10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008

 

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

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number: 000-50552

 

 

ASSET ACCEPTANCE CAPITAL CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   80-0076779

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

28405 Van Dyke Avenue

Warren, Michigan 48093

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(586) 939-9600

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a small reporting company. See the definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  x
Non-accelerated filer  ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

As of July 25, 2008, 30,542,927 shares of the Registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

ASSET ACCEPTANCE CAPITAL CORP.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page
  PART I – Financial Information   
Item 1.   Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)    3
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    18
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    35
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures    36
  PART II – Other Information   
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings    36
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    36
Item 6.   Exhibits    37
Signatures      38
Exhibits:  

10.1    First Amendment to the Lease Agreement dated as of April 11, 2008, between Asset Acceptance, LLC and Northpoint Atrium Office Building, Ltd. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 included in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2008)

  
 

31.1    Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer

  
 

31.2    Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer

  
 

32.1    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

  

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

This Form 10-Q and all other Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are also accessible at no charge on the Company’s website at www.assetacceptance.com as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the Commission.

 

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

ASSET ACCEPTANCE CAPITAL CORP.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

 

     June 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  
     (Unaudited)        
ASSETS   

Cash

   $ 9,159,212     $ 10,474,479  

Purchased receivables, net

     355,647,646       346,198,900  

Income taxes receivable

     3,224,535       3,424,788  

Property and equipment, net

     13,926,234       11,006,658  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     16,880,471       17,464,688  

Other assets

     6,290,707       6,083,211  
                

Total assets

   $ 405,128,805     $ 394,652,724  
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 4,108,450     $ 3,377,068  

Accrued liabilities

     18,950,606       17,423,378  

Notes payable

     189,500,000       191,250,000  

Deferred tax liability, net

     60,563,459       60,164,784  

Capital lease obligations

     4,475       18,242  
                

Total liabilities

   $ 273,126,990     $ 272,233,472  
                

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; issued shares — 33,119,597 at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively

     331,196       331,196  

Additional paid in capital

     146,348,892       145,610,742  

Retained earnings

     28,367,100       19,465,118  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

     (2,069,444 )     (2,012,127 )

Common stock in treasury; at cost, 2,576,670 and 2,551,556 shares at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively

     (40,975,929 )     (40,975,677 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     132,001,815       122,419,252  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 405,128,805     $ 394,652,724  
                

See accompanying notes.

 

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ASSET ACCEPTANCE CAPITAL CORP.

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

 

     Three months ended June 30,     Six months ended June 30,  
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Revenues

        

Purchased receivable revenues, net

   $ 56,208,679     $ 65,514,898     $ 119,931,367     $ 132,296,932  

Gain on sale of purchased receivables

     5,935       —         165,040       —    

Other revenues, net

     264,885       350,976       737,822       874,969  
                                

Total revenues

     56,479,499       65,865,874       120,834,229       133,171,901  
                                

Expenses

        

Salaries and benefits

     20,735,930       20,952,579       42,666,895       43,401,034  

Collections expense

     23,133,891       23,709,050       45,230,572       46,778,990  

Occupancy

     1,928,829       2,307,643       3,856,317       4,647,028  

Administrative

     2,950,819       3,281,103       5,618,971       5,494,459  

Restructuring charges

     —         328,925       —         477,036  

Depreciation and amortization

     921,970       1,079,374       1,949,774       2,168,266  

Impairment of intangible assets

     —         —         445,651       —    

Loss on disposal of equipment

     3,900       6,714       9,483       1,299  
                                

Total operating expenses

     49,675,339       51,665,388       99,777,663       102,968,112  
                                

Income from operations

     6,804,160       14,200,486       21,056,566       30,203,789  

Other income (expense)

        

Interest income

     6,778       206,397       30,029       222,124  

Interest expense

     (3,250,063 )     (1,138,562 )     (6,594,660 )     (1,402,380 )

Other

     (1,650 )     10,256       16,333       22,465  
                                

Income before income taxes

     3,559,225       13,278,577       14,508,268       29,045,998  

Income taxes

     1,435,067       4,999,412       5,606,286       10,915,580  
                                

Net income

   $ 2,124,158     $ 8,279,165     $ 8,901,982     $ 18,130,418  
                                

Weighted-average number of shares:

        

Basic

     30,561,421       34,279,507       30,557,220       34,498,008  

Diluted

     30,606,807       34,293,511       30,586,249       34,508,368  

Earnings per common share outstanding:

        

Basic

   $ 0.07     $ 0.24     $ 0.29     $ 0.53  

Diluted

   $ 0.07     $ 0.24     $ 0.29     $ 0.53  

Dividends declared per common share

   $ —       $ 2.45     $ —       $ 2.45  

See accompanying notes.

 

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ASSET ACCEPTANCE CAPITAL CORP.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

     Six months ended June 30,  
     2008     2007  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net income

   $ 8,901,982     $ 18,130,418  

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

    

Depreciation and amortization

     1,949,774       2,168,266  

Deferred income taxes

     428,777       1,895,917  

Share-based compensation expense

     737,898       1,076,038  

Net impairment of purchased receivables

     5,353,450       9,616,200  

Non-cash revenue

     (316,269 )     (684,940 )

Loss on disposal of equipment

     9,483       1,299  

Gain on sale of purchased receivables

     (165,040 )     —    

Impairment of intangible assets

     445,651       —    

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     2,171,191       3,659,597  

Increase (decrease) in other assets

     453,080       (3,334,412 )

Decrease in income taxes receivable

     200,253       212,963  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     20,170,230       32,741,346  
                

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Investment in purchased receivables, net of buy backs

     (84,976,768 )     (73,511,945 )

Principal collected on purchased receivables

     70,488,476       50,057,179  

Proceeds from the sale of purchased receivables

     167,405       —    

Purchase of property and equipment

     (4,742,783 )     (770,485 )

Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment

     2,515       4,807  
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (19,061,155 )     (24,220,444 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Borrowings under notes payable

     57,000,000       199,000,000  

Repayment of notes payable

     (58,750,000 )     (54,000,000 )

Payment of credit facility charges

     (660,575 )     —    

Repayment of capital lease obligations

     (13,767 )     (36,896 )

Repurchase of common stock

     —         (78,743,296 )
                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (2,424,342 )     66,219,808  
                

Net (decrease) increase in cash

     (1,315,267 )     74,740,710  

Cash at beginning of period

     10,474,479       11,307,451  
                

Cash at end of period

   $ 9,159,212     $ 86,048,161  
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

    

Cash paid for interest

   $ 6,502,385     $ 484,377  

Cash paid for income taxes

     4,993,390       8,826,290  

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

    

Accrual for dividends payable

     —         74,845,716  

Accrual for common stock repurchases from former employees

     —         1,947,270  

Accrual for tender offer transaction costs

     —         941,914  

Change in fair value of swap liability

     (87,419 )     —    

Change in unrealized loss on cash flow hedge

     (57,317 )     —    

See accompanying notes.

 

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ASSET ACCEPTANCE CAPITAL CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

Asset Acceptance Capital Corp. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”) are engaged in the purchase and collection of defaulted and charged-off accounts receivable portfolios. These receivables are acquired from consumer credit originators, primarily credit card issuers, consumer finance companies, healthcare providers, retail merchants, telecommunications and other utility providers as well as from resellers and other holders of consumer debt. The Company periodically sells receivables from these portfolios to unaffiliated companies.

In addition, the Company finances the sales of consumer product retailers.

The accompanying unaudited financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, income and cash flows in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position as of June 30, 2008 and its income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, and all adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. The income of the Company for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 may not be indicative of future results. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Reporting Entity

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Asset Acceptance Capital Corp. consisting of direct and indirect subsidiaries AAC Investors, Inc., RBR Holding Corp., Asset Acceptance Holdings, LLC, Asset Acceptance, LLC, Consumer Credit, LLC and Premium Asset Recovery Corporation. Rx Acquisitions, LLC was merged into an affiliate company during the three months ended June 30, 2008. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company currently has two operating segments, one for purchased receivables and one for finance contract receivables. The finance contract receivables operating segment is not material and therefore is not disclosed separately from the purchased receivables segment.

Purchased Receivables Portfolios and Revenue Recognition

Purchased receivables are receivables that have been charged-off as uncollectible by the originating organization and typically have been subject to previous collection efforts. The Company acquires the rights to the unrecovered balances owed by individual debtors through such purchases. The receivable portfolios are purchased at a substantial discount (generally more than 90%) from their face values and are initially recorded at the Company’s acquisition cost, which equals fair value at the acquisition date. Financing for the purchases is primarily provided by the Company’s cash generated from operations and the Company’s revolving credit facility.

The Company accounts for its investment in purchased receivables using the guidance provided by the Accounting Standards Executive Committee Statement of Position 03-3, “Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer” (“SOP 03-3”). The provisions of SOP 03-3 were adopted by the Company effective January 2005 and apply to purchased receivables acquired after December 31, 2004. The provisions of SOP 03-3 that relate to decreases in expected cash flows amend previously followed guidance, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee Practice Bulletin 6, “Amortization of Discounts on Certain Acquired Loans”, for consistent treatment and apply prospectively to purchased receivables acquired before January 1, 2005. The Company purchases pools of homogenous accounts receivable. Pools purchased after 2004 may be aggregated into one or more static pools within each quarter, based on common risk

 

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characteristics. Risk characteristics of purchased receivables are generally considered to be similar since purchased receivables are usually in the late stages of the post charged-off collection cycle. The Company therefore aggregates most pools purchased within each quarter. Pools purchased before 2005 may not be aggregated with other pool purchases. Each static pool, either aggregated or non-aggregated, retains its own identity and does not change over the remainder of its life. Each static pool is accounted for as a single unit for recognition of revenue, principal payments and impairments.

Collections on each static pool are allocated to revenue and principal reduction based on the estimated internal rate of return (“IRR”). The IRR is the rate of return that each static pool requires to amortize the cost or carrying value of the pool to zero over its estimated life. Each pool’s IRR is determined by estimating future cash flows, which are based on historical collection data for pools with similar characteristics. The actual life of each pool may vary, but pools generally amortize between 36 and 84 months depending on the expected collection period. Monthly cash flows greater than revenue recognized will reduce the carrying value of each static pool and monthly cash flows lower than revenue recognized will increase the carrying value of the static pool. Each pool is reviewed at least quarterly and compared to historical trends to determine whether it is performing as expected. This comparison is used to determine future estimated cash flows. If the revised cash flow estimates are greater than the original estimates, the IRR is adjusted prospectively to reflect the revised estimate of cash flows over the remaining life of the static pool. If the revised cash flow estimates are less than the original estimates, the IRR remains unchanged and an impairment is recognized. If the cash flow estimates increase subsequent to recording an impairment, reversal of the previously recognized impairment is made prior to any increases to the IRR.

The cost recovery method prescribed by SOP 03-3 is used when collections on a particular portfolio cannot be reasonably predicted. When appropriate, the cost recovery method may be used for pools that previously had a yield assigned to them. Under the cost recovery method, no revenue is recognized until the Company has fully collected the cost of the portfolio. As of June 30, 2008, the Company had 75 unamortized pools on the cost recovery method, including all healthcare pools, with an aggregate carrying value of $17,845,691 or about 5.0% of the total carrying value of all purchased receivables. The Company had 51 unamortized pools on the cost recovery method with an aggregate carrying value of $26,939,749, or about 7.8% of the total carrying value of all purchased receivables as of December 31, 2007.

The agreements to purchase receivables typically include general representations and warranties from the sellers covering account holder death, bankruptcy, fraud and settled or paid accounts prior to sale. These representations and warranties permit the return of certain ineligible accounts from the Company back to the seller. The general time frame to return accounts is within 90 to 240 days from the date of the purchase agreement. Proceeds from returns, also referred to as buybacks, are applied against the carrying value of the static pool.

Periodically the Company will sell, on a non-recourse basis, all or a portion of a pool to third parties. The Company does not have any significant continuing involvement with the sold pools subsequent to sale. Proceeds of these sales are compared to the carrying value of the accounts and a gain or loss is recognized on the difference between proceeds received and carrying value, in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities – a replacement of SFAS 125”, as amended. The agreements to sell receivables typically include general representations and warranties. Any accounts returned to the Company under these representations and warranties, and during the negotiated time frame, are netted against any “gains on sale of purchased receivables” or if they exceed the total reported gains for the period as a “loss on sale of purchased receivables”, which would be accrued for if material to the consolidated financial statements.

Changes in purchased receivable portfolios for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

     Three months ended June 30,     Six months ended June 30,  
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Beginning balance

   $  330,127,109     $  307,983,677     $ 346,198,900     $ 300,840,508  

Investment in purchased receivables, net of buybacks

     64,504,740       37,297,460       84,976,768       73,511,945  

Cost of sale of purchased receivables, net of returns

     (139 )     —         (2,365 )     —    

Cash collections

     (95,192,743 )     (95,432,021 )     (195,457,024 )     (191,285,371 )

Purchased receivable revenues

     56,208,679       65,514,898       119,931,367       132,296,932  
                                

Ending balance

   $ 355,647,646     $ 315,364,014     $ 355,647,646     $ 315,364,014  
                                

 

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Accretable yield represents the amount of revenue the Company can expect over the remaining life of the existing portfolios. Nonaccretable yield represents the difference between the remaining expected cash flows and the total contractual obligation outstanding (face value) of the purchased receivables. Changes in accretable yield for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

     Three months ended June 30,     Six months ended June 30,  
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Beginning balance (1)

   $  500,290,821     $  409,098,137     $ 559,605,071     $ 417,690,314  

Revenue recognized on purchased receivables

     (56,208,679 )     (65,514,898 )     (119,931,367 )     (132,296,932 )

Additions due to purchases during the period

     95,018,199       43,821,969       114,901,367       82,193,388  

Reclassifications from nonaccretable yield

     23,721,117       9,373,440       8,246,387       29,191,878  
                                

Ending balance (2)

   $ 562,821,458     $ 396,778,648     $ 562,821,458     $ 396,778,648  
                                

 

(1) The balances are based on the estimated remaining collections, which refers to the sum of all future projected cash collections on our owned portfolios. The January 1, 2008 beginning balance reflects the extension of certain portfolios’ lives from 60 to 84 months during 2007.
(2) Accretable yields are a function of estimated remaining cash flows and are based on historical cash collections. Please refer to Forward-Looking Statements on page 19 and Critical Accounting Policies on page 34 for further information regarding these estimates.

Cash collections for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 include collections from fully amortized pools of which 100% of the collections were reported as revenue. Cash collections from fully amortized pools were as follows:

 

     Three months ended June 30,    Six months ended June 30,
     2008    2007    2008    2007

Cash collections from fully amortized pools:

           

Amortizing before the end of their expected life

   $ 7,726,429    $ 7,319,465    $ 16,190,997    $ 11,618,631

Amortizing after their expected life

     11,169,647      13,080,727      23,774,901      25,752,680

Accounted under the cost recovery method

     1,403,905      1,445,781      2,580,433      2,931,134
                           

Total cash collections from fully amortized pools

   $ 20,299,981    $ 21,845,973    $ 42,546,331    $ 40,302,445
                           

Changes in purchased receivables portfolios under the cost recovery method for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

     Three months ended June 30,     Six months ended June 30,  
     2008 (1)     2007     2008 (1)     2007  

Portfolios under the cost recovery method:

        

Beginning balance

   $ 21,080,151     $ 7,759,358     $ 26,991,102     $ 7,246,315  

Addition of portfolios

     3,031,794       1,642,153       5,100,980       3,615,481  

Buybacks, impairments and resales adjustments

     (341,486 )     (10,622 )     (1,059,558 )     (802,722 )

Cash collections on all portfolios under the cost recovery method until fully amortized

     (5,924,768 )     (1,822,314 )     (13,186,833 )     (2,490,499 )
                                

Ending balance

   $ 17,845,691     $ 7,568,575     $ 17,845,691     $ 7,568,575  
                                

 

(1) The 2008 beginning and ending balances include the first quarter of 2005 aggregate and all healthcare portfolios. The carrying values of the first quarter of 2005 aggregate and all healthcare portfolios were $6,854,002 and $8,042,869, respectively, of the total carrying value of purchased receivables as of June 30, 2008. The carrying values of the first quarter of 2005 aggregate and all healthcare portfolios were $11,969,159 and $8,642,919, respectively, of the total carrying value of purchased receivables as of December 31, 2007.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company recorded net impairments of $4,969,167 and $5,353,450, respectively, related to its purchased receivables. The Company recorded net impairments of $5,143,100 and $9,616,200 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively. The net impairments reduced revenue and the carrying value of the purchased receivable portfolios. Changes in the purchased receivables valuation allowance for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

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     Three months ended June 30,     Six months ended June 30,  
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Beginning balance

   $ 61,239,905     $ 43,825,155     $ 62,091,755     $ 39,714,055  

Impairments

     5,810,417       5,320,000       7,605,950       10,034,000  

Reversal of impairments

     (841,250 )     (176,900 )     (2,252,500 )     (417,800 )

Deductions (1)

     (23,417 )     (552,600 )     (1,259,550 )     (914,600 )
                                

Ending balance

   $ 66,185,655     $ 48,415,655     $ 66,185,655     $ 48,415,655  
                                

 

(1) Deductions represent impairments on fully amortized purchased receivable portfolios that were written-off and cannot be reversed.

Seasonality

Collections within portfolios tend to be seasonally higher in the first and second quarters of the year due to consumers’ receipt of tax refunds and other factors. Conversely, collections within portfolios tend to be lower in the third and fourth quarters of the year due to consumers’ spending in connection with summer vacations, the holiday season and other factors. However, revenue recognized is relatively level, excluding the impact of impairments, due to the application of the provisions prescribed by SOP 03-3. In addition, the Company’s operating results may be affected to a lesser extent by the timing of purchases of charged-off consumer receivables due to the initial costs associated with purchasing and loading these receivables into the Company’s systems. Consequently, income and margins may fluctuate from quarter to quarter.

Collections from Third Parties

The Company regularly utilizes unaffiliated third parties, primarily attorneys and other contingent collection agencies, to collect certain account balances on behalf of the Company in exchange for a percentage of balances collected by the third party. The Company records the gross proceeds received by the unaffiliated third parties as cash collections. The Company includes the reimbursement of certain legal and other costs as cash collections. The Company records the percentage of the gross cash collections paid to the third parties as a component of collections expense. The percent of gross cash collections from such third party relationships were 29.0% and 24.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and 28.9% and 24.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Accrued Liabilities

As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the totals of accrued liabilities were $18,950,606 and $17,423,378, respectively. The details of the balances are identified in the following table.

 

     June 30, 2008    December 31, 2007

Accrued payroll, benefits and bonuses

   $ 7,891,061    $ 7,271,593

Deferred rent

     3,574,896      3,754,365

Fair value of derivative instruments

     3,213,422      3,126,003

Accrued general and administrative expenses

     3,103,130      2,003,463

Accrued interest expense

     825,483      974,900

Deferred credits (cash advance)

     147,289      —  

Other accrued expenses

     195,325      293,054
             

Total accrued liabilities

   $ 18,950,606    $ 17,423,378
             

Concentration of Risk

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company invested 69.4% and 56.6%, respectively, in purchased receivables from its top three sellers. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company invested 68.2% and 56.3%, respectively, in purchased receivables from its top three sellers. One seller is included in the top three in both of the three-month and six-month periods.

 

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Interest Expense

Interest expense included interest on the Company’s credit facilities, unused facility fees and amortization of capitalized bank fees. Interest expense of $20,501 and $40,270 related to software development for internal use was capitalized in the three and six months ended June 2008, respectively. There was no interest expense related to software development for internal use capitalized in the three and six months ended June 2007.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share reflect net income divided by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding. Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding at June 30, 2008 and 2007 included 29,029 and 10,360 dilutive shares, respectively, related to outstanding options, deferred stock units, restricted shares and restricted share units (the “Share-Based Awards”). There were 677,991 and 354,499 outstanding Share-Based Awards that were not included within the diluted weighted-average shares as their fair value exceeded the market price of the Company’s stock at June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. As such, they were anti-dilutive.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with finite lives arising from business combinations are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from five to seven years, using the straight-line and double-declining methods. As prescribed by SFAS 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”), goodwill and trademark and trade names with indefinite lives are not amortized. Goodwill and other intangible assets are reviewed annually to assess recoverability or more frequently if impairment indicators are present, in accordance with SFAS 142. Impairment charges are recorded for intangible assets when the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value of that asset. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company decided to no longer service medical receivables on a contingent fee basis. As a result, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $445,651, the net carrying value of intangible assets for customer contracts and relationships associated with the contingent collection business. This impairment is recorded in “Impairment of intangible assets” in the consolidated statements of income.

Comprehensive Income

Components of comprehensive income are changes in equity other than those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Net income is the primary component of comprehensive income. The Company’s only component of comprehensive income other than net income is the change in unrealized gain or loss on derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of income taxes. The aggregate amount of such changes to equity that have not yet been recognized in net income are reported in the equity portion of the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position as accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes. The accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 is presented in the following table:

 

     Three months ended
June 30,

2008
    Six months ended
June 30,

2008
 
      

Opening balance

   $ (4,186,135 )   $ (2,012,127 )

Change

     2,116,691       (57,317 )
                

Ending balance

   $ (2,069,444 )   $ (2,069,444 )
                

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the prior periods presented have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported net income.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

SFAS No. 141 (R), “Business Combinations” and SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51”

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations”, (“SFAS 141(R)”), and SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51”,

 

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(“SFAS 160”). These pronouncements are required to be adopted concurrently and are effective for business combination transactions for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited, thus the provisions of these pronouncements will be effective for the Company in fiscal year 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of SFAS 141(R) and SFAS 160 on its consolidated statements of financial position, income and cash flows.

SFAS 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 requires expanded disclosures regarding the location and amounts of derivative instruments in an entity’s financial statements, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, operating results and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for periods beginning on or after November 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating what impact SFAS 161 will have on its consolidated statements of financial position, income and cash flows.

FASB Staff Position 142-3 “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets”

In April 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position (“FSP”) 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets”, (“FSP 142-3”). FSP 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. FSP 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating what impact FSP 142-3 will have on its consolidated statements of financial position, income and cash flows.

2. Recapitalization

On April 24, 2007, the Company announced a recapitalization plan (the “Recapitalization Plan”) to return $150,000,000 to the Company’s shareholders. Pursuant to the Recapitalization Plan, on June 12, 2007, the Company completed a modified “Dutch auction” tender offer, resulting in the repurchase of approximately 1,982,250 of the Company’s common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $37,167,188, or $18.75 per share.

On June 28, 2007, under a repurchase agreement announced on April 24, 2007, the Company purchased shares from (i) its largest shareholder, (ii) its Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and (iii) its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. These shareholders elected not to tender any shares in the tender offer and the repurchase agreement allowed them to maintain their pro rata beneficial ownership interest in the Company after giving effect to the tender offer and purchases under the repurchase agreement. The Company repurchased 2,017,750 common shares from these shareholders for an aggregate price of $37,832,813, or $18.75 per share.

On June 18, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a special one-time cash dividend of $2.45 per share, or $74,891,700 in aggregate, which was paid on July 31, 2007 to holders of record on July 19, 2007.

In order to fund these transactions, the Company obtained a $150,000,000 term loan through a new credit agreement, (the “New Credit Agreement”) aggregating $250,000,000, which was funded on June 12, 2007, and terminated its former credit agreement. Refer to Note 3, “Notes Payable” for further information.

As a result of the payment of the special one-time cash dividend, the Company adjusted the number of deferred stock units, as well as the exercise price and number of outstanding stock options issued under the 2004 stock incentive plan, as amended, in order to avoid dilution to holders of the deferred stock units and outstanding stock options. Refer to Note 6, “Share-Based Compensation” for further information.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2007, the Company incurred $1,100,085 in transaction costs associated with the Dutch auction tender offer and recorded these costs as a reduction in stockholders’ equity. In addition, the Company incurred $2,315,710 in fees, which were recorded as a deferred financing cost and included in other assets in the consolidated statements of financial position.

 

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During the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company recorded interest expense of $3,114,541 and $6,349,592, respectively, in connection with borrowings under the New Credit Agreement. In addition, the Company amortized $155,817 and $284,935 in deferred financing costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company recorded interest expense of $825,791 and $1,031,444, respectively, in connection with borrowings under the former credit agreement and New Credit Agreement. The Company also amortized $305,488 and $362,432 in deferred financing costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively.

3. Notes Payable

The New Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders named therein, that originated on June 5, 2007 was amended on March 10, 2008 (the “Amended New Credit Agreement”). Under the terms of the Amended New Credit Agreement, the Company has a five-year $100,000,000 revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and a six-year $150,000,000 term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility” and, together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Amended New Credit Facilities”). The Amended New Credit Facilities bear interest at prime or up to 125 basis points over prime depending upon the Company’s liquidity, as defined in the Amended New Credit Agreement. Alternately, at the Company’s discretion, the Company may borrow by entering into one, two, three, six or twelve-month contracts based on the London Inter Bank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) at rates between 150 to 250 basis points over the respective LIBOR rates, depending on the Company’s liquidity. The Company’s Revolving Credit Facility includes an accordion loan feature that allows it to request a $25,000,000 increase as well as sublimits for $10,000,000 of letters of credit and for $10,000,000 of swingline loans. The Amended New Credit Agreement is secured by a first priority lien on all of the Company’s assets. The Amended New Credit Agreement also contains certain covenants and restrictions that the Company must comply with, which, as of June 30, 2008 were:

 

   

Leverage Ratio (as defined) cannot exceed (i) 1.25 to 1.0 at any time on or before June 29, 2009, (ii) 1.125 to 1.0 at any time on or after June 30, 2009 and on or before December 30, 2010 or (iii) 1.0 to 1.0 at any time thereafter;

 

   

Ratio of Consolidated Total Liabilities to Consolidated Tangible Net Worth cannot exceed (i) 3.0 to 1.0 at any time on or before September 29, 2008, (ii) 2.75 to 1.0 at any time on or after September 30, 2008 and on or before December 30, 2008, (iii) 2.5 to 1.0 at any time on or after December 31, 2008 and on or before December 30, 2009, (iv) 2.25 to 1.0 at any time on or after December 31, 2009 and on or before December 30, 2010, (v) 2.0 to 1.0 at any time on or after December 31, 2010 and on or before December 30, 2011 or (vi) 1.5 to 1.0 to any time thereafter; and

 

   

Consolidated Tangible Net Worth must equal or exceed $80,000,000 plus 50% of positive consolidated net income for three consecutive fiscal quarters ending December 31, 2007 and for each fiscal year ending thereafter, such amount to be added as of December 31, 2007 and as of the end of each such fiscal year thereafter.

The Amended New Credit Agreement contains a provision that requires the Company to repay Excess Cash Flow, as defined, to reduce the indebtedness outstanding under its Amended New Credit Agreement. The annual repayment of the Company’s Excess Cash Flow is effective with the issuance of our audited consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2008. The repayment provisions are:

 

   

50% of the Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year if the Leverage Ratio was greater than 1.0 to 1.0 as of the end of such fiscal year;

 

   

25% of the Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year if the Leverage Ratio was less than or equal to 1.0 to 1.0 but greater than 0.875 to 1.0 as of the end of such fiscal year; or

 

   

0% if the Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 0.875 to 1.0 as of the end of such fiscal year.

Commitment fees on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility are paid quarterly, in arrears, and are calculated as an amount equal to a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, depending on the Company’s liquidity, on the average amount available on the Revolving Credit Facility.

The Amended New Credit Agreement requires the Company to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates on a notional amount of at least 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan Facility. Refer to Note 4, “Derivative Financial Instruments” for additional information.

 

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The Company had $189,500,000 and $191,250,000 principal balance outstanding on its Amended New Credit Facilities at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, of which $148,500,000 and $149,250,000 was part of the Term Loan Facility at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, and $41,000,000 and $42,000,000 was part of the Revolving Credit Facility, respectively. The Term Loan Facility requires quarterly repayments totaling $1,500,000 annually until March 2013 with the remaining balance due in June 2013.

The Company believes it is in compliance with all terms of the Amended New Credit Agreement as of June 30, 2008.

4. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company may periodically enter into derivative financial instruments, typically interest rate swap agreements, to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates on variable-rate debt and their impact on earnings and cash flows. The Company does not utilize derivative financial instruments with a level of complexity or with a risk greater than the exposure to be managed nor does it enter into or hold derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. The Company periodically reviews the creditworthiness of the swap counterparty to assess the counterparty’s ability to honor its obligation.

Based on the provisions of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” as amended and interpreted, the Company records derivative financial instruments at fair value. Refer to Note 9, “Fair Value” for additional information.

In September 2007, the Company entered into an amortizing interest rate swap agreement whereby, on a quarterly basis, it swaps variable rates under its Term Loan Facility for fixed rates. At inception and for the first year, the notional amount of the swap is $125,000,000. Every year thereafter, on the anniversary of the swap agreement the notional amount will decrease by $25,000,000. This swap agreement expires on September 13, 2012.

The Company’s financial derivative instrument is designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge, and the effective portion of the gain or loss on such hedge is reported as a component of other comprehensive income in the consolidated financial statements. To the extent that the hedging relationship is not effective, the ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative is recorded in other income (expense). For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, the ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative recorded in earnings was $610 and $1,409, respectively. Hedges that receive designated hedge accounting treatment are evaluated for effectiveness at the time that they are designated as well as through the hedging period. As of June 30, 2008, the Company does not have any fair value hedges.

The fair value of the Company’s cash flow hedge has been recorded as a liability and is included with accrued liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial position. The fair value of the liability was $3,213,422 and $3,126,003 at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Changes in fair value were recorded as an adjustment to other comprehensive income, net of tax, of $2,069,444 and $2,012,127 at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Amounts in other comprehensive income will be reclassified into earnings under certain situations; for example, if the occurrence of the transaction is no longer probable or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. The Company does not expect to reclassify any amount currently included in other comprehensive income into earnings within the next 12 months.

5. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, having estimated useful lives ranging from three to ten years, consisted of the following:

 

     June 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  

Computers and software

   $ 17,245,588     $ 12,838,395  

Furniture and fixtures

     10,296,031       10,074,927  

Leasehold improvements

     2,251,969       2,156,864  

Equipment under capital lease

     61,528       133,063  

Automobiles

     51,709       51,709  
                

Total property and equipment, cost

     29,906,825       25,254,958  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (15,980,591 )     (14,248,300 )
                

Property and equipment, net

   $ 13,926,234     $ 11,006,658  
                

 

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6. Share-Based Compensation

The Company adopted a stock incentive plan (the “Stock Incentive Plan”) during February 2004 that authorizes the use of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock grants and units, performance share awards and annual incentive awards to eligible key associates, non-associate directors and consultants. The Company has reserved 3,700,000 shares of common stock for issuance in conjunction with all options and other stock-based awards to be granted under the plan. The purpose of the plan is (1) to promote the best interests of the Company and its stockholders by encouraging associates and other participants to acquire an ownership interest in the Company, thus aligning their interests with those of stockholders and (2) to enhance the ability of the Company to attract and retain qualified associates, non-associate directors and consultants. No participant may be granted options during any one fiscal year to purchase more than 500,000 shares of common stock. The Company records share-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”, a revision of SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”.

The Company amended its Stock Incentive Plan in May 2007 to expand an anti-dilution provision of the plan. The additional compensation expense resulting from the amendment to the Stock Incentive Plan for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was $2,790 and $491,925, respectively, and was $3,803 and $491,925 for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

As discussed in Note 2, “Recapitalization”, the Company commenced a recapitalization transaction, including declaration of a special one-time cash dividend, in the quarter ended June 30, 2007. The payment of the special one-time cash dividend resulted in an increase in the number of deferred stock units outstanding and a change to the exercise price and number of outstanding stock options under the anti-dilution provisions of the Stock Incentive Plan. The methodology used to adjust the awards was consistent with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and 424 and the proposed regulations promulgated therein, compliance with which was necessary to avoid adverse tax issues for the holders of awards. Such methodology also results in the fair value of the adjusted awards post-dividend to be equal to that of the unadjusted awards pre-dividend, with the result that there is no additional compensation expense in accordance with accounting for modifications to awards under SFAS 123(R).

Based on historical experience, the Company used an annual forfeiture rate of 15% for associate grants. Grants made to non-associate directors have no forfeiture rates associated with them due to immediate vesting of grants to this group.

The Company’s share-based compensation arrangements are described below.

Stock Options

The Company utilizes the Whaley Quadratic approximation model, an intrinsic value method, to calculate the fair value of the stock awards on the date of grant using the assumptions noted in the following table. In addition, changes to the subjective input assumptions can result in different fair market value estimates. With regard to the Company’s assumptions stated below, the expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock and management’s estimate of the volatility over the contractual term of the options. The expected term of the option is based on management’s estimate of the period of time for which the options are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate is derived from the five-year U.S. Treasury yield curve on the date of grant.

 

Options issue year:

   2008    2007

Expected volatility

   46.50%    45.30% - 46.92%

Expected dividends

   0.00%    0.00%

Expected term

   5 Years    5 Years

Risk-free rate

   3.09%    3.42% - 4.98%

As of June 30, 2008, the Company had options outstanding for 712,991 shares of its common stock under the 2004 stock incentive plan. These options have been granted to key associates and non-associate directors of the Company. Option awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant and have 10-year contractual terms. The options granted to key associates generally vest between one and five years from the grant date, whereas the options granted to non-associate directors generally vest immediately. The fair values of the stock options are expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The related expense for the three months ended June 30, 2008 included $205,045 in administrative expenses for non-associates directors and $73,576 in salaries and benefits for associates. The related expense for the three months ended June 30, 2007 included $1,095,473 in administrative expenses for non-associates directors and $18,839 in salaries and benefits for associates. The related expense for the six months ended June 30, 2008 included $205,045 in administrative expenses for

 

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non-associates directors and $124,746 in salaries and benefits for associates. The related expense for the six months ended June 30, 2007 included $1,102,038 in administrative expenses for non-associate directors and $37,662 in salaries and benefits for associates. The total tax benefit recognized in the consolidated statements of income was $127,299 and $428,527 for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The following summarizes all stock option related transactions from January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008.

 

     Options
Outstanding
    Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
   Aggregate
Intrinsic

Value

January 1, 2008

   691,599     $ 14.03      

Granted

   42,500       13.21      

Forfeited

   (21,108 )     17.13      
              

Outstanding at June 30, 2008

   712,991       13.89    8.01    $ 594,788
                    

Exercisable at June 30, 2008

   457,630     $ 16.01    7.42    $ —  
                    

The weighted-average fair value of the options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was $5.86 and $6.60 (as adjusted to reflect the impact of the special one-time cash dividend paid on July 31, 2007), respectively. No options were exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.

As of June 30, 2008, there was $993,244 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested stock options granted under the stock incentive plan. The unrecognized compensation expense is comprised of $881,992 for options expected to vest and $111,252 for options not expected to vest. The unrecognized compensation expense for options expected to vest is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.18 years.

Deferred Stock Units

As of June 30, 2008, the Company had granted 14,537 deferred stock units (“DSUs”) to non-associate directors under the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. DSUs represent the Company’s obligation to deliver one share of common stock for each unit at a later date elected by the Director, such as when the Director’s service on the Board ends. DSUs have no vesting provisions and are not subject to forfeiture. DSUs do not have voting rights but would receive common stock dividend equivalents in the form of additional DSUs. The value of each DSU is equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant.

The fair value of the DSUs granted during the six months ended June 30, 2008 were expensed immediately to correspond with the vesting schedule. The related expense for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 included $31,255 and $32,466 in administrative expenses, respectively. The related expense for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 included $62,513 and $56,254 in administrative expenses, respectively.

The following summarizes all DSU related transactions from January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008.

 

     DSUs    Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

January 1, 2008

   8,965    $ 13.44

Granted

   5,572      11.22
       

June 30, 2008

   14,537    $ 12.59
       

As of June 30, 2008, there was no unrecognized expense related to nonvested DSUs.

 

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Restricted Shares

The Company grants restricted shares and restricted share units (restricted shares and restricted share units are referred to as “RSUs”) to key associates and non-associate directors under the Stock Incentive Plan. Each RSU is equal to one share of the Company’s common stock. As of June 30, 2008, the Company had RSUs outstanding for 274,565 shares of its common stock. The value of the RSUs is equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant. The RSUs granted to associates generally vest over two to four years, based upon service or performance conditions. RSUs granted to non-associate directors generally vest when the non-associate director terminates his or her board service.

The fair value of the RSUs is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based on the number of RSUs that are expected to vest. For RSUs with performance conditions, if goals are not expected to be met, the compensation expense previously recognized is reversed. The related expense for the three months ended June 30, 2008 included $154,147 in administrative expenses for non-associate directors and $27,443 in salaries and benefits for associates, which included a reversal of $99,240 for RSUs not expected to vest. Salaries and benefits expense for the three months ended June 30, 2007 included a reversal of $164,884 for RSUs not expected to vest. The related expense for the six months ended June 30, 2008 included $154,147 in administrative expenses for non-associate directors and $191,447 in salaries and benefits for associates, which included a reversal of $99,240 for RSUs not expected to vest. The related amount for the six months ended June 30, 2007 included a reversal of $119,916 for RSUs not expected to vest.

The following summarizes all RSU related transactions from January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008.

 

Nonvested RSUs

   RSUs     Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

Nonvested at January 1, 2008

   290,760     $ 11.12

Granted

   14,169       13.21

Forfeited

   (30,364 )     18.88
        

Nonvested at June 30, 2008

   274,565     $ 10.37
        

As of June 30, 2008, there were $2,325,766 of total unrecognized expense related to nonvested RSU’s. The total unrecognized expense is comprised of $1,234,543 for RSUs expected to vest and $1,091,223 for shares not expected to vest. The unrecognized compensation expense for RSU’s expected to vest is expected to be recognized over a period of 2.71 years. There were 11,669 nonvested RSUs included in administrative expenses as of June 30, 2008 since the requisite service had been rendered.

7. Contingencies and Commitments

Litigation Contingencies

The Company is involved in certain legal matters that management considers incidental to its business. The Company recognizes liabilities for contingencies and commitments when a loss is probable and estimable. The company recognizes expense for defense costs when incurred.

Management has evaluated pending and threatened litigation against the Company as of June 30, 2008 and does not believe its exposure to be material.

Other Contingencies

During the first quarter of 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with a third party collecting on its behalf. Under this agreement, the Company will receive a total cash advance of $7,000,000, in varying installments, through November 2009. The Company received $2,500,000 through June 30, 2008, and incurred $2,352,711 in court cost expenses, which were offset against a portion of the cash advance. A liability equal to the unused cash advance is included in accrued liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial position.

The agreement contains performance conditions for both parties and the Company may be required to refund a portion of the cash advance in certain situations.

 

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8. Income Taxes

The Company recorded an income tax provision of $1,435,067 and $4,999,412 for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $5,606,286 and $10,915,580 for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The provision for income tax expense reflects an effective income tax rate of 40.3% and 37.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and 38.6% and 37.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Interest and penalties related to the Company’s uncertain tax positions at June 30, 2008 were not significant.

The federal income tax returns of the Company for 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 are subject to examination by the IRS, generally for three years after the latter of their extended due date or when they are filed. The significant state income tax returns of the Company are subject to examination by the state taxing authorities, for various periods generally up to four years.

9. Fair Value

The Company adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”) as of January 1, 2008. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 applies where other accounting pronouncements require or permit fair value measurements; it does not require any new fair value measurements. According to FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, the application of SFAS 157 to certain non-financial assets and liabilities is deferred to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company’s goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for impairment assessment. The deferral of SFAS 157 applies to these items.

The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial position, income or cash flows. The Company has chosen not to adopt SFAS No. 159, “Fair Value Option” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 allows entities to choose to measure eligible financial instruments and certain other items at fair value, that are not otherwise required to be measured at fair value.

As required under SFAS 157, the Company groups assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

 

  Level 1  – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

 

  Level 2  – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

 

  Level 3  – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The Company uses the following methods and assumptions to estimate the fair value of financial instruments.

Interest Rate Swap Agreement

The fair value of the interest rate swap agreement represents the amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate or otherwise settle the contract at the consolidated statements of financial position date, taking into consideration current unearned gains and losses. The interest rate swap agreement was valued using Level 2 inputs, which are inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly. The fair value was determined using a market approach, and is based on the three-month LIBOR curve for the remaining term of the swap agreement. Refer to Note 4, “Derivative Financial Instruments”, for additional information about the fair value of the interest rate swap.

Purchased Receivables

The Company initially records purchased receivables at cost, which is discounted from the contractual receivable balance. The ending balance of the purchased receivables is reduced as cash is received based upon the guidance of PB6 and SOP 03-3. The carrying value of receivables was $355,647,646 and $346,198,900 at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The Company computes fair value of these receivables by discounting the future cash flows generated by its forecasting model using an adjusted weighted average cost of capital, reflective of other market participants cost of capital. The fair value of the purchased receivables approximated carrying value at both June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

Credit Facilities

         The Company’s Amended New Credit Facilities had carrying amounts of $189,500,000 and $191,250,000 as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The Company computed the approximate fair value of the Amended New Credit Facilities to be $159,661,383 and $158,652,946 as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The fair value of the Company’s Amended New Credit Facilities is based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company and similar market participants.

 

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

Company Overview

We have been purchasing and collecting defaulted or charged-off accounts receivable portfolios from consumer credit originators since the formation of our predecessor company in 1962. Charged-off receivables are the unpaid obligations of individuals to credit originators, such as credit card issuers, consumer finance companies, healthcare providers, retail merchants, telecommunications and utility providers. Since these receivables are delinquent or past due, we are able to purchase them at a substantial discount. We purchase and collect charged-off consumer receivable portfolios for our own account as we believe this affords us the best opportunity to use long-term strategies to maximize our profits.

The prices we paid for charged-off accounts receivable portfolios (“paper”) had steadily increased from 2002 through mid 2007. During the latter half of 2007, the prices we paid for comparable paper began to decline. This decline continued into 2008, but prices remain at elevated levels compared to historical low prices that existed from 2000 to 2002. We believe the primary reason for the continued decline in pricing is largely a result of macro-economic factors resulting from the expectation of a decline in the consumers’ ability to repay their current obligations as well as their past due debts. Macro-economic factors include reduced availability of credit, falling real estate values, higher food and energy prices, increased unemployment and other factors (“macro-economic factors”). In addition, we believe that some competitors are experiencing their own liquidity crises as their ability to fund portfolio purchases has been reduced when compared to much of the time since our initial public offering in 2004. We believe that increases in charged-off rates being experienced by major credit card issuers is leading to an increase in supply of receivables available for sale. Reduced competition and increased supply may contribute to reduced pricing.

During the six months ended June 30, 2008, we invested $87.6 million (net of buybacks) in paper, with an aggregate face value of $2.5 billion, or 3.53% of face value. In the six months ended June 30, 2007, we invested $73.8 million (net of buybacks through June 30, 2008) in paper, with an aggregate face amount of $1.9 billion, or 3.94% of face value. Our debt purchasing metrics (dollars invested, face amount, average purchase price, types of paper and sources of paper) may vary significantly from quarter to quarter.

During the second quarter of 2008, our cash collections declined by $0.2 million from the year ago period to $95.2 million. This is our first year over year decline in quarterly cash collections since we went public in 2004. The second quarter 2008 decline in cash collections when compared to the same period of 2007 follows growth in cash collections during the first quarter of 2008 of 4.6% compared to the first quarter 2007 and growth for the full year 2007 of 8.9% when compared to the full year 2006. We believe that the decline in cash collections is primarily a result of two factors. First, a more difficult collection environment attributable to macro-economic factors is leading to reduced collection results on all vintages and types of paper. We expect this more difficult collections environment to continue and are addressing our collection tactics and operations to deal with the current economic environment. Second, we believe our robust purchasing activity since the fourth quarter of 2006 has outpaced our staffing of account representatives to collect on this newly acquired paper which may be leading to reduced collection results particularly on older vintages of paper. We are addressing what we believe to be a capacity constraint on collections by forwarding more accounts to our agency network for collection on our behalf. We increased the volume of accounts being forwarded in the second quarter of 2008 and expect additional cash collections to be generated from this initiative in the second half of 2008. The increased forwarding activities may result in lower productivity of our in-house collections staff, but improve overall collections. Over the long term, we expect to increase our in-house staffing to better align with our inventory of paper.

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was $8.9 million, a decline of 50.9% from $18.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Contributing to our decline in net income was higher amortization of purchased receivables in determining purchased receivable revenues and increased interest expense that we incurred subsequent to the recapitalization transaction completed in July 2007. Cash collections increased by $4.2 million or 2.2% to $195.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $191.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Despite the $4.2 million increase in cash collections, purchased receivable revenues declined by $12.4 million because amortization increased by $16.5 million. Amortization of purchased receivables, the difference between cash collections and purchased receivable revenues, increased to 38.6% of cash collections for the six months ended June 30, 2008 versus 30.8% in the six months ended June 30, 2007. Included in amortization of purchased receivables are net impairments of $5.4 million and $9.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increased purchased receivables amortization rate is primarily a result of the elevating pricing environment that we have experienced over the last several years in addition to placing the first quarter of 2005 aggregate and all healthcare portfolios on the cost recovery method. As prices have risen, our expected collection multiple of purchase price has come down. Macro-economic factors negatively affecting consumers’ financial well-being is also a factor in the lower multiples of purchase price expected to be collected, even as pricing for paper falls. The lower multiple of purchase price expected to be collected generally results in a lower IRR to be assigned for revenue recognition purposes. When lower yields are assigned, a larger proportion of our cash collections are treated as purchased receivable amortization instead of purchase receivable revenues.

 

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Average borrowings on our Amended New Credit Facilities in 2008 were $171.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, but only $43.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increased borrowings are primarily the result of the $150.0 million borrowed to fund the return of capital to shareholders in June and July of 2007. Additionally, we have borrowed to fund our purchase of paper since late 2006. As a result of these two factors, interest expense increased by $5.2 million to $6.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $1.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Total operating expenses were $99.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 a decrease of $3.2 million from $103.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 2007. As a percentage of cash collections, operating expenses were 51.0% and 53.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Salaries and benefits, collections expense and occupancy costs declined compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007, by $0.7 million, $1.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively. Administrative expenses increased by $0.1 million to $5.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $5.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2007. Other operating expenses, including depreciation and amortization, restructuring charges and impairment of intangible assets decreased by $0.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to June 30, 2007. The reduced salaries and benefits costs reflect an increasing portion of our cash collections coming from outside attorneys and agencies. Our collections from third party relationships (attorneys and collection agencies) have increased to 28.9% of total cash collections for the six months ended June 30, 2008 from 24.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Total forwarding fees paid on cash collections from these third party relationships have increased to $16.6 million from $13.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 versus the six months ended June 30, 2007. The remaining expenses included in collections expense declined by $4.5 million during the same period. The $4.5 million decline in the six months ended June 30, 2008 primarily reflected reduced legal collection costs. These savings were realized from a combination of reduced in-house collections, better expense management and our efforts to better match legal cash collections with legal collection expenses. Occupancy expenses declined by $0.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 versus the six months ended June 30, 2007 resulting primarily from the consolidation of two call centers during 2007.

We adopted SFAS No. 157 as of January 1, 2008. According to FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, the application of SFAS 157 to certain non-financial assets and liabilities is deferred to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. Our goodwill and other intangible assets are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for impairment assessment. The deferral of SFAS 157 applies to these items. Adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on our consolidated statements of financial position, income or cash flows. We have chosen not to adopt SFAS No. 159, “Fair Value Option”.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties and that are made in good faith pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, without limitation, statements about future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “plan”, “believe”, “estimate”, “potential” or “continue”, the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including those we discuss in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 in the section titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this report to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations. Factors that could affect our results and cause them to materially differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements include the following:

 

   

our ability to purchase charged-off receivable portfolios on acceptable terms and in sufficient amounts;

 

   

our ability to recover sufficient amounts on our charged-off receivable portfolios;

 

   

our ability to hire and retain qualified personnel;

 

   

a decrease in collections if bankruptcy filings increase or if bankruptcy laws or other debt collection laws change;

 

   

a decrease in collections as a result of negative attention or news regarding the debt collection industry and debtor’s willingness to pay the debt we acquire;

 

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our ability to make reasonable estimates of the timing and amount of future cash receipts and values and assumptions underlying the calculation of the net impairment charges for purposes of recording purchased receivable revenues in accordance with Accounting Standards Executive Committee Statement of Position 03-3 as well as the Accounting Standards Executive Committee Practice Bulletin 6;

 

   

our ability to acquire and to collect on charged-off receivable portfolios in industries in which we have little or no experience;

 

   

our ability to maintain existing, and secure additional financing on acceptable terms;

 

   

the loss of any of our executive officers or other key personnel;

 

   

the costs, uncertainties and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings;

 

   

our ability to effectively manage excess capacity, reduce workforce or close remote call center locations;

 

   

the temporary or permanent loss of our computer or telecommunications systems, as well as our ability to respond to changes in technology and increased competition;

 

   

changes in our overall performance based upon significant macroeconomic conditions;

 

   

changes in interest rates could adversely affect earnings or cash flows;

 

   

our ability to substantiate our application of tax rules against examinations and challenges made by tax authorities; and

 

   

other unanticipated events and conditions that may hinder our ability to compete.

 

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth selected consolidated statement of income data expressed as a percentage of total revenues and as a percentage of cash collections for the periods indicated.

 

     Percent of Total Revenues     Percent of Cash Collections  
     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Revenues

                

Purchased receivable revenues, net

   99.5 %   99.5 %   99.3 %   99.3 %   59.0 %   68.6 %   61.3 %   69.2 %

Gain on sale of purchased receivables

   0.0     0.0     0.1     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.1     0.0  

Other revenues, net

   0.5     0.5     0.6     0.7     0.3     0.4     0.4     0.4  
                                                

Total revenues

   100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     59.3     69.0     61.8     69.6  
                                                

Expenses

                

Salaries and benefits

   36.7     31.8     35.3     32.6     21.8     22.0     21.8     22.7  

Collections expense

   41.0     36.0     37.4     35.1     24.3     24.8     23.1     24.5  

Occupancy

   3.4     3.5     3.2     3.5     2.0     2.4     2.0     2.4  

Administrative

   5.2     5.0     4.7     4.1     3.1     3.4     2.9     2.9  

Restructuring charges

   0.0     0.5     0.0     0.4     0.0     0.4     0.0     0.2  

Depreciation and amortization

   1.7     1.6     1.6     1.6     1.0     1.1     1.0     1.1  

Impairment of intangible assets

   0.0     0.0     0.4     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.2     0.0  

Loss on disposal of equipment

   0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0  
                                                

Total operating expenses

   88.0     78.4     82.6     77.3     52.2     54.1     51.0     53.8  
                                                

Income from operations

   12.0     21.6     17.4     22.7     7.1     14.9     10.8     15.8  

Other income (expense)

                

Interest income

   0.0     0.3     0.0     0.2     0.0     0.2     0.0     0.1  

Interest expense

   (5.7 )   (1.7 )   (5.4 )   (1.1 )   (3.4 )   (1.2 )   (3.4 )   (0.7 )

Other

   0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0  
                                                

Income before income taxes

   6.3     20.2     12.0     21.8     3.7     13.9     7.4     15.2  

Income taxes

   2.5     7.6     4.6     8.2     1.5     5.2     2.8     5.7  
                                                

Net income

   3.8 %   12.6 %   7.4 %   13.6 %   2.2 %   8.7 %   4.6 %   9.5 %
                                                

Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared To Three Months Ended June 30, 2007

Revenue

Total revenues were $56.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $9.4 million, or 14.3%, from total revenues of $65.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Purchased receivable revenues were $56.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $9.3 million, or 14.2%, from the three months ended June 30, 2007 amount of $65.5 million. Purchased receivable revenues reflect an amortization rate, or the difference between cash collections and revenue, of 41.0%, an increase of 9.7%, from the amortization rate of 31.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The increased amortization rate is primarily due to lower average internal rates of return assigned to recent years’ purchases, impairments and the placing of the first quarter of 2005 aggregate and all healthcare portfolios on the cost recovery method. Purchased receivable revenues reflect net impairments recognized during the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 of $5.0 million and $5.1 million, respectively. Cash collections on charged-off consumer receivables decreased 0.3% to $95.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 from $95.4 million for the same period in 2007. Cash collections for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 include collections from fully amortized portfolios of $20.3 million and $21.8 million, respectively, of which 100% were reported as revenue.

During the three months ended June 30, 2008, we acquired charged-off consumer receivable portfolios with an aggregate face value of $1.9 billion at a cost of $65.3 million, or 3.38% of face value, net of buybacks. Included in these purchase totals were 31 portfolios with an aggregate face value of $308.3 million at a cost of $19.7 million, or 6.41% of face value, which were acquired through 12 forward flow contracts. Forward flow contracts commit a debt seller to sell a steady flow of charged-off receivables to us, and commit us to purchase receivables for a fixed percentage of the face value. Revenues on portfolios purchased from our top three sellers during vintage years 1997 through 2008 were $14.8 million and $18.1

 

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million during the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, with the same sellers included in the top three in both three-month periods. During the three months ended June 30, 2007, we acquired charged-off consumer receivable portfolios with an aggregate face value of $1.1 billion at a cost of $37.6 million, or 3.39% of face value (adjusted for buybacks through June 30, 2008). Included in these purchase totals were 19 portfolios with an aggregated face value of $92.5 million at a cost of $5.0 million, or 5.40% of face value (adjusted for buybacks through June 30, 2008), which were acquired through seven forward flow contracts. From period to period we may buy charged-off receivables of varying age, types and cost. As a result, the cost of our purchases, as a percent of face value, may fluctuate from one period to the next.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses were $49.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $2.0 million, or 3.9%, compared to total operating expenses of $51.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Total operating expenses were 52.2% of cash collections for the three months ended June 30, 2008, compared with 54.1% for the same period in 2007. Operating expenses are traditionally measured in relation to revenues. However, we measure operating expenses in relation to cash collections. We believe this is appropriate because of varying amortization rates, which is the difference between cash collections and revenues recognized, from period to period, due to seasonality of collections and other factors that can distort the analysis of operating expenses when measured against revenues. Additionally, we believe that the majority of our operating expenses are variable in relation to cash collections.

Salaries and Benefits. Salaries and benefits expense were $20.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 1.0%, compared to salaries and benefits expense of $21.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Salaries and benefits expense were 21.8% of cash collections for the three months ended June 30, 2008, compared with 22.0% for the same period in 2007. Salaries and benefits expense decreased primarily because an increasing portion of our cash collections came from outside attorneys and agencies for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.

Since going public in 2004, we had granted equity compensation only to certain key associates and non-associate directors. During 2007, we began issuing equity awards to a broader group of management associates and expanded the use of performance conditions relating to some equity grants for senior executives. We recognized $0.1 million of compensation expense and a reversal of $0.1 million for shares not expected to vest in salary and benefit expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, as it related to stock-based compensation awards granted to associates. As of June 30, 2008, there was $3.3 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested awards of which $2.1 million was expected to vest over a weighted average period of 2.90 years. As of June 30, 2007, there were $0.3 million total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested awards, which was expected to vest over a weighted average period of 3.63 years.

Collections Expense. Collections expense was $23.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $0.6 million, or 2.4%, compared to collections expense of $23.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Collections expense was 24.3% of cash collections during the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared with 24.8% for the same period in 2007. The collections expense decreased primarily due to a $2.0 million decline in legal collections costs, excluding legal forwarding fees. These savings were realized from a combination of reduced in-house collections and better expense management. This decrease was partially offset by increased forwarding fees of $1.1 million paid on cash collections from third parties relationships (attorneys and collection agencies) as a result of an increase in our collections from third parties relationships to 29.0% of total cash collections for the three months ended June 30, 2008, from 24.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2007. In addition to these increased forwarding fees, there was a net $0.3 million increase in mailing and other data provider costs.

Occupancy. Occupancy expense was $1.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 16.4%, compared to occupancy expense of $2.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Occupancy expense was 2.0% of cash collections for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared with 2.4% for the same period in 2007. Occupancy expense decreased primarily due to the consolidation of two call centers during 2007.

Administrative. Administrative expenses decreased to $3.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008, from $3.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007, reflecting a $0.3 million, or 10.1%, decrease. Administrative expenses were 3.1% of cash collections during the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared with 3.4% for the same period in 2007. Administrative expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 include $0.5 million in share-based compensation expense relating to an amendment to our Stock Incentive Plan to add an anti-dilution provision.

 

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Restructuring Charges. There were no restructuring charges for the three months ended June 30, 2008. Pre-tax restructuring charges were $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007 as a result of our plans to close our White Marsh, Maryland and Wixom, Michigan offices during 2007. Charges were primarily related to associate one-time termination benefits and changes to the service life of certain long-lived assets.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense was $0.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $0.2 million or 14.6% compared to depreciation and amortization expense of $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Depreciation and amortization expense was 1.0% of cash collections during the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared with 1.1% for the same period in 2007.

Interest Income. Interest income was $6,778 for the three months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $199,619 compared to $206,397 for the three months ended June 30, 2007.

Interest Expense. Interest expense was $3.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008, an increase of $2.2 million compared to interest expense of $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Interest expense was 3.4% of cash collections during the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared with 1.2% for the same period in 2007. The increase in interest expense was due to increased average borrowings during the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Average borrowings during the quarter ended June 30, 2008 reflect the new $150.0 million Term Loan Facility that was funded on June 12, 2007 to finance our stock repurchases and special one-time cash dividend.

Income Taxes. Income tax expense of $1.4 million reflects a federal tax rate of 35.5% and a state tax rate of 4.8% (net of federal tax benefit) for the three months ended June 30, 2008. For the three months ended June 30, 2007, income tax expense was $5.0 million and reflected a federal tax rate of 35.2% and state tax rate of 2.5% (net of federal tax benefit). The 2.3% increase in the state rate was due to changing apportionment percentages among the various states. Income tax expense decreased $3.6 million, or 71.3% from income tax expense of $5.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease in tax expense was due to a decrease in pre-tax financial statement income, which was $3.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008, compared to $13.3 million for the same period in 2007.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared To Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

Revenue

Total revenues were $120.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $12.3 million, or 9.3%, from total revenues of $133.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Purchased receivable revenues were $119.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $12.4 million, or 9.3%, from the six months ended June 30, 2007 amount of $132.3 million. Purchased receivable revenues reflect an amortization rate, or the difference between cash collections and revenue, of 38.6%, an increase of 7.8%, from the amortization rate of 30.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increased amortization rate is primarily due to lower average internal rates of return assigned to recent years’ purchases as well as placing the first quarter of 2005 aggregate and all healthcare portfolios on the cost recovery method. Purchased receivable revenues reflect net impairments recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 of $5.4 million and $9.6 million, respectively. Cash collections on charged-off consumer receivables increased 2.2% to $195.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 from $191.3 million for the same period in 2007. Cash collections for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 include collections from fully amortized portfolios of $42.5 million and $40.3 million, respectively, of which 100% were reported as revenue.

During the six months ended June 30, 2008, we acquired charged-off consumer receivable portfolios with an aggregate face value of $2.5 billion at a cost of $87.6 million, or 3.53% of face value, net of buybacks. Included in these purchase totals were 66 portfolios with an aggregate face value of $514.8 million at a cost of $30.8 million, or 5.98% of face value, which were acquired through 12 forward flow contracts. Revenues on portfolios purchased from our top three sellers during vintage years 1997 through 2008 were $32.6 million and $36.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2008, and 2007, respectively, with the same sellers included in the top three in both six-month periods. During the six months ended June 30, 2007, we acquired charged-off consumer receivable portfolios with an aggregate face value of $1.9 billion at a cost of $73.8 million, or 3.94% of face value (adjusted for buybacks through June 30, 2008). Included in these purchase totals

 

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were 34 portfolios with an aggregated face value of $148.1 million at a cost of $7.7 million, or 5.18% of face value (adjusted for buybacks through June 30, 2008), which were acquired through eight forward flow contracts. From period to period we may buy charged-off receivables of varying age, types and cost. As a result, the cost of our purchases, as a percent of face value, may fluctuate from one period to the next.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses were $99.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $3.2 million, or 3.1%, compared to total operating expenses of $103.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Total operating expenses were 51.0% of cash collections for the six months ended June 30, 2008, compared with 53.8% for the same period in 2007. The decrease as a percent of cash collections was due to decreases in collections expense, salaries and benefits and occupancy, and was partially offset by an increase in administrative expense. Operating expenses are traditionally measured in relation to revenues. However, we measure operating expenses in relation to cash collections. We believe this is appropriate because of varying amortization rates, which is the difference between cash collections and revenues recognized, from period to period, due to seasonality of collections and other factors that can distort the analysis of operating expenses when measured against revenues. Additionally, we believe that the majority of our operating expenses are variable in relation to cash collections.

Salaries and Benefits. Salaries and benefits expense were $42.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $0.7 million, or 1.7%, compared to salaries and benefits expense of $43.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Salaries and benefits expense were 21.8% of cash collections for the six months ended June 30, 2008, compared with 22.7% for the same period in 2007. Salaries and benefits expense decreased primarily because an increasing portion of our cash collections came from outside attorneys and agencies for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in equity compensation expense.

Since going public in 2004, we had granted equity compensation only to certain key associates and non-associate directors. During 2007, we began issuing equity awards to a broader group of management associates and expanded the use of performance conditions relating to some equity grants for senior executives. We recognized $0.3 million and a reversal of $0.1 million for shares not expected to vest in salary and benefit expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, as it related to stock-based compensation awards granted to associates. As of June 30, 2008, there was $3.3 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested awards of which $2.1 million was expected to vest over a weighted average period of 2.90 years. As of June 30, 2007, there was $0.3 million total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested awards, which was expected to vest over a weighted average period of 3.63 years.

Collections Expense. Collections expense was $45.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $1.6 million, or 3.3%, compared to collections expense of $46.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Collections expense was 23.1% of cash collections during the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared with 24.5% for the same period in 2007. The collections expense decreased primarily due to a $4.5 million decline in legal collections costs, excluding legal forwarding fees, and other data provider costs. These savings were realized from a combination of reduced in-house collections, better expense management and our efforts to better match legal cash collections with legal collection expenses. This decrease was partially offset by increased forwarding fees of $2.9 million paid on cash collections from third parties relationships (attorneys and collection agencies) as a result of an increase in our collections from third parties relationships to 28.9% of total cash collections for the six months ended June 30, 2008, from 24.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Occupancy. Occupancy expense was $3.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $0.7 million, or 17.0%, compared to occupancy expense of $4.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Occupancy expense was 2.0% of cash collections for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared with 2.4% for the same period in 2007. Occupancy expense decreased primarily due to the consolidation of two call centers during 2007.

Administrative. Administrative expenses increased to $5.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, from $5.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, reflecting a $0.1 million, or 2.3%, increase. Administrative expenses were 2.9% of cash collections during the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Restructuring Charges. There were no restructuring charges for the six months ended June 30, 2008. Pre-tax restructuring charges were $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 as a result of our plans to close our White Marsh, Maryland and Wixom, Michigan offices during 2007. Charges were primarily related to associate one-time termination benefits and changes to the service life of certain long-lived assets.

 

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Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense was $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $0.3 million or 10.1% compared to depreciation and amortization expense of $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Depreciation and amortization expense was 1.0% of cash collections during the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared with 1.1% for the same period in 2007.

Impairment of Intangible Assets. Impairment of intangible assets was $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as we decided to discontinue the medical contingent collection business. As a result, we recognized an impairment charge of the net carrying balance of intangible assets for customer contracts and relationships associated with the contingent collection business.

Interest Income. Interest income was $30,029 for the six months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $192,095 compared to $222,124 for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Interest Expense. Interest expense was $6.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, an increase of $5.2 million compared to interest expense of $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Interest expense was 3.4% of cash collections during the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared with 0.7% for the same period in 2007. The increase in interest expense was due to increased average borrowings during the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Average borrowings during the quarter ended June 30, 2008 reflect the new $150.0 million Term Loan Facility that was funded on June 12, 2007 to finance our recapitalization and special one-time cash dividend. Interest expense also includes the amortization of capitalized bank fees of $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Income Taxes. Income tax expense of $5.6 million reflects a federal tax rate of 35.3% and a state tax rate of 3.3% (net of federal tax benefit) for the six months ended June 30, 2008. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, income tax expense was $10.9 million and reflected a federal tax rate of 35.2% and state tax rate of 2.4% (net of federal tax benefit including utilitization of state net operating losses). Income tax expense decreased $5.3 million, or 48.6% from income tax expense of $10.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease in tax expense was due to a decrease in pre-tax financial statement income, which was $14.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, compared to $29.0 million for the same period in 2007.

 

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Table of Contents

Supplemental Performance Data

Portfolio Performance

The following table summarizes our historical portfolio purchase price and cash collections on an annual vintage basis from January 1, 2002 through June 30, 2008.

 

Purchase Period

   Number of
Portfolios
   Purchase
Price (1)
   Cash Collections    Estimated
Remaining
Collections (2,3,4)
   Total
Estimated
Collections
   Total Estimated
Collections as a

Percentage of
Purchase Price
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

2002

   94    $ 72,255    $ 341,958    $ 6,197    $ 348,155    482 %

2003

   76      87,152      385,091      56,654      441,745    507  

2004

   106      86,549      221,000      72,798      293,798    339  

2005

   104      100,768      155,245      75,463      230,708    229  

2006 (4)

   154      142,267      180,510      227,976      408,486    287  

2007

   158      169,805      87,932      282,504      370,436    218  

2008 (5)

   99      87,610      8,551      196,877      205,428    234  
                                   

Total

   791    $ 746,406    $ 1,380,287    $ 918,469    $ 2,298,756    308 %
                                   

 

(1) Purchase price refers to the cash paid to a seller to acquire a portfolio less the purchase price refunded by a seller due to the return of non-compliant accounts (also referred to as buybacks) less the purchase price for accounts that were sold at the time of purchase to another debt purchaser.
(2) Estimated remaining collections are based on historical cash collections. Please refer to Forward-Looking Statements on page 19 and Critical Accounting Policies on page 34 for further information regarding these estimates.
(3) Estimated remaining collections refers to the sum of all future projected cash collections on our owned portfolios using up to an 84 month collection forecast from the date of purchase.
(4) Includes 62 portfolios from the acquisition of PARC on April 28, 2006 that were allocated a purchase price value of $8.3 million.
(5) Includes only six months of activity through June 30, 2008.

The following tables summarize the remaining unamortized balances of our purchased receivable portfolios by year of purchase as of June 30, 2008.

 

Purchase Period

   Unamortized
Balance as of
June 30, 2008
   Purchase
Price (1)
   Unamortized
Balance as a
Percentage of
Purchase Price
    Unamortized
Balance as a
Percentage of
Total
 
     (dollars in thousands)        

2002

   $ 623    $ 72,255    0.9 %   0.2 %

2003

     7,945      87,152    9.1     2.2  

2004

     26,392      86,549    30.5     7.4  

2005

     38,123      100,768    37.8     10.7  

2006 (2)

     76,876      142,267    54.0     21.6  

2007

     123,064      169,805    72.5     34.6  

2008 (3)

     82,625      87,610    94.3     23.3  
                      

Total

   $ 355,648    $ 746,406    47.6 %   100.0 %
                      

 

(1) Purchase price refers to the cash paid to a seller to acquire a portfolio less the purchase price for accounts that were sold at the time of purchase to another debt purchaser.
(2) Includes $8.3 million of portfolios acquired from the acquisition of PARC on April 28, 2006.
(3) Includes only six months of activity through June 30, 2008.

 

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The following table summarizes the purchased receivable revenues and amortization rates by year of purchase for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

     Three months ended June 30, 2008

Year of Purchase

   Collections    Revenue    Amortization
Rate
    Monthly
Yield (1)
    Net
Impairments
    Zero Basis
Collections

2002 and prior

   $ 12,784,399    $ 12,101,312    N/M %   N/M %   $ —       $ 11,609,421

2003

     10,546,373      9,274,480    12.1     34.90       (537,150 )     5,902,566

2004

     8,920,506      6,239,920    30.0     7.47       637,317       819,045

2005

     10,082,486      2,547,583    74.7     2.02       2,513,000       7,892

2006

     21,342,389      11,672,311    45.3     4.72       2,356,000       1,898,018

2007

     24,315,224      11,120,941    54.3     2.80       —         35,260

2008

     7,201,366      3,252,132    54.8     2.64       —         27,779
                                

Totals

   $ 95,192,743    $ 56,208,679    41.0     5.58     $ 4,969,167     $ 20,299,981
                                
     Three months ended June 30, 2007

Year of Purchase

   Collections    Revenue    Amortization
Rate
    Monthly
Yield (1)
    Net
Impairments
    Zero Basis
Collections

2001 and prior

   $ 10,350,761    $ 10,448,031    N/M %   N/M %   $ —       $ 10,349,860

2002

     10,415,239      7,617,746    26.9     38.27       (7,700 )     5,302,384

2003

     15,650,934      10,123,237    35.3     15.36       861,000       3,360,172

2004

     12,820,784      7,470,809    41.7     5.79       2,544,800       851,464

2005

     13,733,997      8,952,035    34.8     4.17       1,745,000       19,692

2006

     26,210,165      17,622,050    32.8     5.00       —         1,962,401

2007

     6,250,141      3,280,990    47.5     2.38       —         —  
                                

Totals

   $ 95,432,021    $ 65,514,898    31.3     7.13     $ 5,143,100     $ 21,845,973
                                
     Six months ended June 30, 2008

Year of Purchase

   Collections    Revenue    Amortization
Rate
    Monthly
Yield (1)
    Net
Impairments
    Zero Basis
Collections

2002 and prior

   $ 27,359,596    $ 26,288,995    N/M %   N/M %   $ (550,000 )   $ 24,688,531

2003

     22,443,394      19,419,777    13.5     33.26       (1,018,200 )     12,099,253

2004

     18,514,737      12,819,248    30.8     7.28       1,687,664       1,794,244

2005

     20,694,464      8,307,417    59.9     3.04       2,605,986       44,299

2006

     46,230,295      27,206,224    41.2     5.17       2,448,000       3,856,965

2007

     51,663,171      22,322,914    56.8     2.64       180,000       35,260

2008

     8,551,367      3,566,792    58.3     2.58       —         27,779
                                

Totals

   $ 195,457,024    $ 119,931,367    38.6     5.92     $ 5,353,450     $ 42,546,331
                                
     Six months ended June 30, 2007

Year of Purchase

   Collections    Revenue    Amortization
Rate
    Monthly
Yield (1)
    Net
Impairments
    Zero Basis
Collections

2001 and prior

   $ 20,681,711    $ 20,692,285    N/M %   N/M %   $ —       $ 20,515,823

2002

     22,432,000      15,560,961    30.6     30.8       209,100       9,856,188

2003

     32,430,994      21,772,454    32.9     14.66       1,624,300       6,036,566

2004

     26,855,142      16,650,174    38.0     6.07       4,475,800       1,619,898

2005

     28,474,658      19,388,065    31.9     4.38       2,679,000       30,229

2006

     52,723,217      34,002,699    35.5     4.61       628,000       2,243,741

2007

     7,687,649      4,230,294    45.0     2.36       —         —  
                                

Totals

   $ 191,285,371    $ 132,296,932    30.8     7.21     $ 9,616,200     $ 40,302,445
                                

 

(1) The monthly yield is the weighted-average yield determined by dividing purchased receivable revenues recognized in the period by the average of the beginning monthly carrying values of the purchased receivables for the period presented.

 

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Account Representative Productivity

We measure traditional call center account representative tenure by two major categories, those with less than one year of experience and those with one or more years of experience. The following table displays our results.

Account Representatives by Experience

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
   Six months ended
June 30,
   Year ended
December 31,
     2008    2007 (3)    2008    2007 (3)    2007 (3)    2006 (4)

Number of account representatives:

                 

One year or more (1)

   496    584    495    604    558    573

Less than one year (2)

   443    346    425    322    356    399
                             

Total account representatives

   939    930    920    926    914    972
                             

 

(1) Based on number of average traditional call center Full Time Equivalent (“FTE”) account representatives and supervisors with one or more years of service.
(2) Based on number of average traditional call center FTE account representatives and supervisors with less than one year of service, including new associates in training.
(3) Certain account representatives have been reclassified to make the 2007 disclosures comparable to the 2008 disclosures.
(4) Excludes PARC’s FTE account representatives for periods prior to January 1, 2007.

The following table displays our account representative productivity.

Collection Averages by Experience (1)

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
   Six months ended
June 30,
   Year ended
December 31,
     2008    2007 (2)    2008    2007 (2)    2007 (2)    2006 (3)

Collection averages:

                 

Overall average

   45,538    49,458    99,270    103,384    193,000    164,932

 

(1) Overall collection averages are not available by account representatives.
(2) The overall collection average has been reclassified to make the 2007 disclosure comparable to the 2008 disclosure.
(3) Excludes PARC’s FTE account representatives for periods prior to January 1, 2007.

 

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Table of Contents

Cash Collections

The following tables provide further detailed vintage collection analysis on an annual and a cumulative basis.

Historical Collections (1)

 

Purchase

Period

  Purchase   Year Ended December 31,    

Six
Months
Ended

June 30,

 
  Price (3)   1998     1999     2000     2001     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     2007     2008  
    (dollars in thousands)  
Pre-1998     $ 10,603     $ 10,066     $ 8,734     $ 6,170     $ 4,544     $ 3,390     $ 2,808     $ 2,612     $ 2,008     $ 1,586     $ 729  
1998   $ 16,411     4,835       15,220       15,045       12,962       11,021       7,987       5,583       4,653       3,352       2,619       1,114  
1999     12,924     —         3,761       11,331       10,862       9,750       8,278       6,675       5,022       3,935       2,949       1,108  
2000     20,592     —         —         8,896       23,444       22,559       20,318       17,196       14,062       10,603       7,410       2,937  
2001     43,030     —         —         —         17,630       50,327       50,967       45,713       39,865       30,472       21,714       7,553  
2002     72,255     —         —         —         —         22,339       70,813       72,024       67,649       55,373       39,839       13,920  
2003     87,152     —         —         —         —         —         36,067       94,564       94,234       79,423       58,359       22,443  
2004     86,549     —         —         —         —         —         —         23,365       68,354       62,673       48,093       18,515  
2005     100,768     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         23,459       60,280       50,811       20,694  
2006 (2)     142,267     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         32,751       101,529       46,230  
2007     169,805     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         36,269       51,663  
2008     87,610     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         8,551  
                                                                                         
Total     $ 15,438     $ 29,047     $ 44,006     $ 71,068     $ 120,540     $ 197,820     $ 267,928     $ 319,910     $ 340,870     $ 371,178     $ 195,457  
                                                                                         
Cumulative Collections (1)  

Purchase

Period

  Purchase   Total Through December 31,     Total
Through
June 30,
 
  Price (3)   1998     1999     2000     2001     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     2007     2008  
    (dollars in thousands)  
1998   $ 16,411   $ 4,835     $ 20,055     $ 35,100     $ 48,062     $ 59,083     $ 67,070     $ 72,653     $ 77,306     $ 80,658     $ 83,277     $ 84,391  
1999     12,924     —         3,761       15,092       25,954       35,704       43,982       50,657       55,679       59,614       62,563       63,671  
2000     20,592     —         —         8,896       32,340       54,899       75,217       92,413       106,475       117,078       124,488       127,425  
2001     43,030     —         —         —         17,630       67,957       118,924       164,637       204,502       234,974       256,688       264,241  
2002     72,255     —         —         —         —         22,339       93,152       165,176       232,825       288,198       328,037       341,957  
2003     87,152     —         —         —         —         —         36,067       130,631       224,865       304,288       362,647       385,090  
2004     86,549     —         —         —         —         —         —         23,365       91,719       154,392       202,485       221,000  
2005     100,768     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         23,459       83,739       134,550       155,244  
2006 (2)     142,267     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         32,751       134,280       180,510  
2007     169,805     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         36,269       87,932  
2008     87,610     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         8,551  
Cumulative Collections as Percentage of Purchase Price (1)  

Purchase

Period

  Purchase   Total Through December 31,     Total
Through
June 30,
 
  Price (3)   1998     1999     2000     2001     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     2007     2008  
1998   $ 16,411     29 %     122 %     214 %     293 %     360 %     409 %     443 %     471 %     491 %     507 %     514 %
1999     12,924     —         29       117       201       276       340       392       431       461       484       493  
2000     20,592     —         —         43       157       267       365       449       517       569       605       619  
2001     43,030     —         —         —         41       158       276       383       475       546       597       614  
2002     72,255     —         —         —         —         31       129       229       322       399       454       473  
2003     87,152     —         —         —         —         —         41       150       258       349       416       442  
2004     86,549     —         —         —         —         —         —         27       106       178       234       255  
2005     100,768     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         23       83       134       154  
2006 (2)     142,267     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         23       94       127  
2007     169,805     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         21       52  
2008     87,610     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         10  

 

(1) Does not include proceeds from sales of any receivables.
(2) Includes $8.3 million of portfolios acquired from the acquisition of PARC on April 28, 2006.
(3) Purchase price refers to the cash paid to a seller to acquire a portfolio less the purchase price refunded by a seller due to the return of non-compliant accounts (also referred to as buybacks) less the purchase price for accounts that were sold at the time of purchase to another debt purchaser.

 

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Seasonality

The success of our business depends on our ability to collect on our purchased portfolios of charged-off consumer receivables. Collections within portfolios tend to be seasonally higher in the first and second quarters of the year due to consumers’ receipt of tax refunds and other factors. Conversely, collections within portfolios tend to be lower in the third and fourth quarters of the year due to consumers’ spending in connection with summer vacations, the holiday season and other factors. However, revenue recognized is relatively level, excluding the impact of impairments, due to the application of the provisions prescribed by SOP 03-3. In addition, our operating results may be affected to a lesser extent by the timing of purchases of charged-off consumer receivables due to the initial costs associated with purchasing and integrating these receivables into our system. Consequently, income and margins may fluctuate from quarter to quarter.

Below is a table that illustrates our quarterly cash collections from January 1, 2004 through June 30, 2008:

Cash Collections

 

Quarter

   2008    2007    2006    2005    2004

First

   $ 100,264,281    $ 95,853,350    $ 89,389,858    $ 80,397,640    $ 65,196,055

Second

     95,192,743      95,432,021      89,609,982      84,862,856      67,566,031

Third

     —        90,748,442      80,914,791      78,159,364      66,825,822

Fourth

     —        89,144,650      80,955,115      76,490,350      68,339,797
                                  

Total cash collections

   $ 195,457,024    $ 371,178,463    $ 340,869,746    $ 319,910,210    $ 267,927,705
                                  

Below is a table that illustrates the cash collections percentages by source of our total cash collections:

 

     For the three months ended
June 30,
    For the six months ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007 (1)     2008     2007 (1)  
     $    %     $    %     $    %     $    %  

Traditional collections

   $ 42,231,400    44.4 %   $ 44,980,987    47.1 %   $ 89,760,339    45.9 %   $ 93,305,046    48.8 %

Legal collections

     39,873,484    41.9       37,845,196    39.7       78,051,011    39.9       73,720,743    38.5  

Other collections

     13,087,859    13.7       12,605,838    13.2       27,645,674    14.2       24,259,583    12.7  
                                                    

Total cash collections

   $ 95,192,743    100.0 %   $ 95,432,021    100.0 %   $ 195,457,024    100.0 %   $ 191,285,372    100.0 %
                                                    

 

(1) Certain cash collections have been reclassified to make the 2007 disclosures comparable to the 2008 disclosures.

The following chart categorizes our purchased receivable portfolios acquired during January 1, 1998 through June 30, 2008 and into major asset types, as of June 30, 2008:

 

Asset Type

   Face Value of
Charged-off
Receivables (2)
   %     No. of
Accounts
   %  
     (in thousands)                  

Visa®/MasterCard®/Discover®

   $ 16,875,012    49.0 %   7,670    24.9 %

Private Label Credit Cards

     4,682,210    13.6     6,546    21.2  

Telecommunications/Utility/Gas

     2,945,351    8.5     7,699    25.0  

Health Club

     1,821,334    5.3     1,732    5.6  

Auto Deficiency

     1,355,983    3.9     241    0.8  

Installment Loans

     1,231,514    3.6     356    1.1  

Wireless Telecommunications

     719,181    2.1     1,727    5.6  

Other (1)

     4,842,343    14.0     4,864    15.8  
                        

Total

   $ 34,472,928    100.0 %   30,835    100.0 %
                        

 

(1) “Other” includes charged-off receivables of several debt types, including student loan, mobile home deficiency and retail mail order. This excludes the purchase of a single portfolio in June 2002 with a face value of $1.2 billion at a cost of $1.2 million (or 0.1% of face value) and consisting of approximately 3.8 million accounts.
(2) Face value of charged-off receivables represents the cumulative amount of purchases net of buybacks. The amount is not adjusted for payments received, settlements or additional accrued interest on any accounts in such portfolios after the date we purchased the applicable portfolio.

 

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The age of a charged-off consumer receivables portfolio, or the time since an account has been charged-off, is an important factor in determining the price at which we will offer to purchase a receivables portfolio. Generally, there is an inverse relationship between the age of a portfolio and the price at which we will purchase the portfolio. This relationship is due to the fact that older receivables are typically more difficult to collect. The accounts receivable management industry places receivables into the following categories depending on the number of collection agencies that have previously attempted to collect on the receivables and the age of the receivables:

 

   

Fresh accounts are typically 120 to 270 days past due, have been charged-off by the credit originator and are either being sold prior to any post charged-off collection activity or are placed with a third party collector for the first time. These accounts typically sell for the highest purchase price.

 

   

Primary accounts are typically 270 to 360 days past due, have been previously placed with one-third party collector and typically receive a lower purchase price.

 

   

Secondary and tertiary accounts are typically more than 360 days past due, have been placed with two or three third party collectors and receive even lower purchase prices.

We specialize in the primary, secondary and tertiary markets, but we will purchase accounts at any point in the delinquency cycle. We deploy our capital within these markets based upon the relative values of the available debt portfolios.

The following chart categorizes our purchased receivable portfolios acquired during January 1, 1998 through June 30, 2008 into major account types as of June 30, 2008:

 

Account Type

   Face Value of
Charged-off
Receivables (2)
   %     No. of
Accounts
   %  
     (in thousands)                  

Fresh

   $ 2,214,685    6.4 %   1,227    4.0 %

Primary

     4,930,002    14.3     4,819    15.6  

Secondary

     7,072,437    20.5     6,812    22.1  

Tertiary (1)

     15,854,038    46.0     14,847    48.1  

Other

     4,401,766    12.8     3,130    10.2  
                        

Total

   $ 34,472,928    100.0 %   30,835    100.0 %
                        

 

(1) Excluding the purchase of a single portfolio in June 2002 with a face value of $1.2 billion at a cost of $1.2 million (or 0.1% of face value), and consisting of approximately 3.8 million accounts.
(2) Face value of charged-off receivables represents the cumulative amount of purchases net of buybacks. The amount is not adjusted for payments received, settlements or additional accrued interest on any accounts in such portfolios after the date we purchased the applicable portfolio.

We also review the geographic distribution of accounts within a portfolio because collection laws differ from state to state. The following chart illustrates our purchased receivable portfolios acquired during January 1, 1998 through June 30, 2008 based on geographic location of debtor, as of June 30, 2008:

 

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Geographic Location

   Face Value of
Charged-off
Receivables (3)(4)
   %     No. of
Accounts
   %  
   (in thousands)                  

Texas (1)

   $ 5,043,365    14.6 %   4,832    15.7 %

California

     3,916,618    11.4     3,589    11.6  

Florida (1)

     3,453,793    10.0     2,244    7.3  

Michigan (1)

     2,067,411    6.0     2,576    8.4  

New York

     2,002,406    5.8     1,319    4.3  

Ohio (1)

     1,836,782    5.3     2,369    7.7  

Illinois (1)

     1,441,235    4.2     1,717    5.6  

Pennsylvania

     1,236,985    3.6     966    3.1  

New Jersey (1)

     1,079,852    3.1     879    2.8  

North Carolina

     1,015,128    2.9     706    2.3  

Georgia

     951,887    2.8     805    2.6  

Other (2)

     10,427,466    30.3     8,833    28.6  
                        

Total

   $ 34,472,928    100.0 %   30,835    100.0 %
                        

 

(1) Collection site(s) located in this state.
(2) Each state included in “Other” represents under 2.0% individually of the face value of total charged-off consumer receivables.
(3) Face value of charged-off receivables represents the cumulative amount of purchases net of buybacks. The amount is not adjusted for payments received, settlements or additional accrued interest on any accounts in such portfolios after the date we purchased the applicable portfolio.
(4) Excluding the purchase of a single portfolio in June 2002 with a face value of $1.2 billion at a cost of $1.2 million (or 0.1% of face value) and consisting of approximately 3.8 million accounts.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Historically, our primary sources of cash have been from operations and bank borrowings. We have traditionally used cash for acquisitions of purchased receivables, repayment of bank borrowings, purchasing property and equipment and working capital to support growth. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, we had repayments of $58.8 million to reduce our outstanding Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility balances while having $57.0 million in borrowings against our Revolving Credit Facility. In addition, we entered into a new agreement with a third party collecting on our behalf. Under this agreement, we will receive a total cash advance of $7.0 million through November 2009. We received $2.5 million in the first half of 2008, and incurred approximately $2.4 million in court cost expenses, which were offset with a portion of the cash advance. A liability equal to the unused cash advance is included in accrued liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial position. The agreement contains performance conditions for both parties and we may be required to refund a portion of the cash advance in certain situations.

Borrowings

We maintain a credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders named therein, that originated on June 5, 2007 and was amended on March 10, 2008. Under the terms of the Amended New Credit Agreement, we have a five-year $100 million Revolving Credit Facility and a six-year $150 million Term Loan Facility. The Amended New Credit Facilities bear interest at prime or up to 125 basis points over prime depending upon our liquidity, as defined in the Amended New Credit Agreement. Alternately, at our discretion, we may borrow by entering into one, two, three, six or twelve-month LIBOR contracts at rates between 150 to 250 basis points over the respective LIBOR rates, depending on our liquidity. Our Revolving Credit Facility includes an accordion loan feature that allows us to request a $25.0 million increase as well as sublimits for $10.0 million of letters of credit and for $10.0 million of swingline loans. The Amended New Credit Agreement is secured by a first priority lien on all of our assets. The Amended New Credit Agreement also contains certain covenants and restrictions that we must comply with, which as of June 30, 2008 were:

 

   

Leverage Ratio (as defined) cannot exceed (i) 1.25 to 1.0 at any time on or before June 29, 2009, (ii) 1.125 to 1.0 at any time on or after June 30, 2009 and on or before December 30, 2010 or (iii) 1.0 to 1.0 at any time thereafter;

 

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Ratio of Consolidated Total Liabilities to Consolidated Tangible Net Worth cannot exceed (i) 3.0 to 1.0 at any time on or before September 29, 2008, (ii) 2.75 to 1.0 at any time on or after September 30, 2008 and on or before December 30, 2008, (iii) 2.5 to 1.0 at any time on or after December 31, 2008 and on or before December 30, 2009, (iv) 2.25 to 1.0 at any time on or after December 31, 2009 and on or before December 30, 2010, (v) 2.0 to 1.0 at any time on or after December 31, 2010 and on or before December 30, 2011 or (vi) 1.5 to 1.0 to any time thereafter; and

 

   

Consolidated Tangible Net Worth must equal or exceed $80.0 million plus 50% of positive consolidated net income for three consecutive fiscal quarters ending December 31, 2007 and for each fiscal year ending thereafter, such amount to be added as of December 31, 2007 and as of the end of each such fiscal year thereafter.

The Amended New Credit Agreement contains a provision that requires us to repay Excess Cash Flow, as defined, to reduce the indebtedness outstanding under our Amended New Credit Agreement. The annual repayment of our Excess Cash Flow is effective with the issuance of our audited consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2008. The repayment provisions are:

 

   

50% of the Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year if the Leverage Ratio was greater than 1.0 to 1.0 as of the end of such fiscal year;

 

   

25% of the Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year if the Leverage Ratio was less than or equal to 1.0 to 1.0 but greater than 0.875 to 1.0 as of the end of such fiscal year; or

 

   

0% if the Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 0.875 to 1.0 as of the end of such fiscal year.

Commitment fees on the unused portion of the New Revolving Credit Facility are paid quarterly, in arrears, and are calculated as an amount equal to a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, depending on our liquidity, on the average amount available on the New Revolving Credit Facility.

The Amended New Credit Agreement requires us to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates on a notional amount of at least 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan.

We had $189.5 million principal balance outstanding on our Amended New Credit Facilities at June 30, 2008. We have an interest rate swap agreement that hedges a portion of the interest rate expense on the Term Loan Facility. We believe we are in compliance with all terms of the Amended New Credit Agreement as of June 30, 2008.

Cash Flows

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, we invested $85.0 million in purchased receivables, net of buybacks, funded by a combination of internal cash flow and the Revolving Credit Facility. Our cash balance decreased from $10.5 million at December 31, 2007 to $9.2 million as of June 30, 2008.

Our operating activities provided cash of $20.2 million and $32.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was generated primarily from net income earned through cash collections as adjusted for the timing of payments in income taxes payable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of June 30, 2008 and 2007 compared to December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Investing activities used cash of $19.1 million and $24.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Cash used by investing activities was primarily due to acquisitions of purchased receivables, net of cash collections applied to principal.

Financing activities used cash of $2.4 million and provided cash of $66.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Cash used by financing activities for the six months ended June of 2008 was primarily due to repayments on our Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility of $58.8 million net of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility of $57.0 million. In addition, cash used by financing activities for the six months ended June of 2008 was due to payment of credit facility charges of $0.7 million associated with the amendment of the New Credit Agreement. Cash provided by financing activities for the first six months of 2007 was primarily due to borrowings of

 

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$199.0 million under our New Credit Facilities and former credit agreement to fund the recapitalization transactions ($150.0 million) and investments in purchased receivables ($49.0 million). Cash used in financing activities include repayments of $54.0 million on our former credit agreement and capital lease obligations as well as payments of $75.0 million for our repurchase of 4,000,000 shares in accordance with the Recapitalization Plan. Also, the Company exercised its right to buy its shares from former employees for $15.00 per share, or $0.7 million.

We believe that cash generated from operations combined with borrowing available under our Amended New Credit Facilities, will be sufficient to fund our operations for the next twelve months, although no assurance can be given in this regard. In the future, if we need additional capital for investment in purchased receivables, working capital or to grow our business or acquire other businesses, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or we may seek to increase the availability under our Revolving Credit Facility.

Future Contractual Cash Obligations

The following table summarizes our future contractual cash obligations as of June 30, 2008:

 

     Year Ending December 31,     
     2008(3)    2009    2010    2011    2012    Thereafter

Capital lease obligations

   $ 4,475    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —  

Operating lease obligations

     2,921,961      5,287,062      4,081,043      3,824,311      3,511,471      10,852,626

Purchase commitment (1)

     1,604,960      —        —        —        —        —  

Purchased receivables (2)

     23,786,535      4,321,300      —        —        —        —  

Revolving credit (3)

     —        —        —        —        41,000,000      —  

Term loan (4)

     750,000      1,500,000      1,500,000      1,500,000      1,500,000      141,750,000

Contractual interest on derivative instruments

     2,869,771      4,696,927      3,444,413      2,198,781      946,267      —  
                                         

Total

   $ 31,937,702    $ 15,805,289    $ 9,025,456    $ 7,523,092    $ 46,957,738    $ 152,602,626
                                         

 

(1) In 2007, we signed an agreement with a software provider and initiated a project to install a new collection platform. We have a contractual commitment to purchase $1.6 million in additional software for the remainder of 2008. In addition, we expect to spend approximately $3.3 million over the next two years to fully implement this software. Costs will be capitalized in accordance with the guidance in SOP 98-1 “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use”. This project is funded with cash from operations and borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility.
(2) We have ten forward flow contracts that have terms beyond June 30, 2008 with the last contract expiring in April 2009. In addition to the ten forward flow contracts, we have two on-going forward flow contracts that have estimated monthly purchases of approximately $11,600.
(3) To the extent that a balance is outstanding on our Revolving Credit Facility, it would be due in June 2012 or earlier as defined in the Amended New Credit Agreement. Interest on our Revolving Credit Facility is variable and is not included within the amount outstanding as of June 30, 2008.
(4) To the extent that a balance is outstanding on our Term Loan Facility, it would be due in June 2013. The variable interest is not included within the amount outstanding as of June 30, 2008.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We currently do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies

We utilize the interest method of accounting for our purchased receivables because we believe that the amounts and timing of cash collections for our purchased receivables can be reasonably estimated. This belief is predicated on our historical results and our knowledge of the industry. The interest method is prescribed by the Accounting Standards Executive Committee Statement of Position 03-3, “Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer” (“SOP 03-3”).

We adopted the provisions of SOP 03-3 in January 2005 and apply SOP 03-3 to purchased receivables acquired after December 31, 2004. The provisions of SOP 03-3 that relate to decreases in expected cash flows amend previously followed guidance, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee Practice Bulletin 6, “Amortization of Discounts on Certain

 

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Acquired Loans”, for consistent treatment and apply prospectively to purchased receivables acquired before January 1, 2005. We purchase pools of homogenous accounts receivable and record each pool at its acquisition cost. Pools purchased after 2004 may be aggregated into one or more static pools within each quarter, based on common risk characteristics. Risk characteristics of purchased receivables are assumed to be similar since purchased receivables are usually in the late stages of the post charged-off collection cycle. We therefore aggregate most pools purchased within each quarter. Pools purchased before 2005 may not be aggregated with other pool purchases. Each static pool, either aggregated or non-aggregated, retains its own identity and does not change over the remainder of its life. Each static pool is accounted for as a single unit for recognition of revenue, principal payments and impairments.

Each static pool of receivables is statistically modeled to determine its projected cash flows based on historical cash collections for pools with similar characteristics. An internal rate of return (“IRR”) is calculated for each static pool of receivables based on the projected cash flows. The IRR is applied to the remaining balance of each static pool of accounts to determine the revenue recognized. Each static pool is analyzed at least quarterly to assess the actual performance compared to the expected performance. To the extent there are differences in actual performance versus expected performance, the IRR is adjusted prospectively to reflect the revised estimate of cash flows over the remaining life of the static pool. Effective January 2005, under SOP 03-3, if the revised cash flow estimates are less than the original estimates, the IRR remains unchanged and an impairment is recognized. If cash flow estimates increase subsequent to recording an impairment, reversal of the previously recognized impairment is made prior to any increases to the IRR.

The cost recovery method prescribed by SOP 03-3 is used when collections on a particular portfolio cannot be reasonably predicted. Under the cost recovery method, no revenue is recognized until we have fully collected the cost of the portfolio.

Application of the interest method of accounting requires the use of estimates, primarily estimated remaining collections, to calculate a projected IRR for each pool. These estimates are primarily based on historical cash collections. If future cash collections are materially different in amount or timing than the remaining collections estimate, earnings could be affected, either positively or negatively. Higher collection amounts or cash collections that occur sooner than projected will have a favorable impact on yields and revenues. Lower collection amounts or cash collections that occur later than projected will have an unfavorable impact and may result in an impairment being recorded.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Our exposure to market risk relates to the interest rate risk with our Amended New Credit Facilities. We may periodically enter into interest rate swap agreements to modify the interest rate exposure associated with our outstanding debt. The outstanding borrowings on our Amended New Credit Facilities were $189.5 million and $191.3 million as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. In September 2007, we entered into an amortizing interest rate swap agreement whereby, on a quarterly basis, we swap variable rates equal to three-month LIBOR for fixed rates on the notional amount of $125 million. Every year thereafter, on the anniversary of the swap agreement the notional amount will decrease by $25 million. The outstanding unhedged borrowings on our Amended New Credit Facilities were $64.5 million as of June 30, 2008, consisting of $41.0 million outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility and $23.5 million outstanding on the term loan facility. Interest rates on unhedged borrowings may be based on the Prime rate or LIBOR, at our discretion. Assuming a 200 basis point increase in interest rates, interest expense would have increased approximately $0.4 million on the unhedged borrowings for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

The hedged borrowings on our Amended New Credit Facilities were $125.0 million at June 30, 2008. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the swap was determined to be highly effective in hedging against fluctuations in variable interest rates associated with the underlying debt. Interest rates have decreased since we entered into our swap agreement, reducing the fair value and resulting in a liability balance. Additional declines in interest rates will further reduce the fair value, while increasing interest rates will increase the fair value. As of June 30, 2008, the Company does not have any fair value hedges.

Interest rate fluctuations do not have a material impact on interest income.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to cause material information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to be recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.

There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during our fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of our business, we are involved in numerous legal proceedings. We regularly initiate collection lawsuits, using both our in-house attorneys and our network of third party law firms, against consumers and are occasionally countersued by them in such actions. Also, consumers initiate litigation against us, in which they allege that we have violated a federal or state law in the process of collecting on their account. It is not unusual for us to be named in a class action lawsuit relating to these allegations, with these lawsuits routinely settling for immaterial amounts. We do not believe that these ordinary course matters, individually or in the aggregate, are material to our business or financial condition. However, there can be no assurance that a class action lawsuit would not, if decided against us, have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition.

We are not a party to any material legal proceedings. However, we expect to continue to initiate collection lawsuits as a part of the ordinary course of our business (resulting occasionally in countersuits against us) and we may, from time to time, become a party to various other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company was held on May 21, 2008. The results of the voting were as follows:

1. The following individuals were elected as directors for a three-year term:

 

Director

  

Votes for

  

Votes Withheld

Terrence D. Daniels

   25,382,122    1,845,150

William F. Pickard

   25,431,877    1,795,395

The following is a list of the other directors whose term of office continues beyond the annual shareholder meeting:

Jennifer Adams

Nathaniel F. Bradley IV

Donald Haider

Anthony R. Ignaczak

William I Jacobs

H. Eugene Lockhart

2. The ratification of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008:

 

Votes for

  

Votes Against

  

Votes abstained

27,178,100    21,491    27,681

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

10.1

  First Amendment to the Lease Agreement dated as of April 11, 2008, between Asset Acceptance, LLC and Northpoint Atrium Office Building, Ltd. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 included in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2008)

31.1*

  Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer

31.2*

  Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer

32.1*

  Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

* Filed herewith

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on August 5, 2008.

 

  ASSET ACCEPTANCE CAPITAL CORP.
Date: August 5, 2008   By:  

/s/ Nathaniel F. Bradley IV

    Nathaniel F. Bradley IV
   

Chairman of the Board, President and

Chief Executive Officer

    (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: August 5, 2008   By:  

/s/ Mark A. Redman

    Mark A. Redman
   

Senior Vice President – Finance and

Chief Financial Officer

    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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