Litigation And Contingent Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Litigation And Contingent Liabilities

LITIGATION AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

In the normal course of business and as a result of the consumer-oriented nature of the industry in which we operate, industry participants are frequently subject to various consumer claims, litigation and regulatory investigations seeking damages, fines and statutory penalties.  The claims allege, among other theories of liability, violations of state, federal and foreign truth-in-lending, credit availability, credit reporting, consumer protection, warranty, debt collection, insurance and other consumer-oriented laws and regulations, including claims seeking damages for physical and mental damages relating to our repossession and sale of the consumer’s vehicle and other debt collection activities.  As the assignee of Consumer Loans originated by Dealers, we may also be named as a co-defendant in lawsuits filed by consumers principally against Dealers.  We may also have disputes and litigation with Dealers. The claims may allege, among other theories of liability, that we breached our Dealer servicing agreement.  Many of these cases are filed as purported class actions and seek damages in large dollar amounts.  Current actions to which we are a party include the following matters.

On December 9, 2014, we received a civil investigative subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice pursuant to the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 directing us to produce certain information relating to subprime automotive finance and related securitization activities. We are cooperating with the inquiry.

On December 4, 2014, we received a civil investigative demand from the Office of the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts relating to the origination and collection of non-prime auto loans in Massachusetts. We are cooperating with the inquiry.

On June 6, 2014, we received a civil investigative demand from the Federal Trade Commission relating to our various practices regarding consumers. We are cooperating with the inquiry.

On February 1, 2013, six Dealers, who had previously commenced a putative consolidated arbitration proceeding against the Company before the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") that was deemed not properly filed by the AAA on October 9, 2012, filed individual arbitrations against the Company before the AAA in Southfield, Michigan.  These arbitration demands seek unspecified money damages for claims relating to the Dealer servicing agreements of these Dealers.  One of these matters was voluntarily dismissed with prejudice on January 20, 2015.  The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against the remaining five arbitrations.

An adverse ultimate disposition in any action to which we are a party or otherwise subject could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, liquidity and results of operations.