Item 1. Business.
General
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), is a full-service provider of outsourced receivables management. The Company purchases, collects and manages portfolios of defaulted consumer receivables. Defaulted consumer receivables are the unpaid obligations of individuals to credit originators, including banks, credit unions, consumer and auto finance companies, retail merchants and other providers of goods and services. The defaulted consumer receivables the Company collects are generally either purchased from sellers of defaulted consumer debt (“Debt Sellers”) or are collected on behalf of debt owners on a commission fee basis.
The Company uses the following terminology throughout its reports. “Cash Receipts” refers to all collections of cash, regardless of the source. “Cash Collections” refers to collections on the Company’s owned portfolios only, exclusive of commission income and sales of finance receivables. “Cash Sales of Finance Receivables” refers to the sales of the Company’s owned portfolios. “Commissions” refers to fee income generated from the Company’s wholly-owned contingent fee subsidiary. Prior to the Company’s initial public offering on November 8, 2002, the Company was organized as a limited liability company with all income taxes charged to the partners of the partnership. Pro forma adjustments have been made to show the impact of corporate taxes for all periods prior to the Company’s conversion to a corporation.
The Company specializes in receivables that have been charged-off by the credit originator. Since the Debt Seller has unsuccessfully attempted to collect these receivables, the Company is able to purchase them at a substantial discount to their face value. From its 1996 inception through December 31, 2003, the Company acquired 417 portfolios with a face value of $7.78 billion for $204.6 million, or 2.63% of face value, representing more than 4.1 million customer accounts. The success of the Company depends on its ability to purchase
portfolios of defaulted consumer receivables at appropriate valuations and to collect on those receivables effectively and efficiently. To date, the Company has consistently been able to collect at a rate of 2.5 to 3.0 times its purchase price for defaulted consumer receivables portfolios, as measured over a five to seven year period, which has enabled the Company to generate increasing profits and positive cash flow.
The Company has achieved strong financial results since its formation, with cash collections growing from $10.9 million in 1998 to $117.1 million in 2003. Total revenue has grown from $6.8 million in 1998 to $84.9 million in 2003, a compound annual growth rate of 66%. Similarly, pro forma net income has grown from $402,000 in 1998 to net income of $20.7 million in 2003. Excluding the impact of proceeds from occasional portfolio sales, cash collections have increased every quarter since the Company’s formation.
The Company was initially formed as Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, on March 20, 1996. Prior to the formation of the Company, founding members of the management team played key roles in the development of a defaulted consumer receivables acquisition and divestiture operation for Household Recovery Services, a subsidiary of Household International. In connection with an initial public offering, which commenced on November 8, 2002 (the “IPO”), all of the membership units of Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C. were exchanged, simultaneously with the effectiveness of the Company’s registration statement, for a single class of the common stock of Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc., a new Delaware corporation formed on August 7, 2002. Accordingly, the members of Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C. became the common stockholders of Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc., which became the parent company of Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C. and its subsidiaries.
Shares of common stock that were received in exchange for the membership interests of Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C. as a result of this reorganization, which were not registered by the Company’s initial public offering were deemed to have a new “holding period” for purposes of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and therefore could not be sold before November 6, 2003 unless registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or sold under an available exemption from registration, as in an organized stock offering. The “holding period” with respect to these shares has expired; therefore, these shares may now be traded pursuant to Rule 144, which imposes certain limitations on the manner of sale, notice requirements and the availability of the Company’s current public information.
A secondary offering of shares of common stock of the Company was completed on May 21, 2003, in which 4,025,000 shares were sold. After this transaction, the holders of 6,865,261 shares of the Company’s common stock which were not sold in the secondary offering agreed to a 180-day “lock-up” with respect to these shares. This generally means that holders of these shares were unable sell these shares during the 180 days following the date of the prospectus, or until November 21, 2003. These shares may now be sold in accordance with the provisions of the federal securities laws, including Rule 144.
Competitive Strengths
Complete Outsourced Solution for Debt Owners
The Company offers debt owners a complete outsourced solution to address their defaulted consumer receivables. Depending on a debt owner’s timing and needs, the Company can either purchase from the debt owner their defaulted consumer receivables, providing immediate cash, or service those receivables on their behalf for a commission fee based on a percentage of its collections. Furthermore, the Company can purchase or service receivables throughout the entire delinquency cycle, from receivables that have only been processed for collection internally by the debt owner to receivables that have been subject to multiple external collection efforts. This flexibility helps the Company meet the needs of debt owners and allows it to become a trusted resource. Furthermore, the Company’s strength across multiple transaction and asset types provides the opportunity to cross-sell its services to debt owners, building on successful engagements.
Disciplined and Proprietary Underwriting Process
One of the key components of the Company’s growth has been its ability to price portfolio acquisitions at levels that have generated profitable returns on investment. To date, the Company has consistently been able to collect at a rate of 2.5 to 3.0 times its purchase price for defaulted consumer receivables portfolios, as measured
over a five to seven year period, which has enabled the Company to generate increasing profits and cash flow. In order to price portfolios and forecast the targeted collection results for a portfolio, the Company uses two separate statistical models developed internally that are often supplemented with on-site due diligence of the Debt Seller’s collection process and loan files. One model analyzes the portfolio as one unit based on demographic comparisons while the second model analyzes each account in a portfolio using variables in a regression analysis. As the Company collects on its portfolios, the results are input back into the models in an ongoing process which the Company believes increases their accuracy. Through December 31, 2003 the Company has acquired 417 portfolios with a face value of $7.78 billion.
Ability to Hire, Develop and Retain Productive Collectors
In an industry characterized by high turnover, the Company’s ability to hire, develop and retain effective collectors is a key to its continued growth and profitability. The Company has found that tenure is a primary driver of its collector effectiveness. The Company offers its collectors a competitive wage with the opportunity to receive unlimited incentive compensation based on performance, as well as an attractive benefits package, a comfortable working environment and the ability to work on a flexible schedule. Stock options were awarded to many of the Company’s collectors at the time of the IPO in 2002. The Company has a comprehensive six week training program for new collectors and provides continuing advanced training classes which are conducted in its four training centers. Recognizing the demands of the job, the Company’s management has endeavored to create a professional and supportive environment for collectors. Furthermore, several large military bases and numerous telemarketing, customer service and reservation phone centers are located near the Company’s headquarters and regional offices in Virginia, providing access to a large pool of trained personnel. The Company has also found the Hutchinson, Kansas area to provide a sufficient potential workforce of trained personnel.
Established Systems and Infrastructure
The Company has devoted significant effort to developing its systems, including statistical models, databases and reporting packages, to optimize its portfolio purchases and collection efforts. In addition, the Company’s technology infrastructure is flexible, secure, reliable and redundant to ensure the protection of its sensitive data and to ensure minimal exposure to systems failure or unauthorized access. The Company believes that its systems and infrastructure give it meaningful advantages over its competitors. The Company has developed financial models and systems for pricing portfolio acquisitions, managing the collections process and monitoring operating results. The Company performs a static pool analysis monthly on each of its portfolios, inputting actual results back into its acquisition models, to enhance their accuracy. The Company monitors collection results continuously, seeking to identify and resolve negative trends immediately. The Company’s comprehensive management reporting package is designed to fully inform the Company’s management team so that it may make timely operating decisions. This combination of hardware, software and proprietary modeling and systems has been developed by the Company’s management team through years of experience in this industry and the Company believes provides it with an important competitive advantage from the acquisition process all the way through collection operations.
Strong Relationships with Major Credit Originators
The Company has done business with most of the top consumer lenders in the United States. The Company maintains an extensive marketing effort and its senior management team is in contact with known and prospective credit originators. The Company believes that it has earned a reputation as a reliable purchaser of defaulted consumer receivables portfolios and as responsible collectors. Furthermore, from the perspective of the selling credit originator, the failure to close on a negotiated sale of a portfolio consumes valuable time and expense and can have an adverse effect on pricing when the portfolio is re-marketed. The Company has never failed to close on a transaction. Similarly, if a credit originator sells a portfolio to a group that violates industry standard collecting practices, it can taint the reputation of the credit originator. The Company goes to great lengths to collect from consumers in a responsible, professional and compliant manner. The Company believes its strong relationships with major credit originators provide it with access to quality opportunities for portfolio purchases and contingent fee collection placements.
Experienced Management Team
The Company has an experienced management team with considerable expertise in the accounts receivable management industry. Prior to the Company’s formation, the firm’s founders played key roles in the development and management of a consumer receivables acquisition and divestiture operation of Household Recovery Services, a subsidiary of Household International. As the Company has grown, the management team has been expanded with a group of successful, seasoned executives.
Risks Related to the Company’s Business
To the extent not described elsewhere in this Annual Report, the following are risks related to the Company’s business.
The Company may not be able to collect sufficient amounts on its defaulted consumer receivables to fund its operations
The Company’s business consists of acquiring and servicing receivables that consumers have failed to pay and that the Debt Sellers have deemed uncollectible. The Debt Sellers generally make numerous attempts to recover on their defaulted consumer receivables, often using a combination of in-house recovery efforts and third-party collection agencies. These defaulted consumer receivables are difficult to collect and the Company may not collect a sufficient amount to cover its investment associated with purchasing the defaulted consumer receivables and the costs of running its business.
The Company’s contingent fee collections operations have a limited operating history
The Company’s contingent fee collections operations commenced in March 2001. These operations are in the early stages of development. Accordingly, these operations have a limited operating history and their prospects must be considered in light of the risks and uncertainties facing early-stage companies. As of December 31, 2003, the Company has entered into contingent fee collection arrangements with 9 clients. Although the Company is currently generating positive operating income from its contingent fee collections operations, the Company’s limited operating history makes prediction of future results difficult.
The Company may not be able to purchase defaulted consumer receivables at appropriate prices, and a decrease in its ability to purchase portfolios of receivables could adversely affect its ability to generate revenue
If one or more Debt Sellers stops selling defaulted receivables to the Company and it is otherwise unable to purchase defaulted receivables at appropriate prices, the Company could lose a potential source of income and its business may be harmed.
The availability of receivables portfolios at prices which generate an appropriate return on the Company’s investment depends on a number of factors both within and outside of its control, including the following:
• the continuation of current growth trends in the levels of consumer obligations;
• sales of receivables portfolios by Debt Sellers; and
• competitive factors affecting potential purchasers and Debt Sellers of receivables.
Because of the length of time involved in collecting defaulted consumer receivables on acquired portfolios and the volatility in the timing of the Company’s collections, the Company may not be able to identify trends and make changes in its purchasing strategies in a timely manner.
The Company experiences high employee turnover rates and it may not be able to hire and retain enough sufficiently trained employees to support its operations
The accounts receivables management industry is very labor intensive and, similar to other companies in the Company’s industry, the Company typically experiences a high rate of employee turnover. The Company’s
annual turnover rate, excluding those employees that do not complete its six week training program, was 37% in 2003. The Company competes for qualified personnel with companies in its industry and in other industries. The Company’s growth requires that it continually hire and train new collectors. A higher turnover rate among its collectors will increase the Company’s recruiting and training costs and limit the number of experienced collection personnel available to service its defaulted consumer receivables. If this were to occur, the Company would not be able to service its defaulted consumer receivables effectively and this would reduce its ability to continue its growth and operate profitability.
The Company serves markets that are highly competitive, and it may be unable to compete with businesses that may have greater resources than it has
The Company faces competition in both of the markets it serves - owned portfolio and contingent fee accounts receivable management - from new and existing providers of outsourced receivables management services, including other purchasers of defaulted consumer receivables portfolios, third-party contingent fee collection agencies and debt sellers that manage their own defaulted consumer receivables rather than outsourcing them. The accounts receivable management industry is highly fragmented and competitive, consisting of approximately 6,000 consumer and commercial agencies, most of which compete in the contingent fee business.
The Company faces bidding competition in its acquisition of defaulted consumer receivables and in its placement of contingent fee receivables, and the Company also competes on the basis of reputation, industry experience and performance. Some of the Company’s current competitors and possible new competitors may have substantially greater financial, personnel and other resources, greater adaptability to changing market needs, longer operating histories and more established relationships in its industry than it currently has. In the future, the Company may not have the resources or ability to compete successfully. As there are few significant barriers for entry to new providers of contingent fee receivables management services, there can be no assurance that additional competitors with greater resources than the Company’s will not enter its market. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the Company’s existing or potential clients will continue to outsource their defaulted consumer receivables at recent levels or at all, or that it may continue to offer competitive bids for defaulted consumer receivables portfolios. If the Company is unable to develop and expand its business or adapt to changing market needs as well as its current or future competitors are able to do, the Company may experience reduced access to defaulted consumer receivables portfolios at appropriate prices and reduced profitability.
The Company may not be successful at acquiring receivables of new asset types or in implementing a new pricing structure
The Company may pursue the acquisition of receivables portfolios of asset types in which it has little current experience. The Company may not be successful in completing any acquisitions of receivables of these asset types and its limited experience in these asset types may impair its ability to collect on these receivables. This may cause the Company to pay too much for these receivables and consequently it may not generate a profit from these receivables portfolio acquisitions.
In addition, the Company may in the future provide a service to debt owners in which debt owners will place consumer receivables with it for a specific period of time for a flat fee. This fee may be based on the number of collectors assigned to the collection of these receivables, the amount of receivables placed or other bases. The Company may not be successful in determining and implementing the appropriate pricing for this pricing structure, which may cause it to be unable to generate a profit from this business.
The Company’s collections may decrease if bankruptcy filings increase
During times of economic recession, the amount of defaulted consumer receivables generally increases, which contributes to an increase in the amount of personal bankruptcy filings. Under certain bankruptcy filings a debtor’s assets may be sold to repay creditors, but since the defaulted consumer receivables the Company services are generally unsecured it often would not be able to collect on those receivables. The Company cannot ensure that its collection experience would not decline with an increase in bankruptcy filings. If the Company’s actual collection experience with respect to a defaulted consumer receivables portfolio is significantly lower than it
projected when it purchased the portfolio, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations could deteriorate.
The Company may make acquisitions that prove unsuccessful or strain or divert its resources
The Company intends to consider acquisitions of other companies in its industry that could complement its business, including the acquisition of entities offering greater access and expertise in other asset types and markets that the Company does not currently serve. The Company has little experience in completing acquisitions of other businesses, and it may not be able to successfully complete an acquisition. If the Company does acquire other businesses, it may not be able to successfully integrate these businesses with its own and the Company may be unable to maintain its standards, controls and policies. Further, acquisitions may place additional constraints on the Company’s resources by diverting the attention of its management from other business concerns. Through acquisitions, the Company may enter markets in which it has no or limited experience. Moreover, any acquisition may result in a potentially dilutive issuance of equity securities, the incurrence of additional debt and amortization expenses of related intangible assets, all of which could reduce the Company’s profitability and harm its business.
The Company may not be able to continually replace its defaulted consumer receivables with additional receivables portfolios sufficient to operate efficiently and profitably
To operate profitably, the Company must continually acquire and service a sufficient amount of defaulted consumer receivables to generate revenue that exceeds its expenses. Fixed costs such as salaries and lease or other facility costs constitute a significant portion of the Company’s overhead and, if it does not continually replace the defaulted consumer receivables portfolios the Company services with additional portfolios, it may have to reduce the number of its collection personnel. The Company would then have to rehire collection staff as it obtains additional defaulted consumer receivables portfolios. These practices could lead to:
• low employee morale;
• fewer experienced employees;
• higher training costs;
• disruptions in the Company’s operations;
• loss of efficiency; and
• excess costs associated with unused space in the Company’s facilities.
Furthermore, heightened regulation of the credit card and consumer lending industry may result in decreased availability of credit to consumers, potentially leading to a future reduction in defaulted consumer receivables available for purchase from Debt Sellers. The Company cannot predict how its ability to identify and purchase receivables and the quality of those receivables would be affected if there is a shift in consumer lending practices, whether caused by changes in the regulations or accounting practices applicable to debt owners, a sustained economic downturn or otherwise.
The Company may not be able to manage its growth effectively
The Company has expanded significantly since its formation and intends to maintain its growth focus. However, the Company’s growth will place additional demands on its resources and the Company cannot ensure that it will be able to manage its growth effectively. In order to successfully manage its growth, the Company may need to:
• expand and enhance its administrative infrastructure;
• continue to improve its management, financial and information systems and controls; and
• recruit, train, manage and retain its employees effectively.
Continued growth could place a strain on the Company’s management, operations and financial resources. The Company cannot ensure that its infrastructure, facilities and personnel will be adequate to support its future operations or to effectively adapt to future growth. If the Company cannot manage its growth effectively, its results of operations may be adversely affected.
The Company’s operations could suffer from telecommunications or technology downtime or increased costs
The Company’s success depends in large part on sophisticated telecommunications and computer systems. The temporary or permanent loss of its computer and telecommunications equipment and software systems, through casualty or operating malfunction, could disrupt the Company’s operations. In the normal course of its business, the Company must record and process significant amounts of data quickly and accurately to access, maintain and expand the databases it uses for its collection activities. Any failure of the Company’s information systems or software and its backup systems would interrupt its business operations and harm its business. The Company’s headquarters is located in a region that is susceptible to hurricane damage, which may increase the risk of disruption of information systems and telephone service for sustained periods.
Further, the Company’s business depends heavily on services provided by various local and long distance telephone companies. A significant increase in telephone service costs or any significant interruption in telephone services could reduce its profitability or disrupt its operations and harm the Company’s business.
The Company may not be able to successfully anticipate, manage or adopt technological advances within its industry
The Company’s business relies on computer and telecommunications technologies and its ability to integrate these technologies into its business is essential to the Company’s competitive position and its success. Computer and telecommunications technologies are evolving rapidly and are characterized by short product life cycles. The Company may not be successful in anticipating, managing or adopting technological changes on a timely basis.
While the Company believes that its existing information systems are sufficient to meet its current demands and continued expansion, the Company’s future growth may require additional investment in these systems. The Company depends on having the capital resources necessary to invest in new technologies to acquire and service defaulted consumer receivables. The Company cannot ensure that adequate capital resources will be available to it at the appropriate time.
The Company’s senior management team is important to its continued success and the loss of one or more members of senior management could negatively affect the Company’s operations
The loss of the services of one or more of the Company’s key executive officers or key employees could disrupt its operations. The Company has employment agreements with Steve Fredrickson, its president, chief executive officer and chairman of its board of directors, Kevin Stevenson, the Company’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, and most of its other senior executives. The current agreements contain non-compete provisions that survive termination of employment. However, these agreements do not and will not assure the continued services of these officers and the Company cannot ensure that the non-compete provisions will be enforceable. The Company’s success depends on the continued service and performance of its key executive officers, and it cannot guarantee that it will be able to retain those individuals. The loss of the services of Mr. Fredrickson, Mr. Stevenson or one or more of the Company’s other key executive officers could seriously impair its ability to continue to acquire or collect on defaulted consumer receivables and to manage and expand its business. The Company maintains key man life insurance on Steve Fredrickson.
The Company’s ability to recover and enforce its defaulted consumer receivables may be limited under federal and state laws
Federal and state laws may limit the Company’s ability to recover and enforce its defaulted consumer receivables regardless of any act or omission on its part. Some laws and regulations applicable to credit issuers may preclude the Company from collecting on defaulted consumer receivables it purchases if the credit
issuer previously failed to comply with applicable laws in generating or servicing those receivables. Collection laws and regulations also directly apply to the Company’s business. Additional consumer protection and privacy protection laws may be enacted that would impose additional requirements on the enforcement of and collection on consumer credit receivables. Any new laws, rules or regulations that may be adopted, as well as existing consumer protection and privacy protection laws, may adversely affect the Company’s ability to collect on its defaulted consumer receivables and may harm its business. In addition, federal and state governmental bodies are considering, and may consider in the future, other legislative proposals that would regulate the collection of the Company’s defaulted consumer receivables. Although the Company cannot predict if or how any future legislation would impact its business, its failure to comply with any current or future laws or regulations applicable to it could limit its ability to collect on its defaulted consumer receivables, which could reduce its profitability and harm the Company’s business.
The Company utilizes the interest method of revenue recognition for determining its income recognized on finance receivables, which is based on an analysis of projected cash flows that may prove to be less than anticipated and could lead to reductions in future revenues or impairment charges
The Company utilizes the interest method to determine income recognized on finance receivables. Under this method, each static pool of receivables it acquires is modeled upon its projected cash flows. A yield is then established which, when applied to the unamortized purchase price of the receivables, results in the recognition of income at a constant yield relative to the remaining balance in the pool of defaulted consumer receivables. Each static pool is analyzed monthly to assess the actual performance compared to that expected by the model. If differences are noted, the yield is adjusted prospectively to reflect the revised estimate of cash flows. If the accuracy of the modeling process deteriorates or there is a decline in anticipated cash flows, the Company would suffer reductions in future revenues or a decline in the carrying value of its receivables portfolios, which in either case would result in lower earnings in future periods and could negatively impact the Company’s stock price.
Portfolio Acquisitions
The Company’s portfolio of defaulted consumer receivables includes a diverse set of accounts that can be segmented by asset type, age and size of account, level of previous collection efforts and geography. To identify attractive buying opportunities, the Company maintains an extensive marketing effort with its senior officers contacting known and prospective sellers of defaulted consumer receivables. The Company acquires receivables of Visa®, MasterCard® and Discover® credit cards, private label credit cards, installment loans, lines of credit, deficiency balances of various types and legal judgments, all from a variety of Debt Sellers. These Debt Sellers include major banks, credit unions, consumer finance companies, telecommunication providers, retailers, other debt buyers and auto finance companies. In addition, the Company exhibits at trade shows, advertises in a variety of trade publications and attends industry events in an effort to develop account purchase opportunities. The Company also maintains active relationships with brokers of defaulted consumer receivables. The following chart categorizes the Company’s life to date owned portfolios as of December 31, 2003 into the major asset types represented.
The Company has acquired portfolios at various price levels, depending on the age of the portfolio, its geographic distribution, its historical experience with a certain asset type or Debt Seller and similar factors. A typical defaulted consumer receivables portfolio ranges from $5 to $75 million in face value and contains defaulted consumer receivables from diverse geographic locations with average initial individual account balances of $1,000 to $7,000.
The age of a defaulted consumer receivables portfolio (i.e., the time since an account has been charged-off) is an important factor in determining the maximum price at which the Company will purchase a receivables portfolio. Generally, there is an inverse relationship between the age of a portfolio and the price that the Company will purchase the portfolio. This relationship is due to the fact that older receivables typically are more difficult to collect. The accounts receivables management industry places receivables into categories depending on the number of collection agencies that have previously attempted to collect on the receivables. Fresh accounts are typically past due 120 to 270 days and charged-off by the credit originator, that are either being sold prior to any post-charge-off collection activity or are placed with a third-party for the first time. These accounts typically sell for the highest purchase price. Primary accounts are typically 270 to 360 days past charge-off, have been previously placed with one contingent fee servicer and receive a lower purchase price. Secondary and tertiary accounts are typically more than 360 days past charge-off, have been placed with two or three contingent fee servicers and receive even lower purchase prices. As shown in the following chart, as of December 31, 2003, a majority of the Company’s portfolios are secondary and tertiary accounts but it purchases or services accounts at any point in the delinquency cycle.
The Company also reviews the geographic distribution of accounts within a portfolio because it has found that certain states have more debtor-friendly laws than others and, therefore, are less desirable from a collectibility perspective. In addition, economic factors and bankruptcy trends vary regionally and are factored into the Company’s maximum purchase price equation.
As the following chart illustrates, as of December 31, 2003 the Company’s overall life to date portfolio of defaulted consumer receivables is generally balanced geographically.
(1)
Each state included in “Other” represents under 2% of the face value of total defaulted consumer receivables.
Purchasing Process
The Company acquires portfolios from Debt Sellers through both an auction and a negotiated sale process. In an auction process, the Debt Seller will assemble a portfolio of receivables and seek purchase prices from specifically invited potential purchasers. In a privately negotiated sale process, the Debt Seller will contact known, reputable purchasers directly and negotiate the terms of sale. On a limited basis, the Company also acquires accounts in forward flow contracts. Under a forward flow contract, the Company agrees to purchase defaulted consumer receivables from a Debt Seller on a periodic basis, at a set percentage of face value of the receivables over a specified time period. These agreements typically have a provision requiring that the attributes of the receivables to be sold will not significantly change each month and that the Debt Seller’s efforts to collect these receivables will not change. If this provision is not provided for, the contract will allow for the early termination of the forward flow contract by the purchaser. Forward flow contracts are a consistent source of defaulted consumer receivables for accounts receivables management providers and provide the Debt Sellers with a reliable source of revenue and a professional resolution of defaulted consumer receivables.
In a typical sale transaction, a Debt Seller distributes a computer disk or data tape containing 10 to 15 basic data fields on each receivables account in the portfolio offered for sale. Such fields typically include the consumer’s name, address, outstanding balance, date of charge-off, date of last payment and the date the account was opened. The Company performs its initial due diligence on the portfolio by electronically cross-checking the data fields on the computer disk or data tape against the accounts in its owned portfolios and against national demographic and credit databases. The Company compiles a variety of portfolio level reports examining all demographic data available.
In order to determine a maximum purchase price for a portfolio, the Company uses two separate computer models developed internally that often are supplemented with on-site due diligence of the seller’s collection operation and/or a review of their loan origination files, collection notes and work processes. The Company analyzes the portfolio using its proprietary multiple regression model, which analyzes each account of the portfolio using variables in the regression model. In addition, the Company analyzes the portfolio using an
adjustment model, which uses an appropriate cash flow model depending upon whether it is a purchase of fresh, primary, secondary or tertiary accounts. Then, adjustments can be made to the cash flow model to compensate for demographic attributes supported by a detailed analysis of demographic data. This process yields the Company’s quantitative purchasing analysis used to help price transactions. The multiple regression model is also used to prioritize collection work efforts subsequent to purchase. With respect to prospective forward flow contracts and other long-term relationships, in addition to the procedures outlined above, the Company may obtain a representative test portfolio to evaluate and compare the performance of the portfolio to the projections the Company developed in its purchasing analysis.
The Company’s due diligence and portfolio review results in a comprehensive analysis of the proposed portfolio. This analysis compares defaulted consumer receivables in the prospective portfolio with the Company’s collection history in similar portfolios. The Company then uses its multiple regression model to value each account. Using the two valuation approaches, the Company determines cash collections over the life of the portfolio. The Company then summarizes all anticipated cash collections and associated direct expenses and projects a collectibility value expressed both in dollars and liquidation percentage and a detailed expense projection over the portfolio’s estimated five to seven year economic life. The Company uses the total projected collectibility value to determine an appropriate purchase price.
The Company maintains detailed static pool analysis on each portfolio that it has acquired, capturing all demographic data and revenue and expense items for further analysis. The Company uses the static pool analysis to refine the underwriting models that it uses to price future portfolio purchases. The results of the static pool analysis are input back into the Company’s models, increasing the accuracy of the models as the data set increases with every portfolio purchase and each day’s collection efforts.
The quantitative and qualitative data derived in the Company’s due diligence is evaluated together with its knowledge of the current defaulted consumer receivables market and any subjective factors that management may know about the portfolio or the Debt Seller. A portfolio acquisition approval memorandum is prepared for each prospective portfolio before a purchase price is submitted to the seller. This approval memorandum, which outlines the portfolio’s anticipated collectibility and purchase structure, is distributed to members of the Company’s investment committee. The approval by the committee sets a maximum purchase price for the portfolio. The investment committee is currently comprised of Steve Fredrickson, CEO and President, Kevin Stevenson, CFO and Craig Grube, EVP - Acquisitions.
Once a portfolio purchase has been approved by the Company’s investment committee and the terms of the sale have been agreed to with the seller, the acquisition is documented in an agreement that contains customary terms and conditions. Provisions are incorporated for bankrupt, disputed, fraudulent or deceased accounts and typically, the seller either agrees to repurchase these accounts or replace them with acceptable replacement accounts within certain time frames.
Collection Operations
The Company’s work flow management system places, recalls and prioritizes accounts in collectors’ work queues, based on the Company’s analyses of its accounts and other demographic, credit and prior work collection attributes. The Company uses this process to focus its work effort on those consumers most likely to pay on their accounts and to rotate to other collectors the non-paying accounts from which other collectors have been unsuccessful in receiving payment. The majority of the Company’s collections occur as a result of telephone contact with consumers.
The collectibility forecast for a newly acquired portfolio will determine collection strategy. Accounts which are determined to have the highest predicted collectibility probability may be sent immediately to collectors’ work queues. Less collectible accounts may be set aside as house accounts to be collected using a predictive dialer or other passive, low cost method. All newly purchased accounts are campaign dialed for a period of time for maximum penetration prior to distribution to collector queues. At such time, only those accounts with acceptable minimum scores are distributed to collection queues. The Company may obtain credit reports for the most collectible accounts after the collection process begins.
When a collector establishes contact with a consumer, the account information is placed automatically in the collector’s work queue. The Company’s computer system allows each collector to view all the scanned documents relating to the consumer’s account, which can include the original account application and payment checks. A typical collector work queue may include 650 to 1,000 accounts or more, depending on the skill level of the collector. The work queue is depleted and replenished automatically by the Company’s computerized work flow system.
On the initial contact call, the consumer is given a standardized presentation regarding the benefits of resolving his or her account with the Company. Emphasis is placed on determining the reason for the consumer’s default in order to better assess the consumer’s situation and create a plan for repayment. The collector is incentivized to have the consumer pay the full balance of the account. If the collector cannot obtain payment of the full balance, the collector will suggest a repayment plan which includes an approximate 20% down payment with the balance to be repaid over an agreed upon period. At times, when determined to be appropriate, and in many cases with management approval, a reduced lump-sum settlement may be agreed upon. If the consumer elects to utilize an installment plan, the Company has developed a system to make monthly withdrawals from a consumer’s bank account.
If a collector is unable to establish contact with a consumer based on information received, the collector must undertake skip tracing procedures to develop important account information. Skip tracing is the process of developing new phone, address, job or asset information on a consumer. Each collector does his or her own skip tracing using a number of computer applications available at his or her workstation, as well as a series of automated skip tracing procedures implemented by the Company on a regular basis.
Accounts for which the consumer has the likely ability, but not the willingness to resolve their obligations, are reviewed for legal action. Depending on the balance of the defaulted consumer receivable and the applicable state collection laws, the Company determines whether to commence legal action to judicially collect on the receivable. The legal process can take an extended period of time, but it also generates cash collections that likely would not have been realized otherwise.
The Company’s legal recovery department oversees and coordinates an independent nationwide collections attorney network which is responsible for the preparation and filing of judicial collection proceedings in multiple jurisdictions, determining the suit criteria, coordinating sales of property and instituting wage garnishments to satisfy judgments. This network consists of approximately 70 independent law firms who work on a contingent fee basis. The Company’s legal department also processes proofs of claims for recovery on receivables which are included in consumer bankruptcies filed under Chapter 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and submits claims against estates in cases involving deceased debtors having assets at the time of death. Legal cash collections currently constitute approximately 26% of the Company’s total cash collections. As the Company’s portfolio matures, a larger number of accounts will be directed to its legal recovery department for judicial collection; consequently, the Company anticipates that legal cash collections will grow commensurately and comprise a larger percentage of its total cash collections.
Contingent Fee Collections Operations
In order to provide debt owners with alternative collection solutions and to capitalize on common competencies between a contingent fee collections operation and an acquired receivables portfolio business, the Company commenced its third-party contingent fee collections operations in March 2001. In a contingent fee arrangement, debt owners typically place defaulted receivables with an outsourced provider once they have ceased their recovery efforts. The debt owners then pay the third-party agency a commission fee based upon the amount actually collected from the consumer. A contingent fee placement of defaulted consumer receivables is usually for a fixed time frame, typically four to six months, or as long as nine months or more if there have been previous collection efforts. At the end of this fixed period, the third-party agency will return the uncollected defaulted consumer receivables to the debt owner, which may then place the defaulted consumer receivables with another collection agency or sell the portfolio receivables.
The determination of the commission fee to be paid for third-party collections is generally based upon the potential collectibility of the defaulted consumer receivables being assigned for placement. For example, if there has been no prior third-party collection activity with respect to the defaulted consumer receivables, the
commission fee would be lower than if there had been one or more previous collection agencies attempting to collect on the receivables. The earlier the placement of defaulted consumer receivables in the collection process, the higher the probability of receiving a cash collection and, therefore, the lower the cost to collect and the lower the commission fee. Other factors, such as the location of the consumers, the size of the defaulted consumer receivables and the clients’ collection procedures and work standards also contribute to establishing a commission fee.
Once a defaulted consumer receivable has been placed with the Company, the collection process operates in a slightly different manner than with its portfolio acquisition business. Servicing time limitations imposed by the debt owner requires a greater emphasis on immediate settlements and larger down payments, compared to much longer term repayment plans common with the Company’s owned portfolios of defaulted consumer receivables. In addition, work standards are often dictated by the debt owner. While the Company’s contingent fee collections operations utilize their own collectors and collection system, the Company has been able to leverage the portfolio acquisition business’ infrastructure, existing facilities and skill set of its management team to provide support for this business operation. The leveraged competencies of the portfolio acquisition business include its sophisticated technology systems, account and portfolio scoring abilities, and training techniques.
Competition
The Company faces competition in both of the markets it serves - owned portfolio and contingent fee accounts receivable management - from new and existing providers of outsourced receivables management services, including other purchasers of defaulted consumer receivables portfolios, third-party contingent fee collection agencies and debt owners that manage their own defaulted consumer receivables rather than outsourcing them. The accounts receivable management industry (owned portfolio and contingent fee) is highly fragmented and competitive, consisting of approximately 6,000 consumer and commercial agencies. The Company estimates that more than 90% of these agencies compete in the contingent fee market. There are few significant barriers for entry to new providers of contingent fee receivables management services and, consequently, the number of agencies serving the contingent fee market may continue to grow. Greater capital needs and the need for portfolio evaluation expertise sufficient to price portfolios effectively constitute significant barriers for entry to new providers of owned portfolio receivables management services.
The Company faces bidding competition in its acquisition of defaulted consumer receivables and in obtaining placement of contingent fee receivables. The Company also competes on the basis of reputation, industry experience and performance. Among the positive factors which the Company believes influence its ability to compete effectively in this market are its ability to bid on portfolios at appropriate prices, its reputation from previous transactions regarding its ability to close transactions in a timely fashion, its relationships with originators of defaulted consumer receivables, its team of well-trained collectors who provide quality customer service and compliance with applicable collections laws, its ability to collect on various asset types and its ability to provide both purchased and contingent fee solutions to debt owners. Among the negative factors which the Company believes could influence its ability to compete effectively in this market are that some of its current competitors and possible new competitors may have substantially greater financial, personnel and other resources, greater adaptability to changing market needs, longer operating histories and more established relationships in its industry than the Company currently has.
Information Technology
Technology Operating Systems and Server Platform
The scalability of the Company’s systems provides it with a technology system that is flexible, secure, reliable and redundant to ensure the protection of its sensitive data. The Company utilizes Intel-based servers running industry standard open systems coupled with Microsoft Windows 2000/2003 and NT Server operating systems. In addition, the Company utilizes a blend of purchased and proprietary software systems tailored to the needs of its business. These systems are designed to eliminate inefficiencies in the Company’s collections, continue to meet business objectives in a changing environment and meet compliance obligations with regulatory entities. The Company believes that its combination of purchased and proprietary software packages provide collections automation that is superior to its competitors.
Network Technology
To provide delivery of the Company’s applications, it utilizes Intel-based workstations across its entire business operations. The environment is configured to provide speeds of 100 megabytes to the desktops of its collections and administration staff. The Company’s one gigabyte server network architecture supports high-speed data transport. The Company’s network system is designed to be scalable and meet expansion and inter-building bandwidth and quality of service demands.
Database Systems
The ability to access and utilize data is essential to the Company being able to operate nationwide in a cost-effective manner. The Company’s centralized computer-based information systems support the core processing functions of its business under a set of integrated databases and are designed to be both replicable and scalable to accommodate its internal growth. This integrated approach helps to assure that consistent sources are processed efficiently. The Company uses these systems for portfolio and client management, skip tracing, check taking, financial and management accounting, reporting, and planning and analysis. The systems also support the Company’s consumers, including on-line access to account information, account status and payment entry. The Company uses a combination of Microsoft, Oracle and Cache database software to manage its portfolios, financial, customer and sales data, and the Company believes these systems will be sufficient for its needs for the foreseeable future. The Company’s contingent fee collections operations database incorporates an integrated and proprietary predictive dialing platform used with its predictive dialer discussed below.
Redundancy, System Backup, Security and Disaster Recovery
The Company’s data centers provide the infrastructure for innovative collection services and uninterrupted support of hardware and server management, server co-location and an all-inclusive server administration for its business. The Company believes its facilities and operations include sufficient redundancy, file back-up and security to ensure minimal exposure to systems failure or unauthorized access. The preparations in this area include the use of call centers in Virginia and in Kansas in order to help provide redundancy for data and processes should one site be completely disabled. The Company has a comprehensive disaster recovery plan covering its business that is tested on a periodic basis. The combination of the Company’s locally distributed call control systems provides enterprise-wide call and data distribution between its call centers for efficient portfolio collection and business operations. In addition to real-time replication of data between the sites, incremental backups of both software and databases are performed on a daily basis and a full system backup is performed weekly. Backup data tapes are stored at an offsite location along with copies of schedules and production control procedures, procedures for recovery using an off-site data center, documentation and other critical information necessary for recovery and continued operation. The Company’s Virginia headquarters has two separate power and telecommunications feeds, uninterruptible power supply and a diesel-generator power plant, that provide a level of redundancy should a power outage or interruption occur. The Company also employs rigorous physical and electronic security to protect its data. The Company’s call centers have restricted card key access and appropriate additional physical security measures. Electronic protections include data encryption, firewalls and multi-level access controls.
Plasma Displays for Real Time Data Utilization
The Company utilizes plasma displays at its Virginia facilities to aid in recovery of portfolios. The displays provide real-time business-critical information to the Company’s collection personnel for efficient collection efforts such as telephone, production, employee status, goal trending, training and corporate information.
Dialer Technology
The Noble Systems Predictive Dialer ensures that the Company’s collection staff focuses on certain defaulted consumer receivables according to the Company’s specifications. The Company’s predictive dialer takes account of all campaign and dialing parameters and is able to constantly adjust its dialing pace to match changes in campaign conditions and provide the lowest possible wait times.
Employees
The Company employed 798 persons on a full-time basis, including 590 collectors on its owned portfolios and an additional 57 collectors working in its contingent fee collections operations, as of December 31, 2003. None of the Company’s employees are represented by a union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The Company believes that its relations with its employees are good.
Hiring
The Company recognizes that its collectors are critical to the success of its business as a majority of the Company’s collection efforts occur as a result of telephone contact with consumers. The Company has found that the tenure and productivity of its collectors are directly related. Therefore, attracting, hiring, training, retaining and motivating its collection personnel is a major focus for the Company. The Company pays its collectors competitive wages and offers employees a full benefits program which includes comprehensive medical coverage, short and long term disability, life insurance, dental and vision coverage, an employee assistance program, supplemental indemnity, cancer, hospitalization, accident insurance, a flexible spending account for child care, and a matching 401(k) program. In addition to a base wage, the Company provides collectors with the opportunity to receive unlimited compensation through an incentive compensation program that pays bonuses above a set monthly base, based upon each collector’s collection results. This program is designed to ensure that employees are paid based not only on performance, but also on consistency. The Company has awarded stock options to many of the Company’s tenured collectors. The Company believes that these practices have enabled it to achieve an annual post-training turnover rate of 37% in 2003.
A large number of telemarketing, customer-service and reservation phone centers are located near the Company’s Virginia headquarters. The Company believes that it offers a higher base wage than many local employers and therefore has access to a large number of trained personnel. In addition, there are approximately 100,000 active-duty military personnel in the area. The Company employs numerous military spouses and retirees and finds them to be an excellent source of employees. The Company has also found the Hutchinson, Kansas area to provide a large potential workforce of trained personnel.
Training
The Company provides a comprehensive six-week training program for all new owned portfolio collectors. The first three weeks of the training program is comprised of lectures to learn collection techniques, state and federal collection laws, systems, negotiation skills, skip tracing and telephone use. These sessions are then followed by an additional three weeks of practical experience conducting live calls with additional managerial supervision in order to provide employees with confidence and guidance while still contributing to the Company’s profitability. Each trainee must successfully pass a comprehensive examination before being assigned to the collection floor. In addition, the Company conducts continuing advanced classes in its four training centers. The Company’s technology and systems allow it to monitor individual employees and then offer additional training in areas of deficiency to increase productivity.
Legal
Legal Recovery Department
An important component of the Company’s collections effort involves its legal recovery department and the judicial collection of accounts of customers who have the ability, but not the willingness, to resolve their obligations. The Company’s legal recovery department oversees and coordinates an independent nationwide attorney network which is responsible for the preparation and filing of judicial collection proceedings in multiple jurisdictions, determining the suit criteria, coordinating sales of property and instituting wage garnishments to satisfy judgments. This nationwide collections attorney network consists of approximately 70 independent law firms. The Company’s legal recovery department also submits claims against estates in cases involving deceased debtors having assets at the time of death, and processes proofs of claims for recovery on accounts which are included in consumer bankruptcies filed under Chapter 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Recent proposed amendments to federal bankruptcy laws, if passed, will very likely have an impact upon the Company’s operations. The amendments, which, among other things, establish income criteria for the filing of a Chapter 7
bankruptcy petition, are expected to cause more debtors to file bankruptcy petitions under Chapter 13, rather than Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Consequently, the Company expects that fewer debtors will be able to have their obligations completely discharged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy actions, and will instead enter into the payment plans required by Chapter 13. The Company expects that this will enable it to generate recoveries from a larger number of bankrupt debtors through the filing of proofs of claims with bankruptcy trustees.
Corporate Legal Department
The Company’s corporate legal department manages general corporate legal matters, including litigation management, contract and document preparation and review, regulatory and statutory compliance, obtaining and maintaining multi-state licensing, bonding and insurance, and dispute and complaint resolution. As a part of its compliance functions, the Company’s corporate legal department also assists with training the Company’s staff. The Company provides employees with extensive training on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and other relevant laws and regulations. The Company’s corporate legal department distributes guidelines and procedures for collection personnel to follow when communicating with a customer, customer’s agents, attorneys and other parties during its recovery efforts. In addition, the Company’s corporate legal department regularly researches, and provides collection personnel and the training department with summaries and updates of changes in federal and state statutes and relevant case law, so that they are aware of new laws and judicial interpretations of applicable requirements and laws when tracing or collecting an account.
Regulation
Federal and state statutes establish specific guidelines and procedures which debt collectors must follow when collecting consumer accounts. It is the Company’s policy to comply with the provisions of all applicable federal laws and comparable state statutes in all of its recovery activities, even in circumstances in which it may not be specifically subject to these laws. The Company’s failure to comply with these laws could have a material adverse effect on it in the event and to the extent that they apply to some or all of the Company’s recovery activities. Federal and state consumer protection, privacy and related laws and regulations extensively regulate the relationship between debt collectors and debtors, and the relationship between customers and credit card issuers. Significant federal laws and regulations applicable to the Company’s business as a debt collector include the following:
• Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. This act imposes certain obligations and restrictions on the practices of debt collectors, including specific restrictions regarding communications with consumer customers, including the time, place and manner of the communications. This act also gives consumers certain rights, including the right to dispute the validity of their obligations.
• Fair Credit Reporting Act. This act places certain requirements on credit information providers regarding verification of the accuracy of information provided to credit reporting agencies and investigating consumer disputes concerning the accuracy of such information. The Company provides information concerning its accounts to the three major credit reporting agencies, and it is the Company’s practice to correctly report this information and to investigate credit reporting disputes.
• Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. This act requires that certain financial institutions, including collection agencies, develop policies to protect the privacy of consumers’ private financial information and provide notices to consumers advising them of their privacy policies. This act also requires that if private personal information concerning a consumer is shared with another unrelated institution, the consumer must be given an opportunity to opt out of having such information shared. Since the Company does not share consumer information with non-related entities, except as required by law, or except as needed to collect on the receivables, its consumers are not entitled to any opt-out rights under this act. This act is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, which has retained exclusive jurisdiction over its enforcement, and does not afford a private cause of action to consumers who may wish to pursue legal action against a financial institution for violations of this act.
• Electronic Funds Transfer Act. This act regulates the use of the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) system to make electronic funds transfers. All ACH transactions must comply with the rules of the National Automated Check Clearing House Association (“NACHA”) and Uniform Commercial Code § 3-402. This act, the NACHA regulations and the Uniform Commercial Code give the consumer, among other things, certain
privacy rights with respect to the transactions, the right to stop payments on a pre-approved fund transfer, and the right to receive certain documentation of the transaction. This act also gives consumers a right to sue institutions which cause financial damages as a result of their failure to comply with its provisions.
• Telephone Consumer Protection Act. In the process of collecting accounts, the Company uses automated predictive dialers to place calls to consumers. This act and similar state laws place certain restrictions on telemarketers and users of automated dialing equipment who place telephone calls to consumers.
• U.S. Bankruptcy Code. In order to prevent any collection activity with bankrupt debtors by creditors and collection agencies, the U.S. Bankruptcy Code provides for an automatic stay, which prohibits certain contacts with consumers after the filing of bankruptcy petitions.
Additionally, there are in some states statutes and regulations comparable to and in some cases more stringent than the above federal laws, and specific licensing requirements which affect the Company’s operations. State laws may also limit credit account interest rates and the fees, as well as limit the time frame in which judicial actions may be initiated to enforce the collection of consumer accounts.
Although the Company is not a credit originator, some of these laws directed toward credit originators may occasionally affect its operations because its receivables were originated through credit transactions, such as the following laws, which apply principally to credit originators:
• Truth in Lending Act;
• Fair Credit Billing Act; and
• Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
Federal laws which regulate credit orginiators require, among other things, that credit issuers disclose to consumers the interest rates, fees, grace periods, and balance calculation methods associated with their credit accounts. Consumers are entitled under current laws to have payments and credits applied to their accounts promptly, to receive prescribed notices, and to require billing errors to be resolved promptly. Some laws prohibit discriminatory practices in connection with the extension of credit. Federal statutes further provide that, in some cases, consumers cannot be held liable for, or their liability is limited with respect to, charges to the credit account that were a result of an unauthorized use of credit. These laws, among others, may give consumers a legal cause of action against the Company, or may limit the Company’s ability to recover amounts owing with respect to the receivables, whether or not it committed any wrongful act or omission in connection with the account. If the credit originator fails to comply with applicable statutes, rules and regulations, it could create claims and rights for consumers that could reduce or eliminate their obligations to repay the account, and have a possible material adverse effect on the Company. Accordingly, when the Company acquires defaulted consumer receivables, it contractually requires credit orginators to indemnify it against any losses caused by their failure to comply with applicable statutes, rules and regulations relating to the receivables before they are sold to the Company.
The U.S. Congress and several states are currently in the process of enacting and amending legislation concerning identity theft. Additional consumer protection and privacy protection laws may be enacted that would impose additional requirements on the enforcement of and recovery on consumer credit card or installment accounts. Any new laws, rules or regulations that may be adopted or amended, as well as existing consumer protection and privacy protection laws, may adversely affect the Company’s ability to recover the receivables. In addition, the Company’s failure to comply with these requirements could adversely affect its ability to enforce the receivables.
The Company cannot ensure that some of the receivables were not established as a result of identity theft or unauthorized use of credit and, accordingly, the Company could not recover the amount of the defaulted consumer receivables. As a purchaser of defaulted consumer receivables, the Company may acquire receivables subject to legitimate defenses on the part of the consumer. The Company’s account purchase contracts allow it to return to the Debt Seller certain defaulted consumer receivables that may not be collectible, due to these and other
circumstances. Upon return, the Debt Sellers are required to replace the receivables with similar receivables or repurchase the receivables. These provisions limit to some extent the Company’s losses on such accounts.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties.
The Company’s principal executive offices and primary operations facility are located in approximately 40,000 square feet of leased space in Norfolk, Virginia and the Company rents one administrative facility in Virginia Beach, Virginia that is approximately 2,500 square feet and one storage facility. This space was vacated during January 2004. The Company owns a two-acre parcel of land across from its headquarters which it developed into a parking lot for use by its employees. In addition, the Company owns an approximately 15,000 square foot facility in Hutchinson, Kansas that can currently accommodate approximately 100 employees. The Company also leases a facility located in approximately 21,000 square feet of space in Hampton, Virginia to accommodate approximately 285 additional employees. This new facility opened in March 2003. The Company also entered into a new lease for additional space adjacent to its Norfolk, Virginia office. This space became occupied in January 2004 and consists of 25,000 square feet. This space now accommodates all Anchor employees, accounting, outsourced collections and other administrative support personnel. The Company does not consider any specific leased or owned facility to be material to its operations. The Company believes that equally suitable alternative facilities are available in all areas where it currently does business.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
From time to time, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings which are incidental to the ordinary course of its business. The Company regularly initiates lawsuits against consumers and is occasionally countersued by them in such actions. Also, consumers occasionally initiate litigation against the Company, in which they allege that it has violated a state or federal law in the process of collecting on their account. The Company does not believe that these routine matters represent a substantial volume of its accounts or that, individually or in the aggregate, they are material to its business or financial condition.
The Company is not a party to any material legal proceedings and it is unaware of any contemplated material actions against it.
Item 4.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securityholders.
None.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.
Price Range of Common Stock
The Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) began trading on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “PRAA” on November 8, 2002. Prior to that time there was no public trading market for the Company’s common stock. The following table sets forth the high and low sales price for the Common Stock, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market, for the periods indicated.
As of February 12, 2004, there were 30 holders of record of the Common Stock. Based on information provided by the Company’s transfer agent and registrar, the Company believes that there are 9,623 beneficial owners of the Common Stock.
Shares Registered After Initial Public Offering
A secondary offering of shares of common stock of the Company was completed on May 21, 2003, in which 4,025,000 shares were sold. After this transaction, holders of 6,865,261 shares of the Common Stock which were not sold in the secondary offering agreed to a 180-day “lock-up” with respect to these shares, which restricted their ability to sell these shares during the 180 days following the date of the prospectus, or until November 21, 2003. These shares may now be sold in accordance with the provisions of the federal securities laws, including Rule 144.
On November 7, 2003, the Company filed two Registration Statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission, both of which were filed on Form S-8, to register (a) the 2,000,000 shares of the Common Stock underlying the Company’s 2002 Employee Stock Option Plan and (b) 142,500 shares of the Common Stock underlying Warrants held by certain key employees of the Company.
Dividend Policy
The Company’s board of directors sets its dividend policy. The Company does not pay dividends on the Common Stock; however, the Company’s board of directors may determine in the future to declare or pay cash dividends on the Common Stock. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of dividends will be at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors and will depend on then existing conditions, including the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors that the Company’s board of directors may consider relevant.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements.
(1)
At the time of the Company’s initial public offering, which commenced on November 8, 2002, the Company changed its legal structure from a limited liability company to a corporation. As a limited liability company the Company was not subject to Federal or state corporate income taxes. Therefore, net income does not give effect to taxes for all periods prior to the Company’s initial public offering.
(2)
For comparison purposes, the Company has presented pro forma net income, which reflects income taxes assuming the Company had been a corporation since the time of the Company’s formation and assuming tax rates equal to the rates that would have been in effect had the Company been required to report tax expense in such years. Since the time of the Company’s reorganization, pro forma net income reflects its actual net income.
(3)
Pro forma net income per share and pro forma weighted average shares assumes the Company had reorganized as a corporation since the beginning of the period presented.
(4)
Includes both cash collected on finance receivables and commission fee received during the relevant period.
(5)
Includes all collectors and all first-line collection supervisors.
(1)
At the time of the Company’s initial public offering, which commenced on November 8, 2002, the Company changed its legal structure from a limited liability company to a corporation. As a limited liability company the Company was not subject to federal or state corporate income taxes. Therefore, net income does not give effect to taxes for all periods prior to the Company’s initial public offering.
(2)
For comparison purposes, the Company has presented pro forma net income, which reflects income taxes assuming the Company had been a corporation since the time of the Company’s formation and assuming tax rates equal to the rates that would have been in effect had the Company been required to report tax expense in such years. Since the time of the Company’s reorganization, pro forma net income reflects its actual net income.
(3)
Pro forma net income per share and pro forma weighted average shares assumes the Company had reorganized as a corporation since the beginning of the period presented.
(4)
For periods prior to December 31, 2002, the Company was a limited liability company and the equity of the Company is contained in the line item “Members’ equity”.
Item 7.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth certain operating data in dollars and as a percentage of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001:
(1)
During 2001 and most of 2002 the Company’s legal structure was a limited liability company. As a limited liability company the Company was not subject to federal or state corporate income taxes. For comparison purposes, pro forma net income is presented, which reflects income taxes assuming the Company had been a corporation since the time of its formation and assuming tax rates equal to the rates that would have been in effect had the Company been required to report tax expense in such years.
Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2002
Revenue
Total revenue was $84.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $29.1 million or 52.2% compared to total revenue of $55.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2002.
Income Recognized on Finance Receivables
Income recognized on finance receivables was $81.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $28.0 million or 52.0% compared to income recognized on finance receivables of $53.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The majority of the increase was due to an increase in the Company’s cash collections on its owned defaulted consumer receivables to $117.1 million from $79.3 million, an increase of 47.7%. The Company’s amortization rate on owned portfolios for the year ended December 31, 2003 was 30.1% while for the year ended December 31, 2002 it was 32.1%. During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company acquired defaulted consumer receivables portfolios with an aggregate face value amount of $2.2 billion at an original purchase price of $61.8 million. During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company acquired defaulted consumer receivable portfolios with an aggregate face value of $2.0 billion at an original purchase price of $42.4 million. The Company’s relative cost of acquiring defaulted consumer receivable portfolios increased to 2.8% of face value for the year ended December 31, 2003 from 2.2% of face value for the year ended December 31, 2002. As a percentage of total face acquired in 2003, the Company purchased 2.5% fresh, 24.6% primary,
41.3% secondary, 17.9% tertiary, and 13.7% other, while in 2002 the Company purchased 7.5% fresh, 13.2% primary, 35.1% secondary, 39.6% tertiary and 4.6% other.
Commissions
Commissions were $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $1.2 million or 63.2% compared to commissions of $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Commissions increased as a result of a growing inventory of accounts.
Net gain on cash sales of defaulted consumer receivables
Net gain on cash sales of defaulted consumer receivables were $0 for the year ended December 31, 2003, a decrease of $100,000 or 100.0% compared to net gain on cash sales of defaulted consumer receivables of $100,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002, which was derived from one sale in June 2002.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $50.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $15.6 million or 44.7% compared to total operating expenses of $34.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Total operating expenses, including compensation expenses, were 42.0% of cash receipts excluding sales for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared with 43.0% for the same period in 2002.
Compensation and Employee Services
Compensation and employee services expenses were $29.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $7.3 million or 33.6% compared to compensation and employee services expenses of $21.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Compensation and employee services expenses increased as total employees grew from 581 at December 31, 2002 to 798 at December 31, 2003. Additionally, existing employees received normal salary increases. Compensation and employee services expenses as a percentage of cash receipts excluding sales decreased to 24.1% for the year ended December 31, 2003 from 26.7% of cash receipts excluding sales for the same period in 2002.
Outside Legal and Other Fees and Services
Outside legal and other fees and services expenses were $14.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $6.0 million or 74.1% compared to outside legal and other fees and services expenses of $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The increase was attributable to the increased cash collections resulting from the increased number of accounts referred to independent contingent fee attorneys. This increase is consistent with the growth the Company experienced in its portfolio of defaulted consumer receivables and a portfolio management strategy implemented in mid 2002. This strategy resulted in the Company referring to the legal suit process more unsuccessfully liquidated accounts that have an identified means of repayment but that are nearing their legal statute of limitations, than had been referred historically. Legal cash collections represented 26.0% of total cash collections for the year ended December 31, 2003, up from 19.5% for the year ended December 31, 2002. Total legal expenses for the year ended December 31, 2003 were 35.7% of legal cash collections compared to 38.4% for the year ended December 31, 2002.
Communications
Communications expenses were $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $900,000 or 47.4% compared to communications expenses of $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The increase was attributable to growth in mailings and higher telephone expenses incurred to collect on a greater number of defaulted consumer receivables owned and serviced. Mailings were responsible for 52.2% of this increase, while the remaining 47.8% was attributable to higher phone charges.
Rent and Occupancy
Rent and occupancy expenses were $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $401,000 or 50.2% compared to rent and occupancy expenses of $799,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002. The increase was attributable to increased leased space due to the opening of a call center in Hampton, Virginia, a storage facility, an off-site administrative and mail handling site and contractual increases in annual rental rates. The Hampton call center accounted for $293,000 of the increase, the new storage facility accounted for $28,000 of the increase and the administrative/mail site accounted for $19,000 of the increase. The remaining increase was attributable to contractual increases in annual rental rates.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses were $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $500,000 or 35.7% compared to other operating expenses of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The increase was due to increases in repairs and maintenance, hiring and insurance. Repairs and maintenance expenses increased by $124,000, hiring expenses increased by $139,000, and insurance expense increased by $257,000, offset by decreases in other expense items of $20,000.
Depreciation
Depreciation expenses were $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $460,000 or 48.9% compared to depreciation expenses of $940,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002. The increase was attributable to continued capital expenditures on equipment, software, and computers related to the Company’s growth and systems upgrades. Of the increase in depreciation expenses, 61.7% is the result of the March 2003 opening of its new Hampton office and an associated $2.0 million in equipment purchases. The remaining increase of 38.3% was the result of system upgrades.
Interest Income
Interest income was $60,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of $38,000 or 172.7% compared to interest income of $22,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase of investing in short-term municipal instruments during the first half of 2003 versus investments of less than two months in 2002.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $600,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003, a decrease of $1.8 million or 75.0% compared to interest expense of $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This decreased primarily as a result of the payoff of all outstanding revolving debt with the proceeds from the Company’s initial public offering, but also includes a $284,000 charge related to the termination of the Westside Funding facility in the fourth quarter of 2003.
Year Ended December 31, 2002 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2001
Revenue
Total revenue was $55.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, an increase of $23.5 million or 72.8% compared to total revenue of $32.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2001.
Income Recognized on Finance Receivables
Income recognized on finance receivables was $53.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, an increase of $22.6 million or 72.4% compared to income recognized on finance receivables of $31.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. The majority of the increase was due to an increase in the Company’s cash collections on its owned defaulted consumer receivables to $79.3 million from $53.1 million, an increase of 49.3%. In the second half of 2001 and continuing throughout 2002, the Company has experienced an acceleration of the increase in its collector productivity resulting in an acceleration of its performance in cash collections
compared to projections. This performance has led to lower amortization rates as the Company’s projected multiple of cash collections to purchase price has increased. The Company’s amortization rate on owned portfolios for the year ended December 31, 2002 was 32.1% while for the year ended December 31, 2001 it was 41.2%. During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company acquired defaulted consumer receivables portfolios with an aggregate face value amount of $2.0 billion at an original purchase price of $42.4 million. During the year ended December 31, 2001, the Company acquired defaulted consumer receivable portfolios with an aggregate face value of $1.6 billion at an original purchase price of $33 million (inclusive of purchases subsequently sold). The Company’s relative cost of acquiring defaulted consumer receivable portfolios increased to 2.2% of face value for the year ended December 31, 2002 from 2.1% of face value for the year ended December 31, 2001.
Commissions
Commissions were $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, an increase of $1.7 million or 790.7% compared to commissions of $215,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001. Commissions increased as business volume increased substantially in the Company’s contingent fee collection business as a result of increased account placements.
Net gain on cash sales of defaulted consumer receivables
Net gain on cash sales of defaulted consumer receivables were $100,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002, a decrease of $801,000 or 88.9% compared to net gain on cash sales of defaulted consumer receivables of $901,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001. During September 2001, the Company purchased $4.4 million of defaulted consumer receivables that were immediately sold to a buying entity. A net gain of $369,000 was recognized on this back to back purchase-sale transaction. The remaining change is the result of one sale in 2002 versus twelve small sales in 2001.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $34.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, an increase of $11.3 million or 47.9% compared to total operating expenses of $23.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. Total operating expenses, including compensation expenses, were 43.0% of cash receipts excluding sales for the year ended December 31, 2002 compared with 44.4% for the same period in 2001.
Compensation and Employee Services
Compensation and employee services expenses were $21.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, an increase of $6.1 million or 39.1% compared to compensation and employee services expenses of $15.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. Compensation and employee services expenses increased as total employees grew to 581 at December 31, 2002 from 501 at December 31, 2001. Additionally, existing employees received normal salary increases and increased bonuses. Compensation and employee services expenses as a percentage of cash collections decreased to 27.4% for the year ended December 31, 2002 from 29.3% of cash collections for the same period in 2001.
Outside Legal and Other Fees and Services
Outside legal and other fees and services expenses were $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, an increase of $4.5 million or 125.0% compared to outside legal and other fees and services expenses of $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase was attributable to the increased cash collections resulting from the increased number of accounts referred to independent contingent fee attorneys. This increase is consistent with the growth the Company experienced in its portfolio of defaulted consumer receivables, and a portfolio management strategy shift implemented in mid 2002. This strategy resulted in the Company referring to the legal suit process unsuccessfully liquidated accounts that have an identified means of repayment but that are nearing their legal statute of limitations.
Communications
Communications expenses were $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, an increase of $270,000 or 18.8% compared to communications expenses of $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase was attributable to growth in mailings and higher telephone expenses incurred to collect on a greater number of defaulted consumer receivables owned and serviced. Mailings were responsible for 69.4% of this increase, while the remaining 30.6% was attributable to a higher number of phone calls.
Rent and Occupancy
Rent and occupancy expenses were $799,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002, an increase of $87,000 or 12.2% compared to rent and occupancy expenses of $712,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase was attributable to increased leased space related to a storage facility, an off-site administrative and mail handling site and contractual increases in annual rental rates. The new storage facility accounted for $7,300 of the increase and the administrative/mail site accounted for $19,000 of the increase. The remaining increase was attributable to contractual increases in annual rental rates.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses were $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, an increase of $171,000 or 13.2% compared to other operating expenses of $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase was due to increases in taxes, fees and licenses, travel and meals and miscellaneous expenses. Taxes, fees and licenses increased by $81,000, travel and meals increased $94,000 and miscellaneous expenses decreased by $4,000.
Depreciation
Depreciation expenses were $940,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002, an increase of $263,000 or 38.8% compared to depreciation expenses of $677,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase was attributable to continued capital expenditures on equipment, software, and computers related to our continued growth.
Interest Income
Interest income was $22,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002, a decrease of $42,000 or 65.6% compared to interest income of $64,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001. This decrease occurred due to a drop in our yields during the fourth quarter of 2001. As a result of the yield decrease, the Company terminated the treasury repurchase agreement in favor of earning fee offset credit with our bank.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, a decrease of $335,000 or 12.0% compared to interest expense of $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. This decreased primarily as a result of the payoff of all outstanding revolving debt with the proceeds from the Company’s initial public offering.
Supplemental Performance Data
Owned Portfolio Performance:
The following table shows the Company’s portfolio buying activity by year, setting forth, among other things, the purchase price, actual cash collections and estimated remaining cash collections as of December 31, 2003.
($ in thousands)
(1)
Purchase price refers to the cash paid to a seller to acquire defaulted consumer receivables, plus certain capitalized expenses, less the purchase price refunded by the seller due to the return of non-compliant accounts (also defined as buybacks). Non-compliant refers to the contractual representations and warranties provided for in the purchase and sale contract between the seller and the Company. These representations and warranties from the sellers generally cover account holders’ death or bankruptcy and accounts settled or disputed prior to sale. The seller can replace or repurchase these accounts.
(2)
Estimated remaining collections refers to the sum of all future projected cash collections on our owned portfolios.
(3)
Total estimated collections refers to the actual cash collections, including cash sales, plus estimated remaining collections.
(4)
Total estimated collections to purchase price refers to the total estimated collections divided by the purchase price.
When the Company acquires a portfolio of defaulted accounts, it generally does so with a forecast of future total collections to purchase price paid of no more than 2.4 to 2.6 times. Only after the portfolio has established probable and estimable performance in excess of that projection will estimated remaining collections be increased. If actual results are less than the original forecast, the Company moves aggressively to lower estimated remaining collections to appropriate levels.
The following graph shows the Company’s purchase price in its owned portfolios by year beginning in 1996. The purchase price number represents the cash paid to the seller to acquire defaulted consumer receivables, plus certain capitalized expenses, less the purchase price refunded by the seller due to the return of non-compliant accounts.
The Company utilizes a long-term approach to collecting its owned pools of receivables. This approach has historically caused the Company to realize significant cash collections and revenues from purchased pools of finance receivables years after they are originally acquired. As a result, the Company has in the past been able to temporarily reduce its level of current period acquisitions without a corresponding negative current period impact on cash collections and revenue.
The following table, which excludes any proceeds from cash sales of finance receivables, demonstrates the Company’s ability to realize significant multi-year cash collection streams on its owned pools.
When the Company acquires a new pool of finance receivables, a 60-72 month projection of cash collections is created. The following chart shows the Company’s historical cash collections (including cash sales of finance receivables) in relation to the aggregate of the total estimated collection projections made at the time of each respective pool purchase.
Owned Portfolio Personnel Performance:
The Company measures the productivity of each collector each month, breaking results into groups of similarly tenured collectors. The following three tables display various productivity measures tracked by the Company.
Collector by Tenure
(1)
Calculated based on actual employees (collectors) with one year of service or more.
(2)
Calculated using total hours worked by all collectors, including those in training to produce a full time equivalent “FTE.”
Monthly Cash Collections by Tenure(1)
(1)
Cash collection numbers include only accounts assigned to collectors. Significant cash collections do occur on “unassigned” accounts.
(2)
Calculated using average YTD monthly cash collections of all collectors with one year or more of tenure.
(3)
Calculated using weighted average YTD monthly cash collections of all collectors with less than one year of tenure, including those in training.
Cash Collections per Hour Paid(1)
(1)
Cash collections (assigned and unassigned) divided by total hours paid (including holiday, vacation and sick time) to all collectors (including those in training).
Cash collections have substantially exceeded revenue in each quarter since the Company’s formation. The following chart illustrates the consistent excess of the Company’s cash collections on its owned portfolios over income recognized in finance receivables on a quarterly basis. The difference between cash collections and income recognized is referred to as Payments Applied to Principal. It is also referred to as Amortization. This amortization is the portion of cash collections that is used to recover the cost of the portfolio investment represented on the Statement of Financial Position.
(1)
Includes cash collections on finance receivables only. Excludes commission fees and cash proceeds from sales of defaulted consumer receivables.
Seasonality
The Company depends on the ability to collect on its owned and serviced defaulted consumer receivables. Collections tend to be higher in the first and second quarters of the year and lower in the third and fourth quarters of the year, due to consumer payment patterns in connection with seasonal employment trends, income tax refunds, and holiday spending habits. Due to the Company’s historical quarterly cash collections, its growth has partially masked the impact of this seasonality.
(1)
Includes cash collections on finance receivables only. Excludes commission fees and cash proceeds from sales of defaulted consumer receivables.
The following table shows the changes in finance receivables, including the amounts paid to acquire new portfolios.
(1)
Agreements to purchase receivables typically include general representations and warranties from the sellers covering account holders’ death or bankruptcy and accounts settled or disputed prior to sale. The seller can replace or repurchase these accounts. The Company refers to repurchased accounts as buybacks. The Company also capitalizes certain acquisition related expenses.
(2)
Cash collections applied to principal (also referred to as amortization) on finance receivables consists of cash collections less income recognized on finance receivables.
(3)
Estimated Remaining Collections refers to the sum of all future projected cash collections on the Company’s owned portfolios. ERC is not a balance sheet item, however, it is provided here for informational purposes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, the Company’s primary sources of cash have been cash flows from operations, bank borrowings, and equity offerings. Cash has been used for acquisitions of finance receivables, repayments of bank borrowings, purchases of property and equipment, and working capital to support the Company’s growth.
The Company believes that funds generated from operations, together with existing cash and available borrowings under its credit agreement will be sufficient to finance its current operations, planned capital expenditure requirements, and internal growth at least through the next twelve months. However, the Company could require additional debt or equity financing if it were to make any other significant acquisitions requiring cash during that period.
Cash generated from operations is dependent upon the Company’s ability to collect on its defaulted consumer receivables. Many factors, including the economy and the Company’s ability to hire and retain qualified collectors and managers, are essential to its ability to generate cash flows. Fluctuations in these factors that cause a negative impact on the Company’s business could have a material impact on its expected future cash flows.
The Company’s operating activities provided cash of $35.1 million, $21.8 million and $6.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. In these periods, cash from operations was generated primarily from net income earned through cash collections, commissions received and gains on cash sales of defaulted consumer receivables for the year. Net income increased to $20.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $17.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 and $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. In addition, the Company realized tax benefits derived from stock option and stock warrant exercises of $16.4 million in 2003, $0.2 million in 2002 and $0 in 2001.
The Company’s investing activities used cash of $29.5 million, $18.8 million and $7.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Cash used in investing activities is primarily driven by acquisitions of defaulted consumer receivables, net of cash collections applied to the cost of the receivables.
The Company’s financing activities provided cash of $1.4 million, $10.1 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. During the current year, the exercise of stock options and stock warrants generated cash from financing activities of $1.4 million. In 2002, the IPO generated cash of $40.4 million. Utilizing proceeds from the IPO, the Company paid off the outstanding balance of its line of credit of $29.0 million. In 2001, a principal source of cash was $2.8 million of proceeds from lines of credit.
Cash paid for interest expense was $281,000, $2.7 million and $2.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. In 2003, the majority of interest expenses were paid on long-term debt and capital lease obligations. In addition, the Company terminated its line of credit agreement with WestLB and incurred $284,000 of additional non-cash interest costs. In 2002 and 2001, the majority of interest expenses were paid for lines of credit used to finance acquisitions of defaulted consumer receivables portfolios.
The Company maintains a $25.0 million revolving line of credit with RBC Centura Bank (“RBC”) pursuant to an agreement entered into on November 28, 2003. The Company, as well as Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC, PRA Receivables Management LLC (d/b/a Anchor Receivables Management) and PRA Holding I, LLC (all of which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company) are guarantors to this agreement. The credit facility bears interest at a spread over LIBOR and extends through November 28, 2004. The agreement provides for:
•
restrictions on borrowings are limited to 20% of Estimated Remaining Collections;
•
net income per quarter of at least $1.00, calculated on a consolidated basis; and
•
restrictions on change of control.
As of December 31, 2003 there are four loans outstanding. On July 20, 2000, PRA Holding I entered into a credit facility for a $550,000 loan, for the purpose of purchasing a building in Hutchinson, Kansas. The loan bears interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR and consists of monthly principal payments for 60 months and a final installment of unpaid principal and accrued interest payable on July 21, 2005. On February 9, 2001, the Company entered into a commercial loan agreement in the amount of $107,000 in order to purchase equipment for its Norfolk, Virginia location. This loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 7.9% and matures on February 1, 2006. On February 20, 2002, PRA Holding I entered into an additional arrangement for a $500,000 commercial loan in order to finance construction of a parking lot at the Company’s Norfolk, Virginia location. This loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.47% and matures on September 1, 2007. On May 1, 2003, the Company entered into a commercial loan agreement in the amount of $975,000 to finance equipment purchases for its Hampton, Virginia location. This loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.25% and matures on May 1, 2008.
Contractual Obligations
Obligations of the Company that exist as of December 31, 2003 are as follows:
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any of these as defined by regulation S-K 303(a)(4).
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. FIN No. 46 is an interpretation of ARB No. 51 and addresses consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities (“VIEs”). This interpretation is based on the theory that an enterprise controlling another entity through interests other than voting interests should consolidate the controlled entity. Business enterprises are required under the provisions of this interpretation to identify VIEs, based on specified characteristics, and then determine whether they should be consolidated. An enterprise that holds a majority of the variable interests is considered the primary beneficiary, the enterprise that should consolidate the VIE. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is also required to include various disclosures in interim and annual financial statements. Additionally, an enterprise that holds a significant variable interest in a VIE, but that is not the primary beneficiary, is also required to make certain disclosures. This interpretation is effective for all enterprises with variable interest in VIEs created after January 31, 2003. A public entity with variable interests in a VIE created before February 1, 2003, is required to apply the provisions of this interpretation to that entity by the end of the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of this interpretation did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or the results of operations.
In October 2003, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position (“SOP”) 03-03, “Accounting for Loans or Certain Securities Acquired in a Transfer.” The SOP provides guidance on accounting for differences between contractual and expected cash flows from an investor’s initial investment in loans or debt securities acquired in a transfer if those differences are attributable, at least in part, to credit quality. The SOP is effective for loans acquired in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2004. The SOP would limit the revenue that may be accrued to the excess of the estimate of expected future cash flows over
a portfolio’s initial cost of accounts receivable acquired. The SOP would require that the excess of the contractual cash flows over expected future cash flows not be recognized as an adjustment of revenue, expense, or on the balance sheet. The SOP would freeze the internal rate of return, referred to as IRR, originally estimated when the accounts receivable are purchased for subsequent impairment testing. Rather than lower the estimated IRR if the original collection estimates are not received, the carrying value of a portfolio would be written down to maintain the original IRR. Increases in expected future cash flows would be recognized prospectively through adjustment of the IRR over a portfolio’s remaining life. The SOP provides that previously issued annual financial statements would not need to be restated. Management is in the process of evaluating the application of this SOP.
Critical Accounting Policy
The Company utilizes the interest method under guidance provided by Practice Bulletin 6, “Amortization of Discounts on Certain Acquired Loans,” to determine income recognized on finance receivables. Under this method, each static pool of receivables it acquires is statistically modeled to determine its projected cash flows. A yield is then established which, when applied to the outstanding balance of the receivables, results in the recognition of income at a constant yield relative to the remaining balance in the pool. Each pool is analyzed monthly to assess the actual performance to that expected by the model. If differences are noted, the yield is adjusted prospectively to reflect the estimate of cash flows.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.
The Company’s exposure to market risk relates to interest rate risk with its variable rate credit line. The Company terminated its only derivative financial instrument to manage or reduce market risk in September 2002. As of December 31, 2003, the Company had no variable rate debt outstanding on its revolving credit line. The Company has variable rate debt outstanding on its long-term debt collateralized by the Kansas real estate. A 10% change in future interest rates on the variable rate credit line would not lead to a material decrease in future earnings assuming all other factors remained constant.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Report of Independent Auditors
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) at December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
February 6, 2004
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
December 31, 2003 and 2002
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1.
Organization and Business:
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. was formed in August 2002. On November 8, 2002, Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) of common stock. As a result, all of the membership units and warrants of Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC (“PRA”) were exchanged on a one to one basis for warrants and shares of a single class of common stock of Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. (“PRA Inc”). Another subsidiary, PRA II, was dissolved immediately prior to the IPO. PRA Inc, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) purchase, collect and manage portfolios of defaulted consumer receivables. The defaulted consumer receivables the Company collects are either purchased from the Debt Sellers or are collected on behalf of clients on a commission fee basis. This is primarily accomplished by maintaining a staff of collectors whose purpose is to contact the customers and arrange payment of the debt. Secondarily, PRA has contracted with independent attorneys, with which the Company can undertake legal action in order to satisfy the outstanding debt.
On December 22, 1999, PRA formed a wholly owned subsidiary, PRA AG Funding, LLC, whose name was changed to PRA Funding, LLC in 2003, and is the sole initial member. The Company was organized for the sole purpose of facilitating the purchase of portfolios of delinquent or charged off consumer credit accounts.
On December 28, 1999, PRA formed a wholly owned subsidiary, PRA Holding I, LLC (“PRA Holding I”), and is the sole initial member. PRA Holding I is organized for the sole purpose of holding the real property in Hutchinson, Kansas (see Note 11) and Norfolk, Virginia.
On June 1, 2000, PRA formed a wholly owned subsidiary, PRA Receivables Management, LLC (d/b/a Anchor Receivables Management, LLC) (“Anchor”) and was the sole initial member. Anchor is organized as a contingent collection agency and contracts with holders of finance receivables to attempt collection efforts on a contingent basis for a stated period of time. Anchor became fully operational during April 2001. PRA, Inc purchased the equity interest in Anchor from PRA immediately after the IPO.
On June 12, 2001, PRA formed a wholly owned subsidiary, PRA III, LLC (“PRA III”) and is the sole initial member. PRA III is organized for the sole purpose of facilitating the purchase of portfolios of delinquent or charged off consumer credit accounts, which purchases are financed by loans from an institutional lender. PRA III was a named borrower under a $25 million loan facility (see Note 7). PRA III was formed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and will exist in perpetual existence under those laws.
2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
Principles of accounting and consolidation: The consolidated financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with accounting standards generally accepted in the United States of America and include the accounts of PRA, PRA Holding I, PRA Funding, PRA III, and Anchor. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Cash and cash equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Finance receivables and income recognition: The Company accounts for its investment in finance receivables using the interest method under the guidance of Practice Bulletin 6, “Amortization of Discounts on Certain Acquired Loans.” Static pools of relatively homogenous accounts are established. Once a static pool is established, the receivable accounts in the pool are not changed. Each static pool is recorded at cost, and is accounted for as a single unit for the recognition of income, principal payments and loss provision. Income on finance receivables is accrued monthly based on each static pool’s effective interest rate. This interest rate is estimated and periodically recalculated based on the timing and amount of anticipated cash flows using the Company’s proprietary collection model. Monthly cash flows greater than the interest accrual will reduce the carrying value of the static pool.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Likewise, monthly cash flows that are less than the monthly accrual will accrete the carrying balance. Each pool is reviewed monthly and compared to the Company’s models to ensure complete amortization of the carrying balance at the end of each pool’s life.
In the event that cash collections would be inadequate to amortize the carrying balance, an impairment charge would be taken with a corresponding write-off of the receivable balance. Accordingly, we do not maintain an allowance for credit losses.
The agreements to purchase the aforementioned receivables include general representations and warranties from the sellers covering account holder death or bankruptcy and accounts settled or disputed prior to sale. The representation and warranty period permitting the return of these accounts from the Company to the seller is typically 90 to 180 days.
Commissions: The Company also receives commission revenue for collections made on behalf of clients, which may be credit originators or other owners of defaulted consumer receivables. These portfolios are owned by the clients; however, the collection effort is outsourced to the Company under a commission fee arrangement based upon the amount the Company collects. Revenue is recognized at the time customer funds are collected. A loss reserve or allowance amount will be created if there is doubt that fees billed to the client for services rendered will not be paid.
Net gain on cash sales of finance receivables: Gains on sale of finance receivables, representing the difference between the sales price and the unamortized value of the finance receivables, are recognized when finance receivables are sold.
The Company applies a financial components approach that focuses on control when accounting and reporting for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities. Under that approach, after a transfer of financial assets, an entity recognizes the financial and servicing assets it controls and the liabilities it has incurred, eliminates financial assets when control has been surrendered, and eliminates liabilities when extinguished. This approach provides consistent standards for distinguishing transfers of financial assets that are sales from transfers that are secured borrowings.
Property and equipment: Property and equipment, including improvements that significantly add to the productive capacity or extend useful life, are recorded at cost, while maintenance and repairs are expensed currently. Property and equipment are depreciated over their useful lives using the straight-line method of depreciation. Software and computer equipment are depreciated over three to five years. Furniture and fixtures are depreciated over five years. Equipment is depreciated over five to seven years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the remaining life of the leased property, which ranges from three to seven years. Building improvements are depreciated over ten to thirty-nine years.
Income taxes: Taxes are provided on substantially all income and expense items included in earnings, regardless of the period in which such items are recognised for tax purposes. The Company uses an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. In estimating future tax consequences, the Company generally considers all expected future events other than enactments of changes in the tax laws or rates. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. For periods presented prior to the IPO, including the ten months ended October 31, 2002, the tax accounts are pro forma disclosures only and not recorded on the books of the Company.
Advertising costs: Advertising costs are expensed when incurred.
Operating leases: General abatements or prepaid leasing costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease.
Capital leases: Leases are analyzed to determine if they meet the definition of a capital lease as defined in SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases”. Those lease arrangements that meet one of the four criteria are considered capital leases. As such, the leased asset is capitalized and depreciated per Company policy. The lease is recorded as a liability with each payment amortizing the principal balance and a portion classified as interest expense.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Stock-based compensation: The Company applied the intrinsic value method provided for under Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” for all warrants issued to employees prior to January 1, 2002. For warrants and options issued to non-employees, the Company followed the fair value method of accounting as prescribed under SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”). On January 1, 2002 the Company adopted SFAS 123 on a prospective basis for all warrants and options granted and reported the change in accounting principle using the retroactive restatement method as prescribed in SFAS No. 148 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure.” For warrants issued to employees prior to January 1, 2002, pro forma net income assuming the warrants were accounted for as prescribed by SFAS 123, has been disclosed in Note 12 to the financial statements.
Pro forma earnings per share: Basic earnings per share reflect net income adjusted for the pro forma income tax provision divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share include the effect of dilutive stock options during the period. As of December 31, 2003, 55,000 stock options issued under the 2002 Stock Option Plan were antidilutive. These options may become dilutive in future years.
Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Significant estimates have been made by management with respect to the collectibility of future cash flows of portfolios. Actual results could differ from these estimates making it reasonably possible that a change in these estimates could occur within one year. On a monthly basis, management reviews the estimate of future collections, and it is reasonably possible that its assessment of collectibility may change based on actual results and other factors.
Fair value of financial instruments: The company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, finance receivables, net, long-term debt, and obligations under capital leases. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, long-term debt and obligations under capital leases approximates their respective carrying values. The Company considers it not practicable to perform a fair value calculation of the finance receivables due to the excessive cost that would be incurred.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements: In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. FIN No. 46 is an interpretation of ARB No. 51 and addresses consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities (“VIEs”). This interpretation is based on the theory that an enterprise controlling another entity through interests other than voting interests should consolidate the controlled entity. Business enterprises are required under the provisions of this interpretation to identify VIEs, based on specified characteristics, and then determine whether they should be consolidated. An enterprise that holds a majority of the variable interests is considered the primary beneficiary, the enterprise that should consolidate the VIE. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is also required to include various disclosures in interim and annual financial statements. Additionally, an enterprise that holds a significant variable interest in a VIE, but that is not the primary beneficiary, is also required to make certain disclosures. This interpretation is effective for all enterprises with variable interest in VIEs created after January 31, 2003. A public entity with variable interests in a VIE created before February 1, 2003, is required to apply the provisions of this interpretation to that entity by the end of the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of this interpretation did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or the results of operations.
In October 2003, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position (“SOP”) 03-03, “Accounting for Loans or Certain Securities Acquired in a Transfer.” This SOP provides guidance on accounting for differences between contractual and expected cash flows from an investors initial investment in loans or debt securities acquired in a transfer if those differences are attributable, at least in
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
part, to credit quality. This SOP is effective for loans acquired in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2004. The SOP would limit the revenue that may be accrued to the excess of the estimate of expected future cash flows over a portfolio’s initial cost of accounts receivable acquired. The SOP would require that the excess of the contractual cash flows over expected future cash flows not be recognized as an adjustment of revenue, expense, or on the balance sheet. The SOP would freeze the internal rate of return, referred to as IRR, originally estimated when the accounts receivable are purchased for subsequent impairment testing. Rather than lower the estimated IRR if the original collection estimates are not received, the carrying value of a portfolio would be written down to maintain the original IRR. Increases in expected future cash flows would be recognized prospectively through adjustment of the IRR over a portfolio’s remaining life. The SOP provides that previously issued annual financial statements would not need to be restated. Management is in the process of evaluating the application of this SOP.
3.
Finance Receivables:
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Leased assets included in property and equipment consist of the following:
Effective October 1, 1998, the Company sponsors a defined contribution plan. Under the Plan, all employees over twenty-one years of age are eligible to make voluntary contributions to the Plan up to 15% of their compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Service limitations after completing six months of service, as defined in the Plan. On January 1, 2004, the Company amended the Plan to allow employees to make voluntary contributions up to 100% of their compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Service limitations. The Company makes matching contributions of
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
7.
Revolving Lines of Credit:
On September 18, 2001, PRA III arranged with a commercial lender to provide financing under a revolving line of credit of up to $40 million. The initial draw of $20 million was utilized to facilitate the purchase of all finance receivable portfolios from PRA and PRA II. PRA then used those funds to terminate an existing line of credit agreement. An additional $5 million was drawn in the initial funding to purchase additional portfolios from third parties in the normal course of business. Interest is based on LIBOR and was 6.17% at December 31, 2002. Restrictive covenants under this agreement include:
•
Restrictions on monthly borrowings in excess of $4 million per month and quarterly borrowings in excess of $10 million;
•
A maximum leverage ratio of not greater than 4 to 1 and net income of at least $0.01, calculated on a consolidated basis;
•
Restrictions on distributions in excess of 75% of annual net income;
•
Compliance with certain special purpose vehicle and corporate separateness covenants; and
•
Restrictions on change of control.
•
restrictions on monthly borrowings are limited to 20% of Estimated Remaining Collections;
•
net income per quarter of at least $1.00, calculated on a consolidated basis, and;
•
restrictions on change of control.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
8.
Property and equipment:
9.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt:
During 2001, PRA entered into an interest rate swap for the purpose of managing exposure to fluctuations in interest rates related to variable rate financing. The interest rate swap effectively fixed the interest rate on $10 million of PRA’s outstanding debt. The swap required payment or receipt of the difference between a fixed rate of 5.33% and a variable rate of interest based on 1-month LIBOR. The unrealized gains and losses associated with the change in market value of the interest rate swap were recognized as other comprehensive income. This swap transaction, which was to expire in May 2004, was paid in full and terminated in September 2002.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company has a stock warrant plan and a stock option plan. Prior to 2002, the Company accounted for stock compensation issued under the recognition and measurement provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related Interpretations. Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” prospectively to all employee awards granted, modified, or settled after January 1, 2002. Therefore, the cost related to stock-based employee compensation included in the determination of net income for 2001 is less than that which would have been recognized if the fair value based method had been applied to all awards since the original effective date of SFAS 123.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the fair value based method had been applied to all outstanding and unvested awards in each period.
Stock Warrants
The PRA management committee was authorized to issue warrants to partners, employees or vendors to purchase membership units. Generally, warrants granted had a term between 5 and 7 years and vested within 3 years. Warrants had been issued at or above the fair market value on the date of grant. Warrants vest and expire according to terms established at the grant date.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following summarizes all warrant related transactions from December 31, 2000 through December 31, 2003:
The following information is as of December 31, 2003:
Had compensation cost for warrants granted under the Agreement been determined pursuant to SFAS 123, the Company’s net income would have decreased. Using a fair-value (minimum value calculation), the following assumptions were used:
The fair value model utilizes the risk-free interest rate at grant with an expected exercise date sometime in the future generally assuming an exercise date in the first half of 2005. In addition, warrant valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected exercise date and risk-free interest rates. Prior to the IPO, the Company’s warrants had characteristics significantly different from those of traded warrants, and changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate. Based upon the above assumptions, the weighted average fair value of employee warrants granted during the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 was $1.24 and $0.35, respectively.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Effective December 30, 1999, the Company issued warrants to acquire 125,000 membership units to an affiliate of Angelo, Gordon & Co. The warrants immediately vested and were exercisable at $3.60 per unit. As these warrants were not issued as compensation to an employee or operating member of the Company, an expense of $0, $17,069, and $17,069 was recognized in the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. The value of the warrants was calculated using the fair value approach as designated by SFAS 123 which utilizes a comparison of the discounted value of the underlying units discounted using a risk-free interest rate at the date of grant. All warrants issued to AG 1999 were exercised in 2003 and none remain outstanding as of December 31, 2003.
Effective August 18, 1999, the Company issued warrants to acquire 200,000 membership units of PRA to SMR Research Corporation. The warrants were to vest over a 60 month period and were exercisable at $4.20 per unit. The warrants vested as to 80,000 membership units and the remaining 120,000 membership units were cancelled upon the termination of an agreement between the Company and SMR Research Corporation. The value of the warrants was calculated using the intrinsic method and no expense was recognized on these warrants. The fair value approach was then applied, as designated by SFAS 123, which utilizes a comparison of the discounted value of the underlying units discounted using a risk-free interest rate at the date of grant. As a result, these warrants were shown to have a negative present value, and as such no expense has been recorded. All warrants issued to SMR Research Corporation have been exercised or cancelled and none remain outstanding as of December 31, 2003.
Stock Options
The Company created the 2002 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) on November 7, 2002. Up to 2,000,000 shares of common stock may be issued under this program. The Plan expires November 7, 2012. All options issued under the Plan vest ratably over 5 years. Granted options expire seven years from grant date. Expiration dates range between November 7, 2009 and July 31, 2010. No grant of options to a single person can exceed 200,000 in a single year. As of December 31, 2003, 875,000 options have been granted under the Plan of which 26,175 have been cancelled. These options are accounted for under SFAS 123 and all expenses for 2003 and 2002 are included in earnings as a component of compensation.
The following summarizes all option related transactions from December 31, 2001 through December 31, 2003:
All of the stock options were issued to employees of the Company except for 20,000 that were issued to the board of directors.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following information is as of December 31, 2003:
The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to calculate the value of the stock options when granted. This model was developed to estimate the fair value of traded options, which have different characteristics than employee stock options. In addition, changes to the subjective input assumptions can result in materially different fair market value estimates. Therefore, the Black-Scholes model may not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of employee stock options.
Utilizing these assumptions, each employee stock option granted in 2002 is valued at $2.71 per share and each director stock option is valued at $3.37 per share. For stock options issued to employees in 2003, the per share values range between $5.80 and $6.25.
Restricted Stock
Restricted stock shares are permitted to be issued as an incentive to attract new employees when the stock has traded for less than one year, as is the case for the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company issued 13,045 shares of restricted stock. The terms are similar to the stock option plan where the shares are issued at or above market values and vest ratably over 5 years. Restricted stock is expensed over its vesting period.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Prior to November 8, 2002, the Company was organized as a limited liability company, taxed as a partnership, and as such was not subject to federal or state income taxes. Immediately before the IPO, the Company was reorganized as a corporation and became subject to income taxes.
The income tax expense recognized for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 is composed of the following:
The Company also recognized a net deferred tax asset of $2,009,426 as of December 31, 2003 and a net deferred tax liability of $286,882 as of December 31, 2002. The components of this net asset and liability are:
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
A valuation allowance has not been provided at December 31, 2003 or 2002 since management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized.
During 2003, the Company recognized a deferred tax asset relating to the net operating loss for tax purposes. This resulted from the adoption of the cost recovery method of income recognition for tax purposes and recognizing a tax deduction of approximately $16.4 million relating to stock option and warrant exercises, net of public offering related expenses. Cost recovery is an acceptable method for companies in the collection industry and results in the reduction of current taxable income as, for tax purposes, collections on finance receivables are applied to reduce the finance receivables to zero before any income is recognized. The timing difference from the adoption of cost recovery resulted in a deferred tax liability at December 31, 2003. The tax benefit generated by the stock option and warrant exercises reduced the Company’s current tax liability with a corresponding increase in additional paid in capital.
The Company presented pro forma tax information assuming it has been a taxable corporation since inception and assuming tax rates equal to the rates that would have been in effect had it been required to report income tax expense in such years. A reconciliation of the Company’s expected tax expense at statutory tax rates to actual tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2003 and the pro forma income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, consists of the following components:
15. Contingencies and Commitments:
Employment Agreements:
The Company has employment agreements with all of its executive officers and with several members of its senior management group, the terms of which expire on March 31, 2004 or December 31, 2005. Such agreements provide for base salary payments as well as bonuses which are based on the attainment of specific management goals. Estimated remaining compensation under these agreements is approximately $3.3 million. The agreements also contain confidentiality and non-compete provisions.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Litigation:
The Company is from time to time subject to routine litigation incidental to its business. The Company believes that the results of any pending legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9a.
Item 9a. Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Within 90 days prior to the date of this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting the Company’s management to material information relating to the Company required to be included in the Company’s Exchange Act reports.
There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the internal controls subsequent to the date the Company completed its evaluation.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.
The following table sets forth certain information as of February 12, 2004 about the Company’s directors and executive officers.
Name
Position
Age
Steven D. Fredrickson
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Kevin P. Stevenson
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
Craig A. Grube
Executive Vice President - Acquisitions
James L. Keown
Senior Vice President - Strategic Initiatives
Judith S. Scott
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
William P. Brophey
Director*
Peter A. Cohen
Director*
David N. Roberts
Director
James M. Voss
Director*
* Member of the Company’s audit committee (the “Audit Committee”), which has been established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The Board of Directors of the Company has determined that Mr. Voss is an independent director (as that term is used in Schedule 14A of the Exchange Act) and is the “audit committee financial expert” for the Company who serves on the Audit Committee.
Steven D. Fredrickson, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Prior to co-founding Portfolio Recovery Associates in 1996, Mr. Fredrickson was Vice President, Director of Household Recovery Services’ (“HRSC”) Portfolio Services Group from late 1993 until February 1996. At HRSC Mr. Fredrickson was ultimately responsible for HRSC’s portfolio sale and purchase programs, finance and accounting, as well as other functional areas. Prior to joining HRSC, he spent five years with Household Commercial Financial Services managing a national commercial real estate workout team and five years with Continental Bank of Chicago as a member of the FDIC workout department, specializing in corporate and real estate workouts. He received a B.S. degree from the University of Denver and a M.B.A. degree from the University of Illinois. He is a past board member of the American Asset Buyers Association.
Kevin P. Stevenson, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary. Prior to co-founding Portfolio Recovery Associates in 1996, Mr. Stevenson served as Controller and Department Manager of Financial Control and Operations Support at HRSC from June 1994 to March 1996, supervising a department of approximately 30 employees. Prior to joining HRSC, he served as Controller of Household Bank’s Regional Processing Center in Worthington, Ohio where he also managed the collections, technology, research and ATM departments. While at Household Bank, Mr. Stevenson participated in eight bank acquisitions and numerous branch acquisitions or divestitures. He is a certified public accountant and received his B.S.B.A. with a major in accounting from the Ohio State University.
Craig A. Grube, Executive Vice President - Acquisitions. Prior to joining Portfolio Recovery Associates in March 1998, Mr. Grube was a senior officer and director of Anchor Fence, Inc., a manufacturing and distribution business from 1989 to March 1997, when the company was sold. Between the time of the sale and March 1998, Mr. Grube continued to work for Anchor Fence. Prior to joining Anchor Fence, he managed distressed corporate debt for the FDIC at Continental Illinois National Bank for five years. He received his B.A. degree from Boston College and his M.B.A. degree from the University of Illinois.
James L. Keown, Senior Vice President - Strategic Initiatives. Prior to co-founding Portfolio Recovery Associates in 1996, Mr. Keown had been with HRSC for 14 years and had sales and finance experience prior to joining HRSC. Mr. Keown’s final position at HRSC was Department Manager, Technology Service where he was directly responsible for a 275 node local area network, all phone and data communications, as well as performance engineering and applications programming. Mr. Keown will retire from the Company effective March 31, 2004.
Judith S. Scott, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Prior to joining Portfolio Recovery Associates in March 1998, Ms. Scott held senior positions, from 1991 to March 1998, with Old Dominion University as Director of its Virginia Peninsula campus, from 1985 to 1991, as General Counsel of a computer manufacturing firm; as Senior Counsel in the Office of the Governor of Virginia from 1982 to 1985; as Senior Counsel for the Virginia Housing Development Authority from 1976 to 1982, and as Assistant Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia from 1975 to 1976. Ms. Scott received her B.S. in business administration from Virginia State University, a post baccalaureate degree in economics from Swarthmore College, and a J.D. from the Catholic University School of Law.
William P. Brophey, Director. Mr. Brophey was elected as a director of Portfolio Recovery Associates in 2002. Currently retired, Mr. Brophey has more than 35 years of experience as president and chief executive officer of Brad Ragan, Inc., a (formerly) publicly traded automotive product and service retailer and as a senior executive at The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Throughout his career, he held numerous field and corporate positions at Goodyear in the areas of wholesale, retail, credit, and sales and marketing, including general marketing manager, commercial tire products. He served as president and chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors of Brad Ragan, Inc. (a 75% owned public subsidiary of Goodyear) from 1988 to 1996, and vice chairman of the board of directors from 1994 to 1996, when he was named vice president, original equipment tire sales world wide at Goodyear. From 1998 until his retirement in 2000, he was again elected president and chief executive officer and vice chairman of the board of directors of Brad Ragan, Inc. Mr. Brophey has a business degree from Ohio Valley College and attended advanced management programs at Kent State University, Northwestern University, Morehouse College and Columbia University.
Peter A. Cohen, Director. Mr. Cohen was elected as a director of Portfolio Recovery Associates in 2002. Mr. Cohen began his career on Wall Street at Reynolds & Co. in 1969. In 1970, he joined the firm which would later become Shearson Lehman Brothers. In 1981, when Shearson merged with American Express, he was appointed president and chief operating officer. From 1983 to 1990, he served as chairman and chief executive officer of Shearson. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Cohen served as an advisor and vice chairman of the board of Republic New York Corporation. In 1994, he started what is today Ramius Capital Group, an investment management business, which currently has $3 billion of assets under management. Mr. Cohen has served on numerous boards of directors, including the New York Stock Exchange, the American Express Company, Olivetti SpA, and Telecom SpA. Currently, he sits on the boards of Presidential Life Corporation, The Mount-Sinai-NYU Medical Center & Health System, Kroll Inc., and Titan Corporation. Mr. Cohen has an MBA from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio State University.
David N. Roberts, Director. Mr. Roberts has been a director of Portfolio Recovery Associates since its formation in 1996. Mr. Roberts joined Angelo Gordon in 1993. He manages the firm’s private equity and special situations area and was the founder of the firm’s opportunistic real estate area. Mr. Roberts has invested in a wide variety of real estate, corporate and special situations transactions. Prior to joining Angelo, Gordon Mr. Roberts was a principal at Gordon Investment Corporation, a Canadian merchant bank from 1989 to 1993, where he participated in a wide variety of principal transactions including investments in the real estate, mortgage banking and food industries. Prior to joining Gordon Investment Corporation, he worked in the Corporate Finance Department of L.F. Rothschild where he specialized in mergers and acquisitions. He has a B.S. degree in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
James M. Voss, Director. Mr. Voss was elected as a director of Portfolio Recovery Associates in 2002. Mr. Voss has more than 35 years experience as a senior finance executive. He currently heads Voss Consulting, Inc., serving as a consultant to community banks regarding policy, organization, credit risk management and strategic planning. From 1992 through 1998, he was with First Midwest Bank as executive vice president and chief credit officer. He served in a variety of senior executive roles during a 24 year career (1965-1989) with Continental Bank of Chicago, and was chief financial officer at Allied Products Corporation (1990-1991), a publicly traded (NYSE) diversified manufacturer. Currently, he serves on the board of Elgin State Bank. Mr. Voss has both an MBA and Bachelor’s Degree from Northwestern University.
Corporate Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics which is applicable to all directors, officers, and employees and which complies with the definition of a “code of ethics” set out in Section 406(c) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the requirement of a “Code of Conduct” prescribed by Section 4350(n) of the Marketplace Rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. The Code of Ethics is available to the public, and will be provided by the Company at no charge to any requesting party. Interested parties may obtain a copy of the Code of Ethics by submitting a written request to Investor Relations, Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc., 120 Corporate Boulevard, Suite 100, Norfolk, Virginia, 23502, or by email at investorrelations@portfoliorecovery.com. The Code of Ethics will also be posted on the Company website at www.portfoliorecovery.com and will be available online on or about March 10, 2004.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The information required by Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to the section labeled “Executive Compensation” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement in connection with the Company’s 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
The information required by Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference to the section labeled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement in connection with the Company’s 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
The information required by Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to the section labeled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement in connection with the Company’s 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The aggregate fees billed or expected to be billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 are presented in the table below:
The Audit Committee’s charter provides that they will:
1. Approve the fees and other significant compensation to be paid to auditors.
2. Review the non-audit services to determine whether they are permissible under current law.
3. Pre-approve the provision of any permissible non-audit services by the independent auditors and the related fees of the independent auditors therefor.
4. Consider whether the provision of these other services is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence.
All the fees paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a)
Financial Statements.
The following financial statements of the Company are included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
Filed October 27, 2003, issuance of a quarterly earnings press release for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003.
10.1
Loan Agreement, dated July 20, 2000, by and between PRA Holding I, LLC, Bank of America, N.A. and Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1.)
10.2
Business Loan Agreement, dated September 24, 2001, by and between PRA Holding I, LLC, Bank of America, N.A. and Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1.)
10.3
Amendment to Business Loan Agreement, dated February 20, 2002, by and between PRA Holding I, LLC, Bank of America, N.A. and Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1.)
10.4
Employment Agreement, dated December 8, 2002, by and between Steven D. Fredrickson and Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.)
10.5
Employment Agreement, dated December 8, 2002, by and between Kevin P. Stevenson and Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.)
10.6
Employment Agreement, dated December 8, 2002, by and between Craig A. Grube and Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.)
10.7
Employment Agreement, dated December 27, 2002, by and between James L. Keown and Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.)
10.8
Employment Agreement, dated December 8, 2002, by and between Judith S. Scott and Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.)
10.9
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1.)
10.10
Riverside Commerce Center Office Lease, dated February 12, 1999, by and between Riverside Investors, L.C. and Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1.)
10.11
First Amendment to Riverside Commerce Center Office Lease, dated April 27, 1999, by and between Riverside Investors, L.C. and Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1.)
10.12
Second Amendment to Riverside Commerce Center Office Lease, dated September 29, 2000, by and between Riverside Investors, L.C. and Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1.)
10.13
Office Lease, dated November 13, 2002, by and between NetCenter Partners, LLC and Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2002.)
10.14
Riverside Commerce Center II Office Lease, dated June 27, 2003, by and between Riverside Investors, L.C. and Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of the Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2003).
10.15
Third Amendment to Riverside Commerce Center Office Lease, dated June 27, 2003, by and between Riverside Investors, L.C. and Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of the Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2003).
10.16
First Lease Amendment to Riverside Commerce Office Lease, dated June 27, 2003, by and between Riverside Crossing L.C. and Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of the Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2003).
10.17
Fourth Lease Amendment to Riverside Commerce Center Office Lease, dated February 12, 1999, by and between Riverside Crossing, L.C. and Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 of the Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2003).
10.18
Loan and Security Agreement, dated November 28, 2003, by and between Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. and RBC Centura Bank.
10.19
Commercial Promissory Note, dated November 28, 2003, by and between Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. and RBC Centura Bank.
10.20
Business Loan Agreement, dated January 8, 2004, by and between Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. and RBC Centura Bank.
10.21
Promissory Note, dated January 8, 2004, by and between Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. and RBC Centura Bank.
21.1
Subsidiaries of Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1).
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
24.1
Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).
31.1
Section 302 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
32.1
Section 906 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
(Registrant)
Dated: February 18, 2004
By:
/s/ Steven D. Fredrickson
Steven D. Fredrickson
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
(Principal Executive Officer)
Dated: February 18, 2004
By:
/s/ Kevin P. Stevenson
Kevin P. Stevenson
Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Steven D. Fredrickson and Kevin P. Stevenson, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and on his behalf, and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to execute and sign any and all amendments or post-effective amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact or any of them or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof and the registrant hereby confers like authority on its behalf.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.