Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) |
12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business segments |
Business segments: The Company has one reportable segment, which is the consumer finance segment. The other revenue generating activities of the Company, including insurance operations, are performed in the existing branch network in conjunction with or as a complement to the lending operations. |
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Principles of consolidation |
Principles of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant 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. |
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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. |
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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 and 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 enhancements to the lenders and investors in the form of overcollateralization (the principal balance of the collateral exceeds the balance of the debt) and reserve funds (restricted cash held by the SPEs). 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 and (ii) 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. |
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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. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to change relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses, the fair value of share-based compensation, the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and the fair value of financial instruments. |
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Reclassifications | Reclassifications: Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on previously reported net income or stockholders’ equity. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Cash Flows |
Statement of cash flows: Cash flows from finance receivables and the Company’s long-term debt are reported on a net basis. |
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Net Finance Receivables |
Net finance receivables: The Company’s small loan portfolio is comprised of branch small loan receivables and convenience check receivables. Branch small loan receivables are direct loans to customers closed in the branch and are secured by non-essential household goods and, in some instances, an automobile. Convenience checks are direct loans originated by mailing checks to customers based on a pre-screening process that includes a review of the prospective customer’s credit profile provided by national credit reporting bureaus or data aggregators. A recipient of a convenience check is able to enter into a loan by endorsing and depositing or cashing the check. Large loan receivables are direct loans to customers, some of which are convenience check receivables and the vast majority of which are secured by non-essential household goods, automobiles, and/or other vehicles. Retail loan receivables consist principally of retail installment sales contracts collateralized by the purchased furniture, appliances, and other retail items, and are initiated by and purchased from retailers, subject to the Company’s credit approval. Automobile loan receivables consist of direct automobile purchase loans, which were originated at the dealership and closed in one of the Company’s branches, and indirect automobile purchase loans, which were originated and closed at a dealership in the Company’s network without the need for the customer to visit one of the Company’s branches. In each case, these automobile loans are collateralized primarily by the purchased automobiles and, in the case of indirect loans, were initiated by and purchased from automobile dealerships, subject to the Company’s credit approval. The Company ceased originating automobile purchase loans in November 2017. Prior to January 1, 2020, net finance receivables included the customer’s unpaid principal balance (“UPB”), accrued interest on interest-bearing accounts, unamortized deferred origination fees and costs, and unearned insurance premiums. The UPB consisted of the unpaid principal balance on interest-bearing accounts and the remaining contractual payments less the unearned amount of pre-computed interest for pre-compute accounts. Unearned insurance premiums represent insurance premiums, net of premiums held by the unaffiliated insurance underwriter, that will be earned over the terms of the policies. See Note 18, “Insurance Products and Reinsurance of Certain Risks” for further information on our insurance premiums. Effective January 1, 2020, with the adoption of CECL accounting, the Company reclassified unearned insurance premiums out of net finance receivables to align its consolidated balance sheet presentation with the amortized cost definition in the new accounting standard. See Note 3, “Finance Receivables, Credit Quality Information, and Allowance for Credit Losses” for further information about the Company’s reclassification of unearned insurance premiums. |
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Allowance For Credit losses |
Allowance for credit losses: The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued an accounting update in June 2016 to change the impairment model for estimating credit losses on financial assets. The previous incurred loss impairment model required the recognition of credit losses when it was probable that a loss had been incurred. The incurred loss model was replaced by the CECL model, which requires entities to estimate the lifetime expected credit loss on financial instruments and to record an allowance to offset the amortized cost basis of the financial asset. The CECL model requires earlier recognition of credit losses as compared to the incurred loss approach. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2020. 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 static pool 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 static pools of 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. The Company accounts for certain finance receivables that have been modified by bankruptcy proceedings or company loss mitigation policies using a discounted cash flows approach to properly reserve for customer concessions (rate reductions and term extensions). 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 (considering the effect of prepayments) are shorter than its available forecast periods. The Company charges credit losses against the allowance when an account reaches 180 days contractually delinquent, subject to certain exceptions. The Company’s non-titled customer accounts 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. |
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Troubled Debt Restructurings |
Troubled Debt Restructurings: The Company classifies a finance receivable as a troubled debt restructuring (each, a “TDR”) when the Company modifies the finance receivable’s contractual terms for economic or other reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties and grants a concession that it would not otherwise consider (including Chapter 13 bankruptcies and delinquent renewals). Modifications primarily include an interest rate reduction and/or term extension to reduce the borrower’s monthly payment. Once a loan is classified as a TDR, it remains a TDR for the purpose of calculating the allowance for credit losses for the remainder of its contractual term. The Company establishes 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 uses the modified interest rates and certain assumptions, including expected credit loss rates and estimated recoveries, to estimate the expected cash flows from its TDRs. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. The Company made several policy elections related to the January 2019 adoption of the current lease standard. The Company elected to utilize the package of transition practical expedients, which includes not reassessing the following at adoption: (i) whether existing contracts contained leases, (ii) the existing classification of leases as operating or financing, or (iii) the initial direct costs of leases. In addition, the Company did not use hindsight to determine the lease term or include options to extend for leases existing at the transition date. 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. |
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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 facility and securitizations. |
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Derivative instruments | Derivative instruments: The Company holds derivative instruments in the form of interest rate caps for the purpose of hedging 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 property insurance, and automobile 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. |
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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. |
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Finance receivable origination fees and costs |
Finance receivable origination fees and costs: Non-refundable fees received and direct 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 income at the time that finance receivables are paid in full. |
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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. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Black-Scholes model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, and expected life, changes to which can materially affect the fair value estimate. The Company estimates volatility using its historical stock prices. The risk-free rate is based on the zero coupon U.S. Treasury bond rate for the expected term of the award on the grant date. 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. 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. |
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Marketing costs |
Marketing costs: Marketing costs are expensed as incurred. |
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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 income. |
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Earnings per share |
Earnings per share: Earnings per share have been computed based on 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. |
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Recent accounting pronouncements |
Recent accounting pronouncements: In June 2016, the FASB issued an accounting update significantly changing the impairment model for estimating credit losses on financial assets. While the previous incurred loss impairment model required the recognition of credit losses when it was probable that a loss had been incurred, the new CECL model requires entities to estimate the lifetime expected credit loss on financial instruments and to record an allowance to offset the amortized cost basis of the financial assets. The CECL model requires earlier recognition of credit losses as compared to the incurred loss approach. It uses historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable economic forecasts to estimate lifetime expected credit losses. The Company adopted the standard as of January 1, 2020. As a result of the adoption of the new credit loss standard on January 1, 2020, through a modified-retrospective approach, the Company recorded an increase to the allowance for credit losses of $60.1 million and a one-time, cumulative reduction to retained earnings of $45.9 million (net of $14.2 million in taxes). The Company’s allowance for credit losses increased from 5.5% to 10.8% as a percentage of the amortized cost basis on January 1, 2020. The CECL accounting adoption did not result in any changes in the cash flows of the financial assets, did not cause the Company to violate any of its existing debt covenants, and did not inhibit the Company in funding its growth or returning capital to its stockholders. The following table illustrates the impact of the CECL accounting adoption by product:
In August 2018, the FASB issued an accounting update to provide additional guidance on the accounting for costs of implementation activities performed in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The amendments aligned the capitalization requirements for hosting arrangements that are service contracts with the capitalization principles for internal-use software. This update was effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption was permitted. The Company adopted and applied the update on a prospective basis, and the adoption did not have a material impact on its financial statements. |