CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. - Quarter Report: 2019 March (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019

Commission file number: 1-11416

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including Area Code: (949) 753-6800

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: N/A

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes [X] No [_]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes [X] No [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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)

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the 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. [_]

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

As of May 2, 2019 the registrant had 22,149,142 common shares outstanding.

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2019

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands)

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

We were formed in California on March 8, 1991. We specialize in purchasing and servicing retail automobile installment sale contracts (“automobile contracts” or “finance receivables”) originated by licensed motor vehicle dealers located throughout the United States (“dealers”) in the sale of new and used automobiles, light trucks and passenger vans. Through our purchases, we provide indirect financing to dealer customers for borrowers with limited credit histories or past credit problems (“sub-prime customers”). We serve as an alternative source of financing for dealers, allowing sales to customers who otherwise might not be able to obtain financing. In addition to purchasing installment purchase contracts directly from dealers, we have also (i) lent money directly to consumers for loans secured by vehicles, (ii) purchased immaterial amounts of vehicle purchase money loans from non-affiliated lenders, and (iii) acquired installment purchase contracts in four merger and acquisition transactions. In this report, we refer to all of such contracts and loans as "automobile contracts."

Basis of Presentation

Our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, with the instructions to Form 10-Q and with Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and include all adjustments that are, in management’s opinion, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are, in the opinion of management, of a normal recurring nature. Results for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full year.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted from these Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. These Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reported periods.

Finance Receivables Measured at Fair Value

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted the fair value method of accounting for finance receivables acquired on or after that date. For each finance receivable acquired after 2017, we consider the price paid on the purchase date as the fair value for such receivable.  We estimate the cash to be received in the future with respect to such receivables, based on our experience with similar receivables acquired in the past.  We then compute the internal rate of return that results in the present value of those estimated cash receipts being equal to the purchase date fair value. Thereafter, we recognize interest income on such receivables on a level yield basis using that internal rate of return as the applicable interest rate. Cash received with respect to such receivables is applied first against such interest income, and then to reduce the carrying value of the receivables.

We re-evaluate the fair value of such receivables at the close of each measurement period. If the reevaluation were to yield a value materially different from the carrying value, an adjustment would be required.

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Anticipated credit losses are included in our estimation of cash to be received with respect to receivables.  Because such credit losses are included in our computation of the appropriate level yield, we do not thereafter make periodic provision for credit losses, as our best estimate of the lifetime aggregate of credit losses is included in that initial computation. Also because we include anticipated credit losses in our computation of the level yield, the computed level yield is materially lower than the average contractual rate applicable to the receivables. Because our initial carrying value is fixed as the price we pay for the receivable, rather than as the contractual principal balance, we do not record acquisition fees as an amortizing asset related to the receivables, nor do we capitalize costs of acquiring the receivables. Rather we recognize the costs of acquisition as expenses in the period incurred.

Other Income

The following table presents the primary components of Other Income for the three-month periods ending March 31, 2019 and 2018:

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. The majority of the Company’s revenues come from interest income which is outside the scope of ASC 606. The Company’s services that fall within the scope of ASC 606 are presented within Other Income and are recognized as revenue as the Company satisfies its obligation to the customer. Services within the scope of ASC 606 include revenue associated with direct mail and other related products and services that we offer to our dealers.

Leases

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted guidance Accounting Standards Update (“ASU 2016-02”) Topic 842, “Leases” using the modified retrospective transition method. Prior comparable periods are presented accordance with previous guidance under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 840, “Leases.” The Company also elected the package of practical expedients, which allows the Company to not reassess if expired or existing contracts contain leases, to not reassess lease classifications for any expired or existing leases and to not reassess existing leases initial direct costs.

We determine if a contract contains a lease at contract inception. Right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. In determining the present value of lease payments, we use the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. Right-of-use assets are included in other assets and lease liabilities are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2019.

The Company has operating leases for corporate offices, equipment, software and hardware. The Company has entered into operating leases for the majority of its real estate locations, primarily office space. These leases are generally for periods of three to seven years with various renewal options. The depreciable life of leased assets is limited by the expected lease term. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet and the related lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table presents the supplemental balance sheet information related to leases:

The following table presents the leases expense included in Occupancy, General and administrative on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations:

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table presents the supplemental cash flow information related to leases:

Stock-based Compensation

We recognize compensation costs in the financial statements for all share-based payments based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718 “Stock Compensation”.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we recorded stock-based compensation costs in the amount of $638,000 and $1.2 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2019, unrecognized stock-based compensation costs to be recognized over future periods equaled $3.0 million. This amount will be recognized as expense over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.

The following represents stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2019:

At March 31, 2019, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable was $6.2 million and $6.2 million, respectively. There were 78,000 options exercised for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to 307,850 for the comparable period in 2018. The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $227,000 and $849,000 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. There were 2,873,000 shares available for future stock option grants under existing plans as of March 31, 2019.

Purchases of Company Stock

The table below describes the purchase of our common stock for the three-month ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Reclassifications

Some items in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Reclassifications had no effect on net income or shareholders’ equity.

Financial Covenants

Certain of our securitization transactions, our warehouse credit facilities and our residual interest financing contain various financial covenants requiring minimum financial ratios and results. Such covenants include maintaining minimum levels of liquidity and net worth and not exceeding maximum leverage levels. As of March 31, 2019, we were in compliance with all such covenants. In addition, certain of our debt agreements other than our term securitizations contain cross-default provisions. Such cross-default provisions would allow the respective creditors to declare a default if an event of default occurred with respect to other indebtedness of ours, but only if such other event of default were to be accompanied by acceleration of such other indebtedness.

Provision for Contingent Liabilities

We are routinely involved in various legal proceedings resulting from our consumer finance activities and practices, both continuing and discontinued. Our legal counsel has advised us on such matters where, based on information available at the time of this report, there is an indication that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably determined.

We record at each measurement date, most recently as of March 31, 2019, our best estimate of probable incurred losses for legal contingencies. The amount of losses that may ultimately be incurred cannot be estimated with certainty.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”), which modifies lease accounting for lessees to increase transparency and comparability by recording lease assets and liabilities for operating leases and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. We have adopted ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019 utilizing the modified retrospective transition method. The lease liability and right-of-use asset, net balance as of March 31, 2019, respectively, was $23.3 million and $21.9 million. This entry to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets had no material impact to its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(2) Finance Receivables

Our portfolio of finance receivables consists of small-balance homogeneous contracts comprising a single segment and class that is collectively evaluated for impairment on a portfolio basis according to delinquency status. Our contract purchase guidelines are designed to produce a homogenous portfolio. For key terms such as interest rate, length of contract, monthly payment and amount financed, there is relatively little variation from the average for the portfolio. We report delinquency on a contractual basis. Once a contract becomes greater than 90 days delinquent, we do not recognize additional interest income until the obligor under the contract makes sufficient payments to be less than 90 days delinquent. Any payments received on a contract that is greater than 90 days delinquent are first applied to accrued interest and then to principal reduction.

In January 2018 the Company adopted the fair value method of accounting for finance receivables acquired after 2017. Finance receivables measured at fair value are recorded separately on the Company’s Balance Sheet and are excluded from all tables in this footnote.

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table presents the components of Finance Receivables, net of unearned interest:

We consider an automobile contract delinquent when an obligor fails to make at least 90% of a contractually due payment by the following due date, which date may have been extended within limits specified in the servicing agreements. The period of delinquency is based on the number of days payments are contractually past due, as extended where applicable. Automobile contracts less than 31 days delinquent are not included. In certain circumstances we will grant obligors one-month payment extensions to assist them with temporary cash flow problems. The only modification of terms is to advance the obligor’s next due date by one month and extend the maturity date of the receivable by one month. In certain limited cases, a two-month extension may be granted. There are no other concessions such as a reduction in interest rate, forgiveness of principal or of accrued interest. Accordingly, we consider such extensions to be insignificant delays in payments rather than troubled debt restructurings. The following table summarizes the delinquency status of finance receivables as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

Finance receivables totaling $26.1 million and $31.8 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, including all receivables greater than 90 days delinquent, have been placed on non-accrual status as a result of their delinquency status.

We use a loss allowance methodology commonly referred to as "static pooling," which stratifies our finance receivable portfolio into separately identified pools based on the period of origination. Using analytical and formula driven techniques, we estimate an allowance for finance credit losses, which we believe is adequate for probable incurred credit losses that can be reasonably estimated in our portfolio of automobile contracts. The estimate for probable incurred credit losses is reduced by our estimate for future recoveries on previously incurred losses. Provision for credit losses is charged to our consolidated statement of operations. Net losses incurred on finance receivables are charged to the allowance.

The following table presents a summary of the activity for the allowance for finance credit losses for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

Excluded from finance receivables are contracts that were previously classified as finance receivables but were reclassified as other assets because we have repossessed the vehicle securing the Contract. The following table presents a summary of such repossessed inventory together with the allowance for losses in repossessed inventory that is not included in the allowance for finance credit losses:

(3) Securitization Trust Debt

We have completed many securitization transactions that are structured as secured borrowings for financial accounting purposes. The debt issued in these transactions is shown on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as “Securitization trust debt,” and the components of such debt are summarized in the following table:

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CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Debt issuance costs of $12.0 million and $11.8 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, have been excluded from the table above. These debt issuance costs are presented as a direct deduction to the carrying amount of the securitization trust debt on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

All of the securitization trust debt was sold in private placement transactions to qualified institutional buyers. The debt was issued through our wholly-owned bankruptcy remote subsidiaries and is secured by the assets of such subsidiaries, but not by our other assets.

The terms of the securitization agreements related to the issuance of the securitization trust debt and the warehouse credit facilities require that we meet certain delinquency and credit loss criteria with respect to the pool of receivables, and certain of the agreements require that we maintain minimum levels of liquidity and not exceed maximum leverage levels. As of March 31, 2019, we were in compliance with all such covenants.

We are responsible for the administration and collection of the automobile contracts. The securitization agreements also require certain funds be held in restricted cash accounts to provide additional collateral for the borrowings, to be applied to make payments on the securitization trust debt or as pre-funding proceeds from a term securitization prior to the purchase of additional collateral. As of March 31, 2019, restricted cash under the various agreements totaled approximately $135.5 million. Interest expense on the securitization trust debt consists of the stated rate of interest plus amortization of additional costs of borrowing. Additional costs of borrowing include facility fees, amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts on notes sold. Deferred financing costs and discounts on notes sold related to the securitization trust debt are amortized using a level yield method. Accordingly, the effective cost of the securitization trust debt is greater than the contractual rate of interest disclosed above.

Our wholly-owned bankruptcy remote subsidiaries were formed to facilitate the above asset-backed financing transactions. Similar bankruptcy remote subsidiaries issue the debt outstanding under our credit facilities. Bankruptcy remote refers to a legal structure in which it is expected that the applicable entity would not be included in any bankruptcy filing by its parent or affiliates. All of the assets of these subsidiaries have been pledged as collateral for the related debt. All such transactions, treated as secured financings for accounting and tax purposes, are treated as sales for all other purposes, including legal and bankruptcy purposes. None of the assets of these subsidiaries are available to pay other creditors.

On April 17, 2019 we completed our second securitization transaction of 2019. In the transaction, qualified institutional buyers purchased $228.3 million of asset-backed notes secured by $230 million in automobile receivables purchased by us. The sold notes, issued by CPS Auto Receivables Trust 2019-B, consist of six classes. Ratings of the notes were provided by Standard & Poor’s and Kroll Bond Rating Agency, and were based on the structure of the transaction, the historical performance of similar receivables and CPS’s experience as a servicer. The weighted average yield on the notes is approximately 3.95%.

(4) Debt

The terms and amounts of our other debt outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are summarized below:

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On February 22, 2019 we renewed our $100 million warehouse credit line that was first established in May 2012. There was $46.9 million outstanding under this facility at March 31, 2019. The revolving period for this facility was extended to February 2021 followed by an amortization period through February 2023 for any receivables pledged at the end of the revolving period.

Unamortized debt issuance costs of $801,000 and $894,000 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, have been excluded from the amount reported above for residual interest financing. Similarly, unamortized debt issuance costs of $1.9 million and $1.2 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, have been excluded from the Warehouse lines of credit amounts in the table above. These debt issuance costs are presented as a direct deduction to the carrying amount of the debt on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(5) Interest Income and Interest Expense

The following table presents the components of interest income:

The following table presents the components of interest expense:

(6) Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were calculated using the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the related period. The following table reconciles the number of shares used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

If the anti-dilutive effects of common stock equivalents were considered, shares included in the diluted earnings per share calculation for the three-months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 would have included an additional 10.5 million and 9.3 million shares, respectively, attributable to the exercise of outstanding options and warrants.

(7) Income Taxes

We file numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns with the United States and with many states. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, or local examinations by tax authorities for years before 2013.

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had no unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions. We do not anticipate that total unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change due to any settlements of audits or expirations of statutes of limitations over the next 12 months.

The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return and combined or stand-alone state franchise tax returns for certain states. We utilize the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, under which deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement values of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Deferred tax assets are recognized subject to management’s judgment that realization is more likely than not. A valuation allowance is recognized for a deferred tax asset if, based on the weight of the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. Although realization is not assured, we believe that the realization of the recognized net deferred tax asset of $18.3 million as of March 31, 2019 is more likely than not based on forecasted future net earnings. Our net deferred tax asset of $18.3 million consists of approximately $13.2 million of net U.S. federal deferred tax assets and $5.1 million of net state deferred tax assets.

Income tax expense was $937,000 and $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, which represents an effective income tax rate of 35% and 31%, respectively.

(8) Legal Proceedings

Consumer Litigation. We are routinely involved in various legal proceedings resulting from our consumer finance activities and practices, both continuing and discontinued. Consumers can and do initiate lawsuits against us alleging violations of law applicable to collection of receivables, and such lawsuits sometimes allege that resolution as a class action is appropriate.

For the most part, we have legal and factual defenses to consumer claims, which we routinely contest or settle (for immaterial amounts) depending on the particular circumstances of each case.

Wage and Hour Claim. On September 24, 2018, a former employee filed a lawsuit against us in the Superior Court of Orange County, California, alleging that we incorrectly classified our sales and marketing representatives as outside salespersons exempt from overtime wages, mandatory break periods and certain other employee protective provisions of California and federal law. The complaint seeks injunctive relief, an award of unpaid wages, liquidated damages, and attorney fees and interest. The plaintiff purports to act on behalf of a class of similarly situated employees and ex-employees. As of the date of this report, no motion for class certification has been filed or granted.

We believe that our compensation practices with respect to our marketing representatives are compliant with applicable law. Accordingly, we have defended and intend to continue to defend this lawsuit. We have not recorded a liability with respect to this claim on the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In General. There can be no assurance as to the outcomes of the matters described or referenced above. We record at each measurement date, most recently as of March 31, 2019, our best estimate of probable incurred losses for legal contingencies, including each of the matters described or referenced above. The amount of losses that may ultimately be incurred cannot be estimated with certainty. However, based on such information as is available to us, we believe that the total of probable incurred losses for legal contingencies as of March 31, 2019 is immaterial, and that the range of reasonably possible losses for the legal proceedings and contingencies we face, including those described or referenced above, as of March 31, 2019 does not exceed $3 million.

Accordingly, we believe that the ultimate resolution of such legal proceedings and contingencies should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition. We note, however, that in light of the uncertainties inherent in contested proceedings there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not be material to our operating results for a particular period, depending on, among other factors, the size of the loss or liability imposed and the level of our income for that period.

(9) Employee Benefits

On March 8, 2002 we acquired MFN Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries in a merger. We sponsor the MFN Financial Corporation Benefit Plan (the “Plan”). Plan benefits were frozen June 30, 2001. The table below sets forth the Plan’s net periodic benefit cost the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

We did not make any contributions to the Plan during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. We do not anticipate making any contributions for the remainder of 2019.

(10) Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements" clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. Under the standard, fair value measurements would be separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy.

ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurement and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The three levels are defined as follows: level 1 - inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets; level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Effective January 2018 we have elected to use the fair value method to value our portfolio of finance receivables acquired in January 2018 and thereafter.

Our valuation policies and procedures have been developed by our Accounting department in conjunction with our Risk department and with consultation with outside valuation experts. Our policies and procedures have been approved by our Chief Executive and our Board of Directors and include methodologies for valuation, internal reporting, calibration and back testing. Our periodic review of valuations includes an analysis of changes in fair value measurements and documentation of the reasons for such changes. There is little available third-party information such as broker quotes or pricing services available to assist us in our valuation process.

Our level 3, unobservable inputs reflect our own assumptions about the factors that market participants use in pricing similar receivables and are based on the best information available in the circumstances. They include such inputs as estimates for the magnitude and timing of net charge-offs and the rate of amortization of the portfolio of finance receivable. Significant changes in any of those inputs in isolation would have a significant impact on our fair value measurement.

The table below presents a reconciliation of the finance receivables measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs:

The table below compares the fair values of these finance receivables to their contractual balances for the periods shown:

The following table provides certain qualitative information about our level 3 fair value measurements:

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table summarizes the delinquency status of these finance receivables measured at fair value as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

Repossessed vehicle inventory, which is included in Other assets on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet, is measured at fair value using level 2 assumptions based on our actual loss experience on sale of repossessed vehicles. At March 31, 2019 the finance receivables related to the repossessed vehicles in inventory totaled $36.2 million. We have applied a valuation adjustment, or loss allowance, of $26.4 million, which is based on a recovery rate of approximately 27%, resulting in an estimated fair value and carrying amount of $9.8 million. The fair value and carrying amount of the repossessed inventory at December 31, 2018 was $8.9 million after applying a valuation adjustment of $24.6 million.

There were no transfers in or out of level 1, level 2 or level 3 assets and liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

The estimated fair values of financial assets and liabilities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, were as follows:

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

We are a specialty finance company. Our business is to purchase and service retail automobile contracts originated primarily by franchised automobile dealers and, to a lesser extent, by select independent dealers in the United States in the sale of new and used automobiles, light trucks and passenger vans. Through our automobile contract purchases, we provide indirect financing to the customers of dealers who have limited credit histories, low incomes or past credit problems, who we refer to as sub-prime customers. We serve as an alternative source of financing for dealers, facilitating sales to customers who otherwise might not be able to obtain financing from traditional sources, such as commercial banks, credit unions and the captive finance companies affiliated with major automobile manufacturers. In addition to purchasing installment purchase contracts directly from dealers, we have also (i) acquired installment purchase contracts in four merger and acquisition transactions, (ii) purchased immaterial amounts of vehicle purchase money loans from non-affiliated lenders, and (iii) directly originated an immaterial amount of vehicle purchase money loans by lending money directly to consumers. In this report, we refer to all of such contracts and loans as "automobile contracts."

We were incorporated and began our operations in March 1991. From inception through March 31, 2019, we have originated a total of approximately $15.5 billion of automobile contracts, primarily by purchasing retail installment sales contracts from dealers, and to a lesser degree, by originating loans secured by automobiles directly with consumers. In addition, we acquired a total of approximately $822.3 million of automobile contracts in mergers and acquisitions in 2002, 2003, 2004 and, most recently, in September 2011. The September 2011 acquisition consisted of approximately $217.8 million of automobile contracts that we purchased from Fireside Bank of Pleasanton, California. In 2004 and 2009, we were appointed as a third-party servicer for certain portfolios of automobile contracts originated and owned by non-affiliated entities. Recent contract purchase volumes and managed portfolio levels are shown in the table below:

Our principal executive offices are in Las Vegas, Nevada. Most of our operational and administrative functions take place in Irvine, California. Credit and underwriting functions are performed primarily in that California branch with certain of these functions also performed in our Florida and Nevada branches. We service our automobile contracts from our California, Nevada, Virginia, Florida and Illinois branches.

The programs we offer to dealers and consumers are intended to serve a wide range of sub-prime customers, primarily through franchised new car dealers. We originate automobile contracts with the intention of financing them on a long-term basis through securitizations. Securitizations are transactions in which we sell a specified pool of contracts to a special purpose subsidiary of ours, which in turn issues asset-backed securities to fund the purchase of the pool of contracts from us.

Securitization and Warehouse Credit Facilities

Throughout the period for which information is presented in this report, we have purchased automobile contracts with the intention of financing them on a long-term basis through securitizations, and on an interim basis through warehouse credit facilities. All such financings have involved identification of specific automobile contracts, sale of those automobile contracts (and associated rights) to one of our special-purpose subsidiaries, and issuance of asset-backed securities to be purchased by institutional investors. Depending on the structure, these transactions may be accounted for under generally accepted accounting principles as sales of the automobile contracts or as secured financings.

When structured to be treated as a secured financing for accounting purposes, the subsidiary is consolidated with us. Accordingly, the sold automobile contracts and the related debt appear as assets and liabilities, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheet. We then periodically (i) recognize interest and fee income on the contracts, and (ii) recognize interest expense on the securities issued in the transaction. For automobile contracts acquired before 2018, we also periodically record as expense a provision for credit losses on the contracts; for automobile contracts acquired after 2017 we take account of estimated credit losses in our computation of a level yield used to determine recognition of interest on the contracts.

Since 1994 we have conducted 81 term securitizations of automobile contracts that we originated. As of March 31, 2019, 20 of those securitizations are active and all are structured as secured financings. Since September 2010 we have utilized senior subordinated structures without any financial guarantees. We have generally conducted our securitizations on a quarterly basis, near the end of each calendar quarter, resulting in four securitizations per calendar year. However, in 2015, we elected to defer what would have been our December securitization in favor of a securitization in January 2016, and since that time have generally conducted our securitizations near the beginning of each calendar quarter.

Our recent history of term securitizations is summarized in the table below:

Generally, prior to a securitization transaction we fund our automobile contract purchases primarily with proceeds from warehouse credit facilities. Our current short-term funding capacity is $300 million, comprising three credit facilities. The first $100 million credit facility was established in May 2012. This facility was most recently renewed in September 2018, extending the revolving period to September 2020, with an optional amortization period through September 2021. In April 2015, we entered into a second $100 million facility. This facility was renewed in April 2017 and again in February 2019, extending the revolving period to February 2021, followed by an amortization period to February 2023. In November 2015, we entered into a third $100 million facility. This facility was renewed in November 2017, extending the revolving period to November 2019, followed by an amortization period to November 2021.

In a securitization and in our warehouse credit facilities, we are required to make certain representations and warranties, which are generally similar to the representations and warranties made by dealers in connection with our purchase of the automobile contracts. If we breach any of our representations or warranties, we will be obligated to repurchase the automobile contract at a price equal to the principal balance plus accrued and unpaid interest. We may then be entitled under the terms of our dealer agreement to require the selling dealer to repurchase the contract at a price equal to our purchase price, less any principal payments made by the customer. Subject to any recourse against dealers, we will bear the risk of loss on repossession and resale of vehicles under automobile contracts that we repurchase.

In a securitization, the related special purpose subsidiary may be unable to release excess cash to us if the credit performance of the securitized automobile contracts falls short of pre-determined standards. Such releases represent a material portion of the cash that we use to fund our operations. An unexpected deterioration in the performance of securitized automobile contracts could therefore have a material adverse effect on both our liquidity and results of operations.

Financial Covenants

Certain of our securitization transactions and our warehouse credit facilities contain various financial covenants requiring certain minimum financial ratios and results. Such covenants include maintaining minimum levels of liquidity and net worth and not exceeding maximum leverage levels. In addition, certain of our debt agreements other than our term securitizations contain cross-default provisions. Such cross-default provisions would allow the respective creditors to declare a default if an event of default occurred with respect to other indebtedness of ours, but only if such other event of default were to be accompanied by acceleration of such other indebtedness. As of March 31, 2019, we were in compliance with all such covenants.

Results of Operations

Comparison of Operating Results for the three months ended March 31, 2019 with the three months ended March 31, 2018

Revenues.  During the three months ended March 31, 2019, our revenues were $88.2 million, a decrease of $15.3 million, or 14.8%, from the prior year revenue of $103.6 million. The primary reason for the decrease in revenues is a decrease in interest income. Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 decreased $15.1 million, or 14.9%, to $85.8 million from $100.9 million in the prior year. The primary reason for the decrease in interest income is the lower interest yield on the receivables measured at fair value. The interest yield on receivables measured at fair value is reduced to take account of expected losses and is therefore less than the yield on other finance receivables. The table below shows the average balances and interest yields of our loan portfolio for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

In the three months ended March 31, 2019, other income of $2.4 million decreased by $272,000, or 10.2% compared to the prior year. The three-month period ended March 31, 2019 includes a decrease of $461,000 in revenues associated with direct mail and other related products and services that we offer to our dealers and a decrease of $61,000 on payments to us for our interest in certain sold charge offs and acquired third-party portfolios. These were partially offset by an increase of $250,000 in payments from third-party providers of convenience fees paid by our customers for web based and other electronic payments

Expenses.  Our operating expenses consist largely of interest expense, provision for credit losses, employee costs, marketing and general and administrative expenses. Provision for credit losses is affected by the balance and credit performance of our portfolio of finance receivables (other than our portfolio of finance receivables measured at fair value, as to which expected credit losses have the effect of reducing the interest rate applicable to such receivables). Interest expense is significantly affected by the volume of automobile contracts we purchased during the trailing 12-month period and the use of our warehouse facilities and asset-backed securitizations to finance those contracts. Employee costs and general and administrative expenses are incurred as applications and automobile contracts are received, processed and serviced. Factors that affect margins and net income include changes in the automobile and automobile finance market environments, and macroeconomic factors such as interest rates and changes in the unemployment level.

Employee costs include base salaries, commissions and bonuses paid to employees, and certain expenses related to the accounting treatment of outstanding stock options, and are one of our most significant operating expenses. These costs (other than those relating to stock options) generally fluctuate with the level of applications and automobile contracts processed and serviced.

Other operating expenses consist largely of facilities expenses, telephone and other communication services, credit services, computer services, marketing and advertising expenses, and depreciation and amortization.

Total operating expenses were $85.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $99.0 million for the prior period, a decrease of $13.4 million, or 13.6%. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in provision for credit losses and employee costs, offsetting increases in interest expense and general and administrative expenses.

Employee costs decreased by $1.6 million or 7.6%, to $19.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019, representing 22.3% of total operating expenses, from $20.6 million for the prior year, or 20.9% of total operating expenses. The decrease in employee costs were partially a result of a decrease of $547,000 in stock compensation expense. The table below summarizes our employees by category as well as contract purchases and units in our managed portfolio as of, and for the three-month periods ended, March 31, 2019 and 2018:

General and administrative expenses include costs associated with purchasing and servicing our portfolio of finance receivables, including expenses for facilities, credit services, and telecommunications. General and administrative expenses were $8.2 million, an increase of $679,000 or 9.1% compared to the previous year and represented 9.6% of total operating expenses.

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased by $3.2 million to $27.3 million, or 13.4% and represented 31.9% of total operating expenses, compared to $24.1 million in the previous year, when it was 24.3% of total operating expenses.

Interest on securitization trust debt increased by $2.2 million, or 9.9%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the prior period. The average balance of securitization trust debt increased 1.6% to $2,193.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $2,158.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. In addition, the blended interest rates on new term securitizations have generally increased since June 2014. As a result, the cost of securitization debt during the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 was 4.4%, compared to 4.0% in the prior year period. For any particular quarterly securitization transaction, the blended cost of funds is ultimately the result of many factors including the market interest rates for benchmark swaps of various maturities against which our bonds are priced and the margin over those benchmarks that investors are willing to accept, which in turn, is influenced by investor demand for our bonds at the time of the securitization. These and other factors have resulted in a general trend toward higher securitization trust debt interest costs in 2019. The blended interest rates of our recent securitizations are summarized in the table below:

Interest expense on subordinated renewable notes decreased by $20,000, or 5.8%. The average balance of the outstanding subordinated debt decreased 12.9% to $14.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $16.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. However, the average yield of subordinated notes increased to 9.1% in the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 compared to 8.4% in the prior period.

Interest expense on warehouse debt increased by $133,000, or 7.1%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the prior period. The average rate on the debt decreased to 10.3% in the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 compared to 12.3% in the prior period. However, the decrease was offset by higher outstanding warehouse debt balance in the current period.

Interest expense on residual interest financing was $956,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019. There was no residual interest financing debt outstanding in the prior year period.

The following table presents the components of interest income and interest expense and a net interest yield analysis for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

The reduction in the annualized yield on our finance receivables for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the prior year period is the result of the lower interest yield on the receivables measured at fair value. The interest yield on receivables measured at fair value is reduced to take account of expected losses and is therefore less than the yield on other finance receivables. The average balance of these receivables was $955.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $133.5 million in the prior year period.

Provision for credit losses was $24.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, a decrease of $16.6 million, or 40.9% compared to the prior year and represented 28.0% of total operating expenses. The provision for credit losses maintains the allowance for finance credit losses at levels that we feel are adequate for probable incurred credit losses that can be reasonably estimated. Our approach for establishing the allowance requires greater amounts of provision for credit losses early in the terms of our finance receivables. In addition, we monitor the delinquency and net charge off rates in our portfolio to consider how such rates may affect the allowance for finance credit losses. Finance receivables that we have originated since January 2018 are accounted for at fair value. Under the fair value method of accounting, we recognize interest income under the interest method on a level yield basis based on forecasted future cash flows net of expected credit losses. Thus, no provision for credit loss expense is recorded for finance receivables measured at fair value.

Marketing expenses consist primarily of commission-based compensation paid to our employee marketing representatives. Our marketing representatives earn a salary plus commissions based on volume of contract purchases and sales of ancillary products and services that we offer our dealers, such as training programs, internet lead sales, and direct mail products. Marketing expenses increased by $625,000, or 14.8%, to $4.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $4.2 million in the prior year period, and represented 5.7% of total operating expenses. Although our marketing staff was unchanged as of March 31, 2019 compared March 31, 2018, we have gradually shifted to more field marketing representatives as compared to in-house marketing representatives. Field marketing representatives are somewhat more costly than in-house marketing representatives, but we feel will ultimately be more effective. The increase in marketing expenses can also be attributed to the increase in the volume of contact purchases. We purchased 13,942 contracts representing $243.0 million in receivables during the three-month period ending March 31, 2019 compared to 13,067 contracts representing $210.6 million in receivables in the prior period.

Occupancy expenses increased by $124,000 or 6.7%, to $2.0 million compared to $1.9 million in the previous year and represented 2.3% of total operating expenses.

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $11,000 or 4.6%, to $251,000 compared to $240,000 in the previous year and represented 0.3% of total operating expenses.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 we recorded income tax expense of $937,000, representing a 35.0% effective income tax rate. In the prior year period, we recorded $1.4 million in income tax expense, representing a 31.0% effective income tax rate.

Credit Experience

Our financial results are dependent on the performance of the automobile contracts in which we retain an ownership interest. Broad economic factors such as recession and significant changes in unemployment levels influence the credit performance of our portfolio, as does the weighted average age of the receivables at any given time. The tables below document the delinquency, repossession and net credit loss experience of all such automobile contracts that we originated or own an interest in as of the respective dates shown. The tables do not include the experience of third party originated and owned portfolios.

Delinquency, Repossession and Extension Experience (1)

Total Owned Portfolio

____________________________________

Net Charge-Off Experience (1)

Total Owned Portfolio 

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Extensions

In certain circumstances we will grant obligors one-month payment extensions to assist them with temporary cash flow problems. In general, an obligor would not be entitled to more than two such extensions in any 12-month period and no more than six over the life of the contract. The only modification of terms is to advance the obligor’s next due date by one month and extend the maturity date of the receivable by one month. In some cases, a two-month extension may be granted. There are no other concessions such as a reduction in interest rate, forgiveness of principal or of accrued interest. Accordingly, we consider such extensions to be insignificant delays in payments rather than troubled debt restructurings.

The basic question in deciding to grant an extension is whether or not we will (a) be delaying the inevitable repossession and liquidation or (b) risk losing the vehicle as a result of not being able to locate the obligor and vehicle. In both of those situations, the loss would likely be higher than if the vehicle had been repossessed without the extension. The benefits of granting an extension include minimizing current losses and delinquencies, minimizing lifetime losses, getting the obligor’s account current (or close to it) and building goodwill with the obligor so that he might prioritize us over other creditors on future payments. Our servicing staff are trained to identify when a past due obligor is facing a temporary problem that may be resolved with an extension. In most cases, the extension will be granted in conjunction with our receiving a past due payment (and where allowed by law, a nominal fee, applied to the loan as a partial payment) from the obligor, thereby indicating an additional monetary and psychological commitment to the contract on the obligor’s part.

The credit assessment for granting an extension is initially made by our collector, who bases the recommendation on the collector’s discussions with the obligor. In such assessments the collector will consider, among other things, the following factors: (1) the reason the obligor has fallen behind in payment; (2) whether or not the reason for the delinquency is temporary, and if it is, have conditions changed such that the obligor can begin making regular monthly payments again after the extension; (3) the obligor's past payment history, including past extensions if applicable; and (4) the obligor’s willingness to communicate and cooperate on resolving the delinquency. If the collector believes the obligor is a good candidate for an extension, he must obtain approval from his supervisor, who will review the same factors stated above prior to offering the extension to the obligor. After receiving an extension, an account remains subject to our normal policies and procedures for interest accrual, reporting delinquency and recognizing charge-offs.

We believe that a prudent extension program is an integral component to mitigating losses in our portfolio of sub-prime automobile receivables. The table below summarizes the status, as of March 31, 2019, for accounts that received extensions from 2008 through 2017 (2018 extension data are not included at this time due to insufficient passage of time for meaningful evaluation of results):