Finance Receivables | 4. Finance Receivables Finance receivables consist of Contracts and Direct Loans and are detailed as follows: (In thousands) September 30, March 31, 2017 2017 Finance receivables, gross contract $ 470,637 $ 512,720 Unearned interest (144,249 ) (160,853 ) Finance receivables, net of unearned interest 326,388 351,867 Unearned dealer discounts (14,983 ) (17,004 ) Finance receivables, net of unearned interest and unearned dealer discounts 311,405 334,863 Allowance for credit losses (20,749 ) (17,658 ) Finance receivables, net $ 290,656 $ 317,205 Contracts and Direct Loans each comprise a portfolio segment. The following tables present selected information on the entire portfolio of the Company: As of September 30, 2017 2016 Contract Portfolio Weighted APR 22.28 % 22.53 % Weighted average discount 7.32 % 7.39 % Weighted average term (months) 57 57 Number of active contracts 34,935 37,383 As of September 30, 2017 2016 Direct Loan Portfolio Weighted APR 25.29 % 25.72 % Weighted average term (months) 33 33 Number of active contracts 2,721 2,965 Each portfolio segment consists of smaller balance homogeneous loans which are collectively evaluated for impairment. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the changes in the allowance for credit losses on Contracts: Three months ended (In thousands) Six months ended (In thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of period $ 18,379 $ 12,836 $ 16,885 $ 12,265 Current period provision 10,022 8,067 19,680 15,022 Losses absorbed (8,936 ) (8,576 ) (17,628 ) (15,568 ) Recoveries 502 598 1,030 1,206 Balance at end of period $ 19,967 $ 12,925 $ 19,967 $ 12,925 The allowance for credit losses is increased by charges against earnings and decreased by charge-offs (net of recoveries). The Company aggregates Contracts into static pools consisting of Contracts purchased during a three-month period for each branch location as management considers these pools to have similar risk characteristics and are considered smaller-balance homogenous loans. The Company analyzes each consolidated static pool at specific points in time to estimate losses that are probable of being incurred as of the reporting date. It has maintained historical write-off write-off The Company purchases Contracts from automobile dealers at a negotiated price that is less than the original principal amount being financed by the purchaser of the automobile. The Contracts are predominately for used vehicles. As of September 30, 2017, the average model year of vehicles collateralizing the portfolio was a 2010 vehicle. The Company utilizes a static pool approach to track portfolio performance. If the allowance for credit losses is determined to be inadequate for a static pool, then an additional charge to income through the provision is used to maintain adequate reserves based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in the loan portfolio, the composition of the portfolio, and current economic conditions. Such evaluation, considers among other matters, the estimated net realizable value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience, management’s estimate of probable credit losses and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an adequate allowance for credit losses. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the changes in the allowance for credit losses on Direct Loans: Three months ended September 30, (In thousands) Six months ended September 30, (In thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of period $ 774 $ 764 $ 773 $ 748 Current period provision 124 77 218 148 Losses absorbed (122 ) (72 ) (223 ) (144 ) Recoveries 6 5 14 22 Balance at end of period $ 782 $ 774 $ 782 $ 774 Direct Loans are typically for amounts ranging from $1,000 to $11,000 and are generally secured by a lien on an automobile, watercraft or other permissible tangible personal property. Much of Direct Loans are originated with current or former customers under the Company’s automobile financing program. The typical Direct Loan represents a better credit risk than Contracts due to the customer’s historical payment history with the Company; however, the underlying collateral is less valuable. In deciding if to make a loan, the Company considers the individual’s credit history, job stability, income and impressions created during a personal interview with a Company loan officer. Additionally, because most of the Direct Loans made by the Company to date have been made to borrowers under Contracts previously purchased by the Company, the payment history of the borrower under the Contract is a significant factor in making the loan decision. As of September 30, 2017, loans made by the Company pursuant to its Direct Loan program constituted approximately 2% of the aggregate principal amount of the Company’s loan portfolio. Changes in the allowance for credit losses for both Contracts and Direct Loans were driven by current economic conditions and credit loss trends over several reporting periods which are utilized in estimating future losses and overall portfolio performance. A performing account is defined as an account that is less than 61 days past due. We define an automobile contract as delinquent when more than 25% of a payment contractually due by a certain date has not been paid by the immediately following due date, which date may have been extended within limits specified in the servicing agreements or as a result of a deferral. The period of delinquency is based on the number of days payments are contractually past due, as extended where applicable. In certain circumstances, we will grant obligors one-month The following table is an assessment of the credit quality by creditworthiness: (In thousands) September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 Contracts Direct Loans Contracts Direct Loans Performing accounts $ 430,269 $ 10,290 $ 466,515 $ 10,930 Non-performing 25,866 276 17,964 158 Total $ 456,135 $ 10,566 $ 484,479 $ 11,088 Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts 3,901 35 4,204 44 Finance receivables, gross contract $ 460,036 $ 10,601 $ 488,683 $ 11,132 A non-performing charge-off The following tables present certain information regarding the delinquency rates experienced by the Company with respect to Contracts and under its Direct Loans, excluding Chapter 13 bankruptcy accounts: (In thousands, except percentages) Contracts Gross Balance 31 – 60 days 61 – 90 days 91 – 120 days Over 120 Total September 30, 2017 $ 456,135 $ 27,260 $ 13,022 $ 7,501 $ 5,343 $ 53,126 5.98 % 2.85 % 1.65 % 1.17 % 11.65 % September 30, 2016 $ 484,479 $ 29,327 $ 10,654 $ 5,249 $ 2,061 $ 47,291 6.05 % 2.20 % 1.08 % 0.43 % 9.76 % Direct Loans Gross Balance 31 – 60 days 61 – 90 days 91 – 120 days Over 120 Total September 30, 2017 $ 10,566 $ 273 $ 59 $ 71 $ 146 $ 549 2.59 % 0.56 % 0.67 % 1.38 % 5.20 % September 30, 2016 $ 11,088 $ 296 $ 87 $ 54 $ 17 $ 454 2.67 % 0.78 % 0.49 % 0.15 % 4.09 % |