NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of Business

We are a leading provider of pawn loans in the United States and Mexico and consumer loans in Mexico. In the U.S. and Mexico, we offer pawn loans, which are non-recourse loans collateralized by tangible property, and we sell merchandise, primarily collateral forfeited from pawn lending operations and used merchandise purchased from customers.

Through our 94%-owned subsidiary, Prestaciones Finmart, S.A.P.I. de C.V., SOFOM, E.N.R. ("Grupo Finmart"), headquartered in Mexico City, we offer unsecured installment loans to employees of various Mexican employers (principally federal, state and local government agencies), which are repaid through payroll deductions.

As of September 30, 2015, we operated a total of 834 locations, consisting of:


•	522 United States pawn stores (operating primarily as EZPAWN or Value Pawn & Jewelry);


•	232 Mexico pawn stores (operating primarily as Empeño Fácil);


•	53 Grupo Finmart locations in Mexico; and


•	27 financial services stores in Canada (operating as CASHMAX)

We also own approximately 32% of Cash Converters International Limited (“Cash Converters International”), based in Australia and publicly-traded on the Australian Stock Exchange, which franchises and operates a worldwide network of over 700 locations that provide pawn loans, short-term unsecured loans and other consumer finance products, and buy and sell second-hand goods, with significant store concentrations in Australia and the United Kingdom.

On July 27, 2015, as part of our new restructuring plan to concentrate on growing our core pawn operations in the United States and Mexico and our Grupo Finmart business in Mexico, we implemented a plan to exit our U.S. Financial Services business (“USFS”), ceasing all payday, installment and auto title lending in the United States. As a result of this plan, our USFS operations have been included as discontinued operations. See Note 2.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EZCORP, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Grupo Finmart. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

To determine if we hold a controlling financial interest in an entity, we first evaluate if we are required to apply the variable interest entity (“VIE”) model to the entity; otherwise, the entity is evaluated under the voting interest model. Where we hold current or potential rights that give us the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, combined with a variable interest that gives us the right to receive potentially significant benefits or the obligation to absorb potentially significant losses, we have a controlling financial interest in that VIE. Rights held by others to remove the party with power over the VIE are not considered unless one party can exercise those rights unilaterally. For additional information about our VIEs, see Note 24.

In evaluating whether we have the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, we consider the purpose for which the VIE was created, the importance of each of the activities in which it is engaged and our decision-making role, if any, in those activities that significantly determine the entity’s economic performance as compared to other economic interest holders. This evaluation requires consideration of all facts and circumstances relevant to decision-making that affects the entity’s future performance and the exercise of professional judgment in deciding which decision-making rights are most important.

In determining whether we have the right to receive benefits or the obligation to absorb losses that could potentially be significant to a VIE, we evaluate all of our economic interests in the entity, regardless of form (debt, equity, management and servicing fees and other contractual arrangements). This evaluation considers all relevant factors of the entity’s design, including the entity’s capital structure, contractual rights to earnings or losses, subordination of our interests relative to those of other investors, as well as any other contractual arrangements that might exist that could have the potential to be economically significant. The evaluation of each of these factors in reaching a conclusion about the potential significance of our economic interests is a matter that requires the exercise of professional judgment.

Recasting of Certain Prior Period Information

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, our chief operating decision maker requested changes in the information that he regularly reviews for purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance. As a result, beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, we report our financial performance based on our new segments described in Note 19. We have recast prior period amounts to conform to the way we internally manage and monitor segment performance under the new segments for all periods presented. This change primarily impacted Note 7 and Note 19 with no net impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, except for the effects of discontinued operations as described below.

Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made related to discontinued operations described in Note 2. Furthermore, certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications, other than those discussed above pertaining to the recasting of prior period segment information and discontinued operations, primarily include the removal of historical corporate overhead allocations totaling $18.2 million, $17.8 million and $18.2 million for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, from the segment level to corporate items. These allocations were reclassified to provide greater clarity into the results of our operating segment operations. These changes primarily impacted Note 19 with no net impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

We further reclassified the presentation of changes in our “Deferred gains and other long-term liabilities” consolidated balance sheet account and combined with “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses and deferred gains and other long-term liabilities” in our consolidated statements of cash flows in fiscal 2014 and 2013 for amounts of $0.2 million and $10.3 million, respectively. In addition, we reclassified the presentation of prepaid income taxes totaling $38.2 million as of September 30, 2014 to income taxes receivable in our consolidated balance sheets. These changes had no net impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Restructuring Charges

We record a liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity at fair value in the period in which the liability is incurred, except for liabilities for certain employee termination benefit charges that are accrued over time. Employee termination benefits associated with an exit or disposal activity are accrued when the obligation is probable and estimable as a post-employment benefit obligation when local statutory requirements stipulate minimum involuntary termination benefits or, in the absence of local statutory requirements, termination benefits to be provided are similar to benefits provided in prior restructuring activities. Specifically for termination benefits under a one-time benefit arrangement, the timing of recognition and related measurement of a liability depends on whether employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits and, if so, whether employees will be retained to render service beyond a minimum retention period. For employees who are not required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits or employees who will not provide service beyond the minimum retention period, we record a liability for the termination benefits at the communication date. If employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits and will be retained to render service beyond the minimum retention period, we measure the liability for termination benefits at the communication date and recognize the expense and liability ratably over the future service period.

For contract termination costs, we record a liability for costs to terminate a contract before the end of its term when we terminate the agreement in accordance with the contract terms or when we cease using the rights conveyed by the contract. Liabilities related to termination of an operating lease or contract are measured and recognized at fair value when the contract does not have any future economic benefit and the fair value of the liability is determined based on the present value of the remaining lease obligations, adjusted for the effects of deferred items recognized under the lease, and reduced by estimated sublease rentals that could be reasonably obtained for the property. The assumptions in determining such estimates include anticipated timing of sublease rentals and estimates of sublease rental receipts and related costs based on market conditions. These estimates may vary from actual receipts, causing a change in the balance of accrued lease termination charges in future reporting periods. We record a liability for other costs associated with an exit or disposal activity in the period in which the liability is incurred.

Equity Method Investments

We account for our investment in Cash Converters International using the equity method. Since Cash Converters International’s fiscal year ends three months prior to ours, we report the income from this investment on a three-month lag. Due to the three-month lag, income reported for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 represents our percentage interest in the results of Cash Converters International’s operations from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015, July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 and July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, respectively. Because Cash Converters International publicly files semi-annual financial reports with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission as of and for the periods ended June 30 and December 31, we make estimates for our equity in Cash Converters International’s net income (loss) for Cash Converters International reporting periods ended March 31 (our reporting period ended June 30) and September 30 (our reporting period ended December 31). We record all other-than-temporary impairments as of the date of our reporting period.

Our estimates for our equity in Cash Converters International’s net income (loss) for Cash Converters International reporting periods ended March 31 (our reporting period ended June 30) and September 30 (our reporting period ended December 31) may vary from actual results. Cash Converters International records its results of operations under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). There have historically been no material differences between Cash Converters International results of operations based upon IFRS versus results of operations as converted to GAAP and we continue to monitor for any such potential differences.

We have accounted for the negative basis in our investment in Cash Converters International of $11.2 million as a reduction in our portion of Cash Converters International goodwill. As such, we will increase our equity in Cash Converters International’s net income in future reporting periods for our portion of any impairments of goodwill recorded by Cash Converters International until such negative basis is restored.

Prior to the quarter ended March 31, 2014, we accounted for our investment in Albemarle & Bond Holdings, PLC ("Albemarle & Bond") using the equity method. As of March 31, 2014, we concluded that this investment was impaired and recognized an other-than-temporary impairment which brought our carrying value of this investment to zero. Albemarle & Bond’s fiscal year ended three months prior to ours; therefore, we reported the income from this investment on a three-month lag.

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 unobservable inputs, 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 item.

The maximum United States pawn loan term ranges between 30 and 120 days, with an additional grace period between 0 and 90 days. The maximum Mexico pawn loan term is 30 days, with an additional grace period up to 10 days.

We record sales revenue and the related cost when 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” in our consolidated balance sheets until remitted to the appropriate governmental authorities.

Consumer Loans and Fees and Interest Receivable

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.

Prior to the discontinuance of our USFS operations in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 as described in Note 2, we provided 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 provided fee-based credit services to customers seeking loans.

Consumer loan fees and interest receivable are carried in the consolidated balance sheets net of the allowance for uncollectible consumer loan fees and interest receivable, which is based on recent loan default experience adjusted for seasonal variations and collection percentages. Consumer loans are carried in the consolidated balance sheets net of the allowance for estimated loan losses, which is based on recent loan default experience adjusted for seasonal variations.

Revenue Recognition

Long-Term Unsecured Consumer Loan Revenue — Grupo Finmart customers obtain installment loans with a series of payments due over the stated term, which can be as long as four years. We recognize consumer loan interest related to loans we originate based on the percentage of consumer loans made that we believe to be collectible, and reserve the percentage of interest we expect not to collect, over the period in which payments are expected to be received under the effective interest method.

A number of circumstances cause delays in the receipt of payments on a Grupo Finmart loan. For example:


•	It often takes 90 days or more for the employer to set up initial payroll withholding and begin remitting payments to Grupo Finmart (a process referred to as “ratification”).


•	It is not unusual to have an interruption or delay in payments for a number of reasons, such as holidays, summer vacations, illness, convenio renewals, union permits and political elections.


•	Many convenios limit the amount that can be withheld from a borrower’s paycheck, and if the borrower has multiple loans outstanding, the withheld amount is generally used to repay the loans in the order in which they were made.


•	Some larger employers act as a consolidator and remitter on behalf of other smaller employers and the payment consolidation processes, or other issues with employer systems, sometimes cause interruptions in payments.

Long-term unsecured consumer loan revenue is included in “Consumer loan fees and interest” in our consolidated statements of operations. Incremental direct costs incurred (commissions), other than certain brokerage and other costs, are capitalized and deferred ratably over the life of the loans. Amortization of these costs is included in “Operations” expense in our consolidated statements of operations.

We consider the average period of repayment of these loans a critical estimate in determining the appropriate period in which to recognize income under the effective interest method. The shortening or lengthening of our estimate of the period of repayment could have a material impact on the timing of future income recognition. We have utilized an approximate period of income recognition of 36 months during fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013.

The following policies primarily pertain to our USFS operations, which have been included as discontinued operations. For additional information about our discontinued operations, see Note 2.

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 a portion of the fees we expect to collect 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. Fees related to defaulted loans increase credit service fee revenue upon collection.

Unsecured Consumer Loan Revenue — We accrue fees and interest in accordance with applicable 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.

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 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.

Bad Debt and Allowance for Losses

We typically offer loan products to customers who do not have cash resources or access to credit to meet their cash needs. Our customers are considered to be in a higher risk pool with regard to creditworthiness when compared to those of typical financial institutions. As a result, our consumer loans do not have a credit risk profile that can easily be measured by the normal credit quality indicators used by the financial markets. We manage the risk through closely monitoring the performance of the portfolio and through our underwriting process. This process includes review of customer information, such as making a credit reporting agency inquiry, evaluating and verifying income sources and levels, verifying employment and verifying a telephone number where customers may be contacted.

The accuracy of our allowance estimates is dependent upon several factors, including our ability to predict future default rates based on historical trends and expected future events. We base our estimates on observable trends and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. We review and analyze our loan portfolios based on aggregation of loans by type and duration of the loan products. Loan repayment trends and default rates are evaluated each month based on each loan portfolio and adjustments to loss allowance are made accordingly. A documented and systematic process is followed.

Loans to Grupo Finmart customers whose employment is continuing are referred to as “in-payroll” loans, while loans to Grupo Finmart customers whose employment is discontinued are referred to as “out-of-payroll” loans. A customer is generally considered to have discontinued their employment if they are no longer employed by the employer that is responsible for the payroll withholding. We establish reserves for Grupo Finmart loans as follows:


•	We reserve 100% of non-performing loans, which for this purpose we consider to be:


◦	Out-of-payroll loans for which Grupo Finmart is not receiving payments; and


◦	In-payroll loans for which Group Finmart has not received any payments for 180 consecutive days.


•	We also establish additional reserves on loan principal and accrued interest reserves for performing loans based on historical experience.

When we reserve 100% of a Grupo Finmart loan, we charge the loan principal to consumer loan bad debt expense, reduce interest revenue by the amount of unpaid interest theretofore accrued on the loan and cease accruing interest revenue. Future collections are recorded as a reduction of consumer loan bad debt expense (in the case of written-off principal) and an increase in consumer loan fee revenue (in the case of written-off accrued interest) after principal has been recovered. Long-term unsecured consumer loan bad debt expense is included in "Consumer loan bad debt" expense in our consolidated statements of operations.

Grupo Finmart provides an allowance for losses on performing, in-payroll loans and related interest receivable based on historical collection experience. Changes in the principal valuation allowance are charged to "Consumer loan bad debt" expense and changes in the interest receivable valuation allowance are charged to "Consumer loan fees and interest" in our consolidated statements of operations.

We consider the rate of charge-offs and subsequent collections on loans charged-off critical estimates in determining the appropriate amount of reserves for performing loans. Our estimate of future repayments used to develop our loan principal and accrued interest reserves for performing loans based on historical experience could have a material impact on the timing of recognition of bad debt expense.

The following policies primarily pertain to our USFS operations, which have been included as discontinued operations. For additional information about our discontinued operations, see Note 2.

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.

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 in our consolidated statements of operations. We include the balance of Expected LOC Losses in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” in 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.

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.

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 expense 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.

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” in 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. Auto title loans remain as recorded investments when in delinquent or nonaccrual status. We consider an auto title loan past due if it has not been repaid or renewed by the maturity date. 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. On auto title loans more than 90 days past due, we reserve the percentage we estimate will not be recoverable through auction and reserve 100% of loans for which we have not yet repossessed the underlying collateral. No fees are accrued on any auto title loans more than 90 days past due. We also inspect the automobile, title and reference to market values of used automobiles.

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" in 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. Our inventory consists primarily of general merchandise and jewelry. 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.

We consider our estimates of obsolete or slow moving inventory and shrinkage critical estimates in determining the appropriate overall valuation allowance for inventory. We monitor our sales margins for each type of inventory on an ongoing basis and compare to historical margins. Significant variances in those margins may require a revision to future inventory reserve estimates. We have historically revised our reserve estimates pertaining to jewelry inventory depending on the current price of gold. Future declines in the value of gold prices may cause an increase in reserve rates pertaining to jewelry inventory.

Earnings per Share and Common Stock

The two-class method is utilized for the computation of earnings per share. The two-class method requires a portion of net income to be allocated to participating securities, which are unvested awards of share-based payments with non-forfeitable rights to receive dividends or dividend equivalents, if declared. Income allocated to these participating securities is excluded from net earnings allocated to common shares. There were no participating securities outstanding during the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

We compute basic earnings per share on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. We compute diluted earnings per share on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options, restricted stock awards, and warrants.

Potential common shares are required to be excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share if the assumed proceeds upon exercise or vest, as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 718-10-25, are greater than the cost to re-acquire the same number of shares at the average market price, and therefore the effect would be anti-dilutive.

Our capital stock consists of two classes of common stock designated as Class A Non-voting Common Stock (“Class A Common Stock”) and Class B Voting Common Stock (“Class B Common Stock”). The rights, preferences and privileges of the Class A and Class B Common Stock are similar except that each share of Class B Common Stock has one vote and each share of Class A Common Stock has no voting privileges, except as required by law. All Class A Common Stock is publicly held. Holders of Class B Common Stock may, individually or as a class, convert some or all of their shares into Class A Common Stock on a one-to-one basis. Class A Common Stock becomes voting common stock upon the conversion of all Class B Common Stock to Class A Common Stock. We are required to reserve the number of authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock that would be issuable upon conversion of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Cash Concentrations

Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on deposit or highly liquid investments with original contractual maturities of three months or less, or money market mutual funds. 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 primarily 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. The changes in these restricted cash amounts are classified as financing cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

“Other adjustments” included in cash provided by operating activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows primarily includes loss on re-measurement of foreign denominated transactions.

Software Development Costs

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

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. Nonrefundable customer layaway fees are charged upfront and recognized when collected.

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") 350-20-35, we test goodwill and intangible assets with an indefinite useful life for potential impairment annually as of September 30, or more frequently 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. The impairment test consists of two steps: in step one, the carrying value of the reporting unit is compared with its fair value; in step two, which is applied when the carrying value is more than its fair value, the amount of goodwill impairment, if any, is derived by deducting the fair value of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities from the fair value of its equity, and comparing that amount with the carrying amount of goodwill.

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. We have determined that our reporting units are one level below our operating segments. 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 use discount rates that are commensurate with the risks and uncertainty inherent in the respective businesses and in our internally developed forecasts. Discount rates used in our reporting unit valuations ranged from 16% to 25%. Changes in the economic conditions or regulatory environment could negatively affect our key assumptions.

We may perform a qualitative assessment in making our determination of whether it is more likely than not goodwill and other intangible assets are impaired under appropriate accounting guidance on an annual basis in future reporting periods. In addition to the assumptions discussed above pertaining to the income approach, we consider the assessment of potential triggering events to be a critical estimate.

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 two to seven 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 annually as of September 30, or more frequently 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.

In addition to the assumptions associated with the determination of projected future cash flows, we consider the assessment of potential triggering events to be a critical estimate.

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.

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 all derivative instruments designated as accounting hedges, 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. Whenever hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative remains outstanding, we continue to carry the derivative at its fair value on our consolidated balance sheets and recognize any gains and losses currently in accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to any repaid portion of the hedged item in addition to any subsequent changes in the fair value of the derivative under "Other expense (income)" in our consolidated statements of operations. We amortize the gains and losses currently in accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to any remaining outstanding portion of the hedged item to earnings under "Other expense (income)" in our consolidated statements of operations over the remaining term of the outstanding hedged item.

Acquisitions

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 investment in Cash Converters International is translated from Australian dollars into United States dollars at the exchange rates as of the investee's balance sheet date each reporting period. The related interest in the investee's net income is translated at the average exchange rate for each six-month period reported by the investee. The functional currency of Empeño Fácil and Grupo Finmart is the Mexican peso. The functional currency of our wholly owned foreign subsidiary in Canada is the Canadian dollar. Our foreign subsidiaries' balance sheet accounts are translated from their respective functional currencies into United States dollars at the exchange rate at the end of each quarter, and their earnings are translated into United States 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 not accounted for as translations as discussed above are reported as “Other expense” in our consolidated statements of operations, “Other adjustments” in our consolidated statements of cash flows and were $13.9 million, $2.1 million and $0.9 million for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These amounts are offset by other gains on foreign currency forwards as discussed in Note 22.

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 and the costs of our bad debt collection center.

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, costs related to the operation of our administrative offices such as rent, property taxes, insurance, information technology and other corporate costs.

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included in “Administrative” expense in our consolidated statements of operations. These costs were $4.0 million, $5.6 million and $5.3 million for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

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.

A deferred tax liability is not recognized for the undistributed earnings or the excess of the amount for financial reporting over the tax basis of our investment in our foreign subsidiaries, as their earnings will be permanently reinvested outside of the U.S. We provide deferred income taxes on all undistributed earnings from Cash Converters International

Under FASB ASC 740-10-25, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position to be recognized in the financial statements. In making the determination of sustainability, we must presume the appropriate taxing authority with full knowledge of all relevant information will examine tax positions. FASB ASC 740-10-25 also prescribes how the benefit should be measured, including the consideration of any penalties and interest. It requires that the standard be applied to the balances of tax assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the period of adoption and that a corresponding adjustment be made to the opening balance of equity.

Stock Compensation

We account for stock compensation in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of FASB ASC 718-10-25. We measure stock-based compensation expense at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognize it as expense, net of estimated forfeitures, ratably over the vesting or service period, as applicable, of the stock award. When we grant options and performance-based awards or market-conditioned awards, our policy is to estimate the grant-date fair value of the awards using the Black-Scholes-Merton or Monte Carlo, respectively, and amortize that fair value to compensation expense on a ratable basis over the awards’ vesting period for both cliff vesting and pro-rata vesting grants.

Common Stock, Subject to Possible Redemption

We account for shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with FASB ASC 480. Under this standard, shares subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value and conditionally redeemable common shares (including shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, shares are classified as stockholders’ equity. The EZCORP common stock subject to possible redemption features certain redemption rights that are considered by the Company to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly as of September 30, 2015, shares subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Treasury Stock

We account for treasury stock under the cost method. When treasury stock is re-issued, proceeds in excess of cost are recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital in our consolidated balance sheets. Any deficiency is recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital to the extent that there are previously recorded gains to offset the losses. If there are no treasury stock gains in additional paid-in capital, the losses upon re-issuance of treasury stock are recorded as a component of retained earnings in our consolidated balance sheets.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, inventory, loan loss allowances, long-lived and intangible assets, income taxes, contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience, observable trends and various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. We use this information to make judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from the estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. This ASU requires reporting entities to classify deferred income taxes as non-current on the consolidated balance sheets. Deferred income taxes were previously required to be classified as current or non-current on the consolidated balance sheets. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. A reporting entity should apply the amendment prospectively or retrospectively. The impact of ASU 2015-17 on our consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 would include a reclassification of current deferred tax assets to non-current deferred tax assets of $44.1 million and $17.6 million, respectively within the consolidated balance sheets. Other than these reclassifications, the adoption of ASU 2015-17 is not expected to have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. This ASU requires reporting entities to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. Measurement period adjustments were previously required to be retrospectively adjusted as of the acquisition date. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. A reporting entity should apply the amendment prospectively. We do not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2015-16 will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. This ASU requires reporting entities measuring inventories under the first-in, first-out or average cost methods to measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, where net realizable value is "estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation." Inventory was previously required to be measured at the lower of cost or market value, where the measurement of market value had several potential outcomes. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted provided that presentation is applied to the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. A reporting entity may apply the amendment prospectively. We have not completed the process of evaluating the impact that will result from adopting ASU 2015-11. Therefore we are unable to disclose the impact that adopting ASU 2015-11 will have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows when such standard is adopted.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest — Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This ASU requires reporting entities to record costs paid to third parties that are directly related to issuing debt, and that otherwise would not be incurred, as a deduction to the corresponding debt for presentation purposes. In addition, in August 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest — Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements-Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting. Given the absence of authoritative guidance within ASU 2015-03 for debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements, ASU 2015-15 states the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The provisions of each ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted for each. A reporting entity may apply each amendment retrospectively and the adoption represents a change in accounting principle. The impact of adopting ASU 2015-15 would result in the election to continue to present debt issuance costs related to our revolving credit facilities as an asset. The impact of ASU 2015-03 on our consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 would include an estimated reclassification of unamortized debt issuance costs of $9.0 million and $14.3 million, respectively, from intangible assets to debt within the consolidated balance sheets. Other than these reclassifications, the adoption of ASU 2015-03 is not expected to have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other — Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. This ASU provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. A reporting entity may apply the amendment prospectively or retrospectively. We do not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2015-05 will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. This ASU provides guidance for reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, provided that presentation is applied to the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. A reporting entity may apply the amendment retrospectively or using a modified retrospective approach. We do not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2015-02 will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Determining Whether a Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share is More Akin to Debt or to Equity. This ASU requires reporting entities to determine the nature of a hybrid financial instrument host contract by considering all stated and implied substantive terms and features of the hybrid financial instrument, weighing each term and feature on the basis of relevant facts and circumstances. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, provided that presentation is applied to the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We do not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2014-16 will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40). This update provides guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern or to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 requires management to assess an entity's ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. Specifically, the amendments (1) provide a definition of the term substantial doubt, (2) require an evaluation every reporting period including interim periods, (3) provide principles for considering the mitigating effect of management's plans, (4) require certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management's plans, (5) require an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated, and (6) require an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). ASU 2014-15 is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years. We do not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2014-15 will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). On August 12, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) to defer the effective date to December 15, 2017 for annual reporting periods beginning after that date. The FASB also permitted early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. The amendments in ASU 2014-09 will be added to the Accounting Standards Codification as Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, as well as some cost guidance in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition - Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve this core principle, the guidance provides that an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies a performance obligation. Notably, the existing requirements for the recognition of a gain or loss on the transfer of non-financial assets that are not in a contract with a customer (e.g., assets within the scope of Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, and intangible assets within the scope of Topic 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other) are amended to be consistent with the guidance on recognition and measurement in ASU 2014-09. For public entities, the amendments in ASU 2014-09, as amended by ASU 2015-14, are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early application is prohibited. The new standard allows for two methods of adoption: (a) full retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all periods presented, or (b) modified retrospective adoption, meaning the cumulative effect of applying the new standard is recognized as an adjustment to the fiscal 2017 opening retained earnings balance. We have not completed the process of evaluating the impact that will result from adopting ASU 2014-09. Therefore we are unable to disclose the impact that adopting ASU 2014-09 will have on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows when such statement is adopted.

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360) — Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This update provides guidance for the reporting of discontinued operations if (1) a component or group of components of an entity meets the criteria in FASB ASC Paragraph 205-20-45-1E to be classified as held for sale; (2) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of by sale; or (3) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of other than by sale (for example, by abandonment or in a distribution to owners in a spinoff). This update states that a discontinued operation can also include a business or nonprofit activity. Among other disclosures, ASU 2014-08 requires an entity to present, for each comparative period, the assets and liabilities of a disposal group that includes a discontinued operation separately in the asset and liability sections, respectively, of the statement of financial position. ASU 2014-08 is effective prospectively for (1) all disposals of components that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years; and (2) all businesses or nonprofit activities that, on acquisition, are classified as held for sale that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. We do not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2014-08 will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.