NICHOLAS FINANCIAL INC - Quarter Report: 2017 June (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED June 30, 2017

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                      TO                     .

Commission file number: 0-26680

NICHOLAS FINANCIAL, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(727) 726-0763

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    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  ☒    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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)     Yes   ☐    No  ☒

As of August 1, 2017, 12,538,037 shares, no par value, of the Registrant were outstanding (of which 4,713,804 shares were held by the Registrant’s principal operating subsidiary and pursuant to applicable law, not entitled to vote and 7,824,233 shares were entitled to vote).

Table of Contents

NICHOLAS FINANCIAL, INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

See accompanying notes.

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

See accompanying notes.

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

See accompanying notes.

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2017, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Nicholas Financial, Inc. (including its subsidiaries, the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended in Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to ensure the information is not misleading. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending March 31, 2018. It is suggested that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 14, 2017. The March 31, 2017 consolidated balance sheet included herein has been derived from the March 31, 2017 audited consolidated balance sheet included in the aforementioned Form 10-K.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables and the fair value of interest rate swap agreements.

2. Revenue Recognition

Finance receivables consist of automobile finance installment contracts (“Contracts”) and direct consumer loans (“Direct Loans”). Interest income on finance receivables is recognized using the interest method. Accrual of interest income on finance receivables is suspended when a loan enters bankruptcy status, is contractually delinquent for 61 days or more or the collateral is repossessed, whichever is earlier. Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts are accounted for under the cost-recovery method. Interest income on Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts does not resume until all principal amounts are recovered (see Note 4).

A dealer discount represents the difference between the finance receivable, net of unearned interest, of a Contract, and the amount of money the Company actually pays for the Contract. The discount negotiated by the Company is a function of the lender, the wholesale value of the vehicle and competition in any given market. In making decisions regarding the purchase of a particular Contract the Company considers the following factors related to the borrower: place and length of residence; current and prior job status; history in making installment payments for automobiles; current income; and credit history. In addition, the Company examines its prior experience with Contracts purchased from the dealer from which the Company is purchasing the Contract, and the value of the automobile in relation to the purchase price and the term of the Contract. The entire amount of discount is amortized as an adjustment to yield using the interest method over the life of the loan. The average dealer discount associated with new volume for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was 7.56% and 7.15%, respectively in relation to the total amount financed.

The amount of future unearned income is computed as the product of the Contract rate, the Contract term and the Contract amount.

Deferred revenues consist primarily of commissions received from the sale of ancillary products. These products include automobile warranties, roadside assistance programs, accident and health insurance, credit life insurance, involuntary unemployment insurance coverage, and forced placed automobile insurance. These commissions are amortized over the life of the contract using the interest method.

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

3. Earnings Per Share

The Company has granted stock compensation awards with nonforfeitable dividend rights which are considered participating securities. As such, earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, which excludes the participating securities. Diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares from stock compensation awards. Earnings per share have been computed based on the following weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

Diluted earnings per share do not include the effect of certain stock options as their impact would be anti-dilutive. For the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, potential shares of common stock from stock options totaling 155,000 and 165,000, respectively, were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because their effect is anti-dilutive.

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

4. Finance Receivables

Finance receivables consist of automobile finance installment Contracts and Direct Loans and are detailed as follows:

Contracts and Direct Loans each comprise a portfolio segment. The following tables present selected information on the entire portfolio of the Company:

Each portfolio segment consists of smaller balance homogeneous loans which are collectively evaluated for impairment.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the changes in the allowance for credit losses on Contracts:

The allowance for credit losses is increased by charges against earnings and decreased by charge-offs (net of recoveries). The Company aggregates Contracts into static pools consisting of Contracts purchased during a three-month period for each branch location as management considers these pools to have similar risk characteristics and are considered smaller-balance homogenous loans. The Company analyzes each consolidated static pool at specific points in time to estimate losses that are probable of being incurred as of the reporting date. It has maintained historical write-off information for over 10 years with respect to every consolidated static pool and segregates each static pool by liquidation which creates

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

4. Finance Receivables (continued)

snapshots or buckets of each pool’s historical write-off-to liquidation ratio at five different points in each vintage pool’s liquidation cycle. These snapshots are then used to assist in determining the allowance for credit losses. The five snapshots are tracked at liquidation levels of 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%. These snapshots help us in determining the appropriate allowance for credit losses.

The Company purchases Contracts from automobile dealers at a negotiated price that is less than the original principal amount being financed by the purchaser of the automobile. The Contracts are predominately for used vehicles. As of June 30, 2017, the average model year of vehicles collateralizing the portfolio was a 2009 vehicle. The Company utilizes a static pool approach to track portfolio performance. If the allowance for credit losses is determined to be inadequate for a static pool, then an additional charge to income through the provision is used to maintain adequate reserves based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in the loan portfolio, the composition of the portfolio, and current economic conditions. Such evaluation, considers among other matters, the estimated net realizable value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience, management’s estimate of probable credit losses and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an adequate allowance for credit losses.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the changes in the allowance for credit losses on Direct Loans:

Direct Loans are typically for amounts ranging from $1,000 to $11,000 and are generally secured by a lien on an automobile, watercraft or other permissible tangible personal property. Much of Direct Loans are originated with current or former customers under the Company’s automobile financing program. The typical Direct Loan represents a better credit risk than Contracts due to the customer’s historical payment history with the Company; however, the underlying collateral is less valuable. In deciding if to make a loan, the Company considers the individual’s credit history, job stability, income and impressions created during a personal interview with a Company loan officer. Additionally, because most of the Direct Loans made by the Company to date have been made to borrowers under Contracts previously purchased by the Company, the payment history of the borrower under the Contract is a significant factor in making the loan decision. As of June 30, 2017, loans made by the Company pursuant to its Direct Loan program constituted approximately 2% of the aggregate principal amount of the Company’s loan portfolio. Changes in the allowance for credit losses for both Contracts and Direct Loans were driven by current economic conditions and credit loss trends over several reporting periods which are utilized in estimating future losses and overall portfolio performance.

A performing account is defined as an account that is less than 61 days past due. We define an automobile contract as delinquent when more than 25% of a payment contractually due by a certain date has not been paid by the immediately following due date, which date may have been extended within limits specified in the servicing agreements or as a result of a deferral. The period of delinquency is based on the number of days payments are contractually past due, as extended where applicable.

In certain circumstances, we will grant obligors one-month payment extensions. The only modification of terms in those circumstances is to advance the obligor’s next due date by one month and extend the maturity date of the receivable. There are no other concessions, such as a reduction in interest rate, forgiveness of principal or of accrued interest. Accordingly, we consider such extensions to be insignificant delays in payments rather than troubled debt restructurings.

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

4. Finance Receivables (continued)

The following table is an assessment of the credit quality by creditworthiness:

A non-performing account is defined as an account that is contractually delinquent for 61 days or more or is a Chapter 13 bankruptcy account, and the accrual of interest income is suspended. As of September 1, 2016, when an account is 180 days contractually delinquent, the account is written off. This change aligns the Company’s charge-off policy with practices within the subprime auto financing segment. Prior to September 2016, accounts that were 120 days contractually delinquent were written off. Upon notification of a bankruptcy, an account is monitored for collection with other Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts. In the event the debtors’ balance has been reduced by the bankruptcy court, the Company will record a loss equal to the amount of principal balance reduction. The remaining balance will be reduced as payments are received by the bankruptcy court. In the event an account is dismissed from bankruptcy, the Company will decide, based on several factors, to begin repossession proceedings or to allow the customer to begin making regularly scheduled payments.

The following tables present certain information regarding the delinquency rates experienced by the Company with respect to Contracts and under its Direct Loans, excluding Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts:

5. Line of Credit

The Company has a line of credit facility (the “Line”) up to $225.0 million, which matures on January 30, 2018. Prior to December 30, 2016 the pricing on the Line was 300 basis points above 30 day LIBOR with a 1% floor on LIBOR. Effective December 30, 2016, the Company executed an amendment to this existing Line which provided temporary adjustments to the calculation of availability and increased the pricing of the Line to 350 basis points above 30 day LIBOR while maintaining the 1% floor on LIBOR (4.50% at June 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017). The amendment provided for a temporary adjustment to the calculation of the availability under the Line effective as of December 30, 2016 and was in place through June 30, 2017. Regarding such adjustment, an additional event of default was added to the Line that would be triggered if the sum of the percentages of accounts that were more than

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

5. Line of Credit (continued)

thirty days past due, accounts that were charged off, and the value of repossessed vehicles held as assets exceeds a specified monthly threshold. Effective June 30, 2017, the Company executed another amendment to this existing Line which provides temporary relief on the threshold for the Minimum Interest Coverage ratio for the three months ended June 30, 2017. In addition, the pricing of the line will remain at 350 basis points above 30 day LIBOR while maintaining the 1% floor on LIBOR.

Pledged as collateral for this Line are all the assets of the Company. The Line requires compliance with certain financial ratios and covenants and satisfaction of specified financial tests, including maintenance of asset quality and performance tests. As of June, 30 2017, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

As disclosed in Note 4, the quality of the Company’s loan portfolio has been deteriorating, which has resulted in an increase in non-performing loans, increased delinquencies and other factors, which in turn has resulted in increased net charge-offs and an increase in the provision for credit losses. These conditions have resulted in a reduction in net earnings and have affected our borrowing capacity under the Line.

The Company’s operating results over recent quarters provided indicators that the Company may not be able to continue to comply with certain required financial ratios, covenants and financial tests prior to the maturity date of the Line in the absence of an amendment to the corresponding credit agreement. Failure to meet any financial ratios, covenants or financial tests could result in an event of default under our Line. If an event of default occurs under the Line, our lenders could increase our borrowing costs, restrict our ability to obtain additional borrowings under the Line, accelerate all amounts outstanding under the Line, or enforce their interest against collateral pledged under the Line.

The Company is in the process of providing information to the agent bank in the loan consortium, in the ordinary course of business as well as making changes in our policies and procedures which we believe will be successful in addressing some of the issues related to loan quality. We are also developing information pertaining to our expected borrowing needs, including proposed covenants, determination of lending levels and availability and other considerations to be submitted to the agent bank to assist in addressing the renewal of the Line upon expiration of the Line in January 2018. The Company has a longstanding relationship with its lenders. While management believes that it will be able to obtain a renewal or extension of the Line, there are no assurances that the lenders will approve the renewal or extension, or, assuming that they will approve it, that the Line will not be on terms less favorable than the current agreement. In the event that the Company obtains information that the existing lenders do not intend to extend the relationship, the Company will seek alternative financing. The Company believes it is probable that it will be able to obtain financing from either its existing lenders or from other sources; however, it can provide no assurances that it will be successful in replacing the Line on reasonable terms or at all.

6. Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The Company utilizes interest rate swap agreements to manage exposure to variability in expected cash flows attributable to interest rate risk. The interest rate swap agreements convert a portion of the floating rate debt to a fixed rate, more closely matching the interest rate characteristics of finance receivables.

As of the three months ended June 30, 2017, no new contracts were initiated and one of the interest rate swap contracts matured. As of the three months ended June 30, 2016, no new contracts were initiated and no contracts matured.

On June 13, 2017 an interest rate swap agreement with an effective date of June 13, 2012, a notional amount of $25.0 million, and a fixed rate of interest of 1.00% expired. The impact of the swap is included in the gain recognized in income amount below.

The Company currently has one interest rate swap agreement. A July 30, 2012 interest rate swap agreement provides for a five-year interest rate swap in which the Company pays a fixed rate of 0.87% and receives payments from the counterparty on the 1-month LIBOR rate. This interest rate swap agreement had an effective date of August 13, 2012 and a notional amount of $25.0 million.

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

6. Interest Rate Swap Agreements (continued)

The locations and amounts of loss and gain in income are as follows:

Net realized losses and gains from the interest rate swap agreements were recorded in the interest expense line item of the consolidated statements of income. The following table summarizes the average variable rates received and average fixed rates paid under the swap agreements.

7. Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes decreased to approximately $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 from approximately $1.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The Company’s effective tax rate decreased to 38.11% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 from 38.31% for the three months ended June 30, 2016.

8. Fair Value Disclosures

The Company measures specific assets and liabilities at fair value, which is an exit price, representing the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When applicable, the Company utilizes market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability under a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs about which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The Company estimates the fair value of interest rate swap agreements based on the estimated net present value of the future cash flows using a forward interest rate yield curve in effect as of the measurement period, adjusted for nonperformance risk, if any, including a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of both the Company’s credit risk and the counterparty’s credit risk. Accordingly, the Company classifies interest rate swap agreements as Level 2.

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

8. Fair Value Disclosures (continued)

Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, finance receivables and the Line. For each of these financial instruments, the carrying value approximates fair value.

Finance receivables, net approximates fair value based on the price paid to acquire Contracts. The price paid reflects competitive market interest rates and purchase discounts for the Company’s chosen credit grade in the economic environment. This market is highly liquid as the Company acquires individual loans on a daily basis from dealers.

The initial terms of the Contracts generally range from 12 to 72 months. The initial terms of the Direct Loans generally range from 12 to 72 months. If liquidated outside of the normal course of business, the amount received may not be the carrying value.

Based on current market conditions, any new or renewed credit facility would contain pricing that approximates the Company’s current Line. Based on these market conditions, the fair value of the Line as of June 30, 2017 was estimated to be equal to the book value. The interest rate for the Line is a variable rate based on LIBOR pricing options.

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

8. Fair Value Disclosures (continued)

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The Company may be required, from time to time, to measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. The Company does not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of June 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017.

9. Contingencies

The Company currently is not a party to any pending legal proceedings other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business, none of which, if decided adversely to the Company, would, in the opinion of management, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

10. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Reclassifications

The Company made certain reclassifications to the 2016 statements of cash flows. The amortization of deferred revenues decreased cash flows from operating activities by $456 thousand for 2016 and correspondingly increased cash flows from investing activities. In addition, in accordance with ASU 2016-09, excess tax benefits from share-based compensation increased cash flows from operating activities by $1 thousand for 2016 and correspondingly decreased cash flows from financing activities. Net income and shareholders’ equity was not changed.

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

10. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued the Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-15 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payment. The new guidance focuses on making the Statement of Cash Flows more uniform for companies. The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the consolidated financial statements, and is in the process of analyzing its current presentation of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. At this time, the Company does not believe ASU 2016-15 will have a material impact.

In June 2016, the FASB issued the ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. Among other things, the amendments in this ASU require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. The ASU also requires additional disclosures related to estimates and judgments used to measure all expected credit losses. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early application will be permitted for all organizations for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the consolidated financial statements, and is collecting and analyzing data that will be needed to produce historical inputs into any models created as a result of adopting this ASU. At this time, we believe the adoption of this ASU will likely have a material adverse effect on our consolidated Financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases”, intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions. The ASU affects all companies and other organizations that lease assets such as real estate, airplanes, and manufacturing equipment. The ASU will require organizations that lease assets—referred to as “lessees”—to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. The accounting by organizations that own the assets leased by the lessee—also known as lessor accounting— will remain largely unchanged from current U.S. GAAP. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. Upon adoption, the Company will add the impact of the full operating lease terms, using the present value of future minimum lease payments to the balance sheet. The Company will continue to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments—Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities,” which is intended to improve the recognition and measurement of financial instruments by requiring: equity investments (other than equity method or consolidation) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (i.e., securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; eliminating the requirement to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost for organizations that are not public business entities; eliminating the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; and requiring a reporting organization to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk (also referred to as “own credit”) when the organization has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. This ASU is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This ASU permits early adoption of the instrument-specific credit risk provision. While the Company is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company does not believe it will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

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Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

10. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. The ASU requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU, and all subsequently issued clarifying ASUs, will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. On July 9, 2015, the FASB approved the deferral of the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. As a result, ASU 2014-09 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The ASU would permit public entities to adopt the ASU early, but not before the original effective date (i.e., annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016). Because ASU 2014-09 does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, the Company does not expect the new guidance to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The Company has begun to scope its general ledger revenue items to identify potential performance obligations and will continue to evaluate the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

The Company does not believe there are any other recently issued accounting standards that have not yet been adopted that will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Information

This report on Form 10-Q contains various statements, other than those concerning historical information, that are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions, as well as information currently available to management, and should be considered forward-looking statements. This notice is intended to take advantage of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to such forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “will”, “may”, “plan,” “believe”, “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although Nicholas Financial, Inc., including its subsidiaries (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including but not limited to the risk factors discussed under “Item 1A – Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or expected. Among the key factors that may have a direct bearing on the Company’s operating results are fluctuations in the economy, the degree and nature of competition and its effects on the Company’s ability to maintain profit margins at acceptable levels or generate net income at all, fluctuations in interest rates, the availability of capital (including the ability to access bank financing) on favorable terms, demand for consumer financing in the markets served by the Company, the Company’s products and services, increases in the default rates experienced on automobile finance installment contracts (“Contracts”), adverse regulatory changes in the Company’s existing and future markets, the Company’s ability to expand its business, including its ability to complete acquisitions and integrate the operations of acquired businesses and to expand into new markets, and the Company’s ability to recruit and retain qualified employees. All forward looking statements included in this report are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligations to update any such forward looking statement. You should also consult factors described from time to time in the Company’s other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and annual reports to shareholders.

Litigation and Legal Matters

See “Item 1. Legal Proceedings” in Part II of this quarterly report below.

Regulatory Developments

As previously reported, Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), which became operational on July 21, 2011. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB has regulatory, supervisory and enforcement powers over providers of consumer financial products, such as Contracts and the direct consumer loans (“Direct Loans”) that we offer, including explicit supervisory authority to examine, audit, and investigate companies offering a consumer financial product such as ourselves. Although the Dodd-Frank Act expressly provides that the CFPB has no authority to establish usury limits, some consumer advocacy groups have suggested that certain forms of alternative consumer finance products, such as installment loans, should be a regulatory priority and it is possible that at some time in the future the CFPB could propose and adopt rules making such lending or other products that we may offer materially less profitable or impractical. Further, the CFPB may target specific features of loans by rulemaking that could cause us to cease offering certain products. Any such rules could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. The CFPB could also adopt rules imposing new and potentially burdensome requirements and limitations with respect to any of our current or future lines of business, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial performance.

In June 2015, the CFPB published a rule expanding their supervision and examination of non-depository “larger participants” in the automobile finance business, including us. Since we are deemed a larger participant, we are subject to supervision and examination by the CFPB. The CFPB’s stated objectives of such examinations are: to assess the quality of a larger participant’s compliance management systems for preventing violations of federal consumer financial laws; to identify acts or practices that materially increase the risk of violations of federal consumer finance laws and associated harm to consumers; and to gather facts that help determine whether the larger participant engages in acts or practices that are likely to violate federal consumer financial laws in connection with its automobile finance business. Thus, as a larger participant, we will be subject to examination by the CFPB for compliance with, among other Federal consumer financial laws, the applicable provisions of the Truth in Lending Act (“TILA”); Equal Credit Opportunity Act (“ECOA”); Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”); Electronic Fund Transfer Act (“EFTA”); Unfair, Deceptive or Abusive Acts or Practices (“UDAAP”); Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”); Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”); and, Military Lending Act (“MLA”), as well as, the adequacy of our compliance management system.

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Critical Accounting Policy

The Company’s critical accounting policy relates to the allowance for credit losses. It is based on management’s opinion of an amount that is adequate to absorb losses incurred in the existing portfolio.

The allowance for credit losses is established through a provision for credit losses based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in the loan portfolio which includes the competitive environment that existed when the loan was acquired, the composition of the portfolio, and current economic conditions. Such evaluation considers, among other matters, the estimated net realizable value or the fair value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience, management’s estimate of probable credit losses and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an adequate credit loss allowance.

Because of the nature of the customers under the Company’s Contracts and its Direct Loan program, the Company considers the establishment of adequate reserves for credit losses to be imperative. The Company segregates its Contracts into static pools for purposes of establishing reserves for losses. All Contracts purchased by a branch during a fiscal quarter comprise a static pool. The Company pools Contracts according to branch location because the branches purchase Contracts in different geographic markets. This method of pooling by branch and quarter allows the Company to evaluate the different markets where the branches operate. The pools also allow the Company to evaluate the different levels of customer income, stability and credit history, and the types of vehicles purchased, in each market. The Company analyzes each consolidated static pool at specific points in time. A consolidated static pool consists of all branches for the same fiscal quarter. In analyzing a static pool, the Company considers the performance of prior static pools originated by the same branch office, the competition at time of acquisition, and current market and economic conditions. Each static pool is analyzed monthly to determine if the loss reserves are adequate, and adjustments are made if they are determined to be necessary.

The Company has been maintaining historical write-off information for over 20 years with respect to every consolidated static pool, segregating each static pool by liquidation and in effect creating snapshots of a pool’s write-off-to liquidation ratio at five different points in such pool’s liquidation cycle. These snapshots help the Company in determining the appropriate provision for credit losses and subsequent allowance for credit losses. The five snapshots are taken when the liquidation levels are at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%.

The Company’s allowance for credit losses incorporates recent trends that include the acquisition of longer term contracts and increased delinquencies which more closely depicts the amount of the allowance for credit losses needed to maintain an adequate reserve. Management evaluates each Contract on an independent basis each quarter and accounts for such Contract’s term, how far along the corresponding loan is in its liquidation cycle, late charges, the number of deferments, and delinquency. The Company believes that this approach reflects the current trends of incurred losses within the portfolio and better aligns the allowance for credit losses with the portfolio’s performance indicators.

Contracts are purchased from many different dealers and are all purchased on an individual Contract-by-Contract basis. Individual Contract pricing is determined by the automobile dealerships and is generally the lesser of the applicable state maximum interest rate, if any, or the maximum interest rate which the customer will accept. In most markets, competitive forces will drive down Contract rates from the maximum rate to a level where an individual competitor is willing to buy an individual Contract. The Company purchases Contracts on an individual basis. The Company does not anticipate any portfolio acquisitions in the near-term.

The Company utilizes the branch model, which allows for Contract purchasing to be done on the branch level. The Company has detailed underwriting guidelines it utilizes to determine which Contracts to purchase. These guidelines are specific and are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the Contracts that the Company purchases have common risk characteristics. The Company utilizes its District Managers to evaluate their respective branch locations for adherence to these underwriting guidelines, as well as approve underwriting exceptions. The Company also utilizes internal audit (the “IA”) to assure adherence to its underwriting guidelines. Any Contract that does not meet our underwriting guidelines can be submitted by a branch manager for approval from the Company’s District Managers or senior management.

Introduction

Diluted earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2017 decreased 73% to $0.10 as compared to $0.37 for the three months ended June 30, 2016. Net earnings were $0.8 million and $2.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Revenue decreased 3% to $22.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to $22.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016.

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Our net earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2017 were adversely affected primarily by an increase in the provision for credit losses due to higher charge-offs and past-due accounts along with a reduction in the gross portfolio yield. Additionally, several negative factors continue to put pressure on our net earnings, including an extremely competitive market, higher than expected losses, and a continuous decline in auction proceeds. We remain cautious with respect to near term losses as delinquency percentages remain elevated.

Note: All three-month performance indicators expressed as percentages have been annualized.

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Three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to three months ended June 30, 2016

Interest Income and Loan Portfolio

Interest and fee income on finance receivables, predominately finance charge income, decreased 3% to $22.2 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2017 from $22.9 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2016. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the average dealer discount of the portfolio and a decrease in the average weighted APR of the portfolio, both of which are primarily the result of increased competition for Contracts across all markets.

Average finance receivables, net of unearned interest equaled approximately $346.3 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2017, an increase of 1% from $343.2 million for the corresponding period ended June 30, 2016. While our purchasing volume has slowed significantly, mainly as a result of a highly competitive market place, our average finance receivables increased slightly year over year primarily due to a change in our accounting policy. As of September 1, 2016, when an account is 180 days contractually delinquent, the account is written off. Prior to September 2016, accounts that were 120 days contractually delinquent were written off. This change aligns the Company’s charge-off policy with practices within the subprime auto financing segment.

The gross portfolio yield decreased to 25.64% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2017 compared to 26.71% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2016. The gross portfolio yield decreased primarily due to the decrease in the average weighted APR of the portfolio and the average dealer discount of the portfolio described above. To a lesser extent, the gross portfolio yield also decreased due to the increase in past-due accounts. The net portfolio yield decreased to 11.54% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2017 from 15.90% for the corresponding period ended June 30, 2016. The net portfolio yield decreased due to a decrease in the gross portfolio yield and an increase in the provision for credit losses, as described under “Analysis of Credit Losses”.

Marketing, Salaries, Employee Benefits, Depreciation, and Administrative Expenses

Marketing, salaries, employee benefits, depreciation, and administrative expenses decreased to approximately $8.7 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2017 from approximately $8.9 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2016. The decrease was primarily related to a decrease in average headcount for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The Company decreased average headcount to 307 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2017 from 330 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2016. Marketing, salaries, employee benefits, depreciation, and administrative expenses as a percentage of finance receivables, net of unearned interest, decreased to 10.01% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2017 from 10.40% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2016.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased to approximately $2.5 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2017 as compared to $2.2 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2016. This increase was primarily due to the increase in the effective interest rate to 350 basis points above 30 day LIBOR. See below for more details. The following table summarizes the Company’s average cost of borrowed funds:

LIBOR rates have increased (1.14% as of June 30, 2017 compared to .46% as of June 30, 2016) which caused an increase in variable interest for the amount that exceeded the 1% floor. The increase in LIBOR rates also caused a decrease in expense related to our interest rate swap agreements. In addition, the Company entered into an agreement as of December 30, 2016 that increased the effective interest rate by 50 basis points (to 4.50% as of June 30, 2017 from 4.00% as of June 30, 2016). For further discussions regarding interest rates see “Note 5 – Line of Credit”.

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Contract Procurement

The Company purchases Contracts in the eighteen states listed in the table below. The Contracts purchased by the Company are predominately for used vehicles; for the three month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, less than 1% were for new vehicles.

The following tables present selected information on Contracts purchased by the Company, net of unearned interest.

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Loan Origination

The following table presents selected information on Direct Loans originated by the Company, net of unearned interest.

Analysis of Credit Losses

As of June 30, 2017, the Company had approximately 1,475 active static pools. The average pool upon inception consisted of 56 Contracts with aggregate finance receivables, net of unearned interest, of approximately $642,000.

The provision for credit losses increased to $9.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 from $7.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, largely due to net charge-offs (see note 6 in the Portfolio Summary table in the “Introduction” above for the definition of net charge-offs) increasing to 9.54% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 from 7.51% for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The Company’s allowance for credit losses incorporates recent trends that include the acquisition of longer term contracts and increased delinquencies by analyzing the allowance on a loan by loan basis, which more closely depicts the amount of the allowance for credit losses needed to maintain an adequate reserve. The Company believes that this approach reflects the current trends of incurred losses within the portfolio and better aligns the allowance for credit losses with the portfolio’s performance indicators.

The Company’s losses as a percentage of liquidation (see note 5 in the Portfolio Summary table in the “Introduction” above for the definition of write-off to liquidation) increased to 12.16% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to 9.41% for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The increase in the net charge-off and the writeoff to liquidation percentages were the result of several factors, including lower auction proceeds, the acquisition of Contracts that contained some degree of fraudulent information, that at the time of Contract acquisition was not identified, and an increase in the number of Contracts and Direct Loans under which customers decided to discontinue payments to us after they were approved by other lenders for new vehicle financing.

In addition, aggressive competition has forced the Company to purchase lower credit quality Contracts. The Company also experienced a decrease in auction prices from the three months ended June 30, 2016 to the three months ended June 30, 2017. Decreased auction proceeds from repossessed vehicles increased the amount of write-offs which, in turn, increased the write-off to liquidation and net charge-off percentages. During the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, auction proceeds from the sale of repossessed vehicles averaged approximately 36% and 40%, respectively, of the related principal balance.

Recoveries as a percentage of charge-offs were approximately 6.09% and 8.84% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company attributes a large portion of this decrease simply to the increase in charge-offs; historically, there is a six to twelve-month cooling off period prior to receiving any benefits from post charge-off collection activity. We currently remain in a cycle in which credit is more easily available to our typical customer, which leads many of our customers to be less disciplined about their credit record, including the payment schedule on their Contracts and Direct Loans. Periodically, the Company will aggregate charge-off accounts it deems uncollectible, and sell them to a third-party.

The delinquency percentage for Contracts more than thirty days past due, excluding Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts, as of June 30, 2017 was 12.20%, an increase from 7.66% as of June 30, 2016. The delinquency percentage for Direct Loans more than thirty days past due, excluding Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts, as of June 30, 2017 was 5.34%, an increase from 2.49% as of June 30, 2016. The increase in delinquency percentage for both Contracts and Direct Loans was driven primarily by the Company’s continued portfolio weakness. In addition, a portion of the increase is attributed to the Company’s change in accounting policy. As of September 1, 2016, when an account is 180 days contractually delinquent, the account is written off. Prior to September 2016, accounts that were 120 days contractually delinquent were written off. This change aligns the Company’s charge-off policy with practices within the subprime auto financing segment.

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As of the date of this report, the Company has moved a majority of its servicing and collection activity back to its branch network for all but five branches. The remaining few branches serviced at the corporate office maintain low delinquencies and write offs.

The Company has continued to see a significant number of competitors with aggressive underwriting in its operating market. See “Note 4—Finance Receivables” for changes in allowance for credit losses, credit quality and delinquencies.

The Company considers the following factors to assist in determining the appropriate loss reserve levels: competition; the number of bankruptcy filings; the results of internal branch audits; consumer sentiment; consumer spending; economic growth (i.e., changes in GDP); the condition of the housing sector; and other leading economic indicators. The Company continues to evaluate reserve levels on a pool-by-pool basis during each reporting period. The longer-term outlook for portfolio performance will depend on overall economic conditions, the rational or irrational behavior of the Company’s competitors, and the Company’s ability to monitor, manage and implement its underwriting and collections philosophy in additional geographic areas as it strives to continue its expansion.

In accordance with our policies and procedures, certain borrowers qualify for, and the Company offers, one-month principal payment deferrals on Contracts and Direct Loans. For the three months ended June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016 the Company granted deferrals to approximately 4.82% and 5.41%, respectively, of total Contracts and Direct Loans. The number of deferrals is influenced by portfolio performance, including but not limited to, inflation, credit quality of loans purchased, competition at the time of Contract acquisition, and general economic conditions.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes decreased to approximately $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 from approximately $1.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The Company’s effective tax rate decreased to 38.11% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 from 38.31% for the three months ended June 30, 2016.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s cash flows are summarized as follows:

The Company made certain reclassifications to the 2016 statements of cash flows. The amortization of deferred revenues decreased cash flows from operating activities by $456 thousand for 2016 and correspondingly increased cash flows from investing activities. In addition, in accordance with ASU 2016-09, excess tax benefits from share-based compensation increased cash flows from operating activities by $1 thousand for 2016 and correspondingly decreased cash flows from financing activities Net income and shareholders’ equity was not changed.

The Company’s primary use of working capital for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was funding the purchase of Contracts, which are financed substantially through cash from principal payments received, cash from operations and our line of credit (the “Line”). The Line is secured by all of the assets of the Company and has a maturity date of January 30, 2018. The Company may borrow up to $225.0 million under the Line. Prior to December 30, 2016, borrowings under the Line were under various LIBOR pricing options plus 300 basis points with a 1% floor on LIBOR. Effective December 30, 2016, the Company entered into an amendment to adjust its availability calculation which increased pricing of the Line to 350 basis points above 30 day LIBOR with a 1% floor on LIBOR through June 30, 2017. Effective June 30, 2017, the Company executed another amendment to this existing Line which provides temporary relief on the threshold for the Minimum Interest Coverage ratio for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and provides that the pricing of the Line will remain at 350 basis points above 30 day LIBOR while maintaining the 1% floor on LIBOR.

As of June 30, 2017, the amount outstanding under the Line was $204.0 million. The exact amount that the Company may borrow under the Line at any given time is determined in accordance with the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, as subsequently amended.

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The Company will continue to depend on the availability of the Line, together with cash from operations, to finance future operations. The availability of funds under the Line generally depends on availability calculations as defined in the corresponding credit agreement. In addition, our credit facility requires us to comply with certain financial ratios and covenants and to satisfy specified financial tests, including maintenance of asset quality and portfolio performance tests.    

The Company believes that borrowings available under the Line as well as cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet its funding needs for at least the next twelve months. However, since the borrowings available under the Line are calculated every month based on individual loan criteria as defined in the credit agreement, no assurances can be given that the Company will maintain sufficient availability in the long term. After entering into the most recent amendment to the Line as of June 30, 2017, the Company is in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of June 30, 2017.

As disclosed in Note 4 to the financial statements, the quality of the Company’s loan portfolio has been deteriorating, which has resulted in an increase in non-performing loans, increased delinquencies and other factors, which in turn has resulted in increased net charge-offs and an increase in the provision for credit losses. These conditions have resulted in a reduction in net earnings and have affected our borrowing capacity under the line of credit facility.

The Company’s operating results over recent quarters provided indicators that the Company may not be able to continue to comply with certain of the required financial ratios, covenants and financials tests prior to the maturity date of the line of credit facility in the absence of an amendment to the corresponding credit agreement. Failure to meet any financial ratios, covenants or financial tests could result in an event of default under our line of credit facility. If an event of default occurs under the credit facility, our lenders could increase our borrowing costs, restrict our ability to obtain additional borrowings under the facility, accelerate all amounts outstanding under the facility, or enforce their interest against collateral pledged under the facility. See also “The terms of our indebtedness impose significant restrictions on us” in “1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company is in the process of providing information to the agent bank in the loan consortium, in the ordinary course of business as well as making changes in our policies and procedures which we believe will address some of the issues related to loan quality. We are also developing information pertaining to our expected borrowing needs, including proposed covenants, determination of lending levels and availability and other considerations to be submitted to the agent bank to assist in addressing the renewal of credit upon expiration of the Line in January 2018. The Company has a longstanding relationship with its lenders. While management believes that it will be able to obtain a renewal or extension of the credit facility, there are no assurances that the lenders will approve the renewal or extension, or, assuming that they will approve it, that the facility will not be on terms less favorable than the current agreement. In the event that the Company obtains information that the existing lenders do not intend to extend the relationship, the Company will seek alternative financing. The Company believes it is probable that it will be able to obtain financing from either its existing lenders or from other sources; however, it can provide no assurances that it will be successful in replacing the line of credit facility on reasonable terms or at all.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes the Company’s material obligations as of June 30, 2017.

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Operating Strategy

The Company’s principal goals are to increase its profitability and its long-term shareholder value through the measured acquisition of Contracts in existing markets and broadening the geographic area in which its current branches operate. The Company seeks to strengthen its automobile financing program in the eighteen states — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin — in which it currently operates through it’s centralized funding process and supplementing consumer data obtained from traditional credit bureaus with information obtained from alternative bureaus that is not available from traditional reporting agencies to better inform its automobile financing underwriting. The Company will continue to evaluate any branch locations that do not meet its minimum profitability targets and may elect to close one or more branches in the future. The Company is also evaluating its operational strategy and structure. The Company’s decisions on how it plans to continue operating its business strategy will be influenced by the sustainability of some of its competitors’ underwriting and risk-based pricing. Although the Company has not made any bulk purchases of Contracts in over two decades, if the opportunity arises, the Company may consider possible acquisitions of portfolios of seasoned Contracts from dealers in bulk transactions as a means of further penetrating its existing markets or expanding its presence in targeted geographic locations. The Company cannot provide any assurances, however, that it will be able to further expand in either its current markets or any targeted new markets.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from changes in interest rates. The Company does not engage in speculative or leveraged transactions, nor does it hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.

Interest rate risk

Management’s objective is to minimize the cost of borrowing through an appropriate mix of fixed and floating rate debt. Derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swap agreements, may be used to managing fluctuating interest rate exposures that exist from ongoing business operations. The Company does not use interest rate swap agreements for speculative purposes.

As of June 30, 2017, $179.0 million, or approximately 87.7% of our total debt, was subject to floating interest rates. As a result, a hypothetical increase in LIBOR of 1% or 100 basis points (based on actual LIBOR rates of 1.23% as of June 30, 2017) would have resulted in an annual after-tax increase of interest expense of approximately $1.1  million.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. In accordance with Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s management evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based upon their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company currently is not a party to any pending legal proceedings other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business, none of which, if decided adversely to the Company, would, in the opinion of management, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2017, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in the Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

See exhibit index following the signature page.

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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.

NICHOLAS FINANCIAL, INC.

(Registrant)

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EXHIBIT INDEX