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Fair Value Of Estimated Market Participant Rate

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Fluctuation in discount rate.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The net increase or decrease in fair value as a result of changes in the assumptions or model used to calculate the fair value of servicing assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 860

-SubTopic 50

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(4)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7882072&loc=d3e122625-111746

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- Definition

The recorded balance, net of any applicable reductions (for example, unamortized accretable yield and allowance for loan losses). This relates to loans not accounted for debt securities with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination that were acquired by completion of a transfer for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the investor will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 30

-Section 15

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27045933&loc=d3e13503-111538

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6379141&loc=d3e15032-111544

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- Definition

Fair value portion of borrowing which can be exchanged for a specified number of another security at the option of the issuer or the holder, for example, but not limited to, the entity's common stock.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Convertible Security

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6509036

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- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of a written promise to pay a note, initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer, which can be exchanged for a specified amount of one or more securities (typically common stock), at the option of the issuer or the holder.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20, 22

-Article 5

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- Definition

The amount of debt discount that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

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- Definition

The amount of debt premium that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

+ References

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- Definition

Interest rate used to find the present value of an amount to be paid or received in the future as an input to measure fair value. For example, but not limited to, weighted average cost of capital (WACC), cost of capital, cost of equity and cost of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (bbb)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258

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Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

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Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurements Of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Fluctuation in discount rate (percent)	1.00%ecpg_FluctuationInDiscountRate
Carrying value of investment in receivable portfolios	$ 2,038,407,000	$ 2,143,560,000	$ 1,904,030,000	$ 1,590,249,000
Convertible senior notes, carrying value	448,500,000us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayable	448,500,000us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayable
Unamortized debt discount	48,924,000	51,202,000
Fair value estimate of convertible senior notes incorporates quoted market prices	497,700,000	507,400,000
Senior secured notes, carrying value	40,000,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes	43,750,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
Senior secured notes, debt premium	61,482,000	67,259,000
Cabot and Marlin Acquisitions [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior secured notes, carrying value	1,100,000,000
Senior secured notes, debt premium	61,500,000
Cabot Acquisition [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior secured notes, carrying value		1,100,000,000
Senior secured notes, debt premium		67,300,000
United States [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Increase or decrease of the fair value	38,200,000
United States [Member] \| Cost to collect [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Estimated market participant cost to collect (percent)	50.30%
United States [Member] \| Discount rate [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Discount rate (percent)	12.00%
Europe [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Increase or decrease of the fair value	$ 44,000,000
Europe [Member] \| Cost to collect [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Estimated market participant cost to collect (percent)	30.10%
Europe [Member] \| Discount rate [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Discount rate (percent)	12.70%