2. Finance Receivables

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Receivables [Abstract]

Finance Receivables

(2) Finance Receivables

Our portfolio of finance receivables consists of small-balance homogeneous contracts comprising a single segment and class that is collectively evaluated for impairment on a portfolio basis according to delinquency status. Our contract purchase guidelines are designed to produce a homogenous portfolio. For key terms such as interest rate, length of contract, monthly payment and amount financed, there is relatively little variation from the average for the portfolio. We report delinquency on a contractual basis. Once a contract becomes greater than 90 days delinquent, we do not recognize additional interest income until the obligor under the contract makes sufficient payments to be less than 90 days delinquent. Any payments received on a contract that is greater than 90 days delinquent are first applied to accrued interest and then to principal reduction.

In January 2018 the Company adopted the fair value method of accounting for finance receivables acquired after 2017. Finance receivables measured at fair value are recorded separately on the Company’s Balance Sheet and are excluded from all tables in this footnote.

The following table presents the components of Finance Receivables, net of unearned interest:

	June 30,		December 31,
	2019		2018
	(In thousands)
Finance receivables
Automobile finance receivables, net of unearned interest	$	1,177,484	$	1,518,395
Unearned acquisition fees and originations costs		2,769		3,690
Finance receivables	$	1,180,253	$	1,522,085

We consider an automobile contract delinquent when an obligor fails to make at least 90% of a contractually due payment by the following due date, which date may have been extended within limits specified in the servicing agreements. The period of delinquency is based on the number of days payments are contractually past due, as extended where applicable. Automobile contracts less than 31 days delinquent are not included. In certain circumstances we will grant obligors one-month payment extensions to assist them with temporary cash flow problems. The only modification of terms is to advance the obligor’s next due date by one month and extend the maturity date of the receivable by one month. In certain limited cases, a two-month extension may be granted. There are no other concessions such as a reduction in interest rate, forgiveness of principal or of accrued interest. Accordingly, we consider such extensions to be insignificant delays in payments rather than troubled debt restructurings.

The following table summarizes the delinquency status of finance receivables as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

	June 30,		December 31,
	2019		2018
	(In thousands)
Delinquency Status
Current	$	948,130	$	1,262,730
31 - 60 days		135,066		157,688
61 - 90 days		65,294		66,134
91 + days		28,994		31,843
	$	1,177,484	$	1,518,395

Finance receivables totaling $29.0 million and $31.8 million at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, including all receivables greater than 90 days delinquent, have been placed on non-accrual status as a result of their delinquency status.

We use a loss allowance methodology commonly referred to as "static pooling," which stratifies our finance receivable portfolio into separately identified pools based on the period of origination. Using analytical and formula driven techniques, we estimate an allowance for finance credit losses, which we believe is adequate for probable incurred credit losses that can be reasonably estimated in our portfolio of automobile contracts. The estimate for probable incurred credit losses is reduced by our estimate for future recoveries on previously incurred losses. Provision for credit losses is charged to our consolidated statement of operations. Net losses incurred on finance receivables are charged to the allowance.

The following table presents a summary of the activity for the allowance for finance credit losses for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2019 and 2018:

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
		2019			2018			2019			2018
		(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	48,196		$	100,844		$	67,376		$	109,187
Provision for credit losses on finance receivables		20,489			35,531			44,445			76,038
Charge-offs		(50,409	)		(53,493	)		(102,919	)		(109,595	)
Recoveries		14,388			11,494			23,762			18,746
Balance at end of period	$	32,664		$	94,376		$	32,664		$	94,376

Excluded from finance receivables are contracts that were previously classified as finance receivables but were reclassified as other assets because we have repossessed the vehicle securing the Contract. The following table presents a summary of such repossessed inventory together with the allowance for losses in repossessed inventory that is not included in the allowance for finance credit losses:

	June 30,			December 31,
	2019			2018
	(In thousands)
Gross balance of repossessions in inventory	$	32,359		$	33,462
Allowance for losses on repossessed inventory		(23,886	)		(24,564	)
Net repossessed inventory included in other assets	$	8,473		$	8,898