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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPwrld-12312015ex321.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPwrld-12312015ex322.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPwrld-12312015ex312.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPwrld-12312015ex311.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 Form 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2015
or
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT of 1934

For the transition period from ______________  to ______________         
 
Commission File Number:  0-19599

WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter.)
South Carolina
 
57-0425114
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
108 Frederick Street
Greenville, South Carolina 29607
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(864) 298-9800
(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 shorter period than the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x  No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 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 x No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):
 
 
Large Accelerated Filer ¨
 
Accelerated Filer x
 
Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨No x

The number of outstanding shares of the issuer’s no par value common stock as of February 3, 2016 was 8,923,440.



 WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
Page
Item 1.
Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited):
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the year ended March 31, 2015 and the nine months ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 

Introductory Note:  As used herein, the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or similar formulations include World Acceptance Corporation and each of its subsidiaries, unless otherwise expressly noted or the context otherwise requires that it include only World Acceptance Corporation.  All references in this report to “fiscal 2016” are to the Company’s fiscal year ending March 31, 2016.

2




WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 
December 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
20,942,400

 
38,338,935

Gross loans receivable
1,219,209,366

 
1,110,145,082

Less:
 

 
 

Unearned interest, insurance and fees
(337,504,008
)
 
(297,402,404
)
Allowance for loan losses
(84,488,594
)
 
(70,437,988
)
Loans receivable, net
797,216,764

 
742,304,690

Property and equipment, net
23,313,434

 
25,906,507

Deferred income taxes, net
41,036,440

 
37,345,605

Other assets, net
15,307,988

 
12,749,771

Goodwill
6,121,458

 
6,121,458

Intangible assets, net
3,038,064

 
3,363,753

Total assets
$
906,976,548

 
866,130,719

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 

 
 

Senior notes payable
511,935,000

 
501,150,000

Income taxes payable
4,412,576

 
18,204,186

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
27,758,716

 
31,208,814

Total liabilities
544,106,292

 
550,563,000

Commitments and contingencies


 


 


 
 
Shareholders' equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock, no par value Authorized 5,000,000, no shares issued or outstanding

 

Common stock, no par value Authorized 95,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 8,923,440 and 8,969,948 shares at December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively

 

Additional paid-in capital
140,058,712

 
141,864,764

Retained earnings
246,175,133

 
188,605,305

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(23,363,589
)
 
(14,902,350
)
Total shareholders' equity
362,870,256

 
315,567,719

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
906,976,548

 
866,130,719


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



3


WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

 
Three months ended December 31,
 
Nine months ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and fee income
$
126,869,729

 
132,464,456

 
$
373,672,662

 
394,601,544

Insurance commissions, net and other income
12,826,307

 
16,240,103

 
39,660,004

 
48,213,500

Total revenues
139,696,036

 
148,704,559

 
413,332,666

 
442,815,044

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Provision for loan losses
35,440,402

 
38,292,746

 
99,225,547

 
105,346,744

General and administrative expenses:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Personnel
42,919,853

 
46,303,199

 
125,584,162

 
144,402,540

Occupancy and equipment
10,546,075

 
10,403,848

 
32,969,166

 
30,840,643

Advertising
7,961,227

 
7,747,085

 
14,540,768

 
14,337,598

Amortization of intangible assets
131,197

 
176,240

 
407,220

 
566,415

Other
10,021,695

 
11,008,812

 
29,083,034

 
30,493,944

Total general and administrative expenses
71,580,047

 
75,639,184

 
202,584,350

 
220,641,140

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
7,149,385

 
6,037,638

 
19,890,581

 
17,628,488

Total expenses
114,169,834

 
119,969,568

 
321,700,478

 
343,616,372

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
25,526,202

 
28,734,991

 
91,632,188

 
99,198,672

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income taxes
10,774,828

 
10,244,992

 
34,062,360

 
36,879,997

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
14,751,374

 
18,489,999

 
$
57,569,828

 
62,318,675

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per common share:
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Basic
$
1.70

 
2.04

 
$
6.68

 
6.76

Diluted
$
1.70

 
2.01

 
$
6.63

 
6.64

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Basic
8,657,675

 
9,043,190

 
8,624,617

 
9,225,205

Diluted
8,694,051

 
9,208,808

 
8,686,925

 
9,391,033



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


4


WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)

 
Three months ended December 31,
 
Nine months ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net income
$
14,751,374

 
18,489,999

 
$
57,569,828

 
$
62,318,675

Foreign currency translation adjustments
(1,075,499
)
 
(6,303,807
)
 
(8,461,239
)
 
(8,543,318
)
Comprehensive income
$
13,675,875

 
12,186,192

 
$
49,108,589

 
$
53,775,357


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


5



WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)

 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
Total Shareholders' Equity
Balances at March 31, 2014
$
118,365,503

 
193,095,944

 
(4,106,126
)
 
307,355,321

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options (159,348 shares), including tax benefits of $989,776
7,530,624

 

 

 
7,530,624

Common stock repurchases (1,432,058 shares)

 
(115,324,097
)
 

 
(115,324,097
)
Restricted common stock expense under stock option plan, net of cancellations ($303,818)
7,834,825

 

 

 
7,834,825

Stock option expense
8,133,812

 

 

 
8,133,812

Other comprehensive loss

 

 
(10,796,224
)
 
(10,796,224
)
Net income

 
110,833,458

 

 
110,833,458

Balances at March 31, 2015
$
141,864,764

 
188,605,305

 
(14,902,350
)
 
315,567,719

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options (64,103 shares), including tax benefits of $87,966
2,859,649

 

 

 
2,859,649

Restricted common stock expense under stock option plan, net of cancellations ($1,843,341)
(7,892,467
)
 

 

 
(7,892,467
)
Stock option expense
3,226,766

 

 
 
 
3,226,766

Other comprehensive loss

 

 
(8,461,239
)
 
(8,461,239
)
Net income

 
57,569,828

 

 
57,569,828

Balances at December 31, 2015
$
140,058,712

 
246,175,133

 
(23,363,589
)
 
362,870,256


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


6


WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
Nine months ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flow from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
57,569,828

 
62,318,675

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

 
 

Amortization of intangible assets
407,220

 
566,415

Amortization of debt issuance costs
1,709,126

 
304,303

Provision for loan losses
99,225,547

 
105,346,744

Depreciation
4,818,984

 
4,893,122

Loss (gain) on sale of property and equipment
1,364,251

 
(25,617
)
Deferred income tax benefit
(4,411,064
)
 
(8,674,410
)
Compensation related to stock option and restricted stock plans, net of taxes and adjustments
(4,665,702
)
 
12,203,949

Gain on sale of finance receivables, net of buybacks
(1,257,427
)
 

Change in accounts:
 

 
 

Other assets, net
2,356,005

 
(316,358
)
Income taxes payable
(13,575,540
)
 
(3,469,399
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
(3,098,477
)
 
(49,435
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
140,442,751

 
173,097,989

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Increase in loans receivable, net
(160,437,858
)
 
(192,461,044
)
Proceeds from sales of loans receivable, net of buybacks
(231,311
)
 

Net assets acquired from branch acquisitions, primarily loans
(92,097
)
 
(1,352,037
)
Increase in intangible assets from acquisitions
(81,531
)
 
(372,865
)
Purchases of property and equipment
(4,887,956
)
 
(6,908,893
)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
811,368

 
332,134

Net cash used in investing activities
(164,919,385
)
 
(200,762,705
)
Cash flow from financing activities:
 

 
 

Borrowings from senior notes payable
237,495,000

 
258,521,600

Payments on senior notes payable
(226,710,000
)
 
(172,071,600
)
Debt issuance costs associated with senior notes payable
(5,500,000
)
 
(337,500
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
2,771,683

 
2,540,081

Repurchase of common stock

 
(63,406,397
)
Excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options
87,966

 
601,875

Net cash provided by financing activities
8,144,649

 
25,848,059

Effects of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(1,064,550
)
 
(975,490
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(17,396,535
)
 
(2,792,147
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
38,338,935

 
19,569,683

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
20,942,400

 
16,777,536

 
 
 
 
Supplemental Disclosures:
 
 
 
Interest paid during the period
17,533,968

 
16,978,337

Income taxes paid during the period
51,964,927

 
49,123,565


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

7


WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 December 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements of the Company at December 31, 2015, and for the three and nine months ended were prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q and are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of items of a normal recurring nature) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position at December 31, 2015, and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, have been included.  The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other interim period.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, included in the Company’s 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on previously reported net income or shareholders' equity.

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES

Business
The Company is a small-loan consumer finance company headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, that offers short-term small loans, medium-term larger loans, related credit insurance products and ancillary products and services to individuals who have limited access to other sources of consumer credit.  It also offers income tax return preparation services to its customer base and to others. The Company also markets computer software and related services to financial services companies through its ParaData Financial Systems (“ParaData”) subsidiary.

Seasonality
The Company's loan volume and corresponding loans receivable follow seasonal trends.  The Company's highest loan demand occurs each year from October through December, its third fiscal quarter.  Loan demand is generally the lowest and loan repayment is highest from January to March, its fourth fiscal quarter.  Loan volume and average balances remain relatively level during the remainder of the year.  This seasonal trend causes fluctuations in the Company's cash needs and quarterly operating performance through corresponding fluctuations in interest and fee income and insurance commissions earned.  Consequently, operating results for the Company's third fiscal quarter are generally significantly lower than in other quarters and operating results for its fourth fiscal quarter are generally higher than in other quarters.

Accounting Standards to be Adopted

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements Topic 605 (Revenue Recognition), and most industry-specific guidance. ASU No. 2014-09 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 to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU No. 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU No. 2014-09, as amended by ASU 2015-14, is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.


8


Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, which requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. We do not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-03, which requires an entity to present debt issuance costs on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability as opposed to an asset. Amortization of the costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements (Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting). ASU 2015-15 allows debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit agreements to be presented on the balance sheet as an asset. ASU 2015-03 and 2015-15 are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Recognition, Measurement, Presentation, and Disclosure of Financial Instruments

In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-01, which updates certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 will be effective for the Company beginning in its first quarter of 2019 and early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

We reviewed all other newly issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they are either not applicable to our business or are not expected to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements as a result of future adoption.

NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE

Fair Value Disclosures

The Company may carry certain financial instruments and derivative assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company determines the fair values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value are grouped in three levels. The levels prioritize the inputs used to measure the fair value of the assets or liabilities.  These levels are:

Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for assets and liabilities, either directly or indirectly. These inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in market that are less active.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for assets or liabilities reflecting the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

The Company’s financial instruments for the periods reported consist of the following: cash and cash equivalents, loans receivable, and senior notes payable. Fair value approximates carrying value for all of these instruments. Loans receivable are originated at prevailing market rates and have an average life of approximately eight months. Given the short-term nature of these loans, they are continually repriced at current market rates. The Company’s revolving credit facility has a variable rate based on a margin over LIBOR and reprices with any changes in LIBOR. The Company also considered its creditworthiness in its determination of fair value.


9


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

 
December 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 1 inputs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
20,942,400

 
$
20,942,400

 
$
38,338,935

 
$
38,338,935

Level 3 inputs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans receivable, net
797,216,764

 
797,216,764

 
742,304,690

 
742,304,690

LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 3 inputs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior notes payable
511,935,000

 
511,935,000

 
501,150,000

 
501,150,000


There were no significant assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 or March 31, 2015.

NOTE 4 – FINANCE RECEIVABLES AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

Gross loans receivable at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following:
 
2015
 
2014
Small loans
$
754,478,231

 
772,500,860

Large loans
462,085,177

 
478,293,824

Sales finance receivables
2,645,958

 
11,823,287

Total gross loans
$
1,219,209,366

 
1,262,617,971


The following is a summary of the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated:
 
 
Three months ended December 31,
 
Nine months ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Balance at beginning of period
$
80,317,713

 
81,817,578

 
$
70,437,988

 
63,254,940

Provision for loan losses
35,440,402

 
38,292,746

 
99,225,547

 
105,346,744

Loan losses
(35,294,084
)
 
(37,978,106
)
 
(97,622,277
)
 
(93,210,529
)
Recoveries (1)
4,131,664

 
3,589,412

 
13,397,456

 
10,616,382

Translation adjustment
(107,101
)
 
(703,131
)
 
(950,120
)
 
(989,038
)
Balance at end of period
$
84,488,594

 
85,018,499

 
$
84,488,594

 
85,018,499


(1)
Recoveries during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 included $0.5 million and $2.7 million, respectively, resulting from the sale of previously charged-off loans.


10


The following is a summary of loans individually and collectively evaluated for impairment for the period indicated:

December 31, 2015
Loans individually
evaluated for
impairment
(impaired loans)
 
Loans collectively
evaluated for
impairment
 
Total
Gross loans in bankruptcy, excluding contractually delinquent
$
4,839,276

 

 
4,839,276

Gross loans contractually delinquent
56,777,734

 

 
56,777,734

Loans not contractually delinquent and not in bankruptcy

 
1,157,592,356

 
1,157,592,356

Gross loan balance
61,617,010

 
1,157,592,356

 
1,219,209,366

Unearned interest, insurance and fees
(15,173,459
)
 
(322,330,549
)
 
(337,504,008
)
Net loans
46,443,551

 
835,261,807

 
881,705,358

Allowance for loan losses
(41,809,944
)
 
(42,678,650
)
 
(84,488,594
)
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses
$
4,633,607

 
792,583,157

 
797,216,764


March 31, 2015
Loans individually
evaluated for
impairment
(impaired loans)
 
Loans collectively
evaluated for
impairment
 
Total
Gross loans in bankruptcy, excluding contractually delinquent
$
4,821,691

 

 
4,821,691

Gross loans contractually delinquent
48,262,853

 

 
48,262,853

Loans not contractually delinquent and not in bankruptcy

 
1,057,060,538

 
1,057,060,538

Gross loan balance
53,084,544

 
1,057,060,538

 
1,110,145,082

Unearned interest, insurance and fees
(13,115,117
)
 
(284,287,287
)
 
(297,402,404
)
Net loans
39,969,427

 
772,773,251

 
812,742,678

Allowance for loan losses
(35,352,658
)
 
(35,085,330
)
 
(70,437,988
)
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses
$
4,616,769

 
737,687,921

 
742,304,690

December 31, 2014
Loans individually
evaluated for
impairment
(impaired loans)
 
Loans collectively
evaluated for
impairment
 
Total
Gross loans in bankruptcy, excluding contractually delinquent
$
5,375,640

 

 
5,375,640

Gross loans contractually delinquent
54,521,862

 

 
54,521,862

Loans not contractually delinquent and not in bankruptcy

 
1,202,720,469

 
1,202,720,469

Gross loan balance
59,897,502

 
1,202,720,469

 
1,262,617,971

Unearned interest, insurance and fees
(14,879,254
)
 
(330,113,392
)
 
(344,992,646
)
Net loans
45,018,248

 
872,607,077

 
917,625,325

Allowance for loan losses
(39,871,072
)
 
(45,147,427
)
 
(85,018,499
)
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses
$
5,147,176

 
827,459,650

 
832,606,826


The average net balance of impaired loans was $42.0 million and $35.4 million, respectively, for the periods ended December 31, 2015, and 2014. It is not practical to compute the amount of interest earned on impaired loans.
 

11


The following is an assessment of the credit quality for the period indicated:
 
December 31,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Credit risk
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer loans- non-bankrupt accounts
$
1,213,286,140

 
1,104,179,016

 
1,256,348,256

Consumer loans- bankrupt accounts
5,923,226

 
5,966,066

 
6,269,715

Total gross loans
$
1,219,209,366

 
1,110,145,082

 
1,262,617,971

 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer credit exposure
 

 
 

 
 
Credit risk profile based on payment activity, performing
$
1,131,348,784

 
1,032,984,546

 
1,177,925,160

Contractual non-performing, 60 or more days delinquent (1)
87,860,582

 
77,160,536

 
84,692,811

Total gross loans
$
1,219,209,366

 
1,110,145,082

 
1,262,617,971

 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit risk profile based on customer type
 

 
 

 
 
New borrower
$
173,506,380

 
146,376,318

 
189,297,996

Former borrower
137,261,707

 
110,149,558

 
131,854,445

Refinance
884,046,393

 
829,661,427

 
914,438,177

Delinquent refinance
24,394,886

 
23,957,779

 
27,027,353

Total gross loans
$
1,219,209,366

 
1,110,145,082

 
1,262,617,971


(1) Loans in non-accrual status

The following is a summary of the past due receivables as of:

 
December 31,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Contractual basis:
 

 
 

 
 

30-59 days past due
$
44,805,260

 
43,663,540

 
44,649,718

60-89 days past due
29,428,608

 
26,027,649

 
28,227,745

90 days or more past due
58,431,974

 
51,132,887

 
56,465,066

Total
$
132,665,842

 
120,824,076

 
129,342,529

 
 
 
 
 
 
Percentage of period-end gross loans receivable
10.9
%
 
10.9
%
 
10.2
%

NOTE 5 – AVERAGE SHARE INFORMATION

The following is a summary of the basic and diluted average common shares outstanding:

 
Three months ended December 31,
 
Nine months ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding (denominator)
8,657,675

 
9,043,190

 
8,624,617

 
9,225,205

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Weighted average common shares outstanding
8,657,675

 
9,043,190

 
8,624,617

 
9,225,205

Dilutive potential common shares stock options
36,376

 
165,618

 
62,308

 
165,828

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding (denominator)
8,694,051

 
9,208,808

 
8,686,925

 
9,391,033



12


Options to purchase 848,245 and 558,620 shares of common stock at various prices were outstanding during the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the option exercise price was anti-dilutive.

Options to purchase 842,471 and 595,724 shares of common stock at various prices were outstanding during the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the option exercise price was anti-dilutive. 

NOTE 6 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock Option Plans

The Company has a 2002 Stock Option Plan, a 2005 Stock Option Plan, a 2008 Stock Option Plan, and a 2011 Stock Option Plan for the benefit of certain directors, officers, and key employees.  Under these plans, a total of 4,100,000 shares of authorized common stock have been reserved for issuance pursuant to grants approved by the Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors.  Stock options granted under these plans have a maximum duration of 10 years, may be subject to certain vesting requirements, which are generally five years for officers, directors, and key employees, and are priced at the market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant of the option.  At December 31, 2015, there were a total of 298,553 shares available for grant under the plans.

Stock-based compensation is recognized as provided under FASB ASC Topic 718-10 and FASB ASC Topic 505-50.  FASB ASC Topic 718-10 requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period) in the consolidated financial statements based on their grant date fair values. The impact of forfeitures that may occur prior to vesting is also estimated and considered in the amount recognized. The Company has applied the Black-Scholes valuation model in determining the grant date fair value of the stock option awards.  Compensation expense is recognized only for those options expected to vest, with forfeitures estimated based on historical experience and future expectations.

The weighted-average fair value at the grant date for options issued during the three months ended December 31, 2015 was $10.28, and the weighted-average fair value at the grant date for options issued during the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $34.38. The weighted-average fair value at the grant date for options issued during the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $10.82 and $34.53, respectively. Fair value was estimated at grant date using the weighted-average assumptions listed below:
 
Three months ended December 31,
 
Nine months ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Dividend Yield
—%
 
—%
 
—%
 
—%
Expected Volatility
41.51%
 
44.53%
 
41.41%
 
44.67%
Average risk-free rate
1.37%
 
1.77%
 
1.38%
 
1.77%
Expected Life
5.0 years
 
6.1 years
 
5.0 years
 
6.1 years

The expected stock price volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company's stock for a period approximating the expected life. The expected life represents the period of time that options are expected to be outstanding after the grant date. The risk-free rate reflects the interest rate at grant date on zero coupon U.S. governmental bonds having a remaining life similar to the expected option term.

13



Option activity for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 was as follows:
 
Shares
 
Weighted Average Exercise
Price
 
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding, beginning of period
1,083,767

 
$
69.15

 
 
 
 
Granted during period
112,400

 
28.45

 
 
 
 
Exercised during period
(64,103
)
 
43.24

 
 
 
 
Forfeited during period
(119,677
)
 
72.92

 
 
 
 
Expired during period
(9,958
)
 
61.43

 
 
 
 
Options outstanding, end of period
1,002,429

 
$
65.87

 
7.04
 
$
1,803,974

Options exercisable, end of period
488,081

 
$
64.96

 
5.80
 
$
702,630

 
The aggregate intrinsic value reflected in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the closing stock price on December 31, 2015 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by option holders had all option holders exercised their options  as of  December 31, 2015.  This amount will change as the stock’s market price changes.  The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
 
December 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Three months ended
$
153,726

 
$
2,534,147

Nine months ended
$
2,107,301

 
$
2,973,627

 
As of December 31, 2015, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock options amounted to approximately $10.9 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.8 years.

Restricted Stock

During fiscal 2016, the company granted 67,550 shares of restricted stock (which are equity classified), to certain executive officers, with a grant date weighted average fair value of $27.84. One-third of these awards will vest on each anniversary of the grant date over the next three years.

During fiscal 2014 and 2013 the Company granted 8,590 and 70,800 Group A performance based restricted stock awards to certain officers. Group A awards vested on April 30, 2015 based on the Company's achievement of the following performance goals as of March 31, 2015:

 EPS Target
 
Restricted Shares Eligible for Vesting (Percentage of Award)
$10.29
 
100%
$9.76
 
67%
$9.26
 
33%
Below $9.26
 
0%

During Fiscal 2014 and 2013 the Company granted 56,660 and 443,700 Group B performance based restricted stock awards to certain officers. As of December 31, 2015, 195,760 remain unforfeited and outstanding. Group B awards will vest as follows, if the Company achieves the following performance goals during any successive trailing four quarters during the measurement period ending on March 31, 2017:


14


Trailing 4 quarter EPS Target
 
Restricted Shares Eligible for Vesting (Percentage of Award)
$13.00
 
25%
$14.50
 
25%
$16.00
 
25%
$18.00
 
25%

Compensation expense related to restricted stock is based on the number of shares expected to vest and the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date.  The Company recognized compensation expense of $0.3 million and $2.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and recognized a net reduction of compensation expense of $6.0 million and compensation expense of $6.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which is included as a component of general and administrative expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.  

As of December 31, 2015, there was approximately $1.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards, which is expected to be recognized over the next 2.8 years based on current estimates. In addition there was approximately $11.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards, which are not expected to vest based on current estimates. If these estimates change, the $11.6 million will be expensed, accordingly, in future periods.

A summary of the status of the Company’s restricted stock as of December 31, 2015, and changes during the nine months ended December 31, 2015, are presented below:
 
Shares
 
Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date
Outstanding at March 31, 2015
433,750

 
$
76.84

Granted during the period
67,550

 
27.84

Vested during the period
(91,140
)
 
76.02

Forfeited during the period
(149,250
)
 
74.10

Outstanding at December 31, 2015
260,910

 
$
66.01

 
Total share-based compensation included as a component of net income during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

 
Three months ended December 31,
 
Nine months ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Share-based compensation related to equity classified awards:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share-based compensation related to stock options
$
1,719,236

 
2,645,017

 
3,226,766

 
6,538,234

Share-based compensation related to restricted stock, net of adjustments and exclusive of cancellations
346,865

 
2,018,775

 
(6,049,127
)
 
5,969,533

Total share-based compensation related to equity classified awards
$
2,066,101

 
4,663,792

 
(2,822,361
)
 
12,507,767


The Company no longer believes that achieving the earnings per share target of $14.50 or greater per share is probable during the measurement period which ends on March 31, 2017, therefore the Company released approximately $6.0 million of compensation expense during the nine months ended December 31, 2015. The Company also released approximately $3.7 million of compensation expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 related to the resignation and retirement of certain executives.


NOTE 7 – ACQUISITIONS

The Company evaluates each acquisition to determine if the acquired enterprise meets the definition of a business.  Those acquired enterprises that meet the definition of a business are accounted for as a business combination under FASB ASC Topic 805-10 and all other acquisitions are accounted for as asset purchases.  All acquisitions have been from independent third parties.


15


The following table sets forth the acquisition activity of the Company for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 
2015
 
2014
Number of business combinations

 
2

Number of asset purchases
1

 
2

Total acquisitions
1

 
4

 
 
 
 
Purchase Price
$
173,628

 
1,724,901

Tangible assets:
 

 
 

Net loans
92,097

 
1,348,036

Furniture, fixtures & equipment

 
4,000

 
$
92,097

 
1,352,036

 
 
 
 
Excess of purchase prices over carrying value of net tangible assets
$
81,531

 
372,865

 
 
 
 
Customer lists
$
76,531

 
198,534

Non-compete agreements
$
5,000

 
20,000

Goodwill
$

 
154,331

 
When the acquisition results in a new branch, the Company records the transaction as a business combination since the office acquired will continue to generate loans. The Company typically retains the existing employees and the branch location.  The purchase price is allocated to the estimated fair value of the tangible assets acquired and to the estimated fair value of the identified intangible assets acquired (generally non-compete agreements and customer lists).  The remainder is allocated to goodwill.  

When the acquisition is of a portfolio of loans only, the Company records the transaction as an asset purchase. In an asset purchase, no goodwill is recorded.  The purchase price is allocated to the estimated fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired. There was one acquisition recorded as an asset acquisition during the nine months ended December 31, 2015.

The Company’s acquisitions include tangible assets (generally loans and furniture and equipment) and intangible assets (generally non-compete agreements, customer lists, and goodwill), both of which are recorded at their fair values, which are estimated pursuant to the processes described below.

Acquired loans are valued at the net loan balance.  Given the short-term nature of these loans, generally eight months, and that these loans are priced at current rates, management believes the net loan balances approximate their fair value.

Furniture and equipment are valued at the specific purchase price as agreed to by both parties at the time of acquisition, which management believes approximates their fair values.

The results of all acquisitions have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the respective acquisition dates.  The pro forma impact of these purchases as though they had been acquired at the beginning of the periods presented would not have a material effect on the consolidated results of operations as reported.


16


NOTE 8 – DEBT

The Company's notes payable consist of a $600.0 million senior revolving credit facility with borrowings of $511.9 million outstanding on the borrowing facility and $1.5 million standby letters of credit related to workers compensation and surety bonds outstanding at December 31, 2015. To the extent that the letters of credit are drawn upon, the disbursement will be funded by the credit facility. There are no amounts due related to the letters of credit as of December 31, 2015 and they expire on December 31, 2016. The Letters of Credit are automatically extended for one year on the expiration date. The base credit facility will reduce from $600.0 million to $500.0 million on March 31, 2016 and to $400.0 million on March 31, 2017. Subject to a borrowing base formula, the Company may borrow at the rate of LIBOR plus 4.0% with a minimum rate of 5.0%.  For the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, the Company’s effective interest rate, including the commitment fee, was 5.4% and 4.3%, respectively, and the unused amount available under the revolver at December 31, 2015 was $86.6 million. The revolving credit facility has a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum on the unused portion of the commitment. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility mature on June 15, 2017.

Substantially all of the Company’s assets, excluding the assets of the Company's Mexican subsidiaries, are pledged as collateral for borrowings under the revolving credit agreement.

NOTE 9 – INCOME TAXES

The Company is required to assess whether the earnings of our two Mexican foreign subsidiaries, Servicios World Acceptance Corporation de México, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“SWAC”) and WAC de México, S.A. de C.V., SOFOM ENR (“WAC de Mexico”), will be permanently reinvested in the respective foreign jurisdiction or if previously untaxed foreign earnings of the Company will no longer be permanently reinvested and thus become taxable in the United States.  If these earnings were ever repatriated to the United States, the Company would be required to accrue and pay taxes on the cumulative undistributed earnings.  As of December 31, 2015, the Company has determined that approximately $1.4 million of cumulative undistributed net earnings of SWAC and approximately $20.5 million of cumulative undistributed net earnings of WAC de México, as well as the future net earnings and losses of both foreign subsidiaries, will be permanently reinvested.

As of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, the Company had $11.1 million and $8.6 million, respectively, of total gross unrecognized tax benefits including interest.  Approximately $8.7 million and $6.6 million, respectively, represent the amount of net unrecognized tax benefits that are permanent in nature and, if recognized, would affect the annual effective tax rate. At December 31, 2015, approximately $2.8 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits are expected to be resolved during the next twelve months through the expiration of the statute of limitations and settlement with taxing authorities. The Company’s continuing practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.  As of December 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $1.3 million accrued for gross interest, of which $626,000 was a current period-end expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2015.
 
The Company is subject to U.S. and Mexican income taxes as well as income taxation by various other state and local jurisdictions.  With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before fiscal 2012, although carry forward attributes that were generated prior to 2012 may still be adjusted upon examination by the taxing authorities if they either have been or will be used in a future period.  

The Company’s effective income tax rate increased to 42.2% for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 compared to 35.7% for the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily due to the increase in reserves related to an adverse State court ruling in the current period.

NOTE 10 – COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES

See Part 1, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Regulatory Matters-CFPB Investigation,” for information regarding the Company’s previously disclosed receipt of a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) on March 12, 2014 and receipt of a Notice and Opportunity to Respond and Advise ("NORA") letter from the CFPB on August 7, 2015 and the Company’s responses thereto.

As previously disclosed, on April 22, 2014, a shareholder filed a putative class action complaint, Edna Selan Epstein v. World Acceptance Corporation et al., in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina (case number 6:14-cv-01606), against the Company and certain of its current and former officers on behalf of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company’s common stock between April 25, 2013 and March 12, 2014. The complaint alleges that the Company made false and misleading statements in various SEC reports and other public statements in violation of federal securities laws preceding the Company’s disclosure in a Form 8-K filed March 13, 2014 that it had received the above-referenced CID from the CFPB. The

17


original complaint seeks class certification, unspecified monetary damages, costs and attorneys’ fees. The lead plaintiff’s amended complaint contains similar allegations to the original complaint, but expands the class period and includes additional allegations that the Company’s loan growth and volume figures were inflated because of a weakness in the Company’s internal controls relating to its accounting treatment of certain small-dollar loan re-financings. The Company and the individual defendants subsequently moved to dismiss the amended complaint. On May 18, 2015, the Court issued an order denying the Company’s motion to dismiss. On May 28, 2015, the Company filed a motion asking the Court to certify its May 18, 2015 order for immediate appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 1292(b), and to stay proceedings pending the resolution of that appeal, on grounds that the Court’s decision involves a controlling question of law over which there is substantial ground for difference of opinion and an immediate appeal may materially advance the ultimate termination of the litigation. On July 1, 2015, the Company filed an answer to the amended complaint, denying all liability. On December 18, 2015, the lead plaintiff filed a second amended complaint, which supersedes the amended complaint. The second amended complaint contains similar allegations to the amended complaint, but expands the class period further from January 30, 2013 through April 28, 2014 to January 30, 2013 through August 10, 2015, and contains additional allegations regarding, among other things, the Company’s receipt of the below-referenced NORA letter from the CFPB. On January 12, 2016, the Court dismissed defendants’ motion for certification of the Court’s May 18, 2015 order for immediate appeal without prejudice with leave to refile in light of the filing of the second amended complaint, because, as the Court noted, “the case, for all practical purposes, has started over.” On January 29, 2016, defendants moved to dismiss the second amended complaint. The Company expects briefing to be complete on that motion by April 2016.

As previously disclosed, on July 15, 2015, a shareholder filed a putative derivative complaint, Irwin J. Lipton, et al. v. McLean, et al., in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina (case number 6:15-cv-02796-MGL) (the “Lipton Derivative Action”), on behalf of the Company against certain of our current and former officers and directors. On September 21, 2015, another shareholder filed a putative derivative complaint, Paul Parshall, et al. v. McLean, et al., in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina (case number 6:15-cv-03779-MGL) (the “Parshall Derivative Action”), asserting substantially similar claims on behalf of the Company against certain of our current and former officers and directors. On October 14, 2015, the Court entered an order consolidating the Lipton Derivative Action and the Parshall Derivative Action as In re World Acceptance Corp. Derivative Litigation (Lead Case No. 6:15-cv-02796-MGL) and providing, among other things, that the defendants need not respond to the initial complaints filed in the Lipton Derivative Action and the Parshall Derivative Action, but instead would respond to a consolidated complaint to be filed by the plaintiffs. On October 23, the plaintiffs filed their consolidated complaint. The consolidated complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties by disseminating false and misleading information to the Company’s shareholders regarding the Company’s loan growth, loan renewals, allowances for loan losses, revenue sources, revenue growth, compliance with GAAP, and the sufficiency of the Company’s internal controls and accounting procedures; (ii) that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties by failing to ensure that the Company maintained adequate internal controls; (iii) that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties by failing to exercise prudent oversight and supervision of the Company’s officers and other employees to ensure conformity with all applicable laws and regulations; (iv) that the defendants were unjustly enriched as a result of the compensation they received while allegedly breaching their fiduciary duties owed to the Company; (v) that the defendants wasted corporate assets by paying excessive compensation to certain of the Company’s executive officers, awarding self-interested stock options to certain of the Company’s officers and directors, incurring legal liability and legal costs to defend the defendants’ unlawful actions, and authorizing the repurchase of Company stock at artificially inflated prices; (vi) that certain of the defendants breached their fiduciary duty to the Company by selling shares of the Company’s stock at artificially inflated prices while in the possession of material, nonpublic information regarding the Company’s financial condition; (vii) that the defendants violated Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by making false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s practices regarding loan renewals, loan modifications, and accounting for loans; and (viii) that the defendants violated Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by failing to disclose alleged material facts in the Company’s 2014 and 2015 proxy statements. The consolidated complaint seeks, among other things, unspecified monetary damages and an order directing the Company to take steps to reform and improve its corporate governance and internal procedures to comply with applicable laws and to protect the Company and its shareholders from future wrongdoing such as that described in the consolidated complaint. Defendants filed motions to dismiss the consolidated complaint on December 18, 2015, which remain pending.

In addition, from time to time the Company is involved in routine litigation matters relating to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business, including matters in which damages in various amounts are claimed.

Estimating an amount or range of possible losses resulting from litigation, government actions and other legal proceedings is inherently difficult and requires an extensive degree of judgment, particularly where the matters involve indeterminate claims for monetary damages, may involve fines, penalties or damages that are discretionary in amount, involve a large number of claimants or significant discretion by regulatory authorities, represent a change in regulatory policy or interpretation, present novel legal theories, are in the early stages of the proceedings, are subject to appeal or could result in a change in business practices. In addition, because most legal proceedings are resolved over extended periods of time, potential losses are subject to change due to, among

18


other things, new developments, changes in legal strategy, the outcome of intermediate procedural and substantive rulings and other parties’ settlement posture and their evaluation of the strength or weakness of their case against us. For these reasons, we are currently unable to predict the ultimate timing or outcome of, or reasonably estimate the possible losses or a range of possible losses resulting from, the matters described above. Based on information currently available, the Company does not believe that any reasonably possible losses arising from currently pending legal matters will be material to the Company’s results of operations or financial condition. However, in light of the inherent uncertainties involved in such matters, an adverse outcome in one or more of these matters could materially and adversely affect the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in any particular reporting period.

NOTE 11 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

None.

19


WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain information derived from the Company's consolidated statements of operations and balance sheets, as well as operating data and ratios, for the periods indicated (unaudited):

 
Three months ended December 31,
 
Nine months ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Average gross loans receivable ¹
$
1,180,643

 
$
1,216,642

 
$
1,156,062

 
$
1,180,154

Average net loans receivable ²
855,911

 
886,374

 
840,004

 
860,311

Expenses as a % of total revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for loan losses
25.4
%
 
25.8
%
 
24.0
%
 
23.8
%
General and administrative
51.2
%
 
50.9
%
 
49.0
%
 
49.8
%
Total interest expense
5.1
%
 
4.1
%
 
4.8
%
 
4.0
%
Operating income ³
23.4
%
 
23.4
%
 
27.0
%
 
26.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets (trailing 12 months)
11.9
%
 
11.2
%
 
11.9
%
 
11.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Offices opened or acquired, net
4

 
21

 
30

 
43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total offices (at period end)
1,350

 
1,314

 
1,350

 
1,314



(1)
Average gross loans receivable have been determined by averaging month-end gross loans receivable over the indicated period.
(2)
Average net loans receivable have been determined by averaging month-end gross loans receivable less unearned interest and deferred fees over the indicated period.
(3)
Operating income is computed as total revenues less provision for loan losses and general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues.

 
Comparison of three months ended December 31, 2015 versus three months ended December 31, 2014

Net income decreased by $3.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, or 20.2%, from the three month period ended December 31, 2014.  Operating income (revenue less provision for loan losses and general and administrative expenses) decreased approximately $2.1 million, or 6.0%, interest expense increased by approximately $1.1 million, or 18.4%, and income tax expense increased by $0.5 million, or 5.2%.

Total revenue decreased $9.0 million, or 6.1%, to $139.7 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 from $148.7 million for the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

Interest and fee income for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 decreased by $5.6 million, or 4.2%, from the same period of the prior year.  The interest and fees recognized on our average net loans receivable were negatively impacted during the quarter by a decrease in our average earning loans. We experienced a 4.8% decrease in our average net loans receivable less loans that are 60 days or more contractually past due when comparing the two quarters for our US and traditional Mexican loans. The accrual of interest is discontinued when a loan becomes 60 days or more past the contractual due date and all unpaid accrued interest is reversed against interest income. Interest and fee income for the quarter was also negatively impacted by a continued decrease in volumes. Revenues from our Mexican operations were negatively impacted by a move in the exchange rate quarter over quarter. The move in the exchange rate had a negative impact of approximately $2.3 million on the current quarter’s revenue compared to the prior year quarter.


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Insurance commissions and other income decreased by approximately $3.4 million, or 21.0%, between the two quarterly periods.  Insurance commissions decreased by approximately $1.9 million, or 15.3%, during the three months when compared to the same period in the prior year. Insurance commissions decreased primarily due to a decrease in loans where our insurance products are available to the customer. Other income decreased by approximately $1.5 million, or 41.5%. The decrease in other income was primarily due to a decrease in World Class Buying Club ("WCBC") sales revenue of $0.8 million, which is a result of no longer offering this program as of March 31, 2015, and a decrease in the sales of motor club of $0.3 million.

The provision for loan losses during the three months ended December 31, 2015 decreased by $2.9 million, or 7.4%. This decrease is due primarily to net charge-offs decreasing by $3.2 million, slower loan growth quarter over quarter, and improved delinquencies in Mexico off-set by higher delinquencies in the US. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average net loans on an annualized basis decreased from 15.5% to 14.6% when comparing the two quarterly periods. The Company recorded three monthly sales of accounts previously charged-off totaling approximately $0.5 million as recoveries during the current quarter. Accounts that were 60 days or more past due were 5.2% and 5.0% on a recency basis, and were 7.2% and 6.7% on a contractual basis at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 decreased by $4.1 million, or 5.4% from the same quarter of fiscal 2015. G&A expense decreased primarily due to decreases in personnel costs. Specifically, share based compensation decreased by approximately $2.5 million and overtime expense decreased by $0.6 million. Further, regular payroll remained relatively flat, despite increasing the branch count over the last twelve months. Overall, general and administrative expenses, when divided by average open offices, decreased by approximately 8.5% when comparing the two periods. The total general and administrative expense as a percent of total revenue was 51.2% for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and was 50.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2014.

Interest expense increased by approximately $1.1 million when comparing the two corresponding quarterly periods due to a 37.2% increase in the effective interest rate from 4.22% to 5.79% for the quarters ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The increase from the effective interest rate was partially offset by a 13.1% decrease in the average debt outstanding.

The Company’s effective income tax rate increased to 42.2% for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 compared to 35.7% for the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily due to the increase in reserves related to an adverse State court ruling in the current period.

Comparison of nine months ended December 31, 2015 versus nine months ended December 31, 2014

Net income decreased to $57.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2015, or 7.6%, from the nine month period ended December 31, 2014. Operating income decreased by approximately $5.3 million, or 4.5%, interest expense increased by approximately $2.3 million, or 12.8%, and income tax expense decreased by $2.8 million, or 7.6%.

Total revenue decreased to $413.3 million during the nine month period ended December 31, 2015, a 6.7% decrease from the $442.8 million for the corresponding period of the previous year. Revenue from the 1,243 offices open throughout both nine month periods decreased by approximately 6.9%.

Interest and fee income for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 decreased by $20.9 million, or 5.3%, over the same period of the prior year. This decrease was primarily driven by a 3.5% decrease in our average net loans receivable less loans that are 60 days or more contractually past due when comparing the two corresponding periods for our US and traditional Mexican loans. Revenues from our Mexican operations were negatively impacted by a move in the exchange rate period over period. The move in the exchange rate had a negative impact of approximately $7.0 million on the current period’s revenue compared to the prior year.

Insurance commissions and other income decreased by approximately $8.6 million, or 17.7%, between the two nine month periods. Insurance commissions decreased by approximately $3.6 million, or 9.7%, during the nine months when compared to the same period in the prior year. Other income decreased by approximately $5.0 million, or 43.5%. This decrease resulted primarily from a $1.5 million buyback of charged-off accounts previously sold in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, a $2.6 million decrease in WCBC sales, which is a result of no longer offering this program as of March 31, 2015, and a $1.0 million decrease in the sales of motor club partially offset by an increase in revenue from Paradata of $0.9 million.


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The provision for loan losses during the nine months ended December 31, 2015 decreased by $6.1 million, or 5.8%. The provision benefited from a stabilization of accounts that are fully reserved and slower loan growth in the period ended December 31, 2015. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average net loans increased from 12.8% to 13.4% (annualized) when comparing the two nine month periods. Net charge-offs in the prior year period were impacted by the change in branch level incentives as previously disclosed. Net charge-offs in the current year period benefited from the sale of accounts previously charged-off totaling approximately $2.7 million as recoveries for the period.

General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 decreased by $18.1 million, or 8.2% over the same period of fiscal 2015. Overall, general and administrative expenses, when divided by average open offices, decreased by approximately 11.7% when comparing the two periods. The total general and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenue was 49.0% for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and was 49.8% for the nine months ended December 31, 2014. General and administrative expenses were impacted in the current period by the overall decrease in share based compensation as well as the release of expense previously accrued under the Group B performance based restricted stock awards. The Company no longer believes that achieving the earnings per share targets of $14.50 and $16.00 per share is probable during the measurement period which ends on March 31, 2017. The release resulted in a decrease in personnel expense of approximately $6.0 million. G&A also decreased approximately $1.2 million due to the reversal of long-term equity incentive accruals resulting from the resignation of a former Senior Vice President during the first quarter. This was partially offset by the accrual of approximately $400,000 of severance-related expenses. The Company also reversed approximately $2.5 million for certain long-term equity incentive accruals related to the retirement of the former CEO on September 30, 2015. The Company recorded an additional $1.2 million of expense related to a planned bond offering that was not completed and a $1.3 million loss taken as a result of the sale of the corporate jet.

Interest expense increased by approximately $2.3 million when comparing the two corresponding nine month periods as a result of a 26.4% increase in the effective interest rate, partially offset by a 10.2% decrease in the average debt balance. The effective interest rate increased from 4.24% to 5.36% during the current period.

The Company’s effective income tax rate remained unchanged at 37.2% for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 compared to the prior year period.
 
Regulatory Matters

CFPB Investigation

As previously disclosed, on March 12, 2014, the Company received a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”). The stated purpose of the CID is to determine whether the Company has been or is “engaging in unlawful acts or practices in connection with the marketing, offering, or extension of credit in violation of Sections 1031 and 1036 of the Consumer Financial Protection Act, 12 U.S.C. §§ 5531, 5536, the Truth in Lending Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1601, et seq., Regulation Z, 12 C.F.R. pt. 1026, or any other Federal consumer financial law” and “also to determine whether Bureau action to obtain legal or equitable relief would be in the public interest.” The Company responded, within the deadlines specified in the CID, to broad requests for production of documents, answers to interrogatories and written reports related to loans made by the Company and numerous other aspects of the Company’s business.

Also as previously disclosed, on August 7, 2015, the Company received a letter from the CFPB’s Enforcement Office notifying the Company that, in accordance with the CFPB’s discretionary Notice and Opportunity to Respond and Advise (“NORA”) process, the staff of CFPB’s Enforcement Office is considering recommending that the CFPB take legal action against the Company (the “NORA Letter”). The NORA Letter states that the staff of the CFPB’s Enforcement Office expects to allege that the Company violated the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, 12 U.S.C. §5536. The NORA Letter confirms that the Company has the opportunity to make a NORA submission, which is a written statement setting forth any reasons of law or policy why the Company believes the CFPB should not take legal action against it. The Company understands that a NORA Letter is intended to ensure that potential subjects of enforcement actions have the opportunity to present their positions to the CFPB before an enforcement action is recommended or commenced.

The Company has made NORA submissions to the CFPB’s Enforcement Office. The Company expects that there will continue to be additional requests or demands for information from the CFPB and ongoing interactions between the CFPB, the Company and Company counsel as part of the investigation. We are currently unable to predict the ultimate timing or outcome of the CFPB investigation. While the Company believes its marketing and lending practices are lawful, there can be no assurance that the CFPB's ongoing investigation or future exercise of its enforcement, regulatory, discretionary or other powers will not result in findings or alleged violations of federal consumer financial protection laws that could lead to enforcement actions, proceedings or litigation and the imposition of damages, fines, penalties, restitution, other monetary liabilities, sanctions, settlements or changes

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to the Company’s business practices or operations that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations or eliminate altogether the Company's ability to operate its business profitably or on terms substantially similar to those on which it currently operates. See Part I, Item 1, “Business- Government Regulation-Federal legislation” and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2015 for a further discussion of these matters and federal regulations to which the Company’s operations are subject.

CFPB Proposed Rulemaking Initiatives

On March 26, 2015, the CFPB announced that it was considering proposing rules under its unfair, deceptive and abusive acts and practices rulemaking authority relating to payday, vehicle title, and similar loans. The proposal would cover short-term loans with a contractual term of 45 days or less, as well as “longer-term loans” with a term of longer than 45 days with an all-in annualized percentage rate of interest (“APR”) in excess of 36% in which the lender has either a non-purchase money security interest in the consumer’s vehicle or the right to collect repayment from the consumer’s bank account or paycheck. We believe the CFPB’s “longer-term” credit proposals seek to address a concern that consumers suffer harm if lenders fail to underwrite loans but take a security interest in the consumer’s vehicle or access to repayment from a consumer’s account or wages. Although the Company does not make loans with terms of 45 days or less or obtain access to a customer’s bank account or paycheck for repayment of any of its loans, it does make some vehicle-secured loans with an APR within the scope of the proposal. The proposals would require a lender, as a condition of making a covered longer-term loan, to first make a good-faith reasonable determination that the consumer has the ability to repay the covered longer-term loan without reborrowing or defaulting. The proposals would require lenders to verify income, “major financial obligations” and borrowing history. Lenders would also be required to determine that a consumer is able to make all projected payments under the covered longer-term loan as those payments are due, while still fulfilling other major financial obligations and meeting living expenses. This ability to repay assessment would apply to both the initial longer-term loan and to any subsequent refinancing. In addition, the proposals would include a rebuttable presumption that customers seeking to refinance a covered longer-term loan lack an “ability to repay” if at the time of refinancing the borrower: (i) was delinquent or had recently been delinquent on an outstanding loan; (ii) stated or indicated an inability to make a scheduled payment or that the loan was causing financial distress; (iii) is allowed to skip a payment or pays a smaller amount than a payment that would have been due on the loan, unless the refinancing provides a substantial amount of cash to the consumer; or (iv) is in default on the outstanding loan. To overcome this presumption of inability to repay, the lender would have to verify a change in the borrower’s circumstances to indicate an ability to repay the additional extension of credit. These proposals are subject to several procedural requirements and to possible change before any final rules would be issued and implemented and we cannot predict what the ultimate rulemaking will provide. The Company does not believe that these proposals as currently described by the CFPB would have a material impact on the Company’s existing lending procedures, because the Company currently underwrites all its loans (including those secured by a vehicle title that would fall within the scope of these proposals) by reviewing the customer’s ability to repay based on the Company’s standards. However, there can be no assurance that these proposals for longer-term loans, if and when implemented in final rulemaking, would not require changes to the Company’s practices and procedures for such loans that could materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to make such loans, the cost of making such loans, the Company’s ability to, or frequency with which it could, refinance any such loans, and the profitability of such loans. Any final rulemaking also could have effects beyond those contemplated in the initial proposal that could further materially and adversely impact our business and operations.

As part of the CFPB’s outline of the proposed rulemaking initiative described above, the CFPB also stated that it expects to conduct separate rulemaking to identify larger participants in the installment lending market for purposes of its supervision program. Though the timing of any such rulemaking is uncertain, the Company believes that the implementation of such rules would likely bring the Company’s business under the CFPB’s supervisory authority which, among other things, would subject the Company to reporting obligations to, and on-site compliance examinations by, the CFPB.

On October 7, 2015, the CFPB announced that it is considering proposing rules to regulate the use of arbitration agreements in consumer financial products or services. The Dodd-Frank Act authorized the CFPB to conduct a formal study of arbitration agreements and, if certain conditions were met, regulate the use of arbitration agreements through a rulemaking. The CFPB’s announcement represented the first step in its rulemaking process. The proposal would apply to installment loans, credit cards, checking and deposit accounts, prepaid cards, money transfer services, auto title loans, small dollar or payday loans, and several other types of financial products or services. As specified, the proposal would affect arbitration agreements in two primary ways. First, it would require any arbitration agreement subject to the rule to provide explicitly that the arbitration agreement is inapplicable to cases filed in court on behalf of a class unless and until class certification is denied or the class claims are dismissed. Second, the proposal would require persons subject to the rulemaking, and who continue to use arbitration agreements, to submit information on initial claim filings and awards to the CFPB. Such claims or awards information could ultimately be published by the CFPB. The Company does not believe that these proposals as currently described by the CFPB would have a material impact on the Company’s existing operations. While the Company does use arbitration agreements, if the CFPB adopts a final rule as proposed, the Company expects to modify its contracts to conform to the rule. Such a change could lead to increased legal costs for the

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Company, but it should not otherwise materially affect the Company’s core business of making loans. However, any final rulemaking also could have effects beyond those contemplated in the initial proposal that could further materially and adversely impact the Company’s business and operations.

See Part I, Item 1, “Business- Government Regulation-Federal legislation” and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2015 for a further discussion of these matters and federal regulations to which the Company’s operations are subject.

New Mexico Rate Cap Bills

On January 26, 2016, members of the New Mexico House Business and Employment Commitment tabled measures that would have led to the introduction of a House Bill which were to propose a 36% rate cap on all financial lending products. The Company, through its state and federal trade associations, is working in opposition  to this pending legislation;  however, it is uncertain whether these efforts will be successful  in preventing the passage of the legislation. The Company's operations are subject to extensive state and federal laws and regulations, and changes in those laws or regulations or their application could have a material, adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations,  prospects or ability to continue operations in the jurisdictions  affected by these changes. See Part I, Item 1, “Description of Business-Government Regulation” and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Company's report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 for more information regarding these regulations and related risks.

Military Lending Act Regulations

On July 22, 2015 the Department of Defense (the “DoD”) amended its regulations implementing the Military Lending Act (the “MLA”) by issuing final regulations (the “Final Rule”). Prior MLA regulations prohibited creditors from making payday loans, non-purchase money motor vehicle title loans with a term of less than 181 days, and refund anticipation loans to “covered borrowers” (which includes members of the armed forces (i) on active duty; (ii) on active Guard and Reserve Duty; and (iii) their dependents if the annual percentage rate of interest (“APR”) exceeded 36%. The Company did not make any of the loans covered under the prior MLA regulations. However, the Final Rule expands the MLA and its 36% APR cap to cover a broader range of credit products. The Final Rule covers credit offered or extended to a “covered borrower” primarily for personal, family, or household purposes that is either subject to a finance charge or payable by a written agreement in more than four installments. The Final Rule mandates, among other things, that a creditor must provide both oral and written disclosures, including an all-inclusive APR referred to as the Military Annual Percentage Rate (“MAPR”), and must not require arbitration in agreements with “covered borrowers." Creditors may elect to check a borrower’s status as a “covered borrower” either in a database maintained by the DoD or through a nationwide consumer reporting agency before entering into a consumer credit transaction. Doing so provides a creditor with a legally conclusive determination as to the borrower’s status and affords the creditor a safe harbor from liability as to the “covered borrower” determination. While the Final Rule became effective on October 1, 2015, the limitations in the Final Rule apply only to consumer credit transactions or accounts for consumer credit consummated or established on or after October 3, 2016. The Company believes the implementation of the Final Rule may adversely affect its operations, in that it may (i) require the Company to modify the consumer disclosures, and possibly the terms and conditions of its loan products offered to covered borrowers, and (ii) prevent the Company from offering some of its loan products to covered borrowers. Additionally, the Final Rule may adversely affect the cost and efficiency of processing loans, due to performing confirming database checks during the application phase, including refinancings, on a much greater number of loans, in order to effectively protect the Company from litigation related to “covered borrower” status determinations. These or other consequences of Final Rule could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Critical Accounting Policies
 
The Company’s accounting and reporting policies are in accordance with U. S. GAAP and conform to general practices within the finance company industry.  Certain accounting policies involve significant judgment by the Company’s management, including the use of estimates and assumptions which affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. As a result, changes in these estimates and assumptions could significantly affect the Company’s financial position and results of operations. The Company considers its policies regarding the allowance for loan losses, share-based compensation and income taxes to be its most critical accounting policies due to the significant degree of management judgment involved.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company has developed processes and procedures for assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses that take into consideration various assumptions and estimates with respect to the loan portfolio.  The Company’s assumptions and estimates may be affected in the future by changes in economic conditions, among other factors.  Additional information concerning the allowance for loan losses is discussed under Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Credit Quality”in the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.
 
Share-Based Compensation

The Company measures compensation cost for share-based awards at fair value and recognizes compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest. The fair value of restricted stock is based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock at the time of grant, and 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. 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 the Company’s current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised. The Company considers many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including types of awards and historical experience. Actual results, and future changes in estimates, may differ substantially from the Company’s current estimates.

Income Taxes
 
Management uses certain assumptions and estimates in determining income taxes payable or refundable, deferred income tax liabilities and assets for events recognized differently in its financial statements and income tax returns, and income tax expense. Determining these amounts requires analysis of certain transactions and interpretation of tax laws and regulations. Management exercises considerable judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of the resulting income tax liabilities and assets. These judgments and estimates are re-evaluated on a periodic basis as regulatory and business factors change.

No assurance can be given that either the tax returns submitted by management or the income tax reported on the Consolidated Financial Statements will not be adjusted by either adverse rulings by the U.S. Tax Court, changes in the tax code, or assessments made by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), state, or foreign taxing authorities. The Company is subject to potential adverse adjustments, including but not limited to: an increase in the statutory federal or state income tax rates, the permanent non-deductibility of amounts currently considered deductible either now or in future periods, and the dependency on the generation of future taxable income, including capital gains, in order to ultimately realize deferred income tax assets.
 
Under FASB ASC Topic 740, the Company will include the current and deferred tax impact of its tax positions in the financial statements when it is more likely than not (likelihood of greater than 50%) that such positions will be sustained by taxing authorities, with full knowledge of relevant information, based on the technical merits of the tax position. While the Company supports its tax positions by unambiguous tax law, prior experience with the taxing authority, and analysis of what it considers to be all relevant facts, circumstances and regulations, management must still rely on assumptions and estimates to determine the overall likelihood of success and proper quantification of a given tax position.


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Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company has financed and continues to finance its operations, acquisitions and office expansion through a combination of cash flows from operations and borrowings from its institutional lenders.  The Company has generally applied its cash flows from operations to fund its loan volume, fund acquisitions, repay long-term indebtedness, and repurchase its common stock.  As the Company's gross loans receivable increased from $972.7 million at March 31, 2012 to $1.1 billion at March 31, 2015, net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $241.9 million, $246.0 million and $232.0 million, respectively.

The Company continues to believe stock repurchases to be a viable component of the Company’s long-term financial strategy and an excellent use of excess cash when the opportunity arises.  However, our amended credit facility now requires the Company to obtain prior written consent from our lenders holding at least 66-2/3% of the aggregate commitments before repurchasing additional shares and reduces the overall commitment to $400 million over the next 15 months. 

The Company plans to open or acquire at least 30 branches in the United States and 10 branches in Mexico during fiscal 2016. Expenditures by the Company to open and furnish new offices averaged approximately $25,000 per office during fiscal 2015. New offices have also required from $100,000 to $400,000 to fund outstanding loans receivable originated during their first 12 months of operation. During the nine months ended December 31, 2015, the Company opened 36 new branches and 6 branches were merged into existing branches.

The Company completed one acquisition during the first nine months of fiscal 2016. The Company believes that attractive opportunities to acquire new offices or receivables from its competitors or to acquire offices in communities not currently served by the Company will continue to become available as conditions in local economies and the financial circumstances of owners change.

The Company currently has a $600.0 million revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks. The revolving credit facility provides for revolving borrowings of up to the lesser of (1) the aggregate commitments under the facility and (2) a borrowing base, and includes a $1.5 million letter of credit subfacility. The credit facility was amended in June of 2015 to extend its term through June 15, 2017. As amended, the current aggregate commitments will reduce from $600 million to $500 million on March 31, 2016 and from $500 million to $400 million on March 31, 2017. The borrowing base limitation is equal to the product of (a) the Company’s eligible finance receivables, less unearned finance charges, insurance premiums and insurance commissions, and (b) an advance rate percentage that ranges from 79% to 85% based on a collateral performance indicator, as more completely described below. Further, the administrative agent under the revolving credit facility has the right at any time, and from time to time, in its permitted discretion (but without any obligation), to set aside reasonable reserves against the borrowing base in such amounts as it may deem appropriate, including, without limitation, reserves with respect to regulatory events or any increased operational, legal or regulatory risk.

Funds borrowed under the revolving credit facility bear interest at the LIBOR rate plus 4.0% per annum, with a minimum rate of 5.0%.  During the nine months ended December 31, 2015, the effective interest rate, including the commitment fee, on borrowings under the revolving credit facility was 5.36%.  The Company pays a commitment fee equal to 0.50% per annum of the daily unused portion of the commitments.  On December 31, 2015, $511.9 million was outstanding under this facility, and there was $86.6 million of unused borrowing availability under the borrowing base limitations.

The Company’s obligations under the revolving credit facility, together with treasury management and hedging obligations owing to any lender under the revolving credit facility or any affiliate of any such lender, are required to be guaranteed by each of the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. The obligations of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors under the revolving credit facility, together with such treasury management and hedging obligations, are secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all assets of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors.

The agreement governing the Company’s revolving credit facility contains affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur or guarantee indebtedness, incur liens, pay dividends and repurchase or redeem capital stock, dispose of assets, engage in mergers and consolidations, make acquisitions or other investments, redeem or prepay subordinated debt, amend subordinated debt documents, make changes in the nature of its business, and engage in transactions with affiliates. The agreement also contains financial covenants, including a minimum consolidated net worth of $265.0 million, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 2.5 to 1.0, a maximum ratio of total debt to consolidated adjusted net worth of 2.75 to 1.0, and a maximum ratio of subordinated debt to consolidated adjusted net worth of 1.0 to 1.0. The agreement allows the Company to incur subordinated debt that matures after the termination date for the revolving credit facility and that contains specified subordination terms, subject to limitations on amount imposed by the financial covenants under the agreement. In addition, the agreement establishes a maximum specified level for the collateral performance indicator.

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The collateral performance indicator is equal to the sum of (1) a three-month rolling average rate of receivables at least sixty days past due and (2) an eight-month rolling average net charge-off rate. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at December 31, 2015 and does not believe that these covenants will materially limit its business and expansion strategy.

The agreement contains events of default including, without limitation, nonpayment of principal, interest or other obligations, violation of covenants, misrepresentation, cross-default to other debt, bankruptcy and other insolvency events, judgments, certain ERISA events, actual or asserted invalidity of loan documentation, invalidity of subordination provisions of subordinated debt, certain changes of control of the Company, and the occurrence of certain regulatory events (including the entry of any stay, order, judgment, ruling or similar event related to the Company’s or any of its subsidiaries’ originating, holding, pledging, collecting or enforcing its eligible finance receivables that is material to the Company or any subsidiary) which remains unvacated, undischarged, unbonded or unstayed by appeal or otherwise for a period of 60 days from the date of its entry and is reasonably likely to cause a material adverse change.

The Company believes that cash flow from operations and borrowings under its revolving credit facility or other sources will be adequate to fund the expected cost of opening or acquiring new offices, including funding initial operating losses of new offices and funding loans receivable originated by those offices and the Company's other offices (for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future beyond that).  Except as otherwise discussed in this report and in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2015, including, but not limited to, any discussions in Part 1, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" (as supplemented by any subsequent disclosures in information the Company files with or furnishes to the SEC from time to time), management is not currently aware of any trends, demands, commitments, events or uncertainties that it believes will or could result in, or are or could be reasonably likely to result in, any material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity.
 
Share Repurchase Program

The Company's historical long-term profitability has demonstrated over many years our ability to grow our loan portfolio (the Company's only earning asset) and generate excess cash flow. We have and intend to continue to use our cash flow and excess capital to repurchase shares, assuming we are able to obtain the required consent of our lenders and that the repurchased shares are accretive to earnings per share.

Since 1996, the Company has repurchased approximately 18.1 million shares for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $849.2 million. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had $8.1 million in aggregate board-approved outstanding stock repurchase authorizations. As of December 31, 2015 our debt outstanding was $511.9 million and our shareholders' equity was $362.9 million, resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.4:1.  Our first priority is to ensure we have enough capital to fund loan growth.  To the extent we have excess capital and our lenders under the revolving credit facility provide consent, we intend to continue repurchasing stock, as authorized by our Board of Directors, which is consistent with our past practice.  We will continue to monitor our debt-to-equity ratio and are committed to maintaining a debt level that will allow us to continue to execute our business objectives, while not putting undue stress on our consolidated balance sheet.
Inflation

The Company does not believe that inflation, within reasonably anticipated rates, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition.  Although inflation would increase the Company’s operating costs in absolute terms, the Company expects that the same decrease in the value of money would result in an increase in the size of loans demanded by its customer base.  It is reasonable to anticipate that such a change in customer preference would result in an increase in total loans receivable and an increase in absolute revenue to be generated from that larger amount of loans receivable.  That increase in absolute revenue should offset any increase in operating costs.  In addition, because the Company’s loans have a relatively short contractual term, it is unlikely that loans made at any given point in time will be repaid with significantly inflated dollars.

Quarterly Information and Seasonality

The Company's loan volume and corresponding loans receivable follow seasonal trends.  The Company's highest loan demand occurs each year from October through December, its third fiscal quarter.  Loan demand is generally the lowest and loan repayment is highest from January to March, its fourth fiscal quarter.  Loan volume and average balances remain relatively level during the remainder of the year.  This seasonal trend causes fluctuations in the Company's cash needs and quarterly operating performance through corresponding fluctuations in interest and fee income and insurance commissions earned.  Consequently, operating results for the Company's third fiscal quarter are generally significantly lower than in other quarters and operating results for its fourth fiscal quarter are generally higher than in other quarters.


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Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
 
See Note 2 to our accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Forward-Looking Information

This report on Form 10-Q, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contains various “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are based on management’s belief and assumptions, as well as information currently available to management.  Statements other than those of historical fact, as well as those identified by the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should,” "would," "could," and any variation of the foregoing and similar expressions are forward-looking statements.    Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in any such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.  Any such statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Company’s actual financial results, performance or financial condition may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or expected.  

Among the key factors that could cause our actual financial results, performance or condition to differ from the expectations expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements are the following: recently enacted, proposed or future legislation and the manner in which it is implemented; the nature and scope of regulatory authority, particularly discretionary authority, that may be exercised by regulators, including, but not limited to, the CFPB, having jurisdiction over the Company’s business or consumer financial transactions generically; the unpredictable nature of regulatory proceedings and litigation; any determinations, findings, claims or actions made or taken by the CFPB, other regulators or other third parties in connection with or resulting from the CID that assert or establish that the Company’s lending practices or other aspects of its business violate applicable laws or regulations; the impact of changes in accounting rules and regulations, or their interpretation or application, which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s reported consolidated financial statements or necessitate material delays or changes in the issuance of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements; the Company's assessment of its internal control over financial reporting, and the timing and effectiveness of the Company's efforts to remediate any reported material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting, which could lead the Company to report further or unremediated material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting; changes in interest rates; risks relating to expansion and foreign operations; risks inherent in making loans, including repayment risks and value of collateral; the timing and amount of revenues that may be recognized by the Company; changes in current revenue and expense trends (including trends affecting delinquency and charge-offs); changes in the Company’s markets and general changes in the economy (particularly in the markets served by the Company). These and other risks are discussed in more detail in Part 1, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the Company's most recent report on From 10-K for the Fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 filed with the SEC, and in the Company’s other reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC made from time to time. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements it may make.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

As of December 31, 2015, the Company’s financial instruments consisted of the following:  cash and cash equivalents, loans receivable and senior notes payable.  Fair value approximates carrying value for all of these instruments. Loans receivable are originated at prevailing market rates and have an average life of approximately eight months.  Given the short-term nature of these loans, they are continually repriced at current market rates.  The Company’s outstanding debt under its revolving credit facility was $511.9 million at December 31, 2015.  Interest on borrowing under this facility is based on the greater of 5.0% or one month LIBOR plus 4.0%.

Based on the outstanding balance at December 31, 2015, a change of 1.0% in the interest rates would cause a change in interest expense of approximately $2.2 million on an annual basis.


27


Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

The Company operates offices in Mexico, where its local businesses utilize the Mexican peso as their functional currency.  The consolidated financial statements of the Company are denominated in U.S. dollars and are, therefore, subject to fluctuation as the U.S. dollar and Mexican peso foreign exchange rates change.  International revenue from our non-U.S. operations accounted for approximately 7.9% and 9.1% of total revenue during the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There have been, and there may continue to be, period-to-period fluctuations in the relative portions of our international revenue to total consolidated revenue.

Our international operations are subject to risks, including but not limited to differing economic conditions, changes in political climate, social unrest, labor union dynamics that can affect the collectability of our payroll deduct product, differing tax structures, other regulations and restrictions, and foreign exchange rate volatility. Accordingly, our future consolidated financial position as well as our consolidated results of operations could be adversely affected by changes in these or other factors. Foreign exchange rate fluctuations may adversely impact our financial position as the assets and liabilities of our foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars in preparing our consolidated balance sheet. Our exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations arises in part from balances in our intercompany accounts included on our subsidiary balance sheets. These intercompany accounts are denominated in the functional currency of the foreign subsidiaries and are translated to U.S. dollars at each reporting period end. Additionally, foreign exchange rate fluctuations may impact our consolidated results from operations as exchange rate fluctuations will impact the amounts reported in our consolidated statement of income. The effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on our consolidated financial position is recognized within shareholders’ equity through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The net translation adjustment for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 was a loss of approximately $8.5 million. The Company’s foreign currency exchange rate exposures may change over time as business practices evolve and could have a material effect on the Company’s financial results.  The Company will continue to monitor and assess the effect of foreign currency fluctuations and may institute hedging strategies.
 
The Company performs a foreign exchange sensitivity analysis on a quarterly basis which assumes a hypothetical 10% increase and decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Mexican peso.  The foreign exchange risk sensitivity of both net loans receivable and consolidated net income is assessed using hypothetical scenarios and assumes that earnings in Mexican pesos are recognized evenly throughout a period. The actual results may differ from the results noted in the tables below particularly due to assumptions utilized or if events occur that were not included in the methodology.

The foreign exchange risk sensitivity of net loans denominated in Mexican pesos and translated into US dollars, which were approximately $56.4 million and $51.0 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, on the reported consolidated net loans receivable amount is summarized in the following table:
Foreign Exchange Sensitivity Analysis of Loans Receivable, Net Amounts
 
 
As of December 31, 2015
Foreign exchange spot rate, U.S. dollars to Mexican pesos
 
-10%
 
0%
 
10%
Loans receivable, net
 
$
876,579,403

 
$
881,705,358

 
$
887,970,413

% change from base amount
 
(0.58
)%
 
%
 
0.71
%
$ change from base amount
 
$
(5,125,955
)
 
$

 
$
6,265,055

 
 
As of December 31, 2014
Foreign exchange spot rate, U.S. dollars to Mexican pesos
 
-10%
 
0%
 
10%
Loans receivable, net
 
$
867,605,660

 
$
872,245,369

 
$
877,916,131

% change from base amount
 
(0.53
)%
 
%
 
0.65
%
$ change from base amount
 
$
(4,639,709
)
 
$

 
$
5,670,762

 

28


The following table summarizes the results of the foreign exchange risk sensitivity analysis on reported consolidated net income as of the dates indicated below:
Foreign Exchange Sensitivity Analysis of Net Income
 
 
For the nine months ended December 31, 2015
Foreign exchange spot rate, U.S. dollars to Mexican pesos
 
-10%
 
0%
 
10%
Net Income
 
$
57,236,629

 
$
57,569,828

 
$
57,977,073

% change from base amount
 
(0.58
)%
 
%
 
0.71
%
$ change from base amount
 
$
(333,199
)
 
$

 
$
407,245

 
 
For the nine months ended December 31, 2014
Foreign exchange spot rate, U.S. dollars to Mexican pesos
 
-10%
 
0%
 
10%
Net Income
 
$
61,886,633

 
$
62,318,674

 
$
62,846,728

% change from base amount
 
(0.69
)%
 
%
 
0.85
%
$ change from base amount
 
$
(432,041
)
 
$

 
$
528,054


Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the
Exchange Act) that occurred during period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Based on management’s evaluation, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as of the end of the period covered by this report, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

29


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

See Note 10 to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding legal proceedings.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes; except for the updated risk factors listed below, to the risk factors previously disclosed under Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2015.

Federal legislative or regulatory proposals, initiatives, actions or changes that are adverse to our operations or result in adverse regulatory proceedings, or our failure to comply with existing or future federal laws and regulations, could force us to modify, suspend or cease part or all of our nationwide operations.

We are subject to numerous federal laws and regulations that affect our lending operations. Although these laws and regulations have remained substantially unchanged for many years, the laws and regulations directly affecting our lending activities have been under review and subject to change in recent years as a result of various developments and changes in economic conditions, the make-up of the executive and legislative branches of government, and the political and media focus on issues of consumer and borrower protection. Any changes in such laws and regulations could force us to modify, suspend or cease part, or, in the worst case, all of our existing operations. It is also possible that the scope of federal regulations could change or expand in such a way as to preempt what has traditionally been state law regulation of our business activities.

In July 2010 the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was enacted. The Dodd-Frank Act restructured and enhanced the regulation and supervision of the financial services industry and created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”), an agency with sweeping regulatory and enforcement authority over consumer financial transactions. Although the Dodd-Frank Act prohibits the CFPB from setting interest rates on consumer loans, efforts to create a federal usury cap, applicable to all consumer credit transactions and substantially below rates at which the Company could create to operate profitably, are still ongoing. Any federal legislative or regulatory action that severely restricts or prohibits the provision of small-loan consumer credit and similar services on terms substantially similar to those we currently provide would, if enacted, have a material adverse impact on our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition. Any federal law that would impose a 36% or similar annualized credit rate cap on our services would, if enacted, almost certainly eliminate our ability to continue our current operations.

The CFPB’s rulemaking and enforcement authority extends to certain non-depository institutions, including us. The CFPB is specifically authorized, among other things, to take actions to prevent companies providing consumer financial products or services and their service providers from engaging in unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices in connection with consumer financial products and services, and to issue rules requiring enhanced disclosures for consumer financial products or services. The CFPB may also issue regulations regarding the use of pre-dispute arbitration clauses in consumer financial markets, but only after conducting a study of the matter as mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act. The CFPB also has authority to interpret, enforce, and issue regulations implementing enumerated consumer laws, including certain laws that apply to our business. Further, the CFPB has authority to designate non-depository “larger participants” in certain markets for consumer financial services and products for purposes of the CFPB’s supervisory authority under the Dodd-Frank Act. Such designated “larger participants” are subject to reporting and on-site compliance examinations by the CFPB, which may result in increased compliance costs and potentially greater enforcement risks based on these supervisory activities. Although the CFPB has not yet developed a “larger participant” rule that directly covers the Company’s installment lending business, in March 2015 in connection with the CFPB’s discussion of a proposed rulemaking initiative described below, the CFPB stated that it expects to conduct separate rulemaking to identify larger participants in the installment lending market for purposes of its supervision program. Though the timing of any such rulemaking is uncertain, the Company believes that the implementation of such rules would likely bring the Company’s business under the CFPB’s direct supervisory authority.


30


On March 26, 2015, the CFPB announced that it was considering proposing rules under its unfair, deceptive and abusive acts and practices rulemaking authority relating to payday, vehicle title, and similar loans. The proposal would cover short-term loans with a contractual term of 45 days or less, as well as “longer-term loans” with a term of longer than 45 days with an all-in annualized percentage rate of interest (“APR”) in excess of 36% in which the lender has either a non-purchase money security interest in the consumer’s vehicle or the right to collect repayment from the consumer’s bank account or paycheck. Although the Company does not make loans with terms of 45 days or less or obtain access to a customer’s bank account or paycheck for repayment of any of its loans, it does make some vehicle-secured loans with an APR within the scope of the proposal. The Company currently estimates that the amount of such vehicle-secured loans in its loan portfolio as of March 31, 2015 are approximately 13% of its total number of loans and approximately 20% of its portfolio by gross loan volume. The proposals would require a lender, as a condition of making a covered longer-term loan, to first make a good-faith reasonable determination that the consumer has the ability to repay the covered longer-term loan without reborrowing or defaulting. The proposals would require lenders to verify income, “major financial obligations” and borrowing history. Lenders would also be required to determine that a consumer is able to make all projected payments under the covered longer-term loan as those payments are due, while still fulfilling other major financial obligations and meeting living expenses. This ability to repay assessment would apply to both the initial longer-term loan and to any subsequent refinancing. In addition, the proposals would include a rebuttable presumption that customers seeking to refinance a covered longer-term loan lack an “ability to repay” if certain conditions exist at the time of the proposed refinancing. See Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Regulatory Matters,” for more information regarding these proposals. The proposals are subject to several procedural requirements and to possible change before any final rules would be issued and implemented, and we cannot predict what the ultimate rulemaking will provide. Although the Company currently underwrites all its loans (including those secured by a vehicle title that would fall within the scope of these proposals) by reviewing the customer’s ability to repay based on the Company’s standards, there can be no assurance that these proposals, if and when implemented in final rulemaking, would not require changes to the Company’s practices and procedures regarding such loans that could materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to make such loans, the cost of making such loans, the Company’s ability to, or frequency with which it could, refinance any such covered loans, or the profitability of such loans. Any final rulemaking also could have effects beyond those contemplated in the initial proposal that could further materially and adversely impact our business and operations.

On October 7, 2015, the CFPB announced that it is considering proposing rules to regulate the use of arbitration agreements in consumer financial products or services. The Dodd-Frank Act authorized the CFPB to conduct a formal study of arbitration agreements and, if certain conditions were met, regulate the use of arbitration agreements through a rulemaking. The CFPB’s announcement represented the first step in its rulemaking process. The proposal would apply to installment loans, credit cards, checking and deposit accounts, prepaid cards, money transfer services, auto title loans, small dollar or payday loans, and several other types of financial products or services. As specified, the proposal would affect arbitration agreements in two primary ways. First, it would require any arbitration agreement subject to the rule to provide explicitly that the arbitration agreement is inapplicable to cases filed in court on behalf of a class unless and until class certification is denied or the class claims are dismissed. Second, the proposal would require persons subject to the rulemaking, and who continue to use arbitration agreements, to submit information on initial claim filings and awards to the CFPB. Such claims or awards information could ultimately be published by the CFPB. The Company does not believe that these proposals as currently described by the CFPB would have a material impact on the Company’s existing operations. While the Company does use arbitration agreements, if the CFPB adopts a final rule as proposed, the Company expects to modify its contracts to conform to the rule. Such a change could lead to increased legal costs for the Company, but it should not otherwise materially affect the Company’s core business of making loans. However, any final rulemaking also could have effects beyond those contemplated in the initial proposal that could further materially and adversely impact the Company’s business and operations.

In addition to the specific matters described above, other aspects of our business may be the subject of future CFPB rulemaking. The enactment of one or more of such regulatory changes, or the exercise of broad regulatory authority by regulators, including but not limited to, the CFPB, having jurisdiction over the Company’s business or discretionary consumer financial transactions generically, could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and prospects.


31


In September 2014, the Department of Defense (the “DoD”) proposed an amendment to its existing regulation that implements the Military Lending Act (the “MLA”). Current MLA regulations prohibit creditors from making payday loans, non-purchase money motor vehicle title loans with a term of less than 181 days, and refund anticipation loans to “covered borrowers” (which includes both servicemembers and their dependents) if the APR exceeds 36%. The Company does not make any of the loans covered under the MLA regulations. However, the proposed amendments would expand the MLA and its 36% APR cap to cover all credit offered or extended to a covered borrower primarily for personal, family, or household purposes that is either subject to a finance charge or payable by a written agreement in more than four installments. In addition, creditors must check a database maintained by the DoD before entering into an agreement with a covered borrower, provide both oral and written disclosures, including an all-inclusive APR referred to as the Military Annual Percentage Rate, and must not require arbitration in agreements with covered borrowers. In April 2015, the U.S. House Armed Services Committee narrowly voted to remove a provision in the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act that likely would have delayed implementation of the proposed amendments until 2016. The DoD proposed regulations are subject to possible change or further delay before any final rules would be issued and implemented. However, the Company believes the implementation of these amendments could adversely affect its operations and cost and efficiency of processing loans by requiring it to perform confirming database checks on a much greater number of loans via a database that historically has been prone to technical glitches and outages. These or other consequences of the amendment could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are currently under investigation by the CFPB, and any adverse finding, allegation, or exercise of enforcement or regulatory discretion by the CFPB could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or ability to operate our business as we currently do.

As previously disclosed, on March 12, 2014, we received a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”). The stated purpose of the CID is to determine whether the Company has been or is “engaging in unlawful acts or practices in connection with the marketing, offering, or extension of credit in violation of Sections 1031 and 1036 of the Consumer Financial Protection Act, 12 U.S.C. §§ 5531, 5536, the Truth in Lending Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1601, et seq., Regulation Z, 12 C.F.R. pt. 1026, or any other Federal consumer financial law” and “also to determine whether Bureau action to obtain legal or equitable relief would be in the public interest.” The Company responded, within the deadlines specified in the CID, to broad requests for production of documents, answers to interrogatories to and written reports related to loans made by the Company and numerous other aspects of the Company’s business.

Also as previously disclosed, on August 7, 2015, the Company received a letter from the CFPB’s Enforcement Office notifying the Company that, in accordance with the CFPB’s discretionary Notice and Opportunity to Respond and Advise (“NORA”) process, the staff of CFPB’s Enforcement Office is considering recommending that the CFPB take legal action against the Company (the “NORA Letter”). The NORA Letter states that the staff of the CFPB’s Enforcement Office expects to allege that the Company violated the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, 12 U.S.C. §5536. The NORA Letter confirms that the Company has the opportunity to make a NORA submission, which is a written statement setting forth any reasons of law or policy why the Company believes the CFPB should not take legal action against it. The Company understands that a NORA Letter is intended to ensure that potential subjects of enforcement actions have the opportunity to present their positions to the CFPB before an enforcement action is recommended or commenced.

The Company has made NORA submissions to the CFPB’s Enforcement Office. The Company expects that there will continue to be additional requests or demands for information from the CFPB and ongoing interactions between the CFPB, the Company and Company counsel as part of the investigation. We are currently unable to predict the ultimate timing or outcome of the CFPB investigation. While the Company believes its marketing and lending practices are lawful, there can be no assurance that the CFPB’s ongoing investigation or future exercise of its enforcement, regulatory, discretionary or other powers will not result in findings or alleged violations of federal consumer financial protection laws that could lead to enforcement actions, proceedings or litigation and the imposition of damages, fines, penalties, restitution, other monetary liabilities, sanctions, settlements or changes to the Company’s business practices or operations that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations or eliminate altogether the Company’s ability to operate its business profitably or on terms substantially similar to those on which it currently operates.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The Company's credit agreements contain certain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends on its capital stock.  See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources."
The Company did not repurchase any of its common stock during the nine months ended December 31, 2015.

Item 3. 
Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. 
Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

Item 5. 
Other Information


None.



32


WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION, CONTINUED

Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
Previous
Exhibit
Number
Company
Registration
No. or Report
10.1
 
Letter Agreement between James D. Walters and the Company Re: Separation and release of claims, dated July 10, 2015
99.1
7-15-15 8-K
10.2
 
Letter Agreement between Augustus A. McLean and the Company Re: Retirement Agreement, dated September 30, 2015
99.1
10-1-15 8-K
10.3
 
Employment Agreement between Janet L. Matricciani and the Company, dated November 19, 2015
10.1
11-24-15 8-K
10.4
 
Employment Agreement between John L. Calmes, Jr. and the Company, dated November 19, 2015
10.2
11-24-15 8-K
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
*
 
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
*
 
32.1
 
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
*
 
32.2
 
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
*
 
101.1
The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2015, formatted in XBRL:
*
 
 
(i)
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015;
 
 
 
(ii)
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014;
 
 
 
(iii)
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014;
 
 
 
(iv)
Consolidated Statements of Shareholder’s Equity for the year ended March 31, 2015 and the nine months ended December 31, 2015;
 
 
 
(v)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014; and
 
 
 
(vi)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Filed or furnished herewith.
 
 



33


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:   /s/ Janet Lewis Matricciani
 
 
Janet Lewis Matricciani
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
Date:
February 5, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
By: /s/ John L. Calmes, Jr.
 
 
John L. Calmes, Jr.
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
Date: 
February 5, 2016

34