Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 3,156,000	$ 4,308,000
Available-for-sale debt securities (at fair value)	60,587,000	56,123,000	[1]
Investments in equity securities (at fair value)	8,234,000	8,136,000
Consumer receivables acquired for liquidation (at cost)	1,448,000	1,668,000
Investment in personal injury claims, net	4,533,000	5,190,000
Due from third party collection agencies and attorneys	421,000	596,000
Accounts receivable, net	203,000	266,000
Prepaid and income taxes receivable, net	68,000	264,000
Furniture and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1.9 million at December 31, 2019 and at September 30, 2019	96,000	120,000
Right of use assets	545,000
Equity method investment	278,000	280,000
Settlement receivable	1,095,000	1,558,000
Deferred income taxes	9,457,000	9,631,000
Goodwill	1,410,000	1,410,000
Other assets	978,000	1,135,000
Total assets	92,509,000	90,685,000
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,027,000	941,000
Right of use liability	540,000
Income taxes payable	778,000	575,000
	2,345,000	1,516,000
Commitments and contingencies
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued 13,459,708 at December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019; and outstanding 6,567,765 at December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019	135,000	135,000
Additional paid-in capital	68,558,000	68,558,000
Retained earnings	89,217,000	88,172,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes	226,000	276,000
Treasury stock (at cost) 6,891,943 shares at December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019	(67,972,000)	(67,972,000)
Total stockholders’ equity	90,164,000	89,169,000
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	92,509,000	90,685,000
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock

[1] At September 30, 2018, the Company reported investments in equity securities and available for sale debt securities as a single line item on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet. With the Company's adoption of ASU No. 2016-01 on October 1, 2018, the Company has included the current breakout above for comparability purposes only.