NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of Business

We are a leading provider of pawn loans in the United States 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.

As further discussed in Note 3, we have classified all of the assets and liabilities of our previously-owned 94% subsidiary, Prestaciones Finmart, S.A.P.I. de C.V., SOFOM, E.N.R. ("Grupo Finmart"), which we sold in September 2016, as held for sale in all previous periods and recast all results of operations of Grupo Finmart as discontinued operations for the years ended September 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

As of September 30, 2016, we operated a total of 786 locations, consisting of:


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


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


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

We also own approximately 31% 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.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EZCORP, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. 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.

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.

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 inputs, including recent redemption rates, historical trends in redemption rates and the amount of loans due in the following 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 United States pawn loan term generally ranges between 30 and 90 days. The maximum Mexico pawn loan term is 30 days.

We record sales revenue and the related cost when merchandise inventory is sold, or when we receive the final payment on a layaway sale. We record sales revenue and the related cost when scrap inventory is sold and the proceeds to be received are fixed and determinable and ownership is transferred. 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, accrued expenses and other current liabilities” in our consolidated balance sheets until remitted to the appropriate governmental authorities.

Customers may purchase a product protection plan that allows them to return or exchange certain general merchandise (non-jewelry) sold through our retail pawn operations within three to six months of purchase. We recognize the fees for this service as revenue ratably over the three to six month period of the plan. We also offer a jewelry VIP package, which guarantees customers a minimum future pawn loan amount on the item sold, allows them full credit if they trade in the item to purchase a more expensive piece of jewelry, and provides minor repair service on the item sold. These fees are recognized upon sale. Customers may also purchase an item on layaway by paying a minimum layaway deposit of typically 10% to 20% of the item’s sale price. We hold the item for a 60 to 180-day period, during which the customer is required to pay the balance of the sales price. The initial deposit and subsequent payments are recorded as customer layaway deposits. Layaways are recorded as sales when paid in full. We record product protection, jewelry VIP and layaway fees as merchandise sales revenue, as they are incidental to sales of merchandise.

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. Our "Merchandise cost of goods sold" includes the historical cost of inventory sold, inventory shrinkage and any change in the allowance for inventory shrinkage and valuation. We include the cost of operating our central jewelry processing unit under “Jewelry scrapping cost of goods sold,” 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.

With respect to our Mexico pawn operations, we do not own the forfeited collateral; however, we assume the risk of loss on such collateral and are solely responsible for its care and disposition and as such, record such collateral under “Inventory, net” in our consolidated balance sheet. The amount of inventory from our Mexico pawn operations classified as “Inventory, net” in our consolidated balance sheets was $19.0 million and $16.5 million as of September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

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 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 included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” of $3.0 million and $0.1 million as of September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, primarily pertain to insurance letters of credit and collateralization of company credit cards. In addition, $4.1 million in restricted cash is held under an escrow arrangement in connection with the closing of the Grupo Finmart sale transaction (as further described in Note 3) and is included in “Other assets, net” as of September 30, 2016.

Notes Receivable

We review the payment history, creditworthiness, projected cash flows and related assumptions of Grupo Finmart and AlphaCredit as applicable in determining whether our notes receivable are collectible. We amortize the discount on our notes receivable into “Interest income” under the effective interest method over the life of the notes receivable and accrue interest under the terms of the repayment schedules. These items are included in our “Corporate items” within our segment disclosure. As of September 30, 2016, we have included no impairment due to non-collectability on our notes receivable. See Note 7 for additional details.

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. Thus, income reported for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014 represents our percentage interest in the results of Cash Converters International’s operations from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 and July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014, 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 three-month periods ended March 31 (our reporting period ended June 30) and September 30 (our reporting period ended December 31). Those estimates may vary from actual results. We adjust our estimates as necessary in our reporting periods ended March 31 and September 30 to conform to Cash Converters International actual results as shown in their published semi-annual reports. We record all other-than-temporary impairments as of the date of our reporting period.

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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). We will continue to monitor for any potential IFRS to GAAP differences.

We have accounted for the negative basis in our investment in Cash Converters International of $19.6 million generated as a result of impairments and other items, using exchange rates in effect as of September 30, 2016, as a reduction in our portion of Cash Converters International goodwill. 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.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets having indefinite lives are not subject to amortization. We test goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives 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 goodwill 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 analyses 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 equivalent to our operating segments for fiscal 2016. 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 fiscal 2016 goodwill and other intangible asset valuations ranged from 10% to 14%. In testing other intangible assets for potential impairment, we apply key assumptions that are consistent with those utilized in our goodwill impairment test. Changes in the economic conditions or regulatory environment could negatively affect our key assumptions.

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 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, or 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.

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.

Insurance Recoveries

We incur legal costs with respect to a variety of issues on an ongoing basis. To the extent that such costs are reimbursable under applicable insurance policies, we believe it is probable such costs will be reimbursed and such reimbursements can be reasonably estimated, we record a receivable from the insurance enterprise and a recovery of the costs in our statements of operations. All loss contingencies are recorded gross of the insured recoveries as applicable.

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.

Acquisitions

We allocate the total acquisition price to the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired and immediately expense transaction costs. We early adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Accounting Standards Updates ("ASU") 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805) during the three-months ended March 31, 2016 to reduce the cost and complexity of accounting for and reporting business combinations. This ASU requires recognition of adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined, with the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. There was no material impact of adopting FASB ASU 2015-16 on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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 Cash Converters International’s balance sheet date each reporting period. The related interest in Cash Converters International’s net income is translated at the average exchange rate for each six-month period reported by Cash Converters International.

The functional currency of Mexico Pawn 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 included under “Other expense” in our consolidated statements of operations. These costs included in continuing operations were $1.1 million, $2.2 million and $1.0 million for fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Operations Expense

Included in operations expense are costs related to operating our stores 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 and regional and area management expenses.

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 under “Administrative” expense in our consolidated statements of operations. These costs included in continuing operations were $2.1 million, $3.1 million and $5.0 million for fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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.

Stock Compensation

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 model or Monte Carlo model, respectively, and amortize that fair value to compensation expense on a ratable basis over the awards’ vesting period. We recognize expense on awards that only have service requirements on a straight-line basis. We early adopted FASB ASU 2014-12, Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period during the three-months ended March 31, 2016 and applied the amendments prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date. This ASU requires recognition of compensation costs for share-based awards with performance targets in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance targets will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the periods for which the requisite service has already been rendered. There was no material impact of adopting FASB ASU 2014-12 on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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.

We consider the earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries to be indefinitely invested outside the United States on the basis of estimates that future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs and our specific plans for reinvestment of those subsidiary earnings. We have not recorded a deferred tax liability related to the U.S. federal and state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes of our undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries indefinitely invested outside the U.S.

We may be subject to income tax audits by the respective tax authorities in any or all of the jurisdictions in which we operate or have operated within a relevant period. Significant judgment is required in determining uncertain tax positions. We utilize the required two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. We consider many factors when evaluating and estimating our tax positions and tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments and which may not accurately forecast actual outcomes. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of an audit or the refinement of an estimate. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. We believe adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for all periods.

We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as “Income tax expense” in our consolidated statements of operations, which were $0.2 million, $0.1 million and nil during fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

We early adopted FASB ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes during the three-months ended December 31, 2015 on a retrospective basis. This ASU requires classification of 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 impact of adopting FASB ASU 2015-17 on our current period consolidated financial statements was the classification of all deferred tax assets as non-current within the consolidated balance sheets to conform to the current period presentation. Other than these reclassifications, the adoption of FASB ASU 2015-17 did not have an impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

We consider our assessment of the recognition of deferred tax assets as well as estimates of uncertain tax positions to be critical estimates.

Earnings per Share and Common Stock

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 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. There were no participating securities outstanding during the years ended September 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014 requiring the application of the two-class method.

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.

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, collectability of notes receivable, 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.

Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs

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. The provisions of the 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 retrospectively. We early adopted FASB ASU 2015-03 during the three-months ended December 31, 2015 on a retrospective basis. The impact of adopting FASB ASU 2015-03 on our current period consolidated financial statements was the classification of all deferred financing costs as a deduction to the corresponding debt in addition to the reclassification of deferred financing costs in "Intangible assets, net" to "Long-term debt less current maturities, net" as of September 30, 2015 of $9.2 million, inclusive of Grupo Finmart amounts presented in Note 3, within the consolidated balance sheets to conform to the current period presentation.

Reporting Discontinued Operations

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 ASU 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). Among other disclosures, FASB ASU 2014-08 requires presentation of, 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. FASB 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. There was no impact of adopting FASB ASU 2014-08 on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However subsequent to adoption we have classified our Grupo Finmart segment as held for sale.

We have presented our Grupo Finmart segment classified as a discontinued operation as held for sale under FASB ASU 2014-08, including separate presentation of assets and liabilities held for sale in our consolidated balance sheets, with historical amounts recast to conform to current period presentation. We have presented our operations discontinued prior to adoption of FASB ASU 2014-08 during the three-months ended December 31, 2015 including our U.S. Financial Services business ("USFS") and our online lending businesses in the United States ("EZOnline") and the United Kingdom ("Cash Genie") under the accounting guidance in effect before the adoption of FASB ASU 2014-08.

Accounting Policies Associated with Discontinued Operations

Grupo Finmart entered into agreements with employers that permit it to market consumer loans to employees with such payments withheld by the employers through payroll deductions and remitted to Grupo Finmart. Prior to its discontinuance in fiscal 2014, USFS 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, with fee-based credit services to customers seeking loans provided in Texas. Consumer loans and interest and fees receivable were carried in the consolidated balance sheets net of an allowance, which was based on recent loan default experience adjusted for seasonal variations and collection percentages.

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


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

When we reserved 100% of a Grupo Finmart loan, we charged the loan principal to consumer loan bad debt expense, reduced interest revenue by the amount of unpaid interest theretofore accrued on the loan and ceased accruing interest revenue. Future collections were 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 had been recovered. Grupo Finmart provided an allowance for losses on performing, in-payroll loans and related interest receivable based on historical collection experience.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2016, the FASB issues ASU 2016-18 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. This ASU requires the inclusion of restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including within interim periods. A reporting entity should apply the amendment on a retrospective basis as of the beginning of the fiscal year for which the amendments are effective. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting FASB ASU 2016-18 on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This ASU provides guidance on eight specific cash flow issues. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including within interim periods. A reporting entity should apply the amendment on a retrospective basis as of the beginning of the fiscal year for which the amendments are effective. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting FASB ASU 2016-15 on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU requires financial assets (or groups of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, among other provisions. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted as of fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A reporting entity should generally apply the amendment on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting periods in which the amendment is effective. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting FASB ASU 2016-13 on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. This ASU simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. 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 using transition guidance for each aspect of the ASU. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting FASB ASU 2016-09 on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-06, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force. This ASU clarifies what steps are required when assessing whether the economic characteristics and risks of call (put) options are clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of their debt hosts, which is one of the criteria for bifurcating an embedded derivative. 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 on a modified retrospective basis to existing debt instruments as of the beginning of the fiscal year for which the amendments are effective. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting FASB ASU 2016-06 on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This ASU requires companies to generally recognize on the balance sheet operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted based upon guidance issued within the ASU. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting FASB ASU 2016-02 on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows and anticipate providing further disclosure of that impact in fiscal 2017.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments — Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This ASU makes targeted improvements to the accounting for, and presentation and disclosure of, financial assets and liabilities. The ASU further requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted based upon guidance issued within the ASU. A reporting entity should apply the amendment prospectively, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting FASB ASU 2016-01 on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and 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 FASB ASU 2015-11. Therefore we are unable to disclose the impact that adopting FASB 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 2015-05, 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 are in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting FASB ASU 2015-05 on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and 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. FASB 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). FASB 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 FASB 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 FASB 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 FASB 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 FASB ASU 2014-09. 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. In March 2016 through May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), FASB ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Consensuses of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force and FASB ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. FASB ASU 2016-08, 2016-10 and 2016-12 clarify implementation guidance and introduce practical expedients, and are effective upon adoption of FASB ASU 2014-09. We are evaluating the impact that will result from adopting FASB ASU 2014-09 and related ASUs on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows and anticipate providing further disclosure of that impact in fiscal 2017.