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WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORP - Quarter Report: 2007 December (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
   Washington, D.C. 20549    


Form 10-Q


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

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2007

or

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT of 1934

For the transition period from     to    

Commission File Number: 0-19599
 
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter.)
 
South Carolina
 
57-0425114
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification
incorporation or organization)
 
Number)
 
108 Frederick Street
          Greenville, South Carolina 29607         
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

       (864) 298-9800      
(registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for shorter period than the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):
Large Accelerated Filer x   Accelerated Filero   Non-accelerated filer o

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

The number of outstanding shares of the issuer’s no par value common stock as of January 30, 2008 was 16,929,652.
 


WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited):
 
     
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007
3
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006
4
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income for the year ended March 31, 2007 and the nine months ended December 31, 2007
5
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006
6
     
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
7
     
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
15
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
21
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
22
     
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
22
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
22
     
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
22
     
Item 6.
Exhibits
23
     
Signatures
25

2

 
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

   
December 31,
 
March 31,
 
   
2007
 
2007
 
ASSETS
             
               
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
7,728,090
   
5,779,032
 
Gross loans receivable
   
663,217,054
   
505,788,440
 
Less:
             
Unearned interest and fees
   
(175,152,051
)
 
(127,750,015
)
Allowance for loan losses
   
(36,789,724
)
 
(27,840,239
)
Loans receivable, net
   
451,275,279
   
350,198,186
 
Property and equipment, net
   
17,834,844
   
14,310,458
 
Deferred taxes
   
20,825,126
   
14,507,000
 
Other assets, net
   
8,994,224
   
10,221,562
 
Goodwill
   
5,352,675
   
5,039,630
 
Intangible assets, net
   
10,509,355
   
11,060,139
 
Total assets
 
$
522,519,593
   
411,116,007
 
               
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
               
Liabilities:
             
Senior notes payable
   
163,050,000
   
60,600,000
 
Convertible senior subordinated notes payable
   
110,000,000
   
110,000,000
 
Other notes payable
   
400,000
   
600,000
 
Income taxes payable
   
3,503,527
   
8,015,514
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
17,527,629
   
16,407,846
 
Total liabilities
   
294,481,156
   
195,623,360
 
               
Shareholders' equity:
             
Preferred stock, no par value
             
Authorized 5,000,000 shares, no shares issued or outstanding
   
-
   
-
 
Common stock, no par value
             
Authorized 95,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 16,878,552 and 17,492,521 shares at December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007, respectively
   
-
   
-
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
2,830,522
   
5,770,665
 
Retained earnings
   
225,285,667
   
209,769,808
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(77,752
)
 
(47,826
)
Total shareholders' equity
   
228,038,437
   
215,492,647
 
Commitments and contingencies
 
$
522,519,593
   
411,116,007
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3


WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

   
Three months ended
December 31,
 
Nine months ended
December 31,
 
 
 
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
                   
Revenues:
                         
Interest and fee income
 
$
75,207,879
   
63,509,413
   
210,303,422
   
176,795,459
 
Insurance and other income
   
12,835,015
   
10,593,333
   
34,326,841
   
28,352,370
 
Total revenues
   
88,042,894
   
74,102,746
   
244,630,263
   
205,147,829
 
                           
Expenses:
                         
Provision for loan losses
   
23,223,929
   
18,365,040
   
55,856,170
   
43,345,287
 
General and administrative expenses:
                         
Personnel
   
29,280,288
   
25,777,752
   
86,027,643
   
73,044,091
 
Occupancy and equipment
   
5,555,057
   
4,439,229
   
15,856,114
   
12,769,189
 
Data processing
   
343,486
   
571,233
   
1,532,994
   
1,620,976
 
Advertising
   
6,023,271
   
4,734,272
   
10,753,160
   
8,417,723
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
621,844
   
683,437
   
1,874,838
   
2,219,354
 
Other
   
5,645,730
   
5,253,576
   
15,546,532
   
13,524,267
 
     
47,469,676
   
41,459,499
   
131,591,281
   
111,595,600
 
                           
Interest expense
   
3,338,181
   
2,822,951
   
8,606,177
   
6,993,730
 
Total expenses
   
74,031,786
   
62,647,490
   
196,053,628
   
161,934,617
 
                           
Income before income taxes
   
14,011,108
   
11,455,256
   
48,576,635
   
43,213,212
 
                           
Income taxes
   
6,723,034
   
4,444,007
   
19,972,176
   
16,354,457
 
                           
Net income
 
$
7,288,074
   
7,011,249
   
28,604,459
   
26,858,755
 
                           
Net income per common share:
                         
Basic
 
$
0.43
   
0.40
   
1.66
   
1.48
 
Diluted
 
$
0.43
   
0.39
   
1.63
   
1.45
 
                           
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                         
Basic
   
16,892,219
   
17,572,202
   
17,200,506
   
18,169,659
 
Diluted
   
17,148,112
   
17,950,091
   
17,511,074
   
18,547,439
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4


WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)

   
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net
 
Total Shareholders’ Equity
 
Total Comprehensive Income
 
                       
Balances at March 31, 2006
 
$
1,209,358
   
209,270,853
   
(50,092
)
 
210,430,119
       
Proceeds from exercise of stock options (331,870 shares), including excess tax benefits of $2,937,122
   
6,423,279
   
-
   
-
   
6,423,279
       
Common stock repurchases (1,209,395 shares)
   
(6,698,538
)
 
(47,397,425
)
 
-
   
(54,095,963
)
     
Issuance of restricted common stock under stock option plan (33,442 shares)
   
449,331
   
-
   
-
   
449,331
       
Stock option expense
   
3,481,617
   
-
   
-
   
3,481,617
       
Tax benefit from Convertible note
   
9,359,000
   
-
   
-
   
9,359,000
       
Proceeds from sale of warrants associated with convertible notes
   
16,155,823
   
-
   
-
   
16,155,823
       
Purchase of call option associated with convertible notes
   
(24,609,205
)
 
-
   
-
   
(24,609,205
)
     
Other comprehensive income
   
-
   
-
   
2,266
   
2,266
   
2,266
 
Net income
   
-
   
47,896,380
   
-
   
47,896,380
   
47,896,380
 
Total comprehensive income
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
47,898,646
 
Balances at March 31, 2007
   
5,770,665
   
209,769,808
   
(47,826
)
 
215,492,647
       
 
                               
Proceeds from exercise of stock options (82,250 shares), including excess tax benefits of $569,613
   
1,822,266
   
-
   
-
   
1,822,266
       
Common stock repurchases (690,100 shares)
   
(8,740,277
)
 
(12,538,600
)
 
-
   
(21,278,877
)
     
Issuance of restricted common stock under stock option plan (44,981 shares)
   
1,092,331
   
-
   
-
   
1,092,331
       
Stock option expense
   
2,885,537
   
-
   
-
   
2,885,537
       
Cumulative effect of FIN 48
   
-
   
(550,000
)
 
-
   
(550,000
)
     
Other comprehensive loss
   
-
   
-
   
(29,926
)
 
(29,926
)
 
(29,926
)
Net income
   
-
   
28,604,459
   
-
   
28,604,459
   
28,604,459
 
Total comprehensive income
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
28,574,533
 
Balances at December 31, 2007
 
$
2,830,522
   
225,285,667
   
(77,752
)
 
228,038,437
       

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
5


WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

   
Nine months ended
December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
           
Cash flows from operating activities:
             
Net income
 
$
28,604,459
   
26,858,755
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
             
Provision for loan losses
   
55,856,170
   
43,345,287
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
1,874,838
   
2,219,354
 
Amortization of loan costs and discounts
   
572,446
   
189,069
 
Depreciation
   
2,666,458
   
2,088,592
 
Compensation related to stock option and restricted stock plans
   
4,186,351
   
2,524,976
 
Change in accounts:
             
Deferred tax assets
   
(1,818,126
)
 
(1,249,382
)
Other assets, net
   
631,780
   
(1,097,219
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
621,939
   
(1,028,571
)
Income taxes payable
   
(9,561,987
)
 
(6,778,276
)
 
             
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
83,634,328
   
67,072,585
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
             
Increase in loans, net
   
(154,168,220
)
 
(122,858,663
)
Tangible assets acquired from office acquisitions,
             
primarily loans
   
(2,899,857
)
 
(16,101,334
)
Purchases of premises and equipment
   
(6,062,844
)
 
(4,790,681
)
Purchases of intangible assets in office acquisitions
   
(1,637,099
)
 
(2,003,678
)
               
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(164,768,020
)
 
(145,754,356
)
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
             
Net change in bank overdraft
   
497,844
   
1,522,061
 
Proceeds from senior notes payable, net
   
102,450,000
   
26,500,000
 
Proceeds from convertible senior subordinated notes
   
-
   
110,000,000
 
Repayments of other notes payable
   
(200,000
)
 
(200,000
)
Repurchases of common stock
   
(21,278,877
)
 
(49,581,323
)
Proceeds from sale of warrants associated with convertible notes
   
-
   
16,155,823
 
Purchase of call option associated with convertible notes
   
-
   
(24,609,205
)
Loan cost associated with convertible notes
   
-
   
(3,613,883
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
   
1,252,653
   
3,103,167
 
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options
   
569,613
   
2,492,660
 
Other
   
(208,483
)
 
-
 
               
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
83,082,750
   
81,769,300
 
               
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
1,949,058
   
3,087,529
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period
   
5,779,032
   
4,033,888
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents end of period
 
$
7,728,090
   
7,121,417
 
               
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
             
 
$
6,910,529
   
6,997,336
 
Cash paid for income taxes
   
30,802,289
   
23,153,254
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
6

 
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2007 and 2006
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements of the Company at December 31, 2007, and for the three and nine months then ended, were prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q and are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of items of a normal recurring nature) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position at December 31, 2007, and the results of operations and cash flows for the period then ended, have been included. The results for the period ended December 31, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other interim period.

Certain reclassification entries have been made for fiscal 2007 to conform with fiscal 2008 presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on shareholders’ equity, comprehensive income or net income.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

These consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended March 31, 2007, included in the Company's 2007 Annual Report to Shareholders.

NOTE 2 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The Company applies the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 130 “Reporting Comprehensive Income.” The following summarizes accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 31, 2007:

   
Three months
 
Nine months
 
   
ended December 31,
 
ended December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
                   
Balance at beginning of period
   
(63,995
)
 
(95,283
)
 
(47,826
)
 
(50,092
)
Unrealized income (loss) from foreign
                         
exchange translation adjustment
 
$
(13,757
)
 
81,026
   
(29,926
)
 
35,835
 
Balance at end of period
 
$
(77,752
)
 
(14,257
)
 
(77,752
)
 
(14,257
)

NOTE 3 - ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The following is a summary of the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated:
 
   
Three months
 
Nine months
 
   
ended December 31,
 
ended December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
                   
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
32,268,714
   
26,548,792
   
27,840,239
   
22,717,192
 
Provision for loan losses
   
23,223,929
   
18,365,040
   
55,856,170
   
43,345,287
 
Loan losses
   
(20,283,740
)
 
(16,300,585
)
 
(51,639,877
)
 
(40,338,087
)
Recoveries
   
1,532,579
   
1,446,900
   
4,627,973
   
4,123,139
 
Allowance on acquired loans
   
48,242
   
654,989
   
105,219
   
867,605
 
Balance at end of period
 
$
36,789,724
   
30,715,136
   
36,789,724
   
30,715,136
 

Effective April 1, 2005, the Company adopted Statement of Position No. 03-3 ("SOP 03-3"), "Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer," which prohibits carry over or creation of valuation allowances in the initial accounting of all loans acquired in a transfer that are within the scope of this SOP. Management believes that a loan has shown deterioration if it is over 60 days delinquent. The Company believes that loans acquired since the adoption of SOP 03-3 have not shown evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination, and therefore, are not within the scope of SOP 03-3 because the Company did not pay consideration for, or record, acquired loans over 60 days delinquent. Loans acquired that are more than 60 days past due are included in the scope of SOP 03-3 and therefore, subsequent refinances or restructures of these loans would not be accounted for as a new loan.
 
7

 
For the quarters ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded adjustments of approximately $48,000 and $655,000, respectively, to the allowance for loan losses in connection with acquisitions in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These adjustments were approximately $105,000 and $868,000 for the nine-months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. These adjustments represent the allowance for loan losses on acquired loans which do not meet the scope of SOP 03-3.
 
NOTE 4 AVERAGE SHARE INFORMATION

The following is a summary of the basic and diluted average common shares outstanding:
 
   
Three months ended December 31,
 
Nine months ended December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
                   
Basic:
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding (denominator)
   
16,892,219
   
17,572,202
   
17,200,506
   
18,169,659
 
                           
Diluted:
                         
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
16,892,219
   
17,572,202
   
17,200,506
   
18,169,659
 
Dilutive potential common shares
   
255,893
   
377,889
   
310,568
   
377,780
 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding (denominator)
   
17,148,112
   
17,950,091
   
17,511,074
   
18,547,439
 

Options to purchase 141,375 and 30,936 shares of common stock at various prices were outstanding during the periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the option price was greater than the average market price of the common shares. The shares related to the convertible senior notes payable (1,762,519) and related warrants were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the effects of such instruments were anti-dilutive during the periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.

NOTE 5 STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock Option Plans

The Company has a 1992 Stock Option Plan, a 1994 Stock Option Plan, a 2002 Stock Option Plan and a 2005 Stock Option Plan for the benefit of certain directors, officers, and key employees. Under these plans, 5,350,000 shares of authorized common stock have been reserved for issuance pursuant to grants approved by the Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors. Stock options granted under these plans have a maximum duration of 10 years, may be subject to certain vesting requirements, which are generally one year for directors and three to five years for officers and key employees, and are priced at the market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant of the option. At December 31, 2007, there were 234,123 shares available for grant under the plans.

Effective April 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” SFAS 123-R, using the modified prospective transition method, and did not retroactively adjust results from prior periods. Under this transition method, stock option compensation is recognized as an expense over the remaining unvested portion of all stock option awards granted prior to April 1, 2006, based on the fair values estimated at grant date in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123. The Company has applied the Black-Sholes valuation model in determining the fair value of the stock option awards. Compensation expense is recognized only for those options expected to vest, with forfeitures estimated based on historical experience and future expectations.
 
Option activity for the nine months ended December 31, 2007, was as follows:
 
   
Weighted
 
Weighted
     
   
Average
 
Average
     
   
Exercise
 
Remaining
 
Aggregated
 
   
Shares
 
Price
 
Contractual Term
 
Intrinsic Value
 
                   
Options outstanding, beginning of year
   
1,139,949
 
$
23.41
             
Granted
   
286,250
 
$
28.55
             
Exercised
   
(82,250
)
$
15.23
             
Forfeited
   
(35,700
)
$
27.19
             
Options outstanding, end of period
   
1,308,249
 
$
24.95
   
7.1
 
$
7,821,988
 
Options exercisable, end of period
   
554,899
 
$
16.16
   
4.9
 
$
6,975,883
 
 
8

 
The aggregate intrinsic value reflected in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the closing stock price on December 31, 2007 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of December 31, 2007. This amount will change as the stock’s market price changes. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the period ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was as follows:

   
2007
 
2006
 
Three months ended
 
$
693,655
   
1,452,961
 
Nine months ended
 
$
1,738,972
   
6,935,825
 

As of December 31, 2007, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock options amounted to approximately $7.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately three years.

The weighted-average fair value at the grant date for options issued during the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were $14.21 and $26.44, respectively, and options issued during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were $14.41 and $15.11 per share, respectively. This fair value was estimated at grant date using the following weighted-average assumptions:

   
Three months ended December 31,
 
Nine month ended December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
                   
Dividend yield
   
0
%
 
0
%
 
0
%
 
0
%
Expected volatility
   
42.99
%
 
43.37
%
 
42.99
%
 
43.37
%
Average risk-free interest rate
   
3.98
%
 
4.69
%
 
4.00
%
 
4.69
%
Expected life
   
6. 9 years
   
7.5 years
   
6. 9 years
   
7.5 years
 
Vesting period
   
5 years
   
5 years
   
5 years
   
5 years
 
 
The expected stock price volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock for a period approximating the expected life. The expected life represents the period of time that options are expected to be outstanding after their grant date. The risk-free interest rate reflects the interest rate at grant date on zero-coupon U.S. governmental bonds that have a remaining life similar to the expected option term.

Restricted Stock

On April 30, 2007, the Company granted 8,000 shares of restricted stock (which are equity classified), with a grant date fair value of $42.93 per share, to its independent directors. One-half of the restricted stock vested immediately and the other half will vest on the first anniversary of grant.

On November 12, 2007, the Company granted 8,000 shares of restricted stock (which are equity classified), with a grant date fair value of $28.19 per share, to certain officers. One-third of the restricted stock vested immediately and one-third will vest on the first and second anniversary of grant.

On November 28, 2007, the Company granted 20,800 shares of restricted stock (which are equity classified), with a grant date fair value of $30.94 per share, to certain executive officers. One-third of the restricted stock vested immediately and one-third will vest on the first and second anniversary of grant. The Company granted an additional 15,150 shares of restricted stock (which are equity classified), with a grant date fair value of $30.94 per share, to the same executive officers. The 15,150 shares will vest in three years based on the Company’s compounded annual EPS growth according to the following schedule:

   
Compounded
 
Vesting
 
Annual
 
Percentage
 
EPS Growth
 
100%
   
             15% or higher
 
67%
   
             12% - 14.99%
 
33%
 
 
             10% - 11.99%
 
0%
   
             Below 10%
 

Compensation expense related to restricted stock is based on the number of shares expected to vest and the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date. The Company recognized $584,000 and $1.3 million of compensation expense for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2007, respectively, and $679,000 and $843,000 of compensation expense for the quarter and nine months December 31, 2006, respectively, related to restricted stock, which is included as a component of general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. All shares are expected to vest.
 
9

 
As of December 31, 2007, there was approximately $1.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards granted, which is expected to be recognized over the next two years.

A summary of the status of the Company’s restricted stock as of December 31, 2007, and changes during the nine months ended December 31, 2007, is presented below:
 
       
Number of
 Shares
 
Weighted Average Fair
 Value at Grant Date
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2007
   
29,442
   
43.87
 
Granted during the period
   
51,950
   
32.36
 
Vested during the period, net
   
(23,323
)  
 
40.83
 
Cancelled during the period
   
(6,969
)
 
29.92
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2007
   
51,100
 
$
35.46
 
 
Total share-based compensation included as a component of net income during the quarters and nine months ended December 31, were as follows:

   
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
Share-based compensation related to equity classified units:
                 
Share-based compensation related to stock options
 
$
972,335
   
977,263
 
$
2,885,537
   
2,239,369
 
Share-based compensation related to restricted stock units
   
583,841
   
678,787
   
1,300,814
   
842,892
 
                           
Total share-based compensation related to equity
                         
classified awards
 
$
1,556,176
   
1,656,050
   
4,186,351
   
3,082,261
 
        
NOTE 6 ACQUISITIONS

The following table sets forth the acquisition activity of the Company for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006:

   
2007
 
2006
 
           
Number of offices purchased
   
21
   
84
 
Merged into existing offices
   
8
   
42
 
               
Purchase Price
 
$
4,536,956
   
18,105,012
 
Tangible assets:
             
Net loans
   
2,765,043
   
15,962,834
 
Furniture, fixtures & equipment
   
128,000
   
138,500
 
Other
   
6,814
   
-
 
               
Excess of purchase prices over carrying value of
             
net tangible assets
 
$
1,637,099
 
$
2,003,678
 
               
Customer lists
   
1,228,054
   
1,612,473
 
Non-compete agreements
   
96,000
   
63,000
 
Goodwill
   
313,045
   
328,205
 
               
Total intangible assets
 
$
1,637,099
 
$
2,003,678
 
 
The Company evaluates each acquisition to determine if the acquired enterprise meets the definition of a business. Those acquired enterprises that meet the definition of a business are accounted for as a business combination under SFAS No. 141 and all other acquisitions are accounted for as asset purchases. All acquisitions have been with independent third parties.

When the acquisition results in a new office, the Company records the transaction as a business combination, since the office acquired will continue to generate loans. The Company typically retains the existing employees and the office location. The purchase price is allocated to the estimated fair value of the tangible assets acquired and to the estimated fair value of the identified intangible assets acquired (generally non-compete agreements and customer lists). The remainder is allocated to goodwill. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, 13 acquisitions were recorded as business combinations.
 
10

 
When the acquisition is of a portfolio of loans only, the Company records the transaction as an asset purchase. In an asset purchase, no goodwill is recorded. The purchase price is allocated to the estimated fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, eight acquisitions were recorded as asset acquisitions.

The Company’s acquisitions include tangible assets (generally loans and furniture and equipment) and intangible assets (generally non-compete agreements, customer lists, and goodwill), both of which are recorded at their fair values, which are estimated pursuant to the processes described below.

Acquired loans are valued at the net loan balance. Given the short-term nature of these loans, generally four months, and that these loans are subject to continual repricing at current rates, management believes the net loan balances approximate their fair value.

Furniture and equipment are valued at the specific purchase price as agreed to by both parties at the time of acquisition, which management believes approximates their fair values.

Non-compete agreements are valued at the stated amount paid to the other party for these agreements, which the Company believes approximates the fair value. The fair value of the customer lists is based on a valuation model that utilizes the Company’s historical data to estimate the value of any acquired customer lists. In a business combination the remaining excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the tangible assets, customer list, and non-compete agreements is allocated to goodwill. The offices the Company acquires are small, privately owned offices, which do not have sufficient historical data to determine attrition. The Company believes that the customers acquired have the same characteristics and perform similarly to its customers. Therefore, the Company utilized the attrition patterns of its customers when developing the method. This method is re-evaluated periodically.

Customer lists are allocated at an office level and are evaluated for impairment at an office level when a triggering event occurs, in accordance with SFAS 144. If a triggering event occurs, the impairment loss to the customer list is generally the remaining unamortized customer list balance. In most acquisitions, the original fair value of the customer list allocated to an office is generally less than $100,000, and management believes that in the event a triggering event were to occur, the impairment loss to an unamortized customer list would be immaterial.

The results of all acquisitions have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the respective acquisition dates. The pro forma impact of these purchases as though they had been acquired at the beginning of the periods presented would not have a material effect on the results of operations as reported.

NOTE 7 NOTES PAYABLE

Summaries of the Company's notes payable follow:

Senior Notes Payable

$187,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility

This facility, as amended effective August 31, 2007, provides for borrowings of up to $187 million, with $163.1 million outstanding at December 31, 2007, subject to a borrowing base formula. An additional $30 million is available as a seasonal revolving credit commitment from November 15 of each year through March 31 of the immediately succeeding year to cover the increase in loan demand during this period. The Company may borrow, at its option, at the rate of prime or LIBOR plus 1.80%. At December 31, 2007, the Company’s interest rate was 7.25% and the unused amount available under the revolver was $53.9 million. The revolving credit facility has a commitment fee of 0.375% per annum on the unused portion of the commitment. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility mature on December 31, 2009.

Substantially all of the Company’s assets are pledged as collateral for borrowings under the revolving credit agreement.

Convertible Senior Notes
 
On October 10, 2006, the Company issued $110 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.0% convertible senior subordinated notes due October 1, 2011 (the “Convertible Notes”) to qualified institutional brokers in accordance with Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Interest on the Convertible Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing April 1, 2007. The Convertible Notes are the Company’s direct, senior subordinated, unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured senior subordinated debt of the Company, senior in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future subordinated debt and junior to all of the Company’s existing and future senior debt.  The Convertible Notes are structurally junior to the liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Convertible Notes are convertible prior to maturity, subject to certain conditions described below, at an initial conversion rate of 16.0229 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $62.41 per share, subject to adjustment. Upon conversion, the Company will pay cash up to the principal amount of notes converted and deliver shares of its common stock to the extent the daily conversion value exceeds the proportionate principal amount based on a 30 trading-day observation period.
 
11

 
Holders may convert the Convertible Notes prior to July 1, 2011 only if one or more of the following conditions are satisfied:
 
 
During any fiscal quarter commencing after December 31, 2006, if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding fiscal quarter is greater than or equal to 120% of the applicable conversion price on such last trading day;
     
 
During the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per note for each day of such ten consecutive trading day period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock and the applicable conversion rate on each such day; or
     
 
 
The occurrence of specified corporate transactions. 
 
If the Convertible Notes are converted in connection with certain fundamental changes that occur prior to October 1, 2011, the Company may be obligated to pay an additional make-whole premium with respect to the Convertible Notes converted. If the Company undergoes certain fundamental changes, holders of Convertible Notes may require the Company to purchase the Convertible Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes purchased plus accrued interest to, but excluding, the purchase date.
 
Holders may also surrender their Convertible Notes for conversion anytime on or after July 1, 2011 until the close of business on the third business day immediately preceding the maturity date, regardless of whether any of the foregoing conditions have been satisfied. 
 
The contingent conversion feature was not required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately under the provisions of FAS 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”
 
The aggregate underwriting commissions and other debt issuance costs incurred with respect to the issuance of the Convertible Notes were approximately $3.6 million and are being amortized over the period the Convertible Notes are outstanding.
 
Convertible Notes Hedge Strategy
 
Concurrent and in connection with the sale of the Convertible Notes, the Company purchased call options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the conversion rate as of the date the options are exercised for the Convertible Notes, at a price of $62.41 per share. The cost of the call options totaled $24.6 million. The Company also sold warrants to the same counterparties to purchase from the Company an aggregate of 1,762,519 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $73.97 per share and received net proceeds from the sale of increasing these warrants of $16.2 million. Taken together, the call option and warrant agreements increased the effective conversion price of the Convertible Notes to $73.97 per share. The call options and warrants must be settled in net shares. On the date of settlement, if the market price per share of the Company’s common stock is above $73.97 per share, the Company will be required to deliver shares of its common stock representing the value of the call options and warrants in excess of $73.97 per share.

The warrants have a strike price of $73.97 and are generally exercisable at anytime. The Company issued and sold the warrants in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, by virtue of section 4(2) thereof. There were no underwriting commissions or discounts in connection with the sale of the warrants.

In accordance with EITF. No. 00-19 “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, the Company’s Own Stock”, the Company accounted for the call options and warrants as a net reduction in additional paid in capital, and is not required to recognize subsequent changes in fair value of the call options and warrants in its consolidated financial statements.

Other Note Payable

The Company also has a $400,000 note payable to Carolina First Bank, bearing interest of LIBOR plus 2.00% payable monthly, which is to be repaid in two remaining annual installments of $200,000 ending on May 1, 2009.
 
12

 
Debt Covenants

The various debt agreements contain restrictions on the amounts of permitted indebtedness, investments, working capital, repurchases of common stock and cash dividends. At December 31, 2007, $29.9 million was available under these covenants for the payment of cash dividends, or the repurchase of the Company's common stock. In addition, the agreements restrict liens on assets and the sale or transfer of subsidiaries. The Company was in compliance with the various debt covenants for all periods presented.

NOTE 8 DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

On October 5, 2005, the Company entered into an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $30 million to economically hedge a portion of the cash flows from its floating rate revolving credit facility. Under the terms of the interest rate swap, the Company will pay a fixed rate of 4.755% on the $30 million notional amount and receive payments from a counterparty based on the 1 month LIBOR rate for a term ending October 5, 2010. Interest rate differentials paid or received under the swap agreement are recognized as adjustments to interest expense.

At December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded a liability of $737,000 and an asset of $239,000, respectively, related to the interest rate swap, which represented the fair value of the interest rate swap at those dates. A corresponding unrealized loss of $610,000 and a gain of $24,000 were recorded as other income for the quarters ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. During the quarters ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, interest expense was decreased by approximately $65,000 and $44,000 as a result of net receipts under the terms of the interest rate swap.

For the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, unrealized losses of $829,000 and $253,000, respectively, were recorded as other income and interest expense was decreased by approximately $118,000 and $107,000, respectively, as a result of net receipts under the terms of the interest rate swap.

On May 9, 2007, the Company entered into a $3 million foreign exchange currency option to economically hedge its foreign exchange risk relative to the Mexican peso. Under the terms of the option contract, the Company can exchange $3 million U.S. dollars at a rate of 11.18 Mexican pesos on May 9, 2008. The fair value of the option at December 31, 2007 was immaterial.

The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The purpose of these instruments is to reduce the exposure to variability in future cash flows attributable to a portion of its LIBOR-based borrowings and to reduce variability in foreign cash flows. The fair value of the interest rate swap and option is recorded on the consolidated balance sheets as an other asset or other liability. The Company is currently not accounting for these derivative instruments using the cash flow hedge accounting provisions of SFAS 133; therefore, the changes in fair value of the swap and option are included in earnings as other income or expenses.

By using derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to credit and market risk. Credit risk, which is the risk that a counterparty to a derivative instrument will fail to perform, exists to the extent of the fair value gain in a derivative. Credit risk is created when the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, since this generally indicates that the counterparty owes the Company. When the fair value of a derivative is negative, no credit risk exists since the Company would owe the counterparty. Market risk is the adverse effect on the financial instruments from a change in interest rates or implied volatility of exchange rates. The Company manages the market risk associated with interest rate contracts and currency options by establishing and monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that may be undertaken. The market risk associated with derivatives used for interest rate and foreign currency risk management activities is fully incorporated in the Company’s market risk sensitivity analysis.
 
NOTE 9 – ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, on April 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of Interpretation 48, the Company recognized a charge of approximately $550,000 to the April 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings. As of April 1, 2007, the Company had approximately $5.5 million of total gross unrecognized tax benefits. Of this total, approximately $800,000 represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that are permanent in nature and, if recognized, would affect the annual effective tax rate.

The Company does not expect that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease between the present time and March 31, 2008.
 
13

 
The Company is subject to U.S and Mexican income taxes, as well as various other state and local jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2003, although carryforward attributes that were generated prior to 2003 may still be adjusted upon examination by the taxing authorities if they either have been or will be used in a future period.   

The federal income tax (2005 and 2006) are currently under examination by the taxing authorities. In addition, the income tax return (2001 through 2006) are under examination by a state authority which has completed its examinations and issued a proposed assessment for tax years 2001 and 2006. The Company is in the very initial process of responding to the Jurisdiction. In consideration of the proposed assessment, net income for this quarter was reduced by a charge of $1.5 million and the total gross unrecognized tax benefits has increased by $2.3 million as a result of this examination. At this time, it is too early to predict the outcome on this tax issue and any future recoverability of this charge. Until the tax issue is resolved, the Company expects to accrue approximately $40,000 per quarter for interest and penalties.

The Company's continuing practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $889,000 accrued for interest and penalties, of which $393,000 and $533,000 were expensed during the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2007, respectively.
 
14

 

WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations

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

   
Three months
 
Nine months
 
   
ended December 31,
 
ended December 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                   
Average gross loans receivable (1)
 
$
608,880
   
511,210
   
566,563
   
470,399
 
Average net loans receivable (2)
   
448,946
   
379,879
   
419,050
   
350,384
 
                           
Expenses as a % of total revenue:
                         
Provision for loan losses
   
26.4
%
 
24.8
%
 
22.8
%
 
21.1
%
General and administrative
   
53.9
%
 
55.9
%
 
53.8
%
 
54.4
%
Total interest expense
   
3.8
%
 
3.8
%
 
3.5
%
 
3.4
%
                           
Operating margin (3)
   
19.7
%
 
19.3
%
 
23.4
%
 
24.5
%
                           
Return on average assets (annualized)
   
5.9
%
 
6.9
%
 
8.3
%
 
9.5
%
                           
Offices opened or acquired, net
   
14
   
53
   
99
   
111
 
                           
Total offices (at period end)
   
831
   
731
   
831
   
731
 
 

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

Comparison of Three Months Ended December 31, 2007, Versus
Three Months Ended December 31, 2006

Net income increased to $7.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007 compared to $7.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006. Operating income (revenues less provision for loan losses and general and administrative expenses) increased approximately $3.1 million, or 21.5%, and was offset partially by an increase in interest expense and an increase in income taxes. The increase in operating margins from 19.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2006 compared to 19.7% for the three months ended December 31, 2007 resulted from a decrease in general and administrative expenses.

Total revenues rose to $88.0 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2007, an 18.8% increase over the $74.1 million for the corresponding quarter of the previous year. This increase was attributable to an increase in the average loan balances and an increase in other income. In addition, revenues from the 640 offices open throughout both quarterly periods increased by approximately 11.0%. At December 31, 2007, the Company had 831 offices in operation, an increase of 99 offices from March 31, 2007.

Interest and fee income for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, increased by $11.7 million, or 18.4%, over the same period of the prior year. This increase resulted from a $97.7 million increase, or 19.1%, in average gross loans receivable over the two corresponding periods.

Insurance commissions and other income increased by $2.2 million, or 21.2%, between the two quarterly periods. Insurance commissions increased by $2.1 million, or 33.2%, during the most recent quarter when compared to the prior year quarter due to the increase in loans in those states where credit insurance is sold in conjunction with the loan. Other income increased by approximately $160,000, or 3.7%, over the two corresponding quarters. The increase is attributed to an increase in revenue from motor club products of approximately $271,000 and an increase in World Class Buying Club sales of $566,000 when comparing the two quarters. The increase was offset by a $610,000 loss on the interest rate swap.
 
15

 
The provision for loan losses during the quarter ended December 31, 2007 increased by $4.9 million, or 26.5%, from the same quarter last year. This increase resulted from an increase in the general allowance for loan losses due to loan growth and an increase in charge-offs. Net charge-offs for the current quarter amounted to $18.8 million, a 26.2% increase from the $14.9 million charged off during the same quarter of fiscal year 2007. As a percentage of average loans receivable, net charge-offs increased to 16.7% on an annualized basis for the current quarter from 15.6% for the quarter ended December 31, 2006. The Company believes that the increase is attributed to a soft economy.

General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 increased by $6.0 million, or 14.5% over the same quarter of fiscal year 2007. Overall, general and administrative expenses, when divided by average open offices, decreased by approximately 0.6% when comparing the two periods; and, as a percentage of total revenue, decreased from 55.9% over the same quarter of fiscal year 2007 to 53.9% during the most recent period. This decrease resulted from a higher growth in revenue than in expenses.

Interest expense increased by $515,000 when comparing the two corresponding quarterly periods as a result of an increase in the average outstanding debt balance.

Income tax expense increased $2.3 million, or 51.3%, primarily from an increase in pre-tax income and a charge of $1.5 million related to a tax examination. A State jurisdiction has completed its examinations and issued a proposed assessment for tax years 2001 through 2006. The Company is in the very initial process of responding to the Jurisdiction. In consideration of the proposed assessment, net income for this quarter was reduced by this charge of $1.5 million and the total gross unrecognized tax benefits has increased by $2.3 million as a result of this examination. At this time, it is too early to predict the outcome on this tax issue and any future recoverability of this charge. Until the tax issue is resolved, the Company expects to accrue approximately $40,000 per quarter for interest and penalties. As a result, the Company’s effective income tax rate increased to 47.98% for the three months ended December 31, 2007 from 38.79% for the prior year quarter.

Comparison of Nine Months Ended December 31, 2007, Versus
Nine Months Ended December 31, 2006

Net income increased to $28.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2007, or 6.5%, from the nine month period ended December 31, 2006. Operating income increased approximately $7.0 million, or 13.9%, and was offset partially by an increase in interest expense and an increase in income taxes. The decrease in operating margins from 24.5% for the nine months ended December 31, 2006 compared to 23.4% for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 resulted from an increase in the provision expense.

Total revenues rose to $244.6 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2007, a 19.2% increase over the $205.1 million for the corresponding period of the previous year. This increase was attributable to a 19.6% increase in average net loans and an increase in revenues from offices open throughout both periods. Revenues from the 640 offices open throughout both periods increased by approximately 9.8%.

Interest and fee income for the nine months ended December 31, 2007, increased by $33.5 million, or 19.0%, over the same period of the prior year. This increase resulted from a $96.2 million increase, or 20.4%, in average gross loans receivable over the two corresponding periods.

Insurance commissions and other income increased by $6.0 million, or 21.1%, between the two periods. Insurance commissions increased by $4.8 million, or 26.6%, during the most recent nine months when compared to the prior year first nine months due to the increase in loans in those states where credit insurance is sold in conjunction with the loan. Other income increased by approximately $1.2 million, or 11.6%, over the two corresponding periods primarily due to an increase in revenue from motor club products of approximately $1.1 million and increased World Class Buying Club revenue of $637,000 when comparing the two nine month periods. The increase was offset by an $829,000 loss on the interest rate swap recorded in fiscal 2008 compared to a $253,000 loss recorded in fiscal 2007.

The provision for loan losses during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 increased by $12.5 million, or 28.9%, from the same period last year. This increase resulted from an increase in the general allowance for loan losses due to loan growth and an increase in charge-offs. Net charge-offs for the current nine month period amounted to $47.0 million, a 29.8% increase from the $36.2 million charged off during the same period of fiscal 2007. As a percentage of average loans receivable, net charge-offs increased to 15.0% on an annualized basis for the current nine month period from 13.8% for the nine month period ended December 31, 2006. As discussed above, the Company believes that increase is attributed to a soft economy.

16


General and administrative expenses for the nine month period ended December 31, 2007 increased by $20.0 million, or 17.9% over the same nine month period of fiscal 2007. Overall, general and administrative expenses, when divided by average open offices, decreased by approximately 0.4% when comparing the two periods. Total general and administrative expenses as a percent of total revenues decreased from 54.4% during the prior year nine month period to 53.8% during the most recent nine month period due to a higher growth in revenues than in expenses.

Interest expense increased by $1.6 million when comparing the two corresponding nine month periods as a result of an increase in the average outstanding debt balance.

Income tax expense increased $3.6 million, or 22.1%, primarily from an increase in pre-tax income and a charge of $1.5 million related to a tax examination. A State jurisdiction has completed its examinations and issued a proposed assessment for tax years 2001 through 2006. The Company is in the very initial process of responding to the Jurisdiction. In consideration of the proposed assessment, net income for this quarter was reduced by this charge of $1.5 million and the total gross unrecognized tax benefits has been increased by $2.3 million as a result of this examination. At this time, it is too early to predict the outcome on this tax issue and any future recoverability of this charge. Until the tax issue is resolved, the Company expects to accrue approximately $40,000 per quarter for interest and penalties. As a result, the Company’s effective income tax rate increased to 41.11% for the three months ended December 31, 2007 from 37.85% for the prior year quarter.

Critical Accounting Policies
 
The Company’s accounting and reporting policies are in accordance with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles and conform to general practices within the finance company industry. Certain critical accounting policies involve significant judgment by the Company’s management, including the use of estimates and assumptions which affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. As a result, changes in these estimates and assumptions could significantly affect the Company’s financial position and results of operations. The Company considers its policies regarding the allowance for loan losses and share-based compensation to be its most critical accounting policies due to the significant degree of management judgment involved.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company has developed policies and procedures for assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses that take into consideration various assumptions and estimates with respect to the loan portfolio. The Company’s assumptions and estimates may be affected in the future by changes in economic conditions, among other factors. Additional information concerning the allowance for loan losses is discussed under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations - Credit Quality” in the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.
 
Share-Based Compensation

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

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company has financed its operations, acquisitions and office expansion through a combination of cash flow from operations and borrowings from its institutional lenders. The Company's primary ongoing cash requirements relate to the funding of new offices and acquisitions, the overall growth of loans outstanding, the repayment of indebtedness and the repurchase of its common stock. As the Company's gross loans receivable increased from $351.5 million at March 31, 2005 to $505.8 million at March 31, 2007, net cash provided by operating activities for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 was $87.7 million, $98.0 million and $110.1 million, respectively.

17


During the first nine months of fiscal 2008, the Company repurchased 690,100 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $21.3 million. The Company believes stock repurchases to be a viable component of the Company’s long-term financial strategy and an excellent use of excess cash when the opportunity arises. In addition, the Company plans to open or acquire at least 75 new offices in the United States and 20 new offices in Mexico in fiscal 2008. Expenditures by the Company to open and furnish new offices generally averaged approximately $25,000 per office during fiscal 2007. New offices have also required from $100,000 to $400,000 to fund outstanding loans receivable originated during their first 12 months of operation.

The Company acquired 13 offices and 8 loan portfolios from competitors in 6 states in 9 separate transactions during the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Gross loans receivable purchased in these transactions were approximately $4.1 million in the aggregate at the dates of purchase. The Company believes that attractive opportunities to acquire new offices or receivables from its competitors or to acquire offices in communities not currently served by the Company will continue to become available as conditions in local economies and the financial circumstances of owners change.

The Company has a $187.0 million base credit facility with a syndicate of banks. In addition to the base revolving credit commitment, there is a $30 million seasonal revolving credit commitment available November 15 of each year through March 31 of the immediately succeeding year to cover the increase in loan demand during this period. The credit facility will expire on December 31, 2009. Funds borrowed under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at the Company's option, at either the agent bank's prime rate per annum or the LIBOR rate plus 1.80% per annum. At December 31, 2007, the interest rate on borrowings under the revolving credit facility was 7.25%. The Company pays a commitment fee equal to 0.375% per annum of the daily unused portion of the revolving credit facility. Amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility may not exceed specified percentages of eligible loans receivable. On December 31, 2007, $163.1 million was outstanding under this facility, and there was $53.9 million of unused borrowing availability under the borrowing base limitations.

The Company's credit agreements contain a number of financial covenants, including minimum net worth and fixed charge coverage requirements. The credit agreements also contain certain other covenants, including covenants that impose limitations on the Company with respect to (i) declaring or paying dividends or making distributions on or acquiring common or preferred stock or warrants or options; (ii) redeeming or purchasing or prepaying principal or interest on subordinated debt; (iii) incurring additional indebtedness; and (iv) entering into a merger, consolidation or sale of substantial assets or subsidiaries. The Company was in compliance with these agreements as of December 31, 2007, and does not believe that these agreements will materially limit its business and expansion strategy.

On April 1, 2007, the Company adopted FIN No. 48. As of December 31, 2007, the Company’s contractual obligations, relating to FIN No. 48, included unrecognized tax benefits of $5.5 million which are expected to be settled in greater than one year. While the settlement of the obligation is expected to be in excess of 1 year, the precise timing of the settlement is indeterminable.

The Company believes that cash flow from operations and borrowings under its revolving credit facility or other sources will be adequate to fund the expected cost of opening or acquiring new offices, including funding initial operating losses of new offices and funding loans receivable originated by those offices and the Company's other offices and the scheduled repayment of the other notes payable (for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future beyond that). Management is not currently aware of any trends, demands, commitments, events or uncertainties related to the Company’s operations that it believes will result in, or are reasonably likely to result in, the Company’s liquidity increasing or decreasing in any material way. From time to time, the Company has needed and obtained, and expects that it will continue to need on a periodic basis, an increase in the borrowing limits under its revolving credit facility. The Company has successfully obtained such increases in the past and anticipates that it will be able to obtain such increases or secure other sources of financing in the future as the need arises; however, there can be no assurance that this additional funding will be available (or available on reasonable terms) if and when needed.

Inflation

The Company does not believe that inflation has a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations. The primary impact of inflation on the operations of the Company is reflected in increased operating costs. While increases in operating costs would adversely affect the Company's operations, the consumer lending laws of three of the eleven states in which the Company currently operates allow indexing of maximum loan amounts to the Consumer Price Index. These provisions will allow the Company to make larger loans at existing interest rates, which could partially offset the effect of inflationary increases in operating costs.

18


Quarterly Information and Seasonality

The Company's loan volume and corresponding loans receivable follow seasonal trends. The Company's highest loan demand occurs each year from October through December, its third fiscal quarter. Loan demand is generally the lowest and loan repayment is highest from January to March, its fourth fiscal quarter. Loan volume and average balances remain relatively level during the remainder of the year. This seasonal trend causes fluctuations in the Company's cash needs and quarterly operating performance through corresponding fluctuations in interest and fee income and insurance commissions earned, since unearned interest and insurance income are accreted to income on a collection method. Consequently, operating results for the Company's third fiscal quarter are significantly lower than in other quarters and operating results for its fourth fiscal quarter are generally higher than in other quarters.

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments

In February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments - an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140” (“SFAS 155”). SFAS 155 permits an entity to measure at fair value any financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would be required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately under SFAS 133. SFAS 155 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. The adoption of SFAS 155 had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

In July 2006, FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), was issued. It clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity’s financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold and measurement attribute a tax position taken or expected to be taken on a tax return is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

In May 2007, the FASB issued FSP FIN No. 48-1, “Definition of Settlement in FASB Interpretation No. 48.” FSP FIN No. 48-1 provides guidance on how a company should determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits. FSP FIN No. 48-1 is effective upon initial adoption of FIN No. 48, which the Company adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, as discussed in footnote 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fair Value Measurements

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 provides a common definition of fair value and a framework for measuring assets and liabilities at fair values when a particular standard prescribes it. In addition, the Statement prescribes a more enhanced disclosure of fair value measures, and requires a more expanded disclosure when non-market data is used to assess fair values. As required by SFAS 157, the Company will adopt this new accounting standard effective April 1, 2008. Management is currently reviewing the impact SFAS 157 on the Company’s financial statements.

19

 
Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
 
On February 15, 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 (“SFAS 159”), “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which allows an entity the irrevocable option to elect fair value for the initial and subsequent measurement for certain financial assets and liabilities on a contract-by-contract basis. Subsequent changes in fair value of these financial assets and liabilities would be recognized in earnings when they occur. SFAS 159 further establishes certain additional disclosure requirements. SFAS 159 is effective for the Company’s financial statements for the year beginning on April 1, 2008. The Company does not expect the effect of adopting this standard to be material to its Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance
 
In September 2006, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the EITF on Issue No. 06-5, “Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance — Determining the Amount That Could Be Realized in Accordance with FASB Technical Bulletin No. 85-4, Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance.” FASB Technical Bulletin No. 85-4 requires that the amount that could be realized under the insurance contract as of the date of the statement of financial position should be reported as an asset. Since the issuance of FASB Technical Bulletin No. 85-4, there has been diversity in practice in the calculation of the amount that could be realized under insurance contracts. Issue No. 06-5 concludes that the Company should consider any additional amounts (e.g., cash stabilization reserves and deferred acquisition cost taxes) included in the contractual terms of the insurance policy other than the cash surrender value in determining the amount that could be realized in accordance with FASB Technical Bulletin No. 85-4. The adoption of this Interpretation had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Business Combinations

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations, which replaces SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations. SFAS No. 141R requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date, with limited exceptions. SFAS No. 141R also requires acquisition-related costs and restructuring costs that the acquirer expected, but was not obligated to incur at the acquisition date, to be recognized separately from the business combination. In addition, SFAS No. 141R amends SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, to require the acquirer to recognize changes in the amount of its deferred tax benefits that are recognizable because of a business combination either in income from continuing operations in the period of the combination or directly in contributed capital. SFAS No. 141R applies prospectively to business combinations in fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and would therefore impact our accounting for future acquisitions beginning in fiscal 2010.

Noncontrolling Interest in consolidated Financial Statements

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an Amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 clarifies the accounting for noncontrolling interests and establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary, including classification as a component of equity. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, our fiscal 2010. The Company is in the process of determining the effect, if any, that the adoption of SFAS 160 will have on our financial statements.

Forward-Looking Information

This report on Form 10-Q, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contains various “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that are based on management’s belief and assumptions, as well as information currently available to management. Statements other than those of historical fact, as well as those identified by the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” and “should” any variation of the foregoing and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Specifically, the statements in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of the Company’s expectations regarding charge-off trends or office expansion plans and are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in any such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Any such statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Company’s actual financial results, performance or financial condition may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or expected. Among the key factors that could cause the Company’s actual financial results, performance or condition to differ from the expectations expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements are the following: changes in interest rates; risks inherent in making loans, including repayment risks and value of collateral; recently-enacted or proposed legislation; the timing and amount of revenues that may be recognized by the Company; changes in current revenue and expense trends (including trends affecting delinquencies and charge-offs); changes in the Company’s markets and general changes in the economy (particularly in the markets served by the Company); the unpredictable nature of litigation, and other matters discussed in this Report in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Company’s other reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC from time to time. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements it makes.
 
20

 
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s financial instruments consist of the following: cash, loans receivable, senior notes payable, convertible senior subordinated notes payable, another note payable, an interest rate swap and a foreign currency option. Fair value approximates carrying value for all of these instruments, except the convertible senior subordinated notes payable, for which the fair value represents the quoted market price. Loans receivable are originated at prevailing market rates and have an average life of approximately four months. Given the short-term nature of these loans, they are continually repriced at current market rates. The Company’s outstanding debt under its revolving credit facility was $163.1 million at December 31, 2007. Interest on borrowings under this facility is based, at the Company’s option, on the prime rate or LIBOR plus 1.80%.

Based on the outstanding balance at December 31, 2007, a change of 1% in the interest rates would cause a change in interest expense of approximately $1.3 million on an annual basis.

In October 2005, the Company entered into an interest rate swap to economically hedge the variable cash flows associated with $30 million of its LIBOR-based borrowings. This swap converted the $30 million from a variable rate of one-month LIBOR to a fixed rate of 4.755% for a period of five years.

In accordance with SFAS 133, the Company records derivatives at fair value, as other assets or liabilities, on the consolidated balance sheets. Since the Company is not utilizing hedge accounting under SFAS 133, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are included in other income. As of December 31, 2007, the fair value of the interest rate swap was a liability of $737,000 and is included in other liabilities. The change in fair value from the beginning of the year, recorded as an unrealized loss in other income, was $829,000.

The Company has another note payable which has a balance of $400,000 at December 31, 2007, and carries an interest rate equal to LIBOR + 2.00%.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
 
In September 2005 the Company began opening offices in Mexico, where its local businesses utilize the Mexican peso as their functional currency.  The consolidated financial statements of the Company are denominated in U.S. dollars and are therefore subject to fluctuation as the U.S. dollar and Mexican peso foreign exchange rates change. International revenues were less than 2% of the Company’s total revenues for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2007 and net loans denominated in Mexican pesos were approximately $6.3 million (USD) at December 31, 2007.
 
The Company’s foreign currency exchange rate exposures may change over time as business practices evolve and could have a material effect on the Company’s financial results.  There have been, and there may continue to be, period-to-period fluctuations in the relative portions of Mexican revenues.
 
On May 9, 2007, the Company economically hedged its foreign exchange risk by purchasing a $3 million foreign exchange currency option with a strike rate of 11.18 Mexican peso per US dollar. This option expires on May 9, 2008. Changes in the fair value of this option are recorded as a component of earnings since the Company does not apply hedge accounting under SFAS 133. The fair value of the option at December 31, 2007, and the change in the fair value of the option in fiscal 2008 was less than $30,000.
 
21

 
Because its earnings are affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies, the Company has performed an analysis assuming a hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Mexican peso in which our transactions in Mexico are denominated. At December 31, 2007, the analysis indicated that such market movements would not have had a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The actual effects on the consolidated financial statements in the future may differ materially from results of the analysis for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2007. The Company will continue to monitor and assess the effect of currency fluctuations and may institute further hedging alternatives.
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2007.  Based on that evaluation, the Company's management, including the CEO and CFO, has concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of December 31, 2007. During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, there was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
 
From time to time the Company is involved in routine litigation relating to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. The Company believes that it is not presently a party to any such pending legal proceedings that would have a material adverse effect on its financial condition.
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed under Part I, Item 1A (page 9) of the Company Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2007.
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The Company's credit agreements contain certain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends on its capital stock. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources” and Note 7 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report.

22


WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION, CONTINUED

Item 6.
Exhibits

       
Previous
 
Company
Exhibit
     
Exhibit
 
Registration
Number
 
Description
 
Number
 
No. or Report
  3.1
 
Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended
 
3.1
 
333-107426
             
  3.2
 
Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company
 
99.3
 
8-02-07 8-K
             
  4.1
 
Specimen Share Certificate
 
4.1
 
33-42879
             
  4.2
 
Articles 3, 4 and 5 of the Form of Company's Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (as amended)
 
3.1
 
333-107426
             
  4.3
 
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated July 20, 2005
 
4.4
 
6-30-05 10-Q
             
  4.4
 
First Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 4, 2006
 
4.4
 
6-30-06 10-Q
             
  4.5
 
Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of October 2, 2006
 
10.1
 
10-04-06 8-K
             
  4.6
 
Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 31, 2007
 
10.1
 
9-07-07 8-K
             
  4.7
 
Subsidiary Security Agreement dated as of June 30, 1997, as amended through July 20, 2005
 
4.5
 
9-30-05 10-Q
             
  4.8
 
Company Security Agreement dated as of June 20, 1997, as amended through July 20, 2005
 
4.6
 
9-30-05 10-Q
             
  4.9
 
Fourth Amendment to Subsidiary Amended and Restated Security Agreement, Pledge and Indenture of Trust (i.e. Subsidiary Security Agreement)
 
4.7
 
6-30-05 10-Q
             
  4.10
 
Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Security Agreement, Pledge and Indenture of Trust, dated as of June 30, 1997, between the Company and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Security Trustee
 
4.8
 
9-30-07 10-Q
             
  4.11
 
Fifth Amendment to Amended and Restated Security Agreement, Pledge and Indenture of Trust (i.e. Company Security Agreement)
 
4.9
 
6-30-05 10-Q
             
  4.12
 
Form of 3.00% Convertible Senior Subordinated Note due 2011
 
4.1
 
10-12-06 8-K
             
  4.13
 
Indenture, dated October 10, 2006 between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee
 
4.2
 
10-12-06 8-K
             
  10.1
 
World Acceptance Corporation Supplemental Income Plan
 
10.7
 
2000 10-K
             
  10.2
 
Board of Directors Deferred Compensation Plan
 
10.6
 
2000 10-K
             
  10.3
 
1992 Stock Option Plan of the Company
 
4
 
33-52166
 
23


       
Previous
 
Company
Exhibit
     
Exhibit
 
Registration
Number
 
Description
 
Number
 
No. or Report
10.4
 
1994 Stock Option Plan of the Company, as amended
 
10.6
 
1995 10-K
             
10.5
 
2002 Stock Option Plan of the Company
 
Appendix A
 
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 2002 Annual Meeting
             
10.6
 
2005 Stock Option Plan of the Company
 
Appendix B
 
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 2005 Annual Meeting
             
10.7
 
The Company's Executive Incentive Plan
 
10.6
 
1994 10-K
             
10.8
 
World Acceptance Corporation Retirement Savings Plan
 
4.1
 
333-14399
             
10.9
 
Executive Deferral Plan
 
10.12
 
2001 10-K
             
10.10
 
First Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation 1992 And 1994 Stock Option Plans
 
* 
 
 
             
10.11
 
First Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation 2002 Stock Option Plan
  *  
 
             
10.12
 
First Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation 2005 Stock Option Plan
 
* 
 
 
             
10.13
 
Second Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation Board of Directors Deferred Compensation Plan (2000)
 
* 
 
 
             
10.14
 
Second Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation Executive Deferral Plan
 
* 
 
 
             
10.15
 
Second Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation Supplemental Income Plan
 
* 
 
 
             
10.16
 
First Amended and Restated World Acceptance Corporation Board of Directors 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan
 
* 
 
 
             
10.17
 
First Amended and Restated World Acceptance Corporation 2005 Executive Deferral Plan
 
* 
 
 
             
10.18
 
Second Amended and Restated World Acceptance Corporation 2005 Supplemental Income Plan
       
             
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
* 
 
 
             
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
* 
 
 
             
32.1
 
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
* 
 
 
             
32.2
 
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
* 
 
 
 
* Filed or furnished herewith.

24


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
   
   
 
By:
/s/ A. Alexander McLean, III
 
A. Alexander McLean, III, Chairman and
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
Date: February 1, 2008
   
   
 
By:
/s/ Kelly M. Malson
 
Kelly M. Malson, Vice President and
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: February 1, 2008

25