insurance products  we offer optional payment and collateral protection insurance to our direct loan customers . small and large installment loans are our core products and will be the drivers of our future growth . our primary sources of revenue are interest and fee income from our loan products , of which interest and fees relating to small and large installment loans are the largest component . in addition to interest and fee income from loans , we derive revenue from optional insurance products purchased by customers of our direct loan products . factors affecting our results of operations our business is driven by several factors affecting our revenues , costs , and results of operations , including the following : quarterly information and seasonality . our loan volume and contractual delinquency follow seasonal trends . demand for our small and large loans is typically highest during the second , third , and fourth quarters , which we believe is largely due to customers borrowing money for vacations , back-to-school , and holiday spending . with the exception of automobile and retail loans , loan demand has generally been the lowest during the first quarter , which we believe is largely due to the timing of income tax refunds . delinquencies generally reach their lowest point in the first quarter of the year and rise throughout the remainder of the fiscal year . consequently , we experience seasonal fluctuations in our operating results and cash needs . growth in loan portfolio . the revenue that we derive from interest and fees is largely driven by the balance of loans that we originate and purchase . average finance receivables grew 10.9 % from $ 477.4 million in 2013 to $ 529.5 million in 2014 , grew 8.2 % to $ 572.8 million in 2015 , and grew 14.8 % to $ 657.4 million in 2016. we source our loans through our branches and our direct mail program , as well as through automobile dealerships , retail partners , and our consumer website . our loans are made almost exclusively in geographic markets served by our network of branches . increasing the number of loans per branch and the number of branches we operate allows us to increase the number of loans that we are able to service . we opened 8 , 31 , and 36 net new branches in 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively . we believe we have the opportunity to add as many as 700 additional branches in states where it is currently favorable for us to conduct business , and we have plans to continue to grow our branch network . product mix . we charge different interest rates and fees and are exposed to different credit risks with respect to the various types of loans we offer . our product mix also varies to some extent by state , and we may further diversify our product mix in the future . asset quality and allowance for credit losses . our results of operations are highly dependent upon the quality of our loan portfolio . we recorded a $ 63.0 million provision for credit losses during 2016 ( or 9.6 % of average finance receivables ) and a $ 47.3 million provision for credit losses during 2015 ( or 8.3 % of average finance receivables ) . the quality of our loan portfolio is the result of our ability to enforce sound underwriting standards , maintain diligent servicing of the portfolio , and respond to changing economic conditions as we grow our loan portfolio . in late 2014 , we created a credit risk function and have been making changes to continue to improve our credit underwriting guidelines . we believe that these changes have impacted , and will continue to impact , our business and results of operations , and improved credit quality in our portfolio . we will continue to monitor how these changes impact our business and results of operations , and we will make further revisions to our credit underwriting guidelines when appropriate . the allowance for credit losses calculation uses the current delinquency profile and historical delinquency roll rates as key data points in estimating the allowance . we believe that the primary underlying factors driving the provision for credit losses for each loan type are our underwriting standards , the general economic conditions 53 in the areas in which we conduct business , portfolio growth , and the effectiveness of our collection efforts . in addition , the market for repossessed automobiles at auction is another underlying factor that we believe influences the provision for credit losses for automobile purchase loans and , to a lesser extent , large loans . we monitor these factors , and the amount and past due status of delinquencies for all loans one or more days past due , to identify trends that might require us to modify the allowance for credit losses . interest rates . our costs of funds are affected by changes in interest rates , and the interest rate that we pay on our senior revolving credit facility is a variable rate . we have purchased interest rate cap contracts with an aggregate notional principal amount of $ 200.0 million and 2.50 % strike rates against the one-month libor . $ 150.0 million of these contracts expire in april 2018 , with the remaining $ 50.0 million expiring in march 2019. when the one-month libor exceeds 2.50 % , the counterparty reimburses us for the excess over 2.50 % . no payment is required by us or the counterparty when the one-month libor is below 2.50 % . operating costs . our financial results are impacted by the costs of operations and home office functions . those costs are included in general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statements of income . story_separator_special_tag our general and administrative expenses , comprising expenses for personnel , occupancy , marketing , and other expenses , increased $ 3.0 million , or 2.6 % , to $ 118.6 million in 2016 from $ 115.6 million in 2015. our receivable efficiency ratio ( general and administrative expenses as a percentage of average finance receivables ) decreased to 18.0 % during 2016 from 20.2 % in 2015. despite adding 8 net branches and increasing finance receivables by $ 89.3 million , or 14.2 % , since december 31 , 2015 , our operations general and administrative expenses decreased $ 0.2 million in 2016 compared to 2015. this decrease in expense is primarily due to improved efficiencies , which has allowed operations headcount to decrease to 1,239 from 1,350 at december 31 , 2015. home office general and administrative expenses increased $ 3.5 million in 2016 compared to 2015 primarily due to an increase in incentive plan expenses , new loan management system implementation costs , increased headcount , and the costs related to the transition to a new ceo . marketing expenses decreased $ 0.2 million in 2016 compared to 2015. the increase in general and administrative expenses is explained in greater detail below . personnel . the largest component of general and administrative expenses is personnel expense , which decreased $ 0.3 million , or 0.4 % , to $ 69.0 million in 2016 from $ 69.2 million in 2015. we experienced several offsetting changes in personnel expense during 2016 compared to 2015. we incurred non-operating compensation-related costs during 2015 of $ 1.5 million related to a ceo restricted stock grant and $ 0.5 million related to the retirement agreement costs of our former vice chairman . operations personnel expense decreased 60 $ 2.8 million in 2016 primarily due to lower branch incentive plan payouts achieved , more cost effective collection activities and the related reduction in automobile allowance expense , and the reduction in branch overtime expense . home office salary expense increased $ 2.1 million in 2016 from added headcount during 2015 and 2016 primarily in our information technology and credit risk departments . incentive compensation expense increased $ 3.0 million primarily due to the 2016 annual grant of awards under our long-term incentive plan , which have three-year performance targets . we expect incentive plan expense to increase in future years due to annual grants under our long-term incentive plan . occupancy . occupancy expenses increased $ 2.7 million , or 15.9 % , to $ 20.1 million in 2016 from $ 17.3 million in 2015. the increase in occupancy expenses was the result of new branches opened in late 2015 and early 2016 , as well as expenses associated with a larger home office building . to accommodate our company 's growth , we signed an 11-year lease in may 2016 for a larger home office building that we began occupying in october 2016. the new lease will increase annual occupancy expense by approximately $ 0.6 million . additionally , we frequently experience increases in rent as we renew existing branch leases . marketing . marketing expenses decreased $ 0.2 million , or 2.6 % , to $ 6.8 million in 2016 from $ 7.0 million in 2015. the decrease was primarily due to an 11.0 % decrease in total direct mail marketing compared to 2015. the reduction in total mail quantity was the result of our efforts to fine-tune our processes to more efficiently target potential customers . other expenses . other expenses increased $ 0.7 million , or 3.3 % , to $ 22.8 million in 2016 from $ 22.0 million in 2015. the increase was primarily due to a $ 0.8 million increase in non-operating expenses related to the implementation of the nortridge loan management system and a $ 0.5 million increase in bank charges due to a higher branch count and increased fees for accepting debit card payments , partially offset by a decrease of $ 0.6 million in legal costs . in 2016 , we began using the nortridge loan management system in our north carolina , virginia , and new mexico branches , and we expect to convert to the nortridge loan management system in our remaining six states by the end of 2017. we expect technology costs to remain elevated in 2017 in connection with our efforts to transition to the nortridge loan management system . interest expense . interest expense on long-term debt increased $ 3.7 million , or 22.8 % , to $ 19.9 million in 2016 from $ 16.2 million in 2015. the increase was primarily due to stock repurchases of $ 25.0 million and loan growth , each of which contributed to an increase in the average balance of our senior revolving credit facility . the average cost of our long-term debt decreased 0.03 % to 4.52 % in 2016 from 4.55 % in 2015. income taxes . income taxes increased $ 0.1 million , or 1.0 % , to $ 14.9 million in 2016 from $ 14.8 million in 2015. the increase was primarily due to an increase in our net income before taxes . also , our effective tax rate decreased 0.4 % to 38.3 % in 2016 from 38.7 % in 2015. the decrease was primarily due to a lower amount of non-deductible compensation . comparison of december 31 , 2015 , versus december 31 , 2014 small loans ( £ $ 2,500 )  small loans outstanding increased by $ 18.6 million , or 5.8 % , to $ 338.2 million at december 31 , 2015 , from $ 319.5 million at december 31 , 2014. the growth in receivables in branches opened in 2014 and 2015 contributed to the growth in overall small loans outstanding . large loans ( > $ 2,500 )  large loans outstanding increased by $ 100.4 million , or 217.6 % , to $ 146.6 million at december 31 , 2015 from $

cash flow . operating activities . net cash provided by operating activities increased by $ 16.9 million , or 20.3 % , to $ 99.9 million in 2016 from $ 83.0 million in 2015. the increase was primarily due to higher net income , before provision for credit losses , resulting from growth in the business . investing activities . investing activities consist of finance receivables originated and purchased , net change in restricted cash , the purchase of intangible assets , and the purchase of property and equipment for new and existing branches . net cash used in investing activities for 2016 was $ 157.4 million compared to $ 146.5 million in 2015 , a net increase of $ 10.8 million . the increase was primarily due to higher net originations of finance receivables , higher purchases of intangible assets and property and equipment , offset by the net change in restricted cash . 66 financing activities . financing activities consist of borrowings and payments on our outstanding indebtedness , issuance of common stock , and repurchases of common stock . during 2016 , net cash provided by financing activities was $ 54.2 million , a change of $ 12.9 million compared to the $ 67.2 million net cash provided by financing activities in 2015. the decrease in net cash provided by financing activities was primarily a result of an increase in net advances on long-term debt of $ 10.9 million offset by stock repurchases of $ 25.0 million . financing arrangements . senior revolving credit facility . we entered into the fifth amended and restated senior revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks in september 2015 , which we subsequently amended in may 2016 and august 2016. the senior revolving credit facility provides for up to $ 585.0 million in availability , with a borrowing base of up to a maximum of 85 % of eligible secured finance receivables and up to a maximum of 70 % of eligible unsecured finance receivables , in each case , subject to adjustment at certain credit quality levels ( 83 % and 68 % as of december 31 , 2016 , respectively ) .


 Write a concise suspicious activity report of the following text delimited by triple backquotes. Return your response as a formal report which covers the key points highlighting the location,dates,entity names and account holder information in chronological order of the text.
     ```cash flow . operating activities . net cash provided by operating activities increased by $ 16.9 million , or 20.3 % , to $ 99.9 million in 2016 from $ 83.0 million in 2015. the increase was primarily due to higher net income , before provision for credit losses , resulting from growth in the business . investing activities . investing activities consist of finance receivables originated and purchased , net change in restricted cash , the purchase of intangible assets , and the purchase of property and equipment for new and existing branches . net cash used in investing activities for 2016 was $ 157.4 million compared to $ 146.5 million in 2015 , a net increase of $ 10.8 million . the increase was primarily due to higher net originations of finance receivables , higher purchases of intangible assets and property and equipment , offset by the net change in restricted cash . 66 financing activities . financing activities consist of borrowings and payments on our outstanding indebtedness , issuance of common stock , and repurchases of common stock . during 2016 , net cash provided by financing activities was $ 54.2 million , a change of $ 12.9 million compared to the $ 67.2 million net cash provided by financing activities in 2015. the decrease in net cash provided by financing activities was primarily a result of an increase in net advances on long-term debt of $ 10.9 million offset by stock repurchases of $ 25.0 million . financing arrangements . senior revolving credit facility . we entered into the fifth amended and restated senior revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks in september 2015 , which we subsequently amended in may 2016 and august 2016. the senior revolving credit facility provides for up to $ 585.0 million in availability , with a borrowing base of up to a maximum of 85 % of eligible secured finance receivables and up to a maximum of 70 % of eligible unsecured finance receivables , in each case , subject to adjustment at certain credit quality levels ( 83 % and 68 % as of december 31 , 2016 , respectively ) .
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 Suspicious Activity Report : insurance products  we offer optional payment and collateral protection insurance to our direct loan customers . small and large installment loans are our core products and will be the drivers of our future growth . our primary sources of revenue are interest and fee income from our loan products , of which interest and fees relating to small and large installment loans are the largest component . in addition to interest and fee income from loans , we derive revenue from optional insurance products purchased by customers of our direct loan products . factors affecting our results of operations our business is driven by several factors affecting our revenues , costs , and results of operations , including the following : quarterly information and seasonality . our loan volume and contractual delinquency follow seasonal trends . demand for our small and large loans is typically highest during the second , third , and fourth quarters , which we believe is largely due to customers borrowing money for vacations , back-to-school , and holiday spending . with the exception of automobile and retail loans , loan demand has generally been the lowest during the first quarter , which we believe is largely due to the timing of income tax refunds . delinquencies generally reach their lowest point in the first quarter of the year and rise throughout the remainder of the fiscal year . consequently , we experience seasonal fluctuations in our operating results and cash needs . growth in loan portfolio . the revenue that we derive from interest and fees is largely driven by the balance of loans that we originate and purchase . average finance receivables grew 10.9 % from $ 477.4 million in 2013 to $ 529.5 million in 2014 , grew 8.2 % to $ 572.8 million in 2015 , and grew 14.8 % to $ 657.4 million in 2016. we source our loans through our branches and our direct mail program , as well as through automobile dealerships , retail partners , and our consumer website . our loans are made almost exclusively in geographic markets served by our network of branches . increasing the number of loans per branch and the number of branches we operate allows us to increase the number of loans that we are able to service . we opened 8 , 31 , and 36 net new branches in 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively . we believe we have the opportunity to add as many as 700 additional branches in states where it is currently favorable for us to conduct business , and we have plans to continue to grow our branch network . product mix . we charge different interest rates and fees and are exposed to different credit risks with respect to the various types of loans we offer . our product mix also varies to some extent by state , and we may further diversify our product mix in the future . asset quality and allowance for credit losses . our results of operations are highly dependent upon the quality of our loan portfolio . we recorded a $ 63.0 million provision for credit losses during 2016 ( or 9.6 % of average finance receivables ) and a $ 47.3 million provision for credit losses during 2015 ( or 8.3 % of average finance receivables ) . the quality of our loan portfolio is the result of our ability to enforce sound underwriting standards , maintain diligent servicing of the portfolio , and respond to changing economic conditions as we grow our loan portfolio . in late 2014 , we created a credit risk function and have been making changes to continue to improve our credit underwriting guidelines . we believe that these changes have impacted , and will continue to impact , our business and results of operations , and improved credit quality in our portfolio . we will continue to monitor how these changes impact our business and results of operations , and we will make further revisions to our credit underwriting guidelines when appropriate . the allowance for credit losses calculation uses the current delinquency profile and historical delinquency roll rates as key data points in estimating the allowance . we believe that the primary underlying factors driving the provision for credit losses for each loan type are our underwriting standards , the general economic conditions 53 in the areas in which we conduct business , portfolio growth , and the effectiveness of our collection efforts . in addition , the market for repossessed automobiles at auction is another underlying factor that we believe influences the provision for credit losses for automobile purchase loans and , to a lesser extent , large loans . we monitor these factors , and the amount and past due status of delinquencies for all loans one or more days past due , to identify trends that might require us to modify the allowance for credit losses . interest rates . our costs of funds are affected by changes in interest rates , and the interest rate that we pay on our senior revolving credit facility is a variable rate . we have purchased interest rate cap contracts with an aggregate notional principal amount of $ 200.0 million and 2.50 % strike rates against the one-month libor . $ 150.0 million of these contracts expire in april 2018 , with the remaining $ 50.0 million expiring in march 2019. when the one-month libor exceeds 2.50 % , the counterparty reimburses us for the excess over 2.50 % . no payment is required by us or the counterparty when the one-month libor is below 2.50 % . operating costs . our financial results are impacted by the costs of operations and home office functions . those costs are included in general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statements of income . story_separator_special_tag our general and administrative expenses , comprising expenses for personnel , occupancy , marketing , and other expenses , increased $ 3.0 million , or 2.6 % , to $ 118.6 million in 2016 from $ 115.6 million in 2015. our receivable efficiency ratio ( general and administrative expenses as a percentage of average finance receivables ) decreased to 18.0 % during 2016 from 20.2 % in 2015. despite adding 8 net branches and increasing finance receivables by $ 89.3 million , or 14.2 % , since december 31 , 2015 , our operations general and administrative expenses decreased $ 0.2 million in 2016 compared to 2015. this decrease in expense is primarily due to improved efficiencies , which has allowed operations headcount to decrease to 1,239 from 1,350 at december 31 , 2015. home office general and administrative expenses increased $ 3.5 million in 2016 compared to 2015 primarily due to an increase in incentive plan expenses , new loan management system implementation costs , increased headcount , and the costs related to the transition to a new ceo . marketing expenses decreased $ 0.2 million in 2016 compared to 2015. the increase in general and administrative expenses is explained in greater detail below . personnel . the largest component of general and administrative expenses is personnel expense , which decreased $ 0.3 million , or 0.4 % , to $ 69.0 million in 2016 from $ 69.2 million in 2015. we experienced several offsetting changes in personnel expense during 2016 compared to 2015. we incurred non-operating compensation-related costs during 2015 of $ 1.5 million related to a ceo restricted stock grant and $ 0.5 million related to the retirement agreement costs of our former vice chairman . operations personnel expense decreased 60 $ 2.8 million in 2016 primarily due to lower branch incentive plan payouts achieved , more cost effective collection activities and the related reduction in automobile allowance expense , and the reduction in branch overtime expense . home office salary expense increased $ 2.1 million in 2016 from added headcount during 2015 and 2016 primarily in our information technology and credit risk departments . incentive compensation expense increased $ 3.0 million primarily due to the 2016 annual grant of awards under our long-term incentive plan , which have three-year performance targets . we expect incentive plan expense to increase in future years due to annual grants under our long-term incentive plan . occupancy . occupancy expenses increased $ 2.7 million , or 15.9 % , to $ 20.1 million in 2016 from $ 17.3 million in 2015. the increase in occupancy expenses was the result of new branches opened in late 2015 and early 2016 , as well as expenses associated with a larger home office building . to accommodate our company 's growth , we signed an 11-year lease in may 2016 for a larger home office building that we began occupying in october 2016. the new lease will increase annual occupancy expense by approximately $ 0.6 million . additionally , we frequently experience increases in rent as we renew existing branch leases . marketing . marketing expenses decreased $ 0.2 million , or 2.6 % , to $ 6.8 million in 2016 from $ 7.0 million in 2015. the decrease was primarily due to an 11.0 % decrease in total direct mail marketing compared to 2015. the reduction in total mail quantity was the result of our efforts to fine-tune our processes to more efficiently target potential customers . other expenses . other expenses increased $ 0.7 million , or 3.3 % , to $ 22.8 million in 2016 from $ 22.0 million in 2015. the increase was primarily due to a $ 0.8 million increase in non-operating expenses related to the implementation of the nortridge loan management system and a $ 0.5 million increase in bank charges due to a higher branch count and increased fees for accepting debit card payments , partially offset by a decrease of $ 0.6 million in legal costs . in 2016 , we began using the nortridge loan management system in our north carolina , virginia , and new mexico branches , and we expect to convert to the nortridge loan management system in our remaining six states by the end of 2017. we expect technology costs to remain elevated in 2017 in connection with our efforts to transition to the nortridge loan management system . interest expense . interest expense on long-term debt increased $ 3.7 million , or 22.8 % , to $ 19.9 million in 2016 from $ 16.2 million in 2015. the increase was primarily due to stock repurchases of $ 25.0 million and loan growth , each of which contributed to an increase in the average balance of our senior revolving credit facility . the average cost of our long-term debt decreased 0.03 % to 4.52 % in 2016 from 4.55 % in 2015. income taxes . income taxes increased $ 0.1 million , or 1.0 % , to $ 14.9 million in 2016 from $ 14.8 million in 2015. the increase was primarily due to an increase in our net income before taxes . also , our effective tax rate decreased 0.4 % to 38.3 % in 2016 from 38.7 % in 2015. the decrease was primarily due to a lower amount of non-deductible compensation . comparison of december 31 , 2015 , versus december 31 , 2014 small loans ( £ $ 2,500 )  small loans outstanding increased by $ 18.6 million , or 5.8 % , to $ 338.2 million at december 31 , 2015 , from $ 319.5 million at december 31 , 2014. the growth in receivables in branches opened in 2014 and 2015 contributed to the growth in overall small loans outstanding . large loans ( > $ 2,500 )  large loans outstanding increased by $ 100.4 million , or 217.6 % , to $ 146.6 million at december 31 , 2015 from $

