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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

☒	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017

 

☐	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: 0-26680

 

 

NICHOLAS FINANCIAL, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

British Columbia, Canada		8736-3354
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2454 McMullen Booth Road, Building C

Clearwater, Florida 33759

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

(727) 726-0763

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

 

Title of Each Class		Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common shares, no par value		NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: None

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes   ☐    No   ☒

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

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

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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.

 

Large accelerated filer		☐		Accelerated filer		☒
Non-accelerated filer		☐		Smaller reporting company		☐
Emerging growth company		☐

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

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

At September 30, 2016, the aggregate market value of the Registrant’s common shares held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $77.0 million.

As of June 6, 2017, approximately 12.5 million shares, no par value, of the Registrant were outstanding (of which approximately 4.7 million shares were held by the Registrant’s principal operating subsidiary and pursuant to applicable law, not entitled to vote and approximately 7.8 million shares were entitled to vote).

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement and Information Circular for the 2017 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Part III, Items 10 through 14, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

 

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NICHOLAS FINANCIAL, INC.

FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

				Page No.
PART I
Item 1.		Business			1
Item 1A.		Risk Factors			10
Item 1B.		Unresolved Staff Comments			19
Item 2.		Properties			19
Item 3.		Legal Proceedings			19
Item 4.		Mine Safety Disclosures			20
PART II
Item 5.		Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities			20
Item 6.		Selected Financial Data			23
Item 7.		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			24
Item 7A.		Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			33
Item 8.		Financial Statements and Supplementary Data			34
Item 9.		Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure			56
Item 9A.		Controls and Procedures			56
Item 9B.		Other Information			58
PART III
Item 10.		Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance			58
Item 11.		Executive Compensation			58
Item 12.		Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters			58
Item 13.		Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence			58
Item 14.		Principal Accountant Fees and Services			59
PART IV
Item 15.		Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules			60

Forward-Looking Information

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Report”) contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are based on management’s current beliefs and assumptions, as well as information currently available to management. When used in this document, the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “will,” “may,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although Nicholas Financial, Inc., including its subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”), believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including but not limited to the risk factors discussed herein under “Item 1A – Risk Factors.” Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or expected. Among the key factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements include fluctuations in the economy, the degree and nature of competition, fluctuations in interest rates, the availability of capital at acceptable rates and terms, demand for consumer financing in the markets served by the Company, the Company’s products and services, increases in the default rates experienced on retail installment sales contracts (“Contracts”), regulatory changes in the Company’s existing and future markets, the Company’s intentions regarding strategic alternatives, and the Company’s ability to expand its business, including its ability to identify and complete acquisitions and integrate the operations of acquired businesses, to recruit and retain qualified employees, to expand into new markets and to maintain profit margins in the face of increased pricing competition. All forward-looking statements included in this Report are based on information available to the Company as of the date of filing of this Report, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement. Prospective investors should also consult the risk factors described from time to time in the Company’s other filings made with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including its reports on Forms 10-Q, 8-K and 10-K and annual reports to shareholders.

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PART I

Item 1. Business

General

Nicholas Financial, Inc. (“Nicholas Financial-Canada”) is a Canadian holding company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia in 1986. The business activities of Nicholas Financial-Canada are currently conducted exclusively through its wholly-owned indirect subsidiary, Nicholas Financial, Inc., a Florida corporation (“Nicholas Financial”). Nicholas Financial is a specialized consumer finance company engaged primarily in acquiring and servicing automobile finance installment contracts (“Contracts”) for purchases of new and used automobiles and light trucks. To a lesser extent, Nicholas Financial also originates direct consumer loans (“Direct Loans”) and sells consumer-finance related products. Nicholas Financial’s financing activities accounted for 100% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, and more than 99% of the Company’s consolidated revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

A second Florida subsidiary, Nicholas Data Services, Inc. (“NDS”), historically was engaged in supporting and updating industry-specific computer application software for small businesses located primarily in the Southeastern United States. NDS’s activities accounted for less than 1% of the Company’s consolidated revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. NDS ceased its operations during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015; however, it continues as the interim holding company for Nicholas Financial.

Nicholas Financial-Canada, Nicholas Financial and NDS are hereafter collectively referred to as the “Company”. All financial information herein is designated in United States dollars. References to “fiscal 2017” are to our fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, references to “fiscal 2016” are to our fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, and references to “fiscal 2015” are to our fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 2454 McMullen Booth Road, Building C, Clearwater, Florida 33759, and its telephone number is (727) 726-0763.

Available Information

The Company’s filings with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, definitive proxy statements on Schedule 14A, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, are made available free of charge through the Investor Center section of the Company’s Internet website at http://www.nicholasfinancial.com as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC. The Company is not including the information contained on or available through its web site as a part of, or incorporating such information by reference into, this Report. Copies of any materials the Company files with the SEC can also be obtained free of charge through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov or at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information regarding the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

Operating Strategy

The Company’s principal goals are to increase its profitability and its long-term shareholder value through the measured acquisition of Contracts in existing markets and broadening the geographic area in which its current branches operate. The Company seeks to strengthen its automobile financing program in the eighteen states — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin — in which it currently operates by implementing a centralized funding process and supplementing consumer data obtained from traditional credit bureaus with information obtained from alternative bureaus that is not available from traditional reporting agencies to better inform its automobile financing underwriting. During fiscal 2016, the Company started buying Contracts in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Dealers in Wisconsin are serviced in our Gurnee, Illinois branch. During fiscal 2017, the Company consolidated three branch locations (Sarasota, FL; Toledo, OH; and, Troy, MI) into branches previously established within their market. The Company will continue to evaluate any branch locations that do not meet its minimum profitability targets and may elect to close one or more of these branches in the future. The Company is also evaluating its operational strategy and structure. The Company’s decisions on how it plans to continue operating its business strategy will be influenced by the sustainability of some of its competitors’ underwriting and risk-based pricing. Although the Company has not made any bulk purchases of Contracts in over two decades, if the opportunity arises, the Company may consider possible acquisitions of portfolios of seasoned Contracts from dealers in bulk transactions as a means of further penetrating its existing markets or expanding its presence in targeted geographic locations. The Company cannot provide any assurances, however, that it will be able to further expand in either its current markets or any targeted new markets.

 

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The Company is currently licensed to provide Direct Loans in Florida and North Carolina. The Company does not have any current plans to expand its strategy of soliciting current customers and expects total Direct Loans to remain less than 5% of its total portfolio for the foreseeable future.

Automobile Finance Business – Contracts

The Company is engaged in the business of providing financing programs, primarily to purchasers of used cars and light trucks who meet the Company’s credit standards but who do not meet the credit standards of traditional lenders, such as banks and credit unions because of the customer’s credit history or job instability or the age of the vehicle being financed. Unlike traditional lenders, which look primarily to the credit history of the borrower in making lending decisions and typically finance new automobiles, the Company is willing to purchase Contracts for purchases made by borrowers who do not have a good credit history and for older model and high-mileage automobiles. In making decisions regarding the purchase of a particular Contract, the Company considers the following factors related to the borrower: current income; credit history; history in making installment payments for automobiles; current and prior job status; and place and length of residence. In addition, the Company examines its prior experience with Contracts purchased from the dealer from which the Company is purchasing the Contract, and the value of the automobile in relation to the purchase price and the term of the Contract.

As of the date of this annual report on Form 10-K, the Company’s automobile finance programs are conducted in eighteen states through a total of 65 branch offices, consisting of nineteen in Florida, seven in Ohio, six in each of North Carolina and Georgia, three in each of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri, two in each of Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Michigan and Virginia, and one in each of Kansas, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The Company acquires Contracts in Wisconsin using the underwriting staff of the Gurnee, Illinois branch location. At this time, the Company does not have any plans to open a branch in the Wisconsin area. As of March 31, 2017, the Company had non-exclusive agreements with approximately 4,200 dealers, of which approximately 2,300 were active, for the purchase of individual Contracts that meet the Company’s financing criteria. The Company considers a dealer agreement to be active if the Company has purchased a Contract thereunder in the last six months. Each dealer agreement requires the dealer to originate Contracts in accordance with the Company’s guidelines. Once a Contract is purchased by the Company, the dealer is no longer involved in the relationship between the Company and the borrower, other than through the existence of limited representations and warranties of the dealer in favor of the Company.

A customer under a Contract typically makes a down payment, in the form of cash or trade-in, ranging from 5% to 35% of the sale price of the vehicle financed. The balance of the purchase price of the vehicle plus taxes, title fees and, if applicable, premiums for extended service contracts, gap insurance, roadside assistance plans, credit disability insurance and/or credit life insurance are generally financed over a period of 12 to 72 months.

At approximately the time of origination, the Company purchases a Contract from an automobile dealer at a negotiated price that is less than the original principal amount being financed by the purchaser of the automobile. We refer to the difference between the negotiated price and the original principal amount being financed as the dealer discount. The amount of the dealer discount depends upon factors such as the age and value of the automobile, creditworthiness of the customer and competition in any given market. Generally, the Company will pay more (i.e., purchase the Contract at a smaller discount from the original principal amount) for Contracts as the credit risk of the customer improves. In certain markets, competition more significantly impacts the Company’s dealer discount than in other markets. To date, the Contracts purchased by the Company have been purchased at discounts that range from 1% to 15% of the original principal amount of each Contract. As of March 31, 2017, the Company’s loan portfolio consisted exclusively of Contracts purchased without recourse to the dealer, however each dealer remains potentially liable to the Company for breaches of certain representations and warranties made by the dealer with respect to compliance with applicable federal and state laws and valid title to the vehicle.

The Company’s policy is to only purchase a Contract after the dealer has provided the Company with the requisite proof that the Company has a first priority lien on the financed vehicle (or the Company has, in fact, perfected such first priority lien), that the customer has obtained the required collision insurance naming the Company as loss payee and that the Contract has been fully and accurately completed and validly executed. Once the Company has received and approved all required documents, it pays the dealer for the Contract and commences servicing the Contract. The Company requires the owner of the vehicle to obtain and maintain collision insurance, naming the Company as the loss payee, with a deductible of not more than $1,000.

 

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Contract Procurement

The Company currently purchases Contracts in the states listed in the table below. The Contracts purchased by the Company are predominately for used vehicles; for the periods shown below, less than 1% were for new vehicles. The average model year

collateralizing the portfolio as of March 31, 2017 was a 2009 vehicle. The dollar amounts shown in the table below represent the Company’s finance receivables, net of unearned interest on Contracts purchased:

 

		Maximum allowable interest rate (1)				Fiscal year ended March 31, (In thousands)
State						2017				2016				2015
Alabama			(2	)		$	5,106			$	5,764			$	6,289
Florida			18-30	%(3)			47,923				55,270				54,653
Georgia			18-30	%(3)			16,080				18,227				18,710
Illinois			(2	)			7,057				7,563				6,457
Indiana			25	%			9,330				8,595				7,654
Kansas			(2	)			2,946				3,052				2,165
Kentucky			18-25	%(3)			8,422				8,837				9,768
Maryland			24	%			2,714				2,626				4,081
Michigan			25	%			6,622				7,671				7,355
Missouri			(2	)			8,244				8,227				7,554
North Carolina			18-29	%(3)			12,910				14,291				15,078
Ohio			25	%			19,366				24,520				24,245
Pennsylvania			18-21	%(3)			2,749				392				—
South Carolina			(2	)			4,572				6,145				3,966
Tennessee			(2	)			5,249				6,134				5,206
Texas			18-28	%(3)			6,557				4,965				821
Virginia			(2	)			3,973				4,614				4,367
Wisconsin			(2	)			1,121				382				—
Total						$	170,941			$	187,275			$	178,369

 

(1)	The maximum allowable interest rates by state are subject to change and are governed by the individual states the Company conducts business in.

(2)	None of these states currently imposes a maximum allowable interest rate with respect to the types and sizes of Contracts the Company purchases. The maximum rate which the Company will typically charge any customer in each of these states is 30% per annum.

(3)	The maximum allowable interest rate in each of these states varies depending upon the model year of the vehicle being financed. In addition, Georgia does not currently impose a maximum allowable interest rate with respect to Contracts over $5,000.

The following table presents selected information on Contracts purchased by the Company, net of unearned interest:

 

		Fiscal year ended March 31, (Purchases in thousands)
Contracts		2017				2016				2015
Purchases		$	170,941			$	187,275			$	178,369
Weighted APR			22.22	%			22.66	%			22.90	%
Average dealer discount			7.08	%			7.51	%			8.08	%
Weighted average term (months)			57				56				55
Average loan		$	11,693			$	11,348			$	10,967
Number of Contracts purchased			14,619				16,503				16,264

Direct Loans

The Company currently originates Direct Loans in Florida and North Carolina. Direct Loans are loans originated directly between the Company and the consumer. These loans are typically for amounts ranging from $1,000 to 11,000 and are generally secured by a lien on an automobile, watercraft or other permissible tangible personal property. The average loan made to date by the Company had an initial principal balance of approximately $4,000. The Company does not expect the average loan size to increase significantly within

 

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the foreseeable future. The majority of Direct Loans are originated with current or former customers under the Company’s automobile financing program. The typical Direct Loan represents a better credit risk than our typical Contract due to the customer’s historical payment history with the Company. The Company does not have a Direct Loan license in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia or Wisconsin, and none is presently required in Georgia provided that the original principal balance of the loan is greater than $3,000. The Company does not expect to pursue a Direct Loan license in any other state during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018. The size of the loan and maximum interest rate that can be charged vary from state to state. The Company considers the individual’s income, credit history, job stability, and the value of the collateral offered by the borrower to secure the loan as the primary factors in determining whether an applicant will receive an approval for such loan. Additionally, because most of the Direct Loans made by the Company to date have been made to borrowers under Contracts previously purchased by the Company, the payment history of the borrower under the Contract is a significant factor in making the loan decision. The Company’s Direct Loan program was implemented in April 1995 and accounted for approximately 3% of the Company’s annual consolidated revenues during the year ended March 31, 2017.

In connection with its Direct Loan program, the Company also makes available credit disability, credit life insurance, and involuntary unemployment insurance coverage to customers through unaffiliated third-party insurance carriers. Customers in approximately 83% of the approximate 3,000 Direct Loan transactions outstanding as of March 31, 2017 elected to purchase third-party insurance coverage made available by the Company. The cost of this insurance to the customer, which includes a commission for the Company, is included in the amount financed by the customer.

The following table presents selected information on Direct Loans originated by the Company, net of unearned interest:

 

		Fiscal year ended March 31, (Originations in thousands)
Direct Loans		2017				2016				2015
Originations		$	8,676			$	9,578			$	9,525
Weighted APR			25.99	%			25.82	%			26.47	%
Weighted average term (months)			30				30				29
Average loan		$	3,626			$	3,589			$	3,536
Number of contracts originated			2,393				2,669				2,694

Underwriting Guidelines

The Company’s typical customer has a credit history that fails to meet the lending standards of most traditional banks and credit unions. Among the credit problems experienced by the Company’s customers that resulted in a poor credit history are: unpaid revolving credit card obligations; unpaid medical bills; unpaid student loans; prior bankruptcy; and evictions for nonpayment of rent. The Company believes that its customer profile is similar to that of its direct competitors.

Prior to its approval of the purchase of a Contract, the Company is provided with a standardized credit application completed by the consumer which contains information relating to the consumer’s background, employment, and credit history. The Company also obtains credit reports from Equifax and/or TransUnion, which are independent credit reporting services. The Company verifies the consumer’s employment history, income and residence. As of March 1, 2017, the Company engaged a third-party provider of alternative data (not available from the traditional reporting services) to assist in the evaluation process of an applicant’s credit history. In most cases, consumers are interviewed via telephone by a Company application processor. The Company also considers the customer’s prior payment history with the Company, if any, as well as the collateral value of the vehicle being financed.

The Company has established internal buying guidelines to be used by its Branch Managers and internal underwriters when purchasing Contracts. Any Contract that does not meet these guidelines must be approved by the District Managers or senior management of the Company. The Company currently has District Managers charged with managing the specific branches in a defined geographic area. In addition to a variety of administrative duties, the District Managers are responsible for monitoring their assigned branches’ compliance with the Company’s underwriting standards as well as approving underwriting exceptions.

The Company uses essentially the same criteria in analyzing a Direct Loan as it does in analyzing the purchase of a Contract. Lending decisions regarding Direct Loans are made based upon a review of the customer’s loan application, income, credit history, job stability, and the value of the collateral offered by the borrower to secure the loan. To date, since the majority of the Company’s Direct Loans have been made to individuals whose automobiles have been financed by the Company, the customer’s payment history under his or her existing or past Contract is a significant factor in the lending decision.

 

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After reviewing the information included in the Contract or Direct Loan application and taking the other factors into account, the Company’s loan origination system categorizes the customer using internally developed credit classifications of “1,” indicating higher creditworthiness, through “4,” indicating lower creditworthiness. Contracts are financed for individuals who fall within all four acceptable rating categories utilized, “1” through “4”. Usually a customer who falls within the two highest categories (i.e., “1” or “2”) is purchasing a two to four-year old, low mileage used automobile, while a customer in any of the two lowest categories (i.e., “3,” or “4”) usually is purchasing an older, high mileage automobile from an independent used automobile dealer.

The Company utilizes internal audit (the “IA”) to perform on-site audits of its branches’ compliance with Company underwriting guidelines. IA audits Company branches on a schedule that is variable depending on the size of the branch, length of time a branch has been open, current tenure of the Branch Manager, previous branch audit score and current and historical branch profitability. IA reports directly to the SVP of Branch Operations.

Monitoring and Enforcement of Contracts

The Company requires each customer under a Contract to obtain and maintain collision insurance covering damage to the vehicle. Failure to maintain such insurance constitutes a default under the Contract, and the Company may, at its discretion, repossess the vehicle. To reduce potential loss due to insurance lapse, the Company has the contractual right to obtain collateral protection insurance through a third-party, which covers loss due to physical damage to a vehicle not covered by any insurance policy of the customer.

The Company’s Management Information Services personnel maintain a number of reports to monitor compliance by customers with their obligations under Contracts and Direct Loans made by the Company. These reports may be accessed on a real-time basis throughout the Company by management personnel, including Branch Managers and staff, at computer terminals located in the main office and each branch office. These reports include delinquency aging reports, customer promises reports, vehicle information reports, purchase reports, dealer analysis reports, static pool reports, and repossession reports.

A delinquency report is an aging report that provides basic information regarding each account and indicates accounts that are past due. The report includes information such as the account number, address of the customer, phone numbers of the customer, original term of the Contract, number of remaining payments, outstanding balance, due dates, date of last payment, number of days past due, scheduled payment amount, amount of last payment, total past due, and special payment arrangements or agreements.

Any Contract acquired by the Company less than 180 days prior to the determinations date is included on the delinquency report on the first day that the Contract is contractually past due. Contracts acquired by the Company 180 days or more days prior to the determination date are not included on the delinquency report until they are more than 10 days past due. Determinations with respect to repossession are based on many factors which include but are not limited to, delinquency status, payment history, number of months since Contract acquisition, current value of the collateral, customer’s employment status, communication with the customer, customer’s intent to pay, etc. At 180 days delinquent, if the vehicle has not yet been repossessed, the account is charged-off and transferred to the Loss Prevention and Recovery Department. Once a vehicle has been repossessed, the related loan balance no longer appears on the delinquency report, instead, the vehicle appears on the Company’s repossession report and is generally sold at auction.

When an account becomes delinquent, the Company immediately contacts the customer to determine the reason for the delinquency and to determine if appropriate arrangements for payment can be made. If payment arrangements acceptable to the Company can be made, the information is entered in its database and is used to generate a “Promises Report,” which is utilized by the Company’s collection staff for account follow up.

The Company prepares a repossession report that provides information regarding repossessed vehicles and aids the Company in disposing of repossessed vehicles. In addition to information regarding the customer, this report provides information regarding the date of repossession, date the vehicle was sold, number of days it was held in inventory prior to sale, year, make and model of the vehicle, mileage, payoff amount on the Contract, NADA book value, Black Book value, suggested sale price, location of the vehicle, original dealer and condition of the vehicle, as well as notes other information that may be helpful to the Company.

The Company also prepares a dealer analysis report that provides information regarding each dealer from which it purchases Contracts. This report allows the Company to analyze the volume of business done with each dealer and the terms on which it has purchased Contracts from such dealer.

The Company is subject to seasonal variations within the subprime marketplace. While the APR, Discount, and term remain consistent across quarters, write offs and delinquencies tend to be lower while purchases tend to be higher in the fourth and first quarter of the fiscal year. The second and third quarter of the fiscal year tend to have higher write offs and delinquencies, and a lower level of purchases.

 

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Marketing and Advertising

The Company’s Contract marketing efforts currently are directed exclusively toward automobile dealers. The Company attempts to meet dealers’ needs by offering highly-responsive, cost-competitive and service-oriented financing programs. The Company relies on its District and Branch Managers to solicit agreements for the purchase of Contracts with automobile dealers located within a 60-mile radius of each branch office. The Branch Manager provides dealers with information regarding the Company and the general terms upon which the Company is willing to purchase Contracts. The Company presently has no plans to implement any other forms of advertising, such as radio or newspaper advertisements, for the purchase of Contracts.

The Company solicits customers under its Direct Loan program primarily through direct mailings, followed by telephone calls to individuals who have a good credit history with the Company in connection with Contracts purchased by the Company.

Computerized Information System

The Company uses a third-party loan origination system and an internally developed loan servicing system to assist in responding to customer inquiries and to monitor the performance of its Contract and Direct Loan portfolio and the performance of individual customers under Contracts. All Company personnel are provided with real-time access to information. The Company has created specialized programs to automate the tracking of Contracts and Direct Loans from inception. The Company’s computer network encompasses both its corporate headquarters and its branch office locations. See “Monitoring and Enforcement of Contracts” above for a summary of the different reports prepared by the Company.

Competition

The consumer finance industry is highly fragmented and highly competitive. Due to various factors, including the existing low interest rate environment, the competitiveness of the industry continues to increase as new competitors continue to enter the market and certain existing competitors continue to expand their operations. There are numerous financial service companies that provide consumer credit in the markets served by the Company, including banks, credit unions, other consumer finance companies, and captive finance companies owned by automobile manufacturers and retailers. Many of these companies have significantly greater resources than the Company. Increased competition for the purchase of Contracts has caused a reduction in the interest rates payable by many individual purchasers of automobiles, and the Company believes that continued increased competition could materially reduce such interest rates in the foreseeable future. In addition, increased competition for the purchase of Contracts has enabled automobile dealers to shop for the best price, resulting in an erosion in the dealer discounts from the initial principal amounts at which the Company is willing to purchase Contracts and higher advance rates. The Company’s average dealer discount on loans purchased for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 was 7.08%, 7.51% and 8.08%, respectively. Further, increased competition has resulted in the purchase of lower credit quality Contracts.

 

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The Company’s target market consists of persons who are generally unable to obtain traditional used car financing because of their credit history or the vehicle’s mileage or age. Historically, the Company was able to expand its automobile finance business in the non-prime credit market by offering to purchase Contracts on terms that are competitive with those of other companies. However, it has become increasingly difficult for the Company to match or exceed pricing of its competitors, which has resulted in declining Contract acquisition rates during the 2016 and 2017 fiscal years. Because of the daily contact that many of its employees have with automobile dealers located throughout the market areas served by it, the Company is generally aware of the terms upon which its competitors are offering to purchase Contracts.

The Company’s ability to compete effectively with other companies offering similar financing arrangements depends in part upon the Company maintaining close business relationships with dealers of new and used vehicles. No single dealer out of the approximately 2,300 dealers with which the Company currently has active Contractual relationships represents a significant amount of the Company’s business volume for any of the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017, 2016 or 2015.

Regulation

The Company’s financing operations are subject to regulation, supervision and licensing under many federal, state and local statutes, regulations and ordinances. Additionally, the procedures that the Company must follow regarding the repossession of vehicles securing Contracts are regulated by each of the states in which the Company does business. To date, the Company’s operations have been conducted exclusively in the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. Accordingly, the laws of such states, as well as applicable federal law, govern the Company’s operations. The following constitute certain of the existing federal, state and local statutes, regulations and ordinances with which the Company must comply:

 

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State consumer regulatory agency requirements. Pursuant to state regulations, on-site audits can be conducted for each of the Company’s branches located within Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Texas to monitor compliance with applicable regulations. These regulations include, but are not limited to: licensure requirements; requirements for maintenance of proper records; payment of required fees; maximum interest rates that may be charged on loans to finance used vehicles; and, proper disclosure to customers regarding financing terms. Pursuant to Florida and North Carolina law, the Company’s Direct Loan activities in each state are subject to similar periodic on-site audits by the Florida Financial Services Commission and the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks, respectively.

 

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State licensing requirements. The Company files a notification or obtains a license to acquire Contracts within the following states: Alabama; Florida; Illinois; Indiana; Kansas; Maryland; Michigan; Missouri; Pennsylvania; South Carolina; Texas; and, Wisconsin. In regards to its’ Direct Loan activities in Florida and North Carolina, the Company maintains separate Consumer Finance Licenses with the Florida Department of Banking and Finance and the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. Furthermore, some states require dealers to maintain a Retail Installment Seller’s License, and where applicable, the Company only conducts business with dealers who hold such a license.

 

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Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) and applicable state law counterparts prohibit the Company from contacting customers during certain times and at certain places, from using certain threatening practices and from making false implications when attempting to collect a debt.

 

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Truth in Lending Act. The Truth in Lending Act (“TILA”) requires the Company and the dealers it does business with to make certain disclosures to customers, including the terms of repayment, the total finance charge and the annual percentage rate charged on each Contract or Direct Loan.

 

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Equal Credit Opportunity Act. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (“ECOA”) prohibits creditors from discriminating against loan applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, age or marital status. Pursuant to Regulation B promulgated under the ECOA, creditors are required to make certain disclosures regarding consumer rights and advise consumers whose credit applications are not approved of the reasons for the rejection.

 

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Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act. The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (“ESIGN”) requires the Company to provide consumers with clear and conspicuous disclosures before the consumer gives consent to authorize the use of electronic signatures, electronic contracts and electronic records.

 

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Fair Credit Reporting Act. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) requires the Company to provide certain information to consumers whose credit applications are not approved on the basis of a report obtained from a consumer reporting agency, as well as, ensure the accuracy and integrity of consumer information reported to credit reporting agencies.

 

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Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”) requires the Company to maintain privacy with respect to certain consumer data in its possession and to periodically communicate with consumers on privacy matters.

 

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Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (“SCRA”) requires the Company to reduce the interest rate charged on each loan to customers who have subsequently joined, enlisted, been inducted or called to active military duty and places limitations on collection and repossession activity.

 

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Military Lending Act. The Military Lending Act (“MLA”) requires the Company to limit the military annual percentage rate (“MAPR”) that the Company may charge to a maximum of 36 percent, requires certain disclosures to military consumers, and provides other substantive consumer protections on credit extended to Servicemembers and their families.

 

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Electronic Funds Transfer Act. The Electronic Funds Transfer Act (“EFTA”) prohibits the Company from requiring its customers to repay a loan or other credit by electronic funds transfer (“EFT”), except in limited situations which do not apply to the Company. The Company is also required to provide certain documentation to its customers when an EFT is initiated and to provide certain notifications to its customers with regard to preauthorized payments.

 

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Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) governs the Company’s practice of contacting customers by certain means i.e. auto dealers, pre-recorded or artificial voice calls on customers’ land lines, fax machines and cell phones, including text messages.

 

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Bankruptcy. Federal bankruptcy and related state laws may interfere with or affect the Company’s ability to recover collateral or enforce a deficiency judgment.

 

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Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act 0f 2010 (“Dodd-Frank Act”). Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), which, effective as of July 21, 2011, has the authority to issue and enforce regulations under the federal “enumerated consumer laws,” including (subject to certain statutory limitations) FDCPA, TILA, ECOA, FCRA, GLBA and EFTA. The CFPB has rulemaking and enforcement authority over 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. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB also may restrict the use of pre-dispute mandatory arbitration clauses in contracts between covered persons and consumers for a consumer financial product or service. The CFPB also has authority to interpret, enforce, and issue regulations implementing enumerated consumer laws, including certain laws that apply to our business. The CFPB issued rules regarding the supervision and examination of non-depository “larger participants” in the automobile finance business. Since we are deemed a larger participant, we are subject to supervision and examination by the CFPB.

Failure to comply with these laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on us by, among other things, limiting the jurisdictions in which we may operate, restricting our ability to realize the value of the collateral securing the Contracts, making it more costly or burdensome to do business or resulting in potential liability. The volume of new or modified laws and regulations and the activity of agencies enforcing such law have increased in recent years in response to issues arising with respect to consumer lending. From time to time, legislation and regulations are enacted which increase the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities or affect the competitive balance among financial services providers. Proposals to change the laws and regulations governing the operations and taxation of financial institutions and financial services providers are frequently made in the U.S. Congress, in the state legislatures and by various regulatory agencies. This legislation may change our operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways and may have a material adverse effect on our business.

In particular, the Dodd-Frank Act and regulations promulgated thereunder, including the rules regarding supervision and examination issued by the CFPB, are likely to affect our cost of doing business, may limit or expand our permissible activities, may affect the competitive balance within our industry and market areas and could have a material adverse effect on us. Our management continues to assess the Dodd-Frank Act’s probable impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and to monitor developments involving the entities charged with promulgating regulations thereunder. However, the ultimate effect of the Dodd-Frank Act on the financial services industry in general, and on us in particular, is uncertain at this time.

In addition to the CFPB, other state and federal agencies have the ability to regulate aspects of our business. For example, the Dodd-Frank Act provides a mechanism for state Attorneys General to investigate us. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission has jurisdiction to investigate aspects of our business. We expect that regulatory investigation by both state and federal agencies will continue and that the results of these investigations could have a material adverse impact on us.

 

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Dealers with which we do business must also comply with credit and trade practice statutes and regulations. Failure of these dealers to comply with such statutes and regulations could result in customers having rights of rescission and other remedies that could have a material adverse effect on us.

The sale of vehicle service contracts and other ancillary products by dealers in connection with Contracts assigned to us from dealers is also subject to state laws and regulations. As we are the holder of the Contracts that may, in part, finance these products, some of these state laws and regulations may apply to our servicing and collection of the Contracts. Although these laws and regulations may not significantly affect our business, there can be no assurance that insurance or other regulatory authorities in the jurisdictions in which these products are offered by dealers will not seek to regulate or restrict the operation of our business in these jurisdictions. Any regulation or restriction of our business in these jurisdictions could materially adversely affect the income received from these products.

The Company’s management believes that the Company maintains all requisite licenses and permits and is in material compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations. The Company periodically reviews its branch office practices in an effort to ensure such compliance. Although compliance with existing laws and regulations has not had a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations to date, given the increasingly complex regulatory environment, the increasing costs of complying with such laws and regulations, and the increasing risk of penalties, fines or other liabilities associated therewith, no assurances can be given that we are in material compliance with all of such laws or regulations or that the costs of such compliance, or the failure to be in such compliance, will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Employees

The Company’s management and various support functions are centralized at the Company’s Corporate Headquarters in Clearwater, Florida. As of March 31, 2017, the Company employed a total of 306 persons, of which 58 persons were employed at the Company’s Corporate Headquarters. None of the Company’s employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company considers its relations with its employees generally to be good.

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

The following factors, as well as other factors not set forth below, may adversely affect the business, operations, financial condition or results of operations of the Company (sometimes referred to in this section as “we” “us” or “our”).

We may experience high delinquency and loss rates in our portfolios, which could reduce our profitability. In addition, our inability to accurately forecast and estimate the amount and timing of future collections could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity and results of operations.

Our profitability depends, to a material extent, on the performance of Contracts that we purchase. Historically, we have experienced higher delinquency rates than traditional financial institutions because substantially all of our Contracts and Direct Loans are to non-prime borrowers, who are unable to obtain financing from traditional sources due to their credit history. Contracts and Direct Loans made to these individuals generally entail a higher risk of delinquency, default and repossession and higher losses than loans made to consumers with better credit.

Our underwriting standards and collection procedures may not offer adequate protection against the risk of default, especially in periods of economic uncertainty and wage stagnation such as have existed over much of the past few years. In the event of a default, the collateral value of the financed vehicle usually does not cover the outstanding Contract or Direct Loan balance and costs of recovery.

Our ability to accurately forecast performance, and determine an appropriate provision and allowance for credit losses, is critical to our business and financial results. The allowance for credit losses is established through a provision for credit losses based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in the portfolio, the composition of the portfolio, specific impaired Contracts and Direct Loans and current economic conditions. Please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policy” in Item 7 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

There can be no assurance that our performance forecasts will be accurate. In periods with changing economic conditions, such as is the case currently, accurately forecasting the performance of Contract and Direct Loans is more difficult. Our allowance for losses is an estimate, and if actual Contract and Direct Loan losses are materially greater than our allowance for losses, or more generally, if our forecasts are not accurate, our financial position, liquidity and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Other than limited representations and warranties made by dealers in favor of the Company, Contracts are purchased from the dealers without recourse, and we are therefore only able to look to the borrowers for repayment.

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued the ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. Among other things, the amendments in this ASU require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. The ASU also requires additional disclosures related to estimates and judgments used to measure all expected credit losses. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early application will be permitted for all organizations for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the consolidated financial statements, and is collecting and analyzing data that will be needed to produce historical inputs into any models created as a result of adopting this ASU. At this time, we believe the adoption of this ASU will have likely have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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We operate in an increasingly competitive market.

The non-prime consumer-finance industry is highly competitive, and the competitiveness of the market continues to increase as new competitors continue to enter the market and certain existing competitors continue to expand their operations and become more aggressive in offering competitive terms. There are numerous financial service companies that provide consumer credit in the markets served by us, including banks, credit unions, other consumer finance companies and captive finance companies owned by automobile manufacturers and retailers. Many of these competitors have substantially greater financial resources than us. In addition, our competitors often provide financing on terms more favorable to automobile purchasers or dealers than we offer. Many of these competitors also have long-standing relationships with automobile dealerships and may offer dealerships or their customers other forms of financing, including dealer floor-plan financing and leasing, which are not provided by us. Providers of non-prime consumer financing have traditionally competed primarily on the basis of:

 

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interest rates charged;

 

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the quality of credit accepted;

 

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dealer discount;

 

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amount paid to dealers relative to the wholesale book value;

 

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the flexibility of Contract and Direct Loan terms offered; and

 

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the quality of service provided.

Our ability to compete effectively with other companies offering similar financing arrangements depends in part on our ability to maintain close relationships with dealers of new and used vehicles. We may not be able to compete successfully in this market or against these competitors. In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult for the Company to match or exceed pricing of its competitors, which has resulted in declining Contract acquisition rates during the 2016 and 2017 fiscal years.

We have focused on a segment of the market composed of consumers who typically do not meet the more stringent credit requirements of traditional consumer financing sources and whose needs, as a result, have not been addressed consistently by such financing sources. As new and existing providers of consumer financing have undertaken to penetrate our targeted market segment, we have experienced increasing pressure to reduce our interest rates, fees and dealer discounts in order to maintain our market share. The Company’s average dealer discount for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 was 7.08%, 7.51%, and 8.08%, respectively. The Company’s weighted average APR for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 was 22.44%, 22.73%, and 22.93%, respectively. Further reductions in our interest rates, fees or dealer discount rates will continue to impact our profitability and financial condition.

In addition, the number of Contracts and Direct Loans under which customers decided to discontinue contractually required payments to us after they were approved by other lenders for new vehicle financing has recently increased. We are particularly vulnerable to the effects of these practices because of our focus on providing financing with respect to used vehicles.

Our business depends on our continued access to bank financing on acceptable terms.

We continue to depend on the availability of our line of credit, together with cash from operations, to finance our operations. Our business is particularly dependent on our ability to access bank financing at competitive rates. We currently use a $225.0 million line of credit facility with a consortium of lenders to finance a large portion of our purchases of Contracts and fund our Direct Loans. This line of credit, which is secured by substantially all our assets, has a maturity date of January 30, 2018. Our average indebtedness under the line of credit increased to $211.0 million in fiscal 2017 from $208.2 million in fiscal 2016 and $133.4 million in fiscal 2015.

The availability of funds under our credit facility generally depends on availability calculations as defined in the corresponding credit agreement. In addition, our credit facility requires us to comply with certain financial ratios and covenants and to satisfy specified financial tests, including maintenance of asset quality and portfolio performance tests. See “The terms of our indebtedness impose significant restrictions on us.”

The quality of the Company’s loan portfolio has been deteriorating, which has resulted in an increase in non-performing loans, increased delinquencies and other factors, which in turn has resulted in increased net charge-offs and an increase in the provision for credit losses. These conditions have resulted in a reduction in net earnings and have affected our borrowing capacity under the line of credit facility.

 

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The Company’s operating results over recent quarters provided indicators that the Company may not be able to continue to comply with certain of the required financial ratios, covenants and financial tests prior to the maturity date of the line of credit facility in the absence of an amendment to the corresponding credit agreement. Failure to meet any financial ratios, covenants or financial tests could result in an event of default under our line of credit facility. If an event of default occurs under the credit facility, our lenders could increase our borrowing costs, restrict our ability to obtain additional borrowings under the facility, accelerate all amounts outstanding under the facility, or enforce their interest against collateral pledged under the facility.

While management believes that it will be able to obtain a renewal or extension of the credit facility, there are no assurances that the lenders will approve the renewal or extension, or, assuming that they will approve it, that the facility will not be on terms less favorable than the current agreement. In the event that the Company obtains information that the existing lenders do not intend to extend the relationship, the Company will seek alternative financing. The Company believes it is probable that it will be able to obtain financing from either its existing lenders or from other sources; however, it can provide no assurances that it will be successful in replacing the line of credit facility on reasonable terms or at all. If the Company is unable to renew or replace the facility or find alternative financing, it may be forced to liquidate.

The terms of our indebtedness impose significant restrictions on us.

Our existing outstanding indebtedness restricts our ability to, among other things:

 

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sell or transfer assets;

 

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incur additional debt;

 

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repay other debt;

 

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make certain investments or acquisitions;

 

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repurchase or redeem capital stock;

 

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engage in mergers or consolidations; and

 

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engage in certain transactions with subsidiaries and affiliates.

In addition, our line of credit facility requires us to comply with certain financial ratios and covenants and to satisfy specified financial tests, including maintenance of asset quality and portfolio performance tests. The need to comply with such covenants and other provisions could impact our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. Moreover, our ability to continue to meet those financial ratios and tests could be affected by events beyond our control. Failure to meet any of these covenants, financial ratios or financial tests could result in an event of default under our line of credit facility. If an event of default occurs under this credit facility, our lenders may take one or more of the following actions:

 

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increase our borrowing costs;

 

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restrict our ability to obtain additional borrowings under the facility;

 

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accelerate all amounts outstanding under the facility; or

 

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enforce their interest against collateral pledged under the facility.

If our lender accelerates our debt payments, our assets may not be sufficient to fully repay the debt.

Potential events of default under our current line of credit facility, include, but are not limited to:

 

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Any one person owning more than twenty percent (20%) of our voting stock without the prior written approval of the majority lenders of the credit facility;

 

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Failure to maintain the appropriate Interest Coverage Ratio of at least 1.50:1 calculated as of the last day of each four-quarter period then ended (defined as (a) the sum of (i) adjusted net earnings from operations for the applicable period (reduced by any increase in charge off shortfall and loss reserve shortfall), (ii) interest expense and (iii) any provision for income taxes for such period, divided by (b) aggregate interest expense for such period, as further set forth in the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, as subsequently amended),

 

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Failure to maintain appropriate ratios as it pertains to the Collateral Adjustment Percent (as defined in the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, as subsequently amended).

We require a significant amount of cash to service our indebtedness and meet our other liquidity needs.

Our ability to make payments on or to refinance our indebtedness and to fund our operations and planned capital expenditures depends on our future operating performance. Our primary cash requirements include the funding of:

 

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Contract purchases and Direct Loans;

 

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interest payments under our line of credit facility and other indebtedness;

 

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capital expenditures for technology and facilities;

 

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ongoing operating expenses;

 

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planned expansions by opening additional branch offices; and

 

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any required income tax payments.

In addition, because we expect to continue to require substantial amounts of cash for the foreseeable future, we may seek additional debt or equity financing. Any equity financings may cause substantial dilution to our stockholders and could involve the issuance of securities with rights senior to the common shares. Any additional debt financings we undertake may require us to comply with onerous financial covenants and restrict our business operations. Our ability to complete additional financings is dependent on, among other things, the state of the capital markets at the time of any proposed offering, market reception of the Company and the likelihood of the success of its business model, of the offering terms, etc. We may not be able to obtain any such additional capital as we need to finance our efforts, through asset sales, equity or debt financing, or any combination thereof, on satisfactory terms or at all. Additionally, any such financing, if at all obtained, may not be adequate to meet our capital needs and to support our operations.

If adequate capital cannot be obtained on a timely basis and on satisfactory terms, it would have a material adverse effect on our ability to implement our business plan, and our revenues and operations and the value of our common stock and common stock equivalents would be materially negatively impacted and we may be forced to curtail or cease our operations.

Our high level of indebtedness could have important consequences for our business.

Our high level of indebtedness could have important consequences for our business. For example,

 

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we may be unable to satisfy our obligations under our outstanding indebtedness;

 

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we may find it more difficult to fund future working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, and general corporate needs;

 

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we may have to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash resources to the payments on our outstanding indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available for operations and future business opportunities; and

 

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we may be more vulnerable to adverse general economic and industry conditions.

Our ability to make payments on, or to refinance, our indebtedness will depend on our future operating performance, including our ability to access additional debt and equity financing, which to a certain extent, is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control, including in light of the current volatility affecting the global economic system and uncertainty surrounding regulatory reforms. If new debt is added to our current levels, the risks described above could intensify.

 

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The Dodd-Frank Act authorizes the CFPB to adopt rules that could potentially have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial performance.

Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act established the CFPB, which became operational on July 21, 2011. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB has regulatory, supervisory and enforcement powers over providers of consumer financial products, such as the Contracts and Direct Loans that we offer, including explicit supervisory authority to examine and require registration of installment lenders such as ourselves. Included among the powers afforded to the CFPB is the authority to adopt rules describing specified acts and practices as being “unfair,” “deceptive” or “abusive,” and hence unlawful. The CFPB has outlined several proposals under consideration for the purpose of requiring lenders to take steps to ensure consumers have the financial ability to repay their loans. The proposals under consideration would require lenders to determine at the outset of each loan whether a consumer can afford to borrow from the lender and would require that lenders comply with various restrictions designed to ensure that consumers can affordably repay their debt to the lender. To date, the proposals under consideration by the CFPB have not been adopted. If adopted, the proposals outlined by the CFPB may require the Company to make significant changes to its lending practices to develop compliant procedures.

Although the Dodd-Frank Act expressly provides that the CFPB has no authority to establish usury limits, some consumer advocacy groups have suggested that certain forms of alternative consumer finance products, such as installment loans, should be a regulatory priority and it is possible that at some time in the future the CFPB could propose and adopt rules making such lending or other products that we may offer materially less profitable or impractical. Further, the CFPB may target specific features of loans by rulemaking that could cause us to cease offering certain products. Any such rules could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition. The CFPB could also adopt rules imposing new and potentially burdensome requirements and limitations with respect to any of our current or future lines of business, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial performance.

In addition to the Dodd-Frank Act’s grant of regulatory powers to the CFPB, the Dodd-Frank Act gives the CFPB authority to pursue administrative proceedings or litigation for violations of federal consumer financial laws. In these proceedings, the CFPB can obtain cease and desist orders (which can include orders for restitution or rescission of contracts, as well as other kinds of affirmative relief) and monetary penalties ranging from $5,000 per day for minor violations of federal consumer financial laws (including the CFPB’s own rules) to $25,000 per day for reckless violations and $1 million per day for knowing violations. If we are subject to such administrative proceedings, litigation, orders or monetary penalties in the future, this could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial performance. Also, where a company has violated Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act or CFPB regulations under Title X, the Dodd-Frank Act empowers state attorneys general and state regulators to bring civil actions for the kind of cease and desist orders available to the CFPB (but not for civil penalties). If the CFPB or one or more state officials believe we have violated the foregoing laws, they could exercise their enforcement powers in ways that would have a material adverse effect on us. See “Item 1. Business – Regulation” for additional information.

Pursuant to the authority granted to it under the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB adopted rules that subject larger nonbank automobile finance companies such as us to supervision and examination by the CFPB. Any such examination by the CFPB likely would have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial performance.

The CFPB issued rules regarding the supervision and examination of non-depository “larger participants” in the automobile finance business, including us. Since we are deemed a larger participant, we are subject to supervision and examination by the CFPB. The CFPB’s stated objectives of such examinations are: to assess the quality of a larger participant’s compliance management systems for preventing violations of federal consumer financial laws; to identify acts or practices that materially increase the risk of violations of federal consumer finance laws and associated harm to consumers; and to gather facts that help determine whether the larger participant engages in acts or practices that are likely to violate federal consumer financial laws in connection with its automobile finance business. Thus, as a larger participant, we will be subject to examination by the CFPB for, among other things, ECOA compliance; unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices (“UDAAP”) compliance; and the adequacy of our compliance management systems.

In February 2016, the CFPB published a list of nine policy priorities on which it intends to focus its resources over the next two years. These priorities include, among other things, initiation of the rulemaking process regarding debt collection practices that would apply to third-party collectors and first-party collectors and continued examination and investigation of, and potential rulemaking regarding, consumer credit reporting practices. The timing and impact of these anticipated rules on our business remain uncertain.

We have evaluated our existing compliance management systems and are in the process of updating, improving and/or replacing such systems. We expect this process to continue as the CFPB promulgates new and evolving rules and interpretations. Given the time and effort needed to establish, implement and maintain adequate compliance management systems and the resources and costs associated with being examined by the CFPB, such an examination would likely have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and profitability. Moreover, any such examination by the CFPB could result in the assessment of penalties, including fines, and other remedies which could, in turn, have a material effect on our business, financial condition and profitability.

 

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We are subject to many other laws and governmental regulations, and any material violations of or changes in these laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and business operations.

Our financing operations are subject to regulation, supervision and licensing under various other federal, state and local statutes and ordinances. Additionally, the procedures that we must follow in connection with the repossession of vehicles securing Contracts are regulated by each of the states in which we do business. The various federal, state and local statutes, regulations, and ordinances applicable to our business govern, among other things:

 

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licensing requirements;

 

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requirements for maintenance of proper records;

 

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payment of required fees to certain states;

 

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maximum interest rates that may be charged on loans to finance new and used vehicles;

 

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debt collection practices;

 

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proper disclosure to customers regarding financing terms;

 

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privacy regarding certain customer data;

 

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interest rates on loans to customers;

 

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late fees and insufficient fees charged;

 

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telephone solicitation of Direct Loan customers; and

 

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collection of debts from loan customers who have filed bankruptcy.

We believe that we maintain all material licenses and permits required for our current operations and are in substantial compliance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations. Our failure, or the failure by dealers who originate the Contracts we purchase, to maintain all requisite licenses and permits, and to comply with other regulatory requirements, could result in consumers having rights of rescission and other remedies that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. Furthermore, any changes in applicable laws, rules and regulations, such as the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act and the creation of the CFPB, may make our compliance therewith more difficult or expensive or otherwise materially adversely affect our business and financial condition.

We are subject to risks associated with litigation.

As a consumer finance company, we are subject to various consumer claims and litigation seeking damages and statutory penalties, based upon, among other things:

 

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usury laws;

 

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disclosure inaccuracies;

 

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wrongful repossession;

 

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violations of bankruptcy stay provisions;

 

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certificate of title disputes;

 

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fraud;

 

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breach of contract; and

 

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discriminatory treatment of credit applicants.

 

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Some litigation against us could take the form of class action complaints by consumers. As the assignee of Contracts originated by dealers, we may also be named as a co-defendant in lawsuits filed by consumers principally against dealers. The damages and penalties claimed by consumers in these types of actions can be substantial. The relief requested by the plaintiffs varies but may include requests for compensatory, statutory and punitive damages. We also are periodically subject to other kinds of litigation typically experienced by businesses such as ours, including employment disputes and breach of contract claims. No assurances can be given that we will not experience material financial losses in the future as a result of litigation or other legal proceedings.

We depend upon our relationships with our dealers.

Our business depends in large part upon our ability to establish and maintain relationships with reputable dealers who originate the Contracts we purchase. Although we believe we have been successful in developing and maintaining such relationships, such relationships are not exclusive, and many of them are not longstanding. There can be no assurances that we will be successful in maintaining such relationships or increasing the number of dealers with whom we do business, or that our existing dealer base will continue to generate a volume of Contracts comparable to the volume of such Contracts historically generated by such dealers.

Our success depends upon our ability to implement our business strategy.

Our financial position depends on management’s ability to execute our business strategy. Key factors involved in the execution of our business strategy include achievement of the desired Contract purchase volume, the use of effective risk management techniques and collection methods, continued investment in technology to support operating efficiency, and continued access to significant funding and liquidity sources. Our failure or inability to execute any element of our business strategy could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

Our business is highly dependent upon general economic conditions.

We are subject to changes in general economic conditions that are beyond our control. During periods of economic uncertainty, such as has existed for much of the past few years, delinquencies, defaults, repossessions and losses generally increase, absent offsetting factors. These periods also may be accompanied by decreased consumer demand for automobiles and declining values of automobiles securing outstanding loans, which weakens collateral coverage on our loans and increases the amount of a loss we would experience in the event of default. Because we focus on non-prime borrowers, the actual rates of delinquencies, defaults, repossessions and losses on these loans are higher than those experienced in the general automobile finance industry and could be more dramatically affected by a general economic downturn. In addition, during an economic slowdown or recession, our servicing costs may increase without a corresponding increase in our servicing income. No assurances can be given that our underwriting criteria and collection methods to manage the higher risk inherent in loans made to non-prime borrowers will afford adequate protection against these risks. Any sustained period of increased delinquencies, defaults, repossessions or losses or increased servicing costs could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

Furthermore, in a low interest-rate environment such as has existed in the United States in recent years, the level of competition increases in the non-prime consumer-finance industry as new competitors enter the market and many existing competitors expand their operations. Such increased competition, in turn, exerts increasing pressure on us to reduce our interest rates, fees and dealer discount rates in order to maintain our market share. Reductions in our interest rates, fees or dealer discount rates could have a material adverse impact on our profitability or financial condition. For example, the weighted average APR of our portfolio decreased from 22.73% to 22.44% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Our average dealer discount decreased from 7.51% to 7.08% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Recent economic developments may adversely affect our business and financial condition.

Over the past several years, the United States has experienced a period of uncertainty in the subprime auto market that has adversely affected our business and financial condition. Stagnant wages and intense competition have contributed to higher delinquencies and losses than we would otherwise experience.

Additionally, stagnant wages, fluctuating gasoline prices, unstable real estate values, food inflation, resets of adjustable rate mortgages and other factors have adversely impacted consumer confidence and disposable income. These conditions have increased loss frequency, decreased consumer demand for automobiles and weakened collateral values on certain types of vehicles. Because we focus predominately on non-prime borrowers, the actual rates of delinquencies, defaults, repossessions and losses on Contracts are higher than those experienced in the general automobile finance industry and have been materially affected by recent economic conditions. According to data published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, in the quarter ended December 31, 2016, auto loan delinquencies of at least 30 days were at their highest levels since 2008. If economic and credit conditions, including wage conditions, do not continue to improve, our business and financial condition could be further adversely affected.

 

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The auction proceeds we receive from the sale of repossessed vehicles and other recoveries are subject to fluctuation due to economic and other factors beyond our control.

If we repossess a vehicle securing a Contract, we typically have it transported to an automobile auction for sale. Auction proceeds from the sale of repossessed vehicles and other recoveries are usually not sufficient to cover the outstanding balance of the Contract, and the resulting deficiency is charged off. In addition, there is, on average, approximately a 30-day lapse between the time we repossess a vehicle and the time it is sold. The proceeds we receive from such sales depend upon various factors, including the supply of, and demand for, used vehicles at the time of sale. Such supply and demand are dependent on many factors. For example, during periods of economic uncertainty, the demand for used cars may soften, resulting in decreased auction proceeds to us from the sale of repossessed automobiles. Furthermore, depressed wholesale prices for used automobiles may result from significant liquidations of rental or fleet inventories, and from increased volume of trade-ins due to promotional financing programs offered by new vehicle manufacturers. We have experienced declining auction proceeds for approximately the past 5 years and we expect this trend to continue for the foreseeable future. Decreased auction proceeds to us resulting from sales of used automobiles at depressed prices will result in losses and, in turn, reduced profitability.

An increase in market interest rates may reduce our profitability.

Our long-term profitability may be directly affected by the level of and fluctuations in interest rates. Sustained, significant increases in interest rates may adversely affect our liquidity and profitability by reducing the interest rate spread between the rate of interest we receive on our Contracts and interest rates that we pay under our outstanding line of credit facility. As interest rates increase, our gross interest rate spread on new originations will generally decline since the rates charged on the Contracts originated or purchased from dealers generally are limited by statutory maximums, restricting our opportunity to pass on increased interest costs. We monitor the interest rate environment and, on occasion, enter into interest rate swap agreements relating to a portion of our outstanding debt. Such agreements effectively convert a portion of our floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate, thus reducing the impact of interest rate changes on our interest expense. On June 4, 2012 and July 30, 2012, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements to convert a portion of its floating rate debt to a fixed rate, more closely matching the interest rate characteristics of finance receivables. The June 4, 2012 agreement provides for a five-year interest rate swap in which the Company pays a fixed rate of 1% and receives payments from the counterparty on the 1-month LIBOR rate. This swap has an effective date of June 13, 2012 and a notional amount of $25 million. The July 30, 2012 agreement provides for a five-year interest rate swap in which the Company pays a fixed rate of 0.87% and receives payments from the counterparty on the 1-month LIBOR rate. This swap has an effective date of August 13, 2012 and a notional amount of $25 million. Both of the swaps will mature during the second quarter of fiscal year ended 2018. The changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements (unrealized gains and losses) are recorded in earnings. We will continue to evaluate interest rate swap pricing and we may or may not enter into additional interest rate swap agreements in the future.

We may experience problems with our integrated computer systems or be unable to keep pace with developments in technology.

We use various technologies in our business, including telecommunication, data processing, and integrated computer systems. Technology changes rapidly. Our ability to compete successfully with other financing companies may depend on our ability to efficiently and cost-effectively implement technological changes. Moreover, to keep pace with our competitors, we may be required to invest in technological changes that do not necessarily improve our profitability.

We utilize our integrated computer systems to respond to customer inquiries and to monitor the performance of our Contract and Direct Loan portfolios and the performance of individual customers under our Contracts and Direct Loans. Problems with our systems’ operations could adversely impact our ability to monitor our portfolios or collect amounts due under our Contracts and Direct Loans, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Failure to properly safeguard confidential customer information could subject us to liability, decrease our profitability and damage our reputation.

In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, including our proprietary business information and personally identifiable information of our customers, on our computer networks, and share such data with third parties. The secure processing, maintenance and transmission of this information is critical to our operations and business strategy.

Any failure, interruption, or breach in our cyber security, including through employee misconduct or any failure of our back-up systems or failure to maintain adequate security surrounding customer information, could result in reputational harm, disruption in the management of our customer relationships, or the inability to originate, process and service our products. Further, any of these cyber security and operational risks could result in a loss of customer business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to lawsuits by customers for identity theft or other damages resulting from the misuse of their personal information and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. In addition,

 

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regulators may impose penalties or require remedial action if they identify weaknesses in our security systems, and we may be required to incur significant costs to increase our cyber security to address any vulnerabilities that may be discovered or to remediate the harm caused by any security breaches. As part of our business, we may share confidential customer information and proprietary information with clients, vendors, service providers, and business partners. The information systems of these third parties may be vulnerable to security breaches and we may not be able to ensure that these third parties have appropriate security controls in place to protect the information we share with them. If our confidential information is intercepted, stolen, misused, or mishandled while in possession of a third party, it could result in reputational harm to us, loss of customer business, and additional regulatory scrutiny, and it could expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

We rely on encryption and authentication technology licensed from third parties to provide the security and authentication necessary to secure online transmission of confidential customer information. Advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or other events or developments may result in a compromise or breach of the algorithms that we use to protect sensitive customer data. A party who is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in our operations. We may be required to expend capital and other resources to protect against, or alleviate problems caused by, security breaches or other cybersecurity incidents. Although we have not experienced any material cybersecurity incidents to dates, there can be no assurance that a cyber-attack, security breach or other cybersecurity incident will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations in the future. Our security measures are designed to protect against security breaches, but our failure to prevent security breaches could subject us to liability, decrease our profitability and damage our reputation.

We partially rely on third parties to deliver services, and failure by those parties to provide these services or meet contractual requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We depend on third-party service providers for many aspects of our business operations, including loan origination, title processing and online payments, which increases our operational complexity and decreases our control. We rely on these service providers to provide a high level of service and support, which subjects us to risks associated with inadequate or untimely service. If a service provider fails to provide the services that we require or expect, or fails to meet contractual requirements, such as service levels or compliance with applicable laws, a failure could negatively impact our business by adversely affecting our ability to process customers’ transactions in a timely and accurate manner, otherwise hampering our ability to service our customers, or subjecting us to litigation or regulatory risk for poor vendor oversight. We may be unable to replace, or be delayed in replacing these sources and there is a risk that we would be unable to enter into a similar agreement with an alternate provider on terms that we consider favorable or in a timely manner. Such a failure could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our growth depends upon our ability to retain and attract a sufficient number of qualified employees.

To a large extent, our growth strategy depends on the opening of new offices that focus primarily on purchasing Contracts and making Direct Loans in markets we have not previously served. Future expansion of our branch office network depends, in part, upon our ability to attract and retain qualified and experienced office managers and the ability of such managers to develop relationships with dealers that serve those markets. We generally do not open a new office until we have located and hired a qualified and experienced individual to manage the office. Typically, this individual will be familiar with local market conditions and have existing relationships with dealers in the area to be served. Although we believe that we can attract and retain qualified and experienced personnel as we proceed with planned expansion into new markets, no assurance can be given that we will be successful in doing so. Competition to hire personnel possessing the skills and experience required by us could contribute to an increase in our employee turnover rate. High turnover or an inability to attract and retain qualified personnel could have an adverse effect on our origination, delinquency, default and net loss rates and, ultimately, our business and financial condition.

 

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The loss of one of our key executives could have a material adverse effect on our business.

On June 12, 2017, Ralph T. Finkenbrink informed us that he would be retiring as our President and Chief Executive Officer effective September 30, 2017. Mr. Finkenbrink has been employed by the Company for 29 years, including 25 years in senior executive positions. While our Board of Directors intends to commence a search for a replacement shortly, there can be no assurances that we will be successful in finding and hiring a suitable replacement. Our future growth and development is significantly dependent upon the skills and experience of our senior management team, including Mr. Finkenbrink’s successor as President and Chief Executive Officer, as well Kevin D. Bates, our Senior Vice President of Branch Operations, and Katie L. MacGillivary, our Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance. We do not maintain key-man life insurance policies on these executives. The loss of Mr, Finkenbrink, and the loss of services of one or more of the other executives, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our stock is thinly traded, which may limit your ability to resell your shares.

The average daily trading volume of our common shares on the NASDAQ Global Select Market for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 was approximately 18,000 shares. Moreover, on March 19, 2015, our Nicholas Financial subsidiary purchased an aggregate of approximately 4.7 million of our common shares pursuant to a modified “Dutch auction” tender offer, thereby reducing the number of shares potentially available in the public market. Thus, our common shares are thinly traded. Thinly traded stock can be more volatile than stock trading in an active public market. Factors such as our financial results, the introduction of new products and services by us or our competitors, and various factors affecting the consumer-finance industry generally may have a significant impact on the market price of our common shares. In recent years, the stock market has experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and market prices for the stocks of many companies, including ours, have experienced wide price fluctuations that have not necessarily been related to their operating performance. Therefore, our shareholders may not be able to sell their shares at the volumes, prices, or times that they desire.

Natural disasters, acts of war, terrorist attacks and threats or the escalation of military activity in response to these attacks or otherwise may negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Natural disasters (such as hurricanes), acts of war, terrorist attacks and the escalation of military activity in response to these attacks or otherwise may have negative and significant effects, such as disruptions in our operations, imposition of increased security measures, changes in applicable laws, market disruptions and job losses. These events may have an adverse effect on the economy in general. Moreover, the potential for future terrorist attacks and the national and international responses to these threats could affect the business in ways that cannot be predicted. The effect of any of these events or threats could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

The Company leases its Corporate Headquarters and branch office facilities. The Company’s Headquarters, located at 2454 McMullen Booth Road, Building C, in Clearwater, Florida, consist of approximately 15,000 square feet of office space leased at an annual rate of approximately $18.00 per square foot. The current lease relating to this space was entered into effective April 1, 2015 and expires on March 31, 2020.

Each of the Company’s 65 branch offices located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia consists of approximately 1,400 square feet of office space. These offices are located in office parks, shopping centers or strip malls and are occupied pursuant to leases with an initial term of one to five years at annual rates ranging from approximately $12.00 to $37.00 per square foot. The Company believes that these facilities and additional or alternate space available to it are adequate to meet its needs for the foreseeable future.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The Company currently is not a party to any pending legal proceedings other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business, none of which, if decided adversely to the Company, would, in the opinion of management, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

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Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company’s common shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “NICK.”

The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of the Company’s common shares for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2017		High				Low
First Quarter		$	11.03			$	10.03
Second Quarter		$	10.95			$	10.01
Third Quarter		$	12.50			$	8.56
Fourth Quarter		$	12.50			$	10.01

 

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2016		High				Low
First Quarter		$	14.49			$	12.25
Second Quarter		$	14.08			$	12.25
Third Quarter		$	13.80			$	11.45
Fourth Quarter		$	11.88			$	9.92

As of June 8 2017, there were approximately 1,150 holders of record of the Company’s common shares.

The Company has not declared and paid cash dividends on its common shares in the recent past and has no current plans to declare or pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of future dividends, if any, is reviewed periodically by the Company’s directors and management and will depend upon, among other things, existing conditions, including earnings, financial condition and capital requirements, restrictions in financing agreements, business opportunities, tax considerations and other conditions and factors.

 

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There are no Canadian foreign exchange controls or laws that would affect the remittance of dividends or other payments to the Company’s non-Canadian resident shareholders. There are no Canadian laws that restrict the export or import of capital, other than the Investment Canada Act (Canada), which requires the notification or review of certain investments by non-Canadians to establish or acquire control of a Canadian business. The Company is not a Canadian business as defined under the Investment Canada Act because it has no place of business in Canada, has no individuals employed in Canada in connection with its business, and has no assets in Canada used in carrying on its business.

Canada and the United States of America are signatories to the Convention Between the United States of America and Canada With Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital (the “Tax Treaty”). The Tax Treaty contains provisions governing the tax treatment of interest, dividends, gains and royalties paid to or received by a person residing in the United States. The Tax Treaty also contains provisions to prevent the occurrence of double taxation, essentially by permitting the taxpayer to claim a tax credit for taxes paid in the foreign jurisdiction.

Dividends paid to the Company from its U.S. subsidiaries’ current and accumulated earnings and profits will be subject to a U.S. withholding tax of 5%. The gross dividends (i.e., before payment of the withholding tax) must be included in the Company’s net income. However, under certain circumstances, the Company may be allowed to deduct the dividends in the calculation of its Canadian taxable income. If the Company has no other foreign (i.e., non-Canadian) non-business income, no relief is available in that case to recover the withholding taxes previously paid.

A 15% Canadian withholding tax applies to dividends paid by the Company to a U.S. shareholder (including those that own less than 10% of the Company’s voting shares) that is an individual. The U.S. shareholder must include the gross amount of the dividends in his net income to be taxed at the regular rates. In general, a U.S. shareholder can obtain a foreign tax credit for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to the Canadian withholding tax on such dividends, but the amount of such credit is subject to a limitation that depends, in part, on the amount of the shareholder’s income and losses from other sources. A U.S. shareholder that is an individual also can elect to claim a deduction (rather than a foreign tax credit) for all non-U.S. income taxes paid by the shareholder during the particular year. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of any Canadian withholding tax imposed on dividends from the Company.

 

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Performance Graph

Set forth below is a graph comparing the cumulative total return on the Company’s common shares for the five-year period ended March 31, 2017, with that of an overall stock market (NASDAQ Composite) and the Company’s peer group index (Dow Jones US General Financial Index). The stock performance graph assumes that the value of the investment in each of the Company’s common shares, the NASDAQ Composite Index and the Dow Jones US General Financial Index was $100 on April 1, 2012 and that all dividends were reinvested.

The graph displayed below is presented in accordance with SEC requirements. Shareholders are cautioned against drawing any conclusions from the data contained therein, as past results are not necessarily indicative of future performance. This graph in no way reflects the Company’s forecast of future financial performance.

 

 

		04/01/2012				03/31/2013				03/31/2014				03/31/2015				03/31/2016				03/31/2017
Nicholas Financial, Inc.		$	100.00			$	111.45			$	119.26			$	106.22			$	81.80			$	80.59
NASDAQ Composite			100.00				105.69				135.82				158.52				157.52				191.22
Dow Jones US General Financial Index			100.00				121.56				155.73				172.20				157.56				197.75

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

None.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

None.

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following tables present selected consolidated financial data of the Company as of and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013. The selected consolidated financial data have been derived from our consolidated financial statements. You should read the selected consolidated financial data below in conjunction with “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto that are included elsewhere in this Report and, for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 and as of March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, that are included in our annual reports for such fiscal years. Quarterly results of operations are incorporated herein by reference to Note 12 – Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Report.

 

		Fiscal Year ended March 31, (In thousands, except earnings per share numbers)
		2017				2016				2015				2014				2013
Statement of Operations Data
Interest income on finance receivables		$	90,466			$	90,707			$	86,790			$	82,629			$	82,110
Interest expense			9,222				9,007				5,970				5,678				5,121
Provision for credit losses			37,177				26,278				20,371				14,979				13,392
Salaries and employee benefits			21,437				22,313				20,835				19,634				18,326
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps			(222	)			24				364				(688	)			505
Other expenses			14,112				12,980				13,154				14,509				12,280
			81,726				70,602				60,694				54,112				49,624
Operating income before income taxes			8,740				20,105				26,096				28,517				32,486
Income tax expense			3,331				7,726				9,240				11,814				12,545
Net income		$	5,409			$	12,379			$	16,856			$	16,703			$	19,941
Earnings per share – basic:		$	.70			$	1.60			$	1.40			$	1.38			$	1.66
Weighted average shares outstanding			7,664				7,622				12,013				12,096				11,977
Earnings per share – diluted:		$	.69			$	1.59			$	1.38			$	1.36			$	1.63
Weighted average shares outstanding			7,726				7,692				12,192				12,325				12,218

 

		As of and for the Fiscal Year ended March 31, (In thousands, except number of branch locations)
		2017				2016				2015				2014				2013
Balance Sheet Data
Total assets		$	333,612			$	325,309			$	302,529			$	283,430			$	263,835
Finance receivables, net			317,205				311,837				288,904				269,344				249,826
Line of credit			213,000				211,000				199,000				127,900				125,500
Shareholders’ equity			108,860				102,849				89,888				141,938				126,965
Operating Data
Return on average assets			1.64	%			3.94	%			5.75	%			6.10	%			7.66	%
Return on average equity			5.11	%			12.85	%			14.54	%			12.42	%			15.21	%
Gross portfolio yield (1)			26.04	%			27.10	%			28.00	%			28.44	%			29.22	%
Pre-tax yield (1)			2.46	%			6.02	%			8.54	%			9.65	%			11.82	%
Total delinquencies over 30 days, excluding Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts			9.92	%			5.50	%			4.11	%			4.00	%			3.68	%
Write-off to liquidation (1)			11.81	%			9.10	%			8.13	%			7.17	%			6.81	%
Net charge-off percentage (1)			9.37	%			7.56	%			7.04	%			6.22	%			5.88	%
Automobile Finance Data & Direct Loan Origination
Contracts purchased/Direct Loans originated		$	179,617			$	196,853			$	187,893			$	179,031			$	160,078
Average dealer discount on Contracts purchased			7.08	%			7.51	%			8.08	%			8.44	%			8.54	%
Weighted average contractual rate on Contracts & Direct Loans purchased			22.40	%			22.81	%			23.08	%			23.20	%			23.43	%
Number of branch locations			65				67				66				65				64

 

(1)	See the definitions set forth in the notes to the Portfolio Summary table under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Overview.”

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Nicholas Financial-Canada is a Canadian holding company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia in 1986. Nicholas Financial-Canada currently conducts its business activities exclusively through a wholly-owned indirect Florida subsidiary, Nicholas Financial, which purchases and services Contracts, makes Direct Loans and sells consumer-finance related products. Nicholas Financial accounted for more than 99% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, and 100% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. A second Florida subsidiary, NDS, which historically provided limited computer software support and updated services to small businesses, has ceased such operations; however, it continues as an intermediate holding company for Nicholas Financial. Nicholas Financial-Canada, Nicholas Financial and NDS are collectively referred to herein as the “Company”.

Introduction

The Company’s consolidated revenues decreased from $90.7 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 to $90.5 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. Consolidated revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 were $86.8 million. The Company’s diluted earnings per share decreased for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 to $0.69 as compared to $1.59 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Diluted earnings per share for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 were $1.38. The per share diluted net earnings for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, were positively impacted when compared to fiscal 2015 by the purchase of 4.7 million of the Company’s common shares by its principal operating subsidiary on March 19, 2015. The Company’s operating income before taxes for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 decreased to $8.7 million as compared to $20.1 million and $26.1 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease from $20.1 million to $8.7 million was a result of an increase in the provision for credit losses due to higher charge-offs and past-due accounts along with a reduction in the gross portfolio yield. The Company’s consolidated net income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 were $5.4 million, $12.4 million and $16.9 million, respectively.

The Company believes that an extremely competitive market has been the primary driver for weaker results during the past two fiscal years, eventually leading to a net loss of $(1.1) million during the final quarter in the 2017 fiscal year. The Company’s operating results have deteriorated as a result of several factors, including, but not limited to, lower auction proceeds, the acquisition of Contracts that contained some degree of fraudulent information that at the time of Contract acquisition was not identified, and an increase in the number of Contracts and Direct Loans under which customers decided to discontinue payments to us after they were approved by other lenders for new vehicle financing.

In addition, aggressive competition has forced the Company to purchase lower credit quality Contracts. Historically, the Company was able to expand its automobile finance business in the non-prime credit market by offering to purchase Contracts on terms that are competitive with those of other companies. However, it has become increasingly difficult for the Company to match or exceed pricing of its competitors, which has resulted in declining Contract acquisition rates during the 2016 and 2017 fiscal years. The Company expects this trend to continue in the foreseeable future.

The Company continues to experience decreasing yields associated with Contract acquisition, which is directly correlated to the level of competition. If competing companies continue to reduce their contract acquisition yields as part of their operating strategy, the market, and the Company, will continue to experience reduced yields. While it is difficult to predict the level of competition long-term, the Company believes that the current highly competitive environment will prevail for the foreseeable future, which will continue to put pressure on its margins. The weighted average APR of the portfolio for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 were 22.44%, 22.73%, and 22.93%, respectively. The average dealer discounts as a percent of gross finance receivables associated with new volume for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 were 7.08%, 7.51%, and 8.08%, respectively. Furthermore, the Company expects the trend of declining auction proceeds to continue for the foreseeable future. Decreased auction proceeds resulting from sales of used automobiles at depressed prices can put downward pressure on its margins.

 

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Portfolio Summary		Fiscal Year ended March 31, (In thousands)
		2017				2016				2015
Average finance receivables, net of unearned interest (1)		$	347,367			$	334,754			$	309,995
Average indebtedness (2)		$	210,987			$	208,214			$	133,434
Interest and fee income on finance receivables		$	90,466			$	90,707			$	86,785
Interest expense		$	9,222			$	9,007			$	5,970
Net interest and fee income on finance receivables		$	81,244			$	81,700			$	80,815
Gross portfolio yield (3)			26.04	%			27.10	%			28.00	%
Interest expense as a percentage of average finance receivables, net of unearned interest			2.65	%			2.69	%			1.93	%
Provision for credit losses as a percentage of average finance receivables, net of unearned interest			10.70	%			7.85	%			6.57	%
Net portfolio yield (3)			12.69	%			16.56	%			19.50	%
Marketing, salaries, employee benefits, depreciation, and administrative expenses as a percentage of average finance receivables, net of unearned interest			10.23	%			10.54	%			10.96	%
Pre-tax yield as a percentage of average finance receivables, net of unearned interest (4)			2.46	%			6.02	%			8.54	%
Write-off to liquidation (5)			11.81	%			9.10	%			8.13	%
Net charge-off percentage (6)			9.37	%			7.56	%			7.04	%

 

(1)	Average finance receivables, net of unearned interest, represents the average of gross finance receivables, less unearned interest throughout the period.

(2)	Average indebtedness represents the average outstanding borrowings under the Line.

(3)

Gross portfolio yield represents interest and fee income on finance receivables as a percentage of average finance receivables, net of unearned interest. Net portfolio yield represents (a) interest and fee income on finance receivables minus (b) interest expense minus (c) the provision for credit losses, as a percentage of average finance receivables, net of unearned interest.

(4)	Pre-tax yield represents net portfolio yield minus administrative expenses (marketing, salaries, employee benefits, depreciation, and administrative), as a percentage of average finance receivables, net of unearned interest.

(5)	Write-off to liquidation percentage is defined as net charge-offs divided by liquidation. Liquidation is defined as beginning receivable balance plus current period purchases and originations minus ending receivable balance.

(6)	Net charge-off percentage represents net charge-offs divided by average finance receivables, net of unearned interest, outstanding during the period.

 

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Critical Accounting Policy

The Company’s critical accounting policy relates to the allowance for credit losses. It is based on management’s opinion of an amount that is adequate to absorb losses incurred in the existing portfolio.

The allowance for credit losses is established through a provision for credit losses based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in the loan portfolio which includes the competitive environment that existed when the loan was acquired, the composition of the portfolio, and current economic conditions. Such evaluation considers, among other matters, the estimated net realizable value or the fair value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience, management’s estimate of probable credit losses and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an adequate credit loss allowance.

Because of the nature of the customers under the Company’s Contracts and its Direct Loan program, the Company considers the establishment of adequate reserves for credit losses to be imperative. The Company segregates its Contracts into static pools for purposes of establishing reserves for losses. All Contracts purchased by a branch during a fiscal quarter comprise a static pool. The Company pools Contracts according to branch location because the branches purchase Contracts in different geographic markets. This method of pooling by branch and quarter allows the Company to evaluate the different markets where the branches operate. The pools also allow the Company to evaluate the different levels of customer income, stability and credit history, and the types of vehicles purchased, in each market. The Company analyzes each consolidated static pool at specific points in time. A consolidated static pool consists of all branches for the same fiscal quarter. In analyzing a static pool, the Company considers the performance of prior static pools originated by the same branch office, the competition at time of acquisition, and current market and economic conditions. Each static pool is analyzed monthly to determine if the loss reserves are adequate, and adjustments are made if they are determined to be necessary.

The Company has been maintaining historical write-off information for over 10 years with respect to every consolidated static pool, segregating each static pool by liquidation and in effect creating snapshots of a pool’s write-off-to liquidation ratio at five different points in such pool’s liquidation cycle. These snapshots help the Company in determining the appropriate provision for credit losses and subsequent allowance for credit losses. The five snapshots are taken when the liquidation levels are at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%.

Contracts are purchased from many different dealers and are all purchased on an individual Contract-by-Contract basis. Individual Contract pricing is determined by the automobile dealerships and is generally the lesser of the applicable state maximum interest rate, if any, or the maximum interest rate which the customer will accept. In most markets, competitive forces will drive down Contract rates from the maximum rate to a level where an individual competitor is willing to buy an individual Contract. The Company purchases Contracts on an individual basis. The Company does not anticipate any portfolio acquisitions in the near-term.

The Company utilizes the branch model, which allows for Contract purchasing to be done on the branch level. The Company has detailed underwriting guidelines it utilizes to determine which Contracts to purchase. These guidelines are specific and are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the Contracts that the Company purchases have common risk characteristics. The Company utilizes its District Managers to evaluate their respective branch locations for adherence to these underwriting guidelines, as well as approve underwriting exceptions. The Company also utilizes IA to assure adherence to its underwriting guidelines. Any Contract that does not meet our underwriting guidelines can be submitted by a branch manager for approval from the Company’s District Managers or senior management.

As of March 31, 2016, the Company refined the allowance for loan losses by changing it to a loan by loan analysis, which more

closely depicts the amount of the provision expense needed to maintain an adequate reserve. As of March 31, 2017, the Company further refined the reserve for losses by increasing the allowance for loan losses by 50% of the principal balance, with respect to accounts whose contractual delinquency falls into the range of 120-180 days past due. Currently, management evaluates each Contract on an independent basis each quarter and accounts for such Contract’s term, how far along the corresponding loan is in its liquidation cycle, late charges, the number of deferments, and delinquency.

Fiscal 2017 Compared to Fiscal 2016

Interest and Fee Income on Finance Receivables

Interest income on finance receivables, predominantly finance charge income, decreased slightly to $90.5 million in fiscal 2017 as compared to $90.7 million in fiscal 2016. The average finance receivables, net of unearned interest, totaled $347.4 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, an increase of 4% from $334.8 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. While our purchasing volume has slowed, mainly as a result of a highly competitive market place, our finance receivables continued growing in our more recently entered markets, including our three newer states (see “Item 1. Business—Contract Procurement”). Increases in our average term and average loan amount have contributed to the increase in finance receivables.

 

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The gross portfolio yield decreased to 26.04% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 as compared to 27.10% for the fiscal year ended March 31,2016. The gross portfolio yield decreased primarily due to the decrease in the average dealer discount and in the average weighted APR, intensified by the increase in average finance receivables, net of unearned interest, particularly as a result of an increase in past-due accounts. The net portfolio yield decreased to 12.69% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 from 16.56% for the fiscal year ended March 31,2016. The net portfolio yield decreased due to a decrease in the gross portfolio yield and an increase in the provision for credit losses, as described under “Analysis of Credit Losses”.

Marketing, Salaries and Employee Benefits, Depreciation, and Administrative Expenses

Marketing, salaries and employee benefits, depreciation, and administrative expenses remained relatively flat at $35.5 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 compared to $35.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. The Company opened one new branch location during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, and consolidated three branch locations into branches previously established within their market. Marketing, salaries, employee benefits, depreciation, and administrative expenses as a percentage of average finance receivables, net of unearned interest, decreased to 10.23% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 from 10.54% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased to $9.2 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 as compared to $9.0 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. The average outstanding debt as of March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 was $211.0 million and $208.2 million, respectively. The following table summarizes the Company’s average cost of borrowed funds for the fiscal years ended March 31:

 

		2017				2016
Variable interest under the line of credit facility			0.70	%			0.37	%
Settlements under interest rate swap agreements			0.09	%			0.16	%
Credit spread under the line of credit facility			3.58	%			3.80	%
Average cost of borrowed funds			4.37	%			4.33	%

LIBOR rates have increased (.98% as of March 31, 2017 compared to .44% as of March 31, 2016) which caused a decrease in expense related to our interest rate swap agreements. The increase in LIBOR rates has also caused the credit spread to decrease and the variable interest to increase, but has no net effect on total cost because there is a 1.0% floor on the line of credit. In addition, the Company entered into a temporary agreement on December 30, 2016 that increased the effective interest rate by 50 basis points through June 30, 2017. For further discussions regarding interest rates see “Note 5 – Line of Credit”.

Analysis of Credit Losses

As of March 31, 2017, the Company had approximately 1,400 active static pools. The average pool upon inception consisted of 62 Contracts with aggregate finance receivables, net of unearned interest, of approximately $708,000.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the changes in the allowance for credit losses on Contracts for the fiscal years ended March 31:

 

		(In thousands)
		2017				2016
Balance at beginning of year		$	12,265			$	11,325
Current year provision			36,843				25,926
Losses absorbed			(34,419	)			(27,963	)
Recoveries			2,196				2,977
Balance at end of year		$	16,885			$	12,265

 

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The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the changes in the allowance for credit losses on Direct Loans for the fiscal years ended March 31:

 

		(In thousands)
		2017				2016
Balance at beginning of year		$	748			$	703
Current year provision			334				352
Losses absorbed			(338	)			(328	)
Recoveries			29				21
Balance at end of year		$	773			$	748

The provision for credit losses increased to $37.2 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 from $26.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, largely due to net charge-offs increasing to 9.37% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 from 7.56% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, the Company refined its allowance for credit loss model to incorporate recent trends that include the acquisition of longer term contracts and increased delinquencies by changing it to a loan by loan analysis, which more closely depicts the amount of the allowance for credit losses needed to maintain an adequate reserve. During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, the Company further refined the reserve for losses by increasing the allowance by 50% of the principal balance, with respect to accounts whose contractual delinquency falls into the range of 120-180 days past due. The Company believes that these improvements better reflect the current trends of incurred losses within the portfolio and better align the allowance for credit losses with the portfolio’s performance indicators.

The Company’s losses as a percentage of liquidation (see note 5 in the Portfolio Summary table in the “Introduction” above for the definition of write-off to liquidation) increased to 11.81% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 as compared to 9.10% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. This increase was the result of several factors, including, but not limited to, lower auction proceeds, the acquisition of Contracts that contained some degree of fraudulent information, that at the time of Contract acquisition was not identified, and an increase in the number of Contracts and Direct Loans under which customers decided to discontinue payments to us after they were approved by other lenders for new vehicle financing.

In addition, aggressive competition has forced the Company to purchase lower credit quality Contracts. The Company also experienced a decrease in auction prices from fiscal year 2017 to fiscal year 2016. Decreased auction proceeds from repossessed vehicles increased the amount of write-offs which, in turn, increased the write-off to liquidation percentage. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, auction proceeds from the sale of repossessed vehicles averaged approximately 37% and 42%, respectively, of the related principal balance.

Recoveries as a percentage of charge-offs were approximately 6.40% and 10.59% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company attributes a large portion of this decrease simply to the increase in charge-offs; historically, there is a six to twelve-month cooling off period prior to receiving any benefits from post charge-off collection activity. We currently remain in a cycle in which credit is more easily available credit to our typical customer, which leads many of our customers to be less disciplined about their credit record, including the payment schedule on their Contracts and Direct Loans. Periodically, the Company will aggregate charge-off accounts it deems uncollectible, and sell them to a third-party.

The delinquency percentage for Contracts more than thirty days past due, excluding Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts, as of March 31, 2017 was 10.05%, an increase from 5.57% as of March 31, 2016. The delinquency percentage for Direct Loans more than thirty days past due, excluding Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts, as of March 31, 2017 was 3.89%, an increase from 2.19% as of March 31, 2016. The increase in delinquency percentage for both Contracts and Direct Loans was driven by the Company’s continued portfolio weakness, exacerbated by greater than anticipated difficulties in implementing the centralized collection model, after the Company moved all loan-servicing operations from branch locations to a centralized location within its corporate headquarters in Clearwater.

During the month of November 2016, the Company began soliciting collection assistance from selective branches within its branch network. The Company experienced modest improvement in collections and lower delinquencies and as such broadened its assistance requests to additional branches during the quarter ended December 31, 2016. As of the date of this report, the Company has moved a majority of its servicing and collection activity back to its branch network for all but six branches. The remaining few branches serviced at the corporate office maintain low delinquencies and write offs.

In addition to the challenges experienced with respect to the changes to its collection model, the Company has continued to see a significant number of competitors with aggressive underwriting in its operating market. See “Note 3—Finance Receivables” for changes in allowance for credit losses, credit quality and delinquencies.

 

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The Company considers the following factors to assist in determining the appropriate loss reserve levels: competition; the number of bankruptcy filings; the results of internal branch audits; consumer sentiment; consumer spending; economic growth (i.e., changes in GDP); the condition of the housing sector; and other leading economic indicators. The Company continues to evaluate reserve levels on a pool-by-pool basis during each reporting period. The longer-term outlook for portfolio performance will depend on overall economic conditions, the rational or irrational behavior of the Company’s competitors, and the Company’s ability to monitor, manage and implement its underwriting and collections philosophy in additional geographic areas as it strives to continue its expansion.

In accordance with our policies and procedures, certain borrowers qualify for, and the Company offers, one-month principal payment deferrals on Contracts and Direct Loans. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 the Company granted deferrals to approximately 34.77% and 22.65%, respectively, of total Contracts and Direct Loans. The increase in the number of deferrals for the fiscal year ended 2017 is a result of portfolio weakness which was exacerbated by the effect of the Company’s unsuccessful attempt at centralizing collections described above. The Company is reasonably certain that its delinquency rates would be higher without the increase in deferrals. The number of deferrals is influenced by portfolio performance, including but not limited to, inflation, credit quality of loans purchased, competition at the time of Contract acquisition, and general economic conditions.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes decreased to approximately $3.3 million in fiscal 2017 from approximately $7.7 million in fiscal 2016. The Company’s effective tax rate decreased to 38.11% in fiscal 2017 from 38.43% in fiscal 2016.

Fiscal 2016 Compared to Fiscal 2015

Interest and Fee Income on Finance Receivables

Interest income on finance receivables, predominantly finance charge income, increased 4.5% to $90.7 million in fiscal 2016 from $86.8 million in fiscal 2015. The average finance receivables, net of unearned interest, totaled $334.8 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, an increase of 8% from $310.0 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. The primary reason average finance receivables, net of unearned interest, increased was an increase of the receivable base of several existing branches in younger markets in fiscal 2016. See “Item 1. Business—Contract Procurement”. The gross finance receivable balance increased 9% to $498.1 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 from $458.0 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. The primary reasons gross finance receivables increased were an increase in Contracts purchased and an increase in the weighted-average term of Contracts purchased. The primary reason interest income increased was the increase in the volume of the outstanding loan portfolio, which was partially offset by a lower weighted APR earned on our portfolio for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. The gross portfolio yield decreased to 27.10% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 from 28.00% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. The net portfolio yield decreased to 16.56% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 from 19.50% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. The gross portfolio yield decreased primarily due to the decrease in the average dealer discount and a decrease in the average weighted APR, both of which is primarily the result of increased competition. The net portfolio yield decreased due to a decrease in the gross portfolio yield, an increase in the provision for credit losses, and an increase in interest expense (see “Analysis of Credit Losses” and “Interest Expense” below).

Marketing, Salaries and Employee Benefits, Depreciation, and Administrative Expenses

Marketing, salaries and employee benefits, depreciation, and administrative expenses increased to $35.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 compared to $34.0 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, primarily because of an increase in cost associated with maintaining the finance receivables portfolio. The Company opened three new branch locations during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, and consolidated two branch locations into branches previously established within their market. However, the Company increased the average headcount to 338 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 from 330 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. Marketing, salaries and employee benefits, depreciation, and administrative expenses as a percentage of average finance receivables, net of unearned interest, decreased to 10.54% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 from 10.96% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. Absent the professional expenses associated with the abandoned sale of the Company the percentage would have been 10.85% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

 

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Interest Expense

Interest expense increased to $9.0 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 as compared to $6.0 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. The average outstanding debt as of March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 was $208.2 million and $133.4 million, respectively. The total average debt outstanding increased due to the tender offer executed on March 19, 2015. The following table summarizes the Company’s average cost of borrowed funds for the fiscal years ended March 31:

 

		2016				2015
Variable interest under the line of credit facility			0.37	%			0.34	%
Settlements under interest rate swap agreements			0.16	%			0.29	%
Credit spread under the line of credit facility			3.80	%			3.84	%
Average cost of borrowed funds			4.33	%			4.47	%

The Company’s average cost of borrowed funds decreased mostly due to the fixed notional amount interest rate swap agreements representing a lower percentage of average debt. During fiscal 2016 LIBOR rates have increased, which has caused the credit spread to decrease and the variable interest expense to increase. The variable interest rate also includes a decrease in the unused line fees offset with an increase in amortized loan origination fees.

For a further discussion regarding the Company’s line of credit, see “— Liquidity and Capital Resources” below and “Note 5—Line of Credit” to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Report.

The weighted average notional amount of interest rate swaps was $50.0 million at a weighted average fixed rate of 0.94% for each of the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. For a further discussion regarding the effect of our interest rate swap agreements, see “Note 6—Interest Rate Swap Agreements” to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Report.

Analysis of Credit Losses

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had approximately 1,400 active static pools. The average pool upon inception consisted of 61 Contracts with aggregate finance receivables, net of unearned interest, of approximately $683,000.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the changes in the allowance for credit losses on Contracts for the fiscal years ended March 31:

 

		(In thousands)
		2016				2015
Balance at beginning of year		$	11,325			$	12,889
Current year provision			25,926				20,008
Losses absorbed			(27,963	)			(25,042	)
Recoveries			2,977				3,470
Balance at end of year		$	12,265			$	11,325

 

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The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the changes in the allowance for credit losses on Direct Loans for the fiscal years ended March 31:

 

		(In thousands)
		2016				2015
Balance at beginning of year		$	703			$	590
Current year provision			352				362
Losses absorbed			(328	)			(277	)
Recoveries			21				28
Balance at end of year		$	748			$	703

The provision for credit losses increased to $26.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 from $20.4 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, largely due to the fact that net charge-offs increased to 7.56% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 from 7.04% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, as well as the portfolio growing. During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, the Company refined its allowance for credit loss model to incorporate recent trends that include the acquisition of longer term contracts and increased delinquencies. The Company feels that these improvements to the current model better reflect the current trends of incurred losses within the portfolio and better align the allowance for credit losses with the portfolio’s performance indicators.

The Company’s losses as a percentage of liquidation increased to 9.10% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 as compared to 8.13% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. This increase was primarily the result of increased competition in all markets in which the Company presently operates. Increased competition has led to a higher percentage of loans acquired that are categorized in the lower tiers of the Company’s guidelines. The Company also experienced a decrease in auction prices from fiscal year 2015 to fiscal year 2016. Decreased auction proceeds from repossessed vehicles increased the amount of write-offs which, in turn, increased the write-off to liquidation percentage. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, auction proceeds from the sale of repossessed vehicles averaged approximately 42% and 46%, respectively, of the related principal balance.

Recoveries as a percentage of charge-offs were approximately 10.59% and 13.82% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Historically, recoveries as a percentage of charge-offs have fluctuated from period to period, and the Company does not attribute this decrease to any particular change in operational strategy or economic events however, we have generally experienced declining auction proceeds for approximately the past five years.

The delinquency percentage for Contracts more than thirty days past due, excluding Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts, as of March 31, 2016 increased to 5.57% from 4.17% as of March 31, 2015. The delinquency percentage for Direct Loans more than thirty days past-due as of March 31, 2016 increased to 2.19% from 1.64% as of March 31, 2015. The delinquency percentage increase for Contracts reflects portfolio weakness that generally manifests itself in increased future losses mainly due to competition. The Company utilizes a static pool approach to analyzing portfolio performance and looks at specific static pool performance and recent trends as leading indicators of the future performance of its portfolio.

The Company also considers the following factors to assist in determining the appropriate loss reserve levels: unemployment rates; competition; the number of bankruptcy filings; the results of internal branch audits; consumer sentiment; consumer spending; economic growth (i.e., changes in GDP); the condition of the housing sector; and other leading economic indicators. The Company continues to evaluate reserve levels on a pool-by-pool basis during each reporting period. The longer-term outlook for portfolio performance will depend on overall economic conditions, the unemployment rate, the rational or irrational behavior of the Company’s competitors, and the Company’s ability to monitor, manage and implement its underwriting philosophy in additional geographic areas as it strives to continue its expansion.

In accordance with our policies and procedures, certain borrowers qualify for, and the Company offers, one-month principal payment deferrals on Contracts and Direct Loans. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 the Company granted deferrals to approximately 22.65% and 23.28%, respectively, of total Contracts and Direct Loans. The number of deferrals is influenced by portfolio performance, general economic conditions and the unemployment rate.

 

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Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes decreased to approximately $7.7 million in fiscal 2016 from approximately $9.2 million in fiscal 2015. The Company’s effective tax rate increased to 38.43% in fiscal 2016 from 35.41% in fiscal 2015. The Company had approximately $2.1 million of non-deductible expenses associated with the potential sale of the Company in 2014. Since the sale of the Company was not consummated, the $2.1 million became deductible in 2015 creating a favorable effective tax rate.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s cash flows are summarized as follows:

 

		Fiscal Year ended March 31, (In thousands)
		2017				2016				2015
Cash provided by (used in):
Operations		$	27,321			$	22,408			$	24,492
Investing activities – (primarily purchases of Contracts)			(28,703	)			(34,991	)			(25,238	)
Financing activities			2,388				11,044				1,499
Net increase (decrease) in cash		$	1,006			$	(1,539	)		$	753

The Company made certain reclassifications to the 2016 and 2015 statements of cash flows. The amortization of deferred revenues decreased cash flows from operating activities by $1.7 million and $1.3 million for 2016 and 2015 respectively, and correspondingly increased cash flows from investing activities. Net income and shareholders’ equity was not changed.

The Company’s primary use of working capital for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 was funding the purchase of Contracts, which are financed substantially through cash from principal payments received, cash from operations and our line of credit (the “Line”). The Line is secured by all of the assets of the Company and has a maturity date of January 30, 2018. The Company may borrow up to $225.0 million under the Line. Prior to December 30, 2016, borrowings under the Line were under various LIBOR pricing options plus 300 basis points with a 1% floor on LIBOR. Effective December 30, 2016 the Company entered into an amendment to adjust its availability calculation which temporarily increased pricing of the Line to 350 basis points above 30 day LIBOR with a 1% floor on LIBOR through June 30, 2017. As of March 31, 2017, the amount outstanding under the Line was $213.0 million. The exact amount that the Company may borrow under the Line at any given time is determined in accordance with the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, as subsequently amended.

The Company will continue to depend on the availability of the Line, together with cash from operations, to finance future operations. The availability of funds under the Line generally depends on availability calculations as defined in the corresponding credit agreement. In addition, our credit facility requires us to comply with certain financial ratios and covenants and to satisfy specified financial tests, including maintenance of asset quality and portfolio performance tests. See “Risk Factors—The terms of our indebtedness impose significant restrictions on us.”

The Company believes that borrowings available under the Line as well as cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet its funding needs for at least the next twelve months. However, since the borrowings available under the Line are calculated every month based on individual loan criteria as defined in the credit agreement, no assurances can be given that the Company will maintain sufficient availability in the long term. The Line requires compliance with certain debt covenants including financial ratios, asset quality and other performance tests. The Company is in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of March 31, 2017.

As disclosed in Note 3 to the financial statements, the quality of the Company’s loan portfolio has been deteriorating, which has resulted in an increase in non-performing loans, increased delinquencies and other factors, which in turn has resulted in increased net charge-offs and an increase in the provision for credit losses. These conditions have resulted in a reduction in net earnings and have affected our borrowing capacity under the line of credit facility.

The Company’s operating results over recent quarters provided indicators that the Company may not be able to continue to comply with certain of the required financial ratios, covenants and financials tests prior to the maturity date of the line of credit facility in the absence of an amendment to the corresponding credit agreement. Failure to meet any financial ratios, covenants or financial tests could result in an event of default under our line of credit facility. If an event of default occurs under the credit facility, our lenders could increase our borrowing costs, restrict our ability to obtain additional borrowings under the facility, accelerate all amounts outstanding under the facility, or enforce their interest against collateral pledged under the facility.

 

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The Company is in the process of providing information to the agent bank in the loan consortium, in the ordinary course of business as well as making changes in our policies and procedures which we believe will be successful in addressing some of the issues related to loan quality. We are also developing information pertaining to our expected borrowing needs, including proposed covenants, determination of lending levels and availability and other considerations to be submitted to the agent bank to assist in addressing the renewal of credit upon expiration of the Line in January 2018. The Company has a longstanding relationship with its lenders. While management believes that it will be able to obtain a renewal or extension of the credit facility, there are no assurances that the lenders will approve the renewal or extension, or, assuming that they will approve it, that the facility will not be on terms less favorable than the current agreement. In the event that the Company obtains information that the existing lenders do not intend to extend the relationship, the Company will seek alternative financing. The Company believes it is probable that it will be able to obtain financing from either its existing lenders or from other sources; however, it can provide no assurances that it will be successful in replacing the line of credit facility on reasonable terms or at all.

Impact of Inflation

The Company is affected by inflation primarily through increased operating costs and expenses including increases in interest rates. Inflationary pressures on operating costs and expenses historically have been largely offset by the Company’s continued emphasis on stringent operating and cost controls, although no assurances can be given regarding the Company’s ability to offset the effects of inflation in the future.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes the Company’s material obligations as of March 31, 2017.

 

		Payments Due by Period (In thousands)
		Total				Less than 1 year				1 to 3 years				3 to 5 years				More than 5 years
Operating leases		$	4,411			$	2,023			$	2,313			$	75			$	—
Line of credit1			213,000				213,000				—				—				—
Interest on line of credit1			7,899				7,899				—				—				—
Total		$	225,310			$	222,922			$	2,313			$	75			$	—

 

1.

The Company’s Line matures on January 30, 2018. Effective December 30, 2016, the Company entered into a temporary amendment that increases the effective interest rate by 50 basis points through June 30, 2017. Interest on outstanding borrowings under the Line as of March 31, 2017, is based on an effective interest rate of 4.45% which includes the estimated effect of the interest rate swap agreements settlements and the temporary amendment through the maturity date. The effective interest rate used in the above table does not contemplate the possibility of entering into interest rate swap agreements in the future.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from changes in interest rates. The Company does not engage in speculative or leveraged transactions, nor does it hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.

Interest Rate Risk

Management’s objective is to minimize the cost of borrowing through an appropriate mix of fixed and floating rate debt. Derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swap agreements, may be used for the purpose of managing fluctuating interest rate exposures that exist from ongoing business operations. The Company does not use interest rate swap agreements for speculative purposes.

As of March 31, 2017, $163.0 million, or approximately 76.5% of our total debt, was subject to floating interest rates; however, due to a 1% floor on such interest rates, these rates are effectively fixed until the variable rates exceed this threshold. As a result, a hypothetical increase in the variable interest rates of 1% or 100 basis points (which would result in the variable rates being 1.98% as of March 31, 2017) applicable to this floating rate debt would result in an annual after-tax increase of interest expense of approximately $979,000.

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The following financial statements are filed as part of this Report (see pages 35-55)

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			35
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets			36
Consolidated Statements of Income			37
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity			38
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows			39
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements			40

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

Nicholas Financial, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2017 and 2016 and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2017. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2017 and 2016 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2017, based on criteria established in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated June 14, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP

Atlanta, Georgia

June 14, 2017

 

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

		March 31,
		2017				2016
Assets
Cash		$	2,855			$	1,849
Finance receivables, net			317,205				311,837
Assets held for resale			2,453				2,148
Prepaid expenses and other assets			674				977
Income taxes receivable			719				593
Property and equipment, net			1,184				1,290
Interest rate swap agreements			17				—
Deferred income taxes			8,505				6,615
Total assets		$	333,612			$	325,309
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Line of credit		$	213,000			$	211,000
Drafts payable			1,851				1,499
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			5,932				5,839
Deferred revenues			3,969				3,917
Interest rate swap agreements			—				205
Total liabilities			224,752				222,460
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, no par: 5,000 shares authorized; none issued
Common stock, no par: 50,000 shares authorized; 12,524 and 12,466 shares issued respectively; 7,810 and 7,753 shares outstanding, respectively			33,889				33,287
Treasury stock: 4,714 common shares, at cost			(70,459	)			(70,459	)
Retained earnings			145,430				140,021
Total shareholders’ equity			108,860				102,849
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	333,612			$	325,309

See accompanying notes.

 

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

		Fiscal Year ended March 31,
		2017				2016				2015
Interest and fee income on finance receivables		$	90,466			$	90,707			$	86,790
Expenses:
Marketing			1,440				1,497				1,562
Salaries and employee benefits			21,437				22,313				20,835
Administrative			12,180				11,025				11,226
Provision for credit losses			37,177				26,278				20,371
Depreciation			492				458				366
Interest expense			9,222				9,007				5,970
Change in fair value of interest rate swap agreements			(222	)			24				364
			81,726				70,602				60,694
Operating income before income taxes			8,740				20,105				26,096
Income tax expense			3,331				7,726				9,240
Net income		$	5,409			$	12,379			$	16,856
Earnings per share:
Basic		$	.70			$	1.60			$	1.40
Diluted		$	.69			$	1.59			$	1.38

See accompanying notes.

 

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

(In thousands)

 

		Common Stock								Treasury Stock				Retained Earnings				Total Shareholders’ Equity
		Shares				Amount
Balance at March 31, 2014			12,221			$	31,152			$	—			$	110,786			$	141,938
Net income			—				—				—				16,856				16,856
Issuance of common stock under stock options			151				389				—				—				389
Grants of restricted share awards, net of forfeitures			44				—				—				—				—
Excess tax benefit on share awards			—				600				—				—				600
Share-based compensation			—				514				—				—				514
Common shares purchased			(4,714	)			—				(70,409	)			—				(70,409	)
Balance at March 31, 2015			7,702			$	32,655			$	(70,409	)		$	127,642			$	89,888
Net income			—				—				—				12,379				12,379
Issuance of common stock under stock options			13				85				—				—				85
Grants of restricted share awards, net of forfeitures			38				—				—				—				—
Tax deficiency on share awards			—				(38	)			—				—				(38	)
Excess tax benefit on share awards			—				11				—				—				11
Share-based compensation			—				574				—				—				574
Additional tender offer cost			—				—				(50	)			—				(50	)
Balance at March 31, 2016			7,753			$	33,287			$	(70,459	)		$	140,021			$	102,849
Net income			—				—				—				5,409				5,409
Issuance of common stock under stock options			9				50				—				—				50
Grants of restricted share awards			48				—				—				—				—
Tax deficiency on share awards			—				(66	)			—				—				(66	)
Excess tax benefit on share awards			—				11				—				—				11
Share-based compensation			—				607				—				—				607
Balance at March 31, 2017			7,810			$	33,889			$	(70,459	)		$	145,430			$	108,860

See accompanying notes.

 

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

		Fiscal Year ended March 31,
		2017				2016				2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	5,409			$	12,379			$	16,856
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation			492				458				366
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment			(17	)			(24	)			6
Impairment loss on property and equipment Impairment loss on property and equipment			350				—				—
Provision for credit losses			37,177				26,278				20,371
Amortization of dealer discounts			(13,112	)			(13,811	)			(13,852	)
Amortization of commission for products			(1,754	)			(1,662	)			(1,266	)
Deferred income taxes			(1,956	)			(292	)			356
Share-based compensation			607				574				514
Change in fair value of interest rate swap agreements			(222	)			24				364
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other assets			328				192				66
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			93				(2,002	)			(1,085	)
Income taxes receivable/payable			(126	)			(480	)			981
Deferred revenues			52				774				815
Net cash provided by operating activities			27,321				22,408				24,492
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase and origination of finance contracts			(157,708	)			(173,027	)			(164,830	)
Principal payments received including recoveries			130,029				139,289				140,018
Increase in assets held for resale			(305	)			(401	)			(51	)
Purchase of property and equipment			(772	)			(913	)			(443	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment			53				61				68
Net cash used in investing activities			(28,703	)			(34,991	)			(25,238	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from line of credit			2,000				12,000				71,100
Increase (decrease) in drafts payable			352				(977	)			137
Payment of debt origination costs			(25	)			(25	)			(318	)
Proceeds from exercise of share awards			50				85				389
Excess tax benefits of stock options			11				11				600
Purchase of common shares			—				(50	)			(70,409	)
Net cash provided by financing activities			2,388				11,044				1,499
Net increase (decrease) in cash			1,006				(1,539	)			753
Cash, beginning of year			1,849				3,388				2,635
Cash, end of year		$	2,855			$	1,849			$	3,388
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Tax deficiency from share awards		$	(66	)		$	(38	)		$	—

See accompanying notes.

 

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

Nicholas Financial, Inc. (“Nicholas Financial – Canada”) is a Canadian holding company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia with two wholly owned United States subsidiaries, Nicholas Data Services, Inc. (“NDS”) and Nicholas Financial, Inc. (“NFI”). NDS historically was engaged in supporting and updating industry-specific computer application software for small businesses located primarily in the Southeastern United States. NDS has ceased its operations; however, it continues as the interim holding company for Nicholas Financial. NFI is a specialized consumer finance company engaged primarily in acquiring and servicing automobile finance installment contracts (“Contracts”) for purchases of new and used automobiles and light trucks. To a lesser extent, NFI also offers direct consumer loans (“Direct Loans”) and sells consumer-finance related products. Both NDS and NFI are based in Florida, U.S.A. The accompanying consolidated financial statements are stated in U.S. dollars and are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

The Company has one reportable segment, which is the consumer finance company.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nicholas Financial – Canada and its wholly owned subsidiaries, NDS and NFI, collectively referred to as the “Company”. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Tender Offer

On March 19, 2015, the Company announced the final results of the modified “Dutch auction” tender offer for the purchase of approximately 4.7 million shares of the Company’s common shares by its principal operating subsidiary. The tender offer expired on March 13, 2015. Total payments for common shares, including costs were approximately $70.5 million. Such costs were recorded as an increase to treasury stock, reducing shareholders’ equity.

The aggregate number of common shares purchased in the tender offer by NFI represented approximately 38.0% of the Company’s outstanding common shares as of March 17, 2015. Following settlement of the tender offer, the Company had approximately 7.7 million common shares outstanding.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables.

Finance Receivables

Finance receivables are recorded at cost, net of unearned interest, unearned dealer discounts (see “Revenue Recognition”) and the allowance for credit losses. The amount of unearned interest, dealer discounts and allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 are approximately $195.5 and $186.3 million, respectively (See Note 3).

 

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2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is increased by charges against earnings and decreased by charge-offs (net of recoveries). The Company aggregates Contracts into static pools consisting of Contracts purchased during a three-month period for each branch location as management considers these pools to have similar risk characteristics and are considered smaller-balance homogenous loans. The Company analyzes each consolidated static pool at specific points in time to estimate losses that are probable of being incurred as of the reporting date. It has maintained historical write-off information for over 10 years with respect to every consolidated static pool and segregates each static pool by liquidation which creates snapshots or buckets of each pool’s historical write-off-to liquidation ratio at five different points in each vintage pool’s liquidation cycle. These snapshots are then used to assist in determining the allowance for credit losses. The five snapshots are tracked at liquidation levels of 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%. These snapshots help us in determining the appropriate allowance for credit losses.

As of March 31, 2016, the Company refined the allowance for credit losses by changing it to a loan by loan analysis, which more closely depicts the amount of the allowance for credit losses needed to maintain an adequate reserve. As of March 31, 2017, the Company further refined the reserve for losses by increasing the allowance by 50% of the principal balance, with respect to accounts whose contractual delinquency falls into the range of 120-180 days past due as a result of further delinquencies that occurred subsequent to altering our charge-off policy (see Note 3).

Management’s periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based on the Company’s past loan experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, and current economic conditions. As conditions change, the Company’s level of provisioning and allowance may change as well.

Assets Held for Resale

Assets held for resale are stated at net realizable value and consist primarily of automobiles that have been repossessed by the Company and are awaiting final disposition. Most costs associated with repossession, transport and auction preparation expenses are reported under operating expenses in the period in which they are incurred.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation of property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

 

Automobiles		3 years
Equipment		5 years
Furniture and fixtures		7 years
Leasehold improvements		Lesser of lease term or useful life (generally 6 - 7 years)

Drafts Payable

Drafts payable represent checks disbursed for loan purchases which have not yet been funded. Amounts generally clear within two business days of period end and then increase the line of credit or reduce cash.

 

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2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases along with operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, if any. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rate is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company recognizes tax benefits from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from any such position would be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any uncertain tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. The Company does not have any accrued interest or penalties associated with any unrecognized tax benefits, nor has the Company recognized any related interest or penalties during the three years ended March 31, 2017.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state tax examinations for fiscal years before 2014. The Company does not believe there will be any material changes in its unrecognized tax positions over the next 12 months. There were no unrecognized tax positions as of March 31, 2017.

Revenue Recognition

Interest income on finance receivables is recognized using the interest method. Accrual of interest income on finance receivables is suspended when a loan is contractually delinquent for 61 days or more or the collateral is repossessed, whichever is earlier, or when the account is in Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts are accounted for under the cost-recovery method. Interest income on Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts does not resume until all principal amounts are recovered (see Note 3).

A dealer discount represents the difference between the finance receivable, net of unearned interest, of a Contract, and the amount of money the Company actually pays for the Contract. The discount negotiated by the Company is a function of the lender, the wholesale value of the vehicle, and competition in any given market. In making decisions regarding the purchase of a particular Contract, the Company considers the following factors related to the borrower: place and length of residence; current and prior job status; history in making installment payments for automobiles; current income; and credit history. In addition, the Company examines its prior experience with Contracts purchased from the dealer from which the Company is purchasing the Contract, and the value of the automobile in relation to the purchase price and the term of the Contract. The dealer discount is amortized as an adjustment to yield using the interest method over the life of the loan. The average dealer discount, as a percent of the amount financed, associated with new volume for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 was 7.08%, 7.51% and 8.08%, respectively.

The amount of future unearned income is computed as the product of the Contract rate, the Contract term and the Contract amount.

Deferred revenues consist primarily of commissions received from the sale of ancillary products. These products include automobile warranties, roadside assistance programs, accident and health insurance, credit life insurance, involuntary unemployment insurance, and forced placed automobile insurance. These commissions are amortized over the life of the contract using the interest method.

 

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2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Earnings Per Share

The Company has granted stock compensation awards with nonforfeitable dividend rights which are considered participating securities. Earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method, as such awards are more dilutive under this method than the treasury stock method. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, which excludes the participating securities. Diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares from stock compensation awards. Earnings per share have been computed based on the following weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

 

		Fiscal Year ended March 31, (In thousands, except earnings per share numbers)
		2017				2016				2015
Numerator:
Net income per consolidated statements of income		$	5,409			$	12,379			$	16,856
Less: Allocation of earnings to participating securities			(70	)			(170	)			—
Net income allocated to common stock			5,339				12,209			$	16,856
Basic earnings per share computation:
Net income allocated to common stock		$	5,339			$	12,209			$	16,856
Weighted average common shares outstanding, including shares considered participating securities			7,766				7,727				12,013
Less: Weighted average participating securities outstanding			(102	)			(105	)			—
Weighted average shares of common stock			7,664				7,622				12,013
Basic earnings per share		$	.70			$	1.60				1.40
Diluted earnings per share computation:
Net income allocated to common stock		$	5,339			$	12,209			$	16,856
Undistributed earnings re-allocated to participating securities			—				2				—
Numerator for diluted earnings per share		$	5,339			$	12,211			$	16,856
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share			7,664				7,622				12,013
Incremental shares from stock options			62				70				179
Weighted average shares and dilutive potential common shares			7,726				7,692				12,192
Diluted earnings per share		$	.69			$	1.59			$	1.38

Diluted earnings per share do not include the effect of certain stock options as their impact would be anti-dilutive. Approximately 161,000, 161,000, and 155,000 stock options were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 respectively, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Share-Based Payments

The grant date fair value of share awards is recognized in earnings over the requisite service period (presumptively, the vesting period), net of estimated forfeitures. The Company estimates the fair value of option awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The risk-free interest rate is based upon a U.S. Treasury instrument with a life that is similar to the expected term of the options. Expected volatility is based upon the historical volatility for the previous period equal to the expected term of the options. The expected term is based upon the average life of previously issued options. The expected dividend yield is based upon the yield expected on date of grant to occur over the term of the option.

The fair value of non-vested restricted shares and performance units are measured at the market price of a share on a grant date. Restricted shares have a three-year service period. Performance units include a performance period (generally ending at the end of the fiscal year in which the units were granted) followed by a two-year service period. At the end of the performance period, these units effectively become restricted shares for the remaining two-year service period at which time they become vested.

 

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2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

The pool of excess tax benefits available to absorb future tax deficiencies is based on increases to shareholders’ equity related to tax benefits from share-based compensation, combined with the tax on the cumulative incremental compensation costs previously included in pro forma net income disclosures as if the Company had applied the fair-value method to all awards.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company measures specific assets and liabilities at fair value, which is an exit price, representing the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When applicable, the Company utilizes market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability under a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs about which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions (see Note 7).

Financial Instruments and Concentrations

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, finance receivables (accrued interest is a part of finance receivables), a line of credit, and interest rate swap agreements. Financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk are primarily finance receivables and cash.

As of March 31, 2017, the Company operated in eighteen states through sixty-five branch locations. Florida represented 28% of the finance receivables total as of March 31, 2017. Ohio represented 13%, Georgia represented 10% and North Carolina represented 8% of the finance receivables total as of March 31, 2017. Of the remaining fourteen states, no one state represented more than 5% of the total finance receivables. The Company provides credit during the normal course of business and performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers.

The Company maintains reserves for potential credit losses which, when realized, have been within the range of management’s expectations. The Company perfects a primary security interest in all vehicles financed as a form of collateral.

The combined account balances the Company maintains at financial institutions typically exceed federally insured limits, and there is a concentration of credit risk related to accounts on deposit in excess of federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes this risk of loss is not significant.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

Interest rate swap agreements are reported as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. Interest rate swap agreements are not designated as cash-flow hedges, and accordingly, the changes in the fair value are recorded in earnings. The Company does not use interest rate swap agreements for speculative purposes (see Note 6).

Statements of Cash Flows

Cash paid for income taxes for the years ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $5.4 million, $8.5 million and $7.3 million respectively. Cash paid for interest, including debt origination costs for the years ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $9.1 million, $8.8 million and $6.1 million respectively.

Reclassifications

The Company made certain reclassifications to the 2016 and 2015 statements of cash flows. The amortization of deferred revenues decreased cash flows from operating activities by $1.7 million and $1.3 million for 2016 and 2015 respectively and correspondingly increased cash flows from investing activities. Net income and shareholders’ equity was not changed.

 

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2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued the Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-15 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payment. The new guidance focuses on making the Statement of Cash Flows more uniform for companies. The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the consolidated financial statements, and is in the process of analyzing its current presentation of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. At this time, the Company does not believe ASU 2016-15 will have a material impact.

In June 2016, the FASB issued the ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. Among other things, the amendments in this ASU require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable

forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. The ASU also requires additional disclosures related to estimates and judgments used to measure all expected credit losses. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early application will be permitted for all organizations for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the consolidated financial statements, and is collecting and analyzing data that will be needed to produce historical inputs into any models created as a result of adopting this ASU. At this time, we believe the adoption of this ASU will likely have a material adverse effect on our consolidated Financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued the ASU 2016-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-

based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities,

and classification on the statement of cash flows. For public entities, ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual periods

beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the consolidated financial statements and at this time does not believe there will be a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases”, intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions. The ASU affects all companies and other organizations that lease assets such as real estate, airplanes, and

manufacturing equipment. “The ASU will require organizations that lease assets—referred to as “lessees”—to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. The accounting by organizations that own the assets leased by the lessee—also known as lessor accounting— will remain largely unchanged

from current U.S. GAAP. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. Upon adoption, the Company will add the impact of the full operating lease terms, using the present value of future minimum lease payments to the balance sheet. The Company will continue to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments—Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities,” which is intended to improve the recognition and measurement of financial instruments by requiring: equity investments (other than equity method or consolidation) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (i.e., securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; eliminating the requirement to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost for organizations that are not public business entities; eliminating the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; and requiring a reporting organization to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk (also referred to as “own credit”) when the organization has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. This ASU is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This ASU permits early adoption of the instrument-specific credit risk provision. While the Company is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company does not believe it will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

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2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. The ASU requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU, and all subsequently issued clarifying ASUs, will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. On July 9, 2015, the FASB approved the deferral of the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. As a result, ASU 2014-09 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The ASU would permit public entities to adopt the ASU early, but not before the original effective date (i.e., annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016). Because ASU 2014-09 does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, the Company does not expect the new guidance to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The Company has begun to scope its general ledger revenue items to identify potential performance obligations and will continue to evaluate the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

The Company does not believe there are any other recently issued accounting standards that have not yet been adopted that will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

3. Finance Receivables

Finance receivables consist of Contracts and Direct Loans, each of which comprise a portfolio segment. Each portfolio segment consists of smaller balance homogeneous loans which are collectively evaluated for impairment.

The Company purchases individual Contracts from new and used automobile dealers in its markets. There is no relationship between the Company and the dealer with respect to a given Contract once the assignment of that Contract is complete. The dealer has no vested interest in the performance of any Contract the Company purchases. The Company charges-off receivables when an individual account has become more than 180 days contractually delinquent. In the event of repossession, the charge-off will occur in the month in which the vehicle was repossessed.

Contracts included in finance receivables are detailed as follows as of fiscal years ended March 31:

 

		(In thousands)
		2017				2016				2015
Indirect finance receivables, gross contract		$	502,050			$	487,118			$	447,043
Unearned interest			(158,541	)			(152,911	)			(136,896	)
Indirect finance receivables, net of unearned interest			343,509				334,207				310,147
Unearned dealer discounts			(17,004	)			(18,023	)			(17,780	)
Indirect finance receivables, net of unearned interest and unearned dealer discounts			326,505				316,184				292,367
Allowance for credit losses			(16,885	)			(12,265	)			(11,325	)
Indirect finance receivables, net		$	309,620			$	303,919			$	281,042

The terms of the Contracts range from 12 to 72 months and bear a weighted average contractual interest rate of 22.37% and 22.67% as of March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the changes in the allowance for credit losses on Contracts for the fiscal years ended March 31:

 

		(In thousands)
		2017				2016				2015
Balance at beginning of year		$	12,265			$	11,325			$	12,889
Provision for credit losses			36,843				25,926				20,008
Losses absorbed			(34,419	)			(27,963	)			(25,042	)
Recoveries			2,196				2,977				3,470
Balance at end of year		$	16,885			$	12,265			$	11,325

 

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3. Finance Receivables (continued)

 

The Company purchases Contracts from automobile dealers at a negotiated price that is less than the original principal amount being financed by the purchaser of the automobile. The Contracts are predominately for used vehicles. As of March 31, 2017, the average model year of vehicles collateralizing the portfolio was a 2009 vehicle. The Company utilizes a static pool approach to track portfolio performance. If the allowance for credit losses is determined to be inadequate for a static pool, then an additional charge to income through the provision is used to maintain adequate reserves based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in the loan portfolio, the composition of the portfolio, and current economic conditions. Such evaluation, considers among other matters, the estimated net realizable value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience, competition, management’s estimate of probable credit losses and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an adequate allowance for credit losses.

Direct Loans are loans originated directly between the Company and the consumer. Direct Loans are also included in finance receivables and are detailed as follows as of fiscal years ended March 31:

 

		(In thousands)
		2017				2016				2015
Direct finance receivables, gross contract		$	10,670			$	11,012			$	10,932
Unearned interest			(2,312	)			(2,346	)			(2,367	)
Direct finance receivables, net of unearned interest			8,358				8,666				8,565
Allowance for credit losses			(773	)			(748	)			(703	)
Direct finance receivables, net		$	7,585			$	7,918			$	7,862

The terms of the Direct Loans range from 12 to 72 months and bear a weighted average contractual interest rate of 25.62% and 25.72% as of March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the changes in the allowance for credit losses on Direct Loans for the fiscal years ended March 31:

 

		(In thousands)
		2017				2016				2015
Balance at beginning of year		$	748			$	703			$	590
Provision for credit losses			334				352				362
Losses absorbed			(338	)			(328	)			(277	)
Recoveries			29				21				28
Balance at end of year		$	773			$	748			$	703

Direct Loans are typically for amounts ranging from $1,000 to $11,000 and are generally secured by a lien on an automobile, watercraft or other permissible tangible personal property. The majority of Direct Loans are originated with current or former customers under the Company’s automobile financing program. The typical Direct Loan represents a better credit risk than Contracts due to the customer’s historical payment history with the Company; however, the underlying collateral is less valuable. In deciding whether or not to make a loan, the Company considers the individual’s credit history, job stability, income and impressions created during a personal interview with a Company loan officer. Additionally, because most of the Direct Loans made by the Company to date have been made to borrowers under Contracts previously purchased by the Company, the payment history of the borrower under the Contract is a significant factor in making the loan decision. As of March 31, 2017, loans made by the Company pursuant to its Direct Loan program constituted approximately 2% of the aggregate principal amount of the Company’s loan portfolio. Changes in the allowance for credit losses for both Contracts and Direct Loans were driven by current economic conditions and credit loss trends over several reporting periods which are utilized in estimating future losses and overall portfolio performance.

A performing account is defined as an account that is less than 61 days past due. We define an automobile contract as delinquent when more than 25% of a payment contractually due by a certain date has not been paid by the immediately following due date, which date may have been extended within limits specified in the servicing agreements or as a result of a deferral. The period of delinquency is based on the number of days payments are contractually past due, as extended where applicable.

 

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3. Finance Receivables (continued)

 

In certain circumstances, we will grant obligors one-month payment extensions. The only modification of terms in those circumstances is to advance the obligor’s next due date by one month and extend the maturity date of the receivable. There are no other concessions, such as a reduction in interest rate, forgiveness of principal or of accrued interest. Accordingly, we consider such extensions to be insignificant delays in payments rather than troubled debt restructurings.

A non-performing account is defined as an account that is contractually delinquent for 61 days or more or is a Chapter 13 bankruptcy account, and the accrual of interest income is suspended. As of September 1, 2016, when an account is 180 days contractually delinquent, the account is written off. This change aligns the Company’s charge-off policy with practices within the subprime auto financing segment. Prior to September 2016, accounts that were 120 days contractually delinquent were written off. See “Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for more details. Upon notification of a bankruptcy, an account is monitored for collection with other Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts. In the event the debtors’ balance has been reduced by the bankruptcy court, the Company will record a loss equal to the amount of principal balance reduction. The remaining balance will be reduced as payments are received by the bankruptcy court.

In the event an account is dismissed from bankruptcy, the Company will decide, based on several factors, to begin repossession proceedings or to allow the customer to begin making regularly scheduled payments.

The following table is an assessment of the credit quality by creditworthiness as of March 31:

 

		(In thousands)
		2017								2016
		Contracts				Direct Loans				Contracts				Direct Loans
Performing accounts		$	473,446			$	10,406			$	473,429			$	10,899
Non-performing accounts			24,585				222				9,435				79
Total		$	498,031			$	10,628			$	482,864			$	10,978
Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts, net of unearned interest			4,019				42				4,254				34
Finance receivables, gross contract		$	502,050			$	10,670			$	487,118			$	11,012

The following tables present certain information regarding the delinquency rates experienced by the Company with respect to Contracts and Direct Loans on a gross basis which includes unearned interest, excluding any Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts:

 

		(In thousands)
Contracts		Gross Balance Outstanding				31 – 60 days				61 – 90 days				Over 90 days				Total
March 31, 2017		$	498,031			$	25,450			$	12,388			$	12,197			$	50,035
							5.11	%			2.49	%			2.45	%			10.05	%
March 31, 2016		$	482,864			$	17,466			$	6,069			$	3,366			$	26,901
							3.61	%			1.26	%			0.70	%			5.57	%
March 31, 2015		$	443,083			$	13,694			$	3,435			$	1,330			$	18,459
							3.09	%			0.78	%			0.30	%			4.17	%
Direct Loans		Gross Balance Outstanding				31 – 60 days				61 – 90 days				Over 90 days				Total
March 31, 2017		$	10,628			$	191			$	67			$	155			$	413
							1.80	%			0.63	%			1.46	%			3.89	%
March 31, 2016		$	10,978			$	161			$	41			$	38			$	240
							1.47	%			0.37	%			0.35	%			2.19	%
March 31, 2015		$	10,912			$	122			$	42			$	15			$	179
							1.12	%			0.38	%			0.14	%			1.64	%

 

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4. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment as of March 31, 2017 and 2016 is summarized as follows:

 

		(In thousands)
		Cost				Accumulated Depreciation				Net Book Value
2017
Automobiles		$	712			$	459			$	253
Equipment			1,476				851				625
Furniture and fixtures			546				427				119
Leasehold improvements			1,194				1,007				187
		$	3,928			$	2,744			$	1,184
2016
Automobiles		$	623			$	413			$	210
Equipment			1,473				664				809
Furniture and fixtures			512				408				104
Leasehold improvements			1,144				977				167
		$	3,752			$	2,462			$	1,290

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 the Company began the process of implementing a new loan operating system and capitalized approximately $350,000 related to the project. During the fiscal year, the Company concluded that the asset was not recoverable due to the project not progressing and the expectation that the costs incurred will not be recovered. As a result, during the fourth quarter, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $350,000 which is classified as administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of income.

5. Line of Credit

The Company has a line of credit facility (the “Line”) up to $225.0 million, which matures on January 30, 2018. Prior to December 30, 2016 the pricing on the Line was 300 basis points above 30 day LIBOR with a 1% floor on LIBOR. Effective December 30, 2016, the Company executed an amendment to this existing Line which provided temporary adjustments to the calculation of availability and increased the pricing of the Line to 350 basis points above 30 day LIBOR while maintaining the 1% floor on LIBOR (4.50% at March 31, 2017 and 4.00% at March 31, 2016). The amendment provides for a temporary adjustment to the calculation of the availability under the credit facility effective as of December 30, 2016 and will be in place through June 30, 2017. In connection with such adjustment, an additional event of default was added to the credit facility that would be triggered if the sum of the percentages of accounts that were more than thirty days past due, accounts that were charged off, and the value of repossessed vehicles held as assets exceeds a specified monthly threshold.

Pledged as collateral for this Line are all the assets of the Company. The facility requires compliance with certain financial ratios and covenants and satisfaction of specified financial tests, including maintenance of asset quality and performance tests. As of March 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

As disclosed in Note 3, the quality of the Company’s loan portfolio has been deteriorating, which has resulted in an increase in non-performing loans, increased delinquencies and other factors, which in turn has resulted in increased net charge-offs and an increase in the provision for credit losses. These conditions have resulted in a reduction in net earnings and have affected our borrowing capacity under the line of credit facility.

The Company’s operating results over recent quarters provided indicators that the Company may not be able to continue to comply with certain of the required financial ratios, covenants and financial tests prior to the maturity date of the line of credit facility in the absence of an amendment to the corresponding credit agreement. Failure to meet any financial ratios, covenants or financial tests could result in an event of default under our line of credit facility. If an event of default occurs under the credit facility, our lenders could increase our borrowing costs, restrict our ability to obtain additional borrowings under the facility, accelerate all amounts outstanding under the facility, or enforce their interest against collateral pledged under the facility.

 

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5. Line of Credit (continued)

 

The Company is in the process of providing information to the agent bank in the loan consortium, in the ordinary course of business as well as making changes in our policies and procedures which we believe will be successful in addressing some of the issues related to loan quality. We are also developing information pertaining to our expected borrowing needs, including proposed covenants,

determination of lending levels and availability and other considerations to be submitted to the agent bank to assist in addressing the renewal of credit upon expiration of the Line in January 2018. The Company has a longstanding relationship with its lenders. While management believes that it will be able to obtain a renewal or extension of the credit facility, there are no assurances that the lenders will approve the renewal or extension, or, assuming that they will approve it, that the facility will not be on terms less favorable than the current agreement. In the event that the Company obtains information that the existing lenders do not intend to extend the relationship, the Company will seek alternative financing. The Company believes it is probable that it will be able to obtain financing from either its existing lenders or from other sources; however, it can provide no assurances that it will be successful in replacing the line of credit facility on reasonable terms or at all.

6. Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The Company utilizes interest rate swap agreements to manage exposure to variability in expected cash flows attributable to interest rate risk. The interest rate swap agreements convert a portion of the Company’s floating rate debt to a fixed rate, more closely matching the interest rate characteristics of the Company’s finance receivables. As of the twelve months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, no new contracts were initiated and no contracts matured.

The Company currently has two interest rate swap agreements. A June 4, 2012 interest rate swap agreement provides for a five-year term in which the Company pays a fixed rate of 1% and receives payments from the counterparty on the 1-month LIBOR rate. This interest rate swap agreement has an effective date of June 13, 2012 and a notional amount of $25.0 million. A July 30, 2012 agreement provides for a five-year term in which the Company pays a fixed rate of 0.87% and receives payments from the counterparty on the 1-month LIBOR rate. This interest rate swap agreement has an effective date of August 13, 2012 and a notional amount of $25.0 million.

The locations and amounts of gains (losses) recognized in income are detailed as follows for the fiscal years ended March 31:

 

		(In thousands)
		2017				2016
Periodic change in fair value of interest rate swap agreements		$	222			$	(24	)
Periodic settlement differentials included in interest expense			(179	)			(343	)
Gain (loss) recognized in income		$	43			$	(367	)

Net realized gains (losses) from the interest rate swap agreements were recorded in the interest expense line item of the consolidated statements of income.

The following table summarizes the average variable rates received and average fixed rates paid under the interest rate swap agreements as of March 31:

 

		2017				2016
Average variable rate received			0.58	%			0.26	%
Average fixed rate paid			0.94	%			0.94	%

 

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7. Fair Value Disclosures

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The Company estimates the fair value of interest rate swap agreements based on the estimated net present value of the future cash flows using a forward interest rate yield curve in effect as of the measurement period, adjusted for nonperformance risk, if any, including a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of both the Company’s credit risk and the counterparty’s credit risk. Accordingly, the Company classifies interest rate swap agreements as Level 2.

 

		Fair Value Measurement Using (In thousands)
Description		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Fair Value
Interest rate swap agreements:
March 31, 2017 – asset:		$	—			$	17			$	—			$	17
March 31, 2016 – liability:		$	—			$	(205	)		$	—			$	(205	)

Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, finance receivables and the Line. For each of these financial instruments the carrying value approximates fair value.

Finance receivables, net approximates fair value based on the price paid to acquire Contracts. The price paid reflects competitive market interest rates and purchase discounts for the Company’s chosen credit grade in the economic environment. This market is highly liquid as the Company acquires individual loans on a daily basis from dealers.

The initial terms of the Contracts range from 12 to 72 months. The initial terms of the Direct Loans range from 12 to 72 months. If liquidated outside of the normal course of business, the amount received may not be the carrying value.

Based on current market conditions, any new or renewed credit facility would contain pricing that approximates the Company’s current Line. Based on these market conditions, the fair value of the Line as of March 31, 2017 was estimated to be equal to the book value. The interest rate for the Line is a variable rate based on LIBOR pricing options.

 

		Fair Value Measurement Using (In thousands)
Description		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Fair Value				Carrying Value
Cash:
March 31, 2017		$	2,855			$	—			$	—			$	2,855			$	2,855
March 31, 2016		$	1,849			$	—			$	—			$	1,849			$	1,849
Finance receivables:
March 31, 2017		$	—			$	—			$	317,205			$	317,205			$	317,205
March 31, 2016		$	—			$	—			$	311,837			$	311,837			$	311,837
Line of credit:
March 31, 2017		$	—			$	213,000			$	—			$	213,000			$	213,000
March 31, 2016		$	—			$	211,000			$	—			$	211,000			$	211,000

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The Company may be required, from time to time, to measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. The Company did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

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8. Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes consists of the following for the years ended March 31:

 

		(In thousands)
		2017				2016				2015
Current:
Federal		$	4,563			$	6,964			$	7,688
State			724				1,054				1,196
Total current			5,287				8,018				8,884
Deferred:
Federal			(1,688	)			(254	)			308
State			(268	)			(38	)			48
Total deferred			(1,956	)			(292	)			356
Income tax expense		$	3,331			$	7,726			$	9,240

The net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes are reflected in deferred income taxes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets consist of the following as of March 31:

 

		(In thousands)
		2017				2016
Allowance for credit losses not currently deductible for tax purposes		$	7,742			$	5,918
Share-based compensation			487				491
Interest rate swap agreements			(6	)			78
Other items			282				128
Deferred income taxes		$	8,505			$	6,615

The provision for income taxes reflects an effective U.S tax rate, which differs from the corporate tax rate for the following reasons:

 

		(In thousands)
		2017				2016				2015
Provision for income taxes at Federal statutory rate		$	3,059			$	7,037			$	9,134
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
State income taxes, net of Federal benefit			297				660				809
Transaction costs			—				—				(734	)
Other			(25	)			29				31
Income tax expense		$	3,331			$	7,726			$	9,240

The Company’s effective tax rate decreased to 38.11% in fiscal 2017 from 38.43% in fiscal 2016. The effective rate was 35.41% in fiscal 2015. The Company had approximately $2.1 million of previously non-deductible expenses associated with the potential sale of the Company in 2014. Since the sale of the Company was not consummated, the $2.1 million became deductible in 2015 creating a favorable effective tax rate.

 

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9. Share-Based Payments

The Company has share awards outstanding under two share-based compensation plans (the “Equity Plans”). The Company believes that such awards generally align the interests of its employees with those of its shareholders. Under the shareholder-approved 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) the Board of Directors was authorized to grant option awards for up to approximately 1.1 million common shares. On August 13, 2015, the Company’s shareholders approved the Nicholas Financial, Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) for employees and non-employee directors. Under the 2015 Plan, the Board of Directors is authorized to grant total share awards for up to 750,000 common shares. Awards under the 2006 Plan will continue to be governed by the terms of that plan. The 2015 Plan replaced the 2006 Plan; accordingly, no additional option awards may be granted under the 2006 Plan. In addition to option awards, the 2015 Plan provides for restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, and other equity-based compensation.

Option awards previously granted to employees and directors under the 2006 Plan generally vest ratably based on service over a five- and three-year period, respectively, and generally have a contractual term of ten years. Vesting and contractual terms for option awards under the 2015 Plan are essentially the same as those of the 2006 Plan. Restricted stock awards generally cliff vest over a three-year period based on service conditions. Vesting of performance units generally does not commence until the attainment of Company-wide performance goals including annual revenue growth and operating income targets. There are no post-vesting restrictions for share awards.

The Company funds share awards from authorized but unissued shares and does not purchase shares to fulfill its obligations under the Equity Plans. Cash dividends, if any, are not paid on unvested performance units or unexercised options, but are paid on unvested restricted stock awards.

The fair value of each option granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

		2016				2015
Risk-free interest rate			1.58	%			1.68	%
Weighted average expected original term			5 years				5 years
Expected volatility			23	%			23	%
Expected dividend yield			0.00	%			3.65	%

The Company did not grant any options during the year ended March 31, 2017.

A summary of option activity under the Equity Plans as of March 31, 2017, and changes during the year are presented below.

 

		(Shares and Aggregate Intrinsic Value in thousands)
Options		Shares				Weighted Average Exercise Price				Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term				Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at March 31, 2016			357			$	10.07
Granted			—			$	—
Exercised			(9	)		$	5.76
Forfeited			(15	)		$	12.36
Outstanding at March 31, 2017			333			$	10.08				4.75			$	663
Exercisable at March 31, 2017			244			$	8.78				3.79			$	663

The Company did not grant options during the year ended March 31, 2017. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $46,500, $82,000, and $1,829,000 respectively.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, approximately 9,000 options were exercised at exercise prices ranging from $1.20 to $8.21 per share. During the same period, approximately 15,000 options were forfeited at exercise prices ranging from $11.44 to $12.97 per share.

 

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9. Share-Based Payments (continued)

 

Cash received from options exercised during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 totaled approximately $50,000, $85,000, and $389,000, respectively. As of March 31, 2017, there was approximately $137,500 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to options granted. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.6 years.

A summary of the status of the Company’s non-vested restricted shares under the Equity Plan as of March 31, 2017, and changes during the year then ended is presented below.

 

		(Shares and Aggregate Intrinsic Value in thousands)
Restricted Share Awards		Shares				Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value				Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term				Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Non-vested at March 31, 2016			82			$	13.78
Granted			48			$	10.78
Vested			(40	)		$	14.37
Forfeited			—			$	—
Non-vested at March 31, 2017			90			$	11.95				1.83			$	952

The Company awarded approximately 48,000 restricted shares during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. The Company granted performance units which, if the employees had reached the maximum performance level, would have awarded approximately 18,000 restricted share awards. Included within the 48,000 restricted shares granted are approximately 10,000 shares that resulted from the Company meeting a performance threshold, which is noted in the Executive Compensation Plan. During the same period, no restricted shares were forfeited.

As of March 31, 2017, there was approximately $645,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted share awards granted under the Equity Plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.80 years.

10. Employee Benefit Plan

The Company has a 401(k)-retirement plan under which all employees are eligible to participate. Employee contributions are voluntary and subject to Internal Revenue Service limitations. The Company did not make a discretionary matching employee contribution. The Board will re-evaluate the Company’s matching policy for plan year 2018 later in 2017. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded expenses of approximately $7,000 each year related to this plan.

11. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company leases corporate and branch offices under operating lease agreements which provide for annual minimum rental payments as follows:

 

Fiscal Year Ending March 31		(In thousands)
2018		$	2,023
2019			1,557
2020			756
2021			75
		$	4,411

Rent expense for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 was approximately $2.4, $2.3, and $2.1 million respectively. The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, taking into account, when applicable, lessor incentives for tenant improvements, periods where no rent payment is required and escalations in rent payments over the term of the lease.

 

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11. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

The Company currently is not a party to any pending legal proceedings other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business, none of which, if decided adversely to the Company, would, in the opinion of management, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

12. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

		Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2017 (In thousands, except earnings per share amounts)
		First Quarter				Second Quarter				Third Quarter				Fourth Quarter
Total revenue		$	22,915			$	22,647			$	22,044			$	22,860
Interest expense			2,244				2,243				2,258				2,477
Provision for credit losses			7,026				8,144				8,796				13,211
Non-interest expense			8,939				9,102				8,403				8,883
Operating income before income taxes			4,706				3,158				2,587				(1,711	)
Income tax expense			1,803				1,188				981				(641	)
Net income		$	2,903			$	1,970			$	1,606			$	(1,070	)
Earnings per share:
Basic		$	0.37			$	0.25			$	0.21			$	(0.14	)
Diluted		$	0.37			$	0.25			$	0.21			$	(0.14	)
		Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2016 (In thousands, except earnings per share amounts)
		First Quarter				Second Quarter				Third Quarter				Fourth Quarter
Total revenue		$	22,025			$	22,687			$	22,757			$	23,238
Interest expense			2,166				2,273				2,311				2,257
Provision for credit losses			4,989				6,177				7,599				7,513
Non-interest expense			8,915				8,940				8,422				9,040
Operating income before income taxes			5,955				5,297				4,425				4,428
Income tax expense			2,285				2,041				1,698				1,702
Net income		$	3,670			$	3,256			$	2,727			$	2,726
Earnings per share:
Basic		$	0.48			$	0.43			$	0.36			$	0.35
Diluted		$	0.47			$	0.42			$	0.35			$	0.35

 

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Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure information required to be disclosed in its reports filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls will prevent all possible error and fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.

The Company’s management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2017. Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2017.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2017, the end of the fiscal year covered by this Report, based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on management’s evaluation under the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2017.

Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2017, as stated in their report, which is included below.

June 14, 2017

 

Ralph T. Finkenbrink		Katie L. MacGillivary
President and Chief Executive Officer		Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

Nicholas Financial, Inc.

We have audited Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“the COSO criteria”). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2017, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements of Nicholas Financial, Inc. as of and for the year ended March 31, 2017, and our report dated June 14, 2017, expressed an unqualified opinion.

/s/ Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP

Atlanta, Georgia

June 14, 2017

 

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Item 9B. Other Information

None.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information to be set forth under the captions “Proposal 1: Election of Directors,” “Board of Directors,” “Executive Officers and Compensation” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the definitive Proxy Statement and Information Circular for the 2017 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company (the “Proxy Statement”), is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company has adopted a written code of ethics applicable to its chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer and persons performing similar functions. A copy of the code of ethics is posted on the Company’s web site at www.nicholasfinancial.com. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirements under Item 5.05 of the SEC’s Current Report on Form 8-K regarding amendments to, or waivers from, the code of ethics by posting such information on the Company’s web site at www.nicholasfinancial.com. The Company is not including the information contained on or available through its web site as a part of, or incorporating such information by reference into, this Report.

Item 11. Executive Compensation, Compensation Interlocks and Insider Participation

The information to be set forth under the captions “Executive Officers and Compensation” and “Board of Directors” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table sets forth certain information, as of March 31, 2017, with respect to compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company were authorized for issuance:

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

(In thousands, except exercise price)

 

Plan Category

Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights

Weighted – Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights

Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a))

(a)

(b)

(c)

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders

333

$

10.08

654

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders

None

Not Applicable

None

TOTAL

333

$

10.08

654

The information to be set forth under the caption “Voting Shares and Ownership of Management and Principal Holders” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, Director Independence and Board of Directors

The information to be set forth under the captions “Board of Directors” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information to be set forth under the caption “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)

The following documents are filed as part of this Report:

 

(1)

Financial Statements

See Part II, Item 8, of this Report.

 

(2)

Financial Statement Schedules

All financial schedules are omitted as the required information is not applicable or the information is presented in the consolidated financial statements or related notes.

 

(3)

Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.		Description
3.1		Articles of Nicholas Financial, Inc. (1)
3.2		Notice of Articles of Nicholas Financial, Inc. (2)
4		Form of Common Stock Certificate (3)
10.1		Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2010, by and among Nicholas Financial Inc., a Florida corporation, Bank of America, N.A., as agent, and each of the Lenders parties thereto (4)
10.2		Amendment No. 1, dated as of September 1, 2011, to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2010, by and among Nicholas Financial Inc., a Florida corporation, Bank of America, N.A., as agent, and each of the Lenders parties thereto (5)
10.3		Amendment No. 2, dated as of December 21, 2012, to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2010, by and among Nicholas Financial Inc., a Florida corporation, Bank of America, N.A., as agent, and each of the Lenders parties thereto (6)
10.4		Amendment No. 3, dated as of November 14, 2014, to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2010, by and among Nicholas Financial, Inc., a Florida corporation, Bank of America, N.A., as agent, and each of the Lenders parties thereto (7)
10.5		Amendment No. 4, dated as of January 30, 2015, to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2010, by and among Nicholas Financial, Inc., a Florida corporation, Bank of America, N.A., as agent, and each of the Lenders parties thereto (8)
10.6		Amendment No. 5, dated as of December 30, 2016, to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2010, by and among Nicholas Financial, Inc., a Florida corporation, Bank of America, N.A., as agent, and each of the Lenders parties thereto (9)
10.7		Nicholas Financial, Inc. Employee Stock Option Plan (10)*
10.8		Nicholas Financial, Inc. Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (11)*
10.9		Employment Agreement (as Amended and Restated), dated July 2, 2015, between Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Ralph T. Finkenbrink, President and Chief Executive Officer (12) *
10.10		Employment Agreement (as Amended and Restated), dated July 2, 2015, between Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Kevin D. Bates, Senior Vice President-Branch Operations (13)*
10.11		Employment Agreement dated July 2, 2015, between Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Katie L. MacGillivary, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance (14)*
10.12		Summary of Fiscal 2016/2017/2018 Annual Incentive Programs*
10.13		Nicholas Financial, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (15)*
10.14		Form of Nicholas Financial, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan Stock Option Award (16)*

 

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10.15		Form of Nicholas Financial, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award (17)*
10.16		Form of Nicholas Financial, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan Performance Share Award (18)*
10.17		ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of March 30, 1999, between Bank of America, N.A. and Nicholas Financial, Inc. (19)
10.18		Letter Agreement, dated June 4, 2012, and effective June 13, 2012, by and between Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A. relating to interest-rate swap transaction (20)
10.19		Letter Agreement, dated June 30, 2012, and effective August 13, 2012, by and between Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A. relating to interest-rate swap transaction (21)
10.20		Form of Dealer Agreement and Schedule thereto listing dealers that are parties to such agreements
14		Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers
21		Subsidiaries of Nicholas Financial, Inc. (22)
23		Consent of Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP
24		Powers of Attorney (included on signature page hereto)
31.1		Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer
31.2		Certification of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
32.1		Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350
32.2		Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350
101.INS		XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

*	Represents a management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement in which a director or named executive officer of the Company participated.

(1)	Incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Company’s Proxy Statement and Information Circular for the 2006 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders filed with the SEC on June 30, 2006 (File No. 0-26680).

(2)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on May 24, 2007 (SEC File No. 0-26680).

(3)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, as filed with the SEC on June 29, 2004.

(4)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2009, as filed with the SEC on March 23, 2010.

(5)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011, as filed with the SEC on November 9, 2011.

(6)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, as filed with the SEC on June 14, 2013.

(7)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 14, 2014, as filed with the SEC on November 18, 2014.

(8)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the SEC on February 9, 2015.

(9)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 11, 2017, as filed with the SEC on January 11, 2017.

(10)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on June 30, 1999 (SEC File No. 333-81967).

(11)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on June 30, 1999 (SEC File No. 333-81961).

(12)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, as filed with the SEC on June 14, 2016.

(13)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, as filed with the SEC on June 14, 2016.

 

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(14)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, as filed with the SEC on June 14, 2016.

(15)	Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement and Information Circular for the 2015 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, as filed with the SEC on July 6, 2015.

(16)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, as filed with the SEC on June 14, 2016.

(17)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, as filed with the SEC on June 14, 2016.

(18)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, as filed with the SEC on June 14, 2016.

(19)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-2 (Reg. No. 333-113215), as filed with the SEC on April 7, 2004

(20)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, as filed with the SEC on June 14, 2013.

(21)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, as filed with the SEC on June 14, 2013.

(22)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, as filed with the SEC on June 29, 2004.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

				NICHOLAS FINANCIAL, INC.
Dated: June 14, 2017				By:		/s/ Ralph T. Finkenbrink
						Ralph T. Finkenbrink
						Chief Executive Officer and President

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Ralph T. Finkenbrink and Katie L. MacGillivary, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Report, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agents or either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Ralph T. Finkenbrink Ralph T. Finkenbrink		Chief Executive Officer, President and Director		June 14, 2017
/s/ Katie L. MacGillivary Katie L. MacGillivary		Chief Financial Officer, Vice President – Finance		June 14, 2017
/s/ Kevin D. Bates Kevin D. Bates		Sr. Vice President-Branch Operations and Director		June 14, 2017
/s/ Todd Pfister Todd Pfister		Director		June 14, 2017
/s/ Robin Hastings Robin Hastings		Director		June 14, 2017
/s/ Scott Fink Scott Fink		Director		June 14, 2017

 

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63

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.		Description
3.1		Articles of Nicholas Financial, Inc.*
3.2		Notice of Articles of Nicholas Financial, Inc.*
4		Form of Common Stock Certificate*
10.1		Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2010, by and among Nicholas Financial Inc., a Florida corporation, Bank of America, N.A., as agent, and each of the Lenders parties thereto*
10.2		Amendment No. 1, dated as of September 1, 2011, to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2010, by and among Nicholas Financial Inc., a Florida corporation, Bank of America, N.A., as agent, and each of the Lenders parties thereto*
10.3		Amendment No. 2, dated as of December 21, 2012, to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2010, by and among Nicholas Financial Inc., a Florida corporation, Bank of America, N.A., as agent, and each of the Lenders parties thereto*
10.4		Amendment No. 3, dated as of November 14, 2014, to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2010, by and among Nicholas Financial, Inc., a Florida corporation, Bank of America, N.A., as agent, and each of the Lenders parties thereto*
10.5		Amendment No. 4, dated as of January 30, 2015, to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2010, by and among Nicholas Financial, Inc., a Florida corporation, Bank of America, N.A., as agent, and each of the Lenders parties thereto*
10.6		Amendment No. 5, dated as of December 30, 2016, to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2010, by and among Nicholas Financial, Inc., a Florida corporation, Bank of America, N.A., as agent, and each of the Lenders parties thereto*
10.7		Nicholas Financial, Inc. Employee Stock Option Plan*
10.8		Nicholas Financial, Inc. Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan*
10.9		Employment Agreement (as Amended and Restated), dated July 2, 2015, between Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Ralph T. Finkenbrink, President and Chief Executive Officer*
10.10		Employment Agreement, (as Amended and Restated), dated July 2, 2015, between Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Kevin D. Bates, Senior Vice President-Branch Operations*
10.11		Employment Agreement, dated July 2, 2015, between Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Katie L. MacGillivary, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance*
10.12		Summary of Fiscal 2016/2017/2018 Annual Incentive Bonus Programs
10.13		Nicholas Financial, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan*
10.14		Form of Nicholas Financial, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan Stock Option Award*
10.15		Form of Nicholas Financial, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award*
10.16		Form of Nicholas Financial, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan Performance Share Award*
10.17		ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of March 30, 1999, between Bank of America, N.A. and Nicholas Financial, Inc.*
10.18		Letter Agreement, dated June 4, 2012, and effective June 13, 2012, by and between Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A. relating to interest-rate swap transaction*
10.19		Letter Agreement, dated July 30, 2012, and effective August 13, 2012, by and between Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A. relating to interest-rate swap transaction*
10.20		Form of Dealer Agreement and Schedule thereto listing dealers that are parties to such agreements
14		Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers
21		Subsidiaries of Nicholas Financial, Inc.*
23		Consent of Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP

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24		Powers of Attorney (included on signature page hereto)
31.1		Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer
31.2		Certification of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
32.1		Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350
32.2		Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350
101.INS		XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

*	Incorporated by reference