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

FORM 10-Q
ý Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019
¨ Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from ________ to ________
Commission File Number: 000-50058

PRA Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware   75-3078675
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
120 Corporate Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia 23502 (888) 772-7326
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (Registrant's Telephone No., including area code)
     
  Not Applicable  
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES  þ   NO  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). YES  þ   NO  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer  þ   Accelerated filer  ¨   Non-accelerated filer  ¨   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 h 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  þ

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
The number of shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding as of November 3, 2017May 6, 2019 was 45,169,039.45,383,831.

Table of Contents

 
   
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
   
 
   
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.
   
Signatures 


Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 20162018
(Amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)  (unaudited)  
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Assets      
Cash and cash equivalents$113,754
 $94,287
$102,102
 $98,695
Investments75,512
 68,543
85,082
 45,173
Finance receivables, net2,577,831
 2,307,969
3,177,229
 3,084,777
Other receivables, net10,919
 11,650
18,082
 46,157
Income taxes receivable3,877
 9,427
15,472
 16,809
Net deferred tax asset41,183
 28,482
61,619
 61,453
Property and equipment, net36,428
 38,744
54,463
 54,136
Right-of-use assets70,550
 
Goodwill538,337
 499,911
480,518
 464,116
Intangible assets, net25,527
 27,935
5,247
 5,522
Other assets37,409
 33,808
35,970
 32,721
Assets held for sale
 43,243
Total assets$3,460,777
 $3,163,999
$4,106,334
 $3,909,559
Liabilities and Equity      
Liabilities:      
Accounts payable$3,605
 $2,459
$5,682
 $6,110
Accrued expenses82,445
 82,699
77,838
 79,396
Income taxes payable4,069
 19,631
389
 15,080
Net deferred tax liability237,044
 258,344
108,367
 114,979
Interest-bearing deposits96,395
 76,113
95,314
 82,666
Borrowings1,963,504
 1,784,101
2,586,409
 2,473,656
Lease liabilities74,308
 
Other liabilities1,213
 10,821
25,789
 7,370
Liabilities held for sale
 4,220
Total liabilities2,388,275
 2,238,388
2,974,096
 2,779,257
Redeemable noncontrolling interest8,620
 8,448
6,199
 6,333
Equity:      
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 2,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
 

 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 45,169 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017; 100,000 shares authorized, 46,356 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016452
 464
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 45,384 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019; 100,000 shares authorized, 45,304 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018454
 453
Additional paid-in capital52,049
 66,414
59,091
 60,303
Retained earnings1,124,762
 1,049,367
1,291,700
 1,276,473
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(166,397) (251,944)(248,521) (242,109)
Total stockholders' equity - PRA Group, Inc.1,010,866
 864,301
1,102,724
 1,095,120
Noncontrolling interest53,016
 52,862
23,315
 28,849
Total equity1,063,882
 917,163
1,126,039
 1,123,969
Total liabilities and equity$3,460,777
 $3,163,999
$4,106,334
 $3,909,559
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Income Statements
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 20162018
(unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended March 31,
2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
Revenues:          
Income recognized on finance receivables, net$197,248
 $202,639
 $582,626
 $613,154
Income recognized on finance receivables$238,836
 $218,624
Fee income2,671
 17,597
 18,873
 56,210
6,374
 5,327
Other revenue1,091
 1,748
 6,401
 5,958
667
 157
Total revenues201,010
 221,984
 607,900
 675,322
245,877
 224,108
   
Net allowance charges(6,095) (925)
   
Operating expenses:          
Compensation and employee services68,541
 65,898
 203,780
 197,456
79,645
 81,237
Legal collection expenses27,626
 33,447
 90,556
 97,476
Legal collection fees13,059
 10,669
Legal collection costs35,229
 22,243
Agency fees7,599
 12,034
 27,653
 34,227
14,032
 8,278
Outside fees and services15,631
 14,731
 46,977
 46,415
15,248
 14,158
Communication8,713
 7,814
 25,104
 26,119
13,201
 11,557
Rent and occupancy3,668
 3,875
 10,838
 11,709
4,363
 4,314
Depreciation and amortization4,841
 6,184
 15,097
 18,339
4,572
 4,929
Other operating expenses10,140
 10,513
 32,071
 32,443
11,585
 12,184
Total operating expenses146,759
 154,496
 452,076
 464,184
190,934
 169,569
Income from operations54,251
 67,488
 155,824
 211,138
48,848
 53,614
Other income and (expense):          
Gain on sale of subsidiaries307
 
 48,474
 
Interest expense, net(25,899) (19,310) (69,662) (59,838)(33,981) (25,781)
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain(1,084) 5,004
 (1,421) 5,183
Foreign exchange gain6,264
 1,293
Other(352) 243
Income before income taxes27,575
 53,182
 133,215
 156,483
20,779
 29,369
Provision for income taxes10,682
 16,664
 52,857
 50,244
Income tax expense3,867
 6,137
Net income16,893
 36,518
 80,358
 106,239
16,912
 23,232
Adjustment for net income attributable to noncontrolling interest1,338
 2,212
 4,963
 3,494
Adjustment for net income attributable to noncontrolling interests1,685
 2,126
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$15,555
 $34,306
 $75,395
 $102,745
$15,227
 $21,106
Net income per common share attributable to PRA Group, Inc.:          
Basic$0.34
 $0.74
 $1.64
 $2.22
$0.34
 $0.47
Diluted$0.34
 $0.74
 $1.64
 $2.21
$0.34
 $0.47
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:          
Basic45,168
 46,343
 45,838
 46,307
45,338
 45,231
Diluted45,286
 46,434
 45,991
 46,403
45,419
 45,370
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 20162018
(unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Net income$16,893
 $36,518
 $80,358
 $106,239
Other comprehensive income:       
Change in foreign currency translation39,548
 13,721
 81,393
 37,435
Total comprehensive income56,441
 50,239
 161,751
 143,674
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest:       
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest1,338
 2,212
 4,963
 3,494
Change in foreign currency translation1,730
 (324) (4,156) 8,462
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest3,068
 1,888
 807
 11,956
Comprehensive income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$53,373
 $48,351
 $160,944
 $131,718
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 2019 2018
Net income$16,912
 $23,232
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests1,685
 2,126
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.15,227
 21,106
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax:   
Currency translation adjustments(1,173) 29,941
Cash flow hedges(5,715) 
Debt securities available-for-sale45
 
Other comprehensive (loss)/income(6,843) 29,941
Less other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interests(431) 7,021
Other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.(6,412) 22,920
Comprehensive income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$8,815
 $44,026
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2018
(unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)
 Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Noncontrolling Interest Total Equity
 Shares Amount     
Balance at December 31, 201646,356
 $464
 $66,414
 $1,049,367
 $(251,944) $52,862
 $917,163
Components of comprehensive income:             
Net income
 
 
 75,395
 
 5,962
 81,357
Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
 
 
 85,547
 (4,379) 81,168
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 (1,429) (1,429)
Equity component of convertible debt
 
 44,910
 
 
 
 44,910
Deferred taxes on equity component of convertible debt
 
 (18,213) 
 
 
 (18,213)
Vesting of nonvested shares125
 1
 (1) 
 
 
 
Repurchase and cancellation of common stock(1,312) (13) (44,896) 
 
 
 (44,909)
Amortization of share-based compensation
 
 6,263
 
 
 
 6,263
Employee stock relinquished for payment of taxes
 
 (2,428) 
 
 
 (2,428)
Balance at September 30, 201745,169
 $452
 $52,049
 $1,124,762
 $(166,397) $53,016
 $1,063,882
 Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Noncontrolling Interest Total Equity
 Shares Amount     
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:             
Net income
 
 
 15,227
 
 1,685
 16,912
Currency translation adjustments
 
 
 
 (742) (431) (1,173)
Cash flow hedges
 
 
 
 (5,715) 
 (5,715)
Debt securities available-for-sale
 
 
 
 45
 
 45
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 (6,877) (6,877)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 89
 89
Vesting of restricted stock80
 1
 (1) 
 
 
 
Share-based compensation expense
 
 2,314
 
 
 
 2,314
Employee stock relinquished for payment of taxes
 
 (1,437) 
 
 
 (1,437)
Other
 
 (2,088) 
 
 
 (2,088)
Balance at March 31, 201945,384
 $454
 $59,091
 $1,291,700
 $(248,521) $23,315
 $1,126,039
              
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)
Balance at January 1, 201845,189
 452
 53,870
 1,210,910
 (178,607) 50,162
 1,136,787
Components of comprehensive income:             
Net income
 
 
 21,106
 
 2,126
 23,232
Currency translation adjustments
 
 
 
 22,920
 7,021
 29,941
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 (11,807) (11,807)
Vesting of restricted stock86
 1
 (1) 
 
 
 
Share-based compensation expense
 
 2,415
 
 
 
 2,415
Employee stock relinquished for payment of taxes
 
 (2,013) 
 
 
 (2,013)
Balance at March 31, 201845,275
 $453
 $54,271
 $1,232,016
 $(155,687) $47,502
 $1,178,555
(1) Relates to the adoption of FASB ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" ("ASU 2016-01"). Refer to Note 3 for further detail.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 20162018
(unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended March 31,
2017 20162019 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income$80,358
 $106,239
$16,912
 $23,232
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Amortization of share-based compensation6,263
 9,468
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:   
Share-based compensation expense2,314
 2,415
Depreciation and amortization15,097
 18,339
4,572
 4,929
Gain on sale of subsidiaries(48,474) 
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs12,828
 7,450
5,678
 5,430
Deferred tax benefit(49,974) (724)(9,994) (10,138)
Net foreign currency transaction loss/(gain)1,303
 (5,489)
Other(3,113) 
Net unrealized foreign currency transaction (gain)(6,632) (467)
Fair value in earnings for equity securities(2,139) (409)
Net allowance charges6,095
 925
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
Other assets(274) 3,531
550
 (5,787)
Other receivables, net1,342
 7,181
(1,289) 1,536
Accounts payable1,242
 (1,479)(548) (2,749)
Income taxes payable, net(10,692) (13,832)(13,040) 9,984
Accrued expenses(7,198) (12,344)1,553
 (1,058)
Other liabilities(9,628) 565
10,888
 6,799
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities(10,920) 118,905
Other, net37
 
Net cash provided by operating activities14,957
 34,642
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Purchases of property and equipment(10,054) (11,542)(4,493) (7,917)
Acquisition of finance receivables, net of buybacks(718,553) (697,794)
Acquisition of finance receivables(264,632) (165,913)
Collections applied to principal on finance receivables553,713
 530,081
222,335
 207,956
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 (66,961)
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired(57,610) 
Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries, net93,304
 
31,177
 
Purchase of investments(3,569) (380)(82,616) (13,924)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments7,482
 10,299
42,940
 96
Net cash used in investing activities(77,677) (236,297)
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities(112,899) 20,298
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Proceeds from lines of credit905,841
 858,368
537,891
 101,015
Principal payments on lines of credit(1,392,176) (895,161)(132,486) (147,980)
Repurchases of common stock(44,909) 
Tax withholdings related to share-based payments(2,428) (2,478)(1,437) (2,013)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interest(1,429) (934)(6,877) (12,464)
Principal payments on long-term debt(12,515) (187,264)
Proceeds from long-term debt310,000
 297,893
Payments of debt issuance costs(18,240) (17,526)
Net increase in interest-bearing deposits10,140
 40,198
Proceeds from convertible debt345,000
 
Net cash provided by financing activities99,284
 93,096
Principal payments on notes payable and long-term debt(305,665) (2,502)
Payments of origination costs and fees
 (380)
Net increase/(decrease) in interest-bearing deposits16,126
 (6,314)
Other(2,088) 
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities105,464
 (70,638)
Effect of exchange rate on cash8,780
 44,715
(4,115) (3,400)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents19,467
 20,419
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents3,407
 (19,098)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period94,287
 71,372
98,695
 120,516
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$113,754
 $91,791
$102,102
 $101,418
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:      
Cash paid for interest$60,229
 $49,492
$25,479
 $22,833
Cash paid for income taxes114,603
 59,164
27,293
 12,175
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



1. Organization and Business:
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, and its subsidiaries, is a global financial and business services company with operations in the Americas and Europe. The Company's primary business is the purchase, collection and management of portfolios of nonperforming loans. The Company also provides the following fee-based services:services on class action claims recovery servicesrecoveries and purchases;by servicing of consumer bankruptcy accounts in the United States ("U.S."); and, to a lesser extent, contingent collections of nonperforming loans in Europe and South America..
The consolidated financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and include the accounts of all of its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Under the guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 280 "Segment Reporting" ("ASC 280"), the Company has determined that it has several operating segments that meet the aggregation criteria of ASC 280, and, therefore, it has one reportable segment, accounts receivable management,management. This conclusion is based on similarities among the operating units, including economic characteristics, the nature of the products and services, the nature of the production processes, the types or class of customer for their products and services, the methods used to distribute their products and services and the nature of the regulatory environment.
The following table shows the amount of revenue generated for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively, and long-lived assets held at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively, both for the U.S., the Company's country of domicile, and outside of the U.S. (amounts in thousands):
 As of and for the As of and for the
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 Revenues Long-Lived Assets Revenues Long-Lived Assets
United States$167,576
 $110,643
 $153,402
 $46,439
United Kingdom29,756
 3,993
 24,726
 2,225
Other (1)
48,545
 10,377
 45,980
 5,124
Total$245,877
 $125,013
 $224,108
 $53,788
 As Of And For The As Of And For The
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 Revenues Long-Lived Assets Revenues Long-Lived Assets
United States$137,323
 $28,585
 $153,114
 $33,898
Outside the United States63,687
 7,843
 68,870
 10,456
Total$201,010
 $36,428
 $221,984
 $44,354
        
 As Of And For The As Of And For The
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 Revenues Long-Lived Assets Revenues Long-Lived Assets
United States$415,761
 $28,585
 $489,260
 $33,898
Outside the United States192,139
 7,843
 186,062
 10,456
Total$607,900
 $36,428
 $675,322
 $44,354
(1) None of the countries included in "Other" comprise greater than 10% of the Company's consolidated revenues or long-lived assets.
Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the related operations. Long-lived assets consist of net property and equipment.equipment and right-of-use assets. The Company reports revenues earned from its debtnonperforming loan purchasing and collection activities, fee-based services and its fee-based services.investments. It is impracticable for the Company to report further breakdowns of revenues from external customers by product or service.
The accompanying interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and notes to the consolidated financial statements necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations, comprehensive incomeincome/(loss) and cash flows in conformity with GAAP. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring items, necessary for the fair presentation of the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, its consolidated income statements and statements of comprehensive income/(loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,2018, its consolidated statement of changes in equity for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019 and 2018, and its consolidated statements of cash flows for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,2018, have been included. The consolidated income statements of the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 may not be indicative of future results.
Certain prior year period amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current period presentation. The Company revised the presentation of its consolidated income statements for the prior year period by reclassifying allowance adjustments to the valuation of its finance receivables as a line item separate from revenues. The Company also revised the presentation in its consolidated statement of cash flows for the prior year period by reclassifying allowance charges on its finance receivables from investing activities to operating activities.These presentation changes had no other impacts on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2017.2018 (the "2018 Form 10-K").

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


2. Finance Receivables, net:
Changes in finance receivables, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 20162018 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended March 31,
2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
Balance at beginning of period$2,520,883
 $2,399,949
 $2,307,969
 $2,202,113
$3,084,777
 $2,776,199
Acquisitions of finance receivables (1)
203,052
 159,546
 716,586
 741,402
313,446
 165,020
Foreign currency translation adjustment38,482
 1,974
 106,989
 (21,026)7,436
 39,070
Cash collections applied to principal and net allowance charges(184,586) (169,061) (553,713) (530,081)
Cash collections(461,171) (426,580)
Income recognized on finance receivables238,836
��218,624
Net allowance charges(6,095) (925)
Balance at end of period$2,577,831
 $2,392,408
 $2,577,831
 $2,392,408
$3,177,229
 $2,771,408
(1)
Acquisitions of finance receivables are portfolio purchases that are net of buybacks and include certain capitalized acquisition related costs. They also include the acquisition date finance receivablesreceivable portfolios that are acquired in connection with certain business acquisitions. The buybacks and capitalized acquisition costs are netted against the acquisition of finance receivables when paid and may relate to portfolios purchased in prior periods.
During the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, the Company purchasedacquired finance receivables portfolios with a face value of $1.4$4.7 billion for $210.9$318.8 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2018, the Company purchasedacquired finance receivables portfolios with a face value of $3.0$1.5 billion for $161.3 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company purchased finance receivables portfolios with a face value of $5.1 billion for $734.4 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company purchased finance receivables portfolios with a face value of $8.9 billion for $747.5$168.3 million. At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, the estimated remaining collections ("ERC") on the receivables purchasedacquired during the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 20162018 were $333.2$541.1 million and $208.5$232.9 million, respectively. At September 30, 2017, the ERC on the receivables purchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were $1.1 billion and $975.4 million, respectively. At September 30, 2017 and 2016, total ERC was $5.4 billion and $5.3 billion, respectively.
At the time of acquisition and each quarter thereafter, the life of each quarterly accounting pool is estimated based on projected amounts and timing of future cash collections.collections using the proprietary models of the Company. Based upon current projections, cash collections expected to be applied to principal on finance receivables as of September 30, 2017 are estimated to be as follows for the 12 months in thetwelve-month periods ending September 30,March 31, (amounts in thousands):
2018$734,967
2019585,527
2020454,002
$850,955
2021366,386
718,010
2022230,393
562,256
2023110,818
426,004
202442,604
258,793
202524,762
137,843
202617,871
77,642
202710,501
47,138
202838,084
202928,474
Thereafter32,030
Total ERC expected to be applied to principal$2,577,831
$3,177,229
At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, the Company had aggregate net finance receivables balances in pools accounted for under the cost recovery method of $109.3$43.5 million; at December 31, 2016,2018, the amount was $105.5$48.0 million.
Accretable yield represents the amount of income recognized on finance receivables the Company can expect to generaterecognize 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 purchased during the period to be earned by the Company.Company based on its proprietary analytical models. 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.


PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Changes in accretable yield for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 20162018 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended March 31,
2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
Balance at beginning of period$2,803,590
 $2,931,426
 $2,740,006
 $2,727,204
$3,058,445
 $2,927,866
Income recognized on finance receivables, net(197,248) (202,639) (582,626) (613,154)
Additions127,829
 121,643
 477,018
 581,583
Income recognized on finance receivables(238,836) (218,624)
Net allowance charges6,095
 925
Additions from portfolio purchases (1)
235,814
 146,832
Reclassifications from nonaccretable difference68,715
 5,936
 93,343
 95,904
19,161
 112,028
Foreign currency translation adjustment43,231
 673
 118,376
 65,502
(511) 37,241
Balance at end of period$2,846,117
 $2,857,039
 $2,846,117
 $2,857,039
$3,080,168
 $3,006,268
(1) Also includes accretable yield additions resulting from certain business acquisitions.
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,nonperforming loans, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 20162018 (amounts in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended March 31,
2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
Beginning balance$218,775
 $136,752
 $211,465
 $114,861
$257,148
 $225,555
Allowance charges3,824
 14,246
 9,973
 37,686
7,977
 6,833
Reversal of previously recorded allowance charges(412) (1,100) (561) (1,722)(1,882) (5,908)
Net allowance charges3,412
 13,146
 9,412
 35,964
6,095
 925
Foreign currency translation adjustment678
 (328) 1,988
 (1,255)81
 495
Ending balance$222,865
 $149,570
 $222,865
 $149,570
$263,324
 $226,975
3. Investments:
Investments consistconsisted of the following at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 20162018 (amounts in thousands):
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Available-for-sale   
Government bonds and mutual funds$3,769
 $2,138
Held-to-maturity   
Securitized assets57,031
 51,407
Other investments   
Private equity funds14,712
 14,998
Total investments$75,512
 $68,543
 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Debt securities   
Available-for-sale$5,088
 $5,077
Equity securities   
Private equity funds7,498
 7,973
Mutual funds62,192
 21,753
Equity method investments10,304
 10,370
Total investments$85,082
 $45,173
Available-for-SaleDebt Securities
Available-for-sale
Government bonds and mutual funds: The Company's investments in government bonds and mutual funds are classified as available-for-sale and are stated at fair value. Fair value is determined using quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses are included in comprehensive income and reported in equity.
Held-to-Maturity
Investments in securitized assets: The Company holds a majority interest in a closed-end Polish investment fund. The certificates, which provide a preferred return based on the expected net income of the portfolios, are accounted for as a beneficial interest in securitized financial assets and stated at amortized cost. The Company has determined it has the ability and intent to hold these certificates until maturity, which occurs when the fund terminates or liquidates its assets. The preferred return is not a guaranteed return. Income is recognized under FASB ASC Topic 325-40, "Beneficial Interest in Securitized Financial Assets" ("ASC 325-40"). Prior to April 1, 2017, income was recognized using the effective yield method. Effective April 1, 2017, the Company determined that it could not reasonably forecast the timing of future cash flows and accordingly began using the cost recovery method to recognize income.

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The underlyingamortized cost and estimated fair value of investments in debt securities have both known principal repayment termsat March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as well as unknown principal repayments due to potential borrower pre-payments. Accordingly, it is difficult to accurately predict the final maturity date of these investments. Revenues recognized on these investments are recordedfollows (amounts in Other Revenue in the consolidated income statements. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, revenues recognized on these investments were $0 and $1.3 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, revenues recognized on these investments were $1.5 million and $4.7 million, respectively.thousands):
Other Investments
 March 31, 2019
 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Aggregate Fair Value
Available-for-sale       
Government bonds$5,126
 $
 $38
 $5,088
        
 December 31, 2018
 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Aggregate Fair Value
Available-for-sale       
Government bonds$5,160
 $
 $83
 $5,077
Equity Securities
Investments in private equity fundsfunds:: Investments in private equity funds represent limited partnerships in which the Company has less than a 3% interestinterest. In the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" ("ASU 2016-01"), which requires that investments in equity securities be measured at fair value with changes in unrealized gains and losses reported in earnings. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-01, the investments are carried at cost. Distributions received from the partnerships are includedfair 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 investments. Prior to 2018, the investments were carried at cost with income recognized in Other Revenue in the consolidated income statements. Distributionsstatements when distributions, up to reported income, were received from the partnerships.
Mutual funds: The Company invests certain excess funds held in excessBrazil in a Brazilian real denominated mutual fund benchmarked to the US dollar that invests principally in Brazilian fixed income securities. The investments are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices.
Unrealized gains and losses: Net unrealized gains were $2.1 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, on its equity securities.
Equity Method Investments
Effective December 20, 2018, the Company has a 11.7% interest in RCB Investimentos S.A. ("RCB"), a servicing platform for nonperforming loans in Brazil. This investment 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.
4. 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 a review of goodwill as of October 1 of each year or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist.

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table represents the changes in goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 (amounts in thousands):
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 2019 2018
Balance at beginning of period:   
Goodwill$464,116
 $526,513
Accumulated impairment loss
 
 464,116
 526,513
Changes:   
Acquisition (1)
13,653
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment2,749
 17,780
Net change in goodwill16,402
 17,780
    
Goodwill480,518
 544,293
Accumulated impairment loss
 
Balance at end of period$480,518
 $544,293
(1) The $13.7 million addition to goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2019 is the result of the acquisition of a business in Canada.
5. Leases:
In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842) Section A - Leases: Amendments to the FASB Account Standards Codification" ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee should recognize a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 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 transition package of practical expedients permitted within the new standard, which among other things, allows it to carryforward the historical lease classification. In addition, the Company 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 1 year to 20 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for 5 years, and others include options to terminate the leases within 1 year. The exercise of lease renewal options is typically at the Company's sole discretion and are included in its ROU assets and lease liabilities based upon whether the Company is reasonably certain of exercising the renewal options. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for separately. The Company's lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
As most of the Company's proportionate share of accumulated earnings are applied as a reductionleases 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 costlease payments. The Company used its incremental borrowing rate as of January 1, 2019 to calculate the present value of the investment. The aggregate carrying amountlease payments of cost-method investmentsits existing leases at adoption.
The components of lease expense for which cost exceeded fair value but for which an impairment loss was not recognized was $14.7 million and $15.0 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. We evaluate the investments based on our estimated allocable share of the expected remaining cash flows of the funds as reported by the investment manager. Distributions received from these investments were $1.2 million and $5.1 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Distributions received from these investments were $0.0 million and $0.6 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for sale and held-to-maturity investments at September 30, 2017 and DecemberMarch 31, 20162019 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
 September 30, 2017
 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value
Available-for-sale       
Government bonds and mutual funds$3,783
 $37
 $51
 $3,769
Held-to-maturity       
Securitized assets57,031
 
 14,471
 42,560
        
 December 31, 2016
 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value
Available-for-sale       
Government bonds and mutual funds$2,161
 $
 $23
 $2,138
Held-to-maturity       
Securitized assets51,407
 4,147
 
 55,554
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Operating lease cost$2,863
Short-term lease cost842
Total lease cost$3,705

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: 
Operating cash flows from operating leases$2,780
  
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: 
Operating leases76,175
Lease term and discount rate information related to leases were as follows as of the dates indicated (amounts in thousands):
March 31, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases11
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases4.95%
Maturities of lease liabilities are as follows for the following periods (amounts in thousands):
 Operating Leases
For the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2019$8,415
For the Year Ended December 31, 202011,183
For the Year Ended December 31, 202110,660
For the Year Ended December 31, 20228,797
For the Year Ended December 31, 20236,667
Thereafter52,275
Total lease payments97,997
Less imputed interest(23,689)
Total$74,308

As previously disclosed in the 2018 Form 10-K 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), future minimum lease payments for operating leases at December 31, 2018, are 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

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


6. Borrowings:
The Company's borrowings consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (amounts in thousands):
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
North American revolving credit$275,432
 $695,088
Term loans762,902
 430,764
European revolving credit373,758
 401,780
Convertible senior notes632,500
 287,500
Less: Debt discount and issuance costs(81,088) (31,031)
Total$1,963,504
 $1,784,101

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Revolving credit$1,571,749
 $1,160,161
Term loans432,500
 740,551
Convertible senior notes632,500
 632,500
 2,636,749
 2,533,212
Less: Debt discount and issuance costs(50,340) (59,556)
Total$2,586,409
 $2,473,656
The following principal payments are due on the Company's borrowings as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 for the 12 month12-month periods ending September 30,March 31, (amounts in thousands):
2018$10,000
201910,000
2020297,500
$10,000
2021699,160
1,203,005
2022682,932
10,000
20231,068,744
2024345,000
Thereafter345,000

Total$2,044,592
$2,636,749
The Company believes it was in compliance with the covenants of its material financing arrangements as of September 30, 2017 and DecemberMarch 31, 2016.2019.
North American Revolving Credit and Term Loan
On May 5, 2017, the Company amended and restated its existing credit agreement (as amended, and modified from time to time, the “North American Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, Bank of America, National Association, acting through its Canada branch, as the Canadian administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders named therein. The total credit facility under the North American Credit Agreement includes an aggregate principal amount of $1.2$1.6 billion (subject to compliance with a borrowing base and applicable debt covenants), which consists of (i) a fully-funded $447.5$432.5 million term loan, (ii) a $705.0$1,068.0 million domestic revolving credit facility, and (iii) a $50.0 million Canadian revolving credit facility. The facility includes an accordion feature for up to $45.0$500.0 million in additional commitments (at the option of the lender) and also provides for up to $25.0 million of letters of credit and a $25.0 million swingline loan sublimit that would reduce amounts available for borrowing. The term and revolving loans accrue interest, at the option of the Company, at either the base rate or the Eurodollar rate (as defined in the North American Credit Agreement) for the applicable term plus 2.50% per annum in the case of the Eurodollar rate loans and 1.50% in the case of the base rate loans. The base rate is the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate (as defined in the North American Credit Agreement) plus 0.50%, (b) Bank of America's prime rate, or (c) the one monthone-month Eurodollar rate plus 1.00%. Canadian Prime Rate Loans will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Canadian Prime Rate plus 1.50%. The revolving credit facilities also bear an unused line fee of 0.375% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears. The loans under the North American Credit Agreement mature as of May 5, 2022. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, the unused portion of the North American Credit Agreement was $479.6$451.8 million. Considering borrowing base restrictions, as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, the amount available to be drawn was $453.5$263.8 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 which are defined in the North American Credit Agreement, including the following:
borrowings under each of the domestic revolving loan facility and the Canadian revolving loan facility are subject to separate borrowing base calculations and may not exceed 35% of the ERC of all domestic or Canadian, as applicable, core eligible asset pools, plus 55% of ERC of domestic or Canadian, as applicable, insolvency eligible asset pools, plus 75% of domestic or Canadian, as applicable, eligible accounts receivable;
the consolidated total leverage ratio cannot exceed 2.75 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter;
the consolidated senior secured leverage ratio cannot exceed 2.25 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter;
subject to no default or event of default, cash dividends and distributions during any fiscal year cannot exceed $20.0 million;

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


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 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 (as defined below));
the Company must maintain positive consolidated income from operations during any fiscal quarter; and
restrictions on changes in control.
The revolving credit facility also bears an unused line fee of 0.375% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears.

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


European Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan
On October 23, 2014, European subsidiaries of the Company ("PRA Europe") entered into a credit agreement with DNB Bank ASA for a Multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility (such agreement as later amended or modified, the "European Credit Agreement"). In the first quarter of 2019, the Company entered into the Fifth Amendment and Restatement Agreement to its European Credit Agreement which, among other things, merged the term loan facility with the revolving credit facility and increased all applicable margins 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 includes an aggregate amount of approximately $1.2$1.1 billion (subject to the borrowing base), of which 267.0 million EURO (approximately $315.4 million) is a term loan, accrues interest at the Interbank Offered Rate ("IBOR") plus 2.80%-3.90% under the revolving facility and 4.25%-4.50% under the term loan facility2.70% - 3.80% (as determined by the loan-to-value ratio ("LTV Ratio") as defined in the European Credit Agreement), bears an unused line fee, currently 1.26%1.21% per annum, of 35% of the margin, is payable monthly in arrears, and matures on February 19, 2021. The European Credit Agreement also includes an overdraft facility in the aggregate amount of $40.0 million (subject to the borrowing base), which accrues interest (per currency) at the daily rates as published by the facility agent, bears a facility line fee of 0.125% per quarter, payable quarterly in arrears, and also matures February 19, 2021. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, the unused portion of the European Credit Agreement (including the overdraft facility) was $566.2$234.5 million. Considering borrowing base restrictions and other covenants, as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, the amount available to be drawn under the European Credit Agreement (including the overdraft facility) was $165.4$125.0 million.
The European Credit Agreement is secured by the shares of most of the Company's European subsidiaries and all intercompany loan receivables in Europe. The European Credit Agreement also contains restrictive covenants and events of default which are defined in the European Credit Agreement, including the following:
the LTV Ratio cannot exceed 75%;
the gross interest-bearing debt ratio in Europe cannot exceed 3.25 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter;
interest bearing deposits in AK Nordic AB cannot exceed SEK 1,500,000,000;1.2 billion; and
PRA Europe's cash collections must exceed 95% of PRA Europe's ERC for the same set of portfolios,meet certain thresholds, measured on a quarterly basis.
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 2020 (the "2020 Notes"). The 2020 Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated August 13, 2013 (the "2013 Indenture"), between the Company and Wells FargoRegions Bank, National Association, as successor trustee. The 2013 Indenture contains customary terms and covenants, including certain events of default after which the 2020 Notes may be due and payable immediately. The 2020 Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest on the 2020 Notes is payable semi-annually, in arrears, on February 1 and August 1 of each year, beginning on February 1, 2014. Prior to February 1, 2020, the 2020 Notes will be convertible only upon the occurrence of specified events. On or after February 1, 2020, the 2020 Notes will be convertible at any time. The Company does not have the right to redeem the 2020 Notes prior to maturity. As of September 30, 2017 and DecemberMarch 31, 2016, none2019, the Company does not believe that any of the conditions allowing holders of the 2020 Notes to convert their notes hadhave occurred.
The conversion rate for the 2020 Notes is initially 15.2172 shares per $1,000 principal amount of 2020 Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $65.72 per share of the Company's common stock, and is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances pursuant to the 2013 Indenture. Upon conversion, holders of the 2020 Notes will receive cash, shares of the Company's common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company's common stock, at the Company's election. The Company's current intent is to settle conversions through combination settlement (i.e., the 2020 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 effect when the average share price of the Company's common stock during any quarter exceeds $65.72.

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


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 2020 Notes issuance cost as debt issuance cost and the remaining $0.9 million as equity issuance cost.
Convertible Senior Notes due 2023
On May 26, 2017, the Company completed the private offering of $345.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the "2023 Notes" and, together with the 2020 Notes, the "Notes"). The 2023 Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated May 26, 2017 (the "2017 Indenture"), between the Company and Regions Bank, as trustee. The 2017 Indenture contains customary terms and covenants, including certain events of default after which the 2023 Notes may be

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


due and payable immediately. The 2023 Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest on the 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 notes2023 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 September 30, 2017, noneMarch 31, 2019, the Company does not believe that any of the conditions allowing holders of the 2023 Notes to convert their notes hadhave 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 current 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 effect when the average share price of the Company's common stock during any quarter exceeds $46.24.
The Company determined that the fair value of the 2023 Notes at the date of issuance was approximately $298.8 million, and designated the residual value of approximately $46.2 million as the equity component. Additionally, the Company allocated approximately $8.3 million of the $9.6 million 2023 Notes issuance cost as debt issuance cost and the remaining $1.3 million as equity issuance cost.
The balances of the liability and equity components of the Notes outstanding were as follows as of the dates indicated (amounts in thousands):
September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Liability component - principal amount$632,500
 $287,500
$632,500
 $632,500
Unamortized debt discount(58,360) (17,930)(40,769) (43,812)
Liability component - net carrying amount$574,140
 $269,570
$591,731
 $588,688
Equity component$76,216
 $31,306
$76,216
 $76,216
The debt discount is being amortized into interest expense over the remaining life of the 2020 Notes and the 2023 Notes using the effective interest rate, which is 4.92% and 6.20%, respectively.
Interest expense related to the Notes was as follows for the periods indicated (amounts in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended March 31,
2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
Interest expense - stated coupon rate$5,175
 $2,156
 $10,695
 $6,468
$5,175
 $5,175
Interest expense - amortization of debt discount2,796
 1,127
 5,760
 3,336
3,042
 2,877
Total interest expense - convertible senior notes$7,971

$3,283
 $16,455
 $9,804
$8,217

$8,052

PRA Group, Inc.
5. GoodwillNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements


7. Derivatives:
The Company periodically enters into derivative financial instruments, typically interest rate swap agreements, interest rate caps, and Intangible Assets, net:
In connectionforeign 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 periodically reviews the creditworthiness of the swap counterparty to assess the counterparty’s ability to honor its obligation.  Counterparty default would expose the Company to fluctuations in interest and currency rates. Derivative financial instruments are recognized at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets, in accordance with the Company's business acquisitions,guidance of ASC Topic 815 “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”).
The following table summarizes the Company acquired certain tangiblefair value of derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets (amounts in thousands):
  March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
  Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Balance Sheet Location Fair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:        
Interest rate contracts Other liabilities $7,390
 Other assets $44
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:        
Foreign currency contracts Other assets 950
 Other assets 2,555
Foreign currency contracts Other liabilities 748
 Other liabilities 
Interest rate contracts Other assets 791
 Other assets 735
Interest rate contracts Other liabilities 415
 Other liabilities 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Changes in fair value of derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments are recognized in other comprehensive income ("OCI"). As of March 31, 2019 and intangible assets. Intangible assets resulting from these acquisitions include clientDecember 31, 2018, the notional amount of interest rate contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments was $661.9 million and customer relationships, non-compete agreements, trademarks$260.8 million, respectively. Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments were evaluated and technology.remain highly effective at March 31, 2019. The Company performs an annual reviewestimates that approximately $1.2 million of goodwillnet derivative gain (loss) included in OCI will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.
The following table summarizes the effects of derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments on the consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 (amounts in thousands):
  Gain or (loss) recognized in OCI, net of tax   Gain or (loss) reclassified from OCI into income
  Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months Ended March 31,
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments 2019 2018 Location of gain or (loss) reclassified from OCI into income 2019 2018
Interest rate contracts $(5,795) $
 Interest expense, net $(80) $
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Changes in fair value of October 1derivative contracts not designated as hedging instruments are recognized in earnings. As of each year or more frequently if indicatorsMarch 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the notional amount of impairment exist.interest rate contracts not designated as hedging instruments was $172.3 million and $169.7 million, respectively. 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 March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the notional amount of foreign currency contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments was $359.0 million and $144.7 million, respectively.

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table representssummarizes the changes in goodwilleffects of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Company’s consolidated income statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 20162018 (amounts in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Balance at beginning of period:       
Goodwill$516,165
 $550,734
 $506,308
 $501,553
Accumulated impairment loss
 (6,397) (6,397) (6,397)
 516,165
 544,337
 499,911
 495,156
Changes:       
Acquisitions
 1,193
 
 28,711
Foreign currency translation adjustment22,172
 14,975
 38,426
 36,638
Net change in goodwill22,172
 16,168
 38,426
 65,349
        
Goodwill538,337
 566,902
 538,337
 566,902
Accumulated impairment loss
 (6,397) 
 (6,397)
Balance at end of period:$538,337
 $560,505
 $538,337
 $560,505
The change in accumulated impairment loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, is related to the June 2017 sale of PRA Location Services, LLC ("PLS"), the goodwill of which was fully impaired during 2013.
The $1.2 million addition to goodwill during the three months ended September 30, 2016, was attributable to an immaterial acquisition. The goodwill recognized from this acquisition is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The $28.7 million addition to goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was mainly attributable to the acquisition of DTP S.A. ("DTP") during the second quarter of 2016 and the acquisition of Recovery Management Systems Corporation ("RMSC") in the first quarter of 2016. The goodwill recognized from the DTP acquisition is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes while the goodwill recognized from the RMSC acquisition is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
    Amount of gain or (loss) recognized in income
    Three Months Ended March 31,
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments Location of gain or (loss) recognized in income 2019 2018
Foreign currency contracts Foreign exchange gain/(loss) $(5,256) $
Interest rate contracts Interest expense, net (349) $3,673
6. Income Taxes:8. Fair Value:
As defined by ASC Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" ("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 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 Company followslevel in the guidancefair 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 FASB ASC Topic 740 "Income Taxes"825, "Financial Instruments" ("ASC 740"825") as it relates to, the provision for income taxes and uncertainty in income taxes. The guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attributetable below summarizes fair value estimates for the Company's financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expectedinstruments that are not required to be taken in a tax return.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.
For tax purposes,The carrying amounts of the Company utilized the cost recovery method of accounting through December 31, 2016. Under the cost recovery method, collections on finance receivables are applied first to principal to reduce the finance receivables balance to zero before taxable income is recognized. The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") examined the Company's 2005 through 2012 tax returns and asserted that tax revenue recognition using the cost recovery method did not clearly reflect taxable income and therefore issued Notices of Deficiency to the Company for tax years ended December 31, 2005 through 2012 (the "Notices"). In response to the Notices, the Company filed petitionsfinancial instruments in the U.S. Tax Court (the “Tax Court”) challengingfollowing table are recorded in the deficiencies and the Tax Court set the trial to begin on May 15, 2017. On May 10, 2017, the Company reached a settlement with the IRS in regards to the Notices. Under the settlement, both parties agreed that no amounts were due for years 2005 through 2012 and the Tax Court entered decisions to that effect on June 22, 2017. Also, under the settlement, the Company will utilize a new tax accounting method to recognize net finance receivables revenue effective with tax year 2017. Under the new method, a portion of the annual collections amortize principal and the remaining portion is taxable income. The Company will not be required to pay any interest or penalties related to the prior periods. 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 with no associated interest.
At September 30, 2017, the tax years subject to examination by the major federal, state and international taxing jurisdictions are 2013 and subsequent years.
The Company intends for predominantly all foreign earnings to be indefinitely reinvested in its foreign operations. If foreign earnings were repatriated, the Company would need to accrue and pay taxes, although foreign tax credits may be available to partially reduce U.S. income taxes. The amount of cash on hand related to foreign operations with indefinitely reinvested earnings was $95.3 million and $73.6 million as of September 30, 2017consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016, respectively.2018 (amounts in thousands):
 March 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
 Carrying
Amount
 Estimated
Fair Value
 Carrying
Amount
 Estimated
Fair Value
Financial assets:       
Cash and cash equivalents$102,102
 $102,102
 $98,695
 $98,695
Finance receivables, net3,177,229
 3,464,135
 3,084,777
 3,410,475
Financial liabilities:       
Interest-bearing deposits95,314
 95,314
 82,666
 82,666
Revolving lines of credit1,571,749
 1,571,749
 1,160,161
 1,160,161
Term loans432,500
 432,500
 740,551
 740,551
Convertible senior notes591,731
 588,503
 588,688
 557,122
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:

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


7.Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount approximates fair value and quoted prices for identical assets can be found in active markets. Accordingly, the Company estimates the fair value of cash and cash equivalents using Level 1 inputs.
Finance receivables, net: The Company computed the estimated fair value of these receivables using proprietary pricing models that the Company utilizes to make portfolio purchase decisions. Accordingly, the Company's fair value estimates use Level 3 inputs as there is limited observable market data available and management is required to use significant judgment in its estimates.
Interest-bearing deposits: The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the deposits and the observable quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for its fair value estimates.
Revolving lines of credit: The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the interest rate periods and the observable quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for its fair value estimates.
Term loans: The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the interest rate periods and the observable quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for its fair value estimates.
Convertible senior notes: The fair value estimates for the Notes incorporate quoted market prices which were obtained from secondary market broker quotes and 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.
Financial Instruments Required to be Carried at Fair Value
The carrying amounts in the following table are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (amounts in thousands):
 Fair Value Measurements as of March 31, 2019
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets:       
Available-for-sale investments       
Government bonds$5,088
 $
 $
 $5,088
Fair value through net income       
Mutual funds62,192
 
 
 62,192
Derivative contracts (recorded in other assets)
 1,741
 
 1,741
Liabilities:       
Derivative contracts (recorded in other liabilities)
 8,553
 
 8,553
 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       
Mutual funds21,753
 
 
 21,753
Derivative contracts (recorded in other assets)
 3,334
 
 3,334
Available-for-sale
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.

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Fair value through net income
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 remain highly effective at March 31, 2019 and have initial terms of 2 to 7 years.
Investments measured using net asset value
Private equity funds: This class of investments consists of private equity funds that invest primarily in loans and securities including single-family residential debt; corporate debt products; and financially-oriented, real-estate-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 1 to 6 years. The fair value of these private equity funds following the Net Asset Value ("NAV") practical expedient was $7.5 million and $8.0 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
9. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:
The following table represents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 (amounts in thousands):
  Debt Securities   Currency Translation Accumulated Other
  Available-for-sale Cash Flow Hedges Adjustments 
Comprehensive Loss (1)
Balance at January 1, 2019 $(83) $44
 $(242,070) $(242,109)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications, net (1)
 45
 (5,795) (742) (6,492)
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive loss:   
   
Reclassifications 
 80
 
 80
Tax effect 
 
 
 
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive loss, net 
 80
 
 80
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income 45
 (5,715) (742) (6,412)
Balance at March 31, 2019 $(38) $(5,671) $(242,812) $(248,521)
(1) Net of deferred taxes for unrealized losses from cash flow hedges of $1.7 million at March 31, 2019.
10. 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 Notes and nonvested share awards, if dilutive. For the Notes, only the conversion spread is included in the diluted EPS calculation, if dilutive. Under such method, the settlement of the conversion spread has a dilutive effect when the average share price of the Company's common stock during any quarter exceeds $65.72 for the 2020 Notes or $46.24 for the 2023 Notes, neither of which occurred during the respective periods from which the Notes were issued through September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019. Share-based awards that are contingent upon the attainment of performance goals are included in the computation of diluted EPS if the effect is dilutive. The dilutive effect of nonvested shares is computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes any proceeds that could be obtained upon the vesting of nonvested shares would be used to purchase common shares at the average market price for the period. The assumed proceeds include the tax benefit that would be realized upon assumed exercise.

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table provides a reconciliation between the computation of basic EPS and diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 20162018 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
For the Three Months Ended September 30,For the Three Months Ended March 31,
2017 20162019 2018
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc. Weighted
Average
Common Shares
 EPS Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc. Weighted
Average
Common Shares
 EPSNet 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$15,555
 45,168
 $0.34
 $34,306
 46,343
 $0.74
$15,227
 45,338
 $0.34
 $21,106
 45,231
 $0.47
Dilutive effect of nonvested share awards  118
 
   91
 
  81
 
   139
 
Diluted EPS$15,555
 45,286
 $0.34
 $34,306
 46,434
 $0.74
$15,227
 45,419
 $0.34
 $21,106
 45,370
 $0.47
           
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2017 2016
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc. Weighted
Average
Common Shares
 EPS Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc. Weighted
Average
Common Shares
 EPS
Basic EPS$75,395
 45,838
 $1.64
 $102,745
 46,307
 $2.22
Dilutive effect of nonvested share awards  153
 
   96
 (0.01)
Diluted EPS$75,395
 45,991
 $1.64
 $102,745
 46,403
 $2.21
There were no antidilutive options outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016.2018.
8.11. Income Taxes:
The Company follows 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. The guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.
On May 10, 2017, the Company reached a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service in regards to its 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 to recognize finance receivables revenue effective with tax year 2017. Under the new method, a portion of the annual collections amortizes principal and the remaining portion is taxable income. The deferred tax liability related to the difference in timing between the new method and the cost recovery method will be incorporated evenly into the Company’s tax filings over four years effective with tax year 2017. The Company was not required to pay any interest or penalties in connection with the settlement.
At March 31, 2019, the tax years subject to examination by the major federal, state and international taxing jurisdictions are 2013 and subsequent years.
The Company intends for predominantly all foreign earnings to be indefinitely reinvested in its foreign operations. If foreign earnings were repatriated, the Company may need to accrue and pay taxes, although foreign tax credits may be available to partially reduce U.S. income taxes. The amount of cash on hand related to foreign operations with indefinitely reinvested earnings was $83.8 million and $78.6 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
12. Commitments and Contingencies:
Employment Agreements:agreements:
The Company has entered into employment agreements, most of which expire on December 31, 2020, with all of its U.S. executive officers and with several members of its U.S. senior management group. Such agreements provide for base salary payments as well as potential discretionary bonuses that are based ontake into consideration the attainment of a combination ofCompany’s overall performance against its short- and long-term financial and management goals.strategic objectives. At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, estimated future compensation under these agreements was approximately $11.8$14.3 million. The agreements also contain confidentiality and non-compete provisions. Outside the U.S., employment agreements are in place with employees pursuant to local country regulations. Generally, these agreements do not have expiration dates and therefore it is impractical to estimate the amount of future compensation under these agreements. Accordingly, the future compensation under these agreements is not included in the $11.8$14.3 million total above.
Leases:
The Company is party to various operating leases with respect to its facilities and equipment. The future minimum lease payments at September 30, 2017 totaled approximately $43.8 million.

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Forward Flow Agreements: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 September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 was approximately $413.6$351.5 million.
Finance Receivables: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.

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Litigation and Regulatory Matters:regulatory matters:
The Company is from time to time subject to routine legal claims, proceedings and regulatory matters, most of which are incidental to the ordinary course of its 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 September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, where the range of loss can be estimated, was not material.
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. The Company had not recorded any potential recoveries under the Company's insurance policies or third-party indemnities as of September 30, 2017.
The matters described below fall outside of the normal parameters of the Company's routine legal proceedings.
Multi-State Investigation
TheOn November 17, 2015, the Company previously received Civil Investigative Demandscivil investigative demands from multiple state AttorneysAttorney General offices ("AGOs") broadly relating to its debt collection practices in the U.S. The Company whichbelieves that it has fully cooperated with the investigation, hasinvestigations and discussed potential resolution of the investigationinvestigations with this coalition of Attorneys General,the AGOs. In these discussions, the AGOs have taken positions with which could includethe 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. In these discussions, the state Attorneys General offices have taken positions with which the Company disagrees. If the Company is unable to resolve its differences with this multi-state coalition,the AGOs, it is possible that one or more individual state Attorneys General officesAGOs may file claims against the Company. The range of loss, if any, cannot be estimated at this time.
Internal Revenue Service AuditIris 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 IRS examinedpurported class consists of all individuals against whom the Company's 2005 through 2012 tax returns and asserted that tax revenue recognition usingCompany had obtained a judgment by default in North Carolina on or after October 1, 2009. On December 9, 2016, the cost recovery method did not clearly reflect taxable income and therefore issued Notices of DeficiencyCompany removed the matter to the CompanyUnited States District Court for tax years ended December 31, 2005 through 2012the Middle District of North Carolina (the "Notices""District Court"). In responseOn March 28, 2018, the District Court entered an order remanding the matter to the Notices,North Carolina state court which the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed on May 17, 2018. On January 11, 2019, the Company filed petitions ina motion to compel arbitration with the Tax Court challengingNorth Carolina state court. The North Carolina state court denied the deficienciesCompany's motion to compel arbitration and the Tax Court set the trial to begin on May 15, 2017. On May 10, 2017, the Company reached a settlement with the IRS in regardsis seeking review of that decision. The range of loss, if any, cannot be estimated at this time due to the Notices. Under the settlement, both parties agreed that no amounts were due for years 2005 through 2012uncertainty surrounding liability, class certification and the Tax Court entered decisions to that effect on June 22, 2017. Also, under the settlement, the Company

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


agreed to utilize a new tax accounting method to recognize net finance receivables revenue effective with tax year 2017. Under the new method, a portioninterpretation of the annual collections will amortize principal and the remaining portion will be considered taxable income. The Company will not be required to pay any interest or penalties related to the prior periods. The deferred tax liability related to the difference in timing between the new method and the prior method will be incorporated evenly into the Company’s tax filings over four years with no associated interest.statutory damages.
9. Fair Value:13. Recently Issued Accounting Standards:
As defined by FASB ASC Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" ("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 FASB ASC Topic 825, "Financial Instruments" ("ASC 825"), the table below summarizes fair value estimates for the Company's financial instruments 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 of the financial instruments in the following table are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 Carrying
Amount
 Estimated
Fair Value
 Carrying
Amount
 Estimated
Fair Value
Financial assets:       
Cash and cash equivalents$113,754
 $113,754
 $94,287
 $94,287
Held-to-maturity investments57,031
 42,559
 51,407
 55,554
Other investments14,712
 9,709
 14,998
 12,573
Finance receivables, net2,577,831
 2,884,171
 2,307,969
 2,708,582
Financial liabilities:       
Interest-bearing deposits96,395
 96,395
 76,113
 76,113
Revolving lines of credit649,190
 649,190
 1,096,868
 1,096,868
Term loans762,902
 762,902
 430,764
 430,764
Convertible senior notes574,140
 579,764
 269,570
 270,825
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 the financial instruments in the above table:
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount approximates fair value and quoted prices for identical assets can be found in active markets. Accordingly, the Company estimates the fair value of cash and cash equivalents using Level 1 inputs.

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Held-to-maturity investments: Fair value of the Company's investment in the certificates of a closed-end Polish investment fund is estimated using proprietary pricing models that the Company utilizes to make portfolio purchase decisions. Accordingly, the Company estimates the fair value of its held-to-maturity investments using Level 3 inputs as there is little observable market data available and management is required to use significant judgment in its estimates.
Other investments: 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 can never 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 fair value of the Company's interest is valued by the fund managers; accordingly, the Company estimates the fair value of these investments using Level 3 inputs. The investments are expected to be returned through distributions as a result of liquidations of the funds' underlying assets over 1 to 4 years.
Finance receivables, net: The Company computed the estimated fair value of these receivables using proprietary pricing models that the Company utilizes to make portfolio purchase decisions. Accordingly, the Company's fair value estimates use Level 3 inputs as there is limited observable market data available and management is required to use significant judgment in its estimates.
Interest-bearing deposits: The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the deposits and the observable quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for its fair value estimates.
Revolving lines of credit: The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the interest rate periods and the observable quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for its fair value estimates.
Term loans: The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the interest rate periods and the observable quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for its fair value estimates.
Convertible notes: The Notes are carried at historical cost, adjusted for the debt discount. The fair value estimates for the Notes incorporate quoted market prices which were obtained from secondary market broker quotes which were derived from a variety of inputs including client orders, information from their pricing vendors, modeling software, and actual trading prices when they occur. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for 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.
Financial Instruments Required To Be Carried At Fair Value
The carrying amounts in the following table are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):
 Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2017
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets:       
Available-for-sale investments$3,769
 $
 $
 $3,769
Liabilities:       
Interest rate swap contracts (recorded in accrued expenses)
 701
 
 701
        
 Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2016
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets:       
Available-for-sale investments$2,138
 $
 $
 $2,138
Liabilities:       
Interest rate swap contracts (recorded in accrued expenses)
 2,825
 
 2,825
Available-for-sale investments: Fair value of the Company's investment in government bonds and mutual funds is estimated using quoted market prices. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 1 inputs.

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Interest rate swap contracts: The interest rate swap contracts are carried at fair value which is determined by 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.
10. Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
In May 2014, FASBRecently issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASU 2014-09") that updates the principles for recognizing revenue. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance specifically excludes revenue received for servicing finance receivables. ASU 2014-09 also amends the required disclosures of the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and can be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption, with early application not permitted. The Company believes that the revenue generated by its subsidiary Claims Compensation Bureau, LLC ("CCB") is within the scope of this standard. Based on the Company's evaluation, the Company believes the new standard will not impact the accounting for revenue generated by CCB.
In January 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" ("ASU 2016-01"), which provides new guidance on the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial assets and liabilities. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted only for certain provisions. Under this standard, changes in fair value of the Company's investments currently classified as available-for-sale will be reported in earnings rather than as an adjustment to Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss). The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of 2016-01 on its Other Investments.standards adopted:
In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842) Section A - Leases: Amendments to the FASB Account Standards Codification" ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee should recognize a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet. It is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,In July 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, using a modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2016-02 on its consolidated financial statements. The Company has approximately $43.8 million in operating lease obligations as disclosed in its contractual obligations table in Part I, Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is in the process of evaluating those contracts as well as other existing arrangements to determine if they qualify for lease accounting under the new standard. The Company does not plan to adopt the standard early.
In March 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-06, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments" ("ASU 2016-06"). Topic 815 requires that embedded derivatives be separated from the host contract and accounted for separately as derivatives if certain criteria are met, including the "clearly and closely related" criterion. ASU 2016-06 clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. An entity performing the assessment under the amendments is required to assess the embedded call (put) options solely in accordance with the four-step decision sequence. The amendments in ASU 2016-06 apply to all entities that are issuers of or investors in debt instruments (or hybrid financial instruments that are determined to have a debt host) with embedded call (put) options. For public entities, this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2016-06 in the first quarter of 2017 which had no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" ("ASU 2016-09"). The guidance eliminates additional paid in capital ("APIC") pools and requires companies to recognize all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. It also addresses the presentation of excess tax benefits and employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows. Further, the new guidance eliminates the requirement to estimate forfeitures during the vesting period. Instead, companies can elect to account for actual forfeitures as they occur and record any previously unrecognized compensation expense for estimated forfeitures up to the period of adoption as a retrospective adjustment to beginning retained earnings. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years and early adoption is permitted. The Company prospectively adopted ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017, which increased its provision for income taxes by $0.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as a result of the recognition of all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in its income statement. ASU 2016-09 requires that excess tax benefits be presented as an operating activity in the statement of cash

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


flows, so with its prospectiveissued 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 still adopted the new lease standard using the modified retrospective transition method required by the standard, but they recognized a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption prior periods have not been restated.rather than in the earliest period presented. The Company also elected to use an estimated forfeiture rate, basedadopted the new leasing standard on historical data, to record its share-based compensation expense, which is consistent with its previous accounting treatment with respect to forfeitures. NoneJanuary 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 provisions of ASU 2016-09 had a material impactaffect on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)" ("ASU 2016-13"). ASU 2016-13 requires the measurement of expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable forecasts. The main objective of ASU 2016-13 is to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years and allows for early adoption as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2018. ASU 2016-13 supersedes ASC Topic 310-30, which the Company currently follows to account for revenue on its finance receivables. ASU 2016-13 could have a significant impact on how the Company measures and records net revenue on its finance receivables. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2016-13 on itsCompany's consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (Topic 230)" ("ASU 2016-15"). ASU 2016-15 reduces diversity in practice of how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance clarifies the classification of cash activity related to debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate and bank-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity-method investments, and beneficial interests in securitization transactions. The guidance also describes a predominance principle in which cash flows with aspects of more than one class that cannot be separated should be classified based on the activity that is likely to be the predominant source or use of cash flow. ASU 2016-15 is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period, but requires all elements of the amendments to be adopted at once rather than individually. The new standard must be adopted using a retrospective transition method. The Company adopted ASU 2016-15 in the first quarter of 2019 which had no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, "Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income" ("ASU 2018-02"). Under existing U.S. GAAP, the effects of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred tax balances are recorded as a component of income tax expense in the period in which the law was enacted. When deferred tax balances related to items originally recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income are adjusted, certain tax effects become stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in ASU 2018-02 allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded income tax effects resulting from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The amendments in this ASU also require certain disclosures about stranded income tax effects. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company’s provisional adjustments recorded during the year ended December 31, 2017 to account for the impact of the Tax Act did not result in stranded tax effects. The Company adopted ASU 2018-02 in the first quarter of 2019 which had no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted:
In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) ("ASU 2016-13"), which requires the measurement of expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The main objective of ASU 2016-13 is to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about expected credit losses and recoveries on financial instruments measured at amortized cost held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. Under this model, an entity would recognize an allowance equal to its current estimate of all contractual cash flows that the entity does not expect to collect. The expected credit losses, and subsequent adjustments to such losses, will be recorded through an allowance account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, with the net carrying value of the financial asset presented on the consolidated balance sheet at the net amount expected to be collected. Revenue is recognized over the life of the portfolio at the initial effective interest rate. Subsequent changes in cash flow forecasts, on a present value basis, are adjusted through revenue. ASU 2016-13 supersedes ASC Topic 310-30, "Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality" ("ASC 310-30"), which the Company currently follows to account for income recognized on its finance receivables. Financial assets accounted for under ASC 310-30 should use a prospective transition approach where upon adoption, the amortized cost basis should be adjusted to reflect the addition of the allowance for credit losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years and allows for early adoption as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2018.  The Company expects ASU 2016-13, including the effect of ongoing developments and amendments to the guidance, will have a significant impact on how it measures and records income recognized on its finance receivables and its balance sheet presentation. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2016-15 on its consolidated financial statements.
In October 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Income Taxes - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory" ("ASU 2016-16"), which requires entities to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017,statements including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year. The new standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition method which is a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first effective reporting period. The Company has determined the adoption of this standard will not have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, FASB issued ASU-2017-01, "Business Combinations - Clarifying the Definition of a Business (Topic 805)" ("ASU 2017-01"). ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist companies with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The new guidance is expected to reduce the number of transactions that need to be further evaluated as businesses. The guidance applies to transactions that occur on or after an entity’s adoption date, the earliest of which is January 1, 2017. The Company has not completed a business combination in 2017.accounting policy and operational implementation issues.
In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment" ("ASU 2017-04"). ASU 2017-04 eliminates Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Instead, an entity should perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


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 is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2017-04 on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2017,August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation–Stock Compensation2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 718)820): Scope of Modification Accounting” (ASU 2017-09"Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement” ("ASU 2018-13"). ASU 2017-09 clarifies when a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted2018-13 eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for as a modification. The new guidance requires modification accounting if the fair value vesting condition or the classificationmeasurements as part of the award is not the same immediately before and after a change to the terms and conditions of the award.

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


its disclosure framework project. The new guidancestandard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. This new guidance is not expected to have an impact on the Company's consolidatedall entities for financial statements.
In August 2017, FASBstatements issued ASU No. 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging - Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities" ("ASU 2017-12"). ASU 2017-12 modifies the presentation and disclosure of hedging results. Further, it provides partial relief on the timing of certain aspects of hedge documentation and eliminates the requirement to recognize hedge ineffectiveness separately in income. The amendments in ASU 2017-12 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 20182019, and for interim periods therein.within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2017-122018-13 on its consolidated financial statements.
The Company does not expect that any other recently issued accounting pronouncements will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
11. Sale of Subsidiaries:
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 decided in the fourth quarter of 2016 to sell its government services businesses: PRA Government Services, LLC; MuniServices, LLC; and PRA Professional Services, LLC. On January 24, 2017, the Company completed the sale of its government services businesses for $91.5 million in cash plus additional consideration for certain balance sheet items. The impact of the transaction was reported in the first quarter of 2017. The 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, PLS, for $4.5 million which resulted in a gain on sale of approximately $1.6 million.
The assets and liabilities of the businesses that were sold during 2017 consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Other receivables, net$8,277
Property and equipment, net4,559
Goodwill29,683
Intangible assets, net1,711
Other assets772
Total assets$45,002
  
Accrued expenses$3,123
Total liabilities$3,123


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements:
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this "Quarterly Report") contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding overall cash collection trends, gross margin trends, operating cost trends, liquidity and capital needs and other statements of expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends, and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions referred to above may include the following:
a prolonged economic recovery or a deterioration in the economic or inflationary environment in the Americas or Europe, including the interest rate environment;
changes in the credit or capital markets, which affect our ability to borrow money or raise capital;
our ability to replace our portfolios of nonperforming loans with additional portfolios;
our ability to purchase nonperforming loans at appropriate prices;
changes in, or interpretations of, federal, state, local, or foreign laws or the administrative practices of various bankruptcy courts, which may impact our ability to collect on our nonperforming loans;
our ability to collect sufficient amounts on our nonperforming loans;
the possibility that we could incur significant allowance charges on our finance receivables;
changes in, or interpretations of, bankruptcy or collection laws that could negatively affect our business, including by causing an increase in certain types of bankruptcy filings involving liquidations, which may cause our collections to decrease;
our ability to manage risks associated with our international operations;
changes in tax laws and interpretations regarding earnings of our subsidiaries located outsidedomestic and foreign operations;
the impact of the United StatesTax Cuts and Jobs Act ("U.S."Tax Act");, including interpretations and determinations by tax authorities;
the possibility that we could incur goodwill or other intangible asset impairment charges;
adverse effects from the vote by the United Kingdom ("UK") to leave the European Union ("EU");Union;
adverse outcomes in pending litigationslitigation or administrative proceedings;
our loss contingency accruals may not be adequate to cover actual losses;
the possibility that class action suits and other litigation could divert our management's attention and increase our expenses;
the possibility that we could incur business or technology disruptions or cyber incidents;
our ability to collect and enforce our finance receivablesnonperforming loans may be limited under federal, state, local and foreign laws;
our ability to comply with existing and new regulations of the collection industry, the failure of which could result in penalties, fines, litigation, damage to our reputation, or the suspension or termination of or required modification to our ability to conduct our business;
investigations or enforcement actions by governmental authorities, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB"), which could result in changes to our business practices;practices, negatively impact our portfolio purchasing volume;volume, make collection of account balances more difficult or expose us to the risk of fines, penalties, restitution payments, and litigation;
the ability of our European operations to comply with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation;
the possibility that compliance with foreign and United States ("U.S.") laws and regulations that apply to our international operations could increase our cost of doing business in international jurisdictions;
our ability to raise the funds necessary to repurchase the convertible senior notes or to settle conversions in cash;
our ability to maintain,expand, renegotiate or replace our credit facilities;facilities and our ability to comply with the covenants under our financing arrangements;
changes in interest or exchange rates, which could reduce our net income, and the possibility that future hedging strategies may not be successful, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition, ascondition;
the possibility that the adoption of, or delays in implementing, accounting standards could negatively impact our failure to comply with hedge accounting principlesresults of operations and interpretations;financial condition; and
the risk factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"("SEC").
You should assume that the information appearing in this Quarterly Report 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 following "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," as well as the "Risk Factors" section and "Business" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on March 1, 20172018 ("20162018 Form 10-K").


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 Quarterly Report 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 Quarterly Report 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.
Frequently Used Terms
We use the following terminology throughout this Quarterly Report:
"Allowance charges" refers to a reduction in income recognized on finance receivables on pools of finance receivables due to a decrease in cash collection estimates or a delay in the expected timing of the cash collections.
"Amortization rate" refers to cash collections applied to principal on finance receivables as a percentage of total cash collections.
"Buybacks" refers to purchase price refunded by the seller due to the return of ineligible accounts.
"Cash collections" refers to collections on our owned finance receivables portfolios.
"Cash receipts" refers to collections on our owned finance receivables portfolios plus fee income.
"Core" accounts or portfolios refer to accounts or portfolios that are nonperforming loans and are not in an insolvent status upon purchase. 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.
"Fee income" refers to revenues generated from our fee-for-service businesses.
"Income recognized on finance receivables" refers to income derived from our owned finance receivables portfolios.
"Income recognized on finance receivables, net" refers to income derived from our owned finance receivables portfolios and is shown net of allowance charges/reversals.
"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 include Individual Voluntary Arrangements ("IVAs"), Trust Deeds in the UK, Consumer Proposals in Canada and bankruptcy accounts in the U.S., Canada, Germany and the UK.
"Net finance receivable balance" is recorded on our balance sheet and refers to the purchase price less principal amortization and net allowance charges/reversals.
"Nonperforming loans" refers to the loans that we purchase, which consist generally of defaulted, unpaid obligations of individuals that have been charged-off by the credit grantor.
"Principal amortization" refers to cash collections applied to principal on finance receivables.
"Purchase price" refers to the cash paid to a seller to acquire nonperforming loans, plus certain capitalized costs, less buybacks.
"Purchase price multiple" refers to the total estimated collections (as defined below) on owned finance receivables portfolios divided by purchase price.
"Total estimated collections" or "TEC" refers to actual cash collections, including cash sales, plus estimated remaining collections on our finance receivables portfolios.
All references in this Quarterly Report to "PRA Group," "our," "we," "us," the "Company""the Company" or similar terms are to PRA Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.


Overview
We are a global financial and business services company with operations in the Americas and Europe. Our primary business is the purchase, collection and management of portfolios of nonperforming loans. As discussed in Note 11, we sold our government services businesses in January 2017 and PLS in June 2017.
We are headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, and as of September 30, 2017 employ 4,555March 31, 2019 employed 5,236 full time equivalents. Our shares of common stock are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "PRAA."


Earnings Summary
During the three months ended September 30, 2017, net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc. was $15.6 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, compared with $34.3 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, in the three months ended September 30, 2016. Total revenues decreased 9.5% to $201.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016. Revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2017 consisted of $197.2 million in income recognized on finance receivables, net; $2.7 million in fee income; and $1.1 million in other revenue. Revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2016 consisted of $202.6 million in income recognized on finance receivables, net; $17.6 million in fee income; and $1.7 million in other revenue. Income recognized on finance receivables, net, in the three months ended September 30, 2017 decreased $5.4 million, or 2.7%, over the three months ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to a reduction in revenue generated by our Americas Insolvency portfolio which has declined due to lower volumes of purchasing during fiscal years 2014 to 2016. Cash collections were $381.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017, up 2.7%, or $10.1 million, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016.
A summary of the sources of our revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 is presented below (amounts in thousands):
 For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016
Cash collections$381,834
 $371,700
Principal amortization(181,174) (155,915)
Net allowance charges(3,412) (13,146)
Income recognized on finance receivables, net197,248
 202,639
Fee income2,671
 17,597
Other revenue1,091
 1,748
Total revenues$201,010
 $221,984
Operating expenses were $146.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $7.7 million or 5.0%, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in legal collection expenses, mainly due to a reduction in the number of accounts brought into the legal collection process in the Americas, in addition to a decrease in agency fees, due primarily to the sale of PLS in June 2017, as well as a decrease in third-party collection fees incurred by our foreign operations.
During the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we acquired finance receivables portfolios at a cost of $210.9 million and $161.3 million, respectively.  In any period, we acquire nonperforming loans that can vary dramatically in their age, type and ultimate collectability. We may pay significantly different purchase prices relative to face value for purchased receivables within any period as a result of this quality fluctuation. In addition, market forces can increase or decrease pricing, irrespective of other quality fluctuations. As a result, the average purchase price paid relative to face value for any given period can fluctuate dramatically. However, regardless of the average purchase price, we intend to target a similar net income margin in pricing our portfolio acquisitions during any given period. Therefore, the price paid relative to face value is not necessarily indicative of profitability.


Results of Operations
The results of operations include the financial results of the Company and all of its subsidiaries. The following table sets forth consolidated income statement amounts as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
 For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 2019 2018
Revenues:       
Income recognized on finance receivables$238,836
 97.1 % $218,624
 97.6 %
Fee income6,374
 2.6
 5,327
 2.4
Other revenue667
 0.3
 157
 0.1
Total revenues245,877
 100.0
 224,108
 100.0
        
Net allowance charges(6,095) (2.5) (925) (0.4)
        
Operating expenses:       
Compensation and employee services79,645
 32.4
 81,237
 36.2
Legal collection fees13,059
 5.3
 10,669
 4.8
Legal collection costs35,229
 14.3
 22,243
 9.9
Agency fees14,032
 5.7
 8,278
 3.7
Outside fees and services15,248
 6.2
 14,158
 6.3
Communication13,201
 5.4
 11,557
 5.2
Rent and occupancy4,363
 1.8
 4,314
 1.9
Depreciation and amortization4,572
 1.9
 4,929
 2.2
Other operating expenses11,585
 4.7
 12,184
 5.4
Total operating expenses190,934
 77.7
 169,569
 75.7
Income from operations48,848
 19.9
 53,614
 23.9
Other income and (expense):       
Interest expense, net(33,981) (13.8) (25,781) (11.5)
Foreign exchange gain6,264
 2.5
 1,293
 0.6
Other(352) (0.1) 243
 0.1
Income before income taxes20,779
 8.5
 29,369
 13.1
Income tax expense3,867
 1.6
 6,137
 2.7
Net income16,912
 6.9
 23,232
 10.4
Adjustment for net income attributable to noncontrolling interests1,685
 0.7
 2,126
 0.9
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.$15,227
 6.2 % $21,106
 9.4 %


Cash Collections
Cash collections were as follows for the periods indicated:
 For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Revenues:       
Income recognized on finance receivables, net98.1 % 91.3 % 95.8 % 90.8 %
Fee income1.3 % 7.9 % 3.1 % 8.3 %
Other revenue0.6 % 0.8 % 1.1 % 0.9 %
Total revenues100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
Operating expenses:       
Compensation and employee services34.1 % 29.7 % 33.5 % 29.2 %
Legal collection expenses13.7 % 15.1 % 14.9 % 14.4 %
Agency fees3.8 % 5.4 % 4.5 % 5.1 %
Outside fees and services7.9 % 6.6 % 7.8 % 6.9 %
Communication4.3 % 3.5 % 4.1 % 3.9 %
Rent and occupancy1.8 % 1.7 % 1.8 % 1.7 %
Depreciation and amortization2.4 % 2.8 % 2.5 % 2.7 %
Other operating expenses5.0 % 4.7 % 5.3 % 4.8 %
Total operating expenses73.0 % 69.6 % 74.4 % 68.7 %
Income from operations27.0 % 30.4 % 25.6 % 31.3 %
Other income and (expense):       
Gain on sale of subsidiaries0.2 %
 % 8.0 %  %
Interest expense, net(12.9)% (8.7)% (11.5)% (8.9)%
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain(0.6)% 2.3 % (0.2)% 0.8 %
Income before income taxes13.7 % 24.0 % 21.9 % 23.2 %
Provision for income taxes5.3 % 7.5 % 8.7 % 7.4 %
Net income8.4 % 16.5 % 13.2 % 15.7 %
Adjustment for net income attributable to noncontrolling interest0.7 % 1.0 % 0.8 % 0.5 %
Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.7.7 % 15.5 % 12.4 % 15.2 %
 For the Three Months Ended March 31, Variance
(Amounts in thousands)2019 2018 2019 vs. 2018
   Americas-Core$290,723
 $246,237
 $44,486
   Americas-Insolvency44,613
 55,280
 (10,667)
   Europe-Core116,858
 118,109
 (1,251)
   Europe-Insolvency8,977
 6,954
 2,023
Total cash collections$461,171
 $426,580
 $34,591
      
Cash collections adjusted (1)
$461,171
 $414,902
 $46,269
Cash collections on fully amortized pools12,084
 15,622
 (3,538)
Cash collections on cost recovery pools3,653
 17,524
 (13,871)
Net finance receivables on cost recovery at period-end43,479
 149,179
 (105,700)
(1) Cash collections adjusted refers to 2018 cash collections remeasured using 2019 exchange rates.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared To Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
Revenues
Total revenuesCash collections were $201.0$461.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decreaseMarch 31, 2019, an increase of $21.0$34.6 million or 9.5%8.1%, compared to $426.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was largely due to our U.S. legal collections increasing $22.1 million, or 30.6%, due primarily to the increase in the number of accounts qualifying for the legal channel, and our U.S. call center collections increasing $14.3 million, or 9.2%, due primarily to record U.S. Core portfolio purchasing in 2018. These increases were partially offset by a decline of $10.7 million, or 19.3%, in Americas Insolvency cash collections caused mainly by a decline in Americas Insolvency portfolio purchasing in 2018 not offsetting the continued runoff of the older portfolios.
Revenues
Total revenues were $245.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of $21.8 million, or 9.7%, compared to total revenues of $222.0$224.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018.
A summary of our revenue generation during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 is as follows (amounts in thousands):
 For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 2019 2018
Cash collections$461,171
 $426,580
Principal amortization(222,335) (207,956)
Income recognized on finance receivables238,836
 218,624
Fee income6,374
 5,327
Other revenue667
 157
Total revenues$245,877
 $224,108
Income Recognizedrecognized on Finance Receivables, netfinance receivables
Income recognized on finance receivables net was $197.2$238.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decreaseMarch 31, 2019, an increase of $5.4$20.2 million or 2.7%,9.2% compared to income recognized on finance receivables net, of $202.6$218.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. The decreaseincrease was due to a varietyprimarily the result of factors. Income generated by our Americas Insolvency portfolios declined due primarily to lower volumes of purchasing during fiscal years 2014 to 2016. Income generated by our European portfolios declined due primarily to the impact of the current competitive pricing environment which has resulted in lower yields on new portfolios. Also, elevated allowance charges incurred during 2016 reduced the income-earning principal balances of our portfolios, particularly therecord Americas Core portfolios. This was offset bypurchasing in 2018 and the impact of overperformance on select Americas Core and EuropeanEurope Core portfolios which resulted in yield increases on certain pools, as well aspools. This was partially offset by a decline in our Americas Insolvency revenue caused mainly by reduced Americas Insolvency portfolio purchasing in 2018 not offsetting the continued runoff of our older portfolios.
We have revised the presentation of our consolidated income statements for the prior year reporting period by reclassifying net allowance charges which were $3.4 million foron our finance receivables as a line item separate from revenues. As a result, we no longer include net allowance charges as part of "Income recognized on finance receivables, net" on the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $13.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.face of our consolidated income statements and report income recognized on finance receivables gross of valuation allowances.


Cash collections were $381.8
Fee income
Fee income was $6.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017, up $10.1March 31, 2019, an increase of $1.1 million or 2.7%20.8%, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in cash collections was mainly caused by increases in our European Core and Americas Core portfolio collections, which increased $6.7 million and $2.2 million, respectively. Cash collections on fully amortized pools were $14.1$5.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017, up $6.4March 31, 2018. The increase is primarily attributable to settlement timing in our claims processing company, Claims Compensation Bureau.
Other revenue
Other revenue was $0.7 million or 83.1%, compared to $7.7and $0.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016. Cash collections on pools on cost recovery were $8.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017, up $1.4 million or 20.9%, compared to $6.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Income recognized on finance receivables, net, is shown net of changes in valuation allowances whichNet Allowance Charges
Net allowance charges are recorded for significant decreases in expected cash flows or a change in timing of cash flows which would otherwise require a reduction in the stated yield on a pool of accounts. For the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, we recorded net allowance charges of $3.4$6.1 million consisting of $2.4$4.8 million on our Americas Core portfolios, primarily on vintages purchased between 2013-2015, and $1.0$1.3 million on our European portfolios. For the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2018, we recorded net allowance charges of $13.1$0.9 million, consisting of $12.4net allowance reversals of $0.7 million on our Americas Core portfolios and $0.7net allowance charges of $0.2 million and $1.4 million on our European portfolios.
During the three months ended September 30, 2017, we reclassified $68.7 million from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield primarily due to increased cash collection forecasts relating mainly to certain Americas CoreInsolvency and our European Core pools. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, we reclassified $5.9 million from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield primarily due to increased cash collection forecasts relating mainly to certain European Core pools, partially offset by decreases in cash collection forecasts relating mainly to certain Americas Core pools.
Fee Income
Fee income was $2.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $14.9 million or 84.7%, compared to $17.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016. This was primarily due to a decrease in fee income resulting from the sale of our government services businesses in January 2017 and the sale of PLS in June 2017.
Other Revenue
Other revenue decreased to $1.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $1.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to a decrease in revenue generated by our investments.portfolios, respectively.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $146.8$190.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decreaseMarch 31, 2019, an increase of $7.7$21.3 million or 5.0%12.6%, compared to operating expenses of $154.5$169.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018.
Compensation and Employee Servicesemployee services
Compensation and employee services expenses were $68.5$79.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increaseMarch 31, 2019, a decrease of $2.6$1.6 million, or 3.9%2.0%, compared to compensation and employee services expenses of $65.9$81.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. Compensation expense increaseddecreased primarily as a result of larger average staff sizes, partiallythe impact of the deconsolidation of RCB Investimentos S.A. ("RCB") in December 2018. Additionally, U.S. call centers compensation expenses declined compared to the first quarter of 2018 as the total number of collectors decreased, but this was offset by a decrease resulting from the sale of our government services businesses in January 2017 and the sale of PLS in June 2017. In the U.S., we have hired approximately 700 net new collectors since September 30, 2016.higher medical costs. Total full-time equivalents increaseddecreased to 4,5555,236 as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, compared to 3,8595,639 as of September 30, 2016.
Legal Collection ExpensesMarch 31, 2018.
Legal collection expensesfees
Legal collection fees represent contingent fees incurred for the cash collections generated by our independent third-party attorney network. Legal collection fees were $13.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of $2.4 million or 22.4%, compared to legal collection fees of $10.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to an increase 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, contingent fees incurred for the cash collections generated for us by independent third-party attorneys, and the cost of documents paid to sellers of portfolios.filed. Legal collection expensescosts were $27.6$35.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decreaseMarch 31, 2019, an increase of $5.8$13.0 million or 17.4%58.6%, compared to legal collection expensescosts of $33.4$22.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. The decreaseincrease was primarily due to a decrease inadditional court costs paidrelated to courts where a lawsuit is filed, mainly due to a decrease inthe expansion of the number of accounts brought intoqualifying for the legal collection processchannel in the Americas. Our costs paid to courts were $17.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017,U.S. partially offset by a decrease of $6.1 million or 26.1% compared to $23.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Additionally, our costs paid to sellers of nonperforming loans for documents were $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $0.4 million or 57.1% compared to $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease was primarilyreduction in Europe.  This expansion is the result of sellers providing more account documents to us when we purchase portfolios, mainly as a resultchange in the nature of the accounts purchased, the regulatory requirements. This was partially offset by an increase in legal collection expenses paid to third-party attorneys. Our costs paid to third-party attorneys were $10.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $0.8 million or 8.6% compared to $9.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.


environment and consumer behavior.
Agency Feesfees
Agency fees primarily represent third-party collection fees and costs paid to repossession agents to repossess vehicles.incurred mainly outside the U.S. Agency fees were $7.6$14.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, an increase of $5.7 million or 68.7%, compared to $12.0$8.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. The decreaseincrease was primarily duethe result of higher volumes of servicing activity in areas where we utilize third party agencies to the impact ofcollect. Additionally, with the sale of PLSthe RCB operating platform, certain expenses in June 2017 in additionother line items shifted from fixed to a decrease in third-party collectionvariable and are now recorded on the agency fees incurred by our foreign operations.line.
Outside Feesfees and Servicesservices
Outside fees and services expenses were $15.6$15.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, an increase of $0.9$1.0 million or 6.1%7.0%, compared to outside fees and services expenses of $14.7$14.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. This increase was primarily due to a $1.7 million increase in consulting fees, partially offset by a $0.8 million decrease in corporate legal and other professional fees.March 31, 2018.


Communication
Communication expenses were $8.7$13.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, an increase of $0.9$1.6 million or 11.5%13.8%, compared to communication expenses of $7.8$11.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. This increase wasMarch 31, 2018. These increases are primarily due to a $1.0 million increasethe result of increased letter and call volume associated with record portfolio purchases in postage expenses. This was partially offset by a $0.1 million decreaseAmericas Core in telephone expense.2018.
Rent and Occupancyoccupancy
Rent and occupancy expenses were $3.7$4.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decreaseMarch 31, 2019, an increase of $0.2$0.1 million or 5.1%2.3%, compared to rent and occupancy expense of $3.9$4.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the sale of our government services businesses in January 2017 and the sale of PLS in June 2017.March 31, 2018.
Depreciation and Amortizationamortization
Depreciation and amortization expenses were $4.8$4.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, a decrease of $1.4$0.3 million or 22.6%6.1% , compared to depreciation and amortization expenses of $6.2$4.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the sale of our government services businesses in January 2017 and the sale of PLS in June 2017.March 31, 2018.
Other Operating Expensesoperating expenses
Other operating expenses were $10.1$11.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, a decrease of $0.4$0.6 million, or 3.8%4.9%, compared to other operating expenses of $10.5$12.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.
Gain on Sale of Subsidiaries
Gain on sale of subsidiaries was $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $0 for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The amount relates to a purchase price true-up on the sale of PLS.March 31, 2018.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net was $25.9$34.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, an increase of $6.6$8.2 million or 34.2%31.8%, compared to $19.3$25.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to the additional interest incurred as a result of the issuance of our new convertible senior notes, which we issued and sold on May 26, 2017, as well as increases inhigher average interest rates and unused line fees. This was partially offset by a decrease in interest expense caused by our interest rate swaps and a decrease in thepaired with higher levels of average borrowings outstanding on our revolving credit facilities and term loans.







debt obligations in addition to the impact of the changes in the fair value of interest rate swap agreements not designated as hedging instruments.
Interest expense, net consisted of the following for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 20162018 (amounts in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended March 31,
2017 2016 Change2019 2018 Change
Stated interest on debt obligations and unused line fees$17,945
 $16,600
 $1,345
$23,397
 $20,043
 $3,354
Coupon interest on convertible debt5,175
 2,156
 3,019
5,175
 5,175
 
Amortization of convertible debt discount2,796
 1,127
 1,669
3,042
 2,877
 165
Amortization of loan fees and other loan costs2,505
 1,647
 858
2,636
 2,553
 83
Interest rate swap agreements(1,025) (669) (356)
Change in fair value on derivatives349
 (3,673) 4,022
Interest income(1,497) (1,551) 54
(618) (1,194) 576
Interest expense, net$25,899
 $19,310
 $6,589
$33,981
 $25,781
 $8,200
Net Foreign Currency Transaction Gains/(Losses)/Gains
Net foreign currency transaction lossesgains were $1.1$6.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, compared to net foreign currency transaction gains of $5.0$1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. In any given period, ourwe may incur foreign entities conduct operationscurrency transactions gains or losses from transactions in currencies different from theirother than the functional currency which generate foreign currency transaction gainscurrency.
Other Expense
Other expense was $0.4 million and losses.$0.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, respectively.
Provision for Income TaxesTax Expense
Provision for income taxesIncome tax expense was $10.7$3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, a decrease of $6.0$2.2 million, or 35.9%36.1%, compared to provision for income taxes of $16.7$6.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to a $25.6 million decreasedecreases in income before income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, partially offset by an increase inand our effective tax rate. During the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, our income before income taxes was $20.8 million, compared to $29.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, our effective tax rate was 38.7%18.6%, compared to 32.2%20.9% for full-year 2016.the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increasedecrease was due primarily to changes in the mix of projected taxable income between tax jurisdictions and an increase in the estimated blended rate for U.S. state taxes.  The blended rate for U.S. state taxes increase was due to changes in the mix of earnings, dispositions of subsidiaries, and other factors.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared To Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Revenues
Total revenues were $607.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,including a decrease of $67.4 million, or 10.0%, compared to total revenues of $675.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
Income Recognized on Finance Receivables, net
Income recognized on finance receivables, net was $582.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $30.6 million, or 5.0%, compared to income recognized on finance receivables, net, of $613.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease was due to a variety of factors. Income generated by our Americas Insolvency portfolios declined due primarily to lower volumes of purchasing during fiscal years 2014 to 2016. Income generated by our European portfolios declined due primarily to the impact of the current competitive pricing environment which has resulted in lower yields on new portfolios. Also, elevated allowance charges incurred during 2016 reduced the income-earning principal balances of our portfolios, particularly the Americas Core portfolios. This was offset by overperformance on select Americas Core and European Core portfolios which resulted in yield increases on certain pools, as well as a decline in net allowance charges, which were $9.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $36.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
Cash collections were $1,136.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $1,143.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, a decrease of $6.9 million, or 0.6%. The decrease in cash collections was mainly caused by a decrease in our Americas Insolvency portfolio collections, which decreased $33.4 million or 17.0%, due primarily to lower volumes of purchasing during 2014 to 2016. This was partially offset by increases in our Americas Core and European cash collections. Cash collections on fully amortized pools were $40.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017, up $15.1 million or 60.2%, compared to $25.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Cash collections on pools on cost recovery were $25.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017, up $3.2 million or 14.7%, compared to $21.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.


For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recorded net allowance charges of $9.4 million, consisting of $4.8 million on our Americas Core portfolios and $1.1 million on our Americas Insolvency portfolios. We also recorded net allowance charges of $3.5 million on our European portfolios. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recorded net allowance charges of $36.0 million, consisting of $32.3 million on our Americas Core portfolios and $0.3 million on our Americas Insolvency portfolios. We also recorded net allowance charges of $3.4 million on our European portfolios.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company reclassified $93.3 million and $95.9 million, respectively, from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield due primarily to increased cash collection forecasts relating mainly to certain Americas Core pools, Americas Insolvency pools and European Core pools during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and certain Americas Insolvency pools and European Core pools during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
Fee Income
Fee income was $18.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $37.3 million or 66.4%, compared to $56.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016. This was primarily due to a decrease in fee income resulting from the sale of our government services businesses in January 2017 and the sale of PLS in June 2017.
Other Revenue
Other revenue increased to $6.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $6.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to an increase in revenue generated by our investments.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses were $452.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $12.1 million or 2.6%, compared to operating expenses of $464.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
Compensation and Employee Services
Compensation and employee services expenses were $203.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $6.3 million, or 3.2% compared to compensation and employee services expenses of $197.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Compensation expense increased primarily as a result of larger average staff sizes, partially offset by a decrease resulting from the sale of our government services businesses in January 2017 and the sale of PLS in June 2017. In the U.S., we have hired approximately 700 net new collectors since September 30, 2016. Total full-time equivalents increased to 4,555 as of September 30, 2017, compared to 3,859 as of September 30, 2016.
Legal Collection Expenses
Legal collection expenses were $90.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $6.9 million, or 7.1%, compared to legal collection expenses of $97.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in legal collection expenses paid to third-party attorneys, primarily as a result of a decrease in domestic external legal collections. Our costs paid to third-party attorneys were $33.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $4.1 million or 11.0% compared to $37.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Additionally, our costs paid to sellers of nonperforming loans for documents were $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $3.0 million or 75.0% compared to $4.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease was primarily the result of sellers providing more account documents to us when we purchase portfolios, mainly as a result of regulatory requirements. This was offset by an increase in costs paid to courts where a lawsuit is filed mainly related to the expansion of the number of accounts brought into the legal channel in Europe during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Our costs paid to courts were $56.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $0.2 million or 0.4% compared to $56.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
Agency Fees
Agency fees were $27.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $34.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the sale of PLS in June 2017 and a decrease in third-party collection fees incurred by our foreign operations.
Outside Fees and Services
Outside fees and services expenses were $47.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $0.6 million, or 1.3%, compared to outside fees and services expenses of $46.4 million for the nine months ended September 30,


2016. The increase was primarily the result of a $1.1 million increase in payment processing fees and database fees. This was partially offset by a $0.5 million decrease in consulting and other outside professional fees.
Communication
Communication expenses were $25.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $1.0 million, or 3.8%, compared to communication expenses of $26.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. This decrease was primarily due to the impact of the sale of our government services businesses in January 2017.
Rent and Occupancy
Rent and occupancy expenses were $10.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 7.7%, compared to rent and occupancy expenses of $11.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the sale of our government services businesses in January 2017 and the sale of PLS in June 2017.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expenses were $15.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $3.2 million, or 17.5%, compared to depreciation and amortization expenses of $18.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the sale of our government services businesses in January 2017.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses were $32.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 0.9%, compared to other operating expenses of $32.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
Gain on Sale of Subsidiaries
Gain on sale of subsidiaries was $48.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we sold our government services businesses and PLS which resulted in gains of $46.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net was $69.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $9.9 million or 16.6%, compared to $59.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase was primarily due to the additional interest incurred as a result of the issuance of our new convertible senior notes, which we issued and sold on May 26, 2017, as well as increases in interest rates and unused line fees. This was partially offset by a decrease in interest expense caused by our interest rate swaps and a decrease in the average borrowings outstanding on our revolving credit facilities and term loans.

Interest expense, net consisted of the following for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands):
 Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 Change
Stated interest on debt obligations and unused line fees$52,863
 $45,429
 $7,434
Coupon interest on convertible debt10,695
 6,468
 4,227
Amortization of convertible debt discount5,760
 3,336
 2,424
Amortization of loan fees and other loan costs7,068
 6,187
 881
Interest rate swap agreements(2,445) 2,287
 (4,732)
Interest income(4,279) (3,869) (410)
Interest expense, net$69,662
 $59,838
 $9,824


Net Foreign Currency Transaction (Losses)/Gains
Net foreign currency transaction losses were $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to net foreign currency transaction gains of $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. In any given period, our foreign entities conduct operations in currencies different from their functional currency which generate foreign currency transaction gains and losses.
Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes was $52.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $2.7 million, or 5.4%, compared to provision for income taxes of $50.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase was primarily due to an increase in our effective tax rate. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, our effective tax rate was 39.7%, compared to 32.2% for full year 2016. The increase was due primarily to changes in the mix of projected taxable income between tax jurisdictions caused in large part by gains on sales of subsidiaries and to an increase in the estimated blended rate for U.S. state taxes which was caused by changes in the mix of earnings, dispositions of subsidiaries, and other factors. This was partially offset by a decrease in income before income taxes of $23.3 million, or 14.9%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compareddue to the nine months ended September 30, 2016.state apportionment.


Supplemental Performance Data
Finance Receivables Portfolio Performancereceivables portfolio performance
The following tables show certain data related to our finance receivables portfolio.portfolios. Certain adjustments, as noted in the footnotes to these tables, have been made to reduce the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on ERC and purchase price multiples.
These tables disclose our Americas and European Core and Insolvency portfolios. The accounts represented in the Insolvencyinsolvency tables are those portfolios of accounts that were in an insolvency status at the time of purchase. This contrasts with accounts in our Core portfolios that file for bankruptcy/insolvency protection after we purchase them, which continue to be tracked in their corresponding Core portfolio. Core customers sometimes file for bankruptcy/insolvency protection subsequent to our purchase of the related Core portfolio. When this occurs, we adjust our collection practices accordingly to comply with bankruptcy/insolvency rules and procedures; however, for accounting purposes, these accounts remain in the relatedoriginal Core portfolio. Conversely,pool. Insolvency accounts may be dismissed voluntarily or involuntarily subsequent to our purchase of the related 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 relatedoriginal Insolvency pool.
Purchase price multiples can vary over time due to a variety of factors, including pricing competition, supply levels, age of the receivables purchased, 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, pricing disruptionsadditional supply occurred as a result of the economic downturn. This created unique and advantageous purchasing opportunities, particularly within the Insolvency market, relative to the prior four years. Purchase price multiples can also vary among types of finance receivables. For example, we generally incur lower collection costs on our Insolvency portfolio compared with our Core portfolio. This allows us, in general, to pay more for an Insolvency portfolio and experience lower purchase price multiples, while generating similar net income margins when compared with a Core portfolio.
When competition increases and/or supply decreases, pricing often becomes negatively impacted relative to expected collections, and yields tend to trend lower. The opposite tends to occur when competition decreases and/or supply increases.
Within a given portfolio type, to the extent that lower purchase price multiples are the result of more competitive pricing and lower net yields, this will generally lead to higher amortization rates and lower profitability. As portfolio pricing becomes more favorable on a relative basis, our profitability will tend to increase. Profitability within given Core portfolio types may also be impacted by the age and quality of the receivables, which impact the cost to collect those accounts. Fresher accounts, for example, typically carry lower associated collection expenses, while older accounts and lower balance accounts typically carry higher costs and, as a result, require higher purchase price multiples to achieve the same net profitability as fresher accounts.
Revenue recognition under Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationASC Topic 310-30, "Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality" ("ASC 310-30") is driven by estimates of totalthe amount and timing of collections as well as the timing of those collections. We record new portfolio purchases based on our best estimate of the cash flows expected at acquisition, which reflects the uncertainties inherent in the purchase of nonperforming loans and the results of our underwriting process. Subsequent to the initial booking, as we gain collection experience and confidence with a pool of accounts, we regularly update ERC. As a result, our estimate of total collections has often increased as pools have aged. These processes have tended to cause the ratio of ERC to purchase price for any given year of buying to gradually increase over time. Thus, all factors being equal in terms of pricing, one would typically tend to see a higher collection to purchase price ratio from a pool of accounts that was six years from purchase than a pool that was just two years from purchase.
We hold a beneficial interest in certain pools of finance receivables in Europe. Revenue is recognized 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 pools are included in the following tables 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.
We hold a majority interest in a closed-end Polish investment fund that purchases and services finance receivables. Our investment in this fund iswas previously classified in our consolidated balance sheetsConsolidated Balance Sheets as "Investments" and as such is notpreviously excluded from the following tables. Effective July 1, 2018, we assumed servicing responsibilities for approximately 50% of the portfolios held by the Polish investment fund which led to an accounting reconsideration event and the consolidation of this investment. The finance receivables recorded at the consolidation date and the related portfolio performance information are included in the following tables. The equivalentSupplemental Performance Data section in the Europe-Core 2018 line unless otherwise indicated. On March 29, 2019, we signed an agreement making PRA Group the servicer of the estimated remaining collectionseffectively 100% of the portfolios expected to be receivedheld by us, was $61.3 million at September 30, 2017.

the Polish investment fund effective April 1, 2019.


Purchase Price Multiples
as of September 30, 2017
Amounts in thousands
Purchase Price Multiples
as of March 31, 2019
Amounts in thousands
Purchase Price Multiples
as of March 31, 2019
Amounts in thousands
Purchase Period
Purchase Price (1)(3)
Net Finance Receivables (4)
ERC-Historical Period Exchange Rates (5)
Total Estimated Collections (6)
ERC-Current Period Exchange Rates (7)
Current Estimated Purchase Price Multiple
Original Estimated Purchase Price Multiple (2)
Purchase Price (1)(2)
Net Finance Receivables (3)
ERC-Historical Period Exchange Rates (4)
Total Estimated Collections (5)
ERC-Current Period Exchange Rates (6)
Current Estimated Purchase Price Multiple
Original Estimated Purchase Price Multiple (7)
Americas-Core    
1996-2006$458,635
$2,948
$16,991
$1,605,551
$16,991
350%246%
2007179,826
4,862
20,426
442,487
20,426
246%227%
2008166,444
5,088
16,869
374,936
16,869
225%220%
1996-2008$804,882
$8,460
$32,757
$2,424,133
$32,757
301%236%
2009125,156
1,089
35,328
461,678
35,328
369%252%125,153
642
20,893
459,594
20,893
367%252%
2010148,210
4,720
55,421
539,054
55,421
364%247%148,199
4,239
34,123
534,384
34,123
361%247%
2011209,654
14,337
77,717
723,855
77,717
345%245%209,606
9,231
57,522
736,144
57,522
351%245%
2012254,447
28,508
112,688
678,461
112,688
267%226%254,118
18,385
74,305
681,435
74,305
268%226%
2013391,612
82,257
244,721
971,832
244,721
248%211%390,979
44,602
129,076
939,654
129,076
240%211%
2014405,910
133,709
366,519
980,208
363,541
241%204%405,398
73,574
193,729
931,183
190,424
230%204%
2015445,198
209,558
460,239
951,890
463,015
214%205%443,992
122,428
288,967
970,072
288,804
218%205%
2016456,426
309,426
632,022
964,260
639,433
211%201%453,575
176,337
428,963
1,054,922
423,406
233%201%
2017377,203
356,961
668,675
728,881
668,889
193%193%534,185
330,760
657,395
1,119,849
653,959
210%193%
2018656,699
588,009
1,108,027
1,323,983
1,105,245
202%202%
2019169,526
166,465
335,384
345,455
335,384
204%204%
Subtotal3,618,721
1,153,463
2,707,616
9,423,093
2,715,039
 4,596,312
1,543,132
3,361,141
11,520,808
3,345,898
 
Americas-InsolvencyAmericas-Insolvency  Americas-Insolvency  
1996-200654,396

404
91,147
404
168%145%
200778,524
79
305
106,067
305
135%150%
2008108,578
469
979
168,971
979
156%163%
2004-2008241,465

582
365,645
582
151%155%
2009155,996

3,604
471,952
3,604
303%214%155,988

1,084
470,628
1,084
302%214%
2010208,963

5,017
548,234
5,017
262%184%208,942

1,915
547,132
1,915
262%184%
2011180,479

508
366,720
508
203%155%180,433

262
368,873
262
204%155%
2012251,471

4,504
386,491
4,504
154%136%251,418

163
390,297
163
155%136%
2013227,999
13,703
29,349
347,301
29,349
152%133%227,903

4,024
355,004
4,024
156%133%
2014148,769
33,306
49,021
210,471
48,975
141%124%148,710
5,226
12,734
216,687
12,701
146%124%
201563,223
36,365
45,053
81,445
45,053
129%125%63,181
12,929
18,623
84,083
18,623
133%125%
201692,486
57,870
69,697
112,436
70,216
122%123%92,280
26,671
34,798
114,224
34,741
124%123%
2017236,201
215,968
269,794
294,724
269,795
125%125%275,287
139,471
178,661
346,306
178,661
126%125%
201898,102
90,015
112,373
124,694
112,373
127%127%
201948,230
47,935
59,136
60,056
59,136
125%125%
Subtotal1,807,085
357,760
478,235
3,185,959
478,709
 1,991,939
322,247
424,355
3,443,629
424,265
 
Total Americas5,425,806
1,511,223
3,185,851
12,609,052
3,193,748
 6,588,251
1,865,379
3,785,496
14,964,437
3,770,163
 
Europe-Core    
201220,451

2,388
37,126
1,966
182%187%20,423

1,028
39,353
824
193%187%
201320,365
668
1,596
22,933
1,290
113%119%20,346
8
615
24,356
483
120%119%
2014797,808
349,722
1,112,324
2,072,020
1,003,317
260%208%796,860
225,367
873,647
2,177,579
744,656
273%208%
2015423,412
255,365
497,625
720,188
468,229
170%160%420,576
181,626
393,001
742,543
355,328
177%160%
2016348,867
302,569
488,745
587,387
516,385
168%167%348,370
215,547
380,638
582,463
379,792
167%167%
201797,295
94,865
140,656
150,084
147,488
154%154%247,719
181,807
270,435
354,772
264,864
143%144%
2018 (8)
345,892
310,988
465,042
514,378
466,881
149%148%
201993,270
92,656
137,193
138,379
137,193
148%148%
Subtotal1,708,198
1,003,189
2,243,334
3,589,738
2,138,675
 2,293,456
1,207,999
2,521,599
4,573,823
2,350,021
 
Europe-InsolvencyEurope-Insolvency  Europe-Insolvency  
201410,876
2,529
6,608
18,393
6,223
169%129%10,876
692
2,064
18,029
1,841
166%129%
201519,418
8,994
16,654
28,872
15,044
149%139%19,393
4,621
9,165
29,219
8,027
151%139%
201642,222
30,030
41,601
57,791
42,764
137%130%42,190
17,448
26,534
61,144
26,416
145%130%
201721,402
21,866
26,793
27,142
27,643
127%127%38,787
30,359
39,064
50,550
38,307
130%128%
201845,633
43,606
53,453
56,077
53,283
123%123%
20197,125
7,125
9,360
9,393
9,360
132%132%
Subtotal93,918
63,419
91,656
132,198
91,674
 164,004
103,851
139,640
224,412
137,234
 
Total Europe1,802,116
1,066,608
2,334,990
3,721,936
2,230,349
 2,457,460
1,311,850
2,661,239
4,798,235
2,487,255
 
Total PRA Group$7,227,922
$2,577,831
$5,520,841
$16,330,988
$5,424,097
 $9,045,711
$3,177,229
$6,446,735
$19,762,672
$6,257,418
 
(1)The amount reflected in the Purchase Price also includes the acquisition date finance receivables portfolios that were acquired through our various business acquisitions.
(2)The Original Estimated Purchase Price Multiple represents the purchase price multiple at the end of the year of acquisition.
(3)For our international 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.
(4)(3)For our international amounts, Net Finance Receivables are presented at the September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 exchange rate.
(5)(4)For our international amounts, ERC-Historical Period Exchange Rates is presented at the period-end exchange rate for the respective quarter of purchase.
(6)(5)For our international amounts, TEC is presented at the period-end exchange rate for the respective quarter of purchase.
(7)(6)For our international amounts, ERC-Current Period Exchange Rates is presented at the September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 exchange rate.
(7)The Original Purchase Price Multiple represents the purchase price multiple at the end of the year of acquisition.
(8)The Europe-Core purchases include a $34.9 million finance receivables portfolio addition in the third quarter of 2018 relating to the consolidation of a Polish investment fund.


Portfolio Financial Information
Year-to-date as of September 30, 2017
Amounts in thousands
Portfolio Financial Information
Year-to-date as of March 31, 2019
Amounts in thousands
Portfolio Financial Information
Year-to-date as of March 31, 2019
Amounts in thousands
Purchase Period
Purchase Price (1)(3)
Cash
Collections
(2)
Gross Revenue (2)
Amortization (2)
Allowance (2)
Net Revenue (2)
Net Finance Receivables as of September 30, 2017(4)
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 March 31, 2019 (5)
Americas-Core  
1996-2006$458,635
$6,116
$4,608
$1,508
$
$4,608
$2,948
2007179,826
4,539
2,997
1,542
330
2,667
4,862
2008166,444
4,757
2,647
2,110
145
2,502
5,088
1996-2008$804,882
$3,551
$2,353
$1,198
$(550)$2,903
$8,460
2009125,156
8,724
7,000
1,724
200
6,800
1,089
125,153
1,900
1,789
111
(100)1,889
642
2010148,210
12,546
8,813
3,733

8,813
4,720
148,199
2,448
2,204
244
160
2,044
4,239
2011209,654
25,782
20,386
5,396
285
20,101
14,337
209,606
4,653
4,025
628
575
3,450
9,231
2012254,447
31,838
20,292
11,546

20,292
28,508
254,118
5,355
3,821
1,534
(300)4,121
18,385
2013391,612
62,833
43,993
18,840
1,605
42,388
82,257
390,979
10,972
7,576
3,396
2,505
5,071
44,602
2014405,910
90,971
61,881
29,090
1,114
60,767
133,709
405,398
16,884
10,884
6,000
1,533
9,351
73,574
2015445,198
148,469
73,109
75,360
814
72,295
209,558
443,992
25,966
14,919
11,047
494
14,425
122,428
2016456,426
199,942
107,138
92,804
288
106,850
309,426
453,575
41,916
23,291
18,625
505
22,786
176,337
2017377,203
60,165
39,831
20,334

39,831
356,961
534,185
74,211
33,808
40,403

33,808
330,760
2018656,699
92,768
52,025
40,743

52,025
588,009
2019169,526
10,099
7,023
3,076

7,023
166,465
Subtotal3,618,721
656,682
392,695
263,987
4,781
387,914
1,153,463
4,596,312
290,723
163,718
127,005
4,822
158,896
1,543,132
Americas-InsolvencyAmericas-Insolvency Americas-Insolvency 
1996-200654,396
113
113


113

200778,524
148
77
71

77
79
2008108,578
251
105
146
100
5
469
2004-2008241,465
68
68


68

2009155,996
1,284
1,284


1,284

155,988
151
151


151

2010208,963
1,966
1,913
53
20
1,893

208,942
189
189


189

2011180,479
3,135
3,135


3,135

180,433
224
224


224

2012251,471
26,053
16,825
9,228

16,825

251,418
579
579


579

2013227,999
37,763
10,210
27,553

10,210
13,703
227,903
1,061
1,061


1,061

2014148,769
28,976
7,818
21,158
(12)7,830
33,306
148,710
5,313
3,051
2,262

3,051
5,226
201563,223
15,106
3,141
11,965

3,141
36,365
63,181
4,261
959
3,302

959
12,929
201692,486
23,686
4,679
19,007
1,030
3,649
57,870
92,280
4,987
1,052
3,935

1,052
26,671
2017236,201
24,931
4,697
20,234

4,697
215,968
275,287
21,239
5,108
16,131

5,108
139,471
201898,102
5,622
1,727
3,895

1,727
90,015
201948,230
919
625
294

625
47,935
Subtotal1,807,085
163,412
53,997
109,415
1,138
52,859
357,760
1,991,939
44,613
14,794
29,819

14,794
322,247
Total Americas5,425,806
820,094
446,692
373,402
5,919
440,773
1,511,223
6,588,251
335,336
178,512
156,824
4,822
173,690
1,865,379
Europe-Core  
201220,451
1,501
1,501


1,501

20,423
402
402


402

201320,365
911
627
284
62
565
668
20,346
271
178
93

178
8
2014797,808
165,299
91,086
74,213
1,070
90,016
349,722
796,860
45,432
30,356
15,076
(250)30,606
225,367
2015423,412
64,096
24,264
39,832
1,387
22,877
255,365
420,576
17,889
7,932
9,957
(333)8,265
181,626
2016348,867
58,373
20,856
37,517
840
20,016
302,569
348,370
15,303
7,261
8,042
1,392
5,869
215,547
201797,295
9,703
2,877
6,826

2,877
94,865
247,719
11,524
4,058
7,466
576
3,482
181,807
2018 (6)
345,892
24,843
6,571
18,272

6,571
310,988
201993,270
1,194
576
618

576
92,656
Subtotal1,708,198
299,883
141,211
158,672
3,359
137,852
1,003,189
2,293,456
116,858
57,334
59,524
1,385
55,949
1,207,999
Europe-InsolvencyEurope-Insolvency Europe-Insolvency 
201410,876
2,464
1,117
1,347

1,117
2,529
10,876
555
268
287

268
692
201519,418
3,875
1,014
2,861
134
880
8,994
19,393
1,104
482
622
(72)554
4,621
201642,222
9,669
1,859
7,810

1,859
30,030
42,190
2,961
1,106
1,855
(40)1,146
17,448
201721,402
354
145
209

145
21,866
38,787
2,359
605
1,754

605
30,359
201845,633
1,964
495
1,469

495
43,606
20197,125
34
34


34
7,125
Subtotal93,918
16,362
4,135
12,227
134
4,001
63,419
164,004
8,977
2,990
5,987
(112)3,102
103,851
Total Europe1,802,116
316,245
145,346
170,899
3,493
141,853
1,066,608
2,457,460
125,835
60,324
65,511
1,273
59,051
1,311,850
Total PRA Group$7,227,922
$1,136,339
$592,038
$544,301
$9,412
$582,626
$2,577,831
$9,045,711
$461,171
$238,836
$222,335
$6,095
$232,741
$3,177,229
(1)
The amount reflected in the Purchase Price also includes the acquisition date finance receivables portfolios that were acquired through our various business acquisitions.
(2)
For our international amounts, Cash Collections are presented using the average exchange rates during the current reporting period.
(3)(2)
For our international 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.
(4)(3)
For our international amounts, amounts are presented using the average exchange rates during the current reporting period.
(4)Net Finance ReceivablesRevenue refers to income recognized on finance receivables, net of allowance charges/(reversals).
(5)For our international amounts, net finance receivables are presented at the September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 exchange rate.
(6)The Europe-Core purchases include a $34.9 million finance receivables portfolio addition in the third quarter of 2018 relating to the consolidation of a Polish investment fund.



The following table, which excludes any proceeds from cash sales of finance receivables, illustrateillustrates historical cash collections, by year, on our portfolios.
Cash Collections by Year, By Year of Purchase (2)
as of September 30, 2017
Amounts in thousands
Cash Collections by Year, By Year of Purchase (1)
as of March 31, 2019
Amounts in thousands
Cash Collections by Year, By Year of Purchase (1)
as of March 31, 2019
Amounts in thousands
 Cash Collections Cash Collections
Purchase Period
Purchase Price (1)(3)
1996-
2006
20072008200920102011201220132014201520162017Total
Purchase Price (2)(3)
1996-
2008
20092010201120122013201420152016201720182019Total
Americas-CoreAmericas-Core Americas-Core 
1996-2006$458,635
$861,003
$195,738
$135,589
$99,674
$77,459
$64,555
$49,820
$35,711
$25,488
$18,293
$11,862
$6,116
$1,581,308
2007179,826

39,412
87,039
69,175
60,230
50,996
39,585
28,244
19,759
14,198
8,883
4,539
422,060
2008166,444


47,253
72,080
62,363
53,654
42,850
31,307
21,027
13,786
8,989
4,757
358,066
1996-2008$804,882
$1,366,034
$240,929
$200,052
$169,205
$132,255
$95,262
$66,274
$46,277
$29,734
$19,458
$15,092
$3,551
$2,384,123
2009125,156



40,703
95,627
84,339
69,385
51,121
35,555
24,896
16,000
8,724
426,350
125,153

40,703
95,627
84,339
69,385
51,121
35,555
24,896
16,000
10,994
8,180
1,900
438,700
2010148,210




47,076
113,554
109,873
82,014
55,946
38,110
24,515
12,546
483,634
148,199


47,076
113,554
109,873
82,014
55,946
38,110
24,515
15,587
11,140
2,448
500,263
2011209,654





61,971
174,461
152,908
108,513
73,793
48,711
25,782
646,139
209,606



61,971
174,461
152,908
108,513
73,793
48,711
31,991
21,622
4,653
678,623
2012254,447






56,901
173,589
146,198
97,267
59,981
31,838
565,774
254,118




56,901
173,589
146,198
97,267
59,981
40,042
27,797
5,355
607,130
2013391,612







101,614
247,849
194,026
120,789
62,833
727,111
390,979





101,614
247,849
194,026
120,789
78,880
56,449
10,972
810,579
2014405,910








92,660
253,448
170,311
90,971
607,390
405,398






92,660
253,448
170,311
114,219
82,244
16,884
729,766
2015445,198









116,951
228,432
148,469
493,852
443,992







116,951
228,432
185,898
126,605
25,966
683,852
2016456,426










138,723
199,942
338,665
453,575








138,723
256,531
194,605
41,916
631,775
2017377,203











60,165
60,165
534,185









107,327
278,733
74,211
460,271
2018656,699










122,712
92,768
215,480
2019169,526











10,099
10,099
Subtotal3,618,721
861,003
235,150
269,881
281,632
342,755
429,069
542,875
656,508
752,995
844,768
837,196
656,682
6,710,514
4,596,312
1,366,034
281,632
342,755
429,069
542,875
656,508
752,995
844,768
837,196
860,927
945,179
290,723
8,150,661
Americas-InsolvencyAmericas-Insolvency Americas-Insolvency 
1996-200654,396
34,138
24,166
14,822
8,212
4,518
2,141
1,023
678
437
302
193
113
90,743
200778,524

2,850
27,972
25,630
22,829
16,093
7,551
1,206
714
500
270
148
105,763
2008108,578


14,024
35,894
37,974
35,690
28,956
11,650
1,884
1,034
635
251
167,992
2004-2008241,465
117,972
69,736
65,321
53,924
37,530
13,534
3,035
1,836
1,098
653
356
68
365,063
2009155,996



16,635
81,780
102,780
107,888
95,725
53,945
5,781
2,531
1,284
468,349
155,988

16,635
81,780
102,780
107,888
95,725
53,945
5,781
2,531
1,581
747
151
469,544
2010208,963




39,486
104,499
125,020
121,717
101,873
43,649
5,008
1,966
543,218
208,942


39,486
104,499
125,020
121,717
101,873
43,649
5,008
2,425
1,352
189
545,218
2011180,479





15,218
66,379
82,752
85,816
76,915
35,996
3,135
366,211
180,433



15,218
66,379
82,752
85,816
76,915
35,996
3,726
1,584
224
368,610
2012251,471






17,388
103,610
94,141
80,079
60,715
26,053
381,986
251,418




17,388
103,610
94,141
80,079
60,715
29,337
4,284
579
390,133
2013227,999







52,528
82,596
81,679
63,386
37,763
317,952
227,903





52,528
82,596
81,679
63,386
47,781
21,948
1,061
350,979
2014148,769








37,045
50,880
44,313
28,976
161,214
148,710






37,045
50,880
44,313
37,350
28,759
5,313
203,660
201563,223









3,395
17,892
15,106
36,393
63,181







3,395
17,892
20,143
19,769
4,261
65,460
201692,486










18,869
23,686
42,555
92,280








18,869
30,426
25,047
4,987
79,329
2017236,201











24,931
24,931
275,287









49,093
97,315
21,239
167,647
201898,102










6,700
5,622
12,322
201948,230











919
919
Subtotal1,807,085
34,138
27,016
56,818
86,371
186,587
276,421
354,205
469,866
458,451
344,214
249,808
163,412
2,707,307
1,991,939
117,972
86,371
186,587
276,421
354,205
469,866
458,451
344,214
249,808
222,515
207,861
44,613
3,018,884
Total Americas5,425,806
895,141
262,166
326,699
368,003
529,342
705,490
897,080
1,126,374
1,211,446
1,188,982
1,087,004
820,094
9,417,821
6,588,251
1,484,006
368,003
529,342
705,490
897,080
1,126,374
1,211,446
1,188,982
1,087,004
1,083,442
1,153,040
335,336
11,169,545
Europe-CoreEurope-Core Europe-Core 
201220,451






11,604
8,995
5,641
3,175
2,198
1,501
33,114
20,423




11,604
8,995
5,641
3,175
2,198
2,038
1,996
402
36,049
201320,365







7,068
8,540
2,347
1,326
911
20,192
20,346





7,068
8,540
2,347
1,326
1,239
1,331
271
22,122
2014797,808








153,180
291,980
246,365
165,299
856,824
796,860






153,180
291,980
246,365
220,765
206,255
45,432
1,163,977
2015423,412









45,760
100,263
64,096
210,119
420,576







45,760
100,263
86,156
80,858
17,889
330,926
2016348,867










40,368
58,373
98,741
348,370








40,368
78,915
72,603
15,303
207,189
201797,295











9,703
9,703
247,719









17,894
56,033
11,524
85,451
2018 (4)
345,892










24,326
24,843
49,169
201993,270











1,194
1,194
Subtotal1,708,198






11,604
16,063
167,361
343,262
390,520
299,883
1,228,693
2,293,456




11,604
16,063
167,361
343,262
390,520
407,007
443,402
116,858
1,896,077
Europe-InsolvencyEurope-Insolvency Europe-Insolvency 
201410,876








5
4,297
3,921
2,464
10,687
10,876






5
4,297
3,921
3,207
2,620
555
14,605
201519,418









2,954
4,366
3,875
11,195
19,393







2,954
4,366
5,013
4,783
1,104
18,220
201642,222










6,175
9,669
15,844
42,190








6,175
12,703
12,856
2,961
34,695
201721,402











354
354
38,787









1,233
7,862
2,359
11,454
201845,633










642
1,964
2,606
20197,125











34
34
Subtotal93,918








5
7,251
14,462
16,362
38,080
164,004






5
7,251
14,462
22,156
28,763
8,977
81,614
Total Europe1,802,116






11,604
16,063
167,366
350,513
404,982
316,245
1,266,773
2,457,460




11,604
16,063
167,366
350,513
404,982
429,163
472,165
125,835
1,977,691
Total PRA Group$7,227,922
$895,141
$262,166
$326,699
$368,003
$529,342
$705,490
$908,684
$1,142,437
$1,378,812
$1,539,495
$1,491,986
$1,136,339
$10,684,594
$9,045,711
$1,484,006
$368,003
$529,342
$705,490
$908,684
$1,142,437
$1,378,812
$1,539,495
$1,491,986
$1,512,605
$1,625,205
$461,171
$13,147,236
(1)
For our international amounts, cash collections are presented using the average exchange rates during the cash collection period.
(2)
The amount reflected in the Purchase Price also includes the acquisition date finance receivables portfolios that were acquired through our various business acquisitions.
(2)
For our international amounts, Cash Collections are presented using the average exchange rates during the cash collection period.
(3)
For our international amounts, Purchase Price is presented at the exchange rate at the end of the quarter in which the portfolio was purchased. In addition, any purchase price adjustments that occur throughout the life of the pool are presented at the period end exchange rate for the respective quarter of purchase.
(4)The Europe-Core purchases include a $34.9 million finance receivables portfolio addition in the third quarter of 2018 relating to the consolidation of a Polish investment fund.


Estimated Remaining Collectionsremaining collections
The following chart shows our total ERC of $6,257.4 million at March 31, 2019 by geographical region at September 30, 2017 (amounts in millions).
chart-9455cbf03275582584da01.jpgchart-9b8d7f181a535e5b8d5a01.jpg
Seasonality

Cash collections in the Americas tend to be higher in the first and second quartersquarter of the year and lowerdue to income tax refunds received by individuals in the thirdU.S., and fourth quarters oftrend lower as the year; cash collections in Europe tend to be higher in the third and fourth quarters of the year.year progresses. Customer payment patterns arein all of the countries in which we operate can be affected by seasonal employment trends, income tax refunds, and holiday spending habits, geographically.and other factors.

Cash collections
The following table displays our quarterly cash collections by geography and portfolio type, for the periods indicated.
Cash Collections by Geography and Type
Amounts in thousands
Cash Collections by Geography and Type
Amounts in thousands
Cash Collections by Geography and Type
Amounts in thousands
2017 2016 20152019 2018 2017
Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2
Americas-Core$212,756
 $217,020
 $226,906
 $193,360
 $210,524
 $213,741
 $219,571
 $195,835
$290,723
 $233,937
 $231,253
 $233,752
 $246,237
 $204,245
 $212,756
 $217,020
Americas-Insolvency60,436
 53,163
 49,813
 52,988
 60,429
 67,745
 68,646
 73,842
44,613
 48,000
 48,518
 56,063
 55,280
 59,103
 60,436
 53,163
Europe-Core102,681
 99,121
 98,081
 97,429
 96,028
 102,972
 94,091
 97,149
116,858
 113,154
 102,780
 109,359
 118,109
 107,124
 102,681
 99,121
Europe-Insolvency5,961
 5,371
 5,030
 4,974
 4,719
 2,744
 2,025
 2,545
8,977
 7,618
 6,731
 7,460
 6,954
 5,794
 5,961
 5,371
Total Cash Collections$381,834
 $374,675
 $379,830
 $348,751
 $371,700
 $387,202
 $384,333
 $369,371
$461,171
 $402,709
 $389,282
 $406,634
 $426,580
 $376,266
 $381,834
 $374,675


The following tablestable provides additional details on the composition of our U.S. Core cash collections for the periods indicated.
Domestic Portfolio Core Cash Collections by Source
Amounts in thousands
U.S. Core Portfolio Cash Collections by Source
Amounts in thousands
U.S. Core Portfolio Cash Collections by Source
Amounts in thousands
2017 2016 20152019 2018 2017    
Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2
Call Center and Other Collections$123,009
 $122,780
 $127,368
 $103,595
 $115,454
 $119,568
 $127,851
 $108,979
$169,753
 $134,543
 $137,325
 $143,527
 $155,448
 $120,349
 $123,009
 $122,780
External Legal Collections35,042
 37,863
 40,267
 35,231
 36,415
 40,369
 43,203
 42,432
57,419
 47,410
 41,935
 40,631
 38,891
 31,960
 35,042
 37,863
Internal Legal Collections31,761
 32,511
 34,937
 31,458
 33,206
 34,505
 39,080
 38,998
37,018
 30,724
 32,064
 32,532
 33,423
 31,154
 31,761
 32,511
Total Domestic Core Cash Collections$189,812
 $193,154
 $202,572
 $170,284
 $185,075
 $194,442
 $210,134
 $190,409
Total US-Core Cash Collections$264,190
 $212,677
 $211,324
 $216,690
 $227,762
 $183,463
 $189,812
 $193,154
Collections Productivity (Domestic Portfolio)productivity (U.S. portfolio)
The following tables display certain collections productivity measures that we track.measures.
Cash Collections per Collector Hour Paid
Domestic Portfolio
Cash Collections per Collector Hour Paid
U.S. Portfolio
Cash Collections per Collector Hour Paid
U.S. Portfolio
Total domestic core cash collections (1)
Total U.S. core cash collections (1)
2017 2016 2015 2014 20132019 2018 2017 2016 2015
First Quarter$254
 $274
 $247
 $223
 $193
$215
 $176
 $254
 $274
 $247
Second Quarter202
 269
 245
 220
 190

 152
 202
 269
 245
Third Quarter191
 281
 250
 217
 191

 163
 191
 281
 250
Fourth Quarter
 248
 239
 203
 190

 163
 170
 248
 239
                  
Call center and other cash collections (2)
Call center and other cash collections (2)
2017 2016 2015 2014 20132019 2018 2017 2016 2015
First Quarter$161
 $168
 $143
 $119
 $107
$139
 $121
 $161
 $168
 $143
Second Quarter129
 167
 141
 107
 104

 101
 129
 167
 141
Third Quarter125
 177
 145
 112
 104

 107
 125
 177
 145
Fourth Quarter
 153
 139
 110
 100

 104
 112
 153
 139
(1)
Represents total cash collections less Insolvency cash collections from trustee-administered accounts. This metric includes cash collections from Insolvency accounts administered by the Core call centers as well as cash collections generated by our internal staff of legal collectors. This calculation does not include hours paid to our internal staff of legal collectors or to employees processing the required notifications to trustees on Insolvency accounts.
(2)
Represents total cash collections less internal legal cash collections, external legal cash collections, and Insolvency cash collections from trustee-administered accounts.


Portfolio Purchasingpurchasing
The following graph shows the purchase price of our portfolios by year since 2007.2009. It also includes the acquisition date finance receivable portfolios that were acquired through our various business acquisitions.
chart-e08aeb6096fd5bfdad3a01.jpg
Our ability to profitably purchase and liquidate pools of Insolvency accounts provides diversity to our nonperforming loan purchasing business. Although we generally purchase Insolvency portfolios from many of the same consumer lenders from whom we acquire Core customer portfolios, the volumes and pricing characteristics as well as the competitors are different. Based upon market dynamics, the profitability of portfolios purchased in the Insolvency and Core markets may differ over time. We have found periods when Insolvency accounts were more profitable and other times when Core accounts were more profitable. When pricing becomes more competitive due to reduced portfolios available for purchase or increased demand from competitors entering or increasing their presence in the market, prices tend to go up, driving down the purchase price multiples and lowering the overall expected returns. When pricing relaxes due to market dynamics, purchase price multiples tend to increase, thereby increasing the expected returns.


In order to collect our Core portfolios, we generally need to employ relatively higher amounts of labor and incur additional collection costs to generate each dollar of cash collections as compared with Insolvency portfolios. In order to achieve acceptable levels of net return on investment (after direct expenses), we are generally targeting a higher Total Estimated Collections to purchase price multiple for Core portfolios. On the other hand, Insolvency accounts generate the majority of their cash collections The 2019 totals represent portfolio purchases through the effortsfirst quarter of insolvency courts and trustees. In this process, cash is remitted to our Company with no corresponding cost other than2019 while the cost of filing claims atprior years totals are for the time of purchase, court fees associated with the filing of ownership claim transfers and general administrative costs for monitoring the progress of each account through the insolvency process. As a result, collection costs are much lower for us when liquidating a pool of Insolvency accounts as compared to a pool of Core accounts, but conversely the price we pay for Insolvency accounts is generally higher than Core accounts. We generally target similar net income margins for Insolvency and Core portfolios at any given point in the market cycles. However, because of the lower related collection costs, we can pay more for Insolvency portfolios, which causes the Total Estimated Collections to purchase price multiples of Insolvency pools generally to be lower. In summary, compared to a similar investment in a pool of Core accounts, to the extent both pools had identical targeted net income margins, the Insolvency pool would be expected to generate less revenue, less direct expenses, similar operating income, and a higher operating margin. From time to time, especially in Europe, we purchase Core portfolios which consist of a majority of previously charged-off accounts which are now paying based on established payment plans. These portfolios have some of the same financial dynamics as Insolvency accounts, with lower collection costs and lower purchase price multiples.full year.
We utilize a long-term approach to collecting our receivables. This approach has historically caused us to realize significant cash collections and revenues from purchased portfolios of finance receivables years after they are originally acquired. As a result, we have in the past been able to temporarily reduce our level of current period acquisitions without a material negative current period impact on cash collections and revenue.chart-7fd0ba1e239f57fd994a01.jpg
The following table displays our quarterly portfolio purchases for the periods indicated.
Portfolio Purchases by Geography and Type
Amounts in thousands
Portfolio Purchases by Geography and Type
Amounts in thousands
Portfolio Purchases by Geography and Type
Amounts in thousands
2017 2016 20152019 2018 2017
Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2
Americas-Core$115,572
 $144,871
 $115,166
 $91,800
 $95,452
 $130,529
 $136,057
 $120,554
$169,189
 $172,511
 $170,426
 $182,768
 $131,427
 $160,278
 $115,572
 $144,871
Americas-Insolvency73,497
 100,040
 67,123
 20,929
 16,760
 33,723
 22,952
 20,589
48,243
 52,871
 17,151
 16,651
 13,436
 44,195
 73,497
 100,040
Europe-Core(1)14,695
 42,876
 39,505
 80,129
 34,240
 68,835
 171,038
 79,735
94,283
 231,810
 45,754
 19,403
 18,000
 152,417
 14,695
 42,876
Europe-Insolvency7,146
 7,860
 6,020
 6,943
 14,803
 16,410
 6,731
 4,976
7,134
 33,661
 4,159
 2,577
 5,392
 17,698
 7,146
 7,860
Total Portfolio Purchases$210,910
 $295,647
 $227,814
 $199,801
 $161,255
 $249,497
 $336,778
 $225,854
Total Portfolio Purchasing$318,849
 $490,853
 $237,490
 $221,399
 $168,255
 $374,588
 $210,910
 $295,647
(1)The Europe-Core purchases in the above table and graph exclude a $34.9 million finance receivables portfolio addition in the third quarter of 2018 relating to the consolidation of a Polish investment fund.
Portfolio Purchasespurchases by Stratifications (Domestic Only)stratifications (U.S. only)
The following table categorizes our quarterly domesticU.S. portfolio purchases for the periods indicated into major asset type and delinquency category. Over the past 20 plus years, we have acquired more than 4651 million customer accounts in the U.S. alone.
Domestic Portfolio Purchases by Major Asset Type
Amounts in thousand
U.S. Portfolio Purchases by Major Asset Type
Amounts in thousands
U.S. Portfolio Purchases by Major Asset Type
Amounts in thousands
2017 2016 20152019 2018 2017
Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2
Major Credit Cards$54,892
 $65,177
 $57,615
 $35,306
 $38,858
 $48,471
 $68,072
 $32,734
$43,440
 $65,025
 $78,864
 $100,160
 $84,858
 $87,895
 $54,892
 $65,177
Consumer Finance3,308
 7,354
 7,987
 5,678
 1,309
 1,616
 2,533
 2,616
2,424
 2,619
 2,248
 4,098
 3,558
 2,360
 3,308
 7,354
Private Label Credit Cards78,609
 101,162
 73,473
 56,681
 54,969
 86,331
 62,104
 93,660
84,515
 100,633
 100,517
 82,406
 47,962
 90,332
 78,609
 101,162
Auto Related49,741
 67,701
 30,191
 6,104
 
 831
 411
 7,032
30,358
 31,892
 330
 427
 613
 21,219
 49,741
 67,701
Total$186,550
 $241,394
 $169,266
 $103,769
 $95,136
 $137,249
 $133,120
 $136,042
$160,737
 $200,169
 $181,959
 $187,091
 $136,991
 $201,806
 $186,550
 $241,394


Domestic Portfolio Purchases by Delinquency Category

Amounts in thousand
U.S. Portfolio Purchases by Delinquency Category
Amounts in thousands
U.S. Portfolio Purchases by Delinquency Category
Amounts in thousands
2017 2016 20152019 2018 2017
Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2
Fresh (1)
$67,540
 $73,813
 $43,786
 $30,919
 $30,114
 $42,048
 $37,036
 $37,450
$51,212
 $61,730
 $61,882
 $80,976
 $71,067
 $76,910
 $67,540
 $73,813
Primary (2)
1,623
 4,314
 726
 2,672
 1,568
 29,990
 26,240
 37,994
19,725
 39,690
 37,670
 34,166
 3,290
 23,100
 1,623
 4,314
Secondary (3)
43,366
 52,217
 49,794
 48,005
 51,630
 51,019
 43,841
 36,804
35,857
 45,878
 63,525
 55,299
 49,198
 48,865
 43,366
 52,217
Tertiary (3)
524
 
 1,111
 557
 
 
 1,843
 2,298
4,435
 
 
 
 
 8,736
 524
 
Insolvency73,497
 100,040
 67,123
 20,930
 11,145
 13,702
 22,952
 20,589
48,243
 52,871
 17,151
 16,650
 13,436
 44,195
 73,497
 100,040
Other (4)

 11,010
 6,726
 686
 679
 490
 1,208
 907
1,265
 
 1,731
 
 
 
 
 11,010
Total$186,550
 $241,394
 $169,266
 $103,769
 $95,136
 $137,249
 $133,120
 $136,042
$160,737
 $200,169
 $181,959
 $187,091
 $136,991
 $201,806
 $186,550
 $241,394
(1)Fresh accounts are typically past due 120 to 270 days, charged-off by the credit originator and are either being sold prior to any post-charge-off collection activity or placement with a third-party for the first time.
(2)Primary accounts are typically 360 to 450 days past due and charged-off and have been previously placed with one contingent fee servicer.
(3)Secondary and tertiary accounts are typically more than 660 days past due and charged-off and have been placed with two or three contingent fee servicers.
(4)Other accounts are typically two to three years or more past due and charged-off and have previously been worked by four or more contingent fee servicers.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We manage our liquidity to help provide access to sufficient funding to meet our business needs and financial obligations. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, cash and cash equivalents totaled $113.8$102.1 million. Of the cash and cash equivalent balance as of September 30, 2017, $95.3March 31, 2019, $83.8 million consisted of cash on hand related to foreign operations with indefinitely reinvested earnings. See the "Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries" section below for more information.
At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, we had approximately $2.0$2.6 billion in borrowings outstanding with $1.0 billion$686.3 million of availability under all our credit facilities (subject to the borrowing base and applicable debt covenants). Considering borrowing base restrictions, as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, the amount available to be drawn was $618.8$388.8 million. Of the $1.0 billion$686.3 million of borrowing availability, $566.2$234.5 million was available under our European credit facility and $479.6$451.8 million was available under our North American credit facility. Of the $618.8$388.8 million available considering borrowing base restrictions, $165.4$125.0 million was available under our European credit facility and $453.5$263.8 million was available under our North American credit facility. The primary borrowing base under both credit facilities is ERC of the respective finance receivables portfolios. For more information, see Note 4.6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.
An additional funding source for our Europe operations is interest-bearing deposits generated in Europe.deposits. Per the terms of our European credit facility, we are permitted to obtain interest-bearing deposit funding of up to SEK 1.51.2 billion (approximately $183.9$129.0 million as of September 30, 2017)March 31, 2019). Interest-bearing deposits as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 were $96.4$95.3 million.
We believe we were in compliance with the covenants of our material financing arrangements as of September 30, 2017.
As discussed in Note 11, we sold our government services business in January 2017 for approximately $91.5 million and our vehicle location, skip tracing and collateral recovery business in June 2017 for approximately $4.5 million.March 31, 2019.
We have the ability to slow the purchasing of finance receivables if necessary, with low impact to current year cash collections. For example, thewe invested $1.1 billion in portfolio purchases in 2018. The portfolios purchased in 20162018 generated $204.1$154.4 million of cash collections, representing only 13.7%9.5% of 20162018 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 $762.9$432.5 million in long-term debtterm loans outstanding at September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, $10.0 million is due within one year.
We have in place forward flow commitments for the purchase of nonperforming loans over the next 12 months with a maximum purchase price of $413.6$351.5 million as of September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019. We may also enter into new or renewed flow commitments and close on spot transactions in addition to the aforementioned flow agreements.


For tax purposes,On May 10, 2017, we utilizedreached a settlement with the cost recovery method of accounting through December 31, 2016. The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") examined our 2005 through 2012 tax returns and assertedin regards to its assertion that tax revenue recognition using the cost recovery method did not clearly reflect taxable income and therefore issued Notices of Deficiency to us for tax years ended December 31, 2005 through 2012 (the "Notices").income. In response to the Notices, we filed petitions in the U.S. Tax Court (the "Tax Court") challenging the deficiencies and the Tax Court set the trial to begin on May 15, 2017. On May 10, 2017, we reached a settlementaccordance with the IRS in regards to the Notices. Under the settlement, both parties agreed that no amounts were due for years 2005 through 2012 and the Tax Court entered decisions to that effect on June 22, 2017. Also, under the settlement, we agreed to utilize a newour tax accounting method to recognize net finance receivables revenue changed effective with tax year 2017. Under the new method, a portion of the annual collections will amortizeamortizes principal and the remaining portion will be consideredis taxable income. We will not be required to pay any interest or penalties related to the prior periods. The deferred tax liability related to the difference in timing between the new method and the priorcost recovery method will be incorporated evenly into our tax filings


over four years effective with no associated interest. Based on current tax rates, weyear 2017. We estimate the related tax payments for future years to be approximately $14.5$9.3 million per quarter.
On October 22, 2015, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program to purchase up to $125.0 million of our outstanding shares of common stock. Repurchases depend on prevailing market conditions and other factors. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. During the second quarter of 2017, we repurchased approximately $44.9 million of our outstanding shares of common stock. At September 30, 2017, the maximum remaining purchase price for share repurchases under the program was approximately $0.1 million.
We believe that funds generated from operations and from cash collections on finance receivables, together with existing cash and available borrowings under our revolving credit facilities will be sufficient to finance our operations, planned capital expenditures, forward flow purchase commitments, and additional portfolio purchasing during the next 12 months. Business acquisitions, adverse outcomes in pending litigation or higher than expected levels of portfolio purchasing could require additional financing from other sources.
Cash Flows Analysis
Our operating activities used cash of $10.9 million and provided cash of $118.9$15.0 million and $34.6 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively. Key drivers of the changechanges included cash collections recognized as revenue, income tax payments, changes in accrued expenses and other liabilities, and interest payments.operating expenses. Cash collections recognized as revenue declined $30.6increased $20.2 million, as previously described in the revenues discussion and analysis. Cashanalysis, and cash paid for income taxes increased $55.4 million, and included $23.4 million$15.1 million. In addition, changes in other accounts related to the sale of our government services business. Income tax payments also included $43.8 million related to payment of the deferred tax liability discussed earlier in this section. Accrued expenses decreased $7.2 million and $12.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Decreases in accrued expenses for both periods were due to various factors including litigation settlement payments. Other liabilities decreased $9.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to an increase of $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease in other liabilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, was mainly due to deferred payments for portfolio purchases. The increase in other liabilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was mainly due to the timing of client remittances inoperating activities impacted our fee-based businesses. Interest payments increased $10.7 million due primarily to increased borrowings including the 2023 Notes issued in May 2017, and to increases in interest rates and unused line fees.cash from operations.
Our investing activities used cash of $77.7$112.9 million and $236.3provided cash of $20.3 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively. Cash used in investing activities is primarily driven by acquisitions of nonperforming loans and corporate acquisitions. Cash provided by investing activities is primarily driven by cash collections applied to principal on finance receivables. Cash used in investing activities is primarily driven by acquisitionsreceivables and proceeds from sale of nonperforming loans.subsidiaries. The decreasechange in net cash used in investing activities is primarily due to the sale of subsidiaries during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, which provided us with net proceeds of $93.3 million; a decrease in business acquisitions, which totaled $0.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $67.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016; and an increase in the amounts of acquisitions of finance receivables, which totaled $718.6$264.6 million during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, compared to $697.8$165.9 million during ninethree months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. In addition, we had $57.6 million in corporate acquisitions during the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $0 in the prior year comparable period. This was partially offset by an increase in collections applied to principal on finance receivables which totaled $222.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $208.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018. We were also provided cash of $31.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019 related to the sale of a subsidiary in the fourth quarter of 2018, of which we received 25% of the proceeds on December 20, 2018 and the remaining 75% in the first quarter of 2019.
Our financing activities provided cash of $99.3$105.5 million and $93.1used cash of $70.6 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively. Cash for financing activities is normally provided by draws on our lines of credit.credit and proceeds from debt offerings. Cash used in financing activities is primarily driven by principal payments on our lines of credit and long-term debt. The change in cash provided by financing activities for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 compared to ninethree months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2018 was primarily due to an increase in the ratenet draws on our lines of growth of our borrowings, offset partially by repurchases of our common stock.credit and long-term debt. During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, net proceeds fromdraws on our borrowing activities was $156.1totaled $99.7 million compared to $73.8net repayments of $49.5 million during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016. Repurchases of our common stockMarch 31, 2018. Cash used in financing activities was also impacted by distributions paid to noncontrolling interests. Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests totaled $44.9$6.9 million duringand $12.5 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $0.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Additionally, during the the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 we had aan increase in interest bearing deposits of $10.1$16.1 million, compared to $40.2a decrease of $6.3 million during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018.


We have revised the presentation of our consolidated statements of cash flows for the prior reporting period by reclassifying allowance charges on our finance receivables from investing activities to operating activities during 2018.
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries
We intend to use predominantly all of our accumulated and future undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries to expand operations outside the U.S.; therefore, such undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. Accordingly, no provision for federalincome tax and state incomewithholding tax has been provided thereon. If management's intentions change and eligible undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries are repatriated, we wouldcould be subject to additional U.S. income taxes and withholding taxes payable to various foreign jurisdictions, where applicable.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 foreign earnings. The amount of cash on hand related to foreign operations with indefinitely reinvested earnings was $95.3$83.8 million and $73.6$78.6 million as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, respectively. Refer to the Note 6Note11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report for further information related to our income taxes and undistributed foreign earnings.
Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2017 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
  Payments due by period
Contractual Obligations Total Less than 1 year 1 - 3 years 3 - 5 years More than 5 years
Operating leases $43,807
 $11,305
 $14,179
 $9,243
 $9,080
Revolving credit (1)
 804,782
 40,749
 80,176
 682,530
 1,327
Long-term debt (2)
 1,714,142
 61,660
 409,299
 886,108
 357,075
Purchase commitments (3)
 413,570
 413,570
 
 
 
Employment agreements 11,794
 6,419
 4,250
 1,125
 
Total $2,988,095
 $533,703
 $507,904
 $1,579,006
 $367,482
(1)This amount includes estimated interest and unused line fees due on our revolving credit and assumes that the outstanding balances on the revolving credit remain constant from the September 30, 2017 balances to maturity.
(2)This amount includes scheduled interest and principal payments on our term loans and convertible senior notes.
(3)This amount includes the maximum remaining amount to be purchased under forward flow and other contracts for the purchase of nonperforming loans in the amount of approximately $413.6 million.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").


Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a summary of recent accounting pronouncements and the anticipated effects on our consolidated financial statements see Note 10.13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of our 20162018 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 on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. If these estimates differ significantly from actual results, the impact on our consolidated financial statements may be material.
Management has reviewed these critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of our board of directors.


Revenue Recognitionrecognition - Finance Receivablesfinance receivables
We account for the vast majority of our investment in finance receivables under the guidance of ASC 310-30. Revenue recognition for finance receivables accounted for under ASC 310-30 involves the use of estimates and the exercise of judgment on the part of management. These estimates include projections of the quantity and timing of future cash flows and economic lives of our pools of finance receivables. Significant changes in such estimates could result in increased revenue via yield increases which are recognized prospectively or increased allowance charges resulting from decreased revenue through the incurrence of allowance charges.cash flow estimates which are recognized immediately.
We implement the accounting for income recognized on finance receivables under ASC 310-30 as follows:
We create each accounting pool using our projections of estimated cash flows and expected economic life. We then compute the effective yield that fully amortizes the pool over a reasonable expectation of its economic life based on the current projections of estimated cash flows. As actual cash flow results are recorded, we balance those results to the data contained in our proprietary models to ensure accuracy, then review each pool watching for trends, actual performance versus projections and curve shape (a graphical depiction of the timing of cash flows), regularly re-forecasting. We then re-forecast future cash flows utilizing our statisticalproprietary analytical models. The review process is primarily performed by our finance staff; however, our operational and statistical staff are also involved, providing updated statistical input and cash projections to the finance staff.
Significant judgment is used in evaluating whether overperformance isvariances in actual performance are due to an increasechanges in projected cash flowsthe total amount or an accelerationchanges in the timing of cash flows (a timing difference). If determined to be a significant increase in expected cash flows, we will recognizeflows. Significant changes in either may result in yield increases or allowance charges if necessary for the effect of the increase prospectively first through an adjustment to any previously recognized valuation allowance for that pool and then through an increase in yield. If the overperformance is determined to be due to a timing difference, we will: a) adjust estimated future cash flows downward which effectively extends thepool's amortization period to fall within a reasonable expectation of the pool's economic life; b) adjust future cash flow projections as noted previously coupled with an increase in yield in order for the amortization period to fall within a reasonable expectation of the pool's economic life; or c) take no action at all if the amortization period falls within a reasonable expectation of the pool's expected economic life. To the extent there is underperformance, we will record an allowance if the underperformance is significant and causes us to significantly decrease estimated future cash flows or delay the expected timing of the cash flows, or take no action if the pool's amortization period is reasonable and falls within the currently projectedits economic life.
Valuation of Acquired Intangiblesacquired intangibles and Goodwillgoodwill
In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other" ("ASC 350"), we amortize intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. Goodwill, pursuant to ASC 350, is not amortized but rather evaluated for impairment annually and more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist. Goodwill is reviewed for potential impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment.
Goodwill is evaluated for impairment either under the qualitative assessment option or the two-step test approach depending on facts and circumstances of a reporting unit, including the excess of fair value over carrying amount in the last valuation or changes in business environment. If we qualitatively determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. Otherwise, goodwill is evaluated for impairment using the two-step test, where the carrying amount of a reporting unit is compared to its fair value in Step 1; if the fair value exceeds the carrying amount, Step 2 is unnecessary. If the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, this could indicate potential impairment and Step 2 of the goodwill evaluation process is required to determine if goodwill is impaired and to measure the amount of impairment loss to recognize, if any. When Step 2 is necessary, the fair value of individual assets and liabilities is determined using valuations (which in some cases may be based in part on third-party valuation reports), or other


observable sources of fair value, as appropriate. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the excess is recognized as an impairment loss.
We determine the fair value of a reporting unit by applying the approaches prescribed under the fair value measurement accounting framework: the income approach and the market approach. Depending on the availability of public data and suitable comparables, we may or may not use the market approach or we may emphasize the results from the approach differently. Under the income approach, we estimate the fair value of a reporting unit based on the present value of estimated future cash flows and a residual terminal value. Cash flow projections are based on management's estimates of revenue growth rates, operating margins, necessary working capital, and capital expenditure requirements, taking into consideration industry and market conditions. The discount rate used is based on the weighted-average cost of capital adjusted for the relevant risk associated with business-specific characteristics and the uncertainty related to the reporting unit's ability to execute on the projected cash flows. Under the market approach, we estimate fair value based on prices and other relevant market transactions involving comparable publicly-traded companies with operating and investment characteristics similar to the reporting unit.


Income Taxestaxes
We are subject to the income tax laws of the various jurisdictions in which we operate, including U.S. federal, state, local, and international jurisdictions. These tax laws are complex and are subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and the relevant government taxing authorities. When determining our domestic and foreign income tax expense, we must make judgments about the application of these inherently complex laws.
We follow the guidance of FASB ASC Topic 740 "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740") as it relates to the provision for income taxes and uncertainty in income taxes. Accordingly, we record a tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results of operations. In accordance with ASC 740, the provision for income taxes is computed using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and for operating losses and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. The evaluation of a tax position in accordance with the guidance is a two-step process. The first step is recognition: the enterpriseCompany determines whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the enterpriseCompany should presume that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information. The second step is measurement: a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. We record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
In the event that all or part of the deferred tax assets are determined not to be realizable in the future, a valuation allowance would be established and charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. If we subsequently realize deferred tax assets that were previously determined to be unrealizable, the respective valuation allowance would be reversed, resulting in a positive adjustment to earnings in the period such determination is made. The establishment or release of a valuation allowance does not have an impact on cash, nor does such an allowance preclude the use of loss carry-forwards or other deferred tax assets in future periods. The calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with our expectations could have a material impact on our results of operations and financial position.
Our international operations require the use of material estimates and interpretations of complex tax laws in multiple jurisdictions, and increases the complexity of our accounting for income taxes.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Our activities are subject to various financial risks including market risk, currency and interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow risk. Our financial risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimize potential adverse effects on our financial performance. We may periodically enter into derivative financial instruments, typically interest rate and currency derivatives, to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates on variable-rate debt, fluctuations in currency rates and their impact on earnings and cash flows. We do not utilize derivative financial instruments with a level of complexity or with a risk greater than the exposure to be managed nor do we enter into or hold derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. Derivative instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of non-performance, or credit risk. We do not believe that we currently face a significant risk of loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparties associated with these instruments, as these transactions were executed with a diversified group of major financial institutions with an investment-grade or better credit rating. Our credit risk exposure is managed through the periodic monitoring of our exposures to such counterparties.
Interest Rate Risk
We are subject to interest rate risk from outstanding borrowings on our variable rate credit facilities. As such, our consolidated financial results are subject to fluctuations due to changes in the market rate of interest. We assess this interest rate risk by estimating the increase or decrease in interest expense that would occur due to a change in short-term interest rates. The borrowings on our variable rate credit facilities were approximately $1.4$2.0 billion as of September 30, 2017. AssumingMarch 31, 2019. Based on our current debt structure, assuming a 50 basis point decrease in interest rates, for example, interest expense over the following 12 months would decrease by an estimated $5.3$6.7 million. Assuming a 50 basis point increase in interest rates, interest expense over the following 12 months would increase by an estimated $5.3$6.4 million.
To reduce the exposure to changes in the market rate of interest and to be in compliance with the terms of our European credit facility, we have entered into interest rate swap agreementsderivative contracts for a portion of our borrowings under our floating rate financing arrangements. The termsFurther, effective in the second quarter of 2018, we began to apply hedge accounting to certain of our interest rate derivative contracts.  By applying hedge accounting, changes in market value are reflected as adjustments in Other Comprehensive Income. All derivatives to which we have applied hedge accounting were evaluated and remain highly effective at March 31, 2019. Terms of the interest rate swap agreementsderivative contracts require us to receive a variable interest rate and pay a fixed interest rate. For the majority of our floating rate financing arrangements, we have no interest rate swap agreements in place. The sensitivity calculations above consider the impact of our interest rate swap agreements.derivative contracts.
The fair value of our interest rate swapderivative agreements that are not in a hedge accounting relationship was a net liabilityasset of $0.7$0.4 million at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019. A hypothetical 50 basis point decrease in interest rates would cause a decrease in the estimated fair value of ourthese interest rate swapderivative agreements and the resulting estimated fair value would be a liability of $6.0$1.1 million at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019. Conversely, a hypothetical 50 basis point increase in interest rates would cause an increase in the estimated fair value of ourthese interest rate swapderivative agreements and the resulting estimated fair value would be an asset of $4.1$2.6 million at September 30, 2017.


March 31, 2019.
Currency Exchange Risk
We operate internationally and enter into transactions denominated in various foreign currencies, including the European Union euro, the Great British pound, the Canadian dollar, Norwegian kroner, Swiss franc, Danish kroner, Swedish kroner, Polish zloty, and Brazilian real. Incurrencies. During the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, we generated $63.7$78.3 million of revenues from operations outside the U.S. and used eight11 functional currencies. 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 exchange gains and losses are primarily the result of the re-measurement of account balancestransactions in certain other currencies into an entity's functional currency. Foreign currency gains and losses are included as a component of other income and (expense) in our consolidated income statements. From time to time we may elect to enter into foreign exchange derivative contracts to reduce these variations in our consolidated income statements.
When an entity's functional currency is different than the reporting currency of its parent, foreign currency translation adjustments may occur. Foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a component of other comprehensive income/(loss) in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and as a component of equity in our consolidated balance sheets.
We have taken measures to mitigate the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. We have restructuredorganized 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 investments by currency. We strive to maintainactively monitor the distribution of our European borrowings within defined thresholds based on the currency compositionvalue of our finance receivables portfolios. When those thresholdsby currency. In the event adjustments are exceeded,required to our liability composition by currency we engage inmay, from time to time, execute re-balancing foreign exchange spot transactionscontracts to mitigate our risk.more closely align funding and portfolio investments by currency.


Item 4. 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 principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
For information regarding legal proceedings as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, refer to Note 8.12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our 20162018 Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
101.INSXBRL Instance Document
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkable Document
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkable Document
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkable Document
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
    
 PRA Group, Inc.
 (Registrant)
    
November 8, 2017May 9, 2019By: /s/ Kevin P. Stevenson
   Kevin P. Stevenson
   President and Chief Executive Officer
   (Principal Executive Officer)
    
    
November 8, 2017May 9, 2019By: /s/ Peter M. Graham
   Peter M. Graham
   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

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