cacc_09301110q.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011
OR
     
o
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number 000-20202
CREDIT ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
     
MICHIGAN
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
38-1999511
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
25505 WEST TWELVE MILE ROAD
SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
48034-8339
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 248-353-2700

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
             
             
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer þ
 
Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ

The number of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01, outstanding on October 21, 2011 was 25,666,399.

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

         
         
PART I. — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
       
         
ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
       
         
     
         
     
         
     
         
     
         
     
         
     
         
     
         
PART II. — OTHER INFORMATION
       
         
     
         
     
         



PART I. - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CREDIT ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share data)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Revenue:
           
Finance charges
 
$
117,905
   
$
99,255
   
$
338,238
   
$
284,467
 
Premiums earned
   
10,462
     
8,627
     
29,195
     
24,576
 
Other income
   
5,372
     
3,779
     
19,783
     
17,659
 
Total revenue
   
133,739
     
111,661
     
387,216
     
326,702
 
Costs and expenses:
                               
Salaries and wages
   
15,929
     
16,133
     
47,402
     
46,293
 
General and administrative
   
6,044
     
7,208
     
18,186
     
19,670
 
Sales and marketing
   
5,587
     
4,972
     
17,768
     
14,616
 
Provision for credit losses
   
4,550
     
2
     
22,394
     
8,218
 
Interest
   
14,600
     
12,038
     
42,173
     
36,010
 
Provision for claims
   
8,363
     
6,112
     
22,733
     
17,606
 
Total costs and expenses
   
55,073
     
46,465
     
170,656
     
142,413
 
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes
   
78,666
     
65,196
     
216,560
     
184,289
 
Provision for income taxes
   
28,706
     
23,149
     
78,565
     
61,162
 
Income from continuing operations
   
49,960
     
42,047
     
137,995
     
123,127
 
Loss from discontinued United Kingdom operations
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(30
)
Net income
 
$
49,960
   
$
42,047
   
$
137,995
   
$
123,097
 
                                 
Net income per share:
                               
Basic
 
$
1.92
   
$
1.50
   
$
5.23
   
$
4.09
 
Diluted
 
$
1.91
   
$
1.48
   
$
5.19
   
$
4.03
 
                                 
Income from continuing operations per share:
                               
Basic
 
$
1.92
   
$
1.50
   
$
5.23
   
$
4.09
 
Diluted
 
$
1.91
   
$
1.48
   
$
5.19
   
$
4.03
 
                                 
Loss from discontinued United Kingdom operations per share:
                               
Basic
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Diluted
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
   
26,033
     
28,063
     
26,397
     
30,082
 
Diluted
   
26,136
     
28,452
     
26,573
     
30,540
 


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


CREDIT ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share data)
 
As of
 
   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
ASSETS:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
3,634
   
$
3,792
 
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
   
91,212
     
66,536
 
Restricted securities available for sale
   
808
     
805
 
                 
        Loans receivable (including $5,377 and $9,031 from affiliates as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)
   
1,674,431
     
1,344,881
 
Allowance for credit losses
   
(149,028
)
   
(126,868
)
Loans receivable, net
   
1,525,403
     
1,218,013
 
                 
Property and equipment, net
   
16,776
     
16,311
 
Income taxes receivable
   
499
     
12,002
 
Other assets
   
32,320
     
26,056
 
Total Assets
 
$
1,670,652
   
$
1,343,515
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
91,072
   
$
75,297
 
Revolving secured line of credit
   
99,400
     
136,700
 
Secured financing
   
514,807
     
300,100
 
Mortgage note
   
4,348
     
4,523
 
Senior notes
   
350,402
     
244,344
 
Deferred income taxes, net
   
116,905
     
108,077
 
Income taxes payable
   
448
     
-
 
Total Liabilities
   
1,177,382
     
869,041
 
                 
Commitments and Contingencies - See Note 12
               
                 
Shareholders' Equity:
               
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, none issued
   
-
     
-
 
        Common stock, $.01 par value, 80,000 shares authorized, 25,667 and 27,304 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
   
257
     
273
 
Paid-in capital
   
37,962
     
30,985
 
Retained earnings
   
455,049
     
443,326
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
2
     
(110
)
Total Shareholders' Equity
   
493,270
     
474,474
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 
$
1,670,652
   
$
1,343,515
 


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


CREDIT ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
           
Net income
 
$
137,995
   
$
123,097
 
Adjustments to reconcile cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for credit losses
   
22,394
     
8,218
 
Depreciation
   
3,076
     
3,404
 
Amortization
   
4,346
     
5,298
 
Loss on retirement of property and equipment
   
28
     
64
 
Provision for deferred income taxes
   
8,763
     
12,358
 
Stock-based compensation
   
1,556
     
3,055
 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
15,951
     
(2,345
)
Decrease (increase) in income taxes receivable
   
11,503
     
(3,020
)
Increase in income taxes payable
   
448
     
-
 
(Increase) decrease in other assets
   
(3,703
)
   
527
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
202,357
     
150,656
 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
               
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash and cash equivalents
   
(24,676
)
   
23,970
 
Purchases of restricted securities available for sale
   
(532
)
   
(1,063
)
Proceeds from sale of restricted securities available for sale
   
76
     
2,112
 
Maturities of restricted securities available for sale
   
454
     
1,256
 
Principal collected on Loans receivable
   
748,242
     
589,727
 
Advances to Dealer-Partners
   
(888,602
)
   
(588,869
)
Purchases of Consumer Loans
   
(94,212
)
   
(78,110
)
Accelerated payments of Dealer Holdback
   
(37,275
)
   
(23,784
)
Payments of Dealer Holdback
   
(58,734
)
   
(33,419
)
Net decrease in other loans
   
797
     
135
 
Purchases of property and equipment
   
(3,569
)
   
(1,154
)
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(358,031
)
   
(109,199
)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
               
Borrowings under revolving secured line of credit
   
1,757,500
     
618,100
 
Repayments under revolving secured line of credit
   
(1,794,800
)
   
(612,700
)
Proceeds from secured financing
   
600,000
     
217,200
 
Repayments of secured financing
   
(385,293
)
   
(293,697
)
Principal payments under mortgage note and capital lease obligations
   
(175
)
   
(495
)
Proceeds from sale of senior notes
   
106,000
     
243,738
 
Payments of debt issuance costs
   
(6,849
)
   
(13,536
)
Repurchase of common stock
   
(126,675
)
   
(202,247
)
Proceeds from stock options exercised
   
2,781
     
1,360
 
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation plans
   
3,027
     
190
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
155,516
     
(42,087
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
   
-
     
(3
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
   
(158
)
   
(633
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
   
3,792
     
2,170
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
3,634
   
$
1,537
 
                 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
               
Cash paid during the period for interest
 
$
37,677
   
$
31,862
 
Cash paid during the period for income taxes
 
$
55,116
   
$
56,467
 


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
3

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


1.           BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“generally accepted accounting principles” or “GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of actual results achieved for full fiscal years.  The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2010 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for Credit Acceptance Corporation (the “Company”, “Credit Acceptance”, “we”, “our” or “us”).

Certain amounts for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.  We have changed the presentation of our consolidated statement of cash flows to present depreciation and amortization as separate operating activities.  Under our previous presentation, depreciation and amortization were presented as a combined operating activity.  We have also changed the presentation of our consolidated statement of cash flows to present advances to Dealer-Partners (as defined in Note 2) and accelerated payments of Dealer Holdback (as defined in Note 2) as separate investing activities.  Under our previous presentation, advances to Dealer-Partners and accelerated payments of Dealer Holdback were presented as a combined investing activity.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

We have evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the consolidated balance sheet date of September 30, 2011 for items that could potentially be recognized or disclosed in these financial statements.  For additional information regarding subsequent events, see Note 13 of these consolidated financial statements.

2.           DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Since 1972, Credit Acceptance has provided auto loans to consumers, regardless of their credit history.  Our product is offered through a nationwide network of automobile dealers who benefit from sales of vehicles to consumers who otherwise could not obtain financing; from repeat and referral sales generated by these same customers; and from sales to customers responding to advertisements for our product, but who actually end up qualifying for traditional financing.

We refer to dealers who participate in our programs and who share our commitment to changing consumers’ lives as “Dealer-Partners”.  Upon enrollment in our financing programs, the Dealer-Partner enters into a dealer servicing agreement with us that defines the legal relationship between Credit Acceptance and the Dealer-Partner.  The dealer servicing agreement assigns the responsibilities for administering, servicing, and collecting the amounts due on retail installment contracts (referred to as “Consumer Loans”) from the Dealer-Partners to us.  We are an indirect lender from a legal perspective, meaning the Consumer Loan is originated by the Dealer-Partner and assigned to us.

We have two programs: the Portfolio Program and the Purchase Program.  Under the Portfolio Program, we advance money to Dealer-Partners (referred to as a “Dealer Loan”) in exchange for the right to service the underlying Consumer Loans.  Under the Purchase Program, we buy the Consumer Loans from the Dealer-Partners (referred to as a “Purchased Loan”) and keep all amounts collected from the consumer.  Dealer Loans and Purchased Loans are collectively referred to as “Loans”.  The following table shows the percentage of Consumer Loans assigned to us based on unit volumes under each of the programs for each of the last seven quarters:

Quarter Ended
 
Portfolio Program
   
Purchase Program
 
March 31, 2010
   
90.9
%
   
9.1
%
June 30, 2010
   
90.5
%
   
9.5
%
September 30, 2010
   
90.5
%
   
9.5
%
December 31, 2010
   
91.8
%
   
8.2
%
March 31, 2011
   
92.9
%
   
7.1
%
June 30, 2011
   
92.1
%
   
7.9
%
September 30, 2011
   
92.3
%
   
7.7
%

 
4

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)


2.           DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS – (Continued)

Portfolio Program

As payment for the vehicle, the Dealer-Partner generally receives the following:

·  
a down payment from the consumer;
·  
a non-recourse cash payment (“advance”) from us; and
·  
after the advance has been recovered by us, the cash from payments made on the Consumer Loan, net of certain collection costs and our servicing fee (“Dealer Holdback”).

We record the amount advanced to the Dealer-Partner as a Dealer Loan, which is classified within Loans receivable in our consolidated balance sheets.  Cash advanced to the Dealer-Partner is automatically assigned to the Dealer-Partner’s open pool of advances.  We generally require Dealer-Partners to group advances into pools of at least 100 Consumer Loans.  At the Dealer-Partner’s option, a pool containing at least 100 Consumer Loans can be closed and subsequent advances assigned to a new pool.  All advances within a Dealer-Partner’s pool are secured by the future collections on the related Consumer Loans assigned to the pool.  For Dealer-Partners with more than one pool, the pools are cross-collateralized so the performance of other pools is considered in determining eligibility for Dealer Holdback.  We perfect our security interest in the Dealer Loans by taking possession of the Consumer Loans, which list us as lien holder on the vehicle title.

The dealer servicing agreement provides that collections received by us during a calendar month on Consumer Loans assigned by a Dealer-Partner are applied on a pool-by-pool basis as follows:

·  
First, to reimburse us for certain collection costs;
·  
Second, to pay us our servicing fee, which generally equals 20% of collections;
·  
Third, to reduce the aggregate advance balance and to pay any other amounts due from the Dealer-Partner to us; and
·  
Fourth, to the Dealer-Partner as payment of Dealer Holdback.

If the collections on Consumer Loans from a Dealer-Partner’s pool are not sufficient to repay the advance balance and any other amounts due to us, the Dealer-Partner will not receive Dealer Holdback.

Dealer-Partners have an opportunity to receive an accelerated Dealer Holdback payment at the time a pool of 100 or more Consumer Loans is closed by Dealer-Partners with a single open pool or at the time 100 Consumer Loans have been collectively assigned by Dealer-Partners with multiple open pools.  The amount paid to the Dealer-Partner is calculated using a formula that considers the forecasted collections and the advance balance on the related Consumer Loans.

Since typically the combination of the advance and the consumer’s down payment provides the Dealer-Partner with a cash profit at the time of sale, the Dealer-Partner’s risk in the Consumer Loan is limited.  We cannot demand repayment of the advance from the Dealer-Partner except in the event the Dealer-Partner is in default of the dealer servicing agreement.  Advances are made only after the consumer and Dealer-Partner have signed a Consumer Loan contract, we have received the original Consumer Loan contract and supporting documentation, and we have approved all of the related stipulations for funding.  The Dealer-Partner can also opt to repurchase Consumer Loans that have been assigned to us under the Portfolio Program, at their discretion, for a fee.

For accounting purposes, the transactions described under the Portfolio Program are not considered to be loans to consumers.  Instead, our accounting reflects that of a lender to the Dealer-Partner.  The classification as a Dealer Loan for accounting purposes is primarily a result of (1) the Dealer-Partner’s financial interest in the Consumer Loan and (2) certain elements of our legal relationship with the Dealer-Partner.

 
5

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)


2.           DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS – (Concluded)

Purchase Program

The Purchase Program differs from our Portfolio Program in that the Dealer-Partner receives a one-time payment from us at the time of assignment to purchase the Consumer Loan instead of a cash advance at the time of assignment and future Dealer Holdback payments.  For accounting purposes, the transactions described under the Purchase Program are considered to be originated by the Dealer-Partner and then purchased by us.

Program Enrollment

Currently, Dealer-Partners can enroll in our program by paying a one-time fee of $9,850 or by agreeing to allow us to retain 50% of their first accelerated Dealer Holdback payment.

On September 1, 2009, we began requiring Dealer-Partners who elected to enroll without paying the $9,850 fee to pay a fee of $1,950 (in addition to agreeing to let us retain 50% of their first accelerated Dealer Holdback payment).  The $1,950 fee was eliminated on June 1, 2011.

For all Dealer-Partners enrolling in our program, access to the Purchase Program is typically only granted after the first accelerated Dealer Holdback payment has been received under the Portfolio Program.

3.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business Segment Information

We currently operate in one reportable segment which represents our core business of offering auto loans, and related products and services to consumers through our network of Dealer-Partners.  The consolidated financial statements reflect the financial results of our one reportable operating segment.

Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

Consumer Loan Assignment.  For accounting purposes, a Consumer Loan is considered to have been assigned to us after all of the following has occurred:

·  
the consumer and Dealer-Partner have signed a Consumer Loan contract;
·  
we have received the original Consumer Loan contract and supporting documentation;
·  
we have approved all of the related stipulations for funding; and
·  
we have provided funding to the Dealer-Partner in the form of either an advance under the Portfolio Program or one-time purchase payment under the Purchase Program.

Portfolio Segments and Classes. We are considered to be a lender to our Dealer-Partners for Consumer Loans assigned under our Portfolio Program and a purchaser of Consumer Loans assigned under our Purchase Program.  As a result, our Loan portfolio consists of two portfolio segments: Dealer Loans and Purchased Loans.  We have only one class of Consumer Loans assigned under our programs, which are Consumer Loans with deteriorated credit quality that were originated by Dealer-Partners to finance consumer purchases of vehicles and related ancillary products.

Dealer Loans.  Amounts advanced to Dealer-Partners for Consumer Loans assigned under the Portfolio Program are recorded as Dealer Loans and are aggregated by Dealer-Partner for purposes of recognizing revenue and evaluating impairment.  We account for Dealer Loans in a manner consistent with loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality.  The outstanding balance of each Dealer Loan included in Loans receivable is comprised of the following:

·  
the aggregate amount of all cash advances paid;
·  
finance charges;
·  
Dealer Holdback payments;
·  
accelerated Dealer Holdback payments; and
·  
recoveries.

Less:
·  
collections (net of certain collection costs); and
·  
write-offs.

 
6

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)


3.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – (Continued)

An allowance for credit losses is maintained at an amount that reduces the net asset value (Dealer Loan balance less the allowance) to the value of forecasted future cash flows discounted at the yield established at the time of assignment.  This allowance calculation is completed for each individual Dealer-Partner.  The discounted value of future cash flows is comprised of estimated future collections on the Consumer Loans, less any estimated Dealer Holdback payments.  We write off Dealer Loans once there are no forecasted future cash flows on any of the associated Consumer Loans, which generally occurs 120 months after the last Consumer Loan assignment.

Future collections on Dealer Loans are forecasted based on the historical performance of Consumer Loans with similar characteristics, adjusted for recent trends in payment patterns.  Dealer Holdback is forecasted based on the expected future collections and current advance balance of each Dealer Loan.  Cash flows from any individual Dealer Loan are often different than estimated cash flows at the time of assignment.  If such difference is favorable, the difference is recognized prospectively into income over the remaining life of the Dealer Loan through a yield adjustment.  If such difference is unfavorable, a provision for credit losses is recorded immediately as a current period expense and a corresponding allowance for credit losses is established.  Because differences between estimated cash flows at the time of assignment and actual cash flows occur often, an allowance is required for a significant portion of our Dealer Loan portfolio.  An allowance for credit losses does not necessarily indicate that a Dealer Loan is unprofitable, and in recent years, very seldom are cash flows from a Dealer Loan insufficient to repay the initial amounts advanced to the Dealer-Partner.

Purchased Loans.  Amounts paid to Dealer-Partners for Consumer Loans assigned under the Purchase Program are recorded as Purchased Loans and are aggregated into pools based on the month of purchase for purposes of recognizing revenue and evaluating impairment.  We account for Purchased Loans as loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality.  The outstanding balance of each Purchased Loan pool included in Loans receivable is comprised of the following:

·  
the aggregate amount of all amounts paid during the month of purchase to purchase Consumer Loans from Dealer-Partners;
·  
finance charges; and
·  
recoveries.

Less:
·  
collections (net of certain collection costs); and
·  
write-offs.

An allowance for credit losses is maintained at an amount that reduces the net asset value (Purchased Loan pool balance less the allowance) to the value of forecasted future cash flows discounted at the yield established at the time of assignment.  This allowance calculation is completed for each individual pool of Purchased Loans.  The discounted value of future cash flows is comprised of estimated future collections on the pool of Purchased Loans.  We write off pools of Purchased Loans once there are no forecasted future cash flows on any of the Purchased Loans included in the pool, which generally occurs 120 months after the month of purchase.

Future collections on Purchased Loans are forecasted based on the historical performance of Consumer Loans with similar characteristics, adjusted for recent trends in payment patterns.  Cash flows from any individual pool of Purchased Loans are often different than estimated cash flows at the time of assignment.  If such difference is favorable, the difference is recognized prospectively into income over the remaining life of the pool of Purchased Loans through a yield adjustment.  If such difference is unfavorable, a provision for credit losses is recorded immediately as a current period expense and a corresponding allowance for credit losses is established.

Credit Risk.  Substantially all of the Consumer Loans assigned to us are made to individuals with impaired or limited credit histories or higher debt-to-income ratios than are permitted by traditional lenders.  Consumer Loans made to these individuals generally entail a higher risk of delinquency, default and repossession and higher losses than loans made to consumers with better credit.  Since most of our revenue and cash flows are generated from these Consumer Loans, our ability to accurately forecast Consumer Loan performance is critical to our business and financial results.  At the time the Consumer Loan is submitted to us for assignment, we forecast future expected cash flows from the Consumer Loan.  Based on these forecasts, an advance or one-time purchase payment is made to the related Dealer-Partner at a price designed to achieve an acceptable return on capital.  We use a statistical model that considers a number of credit quality indicators to estimate the expected collection rate for each Consumer Loan at the time of assignment.  Since all known, significant credit quality indicators have already been factored into our forecasts and pricing, we are not able to use any credit quality indicators to predict or explain variances in actual performance from our initial expectations.  Any variances in performance from our initial expectations are the result of Consumer Loans performing differently than historical Consumer Loans with similar characteristics.

 
7

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)


3.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – (Continued)

When overall forecasted collection rates underperform our initial expectations for certain Consumer Loan assignment periods, the decline in forecasted collections has a more adverse impact on the profitability of the Purchased Loans than on the profitability of the Dealer Loans.  For Purchased Loans, the decline in forecasted collections is absorbed entirely by us.  For Dealer Loans, the decline in the forecasted collections is substantially offset by a decline in forecasted payments of Dealer Holdback.

Forecast Methodology Changes and Modifications.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we did not make any methodology changes or significant modifications to our forecasts of future collections on Consumer Loans that had a material impact on our financial results.


Reinsurance

VSC Re Company (“VSC Re”), our wholly-owned subsidiary, is engaged in the business of reinsuring coverage under vehicle service contracts sold to consumers by Dealer-Partners on vehicles financed by us.  VSC Re currently reinsures vehicle service contracts that are underwritten by one of our two third party insurers.  Vehicle service contract premiums, which represent the selling price of the vehicle service contract to the consumer, less commissions and certain administrative costs, are contributed to trust accounts controlled by VSC Re.  These premiums are used to fund claims covered under the vehicle service contracts.  VSC Re is a bankruptcy remote entity.  As such, our exposure to fund claims is limited to the trust assets controlled by VSC Re and our net investment in VSC Re.

Premiums from the reinsurance of vehicle service contracts are recognized over the life of the policy in proportion to expected costs of servicing those contracts.  Expected costs are determined based on our historical claims experience.  Claims are expensed through a provision for claims in the period the claim was incurred.  Capitalized acquisition costs are comprised of premium taxes and are amortized as general and administrative expense over the life of the contracts in proportion to premiums earned.  A summary of reinsurance activity is as follows:

(In thousands)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
 Net assumed written premiums
 
$
11,293
   
$
8,015
   
$
37,419
   
$
26,765
 
 Net premiums earned
   
10,462
     
8,627
     
29,195
     
24,577
 
 Provision for claims
   
8,363
     
6,112
     
22,733
     
17,610
 
 Amortization of capitalized acquisition costs
   
288
     
219
     
747
     
540
 

We are considered the primary beneficiary of the trusts and as a result, the trusts have been consolidated on our balance sheet.  The trust assets and related reinsurance liabilities are as follows:

(In thousands)
   
As of
 
 
 Balance Sheet location
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
 Trust assets
 Restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
$
41,387
   
$
31,246
 
 Unearned premium
 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
32,981
     
24,757
 
 Claims reserve (1)
 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
1,383
     
1,029
 

(1)  
The claims reserve is estimated based on historical claims experience.

 
8

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)


3.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – (Continued)

Our determination to consolidate the VSC Re trusts was based on the following:

·  
First, we determined that the trusts qualified as variable interest entities.  The trusts have insufficient equity at risk as no parties to the trusts were required to contribute assets that provide them with any ownership interest.
·  
Next, we determined that we have variable interests in the trusts.  We have a residual interest in the assets of the trusts, which is variable in nature, given that it increases or decreases based upon the actual loss experience of the related service contracts.  In addition, VSC Re is required to absorb any losses in excess of the trusts’ assets.
·  
Next, we evaluated the purpose and design of the trusts.  The primary purpose of the trusts is to provide third party administrators (“TPAs”) with funds to pay claims on vehicle service contracts and to accumulate and provide us with proceeds from investment income and residual funds.
·  
Finally, we determined that we are the primary beneficiary of the trusts.  We control the amount of premium written and placed in the trusts through Consumer Loan assignments under our Programs, which is the activity that most significantly impacts the economic performance of the trusts.  We have the right to receive benefits from the trusts that could potentially be significant.  In addition, VSC Re has the obligation to absorb losses of the trusts that could potentially be significant.

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Restricted cash and cash equivalents increased to $91.2 million as of September 30, 2011 from $66.5 million as of December 31, 2010.  The following table summarizes restricted cash and cash equivalents:

(In thousands)
 
As of
 
   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
 Cash related to secured financings
 
$
49,709
   
$
35,160
 
 Cash held in trusts for future vehicle service contract claims (1)
   
41,503
     
31,376
 
 Total restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
$
91,212
   
$
66,536
 

(1)  
The unearned premium and claims reserve associated with the trusts are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.  As of September 30, 2011, the outstanding cash balance includes $41,387 related to VSC Re and $116 related to a discontinued profit sharing arrangement.  As of December 31, 2010, the outstanding cash balance includes $31,246 related to VSC Re and $130 related to a discontinued profit sharing arrangement.

Restricted Securities Available for Sale

Restricted securities available for sale consist of amounts held in a trust in accordance with a discontinued vehicle service contract profit sharing arrangement.  We determine the appropriate classification of our investments in debt securities at the time of purchase and reevaluate such determinations at each balance sheet date.  Debt securities for which we do not have the intent or ability to hold to maturity are classified as available for sale, and stated at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of income taxes included in the determination of comprehensive income and reported as a component of shareholders’ equity.

Restricted securities available for sale consisted of the following:

(In thousands)
 
As of September 30, 2011
 
   
Cost
   
Gross Unrealized Gains
   
Gross Unrealized Losses
   
Estimated Fair Value
 
 US Government and agency securities
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
 Corporate bonds
   
804
     
12
     
(8
)
   
808
 
 Total restricted securities available for sale
 
$
804
   
$
12
   
$
(8
)
 
$
808
 
                                 
 (In thousands)
 
As of December 31, 2010
 
   
Cost
   
Gross Unrealized Gains
   
Gross Unrealized Losses
   
Estimated Fair Value
 
 US Government and agency securities
 
$
298
   
$
3
   
$
-
   
$
301
 
 Corporate bonds
   
504
     
5
     
(5
)
   
504
 
 Total restricted securities available for sale
 
$
802
   
$
8
   
$
(5
)
 
$
805
 




 
9

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)


3.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – (Continued)

The cost and estimated fair values of debt securities by contractual maturity were as follows (securities with multiple maturity dates are classified in the period of final maturity).  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

(In thousands)
 
As of
 
   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Cost
   
Estimated Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Estimated Fair Value
 
 Contractual Maturity
                       
 Within one year
 
$
95
   
$
95
   
$
499
   
$
496
 
 Over one year to five years
   
709
     
713
     
303
     
309
 
 Total restricted securities available for sale
 
$
804
   
$
808
   
$
802
   
$
805
 

Deferred Debt Issuance Costs

As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, deferred debt issuance costs were $18.1 million and $15.6 million, respectively, and are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.  Expenses associated with the issuance of debt instruments are capitalized and amortized as interest expense over the term of the debt instrument using the effective interest method for term secured financings and Senior Notes (as defined below in Note 5) and the straight-line method for lines of credit and revolving secured financings.

Derivative and Hedging Instruments

We rely on various sources of financing, some of which contain floating rates of interest and expose us to risks associated with increases in interest rates.  We manage such risk primarily by entering into interest rate cap and interest rate swap agreements (“derivative instruments”).

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, we formally document all relationships between the hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as their risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions.  This process includes linking all derivative instruments that are designated as cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet.  We also formally assess (both at the hedge’s inception and on a quarterly basis) whether the derivative instruments that are used in hedging transactions have been highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of hedged items and whether those derivative instruments may be expected to remain highly effective in the future periods.  The effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments is recorded in other comprehensive income, net of income taxes.  If it is determined that a derivative instrument is not (or has ceased to be) highly effective as a hedge, we would discontinue hedge accounting prospectively and the ineffective portion of changes in fair value would be recorded in interest expense.  For derivative instruments not designated as hedges, changes in the fair value of these agreements increase or decrease interest expense.

We recognize derivative instruments as either other assets or accounts payable and accrued liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets.  For additional information regarding our derivative and hedging instruments, see Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.



 
10

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)


3.           SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – (Concluded)

New Accounting Updates

Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts.  In October 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-26, which amends Topic 944 (Financial Services – Insurance).  ASU No. 2010-26 is intended to address diversity in practice regarding the interpretation of which costs relating to the acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts qualify for deferral. The amendments specify which costs incurred in the acquisition of new and renewal contracts should be capitalized.  ASU No. 2010-26 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. While the guidance in this ASU is required to be applied prospectively upon adoption, retrospective application is also permitted (to all prior periods presented). Early adoption is also permitted, but only at the beginning of an entity’s annual reporting period.  The adoption of ASU No. 2010-26 beginning on January 1, 2012 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.  In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04 which amends Topic 820 (Fair Value Measurement).  ASU No. 2011-04 is intended to provide a consistent definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure about fair value between U.S. GAAP and IFRS.  The amendments in ASU No. 2011-04 include changes regarding how and when the valuation premise of highest and best use applies, the application of premiums and discounts, and new required disclosures.  ASU No. 2011-04 is to be applied prospectively upon adoption and is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 with early adoption prohibited.  While the adoption of ASU No. 2011-04 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, we expect that it will expand our disclosures related to fair value measurements.

Presentation of Comprehensive Income.  In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05 which amends Topic 220 (Comprehensive Income).  ASU No. 2011-05 is intended to enhance comparability between entities that report under US GAAP and those that report under IFRS, and to provide a more consistent method of presenting non-owner transactions that affect an entity's equity.  ASU No. 2011-05 eliminates the current option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity.  The amended guidance allows an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  ASU No. 2011-05 is to be applied retrospectively upon adoption and is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 with early adoption permitted.  We expect the adoption of ASU No. 2011-05 will change the presentation of our consolidated financial statements.

4.           LOANS RECEIVABLE

Loans receivable consists of the following:

(In thousands)
 
As of September 30, 2011
 
   
Dealer Loans
   
Purchased Loans
   
Total
 
 Loans receivable
 
$
1,426,866
   
$
247,565
   
$
1,674,431
 
 Allowance for credit losses
   
(136,157
)
   
(12,871
)
   
(149,028
)
 Loans receivable, net
 
$
1,290,709
   
$
234,694
   
$
1,525,403
 
                         
 (In thousands)
 
As of December 31, 2010
 
   
Dealer Loans
   
Purchased Loans
   
Total
 
 Loans receivable
 
$
1,082,039
   
$
262,842
   
$
1,344,881
 
 Allowance for credit losses
   
(113,227
)
   
(13,641
)
   
(126,868
)
 Loans receivable, net
 
$
968,812
   
$
249,201
   
$
1,218,013
 


 
11

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)


4.           LOANS RECEIVABLE – (Continued)

A summary of changes in Loans receivable is as follows:

(In thousands)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
   
Dealer Loans
   
Purchased Loans
   
Total
 
 Balance, beginning of period
 
$
1,331,973
   
$
250,932
   
$
1,582,905
 
 New Consumer Loan assignments (1)
   
278,395
     
30,717
     
309,112
 
 Principal collected on Loans receivable
   
(216,860
)
   
(36,970
)
   
(253,830
)
 Accelerated Dealer Holdback payments
   
12,859
     
-
     
12,859
 
 Dealer Holdback payments
   
23,985
     
-
     
23,985
 
 Transfers (2)
   
(2,933
)
   
2,933
     
-
 
 Write-offs
   
(736
)
   
(68
)
   
(804
)
 Recoveries
   
442
     
21
     
463
 
 Net change in other loans
   
(259
)
   
-
     
(259
)
 Balance, end of period
 
$
1,426,866
   
$
247,565
   
$
1,674,431
 
                         
 (In thousands)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
   
Dealer Loans
   
Purchased Loans
   
Total
 
 Balance, beginning of period
 
$
980,952
   
$
278,695
   
$
1,259,647
 
 New Consumer Loan assignments (1)
   
194,006
     
25,959
     
219,965
 
 Principal collected on Loans receivable
   
(160,426
)
   
(37,145
)
   
(197,571
)
 Accelerated Dealer Holdback payments
   
8,464
     
-
     
8,464
 
 Dealer Holdback payments
   
10,537
     
-
     
10,537
 
 Transfers (2)
   
(4,076
)
   
4,076
     
-
 
 Write-offs
   
(433
)
   
(48
)
   
(481
)
 Recoveries
   
542
     
16
     
558
 
 Net change in other loans
   
(52
)
   
-
     
(52
)
 Balance, end of period
 
$
1,029,514
   
$
271,553
   
$
1,301,067
 

(In thousands)
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
   
Dealer Loans
   
Purchased Loans
   
Total
 
 Balance, beginning of period
 
$
1,082,039
   
$
262,842
   
$
1,344,881
 
 New Consumer Loan assignments (1)
   
888,602
     
94,212
     
982,814
 
 Principal collected on Loans receivable
   
(628,406
)
   
(119,836
)
   
(748,242
)
 Accelerated Dealer Holdback payments
   
37,275
     
-
     
37,275
 
 Dealer Holdback payments
   
58,734
     
-
     
58,734
 
 Transfers (2)
   
(10,490
)
   
10,490
     
-
 
 Write-offs
   
(1,563
)
   
(207
)
   
(1,770
)
 Recoveries
   
1,472
     
64
     
1,536
 
 Net change in other loans
   
(797
)
   
-
     
(797
)
 Balance, end of period
 
$
1,426,866
   
$
247,565
   
$
1,674,431
 
                         
 (In thousands)
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
   
Dealer Loans
   
Purchased Loans
   
Total
 
 Balance, beginning of period
 
$
869,603
   
$
297,955
   
$
1,167,558
 
 New Consumer Loan assignments (1)
   
588,869
     
78,110
     
666,979
 
 Principal collected on Loans receivable
   
(471,513
)
   
(118,214
)
   
(589,727
)
 Accelerated Dealer Holdback payments
   
23,784
     
-
     
23,784
 
 Dealer Holdback payments
   
33,419
     
-
     
33,419
 
 Transfers (2)
   
(13,741
)
   
13,741
     
-
 
 Write-offs
   
(2,493
)
   
(97
)
   
(2,590
)
 Recoveries
   
1,688
     
58
     
1,746
 
 Net change in other loans
   
(135
)
   
-
     
(135
)
 Currency translation
   
33
     
-
     
33
 
 Balance, end of period
 
$
1,029,514
   
$
271,553
   
$
1,301,067
 

 
12

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)



4.           LOANS RECEIVABLE – (Concluded)

(1)  
The Dealer Loans amount represents advances paid to Dealer-Partners on Consumer Loans assigned under our Portfolio Program.  The Purchased Loans amount represents one-time payments made to Dealer-Partners to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under our Purchase Program.
(2)  
Under our Portfolio Program, certain events may result in Dealer-Partners forfeiting their rights to Dealer Holdback.  We transfer the Dealer-Partner’s outstanding Dealer Loan balance to Purchased Loans in the period this forfeiture occurs.

A summary of changes in the allowance for credit losses is as follows:


(In thousands)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
   
Dealer Loans
   
Purchased Loans
   
Total
 
 Balance, beginning of period
 
$
131,728
   
$
13,091
   
$
144,819
 
 Provision for credit losses
   
4,723
     
(173
)
   
4,550
 
 Write-offs
   
(736
)
   
(68
)
   
(804
)
 Recoveries
   
442
     
21
     
463
 
 Balance, end of period
 
$
136,157
   
$
12,871
   
$
149,028
 
                         
 (In thousands)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
   
Dealer Loans
   
Purchased Loans
   
Total
 
 Balance, beginning of period
 
$
112,115
   
$
12,756
   
$
124,871
 
 Provision for credit losses
   
(317
)
   
319
     
2
 
 Write-offs
   
(433
)
   
(48
)
   
(481
)
 Recoveries
   
542
     
16
     
558
 
 Currency translation
   
(1
)
   
-
     
(1
)
 Balance, end of period
 
$
111,906
   
$
13,043
   
$
124,949
 

(In thousands)
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
   
Dealer Loans
   
Purchased Loans
   
Total
 
 Balance, beginning of period
 
$
113,227
   
$
13,641
   
$
126,868
 
 Provision for credit losses
   
23,021
     
(627
)
   
22,394
 
 Write-offs
   
(1,563
)
   
(207
)
   
(1,770
)
 Recoveries
   
1,472
     
64
     
1,536
 
 Balance, end of period
 
$
136,157
   
$
12,871
   
$
149,028
 
                         
 (In thousands)
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
   
Dealer Loans
   
Purchased Loans
   
Total
 
 Balance, beginning of period
 
$
108,792
   
$
8,753
   
$
117,545
 
 Provision for credit losses
   
3,889
     
4,329
     
8,218
 
 Write-offs
   
(2,493
)
   
(97
)
   
(2,590
)
 Recoveries
   
1,688
     
58
     
1,746
 
 Currency translation
   
30
     
-
     
30
 
 Balance, end of period
 
$
111,906
   
$
13,043
   
$
124,949
 



 
13

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)


5.           DEBT

We currently utilize the following primary forms of debt financing: (1) a revolving secured line of credit with a commercial bank syndicate; (2) revolving secured warehouse (“Warehouse”) facilities with institutional investors; (3) asset-backed secured financings (“Term ABS”) with qualified institutional investors; and (4) 9.125% First Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (“Senior Notes”).  General information for each of our financing transactions in place as of September 30, 2011 is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
                         
 Financings
 
Wholly-owned Subsidiary
   
Issue Number
 
 Close Date
 Maturity Date
   
Financing Amount
 
 Interest Rate as of
September 30, 2011
Revolving Secured
Line of Credit
   
n/a
     
n/a
 
06/17/2011
06/22/2014
   
$
205,000
 
At our option, either the LIBOR rate plus 225 basis points or the prime rate plus 125 basis points
Warehouse Facility II (1)
 
CAC Warehouse Funding Corp. II
     
n/a
 
06/17/2011
06/17/2014
(2)
 
$
325,000
 
Commercial paper rate plus 275 basis points or LIBOR plus 375 basis points (3) (4)
Warehouse Facility III (1)
 
CAC Warehouse Funding III, LLC
     
n/a
 
09/10/2010
09/10/2013
(5)
 
$
75,000
 
Commercial paper rate plus 160 basis points or LIBOR plus 160 basis points (3) (4)
Warehouse Facility IV (1)
 
CAC Warehouse Funding LLC IV
     
n/a
 
08/19/2011
02/19/2014
(2)
 
$
75,000
 
LIBOR plus 275 basis points (4)
Term ABS 2009-1 (1)
 
Credit Acceptance Funding LLC 2009-1
     
2009-1
 
12/03/2009
05/15/2011
(2)
 
$
110,500
 
Fixed rate
Term ABS 2010-1 (1)
 
Credit Acceptance Funding LLC 2010-1
     
2010-1
 
11/04/2010
10/15/2012
(2)
 
$
100,500
 
Fixed rate
Senior Notes
   
n/a
     
n/a
 
(6)
02/01/2017
   
$
350,000
 
Fixed rate

(1)  
Financing made available only to a specified subsidiary of the Company.
(2)  
Represents the revolving maturity date.  The outstanding balance will amortize after the maturity date based on the cash flows of the pledged assets.
(3)  
The LIBOR rate is used if funding is not available from the commercial paper market.
(4)  
Interest rate cap agreements are in place to limit the exposure to increasing interest rates.
(5)  
Represents the revolving maturity date.  The outstanding balance will amortize after the revolving maturity date and any amounts remaining on September 10, 2014 will be due.
(6)  
The close dates associated with the issuance of $250.0 million and $100.0 million of the Senior Notes were on February 1, 2010 and March 3, 2011, respectively.


 
14

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)


5.           DEBT – (Continued)

Additional information related to the amounts outstanding on each facility is as follows:

(In thousands)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Revolving Secured Line of Credit
                       
       Maximum outstanding balance
 
$
165,400
   
$
107,800
   
$
165,400
   
$
107,900
 
       Average outstanding balance
   
113,098
     
68,720
     
108,262
     
47,950
 
                                 
Warehouse Facility II
                               
       Maximum outstanding balance
 
$
264,000
   
$
180,000
   
$
264,000
   
$
180,000
 
       Average outstanding balance
   
215,522
     
141,267
     
184,224
     
75,853
 
                                 
Warehouse Facility III
                               
       Maximum outstanding balance
 
$
75,000
   
$
70,000
   
$
75,000
   
$
75,000
 
       Average outstanding balance
   
73,587
     
64,783
     
47,436
     
71,538
 
                                 
Warehouse Facility IV
                               
       Maximum outstanding balance
 
$
43,500
   
$
-
   
$
43,500
   
$
-
 
       Average outstanding balance
   
41,895
     
-
     
41,895
     
-
 




 
15

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)


5.           DEBT – (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands)
 
As of
 
   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Revolving Secured Line of Credit
           
    Balance outstanding
 
$
99,400
   
$
136,700
 
    Letter of credit
   
500
     
500
 
    Amount available for borrowing (1)
   
105,100
     
32,800
 
    Interest rate
   
2.49
%
   
3.03
%
                 
Warehouse Facility II
               
    Balance outstanding
 
$
242,000
   
$
49,100
 
    Amount available for borrowing  (1)
   
83,000
     
275,900
 
    Loans pledged as collateral
   
328,239
     
83,692
 
    Restricted cash and cash equivalents pledged as collateral
   
10,046
     
4,037
 
    Interest rate
   
2.98
%
   
3.82
%
                 
Warehouse Facility III
               
    Balance outstanding
 
$
70,000
   
$
40,000
 
    Amount available for borrowing (1)
   
5,000
     
35,000
 
    Loans pledged as collateral
   
96,501
     
70,639
 
    Restricted cash and cash equivalents pledged as collateral
   
4,655
     
2,409
 
    Interest rate
   
1.83
%
   
3.94
%
                 
Warehouse Facility IV
               
    Balance outstanding
 
$
42,000
   
$
-
 
    Amount available for borrowing (1)
   
33,000
     
-
 
    Loans pledged as collateral
   
60,379
     
-
 
    Restricted cash and cash equivalents pledged as collateral
   
2,947
     
-
 
    Interest rate
   
2.98
%
   
-
 
                 
Term ABS 2009-1
               
    Balance outstanding
 
$
60,307
   
$
110,500
 
    Loans pledged as collateral
   
118,675
     
138,090
 
    Restricted cash and cash equivalents pledged as collateral
   
16,151
     
15,554
 
    Interest rate
   
4.76
%
   
4.40
%
                 
Term ABS 2010-1
               
    Balance outstanding
 
$
100,500
   
$
100,500
 
    Loans pledged as collateral
   
125,856
     
125,161
 
    Restricted cash and cash equivalents pledged as collateral
   
15,910
     
13,160
 
    Interest rate
   
2.36
%
   
2.36
%
                 
Senior Notes
               
    Balance outstanding (2)
 
$
350,402
   
$
244,344
 
    Interest rate
   
9.13
%
   
9.13
%
 
(1) Availability may be limited by the amount of assets pledged as collateral.
(2)  
The outstanding balance presented for the Senior Notes includes a net unamortized debt premium of $0.4 million as of September 30, 2011 and unamortized debt discount of $5.7 million as of December 31, 2010.

 
16

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)


5.           DEBT – (Continued)

Revolving Secured Line of Credit Facility

During the second quarter of 2011, we extended the maturity of our revolving secured line of credit facility from June 22, 2012 to June 22, 2014.  Additionally, the amount of the facility was increased from $170.0 million to $205.0 million.  The interest rate on borrowings under the facility remains the same at the prime rate plus 1.25% or the LIBOR rate plus 2.25%, at our option.  The financial covenant that required us to maintain a minimum ratio of assets to debt and the floor on the LIBOR rate was eliminated.

Borrowings under the revolving secured line of credit facility, including any letters of credit issued under the facility, are subject to a borrowing-base limitation.  This limitation equals 80% of the net book value of Loans, less a hedging reserve (not exceeding $1.0 million), and the amount of other debt secured by the collateral which secures the revolving secured line of credit facility.  Borrowings under the revolving secured line of credit facility agreement are secured by a lien on most of our assets.

Warehouse Facilities

We have three Warehouse facilities with total borrowing capacity of $475.0 million.  Each of the facilities are with different institutional investors, and the facility limit is $325.0 million for Warehouse Facility II and $75.0 million for both Warehouse Facility III and IV.

During the third quarter of 2011, we entered into Warehouse Facility IV with a facility limit of $75.0 million.  The facility will cease to revolve on February 19, 2014.  Borrowings under the facility will bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.75%.

During the second quarter of 2011, we extended the date on which Warehouse Facility II will cease to revolve from June 15, 2013 to June 17, 2014.  The interest rate on borrowings under the facility was decreased from the commercial paper rate plus 3.5% to the commercial paper rate plus 2.75%.

During the second quarter of 2011, we decreased the interest rate on Warehouse Facility III from LIBOR plus 3.0% to LIBOR plus 1.6%.

Under each Warehouse facility, we can contribute Loans to our wholly-owned subsidiaries in return for cash and equity in each subsidiary.  In turn, each subsidiary pledges the Loans as collateral to institutional investors to secure financing that will fund the cash portion of the purchase price of the Loans.  The financing provided to each subsidiary under the applicable facility is limited to the lesser of 80% of the net book value of the contributed Loans plus the cash collected on such Loans or the facility limit.

The financings create indebtedness for which the subsidiaries are liable and which is secured by all the assets of each subsidiary.  Such indebtedness is non-recourse to us, even though we are consolidated for financial reporting purposes with the subsidiaries.  Because the subsidiaries are organized as legal entities separate from us, their assets (including the contributed Loans) are not available to our creditors.

Interest on borrowings under Warehouse Facility II has been limited through interest rate cap agreements to a maximum rate of 6.75% plus the spread over the LIBOR rate or the commercial paper rate, as applicable.  Interest on borrowings for a portion of Warehouse Facility III has been limited through an interest rate cap agreement to a maximum rate of 6.75% plus the spread over the LIBOR rate or the commercial paper rate, as applicable.  Interest on borrowings for Warehouse Facility IV has also been limited through an interest rate cap agreement to a maximum rate of 5.50% plus the spread over the LIBOR rate.  For additional information, see Note 6 of these consolidated financial statements.

The subsidiaries pay us a monthly servicing fee equal to 6% of the collections received with respect to the contributed Loans.  The fee is paid out of the collections.  Except for the servicing fee and holdback payments due to Dealer-Partners, if a facility is amortizing, we do not have any rights in any portion of such collections until all outstanding principal, accrued and unpaid interest, fees and other related costs have been paid in full.  If a facility is not amortizing, the applicable subsidiary may be entitled to retain a portion of such collections provided that the borrowing base requirements of the facility are satisfied.

 
17

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)



5.           DEBT – (Continued)

Term ABS Financings

In 2009 and 2010, two of our wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Funding LLCs”), each completed a secured financing transaction.  In connection with these transactions, we contributed Loans on an arms-length basis to each Funding LLC for cash and the sole membership interest in that Funding LLC.  In turn, each Funding LLC contributed the Loans to a respective trust that issued notes to qualified institutional investors.  The Term ABS 2010-1 and 2009-1 transactions consist of three classes of notes.  The Class A and Class B Notes for each Term ABS financing bear interest.  The Class C Notes for each Term ABS financing do not bear interest and have been retained by us.

Each financing at the time of issuance has a specified revolving period during which we may be required, and are likely, to contribute additional Loans to each Funding LLC.  Each Funding LLC will then contribute the Loans to their respective trust.  At the end of the revolving period, the debt outstanding under each financing will begin to amortize.

The financings create indebtedness for which the trusts are liable and which is secured by all the assets of each trust.  Such indebtedness is non-recourse to us, even though we are consolidated for financial reporting purposes with the trusts and the Funding LLCs.  Because the Funding LLCs are organized as legal entities separate from us, their assets (including the contributed Loans) are not available to our creditors.  We receive a monthly servicing fee on each financing equal to 6% of the collections received with respect to the contributed Loans.  The fee is paid out of the collections.  Except for the servicing fee and Dealer Holdback payments due to Dealer-Partners, if a facility is amortizing, we do not have any rights in any portion of such collections until all outstanding principal, accrued and unpaid interest, fees and other related costs have been paid in full.  If a facility is not amortizing, the applicable subsidiary may be entitled to retain a portion of such collections provided that the borrowing base requirements of the facility are satisfied.  However, in our capacity as servicer of the  Loans, we do have a limited right to exercise a “clean-up call” option to purchase Loans from the Funding LLCs and/or the trusts under certain specified circumstances.  Alternatively, when a trust’s underlying indebtedness is paid in full, either through collections or through a prepayment of the indebtedness, the trust is to pay any remaining collections over to its Funding LLC as the sole beneficiary of the trust.  The collections will then be available to be distributed to us as the sole member of the respective Funding LLC.

The table below sets forth certain additional details regarding the outstanding Term ABS Financings:

(Dollars in thousands)
                     
 Term ABS Financings
 
Issue Number
 
 Close Date
 
Net Book Value of Dealer Loans Contributed at Closing
 
 Revolving Period
 
Expected Annualized Rates (1)
 
Term ABS 2009-1
   
2009-1
 
 December 3, 2009
 
$
142,301
 
 18 months
(Through May 15, 2011)
   
5.2
%
Term ABS 2010-1
   
2010-1
 
 November 4, 2010
 
$
126,751
 
 24 months
(Through October 15, 2012)
   
3.1
%

(1)  
Includes underwriter’s fees and other costs.

Senior Notes

We have outstanding $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 9.125% First Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2017, $100.0 million of which we issued on March 3, 2011 and $250.0 million of which we issued on February 1, 2010.  The Senior Notes are governed by an indenture, dated as of February 1, 2010, as amended and supplemented (the “Indenture”), among us, as the issuer; our subsidiaries Buyers Vehicle Protection Plan, Inc. and Vehicle Remarketing Services, Inc., as guarantors (the “Guarantors”); and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.  The Senior Notes issued on March 3, 2011 have the same terms as the previously issued Senior Notes, other than issue price and issue date, and all of the Senior Notes are treated as a single class under the Indenture.

The Senior Notes mature on February 1, 2017 and bear interest at a rate of 9.125% per annum, computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year.  The Senior Notes issued on March 3, 2011 were issued at a price of 106.0% of their aggregate principal amount, resulting in gross proceeds of $106.0 million, and a yield to maturity of 7.83% per annum.  The Senior Notes issued on February 1, 2010 were issued at a price of 97.495% of their aggregate principal amount, resulting in gross proceeds of $243.7 million, and a yield to maturity of 9.625% per annum.  The premium with respect to the Senior Notes issued on March 3, 2011 and the discount with respect to the Senior Notes issued on February 1, 2010 are being amortized over the life of the Senior Notes using the effective interest method.


 
18

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)


5.           DEBT – (Concluded)

The Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by the Guarantors, which are also guarantors of obligations under our revolving secured line of credit facility.  Other existing and future subsidiaries of ours may become guarantors of the Senior Notes.  The Senior Notes and the Guarantors’ Senior Note guarantees are secured on a first-priority basis (subject to specified exceptions and permitted liens), together with all indebtedness outstanding from time to time under the revolving secured line of credit facility and, under certain circumstances, certain future indebtedness, by a security interest in substantially all of our assets and those of the Guarantors, subject to certain exceptions such as real property, cash (except to the extent it is deposited with the collateral agent), certain leases, and equity interests of our subsidiaries (other than those of specified subsidiaries including the Guarantors).  Our assets and those of the Guarantors securing the Senior Notes and the Senior Note guarantees will not include our assets transferred to special purpose subsidiaries in connection with securitization transactions and will generally be the same as the collateral securing indebtedness under the revolving secured line of credit facility and, under certain circumstances, certain future indebtedness, subject to certain limited exceptions as provided in the security and intercreditor agreements related to the revolving secured line of credit facility.


Debt Covenants

As of September 30, 2011, we were in compliance with all our debt covenants relating to the revolving secured line of credit facility, including those that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios and other financial conditions.  These covenants require a minimum ratio of our earnings before interest, taxes and non-cash expenses to fixed charges.  These covenants also limit the maximum ratio of our funded debt to tangible net worth.  Additionally, we must maintain consolidated net income of not less than $1 for the two most recently ended fiscal quarters.  Some of these debt covenants may indirectly limit the repurchase of common stock or payment of dividends on common stock.

Our Warehouse facilities and Term ABS financings also contain covenants that measure the performance of the contributed assets.  As of September 30, 2011, we were in compliance with all such covenants.  As of the end of the quarter, we were also in compliance with our covenants under the Indenture.  The Indenture includes covenants that limit the maximum ratio of our funded debt to tangible net worth and also require a minimum collateral coverage ratio.

6.           DERIVATIVE AND HEDGING INSTRUMENTS

Interest Rate Caps.  We utilize interest rate cap agreements to manage the interest rate risk on our Warehouse facilities.  The following tables provide the terms of our interest rate cap agreements that were in effect as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 
As of September 30, 2011
 
Facility
(in millions)
 
 Facility Name
 Purpose
 
Start
   
End
   
Notional
(in millions)
   
Cap Interest Rate (1)
 
$
325.0
 
 Warehouse Facility II
 Cap Floating Rate
   
09/2010
     
06/2013
   
$
325.0
     
6.75
%
 
75.0
 
 Warehouse Facility III
 Cap Floating Rate
   
09/2010
     
09/2013
     
37.5
     
6.75
%
 
75.0
 
 Warehouse Facility IV
 Cap Floating Rate
   
08/2011
     
03/2014
     
75.0
     
5.50
%

 
As of December 31, 2010
 
Facility
(in millions)
 
 Facility Name
 Purpose
 
Start
   
End
   
Notional
(in millions)
   
Cap Interest Rate (1)
 
$
325.0
 
 Warehouse Facility II
 Cap Floating Rate
   
04/2009
     
05/2012
   
$
325.0
     
6.75
%
 
75.0
 
 Warehouse Facility III
 Cap Floating Rate
   
09/2010
     
09/2013
     
12.5
     
6.75
%

(1)  
Rate excludes the spread over the LIBOR rate or the commercial paper rate, as applicable.

The interest rate caps have not been designated as hedging instruments.

Interest Rate Swaps.  As of September 30, 2011, we did not have any interest rate swap agreements outstanding.  As of December 31, 2010, we had an interest rate swap outstanding for Warehouse Facility III which matured in August 2011 that converted $25.0 million of the amount outstanding under the facility into fixed rate debt, bearing an interest rate 4.36%.  This interest rate swap had been designated as a cash flow hedging instrument.

 
19

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)


6.           DERIVATIVE AND HEDGING INSTRUMENTS – (Concluded)

Information related to the fair values of derivative instruments in our consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 is as follows:

(In thousands)
   
Fair Value as of
 
 
 Balance Sheet location
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
             
Liability Derivatives
             
Interest rate swap
 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
-
   
$
176
 
                   
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
                 
Asset Derivatives
                 
Interest rate caps
 Other assets
 
$
24
   
$
56
 
                   
Total Derivatives
                 
Total Asset Derivatives
   
$
24
   
$
56
 
Total Liability Derivatives
   
$
-
   
$
176
 

Information related to the effect of derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments in our consolidated financial statements is as follows:

(In thousands)
                         
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
 
(Loss) / Gain Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)
 
(Loss) / Gain Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)
 
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
     
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 Location
 
2011
   
2010
 
Interest rate swap
 
$
-
   
$
(83
)
 Interest expense
 
$
(49
)
 
$
(68
)
                                   
(In thousands)
                                 
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
 
(Loss) / Gain Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)
 
(Loss) / Gain Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
     
2010
 
Location
   
2011
     
2010
 
Interest rate swap
 
$
(16
)
 
$
528
 
 Interest expense
 
$
(192
)
 
$
(676
)

Information related to the effect of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on our consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

(In thousands)
                         
 Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
   
Amount of (Loss) / Gain Recognized in Income on Derivatives
 
   
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 Location
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Interest rate caps
 Interest expense
 
$
(61
)
 
$
(24
)
 
$
(202
)
 
$
(181
)
Interest rate swap
 Interest expense
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(590
)
Total
   
$
(61
)
 
$
(24
)
 
$
(202
)
 
$
(771
)


 
20

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)



7.           FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate their value.
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents.  The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.

Restricted Securities Available for Sale.  Restricted securities consist of amounts held in trusts by TPAs to pay claims on vehicle service contracts.  Securities for which we do not have the intent or ability to hold to maturity are classified as available for sale and stated at fair value.  The fair value of restricted securities are based on quoted market values.

Net Investment in Loans Receivable.  Loans receivable, net represents our net investment in Consumer Loans.  The fair value is determined by calculating the present value of future Loan payment inflows and Dealer Holdback outflows estimated by us utilizing a discount rate comparable with the rate used to calculate our allowance for credit losses.

Derivative Instruments.  The fair value of interest rate caps and interest rate swaps are based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, which are influenced by a number of factors, including interest rates, notional amount of the derivative, and number of months until maturity.

Liabilities.  The fair value of debt is determined using quoted market prices, if available, or calculated using the estimated value of each debt instrument based on current rates offered to us for debt with similar maturities.

A comparison of the carrying value and estimated fair value of these financial instruments is as follows:

(In thousands)
 
As of
 
   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Estimated
Fair Value
 
 Assets
                       
 Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
3,634
   
$
3,634
   
$
3,792
   
$
3,792
 
 Restricted cash and cash equivalents
   
91,212
     
91,212
     
66,536
     
66,536
 
 Restricted securities available for sale
   
808
     
808
     
805
     
805
 
 Net investment in Loans receivable
   
1,525,403
     
1,542,046
     
1,218,013
     
1,224,830
 
 Derivative instruments
   
24
     
24
     
56
     
56
 
                                 
 Liabilities
                               
 Revolving secured line of credit
 
$
99,400
   
$
99,400
   
$
136,700
   
$
136,700
 
 Secured financing
   
514,807
     
514,765
     
300,100
     
302,377
 
 Mortgage note
   
4,348
     
4,348
     
4,523
     
4,523
 
 Senior notes
   
350,402
     
348,000
     
244,344
     
261,250
 
 Derivative instruments
   
-
     
-
     
176
     
176
 

Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.  We group assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value.  These levels are:

Level 1
Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.
Level 2
Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.
Level 3
Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market.  These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

 
21

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)




7.           FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS – (Concluded)

The following table provides the fair value measurements of applicable assets and liabilities, measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

(In thousands)
 
As of September 30, 2011
   
As of December 31, 2010
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Total
Fair Value
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Total
Fair Value
 
 Assets
                                   
 Restricted securities available for sale
 
$
808
   
$
-
   
$
808
   
$
805
   
$
-
   
$
805
 
 Derivative instruments
   
-
     
24
     
24
     
-
     
56
     
56
 
                                                 
 Liabilities
                                               
 Derivative instruments
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
176
   
$
176
 

8.           RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In the normal course of our business, affiliated Dealer-Partners assign Consumer Loans to us under the Portfolio and Purchase Programs.  Dealer Loans and Purchased Loans with affiliated Dealer-Partners are on the same terms as those with non-affiliated Dealer-Partners.  Affiliated Dealer-Partners are comprised of Dealer-Partners owned or controlled by: (1) our majority shareholder and Chairman; and (2) a member of the Chairman’s immediate family.

Affiliated Dealer Loan balances were $5.4 million and $9.0 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  Affiliated Dealer Loan balances were 0.4% and 0.8% of total consolidated Dealer Loan balances as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  A summary of related party Loan activity is as follows:

(In thousands)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
Affiliated
Dealer-Partner
activity
   
% of
consolidated
   
Affiliated
Dealer-Partner
activity
   
% of
consolidated
 
Dealer Loan revenue
 
$
349
     
0.4
%
 
$
715
     
0.9
%
New Consumer Loan assignments (1)
   
128
     
0.0
%
   
457
     
0.2
%
Accelerated Dealer Holdback payments
   
-
     
0.0
%
   
20
     
0.2
%
Dealer Holdback payments
   
652
     
2.7
%
   
415
     
3.9
%

(In thousands)
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
Affiliated
Dealer-Partner
activity
   
% of
consolidated
   
Affiliated
Dealer-Partner
activity
   
% of
consolidated
 
Dealer Loan revenue
 
$
1,330
     
0.5
%
 
$
2,363
     
1.1
%
New Consumer Loan assignments (1)
   
788
     
0.1
%
   
2,534
     
0.4
%
Accelerated Dealer Holdback payments
   
24
     
0.1
%
   
240
     
1.0
%
Dealer Holdback payments
   
1,757
     
3.0
%
   
1,474
     
4.4
%

(1)  
Represents advances paid to Dealer-Partners on Consumer Loans assigned under our Portfolio Program and one-time payments made to Dealer-Partners to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under our Purchase Program.

Our majority shareholder and Chairman has indirect control over entities that, in the past, offered secured lines of credit to automobile dealers, and has the right or obligation to reacquire these entities under certain circumstances until December 31, 2014 or the repayment of the related purchase money note.

 
22

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)



9.           INCOME TAXES

A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate to our effective tax rate, excluding the results of the discontinued United Kingdom operations, is as follows:

   
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
U.S. federal statutory rate
   
35.0
%
   
35.0
%
   
35.0
%
   
35.0
%
State income taxes
   
1.5
%
   
1.6
%
   
1.9
%
   
1.8
%
Changes in reserve for uncertain tax positions as a result of settlements and lapsed statutes and related interest
   
-0.2
%
   
-0.7
%
   
-0.6
%
   
-3.6
%
Other
   
0.2
%
   
-0.4
%
   
0.0
%
   
0.0
%
Effective tax rate
   
36.5
%
   
35.5
%
   
36.3
%
   
33.2
%

The differences between the U.S. federal statutory rate and our effective tax rate are primarily due to state income taxes and reserves for uncertain tax positions and related interest that are included in the provision for income taxes.

The increase in the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, as compared to the same periods in 2010, is primarily due to changes in the reserve for uncertain tax positions.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we reversed certain reserves for uncertain tax positions that were resolved and settled with the IRS.  This reversal decreased our effective tax rate for the 2010 periods.

10.        CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS

Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share has been computed by dividing net income by the basic number of weighted average shares outstanding.  Diluted net income per share has been computed by dividing net income by the diluted number of weighted average shares outstanding using the treasury stock method.  The share effect is as follows:

(In thousands)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                       
Common shares
   
25,605
     
27,793
     
25,991
     
29,835
 
Vested restricted stock units
   
428
     
270
     
406
     
247
 
Basic number of weighted average shares outstanding
   
26,033
     
28,063
     
26,397
     
30,082
 
                                 
Dilutive effect of stock options
   
70
     
320
     
116
     
351
 
Dilutive effect of restricted stock and restricted stock units
   
33
     
69
     
60
     
107
 
Dilutive number of weighted average shares outstanding
   
26,136
     
28,452
     
26,573
     
30,540
 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, there were no stock options, restricted stock or restricted stock units that would have been anti-dilutive.

Stock Repurchases

During the first quarter of 2011, we commenced a tender offer to repurchase 1.9 million shares of our common stock at a price of $65.625 per share.  Upon expiration of the tender offer during the first quarter of 2011, we repurchased 1.9 million common shares at a cost of $125.0 million, which included 1.3 million shares beneficially owned by Donald A. Foss, our Chairman of the Board, and 0.5 million shares beneficially owned by the trustee of certain grantor retained annuity trusts created by Mr. Foss.  We financed the repurchase of our common stock in the tender offer using the proceeds from the issuance of $100.0 million of Senior Notes and by borrowing under our revolving secured line of credit facility.

 
23

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)



10.        CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS – (Continued)

Stock Compensation Plans

Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Incentive Plan”), the number of shares reserved for granting of restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock options, and performance awards to team members, officers, directors, and contractors at any time prior to April 6, 2019 is 1.5 million shares.  The shares available for future grants under the Incentive Plan totaled 333,937 as of September 30, 2011.

A summary of the restricted stock activity under the Incentive Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 is presented below:

(In thousands)
 
Number of Shares
 
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 Restricted Stock
 
2011
   
2010
 
Outstanding Beginning Balance
   
112
     
242
 
Granted
   
9
     
19
 
Vested
   
(63
)
   
(143
)
Forfeited
   
(7
)
   
(6
)
Outstanding Ending Balance
   
51
     
112
 


A summary of the restricted stock unit activity under the Incentive Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 is presented below:

(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Nonvested
   
Vested
   
Total
   
 Restricted Stock Units
 
Number of Restricted Stock Units
   
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
   
Number of Restricted Stock Units
   
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
   
Number of Restricted Stock Units
   
Outstanding as of December 31, 2010
   
521
   
$
19.99
     
270
   
$
22.94
     
791
   
Granted
   
25
     
58.54
     
-
     
-
     
25
 
(1)
Vested
   
(158
)
   
20.99
     
158
     
20.99
     
-
 
(2)
Forfeited
   
(34
)
   
20.50
     
-
     
-
     
(34
)
 
Outstanding as of September 30, 2011
   
354
   
$
22.07
     
428
   
$
22.14
     
782
   
                                           
                                           
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Nonvested
   
Vested
   
Total
   
 Restricted Stock Units
 
Number of Restricted Stock Units
   
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
   
Number of Restricted Stock Units
   
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
   
Number of Restricted Stock Units
   
Outstanding as of December 31, 2009
   
648
   
$
19.35
     
120
   
$
26.30
     
768
   
Granted
   
33
     
39.89
     
-
     
-
     
33
 
(3)
Vested
   
(150
)
   
20.24
     
150
     
20.24
     
-
 
(4)
Forfeited
   
(10
)
   
39.89
     
-
     
-
     
(10
)
 
Outstanding as of September 30, 2010
   
521
   
$
19.99
     
270
   
$
22.94
     
791
   

(1)  
The distribution date of vested restricted stock units is February 22, 2018 for 5 restricted stock units and February 18, 2019 for 20 restricted stock units.
(2)  
The distribution date of vested restricted stock units is February 22, 2014 for 60 restricted stock units, February 22, 2016 for 90 restricted stock units and February 22, 2017 for 8 restricted stock units.
(3)  
The distribution date of vested restricted stock units is February 22, 2017.
(4)  
The distribution date of vested restricted stock units is February 22, 2014 for 60 restricted stock units and February 22, 2016 for 90 restricted stock units.

 
24

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (CONCLUDED)
(UNAUDITED)


10.        CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS – (Concluded)

Stock compensation expense consists of the following:

(In thousands)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Restricted stock
 
$
113
   
$
255
   
$
493
   
$
715
 
Restricted stock units
   
251
     
632
     
1,063
     
2,340
 
Total
 
$
364
   
$
887
   
$
1,556
   
$
3,055
 

While the restricted stock units are expected to vest in equal, annual installments over a five-year period, the related stock compensation expense is not recognized on a straight-line basis over this period.  Each installment is accounted for as a separate award and as a result, the fair value of each installment is recognized as stock compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the related vesting period.

11.        COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Our comprehensive income information is set forth below:

(In thousands)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Net income
 
$
49,960
   
$
42,047
   
$
137,995
   
$
123,097
 
Unrealized (loss) gain on securities available for sale, net of tax
   
(6
)
   
(7
)
   
1
     
-
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap, net of tax
   
31
     
(9
)
   
111
     
762
 
Comprehensive income
 
$
49,985
   
$
42,031
   
$
138,107
   
$
123,859
 

12.        LITIGATION AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

In the normal course of business and as a result of the customer-oriented nature of the industry in which we operate, industry participants are frequently subject to various customer claims and litigation seeking damages and statutory penalties.  The claims allege, among other theories of liability, violations of state, federal and foreign truth-in-lending, credit availability, credit reporting, customer protection, warranty, debt collection, insurance and other customer-oriented laws and regulations, including claims seeking damages for physical and mental damages relating to our repossession and sale of the customer’s vehicle and other debt collection activities.  As the assignee of Consumer Loans originated by Dealer-Partners, we may also be named as a co-defendant in lawsuits filed by customers principally against Dealer-Partners.  We may also have disputes and litigation with Dealer-Partners. The claims may allege, among other theories of liability, that we breached its dealer servicing agreement.  Many of these cases are filed as purported class actions and seek damages in large dollar amounts.  An adverse ultimate disposition in any such action could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, liquidity and results of operations.

On December 3, 2010, we received a civil investigative demand from the Missouri Attorney General Office relating to our practices regarding collections from Missouri consumers who claim to have not received title from the Dealer-Partner at the time of their purchase.  On January 24, 2011, we provided an initial response and on May 16, 2011, we filed a supplemental response.  We are in continued discussions with the Attorney General with respect to the demand for information.  We are cooperating with the inquiry.

13.        SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On October 6, 2011, we completed a $200.5 million Term ABS financing which was used to repay outstanding indebtedness.  The financing has an expected annualized cost of approximately 3.5% (including the initial purchaser’s fees and other costs) and it will revolve for 24 months after which it will amortize based upon the cash flows on the contributed loans.



MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as Item 1- Consolidated Financial Statements, of this Form 10-Q, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Overview

We provide auto loans to consumers regardless of their credit history.  Our product is offered through a nationwide network of automobile dealers who benefit from sales of vehicles to consumers who otherwise could not obtain financing; from repeat and referral sales generated by these same customers; and from sales to customers responding to advertisements for our product, but who actually end up qualifying for traditional financing.

For the three months ended September 30, 2011, consolidated net income was $50.0 million, or $1.91 per diluted share, compared to $42.0 million, or $1.48 per diluted share, for the same period in 2010.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, consolidated net income was $138.0 million, or $5.19 per diluted share, compared to $123.1 million, or $4.03 per diluted share, for the same period in 2010.  The increase in consolidated net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was primarily due to an increase in the size of our Loan portfolio.

Critical Success Factors

Critical success factors include our ability to access capital on acceptable terms, accurately forecast Consumer Loan performance, and maintain or grow Consumer Loan volume at the level and on the terms that we anticipate, with an objective to maximize economic profit.  Economic profit is a financial metric we use to evaluate our financial results and determine incentive compensation.  Economic profit measures how efficiently we utilize our total capital, both debt and equity, and is a function of the return on capital in excess of the cost of capital and the amount of capital invested in the business.

Access to Capital

Our strategy for accessing capital on acceptable terms needed to maintain and grow the business is to: (1) maintain consistent financial performance; (2) maintain modest financial leverage; and (3) maintain multiple funding sources.  Our funded debt to equity ratio is 2.0:1 as of September 30, 2011.  We currently utilize the following primary forms of debt financing: (1) a revolving secured line of credit with a commercial bank syndicate; (2) Warehouse facilities with institutional investors; (3) Term ABS financings with qualified institutional investors; and (4) Senior Notes.

Consumer Loan Performance

At the time a Consumer Loan is submitted to us for assignment, we forecast future expected cash flows from the Consumer Loan.  Based on these forecasts, an advance or one-time purchase payment is made to the related Dealer-Partner at a price designed to achieve an acceptable return on capital.  If Consumer Loan performance equals or exceeds our original expectation, it is likely our target return on capital will be achieved.

We use a statistical model to estimate the expected collection rate for each Consumer Loan at the time of assignment.  We continue to evaluate the expected collection rate of each Consumer Loan subsequent to assignment.  Our evaluation becomes more accurate as the Consumer Loans age, as we use actual performance data in our forecast.  By comparing our current expected collection rate for each Consumer Loan with the rate we projected at the time of assignment, we are able to assess the accuracy of our initial forecast.  The following table compares our forecast of Consumer Loan collection rates as of September 30, 2011, with the forecasts as of June 30, 2011, as of December 31, 2010, and at the time of assignment, segmented by year of assignment:




   
Forecasted Collection Percentage as of
   
Variance in Forecasted Collection Percentage from
 
 Consumer Loan Assignment Year
 
September 30, 2011
   
June 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
   
Initial
Forecast
   
June 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
   
Initial
Forecast
 
2002
   
70.5
%
   
70.5
%
   
70.5
%
   
67.9
%
   
0.0
%
   
0.0
%
   
2.6
%
2003
   
73.7
%
   
73.7
%
   
73.7
%
   
72.0
%
   
0.0
%
   
0.0
%
   
1.7
%
2004
   
73.0
%
   
73.0
%
   
73.0
%
   
73.0
%
   
0.0
%
   
0.0
%
   
0.0
%
2005
   
73.6
%
   
73.7
%
   
73.7
%
   
74.0
%
   
-0.1
%
   
-0.1
%
   
-0.4
%
2006
   
70.1
%
   
70.1
%
   
70.2
%
   
71.4
%
   
0.0
%
   
-0.1
%
   
-1.3
%
2007
   
68.1
%
   
68.0
%
   
67.9
%
   
70.7
%
   
0.1
%
   
0.2
%
   
-2.6
%
2008
   
69.9
%
   
70.0
%
   
69.9
%
   
69.7
%
   
-0.1
%
   
0.0
%
   
0.2
%
2009
   
79.2
%
   
78.9
%
   
78.5
%
   
71.9
%
   
0.3
%
   
0.7
%
   
7.3
%
2010
   
76.5
%
   
76.0
%
   
75.8
%
   
73.6
%
   
0.5
%
   
0.7
%
   
2.9
%
2011 (1)
   
73.3
%
   
73.6
%
   
-
     
72.7
%
   
-0.3
%
   
-
     
0.6
%

(1)  
The forecasted collection rate for 2011 Consumer Loans as of September 30, 2011 includes both Consumer Loans that were in our portfolio as of June 30, 2011 and Consumer Loans assigned during the most recent quarter.  The following table provides forecasted collection rates for each of these segments:

   
Forecasted Collection Percentage as of
       
 2011 Consumer Loan Assignment Period
 
September 30, 2011
   
June 30, 2011
   
Variance
 
January 1, 2011 through June 30, 2011
   
74.1
%
   
73.6
%
   
0.5
%
July 1, 2011 through September 30, 2011
   
71.7
%
   
-
     
-
 

Consumer Loans assigned in 2002, 2003, 2009 and 2010 have yielded forecasted collection results materially better than our initial estimates, while Consumer Loans assigned in 2006 and 2007 have yielded forecasted collection results materially worse than our initial estimates.  For 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2011, actual results have been very close to our initial estimates.  For the three months ended September 30, 2011, forecasted collection rates improved for Consumer Loans assigned during 2009, 2010, and 2011 and were generally consistent with expectations at the start of the period for the other assignment years.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, forecasted collection rates improved for Consumer Loans assigned during 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011 and were generally consistent with expectations at the start of the period for the other assignment years.

Forecasting collection rates precisely at Loan inception is difficult.  With this in mind, we establish advance rates that are intended to allow us to achieve acceptable levels of profitability, even if collection rates are less than we currently forecast.

The following table presents forecasted Consumer Loan collection rates, advance rates, the spread (the forecasted collection rate less the advance rate), and the percentage of the forecasted collections that had been realized as of September 30, 2011.  All amounts, unless otherwise noted, are presented as a percentage of the initial balance of the Consumer Loan (principal + interest).  The table includes both Dealer Loans and Purchased Loans.

   
As of September 30, 2011
 
 Consumer Loan Assignment Year
 
Forecasted Collection %
   
Advance % (1)
   
Spread %
   
% of Forecast Realized (2)
 
2002
   
70.5
%
   
42.2
%
   
28.3
%
   
99.5
%
2003
   
73.7
%
   
43.4
%
   
30.3
%
   
99.4
%
2004
   
73.0
%
   
44.0
%
   
29.0
%
   
99.3
%
2005
   
73.6
%
   
46.9
%
   
26.7
%
   
99.0
%
2006
   
70.1
%
   
46.6
%
   
23.5
%
   
98.1
%
2007
   
68.1
%
   
46.5
%
   
21.6
%
   
95.8
%
2008
   
69.9
%
   
44.6
%
   
25.3
%
   
89.6
%
2009
   
79.2
%
   
43.9
%
   
35.3
%
   
77.8
%
2010
   
76.5
%
   
44.7
%
   
31.8
%
   
46.0
%
2011
   
73.3
%
   
45.5
%
   
27.8
%
   
13.4
%

(1)  
Represents advances paid to Dealer-Partners on Consumer Loans assigned under our Portfolio Program and one-time payments made to Dealer-Partners to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under our Purchase Program as a percentage of the initial balance of the Consumer Loans.  Payments of Dealer Holdback and accelerated Dealer Holdback are not included.
(2)  
Presented as a percentage of total forecasted collections.

The risk of a material change in our forecasted collection rate declines as the Consumer Loans age.  For 2007 and prior Consumer Loan assignments, the risk of a material forecast variance is modest, as we have currently realized in excess of 95% of the expected collections.  Conversely, the forecasted collection rates for more recent Consumer Loan assignments are less certain as a significant portion of our forecast has not been realized.




The spread between the forecasted collection rate and the advance rate declined during the 2004 through 2007 period as we increased advance rates during this period in response to a more difficult competitive environment.  During 2008 and 2009, the spread increased as the competitive environment improved, and we reduced advance rates.  In addition, during 2009, the spread was positively impacted by better than expected Consumer Loan performance.  During 2010 and 2011, the spread decreased as we increased advance rates during this period in an attempt to maximize the amount of economic profit we generate in response to an increase in the amount of capital available to fund new Loans.

The following table presents forecasted Consumer Loan collection rates, advance rates, and the spread (the forecasted collection rate less the advance rate) as of September 30, 2011 for Dealer Loans and Purchased Loans separately.  All amounts are presented as a percentage of the initial balance of the Consumer Loan (principal + interest).

 
 Consumer Loan Assignment Year
 
Forecasted Collection %
   
Advance % (1)
   
Spread %
 
Dealer Loans
2007
   
68.0
%
   
45.8
%
   
22.2
%
 
2008
   
70.5
%
   
43.3
%
   
27.2
%
 
2009
   
79.3
%
   
43.5
%
   
35.8
%
 
2010
   
76.5
%
   
44.4
%
   
32.1
%
 
2011
   
73.2
%
   
45.0
%
   
28.2
%
                           
Purchased Loans
2007
   
68.2
%
   
49.1
%
   
19.1
%
 
2008
   
69.0
%
   
46.7
%
   
22.3
%
 
2009
   
79.1
%
   
45.4
%
   
33.7
%
 
2010
   
76.4
%
   
46.8
%
   
29.6
%
 
2011
   
74.1
%
   
49.8
%
   
24.3
%

(1)  
Represents advances paid to Dealer-Partners on Consumer Loans assigned under our Portfolio Program and one-time payments made to Dealer-Partners to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under our Purchase Program as a percentage of the initial balance of the Consumer Loans.  Payments of Dealer Holdback and accelerated Dealer Holdback are not included.

The advance rates presented for each Consumer Loan assignment year change over time due to the impact of transfers between Dealer and Purchased Loans.  Under our Portfolio Program, certain events may result in Dealer-Partners forfeiting their rights to Dealer Holdback.  We transfer the Dealer-Partner’s Consumer Loans from the Dealer Loan portfolio to the Purchased Loan portfolio in the period this forfeiture occurs.

Although the advance rate on Purchased Loans is higher as compared to the advance rate on Dealer Loans, Purchased Loans do not require us to pay Dealer Holdback.

Consumer Loan Volume

The following table summarizes changes in Consumer Loan assignment volume in each of the last seven quarters as compared to the same period in the previous year:

   
Year over Year Percent Change
 
 Three Months Ended
 
Unit Volume
   
Dollar Volume (1)
 
March 31, 2010
   
11.2
%
   
21.6
%
June 30, 2010
   
22.7
%
   
42.2
%
September 30, 2010
   
26.9
%
   
51.5
%
December 31, 2010
   
37.7
%
   
66.9
%
March 31, 2011
   
36.7
%
   
59.3
%
June 30, 2011
   
28.7
%
   
41.3
%
September 30, 2011
   
28.6
%
   
40.5
%

(1)  
Represents advances paid to Dealer-Partners on Consumer Loans assigned under our Portfolio Program and one-time payments made to Dealer-Partners to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under our Purchase Program.  Payments of Dealer Holdback and accelerated Dealer Holdback are not included.

Consumer Loan assignment volumes depend on a number of factors including (1) the overall demand for our product, (2) the amount of capital available to fund new Loans, and (3) our assessment of the volume that our infrastructure can support.  Our pricing strategy is intended to maximize the amount of economic profit we generate, within the confines of capital and infrastructure constraints.  Unit and dollar volumes were positively impacted by an increase in active dealer-partners and advance rate increases made during the first and fourth quarters of 2010 and the second and third quarters of 2011.  Dollar volumes were also positively impacted by an increase in the size of the average consumer loan assignment.  While the advance rate increases reduced the return on capital we expect to earn on new assignments, we believe it is very likely the advance increases had a positive impact on economic profit.  Unit volume for the one month ended October 31, 2011 increased by 31.0% as compared to the same period in 2010.



The following table summarizes the changes in Consumer Loan unit volume and active Dealer-Partners:

   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
% Change
 
Consumer Loan unit volume
   
137,592
     
104,514
     
31.6
%
Active Dealer-Partners (1)
   
3,603
     
2,910
     
23.8
%
Average volume per active Dealer-Partner
   
38.2
     
35.9
     
6.4
%

 
(1)
Active Dealer-Partners are Dealer-Partners who have received funding for at least one Loan during the period.

The following table provides additional information on the changes in Consumer Loan unit volume and active Dealer-Partners:

   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
% Change
 
Consumer Loan unit volume from Dealer-Partners active both periods
   
115,120
     
96,774
     
19.0
%
Dealer-Partners active both periods
   
2,288
     
2,288
     
-
 
Average volume per Dealer-Partners active both periods
   
50.3
     
42.3
     
19.0
%
                         
Consumer Loan unit volume from new Dealer-Partners
   
13,812
     
10,271
     
34.5
%
New active Dealer-Partners (1)
   
1,021
     
652
     
56.6
%
Average volume per new active Dealer-Partners
   
13.5
     
15.8
     
-14.6
%
                         
Attrition (2)
   
-7.4
%
   
-14.2
%
       


 
(1)
New active Dealer-Partners are Dealer-Partners who enrolled in our program and have received funding for their first Loan from us during the period.
 
(2)
Attrition is measured according to the following formula:  decrease in Consumer Loan unit volume from Dealer-Partners who have received funding for at least one Loan during the comparable period of the prior year but did not receive funding for any Loans during the current period divided by prior year comparable period Consumer Loan unit volume.

Consumer Loans are assigned to us as either Dealer Loans through our Portfolio Program or Purchased Loans through our Purchase Program.  The following table summarizes the portion of our Consumer Loan volume that was assigned to us as Dealer Loans:

   
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
New Dealer Loan unit volume as a percentage of total unit volume
   
92.3
%
   
90.5
%
   
92.4
%
   
90.6
%
New Dealer Loan dollar volume as a percentage of total dollar volume (1)
   
90.1
%
   
88.2
%
   
90.4
%
   
88.3
%

(1)  
Represents advances paid to Dealer-Partners on Consumer Loans assigned under our Portfolio Program and one-time payments made to Dealer-Partners to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under our Purchase Program.  Payments of Dealer Holdback and accelerated Dealer Holdback are not included.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, new Dealer Loan unit and dollar volume as a percentage of total unit and dollar volume were generally consistent with the same periods in 2010.

As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the net Dealer Loans receivable balance was 84.6% and 79.5%, respectively, of the total net Loans receivable balance.



Results of Operations


Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2010

The following is a discussion of our results of operations and income statement data on a consolidated basis.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
% Change
 
Revenue:
           
Finance charges
 
$
117,905
   
$
99,255
     
18.8
%
Premiums earned
   
10,462
     
8,627
     
21.3
%
Other income
   
5,372
     
3,779
     
42.2
%
Total revenue
   
133,739
     
111,661
     
19.8
%
Costs and expenses:
                       
Salaries and wages
   
15,929
     
16,133
     
-1.3
%
General and administrative
   
6,044
     
7,208
     
-16.1
%
Sales and marketing
   
5,587
     
4,972
     
12.4
%
Provision for credit losses
   
4,550
     
2
     
227,400.0
%
Interest
   
14,600
     
12,038
     
21.3
%
Provision for claims
   
8,363
     
6,112
     
36.8
%
Total costs and expenses
   
55,073
     
46,465
     
18.5
%
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes
   
78,666
     
65,196
     
20.7
%
Provision for income taxes
   
28,706
     
23,149
     
24.0
%
Income from continuing operations
   
49,960
     
42,047
     
18.8
%
Loss from discontinued United Kingdom operations
   
-
     
-
     
0.0
%
Net income
 
$
49,960
   
$
42,047
     
18.8
%
                         
Net income per share:
                       
Basic
 
$
1.92
   
$
1.50
         
Diluted
 
$
1.91
   
$
1.48
         
                         
Income from continuing operations per share:
                       
Basic
 
$
1.92
   
$
1.50
         
Diluted
 
$
1.91
   
$
1.48
         
                         
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                       
Basic
   
26,033
     
28,063
         
Diluted
   
26,136
     
28,452
         




Continuing Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2010

The following table highlights changes in income from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2011, as compared to 2010:

(In thousands)
 
Change
 
 Income from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2010
 
$
42,047
 
 Increase in finance charges
   
18,650
 
 Increase in premiums earned
   
1,835
 
 Increase in other income
   
1,593
 
 Decrease in operating expenses (1)
   
753
 
 Increase in provision for credit losses
   
(4,548
)
 Increase in interest
   
(2,562
)
 Increase in provision for claims
   
(2,251
)
 Increase in provision for income taxes
   
(5,557
)
 Income from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2011
 
$
49,960
 

(1)  
Operating expenses consist of salaries and wages, general and administrative, and sales and marketing expenses.

Finance Charges.  For the three months ended September 30, 2011, finance charges increased $18.7 million, or 18.8%, as compared to the same period in 2010.  The increase was primarily the result of an increase in the average net Loans receivable balance partially offset by a decrease in the average yield on our Loan portfolio, as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Average net Loans receivable balance
 
$
1,478,779
   
$
1,153,435
   
$
325,344
 
Average yield on our Loan portfolio
   
31.9
%
   
34.4
%
   
-2.5
%

The following table summarizes the impact each component had on the overall increase in finance charges for the three months ended September 30, 2011:

(In thousands)
 
Year over Year Change
 
Impact on finance charges:
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
Due to an increase in the average net Loans receivable balance
 
$
27,996
 
Due to a decrease in the average yield
   
(9,346
)
Total increase in finance charges
 
$
18,650
 

The increase in the average net Loans receivable balance was primarily due to growth in new Loan volume during the last two quarters of 2010 and throughout 2011, which was primarily a result of an increase in active Dealer-Partners and advance rate increases we made during the fourth quarter of 2010 and the second and third quarters of 2011.  The average yield on our Loan portfolio for the three months ended September 30, 2011 decreased as compared to the same period in 2010 due to lower yields on new Loans, partially offset by improvements in forecasted collection rates during the last two quarters of 2010 and throughout 2011.

Premiums Earned.  For the three months ended September 30, 2011, premiums earned increased $1.8 million, or 21.3%, as compared to the same period in 2010.  The increase is primarily due to growth in the size of our reinsurance portfolio which resulted from growth in new Consumer Loan assignments during the last two quarters of 2010 and throughout 2011 that was partially offset by the termination of our arrangement with one of our third party insurers during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Other Income.  For the three months ended September 30, 2011, other income increased $1.6 million, or 42.2%, as compared to the same period in 2010.  The increase in other income is primarily due to an increase in Guaranteed Asset Protection (“GAP”) profit sharing income and dealer enrollment fees.  The increase in GAP profit sharing income of $1.3 million was the result of an acceleration in our revenue recognition for this income beginning in the second quarter of 2011.  Under our arrangement with our third party GAP provider, we receive annual profit sharing payments based on the performance of our GAP program.  Prior to the second quarter of 2011, we received and recognized GAP profit sharing payments annually in the first quarter of each year.  Beginning with the second quarter of 2011, we accelerated our revenue recognition to begin recognizing this income as earned over the life of the GAP contracts.



Operating Expenses.  For the three months ended September 30, 2011, operating expenses decreased $0.8 million, or 2.7%, as compared to the same period in 2010.  The change in operating expenses is primarily due to the following:

·  
A decrease in general and administrative expense of $1.2 million, or 16.1%, primarily due to decreased consulting fees related to the development of software.
·  
An increase in sales and marketing expense of $0.6 million, or 12.4%, primarily due to increased sales commissions resulting from our growth in Consumer Loan assignment volume and the expansion of our sales force.

Provision for Credit Losses.  For the three months ended September 30, 2011, the provision for credit losses increased $4.5 million, or 227,400.0%, as compared to the same period in 2010.  Under GAAP, when the present value of forecasted future cash flows decline relative to our expectations at the time of assignment, a provision for credit losses is recorded immediately as a current period expense and a corresponding allowance for credit losses is established.  For purposes of calculating the required allowance, Dealer Loans are grouped by Dealer-Partner and Purchased Loans are grouped by month of purchase.  As a result, regardless of the overall performance of the portfolio of Consumer Loans, a provision can be required if any individual Loan pool performs worse than expected.  Conversely, a previously recorded provision can be reversed if any previously impaired individual Loan pool experiences an improvement in performance.

During the three months ended September 30, 2011, overall Consumer Loan performance exceeded our expectations at the start of the period.  However, impaired Loan pools experienced greater than expected declines in the present value of forecasted cash flows, resulting in a provision for credit losses of $4.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, of which $4.7 million related to Dealer Loans partially offset by a reversal of a provision of $0.2 million related to Purchased Loans.  During the three months ended September 30, 2010, overall Consumer Loan performance exceeded our expectations at the start of the period.  However, impaired Loan pools within our portfolio experienced greater than expected declines in the present value of forecasted cash flows, resulting in a provision for credit losses of a minimal amount for the three months ended September 30, 2010, of which $0.3 million related to Purchased Loans offset by a reversal of provision of $0.3 million related to Dealer Loans.

Interest.  For the three months ended September 30, 2011, interest expense increased $2.6 million, or 21.3%, as compared to the same period in 2010.  The following table shows interest expense, the average outstanding debt balance, and the pre-tax average cost of debt for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Interest expense
 
$
14,600
   
$
12,038
 
Average outstanding debt balance
   
941,531
     
645,383
 
Pre-tax average cost of debt
   
6.2
%
   
7.5
%

For the three months ended September 30, 2011, the increase in interest expense is primarily due to the increase in the average outstanding debt balance, partially offset by a decline in our pre-tax average cost of debt.  The average outstanding debt balance increased compared to the same period in 2010 due to the use of the debt proceeds to fund the growth in new Consumer Loan assignments and stock repurchases.  The decline in our pre-tax average cost of debt resulted from a change in the mix of our outstanding debt, a decrease in available and unused credit capacity, and more favorable pricing on our revolving credit facilities.

Provision for Claims.  For the three months ended September 30, 2011, provision for claims increased $2.3 million, or 36.8%, as compared to the same period in 2010.  The increase was due to an increase in the size of our reinsurance portfolio and an increase in claims paid per reinsured vehicle service contract.

Provision for Income Taxes.  For the three months ended September 30, 2011, the effective tax rate increased to 36.5%, from 35.5% in the same period in 2010.  The increase is primarily due to the impact of the lower effective tax rate in the same period of the prior year resulting from the reversal of certain reserves for uncertain tax positions that were resolved and settled with the IRS.



Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

The following is a discussion of our results of operations and income statement data on a consolidated basis.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
% Change
 
Revenue:
           
Finance charges
 
$
338,238
   
$
284,467
     
18.9
%
Premiums earned
   
29,195
     
24,576
     
18.8
%
Other income
   
19,783
     
17,659
     
12.0
%
Total revenue
   
387,216
     
326,702
     
18.5
%
Costs and expenses:
                       
Salaries and wages
   
47,402
     
46,293
     
2.4
%
General and administrative
   
18,186
     
19,670
     
-7.5
%
Sales and marketing
   
17,768
     
14,616
     
21.6
%
Provision for credit losses
   
22,394
     
8,218
     
172.5
%
Interest
   
42,173
     
36,010
     
17.1
%
Provision for claims
   
22,733
     
17,606
     
29.1
%
Total costs and expenses
   
170,656
     
142,413
     
19.8
%
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes
   
216,560
     
184,289
     
17.5
%
Provision for income taxes
   
78,565
     
61,162
     
28.5
%
Income from continuing operations
   
137,995
     
123,127
     
12.1
%
Loss from discontinued United Kingdom operations
   
-
     
(30
)
   
100.0
%
Net income
 
$
137,995
   
$
123,097
     
12.1
%
                         
Net income per share:
                       
Basic
 
$
5.23
   
$
4.09
         
Diluted
 
$
5.19
   
$
4.03
         
                         
Income from continuing operations per share:
                       
Basic
 
$
5.23
   
$
4.09
         
Diluted
 
$
5.19
   
$
4.03
         
                         
Loss from discontinued United Kingdom operations per share:
                       
Basic
 
$
-
   
$
-
         
Diluted
 
$
-
   
$
-
         
                         
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                       
Basic
   
26,397
     
30,082
         
Diluted
   
26,573
     
30,540
         




Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

The following table highlights changes in income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, as compared to 2010:

(In thousands)
 
Change
 
 Income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010
 
$
123,127
 
 Increase in finance charges
   
53,771
 
 Increase in premiums earned
   
4,619
 
 Increase in other income
   
2,124
 
 Increase in operating expenses (1)
   
(2,777
)
 Increase in provision for credit losses
   
(14,176
)
 Increase in interest
   
(6,163
)
 Increase in provision for claims
   
(5,127
)
 Increase in provision for income taxes
   
(17,403
)
 Income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2011
 
$
137,995
 

(1)  
Operating expenses consist of salaries and wages, general and administrative, and sales and marketing expenses.

Finance Charges.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, finance charges increased $53.8 million, or 18.9%, as compared to the same period in 2010.  The increase was primarily the result of an increase in the average net Loans receivable balance partially offset by a decrease in the average yield on our Loan portfolio, as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Average net Loans receivable balance
 
$
1,378,784
   
$
1,105,892
   
$
272,892
 
Average yield on our Loan portfolio
   
32.7
%
   
34.3
%
   
-1.6
%

The following table summarizes the impact each component had on the overall increase in finance charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:

(In thousands)
 
Year over Year Change
 
Impact on finance charges:
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
Due to an increase in the average net Loans receivable balance
 
$
70,195
 
Due to a decrease in the average yield
   
(16,424
)
Total increase in finance charges
 
$
53,771
 

The increase in the average net Loans receivable balance was primarily due to growth in new Loan volume throughout 2010 and 2011, which was primarily a result of an increase in active Dealer-Partners and advance rate increases we made during the first and fourth quarters of 2010 and the second and third quarters of 2011.  The average yield on our Loan portfolio for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 decreased as compared to the same period in 2010 due to lower yields on new Loans, partially offset by improvements in forecasted collection rates throughout 2010 and 2011.

Premiums Earned.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, premiums earned increased $4.6 million, or 18.8%, as compared to the same period in 2010.  The increase is primarily due to growth in the size of our reinsurance portfolio which resulted from growth in new Consumer Loan assignments throughout 2010 and 2011 that was partially offset by the termination of our arrangement with one of our third party insurers during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Other Income.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, other income increased $2.1 million, or 12.0%, as compared to the same period in 2010.  The increase in other income is primarily due to an increase in GAP profit sharing income and dealer enrollment fees.  The increase in GAP profit sharing income of $6.2 million was the result of an increase in the annual profit sharing payment received and recognized during the first quarter of 2011 and an acceleration in our revenue recognition for this income beginning in the second quarter of 2011.  These increases were partially offset by $5.4 million of income recognized during 2010 related to discontinued arrangements with a third party vehicle service contract provider and a vendor that processes payments.  We have not recognized any income related to these arrangements since the second quarter of 2010.




Operating Expenses.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, operating expenses increased $2.8 million, or 3.4%, as compared to the same period in 2010.  The change in operating expenses is due to the following:

·  
An increase in sales and marketing expense of $3.2 million, or 21.6%, primarily due to increased sales commissions resulting from our growth in Consumer Loan assignment volume and the expansion of our sales force.
·  
An increase in salaries and wages expense of $1.1 million, or 2.4%, resulting from higher servicing expenses associated with increased staffing levels needed to manage the greater volume of Consumer Loans in our portfolio, partially offset by reduced support expenses associated with information technology activities.
·  
A decrease in general and administrative expense of $1.5 million, or 7.5%, primarily due to decreased support expenses, including consulting fees related to the development of software, a refund received in the current period from the successful appeal of a property tax assessment, and legal costs.

Provision for Credit Losses.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the provision for credit losses increased $14.2 million, or 172.5%, as compared to the same period in 2010.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, overall Consumer Loan performance exceeded our expectations at the start of the period.  However, impaired Loan pools experienced greater than expected declines in the present value of forecasted cash flows, resulting in a provision for credit losses of $22.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, of which $23.0 million related to Dealer Loans partially offset by a reversal of provision of $0.6 million related to Purchased Loans.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, overall Consumer Loan performance exceeded our expectations at the start of the period.  However, impaired Loan pools within our portfolio experienced greater than expected declines in the present value of forecasted cash flows, resulting in a provision for credit losses of $8.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, of which $4.3 million related to Purchased Loans and $3.9 million related to Dealer Loans.

Interest.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, interest expense increased $6.2 million, or 17.1%, as compared to the same period in 2010.  The following table shows interest expense, the average outstanding debt balance, and the pre-tax average cost of debt for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Interest expense
 
$
42,173
   
$
36,010
 
Average outstanding debt balance
   
861,155
     
549,106
 
Pre-tax average cost of debt
   
6.5
%
   
8.7
%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the increase in interest expense is primarily due to the increase in the average outstanding debt balance, partially offset by a decline in our pre-tax average cost of debt.  The average outstanding debt balance increased compared to the same period in 2010 due to the use of the debt proceeds to fund the growth in new Consumer Loan assignments and stock repurchases.  The decline in our pre-tax average cost of debt resulted from a change in the mix of our outstanding debt, a decrease in available and unused credit capacity, and more favorable pricing on our revolving credit facilities.

Provision for Claims.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, provision for claims increased $5.1 million, or 29.1%, as compared to the same period in 2010.  The increase was due to an increase in the size of our reinsurance portfolio and an increase in claims paid per reinsured vehicle service contract.

Provision for Income Taxes.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the effective tax rate increased to 36.3%, from 33.2% in the same period in 2010.  The increase is primarily due to the impact of the lower effective tax rate in the same period of the prior year  resulting from the reversal of certain reserves for uncertain tax positions that were resolved and settled with the IRS.



Liquidity and Capital Resources

We need capital to fund new Loans and pay Dealer Holdback.  Our primary sources of capital are cash flows from operating activities, collections of Consumer Loans and borrowings under: (1) a revolving secured line of credit with a commercial bank syndicate; (2) Warehouse facilities with institutional investors; (3) Term ABS financings with qualified institutional investors; and (4) Senior Notes.  There are various restrictive debt covenants for each financing arrangement and we are in compliance with those covenants as of September 30, 2011.  For information regarding these financings and the covenants included in the related documents, see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, which is incorporated herein by reference.

On March 3, 2011, we issued $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes, which, together with the $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes we issued on February 1, 2010, are governed by an indenture, dated as of February 1, 2010, as amended and supplemented (the “Indenture”), among us, as the issuer; our subsidiaries Buyers Vehicle Protection Plan, Inc. and Vehicle Remarketing Services, Inc., as guarantors; and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.  The Senior Notes issued during the first quarter of 2011 have the same terms as the previously issued Senior Notes, other than issue price and issue date, and all of the Senior Notes are treated as a single class under the Indenture.

The Senior Notes mature on February 1, 2017 and bear interest at a rate of 9.125% per annum, computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year.  The Senior Notes issued during the first quarter of 2011 were issued at a price of 106.0% of their aggregate principal amount, resulting in gross proceeds of $106.0 million, and a yield to maturity of 7.83% per annum.

During the second quarter of 2011, we extended the maturity of our revolving secured line of credit facility from June 22, 2012 to June 22, 2014.  Additionally, the amount of the facility was increased from $170.0 million to $205.0 million.  The interest rate on borrowings under the facility remains the same at the prime rate plus 1.25% or the LIBOR rate plus 2.25%, at our option.  The financial covenant that required us to maintain a minimum ratio of assets to debt and the floor on the LIBOR rate was eliminated.

During the second quarter of 2011, we extended the date on which Warehouse Facility II will cease to revolve from June 15, 2013 to June 17, 2014.  The interest rate on borrowings under the facility was decreased from the commercial paper rate plus 3.5% to the commercial paper rate plus 2.75%.

During the second quarter of 2011, we decreased the interest rate on Warehouse Facility III from LIBOR plus 3.0% to LIBOR plus 1.6%.

During the third quarter of 2011, we entered into Warehouse Facility IV with a facility limit of $75.0 million.  The facility will cease to revolve on February 19, 2014.  Borrowings under the facility will bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.75%.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $3.6 million as of September 30, 2011 from $3.8 million as of December 31, 2010.  Our total balance sheet indebtedness increased to $969.0 million as of September 30, 2011 from $685.7 million as of December 31, 2010 primarily due to the growth in new Consumer Loan assignments and the completion of a tender offer to purchase $125.0 million of our common stock using the proceeds from the issuance of $100.0 million of Senior Notes and borrowing under our revolving secured line of credit facility.

Contractual Obligations

A summary of our scheduled principal debt maturities as of September 30, 2011 is as follows:

(In thousands)
     
 Year
 
Scheduled Principal Debt Maturities (1)
 
Remainder of 2011
 
$
38,883
 
2012
   
54,775
 
2013
   
103,294
 
2014
   
338,711
 
2015
   
82,892
 
Thereafter
   
350,000
 
Total
 
$
968,555
 

(1)  
The principal maturities of certain financings are estimated based on forecasted collections.

The amounts presented exclude the net unamortized debt premium of $0.4 million.



Based upon anticipated cash flows, management believes that cash flows from operations and its various financing alternatives will provide sufficient financing for debt maturities and for future operations.  Our ability to borrow funds may be impacted by economic and financial market conditions.  If the various financing alternatives were to become limited or unavailable to us, our operations and liquidity could be materially and adversely affected.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP.  The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments 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.  On an ongoing basis, we review our accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with GAAP.  Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 discusses several critical accounting estimates, which we believe involve a high degree of judgment and complexity.  There have been no material changes to the estimates and assumptions associated with these accounting estimates from those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.


Forward-Looking Statements

We make forward-looking statements in this report and may make such statements in future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  We may also make forward-looking statements in our press releases or other public or shareholder communications.  Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and include information about our expectations and possible or assumed future results of operations.  When we use any of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “target” or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.

We claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for all of our forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements represent our outlook only as of the date of this report.  While we believe that our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially since the statements are based on our current expectations, which are subject to risks and uncertainties.  Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth in Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, other risk factors discussed herein or listed from time to time in our reports filed with the SEC and the following:

 
·  
Our inability to accurately forecast and estimate the amount and timing of future collections could have a material adverse effect on results of operations.
 
·  
We may be unable to execute our business strategy due to current economic conditions.
 
·  
We may be unable to continue to access or renew funding sources and obtain capital needed to maintain and grow our business.
 
·  
The terms of our debt limit how we conduct our business.
 
·  
A violation of the terms of our Term ABS facilities or Warehouse facilities could have a materially adverse impact on our operations.
 
·  
The conditions of the U.S. and international capital markets may adversely affect lenders with which we have relationships, causing us to incur additional costs and reducing our sources of liquidity, which may adversely affect our financial position, liquidity and results of operations.
 
·  
Our substantial debt could negatively impact our business, prevent us from satisfying our debt obligations and adversely affect our financial condition.
 
·  
Due to competition from traditional financing sources and non-traditional lenders, we may not be able to compete successfully.
 
·  
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding debt and fund operations and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under such debt.
 
·  
Interest rate fluctuations may adversely affect our borrowing costs, profitability and liquidity.
 
·  
Reduction in our credit rating could increase the cost of our funding from, and restrict our access to, the capital markets and adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
 
·  
We may incur substantially more debt and other liabilities.  This could exacerbate further the risks associated with our current debt levels.
 
 
 
·  
The regulation to which we are or may become subject could result in a material adverse effect on our business.
 
·  
Adverse changes in economic conditions, the automobile or finance industries, or the non-prime consumer market could adversely affect our financial position, liquidity and results of operations, the ability of key vendors that we depend on to supply us with services, and our ability to enter into future financing transactions.
 
·  
Litigation we are involved in from time to time may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
·  
Changes in tax laws and the resolution of uncertain income tax matters could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows from operations.
 
·  
Our operations are dependent on technology.
 
·  
Reliance on third parties to administer our ancillary product offerings could adversely affect our business and financial results.
 
·  
We are dependent on our senior management and the loss of any of these individuals or an inability to hire additional team members could adversely affect our ability to operate profitably.
 
·  
Our reputation is a key asset to our business, and our business may be affected by how we are perceived in the marketplace.
 
·  
The concentration of our Dealer-Partners in several states could adversely affect us.
 
·  
Failure to properly safeguard confidential consumer information could subject us to liability, decrease our profitability and damage our reputation.
 
·  
Our founder controls a significant percentage of our common stock, has the ability to control matters requiring shareholder approval and has interests which may conflict with the interests of our other security holders.
 
·  
Reliance on our outsourced business functions could adversely affect our business.
 
·  
Natural disasters, acts of war, terrorist attacks and threats or the escalation of military activity in response to these attacks or otherwise may negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Other factors not currently anticipated by management may also materially and adversely affect our results of operations.  We do not undertake, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update or alter our statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.




ITEM 3.                 QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for a complete discussion of our market risk.  There have been no material changes to the market risk information included in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.


ITEM 4.                 CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act and are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.





PART II. - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6.                      EXHIBITS

See Index of Exhibits following the signature page, which is incorporated herein by reference.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 
CREDIT ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
 
 
(Registrant)
   
       
 
By:
/s/ Kenneth S. Booth
 
   
Kenneth S. Booth 
 
   
Chief Financial Officer
 
   
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
Date: November 1, 2011
 



INDEX OF EXHIBITS


Exhibit
No.
 
 
Description
4(f)(148)
  1
Loan and Security Agreement dated as of August 19, 2011 among the Company, CAC Warehouse Funding LLC IV, BMO Capital Markets Corp., Bank of Montreal and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
4(f)(149)
1
Backup Servicing Agreement dated as of August 19, 2011 among the Company, CAC Warehouse Funding LLC IV, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Bank of Montreal and BMO Capital Markets Corp.
4(f)(150)
1
Sale and Contribution Agreement dated as of August 19, 2011 between the Company and CAC Warehouse Funding LLC IV.
4(f)(152)
2
Indenture dated October 6, 2011, between Credit Acceptance Auto Loan Trust 2011-1 and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
4(f)(153)
2
Sale and Servicing Agreement dated October 6, 2011, among the Company, Credit Acceptance Auto Loan Trust 2011-1, Credit Acceptance Funding LLC 2011-1, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
4(f)(154)
2
Backup Servicing Agreement dated October 6, 2011, among the Company, Credit Acceptance Funding LLC 2011-1, Credit Acceptance Auto Loan Trust 2011-1, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
4(f)(155)
2
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement dated October 6, 2011, between Credit Acceptance Funding LLC 2011-1 and U.S. Bank Trust National Association.
4(f)(156)
2
Sale and Contribution Agreement dated October 6, 2011, between the Company and Credit Acceptance Funding LLC 2011-1.
4(f)(157)
2
Amended and Restated Intercreditor Agreement dated October 6, 2011, among the Company, CAC Warehouse Funding Corporation II, CAC Warehouse Funding III, LLC, CAC Warehouse Funding LLC IV, Credit Acceptance Funding LLC 2011-1, Credit Acceptance Funding LLC 2010-1, Credit Acceptance Funding LLC 2009-1, Credit Acceptance Auto Loan Trust 2011-1, Credit Acceptance Auto Loan Trust 2010-1, Credit Acceptance Auto Loan Trust 2009-1, Fifth Third Bank, as agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as agent, Bank of Montreal, as agent and Comerica Bank, as agent.
31(a)
3
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31(b)
3
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32(a)
4
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32(b)
4
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101(INS)
5
XBRL Instance Document.
101(SCH)
5
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101(CAL)
5
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101(LAB)
5
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101(PRE)
5
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

1  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 19, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.
2  
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 6, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.
3  
Filed herewith.
4  
Furnished herewith.
5  
Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T that this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.



 
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