Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization	Organization We are a leading provider of specialty consumer financial services. We provide collateralized, non-recourse loans, commonly known as pawn loans, and a variety of short-term consumer loans including single-payment and multiple-payment unsecured loans and single-payment and multiple-payment auto title loans, or fee-based credit services to customers seeking loans. At September 30, 2013, we operated a total of 1,342 locations, consisting of 495 U.S. pawn stores (operating as EZPAWN or Value Pawn), seven U.S. buy/sell stores (operating as Cash Converters), 239 pawn stores in Mexico (operating as Empeño Fácil), 489 U.S. financial services stores (operating primarily as EZMONEY), 24 financial services stores in Canada (operating as CASHMAX), 15 buy/sell and financial services stores in Canada (operating as Cash Converters), 19 TUYO buy/sell stores in Mexico, and 54 Grupo Finmart locations in Mexico. We are the franchisor for eight franchised stores in Canada pursuant to our acquisition of the Cash Converters master franchise in that country. In addition, we offer consumer loans online in the U.S. and the U.K. operating primarily as EZMONEY.com and CashGenie.com, respectively. We also own approximately 30% of Albemarle & Bond Holdings PLC ("Albemarle & Bond"), one of the U.K.’s largest pawnbroking businesses with over 230 stores, and approximately 33% of Cash Converters International Limited ("Cash Converters International"), which franchises and operates a worldwide network of over 700 financial services and second-hand retail stores.
Consolidation	Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EZCORP, Inc. ("EZCORP") and its consolidated subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. As of September 30, 2013, we own 60% of the outstanding equity interests in Prestaciones Finmart, S.A. de C.V., SOFOM, E.N.R. (“Grupo Finmart") doing business under the brands "Crediamigo" and "Adex" and 51% of Renueva Comercial S.A. de C.V. ("TUYO"), and therefore, include their results in our consolidated financial statements. We account for our investments in Albemarle & Bond and Cash Converters International using the equity method. Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
Pawn Loan and Sales Revenue Recognition	Pawn Loan and Sales Revenue Recognition We record pawn service charges using the interest method for all pawn loans we believe to be collectible. We base our estimate of collectible loans on several factors, including recent redemption rates, historical trends in redemption rates and the amount of loans due in the following two months. Unexpected variations in any of these factors could change our estimate of collectible loans, affecting our earnings and financial condition. If a pawn loan is not repaid, we value the forfeited collateral (inventory) at the lower of cost (pawn loan principal) or market value of the property. We record sales revenue and the related cost when this inventory is sold, or when we receive the final payment on a layaway sale. Sales tax collected on the sale of inventory is excluded from the amount recognized as sales and instead recorded as a liability in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” on our balance sheets until remitted to the appropriate governmental authorities.
Consumer Loans	Consumer Loans We provide a variety of short-term consumer loans including single-payment and multiple-payment unsecured loans and single-payment and multiple-payment auto title loans. In Texas, we provide fee-based credit services to customers seeking loans. In Mexico, Grupo Finmart enters into agreements with employers that permit it to market consumer loans to employees. Payments are withheld by the employers through payroll deductions and remitted to Grupo Finmart. Revenue Recognition Unsecured Consumer Loan Credit Service Fees — We earn credit service fees when we assist customers in obtaining unsecured loans from unaffiliated lenders. We initially defer recognition of the fees we expect to collect, net of direct expenses, and recognize that deferred net amount over the life of the related loans. We reserve the percentage of credit service fees we expect not to collect. Accrued fees related to defaulted loans reduce credit service fee revenue upon loan default and increase credit service fee revenue upon collection. Unsecured loan credit service fee revenue is included in “Consumer loan fees and interest” on our consolidated statements of operations. Unsecured Consumer Loan Revenue — We accrue fees and interest in accordance with state and provincial laws on the percentage of unsecured loans (single-payment and multiple-payment) we have made that we believe to be collectible. Accrued fees related to defaulted loans reduce fee revenue upon loan default and increase fee revenue upon collection. Unsecured loan revenue is included in “Consumer loan fees and interest” on our consolidated statements of operations. Long-term Unsecured Consumer Loan Revenue — Grupo Finmart customers obtain installment loans with a series of payments due over as long as a four-year period. We recognize consumer loan interest related to loans we originate based on the percentage of consumer loans made that we believe to be collectible. We recognize interest revenue ratably over the life of the related loans. We reserve the percentage of interest we expect not to collect. Accrued interest related to defaulted loans reduce consumer loan revenue upon loan default and increase consumer loan fee revenue upon collection. Long-term unsecured consumer loan revenue is included in “Consumer loan fees and interest” on our consolidated statements of operations. Auto Title Loan Credit Service Fee Revenue — We earn auto title credit service fees when we assist customers in obtaining auto title loans from unaffiliated lenders. We recognize the fee revenue ratably over the life of the loan, and reserve the percentage of fees we expect not to collect. Auto title loan credit service fee revenue is included in “Consumer loan fees and interest” on our consolidated statements of operations. Auto Title Loan Revenue — We accrue fees in accordance with state laws on the percentage of auto title loans we have made that we believe to be collectible. We recognize the fee revenue ratably over the life of the loan. Auto title loan revenue is included in “Consumer loan fees and interest” on our consolidated statements of operations.
Bad Debt and Allowance For Losses	Bad Debt and Allowance For Losses Unsecured Consumer Loan Credit Service Bad Debt — We issue letters of credit to enhance the creditworthiness of our customers seeking unsecured loans from unaffiliated lenders. The letters of credit assure the lenders that if borrowers default on the loans, we will pay the lenders, upon demand, the principal and accrued interest owed to the lenders by the borrowers plus any insufficient funds fees. Although amounts paid under letters of credit may be collected later, we charge those amounts to consumer loan bad debt upon default. We record recoveries under the letters of credit as a reduction of bad debt at the time of collection. After attempting collection of bad debts internally, we occasionally sell them to an unaffiliated company as another method of recovery. We record the proceeds from such sales as a reduction of bad debt at the time of the sale. Unsecured consumer loan credit service bad debt is included in "Consumer loan bad debt" on our consolidated statements of operations. The majority of our credit service customers obtain short-term unsecured loans with a single maturity date. These short-term loans, with terms averaging about 16 days, are considered defaulted if they have not been repaid or renewed by the maturity date. Other credit service customers obtain multiple-payment loans with a series of payments due over as much as a seven-month period. If one payment of multiple-payment loan is delinquent, that one payment is considered defaulted. If more than one payment is delinquent at any time, the entire loan is considered defaulted. Allowance for Losses on Unsecured Consumer Loan Credit Services — We provide an allowance for losses we expect to incur under letters of credit for brokered unsecured loans that have not yet matured. The allowance is based on recent loan default experience adjusted for seasonal variations. It includes all amounts we expect to pay to the unaffiliated lenders upon loan default, including loan principal, accrued interest and insufficient funds fees, net of the amounts we expect to collect from borrowers (collectively, “Expected LOC Losses”). Changes in the allowance are charged to consumer loan bad debt on our consolidated statements of operations. We include the balance of Expected LOC Losses in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” on our consolidated balance sheets. Based on the expected loss and collection percentages, we also provide an allowance for the unsecured loan credit service fees we expect not to collect, and charge changes in this allowance to consumer loan fee revenue, which is included in "Consumer loan fees and interest" on our consolidated statements of operations. Unsecured Consumer Loan Bad Debt — In general, we consider a single-payment loan defaulted if it has not been repaid or renewed by the maturity date. If one payment of a multiple-payment loan is delinquent, that one payment is considered defaulted. If more than one payment is delinquent at any time, the entire loan is considered defaulted. Although defaulted loans may be collected later, we charge the loan principal to consumer loan bad debt upon default, leaving only active loans in the reported balance. We record collections of principal as a reduction of consumer loan bad debt when collected. After attempting collection of bad debts internally, we occasionally sell them to an unaffiliated company as another method of recovery and record the proceeds from such sales as a reduction of bad debt at the time of sale. Unsecured consumer loan bad debt is included in "Consumer loan bad debt" on our consolidated statements of operations. Consumer loans made by EZCORP Online are considered delinquent if they are not repaid or renewed by the maturity date. We do not accrue additional revenues on delinquent loans. All outstanding principal balances and related fee receivables greater than 60 days past due are considered defaulted. Upon default, we charge consumer loan principal to consumer loan bad debt and reverse accrued unsecured consumer loan fee revenue. Unsecured Consumer Loan Allowance for Losses — We provide an allowance for losses on unsecured loans that have not yet matured and related fees receivable, based on recent loan default experience adjusted for seasonal variations. We charge any changes in the principal valuation allowance to "Consumer loan bad debt" on our consolidated statements of operations. We record changes in the fee receivable valuation allowance to "Consumer loan fees and interest" on our consolidated statements of operations. Long-Term Unsecured Consumer Loan Bad Debt — Consumer loans made by Grupo Finmart are considered in current status as long as the customer is employed and Grupo Finmart receives payments via payroll withholdings. Loans made to customers no longer employed are considered current if payments are made by the due date. If one payment of a loan is delinquent, that one payment is considered defaulted. If two or more payments are delinquent at any time, the entire loan is considered defaulted. Although defaulted loans may be collected later, Grupo Finmart charges the loan principal to consumer loan bad debt upon default, leaving only active loans in the reported balance. Collections of principal are recorded as a reduction of consumer loan bad debt when collected. Long-term unsecured consumer loan bad debt is included in "Consumer loan bad debt" on our consolidated statements of operations. Long-Term Unsecured Consumer Loan Allowance for Losses — Grupo Finmart provides an allowance for losses on consumer loans that have not yet matured and related fees receivable based on recent loan default experience. Changes in the principal valuation allowance are charged to "Consumer loan bad debt" and changes in the interest receivable valuation allowance are charged to "Consumer loan fees and interest" on our consolidated statements of operations. Auto Title Loan Credit Services Bad Debt and Allowance for Losses — We issue letters of credit to enhance the creditworthiness of our customers seeking auto title loans from unaffiliated lenders. The letters of credit assure the lenders that if borrowers default on the loans, we will pay the lenders, upon demand, all amounts owed to the lenders by the borrowers plus any insufficient funds fees. Through a charge to auto title loan bad debt, we provide an allowance for losses we expect to incur under letters of credit for brokered auto title loans, and record actual charge-offs against this allowance. The allowance includes all amounts we expect to pay to the unaffiliated lenders upon loan default, including principal, accrued interest and insufficient funds fees, net of the amounts we expect to collect from borrowers or through the sale of repossessed vehicles. We include the allowance for expected losses in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” on our consolidated balance sheets. Auto Title Loan Bad Debt and Allowance for Losses — Based on historical collection experience, the age of past-due loans and amounts we expect to receive through the sale of repossessed vehicles, we provide an allowance for losses on auto title loans and related fees receivable. We charge any increases in the principal valuation allowance to consumer loan bad debt and charge uncollectable loans against this allowance. We record changes in the fee receivable valuation allowance to "Consumer loan fees and interest" on our consolidated statements of operations.
Inventory	Inventory and Cost of Goods Sold If a pawn loan is not redeemed, we record the forfeited collateral at cost (the principal amount of the pawn loan) in "Inventory, net" on our consolidated balance sheets. We do not record loan loss allowances or charge-offs on the principal portion of pawn loans, as they are fully collateralized. We record our inventory using the specific identification method of accounting. In order to state inventory at the lower of cost or market value, we record an allowance for excess, obsolete or slow moving inventory based on the type and age of merchandise. We include in "Merchandise cost of goods sold" in our consolidated statements of operations the historical cost of inventory sold, inventory shrinkage and any change in the allowance for inventory shrinkage and valuation. We also include the cost of operating our central jewelry processing unit, as it relates directly to sales of precious metals to refiners.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Cash Concentrations	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Cash Concentrations Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on deposit, highly liquid investments, or mutual funds with original contractual maturities of three months or less. We hold cash at major financial institutions that often exceed FDIC insured limits. We manage our credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents and cash concentrations by investing in high quality instruments or funds, concentrating our cash deposits in high quality financial institutions and by periodically evaluating the credit quality of the primary financial institutions issuing investments or holding such deposits. Historically, we have not experienced any losses due to such cash concentrations. Restricted cash amounts represent amounts that can only be used to settle liabilities of Grupo Finmart's securitization trust or for interest payments on Grupo Finmart's debt. See Note 9, “Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations.”
Software Development Costs	Software Development Costs We capitalize certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use and amortize the costs by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of each system, typically five years.
Customer Layaway Deposits	Customer Layaways Customer layaway deposits are recorded as deferred revenue until we collect the entire related sales price and deliver the related merchandise to the customer. Customer layaway fees are recognized when collected.
Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and other intangible assets having indefinite lives are not subject to amortization. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") ASC 350-20-35, Goodwill - Subsequent Measurement, we test goodwill and intangible assets with an indefinite useful life for potential impairment annually, or more frequently when there are events or circumstances that indicate a potential impairment. We perform our impairment analysis utilizing the income approach. This approach uses future cash flows and estimated terminal values for each of our reporting units (discounted using a market participant perspective) to determine the fair value of each reporting unit, which is then compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit to determine if there is an impairment. The income approach includes assumptions about revenue growth rates, operating margins and terminal growth rates discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital derived from other publicly-traded companies that are similar but not identical from an operational and economic standpoint. We completed our annual assessment of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets as of September 30, 2013 and determined that no material impairment existed at that date.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment We record property and equipment at cost. We depreciate these assets on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of 30 years for buildings and 2 to 7 years for furniture, equipment and software development costs. We depreciate leasehold improvements over the shorter of their estimated useful life (typically 10 years) or the reasonably assured lease term at the inception of the lease.
Valuation of Tangible Long-Lived Assets	Valuation of Tangible Long-Lived Assets We assess the impairment of tangible long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net recorded amount may not be recoverable. The following factors could trigger an impairment review: significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future cash flows, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the overall business, significant negative industry trends or legislative changes prohibiting us from offering our loan products. An impairment loss is recognized if the future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset and the estimated fair value of the asset are less than the asset's carrying value.
Fair value of financial instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments We have elected not to measure at fair value any eligible items for which fair value measurement is optional. We determine the fair value of financial instruments by reference to various market data and other valuation techniques, as appropriate. Unless otherwise disclosed, the fair values of financial instruments approximate their recorded values, due primarily to their short-term nature. The recorded value of our outstanding debt is assumed to estimate its fair value, as it has no prepayment penalty and a floating interest rate based on market rates.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Policy	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities We recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets at their respective fair values. For derivatives designated in hedging relationships, changes in the fair value are either offset through earnings against the change in fair value of the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged or recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, to the extent the derivative is effective at offsetting the changes in cash flows being hedged until the hedged item affects earnings. We enter into derivative contracts that we intend to designate as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge). For all hedging relationships, we formally document the hedging relationship and its risk‑management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, the hedging instrument, the hedged transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged, how the hedging instrument's effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively, and a description of the method used to measure ineffectiveness. We also formally assess, both at the inception of the hedging relationship and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging relationships are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged transactions. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as part of a cash flow hedging relationship, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings. We discontinue hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting cash flows attributable to the hedged risk, the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, the cash flow hedge is redesignated because a forecasted transaction is not probable of occurring, or management determines to remove the designation of the cash flow hedge. In all situations in which hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative remains outstanding, we continue to carry the derivative at its fair value on the balance sheet and recognize any subsequent changes in its fair value in earnings. When it is probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur, we discontinue hedge accounting and recognize immediately in earnings gains and losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income related to the hedging relationship.
Acquisitions	Acquisitions We adopted FASB ASC 805-10-65 (Business Combinations — Revised) on October 1, 2009, and have applied it prospectively to all business acquisitions completed since that date. In accordance with FASB ASC 805-10-65, we allocate the total acquisition price to the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired and immediately expense transaction costs that would have been included in the purchase price allocation under previous accounting standards.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation Our equity investments in Albemarle & Bond and Cash Converters International are translated from British pounds and Australian dollars, respectively, into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates as of the investees’ balance sheet date of June 30. The related interest in the investees’ net income is translated at the average exchange rates for each six-month period reported by the investees. The functional currency of Empeño Fácil, our wholly owned subsidiary, Grupo Finmart, our 60% owned subsidiary, and TUYO, our 51% owned subsidiary, is the Mexican peso. The functional currency of our wholly owned foreign subsidiary in Canada is the Canadian dollar, and the functional currency of Cash Genie, our wholly owned subsidiary in the U.K., is the British Pound. Our foreign subsidiaries' balance sheet accounts are translated from their respective functional currencies into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at the end of each quarter, and their earnings are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate each quarter. We present resulting translation adjustments as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses have not been significant, and are reported as “Other” (income) or expense in our statements of operations.
Securitization of Consumer Loans	Securitization of Consumer Loans Our majority-owned subsidiary, Grupo Finmart, periodically transfers certain consumer loans to a bankruptcy remote trust in securitization transactions. These securitizations are accounted for as secured borrowings, and no gains or losses are recognized at the time of the transaction. Secured borrowings are transactions involving transfers of financial assets that are accounted for as financings with the assets pledged as collateral. We consolidate the assets and liabilities of the trust and disclose on our consolidated balance sheets the consolidated assets and liabilities of the trust that can only be used to settle its liabilities.
Operations Expense	Operations Expense Included in operations expense are costs related to operating our stores, online businesses and any direct costs of support offices. These costs include labor, other direct expenses such as utilities, supplies and banking fees, and indirect expenses such as store rent, building repairs and maintenance, advertising, store property taxes and insurance, regional and area management expenses, the costs of our bad debt collection center and allocations of certain corporate costs
Administrative Expense	Administrative Expense Included in administrative expense are costs related to our executive and administrative offices. This includes executive and administrative salaries, wages, stock and incentive compensation, professional fees, license fees and costs related to the operation of our administrative offices such as rent, property taxes, insurance and information technology.
Advertising	Advertising We expense advertising costs as incurred.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and their tax basis and for 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 the related 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 when the rate change is enacted. Management believes that it is more likely than not that forecasted income, including income that may be generated as a result of certain tax planning strategies, together with future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, will be sufficient to fully recover the deferred tax assets. In the event that we determine all or part of the net deferred tax assets are not realizable in the future, we will make an adjustment to the valuation allowance that would be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made.
Stock Compensation	Stock Compensation We account for stock compensation in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of FASB ASC 718-10-25 (Compensation — Stock Compensation). The fair value of restricted shares is measured as the closing market price of our stock on the date of grant, which is amortized over the vesting period for each grant. When we grant options, our policy is to estimate the grant-date fair value of the options using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model and amortize that fair value to compensation expense on a ratable basis over the options’ vesting periods.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates Generally accepted accounting principles require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This update, which amends FASB ASC 210 (Balance Sheet), requires entities to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements and the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The amendments in ASU 2011-11 enhance disclosures required by FASB ASC 210 by requiring improved information about financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either offset in accordance with FASB ASC 210-20-45 or 815-10-45 or are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. ASU 2011-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Disclosures are required retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. Currently, we do not enter into any right of offset arrangements and the adoption of ASU 2011-11 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This update addresses implementation issues about the scope of ASU 2011-11. The amendments in this ASU clarify that the scope of the disclosures under U.S. GAAP is limited to derivatives, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements, reverse purchase agreements, securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are offset in accordance with FASB ASC 210-20-45 Balance Sheet—Offsetting—Other Presentation Matters, or FASB ASC 815-10-45 Derivatives and Hedging — Overall — Other Presentation Matters, or subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement. Entities with other types of financial assets and financial liabilities subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement are no longer subject to the disclosure requirements in ASU 2011-11. This update requires entities to apply the amendments for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and interim periods within those annual periods and to provide the required disclosures retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. Currently, we do not enter into any right of offset arrangements and the early adoption of ASU 2013-01 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

We are a leading provider of specialty consumer financial services. We provide collateralized, non-recourse loans, commonly known as pawn loans, and a variety of short-term consumer loans including single-payment and multiple-payment unsecured loans and single-payment and multiple-payment auto title loans, or fee-based credit services to customers seeking loans.

At September 30, 2013, we operated a total of 1,342 locations, consisting of 495 U.S. pawn stores (operating as EZPAWN or Value Pawn), seven U.S. buy/sell stores (operating as Cash Converters), 239 pawn stores in Mexico (operating as Empeño Fácil), 489 U.S. financial services stores (operating primarily as EZMONEY), 24 financial services stores in Canada (operating as CASHMAX), 15 buy/sell and financial services stores in Canada (operating as Cash Converters), 19 TUYO buy/sell stores in Mexico, and 54 Grupo Finmart locations in Mexico. We are the franchisor for eight franchised stores in Canada pursuant to our acquisition of the Cash Converters master franchise in that country. In addition, we offer consumer loans online in the U.S. and the U.K. operating primarily as EZMONEY.com and CashGenie.com, respectively. We also own approximately 30% of Albemarle & Bond Holdings PLC ("Albemarle & Bond"), one of the U.K.’s largest pawnbroking businesses with over 230 stores, and approximately 33% of Cash Converters International Limited ("Cash Converters International"), which franchises and operates a worldwide network of over 700 financial services and second-hand retail stores.

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EZCORP, Inc. ("EZCORP") and its consolidated subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. As of September 30, 2013, we own 60% of the outstanding equity interests in Prestaciones Finmart, S.A. de C.V., SOFOM, E.N.R. (“Grupo Finmart") doing business under the brands "Crediamigo" and "Adex" and 51% of Renueva Comercial S.A. de C.V. ("TUYO"), and therefore, include their results in our consolidated financial statements. We account for our investments in Albemarle & Bond and Cash Converters International using the equity method. Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Pawn Loan and Sales Revenue Recognition

We record pawn service charges using the interest method for all pawn loans we believe to be collectible. We base our estimate of collectible loans on several factors, including recent redemption rates, historical trends in redemption rates and the amount of loans due in the following two months. Unexpected variations in any of these factors could change our estimate of collectible loans, affecting our earnings and financial condition. If a pawn loan is not repaid, we value the forfeited collateral (inventory) at the lower of cost (pawn loan principal) or market value of the property. We record sales revenue and the related cost when this inventory is sold, or when we receive the final payment on a layaway sale. Sales tax collected on the sale of inventory is excluded from the amount recognized as sales and instead recorded as a liability in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” on our balance sheets until remitted to the appropriate governmental authorities.

Consumer Loans

We provide a variety of short-term consumer loans including single-payment and multiple-payment unsecured loans and single-payment and multiple-payment auto title loans. In Texas, we provide fee-based credit services to customers seeking loans. In Mexico, Grupo Finmart enters into agreements with employers that permit it to market consumer loans to employees. Payments are withheld by the employers through payroll deductions and remitted to Grupo Finmart.

Revenue Recognition

Unsecured Consumer Loan Credit Service Fees — We earn credit service fees when we assist customers in obtaining unsecured loans from unaffiliated lenders. We initially defer recognition of the fees we expect to collect, net of direct expenses, and recognize that deferred net amount over the life of the related loans. We reserve the percentage of credit service fees we expect not to collect. Accrued fees related to defaulted loans reduce credit service fee revenue upon loan default and increase credit service fee revenue upon collection. Unsecured loan credit service fee revenue is included in “Consumer loan fees and interest” on our consolidated statements of operations.

Unsecured Consumer Loan Revenue — We accrue fees and interest in accordance with state and provincial laws on the percentage of unsecured loans (single-payment and multiple-payment) we have made that we believe to be collectible. Accrued fees related to defaulted loans reduce fee revenue upon loan default and increase fee revenue upon collection. Unsecured loan revenue is included in “Consumer loan fees and interest” on our consolidated statements of operations.

Long-term Unsecured Consumer Loan Revenue — Grupo Finmart customers obtain installment loans with a series of payments due over as long as a four-year period. We recognize consumer loan interest related to loans we originate based on the percentage of consumer loans made that we believe to be collectible. We recognize interest revenue ratably over the life of the related loans. We reserve the percentage of interest we expect not to collect. Accrued interest related to defaulted loans reduce consumer loan revenue upon loan default and increase consumer loan fee revenue upon collection. Long-term unsecured consumer loan revenue is included in “Consumer loan fees and interest” on our consolidated statements of operations.

Auto Title Loan Credit Service Fee Revenue — We earn auto title credit service fees when we assist customers in obtaining auto title loans from unaffiliated lenders. We recognize the fee revenue ratably over the life of the loan, and reserve the percentage of fees we expect not to collect. Auto title loan credit service fee revenue is included in “Consumer loan fees and interest” on our consolidated statements of operations.

Auto Title Loan Revenue — We accrue fees in accordance with state laws on the percentage of auto title loans we have made that we believe to be collectible. We recognize the fee revenue ratably over the life of the loan. Auto title loan revenue is included in “Consumer loan fees and interest” on our consolidated statements of operations.

Bad Debt and Allowance For Losses

Unsecured Consumer Loan Credit Service Bad Debt — We issue letters of credit to enhance the creditworthiness of our customers seeking unsecured loans from unaffiliated lenders. The letters of credit assure the lenders that if borrowers default on the loans, we will pay the lenders, upon demand, the principal and accrued interest owed to the lenders by the borrowers plus any insufficient funds fees. Although amounts paid under letters of credit may be collected later, we charge those amounts to consumer loan bad debt upon default. We record recoveries under the letters of credit as a reduction of bad debt at the time of collection. After attempting collection of bad debts internally, we occasionally sell them to an unaffiliated company as another method of recovery. We record the proceeds from such sales as a reduction of bad debt at the time of the sale. Unsecured consumer loan credit service bad debt is included in "Consumer loan bad debt" on our consolidated statements of operations.

The majority of our credit service customers obtain short-term unsecured loans with a single maturity date. These short-term loans, with terms averaging about 16 days, are considered defaulted if they have not been repaid or renewed by the maturity date. Other credit service customers obtain multiple-payment loans with a series of payments due over as much as a seven-month period. If one payment of multiple-payment loan is delinquent, that one payment is considered defaulted. If more than one payment is delinquent at any time, the entire loan is considered defaulted.

Allowance for Losses on Unsecured Consumer Loan Credit Services — We provide an allowance for losses we expect to incur under letters of credit for brokered unsecured loans that have not yet matured. The allowance is based on recent loan default experience adjusted for seasonal variations. It includes all amounts we expect to pay to the unaffiliated lenders upon loan default, including loan principal, accrued interest and insufficient funds fees, net of the amounts we expect to collect from borrowers (collectively, “Expected LOC Losses”). Changes in the allowance are charged to consumer loan bad debt on our consolidated statements of operations. We include the balance of Expected LOC Losses in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” on our consolidated balance sheets. Based on the expected loss and collection percentages, we also provide an allowance for the unsecured loan credit service fees we expect not to collect, and charge changes in this allowance to consumer loan fee revenue, which is included in "Consumer loan fees and interest" on our consolidated statements of operations.

Unsecured Consumer Loan Bad Debt — In general, we consider a single-payment loan defaulted if it has not been repaid or renewed by the maturity date. If one payment of a multiple-payment loan is delinquent, that one payment is considered defaulted. If more than one payment is delinquent at any time, the entire loan is considered defaulted. Although defaulted loans may be collected later, we charge the loan principal to consumer loan bad debt upon default, leaving only active loans in the reported balance. We record collections of principal as a reduction of consumer loan bad debt when collected. After attempting collection of bad debts internally, we occasionally sell them to an unaffiliated company as another method of recovery and record the proceeds from such sales as a reduction of bad debt at the time of sale. Unsecured consumer loan bad debt is included in "Consumer loan bad debt" on our consolidated statements of operations.

Consumer loans made by EZCORP Online are considered delinquent if they are not repaid or renewed by the maturity date. We do not accrue additional revenues on delinquent loans. All outstanding principal balances and related fee receivables greater than 60 days past due are considered defaulted. Upon default, we charge consumer loan principal to consumer loan bad debt and reverse accrued unsecured consumer loan fee revenue.

Unsecured Consumer Loan Allowance for Losses — We provide an allowance for losses on unsecured loans that have not yet matured and related fees receivable, based on recent loan default experience adjusted for seasonal variations. We charge any changes in the principal valuation allowance to "Consumer loan bad debt" on our consolidated statements of operations. We record changes in the fee receivable valuation allowance to "Consumer loan fees and interest" on our consolidated statements of operations.

Long-Term Unsecured Consumer Loan Bad Debt — Consumer loans made by Grupo Finmart are considered in current status as long as the customer is employed and Grupo Finmart receives payments via payroll withholdings. Loans made to customers no longer employed are considered current if payments are made by the due date. If one payment of a loan is delinquent, that one payment is considered defaulted. If two or more payments are delinquent at any time, the entire loan is considered defaulted. Although defaulted loans may be collected later, Grupo Finmart charges the loan principal to consumer loan bad debt upon default, leaving only active loans in the reported balance. Collections of principal are recorded as a reduction of consumer loan bad debt when collected. Long-term unsecured consumer loan bad debt is included in "Consumer loan bad debt" on our consolidated statements of operations.

Long-Term Unsecured Consumer Loan Allowance for Losses — Grupo Finmart provides an allowance for losses on consumer loans that have not yet matured and related fees receivable based on recent loan default experience. Changes in the principal valuation allowance are charged to "Consumer loan bad debt" and changes in the interest receivable valuation allowance are charged to "Consumer loan fees and interest" on our consolidated statements of operations.

Auto Title Loan Credit Services Bad Debt and Allowance for Losses — We issue letters of credit to enhance the creditworthiness of our customers seeking auto title loans from unaffiliated lenders. The letters of credit assure the lenders that if borrowers default on the loans, we will pay the lenders, upon demand, all amounts owed to the lenders by the borrowers plus any insufficient funds fees. Through a charge to auto title loan bad debt, we provide an allowance for losses we expect to incur under letters of credit for brokered auto title loans, and record actual charge-offs against this allowance. The allowance includes all amounts we expect to pay to the unaffiliated lenders upon loan default, including principal, accrued interest and insufficient funds fees, net of the amounts we expect to collect from borrowers or through the sale of repossessed vehicles. We include the allowance for expected losses in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” on our consolidated balance sheets.

Auto Title Loan Bad Debt and Allowance for Losses — Based on historical collection experience, the age of past-due loans and amounts we expect to receive through the sale of repossessed vehicles, we provide an allowance for losses on auto title loans and related fees receivable. We charge any increases in the principal valuation allowance to consumer loan bad debt and charge uncollectable loans against this allowance. We record changes in the fee receivable valuation allowance to "Consumer loan fees and interest" on our consolidated statements of operations.

Inventory

Inventory and Cost of Goods Sold

If a pawn loan is not redeemed, we record the forfeited collateral at cost (the principal amount of the pawn loan) in "Inventory, net" on our consolidated balance sheets. We do not record loan loss allowances or charge-offs on the principal portion of pawn loans, as they are fully collateralized. We record our inventory using the specific identification method of accounting.

In order to state inventory at the lower of cost or market value, we record an allowance for excess, obsolete or slow moving inventory based on the type and age of merchandise. We include in "Merchandise cost of goods sold" in our consolidated statements of operations the historical cost of inventory sold, inventory shrinkage and any change in the allowance for inventory shrinkage and valuation. We also include the cost of operating our central jewelry processing unit, as it relates directly to sales of precious metals to refiners.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Cash Concentrations

Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on deposit, highly liquid investments, or mutual funds with original contractual maturities of three months or less. We hold cash at major financial institutions that often exceed FDIC insured limits. We manage our credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents and cash concentrations by investing in high quality instruments or funds, concentrating our cash deposits in high quality financial institutions and by periodically evaluating the credit quality of the primary financial institutions issuing investments or holding such deposits. Historically, we have not experienced any losses due to such cash concentrations. Restricted cash amounts represent amounts that can only be used to settle liabilities of Grupo Finmart's securitization trust or for interest payments on Grupo Finmart's debt. See Note 9, “Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations.”

Software Development Costs

We capitalize certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use and amortize the costs by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of each system, typically five years.

Customer Layaway Deposits

Customer Layaways

Customer layaway deposits are recorded as deferred revenue until we collect the entire related sales price and deliver the related merchandise to the customer. Customer layaway fees are recognized when collected.

Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets having indefinite lives are not subject to amortization. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") ASC 350-20-35, Goodwill - Subsequent Measurement, we test goodwill and intangible assets with an indefinite useful life for potential impairment annually, or more frequently when there are events or circumstances that indicate a potential impairment.

We perform our impairment analysis utilizing the income approach. This approach uses future cash flows and estimated terminal values for each of our reporting units (discounted using a market participant perspective) to determine the fair value of each reporting unit, which is then compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit to determine if there is an impairment. The income approach includes assumptions about revenue growth rates, operating margins and terminal growth rates discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital derived from other publicly-traded companies that are similar but not identical from an operational and economic standpoint. We completed our annual assessment of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets as of September 30, 2013 and determined that no material impairment existed at that date.

Property and Equipment

We record property and equipment at cost. We depreciate these assets on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of 30 years for buildings and 2 to 7 years for furniture, equipment and software development costs. We depreciate leasehold improvements over the shorter of their estimated useful life (typically 10 years) or the reasonably assured lease term at the inception of the lease.

Valuation of Tangible Long-Lived Assets

We assess the impairment of tangible long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net recorded amount may not be recoverable. The following factors could trigger an impairment review: significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future cash flows, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the overall business, significant negative industry trends or legislative changes prohibiting us from offering our loan products. An impairment loss is recognized if the future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset and the estimated fair value of the asset are less than the asset's carrying value.

Fair value of financial instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

We have elected not to measure at fair value any eligible items for which fair value measurement is optional. We determine the fair value of financial instruments by reference to various market data and other valuation techniques, as appropriate. Unless otherwise disclosed, the fair values of financial instruments approximate their recorded values, due primarily to their short-term nature. The recorded value of our outstanding debt is assumed to estimate its fair value, as it has no prepayment penalty and a floating interest rate based on market rates.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Policy

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

We recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets at their respective fair values. For derivatives designated in hedging relationships, changes in the fair value are either offset through earnings against the change in fair value of the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged or recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, to the extent the derivative is effective at offsetting the changes in cash flows being hedged until the hedged item affects earnings.

We enter into derivative contracts that we intend to designate as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge). For all hedging relationships, we formally document the hedging relationship and its risk‑management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, the hedging instrument, the hedged transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged, how the hedging instrument's effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively, and a description of the method used to measure ineffectiveness. We also formally assess, both at the inception of the hedging relationship and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging relationships are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged transactions. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as part of a cash flow hedging relationship, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.

We discontinue hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting cash flows attributable to the hedged risk, the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, the cash flow hedge is redesignated because a forecasted transaction is not probable of occurring, or management determines to remove the designation of the cash flow hedge.

In all situations in which hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative remains outstanding, we continue to carry the derivative at its fair value on the balance sheet and recognize any subsequent changes in its fair value in earnings. When it is probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur, we discontinue hedge accounting and recognize immediately in earnings gains and losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income related to the hedging relationship.

Acquisitions

We adopted FASB ASC 805-10-65 (Business Combinations — Revised) on October 1, 2009, and have applied it prospectively to all business acquisitions completed since that date. In accordance with FASB ASC 805-10-65, we allocate the total acquisition price to the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired and immediately expense transaction costs that would have been included in the purchase price allocation under previous accounting standards.

Foreign Currency Translation

Our equity investments in Albemarle & Bond and Cash Converters International are translated from British pounds and Australian dollars, respectively, into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates as of the investees’ balance sheet date of June 30. The related interest in the investees’ net income is translated at the average exchange rates for each six-month period reported by the investees. The functional currency of Empeño Fácil, our wholly owned subsidiary, Grupo Finmart, our 60% owned subsidiary, and TUYO, our 51% owned subsidiary, is the Mexican peso. The functional currency of our wholly owned foreign subsidiary in Canada is the Canadian dollar, and the functional currency of Cash Genie, our wholly owned subsidiary in the U.K., is the British Pound. Our foreign subsidiaries' balance sheet accounts are translated from their respective functional currencies into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at the end of each quarter, and their earnings are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate each quarter. We present resulting translation adjustments as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses have not been significant, and are reported as “Other” (income) or expense in our statements of operations.

Securitization of Consumer Loans

Our majority-owned subsidiary, Grupo Finmart, periodically transfers certain consumer loans to a bankruptcy remote trust in securitization transactions. These securitizations are accounted for as secured borrowings, and no gains or losses are recognized at the time of the transaction. Secured borrowings are transactions involving transfers of financial assets that are accounted for as financings with the assets pledged as collateral. We consolidate the assets and liabilities of the trust and disclose on our consolidated balance sheets the consolidated assets and liabilities of the trust that can only be used to settle its liabilities.

Operations Expense

Included in operations expense are costs related to operating our stores, online businesses and any direct costs of support offices. These costs include labor, other direct expenses such as utilities, supplies and banking fees, and indirect expenses such as store rent, building repairs and maintenance, advertising, store property taxes and insurance, regional and area management expenses, the costs of our bad debt collection center and allocations of certain corporate costs

Administrative Expense

Included in administrative expense are costs related to our executive and administrative offices. This includes executive and administrative salaries, wages, stock and incentive compensation, professional fees, license fees and costs related to the operation of our administrative offices such as rent, property taxes, insurance and information technology.

Advertising

We expense advertising costs as incurred.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and their tax basis and for 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 the related 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 when the rate change is enacted.

Management believes that it is more likely than not that forecasted income, including income that may be generated as a result of certain tax planning strategies, together with future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, will be sufficient to fully recover the deferred tax assets. In the event that we determine all or part of the net deferred tax assets are not realizable in the future, we will make an adjustment to the valuation allowance that would be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made.

Stock Compensation

We account for stock compensation in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of FASB ASC 718-10-25 (Compensation — Stock Compensation). The fair value of restricted shares is measured as the closing market price of our stock on the date of grant, which is amortized over the vesting period for each grant. When we grant options, our policy is to estimate the grant-date fair value of the options using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model and amortize that fair value to compensation expense on a ratable basis over the options’ vesting periods.

Use of Estimates

Generally accepted accounting principles require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This update, which amends FASB ASC 210 (Balance Sheet), requires entities to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements and the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The amendments in ASU 2011-11 enhance disclosures required by FASB ASC 210 by requiring improved information about financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either offset in accordance with FASB ASC 210-20-45 or 815-10-45 or are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. ASU 2011-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Disclosures are required retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. Currently, we do not enter into any right of offset arrangements and the adoption of ASU 2011-11 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This update addresses implementation issues about the scope of ASU 2011-11. The amendments in this ASU clarify that the scope of the disclosures under U.S. GAAP is limited to derivatives, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements, reverse purchase agreements, securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are offset in accordance with FASB ASC 210-20-45 Balance Sheet—Offsetting—Other Presentation Matters, or FASB ASC 815-10-45 Derivatives and Hedging — Overall — Other Presentation Matters, or subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement. Entities with other types of financial assets and financial liabilities subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement are no longer subject to the disclosure requirements in ASU 2011-11. This update requires entities to apply the amendments for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and interim periods within those annual periods and to provide the required disclosures retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. Currently, we do not enter into any right of offset arrangements and the early adoption of ASU 2013-01 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.