Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Business segments

Business segments: The Company has one reportable segment, which is the consumer finance segment.

Principles of consolidation

Principles of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company operates through a separate wholly owned subsidiary in each state. The Company also consolidates variable interest entities (each, a “VIE”) when it is considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE because it has (i) power over the significant activities of the VIE and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that could be significant to the VIE.

Variable interest entities

Variable interest entities: The Company transfers pools of loans to wholly owned, bankruptcy-remote, special purpose entities (each, an “SPE”) to secure debt for general funding purposes. These entities have the limited purpose of acquiring finance receivables, in addition to holding and making payments on the related debts. Assets transferred to each SPE are legally isolated from the Company and its affiliates, as well as the claims of the Company’s and its affiliates’ creditors. Further, the assets of each SPE are owned by such SPE and are not available to satisfy the debts or other obligations of the Company or any of its affiliates. The Company continues to service the finance receivables transferred to the SPEs. The lenders and investors in the debt issued by the SPEs generally only have recourse to the assets of the SPEs and do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company.

The SPEs’ debt arrangements are structured to provide credit enhancements to the lenders and investors, which may include overcollateralization, subordination of interests, excess spread, and reserve funds. These enhancements, along with the isolated finance receivables pools, increase the creditworthiness of the SPEs above that of the Company as a whole. This increases the marketability of the Company’s collateral for borrowing purposes, leading to more favorable borrowing terms, improved interest rate risk management, and additional flexibility to grow the business.

The SPEs are considered VIEs under GAAP and are consolidated into the financial statements of their primary beneficiary. The Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary of the SPEs because it has (i) power over the significant activities through its role as servicer of the finance receivables under each debt arrangement, (ii) the obligation to absorb losses that could be significant through note investment, if applicable, and (iii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that could be significant through the Company’s interest in the monthly residual cash flows of the SPEs.

Consolidation of VIEs results in these transactions being accounted for as secured borrowings; therefore, the pooled receivables and the related debts remain on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company. Each debt is secured solely by the assets of the VIEs and not by any other assets of the Company. The assets of the VIEs are the only source of funds for repayment on each debt, and restricted cash held by the VIEs can only be used to support payments on the debt. The Company recognizes revenue and provision for credit losses on the finance receivables of the VIEs and interest expense on the related secured debt.

Use of estimates

Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities for the periods indicated in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Estimates that are susceptible to change relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses, the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and the fair value of financial instruments.

Recent accounting pronouncements

Recent accounting pronouncements: In March 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting standard update (“ASU”) 2022-02, eliminating the accounting for troubled debt restructurings (each, a “TDR”) by creditors while enhancing the disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancings and restructurings by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. The amendment also requires disclosure of gross credit losses by year of origination for finance receivables. The amendments in this update are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The elimination of the TDR guidance may be adopted prospectively for loan modifications after adoption or on a modified retrospective basis, which would also apply to loans previously modified, resulting in a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings in the period of adoption for changes in the allowance for credit losses.

The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2023 and elected to apply the new measurement and recognition guidance for TDRs under the modified retrospective transition method. Adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, improving the disclosure requirements for reportable segments, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. These enhanced disclosures require reporting of incremental segment information on an annual and interim basis for all public entities, including public entities with only one reportable segment, to enable investors to develop more decision-useful financial analyses. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and early adoption is permitted. The segment reporting guidance should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements, and upon transition, the expense categories and amounts disclosed in the prior periods should be based on the significant segment expense categories identified and disclosed in the period of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, enhancing the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. The amendment, among other things, improves transparency of income tax disclosures by requiring more consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in rate reconciliations, and disaggregation of income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and early adoption is permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The income tax guidance should be applied on a prospective basis, however, retrospective application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements.

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock: The Company records the repurchase of shares of its common stock at cost on the settlement date of the transaction. These shares are considered treasury stock, which is a reduction to stockholders’ equity. Treasury stock is included in authorized and issued shares but excluded from outstanding shares.

Net Finance Receivables

Net finance receivables: Generally, the Company classifies finance receivables as held for investment based on management’s intent at the time of origination. The Company determines classification on a receivable-by-receivable basis. The Company classifies finance receivables as held for investment due to its ability and intent to hold them until their contractual maturities. Net finance

receivables consist of the Company’s installment loans. The Company carries net finance receivables at amortized cost, which includes remaining principal balance, accrued interest, and net unamortized deferred origination costs and unamortized fees.

Loan renewals are a significant piece of new volume and are considered a terminal event of the previous loan. The Company may renew delinquent secured or unsecured loan accounts if the customer meets the Company’s underwriting criteria and it does not appear the cause of past delinquency will affect the customer’s ability to repay the renewed loan.

Delinquency

Delinquency: The Company determines past due status using the contractual terms of the finance receivable. Delinquency is one of the primary credit quality indicators used to evaluate the allowance for credit losses for each class of finance receivables.

Finance receivable origination fees and costs

Finance receivable origination fees and costs: Non-refundable fees received and direct costs (personnel and digital loan origination costs) incurred for the origination of finance receivables are deferred and recognized to interest income over their contractual lives using the constant yield method. Unamortized amounts are recognized in interest income at the time that finance receivables are paid in full, renewed, or charged off.

Nonaccrual status

Nonaccrual status: Accrual of interest income on finance receivables is suspended when an account becomes 90 days delinquent. If the account is charged off, the accrued interest income is reversed as a reduction of interest and fee income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Under the cash-basis method, interest income is recorded when the payment is received. Loans resume accruing interest when the past due status is brought below 90 days. The Company made a policy election to not record an allowance for credit losses related to accrued interest because it has nonaccrual and charge-off policies that result in the timely suspension and reversal of accrued interest.

Allowance For Credit losses

Allowance for credit losses: The allowance for credit losses is based on historical credit experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable economic forecasts. The historical loss experience is adjusted for quantitative and qualitative factors that are not fully reflected in the historical data. In determining its estimate of expected credit losses, the Company evaluates information related to credit metrics, changes in its lending strategies and underwriting practices, and the current and forecasted direction of the economic and business environment. These metrics include, but are not limited to, loan portfolio mix and growth, unemployment, credit loss trends, delinquency trends, changes in underwriting, and operational risks.

The Company selected a Probability of Default ("PD") / Loss Given Default ("LGD") model to estimate its base allowance for credit losses, in which the estimated loss is equal to the product of PD and LGD. Historical net finance receivables are tracked over the term of the pools to identify the incidences of loss (PDs) and the average severity of losses (LGDs).

To enhance the precision of the allowance for credit loss estimate, the Company evaluates its finance receivable portfolio on a pool basis and segments each pool of finance receivables with similar credit risk characteristics. As part of its evaluation, the Company considers loan portfolio characteristics such as product type, loan size, loan term, internal or external credit scores, delinquency status, geographical location, and vintage. Based on analysis of historical loss experience, the Company selected the following segmentation: product type, Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) score, and delinquency status.

As finance receivables are originated, provisions for credit losses are recorded in amounts sufficient to maintain an allowance for credit losses at an adequate level to provide for estimated losses over the contractual life of the finance receivables (considering the effect of prepayments). Subsequent changes to the contractual terms that are a result of re-underwriting are not included in the finance receivable’s contractual life (considering the effect of prepayments). The Company uses its segmentation loss experience to forecast expected credit losses. Historical information about losses generally provides a basis for the estimate of expected credit losses. The Company also considers the need to adjust historical information to reflect the extent to which current conditions differ from the conditions that existed for the period over which historical information was evaluated. These adjustments to historical loss information may be qualitative or quantitative in nature.

Reasonable and supportable macroeconomic forecasts are required for the Company’s allowance for credit loss model. The Company engaged a major rating service to assist with compiling a reasonable and supportable forecast. The Company reviews macroeconomic forecasts to use in its allowance for credit losses. The Company adjusts the historical loss experience by relevant qualitative factors for these expectations. The Company does not require reversion adjustments, as the contractual lives of its portfolio are shorter than its available forecast periods.

The Company charges credit losses against the allowance for all products when an account reaches 180 days contractually delinquent, subject to certain exceptions. The Company’s customer accounts without a lien on a vehicle in a confirmed bankruptcy are charged off in the month following the bankruptcy notification or at 60 days contractually delinquent, subject to certain exceptions. Deceased borrower accounts are charged off in the month following the proper notification of passing, with the

exception of borrowers with credit life insurance. Subsequent recoveries of amounts charged off, if any, are credited to the allowance.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

Troubled Debt Restructurings: Prior to January 1, 2023, the Company classified a finance receivable as a TDR when the Company modified the finance receivable’s contractual terms for economic or other reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties and granted a concession that it would not have otherwise considered. Modifications primarily included an interest rate reduction and/or term extension to reduce the borrower’s monthly payment. Once a loan was classified as a TDR, it remained a TDR for the purpose of calculating the allowance for credit losses for the remainder of its contractual term.

The Company established its allowance for credit losses related to its TDRs by calculating the present value of all expected cash flows (discounted at the finance receivable’s effective interest rate prior to modification) less the amortized costs of the aggregated pool. The Company used the modified interest rates and certain assumptions, including expected credit losses and recoveries, to estimate the expected cash flows from its TDRs.

Following the adoption of ASU 2022-02 on January 1, 2023, as discussed above, the Company no longer separately measures the allowance for credit losses on TDRs, and the impact to the allowance for credit losses of loan modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties is incorporated into the overall portfolio assessment as further described in the allowance for credit losses significant accounting policy.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment: Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their useful lives or the remaining term of the lease. Furniture and equipment are depreciated on the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, generally five to ten years. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

Leases

Leases: The Company leases its current headquarters building. Branch offices are leased under non-cancellable leases of three to seven years with renewal options. The Company’s lease liability is based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments using a discount rate that is based on the Company’s incremental borrowing rate on its senior revolving credit facility. The Company’s lease asset includes right-of-use assets equaling the lease liability, net of prepaid rent and deferred rents that existed as of the adoption of the current lease accounting standard. The Company assesses its leased assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If a lease is impaired, the impairment loss is recognized in lease costs and the right-of-use asset is reduced to the impaired value.

Lease agreements with terms of twelve months or less are not capitalized as part of lease assets or liabilities and are expensed as incurred. The Company accounts for each separate lease component of a contract and its associated non-lease components as a single lease component for its branch leases. The Company has elected not to apply this policy in relation to the corporate headquarters lease. The Company has also determined that it is reasonably certain that the first option to extend lease contracts will be exercised for new branch locations; therefore, the first option to extend is included in the lease asset and liability calculation.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash: Restricted cash includes cash and cash equivalents for which the Company’s ability to withdraw funds is contractually limited. The Company’s restricted cash consists of cash reserves that are maintained as collateral for potential credit life insurance claims and cash restricted for debt servicing of the Company’s revolving warehouse credit facilities and securitizations.

Restricted available-for-sale investments

Restricted available-for-sale investments: The Company classifies its investments in debt securities that were purchased with the Company’s restricted cash as restricted available-for-sale investments and carries the investments at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, are excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income or loss until realized. The unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale investments are specifically identified and reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income or loss and included within earnings on the consolidated statement of income.

Derivative instruments

Derivative instruments: The Company held derivative instruments in the form of interest rate caps for the purpose of mitigating a portion of its exposure to interest rate risk. Derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and included in other assets, with their resulting gains or losses recognized in interest expense. Changes in fair value are reported as an adjustment to net income in computing cash flows from operating activities.

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

Offsetting assets and liabilities: GAAP permits entities to present derivative receivables and derivative payables with the same counterparty and the related cash collateral receivables and payables on a net basis on the Consolidated Balance Sheet when a legally enforceable master netting agreement exists. GAAP also permits securities financing activities to be presented on a net basis when specified conditions are met, including the existence of a legally enforceable master netting agreement. The Company has elected to net such balances where it has determined that the specified conditions are met.

Income recognition

Income recognition: Interest income is recognized using the interest method (constant yield method). Therefore, the Company recognizes revenue from interest at an equal rate over the term of the loan. Unearned finance charges on pre-compute contracts are rebated to customers utilizing statutory methods, which in many cases is the sum-of-the-years’ digits method. The difference between income recognized under the constant yield method and the statutory method is recognized as an adjustment to interest income at the time of rebate.

The Company recognizes income on credit life insurance, credit personal property insurance, and vehicle single interest insurance using the sum-of-the-years’ digits or straight-line methods over the terms of the policies. The Company recognizes income on credit accident and health insurance using the average of the sum-of-the-years’ digits and the straight-line methods over the terms of the policies. The Company recognizes income on credit involuntary unemployment insurance using the straight-line method over the terms of the policies. Rebates are computed using statutory methods, which in many cases match the GAAP method, and where it does not match, the difference between the GAAP method and the statutory method is recognized in income at the time of rebate. Fee income for non-file insurance is recognized using the sum-of-the-years’ digits method over the loan term.

Charges for late fees are recognized as income when collected.

Share-based compensation

Share-based compensation: The Company measures compensation cost for share-based awards at estimated fair value and recognizes compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest. The Company uses the closing stock price on the date of grant as the fair value of restricted stock awards and performance-contingent restricted stock units. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model, and the fair value of performance restricted stock units is determined using the Monte Carlo valuation model. The Black-Scholes and Monte Carlo models require the input of assumptions, including expected volatility, expected dividends, expected term, risk-free interest rate, and a discount associated with post-vest holding restrictions, changes to which can affect the fair value estimate. Expected volatility is based on the Company’s historical stock price volatility. Expected dividends are calculated using the expected dividend yield (annualized dividends divided by the grant date stock price). The expected term is calculated by using the simplified method (average of the vesting and original contractual terms) due to insufficient historical data to estimate the expected term. The risk-free rate is based on the zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bond rate over the expected term of the awards. The estimated discount associated with post-vest holding restrictions is calculated using a blend of the Finnerty and Chaffe models. In addition, the estimation of share-based awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised.

Marketing costs

Marketing costs: Marketing costs are expensed as incurred.

Income taxes

Income taxes: The Company records a tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences of its reported operating results. The provision for income taxes is computed using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effects of future tax rate changes are recognized in the period when the enactment of new rates occurs.

The Company recognizes the financial statement effects of a tax position when it is more likely than not, based on technical merits, the position will be sustained upon examination. The tax benefits of the position recognized in the consolidated financial statements are then measured based on the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement with a taxing authority.

The Company recognizes the tax benefits or deficiencies from the exercise or vesting of share-based awards in the income tax line of the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, in the period of exercise or vesting.

Earnings per share

Earnings per share: Earnings per share have been computed based on dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each reporting period presented. Common shares issuable upon the exercise of share-based compensation, which are computed using the treasury stock method, are included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of outstanding awards, by computing total employee proceeds as the sum of the amount employees must pay upon exercise of the awards and the amount of unearned share-based compensation costs attributable to future services.