Purchased Receivables

We purchase accounts receivable from our business customers and provide them with short-term working capital. We provide this service to our customers in Alaska and in Washington and the greater west coast through NFS. Our purchased receivable activity is guided by policies that outline risk management, documentation, and approval limits. The policies are reviewed and approved annually by the Board of Directors.

Purchased receivables are carried at their principal amount outstanding, net of a reserve for anticipated losses that have not yet been identified, and have a maturity of less than one year. Purchased receivable balances are charged against this reserve when management believes that collection of principal is unlikely. Management evaluates the adequacy of the reserve for purchased receivable losses based on historical loss experience by segment and class of receivable and its assessment of current economic conditions. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has one segment and class of purchased receivables. There are no purchased receivables past due at December 31, 2017 or 2016, respectively, and there were no restructured purchased receivables in 2017, 2016, or 2015.

Income on purchased receivables is accrued and recognized on the balance outstanding using an effective interest method, except when management believes doubt exists as to the collectability of the income or principal. As of December 31, 2017, the Company is accruing income on all purchased receivable balances outstanding.

The following table summarizes the components of net purchased receivables at December 31, for the years indicated:



(In Thousands)	2017			2016
Purchased receivables		$22,431			$20,662
Reserve for purchased receivable losses	(200		)	(171		)
Total		$22,231			$20,491

The following table sets forth information regarding changes in the purchased receivable reserve for the periods indicated:



(In Thousands)	2017		2016			2015
Balance at beginning of year		$171		$181			$289
Charge-offs	—		—			—
Recoveries	—		—			30
Net recoveries (charge-offs)	—		—			30
Reserve for (recovery from) purchased receivables	29		(10		)	(138		)
Balance at end of year		$200		$171			$181

The Company recorded no charge-offs in 2017, 2016, and 2015.