Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008

OR

 

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

for the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number 000-50840

 

 

QC HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Kansas   48-1209939

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

9401 Indian Creek Parkway, Suite 1500

Overland Park, Kansas

  66210
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(913) 234-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

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

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

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, as of October 31, 2008:

Common Stock $0.01 per share par value – 17,507,205 Shares

 

 

 


Table of Contents

QC HOLDINGS, INC.

Form 10-Q

September 30, 2008

Index

 

     Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.       Financial Statements

  

Introductory Comments

   1

Consolidated Balance Sheets -
December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2008

   2

Consolidated Statements of Income -
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2008

   3

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2008

   4

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity -
Year Ended December  31, 2007 and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

   5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   6

Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

   9

Item 2.        Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   21

Item 3.       Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   36

Item 4.       Controls and Procedures

   36
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.       Legal Proceedings

   37

Item 2.       Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   37

Item 6.       Exhibits

   37
SIGNATURES    38


Table of Contents

QC HOLDINGS, INC.

FORM 10-Q

SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS

The consolidated financial statements included in this report have been prepared by QC Holdings, Inc. (the Company or QC), without audit, under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted under those rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to enable a reasonable understanding of the information presented. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto, as well as Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. Results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year 2008.


Table of Contents

QC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     December 31,
2007
    September 30,
2008
 
           Unaudited  

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 24,145     $ 16,417  

Loans receivable, less allowance for losses of $4,442 at December 31, 2007 and $5,071 at September 30, 2008

     72,903       71,154  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     3,290       4,914  
                

Total current assets

     100,338       92,485  

Property and equipment, net

     26,525       24,814  

Goodwill

     16,081       16,144  

Other assets, net

     6,636       5,916  
                

Total assets

   $ 149,580     $ 139,359  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 1,321     $ 923  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     4,245       3,634  

Accrued compensation and benefits

     6,653       6,062  

Deferred revenue

     5,277       4,607  

Income taxes payable

     769       1,130  

Debt due within one year

     28,500       27,000  

Deferred income taxes

     766    
                

Total current liabilities

     47,531       43,356  

Long-term debt

     46,000       42,250  

Deferred income taxes

     989    

Other non-current liabilities

     2,834       4,184  
                

Total liabilities

     97,354       89,790  
                

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, $0.01 par value: 75,000,000 shares authorized; 20,700,250 shares issued and 18,787,267 outstanding at December 31, 2007; 20,700,250 shares issued and 17,546,384 outstanding at September 30, 2008

     207       207  

Additional paid-in capital

     67,446       66,995  

Retained earnings

     9,502       16,451  

Treasury stock, at cost

     (24,929 )     (34,236 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

       152  
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     52,226       49,569  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 149,580     $ 139,359  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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QC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2008     2007     2008  

Revenues

        

Payday loan fees

   $ 48,338     $ 47,157     $ 133,464     $ 133,747  

Other

     7,649       12,226       21,504       32,914  
                                

Total revenues

     55,987       59,383       154,968       166,661  
                                

Branch expenses

        

Salaries and benefits

     11,111       12,711       34,168       36,657  

Provision for losses

     16,970       17,272       37,292       40,852  

Occupancy

     6,117       6,778       19,945       20,028  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,163       1,109       3,547       3,353  

Other

     3,741       4,707       10,934       12,789  
                                

Total branch expenses

     39,102       42,577       105,886       113,679  
                                

Branch gross profit

     16,885       16,806       49,082       52,982  

Regional expenses

     3,277       3,247       9,513       9,999  

Corporate expenses

     5,389       6,349       16,781       19,380  

Depreciation and amortization

     582       678       1,631       2,042  

Interest expense, net

     198       1,076       367       3,294  

Other expense (income), net

     (27 )     88       2,046       406  
                                

Income from continuing operations before taxes

     7,466       5,368       18,744       17,861  

Provision for income taxes

     2,955       2,582       7,448       7,454  
                                

Income from continuing operations

     4,511       2,786       11,296       10,407  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax

     (228 )     (40 )     (362 )     (772 )
                                

Net income

   $ 4,283     $ 2,746     $ 10,934     $ 9,635  
                                

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     19,109       17,555       19,368       18,006  

Diluted

     19,653       17,664       19,888       18,114  

Earnings (loss) per share:

        

Basic

        

Continuing operations

   $ 0.23     $ 0.16     $ 0.58     $ 0.58  

Discontinued operations

     (0.01 )       (0.02 )     (0.04 )
                                

Net income

   $ 0.22     $ 0.16     $ 0.56     $ 0.54  
                                

Diluted

        

Continuing operations

   $ 0.23     $ 0.16     $ 0.57     $ 0.57  

Discontinued operations

     (0.01 )       (0.02 )     (0.04 )
                                

Net income

   $ 0.22     $ 0.16     $ 0.55     $ 0.53  
                                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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QC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2008  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net income

   $ 10,934     $ 9,635  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     5,255       5,438  

Provision for losses

     38,200       41,581  

Deferred income taxes

     (1,141 )     (2,474 )

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

     2,046       961  

Stock-based compensation

     1,673       1,708  

Stock option income tax benefits

     (1,111 )     (184 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Loans receivable, net

     (36,683 )     (39,761 )

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     (209 )     (999 )

Other assets

     (89 )     (88 )

Accounts payable

     118       (397 )

Accrued expenses, other liabilities, accrued compensation and benefits and deferred revenue

     2,702       (1,628 )

Income taxes

     547       503  

Other non-current liabilities

     181       1,392  
                

Net operating

     22,423       15,687  
                

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Purchase of property and equipment

     (2,360 )     (3,838 )

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     71       30  

Acquisition costs, net

     (3,641 )     (205 )
                

Net investing

     (5,930 )     (4,013 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Borrowings under credit facility

     15,500       25,050  

Repayments under credit facility

     (16,300 )     (27,300 )

Repayments on long-term debt

       (3,000 )

Dividends to stockholders

     (5,891 )     (2,686 )

Repurchase of common stock

     (11,978 )     (11,879 )

Exercise of stock options

     743       229  

Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements

     1,111       184  
                

Net financing

     (16,815 )     (19,402 )
                

Cash and cash equivalents

    

Net decrease

     (322 )     (7,728 )

At beginning of year

     23,446       24,145  
                

At end of period

   $ 23,124     $ 16,417  
                

Supplementary schedule of cash flow information

    

Cash paid during the period for

    

Interest

   $ 625     $ 3,454  

Income taxes

     7,883       9,020  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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QC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

     Outstanding
shares
    Common
stock
   Additional
paid-in
capital
    Retained
earnings
    Treasury
stock
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
   Total
stockholders’
equity
 

Balance, December 31, 2006

   19,501,300     $ 207    $ 70,227     $ 49,284     $ (14,930 )   $ —      $ 104,788  

Net income

            14,602            14,602  

Common stock repurchases

   (1,343,991 )            (18,213 )        (18,213 )

Dividends to stockholders

            (54,384 )          (54,384 )

Issuance of restricted stock awards

   37,172          (473 )       473          —    

Stock-based compensation expense

          2,139              2,139  

Stock option exercises

   592,786          (6,333 )       7,741          1,408  

Tax impact of stock-based compensation

          1,886              1,886  
                                                    

Balance, December 31, 2007

   18,787,267       207      67,446       9,502       (24,929 )     —        52,226  

Net income

            9,635            9,635  

Common stock repurchases

   (1,457,759 )            (11,879 )        (11,879 )

Dividends to stockholders

            (2,686 )          (2,686 )

Issuance of restricted stock awards

   93,639          (1,217 )       1,217          —    

Stock-based compensation expense

          1,708              1,708  

Stock option exercises

   123,237          (1,126 )       1,355          229  

Accumulated other comprensive income

                152      152  

Tax impact of stock-based compensation

          184              184  
                                                    

Balance, September 30, 2008 (Unaudited)

   17,546,384     $ 207    $ 66,995     $ 16,451     $ (34,236 )   $ 152    $ 49,569  
                                                    

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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QC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1 – The Company and Basis of Presentation

Business. The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of QC Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, QC Financial Services, Inc., QC Auto Services, Inc., QC Loan Services, Inc. and QC E-Services, Inc., (collectively, the Company). QC Financial Services, Inc. is the 100% owner of QC Financial Services of California, Inc., Financial Services of North Carolina, Inc., QC Financial Services of Texas, Inc., Express Check Advance of South Carolina, LLC, QC Advance, Inc., Cash Title Loans, Inc. and QC Properties, LLC.

QC Holdings, Inc. has provided various retail consumer financial products and services throughout its 24-year history. Since 1998, the Company has been primarily engaged in the business of providing short-term consumer loans, known as payday loans, with principal values that typically range from $100 to $500. Payday loans provide customers with cash in exchange for a promissory note with a maturity of generally two to three weeks and supported by that customer’s personal check for the aggregate amount of the cash advanced plus a fee. The fee varies from state to state, based on applicable regulations, and generally ranges from $15 to $20 per $100 borrowed. To repay the cash advance, customers may redeem their check by paying cash or they may allow the check to be presented to the bank for collection.

The Company also provides other consumer financial products and services, such as installment loans, credit services, check cashing services, title loans, money transfers and money orders. All of the Company’s loans and other services are subject to state regulation, which vary from state to state, as well as to federal and local regulation, where applicable. As of September 30, 2008, the Company operated 585 branches with locations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. The Company currently operates three locations (Missouri and Kansas) that are focused exclusively on the buy-here, pay-here segment of the used automobile market. These locations sell used vehicles and earn finance charges from the related vehicle financing contracts.

Basis of Presentation. The consolidated financial statements of QC Holdings, Inc. included herein have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to enable a reasonable understanding of the information presented. The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2007 was derived from the audited financial statements of the Company, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal closing procedures) necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company and its subsidiary companies as of December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2008, and the results of operations and cash flows for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2008, in conformity with GAAP.

The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year 2008.

 

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Note 2 – Accounting Developments

In June 2008, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) issued FSP EITF 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities (FSP EITF 03-6-1). FSP EITF 03-6-1 clarified that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders. Awards of this nature are considered participating securities and the two-class method of computing basic and diluted earnings per share must be applied. FSP EITF 03-6-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company is currently assessing the impact of FSP EITF 03-6-1 and anticipates any impact to basic earnings per share will be immaterial.

In May 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (SFAS 162). SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. SFAS 162 is effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 162 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (SFAS 161), which requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities. The effective date of SFAS 161 is the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The Company has not yet completed an assessment of the impact of SFAS 161.

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations (SFAS 141R). SFAS 141R broadens the guidance of SFAS 141, extending its applicability to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. It broadens the fair value measurement and recognition of assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and interests transferred as a result of business combinations. SFAS 141R expands on required disclosures to improve the statement users’ abilities to evaluate the nature and financial effects of business combinations. SFAS 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 141R to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements

On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (SFAS 159). The Company did not elect the fair value measurement option under SFAS 159 for any of its financial assets or liabilities and, as a result, there was no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2008 the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurement (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 establishes a common definition for fair value to be applied to generally accepted accounting principles guidance requiring use of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure about such fair value measurements. SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements, but provides guidance on how to measure fair value by providing a fair value hierarchy based on the source of the information. The FASB delayed the effective date to first quarter 2009 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis, in accordance with FASB Staff Position 157-2, Effective Date of FASB 157, (FSP 157-2). Non-financial assets include fair value measurements associated with business acquisitions and impairment testing of tangible and intangible assets. The Company is still evaluating the impact, if any, that the adoption of FSP 157-2 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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Fair Value Hierarchy Tables. SFAS 157 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

The following table presents fair value measurements as of September 30, 2008 (in thousands):

 

     Fair Value Measurements    Assets at
fair value
     Level 1    Level 2    Level 3   

Derivative instruments

   $ —      $ 245    $ —      $ 245
                           

Total

   $ —      $ 245    $ —      $ 245
                           

Derivative Instruments. The Company does not engage in the trading of derivative financial instruments except where the Company’s objective is to manage the variability of forecasted interest payments attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, the Company enters into derivative transactions in limited situations based on management’s assessment of current market conditions and perceived risks.

On March 31, 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement. The swap agreement has been designated as a cash flow hedge under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and changes the floating rate interest obligation associated with the Company’s $50 million term loan into a fixed rate. The swap agreement has a maturity date of December 6, 2012. Under the swap, the Company pays a fixed interest rate of 3.43% and receives interest at a rate of LIBOR. The swap is considered highly effective and as a result, there will be de minimus income statement variability associated with interest payments until settlement, at which time any gains or losses would be recorded through interest expense. As of September 30, 2008, the estimated fair value of the interest rate swap was a net asset of $245,000 and was included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.

Note 4 – Discontinued Operations

During third quarter 2008, the Company closed 13 of its 32 branches in Ohio, primarily due to a new law that went into effect on September 1, 2008 that effectively precludes payday loans. In accordance with GAAP, the Company recorded approximately $897,000 in pre-tax charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 associated with these closings. The charges included a $554,000 loss for the disposition of fixed assets, $296,000 for lease terminations and other related occupancy costs, $40,000 in severance and benefit costs and $7,000 for other costs.

The operations from the Ohio branches that closed during third quarter 2008 are reported as discontinued operations in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 – Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (SFAS 144). In accordance with SFAS 144, the Consolidated Statements of Income and related disclosures in the accompanying notes present the results of these branches as discontinued operations for all periods presented. With respect to the Consolidated Balance Sheets and related disclosures in the accompanying notes and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the items associated with the discontinued operations are included with the continuing operations for all periods presented.

 

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Summarized financial information for discontinued operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2008 is presented below (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2008     2007     2008  

Total revenues

   $ 561     $ —       $ 1,343     $ 1,056  

Provision for losses

     550       128       908       729  

Other branch expenses (income)

     386       (52 )     1,031       1,041  
                                

Total branch expenses

     936       76       1,939       1,770  
                                

Branch gross loss

     (375 )     (76 )     (596 )     (714 )

Other, net

     (4 )       (5 )     (562 )
                                

Loss before income taxes

     (379 )     (76 )     (601 )     (1,276 )

Benefit for income taxes

     151       36       239       504  
                                

Loss from discontinued operations

   $ (228 )   $ (40 )   $ (362 )   $ (772 )
                                

Note 5 – Earnings Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted earnings per share gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares that were outstanding during the period. The effect of stock options and unvested restricted stock represent the only differences between the weighted average shares used for the basic earnings per share computation compared to the diluted earnings per share computation for each period presented.

The following table presents the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for each of the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2008     2007     2008  

Income available to common stockholders:

        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 4,511     $ 2,786     $ 11,296     $ 10,407  

Discontinued operations, net of income tax

     (228 )     (40 )     (362 )     (772 )
                                

Net income

   $ 4,283     $ 2,746     $ 10,934     $ 9,635  
                                

Weighted average shares outstanding:

        

Weighted average basic common shares outstanding

     19,109       17,555       19,368       18,006  

Dilutive effect of stock options and unvested restricted stock

     544       109       520       108  
                                

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding

     19,653       17,664       19,888       18,114  
                                

Basic earnings (loss) per share:

        

Continuing operations

   $ 0.23     $ 0.16     $ 0.58     $ 0.58  

Discontinued operations

     (0.01 )       (0.02 )     (0.04 )
                                

Net income

   $ 0.22     $ 0.16     $ 0.56     $ 0.54  
                                

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

        

Continuing operations

   $ 0.23     $ 0.16     $ 0.57     $ 0.57  

Discontinued operations

     (0.01 )       (0.02 )     (0.04 )
                                

Net income

   $ 0.22     $ 0.16     $ 0.55     $ 0.53  
                                

 

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Note 6 – Significant Business Transactions

Closure of branches. The Company closed eight of its lower performing branches during the first nine months of 2008 by consolidating those branches into nearby branches. In accordance with GAAP, the Company recorded approximately $428,000 in pre-tax charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 associated with these closings. The charges included a $278,000 loss for the disposition of fixed assets, $145,000 for lease terminations and other related occupancy costs and $5,000 for other costs.

During second quarter 2007, the Company decided to close all branches in Oregon due to a new law that went into effect on July 1, 2007 that effectively precludes payday loans. In accordance with GAAP, the Company recorded approximately $517,000 in pre-tax charges during second quarter 2007 associated with these closings. The charges included a $373,000 loss for the disposition of fixed assets, $102,000 for lease terminations and other related occupancy costs, $31,000 in severance and benefit costs and $11,000 for other costs.

During first quarter 2007, the Company closed 31 of its lower performing branches in various states (the majority of which were consolidated into nearby branches) and terminated the de novo process on eight branches that never opened. In accordance with GAAP, the Company recorded approximately $3.0 million in pre-tax charges during first quarter 2007 as a result of these closings. The charges recorded included $1.5 million loss for the disposition of fixed assets, $1.5 million for lease terminations and other related occupancy costs and $40,000 for other costs.

In the Consolidated Statements of Income with respect to the closure of branches discussed above, the losses associated with the disposition of fixed assets are reported in other expense, the costs associated with lease terminations are included in branch occupancy costs and the other costs are included in other branch expenses.

The following table summarizes the accrued costs associated with the closure of branches (including the Ohio branches discussed in Note 4) and the activity related to those charges as of September 30, 2008 (in thousands):

 

     Balance at
December 31,
2007
   Additions    Reductions     Balance at
September 30,
2008

Lease and related occupancy costs (a)

   $ 351    $ 882    $ (903 )   $ 330

Severance

        40      (40 )  

Other

        12      (12 )  
                            

Total

   $ 351    $ 934    $ (955 )   $ 330
                            

 

(a) The additions include charges of $441,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to increase the lease liabilities for branches that were closed prior to January 1, 2008, primarily due to changes in estimates based on the Company’s ability to sub-lease space in branch locations.

As of September 30, 2008, the balance of $330,000 for accrued costs associated with the closure of branches is included as a current liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as the Company expects that the liabilities for these costs will be settled within one year.

 

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Note 7 – Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Provision for Losses

When the Company enters into a payday loan with a customer, the Company records a loan receivable for the amount loaned to the customer plus the fee charged by the Company, which varies from state to state based on applicable regulations.

The following table summarizes certain data with respect to the Company’s payday loans:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2007    2008    2007    2008

Average loan to customer (principal plus fee)

   $ 369.40    $ 371.02    $ 364.49    $ 370.37

Average fee received by the Company

   $ 54.11    $ 53.73    $ 52.86    $ 53.59

Average term of the loan (days)

     16      16      16      16

When checks are presented to the bank for payment and returned as uncollected, all accrued fees, interest and outstanding principal are charged-off as uncollectible, generally within 14 days after the due date. Accordingly, payday loans included in the receivable balance at any given point in time are typically not older than 30 days. These charge-offs are recorded as expense through the provision for losses. Any recoveries on losses previously charged to expense are recorded as a reduction to the provision for losses in the period recovered. During the first nine months of 2007 and 2008, the Company received approximately $2.0 million and $448,000, respectively from the sale of certain payday loan receivables that the Company had previously charged off. The sales were recorded as a credit to the overall loss provision, which is consistent with the Company’s policy for recording recoveries.

With respect to the loans receivable at the end of each reporting period, the Company maintains an aggregate allowance for loan losses (including fees and interest) for payday loans, title loans, installment loans and auto loans at levels estimated to be adequate to absorb estimated incurred losses in the respective outstanding loan portfolios. The Company does not specifically reserve for any individual loan. Prior to January 1, 2008, the Company aggregated payday loans, title loans and installment loans for purposes of computing the loss allowance based on very similar historical averages of uncollectible amounts as a percentage of volume for each type of loan (generally ranging from 2% to 5% of the total volume). For purposes of the allowance calculation, installment loans were included with payday loans and title loans based on the expectation that the loss experience for installment loans would be similar to payday loans and title loans. Beginning in fiscal year 2008, with approximately 18 full months of data available for installment loans, the Company calculated a separate component of the allowance for installment loans. The Company also calculates a separate component of the allowance for auto loans that considers loss expectations as a percentage of volume, as well as qualitative factors. The overall allowance represents the Company’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the outstanding loan portfolios at the end of each reporting period.

The following tables summarize the activity in the allowance for loan losses and the provision for losses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2008 (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2007     2008    2007    2008
Allowance for loan losses           

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 3,721     $ 4,066    $ 2,982    $ 4,442

Adjustment to provision for losses based on evaluation of outstanding receivables (a)

     (130 )     1,005      609      629
                            

Balance, end of period

   $ 3,591     $ 5,071    $ 3,591    $ 5,071
                            

 

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     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2008     2007     2008  
Provision for losses         

Charged-off to expense

   $ 28,968     $ 28,165     $ 72,927     $ 76,375  

Recoveries

     (11,871 )     (11,912 )     (36,246 )     (36,206 )

Adjustment to provision for losses based on evaluation of outstanding receivables and credit service obligation at period end (a)

     (127 )     1,019       611       683  
                                

Balance, end of period

   $ 16,970     $ 17,272     $ 37,292     $ 40,852  
                                

 

(a) Amount differs due to exclusion of closed Ohio branches (see Note 4) in the provision for losses table.

Note 8 – Other Revenues

The components of “Other” revenues as reported in the statements of income are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2007    2008    2007    2008

Installment loan fees

   $ 2,509    $ 5,101    $ 6,102    $ 13,991

Credit service fees

     2,132      2,326      5,253      6,352

Check cashing fees

     1,350      1,227      4,966      4,552

Title loan fees

     1,002      922      3,203      2,759

Buy-here, pay-here revenues

        1,926         3,105

Other fees

     656      724      1,980      2,155
                           

Total

   $ 7,649    $ 12,226    $ 21,504    $ 32,914
                           

Note 9 – Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2007
    September 30,
2008
 

Buildings

   $ 2,540     $ 4,336  

Leasehold improvements

     20,898       20,718  

Furniture and equipment

     23,216       23,523  

Vehicles

     865       932  
                
     47,519       49,509  

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (20,994 )     (24,695 )
                

Total

   $ 26,525     $ 24,814  
                

In February 2005, the Company entered into a seven-year lease to relocate its corporate headquarters to office space in Overland Park, Kansas. As part of the lease agreement, the Company received a tenant allowance from the landlord for leasehold improvements totaling $976,000. The tenant allowance was recorded by the Company as a deferred rent liability and is being amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the life of the lease. As of December 31, 2007, the balance of the deferred rent liability was approximately $598,000, of which $459,000 is classified as a non-current liability. As of September 30, 2008, the balance of the deferred rent liability was approximately $494,000 of which $355,000 is classified as a non-current liability.

 

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In August 2008, the Company purchased an auto sales facility in Overland Park, Kansas for approximately $1.6 million. The facility included three buildings and parking spaces on approximately 1.6 acres of land. During October 2008, the Company opened its third buy-here, pay-here location at this site.

Note 10 – Acquisitions, Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Acquisitions. As part of its efforts to increase market share, the Company acquired 13 branches and certain assets during 2007 for a total of $3.3 million, which included net book value of depreciable assets of approximately $204,000, loans receivable of approximately $1.4 million, and the assumption of $200,000 in liabilities for branches not yet opened. Included in the acquisition were six branches in Missouri that were closed and the receivable balances transferred to existing locations. The Company used the purchase method of accounting. The excess of the total acquisition cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired totaled $1.9 million. Of this amount, the Company allocated $1.3 million to goodwill, $388,000 to customer relationships and $206,000 to non-compete agreements. The purchase price allocations with respect to these acquisitions have been completed. The pro forma results of operations have not been presented because the results of operations for the Company would not have been materially different from those reported for the year ended December 31, 2007.

In third quarter 2007, the Company paid $375,000 to purchase certain assets related exclusively to the buy-here, pay-here segment of the used vehicle market in connection with ongoing efforts to evaluate alternative products that serve the Company’s customer base. During the first quarter 2008, the Company acquired one payday loan branch and certain assets for a total of $205,000, which included net book value of depreciable assets of approximately $35,000 and loans receivable of approximately $70,000. The Company used the purchase method of accounting for both of these acquisitions. The excess of the total acquisition cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired was allocated to goodwill, customer relationships and other assets. The pro forma results of operations have not been presented because the results of operations for the Company would not have been materially different from those reported.

Goodwill. The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2007
   September 30,
2008

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 14,492    $ 16,081

Acquisitions

     1,589      63
             

Balance at end of period

   $ 16,081    $ 16,144
             

Intangible Assets. The following table summarizes intangible assets (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2007
    September 30,
2008
 

Amortized intangible assets:

    

Customer relationships

   $ 2,303     $ 2,327  

Non-compete agreements

     907       918  

Debt issue costs (a)

     2,334       2,007  

Other

     15       15  
                
     5,559       5,267  

Non-amortized intangible assets:

    

Trade names

     600       600  
                

Gross carrying amount

     6,159       5,867  

Less: Accumulated amortization

     (1,238 )     (2,083 )
                

Net intangible assets

   $ 4,921     $ 3,784  
                

 

(a) The decline in debt issue costs primarily represents an adjustment during second quarter 2008 to the amount of debt issue costs that were estimated and accrued as of December 31, 2007.

 

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Intangible assets at December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2008 include customer relationships, non-compete agreements, trade names and debt financing costs. Customer relationships are amortized using the straight-line method over the weighted average useful lives ranging from 4 to 15 years. Non-compete agreements are currently amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the agreements, ranging from three to five years. The amount recorded for trade names is considered an indefinite life intangible and is not subject to amortization. Costs paid to obtain debt financing are amortized over the term of each related debt agreement using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method.

Note 11 – Indebtedness

The following table summarizes long-term debt at December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2008 (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2007
    September 30,
2008
 

Term loan

   $ 50,000     $ 47,000  

Revolving credit facility

     24,500       22,250  
                

Total debt

     74,500       69,250  

Less: debt due within one year

     (28,500 )     (27,000 )
                

Long-term debt

   $ 46,000     $ 42,250  
                

On December 7, 2007, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with a syndicate of banks to replace its existing line of credit facility. The previous line of credit facility had a total commitment of $45.0 million. The amended credit agreement provides for a five-year term loan of $50.0 million and a revolving line of credit (including provisions permitting the issuance of letters of credit and swingline loans) of up to $45.0 million. The maximum borrowings under the credit facility, as amended on March 7, 2008, may be increased to $120.0 million pursuant to bank approval and subject to terms and conditions set forth therein.

The credit facility is guaranteed by each subsidiary and is secured by all the capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company and all personal property (including all present and future accounts receivable, inventory, property and equipment, general intangibles (including intellectual property), instruments, deposit accounts, investment property and the proceeds thereof). Borrowings under the term loan and the facility are available based on two types of loans, Base Rate loans or LIBOR Rate loans. Base Rate loans bear interest at the higher of the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%. LIBOR Rate loans bear interest at rates based on the LIBOR rate for the applicable loan period with a maximum margin over LIBOR of 3.50%. The loan period for a LIBOR Rate loan may be one month, two months, three months or six months and the loan may be renewed upon notice to the agent provided that no default has occurred. The credit facility has a grid that adjusts the borrowing rates for both Base Rate loans and LIBOR Rate loans based upon the Company’s leverage ratio. Leverage ratio is defined as the ratio of total debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). The credit facility also includes a non-use fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.375%, which is based upon the Company’s leverage ratio. Among other provisions, the amended credit agreement contains certain financial covenants related to EBITDA, fixed charges, leverage ratio, total indebtedness, and maximum loss ratio. As of September 30, 2008, the Company is in compliance with all of its debt covenants. The credit facility expires on December 6, 2012.

In addition to scheduled repayments, the term loan contains mandatory prepayment provisions beginning in 2009 whereby the Company is required to reduce the outstanding principal amounts of the term loan based on the Company’s excess cash flow (as defined in the agreement) and the Company’s leverage ratio as of the most recent completed fiscal year.

The Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement on March 31, 2008. The swap agreement is designated as a cash flow hedge, and changes the floating rate interest obligation associated with the $50 million term loan into a fixed rate. The swap agreement has a maturity date of December 6, 2012. Under the swap, the Company pays a fixed interest rate of 3.43% and receives interest at a rate of LIBOR.

 

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Note 12 – Income taxes

On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48). Prior to the adoption of FIN 48, the Company had accrued sufficient liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies” and therefore no adjustments to retained earnings were necessary as a result of the implementation of FIN 48. As required by FIN 48, which clarifies FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, the Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. As of December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2008, the accrued liability for unrecognized tax benefits was approximately $94,000 and $52,000, respectively.

The unrecognized tax benefits of $52,000 at September 30, 2008, which if ultimately recognized, will reduce the Company’s annual effective tax rate. During third quarter 2007, the Company settled its only outstanding tax audit with one state jurisdiction. The review board of the state jurisdiction agreed with the Company’s petition and withdrew the tax amounts that were assessed under the audit. As a result of the settlement, the Company’s FIN 48 liability was decreased by $56,000 and interest payable was decreased by $27,000.

The Company records accruals for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and operating expense, respectively. Interest and penalties and associated accruals were not material as of September 30, 2008.

The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. In the ordinary course of business, transactions occur for which the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. In addition, respective tax authorities periodically audit our income tax returns. These audits examine the Company’s significant tax filing positions, including the timing and amounts of deductions and the allocation of income among tax jurisdictions. During 2006, the Company settled two open tax years, 2003 and 2004, which were undergoing audit by the United States Internal Revenue Service. The 2005, 2006 and 2007 federal income tax returns are the only tax years for which the statute of limitations is still open. Generally, state income tax returns for all years after 2003 are subject to potential future audit by tax authorities in the Company’s state tax jurisdictions.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company incurred certain non-deductible governmental affair expenditures that increased the effective tax rate. Part of the expenditures occurred in the first half of 2008, and the Company should have recorded an approximate $225,000 increase to tax expense during the second quarter as a result of the expenses being non-deductible, however this tax effect was recorded during third quarter 2008.

Note 13 – Credit Services Organization

Payday loans are originated by the Company at all of its branches, except branches in Texas. For its locations in Texas, the Company began operating as a credit service organization (CSO), through one of its subsidiaries, in September 2005. As a CSO, the Company acts as a credit services organization on behalf of consumers in accordance with Texas laws. The Company charges the consumer a fee for arranging for an unrelated third-party to make a loan to the consumer and for providing related services to the consumer, including a guarantee of the consumer’s obligation to the third-party lender. The Company also services

 

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the loan for the lender. The CSO fee is recognized ratably over the term of the loan. The Company is not involved in the loan approval process or in determining the loan approval procedures or criteria. As a result, loans made by the lender are not included in the Company’s loans receivable balance and are not reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As noted above, however, the Company absorbs all risk of loss through its guarantee of the consumer’s loan from the lender. As of December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2008, the consumers had total loans outstanding with the lender of approximately $3.1 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Because of the economic exposure for potential losses related to the guarantee of these loans, the Company records a payable to reflect the anticipated losses related to uncollected loans. The payable is recognized at its fair value pursuant to FASB Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others. Changes in the liability are recognized through the provision for loan losses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The balance of the liability for estimated losses reported in accrued liabilities was approximately $160,000 as of December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2008.

Note 14 – Stockholders Equity

Comprehensive income (loss). Components of comprehensive income (loss) consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007    2008     2007    2008  

Net income

   $ 4,283    $ 2,746     $ 10,934    $ 9,635  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

          

Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap

        (199 )        245  

Deferred income taxes

        75          (93 )
                              

Other comprehensive income (loss):

        (124 )        152  
                              

Comprehensive income

   $ 4,283    $ 2,622     $ 10,934    $ 9,787  
                              

Stock Repurchases. In March 2008, the Company’s board of directors increased the authorization limit of the Company’s common stock repurchase program to $60 million and extended the program through June 30, 2009. As of September 30, 2008, the Company has repurchased 4.4 million shares at a total cost of approximately $50 million.

Dividends. On August 5, 2008, the Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per common share. The dividend was paid on September 4, 2008 to stockholders of record as of August 20, 2008. The total amount of the dividend paid was approximately $1.8 million.

Note 15 – Stock-Based Compensation

The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation expense reported in net income (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2007    2008    2007    2008

Employee stock-based compensation:

           

Stock options

   $ 198    $ 297    $ 596    $ 855

Restricted stock awards

     141      222      404      637

Performance-based shares

     157         472   
                           
     496      519      1,472      1,492

Non-employee director stock-based compensation

           

Restricted stock awards

           200      216
                           

Total

   $ 496    $ 519    $ 1,672    $ 1,708
                           

 

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Stock option grants. The Company granted 235,700 stock options during first quarter 2008 and 27,500 stock options during third quarter 2008 to certain employees under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. The grants of stock options vest equally over four years. The Company estimated that the fair value of these option grants was approximately $1.2 million. The fair value of the options was determined at the grant date using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires the Company to make several assumptions. The risk-free interest rate used was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect for the expected term of the option at the time of the grant. The dividend yield on the Company’s common stock was assumed to be zero since the Company’s board of directors had not established a formal dividend policy. The expected volatility factor used by the Company was based on the Company’s historical stock trading history. In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, the Company computed the expected term of the option by using the simplified method, which is an average of the vesting term and original contractual term. As of September 30, 2008, there were $1.0 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the options granted during 2008. The Company expects that these costs will be amortized over a weighted average period of 3.3 years.

A summary of non-vested stock option activity and related information for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 is as follows:

 

     Options     Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value

Non-vested balance, January 1, 2008

   591,567     $ 4.25

Granted

   263,200       4.63

Vested

   (203,474 )     4.25

Forfeited

   (10,785 )     4.39
            

Non-vested balance, September 30, 2008

   640,508     $ 4.40
            

Restricted stock grants. During February 2008, the Company granted 161,672 shares of restricted stock to various employees and non-employee directors pursuant to restricted stock agreements. The grants consisted of 140,512 shares granted to employees that vest equally over four years and 21,160 shares granted to non-employee directors that vested immediately upon grant subject to an agreed-upon six-month holding period. The Company estimated that the fair market value of these restricted stock grants was approximately $1.6 million. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recognized $85,000 and $442,000, respectively in stock-based compensation expense related to these restricted stock grants. As of September 30, 2008, there were $1.1 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to these restricted stock grants. The Company expects that these costs will be amortized over a weighted average period of 3.0 years.

 

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A summary of all restricted stock activity under the equity compensation plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 is as follows:

 

     Restricted
Stock
    Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value

Non-vested balance, January 1, 2008

   138,688     $ 14.46

Granted

   161,672       10.19

Vested

   (51,639 )     12.50

Forfeited

   (8,338 )     12.35
            

Non-vested balance, September 30, 2008

   240,383     $ 12.08
            

Performance-based share awards. On December 14, 2006, the Company granted 42,000 shares to four executive officers pursuant to performance-based share award agreements. The vesting of the performance-based share awards was based on the Company meeting certain performance goals for the year ended December 31, 2007. The fair market value of these grants was approximately $629,000. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company recognized $158,000 and $472,000, respectively in stock-based compensation expense related to these grants. The performance-based shares were fully amortized as of December 31, 2007. During first quarter 2008, the performance shares vested based upon the certification of the Company’s financial results by the Company’s board of directors.

Note 16 – Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation. The Company is subject to various legal proceedings arising from normal business operations. Although there can be no assurances, based on the information currently available, management believes that it is probable that the ultimate outcome of each of the actions will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements. However, an adverse outcome in any of the actions could have a material adverse effect on the financial results of the Company in the period in which it is recorded.

Missouri. On October 13, 2006, one of the Company’s Missouri customers sued the Company in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri in a purported class action. The lawsuit alleges violations of the Missouri statute pertaining to unsecured loans under $500 and the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages and a declaratory judgment that the arbitration agreement with the plaintiff is not enforceable on a variety of theories. The Company has not filed an answer, but moved to compel arbitration of this matter. The Court heard oral arguments on the Company’s motion in June 2007. On December 31, 2007, the court entered an order striking the class action waiver provision in the Company’s customer arbitration agreement, ordered the case to arbitration and dismissed the lawsuit filed in Circuit Court. In July 2008, the Company filed its appeal of the court’s order with the Missouri Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals heard arguments on November 4, 2008. The Company does not expect a ruling from the appellate court prior to January 2009.

North Carolina. On February 8, 2005, the Company, two of its subsidiaries, including its subsidiary doing business in North Carolina, and Mr. Don Early, the Company’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, were sued in Superior Court of New Hanover County, North Carolina in a putative

 

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class action lawsuit filed by James B. Torrence, Sr. and Ben Hubert Cline, who were customers of a Delaware state-chartered bank for whom the Company provided certain services in connection with the bank’s origination of payday loans in North Carolina, prior to the closing of the Company’s North Carolina branches in fourth quarter 2005. The lawsuit alleges that the Company violated various North Carolina laws, including the North Carolina Consumer Finance Act, the North Carolina Check Cashers Act, the North Carolina Loan Brokers Act, the state unfair trade practices statute and the state usury statute, in connection with payday loans made by the bank to the two plaintiffs through the Company’s retail locations in North Carolina. The lawsuit alleges that the Company made the payday loans to the plaintiffs in violation of various state statutes, and that if the Company is not viewed as the “actual lenders or makers” of the payday loans, its services to the bank that made the loans violated various North Carolina statutes. Plaintiffs are seeking certification as a class, unspecified monetary damages, and treble damages and attorneys fees under specified North Carolina statutes. Plaintiffs have not sued the bank in this matter and have specifically stated in the complaint that plaintiffs do not challenge the right of out-of-state banks to enter into loans with North Carolina residents at such rates as the bank’s home state may permit, all as authorized by North Carolina and federal law. This case is in the preliminary stages.

There are three similar purported class action lawsuits filed in North Carolina against three other companies unrelated to the Company. In December 2005, the judge in those three cases (1) granted the defendants’ motions to stay the purported class action lawsuits and to compel arbitration in accordance with the terms of the arbitration provisions contained in the consumer loan contracts, (2) ruled that the class action waivers in those consumer loan contracts are valid, and (3) denied plaintiffs’ motions for class certifications. The plaintiffs in those three cases, who are represented by the same law firms as the plaintiffs in the case filed against the Company, appealed that ruling. In January 2007, the North Carolina Court of Appeals heard the appeal in the three companion cases. In May 2008, the appellate court remanded the three companion cases to the state court to review its ruling in light of a recent North Carolina Supreme Court’s decision. The trial court will hear additional evidence in the three companion cases before issuing its new ruling. That ruling is not expected before April 2009.

While the three companion cases are pending the trial court’s decision, it is expected that the Company’s case will remain stayed. The judge handling the lawsuit against the Company in North Carolina is the same judge who is handing the three companion cases. The Company has not had a ruling on the similar pending motions by the plaintiffs and the Company in its North Carolina case. There is a stay in the North Carolina lawsuit, pending the final outcome in the other three North Carolina cases concerning the enforceability of the arbitration provision in the consumer contracts. Accordingly, there will be no ruling on the Company’s motion to enforce arbitration in North Carolina during the pendency of that issue in the three companion cases.

California. On September 5, 2008, a subsidiary of the Company was sued in the Superior Court of California, San Diego County in a putative class action lawsuit filed by Jennifer M. Winters, a customer of the California subsidiary. Ms. Winters alleges that the subsidiary violated California’s Deferred Deposit Transaction Law, Unfair Competition Law, and Consumer Legal Remedies Act. Ms. Winters alleges that the Company’s subsidiary improperly charged California consumers a fee to extend or “roll over” their loan transactions, that the subsidiary did not have authority to deduct funds electronically, and that the subsidiary’s use of a class action waiver in its loan agreements is unconscionable. On October 29, 2008, the Company’s California subsidiary filed its answer, denying all allegations. It also filed a claim against Ms. Winters for failing to pay her final loan. Because this case is in its preliminary stages, it is unlikely any ruling on the merits of the claims will occur until late 2009 or later.

Other Matters. The Company is also currently involved in ordinary, routine litigation and administrative proceedings incidental to its business, including customer bankruptcy and employment-related matters. The Company believes the likely outcome of these other cases and proceedings will not be material to its business or its financial condition.

 

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Note 17 – Certain Concentrations of Risk

The Company is subject to regulation by federal and state governments, that affects the products and services provided by the Company, particularly payday loans. As of September 30, 2008, the Company offered payday loans in 23 states throughout the United States. The level and type of regulation of payday loans varies greatly from state to state, ranging from states with no specific payday lending legislation to other states with very strict guidelines and requirements.

Company branches located in the states of Missouri, California, Arizona, South Carolina, Kansas and Illinois represented approximately 24%, 13%, 8%, 8%, 5% and 5%, respectively, of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Company branches located in the states of Missouri, Arizona, California, Illinois, South Carolina, and Kansas represented approximately 29%, 12%, 11%, 8%, 6% and 6%, respectively, of total branch gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. To the extent that laws and regulations are passed that affect the Company’s ability to offer payday loans or the manner in which the Company offers its payday loans in any one of those states, the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected. The current Arizona payday loan statutory authority expires by its terms in July 2010.

Note 18 – Subsequent Events

Dividends. On November 4, 2008, the Company’s board of directors established a regular quarterly dividend of $0.05 per common share. Together with this regular quarterly dividend, the board of directors declared a special cash dividend of $0.10 per common share. The quarterly dividend and special dividend are payable on December 2, 2008 to stockholders of record as of November 20, 2008. The Company estimates that the total amount of the dividends will be approximately $2.7 million.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The discussion below includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, our plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial. All statements other than statements of current or historical fact contained in this discussion are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “plan,” “will,” “may,” “intend,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue” or similar expressions or the negative of these terms are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward-looking statements. These risks include (1) the increased leverage of the Company as a result of the payment of a $48.5 million special cash dividend in December 2007, (2) changes in laws or regulations or governmental interpretations of existing laws and regulations governing consumer protection or payday lending practices, (3) litigation or regulatory action directed towards us or the payday loan industry, (4) volatility in our earnings, primarily as a result of fluctuations in loan loss experience and the rate of growth in or closure of unit branches, (5) negative media reports and public perception of the payday loan industry and the impact on federal and state legislatures and federal and state regulators, (6) changes in our key management personnel, (7) integration risks and costs associated with future acquisitions, and (8) the other risks detailed under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking statements in this report may not occur, and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. When investors consider these forward-looking statements, they should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this discussion.

Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The discussion in this item is intended to clarify and focus on our results of operations, certain changes in financial position, liquidity, capital structure and business developments for the periods covered by the consolidated financial statements included under Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. This discussion should be read in conjunction with these consolidated financial statements, the audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and the related notes thereto and is qualified by reference thereto.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We operate primarily through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, QC Financial Services, Inc., QC Auto Services, Inc., QC Loan Services, Inc. and QC E-Services, Inc. QC Financial Services, Inc. is the 100% owner of QC Financial Services of California, Inc., Financial Services of North Carolina, Inc., QC Financial Services of Texas, Inc., Express Check Advance of South Carolina, LLC, QC Advance, Inc., Cash Title Loans, Inc. and QC Properties, LLC.

We derive our revenues primarily by providing short-term consumer loans, known as payday loans, which represented approximately 80.3% of our total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. We also earn fees for various other financial services, such as installment loans, credit services, check

 

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cashing services, title loans, money transfers, money orders and auto sales. We operated 585 branches in 24 states at September 30, 2008. In all but one of these states, Texas, we fund our payday loans directly to the customer and receive a fee. Fees charged to customers vary from state to state, generally ranging from $15 to $20 per $100 borrowed, and in most cases, are limited by state law.

Our expenses primarily relate to the operations of our branch network. The most significant expenses include salaries and benefits for our branch employees, provisions for losses and occupancy expense for our leased real estate. Regional and corporate expenses, which include compensation of employees, professional fees and equity award charges, are our other primary costs.

We evaluate our branches based on revenue growth, gross profit contributions and loss ratio (which is losses as a percentage of revenues), with consideration given to the length of time the branch has been open and its geographic location. We evaluate changes in comparable branch metrics on a routine basis to assess operating efficiency. We define comparable branches as those branches that are open during the full periods for which a comparison is being made. For example, comparable branches for the quarterly analysis as of September 30, 2008 have been open at least 15 months on that date. We monitor newer branches for their progress to profitability and rate of loan growth.

With respect to our cost structure, salaries and benefits are one of our largest costs and are driven primarily by the addition of branches throughout the year and growth in loan volumes. Our provision for losses is also a significant expense. If a customer’s check is returned by the bank as uncollected, we make an immediate charge-off to the provision for losses for the amount of the customer’s loan, which includes accrued fees and interest. Any recoveries on amounts previously charged off are recorded as a reduction to the provision for losses in the period recovered. We have experienced seasonality in our operations, with the first and fourth quarters typically being our strongest periods as a result of broader economic factors, such as holiday spending habits at the end of each year and income tax refunds during the first quarter.

According to the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA), industry analysts estimate that the industry has grown to approximately 24,000 payday loan branches in the United States and these branches extend approximately $40 billion in short-term credit to millions of middle-class households that experience cash-flow shortfalls between paydays. We believe our industry is highly fragmented as 10 companies operate approximately 10,200 branches in the United States.

With this fragmentation and industry growth, we believe there are opportunities to expand through acquisitions and new branch openings. We regularly evaluate possible branch locations in numerous states in which we currently operate and the regulatory environment and market potential in the various states in which we currently do not have branches. As we consider acquisitions and open new branches, there are various execution risks associated with any such transactions.

The following table sets forth our growth through de novo branch openings and branch acquisitions since January 1, 2003.

 

     2003     2004     2005     2006     2007     September 30,
2008
 

Beginning branch locations

   258     294     371     532     613     596  

De novo branches opened during period

   45     54     174     46     20     9  

Acquired branches during period

     29     10     51     13     1  

Branches closed during period

   (9 )   (6 )   (23 )   (16 )   (50 )   (21 )
                                    

Ending branch locations

   294     371     532     613     596     585  
                                    

The growth of the payday loan industry has followed, and continues to be significantly affected by, payday lending legislation and regulation in the various states and nationally. We actively monitor and evaluate legislative and regulatory initiatives in each of the states and nationally, and are closely involved with the efforts of the CFSA. To the extent that states enact legislation or regulations that negatively impacts payday lending, whether through preclusion, fee reduction or loan caps, our business could be adversely affected.

 

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During 2008, the industry undertook ballot initiatives in Arizona and Ohio in an effort to secure stability for the industry the ability to provide short-term loans to customers in those states. While the outcomes of these initiatives were not favorable, there is little immediate impact to us. In Arizona, we will continue to operate under the existing legislation, while working to eliminate the July 2010 sunset provision that would eliminate short-term loans as an alternative for Arizona customers. In Ohio, we have already closed 13 branches in the third quarter of 2008 in response to the legislation that effectively precludes payday lending in that state, but will offer customers a new product at our remaining Ohio branches under a different statute.

Recent Accounting Developments

In June 2008, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) issued FSP EITF 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities (FSP EITF 03-6-1). FSP EITF 03-6-1 clarified that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders. Awards of this nature are considered participating securities and the two-class method of computing basic and diluted earnings per share must be applied. FSP EITF 03-6-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We are currently assessing the impact of FSP EITF 03-6-1 and anticipate that any impact to basic earnings per share will be immaterial.

In May 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (SFAS 162). SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. SFAS 162 is effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS 162 to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (SFAS 161), which requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities. The effective date of SFAS 161 is for our fiscal years beginning January 1, 2009. We have not yet completed an assessment of the impact of SFAS 161.

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations (SFAS 141R). SFAS 141R broadens the guidance of SFAS 141, extending its applicability to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. It broadens the fair value measurement and recognition of assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and interests transferred as a result of business combinations. SFAS 141R expands on required disclosures to improve the statement users’ abilities to evaluate the nature and financial effects of business combinations. SFAS 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS 141R to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities using different measurement techniques. SFAS 159 requires additional disclosures related to fair value measurements included in the entity’s financial statements. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We adopted SFAS 159 on January 1, 2008 with no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurement (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 establishes a common definition for fair value to be applied to generally accepted accounting principles guidance requiring use of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure about such fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We adopted SFAS 157 on January 1, 2008 with no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position 157-2, Effective Date of FASB 157, (FSP 157-2) which deferred the provisions of SFAS 157 to annual periods beginning after November 15, 2008 for non-financial assets and liabilities. Non-financial assets include fair value measurements associated with business acquisitions and impairment testing of tangible and intangible assets. We are still evaluating the impact, if any, that the adoption of FSP 157-2 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2008     2007     2008  
     (in thousands)     (percentage of revenues)  

Revenues

        

Payday loan fees

   $ 48,338     $ 47,157     86.3 %   79.4 %

Other

     7,649       12,226     13.7 %   20.6 %
                            

Total revenues

     55,987       59,383     100.0 %   100.0 %
                            

Branch expenses

        

Salaries and benefits

     11,111       12,711     19.8 %   21.4 %

Provision for losses

     16,970       17,272     30.3 %   29.1 %

Occupancy

     6,117       6,778     10.9 %   11.4 %

Depreciation and amortization

     1,163       1,109     2.1 %   1.9 %

Other

     3,741       4,707     6.7 %   7.9 %
                            

Total branch expenses

     39,102       42,577     69.8 %   71.7 %
                            

Branch gross profit

     16,885       16,806     30.2 %   28.3 %

Regional expenses

     3,277       3,247     5.9 %   5.5 %

Corporate expenses

     5,389       6,349     9.6 %   10.7 %

Depreciation and amortization

     582       678     1.0 %   1.1 %

Interest expense, net

     198       1,076     0.4 %   1.8 %

Other expense (income), net

     (27 )     88     (0.1 )%   0.2 %
                            

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     7,466       5,368     13.4 %   9.0 %

Provision for income taxes

     2,955       2,582     5.3 %   4.3 %
                            

Income from continuing operations

     4,511       2,786     8.1 %   4.7 %

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax

     (228 )     (40 )   (0.4 )%   (0.1 )%
                            

Net income

   $ 4,283     $ 2,746     7.7 %   4.6 %
                            

 

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The following table sets forth selected financial and statistical information for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2008:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2008  

Other Information:

    

Payday loan volume (in thousands)

   $ 337,900     $ 334,469  

Average revenue per branch

     95,950       101,596  

Average loan size (principal plus fee)

   $ 369.40     $ 371.02  

Average fees per loan

     54.11       53.73  

Branch Information:

    

Number of branches, beginning of period

     599       597  

De novo branches opened

     2       3  

Acquired branches

    

Branches closed

     (9 )     (15 )
                

Number of branches, end of period

     592       585  
                

Average number of branches open during period

     596       591  
                
     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2008  

Comparable Branch Information (a):

    

Total revenues generated by all comparable branches (in thousands)

   $ 55,430     $ 56,727  

Total number of comparable branches

     571       571  

Average revenue per comparable branch

   $ 97,075     $ 99,347  

 

(a) Comparable branches are those branches that were open for all of the two periods being compared, which means the 15 months since June 30, 2007.

Income from continuing operations. For the three months ended September 30, 2008, income from continuing operations was $2.8 million compared to $4.5 million for the same period in 2007. A discussion of the various components of net income follows.

Revenues. For the three months ended September 30, 2008, revenues were $59.4 million, a 6.1% increase from $56.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2007. The growth in revenues was primarily a result of higher installment loan volumes and automobile loan volumes, which totaled $11.4 million for third quarter 2008 versus $5.0 million in prior year’s third quarter. With respect to payday loan volume, we originated approximately $334.5 million in loans during third quarter 2008, which was a decline of 1.0% over the $337.9 million during third quarter 2007. This decline is primarily attributable to customers in New Mexico transitioning from the payday product to our installment loan product. The average loan (including fee) totaled $371.02 in third quarter 2008 versus $369.40 during third quarter 2007. Average fees received from customers per loan declined from $54.11 in third quarter 2007 to $53.73 in third quarter 2008. Our average fee rate per $100 for third quarter 2008 was $16.93 compared to $17.16 in third quarter 2007.

We anticipate that our average fee rate may decline in 2009 as rates are modified based on changing legislation or regulation and as we enter into or expand in states that have lower fee structures. In March 2007, New Mexico adopted legislation (effective November 2007) that reduced the maximum fee that may be charged to a customer from $20.00 per $100.00 borrowed to $15.50 per $100.00 borrowed. In addition, the legislation restricted the total number of loans a customer may have and prohibits immediate loan renewals.

 

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One manner by which we evaluate our branches is revenue growth, with consideration given to the length of time the branch has been open. We define comparable branches as those branches that are open during the full periods for which a comparison is being made. For example, comparable branches for the quarterly analysis as of September 30, 2008 have been open at least 15 months. The following table provides a summary of our revenues by comparable branches and new branches (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     2007    2008

Comparable branches

   $ 55,430    $ 56,727

Branches opened in 2007

        179

Branches opened in 2008

        476

Other (a)

     557      2,001
             

Total

   $ 55,987    $ 59,383
             

 

(a) represents primarily closed branches in 2007 and revenues from buy-here, pay-here business during 2008.

Our revenues from comparable branches increased by $1.3 million, from $55.4 million during third quarter 2007 to $56.7 million in third quarter 2008. This increase is primarily attributable to the acceleration of revenues associated with the 2005 and 2006 groups of branches, where revenues improved 9.5%, from $16.8 million during third quarter 2007 to $18.4 million in third quarter 2008.

Revenues from installment loans, CSO fees, check cashing, title loans, buy-here, pay-here and other sources totaled $12.2 million during third quarter 2008, up approximately $4.5 million from the $7.7 million in the comparable prior year quarter. The following table summarizes other revenues (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007    2008    2007     2008  
     (in thousands)    (percentage of revenues)  

Installment loan fees

   $ 2,509    $ 5,101    4.5 %   8.6 %

Credit service fees

     2,132      2,326    3.8 %   3.9 %

Check cashing fees

     1,350      1,227    2.4 %   2.1 %

Title loan fees

     1,002      922    1.8 %   1.6 %

Buy-here, pay-here revenues

        1,926      3.2 %

Other fees

     656      724    1.2 %   1.2 %
                          

Total

   $ 7,649    $ 12,226    13.7 %   20.6 %
                          

The revenue increases in installment loan fees reflects the addition of new product offerings as installment loans were offered in our Illinois branches beginning in second quarter 2006 and in New Mexico branches beginning in fourth quarter 2007. The declines in check cashing fees and title loan fees reflect a decrease in customer demand for these products.

Branch Expenses. Total branch expenses increased $3.5 million, or 9.0%, from $39.1 million during third quarter 2007 to $42.6 million in third quarter 2008. Branch-level salaries and benefits increased by $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to higher benefit costs and a slightly higher number of field personnel.

 

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The provision for losses increased from $17.0 million in third quarter 2007 to $17.3 million during third quarter 2008. Our loss ratio was 29.1% in third quarter 2008 and 30.3% in third quarter 2007. Our charge-offs as a percentage of revenue were 47.4% during third quarter 2008 and 51.7% during third quarter 2007. Our collections as a percentage of charge-offs were 42.3% during third quarter 2008 and 41.0% during third quarter 2007. We received approximately $205,000 from the sale of certain payday loan receivables during third quarter 2008 that had previously been written off compared to $128,000 received in the third quarter 2007.

Comparable branches totaled $16.7 million in loan losses during third quarter 2008 compared to $17.1 million for the same period in the prior year. In our comparable branches, the loss ratio was 29.5% during third quarter 2008 compared to 30.8% during third quarter 2007.

Occupancy costs increased from $6.1 million in third quarter 2007 to $6.8 million in third quarter 2008. Occupancy costs as a percentage of revenues increased from 10.9% in third quarter 2007 to 11.4% in third quarter 2008. The higher level of occupancy costs during third quarter 2008 was primarily due to standard lease escalation provisions.

Branch Gross Profit. Branch gross profit was $16.9 million in third quarter 2007 and $16.8 million in third quarter 2008. Branch gross margin, which is branch gross profit as a percentage of revenues, decreased from 30.2% during third quarter 2007 to 28.3% during third quarter 2008. The following table summarizes our branch gross profit by comparable branches and new branches (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2008  

Comparable branches

   $ 16,465     $ 17,604  

Branches opened in 2007

     (16 )     (89 )

Other (a)

     436       (709 )
                

Total

   $ 16,885     $ 16,806  
                

 

(a) represents primarily closed branches in 2007 and buy-here, pay-here business during 2008.

Comparable branches during third quarter 2008 reported a gross margin of 31.0% versus 29.7% in third quarter 2007, with the improvements resulting from stronger results in the majority of states, partially offset by reduced profit from our New Mexico branches due to the new, more restrictive payday loan legislation effective November 1, 2007.

Regional and Corporate Expenses. Regional and corporate expenses increased by $900,000, from $8.7 million in third quarter 2007 to $9.6 million in third quarter 2008. The higher level of expenses in third quarter 2008 is attributable to higher governmental affairs spending associated with contested states. In Arizona, the Company joined with other short-term loan companies to support a ballot initiative to remove the sunset provision of the existing payday lending law currently scheduled to expire in 2010 and to put into place a series of consumer friendly reforms. In addition, the Company joined other short-term loan companies in Ohio to support a referendum effort designed to allow citizens a choice in deciding whether to have access to a regulated payday advance product. Both of these ballot initiatives have significantly added to the Company’s general and administrative expenses. These expenses totaled approximately $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008.

 

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Income Tax Provision. The effective income tax rate during third quarter 2008 increased to 48.1% from 39.6% in prior year’s third quarter. The increase is primarily due to certain expenses for government affairs that were not deductible for income tax purposes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company incurred certain non-deductible governmental affair expenditures that increased the effective tax rate. Part of the expenditures occurred in the first half of 2008, and the Company should have recorded an approximate $225,000 increase to tax expense during the second quarter as a result of the expenses being non-deductible, however this tax effect was recorded during third quarter 2008.

Discontinued Operations. During third quarter 2008, we closed 13 of our 32 branches in Ohio primarily due to a new law that went into effect on September 1, 2008 that effectively precludes payday loans. As a result of these closings, we recorded approximately $897,000 in pre-tax charges during nine months ended September 30, 2008. The charges recorded included $554,000 loss for the disposition of fixed assets, $296,000 for lease terminations and other related occupancy costs, $40,000 in severance and benefit costs and $7,000 in other costs.

The operations from our Ohio branches that we closed during third quarter 2008 are reported as discontinued operations in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144—Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (SFAS 144). In accordance with SFAS 144, the Consolidated Statements of Income and related disclosures in the accompanying notes present the results of these branches as discontinued operations for all periods presented. With respect to the Consolidated Balance Sheets and related disclosures in the accompanying notes and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the items associated with the discontinued operations are included with the continuing operations for all periods presented. Summarized financial information for discontinued operations during the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2008 is presented below (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2008  

Total revenues

   $ 561     $ —    

Provision for losses

     550       128  

Other branch expenses

     386       (52 )
                

Total branch expenses

     936       76  
                

Branch gross loss

     (375 )     (76 )

Other, net

     (4 )  
                

Income before income taxes

     (379 )     (76 )

Benefit for income taxes

     151       36  
                

Loss from discontinued operations

   $ (228 )   $ (40 )
                

 

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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2007:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2008     2007     2008  
     (in thousands)     (percentage of revenues)  

Revenues

        

Payday loan fees

   $ 133,464     $ 133,747     86.1 %   80.3 %

Other

     21,504       32,914     13.9 %   19.7 %
                            

Total revenues

     154,968       166,661     100.0 %   100.0 %
                            

Branch expenses

        

Salaries and benefits

     34,168       36,657     22.0 %   22.0 %

Provision for losses

     37,292       40,852     24.1 %   24.5 %

Occupancy

     19,945       20,028     12.9 %   12.0 %

Depreciation and amortization

     3,547       3,353     2.3 %   2.0 %

Other

     10,934       12,789     7.0 %   7.7 %
                            

Total branch expenses

     105,886       113,679     68.3 %   68.2 %
                            

Branch gross profit

     49,082       52,982     31.7 %   31.8 %

Regional expenses

     9,513       9,999     6.1 %   6.0 %

Corporate expenses

     16,781       19,380     10.8 %   11.6 %

Depreciation and amortization

     1,631       2,042     1.1 %   1.2 %

Interest expense, net

     367       3,294     0.2 %   2.0 %

Other expense, net

     2,046       406     1.4 %   0.3 %
                            

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     18,744       17,861     12.1 %   10.7 %

Provision for income taxes

     7,448       7,454     4.8 %   4.5 %
                            

Income from continuing operations

     11,296       10,407     7.3 %   6.2 %

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax

     (362 )     (772 )   (0.3 )%   (0.4 )%
                            

Net income

   $ 10,934     $ 9,635     7.0 %   5.8 %
                            

 

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The following table sets forth selected financial and statistical information for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2008:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2008  

Other Information:

    

Payday loan volume (in thousands)

   $ 908,459     $ 947,181  

Average revenue per branch

     261,992       285,378  

Average loan size (principal plus fee)

   $ 64.49     $ 370.37  

Average fees per loan

     52.86       53.59  

Branch Information:

    

Number of branches, beginning of period

     613       596  

De novo branches opened

     16       9  

Acquired branches

     13       1  

Branches closed

     (50 )     (21 )
                

Number of branches, end of period

     592       585  
                

Average number of branches open during period

     603       591  
                

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2007    2008

Comparable Branch Information (a):

     

Total revenues generated by all comparable branches (in thousands)

   $ 149,731    $ 157,560

Total number of comparable branches

     552      552

Average revenue per comparable branch

   $ 271,252    $ 285,435

 

(a) Comparable branches are those branches that were open for all of the two periods being compared, which means the 21 months since December 31, 2006.

Income from continuing operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, income from continuing operations was $10.4 million compared to $11.3 million for the same period in 2007. A discussion of the various components of net income follows.

Revenues. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, revenues were $166.7 million, a 7.5% increase from $155.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increase in revenues reflects increases in the number of customer transactions and average loan size. We originated approximately $947.2 million through payday loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2008, which was an increase of 4.3% over the $908.5 million during the same period in the prior year. The average loan (including fee) totaled $370.37 during the first nine months of 2008 versus $364.49 in comparable 2007. Average fees received from customers per loan increased from $52.86 in first nine months of 2007 to $53.59 in comparable 2008. Our average fee rate per $100.00 was $16.96 for the first nine months 2008 and $16.96 for the same period in 2007.

As noted in the quarterly discussion, we anticipate that our average fee rate may decline in 2009 as rates are modified based on changing legislation or regulation and as we enter into or expand in states that have lower fee structures.

 

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With respect to our analysis for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we define comparable branches as those branches that have been open at least 21 months. The following table provides a summary of our revenues by comparable branches and new branches:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2007    2008
     (in thousands)

Comparable branches

   $ 149,731    $ 157,560

Branches opened in 2007

     2,044      4,568

Branches opened in 2008

        772

Other (a)

     3,193      3,761
             

Total

   $ 154,968    $ 166,661
             

 

(a) represents primarily closed branches in 2007 and buy-here, pay-here business during 2008.

Revenues for comparable branches increased 5.3%, or $7.9 million, to $157.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. This increase is primarily attributable to the acceleration of revenues associated with the 2005 and 2006 groups of branches, which improved 16.4% to $51.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to $44.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

Revenues from installment loans, CSO fees, check cashing, title loans, buy-here, pay-here and other sources totaled $32.9 million and $21.5 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The following table summarizes other revenues:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007    2008    2007     2008  
     (in thousands)    (percentage of revenues)  

Installment loan fees

   $ 6,102    $ 13,991    3.9 %   8.4 %

Credit service fees

     5,253      6,352    3.4 %   3.8 %

Check cashing fees

     4,966      4,552    3.2 %   2.7 %

Title loan fees

     3,203      2,759    2.1 %   1.7 %

Buy-here, pay-here revenues

        3,105      1.9 %

Other fees

     1,980      2,155    1.3 %   1.2 %
                          

Total

   $ 21,504    $ 32,914    13.9 %   19.7 %
                          

As noted in the quarterly discussion, the revenue increases in credit services fees and installment loans reflects the addition of new product offerings as credit services were offered in our Texas branches beginning in September 2005 and installment loans were offered in our Illinois branches beginning in second quarter 2006 and in New Mexico branches beginning in fourth quarter 2007. The decline in check cashing fees and title loan fees reflects a decrease in customer demand for these products.

Branch Expenses. Total branch expenses increased $7.8 million, or 7.4%, from $105.9 million during first nine months of 2007 to $113.7 million in first nine months of 2008. Branch-level salaries and benefits increased by $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to an increase in field personnel associated with our new branches, as well as occupancy costs associated with lease escalation provisions and cost of sales for automobile purchases. The total number of field personnel averaged 1,840 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to 1,906 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, an increase of 3.6%.

 

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The provision for losses increased from $37.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $40.9 million during nine months ended September 30, 2008. Our loss ratio was 24.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 versus 24.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Exclusive of debt sales in each period ($448,000 in 2008 and $2.0 million in 2007), the loss ratio declined from period-to-period. Our charge-offs as a percentage of revenue were 45.8% during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to 47.1% in the same period of the prior year. Our collections as a percentage of charge-offs were 47.4% during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to 49.7% during the same period in the prior year.

Comparable branches totaled $39.1 million in loan losses for the first nine months of 2008 compared to $38.3 million in loan losses for the first nine months of 2007. In our comparable branches, the loss ratio was 24.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to 25.6% for the same period in 2007.

Occupancy costs increased from $19.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $20.0 million in the current year period. Occupancy costs as a percentage of revenues were 12.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 12.9% for the same period in the prior year. In connection with the closure of 31 branches during the first quarter 2007, the first quarter 2007 termination of the de novo process for eight branches that were never opened and the decision to close our Oregon branches, we recorded approximately $1.6 million in occupancy costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to reflect lease termination costs and other occupancy related costs.

Branch Gross Profit. Branch gross profit increased by $3.9 million, or 7.9%, from $49.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $53.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Branch gross margin, which is branch gross profit as a percentage of revenues, increased from 31.7% to 31.8%. The following table summarizes our branch gross profit by comparable branches and new branches.

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2008  
     (in thousands)  

Comparable branches

   $ 49,487     $ 53,733  

Branches opened in 2007

     (446 )     133  

Branches opened in 2008

       (104 )

Other (a)

     41       (780 )
                

Total

   $ 49,082     $ 52,982  
                

 

(a) represents primarily closed branches in 2007 and buy-here, pay-here business during 2008.

Comparable branches for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 reported a gross margin of 34.1% versus 33.1% in the comparable prior year period, with the improvement in 2008 resulting from stronger results in the majority of states.

Regional and Corporate Expenses. Regional and corporate expenses increased $3.1 million from $26.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $29.4 million in the current year period. As noted in the quarterly discussion, the higher level of expenses in 2008 is attributable to higher governmental affairs spending associated with contested states and compensation increases to accommodate inflation.

Interest and Other Expenses. Interest expense totaled $3.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to interest expense of $367,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The higher level of interest expense reflects borrowings to fund operations and the special dividend paid to stockholders in December 2007.

 

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Income Tax Provision. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was 41.7% compared to 39.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increase is primarily due to certain expenses for government affairs that were not deductible for income tax purposes.

Discontinued operations. As noted in the quarterly discussion, we closed 13 of our 32 branches in Ohio during third quarter 2008 primarily due to a new law that went into effect on September 1, 2008 that effectively precludes payday loans.

Summarized financial information for discontinued operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2008 is presented below (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2008  

Total revenues

   $ 1,343     $ 1,056  

Provision for losses

     908       729  

Other branch expenses

     1,031       1,041  
                

Total branch expenses

     1,939       1,770  
                

Branch gross loss

     (596 )     (714 )

Other, net

     (5 )     (562 )
                

Income before income taxes

     (601 )     (1,276 )

Benefit for income taxes

     239       504  
                

Loss from discontinued operations

   $ (362 )   $ (772 )
                

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Summary cash flow data is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2008  

Cash flows provided by (used for):

    

Operating activities

   $ 22,423     $ 15,687  

Investing activities

     (5,930 )     (4,013 )

Financing activities

     (16,815 )     (19,402 )
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (322 )     (7,728 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     23,446       24,145  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 23,124     $ 16,417  
                

Cash Flow Discussion. Our primary source of liquidity is cash provided by operations. On December 7, 2007, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with a syndicate of banks, that provides for a term loan of $50 million and a revolving line of credit (including provisions permitting the issuance of letters of credit and swingline loans) in the aggregate principal amount of up to $45 million. The credit facility expires on December 6, 2012. The maximum borrowings under the amended credit facility may be increased to $120 million pursuant to bank approval in accordance with the terms set forth in the first amendment to the credit facility as of March 7, 2008. We used the proceeds of the term loan to pay a $2.50 per common share special cash dividend in December 2007.

Recently, the capital and credit markets have become increasingly volatile as a result of adverse conditions that have caused the failure or near failure of a number of large financial services companies. If the capital and credit markets continue to experience volatility and the availability of funds remains limited, it is possible that our ability to access the capital and credit markets may be limited at a time when we would like or need to do so, which could have an impact on our ability to fund our operations, refinance maturing debt or react to changing economic and business conditions. At this time, we believe that available short-term and long-term capital resources are sufficient to fund our working capital requirements, scheduled debt payments, interest payments, capital expenditures, income tax obligations, dividends to our stockholders, and anticipated share repurchases for the foreseeable future.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $15.7 million, approximately $6.7 million lower than the $22.4 million in comparable 2007. This decrease is primarily attributable to changes in working capital items, which can vary from period to period based on the timing of cash receipts and cash payments.

Net cash used by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $4.0 million, which consisted of approximately $3.8 million for capital expenditures and approximately $205,000 for acquisition costs. The capital expenditures included $1.6 million for the purchase of an auto sales facility, which included three buildings and approximately 1.6 acres of land, $485,000 to open nine de novo branches in 2008, $906,000 for renovations to existing and acquired branches, $547,000 for technology and other furnishings at the corporate office and $340,000 for other expenditures. Net cash used by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $5.9 million, which primarily consisted of approximately $2.4 million for capital expenditures and approximately $3.6 million in acquisition costs. The capital expenditures included $353,000 to open de novo branches in 2007, $939,000 for renovations to existing and acquired branches, $930,000 for technology and other furnishings at the corporate office, and $140,000 for other expenditures.

 

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Cash used for financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $19.4 million, which primarily consisted of $27.3 million in repayments of indebtedness under the credit facility, $3.0 million in repayments on the term loan and $11.9 million for the repurchase of 1.5 million shares of common stock. These items were partially offset by proceeds received from the borrowing of $25.1 million under the credit facility. Cash used for financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $16.8 million, which primarily consisted of $16.3 million in repayments of indebtedness under the credit facility, dividend payments to stockholders totaling $5.9 million and share repurchases of approximately 832,000 shares of our common stock for $12.0 million. These items were partially offset by proceeds received from borrowings under our credit facility totaling $15.5 million to fund operations and proceeds from the exercise of stock options by employees.

Future Capital Requirements. On November 4, 2008, our board of directors established a regular quarterly dividend of $0.05 per common share. Together with this regular quarterly dividend, the board of directors declared a special cash dividend of $0.10 per common share. The quarterly dividend and special dividend are payable on December 2, 2008 to stockholders of record as of November 20, 2008. We estimate that the total amount of the dividends will be approximately $2.7 million.

The level of cash required to operate a particular payday branch varies based on the products and services provided by that branch. For each branch location, cash is comprised of: (i) a certain amount of cash needed in the branch location; (ii) an operating reserve amount at the local bank used by that branch; and (iii) in-transit amounts within the banking system. As a general guideline, a typical branch offering only the payday loan product requires an average of approximately $10,000 to $15,000, while a branch that also includes check cashing requires an average of approximately $35,000 to $45,000.

As part of our business strategy, we intend to open de novo branches and consider acquisitions in existing and new markets. During 2005, 2006 and 2007, we had de novo unit branch growth of 46.9%, 8.6% and 3.3%, respectively. In addition, we acquired 10 branches in 2005, 51 branches in 2006 and 13 branches in 2007. We expect to open from 5 to 10 payday loan branches in 2009. We believe our current cash position, the availability under the credit facility and our expected cash flow from operations should provide the capital needed to fund this level of branch growth, assuming no material acquisitions in 2009.

The capital costs of opening a de novo branch include leasehold improvements, signage, computer equipment and security systems, and the costs vary depending on the branch size, location and the services being offered. During 2006 and 2007, we opened 66 de novo branches. The average cost of capital expenditures for these new branches was approximately $56,000 per branch.

On March 11, 2008, our board of directors increased our $40 million common stock repurchase program to $60 million. As noted above, we repurchased $11.9 million of our common stock during first nine months of 2008, which leaves approximately $10.0 million that may yet be purchased under the current program. We will continue to weigh common stock repurchase opportunities with other capital allocation alternatives based on liquidity, total capital available, existing debt covenants and stock price fluctuations.

We had two buy-here, pay-here automobile lots opened as of September 30, 2008 and we opened a third lot in October 2008. In addition, we plan on opening from three to five additional lots during 2009. During the start-up of these operations, capital requirements are not material. As the business grows, however, the business requires accumulation of automobile inventory. Sales of automobiles are typically completed through a small down payment and an installment loan. As a result, the initial phase of a buy-here, pay-here operation is cash flow negative. Based on initial information and industry research, it appears that a typical location requires approximately $2.5 million to $3.5 million of capital availability over a two to three year period. As this business progresses, we will evaluate the capital requirements and the associated return on investment. The current Arizona payday loan statutory authority expires by its terms in July 2010.

Concentration of Risk. Our branches located in the states of Missouri, California, Arizona, South Carolina, Kansas and Illinois represented approximately 24%, 13%, 8%, 8%, 5% and 5%, respectively, of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Our branches located in the states of Missouri, Arizona, California, Illinois, South Carolina, and Kansas represented approximately 29%, 12%, 11%, 8%, 6% and 6%, respectively, of total branch gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. To the extent that laws and regulations are passed that affect our ability to offer payday loans or the manner in which we offer payday loans in any one of those states, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected. The current Arizona payday loan statutory authority expires by its terms in July 2010.

 

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Seasonality

Our business is seasonal due to fluctuating demand for payday loans during the year. Historically, we have experienced our highest demand for payday loans in January and in the fourth calendar quarter. As a result of the receipt by customers of their income tax refunds, demand for payday loans has historically declined in the balance of the first quarter of each calendar year and the first month of the second quarter. Our loss ratio historically fluctuates with these changes in payday loan demand, with a higher loss ratio in the second and third quarters of each calendar year and a lower loss ratio in the first and fourth quarters of each calendar year. Due to the seasonality of our business, results of operations for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be achieved for the full year.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In September 2005, we began operating through a subsidiary as a CSO in our Texas branches. As a CSO, we act as a credit services organization on behalf of consumers in accordance with Texas laws. We charge the consumer a fee for arranging for an unrelated third-party lender to make a loan to the consumer and for providing related services to the consumer, including a guarantee of the consumer’s obligation to the third-party lender. We also service the loan for the lender. We are not involved in the loan approval process or in determining the loan approval procedures or criteria, and we will not acquire or own any participation interest in the loans. Consequently, loans made by the lender will not be included in our loans receivable balance and will not be reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Under the agreement with the current lender, however, we absorb all risk of loss through our guarantee of the consumer’s loan from the lender. As of December 31, 2007, and September 30, 2008, consumers had total loans outstanding with the lender of approximately $3.1 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Because of the economic exposure for potential losses related to the guarantee of these loans, we record a payable to reflect the anticipated losses related to uncollected loans. The payable is recognized at its fair value pursuant to FIN 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others. Changes in the liability are recognized through the provision for loan losses in our Consolidated Statements of Income. The balance of the liability for estimated losses reported in accrued liabilities was approximately $160,000 as of December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2008.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We have had no significant changes in our Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk from that previously reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information, which is required to be timely disclosed, is accumulated and communicated to management in a timely fashion. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

Our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) is designed to provide reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. However, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

On September 5, 2008, one of our subsidiaries was sued in the Superior Court of California, San Diego County in a putative class action lawsuit filed by Jennifer M. Winters, a customer of our California subsidiary. Ms. Winters alleges that our subsidiary violated California’s Deferred Deposit Transaction Law, Unfair Competition Law, and Consumer Legal Remedies Act. Ms. Winters alleges that our subsidiary improperly charged California consumers a fee to extend or “roll over” their loan transactions, that our subsidiary did not have authority to deduct funds electronically, and that our subsidiary’s use of a class action waiver in its loan agreements is unconscionable. On October 29, 2008, our California subsidiary filed its answer, denying all allegations. It also filed a claim against Ms. Winters for failing to pay her final loan. Because this case is in its preliminary stages, it is unlikely any ruling on the merits of the claims will occur until late 2009 or later.

There have been no material developments in the third quarter 2008 in any cases material to the Company as reported in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. The following table sets forth certain information about the shares of common stock we repurchased during the third quarter 2008.

 

Period

   Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
   Average
Price Paid
Per Share
   Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of
Publicly
Announced
Program
   Maximum
Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares that May
Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Program

July 1 – July 31

   28,300    $ 8.25    28,300    $ 10,527,449

August 1 – August 31

   34,332      7.89    34,332      10,256,527

September 1 – September 30 (a)

   31,577      7.29    31,341      10,028,370
                       

Total

   94,209    $ 7.80    93,973    $ 10,028,370
                       

 

(a) Stock repurchase of 236 shares in September 2008 was made in connection with the funding of employee income tax withholding obligations arising from the vesting of restricted shares.

On March 11, 2008, our board of directors increased the authorization limit of our common stock repurchase program to $60 million and extended the program through June 30, 2009. As of September 30, 2008, we have repurchased 4.4 million shares at a total cost of approximately $50.0 million.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Rule 13-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Rule 13-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized and in the capacities indicated on November 7, 2008.

 

   QC Holdings, Inc.   
  

/s/ Darrin J. Andersen

  
   Darrin J. Andersen   
   President and Chief Operating Officer   
  

/s/ Douglas E. Nickerson

  
   Douglas E. Nickerson   
   Chief Financial Officer   
   (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   

 

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