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ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC - Quarter Report: 2016 June (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
_________________________________________________________________________________ 
FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016
OR
¨
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: 000-26489
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
48-1090909
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
3111 Camino Del Rio North, Suite 103
San Diego, California
92108
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)
(877) 445 - 4581
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Not Applicable)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
_______________________________________________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the last 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨
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  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer  x        Accelerated filer   ¨        Non-accelerated filer  ¨        Smaller reporting company  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
 
Outstanding at July 28, 2016
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
 
25,526,835 shares


Table of Contents


ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1—Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(In Thousands, Except Par Value Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
June 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
139,009

 
$
123,993

Investment in receivable portfolios, net
2,469,593

 
2,440,669

Property and equipment, net
67,428

 
72,546

Deferred court costs, net
69,150

 
75,239

Other assets
184,721

 
148,762

Goodwill
840,544

 
924,847

Assets associated with discontinued operations

 
388,763

Total assets
$
3,770,445

 
$
4,174,819

Liabilities and equity
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
217,215

 
$
290,608

Debt
2,849,066

 
2,944,063

Other liabilities
30,451

 
59,226

Liabilities associated with discontinued operations

 
232,434

Total liabilities
3,096,732

 
3,526,331

Commitments and contingencies


 


Redeemable noncontrolling interest
40,736

 
38,624

Redeemable equity component of convertible senior notes
4,588

 
6,126

Equity:
 
 
 
Convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 50,000 shares authorized, 25,527 shares and 25,288 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
255

 
253

Additional paid-in capital
112,959

 
110,533

Accumulated earnings
598,771

 
543,489

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(92,536
)
 
(57,822
)
Total Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity
619,449

 
596,453

Noncontrolling interest
8,940

 
7,285

Total equity
628,389

 
603,738

Total liabilities, redeemable equity and equity
$
3,770,445

 
$
4,174,819

The following table includes assets that can only be used to settle the liabilities of the Company’s consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to the Company. These assets and liabilities are included in the consolidated statements of financial condition above. See Note 11, “Variable Interest Entity” for additional information on the Company’s VIE.
 
June 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
37,464

 
$
50,483

Investment in receivable portfolios, net
1,176,446

 
1,197,513

Property and equipment, net
16,447

 
19,767

Deferred court costs, net
33,018

 
33,296

Other assets
45,711

 
31,679

Goodwill
637,156

 
706,812

Assets associated with discontinued operations

 
92,985

Liabilities
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
92,210

 
$
142,375

Debt
1,637,825

 
1,665,009

Other liabilities
719

 
839

Liabilities associated with discontinued operations

 
58,923

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

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Table of Contents

ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from receivable portfolios, net
$
267,452

 
$
270,301

 
$
537,546

 
$
534,411

Other revenues
21,990

 
12,361

 
40,913

 
26,033

Total revenues
289,442

 
282,662

 
578,459

 
560,444

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
75,499

 
65,569

 
145,141

 
131,121

Cost of legal collections
46,807

 
57,076

 
101,115

 
112,074

Other operating expenses
24,946

 
21,735

 
51,289

 
46,061

Collection agency commissions
9,274

 
8,466

 
19,394

 
19,151

General and administrative expenses
32,934

 
37,638

 
68,173

 
68,835

Depreciation and amortization
8,235

 
7,878

 
18,096

 
16,015

Total operating expenses
197,695

 
198,362

 
403,208

 
393,257

Income from operations
91,747

 
84,300

 
175,251

 
167,187

Other (expense) income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(50,597
)
 
(46,250
)
 
(101,288
)
 
(88,553
)
Other income
3,134

 
395

 
10,258

 
2,512

Total other expense
(47,463
)
 
(45,855
)
 
(91,030
)
 
(86,041
)
Income before income taxes
44,284

 
38,445

 
84,221

 
81,146

Provision for income taxes
(13,451
)
 
(14,921
)
 
(23,599
)
 
(29,535
)
Income from continuing operations
30,833

 
23,524

 
60,622

 
51,611

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

 
1,661

 
(3,182
)
 
3,541

Net income
30,833

 
25,185

 
57,440

 
55,152

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(1,245
)
 
2,472

 
(2,158
)
 
1,930

Net income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders
$
29,588

 
$
27,657

 
$
55,282

 
$
57,082

Amounts attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc.:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
$
29,588

 
$
25,996

 
$
58,464

 
$
53,541

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

 
1,661

 
(3,182
)
 
3,541

Net income
$
29,588

 
$
27,657

 
$
55,282

 
$
57,082

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc.:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
1.15

 
$
1.00

 
$
2.28

 
$
2.06

Discontinued operations
$

 
$
0.07

 
$
(0.12
)
 
$
0.14

Net basic earnings per share
$
1.15

 
$
1.07

 
$
2.16

 
$
2.20

Diluted earnings (loss) per share from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
1.14

 
$
0.97

 
$
2.26

 
$
1.97

Discontinued operations
$

 
$
0.06

 
$
(0.12
)
 
$
0.14

Net diluted earnings per share
$
1.14

 
$
1.03

 
$
2.14

 
$
2.11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
25,742

 
25,885

 
25,646

 
25,978

Diluted
25,874

 
26,919

 
25,871

 
27,117

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

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ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited, In Thousands)
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net income
$
30,833

 
$
25,185

 
$
57,440

 
$
55,152

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments
(562
)
 
(271
)
 
(496
)
 
589

Income tax effect
220

 
107

 
194

 
(240
)
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments, net of tax
(342
)
 
(164
)
 
(302
)
 
349

Change in foreign currency translation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized (loss) gain on foreign currency translation
(23,866
)
 
8,173

 
(35,765
)
 
(12,859
)
Income tax effect
32

 
253

 
1,353

 
(1,364
)
Unrealized (loss) gain on foreign currency translation, net of tax
(23,834
)
 
8,426

 
(34,412
)
 
(14,223
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
(24,176
)
 
8,262

 
(34,714
)
 
(13,874
)
Comprehensive income
6,657

 
33,447

 
22,726

 
41,278

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (income) loss
(1,245
)
 
2,472

 
(2,158
)
 
1,930

Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency translation
(1,260
)
 
(930
)
 
(922
)
 
652

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(2,505
)
 
1,542

 
(3,080
)
 
2,582

Comprehensive income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders
$
4,152

 
$
34,989

 
$
19,646

 
$
43,860

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

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Table of Contents

ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited, In Thousands)
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
57,440

 
$
55,152

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
1,352

 
(3,541
)
Depreciation and amortization
18,096

 
16,015

Non-cash interest expense, net
19,242

 
17,182

Stock-based compensation expense
8,869

 
12,103

Gain on derivative instruments, net
(7,531
)
 

Deferred income taxes
(25,002
)
 
765

Excess tax benefit from stock-based payment arrangements

 
(1,479
)
Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax
1,830

 

Reversal of allowances on receivable portfolios, net
(4,670
)
 
(7,219
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
 
 
Deferred court costs and other assets
(666
)
 
(13,437
)
Prepaid income tax and income taxes payable
5,260

 
(25,830
)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities
(27,236
)
 
(5,616
)
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations
46,984

 
44,095

Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations
2,096

 
3,317

Net cash provided by operating activities
49,080

 
47,412

Investing activities:
 
 
 
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(675
)
 
(237,873
)
Proceeds from divestiture of business, net of cash divested
106,041

 

Purchases of receivable portfolios, net of put-backs
(517,665
)
 
(356,302
)
Collections applied to investment in receivable portfolios, net
351,219

 
334,587

Purchases of property and equipment
(10,094
)
 
(10,642
)
Other, net
3,502

 

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations
(67,672
)
 
(270,230
)
Net cash provided by (used in) used in investing activities from discontinued operations
14,685

 
(61,652
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(52,987
)
 
(331,882
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
Payment of loan costs
(2,934
)
 
(6,574
)
Proceeds from credit facilities
288,750

 
741,665

Repayment of credit facilities
(307,946
)
 
(357,496
)
Repayment of senior secured notes
(11,256
)
 
(7,500
)
Repayment of securitized notes
(935
)
 
(22,694
)
Repurchase of common stock

 
(33,185
)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards
(4,068
)
 
(5,260
)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based payment arrangements

 
1,479

Proceeds from other debt
34,946

 

Other, net
(7,779
)
 
(6,640
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(11,222
)
 
303,795

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(15,129
)
 
19,325

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
545

 
(5,330
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
153,593

 
124,163

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
139,009

 
138,158

Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period

 
34,917

Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period
$
139,009

 
$
103,241

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

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ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Note 1: Ownership, Description of Business, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Encore Capital Group, Inc. (“Encore”), through its subsidiaries (collectively with Encore, the “Company”), is an international specialty finance company providing debt recovery solutions for consumers across a broad range of financial assets. The Company purchases portfolios of defaulted consumer receivables at deep discounts to face value and manages them by working with individuals as they repay their obligations and work toward financial recovery. Defaulted receivables are consumers’ unpaid financial commitments to credit originators, including banks, credit unions, consumer finance companies, commercial retailers, and telecommunication companies. Defaulted receivables may also include receivables subject to bankruptcy proceedings.
Financial Statement Preparation and Presentation
The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, in accordance with the instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).
In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for the interim periods presented reflects all adjustments, consisting of only normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire fiscal year.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and the disclosure of contingent amounts in the Company’s financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
Basis of Consolidation
The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, and reflect the accounts and operations of the Company and those of its subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. The Company also consolidates VIEs, for which it is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary has both (a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the entity’s economic performance, and (b) either the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits. Refer to Note 11, “Variable Interest Entity,” for further details. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Translation of Foreign Currencies
The financial statements of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using their local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates in effect during each period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income or loss. Equity accounts are translated at historical rates, except for the change in retained earnings during the year which is the result of the income statement translation process. Intercompany transaction gains or losses at each period end arising from subsequent measurement of balances for which settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future are included as translation adjustments and recorded within other comprehensive income or loss. Transaction gains and losses are included in other income or expense.
Reclassifications
Certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to the condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (ASU 2016-13). ASU 2016-13 applies a current expected credit loss model which is a new impairment model based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under this model, an entity would recognize an impairment allowance equal to its current

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estimate of all contractual cash flows that the entity does not expect to collect from financial assets measured at amortized cost. The estimate of expected credit losses should consider historical information, current information, as well as reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments. The expected credit losses, and subsequent adjustments to such losses, will be recorded through an allowance account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, with the net carrying value of the financial asset presented on the consolidated balance sheet at the amount expected to be collected. Most importantly, the standard eliminates current accounting model for loans and debt securities acquired with deteriorated credit quality, which provides authoritative guidance for the accounting of the Company’s investment in receivable portfolios. Under this new standard, entities will gross up the initial amortized cost for the purchased financial assets with credit deterioration, the initial amortized cost will be the sum of (1) the purchase price and (2) the estimate of credit losses as of the date of acquisition. ASU 2016-13 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. For public entities, ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-05, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships (“ASU 2016-05”) and ASU 2016-06, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments (“ASU 2016-06”). ASU 2016-05 clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as a hedging instrument does not, in and of itself, require dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. ASU 2016-06 clarifies the steps required to determine bifurcation of an embedded derivative. ASU 2016-05 and ASU 2016-06 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 changes accounting for leases and requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities arising from all leases, including those classified as operating leases under previous accounting guidance, on the balance sheet and requires disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements to increase transparency and comparability among organizations. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Company in its first quarter of fiscal 2019 on a modified retrospective basis and earlier adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
Change in Accounting Principle
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Cost (“ASU 2015-03”). ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. ASU 2015-03 was effective beginning January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The update requires retrospective application and represents a change in accounting principle. The Company adopted ASU 2015-03 in the first quarter of 2016 and the retrospective application of this change in accounting principle on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 reclassified debt issuance costs of $41.7 million, which were previously presented as other assets, as a reduction to the carrying value of the debt by the same amount. The adoption did not have an impact on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations or statements of cash flows in any period.
Note 2: Discontinued Operations
On March 31, 2016, the Company completed its previously announced divestiture of its membership interests in Propel Acquisition LLC (“Propel”) pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated February 19, 2016, among the Company and certain funds affiliated with Prophet Capital Asset Management LP. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the application of the purchase price formula resulted in cash consideration paid to the Company at closing of $144.4 million (net proceeds were $106.0 million after divestiture of $38.4 million in cash), subject to customary post-closing adjustments.
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recognized a loss of $3.0 million related to the sale of Propel. Propel represented the Company’s entire tax lien business reportable segment. Propel’s operations are presented as

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discontinued operations in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations. Certain immaterial costs that may be eliminated as a result of the sale remained in continuing operations.
The following table presents the results of the discontinued operations during the periods presented (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Revenue
$

 
$
7,694

 
$
4,950

 
$
15,575

Salaries and employee benefits

 
(1,976
)
 
(2,860
)
 
(4,172
)
Other operating expenses

 
(1,280
)
 
(1,473
)
 
(2,188
)
General and administrative expenses

 
(1,528
)
 
(1,551
)
 
(2,943
)
Depreciation and amortization

 
(206
)
 
(127
)
 
(419
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes

 
2,704

 
(1,061
)
 
5,853

Loss on sale of discontinued operations, before income taxes

 

 
(3,000
)
 

Total income (loss) on discontinued operations, before income taxes

 
2,704

 
(4,061
)
 
5,853

Income tax (provision) benefit

 
(1,043
)
 
879

 
(2,312
)
Total income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
$

 
$
1,661

 
$
(3,182
)
 
$
3,541

Note 3: Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings or loss per share is calculated by dividing net earnings or loss attributable to Encore by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options, restricted stock, and the dilutive effect of the convertible senior notes.
A reconciliation of shares used in calculating earnings per basic and diluted shares follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic
25,742

 
25,885

 
25,646

 
25,978

Dilutive effect of stock-based awards
132

 
196

 
225

 
283

Dilutive effect of convertible senior notes

 
838

 

 
856

Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted
25,874

 
26,919

 
25,871

 
27,117

Anti-dilutive employee stock options outstanding were zero or negligible during the periods presented above.
Note 4: Business Combinations
dlc Acquisition
On June 1, 2015, Encore’s U.K.-based subsidiary Cabot Credit Management Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Cabot”) acquired Hillesden Securities Ltd and its subsidiaries (“dlc”), a U.K.-based acquirer and collector of non-performing unsecured consumer debt for approximately £180.6 million (approximately $274.7 million), (the “dlc Acquisition”).
The dlc Acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the date of the acquisition. Fair value measurements have been applied based on assumptions that market participants would use in the pricing of the respective assets and liabilities.

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The components of the purchase price allocation for the dlc Acquisition were as follows (in thousands):
Purchase price:
 
Cash paid at acquisition
$
268,391

Deferred consideration
6,306

Total purchase price
$
274,697

 
 
Allocation of purchase price:
 
Cash
$
30,518

Investment in receivable portfolios
215,988

Deferred court costs
760

Property and equipment
1,327

Other assets
2,384

Liabilities assumed
(46,435
)
Identifiable intangible assets
3,669

Goodwill
66,486

Total net assets acquired
$
274,697

The goodwill recognized is primarily attributable to synergies that are expected to be achieved by combining dlc and Cabot's existing contingent collections operations. The entire goodwill of $66.5 million related to the dlc Acquisition is not deductible for income tax purposes.
Other Acquisitions
In addition to the dlc Acquisition discussed above, the Company, through its subsidiaries, completed certain other acquisitions in 2016 and 2015. These acquisitions were immaterial to the Company’s financial statements individually and in the aggregate.
Refer to Note 2, “Business Combinations” as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, for a complete description of the Company’s acquisition activities in 2015.
Note 5: Fair Value Measurements
The authoritative guidance for fair value measurements defines fair value as the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or the price paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the “exit price”). The guidance utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of each level:
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs, including inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

10

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Financial Instruments Required To Be Carried At Fair Value
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (in thousands):
 
Fair Value Measurements as of
June 30, 2016
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
$

 
$
6,828

 
$

 
$
6,828

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts

 
(3,623
)
 

 
(3,623
)
Interest rate swap agreements

 
(258
)
 

 
(258
)
Temporary Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests

 

 
(40,736
)
 
(40,736
)
 
Fair Value Measurements as of
December 31, 2015
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
$

 
$
718

 
$

 
$
718

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts

 
(601
)
 

 
(601
)
Interest rate swap agreements

 
(352
)
 

 
(352
)
Temporary Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests

 

 
(38,624
)
 
(38,624
)
Derivative Contracts:
The Company uses derivative instruments to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Fair values of these derivative instruments are estimated using industry standard valuation models. These models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-based observable inputs, including interest rate curves, foreign currency exchange rates, and forward and spot prices for currencies.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests:
Some minority shareholders in certain subsidiaries of the Company have the right, at certain times, to require the Company to acquire their ownership interest in those entities at fair value and, in some cases, to force a sale of the subsidiary if the Company chooses not to purchase their interests at fair value. The noncontrolling interests subject to these arrangements are included in temporary equity as redeemable noncontrolling interests, and are adjusted to their estimated redemption amounts each reporting period with a corresponding adjustment to additional paid-in capital. Future reductions in the carrying amounts are subject to a “floor” amount that is equal to the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests at the time they were originally recorded. The recorded value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests cannot go below the floor level. These adjustments do not affect the calculation of earnings per share.

11

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The components of the change in the redeemable noncontrolling interests for the periods ended June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are presented in the following table (in thousands):
 
Amount
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
28,885

Initial redeemable noncontrolling interest related to business combinations
9,409

Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
1,371

Adjustment of the redeemable noncontrolling interests to fair value
2,349

Effect of foreign currency translation attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
(3,390
)
Balance at December 31, 2015
38,624

Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
1,278

Adjustment of the redeemable noncontrolling interests to fair value
1,756

Effect of foreign currency translation attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
(922
)
Balance at June 30, 2016
$
40,736

Financial Instruments Not Required To Be Carried At Fair Value
Investment in Receivable Portfolios:
The Company records its investment in receivable portfolios at cost, which represents a significant discount from the contractual receivable balances due. The Company computes the fair value of its investment in receivable portfolios using Level 3 inputs by discounting the estimated future cash flows generated by its proprietary forecasting models. The key inputs include the estimated future gross cash flow, average cost to collect, and discount rate. In accordance with authoritative guidance related to fair value measurements, the Company estimates the average cost to collect and discount rates based on its estimate of what a market participant might use in valuing these portfolios. The determination of such inputs requires significant judgment, including assessing the assumed market participant’s cost structure, its determination of whether to include fixed costs in its valuation, its collection strategies, and determining the appropriate weighted average cost of capital. The Company evaluates the use of these key inputs on an ongoing basis and refines the data as it continues to obtain better information from market participants in the debt recovery and purchasing business.
In the Company’s current analysis, the estimated blended market participant cost to collect and discount rate is approximately 50.3% and 10.5%, respectively, for U.S. portfolios, approximately 30.0% and 12.1%, respectively, for Europe portfolios and approximately 32.3% and 11.0%, respectively for other geographies. Using this method, the fair value of investment in receivable portfolios approximates the carrying value as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. A 100 basis point fluctuation in the cost to collect and discount rate used would result in an increase or decrease in the fair value of United States and Europe portfolios by approximately $42.6 million and $53.3 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2016. This fair value calculation does not represent, and should not be construed to represent, the underlying value of the Company or the amount which could be realized if its investment in receivable portfolios were sold. The carrying value of the investment in receivable portfolios was $2.5 billion and $2.4 billion as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
Deferred Court Costs:
The Company capitalizes deferred court costs and provides a reserve for those costs that it believes will ultimately be uncollectible. The carrying value of net deferred court costs approximates fair value.
Debt:
The majority of Encore and its subsidiaries’ borrowings are carried at historical amounts, adjusted for additional borrowings less principal repayments, which approximate fair value. These borrowings include Encore’s senior secured notes and borrowings under its revolving credit and term loan facilities, Cabot’s senior secured notes and borrowings under its revolving credit facility, and other borrowing under revolving credit facilities at certain of the Company’s subsidiaries.
Encore’s convertible senior notes are carried at historical cost, adjusted for the debt discount. The carrying value of the convertible senior notes was $411.5 million and $406.6 million as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The fair value estimate for these convertible senior notes, which incorporates quoted market prices using Level 2 inputs, was approximately $354.4 million and $372.2 million as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
Cabot’s senior secured notes are carried at historical cost, adjusted for debt discount and debt premium. The carrying value of Cabot’s senior secured notes was $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion, as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015,

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respectively. The fair value estimate for these senior notes, which incorporates quoted market prices using Level 2 inputs, was $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
The Company’s preferred equity certificates are legal obligations to the noncontrolling shareholders of certain subsidiaries. They are carried at the face amount, plus any accrued interest. The Company determined that the carrying value of these preferred equity certificates approximated fair value as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
Note 6: Derivatives and Hedging Instruments
The Company may periodically enter into derivative financial instruments to manage risks related to interest rates and foreign currency. Certain of the Company’s derivative financial instruments qualify for hedge accounting treatment under the authoritative guidance for derivatives and hedging.
The following table summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments as recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition (in thousands):
 
June 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Fair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
Other assets
 
$
160

 
Other assets
 
$
718

Foreign currency exchange contracts
Other liabilities
 
(539
)
 
Other liabilities
 
(601
)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
Other assets
 
6,668

 
Other assets
 

Foreign currency exchange contracts
Other liabilities
 
(3,084
)
 
Other liabilities
 

Interest rate swap agreements
Other liabilities
 
(258
)
 
Other liabilities
 
(352
)
The Company has operations in foreign countries, which expose the Company to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations due to transactions denominated in foreign currencies. To mitigate a portion of this risk, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments, principally foreign currency forward contracts with financial counterparties. The Company adjusts the level and use of derivatives as soon as practicable after learning that an exposure has changed and reviews all exposures and derivative positions on an ongoing basis.
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Certain of the foreign currency forward contracts are designated as cash flow hedging instruments and qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Gains and losses arising from the effective portion of such contracts are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”) as gains and losses on derivative instruments, net of income taxes. The hedging gains and losses in OCI are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the same period in which the underlying transactions affect the Company’s earnings. If all or a portion of the forecasted transaction is cancelled, this would render all or a portion of the cash flow hedge ineffective and the Company would reclassify the ineffective portion of the hedge into earnings. The Company generally does not experience ineffectiveness of the hedge relationship and the accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any such gains or losses.
As of June 30, 2016, the total notional amount of the forward contracts that are designated as cash flow hedging instruments was $37.8 million. All of these outstanding contracts qualified for hedge accounting treatment. The Company estimates that approximately $0.1 million of net derivative loss included in OCI will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months. No gains or losses were reclassified from OCI into earnings as a result of forecasted transactions that failed to occur during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.

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Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the effects of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships designated as hedging instruments on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in OCI-
Effective Portion
 
Location of Gain
or (Loss)
Reclassified from
OCI into
Income - Effective
Portion
 
Gain or (Loss)
Reclassified
from OCI into
Income -  Effective
Portion
 
Location of
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized -
Ineffective
Portion and
Amount
Excluded from
Effectiveness
Testing
 
Amount of
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized -
Ineffective
Portion and
Amount
Excluded from
Effectiveness
Testing
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
Foreign currency exchange contracts
 
$
(207
)
 
$
(395
)
 
Salaries and
employee
benefits
 
$
274

 
$
(164
)
 
Other (expense)
income
 
$

 
$

Foreign currency exchange contracts
 
(36
)
 
(70
)
 
General and
administrative
expenses
 
46

 
(31
)
 
Other (expense)
income
 

 

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in OCI-
Effective Portion
 
Location of Gain
or (Loss)
Reclassified from
OCI into
Income - Effective
Portion
 
Gain or (Loss)
Reclassified
from OCI into
Income -  Effective
Portion
 
Location of
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized -
Ineffective
Portion and
Amount
Excluded from
Effectiveness
Testing
 
Amount of
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized -
Ineffective
Portion and
Amount
Excluded from
Effectiveness
Testing
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
Foreign currency exchange contracts
 
$
295

 
$
77

 
Salaries and
employee
benefits
 
$
532

 
$
(315
)
 
Other (expense)
income
 
$

 
$

Foreign currency exchange contracts
 
(190
)
 
150

 
General and
administrative
expenses
 
69

 
(47
)
 
Other (expense)
income
 

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
In 2016, Encore and its Cabot subsidiary collectively began entering into currency exchange forward contracts to reduce the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations between the British Pound and Euro. These derivative contracts generally mature within one to three months and are not designated as hedge instruments for accounting purposes. The Company continues to monitor the level of exposure of the foreign currency exchange risk and may enter into additional short-term forward contracts on an ongoing basis. The gains or losses on these derivative contracts are recognized in other income or expense based on the changes in fair value. Before the effect of income tax and noncontrolling interest, the net gain on these derivative contracts recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations was $2.0 million and $7.4 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively.

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Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the effects of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships not designated as hedging instruments on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in income on Derivative
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Foreign currency exchange contracts (1)
 
Other income (expense)
 
$
1,990

 
$

 
$
7,376

 
$

________________________
(1)
After the effect of income tax and noncontrolling interest, the net impact of the derivative contracts to consolidated net income from continuing operations attributable to Encore was a loss of $0.2 million and a gain of $1.6 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively.
Note 7: Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net
In accordance with the authoritative guidance for loans and debt securities acquired with deteriorated credit quality, discrete receivable portfolio purchases during the same fiscal quarter are aggregated into pools based on common risk characteristics. Common risk characteristics include risk ratings (e.g. FICO or similar scores), financial asset type, collateral type, size, interest rate, date of origination, term, and geographic location. The Company’s static pools are typically grouped into credit card and telecom, purchased consumer bankruptcy, and mortgage portfolios. The Company further groups these static pools by geographic region or location. Portfolios acquired in business combinations are also grouped into these pools. During any fiscal quarter in which the Company has an acquisition of an entity that has portfolio, the entire historical portfolio of the acquired company is aggregated into the pool groups for that quarter, based on common characteristics, resulting in pools for that quarter that may consist of several different vintages of portfolio. Once a static pool is established, the portfolios are permanently assigned to the pool. The discount (i.e., the difference between the cost of each static pool and the related aggregate contractual receivable balance) is not recorded because the Company expects to collect a relatively small percentage of each static pool’s contractual receivable balance. As a result, receivable portfolios are recorded at cost at the time of acquisition. The purchase cost of the portfolios includes certain fees paid to third parties incurred in connection with the direct acquisition of the receivable portfolios.
In compliance with the authoritative guidance, the Company accounts for its investments in receivable portfolios using either the interest method or the cost recovery method. The interest method applies an internal rate of return (“IRR”) to the cost basis of the pool, which remains unchanged throughout the life of the pool, unless there is an increase in subsequent expected cash flows. Subsequent increases in expected cash flows are recognized prospectively through an upward adjustment of the pool’s IRR over its remaining life. Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows do not change the IRR, but are recognized as an allowance to the cost basis of the pool, and are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as a reduction in revenue, with a corresponding valuation allowance, offsetting the investment in receivable portfolios in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
The Company utilizes its proprietary forecasting models to continuously evaluate the economic life of each pool. For purposes of calculating IRRs, the collection forecast of each pool is estimated to be up to 120 months.
The Company accounts for each static pool as a unit for the economic life of the pool (similar to one loan) for recognition of revenue from receivable portfolios, for collections applied to the cost basis of receivable portfolios, and for provision for loss or allowance. Revenue from receivable portfolios is accrued based on each pool’s IRR applied to each pool’s adjusted cost basis. The cost basis of each pool is increased by revenue earned and portfolio allowance reversals and decreased by gross collections and portfolio allowances.
If the amount and timing of future cash collections on a pool of receivables are not reasonably estimable, the Company accounts for such portfolios on the cost recovery method as Cost Recovery Portfolios. The accounts in these portfolios have different risk characteristics than those included in other portfolios acquired during the same quarter, or the necessary information was not available to estimate future cash flows and, accordingly, they were not aggregated with other portfolios. Under the cost recovery method of accounting, no revenue is recognized until the purchase price of a Cost Recovery Portfolio has been fully recovered.
Accretable yield represents the amount of revenue the Company expects to generate over the remaining life of its existing investment in receivable portfolios based on estimated future cash flows. Total accretable yield is the difference between future

15

Table of Contents

estimated collections and the current carrying value of a portfolio. All estimated cash flows on portfolios where the cost basis has been fully recovered are classified as zero basis cash flows.
The following table summarizes the Company’s accretable yield and an estimate of zero basis future cash flows at the beginning and end of the period presented (in thousands):
 
Accretable
Yield
 
Estimate of
Zero Basis
Cash Flows
 
Total
December 31, 2015
$
3,047,640

 
$
223,031

 
$
3,270,671

Revenue recognized, net
(238,547
)
 
(31,547
)
 
(270,094
)
Net additions on existing portfolios
39,538

 
8,071

 
47,609

Additions for current purchases, net
193,654

 

 
193,654

Effect of foreign currency translation
(64,330
)
 
470

 
(63,860
)
Balance at March 31, 2016
2,977,955

 
200,025

 
3,177,980

Revenue recognized, net
(233,714
)
 
(33,738
)
 
(267,452
)
Net additions on existing portfolios
59,459

 
95,135

 
154,594

Additions for current purchases, net
183,217

 

 
183,217

Effect of foreign currency translation
(181,223
)
 
245

 
(180,978
)
Balance at June 30, 2016
$
2,805,694

 
$
261,667

 
$
3,067,361

 
Accretable
Yield
 
Estimate of
Zero Basis
Cash Flows
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
2,993,321

 
$
66,392

 
$
3,059,713

Revenue recognized, net
(248,539
)
 
(15,571
)
 
(264,110
)
Net additions on existing portfolios
228,560

 
39,661

 
268,221

Additions for current purchases, net
85,907

 

 
85,907

Effect of foreign currency translation
(108,046
)
 
(54
)
 
(108,100
)
Balance at March 31, 2015
2,951,203

 
90,428

 
3,041,631

Revenue recognized, net
(243,425
)
 
(26,876
)
 
(270,301
)
Net additions on existing portfolios
(40,337
)
 
74,587

 
34,250

Additions for current purchases, net
395,009

 

 
395,009

Effect of foreign currency translation
131,654

 
(1
)
 
131,653

Balance at June 30, 2015
$
3,194,104

 
$
138,138

 
$
3,332,242

During the three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company purchased receivable portfolios with a face value of $2.8 billion for $233.1 million, or a purchase cost of 8.2% of face value. The estimated future collections at acquisition for all portfolios purchased during the three months ended June 30, 2016 amounted to $416.9 million. During the three months ended June 30, 2015, the Company purchased receivable portfolios with a face value of $5.5 billion for $418.8 million, or a purchase cost of 7.6% of face value. Purchases of charged-off credit card portfolios during the three months ended June 30, 2015, include $216.0 million of portfolios acquired in connection with the dlc Acquisition. The estimated future collections at acquisition for all portfolios purchased during the three months ended June 30, 2015, amounted to $806.5 million.
During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company purchased receivable portfolios with a face value of $6.4 billion for $489.9 million, or a purchase cost of 7.7% of face value. The estimated future collections at acquisition for all portfolios purchased during the six months ended June 30, 2016 amounted to $875.5 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company purchased receivable portfolios with a face value of $6.6 billion for $543.9 million, or a purchase cost of 8.3% of face value. Purchases of charged-off credit card portfolios during the six months ended June 30, 2015, include $216.0 million of portfolios acquired in connection with the dlc Acquisition. The estimated future collections at acquisition for all portfolios purchased during the six months ended June 30, 2015, amounted to $1.0 billion.
All collections realized after the net book value of a portfolio has been fully recovered (“Zero Basis Portfolios”) are recorded as revenue (“Zero Basis Revenue”). During the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, Zero Basis Revenue was

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Table of Contents

approximately $33.7 million and $26.9 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, Zero Basis Revenue was approximately $65.3 million and $42.4 million, respectively.
The following tables summarize the changes in the balance of the investment in receivable portfolios during the following periods (in thousands, except percentages):
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Accrual Basis
Portfolios
 
Cost Recovery
Portfolios
 
Zero Basis
Portfolios
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period
$
2,482,855

 
$
4,123

 
$

 
$
2,486,978

Purchases of receivable portfolios
233,116

 

 

 
233,116

Transfer of portfolios
(96
)
 
96

 

 

Gross collections(1)
(399,498
)
 
(724
)
 
(33,878
)
 
(434,100
)
Put-backs and Recalls(2)
(3,692
)
 
(5
)
 
140

 
(3,557
)
Foreign currency adjustments
(80,432
)
 
136

 

 
(80,296
)
Revenue recognized
233,010

 

 
31,963

 
264,973

Portfolio allowance reversals, net
704

 

 
1,775

 
2,479

Balance, end of period
$
2,465,967

 
$
3,626

 
$

 
$
2,469,593

Revenue as a percentage of collections(3)
58.3
%
 
0.0
%
 
94.3
%
 
61.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Accrual Basis
Portfolios
 
Cost Recovery
Portfolios
 
Zero Basis
Portfolios
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period
$
2,029,335

 
$
9,072

 
$

 
$
2,038,407

Purchases of receivable portfolios
418,780

 

 

 
418,780

Gross collections(1)
(409,339
)
 
(1,253
)
 
(26,732
)
 
(437,324
)
Put-backs and Recalls(2)
(1,458
)
 
(1
)
 
(164
)
 
(1,623
)
Foreign currency adjustments
63,121

 
85

 
20

 
63,226

Revenue recognized
242,618

 

 
23,323

 
265,941

Portfolio allowance reversals, net
807

 

 
3,553

 
4,360

Balance, end of period
$
2,343,864

 
$
7,903

 
$

 
$
2,351,767

Revenue as a percentage of collections(3)
59.3
%
 
0.0
%
 
87.2
%
 
60.8
%
________________________
(1)
Does not include amounts collected on behalf of others.
(2)
Put-backs represent accounts that are returned to the seller in accordance with the respective purchase agreement (“Put-Backs”). Recalls represent accounts that are recalled by the seller in accordance with the respective purchase agreement (“Recalls”).
(3)
Revenue as a percentage of collections excludes the effects of net portfolio allowances or net portfolio allowance reversals.

17

Table of Contents

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Accrual Basis
Portfolios
 
Cost Recovery
Portfolios
 
Zero Basis
Portfolios
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period
$
2,436,054

 
$
4,615

 
$

 
$
2,440,669

Purchases of receivable portfolios
489,869

 

 

 
489,869

Transfer of portfolios
(96
)
 
96

 

 

Gross collections(1)
(815,225
)
 
(1,357
)
 
(65,323
)
 
(881,905
)
Put-backs and Recalls(2)
(16,577
)
 
(11
)
 
38

 
(16,550
)
Foreign currency adjustments
(100,319
)
 
283

 

 
(100,036
)
Revenue recognized
471,088

 

 
61,788

 
532,876

Portfolio allowance reversals, net
1,173

 

 
3,497

 
4,670

Balance, end of period
$
2,465,967

 
$
3,626

 
$

 
$
2,469,593

Revenue as a percentage of collections(3)
57.8
%
 
0.0
%
 
94.6
%
 
60.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Accrual Basis
Portfolios
 
Cost Recovery
Portfolios
 
Zero Basis
Portfolios
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period
$
2,131,084

 
$
12,476

 
$

 
$
2,143,560

Purchases of receivable portfolios
543,934

 

 

 
543,934

Gross collections(1)
(816,895
)
 
(3,225
)
 
(42,275
)
 
(862,395
)
Put-backs and Recalls(2)
(3,975
)
 
(19
)
 
(192
)
 
(4,186
)
Foreign currency adjustments
(2,248
)
 
(1,329
)
 
20

 
(3,557
)
Revenue recognized
491,157

 

 
36,035

 
527,192

Portfolio allowance reversals, net
807

 

 
6,412

 
7,219

Balance, end of period
$
2,343,864

 
$
7,903

 
$

 
$
2,351,767

Revenue as a percentage of collections(3)
60.1
%
 
0.0
%
 
85.2
%
 
61.1
%
________________________
(1)
Does not include amounts collected on behalf of others.
(2)
Put-backs represent accounts that are returned to the seller in accordance with the respective purchase agreement. Recalls represent accounts that are recalled by the seller in accordance with the respective purchase agreement.
(3)
Revenue as a percentage of collections excludes the effects of net portfolio allowances or net portfolio allowance reversals.
The following table summarizes the change in the valuation allowance for investment in receivable portfolios during the periods presented (in thousands):
 
Valuation Allowance
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Balance at beginning of period
$
58,397

 
$
72,814

 
$
60,588

 
$
75,673

Reversal of prior allowances
(2,479
)
 
(4,360
)
 
(4,670
)
 
(7,219
)
Balance at end of period
$
55,918

 
$
68,454

 
$
55,918

 
$
68,454

Note 8: Deferred Court Costs, Net
The Company pursues legal collections using a network of attorneys that specialize in collection matters and through its internal legal channel. The Company generally pursues collections through legal means only when it believes a consumer has sufficient assets to repay their indebtedness but has, to date, been unwilling to pay. In order to pursue legal collections the Company is required to pay certain upfront costs to the applicable courts which are recoverable from the consumer (“Deferred Court Costs”).
The Company capitalizes Deferred Court Costs in its consolidated financial statements and provides a reserve for those costs that it believes will ultimately be uncollectible. The Company determines the reserve based on its analysis of court costs

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that have been advanced and those that have been recovered. The Company writes off any Deferred Court Cost not recovered within five years of placement. Collections received from debtors are first applied against related court costs with the balance applied to the debtors’ account balance.
Deferred Court Costs for the five-year deferral period consist of the following as of the dates presented (in thousands):
 
June 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Court costs advanced
$
643,251

 
$
636,922

Court costs recovered
(254,450
)
 
(242,899
)
Court costs reserve
(319,651
)
 
(318,784
)
Deferred court costs
$
69,150

 
$
75,239

A roll forward of the Company’s court cost reserve is as follows (in thousands):
 
Court Cost Reserve
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Balance at beginning of period
$
(324,025
)
 
$
(290,383
)
 
$
(318,784
)
 
$
(279,572
)
Provision for court costs
(11,479
)
 
(18,318
)
 
(30,376
)
 
(37,497
)
Net down of reserve after 60 months
14,096

 
10,469

 
27,073

 
18,394

Effect of foreign currency translation
1,757

 
(723
)
 
2,436

 
(280
)
Balance at end of period
$
(319,651
)
 
$
(298,955
)
 
$
(319,651
)
 
$
(298,955
)
Note 9: Other Assets
Other assets consist of the following (in thousands):
 
June 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Identifiable intangible assets, net
$
33,125

 
$
15,712

Prepaid expenses
22,717

 
21,872

Prepaid income taxes
22,277

 
25,839

Deferred tax assets
21,956

 
12,695

Other financial receivables
19,444

 
11,275

Service fee receivables
12,903

 
13,708

Derivative instruments
6,828

 
718

Receivable from seller
5,388

 
8,605

Security deposits
2,837

 
2,368

Other
37,246

 
35,970

Total
$
184,721

 
$
148,762


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Note 10: Debt
The Company is in compliance with all covenants under its financing arrangements. The components of the Company’s consolidated debt and capital lease obligations were as follows (in thousands):
 
June 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Encore revolving credit facility
$
529,000

 
$
627,000

Encore term loan facility
137,047

 
143,078

Encore senior secured notes
17,494

 
28,750

Encore convertible notes
448,500

 
448,500

Less: Debt discount
(37,002
)
 
(41,867
)
Cabot senior secured notes
1,270,764

 
1,360,000

Add: Debt premium
43,449

 
53,440

Less: Debt discount
(2,644
)
 
(3,184
)
Cabot senior revolving credit facility
129,251

 
54,089

Preferred equity certificates
212,716

 
221,516

Capital lease obligations
6,913

 
11,054

Other
129,336

 
83,342

 
2,884,824

 
2,985,718

Less: debt issuance costs, net of amortization
(35,758
)
 
(41,655
)
Total
$
2,849,066

 
$
2,944,063

Encore Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility
On March 24, 2016, the Company amended its revolving credit facility and term loan facility pursuant to Amendment No. 3 to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Restated Credit Agreement”). The Restated Credit Agreement includes a revolving credit facility of $742.6 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), a term loan facility of $158.8 million (the “Term Loan Facility”, and together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”), and an accordion feature that allows the Company to increase the Senior Secured Credit Facilities by an additional $250.0 million ($55.0 million of which was exercised in November 2015). Including the accordion feature, the maximum amount that can be borrowed under the Restated Credit Agreement is $1.1 billion. The Restated Credit Agreement expires in February 2019, except with respect to two subtranches of the Term Loan Facility of $60.0 million and $6.3 million, maturing in February 2017 and November 2017, respectively.
Provisions of the Restated Credit Agreement include, but are not limited to:
The Revolving Credit Facility of $742.6 million that expires in February 2019, with interest at a floating rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either: (1) reserve adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), plus a spread that ranges from 250 to 300 basis points depending on the cash flow leverage ratio of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries; or (2) alternate base rate, plus a spread that ranges from 150 to 200 basis points depending on the cash flow leverage ratio of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries. “Alternate base rate,” as defined in the Restated Credit Agreement, means the highest of (i) the per annum rate which the administrative agent publicly announces from time to time as its prime lending rate, (ii) the federal funds effective rate from time to time, plus 0.5% per annum, (iii) reserved adjusted LIBOR determined on a daily basis for a one month interest period, plus 1.0% per annum or (iv) zero;
A $92.5 million term loan maturing on February 25, 2019, with interest at a floating rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either: (1) reserve adjusted LIBOR, plus a spread that ranges from 250 to 300 basis points, depending on the cash flow leverage ratio of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries; or (2) alternate base rate, plus a spread that ranges from 150 to 200 basis points, depending on the cash flow leverage ratio of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries. Principal amortizes $6.9 million in 2016, $9.3 million in 2017, and $9.3 million in 2018 with the remaining principal due at the end of the term;
A $60.0 million term loan maturing on February 25, 2017, with interest at a floating rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either: (1) reserve adjusted LIBOR, plus a spread that ranges from 200 to 250 basis points, depending on the cash flow leverage ratio of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries; or (2) alternate base rate, plus a spread that ranges

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from 100 to 150 basis points, depending on the cash flow leverage ratio of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries. Principal amortizes $4.5 million in 2016 with the remaining principal due at the end of the term;
A $6.3 million term loan maturing on November 3, 2017, with interest at a floating rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either: (1) reserve adjusted LIBOR, plus a spread that ranges from 250 to 300 basis points, depending on the cash flow leverage ratio of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries; or (2) alternate base rate, plus a spread that ranges from 150 to 200 basis points, depending on the cash flow leverage ratio of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries. Principal amortizes $0.6 million in 2016 and $0.5 million in 2017 with the remaining principal due at the end of the term;
A borrowing base under the Revolving Credit Facility equal to (1) the lesser of (i) 30%-35% (depending on the trailing 12-month cost per dollar collected of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries) of all eligible non-bankruptcy estimated remaining collections, currently 33%, plus 55% of eligible estimated remaining collections for consumer receivables subject to bankruptcy, and (ii) the product of the net book value of all receivable portfolios acquired on or after January 1, 2005 multiplied by 95%, minus (2) the sum of the aggregate principal amount outstanding of Encore’s Senior Secured Notes (as defined below) plus the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the term loans;
a maximum cash flow leverage ratio permitted of 2.50:1.00;
a maximum cash flow secured leverage ratio of 2.00:1.00;
The allowance of additional unsecured or subordinated indebtedness not to exceed $1.1 billion;
Restrictions and covenants, which limit the payment of dividends and the incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens, among other limitations;
Repurchases of up to $150.0 million of Encore’s common stock after July 9, 2015, subject to compliance with certain covenants and available borrowing capacity;
A change of control definition that excludes acquisitions of stock by Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC, JCF FPK I, LP and their respective affiliates of up to 50% of the outstanding shares of Encore’s voting stock;
Events of default which, upon occurrence, may permit the lenders to terminate the facility and declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable;
A pre-approved acquisition limit of $225.0 million per fiscal year;
A basket to allow for investments not to exceed the greater of (1) 200% of the consolidated net worth of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries and (2) an unlimited amount such that after giving effect to the making of any investment, the cash flow leverage ratio is less than 1.25:1:00;
Collateralization by all assets of the Company, other than the assets of certain foreign subsidiaries and all unrestricted subsidiaries as defined in the Restated Credit Agreement.
At June 30, 2016, the outstanding balance under the Restated Credit Agreement was $666.0 million, which bore a weighted average interest rate of 3.50% and 3.12% for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and 3.49% and 3.04% for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Available capacity under the Restated Credit Agreement, subject to borrowing base and applicable debt covenants, was $193.7 million as of June 30, 2016, not including the $195.0 million additional capacity provided by the facility’s remaining accordion feature.
Encore Senior Secured Notes
In 2010 and 2011 Encore entered into an aggregate of $75.0 million in senior secured notes with certain affiliates of Prudential Capital Group (the “Senior Secured Notes”). $25.0 million of the Senior Secured Notes bear an annual interest rate of 7.375%, mature in 2018 and require quarterly principal payments of $1.25 million. Prior to May 2013, these notes required quarterly payments of interest only. The remaining $50.0 million of Senior Secured Notes bear an annual interest rate of 7.75%, mature in 2017 and require quarterly principal payments of $2.5 million. Prior to December 2012 these notes required quarterly interest only payments. As of June 30, 2016, $7.2 million of the 7.375% Senior Secured Notes and $10.3 million of the 7.75% Senior Secured Notes, for an aggregate of $17.5 million, remained outstanding.
The Senior Secured Notes are guaranteed in full by certain of Encore’s subsidiaries. The Senior Secured Notes are pari passu with, and are collateralized by the same collateral as, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities. The Senior Secured Notes may be accelerated and become automatically and immediately due and payable upon certain events of default, including certain events related to insolvency, bankruptcy, or liquidation. Additionally, the Senior Secured Notes may be accelerated at the election of the holder or holders of a majority in principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes upon certain events of default by

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Encore, including the breach of affirmative covenants regarding guarantors, collateral, most favored lender treatment, minimum revolving credit facility commitment or the breach of any negative covenant. If Encore prepays the Senior Secured Notes at any time for any reason, payment will be at the higher of par or the present value of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the portion being prepaid. The discount rate used to determine the present value is 50 basis points over the then current Treasury Rate corresponding to the remaining average life of the Senior Secured Notes. The covenants are substantially similar to those in the Restated Credit Agreement. Prudential Capital Group and the administrative agent for the lenders of the Restated Credit Agreement have an intercreditor agreement related to their pro rata rights to the collateral, actionable default, powers and duties and remedies, among other topics. The terms of the purchase agreement for the Senior Secured Notes have been amended in connection with amendments to the Restated Credit Agreement in order to properly align certain provisions between the two agreements.
Encore Convertible Notes
In November and December 2012, Encore sold $115.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.0% 2017 Convertible Notes that mature on November 27, 2017 in private placement transactions. In June and July 2013, Encore sold $172.5 million aggregate principal amount of 3.0% 2020 Convertible Notes that mature on July 1, 2020 in private placement transactions. In March 2014, Encore sold $161.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.875% 2021 Convertible Notes that mature on March 15, 2021 in private placement transactions. The interest on these unsecured convertible senior notes (collectively, the “Convertible Notes”), is payable semi-annually.
Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding their respective conversion date (listed below), holders may convert their Convertible Notes under certain circumstances set forth in the applicable Convertible Notes indentures. On or after their respective conversion dates until the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding their respective maturity date, holders may convert their Convertible Notes at any time. Certain key terms related to the convertible features for each of the Convertible Notes as of June 30, 2016 are listed below.
 
2017 Convertible Notes
 
2020 Convertible Notes
 
2021 Convertible Notes
Initial conversion price
$
31.56

 
$
45.72

 
$
59.39

Closing stock price at date of issuance
$
25.66

 
$
33.35

 
$
47.51

Closing stock price date
November 27, 2012

 
June 24, 2013

 
March 5, 2014

Conversion rate (shares per $1,000 principal amount)
31.6832

 
21.8718

 
16.8386

Conversion date(1)
May 27, 2017

 
January 1, 2020

 
September 15, 2020

_______________________
(1)
The 2017 Convertible Notes became convertible on January 2, 2014, as certain early conversion events were satisfied. Refer to “Conversion and Earnings Per Share Impact” section below for further details.
In the event of conversion, the 2017 Convertible Notes are convertible into cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the notes. The excess conversion premium may be settled in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock at the discretion of the Company. In the event of conversion, holders of the Company’s 2020 and 2021 Convertible Notes will receive cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s common stock, at the Company’s election. The Company’s current intent is to settle conversions through combination settlement (i.e., convertible into cash up to the aggregate principal amount, and shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s common stock, at the Company’s election, for the remainder). As a result, and in accordance with authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging and earnings per share, only the conversion spread is included in the diluted earnings per share calculation, if dilutive. Under such method, the settlement of the conversion spread has a dilutive effect when, during any quarter, the average share price of the Company’s common stock exceeds the initial conversion prices listed in the above table.
Authoritative guidance related to debt with conversion and other options requires that issuers of convertible debt instruments that, upon conversion, may be settled fully or partially in cash, must separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that will reflect the entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. Additionally, debt issuance costs are required to be allocated in proportion to the allocation of the liability and equity components and accounted for as debt issuance costs and equity issuance costs, respectively.

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The debt and equity components, the issuance costs related to the equity component, the stated interest rate, and the effective interest rate for each of the Convertible Notes are listed below (in thousands, except percentages):
 
2017 Convertible Notes
 
2020 Convertible Notes
 
2021 Convertible Notes
Debt component
$
100,298

 
$
140,247

 
$
143,645

Equity component
$
14,702

 
$
32,253

 
$
17,355

Equity issuance cost
$
788

 
$
1,106

 
$
581

Stated interest rate
3.000
%
 
3.000
%
 
2.875
%
Effective interest rate
6.000
%
 
6.350
%
 
4.700
%
The balances of the liability and equity components of all of the Convertible Notes outstanding were as follows (in thousands):
 
June 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Liability component—principal amount
$
448,500

 
$
448,500

Unamortized debt discount
(37,002
)
 
(41,867
)
Liability component—net carrying amount
$
411,498

 
$
406,633

Equity component
$
59,722

 
$
58,184

The debt discount is being amortized into interest expense over the remaining life of the convertible notes using the effective interest rates. Interest expense related to the convertible notes was as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Interest expense—stated coupon rate
$
3,297

 
$
3,308

 
$
6,608

 
$
6,600

Interest expense—amortization of debt discount
2,438

 
2,310

 
4,865

 
4,588

Total interest expense—convertible notes
$
5,735

 
$
5,618

 
$
11,473

 
$
11,188

Convertible Notes Hedge Transactions
In order to reduce the risk related to the potential dilution and/or the potential cash payments the Company may be required to make in the event that the market price of the Company’s common stock becomes greater than the conversion prices of the Convertible Notes, the Company maintains a hedge program that increases the effective conversion price for each of the Convertible Notes. All of the hedge instruments related to the Convertible Notes have been determined to be indexed to the Company’s own stock and meet the criteria for equity classification. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company recorded the cost of the hedge instruments as a reduction in additional paid-in capital, and will not recognize subsequent changes in fair value of these financial instruments in its consolidated financial statements.
The details of the hedge program for each of the Convertible Notes are listed below (in thousands, except conversion price):
 
2017 Convertible Notes
 
2020 Convertible Notes
 
2021 Convertible Notes
Cost of the hedge transaction(s)
$
50,595

 
$
18,113

 
$
19,545

Initial conversion price
$
31.56

 
$
45.72

 
$
59.39

Effective conversion price
$
60.00

 
$
61.55

 
$
83.14

Conversion and Earnings Per Share Impact
During the quarter ending December 31, 2013, the closing price of the Company’s common stock exceeded 130% of the conversion price of the 2017 Convertible Notes for more than 20 trading days during a 30 consecutive trading day period, thereby satisfying one of the early conversion events. As a result, the 2017 Convertible Notes became convertible on demand effective January 2, 2014, and the holders were notified that they could elect to submit their 2017 Convertible Notes for

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conversion. The carrying value of the 2017 Convertible Notes continues to be reported as debt as the Company intends to draw on the Revolving Credit Facility or use cash on hand to settle the principal amount of any such conversions in cash. No gain or loss was recognized when the debt became convertible. The estimated fair value of the 2017 Convertible Notes was approximately $110.2 million as of June 30, 2016. In addition, upon becoming convertible, a portion of the equity component that was recorded at the time of the issuance of the 2017 Convertible Notes was considered redeemable and that portion of the equity was reclassified to temporary equity in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Such amount was determined based on the cash consideration to be paid upon conversion and the carrying amount of the debt. Upon conversion, the holders of the 2017 Convertible Notes will be paid in cash for the principal amount. The excess conversion premium may be settled in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock at the discretion of the Company. As a result, the Company reclassified $4.6 million of the equity component to temporary equity as of June 30, 2016. If a conversion event takes place, this temporary equity balance will be recalculated based on the difference between the 2017 Convertible Notes principal and the debt carrying value. If the 2017 Convertible Notes are settled, an amount equal to the fair value of the liability component, immediately prior to the settlement, will be deducted from the fair value of the total settlement consideration transferred and allocated to the liability component. Any difference between the amount allocated to the liability and the net carrying amount of the 2017 Convertible Notes (including any unamortized debt issue costs and discount) will be recognized in earnings as a gain or loss on debt extinguishment. Any remaining consideration is allocated to the reacquisition of the equity component and will be recognized as a reduction in stockholders’ equity.
None of the 2017 Convertible Notes have been converted since they became convertible.
Cabot Senior Secured Notes
On September 20, 2012, Cabot Financial (Luxembourg) S.A. (“Cabot Financial”), an indirect subsidiary of Encore, issued £265.0 million (approximately $438.4 million) in aggregate principal amount of 10.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Cabot 2019 Notes”). Interest on the Cabot 2019 Notes is payable semi-annually, in arrears, on April 1 and October 1 of each year.
On August 2, 2013, Cabot Financial issued £100 million (approximately $151.7 million) in aggregate principal amount of 8.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (the “Cabot 2020 Notes”). Interest on the Cabot 2020 Notes is payable semi-annually, in arrears, on February 1 and August 1 of each year.
On March 27, 2014, Cabot Financial issued £175.0 million (approximately $291.8 million) in aggregate principal amount of 6.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (the “Cabot 2021 Notes” and, together with the Cabot 2019 Notes and the Cabot 2020 Notes, the “Cabot Notes”). Interest on the Cabot 2021 Notes is payable semi-annually, in arrears, on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on October 1, 2014.
The Cabot Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by the following indirect subsidiaries of the Company: Cabot Credit Management Limited (“CCM”), Cabot Financial Limited, and all material subsidiaries of Cabot Financial Limited (other than Cabot Financial and Marlin Intermediate Holdings plc). The Cabot Notes are secured by a first ranking security interest in all the outstanding shares of Cabot Financial and the guarantors (other than CCM and Marlin Midway Limited) and substantially all the assets of Cabot Financial and the guarantors (other than CCM). The guarantees provided in respect of the Cabot Notes are pari passu with each such guarantee given in respect of the Cabot Floating Rate Notes, Marlin Bonds and the Cabot Credit Facility described below.
On November 11, 2015, Cabot Financial (Luxembourg) II S.A. (“Cabot Financial II”), an indirect subsidiary of Encore, issued €310.0 million (approximately $332.2 million) in aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2021 (the “Cabot Floating Rate Notes”). The Cabot Floating Rate Notes were issued at a 1%, or €3.1 million (approximately $3.4 million), original issue discount, which is being amortized over the life of the notes and included as interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Cabot Floating Rate Notes bear interest at a rate equal to three-month EURIBOR plus 5.875% per annum, reset quarterly. Interest on the Cabot Floating Rate Notes is payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2016. The Cabot Floating Rate Notes will mature on November 15, 2021.
The Cabot Floating Rate Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by the following indirect subsidiaries of the Company: CCM, Cabot Financial Limited and all material subsidiaries of Cabot Financial Limited (other than Cabot Financial II and Marlin Intermediate Holdings plc). The Cabot Floating Rate Notes are secured by a first-ranking security interest in all the outstanding shares of Cabot Financial II and the guarantors (other than CCM and Marlin Midway Limited) and substantially all the assets of Cabot Financial II and the guarantors (other than CCM).
On July 25, 2013, Marlin Intermediate Holdings plc (“Marlin”), an indirect subsidiary of Cabot, issued £150.0 million (approximately $246.5 million) in aggregate principal amount of 10.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (the “Marlin Bonds”).

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Interest on the Marlin Bonds is payable semi-annually, in arrears, on February 1 and August 1 of each year. Cabot assumed the Marlin Bonds as a result of the acquisition of Marlin. The carrying value of the Marlin Bonds was adjusted to approximately $284.2 million to reflect the fair value of the Marlin Bonds at the time of acquisition.
The Marlin Bonds are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by Cabot Financial Limited and each of Cabot Financial Limited’s material subsidiaries other than Marlin Intermediate Holdings plc, each of which is an indirect subsidiary of the Company. The guarantees provided in respect of the Marlin Bonds are pari passu with each such guarantee given in respect of the Cabot Notes, the Cabot Floating Rate Notes and the Cabot Credit Facility.
Interest expense related to the Cabot Notes, Cabot Floating Rate Notes and Marlin Bonds was as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Interest expense—stated coupon rate
$
27,846

 
$
24,151

 
$
55,489

 
$
48,001

Interest income—accretion of debt premium
(2,694
)
 
(2,660
)
 
(5,312
)
 
(5,207
)
Interest expense—amortization of debt discount
257

 

 
384

 

Total interest expense—Cabot senior secured notes
$
25,409

 
$
21,491

 
$
50,561

 
$
42,794

At June 30, 2016, the outstanding balance on the Cabot Notes, Cabot Floating Rate Notes and Marlin Bonds was $1.3 billion.
Cabot Senior Revolving Credit Facility
On September 20, 2012, Cabot Financial UK entered into an agreement for a senior committed revolving credit facility of £50.0 million (approximately $82.7 million) (the “Cabot Credit Agreement”). Since such date there have been a number of amendments made, including, but not limited to, increases in the lenders’ total commitments thereunder. On November 11, 2015, Cabot Financial UK amended and restated its existing senior secured revolving credit facility agreement to, among other things, increase the total committed amount of the facility to £200.0 million (approximately $304.0 million) and extend the termination date to September 24, 2018 (as amended and restated, the “Cabot Credit Facility”). The Cabot Credit Facility also includes an uncommitted accordion provision which will allow the facility to be increased by an additional £50.0 million, subject to obtaining the requisite commitments and compliance with the terms of Cabot Financial UK’s other indebtedness, among other conditions precedent.
The Cabot Credit Facility has a six-year term expiring in September 2018, and includes the following key provisions:
Interest at LIBOR (or EURIBOR for any loan drawn in euro) plus 3.5%;
A restrictive covenant that limits the loan to value ratio to 0.75;
A restrictive covenant that limits the super senior loan (i.e. the Cabot Credit Facility and any super priority hedging liabilities) to value ratio to 0.25;
Additional restrictions and covenants which limit, among other things, the payment of dividends and the incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens; and
Events of default which, upon occurrence, may permit the lenders to terminate the Cabot Credit Facility and declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable.
The Cabot Credit Facility is unconditionally guaranteed by the following indirect subsidiaries of the Company: CCM, Cabot Financial Limited, and all material subsidiaries of Cabot Financial Limited. The Cabot Credit Facility is secured by first ranking security interests in all the outstanding shares of Cabot Financial UK and the guarantors (other than CCM) and substantially all the assets of Cabot Financial UK and the guarantors (other than CCM). Pursuant to the terms of intercreditor agreements entered into with respect to the relative positions of the Cabot Notes, the Cabot Floating Rate Notes, the Marlin Bonds and the Cabot Credit Facility, any liabilities in respect of obligations under the Cabot Credit Facility that are secured by assets that also secure the Cabot Notes, the Cabot Floating Rate Notes and the Marlin Bonds will receive priority with respect to any proceeds received upon any enforcement action over any such assets.

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At June 30, 2016, the outstanding borrowings under the Cabot Credit Facility were approximately $129.3 million. The weighted average interest rate was 4.01% and 3.79% for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and 4.01% and 3.85% for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Preferred Equity Certificates
On July 1, 2013, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary Encore Europe Holdings, S.a.r.l. (“Encore Europe”), completed the acquisition of Cabot (the “Cabot Acquisition”) by acquiring 50.1% of the equity interest in Janus Holdings S.a.r.l. (“Janus Holdings”). Encore Europe purchased from J.C. Flowers: (i) E Bridge preferred equity certificates issued by Janus Holdings, with a face value of £10,218,574 (approximately $15.5 million) (and any accrued interest thereof) (the “E Bridge PECs”), (ii) E preferred equity certificates issued by Janus Holdings with a face value of £96,729,661 (approximately $147.1 million) (and any accrued interest thereof) (the “E PECs”), (iii) 3,498,563 E shares of Janus Holdings (the “E Shares”), and (iv) 100 A shares of Cabot Holdings S.a.r.l. (“Cabot Holdings”), the direct subsidiary of Janus Holdings, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately £115.1 million (approximately $175.0 million). The E Bridge PECs, E PECs, and E Shares represent 50.1% of all of the issued and outstanding equity and debt securities of Janus Holdings. The remaining 49.9% of Janus Holdings’ equity and debt securities are owned by J.C. Flowers and include: (a) J Bridge PECs with a face value of £10,177,781 (approximately $15.5 million), (b) J preferred equity certificates with a face value of £96,343,515 (approximately $146.5 million) (the “J PECs”), (c) 3,484,597 J shares of Janus Holdings (the “J Shares”), and (d) 100 A shares of Cabot Holdings.
All of the PECs accrue interest at 12% per annum. Since PECs are legal form debt, the J Bridge PECs, J PECs and any accrued interests thereof are classified as liabilities and are included in debt in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. In addition, certain other minority owners hold PECs at the Cabot Holdings level (the “Management PECs”). These PECs are also included in debt in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The E Bridge PECs and E PECs held by the Company, and their related interest eliminate in consolidation and therefore are not included in debt in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The J Bridge PECs, J PECs, and the Management PECs do not require the payment of cash interest expense as they have characteristics similar to equity with a preferred return. The ultimate payment of the accumulated interest would be satisfied only in connection with the disposition of the noncontrolling interests of J.C. Flowers and management.
On June 20, 2014, Encore Europe converted all of its E Bridge PECs into E Shares and E PECs, and J.C. Flowers converted all of its J Bridge PECs into J Shares and J PECs in proportion to the number of E Shares and E PECs, or J Shares and J PECs, as applicable, outstanding on the closing date of the Cabot Acquisition.
As of June 30, 2016, the outstanding balance of the PECs, including accrued interest, was approximately $212.7 million.
Capital Lease Obligations
The Company has capital lease obligations primarily for computer equipment. As of June 30, 2016, the Company’s combined obligations for capital leases were approximately $6.9 million. These capital lease obligations require monthly, quarterly or annual payments through 2020 and have implicit interest rates that range from zero to approximately 5.9%.
Note 11: Variable Interest Entity
A VIE is defined as a legal entity whose equity owners do not have sufficient equity at risk, or, as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack any of the following three characteristics: decision-making rights, the obligation to absorb losses, or the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity. The primary beneficiary is identified as the variable interest holder that has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb expected losses or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
Prior to March 31, 2016, the Company’s VIEs included its subsidiary Janus Holdings and its special purpose entity used for the Propel securitization. On March 31, 2016, the Company completed the divestiture of 100% of its membership interests in Propel. Since Propel is the primary beneficiary of the VIE used for securitization, subsequent to the sale of Propel, the Company no longer consolidates this VIE.
Janus Holdings is the immediate parent company of Cabot. The Company has determined that Janus Holdings is a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The key activities that affect Cabot’s economic performance include, but are not limited to, operational budgets and purchasing decisions. Through its control of the board of directors of Janus Holdings, the Company controls the key operating activities at Cabot.

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Assets recognized as a result of consolidating the VIE do not represent additional assets that could be used to satisfy claims against the Company’s general assets. Conversely, liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating the VIE do not represent additional claims on the Company’s general assets; rather, they represent claims against the specific assets of the VIE.
The Company evaluates its relationships with its VIE on an ongoing basis to ensure that it continues to be the primary beneficiary.
Note 12: Income Taxes
Income tax provisions for income from continuing operations were $13.5 million and $14.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Income tax provisions for income from continuing operations were $23.6 million and $29.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The effective tax rates for the respective periods are shown below:
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Federal provision
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
State provision
6.2
 %
 
6.9
 %
 
6.2
 %
 
6.9
 %
State benefit
(2.2
)%
 
(2.4
)%
 
(2.2
)%
 
(2.4
)%
International benefit(1)
(9.1
)%
 
(4.5
)%
 
(10.1
)%
 
(5.5
)%
Permanent items(2)
0.4
 %
 
3.2
 %
 
0.5
 %
 
2.1
 %
Other(3)
0.1
 %
 
0.6
 %
 
(1.4
)%
 
0.3
 %
Effective rate
30.4
 %
 
38.8
 %
 
28.0
 %
 
36.4
 %
________________________
(1)
Relates primarily to lower tax rates on income attributable to international operations.
(2)
Represents a provision for nondeductible items.
(3)
Includes the effect of discrete items and an IRS audit settlement.
The Company’s subsidiary in Costa Rica is operating under a 100% tax holiday through December 31, 2018 and a 50% tax holiday for the subsequent four years. The impact of the tax holiday in Costa Rica for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, was immaterial.
The Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits, inclusive of penalties and interest, of $24.2 million and $58.5 million at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. These unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would result in a net tax benefit of $10.6 million and $14.9 million as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The reduction in gross unrecognized tax benefits was due to an IRS audit settlement in 2016.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company did not provide for U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes on the quarterly undistributed earnings from operations of its subsidiaries operating outside of the United States. Undistributed pre-tax income of these subsidiaries during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, was approximately $17.3 million and $34.4 million, respectively.
Note 13: Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation and Regulatory
The Company is involved in disputes, legal actions, regulatory investigations, inquiries, and other actions from time to time in the ordinary course of business. The Company, along with others in its industry, is routinely subject to legal actions based on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”), comparable state statutes, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), state and federal unfair competition statutes, and common law causes of action. The violations of law investigated or alleged in these actions often include claims that the Company lacks specified licenses to conduct its business, attempts to collect debts on which the statute of limitations has run, has made inaccurate or unsupported assertions of fact in support of its collection actions and/or has acted improperly in connection with its efforts to contact consumers. Such litigation and regulatory actions could involve potential compensatory or punitive damage claims, fines, sanctions, injunctive relief, or changes in business practices. Many continue on for some length of time and involve substantial investigation, litigation,

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negotiation, and other expense and effort before a result is achieved, and during the process the Company often cannot determine the substance or timing of any eventual outcome.
On May 19, 2008, an action captioned Brent v. Midland Credit Management, Inc. et. al was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Western Division, in which the plaintiff filed a class action counter-claim against two of the Company’s subsidiaries (the “Midland Defendants”). The complaint alleged that the Midland Defendants’ business practices violated consumers’ rights under the FDCPA and the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act. The Company has vigorously denied the claims asserted against it in these matters, but has agreed to a proposed settlement to avoid the burden and expense of continued litigation. Subject to court approval, settlement awards to eligible class members, as well as fees and costs, will be paid from a settlement fund of approximately $5.2 million, which has already been paid by the Company and its insurer. If the number of class members who make claims exceeds a certain level, the total settlement could increase to an amount not to exceed $5.7 million. On October 14, 2014, the district court issued an order granting final approval of the parties’ revised agreed upon settlement of this lawsuit. That order was appealed by an objector to the settlement, and on July 7, 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court’s October 14, 2014 ruling.
Except as described above, at June 30, 2016, there have been no material developments in any of the legal proceedings disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
In certain legal proceedings, the Company may have recourse to insurance or third party contractual indemnities to cover all or portions of its litigation expenses, judgments, or settlements. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company records loss contingencies in its financial statements only for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Where a range of loss can be reasonably estimated with no best estimate in the range, the Company records the minimum estimated liability. The Company continuously assesses the potential liability related to its pending litigation and regulatory matters and revises its estimates when additional information becomes available. As of June 30, 2016, other than reserves for the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) and ancillary state regulatory matters discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company has no material reserves for legal matters. Additionally, based on the current status of litigation and regulatory matters, either the estimate of exposure is immaterial to the Company’s financial statements or an estimate cannot yet be determined. The Company’s legal costs are recorded to expense as incurred.
Purchase Commitments
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into forward flow purchase agreements and other purchase commitment agreements. As of June 30, 2016, the Company has entered into agreements to purchase receivable portfolios with a face value of approximately $1.2 billion for a purchase price of approximately $195.5 million. Most purchase commitments do not extend past one year.
Note 14: Segment Information
The Company conducts business through several operating segments that meet the aggregation criteria under authoritative guidance related to segment reporting. The Company’s management relies on internal management reporting processes that provide segment revenue, segment operating income, and segment asset information in order to make financial decisions and allocate resources. Prior to the first quarter 2016 the Company had determined that it had two reportable segments: portfolio purchasing and recovery and tax lien business. As discussed in Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” on March 31, 2016, the Company completed the divestiture of its membership interests in Propel, which comprised the entire tax lien business segment. Propel’s operations are presented as discontinued operations in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Beginning in the first quarter 2016, the Company has one reportable segment, portfolio purchasing and recovery.

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The following table presents information about geographic areas in which the Company operates (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
$
166,112

 
$
183,111

 
$
336,843

 
$
365,742

Europe
100,403

 
90,014

 
197,763

 
176,738

Other geographies
22,927

 
9,537

 
43,853

 
17,964

Total
$
289,442

 
$
282,662

 
$
578,459

 
$
560,444

________________________
(1)
Revenues are attributed to countries based on location of customer.
Note 15: Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
In accordance with authoritative guidance, goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level annually and in interim periods if indicators of impairment exist or if a decision is made to sell or exit a business. Determining the number of reporting units and the fair value of a reporting unit requires the Company to make judgments and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions.
In connection with the divestiture of Propel as discussed in Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” the Company wrote-down the entire goodwill balance of $49.3 million carried at Propel that represented the entire tax lien business reporting unit as of December 31, 2015.
As of June 30, 2016, the Company has five reporting units for goodwill impairment testing purposes. The annual goodwill testing date for the five reporting units that are included in the portfolio purchasing and recovery reportable segment is October 1st. There have been no events or circumstances during the six months ended June 30, 2016 that have required the Company to perform an interim assessment of goodwill carried at these reporting units. Management continues to evaluate and monitor all key factors impacting the carrying value of the Company’s recorded goodwill and long-lived assets. Adverse changes in the Company’s actual or expected operating results, market capitalization, business climate, economic factors or other negative events that may be outside the control of management could result in a material non-cash impairment charge in the future.
The Company’s goodwill is attributable to reporting units included in its portfolio purchasing and recovery segment as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. A summary of changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill were as follows (in thousands):
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2015
$
924,847

Goodwill acquired
623

Goodwill adjustments(1)
(20,613
)
Effect of foreign currency translation
(64,313
)
Balance, June 30, 2016
$
840,544

________________________
(1)
Represent adjustments made to preliminary purchase price allocations as a result of obtaining fair value of intangible assets acquired and finalizing certain established deferred income tax associated with prior year business combinations.

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The Company’s acquired intangible assets are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
As of June 30, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
Customer relationships
$
24,157

 
$
(2,452
)
 
$
21,705

 
$
5,356

 
$
(903
)
 
$
4,453

Developed technologies
8,234

 
(3,457
)
 
4,777

 
8,141

 
(3,793
)
 
4,348

Trade name and other
10,658

 
(4,015
)
 
6,643

 
10,324

 
(3,413
)
 
6,911

Total intangible assets
$
43,049

 
$
(9,924
)
 
$
33,125

 
$
23,821

 
$
(8,109
)
 
$
15,712


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Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” relating to Encore Capital Group, Inc. (“Encore”) and its subsidiaries (which we may collectively refer to as the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) within the meaning of the securities laws. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “may,” and similar expressions often characterize forward-looking statements. These statements may include, but are not limited to, projections of collections, revenues, income or loss, estimates of capital expenditures, plans for future operations, products or services and financing needs or plans, as well as assumptions relating to these matters. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we caution that these expectations or predictions may not prove to be correct or we may not achieve the financial results, savings, or other benefits anticipated in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of our senior management and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which may be beyond our control or cannot be predicted or quantified, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Many factors, including but not limited to those set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and those set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under “Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors,” could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, achievements or industry results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Our business, financial condition, or results of operations could also be materially and adversely affected by other factors besides those listed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events, or for any other reason, even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements will not be realized. In addition, it is generally our policy not to make any specific projections as to future earnings, and we do not endorse projections regarding future performance that may be made by third parties.
Our Business and Operating Segments
We are an international specialty finance company providing debt recovery solutions for consumers across a broad range of financial assets. We purchase portfolios of defaulted consumer receivables at deep discounts to face value and manage them by working with individuals as they repay their obligations and work toward financial recovery. Defaulted receivables are consumers’ unpaid financial commitments to credit originators, including banks, credit unions, consumer finance companies, commercial retailers, and telecommunication companies. Defaulted receivables may also include receivables subject to bankruptcy proceedings. Through certain subsidiaries, we are a market leader in portfolio purchasing and recovery in the United States, including Puerto Rico. Our subsidiary, Janus Holdings Luxembourg S.a.r.l. (“Janus Holdings”), through its indirectly held U.K.-based subsidiary Cabot Credit Management Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Cabot”), is a market leader in credit management services in the United Kingdom, historically specializing in portfolios consisting of higher balance, semi-performing accounts (i.e., debt portfolios in which over 50% of the accounts have received a payment in three of the last four months immediately prior to the portfolio purchase). Cabot expanded in the United Kingdom with its consolidating acquisition of Hillesden Securities Ltd and its subsidiaries (“dlc”) in June 2015. Our majority-owned subsidiary, Grove Holdings (“Grove”), is a U.K.-based leading specialty investment firm focused on consumer non-performing loans, including insolvencies (in particular, individual voluntary arrangements, or “IVAs”) in the United Kingdom and bank and non-bank receivables in Spain. Our majority-owned subsidiary, Refinancia S.A. (“Refinancia”), through its subsidiaries, is a market leader in debt collection and management in Colombia and Peru. In October 2015, we completed the acquisition of a controlling stake in Baycorp Holdings Pty Limited (“Baycorp”), one of Australasia's leading debt resolution specialists.
On March 31, 2016, we completed the divestiture of our membership interests in Propel Acquisition LLC (“Propel”). Propel represented our entire tax lien business reportable segment prior to the divestiture. Propel’s operations are presented as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Beginning in the first quarter 2016, we conduct business through one reportable segment, portfolio purchasing and recovery.
Our long-term growth strategy involves continuing to invest in our core portfolio purchasing and recovery business, expanding into new geographies, and leveraging our core competencies to explore expansion into adjacent asset classes.
Government Regulation
United States
As discussed in more detail under “Part I - Item1 - Business - Government Regulation” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our U.S. debt purchasing business and collection activities are subject to federal, state and municipal statutes, rules, regulations and ordinances that establish specific guidelines and procedures that debt purchasers and collectors must follow

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when collecting consumer accounts, including among others, specific guidelines and procedures for communicating with consumers and prohibitions on unfair, deceptive or abusive debt collection practices.
For example, the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) may adopt new regulations that may affect our industry and our business. In July 2016, the CFPB released an outline of proposals under consideration for its debt collection rulemaking. The proposals are aimed at ensuring debt collectors, among other things: collect the correct debt; limit excessive or disruptive communications; stop collecting or suing for debt without proper documentation; and provide documentation substantiating debt to a consumer upon demand. The outline of proposals was released by the CFPB in preparation for convening a Small Business Review Panel to gather feedback from small industry players, which is the next step in the rulemaking process. In addition to consulting with small business representatives, the CFPB will continue to seek input from the public, consumer groups, industry, and other stakeholders before continuing the rulemaking process. We believe the rulemaking will provide important clarity around key issues for our industry, help raise industry standards, and create a more level playing field for all companies, large and small. Many of the proposals for consideration released by the CFPB are already part of our current operations, however it is not yet possible to predict the precise impact any final rulemaking will have on our operations and operating results.
Additionally, the CFPB has supervisory, examination and enforcement authority over our business and is currently examining the collection practices of participants in the consumer debt buying industry. The CFPB has recently engaged in enforcement activity in sectors adjacent to our industry, impacting credit originators, collection firms, and payment processors, among others. The CFPB’s enforcement activity in these sectors, especially in the absence of clear rules or regulatory expectations, can be disruptive as industry participants attempt to define appropriate business practices. As a result of the current regulatory environment, certain current practices or commercial relationships we maintain may be disrupted or impacted by changes in our or third-parties’ business practices or perceptions of elevated risk.
International
As discussed in more detail under “Part I - Item1 - Business - Government Regulation” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our international operations are affected by foreign statutes, rules and regulations regarding debt collection and debt purchase activities. These statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, guidelines and procedures are modified from time to time by the relevant authorities charged with their administration, which could affect the way we conduct our business.
In the United Kingdom, Cabot applied for full authorization of its business with the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) in March 2015 and Cabot Credit Management Group Limited (“CCMG”), a Cabot subsidiary, became authorized and regulated by the FCA in March 2016. CCMG appointed other Cabot subsidiaries as its representatives to carry out debt-collecting and debt administration services on its behalf. CCMG assumes full regulatory responsibility for such entities. In addition to the full authorization of its business with the FCA, CCMG has appointed certain individuals who have significant control or influence over the management of the business, known as “Approved Persons,” and who will jointly and severally be liable for the acts and omissions of CCMG and its business affairs. Approved Persons will be subject to statements of principle and codes of practice established and enforced by the FCA.
The FCA has adopted detailed rules relating to conducting consumer credit activities, in addition to putting in place high-level principles and conditions to which it expects businesses and Approved Persons in the sector to adhere. The FCA has the ability to impose significant fines, ban certain individuals from carrying on trade within the financial services industry, impose requirements on a firm’s permission, and cease certain products from being collected upon.
As part of its philosophy of continuous improvement, CCMG regularly reviews policy and practice across all of its business units, to ensure the appropriate and consistent levels of compliance in relation to both regulation and the FCA principles of business. The changes made to policy and practice over the last few years have gradually resulted in, among other things, the lengthening of consumer call duration, the reduction in the number of customer accounts being assessed as suitable for litigation, the extension of pre-litigation recovery periods, the reduction in the number of customer accounts which have been assessed as suitable for the application of interest, and an increase in the number of customers being identified as in a vulnerable situation and therefore not suitable for debt repayment.
The FCA also requires that debt repayments agreed with consumers are evidenced as affordable to the consumer, this results in a means-based evaluation of proposed repayments, be that one time settlements or installments over time. We believe this, combined with the effects as described above, have gradually resulted in: a reduction in the number of highly discounted near term one-time settlements; an increase in the number of payment plans, including a shift from legal collections to repayment plans; and an increase in the length of existing payment plans. As a result, we have seen a reduction in the amount of collections in the near term and expect a lengthening of our collections curve. CCMG continues to implement and evaluate operational strategies that are designed to increase collections and mitigate the effects of shifting of collections from the near term to later in our collections curve.

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It is not yet possible to predict the precise impact that the above-referenced changes will have on the ultimate timing and magnitude of cash flows at Cabot. Under the authoritative accounting guidance, with gross collections being discounted at monthly internal rates of return (“IRRs”), when collections are lower in the near term, even if substantially higher collections are expected later in the collection curve, an allowance charge could result.
In addition, in December 2015, the E.U. General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) was proposed to replace the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC. In May 2016 the GDPR was adopted and published in the Official Journal of the E.U. The GDPR will be effective starting in 2018 and, although the full scope of the GDPR changes have not yet been released, is likely to introduce significant changes to the data protection regime including but not limited to: the conditions for obtaining consent to process personal data; transparency and providing information to individuals regarding the processing of their personal data; enhanced rights for individuals; notification obligations for personal data breach; and supervisory authorities including a European Data Protection Board (“EDPB”).
On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum in which voters approved the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (the “E.U.”), commonly referred to as “Brexit”. The referendum was advisory, and the terms of any withdrawal are subject to a negotiation period that could last at least two years after the U.K. government formally initiates a withdrawal process. Nevertheless, the referendum has created significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the E.U., including with respect to the laws and regulations that will apply as the United Kingdom determines which E.U. laws to replace or replicate in the event of a withdrawal. Additionally, a withdrawal could, among other outcomes, disrupt the free movement of goods, services and people between the United Kingdom and the E.U., undermine bilateral cooperation in key policy areas and significantly disrupt trade between the United Kingdom and the E.U. Given the lack of comparable precedent, it is unclear what financial, trade and legal implications the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the E.U. will have and how such withdrawal will affect us.
As a result of the Brexit referendum foreign currency exchange rates have been impacted. In particular, the value of the British Pound has declined as compared to the U.S. dollar and other currencies. This volatility in foreign currencies is expected to continue as the United Kingdom negotiates and executes its exit from the E.U. but it is uncertain over what time period this will occur. A significantly weaker British Pound compared to the U.S. dollar could have a significant negative effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Portfolio Purchasing and Recovery
United States
We purchase receivables based on robust, account-level valuation methods and employ proprietary statistical and behavioral models across our U.S. operations. These methods and models allow us to value portfolios accurately (and limit the risk of overpaying), avoid buying portfolios that are incompatible with our methods or goals and align the accounts we purchase with our business channels to maximize future collections. As a result, we have been able to realize significant returns from the receivables we acquire. We maintain strong relationships with many of the largest financial service providers in the United States.
While seasonality does not have a material impact on our portfolio purchasing and recovery business, collections are generally strongest in our first calendar quarter, slower in the second and third calendar quarters, and slowest in the fourth calendar quarter. Relatively higher collections in the first quarter could result in a lower cost-to-collect ratio compared to the other quarters, as our fixed costs are relatively constant and applied against a larger collection base. The seasonal impact on our business may also be influenced by our purchasing levels, the types of portfolios we purchase, and our operating strategies.
Collection seasonality can also affect revenue as a percentage of collections, also referred to as our revenue recognition rate. Generally, revenue for each pool group declines steadily over time, whereas collections can fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on seasonality, as described above. In quarters with lower collections (e.g., the fourth calendar quarter), the revenue recognition rate can be higher than in quarters with higher collections (e.g., the first calendar quarter).
In addition, seasonality could have an impact on the relative level of quarterly earnings. In quarters with stronger collections, total costs are higher as a result of the additional efforts required to generate those collections. Since revenue for each pool group declines steadily over time, in quarters with higher collections and higher costs (e.g., the first calendar quarter), all else being equal, earnings could be lower than in quarters with lower collections and lower costs (e.g., the fourth calendar quarter). Additionally, in quarters where a greater percentage of collections come from our legal and agency outsourcing channels, cost to collect will be higher than if there were more collections from our internal collection sites.
Europe
Cabot: Through Cabot, we purchase paying and non-paying receivable portfolios using a proprietary pricing model that utilizes account-level statistical and behavioral data. This model allows Cabot to value portfolios with a high degree of

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accuracy and quantify portfolio performance in order to maximize future collections. As a result, Cabot has been able to realize significant returns from the assets it has acquired. Cabot maintains strong relationships with many of the largest financial services providers in the United Kingdom and continues to expand in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe with its acquisitions of portfolios and other credit management services providers.
While seasonality does not have a material impact on Cabot’s operations, collections are generally strongest in the second and third calendar quarters and slower in the first and fourth quarters, largely driven by the impact of the December holiday season and the New Year holiday, and the related impact on its customers’ ability to repay their balances. This drives a higher level of plan defaults over this period, which are typically repaired across the first quarter of the following year. The August vacation season in the United Kingdom also has an unfavorable effect on the level of collections, but this is traditionally compensated for by higher collections in July and September.
Grove: On April 1, 2014, we completed the acquisition of a controlling equity ownership interest in Grove. Grove, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading specialty investment firm focused on consumer non-performing loans, including insolvencies (in particular, IVAs) in the United Kingdom and bank and non-bank receivables in Spain. Grove purchases portfolio receivables using a proprietary pricing model. This model allows Grove to value portfolios and quantify portfolio performance in order to maximize future collections.
Latin America
In December 2013, we acquired a majority ownership interest in Refinancia, a market leader in debt collection and management in Colombia and Peru. In addition to purchasing defaulted receivables, Refinancia offers portfolio management services to banks for non-performing loans. Refinancia also specializes in non-traditional niches in the geographic areas in which it operates, including providing financial solutions to individuals who have previously defaulted on their credit obligations. In addition to operations in Colombia and Peru, we evaluate and purchase non-performing loans in other countries in Latin America, including Mexico and Brazil. We also invest in non-performing secured residential mortgages in Latin America.
Asia Pacific
Through our acquisition of a majority ownership interest in Baycorp in October 2015 (the “Baycorp Acquisition”), we are one of Australia’s leading debt resolution specialists. Baycorp specializes in the management of non-performing loans in Australia and New Zealand. In addition to purchasing defaulted receivables, Baycorp offers portfolio management services to banks for non-performing loans.
Purchases and Collections
Portfolio Pricing, Supply and Demand
United States
Prices for portfolios offered for sale directly from credit issuers are beginning to decrease after several years of elevated pricing, especially for fresh portfolios. Fresh portfolios are portfolios that are generally transacted within six months of the consumer’s account being charged-off by the financial institution. Industry delinquency and charge off rates have been at historic lows, and they are beginning to increase which creates higher volumes of charged-off accounts. We believe the softening in pricing, especially fresh, is primarily due to this anticipated growth in supply.
We believe that smaller competitors continue to face difficulties in the portfolio purchasing market because of the high cost to operate due to regulatory pressure and because issuers are being more selective with buyers in the marketplace, resulting in consolidation within the portfolio purchasing and recovery industry. We believe this favors larger participants in this market, such as Encore, because the larger market participants are better able to adapt to these pressures. Furthermore, as smaller competitors limit their participation in or exit the market, it may provide additional opportunities for Encore to purchase portfolios from competitors or to acquire competitors directly.
Europe
The U.K. market for charged-off portfolios has grown significantly in recent years driven by a consolidation of sellers and a material backlog of portfolio coming to market from credit issuers who are selling an increasing proportion of their non-performing loans. Prices for portfolios offered for sale directly from credit issuers remain at levels higher than historical averages. We expect that as a result of an increase in available funding to industry participants, and lower return requirements for certain debt purchasers, pricing will remain elevated.

34

Table of Contents

The U.K. insolvency market saw historically low sales volumes from banks in the last twelve months. We expect there will be increased purchasing opportunities once large retail banks start to sell their insolvency portfolios.
The Spanish consumer and small and medium enterprise non-performing loan market remains significant, with most of the major banks selling portfolios. While competition remains strong in large banking trades, recently there have been multiple complex sales from consolidated regional banks trading at more favorable returns as portfolio sale sizes and an increased asset mix of SME (small and medium enterprise) and other corporate debtors reduce competition.
Although pricing has been elevated, we believe that as our U.K. businesses increase in scale and expand to other European markets, and with anticipated improvements in liquidation and improved efficiencies in collections, our margins will remain competitive. Additionally, Cabot’s continuing investment in its liquidation channel through litigation has enabled them to collect from consumers who have the ability to pay, but have so far been unwilling to do so.
Purchases by Type and Geographic Location
The following table summarizes the types and geographic locations of consumer receivable portfolios we purchased during the periods presented (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
United States:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit card
$
116,234

 
$
127,654

 
$
247,629

 
$
226,641

Consumer bankruptcy receivables
12,787

 

 
23,862

 

Subtotal
129,021

 
127,654

 
$
271,491

 
$
226,641

Europe:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit card
83,555

 
280,881

 
176,955

 
300,876

IVA
2,340

 
1,100

 
2,439

 
2,737

Telecom

 
8,460

 

 
8,460

Subtotal
85,895

 
290,441

 
179,394

 
312,073

Other geographies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit card
18,200

 
685

 
38,984

 
5,220

Total purchases
$
233,116

 
$
418,780

 
$
489,869

 
$
543,934

During the three months ended June 30, 2016, we invested $233.1 million to acquire consumer receivable portfolios, with face values aggregating $2.8 billion, for an average purchase price of 8.2% of face value. This is a $185.7 million, or 44.3%, decrease in the amount invested, compared with the $418.8 million invested during the three months ended June 30, 2015, to acquire consumer receivable portfolios with face values aggregating $5.5 billion, for an average purchase price of 7.6% of face value.
During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we invested $489.9 million to acquire consumer receivable portfolios, with face values aggregating $6.4 billion, for an average purchase price of 7.7% of face value. This is a $54.0 million, or 9.9%, decrease in the amount invested, compared with the $543.9 million invested during the six months ended June 30, 2015, to acquire consumer receivable portfolios with face values aggregating $6.6 billion, for an average purchase price of 8.3% of face value.
The decrease in capital deployment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, was primarily the result of approximately $216.0 million of receivable portfolios acquired in connection with the dlc Acquisition in June 2015. In the United States, our capital deployment increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the prior comparable periods partially as the result of entering into several forward flow commitments during the second half of 2015, which established a strong base for our capital deployment. In Europe, excluding the portfolios acquired in connection with the dlc Acquisition, capital deployment increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the comparable periods in 2015, primarily as a result of Cabot’s investment in Spain, France and Portugal as part of its European expansion strategy.
The average purchase price, as a percentage of face value, varies from period to period depending on, among other factors, the quality of the accounts purchased and the length of time from charge-off to the time we purchase the portfolios.

35

Table of Contents

Collections by Channel and Geographic Location
We currently utilize various business channels for the collection of our receivables. The following table summarizes the total collections by collection channel and geographic areas (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
United States:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collection sites
$
121,867

 
$
125,153

 
$
250,257

 
$
261,082

Legal collections
142,937

 
167,747

 
296,987

 
326,706

Collection agencies(1)
14,082

 
17,952

 
28,755

 
36,053

Subtotal
278,886

 
310,852

 
575,999

 
623,841

Europe:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collection sites
60,605

 
64,259

 
119,436

 
110,657

Legal collections
31,616

 
20,833

 
63,094

 
38,936

Collection agencies
35,129

 
33,448

 
71,954

 
73,572

Subtotal
127,350

 
118,540

 
254,484

 
223,165

Other geographies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collection sites
20,579

 
7,581

 
38,208

 
15,025

Legal collections
2,723

 

 
5,141

 

Collection agencies
4,562

 
351

 
8,073

 
364

Subtotal
27,864

 
7,932

 
51,422

 
15,389

Total collections
$
434,100

 
$
437,324

 
$
881,905

 
$
862,395

________________________
(1)
Collections through our collection agency channel in the United States include accounts subject to bankruptcy filings collected by others. Additionally, collection agency collections often include accounts purchased from a competitor where we maintain the collection agency servicing until the accounts can be recalled and placed in our collection channels.
Gross collections decreased slightly by $3.2 million, or 0.7%, to $434.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016, from $437.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015. The decrease was primarily due to decreased collections in the United States, offset by increased collections in Europe and other geographies. The decrease of legal collections in the United States was primarily the result of delays in receiving media from issuers required to initiate the legal process for a number of accounts.
Gross collections increased $19.5 million, or 2.3%, to $881.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, from $862.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015, primarily due to increased collections in Europe and other geographies, offset by a decrease of collections in the United States.

36

Table of Contents

Results of Operations
Results of operations, in dollars and as a percentage of total revenue, were as follows (in thousands, except percentages):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from receivable portfolios, net
$
267,452

 
92.4
 %
 
$
270,301

 
95.6
 %
Other revenues
21,990

 
7.6
 %
 
12,361

 
4.4
 %
Total revenues
289,442

 
100.0
 %
 
282,662

 
100.0
 %
Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
75,499

 
26.1
 %
 
65,569

 
23.2
 %
Cost of legal collections
46,807

 
16.2
 %
 
57,076

 
20.2
 %
Other operating expenses
24,946

 
8.6
 %
 
21,735

 
7.7
 %
Collection agency commissions
9,274

 
3.2
 %
 
8,466

 
3.0
 %
General and administrative expenses
32,934

 
11.4
 %
 
37,638

 
13.3
 %
Depreciation and amortization
8,235

 
2.8
 %
 
7,878

 
2.8
 %
Total operating expenses
197,695

 
68.3
 %
 
198,362

 
70.2
 %
Income from operations
91,747

 
31.7
 %
 
84,300

 
29.8
 %
Other (expense) income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(50,597
)
 
(17.5
)%
 
(46,250
)
 
(16.4
)%
Other income
3,134

 
1.1
 %
 
395

 
0.2
 %
Total other expense
(47,463
)
 
(16.4
)%
 
(45,855
)
 
(16.2
)%
Income before income taxes
44,284

 
15.3
 %
 
38,445

 
13.6
 %
Provision for income taxes
(13,451
)
 
(4.6
)%
 
(14,921
)
 
(5.3
)%
Income from continuing operations
30,833

 
10.7
 %
 
23,524

 
8.3
 %
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 
0.0
 %
 
1,661

 
0.6
 %
Net income
30,833

 
10.7
 %
 
25,185

 
8.9
 %
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(1,245
)
 
(0.5
)%
 
2,472

 
0.9
 %
Net income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders
$
29,588

 
10.2
 %
 
$
27,657

 
9.8
 %

37

Table of Contents

 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from receivable portfolios, net
$
537,546

 
92.9
 %
 
$
534,411

 
95.4
 %
Other revenues
40,913

 
7.1
 %
 
26,033

 
4.6
 %
Total revenues
578,459

 
100.0
 %
 
560,444

 
100.0
 %
Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
145,141

 
25.1
 %
 
131,121

 
23.4
 %
Cost of legal collections
101,115

 
17.4
 %
 
112,074

 
20.0
 %
Other operating expenses
51,289

 
8.9
 %
 
46,061

 
8.2
 %
Collection agency commissions
19,394

 
3.4
 %
 
19,151

 
3.4
 %
General and administrative expenses
68,173

 
11.8
 %
 
68,835

 
12.3
 %
Depreciation and amortization
18,096

 
3.1
 %
 
16,015

 
2.9
 %
Total operating expenses
403,208

 
69.7
 %
 
393,257

 
70.2
 %
Income from operations
175,251

 
30.3
 %
 
167,187

 
29.8
 %
Other (expense) income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(101,288
)
 
(17.5
)%
 
(88,553
)
 
(15.8
)%
Other income
10,258

 
1.8
 %
 
2,512

 
0.5
 %
Total other expense
(91,030
)
 
(15.7
)%
 
(86,041
)
 
(15.3
)%
Income before income taxes
84,221

 
14.6
 %
 
81,146

 
14.5
 %
Provision for income taxes
(23,599
)
 
(4.1
)%
 
(29,535
)
 
(5.3
)%
Income from continuing operations
60,622

 
10.5
 %
 
51,611

 
9.2
 %
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax
(3,182
)
 
(0.6
)%
 
3,541

 
0.6
 %
Net income
57,440

 
9.9
 %
 
55,152

 
9.8
 %
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(2,158
)
 
(0.3
)%
 
1,930

 
0.4
 %
Net income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders
$
55,282

 
9.6
 %
 
$
57,082

 
10.2
 %

38

Table of Contents

Results of Operations—Cabot
The following table summarizes the operating results contributed by Cabot during the periods presented (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Janus Holdings
 
Encore Europe(1)
 
Consolidated
 
Janus Holdings
 
Encore Europe(1)
 
Consolidated
Total revenues
$
92,128

 
$

 
$
92,128

 
$
84,613

 
$

 
$
84,613

Total operating expenses
(50,150
)
 

 
(50,150
)
 
(48,420
)
 

 
(48,420
)
Income from operations
41,978

 

 
41,978

 
36,193

 

 
36,193

Interest expense-non-PEC
(28,579
)
 

 
(28,579
)
 
(26,436
)
 

 
(26,436
)
PEC interest (expense) income
(12,652
)
 
6,200

 
(6,452
)
 
(12,009
)
 
5,885

 
(6,124
)
Other income
5,432

 

 
5,432

 
297

 

 
297

Income before income taxes
6,179

 
6,200

 
12,379

 
(1,955
)
 
5,885

 
3,930

Provision for income taxes
(2,130
)
 

 
(2,130
)
 
(1,403
)
 

 
(1,403
)
Net income (loss)
4,049

 
6,200

 
10,249

 
(3,358
)
 
5,885

 
2,527

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(519
)
 
(1,761
)
 
(2,280
)
 
471

 
1,441

 
1,912

Net income (loss) attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders
$
3,530

 
$
4,439

 
$
7,969

 
$
(2,887
)
 
$
7,326

 
$
4,439

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Janus Holdings
 
Encore Europe(1)
 
Consolidated
 
Janus Holdings
 
Encore Europe(1)
 
Consolidated
Total revenues
$
181,661

 
$

 
$
181,661

 
$
164,390

 
$

 
$
164,390

Total operating expenses
(100,980
)
 

 
(100,980
)
 
(89,202
)
 

 
(89,202
)
Income from operations
80,681

 

 
80,681

 
75,188

 

 
75,188

Interest expense-non-PEC
(56,851
)
 

 
(56,851
)
 
(49,733
)
 

 
(49,733
)
PEC interest (expense) income
(25,063
)
 
12,282

 
(12,781
)
 
(23,740
)
 
11,634

 
(12,106
)
Other income
11,398

 

 
11,398

 
1,055

 

 
1,055

Income before income taxes
10,165

 
12,282

 
22,447

 
2,770

 
11,634

 
14,404

Provision for income taxes
(3,817
)
 

 
(3,817
)
 
(3,524
)
 

 
(3,524
)
Net income (loss)
6,348

 
12,282

 
18,630

 
(754
)
 
11,634

 
10,880

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
(841
)
 
(2,748
)
 
(3,589
)
 
106

 
324

 
430

Net income (loss) attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders
$
5,507

 
$
9,534

 
$
15,041

 
$
(648
)
 
$
11,958

 
$
11,310

________________________
(1)
Includes only the results of operations related to Janus Holdings and therefore does not represent the complete financial performance of Encore Europe.
For all periods presented, Janus Holdings recognized all interest expense related to the outstanding preferred equity certificates (“PECs”) owed to Encore and other minority shareholders, while the interest income from PECs owed to Encore was recognized at Janus Holdings’ parent company, Encore Europe Holdings, S.a.r.l. (“Encore Europe”), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Encore.
Comparison of Results of Operations
Revenues
Our revenues consist of portfolio revenue and other revenue.
Portfolio revenue consists of accretion revenue and Zero Basis Revenue. Accretion revenue represents revenue derived from pools (quarterly groupings of purchased receivable portfolios) with a cost basis that has not been fully amortized. Revenue from pools with a remaining unamortized cost basis is accrued based on each pool’s effective interest rate applied to each pool’s

39


remaining unamortized cost basis. The cost basis of each pool is increased by revenue earned and decreased by gross collections and portfolio allowances. The effective interest rate is the IRR derived from the timing and amounts of actual cash received and anticipated future cash flow projections for each pool. All collections realized after the net book value of a portfolio has been fully recovered, or Zero Basis Portfolios (“ZBA”), are recorded as revenue, or Zero Basis Revenue. We account for our investment in receivable portfolios utilizing the interest method in accordance with the authoritative guidance for loans and debt securities acquired with deteriorated credit quality. We incur allowance charges when actual cash flows from our receivable portfolios underperform compared to our expectations. Factors that may contribute to underperformance and to the recording of valuation allowances may include both internal as well as external factors. Internal factors that may have an impact on our collections include operational activities, such as the productivity of our collection staff. External factors that may have an impact on our collections include new laws or regulations, new interpretations of existing laws or regulations, and the overall condition of the economy. We record allowance reversals on pool groups which have historic allowance reserves when actual cash flows from these receivable portfolios outperform our expectations. Allowance reversals are included in portfolio revenue.
Other revenues consist primarily of contingent fee income earned on accounts collected on behalf of others, primarily credit originators.
Our operating results are impacted by foreign currency translation, which represents the effect of translating operating results where the functional currency is different than our U.S. dollar reporting currency. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to other foreign currencies has an unfavorable impact on our international revenues, and the weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to other foreign currencies has a favorable impact on our international revenues. Our revenues were impacted by foreign currency translation, primarily by the weakening of the British Pound, which devalued against the U.S. dollar by 6.4% and 6.0%, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, compared to the comparable periods in 2015.
Portfolio revenue was $267.5 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016, a decrease of $2.8 million, or 1.1%, compared to $270.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015. The decrease in portfolio revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2016 compared to 2015 was the result of the negative impact of foreign currency translation, primarily from the weakening of the British Pound against the U.S. dollar, offset by an increase in portfolio revenue due to additional accretion revenue associated with increases in yields on certain pool groups due to over-performance.
Portfolio revenue was $537.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, an increase of $3.1 million, or 0.6%, compared to revenue of $534.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015. The increase in portfolio revenue during the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to 2015 was due to additional accretion revenue associated with increases in yields on certain pool groups due to over-performance, offset by the negative impact of foreign currency translation, primarily from the weakening of the British Pound against the U.S. dollar.
During the three months ended June 30, 2016, we recorded a net portfolio allowance reversal of $2.5 million, compared to a net portfolio allowance reversal of $4.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015. During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we recorded a net portfolio allowance reversal of $4.7 million, compared to a net portfolio allowance reversal of $7.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015. We expect portfolio allowance reversals for certain ZBA pool groups with remaining allowance reserves to decrease over time as the related collections on those ZBA pool groups decrease.

40


The following tables summarize collections, revenue, end of period receivable balance and other related supplemental data, by year of purchase (in thousands, except percentages):
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
As of
June 30, 2016
 
Collections(1)
 
Gross
Revenue(2)
 
Revenue
Recognition
Rate(3)
 
Net
Portfolio
Allowance Reversal
 
Revenue
% of Total
Revenue
 
Unamortized
Balances
 
Monthly
IRR
United States:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ZBA(4)
$
31,883

 
$
30,119

 
94.5
%
 
$
1,775

 
11.4
%
 
$

 

2007
556

 
194

 
34.9
%
 
154

 
0.1
%
 
1,183

 
4.6
%
2008
2,924

 
1,249

 
42.7
%
 
550

 
0.5
%
 
3,851

 
6.3
%
2009(5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010
2,704

 
2,198

 
81.3
%
 

 
0.8
%
 
2,539

 
25.0
%
2011
17,197

 
9,842

 
57.2
%
 

 
3.7
%
 
12,713

 
17.4
%
2012
29,983

 
18,601

 
62.0
%
 

 
7.0
%
 
55,789

 
9.9
%
2013
53,213

 
32,408

 
60.9
%
 

 
12.2
%
 
116,497

 
8.2
%
2014
57,762

 
29,617

 
51.3
%
 

 
11.2
%
 
228,107

 
4.0
%
2015
58,427

 
27,014

 
46.2
%
 

 
10.2
%
 
368,768

 
2.0
%
2016
24,237

 
12,254

 
50.6
%
 

 
4.6
%
 
256,407

 
2.2
%
Subtotal
278,886

 
163,496

 
58.6
%
 
2,479

 
61.7
%
 
1,045,854

 
4.0
%
Europe:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
44,915

 
37,909

 
84.4
%
 

 
14.3
%
 
384,927

 
3.1
%
2014
41,755

 
25,492

 
61.1
%
 

 
9.6
%
 
379,330

 
2.1
%
2015
32,144

 
17,328

 
53.9
%
 

 
6.6
%
 
319,354

 
1.7
%
2016
8,536

 
4,991

 
58.5
%
 

 
1.9
%
 
172,067

 
1.5
%
Subtotal
127,350

 
85,720

 
67.3
%
 

 
32.4
%
 
1,255,678

 
2.2
%
Other geographies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ZBA(4)
1,995

 
1,843

 
92.4
%
 

 
0.7
%
 

 

2013
423

 

 
0.0
%
 

 
0.0
%
 
1,812

 
0.0
%
2014
4,967

 
4,637

 
93.4
%
 

 
1.7
%
 
62,609

 
2.3
%
2015
15,003

 
7,288

 
48.6
%
 

 
2.7
%
 
66,928

 
3.3
%
2016
5,476

 
1,989

 
36.3
%
 

 
0.8
%
 
36,712

 
2.4
%
Subtotal
27,864

 
15,757

 
56.5
%
 

 
5.9
%
 
168,061

 
2.7
%
Total
$
434,100

 
$
264,973

 
61.0
%
 
$
2,479

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,469,593

 
3.0
%
________________________
(1)
Does not include amounts collected on behalf of others.
(2)
Gross revenue excludes the effects of net portfolio allowance or net portfolio allowance reversals.
(3)
Revenue recognition rate excludes the effects of net portfolio allowance or net portfolio allowance reversals.
(4)
ZBA revenue typically has a 100% revenue recognition rate. However, collections on ZBA pool groups where a valuation allowance remains must first be recorded as an allowance reversal until the allowance for that pool group is zero. Once the entire valuation allowance is reversed, the revenue recognition rate will become 100%. ZBA gross revenue includes an immaterial amount of accounts that are returned to the seller in accordance with the respective purchase agreement (“Put-Backs”).
(5)
Total collections realized exceed the net book value of the portfolio and have been converted to ZBA.

41


 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
As of
June 30, 2015
 
Collections(1)
 
Gross
Revenue(2)
 
Revenue
Recognition
Rate(3)
 
Net
Portfolio
Allowance Reversal
 
Revenue
% of Total
Revenue
 
Unamortized
Balances
 
Monthly
IRR
United States:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ZBA(4)
$
25,805

 
$
22,396

 
86.8
%
 
$
3,553

 
8.4
%
 
$

 

2007
774

 
272

 
35.1
%
 
297

 
0.1
%
 
1,747

 
4.6
%
2008
3,694

 
2,217

 
60.0
%
 
510

 
0.8
%
 
6,371

 
10.3
%
2009
7,098

 
3,496

 
49.3
%
 

 
1.3
%
 
2,259

 
25.0
%
2010
12,908

 
6,649

 
51.5
%
 

 
2.5
%
 
6,407

 
18.7
%
2011
30,681

 
23,162

 
75.5
%
 

 
8.7
%
 
40,591

 
17.1
%
2012
47,664

 
28,575

 
60.0
%
 

 
10.8
%
 
111,139

 
7.8
%
2013
80,543

 
47,331

 
58.8
%
 

 
17.8
%
 
211,691

 
6.8
%
2014
80,442

 
36,726

 
45.7
%
 

 
13.8
%
 
364,604

 
3.1
%
2015
21,243

 
7,908

 
37.2
%
 

 
3.0
%
 
209,601

 
2.0
%
Subtotal
310,852

 
178,732

 
57.5
%
 
4,360

 
67.2
%
 
954,410

 
5.5
%
Europe:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
56,824

 
43,628

 
76.8
%
 

 
16.4
%
 
483,377

 
3.0
%
2014
52,122

 
31,408

 
60.3
%
 

 
11.8
%
 
509,998

 
2.1
%
2015
9,594

 
5,634

 
58.7
%
 

 
2.1
%
 
315,361

 
2.0
%
Subtotal
118,540

 
80,670

 
68.1
%
 

 
30.3
%
 
1,308,736

 
2.4
%
Other geographies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ZBA(4)
927

 
927

 
100.0
%
 

 
0.4
%
 

 

2012
84

 

 
0.0
%
 

 
0.0
%
 

 
0.0
%
2013
2,227

 
98

 
4.4
%
 

 
0.0
%
 
4,688

 
0.1
%
2014
3,678

 
5,220

 
141.9
%
 

 
2.0
%
 
79,785

 
2.2
%
2015
1,016

 
294

 
28.9
%
 

 
0.1
%
 
4,148

 
2.0
%
Subtotal
7,932

 
6,539

 
82.4
%
 

 
2.5
%
 
88,621

 
2.0
%
Total
$
437,324

 
$
265,941

 
60.8
%
 
$
4,360

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,351,767

 
3.6
%
________________________
(1)
Does not include amounts collected on behalf of others.
(2)
Gross revenue excludes the effects of net portfolio allowance or net portfolio allowance reversals.
(3)
Revenue recognition rate excludes the effects of net portfolio allowance or net portfolio allowance reversals.
(4)
ZBA revenue typically has a 100% revenue recognition rate. However, collections on ZBA pool groups where a valuation allowance remains must first be recorded as an allowance reversal until the allowance for that pool group is zero. Once the entire valuation allowance is reversed, the revenue recognition rate will become 100%. ZBA gross revenue includes an immaterial amount of Put-Backs.

42


 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
As of June 30, 2016
 
Collections(1)
 
Gross
Revenue
(2)
 
Revenue
Recognition
Rate(3)
 
Net
Portfolio
Allowance Reversal
 
Revenue
% of Total
Revenue
 
Unamortized
Balances
 
Monthly
IRR
United States:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ZBA(4)
$
61,657

 
$
58,267

 
94.5
%
 
$
3,497

 
10.9
%
 
$

 

2007
1,132

 
414

 
36.6
%
 
301

 
0.1
%
 
1,183

 
4.6
%
2008
5,778

 
2,959

 
51.2
%
 
872

 
0.6
%
 
3,851

 
6.3
%
2009(5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010
5,688

 
4,510

 
79.3
%
 

 
0.8
%
 
2,539

 
25.0
%
2011
39,438

 
24,918

 
63.2
%
 

 
4.7
%
 
12,713

 
17.4
%
2012
64,608

 
40,609

 
62.9
%
 

 
7.6
%
 
55,789

 
9.9
%
2013
114,506

 
69,660

 
60.8
%
 

 
13.1
%
 
116,497

 
8.2
%
2014
124,488

 
61,462

 
49.4
%
 

 
11.5
%
 
228,107

 
4.0
%
2015
128,652

 
54,504

 
42.4
%
 

 
10.2
%
 
368,768

 
2.0
%
2016
30,052

 
14,724

 
49.0
%
 

 
2.8
%
 
256,407

 
2.2
%
Subtotal
575,999

 
332,027

 
57.6
%
 
4,670

 
62.3
%
 
1,045,854

 
4.0
%
Europe:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
90,458

 
76,417

 
84.5
%
 

 
14.4
%
 
384,927

 
3.1
%
2014
84,900

 
51,878

 
61.1
%
 

 
9.7
%
 
379,330

 
2.1
%
2015
65,690

 
34,654

 
52.8
%
 

 
6.5
%
 
319,354

 
1.7
%
2016
13,436

 
7,487

 
55.7
%
 

 
1.4
%
 
172,067

 
1.5
%
Subtotal
254,484

 
170,436

 
67.0
%
 

 
32.0
%
 
1,255,678

 
2.2
%
Other geographies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ZBA(4)
3,666

 
3,520

 
96.0
%
 

 
0.7
%
 

 

2013
794

 

 
0.0
%
 

 
0.0
%
 
1,812

 
0.0
%
2014
9,364

 
9,202

 
98.3
%
 

 
1.7
%
 
62,609

 
2.3
%
2015
30,087

 
14,829

 
49.3
%
 

 
2.8
%
 
66,928

 
3.3
%
2016
7,511

 
2,862

 
38.1
%
 

 
0.5
%
 
36,712

 
2.4
%
Subtotal
51,422

 
30,413

 
59.1
%
 

 
5.7
%
 
168,061

 
2.7
%
Total
$
881,905

 
$
532,876

 
60.4
%
 
$
4,670

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,469,593

 
3.0
%
________________________
(1)
Does not include amounts collected on behalf of others.
(2)
Gross revenue excludes the effects of net portfolio allowance or net portfolio allowance reversals.
(3)
Revenue recognition rate excludes the effects of net portfolio allowance or net portfolio allowance reversals.
(4)
ZBA revenue typically has a 100% revenue recognition rate. However, collections on ZBA pool groups where a valuation allowance remains must first be recorded as an allowance reversal until the allowance for that pool group is zero. Once the entire valuation allowance is reversed, the revenue recognition rate will become 100%. ZBA gross revenue includes an immaterial amount of Put-Backs.
(5)
Total collections realized exceed the net book value of the portfolio and have been converted to ZBA.

43


 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
As of June 30, 2015
 
Collections(1)
 
Gross
Revenue(2)
 
Revenue
Recognition
Rate(3)
 
Net
Portfolio
Allowance Reversal
 
Revenue
% of Total
Revenue
 
Unamortized
Balances
 
Monthly
IRR
United States:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ZBA(4)
$
41,183

 
$
34,943

 
84.8
%
 
$
6,412

 
6.6
%
 
$

 

2007
1,759

 
605

 
34.4
%
 
297

 
0.1
%
 
1,747

 
4.6
%
2008
7,212

 
4,677

 
64.9
%
 
510

 
0.9
%
 
6,371

 
10.3
%
2009
14,633

 
9,122

 
62.3
%
 

 
1.7
%
 
2,259

 
25.0
%
2010
34,343

 
19,705

 
57.4
%
 

 
3.8
%
 
6,407

 
18.7
%
2011
63,441

 
48,135

 
75.9
%
 

 
9.1
%
 
40,591

 
17.1
%
2012
100,835

 
61,387

 
60.9
%
 

 
11.7
%
 
111,139

 
7.8
%
2013
167,984

 
94,961

 
56.5
%
 

 
18.0
%
 
211,691

 
6.8
%
2014
166,487

 
75,897

 
45.6
%
 

 
14.4
%
 
364,604

 
3.1
%
2015
25,964

 
9,102

 
35.1
%
 

 
1.7
%
 
209,601

 
2.0
%
Subtotal
623,841

 
358,534

 
57.5
%
 
7,219

 
68.0
%
 
954,410

 
5.5
%
Europe:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
111,887

 
87,335

 
78.1
%
 

 
16.6
%
 
483,377

 
3.0
%
2014
101,521

 
63,473

 
62.5
%
 

 
12.0
%
 
509,998

 
2.1
%
2015
9,757

 
5,928

 
60.8
%
 

 
1.1
%
 
315,361

 
2.0
%
Subtotal
223,165

 
156,736

 
70.2
%
 

 
29.7
%
 
1,308,736

 
2.4
%
Other geographies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ZBA(4)
1,092

 
1,092

 
100.0
%
 

 
0.2
%
 

 

2012
471

 

 
0.0
%
 

 
0.0
%
 

 
0.0
%
2013
4,941

 
312

 
6.3
%
 

 
0.1
%
 
4,688

 
0.1
%
2014
7,353

 
10,114

 
137.5
%
 

 
1.9
%
 
79,785

 
2.2
%
2015
1,532

 
404

 
26.4
%
 

 
0.1
%
 
4,148

 
2.0
%
Subtotal
15,389

 
11,922

 
77.5
%
 

 
2.3
%
 
88,621

 
2.0
%
Total
$
862,395

 
$
527,192

 
61.1
%
 
$
7,219

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,351,767

 
3.6
%
________________________
(1)
Does not include amounts collected on behalf of others.
(2)
Gross revenue excludes the effects of net portfolio allowance or net portfolio allowance reversals.
(3)
Revenue recognition rate excludes the effects of net portfolio allowance or net portfolio allowance reversals.
(4)
ZBA revenue typically has a 100% revenue recognition rate. However, collections on ZBA pool groups where a valuation allowance remains must first be recorded as an allowance reversal until the allowance for that pool group is zero. Once the entire valuation allowance is reversed, the revenue recognition rate will become 100%. ZBA gross revenue includes an immaterial amount of Put-Backs.
Other revenues were $22.0 million and $12.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $40.9 million and $26.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase in other revenues was primarily attributable to contingent fee income earned at our international subsidiaries, offset by the negative impact of foreign currency translation. Most of our other revenues are from our international subsidiaries and therefore, other revenues were unfavorably impacted by the strengthening of U.S. dollar relative to other foreign currencies during the periods presented.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $197.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016, a decrease of $0.7 million, or 0.3%, compared to total operating expenses of $198.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015.
Total operating expenses were $403.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, an increase of $9.9 million, or 2.5%, compared to total operating expenses of $393.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015.

44

Table of Contents

Operating expenses are explained in more detail as follows:
Salaries and Employee Benefits
Salaries and employee benefits increased $9.9 million, or 15.1%, to $75.5 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016, from $65.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015. The increase was primarily the result of increases in headcount and related compensation expense of approximately $12.9 million for our international subsidiaries as a result of our global expansion, offset by a decrease in salaries and employee benefits for our U.S. operations of $2.9 million.
Salaries and employee benefits increased $14.0 million, or 10.7%, to $145.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, from $131.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015. The increase was primarily the result of increases in headcount and related compensation expense of approximately $22.4 million for our international subsidiaries as a result of our global expansion, offset by a decrease in salaries and employee benefits U.S. operations of $8.9 million.
Stock-based compensation decreased $1.0 million, or 16.9%, to $5.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016, from $6.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower fair value of equity awards granted in recent periods.
Stock-based compensation decreased $3.2 million, or 26.7%, to $8.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, from $12.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower fair value of equity awards granted in recent periods and expense reversals resulting from adjustments to estimated vesting of certain performance-based awards.
Cost of Legal Collections
The cost of legal collections decreased $10.3 million, or 18.0%, to $46.8 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016, as compared to $57.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015. These costs represent contingent fees paid to our network of attorneys and the cost of litigation. Gross legal collections were $177.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016, down from $188.6 million collected during the three months ended June 30, 2015. The cost of legal collections as a percentage of gross collections through this channel was 26.4% during the three months ended June 30, 2016, a decrease from 30.3% during corresponding period in 2015. The cost of legal collections as a percentage of gross collections through this channel in the United States was 27.3% and 29.6% during the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The cost of legal collections as a percentage of gross collections through this channel in Europe was 21.9% and 35.3% during the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The cost of legal collections decreased $11.0 million, or 9.8%, to $101.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, as compared to $112.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015. Gross legal collections were $365.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, down slightly from $365.6 million collected during the six months ended June 30, 2015. The cost of legal collections as a percentage of gross collections through this channel was 27.7% during the six months ended June 30, 2016, a decrease from 30.7% during the corresponding period in 2015. The cost of legal collections as a percentage of gross collections through this channel in the United States was 28.5% and 30.4% during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The cost of legal collections as a percentage of gross collections through this channel in Europe was 23.9% and 32.5% during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The decreases in the cost of legal collections in the United States in the periods presented were due to a reduction in upfront court costs as a result of fewer accounts placed in this channel as compared to the prior period. In Europe, during 2015, Cabot expanded the number of accounts placed into the legal collection channel, which resulted in increased cost of legal collections and cost to collect in this channel. We expect collections to increase over time as a result of our investment in this liquidation channel, which we anticipate will result in a lower cost of legal collections as a percentage of dollars collected as compared to the prior periods. However, we expect that the cost of legal collections in Europe will remain elevated as we continue our investment in the legal collection channel.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses increased $3.2 million, or 14.8%, to $24.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016, from $21.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015. Other operating expenses increased $5.2 million, or 11.4%, to $51.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, from $46.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015. The increases in other operating expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, as compared to the prior periods, were primarily due to increased costs relating to various operation support activities, including skip tracing, media requests and bank charges.

45

Table of Contents

Collection Agency Commissions
During the three months ended June 30, 2016, we incurred $9.3 million in commissions to third-party collection agencies, or 17.2% of the related gross collections of $53.8 million. During the period, the commission rate as a percentage of related gross collections was 9.8% and 19.6% for our collection outsourcing channels in the United States and Europe, respectively. During the three months ended June 30, 2015, we incurred $8.5 million in commissions, or 16.4%, of the related gross collections of $51.8 million. During the period, the commission rate as a percentage of related gross collections was 18.1% and 15.2% for our collection outsourcing channels in the United States and Europe, respectively.
During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we incurred $19.4 million in commissions to third-party collection agencies, or 17.8% of the related gross collections of $108.8 million. During the period, the commission rate as a percentage of related gross collections was 10.5% and 20.5% for our collection outsourcing channels in the United States and Europe, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, we incurred $19.2 million in commissions, or 17.4%, of the related gross collections of $110.0 million. During the period, the commission rate as a percentage of related gross collections was 16.6% and 17.5% for our collection outsourcing channels in the United States and Europe, respectively.
Collections through this channel vary from period to period depending on, among other things, the number of accounts placed with an agency versus accounts collected internally. Commissions, as a percentage of collections in this channel also vary from period to period depending on, among other things, the amount of time that has passed since the charge-off of the accounts placed with an agency, the asset class, and the geographic location of the receivables. Generally, freshly charged-off accounts have a lower commission rate than accounts that have been charged off for a longer period of time. Additionally, commission rates are lower in the United Kingdom where most of the receivables in this channel are semi-performing loans and IVAs, while the commission rates are higher in other European countries where most of the receivables in this channel are non-performing loans.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses decreased $4.7 million, or 12.5%, to $32.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016, from $37.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015. Excluding acquisition, integration and restructuring related expenses, and settlement fees and related administrative expenses of $2.3 million and $7.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, general and administrative expenses increased slightly by $0.3 million, or 1.0%, to $30.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016, from $30.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015.
General and administrative expenses decreased $0.6 million, or 1.0%, to $68.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, from $68.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015. Excluding acquisition, integration and restructuring related expenses and settlement fees and related administrative expenses of $7.2 million and $8.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, general and administrative expenses increased $1.1 million, or 1.9%, to $61.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, from $59.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.3 million, or 4.5%, to $8.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016, from $7.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $2.1 million, or 13.0%, to $18.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, from $16.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015. The increases in the periods presented were primarily attributable to additional depreciation and amortization expenses resulting from fixed assets and intangible assets acquired through our recent acquisitions.

46

Table of Contents

Cost per Dollar Collected
We utilize adjusted operating expenses in order to facilitate a comparison of approximate cash costs to cash collections for our portfolio purchasing and recovery business. The calculation of adjusted operating expenses is illustrated in detail in the “Non-GAAP Disclosure” section. The following table summarizes our overall cost per dollar collected by geographic location during the periods presented:
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
United States
39.0
%
 
40.5
%
 
39.1
%
 
40.6
%
Europe
31.1
%
 
30.6
%
 
32.4
%
 
31.8
%
Other geographies
42.9
%
 
28.3
%
 
41.6
%
 
28.7
%
Overall cost per dollar collected
36.9
%
 
37.6
%
 
37.3
%
 
38.1
%
Our overall cost per dollar collected (or “cost-to-collect”) for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was 36.9%, down 70 basis points from 37.6% during the prior period. Overall cost-to-collect decreased to 37.3% during the six months ended June 30, 2016, from 38.1% during the same period in the prior year. The decrease in overall cost-to-collect was primarily due to improved cost-to-collect in the United States. To counter higher prices in the U.S. market, we implemented innovative consumer-centric programs aimed at increasing liquidations. These programs were initiated in the beginning of 2014 and have become increasingly successful. Although Cabot’s cost-to-collect increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the prior comparable periods, it continues to trend lower than our overall cost-to-collect because its portfolio includes many consumers who are already on payment plans and historically involves little litigation. As more of Cabot’s accounts are serviced through its legal channel, we expect to see incremental net collections and a higher overall cost-to-collect. As we continue to grow our presence in the Latin American market, we expect to incur upfront cost in building our collection channels. As a result, cost-to-collect in this region may become elevated in the near term and may fluctuate over time.
Over time, we expect our cost-to-collect to remain competitive, but also to fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on seasonality, acquisitions, the cost of investments in new operating initiatives, and the changing regulatory and legislative environment.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $4.3 million to $50.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016, from $46.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015. Interest expense increased $12.7 million to $101.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, from $88.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015.
The following tables summarize our interest expense (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
Stated interest on debt obligations
$
41,124

 
$
36,817

 
$
4,307

Interest expense on preferred equity certificates
6,452

 
6,124

 
328

Amortization of loan fees and other loan costs
3,020

 
3,659

 
(639
)
Amortization of debt discount
2,695

 
2,310

 
385

Accretion of debt premium
(2,694
)
 
(2,660
)
 
(34
)
Total interest expense
$
50,597

 
$
46,250

 
$
4,347


47

Table of Contents

 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
Stated interest on debt obligations
$
82,510

 
$
71,336

 
$
11,174

Interest expense on preferred equity certificates
12,781

 
12,106

 
675

Amortization of loan fees and other loan costs
6,060

 
5,730

 
330

Amortization of debt discount
5,249

 
4,588

 
661

Accretion of debt premium
(5,312
)
 
(5,207
)
 
(105
)
Total interest expense
$
101,288

 
$
88,553

 
$
12,735

The payment of the accumulated interest on the preferred equity certificates issued in connection with the acquisition of a controlling interest in Cabot will only be satisfied in connection with the disposition of the noncontrolling interests of J.C. Flowers & Co. LLC and management.
The increases in interest expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the comparable periods in 2015 were primarily attributable to increased average debt levels in Europe before the effect of foreign currency translation and interest expense recognized at Baycorp, which was acquired in October 2015.
Other Income
Other income or expense consists primarily of foreign currency exchange gains or losses and interest income. Other income was $3.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016, up from $0.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015. Other income was $10.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, up from $2.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015. The increases during the periods presented were primarily due to net gains recognized on foreign exchange contracts.
In 2016, Encore and its Cabot subsidiary collectively began entering into currency exchange forward contracts to reduce the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations between the British Pound and Euro. These derivative contracts generally mature within one to three months and are not designated as hedge instruments for accounting purposes. The gains or losses on these derivative contracts are recognized in other income or expense based on the changes in fair value. Before the effect of income tax and noncontrolling interest, the net gain on these derivative contracts recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations was $2.0 million and $7.4 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively.
Provision for Income Taxes
We recorded income tax provisions for income from continuing operations of $13.5 million and $14.9 million, during the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We recorded income tax provisions for income from continuing operations of $23.6 million and $29.5 million, during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The effective tax rates for the respective periods are shown below:
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Federal provision
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
State provision
6.2
 %
 
6.9
 %
 
6.2
 %
 
6.9
 %
State benefit
(2.2
)%
 
(2.4
)%
 
(2.2
)%
 
(2.4
)%
International benefit(1)
(9.1
)%
 
(4.5
)%
 
(10.1
)%
 
(5.5
)%
Permanent items(2)
0.4
 %
 
3.2
 %
 
0.5
 %
 
2.1
 %
Other(3)
0.1
 %
 
0.6
 %
 
(1.4
)%
 
0.3
 %
Effective rate
30.4
 %
 
38.8
 %
 
28.0
 %
 
36.4
 %
________________________
(1)
Relates primarily to lower tax rates on income attributable to international operations.
(2)
Represents a provision for nondeductible items.
(3)
Includes the effect of discrete items and an IRS audit settlement.

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The effective tax rate decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, as a result of earnings realized in countries with lower statutory tax rates than the U.S. federal tax rate. The decrease in effective tax rate during the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the prior period, was also a result of a favorable IRS audit settlement. Our effective tax rate could fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis and could be adversely affected to the extent earnings are lower than anticipated in countries that have lower statutory tax rates and higher than anticipated in countries that have higher statutory tax rates.
Our subsidiary in Costa Rica is operating under a 100% tax holiday through December 31, 2018 and a 50% tax holiday for the subsequent four years. The impact of the tax holiday in Costa Rica for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was immaterial.
Non-GAAP Disclosure
In addition to the financial information prepared in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), we provide historical non-GAAP financial information. Management believes that the presentation of such non-GAAP financial information is meaningful and useful in understanding the activities and business metrics of our operations. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of our business that, when viewed with our GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business.
Management believes that the presentation of these measures provides investors with greater transparency and facilitates comparison of operating results across a broad spectrum of companies with varying capital structures, compensation strategies, derivative instruments, and amortization methods, which provide a more complete understanding of our financial performance, competitive position, and prospects for the future. Readers should consider the information in addition to, but not instead of, our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. This non-GAAP financial information may be determined or calculated differently by other companies, limiting the usefulness of these measures for comparative purposes.
Adjusted Income From Continuing Operations Per Share. Management uses non-GAAP adjusted income from continuing operations attributable to Encore and adjusted income from continuing operations per share (which we also refer to from time to time as adjusted earnings per share), to assess operating performance, in order to highlight trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying on financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted income from continuing operations attributable to Encore excludes non-cash interest and issuance cost amortization relating to our convertible notes, one-time charges, acquisition, integration and restructuring related expenses, settlement fees and related administrative expenses, and amortization of certain acquired intangible assets. As we continue to acquire debt solution service providers around the world, the acquired intangible assets, such as trade names and customer relationships, have grown substantially, particularly in recent quarters. These intangible assets are valued at the time of the acquisition and amortized over their estimated lives. We believe that amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, especially the amortization of an acquired company’s trade names and customer relationships, is the result of pre-acquisition activities. In addition, the amortization of these acquired intangibles is a non-cash static expense that is not affected by operations during any reporting period. As a result, the amortization of certain acquired intangible assets is excluded from our adjusted income from continuing operations attributable to Encore and adjusted income from continuing operations per share.
The following table provides a reconciliation between income from continuing operations and diluted income from continuing operations per share attributable to Encore calculated in accordance with GAAP to adjusted income from continuing operations and adjusted income from continuing operations per share attributable to Encore, respectively. GAAP diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, includes the effect of approximately 0.8 million and 0.9 million common shares, respectively, that are issuable upon conversion of certain convertible senior notes because the average stock price during the period exceeded the conversion price of these notes. However, as described in Note 10, “Debt—Encore Convertible Notes,” in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements, we have certain hedging transactions in place that have the effect of increasing the effective conversion price of these notes. Accordingly, while these common shares are included in our diluted earnings per share, the hedge transactions will offset the impact of this dilution and no shares will be issued unless our stock price exceeds the effective conversion price, thereby creating a discrepancy between the accounting effect of those notes under GAAP and their economic impact. We have presented the following metrics both including and excluding the dilutive effect of these convertible senior notes to better illustrate the economic impact of those notes and the related hedging transactions to shareholders, with the GAAP item under the “Per Diluted Share-Accounting” and “Per Diluted Share-Economic” (non-GAAP) columns, respectively (in thousands, except per share data):

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Table of Contents

 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
$
 
Per Diluted
Share—
Accounting
 
Per Diluted
Share—
Economic
 
$
 
Per Diluted
Share—
Accounting
 
Per Diluted
Share—
Economic
GAAP net income from continuing operations attributable to Encore, as reported
$
29,588

 
$
1.14

 
$
1.14

 
$
25,996

 
$
0.97

 
$
1.00

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Convertible notes non-cash interest and issuance cost amortization
2,921

 
0.11

 
0.11

 
2,809

 
0.10

 
0.11

Acquisition, integration and restructuring related expenses
3,271

 
0.13

 
0.13

 
9,297

 
0.35

 
0.35

Settlement fees and related administrative expenses
698

 
0.03

 
0.03

 

 

 

Amortization of certain acquired intangible assets
575

 
0.02

 
0.02

 

 

 

Income tax effect of the adjustments
(2,338
)
 
(0.09
)
 
(0.09
)
 
(2,570
)
 
(0.10
)
 
(0.10
)
Adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interest (1)
(1,273
)
 
(0.05
)
 
(0.05
)
 
(4,023
)
 
(0.15
)
 
(0.15
)
Adjusted income from continuing operations attributable to Encore
$
33,442

 
$
1.29

 
$
1.29

 
$
31,509

 
$
1.17

 
$
1.21

 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
$
 
Per Diluted
Share—
Accounting
 
Per Diluted
Share—
Economic
 
$
 
Per Diluted
Share—
Accounting
 
Per Diluted
Share—
Economic
GAAP net income from continuing operations attributable to Encore, as reported
$
58,464

 
$
2.26

 
$
2.26

 
$
53,541

 
$
1.97

 
$
2.04

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Convertible notes non-cash interest and issuance cost amortization
5,830

 
0.23

 
0.23

 
5,586

 
0.21

 
0.21

Acquisition, integration and restructuring related expenses
6,330

 
0.24

 
0.24

 
12,063

 
0.44

 
0.45

Settlement fees and related administrative expenses
3,686

 
0.14

 
0.14

 

 

 

Amortization of certain acquired intangible assets
1,649

 
0.06

 
0.06

 

 

 

Income tax effect of the adjustments
(5,621
)
 
(0.22
)
 
(0.22
)
 
(4,559
)
 
(0.17
)
 
(0.17
)
Adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interest (1)
(2,491
)
 
(0.09
)
 
(0.09
)
 
(4,563
)
 
(0.17
)
 
(0.17
)
Adjusted income from continuing operations attributable to Encore
$
67,847

 
$
2.62

 
$
2.62

 
$
62,068

 
$
2.28

 
$
2.36

________________________
(1)
Certain of the above pre-tax adjustments include expenses recognized by our partially-owned subsidiaries. This adjustment represents the portion of the non-GAAP adjustments that are attributable to noncontrolling interest.
Adjusted EBITDA. Management utilizes adjusted EBITDA (defined as net income before discontinued operations, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, portfolio amortization, stock-based compensation expenses, one-time charges, acquisition, integration and restructuring related expenses, and settlement fees and related administrative expenses), which is materially similar in calculation to a financial measure contained in covenants used in the Encore revolving credit and term loan facility, in the evaluation of our operations and believes that this measure is a useful indicator of our ability to generate cash collections in excess of operating expenses through the liquidation of our receivable portfolios. Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented is as follows (in thousands):

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Table of Contents

 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
GAAP net income, as reported
$
30,833

 
$
25,185

 
$
57,440

 
$
55,152

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

 
(1,661
)
 
3,182

 
(3,541
)
Interest expense
50,597

 
46,250

 
101,288

 
88,553

Provision for income taxes
13,451

 
14,921

 
23,599

 
29,535

Depreciation and amortization
8,235

 
7,878

 
18,096

 
16,015

Amount applied to principal on receivable portfolios
166,648

 
167,024

 
344,359

 
327,985

Stock-based compensation expense
5,151

 
6,198

 
8,869

 
12,103

Acquisition, integration and restructuring related expenses
3,271

 
7,892

 
5,412

 
10,658

Settlement fees and related administrative expenses
698

 

 
3,686

 

Adjusted EBITDA
$
278,884

 
$
273,687

 
$
565,931

 
$
536,460

Adjusted Operating Expenses. Management utilizes adjusted operating expenses in order to facilitate a comparison of approximate cash costs to cash collections for our portfolio purchasing and recovery business. Adjusted operating expenses for our portfolio purchasing and recovery business are calculated by starting with GAAP total operating expenses and backing out stock-based compensation expense, operating expenses related to non-portfolio purchasing and recovery business, one-time charges, acquisition, integration and restructuring related operating expenses, and settlement fees and related administrative expenses. Operating expenses related to non-portfolio purchasing and recovery business include operating expenses from other operating segments that primarily engage in fee-based business, as well as corporate overhead not related to our portfolio purchasing and recovery business. Adjusted operating expenses related to our portfolio purchasing and recovery business for the periods presented are as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
GAAP total operating expenses, as reported
$
197,695

 
$
198,362

 
$
403,208

 
$
393,257

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock-based compensation expense
(5,151
)
 
(6,198
)
 
(8,869
)
 
(12,103
)
Operating expenses related to non-portfolio purchasing and recovery business
(28,253
)
 
(19,946
)
 
(55,138
)
 
(41,569
)
Acquisition, integration and restructuring related expenses
(3,271
)
 
(7,892
)
 
(6,330
)
 
(10,658
)
Settlement fees and related administrative expenses
(698
)
 

 
(3,686
)
 

Adjusted operating expenses related to portfolio purchasing and recovery business
$
160,322

 
$
164,326

 
$
329,185

 
$
328,927



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Table of Contents

Supplemental Performance Data
The tables included in this supplemental performance data section include detail for purchases, collections and estimated remaining collections (“ERC”) by year of purchase. During any fiscal quarter in which we acquire an entity that has portfolio, the entire historical portfolio of the acquired company is aggregated into static pools for the quarter of acquisition based on common characteristics, resulting in pools for that quarter that may consist of several different vintages of portfolio. These quarterly pools are included in the tables in this section by year of purchase. For example, with the acquisition of Cabot in July 2013, all of Cabot’s historical portfolio to the date of the acquisition (which includes several years of historical purchases at various stages of maturity) is included in 2013 for Europe. Additional examples include, but are not limited to, the acquisition of Marlin in 2014 and the acquisition of dlc in 2015.
Our collection expectations are based on demographic data, account characteristics, and economic variables. Additional adjustments are made to account for qualitative factors that may affect the payment behavior of our consumers and servicing related adjustments to ensure our collection expectations are aligned with our operations. Our collection expectations vary between types of portfolio and geographic location. For example, in the U.K., due to the higher concentration of payment plans, as compared to the U.S. and other locations in Europe, we expect to receive streams of collections over longer periods of time. As a result, past performance of pools in certain geographic locations or of certain types of portfolio are not necessarily a suitable indicator of future results in other locations or for other types of portfolio.
The supplemental performance data presented in this section is impacted by foreign currency translation, which represents the effect of translating financial results where the functional currency of our foreign subsidiary is different than our U.S. dollar reporting currency. For example, the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to other foreign currencies has an unfavorable reporting impact on our international purchases, collections, and ERC, and the weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to other foreign currencies has a favorable impact on our international purchases, collections, and ERC.
We utilize proprietary forecasting models to continuously evaluate the economic life of each pool. For purposes of calculating IRRs, the collection forecast of each pool is estimated to be up to 120 months.




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Table of Contents

Cumulative Collections to Purchase Price Multiple
The following table summarizes our purchases and related gross collections by year of purchase (in thousands, except multiples):
Year of
Purchase
 
Purchase
Price(1)
 
Cumulative Collections through June 30, 2016
<2007
 
2007
 
2008
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
Total(2)
 
CCM(3)
Purchased consumer receivables:
United States:
<2007
 
$
719,081

 
$
1,377,276

 
$
286,676

 
$
183,982

 
$
114,648

 
$
73,397

 
$
52,137

 
$
36,955

 
$
28,242

 
$
22,012

 
$
18,835

 
$
8,370

 
$
2,202,530

 
3.1

2007
 
204,063

 

 
68,048

 
145,272

 
111,117

 
70,572

 
44,035

 
29,619

 
20,812

 
14,431

 
12,002

 
4,864

 
520,772

 
2.6

2008
 
227,755

 

 

 
69,049

 
165,164

 
127,799

 
87,850

 
59,507

 
41,773

 
29,776

 
23,247

 
9,859

 
614,024

 
2.7

2009
 
253,002

 

 

 

 
96,529

 
206,773

 
164,605

 
111,569

 
80,443

 
58,345

 
42,960

 
16,537

 
777,761

 
3.1

2010
 
345,414

 

 

 

 

 
125,465

 
284,541

 
215,088

 
150,558

 
106,079

 
80,051

 
30,700

 
992,482

 
2.9

2011
 
383,650

 

 

 

 

 

 
122,224

 
300,536

 
225,451

 
154,847

 
112,659

 
42,657

 
958,374

 
2.5

2012
 
466,589

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
186,472

 
319,114

 
233,045

 
155,647

 
56,806

 
951,084

 
2.0

2013
 
513,138

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
217,245

 
372,967

 
276,552

 
106,348

 
973,112

 
1.9

2014
 
519,323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
144,178

 
307,814

 
124,488

 
576,480

 
1.1

2015
 
478,169

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
105,588

 
127,470

 
233,058

 
0.5

2016
 
247,328

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
29,987

 
29,987

 
0.1

Subtotal
 
4,357,512

 
1,377,276

 
354,724

 
398,303

 
487,458

 
604,006

 
755,392

 
939,746

 
1,083,638

 
1,135,680

 
1,135,355

 
558,086

 
8,829,664

 
2.0

Europe:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
619,079

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
134,259

 
249,307

 
212,129

 
90,458

 
686,153

 
1.1

2014
 
630,344

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
135,549

 
198,127

 
84,900

 
418,576

 
0.7

2015
 
423,407

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
65,870

 
65,690

 
131,560

 
0.3

2016
 
179,394

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
13,436

 
13,436

 
0.1

Subtotal
 
1,852,224

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
134,259

 
384,856

 
476,126

 
254,484

 
1,249,725

 
0.7

Other geographies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
6,723

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
3,848

 
2,561

 
1,208

 
435

 
8,052

 
1.2

2013
 
29,568

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
6,617

 
17,615

 
10,334

 
2,433

 
36,999

 
1.3

2014
 
88,227

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
9,652

 
16,062

 
9,364

 
35,078

 
0.4

2015
 
91,290

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
15,061

 
30,087

 
45,148

 
0.5

2016
 
38,837

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
9,103

 
9,103

 
0.2

Subtotal
 
254,645

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
10,465

 
29,828

 
42,665

 
51,422

 
134,380

 
0.5

Purchased U.S. bankruptcy receivables:
2010
 
11,971

 

 

 

 

 
388

 
4,247

 
5,598

 
6,248

 
5,914

 
3,527

 
316

 
26,238

 
2.2

2011
 
1,642

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,372

 
1,413

 
1,070

 
333

 
247

 
104

 
4,539

 
2.8

2012
 
83,159

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,249

 
31,020

 
26,207

 
21,267

 
7,802

 
87,545

 
1.1

2013
 
39,833

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
12,806

 
24,679

 
21,516

 
8,444

 
67,445

 
1.7

2014
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015
 
24,372

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
22

 
1,182

 
1,204

 

2016
 
23,863

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
65

 
65

 

Subtotal
 
184,840

 

 

 

 

 
388

 
5,619

 
8,260

 
51,144

 
57,133

 
46,579

 
17,913

 
187,036

 
1.0

Total
 
$
6,649,221

 
$
1,377,276

 
$
354,724

 
$
398,303

 
$
487,458

 
$
604,394

 
$
761,011

 
$
948,006

 
$
1,279,506

 
$
1,607,497

 
$
1,700,725

 
$
881,905

 
$
10,400,805

 
1.6

________________________
(1)
Adjusted for Put-Backs and Recalls. Recalls represent accounts that are recalled by the seller in accordance with the respective purchase agreement (“Recalls”).
(2)
Cumulative collections from inception through June 30, 2016, excluding collections on behalf of others.
(3)
Cumulative Collections Multiple (“CCM”) through June 30, 2016 refers to collections as a multiple of purchase price.

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Table of Contents

Total Estimated Collections to Purchase Price Multiple
The following table summarizes our purchases, resulting historical gross collections, and estimated remaining gross collections, by year of purchase (in thousands, except multiples):
 
Purchase  Price(1)
 
Historical
Collections(2)
 
Estimated
Remaining
Collections (3)
 
Total Estimated
Gross Collections
 
Total Estimated Gross
Collections to
Purchase Price
Purchased consumer receivables:
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
<2006
$
578,055

 
$
1,870,801

 
$
9,512

 
$
1,880,313

 
3.3

2006
141,026

 
331,729

 
5,486

 
337,215

 
2.4

2007
204,063

 
520,772

 
14,140

 
534,912

 
2.6

2008
227,755

 
614,024

 
24,921

 
638,945

 
2.8

2009
253,002

 
777,761

 
50,688

 
828,449

 
3.3

2010
345,414

 
992,482

 
96,038

 
1,088,520

 
3.2

2011
383,650

 
958,374

 
126,370

 
1,084,744

 
2.8

2012
466,589

 
951,084

 
185,176

 
1,136,260

 
2.4

2013(4)
513,138

 
973,112

 
430,576

 
1,403,688

 
2.7

2014(4)
519,323

 
576,480

 
520,904

 
1,097,384

 
2.1

2015
478,169

 
233,058

 
618,157

 
851,215

 
1.8

2016
247,328

 
29,987

 
419,268

 
449,255

 
1.8

Subtotal
4,357,512

 
8,829,664

 
2,501,236

 
11,330,900

 
2.6

Europe:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013(4)
619,079

 
686,153

 
939,102

 
1,625,255

 
2.6

2014(4)
630,344

 
418,576

 
761,941

 
1,180,517

 
1.9

2015(4)
423,407

 
131,560

 
597,050

 
728,610

 
1.7

2016
179,394

 
13,436

 
314,828

 
328,264

 
1.8

Subtotal
1,852,224

 
1,249,725

 
2,612,921

 
3,862,646

 
2.1

Other geographies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
6,723

 
8,052

 
2,151

 
10,203

 
1.5

2013
29,568

 
36,999

 
6,920

 
43,919

 
1.5

2014
88,227

 
35,078

 
116,874

 
151,952

 
1.7

2015
91,290

 
45,148

 
139,946

 
185,094

 
2.0

2016
38,837

 
9,103

 
76,591

 
85,694

 
2.2

Subtotal
254,645

 
134,380

 
342,482

 
476,862

 
1.9

Purchased U.S. bankruptcy receivables:
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010
11,971

 
26,238

 
66

 
26,304

 
2.2

2011
1,642

 
4,539

 
31

 
4,570

 
2.8

2012
83,159

 
87,545

 
11,536

 
99,081

 
1.2

2013
39,833

 
67,445

 
13,924

 
81,369

 
2.0

2014

 

 

 

 

2015
24,372

 
1,204

 
27,002

 
28,206

 
1.2

2016
23,863

 
65

 
27,756

 
27,821

 
1.2

Subtotal
184,840

 
187,036

 
80,315

 
267,351

 
1.4

Total
$
6,649,221

 
$
10,400,805

 
$
5,536,954

 
$
15,937,759

 
2.4

________________________
(1)
Adjusted for Put-Backs and Recalls.
(2)
Cumulative collections from inception through June 30, 2016, excluding collections on behalf of others.
(3)
ERC for purchased consumer receivables includes $81.9 million related to accounts that converted to bankruptcy after purchase.
(4)
Includes portfolios acquired in connection with certain business combinations.

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Estimated Remaining Gross Collections by Year of Purchase
The following table summarizes our estimated remaining gross collections by year of purchase (in thousands):
 
Estimated Remaining Gross Collections by Year of Purchase(1), (2)
 
2016(3)
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
2023
 
2024
 
>2024
 
Total
Purchased consumer receivables:
United States:
<2006
$
3,685

 
$
3,636

 
$
1,316

 
$
693

 
$
182

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
9,512

2006
1,696

 
1,863

 
963

 
540

 
305

 
119

 

 

 

 

 
5,486

2007
3,901

 
4,289

 
2,585

 
1,585

 
973

 
598

 
209

 

 

 

 
14,140

2008
5,322

 
7,343

 
4,207

 
3,391

 
2,120

 
1,327

 
845

 
366

 

 

 
24,921

2009
12,287

 
15,702

 
9,202

 
5,683

 
3,287

 
2,066

 
1,317

 
838

 
306

 

 
50,688

2010
22,592

 
30,539

 
15,423

 
10,057

 
6,655

 
4,416

 
2,871

 
1,866

 
1,213

 
406

 
96,038

2011
30,673

 
45,031

 
19,002

 
11,607

 
7,444

 
4,784

 
3,199

 
2,079

 
1,351

 
1,200

 
126,370

2012
38,408

 
63,636

 
30,802

 
18,883

 
12,155

 
7,909

 
5,366

 
3,302

 
2,146

 
2,569

 
185,176

2013(4)
72,353

 
118,621

 
82,763

 
54,345

 
36,746

 
24,614

 
16,112

 
10,266

 
6,063

 
8,693

 
430,576

2014(4)
87,582

 
147,253

 
99,716

 
63,303

 
41,592

 
26,769

 
19,082

 
13,516

 
9,240

 
12,851

 
520,904

2015
94,293

 
175,094

 
127,769

 
83,364

 
53,028

 
30,806

 
19,966

 
14,204

 
9,972

 
9,661

 
618,157

2016
41,061

 
124,125

 
98,167

 
60,091

 
37,482

 
22,388

 
13,648

 
9,499

 
6,900

 
5,907

 
419,268

Subtotal
413,853

 
737,132

 
491,915

 
313,542

 
201,969

 
125,796

 
82,615

 
55,936

 
37,191

 
41,287

 
2,501,236

Europe:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013(4)
92,202

 
171,593

 
153,137

 
135,054

 
120,277

 
106,772

 
95,514

 
64,553

 

 

 
939,102

2014(4)
67,066

 
132,011

 
123,305

 
107,929

 
94,522

 
82,143

 
71,523

 
63,407

 
18,192

 
1,843

 
761,941

2015(4)
44,176

 
91,678

 
98,407

 
82,674

 
68,119

 
58,004

 
50,965

 
44,879

 
39,269

 
18,879

 
597,050

2016
19,122

 
48,106

 
50,984

 
44,682

 
36,628

 
30,435

 
24,596

 
21,335

 
19,040

 
19,900

 
314,828

Subtotal
222,566

 
443,388

 
425,833

 
370,339

 
319,546

 
277,354

 
242,598

 
194,174

 
76,501

 
40,622

 
2,612,921

Other geographies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
342

 
552

 
415

 
301

 
230

 
194

 
117

 

 

 

 
2,151

2013
1,479

 
2,291

 
1,580

 
774

 
464

 
201

 
114

 
17

 

 

 
6,920

2014
5,893

 
12,857

 
42,228

 
37,229

 
12,422

 
1,962

 
1,470

 
1,468

 
1,345

 

 
116,874

2015
17,945

 
35,267

 
30,921

 
22,355

 
16,291

 
9,642

 
4,082

 
1,483

 
1,060

 
900

 
139,946

2016
5,671

 
17,804

 
19,428

 
14,251

 
9,954

 
5,831

 
1,891

 
748

 
542

 
471

 
76,591

Subtotal
31,330

 
68,771

 
94,572

 
74,910

 
39,361

 
17,830

 
7,674

 
3,716

 
2,947

 
1,371

 
342,482

Purchased U.S. bankruptcy receivables:
2010
66

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
66

2011
29

 
2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
31

2012
4,232

 
5,607

 
1,697

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
11,536

2013
5,345

 
6,945

 
1,598

 
36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
13,924

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015
890

 
5,485

 
7,097

 
6,802

 
5,385

 
832

 
218

 
142

 
97

 
54

 
27,002

2016
244

 
3,851

 
6,604

 
7,141

 
6,377

 
2,819

 
331

 
174

 
116

 
99

 
27,756

Subtotal
10,806

 
21,890

 
16,996

 
13,979

 
11,762

 
3,651

 
549

 
316

 
213

 
153

 
80,315

Total
$
678,555

 
$
1,271,181

 
$
1,029,316

 
$
772,770

 
$
572,638

 
$
424,631

 
$
333,436

 
$
254,142

 
$
116,852

 
$
83,433

 
$
5,536,954

________________________
(1)
ERC for Zero Basis Portfolios can extend beyond our collection forecasts.
(2)
ERC for purchased consumer receivables includes $81.9 million related to accounts that converted to bankruptcy after purchase. The collection forecast of each pool is generally estimated up to 120 months based on the expected collection period of each pool in the United States and in Europe. Expected collections beyond the 120 month collection forecast in the United States are included in ERC but are not included in the calculation of IRRs.
(3)
2016 amount consists of six months data from July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016.
(4)
Includes portfolios acquired in connection with certain business combinations.

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Unamortized Balances of Portfolios
The following table summarizes the remaining unamortized balances of our purchased receivable portfolios by year of purchase (in thousands, except percentages):
 
Unamortized
Balance as of
June 30, 2016
 
Purchase
Price(1)
 
Unamortized
Balance as a
Percentage of
Purchase Price
 
Unamortized
Balance as a
Percentage
of Total
Purchased consumer receivables:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2007
$
1,183

 
$
204,063

 
0.6
%
 
0.1
%
2008
3,851

 
227,755

 
1.7
%
 
0.4
%
2009

 
253,002

 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
2010
2,539

 
345,414

 
0.7
%
 
0.3
%
2011
12,713

 
383,650

 
3.3
%
 
1.3
%
2012
45,257

 
466,589

 
9.7
%
 
4.6
%
2013(2)
116,497

 
513,138

 
22.7
%
 
11.8
%
2014(2)
228,107

 
519,323

 
43.9
%
 
23.1
%
2015
344,857

 
478,169

 
72.1
%
 
34.9
%
2016
232,383

 
247,328

 
94.0
%
 
23.5
%
Subtotal
987,387

 
3,638,431

 
27.1
%
 
100.0
%
Europe:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013(2)
384,927

 
619,079

 
62.2
%
 
30.7
%
2014(2)
379,330

 
630,344

 
60.2
%
 
30.2
%
2015(2)
319,354

 
423,407

 
75.4
%
 
25.4
%
2016
172,067

 
179,394

 
95.9
%
 
13.7
%
Subtotal
1,255,678

 
1,852,224

 
67.8
%
 
100.0
%
Other geographies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
1,812

 
29,568

 
6.1
%
 
1.1
%
2014
62,609

 
88,227

 
71.0
%
 
37.3
%
2015
66,928

 
91,290

 
73.3
%
 
39.8
%
2016
36,712

 
38,837

 
94.5
%
 
21.8
%
Subtotal
168,061

 
247,922

 
67.8
%
 
100.0
%
Purchased U.S. bankruptcy receivables:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
10,532

 
83,159

 
12.7
%
 
18.0
%
2013

 
39,833

 
0.0
%
 
0.0
%
2014

 

 

 

2015
23,911

 
24,372

 
98.1
%
 
40.9
%
2016
24,024

 
23,863

 
100.7
%
 
41.1
%
Subtotal
58,467

 
171,227

 
34.1
%
 
100.0
%
Total
$
2,469,593

 
$
5,909,804

 
41.8
%
 
100.0
%
________________________
(1)
Purchase price refers to the cash paid to a seller to acquire a portfolio less Put-Backs, Recalls, and other adjustments.
(2)
Includes portfolios acquired in connection with certain business combinations.


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Estimated Future Amortization of Portfolios
As of June 30, 2016, we had $2.5 billion in investment in receivable portfolios. This balance will be amortized based upon current projections of cash collections in excess of revenue applied to the principal balance. The estimated amortization of the investment in receivable portfolios balance is as follows (in thousands):
Years Ending December 31,
Purchased
Consumer
Receivables
United States
 
Purchased
Consumer
Receivables
Europe
 
Purchased
Consumer
Receivables
Other Geographies
 
Purchased U.S.
Bankruptcy
Receivables
 
Total
Amortization
2016(1)
$
110,547

 
$
61,768

 
$
2,192

 
$
3,717

 
$
178,224

2017
278,733

 
148,732

 
13,747

 
12,303

 
453,515

2018
218,846

 
174,592

 
50,471

 
13,651

 
457,560

2019
138,201

 
161,654

 
48,618

 
12,847

 
361,320

2020
90,846

 
151,391

 
25,328

 
11,258

 
278,823

2021
56,672

 
149,019

 
8,535

 
3,533

 
217,759

2022
39,240

 
156,630

 
14,930

 
507

 
211,307

2023
28,205

 
155,861

 
1,674

 
353

 
186,093

2024
17,468

 
61,815

 
1,319

 
298

 
80,900

2025
7,583

 
30,241

 
963

 

 
38,787

2026
1,046

 
3,975

 
284

 

 
5,305

Total
$
987,387

 
$
1,255,678

 
$
168,061

 
$
58,467

 
$
2,469,593

________________________
(1)
2016 amount consists of six months data from July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016.
Headcount by Function by Geographic Location
The following table summarizes our headcount by function by geographic location:
 
Headcount as of June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Domestic
 
International
 
Domestic(1)
 
International
General & Administrative
923

 
2,200

 
945

 
1,705

Account Manager
265

 
3,326

 
283

 
2,668

 
1,188

 
5,526

 
1,228

 
4,373

________________________
(1)
Headcount as of June 30, 2015 includes 81 Propel employees.

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Purchases by Quarter
The following table summarizes the consumer receivable portfolios and bankruptcy receivables we purchased by quarter, and the respective purchase prices (in thousands):
Quarter
# of
Accounts
 
Face Value
 
Purchase 
Price
Q1 2014(1)
1,104

 
$
4,288,159

 
$
467,565

Q2 2014
1,210

 
3,075,343

 
225,762

Q3 2014(1)
2,203

 
3,970,145

 
299,509

Q4 2014
859

 
2,422,128

 
258,524

Q1 2015
734

 
1,041,011

 
125,154

Q2 2015(1)
2,970

 
5,544,885

 
418,780

Q3 2015
1,267

 
2,085,381

 
187,180

Q4 2015(1)
2,363

 
4,068,252

 
292,608

Q1 2016
1,450

 
3,544,338

 
256,753

Q2 2016
946

 
2,841,527

 
233,116

________________________
(1)
Includes portfolios acquired in connection with certain business combinations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
The following table summarizes our cash flow activity, including the cash flows from discontinued operations, for the periods presented (in thousands):
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
49,080

 
$
47,412

Net cash used in investing activities
(52,987
)
 
(331,882
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(11,222
)
 
303,795

Operating Cash Flows
Cash flows from operating activities represent the cash receipts and disbursements related to all of our activities other than investing and financing activities. Operating cash flow is derived by adjusting net income for non-cash operating items such as depreciation and amortization, allowance charges and stock-based compensation charges, and changes in operating assets and liabilities which reflect timing differences between the receipt and payment of cash associated with transactions and when they are recognized in results of operations.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $49.1 million and $47.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Cash provided by operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2016 was primarily related to net income of $57.4 million, adjustments for discontinued operations, various non-cash add backs in operating activities, and changes in operating assets and liabilities. Cash provided by operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2015 was primarily related to net income of $55.2 million, adjustments for discontinued operations, various non-cash add backs in operating activities, and changes in operating assets and liabilities.
Investing Cash Flows
Net cash used in investing activities was $53.0 million and $331.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The cash flows used in investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2016 were primarily related to receivable portfolio purchases of $517.7 million, offset by collection proceeds applied to the principal of our receivable portfolios in the amount of $351.2 million and $106.0 million of proceeds from divestiture of Propel, net of cash divested. The cash flows used in investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2015 were primarily related to cash paid for the dlc Acquisition, net of cash acquired, of $237.9 million, receivable portfolio purchases (excluding the portfolios acquired from the

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dlc Acquisition of $216.0 million) of $356.3 million, offset by collection proceeds applied to the principal of our receivable portfolios in the amount of $334.6 million.
Capital expenditures for fixed assets acquired with internal cash flows were $10.1 million and $10.6 million for six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Financing Cash Flows
Net cash used in financing activities was $11.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016. Net cash provided by financing activities was $303.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015. Net cash used in financing activities from discontinued operations was $15.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016. Net cash provided by discontinued operations was $63.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015.
The cash used in financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2016 primarily reflects $307.9 million in repayments of amounts outstanding under our credit facilities, offset by $288.8 million in borrowings under our credit facilities. The cash provided by financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2015 primarily reflects $741.7 million in borrowings under our credit facilities, offset by $357.5 million in repayments of amounts outstanding under our credit facilities and $33.2 million in repurchases of common stock.
Capital Resources
Historically, we have met our cash requirements by utilizing our cash flows from operations, bank borrowings, convertible debt offerings, and equity offerings. From time to time, depending on the capital markets, we consider additional financings to fund our operations and acquisitions. Our primary cash requirements have included the purchase of receivable portfolios, the acquisition of U.S. and international entities, operating expenses, the payment of interest and principal on borrowings, and the payment of income taxes.
On March 24, 2016, we amended our revolving credit facility and term loan facility pursuant to Amendment No. 3 to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Restated Credit Agreement”). The Restated Credit Agreement includes a revolving credit facility of $742.6 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), a term loan facility of $158.8 million (the “Term Loan Facility”, and together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”), and an accordion feature that allows us to increase the Revolving Credit Facility by an additional $250.0 million ($55.0 million of which was exercised in November 2015). The Senior Secured Credit Facilities have a five-year maturity, expiring in February 2019, except with respect to two subtranches of the Term Loan Facility of $60.0 million and $6.3 million, expiring in February 2017 and November 2017, respectively. As of June 30, 2016, we had $666.0 million outstanding and $193.7 million of availability under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, excluding the $195.0 million available under the accordion.
Through Cabot Financial (UK) Limited (“Cabot Financial UK”), an indirect subsidiary, we have a revolving credit facility of £200.0 million (the “Cabot Credit Facility”). The Cabot Credit Facility includes an uncommitted accordion facility which will allow the facility to be increased by an additional £50.0 million, subject to obtaining the requisite commitments and compliance with the terms of Cabot Financial UK’s other indebtedness. As of June 30, 2016, we had £96.2 million (approximately $129.3 million) outstanding and £103.8 million (approximately $139.3 million) of availability under the Cabot Credit Facility.
Currently, all of our portfolio purchases are funded with cash from operations and borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities and our Cabot Credit Facility.
We are in compliance with all covenants under our financing arrangements. See Note 10, “Debt” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of our debt.
Our cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2016 consisted of $27.6 million held by U.S.-based entities and $111.4 million held by foreign entities. Most of our cash and cash equivalents held by foreign entities is indefinitely reinvested and may be subject to material tax effects if repatriated. However, we believe that our U.S. sources of cash and liquidity are sufficient to meet our business needs in the United States and do not expect that we will need to repatriate the funds.
We believe that we have sufficient liquidity to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months, given our expectation of continued positive cash flows from operations, our cash and cash equivalents, our access to capital markets, and availability under our credit facilities. Our future cash needs will depend on our acquisitions of portfolios and businesses. The divestiture of Propel provided liquidity to deleverage our company and paid down our debt. Additionally, it is expected to improve our overall corporate return on invested capital and provide us additional liquidity for increased investment capital flexibility.

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Table of Contents

Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates. At June 30, 2016, there had not been a material change in any of the foreign currency risk information disclosed in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.
Interest Rates. At June 30, 2016, there had not been a material change in the interest rate risk information disclosed in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.
Item 4 – Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives and accordingly, management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Based on their most recent evaluation, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act are effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
No changes in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Table of Contents

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1 – Legal Proceedings
Information with respect to this item may be found in Note 13, “Commitments and Contingencies,” to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Item 1A – Risk Factors
We have added a risk factor as a result of the “Brexit” referendum and have updated our existing risk factor on regulation of Cabot to include information associated with the FCA authorization of Cabot. Except for the updates to the risk factors set forth below, there is no material change in the information reported under “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.
Economic conditions and regulatory changes leading up to and following the United Kingdom’s expected exit from the European Union could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum in which voters approved the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (the “E.U.”), commonly referred to as “Brexit”. The referendum was advisory, and the terms of any withdrawal are subject to a negotiation period that could last at least two years after the U.K. government formally initiates a withdrawal process. Nevertheless, the referendum has created significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the E.U., including with respect to the laws and regulations that will apply as the United Kingdom determines which E.U. laws to replace or replicate in the event of a withdrawal. Additionally, a withdrawal could, among other outcomes, disrupt the free movement of goods, services and people between the U.K. and the E.U., undermine bilateral cooperation in key policy areas and significantly disrupt trade between the U.K. and the E.U. Consequences such as deterioration in economic conditions, volatility in currency exchange rates or changes in regulation may adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
Changes to the regulatory regime to which Cabot is subject may adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
Cabot’s operations are subject to substantial regulations, and the regulatory regime to which it is subject may experience changes. The Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) implemented an interim permission regime whereby businesses that held a consumer credit license were required to register with the FCA for interim permission before March 31, 2014 in order to continue consumer credit activities after April 1, 2014. The interim permission regime is expected to continue until April 1, 2017, and during this time businesses will be called upon at different intervals to apply for authorization to be fully regulated by the FCA.
Cabot applied for full authorization of its business with the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) in March 2015 and Cabot Credit Management Group Limited (“CCMG”), a Cabot subsidiary, became authorized and regulated by the FCA in March 2016. CCMG appointed other Cabot subsidiaries as its representatives to carry out debt-collecting and debt administration services on its behalf. CCMG assumes full regulatory responsibility for such entities. In addition to the full authorization of its business with the FCA, CCMG has appointed certain individuals who have significant control or influence over the management of the business, known as “Approved Persons,” and who will jointly and severally be liable for the acts and omissions of the company and its business affairs. Approved Persons will be subject to statements of principle and codes of practice established and enforced by the FCA.
The FCA has adopted detailed rules relating to conducting consumer credit activities, in addition to putting in place high level principles and conditions to which it expects businesses and Approved Persons in the sector to adhere. The FCA has significantly greater powers than the OFT, including, but not limited to, the ability to impose significant fines, ban certain individuals from carrying on trade within the financial services industry, impose requirements on a firm’s permission, and cease certain products from being collected upon.
As part of its philosophy of continuous improvement, CCMG regularly reviews policy and practice across all of its business units, to ensure the appropriate and consistent levels of compliance in relation to both regulation and the FCA principles of business. The changes made to policy and practice over the last few years have gradually resulted in, among other things, the lengthening of consumer call duration, the reduction in the number of customer accounts being assessed as suitable for litigation, the extension of pre-litigation recovery periods, the reduction in the number of customer accounts which have been assessed as suitable for the application of interest, and an increase in the number of customers being identified as in a vulnerable situation and therefore not suitable for debt repayment.

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The FCA also requires that debt repayments agreed with consumers are evidenced as affordable to the consumer, this results in a means-based evaluation of proposed repayments, be that one time settlements or installments over time. We believe this, combined with the effects as described above, have gradually resulted in: a reduction in the number of highly discounted near term one-time settlements; an increase in the number of payment plans, including a shift from legal collections to repayment plans; and an increase in the length of existing payment plans. As a result, we have seen a reduction in the amount of collections in the near term and expect a lengthening of our collections curve.
Furthermore, the regulatory regime in the United Kingdom relating to the protection of consumers from unfair terms and practices has also undergone changes. In October 2015, the U.K. Parliament introduced new laws, which reformed most of the previous U.K. consumer laws and was largely driven by the European Commission’s Directive for Consumer Rights. The U.K. Consumer Rights Act 2015 provides for enhanced consumer measures that can be imposed on businesses and gives greater protection to U.K. consumers from unfair business practices and unfair terms in consumer agreements.
Also, the manner in which court claims are conducted in England and Wales in connection with the recovery of debt may be subject to significant changes. In September 2014, the Civil Procedure Rules Committee (“CPRC”), an advisory public body set up by statute and sponsored by the U.K. Ministry of Justice, issued a consultation on proposals to introduce a designated pre-action protocol for court claims for the recovery of debt. Due to the amount of responses from the industry against the introduction of a dedicated protocol, the CPRC created a dedicated sub-committee with industry and consumer group stakeholders. As a consequence, the CPRC issued an updated consultation in September 2015 in order to seek balance between the interests of the industry and consumer groups. Cabot and its industry body, the Credit Services Association, have each responded to this consultation. These consultation responses are being debated by the sub-committee in August, but Cabot has not received any indication of when the revised protocol may be released or what amendments to the original proposed form may be made. If adopted in its current form, the consultation would require all debt collection entities and law firms instructed and acting on behalf of such entities to disclose significant amounts of information relating to the credit agreement and the state of such credit agreement to a consumer prior to being able to progress a claim to court. In some circumstances, issuers of debt may not be able to provide this information, and as neither Cabot nor its competitors currently maintain such documentation to satisfy such obligations, the protocol may limit Cabot’s ability to commence court proceedings to recover a debt. Certain other requirements are proposed, which may significantly increase the costs and time to initiate a court claim.
Finally, in December 2015, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) was proposed to replace the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC. In May 2016 the GDPR was adopted and published in the Official Journal of the EU. The GDPR will be effective starting in 2018 and, although the full scope of the GDPR changes have not yet been released, is likely to introduce significant changes to the data protection regime including but not limited to: the conditions for obtaining consent to process personal data; transparency and providing information to individuals regarding the processing of their personal data; enhanced rights for individuals; notification obligations for personal data breach; and supervisory authorities including a European Data Protection Board (“EDPB”).
It is not yet possible to predict the precise impact that the above-referenced changes will have on Cabot. It is likely that the rules and regulations applicable to Cabot, and the burden of regulatory scrutiny to which Cabot is subject, will continue to increase. The FCA’s imposition of additional requirements on Cabot’s operations or failure by Cabot to maintain FCA authorization for its collection activities, the addition, reinterpretation or enforcement of any laws, rules, regulations, or protocols, or increased enforcement of existing consumer protection or privacy laws, rules and regulations, may adversely affect our ability to collect on receivables and may increase our costs associated with regulatory compliance, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

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Item 6 – Exhibits
 
 
 
3.1
 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on June 14, 1999, File No. 333-77483)
 
 
 
3.2
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 4, 2002)
 
 
 
3.3
 
Bylaws, as amended through February 8, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 14, 2011)
 
 
 
10.1+
 
Non-Employee Director Compensation Program Guidelines, effective June 1, 2016 (filed herewith)
 
 
 
10.2+
 
Non-Employee Director Deferred Stock Compensation Plan (filed herewith)
 
 
 
10.3
 
Amendment Letter, dated June 6, 2016, related to the Amended and Restated Senior Facilities Agreement, dated November 11, 2015, by and among Cabot Financial (UK) Limited, the several guarantors, banks and other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party thereto and J.P. Morgan Europe Limited as Agent and Security Agent (filed herewith)
 
 
 
31.1
 
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
 
 
31.2
 
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
 
 
32.1
 
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document (filed herewith)
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (filed herewith)
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (filed herewith)
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (filed herewith)
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (filed herewith)
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (filed herewith)
+
Management contract or compensation plan or arrangement.


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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Jonathan C. Clark
 
 
 
Jonathan C. Clark
 
 
 
Executive Vice President,
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Date: August 4, 2016


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