REGIONAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY – 10-Q

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These discussions contain forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and that include, but are not limited to, statements concerning our strategies, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, expectations regarding demand and acceptance for our financial products, growth opportunities and trends in the market in which we operate, prospects, and plans and objectives of management. The words "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "plans," "projects," "predicts," "will," "would," "should," "could," "potential," "continue," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, events, and/or performance to differ materially from the plans, intentions, and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the risks set forth in our filings with theSEC , including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year endedDecember 31, 2021 (which was filed with theSEC onMarch 4, 2022 ) and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The COVID-19 pandemic may also magnify many of these risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking information we have provided in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q pursuant to the safe harbor established under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 should be evaluated in the context of these factors. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise such statements, except as required by the federal securities laws.
Insight
We are a diversified consumer finance company that provides installment loan products primarily to customers with limited access to consumer credit from banks, thrifts, credit card companies, and other lenders. As ofMarch 31, 2022 , we operate under the name "Regional Finance" in 354 branch locations in 14 states acrossthe United States , serving 466,100 active accounts. Most of our loan products are secured, and each is structured on a fixed-rate, fixed-term basis with fully amortizing equal monthly installment payments, repayable at any time without penalty. We source our loans through our omni-channel platform, which includes our branches, centrally-managed direct mail campaigns, digital partners, retailers, and our consumer website. We operate an integrated branch model in which nearly all loans, regardless of origination channel, are serviced through our branch network. This provides us with frequent contact with our customers, which we believe improves our credit performance and customer loyalty. Our goal is to consistently grow our finance receivables and to soundly manage our portfolio risk, while providing our customers with attractive and easy-to-understand loan products that serve their varied financial needs.
Our products include small, large and retail installment loans:
• Small loans (?
current installment loans, representing
receivables. This included 142,200 convenience checks for small loans,
representing
• Large loans (>
current installment loans, representing
receivables. This included 17,900 large loan convenience checks,
representing
• Personal Loans – As of
outstanding loans, representing
• Optional insurance products: we offer optional payments and guarantees
protection insurance to our direct lending customers.
Our primary sources of revenue are interest and fee income from our loan products, of which interest and fees relating to small and large installment loans are the largest component. In addition to interest and fee income from loans, we derive revenue from optional insurance products purchased by customers of our direct loan products. 27
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Outlook
We continually assess the macroeconomic environment in which we operate in order to appropriately and timely adapt to current market conditions. Macroeconomic factors, including, but not limited to, the COVID-19 pandemic, impacts from current geopolitical events outside theU.S. , and inflationary pressures, may affect our business, liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in economic disruption and uncertainty. At the beginning of the pandemic, during the second quarter of 2020, we experienced a decrease in demand. Since that time, our loan growth has steadily increased. Our net finance receivables were$1.4 billion as ofMarch 31, 2022 ,$340.5 million higher than the prior-year period. However, future consumer demand remains subject to the uncertainty surrounding the duration and nature of the pandemic going forward, including the severity of any future waves of COVID-19. The extent to which the pandemic will ultimately impact our business and financial condition will depend on future events that are difficult to forecast, including, but not limited to, the duration and severity of the pandemic (as a result of variant strains of the virus and waves of outbreak), the success of actions taken to contain, treat, and prevent the spread of the virus, and the speed at which normal economic and operating conditions return and are sustained. Recent geopolitical events outside of theU.S. have contributed to volatility inU.S. markets. Current inflationary pressures have also added to economic uncertainty. In addition, environmental, social, and governance ("ESG") matters have become an area of increasing focus for lawmakers, regulators, stockholders, and other stakeholders. Proposed legislation and rulemaking issued or under consideration include proposals to require disclosure of climate, cybersecurity, and other ESG metrics and risks. The potential impact of any of these or other ESG-related legislation or regulations on our business remains uncertain. We seek to employ a data-driven approach to managing our risk. We manage risk, among other ways, through our custom risk and response scorecards, adjustment of underwriting criteria, analysis of early payment activity, and detailed geographic and customer segmentation to ensure that incremental direct mail loan volume is capable of absorbing credit losses at two to three times our historical levels while still providing positive contribution margin. As ofMarch 31, 2022 , our allowance for credit losses included$15.9 million of reserves associated with potential future macroeconomic impacts on credit losses, inclusive of those associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Our contractual delinquency as a percentage of net finance receivables was 5.7% as ofMarch 31, 2022 , up from 4.3% as ofMarch 31, 2021 , and down from pre-pandemic levels of 6.6% and 6.9% as ofMarch 31, 2020 andMarch 31, 2019 , respectively. Going forward, we may experience changes to the macroeconomic assumptions within our forecast and changes to our credit loss performance outlook, both of which could lead to further changes in our allowance for credit losses, reserve rate, and provision for credit losses expense. We proactively diversified our funding over the past few years and continue to maintain a strong liquidity profile. In the first quarter of 2022, we successfully closed a$250 million asset-backed securitization that consisted of the issuance of four classes of fixed-rate asset backed notes with a three-year revolving period. As ofMarch 31, 2022 , we had$214.6 million of available liquidity, comprised of unrestricted cash on hand and immediate availability to draw down cash from our revolving credit facilities, representing a$4.9 million improvement in our liquidity position sinceDecember 31, 2021 . In addition, we had$671.1 million of unused capacity on our revolving credit facilities (subject to the borrowing base) as ofMarch 31, 2022 . We believe our liquidity position provides us substantial runway to fund our growth initiatives and to support the fundamental operations of our business. We have increasingly relied on online operations for customer access, including remote loan closings in recent years. On the digital front, we continue to build and expand upon our end-to-end online and mobile origination capabilities for new and existing customers, along with additional digital servicing functionality. Combined with remote loan closings, we believe that these omni-channel sales and servicing capabilities have and will continue to expand the market reach of our branches, increase our average branch receivables, and improve our revenues and operating efficiencies, while at the same time increasing customer satisfaction.
Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Our business is driven by several factors affecting our revenues, costs and
operating results, including the following:
Quarterly Information and Seasonality. Our loan volume and contractual delinquency follow seasonal trends. Demand for our small and large loans is typically highest during the second, third, and fourth quarters, which we believe is largely due to customers borrowing money for vacation, back-to-school, and holiday spending. Loan demand has generally been the lowest during the first quarter, which we believe is largely due to the timing of income tax refunds. Delinquencies generally reach their lowest point in the first half of the year and rise in the second half of the year. Changes in quarterly growth or liquidation could result in larger allowance for credit loss releases in periods of portfolio liquidation, and larger provisions for credit losses in periods of portfolio growth. Consequently, we experience seasonal fluctuations in our operating results. However, changes in borrower assistance 28 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- programs and customer access to external economic stimulus measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted our typical seasonal trends for loan volume and delinquency. Growth in Loan Portfolio. The revenue that we derive from interest and fees is largely driven by the balance of loans that we originate and purchase. Average net finance receivables were$1.4 billion for the first three months of 2022 and$1.1 billion for the prior-year period. We source our loans through our branches, direct mail program, retail partners, digital partners, and our consumer website. Our loans are made almost exclusively in geographic markets served by our network of branches. Increasing the number of loans per branch and growing our state footprint allows us to increase the number of loans that we are able to service. InFebruary 2022 , we opened our first branch inMississippi , our fourteenth state. We expect to enter four to five additional states by the end of 2022, includingCalifornia . We regularly assess our legacy branch network for clear opportunities to consolidate operations into larger branches within close geographic proximity. In the second quarter, we expect to close approximately twenty branches where there are clear opportunities to consolidate operations. This branch optimization is consistent with our omni-channel strategy and builds upon our recent successes in entering new states with a lighter branch footprint, while still providing customers with best-in-class service. We plan to add additional branches in new and existing states where it is favorable for us to conduct business. Product Mix. We are exposed to different credit risks and charge different interest rates and fees with respect to the various types of loans we offer. Our product mix also varies to some extent by state, and we may further diversify our product mix in the future. The interest rates and fees vary from state to state, depending on the competitive environment and relevant laws and regulations.
Asset quality and allowance for credit losses. Our operating results are
highly dependent on the credit quality of our loan portfolio. Credit
the quality of our loan portfolio is the result of our ability to apply sound
underwriting standards, maintaining diligent portfolio servicing and
respond to changing economic conditions as we grow our loan portfolio.
The primary underlying factors driving the provision for credit losses for each loan type are our underwriting standards, the general economic conditions in the areas in which we conduct business, loan portfolio growth, and the effectiveness of our collection efforts. We monitor these factors, and the amount and past due status of all loans, to identify trends that might require us to modify the allowance for credit losses. Interest Rates. Our costs of funds are affected by changes in interest rates, as the interest rates that we pay on certain of our credit facilities are variable. As a component of our strategy to manage the interest rate risk associated with future interest payments on our variable-rate debt, we have purchased interest rate cap contracts.
Operating costs. Our financial results are impacted by operating costs
and head office functions. These costs are included in general and
administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
Components of operating results
Interest and commission income. Our interest and commission income consists mainly of
interest earned on outstanding loans. Accumulation of interest income on financing
Accounts Receivable is suspended when an account is 90 days past due. If the
account is written off, accrued interest income is written off as a reduction
interest and commission income.
Most states allow certain fees in connection with lending activities, such as loan origination fees, acquisition fees, and maintenance fees. Some states allow for higher fees while keeping interest rates lower. Loan fees are additional charges to the customer and generally are included in the annual percentage rate shown in the Truth in Lending disclosure that we make to our customers. The fees may or may not be refundable to the customer in the event of an early payoff, depending on state law. Fees are recognized as income over the life of the loan on the constant yield method. Insurance Income, Net. Our insurance operations are a material part of our overall business and are integral to our lending activities. Insurance income, net consists primarily of earned premiums, net of certain direct costs, from the sale of various optional payment and collateral protection insurance products offered to customers who obtain loans directly from us. Insurance income, net also includes the earned premiums and direct costs associated with the non-file insurance that we purchase to protect us from credit losses where, following an event of default, we are unable to take possession of personal property collateral because our security interest is not perfected. We do not sell insurance to non-borrowers. Direct costs included in insurance income, net are claims paid, claims reserves, ceding fees, and premium taxes paid. We do not allocate to insurance income, net, any other head office or branch administrative costs associated with management of insurance operations, management of our captive insurance company, marketing and selling insurance products, legal and compliance review, or internal audits. 29
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As a reinsurer, we maintain cash reserves for life insurance claims in the amount
determined by the unaffiliated insurance company. From
the allocated cash balance for these cash reserves was
unaffiliated insurance company maintains reserves for non-life claims.
Other Income. Our other income consists primarily of late charges assessed on customers who fail to make a payment within a specified number of days following the due date of the payment. In addition, fees for extending the due date of a loan, returned check charges, commissions earned from the sale of an auto club product, and interest income from restricted cash are included in other income. Provision for Credit Losses. Provisions for credit losses are charged to income in amounts that we estimate as sufficient to maintain an allowance for credit losses at an adequate level to provide for lifetime expected credit losses on the related finance receivable portfolio. Credit loss experience, current conditions, reasonable and supportable economic forecasts, delinquency of finance receivables, loan portfolio growth, the value of underlying collateral, and management's judgment are factors used in assessing the overall adequacy of the allowance and the resulting provision for credit losses. Our provision for credit losses fluctuates so that we maintain an adequate credit loss allowance that reflects lifetime expected credit losses for each finance receivable type. Changes in our delinquency and net credit loss rates may result in changes to our provision for credit losses. Substantial adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if there are significant changes in forecasted economic conditions or loan portfolio performance. General and Administrative Expenses. Our financial results are impacted by the costs of operations and head office functions. Those costs are included in general and administrative expenses within our consolidated statements of income. Our general and administrative expenses are comprised of four categories: personnel, occupancy, marketing, and other. We measure our general and administrative expenses as a percentage of average net finance receivables, which we refer to as our operating expense ratio.
Our personnel costs form the largest part of our general expenses and
administrative costs and consist mainly of salaries and wages,
overtime, contract labor, relocation costs, incentives, benefits and more
payroll taxes associated with all of our operations and head office employees.
Our occupancy expenses consist primarily of the cost of renting our facilities, all of which are leased, and the utility, depreciation of leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures, communication services, data processing, and other non-personnel costs associated with operating our business. Our marketing expenses consist primarily of costs associated with our direct mail campaigns (including postage and costs associated with selecting recipients), digital marketing, maintaining our consumer website, and some local marketing by branches. These costs are expensed as incurred. Other expenses consist primarily of legal, compliance, audit, and consulting costs, as well as software maintenance and support, non-employee director compensation, electronic payment processing costs, bank service charges, office supplies, credit bureau charges, and the amortization of software, software licenses, and implementation costs. We frequently experience fluctuations in other expenses as we grow our loan portfolio and expand our market footprint. For a discussion regarding how risks and uncertainties associated with the current regulatory environment may impact our future expenses, net income, and overall financial condition, see Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and the filings referenced therein. Interest Expense. Our interest expense consists primarily of paid and accrued interest for debt, unused line fees, and amortization of debt issuance costs on debt. Interest expense also includes changes in the fair value of interest rate caps. Income Taxes. Income taxes consist of state and federal income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The change in deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the period in which the change occurs, and the effects of future tax rate changes are recognized in the period in which the enactment of new rates occurs. 30
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Operating results
The following table summarizes our results of operations, both in dollars and in
a percentage of average net financial claims (annualised):
1Q 22 1Q 21 % of % of Average Net Average Net Finance Finance Dollars in thousands Amount Receivables Amount Receivables Revenue Interest and fee income$ 107,631 30.0 %$ 87,279 31.1 % Insurance income, net 10,544 2.9 % 7,985 2.8 % Other income 2,673 0.8 % 2,467 0.9 % Total revenue 120,848 33.7 % 97,731 34.8 % Expenses Provision for credit losses 30,858 8.6 % 11,362 4.0 % Personnel 35,654 9.9 % 28,851 10.3 % Occupancy 5,808 1.6 % 6,020 2.1 % Marketing 3,091 0.9 % 2,710 1.0 % Other 10,547 3.0 % 8,262 2.9 % Total general and administrative 55,100 15.4 % 45,843 16.3 % Interest expense (59 ) 0.0 % 7,135 2.6 % Income before income taxes 34,949 9.7 % 33,391 11.9 % Income taxes 8,166 2.2 % 7,869 2.8 % Net income$ 26,783 7.5 %$ 25,522 9.1 %
Information explaining changes in our operating results from
from year to year is provided on the following pages.
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The following tables summarize quarterly trends in our financial results: