Atlanticus (ATLC) 10-Q 15 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	5-May-15	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Atlanticus Holdings Corp
Entity Central Index Key	1464343
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		13,901,480
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Entity Public Float			$15,304,008

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents	$31,395	$39,925
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	17,682	22,741
Loans and fees receivable:
Loans and fees receivable, net (of $16,790 and $15,730 in deferred revenue and $15,649 and $19,957 in allowances for uncollectible loans and fees receivable at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)	107,792	105,897
Loans and fees receivable, at fair value	13,147	18,255
Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	30,743	34,905
Rental merchandise, net of depreciation	10,357	14,177
Property at cost, net of depreciation	6,799	7,036
Investments in equity-method investees	14,437	15,833
Deposits	1,026	1,589
Prepaid expenses and other assets	16,391	7,997
Total assets	249,769	268,355
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	36,348	39,968
Notes Payable to Bank	65,237	78,749
Notes Payable, Related Parties	20,000	20,000
Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value	32,294	36,511
Convertible senior notes	64,868	64,752
Income tax liability	20,736	20,933
Total liabilities	239,483	260,913
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Equity
Common stock, no par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized: 15,376,098 shares issued and outstanding (including 1,459,233 loaned shares to be returned) at March 31, 2015; and 15,308,971 shares issued and outstanding (including 1,459,233 loaned shares to be returned) at December 31, 2014	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	210,626	210,519
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,068	-1,841
Retained deficit	-199,270	-201,237
Total shareholders’ equity	10,288	7,441
Noncontrolling interests	-2	1
Total equity	10,286	7,442
Total liabilities and equity	$249,769	$268,355

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Loans and fees receivable:
Loans and fees receivable, deferred revenue	$16,800	$15,700
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	15,600	20,000
Equity
Common stock, par value	$0	$0
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	15,376,098	15,308,971
Common stock, shares outstanding	15,376,098	15,308,971
Common stock, loaned shares to be returned	1,459,233	1,459,233
Loans and Fees Receivable [Member]
Loans and fees receivable:
Loans and fees receivable, deferred revenue	16,790	15,730
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$15,649	$19,957

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Interest income:
Consumer loans, including past due fees	$17,443	$19,957
Other	32	237
Total interest income	17,475	20,194
Interest expense	-4,557	-6,187
Net interest income before fees and related income on earning assets and provision for losses on loans and fees receivable	12,918	14,007
Fees and related income on earning assets	13,219	32,885
Losses upon charge off of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value, net of recoveries	10,372	-1,885
Provision for losses on loans and fees receivable recorded at net realizable value	-3,168	-7,875
Net interest income, fees and related income on earning assets	33,341	37,132
Other operating income:
Servicing income	1,560	1,240
Other income	267	1,067
Equity in income of equity-method investees	1,075	2,406
Total other operating income	2,902	4,713
Other operating expense:
Salaries and benefits	4,120	5,098
Card and loan servicing	10,271	13,778
Marketing and solicitation	486	762
Depreciation, primarily related to rental merchandise	12,846	25,708
Other	7,172	5,540
Total other operating expense	34,895	50,886
Income (loss) before income taxes	1,348	-9,041
Income tax benefit (expense)	618	-1,982
Net income (loss)	1,966	-11,023
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	-151
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests	$1,967	($11,174)
Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interests per common share-basic (in dollars per share)	$0.14	($0.79)
Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interests per common share-diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.14	($0.79)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$1,966	($11,023)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-443	61
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax	1,535	0
Income tax (expense) benefit related to other comprehensive income (loss)	-319	34
Comprehensive income (loss)	2,739	-10,928
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	-151
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to controlling interests	$2,740	($11,079)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Equ

Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Retained Deficit [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$7,442,000	$0	$210,519,000	($1,841,000)	($201,237,000)	$1,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		15,308,971
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures		88,934
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	-2,000					-2,000
Amortization of deferred stock-based compensation costs	236,000		236,000
Redemption and retirement of shares (in shares)		-21,807
Redemption and retirement of shares	-54,000		-54,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation and Exercise of Stock Options	-75,000		-75,000
Net income (loss)	1,966,000				1,967,000	-1,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax				773,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$10,286,000	$0	$210,626,000	($1,068,000)	($199,270,000)	($2,000)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2015		15,376,098

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating activities
Net income (loss)	$1,966	($11,023)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation of rental merchandise	12,253	25,011
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net	529	-131
Losses upon charge off of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value	1,739	4,748
Provision for losses on loans and fees receivable	3,168	7,875
Interest expense from accretion of discount on convertible senior notes	116	158
Income from accretion of discount associated with receivables purchases	-9,375	-8,209
Unrealized gain on loans and fees receivable and underlying notes payable held at fair value	-869	-3,535
Income from equity-method investments	-1,075	-2,406
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Increase in uncollected fees on earning assets	-16	-11
(Decrease) increase in income tax liability	-674	1,910
Decrease (increase) in deposits	563	-15
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses	-3,344	-6,228
Additions to rental merchandise	-8,433	-18,210
Other	-5,720	-3,426
Net cash used in operating activities	-9,172	-13,492
Investing activities
(Decrease) increase in restricted cash	5,033	-4,579
Proceeds from equity-method investees	2,471	2,459
Investments in earning assets	-60,586	-47,695
Proceeds from earning assets	72,745	62,842
Purchases and development of property, net of disposals	-359	-1,979
Net cash provided by investing activities	19,304	11,048
Financing activities
Noncontrolling interests distributions, net	-2	-145
Purchase and retirement of outstanding stock	-54	-27
Proceeds from borrowings	23,132	22,998
Repayment of borrowings	-40,974	-24,100
Net cash used in financing activities	-17,898	-1,274
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-764	-22
Net decrease in unrestricted cash	-8,530	-3,740
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	39,925	50,873
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period	31,395	47,133
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid for interest	5,909	8,134
Net cash income tax payments	62	72
Supplemental non-cash information
Issuance of stock options and restricted stock	234	931
Notes payable associated with capital leases	$0	$158

Description_of_Our_Business

Description of Our Business	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Our Business	Description of Our Business
	Our accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (the “Company”) and those entities we control. We are primarily focused on providing financial services. Through our subsidiaries, we offer an array of financial products and services to a market largely represented by credit risks that regulators classify as “sub-prime.” As discussed further below, we reflect our business lines within two reportable segments:  Credit and Other Investments; and Auto Finance. See also Note 3, “Segment Reporting,” for further details.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	Segment Reporting
	We operate primarily within one industry consisting of two reportable segments by which we manage our business. Our two reportable segments are:  Credit and Other Investments, and Auto Finance.
	As of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we did not have a material amount of long-lived assets located outside of the U.S., and only a negligible portion of our 2015 and 2014 revenues were generated outside of the U.S.
	We measure the profitability of our reportable segments based on their income after allocation of specific costs and corporate overhead; however, our segment results do not reflect any charges for internal capital allocations among our segments. Overhead costs are allocated based on headcounts and other applicable measures to better align costs with the associated revenues.
	Summary operating segment information (in thousands) is as follows:
	Three months ended March 31, 2015	Credit and Other Investments			Auto Finance			Total
	Interest income:
	Consumer loans, including past due fees	$	10,720		$	6,723		$	17,443
	Other	32			—			32
	Total interest income	10,752			6,723			17,475
	Interest expense	(4,251		)	(306		)	(4,557		)
	Net interest income before fees and related income on earning assets and provision for losses on loans and fees receivable	$	6,501		$	6,417		$	12,918
	Fees and related income on earning assets	$	13,073		$	146		$	13,219
	Servicing income	$	1,359		$	201		$	1,560
	Depreciation of rental merchandise	$	(12,253	)	$	—		$	(12,253	)
	Equity in income of equity-method investees	$	1,075		$	—		$	1,075
	(Loss) income before income taxes	$	(579	)	$	1,927		$	1,348
	Income tax benefit (expense)	$	1,248		$	(630	)	$	618
	Total assets	$	183,219		$	66,550		$	249,769
	Three months ended March 31, 2014	Credit and Other Investments			Auto Finance			Total
	Interest income:
	Consumer loans, including past due fees	$	14,396		$	5,561		$	19,957
	Other	237			—			237
	Total interest income	14,633			5,561			20,194
	Interest expense	(5,832		)	(355		)	(6,187		)
	Net interest income before fees and related income on earning assets and provision for losses on loans and fees receivable	$	8,801		$	5,206		$	14,007
	Fees and related income on earning assets	$	32,802		$	83		$	32,885
	Servicing income	$	1,055		$	185		$	1,240
	Depreciation of rental merchandise	$	(25,011	)	$	—		$	(25,011	)
	Equity in income of equity-method investees	$	2,406		$	—		$	2,406
	(Loss) income before income taxes	$	(10,063	)	$	1,022		$	(9,041	)
	Income tax expense	$	(1,625	)	$	(357	)	$	(1,982	)
	Total assets	$	281,700		$	56,230		$	337,930

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	Shareholders' Equity
	Retired Shares
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we repurchased and contemporaneously retired 21,807 shares of our common stock at an aggregate cost of $54,253, pursuant to open market purchases and the return of stock by holders of equity incentive awards to pay tax withholding obligations. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we repurchased and contemporaneously retired 10,781 shares of our common stock at an aggregate cost of $26,629, pursuant to the return of stock by holders of equity incentive awards to pay tax withholding obligations.
	We had 1,459,233 loaned shares outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, which were originally lent in connection with our November 2005 issuance of convertible senior notes. We retire lent shares as they are returned to us.

Investments_in_EquityMethod_In

Investments in Equity-Method Investees	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investments in Equity-Method Investees	Investments in Equity-Method Investees
	Our equity-method investments outstanding at March 31, 2015 consist of our 66.7% interest in a joint venture formed to purchase a credit card receivable portfolio. Our 50.0% interest in a joint venture, which was formed to purchase the outstanding notes issued out of the structured financing trust underlying our Non-U.S. Acquired Portfolio, was consolidated as of December 31, 2014. This was a result of our distribution of certain assets to an unrelated third-party partner in that entity for their interest. Accordingly, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 only one equity-method investee was included in our financial statements. The results of operations associated with the joint venture prior to consolidation are included in the tables below.
	In the following tables, we summarize (in thousands) combined balance sheet and results of operations data for our equity-method investees:
		As of
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	$	20,538	$	22,571
	Total assets	$	21,720	$	23,831
	Total liabilities	$	66	$	82
	Members’ capital	$	21,654	$	23,749
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Net interest income, fees and related income on earning assets	$	1,617	$	4,116
	Total other operating income	$	—	$	49
	Net income	$	1,407	$	3,780
	Net income attributable to our equity investment in investee	$	1,075	$	2,406
	The above tables include the economics associated with our aforementioned 50.0% interest in the joint venture that purchased in March 2011 the outstanding notes issued out of our Non-U.S. Acquired Portfolio structured financing trust prior to its consolidation in December 2014.  Separate financial data for this entity prior to its consolidation are as follows:
		As of
		December 31, 2014
	Investments in non-marketable debt securities, at fair value	$	—
	Total assets	$	—
	Total liabilities	$	—
	Members’ capital	$	—
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Net interest income, fees and related income on earning assets	$	1,985
	Net income	$	1,974
	Net income attributable to our equity investment in investee	$	987

Fair_Values_of_Assets_and_Liab

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities	Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities
	Valuations and Techniques for Assets
	Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. The table below summarizes (in thousands) by fair value hierarchy the March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 fair values and carrying amounts of (1) our assets that are required to be carried at fair value in our consolidated financial statements and (2) our assets not carried at fair value, but for which fair value disclosures are required:
	Assets – As of March 31, 2015 (1)		Quoted Prices in Active			Significant Other				Significant		Carrying Amount of Assets
			Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)			Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is practicable to estimate fair value		$	—		$	—			$	110,744	$	104,688
	Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value (2)		$	—		$	—			$	—	$	3,104
	Loans and fees receivable, at fair value		$	—		$	—			$	13,147	$	13,147
	Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral, at fair value		$	—		$	—			$	30,743	$	30,743
	Assets – As of December 31, 2014 (1)		Quoted Prices in Active			Significant Other				Significant		Carrying Amount of Assets
			Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)			Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is practicable to estimate fair value		$	—		$	—			$	111,010	$	101,753
	Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value (2)		$	—		$	—			$	—	$	4,144
	Loans and fees receivable, at fair value		$	—		$	—			$	18,255	$	18,255
	Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral, at fair value		$	—		$	—			$	34,905	$	34,905
	-1	For cash, deposits and other short-term investments (including our investments in rental merchandise), the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
	-2	We do not provide fair value for this portion of our loans and fees receivable, net because it is not practicable to do so.  These loans and fees receivable consist of a variety of receivables that are largely start-up in nature and for which we have neither sufficient history nor a comparable peer group from which we can calculate fair value.
	For those asset classes above that are required to be carried at fair value in our consolidated financial statements, gains and losses associated with fair value changes are detailed on our fees and related income on earning assets table within Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components.”
	For Level 3 assets carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs, the following table presents (in thousands) a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014:
		Loans and Fees			Loans and Fees				Total
		Receivable, at			Receivable Pledged as
		Fair Value			Collateral under
					Structured
					Financings, at Fair
					Value
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	18,255		$	34,905			$	53,160
	Total gains—realized/unrealized:
	Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	—			1,215				1,215
	Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable, at fair value	16			—				16
	Settlements, net	(4,675		)	(5,377		)		(10,052		)
	Impact of foreign currency translation	(449		)	—				(449		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	13,147		$	30,743			$	43,890
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	12,080		$	88,132			$	100,212
	Total gains—realized/unrealized:
	Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	—			2,684				2,684
	Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable, at fair value	2,008			—				2,008
	Settlements, net	(2,397		)	(11,949		)		(14,346		)
	Impact of foreign currency translation	—			283				283
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	11,691		$	79,150			$	90,841
	The unrealized gains and losses for assets within the Level 3 category presented in the tables above include changes in fair value that are attributable to both observable and unobservable inputs.
	Net Revaluation of Loans and Fees Receivable. We record the net revaluation of loans and fees receivable (including those pledged as collateral) in the fees and related income on earning assets category in our consolidated statements of operations, specifically as changes in fair value of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value.
	For Level 3 assets carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs, the following table presents (in thousands) quantitative information about the valuation techniques and the inputs used in the fair value measurement as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value Measurements		Fair Value at March 31, 2015			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Range (Weighted Average)(1)
	Loans and fees receivable, at fair value		$	13,147		Discounted cash flows		Gross yield		19.7% to 25.6% (22.2%)
								Principal payment rate		1.2% to 3.7% (2.3%)
								Expected credit loss rate		7.0% to 14.4% (10.2%)
								Servicing rate		5.5% to 15.6% (9.9%)
								Discount rate		15.9% to 16.2% (16.1%)
	Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value		$	30,743		Discounted cash flows		Gross yield		27.9	%
								Principal payment rate		2.8	%
								Expected credit loss rate		13.8	%
								Servicing rate		11.2	%
								Discount rate		15.9	%
	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value Measurements		Fair Value at December 31, 2014			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Range (Weighted Average)(1)
	Loans and fees receivable, at fair value		$	18,255		Discounted cash flows		Gross yield		17.9% to 25.6% (21.0%)
								Principal payment rate		1.5% to 3.6% (2.3%)
								Expected credit loss rate		7.4% to 13.7% (9.9%)
								Servicing rate		7.4% to 15.1% (10.5%)
								Discount rate		15.9% to 16.2% (16.1%)
	Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value		$	34,905		Discounted cash flows		Gross yield		27.2	%
								Principal payment rate		2.7	%
								Expected credit loss rate		13.5	%
							Servicing rate		11	%
							Discount rate		15.9	%
(1) Our loans and fees receivable, pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value consist of a single portfolio with one set of assumptions. As such, no range is given.
Valuations and Techniques for Liabilities
Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the liability. The table below summarizes (in thousands) by fair value hierarchy the March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 fair values and carrying amounts of (1) our liabilities that are required to be carried at fair value in our consolidated financial statements and (2) our liabilities not carried at fair value, but for which fair value disclosures are required:
Liabilities – As of March 31, 2015		Quoted Prices in Active			Significant Other				Significant		Carrying Amount of Liabilities
		Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)			Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Liabilities not carried at fair value
CAR revolving credit facility		$	—		$	—			$	29,250	$	29,250
ACC amortizing debt facility		$	—		$	—			$	—	$	—
Amortizing debt facilities		$	—		$	—			$	29,408	$	29,408
Revolving credit facility		$	—		$	—			$	4,000	$	4,000
U.K. credit card accounts revolving credit facility		$	—		$	—			$	2,579	$	2,579
Senior secured term loan		$	—		$	—			$	20,000	$	20,000
5.875% convertible senior notes		$	—		$	38,828			$	—	$	64,418
Liabilities carried at fair value
Economic sharing arrangement liability		$	—		$	—			$	82	$	82
Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value		$	—		$	—			$	32,294	$	32,294
Liabilities - As of December 31, 2014		Quoted Prices in Active			Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Carrying Amount of Liabilities
		Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Liabilities not carried at fair value
CAR revolving credit facility		$	—		$	—			$	28,500	$	28,500
ACC amortizing debt facility		$	—		$	—			$	125	$	125
Amortizing debt facilities		$	—		$	—			$	42,200	$	42,200
Revolving credit facility		$	—		$	—			$	4,000	$	4,000
U.K. credit card accounts revolving credit facility		$	—		$	—			$	3,924	$	3,924
Senior secured term loan		$	—		$	—			$	20,000	$	20,000
5.875% convertible senior notes		$	—		$	37,662			$	—	$	64,302
Liabilities carried at fair value
Economic sharing arrangement liability		$	—		$	—			$	119	$	119
Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value		$	—		$	—			$	36,511	$	36,511
For our material Level 3 liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs, the following table presents (in thousands) a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Notes Payable Associated with
	Structured Financings, at Fair Value
	2015			2014
Beginning balance, January 1	$	36,511		$	94,523
Total (gains) losses—realized/unrealized:
Net revaluations of notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value	362			1,157
Repayments on outstanding notes payable, net	(4,579		)	(10,149		)
Impact of foreign currency translation	—			318
Ending balance, March 31	$	32,294		$	85,849
The unrealized gains and losses for liabilities within the Level 3 category presented in the tables above include changes in fair value that are attributable to both observable and unobservable inputs. We provide below a brief description of the valuation techniques used for Level 3 liabilities.
Net Revaluation of Notes Payable Associated with Structured Financings, at Fair Value. We record the net revaluations of notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value, in the changes in fair value of notes payable associated with structured financings line item within the fees and related income on earning assets category of our consolidated statements of operations.
For material Level 3 liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs, the following table presents (in thousands) quantitative information about the valuation techniques and the inputs used in the fair value measurement for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements		Fair Value at March 31, 2015 (in Thousands)			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Weighted Average
Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value		$	32,294		Discounted cash flows		Gross yield		27.9	%
							Principal payment rate		2.8	%
							Expected credit loss rate		13.8	%
							Discount rate		15.9	%
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements		Fair Value at December 31, 2014 (in Thousands)			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Weighted Average
Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value		$	36,511		Discounted cash flows		Gross yield		27.2	%
							Principal payment rate		2.7	%
							Expected credit loss rate		13.5	%
							Discount rate		15.9	%
Other Relevant Data
Other relevant data (in thousands) as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 concerning certain assets and liabilities we carry at fair value are as follows:
As of March 31, 2015		Loans and Fees			Loans and Fees Receivable Pledged as Collateral under Structured Financings at Fair Value
		Receivable at
		Fair Value
Aggregate unpaid principal balance within loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value		$	17,820		$	36,527
Aggregate fair value of loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value		$	13,147		$	30,743
Aggregate fair value of receivables carried at fair value that are 90 days or more past due (which also coincides with finance charge and fee non-accrual policies)		$	19		$	36
Aggregate excess of balance of unpaid principal receivables within loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value and are 90 days or more past due (which also coincides with finance charge and fee non-accrual policies) over the fair value of such loans and fees receivable		$	555		$	1,355
As of December 31, 2014		Loans and Fees			Loans and Fees
		Receivable at			Receivable Pledged as Collateral under Structured Financings at Fair Value
		Fair Value
Aggregate unpaid principal balance within loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value		$	22,785		$	41,449
Aggregate fair value of loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value		$	18,255		$	34,905
Aggregate fair value of receivables carried at fair value that are 90 days or more past due (which also coincides with finance charge and fee non-accrual policies)		$	93		$	39
Aggregate excess of balance of unpaid principal receivables within loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value and are 90 days or more past due (which also coincides with finance charge and fee non-accrual policies) over the fair value of such loans and fees receivable		$	647		$	1,695
Notes Payable		Notes Payable Associated with Structured Financings, at Fair Value as of March 31, 2015			Notes Payable Associated with Structured Financings, at Fair Value as of December 31, 2014
Aggregate unpaid principal balance of notes payable		$	116,656		$	121,236
Aggregate fair value of notes payable		$	32,294		$	36,511

Notes_Payable

Notes Payable	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Notes Payable	Notes Payable
	Notes Payable Associated with Structured Financings, at Fair Value
	Scheduled (in millions) in the table below are (1) the carrying amounts of structured financing notes secured by certain credit card receivables and reported at fair value as of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (2) the outstanding face amounts of structured financing notes secured by certain credit card receivables and reported at fair value as of March 31, 2015, and (3) the carrying amounts of the credit card receivables and restricted cash that provide the exclusive means of repayment for the notes (i.e., lenders have recourse only to the specific credit card receivables and restricted cash underlying each respective facility and cannot look to our general credit for repayment) as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
		Carrying Amounts at Fair Value as of
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Amortizing securitization facility issued out of our upper-tier originated portfolio master trust (stated maturity of December 2015), outstanding face amount of $116.7 million bearing interest at a weighted average 5.1% interest rate (4.9% as of December 31, 2014), which is secured by credit card receivables and restricted cash aggregating $32.3 million ($36.5 million as of December 31, 2014) in carrying amount	$	32.3	$	36.5
	Amortizing term securitization facility (denominated and referenced in U.K. sterling and a stated maturity of April 2015) issued out of our Non-U.S. Acquired Portfolio securitization trust	—		—
	Total structured financing notes reported at fair value that are secured by credit card receivables and to which we are subordinated	$	32.3	$	36.5
	In December 2014, the joint venture that was formed to purchase the outstanding notes issued out of the structured financing trust underlying our Non-U.S. Acquired Portfolio was consolidated. This was a result of our distribution of certain assets to an unrelated third-party partner in that entity for their interest.
	Contractual payment allocations within these credit cards receivable structured financings provide for a priority distribution of cash flows to us to service the credit card receivables, a distribution of cash flows to pay interest and principal due on the notes, and a distribution of all excess cash flows (if any) to us. Each of the structured financing facilities in the above table is amortizing down along with collections of the underlying receivables and there are no provisions within the debt agreements that allow for acceleration or bullet repayment of the facilities prior to their scheduled expiration dates. The aggregate carrying amount of the credit card receivables and restricted cash that provide security for the $32.3 million in fair value of structured financing notes in the above table is $32.3 million, which means that we have no aggregate exposure to pre-tax equity loss associated with the above structured financing arrangement at March 31, 2015.
	Beyond our role as servicer of the underlying assets within the credit cards receivable structured financings, we have provided no other financial or other support to the structures, and we have no explicit or implicit arrangements that could require us to provide financial support to the structures.
	Notes Payable, at Face Value and Notes Payable to Related Parties
	Other notes payable outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 that are secured by the financial and operating assets of either the borrower, another of our subsidiaries or both, include the following, scheduled (in millions); except as otherwise noted, the assets of our holding company (Atlanticus Holdings Corporation) are subject to creditor claims under these scheduled facilities:
		As of
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Revolving credit facilities at a weighted average rate equal to 3.7% (3.7% at December 31, 2014) secured by the financial and operating assets of CAR and another of our borrowing subsidiaries with a combined aggregate carrying amount of $86.4 million ($75.4 million at December 31, 2014)
	Revolving credit facility (expiring October 4, 2017) (1) (2)	$	29.2	$	28.5
	Revolving credit facility (expiring May 17, 2015) (2)	4		4
	Amortizing facilities at a weighted average rate equal to 5.2% (5.4% at December 31, 2014) secured by certain receivables, rental streams and restricted cash with a combined aggregate carrying amount of $34.7 million ($42.2 million as of December 31, 2014)
	Amortizing debt facility (expiring July 15, 2015) (3)	—		0.5
	Amortizing debt facility (expiring August 28, 2015) (3) (4)	15.4		7.8
	Amortizing debt facility (expiring October 30, 2015) (3) (4)	11.5		30
	Amortizing debt facility (expiring August 1, 2016) (3) (4)	2.5		3.9
	Other facilities
	Senior secured term loan to related parties (expiring November 25, 2015) that is secured by certain assets of the Company with an annual rate equal to 9.0% (5)	20		20
	Amortizing debt facility (repaid in March 2015)	—		0.1
	Revolving credit facility associated with our credit card accounts in the U.K. that can be drawn to the extent of outstanding eligible principal receivables up to £5.0 million, expiring December 1, 2016 with an annual rate equal to the lender’s cost of funds plus 7.0% (9.1% as of March 31, 2015 and 9.2% as of December 31, 2014) secured by certain receivables and restricted cash with a combined aggregate carrying amount of $3.4 million ($4.1 million as of December 31, 2014)	2.6		3.9
	Total notes payable outstanding	$	85.2	$	98.7
	-1	Loan is subject to certain affirmative covenants, including a coverage ratio, a leverage ratio and a collateral performance test, the failure of which could result in required early repayment of all or a portion of the outstanding balance by our CAR Auto Finance operations.
	-2	Loans are from the same lender and are cross-collateralized; thus, combined security interests are subject to claims upon the default of either lending arrangement. The assets of Atlanticus Holdings Corporation are not subject to creditor claims arising due to asset performance-related covenants under this loan.
	-3	Loans are subject to certain affirmative covenants tied to default rates and other performance metrics the failure of which could result in required early repayment of the remaining unamortized balances of the notes.
	-4	These notes were modified to either extend the maturity date, increase the loaned amount or both.
	-5	See Related Party Transactions under Item 2. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for additional information regarding this note.

Convertible_Senior_Notes

Convertible Senior Notes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Convertible Senior Notes	Convertible Senior Notes
	In May 2005, we issued $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.625% convertible senior notes due 2025 (“3.625% convertible senior notes”), and in November 2005, we issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.875% convertible senior notes due 2035 ("5.875% convertible senior notes"). The 3.625% convertible senior notes and the 5.875% convertible senior notes are unsecured, subordinate to existing and future secured obligations and structurally subordinate to existing and future claims of our subsidiaries' creditors. These notes (net of repurchases since the issuance dates) are reflected within convertible senior notes on our consolidated balance sheets.   No put rights exist under our 5.875% convertible senior notes.
	In July 2014 we repurchased $80,000 aggregate principal amount of outstanding 5.875% convertible senior notes for $25,200 In November 2014, we repurchased $46.1 million aggregate principal amount of 5.875% convertible senior notes for $19.1 million plus accrued interest from unrelated third parties. The purchases resulted in an aggregate gain of $12.1 million (net of the notes’ applicable share of deferred costs, which were written off in connection with the repurchase). Upon acquisition, the notes were retired. In April 2015 we notified the remaining holders of the outstanding 3.625% convertible senior notes that we will redeem all outstanding 3.625% convertible senior notes on May 29, 2015. Subsequent to this redemption, only our 5.875% convertible senior notes will remain outstanding.
	The following summarizes (in thousands) components of our consolidated balance sheets associated with our convertible senior notes:
		As of
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Face amount of 3.625% convertible senior notes	$	450		$	450
	Face amount of 5.875% convertible senior notes	93,280			93,280
	Discount	(28,862		)	(28,978		)
	Net carrying value	$	64,868		$	64,752
	Carrying amount of equity component included in additional paid-in capital	$	108,714		$	108,714
	Excess of instruments’ if-converted values over face principal amounts	$	—		$	—

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	General
	Under our point-of-sale finance products, we give consumers the ability to borrow up to the maximum credit limit assigned to each individual’s account.  Our unfunded commitments under these products aggregated $89.5 million at March 31, 2015. We have never experienced a situation in which all of our customers have exercised their entire available line of credit at any given point in time, nor do we anticipate this will ever occur in the future.  Moreover, there would be a concurrent increase in assets should there be any exercise of these lines of credit.  We also have the effective right to reduce or cancel these available lines of credit at any time.
	Additionally our CAR operations provide floor-plan financing for a pre-qualified network of independent automotive dealers and automotive finance companies in the buy-here, pay-here used car business.  The financings allow dealers and finance companies to borrow up to the maximum pre-approved credit limit allowed in order to finance ongoing inventory needs.  These loans are secured by the underlying auto inventory and, in certain cases where we have other lending products outstanding with the dealer, are secured by the collateral under those lending arrangements as well, including any outstanding dealer reserves. As of March 31, 2015, CAR had unfunded outstanding floor-plan financing commitments totaling $10.1 million.  Each draw against unused commitments is reviewed for conformity to pre-established guidelines.
	Under agreements with third-party originating and other financial institutions we have pledged security (collateral) related to their issuance of consumer credit and purchases thereunder, of which $4.7 million remains pledged to support various ongoing contractual obligations.  In addition, in connection with our Non-U.S. Acquired Portfolio acquisition, Atlanticus Services Corporation guarantees certain obligations of its subsidiaries and its third-party originating financial institution to one of the European payment systems ($0.2 million as of March 31, 2015). Those obligations include, among other things, compliance with one of the European payment system’s operating regulations and by-laws. Atlanticus Services Corporation also guarantees certain performance obligations of its servicer affiliate to the indenture trustee and the trust created under the structured financing relating to our Non-U.S. Acquired Portfolio.
	Under agreements with third-party originating and other financial institutions, we have agreed to indemnify the financial institutions for certain liabilities associated with the financial institutions’ activities on our behalf—such indemnification obligations generally being limited to instances in which we either (a) have been afforded the opportunity to defend against any potentially indemnifiable claims or (b) have reached agreement with the financial institutions regarding settlement of potentially indemnifiable claims. As of March 31, 2015, we have assessed the likelihood of any potential payments related to the aforementioned contingencies as remote. We will accrue liabilities related to these contingencies in any future period if and in which we assess the likelihood of an estimable payment as probable.
	Total System Services, Inc. provides certain services to Atlanticus Services Corporation in both the U.S. and the U.K. as a system of record provider under agreements that extend through October 2015 and April 2016, respectively. If Atlanticus Services Corporation were to terminate its U.S. or U.K. relationship with Total System Services, Inc. prior to the contractual termination period, it would incur significant penalties ($2.3 million and $1.8 million as of March 31, 2015, respectively).
	Currently, HM Revenue and Customs (“HMRC”) within the U.K. is in the preliminary stages of conducting a review principally into filings by one of our U.K. subsidiaries to reclaim valued-added taxes (“VAT”) that it paid on its inputs and that it believed and continues to believe were and are eligible to be reclaimed. Some of these filings have been honored and refunds have therefore been issued to our U.K. subsidiary, and some of the filings have been delayed along with associated refunds pending the outcome of the HMRC review. Given the nature and current early stage of the review and the uncertainties associated therewith, we cannot currently confirm that our U.K. subsidiary will not be required to return to HMRC any VAT refunds it previously received. Accordingly, as of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 we have accrued a £3.1 million ($4.6 million) liability to HMRC which reflects our current estimate of the potential liability associated with this HMRC review on our future consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position.
	We also are subject to certain minimum payments under cancelable and non-cancelable lease arrangements. For further information regarding these commitments, see Note 8, "Leases" to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Litigation
	We are involved in various legal proceedings that are incidental to the conduct of our business, none of which are material to us.

Net_Income_Loss_Attributable_t

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Controlling Interests Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Controlling Interests Per Common Share	Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Controlling Interests Per Common Share
	We compute net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests per common share by dividing net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests by the weighted-average common shares (including participating securities) outstanding during the period, as discussed below.  Diluted computations applicable in financial reporting periods in which we report income reflect the potential dilution to the basic income per common share computations that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised, were converted into common stock or were to result in the issuance of common stock that would share in our results of operations.  In performing our net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests per common share computations, we apply accounting rules that require us to include all unvested stock awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, in the number of shares outstanding in our basic and diluted calculations.  Common stock and certain unvested share-based payment awards earn dividends equally, and we have included all outstanding restricted stock awards in our basic and diluted calculations for current and prior periods.
	The following table sets forth the computations of net income (loss) per common share (in thousands, except per share data):
		For the Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests	$	1,967	$	(11,174	)
	Denominator:
	Basic (including unvested share-based payment awards) (1)	13,923		14,081
	Effect of dilutive stock compensation arrangements (2)	2		—
	Diluted (including unvested share-based payment awards) (1)	13,925		14,081
	Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests per common share—basic	$	0.14	$	(0.79	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests per common share—diluted	$	0.14	$	(0.79	)
	-1	Shares related to unvested share-based payment awards we included in our basic and diluted share counts are 427,474 for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to 567,674 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	-2	The effect of dilutive stock compensation arrangements is shown only for informational purposes where we are in a net loss position.  In such situations, the effect of including outstanding options and restricted stock would be anti-dilutive, and they are thus excluded from all loss period calculations.
	As their effects were anti-dilutive, we included none of our stock options in our net income (loss) per share computations for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no shares potentially issuable and thus includible in the diluted net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests per common share calculations under our 5.875% convertible senior notes. However, in future reporting periods during which our closing stock price is above the $24.61 conversion prices for the 5.875% convertible senior notes, and depending on the closing stock price at conversion, the maximum potential dilution under the conversion provisions of such notes is 3.8 million shares, which could be included in diluted share counts in net income per common share calculations. See Note 8, “Convertible Senior Notes,” for a further discussion of these convertible securities.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
	We currently have two stock-based compensation plans, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) and the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”).  As of March 31, 2015, 41,683 shares remained available for issuance under the ESPP and 637,500 shares remained available for issuance under the 2014 Plan.
	Exercises and vestings under our stock-based compensation plans resulted in $75 thousand in income tax-related charges to additional paid-in capital during the three months ended March 31, 2015 with no such charges or benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we granted 88,934 and 80,800 shares of restricted stock (net of any forfeitures), respectively, with aggregate grant date fair values of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. When we grant restricted stock, we defer the grant date value of the restricted stock and amortize that value (net of the value of anticipated forfeitures) as compensation expense with an offsetting entry to the additional paid-in capital component of our consolidated shareholders’ equity. Our restricted stock vests over a range of 12 to 60 months (or other term as specified in the grant) and is amortized to salaries and benefits expense ratably over applicable vesting periods. As of March 31, 2015, our unamortized deferred compensation costs associated with non-vested restricted stock awards were $0.5 million with a weighted-average remaining amortization period of 1.1 years.
	Stock Options
	Our 2014 Plan provides that we may grant options on or shares of our common stock (and other types of equity awards) to members of our Board of Directors, employees, consultants and advisors. The exercise price per share of the options may be less than, equal to, or greater than the market price on the date the option is granted. The option period may not exceed 5 years from the date of grant.   The vesting requirements for options could range from 0 to 5 years.  We had expense of $70 thousand and $67 thousand related to stock option-related compensation costs during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. When applicable, we recognize stock option-related compensation expense for any awards with graded vesting on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for the entire award. Information related to options outstanding is as follows:
		March 31, 2015
		Number of	Weighted-		Weighted-	Aggregate
		Shares	Average		Average of Remaining	Intrinsic
			Exercise Price		Contractual Life (in years)	Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	450,000	$	2.52
	Issued	—	$	—
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015	450,000	$	2.52	3.9	$	—
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015	210,006	$	2.53	3.9	$	—
	We had $0.2 million and $0.6 million of unamortized deferred compensation costs associated with non-vested stock options as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015																	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]																		Income Taxes
																		We experienced a negative effective income tax expense rate of 45.8% and negative effective income tax benefit rate of 21.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively.  Our negative effective income tax expense rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 resulted principally due to a favorable effective settlement we reached with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) in February, 2015 relative to prior year accruals for uncertain tax positions and interest accruals thereon. The negative effective income tax benefit rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 resulted principally from the (1) the effects of legislative changes enacted during that period in certain state filing jurisdictions, (2) interest accruals on our liabilities for uncertain tax positions and (3) changes in valuation allowances against income statement-oriented federal, foreign and state deferred tax assets.
																		We report potential accrued interest and penalties related to our accrued liabilities for uncertain tax positions within our income tax benefit or expense line item on our consolidated statements of operations.  We likewise report the reversal of such accrued interest and penalties within the income tax benefit or expense line item to the extent that we resolve our liabilities for uncertain tax positions in a manner favorable to our accruals therefor. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, there was no effect of interest and penalties on our income tax expense. In contrast, our income tax benefit was reduced in the three months ended March 31, 2014 by net interest and penalty accruals of $0.6 million.
Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components	Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components
	The following is a summary of significant accounting policies we follow in preparing our consolidated financial statements, as well as a description of significant components of our consolidated financial statements.
	Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates
	We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), under which we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of our consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each reporting period. We base these estimates on information available to us as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. Certain estimates, such as credit losses, payment rates, costs of funds, discount rates and the yields earned on credit card receivables, significantly affect the reported amount of credit card receivables that we report at fair value and our notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value; these estimates likewise affect the changes in these amounts reflected within our fees and related income on earning assets line item on our consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, estimates of future credit losses have a significant effect on loans and fees receivable, net, as shown on our consolidated balance sheets, as well as on the provision for losses on loans and fees receivable within our consolidated statements of operations.
	We have eliminated all significant intercompany balances and transactions for financial reporting purposes.
	Loans and Fees Receivable
	Our loans and fees receivable include:  (1) loans and fees receivable, net; (2) loans and fees receivable, at fair value; and (3) loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value.
	Components of our loans and fees receivable, net (in millions) are as follows:
		Balance at December 31, 2014				Additions				Subtractions				Balance at March 31, 2015
	Loans and fees receivable, gross	$	141.6			$	76.3			$	(77.7	)		$	140.2
	Deferred revenue	(15.7		)		(10.5		)		9.4				(16.8		)
	Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable	(20.0		)		(3.2		)		7.6				(15.6		)
	Loans and fees receivable, net	$	105.9			$	62.6			$	(60.7	)		$	107.8
		Balance at December 31, 2013				Additions				Subtractions				Balance at March 31, 2014
	Loans and fees receivable, gross	$	134.7			$	65.4			$	(71.3	)		$	128.8
	Deferred revenue	(13.3		)		(8.5		)		8.2				(13.6		)
	Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable	(24.2		)		(7.9		)		9				(23.1		)
	Loans and fees receivable, net	$	97.2			$	49			$	(54.1	)		$	92.1
	As of March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, the weighted average remaining accretion periods for the $16.8 million and $13.6 million, respectively, of deferred revenue reflected in the above tables were 11 months and 10 months, respectively.
	A roll-forward (in millions) of our allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable by class of receivable is as follows:
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015		Credit Cards				Auto Finance				Other Unsecured Lending Products				Total
	Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable:
	Balance at beginning of period		$	(2.7	)		$	(1.2	)		$	(16.1	)		$	(20.0	)
	Provision for loan losses		(0.5		)		(0.2		)		(2.5		)		(3.2		)
	Charge offs		1.4				0.5				6.5				8.4
	Recoveries		(0.1		)		(0.3		)		(0.4		)		(0.8		)
	Balance at end of period		$	(1.9	)		$	(1.2	)		$	(12.5	)		$	(15.6	)
	Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment		$	—			$	(0.1	)		$	(1.7	)		$	(1.8	)
	Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment		$	(1.9	)		$	(1.1	)		$	(10.8	)		$	(13.8	)
	Loans and fees receivable:
	Loans and fees receivable, gross		$	4.8			$	73.4			$	62			$	140.2
	Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment		$	—			$	0.2			$	2.7			$	2.9
	Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment		$	4.8			$	73.2			$	59.3			$	137.3
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014		Credit Cards				Auto Finance				Other Unsecured Lending Products				Total
	Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable:
	Balance at beginning of period		$	(11.6	)		$	(1.4	)		$	(11.2	)		$	(24.2	)
	Provision for loan losses		(4.2		)		0.2				(3.9		)		(7.9		)
	Charge offs		5				0.1				4.5				9.6
	Recoveries		(0.1		)		(0.3		)		(0.2		)		(0.6		)
	Balance at end of period		$	(10.9	)		$	(1.4	)		$	(10.8	)		$	(23.1	)
	Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment		$	(0.2	)		$	—			$	—			$	(0.2	)
	Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment		$	(10.7	)		$	(1.4	)		$	(10.8	)		$	(22.9	)
	Loans and fees receivable:
	Loans and fees receivable, gross		$	18.5			$	59.4			$	50.9			$	128.8
	Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment		$	0.3			$	—			$	—			$	0.3
	Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment		$	18.2			$	59.4			$	50.9			$	128.5
	The components (in millions) of loans and fees receivable, net as of the date of each of our consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Current loans receivable	$	119.1			$	116.1
	Current fees receivable	3.1				3.4
	Delinquent loans and fees receivable	18				22.1
	Loans and fees receivable, gross	$	140.2			$	141.6
	An aging of our delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross (in millions) by class of receivable as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:
	Balance at March 31, 2015		Credit Cards				Auto Finance				Other Unsecured Lending Products				Total
	30-59 days past due		$	0.3			$	4.6			$	2.3			$	7.2
	60-89 days past due		0.3				1.7				1.8				3.8
	90 or more days past due		1				1.5				4.5				7
	Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross		1.6				7.8				8.6				18
	Current loans and fees receivable, gross		3.2				65.6				53.4				122.2
	Total loans and fees receivable, gross		$	4.8			$	73.4			$	62			$	140.2
	Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees		$	—			$	1.4			$	—			$	1.4
	Balance at December 31, 2014	Credit Cards				Auto Finance				Other Unsecured Lending Products				Total
	30-59 days past due	$	0.4			$	6.3			$	2.8			$	9.5
	60-89 days past due	0.4				2.1				2.2				4.7
90 or more days past due	1.6				1.7				4.6				7.9
Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross	2.4				10.1				9.6				22.1
Current loans and fees receivable, gross	4.3				60.6				54.6				119.5
Total loans and fees receivable, gross	$	6.7			$	70.7			$	64.2			$	141.6
Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees	$	—			$	1.6			$	—			$	1.6
Income Taxes
We experienced a negative effective income tax expense rate of 45.8% and negative effective income tax benefit rate of 21.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively.  Our negative effective income tax expense rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 resulted principally due to a favorable effective settlement we reached with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) in February, 2015 relative to prior year accruals for uncertain tax positions and interest accruals thereon. The negative effective income tax benefit rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 resulted principally from the (1) the effects of legislative changes enacted during that period in certain state filing jurisdictions, (2) interest accruals on our liabilities for uncertain tax positions and (3) changes in valuation allowances against income statement-oriented federal, foreign and state deferred tax assets.
We report potential accrued interest and penalties related to our accrued liabilities for uncertain tax positions within our income tax benefit or expense line item on our consolidated statements of operations.  We likewise report the reversal of such accrued interest and penalties within the income tax benefit or expense line item to the extent that we resolve our liabilities for uncertain tax positions in a manner favorable to our accruals therefor. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, there was no effect of interest and penalties on our income tax expense. In contrast, our income tax benefit was reduced in the three months ended March 31, 2014 by net interest and penalty accruals of $0.6 million.
Fees and Related Income on Earning Assets
The components (in thousands) of our fees and related income on earning assets are as follows:
	Three months ended March 31,
	2015				2014
Fees on credit products	$	2,174			$	5,387
Changes in fair value of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value	1,231				4,692
Changes in fair value of notes payable associated with structured financings recorded at fair value	(362		)		(1,157		)
Rental revenue	10,109				21,933
Other	67				2,030
Total fees and related income on earning assets	$	13,219			$	32,885
The above changes in fair value of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value category exclude the impact of charge offs associated with these receivables which are separately stated on our consolidated statements of operations.  See Note 6, “Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities,” for further discussion of these receivables and their effects on our consolidated statements of operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2014-09 establishes a principles-based model under which revenue from a contract is allocated to the distinct performance obligations within the contract and recognized in income as each performance obligation is satisfied. Additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract is also required. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet determined the potential effects of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on its consolidated financial statements.
Subsequent Events
We evaluate subsequent events that occur after our consolidated balance sheet date but before our consolidated financial statements are issued. There are two types of subsequent events:  (1) recognized, or those that provide additional evidence with respect to conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including the estimates inherent in the process of preparing financial statements; and (2) nonrecognized, or those that provide evidence with respect to conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance sheet but arose subsequent to that date.  We have evaluated subsequent events occurring after March 31, 2015, and based on our evaluation we did not identify any recognized or nonrecognized subsequent events that would have required further adjustments to our consolidated financial statements.
Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates	Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates
	We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), under which we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of our consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each reporting period. We base these estimates on information available to us as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. Certain estimates, such as credit losses, payment rates, costs of funds, discount rates and the yields earned on credit card receivables, significantly affect the reported amount of credit card receivables that we report at fair value and our notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value; these estimates likewise affect the changes in these amounts reflected within our fees and related income on earning assets line item on our consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, estimates of future credit losses have a significant effect on loans and fees receivable, net, as shown on our consolidated balance sheets, as well as on the provision for losses on loans and fees receivable within our consolidated statements of operations.
	We have eliminated all significant intercompany balances and transactions for financial reporting purposes.
Loans and Fees Receivable	Loans and Fees Receivable
	Our loans and fees receivable include:  (1) loans and fees receivable, net; (2) loans and fees receivable, at fair value; and (3) loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value.
	Components of our loans and fees receivable, net (in millions) are as follows:
		Balance at December 31, 2014				Additions				Subtractions				Balance at March 31, 2015
	Loans and fees receivable, gross	$	141.6			$	76.3			$	(77.7	)		$	140.2
	Deferred revenue	(15.7		)		(10.5		)		9.4				(16.8		)
	Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable	(20.0		)		(3.2		)		7.6				(15.6		)
	Loans and fees receivable, net	$	105.9			$	62.6			$	(60.7	)		$	107.8
		Balance at December 31, 2013				Additions				Subtractions				Balance at March 31, 2014
	Loans and fees receivable, gross	$	134.7			$	65.4			$	(71.3	)		$	128.8
	Deferred revenue	(13.3		)		(8.5		)		8.2				(13.6		)
	Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable	(24.2		)		(7.9		)		9				(23.1		)
	Loans and fees receivable, net	$	97.2			$	49			$	(54.1	)		$	92.1
	As of March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, the weighted average remaining accretion periods for the $16.8 million and $13.6 million, respectively, of deferred revenue reflected in the above tables were 11 months and 10 months, respectively.
	A roll-forward (in millions) of our allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable by class of receivable is as follows:
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015		Credit Cards				Auto Finance				Other Unsecured Lending Products				Total
	Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable:
	Balance at beginning of period		$	(2.7	)		$	(1.2	)		$	(16.1	)		$	(20.0	)
	Provision for loan losses		(0.5		)		(0.2		)		(2.5		)		(3.2		)
	Charge offs		1.4				0.5				6.5				8.4
	Recoveries		(0.1		)		(0.3		)		(0.4		)		(0.8		)
	Balance at end of period		$	(1.9	)		$	(1.2	)		$	(12.5	)		$	(15.6	)
	Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment		$	—			$	(0.1	)		$	(1.7	)		$	(1.8	)
	Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment		$	(1.9	)		$	(1.1	)		$	(10.8	)		$	(13.8	)
	Loans and fees receivable:
	Loans and fees receivable, gross		$	4.8			$	73.4			$	62			$	140.2
	Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment		$	—			$	0.2			$	2.7			$	2.9
	Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment		$	4.8			$	73.2			$	59.3			$	137.3
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014		Credit Cards				Auto Finance				Other Unsecured Lending Products				Total
	Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable:
	Balance at beginning of period		$	(11.6	)		$	(1.4	)		$	(11.2	)		$	(24.2	)
	Provision for loan losses		(4.2		)		0.2				(3.9		)		(7.9		)
	Charge offs		5				0.1				4.5				9.6
	Recoveries		(0.1		)		(0.3		)		(0.2		)		(0.6		)
	Balance at end of period		$	(10.9	)		$	(1.4	)		$	(10.8	)		$	(23.1	)
	Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment		$	(0.2	)		$	—			$	—			$	(0.2	)
	Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment		$	(10.7	)		$	(1.4	)		$	(10.8	)		$	(22.9	)
	Loans and fees receivable:
	Loans and fees receivable, gross		$	18.5			$	59.4			$	50.9			$	128.8
	Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment		$	0.3			$	—			$	—			$	0.3
	Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment		$	18.2			$	59.4			$	50.9			$	128.5
	The components (in millions) of loans and fees receivable, net as of the date of each of our consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Current loans receivable	$	119.1			$	116.1
	Current fees receivable	3.1				3.4
	Delinquent loans and fees receivable	18				22.1
	Loans and fees receivable, gross	$	140.2			$	141.6
	An aging of our delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross (in millions) by class of receivable as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:
	Balance at March 31, 2015		Credit Cards				Auto Finance				Other Unsecured Lending Products				Total
	30-59 days past due		$	0.3			$	4.6			$	2.3			$	7.2
	60-89 days past due		0.3				1.7				1.8				3.8
	90 or more days past due		1				1.5				4.5				7
	Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross		1.6				7.8				8.6				18
	Current loans and fees receivable, gross		3.2				65.6				53.4				122.2
	Total loans and fees receivable, gross		$	4.8			$	73.4			$	62			$	140.2
	Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees		$	—			$	1.4			$	—			$	1.4
	Balance at December 31, 2014	Credit Cards				Auto Finance				Other Unsecured Lending Products				Total
	30-59 days past due	$	0.4			$	6.3			$	2.8			$	9.5
	60-89 days past due	0.4				2.1				2.2				4.7
	90 or more days past due	1.6				1.7				4.6				7.9
	Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross	2.4				10.1				9.6				22.1
	Current loans and fees receivable, gross	4.3				60.6				54.6				119.5
	Total loans and fees receivable, gross	$	6.7			$	70.7			$	64.2			$	141.6
	Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees	$	—			$	1.6			$	—			$	1.6
Fees and Related Income on Earning Assets	Fees and Related Income on Earning Assets
	The components (in thousands) of our fees and related income on earning assets are as follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Fees on credit products	$	2,174			$	5,387
	Changes in fair value of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value	1,231				4,692
	Changes in fair value of notes payable associated with structured financings recorded at fair value	(362		)		(1,157		)
	Rental revenue	10,109				21,933
	Other	67				2,030
	Total fees and related income on earning assets	$	13,219			$	32,885
	The above changes in fair value of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value category exclude the impact of charge offs associated with these receivables which are separately stated on our consolidated statements of operations.  See Note 6, “Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities,” for further discussion of these receivables and their effects on our consolidated statements of operations.
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events
	We evaluate subsequent events that occur after our consolidated balance sheet date but before our consolidated financial statements are issued. There are two types of subsequent events:  (1) recognized, or those that provide additional evidence with respect to conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including the estimates inherent in the process of preparing financial statements; and (2) nonrecognized, or those that provide evidence with respect to conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance sheet but arose subsequent to that date.  We have evaluated subsequent events occurring after March 31, 2015, and based on our evaluation we did not identify any recognized or nonrecognized subsequent events that would have required further adjustments to our consolidated financial statements.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2014-09 establishes a principles-based model under which revenue from a contract is allocated to the distinct performance obligations within the contract and recognized in income as each performance obligation is satisfied. Additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract is also required. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet determined the potential effects of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on its consolidated financial statements.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015																	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Components of our aggregated categories of loans and fees receivable, net	Components of our loans and fees receivable, net (in millions) are as follows:
		Balance at December 31, 2014				Additions				Subtractions				Balance at March 31, 2015					Balance at December 31, 2013				Additions				Subtractions				Balance at March 31, 2014
	Loans and fees receivable, gross	$	141.6			$	76.3			$	(77.7	)		$	140.2			Loans and fees receivable, gross	$	134.7			$	65.4			$	(71.3	)		$	128.8
	Deferred revenue	(15.7		)		(10.5		)		9.4				(16.8		)		Deferred revenue	(13.3		)		(8.5		)		8.2				(13.6		)
	Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable	(20.0		)		(3.2		)		7.6				(15.6		)		Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable	(24.2		)		(7.9		)		9				(23.1		)
	Loans and fees receivable, net	$	105.9			$	62.6			$	(60.7	)		$	107.8			Loans and fees receivable, net	$	97.2			$	49			$	(54.1	)		$	92.1
Roll-forward of allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable, net	A roll-forward (in millions) of our allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable by class of receivable is as follows:
																		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014		Credit Cards				Auto Finance				Other Unsecured Lending Products				Total
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015		Credit Cards				Auto Finance				Other Unsecured Lending Products				Total			Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable:
	Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable:																	Balance at beginning of period		$	(11.6	)		$	(1.4	)		$	(11.2	)		$	(24.2	)
	Balance at beginning of period		$	(2.7	)		$	(1.2	)		$	(16.1	)		$	(20.0	)	Provision for loan losses		(4.2		)		0.2				(3.9		)		(7.9		)
	Provision for loan losses		(0.5		)		(0.2		)		(2.5		)		(3.2		)
	Charge offs		1.4				0.5				6.5				8.4			Charge offs		5				0.1				4.5				9.6
	Recoveries		(0.1		)		(0.3		)		(0.4		)		(0.8		)	Recoveries		(0.1		)		(0.3		)		(0.2		)		(0.6		)
	Balance at end of period		$	(1.9	)		$	(1.2	)		$	(12.5	)		$	(15.6	)	Balance at end of period		$	(10.9	)		$	(1.4	)		$	(10.8	)		$	(23.1	)
	Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment		$	—			$	(0.1	)		$	(1.7	)		$	(1.8	)	Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment		$	(0.2	)		$	—			$	—			$	(0.2	)
	Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment		$	(1.9	)		$	(1.1	)		$	(10.8	)		$	(13.8	)	Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment		$	(10.7	)		$	(1.4	)		$	(10.8	)		$	(22.9	)
	Loans and fees receivable:																	Loans and fees receivable:
	Loans and fees receivable, gross		$	4.8			$	73.4			$	62			$	140.2		Loans and fees receivable, gross		$	18.5			$	59.4			$	50.9			$	128.8
	Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment		$	—			$	0.2			$	2.7			$	2.9		Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment		$	0.3			$	—			$	—			$	0.3
	Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment		$	4.8			$	73.2			$	59.3			$	137.3		Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment		$	18.2			$	59.4			$	50.9			$	128.5
Components of loans and fees receivable, net	The components (in millions) of loans and fees receivable, net as of the date of each of our consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Current loans receivable	$	119.1			$	116.1
	Current fees receivable	3.1				3.4
	Delinquent loans and fees receivable	18				22.1
	Loans and fees receivable, gross	$	140.2			$	141.6
Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross	An aging of our delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross (in millions) by class of receivable as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:
																		Balance at December 31, 2014	Credit Cards				Auto Finance				Other Unsecured Lending Products				Total
	Balance at March 31, 2015		Credit Cards				Auto Finance				Other Unsecured Lending Products				Total			30-59 days past due	$	0.4			$	6.3			$	2.8			$	9.5
	30-59 days past due		$	0.3			$	4.6			$	2.3			$	7.2
																		60-89 days past due	0.4				2.1				2.2				4.7
	60-89 days past due		0.3				1.7				1.8				3.8
																		90 or more days past due	1.6				1.7				4.6				7.9
	90 or more days past due		1				1.5				4.5				7
																		Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross	2.4				10.1				9.6				22.1
	Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross		1.6				7.8				8.6				18
																		Current loans and fees receivable, gross	4.3				60.6				54.6				119.5
	Current loans and fees receivable, gross		3.2				65.6				53.4				122.2
																		Total loans and fees receivable, gross	$	6.7			$	70.7			$	64.2			$	141.6
	Total loans and fees receivable, gross		$	4.8			$	73.4			$	62			$	140.2
																		Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees	$	—			$	1.6			$	—			$	1.6
	Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees		$	—			$	1.4			$	—			$	1.4
Components of fees and related income on earning assets	The components (in thousands) of our fees and related income on earning assets are as follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Fees on credit products	$	2,174			$	5,387
	Changes in fair value of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value	1,231				4,692
	Changes in fair value of notes payable associated with structured financings recorded at fair value	(362		)		(1,157		)
	Rental revenue	10,109				21,933
	Other	67				2,030
	Total fees and related income on earning assets	$	13,219			$	32,885

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of operating segment information
	Three months ended March 31, 2015	Credit and Other Investments			Auto Finance			Total
	Interest income:
	Consumer loans, including past due fees	$	10,720		$	6,723		$	17,443
	Other	32			—			32
	Total interest income	10,752			6,723			17,475
	Interest expense	(4,251		)	(306		)	(4,557		)
	Net interest income before fees and related income on earning assets and provision for losses on loans and fees receivable	$	6,501		$	6,417		$	12,918
	Fees and related income on earning assets	$	13,073		$	146		$	13,219
	Servicing income	$	1,359		$	201		$	1,560
	Depreciation of rental merchandise	$	(12,253	)	$	—		$	(12,253	)
	Equity in income of equity-method investees	$	1,075		$	—		$	1,075
	(Loss) income before income taxes	$	(579	)	$	1,927		$	1,348
	Income tax benefit (expense)	$	1,248		$	(630	)	$	618
	Total assets	$	183,219		$	66,550		$	249,769
	Three months ended March 31, 2014	Credit and Other Investments			Auto Finance			Total
	Interest income:
	Consumer loans, including past due fees	$	14,396		$	5,561		$	19,957
	Other	237			—			237
	Total interest income	14,633			5,561			20,194
	Interest expense	(5,832		)	(355		)	(6,187		)
	Net interest income before fees and related income on earning assets and provision for losses on loans and fees receivable	$	8,801		$	5,206		$	14,007
	Fees and related income on earning assets	$	32,802		$	83		$	32,885
	Servicing income	$	1,055		$	185		$	1,240
	Depreciation of rental merchandise	$	(25,011	)	$	—		$	(25,011	)
	Equity in income of equity-method investees	$	2,406		$	—		$	2,406
	(Loss) income before income taxes	$	(10,063	)	$	1,022		$	(9,041	)
	Income tax expense	$	(1,625	)	$	(357	)	$	(1,982	)
	Total assets	$	281,700		$	56,230		$	337,930

Investments_in_EquityMethod_In1

Investments in Equity-Method Investees (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Summarized data of combined balance sheet and results of operations for our equity-method investees	In the following tables, we summarize (in thousands) combined balance sheet and results of operations data for our equity-method investees:
		As of
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	$	20,538	$	22,571
	Total assets	$	21,720	$	23,831
	Total liabilities	$	66	$	82
	Members’ capital	$	21,654	$	23,749
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Net interest income, fees and related income on earning assets	$	1,617	$	4,116
	Total other operating income	$	—	$	49
	Net income	$	1,407	$	3,780
	Net income attributable to our equity investment in investee	$	1,075	$	2,406
	The above tables include the economics associated with our aforementioned 50.0% interest in the joint venture that purchased in March 2011 the outstanding notes issued out of our Non-U.S. Acquired Portfolio structured financing trust prior to its consolidation in December 2014.  Separate financial data for this entity prior to its consolidation are as follows:
		As of
		December 31, 2014
	Investments in non-marketable debt securities, at fair value	$	—
	Total assets	$	—
	Total liabilities	$	—
	Members’ capital	$	—
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Net interest income, fees and related income on earning assets	$	1,985
	Net income	$	1,974
	Net income attributable to our equity investment in investee	$	987

Fair_Values_of_Assets_and_Liab1

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets measured on a recurring basis at fair value	The table below summarizes (in thousands) by fair value hierarchy the March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 fair values and carrying amounts of (1) our assets that are required to be carried at fair value in our consolidated financial statements and (2) our assets not carried at fair value, but for which fair value disclosures are required:
	Assets – As of March 31, 2015 (1)		Quoted Prices in Active			Significant Other				Significant		Carrying Amount of Assets
			Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)			Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is practicable to estimate fair value		$	—		$	—			$	110,744	$	104,688
	Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value (2)		$	—		$	—			$	—	$	3,104
	Loans and fees receivable, at fair value		$	—		$	—			$	13,147	$	13,147
	Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral, at fair value		$	—		$	—			$	30,743	$	30,743
	Assets – As of December 31, 2014 (1)		Quoted Prices in Active			Significant Other				Significant		Carrying Amount of Assets
			Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)			Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is practicable to estimate fair value		$	—		$	—			$	111,010	$	101,753
	Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value (2)		$	—		$	—			$	—	$	4,144
	Loans and fees receivable, at fair value		$	—		$	—			$	18,255	$	18,255
	Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral, at fair value		$	—		$	—			$	34,905	$	34,905
	-1	For cash, deposits and other short-term investments (including our investments in rental merchandise), the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
	-2	We do not provide fair value for this portion of our loans and fees receivable, net because it is not practicable to do so.  These loans and fees receivable consist of a variety of receivables that are largely start-up in nature and for which we have neither sufficient history nor a comparable peer group from which we can calculate fair value.
Reconciliation of Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs	For Level 3 assets carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs, the following table presents (in thousands) a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014:
		Loans and Fees			Loans and Fees				Total
		Receivable, at			Receivable Pledged as
		Fair Value			Collateral under
					Structured
					Financings, at Fair
					Value
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	18,255		$	34,905			$	53,160
	Total gains—realized/unrealized:
	Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	—			1,215				1,215
	Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable, at fair value	16			—				16
	Settlements, net	(4,675		)	(5,377		)		(10,052		)
	Impact of foreign currency translation	(449		)	—				(449		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	13,147		$	30,743			$	43,890
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	12,080		$	88,132			$	100,212
	Total gains—realized/unrealized:
	Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	—			2,684				2,684
	Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable, at fair value	2,008			—				2,008
	Settlements, net	(2,397		)	(11,949		)		(14,346		)
	Impact of foreign currency translation	—			283				283
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	11,691		$	79,150			$	90,841
Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs, quantitative information	For Level 3 assets carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs, the following table presents (in thousands) quantitative information about the valuation techniques and the inputs used in the fair value measurement as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value Measurements		Fair Value at March 31, 2015			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Range (Weighted Average)(1)
	Loans and fees receivable, at fair value		$	13,147		Discounted cash flows		Gross yield		19.7% to 25.6% (22.2%)
								Principal payment rate		1.2% to 3.7% (2.3%)
								Expected credit loss rate		7.0% to 14.4% (10.2%)
								Servicing rate		5.5% to 15.6% (9.9%)
								Discount rate		15.9% to 16.2% (16.1%)
	Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value		$	30,743		Discounted cash flows		Gross yield		27.9	%
								Principal payment rate		2.8	%
								Expected credit loss rate		13.8	%
								Servicing rate		11.2	%
								Discount rate		15.9	%
	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value Measurements		Fair Value at December 31, 2014			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Range (Weighted Average)(1)
	Loans and fees receivable, at fair value		$	18,255		Discounted cash flows		Gross yield		17.9% to 25.6% (21.0%)
								Principal payment rate		1.5% to 3.6% (2.3%)
								Expected credit loss rate		7.4% to 13.7% (9.9%)
								Servicing rate		7.4% to 15.1% (10.5%)
								Discount rate		15.9% to 16.2% (16.1%)
	Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value		$	34,905		Discounted cash flows		Gross yield		27.2	%
								Principal payment rate		2.7	%
								Expected credit loss rate		13.5	%
								Servicing rate		11	%
								Discount rate		15.9	%
	(1) Our loans and fees receivable, pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value consist of a single portfolio with one set of assumptions. As such, no range is given.
Liabilities measured on a recurring basis at fair value	The table below summarizes (in thousands) by fair value hierarchy the March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 fair values and carrying amounts of (1) our liabilities that are required to be carried at fair value in our consolidated financial statements and (2) our liabilities not carried at fair value, but for which fair value disclosures are required:
	Liabilities – As of March 31, 2015		Quoted Prices in Active			Significant Other				Significant		Carrying Amount of Liabilities
			Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)			Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Liabilities not carried at fair value
	CAR revolving credit facility		$	—		$	—			$	29,250	$	29,250
	ACC amortizing debt facility		$	—		$	—			$	—	$	—
	Amortizing debt facilities		$	—		$	—			$	29,408	$	29,408
	Revolving credit facility		$	—		$	—			$	4,000	$	4,000
	U.K. credit card accounts revolving credit facility		$	—		$	—			$	2,579	$	2,579
	Senior secured term loan		$	—		$	—			$	20,000	$	20,000
	5.875% convertible senior notes		$	—		$	38,828			$	—	$	64,418
	Liabilities carried at fair value
	Economic sharing arrangement liability		$	—		$	—			$	82	$	82
	Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value		$	—		$	—			$	32,294	$	32,294
	Liabilities - As of December 31, 2014		Quoted Prices in Active			Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Carrying Amount of Liabilities
			Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
	Liabilities not carried at fair value
	CAR revolving credit facility		$	—		$	—			$	28,500	$	28,500
	ACC amortizing debt facility		$	—		$	—			$	125	$	125
	Amortizing debt facilities		$	—		$	—			$	42,200	$	42,200
	Revolving credit facility		$	—		$	—			$	4,000	$	4,000
	U.K. credit card accounts revolving credit facility		$	—		$	—			$	3,924	$	3,924
	Senior secured term loan		$	—		$	—			$	20,000	$	20,000
	5.875% convertible senior notes		$	—		$	37,662			$	—	$	64,302
	Liabilities carried at fair value
	Economic sharing arrangement liability		$	—		$	—			$	119	$	119
	Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value		$	—		$	—			$	36,511	$	36,511
Reconciliation for Level 3 Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs	For our material Level 3 liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs, the following table presents (in thousands) a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
		Notes Payable Associated with
		Structured Financings, at Fair Value
		2015			2014
	Beginning balance, January 1	$	36,511		$	94,523
	Total (gains) losses—realized/unrealized:
	Net revaluations of notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value	362			1,157
	Repayments on outstanding notes payable, net	(4,579		)	(10,149		)
	Impact of foreign currency translation	—			318
	Ending balance, March 31	$	32,294		$	85,849
Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs, quantitative information	For material Level 3 liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs, the following table presents (in thousands) quantitative information about the valuation techniques and the inputs used in the fair value measurement for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value Measurements		Fair Value at March 31, 2015 (in Thousands)			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Weighted Average
	Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value		$	32,294		Discounted cash flows		Gross yield		27.9	%
								Principal payment rate		2.8	%
								Expected credit loss rate		13.8	%
								Discount rate		15.9	%
	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value Measurements		Fair Value at December 31, 2014 (in Thousands)			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Weighted Average
	Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value		$	36,511		Discounted cash flows		Gross yield		27.2	%
								Principal payment rate		2.7	%
								Expected credit loss rate		13.5	%
								Discount rate		15.9	%
Other relevant data concerning our assets and liabilities measured at fair value	Other relevant data (in thousands) as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 concerning certain assets and liabilities we carry at fair value are as follows:
	As of March 31, 2015		Loans and Fees			Loans and Fees Receivable Pledged as Collateral under Structured Financings at Fair Value
			Receivable at
			Fair Value
	Aggregate unpaid principal balance within loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value		$	17,820		$	36,527
	Aggregate fair value of loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value		$	13,147		$	30,743
	Aggregate fair value of receivables carried at fair value that are 90 days or more past due (which also coincides with finance charge and fee non-accrual policies)		$	19		$	36
	Aggregate excess of balance of unpaid principal receivables within loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value and are 90 days or more past due (which also coincides with finance charge and fee non-accrual policies) over the fair value of such loans and fees receivable		$	555		$	1,355
	As of December 31, 2014		Loans and Fees			Loans and Fees
			Receivable at			Receivable Pledged as Collateral under Structured Financings at Fair Value
			Fair Value
	Aggregate unpaid principal balance within loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value		$	22,785		$	41,449
	Aggregate fair value of loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value		$	18,255		$	34,905
	Aggregate fair value of receivables carried at fair value that are 90 days or more past due (which also coincides with finance charge and fee non-accrual policies)		$	93		$	39
	Aggregate excess of balance of unpaid principal receivables within loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value and are 90 days or more past due (which also coincides with finance charge and fee non-accrual policies) over the fair value of such loans and fees receivable		$	647		$	1,695
	Notes Payable		Notes Payable Associated with Structured Financings, at Fair Value as of March 31, 2015			Notes Payable Associated with Structured Financings, at Fair Value as of December 31, 2014
	Aggregate unpaid principal balance of notes payable		$	116,656		$	121,236
	Aggregate fair value of notes payable		$	32,294		$	36,511

Notes_Payable_Tables

Notes Payable (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of structured financing notes at fair value	Scheduled (in millions) in the table below are (1) the carrying amounts of structured financing notes secured by certain credit card receivables and reported at fair value as of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (2) the outstanding face amounts of structured financing notes secured by certain credit card receivables and reported at fair value as of March 31, 2015, and (3) the carrying amounts of the credit card receivables and restricted cash that provide the exclusive means of repayment for the notes (i.e., lenders have recourse only to the specific credit card receivables and restricted cash underlying each respective facility and cannot look to our general credit for repayment) as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
		Carrying Amounts at Fair Value as of
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Amortizing securitization facility issued out of our upper-tier originated portfolio master trust (stated maturity of December 2015), outstanding face amount of $116.7 million bearing interest at a weighted average 5.1% interest rate (4.9% as of December 31, 2014), which is secured by credit card receivables and restricted cash aggregating $32.3 million ($36.5 million as of December 31, 2014) in carrying amount	$	32.3	$	36.5
	Amortizing term securitization facility (denominated and referenced in U.K. sterling and a stated maturity of April 2015) issued out of our Non-U.S. Acquired Portfolio securitization trust	—		—
	Total structured financing notes reported at fair value that are secured by credit card receivables and to which we are subordinated	$	32.3	$	36.5
Schedule of structured financing notes at face value	Other notes payable outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 that are secured by the financial and operating assets of either the borrower, another of our subsidiaries or both, include the following, scheduled (in millions); except as otherwise noted, the assets of our holding company (Atlanticus Holdings Corporation) are subject to creditor claims under these scheduled facilities:
		As of
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Revolving credit facilities at a weighted average rate equal to 3.7% (3.7% at December 31, 2014) secured by the financial and operating assets of CAR and another of our borrowing subsidiaries with a combined aggregate carrying amount of $86.4 million ($75.4 million at December 31, 2014)
	Revolving credit facility (expiring October 4, 2017) (1) (2)	$	29.2	$	28.5
	Revolving credit facility (expiring May 17, 2015) (2)	4		4
	Amortizing facilities at a weighted average rate equal to 5.2% (5.4% at December 31, 2014) secured by certain receivables, rental streams and restricted cash with a combined aggregate carrying amount of $34.7 million ($42.2 million as of December 31, 2014)
	Amortizing debt facility (expiring July 15, 2015) (3)	—		0.5
	Amortizing debt facility (expiring August 28, 2015) (3) (4)	15.4		7.8
	Amortizing debt facility (expiring October 30, 2015) (3) (4)	11.5		30
	Amortizing debt facility (expiring August 1, 2016) (3) (4)	2.5		3.9
	Other facilities
	Senior secured term loan to related parties (expiring November 25, 2015) that is secured by certain assets of the Company with an annual rate equal to 9.0% (5)	20		20
	Amortizing debt facility (repaid in March 2015)	—		0.1
	Revolving credit facility associated with our credit card accounts in the U.K. that can be drawn to the extent of outstanding eligible principal receivables up to £5.0 million, expiring December 1, 2016 with an annual rate equal to the lender’s cost of funds plus 7.0% (9.1% as of March 31, 2015 and 9.2% as of December 31, 2014) secured by certain receivables and restricted cash with a combined aggregate carrying amount of $3.4 million ($4.1 million as of December 31, 2014)	2.6		3.9
	Total notes payable outstanding	$	85.2	$	98.7
	-1	Loan is subject to certain affirmative covenants, including a coverage ratio, a leverage ratio and a collateral performance test, the failure of which could result in required early repayment of all or a portion of the outstanding balance by our CAR Auto Finance operations.
	-2	Loans are from the same lender and are cross-collateralized; thus, combined security interests are subject to claims upon the default of either lending arrangement. The assets of Atlanticus Holdings Corporation are not subject to creditor claims arising due to asset performance-related covenants under this loan.
	-3	Loans are subject to certain affirmative covenants tied to default rates and other performance metrics the failure of which could result in required early repayment of the remaining unamortized balances of the notes.
	-4	These notes were modified to either extend the maturity date, increase the loaned amount or both.
	-5	See Related Party Transactions under Item 2. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for additional information regarding this note.

Convertible_Senior_Notes_Table

Convertible Senior Notes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of consolidated balance sheets associated with convertible senior notes	The following summarizes (in thousands) components of our consolidated balance sheets associated with our convertible senior notes:
		As of
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Face amount of 3.625% convertible senior notes	$	450		$	450
	Face amount of 5.875% convertible senior notes	93,280			93,280
	Discount	(28,862		)	(28,978		)
	Net carrying value	$	64,868		$	64,752
	Carrying amount of equity component included in additional paid-in capital	$	108,714		$	108,714
	Excess of instruments’ if-converted values over face principal amounts	$	—		$	—

Net_Income_Loss_Attributable_t1

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Controlling Interests Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computations of net income (loss) per common share	The following table sets forth the computations of net income (loss) per common share (in thousands, except per share data):
		For the Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests	$	1,967	$	(11,174	)
	Denominator:
	Basic (including unvested share-based payment awards) (1)	13,923		14,081
	Effect of dilutive stock compensation arrangements (2)	2		—
	Diluted (including unvested share-based payment awards) (1)	13,925		14,081
	Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests per common share—basic	$	0.14	$	(0.79	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests per common share—diluted	$	0.14	$	(0.79	)
	-1	Shares related to unvested share-based payment awards we included in our basic and diluted share counts are 427,474 for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to 567,674 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	-2	The effect of dilutive stock compensation arrangements is shown only for informational purposes where we are in a net loss position.  In such situations, the effect of including outstanding options and restricted stock would be anti-dilutive, and they are thus excluded from all loss period calculations.

StockBased_Compensation_Share_

Stock-Based Compensation Share Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Schedule of Employee Compensation Equity plans [Line Items]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	Information related to options outstanding is as follows:
		March 31, 2015
		Number of	Weighted-		Weighted-	Aggregate
		Shares	Average		Average of Remaining	Intrinsic
			Exercise Price		Contractual Life (in years)	Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	450,000	$	2.52
	Issued	—	$	—
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015	450,000	$	2.52	3.9	$	—
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015	210,006	$	2.53	3.9	$	—

Description_of_Our_Business_De

Description of Our Business (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	2

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Components of aggregated categories of loans and fees, receivable, net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Weighted average remaining accretion period of deferred revenue	11 months	10 months
Components of Aggregated Categories of Loans and Leases Receivable [Roll Forward]
Loans and fees receivable, gross, beginning balance	$141.60	$134.70
Loans and fees receivable, gross, Additions	76.3	65.4
Loans and fees receivable, gross, Subtractions	-77.7	-71.3
Loans and fees receivable, gross, ending balance	140.2	128.8
Deferred revenue, beginning balance	-15.7	-13.3
Deferred revenue, Additions	-10.5	-8.5
Deferred revenue, Subtractions	9.4	8.2
Deferred revenue, ending balance	-16.8	-13.6
Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable, beginning balance	-20	-24.2
Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable, Additions	-3.2	-7.9
Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable, Subtractions	7.6	9
Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable, ending balance	-15.6	-23.1
Loans and fees receivable, net, beginning balance	105.9	97.2
Loans and fees receivable, net, Additions	62.6	49
Loans and fees receivable, net, Subtractions	-60.7	-54.1
Loans and fees receivable, net, ending balance	$107.80	$92.10

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Loans and Fees Receivable, Net Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Deferred revenue	$16.80	$13.60	$15.70	$13.30
Weighted average remaining accretion period of deferred revenue	11 months	10 months

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Schedule of Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable:
Balance at beginning of period	($20)	($24.20)
Provision for loan losses	-3.2	-7.9
Charge offs	8.4	9.6
Recoveries	-0.8	-0.6
Balance at end of period	-15.6	-23.1
Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment	-1.8	-0.2
Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment	-13.8	-22.9
Loans and fees receivable:
Loans and fees receivable, gross	140.2	128.8	141.6	134.7
Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment	2.9	0.3
Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment	137.3	128.5
Credit Cards [Member]
Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable:
Balance at beginning of period	-2.7	-11.6
Provision for loan losses	-0.5	-4.2
Charge offs	1.4	5
Recoveries	-0.1	-0.1
Balance at end of period	-1.9	-10.9
Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment	0	-0.2
Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment	-1.9	-10.7
Loans and fees receivable:
Loans and fees receivable, gross	4.8	18.5	6.7
Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment	0	0.3
Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment	4.8	18.2
Automobile Loan [Member]
Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable:
Balance at beginning of period	-1.2	-1.4
Provision for loan losses	-0.2	0.2
Charge offs	0.5	0.1
Recoveries	-0.3	-0.3
Balance at end of period	-1.2	-1.4
Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment	-0.1	0
Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment	-1.1	-1.4
Loans and fees receivable:
Loans and fees receivable, gross	73.4	59.4	70.7
Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment	0.2	0
Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment	73.2	59.4
Other Unsecured Lending Products [Member]
Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable:
Balance at beginning of period	-16.1	-11.2
Provision for loan losses	-2.5	-3.9
Charge offs	6.5	4.5
Recoveries	-0.4	-0.2
Balance at end of period	-12.5	-10.8
Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment	-1.7	0
Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment	-10.8	-10.8
Loans and fees receivable:
Loans and fees receivable, gross	62	50.9	64.2
Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment	2.7	0
Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment	$59.30	$50.90

Significant_Accounting_Policie5

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Components of loan and fees, receivable, net (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Current loans receivable	$119.10	$116.10
Current fees receivable	3.1	3.4
Delinquent loans and fees receivable	18	22.1
Loans and fees receivable, gross	$140.20	$141.60	$128.80	$134.70

Significant_Accounting_Policie6

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Schedule of Aging of delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	Rate	Rate
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 days past due	$7,200,000		$9,500,000
60-89 days past due	3,800,000		4,700,000
90 or more days past due	7,000,000		7,900,000
Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross	18,000,000		22,100,000
Current loans and fees receivable, gross	122,200,000		119,500,000
Loans and fees receivable, gross	140,200,000	128,800,000	141,600,000	134,700,000
Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees	1,400,000		1,600,000
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	45.80%	21.90%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense	0	600,000
Credit Cards [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 days past due	300,000		400,000
60-89 days past due	300,000		400,000
90 or more days past due	1,000,000		1,600,000
Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross	1,600,000		2,400,000
Current loans and fees receivable, gross	3,200,000		4,300,000
Loans and fees receivable, gross	4,800,000	18,500,000	6,700,000
Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees	0		0
Automobile Loan [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 days past due	4,600,000		6,300,000
60-89 days past due	1,700,000		2,100,000
90 or more days past due	1,500,000		1,700,000
Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross	7,800,000		10,100,000
Current loans and fees receivable, gross	65,600,000		60,600,000
Loans and fees receivable, gross	73,400,000	59,400,000	70,700,000
Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees	1,400,000		1,600,000
Other Unsecured Lending Products [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 days past due	2,300,000		2,800,000
60-89 days past due	1,800,000		2,200,000
90 or more days past due	4,500,000		4,600,000
Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross	8,600,000		9,600,000
Current loans and fees receivable, gross	53,400,000		54,600,000
Loans and fees receivable, gross	62,000,000	50,900,000	64,200,000
Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees	$0		$0

Significant_Accounting_Policie7

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Investments in Equity-Method Investees (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015
Limited Liability Company [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity-method investment, interests	66.70%
U.K. Portfolio Structured Financing Trust [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity-method investment, interests	50.00%

Significant_Accounting_Policie8

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Rental Merchandise (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Leased Merchandise [Abstract]
Depreciation of rental merchandise	$12,253	$25,011

Significant_Accounting_Policie9

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Fees and Related Income on Earning Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Fees on credit products	$2,174	$5,387
Changes in fair value of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value	1,231	4,692
Changes in fair value of notes payable associated with structured financings recorded at fair value	-362	-1,157
Rental revenue	10,109	21,933
Other	67	2,030
Total fees and related income on earning assets	$13,219	$32,885

Recovered_Sheet1

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Subsequent Events (Details) (Five Point Eight Seven Five Percent Convertible Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty Five [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 14, 2014	Nov. 30, 2005	31-May-05
Five Point Eight Seven Five Percent Convertible Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty Five [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount		$46.10
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount		$19.10
Tender Offer Repurchase Amount	25200
Tender Offer Repurchase Amount - Face Value	80000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			5.88%	5.88%

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	segment
	industry
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of industries the Company operates in	1
Number of reportable segments	2
Interest income:
Consumer loans, including past due fees	$17,443	$19,957
Other	32	237
Total interest income	17,475	20,194
Interest expense	-4,557	-6,187
Net interest income before fees and related income on earning assets and provision for losses on loans and fees receivable	12,918	14,007
Fees and related income on earning assets	13,219	32,885
Servicing income	1,560	1,240
Depreciation of rental merchandise	-12,253	-25,011
Equity in income of equity-method investees	1,075	2,406
(Loss) income before income taxes	1,348	-9,041
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	618	-1,982
Total assets	249,769	337,930	268,355
Credit Cards and Other Investments [Member]
Interest income:
Consumer loans, including past due fees	10,720	14,396
Other	32	237
Total interest income	10,752	14,633
Interest expense	-4,251	-5,832
Net interest income before fees and related income on earning assets and provision for losses on loans and fees receivable	6,501	8,801
Fees and related income on earning assets	13,073	32,802
Servicing income	1,359	1,055
Depreciation of rental merchandise	-12,253	-25,011
Equity in income of equity-method investees	1,075	2,406
(Loss) income before income taxes	-579	-10,063
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	1,248	-1,625
Total assets	183,219	281,700
Auto Finance [Member]
Interest income:
Consumer loans, including past due fees	6,723	5,561
Other	0	0
Total interest income	6,723	5,561
Interest expense	-306	-355
Net interest income before fees and related income on earning assets and provision for losses on loans and fees receivable	6,417	5,206
Fees and related income on earning assets	146	83
Servicing income	201	185
Depreciation of rental merchandise	0	0
Equity in income of equity-method investees	0	0
(Loss) income before income taxes	1,927	1,022
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-630	-357
Total assets	$66,550	$56,230

Shareholders_Equity_Details

Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Own-share Lending Arrangement, Shares, Outstanding	1,459,233		1,459,233
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	$54,000
Common stock, loaned shares to be returned	1,459,233		1,459,233
Treasury Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock repurchased (in shares)	21,807	10,781
Aggregate cost of common stock repurchased	$54,253	$0

Investments_in_EquityMethod_In2

Investments in Equity-Method Investees (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Summarized data of combined balance sheet and results of operations for our equity-method investees [Abstract]
Net income attributable to our equity investment in investee	$1,075	$2,406
Equity-Method Investees [Member]
Summarized data of combined balance sheet and results of operations for our equity-method investees [Abstract]
Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	20,538		22,571
Total assets	21,720		23,831
Total liabilities	66		82
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity	21,654		23,749
Net interest income, fees and related income on earning assets	1,617	4,116
Total other operating income	0	49
Net income	1,407	3,780
Net income attributable to our equity investment in investee	1,075	2,406
Limited Liability Company [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity-method investment, interests	66.70%
U.K. Portfolio Structured Financing Trust [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity-method investment, interests	50.00%
Summarized data of combined balance sheet and results of operations for our equity-method investees [Abstract]
Investments in non-marketable debt securities, at fair value			0
Total assets			0
Total liabilities			0
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity			0
Net interest income, fees and related income on earning assets		1,985
Net income		1,974
Net income attributable to our equity investment in investee		$987

Fair_Values_of_Assets_and_Liab2

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Summary of Fair Value Hierarchy for Assets (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	$30,743		$34,905
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is practicable to estimate fair value	104,688	[1]	101,753	[1]
Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value (2)	3,104	[1],[2]	4,144	[1],[2]
Loans and fees receivable, at fair value	13,147	[1]	18,255	[1]
Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	30,743	[1]	34,905	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is practicable to estimate fair value	0	[1]	0	[1]
Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value (2)	0	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Loans and fees receivable, at fair value	0	[1]	0	[1]
Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is practicable to estimate fair value	0	[1]	0	[1]
Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value (2)	0	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Loans and fees receivable, at fair value	0	[1]	0	[1]
Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is practicable to estimate fair value	110,744	[1]	111,010	[1]
Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value (2)	0	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Loans and fees receivable, at fair value	13,147	[1]	18,255	[1]
Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	$30,743	[1]	$34,905	[1]
[1]	For cash, deposits and other short-term investments (including our investments in rental merchandise), the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
[2]	We do not provide fair value for this portion of our loans and fees receivable, net because it is not practicable to do so. These loans and fees receivable consist of a variety of receivables that are largely start-up in nature and for which we have neither sufficient history nor a comparable peer group from which we can calculate fair value.

Fair_Values_of_Assets_and_Liab3

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Reconciliation of Level 3 Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Reconciliation of Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	$53,160	$100,212
Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	1,215	2,684
Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable, at fair value	16	2,008
Settlements, net	-10,052	-14,346
Impact of foreign currency translation	-449	283
Ending Balance	43,890	90,841
Loans and Fees Receivable, at Fair Value [Member]
Reconciliation of Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	18,255	12,080
Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	0	0
Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable, at fair value	16	2,008
Settlements, net	-4,675	-2,397
Impact of foreign currency translation	-449	0
Ending Balance	13,147	11,691
Loans and Fees Receivable Pledged as Collateral under Structured Financings, at Fair Value [Member]
Reconciliation of Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	34,905	88,132
Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	1,215	2,684
Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable, at fair value	0	0
Settlements, net	-5,377	-11,949
Impact of foreign currency translation	0	283
Ending Balance	$30,743	$79,150

Fair_Values_of_Assets_and_Liab4

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information about Level 3 Assets Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Loans and fees receivable, at fair value	$13,147		$18,255
Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	30,743		34,905
Gross yield	27.90%		27.20%
Principal payment rate	2.80%		2.70%
Expected credit loss rate	13.80%		13.50%
Discount rate	15.90%		15.90%
Loans And Fees Receivable [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Loans and fees receivable, at fair value	13,147		18,255
Loans And Fees Receivable [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Gross yield	19.70%		17.90%
Principal payment rate	1.20%		1.50%
Expected credit loss rate	7.00%		7.40%
Servicing rate	5.50%		7.40%
Discount rate	15.90%		15.90%
Loans And Fees Receivable [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Gross yield	25.60%		25.60%
Principal payment rate	3.70%		3.60%
Expected credit loss rate	14.40%		13.70%
Servicing rate	15.60%		15.10%
Discount rate	16.20%		16.20%
Loans And Fees Receivable [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Gross yield	22.20%		21.00%
Principal payment rate	2.30%		2.30%
Expected credit loss rate	10.20%		9.90%
Servicing rate	9.90%		10.50%
Discount rate	16.10%		16.10%
Loans and Fees Receivable Pledged as Collateral [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Loans and fees receivable, at fair value	$30,743		$34,905
Gross yield	27.90%	[1]	27.20%	[1]
Principal payment rate	2.80%	[1]	2.70%	[1]
Expected credit loss rate	13.80%	[1]	13.50%	[1]
Servicing rate	11.20%	[1]	11.00%	[1]
Discount rate	15.90%	[1]	15.90%	[1]
[1]	(1) Our loans and fees receivable, pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value consist of a single portfolio with one set of assumptions. As such, no range is given.

Fair_Values_of_Assets_and_Liab5

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Summary of Fair Value Hierarchy for Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2005	31-May-05
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
CAR revolving credit facility	$29,250	$28,500
ACC amortizing debt facility	0	125
Amortizing debt facilities	29,408	42,200
Revolving credit facility	4,000	4,000
U.K. credit card accounts revolving credit facility	2,579	3,924
Notes Payable, Related Parties	20,000	20,000
Convertible Debt, Fair Value Disclosures	64,418	64,302
Liabilities carried at fair value
Economic sharing arrangement liability	82	119
Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value	32,294	36,511
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
CAR revolving credit facility	0	0
ACC amortizing debt facility	0	0
Amortizing debt facilities	0	0
Revolving credit facility	0	0
U.K. credit card accounts revolving credit facility	0	0
Notes Payable, Related Parties	0	0
5.875% convertible senior notes	0	0
Liabilities carried at fair value
Economic sharing arrangement liability	0	0
Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
CAR revolving credit facility	0	0
ACC amortizing debt facility	0	0
Amortizing debt facilities	0	0
Revolving credit facility	0	0
U.K. credit card accounts revolving credit facility	0	0
Notes Payable, Related Parties	0	0
Convertible Debt, Fair Value Disclosures	38,828	37,662
Liabilities carried at fair value
Economic sharing arrangement liability	0	0
Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
CAR revolving credit facility	29,250	28,500
ACC amortizing debt facility	0	125
Amortizing debt facilities	29,408	42,200
Revolving credit facility	4,000	4,000
U.K. credit card accounts revolving credit facility	2,579	3,924
Notes Payable, Related Parties	20,000	20,000
5.875% convertible senior notes	0	0
Liabilities carried at fair value
Economic sharing arrangement liability	82	119
Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value	$32,294	$36,511
Five Point Eight Seven Five Percent Convertible Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty Five [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			5.88%	5.88%

Fair_Values_of_Assets_and_Liab6

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Reconciliation of Level 3 Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$36,511	$94,523
Total (gains) losses—realized/unrealized:
Net revaluations of notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value	362	1,157
Repayments on outstanding notes payable, net	-4,579	-10,149
Impact of foreign currency translation	0	318
Ending Balance	$32,294	$85,849

Fair_Values_of_Assets_and_Liab7

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information about Level 3 Liabilities Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value	$32,294		$36,511
Gross yield	27.90%		27.20%
Principal payment rate	2.80%		2.70%
Expected credit loss rate	13.80%		13.50%
Discount rate	15.90%		15.90%
Loans And Fees Receivable [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Gross yield	19.70%		17.90%
Principal payment rate	1.20%		1.50%
Expected credit loss rate	7.00%		7.40%
Discount rate	15.90%		15.90%
Fair Value Inputs Servicing Rate	5.50%		7.40%
Loans And Fees Receivable [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Gross yield	25.60%		25.60%
Principal payment rate	3.70%		3.60%
Expected credit loss rate	14.40%		13.70%
Discount rate	16.20%		16.20%
Fair Value Inputs Servicing Rate	15.60%		15.10%
Loans And Fees Receivable [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Gross yield	22.20%		21.00%
Principal payment rate	2.30%		2.30%
Expected credit loss rate	10.20%		9.90%
Discount rate	16.10%		16.10%
Fair Value Inputs Servicing Rate	9.90%		10.50%
Loans and Fees Receivable Pledged as Collateral [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Gross yield	27.90%	[1]	27.20%	[1]
Principal payment rate	2.80%	[1]	2.70%	[1]
Expected credit loss rate	13.80%	[1]	13.50%	[1]
Discount rate	15.90%	[1]	15.90%	[1]
Fair Value Inputs Servicing Rate	11.20%	[1]	11.00%	[1]
[1]	(1) Our loans and fees receivable, pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value consist of a single portfolio with one set of assumptions. As such, no range is given.

Fair_Values_of_Assets_and_Liab8

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities, Other Relevant Data (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2005	31-May-05
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Fair Value Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
CAR revolving credit facility	$29,250	$28,500
Structured Financing Notes Payable [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Aggregate unpaid principal balance of notes payable	116,656	121,236
Aggregate fair value of notes payable	32,294	36,511
Loans and Fees Receivable, at Fair Value [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Aggregate unpaid principal balance within loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value	17,820	22,785
Aggregate fair value of loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value	13,147	18,255
Aggregate fair value of receivables carried at fair value that are 90 days or more past due (which also coincides with finance charge and fee non-accrual policies)	19	93
Aggregate excess of balance of unpaid principal receivables within loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value and are 90 days or more past due (which also coincides with finance charge and fee non-accrual policies) over the fair value of such loans and fees receivable	555	647
Loans and Fees Receivable Pledged as Collateral under Structured Financings, at Fair Value [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Aggregate unpaid principal balance within loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value	36,527	41,449
Aggregate fair value of loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value	30,743	34,905
Aggregate fair value of receivables carried at fair value that are 90 days or more past due (which also coincides with finance charge and fee non-accrual policies)	36	39
Aggregate excess of balance of unpaid principal receivables within loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value and are 90 days or more past due (which also coincides with finance charge and fee non-accrual policies) over the fair value of such loans and fees receivable	$1,355	$1,695
5.875% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2035 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Interest rate on notes			5.88%	5.88%

Notes_Payable_Schedule_of_stru

Notes Payable Schedule of structured financing notes at fair value (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total structured financing notes reported at fair value that are secured by credit card receivables and to which we are subordinated	$32,294,000		$36,511,000
Weighted average interest rate	5.20%	[1]	5.40%	[1]
Credit card receivables and restricted cash carrying amount as security for notes payable	32,300,000
Maximum Aggregate Exposure to Pretax Equity Loss Associated With Structured Financing at Fair Value	0
Amortizing Securitization Facility Expiration Date December 1, 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	116,700,000
Weighted average interest rate	5.10%		4.90%
Credit card receivables and restricted cash carrying amount as security for notes payable	32,300,000		36,500,000
Maturity date	1-Dec-15
Amortizing Securitization Facility Expiration Date April 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date	1-Apr-15
Notes Payable to Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total structured financing notes reported at fair value that are secured by credit card receivables and to which we are subordinated	32,300,000		36,500,000
Notes Payable to Banks [Member] | Amortizing Securitization Facility Expiration Date December 1, 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total structured financing notes reported at fair value that are secured by credit card receivables and to which we are subordinated	32,300,000		36,500,000
Notes Payable to Banks [Member] | Amortizing Securitization Facility Expiration Date April 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total structured financing notes reported at fair value that are secured by credit card receivables and to which we are subordinated	$0		$0
[1]	Loans are subject to certain affirmative covenants tied to default rates and other performance metrics the failure of which could result in required early repayment of the remaining unamortized balances of the notes.

Notes_Payable_Narrative_Detail

Notes Payable Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value	$32,294,000	$36,511,000
Credit card receivables and restricted cash carrying amount as security for notes payable	32,300,000
Maximum Aggregate Exposure to Pretax Equity Loss Associated With Structured Financing at Fair Value	0
CAR revolving credit facility	$29,250,000	$28,500,000

Notes_Payable_Schedule_of_stru1

Notes Payable Schedule of structured financing notes at face value (Details)

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

Related Party Transaction [Domain]

Related Party Transaction [Domain]

Amortizing debt facility expiring December 2014 [Member]

Amortizing debt facility expiring April 2015 [Member]

Amortizing debt facility expiring July 2015 [Member]

Amortizing debt facility expiring July 2015 [Member]

Amortizing debt facility expiring September 2014 [Member]

Amortizing debt facility expiring September 2014 [Member]

Expiring October 2015 [Member] [Member]

Expiring October 2015 [Member] [Member]

Expiring April 2016 [Member]

Expiring April 2016 [Member]

Amortizing Debt Facility Secured by ACC Auto Finance Segment [Member]

Amortizing Debt Facility Secured by ACC Auto Finance Segment [Member]

Expiring December 2016 [Member]

Expiring December 2016 [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Expiring October 2017 [Member]

Expiring October 2017 [Member]

Expiring May 2015 [Member]

Expiring May 2015 [Member]

Expiring December 2016 [Member]

Expiring December 2016 [Member]

Expiring December 2016 [Member]

Related Party Transaction [Domain]

Related Party Transaction [Domain]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Notes Payable, at Face Value [Abstract]

Outstanding balance

$29,200,000

[1],[2]

$28,500,000

[1],[2]

$4,000,000

[1]

$4,000,000

[1]

$2,600,000

$3,900,000

Secured Debt

500,000

[3]

15,400,000

[3],[4]

7,800,000

[3],[4]

11,500,000

[3],[4]

30,000,000

[3],[4]

2,500,000

[3],[4]

3,900,000

[3],[4]

0

100,000

Notes Payable, Related Parties

20,000,000

20,000,000

20,000,000

[5]

20,000,000

[5]

Notes Payable

85,200,000

98,700,000

Weighted average interest rate

5.20%

[3]

5.40%

[3]

3.70%

[1]

3.70%

[1]

Carrying amount of receivables as security for structured financing notes

86,400,000

[1],[2]

75,400,000

[1],[2]

Loans pledged as collateral

34,700,000

[3]

42,200,000

[3]

3,400,000

4,100,000

Basis spread on interest rate

7.00%

7.00%

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage

9.00%

[5]

9.00%

[5]

9.10%

9.10%

9.20%

Maturity date

25-Nov-15

[5]

15-Dec-14

[3]

20-Apr-15

[3]

15-Jul-15

[3]

28-Aug-15

[3],[4]

30-Oct-15

[3],[4]

1-Aug-16

[3],[4]

10-Mar-15

4-Oct-17

[1],[2]

17-May-15

[1]

1-Dec-16

1-Dec-16

Maximum borrowing capacity

£ 5,000,000

[1]

Loans are from the same lender and are cross-collateralized; thus, combined security interests are subject to claims upon the default of either lending arrangement. The assets of Atlanticus Holdings Corporation are not subject to creditor claims arising due to asset performance-related covenants under this loan.

[2]

Loan is subject to certain affirmative covenants, including a coverage ratio, a leverage ratio and a collateral performance test, the failure of which could result in required early repayment of all or a portion of the outstanding balance by our CAR Auto Finance operations.

[3]

Loans are subject to certain affirmative covenants tied to default rates and other performance metrics the failure of which could result in required early repayment of the remaining unamortized balances of the notes.

[4]

These notes were modified to either extend the maturity date, increase the loaned amount or both.

[5]

See Related Party Transactions under Item 2. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for additional information regarding this note.

Convertible_Senior_Notes_Narra

Convertible Senior Notes Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Nov. 14, 2014	Nov. 30, 2005	31-May-05
3.625% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount						250,000,000
Interest rate on notes						3.63%
5.875% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2035 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount					300,000,000
Interest rate on notes					5.88%	5.88%
Tender Offer Repurchase Amount - Face Value	80000
Conversion price for convertible senior notes (in dollars per share)			$24.61
Tender Offer Repurchase Amount	25200
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount				46,100,000
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount				19,100,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt		$12,100,000

Convertible_Senior_Notes_Compo

Convertible Senior Notes Components of consolidated balance sheets associated with convertible senior notes (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	31-May-05	Nov. 30, 2005
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net carrying value	$64,868,000	$64,752,000
3.625% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount			250,000,000
Interest rate on notes			3.63%
5.875% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2035 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount				$300,000,000
Interest rate on notes			5.88%	5.88%

Convertible_Senior_Notes_Accou

Convertible Senior Notes Accounting for Convertible Senior Notes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2005	31-May-05
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense from accretion of discount on convertible senior notes	$116	$158
Own-share Lending Arrangement, Shares, Outstanding	1,459,233		1,459,233
5.875% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2035 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				5.88%	5.88%
3.625% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					3.63%

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies General (Details)

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

USD ($)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

Commitments to Car Operations [Member]

Supply Commitment [Member]

Deposits [Member]

Guarantee Obligations [Member]

Guarantee Obligations [Member]

Penalty for Termination Prior to Contractual Termination Period [Member]

Penalty (UK) for Termination Prior to Contractual Termination Period [Domain]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

U.K. Portfolio Structured Financing Trust [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

european_payment_system

Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]

Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation and Exercise of Stock Options

($75,000)

$0

Off-balance sheet risks, liability

10,100,000

89,500,000

4,700,000

200,000

2,300,000

1,800,000

Number of European payment systems to which the Company has guarantor obligations

1

Loss Contingency Accrual

$4,600,000

£ 3,100,000

$4,600,000

£ 3,100,000

Net_Income_Loss_Attributable_t2

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Controlling Interests Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests	$1,967		($11,174)
Denominator:
Basic (including unvested share-based payment awards) (in shares)	13,923,000	[1]	14,081,000	[1]
Effect of dilutive stock compensation arrangements (in shares)	2,000	[2]	0	[2]
Diluted (including unvested share-based payment awards) (in shares)	13,925,000	[1]	14,081,000	[1]
Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interests per common share-basic (in dollars per share)	$0.14		($0.79)
Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interests per common share-diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.14		($0.79)
Shares related to unvested share-based payments included in basic and diluted shares (in shares)	427,474		567,674
Five Point Eight Seven Five Percent Convertible Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty Five [Member]
Denominator:
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Conversion of Debt Securities	0
Three Point Six Two Five Percent Convertible Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Twenty Five [Member]
Denominator:
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Conversion of Debt Securities	0		0
[1]	Shares related to unvested share-based payment awards we included in our basic and diluted share counts are 427,474 for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to 567,674 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
[2]	The effect of dilutive stock compensation arrangements is shown only for informational purposes where we are in a net loss position. In such situations, the effect of including outstanding options and restricted stock would be anti-dilutive, and they are thus excluded from all loss period calculations.

Net_Income_Loss_Attributable_t3

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Controlling Interests Per Common Share Antidilutive Securities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	31-May-05	Nov. 30, 2005
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0
3.625% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Shares potentially issuable and includible in diluted net loss attributable to controlling interest per common share	0	0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			3.63%
5.875% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2035 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Shares potentially issuable and includible in diluted net loss attributable to controlling interest per common share		0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			5.88%	5.88%
Conversion price for convertible senior notes		24.61
Maximum potential dilution in future periods under the conversion provisions of convertible senior notes		3,800,000

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	stock_compensation_plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock based compensation plans	2
Employee Stock purchase plan, shares authorized	41,683
Maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock issued	637,500
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation and Exercise of Stock Options	($75,000)	$0
Options outstanding	450,000		450,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$2.52		$2.52
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	3 years 11 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	3 years 11 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$0
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	70,000	67,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	210,006
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$2.53
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Stock Options	200,000	600,000
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Maximum Contractual Term	5 years
Stock Options [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	0 years
Stock Options [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	5 years
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate restricted stock granted (in shares)	88,934	80,800
Aggregate grant date fair values of restricted stock	200,000	300,000
Unamortized deferred compensation costs of non vested restricted stock	$500,000
Weighted average remaining amortization period of non vested restricted stock	1 year 1 month
Restricted Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	12 months
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	60 months

Property_Details

Property (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property at cost, net of depreciation	$6,799	$7,036

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	Rate	Rate
Income Tax [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	45.80%	21.90%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense	$0	$600,000

Income_Taxes_Schedule_of_Compo

Income Taxes Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	($618)	$1,982

Income_Taxes_Schedule_of_Effec

Income Taxes Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	Rate	Rate
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	-45.80%	-21.90%

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2015		Nov. 14, 2014	Nov. 30, 2005	31-May-05
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Related Parties	$20,000,000		20,000,000
Five Point Eight Seven Five Percent Convertible Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty Five [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount					46,100,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						5.88%	5.88%
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount					19,100,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	$12,100,000
Related Party Transaction [Domain]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	9.00%	[1]	9.00%	[1]
Maturity date			25-Nov-15	[1]
[1]	See Related Party Transactions under Item 2. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for additional information regarding this note.