UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM10-Q

 

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31,September 30, 2018

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period ended

Commission FileNumber: 001-35477

 

 

Regional Management Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware 57-0847115

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

979 Batesville Road, Suite B

Greer, South Carolina

 29651
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(864)448-7000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of RegulationS-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, anon-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 Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

 

  

Accelerated filer

 

Non-accelerated filer   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  Smaller reporting company 
   Emerging growth company 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

As of April 30,November 7, 2018, the registrant had outstanding 11,748,37811,791,234 shares of Common Stock, $0.10 par value.

 

 

 


     Page No. 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION  

Item 1.

 Financial Statements  
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets Dated
March 31, September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017

   3 
 

Consolidated Statements of Income for the
Three and Nine Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017

   4 
 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the
Three Nine Months Ended March  31,September 30, 2018 and the Year Ended December 31, 2017

   5 
 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
Three Nine Months Ended March  31,September 30, 2018 and 2017

   6 
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   7 

Item 2.

 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   1821 

Item 3.

 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   3141 

Item 4.

 Controls and Procedures   3141 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION  

Item 1.

 Legal Proceedings   3242 

Item 1A.

 Risk Factors   3242 

Item 6.

 Exhibits   3343 

SIGNATURE

   3444 

PART I.FINANCIALI. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Regional Management Corp. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except par value amounts)

 

  March 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
 December 31, 2017 

Assets

     September 30, 2018
(Unaudited)
 December 31, 2017 

Cash

  $3,247  $5,230   $517  $5,230 

Gross finance receivables

   1,056,425  1,066,650    1,175,797  1,066,650 

Unearned finance charges and insurance premiums

   (251,469 (249,187   (287,721 (249,187
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Finance receivables

   804,956  817,463    888,076  817,463 

Allowance for credit losses

   (47,750 (48,910   (55,300 (48,910
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net finance receivables

   757,206  768,553    832,776  768,553 

Restricted cash

   19,064  16,787    29,327  16,787 

Property and equipment

   12,214  12,294    12,540  12,294 

Intangible assets

   10,922  10,607    10,429  10,607 

Other assets

   12,156  16,012    7,690  16,012 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total assets

  $814,809  $829,483   $893,279  $829,483 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

      

Liabilities:

      

Long-term debt

  $550,377  $571,496   $611,593  $571,496 

Unamortized debt issuance costs

   (4,512 (4,950   (7,216 (4,950
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net long-term debt

   545,865  566,546    604,377  566,546 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   15,994  18,565    19,510  18,565 

Deferred tax liability

   3,999  4,961    1,963  4,961 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total liabilities

   565,858  590,072    625,850  590,072 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)

   

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)

   

Stockholders’ equity:

      

Preferred stock ($0.10 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding)

   —     —      —     —   

Common stock ($0.10 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 13,294 shares issued and 11,748 shares outstanding at March 31, 2018 and 13,205 shares issued and 11,659 shares outstanding at December 31, 2017)

   1,329  1,321 

Common stock ($0.10 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 13,336 shares issued and 11,790 shares outstanding at September 30, 2018 and 13,205 shares issued and 11,659 shares outstanding at December 31, 2017)

   1,334  1,321 

Additionalpaid-in-capital

   95,272  94,384    97,814  94,384 

Retained earnings

   177,396  168,752    193,327  168,752 

Treasury stock (1,546 shares at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017)

   (25,046 (25,046

Treasury stock (1,546 shares at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017)

   (25,046 (25,046
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

   248,951  239,411    267,429  239,411 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $814,809  $829,483   $893,279  $829,483 
  

 

  

 

 
  

 

  

 

 

The following table presents the assets and liabilities of our consolidated variable interest entities:

The following table presents the assets and liabilities of our consolidated variable interest entities:

 

   

Assets

      

Cash

  $70  $70   $141  $70 

Finance receivables

   153,747  137,239    288,401  137,239 

Allowance for credit losses

   (7,784 (7,129   (16,087 (7,129

Restricted cash

   12,403  10,734    22,358  10,734 

Other assets

   171  119    123  119 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total assets

  $158,607  $141,033   $294,936  $141,033 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Liabilities

      

Net long-term debt

  $131,716  $116,658   $253,335  $116,658 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   12  53    29  53 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total liabilities

  $131,728  $116,711   $253,364  $116,711 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Regional Management Corp. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2018   2017   2018   2017   2018   2017 

Revenue

            

Interest and fee income

  $66,151   $59,255   $72,128   $63,615   $205,108   $182,657 

Insurance income, net

   3,389    3,805    2,898    3,095    9,169    9,985 

Other income

   3,085    2,760    2,890    2,484    8,680    7,710 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total revenue

   72,625    65,820    77,916    69,194    222,957    200,352 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Expenses

            

Provision for credit losses

   19,515    19,134    23,640    20,152    63,358    57,875 

Personnel

   21,228    18,168    21,376    19,534    61,994    56,089 

Occupancy

   5,618    5,285    5,490    5,480    16,586    16,184 

Marketing

   1,453    1,205    2,132    2,303    5,843    5,287 

Other

   6,293    6,796    6,863    6,523    19,245    19,376 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total general and administrative expenses

   34,592    31,454    35,861    33,840    103,668    96,936 

Interest expense

   7,177    5,213    8,729    6,658    23,821    17,092 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income before income taxes

   11,341    10,019    9,686    8,544    32,110    28,449 

Income taxes

   2,697    2,385    2,237    3,235    7,535    9,371 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net income

  $8,644   $7,634   $7,449   $5,309   $24,575   $19,078 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net income per common share:

            

Basic

  $0.74   $0.66   $0.64   $0.46   $2.11   $1.65 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Diluted

  $0.72   $0.65   $0.61   $0.45   $2.03   $1.62 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

            

Basic

   11,618    11,494    11,672    11,563    11,649    11,537 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Diluted

   12,030    11,715    12,133    11,812    12,101    11,752 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Regional Management Corp. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

  Common Stock             Common Stock Additional Retained   Treasury   
  Shares Amount Additional
Paid-in-Capital
 Retained
Earnings
   Treasury
Stock
 Total   Shares Amount Paid-in-Capital Earnings   Stock Total 

Balance, December 31, 2016

   12,996  $1,300  $92,432  $138,789   $(25,046 $207,475    12,996  $1,300  $92,432  $138,789   $(25,046 $207,475 

Issuance of restricted stock awards

   74  7  (7  —      —     —      74  7  (7  —      —     —   

Exercise of stock options

   289  29  305   —      —    334    289  29  305   —      —    334 

Shares withheld related to net share settlement

   (154 (15 (2,006  —      —    (2,021   (154 (15 (2,006  —      —    (2,021

Share-based compensation

   —     —    3,660   —      —    3,660    —     —    3,660   —      —    3,660 

Net income

   —     —     —    29,963    —    29,963    —     —     —    29,963    —    29,963 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2017

   13,205  $1,321  $94,384  $168,752   $(25,046 $239,411    13,205  $1,321  $94,384  $168,752   $(25,046 $239,411 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Issuance of restricted stock awards

   68  7  (7  —      —     —      100  10  (10  —      —     —   

Exercise of stock options

   60  6   —     —      —    6    88  9   —     —      —    9 

Shares withheld related to net share settlement

   (39 (5 (313  —      —    (318   (57 (6 (510  —      —    (516

Share-based compensation

   —     —    1,208   —      —    1,208    —     —    3,950   —      —    3,950 

Net income

   —     —     —    8,644    —    8,644    —     —     —    24,575    —    24,575 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2018

   13,294  $1,329  $95,272  $177,396   $(25,046 $248,951 

Balance, September 30, 2018 (unaudited)

   13,336  $1,334  $97,814  $193,327   $(25,046 $267,429 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Regional Management Corp. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2018 2017   2018 2017 

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income

  $8,644  $7,634   $24,575  $19,078 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Provision for credit losses

   19,515  19,134    63,358  57,875 

Depreciation and amortization

   2,024  1,603    6,401  5,337 

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

   8  12    50  131 

Share-based compensation

   1,585  822    5,213  3,254 

Fair value adjustment on interest rate caps

   (121 35    (134 85 

Deferred income taxes, net

   (962 (692   (2,998 (5,088

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Decrease in other assets

   3,975  298 

Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses

   (2,874 (20

(Increase) decrease in other assets

   8,456  (641

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses

   (148 3,174 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   31,794  28,826    104,773  83,205 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Net repayments (originations) of finance receivables

   (8,168 3,387 

Net originations of finance receivables

   (127,582 (108,806

Purchases of intangible assets

   (814 (1,049   (1,344 (5,447

Purchases of property and equipment

   (844 (1,545   (3,036 (4,146

Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment

   —    558    —    558 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

   (9,826 1,351 

Net cash used in investing activities

   (131,962 (117,841
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Net payments on senior revolving credit facility

   (35,924 (22,056

Net advances (payments) on senior revolving credit facility

   (99,351 8,168 

Payments on amortizing loan

   (10,765 (6,628   (26,706 (17,245

Net advances on revolving warehouse credit facility

   25,570   —      15,908  55,750 

Net advances on securitization

   150,246   —   

Payments for debt issuance costs

   (58 (195   (4,389 (4,251

Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards

   (497 (1,647   (692 (1,796

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   —    307 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

   (21,674 (30,526

Net cash provided by financing activities

   35,016  40,933 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net change in cash and restricted cash

   294  (349   7,827  6,297 

Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period

   22,017  12,743    22,017  12,743 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Cash and restricted cash at end of period

  $22,311  $12,394   $29,844  $19,040 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information

      

Interest paid

  $6,565  $4,980   $21,577  $14,436 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Income taxes paid

  $—    $—     $641  $12,930 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

The following table reconciles cash and restricted cash from the Consolidated Balance Sheets to the statements above:

 

In thousands  March 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   March 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
  September 30,
2018
   December 31,
2017
   September 30,
2017
   December 31,
2016
 

Cash

  $3,247   $5,230   $3,505   $4,446   $517   $5,230   $5,191   $4,446 

Restricted cash

   19,064    16,787    8,889    8,297    29,327    16,787    13,849    8,297 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total cash and restricted cash

  $22,311   $22,017   $12,394   $12,743   $29,844   $22,017   $19,040   $12,743 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Regional Management Corp. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1. Nature of Business

Regional Management Corp. (the “Company”) was incorporated and began operations in 1987. The Company is engaged in the consumer finance business, offering small loans, large loans, retail loans, and related payment and collateral protection insurance products. The Company previously offered automobile loans but ceased such originations in November 2017. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, the Company operated branches in 341346 locations in the states of Alabama (47(46 branches), Georgia (8 branches), Missouri (1 branch), New Mexico (18 branches), North Carolina (37(36 branches), Oklahoma (28 branches), South Carolina (67 branches), Tennessee (21(23 branches), Texas (98(101 branches), and Virginia (17(18 branches) under the name Regional Finance. The Company consolidated one branchopened four net branches during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018.

The Company’s loan volume and contractual delinquency follow seasonal trends. Demand for the Company’s small and large loans is typically highest during the second, third, and fourth quarters, which the Company believes is largely due to customers borrowing money for vacation,back-to-school, and holiday spending. With the exception of retail loans, loan demand has generally been the lowest during the first quarter, which the Company believes is largely due to the timing of income tax refunds. Delinquencies generally reach their lowest point in the first quarter of the year and rise throughout the remainder of the fiscal year. Consequently, the Company experiences seasonal fluctuations in its operating results and cash needs.

Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of presentation:The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form10-Q adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and, accordingly, do not include all information and note disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The interim financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form10-Q have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), but in the opinion of management, the interim financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in accordance with GAAP. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the SEC.

Significant accounting policies: The following is a description of significant accounting policies used in preparing the financial statements. The accounting and reporting policies of the Company are in accordance with GAAP and conform to general practices within the consumer finance industry.

Business segments: The Company has one reportable segment, which is the consumer finance segment. The other revenue generating activities of the Company, including insurance operations, are performed in the existing branch network in conjunction with or as a complement to the lending operations.

Principles of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company operates through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary in each state. The Company also consolidates variable interest entities (each, a “VIE”) when it is considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE because it has (i) power over the significant activities of the VIE and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that could be significant to the VIE.

Variable interest entities: The Company transfers pools of loans to wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote, special purpose entities (each, an “SPE”) to secure debt for general funding purposes. These entities have the limited purpose of acquiring finance receivables and holding and making payments on the related debts. Assets transferred to each SPE are legally isolated from the Company and its affiliates, as well as the claims of the Company’s and its affiliates’ creditors. Further, the assets of each SPE are owned by such SPE and are not available to satisfy the debts or other obligations of the Company or any of its affiliates. The Company continues to service the finance receivables transferred to the SPEs. The lenders and investors in the debt issued by the SPEs generally only have recourse to the assets of the SPEs and do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company.

The SPEs’ debt arrangements are structured to provide enhancements to the lenders and investors, including in the form of overcollateralization (the principal balance of the collateral exceeds the balance of the debt) and reserve funds (restricted cash held by the SPEs). These enhancements, along with the isolated finance receivables pools, increase the creditworthiness of the SPEs above that of the Company as a whole. This increases the marketability of the Company’s collateral for borrowing purposes, leading to more favorable borrowing terms, improved interest rate risk management, and additional flexibility to grow the business.

The SPEs are considered VIEs under GAAP and are consolidated into the financial statements of their primary beneficiary. The Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary of the SPEs because it has (i) power over the significant activities through its role as servicer of the finance receivables under each debt arrangement and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that could be significant through the Company’s interest in the monthly residual cash flows of the SPEs after each debt is paid.

Consolidation of VIEs results in these transactions being accounted for as secured borrowings; therefore, the pooled receivables and the related debts remain on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company. Each debt is secured solely by the assets of the VIEs and not by any other assets of the Company. The assets of the VIEs are the only source of funds for repayment on each debt, and restricted cash held by the VIEs can only be used to support payments on the debt. The Company recognizes revenue and provision for credit losses on the finance receivables of the VIEs and interest expense on the related secured debt.

Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities for the periods indicated in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to change relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses, the fair value of share-based compensation, the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, contingent liabilities on litigation matters, and the allocation of the purchase price to assets acquired in business combinations.

Reclassifications:Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on previously reported net income or stockholders’ equity.

Recent accounting pronouncements: In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting update on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. The update is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the update specifies the accounting for certain costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer and expands disclosure requirements for revenue recognition. The update applies to all contracts with customers, except leases, insurance contracts, financial instruments, guarantees, and certain nonmonetary exchanges. In August 2015, the FASB issued an additional update on revenue recognition, which deferred the effective date of the update to annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted the new standard effective in 2018. As substantially all of the Company’s revenues are generated from activities that are outside the scope of the new standard, the adoption does not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosure requirements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting update to increase transparency and comparability of accounting for lease transactions. The update requires all leases to be recognized on the balance sheet as lease assets and lease liabilities and requires both quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding key information about leasing arrangements. All of the Company’s leases are currently classified as operating leases, with no lease assets or lease liabilities recorded. The update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. The implementation of the accounting update will create lease assets and lease liabilities and have an impact on the Company’s debt covenants. The Company is working with its lenders to address any issues before implementation and continues to evaluate and quantify the potential impacts of this update on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued an accounting update to change the impairment model for estimating credit losses on financial assets. The current incurred loss impairment model requires the recognition of credit losses when it is probable that a loss has been incurred. The incurred loss model will be replaced by an expected loss model, which requires entities to estimate the lifetime expected credit loss on such instruments and to record an allowance to offset the amortized cost basis of the financial asset. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. The Company believes the implementation of the accounting update will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and is in the process of quantifying the potential impacts.

In August 2016, the FASB issued an accounting update to provide specific guidance on certain cash flow classification issues to reduce diversity in practice. These issues include debt prepayment or extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments after business combinations, beneficial interest in securitization transactions, and proceeds from insurance claims. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption was permitted. The Company adopted the new standard effective in 2018, and implementation of the accounting update had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued an accounting update to address diversity in the classification of restricted cash transfers on the statement of cash flows. The amendment requires that the statements of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption was permitted. The Company adopted the new standard effective in 2018. As a result, the Company no longer reports the changes in restricted cash as an investing activity. Instead, restricted cash is included in the beginning and ending cash balances on the consolidated statements of cash flows.

In August 2018, the FASB issued an accounting update to provide additional guidance on the accounting for costs of implementation activities performed in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The amendments align the capitalization requirements for hosting arrangements that are service contracts with the capitalization principles forinternal-use software. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements.

Note 3. Finance Receivables, Credit Quality Information, and Allowance for Credit Losses

Finance receivables for the periods indicated consisted of the following:

 

In thousands  March 31, 2018   December 31, 2017 

Small loans

  $360,470   $375,772 

Large loans

   363,931    347,218 

Automobile loans

   48,704    61,423 

Retail loans

   31,851    33,050 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance receivables

  $804,956   $817,463 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

In thousands  September 30,
2018
   December 31,
2017
 

Small loans

  $414,441   $375,772 

Large loans

   410,811    347,218 

Automobile loans

   32,322    61,423 

Retail loans

   30,502    33,050 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance receivables

  $888,076   $817,463 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The contractual delinquency of the finance receivable portfolio by product and aging for the periods indicated are as follows:

 

  March 31, 2018   September 30, 2018 
  Small Large Automobile Retail Total   Small Large Automobile Retail Total 
In thousands  $   % $   % $   % $   % $   %   $   % $   % $   % $   % $   % 

Current

  $299,917    83.2 $319,849    87.9 $37,138    76.3 $26,302    82.6 $683,206    84.9  $331,196    80.0 $348,320    84.8 $23,086    71.4 $23,401    76.8 $726,003    81.8

1 to 29 days past due

   30,967    8.6 26,359    7.2 8,434    17.3 3,274    10.3 69,034    8.6   48,664    11.7 39,085    9.5 6,550    20.3 4,709    15.4 99,008    11.1
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Delinquent accounts

                                

30 to 59 days

   7,595    2.1 5,541    1.6 1,127    2.2 595    1.9 14,858    1.8   11,924    2.8 8,451    2.0 1,030    3.2 810    2.6 22,215    2.5

60 to 89 days

   6,360    1.8 4,055    1.1 658    1.4 422    1.3 11,495    1.4   8,622    2.1 5,690    1.4 522    1.6 526    1.7 15,360    1.7

90 to 119 days

   5,426    1.5 3,148    0.8 671    1.4 411    1.2 9,656    1.2   5,767    1.4 3,587    0.9 434    1.4 395    1.4 10,183    1.1

120 to 149 days

   4,700    1.3 2,451    0.7 401    0.8 353    1.1 7,905    1.0   4,499    1.1 3,266    0.8 361    1.1 350    1.1 8,476    1.0

150 to 179 days

   5,505    1.5 2,528    0.7 275    0.6 494    1.6 8,802    1.1   3,769    0.9 2,412    0.6 339    1.0 311    1.0 6,831    0.8
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total delinquency

  $29,586    8.2 $17,723    4.9 $3,132    6.4 $2,275    7.1 $52,716    6.5  $34,581    8.3 $23,406    5.7 $2,686    8.3 $2,392    7.8 $63,065    7.1
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total finance receivables

  $360,470    100.0 $363,931    100.0 $48,704    100.0 $31,851    100.0 $804,956    100.0  $414,441    100.0 $410,811    100.0 $32,322    100.0 $30,502    100.0 $888,076    100.0
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Finance receivables in nonaccrual status

  $15,631    4.3 $8,127    2.2 $1,347    2.8 $1,258    3.9 $26,363    3.3  $17,789    4.3 $12,578    3.1 $1,718    5.3 $1,210    4.0 $33,295    3.7
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 
  December 31, 2017 
  Small Large Automobile Retail Total 

In thousands

  $   % $   % $   % $   % $   % 

Current

  $301,114    80.1 $299,467    86.3 $43,140    70.2 $25,730    77.8 $669,451    81.9

1 to 29 days past due

   39,412    10.5 29,211    8.4 13,387    21.8 4,523    13.7 86,533    10.6
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Delinquent accounts

                

30 to 59 days

   9,738    2.6 5,949    1.6 2,162    3.6 879    2.7 18,728    2.2

60 to 89 days

   8,755    2.3 4,757    1.4 1,046    1.7 739    2.2 15,297    1.9

90 to 119 days

   6,881    1.9 3,286    1.0 701    1.1 471    1.5 11,339    1.4

120 to 149 days

   5,284    1.4 2,537    0.7 636    1.0 408    1.2 8,865    1.1

150 to 179 days

   4,588    1.2 2,011    0.6 351    0.6 300    0.9 7,250    0.9
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total delinquency

  $35,246    9.4 $18,540    5.3 $4,896    8.0 $2,797    8.5 $61,479    7.5
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total finance receivables

  $375,772    100.0 $347,218    100.0 $61,423    100.0 $33,050    100.0 $817,463    100.0
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Finance receivables in nonaccrual status

  $16,753    4.5 $7,834    2.3 $1,688    2.7 $1,179    3.6 $27,454    3.4
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

   December 31, 2017 
   Small  Large  Automobile  Retail  Total 
In thousands  $   %  $   %  $   %  $   %  $   % 

Current

  $301,114    80.1 $299,467    86.3 $43,140    70.2 $25,730    77.8 $669,451    81.9

1 to 29 days past due

   39,412    10.5  29,211    8.4  13,387    21.8  4,523    13.7  86,533    10.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Delinquent accounts

                

30 to 59 days

   9,738    2.6  5,949    1.6  2,162    3.6  879    2.7  18,728    2.2

60 to 89 days

   8,755    2.3  4,757    1.4  1,046    1.7  739    2.2  15,297    1.9

90 to 119 days

   6,881    1.9  3,286    1.0  701    1.1  471    1.5  11,339    1.4

120 to 149 days

   5,284    1.4  2,537    0.7  636    1.0  408    1.2  8,865    1.1

150 to 179 days

   4,588    1.2  2,011    0.6  351    0.6  300    0.9  7,250    0.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total delinquency

  $35,246    9.4 $18,540    5.3 $4,896    8.0 $2,797    8.5 $61,479    7.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total finance receivables

  $375,772    100.0 $347,218    100.0 $61,423    100.0 $33,050    100.0 $817,463    100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance receivables in nonaccrual status

  $19,634    5.2 $9,753    2.8 $2,461    4.0 $1,339    4.1 $33,187    4.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in the allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated are as follows:

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
In thousands  2018   2017   2018   2017   2018   2017 

Balance at beginning of period

  $48,910   $41,250   $48,450   $42,000   $48,910   $41,250 

Provision for credit losses

   19,515    19,134    23,640    20,152    63,358    57,875 

Credit losses

   (22,020   (20,994   (17,861   (16,739   (60,547   (56,736

Recoveries

   1,345    1,610    1,071    1,987    3,579    5,011 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance at end of period

  $47,750   $41,000   $55,300   $47,400   $55,300   $47,400 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

In the third quarter of 2018, three changes occurred that impacted the Company’s estimate of the allowance for credit losses. The changes collectively increased the allowance for credit losses as of September 30, 2018 and the provision for credit losses for the three months ended September 30, 2018, which decreased net income by $0.2 million, or $0.01 diluted earnings per share. The three changes are described in more detail in the paragraphs below.

Certain of the Company’s loan origination fees arenon-refundable, and the unearned portion of thosenon-refundable fees reduces the Company’s recorded investment in the related finance receivables(non-refundable fees are included in “Unearned finance charges” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets). When using unearnednon-refundable fees to estimate an allowance for credit losses, an allowance can be established when the recorded investment in the financial receivables is accreted past the estimated incurred loss amount. Prior to September 30, 2018, the Company properly reduced estimated future net credit losses in its allowance modeling for the reversal of unearnednon-refundable fees and, accordingly, did not reduce the required allowance by the remaining unearnednon-refundable fees on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Effective September 30, 2018, the Company changed its estimated future net credit losses in its allowance modeling to exclude the reversal of unearnednon-refundable fees and, accordingly, reduced the required allowance by the remaining unearnednon-refundable fees on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. This change in estimate had the impact of reducing the allowance for credit losses as of September 30, 2018 and the provision for credit losses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 by $6.6 million, which increased net income by $5.0 million, or $0.41 diluted earnings per share.

In September 2018, the Company updated modeling assumptions used in estimating the specific component of the allowance for credit losses related to impaired finance receivables. The Company obtained additional performance data on finance receivables that had been modified under Company loss mitigation policies. Loss mitigation policies were formalized during 2016, and the impacted finance receivables now have more seasoning and predictable performance data. As a result of this change in estimate, the Company increased the allowance for credit losses as of September 30, 2018 and the provision for credit losses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 by $2.8 million, which decreased net income by $2.1 million, or $0.17 diluted earnings per share.

Apart from the various optional payment and collateral protection insurance products that the Company offers to customers on certain loans, the Company also collects a fee from customers and, in turn, purchasesnon-file insurance for the Company’s benefit in lieu of recording and perfecting the Company’s security interest in personal property collateral.Non-file insurance protects the Company from credit losses where, following an event of default, the Company is unable to take possession of personal property collateral because the Company’s security interest is not perfected (for example, in certain instances where a customer files for bankruptcy). In such circumstances,non-file insurance generally will pay an amount equal to the lesser of the loan balance or the collateral value. Thenon-file insurance product has been operating at a loss, and the Company is implementing a policy change that will reduce the amount of claims filed, which will have the impact of increasing future net credit losses and, in turn, increasing the required allowance for credit losses. As a result of the policy change, the Company increased the allowance for credit losses as of September 30, 2018 and the provision for credit losses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 by $4.1 million, which decreased net income by $3.1 million, or $0.25 diluted earnings per share.

Separate from the changes noted above, in September 2018, the Company recorded a $3.9 million increase to the allowance for credit losses related to estimated incremental credit losses on customer accounts impacted by a hurricane in the third quarter of 2018. The incremental hurricane allowance resulted in a decrease to net income of $2.9 million, or $0.24 diluted earnings per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

In September 2017, the Company recorded a $3.0 million increase to the allowance for credit losses related to estimated incremental credit losses on customer accounts impacted by hurricanes.hurricanes in the third quarter of 2017. The incremental hurricane allowance resulted in a decrease to net income of $1.9 million, or $0.16 diluted earnings per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2017. As of March 31,June 30, 2018, the allowance for credit losses no longer required or included $1.8 million of remainingan incremental hurricane allowance.allowance related to the 2017 hurricanes.

The following is a reconciliation of the allowance for credit losses by product for the periods indicated:

 

In thousands  Balance
January 1,
2018
   Provision   Credit Losses Recoveries   Balance
March 31,
2018
   Finance
Receivables
March 31,
2018
   Allowance as
Percentage of
Finance
Receivables
March 31, 2018
   Balance
July 1,

2018
   Provision   Credit
Losses
 Recoveries   Balance
September 30,
2018
   Finance
Receivables
September 30,
2018
   Allowance as
Percentage of
Finance
Receivables
September 30,
2018
 

Small loans

  $24,749   $11,283   $(13,375 $709   $23,366   $360,470    6.5  $23,969   $10,768   $(10,227 $551   $25,061   $414,441    6.0

Large loans

   17,548    6,878    (6,195 358    18,589    363,931    5.1   19,698    11,308    (6,027 328    25,307    410,811    6.2

Automobile loans

   4,025    521    (1,467 237    3,316    48,704    6.8   2,642    631    (870 162    2,565    32,322    7.9

Retail loans

   2,588    833    (983 41    2,479    31,851    7.8   2,141    933    (737 30    2,367    30,502    7.8
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $48,910   $19,515   $(22,020 $1,345   $47,750   $804,956    5.9  $48,450   $23,640   $(17,861 $1,071   $55,300   $888,076    6.2
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
In thousands  Balance
January 1,

2017
   Provision   Credit Losses Recoveries   Balance
March 31,

2017
   Finance
Receivables
March 31,
2017
   Allowance as
Percentage of
Finance
Receivables
March 31, 2017
 

Small loans

  $21,770   $11,164   $(13,202 $843   $20,575   $335,552    6.1

Large loans

   11,460    5,602    (4,629 242    12,675    242,380    5.2

Automobile loans

   5,910    1,739    (2,333 459    5,775    85,869    6.7

Retail loans

   2,110    629    (830 66    1,975    31,203    6.3
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $41,250   $19,134   $(20,994 $1,610   $41,000   $695,004    5.9
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

In thousands  Balance
July 1,

2017
   Provision   Credit
Losses
  Recoveries   Balance
September 30,

2017
   Finance
Receivables
September 30,
2017
   Allowance as
Percentage of
Finance
Receivables
September 30,
2017
 

Small loans

  $20,910   $10,364   $(9,570 $1,255   $22,959   $363,262    6.3

Large loans

   14,000    8,035    (5,068  350    17,317    308,642    5.6

Automobile loans

   5,210    805    (1,511  308    4,812    71,666    6.7

Retail loans

   1,880    948    (590  74    2,312    31,286    7.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $42,000   $20,152   $(16,739 $1,987   $47,400   $774,856    6.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

In thousands  Balance
January 1,
2018
   Provision   Credit
Losses
  Recoveries   Balance
September 30,
2018
   Finance
Receivables
September 30,
2018
   Allowance as
Percentage of
Finance
Receivables
September 30,
2018
 

Small loans

  $24,749   $34,771   $(36,383 $1,924   $25,061   $414,441    6.0

Large loans

   17,548    24,971    (18,225  1,013    25,307    410,811    6.2

Automobile loans

   4,025    1,216    (3,210  534    2,565    32,322    7.9

Retail loans

   2,588    2,400    (2,729  108    2,367    30,502    7.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $48,910   $63,358   $(60,547 $3,579   $55,300   $888,076    6.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

In thousands  Balance
January 1,

2017
   Provision   Credit
Losses
  Recoveries   Balance
September 30,

2017
   Finance
Receivables
September 30,
2017
   Allowance as
Percentage of
Finance
Receivables
September 30,
2017
 

Small loans

  $21,770   $32,608   $(34,313 $2,894   $22,959   $363,262    6.3

Large loans

   11,460    19,762    (14,720  815    17,317    308,642    5.6

Automobile loans

   5,910    3,369    (5,568  1,101    4,812    71,666    6.7

Retail loans

   2,110    2,136    (2,135  201    2,312    31,286    7.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $41,250   $57,875   $(56,736 $5,011   $47,400   $774,856    6.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Impaired finance receivables as a percentage of total finance receivables were 2.5%2.4% and 2.1% as of March 31,September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The following is a summary of finance receivables evaluated for impairment for the periods indicated:

 

  March 31, 2018   September 30, 2018 
In thousands  Small   Large   Automobile   Retail   Total   Small   Large   Automobile   Retail   Total 

Impaired receivables specifically evaluated

  $6,095   $11,987   $1,600   $92   $19,774   $6,840   $13,438   $1,256   $129   $21,663 

Finance receivables evaluated collectively

   354,375    351,944    47,104    31,759    785,182    407,601    397,373    31,066    30,373    866,413 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Finance receivables outstanding

  $360,470   $363,931   $48,704   $31,851   $804,956   $414,441   $410,811   $32,322   $30,502   $888,076 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Impaired receivables in nonaccrual status

  $739   $1,046   $119   $13   $1,917   $1,083   $1,824   $251   $53   $3,211 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Amount of the specific reserve for impaired accounts

  $1,434   $2,533   $355   $18   $4,340   $3,102   $4,662   $603   $62   $8,429 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Amount of the general component of the allowance

  $21,932   $16,056   $2,961   $2,461   $43,410   $21,959   $20,645   $1,962   $2,305   $46,871 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  December 31, 2017 
In thousands  Small   Large   Automobile   Retail   Total 

Impaired receivables specifically evaluated

  $5,094   $10,303   $1,724   $109   $17,230 

Finance receivables evaluated collectively

   370,678    336,915    59,699    32,941    800,233 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Finance receivables outstanding

  $375,772   $347,218   $61,423   $33,050   $817,463 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Impaired receivables in nonaccrual status

  $707   $931   $129   $31   $1,798 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Amount of the specific reserve for impaired accounts

  $1,190   $2,183   $373   $20   $3,766 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Amount of the general component of the allowance

  $23,559   $15,365   $3,652   $2,568   $45,144 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

   December 31, 2017 
In thousands  Small   Large   Automobile   Retail   Total 

Impaired receivables specifically evaluated

  $5,094   $10,303   $1,724   $109   $17,230 

Finance receivables evaluated collectively

   370,678    336,915    59,699    32,941    800,233 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance receivables outstanding

  $375,772   $347,218   $61,423   $33,050   $817,463 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Impaired receivables in nonaccrual status

  $719   $1,117   $185   $28   $2,049 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amount of the specific reserve for impaired accounts

  $1,190   $2,183   $373   $20   $3,766 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amount of the general component of the allowance

  $23,559   $15,365   $3,652   $2,568   $45,144 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The average recorded investment in impaired finance receivables and the amount of interest income recognized on impaired loans for the periods indicated are as follows:

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months Ended September 30, 
  2018   2017   2018   2017 (1) 
In thousands  Average
Recorded
Investment
   Interest Income
Recognized
   Average
Recorded
Investment
   Average
Recorded
Investment
   Interest
Income
Recognized
   Average
Recorded
Investment
 

Small loans

  $5,521   $324   $2,997   $6,785   $234   $4,190 

Large loans

   11,142    446    7,034    13,193    340    8,414 

Automobile loans

   1,669    48    2,387    1,315    3    1,896 

Retail loans

   94    7    101    122    1    114 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $18,426   $825   $12,519   $21,415   $578   $14,614 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2018   2017 (1) 
In thousands  Average
Recorded
Investment
   Interest
Income
Recognized
   Average
Recorded
Investment
 

Small loans

  $6,193   $733   $3,629 

Large loans

   12,207    1,094    7,747 

Automobile loans

   1,496    55    2,157 

Retail loans

   108    6    107 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $20,004   $1,888   $13,640 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)

It was not practical to compute the amount of interest income recognized on impaired loans prior to fiscal year 2018.

Note 4. Interest Rate Caps

The Company has purchased interest rate cap contracts with an aggregate notional principal amount of $400.0 million. Each contract contains a strike rate against theone-month LIBOR (2.26% and 1.56% as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively). The interest income recognized on impaired loans prior to fiscal year 2018.rate caps have maturities of March 2019 ($50.0 million with 2.50% strike rate), April 2020 ($100.0 million with 3.25% strike rate), June 2020 ($50.0 million with 2.50% strike rate), and April 2021 ($200.0 million with 3.50% strike rate). When theone-month LIBOR exceeds the strike rate, the counterparty reimburses the Company for the excess over the strike rate. No payment is required by the Company or the counterparty when theone-month LIBOR is below the strike rate. The following is a summary of changes in the rate caps:

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
In thousands  2018   2017   2018   2017 

Balance at beginning of period

  $718   $113   $98   $62 

Purchases

   —      —      481    100 

Fair value adjustment included in interest expense

   (5   (36   134    (85
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period, included in other assets

  $713   $77   $713   $77 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note 4.5. Long-Term Debt

The following is a summary of the Company’s long-term debt as of the periods indicated:

 

  March 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017 
In thousands  Long-Term
Debt
   Unamortized
Debt Issuance
Costs
 Net
Long-Term
Debt
   Long-Term
Debt
   Unamortized
Debt Issuance
Costs
 Net
Long-Term
Debt
   Long-
Term
Debt
   Unamortized
Debt
Issuance
Costs
 Net
Long-
Term
Debt
   Long-
Term
Debt
   Unamortized
Debt
Issuance
Costs
 Net
Long-
Term
Debt
 

Senior revolving credit facility

  $416,126   $(1,977 $414,149   $452,050   $(2,162 $449,888   $352,699   $(1,657 $351,042   $452,050   $(2,162 $449,888 

Amortizing loan

   42,615    (440 42,175    53,380    (547 52,833    26,674    (264 26,410    53,380    (547 52,833 

Revolving warehouse credit facility

   91,636    (2,095 89,541    66,066    (2,241 63,825    81,974    (2,124 79,850    66,066    (2,241 63,825 

RMIT2018-1 securitization

   150,246    (3,171 147,075    —      —     —   
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total

  $550,377   $(4,512 $545,865   $571,496   $(4,950 $566,546   $611,593   $(7,216 $604,377   $571,496   $(4,950 $566,546 
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Unused amount of revolving credit facilities (subject to borrowing base)

  $255,238      $244,884      $328,327      $244,884    
  

 

      

 

      

 

      

 

    

Senior Revolving Credit Facility:In June 2017, the Company amended and restated its senior revolving credit facility to, among other things, increase the availability under the facility from $585 million to $638 million and extend the maturity of the facility from August 2019 to June 2020. The facility has an accordion provision that allows for the expansion of the facility to $700 million. Excluding the receivables held by the Company’s VIEs, the senior revolving credit facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s finance receivables and equity interests of the majority of its subsidiaries. Advances on the senior revolving credit facility are capped at 85% of eligible secured finance receivables, plus 70% of eligible unsecured finance receivables. These advance rates are subject to adjustment at certain credit quality levels (83% of eligible secured finance receivables and 68% of eligible unsecured finance receivables as of September 30, 2018). As of September 30, 2018, the Company had $76.5 million of eligible borrowing capacity under the facility. Borrowings under the facility bear interest, payable monthly, at rates equal to LIBOR of a maturity the Company elects between one and six months, with a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, plus a 3.00% margin, increasing to 3.25% when the availability percentage is below 10%. Theone-month LIBOR rate was 1.88%2.26% and 1.56% at March 31,September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Alternatively, the Company may pay interest at the prime rate, plus a 2.00% margin, increasing to 2.25% when the availability percentage is below 10%. The prime rate was 4.75%5.25% and 4.50% at March 31,September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Company pays an unused line fee of 0.50% per annum, payable monthly, decreasingmonthly. This fee decreases to 0.375% when the average outstanding balance exceeds $413.0 million. Advances on

Variable Interest Entity Debt:As part of its overall funding strategy, the senior revolving credit facility are capped at 85% of eligible securedCompany has transferred certain finance receivables plus 70%to VIEs for asset-backed financing transactions, including securitizations. The following debt arrangements are issued by the Company’s SPEs, which are considered VIEs under GAAP and are consolidated into the financial statements of eligible unsecuredtheir primary beneficiary. The Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary because it has (i) power over the significant activities through its role as servicer of the finance receivables under each debt arrangement and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that could be significant through the Company’s interest in the monthly residual cash flows of the SPEs after each debt is paid.

These long-term debts are supported by the expected cash flows from the underlying collateralized finance receivables. These rates are subject to adjustment at certain credit quality levels (81% of eligible securedCollections on these finance receivables are remitted to restricted cash collection accounts, which totaled $18.4 million and 66%$8.6 million as of eligible unsecuredSeptember 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Cash inflows from the finance receivables as of March 31, 2018). As of March 31, 2018,are distributed to the lenders/investors, the service providers, and/or the residual interest that the Company had $56.3 millionowns in accordance with a monthly contractual priority of eligible borrowing capacitypayments. The SPEs pay a servicing fee to the Company, which is eliminated in consolidation. Distributions from the SPEs to the Company are permitted under the facility.debt arrangements.

At each sale of receivables from the Company’s affiliates to the SPEs, the Company makes certain representations and warranties about the quality and nature of the collateralized receivables. The debt arrangements require the Company to repurchase the receivables in certain circumstances, including circumstances in which the representations and warranties made by the Company concerning the quality and characteristics of the receivables are inaccurate. Assets transferred to each SPE are legally isolated from the Company and its affiliates, as well as the claims of the Company’s and its affiliates’ creditors. Further, the assets of each SPE are owned by such SPE and are not available to satisfy the debts or other obligations of the Company or any of its affiliates.

Amortizing Loan:In JuneNovember 2017, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary,SPE, Regional Management Receivables, LLC (“RMR I”), amended and restated the December 2015 credit agreement that provided for a $75.7 million asset-backed, amortizing loan. The amended and restated credit agreement provided for an additional advance in the amount of $37.8 million and extended the maturity date to December 2024. The debt is secured by finance receivables and other related assets that the Company purchased from its affiliates, which the Company then sold and transferred to RMR I. Advances on this debt were at a rate of 88%. RMR I held $1.3 million in restricted cash reserves as of September 30, 2018 to satisfy provisions of the credit agreement. Borrowings previously bore interest, payable monthly, at a rate of 3.00%. In February 2018, the Company agreed to lower the advance rate to 85% and increase the interest rate to 3.25%. The credit agreement allows the Company to prepay the loan when the outstanding balance falls below 20% of the original loan amount.

Revolving Warehouse Credit Facility: In August 2018, the Company and its wholly-owned SPE, Regional Management Receivables II, LLC (“RMR II”), entered into aamended the June 2017 credit agreement providingthat provided for a $125 million revolving warehouse credit facility to RMR II (expandable to $150 million). RMR II purchases large loan finance receivables, net ofII. The facility has an accordion provision that allows for the related allowance for credit losses, from the Company’s affiliates using the proceedsexpansion of the facility to $150 million. The Company elected to expand the facility to $150 million from May 2018 to August 2018. The amendment extended the date at which the facility converts to an amortizing loan and equity investments from the Company.termination date to February 2020 and February 2021, respectively. The facilitydebt is secured by the finance receivables owned byand other related assets that the Company purchased from its affiliates, which the Company then sold and transferred to RMR II. Advances on the facility are capped at 80% of eligible finance receivables. RMR II held $1.1$1.0 million in a restricted cash reserve accountreserves as of March 31,September 30, 2018 to satisfy provisions of the credit agreement. Through October 1, 2017, borrowingsBorrowings under the facility previously bore interest, payable monthly, at a blended rate equal to three-month LIBOR, plus a margin of 3.50%. EffectiveIn October 2, 2017 and February 5, 2018, the margin decreased to 3.25% and 3.00%, respectively, following the satisfaction of milestones associated with the Company’s conversion to a new loan origination and servicing system. The August 2018 amendment to the credit agreement decreased the margin to 2.20%. The three-month LIBOR was 2.31%2.40% and 1.69% at March 31,September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. RMR II pays an unused commitment fee of between 0.35% and 0.85% per annum, payable monthly, based upon the average daily utilization of the facility. Advances on the facility are capped at 80% of eligible finance receivables.

RMIT2018-1 Securitization:In November 2017,June 2018, the Company, and its wholly-owned subsidiary,SPE, Regional Management Receivables III, LLC (“RMR III”), amended and restatedits indirect wholly-owned SPE, Regional Management Issuance Trust2018-1 (“RMIT2018-1”), completed a private offering and sale of $150 million of asset-backed notes. The transaction consisted of the December 2015 credit agreementissuance of three classes of fixed-rate asset-backed notes by RMIT2018-1. The asset-backed notes are secured by finance receivables and other related assets that provided forRMR III purchased from the Company, which RMR III then sold and transferred to RMIT2018-1. The notes have a $75.7 million asset-backed, amortizing loan to RMR. The amended and restated credit agreement, among other things, provides for an additional loan advancerevolving period ending in the amount of $37.8 million and extends theJune 2020, with a final maturity date to December 2024.in July 2027. The loandebt is secured by the finance receivables owned by RMR. RMRthat RMIT2018-1 purchased from the Company’s affiliates. RMIT2018-1 held $1.3$1.7 million in a restricted cash reserve accountreserves as of March 31,September 30, 2018 to satisfy provisions of the credit agreement. RMR paidtransaction documents. Borrowings under the RMIT2018-1 securitization bear interest, payable monthly, at a weighted average rate of 3.00% per annum on the loan balance. In February 2018,3.93%. Prior to maturity in July 2027, the Company agreed to lowermay redeem the advance ratenotes in full, but not in part, at its option on any note payment date on or after the loan from 88% to 85% and to increase the interest rate from 3.00% to 3.25%. The amended and restated credit agreement allows RMR to prepay the loan when the outstanding balance falls below 20%payment date occurring in July 2020. No payments of principal of the original loan amount.notes will be made during the revolving period.

TheseThe carrying amounts of consolidated VIE assets and liabilities are as follows:

In thousands  September 30,
2018
   December 31,
2017
 

Assets

    

Cash

  $141   $70 

Finance receivables

   288,401    137,239 

Allowance for credit losses

   (16,087   (7,129

Restricted cash

   22,358    10,734 

Other assets

   123    119 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $294,936   $141,033 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Net long-term debt

  $253,335   $116,658 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   29    53 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  $253,364   $116,711 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company’s debt agreements containarrangements are subject to certain restrictive covenants, requiringincluding monthly and annual reporting, to the banks and include maintenance of specified interest coverage and debt ratios, restrictions on distributions, limitations on other indebtedness, maintenance of a minimum allowance for credit losses, and certain other restrictions. At March 31,September 30, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

Both the amortizing loan and warehouse credit facility are supported by the expected cash flows from the underlying collateralized finance receivables. Collections on these accounts are remitted to restricted cash collection accounts, which totaled $10.0 million and $8.6 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Cash inflows from the finance receivables are distributed to the lenders and service providers in accordance with a monthly contractual priority of payments and, as such, the inflows are directed first to servicing fees. RMR and RMR II pay a 4% servicing fee to the Company, which is eliminated in consolidation. Next, all cash inflows are directed to interest, principal, and any adjustments to the reserve accounts and, thereafter, to the residual interest that the Company owns. Distributions from RMR and RMR II to the Company are permitted under the credit agreements.

Both RMR and RMR II are considered VIEs under GAAP and are consolidated into the financial statements of their primary beneficiary. The Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary of RMR and RMR II because it has (i) power over the significant activities of RMR and RMR II through its role as servicer of the finance receivables under each credit agreement and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that could be significant through the Company’s interest in the monthly residual cash flows of RMR and RMR II after each debt is paid.

The carrying amounts of consolidated VIE assets and liabilities are as follows:

In thousands  March 31, 2018   December 31, 2017 

Assets

    

Cash

  $70   $70 

Finance receivables

   153,747    137,239 

Allowance for credit losses

   (7,784   (7,129

Restricted cash

   12,403    10,734 

Other assets

   171    119 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $158,607   $141,033 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Net long-term debt

  $131,716   $116,658 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   12    53 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  $131,728   $116,711 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note 5.6. Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Cash and restricted cash: Cash and restricted cash is recorded at cost, which approximates fair value due to its generally short maturity and highly liquid nature.

Finance receivables: Finance receivables are originated at prevailing market rates. The Company’s finance receivable portfolio turns approximately 1.31.2 times per year. The portfolio turnover is calculated by dividing cash payments, renewals, and net credit losses by the average finance receivables. Management believes that the carrying amount approximates the fair value of its finance receivable portfolio.

Interest rate caps: The fair value of the interest rate caps is the estimated amount the Company would receive to terminate the cap agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and the creditworthiness of the counterparty.

Repossessed assets: Repossessed assets are valued at the lower of the finance receivable balance prior to repossession or the estimated net realizable value of the repossessed asset. The Company estimates net realizable value using the projected cash value upon liquidation, less costs to sell the related collateral.

Long-term debt: The Company’s long-term debt is frequently renewed, amended, or recently originated. As a result, the Company believes that the fair value of long-term debt approximates carrying amounts. The Company also considered its creditworthiness in its determination of fair value.

The carrying amount and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments summarized by level are as follows:

 

  March 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017 
In thousands  Carrying
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value
   Carrying
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value
   Carrying
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value
   Carrying
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value
 

Assets

                

Level 1 inputs

                

Cash

  $3,247   $3,247   $5,230   $5,230   $517   $517   $5,230   $5,230 

Restricted cash

   19,064    19,064    16,787    16,787    29,327    29,327    16,787    16,787 

Level 2 inputs

                

Interest rate caps

   219    219    98    98    713    713    98    98 

Level 3 inputs

                

Net finance receivables

   757,206    757,206    768,553    768,553    832,776    832,776    768,553    768,553 

Repossessed assets

   302    302    431    431    209    209    431    431 

Liabilities

                

Level 3 inputs

                

Long-term debt

   550,377    550,377    571,496    571,496    611,593    611,593    571,496    571,496 

Certain of the Company’s assets carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1 – Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

In determining the appropriate levels, the Company performs an analysis of the assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value. At each reporting period, all assets and liabilities for which the fair value measurement is based on significant unobservable inputs are classified as Level 3.

Note 6.7. Income Taxes

Income tax expense differed from the amount computed by applying the federal income tax rate to total income before income taxes as a result of the following:

 

  Three Months Ended March 31,   Three Months Ended September 30, 
  2018 2017   2018 2017 
In thousands  $   % $   %   $   % $   % 

Federal tax expense at statutory rate

  $2,382    21.0 $3,507    35.0  $2,034    21.0 $2,990    35.0

Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:

              

State tax, net of federal benefit

   379    3.3 246    2.5   306    3.2 297    3.5

Excess tax benefits from share-based awards

   (138   (1.2)%  (1,452   (14.5)%    —     0.0 (37   (0.4)% 

Other

   74    0.7 84    0.8   (103   (1.1)%  (15   (0.2)% 
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 
  $2,697    23.8 $2,385    23.8  $2,237    23.1 $3,235    37.9
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 �� 

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2018  2017 
In thousands  $   %  $   % 

Federal tax expense at statutory rate

  $6,743    21.0 $9,957    35.0

Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:

       

State tax, net of federal benefit

   1,074    3.3  821    2.9

Excess tax benefits from share-based awards

   (308   (1.0)%   (1,525   (5.4)% 

Other

   26    0.2  118    0.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $7,535    23.5 $9,371    32.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was signed into law. The Tax Act made changes to U.S. tax law, including a reduction in the federal corporate tax rate from 35.0% to 21.0%. The 14.0% rate decrease for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 was partially offset by a decrease in excess tax benefits from share-based awards compared to the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017. As a result, the Company’s total effective tax rate remained 23.8%decreased 9.4% for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017.compared to the prior-year period.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company was required to revalue deferred tax assets and liabilities at the enacted rate as a result of the Tax Act. Due to the timing of the enactment and the complexity involved in applying the provisions of the Tax Act, the Company made reasonable estimates of the effects of the Tax Act and recorded provisional amounts in its consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017. As the Company collects and prepares necessary data and interprets the Tax Act and any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service, the SEC, and other standard-setting bodies, it may make adjustments to the provisional amounts. The accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act will be completed in 2018.

Pursuant to the adoption of an accounting standard update issued in March 2016 and effective beginning in fiscal year 2017, the Company recognizes the tax benefits or deficiencies from the exercise or vesting of share-based awards in the income tax line of the consolidated statements of income. These tax benefits and deficiencies were previously recognized within additionalpaid-in-capital on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

Note 7.8. Earnings Per Share

The following schedule reconciles the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods indicated:

 

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
In thousands, except per share amounts  2018   2017   2018   2017   2018   2017 

Numerator:

            

Net income

  $8,644   $7,634   $7,449   $5,309   $24,575   $19,078 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Denominator:

            

Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share

   11,618    11,494    11,672    11,563    11,649    11,537 

Effect of dilutive securities

   412    221    461    249    452    215 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Weighted average shares adjusted for dilutive securities

   12,030    11,715    12,133    11,812    12,101    11,752 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Earnings per share:

            

Basic

  $0.74   $0.66   $0.64   $0.46   $2.11   $1.65 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Diluted

  $0.72   $0.65   $0.61   $0.45   $2.03   $1.62 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Options to purchase 138139 thousand and 231240 thousand shares of common stock were outstanding during the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.

Note 8.9. Share-Based Compensation

The Company previously adopted the 2007 Management Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) and the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”). On April 22, 2015, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”), and on April 27, 2017, the stockholders of the Companyre-approved the 2015 Plan, as amended and restated. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, subject to adjustments as provided in the 2015 Plan, the maximum aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock that could be issued under the 2015 Plan could not exceed the sum of (i) 1.6 million shares plus (ii) any shares (A) remaining available for the grant of awards as of the 2015 Plan effective date (April 22, 2015) under the 2007 Plan or the 2011 Plan, and/or (B) subject to an award granted under the 2007 Plan or the 2011 Plan, which award is forfeited, cancelled, terminated, expires, or lapses without the issuance of shares or pursuant to which such shares are forfeited. As of the effectiveness of the 2015 Plan (April 22, 2015), there were 922 thousand shares available for grant under the 2015 Plan, inclusive of shares previously available for grant under the 2007 Plan and the 2011 Plan that were rolled over to the 2015 Plan. No further grants will be made under the 2007 Plan or the 2011 Plan. However, awards that are outstanding under the 2007 Plan and the 2011 Plan will continue in accordance with their respective terms. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, there were 1.1 million shares available for grant under the 2015 Plan.

For each of the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded share-based compensation expense of $1.6$1.8 million and $0.8$1.2 million, respectively. The Company recorded $5.2 million and $3.3 million in share-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, unrecognized share-based compensation expense to be recognized over future periods approximated $9.8$8.1 million. This amount will be recognized as expense over a weighted-average period of 2.21.9 years. Share-based compensation expenses are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the agreement. All share-based compensation is classified as equity awards except for cash-settled performance units, which are classified as liabilities.

The Company allows for the settlement of share-based awards on a net share basis. With net share settlement, the employee does not surrender any cash or shares upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of stock awards or stock units. Rather, the Company withholds the number of shares with a value equivalent to the option exercise price (for stock options) and the statutory tax withholding (for all share-based awards). Net share settlements have the effect of reducing the number of shares that would have otherwise been issued as a result of exercise or vesting.

Long-term incentive program:The Company issues nonqualified stock options, performance-contingent restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and cash-settled performance units (“CSPUs”) to certain members of senior management under a long-term incentive program. Recurring annual grants are made at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). The annual grants are subject to cliff- and graded-vesting, generally concluding at the end of the third calendar year and subject to continued employment or as otherwise provided in the underlying award agreements. The actual value of the RSUs and CSPUs that may be earned can range from 0% to 150% of target based on the percentile ranking of the Company’s compound annual growth rate of net income and net income per share compared to a public company peer group over a three-year performance period.

In 2016, the Company introduced a key team member incentive program for certain other members of senior management. Recurring annual participation in the program is at the discretion of the Board and executive management. Each participant in the program is eligible to earn a restricted stock award, subject to performance over aone-year period. Payout under the program can range from 0% to 150% of target based on the achievement of five Company performance metrics and individual performance goals (subject to continued employment and certain other terms and conditions of the program). If earned, the restricted stock award is issued following theone-year performance period and vests ratably over a subsequenttwo-year period (subject to continued employment or as otherwise provided in the underlying award agreement).

Inducement and retention program: From time to time, the Company issues share-based awards in conjunction with employment offers to select new employees and retention grants to select existing employees. The Company issues these awards to attract and retain talent and to provide market competitive compensation. The grants have various vesting terms, including fully-vested awards at the grant date, cliff-vesting, and graded-vesting over periods of up to five years (subject to continued employment or as otherwise provided in the underlying award agreements).

Non-employee director compensation program:In 2016, the Company awarded itsnon-employee directors a cash retainer, committee meeting fees, shares of restricted common stock, and nonqualified stock options. The Board revised the compensation program in April 2017 to provide that the value of each director’s equity-based award be allocated solely to restricted stock, rather than split evenly between restricted stock and nonqualified stock options. The restricted stock awards are granted on the fifth business day following the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders and fully vest upon the earlier of the first anniversary of the grant date or the completion of the directors’ annual service to the Company. In 2016, the nonqualified stock option awards were granted on the fifth business day following the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders and were immediately vested on the grant date.

The following are the terms and amounts of the awards issued under the Company’s share-based incentive programs:

Nonqualified stock options: The exercise price of all stock options is equal to the Company’s closing stock price on the date of grant. Stock options are subject to various vesting terms, including graded- and cliff-vesting over periods of up to five years. In addition, stock options vest and become exercisable in full or in part under certain circumstances, including following the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in the option award agreements). Participants who are awarded options must exercise their options within a maximum of ten years of the grant date.

The fair value of option grants is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for option grants during the periods indicated below:

 

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
   Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
  2018 2017   2018 2017 

Expected volatility

   41.63 44.17   41.63 43.95

Expected dividends

   0.00 0.00   0.00 0.00

Expected term (in years)

   5.99  5.97    5.99  5.96 

Risk-free rate

   2.66 2.17   2.66 2.09

Expected volatility is based on the Company’s historical stock price volatility. The expected term is calculated by using the simplified method (average of the vesting and original contractual terms) due to insufficient historical data to estimate the expected term. The risk-free rate is based on the zero coupon U.S. Treasury bond rate over the expected term of the awards.

The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018:

 

In thousands, except per share amounts  Number of
Shares
   Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
   Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
   Number
of
Shares
   Weighted-
Average

Exercise
Price
Per Share
   Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(Years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 

Options outstanding at January 1, 2018

   958   $17.39        958   $17.39     

Granted

   111    28.25        112    28.25     

Exercised

   (60   16.82        (89   16.62     

Forfeited

   —      —          —      —       

Expired

   —      —          —      —       
  

 

   

 

       

 

   

 

     

Options outstanding at March 31, 2018

   1,009   $18.62    7.3   $13,396 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2018

   981   $18.69    6.9   $10,073 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Options exercisable at March 31, 2018

   731   $17.00    6.7   $10,901 

Options exercisable at September 30, 2018

   703   $17.03    6.2   $8,398 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Available for grant at March 31, 2018

   1,144       
  

 

       

The following table provides additional stock option information for the periods indicated:

 

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
In thousands, except per share amounts  2018   2017   2018   2017   2018   2017 

Weighted-average grant date fair value per share

  $12.39   $8.97   $—    $—    $12.39   $8.90 

Intrinsic value of options exercised

  $1,030   $4,725   $—    $143   $1,604   $4,945 

Fair value of stock options that vested

  $199   $302   $—    $—    $199   $559 

Performance-contingent restricted stock units:Compensation expense for RSUs is based on the Company’s closing stock price on the date of grant and the probability that certain financial goals are achieved over the performance period. Compensation cost is estimated based on expected performance and is adjusted at each reporting period.

The following table summarizes RSU activity during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018:

 

In thousands, except per unit amounts  Units   Weighted-Average
Grant Date

Fair Value Per Unit
   Units   Weighted-
Average
Grant Date

Fair Value
Per Unit
 

Non-vested units at January 1, 2018

   201   $17.33    201   $17.33 

Granted

   59    28.25    59    28.25 

Vested

   —      —      —      —   

Forfeited

   (78   14.92    (78   14.92 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Non-vested units at March 31, 2018

   182   $21.89 

Non-vested units at September 30, 2018

   182   $21.89 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

The following table provides additional RSU information for the periods indicated:

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2018   2017 

Weighted-average grant date fair value per unit

  $28.25   $19.99 
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2018   2017   2018   2017 

Weighted-average grant date fair value per unit

  $—    $—    $28.25   $19.99 

Cash-settled performance units: CSPUs will be settled in cash at the end of the performance measurement period and are classified as a liability. The value of CSPUs bears no relationship to the value of the Company’s common stock. Compensation cost is estimated based on expected performance and is adjusted at each reporting period.

The following table summarizes CSPU activity during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018:

 

In thousands, except per unit amounts  Units   Weighted-Average
Grant Date

Fair Value Per Unit
 

Non-vested units at January 1, 2018

   3,484   $1.00

Granted

   1,660    1.00 

Vested

   —      —   

Forfeited

   (1,162   1.00 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-vested units at March 31, 2018

   3,982   $1.00 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

In thousands, except per unit amounts  Units   Weighted-
Average
Grant Date

Fair Value
Per Unit
 

Non-vested units at January 1, 2018

   3,484   $1.00

Granted

   1,660    1.00 

Vested

   —      —   

Forfeited

   (1,162   1.00 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-vested units at September 30, 2018

   3,982   $1.00 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restricted stock awards:The fair value and compensation cost of restricted stock is calculated using the Company’s closing stock price on the date of grant.

The following table summarizes restricted stock activity during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018:

 

In thousands, except per share amounts  Shares   Weighted-Average
Grant Date

Fair Value Per Share
   Shares   Weighted-
Average
Grant Date

Fair Value
Per Share
 

Non-vested shares at January 1, 2018

   53   $19.36    53   $19.36 

Granted

   68    20.56    100    24.95 

Vested

   (3   19.83    (34   21.09 

Forfeited

   —      —      —      —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Non-vested shares at March 31, 2018

   118   $20.04 

Non-vested shares at September 30, 2018

   119   $23.56 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

The following table provides additional restricted stock information:

 

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
In thousands, except per share amounts  2018   2017   2018   2017   2018   2017 

Weighted-average grant date fair value per share

  $20.56  $16.65  $35.56   $—    $24.95   $18.38 

Fair value of restricted stock awards that vested

  $60   $45   $—    $252   $711   $642 

Note 9.10. Commitments and Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company has been named as a defendant in legal actions including arbitrations, class actions, and other litigation arising in connection with its activities. Some of the actual or threatened legal actions include claims for compensatory and punitive damages or claims for indeterminate amounts of damages. While the Company will continue to identify legal actions where the Company believes a material loss to be reasonably possible and reasonably estimable, there can be no assurance that material losses will not be incurred from claims that the Company has not yet been notified of or are not yet determined to be probable, or reasonably possible and reasonable to estimate.

The Company contests liability and the amount of damages, as appropriate, in each pending matter.

Where available information indicates that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the Company can reasonably estimate the amount of that loss, the Company accrues the estimated loss by a charge to net income. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had accrued $0.2 million for these matters. In

However, in many legal actions, however, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable, or even reasonably possible, or to estimate the amount of loss. This is particularly true for actions that are in their early stages of development or where plaintiffs seek indeterminate damages. In addition, even where a loss is reasonably possible or an exposure to loss exists in excess of the liability already accrued, it is not always possible to reasonably estimate the size of the possible loss or range of loss.

For certain legal actions, the Company cannot reasonably estimate such losses, particularly for actions that are in their early stages of development or where plaintiffs seek indeterminate damages. Numerous issues may need to be resolved, including through lengthy discovery and determination of important factual matters, and by addressing novel or unsettled legal questions relevant to the actions in question, before Before a loss, additional loss, range of loss, or range of additional loss can be reasonably estimated for any given action.action, numerous issues may need to be resolved, including through lengthy discovery, following determination of important factual matters, and/or by addressing novel or unsettled legal questions.

For certain other legal actions, the Company can estimate reasonably possible losses, additional losses, ranges of loss, or ranges of additional loss in excess of amounts accrued, but the Company does not believe, based on current knowledge and after consultation with counsel, that such losses will have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements.

While the Company will continue to identify legal actions where it believes a material loss to be reasonably possible and reasonably estimable, there can be no assurance that material losses will not be incurred from claims that the Company has not yet been notified of or are not yet determined to be probable, or reasonably possible and reasonable to estimate.

The Company expenses legal costs as they are incurred.

Note 10. Subsequent Events

In April 2018, as a component of its strategy to manage the interest rate risk associated with future interest payments on variable-rate debt, the Company purchased two interest rate cap contracts for $0.6 million with an aggregate notional principal amount of $300.0 million. The interest rate caps have maturities of April 2020 ($100.0 million) and April 2021 ($200.0 million) with 3.25% and 3.50% strike rates, respectively, against the one-month LIBOR.

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form10-Q. These discussions contain forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and that include, but are not limited to, statements concerning our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, expectations regarding demand and acceptance for our financial products, growth opportunities and trends in the market in which we operate, prospects, and plans and objectives of management. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the plans, intentions, and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the risks set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC,”), including our Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (which was filed with the SEC on February 23, 2018), our Quarterly Report on Form10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 (which was filed with the SEC on May 1, 2018), our Quarterly Report on Form10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 (which was filed with the SEC on August 6, 2018), and this Quarterly Report on Form10-Q. The forward-looking information we have provided in this Quarterly Report on Form10-Q pursuant to the safe harbor established under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 should be evaluated in the context of these factors. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise such statements, except as required by the federal securities laws.

Overview

We are a diversified consumer finance company providing a broad array of loan products primarily to customers with limited access to consumer credit from banks, thrifts, credit card companies, and other traditional lenders. We began operations in 1987 with four branches in South Carolina and have expanded our branch network to 341346 locations in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia as of March 31,September 30, 2018. Most of our loan products are secured, and each is structured on a fixed rate, fixed term basis with fully amortizing equal monthly installment payments, repayableprepayable at any time without penalty. Our loans are sourced through our multiple channel platform, which includes our branches, direct mail campaigns, retailers, digital partners, and our consumer website. We operate an integrated branch model in which nearly all loans, regardless of origination channel, are serviced through our branch network, providing us with frequentin-person contact with our customers, which we believe improves our credit performance and customer loyalty. Our goal is to consistently and soundly grow our finance receivables and manage our loan portfolio risk while providing our customers with attractive andeasy-to-understand loan products that serve their varied financial needs.

Our diversified products include:

 

  

Small Loans (£$2,500) – As of March 31,September 30, 2018, we had 250.4268.9 thousand small installment loans outstanding, representing $360.5$414.4 million in finance receivables. This included 97.697.2 thousand small loan convenience checks, representing $121.3$134.9 million in finance receivables.

 

  

Large Loans (>$2,500) – As of March 31,September 30, 2018, we had 84.894.9 thousand large installment loans outstanding, representing $363.9$410.8 million in finance receivables. This included 1.82.9 thousand large loan convenience checks, representing $5.0$8.6 million in finance receivables.

 

  

Automobile Loans – As of March 31,September 30, 2018, we had 6.04.4 thousand automobile purchase loans outstanding, representing $48.7$32.3 million in finance receivables. This included 3.52.6 thousand indirect automobile loans and 2.51.8 thousand direct automobile loans, representing $31.2$21.4 million and $17.5$11.0 million in finance receivables, respectively.

 

  

Retail Loans – As of March 31,September 30, 2018, we had 22.021.5 thousand retail purchase loans outstanding, representing $31.9$30.5 million in finance receivables.

 

  

OptionalInsurance Products – We offer optional payment and collateral protection insurance to our direct loan customers.

Small and large installment loans are our core loan products and will be the drivers of our future growth. We ceased originating automobile loans in November 2017 to focus on growing our core loan portfolio, though we will continue to own and service our current automobile loans. Our primary sources of revenue are interest and fee income from our loan products, of which interest and fees relating to small and large installment loans are the largest component. In addition to interest and fee income from loans, we derive revenue from optional insurance products purchased by customers of our direct loan products.

Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

Our business is driven by several factors affecting our revenues, costs, and results of operations, including the following:

Quarterly Information and Seasonality.Our loan volume and contractual delinquency follow seasonal trends. Demand for our small and large loans is typically highest during the second, third, and fourth quarters, which we believe is largely due to customers borrowing money for vacation,back-to-school, and holiday spending. With the exception of retail loans, loan demand has generally been the lowest during the first quarter, which we believe is largely due to the timing of income tax refunds. Delinquencies generally reach their lowest point in the first quarter of the year and rise throughout the remainder of the fiscal year. Consequently, we experience seasonal fluctuations in our operating results and cash needs.

Growth in Loan Portfolio. The revenue that we derive from interest and fees is largely driven by the balance of loans that we originate and purchase. Average finance receivables grew 13.2% from $657.4 million in 2016 to $744.2 million in 2017. Average finance receivables grew 14.8%14.9% from $709.3$726.2 million in the first threenine months of 2017 to $814.5$834.0 million in the first threenine months of 2018. We source our loans through our branches, direct mail program, retail partners, digital partners, and our consumer website. Our loans are made almost exclusively in geographic markets served by our network of branches. Increasing the number of loans per branch and the number of branches we operate allows us to increase the number of loans that we are able to service. We opened 5four and five net new branches in the first threenine months of 2018 and 2017, and consolidated one branch during the first three months of 2018.respectively. We believe that we have the opportunity to add as many as 700 additional branches in states where it is currently favorable for us to conduct business, and we have plans to continue to grow our branch network.

Product Mix. We are exposed to different credit risks and charge different interest rates and fees with respect to the various types of loans we offer. Our product mix also varies to some extent by state, and we may further diversify our product mix in the future. The interest rates and fees vary from state to state, depending upon the competitive environment and relevant laws and regulations.

Asset Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses. Our results of operations are highly dependent upon the credit quality of our loan portfolio. The credit quality of our loan portfolio is the result of our ability to enforce sound underwriting standards, maintain diligent servicing of the portfolio, and respond to changing economic conditions as we grow our loan portfolio. The allowance for credit losses calculation uses the current delinquency profile and historical delinquency roll rates as key data points in estimating the allowance. We believe that the primary underlying factors driving the provision for credit losses for each loan type are our underwriting standards, the general economic conditions in the areas in which we conduct business, loan portfolio growth, and the effectiveness of our collection efforts. In addition, the market for repossessed automobiles at auction is another underlying factor that we believe influences the provision for credit losses for automobile purchase loans and, to a lesser extent, large loans. We monitor these factors, and the amount and past due status of delinquencies for all loans one or more days past due, to identify trends that might require us to modify the allowance for credit losses.

Interest Rates. Our costs of funds are affected by changes in interest rates, as the interest rates that we pay on certain of our revolving credit facilities are variable. As a component of our strategy to manage the interest rate risk associated with future interest payments on our variable-rate debt, we have purchased interest rate cap contracts. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, we held four interest rate cap contracts with an aggregate notional principal amount of $250.0 million and 2.50% strike rates against theone-month LIBOR (1.88% as of March 31, 2018).$400.0 million. The interest rate caps have maturities of April 2018 ($150.0 million), March 2019 ($50.0 million)million, 2.50% strike rate), andApril 2020 ($100.0 million, 3.25% strike rate), June 2020 ($50.0 million)million, 2.50% strike rate), and April 2021 ($200.0 million, 3.50% strike rate). As of September 30, 2018, theone-month LIBOR was 2.26%. When theone-month LIBOR exceeds 2.50%,the strike rate, the counterparty reimburses us for the excess over 2.50%.the strike rate. No payment is required by us or the counterparty when theone-month LIBOR is below 2.50%.the strike rate. In addition, the interest rate on a portion of our long-term debt (the amortizing loan)loan and the RMIT2018-1 securitization) is fixed. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, 53.6%94.3% of our long-term debt was at a fixed rate or covered by interest rate cap contracts.

In April 2018, we purchased two additional interest rate cap contracts with an aggregate notional principal amount of $300.0 million. The interest rate caps have maturities of April 2020 ($100.0 million) and April 2021 ($200.0 million), with 3.25% and 3.50% strike rates, respectively, against theone-month LIBOR.

Operating Costs. Our financial results are impacted by the costs of operations and home office functions. Those costs are included in general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statements of income. Our receivable efficiency ratio (annualized sum of general and administrative expenses divided by average finance receivables) was 17.0%16.6% for the first threenine months of 2018, compared to 17.7%17.8% for the same period of 2017. We believe this ratio is generally in line with industry standards for companies of our size, and we expect that it will continue to decline in future years as we continue to grow our loan portfolio and control expense growth.

Components of Results of Operations

Interest and Fee Income.Our interest and fee income consists primarily of interest earned on outstanding loans. Accrual of interest income on finance receivables is suspended when an account becomes 90 days delinquent. If the account is charged off, the accrued interest income is reversed as a reduction of interest and fee income.

Most states allow certain fees in connection with lending activities, such as loan origination fees, acquisition fees, and maintenance fees. Some states allow for higher fees while keeping interest rates lower. Loan fees are additional charges to the customer and generally are included in the annual percentage rate shown in the Truth in Lending disclosure that we make to our customers. The fees may or may not be refundable to the customer in the event of an early payoff, depending on state law. Fees are accrued to income over the life of the loan on the constant yield method.

Insurance Income, Net.Our insurance operations are a material part of our overall business and are integral to our lending activities. Insurance income, net consists primarily of revenue,earned premiums, net of expenses,certain direct costs, from the sale of various optional payment and collateral protection insurance products offered to customers who obtain loans directly from us. We do not sell insurance tonon-borrowers. Direct costs included in insurance income, net are claims paid, claims reserves, ceding fees, and premium taxes paid. We do not allocate to insurance income, net, any other home office or branch administrative costs associated with managing our insurance operations, managing our captive insurance company, marketing and selling insurance products, legal and compliance review, or internal audits. All of these costs, which management estimates will approximate $6.7 million in 2018, are included in general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statement of income.

Our primary insurance products include optional credit life insurance, accident and health insurance, involuntary unemployment insurance, and personal property insurance. The type and terms of our optional insurance products vary from state to state based on applicable laws and regulations. We generally require that customers maintain property insurance on any personal property securing loans, and we offer customers the option of providing proof of such insurance purchased from a third party in lieu of purchasing property insurance from us. We also require proof of insurance on any vehicles securing loans, and in select markets, we offer vehicle single interest insurance on vehicles used as collateral on small and large loans. In addition, before we ceased originating automobile loans in November 2017, we offered a Guaranteed Asset Protection (“GAP”)guaranteed asset protection waiver product, which provides for the forgiveness of any loan balance remaining if the automobile collateral is determined to be a total loss by the primary insurance carrier and insurance proceeds are insufficient to pay off the customer’s loan in full.

Apart from the various optional payment and collateral protection insurance products that we offer to our customers, on certain loans, we also collect a fee from our customers and, in turn, purchasenon-file insurance from an unaffiliated insurance company for our benefit in lieu of recording and perfecting our security interest in personal property collateral.Non-file insurance protects us from credit losses where, following an event of default, we are unable to take possession of personal property collateral because our security interest is not perfected (for example, in certain instances where a customer files for bankruptcy). In such circumstances,non-file insurance generally will pay to us an amount equal to the lesser of the loan balance or the collateral value. InAs previously disclosed, in recent years, as large loans have become a larger percentage of our loan portfolio, the severity ofnon-file claims has increased andnon-file claims expenses have exceedednon-file insurance premiums. The resulting net loss from thenon-file insurance product ishas been reflected in our insurance income, net. We are consideringhave evaluated various ways to lower ournon-file insurance claims, expense, and it is uncertain whether the non-file insurance product will be availablewe have determined to usreduce our utilization ofnon-file insurance in the future, onbeginning in the same terms as it is today. If the unaffiliatedfourth quarter of 2018. This policy change will cause substantially offsetting increases to insurance company were to enforce limitations on our non-file loss ratios, ourincome, net and net credit losses in future quarters. Therefore, we do not expect this change in policy to impact our profitability in future quarters. For additional information regarding this policy change, including its impact on our allowance for credit losses in the third quarter of 2018, see Note 3, “Finance Receivables, Credit Quality Information, and insurance income, net would both increase.Allowance for Credit Losses,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1. “Financial Statements”.

We issue insurance certificates as agents on behalf of an unaffiliated insurance company and then remit to the unaffiliated insurance company the premiums we collect, net of refunds on prepaid loans and net of commission on new business. The unaffiliated insurance company then cedes to our wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, RMC Reinsurance, Ltd., the net insurance premium revenue and the associated insurance claims liability for all insurance products, including thenon-file insurance that we purchase. Life insurance premiums are ceded as written, andnon-life insurance premiums are ceded as earned. In accepting the premium revenue and associated claims liability, RMC Reinsurance acts as reinsurer for all insurance products that we sell to our customers and for thenon-file insurance that we purchase. RMC Reinsurance pays the unaffiliated insurance company a ceding fee for the continued administration of all insurance products.

As reinsurer, we maintain cash reserves for life insurance claims in an amount determined by the unaffiliated insurance company. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, the restricted cash balance for these cash reserves was $6.7$7.0 million. The unaffiliated insurance company maintains the reserves fornon-life claims. Insurance income, net includes all of the above-described insurance premiums, claims, and expenses.

Other Income.Our other income consists primarily of late charges assessed on customers who fail to make a payment within a specified number of days following the due date of the payment. In addition, fees for extending the due date of a loan, returned check charges, and commissions earned from the sale of an auto club product are included in other income.

Provision for Credit Losses.Provisions for credit losses are charged to income in amounts that we estimate as sufficient to maintain an allowance for credit losses at an adequate level to provide for estimated losses on the related finance receivable portfolio. Credit loss experience, delinquency of finance receivables, loan portfolio growth, the value of underlying collateral, and

management’s judgment are factors used in assessing the overall adequacy of the allowance and the resulting provision for credit losses. Our provision for credit losses fluctuates so that we maintain an adequate credit loss allowance that reflects forecasted future credit losses over the estimated loss emergence period (the interval of time between the event which caused a borrower to default and our recording of the credit loss) for each finance receivable type. Changes in our delinquency and net credit loss rates may result in changes to our provision for credit losses. Substantial adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if there are significant changes in economic conditions or loan portfolio performance.

General and Administrative Expenses.Our general and administrative expenses are comprised of four categories: personnel, occupancy, marketing, and other. We measure our general and administrative expenses as a percentage of average finance receivables, which we refer to as our receivable efficiency ratio.

Our personnel expenses are the largest component of our general and administrative expenses and consist primarily of the salaries and wages, overtime, contract labor, relocation costs, bonuses, benefits, and related payroll taxes associated with all of our operations and home office employees.

Our occupancy expenses consist primarily of the cost of renting our facilities, all of which are leased, as well as the utility, depreciation of leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures, telecommunication, data processing, and othernon-personnel costs associated with operating our business.

Our marketing expenses consist primarily of costs associated with our direct mail campaigns (including postage and costs associated with selecting recipients), digital marketing, and maintaining our consumer website, as well as some local marketing by branches. These costs are expensed as incurred.

Other expenses consist primarily of legal, compliance, audit, consulting,non-employee director compensation, amortization of software licenses and implementation costs, electronic payment processing costs, bank service charges, office supplies, and credit bureau charges. We expect legal and compliance costs to remain elevated due to the regulatory environment in the consumer finance industry. For a discussion regarding how risks and uncertainties associated with legal proceedings and the current regulatory environment may impact our future expenses, net income, and overall financial condition, see Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and the filings referenced therein.

Interest Expense.Our interest expense consists primarily of paid and accrued interest for long-term debt, unused line fees, and amortization of debt issuance costs on long-term debt. Interest expense also includes costs attributable to the interest rate caps that we use to manage our interest rate risk. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate caps are reflected in interest expense.

Income Taxes.Income taxes consist of state and federal income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The change in deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the period in which the change occurs, and the effects of future tax rate changes are recognized in the period in which the enactment of new rates occurs.

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes our results of operations, both in dollars and as a percentage of average finance receivables (annualized):

 

  1Q 18 1Q 17   3Q 18 3Q 17 YTD 18 YTD 17 
In thousands  Amount   % of
Average
Receivables
 Amount   % of
Average
Receivables
   Amount   % of
Average
Receivables
 Amount   % of
Average
Receivables
 Amount   % of
Average
Receivables
 Amount   % of
Average
Receivables
 

Revenue

                    

Interest and fee income

  $66,151    32.5 $59,255    33.4  $ 72,128    33.2 $ 63,615    33.8 $ 205,108    32.8 $ 182,657    33.5

Insurance income, net

   3,389    1.7 3,805    2.1   2,898    1.3 3,095    1.6 9,169    1.5 9,985    1.8

Other income

   3,085    1.5 2,760    1.6   2,890    1.4 2,484    1.3 8,680    1.3 7,710    1.5
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total revenue

   72,625    35.7 65,820    37.1   77,916    35.9 69,194    36.7 222,957    35.6 200,352    36.8
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Expenses

                    

Provision for credit losses

   19,515    9.6 19,134    10.8   23,640    10.9 20,152    10.7 63,358    10.1 57,875    10.6

Personnel

   21,228    10.4 18,168    10.2   21,376    9.8 19,534    10.4 61,994    9.9 56,089    10.3

Occupancy

   5,618    2.8 5,285    3.0   5,490    2.5 5,480    2.9 16,586    2.7 16,184    3.0

Marketing

   1,453    0.7 1,205    0.7   2,132    1.0 2,303    1.2 5,843    0.9 5,287    1.0

Other

   6,293    3.1 6,796    3.8   6,863    3.2 6,523    3.5 19,245    3.1 19,376    3.5
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total general and administrative

   34,592    17.0 31,454    17.7   35,861    16.5 33,840    18.0 103,668    16.6 96,936    17.8

Interest expense

   7,177    3.5 5,213    2.9   8,729    4.0 6,658    3.5 23,821    3.8 17,092    3.2
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Income before income taxes

   11,341    5.6 10,019    5.7   9,686    4.5 8,544    4.5 32,110    5.1 28,449    5.2

Income taxes

   2,697    1.4 2,385    1.4   2,237    1.1 3,235    1.7 7,535    1.2 9,371    1.7
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Net income

  $8,644    4.2 $7,634    4.3  $7,449    3.4 $5,309    2.8 $24,575    3.9 $19,078    3.5
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Information explaining the changes in our results of operations fromyear-to-year is provided in the following pages.

The following table summarizes the quarterly trend of our financial results:

 

  Quarterly Trend   Quarterly Trend 
In thousands, except per share amounts  1Q 17   2Q 17   3Q 17   4Q 17   1Q 18   QoQ $
B(W)
 YoY $
B(W)
   3Q 17   4Q 17   1Q 18   2Q 18   3Q 18   QoQ $
B(W)
 YoY $
B(W)
 

Revenue

                          

Interest and fee income

  $59,255   $59,787   $63,615   $66,377   $66,151   $(226 $6,896   $63,615   $66,377   $66,151   $66,829   $72,128   $5,299  $8,513 

Insurance income, net

   3,805    3,085    3,095    3,076    3,389    313  (416   3,095    3,076    3,389    2,882    2,898    16  (197

Other income

   2,760    2,466    2,484    2,654    3,085    431  325    2,484    2,654    3,085    2,705    2,890    185  406 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total revenue

   65,820    65,338    69,194    72,107    72,625    518  6,805    69,194    72,107    72,625    72,416    77,916    5,500  8,722 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Expenses

                          

Provision for credit losses

   19,134    18,589    20,152    19,464    19,515    (51 (381   20,152    19,464    19,515    20,203    23,640    (3,437 (3,488

Personnel

   18,168    18,387    19,534    19,903    21,228    (1,325 (3,060   19,534    19,903    21,228    19,390    21,376    (1,986 (1,842

Occupancy

   5,285    5,419    5,480    5,346    5,618    (272 (333   5,480    5,346    5,618    5,478    5,490    (12 (10

Marketing

   1,205    1,779    2,303    1,841    1,453    388  (248   2,303    1,841    1,453    2,258    2,132    126  171 

Other

   6,796    6,057    6,523    6,929    6,293    636  503    6,523    6,929    6,293    6,089    6,863    (774 (340
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total general and administrative

   31,454    31,642    33,840    34,019    34,592    (573 (3,138   33,840    34,019    34,592    33,215    35,861    (2,646 (2,021

Interest expense

   5,213    5,221    6,658    6,816    7,177    (361 (1,964   6,658    6,816    7,177    7,915    8,729    (814 (2,071
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Income before income taxes

   10,019    9,886    8,544    11,808    11,341    (467 1,322    8,544    11,808    11,341    11,083    9,686    (1,397 1,142 

Income taxes

   2,385    3,751    3,235    923    2,697    (1,774 (312   3,235    923    2,697    2,601    2,237    364  998 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net income

  $7,634   $6,135   $5,309   $10,885   $8,644   $(2,241 $1,010   $5,309   $10,885   $8,644   $8,482   $7,449   $ (1,033 $2,140 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net income per common share:

                          

Basic

  $0.66   $0.53   $0.46   $0.94   $0.74   $(0.20 $0.08   $0.46   $0.94   $0.74   $0.73   $0.64   $(0.09 $0.18 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Diluted

  $0.65   $0.52   $0.45   $0.92   $0.72   $(0.20 $0.07   $0.45   $0.92   $0.72   $0.70   $0.61   $(0.09 $0.16 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

                          

Basic

   11,494    11,554    11,563    11,592    11,618    (26 (124   11,563    11,592    11,618    11,658    11,672    (14 (109
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Diluted

   11,715    11,730    11,812    11,875    12,030    (155 (315   11,812    11,875    12,030    12,138    12,133    5  (321
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net interest margin

  $60,607   $60,117   $62,536   $65,291   $65,448   $157  $4,841   $62,536   $65,291   $65,448   $64,501   $69,187   $4,686  $6,651 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net credit margin

  $41,473   $41,528   $42,384   $45,827   $45,933   $106  $4,460   $42,384   $45,827   $45,933   $44,298   $45,547   $1,249  $3,163 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 
  1Q 17   2Q 17   3Q 17   4Q 17   1Q 18   QoQ $
Inc (Dec)
 YoY $
Inc (Dec)
   3Q 17   4Q 17   1Q 18   2Q 18   3Q 18   QoQ $
Inc (Dec)
 YoY $
Inc (Dec)
 

Total assets

  $690,432   $727,533   $779,850   $829,483   $814,809   $(14,674 $124,377   $ 779,850   $ 829,483   $ 814,809   $ 868,220   $ 893,279   $ 25,059  $ 113,429 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Finance receivables

  $695,004   $726,767   $774,856   $817,463   $804,956   $(12,507 $109,952   $774,856   $817,463   $804,956   $847,238   $888,076   $40,838  $113,220 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Allowance for credit losses

  $41,000   $42,000   $47,400   $48,910   $47,750   $(1,160 $6,750   $47,400   $48,910   $47,750   $48,450   $55,300   $6,850  $7,900 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Long-term debt

  $462,994   $497,049   $538,351   $571,496   $550,377   $(21,119 $87,383   $538,351   $571,496   $550,377   $595,765   $611,593   $15,828  $73,242 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Comparison of March 31,September 30, 2018, Versus March 31,September 30, 2017

The following discussion and table describe the changes in finance receivables by product type:

 

  

Small Loans (£$2,500)– Small loans outstanding increased by $24.9$51.2 million, or 7.4%14.1%, to $360.5$414.4 million at March 31,September 30, 2018, from $335.6$363.3 million at March 31,September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily due to increased marketing.

Large Loans (>$2,500)– Large loans outstanding increased by $102.2 million, or 33.1%, to $410.8 million at September 30, 2018, from $308.6 million at September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily due to increased marketing and receivables growth in branches opened during 2016 and 2017.the transition of small loan customers to large loans.

 

  Large Loans (>$2,500)– Large loans outstanding increased by $121.6 million, or 50.1%, to $363.9 million at March 31, 2018, from $242.4 million at March 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to increased marketing and theup-sell of small loan customers to large loans.

Automobile Loans– Automobile loans outstanding decreased by $37.2$39.3 million, or 43.3%54.9%, to $48.7$32.3 million at March 31,September 30, 2018, from $85.9$71.7 million at March 31,September 30, 2017. We ceased originating automobile loans in November 2017 to focus on growing our core loan portfolio. We expect the automobile loan portfolio to liquidate at a slightly faster rate in 2018 compared to 2017.

 

  

Retail Loans– Retail loans outstanding increased $0.6decreased $0.8 million, or 2.1%2.5%, to $31.9$30.5 million at March 31,September 30, 2018, from $31.2$31.3 million at March 31,September 30, 2017.

 

  Finance Receivables by Product   Finance Receivables by Product 
In thousands  1Q 18   4Q 17   QoQ $
Inc (Dec)
 QoQ %
Inc (Dec)
 1Q 17   YoY $
Inc (Dec)
 YoY %
Inc (Dec)
   3Q 18   2Q 18   QoQ $
Inc (Dec)
 QoQ %
Inc (Dec)
 3Q 17   YoY $
Inc (Dec)
 YoY %
Inc (Dec)
 

Small loans

  $360,470   $375,772   $(15,302 (4.1)%  $335,552   $24,918  7.4  $ 414,441   $ 384,690   $ 29,751  7.7 $ 363,262   $51,179  14.1

Large loans

   363,931    347,218    16,713  4.8 242,380    121,551  50.1   410,811    392,101    18,710  4.8 308,642    102,169  33.1
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total core loans

   724,401    722,990    1,411  0.2 577,932    146,469  25.3   825,252    776,791    48,461  6.2 671,904    153,348  22.8

Automobile loans

   48,704    61,423    (12,719 (20.7)%  85,869    (37,165 (43.3)%    32,322    39,414    (7,092 (18.0)%  71,666    (39,344 (54.9)% 

Retail loans

   31,851    33,050    (1,199 (3.6)%  31,203    648  2.1   30,502    31,033    (531 (1.7)%  31,286    (784 (2.5)% 
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total finance receivables

  $804,956   $817,463   $(12,507 (1.5)%  $695,004   $109,952  15.8  $888,076   $847,238   $40,838  4.8 $774,856   $ 113,220  14.6
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Number of branches at period end

   341    342    (1 (0.3)%  344    (3 (0.9)%    346    340    6  1.8 344    2  0.6

Average finance receivables per branch

  $2,361   $2,390   $(29 (1.2)%  $2,020   $341  16.9  $2,567   $2,492   $75  3.0 $2,252   $315  14.0
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2018, Versus the Three Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2017

Net Income. Net income increased $1.0$2.1 million, or 13.2%40.3%, to $8.6$7.4 million during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, from $7.6$5.3 million during the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to an increase in revenue of $6.8$8.7 million and a decrease in income taxes of $1.0 million, offset by an increase in provision for credit losses of $0.4$3.5 million, an increase in general and administrative expenses of $3.1$2.0 million, and an increase in interest expense of $2.0 million, and an increase in income taxes of $0.3$2.1 million.

Revenue.Total revenue increased $6.8$8.7 million, or 10.3%12.6%, to $72.6$77.9 million during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, from $65.8$69.2 million during the prior-year period. The components of revenue are explained in greater detail below.

Interest and Fee Income.Interest and fee income increased $6.9$8.5 million, or 11.6%13.4%, to $66.2$72.1 million during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, from $59.3$63.6 million during the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to a 14.8%15.3% increase in average finance receivables, offset by a 0.9%0.6% decrease in average yield.

The following table sets forth the average finance receivables balance and average yield for our loan products:

 

  Average Finance Receivables for the
Quarter Ended
 Average Yields for the
Quarter Ended
   Average Finance Receivables for the Quarter Ended Average Yields for the Quarter Ended 
In thousands  1Q 18   1Q 17   YoY %
Inc (Dec)
 1Q 18 1Q 17 YoY %
Inc (Dec)
   3Q 18   3Q 17   YoY %
Inc (Dec)
 3Q 18 3Q 17 YoY %
Inc (Dec)
 

Small loans

  $370,513   $349,521    6.0 40.1 42.3 (2.2)%   $ 401,132   $ 358,380    11.9 40.4 42.7 (2.3)% 

Large loans

   355,784    239,033    48.8 28.5 28.7 (0.2)%    401,212    288,684    39.0 28.6 29.0 (0.4)% 

Automobile loans

   55,515    88,150    (37.0)%  15.4 16.6 (1.2)%    35,845    75,984    (52.8)%  15.6 16.2 (0.6)% 

Retail loans

   32,657    32,560    0.3 18.5 18.7 (0.2)%    30,861    30,788    0.2 19.3 17.8 1.5
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total interest and fee yield

  $814,469   $709,264    14.8 32.5 33.4 (0.9)%   $869,050   $753,836    15.3 33.2 33.8 (0.6)% 
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total revenue yield

  $814,469   $709,264    14.8 35.7 37.1 (1.4)%   $869,050   $753,836    15.3 35.9 36.7 (0.8)% 
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Small loan yields decreased 2.2%2.3% compared to the prior-year period as more of our small loan customers have originated loans with larger balances and longer maturities, which typically are priced at lower interest rates. When compared to the prior-year period, large loan and retail loan yields decreased 0.4% and increased 1.5%, respectively, as a result of adjusted pricing that reflects current market conditions. Automobile loan yields decreased 1.2%0.6% compared to the prior-year period. We anticipate that the automobile loan yields will remain at the current level or decline due to higher yieldinghigher-yielding loans paying off or renewing into large loans, leaving the lower yieldinglower-yielding loans in the liquidating automobile loan portfolio.

Since we began focusing on large loan growth in early 2015, the large loan portfolio has grown faster than the rest of our loan products, and we expect that this trend will continue in the future. Over time, large loan growth will change our product mix, which will reduce our total interest and fee yield.

The following table represents the amount of loan originations and refinancing, net of unearned finance charges:

 

  Net Loans Originated   Net Loans Originated 
In thousands  1Q 18   4Q 17   QoQ $
Inc (Dec)
   QoQ %
Inc (Dec)
 1Q 17   YoY $
Inc (Dec)
   YoY %
Inc (Dec)
   3Q 18   2Q 18   QoQ $
Inc (Dec)
 QoQ %
Inc (Dec)
 3Q 17   YoY $
Inc (Dec)
 YoY %
Inc (Dec)
 

Small loans

  $123,756   $149,299   $(25,543   (17.1)%  $115,359   $8,397    7.3  $ 162,644   $ 165,023   $(2,379 (1.4)%  $ 148,820   $13,824  9.3

Large loans

   88,773    106,680    (17,907   (16.8)%  57,020    31,753    55.7   95,410    109,186    (13,776 (12.6)%  105,460    (10,050 (9.5)% 

Automobile loans

   —      1,927    (1,927   (100.0)%  8,789    (8,789   (100.0)%    —      —      —    0.0 3,787    (3,787 (100.0)% 

Retail loans

   7,302    8,363    (1,061   (12.7)%  6,264    1,038    16.6   5,971    6,713    (742 (11.1)%  7,905    (1,934 (24.5)% 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total net loans originated

  $219,831   $266,269   $(46,438   (17.4)%  $187,432   $32,399    17.3  $264,025   $280,922   $(16,897 (6.0)%  $265,972   $(1,947 (0.7)% 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

The hurricanes had estimated negative impacts on loan originations of $2.8 million and $3.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and the prior-year period, respectively. We believe that the small loan portfolio experienced most of these impacts.

The following table summarizes the components of the increase in interest and fee income:

 

  Components of Increase in Interest and Fee Income
1Q 18 compared to 1Q 17
Increase (Decrease)
   Components of Increase in Interest and Fee Income
3Q 18 Compared to 3Q 17
Increase (Decrease)
 
In thousands  Volume   Rate   Volume & Rate   Net   Volume   Rate   Volume & Rate   Net 

Small loans

  $2,218   $(1,847  $(111  $260   $4,564   $(2,048  $(244  $2,272 

Large loans

   8,380    (154   (74   8,152    8,153    (263   (102   7,788 

Automobile loans

   (1,351   (248   92    (1,507   (1,622   (101   53    (1,670

Retail loans

   5    (13   (1   (9   3    119    1    123 

Product mix

   (463   613    (150   —      (1,375   1,244    131    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total increase in interest and fee income

  $8,789   $(1,649  $(244  $6,896   $9,723   $(1,049  $(161  $8,513 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

The $6.9$8.5 million increase in interest and fee income during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 from the prior-year period was primarily driven by finance receivables growth, offset by a decrease in yield, as illustrated in the table above. We expect future increases in interest and fee income to continue to be driven primarily from growth in our average finance receivables.

Insurance Income, Net.Insurance income, net decreased $0.4$0.2 million, or 10.9%6.4%, to $3.4$2.9 million during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, from $3.8$3.1 million during the prior-year period. Annualized insurance income, net represented 1.7%1.3% and 2.1%1.6% of average finance receivables during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and the prior-year period, respectively. During both the three months ended September 30, 2018 and the prior-year period, personal property insurance premiums represented the largest component of aggregate earned insurance premiums andnon-file insurance claims expense represented the largest component of direct insurance expenses.

The decreasefollowing table summarizes the components of insurance income, net:

   Insurance Premiums and Direct Expenses 
In thousands  3Q 18   3Q 17   YoY $
B(W)
   YoY %
B(W)
 

Earned premiums

  $7,710   $6,662   $1,048    15.7

Claims, reserves, and certain direct expenses

   (4,812   (3,567   (1,245   (34.9)% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Insurance income, net

  $2,898   $3,095   $(197   (6.4)% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earned premiums and direct costs increased by $1.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively, compared to the prior-year period. The increase in earned premiums was primarily due to loan growth. The increase in direct costs was primarily due to a $0.4 million increase in claims expense and a transition in insurance carriers. The transition in insurance carriers that caused $0.6$0.2 million and $1.0 million ofnon-file insurance claims to impact net credit losses instead of insurance income, net during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and the prior-year period, respectively. Further, the impact of the hurricanes resulted in an additional $0.2 million increase to direct costs in both the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

As described above, thenon-file insurance product has been operating at a loss that has been reflected in our insurance income, net. Effective in the fourth quarter of 2018, we are implementing a policy change that will reduce the amount ofnon-file insurance claims that we file. This policy change will cause substantially offsetting increases to insurance income, net and net credit losses in future quarters. Therefore, we do not expect this change in policy to impact our profitability in future quarters. This policy change is described in greater detail in Note 3, “Finance Receivables, Credit Quality Information, and Allowance for Credit Losses,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1. “Financial Statements”.

Other Income.Other income increased $0.3$0.4 million, or 11.8%16.3%, to $3.1$2.9 million during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, from $2.8$2.5 million during the prior-year period,period. The increase is due to a $0.4$0.2 million increase in commissions earned from the sale of our new auto club product, a $0.2 million increase in deferral fee income, and a $0.1 million increase in interest income from restricted cash related to reinsurance, offset by a $0.1 million decrease in late charges. The decrease in late charges was primarily due to large loans comprising a greater percentage of our total loan portfolio during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, compared to the prior-year period.period, and our expanded use of electronic payment options to reduce early-stage delinquency. The most significant driver of other incomelate charges is average active accounts. Average active accounts increased 5.0%7.5% since March 31,September 30, 2017, while average finance receivables increased 14.8%15.3% since March 31,September 30, 2017. Annualized other income represented 1.5%1.4% of average finance receivables during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 compared to 1.6% of average receivables duringand the prior-year period. As large loans continue to represent a greater percentage of our total loan portfolio and we continue to leverage electronic payment options, we expect the better credit quality of our large loan customers to result in lower other incomelate charges per active account.

Provision for Credit Losses.Our provision for credit losses increased $0.4$3.5 million, or 2.0%17.3%, to $19.5$23.6 million during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, from $19.1$20.2 million during the prior-year period. The increase was due to an increase in net credit losses of $1.3$2.0 million, offset by a $0.9 millionan increase in the amount of allowanceprovision for hurricane credit losses released in the current-year periodof $0.9 million compared to the prior-year period. Theperiod (see Hurricane Impact below), and an increase related to two changes in estimates and a policy change that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2018, which collectively increased the provision for credit losses represented 9.6%by $0.3 million in the current-year period. These three changes are described in greater detail in Note 3, “Finance Receivables, Credit Quality Information, and Allowance for Credit Losses,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1. “Financial Statements”.

The annualized provision for credit losses as a percentage of average finance receivables during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 was 10.9%, compared to 10.8% of average receivables10.7% during the prior-year period. The current-year period ratio included an incremental, hurricane-related provision for credit losses of $3.9 million (representing 1.8% of the current-year period ratio), an incremental provision for credit losses of $0.3 million associated with the three above-described changes in estimates and policy (representing 0.1% of the current-year period ratio), and a $0.2 million impact associated with the temporary shift of insurance claims into net credit losses during a transition in our insurance provider (representing 0.1% of the current-year period ratio). The prior-year period ratio included an incremental, hurricane-related provision for credit losses of $3.0 million (representing 1.6% of the prior-year period ratio) and a $1.0 million impact associated with the temporary shift of insurance claims into net credit losses during a transition in our insurance provider (representing 0.5% of the prior-year period ratio), offset by a $1.0 benefit associated with the bulk sale of previouslycharged-off customer accounts in bankruptcy (the “2017 bulk sale”) (representing a 0.5% benefit to the prior-year period ratio).

The increase in the provision for credit losses is explained in greater detail below.

Hurricane Impact. Our provision for credit losses was impacted by increases to the allowance for credit losses of $3.9 million and $3.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and the prior-year period, respectively. These impacts related to estimated incremental credit losses on customer accounts impacted by the hurricanes.

Bulk Sale.We recognized a recovery of $1.0 million in the prior-year period from the 2017 bulk sale. These accounts had been excluded from prior salesof charged-off loans.

Net Credit Losses. Net credit losses increased $1.3$2.0 million, or 6.7%13.8%, to $20.7$16.8 million during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, from $19.4$14.8 million during the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to a $105.2$115.2 million increase in average finance receivables over the prior-year period. Annualized net credit losses as a percentage of average finance receivables were 10.2%7.7% during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, compared to 10.9%7.8% during the prior-year period. The current-year period included 0.4% attributable to a $0.7 million increase in net credit losses as a result of the hurricanes that impacted our branches in August 2017 and 0.3% fromratio reflected the temporary shift of $0.6$0.2 million inofnon-file insurance claims into net credit losses.losses (representing 0.1% of the current-year period ratio). The prior-year period included 0.6% fromratio reflected the temporary shift of $1.0 million inofnon-file insurance claims into net credit losses (representing 0.5% of the prior-year period ratio), offset by a $1.0 million benefit from the 2017 bulk sale (representing a 0.5% benefit to the prior-year period ratio).

In addition, as described above, thenon-file insurance that we purchase protects us from credit losses where, following an event of default, we are unable to take possession of personal property collateral because our security interest is not perfected. In those circumstances,non-file insurance generally will pay to us an amount equal to the lesser of the loan balance or the collateral value, with such claims payment lowering our net credit losses. We believe that the improvement in annualizedThe benefit to net credit losses associated withnon-file insurance claims payments as aan annualized percentage of average finance receivables is attributablewas 0.8% and 0.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and the prior-year period, respectively:

   Non-File Insurance Impact on
Net Credit Loss Rates
 
   3Q 18  3Q 17 

Annualized net credit losses

   7.7  7.8

Annualizednon-file benefit

   0.8  0.9

As previously disclosed, in partrecent years, as large loans have become a larger percentage of our loan portfolio, the severity ofnon-file claims has increased andnon-file claims expenses have exceedednon-file insurance premiums. The resulting net loss from thenon-file insurance product has been reflected in our insurance income, net.

We have evaluated various ways to lower ournon-file insurance claims, and we have determined to reduce our utilization ofnon-file insurance in the positive results generated by our new centralized late-stage collections department, andfuture. As a result, we expect that these resultsthe benefit provided bynon-file insurance will continue throughout 2018.decrease by approximately 65 basis points over the next five quarters (beginning with the fourth quarter of 2018), resulting in a corresponding increase in our net credit loss rate. Our allowance for credit losses contains sufficient reserves for this anticipated increase in net credit losses. See Note 3, “Finance Receivables, Credit Quality Information, and Allowance for Credit Losses,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1. “Financial Statements”. In addition, due to the decrease innon-file insurance claims, our insurance income, net will increase by an amount comparable to the anticipated increase in net credit losses, resulting in an income statement offset. Therefore, we do not expect this change in policy to impact our profitability in future quarters.

Delinquency Performance.Our March 31,September 30, 2018 contractual delinquency as a percentage of total finance receivables was 6.5% (inclusiveincreased to 7.1% from 6.8% as of an increaseSeptember 30, 2017. Total contractual delinquency as of September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 were both inclusive of a 0.2% decrease attributable to the impact offree payment deferrals that were processed for our customers impacted by the hurricanes), consistent withhurricanes. The days past due did not advance for these accounts after the same measure as of March 31, 2017.hurricanes and through September 30, 2018 and the prior-year period, respectively.

The following tables include delinquency balances by aging category and by product:

 

  Contractual Delinquency by Aging   Contractual Delinquency by Aging 
In thousands  1Q 18 1Q 17   3Q 18 3Q 17 

Allowance for credit losses

  $47,750    5.9 $41,000    5.9  $55,300    6.2 $47,400    6.1

Current

   683,206    84.9 586,085    84.3   726,003    81.8 638,696    82.5

1 to 29 days past due

   69,034    8.6 63,978    9.2   99,008    11.1 83,230    10.7
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Delinquent accounts:

              

30 to 59 days

   14,858    1.8 13,860    2.1   22,215    2.5 18,621    2.4

60 to 89 days

   11,495    1.4 9,889    1.4   15,360    1.7 11,631    1.5

90 to 119 days

   9,656    1.2 7,569    1.0   10,183    1.1 9,653    1.2

120 to 149 days

   7,905    1.0 6,975    1.0   8,476    1.0 6,799    0.9

150 to 179 days

   8,802    1.1 6,648    1.0   6,831    0.8 6,226    0.8
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total contractual delinquency

  $52,716    6.5 $44,941    6.5  $63,065    7.1 $52,930    6.8
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total finance receivables

  $804,956    100.0 $695,004    100.0  $ 888,076    100.0 $ 774,856    100.0
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 
  Contractual Delinquency by Product 
In thousands  1Q 18 1Q 17 

Small loans

  $29,586    8.2 $26,573    7.9

Large loans

   17,723    4.9 12,142    5.0

Automobile loans

   3,132    6.4 4,513    5.3

Retail loans

   2,275    7.1 1,713    5.5
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total contractual delinquency

  $52,716    6.5 $44,941    6.5
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

   Contractual Delinquency by Product 
In thousands  3Q 18  3Q 17 

Small loans

  $ 34,581    8.3 $ 30,328    8.3

Large loans

   23,406    5.7  15,578    5.0

Automobile loans

   2,686    8.3  5,280    7.4

Retail loans

   2,392    7.8  1,744    5.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total contractual delinquency

  $63,065    7.1 $52,930    6.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Contractual delinquency as a percentage of total finance receivables as of October 31, 2018 returned to levels equal to October 31, 2017.

Allowance for Credit Losses. We evaluate delinquency and losses in each of our loan products in establishing the allowance for credit losses. The following table sets forth our allowance for credit losses compared to the related finance receivables as of the end of the periods indicated:

 

   1Q 18  1Q 17 
In thousands  Finance
Receivables
   Allowance
for Credit
Losses
   Allowance as
Percentage
of Related
Finance
Receivables
  Finance
Receivables
   Allowance
for Credit
Losses
   Allowance as
Percentage
of Related
Finance
Receivables
 

Small loans

  $360,470   $23,366    6.5 $335,552   $20,575    6.1

Large loans

   363,931    18,589    5.1  242,380    12,675    5.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total core loans

   724,401    41,955    5.8  577,932    33,250    5.8

Automobile loans

   48,704    3,316    6.8  85,869    5,775    6.7

Retail loans

   31,851    2,479    7.8  31,203    1,975    6.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $804,956   $47,750    5.9 $695,004   $41,000    5.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

   3Q 18  3Q 17 
In thousands  Finance
Receivables
   Allowance
for Credit
Losses
   Allowance as
Percentage
of Related
Finance
Receivables
  Finance
Receivables
   Allowance
for Credit
Losses
   Allowance as
Percentage
of Related
Finance
Receivables
 

Small loans

  $ 414,441   $ 25,061    6.0 $ 363,262   $ 22,959    6.3

Large loans

   410,811    25,307    6.2  308,642    17,317    5.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total core loans

   825,252    50,368    6.1  671,904    40,276    6.0

Automobile loans

   32,322    2,565    7.9  71,666    4,812    6.7

Retail loans

   30,502    2,367    7.8  31,286    2,312    7.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $888,076   $55,300    6.2 $774,856   $47,400    6.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

In September 2017, the Company recorded a $3.0 million increase to theThe allowance for credit losses related to estimatedduring the three months ended September 30, 2018 and the prior-year period included $3.9 million and $3.0 million, respectively, in incremental allowances for credit losses on customer accounts impacted by the hurricanes. AsAdditionally, in the third quarter of March 31, 2018, three changes in estimates and policy occurred that impacted our estimate of the allowance for credit losses. The changes collectively increased the allowance for credit losses included $1.8 millionas of remaining incremental hurricane allowance.September 30, 2018 and the provision for credit losses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 by $0.3 million. The three changes are described in greater detail in Note 3, “Finance Receivables, Credit Quality Information, and Allowance for Credit Losses,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1. “Financial Statements”.

General and Administrative Expenses.Our general and administrative expenses, comprising expenses for personnel, occupancy, marketing, and other expenses, increased $3.1$2.0 million, or 10.0%6.0%, to $34.6$35.9 million during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, from $31.5$33.8 million during the prior-year period. Our receivable efficiency ratio (annualized general and administrative expenses as a percentage of average finance receivables) decreased to 17.0%16.5% during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, from 17.7%18.0% during the prior-year period. We believe that our receivable efficiency ratio will continue to decline in future years as we continue to grow our loan portfolio and control expense growth. The absolute dollar increase in general and administrative expenses is explained in greater detail below.

Personnel.The largest component of general and administrative expenses is personnel expense, which increased $3.1$1.8 million, or 16.8%9.4%, to $21.2$21.4 million during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, from $18.2$19.5 million during the prior-year period. SalaryLabor expense increased $1.4$1.6 million compared to the prior-year period due to added headcount inacross departments within our information technology department, costs related to building the centralized late-stage collections department,home office and an increase in branch headcount to effectively service active account growth since March 31, 2017. Branch incentive expense increased $1.0 million due to a historically low branch incentive payout in the prior-year period and the implementation of a revised branch incentive plan during the three months ended March 31, 2018 that rewards branch personnel more heavily for loan production. We expect annual 2018 branch incentive expense as a percentage of average receivables to be lower than inSeptember 30, 2017. Corporate incentive compensation expense increased $0.7$0.9 million compared to the prior-year period primarily due to the 2018 annual grant of awards (which have three-year performance targets) under our long-term incentive plan. These increases were offset by a decrease in branch incentive expense of $0.6 million due to the implementation of a revised branch incentive plan in 2018 that rewards branch personnel more heavily for loan production.

Occupancy. Occupancy expenses increased $0.3remained constant at $5.5 million during both the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

Marketing. Marketing expenses decreased $0.2 million, or 6.3%7.4%, to $5.6$2.1 million during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, from $5.3 million during the prior-year period. The increase was due to costs related to branch relocations, remodels, and maintenance. Additionally, we frequently experience increases in rent, leasehold improvements, and computer equipment as we renew existing branch leases.

Marketing. Marketing expenses increased $0.2 million, or 20.6%, to $1.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $1.2 million during the prior-year period. The increase was due to more convenience check mailings and expanded digital marketing.

Other Expenses. Other expenses decreased $0.5 million, or 7.4%, to $6.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $6.8$2.3 million during the prior-year period. The decrease was primarily due to a $0.6 million decrease in legaltotal direct mail marketing compared to the prior-year period. The reduction in total mail quantity was the result of our efforts to fine-tune our processes to more efficiently target potential customers.

Other Expenses. Other expenses increased $0.3 million, or 5.2%, to $6.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018, from $6.5 million during the prior-year period. The current-year period included a $0.3 million increase in collections-related expenses and settlement costs anda $0.2 million increase in bank card processing fees, offset by a $0.3 million decrease in implementation costs related to the implementation offor our new loan management system, offset by a $0.4 million increase in electronic payment processing costs.systems.

Interest Expense.Interest expense on long-term debt increased $2.0$2.1 million, or 37.7%31.1%, to $7.2$8.7 million during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, from $5.2$6.7 million during the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to increases in the average balance of our long-term debt facilities from finance receivable growth, an increase in interest rates, an increase in unused line fees, and additional debt issuance cost amortization related to both the amended senior revolving credit facility and our new warehouse credit facility.amortization. The average cost of our combined revolving credit facilitiestotal long-term debt increased 0.77%0.61% to 5.14%5.78% during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, from 4.37%5.17% during the prior-year period. The average cost of our long-term debt has increased as we have diversified our long-term funding sources.

Income Taxes.Income taxes increased $0.3decreased $1.0 million, or 13.1%30.9%, to $2.7$2.2 million during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, from $2.4$3.2 million during the prior-year period. The increasedecrease was primarily due to an increase in income before income taxes of $1.3 million and $1.5 million in tax benefits related to the exercise of stock options during the prior-year period, offset by a reduction in our effective tax rate during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 as a result of the Tax Act. This legislationAct, offset by an increase in income before taxes of $1.1 million. The Tax Act makes changes to U.S. tax law, including a reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Our effective tax rate was 23.8%rates were 23.1% and 37.9% for both the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and the prior-year period, respectively.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018, Versus the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

Net Income. Net income increased $5.5 million, or 28.8%, to $24.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from $19.1 million during the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to an increase in revenue of $22.6 million and a decrease in income taxes of $1.8 million, offset by an increase in provision for credit losses of $5.5 million, an increase in general and administrative expenses of $6.7 million, and an increase in interest expense of $6.7 million.

Revenue.Total revenue increased $22.6 million, or 11.3%, to $223.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from $200.4 million during the prior-year period. The components of revenue are explained in greater detail below.

Interest and Fee Income.Interest and fee income increased $22.5 million, or 12.3%, to $205.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from $182.7 million during the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to a 14.9% increase in average finance receivables, offset by a 0.7% decrease in average yield.

The following table sets forth the average finance receivables balance and average yield for our loan products:

   Average Finance Receivables for the Nine Months Ended  Average Yields for the Nine Months Ended 
In thousands  YTD 18   YTD 17   YoY %
Inc (Dec)
  YTD 18  YTD 17  YoY %
Inc (Dec)
 

Small loans

  $379,543   $351,204    8.1  40.2  42.4  (2.2)% 

Large loans

   377,777    261,277    44.6  28.5  28.8  (0.3)% 

Automobile loans

   45,041    82,313    (45.3)%   15.7  16.4  (0.7)% 

Retail loans

   31,676    31,389    0.9  18.9  18.4  0.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total interest and fee yield

  $ 834,037   $ 726,183    14.9  32.8  33.5  (0.7)% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total revenue yield

  $834,037   $726,183    14.9  35.6  36.8  (1.2)% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Small loan yields decreased 2.2% compared to the prior-year period as more of our small loan customers have originated loans with larger balances and longer maturities, which typically are priced at lower interest rates. When compared to the prior-year period, large loan and retail loan yields decreased 0.3% and increased 0.5%, respectively, as a result of adjusted pricing that reflects current market conditions. Automobile loan yields decreased 0.7% compared to the prior-year period. We anticipate that the automobile loan yields will remain at the current level or decline due to higher-yielding loans paying off or renewing into large loans, leaving the lower-yielding loans in the liquidating automobile loan portfolio.

Since we began focusing on large loan growth in early 2015, the large loan portfolio has grown faster than the rest of our loan products, and we expect that this trend will continue in the future. Over time, large loan growth will change our product mix, which will reduce our total interest and fee yield.

The following table represents the amount of loan originations and refinancing, net of unearned finance charges:

   Net Loans Originated 
In thousands  YTD 18   YTD 17   YTD $
Inc (Dec)
   YTD%
Inc (Dec)
 

Small loans

  $ 451,423   $ 424,559   $26,864    6.3

Large loans

   293,369    249,251    44,118    17.7

Automobile loans

   —      18,404    (18,404   (100.0)% 

Retail loans

   19,986    20,522    (536   (2.6)% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net loans originated

  $764,778   $712,736   $52,042    7.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The hurricanes had estimated negative impacts on loan originations of $2.8 million and $3.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and the prior-year period, respectively. We believe that the small loan portfolio experienced most of these impacts.

The following table summarizes the components of interest and fee income:

   Components of Increase in Interest and Fee Income
YTD 18 Compared to YTD 17
Increase (Decrease)
 
In thousands  Volume   Rate   Volume & Rate   Net 

Small loans

  $9,019   $ (5,876  $ (474  $2,669 

Large loans

   25,145    (457   (204   24,484 

Automobile loans

   (4,596   (460   208    (4,848

Retail loans

   40    105    1    146 

Product mix

   (2,479   2,615    (136   —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase in interest and fee income

  $ 27,129   $ (4,073  $ (605  $ 22,451 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The $22.5 million increase in interest and fee income during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from the prior-year period was primarily driven by finance receivables growth, offset by a decrease in yield, as illustrated in the table above. We expect future increases in interest and fee income to continue to be driven primarily from growth in our average finance receivables.

Insurance Income, Net.Insurance income, net decreased $0.8 million, or 8.2%, to $9.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from $10.0 million during the prior-year period. Annualized insurance income, net represented 1.5% and 1.8% of average finance receivables during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and the prior-year period, respectively. During both the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and the prior-year period, personal property insurance premiums represented the largest component of aggregate earned insurance premiums andnon-file insurance claims expense represented the largest component of direct insurance expenses.

The following table summarizes the components of insurance income, net:

   Insurance Premiums and Direct Expenses 
In thousands  YTD 18   YTD 17   YoY $
B(W)
   YoY %
B(W)
 

Earned premiums

  $22,841   $ 18,630   $4,211    22.6

Claims, reserves, and certain direct expenses

   (13,672   (8,645   (5,027   (58.1)% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Insurance income, net

  $9,169   $9,985   $(816   (8.2)% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earned premiums and direct costs increased by $4.2 million and $5.0 million, respectively, compared to the prior-year period. The increase in earned premiums was primarily due to loan growth. The increase in direct costs was primarily due to a $1.7 million increase innon-file claims expense compared to the prior-year period, as well as a transition in insurance carriers. The transition in insurance carriers caused $1.1 million and $3.6 million ofnon-file insurance claims to impact net credit losses instead of insurance income, net during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and the prior-year period, respectively. The increase innon-file claims expense was primarily due to an increase in the severity ofnon-file claims. As large loans have become a larger percentage of our loan portfolio, the severity ofnon-file claims has increased.

As described above, thenon-file insurance product has been operating at a loss that has been reflected in our insurance income, net. Effective in the fourth quarter of 2018, we are implementing a policy change that will reduce the amount ofnon-file insurance claims that we file. This policy change will cause substantially offsetting increases to insurance income, net and net credit losses in future quarters. Therefore, we do not expect this change in policy to impact our profitability in future quarters. This policy change is described in greater detail in Note 3, “Finance Receivables, Credit Quality Information, and Allowance for Credit Losses,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1. “Financial Statements”.

Other Income.Other income increased $1.0 million, or 12.6%, to $8.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from $7.7 million during the prior-year period, due to a $0.9 million increase in commissions earned from the sale of our auto club product and a $0.3 million increase in loan deferral fee income. These increases were offset by a decrease of $0.2 million in income from late charges. The decrease in late charges was primarily due to large loans comprising a greater percentage of our total loan portfolio during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the prior-year period, and our expanded use of electronic payments to reduce early-stage delinquency. The most significant driver of late charges is average active accounts. Average active accounts increased 6.1% since September 30, 2017, while average finance receivables increased 14.9% since September 30, 2017. Annualized other income represented 1.3% and 1.5% of average finance receivables during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and the prior-year period, respectively. As large loans continue to represent a greater percentage of our total loan portfolio and we continue to leverage electronic payment options, we expect lower late charges per active account.

Provision for Credit Losses.Our provision for credit losses increased $5.5 million, or 9.5%, to $63.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from $57.9 million during the prior-year period. The increase was due to an increase in net credit losses of $5.2 million and an increase related to two changes in estimates and a policy change that occurred in the third quarter of 2018, which collectively increased the provision for credit losses by $0.3 million in the current-year period. These three changes are described in greater detail in Note 3, “Finance Receivables, Credit Quality Information, and Allowance for Credit Losses,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1. “Financial Statements”.

The annualized provision for credit losses as a percentage of average finance receivables during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was 10.1%, compared to 10.6% during the prior-year period. The current-year period ratio included an incremental, hurricane-related provision for credit losses of $3.9 million (representing 0.6% of the current-year period ratio) and a $1.1 million impact associated with the temporary shift of insurance claims into net credit losses during a transition in our insurance provider (representing 0.2% of the current-year period ratio). The prior-year period ratio included an incremental, hurricane-related provision for credit losses of $3.0 million (representing 0.5% of the prior-year period ratio) and a $3.6 million impact associated with the temporary shift of insurance claims into net credit losses during a transition in our insurance provider (representing 0.7% of the prior-year period ratio), offset by a $1.0 benefit associated with the 2017 bulk sale (representing a 0.2% benefit to the prior-year period ratio).

The increase in the provision for credit losses is explained in greater detail below.

Hurricane Impact. Our provision for credit losses was impacted by increases to the allowance for credit losses of $3.9 million and $3.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and the prior-year period, respectively. These impacts related to estimated incremental credit losses on customer accounts impacted by the hurricanes.

Bulk Sale.We recognized a recovery of $1.0 million during the prior-year period from the 2017 bulk sale. These accounts had been excluded from prior salesof charged-off loans.

Net Credit Losses. Net credit losses increased $5.2 million, or 10.1%, to $57.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from $51.7 million during the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to a $107.9 million increase in average finance receivables over the prior-year period and $1.9 million of net credit losses in the current-year period that were a result of the passagehurricanes that impacted our branches in August 2017. Annualized net credit losses as a percentage of average finance receivables were 9.1% during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to 9.5% during the prior-year period. The current-year period ratio reflected the $1.9 million increase in net credit losses as a result of the 2017 hurricanes (representing 0.3% of the current-year period ratio) and the temporary shift of $1.1 million ofnon-file insurance claims into net credit losses (representing 0.2% of the current-year period ratio). The prior-year period ratio reflected the temporary shift of $3.6 million ofnon-file insurance claims into net credit losses (representing 0.7% of the prior-year period ratio), offset by the $1.0 million benefit from the 2017 bulk sale (representing a 0.2% benefit to the prior-year period ratio).

In addition, as described above, thenon-file insurance that we purchase protects us from credit losses where, following an event of default, we are unable to take possession of personal property collateral because our security interest is not perfected. In those circumstances,non-file insurance generally will pay to us an amount equal to the lesser of the loan balance or the collateral value, with such claims payment lowering our net credit losses. The benefit to net credit losses associated withnon-file insurance claims payments as an annualized percentage of average finance receivables was 1.1% and 0.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and the prior-year period, respectively:

   Non-File Insurance Impact on
Net Credit Loss Rates
 
   YTD 18  YTD 17 

Annualized net credit losses

   9.1  9.5

Annualizednon-file benefit

   1.1  0.7

General and Administrative Expenses.Our general and administrative expenses, comprising expenses for personnel, occupancy, marketing, and other expenses, increased $6.7 million, or 6.9%, to $103.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from $96.9 million during the prior-year period. Our receivable efficiency ratio (annualized general and administrative expenses as a percentage of average finance receivables) decreased to 16.6% during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from 17.8% during the prior-year period. We believe that our receivable efficiency ratio will continue to decline in future years as we continue to grow our loan portfolio and control expense growth. The absolute dollar increase in general and administrative expenses is explained in greater detail below.

Personnel.The largest component of general and administrative expenses is personnel expense, which increased $5.9 million, or 10.5%, to $62.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from $56.1 million during the prior-year period. Labor expense increased $3.9 million due to added headcount in our information technology department and centralized late-stage collections department, and an increase in branch headcount to effectively service active account growth since September 30, 2017. Corporate incentive compensation expense increased $2.1 million compared to the prior-year period primarily due to the 2018 annual grant of awards (which have three-year performance targets) under our long-term incentive plan.

Occupancy. Occupancy expenses increased $0.4 million, or 2.5%, to $16.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from $16.2 million during the prior-year period. The increase was due to costs related to branch relocations, remodels, and maintenance. Additionally, we frequently experience increases in rent, leasehold improvements, and computer equipment expense as we renew existing branch leases.

Marketing. Marketing expenses increased $0.6 million, or 10.5%, to $5.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from $5.3 million during the prior-year period. The increase was due to increased convenience check mailings and expanded digital marketing.

Other Expenses. Other expenses decreased $0.1 million, or 0.7%, to $19.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from $19.4 million during the prior-year period. We experienced several offsetting changes in other expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the prior-year period, including a decrease of $0.8 million of costs related to the implementation of our loan management system and a $0.6 million decrease in legal and settlement expenses. These decreases were offset by a $0.9 million increase in bank card processing fees and a $0.3 million increase in collections-related expenses.

Interest Expense.Interest expense on long-term debt increased $6.7 million, or 39.4%, to $23.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from $17.1 million during the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to increases in the average balance of our long-term debt facilities from finance receivable growth, an increase in interest rates, an increase in unused line fees, and additional debt issuance cost amortization. The average cost of our total long-term debt increased 0.87% to 5.51% during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from 4.64% during the prior-year period. The average cost of our long-term debt has increased as we have diversified our long-term funding sources.

Income Taxes.Income taxes decreased $1.8 million, or 19.6%, to $7.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from $9.4 million during the prior-year period. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in our effective tax rate during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 as a result of the Tax Act, we estimate that ouroffset by tax benefits related to the exercise of stock options during the prior-year period and an increase in income before taxes of $3.7 million in the current-year period. The Tax Act makes changes to U.S. tax law, including a reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Our effective tax raterates were 23.5% and 32.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 will be approximately 25%.and the prior-year period, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary cash needs relate to the funding of our lending activities and, to a lesser extent, expenditures relating to improving our technology infrastructure and expanding and maintaining our branch locations. In connection with our plans to improve our technology infrastructure and to expand our branch network in future years, we willexpect to incur approximately $7.0 million to $10.0 million of expenditures annually. We have historically financed, and plan to continue to finance, our short-term and long-term operating liquidity and capital needs through a combination of cash flows from operations and borrowings under our senior revolving credit facility, our revolving warehouse credit facility, and our amortizing loan, and, more recently, an asset-backed securitization transaction, each of which is described below. The Company had adebt-to-equity ratio of 2.3 to 1.0 and a shareholder equity ratio of 29.9% as of September 30, 2018.

We believe that cash flow from our operations and borrowings under our long-term debt facilities will be adequate to fund our business for the next twelve

months, including initial operating losses of new branches and finance receivable growth of new and existing branches. From time to time, we have extended the maturity date of and increased the borrowing limits under our senior revolving credit facility. While we have successfully obtained such extensions and increases in the past, there can be no assurance that additional fundingwe will be available (or available on reasonable terms)able to do so if and when needed in the future. In addition, the revolving periods of our warehouse credit facility and our RMIT2018-1 securitization end in February 2020 and June 2020, respectively. There can be no assurance that we will be able to secure an extension of the warehouse credit facility or close additional securitization transactions if and when needed in the future.

We continueare continuing to seek ways to diversify our long-term funding sources, including through the securitization of certain finance receivables. We expect thatthough new funding sources willmay be more expensive than our senior revolving credit facility.existing funding sources.

Cash Flow.

Operating Activities.Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $3.0$21.6 million, or 10.3%25.9%, to $31.8$104.8 million during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, from $28.8$83.2 million during the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to the growth in theour business described above, which produced higheran increase in net income, before provision for credit losses.

Investing Activities.Investing activities consist of originations and purchases of finance receivables, originated and purchased, the purchasepurchases of intangible assets, and the purchasepurchases of property and equipment for new and existing branches. Net cash used in investing activities during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 was $9.8$132.0 million, compared to the net cash provided by investing activities of $1.4$117.8 million during the prior-year period, a net increase of $11.2$14.1 million. The increase in cash used was primarily due to increased net originations of finance receivables.

Financing Activities.Financing activities consist of borrowings and payments on our outstanding indebtedness and issuances and repurchases of common stock. During the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, net cash used inprovided by financing activities was $21.7$35.0 million, a decrease of $8.9$5.9 million compared to the $30.5$40.9 million net cash used in financing activities during the prior-year period. The decrease was primarily a result of an increase in net payments and a decrease in net paymentsadvances of $156.8 million. These decreases were offset by advances on long-term debtthe RMIT2018-1 securitization of $7.7$150.2 million and a $1.2 million decrease in taxes paid related to net share settlementssettlement of equity awards.awards of $1.1 million.

Financing Arrangements.

Senior Revolving Credit Facility. We entered into a sixthIn June 2017, we amended and restated our senior revolving credit facility with a syndicateto, among other things, increase the availability under the facility from $585 million to $638 million and extend the maturity of banks inthe facility from August 2019 to June 2017.2020. The facility provides for up to $638.0 million in availability, with a borrowing base of up to 85% of eligible secured finance receivables and 70% of eligible unsecured finance receivables, in each case, subject to adjustment at certain credit quality levels (81% of eligible secured finance receivables and 66% of eligible unsecured finance receivables as of March 31, 2018). The facility matures in June 2020 and has an accordion provision that allows for the expansion of the facility to $700.0$700 million. Excluding the receivables held by our variable interest entities, the senior revolving credit facility is secured by substantially all of our finance receivables and equity interests of the majority of our subsidiaries. Advances on the senior revolving credit facility are capped at 85% of eligible secured finance receivables and 70% of eligible unsecured finance receivables. These advance rates are subject to adjustment at certain credit quality levels (83% of eligible secured finance receivables and 68% of eligible unsecured finance receivables as of September 30, 2018). Borrowings under the facility bear interest, payable monthly, at rates equal to LIBOR of a maturity we elect between one and six months(one-month LIBOR was 2.26% as of September 30, 2018), with a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, plus a 3.00% margin, of 3.00%. The margin increasesincreasing to 3.25% ifwhen the availability percentage under the facility decreasesis below 10%. Alternatively, we may pay interest at a rate based on the prime rate (which was 4.75%(5.25% as of March 31,September 30, 2018) plus a 2.00% margin, of 2.00%. The margin increasesincreasing to 2.25% ifwhen the availability percentage under the facility decreasesis below 10%. We also pay an unused line fee of 0.50% per annum, payable monthly. This fee decreases to 0.375% when the average outstanding balance on the credit facility exceeds $413.0 million. Excluding the receivables held by RMR and RMR II, the senior revolving credit facility is secured by substantially all of our finance receivables and the equity interests of the majority of our subsidiaries. The credit agreement contains certain restrictive covenants, including maintenance of specified interest coverage and debt ratios, restrictions on distributions, limitations on other indebtedness, maintenance of a minimum allowance for credit losses, and certain other restrictions.

Our long-term debt under the senior revolving credit facility was $416.1$352.7 million at March 31,as of September 30, 2018, and the amount available for borrowing, but not yet advanced, was $56.3$76.5 million. At March 31, 2018, we were in compliance with our debt covenants. A year or more in advance of its June 2020 maturity date, we intend to extend the maturity date of the amended and restated senior revolving credit facility or take other appropriate action to address repayment upon maturity. See Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and the filings referenced therein for a discussion of risks related to our amended and restated senior revolving credit facility, including refinancing risk.

Variable Interest Entity Debt.As part of our overall funding strategy, we have transferred certain finance receivables to affiliated SPEs for asset-backed financing transactions, including securitizations. The following debt arrangements are issued by our SPEs, which are considered VIEs under GAAP and are consolidated into the financial statements of their primary beneficiary. These long-term debts are supported by the expected cash flows from the underlying collateralized finance receivables purchased from our affiliated companies. At each sale of receivables to the SPEs, we make certain representations and warranties about the quality and nature of the collateralized receivables. The debt arrangements require us to repurchase the receivables from the SPEs in certain circumstances, including circumstances in which the representations and warranties made by us concerning the quality and characteristics of the receivables are inaccurate. Assets transferred to SPEs are legally isolated from each of our other affiliated companies (including Regional Management Corp.) and from the claims of such affiliated companies’ creditors. Further, the assets of the SPEs are not available to satisfy the debts or other obligations of affiliated companies. The lenders and investors in the debt issued by the SPEs generally only have recourse to the assets of the SPEs and do not have recourse to the general credit of any other affiliated company. See Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and the filings referenced therein for a discussion of risks related to our variable interest entity debt.

Amortizing Loan.In November 2017, we amended and restated the December 2015 credit agreement that provided for a $75.7 million asset-backed, amortizing loan. The amended and restated credit agreement provided for an additional advance in the amount of $37.8 million and extended the maturity date to December 2024. The debt is secured by finance receivables purchased from our affiliated companies. Advances on this debt were at a rate of 88%. Borrowings previously bore interest, payable monthly, at a rate of 3.00%. In February 2018, we agreed to lower the advance rate to 85% and increase the interest rate to 3.25%. The credit agreement allows us to prepay the loan when the outstanding balance falls below 20% of the original loan amount. As of September 30, 2018, our long-term debt under the credit agreement was $26.7 million.

Revolving Warehouse Credit Facility.In August 2018, we amended the June 2017 we entered into a credit agreement providingthat provided for a $125.0$125 million revolving warehouse credit facility.facility to RMR II. The facility is expandablehas an accordion provision that allows for the expansion of the facility to $150.0$150 million. We elected to expand the facility to $150 million is secured by certain large loan receivables,from May 2018 to August 2018. The amendment extended the date at which the facility converts to an amortizing loan and the termination date to February 2020 and February 2021, respectively. The debt is secured by finance receivables and other related assets that we purchased from our affiliates, which we then sold and transferred to RMR II. Advances on the facility are capped at 80% of eligible finance receivables. RMR II held $1.0 million in Decemberrestricted cash reserves as of September 30, 2018 and terminates in December 2019. Through October 1, 2017, borrowingsto satisfy provisions of the credit agreement. Borrowings under the revolving warehouse credit facility previously bore interest, payable monthly, at a blended rate equal to three-month LIBOR, plus a margin of 3.50%. EffectiveIn October 2, 2017 and February 5, 2018, the revolving warehouse credit facility margin decreased to 3.25% and 3.00%, respectively, following the satisfaction of milestones associated with our conversion to a new loan origination and servicing system. We payThe August 2018 amendment to the credit agreement decreased the margin to 2.20%. The three-month LIBOR was 2.40% and 1.69% at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. RMR II pays an unused commitment fee of between 0.35% and 0.85% per annum, payable monthly, based upon the average daily utilization of the facility. Advances on the facility are capped at 80% of eligible finance receivables. On each sale of receivables, we make certain representations and warranties about the quality and nature of the collateralized receivables. The credit agreement requires us to pay the administrative agent a release fee for the release of receivables in certain circumstances, including circumstances in which the representations and warranties made by us concerning the quality and characteristics of the receivables are inaccurate. As of March 31, 2018, our long-term debt under the facility was $91.6 million and we were in compliance with our debt covenants. We intend to seek an extension of the maturity date of the facility before December 2018.

February 2020.

Amortizing Loan.RMIT2018-1 Securitization.We entered into In June 2018, we completed a credit agreementprivate offering and sale of $150 million of asset-backed notes. The transaction consisted of the issuance of three classes of fixed-rate asset-backed notes. The notes have a revolving period ending in December 2015 providing forJune 2020, with a $75.7 million amortizing loan thatfinal maturity date in July 2027. The debt is secured by certainfinance receivables originated by our affiliated companies. Borrowings under the securitization bear interest, payable monthly, at a weighted average rate of 3.93%. Prior to maturity in July 2027, we may redeem the notes in full, but not in part, at our automobile loan receivables. The amortizing loan was amended and restatedoption on any note payment date on or after the payment date occurring in November 2017, providing for an additional loan advanceJuly 2020. No payments of $37.8 million that is secured by certain of our automobile loan receivables. We paid interest of 3.00% per annum on the loan balance. In February 2018, we agreed to lower the advance rate on the loan from 88% to 85% and to increase the interest rate from 3.00% to 3.25%. The amortizing loan terminates in December 2024, and the credit agreement allows us to prepay the loan when the outstanding balance falls below 20%principal of the original loan amount. Onnotes will be made during the closing dates of the amortizing loan, we made certain representations and warranties about the quality and nature of the collateralized receivables. The credit agreement requires us to pay the administrative agent a release fee for the release of receivables in certain circumstances, including circumstances in which the representations and warranties made by us concerning the quality and characteristics of the receivables are inaccurate.revolving period. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, our long-term debt under the securitization was $150.2 million.

Our debt arrangements are subject to certain covenants, including monthly and annual reporting, maintenance of specified interest coverage and debt ratios, restrictions on distributions, limitations on other indebtedness, maintenance of a minimum allowance for credit agreement was $42.6 millionlosses, and certain other restrictions. At September 30, 2018, we were in compliance with ourall debt covenants.

Other Financing Arrangements.We have $3.0 million in commercial overdraft capability that assists with our cash management needs forintra-day temporary funding.

Restricted Cash Reserve Accounts.

The credit agreement for the revolving warehouse credit facility requires that we maintain a 1% cash reserve based upon the ending finance receivables balance of the facility. As of March 31, 2018, the warehouse facility cash reserve requirement totaled $1.1 million. The warehouse facility is supported by the expected cash flows from the underlying collateralized finance receivables. Collections are remitted to a restricted cash collection account, which totaled $7.1 million as of March 31, 2018.

Amortizing Loan.As required under the credit agreement forgoverning the amortizing loan, we deposited $3.7 million of cash proceeds into a restricted cash reserve account at closing. The reserve requirement decreased to $1.7 million in June 2016 following our satisfaction of certain provisions of the credit agreement. The credit agreement was amended and restated in November 2017 with a cash reserve requirement of $1.3 million, which will remain until the termination of the facility. The amortizing loan is supported by the expected cash flows from the underlying collateralized finance receivables. Collections are remitted to a restricted cash collection account, which totaled $2.9$1.1 million as of March 31,September 30, 2018.

In addition, ourRevolving Warehouse Credit Facility. The credit agreement governing the revolving warehouse credit facility requires that we maintain a 1% cash reserve based upon the ending finance receivables balance of the facility. As of September 30, 2018, the warehouse facility cash reserve requirement totaled $1.0 million. The warehouse facility is supported by the expected cash flows from the underlying collateralized finance receivables. Collections are remitted to a restricted cash collection account, which totaled $4.9 million as of September 30, 2018.

RMIT2018-1 Securitization. As required under the transaction documents governing the RMIT2018-1 Securitization, we deposited $1.7 million of cash proceeds into a restricted cash reserve account at closing. The securitization is supported by the expected cash flows from the underlying collateralized finance receivables. Collections are remitted to a restricted cash collection account, which totaled $12.4 million as of September 30, 2018.

RMC Reinsurance. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, RMC Reinsurance, Ltd., is required to maintain cash reserves ($6.77.0 million as of March 31,September 30, 2018) against life insurance policies ceded to it, as determined by the ceding company, and has also purchased a $0.3$0.1 million cash-collateralized letter of credit in favor of the ceding company.

Interest Rate Caps.

As a component of our strategy to manage the interest rate risk associated with future interest payments on our variable-rate debt, we have purchased interest rate cap contracts. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, we held four interest rate cap contracts with an aggregate notional principal amount of $250.0 million and 2.50% strike rates against theone-month LIBOR.$400.0 million. The interest rate caps have maturities of April 2018 ($150.0 million), March 2019 ($50.0 million)million, 2.50% strike rate), andApril 2020 ($100.0 million, 3.25% strike rate), June 2020 ($50.0 million)million, 2.50% strike rate), and April 2021 ($200.0 million, 3.50% strike rate). As of September 30, 2018, theone-month LIBOR was 2.26%. When theone-month LIBOR exceeds 2.50%,the strike rate, the counterparty reimburses us for the excess over 2.50%.the strike rate. No payment is required by us or the counterparty when theone-month LIBOR is below 2.50%.

In April 2018, we purchased two additional interest rate cap contracts with an aggregate notional principal amount of $300.0 million. The interest rate caps have maturities of April 2020 ($100.0 million) and April 2021 ($200.0 million), with 3.25% and 3.50%the strike rates, respectively, against theone-month LIBOR.rate.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Our wholly-owned subsidiary, RMC Reinsurance, Ltd., is required to maintain cash reserves against life insurance policies ceded to it, as determined by the ceding company. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, the cash reserves were $6.7$7.0 million. We have also purchased a cash collateralized letter of credit in favor of the ceding company. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, the letter of credit was $0.3$0.1 million.

Impact of Inflation

Our results of operations and financial condition are presented based on historical cost, except for interest rate caps, which are carried at fair value. While it is difficult to accurately measure the impact of inflation due to the imprecise nature of the estimates required, we believe the effects of inflation, if any, on our results of operations and financial condition have been immaterial.

Critical Accounting Policies

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and conform to general practices within the consumer finance industry. The preparation of these financial statements requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets

and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities for the periods indicated in the financial statements. Management bases estimates on historical experience and other assumptions it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances and evaluates these estimates on an ongoing basis. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We set forth below those material accounting policies that we believe are the most critical to an investor’s understanding of our financial results and condition and that involve a higher degree of complexity and management judgment.

Credit Losses.

Provisions for credit losses are charged to income as losses are estimated to have occurred and in amounts sufficient to maintain an allowance for credit losses at an adequate level to provide for future losses on our finance receivables. We charge credit losses against the allowance when the account becomes 180 days delinquent, subject to certain exceptions. Our policy fornon-titled accounts in a confirmed bankruptcy is to charge them off at 60 days delinquent, subject to certain exceptions. Deceased borrower accounts are charged off in the month following the proper notification of passing, with the exception of borrowers with credit life insurance. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Loss experience, the loss emergence period, contractual delinquency of finance receivables by loan type, the value of underlying collateral, and management’s judgment are factors used in assessing the overall adequacy of the allowance and the resulting provision for credit losses. While management uses the best information available to make its evaluation, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if there are significant changes in economic conditions or loan portfolio performance. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revisions as more information becomes available.

We initiate repossession proceedings when, in the opinion of management, the customer is unlikely to make further payments. We sell substantially all repossessed vehicle inventory through sales conducted by independent automobile auction organizations after the required post-repossession waiting period. Losses on the sale of repossessed collateral are charged to the allowance for credit losses.

The allowance for credit losses consists of general and specific components. The general component of the allowance estimates credit losses for groups of finance receivables on a collective basis and relates to probable incurred losses of unimpaired finance receivables. Prior to September 30, 2016, the general component of the allowance was primarily based on historical loss rates. Effective September 30, 2016, it is based on delinquency roll rates. Our finance receivable types are stratified by delinquency stages, and the future monthly delinquency profiles and credit losses are projected forward using historical delinquency roll rates. We record a general allowance for credit losses that includes forecasted future credit losses over the estimated loss emergence period (the interval of time between the event which caused a borrower to default and our recording of the credit loss) for each finance receivable type.

We adjust the computed roll rate forecast as described above for qualitative factors based on an assessment of internal and external influences on credit quality that are not fully reflected in the roll rate forecast. Those qualitative factors include trends in growth in the loan portfolio, delinquency, unemployment, bankruptcy, operational risks, and other economic trends.

The specific component of the allowance for credit losses relates to impaired finance receivables, which include accounts for which a customer has initiated a bankruptcy filing and finance receivables that have been modified under our loss mitigation policies. Finance receivables that have been modified are accounted for as troubled debt restructurings. At the time of the bankruptcy filing or restructuring pursuant to a loss mitigation policy, a specific valuation allowance is established for such finance receivables within the allowance for credit losses. We compute the estimated loss on our impaired loans by discounting the projected cash flows at the original contract rates on the loan using the terms imposed by the bankruptcy court or restructured by us. This method is applied in the aggregate to each of our four classes of loans. In making the computations of the present value of cash payments to be received on impaired accounts in each product category, we use the weighted-average interest rates and weighted-average remaining term based on data as of each balance sheet date.

For customers in a confirmed Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan, we reduce the interest rate to that specified in the bankruptcy order and we receive payments with respect to the remaining amount of the loan from the bankruptcy trustee. For customers who recently filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, we generally do not receive any payments until their bankruptcy plan is confirmed by the court. If the customers have made payments to the trustee in advance of plan confirmation, we may receive a lump sum payment from the trustee once the plan is confirmed. This lump sum payment represents ourpro-rata share of the amount paid by the customer. If a customer fails to comply with the terms of the bankruptcy order, we will petition the trustee to have the customer dismissed from bankruptcy. Upon dismissal, we restore the account to the original terms and pursue collection through our normal loan servicing activities.

If a customer files for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy code, the bankruptcy court has the authority to cancel the customer’s debt. If a vehicle secures a Chapter 7 bankruptcy account, the customer has the option of buying the vehicle at fair value or reaffirming the loan and continuing to pay the loan.

The FASB issued an accounting update in June 2016 to change the impairment model for estimating credit losses on financial assets. The current incurred loss impairment model requires the recognition of credit losses when it is probable that a loss has been incurred. The incurred loss model will be replaced by an expected loss model, which requires entities to estimate the lifetime expected credit loss on such instruments and to record an allowance to offset the amortized cost basis of the financial asset. This update is

effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. We believe the implementation of the accounting update will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements, and we are in the process of quantifying the potential impacts.

Income Recognition.

Interest income is recognized using the interest method (constant yield method). Therefore, we recognize revenue from interest at an equal rate over the term of the loan. Unearned finance charges onpre-compute contracts are rebated to customers utilizing statutory methods, which in many cases is thesum-of-the-years’ digits method. The difference between income recognized under the constant yield method and the statutory method is recognized as an adjustment to interest income at the time of rebate. Accrual of interest income on finance receivables is suspended when an account becomes 90 days delinquent. If the account is charged off, the accrued interest income is reversed as a reduction of interest and fee income.

We recognize income on credit life insurance using thesum-of-the-years’ digits or straight-line methods over the terms of the policies. We recognize income on credit accident and health insurance using the average of thesum-of-the-years’ digits and the straight-line methods over the terms of the policies. We recognize income on credit-related property and automobile insurance using the straight-line orsum-of-the-years’ digits methods over the terms of the policies. We recognize income on credit-related involuntary unemployment insurance using the straight-line method over the terms of the policies. Rebates are computed using statutory methods, which in many cases match the GAAP method, and where it does not match, the difference between the GAAP method and the statutory method is recognized in income at the time of rebate. Fee income fornon-filing insurance is recognized using thesum-of-the-years’ digits over the loan term.

We defer fees charged to automobile dealers and recognize income using the constant yield method for indirect loans and the straight-line method for direct loans over the lives of the respective loans.

Charges for late fees are recognized as income when collected.

Share-Based Compensation.

We measure compensation cost for share-based awards at estimated fair value and recognize compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest. We use the closing stock price on the date of grant as the fair value of restricted stock awards. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Black-Scholes model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, and expected life, changes to which can materially affect the fair value estimate. We estimate volatility using our historical stock prices. The risk-free rate is based on the zero coupon U.S. Treasury bond rate for the expected term of the award on the grant date. The expected term is calculated by using the simplified method (average of the vesting and original contractual terms) due to insufficient historical data to estimate the expected term. In addition, the estimation of share-based awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised.

Income Taxes.

We record a tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences of our reported operating results. The provision for income taxes is computed using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effects of future tax rate changes are recognized in the period when the enactment of new rates occurs.

We recognize the financial statement effects of a tax position when it is more likely than not that, based on technical merits, the position will be sustained upon examination. The tax benefits of the position recognized in the consolidated financial statements are then measured based on the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement with a taxing authority. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, we had not taken any tax position that exceeds the amount described above.

Pursuant to the adoption of an accounting standard update issued in March 2016 and effective for fiscal year 2017, we recognize the tax benefits or deficiencies from the exercise or vesting of share-based awards in the income tax line of our consolidated statements of income. These tax benefits and deficiencies were previously recognized within additionalpaid-in-capital on our consolidated balance sheet.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See Note 2, “Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1. “Financial Statements” for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements, including information on new accounting standards and the future adoption of such standards.

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in interest rates will affect our results of operations and financial condition. We originate finance receivables at either prevailing market rates or at statutory limits. Our finance receivables are structured on a fixed rate, fixed term basis. Accordingly, subject to statutory limits, our ability to react to changes in prevailing market rates is dependent upon the speed at which our customers pay off or renew loans in our existing loan portfolio, which allows us to originate new loans at prevailing market rates. Our loan portfolio turns over approximately 1.31.2 times per year from payments, renewals, and net credit losses. Because our automobile loans have longer maturities and typically are not refinanced prior to maturity, the rate of turnover of the loan portfolio may change as these loans change as a percentage of our portfolio.

We also are exposed to changes in interest rates as a result of our borrowing activities. We maintain liquidity and fund our business operations in large part through borrowings under a senior revolving credit facility and a revolving warehouse credit facility. At March 31,September 30, 2018, the outstanding balances under the senior revolving credit facility and the revolving warehouse credit facility were $416.1$502.9 million and $91.6$82.0 million, respectively. The interest rate that we pay on each of these credit facilityfacilities is a variable rate.

Borrowings under the senior revolving credit facility bear interest, payable monthly, at a rate equal to LIBOR of a maturity we elect between one and six months, with a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, plus a margin of 3.00%, increasing to 3.25% when the availability percentage is below 10%. Alternatively, we may pay interest under the senior revolving credit facility at a rate based on the prime rate, plus a margin of 2.00%, increasing to 2.25% when the availability percentage is below 10%. Through October 1, 2017, borrowingsBorrowings under the revolving warehouse credit facility previously bore interest, payable monthly, at a blended rate equal to three-month LIBOR, plus a margin of 3.50%. Effective October 2, 2017 and February 5, 2018, the revolving warehouse credit facility margin decreased to 3.25% and 3.00%, respectively, following the satisfaction of milestones associated with our conversion to a new loan origination and servicing system. In August 2018, in connection with an amendment and extension of the revolving warehouse credit facility, the margin further decreased to 2.20%. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, our LIBOR rates under the senior revolving credit facility and the revolving warehouse revolving credit facility were 1.88%2.26% and 2.31%2.40%, respectively.

Interest rates on borrowings under the senior revolving credit facility and the revolving warehouse credit facility were approximately 4.89%5.32% and 4.98%5.52%, respectively, for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, including, in each case, an unused line fee. Based on the LIBOR rates and the outstanding balances at March 31,September 30, 2018, an increase of 100 basis points in LIBOR rates would result in approximately $5.1$4.3 million of increased interest expense on an annual basis, in the aggregate, under these LIBOR-based borrowings. The nature and amount of our debt may vary as a result of future business requirements, market conditions, and other factors.

As of March 31, 2018, we hadWe have purchased interest rate caps to manage interest ratethe risk associated with aan aggregate notional $250.0$400.0 million of our LIBOR-based borrowings. These interest rate caps are based on theone-month LIBOR and reimburse us for the difference when theone-month LIBOR exceeds 2.50%.the strike rate. The interest rate caps have maturities of April 2018 ($150.0 million), March 2019 ($50.0 million)million, 2.50% strike rate), andApril 2020 ($100.0 million, 3.25% strike rate), June 2020 ($50.0 million).

In April 2018, we purchased two additional interest rate cap contracts with an aggregate notional principal amount of $300.0 million. The interest rate caps have maturities of April 2020 ($100.0 million)million, 2.50% strike rate), and April 2021 ($200.0 million), with 3.25% andmillion, 3.50% strike rates, respectively, against theone-month LIBOR.rate).

 

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31,September 30, 2018. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules13a-15(e) and15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’sSEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31,September 30, 2018, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost–benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Changes in Internal Control

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in management’s evaluation pursuant to Rules13a-15(d) or15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form10-Q that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.OTHERII. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On May 30, 2014, a securities class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “District Court”) against the Company and certain of its current and former directors, executive officers, and stockholders (collectively, the “Defendants”). The complaint alleged violations of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act Claims”) and sought unspecified compensatory damages and other relief on behalf of a purported class of purchasers of the Company’s common stock in the September 2013 and December 2013 secondary public offerings. On August 25, 2014, Waterford Township Police & Fire Retirement System and City of Roseville Employees’ Retirement System were appointed as lead plaintiffs (collectively, the “Plaintiffs”). An amended complaint was filed on November 24, 2014. In addition to the 1933 Act Claims, the amended complaint also added claims for violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act Claims”) seeking unspecified compensatory damages on behalf of a purported class of purchasers of the Company’s common stock between May 2, 2013 and October 30, 2014, inclusive.

On January 26, 2015, the Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint in its entirety. In response, the Plaintiffs sought and were granted leave to file an amended complaint. On February 27, 2015, the Plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint. Like the prior amended complaint, the second amended complaint asserts 1933 Act Claims and 1934 Act Claims and seeks unspecified compensatory damages. The Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the second amended complaint on April 28, 2015, and on March 30, 2016, the District Court granted the Defendants’ motion to dismiss the second amended complaint in its entirety. On May 23, 2016, the Plaintiffs moved for leave to file a third amended complaint. On January 27, 2017, the District Court denied the Plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file a third amended complaint and directed entry of final judgment in favor of the Defendants. On January 30, 2017, the District Court entered final judgment in favor of the Defendants.

On March 1, 2017, the Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (the “Appellate Court”). After hearing oral arguments on November 17, 2017, the Appellate Court issued a summary order on January 26, 2018 affirming the District Court’s order denying Plaintiffs leave to file a third amended complaint. The deadline for Plaintiffs to file a petition for a writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court was April 26, 2018. The Plaintiffs did not pursue an appeal with the United States Supreme Court, and therefore, this matter is fully resolved and concluded.

The Company is also involved in various legal proceedings and related actions that have arisen in the ordinary course of its business that have not been fully adjudicated. The Company’s management does not believe that these matters, when ultimately concluded and determined, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, liquidity, or results of operations.

 

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

Other than with respect to the risk factors set forth below, thereThere have been no material changes to our risk factors from those included in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.2017 and in our Quarterly Report on Form10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2018. In addition to the other information set forth in this report and in our other reports and statements that we file with the SEC, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (which was filed with the SEC on February 23, 2018) and in Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2018 (which was filed with the SEC on August 6, 2018), which could materially affect our business, financial condition, and/or future operating results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form10-Q are not the only risks facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial also may materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, and/or operating results.

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

Number

     Incorporated by Reference   Filed
Herewith
 
  

Exhibit Description

  Form   File No.   Exhibit   Filing Date   
10.1  Cooperation Agreement, dated as of January 26, 2018, between Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C. and the Company   8-K    001-3547    10.1    01/29/2018   
10.2  Second Amendment to Sixth Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of February  20, 2018, by and among Regional Management Corp. and its subsidiaries named as borrowers therein, the financial institutions named as lenders therein, and Bank of America, N.A., as agent   —      —      —      —      X 
10.3  Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February  20, 2018, by and among Regional Management Receivables, LLC, as borrower, Regional Management Corp., as servicer, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as lender, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as administrative agent   —      —      —      —      X 
31.1  Rule13a-14(a) /15(d)-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer   —      —      —      —      X 
31.2  Rule13a-14(a) /15(d)-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer   —      —      —      —      X 
32.1  Section 1350 Certifications   —      —      —      —      X 
101  The following materials from our Quarterly Report on Form10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2018, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017; and (v) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.   —      —      —      —      X 
Exhibit     

Incorporated by Reference

  Filed

Number

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing Date

  

Herewith

10.1  Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated August  30, 2018, by and among Regional Management Receivables II, LLC, as borrower, Regional Management Corp., as servicer, the lenders from time to time parties thereto, the agents from time to time parties thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch, as structuring and syndication agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as account bank, image file custodian, and backup servicer.  8-K  001-35477  10.1  09/06/2018  
31.1  Rule13a-14(a) /15(d)-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer  —    —    —    —    X
31.2  Rule13a-14(a) /15(d)-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer  —    —    —    —    X
32.1  Section 1350 Certifications  —    —    —    —    X
101  The following materials from our Quarterly Report on Form10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017; and (v) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  —    —    —    —    X

SIGNATURE

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.

 

  REGIONAL MANAGEMENT CORP.
Date: May 1,November 8, 2018  By: 

/s/ Donald E. Thomas

   

Donald E. Thomas, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)

 

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