Atlanticus (ATLC) 10-Q 12 May 16 2016 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	May. 06, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Trading Symbol	ATLC
Entity Registrant Name	Atlanticus Holdings Corp
Entity Central Index Key	1,464,343
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
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		13,797,058
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2016
Entity Public Float			$ 18,286,173

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents	$ 48,855	$ 51,033
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	18,180	20,547
Loans and fees receivable:
Loans and fees receivable, net (of $17,649 and $16,721 in deferred revenue and $19,919 and $21,474 in allowances for uncollectible loans and fees receivable at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)	151,661	141,949
Loans and fees receivable, at fair value	6,275	6,353
Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	17,461	20,353
Rental merchandise, net of depreciation	1,832	4,666
Property at cost, net of depreciation	4,948	5,686
Investment in equity-method investee	9,525	10,123
Deposits	620	825
Prepaid expenses and other assets	19,958	19,194
Total assets	279,315	280,729
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	57,621	51,722
Notes Payable to Bank	80,834	90,000
Notes Payable, Related Parties	20,000	20,000
Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value	18,069	20,970
Convertible senior notes	64,910	64,783
Income tax liability	22,276	22,303
Total liabilities	$ 263,710	$ 269,778
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Equity
Common stock, no par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized: 15,331,727 shares issued and outstanding (including 1,459,233 loaned shares to be returned) at March 31, 2016; and 15,332,041 shares issued and outstanding (including 1,459,233 loaned shares to be returned) at December 31, 2015	$ 0	$ 0
Additional paid-in capital	210,881	211,083
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(300)	(600)
Retained deficit	(194,971)	(199,524)
Total shareholders’ equity	15,610	10,959
Noncontrolling interests	(5)	(8)
Total equity	15,605	10,951
Total liabilities and equity	$ 279,315	$ 280,729

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Loans and fees receivable:
Loans and fees receivable, deferred revenue	$ 17,600	$ 16,700
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$ 19,900	$ 21,500
Equity
Common stock, par value	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	15,331,727	15,332,041
Common stock, shares outstanding	15,331,727	15,332,041
Own-share Lending Arrangement, Shares, Outstanding	1,459,233	1,459,233
Loans and Fees Receivable [Member]
Loans and fees receivable:
Loans and fees receivable, deferred revenue	$ 17,649	$ 16,721
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$ 19,919	$ 21,474

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Interest income:
Consumer loans, including past due fees	$ 18,148	$ 17,443
Other	92	32
Total interest income	18,240	17,475
Interest expense	(4,644)	(4,557)
Net interest income before fees and related income on earning assets and provision for losses on loans and fees receivable	13,596	12,918
Fees and related income on earning assets	7,887	13,219
Net recovery of charge off of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value	4,911	10,372
Provision for losses on loans and fees receivable recorded at net realizable value	(4,731)	(3,168)
Net interest income, fees and related income on earning assets	21,663	33,341
Other operating income:
Servicing income	1,447	1,560
Other income	70	267
Equity in income of equity-method investee	1,002	1,075
Total other operating income	2,519	2,902
Other operating expense:
Salaries and benefits	5,732	4,120
Cost of Services	8,988	10,271
Marketing and solicitation	855	486
Depreciation, primarily related to rental merchandise	4,156	12,846
Other	(299)	7,172
Total other operating expense	19,432	34,895
Income before income taxes	4,750	1,348
Income tax (expense) benefit	(198)	618
Discontinued operations:
Net income	4,552	1,966
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1
Net income attributable to controlling interests	$ 4,553	$ 1,967
Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interests per common share-basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.33	$ 0.14
Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interests per common share-diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.33	$ 0.14

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 4,552	$ 1,966
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	(443)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax	300	1,535
Income tax (expense) benefit related to other comprehensive income (loss)	0	(319)
Comprehensive income	4,852	2,739
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1
Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interests	$ 4,853	$ 2,740

Consolidated Statements of Equi

Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2016 - USD ($)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Retained Deficit [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		15,332,041
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures		122,667
Redemption and retirement of shares (in shares)		(122,981)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2016		15,331,727
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 10,951,000	$ 0	$ 211,083,000	$ (600,000)	$ (199,524,000)	$ (8,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	4,000					4,000
Amortization of deferred stock-based compensation costs	206,000		206,000
Redemption and retirement of shares	(371,000)		(371,000)		0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation and Exercise of Stock Options	(37,000)		(37,000)
Net income	4,552,000				4,553,000	(1,000)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax				300,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2016	$ 15,605,000	$ 0	$ 210,881,000	$ (300,000)	$ (194,971,000)	$ (5,000)

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Operating activities
Net income	$ 4,552	$ 1,966
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation of rental merchandise	3,379	12,253
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	777	529
Losses upon charge off of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value	1,682	1,739
Provision for losses on loans and fees receivable	4,731	3,168
Interest expense from accretion of discount on convertible senior notes	127	116
Income from accretion of discount associated with receivables purchases	(9,610)	(9,375)
Unrealized gain on loans and fees receivable and underlying notes payable held at fair value	(3,063)	(869)
Income from equity-method investments	(1,002)	(1,075)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in uncollected fees on earning assets	76	(16)
Decrease in income tax liability	(64)	(674)
Decrease in deposits	205	563
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses	6,403	(3,344)
Additions to rental merchandise	(546)	(8,433)
Other	1,123	(5,720)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	8,770	(9,172)
Investing activities
Decrease in restricted cash	2,352	5,033
Proceeds from equity-method investee	1,600	2,471
Investments in earning assets	(77,041)	(60,586)
Proceeds from earning assets	73,704	72,745
Purchases and development of property, net of disposals	(40)	(359)
Net cash provided by investing activities	575	19,304
Financing activities
Payments of Distributions to Affiliates	4	(2)
Purchase and retirement of outstanding stock	(371)	(54)
Proceeds from borrowings	26,345	23,132
Repayment of borrowings	(37,249)	(40,974)
Net cash used in financing activities	(11,271)	(17,898)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(252)	(764)
Net decrease in unrestricted cash	(2,178)	(8,530)
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	51,033	39,925
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period	48,855	31,395
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid for interest	5,894	5,909
Net cash income tax payments	262	62
Supplemental non-cash information
Issuance of stock options and restricted stock	$ 1,549	$ 234

Description of Our Business

Description of Our Business	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
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 consumers who may have been declined under traditional financing options. 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. Within our Credit and Other Investments segment, we originate consumer loans through multiple channels, including retail point-of-sale, direct solicitation and most recently through testing of domestic credit card originations through third-party financial institutions. These products are all offered through our Fortiva brand. In our Fortiva Retail Credit (our "point-of-sale" operations) channel, we partner with retailers and service providers in various industries across the United States ("U.S.") to provide credit to their customers for the purchase of goods and services. These services are often extended to customers who may have been declined under traditional financing options. We specialize in providing this "second look" credit service in various industries across the U.S. Additionally, we are able to market our general purpose Fortiva Personal Loans and Fortiva Credit Cards (collectively, our "direct-to-consumer" operations) directly to consumers through additional channels enabling us to reach consumers through a diverse origination platform which includes direct mail, Internet-based marketing and through partnerships. Using our infrastructure and technology platform, we also provide loan servicing activities, including underwriting, marketing, customer service and collections operations for third parties. Beyond these activities within our Credit and Other Investments segment, we continue to collect on portfolios of credit card receivables. These receivables include both receivables we originated through third-party financial institutions and portfolios of receivables we purchased from third-party financial institutions. One of our portfolios of credit card receivables is encumbered by non-recourse structured financing, and for this portfolio our principal remaining economic interest is the servicing compensation we receive as an offset against our servicing costs given that the likely future collections on the portfolio are insufficient to allow for full repayment of the financing. Additionally, we report within our Credit and Other Investments segment the income earned from an investment in an equity-method investee that holds credit card receivables for which we are the servicer. Lastly, we report within our Credit and Other Investments segment gains associated with investments previously made in consumer finance technology platforms. These include investments in companies engaged in mobile technologies, marketplace lending and other financial technologies. These investments are carried at the lower of cost or market valuation as of March 31, 2016 . Some of these investees have raised, and continue to seek, capital at valuations substantially in excess of our associated book value. However, none of these companies are publicly-traded, there are no pending liquidity events, and ascribing value to these investments at this time would be speculative. Based on the performance and/or marketability of these investments in future periods, we could have material gains for our remaining ownership in these or other investment assets. Within our Auto Finance segment, our CAR subsidiary operations principally purchase and/or service loans secured by automobiles from or for, and also 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. We purchase auto loans at a discount and with dealer retentions or holdbacks that provide risk protection. Also within our Auto Finance segment, we are providing certain installment lending products in addition to our traditional loans secured by automobiles.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , we did not have a material amount of long-lived assets located outside of the U.S., and only a negligible portion of our first quarter 2016 and 2015 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, 2016 Credit and Other Investments Auto Finance Total Interest income: Consumer loans, including past due fees $ 11,185 $ 6,963 $ 18,148 Other 92 — 92 Total interest income 11,277 6,963 18,240 Interest expense (4,337 ) (307 ) (4,644 ) Net interest income before fees and related income on earning assets and provision for losses on loans and fees receivable $ 6,940 $ 6,656 $ 13,596 Fees and related income on earning assets $ 7,829 $ 58 $ 7,887 Servicing income $ 1,192 $ 255 $ 1,447 Depreciation of rental merchandise $ (3,379 ) $ — $ (3,379 ) Equity in income of equity-method investee $ 1,002 $ — $ 1,002 Income before income taxes $ 3,326 $ 1,424 $ 4,750 Income tax benefit (expense) $ 317 $ (515 ) $ (198 ) Total assets $ 210,211 $ 69,104 $ 279,315 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 investee $ 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

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	Shareholders' Equity Retired Shares During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 , we repurchased and contemporaneously retired 122,981 and 21,807 shares of our common stock at an aggregate cost of $371,000 and $54,000 , respectively, pursuant to both open market and private purchases and 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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , 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 Equity-Method In

Investments in Equity-Method Investees	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investments in Equity-Method Investees	Investment in Equity-Method Investee Our equity-method investment outstanding at March 31, 2016 consists of our 66.7% interest in a joint venture formed to purchase a credit card receivable portfolio. In the following tables, we summarize (in thousands) combined balance sheet and results of operations data for our equity-method investee: As of March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value $ 13,603 $ 14,470 Total assets $ 14,334 $ 15,237 Total liabilities $ 48 $ 54 Members’ capital $ 14,286 $ 15,183 Three months ended March 31, 2016 2015 Net interest income, fees and related income on earning assets $ 1,512 $ 1,617 Net income $ 1,360 $ 1,407 Net income attributable to our equity investment in investee $ 1,002 $ 1,075

Fair Values of Assets and Liabi

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 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, 2016 (1) Quoted Prices in Active Significant Other Significant Carrying Amount of Assets Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is practicable to estimate fair value $ — $ — $ 170,430 $ 151,661 Loans and fees receivable, at fair value $ — $ — $ 6,275 $ 6,275 Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral, at fair value $ — $ — $ 17,461 $ 17,461 Assets – As of December 31, 2015 (1) Quoted Prices in Active Significant Other Significant Carrying Amount of Assets Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is practicable to estimate fair value $ — $ — $ 161,199 $ 141,949 Loans and fees receivable, at fair value $ — $ — $ 6,353 $ 6,353 Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral, at fair value $ — $ — $ 20,353 $ 20,353 (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. 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, 2016 and March 31, 2015 : Loans and Fees Loans and Fees Total Balance at January 1, 2016 $ 6,353 $ 20,353 $ 26,706 Total gains—realized/unrealized: Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value — 316 316 Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable, at fair value 1,582 — 1,582 Settlements, net (1,595 ) (3,208 ) (4,803 ) Impact of foreign currency translation (65 ) — (65 ) Balance at March 31, 2016 $ 6,275 $ 17,461 $ 23,736 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 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. Impacts related to foreign currency translation are included as a component of other operating expense on the consolidated statements of operations. 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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements Fair Value at March 31, 2016 Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range (Weighted Average)(1) Loans and fees receivable, at fair value $ 6,275 Discounted cash flows Gross yield 24.4% to 27.7% (25.6%) Principal payment rate 2.6% to 3.0% (2.8%) Expected credit loss rate 11.0% to 24.0% (15.7%) Servicing rate 7.2% to 7.8% (7.6%) Discount rate 16.1% to 16.2% (16.1%) Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value $ 17,461 Discounted cash flows Gross yield 25.3 % Principal payment rate 2.7 % Expected credit loss rate 11.6 % Servicing rate 7.2 % Discount rate 16.1 % Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements Fair Value at December 31, 2015 Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range (Weighted Average)(1) Loans and fees receivable, at fair value $ 6,353 Discounted cash flows Gross yield 15.8% to 22.7% (20.0%) Principal payment rate 2.1% to 3.0% (2.7%) Expected credit loss rate 12.9% to 22.7% (16.7%) Servicing rate 8.4% to 12.5% (10.9%) Discount rate 16.0% to 16.2% (16.1%) Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value $ 20,353 Discounted cash flows Gross yield 28.5 % Principal payment rate 2.9 % Expected credit loss rate 12.5 % Servicing rate 12.9 % Discount rate 16.0 % (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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 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, 2016 Quoted Prices in Active Significant Other Significant Carrying Amount of Liabilities Liabilities not carried at fair value CAR revolving credit facility $ — $ — $ 29,900 $ 29,900 Amortizing debt facilities $ — $ — $ 50,934 $ 50,934 Senior secured term loan $ — $ — $ 20,000 $ 20,000 5.875% convertible senior notes $ — $ 42,093 $ — $ 64,910 Liabilities carried at fair value Economic sharing arrangement liability $ — $ — $ 34 $ 34 Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value $ — $ — $ 18,069 $ 18,069 Liabilities - As of December 31, 2015 Quoted Prices in Active Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Carrying Amount of Liabilities Liabilities not carried at fair value CAR revolving credit facility $ — $ — $ 28,900 $ 28,900 Amortizing debt facilities $ — $ — $ 61,100 $ 61,100 Senior secured term loan $ — $ — $ 20,000 $ 20,000 5.875% convertible senior notes $ — $ 42,734 $ — $ 64,783 Liabilities carried at fair value Economic sharing arrangement liability $ — $ — $ 42 $ 42 Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value $ — $ — $ 20,970 $ 20,970 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, 2016 and 2015 . Notes Payable Associated with 2016 2015 Beginning balance, January 1 $ 20,970 $ 36,511 Total (gains) losses—realized/unrealized: Net revaluations of notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value (1,165 ) 362 Repayments on outstanding notes payable, net (1,736 ) (4,579 ) Ending balance, March 31 $ 18,069 $ 32,294 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 as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements Fair Value at March 31, 2016 (in Thousands) Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Weighted Average Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value $ 18,069 Discounted cash flows Gross yield 25.3 % Principal payment rate 2.7 % Expected credit loss rate 11.6 % Discount rate 16.1 % Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements Fair Value at December 31, 2015 (in Thousands) Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Weighted Average Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value $ 20,970 Discounted cash flows Gross yield 28.5 % Principal payment rate 2.9 % Expected credit loss rate 12.5 % Discount rate 16.0 % Other Relevant Data Other relevant data (in thousands) as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 concerning certain assets and liabilities we carry at fair value are as follows: As of March 31, 2016 Loans and Fees Loans and Fees Receivable Pledged as Collateral under Structured Financings at Fair Value Aggregate unpaid principal balance within loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value $ 6,989 $ 22,947 Aggregate fair value of loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value $ 6,275 $ 17,461 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) $ 9 $ 21 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 $ 290 $ 756 As of December 31, 2015 Loans and Fees Loans and Fees Aggregate unpaid principal balance within loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value $ 8,560 $ 25,837 Aggregate fair value of loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value $ 6,353 $ 20,353 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) $ 12 $ 31 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 $ 374 $ 889 Notes Payable Notes Payable Associated with Structured Financings, at Fair Value as of March 31, 2016 Notes Payable Associated with Structured Financings, at Fair Value as of December 31, 2015 Aggregate unpaid principal balance of notes payable $ 105,220 $ 106,956 Aggregate fair value of notes payable $ 18,069 $ 20,970

Notes Payable

Notes Payable	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
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 March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , (2) the outstanding face amounts of structured financing notes secured by certain credit card receivables and reported at fair value as of March 31, 2016 , 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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . Carrying Amounts at Fair Value as of March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Amortizing securitization facility issued out of our upper-tier originated portfolio master trust (stated maturity of December 2021), outstanding face amount of $105.2 million ($107.0 million as of December 31, 2015) bearing interest at a weighted average 5.7% interest rate (5.6% as of December 31, 2015), which is secured by credit card receivables and restricted cash aggregating $18.1 million ($21.0 million as of December 31, 2015) in carrying amount $ 18.1 $ 21.0 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. The structured financing facility in the above table is amortizing down along with collections of the underlying receivables and there are no provisions within the debt agreement that allow for acceleration or bullet repayment of the facility prior to its scheduled expiration date. The aggregate carrying amount of the credit card receivables and restricted cash that provide security for the $18.1 million in fair value of the structured financing note in the above table is $18.1 million , which means that we have no aggregate exposure to pre-tax equity loss associated with the above structured financing arrangement at March 31, 2016 . 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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 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, 2016 December 31, 2015 Revolving credit facilities at a weighted average rate equal to 3.9% (3.7% at December 31, 2015) secured by the financial and operating assets of CAR with a combined aggregate carrying amount of $69.1 million ($69.4 million at December 31, 2015) Revolving credit facility (expiring October 4, 2017) (1) $ 29.9 $ 28.9 Amortizing facilities at a weighted average rate equal to 5.4% (5.3% at December 31, 2015) secured by certain receivables, rental streams and restricted cash with a combined aggregate carrying amount of $61.9 million ($69.6 million as of December 31, 2015) Amortizing debt facility (expiring July 14, 2017) (2) (3) 14.1 23.0 Amortizing debt facility (expiring August 21, 2016) (2) (3) 10.1 9.2 Amortizing debt facility (expiring August 1, 2016) (2) (3) 2.5 4.0 Amortizing debt facility (expiring October 29, 2017) (2) (3) 24.2 24.9 Other facilities Senior secured term loan to related parties (expiring November 22, 2016) that is secured by certain assets of the Company with an annual rate equal to 9.0% (4) 20.0 20.0 Total notes payable outstanding $ 100.8 $ 110.0 (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 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. (3) These notes reflect modifications to either extend the maturity date, increase the loaned amount or both. (4) See below for additional information regarding this note. On November 26, 2014, we and certain of our subsidiaries entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with Dove Ventures, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (“Dove”). The agreement provides for a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $40.0 million at any time outstanding, consisting of (i) an initial term loan of $20.0 million , and (ii) additional term loans available in the sole discretion of Dove and upon our request, provided that the aggregate amount of all outstanding term loans does not exceed $40.0 million . On November 26, 2014, Dove funded the initial term loan of $20.0 million . In November 2015, the agreement was amended to extend the maturity date of the term loan to November 22, 2016 . All other terms remained unchanged. Our obligations under the agreement are guaranteed by certain subsidiary guarantors and secured by a pledge of certain assets of ours and the subsidiary guarantors. The loans bear interest at the rate of 9.0% per annum, payable monthly in arrears. The principal amount of these loans is payable in a single installment on November 22, 2016 (as amended). Future loans under the agreement can be used for additional repurchases of our outstanding notes and other purposes approved by Dove. The agreement includes customary affirmative and negative covenants, as well as customary representations, warranties and events of default. Subject to certain conditions, we can prepay the principal amounts of these loans without premium or penalty. Dove is a limited liability company owned by three trusts. David G. Hanna is the sole shareholder and the President of the corporation that serves as the sole trustee of one of the trusts, and David G. Hanna and members of his immediate family are the beneficiaries of this trust. Frank J. Hanna, III is the sole shareholder and the President of the corporation that serves as the sole trustee of the other two trusts, and Frank J. Hanna, III and members of his immediate family are the beneficiaries of these other two trusts.

Convertible Senior Notes

Convertible Senior Notes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
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 5.875% convertible senior notes are (and, prior to redemption, the 3.625% convertible senior notes were) 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 May 2015 we redeemed the remainder of the outstanding 3.625% convertible senior notes. Subsequent to this redemption, only our 5.875% convertible senior notes remain outstanding. The following summarizes (in thousands) components of our consolidated balance sheets associated with our convertible senior notes: As of March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Face amount of 5.875% convertible senior notes 93,280 93,280 Discount (28,370 ) (28,497 ) Net carrying value $ 64,910 $ 64,783 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, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies General Under our point-of-sale and direct-to-consumer 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 $115.2 million at March 31, 2016 . 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, 2016 , CAR had unfunded outstanding floor-plan financing commitments totaling $9.9 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 $7.5 million remains pledged to support various ongoing contractual obligations. Those obligations include, among other things, compliance with one of the European payment system’s operating regulations and by-laws. 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, 2016 , 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 2022 and April 2017, 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 ( $1.5 million and $1.7 million as of March 31, 2016 , respectively). At December 31, 2015, we had an accrued liability of £3.4 million ( $5.0 million ) within our consolidated financial statements associated with a then-ongoing review by U.K. taxing authorities (HM Revenue and Customs or “HMRC”) of value-added tax ("VAT") filings made by one of our U.K. subsidiaries. In February of 2016, we received correspondence from HMRC stating that it (1) had chosen to discontinue its review of our U.K. subsidiary’s VAT filings with no changes to the returns as filed by our U.K. subsidiary, and (2) would be refunding VAT refund claims made by our U.K. subsidiary that had been suspended during the HMRC review. We subsequently received substantially all of such refunds, and as such we reversed the £3.4 million ( $5.0 million ) of VAT review-related liabilities in the first quarter of 2016. 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, 2015. 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

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Controlling Interests Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Controlling Interests Per Common Share	Net Income Attributable to Controlling Interests Per Common Share The following table sets forth the computations of net income per common share (in thousands, except per share data): For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 2015 Numerator: Net income attributable to controlling interests $ 4,553 $ 1,967 Denominator: Basic (including unvested share-based payment awards) (1) 13,898 13,923 Effect of dilutive stock compensation arrangements (2) 75 2 Diluted (including unvested share-based payment awards) (1) 13,973 13,925 Net income attributable to controlling interests per common share—basic $ 0.33 $ 0.14 Net income attributable to controlling interests per common share—diluted $ 0.33 $ 0.14 (1) Shares related to unvested share-based payment awards included in our basic and diluted share counts are 222,550 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 , compared to 427,474 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 . (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. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 , there were no shares potentially issuable and thus includible in the diluted net income attributable to controlling interests per common share calculations pursuant to our 5.875% convertible senior notes. However, in future reporting periods during which our closing stock price is above the $24.61 conversion price 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.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
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 Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”). As of March 31, 2016 , 34,781 shares remained available for issuance under the ESPP and 698,933 shares remained available for issuance under the 2014 Plan. Exercises and vestings under our stock-based compensation plans resulted in $37,000 in income tax-related charges to additional paid-in capital during the three months ended March 31, 2016 with $75,000 in such charges for the three months ended March 31, 2015 . Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 , we granted 122,667 and 88,934 shares of restricted stock (net of any forfeitures), respectively, with aggregate grant date fair values of $0.4 million and $0.2 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 awards typically vest 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, 2016 , our unamortized deferred compensation costs associated with non-vested restricted stock awards were $0.4 million with a weighted-average remaining amortization period of 1.1 years . Stock Options We had expense of $117 thousand and $70 thousand related to stock option-related compensation costs during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 , 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, 2016 Number of Weighted- Weighted- Aggregate Outstanding at December 31, 2015 551,666 $ 2.80 Issued 686,000 $ 3.04 Exercised — $ — Cancelled/Forfeited — $ — Outstanding at March 31, 2016 1,237,666 $ 2.94 4.2 $ 209,591 Exercisable at March 31, 2016 396,661 $ 2.55 2.9 $ 178,563 We had $1.3 million and $0.2 million of unamortized deferred compensation costs associated with non-vested stock options as of March 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
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 U.S. (“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, 2015 Additions Subtractions Balance at March 31, 2016 Loans and fees receivable, gross $ 180.1 $ 91.8 $ (82.7 ) $ 189.2 Deferred revenue (16.7 ) (10.5 ) 9.6 (17.6 ) Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable (21.5 ) (4.7 ) 6.3 (19.9 ) Loans and fees receivable, net $ 141.9 $ 76.6 $ (66.8 ) $ 151.7 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 As of March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 , the weighted average remaining accretion period for the $ 17.6 million and $ 16.8 million , respectively, of deferred revenue reflected in the above tables was 11 months for both periods presented. 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, 2016 Credit Cards Auto Finance Other Unsecured Lending Products Total Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable: Balance at beginning of period $ (1.2 ) $ (1.7 ) $ (18.6 ) $ (21.5 ) Provision for loan losses 0.2 (0.6 ) (4.3 ) (4.7 ) Charge offs 0.4 0.8 6.6 7.8 Recoveries (0.7 ) (0.3 ) (0.5 ) (1.5 ) Balance at end of period $ (1.3 ) $ (1.8 ) $ (16.8 ) $ (19.9 ) As of March 31, 2016 Credit Cards Auto Finance Other Unsecured Lending Products Total Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable: Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ (0.1 ) $ (0.8 ) $ (0.9 ) Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment $ (1.3 ) $ (1.7 ) $ (16.0 ) $ (19.0 ) Loans and fees receivable: Loans and fees receivable, gross $ 4.5 $ 76.4 $ 108.3 $ 189.2 Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ 0.1 $ 0.9 $ 1.0 Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment $ 4.5 $ 76.3 $ 107.4 $ 188.2 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 ) As of December 31, 2015 Credit Cards Auto Finance Other Unsecured Lending Products Total Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable: Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ (0.1 ) $ (1.3 ) $ (1.4 ) Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment $ (1.2 ) $ (1.6 ) $ (17.3 ) $ (20.1 ) Loans and fees receivable: Loans and fees receivable, gross $ 5.2 $ 76.0 $ 98.9 $ 180.1 Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ 0.2 $ 1.5 $ 1.7 Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment $ 5.2 $ 75.8 $ 97.4 $ 178.4 The components (in millions) of loans and fees receivable, gross as of the date of each of our consolidated balance sheets are as follows: March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Current loans receivable $ 164.6 $ 150.0 Current fees receivable 3.8 4.5 Delinquent loans and fees receivable 20.8 25.6 Loans and fees receivable, gross $ 189.2 $ 180.1 An aging of our delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross (in millions) by class of receivable as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is as follows: Balance at March 31, 2016 Credit Cards Auto Finance Other Unsecured Lending Products Total 30-59 days past due $ 0.2 $ 4.6 $ 3.2 $ 8.0 60-89 days past due 0.2 1.6 2.5 4.3 90 or more days past due 0.5 1.7 6.3 8.5 Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross 0.9 7.9 12.0 20.8 Current loans and fees receivable, gross 3.6 68.5 96.3 168.4 Total loans and fees receivable, gross $ 4.5 $ 76.4 $ 108.3 $ 189.2 Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees $ — $ 1.5 $ — $ 1.5 Balance at December 31, 2015 Credit Cards Auto Finance Other Unsecured Lending Products Total 30-59 days past due $ 0.2 $ 6.9 $ 4.4 $ 11.5 60-89 days past due 0.1 2.2 3.1 5.4 90 or more days past due 0.4 1.8 6.5 8.7 Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross 0.7 10.9 14.0 25.6 Current loans and fees receivable, gross 4.5 65.1 84.9 154.5 Total loans and fees receivable, gross $ 5.2 $ 76.0 $ 98.9 $ 180.1 Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees $ — $ 1.5 $ — $ 1.5
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, 2016 2015 Fees on credit products $ 799 $ 2,174 Changes in fair value of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value 1,898 1,231 Changes in fair value of notes payable associated with structured financings recorded at fair value 1,165 (362 ) Rental revenue 4,214 10,109 Other (189 ) 67 Total fees and related income on earning assets $ 7,887 $ 13,219 The above changes in the 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 in Net recovery of (losses upon) charge off of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value, net of recoveries 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.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes We experienced an effective income tax expense rate of 4.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to a negative effective income tax expense rate of 45.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 . Our effective income tax expense rate for the three months ended March 31, 2016 differs from the statutory rate principally based on income of our U.K. subsidiary that is not subject to tax in the U.S. and the U.K. tax on which was fully offset by the release of U.K. valuation allowances. Our negative effective income tax expense rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 resulted principally from a favorable effective settlement we reached with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) in February 2015 relative to accruals for uncertain tax positions and interest accruals thereon associated with our 2012 income tax return. We report potential accrued interest and penalties related to both our accrued liabilities for uncertain tax positions and unpaid tax liabilities 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 or our unpaid tax liabilities in a manner favorable to our accruals therefor. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, our income tax expense includes $0.2 million accrued for income tax-related interest and penalties. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, there was no effect of income tax-related interest and penalties on our income tax expense. In December 2014, we reached a settlement with the IRS concerning the tax treatment of net operating losses that we incurred in 2007 and 2008 and carried back to obtain refunds of federal income taxes paid in earlier years dating back to 2003. Our net unpaid income tax assessment associated with that settlement was $7.3 million at March 31, 2016 ; this amount excludes unpaid interest and penalties on the tax assessment, the accruals for which aggregated $2.9 million at March 31, 2016 . The IRS is currently examining amended return claims we have made, which, if ultimately approved by the IRS, would eliminate the $7.3 million assessment and cause the reversal of the $2.9 million accrual we have made for interest and penalties thereon.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-07, Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting. The ASU eliminates the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively, as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods that the investment had been held. The ASU requires that the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee should be combined with the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and the equity method of accounting should be adopted as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. No retroactive adjustment of the investment is required. The ASU also requires that an entity that has an available-for-sale equity security that becomes qualified for the equity method of accounting recognize through earnings, the unrealized holding gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income at the date the investment becomes qualified for use of the equity method. The ASU is effective for us January 1, 2017. The impact of adoption of this authoritative guidance is not expected to result in a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which would require lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases, changing certain aspects of current lessor accounting, among other things. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We have not yet determined the potential effects of adopting ASU 2016-02 on our consolidated financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued updated authoritative guidance related to debt issuance costs. The amendment modifies the presentation of unamortized debt issuance costs to present such amounts as a direct deduction from the face amount of the debt, similar to unamortized debt discounts and premiums, rather than as an asset. Amortization of the debt issuance costs continues to be reported as interest expense. The guidance was effective for us beginning January 1, 2016. The impact of adoption of this authoritative guidance did not result in a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 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. In August 2015, the FASB delayed the effective date by one year and the guidance will now be effective for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. We do not plan to early adopt the guidance. We have not yet determined the potential effects of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements.
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, 2016 , 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.
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 U.S. (“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, 2015 Additions Subtractions Balance at March 31, 2016 Loans and fees receivable, gross $ 180.1 $ 91.8 $ (82.7 ) $ 189.2 Deferred revenue (16.7 ) (10.5 ) 9.6 (17.6 ) Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable (21.5 ) (4.7 ) 6.3 (19.9 ) Loans and fees receivable, net $ 141.9 $ 76.6 $ (66.8 ) $ 151.7 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 As of March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 , the weighted average remaining accretion period for the $ 17.6 million and $ 16.8 million , respectively, of deferred revenue reflected in the above tables was 11 months for both periods presented. 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, 2016 Credit Cards Auto Finance Other Unsecured Lending Products Total Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable: Balance at beginning of period $ (1.2 ) $ (1.7 ) $ (18.6 ) $ (21.5 ) Provision for loan losses 0.2 (0.6 ) (4.3 ) (4.7 ) Charge offs 0.4 0.8 6.6 7.8 Recoveries (0.7 ) (0.3 ) (0.5 ) (1.5 ) Balance at end of period $ (1.3 ) $ (1.8 ) $ (16.8 ) $ (19.9 ) As of March 31, 2016 Credit Cards Auto Finance Other Unsecured Lending Products Total Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable: Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ (0.1 ) $ (0.8 ) $ (0.9 ) Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment $ (1.3 ) $ (1.7 ) $ (16.0 ) $ (19.0 ) Loans and fees receivable: Loans and fees receivable, gross $ 4.5 $ 76.4 $ 108.3 $ 189.2 Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ 0.1 $ 0.9 $ 1.0 Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment $ 4.5 $ 76.3 $ 107.4 $ 188.2 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 ) As of December 31, 2015 Credit Cards Auto Finance Other Unsecured Lending Products Total Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable: Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ (0.1 ) $ (1.3 ) $ (1.4 ) Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment $ (1.2 ) $ (1.6 ) $ (17.3 ) $ (20.1 ) Loans and fees receivable: Loans and fees receivable, gross $ 5.2 $ 76.0 $ 98.9 $ 180.1 Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ 0.2 $ 1.5 $ 1.7 Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment $ 5.2 $ 75.8 $ 97.4 $ 178.4 The components (in millions) of loans and fees receivable, gross as of the date of each of our consolidated balance sheets are as follows: March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Current loans receivable $ 164.6 $ 150.0 Current fees receivable 3.8 4.5 Delinquent loans and fees receivable 20.8 25.6 Loans and fees receivable, gross $ 189.2 $ 180.1 An aging of our delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross (in millions) by class of receivable as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is as follows: Balance at March 31, 2016 Credit Cards Auto Finance Other Unsecured Lending Products Total 30-59 days past due $ 0.2 $ 4.6 $ 3.2 $ 8.0 60-89 days past due 0.2 1.6 2.5 4.3 90 or more days past due 0.5 1.7 6.3 8.5 Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross 0.9 7.9 12.0 20.8 Current loans and fees receivable, gross 3.6 68.5 96.3 168.4 Total loans and fees receivable, gross $ 4.5 $ 76.4 $ 108.3 $ 189.2 Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees $ — $ 1.5 $ — $ 1.5 Balance at December 31, 2015 Credit Cards Auto Finance Other Unsecured Lending Products Total 30-59 days past due $ 0.2 $ 6.9 $ 4.4 $ 11.5 60-89 days past due 0.1 2.2 3.1 5.4 90 or more days past due 0.4 1.8 6.5 8.7 Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross 0.7 10.9 14.0 25.6 Current loans and fees receivable, gross 4.5 65.1 84.9 154.5 Total loans and fees receivable, gross $ 5.2 $ 76.0 $ 98.9 $ 180.1 Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees $ — $ 1.5 $ — $ 1.5 Income Taxes We experienced an effective income tax expense rate of 4.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to a negative effective income tax expense rate of 45.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 . Our effective income tax expense rate for the three months ended March 31, 2016 differs from the statutory rate principally based on income of our U.K. subsidiary that is not subject to tax in the U.S. and the U.K. tax on which was fully offset by the release of U.K. valuation allowances. Our negative effective income tax expense rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 resulted principally from a favorable effective settlement we reached with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) in February 2015 relative to accruals for uncertain tax positions and interest accruals thereon associated with our 2012 income tax return. We report potential accrued interest and penalties related to both our accrued liabilities for uncertain tax positions and unpaid tax liabilities 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 or our unpaid tax liabilities in a manner favorable to our accruals therefor. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, our income tax expense includes $0.2 million accrued for income tax-related interest and penalties. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, there was no effect of income tax-related interest and penalties on our income tax expense. In December 2014, we reached a settlement with the IRS concerning the tax treatment of net operating losses that we incurred in 2007 and 2008 and carried back to obtain refunds of federal income taxes paid in earlier years dating back to 2003. Our net unpaid income tax assessment associated with that settlement was $7.3 million at March 31, 2016 ; this amount excludes unpaid interest and penalties on the tax assessment, the accruals for which aggregated $2.9 million at March 31, 2016 . The IRS is currently examining amended return claims we have made, which, if ultimately approved by the IRS, would eliminate the $7.3 million assessment and cause the reversal of the $2.9 million accrual we have made for interest and penalties thereon. 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, 2016 2015 Fees on credit products $ 799 $ 2,174 Changes in fair value of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value 1,898 1,231 Changes in fair value of notes payable associated with structured financings recorded at fair value 1,165 (362 ) Rental revenue 4,214 10,109 Other (189 ) 67 Total fees and related income on earning assets $ 7,887 $ 13,219 The above changes in the 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 in Net recovery of (losses upon) charge off of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value, net of recoveries 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 March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-07, Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting. The ASU eliminates the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively, as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods that the investment had been held. The ASU requires that the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee should be combined with the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and the equity method of accounting should be adopted as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. No retroactive adjustment of the investment is required. The ASU also requires that an entity that has an available-for-sale equity security that becomes qualified for the equity method of accounting recognize through earnings, the unrealized holding gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income at the date the investment becomes qualified for use of the equity method. The ASU is effective for us January 1, 2017. The impact of adoption of this authoritative guidance is not expected to result in a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which would require lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases, changing certain aspects of current lessor accounting, among other things. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We have not yet determined the potential effects of adopting ASU 2016-02 on our consolidated financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued updated authoritative guidance related to debt issuance costs. The amendment modifies the presentation of unamortized debt issuance costs to present such amounts as a direct deduction from the face amount of the debt, similar to unamortized debt discounts and premiums, rather than as an asset. Amortization of the debt issuance costs continues to be reported as interest expense. The guidance was effective for us beginning January 1, 2016. The impact of adoption of this authoritative guidance did not result in a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 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. In August 2015, the FASB delayed the effective date by one year and the guidance will now be effective for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. We do not plan to early adopt the guidance. We have not yet determined the potential effects of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our 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, 2016 , 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.

Significant Accounting Polici19

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
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, 2015 Additions Subtractions Balance at March 31, 2016 Loans and fees receivable, gross $ 180.1 $ 91.8 $ (82.7 ) $ 189.2 Deferred revenue (16.7 ) (10.5 ) 9.6 (17.6 ) Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable (21.5 ) (4.7 ) 6.3 (19.9 ) Loans and fees receivable, net $ 141.9 $ 76.6 $ (66.8 ) $ 151.7	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
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, 2016 Credit Cards Auto Finance Other Unsecured Lending Products Total Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable: Balance at beginning of period $ (1.2 ) $ (1.7 ) $ (18.6 ) $ (21.5 ) Provision for loan losses 0.2 (0.6 ) (4.3 ) (4.7 ) Charge offs 0.4 0.8 6.6 7.8 Recoveries (0.7 ) (0.3 ) (0.5 ) (1.5 ) Balance at end of period $ (1.3 ) $ (1.8 ) $ (16.8 ) $ (19.9 ) As of March 31, 2016 Credit Cards Auto Finance Other Unsecured Lending Products Total Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable: Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ (0.1 ) $ (0.8 ) $ (0.9 ) Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment $ (1.3 ) $ (1.7 ) $ (16.0 ) $ (19.0 ) Loans and fees receivable: Loans and fees receivable, gross $ 4.5 $ 76.4 $ 108.3 $ 189.2 Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ 0.1 $ 0.9 $ 1.0 Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment $ 4.5 $ 76.3 $ 107.4 $ 188.2	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 ) As of December 31, 2015 Credit Cards Auto Finance Other Unsecured Lending Products Total Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable: Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ (0.1 ) $ (1.3 ) $ (1.4 ) Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment $ (1.2 ) $ (1.6 ) $ (17.3 ) $ (20.1 ) Loans and fees receivable: Loans and fees receivable, gross $ 5.2 $ 76.0 $ 98.9 $ 180.1 Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ 0.2 $ 1.5 $ 1.7 Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment $ 5.2 $ 75.8 $ 97.4 $ 178.4
Components of loans and fees receivable, net	The components (in millions) of loans and fees receivable, gross as of the date of each of our consolidated balance sheets are as follows: March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Current loans receivable $ 164.6 $ 150.0 Current fees receivable 3.8 4.5 Delinquent loans and fees receivable 20.8 25.6 Loans and fees receivable, gross $ 189.2 $ 180.1
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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is as follows: Balance at March 31, 2016 Credit Cards Auto Finance Other Unsecured Lending Products Total 30-59 days past due $ 0.2 $ 4.6 $ 3.2 $ 8.0 60-89 days past due 0.2 1.6 2.5 4.3 90 or more days past due 0.5 1.7 6.3 8.5 Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross 0.9 7.9 12.0 20.8 Current loans and fees receivable, gross 3.6 68.5 96.3 168.4 Total loans and fees receivable, gross $ 4.5 $ 76.4 $ 108.3 $ 189.2 Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees $ — $ 1.5 $ — $ 1.5	Balance at December 31, 2015 Credit Cards Auto Finance Other Unsecured Lending Products Total 30-59 days past due $ 0.2 $ 6.9 $ 4.4 $ 11.5 60-89 days past due 0.1 2.2 3.1 5.4 90 or more days past due 0.4 1.8 6.5 8.7 Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross 0.7 10.9 14.0 25.6 Current loans and fees receivable, gross 4.5 65.1 84.9 154.5 Total loans and fees receivable, gross $ 5.2 $ 76.0 $ 98.9 $ 180.1 Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees $ — $ 1.5 $ — $ 1.5
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, 2016 2015 Fees on credit products $ 799 $ 2,174 Changes in fair value of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value 1,898 1,231 Changes in fair value of notes payable associated with structured financings recorded at fair value 1,165 (362 ) Rental revenue 4,214 10,109 Other (189 ) 67 Total fees and related income on earning assets $ 7,887 $ 13,219

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of operating segment information	Three months ended March 31, 2016 Credit and Other Investments Auto Finance Total Interest income: Consumer loans, including past due fees $ 11,185 $ 6,963 $ 18,148 Other 92 — 92 Total interest income 11,277 6,963 18,240 Interest expense (4,337 ) (307 ) (4,644 ) Net interest income before fees and related income on earning assets and provision for losses on loans and fees receivable $ 6,940 $ 6,656 $ 13,596 Fees and related income on earning assets $ 7,829 $ 58 $ 7,887 Servicing income $ 1,192 $ 255 $ 1,447 Depreciation of rental merchandise $ (3,379 ) $ — $ (3,379 ) Equity in income of equity-method investee $ 1,002 $ — $ 1,002 Income before income taxes $ 3,326 $ 1,424 $ 4,750 Income tax benefit (expense) $ 317 $ (515 ) $ (198 ) Total assets $ 210,211 $ 69,104 $ 279,315 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 investee $ 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

Investments in Equity-Method 21

Investments in Equity-Method Investees (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
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 investee: As of March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value $ 13,603 $ 14,470 Total assets $ 14,334 $ 15,237 Total liabilities $ 48 $ 54 Members’ capital $ 14,286 $ 15,183 Three months ended March 31, 2016 2015 Net interest income, fees and related income on earning assets $ 1,512 $ 1,617 Net income $ 1,360 $ 1,407 Net income attributable to our equity investment in investee $ 1,002 $ 1,075

Fair Values of Assets and Lia22

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 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, 2016 (1) Quoted Prices in Active Significant Other Significant Carrying Amount of Assets Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is practicable to estimate fair value $ — $ — $ 170,430 $ 151,661 Loans and fees receivable, at fair value $ — $ — $ 6,275 $ 6,275 Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral, at fair value $ — $ — $ 17,461 $ 17,461 Assets – As of December 31, 2015 (1) Quoted Prices in Active Significant Other Significant Carrying Amount of Assets Loans and fees receivable, net for which it is practicable to estimate fair value $ — $ — $ 161,199 $ 141,949 Loans and fees receivable, at fair value $ — $ — $ 6,353 $ 6,353 Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral, at fair value $ — $ — $ 20,353 $ 20,353 (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.
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, 2016 and March 31, 2015 : Loans and Fees Loans and Fees Total Balance at January 1, 2016 $ 6,353 $ 20,353 $ 26,706 Total gains—realized/unrealized: Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value — 316 316 Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable, at fair value 1,582 — 1,582 Settlements, net (1,595 ) (3,208 ) (4,803 ) Impact of foreign currency translation (65 ) — (65 ) Balance at March 31, 2016 $ 6,275 $ 17,461 $ 23,736 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
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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements Fair Value at March 31, 2016 Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range (Weighted Average)(1) Loans and fees receivable, at fair value $ 6,275 Discounted cash flows Gross yield 24.4% to 27.7% (25.6%) Principal payment rate 2.6% to 3.0% (2.8%) Expected credit loss rate 11.0% to 24.0% (15.7%) Servicing rate 7.2% to 7.8% (7.6%) Discount rate 16.1% to 16.2% (16.1%) Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value $ 17,461 Discounted cash flows Gross yield 25.3 % Principal payment rate 2.7 % Expected credit loss rate 11.6 % Servicing rate 7.2 % Discount rate 16.1 % Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements Fair Value at December 31, 2015 Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range (Weighted Average)(1) Loans and fees receivable, at fair value $ 6,353 Discounted cash flows Gross yield 15.8% to 22.7% (20.0%) Principal payment rate 2.1% to 3.0% (2.7%) Expected credit loss rate 12.9% to 22.7% (16.7%) Servicing rate 8.4% to 12.5% (10.9%) Discount rate 16.0% to 16.2% (16.1%) Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value $ 20,353 Discounted cash flows Gross yield 28.5 % Principal payment rate 2.9 % Expected credit loss rate 12.5 % Servicing rate 12.9 % Discount rate 16.0 % (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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 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, 2016 Quoted Prices in Active Significant Other Significant Carrying Amount of Liabilities Liabilities not carried at fair value CAR revolving credit facility $ — $ — $ 29,900 $ 29,900 Amortizing debt facilities $ — $ — $ 50,934 $ 50,934 Senior secured term loan $ — $ — $ 20,000 $ 20,000 5.875% convertible senior notes $ — $ 42,093 $ — $ 64,910 Liabilities carried at fair value Economic sharing arrangement liability $ — $ — $ 34 $ 34 Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value $ — $ — $ 18,069 $ 18,069 Liabilities - As of December 31, 2015 Quoted Prices in Active Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Carrying Amount of Liabilities Liabilities not carried at fair value CAR revolving credit facility $ — $ — $ 28,900 $ 28,900 Amortizing debt facilities $ — $ — $ 61,100 $ 61,100 Senior secured term loan $ — $ — $ 20,000 $ 20,000 5.875% convertible senior notes $ — $ 42,734 $ — $ 64,783 Liabilities carried at fair value Economic sharing arrangement liability $ — $ — $ 42 $ 42 Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value $ — $ — $ 20,970 $ 20,970
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, 2016 and 2015 . Notes Payable Associated with 2016 2015 Beginning balance, January 1 $ 20,970 $ 36,511 Total (gains) losses—realized/unrealized: Net revaluations of notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value (1,165 ) 362 Repayments on outstanding notes payable, net (1,736 ) (4,579 ) Ending balance, March 31 $ 18,069 $ 32,294
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 as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements Fair Value at March 31, 2016 (in Thousands) Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Weighted Average Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value $ 18,069 Discounted cash flows Gross yield 25.3 % Principal payment rate 2.7 % Expected credit loss rate 11.6 % Discount rate 16.1 % Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements Fair Value at December 31, 2015 (in Thousands) Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Weighted Average Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value $ 20,970 Discounted cash flows Gross yield 28.5 % Principal payment rate 2.9 % Expected credit loss rate 12.5 % Discount rate 16.0 %
Other relevant data concerning our assets and liabilities measured at fair value	Other relevant data (in thousands) as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 concerning certain assets and liabilities we carry at fair value are as follows: As of March 31, 2016 Loans and Fees Loans and Fees Receivable Pledged as Collateral under Structured Financings at Fair Value Aggregate unpaid principal balance within loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value $ 6,989 $ 22,947 Aggregate fair value of loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value $ 6,275 $ 17,461 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) $ 9 $ 21 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 $ 290 $ 756 As of December 31, 2015 Loans and Fees Loans and Fees Aggregate unpaid principal balance within loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value $ 8,560 $ 25,837 Aggregate fair value of loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value $ 6,353 $ 20,353 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) $ 12 $ 31 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 $ 374 $ 889 Notes Payable Notes Payable Associated with Structured Financings, at Fair Value as of March 31, 2016 Notes Payable Associated with Structured Financings, at Fair Value as of December 31, 2015 Aggregate unpaid principal balance of notes payable $ 105,220 $ 106,956 Aggregate fair value of notes payable $ 18,069 $ 20,970

Notes Payable (Tables)

Notes Payable (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
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 March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , (2) the outstanding face amounts of structured financing notes secured by certain credit card receivables and reported at fair value as of March 31, 2016 , 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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . Carrying Amounts at Fair Value as of March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Amortizing securitization facility issued out of our upper-tier originated portfolio master trust (stated maturity of December 2021), outstanding face amount of $105.2 million ($107.0 million as of December 31, 2015) bearing interest at a weighted average 5.7% interest rate (5.6% as of December 31, 2015), which is secured by credit card receivables and restricted cash aggregating $18.1 million ($21.0 million as of December 31, 2015) in carrying amount $ 18.1 $ 21.0
Schedule of structured financing notes at face value	Other notes payable outstanding as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 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, 2016 December 31, 2015 Revolving credit facilities at a weighted average rate equal to 3.9% (3.7% at December 31, 2015) secured by the financial and operating assets of CAR with a combined aggregate carrying amount of $69.1 million ($69.4 million at December 31, 2015) Revolving credit facility (expiring October 4, 2017) (1) $ 29.9 $ 28.9 Amortizing facilities at a weighted average rate equal to 5.4% (5.3% at December 31, 2015) secured by certain receivables, rental streams and restricted cash with a combined aggregate carrying amount of $61.9 million ($69.6 million as of December 31, 2015) Amortizing debt facility (expiring July 14, 2017) (2) (3) 14.1 23.0 Amortizing debt facility (expiring August 21, 2016) (2) (3) 10.1 9.2 Amortizing debt facility (expiring August 1, 2016) (2) (3) 2.5 4.0 Amortizing debt facility (expiring October 29, 2017) (2) (3) 24.2 24.9 Other facilities Senior secured term loan to related parties (expiring November 22, 2016) that is secured by certain assets of the Company with an annual rate equal to 9.0% (4) 20.0 20.0 Total notes payable outstanding $ 100.8 $ 110.0 (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 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. (3) These notes reflect modifications to either extend the maturity date, increase the loaned amount or both. (4) See below for additional information regarding this note.

Convertible Senior Notes (Table

Convertible Senior Notes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
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, 2016 December 31, 2015 Face amount of 5.875% convertible senior notes 93,280 93,280 Discount (28,370 ) (28,497 ) Net carrying value $ 64,910 $ 64,783 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) Attributabl25

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Controlling Interests Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computations of net income (loss) per common share	The following table sets forth the computations of net income per common share (in thousands, except per share data): For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 2015 Numerator: Net income attributable to controlling interests $ 4,553 $ 1,967 Denominator: Basic (including unvested share-based payment awards) (1) 13,898 13,923 Effect of dilutive stock compensation arrangements (2) 75 2 Diluted (including unvested share-based payment awards) (1) 13,973 13,925 Net income attributable to controlling interests per common share—basic $ 0.33 $ 0.14 Net income attributable to controlling interests per common share—diluted $ 0.33 $ 0.14 (1) Shares related to unvested share-based payment awards included in our basic and diluted share counts are 222,550 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 , compared to 427,474 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 . (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.

Stock-Based Compensation Share

Stock-Based Compensation Share Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
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, 2016 Number of Weighted- Weighted- Aggregate Outstanding at December 31, 2015 551,666 $ 2.80 Issued 686,000 $ 3.04 Exercised — $ — Cancelled/Forfeited — $ — Outstanding at March 31, 2016 1,237,666 $ 2.94 4.2 $ 209,591 Exercisable at March 31, 2016 396,661 $ 2.55 2.9 $ 178,563

Description of Our Business (De

Description of Our Business (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	2

Significant Accounting Polici28

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Components of aggregated categories of loans and fees, receivable, net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Weighted average remaining accretion period of deferred revenue	11 months	11 months
Components of Aggregated Categories of Loans and Leases Receivable [Roll Forward]
Loans and fees receivable, gross, beginning balance	$ 180,100	$ 141,600
Loans and fees receivable, gross, Additions	91,800	76,300
Loans and fees receivable, gross, Subtractions	(82,700)	(77,700)
Loans and fees receivable, gross, ending balance	189,200	140,200
Deferred revenue, beginning balance	(16,700)	(15,700)
Deferred revenue, Additions	(10,500)	(10,500)
Deferred revenue, Subtractions	9,600	9,400
Deferred revenue, ending balance	(17,600)	(16,800)
Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable, beginning balance	(21,500)	(20,000)
Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable, Additions	(4,700)	(3,200)
Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable, Subtractions	6,300	7,600
Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable, ending balance	(19,900)	(15,600)
Loans and fees receivable, net, beginning balance	141,949	105,900
Loans and fees receivable, net, Additions	76,600	62,600
Loans and fees receivable, net, Subtractions	(66,800)	(60,700)
Loans and fees receivable, net, ending balance	$ 151,661	$ 107,800

Significant Accounting Polici29

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Loans and Fees Receivable, Net Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Deferred revenue	$ 17.6	$ 16.8	$ 16.7	$ 15.7
Weighted average remaining accretion period of deferred revenue	11 months	11 months

Significant Accounting Polici30

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Schedule of Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable:
Balance at beginning of period	$ (21.5)	$ (20)
Provision for loan losses	(4.7)	(3.2)
Charge offs	7.8	8.4
Recoveries	(1.5)	(0.8)
Balance at end of period	(19.9)	(15.6)
Loans and fees receivable:
Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment	(0.9)		$ (1.4)
Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment	(19)		(20.1)
Loans and fees receivable, gross	189.2	140.2	180.1	$ 141.6
Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment	1		1.7
Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment	188.2		178.4
Credit Cards [Member]
Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable:
Balance at beginning of period	(1.2)	(2.7)
Provision for loan losses	0.2	(0.5)
Charge offs	0.4	1.4
Recoveries	(0.7)	(0.1)
Balance at end of period	(1.3)	(1.9)
Loans and fees receivable:
Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment	0		0
Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment	(1.3)		(1.2)
Loans and fees receivable, gross	4.5		5.2
Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment	0		0
Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment	4.5		5.2
Automobile Loan [Member]
Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable:
Balance at beginning of period	(1.7)	(1.2)
Provision for loan losses	(0.6)	(0.2)
Charge offs	0.8	0.5
Recoveries	(0.3)	(0.3)
Balance at end of period	(1.8)	(1.2)
Loans and fees receivable:
Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment	(0.1)		(0.1)
Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment	(1.7)		(1.6)
Loans and fees receivable, gross	76.4		76
Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment	0.1		0.2
Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment	76.3		75.8
Other Unsecured Lending Products [Member]
Allowance for uncollectible loans and fees receivable:
Balance at beginning of period	(18.6)	(16.1)
Provision for loan losses	(4.3)	(2.5)
Charge offs	6.6	6.5
Recoveries	(0.5)	(0.4)
Balance at end of period	(16.8)	$ (12.5)
Loans and fees receivable:
Balance at end of period individually evaluated for impairment	(0.8)		(1.3)
Balance at end of period collectively evaluated for impairment	(16)		(17.3)
Loans and fees receivable, gross	108.3		98.9
Loans and fees receivable individually evaluated for impairment	0.9		1.5
Loans and fees receivable collectively evaluated for impairment	$ 107.4		$ 97.4

Significant Accounting Polici31

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Components of loan and fees, receivable, net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Current loans receivable	$ 164.6	$ 150
Current fees receivable	3.8	4.5
Delinquent loans and fees receivable	20.8	25.6
Loans and fees receivable, gross	$ 189.2	$ 180.1	$ 140.2	$ 141.6

Significant Accounting Polici32

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Schedule of Aging of delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 days past due	$ 8		$ 11.5
60-89 days past due	4.3		5.4
90 or more days past due	8.5		8.7
Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross	20.8		25.6
Current loans and fees receivable, gross	168.4		154.5
Loans and fees receivable, gross	189.2	$ 140.2	180.1	$ 141.6
Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees	$ 1.5		1.5
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	(4.20%)	45.80%
Weighted average remaining accretion period of deferred revenue	11 months	11 months
Income Tax Examination, Liability (Refund) Adjustment from Settlement with Taxing Authority	$ 7.3
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Accrued	2.9
Credit Cards [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 days past due	0.2		0.2
60-89 days past due	0.2		0.1
90 or more days past due	0.5		0.4
Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross	0.9		0.7
Current loans and fees receivable, gross	3.6		4.5
Loans and fees receivable, gross	4.5		5.2
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	4.6		6.9
60-89 days past due	1.6		2.2
90 or more days past due	1.7		1.8
Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross	7.9		10.9
Current loans and fees receivable, gross	68.5		65.1
Loans and fees receivable, gross	76.4		76
Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees	1.5		1.5
Other Unsecured Lending Products [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 days past due	3.2		4.4
60-89 days past due	2.5		3.1
90 or more days past due	6.3		6.5
Delinquent loans and fees receivable, gross	12		14
Current loans and fees receivable, gross	96.3		84.9
Loans and fees receivable, gross	108.3		98.9
Balance of loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest and fees	$ 0		$ 0

Significant Accounting Polici33

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Investments in Equity-Method Investees (Details)	Mar. 31, 2016
Limited Liability Company [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity-method investment, interests	66.70%

Significant Accounting Polici34

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Rental Merchandise (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Leased Merchandise [Abstract]
Depreciation of rental merchandise	$ 3,379	$ 12,253

Significant Accounting Polici35

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Fees and Related Income on Earning Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Fees on credit products	$ 799	$ 2,174
Changes in fair value of loans and fees receivable recorded at fair value	1,898	1,231
Changes in fair value of notes payable associated with structured financings recorded at fair value	1,165	(362)
Rental revenue	4,214	10,109
Other	(189)	67
Total fees and related income on earning assets	$ 7,887	$ 13,219

Significant Accounting Polici36

Significant Accounting Policies and Consolidated Financial Statement Components Subsequent Events (Details)	Nov. 30, 2005	May. 31, 2005
Five Point Eight Seven Five Percent Convertible Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty Five [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.875%	5.875%

Segment Reporting (Details)

Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)industrysegment	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of industries the Company operates in | industry	1
Number of reportable segments | segment	2
Interest income:
Consumer loans, including past due fees	$ 18,148	$ 17,443
Other	92	32
Total interest income	18,240	17,475
Interest expense	(4,644)	(4,557)
Net interest income before fees and related income on earning assets and provision for losses on loans and fees receivable	13,596	12,918
Fees and related income on earning assets	7,887	13,219
Servicing income	1,447	1,560
Depreciation of rental merchandise	(3,379)	(12,253)
Equity in income of equity-method investee	1,002	1,075
Income before income taxes	4,750	1,348
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(198)	618
Total assets	279,315	249,769	$ 280,729
Provision for loan losses	(4,700)	(3,200)
Credit Cards and Other Investments [Member]
Interest income:
Consumer loans, including past due fees	11,185	10,720
Other	92	32
Total interest income	11,277	10,752
Interest expense	(4,337)	(4,251)
Net interest income before fees and related income on earning assets and provision for losses on loans and fees receivable	6,940	6,501
Fees and related income on earning assets	7,829	13,073
Servicing income	1,192	1,359
Depreciation of rental merchandise	(3,379)	(12,253)
Equity in income of equity-method investee	1,002	1,075
Income before income taxes	3,326	(579)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	317	1,248
Total assets	210,211	183,219
Auto Finance [Member]
Interest income:
Consumer loans, including past due fees	6,963	6,723
Other	0	0
Total interest income	6,963	6,723
Interest expense	(307)	(306)
Net interest income before fees and related income on earning assets and provision for losses on loans and fees receivable	6,656	6,417
Fees and related income on earning assets	58	146
Servicing income	255	201
Depreciation of rental merchandise	0	0
Equity in income of equity-method investee	0	0
Income before income taxes	1,424	1,927
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(515)	(630)
Total assets	$ 69,104	$ 66,550

Shareholders' Equity (Details)

Shareholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Own-share Lending Arrangement, Shares, Outstanding	1,459,233		1,459,233
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	$ 371,000
Treasury Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock repurchased (in shares)	122,981	21,807
Aggregate cost of common stock repurchased	$ 371,000	$ 54,000

Investments in Equity-Method 39

Investments in Equity-Method Investees (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
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	$ 1,002	$ 1,075
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	13,603		$ 14,470
Total assets	14,334		15,237
Total liabilities	48		54
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity	14,286		$ 15,183
Net interest income, fees and related income on earning assets	1,512	1,617
Net income	1,360	1,407
Net income attributable to our equity investment in investee	$ 1,002	$ 1,075
Limited Liability Company [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity-method investment, interests	66.70%

Fair Values of Assets and Lia40

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Summary of Fair Value Hierarchy for Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
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		$ 17,461	$ 20,353
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	[1]	151,661	141,949
Loans and fees receivable, at fair value	[1]	6,275	6,353
Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	[1]	17,461	20,353
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	[1]	0	0
Loans and fees receivable, at fair value	[1]	0	0
Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	[1]	0	0
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	[1]	0	0
Loans and fees receivable, at fair value	[1]	0	0
Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	[1]	0	0
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	[1]	170,430	161,199
Loans and fees receivable, at fair value	[1]	6,275	6,353
Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	[1]	$ 17,461	$ 20,353
[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.

Fair Values of Assets and Lia41

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Reconciliation of Level 3 Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Reconciliation of Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	$ 26,706	$ 53,160
Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	316	1,215
Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable, at fair value	1,582	16
Settlements, net	(4,803)	(10,052)
Impact of foreign currency translation	(65)	(449)
Ending Balance	23,736	43,890
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	6,353	18,255
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	1,582	16
Settlements, net	(1,595)	(4,675)
Impact of foreign currency translation	(65)	(449)
Ending Balance	6,275	13,147
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	20,353	34,905
Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value	316	1,215
Net revaluations of loans and fees receivable, at fair value	0	0
Settlements, net	(3,208)	(5,377)
Impact of foreign currency translation	0	0
Ending Balance	$ 17,461	$ 30,743

Fair Values of Assets and Lia42

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information about Level 3 Assets Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Loans and fees receivable, at fair value		$ 6,275	$ 6,353
Loans and fees receivable pledged as collateral under structured financings, at fair value		$ 17,461	$ 20,353
Gross yield		25.30%	28.50%
Principal payment rate		2.70%	2.90%
Expected credit loss rate		11.60%	12.50%
Discount rate		16.10%	16.00%
Loans And Fees Receivable [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Loans and fees receivable, at fair value		$ 6,275	$ 6,353
Loans And Fees Receivable [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Gross yield		24.40%	15.80%
Principal payment rate		2.60%	2.10%
Expected credit loss rate		11.00%	12.90%
Servicing rate		7.20%	8.40%
Discount rate		16.10%	16.00%
Loans And Fees Receivable [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Gross yield		27.70%	22.70%
Principal payment rate		3.00%	3.00%
Expected credit loss rate		24.00%	22.70%
Servicing rate		7.80%	12.50%
Discount rate		16.20%	16.20%
Loans And Fees Receivable [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Gross yield		25.60%	20.00%
Principal payment rate		2.80%	2.70%
Expected credit loss rate		15.70%	16.70%
Servicing rate		7.60%	10.90%
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		$ 17,461	$ 20,353
Gross yield	[1]	25.30%	28.50%
Principal payment rate	[1]	2.70%	2.90%
Expected credit loss rate	[1]	11.60%	12.50%
Servicing rate	[1]	7.20%	12.90%
Discount rate	[1]	16.10%	16.00%
[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 Lia43

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Summary of Fair Value Hierarchy for Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Nov. 30, 2005	May. 31, 2005
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
CAR revolving credit facility	$ 29,900	$ 28,900
Amortizing debt facilities	50,934	61,100
Notes Payable, Related Parties	20,000	20,000
Convertible Debt, Fair Value Disclosures	64,910	64,783
Liabilities carried at fair value
Economic sharing arrangement liability	34	42
Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value	18,069	20,970
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
Amortizing debt facilities	0	0
Notes Payable, Related Parties	0	0
Convertible Debt, Fair Value Disclosures	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
Amortizing debt facilities	0	0
Notes Payable, Related Parties	0	0
Convertible Debt, Fair Value Disclosures	42,093	42,734
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	29,900	28,900
Amortizing debt facilities	50,934	61,100
Notes Payable, Related Parties	20,000	20,000
Convertible Debt, Fair Value Disclosures	0	0
Liabilities carried at fair value
Economic sharing arrangement liability	34	42
Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value	$ 18,069	$ 20,970
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			5.875%	5.875%

Fair Values of Assets and Lia44

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Reconciliation of Level 3 Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 20,970	$ 36,511
Total (gains) losses—realized/unrealized:
Net revaluations of notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value	(1,165)	362
Repayments on outstanding notes payable, net	(1,736)	(4,579)
Ending Balance	$ 18,069	$ 32,294

Fair Values of Assets and Lia45

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Quantitative Information about Level 3 Liabilities Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value		$ 18,069	$ 20,970
Gross yield		25.30%	28.50%
Principal payment rate		2.70%	2.90%
Expected credit loss rate		11.60%	12.50%
Discount rate		16.10%	16.00%
Loans And Fees Receivable [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Gross yield		24.40%	15.80%
Principal payment rate		2.60%	2.10%
Expected credit loss rate		11.00%	12.90%
Discount rate		16.10%	16.00%
Fair Value Inputs Servicing Rate		7.20%	8.40%
Loans And Fees Receivable [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Gross yield		27.70%	22.70%
Principal payment rate		3.00%	3.00%
Expected credit loss rate		24.00%	22.70%
Discount rate		16.20%	16.20%
Fair Value Inputs Servicing Rate		7.80%	12.50%
Loans And Fees Receivable [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Gross yield		25.60%	20.00%
Principal payment rate		2.80%	2.70%
Expected credit loss rate		15.70%	16.70%
Discount rate		16.10%	16.10%
Fair Value Inputs Servicing Rate		7.60%	10.90%
Loans and Fees Receivable Pledged as Collateral [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Gross yield	[1]	25.30%	28.50%
Principal payment rate	[1]	2.70%	2.90%
Expected credit loss rate	[1]	11.60%	12.50%
Discount rate	[1]	16.10%	16.00%
Fair Value Inputs Servicing Rate	[1]	7.20%	12.90%
[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 Lia46

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities, Other Relevant Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Nov. 30, 2005	May. 31, 2005
Schedule of Fair Value Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
CAR revolving credit facility	$ 29,900	$ 28,900
Structured Financing Notes Payable [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Aggregate unpaid principal balance of notes payable	105,220	106,956
Aggregate fair value of notes payable	18,069	20,970
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	6,989	8,560
Aggregate fair value of loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value	6,275	6,353
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)	9	12
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	290	374
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	22,947	25,837
Aggregate fair value of loans and fees receivable that are reported at fair value	17,461	20,353
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)	21	31
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	$ 756	$ 889
5.875% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2035 [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Interest rate on notes			5.875%	5.875%

Notes Payable Schedule of struc

Notes Payable Schedule of structured financing notes at fair value (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
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		$ 18,069,000	$ 20,970,000
Weighted average interest rate	[1]	5.40%	5.30%
Credit card receivables and restricted cash carrying amount as security for notes payable		$ 18,100,000
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]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 105,200,000	$ 107,000,000
Weighted average interest rate		5.70%	5.60%
Credit card receivables and restricted cash carrying amount as security for notes payable		$ 18,100,000	$ 21,000,000
Maturity date		Dec. 1, 2021
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		$ 18,100,000
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		$ 18,100,000	$ 21,000,000
[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 ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable associated with structured financings, at fair value	$ 18,069	$ 20,970
Credit card receivables and restricted cash carrying amount as security for notes payable	18,100
Maximum Aggregate Exposure to Pretax Equity Loss Associated With Structured Financing at Fair Value	0
CAR revolving credit facility	$ 29,900	$ 28,900

Notes Payable Schedule of str49

Notes Payable Schedule of structured financing notes at face value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Notes Payable, at Face Value [Abstract]
Notes Payable, Related Parties		$ 20,000	$ 20,000
Notes Payable		$ 100,800	$ 110,000
Weighted average interest rate	[1]	5.40%	5.30%
Loans pledged as collateral	[1]	$ 61,900	$ 69,600
Expiring October 2017 [Member]
Notes Payable, at Face Value [Abstract]
Secured Debt	[1],[2]	$ 24,200	24,900
Maturity date	[1],[3]	Oct. 29, 2017
Amortizing debt facility expiring May 2016 [Member]
Notes Payable, at Face Value [Abstract]
Secured Debt	[1],[2]	$ 14,100	23,000
Maturity date	[1],[3]	Jul. 14, 2017
Expiring August 2016 2 [Member] [Member]
Notes Payable, at Face Value [Abstract]
Secured Debt	[1],[2]	$ 10,100	9,200
Maturity date	[1],[3]	Aug. 21, 2016
Expiring August 2016 [Member]
Notes Payable, at Face Value [Abstract]
Secured Debt	[1],[2]	$ 2,500	$ 4,000
Maturity date	[1],[3]	Aug. 1, 2016
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Notes Payable, at Face Value [Abstract]
Weighted average interest rate	[3]	3.90%	3.70%
Carrying amount of receivables as security for structured financing notes	[3],[4]	$ 69,100	$ 69,400
Expiring October 2017 [Member]
Notes Payable, at Face Value [Abstract]
Outstanding balance	[3],[4]	$ 29,900	28,900
Maturity date	[4]	Oct. 4, 2017
Related Party Transaction [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Related Party Max Facility Limit		$ 40,000
Notes Payable, at Face Value [Abstract]
Notes Payable, Related Parties		$ 20,000	$ 20,000	[5]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		9.00%	9.00%	[5]
Related Party Transaction, Date	[2]	Nov. 22, 2016
[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.
[2]	These notes reflect modifications to either extend the maturity date, increase the loaned amount or both.
[3]	{F|ahBzfndlYmZpbGluZ3MtaHJkcmoLEgZYTUxEb2MiXlhCUkxEb2NHZW5JbmZvOmI4NGU0ODRiNGFiZDQ3Yzk4MGVlYTNjOWNhYTUxOWI4fFRleHRTZWxlY3Rpb246NTAxRkQ0MDFBOUU2NzIxQzY5RjRDOTdBRDM3QUI4Q0YM}
[4]	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.
[5]	See below for additional information regarding this note.

Convertible Senior Notes Narrat

Convertible Senior Notes Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Nov. 30, 2005	May. 31, 2005
3.625% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount				$ 250,000,000
Interest rate on notes				3.625%
5.875% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2035 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	$ 93,280,000	$ 93,280,000	$ 300,000,000
Interest rate on notes			5.875%	5.875%
Conversion price for convertible senior notes (in dollars per share)	$ 24.61

Convertible Senior Notes Compon

Convertible Senior Notes Components of consolidated balance sheets associated with convertible senior notes (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Nov. 30, 2005	May. 31, 2005
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Discount	$ (28,370,000)	$ (28,497,000)
Net carrying value	64,910,000	64,783,000
Carrying amount of equity component included in additional paid-in capital	108,714,000	108,714,000
Excess of instruments’ if-converted values over face principal amounts	0	0
3.625% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 250,000,000
Interest rate on notes				3.625%
5.875% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2035 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 93,280,000	$ 93,280,000	$ 300,000,000
Interest rate on notes			5.875%	5.875%

Convertible Senior Notes Accoun

Convertible Senior Notes Accounting for Convertible Senior Notes (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Nov. 30, 2005	May. 31, 2005
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense from accretion of discount on convertible senior notes	$ 127,000	$ 116,000
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, Face Amount	$ 93,280,000		$ 93,280,000	$ 300,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				5.875%	5.875%
Conversion price for convertible senior notes (in dollars per share)	$ 24.61
3.625% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 250,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					3.625%

Commitments and Contingencies G

Commitments and Contingencies General (Details) £ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016GBP (£)
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation and Exercise of Stock Options	$ 37,000	$ 75,000
Loss Contingency Accrual	5,000,000		£ 3.4
Commitments to Car Operations [Member]
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Off-balance sheet risks, liability	9,900,000
Supply Commitment [Member]
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Off-balance sheet risks, liability	115,200,000
Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Off-balance sheet risks, liability	7,500,000
Penalty for Termination Prior to Contractual Termination Period [Member]
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Off-balance sheet risks, liability	1,500,000
Penalty (UK) for Termination Prior to Contractual Termination Period [Domain]
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Off-balance sheet risks, liability	$ 1,700,000

Net Income (Loss) Attributabl54

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Controlling Interests Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Numerator:
Net income attributable to controlling interests		$ 4,553	$ 1,967
Denominator:
Basic (including unvested share-based payment awards) (in shares)	[1]	13,898,000	13,923,000
Effect of dilutive stock compensation arrangements (in shares)	[2]	75,000	2,000
Diluted (including unvested share-based payment awards) (in shares)	[1]	13,973,000	13,925,000
Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interests per common share-basic (in dollars per share)		$ 0.33	$ 0.14
Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interests per common share-diluted (in dollars per share)		$ 0.33	$ 0.14
Shares related to unvested share-based payments included in basic and diluted shares (in shares)		222,550	427,474
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	0
[1]	Shares related to unvested share-based payment awards included in our basic and diluted share counts are 222,550 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to 427,474 for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
[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) Attributabl55

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Controlling Interests Per Common Share Antidilutive Securities (Details) - 5.875% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2035 [Member] - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Nov. 30, 2005	May. 31, 2005
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			5.875%	5.875%
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

Stock-Based Compensation (Detai

Stock-Based Compensation (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)stock_compensation_plan$ / sharesshares	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2015$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock based compensation plans | stock_compensation_plan	2
Employee Stock purchase plan, shares authorized	34,781
Maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock issued	698,933
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation and Exercise of Stock Options | $	$ 37,000	$ 75,000
Options outstanding	1,237,666		551,666
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 2.94		$ 2.80
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value | $	$ 209,591
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	2 years 11 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 2 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value | $	$ 178,563
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	686,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 3.04
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 0
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense | $	$ 117,000	70,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	396,661
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 2.55
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Stock Options | $	$ 1,300,000	$ 200,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate restricted stock granted (in shares)	122,667	88,934
Aggregate grant date fair values of restricted stock | $	$ 400,000	$ 200,000
Unamortized deferred compensation costs of non vested restricted stock | $	$ 400,000
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 ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property at cost, net of depreciation	$ 4,948	$ 5,686

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016Rate	Mar. 31, 2015Rate
Income Tax [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	(4.20%)	45.80%

Income Taxes Schedule of Compon

Income Taxes Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (198)	$ 618

Income Taxes Schedule of Effect

Income Taxes Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	4.20%	(45.80%)
Income Tax Examination, Liability (Refund) Adjustment from Settlement with Taxing Authority	$ (7.3)

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Related Parties		$ 20,000	$ 20,000
Related Party Transaction [Domain]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Related Parties		$ 20,000	$ 20,000	[1]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		9.00%	9.00%	[1]
Related Party Transaction, Date	[2]	Nov. 22, 2016
Notes Payable, Related Party Max Facility Limit		$ 40,000
[1]	See below for additional information regarding this note.
[2]	These notes reflect modifications to either extend the maturity date, increase the loaned amount or both.