Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenue
Revenue from receivable portfolios, net	$ 140,682	$ 115,843	$ 405,818	$ 332,262
Tax lien transfer
Interest income	5,585		8,567
Interest expense	(1,475)		(2,125)
Net interest income	4,110		6,442
Total revenues	144,792	115,843	412,260	332,262
Operating expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	25,397	20,087	72,891	57,458
Cost of legal collections	43,544	40,169	123,203	117,364
Other operating expenses	14,829	9,904	38,854	26,944
Collection agency commissions	4,227	3,264	12,352	10,774
General and administrative expenses	14,091	10,704	46,331	29,471
Depreciation and amortization	1,533	1,054	4,193	2,916
Total operating expenses	103,621	85,182	297,824	244,927
Income from operations	41,171	30,661	114,436	87,335
Other (expense) income
Interest expense	(7,012)	(5,175)	(19,024)	(16,137)
Other income (expense)	1,036	(342)	1,385	(182)
Total other expense	(5,976)	(5,517)	(17,639)	(16,319)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	35,195	25,144	96,797	71,016
Provision for income taxes	(13,887)	(9,834)	(38,393)	(27,658)
Income from continuing operations	21,308	15,310	58,404	43,358
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		60	(9,094)	466
Net income	21,308	15,370	49,310	43,824
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	25,071	24,638	24,930	24,493
Diluted	26,047	25,604	25,920	25,636
Basic earnings (loss) per share from:
Continuing operations	$ 0.85	$ 0.62	$ 2.34	$ 1.77
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.36)	$ 0.02
Net basic earnings per share	$ 0.85	$ 0.62	$ 1.98	$ 1.79
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from:
Continuing operations	$ 0.82	$ 0.60	$ 2.25	$ 1.69
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.36)	$ 0.02
Net diluted earnings per share	$ 0.82	$ 0.60	$ 1.90	$ 1.71
Other comprehensive gain (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	3,027	(2,042)	1,205	(2,094)
Income tax(provison) benefit related to unrealized gain (loss)on derivative instruments	(1,186)	796	(472)	819
Other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax	1,841	(1,246)	733	(1,275)
Comprehensive income	$ 23,149	$ 14,124	$ 50,043	$ 42,549