Document
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
__________________________________
Form 10-K
__________________________________
 
(Mark One)

x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

      
For the fiscal year ended: March 31, 2018

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: 000-19599

WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 
South Carolina
 
570425114
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
108 Frederick Street 
 
 
 
 
Greenville, South Carolina  
 
29607
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code) 
 
 
 
(864) 298-9800  
 
 
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) 
 
 
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
 
 
Title of Each Class  
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
 
 
Common Stock, no par value
 
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
 
 
 
 
(NASDAQ Global Select Market)
 

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: NONE
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.   Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or Section 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 x  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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o

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

 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company o
 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 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 x

The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of September 30, 2017, computed by reference to the closing sale price on such date, was $491,713,593.  (For purposes of calculating this amount only, all directors and executive officers are treated as affiliates.  This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.)  As of May 25, 20189,128,869 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, no par value, were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement pertaining to the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders ("the Proxy Statement") and filed pursuant to Regulation 14A are incorporated herein by reference into Part III hereof.





WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
Form 10-K

Table of Contents
 
Item No.
Page
 
 
 
PART I
 
 
 
 
1.
 
 
 
1A.
 
 
 
1B.
 
 
 
2.
 
 
 
3.
 
 
 
4.
 
 
 
PART II
 
 
 
 
5.
 
 
 
6.
 
 
 
7.
 
 
 
7A.
 
 
 
8.
 
 
 
9.
 
 
 
9A.
 
 
 
9B.
 
 
 
PART III
 
 
 
 
10.
 
 
 
11.
 
 
 
12.
 
 
 
13.
 
 
 
14.
 
 
 
PART IV
 
 
 
 
15.
 
 
 
16.
 
 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
 
 
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
 
 



Table of Contents

Introduction
 
World Acceptance Corporation, a South Carolina corporation, operates a small-loan consumer finance (installment loan) business in fifteen states and Mexico as of March 31, 2018.  As used herein, the "Company,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or similar formulations include World Acceptance Corporation and each of its subsidiaries, except as the context otherwise requires. All references in this report to “fiscal 2019” are to the Company’s fiscal year that will end on March 31, 2019; all references in this report to "fiscal 2018" are to the Company's fiscal year ended March 31, 2018; all references to “fiscal 2017” are to the Company’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2017; and all references to “fiscal 2016” are to the Company’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2016.

The Company maintains an Internet website, “www.LoansByWorld.com,” where interested persons will be able to access free of charge, among other information, the Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and its current reports on Form 8-K as well as amendments to these filings via a link to a third party website. These documents are available for access as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file these documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company files these reports with the SEC via the SEC’s EDGAR filing system, and such reports also may be accessed via the SEC’s EDGAR database at www.sec.gov. The Company will also provide either electronic or paper copies free of charge upon written request to P.O. Box 6429, Greenville, SC 29606-6429. Information included on or linked to our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report.

PART I.

Item 1. 
Description of Business

General.  The Company was incorporated under the laws of South Carolina on February 22, 1973 and is now one of the nation's largest small-loan consumer finance companies, offering short-term small installment loans, medium-term larger installment loans, related credit insurance and ancillary products and services to individuals. The Company offers standardized installment loans generally between $300 and $4,000 through 1,308 branches in Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Mexico as of March 31, 2018. The Company generally serves individuals with limited access to other sources of consumer credit such as banks, credit unions, other consumer finance businesses and credit card lenders. In our U.S. branches the Company also offers income tax return preparation services to its loan customers and other individuals.

The small-loan consumer finance industry is a highly fragmented segment of the consumer lending industry. Small-loan consumer finance companies generally make loans to individuals of less than $2,000 with maturities of less than 18 months. These companies approve loans on the basis of the personal creditworthiness of their customers and maintain close contact with borrowers to encourage the repayment or, when appropriate to meet the borrower’s needs, the refinancing of loans. By contrast, commercial banks, credit unions and other consumer finance businesses typically make loans of more than $5,000 with maturities of greater than one year. Those financial institutions generally approve consumer loans on the security of qualifying personal property pledged as collateral or impose more stringent credit requirements than those of small-loan consumer finance companies. As a result of their higher credit standards and specific collateral requirements, commercial banks, savings and loans and other consumer finance businesses typically charge lower interest rates and fees and experience lower delinquency and charge-off rates than do small-loan consumer finance companies.  Small-loan consumer finance companies generally charge higher interest rates and fees to compensate for the greater credit risk of delinquencies and charge-offs and increased loan administration and collection costs.

The majority of the participants in the industry are independent operators with generally less than 100 branches. We believe that competition between small-loan consumer finance companies occurs primarily on the basis of the strength of customer relationships, customer service and reputation in the local community rather than pricing, as participants in this industry generally charge interest rates and fees at, or close to, the maximum permitted by applicable state laws. We believe that our relatively large size affords us a competitive advantage over smaller companies by increasing our access to, and reducing our cost of capital.

2

Table of Contents

Small-loan consumer finance companies are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and licensing under various federal and state statutes, ordinances and regulations. Consumer loan offices are licensed under state laws which, in many states, establish maximum loan amounts and interest rates and the types and maximum amounts of fees and other charges. In addition, state laws govern other aspects of the operation of small-loan consumer finance companies. Periodically, constituencies within states seek to enact stricter regulations that would affect our business. Furthermore, the industry is subject to numerous federal laws and regulations that affect lending operations. These federal laws require companies to provide complete disclosure of the principal terms of each loan to the borrower in accordance with specified standards prior to the consummation of the loan transaction. Federal laws also prohibit misleading advertising, protect against discriminatory lending practices and proscribe unfair, deceptive or abusive credit practices.

Expansion.  During fiscal 2018, the Company opened 30 new branches, purchased 5 branches, and merged or consolidated 21 branches into existing branches due to their inability to grow to profitable levels. The Company also closed 33 branches belonging to its payroll deduct business in Mexico. In fiscal 2019, the Company currently plans to open or acquire approximately 25 new branches in the United States by increasing the number of branches in its existing market areas or commencing operations in new states where it believes demographic profiles and state regulations are attractive. The Company may merge other branches on a case-by-case basis based on profitability or other factors. The Company's ability to continue existing operations and expand its operations in existing or new states is dependent upon, among other things, laws and regulations that permit the Company to operate its business profitably and its ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and licenses; however, there can be no assurance that such laws and regulations will not change in ways that adversely affect the Company or that the Company will be able to obtain any such approvals or consents. The Company currently does not plan to expand its operations in Mexico significantly. See Part 1, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for a further discussion of risks to our business and plans for expansion.

The Company's expansion is also dependent upon its ability to identify attractive locations for new branches and to hire suitable personnel to staff, manage and supervise new branches. In evaluating a particular community, the Company examines several factors, including the demographic profile of the community, the existence of an established small-loan consumer finance market and the availability of suitable personnel. The Company generally locates new branches in communities already served by at least one other small-loan consumer finance company.

The following table sets forth the number of branches of the Company at the dates indicated:
 
 
 
At March 31,
State
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
South Carolina
 
97
 
92
 
96
 
99
 
101
 
98
 
97
 
97
 
95
 
93
Georgia
 
123
 
125
 
114
 
113
 
110
 
108
 
105
 
103
 
101
 
100
Texas
 
291
 
291
 
300
 
300
 
297
 
279
 
262
 
247
 
229
 
223
Oklahoma
 
71
 
74
 
82
 
83
 
83
 
82
 
82
 
82
 
82
 
80
Louisiana
 
47
 
47
 
48
 
49
 
48
 
47
 
44
 
40
 
38
 
38
Tennessee
 
105
 
104
 
106
 
107
 
105
 
105
 
105
 
103
 
95
 
92
Illinois
 
82
 
80
 
82
 
82
 
82
 
81
 
75
 
68
 
64
 
61
Missouri
 
76
 
75
 
77
 
78
 
76
 
76
 
72
 
66
 
62
 
57
New Mexico
 
38
 
39
 
42
 
44
 
44
 
44
 
44
 
44
 
39
 
37
Kentucky
 
78
 
77
 
79
 
79
 
76
 
71
 
70
 
66
 
61
 
58
Alabama
 
65
 
65
 
69
 
68
 
68
 
64
 
62
 
51
 
44
 
42
Wisconsin (1)
 
27
 
30
 
29
 
28
 
26
 
21
 
14
 
5
 
 
Indiana (2)
 
32
 
29
 
25
 
22
 
17
 
8
 
 
 
 
Mississippi (3)
 
25
 
20
 
20
 
12
 
5
 
 
 
 
 
Idaho (4)
 
20
 
21
 
17
 
8
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mexico (5)
 
131
 
158
 
153
 
148
 
133
 
119
 
105
 
95
 
80
 
63
Total
 
1,308
 
1,327
 
1,339
 
1,320
 
1,271
 
1,203
 
1,137
 
1,067
 
990
 
944
_______________________________________________________
(1) The Company commenced operations in Wisconsin in December 2010.
(2) The Company commenced operations in Indiana in September 2012.
(3) The Company commenced operations in Mississippi in September 2013.
(4) The Company commenced operations in Idaho in October 2014.
(5) The Company stopped originations of payroll deduct "Viva" loans in fiscal 2018.

3

Table of Contents

Loan and Other Products.  In each state in which we operate, as well as in Mexico, we primarily offer pre-computed consumer installment loans that are standardized by amount and maturity. Consumer installment loans are our principal product and interest and fee income from such loans accounted for 87.8%, 88.2% and 88.8% of our total revenues in fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Our loans are payable in fully-amortizing monthly installments with terms generally from 6 to 36 months and are prepayable at any time without penalty.  

The following table sets forth information about our loan products for fiscal 2018:
 
Minimum Origination
(USD)
 
Maximum Origination
(USD)
 
Minimum Term
(Months)
 
Maximum Term
(Months)
Small loans (U.S.)
$
200.00

 
$
2,499.00

 
3

 
25

Large loans (U.S.)
2,500.00

 
21,600.00

 
12

 
48

Payroll deduct "Viva" loans (Mexico)(1)
165.23

 
11,015.16

 
12

 
120

Traditional installment loans (Mexico)
220.30

 
1,101.52

 
12

 
18

_______________________________________________________
(1) The Company stopped originations of this loan product in fiscal 2018.

Specific allowable interest, fees and other charges vary by state and, consistent with industry practice, we generally charge at, or close to, the maximum rates allowable under applicable state law in those states that limit loan rates. The finance charge is a combination of origination or acquisition fees, account maintenance fees, monthly account handling fees, interest and other charges permitted by the relevant state laws. As of March 31, 2018, the annual percentage rates on loans we offer in the U.S., including interest, fees and other charges as calculated in accordance with the Federal Truth in Lending Act, ranged from 25% to 199%, depending on the loan size, maturity and the state in which the loan was made.

As of March 31, 2018, annual percentage rates applicable to our gross loans receivable as defined by the Truth in Lending Act were as follows:

Low
 
High
 
US
 
Mexico
 
Total
 
Percentage of total
gross loans
receivable
25
%
 
36
%
 
$
269,855,271

 
$

 
$
269,855,271

 
24.3
%
37
%
 
50
%
 
$
235,761,364

 
$
4,941,904

 
240,703,268

 
21.8
%
51
%
 
60
%
 
$
133,802,272

 
$
23,105,858

 
156,908,130

 
14.2
%
61
%
 
70
%
 
$
53,847,775

 
$
12,217,949

 
66,065,724

 
6.0
%
71
%
 
80
%
 
$
48,130,233

 
$
8,868,115

 
56,998,348

 
5.2
%
81
%
 
90
%
 
$
35,888,283

 
$
2,762,325

 
38,650,608

 
3.5
%
91
%
 
100
%
 
$
143,054,907

 
$
4,241,645

 
147,296,552

 
13.3
%
101
%
 
120
%
 
$
65,060,715

 
$
27,432,755

 
92,493,470

 
8.4
%
121
%
 
150
%
 
$
18,175,906

 
$
17,311,083

 
35,486,989

 
3.2
%
151
%
 
199
%
 
$
656,432

 
$

 
656,432

 
0.1
%
 

 
 

 
$
1,004,233,158

 
$
100,881,634

 
$
1,105,114,792

 
100
%

The Company, as an agent for an unaffiliated insurance company, markets and sells credit life, credit accident and health, credit property, and unemployment insurance in connection with its loans in selected states where the sale of such insurance is permitted by law. Credit life insurance provides for the payment in full of the borrower's credit obligation to the lender in the event of death. Credit accident and health insurance provides for repayment of loan installments to the lender that come due during the insured's period of income interruption resulting from disability from illness or injury. Credit property insurance insures payment of the borrower's credit obligation to the lender in the event that the personal property pledged as security by the borrower is damaged or destroyed by a covered event. Unemployment insurance provides for repayment of loan installments to the lender that come due during the insured’s period of involuntary unemployment. The Company offers credit insurance for all loans originated in South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, and Mississippi and on a more limited basis in Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Alabama. Customers in those states typically obtain such credit insurance through the Company. Charges for such credit insurance are made at filed, authorized rates and are stated separately in the Company's disclosure to customers, as required by the Truth in Lending Act and by various applicable state laws. In the sale of insurance policies, the

4

Table of Contents

Company, as an agent, writes policies only within limitations established by its agency contracts with the insurer.  The Company does not sell credit insurance to non-borrowers.

The Company also offers automobile club memberships to its borrowers in Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Alabama, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Mississippi as an agent for an unaffiliated automobile club. Club memberships entitle members to automobile breakdown coverage, towing reimbursement and related services. The Company is paid a commission on each membership sold, but has no responsibility for administering the club, paying benefits or providing services to club members. The Company does not currently market automobile club memberships to non-borrowers but occasionally sells memberships to non-borrowers.

The table below shows the types of insurance and ancillary products the Company offers by state as of March 31, 2018:
 
 
Credit Life
Credit Accident
and Health
Credit Property and Auto
Unemployment
Automobile Club
Membership
South Carolina
X
X
X
X
 
Georgia
X
X
X
 
X
Texas (1)
X
X
X
X
X
Oklahoma (1)
X
X
X
X
 
Louisiana
X
X
X
 
X
Tennessee (1)
X
X
X
X
X
Illinois
 
 
 
 
 
Missouri
X
X
 
X
X
New Mexico
 
 
 
 
 
Kentucky
X
X
X
X
X
Alabama (1)
X
X
X
 
X
Wisconsin
 
 
 
 
X
Indiana
X
X
X
X
X
Mississippi
X
X
X
 
X
Idaho
 
 
 
 
 
_______________________________________________________
(1) Credit insurance is offered for certain loans.

Another service offered by the Company is income tax return preparation and electronic filing.  This program is provided in all but a few of the Company’s U.S. branches. The Company prepared approximately 77,000, 72,000 and 63,000 returns in fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Net revenue generated by the Company from this program during fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 amounted to approximately $16.8 million, $14.7 million and $11.9 million, respectively. The Company believes that this is a beneficial service for its existing customer base as well as non-loan customers, and it plans to continue to promote this program.

Prior to the third quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company's World Class Buying Club program offered certain electronic products and appliances to its borrowers in Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, New Mexico, and Missouri. Borrowers participating in this program could purchase a product from a limited selection of items maintained in the branches or offered through a catalog available at a branch and could finance the purchase with a retail installment sales contract provided by the Company. Other than the limited product samples maintained in the branches, products sold through this program were shipped directly by the suppliers to the Company's customers, and accordingly, the Company was not required to maintain a large inventory to support the program. The Company decided to wind down the World Class Buying Club program during our fiscal 2015 third quarter. As of March 31, 2015, the Company no longer finances the purchase of products through the program. We will continue to service the approximately $2.2 thousand in outstanding retail installment sales contracts.

5

Table of Contents

Loan Receivables.  The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's gross loans receivable by state at March 31 of each year from 2009 through 2018:
 
 
 
At March 31,
State
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
South Carolina
 
9
%
 
9
%
 
9
%
 
10
%
 
11
%
 
11
%
 
11
%
 
12
%
 
12
%
 
11
%
Georgia
 
13

 
13

 
12

 
12

 
12

 
13

 
13

 
13

 
14

 
14

Texas
 
17

 
16

 
17

 
18

 
19

 
19

 
19

 
19

 
20

 
21

Oklahoma
 
6

 
6

 
7

 
7

 
6

 
6

 
6

 
7

 
6

 
6

Louisiana
 
2

 
2

 
2

 
2

 
2

 
2

 
2

 
2

 
2

 
3

Tennessee
 
12

 
12

 
12

 
12

 
12

 
13

 
14

 
14

 
14

 
14

Illinois
 
6

 
6

 
6

 
6

 
7

 
6

 
7

 
6

 
6

 
6

Missouri
 
6

 
6

 
7

 
7

 
6

 
6

 
6

 
6

 
6

 
6

New Mexico
 
2

 
2

 
2

 
2

 
2

 
2

 
2

 
2

 
3

 
3

Kentucky
 
8

 
9

 
9

 
9

 
8

 
9

 
9

 
9

 
9

 
9

Alabama
 
5

 
4

 
5

 
5

 
4

 
4

 
4

 
4

 
4

 
4

Wisconsin (1)
 
2

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

 

 

 

Indiana (2)
 
2

 
2

 
1

 
1

 
1

 

 

 

 

 

Mississippi (3)
 
1

 
1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Idaho (4)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mexico
 
9

 
11

 
10

 
8

 
9

 
8

 
6

 
6

 
4

 
3

Total
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
_______________________________________________________
(1) The Company commenced operations in Wisconsin in December 2010.
(2) The Company commenced operations in Indiana in September 2012.
(3) The Company commenced operations in Mississippi in September 2013.
(4) The Company commenced operations in Idaho in October 2014.



6

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The following table sets forth the total number of loans, the average loan balance and the gross loan balance by state at March 31, 2018
 
Total Number
of Loans
 
Average Gross Loan Balance (thousands)
 
Gross Loan Balance (thousands)
South Carolina
74,838

 
$
1,280

 
$
95,778

Georgia
92,325

 
1,531

 
141,316

Texas
204,692

 
945

 
193,419

Oklahoma
50,458

 
1,340

 
67,592

Louisiana
25,997

 
888

 
23,090

Tennessee
88,245

 
1,471

 
129,806

Illinois
43,197

 
1,594

 
68,873

Missouri
39,957

 
1,775

 
70,920

New Mexico
19,830

 
1,013

 
20,085

Kentucky
58,425

 
1,552

 
90,684

Alabama
49,950

 
1,041

 
51,988

Wisconsin
13,200

 
1,307

 
17,248

Indiana
15,837

 
1,232

 
19,507

Mississippi
13,170

 
672

 
8,849

Idaho
6,857

 
741

 
5,078

Mexico
156,075

 
646

 
100,882

Total
953,053

 
$
1,160

 
$
1,105,115


The following table sets forth the amounts and percentages of our total revenues from customers in the United States and from customers in Mexico.

 
 
Year ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
United States
 
91.6
%
$
502,668,332

 
92.3
%
490,821,420

 
92.4
%
515,300,873

Mexico
 
8.4
%
$
46,037,802

 
7.7
%
40,913,304

 
7.6
%
42,174,834


For information regarding potential risks associated with the Company’s operations in Mexico, see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors—We may be exposed to liabilities under the FCPA, and any determination that the Company or any of its subsidiaries has violated the FCPA could have a material adverse effect on our business and liquidity,” “—Our internal investigation of our operations in Mexico may expose the Company to other potential liabilities in addition to any potential liabilities under the FCPA and cause the Company to incur substantial expenses," "—Our operations in Mexico are subject to the risks inherent in conducting operations internationally and in Mexico and could contribute materially to increased costs and negatively affect our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition,” and “—Our use of derivatives exposes us to credit and market risk,” as well as Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk—Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk.” For additional financial information regarding our two reportable segments, refer to Note 17—Segments in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Seasonality.  The Company's highest loan demand occurs generally from October through December, its third fiscal quarter. Loan demand is generally lowest and loan repayment highest from January to March, its fourth fiscal quarter. Consequently, the Company experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in its operating results and cash needs. Operating results for the Company's third fiscal quarter are generally lower than in other quarters, and operating results for its fourth fiscal quarter are generally higher than in other quarters.

Lending and Collection Operations.  The Company seeks to provide short-term consumer installment loans to the segment of the population that has limited access to other sources of credit. In evaluating the creditworthiness of potential customers, the Company primarily examines the individual's discretionary income, length of current employment and/or sources of income, duration of

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residence, and prior credit experience. Loans are made to individuals on the basis of their discretionary income and other factors and are limited to amounts we believe that customers can reasonably be expected to repay from that income given our assessment of their stability, ability and willingness to pay. All loan applicants are required to complete standardized credit applications in person or by telephone at local Company branches. Each of the Company's local branches are equipped to perform rapid background, employment and credit checks and approve loan applications promptly, often while the customer waits. The Company's employees verify the applicant's sources of income and credit histories through telephone checks with employers, other employment references and verification with various credit bureaus. Substantially all new customers are required to submit a listing of personal property that will serve as collateral to secure the loan, but the Company does not rely on the value of such collateral in the loan approval process and generally does not perfect its security interest in that collateral. Accordingly, if the customer were to default in the repayment of the loan, the Company may not be able to recover the outstanding loan balance by resorting to the sale of collateral. 

The Company believes that development and continual reinforcement of personal relationships with customers improve the Company's ability to monitor their creditworthiness, reduce credit risk and generate customer loyalty. It is not unusual for the Company to have made a number of loans to the same customer over the course of several years, many of which were refinanced with a new loan after the borrower had reduced the existing loan's outstanding balance by making multiple payments. In determining whether to refinance existing loans, the Company typically requires loans to be current on a recency basis, and repeat customers are generally required to complete a new credit application if they have not completed one within the prior two years.

In fiscal 2018, approximately 79.0% of the Company's loans were generated through refinancings of outstanding loans and the origination of new loans to previous customers. A refinancing represents a new loan transaction with a present customer in which a portion of the new loan proceeds is used to repay the balance of an existing loan and the remaining portion is advanced to the customer. The Company markets the opportunity for qualifying customers to refinance existing loans prior to maturity. In many cases the existing customer’s past performance and established creditworthiness with the Company qualifies that customer for a larger loan. This, in turn, may increase the fees and other income realized for a particular customer. For fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, the percentages of the Company's loan originations that were refinancings of existing loans were 65.9%, 66.8% and 69.4%, respectively.

The Company allows refinancing of delinquent loans on a case-by-case basis for those customers who otherwise satisfy the Company's credit standards. Each such refinancing is carefully examined before approval in an effort to avoid increasing credit risk. A delinquent loan generally may be refinanced only if the customer has made payments that, together with any credits of insurance premiums or other charges to which the customer is entitled in connection with the refinancing, reduce the balance due on the loan to an amount equal to or less than the original cash advance made in connection with the loan. The Company does not allow the amount of the new loan to exceed the original amount of the existing loan. The Company believes that refinancing delinquent loans for certain customers who have made periodic payments allows the Company to increase its average loans outstanding and its interest, fees and other income without experiencing a significant increase in loan losses. These refinancings also provide a resolution to temporary financial setbacks for these borrowers and sustain their credit rating. Because they are allowed on a selective basis only, refinancings of delinquent loans represented 1.1% of the Company’s loan volume in fiscal 2018.

To reduce late payment risk, local branch staff encourage customers to inform the Company in advance of expected payment problems. Local branch staff also promptly contact delinquent customers following any payment due date and thereafter remain in close contact with such customers through phone calls or letters until payment is received or some other resolution is reached. The Company expanded our centralized collections in fiscal 2018, focusing on customers who have become more than 90 days past due on a recency basis. In Georgia, Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Indiana and Idaho the Company is permitted under state laws to garnish customers' wages for repayment of loans, but the Company does not otherwise generally resort to litigation for collection purposes and rarely attempts to foreclose on collateral.

Insurance-related Operations.  In certain states, the Company sells credit insurance to customers in connection with its loans as an agent for an unaffiliated insurance company. These insurance policies provide for the payment of the outstanding balance of the Company's loan upon the occurrence of an insured event. The Company earns a commission on the sale of such credit insurance, which, for most products, is directly impacted by the claims experience of the insurance company on policies sold on its behalf by the Company. In states where commissions on certain products are capped, the commission earned is not directly impacted by the claims experience.

The Company has a wholly-owned, captive insurance subsidiary that reinsures a portion of the credit insurance sold in connection with loans made by the Company. Certain coverages currently sold by the Company on behalf of the unaffiliated insurance carrier are ceded by the carrier to the captive insurance subsidiary, providing the Company with an additional source of income derived from the earned reinsurance premiums. In fiscal 2018, the captive insurance subsidiary reinsured approximately 12.0% of the credit insurance sold by the Company and contributed approximately $2.1 million to the Company's total revenue.


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Non-Filing Insurance.  The Company typically does not perfect its security interest in collateral securing its smaller loans by filing Uniform Commercial Code (“UCC”) financing statements. Statutes in Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, Kentucky and Alabama permit the Company to charge a non-filing or non-recording insurance premium in connection with certain loans originated in these states. These premiums are equal in aggregate amount to the premiums paid by the Company to purchase non-filing insurance coverage from an unaffiliated insurance company. Under its non-filing insurance coverage, the Company is reimbursed for losses on loans resulting from its policy not to perfect its security interest in collateral securing the loans.

Information Technology. ParaData Financial Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is a financial services software company headquartered near St. Louis, Missouri. Using the proprietary data processing software package developed by ParaData, the Company is able to fully automate all of its loan account processing and collection reporting. The system provides thorough management information and control capabilities.  

Monitoring and Supervision.  The Company's loan operations are organized into Southeastern, Central, and Western Divisions and Mexico. The Southeastern Division consists of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee; the Central Division consists of Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin; and the Western Division consists of Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. Several levels of management monitor and supervise the operations of each of the Company's branches. Branch managers are directly responsible for the performance of their respective branches. District supervisors are responsible for the performance of 8 to 11 branches in their districts, typically communicate with the branch managers of each of their branches at least weekly and visit the branches at least monthly.  The Vice Presidents of Operations monitor the performance of all branches within their states (or partial state in the case of Texas), primarily through communication with district supervisors. These Vice Presidents of Operations typically communicate with the district supervisors of each of their districts weekly and regularly visit branches.

Senior management has access to daily delinquency, loan volume, charge-off, and other statistical data on a consolidated, state and branch level. At least eight times per fiscal year district supervisors examine the operations of each branch in their geographic area and submit standardized reports detailing their findings to the Company's senior management. At least once per year each branch undergoes an audit by the Company's internal auditors. These audits include an examination of cash balances and compliance with Company loan approval, review and collection procedures and compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.

Staff and Training.  Local branches are generally staffed with two to four employees. The branch manager supervises operations of the branch and is responsible for approving all new and former borrower loan applications and requests for increases in the amount of credit extended. Each branch generally has one or two branch service representatives who take loan applications, process loan applications, apply payments, assist in the preparation of operational reports, collection efforts and marketing activities. Larger branches may employ additional branch service representatives.

New employees are required to review detailed training materials that outline the Company's operating policies and procedures. The Company tests each employee on the training materials during the first year of employment. In addition, each branch associate completes an online training session once every week and periodic training sessions outside the branch. The Company has also implemented an enhanced training tool known as World University, which provides continuous, real-time, effective, on-line training to all locations. This allows for more training opportunities to be available to all employees throughout the course of their career with the Company.

Advertising.  The Company actively advertises through direct mail, targeting both its present and former customers and potential customers who have used other sources of consumer credit. The Company obtains or acquires mailing lists from third party sources. In addition to the general promotion of its loans for last-minute needs, back-to-school needs and other uses, the Company advertises extensively during the October through December holiday season and in connection with new branch openings. The Company also advertises across digital platforms, by email and to existing customers via SMS/text.  The Company believes its advertising contributes significantly to its ability to compete effectively with other providers of small-loan consumer credit. Advertising expenses as a percent of revenue were approximately 4.1%, 3.4%, and 3.0% in fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Competition.  The small-loan consumer finance industry is highly fragmented, with numerous competitors. The majority of the Company's competitors are independent operators with generally less than 100 branches. Competition from community banks and credit unions is limited because they typically do not make loans of less than $5,000. While it is hard to surmise exactly what impact our competitors have on our business, we believe that factors such as online lending could be affecting the consumer lending market within which we operate. Additionally, although online lenders appear to be marketing to a different customer segment than that of our primary customers, some of our customers may overlap.


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The Company believes that competition between small-loan consumer finance companies occurs primarily on the basis of the strength of customer relationships, customer service and reputation in the local community rather than pricing, as participants in this industry generally all charge interest rates and fees at or close to the maximum permitted by applicable laws. The Company believes that its relatively larger size affords it a competitive advantage over smaller companies by increasing its access to, and reducing its cost of, capital.  

Several of the states in which the Company currently operates limit the size of loans made by small-loan consumer finance companies and prohibit the extension of more than one loan to a customer by any one company. As a result, many customers borrow from more than one finance company, which enables the Company, subject to the limitations of various consumer protection and privacy statutes, including, but not limited to, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, to obtain information on the credit history of specific customers from other consumer finance companies.

Employees.  As of March 31, 2018, the Company had 3,419 U.S. employees, none of whom were represented by labor unions and 1,114 employees in Mexico, all of whom were represented by a Mexico-based labor union. The Company considers its relations with its employees to be good. The Company seeks to hire people who will become long-term employees, and, as a result, the vast majority of our field leadership has been promoted from within.

Executive Officers of the Company.  The names and ages, positions, terms of office and periods of service of each of the Company's executive officers (and other business experience for executive officers who have served as such for less than five years) are set forth below. The term of office for each executive officer expires upon the earlier of the appointment and qualification of a successor or such officer's death, resignation, retirement or removal.


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Name and Age
Position
Period of Service as Executive Officer and
Pre-Executive Officer Experience (if an
Executive Officer for Less Than Five Years)
 
 
 
James H. Wanserski (66)
President and Chief Executive Officer
President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2018; consultant with JS&R Business Services, L.L.C. d/b/a Wanserski & Associates (“W&A”) since 2010; partner of Hardesty, LLC from 2015 to 2016.
 
 
 
John L. Calmes Jr. (38)
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since November 2015; Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since December 2013; Director of Finance – Corporate and Investment Banking Division of Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ in 2013; Senior Manager of PricewaterhouseCoopers from 2011 to 2013; Manager of PricewaterhouseCoopers from 2008 to 2011.
 
 
 
Ravin C. Prashad (37)
Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy & Analytics Officer
Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy & Analytics Officer since February 2018; Vice President of Analytics from 2014-2018; Senior Director of Strategy Development for Resurgent Capital Services from 2013-2014, Director of Legal Strategy for Resurgent Capital Services from 2009-2013.
 
 
 
D. Clinton Dyer (45)
Executive Vice President and Chief Branch Operations Officer
Executive Vice President and Chief Branch Operations Officer since February 2018; Executive Vice President of Branch Operations from September 2016 to February 2018; Senior Vice President, Southeastern Division from November 2015 to September 2016; Senior Vice President, Central Division from June 2005 to November 2015; Vice President, Operations –Tennessee and Kentucky from April 2002 to June 2005.
 
 
 
Jeff L. Tinney (56)
Senior Vice President, Western Division
Senior Vice President, Western Division, since June 2007; Vice President, Operations – Texas and New Mexico from June 2001 to June 2007; Vice President, Operations – Texas and Louisiana from April 1998 to June 2001.
 
 
 
Erik T. Brown (45)
Senior Vice President, Central Division
Senior Vice President, Central Division since November 2015; Vice President of Operations, Missouri from July 2005 to November 2015; District Supervisor from November 2003 to July 2005.

 
 
 
Jackie C. Willyard (55)
Senior Vice President, South Eastern Division
Senior Vice President, South Eastern Division since September 2016; Vice President of Operations, Kentucky from August 2003 to September 2016.

Government Regulation.

U. S. Operations.  Small-loan consumer finance companies are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and licensing under various federal and state statutes, ordinances and regulations. In many cases these statutes establish maximum loan amounts and interest rates and the types and maximum amounts of fees and other charges. In addition, state laws regulate collection procedures, the keeping of books and records and other aspects of the operation of small-loan consumer finance companies. Generally, state regulations also establish minimum capital requirements for each local branch. Accordingly, the ability of the Company to expand by acquiring existing branches and opening new branches will depend in part on obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals.

For example, Texas regulation requires the approval of the Texas Consumer Credit Commissioner for the acquisition, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of the voting or common stock of a consumer finance company. A Louisiana statute prohibits any person from acquiring control of 50% or more of the shares of stock of a licensed consumer lender, such as the Company, without first obtaining a license as a consumer lender. The overall effect of these laws, and similar laws in other states, is to make it more difficult to acquire a consumer finance company than it might be to acquire control of an unregulated corporation.

All of the Company's branches are licensed under the laws of the state in which the branch is located. Licenses granted by the regulatory agencies in these states are subject to renewal every year and may be revoked for failure to comply with applicable

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state and federal laws and regulations. In the states in which the Company currently operates, licenses may be revoked only after an administrative hearing.

The Company and its operations are regulated by several state agencies, including the following:

The Industrial Loan Division of the Office of the Georgia Insurance Commissioner
The Consumer Finance Division of the South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions and the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
The Texas Office of the Consumer Credit Commissioner
The Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit
The Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions
The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions
The Missouri Division of Finance
The Consumer Credit Division of the Illinois Department of Financial Institutions
The Financial Institutions Division of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
The Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions
The Alabama State Banking Department
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
The Indiana Department of Financial Institutions
The Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance
The Idaho Department of Finance.

These state regulatory agencies audit the Company's local branches from time to time, and each state agency performs an annual compliance audit of the Company's operations in that state.

Insurance. The Company is also subject to state regulations governing insurance agents in the states in which it sells credit insurance. State insurance regulations require that insurance agents be licensed, govern the commissions that may be paid to agents in connection with the sale of credit insurance and limit the premium amount charged for such insurance. The Company's captive insurance subsidiary is regulated by the insurance authorities of the Turks and Caicos Islands of the British West Indies, where the subsidiary is organized and domiciled.

Consumer finance companies are affected by changes in state and federal statutes and regulations. The Company actively participates in trade associations and in lobbying efforts in the states in which it operates and at the federal level. There have been, and the Company expects that there will continue to be, media attention, initiatives, discussions, proposals and legislation regarding the entire consumer credit industry, as well as our particular installment loan business, and possible significant changes to the laws and regulations, or the authority exercised pursuant to those laws and regulations that govern our business. In some cases, proposed or pending legislative or regulatory changes have been introduced that would, if enacted,  have a material adverse effect on, or possibly even eliminate, our ability to continue our current business. We can give no assurance that the laws and regulations that govern our business, or the interpretation or administration of those laws and regulations, will remain unchanged or that any such future changes will not materially and adversely affect, or in the worst case, eliminate, the Company’s lending practices, operations, profitability or prospects. See "State legislation" and “Federal legislation” below and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” for a further discussion of the potential impact of regulatory changes on our business.

State legislation.  The Company is subject to numerous state laws and regulations that affect our lending activities. Many of these regulations impose detailed and complex constraints on the terms of our loans, lending forms and operations. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could subject us to regulatory enforcement action that could result in the assessment against us of civil, monetary or other penalties.

In the past, several state legislative and regulatory proposals have been introduced which, had they become law, would have had a materially adverse impact on our operations and ability to continue to conduct business in the relevant state. Although to date none of these state initiatives have been successful, state legislatures continue to receive pressure to adopt similar legislation that would affect our lending operations. For example, in Missouri, following a 2013 failed ballot initiative, the same proponents again commenced ballot initiatives to legislatively cap annual interest rates at 36% and to constitutionally impose other interest rate limitations. The proponents of the rate cap did not obtain sufficient signatures on this initiative to have it placed on the November 2014 election ballot. A similar attempt to introduce rate cap legislation was initiated in New Mexico, but was tabled in early February 2015 by a legislative committee. There can be no assurance that proponents of these or similar initiatives will not pursue them and be successful in the future.
 

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In addition, any adverse change in existing laws or regulations, or any adverse interpretation or litigation relating to existing laws and regulations in any state in which we operate, could subject us to liability for prior operating activities or could lower or eliminate the profitability of our operations going forward by, among other things, reducing the amount of interest and fees we can charge in connection with our loans. If these or other factors lead us to close our branches in a state, then in addition to the loss of net revenues attributable to that closing, we would also incur closing costs such as lease cancellation payments, and we would have to write off assets that we could no longer use. If we were to suspend rather than permanently cease our operations in a state, we may also have continuing costs associated with maintaining our branches and our employees in that state, with little or no revenues to offset those costs.

Federal legislation.  In addition to state and local laws and regulations, we are subject to numerous federal laws and regulations that affect our lending operations. These laws include the Truth in Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the regulations thereunder and the Federal Trade Commission's Credit Practices Rule.  These laws require the Company to provide complete disclosure of the principal terms of each loan to the borrower prior to the consummation of the loan transaction, prohibit misleading advertising, protect against discriminatory lending practices and prohibit unfair, deceptive or abusive credit practices. Among the principal disclosure items under the Truth in Lending Act are the terms of repayment, the final maturity, the total finance charge and the annual percentage rate charged on each loan. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits creditors from discriminating against loan applicants on, among other things, the basis of race, color, sex, age or marital status. Pursuant to Regulation B promulgated under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, creditors are required to make certain disclosures regarding consumer rights and advise consumers whose credit applications are not approved of the reasons for the rejection. The Fair Credit Reporting Act also requires the Company to provide certain information to consumers whose credit applications are not approved on the basis of a report obtained from a consumer reporting agency and to provide additional information to those borrowers whose loans are approved and consummated if the credit decision was based in whole or in part on the contents of a credit report. The Credit Practices Rule limits the types of property a creditor may accept as collateral to secure a consumer loan. Violations of the statutes and regulations described above may result in actions for damages, claims for refund of payments made, certain fines and penalties, injunctions against certain practices and the potential forfeiture of rights to repayment of loans.

Although these laws and regulations remained substantially unchanged for many years, over the last several years the laws and regulations directly affecting our lending activities have been under review and are subject to change as a result of various developments and changes in economic conditions, the make-up of the executive and legislative branches of government, and the political and media focus on issues of consumer and borrower protection. See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors—Media and public characterization of consumer installment loans as being predatory or abusive could materially adversely affect our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition” below. Any changes in such laws and regulations could force us to modify, suspend or cease part or, in the worst case, all of our existing operations. It is also possible that the scope of federal regulations could change or expand in such a way as to preempt what has traditionally been state law regulation of our business activities. The enactment of one or more of such regulatory changes could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and prospects.

Various legislative proposals addressing consumer credit transactions have been passed in recent years or are currently pending in the U.S. Congress. Congressional members continue to receive pressure from consumer activists and other industry opposition groups to adopt legislation to address various aspects of consumer credit transactions. As part of a sweeping package of financial industry reform regulations, in July 2010 Congress passed and the President signed into law the “Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act” (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). This created, among other things, a new federal regulatory entity, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (commonly referred to as the CFPB), with sweeping regulatory and enforcement authority over consumer financial transactions. The CFPB continues to actively engage in the announcement and implementation of various plans and initiatives in the area of consumer financial transactions generally. Some of these CFPB announced plans and initiatives, if implemented, would directly affect certain loan products we currently offer and subject us to the CFPB’s supervisory authority. See Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Regulatory Matters,” for more information regarding the CFPB's regulatory initiatives.


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Although the Dodd-Frank Act prohibits the CFPB from setting interest rates on consumer loans, efforts to create a federal usury cap, applicable to all consumer credit transactions and substantially below rates at which the Company could continue to operate profitably, are still ongoing. Any federal legislative or regulatory action that severely restricts or prohibits the provision of small-loan consumer credit and similar services on terms substantially similar to those we currently provide would, if enacted, have a material, adverse impact on our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition. Any federal law that would impose a national 36% or similar annualized credit rate cap on our services would, if enacted, almost certainly eliminate our ability to continue our current operations. See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors - Federal legislative or regulatory proposals, initiatives, actions or changes that are adverse to our operations or result in adverse regulatory proceedings, or our failure to comply with existing or future federal laws and regulations, could force us to modify, suspend or cease part or all of our nationwide operations,” for further information regarding the potential impact of adverse legislative and regulatory changes.

In July 2015, the Department of Defense (the “DoD”) amended its regulations implementing the Military Lending Act (the “MLA”) by issuing final regulations (the “Final Rule”). Prior MLA regulations prohibited creditors from making payday loans, non-purchase money motor vehicle title loans with a term of less than 181 days, and refund anticipation loans to “covered borrowers,” which includes members of the armed forces (i) on active duty; (ii) on active Guard and Reserve Duty; and (iii) their dependents if the APR exceeded 36%. The Company did not make any of the loans covered under the prior MLA regulations. However, the Final Rule expands the MLA and its 36% APR cap to cover a broader range of credit products. The Final Rule covers credit offered or extended to a “covered borrower” primarily for personal, family, or household purposes that is either subject to a finance charge or payable by a written agreement in more than four installments. The Final Rule mandates, among other things, that a creditor must provide both oral and written disclosures, including an all-inclusive APR referred to as the Military Annual Percentage Rate (“MAPR”), and must not require arbitration in agreements with “covered borrowers." Additionally, the Final Rule prohibits creditors from entering into any credit transactions with covered borrowers that use the title of a vehicle as security for the credit obligation. Creditors may elect to check a borrower’s status as a “covered borrower” either in a database maintained by the DoD or through a nationwide consumer reporting agency before entering into a consumer credit transaction. Doing so provides a creditor with a legally conclusive determination as to the borrower’s status and affords the creditor a safe harbor from liability as to the “covered borrower” determination. While the Final Rule became effective on October 1, 2015, the limitations in the Final Rule apply only to consumer credit transactions or accounts for consumer credit consummated or established on or after October 3, 2016. As such, effective September 1, 2016, the Company elected to no longer make loans to covered borrowers (active duty military personnel and their dependents) due to these new restrictions in the law. The Company believes the implementation of the Final Rule will not adversely affect its operations or financial condition.

Mexico Operations.  Effective May 1, 2008, World Acceptance Corporation de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. was converted to WAC de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., SOFOM, E.N.R. (“WAC de Mexico SOFOM”), and due to such conversion, this entity became organized as a Sociedad Financiera de Objeto Múltiple, Entidad No Regulada (Multiple Purpose Financial Company, Non-Regulated Entity or “SOFOM, ENR”). Mexican law provides for administrative regulation of companies that are organized as SOFOM, ENRs. As such, WAC de Mexico SOFOM is mainly governed by different federal statutes, including the General Law of Auxiliary Credit Activities and Organizations, the Law for the Transparency and Order of Financial Services, the General Law of Credit Instruments and Operations, and the Law of Protection and Defense to the User of Financial Services. SOFOM, ENRs are also subject to regulation by and surveillance of the National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Users of Financial Services (“CONDUSEF”). CONDUSEF, among other things, acts as mediator and arbitrator in disputes between financial lenders and customers, and resolves claims filed by loan customers. CONDUSEF also prevents unfair and discriminatory lending practices, and regulates, among other things, the form of loan contracts, consumer disclosures, advertisement, and certain operating procedures of SOFOM, ENRs, with such regulations pertaining primarily to consumer protection and adequate disclosure and transparency in the terms of borrowing. Neither CONDUSEF nor federal statutes impose interest rate caps on loans granted by SOFOM, ENRs. Due to anti-money laundering laws, the consumer loan industry is now being reviewed by the National Banking and Securities Commission ("CNBV") for compliance with anti-money laundering regulations. The consumer loan industry, as with most businesses in Mexico, is also subject to other various regulations in the areas of tax compliance and employment matters, among others, by various federal, state and local governmental agencies. Generally, federal regulations take precedence over the state statutes with respect to the consumer loan operations of SOFOM, ENRs.

Our Mexican operations are also subject to compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (“FCPA”), which prohibits corporations and individuals from paying, offering to pay, or authorizing the payment of anything of value to any foreign government official, government staff member, political party, or political candidate in an attempt to obtain or retain business or to otherwise influence a person working in an official capacity. We also may be implicated under the FCPA by the activities of our partners or other agents. The FCPA also requires us, as a public company, to make and keep books and records that accurately and fairly reflect all of our transactions and to devise and maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls. The anti-corruption provisions of the FCPA are enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”). In addition, the SEC requires strict compliance with the accounting and internal control standards set forth under the FCPA. Failure to comply with the FCPA can expose the Company and/or individual employees to potentially severe criminal and civil penalties. Such

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penalties, if assessed, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. As discussed under Item 1A, “Risk Factors—We may be exposed to liabilities under the FCPA, and any determination that the Company or any of its subsidiaries has violated the FCPA could have a material adverse effect on our business and liquidity,” and Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings—Mexico Investigation” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company has retained outside counsel and forensic accountants to conduct an investigation of certain transactions and payments in Mexico that potentially implicate the FCPA, including the books and records provisions thereof, and the SEC has issued a formal order of investigation in connection with the same.

Available Information. The information regarding our website and availability of our filings with the SEC as described in the second paragraph under “Introduction” above is incorporated by reference into this Item 1 of Part I.

Item 1A. 
Risk Factors

Forward-Looking Statements

This annual report contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions, as well as information currently available to management. Statements other than those of historical fact, as well as those identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” "intend," “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” and any variations of the foregoing and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in any such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Any such statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual financial results, performance or financial condition may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, expected or implied by any forward-looking statements.  

Investors should consider the following risk factors, in addition to the other information presented in this annual report and the other reports and registration statements the Company files with or furnishes to the SEC from time to time, in evaluating us, our business and an investment in our securities. Any of the following risks, as well as other risks, uncertainties, and possibly inaccurate assumptions underlying our plans and expectations, could result in harm to our business, results of operations and financial condition and cause the value of our securities to decline, which in turn could cause investors to lose all or part of their investment in our Company. These factors, among others, could also cause actual results to differ materially from those we have experienced in the past or those we may express or imply from time to time in any forward-looking statements we make. Investors are advised that it is impossible to identify or predict all risks, and that risks not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also could affect us in the future. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements it may make.

Federal legislative or regulatory proposals, initiatives, actions or changes that are adverse to our operations or result in adverse regulatory proceedings, or our failure to comply with existing or future federal laws and regulations, could force us to modify, suspend or cease part or all of our nationwide operations.

We are subject to numerous federal laws and regulations that affect our lending operations. Although these laws and regulations have remained substantially unchanged for many years, the laws and regulations directly affecting our lending activities have been under review and subject to change in recent years as a result of various developments and changes in economic conditions, the make-up of the executive and legislative branches of government, and the political and media focus on issues of consumer and borrower protection. Any changes in such laws and regulations could force us to modify, suspend or cease part or, in the worst case, all of our existing operations. It is also possible that the scope of federal regulations could change or expand in such a way as to preempt what has traditionally been state law regulation of our business activities.

In July 2010 the Dodd-Frank Act was enacted. The Dodd-Frank Act restructured and enhanced the regulation and supervision of the financial services industry and created the CFPB, an agency with sweeping regulatory and enforcement authority over consumer financial transactions. Although the Dodd-Frank Act prohibits the CFPB from setting interest rates on consumer loans, efforts to create a federal usury cap, applicable to all consumer credit transactions and substantially below rates at which the Company could continue to operate profitably, are still ongoing. Any federal legislative or regulatory action that severely restricts or prohibits the provision of small-loan consumer credit and similar services on terms substantially similar to those we currently provide would, if enacted, have a material adverse impact on our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition. Any federal law that would impose a 36% or similar annualized credit rate cap on our services would, if enacted, almost certainly eliminate our ability to continue our current operations. Given the uncertainty associated with the manner in which various expected provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act have been and are expected to continue to be implemented by the various regulatory agencies and through

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regulations, the full extent of the impact such requirements will have on our operations remains unclear; however, these regulations have increased and are expected to further increase our cost of doing business and time spent by management on regulatory matters, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and results.

The CFPB’s rulemaking and enforcement authority extends to certain non-depository institutions, including us. The CFPB is specifically authorized, among other things, to take actions to prevent companies providing consumer financial products or services and their service providers from engaging in unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices in connection with consumer financial products and services, and to issue rules requiring enhanced disclosures for consumer financial products or services. The CFPB also has authority to interpret, enforce, and issue regulations implementing enumerated consumer laws, including certain laws that apply to our business. Further, the CFPB has authority to designate non-depository “larger participants” in certain markets for consumer financial services and products for purposes of the CFPB’s supervisory authority under the Dodd-Frank Act. Such designated “larger participants” are subject to reporting and on-site compliance examinations by the CFPB, which may result in increased compliance costs and potentially greater enforcement risks based on these supervisory activities. Although the CFPB has not yet developed a “larger participant” rule that directly covers the Company’s installment lending business, in June 2016 the CFPB stated that it expects to conduct separate rulemaking to identify larger participants in the installment lending market for purposes of its supervision program. Though the timing of any such rulemaking is uncertain, the Company believes that the implementation of such rules would likely bring the Company’s business under the CFPB’s direct supervisory authority.

On June 2, 2016, the CFPB announced proposed rules under its unfair, deceptive and abusive acts and practices rulemaking authority relating to payday, vehicle title, and similar loans. The proposal would cover short-term loans with a contractual term of 45 days or less, as well as “longer-term loans” with a term of longer than 45 days with an all-in annualized percentage rate of interest (“APR”) in excess of 36% in which the lender has either a non-purchase money security interest in the consumer’s vehicle or the right to collect repayment from the consumer’s bank account or paycheck. The CFPB’s “longer-term” credit proposals seek to address a concern that consumers suffer harm if lenders fail to reasonably underwrite loans but take a security interest in the consumer’s vehicle or access to repayment from a consumer’s account or wages. Although the Company does not make loans with terms of 45 days or less or obtain access to a customer’s bank account or paycheck for repayment of any of its loans, it does make some vehicle-secured loans with an APR within the scope of the proposal. The proposals would require a lender, as a condition of making a covered longer-term loan, to first make a good-faith reasonable determination that the consumer has the ability to repay the covered longer-term loan without reborrowing or defaulting. The proposals would require a lender to consider and verify the amount and timing of the consumer's income, the consumer's major financial obligations, and the consumer's borrowing history prior to making a covered loan. Lenders would also be required to determine that a consumer is able to make all projected payments under the covered longer-term loan as those payments are due, while still fulfilling other major financial obligations and meeting living expenses. This ability to repay assessment would apply to both the initial longer-term loan and to any subsequent refinancing. In addition, the proposals would include a rebuttable presumption that customers seeking to refinance a covered longer-term loan lack an “ability to repay” if at the time of refinancing: (i) the borrower was delinquent by more than seven days or had recently been delinquent on an outstanding loan within the past 30 days; (ii) the borrower stated or indicated an inability to make a scheduled payment within the past 30 days; (iii) the refinancing would result in the first scheduled payment to be due in a longer period of time than between the time of refinancing the loan and the next regularly scheduled payment on the outstanding loan; or (iv) the refinancing would not provide the consumer a disbursement of funds or an amount that would not substantially exceed the amount of payment due on the outstanding loan within 30 days of refinancing. To overcome this presumption of inability to repay, the lender would have to verify an improvement in the borrower’s financial capacity to indicate an ability to repay the additional extension of credit. These proposals are subject to possible change before any final rules would be issued and implemented, and we cannot predict what the ultimate rulemaking will provide. The Company does not believe that these proposals as currently described by the CFPB would have a material impact on the Company’s existing lending procedures, because the Company currently underwrites all its loans (including those secured by a vehicle title that would fall within the scope of these proposals) by reviewing the customer’s ability to repay based on the Company’s standards. However, there can be no assurance that these proposals for longer-term loans, if and when implemented in final rulemaking, would not require changes to the Company’s practices and procedures for such loans that could materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to make such loans, the cost of making such loans, the Company’s ability to, or frequency with which it could, refinance any such loans, and the profitability of such loans. Any final rulemaking also could have effects beyond those contemplated in the initial proposal that could further materially and adversely impact our business and operations.

In addition to the specific matters described above, other aspects of our business may be the subject of future CFPB rulemaking. The enactment of one or more of such regulatory changes, or the exercise of broad regulatory authority by regulators, including but not limited to, the CFPB, having jurisdiction over the Company’s business or discretionary consumer financial transactions generically, could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and prospects. See Part I, Item 1, “Business—Government Regulation” for more information regarding legislation we are subject to and related risks.


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We have experienced significant turnover in our senior management, and our business may be adversely affected by the transitions in our senior management team or by our inability to effectively handle our leadership transition and any future succession planning.

In December 2017, we entered into a separation agreement with our then-serving Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, and in January 2018, we entered into a separation agreement with our then-serving President and Chief Executive Officer. The employment of these officers with the Company has terminated. On January 22, 2018, our Board of Directors appointed James H. Wanserski to serve as our interim President and Chief Executive Officer while the Board searches for a permanent replacement. There can be no assurances concerning the timing or outcome of the Company’s search for permanent replacements.

Executive leadership transitions can be inherently difficult to manage and may cause disruption to our business. As a result of recent executive turnover, our existing management team has taken on substantially more responsibility, which has resulted in greater workload demands and could divert their attention away from certain key areas of our business. In addition, management transition inherently causes some loss of institutional knowledge, which can negatively affect strategy and execution, and our results of operations and financial condition could be negative impacted as a result. The loss of services of one or more other members of senior management, or the inability to attract qualified permanent replacements, could have a material adverse effect on our business. If we fail to successfully attract and appoint permanent replacements with the appropriate expertise, we could experience increased employee turnover and harm to our business, results of operations, cash flow and financial condition. The search for permanent replacements could also result in significant recruiting and relocation costs.

We may be exposed to liabilities under the FCPA, and any determination that the Company or any of its subsidiaries has violated the FCPA could have a material adverse effect on our business and liquidity.

We are subject to the FCPA and various other anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws. We face significant risks and liability if we fail to comply with these laws, which generally prohibit companies and their employees and third-party intermediaries from authorizing, offering or providing, directly or indirectly, improper payments or benefits to foreign government officials, political parties or candidates, employees of public international organizations, or private-sector recipients for the corrupt purpose of obtaining or retaining business, directing business to any person, or securing any advantage. As discussed in Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings—Mexico Investigation,” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we have retained outside counsel and forensic accountants to conduct an investigation of certain transactions and payments in Mexico that potentially implicate the Company in violations of the FCPA, including the books and records provisions of the FCPA. In addition, we have informed the DOJ and the SEC of these matters and intend to fully cooperate with these agencies in their review and investigation. The SEC has issued a formal order of investigation in connection with these matters.

If violations of the FCPA occurred, the Company could be subject to fines, civil and criminal penalties, equitable remedies, including profit disgorgement and related interest, and injunctive relief. In addition, any disposition of these matters could adversely impact the Company's access to debt financing and capital funding, as well as our ability to collect on outstanding loans and result in further modifications to our business practices and compliance programs, including significant restructuring or curtailment of our operations in Mexico. Any disposition could also potentially require that a monitor be appointed to review future business practices with the goal of ensuring compliance with the FCPA and other applicable laws. The Company could also face fines, sanctions, and other penalties from authorities in Mexico, as well as third-party claims by shareholders and/or other stakeholders of the Company.

Detecting, investigating, and resolving these matters is expensive and consumes significant time and attention of the Company’s senior management. While we are currently unable to predict what actions the DOJ, SEC, or other governmental agencies (including governmental agencies in Mexico) might take, or what the likely outcome of any such actions might be, we may incur substantial additional expenses responding to such actions. In addition, such actions, fines, and/or penalties could adversely affect the Company’s reputation and its ability to obtain new business or retain existing business from its current customers and potential customers, to attract and retain employees, and to access the capital markets. If it is determined that a violation of the FCPA has occurred, such violation, or a settlement thereof, may give rise to an event of default under the agreement governing our revolving credit facility, which could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity. See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors—We depend to a substantial extent on borrowings under our revolving credit agreement to fund our liquidity needs” and “—The terms of our debt limit how we conduct business.”

Our investigation of our operations in Mexico may expose the Company to other potential liabilities in addition to any potential liabilities under the FCPA and cause the Company to incur substantial expenses.

In addition to the FCPA implications of our internal investigation into our Mexico operations, as described in the preceding risk factor, our internal investigation may also uncover other material violations of federal and local laws, including but not limited to

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violations of tax laws and regulations. Any such violations could expose us to lawsuits and other liabilities under applicable law and have a material adverse effect on our business, including our operations in Mexico and our decisions with respect thereto, and our liquidity. Investigating, uncovering, and resolving these matters is expensive and continues to consume significant time and attention of the Company’s senior management. In addition, we may incur substantial additional expenses responding to potential lawsuits and the results thereof could adversely affect our reputation and our ability to obtain new business or retain existing business from our current clients and potential clients, to attract and retain employees, and to access the capital markets.  

Our operations in Mexico are subject to the risks inherent in conducting operations internationally and could contribute materially to increased costs and negatively affect our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

Our operations in Mexico accounted for 8.4% of our revenues during fiscal 2018 and 9.1% of our gross loans receivable at March 31, 2018 and expose our business to risks inherent in conducting international operations, including potential FCPA compliance risks, currency fluctuations and devaluations, unsettled political and social conditions, communication and translation errors due to language barriers, compliance with differing legal and regulatory regimes and differing cultural attitudes toward regulation and compliance. In particular, political and social unrest in Mexico, coupled with a unionized labor structure that effectively gives third parties control over repayment of funds remitted from our customers who borrow under our payroll deduction loan product in Mexico, create risks of non-payment or delinquent payment of these funds collected through the third parties. If we are unable to resolve any such possible issues and persuade the third parties to remit these types of payments, our revenues, delinquencies and charge-off rates from our Mexican operations could be materially and adversely affected. Further, any suspension, cessation or curtailment of our operations in Mexico would decrease our revenues and gross loans receivable and negatively affect our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

Litigation and regulatory actions, including challenges to the arbitration clauses in our customer agreements, could subject us to significant class actions, fines, penalties, judgments and requirements resulting in increased expenses and potential material adverse effects on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In the normal course of business, from time to time, we have been named as a defendant in various legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions and other litigation, arising in connection with our business activities. Certain legal actions include claims for substantial compensatory and punitive damages, or claims for indeterminate amounts of damages. While the arbitration provisions in our customer agreements historically have limited our exposure to consumer class action litigation, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in enforcing our arbitration clause in the future. There may also be legislative, administrative or regulatory efforts to directly or indirectly prohibit the use of pre-dispute arbitration clauses, or we may be compelled as a result of competitive pressure or reputational concerns to voluntarily eliminate pre-dispute arbitration clauses.

Unfavorable state legislative or regulatory actions or changes, adverse outcomes in litigation or regulatory proceedings or failure to comply with existing laws and regulations could force us to cease, suspend or modify our operations in a state, potentially resulting in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In addition to federal laws and regulations, we are subject to numerous state laws and regulations that affect our lending activities. Many of these regulations impose detailed and complex constraints on the terms of our loans, lending forms and operations. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could subject us to regulatory enforcement action that could result in the assessment against us of civil, monetary or other penalties, including the suspension or revocation of our licenses to lend in one or more jurisdictions.

As discussed elsewhere in this report, the Company’s operations are subject to extensive state and federal laws and regulations, and changes in those laws or regulations or their application could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, prospects or ability to continue operations in the jurisdictions affected by these changes. See Part I, Item 1, “Business—Government Regulation—State Legislation” and “—Federal Legislation,” and Part I, Item 1A,“Risk Factors,” for more information regarding this legislation and related risks.

Passage of adverse legislation, such as rate caps on financial lending products or similar initiatives, in any of the states in which we operate could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, prospects or ability to continue operations in the jurisdictions affected by such changes. We can give no assurance that the laws and regulations that govern our business, or the interpretation or administration of those laws and regulations, will remain unchanged or that any such future changes will not materially and adversely affect or in the worst case, eliminate the Company’s lending practices, operations, profitability or prospects.

In addition, any adverse change in existing laws or regulations, or any adverse interpretation or litigation relating to existing laws and regulations in any state in which we operate, could subject us to liability for prior operating activities or could lower or

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eliminate the profitability of our operations going forward by, among other things, reducing the amount of interest and fees we can charge in connection with our loans. If these or other factors lead us to close our branches in a state, then in addition to the loss of net revenues attributable to that closing, we would also incur closing costs such as lease cancellation payments and we would have to write off assets that we could no longer use. If we were to suspend rather than permanently cease our operations in a state, we may also have continuing costs associated with maintaining our branches and our employees in that state, with little or no revenues to offset those costs.

Media and public characterization of consumer installment loans as being predatory or abusive could have a materially adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

Consumer activist groups and various other media sources continue to advocate for governmental and regulatory action to prohibit or severely restrict our products and services.  These critics frequently characterize our products and services as predatory or abusive toward consumers.  If this negative characterization of the consumer installment loans we make and/or ancillary services we provide becomes widely accepted by government policy makers or is embodied in legislative, regulatory, policy or litigation developments that adversely affect our ability to continue offering our products and services or the profitability of these products and services, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.

Employee misconduct or misconduct by third parties acting on our behalf could harm us by subjecting us to monetary loss, significant legal liability, regulatory scrutiny and reputational harm.

Our reputation is critical to maintaining and developing relationships with our existing and potential customers and third parties with whom we do business. There is a risk that our employees or third party contractors could engage in misconduct that adversely affects our business. For example, if an employee or a third party contractor were to engage in, or be accused of engaging in, illegal or suspicious activities including fraud or theft, we could suffer direct losses from the activity and, in addition, we could be subject to regulatory sanctions and suffer serious harm to our reputation, financial condition, customer relationships and ability to attract future customers. Employee or third-party misconduct could prompt regulators to allege or to determine based upon such misconduct that we have not established adequate supervisory systems and procedures to inform employees of applicable rules or to detect violations of such rules. Our branches have experienced employee fraud from time to time, and it is not always possible to deter employee or third-party misconduct. The precautions that we take to detect and prevent misconduct may not be effective in all cases. Misconduct by our employees or third party contractors, or even unsubstantiated allegations of misconduct, could result in a material adverse effect on our reputation and our business.

Interest rate fluctuations may adversely affect our borrowing costs, profitability and liquidity.

Our profitability may be directly affected by the level of and fluctuations in interest rates, whether caused by changes in economic conditions or other factors, that affect our borrowing costs. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Federal Reserve Board. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence the amount of interest we pay on our revolving credit facility or any other floating interest rate obligations we may incur. Our profitability and liquidity could be materially adversely affected during any period of higher interest rates. See Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk” for additional information regarding our interest rate risk.

We depend to a substantial extent on borrowings under our revolving credit agreement to fund our liquidity needs.

Our revolving credit agreement allows us to borrow up to $480.0 million through June 15, 2019. Pursuant to the terms of our revolving credit agreement, we are required to comply with a number of covenants and conditions, including a minimum borrowing base calculation. If our existing sources of liquidity become insufficient to satisfy our financial needs or our access to these sources becomes unexpectedly restricted, we may need to try to raise additional capital in the future. If such an event were to occur, we can give no assurance that such alternate sources of liquidity would be available to us at all or on favorable terms. Additional information regarding our liquidity risk is included in the risk factor below, "–We depend to a substantial extent on borrowings under our revolving credit agreement to fund our liquidity needs" and Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations–Liquidity and Capital Resources.”


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Our substantial debt could negatively impact our business, prevent us from satisfying our debt obligations and adversely affect our financial condition.

We have a substantial amount of debt. As of March 31, 2018, we had approximately $244.9 million of total debt outstanding and a total debt to shareholders equity ratio of approximately 0.5 to 1. The substantial amount of our debt could have important consequences, including the following:

our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, debt refinancing, share repurchases or other purposes could be impaired;
a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations will be dedicated to paying principal and interest on our debt, reducing funds available for other purposes;
we may be vulnerable to interest rate increases, as borrowings under our revolving credit agreement bear interest at variable rates, as may any future debt that we incur;
we could be more vulnerable to adverse developments in our industry or in general economic conditions;
we may be restricted from taking advantage of business opportunities or making strategic acquisitions;
we may be limited in our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; and
we may have difficulty satisfying our obligations under the debt if accelerated upon the occurrence of an event of default.

We may incur substantially more debt and other liabilities. This could exacerbate further the risks associated with our current debt levels.

We may be able to incur substantial additional debt in the future. Although the terms of our revolving credit agreement contain restrictions on our ability to incur additional debt, as may any future debt that we incur, these restrictions are subject, or likely to be subject, in the case of any future debt, to exceptions that could permit us to incur a substantial amount of additional debt. In addition, our existing and future debt agreements will not prevent us from incurring certain liabilities that do not constitute indebtedness as defined for purposes of those debt agreements. If new debt or other liabilities are added to our current debt levels, the risks associated with our having substantial debt could intensify. As of March 31, 2018, we had $234.8 million available for borrowing under our revolving credit agreement, subject to borrowing base limitations and other specified terms and conditions.

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.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on the principal of, to pay interest on, or to refinance our indebtedness will depend in part on our cash flows from operations, which are subject to regulatory, economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. We may not generate a level of cash flows from operations sufficient to permit us to meet our debt service obligations. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows from operations to service our debt, we may be required to sell assets, refinance all or a portion of our existing debt, obtain additional financing or obtain additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. There can be no assurance that any refinancing will be possible or that any asset sales or additional financing can be completed on acceptable terms or at all.

The terms of our debt limit how we conduct our business.

Our revolving credit agreement contains covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things:

incur and guarantee debt;
pay dividends or make other distributions on or redeem or repurchase our stock;
make investments or acquisitions;
create liens on our assets;
sell assets;
merge with or into other companies;
enter into transactions with shareholders and other affiliates; and
make capital expenditures.

Our revolving credit agreement also imposes requirements that we maintain specified financial measures not in excess of, or not below, specified levels. In particular, our revolving credit agreement requires, among other things, that we maintain (i) at all times a specified minimum consolidated net worth, (ii) as of the end of each fiscal quarter, a minimum ratio of consolidated net income available for fixed charges for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended to consolidated fixed charges for that period of not less than a specified minimum, (iii) at all times a specified maximum ratio of total debt to consolidated adjusted

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net worth and (iv) at all times a specified ratio of subordinated debt to consolidated adjusted net worth. These covenants limit the manner in which we can conduct our business and could prevent us from engaging in favorable business activities or financing future operations and capital needs and impair our ability to successfully execute our strategy and operate our business.

A breach of any of the covenants in our revolving credit agreement would result in an event of default thereunder. Any event of default would permit the creditors to accelerate the related debt, which could also result in the acceleration of any other or future debt containing a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision. In addition, an event of default under our revolving credit agreement would permit the lenders thereunder to terminate all commitments to extend further credit under the revolving credit agreement. Furthermore, if we were unable to repay the amounts due and payable under the revolving credit agreement or any other secured debt we may incur, the lenders thereunder could cause the collateral agent to proceed against the collateral securing that debt. In the event our creditors accelerate the repayment of our debt, there can be no assurance that we would have sufficient assets to repay that debt, and our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations would suffer. Additional information regarding our revolving credit facility is included in Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Changes in U.S. federal, state and local or foreign tax law, interpretations of existing tax law, or adverse determinations by tax authorities, could increase our tax burden or otherwise adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.

We are subject to taxation at the federal, state and local levels in the United States and Mexico. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”). The changes included in the TCJA are broad and complex and significantly reform the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The TCJA contains significant changes to corporate taxation, including a reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, a limitation on the tax deduction for interest expense to 30% of earnings (except for certain small businesses), a limitation on the deduction for net operating losses to 80% of current year taxable income and elimination of net operating loss carrybacks, immediate deductions for certain new investments instead of deductions for depreciation expense over time, and modifying or repealing many business deductions and credits. Notwithstanding the reduction in the corporate income tax rate and our expectations regarding our overall tax rate in fiscal 2018 and beyond, the overall impact of the TCJA is uncertain and the ultimate impact may prove to be inconsistent with our current expectations. As a result, the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows could be adversely affected by the TCJA, the interpretation and administration of the TCJA, and/or any future tax reform legislation.

Furthermore, we are subject to regular review and audit by both foreign and domestic tax authorities. While we believe our tax positions will be sustained, the final outcome of tax audits and related litigation may differ materially from the tax amounts recorded in our Consolidated Financial Statements, which could adversely impact our cash flows and financial results.

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.

Turbulence in the global capital markets can result in disruptions in the financial sector and affect lenders with which we have relationships, including members of the syndicate of banks that are lenders under our revolving credit agreement. Disruptions in the financial sector may increase our exposure to credit risk and adversely affect the ability of lenders to perform under the terms of their lending arrangements with us. Failure by our lenders to perform under the terms of our lending arrangements could cause us to incur additional costs that may adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. While overall market conditions have improved, there can be no assurance that future disruptions in the financial sector will not occur that could have similar adverse effects on our business. Additional information regarding our liquidity and related risks is included in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

We are exposed to credit risk in our lending activities.

Our ability to collect on loans to individuals, our single largest asset group, depends on the ability and willingness of our borrowers to repay such loans. Any material adverse change in the ability or willingness of a significant portion of our borrowers to meet their obligations to us, whether due to changes in economic conditions, unemployment rates, the cost of consumer goods (particularly, but not limited to, food and energy costs), disposable income, interest rates, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, or other causes over which we have no control, would have a material adverse impact on our earnings and financial condition. Although new customers are required to submit a listing of personal property that will serve as collateral to secure their loans, the Company does not rely on the value of such collateral in the loan approval process and generally does not perfect its security interest in that collateral. Additional information regarding our credit risk is included in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation–Credit Quality.”

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If our estimates of loan losses are not adequate to absorb actual losses, our provision for loan losses would increase, which would adversely affect our results of operations.

To estimate the appropriate level of allowance for loan losses, we consider known and relevant internal and external factors that affect loan collectibility, including the total amount of loan receivables outstanding, historical loan receivable charge-offs, our current collection patterns, and economic trends. Our methodology for establishing our allowance for loan losses is based on the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 450, Contingencies, and, in part, on our historic loss experience. If customer behavior changes as a result of economic conditions or if we are unable to predict how economic conditions may affect our allowance for loan losses, our allowance for loan losses may be inadequate. Our allowance for loan losses is an estimate, and if actual loan losses are materially greater than our allowance for loan losses, our provision for loan losses would increase, which would result in a decline in our future earnings, and thus our results of operations could be adversely affected. Neither state regulators nor federal regulators regulate our allowance for loan losses. Additional information regarding our allowance for loan losses is included in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Credit Quality.”

In June of 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU significantly changes the way that entities will be required to measure credit losses. The new standard requires that the estimated credit loss be based upon an “expected credit loss” approach rather than the “incurred loss” approach currently required. The new approach will require entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable forecasts of collectibility. It is anticipated that the expected credit loss model may require earlier recognition of credit losses than the incurred loss approach. This ASU will become effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this ASU may have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report for more information on this new accounting standard.

The concentration of our revenues in certain states could adversely affect us.

We currently operate consumer installment loan branches in fifteen states in the United States. Any adverse legislative or regulatory change in any one of our states, but particularly in any of our larger states could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, and results of operation or financial condition. See Part I, Item 1, "Description of Business" for information regarding the size of our business in the various states in which we operate.

We have goodwill, which is subject to periodic review and testing for impairment.

At March 31, 2018 our total assets contained $7.0 million of goodwill. Under generally accepted accounting principles, goodwill is subject to periodic review and testing to determine if it is impaired. Unfavorable trends in our industry and unfavorable events or disruptions to our operations resulting from adverse legislative or regulatory actions or from other unpredictable causes could result in goodwill impairment charges.

If we fail to maintain appropriate controls and procedures, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial condition, and the trading price of our common stock.

We are required to maintain disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting.  Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes Oxley Act”) requires us to include in our annual reports on Form 10-K an assessment by management of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.  Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes Oxley Act requires us to engage our independent registered public accounting firm to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.  If we identify a material weakness in our controls and procedures, our ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information accurately and within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC could be adversely affected. In addition, remediation of a material weakness would require our management to devote significant time and incur significant expense. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. If we are unable to maintain effective controls and procedures we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, and we may be subject to investigation or sanctions by the SEC. Any such consequence or other negative effect could adversely affect our operations, financial condition, and the trading price of our common stock.


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Regular turnover among our managers and other employees at our branches makes it more difficult for us to operate our branches and increases our costs of operations, which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The annual turnover as of March 31, 2018 among our branch employees was approximately 35.4%. This turnover increases our cost of operations and makes it more difficult to operate our branches.  If we are unable to keep our employee turnover rates consistent with historical levels or if unanticipated problems arise from our high employee turnover, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Our ability to execute our growth strategy may be adversely affected.

Our growth strategy includes opening and acquiring branches in existing and new markets and is subject to significant risks, some of which are beyond our control, including:

the prevailing laws and regulatory environment of each state in which we operate or seek to operate, and, to the extent applicable, federal laws and regulations, which are subject to change at any time;
our ability to obtain and maintain any regulatory approvals, government permits or licenses that may be required;
the degree of competition in new markets and its effect on our ability to attract new customers;
our ability to obtain adequate financing for our expansion plans; and
our ability to attract, train and retain qualified personnel to staff our new operations.

We currently lack product and business diversification; as a result, our revenues and earnings may be disproportionately negatively impacted by external factors and may be more susceptible to fluctuations than more diversified companies.

Our primary business activity is offering small consumer installment loans together with, in some states in which we operate, related ancillary products. Thus, any developments, whether regulatory, economic or otherwise, that would hinder, reduce the profitability of or limit our ability to operate our small consumer installment loan business on the terms currently conducted would have a direct and adverse impact on our business, profitability and perhaps even our viability. Our current lack of product and business diversification could inhibit our opportunities for growth, reduce our revenues and profits and make us more susceptible to earnings fluctuations than many other financial institutions whose operations are more diversified.

We depend on secure information technology, and a breach of those systems or those of third-party vendors could result in significant losses, unauthorized disclosure of confidential customer information and reputational damage, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or results of operations and could lead to significant financial and legal exposure.

Our operations rely heavily on the secure processing, storage and transmission of personal, confidential and other information about us, our customers and third parties with which we do business. We process a significant number of customer transactions on a continuous basis through our computer systems and networks and are subject to increasingly more risk related to security systems as we enhance our mobile payment technologies and otherwise attempt to keep pace with rapid technological changes in the financial services industry. While we commit resources to the design, implementation, maintenance, and monitoring of our networks and systems, there is no guarantee that our security controls can provide absolute security. Despite the measures we implement to protect our systems and data, we may not be able to anticipate, identify, prevent or detect cyber-attacks, particularly because the techniques used by attackers change frequently or are not recognized until launched, and because cyber-attacks can originate from a wide variety of sources, including third parties who are or may be involved in organized crime or linked to terrorist organizations or hostile foreign governments. Such third parties may seek to gain unauthorized access to our systems directly, by fraudulently inducing employees, customers, or other users of our systems, or by using equipment or security passwords belonging to employees, customers, third-party service providers or other users of our systems. Or, they may seek to disrupt or disable our services through attacks such as denial-of-service attacks and ransomware attacks. In addition, we may be unable to identify, or may be significantly delayed in identifying, cyber-attacks and incidents due to the increasing use of techniques and tools that are designed to circumvent controls, to avoid detection, and to remove or obfuscate forensic artifacts. As a result, our computer systems, software and networks, as well as those of third-party vendors we utilize, may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, malicious attacks and other events that could have a security impact beyond our control. Our staff, technologies, systems, networks and those of third-parties we utilize also may become the target of cyber-attacks, unauthorized access, malicious code, computer viruses, denial of service attacks, ransomware, and physical attacks that could result in information security breaches, the unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of our or our customers’ confidential, proprietary and other information, or otherwise disrupt our or our customers’ operations. We also routinely transmit and receive personal, confidential and proprietary information through third parties, which may be vulnerable to interception, misuse or mishandling.


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If one or more of such events occur, personal, confidential and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through our computer systems and networks, or those of third-party vendors, could be compromised or could cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations that could result in significant losses, loss of confidence by and business from customers, customer dissatisfaction, significant litigation, regulatory exposures and harm to our reputation and brand.

In the event personal, confidential or other information is threatened, intercepted, misused, mishandled or compromised, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event and implement mitigation and remediation measures. We also may be subject to fines, penalties, litigation (including securities fraud class action lawsuits) and regulatory investigation costs and settlements and financial losses that are either not insured against or not fully covered through any insurance maintained by us. If one or more of such events occur, our business, financial condition and/or results of operations could be significantly and adversely affected.

Any interruption of our information systems could adversely affect us.

We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business. Each branch is part of an information network that is designed to permit us to maintain adequate cash inventory, reconcile cash balances on a daily basis and report revenues and expenses to our headquarters. Any failure or interruption of these systems, including any failure of our back-up systems, network outages, slow performance, or similar problems could result in failures or disruptions in our customer relationship management, general ledger, loan and other systems, loss of confidential Company, customer or vendor information and could result in a loss of customer confidence and business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny or negative publicity, or expose us to civil litigation, financial liability, and increased costs to remediate such problems, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to data privacy laws, which may significantly increase our compliance and technology costs resulting in a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to various privacy, data protection and information security laws, including requirements concerning security breach notification. Compliance with current or future privacy, data protection and information security laws affecting customer or employee data to which we are subject could result in higher compliance and technology costs and could materially and adversely affect our profitability. Our failure to comply with privacy, data protection and information security laws could result in potentially significant regulatory and/or governmental investigations and/or actions, litigation, fines, sanctions and damage to our reputation.

Our centralized headquarters functions are susceptible to disruption by catastrophic events, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
Our headquarters building is located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our information systems and administrative and management processes are primarily provided to our branches from this centralized location, and they could be disrupted if a catastrophic event, such as severe weather, natural disaster, power outage, act of terror or similar event, destroyed or severely damaged our headquarters. Any such catastrophic event or other unexpected disruption of our headquarters functions could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Absence of dividends could reduce our attractiveness to investors.

Since 1989, we have not declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock and may not pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. As a result, our common stock may be less attractive to certain investors than the stock of dividend-paying companies.

Various provisions of our charter documents and applicable laws could delay or prevent a change of control that shareholders may favor.

Provisions of our articles of incorporation, South Carolina law, and the laws in several of the states in which our operating subsidiaries are incorporated could delay or prevent a change of control that the holders of our common stock may favor or may impede the ability of our shareholders to change our management. In particular, our articles of incorporation and South Carolina law, among other things, authorize our board of directors to issue preferred stock in one or more series, without shareholder approval, and will require the affirmative vote of holders of two-thirds of our outstanding shares of voting stock, to approve our merger or consolidation with another corporation. Additional information regarding the similar effect of laws in certain states in which we operate is described in Part 1, Item 1, “Description of Business – Government Regulation.”


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Overall stock market volatility may materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

The Company’s common stock price has been and is likely to continue to be subject to significant volatility. A variety of factors could cause the price of the common stock to fluctuate, perhaps substantially, including: general market fluctuations resulting from factors not directly related to the Company’s operations or the inherent value of its common stock; state or federal legislative or regulatory proposals, initiatives, actions or changes that are, or are perceived to be, adverse to our operations or the broader consumer finance industry in general; announcements of developments related to our business; fluctuations in our operating results and the provision for loan losses; low trading volume in our common stock; decreased availability of our common stock resulting from stock repurchases and concentrations of ownership by large or institutional investors; general conditions in the financial service industry, the domestic or global economy or the domestic or global credit or capital markets; changes in financial estimates by securities analysts; our failure to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors; negative commentary regarding our Company and corresponding short-selling market behavior; adverse developments in our relationships with our customers; investigations or legal proceedings brought against the Company or its officers; or significant changes in our senior management team.

Changes to accounting rules, regulations or interpretations could significantly affect our financial results.
New accounting rules or regulations, changes to existing accounting rules or regulations and changing interpretations of existing rules and regulations have been issued or occurred and may continue to be issued or occur in the future. Our methodology for valuing our receivables and otherwise accounting for our business is subject to change depending upon the changes in, and interpretation of, accounting rules, regulations, or interpretations. Any such changes to accounting rules, regulations or interpretations could negatively affect our reported results of operations and could negatively affect our financial condition through increased cost of compliance.

A small number of our shareholders have the ability to significantly influence matters requiring shareholder approval and such shareholders have interests which may conflict with the interests of our other security holders.

As of May 4, 2018, based on filings made with the SEC and other information made available to us, Prescott General Partners, LLC and its affiliates beneficially owned approximately 29.9% of our common stock. As a result, these few shareholders are able to significantly influence matters presented to shareholders, including the election and removal of directors, the approval of significant corporate transactions, such as any reclassification, reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and the control of our management and affairs, including executive compensation arrangements. Their interests may conflict with the interests of our other security holders.

Item 1B. 
Unresolved Staff Comments

None. 

Item 2. 
Properties
 
The Company owns its headquarters facilities of approximately 42,000 square feet in Greenville, South Carolina, and all of the furniture, fixtures and computer terminals located in each branch. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had 1,308 branches, most of which are leased pursuant to short-term operating leases. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, total lease expense was approximately $28.1 million, or an average of approximately $21,127 per branch. The Company's leases generally provide for an initial three- to five-year term with renewal options. The Company's branches are typically located in shopping centers, malls and the first floors of downtown buildings. Branches in the U.S. and Mexico generally have an average size of 1,600 square feet.

Item 3.
Legal Proceedings

Mexico Investigation

As previously disclosed, in March 2017 the Company began an investigation of its operations in Mexico, focusing on the legality under the FCPA and certain local laws of certain payments related to loans, the maintenance of the Company’s books and records associated with such payments, and the treatment of compensation matters for certain employees. The Company has retained outside legal counsel and forensic accountants to lead the investigation.


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The investigation continues to address whether and to what extent improper payments, which may violate the FCPA and other local laws, were made approximately between 2010 and 2017 by or on behalf of WAC de México SOFOM, a subsidiary of the Company, to government officials in Mexico relating to loans made to unionized employees. The Company has voluntarily contacted the SEC and the DOJ to advise both agencies that an investigation is underway and that the Company intends to cooperate with both agencies. The SEC has issued a formal order of investigation. A conclusion cannot be drawn at this time as to what potential remedies these agencies may seek. In addition, the Company cannot determine at this time the ultimate effect that the investigation or any remedial measures will have on its operations in Mexico or its decisions with respect thereto. See Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Comparison of Fiscal 2018 Versus Fiscal 2017" for a discussion of our results of operations in Mexico for each of the last two fiscal years.

If violations of the FCPA or other local laws occurred, the Company could be subject to fines, civil and criminal penalties, equitable remedies, including profit disgorgement and related interest, and injunctive relief. In addition, any disposition of these matters could adversely impact our ability to collect on outstanding loans and result in further modifications to our business practices and compliance programs, including significant restructuring or curtailment of, or other effects on, our operations in Mexico. Any disposition could also potentially require that a monitor be appointed to review future business practices with the goal of ensuring compliance with the FCPA and other applicable laws. The Company could also face fines, sanctions, and other penalties from authorities in Mexico, as well as third-party claims by shareholders and/or other stakeholders of the Company. In addition, disclosure of the investigation could adversely affect the Company’s reputation and its ability to obtain new business or retain existing business from its current customers and potential customers, to attract and retain employees, and to access the capital markets. If it is determined that a violation of the FCPA has occurred, such violation may give rise to an event of default under the Company’s credit agreement if such violation were to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operations, properties, assets, or condition (financial or otherwise) or if the amount of any settlement, penalties, fines or other payments resulted in the Company failing to satisfy any financial covenants. Additional potential FCPA violations or violations of other laws or regulations may be uncovered through the investigation. See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors—We may be exposed to liability under the FCPA, and any determination that the Company or any of its subsidiaries has violated the FCPA could have a material adverse effect on our business and liquidity” and “—Our internal investigation of our operations in Mexico may expose the Company to other potential liabilities in addition to any potential liabilities under the FCPA and cause the Company to incur substantial expenses.”

In addition to the ultimate liability for disgorgement and related interest, the Company believes that it could be further liable for fines and penalties. We are continuing our discussions with the DOJ and SEC regarding the matters under investigation, but the Company cannot reasonably estimate the amount of any fine or penalty that it may have to pay as a part of any possible settlement or assess the potential liability that might be incurred if a settlement is not reached and the government were to litigate the matter. As such, based on the information available at this time, any additional liability related to this matter is not reasonably estimable. The Company will continue to evaluate the amount of its liability pending final resolution of the investigation and any related discussions with the government.

CFPB Investigation

As previously disclosed, on March 12, 2014, the Company received a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”). The stated purpose of the CID is to determine whether the Company has been or is “engaging in unlawful acts or practices in connection with the marketing, offering, or extension of credit in violation of Sections 1031 and 1036 of the Consumer Financial Protection Act, 12 U.S.C. §§ 5531, 5536, the Truth in Lending Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1601, et seq., Regulation Z, 12 C.F.R. pt. 1026, or any other Federal consumer financial law” and “also to determine whether Bureau action to obtain legal or equitable relief would be in the public interest.” The Company responded, within the deadlines specified in the CID, to broad requests for production of documents, answers to interrogatories and written reports related to loans made by the Company and numerous other aspects of the Company’s business.

By letter dated January 18, 2018, the CFPB informed the Company that it had concluded its investigation and would not be proceeding with an enforcement action against the Company. See Part I, Item 1, “Business - Government Regulation - Federal legislation” and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of federal regulations to which the Company’s operations are subject.

Shareholder Complaints

As previously disclosed, on April 22, 2014, a shareholder filed a putative class action complaint, Edna Selan Epstein v. World Acceptance Corporation et al., in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina (case number 6:14-cv-01606) (the "Edna Epstein Putative Class Action"), against the Company and certain of its current and former officers on behalf of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company’s common stock between April 25, 2013 and March 12, 2014. Two amended complaints were filed by the plaintiffs, and several other motions were filed in the proceedings. The complaint, as most

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recently amended, alleged that (i) the Company made false and misleading statements in various SEC reports and other public statements in violation of federal securities laws preceding the Company’s disclosure in a Form 8-K filed March 13, 2014 that it had received the above-referenced CID from the CFPB (ii) the Company’s loan growth and volume figures were inflated because of a weakness in the Company’s internal controls relating to its accounting treatment of certain small-dollar loan re-financings and (iii) additional allegations regarding, among other things, the Company's receipt of a Notice and Opportunity to Respond and Advise letter from the CFPB on August 7, 2015. The complaint sought class certification for a class consisting of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's common stock between January 30, 2013 and August 10, 2015, unspecified monetary damages, costs and attorneys' fees. The Company denied that the claims had any merit and opposed certification of the proposed class.

On June 7, 2017, during a court-ordered mediation, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the Edna Epstein Putative Class Action. The parties’ stipulation setting forth the terms of the settlement was filed with the court on August 25, 2017. The settlement stipulation provided for a settlement payment to the class of $16 million, all of which was funded by the Company’s directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance carriers. The court entered an order preliminarily approving the settlement on August 31, 2017. On December 18, 2017, the court entered a final order and judgment approving the settlement. The court’s order approving the settlement resolved the claims asserted against all defendants in the action. Neither the Company nor any of its present or former officers admitted any wrongdoing or liability in connection with the settlement.

As previously disclosed, on July 15, 2015, a shareholder filed a putative derivative complaint, Irwin J. Lipton, et al. v. McLean, et al., in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina (case number 6:15-cv-02796-MGL) (the “Lipton Derivative Action”), on behalf of the Company against certain of our current and former officers and directors. On September 21, 2015, another shareholder filed a putative derivative complaint, Paul Parshall, et al. v. McLean, et al., in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina (case number 6:15-cv-03779-MGL) (the “Parshall Derivative Action”), asserting substantially similar claims on behalf of the Company against certain of our current and former officers and directors. On October 14, 2015, the Court entered an order consolidating the Lipton Derivative Action and the Parshall Derivative Action as In re World Acceptance Corp. Derivative Litigation (Lead Case No. 6:15-cv-02796-MGL). The plaintiffs subsequently filed an amended complaint, and the amended consolidated complaint alleged, among other things:

(i)
that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties by disseminating false and misleading information to the Company’s shareholders regarding the Company’s loan growth, loan renewals, allowances for loan losses, revenue sources, revenue growth, compliance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), and the sufficiency of the Company’s internal controls and accounting procedures;
(ii)
that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties by failing to ensure that the Company maintained adequate internal controls;
(iii)
that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties by failing to exercise prudent oversight and supervision of the Company’s officers and other employees to ensure conformity with all applicable laws and regulations;
(iv)
that the defendants were unjustly enriched as a result of the compensation they received while allegedly breaching their fiduciary duties owed to the Company;
(v)
that the defendants wasted corporate assets by paying excessive compensation to certain of the Company’s executive officers, awarding self-interested stock options to certain of the Company’s officers and directors, incurring legal liability and legal costs to defend the defendants’ unlawful actions, and authorizing the repurchase of Company stock at artificially inflated prices;
(vi)
that certain of the defendants breached their fiduciary duty to the Company by selling shares of the Company’s stock at artificially inflated prices while in the possession of material, nonpublic information regarding the Company’s financial condition;
(vii)
that the defendants violated Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by making false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s practices regarding loan renewals, loan modifications, and accounting for loans;
(viii)
that the defendants violated Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by failing to disclose alleged material facts in the Company’s 2014 and 2015 proxy statements; and
(ix)
allegations similar to those made in connection with the Edna Epstein Putative Class Action described above.

The consolidated complaint sought, among other things, unspecified monetary damages and an order directing the Company to take steps to reform and improve its corporate governance and internal procedures to comply with applicable laws and to protect the Company and its shareholders from future wrongdoing such as that described in the consolidated complaint. On February 28, 2017, the Court entered an order dismissing the derivative litigation. The plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on March 27, 2017.

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On June 14, 2017, following mediation, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the derivative litigation. The parties’ stipulation setting forth the terms of the settlement was filed with the court on August 4, 2017. The settlement stipulation provided that the Company will adopt certain corporate governance practices and pay plaintiffs’ attorney’s fees and expenses in an amount approved by the court not to exceed $475,000, which fees and expenses have been funded by the Company’s D&O liability insurance carriers. The court entered an order preliminarily approving the settlement on August 24, 2017. On November 7, 2017, the court entered a final order and judgment approving the settlement and awarding plaintiffs’ attorney’s fees and expenses in the amount of $475,000. The court’s order approving the settlement resolved the claims asserted against all defendants in the action. Neither the Company nor any of its present or former directors and officers admitted any wrongdoing or liability in connection with the settlement.

General

In addition, from time to time the Company is involved in routine litigation matters relating to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business, including matters in which damages in various amounts are claimed.

Estimating an amount or range of possible losses resulting from litigation, government actions and other legal proceedings is inherently difficult and requires an extensive degree of judgment, particularly where the matters involve indeterminate claims for monetary damages, may involve fines, penalties or damages that are discretionary in amount, involve a large number of claimants or significant discretion by regulatory authorities, represent a change in regulatory policy or interpretation, present novel legal theories, are in the early stages of the proceedings, are subject to appeal or could result in a change in business practices. In addition, because most legal proceedings are resolved over extended periods of time, potential losses are subject to change due to, among other things, new developments, changes in legal strategy, the outcome of intermediate procedural and substantive rulings and other parties’ settlement posture and their evaluation of the strength or weakness of their case against us. For these reasons, we are currently unable to predict the ultimate timing or outcome of, or reasonably estimate the possible losses or a range of possible losses resulting from, the matters described above. Based on information currently available, the Company does not believe that any reasonably possible losses arising from currently pending legal matters will be material to the Company’s results of operations or financial conditions. However, in light of the inherent uncertainties involved in such matters, an adverse outcome in one or more of these matters could materially and adversely affect the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in any particular reporting period.

Item 4. 
Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

PART II.

Item 5.
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Since November 26, 1991, the Company's common stock has traded on NASDAQ and is currently listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market ("NASDAQ") under the symbol WRLD. As of­ May 25, 2018, there were 48 holders of record of our common stock and a significant number of persons or entities who hold their stock in nominee or “street” names through various brokerage firms.
 
Since April 1989, the Company has not declared or paid any cash dividends on its common stock. Its policy has been to retain earnings for use in its business and selectively use cash to repurchase its common stock on the open market. In the future, the Company's Board of Directors may determine whether to pay cash dividends based on conditions then existing, including the Company's earnings, financial condition, capital requirements and other relevant factors. In addition, the Company's credit agreements contain certain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends on its capital stock. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations–Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
 
On March 10, 2015, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $25.0 million of the Company’s common stock. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had $1.9 million in aggregate remaining repurchase capacity under the March 10, 2015 repurchase authorization. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including the stock price, corporate and regulatory requirements and other market and economic conditions. Although the repurchase authorization above has no stated expiration date, the Company’s stock repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. The Company has not repurchased any shares of our common stock since the first quarter of fiscal 2018. At the time of this filing, it is uncertain if or when the Company will recommence share repurchases.

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The Company did not repurchase any shares of the Company’s common stock during the three month period ended March 31, 2018.

The table below reflects the stock prices published by NASDAQ by quarter for the last two fiscal years. The last reported sale price on May 25, 2018 was $107.87.

Market Price of Common Stock
Fiscal 2018
Quarter
 
High
 
Low
First
 
$
88.26

 
$
49.26

Second
 
84.58

 
71.51

Third
 
87.87

 
71.02

Fourth
 
121.17

 
80.35

 
 
 
 
 
Market Price of Common Stock
Fiscal 2017
Quarter
 
High
 
Low
First
 
$
46.24

 
$
32.40

Second
 
55.43

 
42.33

Third
 
68.69

 
43.50

Fourth
 
68.83

 
42.01



wrld-331201_chartx21205a08.jpg

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Item 6. 
Selected Financial Data

Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data
 
(Amounts in thousands, except number of branches and per share information)
Years Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Statement of Operations Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and fee income
$
481,734

 
$
468,759

 
$
495,133

 
$
524,277

 
$
523,770

Insurance income, net and other income
66,972

 
62,975

 
62,342

 
85,936

 
75,493

Total revenues
548,706

 
531,734

 
557,475

 
610,213

 
599,263

Provision for loan losses
130,979

 
128,572

 
123,598

 
118,830

 
126,575

General and administrative expenses
297,433

 
267,661

 
269,140

 
292,052

 
281,248

Interest expense
19,090

 
21,504

 
26,849

 
23,301

 
21,195

Total expenses
447,502

 
417,737

 
419,587

 
434,183

 
429,018

Income before income taxes
101,204

 
113,997

 
137,888

 
176,030

 
170,245

Income taxes
47,514

 
40,397

 
50,493

 
65,197

 
63,636

Net income
$
53,690

 
$
73,600

 
$
87,395

 
$
110,833

 
$
106,609

Net income per common share (basic)
$
6.11

 
$
8.45

 
$
10.12

 
$
12.12

 
$
9.80

Basic weighted average shares
8,791

 
8,706

 
8,636

 
9,146

 
10,877

Net income per common share (diluted)
$
5.99

 
$
8.38

 
$
10.05

 
$
11.90

 
$
9.60

Diluted weighted average shares
8,959

 
8,778

 
8,692

 
9,317

 
11,106

Balance Sheet Data (end of period):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Loans receivable, net of unearned interest, insurance and fees
$
806,006

 
$
767,896

 
$
776,305

 
$
812,743

 
$
813,920

Allowance for loan losses
(80,826
)
 
(72,195
)
 
(69,566
)
 
(70,438
)
 
(63,255
)
Loans receivable, net
725,180

 
695,701

 
706,739

 
742,305

 
750,665

Total assets
840,987

 
800,589

 
806,219

 
866,131

 
850,028

Total debt
244,900

 
295,136

 
374,685

 
501,150

 
505,500

Shareholders' equity
541,108

 
461,064

 
391,902

 
315,568

 
307,355

Other Operating Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

As a percentage of average loans receivable, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Provision for loan losses
15.9
%
 
16.1
%
 
14.8
%
 
13.9
%
 
15.1
%
Net charge-offs
14.9
%
 
15.7
%
 
14.8
%
 
12.9
%
 
14.7
%
Number of branches open at year-end
1,308

 
1,327

 
1,339

 
1,320

 
1,271


Item 7. 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General

The Company's financial performance continues to be dependent in large part upon the growth in its outstanding loans receivable, the maintenance of loan quality and acceptable levels of operating expenses. Since March 31, 2015, gross loans receivable have decreased at a 0.15% annual compounded rate from $1.110 billion to $1.105 billion at March 31, 2018. While our gross loans receivable have decreased from March 31, 2015, we experienced loan growth of 4.3% in fiscal 2018 after a decrease of 0.7% in fiscal 2017 and a decrease of 3.9% in fiscal 2016. We believe we were able to improve our gross loans receivable growth rates through improved marketing processes and analytics. During the three-year period beginning March 31, 2015, the Company has decreased in size from 1,320 branches to 1,308 branches as of March 31, 2018. Our U.S. operations have expanded in size from 1,172 branches to 1,177 branches over the same period. During fiscal 2019, the Company currently plans to open or acquire approximately 25 new branches in the United States and evaluate acquisitions as opportunities arise.

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The Company offers an income tax return preparation and electronic filing program in all but a few of its U.S. branches. The Company prepared approximately 77,000, 72,000 and 63,000 returns in each of the fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Revenues from the Company’s tax preparation business amounted to approximately $16.8 million, a 14.3% increase over the $14.7 million earned during fiscal 2017.  

The following table sets forth certain information derived from the Company's consolidated statements of operations and balance sheets, as well as operating data and ratios, for the periods indicated:

 
Years Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Gross loans receivable
$
1,105,115

 
$
1,059,804

 
$
1,066,964

Average gross loans receivable (1)
$
1,138,401

 
$
1,100,700

 
$
1,147,956

Net loans receivable
$
806,007

 
$
767,896

 
$
776,305

Average net loans receivable (2)
$
823,691

 
$
796,642

 
$
834,964

 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses as a percentage of total revenue:
 

 
 

 
 

Provision for loan losses
23.9
%
 
24.2
%
 
22.2
%
General and administrative
54.2
%
 
50.3
%
 
48.3
%
Total interest expense
3.5
%
 
4.0
%
 
4.8
%
Operating income as a percentage of total revenue (3)
21.9
%
 
25.5
%
 
29.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets (trailing 12 months)
6.3
%
 
8.8
%
 
10.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Branches opened or acquired (merged or closed), net
(19
)
 
(12
)
 
19

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total branches (at period end)
1,308

 
1,327

 
1,339

_______________________________________________________
(1) Average gross loans receivable have been determined by averaging month-end gross loans receivable over the indicated period.
(2) Average net loans receivable have been determined by averaging month-end gross loans receivable less unearned interest and deferred fees over the indicated period.
(3) Operating income is computed as total revenue less provision for loan losses and general and administrative expenses.

Comparison of Fiscal 2018 Versus Fiscal 2017

Net income for fiscal 2018 was $53.7 million, a 27.1% decrease from the $73.6 million earned during fiscal 2017. Operating income (revenues less provision for loan losses and general and administrative expenses) decreased $15.2 million. The decreases in net income and operating income were primarily driven by increases in personnel expense ($11.0 million), advertising expense ($4.4 million), and other expense ($12.5 million), partially offset by an increase in total revenues of $17.0 million. Net income was also impacted by a $15.4 million increase in income tax expense related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and a $2.4 million decrease in interest expense.

Total revenues increased to $548.7 million in fiscal 2018, a $17.0 million, or 3.2%, increase from the $531.7 million in fiscal 2017. Revenues from the 1,127 U.S. branches open throughout both fiscal years increased by 2.1%. At March 31, 2018, the Company had 1,308 branches in operation, a decrease of 19 branches from March 31, 2017. The decrease was the result of merging 21 branches into existing branches as well as closing 33 branches associated with the payroll deduct business in Mexico, partially offset by opening 30 new branches and acquiring 5 branches.

Interest and fee income during fiscal 2018 increased by $13.0 million, or 2.8%, from fiscal 2017. The increase was primarily due to a corresponding increase in average earning loans. Net loans outstanding at March 31, 2018 increased 5.0% compared to March 31, 2017, and average net loans outstanding increased 3.4% during fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017. Interest and fee income for the year also benefited from an increase in loan volumes of approximately 3.2%.


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Insurance commissions and other income increased by $4.0 million, or 6.3%, over the two fiscal years. Insurance commissions increased by $1.1 million, or 2.7%, when comparing the two fiscal years due to an increase in loan volume in states where we offer our insurance product. Other income increased by $2.9 million, or 13.0%, when comparing the two fiscal years due mainly to an increase in tax return preparation income of $2.1 million.

The provision for loan losses during fiscal 2018 increased by $2.4 million, or 1.9%, from the previous year. This increase resulted from an increase in the amount of loans that were fully reserved during the year. Net charge-offs for fiscal 2018 amounted to $122.8 million, a 2.1% decrease from the $125.4 million charged off during fiscal 2017. Accounts that were 60 days or more past due represented 6.3% and 5.5% of our loan portfolio on a recency basis and 8.8% and 7.8% of our portfolio on a contractual basis at March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively. When excluding the impact of payroll deduct loans in Mexico, accounts 60 days or more past due on a contractual basis represented 7.3% and 6.9% of our loan portfolio at March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively. The Company's year-over-year charge-off ratio (net charge-offs as a percentage of average net loans receivable) decreased from 15.7% for the year ended March 31, 2017 to 14.9% for the year ended March 31, 2018. The Company's fiscal 2018 charge-off ratio of 14.9% is consistent with the its historical charge-off ratios. Charge-off ratios for the past ten fiscal years averaged 14.5%, with a high of 16.7% (fiscal 2009) and a low of 12.9% (fiscal 2015). The following table presents the Company's charge-off ratios since 2002.

chart-4a47f67e0e72e9cd407.jpg
_______________________________________________________
2009 In fiscal 2009 the Company's net charge-off rate increased to 16.7%, the highest in the Company’s history due to the difficult economic environment, which put substantial pressure on our customers' ability to repay their loans.
2015 In fiscal 2015 the Company's net charge-off rate decreased to 12.9%. The net charge-off rate benefited from a change in branch level incentives during the year, which allows managers to continue collection efforts on accounts that are 90 days or more past due without having their monthly bonus negatively impacted. As expected, the change resulted in an increase in accounts 90 days or more past due and fewer charge-offs during fiscal 2015. We estimate the net charge-off rate would have been approximately 14.1% for fiscal 2015 excluding the impact of the change.

 
General and administrative expenses during fiscal 2018 increased by $29.8 million, or 11.1%, over the previous fiscal year. General and administrative expenses, when divided by average open branches, increased 10.8% when comparing the two fiscal years, and,

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overall, general and administrative expenses as a percent of total revenues increased to 54.2% in fiscal 2018 from 50.3% in fiscal 2017. The change in general and administrative expense is explained in greater detail below.

Personnel expense totaled $182.9 million for fiscal 2018, an $11.0 million, or 6.4%, increase over fiscal 2017. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in regular payroll related to annual pay increases and changes in headcount as well as increased incentive payments in the U.S. due to improved performance, $2.5 million of severance-related expense stemming from the separation agreement with the Company’s former CEO, and a $1.8 million expense related to a change in the Company’s paid time off policy that accelerated the accrual of time-off within the calendar year. The policy change became effective January 1, 2018.
Occupancy and equipment expense totaled $43.8 million for for fiscal 2018, a $1.3 million, or 3.1%, increase over fiscal 2017. Occupancy and equipment expense is generally a function of the number of branches the Company has open throughout the year. In fiscal 2018 the average expense per branch increased slightly to $32.9 thousand, up from $32.0 thousand in fiscal 2017.
Advertising expense totaled $22.3 million for fiscal 2018, a $4.4 million, or 24.8%, increase over fiscal 2017. The Company identified opportunities for customer acquisition during key time frames and, in an effort to capitalize on such opportunities, increased advertising, which resulted in more advertising campaigns being funded in the current year when compared to the prior year. In fiscal 2018 the average expense per branch increased to $16.8 thousand compared to $13.5 thousand in fiscal 2017.
Amortization of intangible assets totaled $1.0 million for fiscal 2018, a $0.5 million, or 102.2%, increase over fiscal 2017, which primarily relates to a corresponding increase in total intangible assets during the comparative periods due to acquisitions during the current and prior year.
Other expense totaled $47.4 million for fiscal 2018, a $12.5 million, or 35.9%, increase over fiscal 2017. The increase was primarily due to approximately $7.2 million of expense related to the Company's Mexico investigation, which began in March 2017, and a $2.3 million increase debit card fees over the prior year. Debit card fees have continued to increase as customers take advantage of the Company's pay-by-phone and on-line payment options. We have also increased our investment in information technology.

Interest expense decreased by $2.4 million, or 11.2%, during fiscal 2018 when compared to the previous fiscal year as a result of a decrease in average debt outstanding of 13.7% partially offset by an increase in the effective interest rate from 5.8% to 6.0%.

Income tax expense increased $7.1 million, or 17.6% for fiscal 2018 compared to the prior fiscal year. The effective tax rate increased to 46.9% for fiscal 2018 compared to 35.4% for fiscal 2017. The increase was primarily due to a $10.5 million charge to tax expense related to the net impact of revaluing the U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities and a $4.8 million charge to tax expense related to the foreign transition tax in the current fiscal year. The increase was partially offset by a $3.4 million reduction in tax expense due to the reduction of the Company's U.S. federal statutory income tax rate from 35% to 31.55% for fiscal 2018.

Comparison of Fiscal 2017 Versus Fiscal 2016

Net income was $73.6 million during fiscal 2017, a 15.8% decrease from the $87.4 million earned during fiscal 2016. Operating income (revenues less provision for loan losses and general and administrative expenses) decreased $29.2 million due to a $26.4 million decrease in interest and fee income and a $5.0 million increase in provision expense offset by a $1.5 million decrease in general and administrative expenses. Net income was also impacted by a $10.1 million decrease in income tax expense and a $5.3 million decrease in interest expense.

Total revenues decreased to $531.7 million in fiscal 2017, a $25.7 million, or 4.6%, decrease from the $557.5 million in fiscal 2016. Revenues from the 1,258 branches open throughout both fiscal years decreased by 3.38%. At March 31, 2017 the Company had 1,327 branches in operation, a decrease of 12 branches from March 31, 2016. The decrease was the result of merging 44 branches into existing branches, partially offset by opening 18 new branches and acquiring 14 branches.

Interest and fee income during fiscal 2017 decreased by $26.4 million, or 5.3%, from fiscal 2016. We experienced a 4.6% decrease in our average net loans receivable. Interest and fee income for the year was also negatively impacted by a decrease in loan volumes. However, origination volume improved throughout the year and increased when comparing the fourth quarter of 2017 to the fourth quarter of 2016. Revenues from our operations in Mexico were negatively impacted by a fluctuation in the exchange rate year over year. The fluctuation in the exchange rate had a negative impact of approximately $6.4 million on fiscal 2017’s revenue compared to the prior year.


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Insurance commissions and other income increased by $0.6 million, or 1.0%, over the two fiscal years. Insurance commissions decreased by $2.5 million, or 5.8%, when comparing the two fiscal years due to the decrease in loan volume in states where our insurance product is available to our customers. Other income increased by $3.1 million, or 16.5%, when comparing the two fiscal years due mainly from an increase in tax return income of $2.8 million.

The provision for loan losses during fiscal 2017 increased by $5.0 million, or 4.0%, from the previous year. This increase resulted from an increase in the amount of loans charged off as well as an increase in the amount of loans that were fully reserved during the year. Net charge-offs for fiscal 2017 amounted to $125.4 million, a 1.5% increase over the $123.6 million charged off during fiscal 2016. We believe that the increase in charge-offs is the result of ceasing all in-person visits to delinquent borrowers in December 2015. Accounts that were 60 days or more past due were 5.5% and 4.7% on a recency basis, and were 7.8% and 7.1% on a contractual basis at March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively. When excluding the impact of payroll deduct loans in Mexico, the accounts contractually delinquent 60 days or more past due were 6.9% at March 31, 2017 compared to 6.4% at March 31, 2016. During fiscal 2017 the Company also had an increase in year-over-year loan loss ratios. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average net loans increased from 14.8% during fiscal 2016 to 15.7% during fiscal 2017. During fiscal 2017 the Company had a charge-off ratio of 15.7%, which is elevated compared to historical levels. From fiscal 2002 to fiscal 2006, the charge-offs as a percent of average loans ranged from 14.6% to 14.8%. In fiscal 2007 the Company experienced a temporary decline to 13.3%, which was attributed to a change in the bankruptcy law, but returned to 14.5% in fiscal 2008. In fiscal 2009 the ratio increased to 16.7%, the highest in the Company’s history as a result of the difficult economic environment and higher energy costs that our customers faced. The ratio steadily declined from 15.5% in fiscal 2010 to 13.9% in fiscal 2013 and increased to 14.7% in fiscal 2014.

General and administrative expenses during fiscal 2017 decreased by $1.5 million, or 0.5%, over the previous fiscal year. Personnel expense only increased $2.4 million despite the prior year benefiting from the release of $11.4 million of expense previously accrued for long-term equity incentive awards. Other expense decreased due to $1.2 million of expense related to a planned bond offering that was not completed being recorded in fiscal 2016 as well as a $1.5 million decrease in mileage expense. Occupancy and equipment expense decreased due to a $1.3 million loss taken as a result of the sale of the corporate jet in fiscal 2016. General and administrative expenses, when divided by average open branches, increased 0.4% when comparing the two fiscal years, and overall, general and administrative expenses as a percent of total revenues increased to 50.3% in fiscal 2017 from 48.3% in fiscal 2016.

Interest expense decreased by $5.3 million, or 19.9%, during fiscal 2017, as compared to the previous fiscal year as a result of a 3.6% decrease in the effective rate and a decrease in average debt outstanding of 24.1%.

Income tax expense decreased $10.1 million, or 20.0%, primarily from a decrease in pre-tax income. The effective tax rate decreased to 35.4% for fiscal 2017 compared to 36.6% for fiscal 2016. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in state tax expense related to the Company's settlement with a state taxing authority during the current year.

Regulatory Matters

Mexico Investigation

As disclosed in Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings—Mexico Investigation” above, the Company has retained outside counsel and forensic accountants to conduct an investigation of its operations in Mexico, focusing on the legality under the FCPA and certain local laws of certain payments related to loans, the maintenance of the Company’s books and records associated with such payments, and the treatment of compensation matters for certain employees.

The investigation continues to address whether and to what extent improper payments, which may violate the FCPA and other local laws, were made approximately between 2010 and 2017 by or on behalf of WAC de México SOFOM, a subsidiary of the Company, to government officials in Mexico relating to loans made to unionized employees. The Company has voluntarily contacted the SEC and the DOJ to advise both agencies that an investigation is underway and that the Company intends to cooperate with both agencies. The SEC has issued a formal order of investigation. A conclusion cannot be drawn at this time as to what potential remedies these agencies may seek. In addition, the Company cannot determine at this time the ultimate effect that the investigation or any remedial measures will have on its operations in Mexico or its decisions with respect thereto.

If violations of the FCPA or other local laws occurred, the Company could be subject to fines, civil and criminal penalties, equitable remedies, including profit disgorgement and related interest, and injunctive relief. In addition, any disposition of these matters could adversely impact our ability to collect on outstanding loans and result in further modifications to our business practices and compliance programs, including significant restructuring or curtailment of, or other effects on, our operations in Mexico. Any disposition could also potentially require that a monitor be appointed to review future business practices with the goal of ensuring

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compliance with the FCPA and other applicable laws. The Company could also face fines, sanctions, and other penalties from authorities in Mexico, as well as third-party claims by shareholders and/or other stakeholders of the Company. In addition, disclosure of the investigation could adversely affect the Company’s reputation and its ability to obtain new business or retain existing business from its current customers and potential customers, to attract and retain employees, and to access the capital markets. If it is determined that a violation of the FCPA has occurred, such violation may give rise to an event of default under the Company’s credit agreement if such violation were to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operations, properties, assets, or condition (financial or otherwise) or if the amount of any settlement, penalties, fines or other payments resulted in the Company failing to satisfy any financial covenants. Additional potential FCPA violations or violations of other laws or regulations may be uncovered through the investigation. See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors-We may be exposed to liabilities under the FCPA, and any determination that the Company or any of its subsidiaries has violated the FCPA could have a material adverse effect on our business and liquidity,” “—Our internal investigation of our operations in Mexico may expose the Company to other potential liabilities in addition to any potential liabilities under the FCPA and cause the Company to incur substantial expenses,” “—We depend to a substantial extent on borrowings under our revolving credit agreement to fund our liquidity needs,” and “—The terms of our debt limit how we conduct our business” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.

CFPB Investigation

As previously disclosed, on March 12, 2014, the Company received a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”). The stated purpose of the CID is to determine whether the Company has been or is “engaging in unlawful acts or practices in connection with the marketing, offering, or extension of credit in violation of Sections 1031 and 1036 of the Consumer Financial Protection Act, 12 U.S.C. §§ 5531, 5536, the Truth in Lending Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1601, et seq., Regulation Z, 12 C.F.R. pt. 1026, or any other Federal consumer financial law” and “also to determine whether Bureau action to obtain legal or equitable relief would be in the public interest.” The Company responded, within the deadlines specified in the CID, to broad requests for production of documents, answers to interrogatories and written reports related to loans made by the Company and numerous other aspects of the Company’s business.

By letter dated January 18, 2018, the CFPB informed the Company that it had concluded its investigation and would not be proceeding with an enforcement action against the Company. See Part I, Item 1, “Business - Government Regulation - Federal legislation” and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a further discussion of these matters and federal regulations to which the Company’s operations are subject.

CFPB Rulemaking Initiative 

On October 5, 2017, the CFPB issued a final rule (the “Rule”) imposing limitations on (i) short-term consumer loans, (ii) longer-term consumer installment loans with balloon payments, and (iii) higher-rate consumer installment loans repayable by a payment authorization. The Rule requires lenders originating short-term loans and longer-term balloon payment loans to evaluate whether each consumer has the ability to repay the loan along with current obligations and expenses (“ability to repay requirements”). The Rule also curtails repeated unsuccessful attempts to debit consumers’ accounts for short-term loans, balloon payment loans, and installment loans that involve a payment authorization and an Annual Percentage Rate over 36% (“payment requirements”). The final Rule has significant differences from the CFPB’s proposed rules announced on June 2, 2016, relating to payday, vehicle title, and similar loans. The Company does not believe that the CFPB’s final Rule will have a material impact on the Company’s existing lending procedures because the Company currently does not make short-term consumer loans or longer-term consumer installment loans with balloon payments that would subject the Company to the Rule’s ability to repay requirements. To the extent that the Rule’s payment requirements would apply to the Company’s loans, the Company does not believe that these requirements would have a material impact on the Company’s lending procedures.

The CFPB has stated that it expects to conduct separate rulemaking to identify larger participants in the installment lending market for purposes of its supervision program. Though the timing of any such rulemaking is uncertain, the Company believes that the implementation of such rules would likely bring the Company’s business under the CFPB’s supervisory authority which, among other things, would subject the Company to reporting obligations to, and on-site compliance examinations by, the CFPB. See Part I, Item 1, “Business - Government Regulation - Federal legislation,” for a further discussion of these matters and the federal regulations to which the Company’s operations are subject and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” for more information regarding these regulatory and related risks.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s accounting and reporting policies are in accordance with GAAP and conform to general practices within the finance company industry. The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements are discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain critical accounting policies involve significant judgment

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by the Company’s management, including the use of estimates and assumptions which affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. As a result, changes in these estimates and assumptions could significantly affect the Company’s financial position and results of operations. The Company considers its policies regarding the allowance for loan losses, share-based compensation, and income taxes to be its most critical accounting policies due to the significant degree of management judgment involved.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company has developed policies and procedures for assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses that take into consideration various assumptions and estimates with respect to its loan portfolio. The Company’s assumptions and estimates may be affected in the future by changes in economic conditions, among other factors. For additional discussion concerning the allowance for loan losses, see “Credit Quality” below.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company measures compensation cost for share-based awards at fair value and recognizes compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest. The fair value of restricted stock is based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock at the time of grant, and the fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Black-Scholes model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including expected volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected life, changes to which can materially affect the fair value estimate. In addition, the estimation of share-based awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period that the estimates are revised. The Company considers many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including types of awards, employee class, and historical experience. Actual results, and future changes in estimates, may differ substantially from our current estimates.

Income Taxes
 
Management uses certain assumptions and estimates in determining income taxes payable or refundable, deferred income tax liabilities and assets for events recognized differently in its financial statements and income tax returns, and income tax expense. Determining these amounts requires analysis of certain transactions and interpretation of tax laws and regulations. Management exercises considerable judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of the resulting income tax liabilities and assets. These judgments and estimates are re-evaluated on a periodic basis as regulatory and business factors change.

No assurance can be given that either the tax returns submitted by management or the income tax reported on the Consolidated Financial Statements will not be adjusted by either adverse rulings, changes in the tax code, or assessments made by the Internal Revenue Service or by state or foreign taxing authorities. The Company is subject to potential adverse adjustments including, but not limited to: an increase in the statutory federal or state income tax rates, the permanent non-deductibility of amounts currently considered deductible either now or in future periods, and the dependency on the generation of future taxable income in order to ultimately realize deferred income tax assets.

Under FASB ASC 740, the Company includes the current and deferred tax impact of its tax positions in the financial statements when it is more likely than not (likelihood of greater than 50%) that such positions will be sustained by taxing authorities, with full knowledge of relevant information, based on the technical merits of the tax position. While the Company supports its tax positions by unambiguous tax law, prior experience with the taxing authority, and analysis that considers all relevant facts, circumstances and regulations, management must still rely on assumptions and estimates to determine the overall likelihood of success and proper quantification of a given tax position.

Credit Quality

The Company’s delinquency and net charge-off ratios reflect, among other factors, changes in the mix of loans in the portfolio, the quality of receivables, the success of collection efforts, bankruptcy trends and general economic conditions.

Delinquency is computed on the basis of the date of the last full contractual payment on a loan (known as the recency method) and on the basis of the amount past due in accordance with original payment terms of a loan (known as the contractual method). Upon refinancings, the contractual delinquency of a loan is measured based upon the terms of the new agreement, and is not impacted by the refinanced loan's classification as a new loan or modification of the existing loan. Management closely monitors portfolio delinquency using both methods to measure the quality of the Company's loan portfolio and the probability of credit losses.


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The following table classifies the gross loans receivable of the Company that were delinquent on a contractual basis for at least 61 days at March 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016:

 
At March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Contractual basis:
 

 
 

 
 

61-90 days past due
$
27,908

 
$
25,824

 
$
27,082

91 days or more past due
69,835

 
56,809

 
48,495

Total
$
97,743

 
$
82,633

 
$
75,577

Percentage of period-end gross loans receivable
8.8
%
 
7.8
%
 
7.1
%

In fiscal 2018 approximately 79.0% of the Company’s loans, based on accounts, were generated through refinancings of outstanding loans and the origination of new loans to previous customers. A refinancing represents a new loan transaction with a present customer in which a portion of the new loan proceeds is used to repay the balance of an existing loan and the remaining portion is advanced to the customer. For fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, the percentages of the Company’s loan originations that were refinancings of existing loans were 65.9%, 66.8%, and 69.4%, respectively. The Company’s refinancing policies, while limited by state regulations, in all cases consider the customer’s payment history and require that the customer has made multiple payments on the loan being considered for refinancing. A refinancing is considered a current refinancing if the customer is no more than 45 days delinquent on a contractual basis. Delinquent refinancings may be extended to customers who are more than 45 days past due on a contractual basis if the customer completes a new application and the manager believes that the customer’s ability and intent to repay has improved. It is the Company’s policy not to refinance delinquent loans in amounts greater than the original amounts financed. In all cases, a customer must complete a new application every two years. During fiscal 2018 and 2017, delinquent refinancings represented 1.1% and 1.2%, respectively, of the Company’s total loan volume.

Charge-offs, as a percentage of loans made by category, are greatest on loans made to new borrowers and least on loans made to former borrowers and refinancings. As a percentage of total loans charged off, refinancings represent the greatest percentage due to the volume of loans made in this category. The following table depicts the charge-offs as a percent of loans made by category and as a percent of total charge-offs during fiscal 2018:

 
Loan Volume by Category
(by No. of Accounts)
 
Percent of
Total Charge-offs
(by No. of Accounts)
 
Charge-off as a Percent of Total
Loans Made by Category
(by No. of Accounts)
Refinancings
65.9
%
 
62.1
%
 
5.9
%
Former borrowers
13.1
%
 
8.4
%
 
5.8
%
New borrowers
21.0
%
 
29.5
%
 
15.4
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 

 
The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses in an amount that, in management's opinion, is adequate to provide for losses inherent in the existing loan portfolio. The Company charges against current earnings, as a provision for loan losses, amounts added to the allowance to maintain it at levels expected to cover probable losses of principal. When establishing the allowance for loan losses, the Company takes into consideration the growth of the loan portfolio, current levels of charge-offs, current levels of delinquencies, and current economic factors.
The Company uses a mathematical calculation to determine the initial allowance at the end of each reporting period. The calculation originated as management's estimate of future charge-offs and is used to allocate expenses to the branch level. There are two components when calculating the allowance for loan losses, which the Company refers to as the general reserve and the specific reserve. This calculation is a starting point, and over time, and as needed, additional provisions have been added as determined by management to ensure the allowance is adequate.
The general reserve is 4.25% of the gross loan portfolio. The specific reserve generally represents 100% of all loans 91 days or more past due on a recency basis, including bankrupt accounts in that category. This methodology is based on historical data showing that the collection of loans 91 days or more past due and bankrupt loans is remote.

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A process is then performed to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, as well as considering trends in current levels of delinquencies, charge-off levels, and economic trends (such as energy and food prices). The primary tool used is the movement model (on a contractual and recency basis), which considers the rolling twelve months of delinquency to determine expected charge-offs. The sum of expected charge-offs, determined from the movement model (on a contractual and recency basis), plus an amount related to delinquent refinancings is compared to the allowance resulting from the mathematical calculation to determine if any adjustments are required to make the allowance adequate. Management also determines if any adjustments are needed in the event the consolidated annual provision for loan losses is less than total charge-offs. Management uses a precision level of 5% of the allowance for loan losses compared to the aforementioned movement model when determining if any adjustments are needed.
The Company's policy is to charge off at the earlier of when such loans are deemed to be uncollectible or when six months have elapsed since the date of the last full contractual payment. The Company's charge-off policy has been consistently applied and no changes have been made during the periods reported. We believe charge-offs during fiscal 2016 and 2017 were negatively impacted by ceasing all in-person visits to delinquent borrowers in December 2015. The Company's historical annual charge-off rate for the past 10 years has ranged from 12.9% to 16.7% of net loans. Management considers the charge-off policy when evaluating the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses.
To estimate the losses, the Company uses historical information for net charge-offs and average loan life. This method is based on the fact that many customers refinance their loans prior to the contractual maturity. Average contractual loan terms are approximately 13 months, and the average loan life is approximately 8 months. The Company had an allowance for loan losses that approximated 9 months of average net charge-offs at March 31, 2018. Management believes that the allowance is sufficient to cover estimated losses for its existing loans based on historical charge-offs and average loan life.
A large percentage of loans that are charged off during any fiscal year are not on the Company's books at the beginning of the fiscal year. The Company believes that it is not appropriate to provide for losses on loans that have not been originated, that twelve months of net charge-offs are not needed in the allowance due to the average life of the loan portfolio being less than twelve months and that the method employed is in accordance with GAAP.
The following is a summary of the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended March 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016:

 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Balance at beginning of period
$
72,194,892

 
$
69,565,804

 
$
70,437,988

Provision for loan losses
130,979,129

 
128,572,162

 
123,598,318

Loan losses
(138,808,839
)
 
(141,878,119
)
 
(141,758,366
)
Recoveries
16,047,215

 
16,519,929

 
18,196,110

Translation adjustment
413,331

 
(584,884
)
 
(908,246
)
Balance at end of period
$
80,825,728

 
$
72,194,892

 
$
69,565,804

 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance as a percentage of loans receivable, net of unearned and deferred fees
10.0
%
 
9.4
%
 
9.0
%
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average net loans receivable (1)
14.9
%
 
15.7
%
 
14.8
%
_______________________________________________________
(1) Average net loans receivable have been determined by averaging month-end gross loans receivable less unearned interest and deferred fees over the indicated period.

Quarterly Information and Seasonality

The Company's loan volume and corresponding loans receivable follow seasonal trends.  The Company's highest loan demand typically occurs from October through December, its third fiscal quarter. Loan demand has generally been the lowest and loan repayment highest from January to March, its fourth fiscal quarter. Loan volume and average balances typically remain relatively level during the remainder of the year. This seasonal trend affects quarterly operating performance through corresponding fluctuations in interest and fee income and insurance commissions earned and the provision for loan losses recorded, as well as fluctuations in the Company's cash needs. Consequently, operating results for the Company's third fiscal quarter generally are significantly lower than in other quarters and operating results for its fourth fiscal quarter are significantly higher than in other quarters.

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The following table sets forth, on a quarterly basis, certain items included in the Company's unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and shows the number of branches open during fiscal years 2018 and 2017.
 
 
At or for the Three Months Ended
 
2018
 
2017
 
June
30,
 
September
30,
 
December
31,
 
March
31,
 
June
30,
 
September
30,
 
December
31,
 
March
31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
Total revenues
$
128,910

 
$
131,006

 
$
136,934

 
$
151,858

 
$
127,080

 
$
129,269

 
$
130,815

 
$
144,571

Provision for loan losses
$
30,840

 
$
38,976

 
$
43,755

 
$
17,408

 
$
32,014

 
$
35,871

 
$
39,985

 
$
20,702

General and administrative expenses
$
72,917

 
$
70,909

 
$
72,886

 
$
80,721

 
$
62,949

 
$
63,456

 
$
71,237

 
$
70,020

Net income
$
13,068

 
$
9,799

 
$
1,680

 
$
29,143

 
$
16,618

 
$
15,491

 
$
9,640

 
$
31,851

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross loans receivable
$
1,110,372

 
$
1,147,641

 
$
1,229,304

 
$
1,105,114

 
$
1,087,502

 
$
1,095,577

 
$
1,165,009

 
$
1,059,804

Number of branches open
1,331

 
1,331

 
1,334

 
1,308

 
1,324

 
1,322

 
1,323

 
1,327


Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

See Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data and Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the impact of new accounting pronouncements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company has financed and continues to finance its operations, acquisitions and branch expansion through a combination of cash flows from operations and borrowings from its institutional lenders. The Company has generally applied its cash flows from operations to fund its loan volume, fund acquisitions, repay long-term indebtedness and repurchase its common stock. As the Company's gross loans receivable decreased slightly from $1,110.1 million at March 31, 2015 to $1,105.1 million at March 31, 2018, net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $218.0 million, $219.4 million and $206.1 million, respectively.

The Company continues to believe stock repurchases are a viable component of the Company’s long-term financial strategy and an excellent use of excess cash when the opportunity arises. However, our amended credit facility limits share repurchases to 50% of consolidated adjusted net income in any fiscal year commencing with the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017.

The Company plans to open or acquire approximately 25 branches in the United States during fiscal 2019. Expenditures by the Company to open and furnish new branches averaged approximately $41,000 per branch during fiscal 2018. New branches have generally required $100,000 to $400,000 to fund outstanding loans receivable originated during their first 12 months of operation. During fiscal 2018 the Company opened 30 new branches and merged or closed 54 branches into existing ones.
 
The Company acquired 5 branches during fiscal 2018. The Company believes that attractive opportunities to acquire new branches or receivables from its competitors or to acquire branches in communities not currently served by the Company will continue to become available as conditions in local economies and the financial circumstances of owners change.
 
The Company has a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks. The revolving credit facility provides for revolving borrowings of up to the lesser of (a) the aggregate commitments under the facility and (b) a borrowing base, and includes a $300,000 letter of credit subfacility. At March 31, 2018 the aggregate commitments under the credit facility were $480.0 million. The borrowing base limitation is equal to the product of (a) the Company’s eligible finance receivables, less unearned finance charges, insurance premiums and insurance commissions, and (b) an advance rate percentage that ranges from 79% to 85% based on a collateral performance indicator, as more completely described below. Further, the administrative agent under the revolving credit

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facility has the right at any time, and from time to time in its permitted discretion (but without any obligation), to set aside reasonable reserves against the borrowing base in such amounts as it may deem appropriate, including, without limitation, reserves with respect to regulatory events or any increased operational, legal or regulatory risk. In May 2017, the credit facility was amended to, among other things, extend the term through June 15, 2019.

Funds borrowed under the revolving credit facility bear interest at the LIBOR rate plus 4.0% per annum, with a minimum rate of 5.0%. For the year ended March 31, 2018, the effective interest rate, including the commitment fee, on borrowings under the revolving credit facility was 6.0%. The Company pays a commitment fee equal to 0.50% per annum of the daily unused portion of the commitments. On March 31, 2018, $244.9 million was outstanding under this facility, and there was $234.8 million of unused borrowing availability under the borrowing base limitations.

The Company’s obligations under the revolving credit facility, together with treasury management and hedging obligations owing to any lender under the revolving credit facility or any affiliate of any such lender, are required to be guaranteed by each of the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. The obligations of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors under the revolving credit facility, together with such treasury management and hedging obligations, are secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all assets of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors.

The agreement governing the Company’s revolving credit facility contains affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur or guarantee indebtedness, incur liens, pay dividends and repurchase or redeem capital stock, dispose of assets, engage in mergers and consolidations, make acquisitions or other investments, redeem or prepay subordinated debt, amend subordinated debt documents, make changes in the nature of its business, and engage in transactions with affiliates. The agreement also contains financial covenants, including a minimum consolidated net worth of $330.0 million plus 50% of the borrowers' consolidated net income for each fiscal year beginning with 2017, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 2.5 to 1.0, a maximum ratio of total debt to consolidated adjusted net worth of 2.0 to 1.0, and a maximum ratio of subordinated debt to consolidated adjusted net worth of 1.0 to 1.0. The agreement allows the Company to incur subordinated debt that matures after the termination date for the revolving credit facility and that contains specified subordination terms, subject to limitations on amount imposed by the financial covenants under the agreement.

In addition, the agreement establishes a maximum specified level for the collateral performance indicator.

The collateral performance indicator is equal to the sum of (a) a three-month rolling average rate of receivables at least sixty days past due and (b) an eight-month rolling average net charge-off rate. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at