WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORP 10-K

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations General The Company's financial performance continues to be dependent in large part upon the growth in its outstanding loans receivable, the maintenance of loan quality and acceptable levels of operating expenses. Since March 31, 2019, gross loans receivable have increased at a 5.36% annual compounded rate from $1.13 billion to $1.39 billion at March 31, 2023. We believe we were able to improve our gross loans receivable growth rates through acquisitions, improved marketing processes, and analytics. The Company plans to enter into new markets through opening new branches and acquisitions as opportunities arise. The Company offers an income tax return preparation and electronic filing program in all but a few of its branches. The Company prepared approximately 75,000, 81,000, and 77,000 returns in each of the fiscal years 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Revenues from the Company’s tax preparation business in fiscal 2023 amounted to approximately $24.0 million, a 2.2% decrease over the $24.5 million earned during fiscal 2022. The following table sets forth certain information derived from the Company's consolidated statements of operations and balance sheets, as well as operating data and ratios, for the periods indicated: 29 Table of Contents Years Ended March 31, 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Gross loans receivable $ 1,390,016 $ 1,522,789 $ 1,104,746 Average gross loans receivable (1) $ 1,555,655 $ 1,377,740 $ 1,143,186 Net loans receivable (2) $ 1,013,341 $ 1,119,758 $ 825,382 Average net loans receivable (3) $ 1,133,051 $ 1,014,984 $ 848,732 Expenses as a percentage of total revenue: Provision for credit losses 42.1 % 31.8 % 16.3 % General and administrative 45.3 % 51.3 % 57.7 % Interest expense 8.2 % 5.7 % 4.9 % Operating income as a % of total revenue (4) 12.6 % 16.9 % 26.0 % Loan volume (5) 3,078,672 3,267,860 2,371,981 Net charge-offs as percent of average net loans receivable 23.7 % 14.2 % 14.1 % Return on average assets (trailing 12 months) 1.7 % 4.8 % 9.1 % Return on average equity (trailing 12 months) 5.8 % 13.4 % 22.8 % Branches opened or acquired (merged or closed), net (94) (38) (38) Branches open (at period end) 1,073 1,167 1,205 _______________________________________________________ (1) Average gross loans receivable have been determined by averaging month-end gross loans receivable over the indicated period, excluding tax advances. (2) Net loans receivable is defined as gross loans receivable less unearned interest and deferred fees. (3) Average net loans receivable have been determined by averaging month-end gross loans receivable less unearned interest and deferred fees over the indicated period, excluding tax advances. (4) Operating income is computed as total revenue less provision for credit losses and general and administrative expenses. (5) Loan volume includes all loan balances originated by the Company. It does not include loans purchased through acquisitions. Comparison of Fiscal 2023 Versus Fiscal 2022 Net income for fiscal 2023 was $21.2 million, a 60.6% decrease from the $53.9 million earned during fiscal 2022. The decrease in net income from was primarily due to a $73.3 million increase in the provision for credit losses partially offset by a $31.4 million increase in revenue. Operating income (revenues less provision for credit losses and general and administrative expenses) during fiscal 2023 decreased $21.4 million. Total revenues increased $31.36 million, or 5.4%, to $616.55 million in fiscal 2023, from $585.19 million in fiscal 2022. At March 31, 2023, the Company had 1,073 branches in operation, a decrease of 94 branches from March 31, 2022. Interest and fee income during fiscal 2023 increased by $22.7 million, or 4.7%, from fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in average net loans receivable, which increased 11.6% during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. Interest and fee income was also impacted by a shift to larger, lower interest rate loans. The large loan portfolio increased from 51.8% of the overall portfolio as of March 31, 2022, to 58.1% as of March 31, 2023. Insurance commissions and other income increased by $8.7 million, or 8.7%, from fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2023. Insurance commissions increased by $10.9 million, or 19.3%, from fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2023 due to an increase in loan volume in states where we offer our insurance products along with the shift towards larger loans. The sale of insurance products is limited to 30 Table of Contents large loans in several states in which we operate. Other income decreased by $2.2 million, or 5.1%, from fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2023 primarily due to a decrease in tax preparation income of $0.5 million and a decrease in revenue from the Company's motor club product of $5.1 million offset by a $4.0 million gain from acquisitions. The provision for losses during fiscal 2023 increased by $73.3 million, or 39.3%, from the previous year. This increase can mostly be attributed to an increase in charge-off rates during the year. Accounts that were 91 days or more past due represented 3.5% and 4.5% of our loan portfolio on a recency basis at March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, respectively. The Company's year-over-year net charge-off ratio (net charge-offs as a percentage of average net loans receivable) increased from 14.2% for the year ended March 31, 2022 to 23.7% for the year ended March 31, 2023. Net charge-offs and the net charge-off rate were negatively impacted by a higher proportion of new borrowers at the beginning of the current fiscal year. New borrowers are our riskiest customer type and typically perform worse than our longer tenured customers. Additionally, new borrowers originated in the prior fiscal year performed worse than expected due to macro-economic factors. Customers who are new borrowers to the Company (less than two years since their first origination at the time of their current loan) as a percentage of the year-end portfolio decreased 20.8% year over year. These "new to World" customers now account for 25.1% of the portfolio, a decrease from 31.7% last year. Customers who were with the Company for less than five months have decreased 54.9% from 13.1% to 5.9%. The reduction of new borrowers in the portfolio as well as better performance of the new borrowers originated in the current fiscal year should result in lower net-charge offs in fiscal year 2024. The net charge-off rate for the past ten fiscal years averaged 16.0%, with a high of 23.7% (fiscal 2023) and a low of 12.8% (fiscal 2015). In fiscal 2023 the charge-off rate was 23.7%. The following table presents the Company's net charge-off ratios since 2013. _______________________________________________________ 2015 In fiscal 2015, the Company's net charge-off rate decreased to 12.8%. The net charge-off rate benefited from a change in branch level incentives during the year, which allowed branch managers to continue collection efforts on accounts that are 91 days or more past due without having their monthly bonus negatively impacted. As expected, the change resulted in an increase in accounts 91 31 Table of Contents days or more past due and fewer net charge-offs during fiscal 2015. We estimate the net charge-off rate would have been approximately 14.0% for fiscal 2015 excluding the impact of the change. 2023 In fiscal 2023, the Company's net charge-off rate increased to 23.7%. This increase is primarily attributable to the higher proportion of new borrowers at the beginning of the current fiscal year. Additionally, new borrowers originated in the prior fiscal year performed worse than expected due to macro-economic factors. General and administrative expenses during fiscal 2023 decreased by $20.5 million, or 6.8%, over the previous fiscal year. General and administrative expenses, when divided by average open branches, increased 0.3% from fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2023 and, overall, general and administrative expenses as a percent of total revenues decreased to 45.3% in fiscal 2023 from 51.3% in fiscal 2022. The change in general and administrative expense is explained in greater detail below. Personnel expense totaled $177.7 million for fiscal 2023, a $5.4 million, or 2.9%, decrease over fiscal 2022. The decrease was largely due to an $8.5 million decrease in stock compensation expense and a $6.8 million decrease in bonus expense, offset by an $8.5 million increase in salary expense. On July 1, 2022, we increased base wages for our financial service representatives to a minimum of approximately $15 an hour and eliminated the monthly bonus for the same position. Occupancy and equipment expense totaled $52.1 million for fiscal 2023, remaining relatively flat when compared to fiscal year 2022. Occupancy and equipment expense is generally a function of the number of branches the Company has open throughout the year. In fiscal 2023, the expense per average open branch increased to $46.7 thousand, up from $43.4 thousand in fiscal 2022. Advertising expense totaled $6.1 million for fiscal 2023, a $12.2 million, or 66.7%, decrease over fiscal 2022. The decrease was primarily due to decreased spending in our digital marketing and new customer acquisition programs. Amortization of intangible assets totaled $4.5 million for fiscal 2023, a $0.5 million, or 10.9%, decrease over fiscal 2022, which primarily relates to a corresponding decrease in intangible assets acquired in the current fiscal year compared to the previous fiscal year. Other expense totaled $39.1 million for fiscal 2023, a $2.4 million, or 5.8%, decrease over fiscal 2022. Interest expense increased by $17.0 million, or 51.0%, during fiscal 2023 when compared to the previous fiscal year as a result of an increase in average debt outstanding of 26.1% and an increase in the effective interest rate from 5.7% to 7.1%. Income tax expense decreased $5.7 million, or 49.3% for fiscal 2023 compared to the prior fiscal year. The effective tax rate increased to 21.8% for fiscal 2023 compared to 17.8% for fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily due to the Adoption of ASU 2023-02 in the current fiscal year which requires the recognition of tax credit investments as a portion of income tax expense rather than pretax other expense, along with a decrease in the permanent tax benefit related to non-qualified stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock recognized in the current fiscal year. This was partially offset by a decrease in the disallowed executive compensation under Section 162(m) in the current fiscal year. Comparison of Fiscal 2022 Versus Fiscal 2021 For a comparison of our results of operations for the years ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021, see Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 (which was filed with the SEC on May 27, 2022). Regulatory Matters Mexico Investigation As previously disclosed, in August 2020, the Company reached a resolution with both the SEC and the DOJ regarding allegations primarily involving the Company's former subsidiary in Mexico (the Company divested its operations in Mexico in 2018). The DOJ declined to prosecute the Company given its voluntary self-disclosure and full remediation. Pursuant to a settlement and cease and desist order with the SEC, the Company paid $21,726,000 to the SEC in August of 2020. CFPB Rulemaking Initiative 32 Table of Contents On October 5, 2017, the CFPB issued a final rule (the "Rule") imposing limitations on (i) short-term consumer loans, (ii) longer-term consumer installment loans with balloon payments, and (iii) higher-rate consumer installment loans repayable by a payment authorization. The Rule originally required lenders originating short-term loans and longer-term balloon payment loans to evaluate whether each consumer has the ability to repay the loan along with current obligations and expenses (“ability to repay requirements”); however, the ability to repay requirements was rescinded in July 2020. The Rule also curtails repeated unsuccessful attempts to debit consumers’ accounts for short-term loans, balloon payment loans, and installment loans that involve a payment authorization and an annual percentage rate over 36% (“payment requirements”). Implementation of the Rule’s payment requirements may require changes to the Company’s practices and procedures for such loans, which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to make such loans, the cost of making such loans, the Company’s ability to, or frequency with which it could, refinance any such loans, and the profitability of such loans. In July 2020, the CFPB rescinded provisions of the Rule governing the ability to repay requirements. Currently, the payment requirements are scheduled to take effect in June 2022. However, on October 19, 2022, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled, in Community Financial Services Association of America v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, that the funding mechanism for the CFPB violates the appropriations clause of the U.S. Constitution, and as a result vacated the Rule. On February 27, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it would grant the CFPB’s petition for certiorari, to decide the constitutionality of the CFPB’s funding mechanism. Because all CFPB rulemakings depend on the expenditure of CFPB funds, there is a risk that if the Court finds the CFPB’s funding mechanism to be unconstitutional, prior CFPB activities, including the promulgation of regulations impacting the lending market and upon which lenders, such as the Company, have relied in conducting their activities, may also be deemed unconstitutional. Although the Court could issue is decision at any time after oral argument, which is anticipated to occur as part of the Court’s October 2023 Term, it is possible that a decision may not be issued until the end of the Court’s term in June 2024. To the extent that the Rule is reinstated and takes effect, any regulatory changes could have effects beyond those currently contemplated that could further materially and adversely impact our business and operations. Unless rescinded or otherwise amended, the Company will have to comply with the Rule’s payment requirements if it continues to allow consumers to set up future recurring payments online for certain covered loans such that it meets the definition of having a “leveraged payment mechanism” under the Rule. If the payment provisions of the Rule apply, the Company will have to modify its loan payment procedures to comply with the required notices and mandated timeframes set forth in the final rule. The CFPB also has stated that it expects to conduct separate rulemaking to identify larger participants in the installment lending market for purposes of its supervision program. This initiative was classified as “inactive” on the CFPB’s Spring 2018 rulemaking agenda and has remained inactive since, but the CFPB indicated that such action was not a decision on the merits. Though the likelihood and timing of any such rulemaking is uncertain, the Company believes that the implementation of such rules would likely bring the Company’s business under the CFPB’s supervisory authority which, among other things, would subject the Company to reporting obligations to, and on-site compliance examinations by, the CFPB. In addition, even in the absence of a “larger participant” rule, the CFPB has the power to order individual nonbank financial institutions to submit to supervision where the CFPB has reasonable cause to determine that the institution is engaged in “conduct that poses risks to consumers” under 12 USC 5514(a)(1)(C). In 2022, the CFPB announced that it has begun using this “dormant authority” to examine nonbank entities and the CFPB is attempting to expand the number of nonbank entities it currently supervises. Specifically, the CFPB has notified the Company that it is seeking to establish such supervisory authority over the Company. The Company disagrees that the CFPB has reasonable cause to to supervise the Company, has responded to the CFPB's notice, and is awaiting further response from the CFPB. If the CFPB ultimately determines it has supervisory authority over the Company, then the Company may be subject to, among other things, examination by the CFPB. See Part I, Item 1, “Description of Business - Government Regulation - Federal legislation,” for a further discussion of these matters and the federal regulations to which the Company’s operations are subject and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” for more information regarding these regulatory and related risks. Quarterly Information and Seasonality The Company's loan volume and corresponding loans receivable follow seasonal trends. The Company's highest loan demand typically occurs from October through December, its third fiscal quarter. Loan demand has generally been the lowest and loan repayment highest from January to March, its fourth fiscal quarter. Loan volume and average balances typically remain relatively level during the remainder of the year. This seasonal trend affects quarterly operating performance through corresponding fluctuations in interest and fee income and insurance commissions earned and the provision for credit losses recorded, as well as fluctuations in the Company's cash needs. Consequently, operating results for the Company's third fiscal quarter generally are significantly lower than in other quarters and operating results for its fourth fiscal quarter are significantly higher than in other quarters. 33 Table of Contents The following table sets forth, on a quarterly basis, certain items included in the Company's unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and shows the number of branches open during fiscal years 2023 and 2022. At or for the Three Months Ended 2023 2022 June 30, September 30, December 31, March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, March 31, (Dollars in thousands) Total revenues $ 157,918 $ 151,258 $ 146,532 $ 160,837 $ 129,659 $ 137,827 $ 149,046 $ 168,656 Provision for credit losses $ 85,822 $ 68,620 $ 59,609 $ 45,412 $ 30,266 $ 42,044 $ 56,459 $ 57,439 General and administrative expenses $ 73,174 $ 71,218 $ 66,475 $ 68,607 $ 73,351 $ 74,989 $ 74,703 $ 76,934 Net income (loss) $ (8,803) $ (1,366) $ 5,759 $ 25,643 $ 15,771 $ 12,439 $ 7,327 $ 18,382 Gross loans receivable $ 1,641,798 $ 1,598,362 $ 1,553,985 $ 1,390,016 $ 1,223,139 $ 1,394,827 $ 1,606,111 $ 1,522,789 Number of branches open 1,146 1,104 1,084 1,073 1,205 1,202 1,202 1,167 Critical Accounting Policies The Company’s accounting and reporting policies are in accordance with GAAP and conform to general practices within the finance company industry. The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements are discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain critical accounting policies involve significant judgment by the Company’s management, including the use of estimates and assumptions which affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. As a result, changes in these estimates and assumptions could significantly affect the Company’s financial position and results of operations. The Company considers its policies regarding the allowance for credit losses, share-based compensation, and income taxes to be its most critical accounting policies due to the significant degree of management judgment involved. Allowance for Credit Losses Accounting policies related to the allowance for credit losses are considered to be critical as these policies involve considerable subjective judgement and estimation by management. As discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report, our policies related to the allowances for credit losses changed on April 1, 2020 in connection with the adoption of a new accounting standard update as codified in ASC 326. In the case of loans, the allowance for credit losses is a contra-asset valuation account, calculated in accordance with ASC 326 that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of loans to present the net amount expected to be collected. The amount of the allowance account represents management’s best estimate of current expected credit losses on these financial instruments considering available information, from internal and external sources, relevant to assessing exposure to credit loss over the contractual term of the instrument. Relevant available information includes historical credit loss experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Share-Based Compensation The Company measures compensation cost for share-based awards at fair value and recognizes compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest. The fair value of restricted stock is based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock at the time of grant, and the fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Black-Scholes model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including expected volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected life, changes to which can materially affect the fair value estimate. Actual results, and future changes in estimates, may differ substantially from our current estimates. Income Taxes 34 Table of Contents Management uses certain assumptions and estimates in determining income taxes payable or refundable, deferred income tax liabilities and assets for events recognized differently in its financial statements and income tax returns, and income tax expense. Determining these amounts requires analysis of certain transactions and interpretation of tax laws and regulations. Management exercises considerable judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of the resulting income tax liabilities and assets. These judgments and estimates are re-evaluated on a periodic basis as regulatory and business factors change. Pursuant to ASC 740, a deferred tax asset or liability is generally recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences, net operating losses, and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets are to be reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Significant judgment is required in assessing the realizability of the Company’s deferred tax assets. The Company considers all available evidence, both positive and negative, in assessing the extent to which a valuation allowance should be applied against its deferred tax asset. If, based on its assessment, the Company determines that it is more likely than not (intended to mean a likelihood that is more than 50%) that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon generation of future taxable income of the appropriate character during the periods in which the temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the timing of the reversal of deferred liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and the ability to carryback tax attributes in making this assessment. No assurance can be given that either the tax returns submitted by management or the income tax reported on the Consolidated Financial Statements will not be adjusted by either adverse rulings, changes in the tax code, or assessments made by the Internal Revenue Service or by state or foreign taxing authorities. The Company is subject to potential adverse adjustments including, but not limited to: an increase in the statutory federal or state income tax rates, the permanent non-deductibility of amounts currently considered deductible either now or in future periods, and the dependency on the generation of future taxable income in order to ultimately realize deferred income tax assets. Under FASB ASC 740, the Company includes the current and deferred tax impact of its tax positions in the financial statements when it is more likely than not (likelihood of greater than 50%) that such positions will be sustained by taxing authorities, with full knowledge of relevant information, based on the technical merits of the tax position. While the Company supports its tax positions by unambiguous tax law, prior experience with the taxing authority, and analysis that considers all relevant facts, circumstances and regulations, management must still rely on assumptions and estimates to determine the overall likelihood of success and proper quantification of a given tax position. Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company has financed and continues to finance its operations, acquisitions and branch expansion through a combination of cash flows from operations and borrowings from its institutional lenders. The Company has generally applied its cash flows from operations to fund its loan volume, fund acquisitions, repay long-term indebtedness and repurchase its common stock. As the Company's gross loans receivable increased from $1.21 billion at March 31, 2020 to $1.39 billion at March 31, 2023, net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal years 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $291.6 million, $272.4 million, and $227.0 million, respectively. On September 27, 2021, we issued $300 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.0% senior notes due 2026 (the “Notes”). The Notes were sold in a private placement in reliance on Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Notes are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by all of the Company’s existing and certain of its future subsidiaries that guarantee the revolving credit facility. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing May 1, 2022. At any time prior to November 1, 2023, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium, as described in the indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption. At any time on or after November 1, 2023, the Company may redeem the Notes at redemption prices set forth in the indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption. In addition, at any time prior to November 1, 2023, the Company may use the proceeds of certain equity offerings to redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under the indenture at a redemption price equal to 107.0% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption. We used the net proceeds from this offering to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under our revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes. 35 Table of Contents During fiscal 2023, the Company repurchased and extinguished $9.0 million of its Notes, net of $0.1 million unamortized debt issuance costs related to the extinguished debt, on the open market for a reacquisition price of $7.2 million. In accordance with ASC 470, the Company recognized the $1.8 million gain on extinguishment as a component of interest expense in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. The indenture governing the Notes contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to (i) incur additional indebtedness or issue certain disqualified stock and preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends or distributions or redeem or purchase capital stock; (iii) prepay subordinated debt or make certain investments; (iv) transfer and sell assets; (v) create or permit to exist liens; (vi) enter into agreements that restrict dividends, loans and other distributions from their subsidiaries; (vii) engage in a merger, consolidation or sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of their assets; and (viii) engage in transactions with affiliates. However, these covenants are subject to a number of important detailed qualifications and exceptions. The Company continues to believe stock repurchases are a viable component of the Company’s long-term financial strategy and an excellent use of excess cash when the opportunity arises. However, our revolving credit facility and the Notes limit share repurchases up to $90.0 million from March 26, 2021 through June 30, 2022 plus up to 50% of consolidated adjusted net income for the period commencing January 1, 2019. As of March 31, 2023, subject to further approval from our Board of Directors, we could repurchase approximately $29.2 million of shares under the terms of our debt facilities. Additional share repurchases can be made subject to compliance with, among other things, applicable restricted payment covenants under the revolving credit facility and the Notes. The Company acquired $28.3 million in loans receivable, net during fiscal 2023. The Company believes that attractive opportunities to acquire new branches or receivables from its competitors or to acquire branches in communities not currently served by the Company will continue to become available as conditions in local economies and the financial circumstances of owners change. The Company has a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks. The revolving credit facility provides for revolving borrowings of up to the lesser of (a) the aggregate commitments under the facility and (b) a borrowing base, and it includes a $300,000 letter of credit under a $1.5 million subfacility. Subject to a borrowing base formula, the Company may borrow at the rate of one month SOFR plus 0.10% and an applicable margin of 3.5% with a minimum rate of 4.5%. At March 31, 2023, the aggregate commitments under the revolving credit facility were $685.0 million. The $300,000 letter of credit outstanding under the subfacility expires on December 31, 2023; however, it automatically extends for one year on the expiration date. The borrowing base limitation is equal to the product of (a) the Company’s eligible loans receivables, less unearned finance charges, insurance premiums and insurance commissions, and (b) an advance rate percentage that ranges from 70% (decreasing to as low as 62% for the calendar months ending October 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023) to 80% based on a collateral performance indicator, as more completely described below. Further, under the amended and restated revolving credit agreement, the administrative agent has the right to set aside reasonable reserves against the available borrowing base in such amounts as it may deem appropriate, including, without limitation, reserves with respect to certain regulatory events or any increased operational, legal, or regulatory risk of the Company and its subsidiaries. For the year ended March 31, 2023, the effective interest rate, including the commitment fee, on borrowings under the revolving credit facility was 7.0%. The Company pays a commitment fee equal to 0.50% per annum of the daily unused portion of the commitments. On March 31, 2023, $307.9 million was outstanding under this facility, and there was $318.7 million of unused borrowing availability under the borrowing base limitations. The Company’s obligations under the revolving credit facility, together with treasury management and hedging obligations owing to any lender under the revolving credit facility or any affiliate of any such lender, are required to be guaranteed by each of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries. The obligations of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors under the revolving credit facility, together with such treasury management and hedging obligations, are secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all assets of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors. The agreement governing the Company’s revolving credit facility contains affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur or guarantee indebtedness, incur liens, pay dividends and repurchase or redeem capital stock, dispose of assets, engage in mergers and consolidations, make acquisitions or other investments, redeem or prepay subordinated debt, amend subordinated debt documents, make changes in the nature of its business, and engage in transactions with affiliates. The agreement allows the Company to incur subordinated debt that matures after the termination date for the revolving credit facility and that contains specified subordination terms, subject to limitations on amount imposed by the financial covenants under the agreement. The agreement's 36 Table of Contents financial covenants include (i) a minimum consolidated net worth of $325.0 million on and after December 31, 2020; (ii) a maximum ratio of total debt to consolidated adjusted net worth of 2.5 to 1.0 (decreasing to 2.25 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023, 2.0 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2023, and 2.25 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2023); (iii) a maximum collateral performance indicator of 26.0% as of the end of each calendar month (increasing to 28.0% for the calendar months ending October 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023); and (iv) a minimum fixed charges coverage ratio of 1.25 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2022, 1.15 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023, 1.50 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2023, 2.0 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2023, and 2.75 to 1.0 for each fiscal quarter thereafter, where the ratio for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters must be at least 2.0 to 1.0 in order for the Company to declare dividends or purchase any class or series of its capital stock or other equity. The collateral performance indicator is equal to the sum of (a) a three-month rolling average rate of receivables at least sixty days past due and (b) an eight-month rolling average net charge-off rate. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at March 31, 2023 and does not believe that these covenants will materially limit its business and expansion strategy. The agreement contains events of default including, without limitation, nonpayment of principal, interest or other obligations, violation of covenants, misrepresentation, cross-default to other debt, bankruptcy and other insolvency events, judgments, certain ERISA events, actual or asserted invalidity of loan documentation, invalidity of subordination provisions of subordinated debt, certain changes of control of the Company, and the occurrence of certain regulatory events (including the entry of any stay, order, judgment, ruling or similar event related to the Company’s or any of its subsidiaries’ originating, holding, pledging, collecting or enforcing its eligible loans receivables that is material to the Company or any subsidiary) which remains unvacated, undischarged, unbonded or unstayed by appeal or otherwise for a period of 60 days from the date of its entry and is reasonably likely to cause a material adverse change. The Company believes that cash flow from operations and borrowings under its revolving credit facility or other sources will be adequate to fund the expected cash requirements from contractual and other obligations and cost of opening or acquiring new branches, including funding initial operating losses of new branches and funding loans receivable originated by those branches and the Company's other branches (for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future beyond that). Except as otherwise discussed in this report including, but not limited to, any discussions in Part 1, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" (as supplemented by any subsequent disclosures in information the Company files with or furnishes to the SEC from time to time), management is not currently aware of any trends, demands, commitments, events or uncertainties that it believes will or could result in, or are or could be reasonably likely to result in, any material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity. Share Repurchase Program On February 24, 2022, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $30.0 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock, inclusive of the amount that remains available for repurchase under prior repurchase authorizations. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had $1.1 million in aggregate remaining repurchase capacity under its current share repurchase program. The timing and actual number of shares of common stock repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including the stock price, corporate and regulatory requirements, restrictions under the Company's debt agreements and other market and economic conditions. The Company continues to believe stock repurchases are a viable component of the Company’s long-term financial strategy and an excellent use of excess cash when the opportunity arises. However, our revolving credit facility and the Notes limit share repurchases up to $90.0 million from March 26, 2021 through June 30, 2022 plus up to 50% of consolidated adjusted net income for the period commencing January 1, 2019. As of March 31, 2023, subject to further approval from our Board of Directors, we could repurchase approximately $29.2 million of shares under the terms of our debt facilities. Additional share repurchases can be made subject to compliance with, among other things, applicable restricted payment covenants under the revolving credit facility and the Notes. Our first priority is to ensure we have enough capital to fund loan growth. To the extent we have excess capital, we may repurchase stock, if appropriate and as authorized by our Board of Directors. As of March 31, 2023, the Company's debt outstanding was $595.3 million, net of $3.5 million unamortized debt issuance costs related to the unsecured senior notes payable, and its shareholders' equity was $385.2 million resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.6:1.0. Management will continue to monitor the Company's debt-to-equity ratio and is committed to maintaining a debt level that will allow the Company to continue to execute its business objectives, while not putting undue stress on its consolidated balance sheet. Inflation The Company does not believe that inflation, within reasonably anticipated rates, will have a materially adverse effect on its financial condition. Although inflation would increase the Company’s operating costs in absolute terms and may impact the ability or willingness of borrowers to repay their loans, the Company expects that the same decrease in the value of money 37 Table of Contents would result in an increase in the size of loans demanded by its customer base. It is reasonable to anticipate that such a change in customer preference would result in an increase in total loan receivables and an increase in absolute revenues to be generated from that larger amount of loans receivable. The Company believes that this increase in absolute revenues should offset any increase in operating costs. In addition, because the Company’s loans have a relatively short contractual term and average life, it is unlikely that loans made at any given point in time will be repaid with significantly inflated dollars. Legal Matters From time to time the Company is involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. See Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings” and Note 16 to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of legal matters.