false--12-31Q2202000016510940.00250.0025708300000293000P3YP1YP1YP3YP9YP6Y71140007690000112940007700000605000135300000.00040.0004300000000300000000444457364496043843676826420071670.0750.0750.07500.130.07250.07250.0725895000023150000895000023150000174360002885200018097000186040006800000P7Y0.157301355000100010001000014000950009500000230000000136900013690000.00040.0004245000002450000000007689102953271 0001651094 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 2020-08-05 0001651094 2019-12-31 0001651094 2020-06-30 0001651094 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 country:GB us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 country:US 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 country:GB 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2019-06-30 0001651094 country:GB us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 country:US us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 country:GB 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 2018-12-31 0001651094 elvt:ElasticReportingUnitMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:InstallmentLoansandLinesofCreditMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member us-gaap:SegmentContinuingOperationsMember 2019-01-01 0001651094 srt:RevisionOfPriorPeriodErrorCorrectionAdjustmentMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member 2019-01-01 0001651094 us-gaap:DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfByMeansOtherThanSaleMember elvt:ElevateCreditInternationalLimitedMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 srt:MinimumMember 2020-03-01 2020-03-31 0001651094 srt:RestatementAdjustmentMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 srt:MaximumMember 2020-03-01 2020-03-31 0001651094 us-gaap:CreditCardReceivablesMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:RiseProductLinesOfCreditMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 srt:ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 srt:MinimumMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 srt:MaximumMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:StockCompensationPlanMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:StockCompensationPlanMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:StockCompensationPlanMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:StockCompensationPlanMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:LinesofCreditFeesMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:LinesofCreditFeesMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:FinanceChargesMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:FinanceChargesMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:LinesofCreditFeesMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:FinanceChargesMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:FinanceChargesMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:CreditServicesOrganizationFeesMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:LinesofCreditFeesMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:CreditServicesOrganizationFeesMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:CreditServicesOrganizationFeesMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:CreditServicesOrganizationFeesMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:LinesofCreditFeesMember 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:InstallmentLoansIncludingCreditServicesOrganizationLenderOwnedLoansMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:LoansIncludingCreditServicesOrganizationLenderOwnedLoansMember 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:LinesofCreditFeesMember 2019-03-31 0001651094 elvt:InstallmentLoansIncludingCreditServicesOrganizationLenderOwnedLoansMember 2019-03-31 0001651094 elvt:InstallmentLoansIncludingCreditServicesOrganizationLenderOwnedLoansMember 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:LoansIncludingCreditServicesOrganizationLenderOwnedLoansMember 2019-03-31 0001651094 elvt:LinesofCreditFeesMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:InstallmentLoansMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:InstallmentLoansIncludingCreditServicesOrganizationLenderOwnedLoansMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:InstallmentLoansIncludingCreditServicesOrganizationLenderOwnedLoansMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:LoansIncludingCreditServicesOrganizationLenderOwnedLoansMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:InstallmentLoansIncludingCreditServicesOrganizationLenderOwnedLoansMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:LoansIncludingCreditServicesOrganizationLenderOwnedLoansMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:LinesofCreditFeesMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:InstallmentLoansIncludingCreditServicesOrganizationLenderOwnedLoansMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:LinesofCreditFeesMember 2020-03-31 0001651094 elvt:InstallmentLoansIncludingCreditServicesOrganizationLenderOwnedLoansMember 2020-03-31 0001651094 elvt:LoansIncludingCreditServicesOrganizationLenderOwnedLoansMember 2020-03-31 0001651094 us-gaap:InternalInvestmentGradeMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:InternalNoninvestmentGradeMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:InternalNoninvestmentGradeMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:InternalInvestmentGradeMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:InstallmentLoansIncludingCreditServicesOrganizationLenderOwnedLoansMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:InstallmentLoansIncludingCreditServicesOrganizationLenderOwnedLoansMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 elvt:LinesofCreditFeesMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 elvt:LoansIncludingCreditServicesOrganizationLenderOwnedLoansMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 elvt:InstallmentLoansMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:CreditServicesOrganizationFeesMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:CreditServicesOrganizationFeesMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:EFSPVLtd.Member us-gaap:VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:EFSPVLtd.Member us-gaap:VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:CreditServicesOrganizationLendersMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:EFSPVLtd.Member us-gaap:VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember 2019-07-31 2019-07-31 0001651094 elvt:FinWiseBankMember us-gaap:VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember 2019-07-31 2019-07-31 0001651094 elvt:EFSPVLtd.Member us-gaap:VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember 2019-08-01 2019-08-01 0001651094 elvt:ElasticSPVLtd.Member us-gaap:VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ElasticSPVLtd.Member us-gaap:VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:ElasticSPVLtd.Member us-gaap:VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ElasticSPVLtd.Member us-gaap:VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember srt:ConsolidationEliminationsMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:ElasticSPVLtd.Member us-gaap:VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember srt:ConsolidationEliminationsMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:EFSPVLtd.Member us-gaap:VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember srt:ConsolidationEliminationsMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:EFSPVLtd.Member us-gaap:VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember srt:ConsolidationEliminationsMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:EFSPVFacilityMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:A4thTrancheTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:A4thTrancheTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:EFSPVFacilityMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:DebtInstrumentinterestRateTrancheThreeMember srt:MinimumMember elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 srt:WeightedAverageMember us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember us-gaap:BaseRateMember 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:GreaterOf3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBOROrFiveYearLIBORSwapRateMember 2019-07-01 2019-07-01 0001651094 us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:A3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember 2018-01-01 2018-12-31 0001651094 elvt:DebtInstrumentinterestRateTrancheTwoMember elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:A3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember 2018-01-01 2018-12-31 0001651094 elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember us-gaap:BaseRateMember 2019-07-01 2019-07-01 0001651094 elvt:DebtInstrumentinterestRateTrancheFourMember srt:MaximumMember elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 elvt:EFSPVFacilityMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember us-gaap:BaseRateMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2019-02-01 0001651094 us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember elvt:A4thTrancheTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:A3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 srt:WeightedAverageMember elvt:EFSPVFacilityMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember us-gaap:BaseRateMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember us-gaap:BaseRateMember 2019-02-01 2019-02-01 0001651094 elvt:UKTermNoteMember us-gaap:DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfByMeansOtherThanSaleMember elvt:ElevateCreditInternationalLimitedMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:VictoryParkManagementLLCMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 srt:WeightedAverageMember elvt:EFSPVFacilityMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember us-gaap:BaseRateMember 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:DebtInstrumentinterestRateTrancheOneMember elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:A3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember 2018-01-01 2018-12-31 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-01-01 2020-03-31 0001651094 elvt:EFSPVFacilityMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:GreaterOf3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBOROrFiveYearLIBORSwapRateMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember elvt:A4thTrancheTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember us-gaap:BaseRateMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:EFSPVFacilityMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:GreaterOf3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBOROrFiveYearLIBORSwapRateMember 2019-02-01 2019-02-01 0001651094 us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:GreaterOf3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBOROrFiveYearLIBORSwapRateMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2019-02-01 0001651094 elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:A3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember 2018-01-01 2018-12-31 0001651094 elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2019-03-31 0001651094 elvt:DebtInstrumentinterestRateTrancheOneMember elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 elvt:UKTermNoteMember us-gaap:DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfByMeansOtherThanSaleMember elvt:ElevateCreditInternationalLimitedMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-06-29 0001651094 elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:DebtInstrumentinterestRateTrancheFourMember srt:MaximumMember elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2018-01-01 2018-12-31 0001651094 elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:GreaterOf3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBOROrFiveYearLIBORSwapRateMember 2019-02-01 2019-02-01 0001651094 us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:GreaterOf3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBOROrFiveYearLIBORSwapRateMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:DebtInstrumentinterestRateTrancheThreeMember elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:A3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember 2018-01-01 2018-12-31 0001651094 srt:WeightedAverageMember elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember us-gaap:BaseRateMember 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:DebtInstrumentinterestRateTrancheTwoMember srt:MaximumMember elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember us-gaap:BaseRateMember 2019-02-01 2019-02-01 0001651094 us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:GreaterOf3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBOROrFiveYearLIBORSwapRateMember 2019-02-01 2019-02-01 0001651094 us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:EFSPVFacilityMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:EFSPVFacilityMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-01-01 2020-03-31 0001651094 elvt:DebtInstrumentinterestRateTrancheThreeMember srt:MaximumMember elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember elvt:A4thTrancheTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 srt:WeightedAverageMember elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember us-gaap:BaseRateMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 srt:WeightedAverageMember us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember us-gaap:BaseRateMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:DebtInstrumentinterestRateTrancheTwoMember srt:MinimumMember elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 elvt:EFSPVFacilityMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-01-01 2020-03-31 0001651094 elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2019-07-01 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteEFSPVFacilityAndESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-01-01 2020-01-01 0001651094 us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember elvt:A4thTrancheTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteEFSPVFacilityAndESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:EFSPVFacilityMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:GreaterOf3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBOROrFiveYearLIBORSwapRateMember 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:A4thTrancheTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:A3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:GreaterOf3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBOROrFiveYearLIBORSwapRateMember 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:GreaterOf3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBOROrFiveYearLIBORSwapRateMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ESPVTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember elvt:GreaterOf3monthLondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBOROrFiveYearLIBORSwapRateMember 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 0001651094 srt:MaximumMember us-gaap:MeasurementInputDiscountRateMember us-gaap:ValuationTechniqueDiscountedCashFlowMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 srt:MinimumMember us-gaap:MeasurementInputDiscountRateMember us-gaap:ValuationTechniqueDiscountedCashFlowMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:CustomerRelatedIntangibleAssetsMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:TrademarksAndTradeNamesMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:NoncompeteAgreementsMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:TechnologyBasedIntangibleAssetsMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:TechnologyBasedIntangibleAssetsMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:CustomerRelatedIntangibleAssetsMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:TrademarksAndTradeNamesMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:NoncompeteAgreementsMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 srt:MinimumMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 srt:MaximumMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:EmployeeStockMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:EmployeeStockMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:EmployeeStockOptionMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:EmployeeStockMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:EmployeeStockOptionMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:A2016OmnibusIncentivePlanMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember elvt:A2016OmnibusIncentivePlanMember us-gaap:ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember elvt:A2016OmnibusIncentivePlanMember us-gaap:ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:EmployeeStockMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:A2016OmnibusIncentivePlanMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:EmployeeStockMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:EmployeeStockOptionMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ESPVFacilityMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ESPVFacilityMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ESPVFacilityMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ESPVFacilityMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember 2018-01-16 2018-01-16 0001651094 elvt:ESPVFacilityMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember 2018-01-16 2018-01-16 0001651094 us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember 2018-01-11 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:ESPVFacilityMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ESPVFacilityMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ESPVFacilityMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ESPVFacilityMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:ESPVFacilityMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember 2018-12-31 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:USTermNoteMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ESPVFacilityMember us-gaap:InterestRateCapMember us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfByMeansOtherThanSaleMember elvt:ElevateCreditInternationalLimitedMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:DomesticCountryMember 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 0001651094 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:DomesticCountryMember 2018-01-01 2018-12-31 0001651094 2018-01-01 2018-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:DomesticCountryMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:DomesticCountryMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 2017-01-01 2017-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:FinancialStandbyLetterOfCreditMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:TodayCardMember us-gaap:UnfundedLoanCommitmentMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:ElasticProductMember us-gaap:UnfundedLoanCommitmentMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 2017-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ElasticProductMember us-gaap:UnfundedLoanCommitmentMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:RiseProductMember us-gaap:UnfundedLoanCommitmentMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:IndemnificationGuaranteeMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:TodayCardMember us-gaap:UnfundedLoanCommitmentMember 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:RiseProductMember us-gaap:UnfundedLoanCommitmentMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:FinancialStandbyLetterOfCreditMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:CaliforniaRiseLoansMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:IndemnificationGuaranteeMember 2020-01-01 2020-03-31 0001651094 us-gaap:IndemnificationGuaranteeMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:IndemnificationGuaranteeMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 us-gaap:IndemnificationGuaranteeMember 2020-03-31 0001651094 us-gaap:DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfByMeansOtherThanSaleMember elvt:ElevateCreditInternationalLimitedMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfByMeansOtherThanSaleMember elvt:ElevateCreditInternationalLimitedMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfByMeansOtherThanSaleMember elvt:ElevateCreditInternationalLimitedMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 us-gaap:DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfByMeansOtherThanSaleMember elvt:ElevateCreditInternationalLimitedMember 2019-12-31 0001651094 elvt:StockCompensationExpenseMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:DirectorFeesandTravelExpensesMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ConsultingExpenseMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ConsultingExpenseMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:DirectorFeesandTravelExpensesMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:StockCompensationExpenseMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:DirectorFeesandTravelExpensesMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ConsultingExpenseMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:DirectorFeesandTravelExpensesMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ConsultingExpenseMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:StockCompensationExpenseMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:StockCompensationExpenseMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:VPCFacilityMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:VPCFacilityMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001651094 elvt:VPCFacilityMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:VPCFacilityMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2017-12-31 0001651094 elvt:VPCFacilityMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember srt:AffiliatedEntityMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001651094 elvt:ElevateCreditInternationalLimitedMember us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember elvt:UKTermNoteMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember us-gaap:SubsequentEventMember 2020-07-23 2020-07-23 0001651094 us-gaap:SubsequentEventMember 2020-07-01 2020-08-06 iso4217:USD elvt:state elvt:segment iso4217:USD xbrli:shares elvt:country xbrli:shares xbrli:pure elvt:debt_facility elvt:entity elvt:derivative elvt:reporting_unit elvt:lawsuit iso4217:GBP


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2020
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 001-37680

ELEVATELOGOA57.JPG
 ELEVATE CREDIT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
 
 
46-4714474
State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization
 
 
 
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number
4150 International Plaza,
Suite 300
 
 
 
 
 
Fort Worth,
TX
 
 
 
 
76109
Address of Principal Executive Offices
 
 
 
 
Zip Code
 
 
 
(817)
928-1500
 
 
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
No
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes
No
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.




1



Large accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, $0.0004 par value
ELVT
New York Stock Exchange

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
Class
 
Outstanding at August 5, 2020
Common Shares, $0.0004 par value
 
40,788,816





2



TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
4
Part I - Financial Information
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
 
 
6
 
 
7
 
 
8
 
 
9
 
 
10
 
 
12
 
Item 2.
42
 
Item 3.
85
 
Item 4.
86
Part II - Other Information
 
Item 1.
87
 
Item 1A.
88
 
Item 2.
122
 
Item 6.
123
124





3



NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. The forward-looking statements are contained throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and "Risk Factors." Forward-looking statements include information concerning our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected expenses, margins, prospects and plans and objectives of management. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “seek,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. Forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include, but are not limited to, statements about:
our future financial performance, including our expectations regarding our revenue, cost of revenue, growth rate of revenue, cost of borrowing, credit losses, marketing costs, net charge-offs, gross profit or gross margin, operating expenses, operating margins, loans outstanding, credit quality, ability to generate cash flow and ability to achieve and maintain future profitability;
the effects of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") on demand for our products, our business, our financial condition and results of operations, including as a result of the expansion of our payment flexibility program to provide temporary relief to certain customers, underwriting changes we and the bank originators we support are implementing to address credit risk associated with originations during the economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and new legislation or other governmental responses to the pandemic;
the availability of debt financing, funding sources and disruptions in credit markets;
our ability to meet anticipated cash operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements, including our plans with respect to assessing minimum cash and liquidity requirements and implementing measures to ensure that our strong liquidity position is maintained through the current economic cycle;
anticipated trends, growth rates, seasonal fluctuations and challenges in our business and in the markets in which we operate;
our ability to anticipate market needs and develop new and enhanced or differentiated products, services and mobile apps to meet those needs, and our ability to successfully monetize them;
our expectations with respect to trends in our average portfolio effective annual percentage rate;
our anticipated growth and growth strategies and our ability to effectively manage that growth;
our anticipated expansion of relationships with strategic partners, including banks;
customer demand for our product and our ability to respond to fluctuations in demand;
our ability to attract potential customers and retain existing customers and our cost of customer acquisition;
the ability of customers to repay loans;
interest rates and origination fees on loans;
the impact of competition in our industry and innovation by our competitors;
our ability to attract and retain necessary qualified directors, officers and employees to expand our operations;
our reliance on third-party service providers;
our access to the automated clearing house system;
the efficacy of our marketing efforts and relationships with marketing affiliates;
our anticipated direct marketing costs and spending;
the evolution of technology affecting our products, services and markets;
continued innovation of our analytics platform, including releases of new credit models;
our ability to prevent security breaches, disruption in service and comparable events that could compromise the personal and confidential information held in our data systems, reduce the attractiveness of the platform or adversely impact our ability to service loans;

4



our ability to detect and filter fraudulent or incorrect information provided to us by our customers or by third parties;
our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property;
our compliance with applicable local, state, federal and foreign laws;
our compliance with, and the effects on our business and results of operations from, current or future applicable regulatory developments and regulations, including developments or changes from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB") and developments or changes in state law;
regulatory developments or scrutiny by agencies regulating our business or the businesses of our third-party partners;
public perception of our business and industry;
the anticipated effect on our business of litigation or regulatory proceedings to which we or our officers are a party;
the anticipated effect on our business of natural or man-made catastrophes;
the increased expenses and administrative workload associated with being a public company;
failure to maintain an effective system of internal controls necessary to accurately report our financial results and prevent fraud;
our liquidity and working capital requirements;
the estimates and estimate methodologies used in preparing our consolidated financial statements;
the utility of non-GAAP financial measures;
the future trading prices of our common stock and the impact of securities analysts’ reports on these prices;
our anticipated development and release of certain products and applications and changes to certain products;
our anticipated investing activity;
trends anticipated to continue as our portfolio of loans matures; and
any future repurchases under our share repurchase program, including the timing and amount of repurchases thereunder.
We caution you that the foregoing list may not contain all of the forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We discuss these risks in greater detail in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent our management’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

5

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands except share amounts)
 
June 30,
2020
 
December 31,
2019
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents*
 
$
167,735

 
$
71,215

Restricted cash
 
2,135

 
2,235

Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $59,438 and $79,912, respectively*
 
373,024

 
542,073

Prepaid expenses and other assets*
 
9,492

 
6,737

Operating lease right of use assets
 
9,286

 
10,191

Receivable from CSO lenders
 
3,854

 
8,696

Receivable from payment processors*
 
6,603

 
8,681

Deferred tax assets, net
 
22,887

 
8,784

Property and equipment, net
 
36,686

 
35,944

Goodwill, net
 
6,776

 
6,776

Intangible assets, net
 
1,193

 
1,253

Assets from discontinued operations (see Note 13)
 

 
81,002

Total assets
 
$
639,671

 
$
783,587

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (See Note 14)*
 
$
25,404

 
$
38,679

Operating lease liabilities
 
13,207

 
14,352

Income taxes payable
 
235

 

Deferred revenue*
 
5,310

 
12,087

Notes payable, net (See Note 14)*
 
438,174

 
525,439

Liabilities from discontinued operations (see Note 13)
 
1,209

 
36,541

Total liabilities
 
483,539

 
627,098

COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES (Note 12)
 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock; $0.0004 par value; 24,500,000 authorized shares; None issued and outstanding at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
 

 

Common stock; $0.0004 par value; 300,000,000 authorized shares; 44,960,438 and 44,445,736 issued; 42,007,167 and 43,676,826 outstanding, respectively
 
18

 
18

Additional paid-in capital
 
198,188

 
193,061

Treasury stock; at cost; 2,953,271 and 768,910 shares of common stock, respectively
 
(7,955
)
 
(3,344
)
Accumulated deficit
 
(34,119
)
 
(34,342
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax benefit of $0 and $1,353, respectively
 

 
1,096

Total stockholders’ equity
 
156,132

 
156,489

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
639,671

 
$
783,587


* These balances include certain assets and liabilities of variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that can only be used to settle the liabilities of that respective VIE. All assets of the Company are pledged as security for the Company’s outstanding debt, including debt held by the VIEs. For further information regarding the assets and liabilities included in our consolidated accounts, see Note 4—Variable Interest Entities.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
6


Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Revenues
 
$
117,991

 
$
150,374

 
$
280,458

 
$
310,440

Cost of sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Provision for loan losses
 
41,477

 
68,282

 
120,052

 
143,637

      Direct marketing costs
 
344

 
11,074

 
11,313

 
18,271

      Other cost of sales
 
1,607

 
2,508

 
4,277

 
4,786

Total cost of sales
 
43,428

 
81,864

 
135,642

 
166,694

Gross profit
 
74,563

 
68,510

 
144,816

 
143,746

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
 
16,844

 
21,938

 
40,318

 
44,139

Professional services
 
8,471

 
7,686

 
16,397

 
15,864

Selling and marketing
 
904

 
1,460

 
1,858

 
2,552

Occupancy and equipment
 
4,843

 
4,013

 
9,479

 
7,835

Depreciation and amortization
 
4,529

 
3,955

 
8,825

 
7,811

Other
 
907

 
1,505

 
1,978

 
2,622

Total operating expenses
 
36,498

 
40,557

 
78,855

 
80,823

Operating income
 
38,065

 
27,953

 
65,961

 
62,923

Other expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest expense (See Note 14)
 
(12,177
)
 
(16,936
)
 
(25,833
)
 
(34,936
)
Non-operating loss
 
(1,422
)
 

 
(5,685
)
 

Total other expense
 
(13,599
)
 
(16,936
)
 
(31,518
)
 
(34,936
)
Income from continuing operations before taxes
 
24,466

 
11,017

 
34,443

 
27,987

Income tax expense
 
8,373

 
2,634

 
10,428

 
8,649

Net income from continuing operations
 
16,093


8,383


24,015


19,338

Net loss from discontinued operations
 
(7,540
)

(2,611
)

(20,373
)

(208
)
Net income
 
$
8,553


$
5,772


$
3,642


$
19,130

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic income per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
$
0.38


$
0.19


$
0.56


$
0.44

Discontinued operations
 
(0.18
)

(0.06
)

(0.47
)


Basic earnings per share
 
$
0.20


$
0.13


$
0.09


$
0.44

 
 







Diluted income per share
 







Continuing operations
 
$
0.38


$
0.19


$
0.56


$
0.44

Discontinued operations
 
(0.18
)

(0.06
)

(0.47
)

(0.01
)
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.20


$
0.13


$
0.09


$
0.43

 
 







Basic weighted average shares outstanding
 
42,182,412


43,681,159


42,673,879


43,514,862

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
 
42,511,808


44,291,816


43,090,730


44,142,947


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
7

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Net income
 
$
8,553

 
$
5,772

 
$
3,642

 
$
19,130

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $0 and $1 for the three months ended 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $(14) and $(1) for the six months ended 2020 and 2019, respectively
 
(58
)
 
(724
)
 
(2,061
)
 
(59
)
Reclassification to Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax of $1,369 and $0 for the three and six months ended 2020 and 2019, respectively
 
965

 

 
965

 

Change in derivative valuation, net of tax of $0 and $(95) for the three and six months ended 2020 and 2019, respectively
 

 

 

 
(208
)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
 
907

 
(724
)
 
(1,096
)
 
(267
)
Total comprehensive income
 
$
9,460

 
$
5,048

 
$
2,546

 
$
18,863


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
8

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
For the periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019
(Dollars in thousands except share amounts)
 
Preferred Stock
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
paid-in
capital
 
Treasury Stock
 
Accumulated
deficit
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
 
Total
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
Balances at December 31, 2018
 

 

 
43,329,262

 
$
18

 
$
183,244

 

 
$

 
$
(66,525
)
 
$
54

 
$
116,791

Share-based compensation -US
 

 

 

 

 
4,922

 

 

 

 

 
4,922

Share-based compensation -UK
 

 

 

 

 
(11
)
 

 

 

 

 
(11
)
Exercise of stock options
 

 

 
25,000

 

 
81

 

 

 

 

 
81

Vesting of restricted stock units
 

 

 
677,343

 

 
(1,211
)
 

 

 

 

 
(1,211
)
ESPP shares issued
 

 

 
142,267

 

 
498

 

 

 

 

 
498

Tax benefit of equity issuance costs
 

 

 

 

 
(2
)
 

 

 

 

 
(2
)
Comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment net of tax benefit of $(1)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(59
)
 
(59
)
Change in derivative valuation net of tax benefit of $(95)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(208
)
 
(208
)
Net income from continuing operations
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
19,338

 

 
19,338

Net loss from discontinued operations
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(208
)
 

 
(208
)
Balances at June 30, 2019
 

 

 
44,173,872

 
$
18

 
$
187,521

 

 
$

 
$
(47,395
)
 
$
(213
)
 
$
139,931

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balances at December 31, 2019
 

 

 
43,676,826

 
18

 
193,061

 
768,910

 
(3,344
)
 
(34,342
)
 
1,096

 
156,489

Share-based compensation -US
 

 

 

 

 
5,347

 

 

 

 

 
5,347

Share-based compensation -UK
 

 

 

 

 
45

 

 

 

 

 
45

Exercise of stock options
 

 

 
34,185

 

 
(51
)
 

 

 

 

 
(51
)
Vesting of restricted stock units
 

 

 
199,933

 

 
(567
)
 

 

 

 

 
(567
)
ESPP shares issued
 

 

 
280,584

 

 
353

 

 

 

 

 
353

Comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment net of tax of $1,355
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,096
)
 
(1,096
)
Treasury stock reissued for RSUs vesting
 

 

 
785,218

 

 

 
(785,218
)
 
3,419

 
(3,419
)
 

 

Treasury stock acquired
 

 

 
(2,969,579
)
 

 

 
2,969,579

 
(8,030
)
 

 

 
(8,030
)
Net income from continuing operations
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
24,015

 

 
24,015

Net loss from discontinued operations
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(20,373
)
 

 
(20,373
)
Balances at June 30, 2020
 

 

 
42,007,167

 
$
18

 
$
198,188

 
2,953,271

 
$
(7,955
)
 
$
(34,119
)
 
$

 
$
156,132


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
9

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
Six Months Ended June 30,
2020
 
2019
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net income
$
3,642

 
$
19,130

Less: Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
(20,373
)
 
(208
)
Net income from continuing operations
24,015

 
19,338

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
8,825

 
7,812

Provision for loan losses
120,052

 
143,637

Share-based compensation
5,347

 
4,922

Amortization of debt issuance costs
343

 
278

Amortization of loan premium
2,740

 
2,981

Amortization of derivative assets

 
108

Amortization of operating leases
(239
)
 
145

Deferred income tax expense, net
10,096

 
8,117

Non-operating loss
5,685

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
(3,219
)
 
(186
)
Income taxes payable
700

 

Receivables from payment processors
2,077

 
(612
)
Receivables from CSO lenders
4,842

 
5,937

Interest receivable
(26,124
)
 
(32,109
)
State and other taxes payable
(91
)
 
232

Deferred revenue
(6,226
)
 
(9,583
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(17,579
)
 
1,461

Net cash provided by continuing operating activities
131,244

 
152,478

Net cash provided by discontinued operating activities
1,335

 
16,949

Net cash provided by operating activities
132,579

 
169,427

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Loans receivable originated or participations purchased
(307,170
)
 
(484,601
)
Principal collections and recoveries on loans receivable
379,791

 
387,529

Participation premium paid
(2,036
)
 
(2,491
)
Purchases of property and equipment
(9,508
)
 
(9,750
)
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing investing activities
61,077

 
(109,313
)
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued investing activities
9,457

 
(18,016
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
70,534

 
(127,329
)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
10

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries


 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from notes payable
 
$
6,500

 
$
27,000

Payments of notes payable
 
(94,000
)
 
(60,000
)
Debt issuance costs paid
 
(108
)
 
(2,598
)
Debt prepayment costs paid
 

 
(850
)
ESPP shares issued
 
354

 
498

Common stock repurchased
 
(8,030
)
 

Proceeds from stock option exercises
 
27

 
81

Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards
 
(644
)
 
(1,211
)
Net cash used in continuing financing activities
 
(95,901
)
 
(37,080
)
Net cash used in discontinued financing activities
 
(16,310
)
 
0

Net cash used in financing activities
 
(112,211
)
 
(37,080
)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
 
90,902

 
5,018

Less: increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash from discontinued operations
 
5,518

 
1,067

Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash from continuing operations
 
96,420

 
6,085

 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
71,215

 
48,349

Restricted cash, beginning of period
 
2,235

 
2,535

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
 
73,450

 
50,884

 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
167,735

 
54,535

Restricted cash, end of period
 
2,135

 
2,435

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
 
$
169,870

 
$
56,970

 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental cash flow information:
 
 
 
 
Interest paid
 
$
25,531

 
$
34,611

Taxes paid
 
$
50

 
$
338

 
 
 
 
 
Non-cash activities:
 
 
 
 
CSO fees charged-off included in Deferred revenues and Loans receivable
 
$
630

 
$
3,432

CSO fees on loans paid-off prior to maturity included in Receivable from CSO lenders and Deferred revenue
 
$
33

 
$
127

Annual membership fee included in Deferred revenues and Loans receivable
 
$
113

 
$
126

Reissuances of Treasury stock
 
$
3,419

 
$

Changes in fair value of interest rate caps
 
$

 
$
304

Tax benefit of equity issuance costs included in Additional paid-in capital
 
$

 
$
2

Impact of deferred tax asset included in Other comprehensive income
 
$
1,354

 
$

Leasehold improvements allowance included in Property and equipment, net
 
$

 
$
439

Lease incentive allowance included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
$

 
$
3,720

Operating lease right of use assets recognized
 
$

 
$
13,399

Operating lease liabilities recognized
 
$

 
$
17,556




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
11

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING CHANGES

Business Operations
Elevate Credit, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation. The Company provides technology-driven, progressive online credit solutions to non-prime consumers. The Company uses advanced technology and proprietary risk analytics to provide more convenient and more responsible financial options to its customers, who are not well-served by either banks or legacy non-prime lenders. The Company currently offers unsecured online installment loans, lines of credit and credit cards in the United States (the “US”). The Company’s products, Rise, Elastic and Today Card, reflect its mission of “Good Today, Better Tomorrow” and provide customers with access to competitively priced credit and services while helping them build a brighter financial future with credit building and financial wellness features. In the United Kingdom ("UK"), the Company previously offered unsecured installment loans via the internet through its wholly owned subsidiary, Elevate Credit International Limited, (“ECIL”) under the brand name of Sunny. On June 29, 2020, ECIL entered into administration in accordance with the provisions of the UK Insolvency Act 1986 and pursuant to a resolution of the board of directors of ECIL. The onset of Coronavirus Disease 2019 ("COVID-19") coupled with the lack of clarity within the UK regulatory environment led to the decision to place ECIL into administration. The management, business, affairs and property of ECIL have been placed into the direct control of the appointed administrators, KPMG LLP. Accordingly, the Company deconsolidated ECIL as of June 29, 2020 and presents ECIL's results as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 13—Discontinued Operations for more information regarding the presentation of ECIL.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2020 and for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities ("VIEs") where the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial information included in this report has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the US (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and conform, as applicable, to general practices within the finance company industry. The principles for interim financial information do not require the inclusion of all the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. Therefore, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 14, 2020. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, all of which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. Our business is seasonal in nature so the results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the prior periods presented herein have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation. The Company does not believe that these reclassifications have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The Company reclassified $605 thousand to Accounts payable and accrued liabilities with an offset to Income taxes payable related to December 31, 2019 state and other taxes payable.




12

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


Correction of Immaterial Errors in Previously-Issued Financial Statements
The Company has corrected immaterial errors in its presentation of total comprehensive income for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The Company determined that the historical presentation was in error because it presented the quarter-to-date foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax as increasing total comprehensive income when it was decreasing total comprehensive income. The presentation of the year-to-date total comprehensive income was not impacted. The Company corrected the foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax to be ($724) thousand, a correction which lowered total comprehensive income by $1.4 million. The Company concluded the error was immaterial to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and has revised its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three months ended June 30, 2019 presented in this Form 10-Q. A summary of the correction is below.
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
As reported:
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(1)
 
$
724

Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
724

Total comprehensive income
 
$
6,496

 
 
 
As corrected:
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $1
 
$
(724
)
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
(724
)
Total comprehensive income
 
$
5,048


Reclassification of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Net Income
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company reclassified a $2.3 million net loss from cumulative translation adjustments within Accumulated other comprehensive income to Net loss from discontinued operations as part of the Company's loss on disposal related to the placement of ECIL into administration. In addition, a $1.4 million deferred tax benefit was reclassified to remove the associated deferred tax asset as part of this transaction.
For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company and ESPV utilized interest rate caps to offset interest rate fluctuations in the Company's and ESPV's future interest payments on certain of their Notes payable. Effective gains or losses related to these cash flow hedges were reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings, through interest expense, in the period or periods in which the hedged transactions affected earnings. The Company recorded a $0.3 million gain related to the maturation of the interest rate caps in the six months ended June 30, 2019. See Note 9—Fair Value for additional information on these cash flow hedges.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the valuation of the allowance for loan losses, goodwill, long-lived and intangible assets, deferred revenues, contingencies, the fair value of derivatives, the income tax provision, valuation of share-based compensation, operating lease right of use assets, operating lease liabilities and the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, current data and assumptions that are believed to be reasonable. Actual results in future periods could differ from those estimates.




13

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes consumer loan fees as revenues for each of the loan products it offers. Revenues on the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements include: finance charges, lines of credit fees, fees for services provided through CSO programs (“CSO fees”), and interest, as well as any other fees or charges permitted by applicable laws and pursuant to the agreement with the borrower. The Company also records revenues related to the sale of customer applications to unrelated third parties. These applications are sold with the customer’s consent in the event that the Company or its CSO lenders are unable to offer the customer a loan. Revenue is recognized at the time of the sale. Other revenues also include marketing and licensing fees received from the originating lender related to the Elastic product and Rise bank-originated loans and from CSO fees related to the Rise product. Revenues related to these fees are recognized when the service is performed.
The Company accrues finance charges on installment loans on a constant yield basis over their terms. The Company accrues and defers fixed charges such as CSO fees and lines of credit fees when they are assessed and recognizes them to earnings as they are earned over the life of the loan. The Company accrues interest on credit cards based on the amount of the outstanding credit card balance and the related contractual interest rate. Credit card membership fees are amortized to revenue over the card membership period. Other credit card fees, such as late payment fees and returned payment fees, are accrued when assessed. The Company does not accrue finance charges and other fees on installment loans or lines of credit for which payment is greater than 60 days past due. Credit card interest charges are recognized based on the contractual provisions of the underlying arrangements and are not accrued when payment is past due by more than 90 days. Installment loans and lines of credit are considered past due if a grace period has not been requested and a scheduled payment is not paid on its due date. Credit cards have a grace period of 25 days and are considered delinquent after the grace period. Payments received on past due loans are applied against the loan and accrued interest balance to bring the loan current. Payments are generally first applied to accrued fees and interest and then to the principal loan balance.
In March 2020, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) was recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, and the spread of COVID-19 has created a global public health crisis that has resulted in unprecedented disruption to businesses and economies. In response to the pandemic's effects, and in accordance with federal and state guidelines, the Company expanded its payment flexibility programs for its customers, including payment deferrals. This program allows for a deferral of payments for an initial period of 30 to 60 days, and up to a maximum of 180 days on a cumulative basis. A customer will return to the normal payment schedule after the end of the deferral period with the extension of the maturity date equivalent to the deferral period, which is not to exceed an additional 180 days. The finance charges will continue to accrue at a lower effective interest rate over the expected term of the loan as adjusted for the deferral period provided (not to exceed an amount greater than the amount at which the borrower could settle the loan) or placed on non-accrual status.
The Company’s business is affected by seasonality, which can cause significant changes in portfolio size and profit margins from quarter to quarter. Although this seasonality does not impact the Company’s policies for revenue recognition, it does generally impact the Company’s results of operations by potentially causing an increase in its profit margins in the first quarter of the year and decreased margins in the second through fourth quarters.
Installment Loans, Lines of Credit and Credit Cards
Installment loans, lines of credit and credit cards, including receivables for finance charges, fees and interest, are unsecured and reported as Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Installment loans are multi-payment loans that require the pay-down of portions of the outstanding principal balance in multiple installments through the Rise brand. Line of credit accounts include customer cash advances made through the Rise brand in two states and the Elastic brand. Credit cards represent credit card balances, uncollected billed interest and fees through the Today Card brand. All outstanding balances, allowance for loan losses, and revenues for the Today Card were immaterial in 2019 and for the six months ended June 30, 2020.
The Company offers Rise installment and line of credit products directly to customers. Elastic lines of credit, Rise bank-originated installment loans and Today credit card receivables represent participation interests acquired from third-party lenders through a wholly owned subsidiary or by a VIE. Based on agreements with the third-party lenders, the VIEs pay a loan premium on the participation interests. The loan premium is amortized over the expected life of the outstanding loan amount. See Note 4—Variable Interest Entities for more information regarding these participation interests in Rise and Elastic receivables.




14

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


The Company considers impaired loans as accounts over 60 days past due (for installment loans and lines of credit) or 120 days past due (for credit cards), or loans which become uncollectible based on information that the Company becomes aware of (e.g., receipt of customer bankruptcy notice). The impaired loans are charged-off at the time that they are deemed to be uncollectible.
A modification of finance receivable terms is considered a troubled debt restructuring ("TDR") if the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the Company grants a concession it would not otherwise have considered to a borrower. The Company typically considers TDRs to include all installment and line of credit loans that were modified by granting principal and interest forgiveness or by extension of the maturity date for more than 60 days as a part of a loss mitigation strategy.
On March 22, 2020, federal and state banking regulators issued a joint statement on working with customers affected by COVID-19 (the "Interagency Statement"). The Interagency Statement includes guidance on accounting for loan modifications. In accordance with the Interagency Statement, the Company has elected to not recognize modified loans as TDRs if the borrower was both not more than 30 days past due as of March 1, 2020 and the modification stems from the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. The minor modifications offered by the Company to borrowers that meet both qualifications may include payment deferrals less than six months, interest or fee waivers, extensions of payment terms or delays in payment. If the borrower was not current at March 1, 2020, the Company offers similar modifications that are considered TDRs. This election is applicable from March 1, 2020 until the earlier of 60 days following the date the COVID-19 national emergency comes to an end or December 31, 2020.
Operating Segments
The Company determines operating segments based on how its chief operating decision-maker manages the business, including making operating decisions, deciding how to allocate resources and evaluating operating performance. The Company's chief operating decision-maker is its Chief Executive Officer, who reviews the Company's operating results monthly on a consolidated basis.
The Company has one reportable segment, which provides online financial services for non-prime consumers. The Company has aggregated all components of its business into a single reportable segment based on the similarities of the economic characteristics, the nature of the products and services, the distribution methods, the type of customers and the nature of the regulatory environments. With the disposal of ECIL, all of the Company's assets and revenue are in one geographic location, therefore, segment reporting based on geography has been discontinued.
Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. The following table summarizes the components of net property and equipment.
(Dollars in thousands)
 
June 30, 2020
 
December 31, 2019
Property and equipment, gross
 
$
110,187

 
$
100,766

Accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
(73,501
)
 
(64,822
)
Property and equipment, net
 
$
36,686

 
$
35,944



Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in each business combination. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350-20-35, Goodwill— Subsequent Measurement, the Company performs a quantitative approach method impairment review of goodwill and intangible assets with an indefinite life annually at October 1 and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Prior to 2019, the Company performed this test at October 31. The Company completed its annual test as of October 1, 2019 and determined that there was no evidence of impairment of goodwill or indefinite lived intangible assets. As a result of the recent global economic impact and uncertainty due to COVID-19, the Company concluded a triggering event had occurred as of March 31, 2020, and accordingly, performed interim impairment testing on the goodwill balances of its reporting units. The Company performed a detailed qualitative and quantitative assessment of each reporting unit and concluded that the goodwill associated with the previously consolidated UK reporting unit was impaired as the fair value of the UK reporting unit was less than its carrying




15

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


amount. The impairment loss of $9.3 million is included in Loss from discontinued operations due to the deconsolidation of ECIL. While there was a decline in the fair value of the Elastic reporting unit, there was no impairment identified during the quantitative assessment. The Company has $6.8 million of goodwill (all related to the Elastic reporting unit) remaining on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2020.
Prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04"), the Company’s impairment evaluation of goodwill was already based on comparing the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to their carrying value. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 as of January 1, 2020 had no impact on the Company's evaluation procedures. The fair value of the reporting units is determined based on a weighted average of the income and market approaches. The income approach establishes fair value based on estimated future cash flows of the reporting units, discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital developed using the capital asset pricing model, which reflects the overall level of inherent risk of the reporting units. The income approach uses the Company’s projections of financial performance for a six- to nine-year period and includes assumptions about future revenues growth rates, operating margins and terminal values. The market approach establishes fair value by applying cash flow multiples to the reporting units’ operating performance. The multiples are derived from other publicly traded companies that are similar but not identical to the Company from an operational and economic standpoint.

Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in Operating lease right of use (“ROU”) assets and Operating lease liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease ROU asset may also include initial direct costs incurred and excludes any lease payments made and lease incentives. The Company's lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components. The lease and non-lease components are accounted for as a single lease component.

Treasury Stock
The Company evaluates each stock repurchase transaction in the period in which it is completed. If the repurchase transaction is significantly in excess of the current market price at purchase, the Company will identify whether the price paid included payment for other agreements, rights, and privileges. Repurchase transactions that do not contain these elements or are not significantly in excess of the current market price at purchase are accounted for using the cost method. The Company anticipates using its treasury stock to fulfill certain employee stock compensation grants and settlements. The Company has elected to use a first in, first out ("FIFO") method for assigning share cost at reissuance. Any gain or loss in the stock value will be credited or charged to paid in capital upon subsequent reissuance of the shares, with losses in excess of previously recognized gains charged to retained earnings. The Company is not obligated to purchase or reissue any shares at any time in accordance with its previously disclosed share repurchase plan.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 is intended to improve the reporting of leasing transactions to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information. ASU 2016-02 will require organizations that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases (“ASU 2018-10”), which clarifies certain matters in the codification with the intention to correct unintended application of the guidance. Also in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements (“ASU 2018-11”), which provides entities with an additional (and optional) transition method whereby the entity applies the new lease standard at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Additionally, under the new transition method, an entity’s reporting for the comparative periods presented in the financial statements in which it adopts the new lease standard will continue to be in accordance with current US GAAP (Topic 840, Leases).




16

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


ASU 2016-02, as amended, is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company elected to adopt the transition method in ASU 2018-11 by applying the practical expedient prospectively at January 1, 2019. The Company also elected to apply the optional practical expedient package to not reassess existing or expired contracts for lease components, lease classification or initial direct costs.
The adoption of ASU 2016-02, as amended, resulted in the recognition of approximately $11.5 million right of use assets and $15.4 million liabilities for operating leases, of which $10.3 million and $14.2 million related to continuing operations, respectively. ASU 2016-02 did not have a material impact on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Income Statements.
In July 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2019-07, Codification Updates to SEC Sections ("ASU 2019-07"). The purpose of ASU 2019-07 is to amend various SEC paragraphs pursuant to the issuance of SEC Final Rule Releases No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, and Nos. 33-10231 and 33-10442, Investment Company Reporting Modernization. Among other revisions, the amendments reduce duplication and clarify the inclusion of comprehensive income. The Company has adopted all of the amendments of ASU 2019-07 as of July 2019 with no impact to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract ("ASU 2018-15"). The purpose of ASU 2018-15 is to provide additional guidance on the accounting for costs of implementation activities performed in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company elected to adopt this ASU prospectively as of January 1, 2020 and has implemented a control structure to identify cloud computing arrangements for appropriate accounting treatment similar to its procedures for right of use assets. ASU 2018-15 did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement ("ASU 2018-13"). The purpose of ASU 2018-13 is to modify the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. This guidance is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years and requires both a prospective and retrospective approach to adoption based on amendment specifications. Early adoption of any removed or modified disclosures is permitted. Additional disclosures may be delayed until their effective date. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 at January 1, 2020 did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04"). The purpose of ASU 2017-04 is to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill. The amendments modify the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value to the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. An entity no longer will determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. This guidance is effective for public companies for goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company has adopted all of the amendments of ASU 2017-04 as of January 2020 with no impact to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company used the simplified subsequent measurement requirements per ASU 2017-04 in its impairment analysis.
In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") was enacted in response to COVID-19. Among other things, the CARES Act provides income tax relief inclusive of permitting NOL carryovers and carrybacks to offset 100% of taxable income for taxable years beginning before 2021. In addition, the CARES Act allows NOLs incurred in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back to each of the five preceding taxable years to generate a refund of previously paid income taxes. The Company has reviewed the tax relief provisions of the CARES Act regarding its eligibility and determined that the impact is likely to be insignificant with regard to its effective tax rate. The Company continues to monitor and evaluate its eligibility for the CARES Act tax relief provisions to identify any that may become applicable in the future.




17

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


Accounting Standards to be Adopted in Future Periods
In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2020-03, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments ("ASU 2020-03"). The purpose of ASU 2020-03 is to clarify, correct errors in or make minor improvements to the codification. Among other revisions, the amendments clarify that an entity should record an allowance for credit losses when an entity regains control of financial assets sold in accordance with Topic 326. ASU 2020-03 also clarifies disclosure requirements for debt securities under Topic 942 and affirms that all entities are required to provide the fair value option disclosures within paragraphs 825-10-50-24 through 50-32 of the codification. The amendments in this update are effective on the latter of the issuance of ASU 2020-03 or the effective date of their related topic. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of ASU 2020-03 to have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ("ASU 2020-04"). The purpose of ASU 2020-04 is to provide optional guidance for a period of time related to accounting for reference rate reform on financial reporting. It is intended to reduce the potential burden of reviewing contract modifications related to discontinued rates. The amendments and expedients in this update are effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022 and may be elected by topic. The Company is assessing the potential impact of electing all or portions of ASU 2020-04 on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes ("ASU 2019-12"). The purpose of ASU 2019-12 is to reduce complexity in the accounting standards for income taxes by removing certain exceptions as well as clarifying certain allocations. This update also addresses the split recognition of franchise taxes that are partially based on income between income-based tax and non-income-based tax. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is still assessing the potential impact of ASU 2019-12 on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13. ASU 2016-13 is intended to replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current US GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates to improve the quality of information available to financial statement users about expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments ("ASU 2019-04"). This amendment clarifies the guidance in ASU 2016-13. The guidance in ASU 2016-13 was further clarified by ASU No. 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments ("ASU 2019-11") issued in November 2019. ASU 2019-11 provides transition relief such as permitting entities an accounting policy election regarding existing TDRs, among other things. In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-05, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief ("ASU 2019-05"). The purpose of this amendment is to provide entities that have certain instruments within the scope of Subtopic 326-20, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses-Measured at Amortized Cost, with an option to irrevocably elect the fair value option in Subtopic 825-10, Financial Instruments-Overall, on an instrument-by-instrument basis. Election of this option is intended to increase comparability of financial statement information and reduce costs for certain entities to comply with ASU 2016-13. For public entities, ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates ("ASU 2019-10"). The purpose of this amendment is to create a two-tier rollout of major updates, staggering the effective dates between larger public companies and all other entities. This granted certain classes of companies, including Smaller Reporting Companies ("SRCs"), additional time to implement major FASB standards, including ASU 2016-13. Larger public companies will still have an effective date for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. All other entities are permitted to defer adoption of ASU 2016-13, and its related amendments, until the earlier of fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2022. In February 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 and Update to SEC Section on Effective Date Related to Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-12 ("ASU 2020-02"). ASU 2020-02 updates the SEC staff guidance related to ASU 2016-13 and all contingent amendments. Under the current SEC definitions, the Company meets the definition of an SRC as of the ASU 2019-10 issuance date and is adopting the deferral period for ASU 2016-13.




18

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding ("WASO") during each period. Also, basic EPS includes any fully vested stock and unit awards that have not yet been issued as common stock. There are no unissued fully vested stock and unit awards at June 30, 2020 and 2019.

Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income by the WASO during each period plus any unvested stock option awards granted, vested unexercised stock options and unvested restricted stock units ("RSUs") using the treasury stock method but only to the extent that these instruments dilute earnings per share.
The computation of earnings per share was as follows for three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Numerator (basic and diluted):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income from continuing operations
 
$
16,093

 
$
8,383

 
$
24,015

 
$
19,338

Net loss from discontinued operations
 
(7,540
)
 
(2,611
)
 
(20,373
)
 
(208
)
Net income
 
$
8,553

 
$
5,772

 
$
3,642

 
$
19,130

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator (basic):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding
 
42,182,412

 
43,681,159

 
42,673,879

 
43,514,862

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator (diluted):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding
 
42,182,412

 
43,681,159

 
42,673,879

 
43,514,862

Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee share plans (options, RSUs and ESPP)
 
329,396

 
610,657

 
416,851

 
628,085

Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding
 
42,511,808

 
44,291,816

 
43,090,730

 
44,142,947

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
$
0.38

 
$
0.19

 
$
0.56

 
$
0.44

Discontinued operations
 
(0.18
)
 
(0.06
)
 
(0.47
)
 

Basic earnings per share
 
$
0.20

 
$
0.13

 
$
0.09

 
$
0.44

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
$
0.38

 
$
0.19

 
$
0.56

 
$
0.44

Discontinued operations
 
(0.18
)
 
(0.06
)
 
(0.47
)
 
(0.01
)
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.20

 
$
0.13

 
$
0.09

 
$
0.43



For the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company excluded the following potential common shares from its diluted earnings per share calculation because including these shares would be anti-dilutive:
2,189,205 and 1,482,143 common shares issuable upon exercise of the Company's stock options; and
3,887,556 and 2,470,870 common shares issuable upon vesting of the Company's RSUs.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company excluded the following potential common shares from its diluted earnings per share calculation because including these shares would be anti-dilutive:
1,517,926 and 1,622,111 common shares issuable upon exercise of the Company's stock options; and
3,780,963 and 3,415,118 common shares issuable upon vesting of the Company's RSUs.





19

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


NOTE 3 - LOANS RECEIVABLE AND REVENUE
Revenues generated from the Company’s consumer loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Finance charges
 
$
71,565

 
$
80,292

 
$
167,730

 
$
161,469

CSO fees
 
3,967

 
10,092

 
11,308

 
23,800

Lines of credit fees
 
42,271

 
59,317

 
100,844

 
124,050

Other
 
188

 
673

 
576

 
1,121

Total revenues
 
$
117,991

 
$
150,374

 
$
280,458

 
$
310,440


The Company's portfolio consists of both installment loans and lines of credit, which are considered the portfolio segments for all periods presented. The Rise product is primarily installment loans with lines of credit offered in two states. The Elastic product is a line of credit product. In November of 2018, the Company expanded a test launch of the Today Card, a credit card product. Balances and activity for the Today Card as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were not material.
The following reflects the credit quality of the Company’s loans receivable as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 as delinquency status has been identified as the primary credit quality indicator. The Company classifies its loans as either current or past due. A customer in good standing may request up to a 16-day grace period when or before a payment becomes due and, if granted, the loan is considered current during the grace period. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company, along with the banks it supports, has also expanded existing payment flexibility programs to provide temporary payment relief to certain customers who meet the program’s qualifications. These programs allow for a deferral of payments for an initial period of 30 to 60 days, which the Company may extend for an additional 30 days, for a maximum of 180 days on a cumulative basis. A customer will return to the normal payment schedule after the end of the deferral period, with the extension of the maturity date equivalent to the deferral period, which is not to exceed an additional 180 days. Customers that were 30 days past due or less as of March 1, 2020 or the date the customer requested the deferral are considered current. Customers more than 30 days past due as of March 1, 2020 or the date the customer requested the deferral are considered delinquent. As of June 30, 2020, 12.5% of customers have been provided relief through a COVID-19 payment deferral program for a total of $50.7 million in loans with deferred payments. We believe the Allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb the losses inherent in the portfolio as of June 30, 2020.
Installment loans, lines of credit and credit cards not impacted by COVID are considered past due if a grace period has not been requested and a scheduled payment is not paid on its due date. All impaired loans that were not accounted for as a TDR as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 have been charged off.
 
 
June 30, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Rise
 
Elastic(1)
 
Total
Current loans
 
$
237,252

 
$
171,652

 
$
408,904

Past due loans
 
15,568

 
6,600

 
22,168

Total loans receivable
 
252,820

 
178,252

 
431,072

Net unamortized loan premium
 
142

 
1,248

 
1,390

Less: Allowance for loan losses
 
(39,458
)
 
(19,980
)
 
(59,438
)
Loans receivable, net
 
$
213,504

 
$
159,520

 
$
373,024





20

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


 
 
December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Rise
 
Elastic(1)
 
Total
Current loans
 
$
307,406

 
$
243,380

 
$
550,786

Past due loans
 
46,386

 
22,395

 
68,781

Total loans receivable
 
353,792

 
265,775

 
619,567

Net unamortized loan premium
 
290

 
2,128

 
2,418

Less: Allowance for loan losses
 
(50,019
)
 
(29,893
)
 
(79,912
)
Loans receivable, net
 
$
304,063

 
$
238,010

 
$
542,073

(1) Includes immaterial balances related to the Today Card.
Total loans receivable includes approximately $21.5 million and $6.1 million of loans in a non-accrual status at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
Additionally, total loans receivable includes approximately $25.6 million and $33.0 million of interest receivable at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The carrying value for Loans receivable, net of the allowance for loan losses approximates the fair value due to the short-term nature of the loans receivable.
The changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Rise
 
Elastic(1)
 
Total
Balance beginning of period
 
$
51,707

 
$
26,053

 
$
77,760

Provision for loan losses
 
27,007

 
14,470

 
41,477

Charge-offs
 
(41,993
)
 
(22,355
)
 
(64,348
)
Recoveries of prior charge-offs
 
3,893

 
1,812

 
5,705

Total
 
40,614

 
19,980

 
60,594

Accrual for CSO lender owned loans
 
(1,156
)
 

 
(1,156
)
Balance end of period
 
$
39,458

 
$
19,980

 
$
59,438

 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Rise
 
Elastic(1)
 
Total
Balance beginning of period
 
$
39,350

 
$
28,341

 
$
67,691

Provision for loan losses
 
43,013

 
25,269

 
68,282

Charge-offs
 
(46,078
)
 
(30,452
)
 
(76,530
)
Recoveries of prior charge-offs
 
5,108

 
3,321

 
8,429

Total
 
41,393

 
26,479

 
67,872

Accrual for CSO lender owned loans
 
(1,983
)
 

 
(1,983
)
Balance end of period
 
$
39,410

 
$
26,479

 
$
65,889

 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Rise
 
Elastic(1)
 
Total
Balance beginning of period
 
$
52,099

 
$
29,893

 
$
81,992

Provision for loan losses
 
81,576

 
38,476

 
120,052

Charge-offs
 
(102,130
)
 
(52,669
)
 
(154,799
)
Recoveries of prior charge-offs
 
9,069

 
4,280

 
13,349

Total
 
40,614

 
19,980

 
60,594

Accrual for CSO lender owned loans
 
(1,156
)
 

 
(1,156
)
Balance end of period
 
$
39,458

 
$
19,980

 
$
59,438






21

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Rise
 
Elastic(1)
 
Total
Balance beginning of period
 
$
50,597

 
$
36,050

 
$
86,647

Provision for loan losses
 
88,806

 
54,831

 
143,637

Charge-offs
 
(107,897
)
 
(70,012
)
 
(177,909
)
Recoveries of prior charge-offs
 
9,887

 
5,610

 
15,497

Total
 
41,393

 
26,479

 
67,872

Accrual for CSO lender owned loans
 
(1,983
)
 

 
(1,983
)
Balance end of period
 
$
39,410

 
$
26,479

 
$
65,889

(1) Includes immaterial balances related to the Today Card.

As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, estimated losses of approximately $1.2 million and $2.1 million for the CSO owned loans receivable guaranteed by the Company of approximately $7.4 million and $19.6 million, respectively, are initially recorded at fair value and are included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Troubled Debt Restructurings
In certain circumstances, the Company modifies the terms of its finance receivables for borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. Modifications may include principal and/or interest forgiveness. A modification of finance receivable terms is considered a TDR if the Company grants a concession to a borrower for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties that would not otherwise have been considered. Management considers TDRs to include all installment and line of credit loans that were granted principal and interest forgiveness as a part of a loss mitigation strategy for Rise and Elastic, unless excluded by policy. Once a loan has been classified as a TDR, it is assessed for impairment based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate considering all available evidence.

The following table summarizes the financial effects, excluding impacts related to credit loss allowance and impairment, of TDRs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Outstanding recorded investment before TDR
 
$
489

 
$
5,152

 
$
6,917

 
$
13,496

Outstanding recorded investment after TDR
 
457

 
4,734

 
6,562

 
12,063

Total principal and interest forgiveness included in charge-offs within the Allowance for loan losses
 
$
32

 
$
418

 
$
355

 
$
1,433



A loan that has been classified as a TDR remains classified as a TDR until it is liquidated through payoff or charge-off. The table below presents the Company's average outstanding recorded investment and interest income recognized on TDR loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Average outstanding recorded investment(1)
 
$
13,266

 
$
11,943

 
$
13,914

 
$
12,050

Interest income recognized
 
$
2,522

 
$
3,265

 
$
6,252

 
$
4,849

1. Simple average as of June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.







22

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


The table below presents the Company's loans modified as TDRs as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
Current outstanding investment
 
$
9,558

 
$
11,313

Delinquent outstanding investment
 
1,408

 
5,549

Outstanding recorded investment
 
10,966

 
16,862

Less: Impairment included in Allowance for loan losses
 
(1,624
)
 
(4,414
)
Outstanding recorded investment, net of impairment
 
$
9,342

 
$
12,448



A TDR is considered to have defaulted upon charge-off when it is over 60 days past due or earlier if deemed uncollectible. There were loan restructurings accounted for as TDRs that subsequently defaulted of approximately $3.4 million and $2.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $9.3 million and $6.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company had commitments to lend additional funds of approximately $3.0 million to customers with available and unfunded lines of credit as of June 30, 2020.

NOTE 4—VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

The Company is involved with five entities that are deemed to be a VIE: Elastic SPV, Ltd., EF SPV, Ltd. and three Credit Services Organization ("CSO") lenders. Under ASC 810-10-15, Variable Interest Entities, a VIE is an entity that: (1) has an insufficient amount of equity investment at risk to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support by other parties; (2) the equity investors are unable to make significant decisions about the entity’s activities through voting rights or similar rights; or (3) the equity investors do not have the obligation to absorb expected losses or the right to receive residual returns of the entity. The Company is required to consolidate a VIE if it is determined to be the primary beneficiary, that is, the enterprise has both (1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company evaluates its relationships with VIEs to determine whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes involved with the entity and it re-evaluates that conclusion each reporting period.
Elastic SPV, Ltd.
On July 1, 2015, the Company entered into several agreements with a third-party lender and Elastic SPV, Ltd. (“ESPV”), an entity formed by third-party investors for the purpose of purchasing loan participations from the third-party lender. Per the terms of the agreements, the Company provides customer acquisition services to generate loan applications submitted to the third-party lender. In addition, the Company licenses loan underwriting software and provides services to the third-party lender to evaluate the credit quality of those loan applications in accordance with the third-party lender’s credit policies. ESPV accounts for the loan participations acquired in accordance with ASC 860-10-40, Transfers and Services, Derecognition, as the lines of credit acquired meet the criteria of a participation interest.
Once the third-party lender originates the loan, ESPV has the right, but not the obligation, to purchase a 90% interest in each Elastic line of credit. Victory Park Management, LLC (“VPC”) entered into an agreement (the "ESPV Facility") under which it loans ESPV all funds necessary up to a maximum borrowing amount to purchase such participation interests in exchange for a fixed return (see Note 5—Notes Payable—ESPV Facility). The Company entered into a separate credit default protection agreement with ESPV whereby the Company agreed to provide credit protection to the investors in ESPV against Elastic loan losses in return for a credit premium. The Company does not hold a direct ownership interest in ESPV, however, as a result of the credit default protection agreement, ESPV was determined to be a VIE and the Company qualifies as the primary beneficiary.




23

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of the VIE that are included within the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
June 30,
2020
 
December 31,
2019
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
80,028

 
$
26,245

Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $18,604 and $28,852, respectively
 
152,591

 
234,504

Receivable from payment processors
 
4,245

 
6,363

Total assets
 
$
236,864

 
$
267,112

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ($7,700 and $7,690, respectively, eliminates upon consolidation)
 
$
13,442

 
$
15,902

Deferred revenue
 
2,715

 
4,280

Reserve deposit liability ($23,150 and $23,150, respectively, eliminates upon consolidation)
 
23,150

 
23,150

Notes payable, net
 
197,557

 
223,780

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity
 
$
236,864

 
$
267,112


EF SPV, Ltd.
On October 15, 2018, the Company entered into several agreements with a third-party lender and EF SPV, Ltd. (“EF SPV”), an entity formed by third-party investors for the purpose of purchasing loan participations from the third-party lender. Per the terms of the agreements, the Company provides customer acquisition services to generate loan applications submitted to the third-party lender. In addition, the Company licenses loan underwriting software and provides services to the third-party lender to evaluate the credit quality of those loan applications in accordance with the third-party lender’s credit policies. EF SPV accounts for the loan participations acquired in accordance with ASC 860-10-40, Transfers and Services, Derecognition, as the installment loans acquired meet the criteria of a participation interest.
Once the third-party lender originates the loan, EF SPV has the right, but not the obligation, to purchase an interest in each Rise bank originated installment loan. Prior to August 1, 2019, FinWise Bank retained 5% of the balances and sold a 95% participation to EF SPV. On August 1, 2019, EF SPV purchased an additional 1% participation in the outstanding portfolio with the participation percentage revised going forward to 96%. VPC lends EF SPV all funds necessary up to a maximum borrowing amount to purchase such participation interests in exchange for a fixed return (see Note 5—Notes Payable—EF SPV Facility). The Company entered into a separate credit default protection agreement with EF SPV whereby the Company agreed to provide credit protection to the investors in EF SPV against Rise bank originated loan losses in return for a credit premium. The Company does not hold a direct ownership interest in EF SPV, however, as a result of the credit default protection agreement, EF SPV was determined to be a VIE and the Company qualifies as the primary beneficiary.




24

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of the VIE that are included within the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
June 30,
2020
 
December 31,
2019
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
20,847

 
$
7,541

Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $18,097 and $17,436, respectively
 
93,337

 
111,281

Receivable from payment processors ($293 and $0 eliminates upon consolidation)
 
709

 
681

Total assets
 
$
114,893

 
$
119,503

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ($11,294 and $7,114, respectively, eliminates upon consolidation)
 
$
12,463

 
$
8,576

Reserve deposit liability ($8,950 and $8,950, respectively, eliminates upon consolidation)
 
8,950

 
8,950

Notes payable, net
 
93,480

 
101,977

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity
 
$
114,893

 
$
119,503

CSO Lenders
The three CSO lenders are considered VIE's of the Company; however, the Company does not have any ownership interest in the CSO lenders, does not exercise control over them, and is not the primary beneficiary, and therefore, does not consolidate the CSO lenders’ results with its results.

NOTE 5—NOTES PAYABLE, NET
The Company has three debt facilities with VPC. The Rise SPV, LLC credit facility (the "VPC Facility"), the EF SPV Facility, and the ESPV Facility. The facilities were modified effective February 1, 2019 to the following terms.
VPC Facility
The VPC Facility is primarily used to fund the Rise loan portfolio with a subordinated debt component used for general corporate purposes. It provides the following term notes:
A maximum borrowing amount of $350 million used to fund the Rise loan portfolio (“US Term Note”). Prior to the February 1, 2019 amendment, the interest rate paid on this facility was a base rate (defined as the 3-month LIBOR, with a 1% floor) plus 11%. Upon the February 1, 2019 amendment date, the interest rate on the debt outstanding as of the amendment date was fixed through the January 1, 2024 maturity date at 10.23% (base rate of 2.73% plus 7.5%, which was reduced to 7.25% on January 1, 2020 as part of the amendment). At December 31, 2019, the weighted average base rate on the outstanding balance was 2.73% and the overall interest rate was 10.23%. At June 30, 2020, the weighted average base rate on the outstanding balance was 2.73% and the overall interest rate was 9.98%. All future borrowings under this facility will bear an interest rate at a base rate (defined as the greater of 3-month LIBOR, the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1%) plus 7.25% at the borrowing date.
A maximum borrowing amount of $18 million used to fund working capital, and prior to February 1, 2019, at a base rate (defined as the 3-month LIBOR, with a 1% floor) plus 13% (“4th Tranche Term Note”). Upon the February 1, 2019 amendment date, the interest rate was fixed through the February 1, 2021 maturity date at a base rate of 2.73% plus 13%. The interest rate at both June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was 15.73%. There was no change in the interest rate spread on this facility upon the February 1, 2019 amendment.




25

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


Revolving feature providing the option to pay down up to 20% of the outstanding balance, excluding the 4th Tranche Term Note, once per year during the first quarter. Amounts paid down may be drawn again at a later date prior to maturity.
The 4th Tranche Term Note matures on February 1, 2021. The US Term Note matures on January 1, 2024. There are no principal payments due or scheduled until the respective maturity dates. All assets of the Company are pledged as collateral to secure the VPC Facility. The VPC Facility contains certain covenants for the Company such as minimum cash requirements and a minimum book value of equity requirement. There are also certain covenants for the product portfolio underlying the facility including, among other things, excess spread requirements, maximum roll rate and charge-off rate levels, and maximum loan-to-value ratios. The Company was in compliance with all covenants related to the VPC Facility as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
Prior to ECIL entering administration and being classified a discontinued operation by the Company on June 29, 2020, the VPC Facility included a note used to fund the UK Sunny loan portfolio (“UK Term Note”). Upon deconsolidation of ECIL, this note was removed from the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and is presented within Liabilities from discontinued operations in all prior periods presented. Under the terms of the VPC Facility, Elevate Credit, Inc. (the "Parent") has provided a guarantee to VPC for the repayment of the debt of any subsidiary, which includes the outstanding debt of ECIL of approximately £10.2 million as of June 29, 2020. Upon deconsolidation of ECIL, the Company is required to evaluate and separately recognize a liability at the Parent level related to the guarantee of ECIL's outstanding debt balance. The liability is recognized at the fair value of the guarantee obligation based on ECIL's cash flows and ability to repay the outstanding debt balance. The fair value of the guarantee obligation was $566 thousand and was recognized at June 30, 2020 within Net loss from discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements and as Liabilities from discontinued operations on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

EF SPV Facility

The EF SPV Facility has a maximum borrowing amount of $150 million used to purchase loan participations from a third-party lender. Prior to execution of the agreement with VPC effective February 1, 2019, EF SPV was a borrower on the US Term Note under the VPC Facility and the interest rate paid on this facility was a base rate (defined as 3-month LIBOR, with a 1% floor) plus 11%. Upon the February 1, 2019 amendment date, $43 million was re-allocated into the EF SPV Facility and the interest rate on the debt outstanding as of the amendment date was fixed through the January 1, 2024 maturity date at 10.23% (base rate of 2.73% plus 7.5%, which was reduced to 7.25% on January 1, 2020 as part of the amendment). The weighted average base rate on the outstanding balance at December 31, 2019 was 2.49% and the overall interest rate was 9.99%. The weighted average base rate on the outstanding balance at June 30, 2020 was 2.45% and the overall interest rate was 9.70%. All future borrowings under this facility will bear an interest rate at a base rate (defined as the greater of 3-month LIBOR, the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1%) plus 7.25% at the borrowing date. The EF SPV Term Note has a revolving feature providing the option to pay down up to 20% of the outstanding balance once per year during the first quarter. Amounts paid down may be drawn again at a later date prior to maturity.

The EF SPV Term Note matures on January 1, 2024. There are no principal payments due or scheduled until the maturity date. All assets of the Company and EF SPV are pledged as collateral to secure the EF SPV Facility. The EF SPV Facility contains certain covenants for the Company such as minimum cash requirements and a minimum book value of equity requirement. There are also certain covenants for the product portfolio underlying the facility including, among other things, excess spread requirements, maximum roll rate and charge-off rate levels, and maximum loan-to-value ratios. The Company was in compliance with all covenants related to the EF SPV Facility as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.





26

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


ESPV Facility

The ESPV Facility has a maximum borrowing amount of $350 million used to purchase loan participations from a third-party lender. Prior to the February 1, 2019 amendment, the interest rate paid on this facility was a base rate (defined as the greater of the 3-month LIBOR rate or 1% per annum) plus 13% for the outstanding balance up to $50 million, plus 12% for the outstanding balance greater than $50 million up to $100 million, plus 13.5% for any amounts greater than $100 million up to $150 million, and plus 12.75% for borrowing amounts greater than $150 million. Upon the February 1, 2019 amendment date, the interest rate on the debt outstanding as of the amendment date was fixed at 15.48% (base rate of 2.73% plus 12.75%). Effective July 1, 2019, the interest rate on the debt outstanding as of the amendment date was set at 10.23% (base rate of 2.73% plus 7.50%, which was reduced to 7.25% on January 1, 2020 as part of the amendment). At December 31, 2019 the weighted average base rate on the outstanding balance was 2.72% and the overall interest rate was 10.22%. At June 30, 2020, the weighted average base rate on the outstanding balance was 2.72% and the overall interest rate was 9.97%. All future borrowings under this facility will bear an interest rate at a base rate (defined as the greater of 3-month LIBOR, the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1%) plus 7.25% at the borrowing date. The ESPV Term Note has a revolving feature providing the option to pay down up to 20% of the outstanding balance once per year during the first quarter. Amounts paid down may be drawn again at a later date prior to maturity.
There are no principal payments due or scheduled until the maturity date. All assets of the Company and ESPV are pledged as collateral to secure the ESPV Facility. The ESPV Facility contains certain covenants for the Company such as minimum cash requirements and a minimum book value of equity requirement. There are also certain covenants for the product portfolio underlying the facility including, among other things, excess spread requirements, maximum roll rate and charge-off rate levels, and maximum loan-to-value ratios. The Company was in compliance with all covenants related to the ESPV Facility as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
VPC, EF SPV and ESPV Facilities:
The outstanding balances of Notes payable, net of debt issuance costs, are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
June 30,
2020
 
December 31,
2019
US Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 7.25% (2020) or + 7.5% (2019)
 
$
129,500

 
$
182,000

4th Tranche Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 13%
 
18,050

 
18,050

EF SPV Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 7.25% (2020) or + 7.5% (2019)
 
93,500

 
102,000

ESPV Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 7.25% (2020) or + 7.5% (2019)
 
199,500

 
226,000

Debt issuance costs
 
(2,376
)
 
(2,611
)
Total
 
$
438,174

 
$
525,439



The change in the facility balances includes the following:
US Term Note - Paydown of $27.5 million and $25 million in the first and second quarter of 2020, respectively;
EF SPV Term note - Draw of $6.5 million in the first quarter of 2020 and a paydown of $15 million in the second quarter of 2020; and
ESPV Term Note - Paydown of $6.5 million and $20 million in the first and second quarter of 2020, respectively.

The Company paid a $2.4 million amendment fee on the ESPV Facility during the first quarter of 2019 that is included in deferred debt issuance costs and will be amortized into interest expense over the remaining life of the facility (through January 1, 2024).

Per the terms of the February 2019 amendments, the Company qualified for a 25 bps rate reduction on all three facilities effective January 1, 2020 and may qualify for an additional 25 bps rate reduction on January 1, 2021 subject to meeting certain performance metrics. The Company has evaluated the interest rates for its debt and believes they represent market rates based on the Company’s size, industry, operations and recent amendments. As a result, the carrying value for the debt approximates the fair value.




27

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


Future debt maturities as of June 30, 2020 are as follows:
Year (dollars in thousands)
June 30, 2020
Remainder of 2020
$

2021
18,050

2022

2023

2024
422,500

Thereafter

Total
$
440,550



NOTE 6—GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The Company’s goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the estimated fair market value of the net assets acquired by the predecessor parent company, Think Finance, Inc. (“Think Finance”) related to the Elastic and previously consolidated UK reporting units. As a result of the recent global economic impact and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company concluded a triggering event had occurred as of March 31, 2020, and accordingly, performed interim impairment testing on the goodwill balances of its reporting units. The Company performed a detailed qualitative and quantitative assessment of each reporting unit and concluded that the goodwill associated with the previously consolidated UK reporting unit was impaired as the fair value of the UK reporting unit was less than its carrying amount. The impairment loss of $9.3 million is included in Loss from discontinued operations due to the deconsolidation of ECIL. While there was a decline in the fair value of the Elastic reporting unit, there was no impairment identified during the quantitative assessment. The Company has $6.8 million of goodwill (all related to the Elastic reporting unit) on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Of the total goodwill balance, approximately $300 thousand is deductible for tax purposes.
As quoted market prices are not available for these reporting units, the Company used the income approach to estimate the fair value of its reporting units. In prior valuations, the Company weighted the results of the income method most heavily in the overall determination of fair value. The income approach estimates the fair value by discounting each unit’s estimated future cash flows using the Company’s estimate of the discount rate, or expected return, that a market participant would have required as of the valuation date. Some of the more significant assumptions inherent in the income approach include the estimated future net annual cash flows for each reporting unit and the discount rate. The Company selected the assumptions used in the discounted cash flow projections using historical data supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions. The Company’s estimates are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable. However, given the inherent uncertainty in determining the assumptions underlying a discounted cash flow analysis, particularly in the current volatile market, actual results may differ from those used in these valuations which could result in additional impairment charges in the future. The discount rates used to value the Company’s reporting units were between 19% and 20.4%. Assuming all other assumptions and inputs used in each of the respective discounted cash flow analysis were held constant, a 50-basis point increase or decrease in the discount rate assumptions would have changed the fair value of the two reporting units, on average, by less than 3%.
The carrying value of acquired intangible assets as of June 30, 2020 is presented in the table below:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Cost
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Assets subject to amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired technology
 
$
211

 
$
(211
)
 
$

Non-compete
 
2,461

 
(1,799
)
 
662

Customers
 
126

 
(126
)
 

Assets not subject to amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domain names
 
531

 

 
531

Total
 
$
3,329

 
$
(2,136
)
 
$
1,193





28

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


The carrying value of acquired intangible assets as of December 31, 2019 is presented in the table below:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Cost
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Assets subject to amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired technology
 
$
211

 
$
(211
)
 
$

Non-compete
 
2,461

 
(1,739
)
 
722

Customers
 
126

 
(126
)
 

Assets not subject to amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domain names
 
531

 

 
531

Total
 
$
3,329

 
$
(2,076
)
 
$
1,253


Total amortization expense recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $30 thousand and $106 thousand, respectively. Total amortization expense recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $60 thousand and $250 thousand, respectively. The weighted average remaining amortization period for the intangible assets was 5.5 years at June 30, 2020. Due to the deconsolidation of the UK entity, the related domain name was determined to be fully impaired and the resulting impairment expense of $149 thousand is included in Net loss from discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements.
Estimated amortization expense relating to intangible assets subject to amortization for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:
Year (dollars in thousands)
Amount
2021
$
120

2022
120

2023
120

2024
120

2025
120



NOTE 7—LEASES
The Company has non-cancelable operating leases for facility space and equipment with varying terms. All of the leases for facility space qualified for capitalization under FASB ASC 842, Leases. These leases have remaining lease terms of three years to seven years, and some may include options to extend the leases for up to ten years. The extension terms are not recognized as part of the right-of-use assets. The Company has elected not to capitalize leases with terms equal to or less than one year. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, net assets recorded under operating leases totaled $9.3 million and $10.2 million, respectively, and net lease liabilities totaled $13.2 million and $14.4 million, respectively.
The Company analyzes contracts above certain thresholds to identify leases and lease components. Lease and non-lease components are not separated for facility space leases. The Company uses its contractual borrowing rate to determine lease discount rates when an implicit rate is not available.
Total lease cost for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, included in Occupancy and equipment in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements, is detailed in the table below:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
Lease cost (dollars in thousands)
2020
2019
Operating lease cost
$
808

$
795

Short-term lease cost

7

Total lease cost
$
808

$
802





29

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


 
Six Months Ended June 30,
Lease cost (dollars in thousands)
2020
2019
Operating lease cost
$
1,616

$
1,523

Short-term lease cost

17

Total lease cost
$
1,616

$
1,540


Further information related to leases is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
Supplemental cash flows information (dollars in thousands)
2020
2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
$
931

$
778

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations
$

$
1,110

Weighted average remaining lease term
4.0 years

4.6 years

Weighted average discount rate
10.23
%
10.23
%

 
Six Months Ended June 30,
Supplemental cash flows information (dollars in thousands)
2020
2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
$
1,855

$
1,378

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations
$

$
1,110

Weighted average remaining lease term
4.0 years

4.6 years

Weighted average discount rate
10.23
%
10.23
%


Future minimum lease payments as of June 30, 2020 are as follows:
Year (dollars in thousands)
Operating Leases
2020
$
1,905

2021
3,876

2022
3,984

2023
3,486

2024
1,438

Thereafter
1,892

Total future minimum lease payments
$
16,581

Less: Imputed interest
(3,374
)
Operating lease liabilities
$
13,207



NOTE 8—SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Share-based compensation expense recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 totaled approximately $2.6 million and $2.5 million, respectively. Share-based compensation expense recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 totaled approximately $5.3 million and $4.9 million, respectively.




30

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan
The 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan ("2016 Plan") was adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors on January 5, 2016 and approved by the Company’s stockholders thereafter. The 2016 Plan became effective on June 23, 2016. The 2016 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options to the Company’s employees, and for the grant of non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, RSUs, dividend equivalent rights, cash-based awards (including annual cash incentives and long-term cash incentives), and any combination thereof to the Company’s employees, directors and consultants. In connection with the 2016 Plan, the Company has reserved but not issued 8,069,926 shares of common stock, which includes shares that would otherwise return to the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2014 Plan") as a result of forfeiture, termination, or expiration of awards previously granted under the 2014 Plan and outstanding when the 2016 Plan became effective.
The 2016 Plan will automatically terminate 10 years following the date it became effective, unless the Company terminates it sooner. In addition, the Company’s Board of Directors has the authority to amend, suspend or terminate the 2016 Plan provided such action does not impair the rights under any outstanding award.
As of June 30, 2020, the total number of shares available for future grants under the 2016 Plan was 1,751,915 shares.
The Company has in the past and may in the future make grants of share-based compensation as inducement awards to new employees who are outside the 2016 Plan. The Company's board may rely on the employment inducement exception under NYSE Rule 303A.08 in order to approve the grants.
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
The Company adopted the 2014 Plan on May 1, 2014. The 2014 Plan permitted the grant of incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, and restricted stock. On April 27, 2017, the Company's Board of Directors terminated the 2014 Plan as to future awards and confirmed that underlying shares corresponding to awards under the 2014 Plan that were outstanding at the time the 2016 Plan became effective, that are forfeited, terminated or expired, will become available for issuance under the 2016 Plan.
For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company had the following activity related to outstanding share-based awards:
Stock Options
Stock options are awarded to encourage ownership of the Company's common stock by employees and to provide increased incentive for employees to render services and to exert maximum effort for the success of the Company. The Company's stock options generally permit net-share settlement upon exercise. The option exercise price, vesting schedule and exercise period are determined for each grant by the administrator of the applicable plan. The Company's stock options generally have a 10-year contractual term and vest over a 4-year period.
A summary of stock option activity as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2020 is presented below:
Stock Options
 
Shares
 
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
 
2,269,178

 
$
4.58

 
 
Granted
 
55,161

 
3.39

 
 
Exercised
 
(87,500
)
 
2.13

 
 
Expired
 
(12,500
)
 
2.13

 
 
Forfeited
 
(49,273
)
 
3.99

 
 
Outstanding at June 30, 2020
 
2,175,066

 
4.67

 
3.59
Options exercisable at June 30, 2020
 
2,079,200

 
$
4.71

 
3.33

At June 30, 2020, there was approximately $115 thousand of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $216 thousand.




31

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


Restricted Stock Units
RSUs are awarded to serve as a key retention tool for the Company to retain its executives and key employees. RSUs will transfer value to the holder even if the Company’s stock price falls below the price on the date of grant, provided that the recipient provides the requisite service during the period required for the award to “vest.”
The weighted-average grant-date fair value for RSUs granted under the 2016 Plan during the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $1.64. These RSUs primarily vest 25% on the first anniversary of the effective date, and 25% each year thereafter, until full vesting on the fourth anniversary of the effective date.
A summary of RSU activity as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2020 is presented below:
RSUs
 
Shares
 
Weighted Average
Grant-Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2019
 
4,161,862

 
$
6.10

Granted
 
1,246,948

 
1.64

Vested
 
(1,207,839
)
 
6.63

Forfeited
 
(58,029
)
 
5.04

Unvested at June 30, 2020
 
4,142,942

 
4.62

Expected to vest at June 30, 2020
 
3,191,998

 
$
4.77


At June 30, 2020, there was approximately $12.3 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSUs which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the total intrinsic value of RSUs that vested during the period was approximately $2.8 million. As of June 30, 2020, the aggregate intrinsic value of the vested and expected to vest RSUs was approximately $4.7 million.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Company offers an Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") to eligible US employees. There are currently 1,816,716 shares authorized and 952,598 reserved for the ESPP. There were 280,584 shares purchased under the ESPP for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Within share-based compensation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, $283 thousand and $386 thousand, respectively, relates to the ESPP. For the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, $142 thousand and $193 thousand, respectively, relates to the ESPP within share-based compensation expense.

NOTE 9—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The accounting guidance on fair value measurements establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to measurements involving significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

The Company groups its assets and liabilities measured at fair value in three levels of the fair value hierarchy, based on the fair value measurement technique, as described below:
Level 1—Valuation is based upon quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets and liabilities in active exchange markets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2—Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques with significant assumptions and inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.




32

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


Level 3—Valuation is derived from model-based techniques that use inputs and significant assumptions that are supported by little or no observable market data. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include the use of pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

The Company monitors the market conditions and evaluates the fair value hierarchy levels at least quarterly. For any transfers in and out of the levels of the fair value hierarchy, the Company discloses the fair value measurement at the beginning of the reporting period during which the transfer occurred. For the six month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, there were no significant transfers between levels.

The level of fair value hierarchy within which a fair value measurement in its entirety falls is based on the lowest-level input that is most significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. In the determination of the classification of assets and liabilities in Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the Company considers all available information, including observable market data, indications of market conditions, and its understanding of the valuation techniques and significant inputs used. Based upon the specific facts and circumstances, judgments are made regarding the significance of the Level 3 inputs to the fair value measurements of the respective assets and liabilities in their entirety. If the valuation techniques that are most significant to the fair value measurements are principally derived from assumptions and inputs that are corroborated by little or no observable market data, the asset or liability is classified as Level 3.
Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value
The Company has evaluated Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses, Receivable from CSO lenders, Receivable from payment processors and Accounts payable and accrued expenses, and believes the carrying value approximates the fair value due to the short-term nature of these balances. The Company has also evaluated the interest rates for Notes payable, net and believes they represent market rates based on the Company’s size, industry, operations and recent amendments. As a result, the carrying value for Notes payable, net approximates the fair value. The Company classifies its fair value measurement techniques for the fair value disclosures associated with Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses, Receivable from CSO lenders, Receivable from payment processors, Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Notes payable, net as Level 3 in accordance with ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820-10”).
Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis

On January 11, 2018, the Company and ESPV each entered into one interest rate cap transaction with a counterparty to mitigate the floating rate interest risk on a portion of the debt under the VPC Facility and the ESPV Facility, respectively. On January 16, 2018, the Company and ESPV paid fixed premiums of $719 thousand and $648 thousand for the interest rate caps on the US Term Note (under the VPC Facility) and the ESPV Facility, respectively. The interest rate caps matured on February 1, 2019. The interest rate caps qualified for hedge accounting as cash flow hedges. Gains and losses on the interest rate caps were recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income in the period incurred and subsequently reclassified to Interest expense when the hedged expenses were recorded. There were no gains or losses recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

The Company used model-derived valuations that discounted the future expected cash receipts that would occur if variable interest rates rose above the strike price of the caps. The variable interest rates used in the calculation of projected receipts on the caps were based on an expectation of future interest rates derived from observable market interest rate curves and volatilities in active markets (Level 2). The following table summarizes these interest rate caps for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 (dollars in thousands):
        
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
Gains recognized in Interest expense
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
US Term Note interest rate cap
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
159

ESPV Facility interest rate cap
 

 

 

 
144

 
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
303






33

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019



On June 29, 2020, ECIL entered administration and was therefore deconsolidated by the Company and its results presented as discontinued operations. The Company has guaranteed ECIL's repayment of its outstanding debt to VPC. See Note 5—Notes Payable for more information regarding the guarantee of the UK Term Note. The fair value of the guarantee obligation was $566 thousand and was recognized at June 30, 2020 within Net loss from discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements and as Liabilities from discontinued operations on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The fair value of the guarantee obligation was determined by using estimated cash flow scenarios that discounted ECIL's debt repayment schedules by the current interest rate on the UK Term Note which approximated a market value rate. The Company probability-weighted each scenario to calculate the weighted average fair value of the guarantee obligation. The wind down of ECIL is expected to be concluded by the end of 2020. The Company will record any future adjustments to Net loss from discontinued operations as the fair value of the guarantee changes.

NOTE 10—DERIVATIVES
The Company and ESPV have periodically used hedging programs to manage interest rate risk associated with future interest payments. The Company and ESPV entered into two interest rate cap instruments on January 11, 2018, which matured on February 1, 2019. The Company had no outstanding derivative instruments as of June 30, 2020 and 2019 and December 31, 2019.
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company and ESPV utilized interest rate caps to offset interest rate fluctuations in the Company's and ESPV's future interest payments on certain of their Notes payable. The financial instruments were designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges, and the Company and ESPV measured the effectiveness of the hedges at least quarterly. Effective gains or losses related to these cash flow hedges were reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings, through interest expense, in the period or periods in which the hedged transactions affected earnings. See Note 9—Fair Value for additional information on these cash flow hedges.
The following table summarizes the activity that was recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income in addition to reclassifications from Accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings related to each of the Company's and ESPV's interest rate caps during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. There was no activity during the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.
 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2020
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
 
US Term Note
 
ESPV Facility
 
US Term Note
 
ESPV Facility
Beginning unrealized gains in Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$

 
$

 
$
159

 
$
144

Gross gains recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income
 

 

 

 

Gains reclassified to income through Interest expense
 

 

 
(159
)
 
(144
)
Ending unrealized gains in Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$







34

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


NOTE 11—INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 consists of the following:
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Current income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
(1,152
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

State
 
(155
)
 
254

 
332

 
532

Total current income tax expense (benefit)
 
(1,307
)
 
254

 
332

 
532

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
6,284

 
2,108

 
6,357

 
6,447

State
 
3,396

 
272

 
3,739

 
1,670

Total deferred income tax expense
 
9,680

 
2,380

 
10,096

 
8,117

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total income tax expense
 
$
8,373

 
$
2,634

 
$
10,428

 
$
8,649



No material penalties or interest related to taxes were recognized for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.
The Company’s effective tax rates for continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, including discrete items, were 30.3% and 30.9%, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s effective tax rate differed from the standard corporate federal income tax rate of 21% due to permanent non-deductible items, corporate state tax obligations in the states where it has lending activities and the impact of the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income ("GILTI") provision of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The Company's cash effective tax rate was approximately 6.31%.
On March 27, 2020 the CARES Act was signed into law.  The Company has reviewed the tax relief provisions of the CARES Act, including the Company's eligibility for such provisions, and determined that the impact is likely to be insignificant with regard to our effective tax rate. We are continuing to monitor and evaluate our eligibility of the CARES Act tax relief provisions to identify any portions that may become applicable in the future.
The Company's tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of its annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items arising in that quarter. In each quarter, the Company updates its estimate of the annual effective tax rate, and if the estimated annual effective tax rate changes, the Company would make a cumulative adjustment in that quarter.
For purposes of evaluating the need for a deferred tax valuation allowance, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. The following provides an overview of the assessment that was performed for the deferred tax assets, net.

Deferred tax assets, net
At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company did not establish a valuation allowance for its deferred tax assets (“DTA”) based on management’s expectation of generating sufficient taxable income in a look forward period over the next one to three years. The Federal net operating loss ("NOL") carryforward from operations at December 31, 2019 was approximately $42.0 million and the results from operations in 2019 fully utilized this NOL carryforward, leaving no remaining Federal NOL at June 30, 2020.Any remaining NOL carryforward relates to certain states and is immaterial at June 30, 2020. Any research and development credits expire beginning in 2036. The ultimate realization of the resulting deferred tax asset is dependent upon generating sufficient taxable income prior to the expiration of this carryforward. The Company considered the following factors when making their assessment regarding the ultimate realizability of the deferred tax assets.




35

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


Significant positive factors included the following:
In 2019, the Company continued to grow its operating income from continuing operations (from $61 million in 2017 to $88 million in 2018 to $102 million in 2019). Pre-tax earnings improved from pre-tax income of $14.1 million in 2018 to pre-tax income of $38.4 million in 2019, a 172% improvement from prior year. The primary driver for the increase in operating income was related to our continued margin expansion and lower interest expense.
The Company is in a three-year cumulative pre-tax income position at the end of 2019. Additionally, the Company expects full utilization of its NOL carryforward when its 2019 federal return is filed in the third quarter of 2020, as well as approximately 20% of its research and development credits.
Due to the short-term nature of the loan portfolio and the other material items that comprise the deferred tax assets, net, the Company estimates that the majority of these deferred tax items will reverse within one year and the remainder to reverse within three to seven years.
The Company has given due consideration to all the factors and has concluded that the deferred tax asset, which includes the $24.2 million deferred tax asset related to the disposition of ECIL, is expected to be realized based on management’s expectation of generating sufficient taxable income and the reversal of tax timing differences in a look-forward period over the next one to three years. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that all of the recorded deferred tax assets will be realized. The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be adjusted in the future if estimates of future taxable income change. As a result, as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company did not establish a valuation allowance for the DTA.

NOTE 12—COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES
Contingencies
Currently and from time to time, the Company may become a defendant in various legal and regulatory actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company generally cannot predict the eventual outcome, the timing of the resolution or the potential losses, fines or penalties of such legal and regulatory actions. Actual outcomes or losses may differ materially from the Company's current assessments and estimates, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes an accrued liability for litigation, regulatory matters and other legal proceedings when those matters present material loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. Even when an accrual is recorded, the Company may be exposed to loss in excess of any amounts accrued.

Other Matters:
The Company is cooperating with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the "CFPB") related to a civil investigative demand ("CID") received by Think Finance, Inc. ("TFI") requesting information about the operations of TFI prior to the spin-off. In November 2017, the CFPB sued TFI in Montana District Court. Elevate is not a party to this lawsuit. The CFPB and TFI have settled all claims and have received final court approval in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas.
While no TFI related litigation has been filed directly against Elevate, we can provide no assurance that there will not be any future TFI related litigation filed against the Company. In October 2019, Elevate entered into tolling agreements with the Think Finance Creditors' Committee and class claimants in regard to any potential future claims against Elevate. These tolling agreements have been extended to August 2020. In December 2019, the TFI bankruptcy plan was confirmed, and any claims from the TFI Creditors' Committee were assigned to the Think Finance Litigation Trust (“TFLT”). Elevate and the TFLT have commenced mediation in an attempt to resolve, prior to any litigation being filed, any potential claims that the TFLT may have against Elevate including, among other things, whether or not the spin-off of Elevate from TFI was a fraudulent conveyance and any other avoidance actions associated with the spin-off. Although we do not anticipate liability for any obligations not expressly assumed by us pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement, it is possible that we could be required to assume responsibility for certain obligations retained by TFI should TFI fail to pay or perform its retained obligations.




36

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


If it were determined that the spin-off constituted a fraudulent conveyance or that there were other avoidance actions associated with the spin-off, then the spin-off could be deemed void and there could be a number of different remedies imposed against Elevate, including without limitation, the requirement that Elevate has to pay money damages in an amount equal to the difference between the consideration received by TFI in the spin-off and the fair market value of Elevate at the time of the spin-off. We can provide no assurances as to how long the mediation proceedings may take, or the outcome of such proceedings. Because no claims have been filed against Elevate, no reasonable estimate of possible loss, if any, can be made at this time. We believe any future claims are without merit, and we intend to defend ourselves vigorously.
On June 5, 2020, the District of Columbia (the "District") sued Elevate in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia alleging that Elevate may have violated the District's Consumer Protection Procedures Act and the District of Columbia's Municipal Regulations in connection with loans issued by banks in the District of Columbia.  This action has been removed to federal court. Elevate disagrees that it has violated the above referenced laws and regulations and it intends to vigorously defend its position.
In addition, on January 27, 2020, an Elevate wholly-owned subsidiary and other non-affiliated service providers to banks were sued in a class action lawsuit in Washington state.  The Plaintiff in the case claims that Elevate and the other non-affiliated service providers to banks are engaged in “predatory lending practices that target financially vulnerable consumers” and have violated Washington’s Consumer Protection Act by engaging in unfair or deceptive practices. Elevate disagrees that it has violated the above referenced law and it intends to vigorously defend its position.
In California, two separate actions have been filed seeking damages and public injunctive relief and alleging unconscionable interest rates on Rise loans - one lawsuit in the Superior Court of California, and one demand for arbitration.  The Plaintiffs in these actions assert claims under the “unlawful,” “unfair,” and “fraudulent” prongs of the California Unfair Competition Law (“UCL”) and for breach of contract and civil conspiracy.  The “unlawful” UCL claims are premised upon alleged violations of (a) the California Financing Law’s prohibition on unconscionable loans and (b) the California False Advertising Law. Elevate disagrees that it has violated the above referenced laws and it intends to vigorously defend its position.
Commitments
The Elastic product, which offers lines of credit to consumers, had approximately $296.4 million and $251.2 million in available and unfunded credit lines at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. In May 2017, the Rise product began offering lines of credit to consumers in certain states and had approximately $6.2 million and $8.3 million in available and unfunded credit lines at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The Today Card, which expanded its test launch in November 2018, had approximately $4.2 million and $0.6 million in available and unfunded credit lines as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. While these amounts represented the total available unused credit lines, the Company has not experienced and does not anticipate that all line of credit customers will access their entire available credit lines at any given point in time. The Company has not recorded a loan loss reserve for unfunded credit lines as the Company has the ability to cancel commitments within a relatively short timeframe.
Effective June 2017, the Company entered into a seven-year lease agreement for office space in California. Upon the commencement of the lease, the Company was required to provide the lessor with an irrevocable and unconditional $500 thousand letter of credit. Provided the Company is not in default of any terms of the lease agreement, the outstanding required balance of the letter of credit will be reduced by $100 thousand per year beginning on the second anniversary of the lease commencement and ending on the fifth anniversary of the lease agreement. The minimum balance of the letter of credit will be at least $100 thousand throughout the duration of the lease. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had $300 thousand and $400 thousand, respectively, of cash balances securing the letter of credit which is included in Restricted cash within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Guarantees
CSO Program:
In connection with its CSO programs, the Company guarantees consumer loan payment obligations to CSO lenders and is required to purchase any defaulted loans it has guaranteed. The guarantee represents an obligation to purchase specific loans that go into default.





37

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


UK Debt Guarantee:
As a result of ECIL’s entry into administration and deconsolidation, the Company must recognize a guarantee obligation related to the repayment of the UK Term Note by ECIL. The fair value of the guarantee obligation was $566 thousand and was recognized at June 30, 2020 within Net loss from discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements and as Liabilities from discontinued operations on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 5—Notes Payable for more information regarding the guarantee of the UK Term Note.
Indemnifications and contingent loss accrual
In the ordinary course of business, the Company may indemnify customers, vendors, lessors, investors, and other parties for certain matters subject to various terms and scopes. For example, the Company may indemnify certain parties for losses due to the Company's breach of certain agreements or due to certain services it provides. As the Company has previously disclosed, the Company has also entered into separate indemnification agreements with the Company’s directors and executive officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in the Company’s amended and restated bylaws. These agreements, among other things, provide that the Company will indemnify its directors and executive officers for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, penalties, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director or executive officer in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of the Company’s or, where applicable, TFI’s directors or executive officers, or any of the Company’s subsidiaries or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at the Company’s request. The indemnification agreements also set forth certain procedures that will apply in the event of a claim for indemnification thereunder.
At June 30, 2020, the Company had accrued a contingent loss related to a legal matter in the amount of $5.7 million. The accrual is recognized as Non-operating loss in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements and as Accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. This contingent loss is based on a probable settlement composed of both cash and certain amounts that are subject to valuation adjustments until the final settlement. The table below presents a rollforward of the amounts accrued for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020.
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
Beginning balance at December 31, 2019
 
$

Expected loss accrual
 
4,263

Net contingent loss related to a legal matter at March 31, 2020
 
$
4,263

 
 
 
Expected loss accrual
 
1,407

Net contingent loss related to a legal matter at June 30, 2020
 
$
5,670




NOTE 13—DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
On June 29, 2020, ECIL entered into administration in accordance with the provisions of the UK Insolvency Act 1986 and pursuant to a resolution of the board of directors of ECIL. The management, business, affairs and property of ECIL have been placed into the direct control of the appointed administrators, KPMG LLP. Accordingly, the Company deconsolidated ECIL as of June 29, 2020 and presents ECIL's results as Discontinued operations for all periods presented.




38

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


The table below presents the financial results of ECIL, which are considered Discontinued operations and are excluded from the Company's results of continuing operations:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
2020 (1)
 
2019
 
2020 (1)
 
2019
Revenues
 
$
9,024

 
$
27,386

 
$
24,012

 
$
56,824

Cost of sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Provision for loan losses
 
607

 
9,743

 
4,785

 
21,819

      Direct marketing costs
 
270

 
5,120

 
1,372

 
9,077

      Other cost of sales
 
5,130

 
6,054

 
10,790

 
8,836

Total cost of sales
 
6,007

 
20,917

 
16,947

 
39,732

Gross profit
 
3,017

 
6,469

 
7,065

 
17,092

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
 
2,068

 
3,700

 
4,785

 
7,209

Professional services
 
1,598

 
1,174

 
2,879

 
2,695

Selling and marketing
 
135

 
745

 
605

 
1,499

Occupancy and equipment
 
1,028

 
1,166

 
2,141

 
2,396

Depreciation and amortization
 
926

 
369

 
1,427

 
779

Other
 
108

 
205

 
288

 
395

Total operating expenses
 
5,863

 
7,359

 
12,125

 
14,973

Operating (loss) income
 
(2,846
)
 
(890
)
 
(5,060
)
 
2,119

Other expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest expense
 
(357
)
 
(1,011
)
 
(896
)
 
(2,230
)
Foreign currency transaction loss
 
(42
)
 
(710
)
 
(854
)
 
(97
)
Impairment loss
 

 

 
(9,251
)
 

Non-operating income
 
17

 

 

 

Total other expense
 
(382
)
 
(1,721
)
 
(11,001
)
 
(2,327
)
Loss from operations of discontinued operations
 
(3,228
)
 
(2,611
)
 
(16,061
)
 
(208
)
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations
 
(28,512
)
 

 
(28,512
)
 

Loss from discontinued operations before taxes
 
(31,740
)
 
(2,611
)
 
(44,573
)
 
(208
)
Income tax benefit
 
24,200

 

 
24,200

 

Net loss from discontinued operations
 
$
(7,540
)
 
$
(2,611
)
 
$
(20,373
)
 
$
(208
)
(1) Includes ECIL financial results for the period through June 28, 2020.





39

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019


The table below presents the aggregate carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities of ECIL and those carried by the Company as discontinued operations related to ECIL:
(Dollars in thousands except share amounts)
 
June 30,
2020
 
December 31,
2019
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$

 
$
17,698

Restricted cash
 

 
59

Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $0 and $7,083, respectively
 

 
31,604

Prepaid expenses and other assets
 

 
4,871

Receivable from payment processors
 

 
1,970

Deferred tax assets, net
 

 
1,355

Property and equipment, net
 

 
14,045

Goodwill, net
 

 
9,251

Intangible assets, net
 

 
149

Total assets classified as discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
$

 
$
81,002

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
1,209

 
$
6,917

Notes payable, net
 

 
29,624

Total liabilities classified as discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
$
1,209

 
$
36,541



The Company has continuing involvement with ECIL as the guarantor of ECIL's debt of approximately £10.2 million as of June 29, 2020 and a guarantee obligation of $566 thousand was recognized at fair value within Liabilities from discontinued operations on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and within Net loss from discontinued operations on the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements. This guarantee will expire upon ECIL's repayment of the UK Term Note which is expected to occur by the end of 2020. See Note 5—Notes Payable for more information regarding the guarantee of the UK Term Note. The Company also has obligations related to severance pay due to certain employees of ECIL of $643 thousand. The severance pay obligation is recorded within Liabilities from discontinued operations on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and within Net loss from discontinued operations on the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements.

NOTE 14—RELATED PARTIES
Expenses related to our board of directors, including board fees, travel reimbursements, share-based compensation and a consulting arrangement with a related party for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 are included in Professional services within the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements and were as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
Fees and travel expenses
 
$
122

 
$
133

Stock compensation (1)  
 
808

 
353

Consulting
 
50

 
75

Total board related expenses
 
$
980

 
$
561






40

Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019



 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
Fees and travel expenses
 
$
255

 
$
265

Stock compensation (1)
 
1,787

 
720

Consulting
 
150

 
150

Total board related expenses
 
$
2,192

 
$
1,135

(1) Includes Elevate's former CEO beginning August 1, 2019.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, a member of the board of directors entered into a direct investment of $800 thousand in the VPC Facility. For the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the interest payments on this loan were $20 thousand and $21 thousand, respectively. The interest payments were $40 thousand and $43 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 , respectively.
At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had approximately $122 thousand and $123 thousand, respectively, due to board members related to the above expenses, which is included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

NOTE 15—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluated subsequent events as of the date these financial statements are made available and determined there has been no material subsequent events that required recognition or additional disclosure in these condensed consolidated financial statements, except as follows:
On July 23, 2020, ECIL paid down £5.0 million on the UK Term Note, and plans to repay the full remaining balance by the end of the year.
For the period from July 1, 2020 to August 6, 2020, the Company repurchased 1,696,448 shares of its common stock on the open market for a total purchase price of $3.2 million, including any fees or commissions.




41



Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should review the "Note About Forward-Looking Statements" section of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. We generally refer to loans, customers and other information and data associated with each of our brands (Rise, Elastic and Today Card) as Elevate’s loans, customers, information and data, irrespective of whether Elevate directly originates the credit to the customer or whether such credit is originated by a third party.
OVERVIEW
We provide online credit solutions to consumers in the US who are not well-served by traditional bank products and who are looking for better options than payday loans, title loans, pawn and storefront installment loans. Non-prime consumers now represent a larger market than prime consumers but are risky to underwrite and serve with traditional approaches. We’re succeeding at it - and doing it responsibly - with best-in-class advanced technology and proprietary risk analytics honed by serving more than 2.5 million customers with $8.5 billion in credit. Our current online credit products, Rise, Elastic and Today Card reflect our mission to provide customers with access to competitively priced credit and services while helping them build a brighter financial future with credit building and financial wellness features. We call this mission "Good Today, Better Tomorrow."
Prior to June 29, 2020, we provided services in the United Kingdom ("UK") through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Elevate Credit International Limited (“ECIL”) under the brand name ‘Sunny.’ During the year ended December 31, 2018, ECIL began to receive an increased number of customer complaints initiated by claims management companies ("CMCs") related to the affordability assessment of certain loans. The CMCs' campaign against the high cost lending industry increased significantly during the third and fourth quarters of 2018 and continued through 2019 and into the second half of 2020, resulting in a significant increase in affordability claims against all companies in the industry over this period. The Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), a regulator in the UK financial services industry, began regulating the CMCs in April 2019 in order to ensure that the methods used by the CMCs are in the best interests of the consumer and the industry. Separately, the FCA asked all industry participants to review their lending practices to ensure that such companies are using an appropriate affordability and creditworthiness analysis. However, there continued to be a lack of clarity within the regulatory environment in the UK. This lack of clarity, coupled with the ongoing impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 ("COVID-19") on the UK market for Sunny, led the ECIL board of directors to place ECIL into administration under the UK Insolvency Act 1986 and appoint insolvency practitioners from KPMG LLP to take control and management of the UK business. As a result, we have deconsolidated ECIL and are presenting its results as discontinued operations.
We earn revenues on the Rise installment loans, on the Rise and Elastic lines of credit and on the Today Card credit card product. Our revenue primarily consists of finance charges and line of credit fees. Finance charges are driven by our average loan balances outstanding and by the average annual percentage rate (“APR”) associated with those outstanding loan balances. We calculate our average loan balances by taking a simple daily average of the ending loan balances outstanding for each period. Line of credit fees are recognized when they are assessed and recorded to revenue over the life of the loan. We present certain key metrics and other information on a “combined” basis to reflect information related to loans originated by us and by our bank partners that license our brands, Republic Bank, FinWise Bank and Capital Community Bank, as well as loans originated by third-party lenders pursuant to CSO programs, which loans originated through CSO programs are not recorded on our balance sheet in accordance with US GAAP. See “—Key Financial and Operating Metrics” and “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”




42



We use our working capital, funds provided by third-party lenders pursuant to CSO programs and our credit facility with Victory Park Management, LLC ("VPC” and the "VPC Facility") to fund the loans we make to our Rise customers and provide working capital. Since originally entering into the VPC Facility, it has been amended several times to increase the maximum total borrowing amount available from the original amount of $250 million to approximately $368 million at June 30, 2020. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt facilities.”
Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company also licenses its Rise installment loan brand to a third-party lender, FinWise Bank, which originates Rise installment loans in 18 states. FinWise Bank initially provides all of the funding and retains a percentage of the balances of all of the loans originated and sells the remaining loan participation in those Rise installment loans to a third-party SPV, EF SPV, Ltd. ("EF SPV"). Prior to August 1, 2019, FinWise Bank retained 5% of the balances and sold a 95% participation to EF SPV. On August 1, 2019, EF SPV purchased an additional 1% participation in the outstanding portfolio with the participation percentage revised going forward to 96%. These loan participation purchases are funded through a separate financing facility (the "EF SPV Facility"), effective February 1, 2019, and through cash flows from operations generated by EF SPV. The EF SPV Facility has a maximum total borrowing amount available of $150 million. We do not own EF SPV, but we have a credit default protection agreement with EF SPV whereby we provide credit protection to the investors in EF SPV against Rise loan losses in return for a credit premium. Elevate is required to consolidate EF SPV as a variable interest entity under GAAP and the condensed consolidated financial statements include revenue, losses and loans receivable related to the 96% of the Rise installment loans originated by FinWise Bank and sold to EF SPV.
The Elastic line of credit product is originated by a third-party lender, Republic Bank, which initially provides all of the funding for that product. Republic Bank retains 10% of the balances of all loans originated and sells a 90% loan participation in the Elastic lines of credit. An SPV structure was implemented such that the loan participations are sold by Republic Bank to Elastic SPV, Ltd. (“Elastic SPV”) and Elastic SPV receives its funding from VPC in a separate financing facility (the “ESPV Facility”), which was finalized on July 13, 2015. We do not own Elastic SPV but we have a credit default protection agreement with Elastic SPV whereby we provide credit protection to the investors in Elastic SPV against Elastic loan losses in return for a credit premium. Per the terms of this agreement, under US GAAP, the Company is the primary beneficiary of Elastic SPV and is required to consolidate the financial results of Elastic SPV as a VIE in its consolidated financial results.

The ESPV Facility has also been amended several times and the original commitment amount of $50 million has grown to $350 million as of June 30, 2020. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt facilities.”

Our management assesses our financial performance and future strategic goals through key metrics based primarily on the following three themes:
Revenue growth.   Key metrics related to revenue growth that we monitor by product include the ending and average combined loan balances outstanding, the effective APR of our product loan portfolios, the total dollar value of loans originated, the number of new customer loans made, the ending number of customer loans outstanding and the related customer acquisition costs (“CAC”) associated with each new customer loan made. We include CAC as a key metric when analyzing revenue growth (rather than as a key metric within margin expansion).
Stable credit quality.    Since the time they were managing our legacy products, our management team has maintained stable credit quality across the loan portfolio they were managing. Additionally, in the periods covered in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, we have improved our credit quality. The credit quality metrics we monitor include net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues, the combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of outstanding combined loans, total provision for loan losses as a percentage of revenues and the percentage of past due combined loans receivable – principal.
Margin expansion.    We expect that our operating margins will continue to expand over the long term as we lower our direct marketing costs and efficiently manage our operating expenses while continuing to improve our credit quality. We aim to manage our business to achieve a long-term operating margin of 20%, and do not expect our operating margin to increase beyond that level, as we intend to pass on any improvements over our targeted margins to our customers in the form of lower APRs. We believe this is a critical component of our responsible lending platform and over time will also help us continue to attract new customers and retain existing customers.





43




Impact of COVID-19
In March 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19 was recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The spread of COVID-19 has created a global public health crisis that has resulted in unprecedented uncertainty, volatility and disruption in financial markets and in governmental, commercial and consumer activity in the United States and globally, including the markets that we serve. Governmental responses to the pandemic have included orders closing businesses not deemed essential and directing individuals to restrict their movements, observe social distancing and shelter in place. These actions, together with responses to the pandemic by businesses and individuals, have resulted in rapid decreases in commercial and consumer activity, temporary closures of many businesses that have led to a loss of revenues and a rapid increase in unemployment, material decreases in oil and gas prices and in business valuations, disrupted global supply chains, market downturns and volatility, changes in consumer behavior related to pandemic fears, related emergency response legislation and an expectation that Federal Reserve policy will maintain a low interest rate environment for the foreseeable future. During the second quarter, some restrictions have been lifted, but personal and business activities have not returned to their previous normal levels as the virus continues to impact the population.
As COVID-19 has continued to impact our office locations, our employee base continues to operate in a remote working environment. We have sought to ensure our employees feel secure in their jobs and have the flexibility and resources they need to stay safe and healthy. As an 100% online lending solutions provider, our technology and underwriting platform has continued to serve our customers and the bank originators that we support.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we, along with the banks we support, have also expanded our payment flexibility programs to provide temporary payment relief to certain customers who meet the program’s qualifications. This program allows for a deferral of payments for an initial period of 30 to 60 days, which we may extend for an additional 30 days, for a maximum of 180 days on a cumulative basis. The customer will return to their normal payment schedule after the end of the deferral period with the extension of their maturity date equivalent to their deferral period not to exceed an additional 180 days. For Rise installment loans, finance charges continue to accrue at a lower effective APR over the expected extended term of the loan considering the deferral periods provided. For Elastic lines of credit, no fees accrue during the payment deferral period. As a result, we expect the average APR of our products to decrease due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the payment flexibility programs that have been implemented. As of June 30, 2020, 12.5% of customers have been provided relief through a COVID-19 payment deferral program for a total of $50.7 million in loans with deferred payments.

Both we and the bank originators are closely monitoring the performance of the payment deferral program and key credit quality indicators such as payment defaults, continued payment deferrals, and line of credit utilization. While we initially anticipated that the COVID-19 pandemic would have a negative impact on our credit quality, instead the large quantity of monetary stimulus provided by the US government to our customer base has generally allowed customers to continue making payments on their loans. Over time, we continue to expect an increase in net charge-offs as compared to prior periods. We believe the Allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb the losses inherent in the portfolio as of June 30, 2020, including loans that are part of the payment deferral program. Both we, and the bank originators we support, have also implemented underwriting changes to address credit risk associated with loan originations during the economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic and have reduced loan origination applications and loan origination volume since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

The portfolio of loan products we and the bank originators provide has experienced decreased demand and application volume for both new and former customers since the COVID-19 pandemic began, including as a result of the effects of underwriting changes implemented in response to COVID-19 risks that limited the volume of new customer loan originations and monetary stimulus provided by the US government reducing demand for our products, resulting in materially lower new customers and loan balances and a corresponding decrease in revenues compared to a year ago. Given the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic we are currently unable to determine if demand for our loan products will increase during the second half of 2020. Until demand increases, our loan balances and revenue will continue to be materially lower than the prior year periods.





44



Significant uncertainties as to future economic conditions exist, and we have taken deliberate actions in response, including assessing our minimum cash and liquidity requirement, monitoring our debt covenant compliance and implementing measures to ensure that our strong liquidity position is maintained through the current economic cycle such as our recently implemented operating expense reduction plan. We continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 closely, as well as any effects that may result from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act and any further economic relief, stimulus payments or legislation by the federal government; however, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impact our operations and financial results during the remainder of 2020 is highly uncertain.
KEY FINANCIAL AND OPERATING METRICS
As discussed above, we regularly monitor a number of metrics in order to measure our current performance and project our future performance. These metrics aid us in developing and refining our growth strategies and in making strategic decisions.
Certain of our metrics are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe that such metrics are useful in period-to-period comparisons of our core business. However, non-GAAP financial measures are not an alternative to any measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with US GAAP. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of our non-GAAP measures to US GAAP.

Revenue Growth
 
 
 
As of and for the three months ended June 30,
 
As of and for the six months ended June 30,
Revenue metrics (dollars in thousands, except as noted)
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Revenues
 
$
117,991

 
$
150,374

 
$
280,458

 
$
310,440

Period-over-period change in revenue
 
(22
)%
 
(3
)%
 
(10
)%
 
(2
)%
Ending combined loans receivable – principal(1)
 
413,728

 
553,673

 
413,728

 
553,673

Average combined loans receivable – principal(1)(2)
 
466,694

 
530,764

 
524,932

 
543,921

Total combined loans originated – principal
 
84,502

 
283,480

 
321,398

 
507,277

Average customer loan balance (in dollars)(3)
 
1,862

 
1,989

 
1,862

 
1,989

Number of new customer loans
 
2,815

 
44,003

 
38,565

 
66,206

Ending number of combined loans outstanding
 
222,244

 
278,332

 
222,244

 
278,332

Customer acquisition costs (in dollars)
 
122

 
252

 
293

 
276

Effective APR of combined loan portfolio
 
101
 %
 
113
 %
 
107
 %
 
115
 %
_________
(1)
Combined loans receivable is defined as loans owned by the Company and consolidated VIEs plus loans originated and owned by third-party lenders pursuant to our CSO programs. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and for a reconciliation of Combined loans receivable to Loans receivable, net, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
(2)
Average combined loans receivable – principal is calculated using an average of daily Combined loans receivable – principal balances.
(3)
Average customer loan balance is an average of all three products and is calculated for each product by dividing the ending Combined loans receivable – principal by the number of loans outstanding at period end.
Revenues.    Our revenues are composed of Rise finance charges, Rise CSO fees (which are fees we receive from customers who obtain a loan through the CSO program for the credit services, including the loan guaranty, we provide), and revenues earned on the Rise and Elastic lines of credit. Finance charge and fee revenues from the Today Card credit card product were immaterial. See “—Components of our Results of Operations—Revenues.”




45



Ending and average combined loans receivable – principal.    We calculate the average combined loans receivable – principal by taking a simple daily average of the ending combined loans receivable – principal for each period. Key metrics that drive the ending and average combined loans receivable – principal include the amount of loans originated in a period and the average customer loan balance. All loan balance metrics include only the 90% participation in the related Elastic line of credit advances (we exclude the 10% held by Republic Bank) and the 96% participation in FinWise Bank originated Rise installment loans, but include the full loan balances on CSO loans, which are not presented on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Total combined loans originated – principal.    The amount of loans originated in a period is driven primarily by loans to new customers as well as new loans to prior customers, including refinancings of existing loans to customers in good standing.
Average customer loan balance and effective APR of combined loan portfolio.    The average loan amount and its related APR are based on the product and the underlying credit quality of the customer. Generally, better credit quality customers are offered higher loan amounts at lower APRs. Additionally, new customers have more potential risk of loss than prior or existing customers due to lack of payment history and the potential for fraud. As a result, newer customers typically will have lower loan amounts and higher APRs to compensate for that additional risk of loss. The effective APR is calculated based on the actual amount of finance charges generated from a customer loan divided by the average outstanding balance for the loan and can be lower than the stated APR on the loan due to waived finance charges and other reasons. For example, a Rise customer may receive a $2,000 installment loan with a term of 24 months and a stated rate of 180%. In this example, the customer’s monthly installment loan payment would be $310.86. As the customer can prepay the loan balance at any time with no additional fees or early payment penalty, the customer pays the loan in full in month eight. The customer’s loan earns interest of $2,337.81 over the eight-month period and has an average outstanding balance of $1,948.17. The effective APR for this loan is 180% over the eight-month period calculated as follows:
($2,337.81 interest earned / $1,948.17 average balance outstanding) x 12 months per year = 180%
8 months
In addition, as an example for Elastic, if a customer makes a $2,500 draw on the customer’s line of credit and this draw required bi-weekly minimum payments of 5% (equivalent to 20 bi-weekly payments), and if all minimum payments are made, the draw would earn finance charges of $1,148. The effective APR for the line of credit in this example is 109% over the payment period and is calculated as follows:

($1,148.00 fees earned / $1,369.05 average balance outstanding) x 26 bi-weekly periods per year = 109%
20 payments
The actual amount of revenue we realize on a loan portfolio is also impacted by the amount of prepayments and charged-off customer loans in the portfolio. For a single loan, on average, we typically expect to realize approximately 60% of the revenues that we would otherwise realize if the loan were to fully amortize at the stated APR. From the Rise example above, if we waived $400 of interest for this customer, the effective APR for this loan would decrease to 149%.
Number of new customer loans.    We define a new customer loan as the first loan made to a customer for each of our products (so a customer receiving a Rise installment loan and then at a later date taking their first cash advance on an Elastic line of credit would be counted twice). The number of new customer loans is subject to seasonal fluctuations. New customer acquisition is typically slowest during the first six months of each calendar year, primarily in the first quarter, compared to the latter half of the year, as our existing and prospective customers usually receive tax refunds during this period and, thus, have less of a need for loans from us. Further, many customers will use their tax refunds to prepay all or a portion of their loan balance during this period, so our overall loan portfolio typically decreases during the first quarter of the calendar year. Overall loan portfolio growth and the number of new customer loans tends to accelerate during the summer months (typically June and July), at the beginning of the school year (typically late August to early September) and during the winter holidays (typically late November to early December).




46



Customer acquisition costs.    A key expense metric we monitor related to loan growth is our CAC. This metric is the amount of direct marketing costs incurred during a period divided by the number of new customer loans originated during that same period. New loans to former customers are not included in our calculation of CAC (except to the extent they receive a loan through a different product) as we believe we incur no material direct marketing costs to make additional loans to a prior customer through the same product.
The following tables summarize the changes in customer loans by product for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
 
 
Rise
 
Elastic (1)
 
Total
Beginning number of combined loans outstanding
 
142,633

 
138,853

 
281,486

New customer loans originated
 
627

 
2,188

 
2,815

Former customer loans originated
 
7,593

 
9

 
7,602

Attrition
 
(43,728
)
 
(25,931
)
 
(69,659
)
Ending number of combined loans outstanding
 
107,125

 
115,119

 
222,244

Customer acquisition cost
 
$
306

 
$
69

 
$
122

Average customer loan balance
 
$
2,249

 
$
1,501

 
$
1,862

 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
 
Rise
 
Elastic (1)
 
Total
Beginning number of combined loans outstanding
 
125,021

 
145,760

 
270,781

New customer loans originated
 
30,177

 
13,826

 
44,003

Former customer loans originated
 
18,850

 
18

 
18,868

Attrition
 
(38,277
)
 
(17,043
)
 
(55,320
)
Ending number of combined loans outstanding
 
135,771

 
142,561

 
278,332

Customer acquisition cost
 
$
243

 
$
271

 
$
252

Average customer loan balance
 
$
2,253

 
$
1,738

 
$
1,989

 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
 
 
Rise
 
Elastic (1)
 
Total
Beginning number of combined loans outstanding
 
152,435

 
149,524

 
301,959

New customer loans originated
 
25,040

 
13,525

 
38,565

Former customer loans originated
 
24,149

 
140

 
24,289

Attrition
 
(94,499
)
 
(48,070
)
 
(142,569
)
Ending number of combined loans outstanding
 
107,125

 
115,119

 
222,244

Customer acquisition cost
 
$
309

 
$
265

 
$
293

 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
 
Rise
 
Elastic (1)
 
Total
Beginning number of combined loans outstanding
 
142,758

 
166,397

 
309,155

New customer loans originated
 
47,542

 
18,664

 
66,206

Former customer loans originated
 
36,641

 
27

 
36,668

Attrition
 
(91,170
)
 
(42,527
)
 
(133,697
)
Ending number of combined loans outstanding
 
135,771

 
142,561

 
278,332

Customer acquisition cost
 
$
276

 
$
277

 
$
276

(1) Includes immaterial balances related to the Today Card.




47



Recent trends.    Our revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2020 totaled $118.0 million, a decrease of 22% versus the three months ended June 30, 2019. Additionally, a similar trend occurred for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as revenues totaled $280.5 million, down 10% versus the prior year. Both the Rise and Elastic products experienced a year-over-year decline in revenues attributable to reductions in loan origination volume and lower effective APRs for the loan portfolio due to the economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in March 2020.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we expanded our payment flexibility program to provide temporary payment relief to certain customers who meet the program’s qualifications. This program allows for a deferral of payments for an initial period of 30 to 60 days, for a maximum of 180 days on a cumulative basis. The customer will return to their normal payment schedule after the end of the deferral period with the extension of their maturity date equivalent to their deferral period not to exceed an additional 180 days. For Rise installment loans, finance charges continue to accrue at a lower effective APR over the expected extended term of the loan considering the deferral periods provided. For Elastic lines of credit, no fees accrue during the payment deferral period. As a result, the average APR of our products has decreased due to the impact of the COVID pandemic and the payment flexibility program that has been implemented.
Additionally, all products were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as we experienced reduced demand and application volume in the first half of 2020 for both new and former customers in addition to implementing underwriting changes that limited the volume of new customer loan originations from the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 through the second quarter of 2020.
While we initially anticipated that the COVID-19 pandemic would have a negative impact on our credit quality, instead the large quantity of monetary stimulus provided by the US government to our customer base has generally allowed customers to continue making payments on their loans. However, this has also caused weaker customer demand for additional loans resulting in lower overall loan balances and revenues. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rise and Elastic principal loan balances at June 30, 2020 totaled $240.9 million and $164.7 million, respectively, down roughly $65.0 million and $79.3 million, respectively, from a year ago.
Credit quality
 
 
 
As of and for the three months ended June 30,
 
As of and for the six months ended June 30,
Credit quality metrics (dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Net charge-offs(1)
 
$
58,643

 
$
68,101

 
$
141,450

 
$
162,412

Additional provision for loan losses(1)
 
(17,166
)
 
181

 
(21,398
)
 
(18,775
)
Provision for loan losses
 
$
41,477

 
$
68,282

 
$
120,052

 
$
143,637

Past due combined loans receivable – principal as a percentage of combined loans receivable – principal(2)
 
5
%
 
9
%
 
5
%
 
9
%
Net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues(1)
 
50
%
 
45
%
 
50
%
 
52
%
Total provision for loan losses as a percentage of revenues
 
35
%
 
45
%
 
43
%
 
46
%
Combined loan loss reserve(3)
 
$
60,594

 
$
67,872

 
$
60,594

 
$
67,872

Combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of combined loans receivable(3)(4)
 
14
%
 
12
%
 
14
%
 
12
%
_________ 
(1)
Net charge-offs and additional provision for loan losses are not financial measures prepared in accordance with US GAAP. Net charge-offs include the amount of principal and accrued interest on loans that are more than 60 days past due, or sooner if we receive notice that the loan will not be collected, such as a bankruptcy notice or identified fraud, offset by any recoveries. Additional provision for loan losses is the amount of provision for loan losses needed for a particular period to adjust the combined loan loss reserve to the appropriate level in accordance with our underlying loan loss reserve methodology. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and for a reconciliation to Provision for loan losses, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.




48



(2)
Combined loans receivable is defined as loans owned by the Company and consolidated VIEs plus loans originated and owned by third-party lenders pursuant to our CSO programs. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and for a reconciliation of Combined loans receivable to Loans receivable, net, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
(3)
Combined loan loss reserve is defined as the loan loss reserve for loans originated and owned by the Company plus the loan loss reserve for loans owned by third-party lenders and guaranteed by the Company. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and for a reconciliation of Combined loan loss reserve to Allowance for loan losses, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
(4)
Combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of combined loans receivable is determined using period-end balances.
Net principal charge-offs as a percentage of average combined loans receivable - principal (1) (2) (3)
 
First
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
2020
 
11%
 
9%
 
N/A
 
N/A
2019
 
13%
 
10%
 
11%
 
13%
2018
 
13%
 
12%
 
13%
 
15%
_________ 
(1)
Net principal charge-offs is comprised of gross principal charge-offs less recoveries.
(2)
Average combined loans receivable - principal is calculated using an average of daily Combined loans receivable - principal balances during each quarter.
(3)
Combined loans receivable is defined as loans owned by the Company and consolidated VIEs plus loans originated and owned by third-party lenders pursuant to our CSO programs. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and for a reconciliation of Combined loans receivable to Loans receivable, net, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
In reviewing the credit quality of our loan portfolio, we break out our total provision for loan losses that is presented on our income statement under US GAAP into two separate items—net charge-offs and additional provision for loan losses. Net charge-offs are indicative of the credit quality of our underlying portfolio, while additional provision for loan losses is subject to more fluctuation based on loan portfolio growth, recent credit quality trends and the effect of normal seasonality on our business. The additional provision for loan losses is the amount needed to adjust the combined loan loss reserve to the appropriate amount at the end of each month based on our loan loss reserve methodology.
 
Net charge-offs.    Net charge-offs comprise gross charge-offs offset by recoveries on prior charge-offs. Gross charge-offs include the amount of principal and accrued interest on loans that are more than 60 days past due, or sooner if we receive notice that the loan will not be collected, such as a bankruptcy notice or identified fraud. Any payments received on loans that have been charged off are recorded as recoveries and reduce the total amount of gross charge-offs. Recoveries are typically less than 10% of the amount charged off, and thus, we do not view recoveries as a key credit quality metric.
Net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues can vary based on several factors, such as whether or not we experience significant growth or lower the APR of our products. Additionally, although a more seasoned portfolio will typically result in lower net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues, we do not intend to drive down this ratio significantly below our historical ratios and would instead seek to offer our existing products to a broader new customer base to drive additional revenues.
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average combined loans receivable-principal allow us to determine credit quality and evaluate loss experience trends across our loan portfolio.
Additional provision for loan losses.    Additional provision for loan losses is the amount of provision for loan losses needed for a particular period to adjust the combined loan loss reserve to the appropriate level in accordance with our underlying loan loss reserve methodology.




49



Additional provision for loan losses relates to an increase in future inherent losses in the loan portfolio as determined by our loan loss reserve methodology. This increase could be due to a combination of factors such as an increase in the size of the loan portfolio or a worsening of credit quality or increase in past due loans. It is also possible for the additional provision for loan losses for a period to be a negative amount, which would reduce the amount of the combined loan loss reserve needed (due to a decrease in the loan portfolio or improvement in credit quality). The amount of additional provision for loan losses is seasonal in nature, mirroring the seasonality of our new customer acquisition and overall loan portfolio growth, as discussed above. The combined loan loss reserve typically decreases during the first quarter or first half of the calendar year due to a decrease in the loan portfolio from year end. Then, as the rate of growth for the loan portfolio starts to increase during the second half of the year, additional provision for loan losses is typically needed to increase the reserve for future losses associated with the loan growth. Because of this, our provision for loan losses can vary significantly throughout the year without a significant change in the credit quality of our portfolio.
The following provides an example of the application of our loan loss reserve methodology and the break-out of the provision for loan losses between the portion associated with replenishing the reserve due to net charge-offs and the amount related to the additional provision for loan losses. If the beginning combined loan loss reserve were $25 million, and we incurred $10 million of net charge-offs during the period and the ending combined loan loss reserve needed to be $30 million according to our loan loss reserve methodology, our total provision for loan losses would be $15 million, comprising $10 million in net charge-offs (provision needed to replenish the combined loan loss reserve) plus $5 million of additional provision related to an increase in future inherent losses in the loan portfolio identified by our loan loss reserve methodology.
 
Example (dollars in thousands)
 
  
 
  
Beginning combined loan loss reserve
 
 
 
$
25,000

Less: Net charge-offs
 
 
 
(10,000
)
Provision for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
Provision for net charge-offs
 
10,000

 
 
Additional provision for loan losses
 
5,000

 
 
Total provision for loan losses
 
 
 
15,000

Ending combined loan loss reserve balance
 
 
 
$
30,000

 
Loan loss reserve methodology.    Our loan loss reserve methodology is calculated separately for each product and, in the case of Rise loans originated under the state lending model (including CSO program loans), is calculated separately based on the state in which each customer resides to account for varying state license requirements that affect the amount of the loan offered, repayment terms and other factors. For each product, loss factors are calculated based on the delinquency status of customer loan balances: current, 1 to 30 days past due or 31 to 60 days past due. These loss factors for loans in each delinquency status are based on average historical loss rates by product (or state) associated with each of these three delinquency categories. Hence, another key credit quality metric we monitor is the percentage of past due combined loans receivable – principal, as an increase in past due loans will cause an increase in our combined loan loss reserve and related additional provision for loan losses to increase the reserve. For customers that are not past due, we further stratify these loans into loss rates by payment number, as a new customer that is about to make a first loan payment has a significantly higher risk of loss than a customer who has successfully made ten payments on an existing loan with us. Based on this methodology, during the past three years we have seen our combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of combined loans receivable fluctuate between approximately 12% and 17% depending on the overall mix of new, former and past due customer loans.





50



Recent trends.    Total loan loss provision for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 was 35% and 43% of revenues, respectively, which was below our targeted range of 45% to 55%, and below the 45% and 46% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively. For both the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues totaled 50%, compared to 45% and 52% in the respective prior year periods. In the near-term we expect that net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues will continue to be approximately 45% to 55% of revenue, within our targeted range. While we initially anticipated that the COVID-19 pandemic would have a negative impact on our credit quality, instead the large quantity of monetary stimulus provided by the US government to our customer base has generally allowed customers to continue making payments on their loans. However, this has also caused weaker customer demand for additional loans resulting in lower overall loan balances and revenues. We continue to monitor the portfolio during this economic crisis resulting from COVID-19 and continue to adjust our underwriting and credit policies to mitigate any potential negative impacts. In the long-term (post-COVID-19), we expect to continue to manage our total loan loss provision as a percentage of revenues to continue to remain within our targeted range.

The combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of combined loans receivable totaled 14% and 12% as of June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively. This percentage increase in the loan loss reserve is due to an increase in loans outstanding with a payment deferral under the payment flexibility program offered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While we have seen positive payment performance once loans complete their payment deferral status, the loans in this population have a higher inherent risk of loss which is reflected in our loan loss reserve calculations. Past due loan balances at June 30, 2020 were 5% of total combined loans receivable - principal, down significantly from 9% from a year ago, also attributable to the COVID-19 loan payment deferral program.

We also look at principal loan charge-offs (including both credit and fraud losses) by vintage as a percentage of combined loans originated - principal. As the below table shows, our cumulative principal loan charge-offs through June 30, 2020 for each annual vintage since the 2013 vintage are generally under 30% and continue to trend at or slightly below our 25% to 30% long-term targeted range. In the beginning of 2019, we implemented new fraud tools that have helped lower fraud losses for the 2019 vintage. In addition, we rolled out our next generation of credit models during the second quarter of 2019 and continued refining the models during the third and fourth quarters of 2019. The preliminary data on the 2019 vintage is that it is performing better than both 2017 and 2018 vintages. However, it is possible that the cumulative loss rates on all vintages will increase and may exceed our recent historical cumulative loss experience due to the impact of a prolonged economic crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.




51



CUMULATIVECREDITLOSSA062020.JPG
1) The 2019 and 2020 vintages are not yet fully mature from a loss perspective.
2) UK included in the 2013 to 2017 vintages only.




52



Margins
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
Margin metrics (dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
$
117,991

 
$
150,374

 
$
280,458

 
$
310,440

Net charge-offs(1)
 
(58,643
)
 
(68,101
)
 
(141,450
)
 
(162,412
)
Additional provision for loan losses(1)
 
17,166

 
(181
)
 
21,398

 
18,775

Direct marketing costs
 
(344
)
 
(11,074
)
 
(11,313
)
 
(18,271
)
Other cost of sales
 
(1,607
)
 
(2,508
)
 
(4,277
)
 
(4,786
)
Gross profit
 
74,563

 
68,510

 
144,816

 
143,746

Operating expenses
 
(36,498
)
 
(40,557
)
 
(78,855
)
 
(80,823
)
Operating income
 
$
38,065

 
$
27,953

 
$
65,961

 
$
62,923

As a percentage of revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net charge-offs
 
50
 %
 
45
%
 
51
 %
 
52
 %
Additional provision for loan losses
 
(15
)
 

 
(8
)
 
(6
)
Direct marketing costs
 

 
7

 
4

 
6

Other cost of sales
 
1

 
2

 
2

 
2

Gross margin
 
63

 
46

 
52

 
46

Operating expenses
 
31

 
27

 
28

 
26

Operating margin
 
32
 %
 
19
%
 
24
 %
 
20
 %
_________ 
(1)
Non-GAAP measure. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Net charge-offs and additional provision for loan losses.”
Gross margin is calculated as revenues minus cost of sales, or gross profit, expressed as a percentage of revenues, and operating margin is calculated as operating income expressed as a percentage of revenues. Due to the negative impact of COVID-19 on our loan balances and revenue, we are monitoring our profit margins closely. Long-term, we intend to continue to manage the business to a targeted 20% operating margin.
Recent operating margin trends.    For the three months ended June 30, 2020, our operating margin was 32%, which was an increase from 19% in the prior year period. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, our operating margin was 24%, which was also an increase from 20% in the prior year period. These margin increases were primarily driven by the reductions in both additional provisions for loan losses and direct marketing costs due to reduced loan originations and lower loan balances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

While gross margins are currently above our targeted 40%, operating expenses as a percentage of revenue continue to increase due to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on loan balances and revenue. As a result, the Company recently implemented an operating expense reduction plan. The Company has completed the following actions under its operating expense reduction plan:

Reduction of its U.S. workforce by approximately 17% effective July 8, 2020;
Suspension of its 2020 short-term incentive plan (bonus pool) effective as of June 30, 2020;
Reduction of executive salaries and board compensation beginning July 2020; and
Elimination of discretionary operating expense items and renegotiated terms with key vendors.

Implementing these operating expense reductions will help keep operating expenses between 20% and 30% of revenues until growth of the loan portfolio and related revenue resumes.





53



NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We believe that the inclusion of the following non-GAAP financial measures in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q can provide a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our core business, provide transparency and useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results, and enable investors to better compare our operating performance with the operating performance of our competitors. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures frequently in its decision-making because they provide supplemental information that facilitates internal comparisons to the historical operating performance of prior periods and give an additional indication of the Company’s core operating performance. However, non-GAAP financial measures are not a measure calculated in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles, or US GAAP, and should not be considered an alternative to any measures of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with US GAAP. Other companies may calculate these non-GAAP financial measures differently than we do.
Adjusted Earnings
Adjusted earnings represents our net income from continuing operations, adjusted to exclude:
Contingent loss related to a legal matter
Cumulative tax effect of adjustments

Adjusted diluted earnings per share is Adjusted earnings divided by Diluted weighted average shares outstanding.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net income from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share to Adjusted earnings and Adjusted diluted earnings per share, which excludes the impact of the contingent loss for each of the periods indicated:
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Net income from continuing operations
 
$
16,093

 
$
8,383

 
$
24,015

 
$
19,338

Impact of contingent loss related to a legal matter
 
1,422

 

 
5,685

 

Cumulative tax effect of adjustments
 
(395
)
 

 
(1,580
)
 

Adjusted earnings
 
$
17,120

 
$
8,383

 
$
28,120

 
$
19,338

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.38

 
$
0.19

 
$
0.56

 
$
0.44

Impact of contingent loss related to a legal matter
 
0.03

 

 
0.13

 

Cumulative tax effect of adjustments
 
(0.01
)
 

 
(0.04
)
 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.40

 
$
0.19

 
$
0.65

 
$
0.44





54



Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Adjusted EBITDA represents our net income from continuing operations, adjusted to exclude:
Net interest expense, primarily associated with notes payable under the VPC Facility, EF SPV Facility and ESPV Facility used to fund the loan portfolios;
Share-based compensation;
Depreciation and amortization expense on fixed assets and intangible assets;
Gains and losses from fair value adjustments, dispositions or contingent losses related to legal matters included in non-operating losses; and
Income taxes.
Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue.
Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are useful supplemental measures to assist management and investors in analyzing the operating performance of the business and provide greater transparency into the results of operations of our core business.
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin should not be considered as alternatives to net income from continuing operations or any other performance measure derived in accordance with US GAAP. Our use of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under US GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect expected cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital assets;
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; and
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect interest associated with notes payable used for funding the loan portfolios, for other corporate purposes or tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net income from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin for each of the periods indicated: 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Net income from continuing operations
 
$
16,093

 
$
8,383

 
$
24,015

 
$
19,338

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest expense
 
12,177

 
16,936

 
25,833

 
34,936

Share-based compensation
 
2,599

 
2,510

 
5,347

 
4,922

Depreciation and amortization
 
4,529

 
3,955

 
8,825

 
7,811

Non-operating loss
 
1,422

 

 
5,685

 

Income tax expense
 
8,373

 
2,634

 
10,428

 
8,649

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
45,193

 
$
34,418

 
$
80,133

 
$
75,656

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA margin
 
38
%
 
23
%
 
29
%
 
24
%
Free cash flow
Free cash flow (“FCF”) represents our net cash provided by operating activities, adjusted to include:
Net charge-offs – combined principal loans; and
Capital expenditures.




55



The following table presents a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to FCF for each of the periods indicated: 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities(1)
 
$
131,244

 
$
152,478

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
Net charge-offs – combined principal loans
 
(108,532
)
 
(127,570
)
Capital expenditures
 
(9,508
)
 
(9,750
)
FCF
 
$
13,204

 
$
15,158

 _________ 
(1)
Net cash provided by operating activities includes net charge-offs – combined finance charges.
Net charge-offs and additional provision for loan losses
We break out our total provision for loan losses into two separate items—first, the amount related to net charge-offs, and second, the additional provision for loan losses needed to adjust the combined loan loss reserve to the appropriate amount at the end of each month based on our loan loss provision methodology. We believe this presentation provides more detail related to the components of our total provision for loan losses when analyzing the gross margin of our business.
 
Net charge-offs.    Net charge-offs comprise gross charge-offs offset by recoveries on prior charge-offs. Gross charge-offs include the amount of principal and accrued interest on loans that are more than 60 days past due, or sooner if we receive notice that the loan will not be collected, such as a bankruptcy notice or identified fraud. Any payments received on loans that have been charged off are recorded as recoveries and reduce the total amount of gross charge-offs.
Additional provision for loan losses.    Additional provision for loan losses is the amount of provision for loan losses needed for a particular period to adjust the combined loan loss reserve to the appropriate level in accordance with our underlying loan loss reserve methodology.
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net charge-offs
 
$
58,643

 
$
68,101

 
$
141,450

 
$
162,412

Additional provision for loan losses
 
(17,166
)
 
181

 
(21,398
)
 
(18,775
)
Provision for loan losses
 
$
41,477

 
$
68,282

 
$
120,052

 
$
143,637

Combined loan information
The Elastic line of credit product is originated by a third-party lender, Republic Bank, which initially provides all of the funding for that product. Republic Bank retains 10% of the balances of all of the loans originated and sells a 90% loan participation in the Elastic lines of credit to a third-party SPV, Elastic SPV, Ltd. Elevate is required to consolidate Elastic SPV, Ltd. as a VIE under US GAAP and the condensed consolidated financial statements include revenue, losses and loans receivable related to the 90% of Elastic lines of credit originated by Republic Bank and sold to Elastic SPV.




56



Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company also licenses its Rise installment loan brand to a third-party lender, FinWise Bank, which originates Rise installment loans in 18 states. Prior to August 1, 2019, FinWise Bank retained 5% of the balances of all originated loans and sold a 95% loan participation in those Rise installment loans to a third-party SPV, EF SPV. On August 1, 2019, EF SPV purchased an additional 1% participation in the outstanding portfolio with the participation percentage revised going forward to 96%. We do not own EF SPV, but we are required to consolidate EF SPV as a VIE under US GAAP and the condensed consolidated financial statements include revenue, losses and loans receivable related to the 96% of Rise installment loans originated by FinWise Bank and sold to EF SPV.
The information presented in the tables below on a combined basis are non-GAAP measures based on a combined portfolio of loans, which includes the total amount of outstanding loans receivable that we own and that are on our balance sheet plus outstanding loans receivable originated and owned by third parties that we guarantee pursuant to CSO programs in which we participate. See “—Basis of Presentation and Critical Accounting Policies—Allowance and liability for estimated losses on consumer loans” and “—Basis of Presentation and Critical Accounting Policies—Liability for estimated losses on credit service organization loans.”
We believe these non-GAAP measures provide investors with important information needed to evaluate the magnitude of potential loan losses and the opportunity for revenue performance of the combined loan portfolio on an aggregate basis. We also believe that the comparison of the combined amounts from period to period is more meaningful than comparing only the amounts reflected on our balance sheet since both revenues and cost of sales as reflected in our financial statements are impacted by the aggregate amount of loans we own and those CSO loans we guarantee.
Our use of total combined loans and fees receivable has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under US GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
Rise CSO loans are originated and owned by a third-party lender and
Rise CSO loans are funded by a third-party lender and are not part of the VPC Facility.
As of each of the period ends indicated, the following table presents a reconciliation of:
Loans receivable, net, Company owned (which reconciles to our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q);
Loans receivable, net, guaranteed by the Company (as disclosed in Note 3 of our condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q);
Combined loans receivable (which we use as a non-GAAP measure); and
Combined loan loss reserve (which we use as a non-GAAP measure).




57



 
 
 
2019
 
2020
(Dollars in thousands)
 
June 30
 
September 30
 
December 31
 
March 31
 
June 30
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Owned Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans receivable – principal, current, company owned
 
$
484,131

 
$
507,551

 
$
530,463

 
$
486,396

 
$
387,939

Loans receivable – principal, past due, company owned
 
47,846

 
59,240

 
58,489

 
53,923

 
18,917

Loans receivable – principal, total, company owned
 
531,977

 
566,791

 
588,952

 
540,319

 
406,856

Loans receivable – finance charges, company owned
 
27,472

 
31,698

 
33,033

 
31,621

 
25,606

Loans receivable – company owned
 
559,449

 
598,489

 
621,985

 
571,940

 
432,462

Allowance for loan losses on loans receivable, company owned
 
(65,889
)
 
(80,537
)
 
(79,912
)
 
(76,188
)
 
(59,438
)
Loans receivable, net, company owned
 
$
493,560

 
$
517,952

 
$
542,073

 
$
495,752

 
$
373,024

Third Party Loans Guaranteed by the Company:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans receivable – principal, current, guaranteed by company
 
$
21,099

 
$
18,633

 
$
17,474

 
$
12,606

 
$
6,755

Loans receivable – principal, past due, guaranteed by company
 
596

 
697

 
723

 
564

 
117

Loans receivable – principal, total, guaranteed by company(1)
 
21,695

 
19,330

 
18,197

 
13,170

 
6,872

Loans receivable – finance charges, guaranteed by company(2)
 
1,676

 
1,553

 
1,395

 
1,150

 
550

Loans receivable – guaranteed by company
 
23,371

 
20,883

 
19,592

 
14,320

 
7,422

Liability for losses on loans receivable, guaranteed by company
 
(1,983
)
 
(1,972
)
 
(2,080
)
 
(1,571
)
 
(1,156
)
Loans receivable, net, guaranteed by company(2)
 
$
21,388

 
$
18,911

 
$
17,512

 
$
12,749

 
$
6,266

Combined Loans Receivable(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined loans receivable – principal, current
 
$
505,230

 
$
526,184

 
$
547,937

 
$
499,002

 
$
394,694

Combined loans receivable – principal, past due
 
48,442

 
59,937

 
59,212

 
54,487

 
19,034

Combined loans receivable – principal
 
553,672

 
586,121

 
607,149

 
553,489

 
413,728

Combined loans receivable – finance charges
 
29,148

 
33,251

 
34,428

 
32,771

 
26,156

Combined loans receivable
 
$
582,820

 
$
619,372

 
$
641,577

 
$
586,260

 
$
439,884

Combined Loan Loss Reserve(3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses on loans receivable, company owned
 
$
(65,889
)
 
$
(80,537
)
 
$
(79,912
)
 
$
(76,188
)
 
$
(59,438
)
Liability for losses on loans receivable, guaranteed by company
 
(1,983
)
 
(1,972
)
 
(2,080
)
 
(1,571
)
 
(1,156
)
Combined loan loss reserve
 
$
(67,872
)
 
$
(82,509
)
 
$
(81,992
)
 
$
(77,759
)
 
$
(60,594
)
Combined loans receivable – principal, past due(3)
 
$
48,442

 
$
59,937

 
$
59,212

 
$
54,487

 
$
19,034

Combined loans receivable – principal(3)
 
$
553,672

 
$
586,121

 
$
607,149

 
$
553,489

 
$
413,728

Percentage past due(1)
 
9
%
 
10
%
 
10
%
 
10
%
 
5
%
Combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of combined loans receivable(3)(4)
 
12
%
 
13
%
 
13
%
 
13
%
 
14
%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans receivable – company owned
 
12
%
 
13
%
 
13
%
 
13
%
 
14
%
_________ 
(1)
Represents loans originated by third-party lenders through the CSO programs, which are not included in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
(2)
Represents finance charges earned by third-party lenders through the CSO programs, which are not included in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
(3)
Non-GAAP measure.
(4)
Combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of combined loans receivable is determined using period-end balances.

 




58



COMPONENTS OF OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Revenues
Our revenues are composed of Rise finance charges and CSO fees (inclusive of finance charges attributable to the participation in Rise installment loans originated by FinWise Bank), cash advance fees attributable to the participation in Elastic lines of credit that we consolidate and marketing and licensing fees received from third-party lenders related to the Rise, Rise CSO and Elastic products. See “—Overview” above for further information on the structure of Elastic. Finance charge and fee revenues related to the Today Card credit card product were immaterial.
Cost of sales
Provision for loan losses.    Provision for loan losses consists of amounts charged against income during the period related to net charge-offs and the additional provision for loan losses needed to adjust the loan loss reserve to the appropriate amount at the end of each month based on our loan loss methodology.
Direct marketing costs.    Direct marketing costs consist of online marketing costs such as sponsored search and advertising on social networking sites, and other marketing costs such as purchased television and radio and direct mail print advertising. In addition, direct marketing cost includes affiliate costs paid to marketers in exchange for referrals of potential customers. All direct marketing costs are expensed as incurred.
Other cost of sales.    Other cost of sales includes data verification costs associated with the underwriting of potential customers and automated clearing house (“ACH”) transaction costs associated with customer loan funding and payments.
Operating expenses
Operating expenses consist of compensation and benefits, professional services, selling and marketing, occupancy and equipment, depreciation and amortization as well as other miscellaneous expenses.
Compensation and benefits.    Salaries and personnel-related costs, including benefits, bonuses and share-based compensation expense, comprise a majority of our operating expenses and these costs are driven by our number of employees.
Professional services.    These operating expenses include costs associated with legal, accounting and auditing, recruiting and outsourced customer support and collections.
Selling and marketing.    Selling and marketing costs include costs associated with the use of agencies that perform creative services and monitor and measure the performance of the various marketing channels. Selling and marketing costs also include the production costs associated with media advertisements that are expensed as incurred over the licensing or production period. These expenses do not include direct marketing costs incurred to acquire customers, which comprises CAC.
Occupancy and equipment.    Occupancy and equipment include rent expense on our leased facilities, as well as telephony and web hosting expenses.
Depreciation and amortization.    We capitalize all acquisitions of property and equipment of $500 or greater as well as certain software development costs. Costs incurred in the preliminary stages of software development are expensed. Costs incurred thereafter, including external direct costs of materials and services as well as payroll and payroll-related costs, are capitalized. Post-development costs are expensed. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets.




59



Other expense
Net interest expense.    Net interest expense primarily includes the interest expense associated with the VPC Facility that funds the Rise installment loans, the EF SPV Facility that funds Rise installment loans originated by FinWise Bank and the interest expense associated with the ESPV Facility related to the Elastic lines of credit and related Elastic SPV entity. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, amortization of the costs of and realized gains from the interest rate caps on the VPC and ESPV Facility are included within Net interest expense.
Non-operating loss.    Non-operating loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 included a contingent loss related to a legal matter.

INCOME STATEMENTS
The following table sets forth our condensed consolidated income statements data for each of the periods indicated:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
Condensed consolidated income statements data (dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
$
117,991

 
$
150,374

 
$
280,458

 
$
310,440

Cost of sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for loan losses
 
41,477

 
68,282

 
120,052

 
143,637

Direct marketing costs
 
344

 
11,074

 
11,313

 
18,271

Other cost of sales
 
1,607

 
2,508

 
4,277

 
4,786

Total cost of sales
 
43,428

 
81,864

 
135,642

 
166,694

Gross profit
 
74,563

 
68,510

 
144,816

 
143,746

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
 
16,844

 
21,938

 
40,318

 
44,139

Professional services
 
8,471

 
7,686

 
16,397

 
15,864

Selling and marketing
 
904

 
1,460

 
1,858

 
2,552

Occupancy and equipment
 
4,843

 
4,013

 
9,479

 
7,835

Depreciation and amortization
 
4,529

 
3,955

 
8,825

 
7,811

Other
 
907

 
1,505

 
1,978

 
2,622

Total operating expenses
 
36,498

 
40,557

 
78,855

 
80,823

Operating income
 
38,065

 
27,953

 
65,961

 
62,923

Other expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest expense
 
(12,177
)
 
(16,936
)
 
(25,833
)
 
(34,936
)
Non-operating loss
 
(1,422
)
 

 
(5,685
)
 

Total other expense
 
(13,599
)
 
(16,936
)
 
(31,518
)
 
(34,936
)
Income from continuing operations before taxes
 
24,466

 
11,017

 
34,443

 
27,987

Income tax expense
 
8,373

 
2,634

 
10,428

 
8,649

Net income from continuing operations
 
16,093

 
8,383

 
24,015

 
19,338

Net loss from discontinued operations
 
(7,540
)
 
(2,611
)
 
(20,373
)
 
(208
)
Net income
 
$
8,553

 
$
5,772

 
$
3,642

 
$
19,130





60



 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
As a percentage of revenues
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for loan losses
 
35
 %
 
45
 %
 
43
 %
 
46
 %
Direct marketing costs
 

 
7

 
4

 
6

Other cost of sales
 
1

 
2

 
2

 
2

Total cost of sales
 
37

 
54

 
48

 
54

Gross profit
 
63

 
46

 
52

 
46

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
 
14

 
15

 
14

 
14

Professional services
 
7

 
5

 
6

 
5

Selling and marketing
 
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

Occupancy and equipment
 
4

 
3

 
3

 
3

Depreciation and amortization
 
4

 
3

 
3

 
3

Other
 
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

Total operating expenses
 
31

 
27

 
28

 
26

Operating income
 
32

 
19

 
24

 
20

Other expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest expense
 
(10
)
 
(11
)
 
(9
)
 
(11
)
Non-operating loss
 
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
 

Total other expense
 
(12
)
 
(11
)
 
(11
)
 
(11
)
Income from continuing operations before taxes
 
21

 
7

 
12

 
9

Income tax expense
 
8

 
2

 
4

 
3

Net income from continuing operations
 
14

 
6

 
9

 
6

Net loss from discontinued operations
 
(6
)
 
(2
)
 
(7
)
 

Net income
 
7
 %
 
4
 %
 
1
 %
 
6
 %




61



Comparison of the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019
Revenues
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
Period-to-period change
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
 
Finance charges
 
$
117,803

 
100
%
 
$
149,701

 
100
%
 
$
(31,898
)
 
(21
)%
Other
 
188

 

 
673

 

 
(485
)
 
(72
)
Revenues
 
$
117,991

 
100
%
 
$
150,374

 
100
%
 
$
(32,383
)
 
(22
)%
Revenues decreased by $32.4 million, or 22%, from $150.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 to $118.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020.
The tables below break out this change in revenue (including CSO fees and cash advance fees) by product:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Rise (1)
 
Elastic (2)
 
Total
 
 
 
Average combined loans receivable – principal(3)
 
$
273,898

 
$
192,796

 
$
466,694

Effective APR
 
110
%
 
88
%
 
101
%
Finance charges
 
$
75,533

 
$
42,270

 
$
117,803

Other
 
9

 
179

 
188

Total revenue
 
$
75,542

 
$
42,449

 
$
117,991

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Rise (1)
 
Elastic (2)
 
Total
 
 
 
Average combined loans receivable – principal(3)
 
$
287,073

 
$
243,691

 
$
530,764

Effective APR
 
126
%
 
98
%
 
113
%
Finance charges
 
$
90,384

 
$
59,317

 
$
149,701

Other
 
385

 
288

 
673

Total revenue
 
$
90,769

 
$
59,605

 
$
150,374


 _________
(1) Includes loans originated by third-party lenders through the CSO programs, which are not included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
(2) Includes immaterial balances related to the Today Card.
(3) Average combined loans receivable - principal is calculated using daily Combined loans receivable – principal balances. Not a financial measure prepared in accordance with US GAAP. See reconciliation table accompanying this release for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.






62



Our average combined loans receivable-principal decreased $64 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019. This decrease in average balance is due to reductions in loan origination volume during the quarter attributable to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and accounted for approximately $16 million of the reduction in revenue for the period. For the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the average effective APR for the portfolio was 101% and 113%, respectively. This reduction in the effective APR is due to the lower effective interest rates earned on the loans in a deferral status under the payment flexibility programs that were implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with reduced new customer loan originations, which generally have a higher effective APR, and accounted for approximately $16 million of the reduction in revenue for the period.

Cost of sales
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Period-to-period
change
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
 
Cost of sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for loan losses
 
$
41,477

 
35
%
 
$
68,282

 
45
%
 
$
(26,805
)
 
(39
)%
Direct marketing costs
 
344

 

 
11,074

 
7

 
(10,730
)
 
(97
)
Other cost of sales
 
1,607

 
1

 
2,508

 
2

 
(901
)
 
(36
)
Total cost of sales
 
$
43,428

 
37
%
 
$
81,864

 
54
%
 
$
(38,436
)
 
(47
)%
Provision for loan losses.    Provision for loan losses decreased by $26.8 million, or 39%, from $68.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 to $41.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020.
The tables below break out these changes by loan product:
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Rise
 
Elastic (1)
 
Total
 
 
 
Combined loan loss reserve(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
51,707

 
$
26,053

 
$
77,760

Net charge-offs
 
(38,100
)
 
(20,543
)
 
(58,643
)
Provision for loan losses
 
27,007

 
14,470

 
41,477

Ending balance
 
$
40,614

 
$
19,980

 
$
60,594

Combined loans receivable(2)(3)
 
$
260,384

 
$
179,500

 
$
439,884

Combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of ending combined loans receivable
 
16
%
 
11
%
 
14
%
Net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues
 
50
%
 
48
%
 
50
%
Provision for loan losses as a percentage of revenues
 
36
%
 
34
%
 
35
%




63



 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Rise
 
Elastic (1)
 
Total
 
 
 
Combined loan loss reserve(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
39,350

 
$
28,341

 
$
67,691

Net charge-offs
 
(40,970
)
 
(27,131
)
 
(68,101
)
Provision for loan losses
 
43,013

 
25,269

 
68,282

Ending balance
 
$
41,393

 
$
26,479

 
$
67,872

Combined loans receivable(2)(3)
 
$
324,620

 
$
258,200

 
$
582,820

Combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of ending combined loans receivable
 
13
%
 
10
%
 
12
%
Net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues
 
45
%
 
46
%
 
45
%
Provision for loan losses as a percentage of revenues
 
47
%
 
42
%
 
45
%

 _________

(1) Includes immaterial balances related to the Today Card.
(2) Not a financial measure prepared in accordance with US GAAP. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
(3) Includes loans originated by third-party lenders through the CSO programs, which are not included in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Total loan loss provision for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was 35% of revenues, which was below our targeted range of 45% to 55%, and lower than the 45% for the three months ended June 30, 2019. For the three months ended June 30, 2020, net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues increased to 50% compared to 45% in the prior year period. We continue to monitor the loan portfolio during this economic crisis resulting from COVID-19 and continue to adjust our underwriting and credit policies to mitigate any potential negative impacts. In the long-term (post-COVID-19), we expect to continue to manage our total loan loss provision as a percentage of revenues to continue to remain within our targeted range.
The combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of combined loans receivable totaled 14% and 12% as of June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively. This percentage increase in the loan loss reserve is due to an increase in loans outstanding with a payment deferral under the payment flexibility program offered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While we have seen positive payment performance once loans complete their payment deferral status, the loans in this population have a higher inherent risk of loss which is reflected in our loan loss reserve calculation. Past due loan balances at June 30, 2020 were 5% of total combined loans receivable - principal, down significantly from 9% from a year ago, also attributable to the COVID-19 loan deferral programs.
Direct marketing costs.    Direct marketing costs decreased by $10.7 million, or 97%, from $11.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 to $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Collectively, all products were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as we experienced reduced demand and application volume for both new and former customers in addition to the effects of underwriting changes implemented in response to COVID-19 risks that limited the volume of new customer loan originations in the second quarter of 2020. For the three months ended June 30, 2020, the number of new customers acquired decreased to 2,815 compared to 44,003 during the three months ended June 30, 2019.

Other cost of sales.    Other cost of sales decreased by $0.9 million, or 36%, from $2.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 to $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 due to decreased data verification costs resulting from reduced origination volume, partially offset by increased product payment processing and program expenses.




64



Operating expenses
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Period-to-period
change
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
 
$
16,844

 
14
%
 
$
21,938

 
15
%
 
$
(5,094
)
 
(23
)%
Professional services
 
8,471

 
7

 
7,686

 
5

 
785

 
10

Selling and marketing
 
904

 
1

 
1,460

 
1

 
(556
)
 
(38
)
Occupancy and equipment
 
4,843

 
4

 
4,013

 
3

 
830

 
21

Depreciation and amortization
 
4,529

 
4

 
3,955

 
3

 
574

 
15

Other
 
907

 
1

 
1,505

 
1

 
(598
)
 
(40
)
Total operating expenses
 
$
36,498

 
31
%
 
$
40,557

 
27
%
 
$
(4,059
)
 
(10
)%
Compensation and benefits.    Compensation and benefits decreased by $5.1 million, or 23%, from $21.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 to $16.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 primarily due to the reduction in expense related to the short-term incentive compensation plan associated with the operating expense reduction plan implemented by the Company.
Professional services.     Professional services increased by $0.8 million, or 10%, from $7.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 to $8.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 primarily due to increased legal expenses.
Selling and marketing.    Selling and marketing decreased by $0.6 million, or 38%, from $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 to $0.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 primarily due to decreased marketing agency fees.
Occupancy and equipment.    Occupancy and equipment increased by $0.8 million, or 21%, from $4.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 to $4.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 primarily due to increased web hosting and additional licenses expense.
Depreciation and amortization.     Depreciation and amortization increased by $0.6 million, or 15%, from $4.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 to $4.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 primarily due to increased purchases of property and equipment, including depreciation on internally developed software.
Other.    Other operating expenses decreased by $0.6 million, or 40%, from $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 to $0.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 primarily due to decreased travel, meals and entertainment expenses associated with the operating expense reduction plan implemented by the Company.

Net interest expense
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Period-to-period
change
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
 
Net interest expense
 
$
12,177

 
10
%
 
$
16,936

 
11
%
 
$
(4,759
)
 
(28
)%





65



Net interest expense decreased 28% during the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the prior year period. Our average effective interest rate on notes payable outstanding has decreased from 13.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2019 to 10.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2020, resulting in a decrease in interest expense of approximately $4.0 million. In addition, the average balance of notes payable outstanding under the debt facilities in the second quarter of 2020 decreased $29.3 million from the second quarter of 2019 due to the decrease in the loan portfolio, resulting in a decrease in interest expense of approximately $0.8 million.
The following table shows the effective cost of funds of each debt facility for the period:
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
VPC Facility
 
 
 
 
Average facility balance during the period
 
$
157,715

 
$
210,687

Net interest expense
 
4,276

 
6,697

Less: prepayment penalty associated with the early repayment on the 4th Tranche Term Note
 

 
(850
)
Net interest expense, as adjusted
 
$
4,276

 
$
5,847

Effective cost of funds
 
10.9
%
 
12.7
%
Effective cost of funds, as adjusted
 
10.9
%
 
11.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
EF SPV Facility
 
 
 
 
Average facility balance during the period
 
$
101,742

 
59,363

Net interest expense
 
2,662

 
1,539

Effective cost of funds
 
10.5
%
 
10.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
ESPV Facility
 
 
 
 
Average facility balance during the period
 
$
202,357

 
$
221,000

Net interest expense
 
5,239

 
8,701

Effective cost of funds
 
10.4
%
 
15.8
%
In January 2018, the Company entered into interest rate caps, which capped 3-month LIBOR at 1.75%, to mitigate the floating interest rate risk on $240 million of the US Term Notes included in the VPC Facility and on $216 million of the ESPV Facility. The interest rate caps matured on February 1, 2019. Additionally, effective February 1, 2019, the VPC Facility and ESPV Facility were amended and a new facility, the EF SPV Facility, was created. The amended facilities included reductions to the interest rates paid on our debt in addition to other changes. The reduction in interest rates was effective February 1, 2019 for the VPC Facility and the EF SPV Facility. The reduction in interest rates for the ESPV Facility was effective July 1, 2019. Per the terms of the February 1, 2019 amendments, the Company qualified for an additional 25 bps rate reduction on all three facilities effective January 1, 2020. This reduction does not apply to the 4th Tranche Term Note. See "Liquidity and Capital ResourcesDebt facilities" for more information.
Non-operating loss
In March 2020, the Company accrued a contingent loss related to a legal matter. For the three months ended June 30, 2020, the Company accrued an additional $1.4 million.





66



Income tax expense
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Period-to-period
change
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
 
Income tax expense
 
$
8,373

 
8
%
 
$
2,634

 
2
%
 
$
5,739

 
218
%

Our income tax expense increased $5.7 million, from $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 to $8.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Our effective tax rates for continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were 34.2% and 23.9%, respectively. Our effective tax rates are different from the standard corporate federal income tax rate of 21% due to permanent non-deductible items, corporate state tax obligations in the states where we have lending activities and the impact of the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income ("GILTI") provision of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "Act"). The Company's cash effective tax rate was approximately 6.3% for the second quarter of 2020.
On March 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES Act") was signed into law.  The Company has reviewed the tax relief provisions of the CARES Act regarding our eligibility and determined that the impact is likely to be insignificant with regard to our effective tax rate.  We are continuing to monitor and evaluate our eligibility of the CARES Act tax relief provisions to identify any portions that may become applicable in the future.
Net loss from discontinued operations
Our loss from discontinued operations consists of an investment loss of $27.3 million, UK operating losses of $3.2 million and other liability accruals of $1.2 million, partially offset by an income tax benefit of $24.2 million.
Net income
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Period-to-period
change
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
8,553

 
7
%
 
$
5,772

 
4
%
 
$
2,781

 
48
%
We generated $8.6 million in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2020 due to improved operating income and decreased interest expense resulting in higher net income from continuing operations as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019. Our net income from continuing operations was reduced by our net loss from discontinued operations of $7.5 million resulting in net income of $8.6 million that was $2.8 million higher than our net income from the corresponding prior year period.




67



Comparison of the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019
Revenues
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
Period-to-period change
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
 
Finance charges
 
$
279,882

 
100
%
 
$
309,319

 
100
%
 
$
(29,437
)
 
(10
)%
Other
 
576

 

 
1,121

 

 
(545
)
 
(49
)
Revenues
 
$
280,458

 
100
%
 
$
310,440

 
100
%
 
$
(29,982
)
 
(10
)%
Revenues decreased by $30.0 million, or 10%, from $310.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $280.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Both Rise and Elastic products had decreased total revenue in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019. The decrease in Other revenues is due to a decrease in marketing and licensing fees related to the Rise CSO programs as our CSO partners stopped originating Rise CSO loans in Ohio in April 2019 due to a state law change.
The tables below break out this change in revenue (including CSO fees and cash advance fees) by product:
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Rise (1)
 
Elastic (2)
 
Total
 
 
 
Average combined loans receivable – principal(3)
 
$
306,581

 
$
218,351

 
$
524,932

Effective APR
 
117
%
 
93
%
 
107
%
Finance charges
 
$
179,038

 
$
100,844

 
$
279,882

Other
 
108

 
468

 
576

Total revenue
 
$
179,146

 
$
101,312

 
$
280,458

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Rise (1)
 
Elastic (2)
 
Total
 
 
 
Average combined loans receivable – principal(3)
 
$
288,941

 
$
254,980

 
$
543,921

Effective APR
 
129
%
 
98
%
 
115
%
Finance charges
 
$
185,269

 
$
124,050

 
$
309,319

Other
 
737

 
384

 
1,121

Total revenue
 
$
186,006

 
$
124,434

 
$
310,440


 _________
(1) Includes loans originated by third-party lenders through the CSO programs, which are not included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
(2) Includes immaterial balances related to the Today Card.
(3) Average combined loans receivable - principal is calculated using daily Combined loans receivable – principal balances. Not a financial measure prepared in accordance with US GAAP. See reconciliation table accompanying this release for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.






68



Our average combined loans receivable principal decreased $19 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019. This decrease in average balance is due to reductions in loan origination volume during the quarter attributable to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and accounted for approximately $10 million of the reduction in revenue for the period. For the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the average effective APR for the portfolio was 107% and 115%, respectively. This reduction in the effective APR is due to the lower effective interest rates earned on loans in a deferral status under the payment flexibility programs that were implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with reduced new customer loan originations which generally have a higher effective APR and accounted for approximately $20 million of the reduction in revenue for the period. We expect the APRs to increase as we begin to originate more loans from new and former customers in future periods.

Cost of sales
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Period-to-period
change
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
 
Cost of sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for loan losses
 
$
120,052

 
43
%
 
$
143,637

 
46
%
 
$
(23,585
)
 
(16
)%
Direct marketing costs
 
11,313

 
4

 
18,271

 
6

 
(6,958
)
 
(38
)
Other cost of sales
 
4,277

 
2

 
4,786

 
2

 
(509
)
 
(11
)
Total cost of sales
 
$
135,642

 
48
%
 
$
166,694

 
54
%
 
$
(31,052
)
 
(19
)%
Provision for loan losses.    Provision for loan losses decreased by $23.6 million, or 16%, from $143.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $120.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020.
The tables below break out these changes by loan product:
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Rise
 
Elastic (1)
 
Total
 
 
 
Combined loan loss reserve(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
52,099

 
$
29,893

 
$
81,992

Net charge-offs
 
(93,061
)
 
(48,389
)
 
(141,450
)
Provision for loan losses
 
81,576

 
38,476

 
120,052

Ending balance
 
$
40,614

 
$
19,980

 
$
60,594

Combined loans receivable(2)(3)
 
$
260,384

 
$
179,500

 
$
439,884

Combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of ending combined loans receivable
 
16
%
 
11
%
 
14
%
Net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues
 
52
%
 
48
%
 
50
%
Provision for loan losses as a percentage of revenues
 
46
%
 
38
%
 
43
%





69



 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Rise
 
Elastic (1)
 
Total
 
 
 
Combined loan loss reserve(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
50,597

 
$
36,050

 
$
86,647

Net charge-offs
 
(98,010
)
 
(64,402
)
 
(162,412
)
Provision for loan losses
 
88,806

 
54,831

 
143,637

Ending balance
 
$
41,393

 
$
26,479

 
$
67,872

Combined loans receivable(2)(3)
 
$
324,620

 
$
258,200

 
$
582,820

Combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of ending combined loans receivable
 
13
%
 
10
%
 
12
%
Net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues
 
53
%
 
52
%
 
52
%
Provision for loan losses as a percentage of revenues
 
48
%
 
44
%
 
46
%

 _________

(1) Includes immaterial balances related to the Today Card.
(2) Not a financial measure prepared in accordance with US GAAP. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
(3) Includes loans originated by third-party lenders through the CSO programs, which are not included in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Total loan loss provision for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was 43% of revenues, which was below our targeted range of 45% to 55%, and lower than the 46% for the six months ended June 30, 2019. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues decreased to 50% compared to 52% in the prior year period. We continue to monitor the portfolio during this economic crisis resulting from COVID-19 and continue to adjust our underwriting and credit policies to mitigate any potential negative impacts. In the long-term (post-COVID-19), we expect to continue to manage our total loan loss provision as a percentage of revenues to continue to remain within our targeted range.
The combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of combined loans receivable totaled 14% and 12% as of June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively. This percentage increase in the loan loss reserve is due to an increase in loans outstanding with a payment deferral under the payment flexibility program offered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While we have seen positive payment performance once loans complete their payment deferral status, the loans in this population have a higher inherent risk of loss which is reflected in our loan loss reserve calculation. Past due loan balances at June 30, 2020 were 5% of total combined loans receivable - principal, down significantly from 9% from a year ago, also attributable to the COVID-19 loan deferral programs.
Direct marketing costs.    Direct marketing costs decreased by $7.0 million, or 38%, from $18.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $11.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Collectively, all products were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as we experienced reduced demand and application volume for both new and former customers starting in March 2020. In addition, we implemented underwriting changes that limited the volume of new customer loan originations in response to COVID-19. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the number of new customers acquired decreased to 38,565 compared to 66,206 during the six months ended June 30, 2019.

Other cost of sales.    Other cost of sales decreased by $0.5 million, or 11%, from $4.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $4.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 due to decreased data verification costs resulting from reduced origination volume, partially offset by increased payment processing and product program expenses.




70



Operating expenses
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Period-to-period
change
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
 
$
40,318

 
14
%
 
$
44,139

 
14
%
 
$
(3,821
)
 
(9
)%
Professional services
 
16,397

 
6

 
15,864

 
5

 
533

 
3

Selling and marketing
 
1,858

 
1

 
2,552

 
1

 
(694
)
 
(27
)
Occupancy and equipment
 
9,479

 
3

 
7,835

 
3

 
1,644

 
21

Depreciation and amortization
 
8,825

 
3

 
7,811

 
3

 
1,014

 
13

Other
 
1,978

 
1

 
2,622

 
1

 
(644
)
 
(25
)
Total operating expenses
 
$
78,855

 
28
%
 
$
80,823

 
26
%
 
$
(1,968
)
 
(2
)%
Compensation and benefits.    Compensation and benefits decreased by $3.8 million, or 9%, from $44.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $40.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 primarily due to a reduction in expense related to the short-term incentive compensation plan associated with the operating expense reduction plan implemented by the Company.
Professional services.     Professional services increased by $0.5 million, or 3%, from $15.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $16.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 primarily due to increased legal expenses.
Selling and marketing.    Selling and marketing decreased by $0.7 million, or 27%, from $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 primarily due to decreased marketing agency fees.
Occupancy and equipment.    Occupancy and equipment increased by $1.6 million, or 21%, from $7.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $9.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 primarily due to increased web hosting and additional licenses expense.
Depreciation and amortization.     Depreciation and amortization increased by $1.0 million, or 13%, from $7.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $8.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 primarily due to increased purchases of property and equipment, including depreciation on internally developed software.
Other.    Other operating expenses decreased by $0.6 million, or 25%, from $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $2.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 primarily due to decreased travel, meals and entertainment expenses associated with the operating expense reduction plan implemented by the Company.

Net interest expense
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Period-to-period
change
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
 
Net interest expense
 
$
25,833

 
9
%
 
$
34,936

 
11
%
 
$
(9,103
)
 
(26
)%





71



Net interest expense decreased 26% during the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the prior year period. Our average effective interest rate on notes payable outstanding has decreased from 13.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to 10.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2020, resulting in a decrease in interest expense of approximately $8.4 million. In addition, the average balance of notes payable outstanding under the debt facilities in the first half of 2020 decreased $16.1 million from the first half of 2019 due to the decrease in the loan portfolio resulting in a decrease in interest expense of approximately $0.8 million.
The following table shows the effective cost of funds of each debt facility for the period:
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
VPC Facility
 
 
 
 
Average facility balance during the period
 
$
176,896

 
$
228,934

Net interest expense
 
9,488

 
14,168

Less: prepayment penalty associated with the early repayment on the 4th Tranche Term Note
 

 
(850
)
Net interest expense, as adjusted
 
$
9,488

 
$
13,318

Effective cost of funds
 
10.8
%
 
12.5
%
Effective cost of funds, as adjusted
 
10.8
%
 
11.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
EF SPV Facility
 
 
 
 
Average facility balance during the period
 
$
104,585

 
52,635

Net interest expense
 
5,300

 
2,813

Effective cost of funds
 
10.2
%
 
10.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
ESPV Facility
 
 
 
 
Average facility balance during the period
 
$
213,643

 
$
229,652

Net interest expense
 
11,046

 
17,955

Effective cost of funds
 
10.4
%
 
15.8
%
In January 2018, the Company entered into interest rate caps, which capped 3-month LIBOR at 1.75%, to mitigate the floating interest rate risk on $240 million of the US Term Notes included in the VPC Facility and on $216 million of the ESPV Facility. The interest rate caps matured on February 1, 2019. Additionally, effective February 1, 2019, the VPC Facility and ESPV Facility were amended and a new facility, the EF SPV Facility, was created. The amended facilities included reductions to the interest rates paid on our debt in addition to other changes. The reduction in interest rates was effective February 1, 2019 for the VPC Facility and the EF SPV Facility. The reduction in interest rates for the ESPV Facility was effective July 1, 2019. Per the terms of the February 1, 2019 amendments, the Company qualified for an additional 25 bps rate reduction on all three facilities effective January 1, 2020. This reduction does not apply to the 4th Tranche Term Note. See "Liquidity and Capital ResourcesDebt facilities" for more information.
Non-operating loss
As of June 30, 2020, the Company had accrued a $5.7 million contingent loss related to a legal matter.





72



Income tax expense
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Period-to-period
change
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
 
Income tax expense
 
$
10,428

 
4
%
 
$
8,649

 
3
%
 
$
1,779

 
21
%

Our income tax expense increased $1.8 million, from $8.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to $10.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Our effective tax rates from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were 30.3% and 30.9%, respectively. Our effective tax rates are different from the standard corporate federal income tax rate of 21% due to permanent non-deductible items, corporate state tax obligations in the states where we have lending activities and the impact of the GILTI provision of the Act. The Company's cash effective tax rate was approximately 6.3% for the first half of 2020.
On March 27, 2020 the CARES Act was signed into law.  The Company has reviewed the tax relief provisions of the CARES Act regarding our eligibility and determined that the impact is likely to be insignificant with regard to our effective tax rate.  We are continuing to monitor and evaluate our eligibility of the CARES Act tax relief provisions to identify any portions that may become applicable in the future.
Net loss from discontinued operations
Our loss from discontinued operations consists of an investment loss of $27.3 million, UK operating losses of $6.8 million, a goodwill impairment loss of $9.3 million and other liability accruals of $1.2 million, partially offset by an income tax benefit of $24.2 million.
Net income
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Period-to-period
change
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage of
revenues
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
3,642

 
1
%
 
$
19,130

 
6
%
 
$
(15,488
)
 
(81
)%
Our net income of $3.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was down $15.5 million from the first half of 2019 due to a $20.4 million loss on discontinued operations associated with our UK operations. Net income from continuing operations for the first six months of 2020 increased $4.7 million from the prior year period due to both increased operating income and lower interest expense.




73



LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As discussed previously, we are closely monitoring the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic across our business, including the resulting uncertainties around customer demand, credit performance of loans with deferred payments, levels of liquidity and our ongoing compliance with debt covenants. While the ultimate impact of COVID-19 on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations is dependent on future developments which are highly uncertain, the Company has a principal debt payment obligation of $18.1 million (4% of outstanding debt) in February 2021 and no additional required principal payments on its outstanding debt until January 2024. We believe that our actions taken to date, future cash provided by operating activities, availability under our debt facilities with VPC, and possibly the capital markets, as well as certain potential measures within the Company's control that could be put in place to maintain a sound financial position and liquidity will provide adequate resources to fund our operating and financing needs. The Company is continuing to assess it minimum cash and liquidity requirements and implementing measures to ensure that our strong liquidity position is maintained through the current economic cycle created by the COVID-19 pandemic. We principally rely on our working capital, funds from third-party lenders under the CSO programs, and our credit facility with VPC to fund the loans we make to our customers.

On July 25, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program providing for the repurchase of up to $10 million of our common stock through July 31, 2024. In January 2020, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a $20 million increase to the Company's existing common stock repurchase program providing for the repurchase of up to $30 million of the Company's common stock through July 31, 2024. The Company purchased $3.3 million of common shares under its $10 million authorization during the second half of 2019. The amended share repurchase program provides that up to a maximum aggregate amount of $25 million shares may be repurchased in any given fiscal year. Repurchases will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws from time-to-time in the open market and/or in privately negotiated transactions at our discretion, subject to market conditions and other factors. The share repurchase program does not require the purchase of any minimum number of shares and may be implemented, modified, suspended or discontinued in whole or in part at any time without further notice. Any repurchased shares will be available for use in connection with equity plans and for other corporate purposes. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, 2,969,579 shares were repurchased at a total cost of $8.0 million, inclusive of any transactional fees or commissions. We are continuing to assess our share repurchase program as part of our overall liquidity analysis and may make amendments or withdraw our share repurchase program in future periods.

Debt Facilities

VPC Facility
VPC Facility Term Notes
On January 30, 2014, we entered into the VPC Facility in order to fund our Rise product and provide working capital. The VPC Facility has been amended several times, with the most recent amendment effective February 1, 2019, to increase the maximum total borrowing amount available and other terms of the VPC Facility.
The VPC Facility provided the following term notes as of June 30, 2020:
A maximum borrowing amount of $350 million used to fund the Rise loan portfolio (“US Term Note”). Prior to the February 1, 2019 amendment, the interest rate paid on this facility was a base rate (defined as the 3-month LIBOR, with a 1% floor) plus 11%. Upon the February 1, 2019 amendment date, the interest rate on the debt outstanding as of the amendment date was fixed through the January 1, 2024 maturity date at 10.23% (base rate of 2.73% plus 7.5%, which was reduced to 7.25% on January 1, 2020 as part of the amendment). At December 31, 2019, the weighted average base rate on the outstanding balance was 2.73% and the overall interest rate was 10.23%. At June 30, 2020, the weighted average base rate on the outstanding balance was 2.73% and the overall interest rate was 9.98%. All future borrowings under this facility will bear an interest rate at a base rate (defined as the greater of 3-month LIBOR, the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1%) plus 7.25% at the borrowing date.




74




A maximum borrowing amount of $18 million used to fund working capital, and prior to February 1, 2019, at a base rate (defined as the 3-month LIBOR, with a 1% floor) plus 13% (“4th Tranche Term Note”). Upon the February 1, 2019 amendment date, the interest rate was fixed through the February 1, 2021 maturity date at a base rate of 2.73% plus 13%. The interest rate at both June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was 15.73%. There was no change in the interest rate spread on this facility upon the February 1, 2019 amendment.
Revolving feature providing the option to pay down up to 20% of the outstanding balance, excluding the 4th Tranche Term Note, once per year during the first quarter. Amounts paid down may be drawn again at a later date prior to maturity.
There are no principal payments due or scheduled under the VPC Facility until the respective maturity dates of the US Term Note and the 4th Tranche Term Note. The 4th Tranche Term Note matures on February 1, 2021. The US Term Note matures on January 1, 2024.
All of our assets are pledged as collateral to secure the VPC Facility. The agreement contains customary financial covenants, including minimum cash and excess spread requirements, maximum roll rate and charge-off rate levels, maximum loan-to-value ratios and a minimum book value of equity requirement. We were in compliance with all covenants as of June 30, 2020.
Prior to ECIL entering administration and being classified a discontinued operation by the Company on June 29, 2020, the VPC Facility included a note used to fund the UK Sunny loan portfolio (“UK Term Note”). Upon deconsolidation of ECIL, this note was removed from the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and is presented within Liabilities from discontinued operations in all prior periods presented. Under the terms of the VPC Facility, Elevate Credit, Inc. (the "Parent") has provided a guarantee to VPC for the repayment of the debt of any subsidiary, which includes the outstanding debt of ECIL of approximately £10.2 million as of June 29, 2020. Upon deconsolidation of ECIL, the Company is required to evaluate and separately recognize a liability at the Parent level related to the guarantee of ECIL's outstanding debt balance. The fair value of the guarantee obligation was $566 thousand and was recognized at June 30, 2020 within Net loss from discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements and as Liabilities from discontinued operations on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. On July 23, 2020, ECIL made a £5.0 million payment to VPC, and we expect that ECIL will repay the full remaining balance by the end of 2020.
EF SPV Facility
EF SPV Term Note
The EF SPV Facility has a maximum borrowing amount of $150 million, to be used to purchase loan participations from a third-party lender. Prior to execution of the agreement with VPC effective February 1, 2019, EF SPV was a borrower on the US Term Note under the VPC Facility and the interest rate paid on this facility was a base rate (defined as 3-month LIBOR, with a 1% floor) plus 11%. Upon the February 1, 2019 amendment date, $43 million was re-allocated into the EF SPV Facility and the interest rate on the debt outstanding as of the amendment date was fixed through the January 1, 2024 maturity date at 10.23% (base rate of 2.73% plus 7.5%, which was reduced to 7.25% on January 1, 2020 as part of the amendment). The weighted average base rate on the outstanding balance at December 31, 2019 was 2.49% and the overall interest rate was 9.99%. The weighted average base rate on the outstanding balance at June 30, 2020 was 2.45% and the overall interest rate was 9.70%. All future borrowings under this facility will bear an interest rate at a base rate (defined as the greater of 3-month LIBOR, the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1%) plus 7.25% at the borrowing date. The EF SPV Term Note has a revolving feature providing the option to pay down up to 20% of the outstanding balance once per year during the first quarter. Amounts paid down may be drawn again at a later date prior to maturity. There are no principal payments due or scheduled prior to the maturity date of January 1, 2024.

All of our assets are pledged as collateral to secure the EF SPV Term Note. The agreement contains customary financial covenants, including minimum cash and excess spread requirements, maximum roll rate and charge-off rate levels, maximum loan-to-value ratios and a minimum book value of equity requirement. We were in compliance with all covenants as of June 30, 2020.




75



ESPV Facility

ESPV Term Note
The ESPV Facility has a maximum borrowing amount of $350 million, to be used to purchase loan participations from a third-party lender. Prior to the February 1, 2019 amendment, the interest rate paid on this facility was a base rate (defined as the greater of the 3-month LIBOR rate or 1% per annum) plus 13% for the outstanding balance up to $50 million, plus 12% for the outstanding balance greater than $50 million up to $100 million, plus 13.5% for any amounts greater than $100 million up to $150 million, and plus 12.75% for borrowing amounts greater than $150 million. Upon the February 1, 2019 amendment date, the interest rate on the debt outstanding as of the amendment date was fixed at 15.48% (base rate of 2.73% plus 12.75%). Effective July 1, 2019, the interest rate on the debt outstanding as of the amendment date was set at 10.23% (base rate of 2.73% plus 7.50%, which was reduced to 7.25% on January 1, 2020 as part of the amendment). At December 31, 2019 the weighted average base rate on the outstanding balance was 2.72% and the overall interest rate was 10.22%. At June 30, 2020, the weighted average base rate on the outstanding balance was 2.72% and the overall interest rate was 9.97%. All future borrowings under this facility will bear an interest rate at a base rate (defined as the greater of 3-month LIBOR, the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1%) plus 7.25% at the borrowing date. The ESPV Term Note has a revolving feature providing the option to pay down up to 20% of the outstanding balance once per year during the first quarter. Amounts paid down may be drawn again at a later date prior to maturity. There are no principal payments due or scheduled until the credit facility maturity date of January 1, 2024.
All of our assets are pledged as collateral to secure the ESPV Facility. The agreement contains customary financial covenants, including minimum cash and excess spread requirements, maximum roll rate and charge-off rate levels, maximum loan-to-value ratios and a minimum book value of equity requirement. We were in compliance with all covenants as of June 30, 2020.
Outstanding Notes Payable
The outstanding balances of notes payable as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
June 30,
2020
December 31,
2019
US Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 7.25% (2020) or + 7.5% (2019)
 
$
129,500

$
182,000

4th Tranche Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 13%
 
18,050

18,050

EF SPV Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 7.25% (2020) or + 7.5% (2019)
 
93,500

102,000

ESPV Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 7.25% (2020) or + 7.5% (2019)
 
199,500

226,000

Total
 
$
440,550

$
528,050


The change in the facility balances includes the following:
US Term Note - Paydown of $27.5 million and $25 million in the first and second quarter of 2020, respectively;
EF SPV Term note - Draw of $6.5 million in the first quarter of 2020 and a paydown of $15 million in the second quarter of 2020; and
ESPV Term Note - Paydown of $6.5 million and $20 million in the first and second quarter of 2020, respectively.





76



The following table presents the future debt maturities as of June 30, 2020:
Year (dollars in thousands)
June 30, 2020
Remainder of 2020
$

2021
18,050

2022

2023

2024
422,500

Thereafter

Total
$
440,550


Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, loans (net of allowance for loan losses), and cash flows

The following table summarizes our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, loans receivable, net and cash flows for the periods indicated:
 
 
As of and for the six months ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
167,735

 
$
54,535

Restricted cash
 
2,135

 
2,435

Loans receivable, net
 
373,024

 
493,560

Cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
Operating activities - continuing operations
 
131,244

 
152,478

Investing activities - continuing operations
 
61,077

 
(109,313
)
Financing activities - continuing operations
 
(95,901
)
 
(37,080
)
Our cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2020 were held primarily for working capital purposes. We may, from time to time, use excess cash and cash equivalents to fund our lending activities, paydown debt or repurchase stock. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes. Our policy is to invest any cash in excess of our immediate working capital requirements in investments designed to preserve the principal balance and provide liquidity. Accordingly, our excess cash is invested primarily in demand deposit accounts that are currently providing only a minimal return.
Net cash provided by operating activities
We generated $131.2 million in cash from our operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2020, primarily from revenues derived from our loan portfolio. This was down $21.2 million from the $152.5 million of cash provided by operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2019. Cash from operating activities was also impacted by a change in our short-term incentive compensation programs during 2019 which moved from a semi-annual bonus payment to an annual bonus payment which occurred in March 2020. We do not believe that there will be a significant impact to operating cash flows as a result of the deconsolidation of ECIL.
 




77



Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
For the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, cash provided by (used in) investing activities was $61.1 million and $(109.3) million, respectively. The increase was primarily due to a decrease in net loans issued to customers related to reduced origination volume attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following table summarizes cash used in investing activities for the periods indicated:
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities - continuing operations
 
 
 
 
Net loans issued to consumers, less repayments
 
$
72,621

 
$
(97,072
)
Participation premium paid
 
(2,036
)
 
(2,491
)
Purchases of property and equipment
 
(9,508
)
 
(9,750
)
 
 
$
61,077

 
$
(109,313
)
Net cash used in financing activities
Cash flows from financing activities primarily include cash received from issuing notes payable, payments on notes payable, and activity related to stock awards. For the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, cash used in financing activities was $95.9 million and $37.1 million, respectively. The following table summarizes cash used in financing activities for the periods indicated:
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
Cash used in financing activities - continuing operations
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of Notes payable, net
 
$
6,500

 
$
27,000

Payments on Notes payable
 
(94,000
)
 
(60,000
)
Debt issuance costs paid
 
(108
)
 
(2,598
)
Debt prepayment costs paid
 

 
(850
)
Purchases of treasury stock
 
(8,030
)
 

Proceeds from issuance of stock, net
 
381

 
579

Taxes paid related to net share settlement
 
(644
)
 
(1,211
)
 
 
$
(95,901
)
 
$
(37,080
)
The increase in cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2020 versus the comparable period of 2019 was primarily due to higher payments made on notes payable during the first half of 2020 versus the first half of 2019, and the purchases of treasury stock which commenced in the third quarter of 2019.




78



Free Cash Flow
In addition to the above, we also review FCF when analyzing our cash flows from operations. We calculate FCF as cash flows from operating activities, adjusted for the principal loan net charge-offs and capital expenditures incurred during the period. While this is a non-GAAP measure, we believe it provides a useful presentation of cash flows derived from our core operating activities.
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities
 
$
131,244

 
$
152,478

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
Net charge-offs – combined principal loans
 
(108,532
)
 
(127,570
)
Capital expenditures
 
(9,508
)
 
(9,750
)
FCF
 
$
13,204

 
$
15,158

Our FCF was $13.2 million for the first six months of 2020 compared to $15.2 million for the comparable prior year period. The decrease in our FCF was the result of the decrease in cash provided by operations, offset by a decrease in net charge-offs - combined principal loans during the first six months of 2020.
Operating and capital expenditure requirements
The Company is continuing to assess its minimum cash and liquidity requirements and implementing measures to ensure that our strong liquidity position is maintained through the current economic cycle created by the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that our existing cash balances, together with the available borrowing capacity under the VPC Facility, EF SPV Facility and ESPV Facility, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash operating expense and capital expenditure requirements through at least the next 12 months. If our loan growth exceeds our expectations, our available cash balances may be insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, and we may seek additional equity or debt financing. This additional capital may not be available on reasonable terms, or at all.
 
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Our principal commitments consist of obligations under our debt facilities and operating lease obligations. There have been no material changes to our contractual obligations since December 31, 2019.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We provide services in connection with installment loans originated by independent third-party lenders (“CSO lenders”) whereby we act as a credit service organization/credit access business on behalf of consumers in accordance with applicable state laws through our “CSO program.” The CSO program includes arranging loans with CSO lenders, assisting in the loan application, documentation and servicing processes. Under the CSO program, we guarantee the repayment of a customer’s loan to the CSO lenders as part of the credit services we provide to the customer. A customer who obtains a loan through the CSO program pays us a fee for the credit services, including the guaranty, and enters into a contract with the CSO lenders governing the credit services arrangement. We estimate a liability for losses associated with the guaranty provided to the CSO lenders using assumptions and methodologies similar to the allowance for loan losses, which we recognize for our consumer loans.
Prior to ECIL entering administration and being classified a discontinued operation by us on June 29, 2020, the VPC Facility included the UK Term Note. Upon deconsolidation of ECIL, this note was removed from our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and is presented within Liabilities from discontinued operations in all prior periods presented. Under the terms of the VPC Facility, we have provided a guarantee to VPC for the repayment of the debt of any subsidiary, which includes the outstanding debt of ECIL of approximately £10.2 million as of June 29, 2020. We estimate a liability for losses of $566 thousand associated with the debt guarantee based on the fair value of the obligation. See Note 5—Notes Payable for more information regarding the guarantee of the UK Term Note.




79



RECENT REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS

On May 7, 2019, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the "CFPB") proposed amendments to Regulation F, which implements the FDCPA. The Bureau's proposal would, among other things, address communications in connection with debt collection; interpret and apply prohibitions on harassment or abuse, false or misleading representations, and unfair practices in debt collection; and clarify requirements for certain consumer-facing debt collection disclosures. The public comment period on the proposed amendments closed on September 18, 2019. According to the CFPB's Spring 2020 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, the CFPB will take action regarding the 2019 Notice of Proposed Rule Making in October 2020. Once a final rule is promulgated, we will take the necessary steps to ensure that the third-party debt collectors we work with are compliant with the final rule.
On October 10, 2019, AB 539 was signed by the Governor of California and chaptered by the California Secretary of State. The new law imposes an interest rate cap on all consumer loans made by Consumer Finance Lenders licensees between $2,500 and $10,000 of 36% plus the Federal Funds Rate. Effective January 1, 2020, Rise suspended making state licensed loans under the California Consumer Finance Lenders Law.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has submitted final proposed regulations to guide covered businesses' implementation of the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA") which became operative on January 1, 2020 and began being enforced July 1, 2020. The CCPA imposes obligations on the handling of consumers' personal information by businesses, including required disclosures to consumers; consumer access, deletion, and opt-out rights; and an individual private right of action relating to a failure to maintain reasonable security procedures and practices leading to a security breach, as defined by the CCPA. The CCPA applies to Elevate with respect to information that is not collected for GLBA purposes (i.e., not in the context of the provision of financial services primarily used for personal, family, or household purposes) and is not related to personal information subject to California's Financial Information Privacy Act and personal consumer report information under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Most recently, the California Privacy Rights Act ("CPRA") had received enough valid signatures to appear on the November 2020 ballot in California. If voters approve the initiative, the CPRA would significantly expand the CCPA, establish the California Privacy Protection Agency, remove the CCPA's thirty-day cure period, and impose a number of GDPR-styled obligations on businesses, among other requirements. If the CPRA becomes law, most of the substantive provisions of the CPRA would take effect January 1, 2023, with certain provisions going into effect as soon as late in 2020. Ongoing implementation of and changes to the CCPA and its related requirements could increase costs or otherwise adversely affect our business in the California market.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Revenue recognition
We recognize consumer loan fees as revenues for each of the loan products we offer. Revenues on the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements include: finance charges, lines of credit fees, fees for services provided through CSO programs (“CSO fees”), and interest, as well as any other fees or charges permitted by applicable laws and pursuant to the agreement with the borrower. We also record revenues related to the sale of customer applications to unrelated third parties. These applications are sold with the customer’s consent in the event that we or our CSO lenders are unable to offer the customer a loan. Revenue is recognized at the time of the sale. Other revenues also include marketing and licensing fees received from the originating lender related to the Elastic product and Rise bank-originated loans and from CSO fees related to the Rise product. Revenues related to these fees are recognized when the service is performed.




80



We accrue finance charges on installment loans on a constant yield basis over their terms. We accrue and defer fixed charges such as CSO fees and lines of credit fees when they are assessed and recognize them to earnings as they are earned over the life of the loan. We accrue interest on credit cards based on the amount of the loan outstanding and their contractual interest rate. Credit card membership fees are amortized to revenue over the card membership period. Other credit card fees, such as late payment fees and returned payment fees, are accrued when assessed. We do not accrue finance charges and other fees on installment loans or lines of credit for which payment is greater than 60 days past due. Credit card interest charges are recognized based on the contractual provisions of the underlying arrangements and are not accrued for which payment is greater than 90 days past due. Installment loans and lines of credit are considered past due if a grace period has not been requested and a scheduled payment is not paid on its due date. Credit cards have a grace period of 25 days. Payments received on past due loans are applied against the loan and accrued interest balance to bring the loan current. Payments are generally first applied to accrued fees and interest, and then to the principal loan balance.
In March 2020, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) was recognized as a pandemic impacting businesses and economies. In accordance with federal and state guidelines, the Company expanded its payment flexibility programs for its customers, including payment deferrals. This program allows for a deferral of payments for an initial period of 60 days, up to a maximum of 180 days on a cumulative basis. The customer will return to their normal payment schedule after the end of the deferral period with the extension of their maturity date equivalent to the deferral period, not to exceed an additional 180 days. Per FASB guidance, the finance charges will continue to accrue at a lower effective interest rate over the expected term of the loan considering the deferral period provided (not to exceed an amount greater than the amount at which the borrower could settle the loan) or placed on non-accrual status.
Our business is affected by seasonality, which can cause significant changes in portfolio size and profit margins from quarter to quarter. Although this seasonality does not impact our policies for revenue recognition, it does generally impact our results of operations by potentially causing an increase in its profit margins in the first quarter of the year and decreased margins in the second through fourth quarters.
Allowance and liability for estimated losses on consumer loans
We have adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance for disclosures about the credit quality of financing receivables and the allowance for loan losses (“allowance”). We maintain an allowance for loan losses for loans and interest receivable for loans not classified as TDRs at a level estimated to be adequate to absorb credit losses inherent in the outstanding loans receivable. We primarily utilize historical loss rates by product, stratified by delinquency ranges, to determine the allowance, but we also consider recent collection and delinquency trends, as well as macro-economic conditions that may affect portfolio losses. Additionally, due to the uncertainty of economic conditions and cash flow resources of our customers, the estimate of the allowance for loan losses is subject to change in the near-term and could significantly impact the condensed consolidated financial statements. If a loan is deemed to be uncollectible before it is fully reserved, it is charged-off at that time. For loans classified as TDRs, impairment is typically measured based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the original effective interest rate. As permitted by the SEC, we have elected to not adopt the Current Expected Credit Losses ("CECL") model which would require a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. See "- Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements And JOBS Act Election" for more information.
We classify loans as either current or past due. An installment loan or line of credit customer in good standing may request a 16-day grace period when or before a payment becomes due and, if granted, the loan is considered current during the grace period. Credit card customers have a 25-day grace period for each payment. Installment loans and lines of credit are considered past due if a grace period has not been requested and a scheduled payment is not paid on its due date. Credit cards are considered past due if the grace period has passed and the scheduled payment has not been made. Increases in the allowance are created by recording a Provision for loan losses in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements. Installment loans and lines of credit are charged off, which reduces the allowance, when they are over 60 days past due or earlier if deemed uncollectible. Credit cards are charged off, which reduces the allowance, when they are over 120 days past due or earlier if deemed uncollectible. Recoveries on losses previously charged to the allowance are credited to the allowance when collected.




81



Liability for estimated losses on credit service organization loans
Under the CSO program, we guarantee the repayment of a customer’s loan to the CSO lenders as part of the credit services we provide to the customer. A customer who obtains a loan through the CSO program pays us a fee for the credit services, including the guaranty, and enters into a contract with the CSO lenders governing the credit services arrangement. We estimate a liability for losses associated with the guaranty provided to the CSO lenders using assumptions and methodologies similar to the allowance for loan losses, which we recognize for our consumer loans.

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in each business combination. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350-20-35, Goodwill—Subsequent Measurement, the Company performs a quantitative approach method impairment review of goodwill and intangible assets with an indefinite life annually at October 1 and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Prior to 2019, the Company performed this test at October 31. The Company completed its annual test as of October 1, 2019 and determined that there was no evidence of impairment of goodwill or indefinite lived intangible assets.
As a result of the recent global economic impact and uncertainty due to COVID-19, the Company concluded a triggering event had occurred as of June 30, 2020, and accordingly, performed interim impairment testing on the goodwill balances of the previously consolidated UK reporting unit and the Elastic reporting unit. The Company performed a detailed qualitative and quantitative assessment of each reporting unit and concluded that the goodwill associated with the previously consolidated UK reporting unit was impaired as the fair value of the UK reporting unit was less than its carrying amount. While there was a decline in the fair value of the Elastic reporting unit, there was no impairment identified during the quantitative assessment.
Prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04"), the Company’s impairment evaluation of goodwill was already based on comparing the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to their carrying value. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 as of January 1, 2020 had no impact on the Company's evaluation procedures. The fair value of the reporting units is determined based on a weighted average of the income and market approaches. The income approach establishes fair value based on estimated future cash flows of the reporting units, discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital developed using the capital asset pricing model, which reflects the overall level of inherent risk of the reporting units. The income approach uses the Company’s projections of financial performance for a six to nine-year period and includes assumptions about future revenues growth rates, operating margins and terminal values. The market approach establishes fair value by applying cash flow multiples to the reporting units’ operating performance. The multiples are derived from other publicly traded companies that are similar but not identical from an operational and economic standpoint.
Internal-use software development costs
We capitalize certain costs related to software developed for internal use, primarily associated with the ongoing development and enhancement of our technology platform. Costs incurred in the preliminary development and post-development stages are expensed. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the related asset, generally three years.
Income taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences and benefits attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. 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 effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts that are more likely than not to be realized.




82



Relative to uncertain tax positions, we accrue for losses we believe are probable and can be reasonably estimated. The amount recognized is subject to estimate and management judgment with respect to the likely outcome of each uncertain tax position. The amount that is ultimately sustained for an individual uncertain tax position or for all uncertain tax positions in the aggregate could differ from the amount recognized. If the amounts recorded are not realized or if penalties and interest are incurred, we have elected to record all amounts within income tax expense.
We have no recorded liabilities for US uncertain tax positions at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Tax periods from fiscal years 2014 to 2018 remain open and subject to examination for US federal and state tax purposes. As we had no operations nor had filed US federal tax returns prior to May 1, 2014, there are no other US federal or state tax years subject to examination.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act", or "Tax Reform") was enacted into law. The Act contains several changes to the US federal tax law including a reduction to the US federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, an acceleration of the expensing of certain business assets, a reduction to the amount of executive pay that could qualify as a tax deduction, and the addition of a repatriation tax on any accumulated offshore earnings and profit.
On March 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES Act") was signed into law. The Company has reviewed the tax relief provisions of the CARES Act regarding our eligibility and determined that the impact is likely to be insignificant with regard to our effective tax rate.  We are continuing to monitor and evaluate our eligibility of the CARES Act tax relief provisions to identify any that may become applicable in the future.
Share-Based Compensation
In accordance with applicable accounting standards, all share-based compensation, consisting of stock options and restricted stock units (“RSUs") issued to employees is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the awards and recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the period during which the recipient is required to perform services in exchange for the award (the requisite service period). Starting July 2017, we also have an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”). The determination of fair value of share-based payment awards and ESPP purchase rights on the date of grant using option-pricing models is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, actual and projected employee stock option exercise activity, risk-free interest rate, expected dividends and expected term. We use the Black-Scholes-Merton Option Pricing Model to estimate the grant-date fair value of stock options. We also use an equity valuation model to estimate the grant-date fair value of RSUs. Additionally, the recognition of share-based compensation expense requires an estimation of the number of awards that will ultimately vest and the number of awards that will ultimately be forfeited.
Derivative Financial Instruments
On January 11, 2018, we and ESPV each entered into one interest rate cap transaction with a counterparty to mitigate the floating rate interest risk on a portion of the debt underlying the Rise and Elastic portfolios, respectively, which matured on February 1, 2019. The interest rate caps were designated as cash flow hedges against expected future cash flows attributable to future interest payments on debt facilities held by each entity. We initially reported the gains or losses related to the hedges as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in the period incurred and subsequently reclassified the interest rate caps’ gains or losses to interest expense when the hedged expenses were recorded. We excluded the change in the time value of the interest rate caps in its assessment of their hedge effectiveness. We present the cash flows from cash flow hedges in the same category in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as the category for the cash flows from the hedged items. The interest rate caps do not contain any credit risk related contingent features. Our hedging program is not designed for trading or speculative purposes.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS AND JOBS ACT ELECTION
Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), we meet the definition of an emerging growth company. We have irrevocably elected to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act.





83



Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
See Note 1 in the Notes to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in this report for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.






84



Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market risk is the risk of loss to future earnings, values or future cash flows that may result from changes in the price of a financial instrument. The value of a financial instrument may change as a result of changes in interest rates, exchange rates, commodity prices, equity prices and other market changes. We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes, although in the future we may continue to enter into interest rate hedging arrangements to manage the risks described below.
Interest rate sensitivity
Our cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2020 consisted of demand deposit accounts. Our primary exposure to market risk for our cash and cash equivalents is interest income sensitivity, which is affected by changes in the general level of interest rates. Given the currently low interest rates, we generate only a de minimis amount of interest income from these deposits.
All of our customer loan portfolios are fixed APR loans and not variable in nature. Additionally, given the high APRs associated with these loans, we do not believe there is any interest rate sensitivity associated with our customer loan portfolio.
Prior to February 1, 2019, our VPC Facility and ESPV Facility were variable rate in nature and tied to the 3-month LIBOR rate. In January 2018, the Company and ESPV each entered into interest rate caps, which cap 3-month LIBOR at 1.75%, to mitigate the floating interest rate risk on $240 million of the US Term Notes included in the VPC Facility and on $216 million of the ESPV Facility, respectively. These interest rate caps matured on February 1, 2019. On February 1, 2019, the VPC and ESPV Facilities were amended and a new EF SPV Facility was added. As part of these amendments, the base interest rate on existing debt outstanding on February 1, 2019 was locked to the 3-month LIBOR as of February 1, 2019 of 2.73% until note maturity. Any additional borrowings on the facilities (excluding the 4th Tranche Term Note) after February 1, 2019 bear a base interest rate (defined as the greater of 3-month LIBOR, the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1%) plus the applicable spread at the borrowing date.
Any increase in the base interest rate on future borrowings will result in an increase in our net interest expense. The outstanding balance of our VPC Facility at June 30, 2020 was $147.6 million and the balance at December 31, 2019 was $200.1 million. The outstanding balance of our EF SPV Facility was $93.5 million at June 30, 2020 and the balance at December 31, 2019 was $102 million. The outstanding balance of our ESPV Facility was $199.5 million and $226.0 million at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Based on the average outstanding indebtedness through the six months ended June 30, 2020, a 1% (100 basis points) increase in interest rates would have increased our interest expense by approximately $1.6 million for the period.






85



Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a- 15(e) and 15d- 15(e) under the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in management’s evaluation pursuant to Rules 13a-15(d) or 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.





86



PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
In addition to the matters discussed below, in the ordinary course of business, from time to time, we have been and may be named as a defendant in various legal proceedings arising in connection with our business activities, including affordability claims related to the Sunny product, which business we operated through June 29, 2020. We may also be involved, from time to time, in reviews, investigations and proceedings (both formal and informal) by governmental agencies regarding our business (collectively, “regulatory matters”). We contest liability and/or the amount of damages as appropriate in each such pending matter. We do not anticipate that the ultimate liability, if any, arising out of any such pending matter will have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
While no TFI related litigation has been filed directly against Elevate, we can provide no assurances that there will not be any future TFI related litigation filed against the Company. In October 2019, Elevate entered into tolling agreements with the TFI Creditors' Committee and class claimants in regard to any potential future claims against Elevate. These tolling agreements have been extended, and we may enter into additional extensions of the tolling agreements in the future. In December 2019, the TFI bankruptcy plan was confirmed, and any claims from the TFI Creditors' Committee were assigned to the Think Finance Litigation Trust (“TFLT”). On February 20, 2020, Elevate and the TFLT commenced mediation in an attempt to resolve, prior to any litigation being filed, any potential claims that the TFLT may have against Elevate including, among other things, whether or not the spin-off of Elevate from TFI was a fraudulent conveyance and any other avoidance actions associated with the spin-off. While Elevate can provide no assurances as to the potential outcome of such mediation process, in the event that there is a settlement and Elevate is unable to pay any amount resulting from such settlement, it could have a material adverse effect on Elevate’s financial condition, or, if there is no settlement and Elevate is deemed to ultimately be liable in this matter, Elevate could be obligated to file for bankruptcy. Elevate can provide no assurances as to how long the mediation process may take, or the outcome of such mediation. In addition, if the mediation is unsuccessful, Elevate anticipates that the TFLT will pursue its claims in litigation against Elevate. See Item 1A. "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Association with TFI—The Think Finance Litigation Trust in the TFI Bankruptcy, as well as third parties, may seek to hold us responsible for liabilities of TFI due to the Spin-Off" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Because no claims have been filed against Elevate, no reasonable estimate of possible loss, if any, can be made at this time. We believe any future claims are without merit, and we intend to defend ourselves vigorously.
On June 5, 2020, the District of Columbia (the "District"), sued Elevate in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia alleging that Elevate may have violated the District's Consumer Protection Procedures Act and the District of Columbia's Municipal Regulations in connection with loans issued by banks in the District of Columbia. Elevate disagrees that it has violated the above referenced laws and regulations and it intends to vigorously defend its position.
In addition, on January 27, 2020, Sopheary Sanh filed a class action complaint in the Western District Court in the state of Washington against Rise Credit Service of Texas, LLC d/b/a Rise, Opportunity Financial, LLC and Applied Data Finance, LLC d/b/a Personify Financial. The Plaintiff in the case claims that Rise and others are engaged in “predatory lending practices that target financially vulnerable consumers” and have violated Washington’s Consumer Protection Act by engaging in unfair or deceptive practices, and seeks class certification, injunctive relief to prevent solicitation of consumers to apply for loans, monetary damages and other appropriate relief, including an award of costs, pre- and post-judgment interest, and attorneys' fees. Elevate disagrees that it has violated the above referenced law and it intends to vigorously defend its position.
On March 3, 2020, Heather Crawford filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the state of California, county of Los Angeles, against Elevate Credit, Inc., Elevate Credit Service, LLC and Rise Credit of California, LLC alleging unconscionable interest rates on Rise loans and seeking damages and public injunctive relief. In addition, on April 6, 2020, Danh Le made a demand for arbitration against Elevate Credit, Inc., Elevate Credit Service, LLC and Rise Credit of California, LLC similarly alleging unconscionable interest rates on Rise loans and seeking damages and public injunctive relief. The Plaintiffs in these actions assert claims under the “unlawful,” “unfair,” and “fraudulent” prongs of the California Unfair Competition Law (“UCL”) and for breach of contract and civil conspiracy. The “unlawful” UCL claims are premised upon alleged violations of (a) the California Financing Law’s prohibition on unconscionable loans and (b) the California False Advertising Law. Elevate disagrees that it has violated the above referenced law and it intends to vigorously defend its position.







87



Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the Risk Factors described in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, except as described in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2020 and as set forth below.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and various policies being implemented to prevent its spread could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In March 2020, the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 ("COVID-19") was recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The spread of COVID-19 has created a global public health crisis that has resulted in unprecedented uncertainty, volatility and disruption in financial markets and in governmental, commercial and consumer activity in the US and globally, including the markets that we serve. Governmental responses to the pandemic have included orders closing businesses not deemed essential and directing individuals to restrict their movements, observe social distancing and shelter in place. These actions, together with responses to the pandemic by businesses and individuals, have resulted in rapid decreases in commercial and consumer activity, temporary closures of many businesses that have led to a loss of revenues and a rapid increase in unemployment, material decreases in oil and gas prices and in business valuations, disrupted global supply chains, market downturns and volatility, changes in consumer behavior related to pandemic fears, related emergency response legislation and an expectation that Federal Reserve policy will maintain a low interest rate environment for the foreseeable future.

The pandemic and measures implemented by government authorities to try to contain the virus can affect our business directly as well as affect our employees, customers and business partners. While we have successfully transitioned our employee base to a remote working environment, normal operations may be difficult to maintain and our resources may be constrained. Similarly, the operations of our business partners and third party service providers may be constrained, reducing the effectiveness of collections, credit bureau reporting, marketing or other aspects of our operations. The effects of the outbreak on us could be exacerbated given that the outbreak, and preventative measures taken to contain or mitigate the outbreak, may increasingly have significant negative effects on consumer discretionary spending and demand for and repayment of our products. Further, many of our customers are experiencing layoffs, slowdowns, work stoppages and other changes in work and financial circumstances, diminishing their demand for loans, eligibility for loans and ability to repay loans. In addition, efforts we take in response to the pandemic, such as expanding our payment flexibility programs, or to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, such as implementing underwriting changes to address credit risk associated with originations during the economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic, may not be successful or may have other effects on our business and results of operations such as, for example, decreasing the average APR of our products or reducing loan origination applications and loan origination volume. While we are closely monitoring the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic across our business, including the resulting uncertainties around customer demand, credit quality, levels of liquidity and our ongoing compliance with debt covenants, there can be no assurance that the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects will not materially adversely affect our financial position, and our access to capital, to the extent we need additional liquidity, may be constrained due to disruptions in the capital markets and financial markets.

Government efforts to mitigate the economic effects of the pandemic, including new legislation, may affect our business and operations. On March 27, 2020, Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), which provides wide-ranging financial and regulatory relief related to the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis. In addition to other regulatory relief measures, the CARES Act requires lenders that furnish credit information to report to credit bureaus that consumers are current on their loans if consumers have sought relief from their lenders due to the pandemic. The pandemic has also sparked a litany of new orders, rules, laws, guidance related to creditor collections and third-party debt collection activities. These rules generally prohibit certain collections activities for a specified time. It is anticipated that these restrictions, as well as certain options for borrowers to defer payments offered by us and the banks we work with, will impact collections for the at least the next several months.




88



The effects of the pandemic may also cause various government authorities to slow or suspend enacting new legislation or rulemaking and may hinder the ability of such authorities to provide regulatory guidance in a timely manner. For example, the California legislature, like most other states, has had their session cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic and, as a result, it is unclear when and whether California will continue with its pursuit of proposed revisions to the California Department of Business Oversight to, among other things, rename the Department of Business Oversight to be the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation and also empower the Department to extend state oversight to financial services providers not currently subject to state supervision but also facilitate innovation.

Given the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 outbreak, the extent to which it will impact our business will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time, including, but not limited to, the duration and spread of the pandemic, its severity, the actions taken and restrictions imposed by state and federal governments to contain the virus, treat its impact or provide stimulus to the economy and when and to what extent normal economic and operating activities can resume. Due to the speed with which the situation is developing, we are not able at this time to estimate the effect of these factors on our business, but any adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be material.
We operate in an industry that is rapidly evolving, and we may be unsuccessful in response to these changes.
Although our management team has many years of experience in the non-prime lending industry, we operate in an evolving industry that may not develop as expected. Assessing the future prospects of our business is challenging in light of both known and unknown risks and difficulties we may encounter. Growth prospects in non-prime lending can be affected by a wide variety of factors including:
Competition from other online and traditional lenders and credit card providers;
Regulatory limitations that impact the non-prime lending products we can offer and the markets we can serve;
An evolving regulatory and legislative landscape;
Access to important marketing channels such as:
Direct mail and electronic offers;
TV and mass media;
Direct marketing, including search engine marketing; and
Strategic partnerships with affiliates;
Changes in consumer behavior;
Access to adequate financing;
Increasingly sophisticated fraudulent borrowing and online theft;
Challenges with new products and new markets;
Dependence on our proprietary technology infrastructure and security systems;
Dependence on our personnel and certain third parties with whom we do business;
Risk to our business if our systems are hacked or otherwise compromised;
Evolving industry standards;
Recruiting and retention of qualified personnel necessary to operate our business and
Fluctuations in the credit markets and demand for credit.

We may not be able to successfully address these factors, which could negatively impact our growth, harm our business and cause our operating results to be worse than expected.




89



Our most recent annual revenue declined from the prior year and we may not be able to grow in the future.
Our revenue growth rate has fluctuated over the past few years and it is possible that, in the future, even if our revenues continue to increase, our rate of revenue growth could decline, either because of external factors affecting the growth of our business or because we are not able to scale effectively as we grow. If we cannot manage our growth effectively, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We have a history of losses and may not maintain or achieve consistent profitability in the future.

We incurred net income (losses) of $32.2 million, $12.5 million and $(6.9) million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, we had an accumulated deficit of $34.3 million. We will need to generate and sustain increased revenues in future periods in order to become and remain profitable, and, even if we do, we may not be able to maintain or increase our level of profitability.

The consumer lending industry continues to be subject to new laws and regulations in many jurisdictions that could restrict the consumer lending products and services we offer, impose additional compliance costs on us, render our current operations unprofitable or even prohibit our current operations.
State and federal governments regulatory bodies may seek to impose new laws, direct contractual arrangements with us, regulatory restrictions or licensing requirements that affect the products or services we offer, the terms on which we may offer them, and the disclosure, compliance and reporting obligations we must fulfill in connection with our lending business. They may also interpret or enforce existing requirements in new ways that could restrict our ability to continue our current methods of operation or to expand operations, impose significant additional compliance costs and may have a negative effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. In some cases, these measures could even directly prohibit some or all of our current business activities in certain jurisdictions or render them unprofitable or impractical to continue.
In recent years, consumer loans, and in particular the category commonly referred to as “payday loans,” have come under increased regulatory scrutiny that has resulted in increasingly restrictive regulations and legislation that makes offering consumer loans in certain states in the US less profitable or unattractive. On July 7,2020, the CFPB issued a final rule concerning small dollar lending in order to maintain consumer access to credit and competition in the marketplace. The final rule rescinds the mandatory underwriting provisions of the previously proposed 2017 rule after re-evaluating the legal and evidentiary bases for these provisions and finding them to be insufficient. The final rule does not rescind or alter the payments provisions of the 2017 rule. See "—The CFPB issued a final ruling on July 7, 2020 affecting the consumer lending industry, and this or subsequent new rules and regulations, if they are finalized, may impact our consumer lending business" for more information.
In order to serve our non-prime customers profitably we need to sufficiently price the risk of the transaction into the annual percentage rate (“APR”) of our loans. If individual states or the federal government impose rate caps lower than those at which we can operate our current business profitably or otherwise impose stricter limits on non-prime lending, we would need to exit such states or dramatically reduce our rate of growth by limiting our products to customers with higher creditworthiness. On April 30, 2019, Senator Dick Durbin reintroduced a bill that would create a national interest rate cap of 36% on consumer loans. S. 1230 "Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act of 2019" is co-sponsored by Senators Jeff Merkley, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Richard Blumenthal. Previous versions have been proposed in 2009, 2013, 2015 and 2017, but the bill has never made it to the House or Senate floor. The current bill is still pending in the Senate. In November 2019, Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García, Rep. Glenn Grothman and ten others introduced H.R. 5050, the Veterans and Consumers Fair Credit Act (VCFCA). This bill would create a national rate cap of 36% on all consumer loans from all lenders. Senators Jeff Merkley, Jack Reed, Sherrod Brown, Chris Van Hollen and others introduced S. 2833, a companion bill to H.R. 5050, in the Senate at the same time. The House Financial Services Committee held hearings on H.R. 5050 in February 2020 and it is possible that the bill will get more attention later this year. Most recently, on July 10, 2020, Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García attempted unsuccessfully to amend the Truth-in-Lending Act ("TILA") by expanding the 36% national rate cap on loans to active duty service members and their families. On January 1, 2020, California lending law changed to impose a rate cap of 36% plus the Federal Funds Rate set by the Federal Reserve Board for all consumer-purpose installment loans, including personal loans, car loans, and auto title loans, as well as open-end lines of credit made under its California Financing where the amount of credit is $2,500 or more but less than $10,000. Rise loans originated by Elevate are impacted by this law.




90



Furthermore, legislative or regulatory actions may be influenced by negative perceptions of us and our industry, even if such negative perceptions are inaccurate, attributable to conduct by third parties not affiliated with us (such as other industry members) or attributable to matters not specific to our industry.
Any of these or other legislative or regulatory actions that affect our consumer loan business at the national, state and local level could, if enacted or interpreted differently, have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows and prohibit or directly or indirectly impair our ability to continue current operations.
Regulators and payment processors are scrutinizing certain online lenders’ access to the Automated Clearing House system to disburse and collect loan proceeds and repayments, and any interruption or limitation on our ability to access this critical system would materially adversely affect our business.
When making loans in the US, we typically use the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) system to deposit loan proceeds into our customers’ bank accounts. This includes loans that we originate as well as Elastic loans originated by Republic Bank & Trust Company (“Republic Bank”), Rise loans made through the credit services organization (“CSO”) programs and Rise loans originated by FinWise Bank ("FinWise"). These products also depend on the ACH system to collect amounts due by withdrawing funds from customers’ bank accounts when the customer has provided authorization to do so. ACH transactions are processed by banks, and if these banks cease to provide ACH processing services or are not allowed to do so, we would have to materially alter, or possibly discontinue, some or all of our business if alternative ACH processors or other payment mechanisms are not available.
It has been reported that actions, referred to as Operation Choke Point, by the US Department of Justice (the “Justice Department”) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and certain state regulators appear to be intended to discourage banks and ACH payment processors from providing access to the ACH system for certain lenders that they believe are operating illegally, cutting off their access to the ACH system to either debit or credit customer accounts (or both).
In the past, this heightened regulatory scrutiny by the Justice Department, the FDIC and other regulators has caused some banks and ACH payment processors to cease doing business with consumer lenders who are operating legally, without regard to whether those lenders are complying with applicable laws, simply to avoid the risk of heightened scrutiny or even litigation. These actions have reduced the number of banks and payment processors who provide ACH payment processing services and could conceivably make it increasingly difficult to find banking partners and payment processors in the future and/or lead to significantly increased costs for these services. If we are unable to maintain access to needed services on favorable terms, we would have to materially alter, or possibly discontinue, some or all of our business if alternative processors are not available. In response to Operation Choke Point, H.R. 2706 was introduced in the House to halt future similar actions. The bill passed out of the House on December 11, 2017 but did not progress. H.R. 189 was introduced in the House on January 3, 2019 to address Operation Choke Point. It is unknown if this newly reintroduced legislation will progress further. On May 22, 2019, the FDIC issued a letter in connection with litigation acknowledging that certain of its "employees acted in a manner inconsistent with FDIC policies with respect to payday lenders" in what has been generically described as "Operation Choke Point," and that this conduct created misperceptions about the FDIC's policies.
If we lost access to the ACH system because our payment processor was unable or unwilling to access the ACH system on our behalf, we would experience a significant reduction in customer loan payments. Although we would notify consumers that they would need to make their loan payments via physical check, debit card or other method of payment a large number of customers would likely go into default because they are expecting automated payment processing. Similarly, if regulatory changes limited our access to the ACH system or reduced the number of times ACH transactions could be re-presented, we would experience higher losses.




91



If the information provided by customers or other third parties to us is incomplete, incorrect, or fraudulent, we may misjudge a customer’s qualification to receive a loan, and any inability to effectively identify, manage, monitor and mitigate fraud risk on a large scale could cause us to incur substantial losses, and our operating results, brand and reputation could be harmed.
For the loans we originate through Rise, our growth is largely predicated on effective loan underwriting resulting in acceptable customer profitability. This is equally important for the Rise loans in Texas and the Rise loans and Elastic lines of credit originated by unaffiliated third parties. See “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Components of Our Results of Operations—Revenues.” Lending decisions by such originating lenders are made using our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models, which we license to them. Lending decisions are based partly on information provided by loan applicants and partly on information provided by consumer reporting agencies, such as TransUnion, Experian or Equifax and other third-party data providers. Data provided by third-party sources is a significant component of the decision methodology, and this data may contain inaccuracies. To the extent that applicants provide inaccurate or unverifiable information or data from third-party providers is incomplete or inaccurate, the credit score delivered by our proprietary scoring methodology may not accurately reflect the associated risk. Additionally, a credit score assigned to a borrower may not reflect that borrower's actual creditworthiness because the credit score may be based on outdated, incomplete or inaccurate consumer reporting data, and we do not verify the information obtained from the borrower's credit report. Additionally, there is a risk that, following the date of the credit report that we obtain and review, a borrower may have:
become past due in the payment of an outstanding obligation;
defaulted on a pre-existing debt obligation;
taken on additional debt; or
sustained other adverse financial events.
Our resources, technologies and fraud prevention tools, which are used to originate or facilitate the origination of loans or lines of credit, as applicable, under Rise, Elastic and Today Card, may be insufficient to accurately detect and prevent fraud. Inaccurate analysis of credit data that could result from false loan application information could harm our reputation, business and operating results.
In addition, our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models use identity and fraud checks analyzing data provided by external databases to authenticate each customer’s identity. The level of our fraud charge-offs and results of operations could be materially adversely affected if fraudulent activity were to significantly increase. Online lenders are particularly subject to fraud because of the lack of face-to-face interactions and document review. If applicants assume false identities to defraud the Company or consumers simply have no intent to repay the money they have borrowed, the related portfolio of loans will exhibit higher loan losses. We have in the past and may in the future incur substantial losses and our business operations could be disrupted if we or the originating lenders are unable to effectively identify, manage, monitor and mitigate fraud risk using our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models.
Since fraud is often perpetrated by increasingly sophisticated individuals and “rings” of criminals, it is important for us to continue to update and improve the fraud detection and prevention capabilities of our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models. If these efforts are unsuccessful then credit quality and customer profitability will erode. If credit and/or fraud losses increased significantly due to inadequacies in underwriting or new fraud trends, new customer originations may need to be reduced until credit and fraud losses returned to target levels, and business could contract.
It may be difficult or impossible to recoup funds underlying loans made in connection with inaccurate statements, omissions of fact or fraud. Loan losses are currently the largest cost as a percentage of revenues across each of Rise, Elastic, and Today Card. If credit or fraud losses were to rise, this would significantly reduce our profitability. High profile fraudulent activity could also lead to regulatory intervention, negatively impact our operating results, brand and reputation and require us, and the originating lenders, to take steps to reduce fraud risk, which could increase our costs.
Any of the above risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.




92



Because of the non-prime nature of our customers, we have historically experienced a high rate of net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues, and our ability to price appropriately in response to this and other factors is essential. We rely on our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models in the forecasting of loss rates. If we are unable to effectively forecast loss rates, it may negatively impact our operating results.
Our net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were 52% and 54%, respectively. Because of the non-prime nature of our customers, it is essential that our products are appropriately priced, taking this and all other relevant factors into account. In making a decision whether to extend credit to prospective customers, and the terms on which we or the originating lenders are willing to provide credit, including the price, we and the originating lenders rely heavily on our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models, which comprise an empirically derived suite of statistical models built using third-party data, data from customers and our credit experience gained through monitoring the performance of customers over time. Our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models are based on previous historical experience. Typically, however, our models will become less effective over time and need to be rebuilt regularly to perform optimally. This is particularly true in the context of our preapproved direct mail campaigns. If we are unable to rebuild our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models, or if they do not perform up to target standards the products will experience increasing defaults or higher customer acquisition costs. In addition, any upgrades or planned improvements to our technology and credit models may not be implemented on the timeline that we expect or may not drive improvements in credit quality for our products as anticipated, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
If our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models fail to adequately predict the creditworthiness of customers, or if they fail to assess prospective customers’ financial ability to repay their loans, or any or all of the other components of the credit decision process described herein fails, higher than forecasted losses may result. Furthermore, if we are unable to access the third-party data used in our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models, or access to such data is limited, the ability to accurately evaluate potential customers using our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models will be compromised. As a result, we may be unable to effectively predict probable credit losses inherent in the resulting loan portfolio, and we, and the originating lender, may consequently experience higher defaults or customer acquisition costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Additionally, if we make errors in the development and validation of any of the models or tools used to underwrite loans, such loans may result in higher delinquencies and losses. Moreover, if future performance of customer loans differs from past experience, which experience has informed the development of our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models, delinquency rates and losses could increase.
If our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models were unable to effectively price credit to the risk of the customer, lower margins would result. Either our losses would be higher than anticipated due to “underpricing” products or customers may refuse to accept the loan if products are perceived as “overpriced.” Additionally, an inability to effectively forecast loss rates could also inhibit our ability to borrow from our debt facilities, which could further hinder our growth and have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We depend in part on debt financing to finance most of the loans we originate. Our business could be adversely affected by a lack of sufficient debt financing at acceptable prices or disruptions in the credit markets, which could reduce our access to credit.
We depend in part on debt financing to support the growth of Rise. However, we cannot guarantee that financing will continue to be available beyond the current maturity date of our debt facilities, on reasonable terms or at all. Presently our debt financing for Rise primarily comes from a single source, Victory Park Management, LLC (“VPC”), an affiliate of Victory Park Capital. If VPC became unwilling or unable to provide debt financing to us at prices acceptable to us, we would need to secure additional debt financing or potentially reduce loan originations. The availability of these financing sources depends on many factors, some of which are outside of our control.




93



We may also experience the occurrence of events of default or breaches of financial or performance covenants under our debt agreements, which are currently secured by all our assets. Any such occurrence or breach could result in the reduction or termination of our access to institutional funding or increase our cost of funding. Certain of these covenants are tied to our customer default rates, which may be significantly affected by factors, such as economic downturns or general economic conditions beyond our control and beyond the control of individual customers. In particular, loss rates on customer loans may increase due to factors such as prevailing interest rates, the rate of unemployment, the level of consumer and business confidence, commercial real estate values, energy prices, changes in consumer and business spending, the number of personal bankruptcies, disruptions in the credit markets and other factors. Increases in the cost of capital would reduce our net profit margins.
The loan portfolio for Elastic, which is originated by a third-party lender, gets funding as a result of the purchase of a participation interest in the loans it originates from Elastic SPV, Ltd. (“Elastic SPV”), a Cayman Islands entity that purchases such participations. Elastic SPV has a loan facility with VPC for its funding, for which we provide credit support, and we have entered into a credit default protection agreement with Elastic SPV that provides protection for loan losses. Similarly, the loan portfolio for the Rise loans originated by FinWise gets funding as a result of the purchase of a participation interest in the loans it originates from EF SPV, Ltd. (“EF SPV”), a Cayman Islands entity that purchases such participations. EF SPV has a loan facility with VPC for its funding, for which we provide credit support, and we have entered into a credit default protection agreement with EF SPV that provides protection for loan losses. Any voluntary or involuntary halt to this existing program could result in the originating lender halting further loan originations until an additional financing partner could be identified.
In the event of a sudden or unexpected shortage of funds in the banking system, we cannot be sure that we will be able to maintain necessary levels of funding without incurring high funding costs, a reduction in the term of funding instruments or the liquidation of certain assets. If our cost of borrowing goes up, our net interest expense could increase, and if we were to be unable to arrange new or alternative methods of financing on favorable terms, we may have to curtail our origination of loans or recommend that the originating lenders curtail their origination of credit, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
The interest rates we charge to our customers and pay to our lenders could each be affected by a variety of factors, including access to capital based on our business performance and the volume of loans we make to our customers. These interest rates may also be affected by a change over time in the mix of the types of products we sell to our customers and a shift among our channels of customer acquisition. Our VPC funding facilities are variable rate in nature and tied to a base rate of the greater of the 3-month LIBOR rate, the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1% at the borrowing date. Thus, any increase in the 3-month LIBOR rate could result in an increase in our net interest expense. Effective February 1, 2019, certain of the funding facilities were amended. The amended facilities included reductions to the interest rates paid on our debt in addition to other changes. Interest rate changes may also adversely affect our business forecasts and expectations and are highly sensitive to many macroeconomic factors beyond our control, such as inflation, recession, the state of the credit markets, changes in market interest rates, global economic disruptions, unemployment and the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies. Regulatory or legislative changes may reduce our ability to charge our current rates in all states and products. Also, competitive threats may cause us to reduce our rates. This would reduce profit margins unless there was a commensurate reduction in losses. Any material reduction in our interest rate spread could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. In the event that the spread between the rate at which we lend to our customers and the rate at which we borrow from our lenders decreases, our financial results and operating performance will be harmed.




94



In the future, we may seek to access the debt capital markets to obtain capital to finance growth. However, our future access to the debt capital markets could be restricted due to a variety of factors, including a deterioration of our earnings, cash flows, balance sheet quality, or overall business or industry prospects, adverse regulatory changes, a disruption to or deterioration in the state of the capital markets or a negative bias toward our industry by market participants. Disruptions and volatility in the capital markets could also cause banks and other credit providers to restrict availability of new credit. Due to the negative bias toward our industry, commercial banks and other lenders have restricted access to available credit to participants in our industry, and we may have more limited access to commercial bank lending than other businesses. Our ability to obtain additional financing in the future will depend in part upon prevailing capital market conditions, and a potential disruption in the capital markets may adversely affect our efforts to arrange additional financing on terms that are satisfactory to us, if at all. If adequate funds are not available, or are not available on acceptable terms, we may not have sufficient liquidity to fund our operations, make future investments, take advantage of acquisitions or other opportunities, or respond to competitive challenges and this, in turn, could adversely affect our ability to advance our strategic plans. Additionally, if the capital and credit markets experience volatility, and the availability of funds is limited, third parties with whom we do business may incur increased costs or business disruption and this could adversely affect our business relationships with such third parties, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Any decrease in our access to preapproved marketing lists from credit bureaus or other developments impacting our use of direct mail marketing could adversely affect our ability to grow our business.
We market Rise and provide marketing services to the originating lender in connection with Elastic, Today Card, and Rise bank-originated loans. Direct mailings and electronic offers of preapproved loans and Today Cards to potential loan customers comprise significant marketing channels for both the loans we originate and credit card product we offer, as well as those loans originated by third-party lenders. We estimate that approximately 65% and 92% of new Rise and Elastic loan customers, respectively, in the year ended December 31, 2019 obtained loans as a result of receiving such preapproved offers. The Today Card is expected to expand its direct mailing activities in the future. Our marketing techniques identify candidates for preapproved loan or credit card mailings in part through the use of preapproved marketing lists purchased from credit bureaus. If access to such preapproved marketing lists were lost or limited due to regulatory changes prohibiting credit bureaus from sharing such information or for other reasons, our growth could be significantly adversely affected. If the cost of obtaining such lists increases significantly, it could substantially increase customer acquisition costs and decrease profitability.
Similarly, federal or state regulators or legislators could limit access to these preapproved marketing lists with the same effect.
In addition, preapproved direct mailings may become a less effective marketing tool due to over-penetration of direct mailing-lists. Any of these developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We rely in part on relationships with marketing affiliates to identify potential customers for our loans. These relationships are generally non-exclusive and subject to termination, and the growth of our customer base could be adversely affected if any of our marketing affiliate relationships are terminated or the number of referrals we receive from marketing affiliates is reduced.
We rely on strategic marketing affiliate relationships with certain companies for referrals of some of the customers to whom we issue loans, and our growth depends in part on the growth of these referrals. In the year ended December 31, 2019, loans issued to Rise and Elastic customers referred to us by our strategic partners constituted 17% and 7% of total respective new customer loans. Many of our marketing affiliate relationships do not contain exclusivity provisions that would prevent such marketing affiliates from providing customer referrals to competing companies. In addition, the agreements governing these partnerships, generally, contain termination provisions, including provisions that in certain circumstances would allow our partners to terminate if convenient, that, if exercised, would terminate our relationship with these partners. These agreements also contain no requirement that a marketing affiliate refer us any minimum number of customers. There can be no assurance that these marketing affiliates will not terminate our relationship with them or continue referring business to us in the future, and a termination of any of these relationships or reduction in customer referrals to us could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.




95



Our success and future growth depend significantly on our successful marketing efforts, and if such efforts are not successful, our business and financial results may be harmed.
We intend to continue to dedicate significant resources to marketing efforts. Our ability to attract qualified borrowers depends in large part on the success of these marketing efforts and the success of the marketing channels we use to promote our products. Our marketing channels include social media and the press, online affiliations, search engine optimization, search engine marketing, offline partnerships, preapproved direct mailings and television advertising. If any of our current marketing channels become less effective, if we are unable to continue to use any of these channels, if the cost of using these channels were to significantly increase or if we are not successful in generating new channels, we may not be able to attract new borrowers in a cost-effective manner or convert potential borrowers into active borrowers. If we are unable to recover our marketing costs through increases in website traffic and in the number of loans made by visitors to product websites, or if we discontinue our broad marketing campaigns, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We are dependent on third parties to support several key aspects of our business, and the failure of such parties to continue to provide services to us in the current manner and at the current rates would adversely affect our revenues and results of operations.
The Elastic line of credit product, which is originated by a third-party lender and contributed approximately 39% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019, and the portions of the Rise installment loan product that we offer through CSO programs, which contributed approximately 6% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019, and the Rise loans originated by a third-party lender, which contributed approximately 16% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019, depend in part on the willingness and ability of unaffiliated third-party lenders to make loans to customers. Additionally, as described above, our business, including our Elastic loans and Rise loans made through the CSO programs and Rise loans originated by a third-party lender, depends on the ACH system, and ACH transactions are processed by third-party banks. See “—Regulators and payment processors are scrutinizing certain online lenders’ access to the Automated Clearing House system to disburse and collect loan proceeds and repayments, and any interruption or limitation on our ability to access this critical system would materially adversely affect our business.” We also utilize many other third parties to provide services to facilitate lending, loan underwriting, payment processing, customer service, collections and recoveries, as well as to support and maintain certain of our communication systems and information systems, and we may need to expand our relationships with third parties, or develop relationships with new third parties, to support any new product offerings that we may pursue.
The loss of the relationship with any of these third-party lenders and service providers, an inability to replace them or develop new relationships, or the failure of any of these third parties to provide its products or services, to maintain its quality and consistency or to have the ability to provide its products and services, could disrupt our operations, cause us to terminate product offerings or delay or discontinue new product offerings, result in lost customers and substantially decrease the revenues and earnings of our business. Our revenues and earnings could also be adversely affected if any of those third-party providers make material changes to the products or services that we rely on or increase the price of their products or services.
Elevate uses third parties for the majority of its collections and recovery activities. If those parties were unable or unwilling to provide those services for Elevate products, we would experience higher defaults until those functions could be outsourced to an alternative service provider or until we could bring those functions in-house and adequately staff and train internally.
Any of these events could result in a loss of revenues and could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.




96



The profitability of our bank-originated products could be adversely affected by policy or pricing decisions made by the originating lenders.
We do not originate and do not ultimately control the pricing or functionality of Elastic lines of credit originated by Republic Bank, Rise loans originated by FinWise Bank ("FinWise") and the Today Card originated by Capital Community Bank ("CCB") (collectively the "Bank-Originated Products" and the "Bank Partners" or the "Banks"). Generally, a "Bank" is an entity that is chartered under federal or state law to accept deposits and/or make loans. Each Bank Partner has licensed our technology and underwriting services and makes all key decisions regarding the marketing, underwriting, product features and pricing. We generate revenues from these products through marketing and technology licensing fees paid by the Bank Partners, and through credit default protection agreements with certain Bank Partners. If the Bank Partners were to change their pricing, underwriting or marketing of the Bank-Originated Products in a way that decreases revenues or increases losses, then the profitability of each loan, line of credit or credit card issued could be reduced. Although this would not reduce the revenues that we receive for marketing and technology licensing services, it would reduce the revenues that we receive from our credit default protection agreements with the Bank Partners.
Any of the above changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Our ability to continue to provide Bank-Originated Products could be adversely affected by a degradation in our relationships with our Bank Partners.
The structure of the Bank-Originated Products exposes us to risks associated with being reliant on the Bank Partners as the originating lenders and credit card issuers. If our relationships with the Banks were to degrade, or if any of the Banks were to terminate the various agreements associated with the Bank Products, we may not be able to find another suitable originating lender or credit card issuer and new arrangements, if any, may result in significantly increased costs to us. Any inability to find another originating lender or credit card issuer would adversely affect our ability to continue to provide the Bank-Originated Products which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Decreased demand for non-prime loans as a result of increased savings or income could result in a loss of revenues or decline in profitability if we are unable to successfully adapt to such changes.
The demand for non-prime loan products in the markets we serve could decline due to a variety of factors, such as regulatory restrictions that reduce customer access to particular products, the availability of competing or alternative products or changes in customers’ financial conditions, particularly increases in income or savings. For instance, an increase in state or federal minimum wage requirements, or a decrease in individual income tax rates, could decrease demand for non-prime loans. Additionally, a change in focus from borrowing to saving (such as has happened in some countries) would reduce demand. Should we fail to adapt to a significant change in our customers’ demand for, or access to, our products, our revenues could decrease significantly. Even if we make adaptations or introduce new products to fulfill customer demand, customers may resist or may reject products whose adaptations make them less attractive or less available. Such decreased demand could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
A decline in economic conditions could result in decreased demand for our loans or cause our customers’ default rates to increase, harming our operating results.
Uncertainty and negative trends in general economic conditions in the US and abroad, including significant tightening of credit markets and a general decline in the value of real property, historically have created a difficult environment for companies in the lending industry. Many factors, including factors that are beyond our control, may impact our consolidated results of operations or financial condition or affect our borrowers’ willingness or capacity to make payments on their loans. These factors include: unemployment levels, housing markets, rising living expenses, energy costs and interest rates, as well as major medical expenses, divorce or death that affect our borrowers. If the US economy experiences a downturn, or if we become affected by other events beyond our control, we may experience a significant reduction in revenues, earnings and cash flows, difficulties accessing capital and a deterioration in the value of our investments.




97



Credit quality is driven by the ability and willingness of customers to make their loan payments. If customers face rising unemployment or reduced wages, defaults may increase. Similarly, if customers experience rising living expenses (for instance due to rising gas, energy, or food costs) they may be unable to make loan payments. An economic slowdown could also result in a decreased number of loans being made to customers due to higher unemployment or an increase in loan defaults in our loan products. The underwriting standards used for our products may need to be tightened in response to such conditions, which could reduce loan balances, and collecting defaulted loans could become more difficult, which could lead to an increase in loan losses. If a customer defaults on a loan, the loan enters a collections process where, including as a result of contractual agreements with the originating lenders, our systems and collections teams initiate contact with the customer for payments owed. If a loan is subsequently charged off, the loan is generally sold to a third-party collection agency and the resulting proceeds from such sales comprise only a small fraction of the remaining amount payable on the loan.
There can be no assurance that economic conditions will remain favorable for our business or that demand for loans or default rates by customers will remain at current levels. Reduced demand for loans would negatively impact our growth and revenues, while increased default rates by customers may inhibit our access to capital, hinder the growth of the loan portfolio attributable to our products and negatively impact our profitability. Either such result could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We are operating in a highly competitive environment and face increasing competition from a variety of traditional and new lending institutions, including other online lending companies. This competition could adversely affect our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We have many competitors. Our principal competitors are consumer loan companies, CSOs, online lenders, credit card companies, consumer finance companies, pawnshops and other financial institutions that offer similar financial services. Other financial institutions or other businesses that do not now offer products or services directed toward our traditional customer base could begin doing so. Significant increases in the number and size of competitors for our business could result in a decrease in the number of loans that we fund, resulting in lower levels of revenues and earnings in these categories. Many of these competitors are larger than us, have significantly more resources and greater brand recognition than we do, and may be able to attract customers more effectively than we do.
Competitors of our business may operate, or begin to operate, under business models less focused on legal and regulatory compliance, which could put us at a competitive disadvantage. Additionally, negative perceptions about these models could cause legislators or regulators to pursue additional industry restrictions that could affect the business model under which we operate. To the extent that these models gain acceptance among consumers, small businesses and investors or face less onerous regulatory restrictions than we do, we may be unable to replicate their business practices or otherwise compete with them effectively, which could cause demand for the products we currently offer to decline substantially.
When new competitors seek to enter one of our markets, or when existing market participants seek to increase their market share, they sometimes undercut the pricing and/or credit terms prevalent in that market, which could adversely affect our market share or ability to exploit new market opportunities. Elevate products compete at least partly based on rate comparison with other credit products used by non-prime consumers. However, non-prime consumers by definition have a higher propensity for default and as a result need to be charged higher rates of interest to generate adequate profit margins. If existing competitors significantly reduced their rates or lower-priced competitors enter the market and offer credit to customers at lower rates, the pricing and credit terms we or the originating lenders offer could deteriorate if we or the originating lenders act to meet these competitive challenges. Any such action may result in lower customer acquisition volumes and higher costs per new customer.
We may be unable to compete successfully against any or all of our current or future competitors. As a result, our products could lose market share and our revenues could decline, thereby affecting our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to service our indebtedness and fund our operations. Any such changes in our competition could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.




98



Customer complaints or negative public perception of our business could result in a decline in our customer growth and our business could suffer.
Our reputation is very important to attracting new customers to our platform as well as securing repeat lending to existing customers. While we believe that we have a good reputation and that we provide customers with a superior experience, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to maintain a good relationship with customers or avoid negative publicity.
In recent years, consumer advocacy groups and some media reports have advocated governmental action to prohibit or place severe restrictions on non-bank consumer loans and bank originated loans for the nonprime consumer. Such consumer advocacy groups and media reports generally focus on the annual percentage rate for this type of consumer loan, which is compared unfavorably to the interest typically charged by banks to consumers with top-tier credit histories. The finance charges assessed by us, the originating lenders and others in the industry can attract media publicity about the industry and be perceived as controversial. If the negative characterization of the types of loans we offer, including those originated through third-party lenders, becomes increasingly accepted by consumers, demand for any or all of our consumer loan products could significantly decrease, which could materially affect our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Additionally, if the negative characterization of these types of loans is accepted by legislators and regulators, we could become subject to more restrictive laws and regulations applicable to consumer loan products that could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Our business depends on the uninterrupted operation of our systems and business functions, including our information technology and other business systems, as well as the ability of such systems to support compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Our business is highly dependent upon customers’ ability to access our website and the ability of our employees and those of the originating lenders, as well as third-party service providers, to perform, in an efficient and uninterrupted fashion, necessary business functions, such as internet support, call center activities and processing and servicing of loans. Problems with the technology platform running our systems, or a shut-down of or inability to access the facilities in which our internet operations and other technology infrastructure are based, such as a power outage, a failure of one or more of our information technology, telecommunications or other systems, cyber-attacks on, or sustained or repeated disruptions of, such systems could significantly impair our ability to perform such functions on a timely basis and could result in a deterioration of our ability to underwrite, approve and process loans, provide customer service, perform collections activities, or perform other necessary business functions. Any such interruption could reduce new customer acquisition and negatively impact growth, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
In addition, our systems and those of third parties on whom we rely must consistently be capable of compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements and timely modification to comply with new or amended requirements. Any systems problems going forward could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We are subject to cybersecurity risks and security breaches and may incur increasing costs in an effort to minimize those risks and to respond to cyber incidents, and we may experience harm to our reputation and liability exposure from security breaches.
Our business involves the storage and transmission of consumers’ proprietary information, and security breaches could expose us to a risk of loss or misuse of this information, litigation and potential liability. We are entirely dependent on the secure operation of our websites and systems as well as the operation of the internet generally. While we have incurred no material cyber-attacks or security breaches to date, a number of other companies have disclosed cyber-attacks and security breaches, some of which have involved intentional attacks. Attacks may be targeted at us, our customers, or both. Although we devote significant resources to maintain and regularly upgrade our systems and processes that are designed to protect the security of our computer systems, software, networks and other technology assets and the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information belonging to us and our customers, our security measures may not provide absolute security.
Despite our efforts to ensure the integrity of our systems, it is possible that we may not be able to anticipate or to implement effective preventive measures against all security breaches of these types, especially because the techniques used change frequently or are not recognized until launched, and because cyber-attacks can originate from a wide variety of sources,




99



including third parties outside the Company such as persons who are involved with organized crime or associated with external service providers or who may be linked to terrorist organizations or hostile foreign governments. These risks may increase in the future as we continue to increase our mobile and other internet-based product offerings and expand our internal usage of web-based products and applications or expand into new countries. If an actual or perceived breach of security occurs, customer and/or supplier perception of the effectiveness of our security measures could be harmed and could result in the loss of customers, suppliers or both. Actual or anticipated attacks and risks may cause us to incur increasing costs, including costs to deploy additional personnel and protection technologies, train employees, and engage third-party experts and consultants.
 
A successful penetration or circumvention of the security of our systems could cause serious negative consequences, including significant disruption of our operations, misappropriation of our confidential information or that of our customers, or damage to our computers or systems or those of our customers and counterparties, and could result in violations of applicable privacy and other laws, financial loss to us or to our customers, loss of confidence in our security measures, customer dissatisfaction, significant litigation exposure, and harm to our reputation, all of which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, our applicants provide personal information, including bank account information when applying for loans. We rely on encryption and authentication technology licensed from third parties to provide the security and authentication to effectively secure transmission of confidential information, including customer bank account and other personal information. Advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or other developments may result in the technology used by us to protect transaction data being breached or compromised. Data breaches can also occur as a result of non-technical issues.
Our servers are also vulnerable to computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins, and similar disruptions, including “denial-of-service” type attacks. We may need to expend significant resources to protect against security breaches or to address problems caused by breaches. Security breaches, including any breach of our systems or by persons with whom we have commercial relationships that result in the unauthorized release of consumers’ personal information, could damage our reputation and expose us to a risk of loss or litigation and possible liability. In addition, many of the third parties who provide products, services or support to us could also experience any of the above cyber risks or security breaches, which could impact our customers and our business and could result in a loss of customers, suppliers or revenues.
In addition, federal and some state regulators are considering promulgating rules and standards to address cybersecurity risks and many US states have already enacted laws requiring companies to notify individuals of data security breaches involving their personal data. These mandatory disclosures regarding a security breach are costly to implement and may lead to widespread negative publicity, which may cause customers to lose confidence in the effectiveness of our data security measures.
Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Our ability to collect payment on loans and maintain accurate accounts may be adversely affected by computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins, technical errors and similar disruptions.
The automated nature of our platform may make it an attractive target for hacking and potentially vulnerable to computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions. Despite efforts to ensure the integrity of our platform, it is possible that we may not be able to anticipate or to implement effective preventive measures against all security breaches of these types, in which case there would be an increased risk of fraud or identity theft, and we may experience losses on, or delays in the collection of amounts owed on, a fraudulently induced loan. In addition, the software that we have developed to use in our daily operations is highly complex and may contain undetected technical errors that could cause our computer systems to fail. Because each loan made involves our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models, and over 94% of loan applications are fully automated with no manual review required, any failure of our computer systems involving our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models and any technical or other errors contained in the software pertaining to our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models could compromise the ability to accurately evaluate potential customers, which would negatively impact our results of operations. Furthermore, any failure of our computer systems could cause an interruption in operations and result in disruptions in, or reductions in the amount of, collections from the loans we made to customers. If any of these risks were to materialize, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
 




100



Our platform and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical, and if it contains undetected errors, our business could be adversely affected.
Our platform and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical and complex. In addition, our platform and internal systems depend on the ability of such software to store, retrieve, process and manage immense amounts of data. The software on which we rely has contained, and may now or in the future contain, undetected errors or bugs. Some errors may only be discovered after the code has been released for external or internal use. Errors or other design defects within the software on which we rely may result in a negative experience for borrowers, delay introductions of new features or enhancements, result in errors or compromise our ability to protect borrower data or our intellectual property. Any errors, bugs or defects discovered in the software on which we rely could result in harm to our reputation, loss of borrowers, loss of revenues or liability for damages, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
To date, we have derived our revenues from a limited number of products and markets. Our efforts to expand our market reach and product portfolio may not succeed or may put pressure on our margins.
We frequently explore paths to expand our market reach and product portfolio. For example, we have launched or are in the process of launching other non-prime products like bank-originated installment loans and credit cards through FinWise and the Today Card, a bank-originated credit card. In the future, we may elect to pursue new products, channels, or markets. However, there is always risk that these new products, channels, or markets will be unprofitable, will increase costs, decrease margins, or take longer to generate target margins than anticipated. Additional costs could include those related to the need to hire more staff, invest in technology, develop and support new third-party partnerships or other costs which would increase operating expenses. In particular, growth may require additional technology staff, analysts in risk management, compliance personnel and customer support and collections staff. Although the Company outsources most of its customer support and collections staff, additional volumes would lead to increased costs in these areas.
When new customers are acquired, from an accounting point of view, we must recognize marketing costs and loan origination and data costs, and we incur a provision for loan losses. We use the same accounting treatment for new customers acquired through the Bank-Originated Products, such as loan participations that are purchased from the originating lender by a third party, which we protect from loan losses pursuant to a credit default protection arrangement. Due to these marketing costs, loan origination and data costs, and provision for loan losses, new customer acquisition does not typically yield positive margins for at least six months. As a result, rapid growth tends to compress margins in the near-term until growth rates slow down.
In the states in which we originate Rise under a state-license, the rates and terms vary based on specific state laws. In states with lower maximum rates, we have more stringent credit criteria and generally lower initial customer profitability due to higher customer acquisition costs and higher losses as a percentage of revenues. While these states can have significant growth potential, they typically deliver lower profit margins. In states in which FinWise originates Rise installment loans, loan participations are purchased from FinWise by a third party, which we protect from loan losses pursuant to a credit default protection arrangement. As a result, Rise loans originated through our third-party partnerships have the same pattern of variable profit margins depending on state laws and which states are offering the most growth potential.
We may elect to pursue aggressive growth over margin expansion in order to increase market share and long-term revenue opportunities.
There also can be no guarantee that we will be successful with respect to any new product initiatives or any further expansion beyond the US if we decide to attempt such expansion, which may inhibit the growth of our business and have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.




101



Our allowance for loan losses is determined based upon both objective and subjective factors and may not be adequate to absorb loan losses. If we experience rising credit or fraud losses, our results of operations would be adversely affected.
We face the risk that customers will fail to repay their loans in full. We reserve for such losses by establishing an allowance for loan losses, the increase of which results in a charge to our earnings as a provision for loan losses. We have established a methodology designed to determine the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses. While this evaluation process uses historical and other objective information, the classification of loans and the forecasts and establishment of loan losses are also dependent on our subjective assessment based upon our experience and judgment. Actual losses are difficult to forecast, especially if such losses stem from factors beyond our historical experience. As a result, there can be no assurance that our allowance for loan losses will be sufficient to absorb losses or prevent a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Losses are the largest cost as a percentage of revenues across all of our products.
Fraud and customers not being able to repay their loans are both significant drivers of loss rates. If we experienced rising credit or fraud losses this would significantly reduce our earnings and profit margins and could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"). ASU 2016-13 is intended to replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current US GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates to improve the quality of information available to financial statement users about expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. For public entities, ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates ("ASU 2019-10"). The purpose of this amendment is to create a two-tier rollout of major updates, staggering the effective dates between larger public companies and all other entities. This granted certain classes of companies, including Smaller Reporting Companies ("SRCs"), additional time to implement major FASB standards, including ASU 2016-13. Larger public companies will still have an effective date for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. All other entities are permitted to defer adoption of ASU 2016-13, and its related amendments, until fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2022. Under the current SEC definitions, the Company meets the definition of an SRC as of the ASU 2019-10 issuance date and is adopting the deferral period for ASU 2016-13.
The new methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses, once adopted by the Company, will extend the time frame covered by the estimate of credit losses by including forward-looking information, such as "reasonable and supportable" forecasts in the assessment of the collectability of loans. As a result, rather than just looking at historical performances of loans to determine allowance for loan losses, we will have to consider future losses as well. Further, the new standard will drive a change in the accounting treatment in that the new expected lifetime losses of loans will be recognized at the time a loan is made rather than over the lifetime of the loans. We anticipate that adoption of this new methodology may have a material impact on our financial statements due to the timing differences caused by the change. We also expect that the internal financial controls processes in place for the Company's loan loss reserve process will be impacted. In addition, if we fail to accurately forecast the collectability of our loans under this new methodology and we reserve inadequate allowance amounts, we could be required to absorb such additional losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Increased customer acquisition costs and/or data costs would reduce our margins.
Although losses are our largest cost, if customer acquisition costs or other servicing costs increased this would reduce our profit margins. Marketing costs would be negatively affected by increased competition or stricter credit standards that would reduce customer fund rates. We could also experience increased marketing costs due to higher fees from credit bureaus for preapproved direct mail lists, search engines for search engine marketing, or fees for affiliates, and these increased costs would reduce our profit margins. Other costs, such as legal costs, may increase as we pursue various company strategic initiatives, which could further reduce our profit margins.




102



We purchase significant amounts of data to facilitate our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models. If there was an increase in the cost of data, or if the Company elected to purchase from new data providers, there would be a reduction in our profit margins.
Any such reduction in our profit margins could result in a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Our success is dependent, in part, upon our officers and key employees, and if we are not able to attract and retain qualified officers and key employees, or if one of our officers or key employees is temporarily unable to fully contribute to our operations, our business could be materially adversely affected.
Our success depends, in part, on our officers, which comprise a relatively small group of individuals. Many members of the senior management team have significant industry experience, and we believe that our senior management would be difficult to replace, if necessary. Because the market for qualified individuals is highly competitive, we may not be able to attract and retain qualified officers or candidates. In addition, increasing regulations on, and negative publicity about, the consumer financial services industry could affect our ability to attract and retain qualified officers.
Our future success also depends on our continuing ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly qualified and skilled employees. Qualified individuals are in high demand, and we may incur significant costs to attract and retain them. The loss of any of our senior management or key employees could materially adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan and strategy, and we may not be able to find adequate replacements on a timely basis, or at all. We cannot ensure that we will be able retain the services of any members of our senior management or other key employees. Our officers and key employees may terminate their employment relationship with us at any time, and their knowledge of our business and industry would be extremely difficult to replace. While all key employees have signed non-disclosure, non-solicitation and non-compete agreements, they may still elect to leave the Company or even retire any time. Loss of key employees could result in delays to critical initiatives and the loss of certain capabilities and poorly documented intellectual property.
If we do not succeed in attracting and retaining our officers and key employees, our business could be materially and adversely affected.
Our US loan business is seasonal in nature, which causes our revenues and earnings to fluctuate.
Our US loan business is affected by fluctuating demand for the products and services we offer and fluctuating collection rates throughout the year. Demand for our consumer loan products in the US has historically been highest in the third and fourth quarters of each year, corresponding to the holiday season, and lowest in the first quarter of each year, corresponding to our customers’ receipt of income tax refunds. This results in significant increases and decreases in portfolio size and profit margins from quarter to quarter. In particular, we typically experience a reduction in our credit portfolios and an increase in profit margins in the first quarter of the year. When we experience higher growth in the second quarter through fourth quarters, portfolio balances tend to grow and profit margins are compressed. Our cost of sales for the non-prime loan products we offer in the US, which represents our provision for loan losses, is lowest as a percentage of revenues in the first quarter of each year, corresponding to our customers’ receipt of income tax refunds, and increases as a percentage of revenues for the remainder of each year. This seasonality requires us to manage our cash flows over the course of the year. If our revenues or collections were to fall substantially below what we would normally expect during certain periods, our ability to service debt and meet our other liquidity requirements may be adversely affected, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Any unexpected change to the growth in the second half of the year or delay of our customers' receipt of income tax refunds could change our typical seasonal product demand pattern and impact our profit margins and our annual cash flow management plans, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.




103



If internet search engine providers change their methodologies for organic rankings or paid search results, or our organic rankings or paid search results decline for other reasons, our new customer growth or volume from returning customers could decline.
Our new customer acquisition marketing and our returning customer relationship management is partly dependent on search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo! to direct a significant amount of traffic to our desktop and mobile websites via organic ranking and paid search advertising. We bid on certain keywords from search engines as well as use their algorithms to place our listings ahead of other lenders.
Our paid search activities may not continue to produce the desired results. Internet search engines often revise their methodologies. The volume of customers we receive through organic ranking and paid search could be adversely affected by any such changes in methodologies or policies by search engine providers, by:
decreasing our organic rankings or paid search results;
creating difficulty for our customers in using our web and mobile sites;
producing more successful organic rankings, paid search results or tactical execution efforts for our competitors than for us; and
resulting in higher costs for acquiring new or returning customers.
In addition, search engines could implement policies that restrict the ability of companies such as us to advertise their services and products, which could prevent us from appearing in a favorable location or any location in the organic rankings or paid search results when certain search terms are used by the consumer. Our online marketing efforts are also susceptible to actions by third parties that negatively impact our search results such as spam link attacks, which are often referred to as “black hat” tactics. Our sites have experienced meaningful fluctuations in organic rankings and paid search results in the past, and we anticipate similar fluctuations in the future. Any reduction in the number of consumers directed to our web and mobile sites could harm our business and operating results.
Finally, our competitors’ paid search, pay per click or search engine marketing activities may result in their sites receiving higher paid search results than ours and significantly increasing the cost of such advertising for us. We have little to no control over these potential changes in policy and methodologies relating to search engine results, and any of the changes described above could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
 
Failure to keep up with the rapid technological changes in financial services and e-commerce, or changes in the uses and regulation of the internet could harm our business.
The financial services industry is undergoing rapid technological changes, with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial and lending institutions to better serve customers and reduce costs. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience, as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services as quickly as some of our competitors or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could harm our ability to compete with our competitors.
Additionally, the business of providing products and services such as ours over the internet is dynamic and relatively new. We must keep pace with rapid technological change, consumer use habits, internet security risks, risks of system failure or inadequacy, and governmental regulation and taxation, and each of these factors could adversely impact our business. In addition, concerns about fraud, computer security and privacy and/or other problems may discourage additional consumers from adopting or continuing to use the internet as a medium of commerce. Also, to expand our customer base, we may elect to appeal to and acquire consumers who prove to be less profitable than our previous customers, and as a result we may be unable to gain efficiencies in our operating costs, including our cost of acquiring new customers, and our business could be adversely impacted. Any such failure to adapt to changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.




104



Our ability to conduct our business and demand for our loans could be disrupted by natural or man-made catastrophes.
Catastrophes, such as fires, hurricanes and tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters, terrorist attacks, computer viruses and telecommunications failures, could adversely affect our ability to market, originate or service loans. Natural disasters and acts of terrorism, war, civil unrest, violence or human error could also cause disruptions to our business or the economy as a whole, which could negatively affect customers’ demand for our loans. Despite any precautions we may take, system interruptions and delays could occur if there is a natural disaster that affects our offices or one of the data center facilities we lease. As we rely heavily on our servers, computer and communications systems and the internet to conduct our business and provide high-quality customer service, such disruptions could harm our ability to market our products, accept and underwrite applications, provide customer service and undertake collections activities and cause lengthy delays which could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. We have implemented a disaster recovery program that allows us to move production to a backup data center in the event of a catastrophe. Although this program is functional, we do not currently serve network traffic equally from each backup data center and are not able to switch instantly to our backup center in the event of failure of the main server site. If our primary data center shuts down, there will be a period of time that our loan products or services, or certain of such loan products or services, will remain inaccessible to our users or our users may experience severe issues accessing such loan products and services. Our business interruption insurance may not be sufficient to compensate us for losses that may result from interruptions in our service as a result of system failures.
  
Any of these events could also cause consumer confidence to decrease in one or more of the markets we serve, which could result in a decreased number of loans being made to customers. As a result of these issues, any of these occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We may be unable to protect our proprietary technology and analytics or keep up with that of our competitors.
The success of our business depends to a significant degree upon the protection of our proprietary technology, including our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models, which we use for pricing loans. We seek to protect our intellectual property with non-disclosure agreements and through standard measures to protect trade secrets. However, we may be unable to deter misappropriation of our proprietary information, detect unauthorized use or take appropriate steps to enforce our intellectual property rights. If competitors learn our trade secrets (especially with regard to marketing and risk management capabilities) it could be difficult to successfully prosecute to recover damages. A third party may attempt to reverse engineer or otherwise obtain and use our proprietary technology without our consent. The pursuit of a claim against a third party for infringement of our intellectual property could be costly, and there can be no guarantee that any such efforts would be successful. Our failure to protect our software and other proprietary intellectual property rights or to develop technologies that are as good as our competitors could put us at a disadvantage relative to our competitors. Any such failures could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We are subject to intellectual property disputes from time to time, and such disputes may be costly to defend and could harm our business and operating results.
We have faced and may continue to face allegations that we have infringed the trademarks, copyrights, patents or other intellectual property rights of third parties, including from our competitors or non-practicing entities. Patent and other intellectual property litigation may be protracted and expensive, and the results are difficult to predict and may require us to stop offering certain products or product features, acquire licenses, which may not be available at a commercially reasonable price or at all, or modify such products, product features, processes or websites while we develop non-infringing substitutes.
In addition, we use open source software in our technology platform and plan to use open source software in the future. From time to time, we may face claims from parties claiming ownership of, or demanding release of, the source code, potentially including our valuable proprietary code, or derivative works that were developed using such software, or otherwise seeking to enforce the terms of the applicable open source license. These claims could also result in litigation, require us to purchase a costly license or require us to devote additional research and development resources to change our platform, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.




105



Current and future litigation or settlements or regulatory proceedings could cause management distraction, harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We, our officers and certain of our subsidiaries have been and may become subject to lawsuits that could cause us to incur substantial expenditures, generate adverse publicity and could significantly impair our business, force us to cease doing business in one or more jurisdictions or cause us to cease offering or alter one or more products.
We have been and may also become subject to litigation in the future and a future adverse ruling in or a settlement of any such litigation against us, our executive officers or another lender, could result in significant legal fees that could become material, could harm our reputation, create obligations, forego collection of the principal amount of loans, pay treble or other multiple damages, pay monetary penalties and/or modify or terminate our operations in particular jurisdictions. On June 5, 2020, the District of Columbia (the "District"), sued Elevate in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia alleging that Elevate may have violated the District's Consumer Protection Procedures Act and the District's Municipal Regulations in connection with loans issued by banks in the District. This action has been removed to federal court. Elevate disagrees that it has violated the above referenced laws and regulations and it intends to vigorously defend its position. In addition, on January 27, 2020, Rise Credit Service of Texas, LLC d/b/a Rise, Opportunity Financial, LLC and Applied Data Finance, LLC d/b/a Personify Financial were sued in a class action lawsuit in Washington state.  The Plaintiff in the case claims that Rise and others are engaged in “predatory lending practices that target financially vulnerable consumers” and have violated Washington’s Consumer Protection Act by engaging in unfair or deceptive practices. In California, there have been filed two separate actions seeking public injunctive relief and alleging unconscionable interest rates on RISE loans - one lawsuit in the Superior Court of California, and one demand for arbitration.  The Plaintiffs in these actions assert claims under the “unlawful,” “unfair,” and “fraudulent” prongs of the California Unfair Competition Law (“UCL”) and for breach of contract and civil conspiracy.  The “unlawful” UCL claims are premised upon alleged violations of (a) the California Financing Law’s prohibition on unconscionable loans and (b) the California False Advertising Law. 
While no TFI related litigation has been filed directly against Elevate, we can provide no assurances that there will not be any future TFI related litigation filed against the Company. In October 2019, Elevate entered into tolling agreements with the TFI Creditors' Committee and class claimants in regard to any potential future claims against Elevate. These tolling agreements have been extended, and we may enter into additional extensions of the tolling agreements in the future. In December 2019, the TFI bankruptcy plan was confirmed, and any claims from the TFI Creditors' Committee were assigned to the Think Finance Litigation Trust (“TFLT”). Elevate and the TFLT have commenced mediation in an attempt to resolve, prior to any litigation being filed, any potential claims that the TFLT may have against Elevate including, among other things, whether or not the spin-off of Elevate from TFI was a fraudulent conveyance and any other avoidance actions associated with the spin-off. While Elevate can provide no assurances as to the potential outcome of such mediation process, in the event that there is a settlement and Elevate is unable to pay any amount resulting from such settlement, it could have a material adverse effect on Elevate’s financial condition, or, if there is no settlement and Elevate is deemed to ultimately be liable in this matter, Elevate could be obligated to file for bankruptcy. Elevate can provide no assurances as to how long the mediation process may take, or the outcome of such mediation. If the mediation is unsuccessful Elevate anticipates that the TFLT will pursue its claims in litigation against Elevate. For more information please see “—The Think Finance Litigation Trust in the TFI bankruptcy, as well as third parties, may seek to hold us responsible for liabilities of TFI due to the Spin-Off.” Because no claims have been filed against Elevate, no reasonable estimate of possible loss, if any, can be made at this time. We believe any future claims are without merit, and we intend to defend ourselves vigorously.
Defense of any lawsuit, even if successful, could require substantial time and attention of our management and could require the expenditure of significant amounts for legal fees, expenditures related to indemnification agreements and other related costs. In addition, a lawsuit or the mediation process with the TFLT could cause investors to sell our stock based on concerns about potential adverse outcomes, whether unfounded or not, which could negatively impact our share price. We and others are also subject to regulatory proceedings, and we could suffer losses as a result of interpretations of applicable laws, rules and regulations in those regulatory proceedings, even if we are not a party to those proceedings. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.




106



We may be unable to use some or all of our net operating loss carryforward, which could materially and adversely affect our reported financial condition and results of operations.
At December 31, 2018, we had a NOL from US operations of approximately $42.0 million. We expect that our results from operations in 2019 will fully utilize this NOL carryforward. At December 31, 2019, the remaining US NOL was immaterial. If not utilized, the US NOL will begin to expire in 2034. If we do not generate sufficient taxable income, we may not be able to utilize a material portion of our NOLs, even if we achieve profitability. If we are limited in our ability to use our NOLs in future years in which we have taxable income, we will pay more taxes than if we were able to fully utilize our NOLs. This could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), our ability to utilize the NOL or other tax attributes, such as research tax credits, in any taxable year may be limited if we experience an “ownership change.” A Section 382 “ownership change” generally occurs if one or more stockholders or groups of stockholders, who own at least 5% of our stock, increase their ownership by more than 50 percentage points over their lowest ownership percentage within a rolling three-year period. Similar rules may apply under state tax laws. We have not completed a Section 382 analysis through December 31, 2019. If we have previously had, or have in the future, one or more Section 382 “ownership changes,” including in connection with our IPO, we may not be able to utilize a material portion of our NOL.
Given the level of affordability claims against the subsidiary conducting our UK business and lack of regulatory clarity in the UK market, we made the decision to exit the UK market, thereby decreasing the size of our total addressable market and curtailing growth plans in the UK.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, our UK business began to receive an increased number of customer complaints initiated by claims management companies ("CMCs") related to the affordability assessment of certain loans. The CMCs' campaign against the high cost lending industry increased significantly during the third and fourth quarters of 2018 and continued through 2019 and the first half of 2020, resulting in a significant increase in affordability claims against all companies in the industry over this period. We believe that many of the increased claims are without merit and reflect the use of abusive and deceptive tactics by the CMCs. The Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), a regulator in the UK financial services industry, began regulating the CMCs in April 2019 in order to ensure that the methods used by the CMCs are in the best interests of the consumer and the industry. Our additional discussion with the FCA resulted in increasing uncertainty in the UK market and, as a result of such uncertainty, further complicated by the onset of COVID-19, we ultimately decided to place ECIL, our UK subsidiary, into administration and exit the UK market. Effective June 29, 2020, in accordance with the provisions of the UK Insolvency Act 1986 and pursuant to approval by the boards of directors of ECIL, insolvency practitioners from KPMG LLP were appointed to take control and management of our Sunny business. ECIL’s entry into administration placed its business under the direct control of the administrator. Accordingly, we deconsolidated ECIL as of June 29, 2020 and are presenting ECIL as discontinued operations starting in the second quarter of 2020.
These actions decrease the size of our total addressable market and cease our growth plans in the UK. In addition, in conjunction with the administration, claims related to the management and financial support of ECIL prior to the administration could be asserted, which could result in additional expense to us. We also may be required to provide certain administrative, technical and other services, and incur other exit costs and expenses related to ECIL during its administration. We also continue to guarantee of ECIL’s repayment of its outstanding debt, which was approximately £10.2 million as of June 29, 2020. On July 23, 2020, ECIL paid down £5.0 million on the UK Term Note. While we do not believe claims or costs related to ECIL during its administration or our guarantee of ECIL’s outstanding debt are likely to have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or financial condition, we cannot provide complete assurance we will not experience significant additional claims or costs related to the administration of ECIL, its debt obligations and its prior business conducted in the UK.




107



RISKS RELATED TO OUR ASSOCIATION WITH TFI
The Think Finance Litigation Trust in the TFI bankruptcy, as well as third parties, may seek to hold us responsible for liabilities of TFI due to the Spin-Off.
In connection with our separation from TFI, TFI has generally agreed to retain all liabilities that did not historically arise from our business. Third parties may seek to hold us responsible for TFI’s retained liabilities, including third-party claims arising from TFI’s business and retained assets. Under the separation and distribution agreement, we are responsible for the debts, liabilities and other obligations related to the business or businesses that we own and operate. Under our agreements with TFI, TFI has agreed to indemnify us for claims and losses relating to its retained liabilities. However, if any of those liabilities are significant and we are ultimately held liable for such liabilities, we cannot assure you that we will be able to recover the full amount of our losses from TFI. As an example, Elevate is a potential defendant in litigation that may be brought on behalf of the debtors' estates in the TFI bankruptcy.

Although no such claims have been brought directly against Elevate to date, in October 2019, Elevate entered into tolling agreements with TFI Creditors' Committee and class claimants in regard to any potential future claims against Elevate. These tolling agreements have been extended, and we may enter into additional extensions of the tolling agreements in the future. In December 2019, the TFI bankruptcy plan was confirmed, and any claims from the TFI Creditors' Committee were assigned to the TFLT. Elevate and the TFLT have commenced mediation in an attempt to resolve, prior to any litigation being filed, any potential claims that the TFLT may have against Elevate including, among other things, whether or not the spin-off of Elevate from TFI was a fraudulent conveyance and any other avoidance actions associated with the spin-off. In the event the mediation is unsuccessful, Elevate anticipates that the TFLT will pursue its claims in litigation against Elevate. As discussed below, in the event of litigation, to the extent that Elevate is not successful, it could be required to pay money in an amount equal to the difference between the consideration received by TFI in the spin-off and the fair market value of Elevate at the time of the spin-off. While Elevate can provide no assurances as to whether there will be a settlement, or a judgment against Elevate, or what the terms of any such settlement or judgment could be, in the event that Elevate is unable to pay any amount resulting from such settlement or judgment, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, and Elevate could be obligated to file for bankruptcy. At this time, because no claims have been filed against Elevate, no reasonable estimate of possible loss, if any, can be made at this time. We believe any future claims are without merit, and we intend to defend ourselves vigorously.
Although we do not anticipate liability for any obligations not expressly assumed by us pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement, it is possible that we could be required to assume responsibility for certain obligations retained by TFI should TFI fail to pay or perform its retained obligations.
In addition, the spin-off could be challenged under various state and federal fraudulent conveyance laws. An unpaid creditor or an entity vested with the power of such creditor (such as the TFLT in the TFI bankruptcy could claim that the distribution left TFI insolvent or with unreasonably small capital or that TFI intended or believed it would incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature and that TFI did not receive fair consideration or reasonably equivalent value in the spin-off. The measure of insolvency for purposes of such fraudulent conveyance laws will vary depending on which jurisdiction’s law is applied. Generally, however, an entity would be considered insolvent if either the fair saleable value of its assets is less than the amount of its liabilities (including the probable amount of contingent liabilities), or it is unlikely to be able to pay its liabilities as they become due. If it were determined that the spin-off constituted a fraudulent conveyance, then the spin-off could be deemed void and there could be a number of different remedies imposed against Elevate, including without limitation, the requirement that Elevate has to pay money damages in an amount equal to the difference between the consideration received by TFI in the spin-off and the fair market value of Elevate at the time of the spin-off. While Elevate can provide no assurances as to whether there will be a settlement, or a judgment against Elevate, or what the terms of any such settlement or judgment could be, in the event that Elevate is unable to pay any amount resulting from such settlement or judgment, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition,or, if there is no settlement and Elevate is deemed to ultimately be held liable in this matter, Elevate could be obligated to file for bankruptcy. In addition, in negotiations with the TFLT in the TFI bankruptcy, Elevate may be obligated to book a reserve for potential settlement amounts that it considers as an estimate of possible loss. Any such reserve could materially impact Elevate’s financial condition. Elevate can provide no assurances as to how long the mediation process may take, or the outcome of such mediation.




108



The CFPB has authority to investigate and issue Civil Investigative Demands to consumer lending businesses and may issue fines or corrective orders.
The CFPB has authority to investigate and issue Civil Investigative Demands (“CIDs”) to consumer lending businesses, including us. In June 2012, prior to the spin-off, and after the spin-off, TFI received CIDs from the CFPB. The purpose of the CIDs purportedly was to determine whether TFI engaged in unlawful acts or practices relating to the advertising, marketing, provision, or collection of small-dollar loan products, in violation of parts of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), the Truth in Lending Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, or any other federal consumer financial law and to determine whether CFPB action to obtain legal or equitable relief would be in the public interest. On November 15, 2017, the CFPB sued TFI alleging it engaged in unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices. The CFPB and TFI have settled all claims and have received final court approval in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas. While TFI’s business is distinct from our business, we cannot predict to what extent any obligations arising out of such final outcome will be applicable to our Company, business or officers, if at all.

OTHER RISKS RELATED TO COMPLIANCE AND REGULATION

We, our marketing affiliates, our third-party service providers and our Bank Partners are subject to complex federal, state and local lending and consumer protection laws, and if we fail to comply with applicable laws, regulations, rules and guidance, our business could be adversely affected.

We, our marketing affiliates, our third-party service providers and our Bank Partners must comply with US federal, state and local regulatory regimes, including those applicable to consumer credit transactions. Certain US federal and state laws generally regulate interest rates and other charges and require certain disclosures. In particular, we may be subject to laws such as:

local regulations and ordinances that impose requirements or restrictions related to certain loan product offerings and collection practices;

state laws and regulations that impose requirements related to loan or credit service disclosures and terms, credit discrimination, credit reporting, debt servicing and collection;

the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z promulgated thereunder, and similar state laws, which require certain disclosures to borrowers regarding the terms and conditions of their loans and credit transactions and other substantive consumer protections with respect to credit cards, such as an assessment of a borrower's ability to repay obligations and penalty fee limitations;

Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, which prohibits unfair and deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce, Section 1031 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which prohibits unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices in connection with any consumer financial product or service, and similar state laws that prohibit unfair and deceptive acts or practices;

the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B promulgated thereunder and state non-discrimination laws, which generally prohibit creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the fact that all or part of the applicant’s income derives from any public assistance program or the fact that the applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act;

the Fair Credit Reporting Act (the “FCRA”) as amended by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, and similar state laws, which promote the accuracy, fairness and privacy of information in the files of consumer reporting agencies;

the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (the “FDCPA”) and similar state and local debt collection laws, which provide guidelines and limitations on the conduct of third-party debt collectors and creditors in connection with the collection of consumer debts;





109



the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and Regulation P promulgated thereunder and similar state privacy laws, which include limitations on financial institutions’ disclosure of nonpublic personal information about a consumer to nonaffiliated third parties, in certain circumstances require financial institutions to limit the use and further disclosure of nonpublic personal information by nonaffiliated third parties to whom they disclose such information and require financial institutions to disclose certain privacy policies and practices with respect to information sharing with affiliated and nonaffiliated entities as well as to safeguard personal customer information, and other privacy laws and regulations;

the Bankruptcy Code and similar state insolvency laws, which limit the extent to which creditors may seek to enforce debts against parties who have filed for bankruptcy protection;

the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and similar state laws, which allow military members and certain dependents to suspend or postpone certain civil obligations, as well as limit applicable rates, so that the military member can devote his or her full attention to military duties;

the Military Lending Act and Department of Defense rules, which limit the interest rate and fees that may be charged to military members and their dependents, requires certain disclosures and prohibits certain mandatory clauses among other restrictions;

the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Regulation E promulgated thereunder, which provide disclosure requirements, guidelines and restrictions on the electronic transfer of funds from consumers’ asset accounts;

the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act and similar state laws, particularly the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, which authorize the creation of legally binding and enforceable agreements utilizing electronic records and signatures and, with consumer consent, permits required disclosures to be provided electronically;

the Bank Secrecy Act, which relates to compliance with anti-money laundering, customer due diligence and record-keeping policies and procedures; and

the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (the "TCPA") and the regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC"), which regulations include limitations on telemarketing calls, auto-dialed calls, prerecorded calls, text messages and unsolicited faxes.

While it is our intention to always be in compliance with these laws, it is possible that we may currently be, or at some time have been, inadvertently out of compliance with some or any such laws. Further, all applicable laws are subject to evolving regulatory and judicial interpretations, which further complicate real-time compliance. Lastly, compliance with these laws is costly, time-consuming and limits our operational flexibility.

Failure to comply with these laws and regulatory requirements applicable to our business may, among other things, limit our or a collection agency’s ability to collect all or part of the principal of or interest on loans. As a result, we may not be able to collect on unpaid principal or interest. In addition, non-compliance could subject us to damages, revocation of required licenses, class action lawsuits, administrative enforcement actions, rescission rights held by investors in securities offerings and civil and criminal liability, which may harm our business and may result in borrowers rescinding their loans.

Where applicable, we seek to comply with state installment, CSO, servicing and similar statutes. In all jurisdictions with licensing or other requirements that we believe may be applicable to us, we comply with the relevant requirements by acquiring the necessary licenses or authorization and submitting appropriate registrations in connection therewith. Nevertheless, if we are found to not have complied with applicable laws, we could lose one or more of our licenses or authorizations or face other sanctions or penalties or be required to obtain other licenses or authorizations in such jurisdiction, which may have an adverse effect on our ability to perform our servicing obligations or make products or services available to borrowers in particular states, which may harm our business.





110



Our products currently have usage caps and limitations on lending based on internally developed “responsible lending guidelines.” If those policies become more restrictive due to legislative or regulatory changes at the local, state, or federal regulatory level these products would experience declining revenues per customer. In some cases, legislative or regulatory changes at the local, state or federal regulatory level may require us to discontinue offering certain of our products in certain jurisdictions.
The CFPB may have examination authority over our consumer lending business that could have a significant impact on our business.
In July 2010, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Act. Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act created the CFPB, which regulates US consumer financial products and services, and gave it regulatory, supervisory and enforcement powers over certain providers of consumer financial products and services, including authority to examine such providers.

The CFPB is currently considering rules to define larger participants in markets for consumer installment loans for purposes of supervision. Once this rule and corresponding examination rules are established, we anticipate the CFPB will examine us. The CFPB’s examination authority permits CFPB examiners to inspect the books and records of providers and ask questions about their business practices. The examination procedures include specific modules for examining marketing activities, loan application and origination activities, payment processing activities and sustained use by consumers, collections, accounts in default, consumer reporting activities and third-party relationships. As a result of these examinations, we could be required to change our products, our services or our practices, whether as a result of another party being examined or as a result of an examination of us, or we could be subject to monetary penalties, which could reduce profit margins for the company or otherwise materially adversely affect us.

Furthermore, the CFPB’s practices and procedures regarding civil investigations, examination, enforcement and other matters relevant to us and other CFPB-regulated entities are subject to further development and change. Where the CFPB holds powers previously assigned to other regulators or may interpret laws previously interpreted by other regulators, the CFPB may not continue to apply such powers or interpret relevant concepts consistent with previous regulators’ practice. This may adversely affect our ability to anticipate the CFPB’s expectations or interpretations in our interaction with the CFPB.

The CFPB also has broad authority to prohibit unfair, deceptive and abusive acts and practices and to investigate and penalize financial institutions that violate this prohibition. In addition to having the authority to obtain monetary penalties for violations of applicable federal consumer financial laws (including the CFPB’s own rules), the CFPB can require remediation of practices, pursue administrative proceedings or litigation and obtain cease and desist orders (which can include orders for restitution or rescission of contracts, as well as other kinds of affirmative relief). Also, where a company is believed to have violated Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act or CFPB regulations implemented thereunder, the Dodd-Frank Act empowers state attorneys general and state regulators to bring civil actions to remedy such violations after consulting with the CFPB. If the CFPB or one or more state attorneys general or state regulators believe that we have violated any of the applicable laws or regulations, they could exercise their enforcement powers in ways that could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

Many states, including California, Massachusetts, Maryland and New York, have taken steps to actively enforce consumer protection laws, including through the creation of so-called “mini-CFPBs.”





111



The CFPB issued a final ruling on July 7, 2020 affecting the consumer lending industry, and this or subsequent new rules and regulations, if they are finalized, may impact our consumer lending business.
The CFPB released its final “Payday, Vehicle Title, and Certain High-Cost Lending Rule” (the "2017 Rule") on October 5, 2017, covering certain short-term and longer-term loans with an APR of 36% or higher and have a “leveraged payment mechanism” such as an ACH payment plan. On February 6, 2019, the CFPB issued proposed revisions to the 2017 Rule (the “2019 Proposed Revisions”). The 2019 Proposed Revisions leave in place requirements and limitations on attempts to withdraw payments from consumers’ checking, savings or prepaid accounts. Among other requirements, the payment provisions prohibit lenders that have had two consecutive attempts to collect money from a consumers’ account returned for insufficient funds from making any further attempts to collect from the account unless the consumers have provided new authorizations for additional payment transfers. Additionally, the payment provisions require us to give consumers at least three business days' advance notice before attempting payment withdrawals. The mandatory compliance deadline for the payment provisions of the 2017 Rule was August 19, 2019. There are also recordkeeping requirements and compliance plan requirements in the 2019 Proposed Rule that will apply to us. On June 7, 2019, the CFPB announced a 15-month delay in the rule's August 19, 2019 compliance date to November 19, 2020 that applies only to the proposed rescission of the ability-to-pay provisions. Relatedly, the Community Financial Services Association of America (“CFSA”) sued the CFPB in April 2018 over the 2017 Rule. As a result, the court suspended the CFPB’s August 19, 2019 implementation of the 2019 Proposed Revisions pending further order of the court. On August 6, 2019, the court issued an order that leaves the compliance date stay in effect. On July 7, 2020, the CFPB issued its final rule concerning small dollar lending. The final rule rescinds the mandatory underwriting provisions of the 2017 Rule after re-evaluating the legal and evidentiary bases for these provisions and finding them to be insufficient. The final rule does not rescind or alter the payments provisions of the 2017 Rule. It is unknown at this time to what extent this finalized rule, or any subsequent new rules and regulations proposed by the CFPB will have an adverse effect on the results of operations of our US consumer lending business.

The FDIC has issued examination guidance affecting our unaffiliated third-party lenders and these or subsequent new rules and regulations could have a significant impact on our products originated by unaffiliated third-party lenders.
The Bank-Originated Products are offered by Elevate's unaffiliated third-party lenders using technology, underwriting and marketing services provided by Elevate. The unaffiliated third-party lenders are supervised and examined by both the states that charter them and the FDIC. If the FDIC or a state supervisory body considers any aspect of the products originated by unaffiliated third-party lenders to be inconsistent with its guidance, the unaffiliated third-party lenders may be required to alter the product.
On July 29, 2016, the board of directors of the FDIC released examination guidance relating to third-party lending as part of a package of materials designed to “improve the transparency and clarity of the FDIC’s supervisory policies and practices” and consumer compliance measures that FDIC-supervised institutions should follow when lending through a business relationship with a third party. The proposed guidance, if finalized, would apply to all FDIC-supervised institutions that engage in third-party lending programs, including certain Bank Products.
The proposed guidance elaborates on previously issued agency guidance on managing third-party risks and specifically addresses third-party lending arrangements where an FDIC-supervised institution relies on a third party to perform a significant aspect of the lending process. The types of relationships that would be covered by the guidance include (but are not limited to) relationships for originating loans on behalf of, through or jointly with third parties, or using platforms developed by third parties. If adopted as proposed, the guidance would result in increased supervisory attention of institutions that engage in significant lending activities through third parties, including at least one examination every 12 months, as well as supervisory expectations for a third-party lending risk management program and third-party lending policies that contain certain minimum requirements, such as self-imposed limits as a percentage of total capital for each third-party lending relationship and for the overall loan program, relative to origination volumes, credit exposures (including pipeline risk), growth, loan types, and acceptable credit quality. Comments on the guidance were due October 27, 2016. While the guidance has never formally been adopted, it is our understanding that the FDIC has relied upon it in its examination of third-party lending arrangements.




112



On July 20, 2020, the FDIC announced that it is seeking the public's input on the potential for a public/private standard-setting partnership and voluntary certification program to promote the effective adoption of innovative technologies at FDIC-supervised financial institutions. Released as part of the FDiTech initiative, the request asks whether the proposed program might reduce the regulatory and operational uncertainty that may prevent financial institutions from deploying new technology or entering into partnerships with technology firms, including "fintechs." For financial institutions that choose to use the system, a voluntary certification program could help standardize due diligence practices and reduce associated costs. At this time, it is unclear what impact this request and potential proposal will have on Elevate's operations.

The regulatory landscape in which we operate is continually changing due to new CFPB rules, regulations and interpretations, as well as various legal actions that have been brought against others in marketplace lending, including several lawsuits that have sought to re-characterize certain loans made by federally insured banks as loans made by third parties. If litigation on similar theories were brought against us when we work with a federally insured bank that makes loans, rather than making loans ourselves and were such an action to be successful, we could be subject to state usury limits and/or state licensing requirements, in addition to the state consumer protection laws to which we are already subject, in a greater number of states, loans in such states could be deemed void and unenforceable, and we could be subject to substantial penalties in connection with such loans.
The case law involving whether an originating lender, on the one hand, or third-parties, on the other hand, are the “true lenders” of a loan is still developing and courts have come to different conclusions and applied different analyses. The determination of whether a third-party service provider is the “true lender” is significant because third-parties risk having the loans they service becoming subject to a consumer’s state usury limits. A number of federal courts that have opined on the “true lender” issue have looked to who is the lender identified on the borrower’s loan documents. A number of state courts and at least one federal district court have considered a number of other factors when analyzing whether the originating lender or a third party is the “true lender,” including looking at the economics of the transaction to determine, among other things, who has the predominant economic interest in the loan being made. If we were re-characterized as a “true lender” with respect to Elastic, or Rise of Texas or FinWise states, loans could be deemed to be void and unenforceable in some states, the right to collect finance charges could be affected, and we could be subject to fines and penalties from state and federal regulatory agencies as well as claims by borrowers, including class actions by private plaintiffs. Even if we were not required to change our business practices to comply with applicable state laws and regulations or cease doing business in some states, we could be required to register or obtain lending licenses or other regulatory approvals that could impose a substantial cost on us. If Republic Bank, FinWise Bank or the CSO lenders in Texas were subject to such a lawsuit, they may elect to terminate their relationship with us voluntarily or at the direction of their regulators, and if they lost the lawsuit, they could be forced to modify or terminate the programs.
On August 13, 2018, the California Supreme Court in Eduardo De La Torre, et al. v. CashCall, Inc., held that interest rates on consumer loans of $2,500 or more could be found unconscionable under section 22302 of the California Financial Code, despite not being subject to certain statutory interest rate caps and that such a finding requires a full unconscionability analysis, which is fact-intensive.  The California Supreme Court did not hold that any particular loan or loans were unconscionable. In its opinion, the California Supreme Court noted that the unconscionability determination is not an easy one, that high interest rates may indeed be justified for higher risk borrowers. As a result of the California Supreme Court’s ruling, the case was remanded to the Northern District of California. The Judge for the Northern District of California dismissed the case, on the basis that the unconscionability analysis and class action determination are matters of state law for evaluation by a state court. 




113



On August 31, 2016, the United States District Court for the Central District of California ruled in CFPB v. CashCall, Inc. et. al. that CashCall was the “true lender” and consequently was engaged in deceptive practices by servicing and collecting on payday loans in certain states where the interest rate on the loans exceeded the state usury limit and/or where CashCall was not a licensed lender. The CashCall case is related to a tribally related lending program. In reaching its decision, the court adopted a “totality of the circumstances” test to determine which party to the transaction had the “predominant economic interest” in the transaction. Given the fact-intensive nature of a “totality of the circumstances” assessment, the particular and varied details of marketplace lending and other bank partner programs may lead to different outcomes to those reached in CashCall, even in those jurisdictions where courts adopt the “totality of the circumstances” approach. Notably, CashCall did not address the federal preemption of state law under the National Bank Act or any other federal statute. Although CashCall is appealing the decision in the Ninth Circuit, on January 26, 2018, the District Court ordered CashCall to pay approximately $10.2 million in civil money penalties, but no consumer restitution.  In issuing the judgment, which was significantly less than the $280 million the CFPB sought in penalties and consumer restitution, the Court found that CashCall had not knowingly or recklessly violated consumer protection laws, and that the CFPB had not demonstrated that consumer restitution was an appropriate remedy.
On September 20, 2016, in Beechum v. Navient Solutions, Inc., the United States District Court for the Central District of California dismissed a class action suit alleging usurious interest rates on private student loans in violation of California law. In doing so, the court rejected the plaintiff’s arguments that the defendants were the de facto “true lenders” of loans made by a national bank under a bank partnership arrangement with a non-bank partner. Consistent with the controlling judicial authority for challenges to the applicability of statutory or constitutional exemptions to California’s usury prohibition, the court determined that “it must look solely to the face of the transaction” in determining whether an exemption applies and did not apply the “totality of the circumstances” test.
In addition to true lender challenges, a question regarding the applicability of state usury rates may arise when a loan is sold from a bank to a non-bank entity. In Madden v. Midland Funding, LLC, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held that the federal preemption of state usury laws did not extend to the purchaser of a loan issued by a national bank. In its brief urging the US Supreme Court to deny certiorari, the US Solicitor General, joined by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), noted that the Second Circuit (Connecticut, New York and Vermont) analysis was incorrect. On remand, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York concluded on February 27, 2017 that New York’s state usury law, not Delaware's state usury law, was applicable and that the plaintiff’s claims under the FDCPA and state unfair and deceptive acts and practices could proceed. To that end, the court granted Madden’s motion for class certification. It is unknown whether Madden will be applied outside of the defaulted debt context in which it arose; however, recently two class actions, Cohen v Capital One Funding, LLC, et al and Chase Card Funding, LLC, et al, have relied on Madden to challenge the interest rate charged once debt was sold to securitization trusts. The facts in CashCall, Navient and Madden are not directly applicable to our business, as we do not engage in practices similar to those at issue in CashCall, Navient or Madden, and we do not purchase whole loans or engage in business in states within the Second Circuit. However, to the extent that either the holdings in CashCall or Madden were broadened to cover circumstances applicable to our business, or if other litigation on related theories were brought against us and were successful, or we were otherwise found to be the "true lender," we could become subject to state usury limits and state licensing laws, in addition to the state consumer protection laws to which we are already subject, in a greater number of states, loans in such states could be deemed void and unenforceable, and we could be subject to substantial penalties in connection with such loans.
In response to the uncertainty Madden created as to the validity of interest rates of bank-originated loans, both the OCC and FDIC issued final rules to clarify that when a bank sells, assigns or otherwise transfers a loan, the interest permissible prior to the transfer continues to be permissible following the transfer. The OCC final rule was effective on August 3, 2020. The FDIC final rule will be effective on August 21, 2020. On July 29, 2020, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against the OCC challenging the rule.




114



Relatedly, both agencies have signaled they are working on a rule to remove uncertainty surrounding the “true lender” theory-which involves a claim by a borrower or regulator that the supposed “true lender” of a loan funded by a bank is a non-bank service provider of the bank, rather than the bank itself. This controversial theory poses a growing threat to banks’ ability to enter into contractual partnerships with non-bank service providers to extend responsible credit products that are far superior to payday loans. Such a theory threatens to undermine the long-established lending powers of national and state chartered banks and the validity of their originated loans and could cause substantial disruption to the financial system upon which all Americans rely. On July 20, 2020, the OCC proposed a rule that would determine when a national bank or federal savings association makes a loan and is the "true lender" in the context of a partnership between a bank and a third party. The proposed rule would resolve this uncertainty by specifying that a bank makes a loan and is the "true lender" if, as of the date of origination, it (1) is named as the lender in the loan agreement or (2) funds the loan. The deadline for comments on the OCC proposed true lender rule is September 3, 2020. It is expected that the FDIC will also issue a notice of proposed rulemaking on this subject in the future.
Also on July 20, 2020, the FDIC announced that is seeking the public's input on the potential for a public/private standard-setting partnership and voluntary certification program to promote the efficient and effective adoption of innovative technologies at FDIC-supervised financial institutions. The Request for Information asks whether the proposed program might reduce the regulatory and operational uncertainty that may prevent financial institutions from deploying new technology or entering into partnerships with technology firms, including "fintechs." The deadline for comments is September 22, 2020.

Lastly, the OCC and FDIC are also working on a proposed “Small Dollar Rule” which will facilitate greater financial inclusion and give guidance for banks that make “small dollar” loans to non-prime consumers. The guidance could impact the products or interest rates that unaffiliated third-party banks originate utilizing the Elevate’s lending platforms.
California’s Governor Gavin Newsom recently proposed a new law, the California Consumer Financial Protection Law ("CCFPL"), that would result in a change of name for the primary financial regulator in California, the Department of Business Oversight to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation and also empower the Department to extend state oversight to financial services providers not currently subject to state supervision but also facilitate innovation. A hearing is scheduled on August 6, 2020 regarding this proposal.
In 2017, the Colorado Attorney General filed complaints in state court against marketplace lenders Marlette Funding LLC and Avant of Colorado LLC on behalf of the administrator of Colorado’s Uniform Consumer Credit Code (UCCC), alleging violations of the UCCC based on “true lender” and loan assignment (Madden) cases with respect to lending programs sponsored by WebBank and Cross River Bank, respectively. The complaints allege that the non-bank service providers, Marlette Funding LLC and Avant of Colorado LLC - rather than WebBank and Cross River Bank, are the "true lenders," and therefore subject to Colorado usury limits. Further, the Colorado administrator alleged that assignees of these loans could not charge the same interest rate that the bank is authorized to charge under federal law. Efforts by Avant and Marlette Funding to remove the cases to federal court and efforts by Cross River Bank and WebBank seeking declaratory judgments against the administrator of Colorado's UCCC failed (although both Cross River Bank and WebBank filed appeals with the Tenth Circuit). At this time, it is unknown what the outcome of these cases will be and whether any conclusions of law would be applied outside Colorado. However, in November 2018, the administrator of Colorado's UCCC amended its complaints against Avant and Marlette Funding to add additional parties (the securitization trusts that acquired the loans originated under the bank partnerships Avant and Marlette Funding have with Cross River Bank and WebBank) alleging violations of Colorado's UCCC related to the finance charges and fees received by the securitization trusts. On June 9, 2020 the state judge in the Marlette Funding case issued a decision ruling that federal interest rate preemption for state bank loans does not extend to non-bank assignees. Several days earlier, on May 29, 2020, the OCC had issued a final rule that rejects the Second Circuit's analysis in Madden and codifies the OCC's interpretation of Section 85 that the assignee of a loan made by a national bank can charge the same interest rate that the bank is authorized to charge under federal law. Following the Marlette Funding decision, on June 29, 2020, the FDIC issued its final rule that also rejects the Second Circuit's analysis in Madden and mirrors the OCC's rule. Another marketplace lender, Kabbage, Inc. and its bank, Celtic Bank, were sued in Massachusetts federal court in 2017, with the defendant alleging that Kabbage, not Celtic Bank, is the “true lender.” Kabbage, Inc. was successful in compelling arbitration in that case. In October 2019, Kabbage was sued in the Southern District of New York by several small businesses alleging violations of state usury laws (California, Massachusetts, Colorado, New York) and racketeering and conspiracy under federal RICO statutes. It also includes claims for violations of various state laws other than usury laws, including the California Financing Law Code ("CFLC").




115



The plaintiffs in that case also make a UDAP claim under Massachusetts law in which they allege that Kabbage’s loan agreements were “contracts of adhesion” that included “unconscionable and unfair provisions” such as provisions that required the plaintiffs to waive the right to a jury trial, waive the right to participate in a class action, and waive the right to seek legal redress in their home state. It is expected that the Kabbage will again seek to compel arbitration in this most recent lawsuit.
In the last few months, we have seen increased activity by some state regulatory authorities seeking to understand the services we provide to our Bank Partners. We cannot predict the final outcome of these inquiries or to what extent any obligations arising out of such final outcome will be applicable to our Company, business or officers, if at all. It is possible that some state regulators could conclude that we are subject to state laws, including licensing or registration in connection with services we provide to our Bank Partners. The recent and anticipated clarifications of federal interest rate preemption by the OCC and FDIC should provide clarification to such conclusions.
In September 2019, the FDIC and the OCC jointly submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado in support of the appellee debt buyer, urging the district court to uphold the bank's rights to enforce that debt to the debt buyer, including the bank's right to charge interest as authorized under the laws of its home state. The brief includes related discussions of (i) the rights of federally regulated banks to "export" their home states' interest rates by charging those rates to borrowers nationwide, first with respect to national banks under section 85 of the National Bank Act and then with respect to state banks under section 27 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and (ii) federal preemption of state usury laws. The portion of the brief that discusses rate exportation strongly reaffirms the OCC and the FDIC's complete accord that section 27 and section 85 should be mirror images of each other. At the conclusion of their brief, the agencies ask the district court to affirm the bankruptcy court's decision on the basis that affirmation would "preserve the banks' longstanding ability to engage in loan sales, would reaffirm the traditional protections that such loan sales have received under the law, would ensure the proper functioning of the credit markets, and would promote safety and soundness in the banking sector by supporting loan sales and securitizations, which are used to manage capital and liquidity positions."

We use third-party collection agencies to assist us with debt collection. Their failure to comply with applicable debt collection regulations could subject us to fines and other liabilities, which could harm our reputation and business.
The FDCPA regulates persons who regularly collect or attempt to collect, directly or indirectly, consumer debts owed or asserted to be owed to another person. Many states impose additional requirements on debt collection communications, and some of those requirements may be more stringent than the federal requirements. Moreover, regulations governing debt collection are subject to changing interpretations that differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. We use third-party collections agencies to collect on debts incurred by consumers of our credit products. Regulatory changes could make it more difficult for collections agencies to effectively collect on the loans we originate.
Our business is subject to complex and evolving laws and regulations regarding privacy, data protection, and other matters. Many of these laws and regulations are subject to change and uncertain interpretation, and could result in claims, changes to our business practices, monetary penalties, increased cost of operations, or declines in user growth or engagement, or otherwise harm our business.
We receive, transmit and store a large volume of personally identifiable information and other sensitive data from customers and potential customers. Our business is subject to a variety of laws and regulations in the US that involve user privacy issues, data protection, advertising, marketing, disclosures, distribution, electronic contracts and other communications, consumer protection and online payment services. The introduction of new products or expansion of our activities in certain jurisdictions may subject us to additional laws and regulations. US federal and state laws and regulations, which can be enforced by private parties or government entities, are constantly evolving and can be subject to significant change.
A number of proposals have recently been implemented or are pending before federal and state legislative and regulatory bodies that could impose obligations in areas such as privacy. For example, the California Consumer Privacy Act (the “CCPA”) came into effect on January 1, 2020. The CCPA broadly defines personal information and provides California consumers increased privacy rights and protections. California Attorney General ("AG") Xavier Becerra submitted final proposed regulations on June 2, 2020 to guide covered businesses' implementation of the CCPA. The regulations address several CCPA provisions that explicitly call for the AG's input, as well as others that have been the subject of confusion, criticism, or discussion.




116



Some countries are also considering or have enacted legislation requiring local storage and processing of data that, if applicable to the markets in which we operate, would increase the cost and complexity of delivering our services. These existing and proposed laws and regulations can be costly to comply with and can delay or impede the development of new products, the expansion into new markets, result in negative publicity, increase our operating costs, require significant management time and attention, and subject us to inquiries or investigations, claims or other liabilities, including demands that we modify or cease existing business practices or pay fines, penalties or other damages.
It is difficult to assess the likelihood of the enactment of any future legislation or the impact that such rules and regulations could have on our business.
The use of personal data in credit underwriting is highly regulated.
In the US, the FCRA regulates the collection, dissemination and use of consumer information, including consumer credit information. Compliance with the FCRA and related laws and regulations concerning consumer reports has recently been under regulatory scrutiny. The FCRA requires us to provide a Notice of Adverse Action to a loan applicant when we deny an application for credit, which, among other things, informs the applicant of the action taken regarding the credit application and the specific reasons for the denial of credit. The FCRA also requires us to promptly update any credit information reported to a consumer reporting agency about a consumer and to allow a process by which consumers may inquire about credit information furnished by us to a consumer reporting agency. Historically, the FTC has played a key role in the implementation, oversight, enforcement and interpretation of the FCRA. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB has primary supervisory, regulatory and enforcement authority of FCRA issues. Although the FTC also retains its enforcement role regarding the FCRA, it shares that role in many respects with the CFPB. The CFPB has taken a more active approach than the FTC, including with respect to regulation, enforcement and supervision of the FCRA. Changes in the regulation, enforcement or supervision of the FCRA may materially affect our business if new regulations or interpretations by the CFPB or the FTC require us to materially alter the manner in which we use personal data in our credit underwriting.
In January 2020, our California business became subject to the CCPA. As described above in "-Our business is subject to complex and evolving laws and regulations regarding privacy, data protection, and other matters. Many of these laws and regulations are subject to change and uncertain interpretation, and could result in claims, changes to our business practices, monetary penalties, increased cost of operations, or declines in user growth or engagement or otherwise harm our business," the CCPA broadly defines personal information and provides California consumers increased privacy rights and protections.
Compliance with any new or developing privacy laws in the US, including the CCPA or other state or federal laws that may be enacted in the future, may require significant resources and could have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
The oversight of the FCRA by both the CFPB and the FTC and any related investigation or enforcement activities or our failure to comply with the Data Protection Act ("DPA"), and any supplementary data protection legislation may have a material adverse impact on our business, including our operations, our mode and manner of conducting business and our financial results.
Judicial decisions or amendments to the Federal Arbitration Act could render the arbitration agreements we use illegal or unenforceable.
We include arbitration provisions in our consumer loan agreements. These provisions are designed to allow us to resolve any customer disputes through individual arbitration rather than in court and explicitly provide that all arbitrations will be conducted on an individual and not on a class basis. Thus, our arbitration agreements, if enforced, have the effect of shielding us from class action liability. Our arbitration agreements do not generally have any impact on regulatory enforcement proceedings. We take the position that the arbitration provisions in our consumer loan agreements, including class action waivers, are valid and enforceable; however, the enforceability of arbitration provisions is often challenged in court. If those challenges are successful, our arbitration and class action waiver provisions could be unenforceable, which could subject us to additional litigation, including additional class action litigation.




117



Any judicial decisions, legislation or other rules or regulations that impair our ability to enter into and enforce consumer arbitration agreements and class action waivers could significantly increase our exposure to class action litigation as well as litigation in plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions, which would be costly and could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We use marketing affiliates to assist us and the originating lender in obtaining new customers, and if such marketing affiliates do not comply with an increasing number of applicable laws and regulations, or if our ability to use such marketing affiliates is otherwise impaired, it could adversely affect our business.
We depend in part on marketing affiliates as a source of new customers for us and, with respect to the Bank Products, for the originating lender and credit card issuer. Our marketing affiliates place our advertisements on their websites that direct potential customers to our websites. As a result, the success of our business depends in part on the willingness and ability of marketing affiliates to provide us customer referrals at acceptable prices.
If regulatory oversight of marketing affiliates relationships is increased, through the implementation of new laws or regulations or the interpretation of existing laws or regulations, our ability to use marketing affiliates could be restricted or eliminated.
Marketing affiliates’ failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, or any changes in laws or regulations applicable to marketing affiliates relationships or changes in the interpretation or implementation of such laws or regulations, could have an adverse effect on our business and could increase negative perceptions of our business and industry. Additionally, the use of marketing affiliates could subject us to additional regulatory cost and expense. If our ability to use marketing affiliates were to be impaired, our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
 
RISKS RELATED TO THE SECURITIES MARKETS AND OWNERSHIP OF OUR COMMON STOCK
The price of our common stock may be volatile, and the value of your investment could decline.
Technology stocks have historically experienced high levels of volatility. The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate substantially depending on many factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be related to our operating performance. These fluctuations could cause you to lose all or part of your investment in our common stock. Factors that could cause fluctuations in the trading price of our common stock include the following:
announcements of new products, services or technologies, relationships with strategic partners or acquisitions or changes in the timing of such anticipated events; of the termination of, or material changes to, material agreements; or of other events by us or our competitors;
changes in economic conditions;
changes in prevailing interest rates;
price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time;
significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of technology companies in general and of companies in the financial services industry;
fluctuations in the trading volume of our shares or the size of our public float;
actual or anticipated changes in our operating results or fluctuations in our operating results;
quarterly fluctuations in demand for our loans;
whether our operating results meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors;
actual or anticipated changes in the expectations of investors or securities analysts;
regulatory developments in the US, foreign countries or both and our ability to comply with applicable regulations;
material litigation, including class action lawsuits;
major catastrophic events;




118



sales of large blocks of our stock;
entry into, modification of or termination of a material agreement; or
departures of key personnel or directors.

In addition, if the market for technology and financial services stocks or the stock market in general experiences loss of investor confidence, the trading price of our common stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, operating results or financial condition. The trading price of our common stock might also decline in reaction to events that affect other companies in our industry even if these events do not directly affect us. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. If our stock price is volatile, we may become the target of securities litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources from our business. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. 
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public markets, or the perception that they might occur, could reduce the price that our common stock might otherwise attain and may dilute your voting power and your ownership interest in us.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and may make it more difficult for you to sell your common stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate.
We may issue our shares of common stock or securities convertible into our common stock from time to time in connection with a financing, acquisition, investments or otherwise. Any such issuance could result in substantial dilution to our existing stockholders and cause the trading price of our common stock to decline.
The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, divert management’s attention and affect our ability to attract and retain qualified board members.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the NYSE listing standards and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Compliance with these rules and regulations increases our legal and financial compliance costs, makes some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly, and increases demand on our systems and resources, particularly after we are no longer an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”). Among other things, the Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and operating results and maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. In order to maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight may be required. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could harm our business and operating results.
In addition, changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time consuming. These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expense and a diversion of management’s time and attention from revenues-generating activities to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us and our business may be harmed.




119



However, for so long as we remain an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various requirements that are applicable to public companies that are not “emerging growth companies,” including not being required to comply with the independent auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We may take advantage of these exemptions until we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” As a result, our stockholders may not have access to certain information they deem important.
We will cease to be an “emerging growth company” upon the earliest of: (i) the first fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our IPO, (ii) the first fiscal year after our annual gross revenues are $1.07 billion or more, (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt securities, and (iv) as of the end of any fiscal year in which the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700 million as of the end of the second quarter of that fiscal year.

We cannot predict if investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for securities and our stock price may be more volatile.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research reports about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock, to some extent, depends on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If one or more of the analysts who cover us should downgrade our shares or change their opinion of our shares, our share price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts should cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our share price or trading volume to decline.
We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.
We have never declared or paid any dividends on our common stock. We intend to retain any earnings to finance the operation and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the future. In addition, pursuant to our financing agreement, we are prohibited from paying cash dividends without the prior consent of VPC, and we may be further restricted in the future by debt or other agreements we enter into. As a result, you may only receive a return on your investment in our common stock if the market price of our common stock increases.
 
Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law may delay or prevent an acquisition of our company.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of us or changes in our management. The provisions, among other things:
establish a classified Board of Directors so that not all members of our Board of Directors are elected at one time;
permit only our Board of Directors to establish the number of directors and fill vacancies on the Board;
provide that directors may only be removed “for cause” and only with the approval of two-thirds of our stockholders;
require two-thirds approval to amend some provisions in our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws;
authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that our Board of Directors could use to implement a stockholder rights plan, or a “poison pill;”
eliminate the ability of our stockholders to call special meetings of stockholders;
prohibit stockholder action by written consent, which will require that all stockholder actions must be taken at a stockholder meeting;




120



do not provide for cumulative voting; and
establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our Board of Directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at annual stockholder meetings.
These provisions, alone or together, could delay or prevent hostile takeovers and changes in control or changes in our management.
In addition, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) which limits the ability of stockholders owning in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock to merge or combine with us in certain circumstances.
Any provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws or Delaware law that has the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain litigation that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed to us or our stockholders by any of our directors, officers, employees or agents, (iii) any action asserting a claim against us arising under the DGCL or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This choice of forum provision does not preclude or contract the scope of exclusive federal or concurrent jurisdiction for any actions brought under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. Accordingly, our exclusive forum provision will not relieve us of our duties to comply with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with these laws, rules and regulations. The choice of forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud.
Ensuring that we have adequate disclosure controls and procedures, including internal controls over financial reporting, in place so that we can produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis is costly and time-consuming and needs to be reevaluated frequently. We are required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) and related rules and regulations. Pursuant to Section 404, our management is required to report on, and, if we cease to be an emerging growth company, our independent registered public accounting firm will have to attest to the effectiveness of, our internal control over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal controls over financial reporting are not effective if we fail to cure any identified material weakness or otherwise.
Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal controls over financial reporting are effective, our independent registered public accounting firm may conclude that our internal controls over financial reporting are not effective. In the future, our independent registered public accounting firm may not be satisfied with our internal controls over financial reporting or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or it may interpret the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition, during the course of the evaluation, documentation and testing of our internal controls over financial reporting, we may identify deficiencies that we may not be able to remediate in time to meet the deadline imposed by the SEC for compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Any such deficiencies may also subject us to adverse regulatory consequences. If we fail to achieve and maintain the adequacy of our internal controls over financial reporting, as these standards may be modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis, may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and may suffer adverse regulatory consequences or violations of listing standards. Any of the above could also result in a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements.




121



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

Repurchases of Equity Securities

On July 25, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program providing for the repurchase of up to $10 million of our common stock through July 31, 2024. In January 2020, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a $20 million increase to the Company's existing common stock repurchase program providing for the repurchase of up to $30 million of the Company's common stock through July 31, 2024. The Company purchased $3.3 million of common shares under its $10 million authorization during the second half of 2019. The share repurchase program, as amended, provides that up to a maximum aggregate amount of $25 million shares may be repurchased in any given fiscal year. Repurchases will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws from time-to-time in the open market and/or in privately negotiated transactions at our discretion, subject to market conditions and other factors. The share repurchase plan does not require the purchase of any minimum number of shares and may be implemented, modified, suspended or discontinued in whole or in part at any time without further notice. All repurchased shares may potentially be withheld for the vesting of RSUs.

The following table provides information about our common stock repurchases during the quarter ended June 30, 2020.

Period
 
Total number of shares purchased
 
Average price paid per share (1)
 
Total number of shares purchased as part of the publicly announced program
 
Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the program (1)
April 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020
 
569,344

 
$
1.14

 
569,344

 
$
21,802,607

May 1, 2020 to May 31, 2020
 
772,600

 
$
1.98

 
772,600

 
$
20,275,869

June 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020
 
699,249

 
$
2.36

 
699,249

 
$
18,626,162

Total
 
2,041,193

 
$
1.87

 
2,041,193

 
 

(1) Includes fees and commissions associated with the shares repurchased.






122



Item 6. Exhibits


Exhibit
number
Description
10.1#
10.2+
10.3+
10.4+
10.5+
10.6+
31.1
31.2
32.1&
32.2&
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104
XBRL for cover page of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, included in the Exhibit 101 Inline XBRL Document Set.
#
 
Previously filed.
+
 
Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.
&
 
This certification is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.


(1) Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 8, 2020.





123



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
Elevate Credit, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Date:
August 7, 2020
By:
/s/ Jason Harvison
 
 
 
Jason Harvison
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
Date:
August 7, 2020
By:
/s/ Christopher Lutes
 
 
 
Christopher Lutes
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 





124


EMPLOYMENT, CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT, CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is entered into between Scott Greever ("Employee") and Elevate Credit Service, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Company" or "Employer") collectively referred to as the "Parties," with an "Effective Date" of February 15, 2016.

1.    Employee's Duties. Employee shall dedicate all of his or her working time, skill and attention to the business of Company and other entities within the Elevate Group (as defined below), agrees to remain loyal to Elevate Group, and not to engage in any conduct that creates a conflict of interest to, or damages the reputation of, any entity within the Elevate Group. Employee understands that he or she will be placed in a position of special trust and confidence concerning the interests of Company and other entities within the Elevate Group. The specific position(s) and duties assigned to Employee may be altered by Company in its sole discretion. Employee will work diligently to perform the duties of any position to which he or she is assigned in a reasonable, timely and professional manner, and shall comply with all applicable policies and rules of Company. Employee's duties are understood to include one or more of the following: (a) developing goodwill for the benefit of the Elevate Group; (b) assisting in development of strategies and other intellectual property; and (c) helping to identify business opportunities for the Elevate Group.

2.    Employee's Employment.

2.1    Term. Employee's employment will commence on the Effective Date, and will continue until terminated in accordance with this Agreement. The termination of Employee's employment shall not affect any obligation that expressly extends beyond, or is not contingent upon, continued employment, including the obligations in Section 3.2 and Section 4.

2.2    Termination. Employee's employment may be terminated as follows:

2.2.1    Termination without Cause prior to a Change in Control. If Employer terminates Employee's employment without Cause (as defined below) prior to a Change in Control (as defined below), then Employer shall pay Employee severance pay in an amount equal to the base salary that would be payable to Employee over the period commencing on the date of termination and ending six (6) months thereafter (the "Severance Period"), which severance pay shall be paid during the Severance Period in equal installments as set forth in Section 2.3.1.
2.2.2    Termination after a Change in Control. If Employer terminates Employee's employment with Employer without Cause, or Employee terminates his or her employment with Employer for Good Reason (as defined below), following the effective date of a Change in Control, then Employer shall pay Employee severance pay in an amount equal to the base salary that would be payable to Employee over the Severance Period, which severance pay shall be paid during the Severance Period in equal installments as set forth in Section 2.3.1.
2.2.3    Termination with Cause. If Employer terminates Employee’s employment with Employer with Cause, then Employer shall pay any base salary earned by Employee through the date of termination plus any other amounts required to be paid pursuant to applicable law. No severance pay shall be applicable.

11936.024 2777674v2
Page 1



2.2.4    Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
A.     The term "Cause" shall mean:
(i)    Failure of Employee to be present for work and duties as set forth herein for ten (10) or more consecutive business days (except during vacation and periods of illness as set forth herein) without giving prior written notice to the President of Company and receiving approval of the President of Company or the CEO or the Board of Directors (“Board”) of Elevate Credit, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("EC") for such absence;
(ii)    Employee's conviction for a felony offense or commission by Employee of any act abhorrent to the community that the President of Company or the CEO or the Board consider materially damaging to or tending to discredit the reputation of Employer, EC, any affiliate or subsidiary of EC, or any of their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the "Elevate Group");
(iii)    Dishonesty, fraud, willful misconduct, unlawful discrimination or theft on the part of Employee (whether within the workplace or elsewhere);
(iv)    Employee's using for his or her own benefit or the benefit of any third party any material, non-public information, confidential information or proprietary information of any entity within the Elevate Group, or willfully or negligently divulging any such information to third parties without the prior written consent of the President of Company or the CEO or the Board of EC, or any violation by Employee of any of his or her obligations under Section 4;
(v)    Employee's use, possession, or distribution of illegal substances or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances in the workplace. Employee may consume alcohol reasonably and responsibly, if he or she so chooses, at legitimate business events and functions where alcohol is legally available; and
(vi)    The determination by the President of Company or the CEO or the Board of EC that Employee has continually failed or refused, after written notice of and a reasonable opportunity to cure such failure or refusal, to perform the duties of Employee’s position in a satisfactory manner, in accordance with the policies, standards, regulations, instructions, or directions of Employer as they currently exist or as they may be reasonably modified from time to time.
B.    The term "Change in Control" shall mean:
(i)    A merger or consolidation involving EC as a consequence of which those persons who held all of the equity shares of EC immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not hold either directly or indirectly a majority of the equity shares of EC (or, if applicable, the surviving company of such merger or consolidation) after the consummation of such merger or consolidation;
(ii)    A transfer, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of voting or beneficial control of a majority of EC's then outstanding equity shares to persons who do not own prior to the transaction or series of transactions any equity interests of EC; or

11936.024 2777674v2
Page 2



(iii)    The sale of all or substantially all of the assets of EC to any person or "group" of persons (other than to any person who owns a majority or more of the equity shares of EC, or to a subsidiary of EC, or to an entity whose equity interests are owned directly or indirectly either by EC or by any person who owns directly or indirectly a majority or more of the equity shares of EC).
For purposes of clarification, the mere incorporation of Employer from its current limited liability company structure shall not be deemed to be a Change of Control. Further, a sale of Company or all or substantially all of the assets or outstanding equity securities of Company to, or any merger with, Think Finance, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, shall not be deemed to be a Change of Control.
C.    The term "Good Reason" shall mean:
(i)    Employer shall substantially diminish the responsibilities of Employee (other than in connection with Employee's availability by reason of disability or otherwise); or
(ii)    Employer shall reduce the base salary of Employee.
2.3    Compensation. Company shall provide Employee with compensation in the form of wages and benefits, subject to adjustment in the discretion of Company.

2.3.1    Base Salary. As compensation for services rendered under this Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to receive from Company an aggregate minimum base salary of Two Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand Dollars ($285,000) per annum for each twelve (12) month period from the date hereof. The base salary to be paid to Employee shall be paid $10,961.54 bi-weekly in accordance with Company's payroll policies less all applicable withholding or taxes which may be adjusted at the sole discretion of Company. Employee authorizes Company to make any deductions from his or her compensation, including from the final paycheck, that are deemed necessary by Company to comply with state or federal laws on withholdings, to compensate for property not returned, or to recover any advances paid to Employee.

2.3.2    Discretionary Bonus. Employee shall be eligible for a bonus of fifty percent (50%) of base salary as determined by the Board. Any bonus is discretionary and not earned or accrued until paid and shall be paid less any applicable withholdings or taxes.

2.3.3    Paid Time Off. Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid time off per annum.

2.3.4    Employee Benefit Plans. Employee shall be entitled to participate in Employer’s employee benefit plans.

2.3.5    Options. Employee shall be eligible for a grant of an option to purchase 12,500 shares of common stock of EC pursuant to EC’s equity incentive plan


11936.024 2777674v2
Page 3




3.    Business Interests and Obligations.

3.1    Definitions. The following definitions are used herein:

3.1.1    Trade Secrets means all technical information and business information that generally facilitates the sale of products, increases revenues, or provides an advantage over the competition (hereinafter referred to collectively as “Proprietary Information”) and is not generally known, and is identified as such.

3.1.2    Know-How means all factual knowledge and information related to any entity within the Elevate Group’s business which is not capable of precise, separate description but which, in accumulated form, after being acquired, gives to the one acquiring it the ability to produce and market something which one would otherwise not have known how to produce and market with the same accuracy or precision necessary for commercial success, provided, however, that such knowledge and information is not in the public domain or readily available to any third party other than a limited number of persons who have agreed to keep that information secret.

3.1.3    Confidential Information means all information acquired by Employee in the course and scope of his or her employment that is designated by any entity within the Elevate Group as confidential or that any entity within the Elevate Group indicates through its policies, procedures, or other instructions should not be disclosed to anyone outside the Elevate Group except through controlled means. Confidential Information need not be a Trade Secret, Proprietary Information or Know-How to be protected under this Agreement.

3.1.4    Company Information means all Trade Secrets, Proprietary Information, Know-How and Confidential Information (recognizing that certain information and material will fall into multiple categories), including, without limitation, proposals, concepts, diagrams, models, ID’s or email addresses, client or projections and reports, communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memos and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), software systems and processes and any information that is not readily available to the public, the information gathering techniques and processes of any entity within the Elevate Group, internally created client lists and associated data and pricing arrangements, and strategic plans, financial and personnel records, but not including information that is intentionally disclosed to the general public by any entity within the Elevate Group.

3.1.5    Intellectual Property means all compositions, articles of manufacture, processes, apparatus, and inventions; data, writings and other works of authorship (including, without limitation, software, protocols, rules, program codes, audiovisual effects created by program code, and documentation related thereto, drawings); mask works; and certain tangible items (including, without limitation, materials, samples, components, tools, and operating devices) related to any Elevate Group entity's business; and

3.1.6    Intellectual Property Rights means patents, trademarks, copyrights, mask rights, Trade Secrets, and Know-How covering the Intellectual Property.

11936.024 2777674v2
Page 4





3.2    Ancillary Employee Covenants. Employee shall not, directly or indirectly; participate in the unauthorized use, disclosure or conversion of any Company Information. Specifically, Employee shall not use any Company Information for his or her sole benefit, or for the benefit of any competitor or in any other way that harms any Elevate Group entity or diminishes the value of any Company Information. Employee shall also use the specialized training, goodwill and contacts developed with any customers and contractors of any entity within the Elevate Group for the exclusive benefit of such entity within the Elevate Group, and shall not use these items in a way that would harm the business interests of any entity within the Elevate Group during the term of this Agreement and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter.

3.3    Intellectual Property. Employee shall promptly inform and disclose to Company all Intellectual Property created or developed during the course of his or her employment with Company. Employee hereby agrees and acknowledges that all such Intellectual Property shall be the exclusive property of Company. During the employment and as necessary thereafter, Employee shall assist Company to obtain, perfect and maintain all Intellectual Property Rights covering such Intellectual Property, and shall execute all documents and do all things necessary to obtain for such entity within the Elevate Group all such Intellectual Property Rights for such entity within the Elevate Group. Employee hereby assigns, and agrees to assign, to Company or its designee all right, title, and interest in and to all Intellectual Property and Intellectual Property Rights covered by the foregoing that Employee may now own or may own at any time during his or her employment with Company.

3.4    Prior Works/Rights. Employee represents and acknowledges that no works relating to or incorporating any Intellectual Property or covered by Intellectual Property Rights existed prior to the Effective Date that are owned by Employee or licensable to any entity within the Elevate Group by Employee, or in which Employee has any other interest (collectively the “Prior Works”) that have not been assigned or licensed to Company. If any such Prior Works are incorporated into any Elevate Groups entity’s products or process contrary to this representation so that Company is unable to use the Prior Works as contemplated by any entity within the Elevate Group without infringing such Intellectual Property Rights, then Employee hereby grants a non-exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license to Company to make, have made, use, sell, offer to sell, import or otherwise commercially exploit such Prior Works as part of or in connection with any Elevate Group entity's products and/or services.

4.    Protective Covenants. Employee agrees that the following covenants are reasonable and necessary agreements for the protection of the business of the Elevate Group:

4.1    Definitions.

4.1.1    "Competing Business" means any person or entity that provides technology, analytical, administrative or support services or products that would compete with or displace any technology, analytical, administrative or support services or products sold, licensed or being developed for sale or license by any entity within the Elevate Group during Employee's employment with Company, or any other activities so similar in nature or purpose to those offered by or engaged in by any entity within the Elevate Group that they would displace business opportunities or customers of such entity within the Elevate Group.

11936.024 2777674v2
Page 5




4.1.2    "Covered Client and Customer" means any person or entity (Clients and Customers such as financial institutions or intermediaries, retailers, wholesalers and self-distribution chains) that (a) any entity within the Elevate Group has provided services to (including, without limitation, any corporate office, headquarter, retail, or dedicated team services) and (b) Employee either had contact with, supervised employees who had contact with, or received Proprietary Information about within the last twenty-four (24) month period that Employee was employed with Company.

4.2    Recordkeeping and Handling of Covered Items. Employee shall keep and maintain current written records of all customer contacts, inventions, enhancement, and plans she develops regarding matters that are within the scope of the business operations or that relate to research and development on behalf of the Elevate Group entities, and agrees to maintain any records necessary to inform Company of such business opportunities. All Company Information and other documents and materials maintained or entrusted to Employee by any entity within the Elevate Group shall remain the exclusive property of such entity within the Elevate Group at all times; such materials shall, together with all copies thereof, be returned and delivered to Company by Employee immediately without demand, upon the termination of Employee's employment with Company, and shall be returned at a prior time if Company so demands.

4.3    Restriction on Interfering with Personnel Relationships. For a period of twenty-four (24) months following the termination of Employee's employment with Company, Employee will not, either directly or indirectly, participate in recruiting or hiring away any employees or independent contractors of any entity within the Elevate Group, or encourage or induce any employees, agents, independent contractors or investors of any Elevate Group entity to terminate their relationship with Company or such Elevate Group entity.

4.4    Restriction on Interfering with Other Relationships. Employee agrees that during employment with Company, Employee will not induce or attempt to induce any Covered Client or Customer to diminish, curtail, divert or cancel its business relationship with any entity within the Elevate Group. For a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of Employee's employment with Company, Employee will not, directly or indirectly service, call on, solicit, divert or take away, any Covered Clients or Customers of any entity within the Elevate Group. This Section 4.4 is geographically limited to, where a Covered Client or Customer is present and available for solicitation at that time. Employee may not avoid the purpose and intent of this Section 4.4 by engaging in conduct within the geographically limited area from a remote location through means such as telecommunications, written correspondence, computer generated or assisted communications, or other similar methods.

4.5    Restriction on Unfair Competition. Employee will not participate in or assist a Competing Business. Further, for twelve (12) months following termination of employment with Company, Employee will not work for, supervise, assist, or participate in, any Competing Business in any capacity (as owner, employee, consultant, contractor, officer, director, lender, investor, agent, or otherwise). This restriction is limited to the United States, the United Kingdom, and any other country in which any entity within the Elevate Group has operations at the time of termination, which the Parties stipulate is a reasonable geographic area because of the scope of the operations of the Elevate Group entities and Employee's activities. This Section 4.5 creates a narrowly tailored advance approval requirement in order to avoid unfair competition and irreparable harm to the entities within the Elevate Group and is not intended or to be construed as a general restraint from engaging in a lawful profession or a general covenant against competition. Nothing herein will prohibit ownership of less than ten percent (10%) of the publicly traded capital stock of a corporation so long as this is not a controlling interest, or ownership of mutual fund

11936.024 2777674v2
Page 6



investments. Employee may not avoid the purpose and intent of this Section 4.5 by engaging in conduct within the geographically limited area from a remote location through means such as telecommunications, written correspondence; computer generated or assisted communications, or other similar methods.

4.6.    Survival of Covenants. This Section 4 shall survive the termination of Employee's employment with Company. The existence of any claim or cause of action of Employee against Company whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise shall not constitute a defense to that enforcement by Company of said covenant. If any enforcement remedy is sought under Section 4.7, then the time periods provided for in Section 4 shall be extended by one (1) day for each day Employee failed to comply with the restriction at issue.

4.7.    Remedies. In the event of breach or threatened breach by Employee of any provision of Section 4, each Elevate Group entity shall be entitled to (i) injunctive relief by temporary restraining order, temporary injunction, and/or permanent injunction, (ii) recovery of all attorneys' fees and costs incurred by any Elevate Group entity in obtaining such relief, and (iii) any other legal and equitable relief to which may be entitled, including without limitation any and all monetary damages which such Elevate Group entity may incur as a result of said breach or threatened breach. An agreed amount for the bond to be posted if an injunction is sought by such Elevate Group entity is One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00). Each Elevate Group entity may pursue any remedy available, including declaratory relief, concurrently or consecutively in any order as to any breach, violation, or threatened breach or violation, and the pursuit of one such remedy at any time will not be deemed an election of remedies or waiver of the right to pursue any other remedy. Each Elevate Group entity is an express third-party beneficiary of this Agreement with the right to enforce its terms against Employee as it such Elevate Group entity were a party.

4.8.    Early Resolution Conference. This Agreement is understood to be clear and enforceable as written and is executed by both Parties. However, should Employee later challenge any provision as unclear, unenforceable, or inapplicable to any competitive activity that Employee intends to engage in, Employee will first notify Company in writing and meet with a Company representative and a neutral mediator (if Company elects to retain one at its expense) to discuss resolution of any disputes between the Parties. Employee will provide this notification at least fourteen (14) days before Employee engages in any activity on behalf of a Competing Business or engages in other activity that could foreseeably fall within a questioned restriction. The failure to comply with this requirement shall waive Employee's right to challenge the reasonable scope, clarity, applicability, or enforceability of the Agreement and its restrictions at a later time. All rights of the Parties will be preserved if the Early Resolution Conference requirement is complied with even if no agreement is reached in the conference.

5.    Merger or Acquisition Disposition and Assignment. If Company or any Elevate Group entity consolidates, merges into another entity, or transfers all or substantially all of its assets or operations to another entity, or divide its assets or operations among a number of entities, then this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect with regard to the surviving entity and may be assigned by Company. Employee's obligations under this Agreement are personal in nature and may not be assigned by Employee to another person or entity.

11936.024 2777674v2
Page 7




6.    Notices. All notices, requests, consents, and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date personally delivered or on the date deposited in a receptacle maintained by the United States Postal Service for such purpose, postage prepaid, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by express mail addressed to the address indicated under the signature block for that party provided below. Either party may designate a different address by providing written notice of a new address to the other party.

7.    Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void, illegal or enforceable, in whole or in part, then the other provisions shall remain in full force and effect as if the provision that was determined to be void, illegal, of unenforceable had not been contained herein. If the restrictions in Section 4 are deemed unenforceable as written, then the Parties expressly authorize the court or arbitrator to revise, delete, or add to the restrictions contained in Section 4 to the extent necessary to enforce the intent of the Parties and to provide the Elevate Groups’ goodwill, Company Information, and other business interests with effective protection.

8.    Waiver, Construction, Modification, and Integration. The waiver by a party of any breach of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such party. Except as otherwise provided below, this instrument contains the entire agreement of the Parties concerning the matters covered in it. For purposes of clarification, this Agreement, if Employee has an existing agreement with TCLS, then such existing agreement shall be deemed to be amended and superseded in its entirety by this Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified, altered or amended except by written agreement of both Parties, except as provided in Section 4.8 or by order of the court or arbitrator pursuant to Section 7.

9.    Governing Law and Venue. The laws of the State of Texas should govern the validity of this Agreement, the construction of its terms, and the interpretation of the rights and duties of the Parties without regard to any contrary conflicts of laws principles. It is stipulated that Texas has a compelling state interest in the subject matter of this Agreement and that Employee has or will have regular contact with Texas in the performance of this Agreement. The agreed venue and personal jurisdiction for the Parties on any claims or disputes under this Agreement is Tarrant County, Texas.

10.    Representation of Employee. Employee represents and warrants to Company that Employee has not previously assumed any obligations inconsistent with those contained in this Agreement, and will not use, disclose, or otherwise rely upon any confidential information or trade secrets derived from any previous employment, if Employee has any, in the performance of his duties on behalf of Company. Further, Employee acknowledges that he or she has read and fully understands this Agreement, has had a reasonable opportunity to consider this Agreement and to seek legal counsel, and after such review, Employee stipulates that the promises made by him or her in this Agreement are not greater than necessary for the protection of Company's goodwill, Company Information, and other legitimate business interests and do not create undue hardship for Employee or the public.

11936.024 2777674v2
Page 8




11.    Arbitration. If there is any unresolved legal dispute between the Parties that involves legal rights or remedies arising from this Agreement or the employment relationship between Employee and Company, then the Parties shall submit their dispute to binding arbitration under the authority of the Federal Arbitration Act; provided, however, that Company may pursue a temporary restraining order and/or preliminary injunctive relief in accordance with Section 4.7, with related expedited discovery for the Parties, in a court of law, and, thereafter, require arbitration of all issues of final relief. This Section 11 does not prohibit Employee from filing or cooperating in a charge before a federal administrative agency without pursuing private litigation. Insured workers compensation claims (other than wrongful discharge claims), and claims for unemployment insurance are excluded from arbitration under this Section 11. The arbitration will be conducted by the American Arbitration Association, or another, mutually agreeable, arbitration service. The arbitrator(s) shall be duly licensed to practice law in the State of Texas. Each party will be allowed at least one deposition. The arbitrator(s) shall be required to state in a written opinion all facts and conclusions of law relied upon to support any decision rendered. No arbitrator will have authority to render a decision that contains an outcome determinative error of state or federal law, or to fashion a cause of action or remedy not otherwise provided for under applicable state or federal law. Any dispute over whether the arbitrator(s) has failed to comply with the foregoing will be resolved by summary judgment in a court of law. In all other respects, the arbitration process will be conducted in accordance with the American Arbitration Association's employment dispute resolution rules or other mutually agreeable, arbitration service rules. Company will pay the arbitration costs and arbitrator's fees beyond $500, subject to a final arbitration award on who should bear costs and fees. All proceedings shall be conducted in Fort Worth, Texas, or other mutually agreeable site. Company will reimburse Employee for reasonable travel expenses for Employee and his or her legal counsel to attend the arbitration in Fort Worth if necessary. The duty to arbitrate described above shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided above, the Parties hereby waive trial in a court of law or by jury. All other rights, remedies, statutes of limitation and defenses applicable to claims asserted in a court of law will apply in the arbitration.

<signature page follows>

11936.024 2777674v2
Page 9



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties agree to each of the terms of this Agreement as of the Effective Date.


EMPLOYEE:
 
 
By:
    /s/ Scott Greever
 
Printed Name:
     Scott Greever
 
Address:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY:
 
 
ELEVATE CREDIT SERVICE, LLC
 
By:
     /s/ Ken Rees
 
Printed Name:
     Ken Rees
 
Title:
     CEO
 
Address:
     4150 International Plaza, Suite 300
 
 
     Fort Worth, TX 76109
 



11936.024 2777674v2
Page 10


FIRST AMENDMENT TO
EMPLOYMENT, CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT

This First Amendment to Employment, Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement (this “First Amendment”), dated as of March 1, 2017 (“Amendment Date”), is by and between Elevate Credit Service, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Company” or “Employer”) and Scott Greever (“Employee”).

Recitals

WHEREAS, the Parties entered into that certain Employment, Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2016 (the “Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, the Parties mutually desire to amend the Agreement as set forth in this First Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows.

Agreement

1.
Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this First Amendment shall have the respective definitions given to such terms in the Agreement.

2.
Certain Definitions. Section 2.2.4(A)(iv) of the Agreement is hereby amended and restated, in its entirety, to read as follows:

“(iv)
Employee’s using for Employee’s own benefit or the benefit of any third party any material, non-public information, confidential information or proprietary information of any entity within the Elevate Group, or willfully or negligently disclosing any such information to third parties without the prior written consent of Company’s CEO or the Board of EC, or any violation by Employee of any of Employee’s obligations under Section 4; provided, however, that any such use or disclosure is subject to the whistleblower provisions of Employer’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy, and provided further, that nothing in this Agreement restricts Employee from initiating communications with, responding to any inquiry from, or providing testimony before the SEC, FINRA, any other self-regulatory organization or any other state or federal regulatory authority without the prior consent of Employer;”

3.
Base Salary. Section 2.3.1 of the Agreement is hereby amended and restated, in its entirety, to read as follows:

“2.3.1
As compensation for services rendered under this Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to receive from Company an aggregate minimum base salary of Two Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand Dollars ($285,000) per annum for each twelve (12) month period from the date hereof, or such other amount as agreed to by the Parties from time to time. The base salary to be paid to Employee shall be paid bi-weekly in accordance with Company’s payroll policies less all applicable withholding or taxes which may be adjusted at the sole discretion of Company. Employee authorizes Company to make any deductions from his or her compensation, including from the final paycheck that are deemed necessary by Company to comply with state or federal laws on withholdings, to compensate for property not returned, or to recover any advances paid to Employee.”


1



4.
Discretionary Bonus. Section 2.3.2 of the Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety, to read as follows:

“2.3.2
Discretionary Bonus. Each fiscal year, Employee shall be eligible to receive a bonus with a target value of fifty percent (50%) of base salary, or such other target value as agreed to by the Parties from time to time. Any bonus is discretionary and subject to ultimate determination by the Board. Furthermore, any bonus is not earned or accrued until paid and shall be paid less any applicable withholdings or taxes.”

5.
Protective Covenants. The following new Section 4.9 is added to the Agreement:

“4.9
18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) Notice. The Parties are hereby notified that 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) states as follows:

A.
An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that—(A) is made—(i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.

B.
Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Parties understand that they have the right to disclose in confidence trade secrets to Federal, State, and local government officials, or to an attorney, for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law. The Parties understand that they also have the right to disclose trade secrets in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, but only if the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure. The Parties understand and acknowledge that nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b).”

6.
Entire Agreement. The Agreement, as amended by this First Amendment, constitutes the entire understanding and agreement among the Parties regarding the subject matter hereof. Except as specifically amended by this First Amendment, the Agreement is ratified and confirmed in all respects.

7.
Signatures. This First Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be enforceable against the Parties that execute such counterparts, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Signatures received by facsimile, PDF file or other electronic format shall be deemed to be original signatures.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, in accordance with Section 8 of the Agreement, the undersigned have executed this First Amendment to be effective as of the Amendment Date, regardless of the actual date of execution.

ELEVATE CREDIT SERVICE, LLC
 
SCOTT GREEVER

     /s/ Ken Rees
 
    /s/ Scott Greever
Name: Kenneth E. Rees
 
 
Title: CEO
 
 


2



SECOND AMENDMENT TO
EMPLOYMENT, CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT


This Second Amendment to the Employment, Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement (this “Amendment”), dated as of April 11, 2018 (the “Amendment Date”), is by and between Elevate Credit Service, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”) and Scott Greever (the “Employee” and, together with the Company, the “parties”).

Recitals

A.    The parties entered into that certain Employment, Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2016 as amended on March 1, 2017 (the “Original Agreement”).

B.    The parties mutually desire to amend the Original Agreement as set forth in this Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows.

Agreement

1.    Severance. Upon a qualifying termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to which Employee would, under the Original Agreement and without giving effect to this Amendment, become entitled to severance pay in an amount equal to the base salary that would be payable to Employee over the period commencing on the date of such termination and ending six (6) months thereafter, Employee shall instead become entitled to severance pay in an amount equal to the base salary that would be payable to Employee over the period commencing on the date of such termination and ending twelve (12) months thereafter. For the avoidance of doubt, such twelve (12) months’ severance pay shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Original Agreement, including, without limitation, the form of payment.

2.    Entire Agreement. The Original Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, constitutes the entire understanding and agreement among the parties regarding the subject matter hereof. Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Original Agreement is ratified and confirmed in all respects.

3.    Signatures. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be enforceable against the parties that execute such counterparts, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Signatures received by facsimile, PDF file or other electronic format shall be deemed to be original signatures.

[Remainder of page is intentionally left blank]


1

sf-3875615



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, in accordance with Section 8 of the Original Agreement, the undersigned have executed this Amendment on the Amendment Date.

ELEVATE CREDIT SERVICE, LLC
 
SCOTT GREEVER

     /s/ Ken Rees
 
    /s/ Scott Greever
Name: Kenneth E. Rees
 
Name: Scott Greever
Title: CEO
 
 






[Signature Page to Amendment to Employment Agreement]
sf-3875615


THIRD AMENDMENT TO
EMPLOYMENT, CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT


This Third Amendment to Employment, Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement (this “Amendment”), dated as of January 24, 2019 (“Amendment Date”), is by and between Elevate Credit Service, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Company” or “Employer”) and Scott Greever (“Employee”).

Recitals

A.    The parties entered into that certain Employment, Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2016, as amended on March 1, 2017 and April 11, 2018 (as amended, the “Original Agreement”).

B.    The parties mutually desire to amend the Original Agreement as set forth in this Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows.

Agreement

1.    Certain Definitions. Section 2.2.4(C) of the Original Agreement is hereby amended and restated, in its entirety, as follows:

“C. The term “Good Reason” shall mean:

(i)
A material reduction in Employee's base salary or cash incentive bonus opportunity;
(ii)
A material reduction in Employee's duties, responsibilities or authority;
(iii)
A requirement to relocate, except for office relocations that would not increase Employee's one-way commuting distance by more than thirty-five (35) miles; or
(iv)
A material violation by the Company of a material term of any agreement between Employee and the Company."

2.    Entire Agreement. The Original Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, constitutes the entire understanding and agreement among the parties regarding the subject matter hereof. Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Original Agreement is ratified and confirmed in all respects.

3.    Signatures. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be enforceable against the parties that execute such counterparts, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Signatures received by facsimile, PDF file or other electronic format shall be deemed to be original signatures.

[Remainder of page is intentionally left blank]


1

sf-3933276



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, in accordance with Section 8 of the Original Agreement, the undersigned have executed this Amendment on the Amendment Date.

ELEVATE CREDIT SERVICE, LLC
 
SCOTT GREEVER

     /s/ Ken Rees
 
    /s/ Scott Greever
Name: Kenneth E. Rees
 
Name: Scott Greever
Title: CEO
 
 




[Signature Page to Amendment to Employment Agreement]
sf-3933276

FOURTH AMENDMENT TO
EMPLOYMENT, CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT


This Fourth Amendment to Employment, Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement (this “Amendment”), dated as of August 4, 2020 (“Amendment Date”), is by and between Elevate Credit Service, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Company” or “Employer”) and Scott Greever (“Employee”).

Recitals

A.    The parties entered into that certain Employment, Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2016, as amended on March 1, 2017, April 11, 2018 and January 24, 2019 (as amended, the “Original Agreement”).

B.    The parties mutually desire to amend the Original Agreement as set forth in this Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows.

Agreement

1.    Certain Definitions. The following new Section 2.2.4(D) is added to the agreement:

“D. The term "Change in Control Period" shall mean: the period in time that begins three (3) months prior to and ends twenty-four (24) months after a Change in Control, provided that the Change in Control constitutes a change in control event under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(i)."

2.     Limitation on Payments. The following new Section 2.2.5 shall be inserted:

"2.2.5     Limitation on Payments and Section 409A.

A.    If the severance and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Employee (i) constitute "parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the "Excise Tax"), then Employee's severance and other benefits under this Agreement shall be either:

(i)
delivered in full; or

(ii)
delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to the Excise Tax,

whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by Employee on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. Unless the Company and Employee

1



otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 2.2.5 shall be made in writing by the Company's independent public accountants (the "Accountants"), whose determination shall be conclusive and binding upon Employee and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 2.2.5, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Section 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Employee shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 2.2.5. The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 2.2.5. Any reduction of payments and benefits under this Section 2.2.5 shall be in the following order: (i) cash payments; (ii) equity-based payments that are taxable; (iii) equity-based payments that are not taxable; (iv) equity-based acceleration; and (v) other non-cash forms of benefits. Within any such category of payments and benefits (that is, (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v)), a reduction shall occur first with respect to amounts that are not "deferred compensation" within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code ("Section 409A") and then with respect to amounts that are. In no event will Employee have any discretion with respect to the ordering of payment reductions.

B.    No severance pay or benefits to be paid or provided to Employee, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that, when considered together with any other severance payments or separation benefits, are considered deferred compensation under Section 409A (together, the "Deferred Payments") shall be paid or otherwise provided until Employee has had a "separation from service" within the meaning of Section 409A. Similarly, no severance payable to Employee, if any, that otherwise would be exempt from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section l.409A-l(b)(9) shall be payable until Employee has had a "separation from service" within the meaning of Section 409A. Each payment and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment and the right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. If Employee is a "specified employee" within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of his "separation from service" (within the meaning of Section 409A), then the Deferred Payments that would otherwise be payable within the six (6) month period following his separation from service shall be paid in a lump sum on the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of his separation from service (or the next business day if such date is not a business day). All subsequent Deferred Payments, if any, shall be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. If Employee dies following his separation from service, but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of his separation from service, then any payments delayed in accordance with this paragraph shall be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of his death and all other Deferred Payments shall be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, Good Reason shall not exist unless {i) Employee provides the Company written notice of the condition giving rise to such Good Reason within ninety (90) days after he becomes aware of such event, (ii) the Company fails to cure such condition within thirty (30) days thereafter, and (iii) Employee terminates his employment due to such Good Reason within ninety (90) days following such failure. It is the intent of this Agreement to comply with, or be exempt from, the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided hereunder shall be subject to

2



the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein shall be interpreted to so comply. The parties agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid the imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to Employee under Section 409A."

3.    Termination.

A.
Section 2.2.1 of the Original Agreement is hereby amended and restated, in its entirety, to provide as follows:

"2.2.1 Termination without Cause outside of a Change in Control Period. If Employer terminates Employee's employment without Cause (as defined below) outside of a Change in Control Period (as defined below), then Employer shall (i) pay Employee severance pay in an amount equal to the base salary that would be payable to Employee over the period commencing on the date of termination and ending twelve (12) months thereafter, which severance pay shall be paid in equal bi-weekly installments commencing with the Company's first regular payroll that occurs on or following the sixtieth (60th) day after termination and (ii) pay Employee an amount equal to twelve (12) times the monthly premiums that Employee would be required to pay if Employee and Employee's eligible dependents then participating in the Company's group health insurance plan elected to continue their current level of healthcare coverage pursuant to the provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, regardless of whether such election is made (the "Health Payment"). The Health Payment shall be paid in lump-sum with the Company's first regular payroll that occurs on or following the sixtieth (60th) day after termination. The payments in this Section 2.2.1 shall be contingent on Employee executing and letting become irrevocable, prior to the fifty-third (53rd) day following termination, a general release of claims in favor of the Company and its affiliates in a form provided by the Company. The payments in this Section 2.2.1 shall be subject to required withholdings."

B.
Section 2.2.2 of the Original Agreement is hereby amended and restated, in its entirety, to provide as follows:

"2.2.2 Termination within a Change in Control Period. If Employer terminates Employee's employment without Cause, or Employee terminates Employee's employment with Employer for Good Reason (as defined below), within a Change in Control Period:

(A)
then Employer shall (i) pay Employee severance pay in an amount equal to the base salary that would be payable to Employee over the period commencing on the date of termination and ending twelve (12) months thereafter, which severance pay shall be paid in equal bi-weekly installments commencing with the Company's first regular payroll that occurs on or following the sixtieth (60th) day after termination and (ii) pay employee a one-time bonus equal to (a) fifty percent (50%) of Employee's annual base salary plus (b) the Health Payment, to be paid in lump-sum with the Company's first regular payroll that occurs on or following the later of (1) sixty (60) days after termination and (2) the Change in Control to which such Change in Control Period applies.


3



(B)
The payments and benefits in this Section 2.2.2 shall be contingent on Employee executing and letting become irrevocable, prior to the fifty-third (53rd) day following termination, a general release of claims in favor of the Company and its affiliates in a form provided by the Company, shall be subject to required withholdings, and shall not be duplicative of any payments to which Employee has become entitled in respect of such termination pursuant to Section 2.2.1."

4.    Compensation. The following new Section 2.3.6 is added to the agreement:

“2.3.6. Foreign Tax Equalization. Company shall engage and pay directly for the use of a third-party accounting firm to assist with Employee’s personal tax return filings in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) for as long as compensation received from Company based on assignment in the United Kingdom impacts Employee’s annual personal tax returns. Company and Employee are in agreement that the Employee shall not benefit or gain from any tax related adjustments paid by the Company in an effort to equalize the Employee’s annual tax liability to be the same as if Employee’s compensation and other rewards had been earned and received as a US based employee for the entire tax year. Company and Employee agree to settle any discrepancy in either direction (Company’s favor or Employee’s favor) on an annual basis no later than 30 days from the filing of Employee’s US and UK annual tax returns and the receipt of the third-party accounting firm’s final calculated tax figures for the year(s) under review showing whether the Company or Employee is due any payment to equalize the tax payments discussed in this Section 2.3.6."

5.    Entire Agreement. The Original Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, constitutes the entire understanding and agreement among the parties regarding the subject matter hereof. Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Original Agreement is ratified and confirmed in all respects.

6.    Signatures. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be enforceable against the parties that execute such counterparts, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Signatures received by facsimile, PDF file or other electronic format shall be deemed to be original signatures.

[Remainder of page is intentionally left blank]


4



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, in accordance with Section 8 of the Original Agreement, the undersigned have executed this Amendment on the Amendment Date.

ELEVATE CREDIT SERVICE, LLC
 
Scott Greever

Signature:    /s/ Jason Harvison
 
Signature:    /s/ Scott Greever
Name: Jason Harvison
 
Name: Scott Greever
Title: President & CEO
 
 





[Signature Page to Amendment to Employment Agreement]


Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Jason Harvison, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Elevate Credit, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date:
August 7, 2020
By:
/s/ Jason Harvison
 
 
 
Jason Harvison
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)






Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Christopher Lutes, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Elevate Credit, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date:
August 7, 2020
By:
/s/ Christopher Lutes
 
 
 
Christopher Lutes
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)





Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I, Jason Harvison, Chief Executive Officer of Elevate Credit, Inc. (the "Company"), hereby certify, that, to my knowledge:
i.
The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
ii.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date:
August 7, 2020
By:
/s/ Jason Harvison
 
 
 
Jason Harvison
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)





Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I, Christopher Lutes, Chief Financial Officer of Elevate Credit, Inc. (the "Company"), hereby certify, that, to my knowledge:
i.
The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
ii.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date:
August 7, 2020
By:
/s/ Christopher Lutes
 
 
 
Christopher Lutes
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)