreign data protection and privacy laws, which include relevant country specific legislation in the United Kingdom and other European countries where we operate that regulate the processing of information relating to individuals, including the obtaining, holding, use or disclosure of such information; the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, which aims to protect personal information that is collected, used or disclosed in certain circumstances for purposes of electronic commerce in Canada; and the EU Data Protection Directive, which has been replaced by the General Data Protection Regulation, effective as of May 25, 2018, which regulates the processing and free movement of personal data within the EU and transfer of such data outside the EU.
Consumer Credit Act 1974 (and its related regulations), Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations of 1999 and the Financial Conduct Authority's consumer credit conduct of business rules, which apply to our international operations and govern consumer credit agreements.
Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA"), which obligates credit information providers to verify the accuracy of information provided to credit reporting agencies and investigate consumer disputes concerning the accuracy of such information.
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which requires that certain financial institutions, including collection agencies, develop policies to protect the privacy of consumers' private financial information and provide notices to consumers advising them of their privacy policies.
Electronic Funds Transfer Act, which regulates electronic fund transfer transactions, including a consumer’s right to stop payments on a pre-approved fund transfer and right to receive certain documentation of the transaction.
Telephone Consumer Protection Act ("TCPA"), which, along with similar state laws, places certain restrictions on users of certain automated dialing equipment and pre-recorded messages that place telephone calls to consumers.
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act("SCRA"), which gives U.S. military service personnel relief from credit obligations they may have incurred prior to entering military service and may also apply in certain circumstances to obligations and liabilities incurred by a servicemember while serving on active duty.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which provides standards to protect the confidentiality of patients' personal healthcare and financial information in the U.S.
U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which prohibits certain contacts with consumers after the filing of bankruptcy petitions and dictates what types of claims will or will not be allowed in a bankruptcy proceeding including how such claims may be discharged.
Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires that telecommunications companies operating in the U.S. take steps to ensure functionally equivalent services are available for their consumers with disabilities, and requires accommodation of consumers with disabilities, such as the implementation of telecommunications relay services.
U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA"), United Kingdom Bribery Act ("UK Bribery Act") and Similar Laws. Our operations outside the U.S. are subject to various U.S. and international laws and regulations, such as the FCPA and the UK Bribery Act, which prohibit corrupt payments to governmental officials and certain other individuals. The FCPA prohibits U.S. companies and their agents and employees from providing anything of value to a foreign official for the purposes of influencing any act or decision of these individuals in order to obtain an unfair advantage or help obtain or retain business. Although similar to the FCPA, the UK Bribery Act is broader in scope and covers bribes given to or received by any person with improper intent.
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act"), which restructured the regulation and supervision of the financial services industry in the U.S. and created the CFPB. The CFPB has rulemaking, supervisory, and enforcement authority over larger consumer debt collectors. The Dodd-Frank Act, along with the Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices ("UDAAP") provisions included therein, and the Federal Trade Commission Act, prohibit unfair, deceptive, and/or abusive acts and practices.
International data protection and privacy laws, which include relevant country specific legislation in the United Kingdom and other European countries where we operate that regulate the processing of information relating to individuals, including the obtaining, holding, use or disclosure of such information; the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, which aims to protect personal information that is collected, used or disclosed in certain circumstances for purposes of electronic commerce in Canada; and the EU GDPR, which regulates the processing and free movement of personal data within the EU and transfer of such data outside the EU.
Consumer Credit Act 1974 (and its related regulations), Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations of 1999 and the Financial Conduct Authority's consumer credit conduct of business rules, which apply to our international operations and govern consumer credit agreements.
In addition, certain of our EU subsidiaries are subject to capital adequacy and liquidity requirements.
On September 9, 2015, Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC ("PRA"), our wholly owned subsidiary, entered into a consent order with the CFPB, settling a previously disclosed investigation of certain debt collection practices of PRA (the "Consent Order"). PRA entered into the Consent Order for settlement purposes, without admitting the truth of the allegations, other than the jurisdictional facts. Among other things, the Consent Order required PRA to: (i) vacate 837 judgments obtained after the applicable statute of limitations, refund $860,607 in payments received on account of such judgments and waive the remaining $3.4 million in judgment balances; (ii) refund $18.2 million in Litigation Department Calls Restitution, as defined in the Consent Order; and (iii) pay an $8.0 million civil money penalty to the CFPB.


Employees
As of December 31, 2018,2019, we employed 5,3774,412 full-time equivalents globally. Management considers our employee relations to be good. While none of our North American employees are represented by a union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement, in Europe we work closely with a number of works councils, and in countries where it is the customary local practice, such as Finland and Spain, we have collective bargaining agreements.



Available Information
We make available on or through our website, www.pragroup.com, certain reports that we file with or furnish to the SEC in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These include our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act ("SEC Filings"). We make this information available on our website free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the information with or furnish it to the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at: www.sec.gov.
The information contained on, or that can be accessed through our website, is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this Form 10-K or incorporated into any of our other SEC Filings.
Reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC are also available free of charge upon request by contacting our corporate office at:
PRA Group, Inc.
Attn: Investor Relations
120 Corporate Boulevard, Suite 100
Norfolk, Virginia 23502
Item 1A. Risk Factors.Factors.
An investment in our Company involves risk, including the possibility that the value of the investment could fall substantially. The following are risks that could materially affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, cash flows, and the value of, and return on, an investment in our Company.
Risks related to our operations and industry
A prolonged economic recovery or deterioration in the economic or inflationary environment in the Americas or Europe could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Our performance may be adversely affected by economic, political or inflationary conditions in any market in which we operate. These conditions could include regulatory developments, changes in global or domestic economic policy, legislative changes, the sovereign debt crises experienced in several European countries and the uncertainty onregarding the EU’s future of the EU as a result of the UK's departure from the EU. Deterioration in economic conditions, a prolonged economic recovery, or a significant rise in inflation could cause personal bankruptcy and insolvency filings to increase, and the ability of consumers to pay their debts could be adversely affected. This may in turn adversely impact our business and financial results. Deteriorating economic conditions or a prolonged recovery could also adversely impact the businesses to which we provide fee-based services, which could reduce our fee income and cash flow.
If global credit market conditions and the stability of global banks deteriorate, it could negatively impact the generation of comprehensive receivable buying opportunities andwhich could adversely affect our business, financial results, and ability to succeed in foreign markets could be adversely affected.international markets. If conditions in major credit markets deteriorate, the amount of consumer or commercial lending and financing could be reduced, thus decreasing the volume of nonperforming loans available for our purchase.
Other factors associated with the economy that could influence our performance include the financial stability of the lenders on our bank loans and credit facilities and our access to capital and credit. The financial turmoil that adversely affected the banking system and financial markets in recent yearsduring the last domestic recession resulted in the tightening of credit markets. Although there has since been some improvement, a worsening of current conditions could have a negative impact on our business, including a decrease in the value of our financial investments and the insolvency of lending institutions, including the lenders onproviding our bank loans and credit facilities, resulting in our difficulty in or inability to obtain credit. These and other economic factors could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to continually replace our nonperforming loans with additional portfolios sufficient to operate efficiently and profitably, and/or we may not be able to purchase nonperforming loans at appropriate prices.
To operate profitably, we must acquirepurchase and service a sufficient amount of nonperforming loans to generate revenue that exceeds our expenses. Fixed costs such as salaries and other compensation expense constitute a significant portion of our overhead and, if we do not replace the nonperforming loan portfolios we service with additional portfolios, we may have to reduce the number of our collection personnel. We would then have to rehire collection staff if we subsequently obtain additional portfolios. These practices could lead to:to negative consequences such as:

low employee morale;
fewer experienced employees;    
higher training costs;    
disruptions in our operations;    
loss of efficiency; and    
excess costs associated with unused space in our facilities.
    
The availability of nonperforming loan portfolios at prices that generate an appropriate return on our investment depends on a number of factors both within and outside of our control, including the following:
the continuation of high levels of consumer debt obligations;
sales of nonperforming loan portfolios by debt owners; and
competitive factors affecting potential purchasers and credit grantors of receivables.
Furthermore, heightened regulation of the credit card and consumer lending industry or changing credit origination strategies may result in decreased availability of credit to consumers, potentially leading to a future reduction in nonperforming loans available for purchase from debt owners. Conversely, lower regulatory barriers with respect to debt buyers could lead to increased participants in the debt collection industry, which could, in turn, impact the supply of nonperforming loans available for purchase. We cannot predict how our ability to identify and purchase nonperforming loans and the quality of those nonperforming loans would be affected if there were a shift in lending practices, whether caused by changes in the regulations or accounting practices applicable to debt owners or debt buyers, a sustained economic downturn or otherwise.
Moreover, there can be no assurance that debt owners will continue to sell their nonperforming loans consistent with recent levels or at all, or that we will be able to bid competitively for those portfolios. Because of the length of time involved in collecting on acquired portfolios and the variability in the timing of our collections, we may not be able to identify trends and make changes in our purchasing strategies in a timely manner. If we are unable to maintain our business or adapt to changing market needs as well as our current or future competitors, we may experience reduced access to nonperforming loan portfolios at appropriate prices and, therefore, reduced profitability.
Currently, a number of large banks that historically sold nonperforming loans in the U.S., including sellers of bankrupt accounts, are not selling such debt. This includes sellers of bankrupt accounts, some of whom have elected to stop selling such accounts because they believe that regulatory guidance concerning sales of bankruptcy accounts is ambiguous. Should these conditions worsen, it could negatively impact our ability to replace our nonperforming loans with additional portfolios sufficient to operate profitably.
We may not be able to collect sufficient amounts on our nonperforming loans to fund our operations.


Our principal business consists of acquiringpurchasing and liquidating nonperforming loans that consumers or others have failed to pay. The debt owners have typically made numerous attempts to recover on their receivables, often using a combination of in-house recovery efforts and third-party collection agencies. These nonperforming loans are difficult to collect, and we may not collect a sufficient amount to cover our investment and the costs of running our business.


For financial reporting purposes, we utilize the interest method of revenue recognition for determining our income recognized on finance receivables, which is based on an analysis of projected cash flows that may prove to be less than anticipated and could lead to the incurrence of allowance charges which would reduce our profitability.
We utilize the interest method to determine income recognized on finance receivables under the guidance of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification 310-30, "Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality" ("ASC 310-30"). Under this method, pools of receivables we acquire are modeled upon their projected cash flows. A yield is then established which, when applied to the unamortized purchase price of the receivables, results in the recognition of income at a constant yield relative to the remaining balance in the pool. Each pool is analyzed regularly to assess the actual performance compared to that derived from our models. Under ASC 310-30, rather than lowering the estimated yield if the collection estimates are not received or projected to be received, the carrying value of a pool would be written down to maintain the then current yield and is recorded as an allowance charge in the consolidated income statements with a corresponding valuation allowance offsetting finance receivables on the consolidated balance sheets. As a result, if the accuracy of the modeling process deteriorates or there is a significant decline in anticipated future cash flows, we could incur additional allowance charges, which could reduce our profitability in a given period.
Changes in accounting standards and their interpretations could adversely affect our operating results.
U.S. GAAP, as issued and amended by the FASB, is subject to interpretation by the SEC, and various other bodies that promulgate and interpret appropriate accounting principles. These principles and related implementation guidelines and interpretations can be highly complex and involve subjective estimates. A change in these principles or interpretations could have a significant effect on our reported financial results. For example, in June 2016 the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires the measurement of expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.  ASU 2016-13 supersedes ASC 310-30, which we currently follow to account for income recognized on our finance receivables and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  We expect ASU 2016-13 will have a significant impact on how we measure and record income recognized on our finance receivables and are in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption on our consolidated financial statements and accounting operations. Delays in the release of clarifying guidance could adversely impact our ability to implement the necessary processes and controls required to adopt the standard on a timely basis. ASU 2016-13, amendments thereof, and amendments to new and existing accounting standards could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our collections may decrease if certain types of insolvency proceedings and bankruptcy filings involving liquidations increase.
Various economic trends and potential changes to existing legislation may contribute to an increase in the amount of personal bankruptcy and insolvency filings. Under certain of these filings, a debtor's assets may be sold to repay creditors, but because most of the receivables we collect through our collections operations are unsecured, we typically would not be able to collect on those receivables. Although our insolvency collections business could benefit from an increase in personal bankruptcies and insolvencies, we cannot ensure that our collections operations business would not decline with an increase in personal insolvencies or bankruptcy filings or changes in related regulations or practices. If our actual collection experience with respect to a nonperforming or insolvent bankrupt receivables portfolio is significantly lower than the total amount we projected when we purchasedacquired the portfolio, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely impacted.
Changes in accounting standards and their interpretations could adversely affect our operating results.
U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), as issued and amended by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), is subject to interpretation by the SEC, and various other bodies that promulgate and interpret appropriate

accounting principles. These principles and related implementation guidelines and interpretations can be highly complex and involve subjective estimates. A change in these principles or interpretations could have a significant effect on our reported financial results. For example, in June 2016 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires the measurement of expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.  Furthermore, in November 2019, FASB issued ASU 2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses” (“ASU 2019-11”), which amends the Purchase Credit Deteriorated ("PCD") financial asset guidance in ASU 2016-13 to clarify that expected recoveries of amounts previously written off and expected to be written off should be included in the valuation account and should not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously written off and expected to be written off by an entity. ASU 2019-11 clarifies that a negative allowance is recognized when an entity determines, after a full or partial writeoff of the amortized cost basis, that it will recover all or a portion of the basis.
ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2019-11 supersede ASC 310-30, "Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality" ("ASC 310-30"), which we currently follow to account for income recognized on our finance receivables, and are effective for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020.  ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2019-11 represent a significant significant change from existing U.S. GAAP and are expected to result in material changes to the Company’s accounting for its finance receivables. Implementation efforts are nearly complete, including finalizing the accounting processes, fulfillment of additional data needs for new disclosures and reporting requirements, and drafting accounting and internal control policies and procedures. ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2019-11, amendments thereof, and amendments to new and existing accounting standards could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our international operations expose us to risks which could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
A significant portion of our operations is conducted outside the U.S. This could expose us to adverse economic, industry and political conditions that may have a negative impact on our ability to manage our existing operations or pursue alternative strategic transactions, which could have a negative effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The global nature of our operations expands the risks and uncertainties described elsewhere in this section, including the following:    
changes in local political, economic, social and labor conditions in the markets in which we operate, including Europe, and the Americas;operate;
foreign exchange controls on currency conversion and the transfer of funds that might prevent us from repatriating cash earned in countries outside the U.S. in a tax-efficient manner;
currency exchange rate fluctuations, currency restructurings, inflation or deflation, and our ability to manage these fluctuations through a foreign exchange risk management program;

different employee/employer relationships, laws and regulations, union recognition and the existence of employment tribunals and works councils;
laws and regulations imposed by foreigninternational governments, including those governing data security, sharing and transfer;
potentially adverse tax consequences resulting from changes in tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate or challenges to our interpretations and application of complex international tax laws;
logistical, communications and other challenges caused by distance and cultural and language differences, each making it harder to do business in certain jurisdictions;
risks related to crimes, strikes, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist attacks, wars and natural disasters;
volatility of global credit markets and the availability of consumer credit and financing in our international markets;
uncertainty as to the enforceability of contract and intellectual property rights under local laws;
the potential of forced nationalization of certain industries, or the impact on creditors' rights, consumer disposable income levels, flexibility and availability of consumer credit, and the ability to enforce and collect aged or charged-off debts stemming from foreigninternational governmental actions, whether through austerity or stimulus measures or initiative,initiatives, intended to control or influence macroeconomic factors such as wages, unemployment, national output or consumption, inflation, investment, credit, finance, taxation or other economic drivers;

the presence of varying levels of business corruption in international markets and the effect of various anti-corruption and other laws on our foreigninternational operations;
the impact on our day-to-day operations and our ability to staff our international operations given our high employee turnover rates, changing labor conditions and long-term trends towards higher wages in developed and emerging international markets as well as the potential impact of union organizing efforts;
potential damage to our reputation due to non-compliance with foreigninternational and local laws; and
the complexity and necessity of using non-U.S. representatives, consultants and other third-party vendors.
Furthermore,Any one of these factors could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The impact of worldwide tax audits, changes to international or domestic tax laws, the issuance of new tax guidance, and the results of operations could have an adverse tax effect on our financial condition.

Our tax filings are subject to audit by domestic and international tax authorities. These audits may result in assessments of additional taxes, adjustments to the timing of taxable income or deductions, or re-allocations of income among tax jurisdictions.  Any one of these factors could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, many countries in the EU and around the world have adopted and/or proposed changes to current tax laws.  Further, organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development have published actions that, if adopted by countries where we do business, could increase our tax obligations in those countries. Due to the scale of our U.S. and international business activities, many of these enacted and proposed changes to the taxation of our activities could increase our worldwide effective tax rate potentially harming our financial position and results of operations.

While the Tax Act was enacted during December 2017, we still expect to see future regulatory, administrative or legislative guidance. To the extent any future guidance differs from our current interpretation of the law, it could have a material effect on our financial position and results of operations.  The Tax Act included a broad range of tax reform provisions affecting businesses, including the elimination of U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from international subsidiaries; requiring a current inclusion in U.S. federal taxable income of certain earnings of controlled international corporations referred to as Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”); creating the base erosion anti-abuse tax, a new minimum tax; creating a new limitation on deductible interest expense; and increased limitations on the deductibility of executive compensation. 

Our future tax expense could be affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, or changes in tax laws or their interpretation. The determination of the provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities regarding our global operations requires significant judgment. Although we believe our estimates are reasonable, the ultimate tax outcome may differ from the amounts recorded in our financial statements and may adversely affect our financial results in the period(s) for which such determination is made.
Our tax filings are subject to audit by domestic and foreign tax authorities. These audits may result in assessments of additional taxes, adjustments to the timing of taxable income or deductions, or re-allocations of income among tax jurisdictions.
Any one of these factors could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The impact of the Tax Act, including interpretations and determinations by taxing authorities, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
In December 2017, the Tax Act became law. The Tax Act includes a broad range of tax reform provisions affecting businesses, including a reduction in the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%; a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries; generally eliminating U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries; requiring a current inclusion in U.S. federal taxable income of certain earnings of controlled foreign corporations referred to as Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”); creating the base erosion anti-abuse tax, a new minimum tax; creating a new limitation on deductible interest expense; and increased limitations on the deductibility of executive compensation. The Tax Act impacted our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2018 and will impact our effective tax rate in the future. The new law makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code and we expect to see future regulatory, administrative or legislative guidance. To the extent any future guidance differs from our current interpretation of the law, it could have a material effect on our financial position and results of operations.
In addition, many countries in the EU and around the world have adopted and/or proposed changes to current tax laws. Further, organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development have published actions that, if adopted by countries where we do business, could increase our tax obligations in those countries. Due to the scale of our U.S. and international

business activities, many of these enacted and proposed changes to the taxation of our activities could increase our worldwide effective tax rate potentially harming our financial position and results of operations.
Goodwill or other intangible asset impairment charges could negatively impact our net income and stockholders' equity.
We have recorded a significant amount of goodwill as a result of our acquisitions. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. Goodwill is required to be tested for impairment annually and between annual tests if events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. There are numerous risks that may cause the fair value of a reporting unit to fall below its carrying amount, which could lead to the recognition of goodwill impairment. These risks include, but are not limited to, adverse changes in macroeconomic conditions, the business climate, or the market for the entity's products or services; significant variances between actual and expected financial results; negative or declining cash flows; lowered expectations of future results; failure to realize anticipated synergies from acquisitions; significant expense increases; a more likely-than-not expectation of selling or disposing all or a portion of a reporting unit; the loss of key personnel; an adverse action or assessment by a regulator; or a sustained decrease in the Company's share price.
Our goodwill impairment testing involves the use of estimates and the exercise of judgment, including judgments regarding expected future business performance and market conditions. Significant changes in our assessment of such factors, including the deterioration of market conditions, could affect our assessment of the fair value of one or more of our reporting units and could result in a goodwill impairment charge in a future period.
Other intangible assets, such as client and customer relationships, non-compete agreements and trademarks, are amortized. Risks such as those that could lead to the recognition of goodwill impairment, could also lead to the recognition of other intangible asset impairment.

The vote by the UK to leave the EU, and the ultimateUK's exit of the UK from the EU could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
On June 23, 2016, the UK voted to leave the EU (commonly referred to as "Brexit"). Although the vote had no binding legal effect, it adversely impacted global markets and resulted in a decline in the value of the British pound as compared to the U.S. dollar and other currencies. The UK's exit negotiations with the EU officially began in June 2017. EU rules provide for a two-year negotiation period, endingBrexit occurred on March 29, 2019, unless an extension is agreed to by the parties. ThereJanuary 31, 2020, there remains significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the UK and the EU includingand the possibility of the UK leaving the EU without a negotiated and bilaterally approved withdrawal plan. The impact of the UK's ultimate withdrawal from the EU or any related changes to the decision may adverselyincluding its affect on business activity, impact on foreign currency, political stability and economic, regulatory, and financial market conditions in the UK, the EU and globally, which could in turn adversely affect European or worldwide political, regulatory, economic and financial market conditions.globally.
As of December 31, 2018,2019, the total estimated remaining collections ("ERC") of our UK portfolios constituted approximately 20%23% of our consolidated ERC. Our British pound assets are predominantly funded by British pound liabilities. However, British pound net income and retained earnings could be affected when translated back to the U.S. dollar, positively or negatively, by foreign exchange volatility in the short term resulting from the uncertainty of Brexit. In the longer term, any impact from Brexit on our business, results of operations and financial condition will depend on the final terms negotiated by the UK and the EU, including arrangements concerning taxes and financial services regulation.
Our loss contingency accruals may not be adequate to cover actual losses.
We are involved in judicial, regulatory, and arbitration proceedings or investigations concerning matters arising from our business activities. We believe that we have adopted reasonable compliance policies and procedures and believe we have meritorious defenses in all material litigation pending against us. However, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome. We establish accruals for potential liability arising from legal proceedings when it is probable that such liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. We may still incur legal costs for a matter even if we have not accrued a liability. In addition, actual losses may be higher than the amount accrued for a certain matter, or in the aggregate. An unfavorable resolution of a legal proceeding or claim could adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. For more information, refer to the "Litigation and Regulatory Matters" section of Note 1314 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K ("Note 13"14").
Class action suits and other litigation could divert our management's attention from operating our business and increase our expenses.
Credit grantors, nonperforming loan purchasers and third-party collection agencies and attorneys in the consumer credit industry are frequently subject to putative class action lawsuits and other litigation. Claims include failure to comply with applicable

laws and regulations and improper or deceptive origination and servicing practices. An unfavorable outcome in a class action suit or other litigation could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and liquidity. Even when we prevail or the basis for the litigation is groundless, considerable time, energy and resources may be needed to respond, and such class action lawsuits or other litigation could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and liquidity.
The occurrence ofA cyber incidents, or a deficiency in our cyber-security,incident could negatively impact our business by disruptingdisrupt our operations, compromisingcompromise or corruptingcorrupt our confidential information or damagingdamage our image,reputation, all of which could negatively impact our business and financial results.

Our business is highly dependent on our ability to process and monitor a large number of transactions across markets and in multiple currencies. As our geographical reach expands,we expand geographically, maintaining the security of our information technology systems and infrastructure becomes more significant. Privacy laws in the U.S., Europesignificant and elsewhere govern the collection and transmission of personal data.difficult. As our reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our systems, bothsome of which are internal and thoseothers we have outsourced. OurThe three primary risks that could directly resultwe face from the occurrence of a cyber incident are operational interruption,disruption, reputational damage to our image, and the exposure of private data exposure. Private data may includesuch as customer information, our employees' personally identifiable information, or proprietary business information such as underwriting and collections methodologies.

Although we take protective steps, including upgrading our systems and networks with intrusion and detection prevention systems, monitoring firewalls to safeguard critical business applications and supervising third party providers that have access to our systems, our computer systems, software and networks may still be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses or other malicious code, and other events that could have a security impact. We have implemented solutions, processes, and procedures to help mitigate these risks, but these measures, as well as our organization's increased awareness of our risk of a cyber incident do not guarantee that our business, reputation or financial results will not be impacted negatively impacted by such an incident. Should such a cyber incident occur, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to notify affected consumers, modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures. Additionally, we may be subject to fines, penalties, litigation costs and settlements and financial losses that may not be fully covered by our cyber insurance.





The underperformance or failure of our information technology infrastructure, networks or telephone systems could result in loss in productivity, loss of competitive advantage and business disruption.

We depend on effective information and telephone systems to operate our business. We have also acquired and expect to acquire additional systems as a result of business acquisitions. Significant resources are required to maintain or enhance our existing information and telephone systems and to replace obsolete systems. Although we are continually upgrading, streamlining, and integrating our systems and have invested in strategies to prevent a failure, our systems are susceptible to outages due to natural disasters, power loss, computer viruses, security breaches, hardware or software vulnerabilities, disruptions, and similar events. Failure to adequately implement or maintain effective and efficient information systems with sufficiently advanced technological capabilities, or our failure to efficiently and effectively consolidate our information systems to eliminate redundant or obsolete applications, could cause us to lose our competitive advantage, divert management’s time, result in a loss of productivity or disrupt business operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks associated with governmental regulation and laws
Our ability to collect and enforce our nonperforming loans may be limited under federal, state and foreigninternational laws, regulations and policies.
The businesses conducted by our operating subsidiaries are subject to licensing and regulation by governmental and regulatory bodies in the many jurisdictions in which we operate. Federal and state laws and the laws and regulations of the foreigninternational countries in which we operate may limit our ability to collect on and enforce our rights with respect to our nonperforming loans regardless of any act or omission on our part. Some laws and regulations applicable to credit issuers may preclude us from collecting on nonperforming loans we purchaseacquire if the credit issuer previously failed to comply with applicable laws in generating or servicing those receivables. Collection laws and regulations also directly apply to our business. Such laws and regulations are extensive and subject to change. A variety of state, federal and international laws and regulations govern the collection, use, retention, transmission, sharing and security of consumer data. Consumer protection and privacy protection laws, changes in the ways that existing rules or laws are interpreted or enforced and any procedures that may be implemented as a result of regulatory consent orders may adversely affect our ability to collect on our nonperforming loans and may harm our business. Our failure to comply with laws or regulations applicable to us could limit our ability to collect on our receivables, which could reduce our profitability and harm our business.
Failure to comply with government regulation of the collections industry could result in penalties, fines, litigation, damage to our reputation or the suspension or termination of our ability to conduct our business.
The collections industry throughout the markets in which we operate is governed by various laws and regulations, many of which require us to be a licensed debt collector. Our industry is also at times investigated by regulators and offices of state attorneys general, and subpoenas and other requests or demands for information may be issued by governmental authorities who are investigating debt collection activities. These investigations may result in enforcement actions, fines and penalties, or the assertion of private claims and lawsuits. If any such investigations result in findings that we or our vendors have failed to comply with applicable laws and regulations, we could be subject to penalties, litigation losses and expenses, damage to our reputation, or the suspension or termination of, or required modification to, our ability to conduct collections, which would adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
In a number of jurisdictions, we must maintain licenses to purchase or own debt, and/or to perform debt recovery services and must satisfy related bonding requirements. Our failure to comply with existing licensing requirements, changing interpretations of existing requirements, or adoption of new licensing requirements, could restrict our ability to collect in certain jurisdictions, subject us to increased regulation, increase our costs, or adversely affect our ability to purchase, own and/or collect our receivables.
Some laws, among other things, also may limit the interest rate and the fees that a credit grantor may impose on our consumers, limit the time in which we may file legal actions to enforce consumer accounts, and require specific account information for certain collection activities. In addition, local requirements and court rulings in various jurisdictions also may affect our ability to collect.

Regulations and statutes applicable to our industry further provide that, in some cases, consumers cannot be held liable for, or their liability may be limited with respect to, charges to their debt or credit card accounts that resulted from unauthorized use of their credit. These laws, among others, may limit our ability to recover amounts owing with respect to the receivables, whether or not we committed any wrongful act or omission in connection with the account.
If we fail to comply with any applicable laws and regulations discussed above, such failure could result in penalties, litigation losses and expenses, damage to our reputation, or otherwise impact our ability to conduct collections efforts, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Investigations, reviews, or enforcement actions by governmental authorities may result in changes to our business practices; negatively impact our receivables portfolio purchasingacquisition volume; make collection of receivables more difficult; or expose us to the risk of fines, penalties, restitution payments and litigation.
Our debt collection activities and business practices are subject to review from time to time by various governmental authorities and regulators, including the CFPB, which may commence investigations, reviews, or enforcement actions, or reviews targeted at businesses in the financial services industry. These investigations or reviews may involve governmental authority consideration of individual consumer complaints, or could involve a broader review of our debt collection policies and practices. Such investigations or reviews could lead to assertions by governmental authorities that we are not complying with applicable laws or regulations. In such circumstances, authorities may request or seek to impose a range of remedies that could involve potential compensatory or punitive damage claims, fines, restitution payments, sanctions or injunctive relief, that if agreed to or granted, could require us to make payments or incur other expenditures that could have an adverse effect on our financial position. The CFPB has the authority to obtain cease and desist orders (which can include orders for restitution or rescission of contracts, as well as other kinds of affirmative relief), recover costs, and impose monetary penalties (ranging from $5,000 per day to over $1 million per day, depending on the nature and gravity of the violation). In addition, where a company has violated Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act or CFPB regulations implemented thereunder, the Dodd-Frank Act empowers state attorneys general and other state regulators to bring civil actions to remedy violations under state law. Government authorities could also request or seek to require us to cease certain of our practices or institute new practices. Negative publicity relating to investigations or proceedings brought by governmental authorities could have an adverse impact on our reputation, could harm our ability to conduct business with industry participants, and could result in financial institutions reducing or eliminating sales of receivables portfolios to us which would harm our business and negatively impact our results of operations. Moreover, changing or modifying our internal policies or procedures, responding to governmental inquiries and investigations and defending lawsuits or other proceedings could require significant efforts on the part of management and result in increased costs to our business. In addition, such efforts could divert management's full attention from our business operations. All of these factors could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
The CFPB has issued civil investigative demands to many companies that it regulates and periodically examines practices regarding the collection of consumer debt. InOn September 9, 2015, wePortfolio Associates, LLC ("PRA"), our wholly owned subsidiary, entered into the Consent Ordera consent order with the CFPB settling a previously disclosed investigation of certain debt collection practices of PRA.PRA (the "Consent Order"). Among other things, the Consent Order required PRA to: (i) vacate 837 judgments obtained after the applicable statute of limitations, refund $860,607 in payments received on account of such judgments and waive the remaining $3.4 million in judgment balances; (ii) refund $18.2 million in Litigation Department Calls Restitution, as defined in the Consent Order; and (iii) pay an $8.0 million civil money penalty to the CFPB. Although we have implemented the requirements of the Consent Order, there can be no assurance that additional litigation or new industry regulations currently under consideration by the CFPB would not have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. In addition, the CFPB monitors our compliance with the Consent Order and could make a determination that we have failed to adhere to our obligations. Such a determination could result in additional inquiries, penalties or liabilities, which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Compliance with complex and evolving foreigninternational and U.S. laws and regulations that apply to our international operations could increase our cost of doing business in international jurisdictions.
We operate on a global basis with offices and activities in a number of jurisdictions throughout the Americas and Europe. We face increased exposure to risks inherent in conducting business internationally, including compliance with complex foreigninternational and U.S. laws and regulations that apply to our international operations, which could increase our cost of doing business in international jurisdictions. These laws and regulations include those related to taxation and anti-corruption laws such as the FCPA, the UK Bribery Act and other local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to governmental officials. Given the complexity of these laws, there is a risk that we may inadvertently breach certain provisions of these laws, such as through the negligent behavior of an employee or our failure to comply with certain formal documentation requirements. Violations of these laws and regulations by us, any of our employees or our third-party vendors, either inadvertently or intentionally, could result in fines and penalties, criminal sanctions, restrictions on our operations and limits on our ability to offer our products and services in one or more countries. Violations of these laws could also adversely affect our business, brand, international expansion efforts, ability to attract and retain employees and results of operations.

The regulation of data privacy in the U.S and globally could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition by increasing our compliance costs.
The impactregulation of the GDPR,data privacy, including interpretations and determinations by regulatory authorities could have an adversein the U.S. and in the countries in which we operate, continues to evolve. It is not possible to predict the effect on our financial conditionof such rigorous data protection regulations over time. For example, the EU and results of operations.
On May 25, 2018, the EUUK adopted the GDPR, which impacts our European operations. TheOn May 25, 2018 the GDPR

updated data privacy compliance obligations, which required us to adapt our business practices accordingly. Financial penalties for noncompliance with the GDPR can be significant.
The regulation of It is also the case that the U.S. federal government and states within the U.S. have enacted or are considering legislation to enact data privacy in the EU and around the globe continues to evolve, and it is not possible to predict the effect of such rigorous data protectionprotections. Data privacy regulations over time, which could result in increased costs of conducting business to maintain compliance with such regulations. Although we take significant steps to protect the security of our data and the personal data of our customers, we may be required to expend significant resources to comply with regulations if third parties improperly obtain and use such data.
Risks associated with indebtedness
We utilize bank loans, credit facilities and convertible notes to finance our business activities, which could negatively impact our liquidity and business operations if we are unable to retain, renegotiate, expand or replace our bank loans and credit facilities or raise the necessary funds to repurchase theour convertible notes.
As described in Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, our sources of financingliquidity include a North American credit facility, a European multicurrency revolving credit facility and convertible senior notes. The credit facilities contain financial and other restrictive covenants, including restrictions on how we operate our business and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders. Failure to satisfy any one of these covenants could result in negative consequences including the following:    
acceleration of outstanding indebtedness;
exercise by our lenders of rights with respect to the collateral pledged under certain of our outstanding indebtedness;
our inability to continue to purchase nonperforming loans needed to operate our business; or
our inability to secure alternative financing on favorable terms, if at all.
If we are unable to retain, renegotiate, expand or replace our credit facilities, including as a result of failure to satisfy the restrictive covenants contained in them, our liquidity and business operations could be impacted negatively.
WeAs referenced above, we have additional indebtedness in the form of Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 and 2023 (collectively the "Notes") and may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to repurchase the Notes upon a fundamental change or to settle conversions in cash. Our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on, or to refinance our indebtedness, including the Notes, or to make cash payments in connection with any conversion of the Notes depends on our future performance, which is subject tocould be negatively impacted by economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at that time. We may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on our debt obligations. In addition, in the event the conditional conversion features of the Notes are triggered, holders of the Notes are entitled to convert the Notes into shares of our common stock at any time during specified periods at their option, subject to the terms of the indenture governing the Notes. Upon conversion, unless we elect to deliver solely shares of our common stock to settle such conversion (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional shares of our common stock), we will be required to make cash payments in respect of the Notes. However, we may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to repurchase Notes surrendered to settle conversions in cash, and our ability to repurchase the Notes or pay cash upon conversion may be limited by law. Any issuance of shares of our common stock upon conversion of the Notes would dilute the ownership interest of our stockholders.
We may be restricted from paying cash upon conversion of the Notes, repurchasing the Notes for cash when required and repaying the Notes at maturity or upon acceleration following an event of default under the Notes unless we repay all amounts outstanding under, and terminate, our North American Credit Agreement. Additionally, our future indebtedness may contain limitations on our ability to pay cash upon conversion of the Notes and on our ability to repurchase the Notes.
The terms of our North American Credit Agreement prohibit us from paying cash upon conversion of the Notes, repurchasing the Notes for cash when required upon the occurrence of a fundamental change and repaying the Notes at maturity or upon acceleration following an event of default under the indenture governing the Notes if a default or an event of default exists on the date of such required payment, repurchase or repayment, as applicable, or certain other conditions are not met, including pro forma compliance with the financial covenants and having “Sufficient Liquidity” (described below). As a result, we will be restricted

from making such payments unless the default or event of default under our North American Credit Agreement is cured or waived, such conditions are met and/or we repay all amounts then outstanding under, and terminate, our North American Credit Agreement.

In addition, under our North American Credit Agreement our ability to settle conversions of the Notes in cash requires that immediately prior to any such conversion, our cash and cash equivalents (including our availability under our domestic and multi-currency revolving facilities under our North American Credit Agreement) be at least 115% of the sum of the principal amount of the Notes to be paid in cash (“Sufficient Liquidity”). The terms of any additional indebtedness incurred as permitted by our North American Credit Agreement may contain similar or more onerous restrictions than the foregoing.
Our failure to repurchase Notes, to pay, when due, cash upon conversion of the Notes or repay the Notes at maturity or upon acceleration following an event of default under the indenture governing the Notes would constitute a default under the indenture governing the Notes. A default under the indenture may constitute a default under our North American Credit Agreement.
Changes in interest rates could increase our interest expense and reduce our net income.
Our revolving credit facilities bear interest at variable rates. Increases in interest rates could increase our interest expense which would, in turn, lower our earnings. From time to time, we may enter into hedging transactions to mitigate our interest rate risk on all or a portion of our debt. Hedging strategies rely on assumptions and projections. If these assumptions and projections prove to be incorrect or our hedges do not adequately mitigate the impact of changes in interest rates, we may experience volatility in our earnings that could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Default by or failure of one or more of our counterparty financial institutions could cause us to incur significant losses.
As part of our risk management activities, we enter into transactions involving derivative financial instruments, including, among others, forward contracts and interest rate swap contracts, with various financial institutions. In addition, we have significant amounts of cash and cash equivalents on deposit or in accounts with banks or other financial institutions in the U.S. and abroad. As a result, we are exposed to the risk of default by, or failure of, counterparty financial institutions. The risk of counterparty default or failure may be heightened during economic downturns and periods of uncertainty in the financial markets. If one of our counterparties were to become insolvent or file for bankruptcy, our ability to recover losses incurred as a result of default or to retrieve our assets that are deposited or held in accounts with such counterparty may be limited by the counterparty's liquidity or the applicable laws governing the insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings.
Uncertainty about the future of the LIBOR may adversely affect our business.

LIBOR is a reference rate used for over $110 trillion of financial contracts on a global basis. We incorporate LIBOR in both our bank loan and derivative hedging agreements.  Due to reforms coming out of the 2008 financial crisis, LIBOR is scheduled to sunset at the end of 2021 and be replaced by an Alternative Reference Rate ("ARR").  A number of regulatory institutions are involved in coordinating this transition including the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, the U.S. Federal Reserve, the SEC, and the FASB.  Key industry-wide issues regarding the transition are still unresolved; these include the fact that a term structure (1 month, 3 month, 6 month, etc.) for the ARR has not yet been developed and a way to ensure neither borrowers nor lenders gain an unfair advantage has yet to be finalized.  It is unknown whether proposed alternative reference rates will attain market acceptance as replacements for LIBOR or whether the outstanding issues related to them will be satisfactorily resolved.  As a result, while we do not expect the impact to have a significant effect on our cost of capital, financial results, and cash flows, the final impact cannot yet be determined.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2. Properties.
Our corporate headquarters and primary domestic operations facilities are located in Norfolk, Virginia. In addition, at December 31, 2018,2019, we had operational centers all of which are leased except the facilities in Kansas and Tennessee, in the following locations in the Americas (13 leased and Europe:3 owned), Europe (12 leased) and Australia (1 leased).
Americas
- Birmingham, Alabama- Jackson, Tennessee
- Burlington, North Carolina- London, Ontario, Canada
- Hampton, Virginia- North Richland Hills, Texas
- Henderson, Nevada- San Diego, California
- Hutchinson, Kansas
Europe
- Bromley, United Kingdom- Madrid, Spain
- Duisburg, Germany- Oslo, Norway
- Eisenstadt, Austria- Padova, Italy
- Helsinki, Finland- Uppsala, Sweden
- Kilmarnock, United Kingdom- Warsaw, Poland
- Luxembourg, Luxembourg- Zug, Switzerland

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
We and our subsidiaries are from time to time subject to a variety of routine legal and regulatory claims, inquiries and proceedings, most of which are incidental to the ordinary course of our business. We initiate lawsuits against customers and are occasionally countersued by them in such actions. Also, customers, either individually, as members of a class action, or through a governmental entity on behalf of customers, may initiate litigation against us in which they allege that we have violated a state or federal law in the process of collecting on an account. From time to time, other types of lawsuits are brought against us.
Refer to Note 1314 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for information regarding legal proceedings in which we are involved.

17


Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.

18



PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Common Stock
Our common stock is traded on NASDAQNasdaq under the symbol "PRAA." Based on information provided by our transfer agent and registrar, as of February 15, 2019,14, 2020, there were 5146 holders of record and 23,020 beneficial owners of our common stock.record.
Stock Performance
The following graph and subsequent table compare from December 31, 20132014 to December 31, 2018,2019, the cumulative stockholder returns assuming an initial investment of $100 in our common stock (PRAA), the stocks comprising the NASDAQNasdaq Financial 100 (IXF) and the stocks comprising the NASDAQNasdaq Global Market Composite Index (NQGM) at the beginning of the period. Any dividends paid during the five-year period are assumed to be reinvested.

chart-5afddbda38fa5bd9acc.jpgchart-4684cd0258475e04a30.jpg
 Ticker 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
PRA Group, Inc.PRAA $100
 $110
 $66
 $74
 $63
 $46
NASDAQ Financial 100IXF $100
 $105
 $112
 $141
 $163
 $149
NASDAQ Global Market Composite IndexNQGM $100
 $106
 $106
 $102
 $127
 $148
 Ticker 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
PRA Group, Inc.PRAA $100
 $60
 $68
 $57
 $42
 $63
Nasdaq Financial 100IXF $100
 $106
 $135
 $155
 $142
 $184
Nasdaq Global Market Composite IndexNQGM $100
 $100
 $96
 $120
 $112
 $155
The comparisons of stock performance shown above are not intended to forecast or be indicative of possible future performance of our common stock. We do not make or endorse any predictions as to our future stock performance.
Dividend Policy
Our board of directors sets our dividend policy. We do not currently pay regular dividends on our common stock and did not pay dividends in the three years ended December 31, 2018;2019; however, our board of directors may determine in the future to declare or pay dividends on our common stock. Under the terms of our credit facilities,Northern American Credit Agreement, cash dividends may not exceed $20 million in any fiscal year without the consent of our lenders. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on then existing conditions, including our results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects, and other factors that our board of directors may consider relevant.



Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
For information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans see Note 911 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Share Repurchase Programs
None.



20





Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in Item 7 of this Form 10-K and our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current period presentation. In addition, certain prior year amounts have been revised to correct immaterial errors which are reflected in the fourth quarter of the respective year in the quarterly income statement and balance sheet data tables included in Item 6 of this Form 10-K. For additional information on the correction of the immaterial errors see Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Consolidated Income Statement, Operating and Other Financial Data
$ in thousands, except per share amounts
Consolidated Income Statements, Operating and Other Financial Data
$ in thousands, except per share amounts
Consolidated Income Statements, Operating and Other Financial Data
$ in thousands, except per share amounts
Years Ended December 31,Years Ended December 31,
Income Statement Data:2018 2017 2016 2015 20142019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Revenues:                  
Income recognized on finance receivables$891,899
 $795,435
 $845,142
 $894,491
 $802,539
$998,361
 $891,899
 $795,435
 $845,142
 $894,491
Fee income14,916
 24,916
 77,381
 64,383
 65,675
15,769
 14,916
 24,916
 77,381
 64,383
Other revenue1,441
 7,855
 8,080
 12,513
 7,820
2,951
 1,441
 7,855
 8,080
 12,513
Total revenues908,256
 828,206
 930,603
 971,387
 876,034
1,017,081
 908,256
 828,206
 930,603
 971,387
                  
Net allowance charges(33,425) (11,898) (98,479) (29,369) 4,935
(24,025) (33,425) (11,898) (98,479) (29,369)
                  
Operating expenses:                  
Compensation and employee services319,400
 273,033
 258,846
 268,345
 234,531
310,441
 319,400
 273,033
 258,846
 268,345
Legal collection fees42,941
 43,351
 47,717
 53,393
 51,107
55,261
 42,941
 43,351
 47,717
 53,393
Legal collection costs104,988
 76,047
 84,485
 76,063
 88,054
134,156
 104,988
 76,047
 84,485
 76,063
Agency fees33,854
 35,530
 44,922
 32,188
 16,399
55,812
 33,854
 35,530
 44,922
 32,188
Outside fees and services61,492
 62,792
 63,098
 65,155
 55,821
63,513
 61,492
 62,792
 63,098
 65,155
Communication43,224
 33,132
 33,771
 33,113
 33,085
44,057
 43,224
 33,132
 33,771
 33,113
Rent and occupancy16,906
 14,823
 15,710
 14,714
 11,509
17,854
 16,906
 14,823
 15,710
 14,714
Depreciation and amortization19,322
 19,763
 24,359
 19,874
 18,414
17,464
 19,322
 19,763
 24,359
 19,874
Other operating expenses47,444
 44,103
 39,466
 68,829
 29,981
46,811
 47,444
 44,103
 39,466
 68,829
Total operating expenses689,571
 602,574
 612,374
 631,674
 538,901
745,369
 689,571
 602,574
 612,374
 631,674
Income from operations185,260
 213,734
 219,750
 310,344
 342,068
247,687
 185,260
 213,734
 219,750
 310,344
Other income and (expense):                  
Gain on sale of subsidiaries26,575
 48,474
 
 
 

 26,575
 48,474
 
 
Interest expense, net(121,078) (98,041) (80,864) (60,336) (35,226)(141,918) (121,078) (98,041) (80,864) (60,336)
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain(944) (1,104) 2,564
 7,514
 (5,829)
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)11,954
 (944) (1,104) 2,564
 7,514
Other(316) (2,790) (5,823) 
 
(364) (316) (2,790) (5,823) 
Income before income taxes89,497
 160,273
 135,627
 257,522
 301,013
117,359
 89,497
 160,273
 135,627
 257,522
Income tax expense/(benefit)13,763
 (10,852) 43,577
 89,391
 124,508
19,680
 13,763
 (10,852) 43,577
 89,391
Net income75,734
 171,125
 92,050
 168,131
 176,505
97,679
 75,734
 171,125
 92,050
 168,131
Adjustment for net income attributable to noncontrolling interests10,171
 6,810
 5,795
 205
 
11,521
 10,171
 6,810
 5,795
 205
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$65,563
 $164,315
 $86,255
 $167,926
 $176,505
$86,158
 $65,563
 $164,315
 $86,255
 $167,926
Net income per share attributable to PRA Group, Inc.:                  
Basic$1.45 $3.60 $1.86 $3.49 $3.53$1.90 $1.45 $3.60 $1.86 $3.49
Diluted$1.44 $3.59 $1.86 $3.47 $3.50$1.89 $1.44 $3.59 $1.86 $3.47
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:                  
Basic45,280
 45,671
 46,316
 48,128
 49,990
45,387
 45,280
 45,671
 46,316
 48,128
Diluted45,413
 45,823
 46,388
 48,405
 50,421
45,577
 45,413
 45,823
 46,388
 48,405
Operating and Other Financial Data:                  
Cash receipts$1,640,121
 $1,537,521
 $1,569,367
 $1,603,878
 $1,444,487
$1,857,040
 $1,640,121
 $1,537,521
 $1,569,367
 $1,603,878
Operating expenses to cash receipts42% 39% 39% 39% 37%
Return on equity (1)
6% 17% 10% 20% 19%
Cash Efficiency Ratio (1)
59.9% 58.0% 60.8% 61.0% 60.6%
Acquisitions of finance receivables, at cost (2)
$1,117,997
 $1,108,959
 $947,331
 $963,811
 $1,432,764
$1,289,327
 $1,117,997
 $1,108,959
 $947,331
 $963,811
Full-time equivalents at period end5,377
 5,154
 4,019
 3,799
 3,880
4,412
 5,377
 5,154
 4,019
 3,799
(1)Calculated by dividing net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.cash receipts less operating expenses by average monthly stockholders' equity - PRA Group, Inc. for each year.cash receipts.
(2)Represents cash paid for finance receivables through the ordinary course of business as well as the acquisition date finance receivable portfolios that were acquired through our various business acquisitions.



Key Balance Sheet Data
Amounts in thousands
Key Balance Sheet Data
Amounts in thousands
Key Balance Sheet Data
Amounts in thousands
As of December 31,As of December 31,
2018 2017 2016 2015 20142019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Cash and cash equivalents$98,695
 $120,516
 $94,287
 $71,372
 $39,661
$119,774
 $98,695
 $120,516
 $94,287
 $71,372
Finance receivables, net3,084,777
 2,776,199
 2,309,513
 2,202,113
 2,001,790
3,514,165
 3,084,777
 2,776,199
 2,309,513
 2,202,113
Total assets3,909,559
 3,700,972
 3,165,157
 2,990,567
 2,778,751
4,423,891
 3,909,559
 3,700,972
 3,165,157
 2,990,567
Borrowings2,473,656
 2,170,182
 1,784,101
 1,717,129
 1,482,456
2,808,425
 2,473,656
 2,170,182
 1,784,101
 1,717,129
Total equity1,123,969
 1,140,717
 918,321
 839,747
 902,215
1,227,013
 1,123,969
 1,140,717
 918,321
 839,747
Quarterly Income Statement Data
Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts
Quarterly Income Statement Data
Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts
Quarterly Income Statement Data
Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts
Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017 Sep 30, 2017 Jun 30, 2017 Mar 31, 2017Dec 31, 2019 Sep 30, 2019 Jun 30, 2019 Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018
Revenues:                              
Income recognized on finance receivables$231,029
 $223,228
 $219,018
 $218,624
 $203,397
 $200,660
 $194,164
 $197,214
$262,835
 $247,471
 $249,219
 $238,836
 $231,029
 $223,228
 $219,018
 $218,624
Fee income4,686
 2,561
 2,342
 5,327
 6,043
 2,671
 6,344
 9,858
4,297
 2,391
 2,707
 6,374
 4,686
 2,561
 2,342
 5,327
Other revenue1,027
 99
 158
 157
 1,454
 1,091
 3,145
 2,165
2,001
 152
 131
 667
 1,027
 99
 158
 157
Total revenues236,742
 225,888
 221,518
 224,108
 210,894
 204,422
 203,653
 209,237
269,133
 250,014
 252,057
 245,877
 236,742
 225,888
 221,518
 224,108
                              
Net allowance charges(21,381) (8,285) (2,834) (925) (2,486) (3,412) (3,321) (2,679)(12,598) (4,136) (1,196) (6,095) (21,381) (8,285) (2,834) (925)
                              
Operating expenses:                              
Compensation and employee services79,123
 78,350
 80,690
 81,237
 69,253
 68,541
 66,771
 68,468
75,671
 75,317
 79,808
 79,645
 79,123
 78,350
 80,690
 81,237
Legal collection fees11,501
 10,428
 10,343
 10,669
 10,061
 10,065
 11,967
 11,258
13,822
 14,083
 14,297
 13,059
 11,501
 10,428
 10,343
 10,669
Legal collection costs33,281
 30,769
 18,695
 22,243
 18,781
 17,561
 19,235
 20,470
34,411
 31,395
 33,121
 35,229
 33,281
 30,769
 18,695
 22,243
Agency fees9,088
 8,350
 8,138
 8,278
 7,877
 7,599
 9,254
 10,800
15,979
 12,788
 13,013
 14,032
 9,088
 8,350
 8,138
 8,278
Outside fees and services17,068
 15,701
 14,565
 14,158
 15,815
 15,631
 18,061
 13,285
15,239
 16,733
 16,293
 15,248
 17,068
 15,701
 14,565
 14,158
Communication10,645
 10,240
 10,782
 11,557
 8,028
 8,713
 7,254
 9,137
9,722
 10,310
 10,824
 13,201
 10,645
 10,240
 10,782
 11,557
Rent and occupancy4,319
 4,270
 4,003
 4,314
 3,985
 3,668
 3,387
 3,783
4,586
 4,414
 4,491
 4,363
 4,319
 4,270
 4,003
 4,314
Depreciation and amortization5,092
 4,776
 4,525
 4,929
 4,666
 4,841
 5,041
 5,215
4,123
 4,046
 4,723
 4,572
 5,092
 4,776
 4,525
 4,929
Other operating expenses13,030
 10,602
 11,628
 12,184
 12,032
 10,140
 11,046
 10,885
12,198
 12,102
 10,926
 11,585
 13,030
 10,602
 11,628
 12,184
Total operating expenses183,147
 173,486
 163,369
 169,569
 150,498
 146,759
 152,016
 153,301
185,751
 181,188
 187,496
 190,934
 183,147
 173,486
 163,369
 169,569
Income from operations32,214
 44,117
 55,315
 53,614
 57,910
 54,251
 48,316
 53,257
70,784
 64,690
 63,365
 48,848
 32,214
 44,117
 55,315
 53,614
Other income and (expense):                              
Gain on sale of subsidiaries26,575
 
 
 
 
 307
 1,322
 46,845

 
 
 
 26,575
 
 
 
Interest expense, net(33,549) (30,624) (31,124) (25,781) (28,379) (25,899) (22,506) (21,257)(36,046) (35,864) (36,027) (33,981) (33,549) (30,624) (31,124) (25,781)
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain(4,553) 626
 1,690
 1,293
 317
 (1,084) (2,516) 2,179
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)595
 5,406
 (311) 6,264
 (4,553) 626
 1,690
 1,293
Other(381) 222
 (400) 243
 (2,790) 
 
 
(241) (19) 248
 (352) (381) 222
 (400) 243
Income before income taxes20,306
 14,341
 25,481
 29,369
 27,058
 27,575
 24,616
 81,024
35,092
 34,213
 27,275
 20,779
 20,306
 14,341
 25,481
 29,369
Income tax expense/(benefit)1,980
 1,789
 3,857
 6,137
 (63,709) 10,682
 10,766
 31,409
Income tax expense4,073
 6,665
 5,075
 3,867
 1,980
 1,789
 3,857
 6,137
Net income18,326
 12,552
 21,624
 23,232
 90,767
 16,893
 13,850
 49,615
31,019
 27,548
 22,200
 16,912
 18,326
 12,552
 21,624
 23,232
Adjustment for net income attributable to noncontrolling interests3,384
 2,625
 2,036
 2,126
 1,847
 1,338
 2,177
 1,448
3,678
 2,577
 3,581
 1,685
 3,384
 2,625
 2,036
 2,126
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$14,942
 $9,927
 $19,588
 $21,106
 $88,920
 $15,555
 $11,673
 $48,167
$27,341
 $24,971
 $18,619
 $15,227
 $14,942
 $9,927
 $19,588
 $21,106
Net income per share attributable to PRA Group, Inc.:                              
Basic$0.33
 $0.22
 $0.43
 $0.47
 $1.97
 $0.34
 $0.25
 $1.04
$0.60
 $0.55
 $0.41
 $0.34
 $0.33
 $0.22
 $0.43
 $0.47
Diluted$0.33
 $0.22
 $0.43
 $0.47
 $1.96
 $0.34
 $0.25
 $1.03
$0.60
 $0.55
 $0.41
 $0.34
 $0.33
 $0.22
 $0.43
 $0.47
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:                              
Basic45,304
 45,302
 45,283
 45,231
 45,170
 45,168
 45,941
 46,406
45,413
 45,410
 45,387
 45,338
 45,304
 45,302
 45,283
 45,231
Diluted45,394
 45,440
 45,449
 45,370
 45,318
 45,286
 46,060
 46,627
45,748
 45,645
 45,495
 45,419
 45,394
 45,440
 45,449
 45,370



Quarterly Balance Sheet Data
Amounts in thousands
Quarterly Balance Sheet Data
Amounts in thousands
Quarterly Balance Sheet Data
Amounts in thousands
Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017 Sep 30, 2017 Jun 30, 2017 Mar 31, 2017Dec 31, 2019 Sep 30, 2019 Jun 30, 2019 Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018
Assets                              
Cash and cash equivalents$98,695
 $114,176
 $71,570
 $101,418
 $120,516
 $113,754
 $92,756
 $82,110
$119,774
 $90,000
 $105,496
 $102,102
 $98,695
 $114,176
 $71,570
 $101,418
Investments45,173
 21,750
 80,541
 87,764
 78,290
 75,512
 76,438
 74,055
56,176
 55,204
 85,911
 85,082
 45,173
 21,750
 80,541
 87,764
Finance receivables, net3,084,777
 2,823,622
 2,734,673
 2,771,408
 2,776,199
 2,579,375
 2,522,427
 2,368,424
3,514,165
 3,238,813
 3,230,949
 3,177,229
 3,084,777
 2,823,622
 2,734,673
 2,771,408
Other receivables, net46,157
 9,067
 14,688
 14,308
 15,770
 10,919
 11,306
 17,684
10,606
 15,808
 13,770
 18,082
 46,157
 9,067
 14,688
 14,308
Income taxes receivable16,809
 8,912
 12,163
 10,271
 21,686
 3,877
 2,865
 
17,918
 23,479
 11,323
 15,472
 16,809
 8,912
 12,163
 10,271
Net deferred tax asset61,453
 63,724
 60,944
 59,377
 56,459
 40,797
 36,913
 28,704
Deferred tax asset, net63,225
 60,697
 66,401
 61,619
 61,453
 63,724
 60,944
 59,377
Property and equipment, net54,136
 55,010
 53,364
 53,788
 49,311
 36,428
 36,532
 38,024
56,501
 56,847
 51,484
 54,463
 54,136
 55,010
 53,364
 53,788
Right-of-use assets68,972
 70,723
 72,817
 70,550
 
 
 
 
Goodwill464,116
 519,045
 519,811
 544,293
 526,513
 538,337
 516,165
 506,240
480,794
 465,572
 489,293
 480,518
 464,116
 519,045
 519,811
 544,293
Intangible assets, net5,522
 17,369
 18,914
 22,523
 23,572
 25,527
 25,878
 27,393
4,497
 4,757
 5,219
 5,247
 5,522
 17,369
 18,914
 22,523
Other assets32,721
 27,296
 31,650
 37,639
 32,656
 37,409
 40,489
 32,373
31,263
 36,380
 32,751
 35,970
 32,721
 27,296
 31,650
 37,639
Total assets$3,909,559
 $3,659,971
 $3,598,318
 $3,702,789
 $3,700,972
 $3,461,935
 $3,361,769
 $3,175,007
$4,423,891
 $4,118,280
 $4,165,414
 $4,106,334
 $3,909,559
 $3,659,971
 $3,598,318
 $3,702,789
Liabilities and Equity                              
Liabilities:                              
Accounts payable$6,110
 $3,773
 $5,090
 $2,330
 $4,992
 $3,605
 $3,694
 $3,924
$4,258
 $3,469
 $3,279
 $5,682
 $6,110
 $3,773
 $5,090
 $2,330
Accrued expenses79,396
 81,445
 78,852
 85,137
 85,993
 82,445
 77,869
 82,594
88,925
 84,753
 74,950
 77,838
 79,396
 81,445
 78,852
 85,137
Income taxes payable15,080
 13,408
 466
 23,872
 10,771
 4,069
 19,793
 37,960
4,046
 624
 372
 389
 15,080
 13,408
 466
 23,872
Net deferred tax liability114,979
 120,990
 140,224
 146,410
 171,185
 237,044
 250,821
 259,330
Deferred tax liability, net85,390
 95,441
 100,742
 108,367
 114,979
 120,990
 140,224
 146,410
Lease liabilities73,377
 74,428
 76,750
 74,308
   
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits82,666
 79,282
 82,613
 90,769
 98,580
 96,395
 92,479
 78,792
106,246
 112,024
 107,840
 95,314
 82,666
 79,282
 82,613
 90,769
Borrowings2,473,656
 2,194,687
 2,133,997
 2,150,873
 2,170,182
 1,963,504
 1,899,148
 1,708,687
2,808,425
 2,567,086
 2,618,382
 2,586,409
 2,473,656
 2,194,687
 2,133,997
 2,150,873
Other liabilities7,370
 8,474
 8,061
 15,146
 9,018
 1,213
 3,094
 13,344
26,211
 29,607
 27,307
 25,789
 7,370
 8,474
 8,061
 15,146
Total liabilities2,779,257
 2,502,059
 2,449,303
 2,514,537
 2,550,721
 2,388,275
 2,346,898
 2,184,631
3,196,878
 2,967,432
 3,009,622
 2,974,096
 2,779,257
 2,502,059
 2,449,303
 2,514,537
Redeemable noncontrolling interest6,333
 6,955
 8,322
 9,697
 9,534
 8,620
 8,860
 8,515

 4,535
 4,935
 6,199
 6,333
 6,955
 8,322
 9,697
Equity:                              
Preferred stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock453
 453
 453
 453
 452
 452
 452
 464
454
 454
 454
 454
 453
 453
 453
 453
Additional paid-in capital60,303
 58,713
 56,410
 54,271
 53,870
 52,049
 49,928
 66,293
67,321
 64,631
 61,705
 59,091
 60,303
 58,713
 56,410
 54,271
Retained earnings1,276,473
 1,261,531
 1,251,604
 1,232,016
 1,214,840
 1,125,920
 1,110,365
 1,098,692
1,362,631
 1,335,290
 1,310,319
 1,291,700
 1,276,473
 1,261,531
 1,251,604
 1,232,016
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(242,109) (213,078) (209,167) (155,687) (178,607) (166,397) (204,213) (233,476)(261,018) (305,956) (252,124) (248,521) (242,109) (213,078) (209,167) (155,687)
Total stockholders' equity - PRA Group, Inc.1,095,120
 1,107,619
 1,099,300
 1,131,053
 1,090,555
 1,012,024
 956,532
 931,973
1,169,388
 1,094,419
 1,120,354
 1,102,724
 1,095,120
 1,107,619
 1,099,300
 1,131,053
Noncontrolling interests28,849
 43,338
 41,393
 47,502
 50,162
 53,016
 49,479
 49,888
57,625
 51,894
 30,503
 23,315
 28,849
 43,338
 41,393
 47,502
Total equity1,123,969
 1,150,957
 1,140,693
 1,178,555
 1,140,717
 1,065,040
 1,006,011
 981,861
1,227,013
 1,146,313
 1,150,857
 1,126,039
 1,123,969
 1,150,957
 1,140,693
 1,178,555
Total liabilities and equity$3,909,559
 $3,659,971
 $3,598,318
 $3,702,789
 $3,700,972
 $3,461,935
 $3,361,769
 $3,175,007
$4,423,891
 $4,118,280
 $4,165,414
 $4,106,334
 $3,909,559
 $3,659,971
 $3,598,318
 $3,702,789

23





Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.Operations.
Overview
We are a global financial and business services company with operations in the Americas, Europe, and Europe.Australia. Our primary business is the purchase, collection, and management of portfolios of nonperforming loans.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current period presentation. In addition, certain prior year amounts have been revised to correct immaterial errors. For additional information on the correction of the immaterial errors see Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Frequently Used Terms
We use the following terminology throughout this document:
"Amortization rate" refers to cash collections applied to principal on finance receivables as a percentage of total cash collections.
"Buybacks" refers to purchase price refunded by the seller due to the return of ineligible accounts.
"Cash collections" refers to collections on our owned finance receivables portfolios.
"Cash receipts" refers to collections on our owned finance receivables portfolios plus fee income.
"Core" accounts or portfolios refer to accounts or portfolios that are nonperforming loans and are not in an insolvent status upon purchase.acquisition. These accounts are aggregated separately from insolvency accounts.
"Estimated remaining collections" or "ERC" refers to the sum of all future projected cash collections on our owned finance receivables portfolios.
"Insolvency" accounts or portfolios refer to accounts or portfolios of receivables that are in an insolvent status when we purchase them and as such are purchased as a pool of insolvent accounts. These accounts include Individual Voluntary Arrangements ("IVAs"), Trust Deeds in the UK, Consumer Proposals in Canada and bankruptcy accounts in the U.S., Canada, Germany and the UK.
"Principal amortization" refers to cash collections applied to principal on finance receivables.
"Purchase price" refers to the cash paid to a seller to acquire nonperforming loans, plus certain capitalized costs, less buybacks.
"Purchase price multiple" refers to the total estimated collections (as defined below) on owned finance receivables portfolios divided by purchase price.
"Total estimated collections" or "TEC" refers to actual cash collections, including cash sales, plus estimated remaining collections on our finance receivables portfolios.
"Portfolio purchases" refers to all portfolios purchased in the normal course of business and excludes those purchased via business acquisitions.
"Portfolio acquisitions" refers to all portfolios added as a result of a purchase, but also includes portfolios added as a result of a business acquisition.
Unless otherwise specified, references to 2019, 2018 and 2017 and 2016 are tofor the years ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively.













24





Results of Operations
The results of operations include the financial results of PRA Groupthe Company and all of our subsidiaries, which are in the receivables management business. Under the guidance of FASB ASC Topic 280 "Segment Reporting" ("ASC 280"), we have determined that we have several operating segments that meet the aggregation criteria of ASC 280, and therefore, we have one reportable segment, accounts receivables management, based on similarities among the operating units, including economic characteristics, the nature of the products and services, the nature of the production processes, the types or class of customer for their products and services, the methods used to distribute their products and services and the nature of the regulatory environment.
subsidiaries. The following table sets forth certain operating dataconsolidated income statement amounts as a percentage of total revenues for the yearsperiods indicated (dollars in thousands):
2018 2017 20162019 2018 2017
Revenues:                      
Income recognized on finance receivables$891,899
 98.2 % $795,435
 96.0 % $845,142
 90.8 %$998,361
 98.2 % $891,899
 98.2 % $795,435
 96.0 %
Fee income14,916
 1.6
 24,916
 3.0
 77,381
 8.3
15,769
 1.5
 14,916
 1.6
 24,916
 3.0
Other revenue1,441
 0.2
 7,855
 0.9
 8,080
 0.9
2,951
 0.3
 1,441
 0.2
 7,855
 0.9
Total revenues908,256
 100.0
 828,206
 100.0
 930,603
 100.0
1,017,081
 100.0
 908,256
 100.0
 828,206
 100.0
                      
Net allowance charges(33,425) (3.7) (11,898) (1.4) (98,479) (10.6)(24,025) (2.4) (33,425) (3.7) (11,898) (1.4)
                      
Operating expenses:                      
Compensation and employee services319,400
 35.2
 273,033
 33.0
 258,846
 27.8
310,441
 30.5
 319,400
 35.2
 273,033
 33.0
Legal collection fees42,941
 4.7
 43,351
 5.2
 47,717
 5.1
55,261
 5.4
 42,941
 4.7
 43,351
 5.2
Legal collection costs104,988
 11.6
 76,047
 9.2
 84,485
 9.1
134,156
 13.2
 104,988
 11.6
 76,047
 9.2
Agency fees33,854
 3.7
 35,530
 4.3
 44,922
 4.8
55,812
 5.5
 33,854
 3.7
 35,530
 4.3
Outside fees and services61,492
 6.8
 62,792
 7.6
 63,098
 6.8
63,513
 6.2
 61,492
 6.8
 62,792
 7.6
Communication43,224
 4.8
 33,132
 4.0
 33,771
 3.6
44,057
 4.3
 43,224
 4.8
 33,132
 4.0
Rent and occupancy16,906
 1.9
 14,823
 1.8
 15,710
 1.7
17,854
 1.8
 16,906
 1.9
 14,823
 1.8
Depreciation and amortization19,322
 2.1
 19,763
 2.4
 24,359
 2.6
17,464
 1.7
 19,322
 2.1
 19,763
 2.4
Other operating expenses47,444
 5.1
 44,103
 5.3
 39,466
 4.3
46,811
 4.6
 47,444
 5.1
 44,103
 5.3
Total operating expenses689,571
 75.9
 602,574
 72.8
 612,374
 65.8
745,369
 73.2
 689,571
 75.9
 602,574
 72.8
Income from operations185,260
 20.4
 213,734
 25.8
 219,750
 23.6
247,687
 24.4
 185,260
 20.4
 213,734
 25.8
Other income and (expense):                      
Gain on sale of subsidiaries26,575
 2.9
 48,474
 5.9
 
 

 
 26,575
 2.9
 48,474
 5.9
Interest expense, net(121,078) (13.3) (98,041) (11.8) (80,864) (8.7)(141,918) (14.0) (121,078) (13.3) (98,041) (11.8)
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain(944) (0.1) (1,104) (0.1) 2,564
 0.3
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)11,954
 1.2
 (944) (0.1) (1,104) (0.1)
Other(316) (0.1) (2,790) (0.3) (5,823) (0.6)(364) (0.1) (316) (0.1) (2,790) (0.3)
Income before income taxes89,497
 9.8
 160,273
 19.4
 135,627
 14.6
117,359
 11.5
 89,497
 9.8
 160,273
 19.4
Income tax expense/(benefit)13,763
 1.5
 (10,852) (1.3) 43,577
 4.7
19,680
 1.9
 13,763
 1.5
 (10,852) (1.3)
Net income75,734
 8.3
 171,125
 20.7
 92,050
 9.9
97,679
 9.6
 75,734
 8.3
 171,125
 20.7
Adjustment for net income attributable to noncontrolling interests10,171
 1.1
 6,810
 0.8
 5,795
 0.6
11,521
 1.1
 10,171
 1.1
 6,810
 0.8
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$65,563
 7.2 % $164,315
 19.9 % $86,255
 9.3 %$86,158
 8.5 % $65,563
 7.2 % $164,315
 19.9 %

25





Cash Collections
Cash collections were as follows for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31, VariancesYear Ended December 31, Variances
(Amounts in millions)2018 2017 2016 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 20162019 2018 2017 2019 vs. 2018 2018 vs. 2017
Americas-Core$945.2
 $860.9
 $837.2
 $84.3
 $23.7
Americas-Insolvency207.8
 222.5
 249.8
 (14.7) (27.3)
Europe-Core443.4
 407.0
 390.5
 36.4
 16.5
Europe-Insolvency28.8
 22.2
 14.5
 6.6
 7.7
Americas Core$1,141.5
 $945.2
 $860.9
 $196.3
 $84.3
Americas Insolvency180.9
 207.8
 222.5
 (26.9) (14.7)
Europe Core480.1
 443.4
 407.0
 36.7
 36.4
Europe Insolvency38.8
 28.8
 22.2
 10.0
 6.6
Total cash collections$1,625.2
 $1,512.6
 $1,492.0
 $112.6
 $20.6
$1,841.3
 $1,625.2
 $1,512.6
 $216.1
 $112.6
                  
Cash collections adjusted (1)
$1,625.2
 $1,518.7
 $1,493.8
 $106.5
 $18.8
$1,841.3
 $1,595.5
 $1,518.7
 $245.8
 $76.8
Cash collections on fully amortized pools54.0
 57.6
 34.2
 (3.6) 23.4
47.1
 54.0
 57.6
 (6.9) (3.6)
Cash collections on pools on cost recovery35.8
 37.7
 29.1
 (1.9) 8.6
13.5
 35.8
 37.7
 (22.3) (1.9)
Net finance receivables on cost recovery at year-end48.0
 166.6
 105.5
 (118.6) 61.1
33.7
 48.0
 166.6
 (14.3) (118.6)
(1) Cash collections adjusted refers to 2018 cash collections remeasured using 2019 exchange rates and 2017 cash collections remeasured using 2018 exchange ratesrates.
Cash collections were $1,841.3 million in 2019, an increase of $216.1 million or 13.3%, compared to $1,625.2 million in 2018. The increase was largely due to our U.S. legal collections increasing $91.1 million, or 30.6%, due primarily to the increase in the number of accounts placed in the legal channel, and 2016our U.S. call center and other collections increasing $48.6 million, or 8.5%, due primarily to higher Americas Core portfolio purchasing in 2018. Additionally, as a result of increased portfolio purchasing in South America and the acquisition of a business in Canada in the first quarter of 2019, Americas Core outside the U.S. cash collections remeasured using 2017 exchange rates.increased $56.6 million or 73.8%. Furthermore, our Europe Core cash collections increased $36.7 million or 8.3%, due primarily to increased portfolio purchasing, the consolidation of a Polish fund in the third quarter of 2018, and operational improvements. These increases were partially offset by a decline of $26.9 million, or 13.0%, in Americas Insolvency cash collections caused mainly by investment volumes in the U.S. not offsetting the runoff of our older portfolios.
Cash collections were $1,625.2 million in 2018, an increase of $112.6 million or 7.4%, compared to $1,512.6 million in 2017. The increase was largely due to U.S. call center collections increasing 15.7%, due primarily to record U.S. Core portfolio purchasing in 2018 and 2017, and U.S. legal collections increasing 8.0%. Additionally, Europe Core and Europe Insolvency cash collections increased 8.9% and 29.7%, respectively. The increase in Europe Core cash collections was primarily the result of elevatedincreased portfolio purchasing in the fourth quarter of 2017 and 2018. These increases were partially offset by a 6.6% decline in Americas Insolvency cash collections caused mainly by a decline in Americas Insolvency portfolio buying in 2018 and the continued runoff of our older portfolios.
Cash collections were $1,512.6 million in 2017, an increase of $20.6 million or 1.4%, compared to $1,492.0 million in 2016. The increase was largely due to U.S. call center collections increasing 5.8%, due primarily to increased staffing in our U.S. call centers in 2017. Additionally, Europe Core and Europe Insolvency cash collections increased 4.2% and 53.1%, respectively. The increase in Europe Core cash collections was primarily the result of elevated portfolio purchasing during 2015-2017. These increases were partially offset by a 10.9% decline in Americas Insolvency cash collections caused mainly by a decline in Americas Insolvency portfolio purchasing during 2014-2016.
Revenues
Total revenues were $1,017.1 million in 2019, $908.3 million in 2018, and $828.2 million in 2017, and $930.6 million in 2016.2017.
A summary of how our revenues were generated during the years indicated is as follows (amounts in thousands):
2018 2017 20162019 2018 2017
Cash collections$1,625,205
 $1,512,605
 $1,491,986
$1,841,271
 $1,625,205
 $1,512,605
Principal amortization(733,306) (717,170) (646,844)(842,910) (733,306) (717,170)
Income recognized on finance receivables891,899
 795,435
 845,142
998,361
 891,899
 795,435
Fee income14,916
 24,916
 77,381
15,769
 14,916
 24,916
Other revenue1,441
 7,855
 8,080
2,951
 1,441
 7,855
Total revenues$908,256
 $828,206
 $930,603
$1,017,081
 $908,256
 $828,206
Income Recognized on Finance Receivables
We have revised the presentation of our consolidated income statements for all reporting periods by reclassifying net allowance charges on our finance receivables as a line item separate from revenues. As a result, we no longer include net allowance charges as part of "IncomeIncome recognized on finance receivables net" onwas $998.4 million in 2019, an increase of $106.5 million or 11.9% compared to $891.9 million in 2018. The increase was primarily the faceresult of the income statementimpact of recent Americas and report income recognizedEurope Core purchasing, sustained over-performance and related yield increases on finance receivables grosspools broadly across all geographies, recent increased portfolio purchasing in South America, and the acquisition of valuation allowances.a business in Canada in the first quarter of 2019.


Income recognized on finance receivables was $891.9 million in 2018, an increase of $96.5 million or 12.1% compared to income recognized on finance receivables of $795.4 million in 2017. The increase was primarily the result of overperformance on select Americas Core and Europe Core portfolios which resulted in several yield increases on certain pools and the impact of


record Americas Core buyingpurchasing in 2017 and 2018. This was partially offset by a decline in our Americas Insolvency revenue caused mainly by a decline in Americas Insolvency portfolio buyingpurchasing in 2018 and the continued runoff of our older portfolios.
Income recognized on finance receivables was $795.4 million in 2017, a decrease of $49.7 million or 5.9% compared to income recognized on finance receivables of $845.1 million in 2016. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in income generated by our Americas Core portfolios and our Americas Insolvency portfolios. Elevated allowance charges incurred during 2016, mainly on pools acquired during 2012 to 2014, reduced the income-earning principal balances of our Americas Core portfolios. Income generated by our Americas Insolvency portfolios declined due primarily to lower volumes of purchasing during 2014 to 2016.
Accretable yield represents the amount of income recognized on finance receivables we can expect to generate over the remaining life of our existing portfolios based on estimated future cash flows as of the balance sheet date. Additions from portfolio purchases represent the original expected accretable yield to be earned by us, on portfolios purchased during the period. Net reclassifications from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield primarily result from an increase in our estimate of future cash flows. Increases in future cash flows may occur as portfolios age and actual cash collections exceed those originally expected. If those cash flows are determined to be incremental to the portfolio's original forecast, projections of cash flows are generally increased resulting in higher expected revenue and hence, increases in accretable yield. During 2018, we reclassified $195.0 million from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield due primarily to increased cash collection forecasts relating mainly to certain Americas and European Core pools. During 2017, we reclassified $149.5 million from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield due primarily to increased cash collection forecasts relating mainly to certain Americas Core pools, Americas Insolvency pools and European Core pools. During 2016, we reclassified $41.1 million from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield due primarily to increased cash collection forecasts related to portfolios in Europe partially offset by reductions in cash collection forecasts on our domestic portfolios. When applicable, net reclassifications to nonaccretable difference from accretable yield result from a decrease in our estimates of future cash flows and allowance charges that together exceed the increase in our estimate of future cash flows.
Fee Income
Fee income was $15.8 million in 2019, $14.9 million in 2018, aand $24.9 million in 2017. The decrease of $10.0 million or 40.2% compared to fee income of $24.9 million in 2017. Fee income was $24.9 million in 2017, a decrease of $52.5 million or 67.8% compared to fee income of $77.4 million in 2016.The decreases in 2018 and 2017 werewas primarily due to the sale of our government services businesses and the sale of PRA Location Services, LLC ("PLS") in 2017.
Other Revenue
Other revenue was $3.0 million in 2019, an increase of $1.6 million or 114.3% compared to $1.4 million in 2018, primarily reflecting the variability of our CCB business. Other revenue was $1.4 million in 2018, a decrease of $6.5 million or 82.3% compared to $7.9 million in 2017, and $8.1 million in 2016. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in revenue earned on our investments.
Net Allowance Charges
Net allowance charges are recorded for significant decreases in expected cash flows or a change in timing of cash flows which would otherwise require a reduction in the stated yield on a pool of accounts. In 2019, we recorded net allowance charges of $24.0 million consisting of $24.5 million on our Americas Core portfolios, primarily on vintages purchased between 2013-2015 and $0.6 million on our European portfolios partially offset by net allowance reversals of $1.1 million on our Americas Insolvency portfolios. In 2018, we recorded net allowance charges of $33.4 million consisting of $31.0 million on our Americas Core portfolios, primarily on vintages impacted most by the Consent Order and purchased between 2013-2015, $0.4 million on our Americas Insolvency portfolios, and $2.0 million on our European portfolios. In 2017, we recorded net allowance charges of $11.9 million consisting of $7.4 million on our Americas Core portfolios, $1.5 million on our Americas Insolvency portfolios, and $3.0 million on our European portfolios. In 2016, we recorded net allowance charges of $98.5 million consisting of $89.1 million on our Americas Core portfolios, $0.4 million on our Americas Insolvency portfolios, and $9.0 million on our European portfolios. During 2016, we made downward adjustments to projections of future cash collections and we adjusted amortization periods for many of our Americas Core portfolios. This was done in response to recent trends of cash collections being lower than expected. We attributed this under-performance to a variety of regulatory and operational factors that we believe adversely impacted our collection efforts and therefore cash collected.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $745.4 million in 2019, $689.6 million in 2018, and $602.6 million in 2017, and $612.4 million in 2016.2017.
Compensation and Employee Services
Compensation and employee service expenses were $310.4 million in 2019, a decrease of $9.0 million or 2.8% compared to $319.4 million in 2018. The decrease in compensation expense was primarily attributable to a reduction in the U.S. call center workforce, as we balance the volume between the legal collection channel and call centers and realize the impact of recent investments in technology. Total full-time equivalents decreased 17.9% to 4,412 as of December 31, 2019 from 5,377 as of December 31, 2018. Additionally, this category was impacted by the result of the sale of RCB operating platform in December 2018, which shifted certain expenses from fixed to variable and are now recorded as agency fees.
Compensation and employee service expenses were $319.4 million in 2018, an increase of $46.4 million or 17.0% compared to compensation and employee service expenses of $273.0 million in 2017. Compensation expense increased primarily as a result of larger average staff sizes due mainly to the expansion of our domestic collector workforce, partially offset by a decrease resulting


from the sale of our government services businesses and PLS in 2017. Total full-time equivalents increased 4.3% to 5,377 as of December 31, 2018 from 5,154 as of December 31, 2017.
Compensation and employee service expenses were $273.0 million in 2017, an increase of $14.2 million or 5.5% compared to compensation and employee service expenses of $258.8 million in 2016. Compensation expense increased primarily as a result of larger average staff sizes due mainly to the expansion of our domestic collector workforce, partially offset by a decrease resulting from the sale of our government services businesses and PLS in 2017. In the U.S., we added approximately 1,100 net new collectorsTotal full-time equivalents increased 4.3% to 5,377 as of December 31, 2017, as compared to December 31, 2016. Total full-time equivalents increased 28.2% to2018 from 5,154 as of December 31, 2017 from 4,019 as of December 31, 2016.2017.
Legal Collection Fees
Legal collection fees represent contingent fees incurred for the cash collections generated by our independent third-party attorney network. Legal collection fees were $55.3 million in 2019, $42.9 million in 2018, a decrease of $0.5 million or 1.2% compared toand $43.4 million in 2017.
Legal collection fees were $43.4 million in 2017, a decrease The increase of $4.3$12.4 million or 9.0% compared to $47.7 million28.9% in 2016. The decrease2019 was primarily due to a decrease44.5% increase in domestic external legal cash collections as a result of fewer accounts brought into the legal collection process in the Americas during that time.U.S.
Legal Collection Costs
Legal collection costs primarily consist of costs paid to courts where a lawsuit is filed for the purpose of attempting to collect on an account. Legal collection costs were $134.2 million in 2019, an increase of $29.2 million or 27.8%, compared to $105.0 million in 2018. The increase was primarily due to additional court costs related to the expansion of the number of accounts placed in the legal channel in the U.S.  This expansion was the result of a change in the nature of the accounts purchased, the regulatory environment and consumer behavior.


Legal collection costs were $105.0 million in 2018, an increase of $29.0 million or 38.2%, compared to legal collection costs of $76.0 million in 2017. The increase was primarily due to additional court costs related to the expansion of the number of accounts brought into the legal channel in the U.S.  This expansion was the result of a change in the nature of the accounts purchased, the regulatory environment and consumer behavior.
Legal collection costs were $76.0 million in 2017, a decrease of $8.5 million or 10.1%, compared to legal collection costs of $84.5 million in 2016. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the number of accounts brought into the legal collection process in the Americas during that time.
Agency Fees
Agency fees primarily represent third-party collection fees. PriorAgency fees were $55.8 million in 2019, an increase of $21.9 million or 64.6% compared to $33.9 million in 2018. The increase was primarily due to the sale of PLS in June of 2017,the RCB operating platform, which shifted certain expenses from fixed to variable and are now recorded as agency fees, also included costs paid to repossession agents to repossess vehicles. the acquisition of a business in Canada in the first quarter of 2019, and higher volumes of servicing activity in areas where we utilize third-party collection agencies.
Agency fees were $33.9 million in 2018, compared to $35.5 million in 2017, a decrease of $1.6 million or 4.5%. compared to $35.5 million in 2017. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the sale of PLS partially offset by an increase in third-party collection fees incurred by our foreign operations.
Agency fees were $35.5 million in 2017, compared to $44.9 million in 2016, a decrease of $9.4 million or 20.9%. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the sale of PLS in addition to a decrease in third-party collection fees incurred by our foreigninternational operations.
Outside Fees and Services
Outside fees and services expenses were $63.5 million in 2019, an increase of $2.0 million or 3.3% compared to $61.5 million in 2018. The increase was primarily the result of higher consulting fees and higher fees related to an increased number of debit card transactions, mostly offset by a decrease in litigation expenses.
Outside fees and services expenses were $61.5 million in 2018, a decrease of $1.3 million or 2.1% compared to outside fees and services expenses of $62.8 million in 2017. The decrease was primarily the result of a $4.0 million decline in corporate legal expenses, due largely to legal costs not associated with normal operations incurred during 2017. This was partially offset by a $1.0 millionan increase in payment processing and database feesdebit card transactions and a $0.7 million increase inincreased consulting fees.
Outside fees and services expenses were $62.8 million in 2017, a decrease of $0.3 million or 0.5% compared to outside fees and services expenses of $63.1 million in 2016. The decrease was primarily the result of a $2.3 million decrease in corporate legal expenses and a $0.5 million decrease in accounting and audit related expenses. This was partially offset by a $1.2 million increase in payment processing and database fees, a $1.1 million increase in consulting fees and a $0.6 million increase in credit bureau expenses.
Communication
Communication expenses primarily represent postage and telephone related expenses incurred as a result of our collection efforts. Communication expenses were $44.1 million in 2019, $43.2 million in 2018, an increase of $10.1 million or 30.5% compared to communication expenses ofand $33.1 million in 2017. These increases areThe $10.1 million increase in 2018 was driven primarily by higher letter and call volume associated with record portfolio purchasing of Americas Core portfolios in 2017 and 2018 and additional U.S. collectors operating during 2018.


Communication expenses were $33.1 million in 2017, a decrease of $0.7 million or 2.1% compared to communication expenses of $33.8 million in 2016.
Rent and Occupancy
Rent and occupancy expenses were $17.9 million in 2019, $16.9 million in 2018, an increase of $2.1 million or 14.2% compared to rent and occupancy expenses of $14.8 million in 2017. The $2.1 million increase in 2018 was primarily due to the opening of two new call centers in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2017 as well as the expansion of our European facilities.
Rent and occupancy expenses were $14.8 million in 2017, a decrease of $0.9 million or 5.7% compared to rent and occupancy expenses of $15.7 million in 2016. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the sale of our government services businesses in January 2017 and the sale of PLS in June 2017.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense was $17.5 million in 2019, $19.3 million in 2018, a decrease of $0.5 million or 2.5% compared to depreciation and amortization expenses of $19.8 million in 2017.
Depreciation and amortization expense was $19.8 million in 2017, a decrease of $4.6 The $1.8 million or 18.9% compared to depreciation and amortization expenses of $24.4 million9.3% decrease in 2016. The decrease2019 was primarily due to the impactsale of the saleRCB operating platform which shifted certain expenses from fixed to variable partially offset by the addition of our government services businesses in January 2017.certain capital software projects.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses were $46.8 million in 2019, $47.4 million in 2018, an increase of $3.3 million or 7.5% compared to other operating expenses ofand $44.1 million in 2017. The $3.3 million increase in 2018 was primarily due to a $4.4 millionan increase in corporate technology and software related expenses. This wasexpenses partially offset by a $2.5 million decrease as a result of the sale of our government services businesses and the sale of PLS in 2017.
Other operating expenses were $44.1 million in 2017, an increase of $4.6 million or 11.6% compared to other operating expenses of $39.5 million in 2016. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $2.9 million in taxes, fees and licenses, a $1.2 million increase in an accounts receivable allowance expense, a $0.9 million increase in hiring expenses and an $0.8 million increase in general office expenses. This was offset by a $0.9 million decrease in travel-related expenses and a $0.7 million decrease in dues and subscriptions.
Gain on Sale of Subsidiaries
Gain on saleWe did not have any sales of subsidiaries was $26.6 million, $48.5 million, and $0.0 in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.during 2019. In 2018, we sold 79% of our interest in RCB's servicing platform which resulted in a gain of $26.6 million. In 2017, we sold our government services businesses and PLS which resulted in a combined gain of $48.5 million. No business or subsidiaries were sold in 2016.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net was $141.9 million in 2019, an increase of $20.8 million or 17.2% compared to $121.1 million in 2018. The increase was primarily due to higher levels of average borrowings to fund increased portfolio acquisitions paired with slightly higher interest rates and the impact of changes in the fair value of our derivatives.


Interest expense, net was $121.1 million in 2018, an increase of $23.1 million or 23.6% compared to interest expense, net of $98.0 million in 2017. The increase was primarily due to higher levels of average borrowings outstanding and higher average interest rates.
Interest expense, net was $98.0 million in 2017, an increase of $17.1 million or 21.1% compared to interest expense, net of $80.9 million in 2016. The increase was primarily due to higher levels of average borrowings outstanding, increases in interest rates, and increases in unused line fees and deferred financing costs related to our financing activities in 2017. This was partially offset by changes in fair value related to our interest rate swaps and an increase in interest income.


Interest expense, net consisted of the following in 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017 (amounts in thousands):
Twelve Months Ended December 31, VariancesTwelve Months Ended December 31, Variances
2018 2017 2016 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 20162019 2018 2017 2019 vs. 2018 2018 vs. 2017
Stated interest on debt obligations and unused line fees$83,983
 $71,656
 $63,475
 $12,327
 $8,181
$94,841
 $83,983
 $71,656
 $10,858
 $12,327
Coupon interest on convertible debt20,700
 15,870
 8,625
 4,830
 7,245
20,700
 20,700
 15,870
 
 4,830
Amortization of convertible debt discount11,725
 8,583
 4,472
 3,142
 4,111
12,398
 11,725
 8,583
 673
 3,142
Amortization of loan fees and other loan costs10,332
 9,569
 8,116
 763
 1,453
10,589
 10,332
 9,569
 257
 763
Change in fair value on interest rate swap agreements(2,532) (2,025) 1,223
 (507) (3,248)
Change in fair value on derivatives5,636
 (2,532) (2,025) 8,168
 (507)
Interest income(3,130) (5,612) (5,047) 2,482
 (565)(2,246) (3,130) (5,612) 884
 2,482
Interest expense, net$121,078
 $98,041
 $80,864
 $23,037
 $17,177
$141,918
 $121,078
 $98,041
 $20,840
 $23,037
Net Foreign Currency Transaction Gains/(Losses)/Gains
Net foreign currency transaction gains/(losses)/gains were $12.0 million, $(0.9) million, and $(1.1) million in 2019, 2018, and $2.6 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. In any given period, we may incur foreign currency transaction losses or gains from transactions in currencies other than the functional currency. The $12.9 million increase in 2019 was primarily related to gains on U.S. Dollar linked investments held in Brazil and foreign currency gains in Europe.
Other Expense
Other expense was $0.4 million in 2019, $0.3 million in 2018, compared toand $2.8 million in 2017 and $5.8 million in 2016.2017. In 2017, we incurred an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $1.7 million on one of our investments in private equity funds. Additionally, during 2017 we incurred a $1.0 million expense related to a performance guarantee on a Polish investment fund. During 2016, the net portfolio collections on our investments in a Polish investment fund significantly underperformed expectations.As a result, in 2016 we recorded an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $5.8 million.
Income Tax Expense/(Benefit)
Income tax expense/(benefit) was $19.7 million, $13.8 million, and $(10.9) million in 2019, 2018 and $43.6 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The increase from 2018 to 2019 was primarily driven by GILTI, which is included in the tax impact on international earnings disclosed in Note 13. The change from 2017 to 2018 was primarily attributable to a $73.8 million after-tax benefit recorded in 2017 as a result of the revaluation of our net deferred tax liability due to a reduction of future domestic federal tax rates per the Tax Act. This was partially offset by a 44.2% decrease in income before taxes in 2018 as compared to 2017; whereas, there was an 18.2% increase in income before taxes in 2017 as compared to 2016.
The effective tax rate increased tofrom 15.4% in 2018 compared to (6.8)%16.8% in 2017,2019 primarily due to the GILTI taxes in the US. The effective tax rate for 2018 increased and the 2017 effective tax rate decreased compared to (6.8%) from 32.1% in 2016. The 2018 increase and 2017 decrease were primarily attributabletheir respective prior years due to the aforementioned revaluation of our netthe deferred tax liability and changes inper the mix of taxable income between tax jurisdictions caused by gains on sales of subsidiaries in 2017.Tax Act. Our effective tax rate will vary from period to period due to these types of items.


29





Supplemental Performance Data
Finance Receivables Portfolio Performance
The following tables show certain data related to our finance receivables portfolios. Certain adjustments, as noted in the footnotes to these tables, have been made to reduce the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on ERC and purchase price multiples.
The accounts represented in the insolvency tables are those portfolios of accounts that were in an insolvency status at the time of purchase. This contrasts with accounts in our Core portfolios that file for bankruptcy/insolvency protection after we purchase them, which continue to be tracked in their corresponding Core portfolio. Core customers sometimes file for bankruptcy/insolvency protection subsequent to our purchase of the related Core portfolio. When this occurs, we adjust our collection practices to comply with bankruptcy/insolvency rules and procedures; however, for accounting purposes, these accounts remain in the original Core portfolio. Insolvency accounts may be dismissed voluntarily or involuntarily subsequent to our purchase of the Insolvency portfolio. Dismissal occurs when the terms of the bankruptcy are not met by the petitioner. When this occurs, we are typically free to pursue collection outside of bankruptcy procedures; however, for accounting purposes, these accounts remain in the original Insolvency pool.
Purchase price multiples can vary over time due to a variety of factors, including pricing competition, supply levels, age of the receivables purchased,acquired, and changes in our operational efficiency. For example, increased pricing competition during the 2005 to 2008 period negatively impacted purchase price multiples of our Core portfolio compared to prior years. Conversely, during the 2009 to 2011 period, additional supply occurred as a result of the economic downturn. This created unique and advantageous purchasing opportunities, particularly within the Insolvency market, relative to the prior four years. Purchase price multiples can also vary among types of finance receivables. For example, we generally incur lower collection costs on our Insolvency portfolio compared with our Core portfolio. This allows us, in general, to pay more for an Insolvency portfolio and experience lower purchase price multiples, while generating similar net income margins when compared with a Core portfolio.
When competition increases and/or supply decreases, pricing often becomes negatively impacted relative to expected collections, and yields tend to trend lower. The opposite tends to occur when competition decreases and/or supply increases.
Within a given portfolio type, to the extent that lower purchase price multiples are the result of more competitive pricing and lower net yields, this will generally lead to higher amortization rates and lower profitability. As portfolio pricing becomes more favorable on a relative basis, our profitability will tend to increase. Profitability within given Core portfolio types may also be impacted by the age and quality of the receivables, which impact the cost to collect those accounts. Fresher accounts, for example, typically carry lower associated collection expenses, while older accounts and lower balance accounts typically carry higher costs and, as a result, require higher purchase price multiples to achieve the same net profitability as fresher paper.
Revenue recognition under ASC 310-30 is driven by estimates of the amount and timing of collections as well as the timing of those collections. We record new portfolio purchasesacquisitions based on our best estimate of the cash flows expected at acquisition, which reflects the uncertainties inherent in the purchaseacquisition of nonperforming loans and the results of our underwriting process. Subsequent to the initial booking, as we gain collection experience and confidence with a pool of accounts, we regularly update ERC. As a result, our estimate of total collections has often increased as pools have aged. These processes have tended to cause the ratio of ERC to purchase price for any given year of buying to gradually increase over time. Thus, all factors being equal in terms of pricing, one would typically tend to see a higher collection to purchase price ratio from a pool of accounts that was six years from purchaseacquisition than a pool that was just two years from purchase.acquisition.
We hold a beneficial interest in certain pools of finance receivables in Europe. Revenue recognition is under ASC Topic 310-20, "Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs" where we compute a life-to-date yield on a retrospective basis and apply it to the ERC of the portfolio. Revenue on these pools is included in income recognized on finance receivables. In addition, these portfolios are included in the following tables below as they perform economically similar to nonperforming loansfinance receivables accounted for under ASC 310-30.
The numbers presented in the following tables represent gross cash collections and do not reflect any costs to collect; therefore, they may not represent relative profitability. Due to all the factors described above, readers should be cautious when making comparisons of purchase price multiples among periods and between types of receivables.
We hold a majority interest in a Polish investment fund that was previously classified in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Investments" and previously excluded from the following tables. Effective July 1, 2018, we assumed servicing responsibilities for approximately 50% of the portfolios held by the Polish investment fund which led to an accounting reconsideration event and the consolidation of this investment. The finance receivables recorded at the consolidation date and the related portfolio performance information are included in the Supplemental Performance Data section in the Europe-Core 2018 line unless otherwise indicated.




Purchase Price Multiples
as of December 31, 2018
Amounts in thousands
Purchase Price Multiples
as of December 31, 2019
Amounts in thousands
Purchase Price Multiples
as of December 31, 2019
Amounts in thousands
Purchase Period
Purchase Price (1)(2)
Net Finance Receivables (3)
ERC-Historical Period Exchange Rates (4)
Total Estimated Collections (5)
ERC-Current Period Exchange Rates (6)
Current Estimated Purchase Price Multiple
Original Estimated Purchase Price Multiple (7)
Purchase Price (1)(2)
Net Finance Receivables (3)
ERC-Historical Period Exchange Rates (4)
Total Estimated Collections (5)
ERC-Current Period Exchange Rates (6)
Current Estimated Purchase Price Multiple
Original Estimated Purchase Price Multiple (7)
Americas-Core  
1996-2008$804,883
$9,108
$35,385
$2,423,212
$35,385
301%236%
2009125,153
653
22,518
459,318
22,518
367%252%
Americas Core  
1996-2009$930,026
$9,279
$42,102
$2,885,906
$42,102
310%238%
2010148,199
4,644
37,181
534,994
37,181
361%247%148,193
3,485
28,669
535,684
28,669
361%247%
2011209,607
10,434
64,203
738,173
64,203
352%245%209,602
7,707
48,551
739,158
48,551
353%245%
2012254,142
19,643
79,446
681,221
79,446
268%226%254,076
16,011
60,711
680,352
60,711
268%226%
2013391,031
50,555
143,328
942,934
143,328
241%211%390,826
33,648
94,733
931,194
94,733
238%211%
2014405,459
81,050
210,315
930,676
206,685
230%204%405,169
55,033
152,639
929,179
150,012
229%204%
2015444,063
134,024
310,233
965,382
310,059
217%205%443,779
93,385
226,865
965,671
226,755
218%205%
2016454,552
196,236
458,039
1,041,655
452,225
229%201%453,158
139,380
354,399
1,081,376
349,699
239%201%
2017534,410
371,366
724,197
1,112,042
720,535
208%193%533,442
242,129
521,715
1,167,831
519,181
219%193%
2018658,490
630,508
1,204,192
1,327,453
1,201,445
202%655,548
460,797
852,246
1,338,876
848,727
204%202%
2019578,281
533,933
1,048,207
1,191,940
1,053,332
206%
Subtotal4,429,989
1,508,221
3,289,037
11,157,060
3,273,010
 5,002,100
1,594,787
3,430,837
12,447,167
3,422,472
 
Americas-Insolvency  
1996-2008241,465

658
365,653
658
151%155%
2009155,988

1,232
470,626
1,232
302%214%
Americas InsolvencyAmericas Insolvency  
1996-2009397,453

917
835,958
917
210%178%
2010208,942

2,191
547,219
2,191
262%184%208,942

1,181
546,872
1,181
262%184%
2011180,434

434
368,821
434
204%155%180,432

973
370,103
973
205%155%
2012251,419

356
389,910
356
155%136%251,395

953
392,377
953
156%136%
2013227,904

5,820
355,738
5,820
156%133%227,834

2,143
354,923
2,143
156%133%
2014148,712
7,493
16,938
215,568
16,896
145%124%148,689
756
3,598
218,044
3,578
147%124%
201563,184
16,234
22,790
83,989
22,790
133%125%63,170
5,783
9,917
87,773
9,917
139%125%
201692,285
30,580
39,669
114,088
39,516
124%123%92,264
17,433
22,491
116,896
22,501
127%123%
2017275,293
155,609
200,144
346,550
200,144
126%125%275,257
95,421
121,498
348,811
121,498
127%125%
201899,386
95,194
119,444
126,142
119,444
127%97,879
74,459
93,120
127,257
93,120
130%127%
2019123,039
114,892
144,228
157,675
144,279
128%
Subtotal1,945,012
305,110
409,676
3,384,304
409,481
 2,066,354
308,744
401,019
3,556,689
401,060
 
Total Americas6,375,001
1,813,331
3,698,713
14,541,364
3,682,491
 7,068,454
1,903,531
3,831,856
16,003,856
3,823,532
 
Europe-Core   
Europe Core   
201220,424

1,387
39,210
1,086
192%187%20,409

875
40,542
709
199%187%
201320,347
100
831
24,227
639
119%20,334

431
24,995
343
123%119%
2014796,899
240,603
921,669
2,173,128
791,947
273%208%796,762
188,892
823,116
2,278,261
704,192
286%208%
2015420,956
189,588
421,252
751,455
377,175
179%160%419,909
161,210
345,214
748,127
314,643
178%160%
2016348,436
225,044
395,574
582,324
394,089
167%348,270
190,927
333,375
578,421
332,857
166%167%
2017247,757
188,893
284,707
357,298
276,223
144%246,752
157,850
232,858
351,216
229,035
142%144%
2018 (8)
346,933
325,907
488,989
513,635
484,567
148%345,256
269,292
407,945
522,374
413,728
151%148%
2019512,702
488,468
730,704
779,136
739,345
152%
Subtotal2,201,752
1,170,135
2,514,409
4,441,277
2,325,726
 2,710,394
1,456,639
2,874,518
5,323,072
2,734,852
 
Europe-Insolvency  
Europe InsolvencyEurope Insolvency  
201410,876
985
2,656
18,010
2,389
166%129%10,876
306
1,061
18,155
941
167%129%
201519,396
5,059
10,245
29,042
8,805
150%139%19,226
3,083
5,970
29,294
5,262
152%139%
201642,190
19,002
29,476
61,117
28,993
145%130%41,858
12,507
18,160
60,651
18,272
145%130%
201738,830
31,688
41,590
50,661
40,206
130%128%38,409
24,417
28,931
47,604
28,707
124%128%
201845,636
44,577
55,360
56,029
54,569
123%45,586
39,424
46,969
56,199
47,240
123%
201975,588
74,258
93,518
98,439
95,509
130%
Subtotal156,928
101,311
139,327
214,859
134,962
 231,543
153,995
194,609
310,342
195,931
 
Total Europe2,358,680
1,271,446
2,653,736
4,656,136
2,460,688
 2,941,937
1,610,634
3,069,127
5,633,414
2,930,783
 
Total PRA Group$8,733,681
$3,084,777
$6,352,449
$19,197,500
$6,143,179
 $10,010,391
$3,514,165
$6,900,983
$21,637,270
$6,754,315
 
(1)The amount reflected in the Purchase Price also includesIncludes the acquisition date finance receivables portfolios that were acquired through our various business acquisitions.
(2)For our internationalnon-U.S. amounts, Purchase Price is presented at the exchange rate at the end of the quarter in which the pool was purchased. In addition, any purchase price adjustments that occur throughout the life of the pool are presented at the period-end exchange rate for the respective quarter of purchase.
(3)For our internationalnon-U.S. amounts, Net Finance Receivables are presented at the December 31, 20182019 exchange rate.
(4)For our internationalnon-U.S. amounts, ERC-Historical Period Exchange Rates is presented at the period-end exchange rate for the respective quarter of purchase.
(5)For our internationalnon-U.S. amounts, TEC is presented at the period-end exchange rate for the respective quarter of purchase.
(6)For our internationalnon-U.S. amounts, ERC-Current Period Exchange Rates is presented at the December 31, 20182019 exchange rate.
(7)The Original Purchase Price Multiple represents the purchase price multiple at the end of the year of acquisition.
(8)The Europe-Core purchases includeIncludes a $34.9 million finance receivables portfolio addition in the third quarter of 2018 relating to the accounting consolidation of a Polish investment fund.




Portfolio Financial Information
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
Amounts in thousands
Portfolio Financial Information
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Amounts in thousands
Portfolio Financial Information
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Amounts in thousands
Purchase Period
Purchase Price (1)(2)
Cash
Collections
 (3)
Gross Revenue (3)
Amortization (3)
Net Allowance Charges/(Reversals) (3)
Net Revenue (3)(4)
Net Finance Receivables as of December 31, 2018 (5)
Purchase Price (1)(2)
Cash
Collections
 (3)
Gross Revenue (3)
Amortization (3)
Net Allowance Charges/(Reversals) (3)
Net Revenue (3)(4)
Net Finance Receivables as of December 31, 2019 (5)
Americas-Core 
1996-2008$804,883
$15,092
$10,645
$4,447
$(1,970)$12,615
$9,108
2009125,153
8,180
7,899
281
125
7,774
653
Americas Core 
1996-2009$930,026
$19,178
$15,005
$4,173
$(3,700)$18,705
$9,279
2010148,199
11,140
9,654
1,486
(2,625)12,279
4,644
148,193
9,202
8,090
1,112
40
8,050
3,485
2011209,607
21,622
18,912
2,710
25
18,887
10,434
209,602
16,637
14,670
1,967
755
13,915
7,707
2012254,142
27,797
18,251
9,546
(4,005)22,256
19,643
254,076
17,866
13,930
3,936
(370)14,300
16,011
2013391,031
56,449
41,274
15,175
11,480
29,794
50,555
390,826
36,855
26,477
10,378
6,325
20,152
33,648
2014405,459
82,244
58,426
23,818
22,395
36,031
81,050
405,169
55,340
37,701
17,639
8,317
29,384
55,033
2015444,063
126,605
74,083
52,522
4,632
69,451
134,024
443,779
83,592
52,469
31,123
9,247
43,222
93,385
2016454,552
194,605
110,399
84,206
631
109,768
196,236
453,158
140,590
88,200
52,390
3,364
84,836
139,380
2017534,410
278,733
155,298
123,435
318
154,980
371,366
533,442
256,520
128,559
127,961
265
128,294
242,129
2018658,490
122,712
96,202
26,510

96,202
630,508
655,548
361,899
196,082
165,817
254
195,828
460,797
2019578,281
143,828
96,841
46,987
34
96,807
533,933
Subtotal4,429,989
945,179
601,043
344,136
31,006
570,037
1,508,221
5,002,100
1,141,507
678,024
463,483
24,531
653,493
1,594,787
Americas-Insolvency 
1996-2008241,465
356
356


356

2009155,988
747
747


747

Americas InsolvencyAmericas Insolvency 
1996-2009397,453
652
652


652

2010208,942
1,352
1,352


1,352

208,942
663
663


663

2011180,434
1,584
1,584


1,584

180,432
743
743


743

2012251,419
4,284
4,284


4,284

251,395
1,870
1,870


1,870

2013227,904
21,948
14,364
7,584

14,364

227,834
2,862
2,862


2,862

2014148,712
28,759
9,433
19,326

9,433
7,493
148,689
15,785
9,476
6,309
310
9,166
756
201563,184
19,769
3,793
15,976

3,793
16,234
63,170
16,657
6,221
10,436

6,221
5,783
201692,285
25,047
4,209
20,838
435
3,774
30,580
92,264
19,918
5,299
14,619
(1,460)6,759
17,433
2017275,293
97,315
17,518
79,797

17,518
155,609
275,257
80,906
20,754
60,152

20,754
95,421
201899,386
6,700
2,509
4,191

2,509
95,194
97,879
27,438
8,210
19,228

8,210
74,459
2019123,039
13,449
5,264
8,185

5,264
114,892
Subtotal1,945,012
207,861
60,149
147,712
435
59,714
305,110
2,066,354
180,943
62,014
118,929
(1,150)63,164
308,744
Total Americas6,375,001
1,153,040
661,192
491,848
31,441
629,751
1,813,331
7,068,454
1,322,450
740,038
582,412
23,381
716,657
1,903,531
Europe-Core 
Europe Core 
201220,424
1,996
2,000
(4)
2,000

20,409
1,450
1,450


1,450

201320,347
1,331
894
437

894
100
20,334
901
820
81

820

2014796,899
206,255
131,812
74,443
(1,393)133,205
240,603
796,762
172,885
121,450
51,435
(1,846)123,296
188,892
2015420,956
80,858
34,556
46,302
(3,258)37,814
189,588
419,909
66,074
32,821
33,253
(3,353)36,174
161,210
2016348,436
72,603
28,839
43,764
6,035
22,804
225,044
348,270
57,989
28,594
29,395
2,911
25,683
190,927
2017247,757
56,033
15,027
41,006
599
14,428
188,893
246,752
44,085
14,239
29,846
1,815
12,424
157,850
2018 (6)
346,933
24,326
6,585
17,741

6,585
325,907
345,256
88,699
27,309
61,390
664
26,645
269,292
2019512,702
47,976
17,736
30,240
45
17,691
488,468
Subtotal2,201,752
443,402
219,713
223,689
1,983
217,730
1,170,135
2,710,394
480,059
244,419
235,640
236
244,183
1,456,639
Europe-Insolvency 
Europe InsolvencyEurope Insolvency 
201410,876
2,620
1,496
1,124

1,496
985
10,876
1,547
907
640

907
306
201519,396
4,783
1,891
2,892
(63)1,954
5,059
19,226
3,904
1,889
2,015
(72)1,961
3,083
201642,190
12,856
4,941
7,915
64
4,877
19,002
41,858
10,664
4,161
6,503
(42)4,203
12,507
201738,830
7,862
2,411
5,451

2,411
31,688
38,409
9,240
2,300
6,940
522
1,778
24,417
201845,636
642
255
387

255
44,577
45,586
8,422
2,552
5,870

2,552
39,424
201975,588
4,985
2,095
2,890

2,095
74,258
Subtotal156,928
28,763
10,994
17,769
1
10,993
101,311
231,543
38,762
13,904
24,858
408
13,496
153,995
Total Europe2,358,680
472,165
230,707
241,458
1,984
228,723
1,271,446
2,941,937
518,821
258,323
260,498
644
257,679
1,610,634
Total PRA Group$8,733,681
$1,625,205
$891,899
$733,306
$33,425
$858,474
$3,084,777
$10,010,391
$1,841,271
$998,361
$842,910
$24,025
$974,336
$3,514,165
(1)The amount reflected in the Purchase Price also includesIncludes the acquisition date finance receivables portfolios that were acquired through our various business acquisitions.
(2)For our internationalnon-U.S. amounts, Purchase Price is presented at the exchange rate at the end of the quarter in which the pool was purchased. In addition, any purchase price adjustments that occur throughout the life of the pool are presented at the period-end exchange rate for the respective quarter of purchase.
(3)
For our internationalnon-U.S. amounts, amounts are presented using the average exchange rates during the current reporting period.
(4)
Net Revenue refers to income recognized on finance receivables, net of allowance charges/(reversals).
(5)For our internationalnon-U.S. amounts, net finance receivables are presented at the December 31, 20182019 exchange rate.
(6)The Europe-Core purchases includeIncludes a $34.9 million finance receivables portfolio addition in the third quarter of 2018 relating to the accounting consolidation of a Polish investment fund.




The following table, which excludes any proceeds from cash sales of finance receivables, illustrates historical cash collections, by year, on our portfolios.
Cash Collections by Year, By Year of Purchase (1)
as of December 31, 2018
Amounts in thousands
Cash Collections by Year, By Year of Purchase (1)
as of December 31, 2019
Amounts in thousands
Cash Collections by Year, By Year of Purchase (1)
as of December 31, 2019
Amounts in thousands
 Cash Collections Cash Collections
Purchase Period
Purchase Price (2)(3)
1996-
2008
2009201020112012201320142015201620172018Total
Purchase Price (2)(3)
1996-
2009
2010201120122013201420152016201720182019Total
Americas-Core 
1996-2008$804,883
$1,366,034
$240,929
$200,052
$169,205
$132,255
$95,262
$66,274
$46,277
$29,734
$19,458
$15,092
$2,380,572
2009125,153

40,703
95,627
84,339
69,385
51,121
35,555
24,896
16,000
10,994
8,180
436,800
Americas CoreAmericas Core 
1996-2009$930,026
$1,647,666
$295,679
$253,544
$201,640
$146,383
$101,829
$71,173
$45,734
$30,452
$23,272
$19,178
$2,836,550
2010148,199


47,076
113,554
109,873
82,014
55,946
38,110
24,515
15,587
11,140
497,815
148,193

47,076
113,554
109,873
82,014
55,946
38,110
24,515
15,587
11,140
9,202
507,017
2011209,607



61,971
174,461
152,908
108,513
73,793
48,711
31,991
21,622
673,970
209,602


61,971
174,461
152,908
108,513
73,793
48,711
31,991
21,622
16,637
690,607
2012254,142




56,901
173,589
146,198
97,267
59,981
40,042
27,797
601,775
254,076



56,901
173,589
146,198
97,267
59,981
40,042
27,797
17,866
619,641
2013391,031





101,614
247,849
194,026
120,789
78,880
56,449
799,607
390,826




101,614
247,849
194,026
120,789
78,880
56,449
36,855
836,462
2014405,459






92,660
253,448
170,311
114,219
82,244
712,882
405,169





92,660
253,448
170,311
114,219
82,244
55,340
768,222
2015444,063







116,951
228,432
185,898
126,605
657,886
443,779






116,951
228,432
185,898
126,605
83,592
741,478
2016454,552








138,723
256,531
194,605
589,859
453,158







138,723
256,531
194,605
140,590
730,449
2017534,410









107,327
278,733
386,060
533,442








107,327
278,733
256,520
642,580
2018658,490










122,712
122,712
655,548









122,712
361,899
484,611
2019578,281










143,828
143,828
Subtotal4,429,989
1,366,034
281,632
342,755
429,069
542,875
656,508
752,995
844,768
837,196
860,927
945,179
7,859,938
5,002,100
1,647,666
342,755
429,069
542,875
656,508
752,995
844,768
837,196
860,927
945,179
1,141,507
9,001,445
Americas-Insolvency 
1996-2008241,465
117,972
69,736
65,321
53,924
37,530
13,534
3,035
1,836
1,098
653
356
364,995
2009155,988

16,635
81,780
102,780
107,888
95,725
53,945
5,781
2,531
1,581
747
469,393
Americas InsolvencyAmericas Insolvency 
1996-2009397,453
204,343
147,101
156,704
145,418
109,259
56,980
7,617
3,629
2,234
1,103
652
835,040
2010208,942


39,486
104,499
125,020
121,717
101,873
43,649
5,008
2,425
1,352
545,029
208,942

39,486
104,499
125,020
121,717
101,873
43,649
5,008
2,425
1,352
663
545,692
2011180,434



15,218
66,379
82,752
85,816
76,915
35,996
3,726
1,584
368,386
180,432


15,218
66,379
82,752
85,816
76,915
35,996
3,726
1,584
743
369,129
2012251,419




17,388
103,610
94,141
80,079
60,715
29,337
4,284
389,554
251,395



17,388
103,610
94,141
80,079
60,715
29,337
4,284
1,870
391,424
2013227,904





52,528
82,596
81,679
63,386
47,781
21,948
349,918
227,834




52,528
82,596
81,679
63,386
47,781
21,948
2,862
352,780
2014148,712






37,045
50,880
44,313
37,350
28,759
198,347
148,689





37,045
50,880
44,313
37,350
28,759
15,785
214,132
201563,184







3,395
17,892
20,143
19,769
61,199
63,170






3,395
17,892
20,143
19,769
16,657
77,856
201692,285








18,869
30,426
25,047
74,342
92,264







18,869
30,426
25,047
19,918
94,260
2017275,293









49,093
97,315
146,408
275,257








49,093
97,315
80,906
227,314
201899,386










6,700
6,700
97,879









6,700
27,438
34,138
2019123,039










13,449
13,449
Subtotal1,945,012
117,972
86,371
186,587
276,421
354,205
469,866
458,451
344,214
249,808
222,515
207,861
2,974,271
2,066,354
204,343
186,587
276,421
354,205
469,866
458,451
344,214
249,808
222,515
207,861
180,943
3,155,214
Total Americas6,375,001
1,484,006
368,003
529,342
705,490
897,080
1,126,374
1,211,446
1,188,982
1,087,004
1,083,442
1,153,040
10,834,209
7,068,454
1,852,009
529,342
705,490
897,080
1,126,374
1,211,446
1,188,982
1,087,004
1,083,442
1,153,040
1,322,450
12,156,659
Europe-Core 
Europe CoreEurope Core 
201220,424




11,604
8,995
5,641
3,175
2,198
2,038
1,996
35,647
20,409



11,604
8,995
5,641
3,175
2,198
2,038
1,996
1,450
37,097
201320,347





7,068
8,540
2,347
1,326
1,239
1,331
21,851
20,334




7,068
8,540
2,347
1,326
1,239
1,331
901
22,752
2014796,899






153,180
291,980
246,365
220,765
206,255
1,118,545
796,762





153,180
291,980
246,365
220,765
206,255
172,885
1,291,430
2015420,956







45,760
100,263
86,156
80,858
313,037
419,909






45,760
100,263
86,156
80,858
66,074
379,111
2016348,436








40,368
78,915
72,603
191,886
348,270







40,368
78,915
72,603
57,989
249,875
2017247,757









17,894
56,033
73,927
246,752








17,894
56,033
44,085
118,012
2018 (4)
346,933










24,326
24,326
345,256









24,326
88,699
113,025
2019512,702










47,976
47,976
Subtotal2,201,752




11,604
16,063
167,361
343,262
390,520
407,007
443,402
1,779,219
2,710,394



11,604
16,063
167,361
343,262
390,520
407,007
443,402
480,059
2,259,278
Europe-Insolvency 
Europe InsolvencyEurope Insolvency 
201410,876






5
4,297
3,921
3,207
2,620
14,050
10,876





5
4,297
3,921
3,207
2,620
1,547
15,597
201519,396







2,954
4,366
5,013
4,783
17,116
19,226






2,954
4,366
5,013
4,783
3,904
21,020
201642,190








6,175
12,703
12,856
31,734
41,858







6,175
12,703
12,856
10,664
42,398
201738,830









1,233
7,862
9,095
38,409








1,233
7,862
9,240
18,335
201845,636










642
642
45,586









642
8,422
9,064
201975,588










4,985
4,985
Subtotal156,928






5
7,251
14,462
22,156
28,763
72,637
231,543





5
7,251
14,462
22,156
28,763
38,762
111,399
Total Europe2,358,680




11,604
16,063
167,366
350,513
404,982
429,163
472,165
1,851,856
2,941,937



11,604
16,063
167,366
350,513
404,982
429,163
472,165
518,821
2,370,677
Total PRA Group$8,733,681
$1,484,006
$368,003
$529,342
$705,490
$908,684
$1,142,437
$1,378,812
$1,539,495
$1,491,986
$1,512,605
$1,625,205
$12,686,065
$10,010,391
$1,852,009
$529,342
$705,490
$908,684
$1,142,437
$1,378,812
$1,539,495
$1,491,986
$1,512,605
$1,625,205
$1,841,271
$14,527,336
(1)
For our internationalnon-U.S. amounts, cash collections are presented using the average exchange rates during the cash collection period.
(2)
The amount reflected in the Purchase Price also includesIncludes the acquisition date finance receivables portfolios that were acquired through our various business acquisitions.
(3)For our internationalnon-U.S. amounts, Purchase Price is presented at the exchange rate at the end of the quarter in which the portfolio was purchased. In addition, any purchase price adjustments that occur throughout the life of the pool are presented at the period end exchange rate for the respective quarter of purchase.
(4)
The Europe-Core purchases includeIncludes a $34.9 million finance receivables portfolio addition in the third quarter of 2018 relating to the accounting consolidation of a Polish investment fund.



Estimated Remaining Collections
The following chart shows our ERC by geographical regionof $6,754.3 million at December 31, 20182019 by geographical region (amounts in millions).
chart-c672996798ce5f6c9d4.jpgchart-51b861807bb05690af4.jpg

Seasonality
Cash collections in the Americas tend to be higher in the first half of the year due to the high volume of income tax refunds received by individuals in the U.S., and trend lower as the year progresses. Customer payment patterns in all of the countries in which we operate can be affected by seasonal employment trends, income tax refunds, and holiday spending habits.
Cash Collections
The following table displays our quarterly cash collections by geography and portfolio type, for the periods indicated.
Cash Collections by Geography and Type
Amounts in thousands
 2018 2017
 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
Americas-Core$233,937
 $231,253
 $233,752
 $246,237
 $204,245
 $212,756
 $217,020
 $226,906
Americas-Insolvency48,000
 48,518
 56,063
 55,280
 59,103
 60,436
 53,163
 49,813
Europe-Core113,154
 102,780
 109,359
 118,109
 107,124
 102,681
 99,121
 98,081
Europe-Insolvency7,618
 6,731
 7,460
 6,954
 5,794
 5,961
 5,371
 5,030
Total Cash Collections$402,709
 $389,282
 $406,634
 $426,580
 $376,266
 $381,834
 $374,675
 $379,830
Cash Collections by Geography and Type
Amounts in thousands
 2019 2018
 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
Americas Core$276,639
 $279,902
 $294,243
 $290,723
 $233,937
 $231,253
 $233,752
 $246,237
Americas Insolvency40,801
 45,759
 49,770
 44,613
 48,000
 48,518
 56,063
 55,280
Europe Core126,649
 118,917
 117,635
 116,858
 113,154
 102,780
 109,359
 118,109
Europe Insolvency12,520
 8,639
 8,626
 8,977
 7,618
 6,731
 7,460
 6,954
Total Cash Collections$456,609
 $453,217
 $470,274
 $461,171
 $402,709
 $389,282
 $406,634
 $426,580
The following table provides additional details on the composition of our U.S. Core cash collections for the periods indicated.
U.S. Core Portfolio Cash Collections by Source
Amounts in thousands
U.S. Core Portfolio Cash Collections by Source
Amounts in thousands
U.S. Core Portfolio Cash Collections by Source
Amounts in thousands
2018 20172019 2018
Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
Call Center and Other Collections$134,543
 $137,325
 $143,527
 $155,448
 $120,349
 $123,009
 $122,780
 $127,368
$139,399
 $149,782
 $160,479
 $169,753
 $134,543
 $137,325
 $143,527
 $155,448
External Legal Collections47,410
 41,935
 40,631
 38,891
 31,960
 35,042
 37,863
 40,267
58,831
 64,301
 63,490
 57,419
 47,410
 41,935
 40,631
 38,891
Internal Legal Collections30,724
 32,064
 32,532
 33,423
 31,154
 31,761
 32,511
 34,937
33,944
 35,679
 38,065
 37,018
 30,724
 32,064
 32,532
 33,423
Total U.S.-Core Cash Collections$212,677
 $211,324
 $216,690
 $227,762
 $183,463
 $189,812
 $193,154
 $202,572
$232,174
 $249,762
 $262,034
 $264,190
 $212,677
 $211,324
 $216,690
 $227,762



Collections Productivity (U.S. Portfolio)
The following tables displaytable displays certain collections productivity measures.
Cash Collections per Collector Hour Paid
U.S. Portfolio
Cash Collections per Collector Hour Paid
U.S. Portfolio
Cash Collections per Collector Hour Paid
U.S. Portfolio
Total U.S. Core cash collections (1)
Call center and other cash collections (1)
2018 2017 2016 2015 20142019 2018 2017 2016 2015
First Quarter$176
 $254
 $274
 $247
 $223
$139
 $121
 $161
 $168
 $143
Second Quarter152
 202
 269
 245
 220
139
 101
 129
 167
 141
Third Quarter163
 191
 281
 250
 217
124
 107
 125
 177
 145
Fourth Quarter163
 170
 248
 239
 203
128
 104
 112
 153
 139
         
Call center and other cash collections (2)
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
First Quarter$121
 $161
 $168
 $143
 $119
Second Quarter101
 129
 167
 141
 107
Third Quarter107
 125
 177
 145
 112
Fourth Quarter104
 112
 153
 139
 110

(1)Represents total cash collections less Insolvency cash collections from trustee-administered accounts. This metric includes cash collections from Insolvency accounts administered by Core call centers as well as cash collections generated by our internal staff of legal collectors. This calculation does not include hours paid to our internal staff of legal collectors or to employees processing the required notifications to trustees on Insolvency accounts.
(2)Represents total cash collections less internal legal cash collections, external legal cash collections and Insolvency cash collections from trustee-administered accounts.
Portfolio PurchasingAcquisitions
The following graph shows the purchase price of our portfolios by year since 2009. It also includes the acquisition date finance receivable portfolios that were acquired through our various business acquisitions.
chart-5e724e4bf9535895a7f.jpgchart-3871fac5f7025cd5a18.jpg



The following table displays our quarterly portfolio purchasesacquisitions for the periods indicated.
Portfolio Purchases by Geography and Type
Amounts in thousands
 2018 2017
 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
Americas-Core$172,511
 $170,426
 $182,768
 $131,427
 $160,278
 $115,572
 $144,871
 $115,166
Americas-Insolvency52,871
 17,151
 16,651
 13,436
 44,195
 73,497
 100,040
 67,123
Europe-Core (1)
231,810
 45,754
 19,403
 18,000
 152,417
 14,695
 42,876
 39,505
Europe-Insolvency33,661
 4,159
 2,577
 5,392
 17,698
 7,146
 7,860
 6,020
Total Portfolio Purchasing$490,853
 $237,490
 $221,399
 $168,255
 $374,588
 $210,910
 $295,647
 $227,814
Portfolio Acquisitions by Geography and Type
Amounts in thousands
 2019 2018
 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
Americas Core$118,153
 $168,185
 $121,996
 $169,189
 $172,511
 $170,426
 $182,768
 $131,427
Americas Insolvency22,650
 26,311
 26,092
 48,243
 52,871
 17,151
 16,651
 13,436
Europe Core218,919
 64,728
 136,344
 94,283
 231,810
 45,754
 19,403
 18,000
Europe Insolvency42,613
 19,772
 4,715
 7,134
 33,661
 4,159
 2,577
 5,392
Total Portfolio Acquisitions$402,335
 $278,996
 $289,147
 $318,849
 $490,853
 $237,490
 $221,399
 $168,255
(1)The Europe-Core purchases in the above table and graph exclude a $34.9 million finance receivables portfolio addition in the third quarter of 2018 relating to the consolidation of a Polish investment fund.









Portfolio PurchasesAcquisitions by Stratifications (U.S. Only)
The following table categorizes our quarterly U.S. portfolio purchasesacquisitions for the periods indicated into major asset type and delinquency category. Since our inception in 1996, we have acquired more than 5154 million customer accounts in the U.S.
U.S. Portfolio Purchases by Major Asset Type
Amounts in thousands
U.S. Portfolio Acquisitions by Major Asset Type
Amounts in thousands
U.S. Portfolio Acquisitions by Major Asset Type
Amounts in thousands
2018 20172019 2018
Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4
Major Credit Cards$65,025
 $78,864
 $100,160
 $84,858
 $87,895
 $54,892
 $65,177
 $57,615
$30,337
24.3% $50,500
40.1% $39,468
28.2% $43,440
27.0% $65,025
32.5%
Private Label Credit Cards85,351
68.4% 72,714
57.7% 70,536
50.4% 84,515
52.6% 100,633
50.3%
Consumer Finance2,619
 2,248
 4,098
 3,558
 2,360
 3,308
 7,354
 7,987
2,046
1.7% 2,090
1.7% 28,649
20.4% 2,424
1.5% 2,619
1.3%
Private Label Credit Cards100,633
 100,517
 82,406
 47,962
 90,332
 78,609
 101,162
 73,473
Auto Related31,892
 330
 427
 613
 21,219
 49,741
 67,701
 30,191
6,991
5.6% 638
0.5% 1,407
1.0% 30,358
18.9% 31,892
15.9%
Total$200,169
 $181,959
 $187,091
 $136,991
 $201,806
 $186,550
 $241,394
 $169,266
$124,725
100.0% $125,942
100.0% $140,060
100.0% $160,737
100.0% $200,169
100.0%
U.S. Portfolio Purchases by Delinquency Category
Amounts in thousands
U.S. Portfolio Acquisitions by Delinquency Category
Amounts in thousands
U.S. Portfolio Acquisitions by Delinquency Category
Amounts in thousands
2018 20172019 2018
Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4
Fresh (1)
$61,730
 $61,882
 $80,976
 $71,067
 $76,910
 $67,540
 $73,813
 $43,786
$35,330
34.6% $27,600
27.1% $33,288
29.3% $51,212
45.6% $61,730
42.0%
Primary (2)
39,690
 37,670
 34,166
 3,290
 23,100
 1,623
 4,314
 726
5,796
5.7% 17,658
17.3% 40,027
35.1% 19,725
17.5% 39,690
26.9%
Secondary (3)
45,878
 63,525
 55,299
 49,198
 48,865
 43,366
 52,217
 49,794
52,899
51.8% 50,082
49.2% 34,920
30.6% 35,857
31.9% 45,878
31.1%
Tertiary (3)

 
 
 
 8,736
 524
 
 1,111
4,409
4.3% 6,483
6.4% 5,733
5.0% 4,435
3.9% 
%
Other (4)
3,641
3.6% 
% 
% 1,265
1.1% 
%
Total Core102,075
100.0% 101,823
100.0% 113,968
100.0% 112,494
100.0% 147,298
100.0%
Insolvency52,871
 17,151
 16,650
 13,436
 44,195
 73,497
 100,040
 67,123
22,650

 24,119

 26,092

 48,243

 52,871

Other (4)

 1,731
 
 
 
 
 11,010
 6,726
Total$200,169
 $181,959
 $187,091
 $136,991
 $201,806
 $186,550
 $241,394
 $169,266
$124,725

 $125,942

 $140,060

 $160,737

 $200,169

(1)Fresh accounts are typically past due 120 to 270 days, charged-off by the credit originator and are either being sold prior to any post-charge-off collection activity or placement with a third-party for the first time.
(2)Primary accounts are typically 360 to 450 days past due and charged-off and have been previously placed with one contingent fee servicer.
(3)Secondary and tertiary accounts are typically more than 660 days past due and charged-off and have been placed with two or three contingent fee servicers.
(4)Other accounts are typically two to three years or more past due and charged-off and have previously been worked by four or more contingent fee servicers.


Liquidity and Capital Resources
We manage our liquidity to help provide access to sufficient funding to meet our business needs and financial obligations. As of December 31, 2018,2019, cash and cash equivalents totaled $98.7$119.8 million. Of the cash and cash equivalent balance as of December 31, 2018, $78.62019, $109.7 million consisted of cash on hand related to foreigninternational operations with indefinitely reinvested earnings. See the "Undistributed Earnings of ForeignInternational Subsidiaries" section below for more information.
At December 31, 2018,2019, we had approximately $2.5$2.8 billion in borrowings outstanding with $797.8$474.6 million of availability under all of our credit facilities (subject to the borrowing base and applicable debt covenants). Considering borrowing base restrictions, as of December 31, 2018,2019, the amount available to be drawn was $456.4$271.1 million. Of the $797.8$474.6 million of borrowing availability, $278.1$122.5 million was available under our European credit facility, and $519.7$349.2 million was available under our North American credit facility. Of the $456.4$271.1 million available considering borrowing base restrictions, $166.0$121.8 million was available under our European credit facility, and $290.3$146.5 million was available under our North American credit facility. For more information, see Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
An additional funding source for our Europe operations is interest-bearing deposits. Per the terms of our European credit facility, we are permitted to obtain interest-bearing deposit funding of up to SEK 1.2 billion (approximately $134.3$128.4 million as of December 31, 2018)2019). Interest-bearing deposits as of December 31, 20182019 were $82.7$106.2 million.
As discussed in Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, in

In December 2018, we sold 79% of our interest in RCB's servicing platform which provided us with approximately $40 million of net cash proceeds. We received 25% of the proceeds on December 20, 2018 and the remaining 75% in the first quarter of 2019.
We determined that we were in compliance with the covenants of our financing arrangements as of December 31, 2019.
We have the ability to decreaseslow the purchasingpurchase of nonperforming loansfinance receivables if necessary, with low impact to current year cash collections. For example, we invested $1.1 billion$1,289.3 million in portfolio purchasesacquisitions in 2018.2019. The portfolios purchasedacquired in 20182019 generated $154.4$210.2 million of cash collections, representing only 9.5%11.4% of 20182019 cash collections.
Contractual obligations over the next year are primarily related to debt maturities and purchase commitments. Our North American credit facility expires in May 2022. Our European credit facility expires in February 2021. Of our $740.6$425.0 million in long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2018,2019, $10.0 million in principal is due within one year. Additionally, the $287.5 million principal amount of the 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 is due August 1, 2020. Based upon our current availability considering borrowing base restrictions in North America ($146.5 million), our cash on hand, our current ability to negotiate extensions or renew our lines of credit and to secure additional financing in the open market, and our strong operating cash flows, we believe that we have the ability to settle this instrument in cash at maturity.
We have in place forward flow commitments for the purchase of nonperforming loans primarily over the next 12 months with a maximum purchase price of $303.7$497.5 million, as of December 31, 2018.2019. The $497.5 million includes $226.0 million for the Americas and $271.5 million for Europe. We may also enter into new or renewed forward flow commitments and close on spot transactions in addition to the aforementioned forward flow agreements.
On May 10, 2017, we reached a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) in regard to the IRS assertion that tax revenue recognition using the cost recovery method did not clearly reflect taxable income. In accordance with the settlement, our tax accounting method to recognize finance receivables revenue changed effective with tax year 2017. Under the new method, a portion of the annual collections amortizes principal and the remaining portion is taxable income. The revenue related to the difference in timing between the new method and the cost recovery method will be included evenly into our tax filings over four years effective with tax year 2017. We estimate the related tax payments for future years to be approximately $9.3 million per quarter.quarter through the year 2020. No interest or penalties were assessed as part of the settlement.
We believe that funds generated from operations and from cash collections on finance receivables, together with existing cash and available borrowings under our revolving credit facilities will be sufficient to finance our operations, planned capital expenditures, forward flow purchase commitments, and additional portfolio purchasingpurchases during the next twelve months. Business acquisitions, adverse outcomes in pending litigation or higher than expected levels of portfolio purchasing could require additional financing from other sources.
Cash Flows Analysis
OurThe following table summarizes our cash flow activity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 (amounts in thousands):
  2019 2018 2017
Total cash provided by (used in):      
Operating activities $133,388
 $80,866
 $15,475
Investing activities (441,190) (387,251) (294,960)
Financing activities 339,523
 294,926
 295,698
Effect of exchange rate on cash (6,609) (10,362) 10,016
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $25,112
 $(21,821) $26,229
Operating Activities
The change in our cash flows from operating activities provided cash of $80.9 million, $15.5 million, and $205.9 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Key drivers of the changes included2019 was primarily due to cash collections recognized as revenue feeoffset by cash paid for operating expenses, interest, and income taxes. Key drivers of operating activities were adjusted for (i) non-cash items included in net income tax payments, interest paymentssuch as provisions for unrealized gains and operating expenses. In addition,losses, depreciation and amortization, deferred taxes, hedged derivatives, and stock-based compensation and (ii) changes in other accounts relatedthe balances of operating assets and liabilities, which can vary significantly in the normal course of business due to ourthe amount and timing of payments.


Net cash provided by operating activities impacted our cash from operations. Cash collections recognized as revenue were $891.9increased $52.5 million $795.4or 65.0% in 2019 mainly driven by higher net income of $21.9 million and $845.1a $26.6 million gain on sale in 2018 2017 and 2016, respectively. Fee income was $14.9 million, $24.9 million and $77.4 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decline in 2018 and 2017 was primarily the result of the sale of our government services business and PLS in 2017. Cash paid for income taxes was $73.5 million, $144.3 million and $78.8 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The 2017 total included $23.4 million related to the sale of our government services business and $58.3 million related to payment of the deferred tax liability discussed earlier in this section. Interest payments were $97.5 million, $79.8 million and $68.0 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increases were due primarily to increased borrowings and increases in interest rates and unused line fees.RCB.

Investing Activities

Operating expenses were $689.6 million, $602.6 million and $612.4 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. For an analysis of the changes in operating expenses refer to the "Operating expenses" section included in Item 7 of this Form 10-K.
Our investing activities used cash of $387.3 million, $295.0 million, and $317.5 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Cash used in investing activities was primarilyis normally driven by acquisitions of nonperforming loans.loans and purchases of investments. Cash provided by investing activities was primarilyis mainly driven by cash collections applied to principal on finance receivables and proceeds from the sale of investments and subsidiaries. The change in net
Net cash used in investing activities wasincreased $53.9 million or 13.9% in 2019, primarily due to changesfrom a $125.6 million increase in the amounts of acquisitions of finance receivables, which totaled $1,105.8$57.6 million in 2018, comparedof cash used related to $1,086.0 million and $890.8 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively. Additionally, in 2016, net cash payments fora business acquisitions totaled $60.2 million. There were no business acquisitions in 2018 or 2017. The change was also due to changesacquisition in the amountfirst quarter of collections applied to principal on finance receivables which totaled $733.32019, a $40.7 million increase in 2018, compared to $717.2 million,purchases of investments, and $646.8 million in 2017, and 2016, respectively. These items were offset by increases of $4.9 million and $93.3 million in cash provided by investing activities related to the sale of certain of our subsidiaries in 2018 and 2017, respectively. No subsidiaries were sold in 2016. In 2018, cash provided by investing activities included $17.5 million related to the consolidation of a Polish investment fund.fund in 2018. These activities were partially offset by a $109.6 million increase in collections applied to principal on finance receivables, a $49.1 million increase in proceeds from sales and maturities of investments, and $26.3 million in proceeds in the first quarter of 2019 from the sale of RCB in the fourth quarter of 2018.
OurFinancing Activities
Cash for financing activities provided cash of $294.9 million, $295.7 million and $94.4 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The change in cashis normally provided by financing activities in 2018 compared to 2017, was primarily due to a decrease in net draws on our lines of credit and long-term debt. During 2018, net draws on our borrowing activities totaled $324.1 million compared to net draws of $350.3 million during 2017.proceeds from debt offerings. Cash used in financing activities in 2018 compared to 2017 was also impactedis primarily driven by repurchases of common stock, distributions paid to noncontrolling interests andprincipal payments of origination costs and fees. Repurchases of our common stock totaled $44.9 million during 2017, which occurred in combination with our offering of convertible senior notes. There were no repurchases of our common stock during 2018 or 2016. Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests totaled $14.5 million and $1.4 million for 2018 and 2017, respectively. Payments of origination costs and fees totaled $2.3 million during 2018 compared to $18.2 million during 2017. Additionally, during 2018 we had a decrease in interest bearing deposits of $8.7 million, compared to an increase of $13.0 million during 2017. The change in cash provided by financing activities in 2017 compared to 2016, was primarily due to an increase in net draws on our lines of credit and long-term debt, offset partiallydebt.
Cash provided by repurchases of our common stock. During 2017, netfinancing activities increased $44.6 million or 15.1% primarily from a $603.2 million increase in proceeds from borrowing activities were $350.3our lines of credit, a $36.1 million compared to $82.8 million during 2016. Additionally, during 2017 we had an increase infrom interest bearing deposits, and a $32.3 million increase in net contributions from noncontrolling interests, partially offset by a $628.1 million increase in payments on our lines of $13.0 million, compared to an increase of $32.9 million 2016.credit and long term debt.
Undistributed Earnings of ForeignInternational Subsidiaries
We intend to use predominantly all of our accumulated and future undistributed earnings of foreigninternational subsidiaries to expand operations outside the U.S.; therefore, such undistributed earnings of foreigninternational subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. Accordingly, no provision for income tax or withholding tax has been provided thereon. If management's intentions change and eligible undistributed earnings of foreigninternational subsidiaries are repatriated, we could be subject to additional income taxes and withholding taxes. This could result in a higher effective tax rate in the period in which such a decision is made to repatriate accumulated or future undistributed foreigninternational earnings. The amount of cash on hand related to foreigninternational operations with indefinitely reinvested earnings was $78.6$109.7 million and $106.0$78.6 million as of December 31, 20182019 and 2017,2018, respectively. Refer to the Note 1213 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information related to our income taxes and undistributed foreigninternational earnings.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 20182019 as defined by Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act.


Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 20182019 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
 Payments due by period Payments due by period
Contractual Obligations Total Less than 1 year 1 - 3 years 3 - 5 years More than 5 years Total Less than 1 year 1 - 3 years 3 - 5 years More than 5 years
Operating leases $55,072
 $11,470
 $22,260
 $13,476
 $7,866
 $95,373
 $11,846
 $20,702
 $13,411
 $49,414
Revolving credit (1)
 1,326,240
 58,241
 656,260
 611,739
 
 1,936,402
 83,533
 1,847,611
 3,535
 1,723
Long-term debt (2)
 1,627,172
 64,479
 784,442
 778,251
 
 1,260,070
 337,161
 571,871
 351,038
 
Purchase commitments (3)
 303,702
 294,533
 9,169
 
 
 506,907
 497,503
 9,404
 
 
Employment agreements 16,125
 8,651
 7,474
 
 
 7,988
 7,927
 61
 
 
Derivatives $23,663
 $10,294
 $10,222
 $3,047
 $100
Total $3,328,311
 $437,374
 $1,479,605
 $1,403,466
 $7,866
 $3,830,403
 $948,264
 $2,459,871
 $371,031
 $51,237
(1)This amount includesIncludes estimated interest and unused line fees due on our revolving credit facilities and assumes that the outstanding balances on the revolving credit facilities remain constant from the December 31, 20182019 balances to maturity.
(2)This amount includesIncludes scheduled interest and principal payments on our term loans and convertible senior notes.
(3)This amount includesReflects the maximum remaining amount to be purchased under forward flow and other contracts for the purchase of nonperforming loans in the amount of approximately $303.7$506.9 million.

38



Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.GAAP. Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Our significant accounting policies are fundamental to understanding our results of operations and financial condition because they require that we use estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
Three of these policies are considered to be critical because they are important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results, and because they require management to make judgments and estimates that are difficult, subjective, and complex regarding matters that are inherently uncertain.
We base our estimates on historical experience, current trends and various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. If these estimates differ significantly from actual results, the impact on our consolidated financial statements may be material.
Management has reviewed these critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of our board of directors.
Revenue Recognition - Finance Receivables
We account for the vast majority of our investment in finance receivables under the guidance of ASC 310-30. Revenue recognition for finance receivables accounted for under ASC 310-30 involves the use of estimates and the exercise of judgment on the part of management. These estimates include projections of the quantity and timing of future cash flows and economic lives of our pools of finance receivables. Significant changes in such estimates could result in increased revenue via yield increases which are recognized prospectively or increased allowance charges resulting from decreased cash flow estimates which are recognized immediately.
We implement the accounting for income recognized on finance receivables under ASC 310-30 as follows:
We create each accounting pool using our projections of estimated cash flows and expected economic life. We then compute the effective yield that fully amortizes the pool over a reasonable expectation of its economic life based on the current projections of estimated cash flows. As actual cash flow results are recorded, we review each pool watching for trends, actual performance versus projections and curve shape (a graphical depiction of the timing of cash flows). We then re-forecast future cash flows utilizing our proprietary analytical models.

Significant judgment is used in evaluating whether variances in actual performance are due to changes in the total amount or changes in the timing of expected cash flows. Significant changes in either may result in yield increases or allowance charges if necessary for the pool's amortization period to fall within a reasonable expectation of its economic life.



Refer to Note 1 of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K under Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted for further information on revenue recognition of expected credit losses for loans effective January 1, 2020.
Valuation of Acquired Intangibles and Goodwill
In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other" ("ASC 350"), we amortize intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. Goodwill, pursuant to ASC 350, is not amortized but rather evaluated for impairment annually and more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist. Goodwill is reviewed for potential impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment.

Goodwill is evaluated for impairment either under the qualitative assessment option or the two-step test approach depending on facts and circumstances of a reporting unit, including the excess of fair value over carrying amount in the last valuation or changes in business environment. If we qualitatively determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. Otherwise, goodwill is evaluated for impairment using the two-step test, where the carrying amount of a reporting unit is compared to its fair value in Step 1; if the fair value exceeds the carrying amount, Step 2 is unnecessary. If the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, this could indicate potential impairment and Step 2 of the goodwill evaluation process is required to determine if goodwill is impaired and to measure the amount of impairment loss to recognize, if any. When Step 2 is necessary, the fair value of individual assets and liabilities is determined using valuations (which in some cases may be based in part on third-party valuation reports), or other observable sources of fair value, as appropriate. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the excess is recognized as an impairment loss.



We determine the fair value of a reporting unit by applying the approaches prescribed under the fair value measurement accounting framework: the income approach and the market approach. Depending on the availability of public data and suitable comparables, we may or may not use the market approach or we may emphasize the results from the approach differently. Under the income approach, we estimate the fair value of a reporting unit based on the present value of estimated future cash flows and a residual terminal value. Cash flow projections are based on management's estimates of revenue growth rates, operating margins, necessary working capital, and capital expenditure requirements, taking into consideration industry and market conditions. The discount rate used is based on the weighted-average cost of capital adjusted for the relevant risk associated with business-specific characteristics and the uncertainty related to the reporting unit's ability to execute on the projected cash flows. Under the market approach, we estimate fair value based on prices and other relevant market transactions involving comparable publicly-traded companies with operating and investment characteristics similar to the reporting unit.
Income Taxes
We are subject to the income tax laws of the various jurisdictions in which we operate, including U.S. federal, state, local, and international jurisdictions. These tax laws are complex and are subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and the relevant government taxing authorities. When determining our domestic and foreigninternational income tax expense, we must make judgments about the application of these inherently complex laws.
We follow the guidance of FASB ASC Topic 740 "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740") as it relates to the provision for income taxes and uncertainty in income taxes. Accordingly, we record a tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results of operations. In accordance with ASC 740, the provision for income taxes is computed using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and for operating losses and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. The evaluation of a tax position in accordance with the guidance is a two-step process. The first step is recognition: the Company determines whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company should presume that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information. The second step is measurement: a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. We record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
In the event that all or part of the deferred tax assets are determined not to be realizable in the future, a valuation allowance would be established and charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. If we subsequently realize deferred tax assets that were previously determined to be unrealizable, the respective valuation allowance would be reversed, resulting in a positive adjustment to earnings in the period such determination is made. The establishment or release of a valuation allowance


does not have an impact on cash, nor does such an allowance preclude the use of loss carry-forwards or other deferred tax assets in future periods. The calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with our expectations could have a material impact on our results of operations and financial position.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a summary of recent accounting pronouncements and the anticipated effects on our consolidated financial statements see Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Our activities are subject to various financial risks including market risk, currency and interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow risk. Our financial risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimize potential adverse effects on our financial performance. We may periodically enter into derivative financial instruments, typically interest rate and currency derivatives, to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates on variable-rate debt, fluctuations in currency rates and their impact on earnings and cash flows. We do not utilize derivative financial instruments with a level of complexity or with a risk greater than the exposure to be managed nor do we enter into or hold derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. Derivative instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of non-performance, or credit risk. We do


not believe that we currently face a significant risk of loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparties associated with these instruments, as these transactions were executed with a diversified group of major financial institutions with an investment-grade or better credit rating. Our intention is to spread our counterparty credit risk across a number of counterparties so that exposure to a single counterparty is managed through the periodic monitoring of our exposures to such counterparties.minimized.
Interest Rate Risk
We are subject to interest rate risk from outstanding borrowings on our variable rate credit facilities. As such, our consolidated financial results are subject to fluctuations due to changes in the market rate of interest. We assess this interest rate risk by estimating the increase or decrease in interest expense that would occur due to a change in short-term interest rates. The borrowings on our variable rate credit facilities were approximately $1.9$2.2 billion as of December 31, 2018.2019. Based on our current debt structure, assuming a 50 basis point decrease in interest rates, for example, interest expense over the following 12 months would decrease by an estimated $6.8$7.2 million. Assuming a 50 basis point increase in interest rates, interest expense over the following 12 months would increase by an estimated $8.0$7.4 million.
To reduce the exposure to changes in the market rate of interest and to be in compliance with the terms of our European credit facility, we have entered into interest rate derivative contracts for a portion of our borrowings under our floating rate financing arrangements. Further, effective in the second quarter of 2018, we began to apply hedge accounting to certain of our interest rate derivative contracts.  By applying hedge accounting, changes in market value are reflected as adjustments in Other Comprehensive Income. All derivatives to which we have applied hedge accounting were evaluated and remain highly effective at December 31, 2018 and mature in 2020 or 2021.2019. Terms of the interest rate derivative contracts require us to receive a variable interest rate and pay a fixed interest rate. The sensitivity calculations above consider the impact of our interest rate derivative contracts.
The fair value of our interest rate derivative agreements was a net asset of $0.8 million at December 31, 2018. A hypothetical 50 basis point decrease in interest rates would cause a decrease in the estimated fair value of our interest rate derivative agreements and the resulting estimated fair value would be a liability of $2.0 million at December 31, 2018. Conversely, a hypothetical 50 basis point increase in interest rates would cause an increase in the estimated fair value of our interest rate derivative agreements and the resulting estimated fair value would be an asset of $4.3 million at December 31, 2018.
The assumptions used in the interest rate sensitivity calculations do not include the effect of certain interest rate swap contracts that were executed subsequent to year-end and are expected to effectively convert certain of our forecasted interest payments on borrowings under our domestic revolving credit facility from a variable rate to a fixed rate.
Currency Exchange Risk
We operate internationally and enter into transactions denominated in various foreign currencies. In 2018,2019, we generated $289.1$343.8 million of revenues from operations outside the U.S. and used eleven functional currencies.currencies, excluding the U.S. dollar. Weakness in one particular currency might be offset by strength in other currencies over time.
As a result of our international operations, fluctuations in foreign currencies could cause us to incur foreign currency exchange gains and losses, and could adversely affect our comprehensive income and stockholders' equity. Additionally, our reported financial results could change from period to period due solely to fluctuations between currencies.


Foreign currency gains and losses are primarily the result of the re-measurement of transactions in certain other currencies into an entity's functional currency. Foreign currency gains and losses are included as a component of other income and (expense) in our consolidated income statements. From time to time we may elect to enter into foreign exchange derivative contracts to reduce these variations in our consolidated income statements.
When an entity's functional currency is different than the reporting currency of its parent, foreign currency translation adjustments may occur. Foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a component of other comprehensive income/(loss)/income in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and as a component of equity in our consolidated balance sheets.
We have taken measures to mitigate the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. We have organized our European operations so that portfolio ownership and collections generally occur within the same entity. Our European credit facility is a multicurrencymulti-currency facility, allowing us to better match funding and portfolio investmentspurchasing by currency. We strive to maintainactively monitor the distribution of our European borrowings within defined thresholds based on the currency compositionvalue of our finance receivables portfolios. When those thresholdsby currency. In the event adjustments are exceeded,required to our liability composition by currency we engage inmay, from time to time, execute re-balancing foreign exchange spot transactionscontracts to mitigate our risk.more closely align funding and portfolio purchasing by currency.


41





Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
See Item 6 for quarterly consolidated financial statements for 20182019 and 2017.2018.
Index to Financial Statements



42





Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
PRA Group, Inc.:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of PRA Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 20182019 and 2017,2018, the related consolidated income statements, statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018,2019, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20182019 and 2017,2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018,2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018,2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 12, 20192, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Notes 1 and 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases as of January 1, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 842, Leases.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Assessment of income recognized on finance receivables and the valuation allowance and net allowance charges

As discussed in Notes 1 and 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s finance receivables balance as of December 31, 2019 was $3.5 billion and the related valuation allowance was $281.3 million. Income recognized on finance receivables for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $998.4 million and net allowances charges for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $24.0 million. The Company accounts for its investment in finance receivables and recognizes revenue under ASC 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, which involves the use of estimates and the exercise of judgment on the part of the Company. These estimates include projections of the amount and timing of future cash flows and economic lives of the pools of finance receivables.


Significant changes in such estimates could result in increased revenue through yield increases which are recognized prospectively or increased allowance charges resulting from decreased cash flow estimates which are recognized immediately. As actual cash flow results are recorded, the Company reviews each pool for trends, actual performance versus projections and curve shape (a graphical depiction of the timing of cash flows). The Company then re-forecasts future cash flows.

We identified the assessment of income recognized on finance receivables and the valuation allowance and net allowance charges as a critical audit matter because it involved significant measurement uncertainty that required complex auditor judgment and specialized knowledge and experience. In addition, auditor judgment was required to evaluate the sufficiency of audit evidence obtained. The future cash flows and economic lives of each pool have sensitivity such that minor changes could have had a significant impact on the total income recognized on finance receivables, and the valuation allowance and net allowance charges. Additionally, there was a high level of subjectivity in performing procedures related to the estimation of future cash flows and the economic lives used to determine (1) income recognized on finance receivables, including the yield rate, and (2) the valuation allowance and net allowance charges.

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following. We tested certain internal controls over the Company's process to (1) develop estimates of future cash flows and determine the economic lives used to recognize income and (2) determine the valuation allowance and net allowance charges. We evaluated the Company’s process to develop the estimates by testing certain sources of data, factors, and assumptions. This included considering the relevance and reliability of such data, factors and assumptions including historical trends, operational factors related to the collections process, and actual performance versus projections. We compared the Company's historical cash collection estimates to actual results to assess the Company's ability to accurately forecast. In addition, we involved credit risk professionals with specialized industry knowledge and experience who assisted in:
performing sensitivity analyses utilizing different assumptions of the future cash flows to assess the magnitude of the impact on the Company's income recognition on finance receivables, the valuation allowance and net allowance charges and economic lives;
assessing the Company's estimates of future cash flows of a selection of pools of finance receivables, by comparing to historical trends and evaluating relevant metrics.

We evaluated the collective results of the procedures performed to assess the sufficiency of the audit evidence obtained related to the Company’s income recognized on finance receivables and the valuation allowance and net allowance charges.

/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2007.
Norfolk, Virginia
March 12, 20192, 2020



44





PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2019 and 2018
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
 2019 2018
Assets   
Cash and cash equivalents$119,774
 $98,695
Investments56,176
 45,173
Finance receivables, net3,514,165
 3,084,777
Other receivables, net10,606
 46,157
Income taxes receivable17,918
 16,809
Deferred tax asset, net63,225
 61,453
Right-of-use assets68,972
 
Property and equipment, net56,501
 54,136
Goodwill480,794
 464,116
Intangible assets, net4,497
 5,522
Other assets31,263
 32,721
Total assets$4,423,891
 $3,909,559
Liabilities and Equity   
Liabilities:   
Accounts payable$4,258
 $6,110
Accrued expenses88,925
 79,396
Income taxes payable4,046
 15,080
Deferred tax liability, net85,390
 114,979
Lease liabilities73,377
 
Interest-bearing deposits106,246
 82,666
Borrowings2,808,425
 2,473,656
Other liabilities26,211
 7,370
Total liabilities3,196,878
 2,779,257
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
 6,333
Equity:
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 2,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 45,416 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019; 100,000 shares authorized, 45,304 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018454
 453
Additional paid-in capital67,321
 60,303
Retained earnings1,362,631
 1,276,473
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(261,018) (242,109)
Total stockholders' equity - PRA Group, Inc.1,169,388
 1,095,120
Noncontrolling interests57,625
 28,849
Total equity1,227,013
 1,123,969
Total liabilities and equity$4,423,891
 $3,909,559
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


45


PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Income Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
 2018 2017
Assets   
Cash and cash equivalents$98,695
 $120,516
Investments45,173
 78,290
Finance receivables, net3,084,777
 2,776,199
Other receivables, net46,157
 15,770
Income taxes receivable16,809
 21,686
Net deferred tax asset61,453
 56,459
Property and equipment, net54,136
 49,311
Goodwill464,116
 526,513
Intangible assets, net5,522
 23,572
Other assets32,721
 32,656
Total assets$3,909,559
 $3,700,972
Liabilities and Equity   
Liabilities:   
Accounts payable$6,110
 $4,992
Accrued expenses79,396
 85,993
Income taxes payable15,080
 10,771
Net deferred tax liability114,979
 171,185
Interest-bearing deposits82,666
 98,580
Borrowings2,473,656
 2,170,182
Other liabilities7,370
 9,018
Total liabilities2,779,257
 2,550,721
Redeemable noncontrolling interest6,333
 9,534
Equity:
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 2,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 45,304 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018; 100,000 shares authorized, 45,189 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017453
 452
Additional paid-in capital60,303
 53,870
Retained earnings1,276,473
 1,214,840
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(242,109) (178,607)
Total stockholders' equity - PRA Group, Inc.1,095,120
 1,090,555
Noncontrolling interests28,849
 50,162
Total equity1,123,969
 1,140,717
Total liabilities and equity$3,909,559
 $3,700,972
 2019 2018 2017
Revenues:     
Income recognized on finance receivables$998,361
 $891,899
 $795,435
Fee income15,769
 14,916
 24,916
Other revenue2,951
 1,441
 7,855
Total revenues1,017,081
 908,256
 828,206
      
Net allowance charges(24,025) (33,425) (11,898)
      
Operating expenses:     
Compensation and employee services310,441
 319,400
 273,033
Legal collection fees55,261
 42,941
 43,351
Legal collection costs134,156
 104,988
 76,047
Agency fees55,812
 33,854
 35,530
Outside fees and services63,513
 61,492
 62,792
Communication44,057
 43,224
 33,132
Rent and occupancy17,854
 16,906
 14,823
Depreciation and amortization17,464
 19,322
 19,763
Other operating expenses46,811
 47,444
 44,103
Total operating expenses745,369
 689,571
 602,574
Income from operations247,687
 185,260
 213,734
Other income and (expense):     
Gain on sale of subsidiaries
 26,575
 48,474
Interest expense, net(141,918) (121,078) (98,041)
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)11,954
 (944) (1,104)
Other(364) (316) (2,790)
Income before income taxes117,359
 89,497
 160,273
Income tax expense/(benefit)19,680
 13,763
 (10,852)
Net income97,679
 75,734
 171,125
Adjustment for net income attributable to noncontrolling interests11,521
 10,171
 6,810
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$86,158
 $65,563
 $164,315
Net income per share attributable to PRA Group, Inc.:     
Basic$1.90
 $1.45
 $3.60
Diluted$1.89
 $1.44
 $3.59
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:     
Basic45,387
 45,280
 45,671
Diluted45,577
 45,413
 45,823
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Income Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
46

 2018 2017 2016
Revenues:     
Income recognized on finance receivables$891,899
 $795,435
 $845,142
Fee income14,916
 24,916
 77,381
Other revenue1,441
 7,855
 8,080
Total revenues908,256
 828,206
 930,603
      
Net allowance charges(33,425) (11,898) (98,479)
      
Operating expenses:     
Compensation and employee services319,400
 273,033
 258,846
Legal collection fees42,941
 43,351
 47,717
Legal collection costs104,988
 76,047
 84,485
Agency fees33,854
 35,530
 44,922
Outside fees and services61,492
 62,792
 63,098
Communication43,224
 33,132
 33,771
Rent and occupancy16,906
 14,823
 15,710
Depreciation and amortization19,322
 19,763
 24,359
Other operating expenses47,444
 44,103
 39,466
Total operating expenses689,571
 602,574
 612,374
      
Income from operations185,260
 213,734
 219,750
      
Other income and (expense):     
Gain on sale of subsidiaries26,575
 48,474
 
Interest expense, net(121,078) (98,041) (80,864)
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain(944) (1,104) 2,564
Other(316) (2,790) (5,823)
Income before income taxes89,497
 160,273
 135,627
Income tax expense/(benefit)13,763
 (10,852) 43,577
Net income75,734
 171,125
 92,050
Adjustment for net income attributable to noncontrolling interests10,171
 6,810
 5,795
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$65,563
 $164,315
 $86,255
      
Net income per share attributable to PRA Group, Inc.:     
Basic$1.45
 $3.60
 $1.86
Diluted$1.44
 $3.59
 $1.86
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:     
Basic45,280
 45,671
 46,316
Diluted45,413
 45,823
 46,388
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017
(Amounts in thousands)
 2018 2017 2016
Net income$75,734
 $171,125
 $92,050
Other comprehensive income/(loss):     
Change in foreign currency translation(63,544) 67,858
 (14,559)
Total comprehensive income12,190
 238,983
 77,491
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests:     
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests10,171
 6,810
 5,795
Change in foreign currency translation(42) (5,478) 8,490
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests10,129
 1,332
 14,285
Comprehensive income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$2,061
 $237,651
 $63,206
 2019 2018 2017
Net income$97,679
 $75,734
 $171,125
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax:     
Currency translation adjustments(6,359) (63,505) 67,858
Cash flow hedges(13,132) 44
 
Debt securities available-for-sale39
 (83) 
Other comprehensive (loss)/income(19,452) (63,544) 67,858
Total comprehensive income78,227
 12,190
 238,983
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests10,978
 10,129
 1,332
Comprehensive income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$67,249
 $2,061
 $237,651
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

47



PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017
(Amounts in thousands)
Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated  Other Comprehensive (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total EquityCommon Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated  Other Comprehensive (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total Equity
Shares Amount Shares Amount 
                          
Balance at December 31, 201546,173
 $462
 $64,622
 $964,270
 $(228,861) $39,254
 $839,747
Components of comprehensive income:             
Balance at December 31, 201646,356
 $464
 $66,414
 $1,050,525
 $(251,944) $52,862
 $918,321
Components of comprehensive income, net of tax:             
Net income
 
 
 86,255
 
 6,018
 92,273

 
 
 164,315
 
 6,587
 170,902
Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
 
 
 (23,083) 8,524
 (14,559)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 (934) (934)
Vesting of restricted stock183
 2
 (2) 
 
 
 
Share-based compensation expense
 
 6,138
 
 
 
 6,138
Excess income tax benefit from share-based compensation
 
 (1,494) 
 
 
 (1,494)
Employee stock relinquished for payment of taxes
 
 (2,850) 
 
 
 (2,850)
Balance at December 31, 201646,356
 $464
 $66,414
 $1,050,525
 $(251,944) $52,862
 $918,321
Components of comprehensive income:             
Net income
 
 
 164,315
 
 6,587
 170,902
Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
 
 
 73,337
 (7,202) 66,135
Currency translation adjustment
 
 
 
 73,337
 (7,202) 66,135
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 (2,085) (2,085)
 
 
 
 
 (2,085) (2,085)
Vesting of restricted stock145
 1
 (1) 
 
 
 
145
 1
 (1) 
 
 
 
Repurchase and cancellation of common stock(1,312) (13) (44,896) 
 
 
 (44,909)(1,312) (13) (44,896) 
 
 
 (44,909)
Share-based compensation expense
 
 8,678
 
 
 
 8,678

 
 8,678
 
 
 
 8,678
Excess income tax benefit from share-based compensation
 
 (3,022) 
 
 
 (3,022)
Employee stock relinquished for payment of taxes
 
 (3,022) 
 
 
 (3,022)
 
 44,910
 
 
 
 44,910
Component of convertible debt
 
 44,910
 
 
 
 44,910

 
 (18,213) 
 
 
 (18,213)
Deferred taxes on component of convertible debt
 
 (18,213) 
 
 
 (18,213)
Balance at December 31, 201745,189
 $452
 $53,870
 $1,214,840
 $(178,607) $50,162
 $1,140,717
45,189
 $452
 $53,870
 $1,214,840
 $(178,607) $50,162
 $1,140,717
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - equity securities (1)

 
 
 (3,930) 
 
 (3,930)
 
 
 (3,930) 
 
 (3,930)
Balance at January 1, 201845,189
 $452
 $53,870
 $1,210,910
 $(178,607) $50,162
 $1,136,787
45,189
 $452
 $53,870
 $1,210,910
 $(178,607) $50,162
 $1,136,787
Components of comprehensive income:             
Components of comprehensive income, net of tax:             
Net income
 
 
 65,563
 
 10,171
 75,734

 
 
 65,563
 
 10,171
 75,734
Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
 
 
 (63,502) (42) (63,544)
Currency translation adjustment
 
 
 
 (63,463) (42) (63,505)
Cash flow hedges







44



44
Debt securities available-for-sale







(83)


(83)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 (33,271) (33,271)
 
 
 
 
 (33,271) (33,271)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 1,829
 1,829
Vesting of restricted stock115
 1
 (1) 
 
 
 
115
 1
 (1) 
 
 
 
Share-based compensation expense
 
 8,521
 
 
 
 8,521

 
 8,521
 
 
 
 8,521
Employee stock relinquished for payment of taxes
 
 (2,087) 
 
 
 (2,087)
 
 (2,087) 
 
 
 (2,087)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 1,829
 1,829
Balance at December 31, 201845,304
 $453
 $60,303
 $1,276,473
 $(242,109) $28,849
 $1,123,969
45,304
 $453
 $60,303
 $1,276,473
 $(242,109) $28,849
 $1,123,969
Components of comprehensive income, net of tax:             
Net income
 
 
 86,158
 
 11,521
 97,679
Currency translation adjustments
 
 
 
 (5,816) (543) (6,359)
Cash flow hedges
 
 
 
 (13,132) 
 (13,132)
Debt securities available-for-sale
 
 
 
 39
 
 39
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 (6,877) (6,877)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 24,675
 24,675
Vesting of restricted stock112
 1
 (1) 
 
 
 
Share-based compensation expense
 
 10,717
 
 
 
 10,717
Employee stock relinquished for payment of taxes
 
 (1,609) 
 
 
 (1,609)
Other



(2,089)






(2,089)
Balance at December 31, 201945,416
 $454
 $67,321
 $1,362,631
 $(261,018) $57,625
 $1,227,013
(1) Relates to the adoption of ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" ("ASU 2016-01"). Refer to Note 3 for further detail.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

48



PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017
(Amounts in thousands)
2018 2017 20162019 2018 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income$75,734
 $171,125
 $92,050
$97,679
 $75,734
 $171,125
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Share-based compensation expense8,521
 8,678
 6,138
10,717
 8,521
 8,678
Depreciation and amortization19,322
 19,763
 24,359
17,464
 19,322
 19,763
Gain on sale of subsidiaries(26,575) (48,474) 

 (26,575) (48,474)
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs22,057
 18,152
 10,276
22,987
 22,057
 18,152
Impairment of investments
 1,745
 5,823

 
 1,745
Deferred tax benefit(56,208) (130,138) (21,314)(37,561) (56,208) (130,138)
Net unrealized foreign currency transaction loss/(gain)5,730
 (1,098) (2,364)
Net unrealized foreign currency transactions(4,543) 5,730
 (1,098)
Fair value in earnings for equity securities(3,502) 
 
(5,826) (3,502) 
Net allowance charges33,425
 11,898
 98,479
24,025
 33,425
 11,898
Other
 (4,033) 
Other operating activities(234) 
 (4,033)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Other assets(2,180) (460) 1,861
3,313
 (2,180) (460)
Other receivables, net(4,269) (3,461) 10,016
6,300
 (4,269) (3,461)
Accounts payable1,321
 2,743
 (2,087)(2,070) 1,321
 2,743
Income taxes receivable/(payable), net9,390
 (22,715) (13,663)
Income taxes (payable)/receivable, net(12,375) 9,390
 (22,715)
Accrued expenses(1,334) (5,752) (9,724)11,632
 (1,334) (5,752)
Other liabilities(566) (2,498) 6,053
1,149
 (566) (2,498)
Right of use asset/lease liability731
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities80,866
 15,475
 205,903
133,388
 80,866
 15,475
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchases of property and equipment(20,521) (22,840) (14,160)(18,033) (20,521) (22,840)
Acquisition of finance receivables(1,105,759) (1,086,029) (890,803)(1,231,351) (1,105,759) (1,086,029)
Collections applied to principal on finance receivables733,306
 717,170
 646,844
842,910
 733,306
 717,170
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
 (60,241)
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired(57,610) 
 
Cash received upon consolidation of Polish investment fund17,531
 
 

 17,531
 
Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries, net4,905
 93,304
 
31,177
 4,905
 93,304
Purchase of investments(42,622) (6,688) (6,052)(83,291) (42,622) (6,688)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments25,909
 10,123
 6,898
75,008
 25,909
 10,123
Net cash used in investing activities(387,251) (294,960) (317,514)(441,190) (387,251) (294,960)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Proceeds from lines of credit737,464
 1,260,161
 985,751
1,340,700
 737,464
 1,260,161
Principal payments on lines of credit(403,348) (1,549,833) (1,007,234)(728,282) (403,348) (1,549,833)
Principal payments on notes payable and long-term debt(313,165) (10,000) (15,021)
Proceeds from long-term debt
 
 310,000
Proceeds from convertible debt
 
 345,000
Repurchases of common stock
 (44,909) 

 
 (44,909)
Tax withholdings related to share-based payments(2,087) (3,022) (2,850)(1,609) (2,087) (3,022)
Payments of origination costs and fees
(2,260) (18,240) (17,539)
 (2,260) (18,240)
Cash paid for purchase of portion of noncontrolling interest(1,664) 
 
(1,255) (1,664) 
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interest(14,486) (1,429) (934)(6,877) (14,486) (1,429)
Proceeds from long-term debt
 310,000
 297,893
Principal payments on notes payable and long-term debt(10,000) (15,021) (193,580)
Net (decrease)/increase in interest-bearing deposits(8,693) 12,991
 32,905
Proceeds from convertible debt
 345,000
 
Contributions from noncontrolling interest24,675
 
 
Net increase/(decrease) in interest-bearing deposits27,427
 (8,693) 12,991
Other financing activities(2,091) 
 
Net cash provided by financing activities294,926
 295,698
 94,412
339,523
 294,926
 295,698
Effect of exchange rate on cash(10,362) 10,016
 40,114
(6,609) (10,362) 10,016
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents(21,821) 26,229
 22,915
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents25,112
 (21,821) 26,229
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year120,516
 94,287
 71,372
98,695
 120,516
 94,287
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year$98,695
 $120,516
 $94,287
$123,807
 $98,695
 $120,516
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:          
Cash paid for interest$97,475
 $79,825
 $67,987
$119,424
 $97,475
 $79,825
Cash paid for income taxes73,483
 144,341
 78,754
68,979
 73,483
 144,341
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reconciliation:     
Cash and cash equivalents per Consolidated Balance Sheets$119,774
 $98,695
 $120,516
Restricted cash included in Other Assets per Consolidated Balance Sheets4,033
 
 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$123,807
 $98,695
 $120,516
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

49

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements




1. General and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:Policies:
Nature of operations: As used herein, the terms "PRA Group," the "Company," or similar terms refer to PRA Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
PRA Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a global financial and business services company with operations in the Americas, Europe, and Europe.Australia. The Company's primary business is the purchase, collection and management of portfolios of nonperforming loans. The Company also provides fee-based services on class action claims recoveries and by servicing of consumer bankruptcy accounts in the United States ("U.S.").
Basis of presentation: The consolidated financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and include the accounts of all of its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Realized results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
Reclassification of prior year presentation and correction of immaterial errors:presentation: Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation. In addition, certain prior year amounts have been revised to correct immaterial errors. For additional information on the correction of the immaterial errors see Note 17.
The Company revised the presentation of its consolidated income statements for all reporting periods by reclassifying allowance adjustments to the valuation of its finance receivables as a line item separate from revenues. As a result, the Company no longer includes valuation allowances as part of "Income recognized on finance receivables, net" and reports income recognized on finance receivables gross of valuation allowances. This presentation change had no impact on "Net income per common share attributable to PRA Group, Inc." The Company also revised the presentation in its consolidated statement of cash flows for all reporting periods by reclassifying net allowance charges on its finance receivables from investing activities to operating activities. This presentation change had no other impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Segments: Under the guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") ASC Topic 280 "Segment Reporting" ("ASC 280"), the Company has determined that it has several operating segments that meet the aggregation criteria of ASC 280, and, therefore, it has one reportable segment, accounts receivable management, based on similarities among the operating units including economic characteristics, the nature of the products and services, the nature of the production processes, the types or class of customer for their products and services, the methods used to distribute their products and services, and the nature of the regulatory environment.
Foreign currency: Assets and liabilities have been translated to the reporting currency using the exchange rates in effect on the consolidated balance sheet dates. Equity accounts are translated at historical rates, except for the change in retained earnings during the year which is the result of the income statement translation process. Revenue and expense accounts are translated using the weighted average exchange rate during the period. The cumulative translation adjustments associated with the net assets of foreigninternational subsidiaries are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the accompanying consolidated statements of changes in equity.
Segments: Under the guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") ASC Topic 280 "Segment Reporting" ("ASC 280"), the Company has determined that it has several operating segments that meet the aggregation criteria of ASC 280, and, therefore, it has 1 reportable segment, accounts receivable management. This conclusion is based on similarities among the operating units, including economic characteristics, the nature of the products and services, the nature of the production processes, the types or class of customer for their products and services, the methods used to distribute their products, and services and the nature of the regulatory environment.
Revenues and long-lived assets by geographical location: Revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016,2017, and long-lived assets held at December 31, 2019 and 2018, both for the U.S., the Company's country of domicile, and 2017, by geographical locationoutside of the U.S. were (amounts in thousands) were::
 Years Ended December 31, As of December 31,
 2019 2018 2017 2019 2018
 Revenues 
Long-Lived Assets (2)
United States$673,264
 $619,172
 $560,278
 $112,233
 $48,581
United Kingdom120,377
 99,817
 81,322
 3,553
 1,543
Others (1)
223,440
 189,267
 186,606
 9,687
 4,012
Total$1,017,081
 $908,256
 $828,206
 $125,473
 $54,136

 Years Ended December 31, As of December 31,
 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017
 Revenues Long-Lived Assets
United States$619,172
 $560,278
 $673,881
 $48,581
 $41,850
United Kingdom99,817
 81,322
 78,930
 1,543
 2,445
Others (1)
189,267
 186,606
 177,792
 4,012
 5,016
Total$908,256
 $828,206
 $930,603
 $54,136
 $49,311
(1) None of the countries included in "Others" comprise greater than 10% of the Company's consolidated revenues or long-lived assets.
(2) 2019 includes right-of-use assets from the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019. Refer to Note 4.
Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the related operations. Long-lived assets consist of net property and equipment.equipment and right-of-use-assets. The Company reports revenues earned from nonperforming loan purchasingacquisitions and collection activities, fee-based
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

services and its investments. For additional information on the Company's investments, see Note 3. It is impracticable for the Company to report further breakdowns of revenues from external customers by product or service.
Cash and cash equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Concentrations of credit risk: Financial instruments, which potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash, investments and finance receivables.

50

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss): loss: The Company records unrealized gains and losses on certain available-for-sale investments and foreign currency translation adjustments in other comprehensive income. Unrealized gains and losses on available for sale investments are reclassified to earnings as the gains or losses are realized upon sale of the securities. Translation gains or losses on foreign currency translation adjustments are reclassified to earnings upon the substantial sale or liquidation of investments in foreigninternational operations. For the Company’s financial derivative instruments that are designated as hedging instruments, the change in fair value of the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income.
Investments:
Debt Securities. The Company accounts for its investments in debt securities under the guidance of ASC Topic 320, "Investments-Debt Securities" ("ASC 320"). The Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments in debt securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such determinations at each balance sheet date. Debt securities are classified as held to maturity when the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Debt securities for which the Company does not have the intent or ability to hold to maturity are classified as available for sale. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost. Available for sale securities are carried at fair market value. Fair value with the unrealizedis determined using quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses net of tax,are included in the determination of comprehensive income and reported in stockholders' equity. If the fair value of the investment falls below its carrying amount and the decline is deemed to be other than temporary, the investment is written down, with a corresponding charge to earnings.
Equity Securities. The Company accounts for its investments in equity securities in accordance with ASC Topic 321, “Investments-Equity Securities” (“ASC 321”), which requires that investments in equity securities be measured at fair value with changes in unrealized gains and losses reported in earnings. The Company's investment in equity securities have historically been carried at cost. Incost with income recognized in Other Revenue in the consolidated income statements when distributions, up to reported income, were received from the partnerships. As of first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update"Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" ("ASU"ASU 2016-01") 2016-01, which, requires that investments in equity securities be measured at fair value with changes in unrealized gains and losses reported in earnings. See Note 3 for additional information.
Equity Method Investments.Equity method investments that are not consolidated, but over which the Company exercises significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Whether or not the Company exercises significant influence with respect to an investee company depends on an evaluation of several factors including, among others, representation on the investee company’s board of directors and ownership level, which is generally a 20% to 50% interest in the voting securities of the investee company. Under the equity method of accounting, an investee company’s accounts are not reflected within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and income statements; however, the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of the investee company is reflected in the caption ‘‘Other revenue’’ in the consolidated income statements. The Company’s carrying value in an equity method investee company is reflected in the caption ‘‘Investments’’ in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
When the Company’s carrying value in an equity method investee company is reduced to zero, no further losses are recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements unless the Company guaranteed obligations of the investee company or has committed additional funding. When the investee company subsequently reports income, the Company will not record its share of such income until it equals the amount of its share of losses not previously recognized.
Finance receivables and income recognition: The Company accounts for its investment in finance receivables under the guidance of ASC Topic 310-30, "Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality" ("ASC 310-30"). The Company acquires portfolios of accounts that have experienced deterioration of credit quality between origination and the Company's acquisition of the accounts. The amount paid for a portfolio reflects the Company's determination that it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to an account's contractual terms. At acquisition, the Company reviews the accounts to determine whether there is evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination, and if it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the loan's contractual terms. If both conditions exist, the Company then determines whether each such account is to be accounted for individually or whether such accounts will be assembled into pools based on common risk characteristics. The Company considers expected prepayments and estimates the amount and timing of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows (expected at acquisition) for each acquired portfolio based
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

on the Company's proprietary models, and the Company subsequently aggregates portfolios of accounts into quarterly pools. The Company determines the excess of the pool's scheduled contractual principal and contractual interest payments over all cash flows expected at acquisition as an amount that should not be accreted (nonaccretable difference). The remaining amount, representing the excess of the pool's cash flows expected to be collected over the amount paid, is accreted into income recognized on finance receivables over the remaining estimated life of the pool (accretable yield). ASC 310-30 requires that the excess of the contractual cash flows over expected cash flows, based on the Company's estimates derived from proprietary collection models, not be recognized as an adjustment of revenue or expense or on the balance sheet.

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PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Each pool is recorded at cost and is accounted for as a single unit for the recognition of income, payments applied to principal and loss provision. Once a pool is established for a calendar quarter, individual receivable accounts are not added to the pool (unless replaced by the seller) or removed from the pool (unless sold or returned to the seller). The yield is estimated and periodically recalculated based on the timing and amount of anticipated cash flows. Income on finance receivables is accrued quarterly based on each pool's effective yield. Significant increases in expected future cash flows may be recognized prospectively, through an upward adjustment of the yield, over a pool's remaining life. Under ASC 310-30, rather than lowering the estimated yield if the collection estimates are below previous expectations, the carrying value of a pool would be written down to maintain the then current yield and is shown as an allowance charge in the consolidated income statements with a corresponding valuation allowance offsetting finance receivables on the consolidated balance sheets. Cash flows greater than the interest accrual will reduce the carrying value of the pool. This reduction in carrying value is defined as payments applied to principal (also referred to as principal amortization). Likewise, cash flows that are less than the interest accrual will accrete the carrying balance. Generally, the Company does not record accretion in the first six to twelve months of the estimated life of the pool; accordingly, the Company utilizes either the cost recovery method or cash method when necessary to prevent accretion as permitted by ASC 310-30. Under the cash method, revenue is recognized as it would be under the interest method up to the amount of cash collections. Under the cost recovery method, no revenue is recognized until the Company has fully collected the cost of the pool, or until such time that the Company considers the collections to be probable and estimable and begins to recognize income based on the interest method as described above. The Company also uses the cost recovery method when collections on a particular pool of accounts cannot be reasonably estimated.
A pool can become fully amortized (zero carrying balance on the balance sheet) while still generating cash collections. In this case, all subsequent cash collections are recognized as revenue when received.
The Company records a valuation allowance when significant decreases in expected cash flows are identified or there are changes in the timing of expected cash flows that would otherwise require a reduction in the stated yield on a pool of accounts. Factors that may contribute to the recording of valuation allowances include both external and internal factors. External factors that may have an impact on the collectability, and subsequently on the overall profitability of purchasedacquired pools of nonperforming loans, would include new laws or regulations relating to collections, new interpretations of existing laws or regulations, and the overall condition of the economy. Internal factors that may have an impact on the collectability, and subsequently the overall profitability of purchasedacquired pools of nonperforming loans, would include necessary revisions to initial and post-acquisition scoring and modeling estimates, non-optimal operational activities, (which relate to the collection and movement of accounts on both the collection floor of the Company and external channels), and decreases in productivity related to turnover and tenure of the Company's collection staff.
The Company capitalizes certain fees paid to third parties related to the direct acquisition of a portfolio of accounts. These fees are added to the acquisition cost of the portfolio and accordingly are amortized over the life of the portfolio using the interest method.
The agreements to purchase the aforementioned receivablesnonperforming loans include general representations and warranties from the sellers covering account holder death or bankruptcyinsolvency and accounts settled or disputed prior to sale. The representation and warranty period permitting the return of these accounts from the Company to the seller is typically 90 to 180 days. Any funds received from the seller as a return of purchase price are referred to as buybacks. Buyback funds are applied against the finance receivable balance received and are not included in the Company's cash collections from operations. In some cases, the seller will replace the returned accounts with new accounts in lieu of returning the purchase price. In that case, the old account is removed from the pool and the new account is added.
Fee income recognition: The Company utilizes the provisions of Topic 13A1 of Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 104, “Revenue Recognition” ("Topic 13A1") to account for fee incomerecognizes revenue from its class action claims recovery services. Topic 13A1 requires an analysis to be completed to determine ifservices when there is persuasive evidence ofthat an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the seller’s price to the buyeramount is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Property and equipment: Property and equipment, including improvements that significantly add to the productive capacity or extend useful life, are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Property and equipment are depreciated over their useful lives using the straight-line method of depreciation. Software and computer equipment are amortized or depreciated over three to five years. Furniture and fixtures are depreciated over five to ten years. Equipment is depreciated over five to seven years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the useful life, which ranges from three to ten years, or the remaining term of the lease. Building improvements are depreciated straight-line over ten to thirty-nine years. When property is sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet and any gain or loss is included in the income statement.
Business combinations: The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method.method in accordance with ASC 805, "Business Combinations" ("ASC 805"). The cost of an acquired company is assigned to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and the liabilities assumed on the basis of their fair values at the date of acquisition. The determination of fair

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PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management to make estimates and use valuation techniques when market values are not readily available. Any excess of purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired is allocated to goodwill. Transaction costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred.
Goodwill and intangible assets: Goodwill, in accordance with ASC Topic 350, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other" ("ASC 350"), is not amortized but rather is reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist. The Company performs its annual assessment as of October 1. The Company may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If management concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, management conducts a two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. The first step of the impairment test involves comparing the fair value of the applicable reporting unit with its carrying value. The Company estimates the fair values of its reporting units using a combination of the income approach, which uses present value techniques, and the market approach, which uses market multiples from comparable transactions where the acquisition target has similar operating and investment characteristics to the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, management performs the second step of the goodwill impairment test. The second step of the goodwill impairment test involves comparing the implied fair value of the affected reporting unit's goodwill with the carrying value of that goodwill. The amount by which the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, if any, is recognized as an impairment loss. See Note 5 for additional information.
Convertible senior notes: The Company accounts for its 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 (the "2020 Notes") and its 3.50% Convertible Notes due 2023 (the "2023 Notes" and, together with the 2020 Notes, the "Notes") in accordance with ASC 470-20, "Debt with Conversion and Other Options" ("ASC 470-20"). ASC 470-20 requires that, for convertible debt instruments that must be settled fully or partially in cash upon conversion, issuers must separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that will reflect the entity's nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. The excess of the principal amount of the liability component over its carrying amount is amortized to interest expense over the expected life of a similar liability that does not have an associated equity component, using the effective interest method. The equity component is not remeasured as long as it continues to meet the conditions for equity classification under ASC 815-40, "Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity." Transaction costs incurred with third parties are allocated to the liability and equity components in proportion to the allocation of proceeds and accounted for as debt issuance costs and equity issuance costs, respectively.
For diluted earnings per share purposes, based upon the Company's intent and ability to settle conversions of the Notes through a combination of cash and shares, only the conversion spread is included in the diluted earnings per share calculation, if dilutive. Under such method, the settlement of the conversion spread has a dilutive effect when the average share price of the Company's common stock during any quarter exceeds $65.72 for the 2020 Notes or $46.24 for the 2023 Notes, neither of which occurred during the respective periods from when the Notes were issued through December 31, 2018.2019.
Income taxes: The Company follows the guidance of ASC Topic 740 "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740") as it relates to the provision for income taxes and uncertainty in income taxes. Accordingly, the Company records a tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results of operations. The provision for income taxes is estimated using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and for operating losses and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those tax assets are expected to be realized or settled.
The evaluation of a tax position in accordance with the guidance is a two-step process. The first step is recognition: the enterprise determines whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the enterprise should presume that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information. The second step is measurement: a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense when positions are not met.
In the event that all or part of the deferred tax assets are determined not to be realizable in the future, a valuation allowance would be established and charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. If the Company subsequently realizes

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PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

deferred tax assets that were previously determined to be unrealizable, the respective valuation allowance would be reversed, resulting in a positive adjustment to earnings.
The estimate of income tax expense involves significant judgment in evaluating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with our expectations could have a material impact on our results of operations and financial position.
For tax purposes, the Company utilized the cost recovery method of accounting for its finance receivable income through December 31, 2016. Under the cost recovery method, collections on finance receivables are applied first to principal to reduce the finance receivables balance to zero before taxable income is recognized. Beginning with the 2017 tax year, the Company utilizes a new tax accounting method to recognize net finance receivables income. Under the new method, a portion of the annual collections amortize principal and the remaining portion is taxable income. The deferred tax liability related to the difference in timing between the new method and the cost recovery method will be incorporated evenly into the Company’s tax filings over four years. For additional information, see Note 12.13.
Advertising costs: Advertising costs are expensed when incurred.
Operating leases: General abatementsLeases: The Company accounts for leases in accordance with the provisions of FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842) Section A - Leases: Amendments to the FASB Account Standards Codification" ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee should recognize a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet. The Company adopted ASC 842 on January 1, 2019 using the alternative method which resulted in the recording of operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets and lease liabilities of $72.1 million and $75.8 million, respectively. The Company's balance sheets for reporting periods beginning on or prepaid leasing costsafter January 1, 2019 are recognized on a straight-line basis overpresented under the lifenew guidance, while prior periods amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with previous guidance.
The Company elected to apply the package of practical expedients permitted within the new standard, which among other things, allows it to carry forward the historical lease classification. In addition, the Company elected the practical expedient to exclude short-term leases (lease terms of less than one year) from its ROU assets and lease liabilities.
The Company's operating lease portfolio primarily includes corporate offices and call centers. The majority of its leases have remaining lease terms of one year to twenty years, some of which include options to extend the leases for five years, and others include options to terminate the leases within one year. Exercises of lease renewal options are typically at the Company's sole discretion and are included in its ROU assets and lease liabilities based upon whether the Company is reasonably certain of exercising the renewal options. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for separately. The Company's lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
As most of the lease. Future minimumCompany's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of the lease payments. The Company used its incremental borrowing rate as of January 1, 2019 to calculate the present value of the lease payments (including the impact of rent escalations) are expensed on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. Material leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the remaining life of the lease.its existing leases at adoption.
Share-based compensation: The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 718 "Compensation-Stock Compensation" ("ASC 718"). ASC 718 requires that compensation expense associated with share equity awards be recognized in the income statement. The Company determines stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards based on the measurement date fair value. The Company has certain share awards that include market conditions that affect vesting. The fair value of these shares is estimated using a lattice model. Compensation cost is not adjusted if the market condition is not met, as long as the requisite service is provided. The Company estimates a forfeiture rate for most equity share grants based on historical experience. Time-based equity share awards generally vest between one and three years from the grant date and are expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Equity share awards that contain a performance metric, are expensed over the requisite service period, generally three years, in accordance with the performance level achieved at each reporting period. See Note 911 for additional information.
Derivatives: In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to risk from adverse fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates. The Company manages these risks through a program that includes the use ofperiodically enters into derivative financial instruments, primarily swapstypically interest rate swap agreements, interest rate caps, and forwards. Counterpartiesforeign currency contracts to these contracts are major financial institutions. The Company is exposedreduce its exposure to credit lossfluctuations in the event of nonperformance by these counterparties.interest rates on variable-rate debt and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company does not useutilize derivative financial instruments with a level of complexity or with a risk greater than the exposure to be managed nor does it enter into or hold derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.
The Company's objective in managing exposure to market risk is to limit the impact on earnings and cash flow. The extent to which the Company uses derivative financial instruments is dependent on its access to these contracts in the financial markets and its success using other methods, such as netting exposures in the same currencies to mitigate foreign exchange risk.
The Company follows the guidance of ASC Topic 815 "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815") to account for its derivatives. All of the Company's outstanding derivative financial instruments are recognized in the balance sheet at their fair values. The effect on earnings from recognizing the fair values of these derivative financial instruments depends on their intended use, their hedge designation, and their effectiveness in offsetting changes in the fair values of the exposures they are hedging. Changes in the fair values of instruments designated to reduce or eliminate adverse fluctuations in the fair values of recognized assets and

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PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

liabilities and unrecognized firm commitments are reported currently in earnings along with changes in the fair values of the hedged items. Changes in the effective portions of the fair values of instruments used to reduce or eliminate adverse fluctuations in cash flows of anticipated or forecasted transactions are reported in equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to earnings when the related hedged items affect earnings
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

or the anticipated transactions are no longer probable. Changes in the fair values of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges or do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment are reported currently in earnings. The Company realizes gains and losses from derivative instruments in the same financial statement line item as the hedged item/forecasted transaction. Changes in unrealized gains and losses for derivatives not designated in a hedge accounting relationship are recorded directly in earnings each period and are also recorded in the same financial statement line item as the hedged item/forecasted transaction. Cash flows from the settlement of derivatives, including both economic hedges and those designated in hedge accounting relationships, appear in the consolidated statements of cash flows in the same categories as the cash flows of the hedged item.
For derivative financial instruments accounted for as hedging instruments, the Company formally designates and documents, at inception, the financial instrument as a hedge of a specific underlying exposure, the risk management objective, and the manner in which effectiveness of the hedge will be assessed. The Company formally assesses, both at inception and at each reporting period thereafter, whether the derivative financial instruments used in hedging transactions are effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of the related underlying exposures. Any ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the instruments is recognized immediately in earnings.
The Company discontinues the use of hedge accounting prospectively when (1) the derivative instrument is no longer effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of the underlying hedged item; (2) the derivative instrument expires, is sold, terminated, or exercised; or (3) designating the derivative instrument as a hedge is no longer appropriate. See Note 9 for additional information.
Use of estimates: The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principlesGAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Significant estimates have been made by management with respect to the timing and amount of future cash collections of the Company's finance receivables portfolios. Actual results could differ from these estimates making it reasonably possible that a change in these estimates could occur within one year.
Commitments and contingencies: The Company is subject to various claims and contingencies related to lawsuits, certain taxes, and commitments under contractual and other obligations. The Company recognizes liabilities for contingencies and commitments when a loss is probable and estimable. The Company expenses related legal costs as incurred. For additional information, see Note 13.14.
Estimated fair value of financial instruments: The Company applies the provisions of ASC Topic 820 "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" ("ASC 820"). ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 also requires the consideration of differing levels of inputs in the determination of fair values. Disclosure of the estimated fair values of financial instruments often requires the use of estimates. See Note 8 for additional information.
Recent accounting pronouncements:
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Adopted:
In May 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASU 2014-09") that updates the principles for recognizing revenue. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenueCodification Improvements to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance specifically excludes revenue received for servicing finance receivables. ASU 2014-09 also amends the required disclosures of the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and can be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption, with early application not permitted. The Company determined that the revenue generated by its subsidiary Claims Compensation Bureau, LLC ("CCB") is within the scope of this standard. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018 which had no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-01, as amended by ASU 2018-03, "Financial Instruments - Overall: Technical Corrections and Improvements", issued in February 2018, which revises the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities. ASU 2016-01 requires that equity investments, except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, be measured at fair value and changes in fair value be recognized in net income. However, for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values and do not qualify for the existing practical expedient to estimate fair value using the Net Asset Value ("NAV") per share (or its equivalent) of the investment, the guidance provides a new measurement alternative. Entities may
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

choose to measure those investments at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. The Company adopted ASU 2016-01 in the first quarter of 2018, which resulted in a cumulative effect adjustment of $3.9 million, net of tax, to retained earnings for the unrealized loss on its equity investments.Leases
In OctoberFebruary 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Income Taxes - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory" ("ASU 2016-16"), which requires entities to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The new standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition method which is a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first effective reporting period. The Company adopted ASU 2016-16 in the first quarter of 2018 which had no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, FASB issued ASU-2017-01, "Business Combinations - Clarifying the Definition of a Business (Topic 805)" ("ASU 2017-01"). ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist companies with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The new guidance is expected to reduce the number of transactions that need to be further evaluated as businesses. The guidance applies to transactions that occur on or after an entity’s adoption date, the earliest of which is January 1, 2017. The Company adopted ASU 2017-01 in the first quarter of 2018 which had no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-09, "Compensation–Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting" ("ASU 2017-09"). ASU 2017-09 clarifies when a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as a modification. The new guidance requires modification accounting if the fair value, vesting condition or the classification of the award is not the same immediately before and after a change to the terms and conditions of the award. The new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2017-09 in the first quarter of 2018 which had no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging - Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities" ("ASU 2017-12"). ASU 2017-12 modifies the presentation and disclosure of hedging results. Further, it provides partial relief on the timing of certain aspects of hedge documentation and eliminates the requirement to recognize hedge ineffectiveness separately in income. The amendments in ASU 2017-12 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and for interim periods therein. The Company adopted ASU 2017-12 in the second quarter of 2018 which had no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software" ("ASU 2018-15")2016-02 which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The Company adopted ASU 2018-15 in the third quarter of 2018 which had no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted:
In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842) Section A - Leases: Amendments to the FASB Account Standards Codification" ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee should recognize a both a liability for futureto make lease payments and a right-of-use assetROU representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet. It is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. In July 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-10, "Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases" and ASU 2018-11, "Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements" which among other things, allowsallowed for aan alternative transition method which eliminateseliminated the requirement to restate the earliest prior period presented in an entity's financial statements. Entities that electelected this transition option, stillincluding the Company, were required to adopt the new lease standard using the modified retrospective transition method required by the standard, but they recognizerecognized a cumulative-effectcumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption rather than in the earliest period presented. Entities that elect the alternative transition method will also be required to apply the legacy guidance in ASC Topic 840, "Leases", including its disclosure requirements, in the comparative periods presented in the year they adoptThe Company adopted the new leases standard.leasing standard on January 1, 2019 and as a result recorded operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities of $72.1 million and $75.8 million, respectively. The Company expects to adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2019 using this alternative transition method. The Company will elect to apply the transition package of practical expedients permitted within the new standard, which among other things, allows it to carryforward the historical lease classification. In addition, the Company will elect the hindsight practical expedient to determine the reasonably certain lease term for existing leases. While the Company is continuing to assess all potential impactsadoption of the standard it expects total assets and liabilities to increase by approximately $72.0 million as a result of adoptingdid not have any other material impact on the new standard. The estimate couldCompany's consolidated financial statements.

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PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


change due to operational changes in the lease portfolio, which could include lease volume, lease commencement dates,Statement of Cash Flows- Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and renewal option and lease termination expectations. The Company does not believe the standard will have any other material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) ("ASU 2016-13"), which requires the measurement of expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The main objective of ASU 2016-13 is to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about expected credit losses and recoveries on financial instruments measured at amortized cost held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. Under this model, an entity would recognize an allowance equal to its current estimate of all contractual cash flows that the entity does not expect to collect. The expected credit losses, and subsequent adjustments to such losses, will be recorded through an allowance account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, with the net carrying value of the financial asset presented on the consolidated balance sheet at the amount expected to be collected. Revenue is recognized over the life of the portfolio at the initial effective interest rate. Subsequent changes in cash flow forecasts, on a present value basis, are adjusted through revenue. ASU 2016-13 supersedes ASC 310-30, which the Company currently follows to account for income recognized on its finance receivables. Financial assets accounted for under ASC 310-30 should use a prospective transition approach where upon adoption, the amortized cost basis should be adjusted to reflect the addition of the allowance for credit losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years and allows for early adoption as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2018.  The Company expects ASU 2016-13, including the effect of ongoing developments and amendments to the guidance, will have a significant impact on how it measures and records income recognized on its finance receivables and its balance sheet presentation. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements including accounting policy and operational implementation issues.Cash Payments
In August 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (Topic 230)" ("ASU 2016-15"). ASU 2016-15 reduces diversity in practice of how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance clarifies the classification of cash activity related to debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate and bank-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity-method investments, and beneficial interests in securitization transactions. The guidance also describes a predominance principle in which cash flows with aspects of more than one class that cannot be separated should be classified based on the activity that is likely to be the predominant source or use of cash flow. ASU 2016-15 is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period, but requires all elements of the amendments to be adopted at once rather than individually. The new standard must be adopted using a retrospective transition method. The Company does not expect the adoption ofadopted ASU 2016-15 will have ain the first quarter of 2019 which had no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, "Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income" ("ASU 2018-02"). Under existing GAAP, the effects of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred tax balances are recorded as a component of income tax expense in the period in which the law was enacted. When deferred tax balances related to items originally recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income are adjusted, certain tax effects become stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in ASU 2018-02 allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded income tax effects resulting from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act"). The amendments in this ASU also require certain disclosures about stranded income tax effects. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company’s provisional adjustments recorded during the year ended December 31, 2017 to account for the impact of the Tax Act did not result in stranded tax effects. The Company adopted ASU 2018-02 in the first quarter of 2019 which had no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted:
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses
In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)" ("ASU 2016-13"), which introduces a new methodology requiring the measurement of expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. ASU 2016-13 utilizes a lifetime “expected credit loss” measurement objective for the recognition of credit losses for loans, held-to-maturity debt securities and other receivables measured at amortized cost. The new methodology requires an entity to present on the balance sheet the net amount expected to be collected. This methodology replaces the multiple impairment methods under existing GAAP, including for purchased credit impaired ("PCI") assets, and introduces the concept of purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) financial assets. The Company's PCI assets currently accounted for under existing GAAP will be accounted for as PCD financial assets upon adoption of ASU 2016-13. ASU 2016-13 requires PCD assets to be recognized at their purchase price plus the allowance for credit losses expected at the time of acquisition. ASU 2016-13 also requires that financial assets should be written off when they are deemed uncollectible.
In November 2019, FASB issued ASU 2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses” (“ASU 2019-11”), which amends the PCD financial asset guidance in ASU 2016-13 to clarify that expected recoveries of amounts previously written off and expected to be written off should be included in the valuation account and should not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously written off and expected to be written off by an entity. Further, ASU 2019-11 clarifies that a negative allowance is recognized when an entity determines, after a full or partial writeoff of the amortized cost basis, that it will recover all or a portion of the basis.
Based on the guidance in ASU 2016-13 and 2019-11, substantially all the Company’s PCI assets will transition using the PCD guidance; the Company will gross up the amortized cost of the PCI assets by adding the allowance for credit losses estimated at transition. The Company will then immediately write off the amortized cost basis of individual accounts and establish a negative allowance for expected recoveries. The immediate writeoff and subsequent recognition of estimated recoveries are expected to have no impact on the Company’s statement of income, balance sheet or retained earnings at the date of adoption. The Company will estimate expected recoveries using a discounted cash flow approach and will recognize income over the estimated life of the pool at an effective interest rate. Subsequent changes (favorable and unfavorable) in expected cash flows will be recognized in current period earnings by adjusting the present value of the expected recoveries.

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PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Subsequent to adoption, ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2019-11 represent a significant change from existing GAAP and are expected to result in material changes to the Company’s accounting for its finance receivables, including recognizing revenue at a fixed rate and recognizing both positive and negative changes to the forecast as an adjustment to current period earnings. The guidance will be effective prospectively for the Company as of January 1, 2020. Implementation efforts, including model finalization and drafting of accounting and internal control policies and procedures are nearly complete.
Intangibles - Goodwill and Other
In January 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment" ("ASU 2017-04"). ASU 2017-04 eliminates Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Instead, an entity should perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption iswas permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. Based on the Company's most recent goodwill impairment assessment, there were no reporting units for which it was more-likely-than-not that the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeded its respective fair value; therefore, the Company believes that ASU 2017-04 would not have an impact on its consolidated financial statements or related disclosures. If subsequent to adoption, the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its respective fair value, the Company would be required to recognize an impairment charge. The Company is inwill adopt this standard on January 1, 2020 and does not expect that the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2017-04these amendments will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, "Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income" ("ASU 2018-02"). Under existing GAAP, the effects of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred tax balances are recorded as a component of income tax expense in the period in which the law was enacted. When deferred tax balances related to items originally recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income are adjusted, certain tax effects become stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in ASU 2018-02 allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded income tax effects resulting from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"). The amendments in this ASU also require certain disclosures about stranded income tax effects. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption in any period is permitted. The Company’s provisional adjustments recorded during the year ended December 31, 2017 to account for the impact of the Tax Act did not result in stranded tax effects. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Fair Value Measurement
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement” ("ASU 2018-13"). ASU 2018-13 eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements as part of its disclosure framework project. The standard is effective for all entities for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this standard on January 1, 2020 and expects the adoption of ASU 2018-13 will result in additional and modified disclosures in its consolidated financial statements without any financial impact.
Income Taxes
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”), which simplifies the accounting for income taxes. This standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020 on a prospective basis, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2018-132019-12 on itsour consolidated financial statements.statements and expects it to result in additional and modified disclosures.
The Company does not expect that any other recently issued accounting pronouncements will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
2. Finance Receivables, net:
Changes in finance receivables, net, for the years ended December 31, 20182019 and 2017,2018, were as follows (amounts in thousands):
 2019 2018
Balance at beginning of year$3,084,777
 $2,776,199
Acquisitions of finance receivables (1)
1,274,317
 1,105,423
Addition relating to consolidation of Polish investment fund

 34,871
Foreign currency translation adjustment22,006
 (64,985)
Cash collections(1,841,271) (1,625,205)
Income recognized on finance receivables998,361
 891,899
Net allowance charges(24,025) (33,425)
Balance at end of year$3,514,165
 $3,084,777
 2018 2017
Balance at beginning of year$2,776,199
 $2,309,513
Acquisitions of finance receivables (1)
1,105,423
 1,084,418
Addition relating to consolidation of Polish investment fund (See Note 3)
34,871
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment(64,985) 111,336
Cash collections(1,625,205) (1,512,605)
Income recognized on finance receivables891,899
 795,435
Net allowance charges(33,425) (11,898)
Balance at end of year$3,084,777
 $2,776,199

(1) Acquisitions of finance receivables areIncludes portfolio purchases that are net ofadjusted for buybacks and include certain capitalized acquisition related costs. The buybackscosts and capitalized acquisition costs are netted againstportfolios from the acquisition of finance receivables when paid and may relatea business in Canada made during the first quarter of 2019.

57

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to portfolios purchased in prior periods.Consolidated Financial Statements

During the year ended December 31, 2018,2019, the Company purchasedacquired finance receivable portfolios with a face value of $11.7 billion for $1.3 billion as compared to the same period last year with a face value of $9.2 billion for $1.1 billion. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company purchased finance receivable portfolios with a face value of $7.5 billion for $1.1 billion. At December 31, 2018,2019, the estimated remaining collections ("ERC") on the receivables purchasedacquired during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and 2017 were $1.9$2.0 billion and $1.2$1.4 billion, respectively. At December 31, 20182019 and 2017,2018, ERC was $6.1$6.8 billion and $5.7$6.1 billion, respectively.
At the time of acquisition and each quarter thereafter, the life of each pool is estimated based on projected amounts and timing of future cash collections using the proprietary models of the Company. Based upon current projections, estimated cash collections expected to be applied to principal are as follows for the twelve-month periods ending December 31, (amounts in thousands):
2020$831,769
2021672,699
2022500,597
2023368,332
2024263,785
2025193,831
2026156,456
2027135,238
2028125,673
2029116,008
Thereafter149,777
Total ERC expected to be applied to principal$3,514,165
2019$816,918
2020717,243
2021566,986
2022404,114
2023228,229
2024136,441
202570,304
202649,797
202738,124
202827,767
Thereafter28,854
Total ERC expected to be applied to principal$3,084,777

At December 31, 20182019 and 2017,2018, the Company had aggregate net finance receivables balances in pools accounted for under the cost recovery method of $33.7 million and $48.0 million, and $166.6 million, respectively.
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Accretable yield represents the amount of income on finance receivables the Company can expect to recognize over the remaining life of its existing portfolios based on estimated future cash flows as of the balance sheet date. Additions represent the original expected accretable yield, on portfolios purchasedacquired during the period, to be earned by the Company based on its proprietary analytical models.period. Net reclassifications from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield primarily result from the increase in the Company's estimate of future cash flows. When applicable, net reclassifications to nonaccretable difference from accretable yield result from the decrease in the Company's estimates of future cash flows and allowance charges that together exceed the increase in the Company's estimate of future cash flows.
Changes in accretable yield for the years ended December 31, 20182019 and 20172018 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
2018 20172019 2018
Balance at beginning of year$2,927,866
 $2,738,462
$3,058,445
 $2,927,866
Income recognized on finance receivables(891,899) (795,435)(998,361) (891,899)
Net allowance charges33,425
 11,898
24,025
 33,425
Additions from portfolio purchases (1)
876,112
 702,914
Additions from portfolio acquisitions943,887
 876,112
Reclassifications from nonaccretable difference194,992
 149,512
205,464
 194,992
Foreign currency translation adjustment(82,051) 120,515
6,671
 (82,051)
Balance at end of year$3,058,445
 $2,927,866
$3,240,131
 $3,058,445
(1) Also includes accretable yield additions resulting from the consolidation of a Polish investment fund.

58

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following is a summary of activity within the Company's valuation allowance account, all of which relates to loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality, for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017 (amounts in thousands):
 2019 2018 2017
Beginning balance$257,148
 $225,555
 $211,465
Allowance charges38,662
 48,856
 13,826
Reversal of previous recorded allowance charges(14,637) (15,431) (1,928)
Net allowance charges24,025
 33,425
 11,898
Foreign currency translation adjustment122
 (1,832) 2,192
Ending balance$281,295
 $257,148
 $225,555
 2018 2017 2016
Beginning balance$225,555
 $211,465
 $114,861
Allowance charges48,856
 13,826
 100,202
Reversal of previous recorded allowance charges(15,431) (1,928) (1,723)
Net allowance charges33,425
 11,898
 98,479
Foreign currency translation adjustment(1,832) 2,192
 (1,875)
Ending balance$257,148
 $225,555
 $211,465

3. Investments:
Investments consisted of the following at December 31, 20182019 and 20172018 (amounts in thousands):
 2019 2018
Debt securities   
Available-for-sale$5,052
 $5,077
Equity securities   
Private equity funds7,218
 7,973
Mutual funds33,677
 21,753
Equity method investments10,229
 10,370
Total investments$56,176
 $45,173
 2018 2017
Debt securities   
Available-for-sale$5,077
 $5,429
Held-to-maturity
 57,204
Equity securities   
Private equity funds7,973
 14,248
Mutual funds21,753
 1,409
Equity method investments10,370
 
Total investments$45,173
 $78,290

Debt Securities
Available-for-Sale
Government bonds:The Company's investments in government bonds are classified as available-for-sale and are stated at fair value. Fair value is determined using quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses are included in comprehensive income and reported in equity.
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Held-to-Maturity
Investment in securitized assets: The Company holds a majority interest in a Polish investment fund. The investment provides a non-guaranteed preferred return based on the expected net income of the portfolios. Effective July 1, 2018, the Company became a servicer of the fund. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation”, the Company determined that it had effective control of the fund. Accordingly, beginning July 1, 2018 the Company consolidated the fund at the carrying value of the investment, $50.6 million, of which $34.9 million was recorded as finance receivables, net, $17.5 million was recorded as cash and cash equivalents and $1.8 million was recorded as other liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets. No gain or loss was recognized upon consolidation.
Prior to July 2018, the investment was accounted for as a beneficial interest in securitized financial assets and stated at amortized cost. Income was recognized under FASB ASC Topic 325-40, "Beneficial Interest in Securitized Financial Assets" ("ASC 325-40"). Revenues recognized on this investment were recorded in the Other Revenue line item in the Company's consolidated income statements.
Prior to April 1, 2017, income was recognized using the effective yield method. The underlying securities had both known principal repayment terms as well as unknown principal repayments due to potential borrower pre-payments. Accordingly, it was difficult to accurately predict the final maturity date of this investment. Effective April 1, 2017, the Company determined that it could no longer reasonably forecast the timing of future cash flows and accordingly began using the cost recovery method to recognize income. No investment revenues were recognized on these investments during 2018. Effective with the July 1, 2018 consolidation, the finance receivables are subject to the Company's finance receivables revenue recognition policy and income is recognized accordingly. During 2017, revenues recognized on these investments were $1.3 million. The unrealized loss on these investments in 2017 was caused by a change in the timing of the estimated cash flows. As total expected cash flows on these investments exceeded the carrying amount, the Company did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2017.
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments in debt securities at December 31, 20182019 and 20172018 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
 December 31, 2019
 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Aggregate Fair Value
Available-for-sale       
Government bonds$5,095
 $
 $43
 $5,052
        
 December 31, 2018
 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Aggregate Fair Value
Available-for-sale       
Government bonds$5,160
 $
 $83
 $5,077
 December 31, 2018
 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Aggregate Fair Value
Available-for-sale       
Government bonds$5,160
 $
 $83
 $5,077
        
 December 31, 2017
 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Aggregate Fair Value
Available-for-sale       
Government bonds$5,452
 $
 $23
 $5,429
Held-to-maturity       
Securitized assets57,204
 
 14,249
 42,955

Equity Securities
Investments in private equity funds: Investments in private equity funds represent limited partnerships in which the Company has less than a 3% interest. In the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01, which requires that investments in equity securities be measured at fair value with changes in unrealized gains and losses reported in earnings.2016-01. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-01, the investments are carried at the fair value reported by the Fundfund manager. The Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $3.9 million, net of tax, to beginning retained earnings for the unrealized loss on the investment. Prior to 2018, the investments were carried at cost with income recognized in Other Revenue in the consolidated income statements when distributions, up to reported income, were received from the partnerships. The aggregate carrying amount of cost-method investments for which cost exceeded fair value but for which an impairment loss was not recognized was $14.2 million at December 31, 2017.
Mutual funds: The Company invests certain excess funds held in Brazil in a Brazilian real denominated mutual fund benchmarked to the U.S. dollar that invests principally in Brazilian fixed income securities that hedge their currency exposure back into the U.S. dollar.securities. The investments are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices. Gains and losses from this investment are included as a foreign exchange component of other income and (expense) in the Company's consolidated income statements.

59

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Unrealized gains and losses: UnrealizedNet unrealized gains on equity securities were $5.8 million and $3.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018.2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively on the Company's equity securities.
Equity Method Investments
Effective December 20, 2018, the Company has aan 11.7% interest in RCB Investimentos S.A. ("RCB"), a servicing platform for nonperforming loans in Brazil, which is accounted for on the equity method because the Company exercises significant influence over RCB’s operating and financial activities. Therefore,Accordingly, the Company’s investment in RCB is adjusted for the Company’s proportionate share of RCB’s earnings or losses. Refer to Note 1617 for additional information.
4. Operating Leases:
The components of lease expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 was as follows (amounts in thousands):
 December 31, 2019
Operating lease cost$12,008
Short-term lease cost2,973
Total lease cost$14,981
Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to leases for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
 December 31, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities$11,438
  
ROU assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations$80,725
Lease term and discount rate information related to operating leases were as follows as of the date indicated:
December 31, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease terms (years)10.7
Weighted-average discount rate4.9%

The Company leases office space and equipment under operating leases. RentalLease expense was $15.0 million, $13.6 million $11.8 million and $12.3$11.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016,2017, respectively.
Future minimumMaturities of lease payments for operating leasesliabilities at December 31, 2018,2019, are as follows for the years ending December 31, (amounts in thousands):
 Operating Leases
2020$11,846
202111,378
20229,324
20237,132
20246,279
Thereafter49,414
Total lease payments$95,373
Less imputed interest(21,996)
Total$73,377


As previously disclosed in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and under the previous lease accounting standard (which excludes the impact of the Company's intent to exercise renewal options as required by ASU 2016-02),

60

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

future minimum lease payments for operating leases at December 31, 2018, were as follows for the years ending December 31, (amounts in thousands):
2019$11,470
202011,451
202110,809
20227,287
20236,189
Thereafter7,866
Total future minimum lease payments$55,072

5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net:
In connection with the Company's business acquisitions, the Company acquired certain tangible and intangible assets. Intangible assets resulting from these acquisitions include client and customer relationships, non-compete agreements, trademarks and technology. The Company performs an annual review of goodwill as of October 1 or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The Company performed an annual review of goodwill as of October 1, 20182019 and concluded that no0 goodwill impairment was necessary.
The following table represents the changes in goodwill for the years ended December 31, 20182019 and 20172018 (amounts in thousands):
 2019 2018
Goodwill:   
Balance at beginning of period$464,116
 $526,513
Changes:  ��
Acquisition18,831
 
Sale of subsidiary
 (36,053)
Foreign currency translation adjustment(2,153) (26,344)
Net change in goodwill16,678
 (62,397)
    
Balance at end of period$480,794
 $464,116

 2018 2017
Balance at beginning of period:   
Goodwill$526,513
 $506,308
Accumulated impairment loss
 (6,397)
 526,513
 499,911
Changes:   
Sale of subsidiary(36,053) 
Foreign currency translation adjustment(26,344) 26,602
Net change in goodwill(62,397) 26,602
    
Goodwill464,116
 526,513
Accumulated impairment loss
 
Balance at end of period:$464,116
 $526,513
The $18.8 million addition to goodwill during the year ended December 31, 2019, is related to the acquisition of a business in Canada during the first quarter. The $36.1 million decrease in goodwill during the year ended December 31, 2018, is a result of the sale of a portion of RCB's servicing platform in December of 2018. For additional information, see Note 16. The change in accumulated impairment loss during the year ended December 31, 2017 was related to the June 2017 sale of PRA Location Services, LLC ("PLS"), the goodwill of which was fully impaired during 2013.
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Intangible assets, excluding goodwill, consisted of the following at December 31, 20182019 and 20172018 (amounts in thousands):
 2019 2018
 Gross
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Gross
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
Client and customer relationships$12,072
 $8,242
 $11,806
 $6,993
Non-compete agreements439
 183
 
 
Trademarks400
 362
 400
 345
Technology1,679
 1,306
 1,548
 894
Total$14,590
 $10,093
 $13,754
 $8,232
 2018 2017
 Gross
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Gross
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
Client and customer relationships$11,806
 $6,993
 $30,397
 $10,752
Non-compete agreements
 
 1,388
 1,118
Trademarks400
 345
 3,285
 1,479
Technology1,548
 894
 3,240
 1,389
Total$13,754
 $8,232
 $38,310
 $14,738

The Company amortizes the intangible assets over thetheir estimated useful lives. Total amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and 2016 was $4.3$1.6 million, $4.3 million and $6.2$4.3 million, respectively. The Company reviews intangible assets for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable and the carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

61

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The future amortization of intangible assets is estimated to be as follows for the years ending December 31, (amounts in thousands):
2020$1,402
2021880
2022750
2023707
2024758
Thereafter
Total$4,497
2019$1,371
20201,150
2021828
2022739
2023697
Thereafter737
Total$5,522

6. Borrowings:
The Company's borrowings consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (amounts in thousands):
 December 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Americas revolving credit$772,037
 $598,279
Europe revolving credit1,017,465
 561,882
Term loans425,000
 740,551
Convertible senior notes632,500
 632,500
 2,847,002
 2,533,212
Less: Debt discount and issuance costs(38,577) (59,556)
Total$2,808,425
 $2,473,656
 December 31,
2018
 December 31,
2017
Revolving credit facilities$1,160,161
 $849,815
Term loans740,551
 764,830
Convertible senior notes632,500
 632,500
 2,533,212
 2,247,145
Less: Debt discount and issuance costs(59,556) (76,963)
Total$2,473,656
 $2,170,182

The following principal payments are due on the Company's borrowings at December 31, 20182019 for the years ending December 31, (amounts in thousands):
2020$298,603
20211,028,568
20221,174,831
2023345,000
2024 and thereafter
Total$2,847,002
2019$10,000
2020297,500
2021877,433
20221,003,279
2023345,000
Thereafter
Total$2,533,212

The Company believes it was in compliance with the covenants of its financing arrangements as of December 31, 2018.
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2019.
North American Revolving Credit and Term Loan
On May 5, 2017, the Company amended and restated its existing credit agreement (as amended, and modified from time to time, the “North American Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, Bank of America, National Association, acting through its Canada branch, as the Canadian administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders named therein. In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company entered into a First Amendment (the "First Amendment") to the North American Credit Agreement which, among other things, increased the domestic revolving credit facility by $363.0 million and expanded the accordion feature to allow the Company to increase the original principal amount of the commitments under the North American Credit Agreement by an additional $500.0 million, subject to certain terms and conditions. The total credit facility under the North American Credit Agreement includes an aggregate principal amount of $1.6 billion$1,543.0 million (subject to compliance with a borrowing base and applicable debt covenants), which consists of (i) a fully-funded $435.0$425.0 million term loan, (ii) a $1,068.0 million domestic revolving credit facility and (iii) a $50.0 million Canadian revolving credit facility. The facility includes an accordion feature for up to $500.0 million in additional commitments (at the option of the lender) and also provides for up to $25.0 million of letters of credit and a $25.0 million swingline loan sublimit that would reduce amounts available for borrowing. The term and revolving loans accrue interest, at the option of the Company, at either the base rate or the Eurodollar rate (as defined in the North American Credit Agreement) for the applicable term plus 2.50% per annum in the case of the Eurodollar rate loans and 1.50% in the case of the base rate loans. The base rate is the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate (as defined in the North American Credit Agreement) plus 0.50%, (b) Bank of America's prime rate or (c) the one-month Eurodollar rate plus 1.00%. Canadian Prime Rate Loans bear

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

interest at a rate per annum equal to the Canadian Prime Rate plus 1.50%. The revolving credit facilities also bear an unused line fee of 0.375% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears. The loans under the North American Credit Agreement mature May 5, 2022. As of December 31, 2018,2019, the unused portion of the North American Credit Agreement was $519.7$349.2 million. Considering borrowing base restrictions as of December 31, 2018,2019, the amount available to be drawn was $290.3$146.5 million.
The North American Credit Agreement is secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the Company's North American assets. The North American Credit Agreement contains restrictive covenants and events of default including the following:
borrowings under each of the domestic revolving loan facility and the Canadian revolving loan facility are subject to separate borrowing base calculations and may not exceed 35% of the ERC of all domestic or Canadian, as applicable, core eligible asset pools, plus 55% of the ERC of domestic or Canadian, as applicable, insolvency eligible asset pools, plus 75% of domestic or Canadian, as applicable, eligible accounts receivable;
the consolidated total leverage ratio cannot exceed 2.75 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter;
the consolidated senior secured leverage ratio cannot exceed 2.25 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter;
subject to no default or event of default, cash dividends and distributions during any fiscal year cannot exceed $20.0 million;
subject to no default or event of default, stock repurchases during any fiscal year cannot exceed $100.0 million plus 50% of the prior year's consolidated net income;
permitted acquisitions during any fiscal year cannot exceed $250.0 million (with a $50.0 million per year sublimit for permitted acquisitions by non-loan parties);
indebtedness in the form of senior, unsecured convertible notes or other unsecured financings cannot exceed $750.0 million in the aggregate (without respect to the 2020 Notes);
the Company must maintain positive consolidated income from operations during any fiscal quarter; and
restrictions on changes in control.
The outstanding balances and weighted average interest rates by type of borrowing under the credit facility as of the dates indicated are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
 Amount Outstanding Weighted Average Interest Rate Amount Outstanding Weighted Average Interest Rate
Term loan$425,000
 4.30% $435,000
 5.02%
Revolving credit facilities768,800
 4.31% 598,279
 4.97%
 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
 Amount Outstanding Weighted Average Interest Rate Amount Outstanding Weighted Average Interest Rate
Term loan$435,000
 5.02% $445,000
 4.07%
Revolving credit facility598,279
 4.97
 373,206
 4.05

European Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan
On October 23, 2014, European subsidiaries of the Company ("PRA Europe") entered into a credit agreement with DNB Bank ASA for a Multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility (such agreement as later amended or modified, the "European Credit Agreement"). In the first quarter of 2018,2019, the Company entered into the FourthFifth Amendment and Restatement Agreement (the "Fourth Amendment") to its European Credit Agreement which, among other things, expandedmerged the scope ofterm loan portfolios that constitute Approved Loan Portfolios (as defined infacility with the Fourth Amendment). Additional changes to the European Credit Agreement
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

resulting from the Fourth Amendment included: the reduction ofrevolving credit facility and increased all applicable margins for the interest payable under the multicurrency revolving credit facility by 155 basis points; the reduction of all applicable margins for the interest payable under the term loan facility by 50 basis points, subject to the lenders’ right to increase the applicable margin by up to 50 basis points if one or more of the lenders elects to syndicate and/or transfer its commitment under the term loan in accordance with the terms of the Fourth Amendment; the reduction of the maximum permitted amount of interest bearing deposits in AK Nordic AB from SEK 1.5 billion to SEK 1.2 billion (approximately $134.3 million at December, 31, 2018); and revisions to the definitions of ERC and loan-to-value ratio ("LTV Ratio"). In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company reduced the amount of its revolving credit facility by $100.0 million to $800.0 million as allowed under the European Credit Agreement.points.
Under the terms of the European Credit Agreement, the credit facility includes an aggregate amount of approximately $1.1 billion (subject to the borrowing base), of which 267.0 million EUR (approximately $305.6 million at December 31, 2018) is a term loan, accrues interest at the Interbank Offered Rate ("IBOR") plus 2.65%2.70% - 3.75% under the revolving facility and 3.75% or 4.00% under the term loan facility3.80% (as determined by the LTV Ratio)Ratio as defined in the European Credit Agreement), bears an unused line fee, currently 1.21%1.23% per annum, of 35% of the margin, is payable monthly in arrears, and matures February 19, 2021. The European Credit Agreement also includes an overdraft facility in the aggregate amount of $40.0 million (subject to the borrowing base), which accrues interest (per currency) at the daily rates as published by the facility agent, bears a facility line fee of 0.125% per quarter, payable quarterly in arrears, and matures February 19, 2021. As of December 31, 2018,2019, the unused portion of the European Credit Agreement (including the overdraft facility) was $278.1$122.5 million. Considering borrowing base restrictions and other covenants as of December 31, 2018,2019, the amount available to be drawn under the European Credit Agreement (including the overdraft facility) was $166.0$121.8 million.
The European Credit Agreement is secured by the shares of most of the Company's European subsidiaries and all intercompany loans receivable in Europe. The European Credit Agreement contains restrictive covenants and events of default including the following:
the LTV Ratio cannot exceed 75%;
the gross interest-bearing debt ratio in Europe cannot exceed 3.25 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter;
interest bearing deposits in AK Nordic AB cannot exceed SEK 1.2 billion; and

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PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

PRA Europe's cash collections must meet certain thresholds, measured on a quarterly basis.
The outstanding balances and weighted average interest rates by type of borrowing under the European Credit Agreement as the dates indicated are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
 Amount Outstanding Weighted Average Interest Rate Amount Outstanding Weighted Average Interest Rate
Term loan$
 % $305,551
 3.75%
Revolving credit facility1,017,465
 4.31% 561,882
 4.10%

 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
 Amount Outstanding Weighted Average Interest Rate Amount Outstanding Weighted Average Interest Rate
Term loan$305,551
 3.75% $319,830
 4.25%
Revolving credit facility561,882
 4.10
 476,609
 5.01
Colombian Revolving Credit Facility
On September 17, 2019, PRA Group Colombia Holding SAS ("PRA Colombia"), entered into a credit agreement with Bancolombia in an aggregate amount of approximately $6.0 million. As of December 31, 2019, the outstanding balance under the credit agreement was approximately $3.2 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 7.13%. The outstanding balance accrues interest at the Indicador Bancario de Referencia  rate ("IBR") plus a weighted average spread of 2.74%, is payable quarterly in arrears, amortizes quarterly, and matures on October 17, 2022 (per the credit agreement, maturity represents three years from the last draw). This credit facility is fully collateralized using time deposits with Bancolombia which are subject to certain limitations regarding withdrawal and usage and are included within other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2019, the unused portion of the Colombia Credit Agreement was $2.8 million.
Convertible Senior Notes due 2020
On August 13, 2013, the Company completed the private offering of $287.5 million in aggregate principal amount of its 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due August 1, 2020 (the "2020 Notes"). The 2020 Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated August 13, 2013 (the "2013 Indenture"), between the Company and Regions Bank, as successor trustee. The 2013 Indenture contains customary terms and covenants, including certain events of default after which the 2020 Notes may be due and payable immediately. The 2020 Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest on the 2020 Notes is payable semi-annually, in arrears, on February 1 and August 1 of each year, beginning on February 1, 2014. Prior to February 1, 2020, the 2020 Notes will be convertible only upon the occurrence of specified events. On or after February 1, 2020,As of December 31, 2019, the 2020 Notes will be convertible at any time. Thethe Company doesdid not have the right to redeem the 2020 Notes prior to maturity. As of December 31, 2018,and the Company doesdid not believe that any of the conditions allowing holders of the 2020 Notes to convert their notes had occurred. All conversions occurring on or after February 1, 2020, shall be settled using the Settlement Method as defined in the indenture.
The conversion rate for the 2020 Notes is initially 15.2172 shares per $1,000 principal amount of 2020 Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $65.72 per share of the Company's common stock and is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances pursuant to the 2013 Indenture. Upon conversion, holders of the 2020 Notes will receive cash, shares of the Company's common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company's common stock, at the Company's election. The Company's intent is to settle conversions through combination settlement (i.e., the 2020 Notes would be convertedinto cash up to the aggregate principal amount and shares of the Company's common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company's common stock, at the Company's election, for the remainder). As a result, and in accordance with authoritative
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

guidance related to derivatives and hedging and earnings per share, only the conversion spread is included in the diluted earnings per share calculation, if dilutive. Under such method, the settlement of the conversion spread has a dilutive effect when the average share price of the Company's common stock during any quarter exceeds $65.72.
The Company determined that the fair value of the 2020 Notes at the date of issuance was approximately $255.3 million and designated the residual value of approximately $32.2 million as the equity component. Additionally, the Company allocated approximately $7.3 million of the $8.2 million issuance cost as debt issuance cost and the remaining $0.9 million as equity issuance cost.
Convertible Senior Notes due 2023
On May 26, 2017, the Company completed the private offering of $345.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes due June 1, 2023 (the "2023 Notes" and, together with the 2020 Notes, the "Notes"). The 2023 Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated May 26, 2017 (the "2017 Indenture"), between the Company and Regions Bank, as trustee. The 2017 Indenture contains customary terms and covenants, including certain events of default after which the 2023 Notes may be due and payable immediately. The 2023 Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest on the

64

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2023 Notes is payable semi-annually, in arrears, on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on December 1, 2017. Prior to March 1, 2023, the 2023 Notes will be convertible only upon the occurrence of specified events. On or after March 1, 2023, the 2023 Notes will be convertible at any time. The Company has the right, at its election, to redeem all or any part of the outstanding 2023 Notes at any time on or after June 1, 2021 for cash, but only if the last reported sale price (as defined in the 2017 Indenture) exceeds 130% of the conversion price on each of at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on and including the trading day immediately before the date the Company sends the related redemption notice. As of December 31, 2018,2019, the Company does not believe that any of the conditions allowing holders of the 2023 Notes to convert their notes had occurred.
The conversion rate for the 2023 Notes is initially 21.6275 shares per $1,000 principal amount of 2023 Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $46.24 per share of the Company's common stock and is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances pursuant to the 2017 Indenture. Upon conversion, holders of the 2023 Notes will receive cash, shares of the Company's common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company's common stock, at the Company's election. The Company's intent is to settle conversions through combination settlement (i.e., the 2023 Notes would be convertedinto cash up to the aggregate principal amount and shares of the Company's common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company's common stock, at the Company's election, for the remainder). As a result, and in accordance with authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging and earnings per share, only the conversion spread is included in the diluted earnings per share calculation, if dilutive. Under such method, the settlement of the conversion spread has a dilutive effect when the average share price of the Company's common stock during any quarter exceeds $46.24.
The Company determined that the fair value of the 2023 Notes at the date of issuance was approximately $298.8 million and designated the residual value of approximately $46.2 million as the equity component. Additionally, the Company allocated approximately $8.3 million of the $9.6 million issuance cost as debt issuance cost and the remaining $1.3 million as equity issuance cost.
The balances of the liability and equity components of the Notes outstanding were as follows as of the dates indicated (amounts in thousands):
December 31,
2018
 December 31,
2017
December 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Liability component - principal amount$632,500
 $632,500
$632,500
 $632,500
Unamortized debt discount(43,812) (55,537)(31,414) (43,812)
Liability component - net carrying amount$588,688
 $576,963
$601,086
 $588,688
Equity component$76,216
 $76,216
$76,216
 $76,216
The debt discount is being amortized into interest expense over the remaining life of the 2020 Notes and the 2023 Notes using the effective interest rate, which is 4.92% and 6.20%, respectively.
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Interest expense related to the Notes was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017 (amounts in thousands):
 2019 2018 2017
Interest expense - stated coupon rate$20,700
 $20,700
 $15,870
Interest expense - amortization of debt discount12,398
 11,725
 8,583
Total interest expense - convertible senior notes$33,098
 $32,425
 $24,453
 2018 2017 2016
Interest expense - stated coupon rate$20,700
 $15,870
 $8,625
Interest expense - amortization of debt discount11,725
 8,583
 4,472
Total interest expense - convertible senior notes$32,425
 $24,453
 $13,097

Interest Expense, Net
The Company incurs interest expense on its borrowings, interest-bearing deposits, and interest rate derivative agreements. The Company earns interest income on certain of its cash and cash equivalents and its interest rate derivative agreements. Interest expense, net, was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017 (amounts in thousands):
 2019 2018 2017
Interest expense$144,165
 $124,208
 $103,653
Interest (income)(2,247) (3,130) (5,612)
Interest expense, net$141,918
 $121,078
 $98,041


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PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 2018 2017 2016
Interest expense$124,208
 $103,653
 $85,911
Interest (income)(3,130) (5,612) (5,047)
Interest expense, net$121,078
 $98,041
 $80,864

7. Property and Equipment, net:
Property and equipment, at cost, consisted of the following as of December 31, 20182019 and 20172018 (amounts in thousands):
 2019 2018
Software$62,758
 $64,670
Computer equipment20,847
 22,153
Furniture and fixtures16,324
 16,061
Equipment13,869
 12,390
Leasehold improvements16,709
 16,556
Building and improvements7,900
 7,431
Land1,296
 1,296
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(93,207) (92,877)
Assets in process10,005
 6,456
Property and equipment, net$56,501
 $54,136
 2018 2017
Software$64,670
 $51,065
Computer equipment22,153
 19,260
Furniture and fixtures16,061
 15,560
Equipment12,390
 9,643
Leasehold improvements16,556
 14,778
Building and improvements7,431
 7,409
Land1,296
 1,296
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(92,877) (80,967)
Assets in process6,456
 11,267
Property and equipment, net$54,136
 $49,311

Depreciation and amortization expense relating to property and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and 2016 was $15.9 million, $15.1 million $15.4 million and $18.2$15.4 million, respectively.
8. Fair Value:
As defined by ASC 820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 also requires the consideration of differing levels of inputs in the determination of fair values.
Those levels of input are summarized as follows:
Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2: Observable inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices, such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which a fair value measurement in its entirety falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
Financial Instruments Not Required To Be Carried at Fair Value
In accordance with the disclosure requirements of ASC Topic 825, "Financial Instruments" ("ASC 825"), the table below summarizes fair value estimates for the Company's financial instruments that are not required to be carried at fair value. The total of the fair value calculations presented does not represent, and should not be construed to represent, the underlying value of the Company.






66

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The carrying amounts in the table are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018 (amounts in thousands):
 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
 Carrying
Amount
 Estimated
Fair Value
 Carrying
Amount
 Estimated
Fair Value
Financial assets:       
Cash and cash equivalents119,774
 119,774
 $98,695
 $98,695
Finance receivables, net3,514,165
 3,645,610
 3,084,777
 3,410,475
Financial liabilities:       
Interest-bearing deposits106,246
 106,246
 82,666
 82,666
Revolving lines of credit1,789,502
 1,789,502
 1,160,161
 1,160,161
Term loans425,000
 425,000
 740,551
 740,551
Convertible senior notes601,086
 648,968
 588,688
 557,122
 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
 Carrying
Amount
 Estimated
Fair Value
 Carrying
Amount
 Estimated
Fair Value
Financial assets:       
Cash and cash equivalents$98,695
 $98,695
 $120,516
 $120,516
Held-to-maturity investments
 
 57,204
 42,955
Finance receivables, net3,084,777
 3,410,475
 2,776,199
 3,060,907
Financial liabilities:       
Interest-bearing deposits82,666
 82,666
 98,580
 98,580
Revolving lines of credit1,160,161
 1,160,161
 849,815
 849,815
Term loans740,551
 740,551
 764,830
 764,830
Convertible senior notes588,688
 557,122
 576,963
 620,079

Disclosure of the estimated fair values of financial instruments often requires the use of estimates. The carrying amount and estimates of the fair value of the Company's debt obligations outlined above do not include any related debt issuance costs associated with the debt obligations. The Company uses the following methods and assumptions to estimate the fair value of financial instruments:
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount approximates fair value and quoted prices for identical assets in active markets. Accordingly, the Company estimates the fair value of cash and cash equivalents using Level 1 inputs.
Held-to-maturity investments: Fair value of the Company's investment in the certificates of a Polish investment fund is estimated using proprietary pricing models that the Company utilizes to make portfolio purchase decisions. Accordingly, the Company estimates the fair value of its held-to-maturity investments using Level 3 inputs as there is little observable market data available and management is required to use significant judgment in its estimates.
Finance receivables, net: The Company estimates the fair value of these receivables using proprietary pricing models that the Company utilizes to make portfolio purchaseacquisition decisions. Accordingly, the Company's fair value estimates use Level 3 inputs as there is little observable market data available and management is required to use significant judgment in its estimates.
Interest-bearing deposits: The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the deposits and the observable quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for its fair value estimates.
Revolving lines of credit: The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the interest rate periods and the observable quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for its fair value estimates.
Term loans: The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the interest rate periods and the observable quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for its fair value estimates.
Convertible senior notes: The fair value estimates for the Notes incorporate quoted market prices which were obtained from secondary market broker quotes which were derived from a variety of inputs including client orders, information from their pricing vendors, modeling software, and actual trading prices when they occur. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

its fair value estimates. Furthermore, in the table above, carrying amount represents the portion of the Notes classified as debt, while estimated fair value pertains to the face amount of the Notes.









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PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Financial Instruments Required To Be Carried At Fair Value
The carrying amounts in the following table are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 20182019 and 20172018 (amounts in thousands):
 Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2019
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets:       
Available-for-sale investments       
Government bonds$5,052
 $
 $
 $5,052
Fair value through net income investments      
Mutual funds33,677
 
 
 33,677
Derivative contracts (recorded in other assets)
 875
 
 875
Liabilities:       
Derivative contracts (recorded in other liabilities)
 23,663
 
 23,663
        
 Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2018
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets:       
Available-for-sale investments       
Government bonds$5,077
 $
 $
 $5,077
Fair value through net income investments       
Mutual funds$21,753
 $
 $
 $21,753
Derivative contracts (recorded in other assets)
 3,334
 
 3,334
 Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2018
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets:       
Available-for-sale investments       
Government bonds$5,077
 $
 $
 $5,077
Fair value through net income investments      
Mutual funds21,753
 
 
 21,753
Derivative contracts (recorded in other assets)
 3,334
 
 3,334
        
 Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2017
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets:       
Available-for-sale investments       
Government bonds$5,429
 $
 $
 $5,429
Liabilities:       
Derivative contracts (recorded in accrued expenses)
 1,108
 
 1,108

Available-for-sale investments
Government bonds: Fair value of the Company's investment in government bonds is estimated using quoted market prices. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 1 inputs.
Fair value through net income investments
Mutual funds: Fair value of the Company's investment in mutual funds is estimated using quoted market prices. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 1 inputs.
Derivative contracts: The estimated fair value of the derivative contracts is determined using industry standard valuation models. These models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-based observable inputs, including interest rate curves and other factors. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for its fair value estimates. Effective in the second quarter of 2018, the Company began to apply hedge accounting to certain of its derivative contracts. By applying hedge accounting, changes in market value are reflected as adjustments in other comprehensive income. The hedges were evaluated and remained highly effective at December 31, 2019 and have initial terms of two to seven years.
Investments measured using net asset value
Private equity funds: This class of investments consists of private equity funds that invest primarily in loans and securities including single-family residential debt; corporate debt products; and financially-oriented, real-estate-richreal estate-rich and other operating companies in the Americas, Western Europe, and Japan. These investments are subject to certain restrictions regarding transfers and withdrawals. The investments cannot be redeemed with the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this class is that distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the fund. The investments are expected to be returned through distributions as a result of liquidations of the funds' underlying assets over 1one to 6six years. The fair value of these private equity funds following the application of the NAV practical expedient was $8.0$7.2 million and $8.8$8.0 million as of December 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


9. Derivatives:
The following table summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets (amounts in thousands):
  December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
  Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Balance Sheet Location Fair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:        
Interest rate contracts Other assets $323
 Other assets $44
Interest rate contracts Other liabilities 17,807
 Other liabilities 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:        
Foreign currency contracts Other assets 552
 Other assets 2,555
Foreign currency contracts Other liabilities 5,856
 Other liabilities 
Interest rate contracts Other assets 
 Other assets 735

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Changes in the fair value of derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments are recognized in other comprehensive income ("OCI"). As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the notional amount of interest rate contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments was $959.0 million and $260.8 million, respectively. Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments were evaluated and remained highly effective at December 31, 2019 and have initial terms of two to seven years. The Company estimates that approximately $3.4 million of net derivative loss included in OCI will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.
The following table summarizes the effects of derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments on the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 (amounts in thousands):
  Gain or (loss) recognized in OCI, net of tax
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments 2019 2018 2017
Interest rate contracts $(14,311) $44
 $
       
  Gain or (loss) reclassified from OCI into income
Location of gain or (loss) reclassified from OCI into income 2019 2018 2017
Interest expense, net $(1,457) $
 $

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Changes in fair value of derivative contracts not designated as hedging instruments are recognized in earnings. As of December 31, 2019, the Company no longer had interest rate swap contracts not designated as hedging instruments. As of December 31, 2018, the notional amount of interest rate contracts not designated as hedging instruments was $169.7 million. The Company also enters into foreign currency contracts to economically hedge the foreign currency re-measurement exposure related to certain balances that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the entity. As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the notional amount of foreign currency contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments was $469.9 million and $144.7 million, respectively.






69

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table summarizes the effects of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Company’s consolidated income statements for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 (amounts in thousands):
    Amount of gain or (loss) recognized in income
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments Location of gain or (loss) recognized in income 2019 2018 2017
Foreign currency contracts Foreign exchange gain/(loss) $(7,008) $4,011
 $
Foreign currency contracts Interest expense, net (3,875) (549) 
Interest rate contracts Interest expense, net (492) 2,082
 

10. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:
The following table provides details about the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2019 (amounts in thousands):
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges 2019 Affected line in the consolidated income statement
Interest rate swaps $(1,457) Interest expense, net
Income tax effect of item above 278
 Income tax expense/(benefit)
Total losses on cash flow hedges $(1,179) Net of tax
The following table represents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component after tax, for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 (amounts in thousands):
 Debt Securities   Currency Translation Accumulated Other
 Available-for-Sale Cash Flow Hedges Adjustments 
Comprehensive Loss (1)
Ending balance December 31, 2016$
 $
 $(251,944) $(251,944)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
 
 73,337
 73,337
Reclassifications, net
 
 
 
Net current period other comprehensive loss
 
 73,337
 73,337
Ending balance December 31, 2017$
 $
 $(178,607) $(178,607)
Reclassification of unrealized loss on debt securities(22) 
 
 (22)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications(61) 44
 (63,463) (63,480)
Reclassifications, net
 
 
 
Net current period other comprehensive loss(83) 44
 (63,463) (63,502)
Ending balance December 31, 2018$(83) $44
 $(242,070) $(242,109)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications39
 (14,311) (5,816) (20,088)
Reclassifications, net
 1,179
 
 1,179
Net current period other comprehensive loss39
 (13,132) (5,816) (18,909)
Ending balance December 31, 2019$(44) $(13,088) $(247,886) $(261,018)
(1) Net of a $4.4 million deferred tax benefit for unrealized losses from cash flow hedges for the year ended December 31, 2019.
11. Share-Based Compensation:Compensation:
The Company has an Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "Plan") that is intended to assist the Company in attracting and retaining selected individuals to serve as employees and directors, who are expected to contribute to the Company's success and to achieve long-term objectives that will benefit stockholders of the Company. The Plan enables the Company to award shares of the Company's common stock to select employees and directors, as described in the Plan, not to exceed 5,400,000 shares as authorized by the Plan.

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PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Total share-based compensation expense was $10.7 million, $8.5 million $8.7 million and $6.1$8.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively. With the adoption of ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017, theThe Company recognizes all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. Prior to 2017, tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of share-based compensation expense (windfall tax benefits) recognized under the provisions of ASC 718 were credited to additional paid-in capital. Realized tax shortfalls, if any, were first offset against the cumulative balance of windfall tax benefits, if any, and then charged directly to income tax expense. The total tax benefit realized from share-based compensation was approximately $1.2 million, $1.7 million $3.2 million and $2.7$3.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016,2017, respectively.
Nonvested Shares
As of December 31, 2018,2019, total future compensation expense related to grants of nonvested share grants to employees and directors (not including nonvested shares granted under the Long-Term Incentive ("LTI") program), is estimated to be $7.7$8.6 million with a weighted average remaining life for all nonvested shares of 1.6 years. Grants made to key employees and directors of the Company were assumed to have no forfeiture rates associated with them due to the historically low turnover among this group. With the exception of the grants made pursuant to the LTI program and a few employee and director grants, the nonvested shares vest ratably generally over one to three years and are expensed over their vesting period.
The following summarizes all nonvested share activity, excluding those related to the LTI program, from December 31, 20152016 through December 31, 20182019 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
 Nonvested Shares
Outstanding
 Weighted-Average
Price at Grant Date
December 31, 2016303
 $38.19
Granted195
 33.70
Vested(173) 37.49
Canceled(27) 43.05
December 31, 2017298
 35.25
Granted254
 36.39
Vested(151) 35.13
Canceled(22) 35.02
December 31, 2018379
 34.85
Granted329
 28.47
Vested(167) 34.81
Canceled(9) 31.01
December 31, 2019532
 $30.97
 Nonvested Shares
Outstanding
 Weighted-Average
Price at Grant Date
December 31, 2015284
 $52.20
Granted196
 28.43
Vested(117) 48.78
Canceled(60) 51.71
December 31, 2016303
 38.19
Granted195
 33.70
Vested(173) 37.49
Canceled(27) 43.05
December 31, 2017298
 35.25
Granted254
 36.39
Vested(151) 35.13
Canceled(22) 35.02
December 31, 2018379
 $34.85

The total grant date fair value of shares vested, excluding those granted under the LTI program, during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, was $5.8 million, $5.3 million $6.5 million and $5.7$6.5 million, respectively.
Long-Term Incentive Program
Pursuant to the Plan, the Compensation Committee may grant time-vested and performance-based nonvested shares. All shares granted under the LTI program were granted to key employees of the Company.

71

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table summarizes all LTI share activity from December 31, 20152016 through December 31, 20182019 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
 Nonvested LTI Shares
Outstanding
 Weighted-Average
Price at Grant Date
December 31, 2016425
 $39.57
Granted at target level192
 33.50
Adjustments for actual performance5
 60.00
Vested(51) 40.80
Canceled(99) 20.91
December 31, 2017472
 41.06
Granted at target level121
 39.40
Adjustments for actual performance(74) 52.47
Vested(19) 52.47
Canceled(46) 32.31
December 31, 2018454
 33.27
Granted at target level168
 28.28
Adjustments for actual performance(172) 28.98
Vested
 
Canceled(3) 35.87
December 31, 2019447
 $33.03
 Nonvested LTI Shares
Outstanding
 Weighted-Average
Price at Grant Date
December 31, 2015483
 $42.80
Granted at target level240
 28.98
Adjustments for actual performance(67) 34.59
Vested(176) 34.59
Canceled(55) 43.68
December 31, 2016425
 39.57
Granted at target level192
 33.50
Adjustments for actual performance5
 60.00
Vested(51) 40.80
Canceled(99) 20.91
December 31, 2017472
 41.06
Granted at target level121
 39.40
Adjustments for actual performance(74) 52.47
Vested(19) 52.47
Canceled(46) 32.31
December 31, 2018454
 $33.27

The total grant date fair value of LTI shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, was $0.0 million, $1.0 million $2.1 million and $6.1$2.1 million, respectively.
At December 31, 2018,2019, total future compensation expense, assuming the current estimated performance levels are achieved, related to nonvested shares granted under the LTI program is estimated to be approximately $2.8$4.5 million. The Company assumed a 15.0% forfeiture rate for these grants and the remaining shares have a weighted average remaining life of 1.0 year1.2 years at December 31, 2018.2019.
10.12. Earnings per Share:
Basic earnings per share ("EPS") are computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders of PRA Group, Inc. by weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS are computed using the same components as basic EPS with the denominator adjusted for the dilutive effect of the conversion spread of the Notes and nonvested share awards, if dilutive. There has been no dilutive effect of the Notes since issuance through December 31, 2018.2019. Share-based awards that are contingent upon the attainment of performance goals are included in the computation of diluted EPS if the effect is dilutive. The dilutive effect of nonvested shares is computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes any proceeds that could be obtained upon the vesting of nonvested shares would be used to purchase common shares at the average market price for the period.
The following table provides a reconciliation between the computation of basic EPS and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
 2019 2018 2017
 Net Income Attributable to PRA Group, Inc. Weighted Average Common Shares EPS Net Income Attributable to PRA Group, Inc. Weighted Average Common Shares EPS Net Income Attributable to PRA Group, Inc. Weighted Average Common Shares EPS
Basic EPS$86,158
 45,387
 $1.90
 $65,563
 45,280
 $1.45
 $164,315
 45,671
 $3.60
Dilutive effect of nonvested share awards
 190
 (0.01) 
 133
 (0.01) 
 152
 (0.01)
Diluted EPS$86,158
 45,577
 $1.89
 $65,563
 45,413
 $1.44
 $164,315
 45,823
 $3.59
 2018 2017 2016
 Net Income Attributable to PRA Group, Inc. Weighted Average Common Shares EPS Net Income Attributable to PRA Group, Inc. Weighted Average Common Shares EPS Net Income Attributable to PRA Group, Inc. Weighted Average Common Shares EPS
Basic EPS$65,563
 45,280
 $1.45
 $164,315
 45,671
 $3.60
 $86,255
 46,316
 $1.86
Dilutive effect of nonvested share awards  133
 (0.01)   152
 (0.01)   72
 
Diluted EPS$65,563
 45,413
 $1.44
 $164,315
 45,823
 $3.59
 $86,255
 46,388
 $1.86

There were no antidilutive options outstanding as of December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016.2017.

72

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


11. Derivatives:
The following table summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments as recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of financial condition (in thousands):
  December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
  Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Balance Sheet Location Fair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:        
Interest rate swaps Other assets $19
   $
Interest rate cap contracts Other assets 25
   
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:        
Foreign currency exchange contracts Other assets 2,555
   
Interest rate swaps Other assets 735
 Accrued expenses 1,108
As of December 31, 2018, the total notional amount of the interest rate derivative contracts that are designated as cash flow hedging instruments was $260.8 million. As of December 31, 2018, the total notional amount of the interest rate derivative contracts that are not designated as cash flow hedging instruments was $169.7 million. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company entered into foreign currency forward agreements with aggregate notional amounts of 413.0 million Swedish kroner, 638.9 million Norwegian kroner, and 22.0 million European Union euro to economically hedge the foreign currency exposure related to certain of the Company’s short-term borrowings denominated in currencies other than the functional entity's local currency, and other foreign exchanges exposures. These foreign currency forwards were not designated in hedge accounting relationships, and, accordingly, the mark-to-market fair value adjustments and resulting gains were recorded in the the Foreign Exchange (Loss)/Gain line item in the Company's consolidated income statements.
12.13. Income Taxes:
The income tax expense/(benefit) recognized for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017 is comprised of the following (amounts in thousands):
 Federal State International Total
For the year ended December 31, 2019:       
Current tax expense$41,391
 $6,390
 $9,460
 $57,241
Deferred tax (benefit)(27,311) (6,030) (4,220) (37,561)
Total income tax expense$14,080
 $360
 $5,240
 $19,680
For the year ended December 31, 2018:       
Current tax expense$23,444
 $9,026
 $37,501
 $69,971
Deferred tax (benefit)(19,527) (15,268) (21,413) (56,208)
Total income tax expense/(benefit)$3,917
 $(6,242) $16,088
 $13,763
For the year ended December 31, 2017:       
Current tax expense$77,656
 $16,543
 $25,087
 $119,286
Deferred tax (benefit)(112,118) (2,051) (15,969) (130,138)
Total income tax (benefit)/expense$(34,462) $14,492
 $9,118
 $(10,852)

 Federal State Foreign Total
For the year ended December 31, 2018:       
Current tax expense$23,444
 $9,026
 $37,501
 $69,971
Deferred tax (benefit)(19,527) (15,268) (21,413) (56,208)
Total income tax expense/(benefit)$3,917
 $(6,242) $16,088
 $13,763
For the year ended December 31, 2017:       
Current tax expense$77,656
 $16,543
 $25,087
 $119,286
Deferred tax (benefit)(112,118) (2,051) (15,969) (130,138)
Total income tax (benefit)/expense$(34,462) $14,492
 $9,118
 $(10,852)
For the year ended December 31, 2016:       
Current tax expense$38,986
 $5,037
 $20,868
 $64,891
Deferred tax (benefit)/expense(7,350) 575
 (14,539) (21,314)
Total income tax expense$31,636
 $5,612
 $6,329
 $43,577

On December 22, 2017, the United States government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”).Act.”  The Company’s accounting for the following elementsmain impact of the Tax Act is complete.  The Company has recorded amounts as follows through 2018:
Revaluationwas a reduction of deferred tax assets and liabilities: The Tax Act reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017.  In addition,and the current taxation of international entities.  New legislation and authoritative guidance on the Tax Act made certain changes to the depreciation rules and implemented new limits on the deductibility of certain executive compensation.  The Company has evaluated these changes and hasis still being released that may impact tax amounts recorded a decrease to net deferred tax liabilities of $74.5 million with a corresponding increase to deferred tax benefit.
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Transition Tax on unrepatriated foreign earnings ("Transition Tax"): The Transition Tax on unrepatriated foreign earnings is a tax on previously untaxed accumulated and current earnings and profits (“E&P”) of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, and the Company has recorded no Transition Tax expense.
Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income ("GILTI"):  The Tax Act creates a new requirement that certain income, such as GILTI, earned by foreign subsidiaries must be included currently in the gross income of the U.S. shareholder.financial statements.   Under U.S. GAAP, the Company made an accounting policy election to treat taxes due on future inclusions in U.S. taxable income related to GILTI as a current-period expense when incurred.
Indefinite reinvestment assertion did not change due to the Transition Tax.
A reconciliation of the Company's expected tax expense at the statutory federal tax rate to actual tax expense/(benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 20162017 is as follows (amounts in thousands):
 2019 2018 2017
Income tax expense at statutory federal rates$24,645
 $18,794
 $56,095
State tax expense/(benefit), net of federal tax benefit161
 (5,098) 9,072
Tax impact on international earnings(7,326) 206
 (4,953)
Federal rate change
 (719) (73,779)
Other2,200
 580
 2,713
Total income tax expense/(benefit)$19,680
 $13,763
 $(10,852)


73

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 2018 2017 2016
Income tax expense at statutory federal rates$18,794
 $56,095
 $47,469
State tax (benefit)/expense, net of federal tax benefit(5,098) 9,072
 3,696
Foreign rate difference206
 (4,953) (7,993)
Federal rate change(719) (73,779) 
Other580
 2,713
 405
Total income tax expense/(benefit)$13,763
 $(10,852) $43,577

The Company recognized a net deferred tax liability of $53.5$22.2 million and $114.7$53.5 million as of December 31, 20182019 and 2017,2018, respectively. The components of the net deferred tax liability are as follows (amounts in thousands):
 As of December 31,
 2019 2018
Deferred tax assets:   
Employee compensation$6,085
 $4,670
Net operating loss carryforward93,068
 24,210
Accrued liabilities
 1,850
Interest10,477
 10,559
Finance receivable revenue recognition - international21,343
 37,005
Right of use asset16,045
 
Other12,009
 2,721
Valuation allowance(80,739) (14,512)
Total deferred tax asset78,288
 66,503
Deferred tax liabilities:   
Property and Equipment(5,362) (5,556)
Intangible assets and goodwill(2,999) (5,435)
Lease liability(15,107) 
Convertible debt(7,843) (10,998)
Finance receivable revenue recognition - IRS settlement(36,959) (74,296)
Finance receivable revenue recognition - domestic(32,183) (23,744)
Total deferred tax liability(100,453) (120,029)
Net deferred tax liability$(22,165) $(53,526)

 2018 2017
Deferred tax assets:   
Employee compensation$4,670
 $5,190
Net operating loss carryforward24,210
 42,332
Accrued liabilities1,850
 2,750
Interest10,559
 11,027
Finance receivable revenue recognition - international37,005
 26,765
Other2,721
 9,165
Total deferred tax asset81,015
 97,229
Deferred tax liabilities:   
Depreciation expense5,556
 15,417
Intangible assets and goodwill5,435
 8,856
Convertible debt10,998
 14,645
Finance receivable revenue recognition - IRS settlement74,296
 117,026
Finance receivable revenue recognition - domestic23,744
 16,957
Total deferred tax liability120,029
 172,901
Net deferred tax liability before valuation allowance39,014
 75,672
Valuation allowance14,512
 39,054
Net deferred tax liability$53,526
 $114,726

A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is recognized and charged to earnings in the period such determination is made, if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized. If the Company subsequently realized deferred tax assets that were previously determined to be unrealizable, the respective valuation allowance would be reversed, resulting in a positive adjustment to earnings in the period such determination is made. The determination for a valuation allowance is made on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis. At December 31, 20182019 and 2017,2018, the valuation allowance, relating mainly to net operating losses, capital losses and deferred interest expense in Norway, Brazil, UKPoland, and Luxembourg, was $80.7 million and $14.5 million and $39.1 million, respectively. The increase in the valuation allowance is primarily due to recording net operating losses in Luxembourg that were interpreted to be restricted by law. The Company believes it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the remaining net deferred tax assets.
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

On May 10, 2017, the Company reached a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") in regards toregarding the IRS assertion that tax revenue recognition using the cost recovery method did not clearly reflect taxable income. In accordance with the settlement, the Company changed its tax accounting method used to recognize finance receivables revenue effective with tax year 2017. Under the new method, a portion of the annual collections amortizes principal and the remaining portion is taxable income. The deferred tax liability related to the difference in timing between the new method and the cost recovery method will be incorporated evenly into the Company’s tax filings over four years effective with tax year 2017. The Company was not required to pay any interest or penalties in connection with the settlement.
ASC 740 requires the recognition of interest if the tax law would require interest to be paid on the underpayment of taxes, and recognition of penalties if a tax position does not meet the minimum statutory threshold to avoid payment of penalties. The Company believes it has sufficient support for the technical merits of its positions and that it is more likely than not these positions will be sustained. Accordingly, the Company has not accrued for interest or penalties on any of its tax positions.
At December 31, 2018,2019, the tax years subject to examination by the major federal, state and international taxing jurisdictions are 20132014 and subsequent years.
As of December 31, 2018,2019, the cumulative unremitted earnings of the Company's foreigninternational subsidiaries arewere approximately $21.2$52.3 million. The Company intends for predominantly all foreigninternational earnings to be indefinitely reinvested in its foreigninternational operations and, therefore, the recording of deferred tax liabilities for such unremitted earnings is not required. It is impracticable to determine the total amount of unrecognized deferred taxes with respect to these indefinitely reinvested earnings.

74

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company's foreigninternational subsidiaries had $71.0$401.5 million and $50.8$116.8 million of net operating loss carryforwards net of valuation allowances as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. There are $283.7 million and 2017,$45.8 million of valuation allowances recorded to offset those losses as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Most of theThe net operating losses do not expire under most local lawlaws and the remaining jurisdictions allow for a 7seven to 20twenty year carryforward period.
13. 14. Commitments and Contingencies:Contingencies:
Employment Agreements:
The Company has entered into employment agreements, most which expire on December 31, 2020, with all of its U.S. executive officers and with several members of its U.S. senior management group. Such agreements provide for base salary payments as well as potential discretionary bonuses that are based ontake into consideration the attainment of a combination ofCompany's overall performance against its short and long-term financial and management goals.strategic objectives. As of December 31, 2018,2019, estimated future compensation under these agreements was approximately $16.1$8.0 million. The agreements also contain confidentiality and non-compete provisions. Outside the U.S., employment agreements are in place with employees pursuant to local country regulations. Generally, these agreements do not have expiration dates and therefore it is impractical to estimate the amount of future compensation under these agreements. Accordingly, the future compensation under the non-U.S.these agreements is not included in the $16.1$8.0 million total above.
Leases:
The Company is party to various operating leases with respect to its facilities and equipment. The future minimummaturities of lease paymentsliabilities at December 31, 20182019 totaled approximately $55.1$95.4 million.
Forward Flow Agreements:
The Company is party to several forward flow agreements that allow for the purchase of nonperforming loans at pre-established prices. The maximum remaining amount to be purchased under forward flow agreements at December 31, 20182019 was approximately $303.7$506.9 million.
Finance Receivables:
Certain agreements for the purchase of finance receivables portfolios contain provisions that may, in limited circumstances, require the Company to refund a portion or all of the collections subsequently received by the Company on particular accounts. The potential refunds as of the balance sheet date are not considered to be significant.
Litigation and Regulatory Matters:Matters:
The Company isand its subsidiaries are from time to time subject to a variety of routine legal claims, proceedings and regulatory matters,claims, inquiries and proceedings, most of which are incidental to the ordinary course of itsthe Company's business. The Company initiates lawsuits against customers and is occasionally countersued by them in such actions. Also, customers, either individually, as members of a class action, or through a governmental entity on behalf of customers, may initiate litigation against the Company in which they allege that the Company has violated a state or
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

federal law in the process of collecting on an account. From time to time, other types of lawsuits are brought against the Company. Additionally, the Company receives subpoenas and other requests or demands for information from regulators or governmental authorities who are investigating the Company's debt collection activities.
The Company accrues for potential liability arising from legal proceedings and regulatory matters when it is probable that such liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. This determination is based upon currently available information for those proceedings in which the Company is involved, taking into account the Company's best estimate of such losses for those cases for which such estimates can be made. The Company's estimate involves significant judgment, given the varying stages of the proceedings (including the fact that many of them are currently in preliminary stages), the number of unresolved issues in many of the proceedings (including issues regarding class certification and the scope of many of the claims), and the related uncertainty of the potential outcomes of these proceedings. In making determinations of the likely outcome of pending litigation, the Company considers many factors, including, but not limited to, the nature of the claims, the Company's experience with similar types of claims, the jurisdiction in which the matter is filed, input from outside legal counsel, the likelihood of resolving the matter through alternative mechanisms, the matter's current status and the damages sought or demands made. Accordingly, the Company's estimate will change from time to time, and actual losses could be more than the current estimate.
The Company believes that the estimate of the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of the amount accrued for its legal proceedings outstanding at December 31, 2018,2019, where the range of loss can be estimated, was not material.

75

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

In certain legal proceedings, the Company may have recourse to insurance or third-party contractual indemnities to cover all or portions of its litigation expenses, judgments, or settlements. Loss estimates and accruals for potential liability related to legal proceedings are typically exclusive of potential recoveries, if any, under the Company's insurance policies or third-party indemnities. During the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, the Company recorded $4.0$1.0 million in potential recoveries under the Company's insurance policies or third-party indemnities which is included in other receivables, net at December 31, 2017. In the third quarter of 2018, the Company received the aforementioned recoveries.2019.
The matters described below fall outside of the normal parameters of the Company's routine legal proceedings.
Multi-State Investigation
On November 17, 2015, the Company received civil investigative demands from multiple state Attorney General offices ("AGOs") broadly relating to its U.S. debt collection practices in the U.S.practices. The Company believes that it has fully cooperated with the investigations and discussed potential resolution of the investigations with the AGOs. In these discussions, the AGOs have taken positions with which the Company disagrees, including positions related to penalties, restitution and/or the adoption of new practices and controls in the conduct of the Company's business. If the Company is unable to resolve its differences with the AGOs, it is possible that one or more individual state AGOs may file claims against the Company.
As previously reported in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, the Company settled certain claims with the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General on November 6, 2019. The range of loss with respect to the remaining investigations, if any, cannot be estimated at this time.
Iris Pounds v. Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC
On November 21, 2016, Iris Pounds filed suit against the Company in Durham County, North Carolina alleging violations of the North Carolina Prohibited Practices by Collection Agencies Act. The purported class consists of all individuals against whom the Company had obtained a judgment by default in North Carolina on or after October 1, 2009. On December 9, 2016, the Company removed the matter to the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina (the "District Court") and filed a motion to dismiss.. On March 28, 2018, the District Court entered an order remanding the matter to the North Carolina state court, which the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed on May 17, 2018. On January 11, 2019, the Company filed motions to dismiss and to compel arbitration with the North Carolina state court.court, which was denied. The Company is seeking review of thatthe North Carolinas state court's decision beforeto deny the United States Supreme Court.Company's motion to compel arbitration. The range of loss, if any, cannot be estimated at this time due to the uncertainty surrounding liability, class certification and the interpretation of statutory damages.
Telephone Consumer Protection Act Litigation
On January 25, 2017, the Company resolved the matter of In Re Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC Telephone ConsumerProtection Act Litigation, which consisted of a number of class actions and single plaintiff claims consolidated by order of the Panel for Multi-District Litigation ("MDL"). While the settlement disposed of a large number of claims, several hundred class members opted out ("Opt-Out Plaintiffs") of that settlement. Many of these Opt-Out Plaintiffs have been consolidated before the MDL appointed court, the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, and are pending a determination on cross-motions for summary judgment. The range of loss, if any, cannot be estimated at this time due to the uncertainty surrounding liability.
14.15. Retirement Plans:
The Company sponsors defined contribution plans primarily in the U.S. and Europe. The U.S. plan is organized as a 401(k) plan under which all employees over eighteen years of age are eligible to make voluntary contributions to the plan up to 100% of their compensation, subject to IRS limitations, after completing six months of service, as defined in the plan. The Company makes matching contributions of up to 4% of an employee's salary. For the defined contribution plans in Europe, the Company pays contributions to publicly or privately administered pension insurance plans on a mandatory, contractual or voluntary basis. Total compensation expense related to the Company's contributions was $5.9 million, $6.3 million $5.2 million and $5.1$5.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively.
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

15.16. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest:
With the acquisition of DTP S.A. in 2016, the Company acquired a 20% owned Polish securitization fund (the "Fund"). Under ASC 810-10, the Company hashad determined that it hashad control over this Fund and as such has fully consolidated the operations of the Fund. The noncontrolling shareholders have the right to redeem their ownership interests at the current net asset value subject to certain conditions. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company owned 37.5% and 21.7%2019, 100% of the Fund, respectively. Redeemable noncontrolling interest presented in temporary equity on the consolidated balance sheets, represents the interest not owned by the Company and is stated at the greater of the original invested capital or redemption amount. Net income attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest is stated separately in the Company's consolidated income statements. Additionally, the Company has guaranteed the noncontrolling shareholders a 5.1% per annum return on their investment.  Accordingly, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded a guaranty expense of $0.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively.ownership interests were redeemed.

76

16.
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

17. Sales of Subsidiaries:
On December 20, 2018, the Company sold 79% of its interest in its Brazilian subsidiary RCB'sRCB, a servicing platform for nonperforming loans in Brazil for $40.0 million. The Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $26.6 million, which includes a gain of $5.4 million on its 11.7% retained interest. The Company received 25% of the proceeds in the fourth quarter of 2018 and the remaining 75% in the first quarter of 2019. The fair value of the retained interest was estimated based on the transaction price. The Company accounts for its remaining interest in RCB as an equity method investment.
As part of the Company’s strategy to focus on its primary business, the purchase, collection and management of portfolios of nonperforming loans, the Company sold its government services businesses: PRA Government Services, LLC; MuniServices, LLC; and PRA Professional Services, LLC in the first quarter of 2017, for $91.5 million in cash plus additional consideration for certain balance sheet items. The pre-tax gain on sale was approximately $46.8 million and was recorded in the first quarter of 2017.million.
During the second quarter of 2017, the Company sold its vehicle location, skip tracing and collateral recovery business, PLS,PRA Location Services, LLC, for $4.5 million which resulted in a pre-tax gain on sale of approximately $1.6 million.

77

17. Correction of Immaterial Errors:
The Company’s audited consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, and the related notes, have been corrected for immaterial errors regarding the accounting for secured loans.
Corrections
In 2018, the Company identified and corrected immaterial errors related to the measurement of income on its beneficial rights to certain Austrian portfolios of nonperforming loans. The beneficial rights are accounted for as secured loans.  Income recognized on these arrangements should be recorded in accordance with ASC Topic 310-20, "Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs", whereby changes in cash flow estimates should be recognized as retrospective adjustments to yield. Previously, the Company recognized income on the secured loans in accordance with ASC 310-30, which recognizes changes in cash flow estimates as prospective changes to yield.
The Company evaluated the materiality of the errors described in the previous paragraph from a qualitative and quantitative perspective. Based on such evaluation, the Company concluded that they are not material to any individual prior period, nor did they have a material effect on the trend of financial results, taking into account the requirements of SAB No. 108, "Considering the Effect of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements" ("SAB 108"). Accordingly, the Company corrected these errors in every affected period in the 2018, 2017 and 2016 consolidated financial statements.
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The impact of the immaterial error corrections described above are presented on an as previously reported basis, and detailed below as corrections, and on an as corrected basis in the following summarized financial data for 2018, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands, except per share data):
  
2018 (1)
  Uncorrected Correction As Reported
Income recognized on finance receivables $890,719
 $1,180
 $891,899
Income tax expense 13,468
 295
 13,763
Net income 74,849
 885
 75,734
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc. $64,678
 $885
 $65,563
Net income per share attributable to PRA Group, Inc.:      
Basic $1.43
 $0.02
 $1.45
Diluted $1.42
 $0.02
 $1.44
       
Finance receivables, net $3,079,319
 5,458
 $3,084,777
Net deferred tax asset 62,818
 (1,365) 61,453
Net cash provided by operating activities 79,686
 1,180
 80,866
Net cash used in investing activities 386,071
 1,180
 387,251
(1) Included for comparability purposes only. The Company has not previously reported its fourth quarter 2018 results.
  2017
  As Previously Reported Correction As Corrected
Income recognized on finance receivables $792,701
 $2,734
 $795,435
Income tax (benefit)/expense (11,536) 684
 (10,852)
Net income 169,075
 2,050
 171,125
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc. $162,265
 $2,050
 $164,315
Net income per share attributable to PRA Group, Inc.:      
Basic $3.55
 $0.05
 $3.60
Diluted $3.54
 $0.05
 $3.59
       
Finance receivables, net $2,771,921
 $4,278
 $2,776,199
Net deferred tax asset 57,529
 (1,070) 56,459
Net cash provided by operating activities (2)
 12,741
 2,734
 15,475
Net cash used in investing activities (2)
 292,226
 2,734
 294,960
  2016
  As Previously Reported Correction As Corrected
Income recognized on finance receivables $843,598
 $1,544
 $845,142
Income tax expense 43,191
 386
 43,577
Net income 90,892
 1,158
 92,050
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc. $85,097
 $1,158
 $86,255
Net income per share attributable to PRA Group, Inc.:      
Basic $1.84
 $0.02
 $1.86
Diluted $1.83
 $0.03
 $1.86
       
Finance receivables, net $2,307,969
 $1,544
 $2,309,513
Net deferred tax asset 28,482
 (386) 28,096
Net cash provided by operating activities (2)
 204,359
 1,544
 205,903
Net cash used in investing activities (2)
 315,970
 1,544
 317,514
(2) The "As Previously Reported" totals have been adjusted for a reclassification. For additional information on the reclassification see Note 1.



Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.


Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. We conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2018,2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission. Based on its assessment under this framework, management has determined that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018.2019. Our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018,2019, which is included herein.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 20182019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.





Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
PRA Group, Inc.:
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited PRA Group, Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018,2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018,2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 20182019 and 2017,2018, the related consolidated income statements, statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018,2019, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated March 12, 20192, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting (Item 9A).Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Norfolk, Virginia
March 12, 20192, 2020

79





Item 9B. Other Information.
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The information required by Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to the sections labeled "Executive Officers," "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management," "Our Board and Its Committees," "Election of Directors," "Corporate Governance,Governance-Code of Conduct," and "Report of the Audit Committee" in our definitive Proxy Statement for use in connection with the Company's 20192020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Proxy Statement").
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The information required by Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to the sections labeled "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" and "Compensation Committee Report" in the Proxy Statement.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management And Related Stockholder Matters.
The information required by Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference to the section labeled "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" in the Proxy Statement.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The information required by Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to the sections labeled "Policies"Policy for Approval of Related Party Transactions" and "Director Independence" in the Proxy Statement.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The information required by Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to the section labeled "Fees Paid to KPMG" in the Proxy Statement.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)Financial Statements.
The following financial statements are included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K:
(b)Exhibits.









101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
                                                                                            


* Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement in which directors or executive officers are eligible to participate.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
None.

82





SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
      
    PRA Group, Inc.
    (Registrant)
      
March 12, 20192, 2020   By:/s/ Kevin P. Stevenson
     Kevin P. Stevenson
     President and Chief Executive Officer
     (Principal Executive Officer)
March 12, 2019By:/s/ Peter M. Graham
Peter M. Graham
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Kevin P. Stevenson and Peter M. Graham, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and on his behalf, and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to execute and sign any and all amendments or post-effective amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or any of them or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof and the registrant hereby confers like authority on its behalf.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
      
      
March 12, 20192, 2020   By:/s/ Kevin P. Stevenson
     Kevin P. Stevenson
     President, and Chief Executive Officer and Director
     (Principal Executive Officer)
      
      
March 12, 20192, 2020   By:/s/ Peter M. Graham
     Peter M. Graham
     Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
     (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
March 12, 2019By:/s/ Kevin P. Stevenson
Kevin P. Stevenson
Director



      
March 12, 20192, 2020   By:/s/ Steven D. Fredrickson
     Steven D. Fredrickson
     Director
      
      
March 12, 20192, 2020   By:/s/ Vikram A. Atal
     Vikram A. Atal
     Director
      
      
March 12, 20192, 2020   By:/s/ Danielle M. Brown
     Danielle M. Brown
     Director
      
      
March 12, 20192, 2020   By:/s/ Marjorie M. Connelly
     Marjorie M. Connelly
     Director
      
      
March 12, 20192, 2020   By:/s/ John H. Fain
     John H. Fain
     Director
      
      
March 12, 20192, 2020   By:/s/ Penelope W. Kyle
     Penelope W. Kyle
     Director
      
      
March 12, 20192, 2020   By:/s/ James A. Nussle
     James A. Nussle
     Director
      
      
March 12, 20192, 2020   By:/s/ Geir Olsen
     Geir Olsen
     Director
      
      
March 12, 20192, 2020   By:/s/ Scott M. Tabakin
     Scott M. Tabakin
     Director
      
      
March 12, 20192, 2020   By:/s/ Lance L. Weaver
     Lance L. Weaver
     Director


84