WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. - Annual Report: 2016 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

or

Commission File Number 000-52015

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (402) 551-8888

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, no par value per share

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.   ¨ Yes   x No

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

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 the filing requirements for the past 90 days x Yes   ¨ No

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

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

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 definition of “accelerated filer,” large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer ¨   Accelerated filer ¨   Non-accelerated filer ¨   Smaller reporting company x

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

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by persons other than officers, directors and more than 5% shareholders of the registrant as of June 30, 2016 was approximately $10,706,000 based on the closing sales price of $5.25 per share as reported on the OTCQB. As of March 31, 2017, there were 9,390,997 shares of our common stock, no par value per share, outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED IN PART BY REFERENCE

None.

Western Capital Resources, Inc.
Form 10-K

Table of Contents

PART I

ITEM 1    BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

Western Capital Resources, Inc. (“WCR” or “Western Capital”) is a holding company having a controlling interest in subsidiaries operating in the following industries and operating segments:

Our “Franchise” segment is comprised of AlphaGraphics, Inc. (99.2% owned), the franchisor of AlphaGraphics® customized print and marketing solutions. Our “Cellular Retail” segment is comprised of an authorized Cricket Wireless dealer and involves the retail sale of cellular phones and accessories to consumers through our wholly owned subsidiary PQH Wireless, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our “Direct to Consumer” segment consists of (1) a wholly owned online and direct marketing retailer and distributor of live plants, seeds, holiday gifts and garden accessories operating in the retail market under the Park Seed, Jackson & Perkins and Wayside Gardens trade names, and in the wholesale market under the Park Wholesale trade name, and (2) a wholly owned online and direct marketing distribution retailer of home improvement and restoration products operating as Van Dyke’s Restorers. Our “Consumer Finance” segment consists of retail financial services conducted through our wholly owned subsidiaries Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. and Express Pawn, Inc. Throughout this report, we collectively refer to WCR and its consolidated subsidiaries as “we,” the “Company,” and “us.”

Key actual and pro forma financial data for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

RECENT EVENTS

Cellular Retail Growth

In 2016, we acquired from other Cricket dealers or launched 55 Cricket retail locations and beginning November 22, 2016 we operated an additional 53 locations under a management agreement with another Cricket dealer. We continue seeking opportunities to continue our growth in this segment.

FRANCHISE SEGMENT

General Description

We offer business format franchise opportunities for AlphaGraphics® Business Centers within the United States and internationally. The AlphaGraphics franchise model permits our franchisees to market and provide customized marketing solutions utilizing AlphaGraphics’ trademarks, operating methods and custom-developed or licensed information technology solutions. Through our preferred vendors, we provide site selection assistance including design and construction oversight, assist with locating financing, and provide training to our franchisees prior to the launch of their franchise Business Center location(s). Additionally, throughout the term of the franchise agreement, we provide ongoing training to franchisees, national and regional advertising, and operational procedures to Business Center owners. Franchisees locate and operate their franchise locations in designated territories within a predetermined geographical region. Franchisees are also responsible to develop and maintain their customer base and operate their Business Center(s) in accordance with the franchise agreement and such standards as we direct from time to time. We profit in this segment primarily through the collection of royalty fees, as further discussed below.

The table below summarizes the number of Business Centers operated by franchisees during the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:

In addition to opening new franchise locations, we also assist with the transfer process between current and future franchise owners when a franchisee seeks to sell their franchise center.

Our U.S. and international franchisees reported approximate sales volumes for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 as follows:

Products and Services

AlphaGraphics is a business-to-business print and marketing franchisor offering:

The Franchise Process

Potential franchisees have the option to: (1) develop a new Business Center, (2) purchase an existing Business Center, (3) acquire an existing graphics and/or marketing related business and convert it to a Business Center, or (4) convert their own graphics and/or marketing related business to a Business Center. Our discovery process for new Business Center owners involves:

Our new franchise owners must meet the following financial requirements:

The Fees We Charge

We assess initial franchise fees, royalty fees, fees to support our dedicated AlphaGraphics Integrated Marketing Fund (“AIM”), Managed Service Fees (“MSF”) and various other fees. Prior to May 2016, we offered Universal Service Credits (“USC” or “rebate”) allowing franchisees to earn a percentage of timely paid royalties as credits which can be used to offset various service and other fees. Since May 2016, this practice has been discontinued for any new Franchisees.

Royalty fees are billed monthly with fees determined by multiplying a royalty rate against franchisee gross sales. For most franchisees, the rates used range from 8% down to 3%, with the rate decreasing as franchisee fiscal year-to-date gross sales reach established thresholds. The fiscal year for royalty fee calculations was July 1st to June 30th prior to 2016 and is the calendar year beginning in 2016. We may allow franchisees an election to apply their prior year’s effective rate to their royalty payments with a true up at the end of the fiscal year to adjust to the actual rate schedule. This election is not available to any additional franchisees after 2015.

The table below outlines the initial non-refundable franchise fees fixed as of December 31, 2016.

Competition

Franchise Industry

The franchise business model has grown in popularity over the past several decades. Franchising provides a small business owner with the opportunity to independently own and operate a business selling brand-name products or providing established services yet enjoy widespread support from the franchisor. According to USA Today, the ten most popular franchising opportunities are in the following industries:

Because of the variety of industries participating in the franchising space with high visibility brand recognition, we face considerable competition in attracting new franchise owners.

Printing Industry

The quick printing industry is composed of establishments primarily engaged in traditional printing activities, such as short-run offset printing or pre-press services, in combination with document photocopying service. These establishments, known as “quick printers,” generally provide short-run printing and copying with fast turnaround times.

The digital printing industry is composed of establishments primarily engaged in printing graphic materials using digital printing equipment. Establishments known as digital printers typically provide sophisticated pre-press services, including the use of scanners to input graphic images and computers to manipulate and format the images, prior to printing.

We face competition in the printing industry, an industry largely driven by small and mid-market business demands and costs to produce, and specifically in the quick and digital printing segments where we operate.

Investment in a franchise location is significant, both financially and in time commitment. We believe our franchise model, with its operational advantages and guidance, provides our franchisees with substantial advantages over competitors with stand-alone operations.

Industry Information

According to EPICOMM (an association for leaders in print, mail, fulfillment and marketing services), sales within the industry have shown modest gains and corresponding offsetting losses, with the greatest declines realized in 2008 and 2009, and an overall shift to consolidation of commercial printing establishments. Although digitization and the Internet have broken down barriers to entry, the printing industry has found itself in highly competitive markets with little tolerance for inefficiency and spoilage.

CELLULAR RETAIL SEGMENT

General Description

We operate cellular retail stores as an authorized Cricket dealer, selling cellular phones and accessories, providing ancillary services and accepting service payments from customers. Authorized Cricket dealers are permitted to sell the carrier’s line and generally locate their store operations in areas with a strong potential customer base where the carrier does not maintain a corporate storefront. As an authorized Cricket dealer, we are only permitted to sell the Cricket line of no-contract cellular phones and service at our Cricket retail stores.

We generate revenue in this business through retail sales of cellular phones, receipt of back-end compensation from Cricket, sales of phone accessories (e.g., cases, car chargers and bluetooth speakers), fees charged when a customer changes services (service activations and reactivations, adding lines, phone number changes, etc.), or whenever a customer whom we activated on the Cricket GSM network pays his or her no-contract cellular bill.

A summary table of the number of cellular retail stores we operated during the periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 follows:

Market Information and Marketing

Cricket Wireless service offers customers simple, predictable and affordable nationwide flat rate wireless plans. Cricket Wireless customers have had the added advantage of unlimited minutes, text messages and data on the AT&T network.

No-contract cellular products and services are primarily targeted to market segments that are underserved by traditional communications companies. In contrast, the majority of cellular customers in the U.S. subscribe to post-pay services that may require credit approval, a contractual commitment from the subscriber for a period of at least one year, and may include overage charges for excessive data usage in excess of a specified limit. We believe that a significant portion of the remaining growth potential in the U.S. cellular market consists of customers who are price-sensitive and prefer not to enter into fixed-term contracts. We believe that our cellular retail product and service offerings appeal strongly to this target-market segment.

Market Strategy

We believe that our business model is scalable and can be expanded successfully into new markets as we continue to perfect our operational protocols and administrative office functions relating to our cellular retail business. We expect to continue making strategic and opportunistic acquisitions of existing Cricket dealerships and to launch additional stores in new AT&T markets that are currently underserved by competing service providers.

Products and Services

Our authorized Cricket retail stores offer the following products and services:

When purchasing a phone, our customers have options among the latest in Apple, Android-based and Windows OS-based smartphones. Because there is no contract for the monthly service, customer phone purchases are paid in full at the time of purchase.

Seasonality

Our Cellular Retail segment operations are influenced by seasonal effects related to traditional retail selling periods and other factors that affect our target customer base. In particular, we generally expect sales activity to be highest in the first and fourth quarters. Nevertheless, our revenues can be strongly affected by the launch of new markets, promotional activity, the timing of federal tax-refunds and competitive actions, any of which have the ability to offset or exacerbate the seasonality we normally experience.

Competition

There is substantial and ever increasing competition in the wireless phone industry where customers can choose between many other postpaid and no-contract resellers, including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint/Boost Mobile, T-Mobile/Metro PCS and a larger number of regional providers. We compete for customers based principally on Cricket’s service/device offerings, price, call quality and coverage area.

Competition for the no-contract customers, the sub-industry in which we operate, continues to grow. Other significant no-contract carriers include MetroPCS, Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile. There is also competition with other no-contract phone service providers such as Straight Talk by Wal-Mart or Wal-Mart’s Family Mobile powered by T-Mobile, an increase of national retailers offering similar or identical products and services that we provide, such as Cricket phones sold at Game Stop and Wal-Mart, and an increase in mobile virtual network operator (“MVNO”) offerings.

Our Cricket store business also competes with other actual or potential authorized sellers and distributors of Cricket products and services. The authorization to sell Cricket products and services is granted by Cricket Wireless, LLC, a wholly owned entity of Leap Wireless International, Inc. On March 13, 2014, Leap Wireless International was acquired by AT&T. Presently, we believe that our ability to compete with other sellers of Cricket products and services will depend on the success with which we operate our current store locations. If we successfully manage those stores and continue to maintain a strong working relationship with Cricket, we expect that we may be able to effectively compete for additional store authorizations when and as they come available.

DIRECT TO CONSUMER SEGMENT

General Description

Our direct to consumer segment is a direct marketer of roses, plants, seeds, holiday gifts and home restoration products. The business is composed of: 1) a multi-channel retailer of garden and living gift products; 2) a small wholesale seed business; and 3) a multi-channel retailer of home hardware and restoration products. Our garden products brands are highly recognizable in the rose and garden space as both the Jackson & Perkins and Park Seed brands were founded more than 140 years ago.

Products and Services

Our direct to consumer segment sells product through catalogs and online under the following brands:

Seasonality

Demand for live good and holiday products are cyclical in nature, sensitive to seasonal growing patterns, general weather conditions, holiday sales patterns and competitive influences. As such, the direct to consumer segment’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could fluctuate significantly from period to period. The majority of segment revenue is derived in three selling periods, spring, fall, and the December holiday season, while the summer season accounts for a small portion of sales.

Market Strategy

As a direct to consumer retailer, we focus our marketing spending on mail order catalogs, internet advertising, and traditional advertising mediums (i.e. public relations, magazines, social media, etc.). We are focused on niche markets and direct our advertising to repeat and new customers through internet marketing strategies.

Competition

In the retail garden business, within the bare root rose category, we compete against brick and mortar garden centers and nurseries (approximately 10,000 across the United States), as well as other online and mail-order retailers, including David Austin Roses and Regan Nursery. Across other plant categories, we compete against Gardens Alive and their portfolio of brands, and other competitors. Our biggest competitive advantages are our recognizable Jackson & Perkins brand name and its proprietary patented rose varieties. The most direct competitor for Wayside Gardens is White Flower Farms, which also focuses on high-end, premium plants.

Within the holiday gift segment, we compete against larger competitors including Harry and David and 1-800 Flowers, among others. Within the seed business, our primary competitor is Burpee which, in addition to having an online presence, supplies lower-end seed products to mass market retailers, including Wal-Mart.

Our Van Dyke’s Restorers brand competes primarily with other online retailers since brick and mortar stores cannot afford to carry Van Dyke’s breadth of SKUs. Our competitors are Signature Hardware, House of Antique Hardware, and Rejuvenation Hardware (part of Williams Sonoma). The above-mentioned competitors compete primarily in the hardware, lighting and kitchen and bath categories. The decorative wood portion of the Van Dyke’s business is in a very fragmented industry niche and there are no big decorative wood competitors. Van Dyke’s competes primarily through the breadth of its product variety as well as through its established brand name and customer list.

CONSUMER FINANCE SEGMENT

General Description

The majority of short-term consumer loans we provide are commonly referred to as “payday loans” or “cash advance” loans. Such loans are referred to as “payday loans” because they are typically made to borrowers who have no available cash and promise to repay the loan out of their next paycheck. We also provide short-term installment and pawn loans as part of this operating segment.

We provide short-term consumer loans in amounts that typically range from $100 to $500 with the average loan amount, including fee, being approximately $416. Cash advance loans provide customers with cash in exchange for a promissory note with a maturity of generally two to four weeks and the customer’s post-dated personal check for the aggregate amount of the cash advance, plus a fee. The fee varies from state to state based on applicable regulations, and generally ranges from $15 to $22 for each whole or partial increment of $100 borrowed. To repay the cash advance loan, a customer may pay with cash, in which case their personal check is returned to them, or allow the check to be presented to the bank for collection. Approximately 89% and 90% of our lending revenue in the Consumer Finance segment was derived from payday lending in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Payday lending revenue made up approximately 74% and 76% of our total revenue in the Consumer Finance segment in 2016 and 2015, respectively.

We offer short-term “installment” loans in Colorado and Wisconsin. Approximately 7% of our lending revenue in the Consumer Finance segment was derived from installment lending in 2016 and 2015. We provide our installment loan customers with cash in exchange for a promissory note with a maturity of generally six months. The fee and interest rate on installment loans vary based on applicable regulations. Like cash advance or payday loans, installment loans are unsecured.

We operate three pawn stores in our Consumer Finance segment. Our pawn stores provide collateralized non-recourse loans, commonly known as “pawn loans” with maturities of one to four months. Allowable service charges vary by state and loan size. The loan amount varies depending on our valuation of each item pawned. We generally lend from 30% to 55% of our estimate of the collateral’s resale value. Customers have the option to redeem the pawned merchandise during the term or at maturity, or else forfeit the merchandise to us on maturity. At our pawn stores we sell merchandise that was acquired through either customer forfeiture of pawn collateral, second-hand merchandise purchased from customers or consigned to us, or new merchandise purchased from vendors. Pawn store revenues made up approximately 16% and 13% of our total revenue in the Consumer Finance segment in 2016 and 2015, respectively.

All of our Consumer Finance lending activities and other services are subject to state regulations (which vary from state to state), federal regulations and local regulation, where applicable.

As part of each payday and installment loan transaction, we enter into a standardized written promissory note with the borrowing customer and obtain proof of income and identity, a personal post-dated check for the principal loan amount plus a specified fee if a payday loan, and other documentation. Our standardized contracts vary based on state laws, but all of our contracts plainly state in simple terms the annual percentage rate (assuming the fees we charge are computed as interest) in compliance with Regulation Z, the borrower’s right to rescind the transaction, a dispute-resolution clause, a notice of financial privacy rights, an affirmative representation about whether the borrower is a member of the U.S. military, and the consequences of defaulting on the loan. We retain copies of our written contracts and provide a signed copy to our customers.

In general, our lending process and standards are extraordinarily different from those used by banks. To our knowledge, banks typically order and carefully review credit reports on all loans, engage in extensive underwriting analysis, and will typically make independent verification of earnings history through phone calls, reviews of tax returns and other processes. As a result, we generally experience a higher default rate on our personal loans than banks do on their personal loans (see caption below, “Risks Associated with Our Loans—Default and Collection”). At December 31, 2016, we had an aggregate (of all loan types) of approximately:

A summary table of the number of Consumer Finance locations operated during the periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 follows:

The Fees We Charge

The fee we charge for a payday loan varies from state to state, based on applicable regulations, and generally ranges from $15 to $22 for each whole or partial increment of $100 borrowed. We do not charge interest in connection with our payday loans but do charge interest and fees where allowable on our short-term installment loans made in Colorado and Wisconsin. If, however, we calculate the loan fees we charge as an annual percentage rate of interest (APR), such rate would range from 177% for a 31-day loan transacted in Kansas (on the low end) to approximately 536% for a 14-day loan in Wyoming (on the high end), with the actual average loan amount and average actual loan fees we charge involving an imputed annual percentage rate of approximately 439% and 198% for a 14-day and 31-day loan, respectively. The term of a loan significantly affects the imputed APR of the fees we charge for our loans. For instance, when a $15 fee is charged for a two-week loan of $100, the resulting APR is 391%. When the same fee on $100 is charged for a four-week loan, the resulting APR is 195%. Currently, we do not charge the maximum fee permitted in all of the states where we operate. We do, however, charge a uniform fee for all transactions processed in any particular state that involve the same range of payday loan amounts and the same term.

Of the seven states in which we presently operate, only one state (Wisconsin) does not limit the loan fees we may charge or the term (i.e., the length) of the loans we may offer our customers

In Wisconsin and Colorado, we generally offer short-term installment loans in amounts from $300 to $750 payable in six equal monthly payments. Colorado loan terms include a 45% annual interest rate, an origination fee of 20% on loan amounts up to $300 and 7.5% on loan amounts thereafter, and a monthly maintenance fee. Wisconsin installment loans are payable over four to six months at an annual percentage rate of approximately 480%.

In Nebraska and Iowa we also offer pawn loans. Allowable service charges vary by state and loan size. Our pawn loans earn 24% per month and our average pawn loan amount typically ranges between $10 and $250, although may range as high as $2,000. The loan amount varies depending on our estimated value of each item pawned.

Many states have laws limiting the amount of fees that may be charged in connection with any lending transaction (including payday and pawn lending transactions) when calculated as an APR, and some states expressly prohibit payday lending. These limitations, combined with other limitations and restrictions, effectively prohibit us from utilizing our present business model for cash advance or “payday” lending in those jurisdictions. In addition, the federal “2007 Military Authorization Act” prohibits lenders from offering or making payday loans (or similar lending transactions) to members of the U.S. military when the interest or fees exceed a 36% APR. Like the state limitations discussed above, this limitation effectively prohibits us from providing our cash advance or “payday” lending to members of the U.S. military. As a result of these restrictions, we do not conduct business with U.S. military personnel.

The above-described payday fees are the only fees we assess and collect from our customers for payday loans. Nevertheless, we also charge a flat fee that ranges from $15 to $30 (depending on the state) for returned checks in the event that a post-dated check we attempt to cash as repayment for our loan is returned.

Extensions or “Rollovers” of Payday Loans

When a customer “rolls over” or extends the term of an outstanding loan, when permitted by state law, we treat that rollover or extension as a brand new loan and we again charge the above-described loan fee for that transaction. This rollover has no effect on the imputed APR of the loan in those cases where the extended term is equal to the initial term of the loan. For example, a $100 four-week loan that costs $20 to obtain is the APR equivalent of 261%. If a customer extends the term of that loan for an additional four-week period, the customer will have paid $40 total in fees to obtain the $100 eight-week loan—which is again the APR equivalent of 261%. In cases where a customer (1) extends or rolls over a loan for a length of time that is less than the original loan or (2) repays the extended loan prior to the expiration of the fully extended term, the imputed APR will increase. For example, if a customer who obtained an initial $100 four-week loan for $20 in loan fees (the APR equivalent of 261%) later extends the term of that loan for only two additional weeks and pays the additional $20 loan fee, that customer will have borrowed $100 for a six-week period at a total cost of $40—which is the APR equivalent of 347%. We do not charge any interest on the unpaid fee from the initial term of the loan because, as a condition to agreeing to a loan extension, we will only accept cash payment of the fee for extending the loan.

Most states prohibit payday lenders from extending or refinancing a payday loan. Nevertheless, one state in which we presently provide payday loans (North Dakota ) permits a loan to be extended or “rolled over” for a specified period. Specifically, North Dakota permits only one loan extension.

Risks Associated With Our Loans—Default and Collection

Ordinarily, our customers approach us for a loan because they currently have insufficient funds to meet their present obligations, and so rarely if ever do our customers have sufficient funds in their checking accounts to cover the personal post-dated checks they provide us at the time of the loan transaction. The nature of our payday loan transactions presents a number of risks, including the ultimate risk that the loan will not be paid back. In addition, we do not obtain security for our payday loans principally because, even assuming our customers would have potential collateral to offer as security for a payday loan, the small size of each particular lending transaction does not justify the time, effort and expense of identifying the collateral and properly obtaining a security interest in such collateral. As a consequence, all of our payday loans are unsecured. This means that, absent court or other legal action compelling a customer to repay our loans, we rely principally on the willingness and ability of our customers to repay amounts they owe us. In this regard, in many cases the costs of merely attempting to collect the amounts owed to us exceed the amounts we would seek to collect—making it impractical to take formal legal action against a defaulted borrower.

When a customer defaults on a loan, we engage in collection practices that include contacting the customer for repayment and the customer’s bank to determine whether funds are available to satisfy their personal post-dated check. If funds are available, we present the check to the bank for repayment and an official check from the bank is obtained to pay off the item. The costs involved in these initial collection efforts are minimal, involve some employee time and possibly a flat $15-30 bank fee to cover the cost of the cashier’s check. If funds are not available, we generally attempt to collect returned checks for up to 90 days (or up to 180 days in cases where a bank account is still active and the customer has not initiated a stop payment on the postdated check provided), principally through continued attempts to contact the customer. If our attempts remain unsuccessful after 90 (or 180) days, we assign the item to a collection agency. Assignment to a collection agency may cost us 30-40% of the amount eventually collected (if any) from the customer. Ordinarily, we do not recoup any costs of collection from our customers.

Historically, we collect approximately 56% of the amount of all returned checks, which results in approximately 3.04% of our total payday loan principal and fee volume being uncollectible. In 2016, we generated approximately 148,000 payday loan transactions.

Industry Information

According to the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA), analysts estimate that 19 million households use short-term payday advances annually and industry analysts estimate that there are 20,600 payday advance locations across the United States, which extend approximately $38.5 billion annually in short-term credit to households experiencing cash-flow shortfalls. In addition to being a valuable source of credit for many consumers, the payday loan industry makes significant contributions to the U.S. and state economies employing more than 50,000 Americans who earn $2 billion in wages and generating more than $2.6 billion in federal, state, and local taxes. Industry trends indicate that there will likely be a net decrease in total payday lending stores over the next few years due to store closings resulting from a combination of regulatory or legal changes, a slowdown in new store growth, and general economic conditions.

Predatory Lending and Regulatory Concerns

In general, the payday lending industry suffers from the perception and widespread belief that payday lenders are in the nature of predatory lenders, offering loans to low income and poorly educated consumers at costs that are too high to be good for consumers. This perception and belief results in frequent efforts in the U.S. Congress and various state legislatures, often proposed by consumer advocacy groups and lobbyists for traditional financial institutions such as banks, to further regulate and restrict or prohibit payday lending outright. See “Item 1A – Risk Factors” for further information regarding regulatory risks.

We do not believe the payday lending is predatory, nor do we believe that our loans are too costly for consumers if they are judiciously obtained. In fact, we believe that bank overdraft fees by themselves are typically far more costly for consumers, and bouncing a check can often involve other negative consequences such as independent fees levied by the parties to whom a bad check is written, negative publicity, etc. In this regard, the FDIC released a November 2008 report called “Study of Bank Overdraft Programs.” The report indicates that the average amount obtained when bank customers overdraw their accounts is $60, and the average overdraft fee charged by the bank is $27. This equates to an APR of 1,173% and 587% for a two-week and four-week $60 bank “loan,” respectively. In sum, we believe that many of the bad perceptions about our industry are fueled primarily by:

Seasonality

Our Consumer Finance segment results are subject to seasonality, with the first and fourth quarters typically being our strongest periods as a result of broader economic factors, such as holiday spending habits at the end of each year and income tax refunds during the first quarter.

Competition

Like most other payday lenders, we believe that the primary competitive factors in our business are location and customer service. We face intense competition in an industry with relatively low barriers to entry, and we believe that the payday lending markets are becoming more competitive as the industry matures and consolidates. We compete with other payday lending and check cashing stores, and with financial service entities and retail businesses that offer payday loans or similar financial services. For example, we consider credit card companies that offer payday features, credit unions, banks that offer small loans, and creditors and loan services that can extend payment terms on outstanding loans to be our competitors. In addition, we compete in part with services offered by traditional financial institutions, most particularly with respect to the “overdraft protection” services those institutions may offer and the charges they levy for checks written with insufficient funds.

Additional areas of competition have arisen. Businesses offer loans over the Internet as well as “loans by phone,” and these services compete with the services we offer. There also has been increasing penetration of electronic banking and related services into the check cashing and money transfer industry, including direct deposit of payroll checks, payroll or debit cards, stored-value cards, prepaid credit and debit cards, and electronic transfer of government benefits.

We also believe that customer service is critical to developing loyalty. In our industry, we believe that quality customer service means:

Our competitors for pawn store merchandise sales include numerous retail and wholesale stores, including jewelry stores, discount retail stores, consumer electronics stores, other pawn stores, other resale stores, electronic commerce retailers and auction sites.

The pawn industry in the United States is large and highly fragmented. The industry consists of approximately 13,000 pawn stores owned primarily by independent operators who own one to three locations. We consider the industry relatively mature. The three largest pawn store operators account for approximately 10% of the total estimated pawn stores in the United States.

Effect of General Economic Conditions on our Consumer Finance Segment

While our business experienced fluctuating changes in our provision for loan losses in recent years, our provision for loan losses as a percentage of payday, installment and pawn loan revenue was 16.3% for 2016 and 17.7% in 2015. In sum, we are uncertain how the current economic conditions will affect demand for our services or our loan losses for 2017.

Credit and financing available to us and our industry has been negatively impacted by recent federal and state legislation and regulation, including the overall negative perception associated with payday lending. For example, we are aware of federal and state regulatory pressures being exerted on our banking relationships due to the negative perception about payday lending. For more information, see “Regulation of Consumer Financing Activities” below.

REGULATION

We are subject to regulation by federal, state and local governments that affect the products and services we provide. Generally, these regulations are designed to protect consumers who deal with us and are not designed to protect our shareholders.

Regulation of Franchise Activities

Our franchise offerings are governed by federal and state laws that require us to provide prospective franchisees with information describing the franchisor-franchisee relationship, and certain financial and operating information about our franchise offering. Annually and when material events occur, we prepare, register or file, and amend our “Franchise Disclosure Document” in all states requiring registration.

Regulation of Consumer Financing Activities

In those states where we currently operate consumer finance activities, we are licensed as a payday lender or pawn broker where required and are subject to various state regulations regarding the terms and conditions of our payday, installment and pawn loans and our lending policies, procedures and operations. In some states, payday lending is referred to as “deferred presentment,” “cash advance loans,” “deferred deposit loans” or “consumer installment loans.” State regulations normally limit the amount that we may lend to any single consumer and may limit the number of loans that we may make to any consumer at one time or in the course of a single year. State regulations also limit the amount of fees that we may assess in connection with any loan transaction and may limit a customer’s ability to extend or “rollover” a loan with us. Often, state regulations also specify minimum and maximum maturity dates for payday loans and, in some cases, specify mandatory cooling-off periods between transactions.

Our payday lending practices must also comply with the disclosure requirements of the Federal Truth-In-Lending Act and Regulation Z under that Act. Our collection activities for delinquent loans are generally subject to consumer protection laws regulating debt-collection practices. Finally, our payday lending business subjects us to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

During the last few years, legislation has been introduced and passed in the U.S. Congress and in certain state legislatures proposing or effecting various restrictions or an outright prohibition on payday lending. Currently, state laws in Arizona, Montana, Oregon South Dakota and Georgia have effectively eliminated the ability to conduct payday lending in those states. In 2010, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which consolidated most federal regulation of financial services offered to consumers, and replaced the Office of Thrift Supervision’s seat on the FDIC Board. Almost all credit providers, including mortgage lenders, providers of payday loans, other nonbank financial companies, and banks and credit unions with assets over $10 billion, are now subject to new regulations to be passed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”). While the CFPB does not appear to have authority to make rules limiting interest rates or fees charged, the scope and extent of the its authority will nonetheless be broad, and it is expected that it will address issues such as rollovers or extensions of payday loans and compliance with federal rules and regulations. The CFPB issued proposed rules in 2016 which, if issued in proposed form, would have a devastating impact on the industry. The period for public and industry comment on these proposed rules ended in late 2016, but neither final nor revisions to the proposed rules have been issued. Future restrictions on the payday lending industry could have serious consequences for us.

In addition, our Consumer Finance segment activities are subject to the following additional federal consumer laws and regulations:

For more information, see “PAYDAY LENDING BUSINESS—Predatory Lending and Regulatory Concerns” above.

Financial Reporting Regulation

Regulations promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury under the Bank Secrecy Act require us to report all transactions involving currency in an amount greater than $10,000. Generally, every financial institution must report each deposit, withdrawal, exchange of currency or other payment or transfer that involves an amount greater than $10,000. In addition, multiple currency transactions must be treated as a single transaction if we have knowledge that the transactions are by or on behalf of any one person and result, in a single business day, in the transfer of cash in or out totaling more than $10,000. In addition, the regulations require us to maintain information concerning sales of monetary instruments for cash in amounts from $3,000 to $10,000. The Bank Secrecy Act requires us, under certain circumstances, to file a suspicious activity report.

The Money Laundering Suppression Act of 1994 requires us, as a money service business, to register with the United States Department of the Treasury. Money services businesses include check cashers and sellers of money orders. Money services businesses must renew their registrations every two years, maintain a list of their agents, update the agent list annually, and make the agent list available for examination.

Finally, we have established various procedures designed to comply, and we continue to monitor and evaluate our business methods and procedures to ensure compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act.

Privacy Regulation

We are subject to a variety of federal and state laws and regulations restricting the use and seeking to protect the confidentiality of customer identity and other personal nonpublic customer information. We have identified our systems that capture and maintain nonpublic personal information, as that term is understood under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and associated regulations. We disclose our public information policies to our customers as required by that law. We also have systems in place intended to safeguard this information as required by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which specifically governs certain aspects of our payday lending business.

Technology and Information

We maintain an integrated system of retail points of sale and management software applications and platforms for processing the various types of financial transactions we offer. These systems provide us with customer service, internal control mechanisms, record-keeping and reporting information. These systems are designed to provide summary, detailed and exception information to various levels of management.

Franchisees utilize our internally developed intranet site that provides access to tools, resources and information including Business Center contact information, royalty calculations, AIM schedules, the MSF system and the franchisee USC rebate program.

Security

We believe the principal security risks to our Consumer Finance and Cellular Retail segments are robbery and employee theft. We have established extensive security and management information systems to address both areas of potential loss. To protect against robbery, most payday lending store employees work behind bullet-resistant glass, and the back office, safe and computer areas are locked and closed to customers. Security measures utilized in our retail locations include mechanical safes, electronic alarm systems monitored by third parties or remote controlled systems, control over entry to customer service representative, motion detection devices, locked cases, and, at times, the use of professional security services. Consumer Finance segment employees also use cellular phones to ensure safety and security whenever they are outside secured areas.

We implemented critical safeguarding controls, including daily cash and deposit monitoring, unannounced audits of cash and inventory items, and requiring immediate responses from our staff when irregularities in cash balances are discovered. We primarily self-insure for employee theft and dishonesty at the store level.

EMPLOYEES

At December 31, 2016, we had approximately 780 employees. We believe our relationship with our employees is good, and we have not suffered any work stoppages or labor disputes. We do not have any employees that operate under collective-bargaining agreements.

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Our principal offices are located at 11550 “I” Street, Suite 150, Omaha, Nebraska 68137, and our telephone number at that office is (402) 551-8888.

Our fiscal year ends December 31. Neither we nor any of our predecessors have been in bankruptcy, receivership or any similar proceeding.

ITEM 1A    RISK FACTORS

You should consider the following risk factors, in addition to the other information presented or incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in evaluating our business and your investment in us.

Investment Risks

Acquisitions and strategic investments may fail to meet our expectations, and any such failure could have a negative impact on our results of operation or financial condition, and could ultimately result in dilution to our shareholders.

Our long-term growth strategy includes acquisitions. We may not achieve this objective. An acquisition strategy includes numerous risks, including, among others, the risk that our financial projections relating to our acquisitions may turn out to be incorrect and our investment may fail to positively impact our results and growth as anticipated (and may in fact negatively impact our results), the risk of unexpected or unidentified issues not discovered in the diligence process which could harm our financial condition, and the need for substantial additional capital which may result in dilution to our shareholders.

Acquisitions and strategic investments made wholly or partly on the basis of our issuance of securities to the target companies, or acquisitions made with cash that is obtained from outside financiers, will result in dilution to our shareholders.

The structuring of future acquisitions, whether through share exchanges, merger acquisitions or otherwise, may result in dilution to existing shareholders. In addition, cash-based transactions may not be financed from corporate cash flows and reserves, and may themselves be financed through borrowing arrangements or the sale of equity or equity-linked securities, the latter of which would be dilutive to our shareholders.

Acquisitions and strategic investments may be disruptive to our business.

The time and expense associated with finding suitable acquisitions or with integrating acquired entities and operations with our Company can be disruptive to our ongoing business and divert our management’s attention. In addition, the financing of acquisitions may impact our ability to obtain or renew financing for existing operations, or subject us to covenants restricting certain activities. Any of these outcomes could have a short- or long-term adverse effect on our results of operation and our ability to further execute our acquisition strategy.

Unpredictability in financing markets could impair our ability to grow our business through acquisitions.

We anticipate that opportunities to acquire businesses will materially depend on the availability of financing alternatives with acceptable terms. As a result, poor credit and other market conditions or uncertainty in the financing markets, or the adverse regulatory pressures of being involved in the payday lending business in particular, could materially limit our ability to grow through acquisitions since such conditions and uncertainty make obtaining financing more difficult and more expensive.

Our controlling shareholder possesses controlling voting power with respect to our common stock, which will limit other shareholders’ influence on corporate matters.

Our controlling shareholders, WCR, LLC and BC Alpha Holdings I, LLC, which are under common control (see Item 12), had beneficial ownership of approximately 59.61% of our common stock as of March 31, 2017. As a result, the controlling shareholders have the ability to outright control our affairs through the election and removal of our entire Board of Directors and all other matters requiring shareholder approval, including the future merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. This concentrated control could discourage others from initiating any potential merger, takeover or other change-of-control transaction that may otherwise be beneficial to our shareholders. Furthermore, this concentrated control will limit the practical effect of your participation in Company matters, through shareholder votes and otherwise.

Our articles of incorporation grant our Board of Directors the power to issue additional shares of common and preferred stock and to designate other classes of preferred stock, all without shareholder approval.

Our authorized capital consists of 12.5 million shares of capital stock. Pursuant to authority granted by our articles of incorporation, our Board of Directors, without any action by our shareholders, may designate and issue shares in such classes or series (including other classes or series of preferred stock) as it deems appropriate and establish the rights, preferences and privileges of such shares, including dividends, liquidation and voting rights, provided it is consistent with Delaware law. The rights of holders of other classes or series of stock that may be issued could be superior to the rights of holders of our common shares. The designation and issuance of shares of capital stock having preferential rights could adversely affect other rights appurtenant to shares of our common stock. Furthermore, any issuances of additional stock (common or preferred) will dilute the percentage of ownership interest of then-current holders of our capital stock and may dilute our book value per share.

Our common stock trades only in an illiquid trading market.

Trading of our common stock is conducted on the OTCQB, a tier of the OTC Markets (symbol: WCRS). This has an adverse effect on the liquidity of our common stock, not only in terms of the number of shares that can be bought and sold at a given price, but also through delays in the timing of transactions and reduction in security analysts’ and the media’s coverage of us and our common stock. This may result in lower prices for our common stock than might otherwise be obtained and could also result in a larger spread between the bid and asked prices for our common stock.

There is not now and there may not ever be an active market for shares of our common stock.

In general, there has been minimal trading volume in our common stock. During 2016, the average daily trading volume (based on trade volume as reported by OTC Markets) was approximately 683 shares. The small trading volume will likely make it difficult for our shareholders to sell their shares as and when they choose. Furthermore, small trading volumes are generally understood to depress market prices. As a result, you may not always be able to resell shares of our common stock publicly at the time and prices that you feel are fair or appropriate.

A default under our borrowing arrangements could require us to seek financing on a short-term basis that may be disadvantageous to us.

Our borrowing arrangements provide for a series of financial covenants and reporting requirements. If we are unable to comply with the terms or the financial covenants of those borrowing arrangements, we may need to seek additional financing. We may not be able to obtain financing on a short-term basis. Furthermore, even if we are able to obtain needed short-term financing, we may be unable to do so on terms that are favorable or acceptable to us.

Failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls could limit our ability to detect and prevent fraud and thereby adversely affect our business and stock price.

Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports. Nevertheless, all internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. As we continue executing on our acquisition strategy, our fraud risks will change and likely increase as the acquired entity may be unfamiliar or uncooperative with proper internal controls and procedures. Our inability to maintain an effective control environment may cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could in turn have a material adverse effect on our stock price.

Our reliance on information management and transaction systems to operate our business exposes us to potential security breaches of our sensitive information from cyber incidents and hacking.

Effective information security internal controls are necessary for us to protect our sensitive information from illegal activities and unauthorized disclosure. Despite our efforts to maintain the highest level of security around our information systems, the sophistication of hackers continues to increase. Our inability to maintain effective controls or utilization of information technology providers that also maintain effective controls may increase our vulnerability to cyber-attacks. Breaches of our information management systems could adversely affect our business reputation. We could also be subject to lawsuits or fines relating to the unauthorized disclosure of information. Any of these outcomes could negatively affect our results of operations and the price of our common stock.

Any disruption in the availability of our information systems could adversely affect our operations.

We rely upon our information systems to manage and operate our business. Our security measures could fail to prevent a disruption in the availability of our information systems, our back-up systems could fail to operate properly, or we may experience denial of service attacks or corruption of our data. Any disruption in the availability of our information systems could adversely affect our results of operations by impairing our ability to efficiently effect transactions.

A significant portion of our assets consists of goodwill and other intangible assets.

As of December 31, 2016, 22.1% of our assets consisted of goodwill and other intangible assets. Under generally accepted accounting principles, the carrying value of goodwill is subject to periodic review and testing to determine if it is impaired. The value of our assets will depend on market conditions, regulatory environment, the availability of buyers and similar factors. While the value of these assets is based on management projections and assumptions and is determined by using the discounted cash flow method for purposes of our impairment testing, those values may differ from what could ultimately be realized by us in a sales transaction or otherwise and that difference, while not affecting cash flow, could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and financial position.

Industry Risks

The payday loan industry is highly regulated under federal, state and local laws. Changes in federal, state or laws and regulations governing lending practices, or changes in the interpretation of such laws and regulations, could negatively affect our business.

Our Consumer Finance segment activities are highly regulated under numerous federal, state and local laws, regulations and rules, which are subject to change. New laws, regulations or rules could be enacted or issued, interpretations of existing laws, regulations or rules may change and enforcement action by regulatory agencies may intensify.

Although states provide the primary regulatory framework under which we offer payday loans, certain federal laws also affect our business. For example, because payday loans are viewed as extensions of credit, we must comply with the federal Truth-in-Lending Act and Regulation Z under that Act. Additionally, we are subject to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and certain other federal laws.

From a federal standpoint, anti-payday loan legislation has occasionally been introduced in the U.S. Congress. Over the past several years, consumer advocacy groups and certain media reports have advocated governmental and regulatory action to prohibit or severely restrict sub-prime lending activities such as those we conduct. The CFPB has indicated that it will use its authority to further regulate the payday industry. Most payday lenders expect that the Bureau will eventually attempt to promulgate procedural or disclosure-based regulations affecting payday loans throughout the United States. In June 2016 the CFPB proposed rules, which, if enacted will result in significant reductions in the amount of loans originated by the industry in the U.S., which may put in question the viability of the entire industry and result in mass store closures.

In the states, there are nearly always bills pending to alter the current laws governing payday lending. Any of these bills, or future proposed legislation or regulations prohibiting payday loans or making them less profitable, could be passed in any state at any time, or existing laws permitting payday lending could expire. From time to time legislation banning payday loans has been introduced in Nebraska but has not been passed into law. Since we derive a significant percentage of our payday revenues in Nebraska, the passage of any such legislation in Nebraska would have a highly material and negative effect on our business.

Statutes authorizing payday loans typically provide state agencies that regulate banks and financial institutions with significant regulatory powers to administer and enforce the laws relating to payday lending. Under statutory authority, state regulators have broad discretionary power and may impose new licensing requirements, interpret or enforce existing regulatory requirements in different ways or issue new administrative rules, even if not contained in state statutes, that affect the way we do business and may force us to terminate or modify our operations in those jurisdictions. They may also impose rules that are generally adverse to our industry. Finally, in many states, the attorney general has scrutinized or continues to scrutinize the payday loan statutes and the interpretations of those statutes.

In sum, the passage of federal or state laws and regulations that govern or otherwise affect lending, or changes in interpretations of them, could, at any point, result in our curtailment or cessation of operations in certain or all jurisdictions or locations essentially prohibiting us from conducting its lending business in its current form. Any such legal or regulatory change would certainly have a material and adverse effect on us, our operating results, financial condition and prospects, and perhaps even our viability. Furthermore, any failure to comply with any applicable federal, state or local laws or regulations could result in fines, litigation, closure of one or more store locations and negative publicity.

Adverse changes in laws or regulations relating to pawn lending services could negatively impact our financial results and/or limit our ability to expand into new markets.

Our products and services are subject to extensive regulation and supervision under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations. We face the risk that restrictions or limitations on pawn loan amounts, pawn loan yields and customer acceptance of pawn loan products resulting from the enactment, change or interpretation of laws and regulations could have a negative effect on our business activities. In particular, short-term consumer loans have come under increased scrutiny and increasingly restrictive regulation in recent years. Adoption of such federal, state or local regulation or legislation could restrict, or even eliminate, our ability to conduct our pawn lending operations at a profit level we consider reasonable at some or all of our stores, and could prevent us from expanding into new markets.

Litigation and regulatory actions directed toward our industry or our company could adversely affect our operating results, particularly in certain key states.

During the last few years, our industry has been subject to regulatory proceedings, class action lawsuits and other litigation regarding the offering of payday loans, and we could suffer losses resulting from interpretations of state laws in those lawsuits or regulatory proceedings, even if we are not a party to those proceedings. The losses we could suffer could be directly incurred through our involvement in litigation or regulatory proceedings, or could be indirectly incurred through negative publicity regarding the industry in general that is generated by litigation on regulatory proceedings involving third parties.

In addition, regulatory actions or enforcement efforts taken with respect to money services businesses could negatively affect our ability to operate our consumer finance segment in our current form. For example, federal bank regulators are imposing significant costs and regulatory pressure on banks that do business with money services businesses, even though our business is conducted in a manner compliant with applicable law. As a result, fewer and fewer banks are willing to accept or even retain customers in the money services business industry. We may be forced to change long-standing banking relationships and change the way we operate our consumer finance operations, incurring additional capital expenditures and paying higher banking fees.

Public perception of payday lending as being predatory or abusive could adversely affect our business.

In recent years, consumer advocacy groups and media reports have advocated governmental action to prohibit or severely restrict payday loans. The consumer groups and media reports typically focus on the cost to a consumer for this type of loan, which is higher than the interest typically charged by credit card issuers. The consumer groups and media reports typically characterize these transactions as predatory or abusive toward consumers. If this negative characterization of our business becomes widely accepted by consumers, demand for our payday loans could significantly decrease, which could adversely affect our results of operations primarily by decreasing our revenues. Negative perception of our business activities could also result in our industry being subject to more restrictive laws and regulations and greater exposure to litigation.

Competition in the consumer finance industry is intense and could cause us to lose market share and revenues.

We believe that the primary competitive factors in the payday loan industry are store location and customer service. We face intense competition in the payday and pawn lending industry, and we believe that those markets are becoming more competitive as these industries mature and begin to consolidate. The payday loan industry has low barriers to entry, and new competitors, such as Wal-Mart, may easily enter the market. The pawn lending industry has medium level barriers to entry, however, there are several large pawn lending companies with which we directly compete. We also currently compete with services, such as overdraft protection offered by traditional financial institutions, and with other payday loan and check cashing stores and other financial service entities and retail businesses that offer payday loans or other similar financial services, as well as a rapidly growing internet-based payday loan market. Some of our competitors have larger and more established customer bases and substantially greater financial, marketing and other resources than we have. As a result, we could lose market share and our revenues could decline, thereby affecting our earnings and potential for growth.

We face significant cellular retail competition that may reduce our market share and lower our profits.

We face significant competition in our Cellular Retail segment. We compete with the four national wireless service providers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless) as well as other smaller carriers such as US Cellular and Metro PCS and with many MVNOs such as Walmart’s Straight Talk and Family Mobile plans. We also compete with government-financed “lifeline assurance” programs that offer free or reduced-cost cellular services to individuals and families receiving many types of public assistance. Our ability to compete effectively will depend on, among other things, the pricing of cellular services and equipment, the quality of our customer service, the reach and quality of our sales and distribution channels and our capital resources. It will also depend on how successfully we anticipate and respond to various factors affecting our industry, including new technologies and business models, changes in consumer preferences, demographic trends and economic conditions.

The cellular retail industry also faces competition from other communications and technology companies seeking to capture customer revenue and brand dominance with respect to the provision of cellular accessories and services. For example, Apple Inc. is packaging software applications and content with its handsets, and Google Inc. has developed and deployed an operating system and related applications for mobile devices.

General economic conditions affect our loan losses, and accordingly, our results of operations could be adversely affected by a general economic slowdown or other negative economic conditions such as high unemployment.

Provision for loan losses, net of recoveries, is one of our largest operating expenses, constituting approximately 17% of our loan revenues for the year ended December 31, 2016, with payday loan losses comprising most of the losses. Any changes in economic factors that adversely affect our customers, such as an economic downturn or high unemployment, could result in higher loan loss experiences than anticipated, which could in turn adversely affect our loan charge-offs and operating results.

A sustained deterioration in the economy could reduce demand for our products and services and result in reduced earnings.

A sudden or sustained deterioration in the economy could result in decreased demand for our seed, live plant, holiday gifts and home restoration products. This could result in decreased revenue and, because a significant portion of our sales in the Direct to Consumer segment are of live goods, inventory losses on live product acquired prior to a seasonal selling period could be significant.

In addition, it could cause worsening performance of our pawn loans and in consumer demand for and resale value of pre-owned merchandise that we sell in our stores. This, in turn, could reduce the amount that we could effectively lend on an item of collateral. Such reductions could adversely affect pawn loan balances, pawn loan redemption rates, inventory balances, revenues and gross profit margins.

We may be exposed to litigation and federal employment actions involving our franchisees.

Due to the fact that our AlphaGraphics business offers and sells franchises, we are subject to federal regulation and certain state laws which govern the offer and sale of franchises. One of the legal foundations fundamental to the franchise business model has been that, absent special circumstances, a franchisor is generally not responsible for the acts, omissions or liabilities of its franchisees, whether with respect to the franchisees’ employees or otherwise. However, in August 2015, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) changed its long-standing joint-employer standard in a widely discussed decision, Browning Ferris Industries of California, Inc. In that decision, the NLRB asserted that two or more entities are joint employers of a single workforce if they share or co-determine, even indirectly, those matters governing the essential terms and conditions of employment. If the NLRB’s new position is applied broadly to franchise relationships, it could significantly change the way our AlphaGraphics business conducts business. For example, the General Counsel of the NLRB continues to prosecute complaints in Regional Offices across the country (first issued in December 2014) charging that McDonald’s and its franchisees are joint employers and seeking to hold McDonald’s liable for unfair labor practices allegedly committed by its franchisees. The position taken by the NLRB General Counsel has set in motion what are expected to be lengthy hearings before the NLRB. If this expanded definition of “joint employer” continues to be upheld and applied to franchise business models, including our AlphaGraphics business, it could result in our AlphaGraphics business having responsibility for damages, reinstatement, back pay and penalties in connection with labor law violations by its franchisees over whom it has no control and could have a material and adverse effect on the operating results, financial condition and prospects of that business and our Company.

Company Risks

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

We currently provide payday lending services in seven states. For the year ended December 31, 2016, revenues from our locations in Nebraska represented approximately 35.8% of our total Consumer Finance segment revenues. For the foreseeable future, we expect that a material portion of our revenues will continue to be generated in Nebraska. For the year ended December 31, 2016, revenues from our Nebraska, North Dakota, Iowa and Wyoming stores represented approximately 36%, 20%, 16% and 13% of our total Consumer Finance revenues, respectively. As a result, changes to prevailing economic, demographic, competitive, regulatory or any other conditions, including the legislative, regulatory or litigation risks mentioned above, in the markets in which we operate, and in Nebraska in particular, could lead to a reduction in demand for our services and result in a decline in our revenues or an increase in our provision for doubtful accounts, or even an outright legal prohibition on the conduct of our business. Any of these outcomes could in turn result in a material and swift deterioration of our Consumer Finance segment financial condition principally by impairing its revenues and affecting its ability to obtain financing and operating liquidity, its operating results and its business prospects (again, principally by reducing our revenues and impairing its ability to grow its business).

If estimates of our loan losses are not adequate to absorb actual losses, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

We maintain an allowance for loan losses at levels to cover the estimated incurred losses in the collection of our payday and installment loan portfolios outstanding at the end of each applicable period. At the end of each period, management considers recent collection history to develop expected loss rates, which are used to establish the allowance for loan losses. Our allowance for loan losses was $1.04 million on December 31, 2016. Our allowance for loan losses is an estimate, and if actual loan losses are materially greater than our allowance for losses, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

We face substantial risk through reliance on a single wireless retail carrier.

We operate our Cellular Retail segment exclusively as an authorized dealer for Cricket, which means that this segment of our operations is entirely dependent upon continued operations as a Cricket dealer under our dealer agreement with Cricket Wireless, and the health of our relationship with Cricket Wireless. If Cricket Wireless were to change certain aspects of its dealer arrangements, including items such as pricing, product supply, credit terms and dealer compensation structure (all of which are primarily determined by Cricket Wireless) in a manner that is adverse to us, our margins and results of operations would likely suffer. In addition, if Cricket Wireless were to begin growing its relationship with other operators, or were to embark upon an effort to significantly grow corporate-owned locations, our prospects for growth in this segment would suffer.

Outside factors may affect our ability to obtain product and fulfill orders in our direct to consumer segment.

In our Direct to Consumer segment we have an agreement with a third party wholesale grower that is in effect until 2019 and contains options to renew the agreement for consecutive two-year terms and the agreement calls for a 24 month notice prior to termination. The grower that maintains our research crop is owned by a company which operates several direct to consumer entities that compete with us directly. Disruptions, whether caused by the third party wholesaler, weather or other environmental or climate influences could limit the supply of product we rely upon to fulfill orders.

Our Van Dyke’s portion of our Direct to Consumer segment has an agreement with a single third-party fulfillment provider. The contract with the fulfillment provider expires in 2018. The fulfillment provider receives and stores inventory, performs periodic cycle counts, picks, packs and ships customer orders. Additional services such as, order taking, processing of customer payments, personalization, customer services, and order processing are also performed by the fulfillment provider.

Because we maintain a significant supply of cash in our locations, we may experience losses due to employee error and theft.

Because our business requires us to maintain a significant supply of cash in our stores, we are subject to the risk of cash shortages resulting from employee error and theft. We periodically experience employee error and theft in stores, which can significantly increase the operating losses of those stores for the period in which the employee error or theft is discovered. We self-insure for employee error and theft at the store level. If our controls to limit our exposure to employee error and theft at the store level and at our corporate headquarters do not operate effectively or are structured ineffectively, our operating margins could be adversely affected by costs associated with increased security and preventative measures.

Regular turnover among our location managers and employees makes it more difficult for us to operate our locations and increases our costs of operation.

We experience a relatively stable workforce among our location managers and employees. Turnover interferes with implementation of operating strategies. Increases in our workforce turnover in the future would likely increase our operating pressures and operating costs and could restrict our ability to grow. Additionally, high turnover would create challenges for us in maintaining high levels of employee awareness of and compliance with our internal procedures and external regulatory compliance requirements. In sum, high turnover would increase our training and supervisory costs, and result in decreased earnings with corresponding greater risks of regulatory non-compliance.

We may not succeed in promoting and strengthening our franchise brand, which could prevent us from retaining existing and securing new franchise owners and increasing revenues.    

A primary component of our business strategy is to promote and strengthen our franchise brand. If we are unable to promote our brand or provide franchise owners with a high-quality experience, tools and resources they require, we may fail to attract new franchisees, maintain existing franchise relationships, or sustain or increase our revenues.

Our growth and success also depends upon the ability of our franchisees to operate their franchise successfully to our standards and promote our brand. Although we have established criteria to evaluate prospective franchisees, and our franchise agreements include certain operating standards, each franchisee operates his/her franchise location independently. Various laws limit our ability to influence the day-to-day operation of our franchise locations. We cannot assure you that our franchisees will be able to successfully operate their location in a manner consistent with our concepts and standards, which could reduce their sales and correspondingly, our franchise royalties, and could adversely affect our operating income and our ability to leverage our brand.

ITEM 1B    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2    PROPERTIES

Our headquarters is in Omaha, Nebraska. We lease a 12,420-square-foot space which is used as our corporate headquarters as well as headquarters for our Cellular Retail and Consumer Finance segments, with additional space available, which is sufficient for our projected near-term future growth. Our monthly lease amount is currently $12,225 and the lease expires on January 31, 2020. The corporate phone number is (402) 551-8888.

Our Direct to Consumer segment, acquired on July 1, 2015, owns 100-acre property with a 382,790 sq. ft. facility in Greenwood, South Carolina. This facility is utilized as JPPA’s distribution and warehouse facility and the corporate offices of JPPA and RAI. The real estate is encumbered with an outstanding mortgage in the amount of $2.97 million as of December 31, 2016.

ITEM 3    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are involved in a variety of legal claims and proceedings incidental to our business, including customer bankruptcy and employment-related matters from time to time, and other legal matters that arise in the normal course of business. We believe these claims and proceedings are not out of the ordinary course for a business of the type and size in which we are engaged. While we are unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these claims and proceedings, management believes there is not a reasonable possibility that the costs and liabilities of such matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or consolidated results of operations.

ITEM 4   MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

MARKET INFORMATION

Our common stock is listed for trading under the symbol “WCRS” on the “OTCQB,” which is the OTC Markets’ middle-tier over-the-counter quotation platform. The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Corporate Stock Transfer, Inc., 3200 Cherry Creek Drive South, Suite 430, Denver, Colorado 80209. The following table sets forth the high and low bid prices for our common stock as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board in 2016 and 2015. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown, or commission, and may not represent actual transactions. Trading in the Company’s common stock during the period represented was sporadic, exemplified by low trading volume and many days during which no trades occurred.

On January 20, 2016, our shareholders approved a plan to reincorporate Western Capital Resources, Inc. in Delaware at a special meeting of the shareholders called for that purpose. The reincorporation was completed May 11, 2016. In September 2016 for the sole purpose of removing partial shares of common stock, we amended our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of outstanding shares of common stock at a ratio of 5,000,000:5,000,001. In March 2017 we repurchased 106,873 shares directly from a single shareholder at a price of $4.50 per share.

HOLDERS

As of the date of this report, we had 9,390,998 shares of common stock outstanding held by approximately 285 holders of record.

DIVIDENDS

Holders of our common stock are entitled to share pro rata in dividends and distributions with respect to the common stock when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. In each of June, September and December 2016 and March 2017 we paid dividends of 2.5 cents per common share.

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

The table below sets forth certain information, as of the close of business on December 31, 2016, regarding equity compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which our securities were then authorized for issuance.

DESCRIPTION OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our authorized capital stock consists of 12.5 million shares of capital stock, $0.01 par value per share (unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors). All shares of common stock have equal voting rights and are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by our shareholders. Shares of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, conversion or redemption rights and may be issued only as fully paid and non-assessable shares. Cumulative voting in the election of directors is not permitted. In the event of our liquidation, each holder of our common stock is entitled to receive a proportionate share of our assets available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of liabilities. All shares of our common stock issued and outstanding are fully paid and non-assessable.

ITEM 6    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Not applicable.

ITEM 7    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes that appear elsewhere in this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve significant uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed in “Risk Factors” elsewhere in this report. For further information, see “Forward-Looking Statements” below.

OVERVIEW

In 2016 our growth was focused in the Wireless Retail segment. We began the year operating 99 Cricket retail locations and closed out the year operating 198. The growth came from a combination of launching new locations, acquiring existing stores from Cricket or from other Cricket dealers and from the operating of existing stores of another Cricket dealer under a management agreement until they are acquired in 2017. Approximately 75% of the store additions occurred in the 4^th quarter. This growth is a continuation of our 2015 efforts where we added a net of 38 store locations. We expect growth in this segment to continue throughout 2017.

Our consolidated 2016 revenue growth, however, related primarily to other 2015 activities. On July 1, 2015, we acquired the businesses of our Direct to Consumer segment by completing a merger and contribution transaction. This segment accounted for $25 million of revenue increase year over year, where 2015 included only the six months of revenue from the date of the transaction forward. On a pro forma basis, year over year revenue from this segment increased 0.4% or $176,000.

Our Consumer Finance segment experienced a 7% decline in segment revenues in 2016. The industry in which this segment operates is continually under regulatory and public perception threats and further contraction in revenues and contribution to net earnings attributable to shareholders is expected. The loss of our ability to operate at a profit in the state of South Dakota due to the passage of a grass-roots voter referendum implementing a rate cap on consumer lending in the state is an example of the threats facing the industry. Due to the negative trends and ever increasing public, legislative and regulatory threats, the value of this segment has decreased, resulting in a 100% impairment to the value of the goodwill of this segment. An impairment charge of $7.56 million has been taken in 2016. Net of income tax, the reduction to net income available to Western shareholders is $4.68 million or $0.49 per weighted average common shares outstanding.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015

Net income attributable to our common shareholders was $1.46 million, or $0.15 per share, in 2016 compared to $3.52 million, or $0.45 per share, in 2015. The 2016 EPS of $0.15 is after a Consumer Finance segment goodwill impairment charge, net of the provision for income taxes, of $4.68 million or $0.49 EPS. As further discussed in the discussion and analysis by segment that follows, the Franchise and Direct to Consumer segments each had year over year increases in actual and pro forma revenues and net income available to shareholders while the Cellular Retail segment had an increase in revenue and decrease in net income available to shareholders and the Consumer Finance segment had a decline in both.

The following table provides year-over-year revenues and net income attributable to WCR common shareholders by operating segment (in thousands):

Pro forma financial information as though our acquisitions of JPPA, RAI, JPRE and Green Communications had occurred on January 1, 2015 follows. Refer to Notes 16 and 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional reportable segment and acquisition and pro forma information.

Franchise

The following table summarizes our actual Franchise segment operating results:

The Franchise segment contributed $2.54 million of net income for the year ended December 31, 2016 and $2.27 million of net income for the year ended December 31, 2015 on revenues of $15.19 million the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $13.03 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The year over year increase in revenue from royalties and franchise development fees was 3.8% while the increase in other revenues, which are low margin services billings to franchisees, increased 77.9%. Total gross U.S. network-wide Center sales as reported by franchisees increased from $268 million in 2015 to $277 million in 2016, a 3.4% increase. AGI added a net of 2 new franchised business centers in 2016 bringing the number of franchisees of U.S. Centers to 281 as of December 31, 2016.

Cellular Retail

The following table summarizes our Cellular Retail segment operating results:

Segment contribution to net income was $0.64 million and $1.11 million for the year 2016 and 2015, respectively. Two factors have contributed to the year over year decrease in earnings on increased sales. In June of 2016 we made an expansion commitment to Cricket to launch a total of 150 new Cricket retail stores by September 2017. As of December 31, 2016 we opened 33 new locations under this commitment with another 40 in the first quarter of 2017. With the launch of each new location, we incur operating costs similar to a “mature” location, yet revenues ramp up gradually over time, resulting in losses. A second contributing factor is losses realized in a few specific markets where we already have existing locations. While the vast majority of markets in which we operate are profitable, there are some areas that have struggled.

Year-over-year revenues in the Cellular Retail segment increased $6.39 million, or 19.5%, to $39.2 million. This increase is due to a growth in number of locations operated, including the 41 store acquisition effective June 1, 2015, the 53 locations operated since November 22, 2016 under a management agreement and the various other store additions through small acquisitions or new store launches that have occurred over the periods.

Other revenue in this segment includes customer paid fees and compensation received from Cricket that is based on Cricket customer payments of their monthly service fees. In 2015 many customer paid fees were waived during the Cricket migration of customers to their new GSM network, explaining a significant portion of the year over year increase. The growing customer base on which we received compensation from Cricket, which is tied to our growth, is the other contributing factor to the year over year increase.

Cost of revenues as a percentage of retail sales, fees and commissions decreased from 56.7% in 2015 to 50.8% in 2016, resulting in higher margins in 2016. Included in sales, fees and commissions is dealer compensation from Cricket on unit sales and activations. The increase in margin year over year is a result of changes or increased compensation from Cricket year over year.

Our two most significant operating expense categories for this segment are salaries, wages and benefits and occupancy expenses. Salaries, wages and benefits expense increased 48.3% from 2015 due to the additional stores operated and expansion commitment. Stated as a percentage of Cellular Retail revenues, salaries, wages and benefits expense was 33.2% and 26.7% for year 2016 and 2015, respectively. Occupancy expenses, which include base rents, additional rents (common area maintenance, insurance and real estate taxes assessed operating per lease agreements), telephone, utility and repair and maintenance expenses, were 14.6% and 12.4% of Cellular Retail revenues for the year 2016 and 2015, respectively, the increase related to the growth in locations operated.

Direct to Consumer

The following table summarizes our actual Direct to Consumer segment operating results:

The Direct to Consumer segment contributed $2.25 million of net income for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $0.24 million for the prior year short period from July 1, 2015 (date of acquisition) through December 31, 2015 and compared to pro forma 2015 net income of $2.18 million. The pro forma information for 2015 is calculated as if the acquisition effective July 1, 2015 had occurred at the beginning of 2015 and there were no transaction expenses. Comparing current year to pro forma 2015, segment revenues were relatively flat while net income increased 3.2%

Consumer Finance

The following table summarizes our Consumer Finance segment operating results:

Our 2016 income statement includes a noncash goodwill impairment charge of $7.56 million. As more fully explained in Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report, during the fourth quarter of 2016, the company completed its annual impairment test of goodwill resulting in an impairment charge of 100% of the goodwill in the Consumer Finance segment. There were several factors that contributed to this charge, including a voter approved measure in the state of South Dakota that resulted in our cessation of operations in that state, the overall negative rates of growth of sales, profit and cash flows from our payday operations, lowered expectations for future performance and negative state and industry factors. There was a deferred tax benefit of $2.88 million related to this impairment charge.

Our Consumer Finance segment revenues decreased 6.7% year over year with our exit from the state of Utah at the end of September 2015, our exit from the state of South Dakota at the end of 2016, the closing of 2 underperforming locations in 2016 and an overall decrease in loan fee and ancillary fee revenue in 2016 each contributing to the decline.

As revenues decline, the company has focused on reducing net bad debt (cost of revenue) and operating expenses to minimize anticipated declines in cash flows provided by operations of this segment.

Consolidated Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense on continuing operations increased to $0.86 million in 2016 compared to $2.48 million in 2015 for an effective rate of 36.8% and 41.2%, respectively. The 2015 effective rate included the impact of nondeductible transaction costs incurred in 2015, and thus was a higher effective rate.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Summary cash flow data is as follows:

At December 31, 2016, we had cash of $14.16 million compared to cash of $7.85 million on December 31, 2015. For 2017, we believe that our available cash, combined with expected cash flows from operations and credit available under our credit facilities, will be sufficient to fund our liquidity and capital expenditure requirements through March of 2018, including the acquisition and expansion commitments in the Wireless Retail segment (refer to Note 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the 2017 acquisition and growth commitment of Cricket retail stores). Our expected short-term uses of available cash include the funding of operating activities (including cyclical increases in payday loans), the financing of expansion activities, including new store openings or store acquisitions, the payment of dividends and the reduction of term debt.

Approximately 90% of cash flow used for investing activities in 2016 was in the Retail Wireless segment and includes $2.9 million related to a 53 store acquisition agreement entered into in 2016 and closed on in March 2017

At December 31, 2016 our outstanding debt was $10.52 million compared to $8.00 million at December 31, 2015. The increase being utilized for growth of our Wireless Retail operations. Available credit at December 31, 2016 under credit facilities in place on that date was $4.51 million.

On March 29, 2016 we entered into a revolver and acquisition Credit Agreement with a financial institution.  The Credit Agreement contains a $9 million dollar acquisition facility commitment and a $3 million revolver credit commitment.  Interest accrues on advanced funds at LIBOR plus 3.5%.  The Acquisition Facility Commitment matures on the later of (i) March 29, 2018 and (ii) the extended maturity date as determined pursuant to the Credit Agreement, which allows for one year extensions if certain conditions are met, but in no event will an Acquisition loan maturity extend beyond 5 years from the date of an Acquisition Loan.  Acquisition Loans advanced under the facility are repayable in equal monthly amounts necessary to fully amortize such Acquisition Loans over a term up to five years.  The Credit Facility contains customary financial and negative covenants and is secured by substantially all assets of the company and its subsidiaries.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applied on a consistent basis. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make a number of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the 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 periods. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. We base these estimates on the information currently available to us and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could vary materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 1, “Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this report. We believe that the following critical accounting policies affect the more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:

Receivables and Loss Allowance

Franchise

Accounts receivable are recorded for earned but uncollected royalties and other related franchise fees. Allowances are provided on an account-by-account basis for estimated uncollectible accounts as deemed necessary by management. We consider current economic trends and changes in payment terms when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance.

Direct to Consumer

Receivables are recorded when billed or accrued and represent claims against third parties that will be settled in cash. The carrying value of receivables, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts, represents their estimated net realizable value. The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on historical collection trends, type of customer, the age of outstanding receivables and existing economic conditions. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that specific receivable balances may be impaired, further consideration is given to the collectability of those balances and the allowance is adjusted accordingly. Past due receivable balances are written-off when internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful in collecting the amount due.

Consumer Finance

Included in loans receivable are unpaid principal, interest and fee balances of payday, installment, pawn and title loans that have not reached their maturity date, and “late” payday loans that have reached maturity within the last 180 days and have remaining outstanding balances.  Late payday loans generally are unpaid loans where a customer’s personal check has been deposited and the check has been returned due to non-sufficient funds in the customer’s account, a closed account, or other reasons. All returned items are charged-off after 180 days, as collections after that date have not been significant. Loans are carried at cost plus accrued interest or fees less payments made and a loans receivable allowance.

We do not specifically reserve for any individual payday, installment or title loan.  Instead, we aggregate loan types for purposes of estimating the loss allowance using a methodology that analyzes historical portfolio statistics and management’s judgment regarding recent trends noted in the portfolio. This methodology takes into account several factors, including (1) the amount of loan principal, interest and fee outstanding, (2) historical charge offs from loans that originated during the last 24 months, (3) current and expected collection patterns and (4) current economic trends. We utilize a software program to assist with the tracking of its historical portfolio statistics. A loan loss allowance is maintained for anticipated losses for payday and installment loans based primarily on our historical percentages by loan type of net charge offs, applied against the applicable balance of loan principal, interest and fees outstanding. We also periodically perform a look-back analysis on our loan loss allowance to verify the historical allowance established tracks with the actual subsequent loan write-offs and recoveries. We are aware that as conditions change, we may also need to make additional allowances in future periods. Loan losses or charge-offs of pawn or title loans are not recorded because the value of the collateral exceeds the loan amount.

See Note 3 “Loans Receivable” and Note 4 “Loans Receivable Allowance” of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this report for our outstanding loans receivable aging and loans receivable allowance rollforward as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

Valuation of Long-lived and Intangible Assets

We assess the possibility of impairment of long-lived and intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that could trigger an impairment review include significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future cash flows, significant changes in the manner of use of acquired assets or the strategy for the overall business, and significant negative industry events or trends. In addition, we conduct an annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1 each year. We assess our goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level by applying a fair value test. This fair value test involves a two-step process. The first step is to compare the carrying value of our net assets to our fair value. If the fair value is determined to be less than the carrying value, a second step is performed to measure the amount of the impairment, if any.

As more fully disclosed in Note 7 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this report, during the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company completed its annual impairment test of the Consumer Finance segment, resulting in an impairment charge of $7,559,063, or 100% of the goodwill in that segment. During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company also completed the annual impairment assessments for all other segment intangible assets, determining there was no other impairment.

OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We have no off balance sheet arrangements.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements made in this report are “forward-looking statements,” as that term is defined under Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and projections about future events. Whenever used in this report, the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect” and similar expressions, or the negative of such words and expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words or expressions. The forward-looking statements in this report are primarily located in the material set forth under the headings “Description of Business,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” but are found in other parts of this report as well. These forward-looking statements generally relate to our plans, objectives and expectations for future operations and are based upon management’s current estimates and projections of future results or trends. Although we believe that our plans and objectives reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we may not achieve these plans or objectives. You should read this report completely and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We will not update forward-looking statements even though our situation may change in the future.

Specific factors that might cause actual results to differ from our expectations or may affect the value of the common stock, include, but are not limited to:

Other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements in this report are more fully described in the “Risk Factors” section and of this report.

Industry data and other statistical information used in this report are based on independent publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources. Some data are also based on our good faith estimates, derived from our review of internal surveys and the independent sources listed above. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we have not independently verified the information.

ITEM 7A    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable.

ITEM 8    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

INDEX OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONTENTS

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Western Capital Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Western Capital Resources, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Western Capital Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

5201 Eden Avenue

Suite 300

Edina, MN 55436

630.277.2330 

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.       Basis of Presentation, Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies –

Basis of Presentation / Nature of Business

Western Capital Resources, Inc. (WCR) is a parent company owning operating subsidiaries, with percentage owned shown parenthetically, as summarized below.

References in these financial statement notes to “Company” or “we” refer to Western Capital Resources, Inc. and its subsidiaries. References to specific companies within our enterprise, such “AGI,” “PQH,” “JPPA,” “RAI,” “JPRE,” “WFL” or “EPI” are references only to those companies.

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the WCR, its wholly owned subsidiaries and other entities in which the Company owns a controlling financial interest. For financial interests in which the Company owns a controlling financial interest, the Company applies the provisions of ASC 810 applicable to reporting the equity and net income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests. All significant intercompany balances and transactions of the Company have been eliminated in consolidation.

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect certain reported amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant management estimates relate to the notes and loans receivable allowance, carrying value and impairment of long-lived goodwill and intangible assets, inventory valuation and obsolescence, estimated useful lives of property and equipment, gift certificate and merchandise credits liability and deferred taxes and tax uncertainties.

Revenue Recognition

Franchise

Royalty revenues from franchisees are primarily based on a percentage of business center sales and are recognized in the period in which they are earned. Initial franchise fee revenues are recognized when the obligations required by the franchise agreement have been substantially performed by AGI, which is generally upon the training of the franchisee. Revenues from area development franchise fees and International Master License Agreement (IML) fees are recognized when the obligations required by the area development and IML agreements have been substantially performed.

Service fees and other revenues are recognized when services are provided.

Cellular Retail

Sales revenue for sales of phones and accessories and dealer compensation for related activations is recognized in the period in which the sale is completed (retail sales and associated fees). Customer service fees are recognized upon completion of the service and payment received. Other dealer compensation not attributed to phone activations is recorded in the period earned as reported to us by Cricket Wireless. All sales are presented net of sales taxes, which are excluded from revenue.

Direct to Consumer

Sales revenue is recognized in the period in which product is shipped. Sales billed or cash received in advance of actual shipment are deferred and recorded as income in the period in which shipment is made. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers is included in net sales. Shipping and handling costs are expensed as incurred and included in cost of sales. All sales are presented net of sales taxes, which are excluded from revenue.

Consumer Finance

Loan fees and interest on cash advance loans are recognized on a constant-yield basis ratably over a loan’s term. Title and installment loan fees and interest are recognized using the interest method, except that installment loan origination fees are recognized as they become non-refundable and installment loan maintenance fees are recognized when earned. The Company recognizes fees on pawn loans on a constant-yield basis ratably over the loans’ terms. No fees are recognized on forfeited pawn loans.

Receivables and Loss Allowance

Franchise

Accounts receivable are recorded for earned but uncollected royalties and other related franchise fees. Allowances are provided on an account-by-account basis for estimated uncollectible accounts as deemed necessary by management. The Company considers current economic trends and changes in payment terms when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance.

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Direct to Consumer

Receivables, for noncash sales, are recorded when orders are shipped and represent claims against third parties that will be settled in cash. The carrying value of receivables, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts, represents their estimated net realizable value. The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on historical collection trends, type of customer, the age of outstanding receivables and existing economic conditions. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that specific receivable balances may be impaired, further consideration is given to the collectability of those balances and the allowance is adjusted accordingly. Past due receivable balances are written-off when internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful in collecting the amount due.

Consumer Finance

Included in loans receivable are unpaid principal, interest and fee balances of payday, installment, pawn and title loans that have not reached their maturity date, and “late” payday loans that have reached maturity within the last 180 days and have remaining outstanding balances.  Late payday loans generally are unpaid loans where a customer’s personal check has been deposited and the check has been returned due to non-sufficient funds in the customer’s account, a closed account, or other reasons. All returned items are charged-off after 180 days, as collections after that date have not been significant. Loans are carried at cost plus accrued interest or fees less payments made and a loans receivable allowance.

The Company does not specifically reserve for any individual payday, installment or title loan.  The Company aggregates loan types for purposes of estimating the loss allowance using a methodology that analyzes historical portfolio statistics and management’s judgment regarding recent trends noted in the portfolio. This methodology takes into account several factors, including (1) the amount of loan principal, interest and fee outstanding, (2) historical charge offs from loans that originated during the last 24 months, (3) current and expected collection patterns and (4) current economic trends. The Company utilizes a software program to assist with the tracking of its historical portfolio statistics. A loan loss allowance is maintained for anticipated losses for payday and installment loans based primarily on our historical percentages by loan type of net charge offs, applied against the applicable balance of loan principal, interest and fees outstanding. The Company also periodically performs a look-back analysis on its loan loss allowance to verify the historical allowance established tracks with the actual subsequent loan write-offs and recoveries. The Company is aware that as conditions change, it may also need to make additional allowances in future periods. Loan losses or charge-offs of pawn or title loans are not recorded because the value of the collateral exceeds the loan amount.

Inventory

Cellular Retail

Inventory, consisting of phones and accessories, is stated at cost, determined on the specific identification and a first-in, first-out basis, respectively.

Direct to Consumer

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market using the weighted-average method of determining cost.

Consumer Finance

Merchandise inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market. The principal amount of an unpaid loan becomes the inventory cost for forfeited collateral.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to operations as incurred while renewals and betterments are capitalized.

The Company capitalizes certain internal costs, including payroll costs, incurred in connection with the development of software for internal use. These costs are capitalized beginning when the Company has entered the application development stage. The capitalization of these costs ceases when the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Only costs incurred for enhancements that are expected to result in additional features or functionality are capitalized and expensed over the estimated useful life of the enhancements.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired using purchase accounting and is not amortized.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets represent the fair values management assigned to assets acquired through business acquisitions and is amortized over periods of three to 15 years based on management’s estimates of the useful life of the asset.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company assesses the possibility of impairment of long-lived and intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that could trigger an impairment review include significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future cash flows, significant changes in the manner of use of acquired assets or the strategy for the overall business, and significant negative industry events or trends. In addition, the Company conducts an annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1 each year. The Company assesses goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level by applying a fair value test. This fair value test involves a two-step process. The first step is to compare the carrying value of our net assets to our fair value. If the fair value is determined to be less than the carrying value, a second step is performed to measure the amount of the impairment, if any.

Due to the minimal amount of public float for the Company’s common stock, the market capitalization approach of valuing the reporting unit as a whole is not practical. The discounted future cash flows method is utilized in estimating value. As further discussed in Note 7, when estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the net assets and related goodwill, an impairment test is performed to measure and recognize the amount of the impairment loss, if any.

Merchandise Credits and Gift Card Liabilities

Direct to Consumer

The Company maintains a liability for unredeemed gift cards, gift certificates and merchandise credits until the earlier of redemption, escheatment or a maximum of two years. The Company has concluded based on historical redemption trends that the likelihood of these liabilities being redeemed beyond two years from the date of issuance is remote. The liability is also reserved for estimated redemption rates which management bases on historical trends.

Advertising, Marketing and Development Costs

Franchise

The costs of advertising, marketing and development are expenses as incurred.

Certain amounts received from franchisees for marketing and advertising campaigns benefiting the franchisees are held in the AlphaGraphics Integrated Marketing Fund. AGI controls the manner in which these funds are spent. In addition to advertising, marketing and development expenses, fund expenses include general operating expenses such as reasonable salaries, travel related expenditures, administrative expenses, and overhead incurred by AGI on behalf of the fund. Amounts in the fund and the related revenues and expenses are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. AGI may direct that the amount spent in any fiscal year is greater or less than the aggregate contributions made by the franchisees into the fund.

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Direct to Consumer

The Company expenses advertising costs as they are incurred, except for direct-response advertising, which is capitalized and amortized over its expected period of future benefits, not to exceed six months. Direct-response advertising consists primarily of catalog book production, printing, and postage costs. Prepaid advertising costs at December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $1.08 million and $0.92 million, respectively.

Consumer Finance

The costs of advertising and marketing are expenses as incurred.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company accounts for its employee stock-based compensation plans using the fair value method. The fair value method requires the Company to estimate the grant-date fair value of its stock-based awards and amortize this fair value to compensation expense over the requisite service period or vesting term.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of the Company’s stock option awards. The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, the risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. Due to the inherent limitations of option-valuation models, future events that are unpredictable and the estimation process utilized in determining the valuation of the stock-based awards, the ultimate value realized by award holders may vary significantly from the amounts expensed in the Company’s financial statements.

Stock-based compensation expense is recognized net of estimated forfeitures such that expense is recognized only for those stock-based awards that are expected to vest. A forfeiture rate is estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimate.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes reflect the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable in the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. The provision for income taxes represents taxes paid or payable for the current year and changes during the year in deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Net Income Per Common Share

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing the income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share gives effect to all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period, including stock options, using the treasury stock method. Options to purchase 65,000 shares granted under the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan effective February 6, 2015 (see Note 13) were outstanding at December 31, 2016. These options have a strike price in excess of the market price as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, were antidilutive and therefore not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. Thus, there were no dilutive common shares as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The amounts reported in the balance sheets for cash, accounts and loans receivable, inventory, and accounts payable are short-term in nature and their carrying values approximate fair values. The amounts reported in the balance sheets for notes payable are both long-term and short-term and their carrying value approximates fair value.

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Reclassifications

Certain Statement of Income reclassifications have been made in the presentation of our prior financial statements and accompanying notes to conform to the presentation as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) jointly issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under US GAAP and IFRS. This converged standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently assessing the potential effects on our financial condition, results of operations and consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740) related to balance sheet classification of deferred taxes which will require entities to present deferred tax assets (DTAs) and deferred tax liabilities (DTAs) as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. The ASU simplifies the current guidance (ASC 740-10-45-4, which requires entities to separately present DTAs and DTLs as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within that annual period, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted the ASU during our first quarter of fiscal year 2016 on a retrospective basis. Accordingly, we reclassified the current deferred taxes to noncurrent on our December 31, 2015 Consolidated Balance Sheet, which decreased current deferred tax assets by $0.56 million and decreased noncurrent deferred tax liabilities by $0.56 million.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) related to recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that annual period, with early adoption permitted and to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the ASU will have on our financial condition, results of operations and consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) related to the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. The standard requires a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within that annual period, with early adoption permitted and the standard to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the ASU will have on our financial condition, results of operations and consolidated financial statements.

No other new accounting pronouncements issued or effective during the fiscal year have had or are expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

2.       Risks Inherent in the Operating Environment –

Regulatory

The Company’s Consumer Finance segment activities are highly regulated under numerous local, state, and federal laws, regulations and rules, which are subject to change. New laws, regulations or rules could be enacted or issued, interpretations of existing laws, regulations or rules may change and enforcement action by regulatory agencies may intensify. Over the past several years, consumer advocacy groups and certain media reports have advocated governmental and regulatory action to prohibit or severely restrict sub-prime lending activities of the kind conducted by the Company. The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has indicated that it will use its authority to further regulate the payday industry and has been actively assessing significant penalties or seeking settlement payments.

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Any adverse change in present local, state, and federal laws or regulations that govern or otherwise affect lending could result in the Consumer Finance segment’s curtailment or cessation of operations in certain or all jurisdictions or locations. Furthermore, any failure to comply with any applicable local, state or federal laws or regulations could result in fines, litigation, closure of one or more store locations or negative publicity. Any such change or failure would have a corresponding impact on the Company’s and segment’s results of operations and financial condition, primarily through a decrease in revenues resulting from the cessation or curtailment of operations, decrease in operating income through increased legal expenditures or fines, and could also negatively affect the Company’s general business prospects due to lost or decreased operating income or if negative publicity effects its ability to obtain additional financing as needed.

In addition, the passage of federal or state laws and regulations or changes in interpretations of them could, at any point, essentially prohibit the Consumer Finance segment from conducting its lending business in its current form. Any such legal or regulatory change would certainly have a material and adverse effect on the Company, its operating results, financial condition and prospects, and perhaps even the viability of the Consumer Finance segment.

Concentrations

The Company’s subsidiaries each have demand deposits at financial institutions, often times in excess of the limit for insurance by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had demand deposits in excess of insurance amounts of approximately $6.62 million.

Loans receivable in the Consumer Finance segment are concentrated in the sub-prime market and geographically, primarily in the Midwest. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Consumer Finance segment had geographic economic and regulatory risk concentrations (shown as a percentage of applicable segment’s revenue by state when 10% or more) as follows:

The Company’s Wireless Retail segment is an exclusive dealer for Cricket. As a dealer operating exclusively for a single carrier, the Company is subject to a number of concentrations, including revenues from a single brand, a single supplier for phones, a single operating system provider and select third party processors.

Our Direct to Consumer subsidiary JPPA has an agreement with a third party wholesale grower that is in effect until 2019. The grower has agreed to perform research for JPPA and maintain JPPA's research crop in exchange for a reduction in royalties to be paid to JPPA for growing JPPA's patented roses. There is an option to renew the agreement for consecutive two year terms and the agreement calls for a 24 month notice prior to termination.

RAI has an agreement with a single third-party fulfillment provider. For non-drop ship orders, the fulfillment provider receives and stores inventory, performs periodic cycle counts, picks, packs and ships customer orders. Additional services such as, order taking, processing of customer payments, personalization, customer services, and order processing are also performed by the fulfillment provider.

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3.       Loans Receivable –

At December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Consumer Finance segment’s outstanding loans receivable aging was as follows:

4.       Loans Receivable Allowance –

As a result of the Company’s Consumer Finance segment’s collection efforts, it historically writes off approximately 44% of the returned payday items, the most significant element making up loans receivable.  Based on days past the check return date, write-offs of payday returned items historically have tracked at the following approximate percentages: 1 to 30 days – 44%; 31 to 60 days – 66%; 61 to 90 days – 84%; 91 to 120 days – 89%; and 121 to 150 – 92% and 151+ days – 93%.  

A rollforward of the Company’s loans receivable allowance for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5.       Accounts Receivable –

A breakdown of accounts receivables by segment as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows: