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

FORM 10-K
FORM 10-K
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20192020
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)
Delaware75-3078675
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

120 Corporate Boulevard,, Norfolk,, Virginia23502
(888) (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
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. 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  
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     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     No  
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     Accelerated filer     Non-accelerated filer    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  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.   
The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 28, 201930, 2020 was $1,255,667,779 $1,729,557,356 based on the $28.14$38.66 closing price as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
The number of shares of the registrant's Common Stock outstanding as of February 25, 202023, 2021 was 45,416,258.45,593,525.
Documents incorporated by reference: reference
Portions of the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its 20202021 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 1.5.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.

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Table of Contents

2


Table of Contents
continued
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
Item 15.
Item 16.
Signatures

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All references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") to "PRA Group," "our," "we," "us," the "Company" or similar terms are to PRA Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Cautionary Statements Pursuant to Safe Harbor Provisions ofForward-Looking Statements:
This report contains forward-looking statements as defined by 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,1995. Statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding overall cash collection trends, operating cost trends, liquidity and capital needs and other statements of expectations, beliefs, future plans, strategies and strategies, anticipated events or trends, and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Thetrends. Our results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, or our forward-looking statements could be wrong, as a result of risks, uncertainties and assumptions referred to above may includeincluding the following:
the impact of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic on the markets in which we operate, including business disruptions, unemployment, economic disruption, overall market volatility and the inability or unwillingness of consumers to pay the amounts owed to us;
our inability to successfully manage the challenges associated with a disease outbreak, including epidemics, pandemics or similar widespread public health concerns, including the COVID-19 pandemic;
a deterioration in the economic or inflationary environment in the Americas or Europe, including the interest rate environment;markets in which we operate;
changes in the credit or capital markets, which affect our ability to borrow money or raise capital;
our abilityinability to replace our portfolios of nonperforming loans with additional portfolios sufficient to operate efficiently and profitably;
our ability toprofitably and/or purchase nonperforming loans at appropriate prices;
our abilityinability to collect sufficient amounts on our nonperforming loans to fund our operations;operations, including as a result of restrictions imposed by federal, state and international laws and regulations;
changes in accounting standards and their interpretations;
the possibility that we could recognizerecognition of significant decreases in our estimate of future recoveries on nonperforming loans;
changes in, or interpretationsthe occurrence of federal, state, local, or international laws, including bankruptcy and collection laws, or changes in the administrative practices of various bankruptcy courts, which could negatively affect goodwill impairment charges;
loss contingency accruals that are inadequate to cover actual losses;
our business or our ability to collect on nonperforming loans;
changes in accounting standards and their interpretations;
our abilityinability to manage risks associated with our international operations;
changes in tax laws and interpretations regarding earnings of our domestic and international 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 exit of the United Kingdom ("UK") from the European Union ("EU");
our loss contingency accruals may not be adequate to cover actual losses;
adverse outcomeschanges 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, andlocal or international laws regulations,or the interpretation of these laws, including tax, bankruptcy and policies;collection laws;
changes in the administrative practices of various bankruptcy courts;
our abilityinability 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;industry;
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 acquisitions volume, make collection of account balances more difficult, or expose us to the risk of fines, penalties, restitution payments, and litigation;
the possibility that compliance with complex 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 abilityinability to comply with data privacy regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR");
adverse outcomes in pending litigation or administrative proceedings;
our abilityinability to retain, expand, renegotiate or replace our credit facilities and our ability to comply with the covenants under our financing arrangements;
our abilityinability to raise the funds necessary to repurchasemanage effectively our convertible senior notescapital and liquidity needs, including as a result of changes in credit or to settle conversions in cash;capital markets;
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;rates;
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;institutions;
uncertainty about the future of the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate ("LIBOR") may adversely affect our business;;
disruptions of business operations caused by cybersecurity incidents or the underperformance or failure of information technology infrastructure, networks or communication systems; and
the risk factors discussed herein"Risk Factors" in Item 1A of this Form 10-K 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.
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PART I
Item 1. Business.Business.
General
Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia and incorporated in Delaware, we arePRA Group Inc. is a global financial and business services company with operations in the Americas, Europe and Australia.
Our primary business is the purchase, collection and management of portfolios of nonperforming loans. The accounts we purchase are primarily the unpaid obligations of individuals owed to credit grantors,originators, which include banks and other types of consumer, retail and auto finance companies. We purchase 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 since either the credit grantororiginator 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 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 United States ("U.S.").
As part of our strategic plans, we have expanded through various acquisitions and organic growth. In 2014, we acquired Aktiv Kapital AS, a Norway-based company specializing in the purchase, collection and management of portfolios of nonperforming loans throughout Europe and Canada. In 2015, we expanded into South America by acquiring 55% of the equity interest in RCB Investimentos S.A. ("RCB"), a servicing platform for nonperforming loans and established a business that purchases nonperforming loans in Brazil. Our subsequent sale of 79% of our interest in RCB to Banco Bradesco S.A. completed in 2019, had no impact on the nonperforming loan purchasing business we established. In 2016, we acquired DTP S.A., a Polish-based debt collection company, furthering our in-house collection efforts in Poland. In 2020, we began operations in Australia, leveraging an entity we established in 2011.
We have one reportable segment 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 orderFor discussion of COVID-19, refer to become a publicly traded company"Item 7 - Management's Discussion and our common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market ("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,Analysis of Financial Condition and managementResults of portfoliosOperations" 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. 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 with PRA Group retaining an 11.7% equity 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.
On March 1, 2019, we entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire the majority of the assets of a business in Canada, which was consolidated through our current Canadian business.
Additionally, we are planning to begin operations in 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.



10-K.
Nonperforming Loan Portfolio Acquisitions
To identify buyingpurchasing opportunities, we maintain an extensive marketing effort with our senior officers contacting known and prospective sellers of nonperforming loans. From these sellers, we have aquiredacquired 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, retailers, utilities, automobile finance companies and other debt owners.credit originators. The price at which we purchase portfolios depends on the age of the portfolio, whether it is a Core or Insolvency portfolio, geographic distribution,region, the seller's selection criteria, our historical experience with a certain asset type or credit grantor,originator and other similar factors.
We purchase portfolios of nonperforming loans from credit grantorsoriginators 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 grantororiginator 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 purchase 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 loan portfolios from credit grantorsoriginators on a periodic basis, at a negotiated price over a specified time period, generallytypically from three to twelve12 months.



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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 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 balances 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, as we deem appropriate.
Insolvency Operations
Insolvency OperationsAccounts that are in an insolvent or bankrupt status are managed by our insolvency operations team. These accounts fall under insolvency plans ranging from Individual Voluntary Arrangements ("IVAs") and Trust Deeds in the U.S. manages customer filings underUK, to Consumer Proposals in Canada, to various forms of bankruptcy plans in the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on debtor accounts derived from two sources: (1) our purchased pools of bankrupt nonperforming loans, Canada, Germany and (2) our Core purchased pools of nonperforming loans that have filed for bankruptcy protection after being purchased by us.the UK. We file proofs of claim ("POCs")claims or claim transfers securing our creditor rights in plans, and actively manage these accounts through the entire life cycle of the bankruptcyinsolvency proceeding to substantiate our claims and ensure that we participate in any distributions to creditors. OutsideThe accounts we manage are derived from two sources: (1) our purchased portfolios of insolvent nonperforming loans and (2) our Core purchased portfolios of nonperforming loans where our customers filed for protection under the U.S., similar insolvency work is primarily outsourced to third parties.
Insolvencyor bankruptcy laws after being purchased by us. We purchase these types of accounts in the U.S., Canada, Germany and the UK.
These accounts are typically those filed under Chapter 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code,relevant country's insolvency or bankruptcy codes and may have an associated payment plan that generally ranges from three to fiveseven years in duration, andduration. Accounts which are purchased while insolvent can be purchased at any stage in the insolvency or bankruptcy plan life cycle. Portfolios sold close to the filing of the insolvency or bankruptcy plan will generallymay take months to generate cash flow; however, aged portfolios sold years after the filing of the insolvency or bankruptcy plan will typically generate cash flows immediately. Non-U.S. insolvency accounts may
Digital
As a complement to our collection operations, we have some slight differences, but generallydeveloped digital capabilities to support our collection efforts. We have developed these platforms in all of our operating markets that provide for inbound collections, as well as outbound collections where the regulatory environment allows us to operate in such a similar manner. In Canada, we purchase consumer proposal, consumer credit counseling and bankrupt accounts. In the UK, we purchase individual voluntary arrangements, company voluntary arrangements, trust deeds, and bankrupt accounts. In Germany, we purchase consumer bankruptcies, which may also consist
Equity Investments
We have an 11.7% equity interest in RCB, a servicing platform of small businessnonperforming loans with a personal guarantee.


in Brazil.
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
CashAlthough the year ended December 31, 2020 deviated from usual seasonal patterns due to the impact of COVID-19, as discussed under "COVID-19 Update" in Item 7 of this Form 10-K, typically 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.
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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 purchase 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,originators, 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;
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.
Government Regulation
We are subject to a variety of federal, state, local and international 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 applicable federal, state, local and international laws in all our activities even though there are inconsistencies between jurisdictions and frequent changes in theseactivities. To promote compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including their interpretationwe provide extensive training upon hire and application. additional training at least annually. We also continuously monitor and evaluate our collectors in order to provide meaningful and prompt feedback. Our compliance management system and related controls that are embedded in business processes are also tested regularly by our compliance and internal audit departments to foster compliance with laws, regulations and internal policy.
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.
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
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Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA"
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 UK 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 GDPR, which regulates the processing and free movement of personal data within the EU and transfer of such data outside the EU.
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, liquidity and liquidity requirements.other requirements imposed by regulators, such as the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority.
EmployeesHuman Capital
As of December 31, 2019,2020, we employed 4,4123,820 full-time equivalents globally. globally across 18 countries, with approximately 76%, 23% and less than 1% of our workforce distributed across the Americas, Europe and Australia, respectively. Our employees share a common set of values and commitments that define how we treat each other, how we relate to our customers and the responsibilities we have to shareholders, regulators, clients and others. We refer to this shared set of values as C.A.R.E.S, which stands for Committed, Accountable, Respectful, Ethical and Successful. These values are intended to foster a high performing workforce and sense of belonging by working together to build an equitable and inclusive culture where employees can be themselves, to be their best.
In support of these values we offer comprehensive total rewards programs, competitive pay and bonus structures, health and wellness benefits, retirement plans and an employee assistance program. Additionally, we offer tuition reimbursement assistance and have a robust suite of training and development offerings for employees across the globe, many available in multiple languages.
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.



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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 investmentYou should carefully read the following discussion of material factors, events and uncertainties when evaluating our business and the forward-looking information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The events and consequences discussed in these risk factors could materially and adversely affect our Company involvesbusiness, operating results, liquidity and financial condition. While we believe we have identified and discussed below the material risk includingfactors affecting our business, these risk factors do not identify all the possibilityrisks we face, and there may be additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know or that we do not currently believe to be material that may have an adverse effect on our business, performance or financial condition in the valuefuture.
Operational and Industry Risks
The continuation of the investmentCOVID-19 pandemic could fall substantially. The following are risks thathave an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial results.
We cannot predict the extent to which the continuing COVID-19 pandemic will impact our business, results of operations and financial results due to numerous evolving factors such as the extent to which vaccines will be available and their effectiveness against mutations of COVID-19. However, the continuation or worsening of the COVID-19 pandemic could materiallyadversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, liquidity, cash flows,results if:
the current deterioration in the economic and inflationary environment resulting from the value of,pandemic worsens or continues throughout 2021;
political, legal and return on, an investmentregulatory actions and policies in response to the pandemic prevent us from performing our collection activities or result in material increases in our Company.costs to comply with such laws and regulations;
Risks relatedconsumers respond to COVID-19 by failing to pay amounts owed to us as a result of their unemployment or other factors that impact their ability to make payments;
we are unable to maintain staffing levels necessary to operate our business due to extended lockdowns, governmental actions that result in our business operations and industrybeing deemed non-essential or continued spread of COVID-19 causing employees to be unable or unwilling to work;
we are unable to collect on existing nonperforming loans or experience material decreases in our cash collections;
we are unable to purchase nonperforming loans needed to operate our business because credit originators become unable or unwilling to sell their nonperforming loans consistent with historical levels; or
we suffer a cybersecurity incident as a result of increased vulnerability while a larger number of our employees work remotely.
A deterioration in the economic or inflationary environment in the Americas or Europecountries in which we operate 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 regarding the EU’s future as a result of the UK's departure from the EU. Deterioration in economic conditions, 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 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, itthe amount of consumer or commercial lending and financing could negatively impactbe reduced, thus reducing the generationvolume of comprehensive receivable buying opportunitiesnonperforming loans available for purchase, which could adversely affect our business, financial results and ability to succeed in 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
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the banking system and financial markets during the last domesticprior global recession beginning in 2007 resulted in the tightening of credit markets. Although there has since been improvement,While the banking system and financial markets recovered from the prior recession, a worsening of current conditions, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, could have a negative impact on our business, including a decrease in the value of our financial investments and the insolvency of lending institutions, includingnotably the lenders providing 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 purchase and service a sufficient amount of nonperforming loans to generate revenue that exceeds our expenses. Fixed costsCosts 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 negative consequences such as:including the following:

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;credit originators; and
competitive factors affecting potential purchasers and credit grantorsoriginators 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.credit originators. 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 ownerscredit originators or debt buyers,purchasers, a sustained economic downturn or otherwise.
Moreover, there can be no assurance that debt ownerscredit originators will continue to sell their nonperforming loans consistent with recenthistorical 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. 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 purchasing and liquidatingcollecting nonperforming loans that consumers or others have failed to pay. The debt ownerscredit originators 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.
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
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with respect to a nonperforming or insolvent bankrupt receivables portfolio is significantly lower than the total amount we projected when we acquired the portfolio, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely impacted.
Changes in accounting standardsGoodwill impairment charges could negatively impact our net income and their interpretations could adversely affect our operating results.stockholders' equity.
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 couldWe have recorded a significant effect onamount of goodwill as a result of 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 lossesbusiness acquisitions. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for financial instruments heldimpairment at the reporting date based on historical experience, currentunit 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 a goodwill impairment charge. These risks include:
adverse changes in macroeconomic 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 offbusiness 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 be written off should be included in the valuation account and should not exceed the aggregaterealize anticipated synergies from acquisitions;
significant expense increases;
a more likely-than-not expectation 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 fullselling or partial writeoff of the amortized cost basis, that it will recoverdisposing all, or a portion of, a reporting unit;
the basis.loss of key personnel;
ASU 2016-13an adverse action or assessment by a regulator;
significant increase in discount rates; or
a sustained decrease in the price per share of our common stock.
Our goodwill impairment testing involves the use of estimates and ASU 2019-11 supersede ASC 310-30, "Loansthe exercise of judgment, including judgments regarding expected future business performance and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality" ("ASC 310-30"), which we currently follow to account for income recognized onmarket conditions. Significant changes in our finance receivables,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 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 tocould result in material changesa goodwill impairment charge in a future period.
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 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. However, there can be no assurance as to the Company’s accountingultimate outcome. We may still incur legal costs for its finance receivables. Implementation efforts are nearly complete, including finalizinga matter even if we have not accrued a liability. In addition, actual losses may be higher than the accounting processes, fulfillmentamount accrued for a certain matter, or in the aggregate. An unfavorable resolution 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 standardsa legal proceeding or claim could have an adverse effect onadversely impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.operations, or liquidity. For more information, refer to the "Litigation and Regulatory Matters" section of Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K ("Note 15").
International Operations Risks
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;
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;
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laws and regulations imposed by international 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 international governmental actions, whether through austerity or stimulus measures or 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 international operations;
the impact on our day-to-day operations and our ability to staff our international operations given our 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 international and local laws; and
the complexity and necessity of using non-U.S. representatives, consultants and other third-party vendors.
Any one of these factors could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The impactCompliance with complex and evolving international and U.S. laws and regulations that apply to our international operations could increase our cost of worldwide tax audits, changesdoing business in international jurisdictions.
We operate on a global basis with offices and activities in a number of jurisdictions throughout the Americas, Europe and Australia. We face increased exposure to risks inherent in conducting business internationally, including compliance with complex international or domestic taxand 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 issuance of new tax guidance,FCPA and the resultsUK Bribery Act. Given the complexity of operationsthese 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 have an adverse tax effectresult in fines and penalties, criminal sanctions, restrictions on our financial condition.

Our tax filings are subjectoperations and ability to audit by domesticoffer our products and international tax authorities. These audits may resultservices in assessments of additional taxes, adjustments to the timing of taxable incomeone or deductions, or re-allocations of income among tax jurisdictions.  Any onemore countries. Violations of these factorslaws could also adversely affect our business, results of operationsbrand, international expansion efforts, ability to attract 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 positionretain employees 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.
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 UK's exit from the EU could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
On June 23, 2016, theThe UK voted to leaveexited the EU (commonly referred to as "Brexit"). Although Brexit occurred oneffective January 31, 2020 ("Brexit"). Although the parties have agreed on several terms governing their continuing relationship, matters such as data sharing and financial services remain unresolved. As a result of the recency of the agreement and the failure to reach agreement on significant matters, there remains significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the UK and the EU and theBrexit’s impact of the UK's withdrawal from the EU including its affect on business activity, impact ontaxes, foreign currency, political stability, and economic, regulatory and financial market conditions in the UK, the EU and globally.globally, the movement of goods, services, people and capital between the UK and EU.
As of December 31, 2019,2020, the total estimated remaining collections ("ERC") of our UK portfolios constituted approximately 23%26% 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 currency exchange volatility in the short term resulting from the uncertainty of Brexit. In the longer term, anyBrexit could adversely impact from Brexit on our business, results of operations and financial condition will dependdepending on the final terms negotiated by the UK and the EU including arrangements concerning data sharing, taxes, and financial services regulation.
Our loss contingency accruals may not be adequate to cover actual losses.
We are involved in judicial, regulatory,regulation and arbitration proceedings or investigations concerningother 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 "operations.

Litigation

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Legal and Regulatory Matters" section of Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K ("Note 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.
A cyber incident could disrupt our operations, compromise or corrupt our confidential information or damage our 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 we expand geographically, maintaining the security of our information technology systems and infrastructure becomes more significant and difficult. As our reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our systems, some of which are internal and others we have outsourced. The three primary risks we face from a cyber incident are operational disruption, reputational damage and the exposure of private data such 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 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 international laws, regulations and policies.
The businesses conducted by our operating subsidiariesOur operations are subject to licensing and regulation by governmental and regulatory bodies in the many jurisdictions in which we operate. FederalU.S. federal and state laws, and the laws and regulations of the international 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 acquire 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 harmadversely affect 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 harmadversely affect 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 grantororiginator 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 debtdebit 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 acquisition 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.practices generally. 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
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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. GovernmentGovernmental 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, harm our ability to conduct business with industry participants, and 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. OnAs previously reported in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 9, 2015, Portfolio Associates, LLC ("PRA"), our wholly owned subsidiary, entered into a consent order with the CFPB effective September 9, 2015 settling a previously disclosed investigation of certain debt collection practices of 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,fact, the CFPB monitors our compliance withhas recently made civil investigative demands and advised the Company of the CFPB’s belief that we may have violated certain provisions of the Consent Order and could make a determination that we have failedapplicable law. Refer to adhereNote 15 to our obligations. Such a determination could resultConsolidated Financial Statements included in additional inquiries, penalties or liabilities, which could have an adverse effect on our business, resultsItem 8 of operations, and financial condition.
Compliance with complex and evolving international 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 international 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 orthis Form 10-K for 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.information.
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 regulation of data privacy, including interpretations and determinations by regulatory authorities in the U.S. and in the countries in which we operate, continues to evolve. It is not possible to predict the effect of such rigorous data protection regulations over time. For example, the EU and UK adopted the GDPR which impacts our European operations. On May 25, 2018 the GDPR

updated data privacy compliance obligations, whichoperations and required us to adapt our business practices accordingly. Financial penalties for noncompliance with the GDPR can be significant. 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 protections. Data privacy regulations 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 indebtednessChanges in tax provisions or exposures to additional tax liabilities could have an adverse tax effect on our financial condition.
We utilize bankrecord reserves for uncertain tax positions based on our assessment of the probability of successfully sustaining tax filing positions. Management exercises significant judgment when assessing the probability of successfully sustaining tax filing positions, in determining whether a tax liability should be recorded and, if so, estimating that amount. Our tax filings are subject to audit by domestic and international tax authorities. If our tax filing positions are successfully challenged, payments could be required that are in excess of reserved amounts or we may be required to reduce the carrying amount of our net deferred tax asset, either of which could be significant to our financial condition or results of operations. Although we believe our estimates are reasonable, the ultimate tax outcome may differ from the amounts recorded in our financial statements and may adversely or beneficially affect our financial results in the period(s) for which such determination is made.
Financial and Liquidity Risks
We expect to use leverage in executing our business strategy, which may adversely affect the return on our assets.
We may incur a substantial amount of debt in the future. Our existing indebtedness is recourse to us, and we anticipate that future indebtedness will likewise be recourse. As of December 31, 2020, we had total consolidated indebtedness of approximately $2.7 billion, all of which, except for $345.0 million outstanding principal amount of our 3.50% Convertible Notes due 2023 (the "2023 Notes") and $300.0 million outstanding principal amount of our 7.375% Senior Notes due 2025 (the "2025 Notes"), was secured indebtedness. In addition, as of December 31, 2020, we had total committed revolving borrowing capacity of $843.2 million available under our credit facilities, all of which if borrowed would be secured indebtedness. Considering borrowing base restrictions and other covenants, the amount available to be borrowed under our credit facilities would have been $408.0 million. Our management team will consider a number of factors when evaluating our level of
14


indebtedness and when making decisions regarding the incurrence of any new indebtedness, including the purchase price of assets to be acquired with debt financing, the estimated market value of our assets and the ability of particular assets and the Company as a whole, to generate cash flow to cover the expected debt service.
Incurring a substantial amount of debt could have important consequences for our business, including:
making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our debt, to our trade or other creditors;
increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic or industry conditions;
limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions, particularly when the availability of financing in the capital markets is constrained;
requiring a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations and reducing our ability to use our cash flows to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and general corporate requirements;
increasing the amount of interest expense because most of the indebtedness under our credit facilities bear interest at floating rates, which, if interest rates increase, will result in higher interest expense;
limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; and
placing us at a competitive disadvantage to less leveraged competitors.
We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us through capital markets financings, under credit facilities or otherwise, in an amount sufficient to enable us to repay our indebtedness, repurchase our 2023 Notes upon a fundamental change or settle conversions in cash, repurchase our 2025 Notes upon a change of control or fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness, at or before its scheduled maturity. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all. In addition, we may incur additional indebtedness in order to finance our operations or to repay existing indebtedness. If we cannot service our indebtedness, we may have to take actions such as selling assets, seeking additional debt or equity or reducing or delaying capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions, investments and alliances. We cannot assure you that any such actions, if necessary, could be effected on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or on terms that would be advantageous to our stockholders or on terms that would not require us to breach the terms and conditions of our existing or future debt agreements. Our ability to access additional future borrowings could be negatively impacted as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global debt and capital markets.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service obligations.
Our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to make scheduled payments on our debt obligations will depend on our current and future financial performance, which is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. In the future, we may fail to generate sufficient cash flow from the collection of nonperforming loans to meet our cash requirements. Further, our capital requirements may vary materially from those currently planned if, for example, our revenues do not reach expected levels, we have to incur unforeseen expenses, we invest in acquisitions or make other investments that we believe will benefit our competitive position. If we do not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to satisfy our debt obligations, including interest payments and the payment of principal at maturity, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing or restructuring our debt, selling assets or seeking to raise additional capital. We cannot provide assurance that any refinancing would be possible, that any assets could be sold, or, if sold, of the timeliness and amount of proceeds realized from those sales, that additional financing could be obtained on acceptable terms, if at all, or that additional financing would be permitted under the terms of our various debt instruments then in effect. Furthermore, our ability to refinance would depend upon the condition of the finance and credit markets. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt obligations, or to refinance our obligations on commercially reasonable terms or on a timely basis, would materially affect our business, financial condition or results of operations and may delay or prevent the expansion of our business.
The agreements governing our indebtedness include provisions that may restrict our financial and business operations.
Our credit facilities and convertible notes to financethe indentures that govern our business activities, which could negatively impact2023 Notes and 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 our convertible notes.
As described in Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, our sources of liquidity include a North American credit facility, a European multicurrency revolving credit facility and convertible senior notes. The credit facilities2025 Notes contain financial and other restrictive covenants, including restrictions on how we operate our business and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders. These restrictions may interfere with our ability to engage in other necessary or desirable business activities, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Failure to satisfy any one of these covenants could result in negative consequences, including the following:
15


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.
As referenced above, we have 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 could 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.

It is possible that beginning in 2022 LIBOR iswill be discontinued as 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.rate. It is unknown whether any proposed alternative reference rates will attain market acceptance as replacements for LIBOR or whether the outstanding issues related to them will be satisfactorily resolved. The availability of our borrowings and the operation of our derivative hedging agreements could be adversely impacted if LIBOR is discontinued and an agreement cannot be reached on an appropriate replacement benchmark rate between us and our lenders and counterparties.
Cybersecurity and Technology Risks
A cybersecurity incident could disrupt our operations, compromise or corrupt our confidential information or damage our 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 we expand geographically, maintaining the security of our information technology systems and infrastructure becomes more significant and challenging. The three primary risks we face from a cybersecurity incident are operational disruption, the exposure of private data including, customer information, our employees' personally identifiable information, or proprietary business information such as underwriting and collections methodologies and reputational damage. As our reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our systems, some of which are internal, some hosted in the cloud and others we have outsourced.
Although we take preventive steps, including patching our systems and infrastructure, monitoring and blocking malicious traffic with intrusion and detection prevention systems, monitoring firewalls to safeguard critical business applications, conducting regular external and internal security penetrations testing and supervising third party providers that have access to our systems, our computer systems, software and network, may still be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses or other malicious code, and other events that could have a security impact. To date, interruptions of our systems and infrastructure have been infrequent and have not had a material impact on operations. However, these measures, as well as our organization's increased awareness of our risk of a cybersecurity incident, do not guarantee that our business, reputation or financial results will not be impacted in a material adverse manner by such an incident. Should such a cybersecurity 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 cybersecurity insurance.
The underperformance or failure of our information technology infrastructure, networks or communication systems could result in loss in productivity, loss of competitive advantage and business disruption.
We depend on effective information and communication systems to operate our business. We have also acquired and expect to acquire additional systems as a result whileof business acquisitions. Significant resources are required to maintain or enhance our existing information and telephone systems and to replace obsolete systems. Although we do not expect the impactperiodically upgrade, streamline, and integrate 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 significantmaterial adverse effect on our costbusiness, financial condition and results of capital, financial results, and cash flows, the final impact cannot yet be determined.operations.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
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Item 2. Properties.
Our corporate headquarters and primary domestic operations facilities are located in Norfolk, Virginia. In addition, at December 31, 2019,2020, we had operational centers in the Americas (13(12 leased and 3three owned), Europe (12(11 leased) and Australia (1(one leased).
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.
ReferRefer to Note 1415 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.

17
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 Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "PRAA." Based on information provided by our transfer agent and registrar, as of February 14, 2020,15, 2021, there were 46 holders of record.
Stock Performance
The following graph and subsequent table compare from December 31, 20142015 to December 31, 2019,2020, the cumulative stockholder returns assuming an initial investment of $100 in our common stock (PRAA), the stocks comprising the Nasdaq Financial 100 (IXF) and the stocks comprising the Nasdaq 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-4684cd0258475e04a30.jpgpraa-20201231_g1.jpg
Ticker 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019Ticker201520162017201820192020
PRA Group, Inc.PRAA $100
 $60
 $68
 $57
 $42
 $63
PRA Group, Inc.PRAA$100 $113 $96 $70 $105 $114 
Nasdaq Financial 100IXF $100
 $106
 $135
 $155
 $142
 $184
Nasdaq Financial 100IXF$100 $126 $146 $134 $173 $179 
Nasdaq Global Market Composite IndexNQGM $100
 $100
 $96
 $120
 $112
 $155
Nasdaq Global Market Composite IndexNQGM$100 $96 $120 $112 $155 $255 
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, 2019;2020; however, our board of directors may determine in the future to declare or pay dividends on our common stock. UnderOur credit facilities and the terms of Northern American Credit Agreement, cashindentures that govern our 2023 Notes and our 2025 Notes contain financial and other restrictive covenants, including restrictions on how we operate our business and our ability to pay dividends may not exceed $20 million in any fiscal year without the consent ofto our lenders.stockholders. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of dividends will be at the discretion of our boardBoard of directorsDirectors and will depend on conditions then existing, conditions, including our results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors that our boardBoard of directorsDirectors may consider relevant.

18


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 1112 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.None.
19
Consolidated Income Statements, Operating and Other Financial Data
$ in thousands, except per share amounts
 Years Ended December 31,
Income Statement Data:2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Revenues:         
Income recognized on finance receivables$998,361
 $891,899
 $795,435
 $845,142
 $894,491
Fee income15,769
 14,916
 24,916
 77,381
 64,383
Other revenue2,951
 1,441
 7,855
 8,080
 12,513
Total revenues1,017,081
 908,256
 828,206
 930,603
 971,387
          
Net allowance charges(24,025) (33,425) (11,898) (98,479) (29,369)
          
Operating expenses:         
Compensation and employee services310,441
 319,400
 273,033
 258,846
 268,345
Legal collection fees55,261
 42,941
 43,351
 47,717
 53,393
Legal collection costs134,156
 104,988
 76,047
 84,485
 76,063
Agency fees55,812
 33,854
 35,530
 44,922
 32,188
Outside fees and services63,513
 61,492
 62,792
 63,098
 65,155
Communication44,057
 43,224
 33,132
 33,771
 33,113
Rent and occupancy17,854
 16,906
 14,823
 15,710
 14,714
Depreciation and amortization17,464
 19,322
 19,763
 24,359
 19,874
Other operating expenses46,811
 47,444
 44,103
 39,466
 68,829
Total operating expenses745,369
 689,571
 602,574
 612,374
 631,674
Income from operations247,687
 185,260
 213,734
 219,750
 310,344
Other income and (expense):         
Gain on sale of subsidiaries
 26,575
 48,474
 
 
Interest expense, net(141,918) (121,078) (98,041) (80,864) (60,336)
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)11,954
 (944) (1,104) 2,564
 7,514
Other(364) (316) (2,790) (5,823) 
Income before income taxes117,359
 89,497
 160,273
 135,627
 257,522
Income tax expense/(benefit)19,680
 13,763
 (10,852) 43,577
 89,391
Net income97,679
 75,734
 171,125
 92,050
 168,131
Adjustment for net income attributable to noncontrolling interests11,521
 10,171
 6,810
 5,795
 205
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$86,158
 $65,563
 $164,315
 $86,255
 $167,926
Net income per share attributable to PRA Group, Inc.:         
Basic$1.90 $1.45 $3.60 $1.86 $3.49
Diluted$1.89 $1.44 $3.59 $1.86 $3.47
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:         
Basic45,387
 45,280
 45,671
 46,316
 48,128
Diluted45,577
 45,413
 45,823
 46,388
 48,405
Operating and Other Financial Data:         
Cash receipts$1,857,040
 $1,640,121
 $1,537,521
 $1,569,367
 $1,603,878
Cash Efficiency Ratio (1)
59.9% 58.0% 60.8% 61.0% 60.6%
Acquisitions of finance receivables, at cost (2)
$1,289,327
 $1,117,997
 $1,108,959
 $947,331
 $963,811
Full-time equivalents at period end4,412
 5,377
 5,154
 4,019
 3,799
(1)Calculated by dividing cash receipts less operating expenses by 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 business acquisitions.




Key Balance Sheet Data
Amounts in thousands
 As of December 31,
 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Cash and cash equivalents$119,774
 $98,695
 $120,516
 $94,287
 $71,372
Finance receivables, net3,514,165
 3,084,777
 2,776,199
 2,309,513
 2,202,113
Total assets4,423,891
 3,909,559
 3,700,972
 3,165,157
 2,990,567
Borrowings2,808,425
 2,473,656
 2,170,182
 1,784,101
 1,717,129
Total equity1,227,013
 1,123,969
 1,140,717
 918,321
 839,747
Quarterly Income Statement Data
Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts
 Dec 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$262,835
 $247,471
 $249,219
 $238,836
 $231,029
 $223,228
 $219,018
 $218,624
Fee income4,297
 2,391
 2,707
 6,374
 4,686
 2,561
 2,342
 5,327
Other revenue2,001
 152
 131
 667
 1,027
 99
 158
 157
Total revenues269,133
 250,014
 252,057
 245,877
 236,742
 225,888
 221,518
 224,108
                
Net allowance charges(12,598) (4,136) (1,196) (6,095) (21,381) (8,285) (2,834) (925)
                
Operating expenses:               
Compensation and employee services75,671
 75,317
 79,808
 79,645
 79,123
 78,350
 80,690
 81,237
Legal collection fees13,822
 14,083
 14,297
 13,059
 11,501
 10,428
 10,343
 10,669
Legal collection costs34,411
 31,395
 33,121
 35,229
 33,281
 30,769
 18,695
 22,243
Agency fees15,979
 12,788
 13,013
 14,032
 9,088
 8,350
 8,138
 8,278
Outside fees and services15,239
 16,733
 16,293
 15,248
 17,068
 15,701
 14,565
 14,158
Communication9,722
 10,310
 10,824
 13,201
 10,645
 10,240
 10,782
 11,557
Rent and occupancy4,586
 4,414
 4,491
 4,363
 4,319
 4,270
 4,003
 4,314
Depreciation and amortization4,123
 4,046
 4,723
 4,572
 5,092
 4,776
 4,525
 4,929
Other operating expenses12,198
 12,102
 10,926
 11,585
 13,030
 10,602
 11,628
 12,184
Total operating expenses185,751
 181,188
 187,496
 190,934
 183,147
 173,486
 163,369
 169,569
Income from operations70,784
 64,690
 63,365
 48,848
 32,214
 44,117
 55,315
 53,614
Other income and (expense):               
Gain on sale of subsidiaries
 
 
 
 26,575
 
 
 
Interest expense, net(36,046) (35,864) (36,027) (33,981) (33,549) (30,624) (31,124) (25,781)
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)595
 5,406
 (311) 6,264
 (4,553) 626
 1,690
 1,293
Other(241) (19) 248
 (352) (381) 222
 (400) 243
Income before income taxes35,092
 34,213
 27,275
 20,779
 20,306
 14,341
 25,481
 29,369
Income tax expense4,073
 6,665
 5,075
 3,867
 1,980
 1,789
 3,857
 6,137
Net income31,019
 27,548
 22,200
 16,912
 18,326
 12,552
 21,624
 23,232
Adjustment for net income attributable to noncontrolling interests3,678
 2,577
 3,581
 1,685
 3,384
 2,625
 2,036
 2,126
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$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$0.60
 $0.55
 $0.41
 $0.34
 $0.33
 $0.22
 $0.43
 $0.47
Diluted$0.60
 $0.55
 $0.41
 $0.34
 $0.33
 $0.22
 $0.43
 $0.47
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:               
Basic45,413
 45,410
 45,387
 45,338
 45,304
 45,302
 45,283
 45,231
Diluted45,748
 45,645
 45,495
 45,419
 45,394
 45,440
 45,449
 45,370


Quarterly Balance Sheet Data
Amounts in thousands
 Dec 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$119,774
 $90,000
 $105,496
 $102,102
 $98,695
 $114,176
 $71,570
 $101,418
Investments56,176
 55,204
 85,911
 85,082
 45,173
 21,750
 80,541
 87,764
Finance receivables, net3,514,165
 3,238,813
 3,230,949
 3,177,229
 3,084,777
 2,823,622
 2,734,673
 2,771,408
Other receivables, net10,606
 15,808
 13,770
 18,082
 46,157
 9,067
 14,688
 14,308
Income taxes receivable17,918
 23,479
 11,323
 15,472
 16,809
 8,912
 12,163
 10,271
Deferred tax asset, net63,225
 60,697
 66,401
 61,619
 61,453
 63,724
 60,944
 59,377
Property and equipment, net56,501
 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
 
 
 
 
Goodwill480,794
 465,572
 489,293
 480,518
 464,116
 519,045
 519,811
 544,293
Intangible assets, net4,497
 4,757
 5,219
 5,247
 5,522
 17,369
 18,914
 22,523
Other assets31,263
 36,380
 32,751
 35,970
 32,721
 27,296
 31,650
 37,639
Total assets$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$4,258
 $3,469
 $3,279
 $5,682
 $6,110
 $3,773
 $5,090
 $2,330
Accrued expenses88,925
 84,753
 74,950
 77,838
 79,396
 81,445
 78,852
 85,137
Income taxes payable4,046
 624
 372
 389
 15,080
 13,408
 466
 23,872
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 deposits106,246
 112,024
 107,840
 95,314
 82,666
 79,282
 82,613
 90,769
Borrowings2,808,425
 2,567,086
 2,618,382
 2,586,409
 2,473,656
 2,194,687
 2,133,997
 2,150,873
Other liabilities26,211
 29,607
 27,307
 25,789
 7,370
 8,474
 8,061
 15,146
Total liabilities3,196,878
 2,967,432
 3,009,622
 2,974,096
 2,779,257
 2,502,059
 2,449,303
 2,514,537
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
 4,535
 4,935
 6,199
 6,333
 6,955
 8,322
 9,697
Equity:               
Common stock454
 454
 454
 454
 453
 453
 453
 453
Additional paid-in capital67,321
 64,631
 61,705
 59,091
 60,303
 58,713
 56,410
 54,271
Retained earnings1,362,631
 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(261,018) (305,956) (252,124) (248,521) (242,109) (213,078) (209,167) (155,687)
Total stockholders' equity - PRA Group, Inc.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 interests57,625
 51,894
 30,503
 23,315
 28,849
 43,338
 41,393
 47,502
Total equity1,227,013
 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$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 Australia. Our primary business is the purchase, collection and management of portfolios of nonperforming loans.
Certain priorCOVID-19
The COVID-19 outbreak, which was first reported in December 2019 and declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, has impacted all countries in which we operate. In an effort to address the spread of COVID-19, the countries in which we operate have restricted travel, closed country borders, banned gatherings of unrelated individuals, quarantined and isolated infected individuals, closed schools and non-essential businesses and established criteria that must be met before businesses reopen. The global spread of COVID-19 has disrupted normal business operations and resulted in significant unemployment, recessionary economic trends and overall volatility, uncertainty and economic disruption.
To date, we have continued to operate our business considering governmental, legal and regulatory actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are able to monitor on a daily basis the impacts of COVID-19 on our business, operations and financial results and to take steps to mitigate adverse effects wherever possible. These include communicating with regulators and government officials concerning legislation and regulations, enabling employees to work remotely and implementing social distancing in the workplaces that remain open.
Specific impacts on our business, results of operations and financial condition during the year amountsended December 31, 2020 included:
a reduction in U.S. staffing in mid-March 2020, which returned to almost normal levels by the end of April and remains at these levels;
an increase in U.S. Core cash collections, which we believe was due to our increased ability to contact customers and customers choosing to use additional discretionary funds to voluntarily resolve their debts;
a decrease in legal collection costs during the second quarter of 2020, as a result of the following, both of which have returned to normal levels to varying degrees over the remainder of 2020;
a decrease in the volume of U.S. accounts sent through the legal channel, due to our decision to temporarily pause transitioning U.S. accounts into a legal eligible status; and
a decrease in the volume of European accounts sent through the legal channel due to the closure of courts in many of the European countries in which we operate;
a decrease in certain expenses such as communication expenses due to mailing decisions made as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and interruptions in postal mailings and deliveries; and
a decrease in portfolio purchases due to deferrals by sellers and lower levels of bankruptcy filings and charge-offs.
Funds generated from operations, cash collections on finance receivables, existing cash, available borrowings under our revolving credit facilities (including recent modifications to the terms of those facilities) and the addition of our senior notes, have been reclassified for consistencysufficient to finance our operations, planned capital expenditures, forward flow purchase commitments, debt maturities and portfolio purchases during the pandemic. We continue to monitor the need to expand our access to credit to fund the aforementioned business activities.
Our analysis of the current and future impact of COVID-19 on our operations is based on management’s constant monitoring of key data and information, including (1) changes in laws, regulations and governmental actions, (2) trends in the macroeconomic environment, consumer behavior and key operational metrics such as cash collections and (3) conditions in the nonperforming loan market. However, we cannot predict the full extent to which COVID-19 will impact our business, results of operations and financial condition due to the numerous evolving factors associated with the current period presentation.pandemic. See the "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of this Form 10-K.
Frequently Used Terms
We may use the following terminology throughout this document:Form 10-K:
"Amortization rate" refers to cash collections applied to principal on finance receivables as a percentage of total cash collections.collections (prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses" and ASU 2019-19, "Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instrument Credit Losses, collectively referred to as "ASC 326").
20


"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 cash collections on our owned finance receivables portfolios plus fee income.
"Change in expected recoveries" refers to the differences of actual recoveries received when compared to expected recoveries and the net present value of changes in estimated remaining collections.
"Core" accounts or portfolios refer to accounts or portfolios that are nonperforming loans and are not in an insolvent status upon 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"),IVAs, Trust Deeds in the UK, Consumer Proposals in Canada and bankruptcy accounts in the U.S., Canada, Germany and the UK.
"Negative Allowance" refers to the present value of cash flows expected to be collected on our finance receivables, classified as an asset on the balance sheet.
"Portfolio acquisitions" refers to all portfolios acquired as a result of a purchase, but also includes portfolios added as a result of a business acquisition.
"Portfolio purchases" refers to all portfolios purchased in the normal course of business and excludes those added as a result of business acquisitions.
"Portfolio income" reflects revenue recorded due to the passage of time using the effective interest rate calculated based on the purchase price of portfolios and estimated remaining collections.
"Principal amortization" refers to cash collections applied to principal on finance receivables.receivables prior to the adoption of ASC 326.
"Purchase price" refers to the cash paid to a seller to acquire nonperforming loans, plusloans. Prior to the adoption of ASC 326 purchase price also included certain capitalized costs lessand adjustments for buybacks.
"Purchase price multiple" refers to the total estimated collections (as defined below) on owned finance receivables portfolios divided by purchase price.
"Recoveries" refers to cash collections plus buybacks and other adjustments.
"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 2020, 2019 2018 and 20172018 are for the years ended December 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, respectively.







24
21




Results of Operations
The results of operations include the financial results of the Company and all of our subsidiaries. As of January 1, 2020 we adopted ASC 326 on a prospective basis. Prior period amounts were accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30 "Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality" ("ASC 310-30"). For further information refer to Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K. The following table sets forth consolidated income statementConsolidated Income Statement amounts as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
202020192018
Revenues:
Portfolio income$984,036 92.4 %$— — %$— — %
Changes in expected recoveries69,297 6.5 — — — — 
Income recognized on finance receivables— — 998,361 98.2 891,899 98.2 
Fee income9,748 0.9 15,769 1.5 14,916 1.6 
Other revenue2,333 0.2 2,951 0.3 1,441 0.2 
Total revenues1,065,414 100.0 1,017,081 100.0 908,256 100.0 
Net allowance charges— — (24,025)(2.4)(33,425)(3.7)
Operating expenses:
Compensation and employee services295,150 27.7 310,441 30.5 319,400 35.2 
Legal collection fees53,758 5.1 55,261 5.4 42,941 4.7 
Legal collection costs101,635 9.5 134,156 13.2 104,988 11.6 
Agency fees56,418 5.3 55,812 5.5 33,854 3.7 
Outside fees and services84,087 7.9 63,513 6.2 61,492 6.8 
Communication40,801 3.8 44,057 4.3 43,224 4.8 
Rent and occupancy17,973 1.7 17,854 1.8 16,906 1.9 
Depreciation and amortization18,465 1.7 17,464 1.7 19,322 2.1 
Other operating expenses47,426 4.5 46,811 4.6 47,444 5.1 
Total operating expenses715,713 67.2 745,369 73.2 689,571 75.9 
Income from operations349,701 32.8 247,687 24.4 185,260 20.4 
Other income and (expense):
Gain on sale of subsidiaries— — — — 26,575 2.9 
Interest expense, net(141,712)(13.2)(141,918)(14.0)(121,078)(13.3)
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)2,005 0.2 11,954 1.2 (944)(0.1)
Other(1,049)(0.2)(364)(0.1)(316)(0.1)
Income before income taxes208,945 19.6 117,359 11.5 89,497 9.8 
Income tax expense41,203 3.9 19,680 1.9 13,763 1.5 
Net income167,742 15.7 97,679 9.6 75,734 8.3 
Adjustment for net income attributable to noncontrolling interests18,403 1.7 11,521 1.1 10,171 1.1 
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$149,339 14.0 %$86,158 8.5 %$65,563 7.2 %

22
 2019 2018 2017
Revenues:           
Income recognized on finance receivables$998,361
 98.2 % $891,899
 98.2 % $795,435
 96.0 %
Fee income15,769
 1.5
 14,916
 1.6
 24,916
 3.0
Other revenue2,951
 0.3
 1,441
 0.2
 7,855
 0.9
Total revenues1,017,081
 100.0
 908,256
 100.0
 828,206
 100.0
            
Net allowance charges(24,025) (2.4) (33,425) (3.7) (11,898) (1.4)
            
Operating expenses:           
Compensation and employee services310,441
 30.5
 319,400
 35.2
 273,033
 33.0
Legal collection fees55,261
 5.4
 42,941
 4.7
 43,351
 5.2
Legal collection costs134,156
 13.2
 104,988
 11.6
 76,047
 9.2
Agency fees55,812
 5.5
 33,854
 3.7
 35,530
 4.3
Outside fees and services63,513
 6.2
 61,492
 6.8
 62,792
 7.6
Communication44,057
 4.3
 43,224
 4.8
 33,132
 4.0
Rent and occupancy17,854
 1.8
 16,906
 1.9
 14,823
 1.8
Depreciation and amortization17,464
 1.7
 19,322
 2.1
 19,763
 2.4
Other operating expenses46,811
 4.6
 47,444
 5.1
 44,103
 5.3
Total operating expenses745,369
 73.2
 689,571
 75.9
 602,574
 72.8
Income from operations247,687
 24.4
 185,260
 20.4
 213,734
 25.8
Other income and (expense):           
Gain on sale of subsidiaries
 
 26,575
 2.9
 48,474
 5.9
Interest expense, net(141,918) (14.0) (121,078) (13.3) (98,041) (11.8)
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)11,954
 1.2
 (944) (0.1) (1,104) (0.1)
Other(364) (0.1) (316) (0.1) (2,790) (0.3)
Income before income taxes117,359
 11.5
 89,497
 9.8
 160,273
 19.4
Income tax expense/(benefit)19,680
 1.9
 13,763
 1.5
 (10,852) (1.3)
Net income97,679
 9.6
 75,734
 8.3
 171,125
 20.7
Adjustment for net income attributable to noncontrolling interests11,521
 1.1
 10,171
 1.1
 6,810
 0.8
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$86,158
 8.5 % $65,563
 7.2 % $164,315
 19.9 %

25



Year ended December 31, 2020 compared with year ended December 31, 2019
Cash Collections
Cash collections for the periods indicated were as follows for the periods indicated:(amounts in millions):
20202019Change
Year Ended December 31, Variances
(Amounts in millions)2019 2018 2017 2019 vs. 2018 2018 vs. 2017
Americas Core$1,141.5
 $945.2
 $860.9
 $196.3
 $84.3
Americas Core$1,271.9 $1,141.5 $130.4 
Americas Insolvency180.9
 207.8
 222.5
 (26.9) (14.7) Americas Insolvency155.3 180.9 (25.6)
Europe Core480.1
 443.4
 407.0
 36.7
 36.4
Europe Core519.7 480.1 39.6 
Europe Insolvency38.8
 28.8
 22.2
 10.0
 6.6
Europe Insolvency58.9 38.8 20.1 
Total cash collections$1,841.3
 $1,625.2
 $1,512.6
 $216.1
 $112.6
Total cash collections$2,005.8 $1,841.3 $164.5 
         
Cash collections adjusted (1)
$1,841.3
 $1,595.5
 $1,518.7
 $245.8
 $76.8
Cash collections adjusted (1)
$2,005.8 $1,823.1 $182.7 
Cash collections on fully amortized pools47.1
 54.0
 57.6
 (6.9) (3.6)
Cash collections on pools on cost recovery13.5
 35.8
 37.7
 (22.3) (1.9)
Net finance receivables on cost recovery at year-end33.7
 48.0
 166.6
 (14.3) (118.6)
(1) Cash collections adjusted refers to 20182019 cash collections remeasuredtranslated using 2019 exchange rates and 2017 cash collections remeasured using 20182020 exchange rates.
Cash collections were $2,005.8 million in 2020, an increase of $164.5 million, or 8.9%, compared to $1,841.3 million in 2019, an increase of $216.1 million or 13.3%, compared to $1,625.2 million in 2018.2019. 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 our U.S. call center and other collections, including a higher level of collections through our digital platforms, increasing $48.6$144.4 million, or 8.5%23.3%, primarily due primarily to higher Americas Core portfolio purchasing in 2018. Additionally, aswhat we believe to be various economic circumstances that have provided U.S. consumers with additional discretionary funds and 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 increased $56.6 million or 73.8%. Furthermore, our Europe Core cash collections increased $36.7 million or 8.3%, due primarilywillingness to increased portfolio purchasing, the consolidation of a Polish fund in the third quarter of 2018, and operational improvements. These increases werevoluntarily resolve their debts. This was partially offset by a decline of $26.9$14.6 million, or 13.0%3.8%, decrease in U.S. legal collections due to a shift in collections from the legal channel to the call centers and digital platforms. Additionally, Europe cash collections increased $59.7 million, or 11.5%, reflecting the impact of record 2019 purchases as well as strong 2020 purchases. Furthermore, Americas Insolvency cash collections causeddecreased by $25.6 million, or 14.2%, mainly by reflectinginvestment volumes in the U.S.levels 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 increased 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 portfolio buying in 2018 and the continued runoff of our older portfolios.
Revenues
Total revenues were $1,017.1 million in 2019, $908.3 million in 2018, and $828.2 million in 2017.
A summary of how our revenues were generated duringRevenue for the years indicated iswere as follows (amounts in thousands):
20202019
Portfolio income$984,036 $— 
Changes in expected recoveries69,297 — 
Income recognized on finance receivables— 998,361 
Fee income9,748 15,769 
Other revenue2,333 2,951 
Total revenues$1,065,414 $1,017,081 
 2019 2018 2017
Cash collections$1,841,271
 $1,625,205
 $1,512,605
Principal amortization(842,910) (733,306) (717,170)
Income recognized on finance receivables998,361
 891,899
 795,435
Fee income15,769
 14,916
 24,916
Other revenue2,951
 1,441
 7,855
Total revenues$1,017,081
 $908,256
 $828,206
Income Recognized on Finance Receivables
Income recognized on finance receivables was $998.4Total revenues were $1,065.4 million in 2019,2020, an increase of $106.5$48.3 million, or 11.9%4.7%, compared to $891.9$1,017.1 million in 2018.2019. The increase wasis largely due to record portfolio purchases in 2019 and significant cash collections overperformance primarily the result of the impact of recent Americas and Europe Core purchasing, sustained over-performance and related yield increases on pools broadly across all geographies, recent increased portfolio purchasing in South America, and the acquisition of a business in Canada in the first quarterlast three quarters of 2019.


Income recognized on finance receivables was $891.9 million2020 recorded as a component of Changes in 2018, an increase of $96.5 million or 12.1% compared to $795.4 million in 2017. The increase was primarily the result ofexpected recoveries. This 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 purchasing in 2017 and 2018. This was partially offset by a decline inadjustments to our Americas Insolvency revenue caused mainly by a decline in Americas Insolvency portfolio purchasing in 2018 andERCs to reflect our assumption that the continued runoff of our older portfolios.
Fee Income
Fee income was $15.8 million in 2019, $14.9 million in 2018, and $24.9 million in 2017. The decrease of $10.0 million or 40.2% in 2018overperformance was primarily due to acceleration in the saletiming 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,cash collections rather than an increase to total expected collections. We believe this to be an appropriate assumption as we have continued to generate unprecedented cash collections, primarily in the Americas call centers and digital platforms, with two consecutive record cash collections quarters following the record first quarter 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, primarily2020, deviating from typical seasonal patterns. We have assumed that these collections are accelerated due to economic circumstances providing consumers with additional discretionary funds and a decreasewillingness to voluntarily repay their debts. If we observe sustained performance over time supporting an increase in our total expected collections, there would be additional revenue earned on our investments.in the future. Additionally, we made forecast adjustments deemed appropriate given the current environment.
Net Allowance Charges
NetIn 2019, under ASC 310-30, net allowance charges arewere 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, weEffective January 1, 2020, under ASC 326, changes to expected cash flows are 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 changes in expected recoveries within revenues.
23


Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $715.7 million in 2020, a decrease of $29.7 million, or 4.0%, compared to $745.4 million in 2019, $689.6 million in 2018, and $602.6 million in 2017.2019.
Compensation and Employee Services
Compensation and employee service expenses were $295.2 million in 2020, a decrease of $15.2 million, or 4.9%, compared to $310.4 million in 2019, a decrease of $9.0 million or 2.8% compared to $319.4 million in 2018.2019. 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.due to efficiencies. Total full-time equivalents decreased 17.9%13.4% to3,820 as of December 31, 2020 from 4,412 as of December 31, 2019 from 5,377 as of December 31, 2018. Additionally, this category2019. The decrease 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 $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, partiallyslightly offset by a decrease resulting from the sale of our government services businesses$3.7 million, or 34.2%, increase in share-based compensation expense due to improved actual performance compared to targets 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.a lower forfeiture rate.
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 $53.8 million in 2020, a decrease of $1.5 million, or 2.7%, compared to $55.3 million in 2019 $42.9 million in 2018, and $43.4 million in 2017. The increase of $12.4 million or 28.9% in 2019 was primarily due to a 44.5% increaseslight decrease in external legal cash collections in the 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 $101.6 million in 2020, a decrease of $32.6 million, or 24.3%, compared to $134.2 million in 2019, an increase of $29.2 million or 27.8%, compared to $105.0 million in 2018.2019. The increasedecrease was primarily due to additional court costs related to the expansion of thea reduced number of accounts placed into the U.S. legal channel as a result of a shift in collections from 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 $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 environmentcall centers and consumer behavior.digital platforms.
Agency Fees
Agency fees primarily represent third-party collection fees. Agency fees were $56.4 million in 2020 compared to $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 the RCB operating platform, which shifted certain expenses from fixed to variable and are now recorded as agency fees, 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, 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 international operations.2019.
Outside Fees and Services
Outside fees and services expenses were $84.1 million in 2020, an increase of $20.6 million, or 32.4%, compared to $63.5 million in 2019, an increase of $2.0 million or 3.3% compared to $61.5 million in 2018. 2019.The increase was primarily the result of higher consulting fees, corporate legal expenses and higher fees related toassociated with processing 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% compareddue to $62.8 million in 2017. The decrease was primarily the result of a decline in corporate legal expenses, due largely to legal costs not associated with normal operations incurred during 2017. This was partially offset by an increase in payment processing and debit card transactions and increased consulting fees.cash collections.
Communication
Communication expenses primarily represent postage and telephone related expenses incurred as a result of our collection efforts. Communication expenses were $40.8 million in 2020, a decrease of $3.3 million, or 7.5%, compared to $44.1 million in 2019, $43.2 million in 2018, and $33.1 million in 2017.2019. The $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.
Rent and Occupancy
Rent and occupancy expenses were $17.9 million in 2019, $16.9 million in 2018, and $14.8 million in 2017. The $2.1 million increase in 2018 was primarilydecrease mainly reflects lower postage costs due to mailing decisions made during 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.
DepreciationCOVID-19 pandemic and, Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense was $17.5 million in 2019, $19.3 million in 2018, and $19.8 million in 2017. The $1.8 million or 9.3% decrease in 2019 was primarily due to the sale of the RCB operating platform which shifted certaina lesser extent, telephone expenses from fixed to variable partially offset by the addition of certain capital software projects.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses were $46.8 million in 2019, $47.4 million in 2018, and $44.1 million in 2017. The $3.3 million increase in 2018 was primarily due to an increase in corporate technology and software related expenses partially offset by a decrease as a result of the sale of our government services businessesimprovements in data and the sale of PLSanalytics that drove efficiencies. These decreases were slightly offset by an increase in 2017.
Gain on Sale of Subsidiaries
We did not have any sales of subsidiaries 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.digital spending.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net was $141.7 million in 2020 compared to $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 higheras slightly lower overall levels of averageoutstanding borrowings to fund increased portfolio acquisitions paired with slightly higherand lower variable interest rates andwere offset by the impactaddition 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 $98.0 million in 2017. The increase was primarily due tosenior notes at higher levels of average borrowings outstanding and higher averagefixed interest rates.
Interest expense, net consisted of the following in 2019, 20182020 and 20172019 (amounts in thousands):
20202019Change
Interest on debt obligations and unused line fees$96,979 $100,477 $(3,498)
Interest on senior notes7,621 — 7,621 
Coupon interest on convertible debt17,064 20,700 (3,636)
Amortization of convertible debt discount10,811 12,398 (1,587)
Amortization of loan fees and other loan costs10,252 10,589 (337)
Interest income(1,015)(2,246)1,231 
Interest expense, net$141,712 $141,918 $(206)
24

 Twelve Months Ended December 31, Variances
 2019 2018 2017 2019 vs. 2018 2018 vs. 2017
Stated interest on debt obligations and unused line fees$94,841
 $83,983
 $71,656
 $10,858
 $12,327
Coupon interest on convertible debt20,700
 20,700
 15,870
 
 4,830
Amortization of convertible debt discount12,398
 11,725
 8,583
 673
 3,142
Amortization of loan fees and other loan costs10,589
 10,332
 9,569
 257
 763
Change in fair value on derivatives5,636
 (2,532) (2,025) 8,168
 (507)
Interest income(2,246) (3,130) (5,612) 884
 2,482
Interest expense, net$141,918
 $121,078
 $98,041
 $20,840
 $23,037

Net Foreign Currency Transaction Gains/(Losses)
Net foreign currency transaction gains/(losses)gains were $2.0 million in 2020 compared to $12.0 million $(0.9) million,in 2019. The decrease was primarily related to lower foreign currency gains in Europe and $(1.1) millionU.S. dollar linked investments held in 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.Brazil. 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, and $2.8 million in 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.
Income Tax Expense/(Benefit)Expense
Income tax expense/(benefit)expense was $41.2 million in 2020, an increase of $21.5 million, or 109.1%, compared to $19.7 million $13.8 million, and $(10.9) million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.2019. The increase from 2018 to 2019 was primarily drivendue to higher income before income taxes which increased $91.5 million, or 77.9% and some discrete items. The increase was partially offset by GILTI, which is includedchanges in foreign tax rates, return to provision adjustments and the tax impact on internationalmix of 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 ofamong jurisdictions. In 2020 our net deferred tax liability per the Tax Act.
The effective tax rate increased from 15.4% in 2018was 19.7% compared to 16.8% in 2019.
Year Ended December 31, 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 their respective prior years dueyear ended December 31, 2018
Refer to the revaluation"Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the deferred tax liability per the Tax Act. Our effective tax rate will vary from periodFinancial Condition and Results of Operations" of our 2019 Form 10-K for a discussion of our fiscal 2019 results compared to period due to these types of items.

fiscal 2018.
29
25




Supplemental Performance Data
Finance Receivables Portfolio Performance
The following tables show certain data related to our finance receivables portfolios. Certain adjustments, as noted inWe purchase nonperforming loans from a variety of credit originators and segregate them into two main portfolio segments: Core or Insolvency, based on the footnotes to these tables, have been made to reducestatus of the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on ERC and purchase price multiples.
account upon acquisition. In addition, the accounts are further segregated into geographical regions based upon where the account was purchased. The accounts represented in the insolvencyInsolvency tables below 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.pool. 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 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 yieldsthe effective interest rates 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 310-30310-10 and ASC 326 is driven by estimates of the amount and timing of collections as well as the timing of those collections. We record new portfolio acquisitions based on our best estimate ofat the cash flows expected at acquisition,purchase price which reflects the uncertainties inherent inamount we expect to collect discounted at an effective interest rate. As portfolios are purchased during the acquisition of nonperforming loansyear, the annual pool is aggregated and the resultsblended effective interest rate will change to reflect new purchasing and new cash flow estimates until the end of our underwriting process.the year. At that time, the effective interest rate is fixed at the amount we expect to collect discounted at the rate to equate purchase price to the recovery estimate. During the first year of purchase, we typically do not reforecast the portfolios' initial recovery estimate. Subsequent to the initial booking,year, 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 buyingpurchasing 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 acquisition than a pool that was just two years from 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 tables below as they perform economically similar to finance 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.


26


Purchase Price Multiples
as of December 31, 2019
Amounts in thousands
Purchase Price Multiples
as of December 31, 2020
Amounts in thousands
Purchase Price Multiples
as of December 31, 2020
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 Period
Purchase Price (1)(2)
Total Estimated Collections (3)
Estimated Remaining Collections (4)
Current Estimated Purchase Price Multiple
Original Estimated Purchase Price Multiple (5)
Americas Core  Americas Core
1996-2009$930,026
$9,279
$42,102
$2,885,906
$42,102
310%238%
2010148,193
3,485
28,669
535,684
28,669
361%247%
1996-20101996-2010$1,078,219 $3,398,610 $28,969 315%240%
2011209,602
7,707
48,551
739,158
48,551
353%245%2011209,602 720,510 19,048 344%245%
2012254,076
16,011
60,711
680,352
60,711
268%226%2012254,076 653,102 21,655 257%226%
2013390,826
33,648
94,733
931,194
94,733
238%211%2013390,826 896,381 36,759 229%211%
2014405,169
55,033
152,639
929,179
150,012
229%204%2014404,117 866,597 58,983 214%204%
2015443,779
93,385
226,865
965,671
226,755
218%205%2015443,114 927,497 132,263 209%205%
2016453,158
139,380
354,399
1,081,376
349,699
239%201%2016455,767 1,092,218 230,039 240%201%
2017533,442
242,129
521,715
1,167,831
519,181
219%193%2017532,851 1,210,475 367,123 227%193%
2018655,548
460,797
852,246
1,338,876
848,727
204%202%2018653,975 1,362,777 521,466 208%202%
2019578,281
533,933
1,048,207
1,191,940
1,053,332
206%2019581,476 1,240,122 717,793 213%206%
20202020435,668 929,706 796,502 213%
Subtotal5,002,100
1,594,787
3,430,837
12,447,167
3,422,472
 Subtotal5,439,691 13,297,995 2,930,600 
Americas InsolvencyAmericas Insolvency  Americas Insolvency
1996-2009397,453

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

1,181
546,872
1,181
262%184%
1996-20101996-2010606,395 1,382,682 1,105 228%180%
2011180,432

973
370,103
973
205%155%2011180,432 370,180 567 205%155%
2012251,395

953
392,377
953
156%136%2012251,395 392,605 256 156%136%
2013227,834

2,143
354,923
2,143
156%133%2013227,834 354,923 832 156%133%
2014148,689
756
3,598
218,044
3,578
147%124%2014148,420 218,485 2,045 147%124%
201563,170
5,783
9,917
87,773
9,917
139%125%201563,170 87,254 1,489 138%125%
201692,264
17,433
22,491
116,896
22,501
127%123%201691,442 116,918 9,209 128%123%
2017275,257
95,421
121,498
348,811
121,498
127%125%2017275,257 348,732 62,593 127%125%
201897,879
74,459
93,120
127,257
93,120
130%127%201897,879 130,683 66,033 134%127%
2019123,039
114,892
144,228
157,675
144,279
128%2019123,077 160,804 116,037 131%128%
2020202062,130 84,622 78,098 136%
Subtotal2,066,354
308,744
401,019
3,556,689
401,060
 Subtotal2,127,431 3,647,888 338,264 
Total Americas7,068,454
1,903,531
3,831,856
16,003,856
3,823,532
 Total Americas7,567,122 16,945,883 3,268,864 
Europe Core   Europe Core
201220,409

875
40,542
709
199%187%201220,409 41,210 — 202%187%
201320,334

431
24,995
343
123%119%201320,334 25,448 — 125%119%
2014796,762
188,892
823,116
2,278,261
704,192
286%208%2014773,811 2,229,255 630,934 288%208%
2015419,909
161,210
345,214
748,127
314,643
178%160%2015411,340 734,276 274,714 179%160%
2016348,270
190,927
333,375
578,421
332,857
166%167%2016333,090 556,493 295,560 167%
2017246,752
157,850
232,858
351,216
229,035
142%144%2017252,174 353,557 194,165 140%144%
2018 (8)
345,256
269,292
407,945
522,374
413,728
151%148%
20182018341,775 524,117 361,355 153%148%
2019512,702
488,468
730,704
779,136
739,345
152%2019518,610 778,422 630,040 150%152%
20202020324,119 557,289 523,089 172%
Subtotal2,710,394
1,456,639
2,874,518
5,323,072
2,734,852
 Subtotal2,995,662 5,800,067 2,909,857 
Europe InsolvencyEurope Insolvency  Europe Insolvency
201410,876
306
1,061
18,155
941
167%129%201410,876 18,223 213 168%129%
201519,226
3,083
5,970
29,294
5,262
152%139%201518,973 29,023 2,512 153%139%
201641,858
12,507
18,160
60,651
18,272
145%130%201639,338 56,801 10,424 144%130%
201738,409
24,417
28,931
47,604
28,707
124%128%201739,235 49,142 20,019 125%128%
201845,586
39,424
46,969
56,199
47,240
123%201844,908 52,955 36,032 118%123%
201975,588
74,258
93,518
98,439
95,509
130%201977,218 101,891 77,854 132%130%
20202020105,440 135,890 129,591 129%
Subtotal231,543
153,995
194,609
310,342
195,931
 Subtotal335,988 443,925 276,645 
Total Europe2,941,937
1,610,634
3,069,127
5,633,414
2,930,783
 Total Europe3,331,650 6,243,992 3,186,502 
Total PRA Group$10,010,391
$3,514,165
$6,900,983
$21,637,270
$6,754,315
 Total PRA Group$10,898,772 $23,189,875 $6,455,366 
(1)
(1)Includes the acquisition date finance receivables portfolios that were acquired through our business acquisitions.
(2)For our non-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 non-U.S. amounts, Net Finance Receivables are presented at the December 31, 2019 exchange rate.
(4)For our non-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 non-U.S. amounts, TEC is presented at the period-end exchange rate for the respective quarter of purchase.
(6)For our non-U.S. amounts, ERC-Current Period Exchange Rates is presented at the December 31, 2019 exchange rate.
(7)The Original Purchase Price Multiple represents the purchase price multiple at the end of the year of acquisition.
(8)Includes 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, 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, 2019 (5)
Americas Core       
1996-2009$930,026
$19,178
$15,005
$4,173
$(3,700)$18,705
$9,279
2010148,193
9,202
8,090
1,112
40
8,050
3,485
2011209,602
16,637
14,670
1,967
755
13,915
7,707
2012254,076
17,866
13,930
3,936
(370)14,300
16,011
2013390,826
36,855
26,477
10,378
6,325
20,152
33,648
2014405,169
55,340
37,701
17,639
8,317
29,384
55,033
2015443,779
83,592
52,469
31,123
9,247
43,222
93,385
2016453,158
140,590
88,200
52,390
3,364
84,836
139,380
2017533,442
256,520
128,559
127,961
265
128,294
242,129
2018655,548
361,899
196,082
165,817
254
195,828
460,797
2019578,281
143,828
96,841
46,987
34
96,807
533,933
Subtotal5,002,100
1,141,507
678,024
463,483
24,531
653,493
1,594,787
Americas Insolvency      
1996-2009397,453
652
652


652

2010208,942
663
663


663

2011180,432
743
743


743

2012251,395
1,870
1,870


1,870

2013227,834
2,862
2,862


2,862

2014148,689
15,785
9,476
6,309
310
9,166
756
201563,170
16,657
6,221
10,436

6,221
5,783
201692,264
19,918
5,299
14,619
(1,460)6,759
17,433
2017275,257
80,906
20,754
60,152

20,754
95,421
201897,879
27,438
8,210
19,228

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

5,264
114,892
Subtotal2,066,354
180,943
62,014
118,929
(1,150)63,164
308,744
Total Americas7,068,454
1,322,450
740,038
582,412
23,381
716,657
1,903,531
Europe Core       
201220,409
1,450
1,450


1,450

201320,334
901
820
81

820

2014796,762
172,885
121,450
51,435
(1,846)123,296
188,892
2015419,909
66,074
32,821
33,253
(3,353)36,174
161,210
2016348,270
57,989
28,594
29,395
2,911
25,683
190,927
2017246,752
44,085
14,239
29,846
1,815
12,424
157,850
2018 (6)
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
Subtotal2,710,394
480,059
244,419
235,640
236
244,183
1,456,639
Europe Insolvency      
201410,876
1,547
907
640

907
306
201519,226
3,904
1,889
2,015
(72)1,961
3,083
201641,858
10,664
4,161
6,503
(42)4,203
12,507
201738,409
9,240
2,300
6,940
522
1,778
24,417
201845,586
8,422
2,552
5,870

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

2,095
74,258
Subtotal231,543
38,762
13,904
24,858
408
13,496
153,995
Total Europe2,941,937
518,821
258,323
260,498
644
257,679
1,610,634
Total PRA Group$10,010,391
$1,841,271
$998,361
$842,910
$24,025
$974,336
$3,514,165
(1)Includes the acquisition date finance receivables portfolios that were acquired through our business acquisitions.
(2)For our non-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 non-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 non-U.S. amounts, net finance receivables are presented at the December 31, 2019 exchange rate.
(6)Includes 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 historicalportfolios that were acquired through our business acquisitions.
(2)For our non-US amounts, purchase price is presented at the exchange rate at the end of the year in which the portfolio was purchased. In addition, any purchase price adjustments that occur throughout the life of the portfolio are presented at the year-end exchange rate for the respective year of purchase.
(3)For our non-US amounts, TEC is presented at the year-end exchange rate for the respective year of purchase.
(4)For our non-U.S. amounts, ERC is presented at the December 31, 2020 exchange rate.
(5)The Original Estimated Purchase Price Multiple represents the purchase price multiple at the end of the year of acquisition.

27


Portfolio Financial Information
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Amounts in thousands
Purchase Period
Cash
Collections (1)
Portfolio Income (1)
Changes in Expected Recoveries (1)
Total Portfolio Revenue (1)(2)
Net Finance Receivables as of December 31, 2020 (3)
Americas Core
1996-2010$18,838 $15,419 $(3,156)$12,263 $6,140 
201110,855 10,016 (3,722)6,294 3,142 
201211,805 10,055 (7,485)2,570 6,761 
201323,161 16,709 (10,833)5,876 16,290 
201431,921 23,563 (21,081)2,482 25,525 
201557,223 34,339 (14,111)20,228 56,170 
2016105,905 59,388 796 60,184 93,024 
2017192,524 91,632 25,085 116,717 165,492 
2018337,697 135,689 32,123 167,812 286,204 
2019349,021 175,258 36,325 211,583 380,756 
2020132,945 78,573 18,114 96,687 398,271 
Subtotal1,271,895 650,641 52,055 702,696 1,437,775 
Americas Insolvency
1996-2010844 992 (128)864 — 
2011483 406 79 485 — 
2012925 697 509 1,206 — 
20131,311 1,310 11 1,321 — 
20142,229 2,500 (734)1,766 224 
20157,909 4,036 (1,002)3,034 898 
201614,362 3,402 970 4,372 7,423 
201758,826 15,607 (428)15,179 51,771 
201830,513 8,762 2,960 11,722 55,653 
201931,360 11,293 3,480 14,773 97,250 
20206,525 4,064 (869)3,195 57,929 
Subtotal155,287 53,069 4,848 57,917 271,148 
Total Americas1,427,182 703,710 56,903 760,613 1,708,923 
Europe Core
20121,218 687 531 1,218 — 
2013685 333 353 686 — 
2014149,782 106,875 11,173 118,048 168,604 
201554,252 30,917 (575)30,342 144,112 
201648,333 26,722 (2,260)24,462 172,697 
201736,084 13,521 (5,500)8,021 135,149 
201871,253 26,261 3,519 29,780 235,099 
2019125,712 43,091 (2,837)40,254 416,812 
202032,339 12,507 6,199 18,706 309,229 
Subtotal519,658 260,914 10,603 271,517 1,581,702 
Europe Insolvency
2014802 511 69 580 90 
20152,871 1,367 49 1,416 1,627 
20167,950 3,047 (204)2,843 7,583 
20179,819 1,960 568 2,528 17,602 
201810,315 2,935 (2,229)706 31,143 
201921,082 6,637 1,933 8,570 63,230 
20206,046 2,955 1,605 4,560 102,888 
Subtotal58,885 19,412 1,791 21,203 224,163 
Total Europe578,543 280,326 12,394 292,720 1,805,865 
Total PRA Group$2,005,725 $984,036 $69,297 $1,053,333 $3,514,788 
(1)For our non-U.S., amounts are presented using the average exchange rates during the current reporting period.
(2)Total Portfolio Revenue refers to Portfolio Income and Changes in Expected Recoveries combined.
(3)For our non-U.S. amounts, Net Finance Receivables are presented at the December 31, 2020 exchange rate.


28


Cash Collections by Year, By Year of Purchase (1)
as of December 31, 2020
Amounts in millions
Cash Collections
Purchase Period (2)
Purchase Price (2)(3)
1996-20102011201220132014201520162017201820192020Total
Americas Core
1996-2010$1,078.2 $1,990.5 $367.1 $311.5 $228.4 $157.7 $109.3 $70.2 $46.0 $34.4 $28.4 $18.8 $3,362.3 
2011209.6 — 62.0 174.5 152.9 108.5 73.8 48.7 32.0 21.6 16.6 10.9 701.5 
2012254.1 — — 56.9 173.6 146.2 97.3 60.0 40.0 27.8 17.9 11.8 631.5 
2013390.8 — — — 101.6 247.8 194.0 120.8 78.9 56.4 36.9 23.2 859.6 
2014404.1 — — — — 92.7 253.4 170.3 114.2 82.2 55.3 31.9 800.0 
2015443.1 — — — — — 117.0 228.4 185.9 126.6 83.6 57.2 798.7 
2016455.8 — — — — — — 138.7 256.5 194.6 140.6 105.9 836.3 
2017532.9 — — — — — — — 107.3 278.7 256.5 192.5 835.0 
2018654.0 — — — — — — — — 122.7 361.9 337.7 822.3 
2019581.5 — — — — — — — — — 143.8 349.0 492.8 
2020435.7 — — — — — — — — — — 133.0 133.0 
Subtotal5,439.8 1,990.5 429.1 542.9 656.5 752.9 844.8 837.1 860.8 945.0 1,141.5 1,271.9 10,273.0 
Americas Insolvency
1996-2010606.4 390.9 261.2 270.4 231.0 158.9 51.2 8.6 4.6 2.5 1.4 0.8 1,381.5 
2011180.4 — 15.2 66.4 82.8 85.8 76.9 36.0 3.7 1.6 0.7 0.5 369.6 
2012251.4 — — 17.4 103.6 94.1 80.1 60.7 29.3 4.3 1.9 0.9 392.3 
2013227.8 — — — 52.5 82.6 81.7 63.4 47.8 21.9 2.9 1.3 354.1 
2014148.4 — — — — 37.0 50.9 44.3 37.4 28.8 15.8 2.2 216.4 
201563.2 — — — — — 3.4 17.9 20.1 19.8 16.7 7.9 85.8 
201691.4 — — — — — — 18.9 30.4 25.0 19.9 14.4 108.6 
2017275.3 — — — — — — — 49.1 97.3 80.9 58.8 286.1 
201897.9 — — — — — — — — 6.7 27.4 30.5 64.6 
2019123.1 — — — — — — — — — 13.3 31.4 44.7 
202062.1 — — — — — — — — — — 6.6 6.6 
Subtotal2,127.4 390.9 276.4 354.2 469.9 458.4 344.2 249.8 222.4 207.9 180.9 155.3 3,310.3 
Total Americas7,567.2 2,381.4 705.5 897.1 1,126.4 1,211.3 1,189.0 1,086.9 1,083.2 1,152.9 1,322.4 1,427.2 13,583.3 
Europe Core
201220.4 — — 11.6 9.0 5.6 3.2 2.2 2.0 2.0 1.5 1.2 38.3 
201320.3 — — — 7.1 8.5 2.3 1.3 1.2 1.3 0.9 0.7 23.3 
2014773.8 — — — — 153.2 292.0 246.4 220.8 206.3 172.9 149.8 1,441.4 
2015411.3 — — — — — 45.8 100.3 86.2 80.9 66.1 54.3 433.6 
2016333.1 — — — — — — 40.4 78.9 72.6 58.0 48.3 298.2 
2017252.2 — — — — — — — 17.9 56.0 44.1 36.1 154.1 
2018341.8 — — — — — — — — 24.3 88.7 71.2 184.2 
2019518.6 — — — — — — — — — 47.9 125.7 173.6 
2020324.1 — — — — — — — — — — 32.4 32.4 
Subtotal2,995.6 — — 11.6 16.1 167.3 343.3 390.6 407.0 443.4 480.1 519.7 2,779.1 
Europe Insolvency
201410.9 — — — — — 4.3 3.9 3.2 2.6 1.5 0.8 16.3 
201519.0 — — — — — 3.0 4.4 5.0 4.8 3.9 2.9 24.0 
201639.3 — — — — — — 6.2 12.7 12.9 10.7 7.9 50.4 
201739.2 — — — — — — — 1.2 7.9 9.2 9.8 28.1 
201844.9 — — — — — — — — 0.6 8.4 10.3 19.3 
201977.2 — — — — — — — — — 5.1 21.1 26.2 
2020105.4 — — — — — — — — — — 6.1 6.1 
Subtotal335.9 — — — — — 7.3 14.5 22.1 28.8 38.8 58.9 170.4 
Total Europe3,331.5 — — 11.6 16.1 167.3 350.6 405.1 429.1 472.2 518.9 578.6 2,949.5 
Total PRA Group$10,898.7 $2,381.4 $705.5 $908.7 $1,142.5 $1,378.6 $1,539.6 $1,492.0 $1,512.3 $1,625.1 $1,841.3 $2,005.8 $16,532.8 
(1) For our non-U.S. amounts, cash collections byare presented using the average exchange rates during the cash collection period.
(2) Includes the finance receivables portfolios that were acquired through our business acquisitions.
(3) For our non-U.S. amounts, Purchase Price is presented at the exchange rate at the end of the year on our portfolios.in which the portfolio was purchased. In addition, any purchase price adjustments that occur throughout the life of the pool are presented at the year-end exchange rate for the respective year of purchase.
29

Cash Collections by Year, By Year of Purchase (1) 
as of December 31, 2019
Amounts in thousands
  Cash Collections
Purchase Period
Purchase Price (2)(3)
1996-
2009
2010201120122013201420152016201720182019Total
Americas 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
2010148,193

47,076
113,554
109,873
82,014
55,946
38,110
24,515
15,587
11,140
9,202
507,017
2011209,602


61,971
174,461
152,908
108,513
73,793
48,711
31,991
21,622
16,637
690,607
2012254,076



56,901
173,589
146,198
97,267
59,981
40,042
27,797
17,866
619,641
2013390,826




101,614
247,849
194,026
120,789
78,880
56,449
36,855
836,462
2014405,169





92,660
253,448
170,311
114,219
82,244
55,340
768,222
2015443,779






116,951
228,432
185,898
126,605
83,592
741,478
2016453,158







138,723
256,531
194,605
140,590
730,449
2017533,442








107,327
278,733
256,520
642,580
2018655,548









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










143,828
143,828
Subtotal5,002,100
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           
1996-2009397,453
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
663
545,692
2011180,432


15,218
66,379
82,752
85,816
76,915
35,996
3,726
1,584
743
369,129
2012251,395



17,388
103,610
94,141
80,079
60,715
29,337
4,284
1,870
391,424
2013227,834




52,528
82,596
81,679
63,386
47,781
21,948
2,862
352,780
2014148,689





37,045
50,880
44,313
37,350
28,759
15,785
214,132
201563,170






3,395
17,892
20,143
19,769
16,657
77,856
201692,264







18,869
30,426
25,047
19,918
94,260
2017275,257








49,093
97,315
80,906
227,314
201897,879









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










13,449
13,449
Subtotal2,066,354
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 Americas7,068,454
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            
201220,409



11,604
8,995
5,641
3,175
2,198
2,038
1,996
1,450
37,097
201320,334




7,068
8,540
2,347
1,326
1,239
1,331
901
22,752
2014796,762





153,180
291,980
246,365
220,765
206,255
172,885
1,291,430
2015419,909






45,760
100,263
86,156
80,858
66,074
379,111
2016348,270







40,368
78,915
72,603
57,989
249,875
2017246,752








17,894
56,033
44,085
118,012
2018 (4)
345,256









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










47,976
47,976
Subtotal2,710,394



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





5
4,297
3,921
3,207
2,620
1,547
15,597
201519,226






2,954
4,366
5,013
4,783
3,904
21,020
201641,858







6,175
12,703
12,856
10,664
42,398
201738,409








1,233
7,862
9,240
18,335
201845,586









642
8,422
9,064
201975,588










4,985
4,985
Subtotal231,543





5
7,251
14,462
22,156
28,763
38,762
111,399
Total Europe2,941,937



11,604
16,063
167,366
350,513
404,982
429,163
472,165
518,821
2,370,677
Total PRA Group$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 non-U.S. amounts, cash collections are presented using the average exchange rates during the cash collection period.
(2)
Includes the acquisition date finance receivables portfolios that were acquired through our business acquisitions.
(3)For our non-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)
Includes 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 of $6,754.3$6,455.4 million at December 31, 20192020 by geographical region (amounts in millions).
chart-51b861807bb05690af4.jpgpraa-20201231_g2.jpg

The following chart shows our ERC by year as of December 31, 2020. The annual forecast amounts reflect our current estimate of how much we expect to collect on our portfolios. These estimates are translated to U.S. dollar at the December 31, 2020 exchange rate (amounts in millions).
praa-20201231_g3.jpg
Seasonality
CashAlthough the year ended December 31, 2020 deviated from usual seasonal patterns due to the impact of COVID-19, typically 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.
30


Cash Collections
The following table displays our quarterly cash collections by geography and portfolio type, for the periods indicated.indicated (amounts in thousands).
Cash Collections by Geography and Type
Amounts in thousands
Cash Collections by Geography and TypeCash Collections by Geography and Type
2019 201820202019
Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1Q4Q3Q2Q1Q4Q3Q2Q1
Americas Core$276,639
 $279,902
 $294,243
 $290,723
 $233,937
 $231,253
 $233,752
 $246,237
Americas Core$286,524 $336,322 $343,269 $305,780 $276,639 $279,902 $294,243 $290,723 
Americas Insolvency40,801
 45,759
 49,770
 44,613
 48,000
 48,518
 56,063
 55,280
Americas Insolvency36,048 37,344 38,685 43,210 40,801 45,759 49,770 44,613 
Europe Core126,649
 118,917
 117,635
 116,858
 113,154
 102,780
 109,359
 118,109
Europe Core141,471 131,702 115,145 131,340 126,649 118,917 117,635 116,858 
Europe Insolvency12,520
 8,639
 8,626
 8,977
 7,618
 6,731
 7,460
 6,954
Europe Insolvency17,830 13,971 12,841 14,243 12,520 8,639 8,626 8,977 
Total Cash Collections$456,609
 $453,217
 $470,274
 $461,171
 $402,709
 $389,282
 $406,634
 $426,580
Total Cash Collections$481,873 $519,339 $509,940 $494,573 $456,609 $453,217 $470,274 $461,171 
The following table provides additional details on the composition of our U.S. Core cash collections for the periods indicated.indicated (amounts in thousands).
U.S. Core Portfolio Cash Collections by Source
Amounts in thousands
 2019 2018
 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
Call Center and Other Collections$139,399
 $149,782
 $160,479
 $169,753
 $134,543
 $137,325
 $143,527
 $155,448
External Legal Collections58,831
 64,301
 63,490
 57,419
 47,410
 41,935
 40,631
 38,891
Internal Legal Collections33,944
 35,679
 38,065
 37,018
 30,724
 32,064
 32,532
 33,423
Total U.S.-Core Cash Collections$232,174
 $249,762
 $262,034
 $264,190
 $212,677
 $211,324
 $216,690
 $227,762


Cash Collections by Source - Core Portfolios Only
20202019
Q4Q3Q2Q1Q4Q3Q2Q1
Call Center and Other Collections$296,865 $325,898 $319,236 $288,596 $262,570 $254,798 $264,478 $274,221 
External Legal Collections58,481 68,861 70,310 75,699 70,867 75,082 75,624 68,421 
Internal Legal Collections72,649 73,265 68,868 72,825 69,851 68,939 71,776 64,939 
Total Core Cash Collections$427,995 $468,024 $458,414 $437,120 $403,288 $398,819 $411,878 $407,581 
Collections Productivity (U.S. Portfolio)
The following table displays certaina collections productivity measures.measure for our U.S. Portfolios.
Cash Collections per Collector Hour Paid
U.S. Portfolio
Call center and other cash collections (1)
20202019201820172016
First Quarter$172 $139 $121 $161 $168 
Second Quarter263 139 101 129 167 
Third Quarter246 124 107 125 177 
Fourth Quarter204 128 104 112 153 
(1)Represents total cash collections less internal legal cash collections, external legal cash collections and Insolvency cash collections from trustee-administered accounts.







31


Cash Collections per Collector Hour Paid
U.S. Portfolio
 
Call center and other cash collections (1)
 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
First Quarter$139
 $121
 $161
 $168
 $143
Second Quarter139
 101
 129
 167
 141
Third Quarter124
 107
 125
 177
 145
Fourth Quarter128
 104
 112
 153
 139
Cash Efficiency Ratio

The following table displays our cash efficiency for the periods indicated.
(1)Represents total cash collections less internal legal cash collections, external legal cash collections and Insolvency cash collections from trustee-administered accounts.
Cash Efficiency Ratio (1)
202020192018
First Quarter61.5%59.2%60.7%
Second Quarter68.760.460.1
Third Quarter65.660.255.7
Fourth Quarter61.959.755.0
Full Year64.559.958.0
(1) Calculated by dividing cash receipts less operating expenses by cash receipts.
Portfolio Acquisitions
The following graph shows the purchase price of our portfolios by year since 2009.2010. It also includes the acquisition date finance receivable portfolios that were acquired through our business acquisitions.
chart-3871fac5f7025cd5a18.jpgpraa-20201231_g4.jpg
The following table displays our quarterly portfolio acquisitions for the periods indicated.
indicated (amounts in thousands).
Portfolio Acquisitions by Geography and Type
Amounts in thousands
Portfolio Acquisitions by Geography and TypePortfolio Acquisitions by Geography and Type
2019 201820202019
Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1Q4Q3Q2Q1Q4Q3Q2Q1
Americas Core$118,153
 $168,185
 $121,996
 $169,189
 $172,511
 $170,426
 $182,768
 $131,427
Americas Core$67,460 $84,139 $110,474 $172,697 $118,153 $168,185 $121,996 $169,189 
Americas Insolvency22,650
 26,311
 26,092
 48,243
 52,871
 17,151
 16,651
 13,436
Americas Insolvency12,504 14,328 14,527 20,772 22,650 26,311 26,092 48,243 
Europe Core218,919
 64,728
 136,344
 94,283
 231,810
 45,754
 19,403
 18,000
Europe Core137,647 74,930 34,247 60,990 218,919 64,728 136,344 94,283 
Europe Insolvency42,613
 19,772
 4,715
 7,134
 33,661
 4,159
 2,577
 5,392
Europe Insolvency72,171 4,203 5,251 18,778 42,613 19,772 4,715 7,134 
Total Portfolio Acquisitions$402,335
 $278,996
 $289,147
 $318,849
 $490,853
 $237,490
 $221,399
 $168,255
Total Portfolio Acquisitions$289,782 $177,600 $164,499 $273,237 $402,335 $278,996 $289,147 $318,849 









Portfolio Acquisitions by Stratifications (U.S. Only)
The following table categorizes our quarterly U.S. portfolio acquisitions for the periods indicated into major asset type and delinquency category. Since our inception in 1996, we have acquired more than 54 57 million customer accounts in the U.S. (amounts in thousands).
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U.S. Portfolio Acquisitions by Major Asset Type
Amounts in thousands
U.S. Portfolio Acquisitions by Major Asset TypeU.S. Portfolio Acquisitions by Major Asset Type
2019 201820202019
Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4Q4Q3Q2Q1Q4
Major Credit Cards$30,337
24.3% $50,500
40.1% $39,468
28.2% $43,440
27.0% $65,025
32.5%Major Credit Cards$22,500 28.9 %$23,322 25.7 %$50,270 40.9 %$71,225 38.3 %$30,337 24.3 %
Private Label Credit Cards85,351
68.4% 72,714
57.7% 70,536
50.4% 84,515
52.6% 100,633
50.3%Private Label Credit Cards48,335 62.1 60,331 66.5 69,651 56.7 104,300 56.0 85,351 68.4 
Consumer Finance2,046
1.7% 2,090
1.7% 28,649
20.4% 2,424
1.5% 2,619
1.3%Consumer Finance5,978 7.6 6,333 7.0 2,430 2.0 2,109 1.1 2,046 1.7 
Auto Related6,991
5.6% 638
0.5% 1,407
1.0% 30,358
18.9% 31,892
15.9%Auto Related1,081 1.4 680 0.8 460 0.4 8,510 4.6 6,991 5.6 
Total$124,725
100.0% $125,942
100.0% $140,060
100.0% $160,737
100.0% $200,169
100.0%Total$77,894 100.0 %$90,666 100.0 %$122,811 100.0 %$186,144 100.0 %$124,725 100.0 %

U.S. Portfolio Acquisitions by Delinquency Category
20202019
Q4Q3Q2Q1Q4
Fresh (1)
$21,985 33.6 %$25,236 33.1 %$28,847 26.6 %$51,126 30.9 %$35,330 34.6 %
Primary (2)
1,002 1.5 5,187 6.8 9,887 9.1 18,152 11.0 5,796 5.7 
Secondary (3)
41,164 63.0 44,534 58.3 67,609 62.5 92,855 56.1 52,899 51.8 
Tertiary (3)
1,239 1.9 1,381 1.8 1,941 1.8 3,239 2.0 4,409 4.3 
Other (4)
— — — — — — — — 3,641 3.6 
Total Core65,390 100.0 %76,338 100.0 %108,284 100.0 %165,372 100.0 %102,075 100.0 %
Insolvency12,504 14,328 14,527 20,772 22,650 
Total$77,894 $90,666 $122,811 $186,144 $124,725 
(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 and three contingent fee servicers, respectively.
(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.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). However, management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures including adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") to evaluate our operating and financial performance as well as to set performance goals. We present Adjusted EBITDA because we consider it an important supplemental measure of operations and financial performance. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA helps provide enhanced period-to-period comparability of operations and financial performance, as it excludes certain items whose fluctuations from period to period do not necessarily correspond to changes in the operations of our business, and is useful to investors as other companies in the industry report similar financial measures. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to the calculation of similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated starting with our GAAP financial measure, net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc. and is adjusted for:
income tax expense (or less income tax benefit);
foreign exchange loss (or less foreign exchange gain);
interest expense, net (or less interest income, net);
other expense (or less other income);
depreciation and amortization;
net income attributable to noncontrolling interests;
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U.S. Portfolio Acquisitions by Delinquency Category
Amounts in thousands
 2019 2018
 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4
Fresh (1)
$35,330
34.6% $27,600
27.1% $33,288
29.3% $51,212
45.6% $61,730
42.0%
Primary (2)
5,796
5.7% 17,658
17.3% 40,027
35.1% 19,725
17.5% 39,690
26.9%
Secondary (3)
52,899
51.8% 50,082
49.2% 34,920
30.6% 35,857
31.9% 45,878
31.1%
Tertiary (3)
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%
Insolvency22,650

 24,119

 26,092

 48,243

 52,871

Total$124,725

 $125,942

 $140,060

 $160,737

 $200,169

loss on sale of subsidiaries (or less gain on sale of subsidiaries);
(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.
recoveries applied to negative allowance less changes in expected recoveries for the year ended December 31, 2020; and
collections applied to principal on finance receivables for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
The following table is a reconciliation of net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc., as reported in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (amounts in thousands):
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
202020192018
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$149,339 $86,158 $65,563 
Adjustments:
Income tax expense41,203 19,680 13,763 
Foreign exchange (gains)/losses(2,005)(11,954)944 
Interest expense, net141,712 141,918 121,078 
Other expense (1)
1,049 364 316 
Depreciation and amortization18,465 17,464 19,322 
Adjustment for net income attributable to noncontrolling interests18,403 11,521 10,171 
Gain on sale of subsidiaries— — (26,575)
Recoveries applied to negative allowance less Changes in expected recoveries968,362 — — 
Collections applied to principal on finance receivables— 842,910 733,306 
Adjusted EBITDA$1,336,528 $1,108,061 $937,888 
(1) Other expense reflects non-operating expenses.
Additionally, we evaluate our business using certain ratios that use Adjusted EBITDA. Debt to Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by dividing borrowings by Adjusted EBITDA.The following table reflects our Debt to Adjusted EBITDA at December 31 (amounts in thousands):
Debt to Adjusted EBITDA
20202019
Borrowings$2,661,289 $2,808,425 
Adjusted EBITDA$1,336,528 $1,108,061 
Debt to Adjusted EBITDA1.99x2.53x

Liquidity and Capital Resources
We actively manage our liquidity to help provide access to sufficient funding to meet our business needs and financial obligations. As of December 31, 2019,2020, cash and cash equivalents totaled $119.8$108.6 million. Of the cash and cash equivalent balance as of December 31, 2019, $109.72020, $97.0 million consisted of cash on hand related to international operations with indefinitely reinvested earnings. See the "Undistributed Earnings of International Subsidiaries" section below for more information.
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At December 31, 2019,2020, we had approximately $2.8 billion inthe following borrowings outstanding with $474.6 million ofand availability under all of our credit facilities (subject to the(amounts in thousands):
OutstandingAvailable without Restrictions
Available with Restrictions (1)
Americas revolving credit (2)
$405,706 $675,094 $299,933 
European revolving credit1,171,890 168,110 108,110 
Term loan470,000 — — 
Senior Notes300,000 — — 
Convertible Note345,000 — — 
Less: Debt discounts and issuance costs(31,307)— — 
Total$2,661,289 $843,204 $408,043 
(1) Available borrowings after calculation of borrowing base and applicable debt covenants). Considering borrowing base restrictions,covenants as of December 31, 2019, the amount available to be drawn was $271.1 million. Of the $474.6 million of borrowing availability, $122.5 million was available under our European credit facility, and $349.2 million was available under our2020.
(2) Includes North American credit facility. Ofrevolver and the $271.1 million available considering borrowing base restrictions, $121.8 million was available under our European credit facility, and $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.Colombian revolver.
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 $128.4$146.3 million as of December 31, 2019)2020). Interest-bearing deposits as of December 31, 20192020 were $106.2$132.7 million.


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, 2019.2020.
We have the ability to slow the purchase of finance receivables if necessary, with low impact to current year cash collections. For example, we invested $1,289.3$905.1 million in portfolio acquisitions in 2019.2020. The portfolios acquired in 20192020 generated $210.2$178.1 million of cash collections, representing only 11.4%8.9% of 20192020 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 $425.0 million in long-term debt outstanding atAs of December 31, 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 in place for the purchase of nonperforming loans primarily over the next 12 months with a maximum purchase price of $497.5$501.9 million, as of December 31, 2019.which $449.5 million is due within the next 12 months. The $497.5$501.9 million includes $226.0$324.1 million for the Americas and $271.5$177.8 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 withAdditionally, of our $2.7 billion borrowings at December 31, 2020, estimated interest, unused fees and principal payments for the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) in regardnext 12 months are approximately $119.6 million, of which, $11.1 million relates 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 amortizesprincipal. Our principal and the remaining portion is taxable income. The revenuepayment obligations related to debt maturities occur within three to five years as our European credit facility expires in February 2023, our Convertible Notes mature in June 2023, our North American credit facility expires in May 2024 and our Senior Notes mature in September 2025.
We continue to monitor the difference in timing between the new methodrecent outbreak of COVID-19 on our operations and the cost recovery method will be included evenly intohow that may impact our tax filings over four years effective with tax year 2017. We estimate the related tax paymentscash flows and our ability to be approximately $9.3 million per quarter through the year 2020. No interest or penalties were assessed as partsettle debt.  As a result of the settlement.
COVID-19, global financial markets have experienced overall volatility and disruptions to capital and credit markets.  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, including recent modifications to the terms of those facilities, and access to the capital markets will be sufficient to finance our operations, planned capital expenditures, forward flow purchase commitments, debt maturities and additional portfolio purchases during the next twelve12 months. We may, however, seek to access the debt or equity capital markets as we deem appropriate, market permitting. Business acquisitions adverse outcomes in pending litigation or higher than expected levels of portfolio purchasing could require additional financing from other sources.
For more information, see Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.






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Cash Flows Analysis
The following table summarizes our cash flow activity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 20182020 and 20172019 (amounts in thousands):
 2019 2018 201720202019Change
Total cash provided by (used in):      Total cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities $133,388
 $80,866
 $15,475
Operating activities$141,704 $133,388 $8,316 
Investing activities (441,190) (387,251) (294,960)Investing activities115,003 (441,190)556,193 
Financing activities 339,523
 294,926
 295,698
Financing activities(252,100)339,523 (591,623)
Effect of exchange rate on cash (6,609) (10,362) 10,016
Effect of exchange rate on cash(7,367)(6,609)(758)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $25,112
 $(21,821) $26,229
Net (decrease)/increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cashNet (decrease)/increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$(2,760)$25,112 $(27,872)
Operating Activities
The change in our cash flows fromCash provided by operating activities in 2019 was primarily due tomainly reflects cash collections recognized as revenue partially offset 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 such as provisions for unrealized gains and losses, changes in expected recoveries, depreciation and amortization, deferred taxes, hedged derivatives,fair value changes in equity securities and stock-based compensation andas well as (ii) changes in the balances of operating assets and liabilities, which can vary significantly in the normal course of business due to the amount and timing of payments.


Net cash provided by operating activities increased $52.5$8.3 million, or 65.0% in 20196.2%, during the year ended December 31, 2020 mainly driven by higher net incomecash collections, lower operating expenses and the impact of $21.9 million and a $26.6 million gain on sale in 2018 of RCB.unrealized foreign currency transactions.
Investing Activities
Cash provided by investing activities mainly reflects recoveries applied to our negative allowance. Cash used in investing activities is normally driven bymainly reflects acquisitions of nonperforming loans and purchases of investments. Cashloans.
Net cash provided by investing activities is mainly driven by cashincreased $556.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily from a $327.8 million decrease in purchases of nonperforming loans, a $194.8 million increase in recoveries applied to negative allowance in the current year versus collections applied to principal on finance receivables and proceeds fromin the sale of investmentsprior year and subsidiaries.
Net cash used in investing activities increased $53.9 million or 13.9% in 2019, primarily from a $125.6 million increase in acquisitions of finance receivables, $57.6 million of cash used related to a business acquisition induring the first quarter of 2019. These changes were partially offset by $31.2 million of cash received during the first quarter of 2019 a $40.7 million increase in purchases of investments, and $17.5 million related to the consolidationsale of a Polish investment 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 RCBsubsidiary in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Financing Activities
Cash forprovided by financing activities is normally provided by draws on our lines of credit and proceeds from debt offerings. Cash used in financing activities is primarily driven by principal payments on our lines of credit, long-term debt and long-termother debt.
Cash provided byused in financing activities increased $44.6$591.6 million or 15.1%during the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily from a $603.2 million increase in proceeds from our lines of credit, a $36.1 million increase from interest bearing deposits, and a $32.3 million increase in net contributions from noncontrolling interests, partially offset by a $628.1$828.9 million increase in payments on our lines of credit, a $287.4 million payment related to the settlement of our 2020 Notes, a $47.0 million increase in distributions paid to noncontrolling interests, net of contributions received and long term debt.a $17.8 million decrease in cash provided by interest-bearing deposits. These changes were partially offset by a $303.2 million decrease in payments on long-term debt and $300.0 million of proceeds related to our senior notes.
Undistributed Earnings of International Subsidiaries
We intend to use predominantly all of our accumulated and future undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries to expand operations outside the U.S.; therefore, such undistributed earnings of international 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 international 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 international earnings. The amount of cash on hand related to international operations with indefinitely reinvested earnings was $109.7$97.0 million and $78.6$109.7 million as of December 31, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively. Refer to the Note 1314 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information related to our income taxes and undistributed international earnings.
36


Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 20192020 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, 20192020 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
Payments due by period
Contractual ObligationsTotalLess than 1 year1 - 3 years3 - 5 yearsMore than 5 years
Operating leases$71,131 $11,679 $17,089 $12,500 $29,863 
Revolving credit (1)
1,728,188 61,725 1,257,368 409,095 — 
Long-term debt (2)
1,430,504 57,844 585,137 787,523 — 
Purchase commitments (3)
501,927 449,536 52,391 — — 
Employment agreements18,181 6,101 12,080 — — 
Derivatives (4)
45,432 15,351 25,556 4,525 — 
Total (5)
$3,795,363 $602,236 $1,949,621 $1,213,643 $29,863 
  Payments due by period
Contractual Obligations Total Less than 1 year 1 - 3 years 3 - 5 years More than 5 years
Operating leases $95,373
 $11,846
 $20,702
 $13,411
 $49,414
Revolving credit (1)
 1,936,402
 83,533
 1,847,611
 3,535
 1,723
Long-term debt (2)
 1,260,070
 337,161
 571,871
 351,038
 
Purchase commitments (3)
 506,907
 497,503
 9,404
 
 
Employment agreements 7,988
 7,927
 61
 
 
Derivatives $23,663
 $10,294
 $10,222
 $3,047
 $100
Total $3,830,403
 $948,264
 $2,459,871
 $371,031
 $51,237
(1)Includes 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, 2019 balances to maturity.
(2)Includes scheduled interest and principal payments on our term loans and convertible senior notes.
(3)Reflects the maximum remaining amount to be purchased under forward flow and other contracts for the purchase of nonperforming loans in the amount of $506.9 million.

(1)Includes 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, 2020 balances to maturity. See Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
38

(2)Includes scheduled interest and principal payments on our term loan, senior notes and convertible senior notes. See Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

(3)Reflects the maximum remaining amount to be purchased under forward flow and other contracts for the purchase of nonperforming loans.

(4)See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information.
(5)Amounts exclude unrecognized tax benefits, as the timing and amount of future cash payments are not determinable at this time. See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 statementsConsolidated Financial Statements may be material.
Management has reviewed these critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of our boardBoard of directors.Directors.
Revenue Recognition - Finance Receivables
We account for the vast majority of our investment in finance receivables under the guidance of ASC 310-30.Topic 310 "Receivables" ("ASC 310") and ASC Topic 326-20 "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses - Measured at Amortized Cost" ("ASC 326-20"). 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 or decreased revenue via yield increases which are recognized prospectively or increased allowance charges resulting from decreased cash flow estimates which are recognized immediately.as we immediately recognize the discounted value of such changes using the constant effective interest rate of the pool.
We implement the accountingaccount for income recognized onour finance receivables under ASC 310-30 as follows:
We create each annual accounting pool using our projections of estimated cash flows and expected economic life. We then compute a constant effective interest rate based on the effective yield that fully amortizesnet carrying amount of the pool over aand reasonable projections of estimated cash flows and expectation of its economic life based on the current projections of estimated cash flows.life. As actual cash flow results are recorded,received we record the time value of
37


the expected cash as Portfolio income and over and under performance and changes in expected future cash flows from expected cash as Changes in expected recoveries. 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 utilizingby applying discounted cash flow methodologies to our proprietary analytical models.

ERC and recognize income over the estimated life of the pool at the constant effective interest rate of the pool.
Significant judgment is used in evaluating whether variances in actual performance are due to changes inexpected recoveries using the total amount or changes indiscounted cash flow approach and the timingestimated life 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.pool.
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.evaluate 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 testusing a quantitative forecast 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 the business environment.environment and changes of the reporting unit or its composition. If upon evaluation of the qualitative factors, 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-stepthere is no impairment testloss to record and a quantitative assessment 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.not required. If the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, this could indicate potential impairment and Step 2 of the goodwill evaluation process isthen we are required to determine if goodwill is impairedthe reporting unit’s fair value and to measurerecord as an impairment loss the amount of impairment loss to recognize, if any. When Step 2 is necessary, the carrying value exceeds 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. Ifnot to exceed the carryingtotal amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value,allocated to the excess is recognized as an impairment loss.



respective reporting unit.
We determine the fair value of a reporting unit by applying the approaches prescribed under the fair value measurement accounting framework:ASC Topic 820 "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures": 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 income taxes throughout the income tax laws of the various jurisdictionsU.S. and in which we operate, including U.S. federal, state, local, andnumerous 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 international 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, theThe provision for income taxes is computedestimated 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
We exercise significant judgment in estimating the potential exposure to unresolved tax matters and apply a more-likely-than-not criteria approach for recording tax positionbenefits related to uncertain tax positions 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 meritsapplication of the position. In evaluating whether acomplex tax position has metlaws. While actual results could vary, we believe we have adequate tax accruals with respect to 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 knowledgeultimate outcome of all relevant information. The second step is measurement: asuch unresolved 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.matters. We record interest and penalties related to unrecognizedunresolved tax benefitsmatters as a component of income tax expense.expense when the more-likely-than-not standards are met.
Beginning with the 2017 tax year, we used a revised tax accounting method to recognize net finance receivables income. Under this method, a portion of the annual collections are amortized 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 was incorporated evenly into our tax filings over four years, ending in tax year 2020.
38


In the event that all or part of the deferred tax assets are determined not to be realizable in the future, we would establish a valuation allowance would be established and chargedcharge to earnings the impact in the period such a 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.earnings. 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-forwardscarryforwards 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 statementsConsolidated 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 credit rating. Our intention is to spread our counterparty credit risk across a number of counterparties so that exposure to a single counterparty is 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 $2.2$2.0 billion as of December 31, 2019.2020. 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 $7.2$2.7 million. Assuming a 50 basis point increase in interest rates, interest expense over the following 12 months would increase by an estimated $7.4$4.3 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 toWe 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.other comprehensive income. All derivatives to which we have applied hedge accounting were evaluated and remain highly effective at December 31, 2019.2020. 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.
Currency Exchange Risk
We operate internationally and enter into transactions denominated in various foreign currencies. In 2019,2020, we generated $343.8$388.2 million of revenues from operations outside the U.S. and used eleven11 functional 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.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.Consolidated Income Statements.
39


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 (loss)/income in our consolidated statementsConsolidated Statements of comprehensive incomeComprehensive Income and as a component of equity in our consolidated balance sheets.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 multi-currency facility, allowing us to better match funding and portfolio purchasingacquisitions by currency. We actively monitor the value of our finance receivables by currency. In the event adjustments are required to our liability composition by currency we may, from time to time, execute re-balancing foreign exchange contracts to more closely align funding and portfolio purchasingacquisitions by currency.

40

41



Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
See Item 6 for quarterly consolidated financial statements for 2019 and 2018.
Index to Financial Statements


42
41




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, 20192020 and 2018,2019, the related consolidated income statements, statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019,2020, 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, 20192020 and 2018,2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019,2020, 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, 2019,2020, 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 2, 2020February 26, 2021 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 42 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for expected credit losses for financial instruments as of January 1, 2020, due to the adoption of Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) Topic 326, Financial Instruments Credit Losses.

As discussed in Note 1 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)the ASC Topic 842, Leases.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.it relates.

Assessment of income recognizedthe estimate of expected recoveries on finance receivables and the valuation allowance and net allowance charges

purchased credit deteriorated assets

As discussed in Notes 1 and 23 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s finance receivables balanceestimate of expected recoveries on purchased credit deteriorated assets as of December 31, 20192020 was $3.5 billion, presented as finance receivables, net in the consolidated balance sheets, and the related valuation allowance was $281.3 million. Income recognized on finance receivablesresulting changes in expected recoveries for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $998.4 million and net allowances charges for the year ended December 31, 20192020 were $24.0$69.3 million. The Company accounts for the estimate of expected recoveries and resulting changes in
42


expected recoveries under the guidance of ASC Topic 326-20, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses - Measured at Amortized Cost. The Company develops its investmentestimate of expected recoveries by applying a discounted cash flow methodology to its estimated remaining collections (“ERC”). Subsequent changes (favorable and unfavorable) in expected cash flows are recognized within changes in expected recoveries by adjusting the present value of increases or decreases in ERC at a constant effective interest rate. Factors that may contribute to the changes in expected cash flows include both external and internal factors such as trends in collections performance and operational activities. When the Company has an expectation of collecting cash flows at the portfolio level, a negative allowance is established for expected recoveries at an amount not to exceed the amount paid for the financial portfolios. The negative allowance is recorded as an asset and presented as 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 judgmentnet 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).Company's consolidated balance sheets. The Company then re-forecasts future cash flows.pools accounts with similar risk characteristics that are acquired in the same year.

We identified the assessment of income recognizedthe estimate of expected recoveries on finance receivables and the valuation allowance and net allowance chargespurchased credit deteriorated assets as a critical audit matter because it involved significant measurement uncertainty that requiredmatter. A high degree of audit effort, including specialized skills and knowledge, and complex auditor judgment was involved in the assessment of the expected recoveries due to significant measurement uncertainty. Specifically, the assessment encompassed the evaluation of the methodology used to estimate recoveries, including the inputs and specialized knowledgesignificant assumptions related to estimating the expected recoveries. Such inputs and experience.significant assumptions include historical trends and actual performance versus projections and certain qualitative factors. 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 following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter includedmatter. We evaluated the following. Wedesign and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls overrelated to the Company's process to develop (1) develop estimatesthe methodology and estimate of future cash flowsexpected recoveries, including controls over the inputs and determine the economic lives used to recognize incomesignificant assumptions, and (2) determine the valuation allowanceperformance monitoring of the expected recoveries and net allowance charges.incorporation of qualitative factors into the estimate of expected recoveries. We evaluated the Company’s process to develop the estimates by testing certain sources of data, factors, and assumptions. This included consideringassumptions that the Company used, and considered 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.assumptions. 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.

in evaluating the methodology for compliance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and assessing the Company's estimates of expected recoveries, including the inputs and significant assumptions, for a selection of pools of finance receivables by comparing to historical trends. We evaluated the collective results of the procedures performed to assessalso assessed the sufficiency of the audit evidence obtained related to the Company’s income recognized on finance receivablesexpected recoveries by evaluating the cumulative results of the audit procedures and potential bias in the valuation allowance and net allowance charges.accounting estimate.

/s/ KPMG
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2007.
Norfolk, Virginia
March 2, 2020February 26, 2021


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PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 20192020 and 20182019
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
2019 201820202019
Assets   Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$119,774
 $98,695
Cash and cash equivalents$108,613 $119,774 
Restricted cashRestricted cash12,434 4,033 
Investments56,176
 45,173
Investments55,759 56,176 
Finance receivables, net3,514,165
 3,084,777
Finance receivables, net3,514,788 3,514,165 
Other receivables, net10,606
 46,157
Other receivables, net13,194 10,606 
Income taxes receivable17,918
 16,809
Income taxes receivable21,928 17,918 
Deferred tax asset, net63,225
 61,453
Deferred tax assets, netDeferred tax assets, net83,205 63,225 
Right-of-use assets68,972
 
Right-of-use assets52,951 68,972 
Property and equipment, net56,501
 54,136
Property and equipment, net58,356 56,501 
Goodwill480,794
 464,116
Goodwill492,989 480,794 
Intangible assets, net4,497
 5,522
Other assets31,263
 32,721
Other assets38,844 31,727 
Total assets$4,423,891
 $3,909,559
Total assets$4,453,061 $4,423,891 
Liabilities and Equity   Liabilities and Equity
Liabilities:   Liabilities:
Accounts payable$4,258
 $6,110
Accounts payable$5,294 $4,258 
Accrued expenses88,925
 79,396
Accrued expenses97,320 88,925 
Income taxes payable4,046
 15,080
Income taxes payable29,692 4,046 
Deferred tax liability, net85,390
 114,979
Deferred tax liabilities, netDeferred tax liabilities, net40,867 85,390 
Lease liabilities73,377
 
Lease liabilities57,348 73,377 
Interest-bearing deposits106,246
 82,666
Interest-bearing deposits132,739 106,246 
Borrowings2,808,425
 2,473,656
Borrowings2,661,289 2,808,425 
Other liabilities26,211
 7,370
Other liabilities54,986 26,211 
Total liabilities3,196,878
 2,779,257
Total liabilities3,079,535 3,196,878 
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
 6,333
Equity:
 
Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 2,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
 
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
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 45,585 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020; 100,000 shares authorized, 45,416 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 45,585 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020; 100,000 shares authorized, 45,416 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019456 454 
Additional paid-in capital67,321
 60,303
Additional paid-in capital75,282 67,321 
Retained earnings1,362,631
 1,276,473
Retained earnings1,511,970 1,362,631 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(261,018) (242,109)Accumulated other comprehensive loss(245,791)(261,018)
Total stockholders' equity - PRA Group, Inc.1,169,388
 1,095,120
Total stockholders' equity - PRA Group, Inc.1,341,917 1,169,388 
Noncontrolling interests57,625
 28,849
Noncontrolling interests31,609 57,625 
Total equity1,227,013
 1,123,969
Total equity1,373,526 1,227,013 
Total liabilities and equity$4,423,891
 $3,909,559
Total liabilities and equity$4,453,061 $4,423,891 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.Consolidated Financial Statements.


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44



PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Income Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 20172018
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
2019 2018 2017202020192018
Revenues:     Revenues:
Portfolio incomePortfolio income$984,036 $$
Changes in expected recoveriesChanges in expected recoveries69,297 
Income recognized on finance receivables$998,361
 $891,899
 $795,435
Income recognized on finance receivables998,361 891,899 
Fee income15,769
 14,916
 24,916
Fee income9,748 15,769 14,916 
Other revenue2,951
 1,441
 7,855
Other revenue2,333 2,951 1,441 
Total revenues1,017,081
 908,256
 828,206
Total revenues1,065,414 1,017,081 908,256 
     
Net allowance charges(24,025) (33,425) (11,898)Net allowance charges(24,025)(33,425)
     
Operating expenses:     Operating expenses:
Compensation and employee services310,441
 319,400
 273,033
Compensation and employee services295,150 310,441 319,400 
Legal collection fees55,261
 42,941
 43,351
Legal collection fees53,758 55,261 42,941 
Legal collection costs134,156
 104,988
 76,047
Legal collection costs101,635 134,156 104,988 
Agency fees55,812
 33,854
 35,530
Agency fees56,418 55,812 33,854 
Outside fees and services63,513
 61,492
 62,792
Outside fees and services84,087 63,513 61,492 
Communication44,057
 43,224
 33,132
Communication40,801 44,057 43,224 
Rent and occupancy17,854
 16,906
 14,823
Rent and occupancy17,973 17,854 16,906 
Depreciation and amortization17,464
 19,322
 19,763
Depreciation and amortization18,465 17,464 19,322 
Other operating expenses46,811
 47,444
 44,103
Other operating expenses47,426 46,811 47,444 
Total operating expenses745,369
 689,571
 602,574
Total operating expenses715,713 745,369 689,571 
Income from operations247,687
 185,260
 213,734
Income from operations349,701 247,687 185,260 
Other income and (expense):     Other income and (expense):
Gain on sale of subsidiaries
 26,575
 48,474
Gain on sale of subsidiaries26,575 
Interest expense, net(141,918) (121,078) (98,041)Interest expense, net(141,712)(141,918)(121,078)
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)11,954
 (944) (1,104)Foreign exchange gain/(loss)2,005 11,954 (944)
Other(364) (316) (2,790)Other(1,049)(364)(316)
Income before income taxes117,359
 89,497
 160,273
Income before income taxes208,945 117,359 89,497 
Income tax expense/(benefit)19,680
 13,763
 (10,852)
Income tax expenseIncome tax expense41,203 19,680 13,763 
Net income97,679
 75,734
 171,125
Net income167,742 97,679 75,734 
Adjustment for net income attributable to noncontrolling interests11,521
 10,171
 6,810
Adjustment for net income attributable to noncontrolling interests18,403 11,521 10,171 
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$86,158
 $65,563
 $164,315
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$149,339 $86,158 $65,563 
Net income per share attributable to PRA Group, Inc.:     Net income per share attributable to PRA Group, Inc.:
Basic$1.90
 $1.45
 $3.60
Basic$3.28 $1.90 $1.45 
Diluted$1.89
 $1.44
 $3.59
Diluted$3.26 $1.89 $1.44 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:     Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic45,387
 45,280
 45,671
Basic45,540 45,387 45,280 
Diluted45,577
 45,413
 45,823
Diluted45,860 45,577 45,413 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Financial Statements.
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PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 20172018
(Amounts in thousands)
2019 2018 2017 202020192018
Net income$97,679
 $75,734
 $171,125
Net income$167,742 $97,679 $75,734 
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax:     Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax:
Currency translation adjustments(6,359) (63,505) 67,858
Currency translation adjustments20,056 (6,359)(63,505)
Cash flow hedges(13,132) 44
 
Cash flow hedges(20,261)(13,132)44 
Debt securities available-for-sale39
 (83) 
Debt securities available-for-sale171 39 (83)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income(19,452) (63,544) 67,858
Other comprehensive lossOther comprehensive loss(34)(19,452)(63,544)
Total comprehensive income78,227
 12,190
 238,983
Total comprehensive income167,708 78,227 12,190 
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests10,978
 10,129
 1,332
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests3,141 10,978 10,129 
Comprehensive income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$67,249
 $2,061
 $237,651
Comprehensive income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$164,567 $67,249 $2,061 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Financial Statements.
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46



PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 20172018
(Amounts in thousands)
Common StockAdditional Paid-in CapitalRetained EarningsAccumulated  Other Comprehensive (Loss)Noncontrolling InterestsTotal Equity
Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated  Other Comprehensive (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total EquitySharesAmount
Shares Amount 
             
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
 
 
 164,315
 
 6,587
 170,902
Currency translation adjustment
 
 
 
 73,337
 (7,202) 66,135
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 (2,085) (2,085)
Vesting of restricted stock145
 1
 (1) 
 
 
 
Repurchase and cancellation of common stock(1,312) (13) (44,896) 
 
 
 (44,909)
Share-based compensation expense
 
 8,678
 
 
 
 8,678
Excess income tax benefit from share-based compensation
 
 (3,022) 
 
 
 (3,022)
Employee stock relinquished for payment of taxes
 
 44,910
 
 
 
 44,910
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
Balance at December 31, 201745,189 $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)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - equity securities (1)
— — — (3,930)— — (3,930)
Balance at January 1, 201845,189
 $452
 $53,870
 $1,210,910
 $(178,607) $50,162
 $1,136,787
Balance at January 1, 201845,189 $452 $53,870 $1,210,910 $(178,607)$50,162 $1,136,787 
Components of comprehensive income, net of tax:             Components of comprehensive income, net of tax:
Net income
 
 
 65,563
 
 10,171
 75,734
Net income— — — 65,563 — 10,171 75,734 
Currency translation adjustment
 
 
 
 (63,463) (42) (63,505)Currency translation adjustment— — — — (63,463)(42)(63,505)
Cash flow hedges







44



44
Cash flow hedges— — — — 44 — 44 
Debt securities available-for-sale







(83)


(83)Debt securities available-for-sale— — — — (83)— (83)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 (33,271) (33,271)Distributions to noncontrolling interest— — — — — (33,271)(33,271)
Vesting of restricted stock115
 1
 (1) 
 
 
 
Vesting of restricted stock115 (1)— — — 
Share-based compensation expense
 
 8,521
 
 
 
 8,521
Share-based compensation expense— — 8,521 — — — 8,521 
Employee stock relinquished for payment of taxes
 
 (2,087) 
 
 
 (2,087)Employee stock relinquished for payment of taxes— — (2,087)— — — (2,087)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 1,829
 1,829
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
Balance at December 31, 201845,304 $453 $60,303 $1,276,473 $(242,109)$28,849 $1,123,969 
Components of comprehensive income, net of tax:Components of comprehensive income, net of tax:
Net incomeNet income— — — 86,158 — 11,521 97,679 
Currency translation adjustmentCurrency translation adjustment— — — — (5,816)(543)(6,359)
Cash flow hedgesCash flow hedges— — — — (13,132)— (13,132)
Debt securities available-for-saleDebt securities available-for-sale— — — — 39 — 39 
Distributions to noncontrolling interestDistributions to noncontrolling interest— — — — — (6,877)(6,877)
Contributions from noncontrolling interestContributions from noncontrolling interest— — — — — 24,675 24,675 
Vesting of restricted stockVesting of restricted stock112 (1)— — — 
Shared-based compensation expenseShared-based compensation expense— — 10,717 — — — 10,717 
Employee stock relinquished for payment of taxesEmployee stock relinquished for payment of taxes— — (1,609)— — — (1,609)
OtherOther— — (2,089)— — — (2,089)
Balance at December 31, 2019Balance at December 31, 201945,416 $454 $67,321 $1,362,631 $(261,018)$57,625 $1,227,013 
Components of comprehensive income, net of tax:             Components of comprehensive income, net of tax:
Net income
 
 
 86,158
 
 11,521
 97,679
Net income— — — 149,339 — 18,403 167,742 
Currency translation adjustments
 
 
 
 (5,816) (543) (6,359)Currency translation adjustments— — — — 35,317 (15,261)20,056 
Cash flow hedges
 
 
 
 (13,132) 
 (13,132)Cash flow hedges— — — — (20,261)— (20,261)
Debt securities available-for-sale
 
 
 
 39
 
 39
Debt securities available-for-sale— — — — 171 — 171 
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 (6,877) (6,877)Distributions to noncontrolling interest— — — — — (30,276)(30,276)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 24,675
 24,675
Contributions from noncontrolling interest— — — — — 1,118 1,118 
Vesting of restricted stock112
 1
 (1) 
 
 
 
Vesting of restricted stock169 (2)— — — 
Share-based compensation expense
 
 10,717
 
 
 
 10,717
Share-based compensation expense— — 14,387 — — — 14,387 
Employee stock relinquished for payment of taxes
 
 (1,609) 
 
 
 (1,609)Employee stock relinquished for payment of taxes— — (3,299)— — — (3,299)
Other



(2,089)






(2,089)Other— — (3,125)— — — (3,125)
Balance at December 31, 201945,416
 $454
 $67,321
 $1,362,631
 $(261,018) $57,625
 $1,227,013
Balance at December 31, 2020Balance at December 31, 202045,585 $456 $75,282 $1,511,970 $(245,791)$31,609 $1,373,526 
(1) ReferReflects cumulative effect adjustment recorded to Note 3beginning retained earnings for further detail.the unrealized loss on investments in private equity funds.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Financial Statements.
48
47



PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 20172018
(Amounts in thousands)
2019 2018 2017202020192018
Cash flows from operating activities:     Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income$97,679
 $75,734
 $171,125
Net income$167,742 $97,679 $75,734 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation expense10,717
 8,521
 8,678
Share-based compensation expense14,387 10,717 8,521 
Depreciation and amortization17,464
 19,322
 19,763
Depreciation and amortization18,465 17,464 19,322 
Gain on sale of subsidiaries
 (26,575) (48,474)Gain on sale of subsidiaries(26,575)
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs22,987
 22,057
 18,152
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs21,063 22,987 22,057 
Impairment of investments
 
 1,745
Deferred tax benefit(37,561) (56,208) (130,138)
Changes in expected recoveriesChanges in expected recoveries(69,297)
Deferred income taxesDeferred income taxes(58,503)(37,561)(56,208)
Net unrealized foreign currency transactions(4,543) 5,730
 (1,098)Net unrealized foreign currency transactions15,240 (4,543)5,730 
Fair value in earnings for equity securities(5,826) (3,502) 
Fair value in earnings for equity securities977 (5,826)(3,502)
Net allowance charges24,025
 33,425
 11,898
Net allowance charges24,025 33,425 
Other operating activities(234) 
 (4,033)Other operating activities(893)(234)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Other assets3,313
 (2,180) (460)Other assets(2,429)3,313 (2,180)
Other receivables, net6,300
 (4,269) (3,461)Other receivables, net(2,215)6,300 (4,269)
Accounts payable(2,070) 1,321
 2,743
Accounts payable914 (2,070)1,321 
Income taxes (payable)/receivable, net(12,375) 9,390
 (22,715)
Income taxes payable, netIncome taxes payable, net22,001 (12,375)9,390 
Accrued expenses11,632
 (1,334) (5,752)Accrued expenses7,767 11,632 (1,334)
Other liabilities1,149
 (566) (2,498)Other liabilities6,496 1,149 (566)
Right of use asset/lease liability731
 
 
Right of use assets/lease liabilitiesRight of use assets/lease liabilities(11)731 
Net cash provided by operating activities133,388
 80,866
 15,475
Net cash provided by operating activities141,704 133,388 80,866 
Cash flows from investing activities:     Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment(18,033) (20,521) (22,840)
Acquisition of finance receivables(1,231,351) (1,105,759) (1,086,029)
Purchases of property and equipment, netPurchases of property and equipment, net(17,230)(18,033)(20,521)
Purchases of finance receivablesPurchases of finance receivables(903,588)(1,231,351)(1,105,759)
Recoveries applied to negative allowanceRecoveries applied to negative allowance1,037,659 
Collections applied to principal on finance receivables842,910
 733,306
 717,170
Collections applied to principal on finance receivables842,910 733,306 
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired(57,610) 
 
Cash received upon consolidation of Polish investment fund
 17,531
 
Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries, net31,177
 4,905
 93,304
Purchase of investments(83,291) (42,622) (6,688)Purchase of investments(45,229)(83,291)(42,622)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments75,008
 25,909
 10,123
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments43,391 75,008 25,909 
Net cash used in investing activities(441,190) (387,251) (294,960)
Business acquisition, net of cash acquiredBusiness acquisition, net of cash acquired(57,610)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries, netProceeds from sale of subsidiaries, net31,177 4,905 
Cash received upon consolidation of Polish investment fundCash received upon consolidation of Polish investment fund17,531 
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activitiesNet cash provided by/(used in) investing activities115,003 (441,190)(387,251)
Cash flows from financing activities:     Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from lines of credit1,340,700
 737,464
 1,260,161
Proceeds from lines of credit1,290,799 1,340,700 737,464 
Principal payments on lines of credit(728,282) (403,348) (1,549,833)Principal payments on lines of credit(1,557,186)(728,282)(403,348)
Principal payments on notes payable and long-term debt(313,165) (10,000) (15,021)
Payments on convertible senior notesPayments on convertible senior notes(287,442)
Proceeds from senior notesProceeds from senior notes300,000 
Proceeds from long-term debt
 
 310,000
Proceeds from long-term debt55,000 
Proceeds from convertible debt
 
 345,000
Repurchases of common stock
 
 (44,909)
Principal payments on long-term debtPrincipal payments on long-term debt(10,000)(313,165)(10,000)
Payments of origination costs and fees
Payments of origination costs and fees
(17,218)(2,260)
Tax withholdings related to share-based payments(1,609) (2,087) (3,022)Tax withholdings related to share-based payments(3,301)(1,609)(2,087)
Payments of origination costs and fees

 (2,260) (18,240)
Cash paid for purchase of portion of noncontrolling interest(1,255) (1,664) 
Cash paid for purchase of portion of noncontrolling interest(1,255)(1,664)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interest(6,877) (14,486) (1,429)Distributions paid to noncontrolling interest(30,276)(6,877)(14,486)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest24,675
 
 
Contributions from noncontrolling interest1,118 24,675 
Net increase/(decrease) in interest-bearing deposits27,427
 (8,693) 12,991
Net increase/(decrease) in interest-bearing deposits9,591 27,427 (8,693)
Other financing activities(2,091) 
 
Other financing activities(3,185)(2,091)
Net cash provided by financing activities339,523
 294,926
 295,698
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activitiesNet cash (used in)/provided by financing activities(252,100)339,523 294,926 
Effect of exchange rate on cash(6,609) (10,362) 10,016
Effect of exchange rate on cash(7,367)(6,609)(10,362)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents25,112
 (21,821) 26,229
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year98,695
 120,516
 94,287
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year$123,807
 $98,695
 $120,516
Net (decrease)/increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cashNet (decrease)/increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(2,760)25,112 (21,821)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of yearCash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year123,807 98,695 120,516 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of yearCash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of year$121,047 $123,807 $98,695 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:     Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest$119,424
 $97,475
 $79,825
Cash paid for interest$117,986 $119,424 $97,475 
Cash paid for income taxes68,979
 73,483
 144,341
Cash paid for income taxes80,856 68,979 73,483 
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.

Consolidated Financial Statements.
49
48

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 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.").
On March 11, 2020, due to the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19"), the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic. Since the initial outbreak was reported, COVID-19 has continued to adversely impact all countries in which the Company operates. As a result, the Company has taken steps to modify its operations to mitigate adverse effects where possible while conforming with various COVID-19 protocols within the countries in which it operates. These actions have allowed the Company to operate its business while minimizing disruption and complying with country-specific, federal, state and local laws, regulations and governmental actions related to the pandemic.
Basis of presentation: The consolidated financial statementsConsolidated 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 statementsConsolidated 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.
Beginning January 1, 2020, the Company implemented Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses" ("Topic 326") ("ASU 2016-13") and ASU 2019-11, "Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses" ("ASU 2019-11"), collectively referred to as "ASC 326", on a prospective basis. Prior to January 1, 2020, the vast majority of the Company's investment in finance receivables were accounted for under ASC 310-30 "Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality" ("ASC 310-30"). Refer to Note 2.
Reclassification of prior year presentation: Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation. Specifically, restricted cash is now presented as a separate line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and was previously included within Other assets. Furthermore, intangible assets, net is now included within Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Consolidation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of PRA Group and other entities in which the Company has a controlling interest. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest, through ownership of the majority of the entities’ voting equity interests, or through other contractual rights that give the Company control, consist of entities which purchase and collect on portfolios of nonperforming loans.
Investments in companies in which the Company has significant influence over operating and financing decisions, but does not own a majority of the voting equity interests, are accounted for in accordance with the equity method of accounting, which requires the Company to recognize its proportionate share of the entity’s net earnings. These investments are included in other assets, with income or loss included in other revenue.
The Company performs on-going reassessments whether changes in the facts and circumstances regarding the Company’s involvement with an entity cause the Company’s consolidation conclusion to change.
Foreign currency: Assets and liabilities have been translated to the reporting currency using the exchange rates in effect on the consolidated balance sheetConsolidated Balance Sheets 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 international subsidiaries are recorded in accumulatedAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss)loss in the accompanying consolidated statementsConsolidated Statements of changesChanges in equity.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,
49

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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, 2020, 2019 2018 and 2017,2018, and long-lived assets held at December 31, 20192020 and 2018,2019, both for the U.S., the Company's country of domicile, and outside of the U.S. were (amounts in thousands):
 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,
20202019201820202019
Revenues (2)
Long-Lived Assets
United States$677,234 $673,264 $619,172 $99,271 $112,233 
United Kingdom132,749 120,377 99,817 2,500 3,553 
Others (1)
255,431 223,440 189,267 9,536 9,687 
Total$1,065,414 $1,017,081 $908,256 $111,307 $125,473 
(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 assetsBased on the Company’s financial statement information used to produce the Company's general-purpose financial statements, it is impracticable to report further breakdowns of revenues from the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019. Refer to Note 4.external customers by product or service.
Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the related operations. Long-lived assets consist of net property and equipment and right-of-use-assets.right-of-use assets. The Company reports revenues earned from nonperforming loan acquisitions and collection activities on nonperforming loans, fee-based services and 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.4.
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.
Restricted cash:Cash that is subject to legal restrictions or is unavailable for general operating purposes is classified as restricted cash on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Concentrations of credit risk: Financial instruments, which potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, investments, derivative instruments and finance receivables.

50

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Accumulated other comprehensive loss: The Company records unrealized gains and losses on certain available-for-sale investments and foreign currency translation adjustments in other comprehensive income.income ("OCI"). 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 international 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.OCI.
Investments:
Debt Securities.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 maturityheld-to-maturity when the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost. 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 saleavailable-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair market value. Fair value is determined using quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses are included in 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 SecuritiesSecurities:. The Company accounts for its investments in equity securities in accordance with ASC Topic 321, “Investments-Equity Securities” (“"Investments-Equity Securities" ("ASC 321”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 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, "Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" ("ASU 2016-01"), 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.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.in accordance with ASC Topic 323, "Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures" ("ASC 323"). 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
50

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
the equity method of accounting, an investee company’s accounts are not reflected within the Company’s consolidated balance sheetsConsolidated Balance Sheets and income statements;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.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.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 statementsConsolidated 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 at amortized cost under the guidance of ASC Topic 310-30, "Loans310 "Receivables" ("ASC 310") and Debt Securities AcquiredASC 326. ASC 326 requires a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected.
Credit quality information: 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. The Company accounts for the portfolios in accordance with Deteriorated Credit Quality"the guidance for purchased credit deteriorated ("PCD") assets. The initial allowance for credit losses is added to the purchase price rather than recorded as a credit loss expense. The Company has established a policy to write off the amortized cost of individual assets when it deems probable that it will not collect on an individual asset. Due to the deteriorated credit quality of the individual accounts, the Company may write off the unpaid principal balance of all accounts in a portfolio at the time of acquisition. However, when the Company has an expectation of collecting cash flows at the portfolio level, a negative allowance is established for expected recoveries at an amount not to exceed the amount paid for the financial portfolios. The negative allowance is recorded as an asset and presented as Finance receivables, net on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Portfolio segments: The Company develops systematic methodologies to determine its allowance for credit losses at the portfolio segment level. The Company’s nonperforming loan portfolio segments consist of two broad categories: Core and Insolvency. The Company’s Core portfolios contain loan accounts that are in default, which were purchased at a substantial discount to face value because either the credit originator and/or other third-party collection agencies have been unsuccessful in collecting the full balance owed. The Company’s Insolvency portfolios contain loan accounts that are in default and the customer is involved in a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding and the accounts were purchased at a substantial discount to face value. Each of the two broad portfolio segments of purchased nonperforming loan portfolios consist of large numbers of homogeneous receivables with similar risk characteristics.
Effective interest rate and accounting pools: Within each portfolio segment, the Company pools accounts with similar risk characteristics that are acquired in the same year. Similar risk characteristics generally include portfolio segment and geographic region. The initial effective interest rate of the pool is established based on the purchase price and expected recoveries of each individual purchase at the purchase date. During the year of acquisition, the annual pool is aggregated, and the blended effective interest rate will adjust to reflect new acquisitions and new cash flow estimates until the end of the year. The effective interest rate for a pool is fixed for the remaining life of the pool once the year has ended.

Methodology: The Company develops its estimates of expected recoveries in the Consolidated Balance Sheets by applying discounted cash flow methodologies to its estimated remaining collections ("ERC") and recognizes income over the estimated life of the pool at the constant effective interest rate of the pool. Subsequent changes (favorable and unfavorable) in expected cash flows are recognized within Changes in expected recoveries in the Consolidated Income Statements by adjusting the present value of increases or decreases in ERC at a constant effective interest rate. Amounts included in the estimate of recoveries do not exceed the aggregate amount of the amortized cost basis previously written off or expected to be written off.

The measurement of expected recoveries is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. Development of the Company’s forecasts rely on both quantitative and qualitative factors. Qualitative factors can include both external and internal information and consider management’s view on available facts and circumstances at each reporting period. More specifically, external factors that may have an impact on the collectability, and subsequently on the overall profitability of acquired portfolios 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 acquired portfolios of nonperforming loans, would include necessary revisions to initial and post-acquisition scoring and modeling estimates, operational activities, expected impact of operational strategies and changes in productivity related to turnover and tenure of the Company's collection staff.
51

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Portfolio income: The recognition of income on expected recoveries is based on the constant effective interest rate established for a pool.

Changes in expected recoveries: The activity consists of differences between actual recoveries compared to expected recoveries for the reporting period, as well as the net present value of increases or decreases in ERC at the constant effective interest rate.

Agreements to acquire the aforementioned receivables include general representations and warranties from the sellers covering matters such as account holder death or insolvency 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, with certain international agreements extending as long as 24 months.  Any funds received from the seller as a return of purchase price are referred to as buybacks. Buyback funds are included in changes in expected recoveries when received.
Fees paid to third parties other than the seller related to the direct acquisition of a portfolio of accounts are expensed when incurred.
Prior to ASC 310-30").326: The Company accounts for its investment in finance receivables under the guidance of 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 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.

51

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 acquired pools of nonperforming
52

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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 acquired pools of nonperforming loans, would include necessary revisions to initial and post-acquisition scoring and modeling estimates, non-optimal operational activities, 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 nonperforming loans include general representations and warranties from the sellers covering account holder death or insolvency 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 recognizes revenue from its class action claims recovery services when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the amount is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.
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 generally 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-nine39 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.Company's Consolidated Income Statements.
Business combinations: The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition 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

52

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: 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. On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment" ("ASU 2017-04"). The Company performs its annual assessment of goodwill 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 goodwillan impairment test.loss is recognized. The first step ofloss will be recorded at 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 ofamount exceeds the goodwill exceeds its impliedreporting unit’s fair value, if any, is recognized as an impairment loss. See Note 5 for additional information.not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the respective reporting unit.
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"or "Convertible 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.
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PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For diluted earnings per share purposes, based upon the Company's intent and ability to settle conversions of the Convertible 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$60.11, which is 130% of the 2020 Notes or $46.24 for the 2023 Notes, neither of which occurred duringconversion price. During the respective periods from when the 2023 Notes were issued through December 31, 2019.2020, the average share price of the Company's common stock did not exceed $60.11 during any quarter.
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 evaluationCompany is subject to income taxes throughout the U.S. and in numerous international jurisdictions. The Company recognizes the financial statement benefits of a tax position in accordance with the guidance is a two-step process. The first step is recognition: the enterprise determines whetherif it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position willmore likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolutionin the event of any related appeals or litigation processes,challenges by relevant taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position 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.merit. The second step is measurement: a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amountamounts of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured asstatements are the largest amount of benefitbenefits that ishave a greater than 50 percent likelylikelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meetsettlement with the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognizedrelevant 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.authorities. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense when positionsthe more likely than not standards are not met.
In preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company exercises significant judgment in estimating the potential exposure to unresolved tax matters and applies a more likely than not criteria approach for recording tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions in the application of complex tax laws. While actual results could vary, the Company believes it has adequate tax accruals with respect to the ultimate outcome of such tax matters.
The Company, in the event that all or part of the deferred tax assets are determined not to be realizable in the future, would establish a valuation allowance would be established and chargedcharge to earnings the impact in the period such a determination is made. If the Company subsequently realizes

53

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.
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 13.
Advertising costs: Advertising costs are expensed when incurred.
Leases: TheBeginning in 2019, the Company accounts for leases in accordance with the provisions of FASB issued ASUASC 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842) Section A - Leases: Amendments to the FASB Account Standards Codification" ("ASU 2016-02"ASC 842"). ASU 2016-02ASC 842 requires that a lessee should recognize a liability to makefor future 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 after January 1, 2019 are presented under the new 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 twenty15 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 ROUright-of-use ("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 Company'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 of 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 1112 for additional information.
54

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Derivatives: The Company periodically enters into derivative financial instruments, typically interest rate swap agreements, interest rate caps, and foreign currency contracts to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates on variable-rate debt and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company does not utilize 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 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

54

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 accumulatedAccumulated other comprehensive income.loss. Amounts in accumulatedAccumulated other comprehensive incomeloss are reclassified to earnings when the related hedged items affect earnings 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 statementsConsolidated Statements of cash flowsCash 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 910 for additional information.
Use of estimates: The preparation of the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP 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 statementsConsolidated 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 contingenciescommitments and commitmentscontingencies when a loss is probable and estimable. The Company expenses related legal costs as incurred. For additional information, see Note 14.15.
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 89 for additional information.
Recent accounting pronouncements:
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Adopted:
Codification Improvements to Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 which requires that a lessee should recognize a liability to make lease payments and a ROU representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet. 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, allowed for an alternative transition method which eliminated the requirement to restate the earliest prior period presented in an entity's financial statements. Entities that elected this transition option, including the Company, were required to adopt the new lease standard using the modified retrospective transition method required by the standard, but recognized a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption rather than in the earliest period presented. The Company adopted the new 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 adoption of the standard did not have any other material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

55

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Statement of Cash Flows- Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and 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. The new standard must be adopted using a retrospective transition method. The Company adopted ASU 2016-15 in 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.Recent accounting pronouncements:
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted:issued accounting standards adopted:
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses
In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)" ("ASU 2016-13"), which introducesEffective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASC 326 on a new methodology requiringprospective basis. Prior to January 1, 2020, substantially all of 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 otherCompany's investment in finance 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 currentlywere accounted for under existing GAAP will be accountedASC 310-30. Refer to Note 2 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.

56

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.comprehensive details.
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 2017-04which eliminates Stepstep 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Instead, an entity should performperforms its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognizerecognizes 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 was 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 will adopt this standardadopted ASU 2017-04 on January 1, 2020 and does not expect that the adoption of these amendments will have a material effectwhich had no impact on its consolidated financial statements.Consolidated Financial Statements.
Fair Value Measurement
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair"Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”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 standardadopted ASU 2018-13 on January 1, 2020 which had no impact to the Company's Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Reference Rate Reform
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting" ("ASU 2020-04"). ASU 2020-04 provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The new guidance provides optional expedients and expectsexceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference London Inter-bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. ASU 2020-04 is effective immediately for a limited time through December 31, 2022. The Company is evaluating the adoptionimpact of ASU 2018-132020-04 but does not expect it will result in additional and modified disclosures inhave a material impact on its consolidated financial statements without any financial impact.Consolidated Financial Statements.
Recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted:
Income Taxes
InIn December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“("ASU 2019-12”2019-12"), which simplifies the accounting. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes for investments and calculating income taxes. This standardtaxes in interim periods. Additionally, it adds guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, including recognizing taxes for tax goodwill and allocating taxes to members of a consolidated group. ASU 2019-12 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning afterafter December 15, 2020 on a prospective basis, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluatinghas evaluated the impact of ASU 2019-12 on our consolidatedits Consolidated Financial Statements and has adopted the standard on January 1, 2021. The Company does not expect adoption to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
Investments-Equity Securities
In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01 "Investments-Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)-Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815" ("ASU 2020-01"). ASU 2020-01 clarifies that a company should consider observable transactions that require a company to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting under Topic 323, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures, for the purposes of applying the measurement alternative in accordance with Topic 321 immediately before applying or upon discontinuing the equity method. Additionally, it clarifies that, when determining the accounting for certain forward contracts and purchased options a company should not consider, whether upon settlement or exercise, if the underlying securities would be accounted for under the equity method or fair value option. This standard is effective for public entities for financial statements issued for fiscal years and expects itinterim periods beginning after
56

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to resultConsolidated Financial Statements
December 15, 2020. The Company is evaluating the impact of ASU 2020-01 but does not expect adoption to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
Accounting for Convertible Instruments
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, "Debt —Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging —Contracts in additionalEntity 's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) —Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity 's Own Equity" ("ASU 2020-06"). ASU 2020-06 reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock. Additionally, ASU 2020-06 removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception and simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation in certain areas. ASU 2020-06 is effective for public entities for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2021 with early adoption permitted for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company will early adopt the amended guidance on January 1, 2021 using a modified disclosures.retrospective transition method. The Company does not expect adoption to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company does not expect that any other recently issued accounting pronouncements will have a material effectimpact on its consolidatedConsolidated Financial Statements.
2. Change in Accounting Principle:
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses
In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, which introduced a new methodology requiring the measurement of expected credit losses for financial statements.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 prior GAAP, including for purchased credit impaired ("PCI") assets, and introduces the concept of PCD assets. The Company's PCI assets previously accounted for under ASC 310-30 are now accounted for as PCD assets upon adoption. 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, which amended the PCD 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. Additionally, expected recoveries 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 asset account is recognized when an entity determines, after a full or partial write off of the amortized cost basis, that it will recover all or a portion of the basis.
2.The Company adopted ASC 326 on January 1, 2020 on a prospective basis. In accordance with the guidance, substantially all the Company’s PCI assets were transitioned using the PCD guidance, with immediate write off of the amortized cost basis of individual accounts and establishment of a negative allowance for expected recoveries equal to the amortized cost basis written off. Accounts previously accounted for under ASC 310-30, were aggregated into annual pools based on similar risk characteristics and an effective interest rate was established based on the estimated remaining cash flows of the annual pool. The immediate write off and subsequent recognition of expected recoveries had no impact on the Company’s Consolidated Income Statements or the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the date of adoption. The Company develops its estimate of expected recoveries by applying discounted cash flow methodologies to its ERC and recognizes income over the estimated life of the pool at the constant effective interest rate of the pool. Changes (favorable and unfavorable) in expected cash flows are recognized in current period earnings by adjusting the present value of the changes in expected recoveries.
57

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Following the transition guidance for PCD assets, the Company grossed up the amortized cost of its net finance receivables at January 1, 2020 as shown below (amounts in thousands):
Amortized cost$3,514,165 
Allowance for credit losses125,757,689 
Noncredit discount3,240,131 
Face value$132,511,985 
Allowance for credit losses$125,757,689 
Writeoffs, net(125,757,689)
Expected recoveries3,514,165 
Initial negative allowance for expected recoveries$3,514,165 

3. Finance Receivables, net:
Finance Receivables, net after the adoption of ASC 326 (refer to Note 2)
Finance receivables, net consisted of the following at December 31, 2020 (amounts in thousands):
Amortized cost$
Negative allowance for expected recoveries (1)
3,514,788 
Balance at end of year$3,514,788 
(1) The negative allowance balance includes certain portfolios of nonperforming loans for which the Company holds a beneficial interest representing approximately 1% of the balance.
Changes in the negative allowance for expected recoveries by portfolio segment for the year ended December 31, 2020 was as follows (amounts in thousands):
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
CoreInsolvencyTotal
Balance at beginning of year$3,051,426 $462,739 $3,514,165 
Initial negative allowance for expected recoveries - portfolio acquisitions (1)
742,583 162,535 905,118 
Foreign currency translation adjustment54,735 9,132 63,867 
Recoveries applied to negative allowance (2)
(891,925)(145,734)(1,037,659)
Changes in expected recoveries (3)
62,658 6,639 69,297 
Balance at end of year$3,019,477 $495,311 $3,514,788 
(1) Initial negative allowance for expected recoveries - portfolio acquisitions
Portfolio acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2020 was as follows (amounts in thousands):
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
CoreInsolvencyTotal
Face value$5,820,159 $887,134 $6,707,293 
Noncredit discount(710,636)(53,357)(763,993)
Allowance for credit losses at acquisition(4,366,940)(671,242)(5,038,182)
Purchase price$742,583 $162,535 $905,118 


58

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The initial negative allowance recorded on portfolio acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2020 was as follows (amounts in thousands):
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
CoreInsolvencyTotal
Allowance for credit losses at acquisition$(4,366,940)$(671,242)$(5,038,182)
Writeoffs, net4,366,940 671,242 5,038,182 
Expected recoveries742,583 162,535 905,118 
Initial negative allowance for expected recoveries$742,583 $162,535 $905,118 
(2) Recoveries applied to negative allowance
Recoveries applied to the negative allowance for the year ended December 31, 2020 was as follows (amounts in thousands):
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
CoreInsolvencyTotal
Recoveries (a)
$1,803,480 $218,215 $2,021,695 
Less - amounts reclassified to portfolio income (b)
911,555 72,481 984,036 
Recoveries applied to negative allowance$891,925 $145,734 $1,037,659 
(a) Recoveries includes cash collections, buybacks and other cash-based adjustments.
(b) For more information, refer to the Company's discussion of portfolio income within finance receivables and income recognition in Note 1.
(3) Changes in expected recoveries
Changes in expected recoveries for the year ended December 31, 2020 was as follows (amounts in thousands):
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
CoreInsolvencyTotal
Changes in expected future recoveries$(207,982)$(5,289)$(213,271)
Recoveries received in excess of forecast270,640 11,928 282,568 
Changes in expected recoveries$62,658 $6,639 $69,297 
In order to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on expectations of future cash collections, the Company considered historical performance, current economic forecasts regarding the duration of the impact to short-term and long-term growth in the various geographies in which the Company operates, and evolving information regarding its effect on economic activity and consumer habits as conditions related to the pandemic continue to evolve. The Company also considered current collection activity in its determination to adjust the estimated timing of near-term ERC for certain pools. Based on these considerations, the Company’s estimates incorporate changes in both amounts and in the timing of expected cash collections over the forecast period.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, changes in expected recoveries were $69.3 million. This reflects $282.6 million in recoveries received in excess of forecast, which was largely due to significant cash collections overperformance during the last three quarters of 2020. This was mostly offset by a $213.3 million decrease in the present value of expected future recoveries. The decrease reflects the Company's assumption that the majority of the current year overperformance was primarily due to acceleration in the timing of cash collections rather than an increase to total expected collections. Additionally, the Company made forecast adjustments in all quarters deemed appropriate given the current environment in which the Company operates.
Changes in the Company’s assumptions regarding the duration and impact of COVID-19 to cash collections could change significantly as conditions evolve.



59

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Finance Receivables, net prior to adoption of ASC 326
The following information reflects finance receivables, net as previously disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which was under the previous revenue recognition accounting standard.
Changes in finance receivables, net, for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, werewas 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

2019
Balance at beginning of year$3,084,777 
Acquisitions of finance receivables (1)
1,274,317 
Foreign currency translation adjustment22,006 
Cash collections(1,841,271)
Income recognized on finance receivables998,361 
Net allowance charges(24,025)
Balance at end of year$3,514,165 
(1) Includes portfolio purchases adjusted for buybacks and acquisition related costs and portfolios from the acquisition of a business in Canada made during the first quarter of 2019.

57

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company acquired 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. At December 31, 2019, the estimated remaining collections ("ERC") on the receivables acquired during the yearsyear ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 werewas $2.0 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively.billion. At December 31, 2019, and 2018, ERC was $6.8 billion and $6.1 billion, respectively.billion.
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-month12-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 

At December 31, 2019, and 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, respectively.million.
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 acquired during the 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, 2019 and 2018 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
 2019 2018
Balance at beginning of year$3,058,445
 $2,927,866
Income recognized on finance receivables(998,361) (891,899)
Net allowance charges24,025
 33,425
Additions from portfolio acquisitions943,887
 876,112
Reclassifications from nonaccretable difference205,464
 194,992
Foreign currency translation adjustment6,671
 (82,051)
Balance at end of year$3,240,131
 $3,058,445


5860

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Changes in accretable yield for the year ended December 31, 2019 was as follows (amounts in thousands):
2019
Balance at beginning of year$3,058,445 
Income recognized on finance receivables(998,361)
Net allowance charges24,025 
Additions from portfolio acquisitions943,887 
Reclassifications from nonaccretable difference205,464 
Foreign currency translation adjustment6,671 
Balance at end of year$3,240,131 
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 and 20172018 (amounts in thousands):
20192018
Beginning balance$257,148 $225,555 
Allowance charges38,662 48,856 
Reversal of previous recorded allowance charges(14,637)(15,431)
Net allowance charges24,025 33,425 
Foreign currency translation adjustment122 (1,832)
Ending balance$281,295 $257,148 
 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

3.4. Investments:
Investments consisted of the following at December 31, 20192020 and 20182019 (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

20202019
Debt securities
Available-for-sale$5,368 $5,052 
Equity securities
Exchange traded funds34,847 
Private equity funds6,123 7,218 
Mutual funds1,023 33,677 
Equity method investments8,398 10,229 
Total investments$55,759 $56,176 
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.
61

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments in debt securities at December 31, 20192020 and 20182019 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, 2020
Amortized CostGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesAggregate Fair Value
Available-for-sale
Government bonds$5,239 $129 $$5,368 
December 31, 2019
Amortized CostGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesAggregate Fair Value
Available-for-sale
Government bonds$5,095 $$43 $5,052 
Equity Securities
Exchange traded funds: The Company invests in certain treasury bill exchange traded funds, which are accounted for as equity securities and carried at fair value. Gains and losses from these investments are included within Other income and (expense) in the Company's Consolidated Income Statements.
Investments in private equity funds: Investments in private equity funds represent limited partnerships in which the Company has less than a 3%1% interest. In the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-01, the investments are carried at the fair value reported by the fund 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.
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. 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 otherOther income and (expense) in the Company's consolidated income statements.

59

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Unrealized gains and losses: Net unrealized gains on equity securities were $5.8 million and $3.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively on the Company's equity securities.Income Statements.
Equity Method Investments
Effective December 20, 2018, theThe Company has an 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. Accordingly, the Company’s investment in RCB is adjusted for the Company’s proportionate share of RCB’s earnings or losses. Refer to Note 17 for additional information.losses, capital contributions made and distributions received.
4.5. Leases:
The Company leases office space and equipment under operating leases. The components of lease expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 waswere as follows (amounts in thousands):
December 31, 201920202019
Operating lease cost$12,008
Operating lease cost$12,263 $12,008 
Short-term lease cost2,973
Short-term lease cost2,598 2,973 
Total lease cost$14,981
Total lease cost$14,861 $14,981 
Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to leases for the year ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
20202019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities$12,416 $11,438 
ROU assets (disposed)/obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations$(7,506)$80,725 


62

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 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. Lease expense was $15.0 million, $13.6 million and $11.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
20202019
Weighted-average remaining lease terms (years)9.110.7
Weighted-average discount rate4.7 %4.9 %
Maturities of lease liabilities at December 31, 2019,2020, are as follows for the years ending December 31, (amounts in thousands):
Operating Leases
2021$11,679 
20229,697 
20237,392 
20246,348 
20256,152 
Thereafter29,863 
Total lease payments$71,131 
Less: imputed interest13,783 
Total$57,348 
 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),6. Goodwill:

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 of each year or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The Company performed an annual review of goodwill as of October 1, 20192020 and concluded that 0 goodwill impairment was necessary.
The following table represents the changes in goodwill for the years ended December 31, 20192020 and 20182019 (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

20202019
Balance at beginning of year$480,794 $464,116 
Changes:
Acquisition (1)
18,831 
Foreign currency translation adjustment12,195 (2,153)
Net change12,195 16,678 
Balance at end of year$492,989 $480,794 
(1) The $18.8 million addition to goodwill during the year ended December 31, 2019, iswas 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.
Intangible assets, excluding goodwill, consisted of the following at December 31, 2019 and 2018 (amounts in thousands):Canada.
 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
63

The Company amortizes the intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. Total amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $1.6 million, $4.3 million and $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

6.7. 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,
2020
December 31,
2019
Americas revolving credit$405,706 $772,037 
Europe revolving credit1,171,890 1,017,465 
Term loan470,000 425,000 
Senior Notes300,000 
Convertible Senior Notes345,000 632,500 
2,692,596 2,847,002 
Less: Debt discount and issuance costs(31,307)(38,577)
Total$2,661,289 $2,808,425 
The following principal payments are due on the Company's borrowings at December 31, 20192020 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

2021$11,054 
202210,983 
20231,526,890 
2024843,669 
2025300,000 
Total$2,692,596 
The Company believesdetermined that it was in compliance with the covenants of its financing arrangements as of December 31, 2019.2020.
North American Revolving Credit and Term Loan
On May 5, 2017, theThe Company amended and restated its existinghas a 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. Intherein, that it amended on August 26, 2020 (as amended and restated, the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company entered into a First Amendment (the "First Amendment") to the North"North American Credit Agreement which,Agreement") to, among other things, increasedincrease the term loan by $55.0 million, reduce the aggregate commitments under the domestic revolving credit facility by $363.0$68.0 million, increase the Canadian revolving credit facility by $25.0 million, and expandedextend the accordion feature to allow the Company to increase the original principal amount of the commitments under the North American Credit Agreementmaturity date by an additional $500.0 million, subject to certain terms and conditions. two years.
The total credit facility under the North American Credit Agreement includes an aggregate principal amount of $1,543.0 million$1.5 billion (subject to compliance with a borrowing base and applicable debt covenants), which consists of (i) a fully-funded $425.0$470.0 million term loan, (ii) a $1,068.0 million$1.0 billion domestic revolving credit facility and (iii) a $50.0$75.0 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 isrevolving loans within 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

62

PRA Group, Inc.
Notescredit facilities are subject to Consolidated Financial Statements

interest at a rate per annum equal to the Canadian Prime Rate plus 1.50%.0.75% floor. 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, 2022.2024. As of December 31, 2019,2020, the unused portion of the North American Credit Agreement was $349.2$671.3 million. Considering borrowing base restrictionscalculations as of December 31, 2019,2020, the amount available to be drawn was $146.5$296.2 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 separateERC borrowing base calculations and may not exceedis 35% of the ERC offor all domestic or Canadian, as applicable,eligible core eligible asset pools plusand 55% of the ERC of domestic or Canadian, as applicable,for all insolvency eligible asset pools, plus 75% of domestic or Canadian, as applicable, eligible accounts receivable;pools;
the consolidated total leverage ratio cannot exceed 3.50 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter;
64

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
As of December 31, 2020, the consolidated senior secured leverage ratio cannot exceed 2.75 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter;
quarter until March 31, 2021. On March 31, 2021, the consolidated senior secured leverage ratio cannot exceedwill decrease to 2.25 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter;until maturity;
subject to no default or event of default, cash dividends and distributions during any fiscal year cannot exceed $20.0 million; and
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.quarter.
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, 2020December 31, 2019
Amount OutstandingWeighted Average Interest RateAmount OutstandingWeighted Average Interest Rate
Term loan$470,000 2.65 %$425,000 4.30 %
Revolving credit facilities403,669 3.25 %768,800 4.31 %
European Revolving Credit Facility
On October 23, 2014, European subsidiaries of the Company ("PRA Europe") entered intoare parties to a credit agreement with DNB Bank ASA for a Multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility (such agreement as later amended or modified,(amended and restated, the "European Credit Agreement"). In the first quarter of 2019, the Company entered into the Fifth Amendment and Restatement Agreement to itsThe European Credit Agreement which, among other things, merged the term loan facility with the revolving credit facility and increased all applicable marginsprovides for the interest payable under the multicurrency revolving credit facility by 5 basis points.
Under the terms of the European Credit Agreement, the credit facility includesborrowings an aggregate amount of approximately $1.1$1.3 billion (subject to the borrowing base), accrues interest at the Interbank Offered Rate ("IBOR") plus 2.70% - 3.80% (as determined by the LTV Ratioestimated remaining collections ratio ("ERC Ratio") as defined in the European Credit Agreement), bears an unused line fee, currently 1.23% per annum, ofor 35% of the margin, is payable monthly in arrears, and matures February 19, 2021.2023. 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, 2021.2023. As of December 31, 2019,2020, the unused portion of the European Credit Agreement (including the overdraft facility) was $122.5$168.1 million. Considering borrowing base restrictions and other covenants as of December 31, 2019,2020, the amount available to be drawn under the European Credit Agreement (including the overdraft facility) was $121.8$108.1 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 LTVERC Ratio cannot exceed 75%45%;
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

63

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, 2020December 31, 2019
Amount OutstandingWeighted Average Interest RateAmount OutstandingWeighted Average Interest Rate
Revolving credit facility$1,171,890 3.74 %$1,017,465 4.31 %
Colombian Revolving Credit Facility
On September 17, 2019, PRA Group Colombia Holding SAS ("PRA Colombia"), entered intoare parties to a credit agreement with Bancolombia in an aggregate amount of approximately $6.0$5.8 million. As of December 31, 2019,2020, the outstanding balance under the credit agreement was approximately $3.2$2.0 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 7.13%. The outstanding balance accrues interest at the Indicador BancarioBavaria 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
65

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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.lender. As of December 31, 2019,2020, the unused portion of the Colombia Credit Agreement was $2.8$3.8 million.
Senior Notes due 2025
On August 27, 2020, the Company completed the private offering of $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 7.375% Senior Notes due September 1, 2025 (the "2025 Notes" or "Senior Notes"). The 2025 Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture dated August 27, 2020 (the "2020 Indenture"), between the Company and Regions Bank, as a trustee. The 2020 Indenture contains customary terms and covenants, including certain events of default after which the 2025 Notes may be due and payable immediately. The 2025 Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of the Company's existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries that guarantee the North American Credit Agreement, subject to certain exceptions. Interest on the 2025 Notes is payable semi-annually, in arrears, on September 1 and March 1 of each year, beginning March 1, 2021.
On or after September 1, 2022, the 2025 Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 103.688% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Notes being redeemed. The applicable redemption price changes if redeemed during the 12-months beginning September 1 of each year to 101.844% for 2023 and then 100% for 2024 and thereafter.
In addition, on or before September 1, 2022, the Company may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Notes at a redemption price of 107.375% plus accrued and unpaid interest subject to the rights of holders of the 2025 Notes with the net cash proceeds of a public offering of common stock of the Company provided that at least 60% in aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Notes remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption and that such redemption will occur within 90 days of the date of the closing of such public offering.
In the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the 2020 Indenture), the Company must offer to repurchase all of the 2025 Notes (unless otherwise redeemed) at a price equal to 101% of their aggregate principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. If the Company sells assets under certain circumstances and does not use the proceeds for specified purposes, the Company will be required to make an offer to repurchase the 2025 Notes at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.
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"). TheIn the third quarter of 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 whichrepaid the 2020 Notes may be due and payable immediately. The 2020 Notes are senior unsecured obligations ofin full using borrowings under 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. As of December 31, 2019, the the Company did not have the right to redeem the 2020 Notes and the Company did 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 defineddomestic revolving loan facility 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 stockNorth American Credit Agreement 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 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.available cash.
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").2023. 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, 2019,2020, 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 converted into 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
66

PRA Group, Inc.
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effect when the average share price of the Company's common stock during any quarter exceeds $46.24.$60.11, which is 130% of the conversion price as of December 31, 2020.
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 2020 Notes and the 2023 Notes, collectively referred to as the "Convertible Senior Notes", outstanding were as follows as of the dates indicated (amounts in thousands):
December 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
December 31,
2020
December 31,
2019
Liability component - principal amount$632,500
 $632,500
Liability component - principal amount$345,000 $632,500 
Unamortized debt discount(31,414) (43,812)Unamortized debt discount(20,603)(31,414)
Liability component - net carrying amount$601,086
 $588,688
Liability component - net carrying amount$324,397 $601,086 
Equity component$76,216
 $76,216
Equity component$44,910 $76,216 
The debt discount is being amortized into interest expense over the remaining life of the 2020 Notes and theConvertible Senior Notes. The 2023 Notes using theaccrue interest at an effective interest rate which is 4.92% andof 6.20%, respectively..
Interest expense related to the Convertible Senior Notes was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 20172018 (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

202020192018
Interest expense - stated coupon rate$17,064 $20,700 $20,700 
Interest expense - amortization of debt discount10,811 12,398 11,725 
Total interest expense - Convertible Senior Notes$27,875 $33,098 $32,425 
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, restricted cash and its interest rate derivative agreements. Interest expense, net, was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 20172018 (amounts in thousands):
202020192018
Interest expense$142,727 $144,165 $124,208 
Interest income(1,015)(2,247)(3,130)
Interest expense, net$141,712 $141,918 $121,078 
 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


67
65

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

7.8. Property and Equipment, net:
Property and equipment, at cost, consisted of the following as of December 31, 20192020 and 20182019 (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

20202019
Software$66,947 $62,758 
Computer equipment23,740 20,847 
Furniture and fixtures17,978 16,324 
Equipment15,137 13,869 
Leasehold improvements17,403 16,709 
Building and improvements17,905 7,900 
Land1,407 1,296 
Accumulated depreciation(105,707)(93,207)
Assets in process3,546 10,005 
Property and equipment, net$58,356 $56,501 
Depreciation and amortization expense relating to property and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 and 2017 was $15.6 million, $15.9 million $15.1 million and $15.4$15.1 million, respectively.
8.9. 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.
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.






The carrying amounts in the table are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (amounts in thousands):
66
68

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The carrying amounts in the table are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (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, 2020December 31, 2019
Carrying
Amount
Estimated
Fair Value
Carrying
Amount
Estimated
Fair Value
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$108,613 $108,613 $119,774 $119,774 
Restricted cash12,434 12,434 4,033 4,033 
Finance receivables, net3,514,788 3,541,159 3,514,165 3,645,610 
Financial liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits132,739 132,739 106,246 106,246 
Revolving lines of credit1,577,596 1,577,596 1,789,502 1,789,502 
Term loan470,000 470,000 425,000 425,000 
Senior Notes300,000 324,408 
Convertible Senior Notes324,397 376,012 601,086 648,968 
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:equivalents and restricted cash: 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.
Finance receivables, net: The Company estimates the fair value of these receivables using proprietary pricing models that the Company utilizes to make portfolio acquisition 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:loan: 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.
Senior and Convertible senior notes:Senior Notes: The fair value estimates for the Senior Notes and Convertible Senior 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 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.amount.









67
69

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 sheetsConsolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 20192020 and 20182019 (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, 2020
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:
Available-for-sale investments
Government bonds$5,368 $$$5,368 
Fair value through net income
Exchange traded funds34,847 34,847 
Mutual funds1,023 1,023 
Derivative contracts (recorded in other assets)3,512 3,512 
Liabilities:
Derivative contracts (recorded in other liabilities)45,432 45,432 
Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2019
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:
Available-for-sale investments
Government bonds$5,052 $$$5,052 
Fair value through net income
Mutual funds33,677 33,677 
Derivative contracts (recorded in other assets)875 875 
Liabilities:
Derivative contracts (recorded in other liabilities)23,663 23,663 
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
Exchange traded funds: Fair value of the Company's investment in exchange traded funds is estimated using quoted market prices. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 1 inputs.
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 ("NAV")
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-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 one to sixfive years. The fair value of these private equity funds following the application of the NAV practical expedient was $7.2$6.1 million and $8.0$7.2 million as of December 31, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, respectively.

70
68

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

9.10. Derivatives:
The following table summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheetsCompany's Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the dates indicated (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

December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Balance Sheet LocationFair ValueBalance Sheet LocationFair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate contractsOther assets$Other assets$323 
Interest rate contractsOther liabilities43,017 Other liabilities17,807 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency contractsOther assets3,512 Other assets552 
Foreign currency contractsOther liabilities2,415 Other liabilities5,856 
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").OCI. As of December 31, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, the notional amount of interest rate contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments was $959.0$967.2 million and $260.8$959.0 million, respectively. Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments were evaluated and remained highly effective at December 31, 20192020 and have initial terms of two to sevenfive years. The Company estimates that approximately $3.4$10.2 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 statementsConsolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 20172018 (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) $
 $

Gain or (loss) recognized in OCI, net of tax
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments202020192018
Interest rate contracts$(28,101)$(14,311)$44 
Gain or (loss) reclassified from OCI into income
Location of gain or (loss) reclassified from OCI into income202020192018
Interest expense, net$(10,027)$(1,457)$
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, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, the notional amount of foreign currency contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments was $500.8 million and $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 statementsConsolidated Income Statements for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 20172018 (amounts in thousands):
Amount of gain or (loss) recognized in income
Derivatives not designated as hedging instrumentsLocation of gain or (loss) recognized in income202020192018
Foreign currency contractsForeign exchange gain/(loss)$24,009 $(7,008)$4,011 
Foreign currency contractsInterest expense, net(2,475)(3,875)(549)
Interest rate contractsInterest expense, net(492)2,082 
    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
 

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10.

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
11. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:
The following table provides details about the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the yearyears ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 (amounts in thousands):
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges 2019 Affected line in the consolidated income statementGains and losses on cash flow hedges20202019Affected line in the Consolidated Income Statements
Interest rate swaps $(1,457) Interest expense, netInterest rate swaps$(10,027)$(1,457)Interest expense, net
Income tax effect of item above 278
 Income tax expense/(benefit)Income tax effect of item above2,187 278 Income tax expense
Total losses on cash flow hedges $(1,179) Net of taxTotal losses on cash flow hedges$(7,840)$(1,179)Net of tax
The following table represents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component after tax, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 20172018 (amounts in thousands):
Debt Securities Available for SaleCash Flow HedgesCurrency Translation Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (1)
Debt Securities   Currency Translation Accumulated Other
Available-for-Sale Cash Flow Hedges Adjustments 
Comprehensive Loss (1)
Ending balance December 31, 2016$
 $
 $(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)
Balance at December 31, 2017Balance at December 31, 2017$$$(178,607)$(178,607)
Reclassification of unrealized loss on debt securities(22) 
 
 (22)Reclassification of unrealized loss on debt securities(22)(22)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications(61) 44
 (63,463) (63,480)Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications(61)44(63,463)(63,480)
Reclassifications, net
 
 
 
Reclassifications, net
Net current period other comprehensive loss(83) 44
 (63,463) (63,502)Net current period other comprehensive loss(83)44 (63,463)(63,502)
Ending balance December 31, 2018$(83) $44
 $(242,070) $(242,109)
Balance at December 31, 2018Balance at December 31, 2018$(83)$44 $(242,070)$(242,109)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications39
 (14,311) (5,816) (20,088)Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications39 (14,311)(5,816)(20,088)
Reclassifications, net
 1,179
 
 1,179
Reclassifications, net1,179 1,179 
Net current period other comprehensive loss39
 (13,132) (5,816) (18,909)Net current period other comprehensive loss39 (13,132)(5,816)(18,909)
Ending balance December 31, 2019$(44) $(13,088) $(247,886) $(261,018)
Balance at December 31, 2019Balance at December 31, 2019$(44)$(13,088)$(247,886)$(261,018)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassificationsOther comprehensive loss before reclassifications171 (28,101)35,317 7,387 
Reclassifications, netReclassifications, net7,840 7,840 
Net current period other comprehensive lossNet current period other comprehensive loss171 (20,261)35,317 15,227 
Balance at December 31, 2020Balance at December 31, 2020$127 $(33,349)$(212,569)$(245,791)
(1) Net of a $4.4 millionFor the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, net deferred tax benefittaxes for unrealized gains/losses from cash flow hedges for the year ended December 31, 2019.were $9.2 million and $4.4 million, respectively.
11. 12. 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, not to exceed 5,400,000 shares as authorized by the Plan.

70

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Total share-based compensation expense was $14.4 million, $10.7 million $8.5 million and $8.7$8.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 2017,2018, respectively. The Company recognizes all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. The total tax benefit realized from share-based compensation was approximately $2.4 million, $1.2 million $1.7 million and $3.2$1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 2017,2018, respectively.
Nonvested Shares
As of December 31, 2019,2020, 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 $8.6$10.1 million with a weighted average remaining life for all nonvested shares of 1.61.3 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
72

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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 Balance at December 31, 20162017 through December 31, 20192020 (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
Balance at December 31, 2017298 $35.25 
Granted254 36.39 
Vested(151)35.13 
Canceled(22)35.02 
Balance at December 31, 2018379 34.85 
Granted329 28.47 
Vested(167)34.81 
Canceled(9)31.01 
Balance at December 31, 2019532 30.97 
Granted256 38.69 
Vested(219)31.56 
Canceled(14)33.95 
Balance at December 31, 2020555 $34.23 
The total grant date fair value of shares vested, excluding those granted under the LTI program, during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, and 2017, was $6.9 million, $5.8 million $5.3 million and $6.5$5.3 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.

The following table summarizes all LTI share activity from Balance at December 31, 2017 through December 31, 2020 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
Nonvested LTI Shares
Outstanding
Weighted-Average
Price at Grant Date
Balance at 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 
Balance at December 31, 2018454 33.27 
Granted at target level168 28.28 
Adjustments for actual performance(172)28.98 
Vested
Canceled(3)35.87 
Balance at December 31, 2019447 33.03 
Granted at target level118 39.04 
Adjustments for actual performance(131)34.44 
Vested(36)33.50 
Canceled(6)33.77 
Balance at December 31, 2020392 $34.30 
71
73

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table summarizes all LTI share activity from December 31, 2016 through December 31, 2019 (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

The total grant date fair value of LTI shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, and 2017, was $1.2 million, $0.0 million $1.0 million and $2.1$1.0 million, respectively.
At December 31, 2019,2020, 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 $4.5$5.5 million. The Company assumed a 15.0%5.0% forfeiture rate for these grants and the remaining shares have a weighted average remaining life of 1.2 years at December 31, 2019.2020.
12.13. 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 Convertible Senior Notes and nonvested share awards, if dilutive. There has been no dilutive effect of the Convertible Senior Notes since issuance through December 31, 2019.2020. 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, 2020, 2019 2018 and 20172018 (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

 202020192018
Net Income Attributable to PRA Group, Inc.Weighted Average Common SharesEPSNet Income Attributable to PRA Group, Inc.Weighted Average Common SharesEPSNet Income Attributable to PRA Group, Inc.Weighted Average Common SharesEPS
Basic EPS$149,339 45,540 $3.28 $86,158 45,387 $1.90 $65,563 45,280 $1.45 
Dilutive effect of nonvested share awards— 320 (0.02)— 190 (0.01)— 133 (0.01)
Diluted EPS$149,339 45,860 $3.26 $86,158 45,577 $1.89 $65,563 45,413 $1.44 
There were no0 options outstanding, antidilutive options outstandingor otherwise, as of December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 2017.2018.

72

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

13.14. Income Taxes:
The income tax expense/(benefit)expense recognized for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 20172018 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)

FederalStateInternationalTotal
For the year ended December 31, 2020:
Current tax expense$48,223 $12,416 $39,067 $99,706 
Deferred tax benefit(32,699)(8,921)(16,883)(58,503)
Total income tax expense$15,524 $3,495 $22,184 $41,203 
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 

On December 22, 2017, the United States government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the “Tax"Tax Act."  The main impact of the Tax Act was a reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and the
74

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
current taxation of international entities.  New legislation and authoritative guidance on the Tax Act is still being released that may impact tax amounts recorded in the financial statements.  Under U.S. GAAP, the Company made an accounting policy election to treat taxes due related to GILTIglobal intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI") as a current-period expense when incurred.  
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act was enacted into U.S. law in response to COVID-19, with varying legislation enacted in many of the other countries in which the Company operates. The Company has implemented the tax payment and filing deferral provisions as applicable on a global basis and does not believe that any of the other provisions will have a material impact to its financial reporting. COVID-19 related legislation and administrative releases are monitored by the Company.
A reconciliation of the Company's expected tax expense at the U.S. statutory federal tax rate to actual tax expense/(benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 20172018 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

202020192018
Income tax expense at statutory federal rates$43,878 $24,645 $18,794 
State tax expense/(benefit), net of federal tax benefit2,449 161 (5,098)
Tax impact on international earnings, excluding uncertain tax positions(29,992)(7,326)206 
Uncertain tax positions on international earnings23,917 
Federal rate change(719)
Other951 2,200 580 
Total income tax expense$41,203 $19,680 $13,763 
The Company recognized a net deferred tax asset of $42.3 million and a net deferred tax liability of $22.2 million and $53.5 million as of December 31, 20192020 and 2018,2019, 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)


As of December 31,
20202019
Deferred tax assets:
Employee compensation$8,770 $6,085 
Net operating loss carryforward117,889 93,068 
Interest12,840 10,477 
Finance receivable revenue recognition - international17,160 21,343 
Lease Liability14,478 16,045 
Other6,348 12,009 
Valuation allowance(73,595)(80,739)
Total deferred tax asset103,890 78,288 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and Equipment(6,214)(5,362)
Intangible assets and goodwill(3,245)(2,999)
Right of Use Asset(13,509)(15,107)
Convertible debt(5,113)(7,843)
Finance receivable revenue recognition - IRS settlement(36,959)
Finance receivable revenue recognition - domestic(33,471)(32,183)
Total deferred tax liability(61,552)(100,453)
Net deferred tax asset/(liability)$42,338 $(22,165)
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, 20192020 and 2018,2019, the valuation allowance, relating mainly to net operating losses, capital losses and deferred interest expense in Norway, Poland and Luxembourg, was $80.7$73.6 million and $14.5$80.7 million respectively. The increasedecrease in the valuation allowance is primarily due to recording
75

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
expected utilization of net operating losses in LuxembourgPoland that were interpretedpreviously limited due to be restricted by law.forecasted income. 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.
On May 10, 2017, the Company reached a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") regarding 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 newthis method, a portion of the annual collections amortizes principalis amortized and the remaining portion is taxable income. The U.S. deferred tax liability related to the difference in timing between the newthis method and the cost recovery method will bewas incorporated evenly into the Company’s tax filings over four years effective with tax year 2017.2017 and ending with tax year 2020. 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, except as noted for uncertain tax positions.
At December 31, 2019,2020, the tax years subject to examination by the major federal, state and international taxing jurisdictions are 20142015 and subsequent years.
As of December 31, 2019,2020, the cumulative unremitted earnings of the Company's international subsidiaries were approximately $52.3$94.2 million. The Company intends for predominantly all international earnings to be indefinitely reinvested in its international 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 international subsidiaries had $401.5$517.0 million and $116.8$401.5 million of net operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively. There are $283.7$275.3 million and $45.8$283.7 million of valuation allowances recorded to offset those losses as of December 31, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively. The net operating losses do not expire under most local laws and the remaining jurisdictions allow for a seven to twenty20 year carryforward period.
Uncertain Tax Positions
14. ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Under ASC 740, an entity should recognize a financial statement benefit for a tax position if it determines that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination.
The balance for unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2020, was $110.4 million. The unrecognized tax benefits recorded in 2020 are included in the provision for income taxes. The Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits in 2019. The following is a reconciliation of gross unrecognized tax benefits for the year ended December 31, 2020 (amounts in thousands):
Balance at beginning of year$
Additions, based on tax positions related to current year (1)
32,673 
Additions, based on tax positions related to prior year (1)
77,752 
Balance at end of year$110,425 
(1) The 2020 additions relate to international transactions, primarily due to an ongoing audit of the prior year returns.
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefit at December 31, 2020, that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $23.9 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company accrued potential interest of $0.7 million and penalties of $1.6 million related to unrecognized tax benefits.
76

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
15. Commitments and Contingencies:Contingencies:
Employment Agreements:
The Company has entered into employment agreements mostwith each of its U.S. executive officers, 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.2023. Such agreements provide for base salary payments as well as potential discretionary bonuses that take into considerationconsider the Company's overall performance against its short and long-term financial and strategic objectives. The agreements also contain confidentiality and non-compete provisions. As of December 31, 2019,2020, estimated future compensation under these agreements was approximately $8.0$18.2 million. The agreements also contain confidentiality and non-compete provisions. Outside the U.S., the Company has entered into employment agreements are in place with certain employees pursuant to local country regulations. Generally, these agreements do not have expiration dates and thereforedates. As a result it is impractical to estimate the amount of future compensation under these agreements. Accordingly, the future compensation under these agreements is not included in the $8.0$18.2 million total above.
Leases:
The Company is party to various operating leases with respect to its facilities and equipment. The future maturities of lease liabilities at December 31, 2019 totaled approximately $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, 20192020 was approximately $506.9$501.9 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 and its subsidiaries are from time to time subject to a variety of routine legal and regulatory claims, inquiries and proceedings and regulatory matters, most of which are incidental to the ordinary course of the Company'sits 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 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, 2019,2020, 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, 2019, the Company recorded $1.0 million in potential recoveries under the Company's insurance policies or third-party indemnities, which iswas included within Other receivables in other receivables, net at December 31, 2019.the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and an additional $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2020. In the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company received the aforementioned recoveries.
The matters described below fall outside of the normal parameters of the Company's routine legal proceedings.
77

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB") Investigation
In response to requests and civil investigative demands from the CFPB, the Company has provided certain documents and data regarding its debt collection practices, including compliance with the Company's Consent Order with the CFPB. In December 2020, the Company was advised that the CFPB believes it may have violated certain provisions of the Consent Order and applicable law, and was provided with an opportunity to respond to the CFPB’s potential concerns. The Company has responded, and set forth its view that the relevant facts and law do not support any enforcement action, but is not able to predict the outcome of the investigation at this time.
Multi-State Investigation
On November 17, 2015, the Company received civil investigative demands from multiple state AttorneyAttorneys General offices ("AGOs") broadly relating to its U.S. debt collection 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
Although the Company has settled certain claims with one of the states, it is possible that one or more of the remaining individual state AGOs may file claims against the Company 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.them.
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"). 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 compel arbitration with the North Carolina state court, which was denied. The Company is seeking review of the North CarolinasCarolina state court's decision to deny the 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 Consumer Protection 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. On July 9, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States granted certiorari in the matter of Facebook v. Duguid to resolve the split between the Circuit Courts of Appeal on the issue of the definition of an Automatic Telephone Dialing System. A decision in that case is expected to be dispositive of many or all TCPA matters currently pending, most of which are now stayed as a result of the grant of certiorari. The range of loss, if any, cannot be estimated at this time due to the uncertainty surrounding liability.
15.16. 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 eighteen18 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 $6.4 million, $5.9 million $6.3 million and $5.2$6.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 and 2017,2018, respectively.
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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 had determined it had control over this Fund and as such consolidated the operations of the Fund. As of December 31, 2019, 100% of the ownership interests were redeemed.

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PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

17. Sales of Subsidiaries:
On December 20, 2018, the Company sold 79% of its interest in RCB, 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.
During the second quarter of 2017, the Company sold its vehicle location, skip tracing and collateral recovery business, PRA Location Services, LLC, for $4.5 million which resulted in a pre-tax gain on sale of approximately $1.6 million.

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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, 2019,2020, 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, 2019.2020. 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, 2019,2020, 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, 20192020 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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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, 2019,2020, 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, 2019,2020, 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, 20192020 and 2018,2019, the related consolidated income statements, statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019,2020, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated March 2, 2020February 26, 2021 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. 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
Norfolk, Virginia
March 2, 2020

February 26, 2021
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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,"Ownership" "Our Board and Its Committees," "Election"Proposal 1: Election of Directors," "Corporate Governance-Code of Conduct," and "Report of the Audit Committee" in our definitive Proxy Statement for use in connection with the Company's 20202021 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 andAnd 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"Ownership" 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 "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.
(a)Financial Statements.
The following financial statements are included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K:
(b)Exhibits.
(b)Exhibits.


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Fourth10.12
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)

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* 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.

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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 2, 2020February 26, 2021By:/s/ Kevin P. Stevenson
Kevin P. Stevenson
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive 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.
February 26, 2021By:
March 2, 2020By:/s/ Kevin P. Stevenson
Kevin P. Stevenson
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

February 26, 2021By:
March 2, 2020By:/s/ Peter M. Graham
Peter M. Graham
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


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March 2, 2020By:
February 26, 2021By:/s/ Steven D. Fredrickson
Steven D. Fredrickson
Director
March 2, 2020February 26, 2021By:/s/ Vikram A. Atal
Vikram A. Atal
Director
March 2, 2020February 26, 2021By:/s/ Danielle M. Brown
Danielle M. Brown
Director
March 2, 2020February 26, 2021By:/s/ Marjorie M. Connelly
Marjorie M. Connelly
Director
March 2, 2020February 26, 2021By:/s/ John H. Fain
John H. Fain
Director
March 2, 2020February 26, 2021By:/s/ Penelope W. Kyle
Penelope W. Kyle
Director
March 2, 2020February 26, 2021By:/s/ James A. Nussle
James A. Nussle
Director
March 2, 2020February 26, 2021By:/s/ Geir OlsenBrett L. Paschke
Geir OlsenBrett L. Paschke
Director
March 2, 2020February 26, 2021By:/s/ Scott M. Tabakin
Scott M. Tabakin
Director
March 2, 2020By:
February 26, 2021By:/s/ Lance L. Weaver
Lance L. Weaver
Director

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