2019 ANNUAL REPORT
TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS:
Elevate delivered in 2019.
In a year of transitions, we saw record-high net income — more than double that of
2018. We also eclipsed $6.5 billion1 in savings for our customers. No small feat. These
two metrics illustrate the capability of our incredible team and their hard work in
serving non-prime consumers in the US and UK.
Finally, we remain committed to the customer
experience. Whether it’s directly through our
products or our ongoing support services to
banks, we continue to reinvent how we serve
our non-prime consumers. Since 2013, we’ve
successfully dropped our average APR by more
than 50 percent— and we’ve seen thousands
of credit scores improve. This is no accident;
reducing price and delivering tools to help
consumers build credit is our number one
priority.
In 2020, we are focused on consumer health and
wellness. I hope to share more on these initiatives
later this year. Our approach may be simpler,
but I firmly believe we are well positioned to
continue to deliver for our shareholders and
non-prime consumers — and lead our industry
into the future.
Sincerely,
Jason Harvison
President and Chief Executive Officer
I couldn’t be more proud of these
accomplishments.
I’m also grateful to our Board for entrusting
me with the role of President and CEO on a
permanent basis. With their backing, I chose
to simplify and streamline several of our
strategic priorities.
First, we focused on strong credit quality. A key
initiative was the development and deployment
of new credit models for both our products and
the banks we support. Our US based brands
benefited from these new models; in fact, the
2019 loan vintage is performing better than
previous years as seen in our charge-offs as a
percentage of originations. This is a big win.
But our work isn’t done. In 2020, we will continue
to adopt these models in digital and partner
channels. The long-term growth potential is
enormous, and we are committed to investing
the time and resources to get it right.
Second, we dedicated ourselves to profitability
— as shown in our record net income. We were
able to successfully renegotiate debt pricing,
with positive results in 2019 and continuing into
2020 and beyond. Moving forward, we will
continue to prioritize profitability and
shareholder returns over portfolio growth.
Third, the market demand for non-prime credit
continues to be vast. Together, Elevate and the
banks we support don’t see the immediate need
to chase growth; instead, we will be taking a
disciplined, focused look at profitability and
credit quality first.
We believe non-prime Americans (we call themm
the New Middle Class) deserve a better shot
at getting financial relief today and help them
build a brighter financial future tomorrow.
Elevate brands are committed to providing the most responsible
lending features to consumers— not because we have to but
because it’s the right thing to do.
Who we serve
$8.1 Billion2
in loan originations
FLEXIBLE PAYMENT TERMS
Amado is a musician and an electrician. After reviewing an
Elastic flyer he received in the mail, Amado chose to take out a
line of credit to help his stepdaughter purchase a car. He likes
the flexibility that the line of credit offers him. As a musician,
his income can fluctuate each month, so Amado uses Elastic to
help bridge the gap when needed.
— Amado
Elastic, a bank issued line of credit, is an easy way
to access the money customers need, when they
need it. Elastic does not charge an interest rate
like other traditional products. Rather, customers
can borrow as much as they need up to their
credit limit and pay a cash advance fee when
requesting funds. A carried balance fee is appliedd
for any balance outstanding.
ACCESS AND CONVENIENCE
Maria turned to RISE to help with medical expenses for her son. While Maria and
her husband expected the tests to be expensive, the cost of the tests turned out to
be closer to three or four times what they had anticipated to pay. “We had no idea
they were going to be that much more expensive.” They chose to take out a RISE
loan to pay for the bills. She really enjoys the push payment feature that allows her
to pay at a later date if needed with no penalty.
— Maria
RISE is a state-licensed and bank issued online,
unsecured installment loan with features such as
fast approval, flexible terms, rates that go down
over time, payment flexibility tools and
credit bureau reporting.
Saved the customer over
$6.5 Billion1
over payday loans
140,000
customers have seen
appreciable improvements
in their credit scores
2.4 Million2
customers served
FINANCIAL WELLNESS
ter business and
Donna works as an account manager at a postage meter business and
r the Today Card to
she also drives for Uber to pay the bills. She applied for the Today Card to
n she travels to the
help with unexpected expenses and also utilizes it when she travels to the
in handy when they
east coast to visit her grandchildren and says it comes in handy when they
prove her credit
need school supplies. She chose the Today Card to improve her credit
ing her credit and
score and she wants to be more vigilant about monitoring her credit and
er grandchildren
lowering her debt. She has another goal of teaching her grandchildren
t their age.
how to be more financially responsible than she was at their age.
”
“The younger generation has to be more fiscally savvy.”
— Donna
The Today Card, a credit card originated by a
third-party bank, is designed to provide credit
for everyday expenses for those with a near
prime credit score. Features like TransUnion
Vantage score monitoring are easily accessible
on the Today Card app.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019
or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission file number 001-37680
ELEVATE CREDIT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization
4150 International Plaza, Suite 300
Fort Worth, Texas 76109
Address of Principal Executive Offices
46-4714474
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number
76109
Zip Code
(817) 928-1500
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, $0.0004 par value
ELVT
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes
No
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes
No
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
No
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to
Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was
required to submit such files).
Yes
No
1
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting
company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company”
and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Emerging growth company
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes
No
The aggregate market value of the Registrant's common stock, par value $0.0004 per share, held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2019 was
approximately $137,459,610.
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's common stock, par value $0.0004 per share, as of February 12, 2020 was 43,020,373
shares.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated herein by reference in Part III of
this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the extent stated herein. Such proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission within 120 days of the Registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019
INDEX TO FORM 10-K
Note About Forward-Looking Statements
Part I
Business
Item 1.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2.
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Item 3.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Part II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of
Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
Item 6.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures
Item 9.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9B. Other Information
Part III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder
Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
SIGNATURES
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161
170
NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act") that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our
management. The forward-looking statements are contained throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors.” Forward-
looking statements include information concerning our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues,
projected expenses, margins, prospects and plans and objectives of management. Forward-looking statements include all
statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “seek,”
“estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” or similar
expressions and the negatives of those terms. Forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
include, but are not limited to, statements about:
•
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our future financial performance, including our expectations regarding our revenue, cost of revenue, growth rate of
revenue, cost of borrowing, credit losses, marketing costs, net charge-offs, gross profit or gross margin, operating
expenses, marketing costs, operating margins, loans outstanding, loan loss provision, credit quality, ability to generate cash
flow and ability to achieve and maintain future profitability;
the availability of debt financing, funding sources and disruptions in credit markets;
our ability to meet anticipated cash operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements;
anticipated trends, growth rates, seasonal fluctuations and challenges in our business and in the markets in which we
operate;
our ability to anticipate market needs and develop new and enhanced or differentiated products, services and mobile apps
to meet those needs, and our ability to successfully monetize them;
our expectations with respect to trends in our average portfolio effective annual percentage rate;
our anticipated growth and growth strategies and our ability to effectively manage that growth;
our anticipated expansion of relationships with strategic partners, including banks;
customer demand for our product and our ability to rapidly grow our business in response to fluctuations in demand;
our ability to attract potential customers and retain existing customers and our cost of customer acquisition;
the ability of customers to repay loans;
interest rates and origination fees on loans;
the impact of competition in our industry and innovation by our competitors;
our ability to attract and retain necessary qualified directors, officers and employees to expand our operations;
our reliance on third-party service providers;
our access to the automated clearing house system;
the efficacy of our marketing efforts and relationships with marketing affiliates;
our anticipated direct marketing costs and spending;
the evolution of technology affecting our products, services and markets;
continued innovation of our analytics platform, including releases of new credit models;
our ability to prevent security breaches, disruption in service and comparable events that could compromise the personal
and confidential information held in our data systems, reduce the attractiveness of the platform or adversely impact our
ability to service loans;
our ability to detect and filter fraudulent or incorrect information provided to us by our customers or by third parties;
our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property;
our compliance with applicable local, state, federal and foreign laws;
4
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our compliance with, and the effects on our business and results of operations from, current or future applicable regulatory
developments and regulations, including developments or changes from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the
"CFPB") and developments or changes in state law;
regulatory developments or scrutiny by agencies regulating our business or the businesses of our third-party partners;
public perception of our business and industry;
the anticipated effect on our business of litigation or regulatory proceedings to which we or our officers are a party;
the anticipated effect on our business of natural or man-made catastrophes;
the increased expenses and administrative workload associated with being a public company;
failure to maintain an effective system of internal controls necessary to accurately report our financial results and prevent
fraud;
our liquidity and working capital requirements;
the estimates and estimate methodologies used in preparing our consolidated financial statements;
the utility of non-GAAP financial measures;
the future trading prices of our common stock and the impact of securities analysts’ reports on these prices;
our anticipated development and release of certain products and applications and changes to certain products;
our anticipated investing activity;
trends anticipated to continue as our portfolio of loans matures; and
any future repurchases under our share repurchase program, including the timing and amount of repurchases thereunder.
We caution you that the foregoing list may not contain all of the forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual
results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed
or implied by the forward-looking statements. We discuss these risks in greater detail in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent our management’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this
Annual Report on Form 10-K. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements
publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking
statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
5
Item 1. Business
PART I
Unless expressly indicated or the context requires otherwise, the terms “Elevate,” “company,” “we,” “us” and “our” used
below refer to Elevate Credit, Inc. and, where appropriate, our wholly owned subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest
entities, as well as the direct lending and branded product business of our predecessor, Think Finance, Inc. ("TFI"), for periods
prior to our 2014 spin-off from TFI. We generally refer to loans, customers and other information and data associated with
each of Rise, Elastic, Sunny and Today Card as Elevate’s loans, customers, information and data, irrespective of whether
Elevate originates the credit to the customer or whether such credit is originated by a third party, or originated loans by
FinWise Bank, Republic Bank and Capital Community Bank, where Elevate serves as a service provider.
OUR COMPANY
We provide online credit solutions to consumers and banks in the United States (the "US") and the United Kingdom (the "UK")
who are not well-served by traditional bank products and who are looking for better options than payday loans, title loans,
pawn and storefront installment loans. Non-prime consumers—approximately 170 million people in the US and UK, typically
defined as those with credit scores of less than 700—now represent a larger market than prime consumers but are difficult to
underwrite and serve with traditional approaches. We’re succeeding at it—and doing it responsibly—with best-in-class
advanced technology and proprietary risk analytics honed by serving more than 2.4 million customers with $8.1 billion in
credit. Our current online credit products, Rise, Elastic, Sunny and our recently test launched Today Card reflect our mission to
provide customers with access to competitively priced credit and services while helping them build a brighter financial future
with credit building and financial wellness features. We call this mission "Good Today, Better Tomorrow."
As of December 31, 2019, Rise, Elastic, Sunny and Today Card, together, have provided approximately $6.6 billion in credit to
approximately 1.6 million customers. Our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019 decreased 5% to $747.0 million
from $786.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Our operating income for the years ended December 31, 2019 and
2018 was $111.4 million and $94.9 million, respectively, and our total assets at December 31, 2019 and 2018 were $784
million and $753 million, respectively. We have committed funding sources to support our expected continued growth. See
"Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Along with improving operating margins, we have also reduced the effective APR of our products for our customers. For the
year ended December 31, 2019, our effective APR was 122%, a drop of approximately 51% compared to the year ended
December 31, 2013 when the effective APR was 251%. We estimate that, since 2013, our products have saved our customers
more than $6.5 billion over what they would have paid for payday loans, based on a comparison of revenues from our
combined loan portfolio and the same portfolio with an APR of 400%, which is the approximate average APR for a payday
loan according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB"). As of December 31, 2019, more than 39,000 Rise
customers in good standing received at least a 50% reduction in their APR. Furthermore, with help from our reporting their
successful payment history to a major credit bureau, more than 140,000 of our customers have seen their credit scores improve
appreciably, according to data from that credit bureau. We believe that these rate reductions and other benefits help differentiate
our products in the market and reflect improvements in our underwriting and the maturing of our loan portfolios. Moreover, we
believe doing business this way is the right thing to do.
6
Revenue and Effective APR of Combined Loan Portfolio
251%
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
)
m
m
$
(
e
u
n
e
v
e
R
100
72.0
0
787.0
747.0
673.0
580.0
251%
434.0
274.0
173%
146%
131%
129%
270
250
230
210
190
170
150
E
f
f
e
c
t
i
v
e
A
P
R
(
%
)
122%
130
110
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Revenues
APR
72.8
201.7
356.1
481.2
618.4
648.5
640.8
Ending Combined
Loans Receivable
—Principal ($mm)
We believe our growth demonstrates our ability to rapidly scale our business by utilizing our advanced technology platform,
proprietary risk analytics and sophisticated multi-channel marketing capabilities. The chart above details our annual total
combined loans receivable, revenues and effective APR of the customer loan portfolio since 2013.
Our products in the US and the UK are:
Rise. A product available in 12 US states as a state-licensed installment loan product, in one state as a CSO-originated
installment loan product, in two states as a line of credit product, and as an installment loan product in an additional 19 US
states originated by a third-party bank;
Elastic. A line of credit product originated by a third-party bank and offered in 40 states in the US;
Sunny. An installment loan product available in the UK; and
Today Card. A credit card product originated by a third-party bank and in test launch in the US.
We differentiate ourselves in the following ways:
Online and mobile products that are “Good Today, Better Tomorrow.” Our products, and those originated by banks for
which we serve as service providers, are “Good Today” because they help solve our customers’ immediate financial needs
with competitively priced credit and a simple online application process that provides credit decisions in seconds and funds
as soon as the next business day (in the US) or in minutes (in the UK). We are committed to transparent pricing with no
prepayment penalties or punitive fees as well as amortizing loan balances and flexible repayment schedules that let
customers design the loan repayment terms that they can afford. Our five-day risk-free guarantee provides confidence to
customers that if they can find a better financial solution within that timespan, they simply repay the principal with no
other fees. In addition, our products are “Better Tomorrow” because they reward successful payment history with rates on
subsequent loans (installment loan products) that can decrease over time and can help customers improve their long-term
financial well-being with features like credit bureau reporting, free credit monitoring (for US customers), and online
financial literacy videos and tools.
7
Industry-leading technology and proprietary risk analytics optimized for the non-prime credit market. We have made
substantial investments in our proven technology and analytics platforms to support rapid scaling and innovation, robust
regulatory compliance, and ongoing improvements in underwriting. Our proven technology platform provides for nimble
testing and optimization of our user interface and underwriting strategies, highly automated loan originations, cost-
effective servicing, and robust compliance oversight. Our proprietary risk analytics infrastructure utilizes a massive
(approximately 80+ terabyte) Hadoop database composed of more than ten thousand potential data variables related to
each of the 2.4 million customers we have served and about 8.6 million applications that we have processed. Our team of
over 50 data scientists uses our proprietary technology to build and test scores and strategies across the entire underwriting
process, including segmented credit scores, fraud scores, affordability scores and former customer scores. We use a variety
of analytical techniques from traditional multivariate regression to machine learning and artificial intelligence to continue
to enhance our underwriting accuracy while complying with applicable US and UK lending laws and regulations. As a
result of our proprietary technology and risk analytics, approximately 94% of loan applications are automatically
decisioned in seconds with no manual review required.
Integrated multi-channel marketing strategy. We use a multi-channel marketing strategy to directly reach potential
customers through our paid, earned and owned channels. Our marketing strategy includes coordinated direct mail
programs, strategic partnerships and digital marketing. Our direct-to-consumer approach allows us to focus on higher
quality, lower cost customer acquisitions and to control overall marketing costs. Our customer acquisition costs (“CAC”)
have remained within the range of $200 to $300 over the past five years. We continue to invest in new marketing
capabilities that we believe will provide us with competitive advantages and support ongoing growth. We invest in
improved customer targeting analytics and increasingly sophisticated response models to allow us to expand our marketing
reach while maintaining target CAC.
Our seasoned management team has, on average, more than 12 years of online technology and financial services experience
and has worked together for an average of over ten years in the non-prime consumer credit industry. Our management team has
overseen the origination of $8.1 billion in credit to 2.4 million customers for the combined current and predecessor direct
lending and branded products business that was contributed to Elevate in our spin-off from TFI. In addition, our management
team achieved stable credit performance for our predecessor products through the last decade's financial crisis, maintaining
total principal losses as a percentage of loan originations of between 17% and 20% each year from 2006 through 2011. See “—
Advanced Analytics and Risk Management—History of stable credit quality through the economic downturn.”
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Non-prime consumers represent the largest segment of the credit market
We provide credit to non-prime consumers, many of whom face reduced credit options and increased financial pressure due to
macro-economic changes over the past few decades. We believe that this segment of the population represents a massive and
underserved market of approximately 170 million consumers in the US and UK—a larger population than the market for prime
credit and over half of the US adult population:
According to an analysis of FICO credit score data as of 2018, nearly 42% of the US population had non-prime credit
score of less than 700, representing approximately 105 million Americans adults.
Approximately 22% of Americans over the age of 18, or approximately 53 million Americans, do not have a credit score at
all or had credit records that were treated as “unscorable” by traditional credit scoring models used by nationwide credit
reporting agencies, according to a 2015 report by Fair Isaac Corporation.
According to a PwC report from 2016, it is estimated that the UK near-prime credit market consisted of approximately 10
million people.
8
Typical customers in both the US and UK are middle-income and have a mainstream demographic profile as illustrated below,
according to a 2019 Elevate analysis of income and homeownership of customers, including self-reported customer
information. This is in line with the average of the populations of the US and UK, respectively, in terms of income, educational
background and rate of homeownership. We refer to them as the “New Middle Class.”
Average income
% Attended college
% Own their homes
Typical range of FICO score(1)
(1) Range of middle quintile of Elevate US customers - 2019 Elevate data.
Rise and Elastic
Customer Profile
$52,395 for Rise
$41,837 for Elastic
82%
17.4%
511-623
Sunny
Customer Profile
£21,184
N/A
9.3%
N/A
Customers have varying credit profiles and are more likely to be turned down for credit by many traditional bank lenders. They
are risky and can be difficult to underwrite—often due to factors outside of their control. To provide insight into the different
types of credit histories and financial needs facing our non-prime customers and the challenges of serving them, the following
categories are illustrative:
“Prime-ish.” Consumers with significant credit history and access to traditional credit sources who are now looking for
non-bank credit. They may be over-extended on their existing credit sources and their creditworthiness may be eroding.
“Challenged.” Consumers who have had traditional credit in the past but experienced defaults or had a history of late
payments and as a result may now use alternative non-prime products such as payday, pawn and title loans.
“Invisibles.” Consumers with no credit history or such minimal credit experience that they cannot be sufficiently scored
by traditional means and as a result are often kept outside the traditional credit markets. These consumers often have
limited or no credit profile and may have a high chance of potential fraud.
These categories do not correspond to specific credit score bands or precise scores or definitions for the customers included in
such categories. We continue to identify additional customer categories and evolve our customer category definitions over time.
The New Middle Class has an unmet need for credit
Due to wage stagnation over the past several decades and the continued impact of the last decade's financial crisis, the New
Middle Class is characterized by a lack of savings and significant income volatility. According to a Federal Reserve survey in
2017, 40% of American adults said they could not cover an emergency expense of $400 or would cover it by selling an asset or
borrowing money. In the UK, according to a 2018 study published by Zurich UK 24% of adults have no savings at all and 34%
feel they would be unable to recover from financial shock. Further, the JPMorgan Chase Institute reported in a 2015 study of
100,000 US customers that 41% saw their incomes vary by more than 30% from month-to-month and noted that the bottom
80% of households by income lacked sufficient savings to cover the volatility observed in income and spending. Compounding
these financial realities is the fact that average household income has generally remained flat for over a decade. As a result, our
customer base often must rely on credit to fund unexpected expenses, like car and home repairs or medical emergencies.
Non-prime credit can be less vulnerable to recessionary factors
Based on our own experiences during the last decade’s financial crisis, as well as research conducted by the credit bureau
TransUnion, we believe that patterns of credit charge-offs for non-prime consumers can be acyclical or counter-cyclical when
compared to prime consumers in credit downturns. In a recession, banks and traditional prime credit providers often experience
increases in credit charge-off rates and tighten standards which reduces access to traditional credit and pushes certain
consumers out of the market for bank credit. Conversely, with advanced underwriting, lenders serving non-prime consumers
are able to maintain comparatively flat charge-off rates in part because of these new customers who are unable to avail
themselves of the traditional credit market. See “—Advanced Analytics and Risk Management—History of stable credit quality
through the economic downturn.”
9
Non-prime consumers have different needs for credit
Non-prime consumers generally have unique and immediate credit needs, which differ greatly from the typical prime consumer.
Whereas prime consumers consider price most often in selecting their credit products, we believe that non-prime consumers
will often consider a variety of features, including the simplicity of the application process, speed of decisioning and funding,
how they will be treated if they cannot pay their loan back on time, and flexible repayment terms.
Banks do not adequately serve the New Middle Class
Following the last decade's financial crisis, most banks tightened their underwriting standards and increased their minimum
FICO score requirements for borrowers, leaving non-prime borrowers with severely reduced access to traditional credit.
Despite the improving economy, banks continue to underserve the New Middle Class. According to our analysis of master pool
trust data of securitizations for the five major credit card issuers, we estimate that from 2008 to 2016 revolving credit available
to US borrowers with a FICO score of less than a 660 was reduced by approximately $142 billion. This reduction has had a
profound impact on non-prime consumers in the US and UK who typically have little to no savings. Often, the only credit-like
product offered by banks that is available to non-prime borrowers is overdraft protection, which in essence provides credit at
extremely high rates. According to a 2008 study by the FDIC, bank overdraft fees can have an effective APR of greater than
3,500%, depending upon the amount of the overdraft transaction and the length of time to bring the account positive.
Legacy non-prime lenders are not innovative
As a result of limited access to credit products offered by banks, the New Middle Class has historically had to rely on a variety
of legacy non-prime lenders, such as storefront installment lenders, payday lenders, title lenders, pawn and rent-to-own
providers that typically do not offer customers the convenience of online and mobile access. While legacy non-prime credit
products may fulfill a borrower’s immediate funding needs, many of these products have significant drawbacks for consumers,
including a potential cycle of debt, higher interest rates, punitive fees and aggressive collection tactics. Additionally, legacy
non-prime lenders do not typically report to major credit bureaus, so non-prime consumers often remain in a cycle of non-
prime and rarely improve their financial options.
Fintech startups have largely ignored the non-prime credit market
Despite the growing and unmet need for non-prime credit, few innovative solutions tailored for non-prime consumers have
come to market and achieved any meaningful scale. Where new online marketplace lenders and small business lenders have
emerged to serve prime consumers, we believe that non-prime consumers still have relatively few responsible online credit
options. We believe this is because underwriting non-prime consumers presents significantly greater analytical challenges than
underwriting prime consumers. Unlike prime consumers, the credit profiles of non-prime consumers vary greatly and may
contain significant derogatory information, yet non-prime consumers often need instant decisions with a minimum of
paperwork and inconvenience. While new data and techniques can assist in improving underwriting capabilities, we believe
lenders still require deep insight and extensive experience to successfully serve non-prime consumers while maintaining target
loss rates. Additionally, we believe the compliance and other systems necessary to serve non-prime consumers in a manner
consistent with regulatory requirements can be a barrier to entry. Having originated $8.1 billion in credit to more than 2.4
million customers, we believe we have a significant lead over new entrants.
Consumers are embracing the internet for their personal finances
Consumers are increasingly turning to online and mobile solutions to fulfill their personal finance needs. A 2015 study
published by the CFI Group found that 88% of bank customers surveyed in the US conduct about half to all their banking
online. In the UK, the Office of National Statistics found in 2018 that seven out of ten adults now bank online, doubling the
percentage from ten years before. We believe this growth is an indication of borrower preferences for online and mobile
financial products that are more convenient and easier to access than products provided by legacy brick-and-mortar lenders.
OUR SOLUTIONS
Our innovative online credit solutions provide immediate relief to customers today and can help them build a brighter financial
future. We call this mission “Good Today, Better Tomorrow” and it drives our product design. Elevate’s current generation of
credit products includes Rise, Elastic, Sunny and Today Card. See “—Our Products.”
10
We provide more convenient, competitively priced financial solutions to our customers, who are not well-served by either
banks or legacy non-prime lenders, by using our advanced technology platform and proprietary risk analytics. We also offer a
number of financial wellness and consumer-friendly features such as rates that can go down over time, no punitive fees, a five-
day risk-free guarantee, free online financial literacy videos and tools, credit bureau reporting and free credit monitoring (in the
US) that we believe are unmatched in the non-prime lending market.
We have made substantial investments in our proven technology and analytics platforms to support rapid scaling and
innovation, robust regulatory compliance, and ongoing improvements in underwriting. We have also established a research
organization focused on non-prime consumers called the “Center for the New Middle Class” to raise the awareness of their
unique needs. As a result, we believe we are leading a new breed of more responsible online credit providers for the New
Middle Class.
Our products provide the following key benefits:
Competitive pricing with no hidden or punitive fees. Our US products offer rates that we believe are typically more than
50% lower than many generally available alternatives from legacy non-prime lenders, and since 2013 have saved our
customers more than $5.2 billion over what they would have paid for payday loans. Our products offer rates on subsequent
loans (installment loan products) that can decrease over time based on successful loan payment history. For instance, as of
December 31, 2019, approximately half of Rise customers in good standing had received a rate reduction, typically after a
refinance or on a subsequent loan. In addition, to help our customers facing financial hardships, we have eliminated
punitive fees, including returned payment fees and late charges, among others on all products excluding our Today Card
credit card, which does include some modest industry-standard fees.
Access and convenience. We provide convenient, easy-to-use products via online and mobile platforms. Consumers are
able to apply using a mobile-optimized online application, which takes only minutes to complete from a mobile or desktop
device. Credit determinations are typically made in seconds and approximately 94% of loan application decisions are fully
automated with no manual review required. Funds are typically available the next-day in the US and within minutes in the
UK. Consumers can elect to make payments via preapproved automated clearinghouse (“ACH”) authorization or other
methods such as check or debit card transfer.
Flexible payment terms and responsible lending features. Our customers can select a payment schedule that fits their
needs with no prepayment penalties. We do not offer any “single-payment” or “balloon-payment” credit products that can
lead to a cycle of debt and have been criticized by many consumer groups as well as the CFPB. To ensure that consumers
fully understand the product and their alternatives, we provide extensive “Know Before You Borrow” disclosures as well
as an industry-leading five-day “Risk-Free Guarantee” during which customers can rescind their loan at no cost. Consistent
with our goal of being sensitive to the unique needs of non-prime consumers, we also offer flexible solutions to help
customers facing issues impacting their ability to make scheduled payments. Our solutions include notifications before
payment processing, extended due dates, grace periods, payment plans and special payment programs.
Financial wellness features. Our products include credit building and financial wellness programs, such as credit bureau
reporting, free credit monitoring (in the US) and online financial literacy videos and tools. Our goal is to help our
customers improve their financial options and behaviors at no additional charge. We are very proud of the fact that, with
help from our reporting their successful payment history to a major credit bureau, more than 140,000 of our customers
have seen an appreciable increase in their credit scores, according to data from that credit bureau.
This combination of features has resulted in extremely high customer satisfaction for our products. Internal customer
satisfaction ratings were generally over 92% for all of our products during 2019.
OUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
Using our proven technology platform and proprietary risk analytics infrastructure, we are able to offer our customers
innovative credit solutions that place us as a leader among a new breed of more responsible, online non-prime lenders. We
believe the following are our key competitive advantages:
Differentiated online and mobile products for non-prime consumers. Our product development is driven by a deep
commitment to solving customers’ immediate financial need for credit and helping them improve their long-term financial
future. We call this mission “Good Today, Better Tomorrow.” Our products are “good today” due to their convenience,
cost, transparency and flexibility. Our average customer receives an interest rate that we believe is more than 50% less than
that offered by many legacy non-prime lenders. In fact, since 2013 our customers have saved more than $6.5 billion over
what they would have paid for payday loans based on a comparison of revenues from our combined loan portfolio and the
same portfolio with an APR of 400%, which is the approximate average APR for a payday loan according to the CFPB.
11
Furthermore, the convenience of online and mobile access and flexible repayment options distinguish our products from
many legacy non-prime credit options. However, we go even further in creating credit products that can help enable
customers to have a “better tomorrow.” Based on successful payment history, rates on subsequent loans (installment loan
products) can decrease over time, and we provide a path to prime credit for struggling consumers by reporting to credit
bureaus, providing free credit monitoring (for US products), and offering online financial literacy videos and tools to help
build better financial management skills. With help from our reporting their successful payment history to a major credit
bureau, more than 140,000 of our customers have seen their credit scores improve appreciably, according to data from that
credit bureau.
Industry-leading risk analytics infrastructure and underwriting scores. Traditional approaches for underwriting credit
such as FICO scores are not adequate for non-prime consumers who may have significant derogatory credit history or no
credit history at all. Because continued leadership in non-prime underwriting is essential to drive growth, support
continued rate reductions to customers, and manage losses, we built our proprietary risk analytics infrastructure to support
the development and enhancement of our underwriting scores and strategies. Our risk analytics infrastructure utilizes a
massive (approximately 80+ terabyte) Hadoop database composed of more than ten thousand potential data variables
related to each of the 2.4 million customers we have served and the about 8.6 million applications that we have processed.
This data is composed of variables from consumer applications and website behavior, credit bureaus, bank account
transaction data, numerous other alternative third-party data providers as well as performance history for funded
customers. Our team of over 50 data scientists uses our risk analytics platform to build and test scores and strategies across
the entire underwriting process including segmented credit scores, fraud scores, affordability scores and former customer
scores. They use a variety of analytical techniques from traditional multivariate regression to machine learning to continue
to enhance our underwriting accuracy while complying with applicable US and UK lending laws and regulations. See “—
Advanced Analytics and Risk Management—Segmentation strategies across the entire underwriting process.” Across the
portfolio of products we currently offer, we have maintained stable credit quality as evidenced by charge-off rates that are
generally between 20% and 30% of the original principal loan balances. While we experience month-to-month variability
in our loan losses for any variety of reasons, including due to seasonality, on an annual basis, our annual principal charge-
off rates have remained consistent since the launch of our current generation of products in 2013. See “Management’s
discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Key Financial and Operating Metrics—Credit
quality.” Furthermore, our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models allow not only for the scoring of a broad range of
non-prime consumers, but also across a variety of products, channels, geographies and regulatory requirements.
Innovative and flexible proven technology platform. Investment in our flexible and scalable technology platform has
enabled us to rapidly grow and innovate new products - notably supporting the launch of our current generation of
products in 2013. Our proven technology platform provides for nimble testing and optimization of our user interface and
underwriting strategies, highly automated loan originations, cost-effective servicing, and robust compliance oversight. In
addition, our platform is adaptable to allow us to enhance current products or launch future online products to meet
evolving consumer preferences and respond to a dynamic regulatory environment. Further, our open architecture allows us
to easily integrate with best-in-class third-party providers, including strategic partners, data sources and outsourced
vendors.
Seasoned management team with strong industry track record. We have a seasoned team of senior executives with an
average of more than 12 years of experience in online technology and financial services at companies such as Bank of
America, MasterCard, BlackRock and Silicon Valley Bank, led by Jason Harvison, a financial services industry veteran
with more than 21 years of experience, who has launched more than ten financial products. The team has overseen the
origination of $8.1 billion in credit to more than 2.4 million customers for the combined current and predecessor products
that were contributed to Elevate in our spin-off from TFI. Additionally, the team has a proven track record of managing
defaults through the last decade's financial crisis. From 2006 to 2011, the principal charge-offs of Elevate's legacy and
predecessor credit products remained comparatively flat compared to credit card charge-off rates which nearly tripled
during the same period. Elevate was certified as a “Great Place To Work” in 2019 for the fourth consecutive year. We
believe this reflects our commitment to build a strong and lasting company and a customer-focused corporate culture.
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OUR STRATEGY
To achieve our goal of being the most trusted provider of financial services to the New Middle Class, we intend to execute the
following strategies:
Continue to grow our brands. Rise, Elastic and Sunny were launched in 2013, and the Today Card was launched in 2018.
Given strong consumer demand and organic growth potential, we believe that significant opportunities exist to expand
these four brands within their current markets via existing marketing channels. In addition to our lending activities, we
license our US brands and provide marketing and underwriting services to FDIC regulated banks. As non-prime consumers
become increasingly familiar and comfortable with online and mobile financial services, we also plan to capture the new
business generated as they migrate away from less convenient legacy brick-and-mortar lenders. We continue to see strong
desire from banks to leverage our capabilities. In 2020, we look to continue to grow new marketing and partner channels
for all brands.
Widen the credit spectrum of borrowers served with new products. We continue to evaluate new product and market
opportunities that fit into our overall strategic objective of delivering next-generation online and mobile credit products
that span the non-prime credit spectrum. Our newest product, the Today Card offers much lower rates than our other
products and has helped Elevate be able to offer products across the non-prime spectrum. In addition, we are continually
focused on improving our analytics to effectively underwrite and serve consumers within those segments of the non-prime
credit spectrum that we do not currently reach.
Pursue additional strategic partnerships and digital marketing channels. Our progressive non-prime credit solutions
have attracted top-tier affiliate partners including Credit Karma and Lending Tree as a way to serve customers they have
acquired. We intend to continue growing our existing affiliate partnerships and will evaluate opportunities to enter into new
partnerships with affiliates. We expect these partnerships to provide us with access to a broad range of potential new
customers with low customer acquisition costs. In addition, we continue to expand our digital marketing efforts across our
products. In 2020, we look to grow these channels at a more rapid rate.
Expand our relationship with existing customers. Customer acquisition costs represent one of the most significant
expenses for online lenders. We will seek to expand our strong relationships with existing customers by providing qualified
customers with new loans on improved terms or offering other products and services. We believe we can better serve our
customers with improved products and services while, at the same time, achieving better operating leverage.
Enter new markets. We will explore pursuing strategic opportunities to expand into additional international and domestic
markets. However, we plan to take a disciplined approach to international expansion, utilizing customized products and in-
market expertise. As reflected in our approach to entering the UK market, we believe that local teams with products
developed for each unique local market will ultimately be the most successful. We currently do not expect to undertake any
international expansion in the near term.
OUR PRODUCTS
Rise, Elastic and Sunny are exclusively available through online and mobile devices. The Today Card is a credit card product,
but user interfaces all happen online or through mobile device application. These products reflect the deep experience of our
management team in the online non-prime lending industry and utilize leading technology and proprietary risk analytics to
effectively manage profitability and optimize the customer experience.
Each of these products reflects our “Good Today, Better Tomorrow” mission and offers competitive rates and responsible
lending features along with credit building and financial wellness tools. Our products have rates on subsequent loans that can
decrease over time (installment loan products), no punitive fees, a five day "Risk Free Guarantee," credit bureau reporting, free
credit monitoring (in the US), and online financial literacy videos and tools. The five day "Risk Free Guarantee" allows the
borrower five business days to change their mind about the loan and return the principal with no fees.
Rise, Elastic, Sunny, and Today Card each follow distinct regulatory models, providing diversification across different
regulatory frameworks. Rise operates under licenses from each state it serves and is additionally regulated by the CFPB; it also
operates as a bank-originated credit product in an additional 19 states and is regulated by the FDIC; Elastic is a bank-originated
credit product that is offered in 40 states across the US and is regulated by the FDIC and other bank regulators; Sunny is a UK
credit product regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”); and Today Card is a bank-originated credit card
product that is offered across the US and is regulated by the FDIC and other bank regulators.
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Year launched....................................................................
2013
2013
2017
2018
Product type ...................................................................... Rise - Installment
Rise - CSO
Rise - Line of credit
Rise - FinWise
Geographies served...........................................................
12 states
1 state
2 states
19 states
Loan size ...........................................................................
$300 to $5,000
$300 to $5,000
$500 to $5,000
$500 to $5,000
Loan term ..........................................................................
4-26 months
4-19 months
N/A
7-26 months
Repayment schedule ......................................................... Bi-weekly,
semi-
monthly, or monthly
Bi-weekly,
semi-
monthly, or monthly
Bi-weekly,
semi-
monthly, or monthly
Bi-weekly,
semi-
monthly, or monthly
Prepayment penalties ........................................................ None
None
None
Pricing(1) ..........................................................................
60% to 299%
annualized.(2)
60% to 299%
annualized.(2)(3)
60% to 299%
annualized.(4)
Other fees .......................................................................... None
None
None
None
99% to 149%
annualized.
None
Combined loans receivable principal
(All Rise products = $350.1 million) ................................
$196.7 million
$20.6 million
$11.4 million
$121.4 million
% of Combined loans receivable principal .......................
30.7%
3.2%
1.8%
18.9%
Top states as a percentage of combined loans receivable
– principal ......................................................................... CA (9%), GA (6%)
TX (3%)
TN (1%), KS (1%)
FL (5%), OH (4%)
Weighted-average effective APR ......................................
IL (4%)
117%
New / former customers.................................................... New - 52.8% /
Former - 47.2%
158%
New - 34.2% /
Former - 65.8%
187%
New - 98.2% /
Former - 1.8%
MI (2%)
129%
New - 74.8% /
Former - 25.2%
(1) Rise interest rates may differ significantly by state. See “—Regulatory Environment—APR by geography” for a breakdown of the APR. The number
shown is based on a calculation of an effective APR.
(2) As of December 31, 2019. Some legacy customers will have rates as low as 36%.
(3)
In Texas, Rise charges a CSO fee instead of interest. See “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Key
Financial and Operating Metrics—Revenues-Revenues.”
(4) Rise line of credit includes interest in addition to fees. The number shown is based on a calculation of an effective APR.
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Year launched...................................................................................................
2013
Product type .....................................................................................................
Line of credit
Geographies served..........................................................................................
40 states
2013
Installment
UK
Loan size ..........................................................................................................
$500 to $4,500
£100 to £5,000
2018
Credit card
US - nationwide
$1,000 to $3,500
Loan term ......................................................................................................... Up to 10 months per
6-14 months
N/A
funding(1)
Repayment schedule ........................................................................................ Bi-weekly,
semi-monthly, or monthly
Prepayment penalties ....................................................................................... None
Pricing ..............................................................................................................
Initially $5/$10 per $100
borrowed plus an average
of 5%/10% of
outstanding principal per
billing period(2)
Weekly, bi-weekly,
semi-monthly,
or monthly
None
10.5% to 24%
monthly
Monthly minimum
payments
None
29.99% to 34.99%
variable
Other fees ......................................................................................................... None
None
Late fees, returned
payment fees, annual
fee and other
customary fees
Combined loans receivable principal...............................................................
$252.6 million
$33.6 million
Test launch
% of Combined loans receivable principal ......................................................
39.4%
Top states as a percentage of combined loans receivable – principal..............
FL (6%), TX (4%)
Weighted-average effective APR .....................................................................
CA (3%)
98%(3)
5.2%
N/A
224%
0.7%
N/A
N/A
(1) Elastic term is based on minimum principal payments of 10% of last draw amount per month.
(2) Elastic pricing differs based on billing frequency.
(3) Elastic is a fee-based product. The number shown is based on a calculation of an effective APR.
Rise—US installment loans and lines of credit
The structure of the Rise brand varies as a result of differing state laws and federal law governing the portfolio: Rise is
currently offered as an installment loan directly to consumers in 12 states ("Rise installment"), a line of credit loan product
("Rise line of credit") in two states (Kansas and Tennessee), Rise is available in Texas through a CSO program that provides
consumers access to installment loans offered by a third-party lender ("Rise CSO"), and lastly as installment loans originated
by FinWise Bank in 19 other states.
We utilize risk-based pricing across the portfolio to optimally serve a large percentage of non-prime customers with rates
ranging from 60% to 299%. There are no origination fees, monthly fees, late fees, over-limit fees, or fees for returned payments
on the product. Eligible customers may receive a rate reduction on their next loan if certain eligibility criteria are met. As of
December 31, 2019, more than 50% of Rise installment customers in good standing had received a rate reduction mid-loan or
after a refinance or on a subsequent loan. Approximately 55% of Rise installment customers in good standing had refinanced or
taken out a subsequent loan as of December 31, 2019, with 40% of the outstanding Rise installment loan balances on that date
consisting of new customer loans and 60% related to returning customer loans. The Rise installment effective APR was 117%
for the year ended December 31, 2019, which we believe is more than two-thirds lower than the average effective rate of a
typical payday loan, based on the CFPB’s findings that the average APR for a payday loan is approximately 400%.
15
FinWise Bank licensed the Rise brand in the second half of 2018 and began to originate installment loans in 19 additional
states. Under the terms of our agreement with FinWise Bank, we provide FinWise Bank with marketing services related to the
Rise brand and license to FinWise Bank our technology platform and proprietary credit and fraud scoring models in order to
originate and service Rise customers in certain states not otherwise covered by the Elevate-originated Rise brand. As the
originator of the Rise loans in those states, FinWise Bank reviews and approves all marketing materials and campaigns and
determines the underwriting strategies and score cutoffs used in processing applications. In addition, FinWise Bank defines all
program parameters and provides full compliance oversight over all aspects of the program. Our platform supports FinWise
Bank’s operational and compliance activities related to the Rise program. The FinWise Bank Rise installment loan effective
APR was 129% for the year ended December 31, 2019. See “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and
results of operations—Overview” regarding the structure of EF SPV, Ltd. and how we recognize revenue associated with Rise
loans originated by FinWise Bank.
The Rise line of credit product, which was launched in 2017, is available in two states under current applicable state law. Rise
line of credit offers a maximum credit limit of $5,000 and charges interest based on the APR of the loan and the average
balance for the period. The Rise line of credit effective APR was 187% for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Elastic—US bank-originated lines of credit
Elastic, currently available in 40 US states, is an online line of credit designed to be a financial safety net for non-prime
consumers. It is originated by a third-party lender, Republic Bank. Elastic offers a maximum credit limit of $4,500 and charges
an initial advance fee of $5 for each $100 advanced against the credit line, as well as a fixed charge of approximately 5% of
open balances each payment period. Elastic’s effective APR based on this was approximately 98% for the year ended
December 31, 2019, more than 75% lower than the average effective rate of a typical payday loan, based on the above-
mentioned findings by the CFPB. There are no origination fees, monthly fees, late fees, over-limit fees or fees for returned
payments on the product. Additionally, consumers must make a 10% mandatory principal reduction each month designed to
encourage the full repayment of the original loan amount in approximately 10 months or less.
Under the terms of our agreement with Republic Bank, we provide them with marketing services related to the Elastic program
and license them our technology platform and proprietary credit and fraud scoring models to originate and service Elastic
customers. However, as the originator of the Elastic lines of credit, Republic Bank reviews and approves all marketing
materials and campaigns and determines the underwriting strategies and score cutoffs used in processing applications. In
addition, Republic Bank defines all program parameters and provides full compliance oversight over all aspects of the program.
Our platform supports Republic Bank’s operational and compliance activities related to the Elastic program. See
“Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Overview” regarding the structure of
Elastic and how we recognize revenue associated with Elastic loans.
Sunny—UK installment loans
Sunny is our online UK installment loan product, currently offering loans of up to £5,000. It has a differentiated offering based
on a wider range of loan amounts, a no-fee guarantee, price promotions and more flexible repayment options than most other
providers in the UK short-term lending market.
After seven years, we believe Sunny has become one of, if not the top online, high-cost short-term loan providers in the UK. In
2019, Sunny helped approximately 88,000 new customers gain access to credit, and generated revenue of $108 million.
From 2018 to 2019, we have demonstrated stability and strong performance of a Sunny branded installment product that allows
customers to borrow from £2,000 to £5,000 with the maximum APR of less than 100% ("Sub 100"). We have also started to
migrate a proportion of existing customers to our Sub 100 product, with early indicators showing a high level of uptake and
performance.
In the fourth quarter of 2019, we introduced the first stage of our open banking platform, which allows banks to share
transaction data and integrate third-party apps onto partner platforms in order to improve the way we give our customers access
to credit.
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Today Card—US credit card
Today Card, currently in test launch, is a credit card product designed to meet the spending needs of non-prime consumers by
offering a prime customer experience. Today Card is originated by Capital Community Bank of Utah and is issued through
Mastercard.
As our lowest APR product, Today Card allows us to serve a broader spectrum of non-prime Americans. As of December 31,
2019, we have cross-marketed Today Card to existing and former Rise customers, as well as through direct mail to new
customers. It is our plan to continue to scale this product in 2020. Customer response to the Today Card continues to be strong,
with extremely high response rates, customer engagement, and customer satisfaction scores.
ADVANCED ANALYTICS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
The non-prime lending challenge
Traditional underwriting requires manual review of physical documents and human credit decisions. This is inconvenient for
customers and for lenders it is resource-intensive, time-consuming and can lead to inconsistent results. "Fintech" lenders have
recently used Big Data techniques to revolutionize the offering of credit. Instant credit decisions and automated processes are
increasingly the norm for innovative online lenders.
In non-prime consumer lending, however, the analytical challenges are significantly greater. Traditional credit scores like FICO
are poorly correlated with risk for non-prime consumers. Whereas prime consumers have established positive credit histories
with traditional credit products and very little derogatory information, non-prime consumers are more varied and difficult to
underwrite since they may have significant derogatory credit history or no credit history at all. Because of the wider variety of
credit backgrounds and higher credit risk, automated analytical techniques for underwriting non-prime consumers must be
much more sophisticated.
We use our deep insights into non-prime consumers and extensive experience serving more than 2.4 million customers with
$8.1 billion in credit to develop differentiated analytical techniques and scores to better underwrite and price credit for the New
Middle Class. This approach provides for extremely high levels of automation in the underwriting process and has been proven
to be effective, resulting in stable credit performance for our predecessor products through the last decade's financial crisis and
continued improvements since launching the current generation of products. See “—History of stable credit quality through the
economic downturn.” Furthermore, we invest significant resources into the research and development of new data sources and
new analytical techniques to continue to improve our capabilities.
Proprietary risk analytics infrastructure
Unlike prime lenders who can use off-the-shelf credit scores such as FICO or build custom scores with limited data fields, we
believe that successfully underwriting non-prime consumers in an online environment requires access to a much wider variety
of data including not only traditional credit attributes and application information, but also website behavior, internal
information, bank account information, social media information, email and phone number information, among others. Because
continued leadership in non-prime underwriting is essential to drive growth, support further rate reductions to customers, and
manage losses, we have made substantial investments in our risk analytics infrastructure and in the development of the latest
generation of our underwriting scores and strategies. The risk analytics infrastructure utilizes a massive (approximately 80+
terabyte) Hadoop database composed of more than 10,000 potential data variables related to each of the more than 2.4 million
customers we have served and the about 8.6 million applications that we have processed including performance data from our
funded customers. Our team of more than 50 data scientists uses our proprietary risk analytics infrastructure to build and test
scores and strategies across the entire underwriting process described below (see “—Segmentation strategies across the entire
underwriting process”). Our rusk analytics infrastructure supports a variety of analytical techniques and model outputs from
traditional multivariate regression to machine learning and artificial intelligence. We believe this Big Data approach and
investment is foundational to our ongoing initiatives to improve underwriting and lower rates to our customers.
17
Segmentation strategies across the entire underwriting process
Based on our extensive experience and track record in the industry, we have found that FICO and other monolithic credit scores
are inadequate for the non-prime market. Instead, we have used our proprietary risk analytics infrastructure to develop an array
of proprietary scores and strategies using highly predictive data sources and advanced analytical techniques targeting unique
customer segments and marketing channels as well as different fraud types. This analytical approach, while more complex than
most prime underwriting approaches, allows us to serve an expanding set of non-prime consumer segments and marketing
channels while maintaining stable credit quality and acceptable customer acquisition costs. We use this approach across the
entire underwriting process for both new and former customers, as described in the following chart:
94%
18
Segment specific credit scores
We use our proprietary risk analytics infrastructure to build targeted credit scores for key customer segments and channels.
Based on our segmentation model, we utilize highly predictive data (including nationwide credit reporting agencies (“NCRA”),
non-prime bureau data, and wide-ranging alternative data sources, as well as internally collected proprietary customer credit
performance history) and analytical techniques (including multivariate regression, machine learning and artificial intelligence
techniques) to achieve a high level of accuracy for our scores. For instance, for “prime-ish” consumers who have access to
traditional credit sources but supplement them with non-prime credit, we use NCRA data extensively in our proprietary credit
and fraud scoring models. For “challenged” consumers who have derogatory NCRA credit information and, as a result, non-
prime credit data is more relevant, our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models leverage data provided by non-prime credit
bureau sources like Clarity and Teletrack. For “credit invisibles” with limited or no credit history, we may utilize a host of
alternative data sources, such as detailed bank account data as well as the duration for which an applicant has used the same
mobile phone number or used an email address. Our definitions of our customer segments and the ways they affect our credit
scoring models evolve over time. We assess more than 10,000 data inputs while developing our segmented credit models.
Targeted fraud scores
In addition to our segment-specific credit scores, we have developed targeted fraud scores for different types of fraud. For
instance, we have found that first-party fraud (when the loan applicant provides correct identity information but has no intent of
repaying the loan), third-party fraud (when the applicant has stolen someone else’s identity information) and bank account
fraud (when the borrower intends to shut down his or her account shortly after receiving the proceeds from the loan) are
fundamentally different and require unique analysis and risk management tools.
Our proprietary fraud scores are built from over 10,000 available data inputs from our risk analytics infrastructure and make
extensive use of non-linear (e.g., machine learning) analytical tools and techniques. Examples of data sources that we have
found to be predictive in our fraud scores include IP address information, how applicants use our website (including pages
viewed), and email and bank account information as well as identity information provided by third parties.
Affordability analysis and line offers
Although not currently required by US federal law, we proactively assess the affordability of our products for our customers.
We use multiple approaches including debt to income, payment to income and full budgeting (required by UK regulations),
based on third-party and self-reported information, and continue to evaluate the effectiveness of each approach. Where
applicable, we integrate real-time bank account information into our affordability scores. Our affordability assessment impacts
both the decision of whether to provide the loan, as well as the maximum amount to offer. We use an enhanced affordability
analysis that integrates previous payment history to underwrite current customers seeking to refinance their loan and for former
customers requesting additional credit.
Customer management
In addition to underwriting new customers, we have built scores and strategies for underwriting customers who have paid off
their initial loan and are looking for a new loan, or for customers who may want to refinance their current loan, typically for a
larger amount and a lower rate. These scores and strategies reassess the customer’s creditworthiness integrating their payment
history on previous loans. Based on this information and revised affordability analysis, the customer is either offered a new
maximum loan amount and APR or declined for additional credit.
Fully automated, near-instant credit decisions
Credit and fraud determinations are made in seconds and approximately 94% of loan applications for all products are fully
automated with no manual review required, based on our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models and affordability
assessments. Once approved, the customer is provided the loan amount and relevant terms of the credit being offered. Of the
approximately 6% of loan applications requiring manual review, in the US, the majority require further documentation, which
can be provided via scanning, fax, email or mail. Others may have failed a fraud rule in the applicable underwriting
methodology and are managed based on the rule failed, and others are reviewed to address “know your customer” and/or OFAC
requirements. In the UK, of the loan applications requiring manual review, the vast majority require further verifications or
other forms of identification, while the remaining portion requires further review based on fraud alerts by an industry database
of fraudulent consumer activity, known as CIFAS. We provide declined customers with the reasons for the decision as per
regulatory requirements.
19
Elevate fraud detection agents manually review a limited number of applicants based on the results of the fraud scores and any
discrepancies in the application data they provide (such as identity information prior to the funding of the loan). Fraud
detection specialists generate and review intraday reports to identify cross-application fraud risk and use such reports to flag
additional loan applications requiring review. Elevate fraud detection agents use sophisticated link analysis of application
information to identify potentially fraudulent activity and pursue additional investigation if they suspect fraud.
History of stable credit quality through the economic downturn
We bring extensive experience in managing defaults through the most recent financial crisis. Including products that preceded
our current generation of credit products, we have provided $8.1 billion in credit to 2.4 million non-prime consumers since
2002. As the following chart indicates, our management team delivered stable credit quality for our predecessor products
through the last decade's financial crisis. The chart below also presents the levels of volatility experienced by the US credit card
industry over the same period.
Total principal charge-offs as a percentage of originations (%)1
)
%
(
e
t
a
v
e
E
-
l
s
ff
o
-
e
g
r
a
h
c
l
a
p
i
c
n
i
r
P
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
19.8
18.0
17.7
17.6
18.1
17.6
9.4
9.4
5.6
5.7
3.5
4.0
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Year of origination
Principal charge-offs - Elevate2
Credit card charge-offs3
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
C
r
e
d
i
t
c
a
r
d
c
h
a
r
g
e
-
o
ff
s
(
%
)
(1) Elevate legacy predecessor credit product from 2006-2011. Includes losses related to credit and fraud.
(2) Years presented pre-date the spin-off. For recent cumulative loss rates by vintage, see “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and
results of operations—Key Financial and Operating Metrics—Credit quality.”
(3) Credit card information based on Federal Reserve data.
20
Additionally, research conducted by the credit bureau TransUnion indicates that non-prime personal loan portfolios show
significantly less volatility due to recessionary factors than portfolios with higher credit quality customers. As shown in the
following chart, according to TransUnion data, non-prime portfolios demonstrated approximately half of the charge-off rate
volatility of Prime, Prime-Plus and Super Prime portfolios during the Great Recession between 2006 and 2011. We believe this
indicates that patterns of credit charge-offs for non-prime consumers can be acyclical or counter-cyclical when compared to
prime consumers in credit downturns. In a recession, banks and traditional prime credit providers often experience increases in
credit charge-off rates and tighten standards, which reduces access to traditional credit and pushes certain consumers out of the
market for bank credit. Conversely, with advanced underwriting, lenders serving non-prime consumers are able to maintain
comparatively flat charge-off rates, in part, because of these new customers who are unable to avail themselves of the
traditional credit market.
1
Personal loan delinquency volatility through the Great Recession 2006-2017
(standard deviation divided by the tier’s average delinquency)
53%
40%
42%
39%
21%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Super prime
Prime plus
Prime
Near prime
Non-prime
(1) TransUnion data on 90-day delinquency rates of balances for different Vantage Score bands from the first quarter of 2005 through the first quarter of
2017. Volatility is calculated by dividing the standard deviation of Vantage Score bands from the first quarter of 2006 to the first quarter of 2017 by the
average during the same period per TransUnion. Super prime includes those with credit scores ranging from 781 to 850, Prime plus from 721 to 780,
Prime from 661 to 720, Near prime from 601 to 660 and Non-prime from 300 to 600.
Commitment to research and development
We have built a team of over 300 employees in our Risk Management and Technology department, over 50 of which work
specifically in risk analytics and work with data on a daily basis. Our Advanced Analytics team is primarily focused on analysis
of new (typically non-traditional) data sources and analytical techniques. We believe our commitment to research and
development in risk analytics results in consistently improving capabilities, which give us an on-going competitive advantage
in the market by allowing us to scale our business while providing savings back to our customers in the form of lower rates.
21
OUR SALES AND MARKETING CAPABILITIES
Multi-channel approach to customer acquisition
Online providers of non-prime credit often rely on third-party lead generators for customer acquisition, which we believe limits
growth and provides challenges to achieving cost and quality targets. In contrast, we rely on a multi-channel marketing mix,
which supports improved CAC, faster growth and heightened brand awareness. This approach allows us to gradually expand
investments to grow prospects, while thoughtfully balancing the investment split within channels. We monitor each channel,
and how each contributes to a user's path to conversion. The following chart shows the percentage of total customers
attributable to each marketing channel for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Multi-channel Marketing
Digital
13%
TV & Mass Media
9%
Stragetic
Partners
28%
Direct Mail
50%
Our multi-channel approach is demonstrated by the following:
Direct mail: More than 62 million pre-selected credit offers mailed during the year ended December 31, 2019;
TV and mass media: Both brand and direct response-oriented campaigns launched for Sunny;
Strategic partnerships: Multiple partnerships with large customer aggregators to drive traffic; and
Digital marketing campaigns: Search engine optimization, content marketing, social media, paid search, digital advertising
and email marketing.
Analytically-driven channel optimization
Each new marketing channel we introduce requires extensive testing and optimization before it can be scaled cost-effectively
and requires significant on-going analytical support. For instance, we spent several years developing, testing, and optimizing
our response and credit models for preapproved direct mail campaigns to achieve an acceptable CAC for this channel. As a
result, direct mail is now our largest and most profitable marketing capability, and we continue to identify new analytical
approaches that help expand the addressable market through the direct mail channel.
22
Over the last few years, we've built a successful digital acquisition strategy and found the right baseline tactics to drive strong
conversions. We continuously test within our digital channels and have a pipeline of new testing opportunities to help identify
strong performers. In order to scale up support, we are focusing on testing tactics which help drive consumer awareness and
engagement through search, digital advertising and social media. We anticipate expanding growth in all of our digital marketing
channels based on improved customer targeting analytics and increasingly sophisticated response models that allow us to
enhance our marketing reach while maintaining our target CAC. Our dedicated channel management teams continually monitor
and manage campaign effectiveness. We believe our investment in developing multiple customer acquisition channels provides
a significant competitive advantage over other online non-prime lenders who rely primarily on lead generators.
Multi-channel management
In addition to optimizing the performance of each channel, we are increasingly optimizing our marketing mix to improve
marketing impact and enhance brand-building. We have found that coordinating the timing of individual channel campaigns
and leveraging creative across channels can accelerate growth at lower costs.
Through a multi-channel marketing approach, Sunny remains one of the most well-known brands in the sector. Sunny is now
number one in active short-term loan brand awareness and we have benefited commercially from several competitors exiting
the market. In addition, investment in digital marketing channels has continued to deliver dividends in both brand visibility and
commercial efficiency. In the last year, Sunny drove marketing efficiency with a record-low CAC (33% decrease year-over-
year).
Strategic partner development
Rather than utilizing lead generators who are often accused of deceptive practices, we have focused on developing relationships
through large strategic partnerships with trusted brands. Our strategic partners refer prospects from their site to our product
website. Because the customer completes the loan application on our website, rather than on a lead generator’s site, we control
the messaging received by the customer about our products. This method allows us to better control application quality,
customer experience and CAC. Aligning with strategic partners that share our values and commitment to the customer helps us
fulfill our mission of providing better products to the New Middle Class.
We expect our relationships with strategic partners to continue to expand over time, and we will evaluate opportunities to enter
into new partnerships. We also have the ability to make targeted offers with discounted rates to strategic partners who have
been shown to deliver higher quality applicants.
Customer relationship optimization
Our sales and marketing efforts are not only focused on acquiring new customers. We focus on strong customer engagement,
providing added value and developing a mutually beneficial relationship with current and former customers. If customers or
former customers need additional liquidity, we strive to be the top of their consideration set.
Based on rigorous creditworthiness and affordability analysis, we typically offer increased credit lines to former customers—
often at lower rates. Also, subject to our usage caps, we may offer current customers the ability to refinance loans to receive
additional funds (in the US). We use both email and text messaging campaigns to reach customers with additional credit offers.
Because there is no additional CAC for originating those additional loans, these transactions are highly profitable and can
support offering a lower APR for consumers.
23
History of strong growth in new customer acquisition volumes at or below target CAC
As a result of our unique marketing capabilities discussed above, we have shown significant growth in annual new customer
acquisition volumes while managing our customer acquisition costs within or below our target level of $250 to $300.
Customer Acquisition
(Volumes + CAC)
350,000
300,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
-
$297
$255
$256
$235
$237
$245
$350
$300
$250
$200
$150
$100
$207
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
# New Customers
CAC
OUR TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM AND INFORMATION SECURITY
Underlying our innovative customer centric product offerings, loan processing and multitude of servicing features is our
flexible proven technology platform. Loan originations, advanced proprietary underwriting and decisioning, loan management
and loan servicing are all supported by our scalable and flexible technology platform built with modern cloud-based
architecture principles. Our continuous technological innovations to our platform position us to respond quickly to new market
opportunities, customer feedback, market trends and regulatory changes. Inherent to our technology platform is support and
monitoring for compliant applications, loan processing and business controls. In addition, because we collect and store
extensive amounts of consumer information, we have invested in and are committed to best practice levels of information
security.
Flexible and scalable proven technology platform
Our proven technology platform integrates the best available third-party products and capabilities under our proprietary
architecture. This has allowed us to rapidly launch new products, modify product functionality and ensure regulatory
compliance.
Our proven technology platform includes proprietary architecture and messaging that facilitates high-availability, scalability
and flexibility for changing product features. It supports open-end (lines of credit) products, closed-end (installment loans) and
credit cards, and is easily configurable for new pricing and term structures, whether in response to regulatory changes or
competitive opportunities. Currently, our technology platform supports our US products, Rise and Elastic, as well as loan
origination functionality for the Today Card. Servicing functions for our Today Card utilize technology and experience from
Total Systems Services, a global payment solution provider ("TSYS"), to store data and interface with customers.
24
The core functionality of Elevate's technology platform is illustrated below.
Technology Platform
End
Users
Telephony
Web User
Smart Devices
Front-end
Applications
Interactive
Voice
Response
Product
Websites
Responsive
Websites
Loan Origination
Loan Servicing
Customer
Management
Technology
Platform
Application
Underwriting
Verification
Loan Management
Authentication
Multidraw
Account Management
Pay Frequency
Document Management
Risk Based Pricing
Credit Reporting
Preferences
S
e
c
u
r
i
t
y
C
o
m
p
l
i
a
n
c
e
Payment/Funding
Collection/Debt
Communication
Funding
ACH
Collection Recovery
Debt Management
Email
SMS
Internal
Applications
Admin
Reporting
Analytics
A
u
d
i
t
/
L
o
g
g
n
g
i
F
o
u
n
d
a
t
i
o
n
a
l
C
o
m
p
o
n
e
n
t
s
/
S
e
r
v
i
c
e
s
Mobile-first approach to user interface development
Currently, approximately two-thirds of our customer interactions come from mobile rather than desktop devices. The customer-
facing portions of our products for both desktop and mobile interfaces are designed with a focus on user-friendly design and
cross-platform mobility.
Cloud-hosted applications
Leveraging cloud technology for our customer-facing web applications, we are able to support rapid enhancements and
optimizations to product user experiences. Our front-end technology approach enables different user application flows for
different customers depending on what channel they came to our site and will dynamically change the user interface data
capture based on credit assessment. Our marketing and user experience teams can rapidly test new application flows on small
percentages of inbound traffic to determine the impact of such changes on loan conversion, underwriting accuracy, and
customer satisfaction prior to full deployment.
25
Sophisticated decision engine
Our sophisticated analytics approach requires us to manage numerous credit and fraud scores and strategies for each of our
products, customer segments and marketing channels. In addition, because of our commitment to innovation and research and
development, we are regularly conducting testing of new scores, data providers and analytical techniques. This requires an
extremely flexible yet compliant decision engine. Our decision engine is a key component of our technology platform and
allows our Risk Management team to rapidly implement tests that control and measure the performance of new scores, data
providers and analytical techniques against the existing best versions of each. In particular, the decision engine can rapidly
integrate with new data providers and test a randomly selected percentage of application traffic with new scores and track their
performance against existing scores.
All aspects of our underwriting process are controlled through components of our technology platform, from the credit and
fraud scores to the various product affordability assessments, to the instant decisioning and credit assignment process and even
including the fraud and verifications activities performed by fraud agents. In this manner we have enhanced automation and
have instituted tight controls over the entire decisioning process.
Best practice approach to information security and system reliability
Because we store extensive amounts of public and non-public customer personally identifiable information (“PII”), we take our
obligations to protect that information and avoid data breaches very seriously. PII in Elevate's technology platform is encrypted,
and we conduct regular audits of our security protocols via third-party intrusion detection, vulnerability scans and penetration
testing. These activities are supplemented with real-time monitoring and alerting for potential intrusions.
We have fully redundant data centers in place to support all critical business functions. Disaster recovery and business
continuity plans and tests have been completed, which help to ensure our ability to recover in the event of a disaster or other
unforeseen event.
COMPETITIVE OVERVIEW
The competition in our market is composed of both legacy brick-and-mortar and online credit providers. We compete with
providers that offer products in the following categories:
Non-prime installment loans
Non-prime credit cards
Pawn loans
Payday loans
Title loans
Rent to own
In addition, bank overdrafts often function as an expensive form of emergency credit. According to a 2008 study by the FDIC,
bank overdraft fees can have an effective APR greater than 3,500%, depending upon the amount of the overdraft transaction
and length of time to bring the account positive.
Most legacy non-prime lenders still operate primarily out of legacy brick-and-mortar locations and require extensive
documentation and face-to-face interactions. With online and mobile-only products, Elevate eliminates the potential need for
our customers to drive across town and stand in line to apply for credit. In fact, with our products, the credit determination is
made in seconds and approximately 94% of loan applications are fully automated with no manual review required.
26
There are few providers attempting to deliver lower-cost, online non-prime credit products similar to ours. Although there are a
number of technology-enabled financial services companies that target prime and near-prime customers, including
LendingClub, Prosper and Avant, there are only a limited number of comparable online competitors in the non-prime lending
space, such as OppLoans and NetCredit in the US. We expect more entrants in this space as this market continues to develop.
We also believe that it would require significant time and expense for other companies to build technological and analytical
platforms similar to ours, which is geared towards serving non-prime consumers. While other lenders may use proprietary or
off-the-shelf lending platforms to support their online lending operations, these typically are focused on specific product types,
and this makes such platforms inflexible for the kind of product innovation that we have pursued. We are not aware of any off-
the-shelf products that support the variety of non-prime products such as those supported by our proven technology platform
and proprietary risk analytics infrastructure. Although technology generally can be reverse-engineered over time, we believe
our proven and proprietary technology and analytics platforms provide a competitive advantage due to our lead time based on
our long history of serving non-prime consumers with multiple credit products.
The online non-prime credit market in the US is extremely fragmented and most lenders source customers from lead generation
companies, resulting in low brand recognition. Unlike these competitors, we have made a significant investment in establishing
a direct-to-consumer, integrated multi-channel marketing capability using direct mail, TV, search engine marketing, search
engine optimization, and digital campaigns, which we believe creates a unique opportunity for Rise and Elastic to become
dominant and trusted brands in this space.
In the UK, high-cost, short-term credit ("HCSTC") products are established but highly regulated and scrutinized by consumer
affairs champions, advocacy groups, government and media. In 2015, the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") undertook an
industry review and introduced a set of regulations including a price cap to ensure borrowers will never have to pay back more
than double what they originally borrowed. As a result, the number of HCSTC providers shrunk as many exited the market. In
July 2017, the FCA reviewed the price-cap and concluded that the regulations have delivered “substantial benefit to
consumers.” Despite these positive regulatory changes, there has been a rise in affordability complaints to the Financial
Ombudsman Services ("FOS") in 2018 and 2019. Under these circumstances, several competitors have left the market
including Wonga, QuickQuid and WageDay Advance. Sunny works closely with the FCA and the FOS to ensure our stringent
creditworthiness and affordability checks are meeting the regulator's requirements. The introduction of open banking means we
will be able to improve the efficiency of income verification and better assess the customer's financial situation and needs,
providing a significant advantage to Sunny.
REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
The online consumer loan products we currently originate or support are subject to a range of laws, regulations and standards
that address consumer lending, banking, credit services, consumer protections and reporting, information sharing, marketing,
debt collection, data protection, state licensing and interest rate and term limitations, among other things.
All products are subject to supervision, regulation and / or enforcement by numerous regulatory bodies—from state regulators
and attorneys general, federal regulators, like the CFPB, the FTC and in some cases the FDIC, and the FCA in the UK.
Consistent with regulatory expectations, we have an extensive compliance program and internal controls.
For a discussion of the risks related to our regulatory environment, see “Risk factors—Other Risks Related to Compliance and
Regulation.”
US regulation
State and local regulation and licensing applicable to products originated by Elevate or CSOs
We offer our Rise installment and line of credit products directly to customers. In Texas, our CSO lending partners originate
Rise installment loans. The US Rise loans we and our CSO partners originate are regulated under a variety of enabling state
statutes. The scope of state regulation, including permissible interest rates, fees and terms, varies from state to state. Some
states require specific disclosures, mandate or prohibit certain terms and limit the maximum interest rate and fees that may be
charged. Where licensing or registration is required, we and our lending partners are subject to extensive state rules, licensing
and examination. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in, among other things, refunds of excess charges,
monetary penalties, revocation of required licenses, voiding of loans and other administrative enforcement actions. These Rise
loans are available in the following 15 states: Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, New
Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin. In these states, Rise may also be subject to
additional municipal regulations and ordinances related to, for example, certain non-bank loan products and debt collection.
27
The scope of municipal regulations and ordinances vary. Several state regulators have publicly expressed their intent to increase
supervision and enforcement of consumer protection laws against supervised entities. State consumer protection laws also
apply to Rise installment loans. In many states, legislators and attorneys general could increase their focus or enforcement of
these consumer protection statutes. If this were to occur, it could result in additional regulatory oversight and enforcement on
our business.
US state and federal regulation
Our US products are subject to a variety of state and federal laws, including but not limited to the following:
Truth in Lending Act. All of the US products we originate or support are subject to the federal Truth in Lending Act (“TILA”)
and its underlying regulations known as Regulation Z. TILA and Regulation Z require creditors to deliver disclosures to
borrowers during the life cycle of a loan—certain advertisements, at application, at account opening or at consummation and
for open-end credit products, such as Elastic, Rise and Today Card, periodically, and for certain post-consummation events
(e.g., refinancings, change in terms for open-end credit).
The disclosure rules differ depending upon whether the product is an open-end credit or closed-end credit. Under the
appropriate disclosure rules, the originating creditor is required to provide borrowers with key information about the loan,
including, for open-end credit, the annual percentage rate (if applicable), applicable finance charges, transaction and penalty
fees, and, for closed-end loans, the annual percentage rate, the finance charge, the amount financed, the total of payments, the
number and amount of payments and payment due dates.
Regulation Z and TILA also provide consumers with substantive consumer protections. Specifically, pursuant to Regulation Z
and TILA, loan products are subject to special rules for calculating annual percentage rates, advertising, and for open-end
credit, rules for resolving billing errors.
Fair Credit Reporting Act. We are also subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (the “FCRA”) and similar state laws, as both a
user of consumer reports and a furnisher of consumer credit information to credit reporting agencies. The FCRA and similar
state laws regulate the use of consumer reports and reporting of information to credit reporting agencies. Specifically, the
FCRA establishes requirements that apply to the use of “consumer reports” and similar data, including certain notifications to
consumers, including when an adverse action, such as a loan declination, is based on information contained in a consumer
report.
We only obtain and use consumer reports subject to the permissible purpose requirements under the FCRA. The FCRA permits
us to share our experience information, information obtained from credit reporting agencies, and other customer information
with affiliates. We comply with notice and opt out requirements for prescreen solicitations and for certain information sharing
under the FCRA. We also have implemented an identity theft prevention program to fulfill the requirements of the Red Flags
Regulations and Guidelines issued under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (the “FACT Act”).
In meeting our duties to furnish consumer credit information to consumer reporting agencies, we:
furnish consumer credit information pursuant to the METRO 2 guidelines;
establish and maintain procedures regarding the accuracy and integrity of the consumer credit information we report; and
establish and maintain procedures to conduct timely investigations of customer disputes (received directly from customers
or through credit reporting agencies) regarding the consumer credit information we report to the consumer reporting
agencies.
Equal Credit Opportunity Act. The federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act (the “ECOA”) generally prohibit creditors from
discriminating against applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, age (provided the individual is of legal age to enter into a
contract), religion, national origin, marital status, the fact that all or part of the applicant’s income derives from any public
assistance program or the fact that the applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the federal Consumer Credit
Protection Act. Regulation B, which implements ECOA, restricts creditors from requesting certain types of information from
loan applicants and from using advertising or making statements that would discourage, on a prohibited basis, a reasonable
person from making or pursuing an application.
In the underwriting of loans offered through our online platform, and with respect to all aspects of the credit transaction,
including any servicing of loans and other credit, we, our lending partners and marketing affiliates must comply with applicable
provisions prohibiting discouragement and discrimination.
28
ECOA also requires creditors to provide consumers with timely notices of adverse action taken on credit applications or
counteroffers. A prospective borrower applying for a loan but denied credit or offered a counteroffer is provided with an
adverse action notice.
FTC Act and Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Both the FTC and CFPB regulate
advertising, marketing of and practices related to financial products and services. The FTC is charged with preventing unfair or
deceptive acts or practices and false or misleading advertisements, and the CFPB is charged with preventing unfair, deceptive,
or abusive acts and practices. All marketing materials related to our products must also comply with the advertising
requirements set forth in TILA.
Military Lending Act. The Military Lending Act (“MLA”) restricts, among other things, the interest rate and other terms that
can be offered to active military personnel and their dependents on most types of consumer credit. The MLA caps the interest
rate that may be offered to a covered borrower to a 36% military annual percentage rate (“MAPR”), which includes certain fees
such as application fees, participation fees and fees for add-on products. The MLA also requires certain disclosures and
prohibits certain terms, such as mandatory arbitration if a dispute arises concerning the consumer credit product.
The MLA covers Elastic, Rise and the Today Card and restricts our, or our bank partners', ability to offer our products to
military personnel and their dependents. Failure to comply with the MLA may limit our ability to collect principal, interest, and
fees from borrowers and may result in civil and criminal liability that could harm our business.
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (“SCRA”) and similar state laws apply to
certain loans made to certain members of the US military, reservists and members of the National Guard and certain
dependents. The SCRA limits the interest rate a creditor may charge or certain collection actions a creditor may take on certain
loans while a servicemember is on military duty. We maintain policies and procedures to comply with SCRA.
The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act. The federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National
Commerce Act (“E-SIGN”) and similar state laws, particularly the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (“UETA”) authorize
the creation of legally binding and enforceable agreements utilizing electronic records and signatures. E-SIGN and UETA
require businesses that use electronic records or signatures in consumer transactions and provide required disclosures to
consumers electronically, to obtain the consumer’s consent to receive information electronically. When a borrower is provided
electronic disclosures, we obtain his or her consent to transact business electronically, to receive electronic disclosures and
maintain electronic records in compliance with E-SIGN and UETA requirements. We also follow similar state e-signature rules
mandating that certain disclosures be made, and certain steps be followed, in order to obtain and authenticate e-signatures.
Electronic Fund Transfer Act. The Electronic Fund Transfer Act of 1978 (“EFTA”) protects consumers engaging in electronic
fund transfers, including preauthorized transactions and recurring transactions. The EFTA is implemented through Regulation
E. Borrowers of our products often choose to repay by electronic fund transfers and, accordingly, a written authorization,
signed or similarly authenticated, may be required in connection with auto-pay features. Restrictions on how consumers choose
to pay or how lenders comply with electronic fund transfers could impact our current business processes.
To the extent a borrower repays his or her payment obligation through electronic fund transfers, the EFTA and Regulation E
apply. EFTA and Regulation E contain restrictions, requires disclosures and provides consumers certain rights relating to
electronic fund transfers.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (the “FDCPA”) provides guidelines and
limitations on the conduct of third-party debt collectors and debt buyers when collecting consumer debt. While the FDCPA
generally does not apply to first-party creditors collecting their own debts or to servicers when collecting debts that were
current when servicing began, we use the FDCPA as a guideline for all collections. We require all vendors and third parties that
provide collection services on our behalf to comply with the FDCPA to the extent applicable. We also comply with state and
local laws that apply to creditors and provide guidance and limitations similar to the FDCPA.
Unfair, Deceptive, Abusive Acts and Practices. The Dodd-Frank Act prohibits “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts or practices
(“UDAAPs”). Through enforcement actions, the CFPB has found UDAAP conduct in most phases in the life cycle of a loan,
including the marketing, collecting and reporting of loans. UDAAPs could involve omissions or misrepresentations of
important information to consumers or practices that take advantages of vulnerable consumers, such as elderly or low-income
consumers. All products and services provided by Elevate and its vendors in the US are subject to the UDAAP prohibition.
There are also various state laws that govern unfair and deceptive acts and practices with which we must comply.
29
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. We are also subject to various federal and state laws and regulations relating to privacy and security
of consumers’ nonpublic personal information. Under these laws, including the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”)
and Regulation P promulgated thereunder, we must disclose our privacy policy and practices, including those policies relating
to the sharing of nonpublic personal information with third parties. We may also be required to provide an opt-out to certain
sharing. The GLBA and other laws also require us to safeguard personal information. The FTC regulates the safeguarding
requirements of the GBLA for non-bank lenders through its Safeguard Rules.
Anti-money laundering and economic sanctions. We and the originating lenders that we work with are also subject to certain
provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act and the Bank Secrecy Act under which we must maintain an anti-money laundering
compliance program covering certain of our business activities. In addition, the Office of Foreign Assets Control prohibits us
from engaging in financial transactions with specially designated nationals.
Anticorruption. We are also subject to the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) which generally prohibits
companies and their agents or intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining
or keeping business and/or other benefits.
Telemarketing Sales Rule. We are also subject to the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, the
FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule promulgated pursuant to such Act, and similar state laws. The Telemarketing Sales Rule
prohibits deceptive and abusive telemarketing acts or practices, such as calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., and requires
telemarketers and sellers to make certain disclosures to consumers in every outbound call. Telemarketers are also required to
comply with a company specific do-not-call framework, as well as with state and federal do-not-call registries. We have
implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with the Telemarketing Sales Rule.
CAN-SPAM Act. We are subject to the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003 and
the FTC’s rules promulgated pursuant to such Act (together, “CAN-SPAM Act”), which establish requirements for certain
“commercial messages” and “transactional or relationship messages.” For example, the CAN-SPAM Act prohibits the sending
of messages that contain false, deceptive or misleading information. It also gives recipients the right to stop receiving
commercial messages. We have implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with the CAN-SPAM
Act.
Telephone Consumer Protection Act. We are also subject to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and its implementing
regulations (together, the “TCPA”) and the regulations of the FCC. The TCPA regulates the delivery of live and prerecorded
telemarketing calls, non-marketing calls to cell phones through the use of an automated telephone dialing system, fax
advertisements, and text messages. For example, under the TCPA, it is unlawful to make many of these types of
communications without the prior consent of the recipient. The TCPA also established a federal do-not-call registry, with the
Telemarketing Sales Rule, as noted above. We maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with the TCPA.
CARD Act. The Today Card is subject to the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure ("CARD") Act that
establishes fair and transparent practices relating to credit cards. The CARD Act, among other things, provides protections for
consumers such as limiting interest rate hikes, banning the issuance of credit cards to anyone less than 21 years of age without
an adult co-signer, limiting over-limit, late and account-opening fees, and requiring transparent disclosures related to minimum
payments.
Fair Credit Billing Act - The Fair Credit Billing Act ("FCBA") protects consumers from prejudicial or unfair billing practices in
open-ended lines of credit and credit cards. It lays out consumers' rights to dispute credit card issuers' charges and addresses
consumer redress for common billing errors.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The CFPB regulates consumer financial products and services, including consumer loans that we offer. The CFPB has
regulatory, supervisory and enforcement powers over certain providers of consumer financial products and services.
30
The CFPB released its final “Payday, Vehicle Title, and Certain High-Cost Lending Rule” (“2017 Rule”) on October 5, 2017
which would require us to provide customers notice at least three days before a payment withdrawal attempt, as well as obtain
new ACH authorization from a customer following two failed ACH attempts, among other requirements. The 2017 Rule
became effective on January 16, 2018; the compliance date for the 2017 Rule was August 19, 2019. On February 6, 2019, the
CFPB issued proposed revisions to the 2017 Rule (“2019 Proposed Revisions”). The 2019 Proposed Revisions leave in place
requirements and limitations on attempts to withdraw payments from consumers’ checking, savings or prepaid accounts for
payments. The mandatory compliance deadline for the 2019 Proposed Revisions was August 19, 2019; however, language in
the 2019 Proposed Revisions suggests that the CFPB may be receptive to informal requests to revisit the payment provisions
requirements.
In a separate CFPB proposal, the CFPB announced it was seeking a 15-month delay in the 2017 Rule's August 19, 2019
compliance date to November 19, 2020, that would apply only to proposed rescinded ability-to-pay provisions. According to
the most recent semi-annual regulatory agenda, the CFPB expects to take final action with respect to this proposal in April
2020. On May 7, 2019, the CFPB issued its outline of proposals under consideration for the regulation of debt collection by
third-party debt collectors. An extended Notice Period to provide comments to the rule ended in September 2019; the CFPB has
not issued a final rule on debt collection by third-party debt collectors and expects to engage in further testing of consumer
disclosures related to time-barred debt disclosures. However, if a final rule is promulgated, we will take the necessary steps to
ensure that our management and oversight of third-party debt collectors is consistent with the final rule. We also expect the
CFPB to continue with its rulemaking regarding the Supervision of Larger Participants in Installment Loan and Vehicle Title
Loan Markets, which will enable the CFPB to examine and supervise those markets.
We do not currently know the full extent of the final rules the CFPB will ultimately adopt, and thus, the final rule's impact on
our activities is uncertain, however the final rules will likely impose limitations on certain loans and services we offer, and our
conduct with respect to such loans and services. We believe that the new rules will ultimately reduce potential consumer harm
and allow responsible lenders to continue to serve the large and growing need for non-prime credit. As noted above, Republic
Bank, FinWise Bank, and Capital Community Bank are supervised and examined by the FDIC. Furthermore, it is not clear
whether and to what extent the FDIC, the CFPB, or both will have supervisory authority over Elevate, as a service provider to
these banks. However, banks may have third-party vendor management requirements pursuant to the FDIC's Third-Party
Guidance for Managing Third-Party Risk that impose obligations on us with respect to our business.
The Trump Administration has issued numerous executive orders aimed at reducing regulations. It is unclear whether these
apply to the CFPB. Further, the CFPB is currently overseen by Director Kathy Kraninger who has made organizational changes
to the CFPB, is reviewing all operations of the CFPB and has issued or anticipates issuing Requests for Information (RFIs) on
the following topics: CIDs, Use of Administrative Adjudications, Enforcement, Supervision, External Engagement, Complaint
Reporting, Rulemaking Processes, Bureau Rules Not Under §1022(d) Assessment, Inherited Rules, Guidance and
Implementation Support, Consumer Education and Consumer Inquiries. It is unclear what impact, if any, the findings or
outcomes of the RFIs will have on the oversight of our business.
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") enforces the safeguarding requirements of the GLBA against non-banks pursuant its
authority to enforce Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, which prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices. In
addition, the FTC has a history of pursuing enforcement actions against non-bank lenders and online lead generators for alleged
unfair or deceptive acts or practices in connection with the marketing or servicing of consumer credit products and services.
Like the CFPB, the FTC may issue fines and corrective orders that could require us to make revisions to our existing business
models. The FTC has jurisdiction over Elevate and its business practices.
Foreign regulation
United Kingdom
In the UK, we are subject to regulation by the FCA and must comply with the FCA’s rules and guidance set forth in the FCA
Handbook, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”), the Consumer Credit Act of 1974, as amended (the
“CCA”) and secondary legislation passed under the FSMA and the CCA, among other rules and regulations.
31
UK regulation and authorization. Our Sunny product is covered by the extensive regulatory regime promulgated under the
FSMA and CCA. The regulatory regime requires firms undertaking consumer credit regulatory activities to be FCA authorized.
Regulated businesses must hold FCA authorizations, pay annual fees, follow prescriptive rules on advertising, include
minimum and prescribed disclosures within pre-contract, loan and post-contract arrears documentation, regularly report
customer complaints information, and maintain robust systems and controls in relation to the conduct of regulated business,
including when engaging third-party suppliers.
The UK regime includes an obligation to self-report breaches of the applicable laws and regulations, and the FCA has the
power to order regulated firms to pay fines, undertake changes to business models, implement customer remediation programs
compensating customers for historic breaches and, among various other enforcement powers, limit or revoke regulatory
authorizations. Failure to comply with the technical requirements of CCA and underlying regulations can, among other
penalties, render loan agreements unenforceable without a court order or preclude the charging of interest for the period of non-
compliance. The courts also have wide powers to determine that a relationship between a lender and customers is unfair and
impose equitable remedies in such circumstances.
The FCA dictates that customer complaints are to be addressed promptly and fairly within our industry. Certain disputes are
managed through the Financial Ombudsman Service (hereinafter “FOS”). If a business and a customer can’t resolve a
complaint themselves, the FOS can become involved to advocate on behalf of the customer.
Equality Act. The Equality Act 2010 prohibits unlawful direct and indirect discrimination and harassment of applicants and
customers when conducting lending services on the basis of nine protected characteristics: age; disability; gender reassignment;
marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; and sexual orientation. These
requirements apply to the advertising, underwriting and enforcing of Sunny loans and the handling of complaints regarding
Sunny loans.
Marketing laws. Marketing in all mediums, including television, radio and online, is subject to the detailed advertising rules
for the consumer credit industry contained in part 3 of the FCA’s CONC rulebook as well as the Financial Services and Markets
Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005. In particular, all advertisements must be clear, fair and not misleading and include
representative cost information and illustrations where particular advertising jargon is included in the material. Certain
marketing expressions are also prohibited. We are also subject to the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive)
Regulations 2003, which impose rules on the use of unsolicited marketing and the monitoring of devices.
The Advertising Standards Authority (the “ASA”) has also published specific codes for broadcast and non-broadcast
advertising to which we must also adhere. Both the FCA and the ASA tightly monitor consumer credit advertising and regularly
conduct industry audits of compliance standards. The ASA maintains a complaints framework and investigates legal, regulatory
and code breaches raised by both consumers and competitors and publishes public adjudications, which can require firms to
amend or completely remove advertisements. Misleading marketing can also constitute a criminal offense under the Consumer
Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and result in fines from the FCA.
Debt collection practices. The CCA sets out a formulaic procedure for customers in arrears, applicable when levying default
fees and when taking any other steps in relation to default. Firms are required to issue statutory notices in a prescribed format
within specific time frames and include self-help information sheets. Failure to comply has severe consequences, including
restricting lender rights to enforce relevant loan agreements, charge interest or any levy applicable default fees. The FCA also
expects firms that have failed to comply with these requirements to proactively undertake extensive remediation activities,
issuing refunds to customers where appropriate, including in cases where customers have not raised a complaint directly. A
number of leading banking groups in the UK have undertaken such remediation activities.
Part 7 of the FCA’s CONC rulebook also sets out detailed rules and guidance for dealing with customers in arrears or default
when pursuing recovery. The rules prohibit threatening, aggressive and harassing debt collection communications and
practices, impose obligations to treat customers in arrears with forbearance and govern conduct when interacting with debt
management firms engaged to resolve over-indebtedness. There are also specific rules on the use of continuous payment
authorities as a repayment method that limit the number of repayment attempts that can be initiated by lenders.
32
Privacy laws. In the UK, we remain subject to the requirements of the EU General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR")
during the post-Brexit transition period under the EU Withdrawal Agreement. Subsequently, we will be subject to UK data
protection legislation that we expect to remain comparable to GDPR. The GDPR has imposed a variety of obligations on
businesses, including, for example, the appointment of a data protection officer in some circumstances, self-reporting of
personal data breaches, obtaining express consent for data processing in some circumstances, and providing a variety of rights
to individuals whose personal data is processed, including the “right to be forgotten,” by having records containing such
individual's personal data erased. Penalties for non-compliance under the GDPR are up to 4% of annual global turnover (a.k.a.
total revenues) for the preceding year or £20 Million (whichever is greater). The UK is expected to transpose the protections of
the GDPR into UK law after the end of the Brexit transition period, which is expected to end on December 31, 2020.
In the UK, Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the
internal market ("eIDAS"), came into force on July 1, 2016. eIDAS repealed and replaced the e-Signatures Directive (1999/93/
EC) and is directly applicable in all EU Member States, including the UK as it was a member of the EU when eIDAS entered
into force. At the same time, the UK also introduced the Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions
Regulations 2016 to, amongst other things, repeal the previous UK e-signature legislation. eIDAS is technology neutral and
defines three types of electronic signature (Qualified Electronic Signature (QES), Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) and
Simple Electronic Signature (SES)). Article 25(1) of eIDAS provides that an electronic signature shall not be denied legal
effect and admissibility as evidence in legal proceedings solely on the grounds that it is in an electronic form or does not meet
the requirements of a QES. Articles 25(2) and (3) of eIDAS give a QES the same legal effect as a handwritten signature, and
ensure that a QES recognized in one EU Member State is also recognized in other EU Member States.
The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
entered into force when the UK left the EU on January 31, 2020. This ensures that the provisions under eIDAS are maintained
in UK domestic law when eIDAS ceases to apply in the UK at the end of the Brexit transition period.
There are also strict rules on the instigation of electronic communications such as email, text message and telephone calls under
the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 ("PECR"), which generally impose consent rules
regarding unsolicited direct marketing, as well as the monitoring of devices. During the transition period, the GDPR, PECR and
other European Union laws will continue to apply within the UK. When the transition period ends, the UK will implement the
Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which transpose the
protections of the GDPR and PECR under UK law. The UK is expected to continue the protections of the GDPR and PECR for
the transfer of personal data into and out of the UK.
We are subject to laws limiting the transfer of personal data from the European Economic Area to non-European Economic
Area countries or territories. With respect to Brexit, no immediate steps are necessary in terms of data transfers between the EU
and the UK because the GDPR continues to apply in the UK during the transition period. We are keeping track of the adequacy
assessments that will take place between the EU and the UK. If necessary, we will take all necessary steps to implement an
appropriate data transfer mechanism to facilitate GDPR-compliant transfers of personal data between the UK and the EU.
Anti-money laundering. We are subject to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Money Laundering Regulations 2007,
which require the implementation of strict procedures for our business activities. The UK regime includes self-reporting
suspicious activities, the appointment of a designated anti-money laundering officer with overall responsibility for the
compliance of the business and employees. The legislation also includes several criminal offenses and can result in personal
criminal liability.
Anti-bribery and corruption. UK firms are subject to the Bribery Act 2010, which introduces a number of individual offenses
relating to giving and receiving bribes and dealings with foreign public officials. Commercial organizations can be prosecuted
for failure to implement adequate procedures to record, report and prevent bribery.
Modern Slavery Act 2018. UK firms are required to publish an annual statement if they have an annual turnover above a
threshold. The statement must confirm the steps taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in the
business or in any supply chain.
33
APR by geography
The table below presents the maximum APR allowed by state for states in which Rise is offered through state licenses or
through CSO lenders. Sunny is subject to a 24% monthly APR limit, which is nationwide in the UK. Elastic is a fee-based
product without a periodic rate that requires the disclosure of an APR. The Today Card's variable APR ranges from 29.99% to
34.99% and also has certain additional fees that may be charged, including late fees, returned payment fees, an annual fee and
other customary fees.
State
Alabama ..................................................................................................................
Delaware .................................................................................................................
Georgia(1) ...............................................................................................................
Idaho........................................................................................................................
Illinois .....................................................................................................................
Kansas(2) ................................................................................................................
Mississippi ..............................................................................................................
Missouri ..................................................................................................................
New Mexico ............................................................................................................
North Dakota...........................................................................................................
South Carolina.........................................................................................................
Tennessee(2)............................................................................................................
Texas .......................................................................................................................
Utah .........................................................................................................................
Wisconsin ................................................................................................................
Maximum APR
allowed by state
Maximum APR
Rise charges
*
*
60%
*
99%
*
*
*
175%
*
*
See note (3)
*
*
*
295%
299%
60%
299%
99%
299%
290%
299%
175%
299%
299%
275%
299%
299%
299%
(1) APR must be less than 60% under applicable state law.
(2)
In Tennessee and Kansas, Rise is a line of credit and the maximum APR noted above is actually the periodic interest and fees allowable by statute.
(3) Tennessee has a statutory maximum APR allowed equal to periodic interest of 24% per year (this only applies to periodic interest and not fees) plus a
daily fee of 0.7% of the average daily principal balance in any billing cycle.
EMPLOYEES
We are committed to building and nurturing a distinctive corporate culture of innovation, excellence, collaboration and
integrity. Our key company values based on how we expect ourselves to serve our customers, owners and each other are:
Think Big. We have always been an innovator in our industry. Ideas, both big and small, are our competitive advantage.
We share a responsibility to think out of the box, challenge the status quo and embrace change.
Raise the Bar. Excellence is not a skill. It is a habit—the gradual result of always striving to do better. As a company and
as individuals we push ourselves to build on success, learn from failure and get better every day.
Win Together. Our goals are too big to achieve as individuals. Collaboration is not a by-product of our work, it is the
primary focus. It is also more fun.
Do the Right Thing. Doing the right thing is not optional. We hold each other to the highest standards and earn our
reputation every day.
Our values are reinforced in all aspects of our employees’ relationship with our company, including during the recruiting
process, quarterly check-ins and annual reviews, and play a large role in the promotion process. In addition, each quarter,
employees who best exemplify these values are nominated for “Smart Awards” and are selected and recognized at all-company
Town Hall meetings.
Elevate has been certified as a "Great Place to Work" from 2016 to 2019 based on a comparison of our employees' survey
responses to responses of hundreds of other companies. We believe this reflects our commitment to build a strong and lasting
company and corporate culture.
34
As of December 31, 2019, we had 695 full-time employees, including 260 in technology, 66 in risk management, 86 in loan
operations and customer support, 27 in marketing and business development, 143 related to our UK operations and 113 in
general and administrative functions. We also outsource certain functions, such as collections and customer service to increase
efficiencies and scalability. We use an internal quality team to review and improve third-party performance.
OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Protecting our rights to our intellectual property is critical, as it enhances our ability to offer distinctive services and products to
our customers, which differentiates us from our competitors. We rely on a combination of trademark laws and trade secret
protections in the US and other jurisdictions, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions, to protect the
intellectual property rights related to our proprietary analytics, predictive underwriting models and software systems. We have
either registered trademarks and/or pending applications in the US for the marks Elevate, Rise, Elastic, Sunny and Today Card.
We also own European Community trademark registrations for the Sunny and Elastic marks. Our trademarks are materially
important to us and we anticipate maintaining them and renewing them.
OUR HISTORY
We were created through the spin-off of the direct lending and branded product businesses of TFI, which was founded in 2001.
Prior to the spin-off transaction, TFI had two discrete lines of business: (1) a direct lender and branded product provider to non-
prime consumers; and (2) a licensor of its technology platform to third-party lenders. In order to allow each of these separate
lines of business to focus on its relative strategic and operational strengths and future business plans, the board of directors of
TFI decided to spin off its direct lending and branded products business into a separate company.
We were incorporated in Delaware on January 31, 2014 as a subsidiary of TFI, and we had no material assets or activities as a
separate corporate entity until the spin-off occurred. On May 1, 2014, TFI contributed the assets and liabilities associated with
its direct lending and branded products business to us and distributed its interest in our Company to its stockholders, but
retained the assets and liabilities associated with its licensed technology platform line of business. TFI’s retained business line
entails providing marketing services to third-party lenders and licensing TFI’s technology platform to these lenders for
marketing and licensing fees. TFI previously conducted its direct lending business through various legal entity subsidiaries,
which were contributed to us in the spin-off transaction.
On April 11, 2017, we closed an initial public offering (“IPO”) of 12,400,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $6.50
per share to the public. In connection with the closing, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase in full for an
additional 1,860,000 shares. On April 6, 2017, our stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the
symbol “ELVT.”
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Our website address is www.elevate.com, and our investor relations website is located at http://elevate.com/investors.
Information on our website is not incorporated by reference herein. We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy
statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These filings are also available
on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You also may read and copy reports and other information filed by us at the office of the
NYSE at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
We make our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all
amendments to these reports, available free of charge on our corporate website as soon as reasonably practicable after such
reports are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. In addition, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics Policy, Related Party Transaction Policy, and charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee,
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Risk Committee are available on our website. We will provide
reasonable quantities of electronic or paper copies of filings free of charge upon request. In addition, we will provide a copy of
the above referenced charters to stockholders upon request.
35
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risks and all other
information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements and the related
notes, before investing in our common stock. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face but
include the most significant factors currently known by us that make investing in our securities speculative or risky. Additional
risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, also may become important
factors that affect us. If any of the following risks materialize, our business, financial condition and results of operations could
be materially harmed. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose some or all of your
investment.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
We operate in an industry that is rapidly evolving, and we may be unsuccessful in response to these
changes.
Although our management team has many years of experience in the non-prime lending industry, we operate in an evolving
industry that may not develop as expected. Assessing the future prospects of our business is challenging in light of both known
and unknown risks and difficulties we may encounter. Growth prospects in non-prime lending can be affected by a wide variety
of factors including:
• Competition from other online and traditional lenders and credit card providers;
• Regulatory limitations that impact the non-prime lending products we can offer and the markets we can serve;
• An evolving regulatory and legislative landscape;
• Access to important marketing channels such as:
Direct mail and electronic offers;
TV and mass media;
Direct marketing, including search engine marketing; and
Strategic partnerships with affiliates;
• Changes in consumer behavior;
• Access to adequate financing;
•
Increasingly sophisticated fraudulent borrowing and online theft;
• Challenges with new products and new markets;
• Dependence on our proprietary technology infrastructure and security systems;
• Dependence on our personnel and certain third parties with whom we do business;
• Risk to our business if our systems are hacked or otherwise compromised;
• Evolving industry standards;
• Recruiting and retention of qualified personnel necessary to operate our business; and
•
Fluctuations in the credit markets and demand for credit.
We may not be able to successfully address these factors, which could negatively impact our growth, harm our business and
cause our operating results to be worse than expected.
36
Our most recent annual revenue declined from the prior year and we may not be able to grow in the future.
Our revenues decreased to $747.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $786.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 2018. Our revenue growth rate has fluctuated over the past few years and it is possible that, in the future, even if
our revenues continue to increase, our rate of revenue growth could decline, either because of external factors affecting the
growth of our business or because we are not able to scale effectively as we grow. If we cannot manage our growth effectively,
it could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We have a history of losses and may not maintain or achieve consistent profitability in the future.
We incurred net income (losses) of $32.2 million, $12.5 million and $(6.9) million for the years ended December 31, 2019,
2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, we had an accumulated deficit of $34.3 million. We will need to
generate and sustain increased revenues in future periods in order to become and remain profitable, and, even if we do, we may
not be able to maintain or increase our level of profitability.
As we grow, we expect to continue to expend substantial financial and other resources on:
•
personnel, including significant increases to the total compensation we pay our employees as we grow our employee
headcount;
• marketing, including expenses relating to increased direct marketing efforts;
•
•
•
•
product development, including the continued development of our proprietary scoring methodology;
funding costs to support loan growth;
office space, as we increase the space we need for our growing employee base; and
general administration, including legal, accounting and other compliance expenses related to being a public company.
These expenditures are expected to increase and may adversely affect our ability to achieve and sustain profitability as we
grow. In addition, we record our provision for loan losses as an expense to account for the possibility that some loans may not
be repaid in full. We expect the aggregate amount of loan loss provision to grow as we increase the number and total amount of
loans we make to new customers.
Our efforts to grow our business may be more costly than we expect, and we may not be able to increase our revenues enough
to offset our higher operating expenses. We may incur losses in the future for a number of reasons, including the other risks
described in this "Risk Factors" section, unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications and delays and other unknown events.
If we are unable to achieve and sustain profitability, the market price of our common stock may significantly decrease.
The consumer lending industry continues to be subject to new laws and regulations in many jurisdictions
that could restrict the consumer lending products and services we offer, impose additional compliance
costs on us, render our current operations unprofitable or even prohibit our current operations.
Both state and federal governments in the US and regulatory bodies in the UK may seek to impose new laws, direct contractual
arrangements with us, regulatory restrictions or licensing requirements that affect the products or services we offer, the terms
on which we may offer them, and the disclosure, compliance and reporting obligations we must fulfill in connection with our
lending business. They may also interpret or enforce existing requirements in new ways that could restrict our ability to
continue our current methods of operation or to expand operations, impose significant additional compliance costs and may
have a negative effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. In some cases, these
measures could even directly prohibit some or all of our current business activities in certain jurisdictions, or render them
unprofitable or impractical to continue. For example, on October 25, 2019, the Company's UK subsidiary, ECI, entered into an
agreement with the FCA that prohibits us from making payments greater than £1.0 million outside of the normal course of
business without obtaining prior approval from the FCA. The Company believes this agreement will not have a material impact
on ECI's ability to continue to serve its customers and meet its obligations.
37
In recent years, consumer loans, and in particular the category commonly referred to as “payday loans,” have come under
increased regulatory scrutiny that has resulted in increasingly restrictive regulations and legislation that makes offering
consumer loans in certain states in the US or the UK less profitable or unattractive. On October 5, 2017 the CFPB issued a final
rule covering loans that require consumers to repay all or most of the debt at once, including payday loans, auto title loans,
deposit advance products, longer-term loans with balloon payments and any loan with an annual percentage rate over 36% that
includes authorization for the lender to access the borrower’s checking or prepaid account (the "2017 Rule"). Since that time,
the 2017 Rule has been amended. See "—The CFPB issued proposed revisions to the 2017 Rule affecting the consumer lending
industry, and these or subsequent new rules and regulations, if they are finalized, may impact our US consumer lending
business" for more information.
We also expect that further new laws and regulations will be promulgated in the UK that could impact our business operations.
See “—The UK has imposed, and continues to impose, increased regulation of the high-cost short-term credit industry with the
stated expectation that some firms will exit the market” for additional information.
In order to serve our non-prime customers profitably we need to sufficiently price the risk of the transaction into the annual
percentage rate (“APR”) of our loans. If individual states or the US federal government or regulators in the UK impose rate
caps lower than those at which we can operate our current business profitably or otherwise impose stricter limits on non-prime
lending, we would need to exit such states or dramatically reduce our rate of growth by limiting our products to customers with
higher creditworthiness. On April 30, 2019, Senator Dick Durbin reintroduced a bill that would create a national interest rate
cap of 36% on consumer loans. S. 1230 "Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act of 2019" is co-sponsored
by Senators Jeff Merkley, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Richard Blumenthal. Previous versions have been proposed in 2009, 2013,
2015 and 2017, but the bill has never made it to the House or Senate floor. The current bill is still pending in the Senate. In
November 2019, Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García and Rep. Glenn Grothman introduced H.R. 5050, the Veterans and Consumers Fair
Credit Act (VCFCA). This bill would create a national rate cap of 36% on all consumer loans from all lenders. Senators Jeff
Merkley, Jack Reed, Sherrod Brown and Chris Van Hollen introduced a companion bill in the Senate at the same time. It is
anticipated that the House Financial Services Committee will hold hearings and a potential mark-up of H.R. 5050 during
calendar year 2020.
On January 1, 2020, California lending law changed to impose a rate cap of 36% plus the Federal Funds Rate set by the Federal
Reserve Board for all consumer-purpose installment loans, including personal loans, car loans, and auto title loans, as well as
open-end lines of credit made under its California Financing where the amount of credit is $2,500 or more but less than
$10,000. Rise loans originated by Elevate are impacted by this law.
Furthermore, legislative or regulatory actions may be influenced by negative perceptions of us and our industry, even if such
negative perceptions are inaccurate, attributable to conduct by third parties not affiliated with us (such as other industry
members) or attributable to matters not specific to our industry.
Any of these or other legislative or regulatory actions that affect our consumer loan business at the national, state, international
and local level could, if enacted or interpreted differently, have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of
operations, financial condition or cash flows and prohibit or directly or indirectly impair our ability to continue current
operations.
Regulators and payment processors are scrutinizing certain online lenders’ access to the Automated
Clearing House system to disburse and collect loan proceeds and repayments, and any interruption or
limitation on our ability to access this critical system would materially adversely affect our business.
When making loans in the US, we typically use the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) system to deposit loan proceeds into
our customers’ bank accounts. This includes loans that we originate as well as Elastic loans originated by Republic Bank &
Trust Company (“Republic Bank”), Rise loans made through the credit services organization (“CSO”) programs and Rise loans
originated by FinWise Bank ("FinWise"). These products also depend on the ACH system to collect amounts due by
withdrawing funds from customers’ bank accounts when the customer has provided authorization to do so. ACH transactions
are processed by banks, and if these banks cease to provide ACH processing services or are not allowed to do so, we would
have to materially alter, or possibly discontinue, some or all of our business if alternative ACH processors or other payment
mechanisms are not available.
It has been reported that actions, referred to as Operation Choke Point, by the US Department of Justice (the “Justice
Department”) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and certain state regulators appear to be intended to
discourage banks and ACH payment processors from providing access to the ACH system for certain lenders that they believe
are operating illegally, cutting off their access to the ACH system to either debit or credit customer accounts (or both).
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In the past, this heightened regulatory scrutiny by the Justice Department, the FDIC and other regulators has caused some
banks and ACH payment processors to cease doing business with consumer lenders who are operating legally, without regard to
whether those lenders are complying with applicable laws, simply to avoid the risk of heightened scrutiny or even litigation.
These actions have reduced the number of banks and payment processors who provide ACH payment processing services and
could conceivably make it increasingly difficult to find banking partners and payment processors in the future and/or lead to
significantly increased costs for these services. If we are unable to maintain access to needed services on favorable terms, we
would have to materially alter, or possibly discontinue, some or all of our business if alternative processors are not available. In
response to Operation Choke Point, H.R. 2706 was introduced in the House to halt future similar actions. The bill passed out of
the House on December 11, 2017 but did not progress. H.R. 189 was introduced in the House on January 3, 2019 to address
Operation Choke Point. It is unknown if this newly reintroduced legislation will progress further. On May 22, 2019, the FDIC
issued a letter in connection with litigation acknowledging that certain of its "employees acted in a manner inconsistent with
FDIC policies with respect to payday lenders" in what has been generically described as "Operation Choke Point," and that this
conduct created misperceptions about the FDIC's policies. Regulatory threats, undue pressure, coercion, and intimidation
designed to restrict access to financial services for lawful businesses have no place at the FDIC."
If we lost access to the ACH system because our payment processor was unable or unwilling to access the ACH system on our
behalf, we would experience a significant reduction in customer loan payments. Although we would notify consumers that they
would need to make their loan payments via physical check, debit card or other method of payment a large number of
customers would likely go into default because they are expecting automated payment processing. Similarly, if regulatory
changes limited our access to the ACH system or reduced the number of times ACH transactions could be re-presented, we
would experience higher losses.
If the information provided by customers or other third parties to us is incomplete, incorrect or fraudulent,
we may misjudge a customer’s qualification to receive a loan, and any inability to effectively identify,
manage, monitor and mitigate fraud risk on a large scale could cause us to incur substantial losses, and
our operating results, brand and reputation could be harmed.
For the loans we originate through Rise and Sunny, our growth is largely predicated on effective loan underwriting resulting in
acceptable customer profitability. This is equally important for the Rise loans in Texas and the Rise loans and Elastic lines of
credit originated by unaffiliated third parties. See “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of
operations—Components of Our Results of Operations—Revenues.” Lending decisions by such originating lenders are made
using our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models, which we license to them. Lending decisions are based partly on
information provided by loan applicants and partly on information provided by consumer reporting agencies, such as
TransUnion, Experian or Equifax and other third-party data providers. Data provided by third-party sources is a significant
component of the decision methodology, and this data may contain inaccuracies. To the extent that applicants provide
inaccurate or unverifiable information or data from third-party providers is incomplete or inaccurate, the credit score delivered
by our proprietary scoring methodology may not accurately reflect the associated risk. Additionally, a credit score assigned to a
borrower may not reflect that borrower's actual creditworthiness because the credit score may be based on outdated, incomplete
or inaccurate consumer reporting data, and we do not verify the information obtained from the borrower's credit report.
Additionally, there is a risk that, following the date of the credit report that we obtain and review, a borrower may have:
•
•
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become past due in the payment of an outstanding obligation;
defaulted on a pre-existing debt obligation;
taken on additional debt; or
sustained other adverse financial events.
Our resources, technologies and fraud prevention tools, which are used to originate loans or lines of credit, as applicable, under
Rise, Sunny, Elastic and Today Card, may be insufficient to accurately detect and prevent fraud. Inaccurate analysis of credit
data that could result from false loan application information could harm our reputation, business and operating results.
In addition, our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models use identity and fraud checks analyzing data provided by external
databases to authenticate each customer’s identity. The level of our fraud charge-offs and results of operations could be
materially adversely affected if fraudulent activity were to significantly increase. Online lenders are particularly subject to
fraud because of the lack of face-to-face interactions and document review. If applicants assume false identities to defraud the
Company or consumers simply have no intent to repay the money they have borrowed, the related portfolio of loans will
exhibit higher loan losses. We have in the past and may in the future incur substantial losses and our business operations could
be disrupted if we or the originating lenders are unable to effectively identify, manage, monitor and mitigate fraud risk using
our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models.
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Since fraud is often perpetrated by increasingly sophisticated individuals and “rings” of criminals, it is important for us to
continue to update and improve the fraud detection and prevention capabilities of our proprietary credit and fraud scoring
models. If these efforts are unsuccessful then credit quality and customer profitability will erode. If credit and/or fraud losses
increased significantly due to inadequacies in underwriting or new fraud trends, new customer originations may need to be
reduced until credit and fraud losses returned to target levels, and business could contract.
It may be difficult or impossible to recoup funds underlying loans made in connection with inaccurate statements, omissions of
fact or fraud. Loan losses are currently the largest cost as a percentage of revenues across each of Rise, Sunny, Elastic, and
Today Card. If credit or fraud losses were to rise, this would significantly reduce our profitability. High profile fraudulent
activity could also lead to regulatory intervention, negatively impact our operating results, brand and reputation and require us,
and the originating lenders, to take steps to reduce fraud risk, which could increase our costs.
Any of the above risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition
or cash flows.
Because of the non-prime nature of our customers, we have historically experienced a high rate of net
charge-offs as a percentage of revenues, and our ability to price appropriately in response to this and other
factors is essential. We rely on our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models in the forecasting of loss
rates. If we are unable to effectively forecast loss rates, it may negatively impact our operating results.
Our net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were 50% and 52%,
respectively. Because of the non-prime nature of our customers, it is essential that our products are appropriately priced, taking
this and all other relevant factors into account. In making a decision whether to extend credit to prospective customers, and the
terms on which we or the originating lenders are willing to provide credit, including the price, we and the originating lenders
rely heavily on our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models, which comprise an empirically derived suite of statistical
models built using third-party data, data from customers and our credit experience gained through monitoring the performance
of customers over time. Our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models are based on previous historical experience. Typically,
however, our models will become less effective over time and need to be rebuilt regularly to perform optimally. This is
particularly true in the context of our preapproved direct mail campaigns. If we are unable to rebuild our proprietary credit and
fraud scoring models, or if they do not perform up to target standards the products will experience increasing defaults or higher
customer acquisition costs. In addition, any upgrades or planned improvements to our technology and credit models may not be
implemented on the timeline that we expect or may not drive improvements in credit quality for our products as anticipated,
which may have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
If our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models fail to adequately predict the creditworthiness of customers, or if they fail to
assess prospective customers’ financial ability to repay their loans, or any or all of the other components of the credit decision
process described herein fails, higher than forecasted losses may result. Furthermore, if we are unable to access the third-party
data used in our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models, or access to such data is limited, the ability to accurately evaluate
potential customers using our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models will be compromised. As a result, we may be unable
to effectively predict probable credit losses inherent in the resulting loan portfolio, and we, and the originating lender, may
consequently experience higher defaults or customer acquisition costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Additionally, if we make errors in the development and validation of any of the models or tools used to underwrite loans, such
loans may result in higher delinquencies and losses. Moreover, if future performance of customer loans differs from past
experience, which experience has informed the development of our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models, delinquency
rates and losses could increase.
If our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models were unable to effectively price credit to the risk of the customer, lower
margins would result. Either our losses would be higher than anticipated due to “underpricing” products or customers may
refuse to accept the loan if products are perceived as “overpriced.” Additionally, an inability to effectively forecast loss rates
could also inhibit our ability to borrow from our debt facilities, which could further hinder our growth and have a material
adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
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We depend in part on debt financing to finance most of the loans we originate. Our business could be
adversely affected by a lack of sufficient debt financing at acceptable prices or disruptions in the credit
markets, which could reduce our access to credit.
We depend in part on debt financing to support the growth of our originated portfolios, Rise and Sunny. However, we cannot
guarantee that financing will continue to be available beyond the current maturity date of our debt facilities, on reasonable
terms or at all. Presently our debt financing for Rise and Sunny primarily comes from a single source, Victory Park
Management, LLC (“VPC”), an affiliate of Victory Park Capital. If VPC became unwilling or unable to provide debt financing
to us at prices acceptable to us, we would need to secure additional debt financing or potentially reduce loan originations. The
availability of these financing sources depends on many factors, some of which are outside of our control.
We may also experience the occurrence of events of default or breaches of financial or performance covenants under our debt
agreements, which are currently secured by all our assets. Any such occurrence or breach could result in the reduction or
termination of our access to institutional funding or increase our cost of funding. Certain of these covenants are tied to our
customer default rates, which may be significantly affected by factors, such as economic downturns or general economic
conditions beyond our control and beyond the control of individual customers. In particular, loss rates on customer loans may
increase due to factors such as prevailing interest rates, the rate of unemployment, the level of consumer and business
confidence, commercial real estate values, the value of the US dollar, energy prices, changes in consumer and business
spending, the number of personal bankruptcies, disruptions in the credit markets and other factors. Increases in the cost of
capital would reduce our net profit margins.
The loan portfolio for Elastic, which is originated by a third-party lender, gets funding as a result of the purchase of a
participation interest in the loans it originates from Elastic SPV, Ltd. (“Elastic SPV”), a Cayman Islands entity that purchases
such participations. Elastic SPV has a loan facility with VPC for its funding, for which we provide credit support, and we have
entered into a credit default protection agreement with Elastic SPV that provides protection for loan losses. Similarly, the loan
portfolio for the Rise loans originated by FinWise gets funding as a result of the purchase of a participation interest in the loans
it originates from EF SPV, Ltd. (“EF SPV”), a Cayman Islands entity that purchases such participations. EF SPV has a loan
facility with VPC for its funding, for which we provide credit support, and we have entered into a credit default protection
agreement with EF SPV that provides protection for loan losses. Any voluntary or involuntary halt to this existing program
could result in the originating lender halting further loan originations until an additional financing partner could be identified.
In the event of a sudden or unexpected shortage of funds in the banking system, we cannot be sure that we will be able to
maintain necessary levels of funding without incurring high funding costs, a reduction in the term of funding instruments or the
liquidation of certain assets. If our cost of borrowing goes up, our net interest expense could increase, and if we were to be
unable to arrange new or alternative methods of financing on favorable terms, we may have to curtail our origination of loans
or recommend that the originating lenders curtail their origination of credit, all of which could have a material adverse effect on
our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
The interest rates we charge to our customers and pay to our lenders could each be affected by a variety of factors, including
access to capital based on our business performance and the volume of loans we make to our customers. These interest rates
may also be affected by a change over time in the mix of the types of products we sell to our customers and a shift among our
channels of customer acquisition. Our VPC funding facilities are variable rate in nature and tied to a base rate of the greater of
the 3-month LIBOR rate, the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1% at the borrowing date. Thus, any increase in the 3-month
LIBOR rate could result in an increase in our net interest expense. Effective February 1, 2019, certain of the funding facilities
were amended. The amended facilities included reductions to the interest rates paid on our debt in addition to other changes.
Interest rate changes may also adversely affect our business forecasts and expectations and are highly sensitive to many
macroeconomic factors beyond our control, such as inflation, recession, the state of the credit markets, changes in market
interest rates, global economic disruptions, unemployment and the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and
its agencies. Regulatory or legislative changes may reduce our ability to charge our current rates in all states and products.
Also, competitive threats may cause us to reduce our rates. This would reduce profit margins unless there was a commensurate
reduction in losses. Any material reduction in our interest rate spread could have a material adverse effect on our business,
prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. In the event that the spread between the rate at which we lend
to our customers and the rate at which we borrow from our lenders decreases, our financial results and operating performance
will be harmed.
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In the future, we may seek to access the debt capital markets to obtain capital to finance growth. However, our future access to
the debt capital markets could be restricted due to a variety of factors, including a deterioration of our earnings, cash flows,
balance sheet quality, or overall business or industry prospects, adverse regulatory changes, a disruption to or deterioration in
the state of the capital markets or a negative bias toward our industry by market participants. Disruptions and volatility in the
capital markets could also cause banks and other credit providers to restrict availability of new credit. Due to the negative bias
toward our industry, commercial banks and other lenders have restricted access to available credit to participants in our
industry, and we may have more limited access to commercial bank lending than other businesses. Our ability to obtain
additional financing in the future will depend in part upon prevailing capital market conditions, and a potential disruption in the
capital markets may adversely affect our efforts to arrange additional financing on terms that are satisfactory to us, if at all. If
adequate funds are not available, or are not available on acceptable terms, we may not have sufficient liquidity to fund our
operations, make future investments, take advantage of acquisitions or other opportunities, or respond to competitive
challenges and this, in turn, could adversely affect our ability to advance our strategic plans. Additionally, if the capital and
credit markets experience volatility, and the availability of funds is limited, third parties with whom we do business may incur
increased costs or business disruption and this could adversely affect our business relationships with such third parties, which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Any decrease in our access to preapproved marketing lists from credit bureaus or other developments
impacting our use of direct mail marketing could adversely affect our ability to grow our business.
We market Rise and Sunny and provide marketing services to the originating lender in connection with Elastic, Today Card,
and Rise bank-originated loans. Direct mailings and electronic offers of preapproved loans and Today Cards to potential loan
customers comprise significant marketing channels for both the loans we originate and credit card product we offer, as well as
those loans originated by third-party lenders. We estimate that approximately 65% and 92% of new Rise and Elastic loan
customers, respectively, in the year ended December 31, 2019 obtained loans as a result of receiving such preapproved offers.
The Today Card, which expanded its test launch in November 2018, is expected to expand its direct mailing activities in the
future. Our marketing techniques identify candidates for preapproved loan or credit card mailings in part through the use of
preapproved marketing lists purchased from credit bureaus. If access to such preapproved marketing lists were lost or limited
due to regulatory changes prohibiting credit bureaus from sharing such information or for other reasons, our growth could be
significantly adversely affected. If the cost of obtaining such lists increases significantly, it could substantially increase
customer acquisition costs and decrease profitability.
Similarly, federal or state regulators or legislators could limit access to these preapproved marketing lists with the same effect.
In addition, preapproved direct mailings may become a less effective marketing tool due to over-penetration of direct mailing-
lists. Any of these developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial
condition or cash flows.
We rely in part on relationships with marketing affiliates to identify potential customers for our loans.
These relationships are generally non-exclusive and subject to termination, and the growth of our customer
base could be adversely affected if any of our marketing affiliate relationships are terminated or the number
of referrals we receive from marketing affiliates is reduced.
We rely on strategic marketing affiliate relationships with certain companies for referrals of some of the customers to whom we
issue loans, and our growth depends in part on the growth of these referrals. In the year ended December 31, 2019, loans issued
to Rise, Elastic and Sunny customers referred to us by our strategic partners constituted 17%, 7% and 4% of total respective
new customer loans. Many of our marketing affiliate relationships do not contain exclusivity provisions that would prevent
such marketing affiliates from providing customer referrals to competing companies. In addition, the agreements governing
these partnerships, generally, contain termination provisions, including provisions that in certain circumstances would allow
our partners to terminate if convenient, that, if exercised, would terminate our relationship with these partners. These
agreements also contain no requirement that a marketing affiliate refer us any minimum number of customers. There can be no
assurance that these marketing affiliates will not terminate our relationship with them or continue referring business to us in the
future, and a termination of any of these relationships or reduction in customer referrals to us could have a material adverse
effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
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Our success and future growth depend significantly on our successful marketing efforts, and if such
efforts are not successful, our business and financial results may be harmed.
We intend to continue to dedicate significant resources to marketing efforts. Our ability to attract qualified borrowers depends
in large part on the success of these marketing efforts and the success of the marketing channels we use to promote our
products. Our marketing channels include social media and the press, online affiliations, search engine optimization, search
engine marketing, offline partnerships, preapproved direct mailings and television advertising. If any of our current marketing
channels become less effective, if we are unable to continue to use any of these channels, if the cost of using these channels
were to significantly increase or if we are not successful in generating new channels, we may not be able to attract new
borrowers in a cost-effective manner or convert potential borrowers into active borrowers. If we are unable to recover our
marketing costs through increases in website traffic and in the number of loans made by visitors to product websites, or if we
discontinue our broad marketing campaigns, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of
operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We are dependent on third parties to support several key aspects of our business, and the failure of such
parties to continue to provide services to us in the current manner and at the current rates would adversely
affect our revenues and results of operations.
The Elastic line of credit product, which is originated by a third-party lender and contributed approximately 33% of our
revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019, and the portions of the Rise installment loan product that we offer through
CSO programs, which contributed approximately 6% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019, and the Rise
loans originated by a third-party lender, which contributed approximately 14% of our revenues for the year ended
December 31, 2019, depend in part on the willingness and ability of unaffiliated third-party lenders to make loans to customers.
Additionally, as described above, our business, including our Elastic loans and Rise loans made through the CSO programs and
Rise loans originated by a third-party lender, depends on the ACH system, and ACH transactions are processed by third-party
banks. See “—Regulators and payment processors are scrutinizing certain online lenders’ access to the Automated Clearing
House system to disburse and collect loan proceeds and repayments, and any interruption or limitation on our ability to access
this critical system would materially adversely affect our business.” We also utilize many other third parties to provide services
to facilitate lending, loan underwriting, payment processing, customer service, collections and recoveries, as well as to support
and maintain certain of our communication systems and information systems, and we may need to expand our relationships
with third parties, or develop relationships with new third parties, to support any new product offerings that we may pursue.
The loss of the relationship with any of these third-party lenders and service providers, an inability to replace them or develop
new relationships, or the failure of any of these third parties to provide its products or services, to maintain its quality and
consistency or to have the ability to provide its products and services, could disrupt our operations, cause us to terminate
product offerings or delay or discontinue new product offerings, result in lost customers and substantially decrease the revenues
and earnings of our business. Our revenues and earnings could also be adversely affected if any of those third-party providers
make material changes to the products or services that we rely on or increase the price of their products or services.
Elevate uses third parties for the majority of its collections and recovery activities. If those parties were unable or unwilling to
provide those services for Elevate products, we would experience higher defaults until those functions could be outsourced to
an alternative service provider or until we could bring those functions in-house and adequately staff and train internally.
Any of these events could result in a loss of revenues and could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects,
results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
The profitability of our bank-originated products could be adversely affected by policy or pricing decisions
made by the originating lenders.
We do not originate and do not ultimately control the pricing or functionality of Elastic lines of credit originated by Republic
Bank, Rise loans originated by FinWise Bank ("FinWise") and the Today Card originated by Capital Community Bank
("CCB") (collectively the "Bank-Originated Products" and the "Bank Partners" or the "Banks"). Generally, a "Bank" is an entity
that is chartered under federal or state law to accept deposits and/or make loans. Each Bank Partner has licensed our technology
and underwriting services and makes all key decisions regarding the marketing, underwriting, product features and pricing. We
generate revenues from these products through marketing and technology licensing fees paid by the Bank Partners, and through
credit default protection agreements with certain Bank Partners. If the Bank Partners were to change their pricing, underwriting
or marketing of the Bank-Originated Products in a way that decreases revenues or increases losses, then the profitability of
each loan, line of credit or credit card issued could be reduced. Although this would not reduce the revenues that we receive for
marketing and technology licensing services, it would reduce the revenues that we receive from our credit default protection
agreements with the Bank Partners.
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Any of the above changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial
condition or cash flows.
Our ability to continue to provide Bank-Originated Products could be adversely affected by a degradation
in our relationships with our Bank Partners.
The structure of the Bank-Originated Products exposes us to risks associated with being reliant on the Bank Partners as the
originating lenders and credit card issuers. If our relationships with the Banks were to degrade, or if any of the Banks were to
terminate the various agreements associated with the Bank Products, we may not be able to find another suitable originating
lender or credit card issuer and new arrangements, if any, may result in significantly increased costs to us. Any inability to find
another originating lender or credit card issuer would adversely affect our ability to continue to provide the Bank-Originated
Products which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition
or cash flows.
Decreased demand for non-prime loans as a result of increased savings or income could result in a loss of
revenues or decline in profitability if we are unable to successfully adapt to such changes.
The demand for non-prime loan products in the markets we serve could decline due to a variety of factors, such as regulatory
restrictions that reduce customer access to particular products, the availability of competing or alternative products or changes
in customers’ financial conditions, particularly increases in income or savings. For instance, an increase in state or federal
minimum wage requirements, or a decrease in individual income tax rates, could decrease demand for non-prime loans.
Additionally, a change in focus from borrowing to saving (such as has happened in some countries) would reduce demand.
Should we fail to adapt to a significant change in our customers’ demand for, or access to, our products, our revenues could
decrease significantly. Even if we make adaptations or introduce new products to fulfill customer demand, customers may resist
or may reject products whose adaptations make them less attractive or less available. Such decreased demand could have a
material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
A decline in economic conditions could result in decreased demand for our loans or cause our customers’
default rates to increase, harming our operating results.
Uncertainty and negative trends in general economic conditions in the US and abroad, including significant tightening of credit
markets and a general decline in the value of real property, historically have created a difficult environment for companies in
the lending industry. Many factors, including factors that are beyond our control, may impact our consolidated results of
operations or financial condition or affect our borrowers’ willingness or capacity to make payments on their loans. These
factors include: unemployment levels, housing markets, rising living expenses, energy costs and interest rates, as well as major
medical expenses, divorce or death that affect our borrowers. If the US or UK economies experience a downturn, or if we
become affected by other events beyond our control, we may experience a significant reduction in revenues, earnings and cash
flows, difficulties accessing capital and a deterioration in the value of our investments.
We are also monitoring developments related to the decision by the UK government to leave the European Union (often
referred to as "Brexit"), which could have significant implications for our UK business. In March 2017, the UK began the
official process to leave the European Union. The UK formally exited the European Union on January 31, 2020. The instability
surrounding Brexit and Brexit itself could lead to economic and legal uncertainty, including significant volatility in global stock
markets and currency exchange rates, as well as new and uncertain laws, regulations and licensing requirements for the
Company as the UK determines which EU laws to replace or replicate. For example, see "—The use of personal data in credit
underwriting is highly regulated" below. Any of these effects of Brexit, among others, could adversely affect our operating
results.
Credit quality is driven by the ability and willingness of customers to make their loan payments. If customers face rising
unemployment or reduced wages, defaults may increase. Similarly, if customers experience rising living expenses (for instance
due to rising gas, energy, or food costs) they may be unable to make loan payments. An economic slowdown could also result
in a decreased number of loans being made to customers due to higher unemployment or an increase in loan defaults in our
loan products. The underwriting standards used for our products may need to be tightened in response to such conditions,
which could reduce loan balances, and collecting defaulted loans could become more difficult, which could lead to an increase
in loan losses. If a customer defaults on a loan, the loan enters a collections process where, including as a result of contractual
agreements with the originating lenders, our systems and collections teams initiate contact with the customer for payments
owed. If a loan is subsequently charged off, the loan is generally sold to a third-party collection agency and the resulting
proceeds from such sales comprise only a small fraction of the remaining amount payable on the loan.
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There can be no assurance that economic conditions will remain favorable for our business or that demand for loans or default
rates by customers will remain at current levels. Reduced demand for loans would negatively impact our growth and revenues,
while increased default rates by customers may inhibit our access to capital, hinder the growth of the loan portfolio attributable
to our products and negatively impact our profitability. Either such result could have a material adverse effect on our business,
prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We are operating in a highly competitive environment and face increasing competition from a variety of
traditional and new lending institutions, including other online lending companies. This competition could
adversely affect our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We have many competitors. Our principal competitors are consumer loan companies, CSOs, online lenders, credit card
companies, consumer finance companies, pawnshops and other financial institutions that offer similar financial services. Other
financial institutions or other businesses that do not now offer products or services directed toward our traditional customer
base could begin doing so. Significant increases in the number and size of competitors for our business could result in a
decrease in the number of loans that we fund, resulting in lower levels of revenues and earnings in these categories. Many of
these competitors are larger than us, have significantly more resources and greater brand recognition than we do, and may be
able to attract customers more effectively than we do.
Competitors of our business may operate, or begin to operate, under business models less focused on legal and regulatory
compliance, which could put us at a competitive disadvantage. Additionally, negative perceptions about these models could
cause legislators or regulators to pursue additional industry restrictions that could affect the business model under which we
operate. To the extent that these models gain acceptance among consumers, small businesses and investors or face less onerous
regulatory restrictions than we do, we may be unable to replicate their business practices or otherwise compete with them
effectively, which could cause demand for the products we currently offer to decline substantially.
When new competitors seek to enter one of our markets, or when existing market participants seek to increase their market
share, they sometimes undercut the pricing and/or credit terms prevalent in that market, which could adversely affect our
market share or ability to exploit new market opportunities. Elevate products compete at least partly based on rate comparison
with other credit products used by non-prime consumers. However, non-prime consumers by definition have a higher
propensity for default and as a result need to be charged higher rates of interest to generate adequate profit margins. If existing
competitors significantly reduced their rates or lower-priced competitors enter the market and offer credit to customers at lower
rates, the pricing and credit terms we or the originating lenders offer could deteriorate if we or the originating lenders act to
meet these competitive challenges. Any such action may result in lower customer acquisition volumes and higher costs per new
customer.
We may be unable to compete successfully against any or all of our current or future competitors. As a result, our products
could lose market share and our revenues could decline, thereby affecting our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to service
our indebtedness and fund our operations. Any such changes in our competition could have a material adverse effect on our
business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Customer complaints or negative public perception of our business could result in a decline in our
customer growth and our business could suffer.
Our reputation is very important to attracting new customers to our platform as well as securing repeat lending to existing
customers. While we believe that we have a good reputation and that we provide customers with a superior experience, there
can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to maintain a good relationship with customers or avoid negative publicity.
In recent years, consumer advocacy groups and some media reports have advocated governmental action to prohibit or place
severe restrictions on non-bank consumer loans and bank originated loans for the nonprime consumer. Such consumer
advocacy groups and media reports generally focus on the annual percentage rate for this type of consumer loan, which is
compared unfavorably to the interest typically charged by banks to consumers with top-tier credit histories. The finance charges
assessed by us, the originating lenders and others in the industry can attract media publicity about the industry and be perceived
as controversial. If the negative characterization of the types of loans we offer, including those originated through third-party
lenders, becomes increasingly accepted by consumers, demand for any or all of our consumer loan products could significantly
decrease, which could materially affect our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Additionally, if the negative characterization of these types of loans is accepted by legislators and regulators, we could become
subject to more restrictive laws and regulations applicable to consumer loan products that could have a material adverse effect
on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
45
Third parties may also seek to take advantage of unique regulations applicable to consumer loan products to drive up
complaints and the cost of doing business in our industry. From the third quarter of 2018, the Company's UK business began to
receive an increased number of customer complaints initiated by claims management companies ("CMCs") and others related
to the affordability assessment of certain loans. If the Company's evidence supports the affordability assessment and the
Company rejects the claim, the customer has the right to take the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (“FOS”) for
further adjudication. We have incurred significant costs in the form of FOS administrative fees associated with each individual
complaint submitted to FOS, operational costs necessary to manage the large volume of complaints, and payments we are
required to make to customers to resolve these complaints. We believe that many of the increased claims against us are without
merit and reflect the use of abusive and deceptive tactics by the CMCs. On April 1, 2019, the Financial Conduct Authority (the
"FCA") took over responsibility for supervision and authorization of a high percentage of CMCs (those regulated by the
Solicitor's Regulation Authority, which account for the minority of CMCs, will not be automatically impacted). In addition
to the CMCs issuing claims, some law firms are also issuing claims on behalf of claimants. If we experience an increased
volume of complaints due to the activities of the CMCs and law firms representing claimants and continue incurring significant
costs to resolve such complaints, such costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial
condition and cash flows. A significant number of consumer complaints could also trigger enhanced regulatory scrutiny by the
FCA.
Separately, the FCA asked all industry participants to review their lending practices to ensure that such companies are using an
appropriate affordability and creditworthiness analysis. Our UK business provided the requested information to the FCA. The
FCA recently reported back to us and asked our UK business to tighten certain aspects of its income verification and
expenditure processes. We are working with the FCA to ensure the changes we make address all matters raised by the FCA.
Our business depends on the uninterrupted operation of our systems and business functions, including
our information technology and other business systems, as well as the ability of such systems to support
compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Our business is highly dependent upon customers’ ability to access our website and the ability of our employees and those of
the originating lenders, as well as third-party service providers, to perform, in an efficient and uninterrupted fashion, necessary
business functions, such as internet support, call center activities and processing and servicing of loans. Problems with the
technology platform running our systems, or a shut-down of or inability to access the facilities in which our internet operations
and other technology infrastructure are based, such as a power outage, a failure of one or more of our information technology,
telecommunications or other systems, cyber-attacks on, or sustained or repeated disruptions of, such systems could significantly
impair our ability to perform such functions on a timely basis and could result in a deterioration of our ability to underwrite,
approve and process loans, provide customer service, perform collections activities, or perform other necessary business
functions. Any such interruption could reduce new customer acquisition and negatively impact growth, which would have a
material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
In addition, our systems and those of third parties on whom we rely must consistently be capable of compliance with applicable
legal and regulatory requirements and timely modification to comply with new or amended requirements. Any systems
problems going forward could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial
condition or cash flows.
We are subject to cybersecurity risks and security breaches and may incur increasing costs in an effort to
minimize those risks and to respond to cyber incidents, and we may experience harm to our reputation and
liability exposure from security breaches.
Our business involves the storage and transmission of consumers’ proprietary information, and security breaches could expose
us to a risk of loss or misuse of this information, litigation and potential liability. We are entirely dependent on the secure
operation of our websites and systems as well as the operation of the internet generally. While we have incurred no material
cyber-attacks or security breaches to date, a number of other companies have disclosed cyber-attacks and security breaches,
some of which have involved intentional attacks. Attacks may be targeted at us, our customers, or both. Although we devote
significant resources to maintain and regularly upgrade our systems and processes that are designed to protect the security of
our computer systems, software, networks and other technology assets and the confidentiality, integrity and availability of
information belonging to us and our customers, our security measures may not provide absolute security.
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Despite our efforts to ensure the integrity of our systems, it is possible that we may not be able to anticipate or to implement
effective preventive measures against all security breaches of these types, especially because the techniques used change
frequently or are not recognized until launched, and because cyber-attacks can originate from a wide variety of sources,
including third parties outside the Company such as persons who are involved with organized crime or associated with external
service providers or who may be linked to terrorist organizations or hostile foreign governments. These risks may increase in
the future as we continue to increase our mobile and other internet-based product offerings and expand our internal usage of
web-based products and applications or expand into new countries. If an actual or perceived breach of security occurs,
customer and/or supplier perception of the effectiveness of our security measures could be harmed and could result in the loss
of customers, suppliers or both. Actual or anticipated attacks and risks may cause us to incur increasing costs, including costs to
deploy additional personnel and protection technologies, train employees, and engage third-party experts and consultants.
A successful penetration or circumvention of the security of our systems could cause serious negative consequences, including
significant disruption of our operations, misappropriation of our confidential information or that of our customers, or damage to
our computers or systems or those of our customers and counterparties, and could result in violations of applicable privacy and
other laws, financial loss to us or to our customers, loss of confidence in our security measures, customer dissatisfaction,
significant litigation exposure, and harm to our reputation, all of which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition,
our applicants provide personal information, including bank account information when applying for loans. We rely on
encryption and authentication technology licensed from third parties to provide the security and authentication to effectively
secure transmission of confidential information, including customer bank account and other personal information. Advances in
computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or other developments may result in the technology used by
us to protect transaction data being breached or compromised. Data breaches can also occur as a result of non-technical issues.
Our servers are also vulnerable to computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins, and similar disruptions, including “denial-
of-service” type attacks. We may need to expend significant resources to protect against security breaches or to address
problems caused by breaches. Security breaches, including any breach of our systems or by persons with whom we have
commercial relationships that result in the unauthorized release of consumers’ personal information, could damage our
reputation and expose us to a risk of loss or litigation and possible liability. In addition, many of the third parties who provide
products, services or support to us could also experience any of the above cyber risks or security breaches, which could impact
our customers and our business and could result in a loss of customers, suppliers or revenues.
In addition, federal and some state regulators are considering promulgating rules and standards to address cybersecurity risks
and many US states and the UK have already enacted laws requiring companies to notify individuals of data security breaches
involving their personal data. These mandatory disclosures regarding a security breach are costly to implement and may lead to
widespread negative publicity, which may cause customers to lose confidence in the effectiveness of our data security
measures.
Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or
cash flows.
Our ability to collect payment on loans and maintain accurate accounts may be adversely affected by
computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins, technical errors and similar disruptions.
The automated nature of our platform may make it an attractive target for hacking and potentially vulnerable to computer
viruses, physical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions. Despite efforts to ensure the integrity of our platform, it is
possible that we may not be able to anticipate or to implement effective preventive measures against all security breaches of
these types, in which case there would be an increased risk of fraud or identity theft, and we may experience losses on, or
delays in the collection of amounts owed on, a fraudulently induced loan. In addition, the software that we have developed to
use in our daily operations is highly complex and may contain undetected technical errors that could cause our computer
systems to fail. Because each loan made involves our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models, and over 94% of loan
applications are fully automated with no manual review required, any failure of our computer systems involving our proprietary
credit and fraud scoring models and any technical or other errors contained in the software pertaining to our proprietary credit
and fraud scoring models could compromise the ability to accurately evaluate potential customers, which would negatively
impact our results of operations. Furthermore, any failure of our computer systems could cause an interruption in operations
and result in disruptions in, or reductions in the amount of, collections from the loans we made to customers. If any of these
risks were to materialize, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial
condition or cash flows.
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Our platform and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical, and if it contains undetected
errors, our business could be adversely affected.
Our platform and internal systems rely on software that is highly technical and complex. In addition, our platform and internal
systems depend on the ability of such software to store, retrieve, process and manage immense amounts of data. The software
on which we rely has contained, and may now or in the future contain, undetected errors or bugs. Some errors may only be
discovered after the code has been released for external or internal use. Errors or other design defects within the software on
which we rely may result in a negative experience for borrowers, delay introductions of new features or enhancements, result in
errors or compromise our ability to protect borrower data or our intellectual property. Any errors, bugs or defects discovered in
the software on which we rely could result in harm to our reputation, loss of borrowers, loss of revenues or liability for
damages, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial
condition or cash flows.
To date, we have derived our revenues from a limited number of products and markets. Our efforts to
expand our market reach and product portfolio may not succeed or may put pressure on our margins.
We frequently explore paths to expand our market reach and product portfolio. For example, we have launched or are in the
process of launching other non-prime products like bank-originated installment loans and credit cards through FinWise and the
Today Card, a bank-originated credit card. In the future, we may elect to pursue new products, channels, or markets. However,
there is always risk that these new products, channels, or markets will be unprofitable, will increase costs, decrease margins, or
take longer to generate target margins than anticipated. Additional costs could include those related to the need to hire more
staff, invest in technology, develop and support new third-party partnerships or other costs which would increase operating
expenses. In particular, growth may require additional technology staff, analysts in risk management, compliance personnel and
customer support and collections staff. Although the Company outsources most of its customer support and collections staff,
additional volumes would lead to increased costs in these areas.
When new customers are acquired, from an accounting point of view, we must recognize marketing costs and loan origination
and data costs, and we incur a provision for loan losses. We use the same accounting treatment for new customers acquired
through the Bank-Originated Products, such as loan participations that are purchased from the originating lender by a third
party, which we protect from loan losses pursuant to a credit default protection arrangement. Due to these marketing costs, loan
origination and data costs, and provision for loan losses, new customer acquisition does not typically yield positive margins for
at least six months. As a result, rapid growth tends to compress margins in the near-term until growth rates slow down.
In the states in which we originate Rise under a state-license, the rates and terms vary based on specific state laws. In states
with lower maximum rates, we have more stringent credit criteria and generally lower initial customer profitability due to
higher customer acquisition costs and higher losses as a percentage of revenues. While these states can have significant growth
potential, they typically deliver lower profit margins. In states in which FinWise originates Rise installment loans, loan
participations are purchased from FinWise by a third party, which we protect from loan losses pursuant to a credit default
protection arrangement. As a result, Rise loans originated through our third-party partnerships have the same pattern of variable
profit margins depending on state laws and which states are offering the most growth potential.
We may elect to pursue aggressive growth over margin expansion in order to increase market share and long-term revenue
opportunities.
There also can be no guarantee that we will be successful with respect to any new product initiatives or any further expansion
beyond the US and the UK, if we decide to attempt such expansion, which may inhibit the growth of our business and have a
material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Our allowance for loan losses is determined based upon both objective and subjective factors and may not
be adequate to absorb loan losses. If we experience rising credit or fraud losses, our results of operations
would be adversely affected.
We face the risk that customers will fail to repay their loans in full. We reserve for such losses by establishing an allowance for
loan losses, the increase of which results in a charge to our earnings as a provision for loan losses. We have established a
methodology designed to determine the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses. While this evaluation process uses historical
and other objective information, the classification of loans and the forecasts and establishment of loan losses are also dependent
on our subjective assessment based upon our experience and judgment. Actual losses are difficult to forecast, especially if such
losses stem from factors beyond our historical experience. As a result, there can be no assurance that our allowance for loan
losses will be sufficient to absorb losses or prevent a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations. Losses are the largest cost as a percentage of revenues across all of our products.
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Fraud and customers not being able to repay their loans are both significant drivers of loss rates. If we experienced rising credit
or fraud losses this would significantly reduce our earnings and profit margins and could have a material adverse effect on our
business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13,
Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13").
ASU 2016-13 is intended to replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current US GAAP with a methodology that
reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to
inform credit loss estimates to improve the quality of information available to financial statement users about expected credit
losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. For
public entities, ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within
those fiscal years. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326),
Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates ("ASU 2019-10"). The purpose of this
amendment is to create a two-tier rollout of major updates, staggering the effective dates between larger public companies and
all other entities. This granted certain classes of companies, including Smaller Reporting Companies ("SRCs"), additional time
to implement major FASB standards, including ASU 2016-13. Larger public companies will still have an effective date for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. All other entities are
permitted to defer adoption of ASU 2016-13, and its related amendments, until fiscal periods beginning after December 15,
2022. Under the current SEC definitions, the Company meets the definition of an SRC as of the ASU 2019-10 issuance date
and is adopting the deferral period for ASU 2016-13.
The new methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses, once adopted by the Company, will extend the time frame
covered by the estimate of credit losses by including forward-looking information, such as "reasonable and supportable"
forecasts in the assessment of the collectability of loans. As a result, rather than just looking at historical performances of loans
to determine allowance for loan losses, we will have to consider future losses as well. Further, the new standard will drive a
change in the accounting treatment in that the new expected lifetime losses of loans will be recognized at the time a loan is
made rather than over the lifetime of the loans. We anticipate that adoption of this new methodology may have a material
impact on our financial statements due to the timing differences caused by the change. We also expect that the internal financial
controls processes in place for the Company's loan loss reserve process will be impacted. In addition, if we fail to accurately
forecast the collectability of our loans under this new methodology and we reserve inadequate allowance amounts, we could be
required to absorb such additional losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of
operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Increased customer acquisition costs and/or data costs would reduce our margins.
Although losses are our largest cost, if customer acquisition costs or other servicing costs increased this would reduce our profit
margins. Marketing costs would be negatively affected by increased competition or stricter credit standards that would reduce
customer fund rates. We could also experience increased marketing costs due to higher fees from credit bureaus for
preapproved direct mail lists, search engines for search engine marketing, or fees for affiliates, and these increased costs would
reduce our profit margins. Other costs, such as legal costs, may increase as we pursue various company strategic initiatives,
which could further reduce our profit margins.
We purchase significant amounts of data to facilitate our proprietary credit and fraud scoring models. If there was an increase in
the cost of data, or if the Company elected to purchase from new data providers, there would be a reduction in our profit
margins.
Any such reduction in our profit margins could result in a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of
operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Our success is dependent, in part, upon our officers and key employees, and if we are not able to attract
and retain qualified officers and key employees, or if one of our officers or key employees is temporarily
unable to fully contribute to our operations, our business could be materially adversely affected.
Our success depends, in part, on our officers, which comprise a relatively small group of individuals. Many members of the
senior management team have significant industry experience, and we believe that our senior management would be difficult to
replace, if necessary. Because the market for qualified individuals is highly competitive, we may not be able to attract and
retain qualified officers or candidates. In addition, increasing regulations on, and negative publicity about, the consumer
financial services industry could affect our ability to attract and retain qualified officers.
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Our future success also depends on our continuing ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly qualified and skilled
employees. Qualified individuals are in high demand, and we may incur significant costs to attract and retain them. The loss of
any of our senior management or key employees could materially adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan and
strategy, and we may not be able to find adequate replacements on a timely basis, or at all. We cannot ensure that we will be
able retain the services of any members of our senior management or other key employees. Our officers and key employees
may terminate their employment relationship with us at any time, and their knowledge of our business and industry would be
extremely difficult to replace. While all key employees have signed non-disclosure, non-solicitation and non-compete
agreements, they may still elect to leave the Company or even retire any time. Loss of key employees could result in delays to
critical initiatives and the loss of certain capabilities and poorly documented intellectual property.
If we do not succeed in attracting and retaining our officers and key employees, our business could be materially and adversely
affected.
Our US loan business is seasonal in nature, which causes our revenues and earnings to fluctuate.
Our US loan business is affected by fluctuating demand for the products and services we offer and fluctuating collection rates
throughout the year. Demand for our consumer loan products in the US has historically been highest in the third and fourth
quarters of each year, corresponding to the holiday season, and lowest in the first quarter of each year, corresponding to our
customers’ receipt of income tax refunds. This results in significant increases and decreases in portfolio size and profit margins
from quarter to quarter. In particular, we typically experience a reduction in our credit portfolios and an increase in profit
margins in the first quarter of the year. When we experience higher growth in the second quarter through fourth quarters,
portfolio balances tend to grow and profit margins are compressed. Our cost of sales for the non-prime loan products we offer
in the US, which represents our provision for loan losses, is lowest as a percentage of revenues in the first quarter of each year,
corresponding to our customers’ receipt of income tax refunds, and increases as a percentage of revenues for the remainder of
each year. This seasonality requires us to manage our cash flows over the course of the year. If our revenues or collections were
to fall substantially below what we would normally expect during certain periods, our ability to service debt and meet our other
liquidity requirements may be adversely affected, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results
of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Any unexpected change to the growth in the second half of the year or delay of
our customers' receipt of income tax refunds could change our typical seasonal product demand pattern and impact our profit
margins and our annual cash flow management plans, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and
results of operations.
If internet search engine providers change their methodologies for organic rankings or paid search results,
or our organic rankings or paid search results decline for other reasons, our new customer growth or
volume from returning customers could decline.
Our new customer acquisition marketing and our returning customer relationship management is partly dependent on search
engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo! to direct a significant amount of traffic to our desktop and mobile websites via
organic ranking and paid search advertising. We bid on certain keywords from search engines as well as use their algorithms to
place our listings ahead of other lenders.
Our paid search activities may not continue to produce the desired results. Internet search engines often revise their
methodologies. The volume of customers we receive through organic ranking and paid search could be adversely affected by
any such changes in methodologies or policies by search engine providers, by:
•
•
•
decreasing our organic rankings or paid search results;
creating difficulty for our customers in using our web and mobile sites;
producing more successful organic rankings, paid search results or tactical execution efforts for our competitors than for
us; and
•
resulting in higher costs for acquiring new or returning customers.
In addition, search engines could implement policies that restrict the ability of companies such as us to advertise their services
and products, which could prevent us from appearing in a favorable location or any location in the organic rankings or paid
search results when certain search terms are used by the consumer. Our online marketing efforts are also susceptible to actions
by third parties that negatively impact our search results such as spam link attacks, which are often referred to as “black hat”
tactics. Our sites have experienced meaningful fluctuations in organic rankings and paid search results in the past, and we
anticipate similar fluctuations in the future. Any reduction in the number of consumers directed to our web and mobile sites
could harm our business and operating results.
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Finally, our competitors’ paid search, pay per click or search engine marketing activities may result in their sites receiving
higher paid search results than ours and significantly increasing the cost of such advertising for us. We have little to no control
over these potential changes in policy and methodologies relating to search engine results, and any of the changes described
above could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Failure to keep up with the rapid technological changes in financial services and e-commerce, or changes
in the uses and regulation of the internet could harm our business.
The financial services industry is undergoing rapid technological changes, with frequent introductions of new technology-
driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial and lending institutions
to better serve customers and reduce costs. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our
customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience, as well as
to create additional efficiencies in our operations. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products
and services as quickly as some of our competitors or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers.
Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could harm our ability to
compete with our competitors.
Additionally, the business of providing products and services such as ours over the internet is dynamic and relatively new. We
must keep pace with rapid technological change, consumer use habits, internet security risks, risks of system failure or
inadequacy, and governmental regulation and taxation, and each of these factors could adversely impact our business. In
addition, concerns about fraud, computer security and privacy and/or other problems may discourage additional consumers
from adopting or continuing to use the internet as a medium of commerce. Also, to expand our customer base, we may elect to
appeal to and acquire consumers who prove to be less profitable than our previous customers, and as a result we may be unable
to gain efficiencies in our operating costs, including our cost of acquiring new customers, and our business could be adversely
impacted.
Any such failure to adapt to changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations,
financial condition or cash flows.
Our ability to conduct our business and demand for our loans could be disrupted by natural or man-made
catastrophes.
Catastrophes, such as fires, hurricanes and tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters, terrorist attacks, computer
viruses and telecommunications failures, could adversely affect our ability to market, originate or service loans. Natural
disasters and acts of terrorism, war, civil unrest, violence or human error could also cause disruptions to our business or the
economy as a whole, which could negatively affect customers’ demand for our loans. Despite any precautions we may take,
system interruptions and delays could occur if there is a natural disaster that affects our offices or one of the data center
facilities we lease. As we rely heavily on our servers, computer and communications systems and the internet to conduct our
business and provide high-quality customer service, such disruptions could harm our ability to market our products, accept and
underwrite applications, provide customer service and undertake collections activities and cause lengthy delays which could
harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. We have implemented a disaster recovery program that allows
us to move production to a backup data center in the event of a catastrophe. Although this program is functional, we do not
currently serve network traffic equally from each backup data center and are not able to switch instantly to our backup center in
the event of failure of the main server site. If our primary data center shuts down, there will be a period of time that our loan
products or services, or certain of such loan products or services, will remain inaccessible to our users or our users may
experience severe issues accessing such loan products and services. Our business interruption insurance may not be sufficient
to compensate us for losses that may result from interruptions in our service as a result of system failures.
Any of these events could also cause consumer confidence to decrease in one or more of the markets we serve, which could
result in a decreased number of loans being made to customers. As a result of these issues, any of these occurrences could have
a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
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We may be unable to protect our proprietary technology and analytics or keep up with that of our
competitors.
The success of our business depends to a significant degree upon the protection of our proprietary technology, including our
proprietary credit and fraud scoring models, which we use for pricing loans. We seek to protect our intellectual property with
non-disclosure agreements and through standard measures to protect trade secrets. However, we may be unable to deter
misappropriation of our proprietary information, detect unauthorized use or take appropriate steps to enforce our intellectual
property rights. If competitors learn our trade secrets (especially with regard to marketing and risk management capabilities) it
could be difficult to successfully prosecute to recover damages. A third party may attempt to reverse engineer or otherwise
obtain and use our proprietary technology without our consent. The pursuit of a claim against a third party for infringement of
our intellectual property could be costly, and there can be no guarantee that any such efforts would be successful. Our failure to
protect our software and other proprietary intellectual property rights or to develop technologies that are as good as our
competitors could put us at a disadvantage relative to our competitors. Any such failures could have a material adverse effect
on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We are subject to intellectual property disputes from time to time, and such disputes may be costly to
defend and could harm our business and operating results.
We have faced and may continue to face allegations that we have infringed the trademarks, copyrights, patents or other
intellectual property rights of third parties, including from our competitors or non-practicing entities. Patent and other
intellectual property litigation may be protracted and expensive, and the results are difficult to predict and may require us to
stop offering certain products or product features, acquire licenses, which may not be available at a commercially reasonable
price or at all, or modify such products, product features, processes or websites while we develop non-infringing substitutes.
In addition, we use open source software in our technology platform and plan to use open source software in the future. From
time to time, we may face claims from parties claiming ownership of, or demanding release of, the source code, potentially
including our valuable proprietary code, or derivative works that were developed using such software, or otherwise seeking to
enforce the terms of the applicable open source license. These claims could also result in litigation, require us to purchase a
costly license or require us to devote additional research and development resources to change our platform, any of which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Current and future litigation or settlements or regulatory proceedings could cause management distraction,
harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations,
financial condition or cash flows.
We, our officers and certain of our subsidiaries have been and may become subject to lawsuits that could cause us to incur
substantial expenditures, generate adverse publicity and could significantly impair our business, force us to cease doing
business in one or more jurisdictions or cause us to cease offering or alter one or more products.
We have been and may also become subject to litigation in the future and a future adverse ruling in or a settlement of any such
litigation against us, our executive officers or another lender, could result in significant legal fees that could become material,
could harm our reputation, create obligations, forego collection of the principal amount of loans, pay treble or other multiple
damages, pay monetary penalties and/or modify or terminate our operations in particular jurisdictions. On January 9, 2020, the
District of Columbia's Attorney General, Karl A. Racine, issued a subpoena to Elevate alleging that Elevate may have violated
the District of Columbia's Consumer Protection Procedures Act in connection with loans issued by banks in the District of
Columbia. The documents requested are related to the FinWise and Republic Bank originated loans in the District of
Columbia. Elevate has engaged counsel and initiated discussions with the Attorney General’s office and is working to address
any potential issues and provide certain documents as requested. Elevate disagrees that it has violated the above referenced law
and it intends to vigorously defend its position. In addition, on January 27, 2020, Rise Credit Service of Texas, LLC d/b/a Rise,
Opportunity Financial, LLC and Applied Data Finance, LLC d/b/a Personify Financial were sued in a class action lawsuit in
Washington state. The Plaintiff in the case claims that Rise and others are engaged in “predatory lending practices that target
financially vulnerable consumers” and have violated Washington’s Consumer Protection Act by engaging in unfair or deceptive
practices.
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While no TFI related litigation has been filed directly against Elevate, we can provide no assurances that there will not be any
future TFI related litigation filed against the Company. In October 2019, Elevate entered into tolling agreements with the TFI
Creditors' Committee and class claimants in regard to any potential future claims against Elevate. These tolling agreements
have been extended, and we may enter into additional extensions of the tolling agreements in the future. In December 2019, the
TFI bankruptcy plan was confirmed, and any claims from the TFI Creditors' Committee were assigned to the Think Finance
Litigation Trust (“TFLT”). On February 20, 2020, Elevate and the TFLT will commence mediation in an attempt to resolve,
prior to any litigation being filed, any potential claims that the TFLT may have against Elevate including, among other things,
whether or not the spin-off of Elevate from TFI was a fraudulent conveyance. While Elevate can provide no assurances as to
the potential outcome of such mediation process, in the event that there is a settlement and Elevate is unable to pay any amount
resulting from such settlement, it could have a material adverse effect on Elevate’s financial condition, or, if there is no
settlement and Elevate is deemed to ultimately be liable in this matter, Elevate could be obligated to file for bankruptcy. Elevate
can provide no assurances as to how long the mediation process may take, or the outcome of such mediation. In addition, if the
mediation is unsuccessful, Elevate anticipates that the TFLT will pursue its claims in litigation against Elevate. For more
information please see “The Think Finance Litigation Trust in the TFI bankruptcy, as well as third parties, may seek to hold us
responsible for liabilities of TFI due to the Spin-Off.” Because no claims have been filed against Elevate, no reasonable
estimate of possible loss, if any, can be made at this time. We believe any future claims are without merit, and we intend to
defend ourselves vigorously.
Defense of any lawsuit, even if successful, could require substantial time and attention of our management and could require
the expenditure of significant amounts for legal fees and other related costs. In addition, a lawsuit or the mediation process with
the TFLT, could cause investors to sell our stock based on concerns about potential adverse outcomes, whether unfounded or
not, which could negatively impact our share price. We and others are also subject to regulatory proceedings, and we could
suffer losses as a result of interpretations of applicable laws, rules and regulations in those regulatory proceedings, even if we
are not a party to those proceedings. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results
of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We may be unable to use some or all of our net operating loss carryforwards, which could materially and
adversely affect our reported financial condition and results of operations.
At December 31, 2019, we had a UK net operating loss carryforward (“NOL”) of $57.2 million available to offset future
taxable income due to prior period losses. This NOL can be carried forward indefinitely. At December 31, 2018, we had a NOL
from US operations of approximately $42.0 million. We expect that our results from operations in 2019 will fully utilize this
NOL carryforward. At December 31, 2019, the remaining US NOL was immaterial. If not utilized, the US NOL will begin to
expire in 2034. If we do not generate sufficient taxable income, we may not be able to utilize a material portion of our NOLs,
even if we achieve profitability. If we are limited in our ability to use our NOLs in future years in which we have taxable
income, we will pay more taxes than if we were able to fully utilize our NOLs. This could materially and adversely affect our
results of operations.
Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), our ability to utilize the NOL or other tax
attributes, such as research tax credits, in any taxable year may be limited if we experience an “ownership change.” A
Section 382 “ownership change” generally occurs if one or more stockholders or groups of stockholders, who own at least 5%
of our stock, increase their ownership by more than 50 percentage points over their lowest ownership percentage within a
rolling three-year period. Similar rules may apply under state tax laws. We have not completed a Section 382 analysis through
December 31, 2019. If we have previously had, or have in the future, one or more Section 382 “ownership changes,” including
in connection with our IPO, we may not be able to utilize a material portion of our NOL.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR ASSOCIATION WITH TFI
The Think Finance Litigation Trust in the TFI bankruptcy, as well as third parties, may seek to hold
us responsible for liabilities of TFI due to the Spin-Off.
In connection with our separation from TFI, TFI has generally agreed to retain all liabilities that did not historically arise from
our business. Third parties may seek to hold us responsible for TFI’s retained liabilities, including third-party claims arising
from TFI’s business and retained assets. Under the separation and distribution agreement, we are responsible for the debts,
liabilities and other obligations related to the business or businesses that we own and operate. Under our agreements with TFI,
TFI has agreed to indemnify us for claims and losses relating to its retained liabilities. However, if any of those liabilities are
significant and we are ultimately held liable for such liabilities, we cannot assure you that we will be able to recover the full
amount of our losses from TFI. As an example, Elevate is a potential defendant in litigation that may be brought on behalf of
the debtors' estates in the TFI bankruptcy.
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Although no such claims have been brought directly against Elevate to date, in October 2019, Elevate entered into tolling
agreements with TFI Creditors' Committee and class claimants in regard to any potential future claims against Elevate. These
tolling agreements have been extended, and we may enter into additional extensions of the tolling agreements in the future. In
December 2019, the TFI bankruptcy plan was confirmed, and any claims from the TFI Creditors' Committee were assigned to
the TFLT. In addition, on February 20, 2020, Elevate and the TFLT will commence mediation in an attempt to resolve, prior to
any litigation being filed, any potential claims that the TFLT may have against Elevate including, among other things, whether
or not the spin-off of Elevate from TFI was a fraudulent conveyance. In the event the mediation is unsuccessful, Elevate
anticipates that the TFLT will pursue its claims in litigation against Elevate. As discussed below, in the event of litigation, to the
extent that Elevate is not successful, it could be required to pay money in an amount equal to the difference between the
consideration received by TFI in the spin-off and the fair market value of Elevate at the time of the spin-off. While Elevate can
provide no assurances as to whether there will be a settlement, or a judgment against Elevate, or what the terms of any such
settlement or judgment could be, in the event that Elevate is unable to pay any amount resulting from such settlement or
judgment, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, and Elevate could be obligated to file
for bankruptcy. At this time, because no claims have been filed against Elevate, no reasonable estimate of possible loss, if any,
can be made at this time. We believe any future claims are without merit, and we intend to defend ourselves vigorously.
Although we do not anticipate liability for any obligations not expressly assumed by us pursuant to the separation and
distribution agreement, it is possible that we could be required to assume responsibility for certain obligations retained by TFI
should TFI fail to pay or perform its retained obligations.
In addition, the spin-off could be challenged under various state and federal fraudulent conveyance laws. An unpaid creditor or
an entity vested with the power of such creditor (such as the TFLT in the TFI bankruptcy could claim that the distribution left
TFI insolvent or with unreasonably small capital or that TFI intended or believed it would incur debts beyond its ability to pay
such debts as they mature and that TFI did not receive fair consideration or reasonably equivalent value in the spin-off. The
measure of insolvency for purposes of such fraudulent conveyance laws will vary depending on which jurisdiction’s law is
applied. Generally, however, an entity would be considered insolvent if either the fair saleable value of its assets is less than the
amount of its liabilities (including the probable amount of contingent liabilities), or it is unlikely to be able to pay its liabilities
as they become due. If it were determined that the spin-off constituted a fraudulent conveyance, then the spin-off could be
deemed void and there could be a number of different remedies imposed against Elevate, including without limitation, the
requirement that Elevate has to pay money damages in an amount equal to the difference between the consideration received by
TFI in the spin-off and the fair market value of Elevate at the time of the spin-off. While Elevate can provide no assurances as
to whether there will be a settlement, or a judgment against Elevate, or what the terms of any such settlement or judgment
could be, in the event that Elevate is unable to pay any amount resulting from such settlement or judgment, it could have a
material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition,or, if there is no settlement and Elevate is deemed to ultimately be
held liable in this matter, Elevate could be obligated to file for bankruptcy. In addition, in negotiations with the TFLT in the TFI
bankruptcy, Elevate may be obligated to book a reserve for potential settlement amounts that it considers as an estimate of
possible loss. Any such reserve could materially impact Elevate’s financial condition. Elevate can provide no assurances as to
how long the mediation process may take, or the outcome of such mediation.
The CFPB has authority to investigate and issue Civil Investigative Demands to consumer lending
businesses and may issue fines or corrective orders.
The CFPB has authority to investigate and issue Civil Investigative Demands (“CIDs”) to consumer lending businesses,
including us. In June 2012, prior to the spin-off, and after the spin-off, TFI received CIDs from the CFPB. The purpose of the
CIDs purportedly was to determine whether TFI engaged in unlawful acts or practices relating to the advertising, marketing,
provision, or collection of small-dollar loan products, in violation of parts of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), the Truth in Lending Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, the Gramm-
Leach-Bliley Act, or any other federal consumer financial law and to determine whether CFPB action to obtain legal or
equitable relief would be in the public interest. On November 15, 2017, the CFPB sued TFI alleging it engaged in unfair,
deceptive, or abusive acts or practices. The CFPB and TFI have settled all claims and have received final court approval in the
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas. While TFI’s business is distinct from our business, we
cannot predict the final outcome of this litigation or to what extent any obligations arising out of such final outcome will be
applicable to our Company, business or officers, if at all.
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OTHER RISKS RELATED TO COMPLIANCE AND REGULATION
We, our marketing affiliates, our third-party service providers and our Bank Partners are subject to complex
federal, state and local lending and consumer protection laws, and if we fail to comply with applicable laws,
regulations, rules and guidance, our business could be adversely affected.
We, our marketing affiliates, our third-party service providers and our Bank Partners must comply with US federal, state and
local regulatory regimes, including those applicable to consumer credit transactions. Certain US federal and state laws
generally regulate interest rates and other charges and require certain disclosures. In particular, we may be subject to laws such
as:
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local regulations and ordinances that impose requirements or restrictions related to certain loan product offerings and
collection practices;
state laws and regulations that impose requirements related to loan or credit service disclosures and terms, credit
discrimination, credit reporting, debt servicing and collection;
the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z promulgated thereunder, and similar state laws, which require certain
disclosures to borrowers regarding the terms and conditions of their loans and credit transactions and other substantive
consumer protections with respect to credit cards, such as an assessment of a borrower's ability to repay obligations
and penalty fee limitations;
Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, which prohibits unfair and deceptive acts or practices in or affecting
commerce, Section 1031 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which prohibits unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices in
connection with any consumer financial product or service, and similar state laws that prohibit unfair and deceptive
acts or practices;
the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B promulgated thereunder and state non-discrimination laws, which
generally prohibit creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion,
national origin, marital status, the fact that all or part of the applicant’s income derives from any public assistance
program or the fact that the applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the federal Consumer Credit
Protection Act;
the Fair Credit Reporting Act (the “FCRA”) as amended by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, and similar
state laws, which promote the accuracy, fairness and privacy of information in the files of consumer reporting
agencies;
the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (the “FDCPA”) and similar state and local debt collection laws, which provide
guidelines and limitations on the conduct of third-party debt collectors and creditors in connection with the collection
of consumer debts;
the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and Regulation P promulgated thereunder and similar state privacy laws, which include
limitations on financial institutions’ disclosure of nonpublic personal information about a consumer to nonaffiliated
third parties, in certain circumstances require financial institutions to limit the use and further disclosure of nonpublic
personal information by nonaffiliated third parties to whom they disclose such information and require financial
institutions to disclose certain privacy policies and practices with respect to information sharing with affiliated and
nonaffiliated entities as well as to safeguard personal customer information, and other privacy laws and regulations;
the Bankruptcy Code and similar state insolvency laws, which limit the extent to which creditors may seek to enforce
debts against parties who have filed for bankruptcy protection;
the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and similar state laws, which allow military members and certain dependents to
suspend or postpone certain civil obligations, as well as limit applicable rates, so that the military member can devote
his or her full attention to military duties;
the Military Lending Act and Department of Defense rules, which limit the interest rate and fees that may be charged
to military members and their dependents, requires certain disclosures and prohibits certain mandatory clauses among
other restrictions;
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the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Regulation E promulgated thereunder, which provide disclosure requirements,
guidelines and restrictions on the electronic transfer of funds from consumers’ asset accounts;
the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act and similar state laws, particularly the Uniform
Electronic Transactions Act, which authorize the creation of legally binding and enforceable agreements utilizing
electronic records and signatures and, with consumer consent, permits required disclosures to be provided
electronically;
the Bank Secrecy Act, which relates to compliance with anti-money laundering, customer due diligence and record-
keeping policies and procedures; and
the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (the "TCPA") and the regulations of the Federal Communications
Commission (the "FCC"), which regulations include limitations on telemarketing calls, auto-dialed calls, prerecorded
calls, text messages and unsolicited faxes.
While it is our intention to always be in compliance with these laws, it is possible that we may currently be, or at some time
have been, inadvertently out of compliance with some or any such laws. Further, all applicable laws are subject to evolving
regulatory and judicial interpretations, which further complicate real-time compliance. Lastly, compliance with these laws is
costly, time-consuming and limits our operational flexibility.
Failure to comply with these laws and regulatory requirements applicable to our business may, among other things, limit our or
a collection agency’s ability to collect all or part of the principal of or interest on loans. As a result, we may not be able to
collect on unpaid principal or interest. In addition, non-compliance could subject us to damages, revocation of required
licenses, class action lawsuits, administrative enforcement actions, rescission rights held by investors in securities offerings and
civil and criminal liability, which may harm our business and may result in borrowers rescinding their loans.
Where applicable, we seek to comply with state installment, CSO, servicing and similar statutes. In all jurisdictions with
licensing or other requirements that we believe may be applicable to us, we comply with the relevant requirements by acquiring
the necessary licenses or authorization and submitting appropriate registrations in connection therewith. Nevertheless, if we are
found to not have complied with applicable laws, we could lose one or more of our licenses or authorizations or face other
sanctions or penalties or be required to obtain other licenses or authorizations in such jurisdiction, which may have an adverse
effect on our ability to perform our servicing obligations or make products or services available to borrowers in particular
states, which may harm our business.
Our products currently have usage caps and limitations on lending based on internally developed “responsible lending
guidelines.” If those policies become more restrictive due to legislative or regulatory changes at either the local, state, US
federal, or UK regulatory level these products would experience declining revenues per customer. In some cases, legislative or
regulatory changes at the local, state, US federal or UK regulatory level, like the new law in Ohio targeting small-dollar lending
practices, may require us to discontinue offering certain of our products in certain jurisdictions.
The CFPB may have examination authority over our US consumer lending business that could have a
significant impact on our US business.
In July 2010, the US Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Act. Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act created the CFPB, which regulates
US consumer financial products and services, and gave it regulatory, supervisory and enforcement powers over certain
providers of consumer financial products and services, including authority to examine such providers.
The CFPB is currently considering rules to define larger participants in markets for consumer installment loans for purposes of
supervision. Once this rule and corresponding examination rules are established, we anticipate the CFPB will examine us. The
CFPB’s examination authority permits CFPB examiners to inspect the books and records of providers and ask questions about
their business practices. The examination procedures include specific modules for examining marketing activities, loan
application and origination activities, payment processing activities and sustained use by consumers, collections, accounts in
default, consumer reporting activities and third-party relationships. As a result of these examinations, we could be required to
change our products, our services or our practices, whether as a result of another party being examined or as a result of an
examination of us, or we could be subject to monetary penalties, which could reduce profit margins for the company or
otherwise materially adversely affect us.
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Furthermore, the CFPB’s practices and procedures regarding civil investigations, examination, enforcement and other matters
relevant to us and other CFPB-regulated entities are subject to further development and change. Where the CFPB holds powers
previously assigned to other regulators or may interpret laws previously interpreted by other regulators, the CFPB may not
continue to apply such powers or interpret relevant concepts consistent with previous regulators’ practice. This may adversely
affect our ability to anticipate the CFPB’s expectations or interpretations in our interaction with the CFPB.
The CFPB also has broad authority to prohibit unfair, deceptive and abusive acts and practices and to investigate and penalize
financial institutions that violate this prohibition. In addition to having the authority to obtain monetary penalties for violations
of applicable federal consumer financial laws (including the CFPB’s own rules), the CFPB can require remediation of practices,
pursue administrative proceedings or litigation and obtain cease and desist orders (which can include orders for restitution or
rescission of contracts, as well as other kinds of affirmative relief). Also, where a company is believed to have violated Title X
of the Dodd-Frank Act or CFPB regulations implemented thereunder, the Dodd-Frank Act empowers state attorneys general
and state regulators to bring civil actions to remedy such violations after consulting with the CFPB. If the CFPB or one or more
state attorneys general or state regulators believe that we have violated any of the applicable laws or regulations, they could
exercise their enforcement powers in ways that could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of
operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Many states, including California, Massachusetts, Maryland and New York, have taken steps to actively enforce consumer
protection laws, including through the creation of so-called “mini-CFPBs.”
The CFPB issued proposed revisions to the 2017 Rule affecting the consumer lending industry, and these
or subsequent new rules and regulations, if they are finalized, may impact our US consumer lending
business.
The CFPB released its final “Payday, Vehicle Title, and Certain High-Cost Lending Rule” (the "2017 Rule") on October 5,
2017, covering certain short-term and longer-term loans with an APR of 36% or higher and have a “leveraged payment
mechanism” such as an ACH payment plan. On February 6, 2019, the CFPB issued proposed revisions to the 2017 Rule (the
“2019 Proposed Revisions”). The 2019 Proposed Revisions leave in place requirements and limitations on attempts to
withdraw payments from consumers’ checking, savings or prepaid accounts. Among other requirements, the payment
provisions prohibit lenders that have had two consecutive attempts to collect money from a consumers’ account returned for
insufficient funds from making any further attempts to collect from the account unless the consumers have provided new
authorizations for additional payment transfers. Additionally, the payment provisions require us to give consumers at least three
business days' advance notice before attempting payment withdrawals. The mandatory compliance deadline for the payment
provisions of the 2017 Rule was August 19, 2019. Language in the 2019 Proposed Revisions suggest that the CFPB may be
receptive to informal requests to revisit such payment provisions requirements. There are also recordkeeping requirements and
compliance plan requirements in the 2019 Proposed Rule that will apply to us. On June 7, 2019, the CFPB announced a 15-
month delay in the rule's August 19, 2019 compliance date to November 19, 2020 that applies only to the proposed rescission
of the ability-to-pay provisions. Relatedly, the Community Financial Services Association of America (“CFSA”) sued the
CFPB in April 2018 over the Payday, Vehicle Title, and Certain High-Cost Lending Rule. As a result, the court suspended the
Bureau’s August 19, 2019 implementation of the 2019 Proposed Revisions pending further order of the court. On August 6,
2019 the court issued an order that leaves the compliance date stay in effect. The CFPB plans to finalize the 2019 Proposed
Revisions in the first or second quarter of 2020. To the extent that the 2019 Proposed Revisions, or subsequent new rules and
regulations proposed by the CFPB, are finalized, the results of operations of our US consumer lending business could be
adversely affected.
The FDIC has issued examination guidance affecting our unaffiliated third-party lenders and these or
subsequent new rules and regulations could have a significant impact on our products originated by
unaffiliated third-party lenders.
The Bank-Originated Products are offered by Elevate's unaffiliated third-party lenders using technology, underwriting and
marketing services provided by Elevate. The unaffiliated third-party lenders are supervised and examined by both the states that
charter them and the FDIC. If the FDIC or a state supervisory body considers any aspect of the products originated by
unaffiliated third-party lenders to be inconsistent with its guidance, the unaffiliated third-party lenders may be required to alter
the product.
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On July 29, 2016, the board of directors of the FDIC released examination guidance relating to third-party lending as part of a
package of materials designed to “improve the transparency and clarity of the FDIC’s supervisory policies and practices” and
consumer compliance measures that FDIC-supervised institutions should follow when lending through a business relationship
with a third party. The proposed guidance, if finalized, would apply to all FDIC-supervised institutions that engage in third-
party lending programs, including certain Bank Products.
The proposed guidance elaborates on previously issued agency guidance on managing third-party risks and specifically
addresses third-party lending arrangements where an FDIC-supervised institution relies on a third party to perform a significant
aspect of the lending process. The types of relationships that would be covered by the guidance include (but are not limited to)
relationships for originating loans on behalf of, through or jointly with third parties, or using platforms developed by third
parties. If adopted as proposed, the guidance would result in increased supervisory attention of institutions that engage in
significant lending activities through third parties, including at least one examination every 12 months, as well as supervisory
expectations for a third-party lending risk management program and third-party lending policies that contain certain minimum
requirements, such as self-imposed limits as a percentage of total capital for each third-party lending relationship and for the
overall loan program, relative to origination volumes, credit exposures (including pipeline risk), growth, loan types, and
acceptable credit quality. Comments on the guidance were due October 27, 2016. While the guidance has never formally been
adopted, it is our understanding that the FDIC has relied upon it in its examination of third-party lending arrangements.
On June 5, 2018, Jelena McWilliams was sworn in as the Chair of the FDIC. At this time, it is unclear what impact the
incoming Chair will have on the FDIC's third-party lending policies governing the Bank Products.
The UK has imposed, and continues to impose, increased regulation of the high-cost short-term credit
industry with the stated expectation that some firms will exit the market.
During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, our UK operations represented 14% and 16%, respectively, of our
consolidated total revenues. In the UK, we are subject to regulation by the FCA pursuant to the Financial Services and Markets
Act 2000 (the “FSMA”), the Consumer Credit Act 1974, as amended (the “CCA”), and secondary legislation passed under such
statutes, among other rules and regulations including the FCA Handbook, which collectively serve to transpose the obligations
under the European Consumer Credit Directive into UK law.
The FSMA gives the FCA the power to authorize, supervise, examine, bring enforcement actions and impose fines and
disciplinary sanctions against providers of consumer credit, as well as to make rules for the regulation of consumer credit. The
Consumer Credit Sourcebook (the "CONC") incorporates prescriptive regulations for consumer loans such as those that we
offer, including mandatory affordability checks on borrowers, limiting the number of refinances, or “rollovers,” to two,
restricting how lenders can advertise, banning advertisements that the FCA deems misleading, and introducing a limit of two
unsuccessful attempts on the use of continuous payment authority ("CPA") (which provides a creditor the ability to directly
debit a customer’s account for payment using their bank card details when authorized by the customer to do so) to pay off a
loan. The UK also has strict regulations regarding advertising (including websites) and the presentation, form and content of
loan agreements, including statutory warnings, the layout of prescribed financial information, as well as in relation to defaulted
loans and collections activities. The changes that we have implemented or any changes we may be required to implement in the
future as a result of such legislative and regulatory activities could have a material adverse effect on our UK business.
In the period since the FCA acquired responsibility for the regulation of consumer credit in the UK in place of the Office of
Fair Trading (the "OFT") in April 2014, there have been a large number of new regulations affecting our UK product offerings.
These include the introduction of a rate cap, a prohibition on certain types of line of credit products, the establishment of a
price comparison website, and restrictions on payment processing activities, among other changes. The rate cap imposes a
maximum interest rate of 0.8% per day and maximum late payment fee of £15; the total amount charged for the loan, including
all default charges, must not exceed 100% of the capital sum originally borrowed. This rule translates to a maximum rate of £24
for every £100 borrowed for a 30-day period, or 0.8% per day. The maximum fees that can be earned on the loan (through
interest, default fees, and late interest) ensure that a consumer cannot pay back more than twice the amount of principal
borrowed.
In July 2017, the FCA announced that it had reviewed the impact of the 0.8% per day price cap and concluded that the current
price cap will be left in place. The FCA will review the price cap again in 2020. Further, the FCA found that regulation of
high-cost short-term credit, including the price cap, has led to substantial benefits to consumers. The FCA validated concerns
about specific products and segments of the high-cost credit market, including unarranged overdrafts and long-term use of
high-cost credit and the rent-to-own, home-collected credit and catalog credit markets. In May 2018, the FCA published the
outcome of its high-cost credit review and proposed changes to its regulations of overdrafts, the rent-to-own market, home-
collected credit, catalogue credit and store cards.
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No recommendations were made concerning the high-cost short-term credit loan market. Separately, the FCA has asked
companies to review their lending practices regarding repeat borrowing to ensure such lending practices reflect decisions made
by the Financial Ombudsman Service. Our UK business has undertaken this exercise and has invited the FCA to discuss its
findings. While we believe that our UK business has implemented lending practices for repeat borrowing that are compliant
with regulatory requirements, if the FCA were to impose a cap on a number of times a consumer of our Sunny product can
borrow from us, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition
and cash flows.
During 2019 and 2018, our UK business received an increased number of customer complaints initiated by claims management
companies ("CMCs") related to the affordability assessment of certain loans. If our evidence supports the affordability
assessment and we reject the claim, the customer has the right to take the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service for
further adjudication. The CMCs' campaign against the high cost lending industry increased significantly during the third and
fourth quarters of 2018 and continued through 2019 resulting in a significant increase in affordability claims against all
companies in the industry during this period. We believe that many of the increased claims are without merit and reflect the use
of abusive and deceptive tactics by the CMCs. The FCA began regulating the CMCs in April 2019 in order to ensure that the
methods used by the CMCs are in the best interests of the consumer and the industry. As of December 31, 2019, we accrued
approximately $2.3 million for the claims received that were determined to be probable and reasonably estimable based on the
Company's historical loss rates related to these claims. The outcomes of the adjudication of these claims may differ from the
Company's estimates, and as a result, our estimates may change in the near term and the effect of any such change could be
material to the financial statements. We continue to monitor the matters for further developments that could affect the amount
of the accrued liability recognized.
Separately, the FCA asked all industry participants to review their lending practices to ensure that such companies are using an
appropriate affordability and creditworthiness analysis. Our UK business provided the requested information to the FCA. The
FCA recently reported back to us and asked our UK business to tighten certain aspects of its income verification and
expenditure processes. We are working with the FCA to ensure the changes we make address all matters raised by the FCA.
In February 2016, the FCA issued full authorization to Elevate for our UK business. Similar to US federal and state regulatory
regimes, the FCA has the power to revoke, suspend or impose conditions upon our authorization to conduct a consumer credit
business if it determines we are out of compliance with applicable UK laws, high-cost short-term rules or other legal
requirements ensuring fair treatment of consumers. If the FCA adopts rules that significantly restrict the conduct of our
business, any such rules could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial
condition or cash flows or could make the continuance of all or part of our UK business impractical or unprofitable. Any new
rules adopted by the FCA could also result in significant compliance costs.
On October 25, 2019, the Company's UK subsidiary, ECI, entered into an agreement with the FCA that prohibits us from
making any payments greater than £1.0 million outside of the normal course of business without obtaining prior approval from
the FCA. The Company believes this agreement will not have a material impact on ECI's ability to continue to serve its
customers and meet its obligations.
Our advertising and marketing materials and disclosures have been and continue to be subject to
regulatory scrutiny, particularly in the UK.
In the jurisdictions where we operate, our advertising and marketing activities and disclosures are subject to regulation under
various industry standards, consumer protection laws, and other applicable laws and regulations. Consistent with the consumer
lending industry as a whole (see “—The consumer lending industry continues to be subjected to new laws and regulations in
many jurisdictions that could restrict the consumer lending products and services we offer, impose additional compliance costs
on us, render our current operations unprofitable or even prohibit our current operations” above), our advertising and marketing
materials have come under increased scrutiny. In the UK, for example, consumer credit firms are subject to the financial
promotion regime set out in the FSMA (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 and specific rules in the CONC, part 3, such as the
inclusion of a risk warning on all advertising materials. The FCA has also decided to adopt certain elements of industry codes
as FCA rules on a case by case basis. Our advertising and marketing materials in the UK are subject to review and regulation
both by the FCA and the Advertising Standards Authority. We have in some cases been required to withdraw, amend or add
disclosures to such materials, or have done so voluntarily in response to inquiries or complaints. Going forward, there can be no
guarantee that we will be able to advertise and market our business in the UK or elsewhere in a manner we consider effective.
Any inability to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition
or cash flows.
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The regulatory landscape in which we operate is continually changing due to new CFPB rules, regulations
and interpretations, as well as various legal actions that have been brought against others in marketplace
lending, including several lawsuits that have sought to re-characterize certain loans made by federally
insured banks as loans made by third parties. If litigation on similar theories were brought against us when
we work with a federally insured bank that makes loans, rather than making loans ourselves and were such
an action to be successful, we could be subject to state usury limits and/or state licensing requirements, in
addition to the state consumer protection laws to which we are already subject, in a greater number of
states, loans in such states could be deemed void and unenforceable, and we could be subject to
substantial penalties in connection with such loans.
The case law involving whether an originating lender, on the one hand, or third-parties, on the other hand, are the “true lenders”
of a loan is still developing and courts have come to different conclusions and applied different analyses. The determination of
whether a third-party service provider is the “true lender” is significant because third-parties risk having the loans they service
becoming subject to a consumer’s state usury limits. A number of federal courts that have opined on the “true lender” issue
have looked to who is the lender identified on the borrower’s loan documents. A number of state courts and at least one federal
district court have considered a number of other factors when analyzing whether the originating lender or a third party is the
“true lender,” including looking at the economics of the transaction to determine, among other things, who has the predominant
economic interest in the loan being made. If we were re-characterized as a “true lender” with respect to Elastic, or Rise of
Texas or FinWise states, loans could be deemed to be void and unenforceable in some states, the right to collect finance charges
could be affected, and we could be subject to fines and penalties from state and federal regulatory agencies as well as claims by
borrowers, including class actions by private plaintiffs. Even if we were not required to change our business practices to
comply with applicable state laws and regulations or cease doing business in some states, we could be required to register or
obtain lending licenses or other regulatory approvals that could impose a substantial cost on us. If Republic Bank, FinWise
Bank or the CSO lenders in Texas were subject to such a lawsuit, they may elect to terminate their relationship with us
voluntarily or at the direction of their regulators, and if they lost the lawsuit, they could be forced to modify or terminate the
programs.
On August 13, 2018, the California Supreme Court in Eduardo De La Torre, et al. v. CashCall, Inc., held that interest rates on
consumer loans of $2,500 or more could be found unconscionable under section 22302 of the California Financial Code,
despite not being subject to certain statutory interest rate caps and that such a finding requires a full unconscionability analysis,
which is fact-intensive. The California Supreme Court did not hold that any particular loan or loans were unconscionable. In its
opinion, the California Supreme Court noted that the unconscionability determination is not an easy one, that high interest rates
may indeed be justified for higher risk borrowers. As a result of the California Supreme Court’s ruling, the case was remanded
to the Northern District of California. The Judge for the Northern District of California dismissed the case, on the basis that the
unconscionability analysis and class action determination are matters of state law for evaluation by a state court.
On August 31, 2016, the United States District Court for the Central District of California ruled in CFPB v. CashCall, Inc. et.
al. that CashCall was the “true lender” and consequently was engaged in deceptive practices by servicing and collecting on
payday loans in certain states where the interest rate on the loans exceeded the state usury limit and/or where CashCall was not
a licensed lender. The CashCall case is related to a tribally related lending program. In reaching its decision, the court adopted a
“totality of the circumstances” test to determine which party to the transaction had the “predominant economic interest” in the
transaction. Given the fact-intensive nature of a “totality of the circumstances” assessment, the particular and varied details of
marketplace lending and other bank partner programs may lead to different outcomes to those reached in CashCall, even in
those jurisdictions where courts adopt the “totality of the circumstances” approach. Notably, CashCall did not address the
federal preemption of state law under the National Bank Act or any other federal statute. Although CashCall is appealing the
decision in the Ninth Circuit, on January 26, 2018, the District Court ordered CashCall to pay approximately $10.2 million in
civil money penalties, but no consumer restitution. In issuing the judgment, which was significantly less than the $280 million
the CFPB sought in penalties and consumer restitution, the Court found that CashCall had not knowingly or recklessly violated
consumer protection laws, and that the CFPB had not demonstrated that consumer restitution was an appropriate remedy.
On September 20, 2016, in Beechum v. Navient Solutions, Inc., the United States District Court for the Central District of
California dismissed a class action suit alleging usurious interest rates on private student loans in violation of California law. In
doing so, the court rejected the plaintiff’s arguments that the defendants were the de facto “true lenders” of loans made by a
national bank under a bank partnership arrangement with a non-bank partner. Consistent with the controlling judicial authority
for challenges to the applicability of statutory or constitutional exemptions to California’s usury prohibition, the court
determined that “it must look solely to the face of the transaction” in determining whether an exemption applies and did not
apply the “totality of the circumstances” test.
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In addition to true lender challenges, a question regarding the applicability of state usury rates may arise when a loan is sold
from a bank to a non-bank entity. In Madden v. Midland Funding, LLC, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held that
the federal preemption of state usury laws did not extend to the purchaser of a loan issued by a national bank. In its brief urging
the US Supreme Court to deny certiorari, the US Solicitor General, joined by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
(“OCC”), noted that the Second Circuit (Connecticut, New York and Vermont) analysis was incorrect. On remand, the United
States District Court for the Southern District of New York concluded on February 27, 2017 that New York’s state usury law,
not Delaware's state usury law, was applicable and that the plaintiff’s claims under the FDCPA and state unfair and deceptive
acts and practices could proceed. To that end, the court granted Madden’s motion for class certification. At this time, it is
unknown whether Madden will be applied outside of the defaulted debt context in which it arose; however, recently two class
actions, Cohen v Capital One Funding, LLC, et al and Chase Card Funding, LLC, et al, have relied on Madden to challenge the
interest rate charged once debt was sold to securitization trusts. The facts in CashCall, Navient and Madden are not directly
applicable to our business, as we do not engage in practices similar to those at issue in CashCall, Navient or Madden, and we
do not purchase whole loans or engage in business in states within the Second Circuit. However, to the extent that either the
holdings in CashCall or Madden were broadened to cover circumstances applicable to our business, or if other litigation on
related theories were brought against us and were successful, or we were otherwise found to be the "true lender," we could
become subject to state usury limits and state licensing laws, in addition to the state consumer protection laws to which we are
already subject, in a greater number of states, loans in such states could be deemed void and unenforceable, and we could be
subject to substantial penalties in connection with such loans.
In response to the uncertainty Madden created as to the validity of interest rates of bank-originated loans sold in the secondary
market, in November 2019, the OCC and the FDIC took action to reaffirm the “valid when made” doctrine by issuing a notice
of proposed rulemaking to clarify that when a bank sells, assigns, or otherwise transfers a loan, the interest permissible prior to
the transfer would continue to be permissible following the transfer. The 60-day comment periods ended January 21, 2020 and
February 4, 2020, respectively, and it is anticipated that the agencies will issue final rules soon. The FDIC issued a similar
proposed rule to reaffirm the “valid when made” doctrine and its comment period ended on February 4, 2020.
Relatedly, the OCC and FDIC have signaled they are working on a rule to remove uncertainty surrounding the “true lender”
theory-which involves a claim by a borrower or regulator that the supposed “true lender” of a loan funded by a bank is a non-
bank service provider of the bank, rather than the bank itself. This controversial theory poses a growing threat to banks’ ability
to enter into contractual partnerships with nonbank service providers to extend responsible credit products that are far superior
to payday loans. Such a theory threatens to undermine the long-established lending powers of national and state chartered
banks and the validity of their originated loans and could cause substantial disruption to the financial system upon which all
Americans rely. As a result, the agencies are looking to provide clarity for banks and their non-bank service providers.
Lastly, the OCC and FDIC are also working on a proposed “Small Dollar Rule” which will facilitate greater financial inclusion
and give guidance for banks that make “small dollar” loans to non-prime consumers. The guidance could impact the products
or interest rates that unaffiliated third-party banks originate utilizing the Elevate’s lending platforms.
California’s Governor Gavin Newsom recently proposed a new law, the California Consumer Financial Protection Law
(CCFPL), that would rename the Department of Business Oversight to be the Department of Financial Protection and
Innovation and also empower the Department to extend state oversight to financial services providers not currently subject to
state supervision but also facilitate innovation.
In 2017, the Colorado Attorney General recently filed complaints in state court against marketplace lenders Marlette Funding
LLC and Avant of Colorado LLC on behalf of the administrator of Colorado’s Uniform Consumer Credit Code (UCCC),
alleging violations of the UCCC based on “true lender” and loan assignment cases with respect to lending programs sponsored
by WebBank and Cross River Bank, respectively. The complaints allege that the non-bank service providers, Marlette Funding
LLC and Avant of Colorado LLC - rather than WebBank and Cross River Bank, are the "true lenders," and therefore subject to
Colorado usury limits. Efforts by Avant and Marlette Funding to remove the cases to federal court and efforts by Cross River
Bank and WebBank seeking declaratory judgments against the administrator of Colorado's UCCC failed (although both Cross
River Bank and WebBank filed appeals with the Tenth Circuit). At this time, it is unknown what the outcome of these cases will
be and whether any conclusions of law would be applied outside Colorado. However, recently in November 2018, the
administrator of Colorado's UCCC amended its complaints against Avant and Marlette Funding to add additional parties (the
securitization trusts that acquired the loans originated under the bank partnerships Avant and Marlette Funding have with Cross
River Bank and WebBank) alleging violations of Colorado's UCCC related to the finance charges and fees received by the
securitization trusts. Another marketplace lender, Kabbage, Inc. and its bank, Celtic Bank, were sued in Massachusetts federal
court in 2017, with the defendant alleging that Kabbage, not Celtic Bank, is the “true lender.” Kabbage, Inc. was successful in
compelling arbitration in that case. In October 2019, Kabbage was sued in the Southern District of New York by several small
businesses alleging violations of state usury laws (California, Massachusetts, Colorado, New York) and racketeering and
conspiracy under federal RICO statutes. It also includes claims for violations of various state laws other than usury laws,
including the California Financing Law Code (CFLC).
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The plaintiffs in that case also make a UDAP claim under Massachusetts law in which they allege that Kabbage’s loan
agreements were “contracts of adhesion” that included “unconscionable and unfair provisions” such as provisions that required
the plaintiffs to waive the right to a jury trial, waive the right to participate in a class action, and waive the right to seek legal
redress in their home state. It is expected that the Kabbage will again seek to compel arbitration in this most recent lawsuit.
In the last few months, we have seen increased activity by some state regulatory authorities seeking to understand the services
we provide to our Bank Partners. We cannot predict the final outcome of these inquiries or to what extent any obligations
arising out of such final outcome will be applicable to our Company, business or officers, if at all. It is possible that some state
regulators could conclude that we are subject to state laws, including licensing or registration in connection with services we
provide to our Bank Partners.
In September 2019, the FDIC and the OCC jointly submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. District Court for the District of
Colorado in support of the appellee debt buyer, urging the district court to uphold the bank's rights to enforce that debt to the
debt buyer, including the bank's right to charge interest as authorized under the laws of its home state. The brief includes related
discussions of (i) the rights of federally regulated banks to "export" their home states' interest rates by charging those rates to
borrowers nationwide, first with respect to national banks under section 85 of the National Bank Act and then with respect to
state banks under section 27 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and (ii) federal preemption of state usury laws. The portion of
the brief that discusses rate exportation strongly reaffirms the OCC and the FDIC's complete accord that section 27 and section
85 should be mirror images of each other. At the conclusion of their brief, the agencies ask the district court to affirm the
bankruptcy court's decision on the basis that affirmation would "preserve the banks' longstanding ability to engage in loan
sales, would reaffirm the traditional protections that such loan sales have received under the law, would ensure the proper
functioning of the credit markets, and would promote safety and soundness in the banking sector by supporting loan sales and
securitizations, which are used to manage capital and liquidity positions."
We use third-party collection agencies to assist us with debt collection. Their failure to comply with
applicable debt collection regulations could subject us to fines and other liabilities, which could harm our
reputation and business.
The FDCPA regulates persons who regularly collect or attempt to collect, directly or indirectly, consumer debts owed or
asserted to be owed to another person. Many states impose additional requirements on debt collection communications, and
some of those requirements may be more stringent than the federal requirements. Moreover, regulations governing debt
collection are subject to changing interpretations that differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. We use third-party collections
agencies to collect on debts incurred by consumers of our credit products. Regulatory changes could make it more difficult for
collections agencies to effectively collect on the loans we originate.
Non-US jurisdictions also regulate debt collection. For example, in the UK, due to new rules under the CONC we have made
adjustments to some of our business practices, including our collections processes, which could possibly result in lower
collections on loans made by us and has resulted in a decrease in the number of new customers that we are able to approve. In
addition, the concerns expressed to us by the OFT and the FCA relate in part to debt collection. We could be subject to fines,
written orders or other penalties if we, or parties working on our behalf, are determined to have violated the FDCPA, the CONC
or analogous state or international laws, which could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, prospects,
results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Our business is subject to complex and evolving US and international laws and regulations regarding
privacy, data protection, and other matters. Many of these laws and regulations are subject to change and
uncertain interpretation, and could result in claims, changes to our business practices, monetary penalties,
increased cost of operations, or declines in user growth or engagement, or otherwise harm our business.
We receive, transmit and store a large volume of personally identifiable information and other sensitive data from customers
and potential customers. Our business is subject to a variety of laws and regulations in the US and the UK that involve user
privacy issues, data protection, advertising, marketing, disclosures, distribution, electronic contracts and other communications,
consumer protection and online payment services. The introduction of new products or expansion of our activities in certain
jurisdictions may subject us to additional laws and regulations. In addition, international data protection, privacy, and other
laws and regulations can be more restrictive than those in the US. US federal and state and international laws and regulations,
which can be enforced by private parties or government entities, are constantly evolving and can be subject to significant
change.
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A number of proposals have recently been implemented or are pending before federal, state, and international legislative and
regulatory bodies that could impose obligations in areas such as privacy. For example, the European Union's new General Data
Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”) was implemented in the UK in May 2018, and the California Consumer Privacy Act (the
“CCPA”) came into effect on January 1, 2020. The GDPR is more prescriptive than the prior EU regime and has imposed new
obligations on businesses, including the requirement to appoint a data protection officer in some circumstances, self-report
personal data breaches, obtain express consent to data processing in certain circumstances and provide more enhanced rights to
individuals whose personal data they process, including the "right to be forgotten," by having records containing their personal
data erased, subject to certain exceptions. Penalties for non-compliance with the GDPR are significant, with a maximum fine
calculated as the higher of €20 million or 4% of global turnover for the preceding year. Similar to the GDPR, the CCPA broadly
defines personal information and provides California consumers increased privacy rights and protections. California Attorney
General ("AG") Xavier Becerra issued draft regulations on October 11, 2019 to guide covered businesses' implementation of
the CCPA. The regulations address several CCPA provisions that explicitly call for the AG's input, as well as others that have
been the subject of confusion, criticism, or discussion.
In addition, the 4th European Union's anti-money laundering directive (2015/849/EC) came into effect in June 2017 and
requires changes to customer due diligence assessments and greater focus on a risk-based approach.
Some countries are also considering or have enacted legislation requiring local storage and processing of data that, if applicable
to the markets in which we operate, would increase the cost and complexity of delivering our services. These existing and
proposed laws and regulations can be costly to comply with and can delay or impede the development of new products, the
expansion into new markets, result in negative publicity, increase our operating costs, require significant management time and
attention, and subject us to inquiries or investigations, claims or other liabilities, including demands that we modify or cease
existing business practices or pay fines, penalties or other damages.
It is difficult to assess the likelihood of the enactment of any future legislation or the impact that such rules and regulations
could have on our business. We are operating on the basis, confirmed by the UK government and the FCA, that the decision of
the UK to leave the European Union will not affect the implementation of the new European Union directives on data
protection and anti-money laundering as outlined above.
The use of personal data in credit underwriting is highly regulated.
In the US, the FCRA regulates the collection, dissemination and use of consumer information, including consumer credit
information. Compliance with the FCRA and related laws and regulations concerning consumer reports has recently been under
regulatory scrutiny. The FCRA requires us to provide a Notice of Adverse Action to a loan applicant when we deny an
application for credit, which, among other things, informs the applicant of the action taken regarding the credit application and
the specific reasons for the denial of credit. The FCRA also requires us to promptly update any credit information reported to a
consumer reporting agency about a consumer and to allow a process by which consumers may inquire about credit information
furnished by us to a consumer reporting agency. Historically, the FTC has played a key role in the implementation, oversight,
enforcement and interpretation of the FCRA. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB has primary supervisory, regulatory
and enforcement authority of FCRA issues. Although the FTC also retains its enforcement role regarding the FCRA, it shares
that role in many respects with the CFPB. The CFPB has taken a more active approach than the FTC, including with respect to
regulation, enforcement and supervision of the FCRA. Changes in the regulation, enforcement or supervision of the FCRA may
materially affect our business if new regulations or interpretations by the CFPB or the FTC require us to materially alter the
manner in which we use personal data in our credit underwriting.
On May 28, 2018, our UK business became subject to the GDPR, and in January 2020, our California business became subject
to the CCPA. As described above in "-Our business is subject to complex and evolving US and international laws and
regulations regarding privacy, data protection, and other matters. Many of these laws and regulations are subject to change and
uncertain interpretation, and could result in claims, changes to our business practices, monetary penalties, increased cost of
operations, or declines in user growth or engagement or otherwise harm our business," the CCPA broadly defines personal
information and provides California consumers increased privacy rights and protections, and the GDPR is more prescriptive
than the prior regime and includes new obligations on businesses, including the requirement to appoint a data protection officer,
self-report breaches, obtain express consent to data processing and provide more rights to individuals whose data they process,
including the “right to be forgotten,” by having their records erased. Penalties for non-compliance with the GDPR are
significant with a maximum fine calculated as the higher of €20 million or 4% of global turnover for the preceding year. There
are also strict rules on the use of credit reference data under the CCA regulations and the CONC. We are also subject to laws
limiting the transfer of personal data from the European Economic Area to non-European Economic Area countries or
territories.
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There are also strict rules on the instigation of electronic communications such as email, text message and telephone calls under
the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (“PECR”), which generally prohibit unsolicited
direct marketing by electronic means without express consent, as well as the monitoring of devices. The UK left the European
Union on January 31, 2020. During the transition period agreed between the UK and the European Union, which is expected to
end on December 31, 2020, the GDPR, PECR and other European Union laws will continue to apply within the UK. When the
transition period ends, the UK will implement the Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc)
(EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which transpose the protections of the GDPR and PECR under UK law. The UK is expected to
continue the protections of the GDPR and PECR for the transfer of personal data into and out of the UK. We expect to comply
with any changes to the framework for the transfer of personal data into and out of the UK but can provide no assurances as to
whether such regulation will be more or less burdensome than the GDPR, PECR and other European Union regulations, and we
may incur significant costs in transitioning to any new regulatory model. Furthermore, compliance with any new or developing
privacy laws in the US, including the CCPA or other state or federal laws that may be enacted in the future, may require
significant resources and could have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
The oversight of the FCRA by both the CFPB and the FTC and any related investigation or enforcement activities or our failure
to comply with the Data Protection Act ("DPA"), GDPR, PECR and any supplementary data protection legislation may have a
material adverse impact on our business, including our operations, our mode and manner of conducting business and our
financial results.
Judicial decisions or amendments to the Federal Arbitration Act could render the arbitration agreements
we use illegal or unenforceable.
We include arbitration provisions in our consumer loan agreements. These provisions are designed to allow us to resolve any
customer disputes through individual arbitration rather than in court and explicitly provide that all arbitrations will be
conducted on an individual and not on a class basis. Thus, our arbitration agreements, if enforced, have the effect of shielding
us from class action liability. Our arbitration agreements do not generally have any impact on regulatory enforcement
proceedings. We take the position that the arbitration provisions in our consumer loan agreements, including class action
waivers, are valid and enforceable; however, the enforceability of arbitration provisions is often challenged in court. If those
challenges are successful, our arbitration and class action waiver provisions could be unenforceable, which could subject us to
additional litigation, including additional class action litigation.
Any judicial decisions, legislation or other rules or regulations that impair our ability to enter into and enforce consumer
arbitration agreements and class action waivers could significantly increase our exposure to class action litigation as well as
litigation in plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions, which would be costly and could have a material adverse effect on our business,
prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We use marketing affiliates to assist us and the originating lender in obtaining new customers, and if such
marketing affiliates do not comply with an increasing number of applicable laws and regulations, or if our
ability to use such marketing affiliates is otherwise impaired, it could adversely affect our business.
We depend in part on marketing affiliates as a source of new customers for us and, with respect to the Bank Products, for the
originating lender and credit card issuer. Our marketing affiliates place our advertisements on their websites that direct potential
customers to our websites. As a result, the success of our business depends in part on the willingness and ability of marketing
affiliates to provide us customer referrals at acceptable prices.
If regulatory oversight of marketing affiliates relationships is increased, through the implementation of new laws or regulations
or the interpretation of existing laws or regulations, our ability to use marketing affiliates could be restricted or eliminated.
Marketing affiliates’ failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, or any changes in laws or regulations applicable to
marketing affiliates relationships or changes in the interpretation or implementation of such laws or regulations, could have an
adverse effect on our business and could increase negative perceptions of our business and industry. Additionally, the use of
marketing affiliates could subject us to additional regulatory cost and expense. If our ability to use marketing affiliates were to
be impaired, our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows could be materially adversely
affected.
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RISKS RELATED TO THE SECURITIES MARKETS AND OWNERSHIP OF OUR COMMON STOCK
The price of our common stock may be volatile, and the value of your investment could decline.
Technology stocks have historically experienced high levels of volatility. The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate
substantially depending on many factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be related to our operating
performance. These fluctuations could cause you to lose all or part of your investment in our common stock. Factors that could
cause fluctuations in the trading price of our common stock include the following:
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announcements of new products, services or technologies, relationships with strategic partners or acquisitions or changes
in the timing of such anticipated events; of the termination of, or material changes to, material agreements; or of other
events by us or our competitors;
changes in economic conditions;
changes in prevailing interest rates;
price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time;
significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of technology companies in general and of companies in the
financial services industry;
fluctuations in the trading volume of our shares or the size of our public float;
actual or anticipated changes in our operating results or fluctuations in our operating results;
quarterly fluctuations in demand for our loans;
• whether our operating results meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors;
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actual or anticipated changes in the expectations of investors or securities analysts;
regulatory developments in the US, foreign countries or both and our ability to comply with applicable regulations;
• material litigation, including class action lawsuits;
• major catastrophic events;
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sales of large blocks of our stock;
entry into, modification of or termination of a material agreement; or
departures of key personnel or directors.
In addition, if the market for technology and financial services stocks or the stock market in general experiences loss of
investor confidence, the trading price of our common stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, operating
results or financial condition. The trading price of our common stock might also decline in reaction to events that affect other
companies in our industry even if these events do not directly affect us. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market
price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. If our stock price
is volatile, we may become the target of securities litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our
management’s attention and resources from our business. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating
results and financial condition.
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public markets, or the perception that they might
occur, could reduce the price that our common stock might otherwise attain and may dilute your voting
power and your ownership interest in us.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales could
occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and may make it more difficult for you to sell your
common stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate.
We may issue our shares of common stock or securities convertible into our common stock from time to time in connection
with a financing, acquisition, investments or otherwise. Any such issuance could result in substantial dilution to our existing
stockholders and cause the trading price of our common stock to decline.
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The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, divert management’s attention and
affect our ability to attract and retain qualified board members.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the NYSE listing standards and other
applicable securities rules and regulations. Compliance with these rules and regulations increases our legal and financial
compliance costs, makes some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly, and increases demand on our systems and
resources, particularly after we are no longer an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups
Act (the “JOBS Act”). Among other things, the Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with
respect to our business and operating results and maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over
financial reporting. In order to maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control
over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight may be required. As a result,
management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could harm our business and operating results.
In addition, changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating
uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time
consuming. These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of
specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and
governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by
ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws,
regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expense and a diversion of
management’s time and attention from revenues-generating activities to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with
new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies, regulatory authorities
may initiate legal proceedings against us and our business may be harmed.
However, for so long as we remain an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of
certain exemptions from various requirements that are applicable to public companies that are not “emerging growth
companies,” including not being required to comply with the independent auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy
statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and
stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We may take advantage of these exemptions
until we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” As a result, our stockholders may not have access to certain information
they deem important.
We will cease to be an “emerging growth company” upon the earliest of: (i) the first fiscal year following the fifth anniversary
of the completion of our IPO, (ii) the first fiscal year after our annual gross revenues are $1.07 billion or more, (iii) the date on
which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt securities, and (iv) as
of the end of any fiscal year in which the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700 million as of
the end of the second quarter of that fiscal year.
We cannot predict if investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some
investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for securities and our stock
price may be more volatile.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or publish
inaccurate or unfavorable research reports about our business, our share price and trading volume could
decline.
The trading market for our common stock, to some extent, depends on the research and reports that securities or industry
analysts publish about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If one or more of the analysts who
cover us should downgrade our shares or change their opinion of our shares, our share price would likely decline. If one or
more of these analysts should cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility
in the financial markets, which could cause our share price or trading volume to decline.
We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.
We have never declared or paid any dividends on our common stock. We intend to retain any earnings to finance the operation
and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the future. In addition, pursuant to our
financing agreement, we are prohibited from paying cash dividends without the prior consent of VPC, and we may be further
restricted in the future by debt or other agreements we enter into. As a result, you may only receive a return on your investment
in our common stock if the market price of our common stock increases.
66
Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law may delay or prevent an acquisition of
our company.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that may have the
effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of us or changes in our management. The provisions, among other things:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
establish a classified Board of Directors so that not all members of our Board of Directors are elected at one time;
permit only our Board of Directors to establish the number of directors and fill vacancies on the Board;
provide that directors may only be removed “for cause” and only with the approval of two-thirds of our stockholders;
require two-thirds approval to amend some provisions in our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws;
authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that our Board of Directors could use to implement a stockholder
rights plan, or a “poison pill;”
eliminate the ability of our stockholders to call special meetings of stockholders;
prohibit stockholder action by written consent, which will require that all stockholder actions must be taken at a
stockholder meeting;
do not provide for cumulative voting; and
establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our Board of Directors or for proposing matters that
can be acted upon by stockholders at annual stockholder meetings.
These provisions, alone or together, could delay or prevent hostile takeovers and changes in control or changes in our
management.
In addition, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) which limits the ability of stockholders owning in excess of 15% of our outstanding
voting stock to merge or combine with us in certain circumstances.
Any provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws or Delaware law that
has the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium
for their shares of our common stock and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common
stock.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation designates the Court of Chancery of the State of
Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain litigation that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could
limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole
and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of
breach of a fiduciary duty owed to us or our stockholders by any of our directors, officers, employees or agents, (iii) any action
asserting a claim against us arising under the DGCL or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the
internal affairs doctrine. This choice of forum provision does not preclude or contract the scope of exclusive federal or
concurrent jurisdiction for any actions brought under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. Accordingly, our exclusive forum
provision will not relieve us of our duties to comply with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder,
and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with these laws, rules and regulations. The choice of
forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a
favorable judicial forum for disputes with us.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over
financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud.
Ensuring that we have adequate disclosure controls and procedures, including internal controls over financial reporting, in
place so that we can produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis is costly and time-consuming and needs to be
reevaluated frequently. We are required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley
Act”) and related rules and regulations. Pursuant to Section 404, our management is required to report on, and, if we cease to
be an emerging growth company, our independent registered public accounting firm will have to attest to the effectiveness of,
our internal control over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal controls over financial reporting
are not effective if we fail to cure any identified material weakness or otherwise.
67
Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal controls over financial reporting are effective, our independent
registered public accounting firm may conclude that our internal controls over financial reporting are not effective. In the
future, our independent registered public accounting firm may not be satisfied with our internal controls over financial
reporting or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or it may interpret the relevant
requirements differently from us. In addition, during the course of the evaluation, documentation and testing of our internal
controls over financial reporting, we may identify deficiencies that we may not be able to remediate in time to meet the
deadline imposed by the SEC for compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Any such
deficiencies may also subject us to adverse regulatory consequences. If we fail to achieve and maintain the adequacy of our
internal controls over financial reporting, as these standards may be modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we
may be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis, may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we
have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and may suffer adverse
regulatory consequences or violations of listing standards. Any of the above could also result in a negative reaction in the
financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements.
68
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
69
Item 2. Properties
The Company leases its corporate headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas pursuant to a lease that expires September 30, 2023 and
covers 94,979 square feet. We also lease approximately 59,360 square feet of office space in Addison, Texas pursuant to a lease
that expires June 30, 2026.
70
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
In addition to the matters discussed below, in the ordinary course of business, from time to time, we have been and may be
named as a defendant in various legal proceedings arising in connection with our business activities, including affordability
claims related to the Sunny product. We may also be involved, from time to time, in reviews, investigations and proceedings
(both formal and informal) by governmental agencies regarding our business (collectively, “regulatory matters”). We contest
liability and/or the amount of damages as appropriate in each such pending matter. We do not anticipate that the ultimate
liability, if any, arising out of any such pending matter will have a material effect on our financial condition, results of
operations or cash flows.
TFI Settlement with CFPB
In June 2012, prior to the spin-off from TFI, and in February 2016, after the spin-off, TFI received Civil Investigative Demands
from the CFPB. The purpose of the Civil Investigative Demands was to determine whether small-dollar online lenders or other
unnamed persons engaged in unlawful acts or practices relating to the advertising, marketing, provision, or collection of small-
dollar loan products, in violation of Section 1036 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the
Electronic Funds Transfer Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, or any other federal consumer financial law and to determine
whether CFPB action to obtain legal or equitable relief would be in the public interest. Further, on November 15, 2017 the
CFPB sued TFI alleging it deceived consumers into paying debts that were not valid and that it collected loan payments that
consumers did not owe. The CFPB and TFI have agreed to settle all claims and executed a settlement agreement that was filed
with the United States District Court for the District of Montana and is part of a larger resolution of the bankruptcy proceeding
in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas involving TFI. While TFI’s business is distinct from
our business, we cannot predict the final outcome of the Civil Investigative Demands or to what extent any obligations arising
out of such final outcome will be applicable to our company or business, if at all.
Other Matters
While no TFI related litigation has been filed directly against Elevate, we can provide no assurances that there will not be any
future TFI related litigation filed against the Company. In October 2019, Elevate entered into tolling agreements with the TFI
Creditors' Committee and class claimants in regard to any potential future claims against Elevate. These tolling agreements
have been extended, and we may enter into additional extensions of the tolling agreements in the future. In December 2019, the
TFI bankruptcy plan was confirmed, and any claims from the TFI Creditors' Committee were assigned to the Think Finance
Litigation Trust (“TFLT”). On February 20, 2020, Elevate and the TFLT will commence mediation in an attempt to resolve,
prior to any litigation being filed, any potential claims that the TFLT may have against Elevate including, among other things,
whether or not the spin-off of Elevate from TFI was a fraudulent conveyance. While Elevate can provide no assurances as to
the potential outcome of such mediation process, in the event that there is a settlement and Elevate is unable to pay any amount
resulting from such settlement, it could have a material adverse effect on Elevate’s financial condition, or, if there is no
settlement and Elevate is deemed to ultimately be liable in this matter, Elevate could be obligated to file for bankruptcy. Elevate
can provide no assurances as to how long the mediation process may take, or the outcome of such mediation. In addition, if the
mediation is unsuccessful, Elevate anticipates that the TFLT will pursue its claims in litigation against Elevate. For more
information please see “The Think Finance Litigation Trust in the TFI bankruptcy, as well as third parties, may seek to hold us
responsible for liabilities of TFI due to the Spin-Off.” Because no claims have been filed against Elevate, no reasonable
estimate of possible loss, if any, can be made at this time. We believe any future claims are without merit, and we intend to
defend ourselves vigorously.
On January 9, 2020, the District of Columbia's Attorney General, Karl A. Racine, issued a subpoena to Elevate alleging that
Elevate may have violated the District of Columbia's Consumer Protection Procedures Act in connection with loans issued by
banks in the District of Columbia. The documents requested are related to the FinWise and Republic Bank originated loans in
the District of Columbia. Elevate has engaged counsel and initiated discussions with the Attorney General’s office and is
working to address any potential issues and provide certain documents as requested. Elevate disagrees that it has violated the
above referenced law and it intends to vigorously defend its position.
In addition, on January 27, 2020, Rise Credit Service of Texas, LLC d/b/a Rise, Opportunity Financial, LLC and Applied Data
Finance, LLC d/b/a Personify Financial were sued in a class action lawsuit in Washington state. The Plaintiff in the case claims
that Rise and others are engaged in “predatory lending practices that target financially vulnerable consumers” and have violated
Washington’s Consumer Protection Act by engaging in unfair or deceptive practices. Elevate disagrees that it has violated the
above referenced law and it intends to vigorously defend its position.
71
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
72
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
PART II
Principal Market
Our common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol "ELVT" on April 6, 2017.
Stockholders
There were 51 stockholders of record of Elevate common stock as of February 12, 2020.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any
future earnings for use in the operation of our business and do not anticipate paying any dividends on our common stock in the
foreseeable future. In addition, pursuant to our financing agreement, we are prohibited from paying cash dividends without the
prior consent of VPC. Any future determination to declare dividends will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors
and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, general business conditions and other
factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
On July 25, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program providing for the repurchase of up
to $10 million of our common stock through July 31, 2024. In January 2020, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a $20
million increase to the Company's existing common stock repurchase program providing for the repurchase of up to $30 million
of the Company's common stock through July 31, 2024. The prior authorization totaled $5 million for both fiscal years 2019 and
2020. The Company purchased $3.3 million of common shares under its $5 million authorization during the second half of 2019.
The share repurchase program, as amended, provides that up to a maximum aggregate amount of $25 million shares may be
repurchased in any given fiscal year. Repurchases will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws from time-to-time
in the open market and/or in privately negotiated transactions at our discretion, subject to market conditions and other factors. The
share repurchase plan does not require the purchase of any minimum number of shares and may be implemented, modified,
suspended or discontinued in whole or in part at any time without further notice. All repurchased shares may potentially be withheld
for the vesting of RSUs.
The following table provides information about our common stock repurchases during the quarter ended December 31, 2019.
Period
October 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019 .............
November 1, 2019 to November 30, 2019
December 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 ......
Total.........................................................
Total number of
shares purchased
Average price
paid per
share (1)
Total number of
shares purchased
as part of the
publicly announced
program
Approximate dollar
value of shares that
may yet be
purchased under the
program (1)
— $
146,058
531,482
677,540
$
$
$
—
4.12
4.34
4.27
— $
$
$
146,058
531,482
677,540
9,565,938
8,964,273
6,655,716
(1) Includes fees and commissions associated with the shares repurchased.
73
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The selected consolidated financial data presented below has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements.
This information should be read in conjunction with “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results
of operations” and our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto. Our historical results are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in any future period.
Consolidated statements of operations data
(dollars in thousands, except share and per
share amounts)
For the years ended December 31,
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
Revenues........................................................
Cost of sales:
Provision for loan losses......................
Direct marketing costs.........................
Other cost of sales ...............................
Total cost of sales ..........................................
Gross profit....................................................
Operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits ..................
Professional services............................
Selling and marketing ..........................
Occupancy and equipment...................
Depreciation and amortization.............
Other ....................................................
Total operating expenses ...............................
Operating income .................................
Other income (expense):
$
746,962
$
786,682
$
673,132
$
580,441
$
434,006
364,241
51,283
28,846
444,370
302,592
103,070
36,715
7,381
20,712
17,380
5,911
191,169
111,423
411,979
77,605
26,359
515,943
270,739
94,382
35,864
9,435
17,547
12,988
5,649
175,865
94,874
357,574
72,222
20,536
450,332
222,800
81,969
32,848
8,353
13,895
10,272
4,600
151,937
70,863
317,821
65,190
17,433
400,444
179,997
65,657
30,659
9,684
11,475
10,906
3,812
132,193
47,804
232,650
61,032
15,197
308,879
125,127
60,568
25,134
7,567
9,690
8,898
4,303
116,160
8,967
Net interest expense .............................
(66,646)
(79,198)
(73,043)
(64,277)
(36,674)
Foreign currency transaction gain
(loss)................................................
Non-operating income (loss)................
Total other expense........................................
Income (loss) before taxes.............................
Income tax expense (benefit).........................
Net income (loss)........................................... $
Basic income (loss) per share ........................ $
Diluted income (loss) per share..................... $
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding ..
334
(681)
(66,993)
44,430
12,247
32,183
0.73
0.73
$
$
$
(1,409)
(350)
(80,957)
13,917
1,408
12,509
0.29
0.28
2,900
2,295
(67,848)
3,015
9,931
(6,916) $
(0.20) $
(0.20) $
$
$
$
(8,809)
(43)
(73,129)
(25,325)
(2,952)
(22,373) $
(1.74) $
(1.74) $
(2,385)
5,523
(33,536)
(24,569)
(4,658)
(19,911)
(1.59)
(1.59)
12,525,847
43,805,845
42,791,061
33,911,520
12,894,262
Diluted weighted-average shares
outstanding................................................
44,338,205
44,299,304
33,911,520
12,894,262
12,525,847
Adjustments to arrive at Adjusted EBITDA:
Net income (loss)........................................... $
Net interest expense ...............................
Share-based compensation .....................
Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss
Depreciation and amortization ...............
Non-operating (income) loss ..................
Income tax expense (benefit) .................
$
32,183
66,646
9,940
(334)
17,380
681
12,247
12,509
79,198
8,233
1,409
12,988
350
1,408
$
(6,916) $
73,043
(22,373) $
64,277
(19,911)
36,674
6,318
(2,900)
10,272
(2,295)
9,931
1,707
8,809
10,906
43
(2,952)
60,417
$
847
2,385
8,898
(5,523)
(4,658)
18,712
Adjusted EBITDA(1) ....................................
$
138,743
$
116,095
$
87,453
$
74
Other financial and operational data
(dollars in thousands, except as noted)
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
As of and for the years ended December 31,
Free cash flow(2)...........................................
Number of new customer loans.....................
Ending number of combined loans
outstanding ....................................................
Customer acquisition costs (in dollars) .........
Net charge-offs(3)..........................................
Additional provision for loan losses(3) .........
Provision for loan losses................................
Past due combined loans receivable –
principal as a percentage of combined loans
receivable – principal(4)...............................
Net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues .
Total provision for loan losses as a
percentage of revenues ..................................
Combined loan loss reserve(5) ......................
Combined loan loss reserve as a percentage
of combined loans receivable(5) ...................
Effective APR of combined loan portfolio....
Ending combined loans receivable –
principal(4) ...................................................
$
58,466
$
15,460
$
16,741
$
19,930
247,706
316,483
305,186
277,637
$ (29,054)
238,238
374,484
398,604
361,972
289,193
222,723
$
207
$
245
$
237
$
235
$
256
$ 371,458
$ 409,160
$ 347,010
$ 299,700
$ 214,795
(7,217)
2,819
10,564
18,121
17,855
$ 364,241
$ 411,979
$ 357,574
$ 317,821
$ 232,650
10%
50%
49%
11%
52%
52%
10%
52%
53%
12%
52%
55%
12%
49%
54%
$
89,075
$
96,052
$
93,789
$
82,376
$
65,784
13%
122%
14%
129%
14%
131%
16%
146%
17%
173%
$ 640,779
$ 648,538
$ 618,375
$ 481,210
$ 356,069
(1) Adjusted EBITDA is not a financial measure prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("US GAAP").
Adjusted EBITDA represents our net income (loss), adjusted to exclude: net interest expense primarily associated with notes payable under the VPC
Facility, EF SPV Facility and ESPV Facility used to fund or purchase loans; share-based compensation; foreign currency gains and losses associated with
our UK operations; depreciation and amortization expense on fixed assets and intangible assets; non-operating income and losses associated with fair
value adjustments or dispositions; and income taxes. See “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Non-
GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net income (loss), the most directly comparable
financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
(2) Free cash flow is not a financial measure prepared in accordance with US GAAP. Free cash flow represents our net cash from operating activities
adjusted for the net charge-offs—combined principal loans and capital expenditures incurred during the period. See “Management’s discussion and
analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and a reconciliation of free cash flow to
Net cash provided by operating activities.
(3) Net charge-offs and additional provision for loan losses are not a financial measure prepared in accordance with US GAAP. Net charge-offs include the
amount of principal and accrued interest on loans that are more than 60 days past due, or sooner if we receive notice that the loan will not be collected,
such as a bankruptcy notice or identified fraud, offset by any recoveries. Additional provision for loan losses is the amount of provision for loan losses
needed for a particular period to adjust the combined loan loss reserve to the appropriate level in accordance with our underlying loan loss reserve
methodology. See “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more
information and for a reconciliation to Provision for loan losses, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US
GAAP.
(4) Combined loans receivable is defined as loans owned by the Company and consolidated VIEs plus loans originated and owned by third-party lenders
pursuant to our CSO programs. See “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—Non-GAAP Financial
Measures” for more information and for a reconciliation of Combined loans receivable to Loans receivable, net, the most directly comparable financial
measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
(5) Combined loan loss reserve is defined as the loan loss reserve for loans owned by the Company and consolidated VIEs plus the loan loss reserve for
loans originated and owned by third-party lenders and guaranteed by the Company. See “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition
and results of operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and for a reconciliation of Combined loan loss reserve to loan loss
reserve, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
75
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our
consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis, including information with respect to
our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should
review the “Risk Factors” and "Note About Forward-Looking Statements" sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a
discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by
the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. We generally refer to loans, customers and
other information and data associated with each of Rise, Elastic, Sunny and Today Card as Elevate’s loans, customers,
information and data, irrespective of whether Elevate directly originates the credit to the customer or whether such credit is
originated by a third party.
OVERVIEW
We provide online credit solutions to consumers in the US and the UK who are not well-served by traditional bank products
and who are looking for better options than payday loans, title loans, pawn and storefront installment loans. Non-prime
consumers now represent a larger market than prime consumers but are risky to underwrite and serve with traditional
approaches. We’re succeeding at it - and doing it responsibly - with best-in-class advanced technology and proprietary risk
analytics honed by serving more than 2.4 million customers with $8.1 billion in credit. Our current online credit products, Rise,
Elastic and Sunny, and our recently test launched Today Card reflect our mission to provide customers with access to
competitively priced credit and services while helping them build a brighter financial future with credit building and financial
wellness features. We call this mission "Good Today, Better Tomorrow."
We earn revenues on the Rise and Sunny installment loans, on the Rise and Elastic lines of credit and on the Today Card credit
card product. Our revenue primarily consists of finance charges and line of credit fees. Finance charges are driven by our
average loan balances outstanding and by the average annual percentage rate (“APR”) associated with those outstanding loan
balances. We calculate our average loan balances by taking a simple daily average of the ending loan balances outstanding for
each period. Line of credit fees are recognized when they are assessed and recorded to revenue over the life of the loan. We
present certain key metrics and other information on a “combined” basis to reflect information related to loans originated by us
and by our bank partners that license our brands, Republic Bank, FinWise Bank and Capital Community Bank, as well as loans
originated by third-party lenders pursuant to CSO programs, which loans originated through CSO programs are not recorded on
our balance sheets in accordance with US GAAP. See “—Key Financial and Operating Metrics” and “—Non-GAAP Financial
Measures.”
We use our working capital, funds provided by third-party lenders pursuant to CSO programs and our credit facility with
Victory Park Management, LLC ("VPC” and the "VPC Facility") to fund the loans we make to our Rise and Sunny customers
and provide working capital. Since originally entering into the VPC Facility, it has been amended several times to increase the
maximum total borrowing amount available from the original amount of $250 million to approximately $500 million at
December 31, 2019. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt facilities.”
Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company also licenses its Rise installment loan brand to a third-party lender,
FinWise Bank, which originates Rise installment loans in 19 states. FinWise Bank initially provides all of the funding and
retains a percentage of the balances of all of the loans originated and sells the remaining loan participation in those Rise
installment loans to a third-party SPV, EF SPV, Ltd. ("EF SPV"). Prior to August 1, 2019, FinWise Bank retained 5% of the
balances and sold a 95% participation to EF SPV. On August 1, 2019, EF SPV purchased an additional 1% participation in the
outstanding portfolio with the participation percentage revised going forward to 96%. These loan participation purchases are
funded through a separate financing facility (the "EF SPV Facility"), effective February 1, 2019, and through cash flows from
operations generated by EF SPV. The EF SPV Facility has a maximum total borrowing amount available of $150 million. We
do not own EF SPV, but we have a credit default protection agreement with EF SPV whereby we provide credit protection to
the investors in EF SPV against Rise loan losses in return for a credit premium. Elevate is required to consolidate EF SPV as a
variable interest entity under GAAP and the consolidated financial statements include revenue, losses and loans receivable
related to the 96% of the Rise installment loans originated by FinWise Bank and sold to EF SPV.
76
The Elastic line of credit product is originated by a third-party lender, Republic Bank, which initially provides all of the
funding for that product. Republic Bank retains 10% of the balances of all loans originated and sells a 90% loan participation in
the Elastic lines of credit. An SPV structure was implemented such that the loan participations are sold by Republic Bank to
Elastic SPV, Ltd. (“Elastic SPV”) and Elastic SPV receives its funding from VPC in a separate financing facility (the “ESPV
Facility”), which was finalized on July 13, 2015. We do not own Elastic SPV but we have a credit default protection agreement
with Elastic SPV whereby we provide credit protection to the investors in Elastic SPV against Elastic loan losses in return for a
credit premium. Per the terms of this agreement, under US GAAP, the Company is the primary beneficiary of Elastic SPV and
is required to consolidate the financial results of Elastic SPV as a variable interest entity ("VIE") in its consolidated financial
results.
The ESPV Facility has also been amended several times and the original commitment amount of $50 million has grown to $350
million as of December 31, 2019. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt facilities.”
Our management assesses our financial performance and future strategic goals through key metrics based primarily on the
following three themes:
• Revenue growth. Key metrics related to revenue growth that we monitor by product include the ending and average
combined loan balances outstanding, the effective APR of our product loan portfolios, the total dollar value of loans
originated, the number of new customer loans made, the ending number of customer loans outstanding and the related
customer acquisition costs (“CAC”) associated with each new customer loan made. We include CAC as a key metric when
analyzing revenue growth (rather than as a key metric within margin expansion).
•
Stable credit quality. Since the time they were managing our legacy US products, our management team has maintained
stable credit quality across the loan portfolio they were managing. Additionally, in the periods covered in this
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, we have improved our credit
quality. The credit quality metrics we monitor include net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues, the combined loan loss
reserve as a percentage of outstanding combined loans, total provision for loan losses as a percentage of revenues and the
percentage of past due combined loans receivable – principal.
• Margin expansion. We expect that our operating margins will continue to expand over the near term as we lower our
direct marketing costs and efficiently manage our operating expenses while continuing to improve our credit quality. Over
the next several years, as we continue to scale our loan portfolio, we anticipate that our direct marketing costs primarily
associated with new customer acquisitions will decline to approximately 10% of revenues and our operating expenses will
decline to approximately 20% of revenues. We aim to manage our business to achieve a long-term operating margin of
20%, and do not expect our operating margin to increase beyond that level, as we intend to pass on any improvements over
our targeted margins to our customers in the form of lower APRs. We believe this is a critical component of our
responsible lending platform and over time will also help us continue to attract new customers and retain existing
customers.
KEY FINANCIAL AND OPERATING METRICS
As discussed above, we regularly monitor a number of metrics in order to measure our current performance and project our
future performance. These metrics aid us in developing and refining our growth strategies and in making strategic decisions.
Certain of our metrics are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe that such metrics are useful in period-to-period
comparisons of our core business. However, non-GAAP financial measures are not an alternative to any measure of financial
performance calculated and presented in accordance with US GAAP. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a
reconciliation of our non-GAAP measures to US GAAP.
77
Revenues
Revenue metrics (dollars in thousands, except as noted)
Revenues..................................................................................................
Period-over-period revenue increase/(decrease) .....................................
Ending combined loans receivable – principal(1) ...................................
Average combined loans receivable – principal(1)(2).............................
Total combined loans originated – principal ...........................................
Average customer loan balance (in dollars)(3)........................................
Number of new customer loans...............................................................
Ending number of combined loans outstanding ......................................
Customer acquisition costs (in dollars) ...................................................
Effective APR of combined loan portfolio ..............................................
_________
As of and for the years ended December 31,
2019
746,962
$
2018
786,682
$
2017
673,132
$
(5)%
640,779
609,596
1,386,768
1,711
247,706
374,484
207
122 %
$
17%
648,538
607,743
1,498,351
1,627
316,483
398,604
245
129%
$
16%
618,375
506,928
1,318,338
1,708
305,186
361,972
237
131%
$
(1) Combined loans receivable is defined as loans owned by the Company and consolidated VIEs plus loans originated and owned by third-party lenders
pursuant to our CSO programs. See “—Non-GAAP financial measures” for more information and for a reconciliation of combined loans receivable to
Loans receivable, net, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
(2) Average combined loans receivable – principal is calculated using an average of daily principal balances.
(3) Average customer loan balance is a weighted average of all three products and is calculated for each product by dividing the ending combined loans
receivable – principal by the number of loans outstanding at period end (excluding Today Card as balances are immaterial).
Revenues. Our revenues are composed of Rise finance charges, Rise CSO fees (which are fees we receive from customers
who obtain a loan through the CSO program for the credit services, including the loan guaranty, we provide), finance charges
on Sunny installment loans and revenues earned on the Rise and Elastic lines of credit. Finance charge and fee revenues from
the Today Card credit card product, which expanded its test launch in November 2018, were immaterial. See “—Components
of our Results of Operations—Revenues.”
Ending and average combined loans receivable – principal. We calculate the average combined loans receivable – principal
by taking a simple daily average of the ending combined loans receivable – principal for each period. Key metrics that drive the
ending and average combined loans receivable – principal include the amount of loans originated in a period and the average
customer loan balance. All loan balance metrics include only the 90% participation in the related Elastic line of credit advances
(we exclude the 10% held by Republic Bank) and the 96% participation in FinWise Bank originated Rise installment loans, but
include the full loan balances on CSO loans, which are not presented on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Total combined loans originated – principal. The amount of loans originated in a period is driven primarily by loans to new
customers as well as new loans to prior customers, including refinancings of existing loans to customers in good standing.
Average customer loan balance and effective APR of combined loan portfolio. The average loan amount and its related APR
are based on the product and the underlying credit quality of the customer. Generally, better credit quality customers are offered
higher loan amounts at lower APRs. Additionally, new customers have more potential risk of loss than prior or existing
customers due to lack of payment history and the potential for fraud. As a result, newer customers typically will have lower
loan amounts and higher APRs to compensate for that additional risk of loss. The effective APR is calculated based on the
actual amount of finance charges generated from a customer loan divided by the average outstanding balance for the loan and
can be lower than the stated APR on the loan due to waived finance charges and other reasons. For example, a Rise customer
may receive a $2,000 installment loan with a term of 24 months and a stated rate of 180%. In this example, the customer’s
monthly installment loan payment would be $310.86. As the customer can prepay the loan balance at any time with no
additional fees or early payment penalty, the customer pays the loan in full in month eight. The customer’s loan earns interest of
$2,337.81 over the eight-month period and has an average outstanding balance of $1,948.17. The effective APR for this loan is
180% over the eight-month period calculated as follows:
($2,337.81 interest earned / $1,948.17 average balance outstanding) x 12 months per year = 180%
8 months
78
In addition, as an example for Elastic, if a customer makes a $2,500 draw on the customer’s line of credit and this draw
required bi-weekly minimum payments of 5% (equivalent to 20 bi-weekly payments), and if all minimum payments are made,
the draw would earn finance charges of $1,148. The effective APR for the line of credit in this example is 109% over the
payment period and is calculated as follows:
($1,148.00 fees earned / $1,369.05 average balance outstanding) x 26 bi-weekly periods per year = 109%
20 payments
The actual total revenue we realize on a loan portfolio is also impacted by the amount of prepayments and charged-off
customer loans in the portfolio. For a single loan, on average, we typically expect to realize approximately 60% of the revenues
that we would otherwise realize if the loan were to fully amortize at the stated APR. From the Rise example above, if we
waived $400 of interest for this customer, the effective APR for this loan would decrease to 149%.
Number of new customer loans. We define a new customer loan as the first loan made to a customer for each of our products
(so a customer receiving a Rise installment loan and then at a later date taking their first cash advance on an Elastic line of
credit would be counted twice). The number of new customer loans is subject to seasonal fluctuations. New customer
acquisition is typically slowest during the first six months of each calendar year, primarily in the first quarter, compared to the
latter half of the year, as our existing and prospective US customers usually receive tax refunds during this period and, thus,
have less of a need for loans from us. Further, many US customers will use their tax refunds to prepay all or a portion of their
loan balance during this period, so our overall loan portfolio typically decreases during the first quarter of the calendar year.
Overall loan portfolio growth and the number of new customer loans tends to accelerate during the summer months (typically
June and July), at the beginning of the school year (typically late August to early September) and during the winter holidays
(typically late November to early December).
Customer acquisition costs. A key expense metric we monitor related to loan growth is our CAC. This metric is the amount of
direct marketing costs incurred during a period divided by the number of new customer loans originated during that same
period. New loans to former customers are not included in our calculation of CAC (except to the extent they receive a loan
through a different product) as we believe we incur no material direct marketing costs to make additional loans to a prior
customer through the same product.
The following tables summarize the changes in customer loans by product for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and
2017.
Beginning number of combined loans
outstanding
New customer loans originated
Former customer loans originated
Attrition
Ending number of combined loans
outstanding
Customer acquisition cost
Average customer loan balance
Beginning number of combined loans
outstanding
New customer loans originated
Former customer loans originated
Attrition
Ending number of combined loans
outstanding
Customer acquisition cost
Average customer loan balance
Rise (US)
Elastic (US)(1)
Total Domestic
Sunny (UK)
Total
Year ended December 31, 2019
142,758
108,813
80,624
(179,760)
166,397
50,912
62
(67,847)
309,155
159,725
80,686
(247,607)
89,449
87,981
—
(104,905)
398,604
247,706
80,686
(352,512)
152,435
149,524
301,959
72,525
374,484
248
2,297
$
$
226
1,719
$
$
241
2,011
$
$
145
464
$
$
207
1,711
Rise (US)
Elastic (US)(1)
Total Domestic
Sunny (UK)
Total
Year ended December 31, 2018
140,790
111,860
86,278
(196,170)
140,672
99,820
746
(74,841)
281,462
211,680
87,024
(271,011)
80,510
104,803
—
(95,864)
361,972
316,483
87,024
(366,875)
142,758
166,397
309,155
89,449
398,604
275
2,167
$
$
240
1,746
$
$
259
1,940
$
$
218
544
$
$
245
1,627
$
$
$
$
(1)
Includes immaterial balances related to the Today Card, which expanded its test launch in November 2018.
79
Beginning number of combined loans
outstanding
New customer loans originated
Former customer loans originated
Attrition
Ending number of combined loans
outstanding
Customer acquisition cost
Average customer loan balance
Rise (US)
Elastic (US)
Total Domestic
Sunny (UK)
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2017
121,996
116,030
71,109
(168,345)
89,153
110,145
—
(58,626)
211,149
226,175
71,109
(226,971)
78,044
79,011
—
(76,545)
289,193
305,186
71,109
(303,516)
140,790
140,672
281,462
80,510
361,972
$
$
281
2,276
$
$
182
1,784
$
$
233
2,030
$
$
249
584
$
$
237
1,708
Recent trends. Our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019 totaled $747.0 million, a decrease of 5% versus the prior
year period. This decrease in revenues primarily resulted from a decrease in our effective APR on the combined loans
receivable - principal balance as the APR declined to 122% during the year ended December 31, 2019 from 129% during the
comparable prior year period. This decrease in the average APR resulted primarily from our Rise product as the average APR
of a new Rise loan originated by a FinWise Bank customer is 130%, which is lower than our typical state-licensed Rise
customer but with a better credit profile. In addition, we have experienced slower new customer loan growth as we funded
247,706 new customer loans for the year ended December 31, 2019, a decrease of 22% from the prior year. As we disclosed in
our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we chose to moderate our new customer growth in 2019 as we deployed and refined
our new credit models during the second and third quarters of 2019.
Our CAC was significantly lower for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to prior year and was below the lower
end of our targeted range of $250 to $300. This decrease was attributable to all three products. The Rise and Elastic CAC
decreased due to more efficient marketing spend. The Sunny CAC also decreased for the year ended December 31, 2019 from
$218 to $145 due to more efficient marketing spend coupled with diminished competition in the UK market. We believe our
CAC in future quarters will remain within or below our target range of $250 to $300 as we continue to optimize the efficiency
of our marketing channels and benefit from continued less competition in the UK market.
Credit quality
Credit quality metrics (dollars in thousands)
Net charge-offs(1)................................................................................
Additional provision for loan losses(1) ...............................................
Provision for loan losses......................................................................
Past due combined loans receivable – principal as a percentage of
combined loans receivable – principal(2)............................................
Net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues(1)...................................
Total provision for loan losses as a percentage of revenues................
As of and for the years ended December 31,
2019
2018
2017
$
$
371,458
(7,217)
364,241
$
$
409,160
$
2,819
411,979
347,010
10,564
357,574
10%
50%
49%
11%
52%
52%
10%
52%
53%
Combined loan loss reserve(3) ............................................................
$
89,075
$
96,052
$
93,789
Combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of combined loans
receivable(3) ........................................................................................
13%
14%
14%
_________
(1) Net charge-offs and additional provision for loan losses are not financial measures prepared in accordance with US GAAP. Net charge-offs include the
amount of principal and accrued interest on loans that are more than 60 days past due, or sooner if we receive notice that the loan will not be collected,
such as a bankruptcy notice or identified fraud, offset by any recoveries. Additional provision for loan losses is the amount of provision for loan losses
needed for a particular period to adjust the combined loan loss reserve to the appropriate level in accordance with our underlying loan loss reserve
methodology. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and for a reconciliation to Provision for loan losses, the most directly
comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
(2) Combined loans receivable is defined as loans owned by the Company and consolidated VIEs plus loans originated and owned by third-party lenders.
See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and for a reconciliation of Combined loans receivable to Loans receivable, net, the most
directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
(3) Combined loan loss reserve is defined as the loan loss reserve for loans originated and owned by the Company and consolidated VIEs plus the loan loss
reserve for loans owned by third-party lenders and guaranteed by the Company. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and for a
reconciliation of Combined loan loss reserve to allowance for loan losses, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with
US GAAP.
80
Net principal charge-offs as a percentage of
average combined loans receivable - principal
(1) (2) (3)
2019
2018
2017
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
13%
13%
15%
11%
12%
14%
11%
13%
12%
12%
14%
13%
(1) Net principal charge-offs is comprised of gross principal charge-offs less recoveries.
(2) Average combined loans receivable - principal is calculated using an average of daily combined loans receivable - principal balances during each quarter.
(3) Combined loans receivable is defined as loans owned by the Company and consolidated VIEs plus loans originated and owned by third-party lenders
pursuant to our CSO programs. See "—Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for more information and for a reconciliation of combined loans receivable to
Loans receivable, net, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
In reviewing the credit quality of our loan portfolio, we break out our total provision for loan losses that is presented on our
statement of operations under US GAAP into two separate items—net charge-offs and additional provision for loan losses. Net
charge-offs are indicative of the credit quality of our underlying portfolio, while additional provision for loan losses is subject
to more fluctuation based on loan portfolio growth, recent credit quality trends and the effect of normal seasonality on our
business. The additional provision for loan losses is the amount needed to adjust the combined loan loss reserve to the
appropriate amount at the end of each month based on our loan loss reserve methodology.
Net charge-offs. Net charge-offs comprise gross charge-offs offset by recoveries on prior charge-offs. Gross charge-offs
include the amount of principal and accrued interest on loans that are more than 60 days past due, or sooner if we receive notice
that the loan will not be collected, such as a bankruptcy notice or identified fraud. Any payments received on loans that have
been charged off are recorded as recoveries and reduce total gross charge-offs. Recoveries are typically less than 10% of the
amount charged off, and thus, we do not view recoveries as a key credit quality metric.
Net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues can vary based on several factors, such as whether or not we experience significant
growth or lower the APR of our products. Additionally, although a more seasoned portfolio will typically result in lower net
charge-offs as a percentage of revenues, we do not intend to drive down this ratio significantly below our historical ratios and
would instead seek to offer our existing products to a broader new customer base to drive additional revenues.
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average combined loans receivable-principal allow us to determine credit quality and
evaluate loss experience trends across our loan portfolio.
Additional provision for loan losses. Additional provision for loan losses is the amount of provision for loan losses needed for
a particular period to adjust the combined loan loss reserve to the appropriate level in accordance with our underlying loan loss
reserve methodology.
Additional provision for loan losses relates to an increase in future inherent losses in the loan portfolio as determined by our
loan loss reserve methodology. This increase could be due to a combination of factors such as an increase in the size of the loan
portfolio or a worsening of credit quality or increase in past due loans. It is also possible for the additional provision for loan
losses for a period to be a negative amount, which would reduce the amount of the combined loan loss reserve needed (due to a
decrease in the loan portfolio or improvement in credit quality). The amount of additional provision for loan losses is seasonal
in nature, mirroring the seasonality of our new customer acquisition and overall loan portfolio growth, as discussed above. The
combined loan loss reserve typically decreases during the first quarter or first half of the calendar year due to a decrease in the
loan portfolio from year end. Then, as the rate of growth for the loan portfolio starts to increase during the second half of the
year, additional provision for loan losses is typically needed to increase the reserve for future losses associated with the loan
growth. Because of this, our provision for loan losses can vary significantly throughout the year without a significant change in
the credit quality of our portfolio.
81
The following provides an example of the application of our loan loss reserve methodology and the break out of the provision
for loan losses between the portion associated with replenishing the reserve due to net charge-offs and the amount related to the
additional provision for loan losses. If the beginning combined loan loss reserve were $25 million, and we incurred $10 million
of net charge-offs during the period and the ending combined loan loss reserve needed to be $30 million according to our loan
loss reserve methodology, our total provision for loan losses would be $15 million, comprising $10 million in net charge-offs
(provision needed to replenish the combined loan loss reserve) plus $5 million of additional provision related to an increase in
future inherent losses in the loan portfolio identified by our loan loss reserve methodology.
Example (dollars in thousands)
Beginning combined loan loss reserve
Less: Net charge-offs
Provision for loan losses:
Provision for net charge-offs
Additional provision for loan losses
Total provision for loan losses
Ending combined loan loss reserve balance
$
$
10,000
5,000
25,000
(10,000)
15,000
30,000
Loan loss reserve methodology. Our loan loss reserve methodology is calculated separately for each product and, in the case
of Rise loans originated under the state lending model (including CSO program loans), is calculated separately based on the
state in which each customer resides to account for varying state license requirements that affect the amount of the loan offered,
repayment terms and other factors. For each product, loss factors are calculated based on the delinquency status of customer
loan balances: current, 1 to 30 days past due or 31 to 60 days past due. These loss factors for loans in each delinquency status
are based on average historical loss rates by product (or state) associated with each of these three delinquency categories.
Hence, another key credit quality metric we monitor is the percentage of past due combined loans receivable – principal, as an
increase in past due loans will cause an increase in our combined loan loss reserve and related additional provision for loan
losses to increase the reserve. For customers that are not past due, we further stratify these loans into loss rates by payment
number, as a new customer that is about to make a first loan payment has a significantly higher risk of loss than a customer who
has successfully made ten payments on an existing loan with us. Based on this methodology, during the past three years we
have seen our combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of combined loans receivable fluctuate between approximately 13%
and 17% depending on the overall mix of new, former and past due customer loans.
Recent trends. Total loan loss provision for the year ended December 31, 2019 was 49% of revenues, which was within our
targeted range of 45% to 55%, and lower than the 52% in the prior year period. For the year ended December 31, 2019, net
charge-offs as a percentage of revenues totaled 50%, compared to 52% in the prior year period. We expect total loan loss
provision as a percentage of revenues to continue to remain within our targeted range due to ongoing maturation of the loan
portfolio and continued improvements in our underwriting models and processes.
The combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of combined loans receivable totaled 13% and 14% as of December 31, 2019
and December 31, 2018, respectively, reflecting improvements in our credit quality in each product portfolio. Past due loan
balances at December 31, 2019 were 10% of total combined loans receivable - principal, down from 11% from a year ago.
Additionally, we also look at principal loan charge-offs (including both credit and fraud losses) by vintage as a percentage of
combined loans originated - principal. As the below table shows, our cumulative principal loan charge-offs through
December 31, 2019 for each annual vintage since the 2013 vintage are generally under 30% and continue to generally trend at
or slightly below our 25% to 30% targeted range. In the beginning of 2019, we implemented new fraud tools that have helped
lower fraud losses. Additionally, we rolled out our next generation of credit models during the second quarter of 2019 and
continued refining the models during the third quarter of 2019. The preliminary data on the 2019 vintage is that it is performing
better than both 2017 and 2018 vintages.
82
Cumulative loss rates by loan vintage1
2014
2013
2015
2016
2018
2017
YTD DEC 2018
YTD DEC 2019
35.0%
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0%
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Months since origination
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
YTD DEC 2019
YTD DEC 2018
1. The 2019 vintage is not yet fully mature from a loss perspective.
83
Margins
Margin metrics (dollars in thousands)
Revenues...............................................................................................
Net charge-offs(1).................................................................................
Additional provision for loan losses(1) ................................................
Direct marketing costs ..........................................................................
Other cost of sales.................................................................................
Gross profit ...........................................................................................
Operating expenses...............................................................................
Operating income..................................................................................
As a percentage of revenues:
Net charge-offs .....................................................................................
Additional provision for loan losses .....................................................
Direct marketing costs ..........................................................................
Other cost of sales.................................................................................
Gross margin.........................................................................................
Operating expenses...............................................................................
Operating margin ..................................................................................
_________
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2019
2018
2017
$
$
746,962
(371,458)
7,217
(51,283)
(28,846)
302,592
(191,169)
111,423
$
$
786,682
(409,160)
(2,819)
(77,605)
(26,359)
270,739
(175,865)
94,874
$
$
673,132
(347,010)
(10,564)
(72,222)
(20,536)
222,800
(151,937)
70,863
50%
(1)
7
4
41
26
15%
52%
—
10
3
34
22
12%
52%
2
11
3
33
23
11%
(1) Non-GAAP measure. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Net charge-offs and additional provision for loan losses.”
Gross margin is calculated as revenues minus cost of sales, or gross profit, expressed as a percentage of revenues, and operating
margin is calculated as operating income expressed as a percentage of revenues. We expect our margins to continue to increase
as we continue to scale our business while maintaining stable credit quality. We allocate all marketing spend only to new
customer loans. As our loan portfolio continues to mature with more customer loans that are from repeat customers, we will be
generating revenue from those repeat customer loans without incurring any related marketing expense. As a result, we expect
marketing expense as a percentage of revenue to continue to decline over time resulting in an increased gross profit margin.
Additionally, being an online fintech company, we believe that as we continue to scale our business, we will generate operating
efficiencies and our operating expense as a percentage of revenues will decline resulting in an increased operating margin.
Recent operating margin trends. For the year ended December 31, 2019, our operating margin was 15%, which was an
improvement from 12% in the prior year period. This increase was largely due to a higher gross margin driven by lower direct
marketing costs and an overall lower loan loss provision due to improved credit quality in the loan portfolio.
Direct marketing costs for the year ended December 31, 2019 decreased to 7% of revenue from 10% in the prior year period.
This decrease is due to the measured new customer growth we targeted as we focused on deploying our new credit models
during the second quarter of 2019 and refining our credit models during the third quarter of 2019. The lower marketing spend,
coupled with improved marketing efficiencies, resulted in a CAC of $207 for the year ended December 31, 2019, which is
below the low end of our targeted range of $250 to $300 and lower than the CAC of $245 for the prior year. We expect CAC to
continue to be within or below our targeted range of $250 to $300 as we continue to optimize the efficiency of our marketing
channels for our Rise and Elastic products, and benefit from decreased competition in the UK, although we may see some
quarterly volatility in CAC.
84
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We believe that the inclusion of the following non-GAAP financial measures in this Annual Report on Form 10-K can provide
a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our core business, provide transparency and useful information to
investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results, and enable investors to better compare our operating
performance with the operating performance of our competitors. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures
frequently in its decision-making because they provide supplemental information that facilitates internal comparisons to the
historical operating performance of prior periods and give an additional indication of the Company’s core operating
performance. However, non-GAAP financial measures are not a measure calculated in accordance with US generally accepted
accounting principles, or US GAAP, and should not be considered an alternative to any measures of financial performance
calculated and presented in accordance with US GAAP. Other companies may calculate these non-GAAP financial measures
differently than we do.
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Adjusted EBITDA represents our net income (loss), adjusted to exclude:
• Net interest expense primarily associated with notes payable under the VPC Facility, EF SPV Facility and ESPV Facility
used to fund the loan portfolios;
Share-based compensation;
Foreign currency gains and losses associated with our UK operations;
•
•
• Depreciation and amortization expense on fixed assets and intangible assets;
• Gains and losses from fair value adjustments or dispositions included in non-operating income (loss); and
•
Income taxes.
Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue.
Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are useful supplemental measures to assist
management and investors in analyzing the operating performance of the business and provide greater transparency into the
results of operations of our core business.
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin should not be considered as alternatives to net income (loss) or any other
performance measure derived in accordance with US GAAP. Our use of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin has
limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as
reported under US GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
• Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be
replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect expected cash capital expenditure requirements for such
replacements or for new capital assets;
• Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; and
• Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect interest associated with notes payable used for funding the loan portfolios, for other
corporate purposes or tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us.
85
The following table presents a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin for each
of the periods indicated:
(Dollars in thousands)
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2019
2018
2017
Net income (loss)......................................................................
$
32,183
$
12,509
$
(6,916)
Adjustments:
Net interest expense..................................................................
Share-based compensation........................................................
Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss...................................
Depreciation and amortization..................................................
Non-operating (income) loss ....................................................
Income tax expense...................................................................
Adjusted EBITDA ....................................................................
$
66,646
9,940
(334)
17,380
681
12,247
138,743
$
79,198
8,233
1,409
12,988
350
1,408
116,095
$
73,043
6,318
(2,900)
10,272
(2,295)
9,931
87,453
Adjusted EBITDA margin ........................................................
19%
15%
13%
Free cash flow
Free cash flow (“FCF”) represents our net cash provided by operating activities, adjusted to include:
• Net charge-offs – combined principal loans; and
• Capital expenditures.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to FCF for each of the periods
indicated:
(Dollars in thousands)
2019
2018
2017
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
Net cash provided by operating
activities(1).............................................
Adjustments:
Net charge-offs – combined principal
loans .......................................................
Capital expenditures ...............................
FCF.........................................................
$
$
_________
370,344
$
362,276
$
308,688
(287,188)
(24,690)
58,466
$
(319,326)
(27,490)
15,460
$
(275,192)
(16,755)
16,741
(1) Net cash provided by operating activities includes net charge-offs – combined finance charges.
Net charge-offs and additional provision for loan losses
We break out our total provision for loan losses into two separate items—first, the amount related to net charge-offs, and
second, the additional provision for loan losses needed to adjust the combined loan loss reserve to the appropriate amount at the
end of each month based on our loan loss provision methodology. We believe this presentation provides more detail related to
the components of our total provision for loan losses when analyzing the gross margin of our business.
Net charge-offs. Net charge-offs comprise gross charge-offs offset by recoveries on prior charge-offs. Gross charge-offs
include the amount of principal and accrued interest on loans that are more than 60 days past due, or sooner if we receive notice
that the loan will not be collected, such as a bankruptcy notice or identified fraud. Any payments received on loans that have
been charged off are recorded as recoveries and reduce total gross charge-offs.
86
Additional provision for loan losses. Additional provision for loan losses is the amount of provision for loan losses needed for
a particular period to adjust the combined loan loss reserve to the appropriate level in accordance with our underlying loan loss
reserve methodology.
(Dollars in thousands)
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2019
2018
2017
Net charge-offs.............................................................
Additional provision for loan losses ............................
Provision for loan losses ..............................................
$
$
371,458
(7,217)
364,241
$
$
409,160
2,819
411,979
$
$
347,010
10,564
357,574
Combined loan information
The Elastic line of credit product is originated by a third-party lender, Republic Bank, which initially provides all of the
funding for that product. Republic Bank retains 10% of the balances of all of the loans originated and sells a 90% loan
participation in the Elastic lines of credit to a third-party SPV, Elastic SPV, Ltd. Elevate is required to consolidate Elastic SPV,
Ltd. as a variable interest entity under US GAAP and the consolidated financial statements include revenue, losses and loans
receivable related to the 90% of Elastic lines of credit originated by Republic Bank and sold to Elastic SPV.
Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company also licenses its Rise installment loan brand to a third-party lender,
FinWise Bank, which originates Rise installment loans in 19 states. Prior to August 1, 2019, FinWise Bank retained 5% of the
balances of all originated loans and sold a 95% loan participation in those Rise installment loans to a third-party SPV, EF SPV.
On August 1, 2019, EF SPV purchased an additional 1% participation in the outstanding portfolio with the participation
percentage revised going forward to 96%. Elevate is required to consolidate EF SPV as a VIE under US GAAP and the
consolidated financial statements include revenue, losses and loans receivable related to the 96% of Rise installment loans
originated by FinWise Bank and sold to EF SPV.
The information presented in the tables below on a combined basis are non-GAAP measures based on a combined portfolio of
loans, which includes the total amount of outstanding loans receivable that we own and that are on our balance sheets plus
outstanding loans receivable originated and owned by third parties that we guarantee pursuant to CSO programs in which we
participate. See “—Basis of Presentation and Critical Accounting Policies—Allowance and liability for estimated losses on
consumer loans” and “—Basis of Presentation and Critical Accounting Policies—Liability for estimated losses on credit service
organization loans.”
We believe these non-GAAP measures provide investors with important information needed to evaluate the magnitude of
potential loan losses and the opportunity for revenue performance of the combined loan portfolio on an aggregate basis. We
also believe that the comparison of the combined amounts from period to period is more meaningful than comparing only the
amounts reflected on our balance sheets since both revenues and cost of sales as reflected in our financial statements are
impacted by the aggregate amount of loans we own and those CSO loans we guarantee.
Our use of total combined loans and fees receivable has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in
isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under US GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
• Rise CSO loans are originated and owned by a third-party lender and
• Rise CSO loans are funded by a third-party lender and are not part of the VPC Facility.
As of each of the period ends indicated, the following table presents a reconciliation of:
• Loans receivable, net, Company owned (which reconciles to our Consolidated Balance Sheets included elsewhere in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K);
• Loans receivable, net, guaranteed by the Company (as disclosed in Note 3 of our consolidated financial statements
included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K);
• Combined loans receivable (which we use as a non-GAAP measure); and
• Combined loan loss reserve (which we use as a non-GAAP measure).
87
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COMPONENTS OF OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Revenues
Our revenues are composed of Rise finance charges and CSO fees (inclusive of finance charges attributable to the participation
in Rise installment loans originated by FinWise Bank), finance charges on Sunny installment loans, cash advance fees
attributable to the participation in Elastic lines of credit that we consolidate and marketing and licensing fees received from
third-party lenders related to the Rise, Rise CSO and Elastic products. See “—Overview” above for further information on the
structure of Elastic. Finance charge and fee revenues related to the test launch of the Today Card credit card product were
immaterial.
Cost of sales
Provision for loan losses. Provision for loan losses consists of amounts charged against income during the period related to
net charge-offs and the additional provision for loan losses needed to adjust the loan loss reserve to the appropriate amount at
the end of each month based on our loan loss methodology.
Direct marketing costs. Direct marketing costs consist of online marketing costs such as sponsored search and advertising on
social networking sites, and other marketing costs such as purchased television and radio air time and direct mail print
advertising. In addition, direct marketing cost includes affiliate costs paid to marketers in exchange for referrals of potential
customers. All direct marketing costs are expensed as incurred.
Other cost of sales. Other cost of sales includes data verification costs associated with the underwriting of potential
customers, automated clearing house (“ACH”) transaction costs associated with customer loan funding and payments, and
settlement expense associated with UK affordability claims.
Operating expenses
Operating expenses consist of compensation and benefits, professional services, selling and marketing, occupancy and
equipment, depreciation and amortization as well as other miscellaneous expenses.
Compensation and benefits. Salaries and personnel-related costs, including benefits, bonuses and share-based compensation
expense, comprise a majority of our operating expenses and these costs are driven by our number of employees.
Professional services. These operating expenses include costs associated with legal, accounting and auditing, recruiting and
outsourced customer support and collections.
Selling and marketing. Selling and marketing costs include costs associated with the use of agencies that perform creative
services and monitor and measure the performance of the various marketing channels. Selling and marketing costs also include
the production costs associated with media advertisements that are expensed as incurred over the licensing or production
period. These expenses do not include direct marketing costs incurred to acquire customers, which comprises CAC.
Occupancy and equipment. Occupancy and equipment includes rent expense on our leased facilities, as well as telephony and
web hosting expenses.
Depreciation and amortization. We capitalize all acquisitions of property and equipment of $500 or greater as well as certain
software development costs. Costs incurred in the preliminary stages of software development are expensed. Costs incurred
thereafter, including external direct costs of materials and services as well as payroll and payroll-related costs, are capitalized.
Post-development costs are expensed. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives
of the depreciable assets.
90
Other income (expense)
Net interest expense. Net interest expense primarily includes the interest expense associated with the VPC Facility that funds
the Rise and Sunny installment loans, the interest expense associated with the EF SPV Facility that funds Rise installment loans
originated by FinWise Bank and the interest expense associated with the ESPV Facility related to the Elastic lines of credit and
related Elastic SPV entity. For the year ended December 31, 2019, net interest expense included amortization on the ESPV
amendment fee and the prepayment penalty associated with the early repayment of a portion of the 4th Tranche Note. For the
year ended December 31, 2018, amortization of the costs of and realized gains from the interest rate caps on the VPC and
ESPV Facility are included within net interest expense. For the year ended December 31, 2017, net interest expense also
included amortization of the debt discount for the Convertible Term Notes.
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss). We incur foreign currency transaction gains and losses related to activities
associated with our UK entity, Elevate Credit International, Ltd., primarily with regard to the VPC Facility used to fund Sunny
installment loans.
Non-operating income (loss). Non-operating income primarily includes gains and losses on adjustments to the fair value of
derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges and losses from dispositions of capitalized software and other property and
equipment.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2019 and 2018 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2019 and 2018.
Discussions of 2017 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2018 and 2017 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be
found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations data for each of the periods indicated:
Consolidated statements of operations data (dollars in thousands)
2019
2018
2017
Years ended December 31,
Revenues.........................................................................................................
Cost of sales:...................................................................................................
Provision for loan losses..........................................................................
Direct marketing costs.............................................................................
Other cost of sales ...................................................................................
Total cost of sales............................................................................................
Gross profit .....................................................................................................
Operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits......................................................................
Professional services ...............................................................................
Selling and marketing..............................................................................
Occupancy and equipment ......................................................................
Depreciation and amortization ................................................................
Other ........................................................................................................
Total operating expenses.................................................................................
Operating income............................................................................................
Other income (expense):
Net interest expense.................................................................................
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss) .................................................
Non-operating income (loss) ...................................................................
Total other expense.........................................................................................
Income before taxes........................................................................................
Income tax expense.........................................................................................
Net income (loss)............................................................................................
$
91
$
746,962
$
786,682
$
673,132
364,241
51,283
28,846
444,370
302,592
103,070
36,715
7,381
20,712
17,380
5,911
191,169
111,423
411,979
77,605
26,359
515,943
270,739
94,382
35,864
9,435
17,547
12,988
5,649
175,865
94,874
(66,646)
334
(681)
(66,993)
44,430
12,247
32,183
$
(79,198)
(1,409)
(350)
(80,957)
13,917
1,408
12,509
$
357,574
72,222
20,536
450,332
222,800
81,969
32,848
8,353
13,895
10,272
4,600
151,937
70,863
(73,043)
2,900
2,295
(67,848)
3,015
9,931
(6,916)
As a percentage of revenues
Cost of sales:
Provision for loan losses..........................................................................
Direct marketing costs.............................................................................
Other cost of sales ...................................................................................
Total cost of sales............................................................................................
Gross profit .....................................................................................................
Operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits......................................................................
Professional services ...............................................................................
Selling and marketing..............................................................................
Occupancy and equipment ......................................................................
Depreciation and amortization ................................................................
Other ........................................................................................................
Total operating expenses.................................................................................
Operating income............................................................................................
Other income (expense):
Net interest expense.................................................................................
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss) .................................................
Non-operating income (loss) ...................................................................
Total other expense.........................................................................................
Income before taxes........................................................................................
Income tax expense.........................................................................................
Net income (loss)............................................................................................
Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
Revenues
Years ended December 31,
2019
2018
2017
49%
7
4
59
41
14
5
1
3
2
1
26
15
(9)
—
—
(9)
6
2
4%
52%
10
3
66
34
12
5
1
2
2
1
22
12
(10)
—
—
(10)
2
—
2%
53 %
11
3
67
33
12
5
1
2
2
1
23
11
(11)
—
—
(10)
—
1
(1)%
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
Percentage of
revenues
Amount
Percentage of
revenues
Amount
Percentage
Years ended December 31,
2019
2018
Period-to-period change
Finance charges ....................
Other.....................................
Revenues ..............................
$
$
744,690
2,272
746,962
100% $
—
100% $
782,473
4,209
786,682
99% $
1
100% $
(37,783)
(1,937)
(39,720)
(5)%
(46)
(5)%
Revenues decreased by $39.7 million, or 5%, from $786.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $747.0 million for
the year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease in revenue was primarily due to a decline in the effective APR of the
combined loans receivable, partially offset by an increase in our average combined loans receivable - principal balance, as
illustrated in the tables below. The decrease in Other revenues is due to a decrease in marketing and licensing fees related to the
Rise CSO programs as our CSO partners stopped originating Rise CSO loans in Ohio in April 2019 due to a state law change.
92
The tables below break out this change in revenue (including CSO fees and cash advance fees) by product:
Year ended December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
Rise (US)(1)
Elastic (US)(2)
Total Domestic
Sunny (UK)
Total
Average combined loans receivable –
principal(3) .................................................
Effective APR.............................................
Finance charges ..........................................
Other...........................................................
Total revenue ..............................................
(Dollars in thousands)
Average combined loans receivable –
principal(3) .................................................
Effective APR.............................................
Finance charges ..........................................
Other...........................................................
Total revenue ..............................................
_________
$
$
$
$
$
$
306,785
127%
389,372
982
390,354
$
$
$
254,549
97%
247,397
1,121
248,518
$
$
$
561,334
113%
636,769
2,103
638,872
$
$
$
48,262
224%
107,921
169
108,090
$
$
$
609,596
122%
744,690
2,272
746,962
Year ended December 31, 2018
Rise (US)(1)
Elastic (US)(2)
Total Domestic
Sunny (UK)
Total
293,413
138%
405,224
2,187
407,411
$
$
$
262,537
97%
254,561
1,745
256,306
$
$
$
555,950
119%
659,785
3,932
663,717
$
$
$
51,793
237%
122,688
277
122,965
$
$
$
607,743
129%
782,473
4,209
786,682
Includes loans originated by third-party lenders through the CSO programs, which are not included in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Includes immaterial balances related to the Today Card, which expanded its test launch in November 2018.
(1)
(2)
(3) Average combined loans receivable – principal is calculated using daily combined loans receivable - principal balances. Combined loans receivable is
defined as loans owned by the Company and consolidated VIEs plus loans originated and owned by third-party lenders pursuant to our CSO programs.
See "—Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for more information and for a reconciliation of combined loans receivable to Loans receivable, net, the most
directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
Our average APR declined from 129% for the year ended December 31, 2018 to 122% for the year ended December 31, 2019.
This resulted in a $42.5 million decrease in finance charges on a year-over-year basis, primarily in our Rise product. The
average APR of a new Rise loan originated for a FinWise Bank customer is 130%, which is lower than our typical state-
licensed Rise customer but with a better credit profile. While this has impacted top-line revenue growth, the related decrease in
net charge-offs due to the better customer credit profile has resulted in an increase in gross profits.
Cost of sales
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
Percentage of
revenues
Amount
Percentage of
revenues
Amount
Percentage
Years ended December 31,
2019
2018
Period-to-period
change
Cost of sales:
Provision for loan losses ..
Direct marketing costs .....
Other cost of sales............
Total cost of sales ....................
$
$
364,241
51,283
28,846
444,370
49% $
7
4
59% $
411,979
77,605
26,359
515,943
52% $
10
3
66% $
(47,738)
(26,322)
2,487
(71,573)
(12)%
(34)
9
(14)%
93
Provision for loan losses. Provision for loan losses decreased by $47.7 million, or 12%, from $412.0 million for the year
ended December 31, 2018 to $364.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily due to a $37.7 million decrease in
net charge-offs and a decrease of $10.0 million in the additional provision for loan losses resulting from improved credit
quality.
The tables below break out these changes by loan product:
(Dollars in thousands)
Rise (US)
Elastic (US)
(1)
Total
Domestic
Sunny (UK)
Total
Year ended December 31, 2019
Combined loan loss reserve(2):
Beginning balance ..................................... $
Net charge-offs ..........................................
Provision for loan losses............................
Effect of foreign currency..........................
Ending balance .......................................... $
Combined loans receivable(2)(3) ..................... $
Combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of
ending combined loans receivable....................
Net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues ....
Provision for loan losses as a percentage of
revenues ............................................................
50,597
$
(205,577)
207,079
—
36,050
(124,740)
118,583
—
52,099
373,676
$
$
29,893
267,903
$
$
$
86,647
(330,317)
325,662
—
81,992
641,579
$
$
$
9,405
(41,141)
38,579
240
7,083
38,686
$
$
$
96,052
(371,458)
364,241
240
89,075
680,265
14%
53%
53%
11%
50%
48%
13%
52%
51%
18%
38%
36%
13%
50%
49%
(Dollars in thousands)
Rise (US)
Elastic (US)
(1)
Total
Domestic
Sunny (UK)
Total
Year ended December 31, 2018
Combined loan loss reserve(2):
$
Beginning balance .....................................
Net charge-offs ..........................................
Provision for loan losses............................
Effect of foreign currency..........................
$
Ending balance ..........................................
Combined loans receivable(2)(3) ..................... $
Combined loan loss reserve as a percentage of
ending combined loans receivable....................
Net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues ....
Provision for loan losses as a percentage of
revenues ............................................................
_________
55,867
(228,569)
223,299
—
50,597
333,001
$
$
$
28,870
(131,719)
138,899
—
36,050
303,418
$
$
$
84,737
(360,288)
362,198
—
86,647
636,419
$
$
$
9,052
(48,872)
49,781
(556)
9,405
56,709
$
$
$
93,789
(409,160)
411,979
(556)
96,052
693,128
15%
56%
55%
12%
51%
54%
14%
54%
55%
17%
40%
40%
14%
52%
52%
Includes immaterial balances related to the Today Card, which expanded its test launch in November 2018.
(1)
(2) Not a financial measure prepared in accordance with US GAAP. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and for a reconciliation
to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP.
Includes loans originated by third-party lenders through the CSO programs, which are not included in our financial statements.
(3)
Net charge-offs decreased $37.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended December 31,
2018, due to improved credit quality, with the primary decrease attributed to the Rise product and in particular the FinWise
Bank customer, which has a better credit profile than the state-licensed Rise customer. Net charge-offs as a percentage of
revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019 was 50%, a decrease from 52% for the comparable period in 2018. Provision
for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2019 totaled 49% of revenues, lower than 52% for the year ended
December 31, 2018.
94
Direct marketing costs. Direct marketing costs decreased by $26.3 million, or 34%, from $77.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 2018 to $51.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was due to slower new customer
growth as we focused on deploying our new credit models during 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the number of
new customers acquired decreased to 247,706 compared to 316,483 during the year ended December 31, 2018. For the years
ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, our CAC was $207 and $245, respectively. We expect our CAC to continue to be lower
than, or within, our targeted range of $250 to $300 as we continue to optimize the efficiency of our marketing channels for our
Rise and Elastic products and benefit from decreased competition in the UK, although we may see some quarterly volatility in
CAC.
Other cost of sales. Other cost of sales increased by $2.5 million, or 9%, from $26.4 million for the year ended December 31,
2018 to $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 due to increased affordability claim settlement expense related to
the Sunny UK product, partially offset by decreased data verification costs incurred from the lower new customer loan volume
across all products.
Operating expenses
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
Percentage of
revenues
Amount
Percentage of
revenues
Amount
Percentage
Years ended December 31,
2019
2018
Period-to-period
change
Operating expenses:
Compensation and
benefits..............................
$
Professional services.........
Selling and marketing .......
Occupancy and equipment
Depreciation and
amortization ......................
Other .................................
Total operating expenses..........
$
103,070
36,715
7,381
20,712
17,380
5,911
191,169
14% $
5
1
3
2
1
26% $
94,382
35,864
9,435
17,547
12,988
5,649
175,865
12% $
5
1
2
2
1
22% $
8,688
851
(2,054)
3,165
4,392
262
15,304
9%
2
(22)
18
34
5
9%
Compensation and benefits. Compensation and benefits increased by $8.7 million, or 9%, from $94.4 million for the year
ended December 31, 2018 to $103.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily due to an increase in the number
of employees and severance payments related to the resignation of our CEO in July 2019.
Professional services. Professional services increased by $0.9 million, or 2%, from $35.9 million for the year ended
December 31, 2018 to $36.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily due to increased legal expenses related to
various regulatory matters and outsourced servicing expense, partially offset by decreased contractor and consulting expenses.
Selling and marketing. Selling and marketing decreased by $2.1 million, or 22%, from $9.4 million for the year ended
December 31, 2018 to $7.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily due to decreased marketing agency fees.
Occupancy and equipment. Occupancy and equipment increased by $3.2 million, or 18%, from $17.5 million for the year
ended December 31, 2018 to $20.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily due to increased web hosting
expense, increased software licenses, and increased rent expense needed to support a greater number of employees.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased by $4.4 million, or 34%, from $13.0 million for the
year ended December 31, 2018 to $17.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily due to increased purchases of
property and equipment, including depreciation on internally developed software.
95
Net interest expense
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
Percentage of
revenues
Amount
Percentage of
revenues
Amount
Percentage
Years ended December 31,
2019
2018
Period-to-period
change
Net interest expense..................
$
66,646
9% $
79,198
10% $
(12,552)
(16)%
Net interest expense decreased $12.6 million, or 16%, during the year ended December 31, 2019 versus the year ended
December 31, 2018. Our average effective cost of funds on our notes payable outstanding decreased to 12.1% from 14.8% on
an unadjusted basis for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. This lower cost of funds led to a decrease in interest
expense of $14.3 million, which was partially offset by additional interest expense of approximately $1.8 million due to a
higher average debt balance in 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we had an average balance of $534.9 million in
notes payable outstanding under our debt facilities, which increased to $549.4 million on average for fiscal year 2019. In
addition, we incurred an $850 thousand prepayment penalty during the second quarter of 2019 for the early repayment on the
4th Tranche Term Note that is included in net interest expense.
The following table shows the effective cost of funds of each debt facility for the period:
(Dollars in thousands)
VPC Facility
Years ended December 31,
2019
2018
Average facility balance during the period ........................................................
Net interest expense ...........................................................................................
Less: prepayment penalty associated with the early repayment on the 4th
Tranche Term Note...................................................................................
Net interest expense, as adjusted...................................................................
Effective cost of funds .......................................................................................
Effective cost of funds, as adjusted....................................................................
EF SPV Facility
Average facility balance during the period ........................................................
Net interest expense ...........................................................................................
Cost of funds ......................................................................................................
ESPV Facility
Average facility balance during the period ........................................................
Net interest expense ...........................................................................................
Cost of funds ......................................................................................................
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
251.875
29,335
(850)
28,485
11.7%
11.3%
70.518
7,350
10.4%
227,044
29,961
13.2%
311.505
45,381
—
45,381
14.6%
14.6%
—
—
—%
223,370
33,817
15.1%
In January 2018, the Company entered into interest rate caps, which cap 3-month LIBOR at 1.75%, to mitigate the floating
interest rate risk on $240 million of the US Term Notes included in the VPC Facility and on $216 million of the ESPV Facility.
The interest rate caps matured on February 1, 2019. Additionally, effective February 1, 2019, the VPC Facility and ESPV
Facility were amended and a third new facility, the EF SPV Facility, was also created. The amended facilities included
reductions to the interest rates paid on our debt in addition to other changes. The reduction in interest rates was effective
February 1, 2019 for the VPC Facility and the EF SPV Facility. The reduction in interest rates for the ESPV Facility was
effective July 1, 2019. All existing debt outstanding under these facilities (excluding the 4th Tranche Term Note of $18.1 million
under the VPC Facility) had an effective cost of funds of approximately 10.3% at December 31, 2019. Per the terms of the
February 1, 2019 amendments, the Company qualifies for a 25 bps rate reduction on all three facilities effective January 1,
2020. This reduction does not apply to the 4th Tranche Term Note. See "-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Debt facilities" for
more information.
96
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we realized a $0.3 million gain in foreign currency remeasurement primarily related
to a portion of the debt facility that our UK entity, Elevate Credit International, Ltd., has with a third-party lender, VPC, which
is denominated in US dollars. The foreign currency remeasurement loss for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $1.4
million.
Non-operating income (expense)
During the year ended December 31, 2018, we recognized $0.4 million in non-operating expenses related to certain
impairments and losses on disposals of fixed assets. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recognized $0.7 million in
non-operating losses related to the write-off of an internally developed software project.
Income tax expense
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
Percentage of
revenues
Amount
Percentage of
revenues
Amount
Percentage
Years ended December 31,
2019
2018
Period-to-period
change
Income tax expense................. $
12,247
2% $
1,408
—% $
10,839
770%
Our income tax expense increased $10.8 million, or 770%, from $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $12.2
million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Our consolidated effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2019 and
2018 were 27.6% and 10.1%, respectively. Our effective tax rates are different from the standard corporate federal income tax
rate of 21% in the US primarily due to our permanent non-deductible items, corporate state tax obligations in the states where
we have lending activities, and the impact of the GILTI provision of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in 2017. The Company's
US cash effective tax rate was approximately 2% for 2019. Our UK operations have a full valuation allowance provided due to
the lack of sufficient objective evidence regarding the realizability of this asset due to the regulatory uncertainty in the UK.
Therefore, no UK tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Net income
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
Percentage of
revenues
Amount
Percentage of
revenues
Amount
Percentage
Years ended December 31,
2019
2018
Period-to-period
change
Net income..........................
$
32,183
4% $
12,509
2% $
19,674
(157)%
Our net income increased $19.7 million, or 157%, from $12.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $32.2 million
for the year ended December 31, 2019, due to improved gross profit and lower interest expense offset by higher income tax
expense.
97
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We principally rely on our working capital, funds from third-party lenders under the CSO programs, and our credit facility with
VPC to fund the loans we make to our customers.
On July 25, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program providing for the repurchase of up
to $10 million of our common stock through July 31, 2024. In January 2020, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a
$20 million increase to the Company's existing common stock repurchase program providing for the repurchase of up to $30
million of the Company's common stock through July 31, 2024. The prior authorization totaled $5 million for both fiscal years
2019 and 2020. The Company purchased $3.3 million of common shares under its $5 million authorization during the second
half of 2019. The amended share repurchase program provides that up to a maximum aggregate amount of $25 million shares
(inclusive of the previous maximum aggregate amount of $5 million) may be repurchased in any given fiscal year. Repurchases
will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws from time-to-time in the open market and/or in privately negotiated
transactions at our discretion, subject to market conditions and other factors. The share repurchase program does not require the
purchase of any minimum number of shares and may be implemented, modified, suspended or discontinued in whole or in part
at any time without further notice. Any repurchased shares will be available for use in connection with equity plans and for
other corporate purposes. During the year ended December 31, 2019, 768,910 shares were repurchased at a total cost of $3.3
million inclusive of any transactional fees or commissions.
Debt Facilities
VPC Facility
VPC Facility Term Notes
On January 30, 2014, we entered into the VPC Facility in order to fund our Rise and Sunny products and provide working
capital. The VPC Facility has been amended several times, with the most recent amendment effective February 1, 2019, to
increase the maximum total borrowing amount available and other terms of the VPC Facility.
The VPC Facility provided the following term notes as of December 31, 2019:
• A maximum borrowing amount of $350 million used to fund the Rise loan portfolio (“US Term Note”). Prior to the
February 1, 2019 amendment, the interest rate paid on this facility was a base rate (defined as the 3-month LIBOR,
with a 1% floor) plus 11%. This resulted in a blended interest rate paid of 12.79% on debt outstanding under this
facility as of December 31, 2018. The Company entered into an interest rate cap on January 11, 2018 to mitigate the
floating interest rate risk on the aggregate $240 million outstanding as of December 31, 2017. This cap matured in
February 2019. Upon the February 1, 2019 amendment date, the interest rate of the debt outstanding as of the
amendment date was fixed through the January 1, 2024 maturity date at 10.23% (base rate of 2.73% plus 7.5%). All
future borrowings under this facility will bear an interest rate at a base rate (defined as the greater of 3-month LIBOR,
the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1%) plus 7.5% at the borrowing date. The weighted-average base rate on the
outstanding balance at December 31, 2019 was 2.73% and the overall rate was 10.23%.
• A maximum borrowing amount of $132 million used to fund the UK Sunny loan portfolio (“UK Term Note”). Prior to
the February 1, 2019 amendment, the interest rate paid on this facility was a base rate (defined as the 3-month LIBOR
rate) plus 14%. This resulted in a blended interest rate paid of 16.74% on debt outstanding under this facility as of
December 31, 2018. Upon the February 1, 2019 amendment date, the interest rate on the debt outstanding as of the
amendment date was fixed through the January 1, 2024 maturity date at 10.23% (base rate of 2.73% plus 7.5%). All
future borrowings under this facility will bear an interest rate at a base rate (defined as the greater of 3-month LIBOR,
the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1%) plus 7.5% at the borrowing date. The weighted-average base rate on the
outstanding balance at December 31, 2019 was 2.73% and the overall interest rate was 10.23%.
• A maximum borrowing amount of $18 million used to fund working capital, and prior to February 1, 2019, at a base
rate (defined as the 3-month LIBOR, with a 1% floor) plus 13% ("4th Tranche Term Note"). Upon the February 1,
2019 amendment date, the interest rate was fixed through the February 1, 2021 maturity date at a base rate of 2.73%
plus 13%. The interest rate at December 31, 2019 and 2018 was 15.73% and 15.74%, respectively. There was no
change in the interest rate spread on this facility upon the February 1, 2019 amendment.
• A revolving feature which provides the option to pay down up to 20% of the outstanding balance, excluding the 4th
Tranche Term note, once per year during the first quarter. Amounts paid down may be drawn again at a later date prior
to maturity.
98
There are no principal payments due or scheduled under the VPC Facility until the respective maturity dates of the US Term
Note, the UK Term Note and the 4th Tranche Term Note. The 4th Tranche Term Note matures on February 1, 2021, although we
expect to repay this early during the first half of 2020 out of our free cash flow. The US Term Note and the UK Term Note
mature on January 1, 2024.
All of our assets are pledged as collateral to secure the VPC Facility. The agreement contains customary financial covenants,
including minimum cash and excess spread requirements, maximum roll rate and charge-off rate levels, maximum loan-to-
value ratios and a minimum book value of equity requirement. We were in compliance with all covenants as of December 31,
2019.
Our Convertible Term Notes were converted into the 4th Tranche Term Notes on January 30, 2018 per the terms of the VPC
Facility. Additionally, the maturity of the Convertible Term Notes (due to their conversion to 4th Tranche Term Notes) was
extended to February 1, 2021 and the debt discount on the Convertible Term Notes was fully amortized. Finally, the exit
premium under the Convertible Term Notes of $2.0 million was due and paid on January 30, 2018. See Note 7—Notes Payable
of our consolidated financial statements for additional information.
EF SPV Facility
EF SPV Term Note
The EF SPV Facility has a maximum borrowing amount of $150 million used to purchase loan participations from a third-party
lender. Prior to execution of the agreement with VPC effective February 1, 2019, EF SPV was a borrower on the US Term Note
under the VPC Facility and the interest rate paid on this facility was a base rate (defined as 3-month LIBOR, with a 1% floor)
plus 11%. Upon the February 1, 2019 amendment date, $43 million was re-allocated into the EF SPV Facility and the interest
rate on the debt outstanding as of the amendment date was fixed through the January 1, 2024 maturity date at 10.23% (base rate
of 2.73% plus 7.5%). All future borrowings under this facility will bear an interest rate at a base rate (defined as the greater of
3-month LIBOR, the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1%) plus 7.5% at the borrowing date. The weighted-average base rate on
the outstanding balance at December 31, 2019 was 2.49% and the overall interest rate was 9.99%. The EF SPV Term Note has
a revolving feature providing the option to pay down up to 20% of the outstanding balance once per year during the first
quarter. Amounts paid down may be drawn again at a later date prior to maturity.
The EF SPV Term Note matures on January 1, 2024. There are no principal payments due or scheduled until the maturity date.
All assets of the Company and EF SPV are pledged as collateral to secure the EF SPV Facility. The EF SPV Facility contains
certain covenants for the Company such as minimum cash requirements and a minimum book value of equity requirement.
There are also certain covenants for the product portfolio underlying the facility including, among other things, excess spread
requirements, maximum roll rate and charge-off rate levels, and maximum loan-to-value ratios. The Company was in
compliance with all covenants related to the EF SPV Facility as of December 31, 2019.
ESPV Facility
ESPV Facility Term Note
Elastic SPV receives its funding from VPC in the ESPV Facility, which was finalized on July 13, 2015. The ESPV Facility has
a maximum borrowing amount of $350 million used to purchase loan participations from a third-party lender. Prior to the
February 1, 2019 amendment, the interest rate paid on this facility was a base rate (defined as the greater of the 3-month
LIBOR rate or 1% per annum) plus 13% for the outstanding balance up to $50 million, plus 12% for the outstanding balance
greater than $50 million up to $100 million, plus 13.5% for any amounts greater than $100 million up to $150 million, and plus
12.75% for borrowing amounts greater than $150 million. This resulted in a blended interest rate paid of 14.65% on the debt
outstanding under this facility at December 31, 2018. Upon the February 1, 2019 amendment date, the interest rate on the debt
outstanding as of the amendment date was fixed at 15.48% (base rate of 2.73% plus 12.75%). Effective July 1, 2019, the
interest rate on the debt outstanding as of the amendment date was set at 10.23% (base rate of 2.73% plus 7.5%). All future
borrowings under this facility after July 1, 2019 will bear an interest rate at a base rate (defined as the greater of 3-month
LIBOR, the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1%) plus 7.5% at the borrowing date. The weighted-average base rate on the
outstanding balance at December 31, 2019 was 2.72% and the overall interest rate was 10.22%. The Company entered into an
interest rate cap on January 11, 2018 to mitigate the floating rate interest risk on an aggregate $216 million then outstanding.
This cap matured in February 2019. The ESPV Term Note has a revolving feature providing the option to pay down up to 20%
of the outstanding balance once per year during the first quarter. Amounts paid down may be drawn again at a later date prior to
maturity.
99
The ESPV Term Note matures on January 1, 2024. There are no principal payments due or scheduled until the maturity date.
All assets of the Company and ESPV are pledged as collateral to secure the ESPV Facility. The ESPV Facility contains certain
covenants for the Company such as minimum cash requirements and a minimum book value of equity requirement. There are
also certain covenants for the product portfolio underlying the facility including, among other things, excess spread
requirements, maximum roll rate and charge-off levels, and maximum loan-to-value ratios. The Company was in compliance
with all covenants related to the ESPV Facility as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Outstanding Notes Payable
The outstanding balance of notes payable as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
US Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 7.5% (2019) and + 11% (2018) .............
UK Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 7.5% (2019) and + 14% (2018) ............
4th Tranche Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 13%...........................................
EF SPV Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 7.5%...............................................
ESPV Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 7.5% (2019) and + 12-13.5% (2018)
$
Total .....................................................................................................................................
$
2019
2018
182,000
29,635
18,050
102,000
226,000
557,685
$
$
250,000
39,196
35,050
—
239,000
563,246
The change in the facility balances includes the following:
• US Term Note - $43 million re-allocation to new EF SPV facility and pay down of $25 million in the first quarter of
2019 under the revolver component of the facility;
• UK Term Note - $10 million repayment in the fourth quarter of 2019;
•
• EF SPV Term note -$43 million re-allocation from US Term Note in the first quarter of 2019 and additional draws of
4th Tranche Term Note - $17 million early repayment in the second quarter of 2019;
$59 million during the year ended December 31, 2019; and
• ESPV Term Note - Paydown of $18 million in the first quarter of 2019 under the revolver component of the facility
and an additional draw of $5 million in the third quarter of 2019.
Per the terms of the February 1, 2019 amendments, the Company qualifies for a 25 bps rate reduction on all three facilities
effective January 1, 2020. This reduction does not apply to the 4th Tranche Term Note.
The Company paid a $2.4 million amendment fee on the ESPV Facility during the first quarter of 2019 that is included in
deferred debt issuance costs and will be amortized into interest expense over the remaining life of the facility (through January
1, 2024). Additionally, the Company incurred an $850 thousand prepayment penalty during the second quarter of 2019 for the
early repayment on the 4th Tranche Term Note that is included in interest expense.
The following table presents the future debt maturities, including debt issuance costs, as of December 31, 2019:
Year (dollars in thousands)
2020 ..........................................................................
2021 ..........................................................................
2022 ..........................................................................
2023 ..........................................................................
2024 ..........................................................................
Total .......................................................................... $
December 31, 2019
—
18,050
—
—
539,635
557,685
100
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, loans (net of allowance for loan losses), and cash flows
The following table summarizes our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, loans receivable, net and cash flows for the
periods indicated:
(Dollars in thousands)
As of and for the years ended December 31,
2019
2018
2017
Cash and cash equivalents ................................................................
Restricted cash ..................................................................................
Loans receivable, net ........................................................................
Cash provided by (used in):
$
$
88,913
2,294
573,677
58,313
2,591
561,694
41,142
1,595
524,619
Operating activities....................................................................
Investing activities.....................................................................
Financing activities....................................................................
370,344
(327,521)
(12,920)
362,276
(391,818)
47,842
308,688
(424,441)
102,695
Our cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2019 were held primarily for working capital purposes. We may, from time to
time, use excess cash and cash equivalents to fund our lending activities, paydown debt or repurchase stock. We do not enter
into investments for trading or speculative purposes. Our policy is to invest any cash in excess of our immediate working
capital requirements in investments designed to preserve the principal balance and provide liquidity. Accordingly, our excess
cash is invested primarily in demand deposit accounts that are currently providing only a minimal return.
Net cash provided by operating activities
We generated $370.3 million in cash from our operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily from
revenues derived from our loan portfolio. This was up $8.1 million from the $362.3 million of cash provided by operating
activities during the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase was the result of the expansion of our gross margin, which
contributed to the $19.7 million increase in our net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the same prior
year period.
Net cash used in investing activities
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, cash used in investing activities was $327.5 million, $391.8 million
and $424.4 million, respectively. The decrease for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily due to a decrease in net
loans issued to customers. The following table summarizes cash used in investing activities for the periods indicated:
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash used in investing activities
For the years ended December 31,
2019
2018
2017
Net loans issued to consumers, less repayments ..........
Participation premium paid ..........................................
Purchases of property and equipment ..........................
$
$
(296,970) $
(5,861)
(24,690)
(327,521) $
(357,935) $
(6,393)
(27,490)
(391,818) $
(402,006)
(5,680)
(16,755)
(424,441)
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Net cash provided by financing activities
Cash flows from financing activities primarily include cash received from issuing notes payable, payments on notes payable,
and activity related to stock awards. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, cash provided by financing
activities was $12.9 million, $47.8 million and $102.7 million, respectively. The following table summarizes cash provided by
(used in) financing activities for the periods indicated:
(Dollars in thousands)
For the years ended December 31,
2019
2018
2017
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of Notes payable, net..........
Payments on Notes payable ......................................
Debt prepayment penalties paid
Cash paid for interest rate caps.................................
Settlement of derivative liability
Common stock repurchased......................................
Proceeds from issuance of stock, net
Other activities..........................................................
$
$
$
61,394
(70,000)
(850)
—
—
(3,344)
(120)
—
(12,920) $
49,624
—
—
(1,367)
(2,010)
—
1,595
—
47,842
$
$
102,772
(84,950)
—
—
—
—
84,894
(21)
102,695
The decrease in cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 versus the comparable period of
2018 was due primarily to payments made on notes payable made during 2019.
Free Cash Flow
In addition to the above, we also review FCF when analyzing our cash flows from operations. We calculate free cash flow as
cash flows from operating activities, adjusted for the principal loan net charge-offs and capital expenditures incurred during the
period. While this is a non-GAAP measure, we believe it provides a useful presentation of cash flows derived from our core
operating activities.
(Dollars in thousands)
For the years ended December 31,
2019
2018
2017
Net cash provided by operating activities.............. $
370,344
$
362,276
$
308,688
Adjustments:
Net charge-offs – combined principal loans ..........
Capital expenditures...............................................
FCF ........................................................................
$
(287,188)
(24,690)
58,466
$
(319,326)
(27,490)
15,460
$
(275,192)
(16,755)
16,741
Our FCF was $58.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $15.5 million for the prior year. The increase in
our FCF was the result of the increase in cash provided by operations and a decrease in net-charge-offs - combined principal
loans and capital expenditures during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Operating and capital expenditure requirements
We believe that our existing cash balances, together with the available borrowing capacity under our VPC Facility and ESPV
Facility, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash operating expense and capital expenditure requirements through at least
the next 12 months. If our loan growth exceeds our expectations, our available cash balances may be insufficient to satisfy our
liquidity requirements, and we may seek additional equity or debt financing. This additional capital may not be available on
reasonable terms, or at all.
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CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Our principal commitments consist of obligations under our debt facilities and operating lease obligations. The following table
summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2019.
(Dollars in thousands)
Contractual obligations:
Payment due by period as of December 31, 2019
Total
Less than
1 year
1-3 years
3-5 years
More than
5 years
Long-term debt obligations ..............
Operating lease obligations ..............
Total contractual obligations ...................
$
$
557,685
18,436
576,121
$
$
— $
3,760
3,760
$
18,050
7,860
25,910
$
$
539,635
4,924
544,559
$
$
—
1,892
1,892
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We provide services in connection with installment loans originated by independent third-party lenders (“CSO lenders”)
whereby we act as a credit service organization/credit access business on behalf of consumers in accordance with applicable
state laws through our “CSO program.” The CSO program includes arranging loans with CSO lenders, assisting in the loan
application, documentation and servicing processes. Under the CSO program, we guarantee the repayment of a customer’s loan
to the CSO lenders as part of the credit services we provide to the customer. A customer who obtains a loan through the CSO
program pays us a fee for the credit services, including the guaranty, and enters into a contract with the CSO lenders governing
the credit services arrangement. We estimate a liability for losses associated with the guaranty provided to the CSO lenders
using assumptions and methodologies similar to the allowance for loan losses, which we recognize for our consumer loans.
RECENT REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
During the year ended December 31, 2018, our UK business began to receive an increased number of customer complaints
initiated by claims management companies ("CMCs") related to the affordability assessment of certain loans. If our evidence
supports the affordability assessment and we reject the claim, the customer has the right to take the complaint to the Financial
Ombudsman Service for further adjudication. The CMCs' campaign against the high cost lending industry increased
significantly during the third and fourth quarters of 2018 and continued during 2019 resulting in a significant increase in
affordability claims against all companies in the industry during this period. We believe that many of the increased claims are
without merit and reflect the use of abusive and deceptive tactics by the CMCs. The Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), a
regulator in the UK financial services industry, began regulating the CMCs in April 2019 in order to ensure that the methods
used by the CMCs are in the best interests of the consumer and the industry. As of December 31, 2019, we accrued
approximately $2.3 million for the claims received that were determined to be probable and reasonably estimable based on the
Company's historical loss rates related to these claims. The outcomes of the adjudication of these claims may differ from the
Company's estimates, and as a result, our estimates may change in the near term and the effect of any such change could be
material to the financial statements. We continue to monitor the matters for further developments that could affect the amount
of the accrued liability recognized.
Separately, the FCA asked all industry participants to review their lending practices to ensure that such companies are using an
appropriate affordability and creditworthiness analysis. Our UK business provided the requested information to the FCA. The
FCA recently reported back to us and asked our UK business to tighten certain aspects of its income verification and
expenditure processes. We are working with the FCA to ensure the changes we make address all matters raised by the FCA.
On October 25, 2019, the Company's UK subsidiary, ECI, entered into an agreement with the Financial Conduct Authority
("FCA") (the "Agreement") to not make any payments greater than £1.0 million outside of the normal course of business
without obtaining prior approval from the FCA. The Company believes this Agreement will not have a material impact on
ECI's ability to continue to serve its customers and meet its obligations.
On May 7, 2019, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the "CFPB") proposed amendments to Regulation F, which
implements the FDCPA. The Bureau's proposal would, among other things, address communications in connection with debt
collection; interpret and apply prohibitions on harassment or abuse, false or misleading representations, and unfair practices in
debt collection; and clarify requirements for certain consumer-facing debt collection disclosures. The public comment period
on the proposed amendments closed on September 18, 2019. Once a final rule is promulgated, we will take the necessary steps
to ensure that the third-party debt collectors we work with are compliant with the final rule.
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On October 10, 2019, AB 539 was signed by the Governor and chaptered by the California Secretary of State. Among other
things, AB 539 imposes an interest rate cap on all consumer loans made by Consumer Finance Lenders licensees between
$2,500 and $10,000 of 36% plus the Federal Funds Rate. Effective January 1, 2020, Rise will no longer originate state-licensed
loans under the California Consumer Finance Lenders Law.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has issued draft regulations to guide covered businesses' implementation of the
California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA") which became operative on January 1, 2020. The CCPA imposes obligations on the
handling of consumers' personal information by businesses, including required disclosures to consumers; consumer access and
deletion rights, consumers' right to opt-out of the sale of personal information; and a private right of action relating to a failure
to maintain reasonable security procedures and practices leading to a security breach, as defined by the CCPA. The CCPA does
not apply to information that is covered by the GLBA or California's Financial Information Privacy Act, or to personal
consumer report information that is processed pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA"). While it is too early to
know its full impact, implementation of the CCPA and its related requirements could increase costs or otherwise adversely
affect our business in the California market.
Another California bill, AB 1202, was signed into law on October 11, 2019 and came into effect January 1, 2020. This new law
requires "data brokers" that collect and sell personal information of consumers with whom they do not have a direct
relationship and that are not exempted under the FCRP or the GLBA to register with the California Attorney General's office.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Revenue recognition
We recognize consumer loan fees as revenues for each of the loan products we offer. Revenues on the Consolidated Statements
of Operations include: finance charges, lines of credit fees, fees for services provided through CSO programs (“CSO fees”),
and interest, as well as any other fees or charges permitted by applicable laws and pursuant to the agreement with the borrower.
We also record revenues related to the sale of customer applications to unrelated third parties. These applications are sold with
the customer’s consent in the event that we or our CSO lenders are unable to offer the customer a loan. Revenue is recognized
at the time of the sale. Other revenues also include marketing and licensing fees received from the originating lender related to
the Elastic product and Rise bank-originated loans and from CSO fees related to the Rise product. Revenues related to these
fees are recognized when the service is performed.
We accrue finance charges on installment loans on a constant yield basis over their terms. We accrue and defer fixed charges
such as CSO fees and lines of credit fees when they are assessed and recognize them to earnings as they are earned over the life
of the loan. We accrue interest on credit cards based on the amount of the loan outstanding and their contractual interest rate.
Credit card membership fees are amortized to revenue over the card membership period. Other credit card fees, such as late
payment fees and returned payment fees, are accrued when assessed. We do not accrue finance charges and other fees on
installment loans or lines of credit for which payment is greater than 60 days past due. Credit card interest charges are
recognized based on the contractual provisions of the underlying arrangements and are not accrued for which payment is
greater than 90 days past due. Installment loans and lines of credit are considered past due if a grace period has not been
requested and a scheduled payment is not paid on its due date. Credit cards have a grace period of 25 days. Payments received
on past due loans are applied against the loan and accrued interest balance to bring the loan current. Payments are generally
first applied to accrued fees and interest, and then to the principal loan balance.
Our business is affected by seasonality, which can cause significant changes in portfolio size and profit margins from quarter to
quarter. Although this seasonality does not impact our policies for revenue recognition, it does generally impact our results of
operations by potentially causing an increase in its profit margins in the first quarter of the year and decreased margins in the
second through fourth quarters.
Allowance and liability for estimated losses on consumer loans
We have adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance for disclosures about the credit quality of
financing receivables and the allowance for loan losses (“allowance”). We maintain an allowance for loan losses for loans and
interest receivable for loans not classified as TDRs at a level estimated to be adequate to absorb credit losses inherent in the
outstanding loans receivable. We primarily utilize historical loss rates by product, stratified by delinquency ranges, to determine
the allowance, but we also consider recent collection and delinquency trends, as well as macro-economic conditions that may
affect portfolio losses. Additionally, due to the uncertainty of economic conditions and cash flow resources of our customers,
the estimate of the allowance for loan losses is subject to change in the near-term and could significantly impact the
consolidated financial statements. If a loan is deemed to be uncollectible before it is fully reserved, it is charged-off at that time.
104
For loans classified as TDRs, impairment is typically measured based on the present value of the expected future cash flows
discounted at the original effective interest rate. As permitted by the SEC, we have elected to not adopt the Current Expected
Credit Losses ("CECL") model which would require a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform
credit loss estimates. See "- Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements And JOBS Act Election" for more information.
We classify loans as either current or past due. An installment loan or line of credit customer in good standing may request a
16-day grace period when or before a payment becomes due and, if granted, the loan is considered current during the grace
period. Credit card customers have a 25-day grace period for each payment. Installment loans and lines of credit are considered
past due if a grace period has not been requested and a scheduled payment is not paid on its due date. Credit cards are
considered past due if the grace period has passed and the scheduled payment has not been made. Increases in the allowance
are created by recording a Provision for loan losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Installment loans and lines of
credit are charged off, which reduces the allowance, when they are over 60 days past due or earlier if deemed uncollectible.
Credit cards are charged off, which reduces the allowance, when they are over 120 days past due or earlier if deemed
uncollectible. Recoveries on losses previously charged to the allowance are credited to the allowance when collected.
Liability for estimated losses on credit service organization loans
Under the CSO program, we guarantee the repayment of a customer’s loan to the CSO lenders as part of the credit services we
provide to the customer. A customer who obtains a loan through the CSO program pays us a fee for the credit services,
including the guaranty, and enters into a contract with the CSO lenders governing the credit services arrangement. We estimate
a liability for losses associated with the guaranty provided to the CSO lenders using assumptions and methodologies similar to
the allowance for loan losses, which we recognize for our consumer loans.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets
acquired in each business combination. We perform an impairment review of goodwill and intangible assets with an indefinite
life annually at October 1 and between annual tests if we determine that an event has occurred or circumstances changed in a
way that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Such a determination
may be based on our consideration of macro-economic and other factors and trends, such as current and projected financial
performance, interest rates and access to capital. We completed our annual test and determined that there was no evidence of
impairment of goodwill or indefinite lived intangible assets. No events or circumstances occurred between October 1 and
December 31, 2019 that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting units below the carrying amount.
Our impairment evaluation of goodwill is based on comparing the fair value of the respective reporting unit to its carrying
value. The fair value of the reporting unit is determined based on a weighted average of the income and market approaches. The
income approach establishes fair value based on estimated future cash flows of the reporting unit, discounted by an estimated
weighted-average cost of capital developed using the capital asset pricing model, which reflects the overall level of inherent
risk of the reporting unit. The income approach uses our projections of financial performance for a six- to nine-year period and
includes assumptions about future revenue growth rates, operating margins and terminal values. The market approach
establishes fair value by applying cash flow multiples to the respective reporting unit's operating performance. The multiples
are derived from other publicly traded companies that are similar but not identical from an operational and economic
standpoint.
We completed our 2019 annual test and determined that there was no evidence of impairment of goodwill for the two reporting
units that have goodwill. Although no goodwill impairment was noted, there can be no assurances that future goodwill
impairments will not occur.
Internal-use software development costs
We capitalize certain costs related to software developed for internal-use, primarily associated with the ongoing development
and enhancement of our technology platform. Costs incurred in the preliminary development and post-development stages are
expensed. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the related asset, generally three
years.
105
Income taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the
future tax consequences and benefits attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing
assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and 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 those 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 in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to
reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts that are more likely than not to be realized.
Relative to uncertain tax positions, we accrue for losses we believe are probable and can be reasonably estimated. The amount
recognized is subject to estimate and management judgment with respect to the likely outcome of each uncertain tax position.
The amount that is ultimately sustained for an individual uncertain tax position or for all uncertain tax positions in the
aggregate could differ from the amount recognized. If the amounts recorded are not realized or if penalties and interest are
incurred, we have elected to record all amounts within income tax expense.
We have no recorded liabilities for US uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2019 and 2018. Tax periods from fiscal years
2014 to 2018 remain open and subject to examination for US federal and state tax purposes. As we had no operations nor had
filed US federal tax returns prior to May 1, 2014, there are no other US federal or state tax years subject to examination.
For UK taxes, tax periods from fiscal years 2010 to 2019 remain open and subject to examination. We had an uncertain tax
position at December 31, 2017 that was resolved and released during the year ended December 31, 2018. There are no
additional UK uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2019.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act", or "Tax Reform") was enacted into law. The Act contains several
changes to the US federal tax law including a reduction to the US federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, an acceleration
of the expensing of certain business assets, a reduction to the amount of executive pay that could qualify as a tax deduction, and
the addition of a repatriation tax on any accumulated offshore earnings and profit.
We recognized a one-time $12.5 million charge as of December 31, 2017 due to the impact of the Tax Reform. This one-time
charge was primarily the result of US GAAP requiring remeasurement of all US deferred income tax assets and liabilities for
temporary differences from the previous tax rate of 35% to the new corporate tax rate of 21%.
The Tax Reform also included a new “Mandatory Repatriation” that required a one-time tax on shareholders of Specific
Foreign Corporations (“SFCs”). The one-time tax was imposed using the Subpart F rules to require US shareholders to include
in income the pro rata share of their SFC’s previously untaxed accumulated post 1986 deferred foreign income. Our SFC, ECI,
had an accumulated earnings and profit ("E&P") deficit at December 31, 2017, and therefore, we had no US impact from the
new mandatory repatriation law.
Additionally, tax reform included a new anti-deferral provision, similar to the subpart F provision, requiring a US shareholder
of Controlled Foreign Corporation’s (“CFC”) to include in income annually its pro rata share of a CFC’s “global intangible
low-taxed income” (“GILTI”). Our SFC, ECI, qualifies as a CFC, and as such, requires a GILTI inclusion in the applicable tax
year. ECI has a US tax year end of November 30. We have elected to treat GILTI as a period cost, and therefore, will recognize
those taxes as expenses in the period incurred.
Share-Based Compensation
In accordance with applicable accounting standards, all share-based payments, consisting of stock options, and restricted stock
units ("RSUs") issued to employees are measured based on the grant-date fair value of the awards and recognized as
compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the period during which the recipient is required to perform services in
exchange for the award (the requisite service period). Starting July 2017, we also have an employee stock purchase plan
("ESPP"). The determination of fair value of share-based payment awards and ESPP purchase rights on the date of grant using
option-pricing models is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and
subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the
awards, actual and projected employee stock option exercise activity, risk-free interest rate, expected dividends and expected
term. We use the Black-Scholes-Merton Option Pricing Model to estimate the grant-date fair value of stock options. We also
use an equity valuation model to estimate the grant-date fair value of RSUs. Additionally, the recognition of share-based
compensation expense requires an estimation of the number of awards that will ultimately vest and the number of awards that
will ultimately be forfeited.
106
Derivative Financial Instruments
On January 11, 2018, we and ESPV each entered into one interest rate cap transaction with a counterparty to mitigate the
floating rate interest risk on a portion of the debt underlying the Rise and Elastic portfolios, respectively, which matured on
February 1, 2019. See Note 7—Notes Payable of our consolidated financial statements for additional information. The interest
rate caps were designated as cash flow hedges against expected future cash flows attributable to future interest payments on
debt facilities held by each entity. We initially reported the gains or losses related to the hedges as a component of Accumulated
other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the period incurred and subsequently reclassified the
interest rate caps’ gains or losses to interest expense when the hedged expenses were recorded. We excluded the change in the
time value of the interest rate caps in its assessment of their hedge effectiveness. We present the cash flows from cash flow
hedges in the same category in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as the category for the cash flows from the hedged
items. The interest rate caps do not contain any credit risk related contingent features. Our hedging program is not designed for
trading or speculative purposes.
Our derivative financial instruments also included bifurcated embedded derivatives that were identified within the Convertible
Term Notes recorded as assets or liabilities initially at fair value, and the changes in fair value at the end of each quarterly
reporting period are included in earnings. Upon repayment of a portion of the Convertible Term Notes, approximately $2.0
million was released from the debt discount where the derivative was recorded into Interest expense. In January 2018, the
Convertible Term Notes matured and became a portion of the 4th Tranche Term Note. Therefore, there is no bifurcated
embedded derivatives as of December 31, 2019.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS AND JOBS ACT ELECTION
Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), we meet the definition of an emerging growth company. We
have irrevocably elected to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards
pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In July 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2018-09, Codification Improvements ("ASU
2018-09"). The purpose of ASU 2018-09 is to clarify, correct errors in or make minor improvements to the Codification.
Among other revisions, the amendments clarify that an entity should recognize excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies for share
compensation expense that is taken on an entity’s tax return in the period in which the amount of the deduction is determined.
The Company has adopted all of the amendments of ASU 2018-09 as of January 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis. The
adoption of ASU 2018-09 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220):
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("ASU 2018-02"). The purpose of ASU
2018-02 is to allow an entity to elect to reclassify the stranded tax effects related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from
Accumulated other comprehensive income into Retained earnings. The amendments in ASU 2018-02 are effective for all
entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is
permitted. The Company adopted all amendments of ASU 2018-02 on a prospective basis as of January 1, 2018 and elected to
reclassify the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from Accumulated other comprehensive income to
Accumulated deficit. The amount of the reclassification for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $920 thousand.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)—Targeted Improvements to
Accounting for Hedging Activities ("ASU 2017-12"). The purpose of ASU 2017-12 is to improve the financial reporting of
hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity's risk management activities in its financial statements.
In addition, ASU 2017-12 makes certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance.
In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments ("ASU
2019-04"). This amendment clarifies the guidance in ASU 2017-12. ASU 2017-12 is effective for public companies for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2018, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The
Company has adopted all of the amendments of ASU 2017-12 on a prospective basis as of January 1, 2018. Since the Company
did not have derivatives accounted for as hedges prior to December 31, 2017, there was no cumulative-effect adjustment
needed to Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and Accumulated deficit. The adoption of ASU 2017-12 did not
have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
107
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 is intended to
improve the reporting of leasing transactions to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information.
ASU 2016-02 will require organizations that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheets the assets and liabilities for the
rights and obligations created by those leases. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to
Topic 842, Leases (“ASU 2018-10”), which clarifies certain matters in the codification with the intention to correct unintended
application of the guidance. Also in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements
(“ASU 2018-11”), which provides entities with an additional (and optional) transition method whereby the entity applies the
new lease standard at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained
earnings in the period of adoption. Additionally, under the new transition method, an entity’s reporting for the comparative
periods presented in the financial statements in which it adopts the new lease standard will continue to be in accordance with
current US GAAP (Topic 840, Leases). ASU 2016-02, as amended, is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company elected to adopt the
transition method in ASU 2018-11 by applying the practical expedient prospectively at January 1, 2019. The Company also
elected to apply the optional practical expedient package to not reassess existing or expired contracts for lease components,
lease classification or initial direct costs. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019, as amended, resulted in the
recognition of approximately $11.5 million and $15.4 million additional right of use assets and liabilities for operating leases,
respectively, but did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. Subsequent to initial
adoption, the Company entered into additional leases for a total recognition in 2019 of $13.4 million and $17.6 million right of
use assets and liabilities for operating leases, respectively.
In July 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2019-07, Codification Updates to SEC Sections
("ASU 2019-07"). The purpose of ASU 2019-07 is to amend various SEC paragraphs pursuant to the issuance of SEC Final
Rule Releases No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, and Nos. 33-10231 and 33-10442, Investment Company
Reporting Modernization. Among other revisions, the amendments reduce duplication and clarify the inclusion of
comprehensive income. The Company has adopted all of the amendments of ASU 2019-07 as of July 2019 with no impact to
the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Accounting Standards to be Adopted in Future Periods
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income
Taxes ("ASU 2019-12"). The purpose of ASU 2019-12 is to reduce complexity in the accounting standards for income taxes by
removing certain exceptions as well as clarifying certain allocations. This update also addresses the split recognition of
franchise taxes that are partially based on income between income-based tax and non-income-based tax. This guidance is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is
permitted. The Company is still assessing the potential impact of ASU 2019-12 on the Company's consolidated financial
statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic
350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service
Contract ("ASU 2018-15"). The purpose of ASU 2018-15 is to provide additional guidance on the accounting for costs of
implementation activities performed in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. This guidance is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted.
Entities have the option to apply the guidance in ASU 2018-15 prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date
of adoption or retrospectively. The Company has elected to adopt prospectively as of January 1, 2020 and has implemented a
control structure to identify cloud computing arrangements for appropriate accounting treatment similar to its procedures for
right of use assets. The Company does not expect ASU 2018-15 to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated
financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes
to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement ("ASU 2018-13"). The purpose of ASU 2018-13 is to modify the
disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. This guidance is effective for
public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years and requires
both a prospective and retrospective approach to adoption based on amendment specifications. Early adoption of any removed
or modified disclosures is permitted. Additional disclosures may be delayed until their effective date. The Company does not
expect ASU 2018-13 to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
108
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for
Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04"). The purpose of ASU 2017-04 is to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill.
The amendments modify the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill
exceeds its implied fair value to the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. An
entity no longer will determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair
value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination.
This guidance is effective for public companies for goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2019. The Company does not expect ASU 2017-04 to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial
statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit
Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"). ASU 2016-13 is intended to replace the incurred loss impairment
methodology in current US GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a
broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates to improve the quality of information
available to financial statement users about expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend
credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification
Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments ("ASU 2019-04"). This amendment clarifies the guidance in ASU 2016-13.
The guidance in ASU 2016-13 was further clarified by ASU No. 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial
Instruments ("ASU 2019-11") issued in November 2019. ASU 2019-11 provides transition relief such as permitting entities an
accounting policy election regarding existing Troubled Debt Restructurings ("TDRs") among other things. In May 2019, the
FASB issued ASU No. 2019-05, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief ("ASU
2019-05"). The purpose of this amendment is to provide entities that have certain instruments within the scope of Subtopic
326-20, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses-Measured at Amortized Cost, with an option to irrevocably elect the fair value
option in Subtopic 825-10, Financial Instruments-Overall, on an instrument-by-instrument basis. Election of this option is
intended to increase comparability of financial statement information and reduce costs for certain entities to comply with ASU
2016-13. For public entities, ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim
periods within those fiscal years. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, Financial Instruments - Credit
Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates ("ASU 2019-10"). The
purpose of this amendment is to create a two tier rollout of major updates, staggering the effective dates between larger public
companies and all other entities. This granted certain classes of companies, including Smaller Reporting Companies ("SRCs"),
additional time to implement major FASB standards, including ASU 2016-13. Larger public companies will still have an
effective date for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. All other
entities are permitted to defer adoption of ASU 2016-13, and its related amendments, until the earlier of fiscal periods
beginning after December 15, 2022. Under the current SEC definitions, the Company meets the definition of an SRC as of the
ASU 2019-10 issuance date and is adopting the deferral period for ASU 2016-13.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market risk is the risk of loss to future earnings, values or future cash flows that may result from changes in the price of a
financial instrument. The value of a financial instrument may change as a result of changes in interest rates, exchange rates,
commodity prices, equity prices and other market changes. We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates
and foreign currency exchange rates. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes,
although in the future we may continue to enter into interest rate hedging arrangements or enter into exchange rate hedging
arrangements to manage the risks described below.
Interest rate sensitivity
Our cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2019 consisted of demand deposit accounts. Our primary exposure to market
risk for our cash and cash equivalents is interest income sensitivity, which is affected by changes in the general level of US
interest rates. Given the currently low US interest rates, we generate only a de minimis amount of interest income from these
deposits.
All of our customer loan portfolios are fixed APR loans and not variable in nature. Additionally, given the high APR’s
associated with these loans, we do not believe there is any interest rate sensitivity associated with our customer loan portfolio.
Prior to February 1, 2019, our VPC Facility and ESPV Facility were variable rate in nature and tied to the 3-month LIBOR rate.
In January 2018, the Company and ESPV each entered into interest rate caps, which cap 3-month LIBOR at 1.75% to mitigate
the floating interest rate risk on $240 million of the US Term Notes included in the VPC Facility and on $216 million of the
ESPV Facility, respectively. These interest rate caps matured on February 1, 2019. On February 1, 2019, the VPC and ESPV
109
Facilities were amended and a new EF SPV Facility was added. As part of these amendments, the base interest rate on existing
debt outstanding on February 1, 2019 was locked to the 3-month LIBOR as of February 1, 2019 of 2.73% until note maturity.
Any additional borrowings on the facilities (excluding the 4th Tranche Term Note) after February 1, 2019 bear a base interest
rate (defined as the greater of 3-month LIBOR, the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1%) plus the applicable spread at the
borrowing date.
Any increase in the base interest rate on future borrowings will result in an increase in our net interest expense. The outstanding
balance of our VPC Facility at December 31, 2019 was $229.7 million and the balance at December 31, 2018 was $324.2
million. The outstanding balance of our EF SPV Facility was $102.0 million at December 31, 2019 and there was no balance at
December 31, 2018. The outstanding balance of our ESPV Facility was $226.0 million and $239.0 million at December 31,
2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Based on the average outstanding indebtedness through the year ended
December 31, 2019, a 1% (100 basis points) increase in interest rates would have increased our interest expense by
approximately $1.6 million.
Foreign currency exchange risk
We provide installment loans to customers in the UK. Interest income from our Sunny UK installment loans is earned in British
pounds (“GBP”). Fluctuations in exchange rate of the US dollar (“USD”) against the GBP and cash held in such foreign
currency can result, and have resulted, in fluctuations in our operating income and foreign currency transaction gains and
losses. We had a foreign currency transaction gain of approximately $0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2019 and
a $1.4 million loss during the year ended December 31, 2018. We currently do not engage in any foreign exchange hedging
activity but may do so in the future.
At December 31, 2019, our net GBP-denominated assets were approximately $59.7 million (which excludes the $16.8 million
then drawn under the USD-denominated UK term note under the VPC Facility). A hypothetical 10% strengthening or
weakening in the value of the USD compared to the GBP at this date would have resulted in a decrease/increase in net assets of
approximately $6.0 million. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the GBP-denominated pre-tax income was
approximately $6.1 million. A hypothetical 10% strengthening or weakening in the value of the USD compared to the GBP
during this period would have resulted in a decrease/increase in the pre-tax income of approximately $0.6 million.
110
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Operations - Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
112
113
114
115
116
117
119
111
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Elevate Credit, Inc.
Opinion on the financial statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Elevate Credit, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries
(the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income
(loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related
notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in
accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error
or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial
reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for
the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly,
we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due
to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial
statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014.
Dallas, Texas
February 14, 2020
112
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands except share amounts)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents*
Restricted cash
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $86,996 and $91,608, respectively*
Prepaid expenses and other assets*
Operating lease right of use assets
Receivable from CSO lenders
Receivable from payment processors*
Deferred tax assets, net
Property and equipment, net
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Derivative assets at fair value (cost basis of $0 and $109, respectively)*
Total assets
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (See Note 16)*
Operating lease liabilities
State and other taxes payable
Deferred revenue*
Notes payable, net (See Note 16)*
Total liabilities
COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES (Note 14)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock; $0.0004 par value; 24,500,000 authorized shares; none issued and outstanding at
December 31, 2019 and 2018
Common stock; $0.0004 par value; 300,000,000 authorized shares; 44,445,736 and 43,329,262
issued; 43,676,826 and 43,329,262 outstanding, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Treasury stock; at cost; 768,910 and 0 shares of common stock, respectively
Accumulated deficit
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax benefit of $1,353 and $1,257, respectively
Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
December 31,
2019
December 31,
2018
$
88,913
$
2,294
573,677
11,608
10,191
8,696
10,651
10,139
49,989
16,027
1,402
—
58,313
2,591
561,694
11,418
—
16,183
21,716
21,628
41,579
16,027
1,712
412
$
$
783,587
$
753,273
44,991
$
44,950
14,352
605
12,087
555,063
627,098
—
18
193,061
(3,344)
(34,342)
1,096
156,489
$
783,587
$
—
681
28,261
562,590
636,482
—
18
183,244
—
(66,525)
54
116,791
753,273
* These balances include certain assets and liabilities of variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that can only be used to settle the
liabilities of that respective VIE. All assets of the Company are pledged as security for the Company’s outstanding debt, including debt
held by the VIEs. For further information regarding the assets and liabilities included in the Company's consolidated accounts, see Note 4—
Variable Interest Entities.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
113
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Revenues .................................................................................................. $
Cost of sales:
Provision for loan losses.....................................................................
Direct marketing costs........................................................................
Other cost of sales ..............................................................................
Total cost of sales .....................................................................................
Gross profit...............................................................................................
Operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits..............................................................
Professional services........................................................................
Selling and marketing ......................................................................
Occupancy and equipment (See Note 16) .......................................
Depreciation and amortization.........................................................
Other ................................................................................................
Total operating expenses ..........................................................................
Operating income .....................................................................................
Other income (expense):
Net interest expense (See Note 16) ....................................................
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss) ............................................
Non-operating income (loss) ..............................................................
Total other expense...................................................................................
Income before taxes..................................................................................
Income tax expense ..................................................................................
Net income (loss)...................................................................................... $
Years Ended December 31,
2019
746,962 $
2018
786,682 $
2017
673,132
411,979
77,605
26,359
515,943
270,739
94,382
35,864
9,435
17,547
12,988
5,649
175,865
94,874
357,574
72,222
20,536
450,332
222,800
81,969
32,848
8,353
13,895
10,272
4,600
151,937
70,863
(79,198)
(1,409)
(350)
(80,957)
13,917
1,408
12,509 $
(73,043)
2,900
2,295
(67,848)
3,015
9,931
(6,916)
364,241
51,283
28,846
444,370
302,592
103,070
36,715
7,381
20,712
17,380
5,911
191,169
111,423
(66,646)
334
(681)
(66,993)
44,430
12,247
32,183 $
0.73 $
0.73 $
Basic income (loss) per share ................................................................... $
Diluted income (loss) per share................................................................ $
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding .............................................
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding ..........................................
43,805,845
44,338,205
42,791,061
44,299,304
0.29 $
0.28 $
(0.20)
(0.20)
33,911,520
33,911,520
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
114
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income (loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Years Ended December 31,
2019
32,183 $
2018
12,509 $
2017
(6,916)
$
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of ($1), $0 and
($74), respectively .......................................................................
Reclassification of certain deferred tax effects................................
Change in derivative valuation, net of tax of ($95), $95 and $0,
respectively..................................................................................
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax .......................
Total comprehensive income (loss)......................................... $
1,250
—
(1,237)
(920)
916
—
(208)
1,042
33,225 $
208
(1,949)
10,560 $
—
916
(6,000)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
115
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E
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization ..............................................................................
Provision for loan losses .......................................................................................
Share-based compensation....................................................................................
Amortization of debt issuance costs......................................................................
Amortization of loan premium..............................................................................
Amortization of convertible note discount
Amortization of derivative assets..........................................................................
Amortization of operating leases ..........................................................................
Deferred income tax expense, net .........................................................................
Unrealized (gain) loss from foreign currency transactions...................................
Non-operating (income) loss.................................................................................
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other assets ..............................................................
Receivables from payment processors .......................................................
Receivables from CSO lenders...................................................................
Years Ended December 31,
2019
2018
2017
$
32,183
$
12,509
$
(6,916)
17,380
364,241
12,988
411,979
10,272
357,574
9,940
640
5,998
—
108
4
11,583
(334)
681
(25)
11,134
7,487
8,233
371
6,179
138
1,259
—
1,148
1,409
350
(1,374)
(735)
6,896
6,318
525
5,360
3,637
—
—
9,729
(2,900)
(2,295)
(4,803)
(1,708)
2,987
Interest receivable.......................................................................................
(85,269)
(106,119)
(93,532)
State and other taxes payable .....................................................................
Deferred revenue ........................................................................................
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ...................................................
Net cash provided by operating activities........................................
(94)
(11,434)
6,121
370,344
(160)
5,819
1,386
362,276
58
15,116
9,266
308,688
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Loans receivable originated or participations purchased.................................................
(1,276,484)
(1,357,866)
(1,196,723)
Principal collections and recoveries on loans receivable ................................................
Participation premium paid..............................................................................................
Purchases of property and equipment..............................................................................
979,514
(5,861)
(24,690)
999,931
(6,393)
(27,490)
794,717
(5,680)
(16,755)
Net cash used in investing activities................................................
(327,521)
(391,818)
(424,441)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
117
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Years Ended December 31,
2019
2018
2017
Proceeds from notes payable ........................................................................................... $
Payments of notes payable...............................................................................................
64,000
$
49,824
$
103,560
(70,000)
—
(84,950)
Cash paid for interest rate caps........................................................................................
Settlement of derivative liability .....................................................................................
Payment of capital lease obligation .................................................................................
Debt issuance costs paid ..................................................................................................
Debt prepayment penalties paid.......................................................................................
Equity issuance costs paid ...............................................................................................
ESPP shares issued ..........................................................................................................
Common stock repurchased.............................................................................................
Proceeds from issuance of stock......................................................................................
Proceeds from stock award exercises ..............................................................................
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards............................................
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities.........................
Effect of exchange rates on cash ................................................................................................
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ................................................................
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period ........................................................................
Restricted cash, beginning of period ..........................................................................................
Total Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period ................................
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period...................................................................................
Restricted cash, end of period ....................................................................................................
Total Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period........................................... $
—
—
—
(2,606)
(850)
—
1,149
(3,344)
—
122
(1,391)
(12,920)
400
30,303
58,313
2,591
60,904
88,913
2,294
91,207
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid ..................................................................................................................... $
Taxes paid ........................................................................................................................ $
66,003
535
Non-cash activities:
CSO fees charged-off included in Deferred revenues and Loans receivable .................. $
CSO fees on loans paid-off prior to maturity included in Receivable from CSO
lenders and Deferred revenue..................................................................................... $
Annual membership fee included in Deferred revenues and Loans receivable............... $
Derivative debt discount on convertible term notes ........................................................ $
Property and equipment accrued but not yet paid ........................................................... $
Prepaid expenses accrued but not yet paid ...................................................................... $
Impact on deferred tax assets of adoption of ASU 2016-09............................................ $
Impact on OCI and retained earnings of adoption of ASU 2018-02 ............................... $
Changes in fair value of interest rate caps ....................................................................... $
Deferred IPO costs included in Additional paid-in capital.............................................. $
Tax benefit of equity issuance costs included in Additional paid-in capital.................... $
Impact of deferred tax asset included in Other comprehensive income (loss) ................ $
Leasehold improvements included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities............. $
Leasehold improvements allowance included in Property and equipment, net............... $
Lease incentives allowance included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses.......... $
Operating lease right of use assets recognized ................................................................ $
Operating lease liabilities recognized.............................................................................. $
(1,367)
(2,010)
—
(200)
—
—
844
—
—
997
(246)
47,842
(133)
18,167
41,142
1,595
42,737
58,313
2,591
60,904
79,059
359
10,605
268
$
$
$
$
$
$
— $
— $
445
$
— $
— $
920
304
$
$
— $
674
$
— $
—
—
(21)
(788)
—
(1,731)
511
—
86,699
593
(1,178)
102,695
436
(12,622)
53,574
1,785
55,359
41,142
1,595
42,737
68,925
442
11,063
256
—
2,517
1,158
832
3,347
—
—
6,708
1,196
—
—
—
—
—
—
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
4,754
181
195
— $
579
$
— $
— $
— $
304
$
— $
2
95
$
$
— $
2,717
$
439
3,720
13,399
17,556
$
$
$
$
— $
— $
— $
— $
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
118
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company’s accounting and reporting policies are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States (“US GAAP”) and conform, as applicable, to general practices within the finance company industry. The following is a
description of the more significant of these policies used in preparing the consolidated financial statements.
Business Operations
Elevate Credit, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation. The Company provides technology-driven, progressive online
credit solutions to non-prime consumers. The Company uses advanced technology and proprietary risk analytics to provide
more convenient and more responsible financial options to its customers, who are not well-served by either banks or legacy
non-prime lenders. The Company currently offers unsecured online installment loans, lines of credit and credit cards in the
United States (the “US”) and the United Kingdom (the “UK”). The Company’s products, Rise, Elastic, Today Card and Sunny,
reflect its mission of “Good Today, Better Tomorrow” and provide customers with access to competitively priced credit and
services while helping them build a brighter financial future with credit building and financial wellness features. In the UK, the
Company directly offers unsecured installment loans via the internet through its wholly owned subsidiary, Elevate Credit
International Limited, (“ECI”) under the brand name of Sunny.
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries and variable interest
entities ("VIEs") where the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have
been eliminated.
Initial Public Offering
On April 11, 2017, the Company completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) in which it issued and sold 12,400,000 shares of
common stock at a price of $6.50 per share to the public. In connection with the closing, the underwriters exercised their option
to purchase in full for an additional 1,860,000 shares. On April 6, 2017, the Company's stock began trading on the New York
Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol “ELVT.” The aggregate net proceeds received by the Company from the IPO, net
of underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, were approximately $80.2 million.
Immediately prior to the closing of the IPO, all then outstanding shares of the Company's convertible preferred stock were
converted into 5,639,410 shares of common stock (or 14,098,519 shares of common stock after the 2.5-for-1 forward stock split
described below). The related carrying value of shares of preferred stock, in the aggregate amount of approximately $6
thousand, was reclassified as common stock. Additionally, the Company amended and restated its certificate of incorporation,
effective April 11, 2017 to, among other things, change the authorized number of shares of common stock to 300,000,000 and
the authorized number of shares of preferred stock to 24,500,000, each with a par value of $0.0004 per share.
Stock options granted to certain employees vest upon the satisfaction of the earlier of either a service condition or a liquidity
condition. The service condition for these awards is generally satisfied over four years. The liquidity condition is satisfied upon
the occurrence of a qualifying event, defined as the completion of the IPO, which occurred on April 11, 2017. The satisfaction
of this vesting condition accelerated the expense attribution period for those stock options, and the Company recognized a
cumulative share-based compensation expense of $0.8 million for the portion of those stock options that met the liquidity
condition.
Stock Split
On December 11, 2015, the Board of Directors approved the ratio to effect a 2.5-for-1 forward stock split of the Company's
common stock. The stock split became effective in connection with the completion of the Company’s IPO. All numbers of
shares and per share data in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes have been retroactively
adjusted to reflect this stock split for all periods presented.
The Company's IPO and resulting stock split had the following effect on the Company's equity during the year ended December
31, 2017:
• Convertible Preferred Stock: In April 2017 as a result of the IPO, all then outstanding shares of the Company's
convertible preferred stock (5,639,410) were converted on a one-to-one basis without additional consideration into an
aggregate of 5,639,410 shares of common stock and, thereafter, into 14,098,519 shares of common stock after the
application of the 2.5-for-1 forward stock split.
119
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
• Common Stock: The IPO and resulting stock split caused an adjustment to the par value for the common stock, from
$0.001 per share to $0.0004 per share, and caused a two-and-a-half times increase in the number of authorized and
outstanding shares of common stock. The number of shares of common stock and per share common stock data in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes have been retroactively adjusted to reflect a 2.5-
for-1 forward stock split for all periods presented.
•
Share-Based Compensation: The IPO and resulting stock split decreased the exercise price for stock options by two-
and-a-half times per share and reflected a two-and-a-half times increase in the number of stock options and restricted
stock units ("RSUs") outstanding. The number of stock options and RSUs and per share common stock data in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes have been adjusted to reflect a 2.5-for-1 forward
stock split for all periods presented.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the valuation of the allowance for loan losses, goodwill,
long-lived and intangible assets, deferred revenues, contingencies, the fair value of derivatives, the income tax provision,
valuation of share-based compensation, operating lease right of use assets, operating lease liabilities and the valuation
allowance against deferred tax assets. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, current data and assumptions
that are believed to be reasonable. Actual results in future periods could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly-liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash
equivalents.
Restricted Cash
Amounts restricted under lending agreements, third-party processing agreements and state licensing requirements are classified
separately as restricted cash.
Installment Loans, Lines of Credit and Credit Cards
Installment loans, lines of credit and credit cards, including receivables for finance charges, fees and interest, are unsecured and
reported as Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Installment loans are multi-
payment loans that require the pay-down of portions of the outstanding principal balance in multiple installments through the
Rise and Sunny brands. Line of credit accounts include customer cash advances made through the Rise brand in two states and
the Elastic brand. Credit cards represent credit card balances, uncollected billed interest and fees through the Today Card brand.
All outstanding balances, allowance for loan losses, and revenues for the Today Card were immaterial in 2018 and 2019.
The Company offers Rise installment and line of credit products and Sunny installment products directly to customers. Elastic
lines of credit, Rise bank-originated installment loans and Today credit card receivables represent participation interests
acquired from third-party lenders through a wholly owned subsidiary or by a VIE. Based on agreements with the third-party
lenders, the VIEs pay a loan premium on the participation interests. The loan premium is amortized over the expected life of the
outstanding loan amount. At December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the amortization on the loan premiums were $6.0 million,
$6.2 million and $5.4 million, respectively, and are included within Revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
See Note 4—Variable Interest Entities for more information regarding these participation interests in Rise and Elastic
receivables.
The Company considers impaired loans as accounts over 60 days past due (for installment loans and lines of credit) and 120
days (for credit cards) or loans which become uncollectible based on information that the Company becomes aware of (e.g.,
receipt of customer bankruptcy notice). The impaired loans are charged-off at the time that they are deemed to be uncollectible.
A modification of finance receivable terms is considered a troubled debt restructuring ("TDR") if the borrower is experiencing
financial difficulty and the Company grants a concession it would not otherwise have considered to a borrower. The Company
considers TDRs to include all installment and line of credit loans that were modified by granting principal and interest
forgiveness or by extension of the maturity date greater than 60 days as a part of a loss mitigation strategy.
120
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Allowance for Loan Losses
The Company has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance for disclosures about the credit quality of
financing receivables and the allowance for loan losses (“allowance”). The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses for
loans and interest receivable for loans not classified as TDRs at a level estimated to be adequate to absorb credit losses inherent
in the outstanding loans receivable. The Company primarily utilizes historical loss rates by product, stratified by delinquency
ranges, to determine the allowance, but also considers recent collection and delinquency trends, as well as macro-economic
conditions that may affect portfolio losses. Additionally, due to the uncertainty of economic conditions and cash flow resources
of the Company’s customers, the estimate of the allowance for loan losses is subject to change in the near-term and could
significantly impact the consolidated financial statements. If a loan is deemed to be uncollectible before it is fully reserved, it is
charged-off at that time. For loans classified as TDRs, impairment is typically measured based on the present value of the
expected future cash flows discounted at the original effective interest rate.
The Company classifies its loans as either current or past due. An installment loan or line of credit customer in good standing
may request a 16-day grace period when or before a payment becomes due and, if granted, the loan is considered current during
the grace period. Credit card customers have a 25-day grace period for each payment. Installment loans and lines of credit are
considered past due if a grace period has not been requested and a scheduled payment is not paid on its due date. Credit cards
are considered past due if the grace period has passed and the scheduled payment has not been made. Increases in the allowance
are created by recording a Provision for loan losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Installment loans and lines of
credit are charged off, which reduces the allowance, when they are over 60 days past due or earlier if deemed uncollectible.
Credit cards are charged off, which reduces the allowance, when they are over 120 days past due or earlier if deemed
uncollectible. Recoveries on losses previously charged to the allowance are credited to the allowance when collected.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes consumer loan fees as revenues for each of the loan products it offers. Revenues on the Consolidated
Statements of Operations include: finance charges, lines of credit fees, fees for services provided through CSO programs (“CSO
fees”), and interest, as well as any other fees or charges permitted by applicable laws and pursuant to the agreement with the
borrower. The Company also records revenues related to the sale of customer applications to unrelated third parties. These
applications are sold with the customer’s consent in the event that the Company or its CSO lenders are unable to offer the
customer a loan. Revenue is recognized at the time of the sale. Other revenues also include marketing and licensing fees
received from the originating lender related to the Elastic product and Rise bank-originated loans and from CSO fees related to
the Rise product. Revenues related to these fees are recognized when the service is performed.
The Company accrues finance charges on installment loans on a constant yield basis over their terms. The Company accrues
and defers fixed charges such as CSO fees and lines of credit fees when they are assessed and recognizes them to earnings as
they are earned over the life of the loan. The Company accrues interest on credit cards based on the amount of the loan
outstanding and their contractual interest rate. Credit card membership fees are amortized to revenue over the card membership
period. Other credit card fees, such as late payment fees and returned payment fees, are accrued when assessed. The Company
does not accrue finance charges and other fees on installment loans or lines of credit for which payment is greater than 60 days
past due. Credit card interest charges are recognized based on the contractual provisions of the underlying arrangements and are
not accrued for which payment is greater than 90 days past due. Installment loans and lines of credit are considered past due if a
grace period has not been requested and a scheduled payment is not paid on its due date. Credit cards have a grace period of 25
days and are considered delinquent after the grace period. Payments received on past due loans are applied against the loan and
accrued interest balance to bring the loan current. Payments are generally first applied to accrued fees and interest and then to
the principal loan balance.
The Company’s business is affected by seasonality, which can cause significant changes in portfolio size and profit margins
from quarter to quarter. Although this seasonality does not impact the Company’s policies for revenue recognition, it does
generally impact the Company’s results of operations by potentially causing an increase in its profit margins in the first quarter
of the year and decreased margins in the second through fourth quarters.
121
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Credit Service Organization
The Company also provides services in connection with installment loans originated by independent third-party lenders (“CSO
lenders”), whereby the Company acts as a credit services organization/credit access business on behalf of consumers in
accordance with applicable state laws (the “CSO program”). The CSO program includes arranging loans with CSO lenders,
assisting in the loan application, documentation and servicing processes.
Under the CSO program, the Company guarantees the repayment of the customer’s loan to the CSO lenders as part of the credit
services it provides to the customer. A customer who obtains a loan through the CSO program pays the Company a fee for the
credit services, including the guaranty, and enters into a contract with the CSO lenders governing the credit services
arrangement. The CSO fee received is initially recognized as deferred revenue and subsequently recognized over the life of the
loan. The Company estimates a liability for losses associated with the guaranty provided to the CSO lenders using assumptions
and methodologies similar to the allowance for loan losses detailed previously. The CSO program required that the Company
fund a cash reserve equal to 25% - 45% of the outstanding loan principal within the CSO program portfolio. As of
December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, estimated losses of approximately $2.1 million and $4.4 million for the CSO owned
loans receivable guaranteed by the Company of approximately $19.6 million and $39.8 million, respectively, are initially
recorded at fair value and are included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note
3—Loans Receivable and Revenues for additional information on loans receivable and the provision for loan losses.
The Company also had a Receivable from CSO lenders related primarily to CSO fees received by the CSO lenders from
customers. The receivables (payables) related to the CSO lenders as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Receivable related to 25%-45% cash reserve
Receivable (payable) related to CSO fees collected by CSO lenders .......................
Receivable related to licensing and servicing arrangements with CSO lenders .......
Total receivable from CSO lenders ........................................................................... $
$
2019
2018
8,648
(9)
57
8,696
$
$
15,940
(208)
451
16,183
The CSO lenders are considered VIEs of the Company; however, the Company does not have any ownership interest in the
CSO lenders, does not exercise control over them, and is not the primary beneficiary, and therefore, does not consolidate the
CSO lenders’ results with its results.
Receivables from Payment Processors
The Company has entered into agreements with third-party service providers to conduct processing activities, including the
funding of new customer loans and the collection of customer payments for those loans. In accordance with contractual
agreements, these funds are settled back to the Company within one to three business days after the date of the originating
transaction. Accordingly, the Company had approximately $10.7 million and $21.7 million due from processing providers as of
December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which is included in Receivable from payment processors in the Consolidated
Balance Sheets.
Direct Marketing Costs
Marketing expenses consist of online marketing costs such as sponsored search and advertising on social networking sites, and
other marketing costs such as purchased television and radio air time and direct mail print advertising. In addition, marketing
expense includes affiliate costs paid to marketers in exchange for information for applications from potential customers. Online
marketing, affiliate costs and other marketing costs are expensed as incurred.
Selling and Marketing Costs
Selling and marketing costs include costs associated with the use of agencies that perform creative services and monitor and
measure the performance of the various marketing channels. Selling and marketing costs also include the production costs
associated with media advertisements that are expensed as incurred over the licensing or production period.
122
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. The Company capitalizes all
acquisitions of property and equipment of $500 or greater. The Company capitalizes certain software development costs. Costs
incurred in the preliminary stages of development are expensed, but software development costs incurred thereafter, including
external direct costs of materials and services as well as payroll and payroll-related costs, are capitalized.
Software development costs, which are included in Property and equipment, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as of
December 31, 2019 and 2018, and related amortization expense, which is included in Depreciation and amortization within the
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Software development costs.................................................................................... $
Less: accumulated amortization..............................................................................
Net book value ........................................................................................................
Amortization expense .............................................................................................
$
$
2019
2018
73,105
(45,938)
27,167
11,509
$
$
$
56,379
(34,429)
21,950
5,987
Maintenance and repairs that do not extend the useful life of the assets are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization
are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable or amortizable assets as follows:
Furniture and fixtures .......................................................................................................
Equipment.........................................................................................................................
Leasehold improvements ..................................................................................................
Software and software development.................................................................................
7 years
3-5 years
The lesser of the related lease
term or useful life of 3-5 years
3 years
Equity Issuance Costs
Costs incurred related to the Company's IPO were deferred and included in Prepaid expenses and other assets in the
consolidated financial statements and were charged against the gross proceeds of the IPO (i.e., charged against Additional paid-
in capital in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets) as of the closing of the IPO on April 11, 2017 in the amount of
approximately $6.7 million.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the
future tax consequences and benefits attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing
assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and 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 those 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 in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to
reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts that are more likely than not to be realized.
Relative to uncertain tax positions, the Company accrues for losses it believes are probable and can be reasonably estimated.
The amount recognized is subject to estimate and management judgment with respect to the likely outcome of each uncertain
tax position. The amount that is ultimately sustained for an individual uncertain tax position or for all uncertain tax positions in
the aggregate could differ from the amount recognized. If the amounts recorded are not realized or if penalties and interest are
incurred, the Company has elected to record all amounts within income tax expense.
The Company has no recorded liabilities for US uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2019 and 2018. Tax periods from fiscal
years 2014-2018 remain open and subject to examination for US federal and state tax purposes. As the Company had no
operations nor had filed US federal tax returns prior to May 1, 2014, there are no other US federal or state tax years subject to
examination.
123
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
For UK taxes, tax periods from fiscal years 2010-2019 remain open and subject to examination. The Company had an uncertain
tax position at December 31, 2017 that was resolved and released during the year ended December 31, 2018. There are no
additional UK uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2019.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act", or "Tax Reform") was enacted into law. The Act contains several
changes to the US federal tax law including a reduction to the US federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, an acceleration
of the expensing of certain business assets, a reduction to the amount of executive pay that could qualify as a tax deduction, and
the addition of a repatriation tax on any accumulated offshore earnings and profit.
The Company recognized a one-time $12.5 million charge as of December 31, 2017 due to the impact of US tax reform. This
one-time charge was primarily the result of US GAAP requiring remeasurement of all US deferred income tax assets and
liabilities for temporary differences from the previous tax rate of 35% to the new corporate tax rate of 21%.
Tax reform also included a new “Mandatory Repatriation” that required a one-time tax on shareholders of Specific Foreign
Corporations (“SFCs”). The one-time tax was imposed using the Subpart F rules to require US shareholders to include in
income the pro rata share of their SFC’s previously untaxed accumulated post 1986 deferred foreign income. The Company’s
SFC, ECI, had an accumulated earnings and profit ("E&P") deficit at December 31, 2017, and therefore, the Company had no
US impact from the new mandatory repatriation law.
Additionally, tax reform included a new anti-deferral provision, similar to the subpart F provision, requiring a US Shareholder
of Controlled Foreign Corporation’s (“CFC”) to include in income annually its pro rata share of a CFC’s “global intangible low-
taxed income” (“GILTI”). The Company’s SFC, ECI, qualifies as a CFC, and as such, requires a GILTI inclusion in the
applicable tax year. ECI has a US tax year end of November 30 and results in no GILTI inclusion in the tax provision for the
year ended December 31, 2018. The CFC’s tax year beginning December 1, 2018 through November 30, 2019 will be included
in the Company’s tax provision and US Federal tax return for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company has also
elected to treat GILTI as a period cost, and therefore, will recognize those taxes as expenses in the period incurred.
UK Research and Development Expenditure Credit
During 2019, the Company adopted the UK Research and Development Expenditure Credit ("RDEC") for qualifying expenses
incurred since January 1, 2017. The credits are grants from the UK government to promote research and development activities
in the UK and are recognized against the underlying research and development expenses. An entity that qualifies for RDEC
credits must use the credits to offset any outstanding tax liabilities to the UK government. To the extent that the credit is larger
than the tax liability, this excess can be paid directly to the Company. The Company's qualifying expenditures mainly consist of
employment and contractor costs of certain of the Company's developers. The Company has recorded gross RDEC credits of
$935 thousand within the related expense category with an offsetting amount of $178 thousand within Income tax expense in
the Consolidated Statement of Operations in 2019.
Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets
acquired in each business combination. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350-20-35, Goodwill—
Subsequent Measurement, the Company performs a quantitative approach method impairment review of goodwill and
intangible assets with an indefinite life annually at October 1 and between annual tests 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. Prior to 2019, the
Company performed this test at October 31. The Company completed its annual test and determined that there was no evidence
of impairment of goodwill or indefinite lived intangible assets. No events or circumstances occurred between October 1 and
December 31, 2019 that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting units below the carrying amount.
124
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The Company’s impairment evaluation of goodwill is based on comparing the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to
their carrying value. The fair value of the reporting units was determined based on a weighted average of the income and
market approaches. The income approach establishes fair value based on estimated future cash flows of the reporting units,
discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital developed using the capital asset pricing model, which reflects the
overall level of inherent risk of the reporting units. The income approach uses the Company’s projections of financial
performance for a six to nine-year period and includes assumptions about future revenues growth rates, operating margins and
terminal values. The market approach establishes fair value by applying cash flow multiples to the reporting units’ operating
performance. The multiples are derived from other publicly traded companies that are similar but not identical from an
operational and economic standpoint.
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization
Intangible assets primarily include the fair value assigned to non-compete agreements at acquisition less any accumulated
amortization. Non-compete agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement. An evaluation of
the recoverability of intangible assets subject to amortization is performed whenever the facts and circumstances indicate that
the carrying value may be impaired. 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 corresponding carrying value. The amount of the
impairment loss, if any, is the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its estimated fair value. No impairment losses related to
intangible assets subject to amortization occurred during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
Leases
Prior to the implementation of ASC Topic 842, Leases, the Company recognized escalating lease payments on a straight-line
basis over the term of each respective lease with the difference between cash payments and rent expense recorded as a deferred
rent liability. At December 31, 2018, the Company had a deferred rent liability of $3.7 million that is included in Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 842 on
a prospective basis at January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2016-02, as amended, resulted in the recognition of approximately
$11.5 million and $15.4 million additional right of use assets and liabilities for operating leases, respectively. Subsequent to
initial adoption, the Company entered into additional leases for a total recognition in 2019 of $13.4 million and $17.6 million
right of use assets and liabilities for operating leases, respectively.
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in Operating lease right of use
("ROU") assets and Operating lease liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Operating lease ROU assets and operating
lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the
commencement date. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate
based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The
operating lease ROU asset may also include initial direct costs incurred and excludes any lease payments made and lease
incentives. The Company's lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that
the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over
the lease term. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components. The lease and non-lease components
are accounted for as a single lease component.
Debt Discount and Issuance Costs
Costs incurred for issuing the Notes payable are deferred and amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the
related debt, which approximates the effective interest method. These costs include any debt discount or premium on the notes
in addition to debt issuance costs incurred. The debt discount related to the Convertible Term Notes was fully amortized in
2018. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, amortization of the debt discount was approximately $0.0 million and
$0.1 million, respectively, and is included within Net interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 7
—Notes Payable for additional information on the Convertible Term Notes.
The Convertible Term Notes converted into the 4th Tranche Term Notes on January 30, 2018 per the terms of the VPC Facility.
At that time, the maturity of the 4th Tranche Term Notes was extended to February 1, 2021, and the debt discount on the
Convertible Term Notes was fully amortized. In January 2018, the Company paid $2.0 million to Victory Park Management,
LLC ("VPC") to settle the derivative liability associated with the Redemption Premium Feature upon the conversion of the
Convertible Term Notes to the existing 4th Tranche Term Note. See Note 7—Notes Payable for additional information.
125
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The unamortized balance of debt issuance costs was approximately $2.6 million and $0.7 million at December 31, 2019 and
2018, respectively, and is included in Notes payable, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amortization of debt issuance
costs of approximately $0.6 million, $0.4 million and $0.5 million was recognized for the years ended December 31, 2019,
2018 and 2017, respectively, and is included within Net interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Foreign Currency Translations and Transactions
The functional currency for ECI is the British Pound (“GBP”). The assets and liabilities of ECI are translated into US dollars
(“USD”) at the exchange rates in effect at each balance sheet date, and the resulting adjustments are recorded in Accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss), net as a separate component of equity. Revenues and expenses are translated at the monthly
average exchange rates occurring during each period. Equity is translated at the historical rates of the respective transactions.
The Company had designated its intercompany loan with ECI as long-term. The intercompany loan was denominated in GBP.
As a result, gains and losses related to the remeasurement of this balance were recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss), net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity.
Effective November 30, 2015, the Company converted the intercompany loan principal balance to equity and forgave the
interest (which eliminates upon consolidation) that was accrued and unpaid on the loan at that date. The foreign currency
remeasurement loss related to intercompany accounts remaining in Accumulated other comprehensive income, net is $1.4
million at December 31, 2019 and 2018. These intercompany loan transactions had no impact on the Company's consolidated
results of operations.
As a portion of ECI's term note under the third-party credit facility is denominated in USD, ECI remeasures the portion of its
term note denominated in GBP monthly. On August 30, 2017, the UK Term Note commitment amount was amended to
approximately $47.9 million (comprised of $35.0 million and £10.0 million). Due to the transfer of $7.0 million of the UK
Term Note from USD to GBP and the $25.0 million paydown of the UK Term Note in 2017, the Company realized a previously
unrealized foreign currency loss of approximately $6.2 million. Based on the paydown in the fourth quarter of 2019, the
Company realized a previously unrealized foreign currency loss of approximately $1.9 million.
The unrealized foreign currency gain / (loss) from foreign currency remeasurement was approximately $2.3 million, $(1.4)
million and $9.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and is included in Foreign
currency transaction gain (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Comprehensive Income
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net is comprised of the impact of foreign currency translation adjustments in
addition to unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate caps. In 2018, certain stranded tax effects of $0.9 million were reclassified
from accumulated comprehensive income to Accumulated deficit. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the
change in total other comprehensive income, net of tax, was a gain (loss) of approximately $1.0 million, $(1.9) million and $0.9
million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, $0.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively, was
reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income. No amounts have been reclassified from
accumulated other comprehensive income to net loss during the year ended December 31, 2017.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company maintains cash and cash equivalent balances in bank deposit accounts that, at times, may exceed federally
insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company believes it is not exposed to any
significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.
126
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Fair Value Measurements
The Company applies the provisions of ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, for fair value
measurements of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial
statements on a recurring or non-recurring basis, as applicable. This guidance defines fair value as the price that would be
received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement
date (also referred to as an exit price). This guidance also establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands
disclosures about fair value measurements. See Note 11—Fair Value Measurements for additional information on fair value
measurements.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company applies the provisions of ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. On January 11, 2018, the Company and
ESPV each entered into one interest rate cap transaction with a counterparty to mitigate the floating rate interest risk on a
portion of the debt underlying the Rise and Elastic portfolios, respectively. The interest rate caps matured on February 1, 2019.
The interest rate caps were designated as cash flow hedges against expected future cash flows attributable to future interest
payments on debt facilities held by each entity. The Company initially reported the gains or losses related to the hedges as a
component of Accumulated other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the period incurred and
subsequently reclassified the interest rate caps’ gains or losses to interest expense when the hedged expenses were recorded.
The Company excluded the change in the time value of the interest rate caps in its assessment of their hedge effectiveness. The
Company presented the cash flows from cash flow hedges in the same category in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
as the category for the cash flows from the hedged items. The interest rate caps did not contain any credit risk related contingent
features. The Company’s hedging program is not designed for trading or speculative purposes.
The Company’s derivative financial instruments also included bifurcated embedded derivatives that were identified within the
Convertible Term Notes recorded as assets or liabilities initially at fair value, and the changes in fair value at the end of each
quarterly reporting period are included in earnings. Upon repayment of a portion of the Convertible Term Notes, approximately
$2.0 million was released from the debt discount where the derivative was recorded into Interest expense. In January 2018, the
Convertible Term Notes matured and became a portion of the 4th Tranche Term Note. Therefore, there is no bifurcated
embedded derivatives as of December 31, 2019. See fair value measurements policy above, Note 7—Notes Payable, net, Note
11—Fair Value, and Note 12—Derivatives for additional information.
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets
The Company applies the provisions of ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing, for accounting for transfers and servicing of
financial assets, which requires that specific criteria are met in order to record a transfer of financial assets as a sale. To qualify
for sale treatment, the guidance requires that the Company does not have continuing involvement with the sold assets and also
requires the Company to no longer retain effective control of the assets. During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and
2017, the Company entered into sales agreements with third-party firms whereby the Company sold charged off customer loans
to the third party. The agreements meet the sale criteria, and as a result, proceeds of approximately $33.4 million, $34.8 million
and $32.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, were recorded as a recovery of charged
off loans, inclusive of other recoveries, in the Allowance for loan losses.
Certain VIEs and a wholly owned subsidiary acquired certain loan participations in unsecured lines of credit and installment
loans originated by third-party lenders to individual borrowers, which meet the criteria of a participation interest. Per the terms
of the participation arrangements with the third-party lenders, loan servicing is retained by the third-party lenders, and the VIEs
and a wholly owned subsidiary reimburses the lenders for the proportionate share of the servicing costs. See Note 4—Variable
Interest Entities for additional information related to the participation interests purchased.
127
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Share-Based Compensation
In accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, all share-based payments, consisting of stock options,
RSUs and ESPP purchase rights, that are issued to employees are measured based on the grant-date fair value of the awards and
recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the period during which the recipient is required to perform
services in exchange for the award (the requisite service period). Starting July 2017, the Company also has an employee stock
purchase plan ("ESPP"). The determination of fair value of share-based payments on the date of grant using equity-valuation
models is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective
variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, actual
and projected employee stock option exercise activity, risk-free interest rate, expected dividends and expected term. The
Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton Option Pricing Model to estimate the grant-date fair value of stock options, and the
Company uses an equity valuation model to estimate the grant-date fair value of RSUs. Additionally, the recognition of share-
based compensation expense requires an estimation of the number of awards that will ultimately vest and the number of awards
that will ultimately be forfeited.
Treasury Stock
The Company evaluates each stock repurchase transaction in the period in which it is completed. If the repurchase transaction is
significantly in excess of the current market price at purchase, the Company will identify whether the price paid included
payment for other agreements, rights, and privileges. Repurchase transactions that do not contain these elements or are not
significantly in excess of the current market price at purchase are accounted for using the cost method. The Company
anticipates using its treasury stock to fulfill certain employee stock compensation grants and settlements. The Company has
elected to use a first in, first out ("FIFO") method for assigning share cost at reissuance. Any gain or loss in the stock value will
be credited or charged to paid in capital upon subsequent reissuance of the shares, with losses in excess of previously
recognized gains charged to retained earnings. The Company is not obligated to purchase or reissue any shares at any time in
accordance with its previously disclosed share repurchase plan.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In July 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2018-09, Codification Improvements ("ASU
2018-09"). The purpose of ASU 2018-09 is to clarify, correct errors in or make minor improvements to the Codification.
Among other revisions, the amendments clarify that an entity should recognize excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies for share
compensation expense that is taken on an entity’s tax return in the period in which the amount of the deduction is determined.
The Company has adopted all of the amendments of ASU 2018-09 as of January 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis. The
adoption of ASU 2018-09 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220):
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("ASU 2018-02"). The purpose of ASU
2018-02 is to allow an entity to elect to reclassify the stranded tax effects related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from
Accumulated other comprehensive income into Retained earnings. The amendments in ASU 2018-02 are effective for all
entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is
permitted. The Company adopted all amendments of ASU 2018-02 on a prospective basis as of January 1, 2018 and elected to
reclassify the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from Accumulated other comprehensive income to
Accumulated deficit. The amount of the reclassification for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $920 thousand.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)—Targeted Improvements to
Accounting for Hedging Activities ("ASU 2017-12"). The purpose of ASU 2017-12 is to improve the financial reporting of
hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity's risk management activities in its financial statements.
In addition, ASU 2017-12 makes certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance.
In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments ("ASU
2019-04"). This amendment clarifies the guidance in ASU 2017-12. ASU 2017-12 is effective for public companies for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2018, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The
Company has adopted all of the amendments of ASU 2017-12 on a prospective basis as of January 1, 2018. Since the Company
did not have derivatives accounted for as hedges prior to December 31, 2017, there was no cumulative-effect adjustment needed
to Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and Accumulated deficit. The adoption of ASU 2017-12 did not have a
material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
128
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 is intended to
improve the reporting of leasing transactions to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information.
ASU 2016-02 will require organizations that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheets the assets and liabilities for the
rights and obligations created by those leases. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to
Topic 842, Leases (“ASU 2018-10”), which clarifies certain matters in the codification with the intention to correct unintended
application of the guidance. Also in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements
(“ASU 2018-11”), which provides entities with an additional (and optional) transition method whereby the entity applies the
new lease standard at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained
earnings in the period of adoption. Additionally, under the new transition method, an entity’s reporting for the comparative
periods presented in the financial statements in which it adopts the new lease standard will continue to be in accordance with
current US GAAP (Topic 840, Leases). ASU 2016-02, as amended, is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company elected to adopt the
transition method in ASU 2018-11 by applying the practical expedient prospectively at January 1, 2019. The Company also
elected to apply the optional practical expedient package to not reassess existing or expired contracts for lease components,
lease classification or initial direct costs. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019, as amended, resulted in the
recognition of approximately $11.5 million and $15.4 million additional right of use assets and liabilities for operating leases,
respectively, but did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
In July 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2019-07, Codification Updates to SEC Sections
("ASU 2019-07"). The purpose of ASU 2019-07 is to amend various SEC paragraphs pursuant to the issuance of SEC Final
Rule Releases No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, and Nos. 33-10231 and 33-10442, Investment Company
Reporting Modernization. Among other revisions, the amendments reduce duplication and clarify the inclusion of
comprehensive income. The Company has adopted all of the amendments of ASU 2019-07 as of July 2019 with no impact to
the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Accounting Standards to be Adopted in Future Periods
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income
Taxes ("ASU 2019-12"). The purpose of ASU 2019-12 is to reduce complexity in the accounting standards for income taxes by
removing certain exceptions as well as clarifying certain allocations. This update also addresses the split recognition of
franchise taxes that are partially based on income between income-based tax and non-income-based tax. This guidance is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is
permitted. The Company is still assessing the potential impact of ASU 2019-12 on the Company's consolidated financial
statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic
350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service
Contract ("ASU 2018-15"). The purpose of ASU 2018-15 is to provide additional guidance on the accounting for costs of
implementation activities performed in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. This guidance is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted.
Entities have the option to apply the guidance in ASU 2018-15 prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date
of adoption or retrospectively. The Company has elected to adopt prospectively as of January 1, 2020 and has implemented a
control structure to identify cloud computing arrangements for appropriate accounting treatment similar to its procedures for
right of use assets. The Company does not expect ASU 2018-15 to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated
financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to
the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement ("ASU 2018-13"). The purpose of ASU 2018-13 is to modify the
disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. This guidance is effective for
public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years and requires
both a prospective and retrospective approach to adoption based on amendment specifications. Early adoption of any removed
or modified disclosures is permitted. Additional disclosures may be delayed until their effective date. The Company does not
expect ASU 2018-13 to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
129
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for
Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04"). The purpose of ASU 2017-04 is to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill.
The amendments modify the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill
exceeds its implied fair value to the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. An
entity no longer will determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair
value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination.
This guidance is effective for public companies for goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2019. The Company does not expect ASU 2017-04 to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial
statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit
Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"). ASU 2016-13 is intended to replace the incurred loss impairment
methodology in current US GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a
broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates to improve the quality of information
available to financial statement users about expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend
credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification
Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments ("ASU 2019-04"). This amendment clarifies the guidance in ASU 2016-13.
The guidance in ASU 2016-13 was further clarified by ASU No. 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial
Instruments ("ASU 2019-11") issued in November 2019. ASU 2019-11 provides transition relief such as permitting entities an
accounting policy election regarding existing Troubled Debt Restructurings ("TDRs") among other things. In May 2019, the
FASB issued ASU No. 2019-05, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief ("ASU 2019-05").
The purpose of this amendment is to provide entities that have certain instruments within the scope of Subtopic 326-20,
Financial Instruments-Credit Losses-Measured at Amortized Cost, with an option to irrevocably elect the fair value option in
Subtopic 825-10, Financial Instruments-Overall, on an instrument-by-instrument basis. Election of this option is intended to
increase comparability of financial statement information and reduce costs for certain entities to comply with ASU 2016-13.
For public entities, ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods
within those fiscal years. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic
326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates ("ASU 2019-10"). The purpose of this
amendment is to create a two tier rollout of major updates, staggering the effective dates between larger public companies and
all other entities. This granted certain classes of companies, including Smaller Reporting Companies ("SRCs"), additional time
to implement major FASB standards, including ASU 2016-13. Larger public companies will still have an effective date for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. All other entities are
permitted to defer adoption of ASU 2016-13, and its related amendments, until the earlier of fiscal periods beginning after
December 15, 2022. Under the current SEC definitions, the Company meets the definition of an SRC as of the ASU 2019-10
issuance date and is adopting the deferral period for ASU 2016-13.
NOTE 2—EARNINGS PER SHARE
In April 2017, the Company effected a 2.5-for-1 forward stock split of its common stock in connection with the completion of
the IPO, which has been retroactively applied to previously reported share and earnings per share amounts.
Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares
outstanding ("WASO") during each period. Also, basic EPS includes any fully vested stock and unit awards that have not yet
been issued as common stock. There are no unissued fully vested stock and unit awards at December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the WASO during each period plus any unvested stock option awards
granted, vested unexercised stock options and unvested RSUs using the treasury stock method but only to the extent that these
instruments dilute earnings per share.
130
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The computation of earnings (loss) per share was as follows for years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:
(Dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts)
Numerator (basic):
Years Ended December 31,
2019
2018
2017
Net income (loss) ................................................................................. $
32,183
$
12,509
$
(6,916)
Numerator (diluted):
Net income (loss) ................................................................................. $
32,183
$
12,509
$
(6,916)
Denominator (basic):
Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding .......................
43,805,845
42,791,061
33,911,520
Denominator (diluted):
Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding .......................
43,805,845
42,791,061
33,911,520
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Convertible Preferred Stock ............................................................
Employee stock plans (options, RSUs and ESPP) ..........................
Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding ....................
—
532,360
44,338,205
—
1,508,243
44,299,304
—
—
33,911,520
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Basic earnings (loss) per share .............................................................
Diluted earnings (loss) per share ..........................................................
$
$
0.73
0.73
$
$
0.29
0.28
$
$
(0.20)
(0.20)
For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company excluded the following potential common shares from
its diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation because including these shares would be anti-dilutive.
•
•
1,434,882, 249,517 and 1,434,847 common shares issuable upon exercise of the Company's stock options
3,552,730, 826,557 and 519,909 common shares issuable upon vesting of the Company's RSUs.
ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share” (“ASC Topic 260”) requires companies with participating securities to utilize a two-class
method for the computation of net income per share attributable to the Company. The two-class method requires a portion of
net income attributable to the Company to be allocated to participating securities. Net losses are not allocated to participating
securities unless those securities are obligated to participate in losses. The Company did not have any participating securities
for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
NOTE 3—LOANS RECEIVABLE AND REVENUES
Revenues
Revenues generated from the Company’s consumer loans for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were as
follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Finance charges .............................................................................................. $
Lines of credit fees..........................................................................................
CSO fees .........................................................................................................
Other ...............................................................................................................
Total revenues ....................................................................................... $
2019
2018
2017
456,458
247,397
40,835
2,272
746,962
$
$
467,691
254,561
60,221
4,209
786,682
$
$
412,954
195,592
58,008
6,578
673,132
131
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses
The Company's portfolio consists of both installment loans and lines of credit, which are considered the portfolio segments at
December 31, 2019 and 2018. The Rise product is primarily installment loans in the US with lines of credit offered in two
states. The Sunny product is an installment loan product offered in the UK. The Elastic product is a line of credit product in the
US. In November of 2018, the Company expanded a test launch of the Today Card, a credit card product offered in the US.
Balances and activity for the Today Card as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were not material.
The following reflects the credit quality of the Company’s loans receivable as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 as delinquency
status has been identified as the primary credit quality indicator. The Company classifies its loans as either current or past due.
A customer in good standing may request up to a 16-day grace period when or before a payment becomes due and, if granted,
the loan is considered current during the grace period. Installment loans, lines of credit and credit cards are considered past due
if a grace period has not been requested and a scheduled payment is not paid on its due date. All impaired loans that were not
accounted for as a TDR as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 have been charged off.
Rise and Sunny
Elastic(1)
Total
December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
Current loans
Past due loans..............................................................................
$
Total loans receivable
Net unamortized loan premium...................................................
Less: Allowance for loan losses
Loans receivable, net ......................................................... $
339,816
52,664
392,480
290
(57,103)
335,667
$
$
243,380
22,395
265,775
2,128
(29,893)
238,010
(Dollars in thousands)
Current loans ............................................................................... $
Past due loans..............................................................................
Total loans receivable ........................................................
Net unamortized loan premium...................................................
Less: Allowance for loan losses ..................................................
Loans receivable, net ......................................................... $
Rise and Sunny
December 31, 2018
Elastic(1)
296,339
53,491
349,830
54
(55,557)
294,327
$
$
273,217
27,778
300,995
2,423
(36,051)
267,367
(1)
Includes immaterial balances related to the Today Card, which expanded its test launch in November 2018.
$
$
$
$
583,196
75,059
658,255
2,418
(86,996)
573,677
Total
569,556
81,269
650,825
2,477
(91,608)
561,694
Total loans receivable includes approximately $8.9 million and $7.4 million of loans in a non-accrual status at December 31,
2019 and 2018, respectively. The previously reported non-accrual loan balance as of December 31, 2018 excluded certain non-
accrual loans that amounted to $2.7 million. The omission of these amounts only impacted the footnote disclosure and not the
reported balances on the balance sheets and statements of operations, the Company does not believe this omission has a
material impact on the previously reported balances in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018.
Additionally, total loans receivable includes approximately $38.1 million and $41.6 million of interest receivable at
December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The carrying value for Loans receivable, net of the allowance for loan losses
approximates the fair value due to the short-term nature of the loans receivable.
132
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The changes in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:
December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance beginning of year
Provision for loan losses ...................................................................
Charge-offs
Recoveries of prior charge-offs.........................................................
Effect of changes in foreign currency rates
Total.........................................................................................
Accrual for CSO lender owned loans (Note 1)
Balance end of year .................................................................
Rise and Sunny
60,002
$
245,658
(269,731)
23,013
240
59,182
(2,079)
57,103
$
$
$
36,050
118,583
(135,484)
10,744
—
29,893
—
29,893
Elastic(1)
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance beginning of year.................................................................
Provision for loan losses ...................................................................
Charge-offs........................................................................................
Recoveries of prior charge-offs.........................................................
Effect of changes in foreign currency rates.......................................
Total.........................................................................................
Accrual for CSO lender owned loans (Note 1) .................................
Balance end of year .................................................................
Rise and Sunny
64,919
$
273,080
(301,111)
23,670
(556)
60,002
(4,444)
55,558
$
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance beginning of year.................................................................
Provision for loan losses ...................................................................
Charge-offs........................................................................................
Recoveries of prior charge-offs.........................................................
Effect of changes in foreign currency rates.......................................
Total.........................................................................................
Accrual for CSO lender owned loans (Note 1) .................................
Balance end of year .................................................................
Rise and Sunny
62,987
$
248,810
(271,746)
24,019
849
64,919
(5,843)
59,076
$
December 31, 2018
Elastic(1)
$
$
28,870
138,899
(142,863)
11,144
—
36,050
—
36,050
December 31, 2017
Elastic
$
$
19,389
108,764
(107,417)
8,134
—
28,870
—
28,870
$
$
$
$
$
$
96,052
364,241
(405,215)
33,757
240
89,075
(2,079)
86,996
Total
93,789
411,979
(443,974)
34,814
(556)
96,052
(4,444)
91,608
Total
82,376
357,574
(379,163)
32,153
849
93,789
(5,843)
87,946
(1)
Includes immaterial balances related to the Today Card, which expanded its test launch in November 2018.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, estimated losses of approximately $2.1 million and $4.4 million, respectively, for the CSO
owned loans receivable guaranteed by the Company of approximately $19.6 million and $39.8 million, respectively, are
initially recorded at fair value and are included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Troubled Debt Restructurings
In certain circumstances, the Company modifies the terms of its finance receivables for borrowers experiencing financial
difficulties. Modifications may include principal and interest forgiveness. A modification of finance receivable terms is
considered a TDR if the Company grants a concession to a borrower for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s
financial difficulties that would not otherwise have been considered. Management considers TDRs to include all installment
and line of credit loans that were granted principal and interest forgiveness or that extended the maturity date by sixty days or
more as a part of a loss mitigation strategy for Rise, Elastic and Sunny that began in 2017. Once a loan has been classified as a
TDR, it is assessed for impairment based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's original
effective interest rate considering all available evidence. There were no loans that were modified as TDRs prior to 2017.
133
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The following table summarizes the financial effects, excluding impacts related to credit loss allowance and impairment, of
TDRs that occurred for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017:
(Dollars in thousands)
Outstanding recorded investment before TDR $
Outstanding recorded investment after TDR
2019
2018
2017
44,546
$
42,195
26,683
$
24,421
9,619
7,726
Total principal and interest forgiveness
included in charge-offs within the
Allowance for loan loss
$
2,351
$
2,262
$
1,893
A loan that has been classified as a TDR remains so until the loan is liquidated through payoff or charge-off. The table below
presents the Company's average outstanding recorded investment and interest income recognized on TDR for the years ended
December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017:
(Dollars in thousands)
Average outstanding recorded investment(1)
Interest income recognized
2019
2018
2017
$
$
15,995
11,013
$
$
9,132
14,056
$
$
6,416
1,162
1. Simple average as of December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.
The table below presents the Company’s loans modified in TDRs as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:
(Dollars in thousands)
Current outstanding investment
Delinquent outstanding investment
Outstanding recorded investment
Less: Impairment included in Allowance for loan
losses
Outstanding recorded investment, net of
impairment
$
$
2019
2018
$
11,559
7,273
18,832
(5,238)
13,594
$
7,627
5,531
13,158
(969)
12,189
A TDR is considered to have defaulted upon charge-off when it is over 60 days past due or earlier if deemed uncollectible.
There were approximately $25.0 million and $21.8 million of loan restructurings accounted for as TDRs that subsequently
defaulted for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company had commitments to lend additional
funds of approximately $2.3 million to customers with available and unfunded lines of credit at December 31, 2019.
NOTE 4—VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
The Company is involved with five entities that are deemed to be VIEs: Elastic SPV, Ltd., EF SPV, Ltd., and three Credit
Services Organization ("CSO") lenders. Under ASC 810-10-15, Variable Interest Entities, a VIE is an entity that: (1) has an
insufficient amount of equity investment at risk to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated
financial support by other parties; (2) the equity investors are unable to make significant decisions about the entity’s activities
through voting rights or similar rights; or (3) the equity investors do not have the obligation to absorb expected losses or the
right to receive residual returns of the entity. The Company is required to consolidate a VIE if it is determined to be the primary
beneficiary, that is, the enterprise has both (1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the
entity’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the
VIE. The Company evaluates its relationships with VIEs to determine whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time
it becomes involved with the entity and it re-evaluates that conclusion each reporting period.
134
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Elastic SPV, Ltd.
On July 1, 2015, the Company entered into several agreements with a third-party lender and Elastic SPV, Ltd. (“ESPV”), an
entity formed by third-party investors for the purpose of purchasing loan participations from the third-party lender. Per the
terms of the agreements, the Company provides customer acquisition services to generate loan applications submitted to the
third-party lender. In addition, the Company licenses loan underwriting software and provides services to the third-party lender
to evaluate the credit quality of those loan applications in accordance with the third-party lender’s credit policies. ESPV
accounts for the loan participations acquired in accordance with ASC 860-10-40, Transfers and Services, Derecognition, as the
lines of credit acquired meet the criteria of a participation interest.
Once the third-party lender originates the loan, ESPV has the right, but not the obligation, to purchase a 90% interest in each
Elastic line of credit. Victory Park Management, LLC ("VPC") entered into an agreement (the "ESPV Facility") under which it
loans ESPV all funds necessary up to a maximum borrowing amount to purchase such participation interests in exchange for a
fixed return (see Note 7—Notes Payable—ESPV Facility). The Company entered into a separate credit default protection
agreement with ESPV whereby the Company agreed to provide credit protection to the investors in ESPV against Elastic loan
losses in return for a credit premium. The Company does not hold a direct ownership interest in ESPV, however, as a result of
the credit default protection agreement, ESPV was determined to be a VIE and the Company qualifies as the primary
beneficiary. The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of the VIE that are included within the Company’s
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2019 and 2018:
(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents............................................................................ $
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $28,852 and
$36,019, respectively....................................................................................
Prepaid expenses and other assets ($0 and $64, respectively, eliminates
upon consolidation) ......................................................................................
Derivative asset at fair value (cost basis of $0 and $51, respectively).........
Receivable from payment processors...........................................................
Total assets ............................................................................................ $
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ($7,690 and $9,372,
respectively, eliminates upon consolidation)................................................ $
Deferred revenue ..........................................................................................
Reserve deposit liability ($23,150 and $35,850, respectively, eliminates
upon consolidation) ......................................................................................
Notes payable, net ........................................................................................
Accumulated other comprehensive income .................................................
Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity .............................................. $
EF SPV, Ltd.
2019
2018
26,245
$
234,504
—
—
6,363
267,112
$
15,902
$
4,280
23,150
223,780
—
267,112
$
18,723
266,725
251
195
12,212
298,106
17,923
5,293
35,850
238,896
144
298,106
On October 15, 2018, the Company entered into several agreements with a third-party lender and EF SPV, Ltd. (“EF SPV”), an
entity formed by third-party investors for the purpose of purchasing loan participations from the third-party lender. Per the
terms of the agreements, the Company provides customer acquisition services to generate loan applications submitted to the
third-party lender. In addition, the Company licenses loan underwriting software and provides services to the third-party lender
to evaluate the credit quality of those loan applications in accordance with the third-party lender’s credit policies. EF SPV
accounts for the loan participations acquired in accordance with ASC 860-10-40, Transfers and Services, Derecognition, as the
installment loans acquired meet the criteria of a participation interest.
135
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Once the third-party lender originates the loan, EF SPV has the right, but not the obligation, to purchase an interest in each Rise
bank originated installment loan. Prior to August 1, 2019, the third-party lender retained 5% of the balances and sold a 95%
participation to EF SPV. On August 1, 2019, EF SPV purchased an additional 1% participation in the outstanding portfolio with
the participation percentage revised going forward to 96%. VPC lends EF SPV all funds necessary up to a maximum borrowing
amount to purchase such participation interests in exchange for a fixed return (see Note 7—Notes Payable—EF SPV Facility).
The Company entered into a separate credit default protection agreement with EF SPV whereby the Company agreed to provide
credit protection to the investors in EF SPV against the third-party lender originated loan losses in return for a credit premium.
The Company does not hold a direct ownership interest in EF SPV, however, as a result of the credit default protection
agreement, EF SPV was determined to be a VIE and the Company qualifies as the primary beneficiary. The following table
summarizes the assets and liabilities of the VIE that are included within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at
December 31, 2019:
(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents ........................................................................... $
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $17,436 and
$3,388, respectively.....................................................................................
Receivable from payment processors ($0 and $101 eliminates upon
consolidation) ..............................................................................................
Total assets ........................................................................................... $
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ($7,114 and $905, respectively,
eliminates upon consolidation).................................................................... $
Reserve deposit liability ($8,950 and $4,650, respectively, eliminates
upon consolidation) .....................................................................................
Notes payable, net .......................................................................................
Shareholder's equity ....................................................................................
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity .............................................. $
CSO Lenders
2019
2018
7,541
$
111,281
681
119,503
$
8,576
$
8,950
101,977
—
119,503
$
8,185
25,484
285
33,954
1,332
4,650
27,972
—
33,954
The three CSO lenders are considered VIE's of the Company; however, the Company does not have any ownership interest in
the CSO lenders, does not exercise control over them, and is not the primary beneficiary, and therefore, does not consolidate the
CSO lenders’ results with its results.
NOTE 5—PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 consists of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
Furniture and fixtures
Equipment ...............................................................................................................
Leasehold improvements
Software development cost .....................................................................................
Software-purchased
Less accumulated depreciation
2019
2018
$
$
4,725
16,475
8,510
73,105
21,333
124,148
(74,159)
49,989
$
$
4,383
14,943
6,413
56,379
16,239
98,357
(56,778)
41,579
136
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Depreciation expense was approximately $17.1 million, $12.6 million, and $10.1 million for the years ended December 31,
2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.
For the years ended 2019 and 2018, the Company identified internal-use software projects whose net carrying value was
deemed unrecoverable, and therefore, fully impaired. In addition, the Company identified a group of furniture and fixtures that
had been abandoned as a result of an update to one of the Company's offices. As a result, the company recognized impairment
expenses of $681 thousand and $311 thousand in Non-operating income (loss) within the Consolidated Statements of
Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
NOTE 6—ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at December 31, 2019 and 2018 consist of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
Accounts payable
Accrued compensation
Liability for losses on CSO lender-owned consumer loans
Interest payable
Other accrued liabilities
2019
2018
$
$
15,278
$
17,005
2,080
4,952
5,676
44,991
$
16,356
7,882
4,444
7,280
8,988
44,950
NOTE 7—NOTES PAYABLE, NET
The Company has three debt facilities with VPC, the Rise SPV, LLC credit facility (the "VPC Facility"), the EF SPV Facility
and the ESPV Facility. These facilities were modified effective February 1, 2019 to the following terms.
VPC Facility
The VPC Facility is primarily used to fund the Rise and Sunny loan portfolio with a subordinated debt component used for
general corporate purposes. It provides the following term notes at December 31, 2019:
• A maximum borrowing amount of $350 million used to fund the Rise loan portfolio (“US Term Note”). Prior to the
February 1, 2019 amendment, the interest rate paid on this facility was a base rate (defined as the 3-month LIBOR,
with a 1% floor) plus 11%. This resulted in a blended interest rate paid of 12.79% on debt outstanding under this
facility as of December 31, 2018. The Company entered into an interest rate cap on January 11, 2018 to mitigate the
floating interest rate risk on the aggregate $240 million outstanding as of December 31, 2017. This cap matured in
February 2019. Upon the February 1, 2019 amendment date, the interest rate of the debt outstanding as of the
amendment date was fixed through the January 1, 2024 maturity date at 10.23% (base rate of 2.73% plus 7.5%). All
future borrowings under this facility will bear an interest rate at a base rate (defined as the greater of 3-month LIBOR,
the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1%) plus 7.5% at the borrowing date. The weighted-average base rate on the
outstanding balance at December 31, 2019 was 2.73% and the overall rate was 10.23%.
• A maximum borrowing amount of $132 million used to fund the UK Sunny loan portfolio (“UK Term Note”). Prior to
the February 1, 2019 amendment, the interest rate paid on this facility was a base rate (defined as the 3-month LIBOR
rate) plus 14%. This resulted in a blended interest rate paid of 16.74% on debt outstanding under this facility as of
December 31, 2018. Upon the February 1, 2019 amendment date, the interest rate on the debt outstanding as of the
amendment date was fixed through the January 1, 2024 maturity date at 10.23% (base rate of 2.73% plus 7.5%). All
future borrowings under this facility will bear an interest rate at a base rate (defined as the greater of 3-month LIBOR,
the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1%) plus 7.5% at the borrowing date. The weighted-average base rate on the
outstanding balance at December 31, 2019 was 2.73% and the overall interest rate was 10.23%.
• A maximum borrowing amount of $18 million used to fund working capital, and prior to February 1, 2019, at a base
rate (defined as the 3-month LIBOR, with a 1% floor) plus 13% ("4th Tranche Term Note"). Upon the February 1, 2019
amendment date, the interest rate was fixed through the February 1, 2021 maturity date at a base rate of 2.73% plus
13%. The interest rate at December 31, 2019 and 2018 was 15.73% and 15.74%, respectively. There was no change in
the interest rate spread on this facility upon the February 1, 2019 amendment.
137
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
• Revolving feature providing the option to pay down up to 20% of the outstanding balance, excluding the 4th Tranche
Term note, once per year during the first quarter. Amounts paid down may be drawn again at a later date.
As of December 31, 2019, the VPC Facility had a total borrowing capacity of $500 million.
The 4th Tranche Term Note matures on February 1, 2021. The US Term Note and the UK Term Note both mature on January 1,
2024. There are no principal payments due or scheduled until the respective maturity dates. All assets of the Company are
pledged as collateral to secure the VPC Facility. The VPC Facility contains certain financial covenants for the Company such as
minimum cash requirements and a minimum book value of equity. There are also certain covenants for the product portfolio
underlying the facility including, among other things, excess spread requirements, maximum roll rate and charge-off rate levels
and maximum loan-to-value ratios. The Company was in compliance with all covenants related to the VPC Facility as of
December 31, 2019 and 2018.
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had a $10 million note with a blended interest rate of 10.64% ("Convertible Term
Notes"). As of December 31, 2017, the interest rate was the greater of 10% or a base rate (defined as the 3-month LIBOR, with
a 1% floor) plus 9%. The Convertible Term Notes were convertible, at the lender's option, into common stock upon the
completion of specific defined liquidity events, including certain equity financings, certain mergers and acquisitions or the sale
of substantially all of the Company's assets, or during the period from the receipt of notice of the anticipated commencement of
a roadshow in connection with the Company's IPO until immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement in
connection with such IPO. The Convertible Term Notes were convertible into common stock at the market value (or a set
discount to market value) of the shares on the date of conversion and since the Convertible Term Notes included a conversion
option that continuously reset as the underlying stock price increased or decreased and provided a fixed value of common stock
to the lender, it was considered share-settled debt. The Company did not elect and was not required to measure the Convertible
Term Notes at fair value; as such, the Company measured the Convertible Term Notes at the accreted value, determined using
the effective interest method. The conversion rights were not exercised, and the Convertible Term Notes became a part of the 4th
Tranche Note on January 30, 2018.
The Convertible Term Notes contained embedded features that were required to be assessed as derivatives. The Company
determined that two of the features it assessed were required to be bifurcated and accounted for under derivative accounting as
follows: (i) An embedded redemption feature upon conversion into common shares of the Company's stock ("Share-Settlement
Feature") that included a provision for the adjustment to the conversion price to a price less than the transaction-date fair value
price per share if the Company is a party to certain qualifying liquidity or equity financing transactions. The incremental
undiscounted present value of the embedded redemption feature was $6.3 million. (ii) An embedded redemption feature that
required the Company to pay an amount up to $5 million ("Redemption Premium Feature") upon a cash redemption at maturity
or upon a redemption caused by certain events of default.
These two embedded features were accounted for together as a single compound derivative. The Company estimated the fair
value of the compound derivative using a probability-weighted valuation scenario model. The assumptions included in the
calculations were highly subjective and subject to interpretation. The fair value of the single compound derivative was
recognized as principal draw-downs were made and in proportion to the amount of principal draw-downs to the maximum
borrowing amount. The initial fair value of the single compound derivative was recognized and presented as a debt discount and
a derivative liability. The debt discount was amortized using the effective interest method from the principal draw-down date(s)
through the maturity date. The derivative liability was accounted for in the same manner as a freestanding derivative pursuant to
ASC 815—Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC 815"), with subsequent changes in fair value recorded in earnings each period.
During the period from the receipt of notice from the Company to VPC of the anticipated commencement of the roadshow in
connection with its IPO until immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, VPC had the option to
convert the Convertible Term Notes, in whole or in part, into that number of shares of the Company's common stock
determined by the outstanding principal balance of and accrued, but unpaid, interest on the Convertible Term Notes divided by
the product of (a) 0.8 multiplied by (b) the IPO price per share. VPC did not elect to exercise its right to convert; however, VPC
purchased 2.3 million shares in the offering at the IPO price, and the Company used the proceeds from that purchase,
approximately $14.95 million, to reduce an equivalent amount of indebtedness under the Convertible Term Notes. Accordingly,
the Company released $2.0 million of the debt discount associated with this repayment into Net interest expense on the
Consolidated Statements of Operations in the year ended December 31, 2017.
138
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Additionally, upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, VPC's option to convert was terminated, and the Convertible
Term Notes were no longer convertible in whole or in part into shares of the Company's common stock. Furthermore, VPC
agreed to waive approximately $3 million of the Redemption Premium Feature associated with the $15.0 million of Convertible
Term Notes the Company repaid. The remaining fair value of the derivative recognized by the Company at December 31, 2017
related to the Redemption Premium Feature. See Note 11—Fair Value Measurements for additional information.
As discussed above, the Convertible Term Notes were converted into the 4th Tranche Term Notes on January 30, 2018 per the
terms of the VPC Facility and the debt discount on the Convertible Term Notes was fully amortized. The exit premium under
the Convertible Term Notes of $2.0 million was due and paid on January 30, 2018.
EF SPV Facility
The EF SPV Facility has a maximum borrowing amount of $150 million used to purchase loan participations from a third-party
lender. Prior to execution of the agreement with VPC effective February 1, 2019, EF SPV was a borrower on the US Term Note
under the VPC Facility and the interest rate paid on this facility was a base rate (defined as 3-month LIBOR, with a 1% floor)
plus 11%. Upon the February 1, 2019 amendment date, $43 million was re-allocated into the EF SPV Facility and the interest
rate on the debt outstanding as of the amendment date was fixed through the January 1, 2024 maturity date at 10.23% (base rate
of 2.73% plus 7.5%). All future borrowings under this facility will bear an interest rate at a base rate (defined as the greater of
3-month LIBOR, the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1%) plus 7.5% at the borrowing date. The weighted-average base rate on
the outstanding balance at December 31, 2019 was 2.49% and the overall interest rate was 9.99%. The EF SPV Term Note has a
revolving feature providing the option to pay down up to 20% of the outstanding balance once per year during the first quarter.
Amounts paid down may be drawn again at a later date prior to maturity.
The EF SPV Term Note matures on January 1, 2024. There are no principal payments due or scheduled until the maturity date.
All assets of the Company and EF SPV are pledged as collateral to secure the EF SPV Facility. The EF SPV Facility contains
certain covenants for the Company such as minimum cash requirements and a minimum book value of equity requirement.
There are also certain covenants for the product portfolio underlying the facility including, among other things, excess spread
requirements, maximum roll rate and charge-off rate levels, and maximum loan-to-value ratios. The Company was in
compliance with all covenants related to the EF SPV Facility as of December 31, 2019.
ESPV Facility
The ESPV Facility has a maximum borrowing amount of $350 million used to purchase loan participations from a third-party
lender. Prior to the February 1, 2019 amendment, the interest rate paid on this facility was a base rate (defined as the greater of
the 3-month LIBOR rate or 1% per annum) plus 13% for the outstanding balance up to $50 million, plus 12% for the
outstanding balance greater than $50 million up to $100 million, plus 13.5% for any amounts greater than $100 million up to
$150 million, and plus 12.75% for borrowing amounts greater than $150 million. This resulted in a blended interest rate paid of
14.65% on the debt outstanding under this facility at December 31, 2018. Upon the February 1, 2019 amendment date, the
interest rate on the debt outstanding as of the amendment date was fixed at 15.48% (base rate of 2.73% plus 12.75%). Effective
July 1, 2019, the interest rate on the debt outstanding as of the amendment date was set at 10.23% (base rate of 2.73% plus
7.5%). All future borrowings under this facility after July 1, 2019 will bear an interest rate at a base rate (defined as the greater
of 3-month LIBOR, the five-year LIBOR swap rate or 1%) plus 7.5% at the borrowing date. The weighted-average base rate on
the outstanding balance at December 31, 2019 was 2.72% and the overall interest rate was 10.22%. The Company entered into
an interest rate cap on January 11, 2018 to mitigate the floating rate interest risk on an aggregate $216 million outstanding as of
December 31, 2019. This cap matured in February 2019. See Note 11—Fair Value Measurements. The ESPV Term Note has a
revolving feature providing the option to pay down up to 20% of the outstanding balance once per year during the first quarter.
Amounts paid down may be drawn again at a later date prior to maturity.
The ESPV Term Note matures on January 1, 2024. There are no principal payments due or scheduled until the maturity date.
All assets of the Company and ESPV are pledged as collateral to secure the ESPV Facility. The ESPV Facility contains certain
covenants for the Company such as minimum cash requirements and a minimum book value of equity requirement. There are
also certain covenants for the product portfolio underlying the facility including, among other things, excess spread
requirements, maximum roll rate and charge-off levels, and maximum loan-to-value ratios. The Company was in compliance
with all covenants related to the ESPV Facility as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
139
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
VPC, EF SPV and ESPV Facilities:
The outstanding balance of Notes payable, net of debt issuance costs, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as
follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
US Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 7.5% (2019) and + 11% (2018)..........
UK Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 7.5% (2019) and + 14% (2018).........
4th Tranche Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 13% .......................................
EF SPV Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 7.5% ...........................................
ESPV Term Note bearing interest at the base rate + 7.5% (2019) and + 12-13.5%
(2018) ..........................................................................................................................
Debt issuance costs ..........................................................................................................
Total .................................................................................................................................
$
$
2019
2018
$
182,000
29,635
18,050
102,000
226,000
(2,622)
555,063
$
250,000
39,196
35,050
—
239,000
(656)
562,590
The change in the facility balances includes the following:
• US Term Note - $43 million re-allocation to new EF SPV facility and pay down of $25 million in the first quarter of
2019 under the revolver component of the facility;
• UK Term Note - $10 million repayment in the fourth quarter of 2019;
•
• EF SPV Term note - $43 million re-allocation from US Term Note in the first quarter of 2019 and additional draws of
4th Tranche Term Note - $17 million early repayment in the second quarter of 2019;
$59 million during the year ended December 31, 2019; and
• ESPV Term Note - Paydown of $18 million in the first quarter of 2019 under the revolver component of the facility
and an additional draw of $5 million in the third quarter of 2019.
Per the terms of the February amendments, the Company qualifies for a 25 bps rate reduction on all three facilities effective
January 1, 2020. This reduction does not apply to the 4th Tranche Term Note.
The Company paid a $2.4 million amendment fee on the ESPV Facility during the first quarter of 2019 that is included in
deferred debt issuance costs and will be amortized into interest expense over the remaining life of the facility (through January
1, 2024). Additionally, the Company incurred an $850 thousand prepayment penalty during the second quarter of 2019 for the
early repayment on the 4th Tranche Term Note that is included in interest expense.
The Company has evaluated the interest rates for its debt and believes they represent market rates based on the Company’s size,
industry, operations and recent amendments. As a result, the carrying value for the debt approximates the fair value.
The following table presents the future debt maturities, including debt issuance costs, as of December 31, 2019:
Year (dollars in thousands)
2020 .......................................................................... $
2021 ..........................................................................
2022 ..........................................................................
2023 ..........................................................................
2024 ..........................................................................
Thereafter..................................................................
Total .......................................................................... $
December 31, 2019
—
18,050
—
—
539,635
—
557,685
140
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
NOTE 8—GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The carrying value of goodwill at December 31, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $16.0 million. There were no changes to
goodwill during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the
estimated fair market value of the net assets acquired by the predecessor parent company, Think Finance, Inc. ("Think
Finance"), related to the Elastic and UK reporting units. Of the total goodwill balance, approximately $0.3 million is deductible
for tax purposes.
The carrying value of acquired intangible assets as of December 31, 2019 is presented in the table below:
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets subject to amortization:
Cost
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Acquired technology .......................................................... $
Non-compete
Customers...........................................................................
Assets not subject to amortization:
Domain names....................................................................
$
946
3,404
126
680
5,156
$
$
(946) $
(2,682)
(126)
—
(3,754) $
The carrying value of acquired intangible assets as of December 31, 2018 is presented in the table below:
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets subject to amortization:
Cost
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Acquired technology .......................................................... $
Non-compete
Customers...........................................................................
Assets not subject to amortization:
Domain names....................................................................
$
946
3,404
126
680
5,156
$
$
(946) $
(2,372)
(126)
—
(3,444) $
—
722
—
680
1,402
—
1,032
—
680
1,712
In May 2018, a party to a non-compete agreement terminated employment with the Company. The terms of the non-compete
agreement expired one year after termination. The Company determined that the useful life of the non-compete agreement
should coincide with its expiration and therefore amortized the remaining carrying value on a straight-line basis through May
2019. As of December 31, 2019, the non-compete agreement was fully amortized.
Total amortization expense recognized for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was approximately $0.3 million,
$0.4 million, and $0.2 million respectively. The weighted-average remaining amortization period for the intangible assets was
6, 6 and 8 years at December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Estimated amortization expense relating to intangible assets subject to amortization for the succeeding five years is as follows:
Year (dollars in thousands)
2020..............................................................................................................................................................
2021..............................................................................................................................................................
2022..............................................................................................................................................................
2023..............................................................................................................................................................
2024..............................................................................................................................................................
Amount
120
120
120
120
120
141
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
NOTE 9—LEASES
The Company has non-cancelable operating leases for facility space and equipment with varying terms. This included subleases
with Think Finance (see Note 16—Related Parties) that terminated during the third quarter of 2018. All of the active leases for
facility space qualified for capitalization under FASB ASC 842, Leases. These leases have remaining lease terms of three to
seven years, and some may include options to extend the leases for up to ten years. The extension terms are not recognized as
part of the right-of-use assets. The Company has elected not to capitalize leases with terms equal to, or less than, one year. As of
December 31, 2019, net assets recorded under operating leases were $10.2 million and net lease liabilities were $14.4 million.
The Company analyzes contracts above certain thresholds to identify leases and lease components. Lease and non-lease
components are not separated for facility space leases. The Company uses its contractual borrowing rate to determine lease
discount rates when an implicit rate is not available.
Rental expense prior to the Company's adoption of ASC 842 was $4.2 million and $3.7 million for the years ended
December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and is reported in Occupancy and equipment in the Consolidated Statements of
Operations. Total lease cost recognized after the adoption of ASC 842 for the year ended December 31, 2019, as included in
Occupancy and equipment in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, is detailed in the table below.
Lease cost (dollars in thousands)
Operating lease cost ................................................................................................... $
Short-term lease cost..................................................................................................
Total lease cost
$
4,819
22
4,841
Year ended
December 31, 2019
Further information related to leases is as follows:
Supplemental cash flows information (dollars in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities ................... $
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations................................. $
Weighted-average remaining lease term....................................................................
Weighted-average discount rate .................................................................................
4,815
1,110
4.5 years
10.23%
Year ended
December 31, 2019
Future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:
Year (dollars in thousands)
2020............................................................................................................................................................. $
2021.............................................................................................................................................................
2022.............................................................................................................................................................
2023.............................................................................................................................................................
2024.............................................................................................................................................................
Thereafter ....................................................................................................................................................
Total future minimum lease payments...................................................................................................... $
Less: Imputed interest .................................................................................................................................
Operating lease liabilities............................................................................................................................ $
Amount
3,760
3,876
3,984
3,486
1,438
1,892
18,436
(4,084)
14,352
142
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
NOTE 10—SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Share-based compensation expense recognized for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 totaled approximately
$9.9 million, $8.2 million and $6.3 million, respectively.
2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan
The 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“2016 Plan”) was adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors on January 5, 2016 and
approved by the Company’s stockholders thereafter. The 2016 Plan became effective on June 23, 2016. The 2016 Plan provides
for the grant of incentive stock options to the Company’s employees, and for the grant of non-qualified stock options, stock
appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalent rights, cash-based awards (including annual cash
incentives and long-term cash incentives), and any combination thereof to the Company’s employees, directors and consultants.
In connection with the 2016 Plan, the Company has reserved but not issued under the 2016 Plan 7,395,504 shares of common
stock, which includes shares that would otherwise return to the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2014 Plan") as a result of
forfeiture, termination, or expiration of awards previously granted under the 2014 Plan and outstanding when the 2016 Plan
became effective.
The 2016 Plan will automatically terminate 10 years following the date it became effective, unless the Company terminates it
sooner. In addition, the Company’s Board of Directors has the authority to amend, suspend or terminate the 2016 Plan provided
such action does not impair the rights under any outstanding award.
As of December 31, 2019, the total number of shares available for future grants under the 2016 Plan was 964,461 shares.
The Company has in the past and may in the future make grants of share-based compensation as inducement awards to new
employees who are outside the 2016 Plan. The Company's board may rely on the employment inducement exception under
NYSE Rule 303A.08 in order to approve the grants.
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
The Company adopted the 2014 Plan on May 1, 2014. The 2014 Plan permitted the grant of incentive stock options, non-
statutory stock options, and restricted stock. On April 27, 2017 the Company's Board of Directors terminated the 2014 Plan as
to future awards and confirmed that underlying shares corresponding to awards under the 2014 Plan that were outstanding at the
time the 2016 Plan became effective that are forfeited, terminated or expire will become available for issuance under the 2016
Plan.
In conjunction with the 2016 and 2014 Plans, as of December 31, 2019, the Company had granted stock options and RSUs
which are described in more detail below.
Modification of Stock Awards
During 2017, certain employee stock option awards were converted into RSU equity awards using conversion ratios designed to
preserve the value of these awards to the holders. On October 26, 2017, affected employees received 165,524 RSU awards
based upon cancellation of 228,780 stock option awards. Adjustments to our outstanding stock-based compensation awards
resulted in an additional compensation expense of $0.7 million to be recognized over the remaining vesting life of the
underlying awards.
Stock Options
Stock options are awarded to encourage ownership of the Company's common stock by employees and to provide increased
incentive for employees to render services and to exert maximum effort for the success of the Company. The Company's stock
options generally permit net-share settlement upon exercise. The option exercise price, vesting schedule and exercise period are
determined for each grant by the administrator of the applicable plan. The Company's stock options generally have a 10-year
contractual term and vest over a 4-year period from the grant date.
143
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The weighted-average grant-date fair value for options granted in 2019 was $4.00. These options have a contractual term of 10
years and vest 100% on the third anniversary of the effective date. The assumptions used to determine the fair value of options
granted in the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 using the Black-Scholes-Merton model are as follows:
Dividend yield
2019
2018
0%
0%
Risk-free interest rate.............................................................................................
1.43% to 2.47%
2.67% to 2.77%
Expected volatility (weighted-average and range, if applicable)
55% (52% to 55%)
48% (42% to 49%)
Expected term ........................................................................................................
7 years
6-7 years
The expected term of the options granted is the period of time from the grant date to the date of expected exercise estimated
using historical data. The expected volatility for any awards issued prior to our IPO was determined based on an average of
companies in similar industries and other factors. Subsequent to our IPO, the expected volatility was determined based on our
stock price. The risk-free interest rate used is the current yield on US Treasury notes with a term equal to the expected term of
the options at the grant date. The expected dividend yield is based on annualized dividends on the underlying share during the
expected term of the option.
A summary of stock option activity as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019 is presented below:
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years)
Shares
Stock Options
Outstanding at December 31, 2018 ............................................................................
Granted .......................................................................................................................
Exercised.....................................................................................................................
Canceled/Forfeited......................................................................................................
Outstanding at December 31, 2019 ............................................................................
2,328,154
$
130,441
(37,760)
(151,657)
2,269,178
Options exercisable at December 31, 2019 ................................................................
2,179,200
$
At December 31, 2019, the following options were outstanding at their respective exercise price:
Exercise Price
$2.13 ..........................................................................................................................................................
$3.98 ..........................................................................................................................................................
$4.29 - 4.57................................................................................................................................................
$5.15 - 5.84................................................................................................................................................
$6.31 ..........................................................................................................................................................
$7.65 ..........................................................................................................................................................
$8.08 - 8.32................................................................................................................................................
Total ...........................................................................................................................................................
4.63
4.00
3.22
5.20
4.58
4.59
3.88
3.66
Options Outstanding
762,500
75,677
208,041
521,733
507,891
2,159
191,177
2,269,178
At December 31, 2019, there was approximately $127 thousand of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock
options which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years. The total intrinsic value of options
exercised for the year December 31, 2019 was $46 thousand.
144
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Restricted Stock Units
RSUs are awarded to serve as a key retention tool for the Company to retain its executives and key employees. RSUs will
transfer value to the holder even if the Company’s stock price falls below the price on the date of grant, provided that the
recipient provides the requisite service during the period required for the award to “vest.”
The weighted-average grant-date fair value for RSUs granted under the 2016 Plan during the year ended December 31, 2019
was $4.66. These RSUs primarily vest 25% on the first anniversary of the effective date, and 25% each year thereafter, until full
vesting on the fourth anniversary of the effective date.
A summary of RSU activity as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019 is presented below:
RSUs
Nonvested at December 31, 2018 ............................................................................
Granted.....................................................................................................................
Vested(1)....................................................................................................................
Canceled/Forfeited...................................................................................................
Nonvested at December 31, 2019 ............................................................................
Expected to vest at December 31, 2019...................................................................
Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Shares
3,155,041
$
2,424,983
(1,059,830)
(358,332)
4,161,862
3,299,793
$
7.91
4.66
7.87
7.02
6.10
6.22
(1) During the year ended December 31, 2019, certain RSUs were net share-settled to cover the required withholding tax and the remaining amounts were
converted into an equivalent number of shares of the Company's common stock. The Company withheld 308,387 shares for applicable income and
other employment taxes and remitted the cash to the appropriate taxing authorities.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the aggregate intrinsic value of vested and expected to vest RSUs was $14.7
million. The total intrinsic value of RSUs that vested during the year ended December 31, 2019 was $4.8 million.
At December 31, 2019, there was approximately $14.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs
which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years. The total fair value of RSUs vested for the year
ended December 31, 2019 was $8.3 million.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Company offers an Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") to eligible employees. There are currently 1,379,948 shares
authorized for the ESPP and 796,414 shares reserved for the ESPP. There were 327,271 shares purchased under the ESPP for
the year ended December 31, 2019. Within share-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018
and 2017, $676 thousand, $562 thousand, and $332 thousand, respectively, relates to the ESPP.
NOTE 11—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The accounting guidance on fair value measurements establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation
techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for
identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to measurements involving significant
unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).
The Company groups its assets and liabilities measured at fair value in three levels of the fair value hierarchy, based on the fair
value measurement technique, as described below:
Level 1—Valuation is based upon quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets and liabilities in active exchange markets that
the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
145
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Level 2—Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar
instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques with significant assumptions and inputs that
are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3—Valuation is derived from model-based techniques that use inputs and significant assumptions that are supported by
little or no observable market data. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants
would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include the use of pricing models, discounted cash flow models
and similar techniques.
The Company monitors the market conditions and evaluates the fair value hierarchy levels at least quarterly. For any transfers
in and out of the levels of the fair value hierarchy, the Company discloses the fair value measurement at the beginning of the
reporting period during which the transfer occurred. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no
significant transfers between levels.
The level of fair value hierarchy within which a fair value measurement in its entirety falls is based on the lowest-level input
that is most significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. In the determination of the classification of assets and
liabilities in Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the Company considers all available information, including
observable market data, indications of market conditions, and its understanding of the valuation techniques and significant
inputs used. Based upon the specific facts and circumstances, judgments are made regarding the significance of the Level 3
inputs to the fair value measurements of the respective assets and liabilities in their entirety. If the valuation techniques that are
most significant to the fair value measurements are principally derived from assumptions and inputs that are corroborated by
little or no observable market data, the asset or liability is classified as Level 3.
Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value
The Company has evaluated Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses, Receivable from CSO lenders, Receivable from
payment processors and Accounts payable and accrued expenses, and believes the carrying value approximates the fair value
due to the short-term nature of these balances. The Company has also evaluated the interest rates for Notes payable, net and
believes they represent market rates based on the Company’s size, industry, operations and recent amendments. As a result, the
carrying value for Notes payable, net approximates the fair value. The Company classifies its fair value measurement
techniques for the fair value disclosures associated with Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses, Receivable from
CSO lenders, Receivable from payment processors, Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Notes payable, net as Level 3
in accordance with ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820-10”).
Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
Interest Rate Caps
On January 11, 2018, the Company and ESPV each entered into one interest rate cap transaction with a counterparty to mitigate
the floating rate interest risk on a portion of the debt under the VPC Facility and the ESPV Facility, respectively. On January 16,
2018, the Company and ESPV paid fixed premiums of $719 thousand and $648 thousand for the interest rate caps on the US
Term Note (under the VPC Facility) and the ESPV Facility, respectively. The interest rate caps matured on February 1, 2019.
The interest rate caps qualified for hedge accounting as cash flow hedges. Gains and losses on the interest rate caps were
recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income in the period incurred and subsequently reclassified to Interest
expense when the hedged expenses were recorded.
146
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The Company used model-derived valuations that discounted the future expected cash receipts that would occur if variable
interest rates rose above the strike price of the caps. The variable interest rates used in the calculation of projected receipts on
the caps were based on an expectation of future interest rates derived from observable market interest rate curves and
volatilities in active markets (Level 2). The following tables summarize these interest rate caps as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2019 and 2018 (dollars in thousands):
Contract date
Maturity date
Hedged interest
rate payments'
related note
payable
Strike
rate
Notional
amount
Fair value at
December 31,
2019
Fair value at
December 31,
2018
January 11, 2018
February 1, 2019
US Term Note
1.75% $ 240,000
January 11, 2018
February 1, 2019
ESPV Facility
1.75% 216,000
$ 456,000
$
$
— $
—
— $
216
196
412
Unrealized gains recognized
in Accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss)
US Term Note interest rate cap
ESPV Facility interest rate cap
Gains recognized in Interest
expense
US Term Note interest rate cap
ESPV Facility interest rate cap
$
$
$
$
As of December 31, 2019
As of December 31, 2018
— $
—
— $
159
144
303
Year ended December 31,
2019
Year ended December 31,
2018
159
144
303
$
$
1,272
1,145
2,417
Convertible Term Notes
Upon the initial $10 million draw on the Convertible Term Notes in October 2016, a derivative liability of approximately $1.7
million was recorded at fair value and was included as debt discount in Notes Payable, net and as a Derivative Liability on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2016. Upon the $15 million draw on the Convertible Term Notes in January
2017, an additional derivative liability of approximately $2.5 million was recorded at fair value and was included as a debt
discount in Notes Payable and as a Derivative Liability. This liability was considered to be Level 3 in accordance with ASC
820-10 and was measured at fair value on a recurring basis. See Note 7—Notes Payable for additional information.
During the period from the receipt of notice from the Company to VPC of the anticipated commencement of the roadshow in
connection with its IPO until immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, VPC had the option to
convert the Convertible Term Notes, in whole or in part, into a number of shares of the Company's common stock determined
by the outstanding principal balance of, and accrued, but unpaid interest on, the Convertible Term Notes divided by the product
of (a) 0.8 multiplied by (b) the IPO price per share. VPC did not elect to exercise its right to convert, and an unpaid balance on
the Convertible Term Notes remained outstanding after the IPO. Upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, VPC's
option to convert was terminated, and the Convertible Term Notes were no longer convertible in whole or part into shares of the
Company's common stock; as a result, the share-settlement ceased to be an embedded derivative feature requiring separate
recognition and disclosure. However, a pro-rata portion of the Redemption Premium Feature to be paid upon the cash
redemption at maturity, or upon a redemption caused by certain events of default, remained an embedded derivative feature that
the Company was required to assess and recognize as a derivative liability. In January 2018, the Company paid $2.0 million to
VPC to settle the derivative liability associated with the Redemption Premium Feature upon the conversion of the Convertible
Term Notes to the existing 4th Tranche Term Note. See Note 7—Notes Payable for additional information.
The Company has no derivative amounts subject to enforceable master netting arrangements that are offset on the Consolidated
Balance Sheets. The Derivative liability related to the Convertible Term Notes is measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
147
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The changes in the Derivative liability for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are shown in the following table.
The Convertible Term Notes converted to the 4th Tranche Term Note upon maturity at January 30, 2018 and the Derivative
liability was settled with no value remaining outstanding at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019.
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2017..................................................................................................... $
Settlement of derivative due to conversion of the underlying Convertible Term Note to 4th
Tranche Term Note.......................................................................................................................
Fair value adjustment (Non-operating income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of
Operations) ...................................................................................................................................
Balance at December 31, 2018 (1) ...............................................................................................
$
Embedded Derivative
Liability in Convertible
Term Notes
1,972
(2,010)
38
—
(1) No activity since December 31, 2018.
NOTE 12—DERIVATIVES
The Company and ESPV use hedging programs to manage interest rate risk associated with future interest payments. The
Company and ESPV entered into two interest rate cap instruments on January 11, 2018, which matured on February 1, 2019.
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company and ESPV utilize interest rate caps to offset interest rate fluctuations in the Company's and ESPV's future interest
payments on certain of their Notes payable. The financial instruments are designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges,
and the Company and ESPV measure the effectiveness of the hedges at least quarterly. Effective gains or losses related to these
cash flow hedges are reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings, through
interest expense, in the period or periods in which the hedged transactions affect earnings. See Note 11—Fair Value for
additional information on these cash flow hedges. The following table summarizes the activity that was recorded in
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in addition to reclassifications from Accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss) into earnings related to each of the Company's and ESPV's interest rate caps during the years ended
December 31, 2019 and 2018.
(Dollars in thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2019 Year ended December 31, 2018
US Term Note ESPV Facility US Term Note ESPV Facility
Beginning unrealized gains in Accumulated
other comprehensive income
$
159
$
144
$
— $
—
(159)
—
1,431
(144)
(1,272)
(1,145)
—
1,289
Gross gains recognized in Accumulated
other comprehensive income
Gains reclassified to income through
Interest expense
Ending unrealized gains in Accumulated
other comprehensive income
$
— $
— $
159
$
144
There were no interest rate caps during the year ended December 31, 2017.
Embedded Derivative
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company identified a bifurcated embedded derivative in its Convertible Notes
related to its conversion feature in addition to the obligation to pay a redemption premium upon cash redemption of the notes.
This derivative matured in 2018 and is no longer on the balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. See Note 7—Notes
Payable and Note 11—Fair Value for additional information about the bifurcated embedded derivative.
148
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
NOTE 13—INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 consists of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
Current income tax expense (benefit):
2019
2018
2017
Federal................................................................................ $
State....................................................................................
Foreign ...............................................................................
Total current income tax expense ................................................
— $
576
88
664
(5) $
150
115
260
Deferred income tax expense (benefit):
Federal................................................................................
State....................................................................................
Total deferred income tax expense ..............................................
9,643
1,940
11,583
1,245
(97)
1,148
—
202
—
202
9,973
(244)
9,729
Total income tax expense ............................................................ $
12,247
$
1,408
$
9,931
No material penalties or interest related to taxes were recognized for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
The Company's consolidated effective tax rates were 28%, 10% and 329%, while the Company's US effective tax rates were
32%, 9% and 219% for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The consolidated and US effective
tax rates were significantly higher in 2017 as a result of the Act, which reduced the US federal corporate tax rate from 35% to
21% in 2018, and for which the Company recognized a one-time $12.5 million charge in 2017. The Company's US cash
effective tax rate for 2019 was approximately 2%.
The differences between the provision for income tax and the amount that would result if the federal statutory rate were applied
to the pre-tax financial income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Federal statutory rate of 21%, 21% and 35%, respectively.........
State income tax provision ..........................................................
Permanent differences .................................................................
Change in valuation allowance....................................................
Rate differential ...........................................................................
Change in federal statutory rate - US tax reform ........................
Change in foreign statutory tax rate ............................................
Change in reserve for uncertain tax positions .............................
Research and development credit................................................
Other ............................................................................................
Total ...................................................................................
$
$
2019
2018
2017
9,330
1,611
2,495
(682)
(38)
—
(33)
0
(1,013)
577
12,247
$
$
2,923
579
259
5,428
154
(50)
(158)
(5,926)
(2,493)
692
1,408
$
$
1,055
(537)
161
(1,198)
(1,616)
12,462
399
190
—
(985)
9,931
On December 22, 2017, the SEC issued SAB 118, which provides guidance on accounting for tax effects of the Act. SAB 118
provides a measurement period of up to one year from the enactment date to complete the accounting. The Company has
completed its accounting of the impact of the reduction in the corporate tax rate and remeasurement of certain deferred tax
assets and liabilities based on the rate at which they are expected to reverse in the future, generally 21%, in 2018. During the
year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded benefits of $245 thousand to its provisional amounts related to the Act,
which had a 2 % impact for the year ended December 31, 2018.
149
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
With respect to the new GILTI provision, the Company's SFC, ECI, qualifies as a CFC, and as such, requires a GILTI inclusion
in the applicable tax year. The Company has elected to treat GILTI as a period cost, and therefore, will recognize those taxes as
expenses in the period incurred. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized $1.0 million related to GILTI,
which is treated as a permanent difference. ECI has a US tax year end of November 30th and was not subject to a GILTI
inclusion in the tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2018.
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at
December 31, 2019 and 2018 are presented below:
(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred Tax Assets:
$
Allowance for losses on loans receivable............................................................
Net operating loss carryforward – foreign...........................................................
Net operating loss carryforward – domestic........................................................
Cumulative translation adjustment – domestic....................................................
Research and development credit........................................................................
Deferred equity compensation costs....................................................................
Accrued expenses ................................................................................................
Deferred equity issuance costs ............................................................................
Other ....................................................................................................................
Total deferred tax assets ......................................................................................
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Property and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation.............
Amortization of intangible assets ........................................................................
Prepaid expenses .................................................................................................
Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance ............................................
Valuation allowance ......................................................................................................
Deferred tax assets, net........................................................................................ $
2019
2018
$
8,450
9,717
196
1,355
3,139
2,130
3,426
23
841
29,277
(1,205)
(7,416)
(1,226)
19,430
(9,291)
10,139
$
13,337
9,642
9,001
2,178
2,037
1,972
1,392
25
654
40,238
(678)
(6,522)
(1,437)
31,601
(9,973)
21,628
Uncertain tax positions
The following table sets forth the changes in the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits related to the UK tax provision for the
years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of the year
Reductions for tax positions related to the prior year .............
Additions (reductions) for tax positions related to the
$
current year
Balance at the end of the period .................................... $
2019
2018
2017
— $
—
—
— $
$
5,926
(5,926)
—
— $
5,736
(166)
356
5,926
A thin-capitalization assessment was completed during 2018 that concluded a more likely than not position that interest expense
incurred by the UK would not be limited by the UK taxing authorities. Based on the findings of this assessment, the Company
no longer has an uncertain tax position related to the UK tax provision.
For purposes of evaluating the need for a deferred tax valuation allowance, significant weight is given to evidence that can be
objectively verified. The following provides an overview of the assessment that was performed for both the domestic and
foreign deferred tax assets, net.
150
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
US deferred tax assets, net
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not establish a valuation allowance for its US deferred tax assets ("DTA”)
based on management’s expectation of generating sufficient taxable income in a look forward period over the next one to three
years. The Federal NOL carryforward from US operations at December 31, 2018 was approximately $42.0 million and we
expect that our results from operations in 2019 will fully utilize this NOL carryforward. The remaining NOL carryforward
relates to certain states and is immaterial at December 31, 2019. The research and development credit expires beginning in
2036. The ultimate realization of the resulting deferred tax asset is dependent upon generating sufficient taxable income prior to
the expiration of this carryforward. The Company considered the following factors when making their assessment regarding the
ultimate realizability of the deferred tax assets.
Significant factors include the following:
•
In 2019, the Company continued to grow its operating income (from $71 million in 2017 to $95 million in 2018 and to
$111 million in 2019). The US-only pre-tax earnings improved from US-only pre-tax income of $14.1 million in 2018 to
US-only pre-tax income of $38.4 million in 2019, a 172% improvement from the prior year. The primary driver for the
increase in operating income is related to our continued margin expansion provided by improved credit quality and lower
direct marketing expense.
• The Company is in a three-year cumulative pre-tax income position in 2019. Additionally, we expect full utilization of our
NOL carryforward in 2019 as well as utilization of approximately 20% of our research and development credits. For 2020,
the Company is forecasting further earnings growth as we continue to scale our business while focusing on continued
improvement in the credit quality and profitability from the loan portfolios.
• Due to the short-term nature of the loan portfolio and the other material items that comprise the US deferred tax assets, net,
the Company estimates that these deferred tax items will reverse within one to three years.
The Company has given due consideration to all the factors and has concluded that the US deferred tax asset is expected to be
realized based on management’s expectation of generating sufficient taxable income and the reversal of tax timing differences
in a look-forward period over the next one to three years. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more
likely than not that all of the recorded deferred tax assets will be realized. The amount of the deferred tax assets considered
realizable, however, could be adjusted in the future if estimates of future taxable income change. As a result, at December 31,
2019 and 2018, the Company did not establish a valuation allowance for the US DTA.
UK deferred tax assets, net
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized a full valuation allowance for its foreign deferred tax assets due to
the lack of sufficient objective evidence regarding the realization of these assets in the foreseeable future due to the regulatory
uncertainty in the UK. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the valuation allowance decreased by approximately
$0.7 million and increased by approximately $5.4 million, respectively.
The Company continues to retain NOL carryforwards for foreign income tax purposes of approximately $57.2 million and
$56.7 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, available to offset future foreign taxable income. To the extent
that the Company generates taxable income in the future to utilize the tax benefits of the related deferred tax assets, subject to
certain potential limitations, it may be able to reduce its effective tax rate by reducing the valuation allowance. The Company’s
foreign NOL carryforward can be carried forward indefinitely.
NOTE 14—COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES
Contingencies
Currently and from time to time, the Company may become a defendant in various legal and regulatory actions that arise in the
ordinary course of business. The Company generally cannot predict the eventual outcome, the timing of the resolution or the
potential losses, fines or penalties of such legal and regulatory actions. Actual outcomes or losses may differ materially from the
Company's current assessments and estimates, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
151
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes an accrued liability for litigation, regulatory
matters and other legal proceedings when those matters present material loss contingencies that are both probable and
reasonably estimable. Even when an accrual is recorded, the Company may be exposed to loss in excess of any amounts
accrued.
UK Claims Accrual:
During the second half of 2018, the Company's UK business began to receive an increased number of customer complaints
initiated by claims management companies ("CMCs") related to the affordability assessment of certain loans. If the Company's
evidence supports the affordability assessment and the Company rejects the claim, the customer has the right to take the
complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service for further adjudication. The CMCs' campaign against the high cost lending
industry increased significantly during the second half of 2018 resulting in a significant increase in affordability claims against
all companies in the industry during this period. The Company believes that many of the increased claims against it are without
merit and reflect the use of abusive and deceptive tactics by the CMCs. The Financial Conduct Authority, a regulator in the UK
financial services industry, began regulating the CMCs in April 2019 in order to ensure that the methods used by the CMCs are
in the best interests of the consumer and the industry.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company accrued approximately $2.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, for the
claims that were determined to be probable and reasonably estimable based on the Company's historical loss rates related to
these claims. This accrual is recognized as Other cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and as Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The outcomes of the adjudication of these claims may differ
from the Company's estimates, and as a result, the Company's estimates may change in the near term and the effect of any such
change could be material to the financial statements. The Company continues to monitor the matters for further developments
that could affect the amount of the loss contingency recognized. The following table presents a rollforward of the amount
accrued for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
(Dollars in thousands)
Beginning balance
Accruals
Payments
Effects of changes in foreign currency rates
Ending balance
December 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
$
$
925 $
9,029
(7,377)
(243)
2,334 $
—
2,855
(1,975)
45
925
On October 25, 2019, the Company's UK subsidiary, ECI, entered into an agreement with the Financial Conduct Authority
("FCA") (the "Agreement") to not make any payments greater than £1 million outside of the normal course of business without
obtaining prior approval from the FCA. The Company believes this Agreement will not have a material impact on ECI's ability
to continue to serve its customers and meet its obligations.
Other Matters:
The Company is cooperating with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the "CFPB") related to a civil investigative
demand ("CID") received by Think Finance requesting information about the operations of Think Finance prior to the spin-off.
In November 2017, the CFPB sued Think Finance in Montana District Court. Elevate is not a party to this lawsuit. The CFPB
and Think Finance have settled all claims and have received final court approval in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
Northern District of Texas.
152
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
While no Think Finance, Inc. ("TFI") related litigation has been filed directly against Elevate, and we can provide no assurance
that there will not be any future Think Finance related litigation filed against the Company, in October 2019, Elevate entered
into tolling agreements with the Think Finance Creditors' Committee and class claimants in regard to any potential future
claims against Elevate. These tolling agreements have been extended. In December 2019, the TFI bankruptcy plan was
confirmed, and any claims from the TFI Creditors' Committee were assigned to the Think Finance Litigation Trust (“TFLT”).
On February 20, 2020, Elevate and the TFLT in the TFI bankruptcy will be commencing mediation proceedings to determine,
among other things, whether or not the spin-off of Elevate from TFI was a fraudulent conveyance. Although we do not
anticipate liability for any obligations not expressly assumed by us pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement, it is
possible that we could be required to assume responsibility for certain obligations retained by TFI should TFI fail to pay or
perform its retained obligations. If it were determined that the spin-off constituted a fraudulent conveyance, then the spin-off
could be deemed void and there could be a number of different remedies imposed against Elevate, including without limitation,
the requirement that Elevate has to pay money damages in an amount equal to the difference between the consideration
received by TFI in the spin-off and the fair market value of Elevate at the time of the spin-off. We can provide no assurances as
to how long the mediation proceedings may take, or the outcome of such proceedings. Because no claims have been filed
against Elevate, no reasonable estimate of possible loss, if any, can be made at this time. We believe any future claims are
without merit, and we intend to defend ourselves vigorously.
In addition, on January 9, 2020, the District of Columbia's Attorney General, Karl A. Racine, issued a subpoena to Elevate
alleging that Elevate may have violated the District of Columbia's Consumer Protection Procedures Act in connection with
loans issued by banks in the District of Columbia. The documents requested are related to the Rise and Elastic bank-originated
loans in the District of Columbia. Elevate has engaged counsel and initiated discussions with the Attorney General’s office and
is working to address any potential issues and provide certain documents as requested. Elevate disagrees that it has violated the
above referenced law and it intends to vigorously defend its position.
In addition, on January 27, 2020, an Elevate wholly-owned subsidiary and other non-affiliated service providers to banks were
sued in a class action lawsuit in Washington state. The Plaintiff in the case claims that Elevate and the other non-affiliated
service providers to banks are engaged in “predatory lending practices that target financially vulnerable consumers” and have
violated Washington’s Consumer Protection Act by engaging in unfair or deceptive practices. Elevate disagrees that it has
violated the above referenced law and it intends to vigorously defend its position.
Commitments
The Elastic product, which offers lines of credit to consumers, had approximately $251.2 million and $250.1 million in
available and unfunded credit lines at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In May 2017, the Rise product began offering
lines of credit to consumers in certain states and had approximately $8.3 million and $9.3 million at December 31, 2019 and
2018, respectively, in available and unfunded credit lines. The Today Card, which expanded its test launch in November 2018,
had approximately $0.6 million and $0.4 million in available and unfunded credit lines at December 31, 2019 and 2018,
respectively. While these amounts represented the total available unused credit lines, the Company has not experienced and
does not anticipate that all line of credit customers and credit card customers will access their entire available credit lines at any
given point in time. The Company has not recorded a loan loss reserve for unfunded credit lines as the Company has the ability
to cancel commitments within a relatively short timeframe.
Effective June 2017, the Company entered into a seven-year lease agreement for office space in San Diego, California. Upon
the commencement of the lease, the Company was required to provide the lessor with an irrevocable and unconditional $500
thousand letter of credit. Provided the Company is not in default of any terms of the lease agreement, the outstanding required
balance of the letter of credit will be reduced by $100 thousand per year beginning on the second anniversary of the lease
commencement and ending on the fifth anniversary of the lease agreement. The minimum balance of the letter of credit will be
at least $100 thousand throughout the duration of the lease. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $400 thousand
and $500 thousand, respectively, of cash balances securing the letter of credit which is included in Restricted cash within the
Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Guarantees
In connection with its CSO programs, the Company guarantees consumer loan payment obligations to CSO lenders and is
required to purchase any defaulted loans it has guaranteed. The guarantee represents an obligation to purchase specific loans
that go into default.
153
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Indemnification
In the ordinary course of business, the Company may indemnify customers, vendors, lessors, investors, and other parties for
certain matters subject to various terms and scopes. For example, the Company may indemnify certain parties for losses due to
the Company's breach of certain agreements or due to the services it provides. The Company has not incurred material costs to
settle claims related to such indemnification provisions at December 31, 2019 and 2018. The fair value of these liabilities is
immaterial; accordingly, the Company has no liabilities recorded for these agreements at December 31, 2019 and 2018.
NOTE 15—OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company determines operating segments based on how its chief operating decision-maker manages the business, including
making operating decisions, deciding how to allocate resources and evaluating operating performance. The Company's chief
operating decision-maker is its Chief Executive Officer, who reviews the Company's operating results monthly on a
consolidated basis.
The Company has one reportable segment, which provides online financial services for sub-prime credit consumers, which is
composed of the Company’s operations in the United States and the United Kingdom. The Company has aggregated all
components of its business into a single reportable segment based on the similarities of the economic characteristics, the nature
of the products and services, the distribution methods, the type of customers and the nature of the regulatory environments.
Information related to each reportable segment is outlined below. Segment revenue is used to measure performance because
management believes that this information is the most relevant in evaluating the results of the respective segments relative to
other entities that operate in the same industry.
The following tables summarize the allocation of net revenues and long-lived assets based on geography. The geographic
presentation of the Company's segment assets was based on the geographic location of the asset and revenue by the Company's
country of domicile.
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues
2019
Years ended December 31,
2018
2017
United States ............................................................... $
United Kingdom
Total.............................................................................
$
Long-lived assets
United States
United Kingdom..........................................................
Total
$
$
638,873
108,089
746,962
54,313
23,296
77,609
$
$
$
$
663,717
122,965
786,682
41,933
17,385
59,318
$
$
$
$
570,316
102,816
673,132
29,317
13,082
42,399
NOTE 16—RELATED PARTIES
The Company entered into sublease agreements with Think Finance for office space that expired in 2018. Total rent and utility
payments made to Think Finance for office space were approximately $0.0 million, $0.8 million and $0.9 million for the years
ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Rent and utility expense is included in Occupancy and equipment
within the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
154
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Expenses related to our board of directors, including board fees, travel reimbursements, share-based compensation and a
consulting arrangement with a related party are included in Professional services within the Consolidated Statements of
Operations. These expenses for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Fees and travel expenses.......................................................
Stock compensation ..............................................................
Consulting.............................................................................
Total board related expenses .......................................
$
$
Years Ended December 31,
2019
2018
2017
729
2,441
374
3,544
$
$
543
1,311
300
2,154
$
$
590
728
300
1,618
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company owed approximately $123 thousand and $119 thousand, respectively, to board
members related to the above expenses, which is included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities within the Consolidated
Balance Sheets.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, a member of the board entered into a direct investment in the VPC Facility of $800
thousand. The interest payments on this loan were $85 thousand, $107 thousand and $76 thousand for the years ended
December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
NOTE 17—401(k) PLAN
The Company adopted a 401(k) Plan (the “Plan”) on June 1, 2014. All employees are eligible to participate in the Plan upon
reaching the age of 21 years and completing one month of service with the Company. The Plan is a “safe harbor 401k plan” and
the Company matches 100% of each participant’s first 5% of compensation that is contributed to the Plan each year.
Participants may contribute up to 70% of their eligible earnings to the applicable Plan, subject to regulatory and other plan
restrictions. Company and employee contributions are fully vested at the time of contribution. The Company’s consolidated
matching contributions in the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 totaled approximately $2.8 million, $2.5 million
and $1.8 million, respectively.
In addition, the Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for its employees in the United Kingdom. The assets
of the scheme are held separately to those of the Company in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge
represents approximately $0.4 million in contributions paid by the Company to the fund during both the years ended
December 31, 2019 and 2018 and $0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2017.
155
Elevate Credit, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
NOTE 18—QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
The Company’s operations are subject to seasonal fluctuations. Demand in the US has historically been highest in the third and
fourth quarters of each year, corresponding to the holiday season, and lowest in the first quarter of each year, corresponding to
our customers’ receipt of income tax refunds in the US. Typically, the Company’s loan loss provision, a significant portion of
cost of sales, in addition to direct marketing and other cost of sales, is lowest as a percentage of revenue in the first half of each
year. The following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in
thousands, except share and per share data):
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share
amounts)
2019
Total revenue
Total cost of sales
Gross profit
Net income
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
2018
Total revenue
Total cost of sales
Gross profit
Net income (loss)
Basic earnings (loss) per share
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
NOTE 19—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
189,504
103,645
85,859
13,358
0.31
0.30
43,348,249
43,875,410
193,537
119,166
74,371
9,483
0.22
0.22
42,211,714
43,680,603
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
177,760
102,781
74,979
5,772
0.13
0.13
43,681,159
44,291,816
184,377
117,344
67,033
3,128
0.07
0.07
42,561,403
44,239,007
$
$
$
$
$
192,778
122,327
70,451
4,764
0.11
0.11
44,169,964
44,743,944
$
201,480
143,173
58,307
$
(4,234) $
(0.10) $
(0.10) $
43,182,208
43,182,208
186,920
115,617
71,303
8,289
0.19
0.19
44,009,459
44,587,331
207,288
136,260
71,028
4,132
0.10
0.09
43,197,914
43,838,128
The Company evaluated subsequent events and determined there have been no material subsequent events that required
recognition or additional disclosure in these financial statements, except as follows:
The Company made a draw on the EF SPV Facility of $6.5 million and a paydown on the UK Term Note of $6.5 million
subsequent to December 31, 2019.
For the period from January 1, 2020 to February 14, 2020, the Company repurchased 706,463 shares of its common stock on
the open market for a total purchase price of $3.4 million, including any fees or commissions.
156
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
None.
157
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, our management
has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules
13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of December 31, 2019 (the “Evaluation Date”). Based
upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our
disclosure controls and procedures are effective and provide reasonable assurance (i) that information required to be disclosed
in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time
periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms; and (ii) that information required to be disclosed
in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure
controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all possible misstatements due to error
and fraud. Our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are, however, designed to
provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives.
Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in
Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Management has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2019 based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As a result of this assessment, management concluded
that, as of December 31, 2019, our internal control over financial reporting was effective in providing reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report from our independent registered public accounting
firm. Because we are an "emerging growth company" under the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm is
not required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that
has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
158
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
159
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The Company plans to file its Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Proxy Statement") within
120 days after December 31, 2019. Information required by this Item 10 is included in our Proxy Statement under the caption
"Corporate Governance" and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy that applies to all of its directors, officers (including
all of its executive officers) and employees. This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy is publicly available on the
Company’s website at www.elevate.com in the Investor Relations section under “Corporate Governance—Governance
Documents—Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy.” We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of
Form 8-K regarding amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy by posting
such information on our investor relations website under the heading “Corporate Governance—Governance Documents” at
http://investors.elevate.com.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item will be included under the headings “Executive Compensation” and “Corporate
Governance” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this item will be included under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” and “Executive Compensation” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated
herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The information required by this item will be included under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and
“Corporate Governance” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this item will be included under the caption “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees
and Services” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
160
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
PART IV
Item 15(a)(1) and (2) and 15(c) Financial Statements and Schedules
See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Other financial statement
schedules have not been included because they are not applicable, or the information is included in the financial statements or
notes thereto.
Item 15(a)(3) and Item 15(b) Exhibits
The exhibits identified below are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in each case as
indicated therein (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K). We have identified below each management
contract and compensation plan filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K in response to Item 15(a)(3) of Form
10-K.
Item 16. 10-K Summary
None.
161
Filed /
Incorporated
by Reference
from Form
8-K
Incorporated
by Reference
from Exhibit
Number
3.1
Exhibit index
Exhibit
number
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
10.10
10.11
10.12
Description
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
State of Delaware Certificate of Change of Registered Agent
and Registered Office
Amended and Restated Bylaws
Form of common stock certificate
Form of Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement
by and among the Registrant and certain of its stockholders
8-K
8-K
S-1
S-1
Description of Securities of the Registrant
Filed herewith.
Amended and Restated Joint Marketing Agreement, dated
July 1, 2015, by and between Republic Bank & Trust
Company and Elevate@Work, LLC
First Amendment to Amended and Restated Joint Marketing
Agreement, dated June 18, 2018, by and among Elastic
Marketing, LLC and Republic Bank & Trust Company.
Written Consent to the Amended and Restated Joint
Marketing Agreement, dated September 1, 2016, by and
between Republic Bank & Trust Company and
Elevate@Work, LLC
Amended and Restated License and Support Agreement,
dated July 1, 2015, by and between Republic Bank & Trust
Company and Elevate Decision Sciences, LLC
S-1
10-Q
S-1
S-1
First Amendment to Amended and Restated License and
Support Agreement, dated June 18, 2018, by and among
Elevate Decision Sciences, LLC and Republic Bank & Trust
Company.
10-Q
Administrative Services Agreement, dated July 1, 2015, by
and between Elastic SPV, Ltd. and Elevate@Work Admin,
LLC
S-1
Credit Default Protection Agreement, dated July 1, 2015, by
and between Elastic@Work, LLC and Elastic SPV, Ltd
S-1
10-Q
S-1
S-1
S-1
S-1
First Amendment to Credit Default Protection Agreement,
dated April 24, 2019, by and between Elastic SPV, Ltd. and
Elastic Louisville, LLC.
Participation Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated
July 1, 2015, by and between Elastic SPV, Ltd. and
Elastic@Work, LLC
Financing Agreement, dated July 1, 2015, by and among
Elastic SPV, Ltd., the guarantors party thereto, the lenders
party thereto, and Victory Park Management, LLC, as agent
First Amendment to Financing Agreement, dated October
21, 2015, by and among Elastic SPV, Ltd., the guarantors
party thereto, the lenders party thereto, and Victory Park
Management, LLC, as agent
Second Amendment to Financing Agreement, dated July 14,
2016, by and among Elastic SPV, Ltd., the guarantors party
thereto, the lenders party thereto, and Victory Park
Management, LLC, as agent
Third Amendment to Financing Agreement, dated April 27,
2017, by and among Elastic SPV, Ltd., the guarantors party
thereto, the lenders party thereto, and Victory Park
Management, LLC, as agent
162
3.1
3.1
4.1
4.2
10.5
10.1
10.76
10.6
10.2
10.7
10.8
10.6
10.11
10.9
10.36
10.53
Date Filed
April 14, 2017
September 20,
2017
February 11,
2019
January 11,
2016
January 11,
2016
November 9,
2015
August 10,
2018
January 30,
2017
November 9,
2015
August 10,
2018
November 9,
2015
November 9,
2015
May 10, 2019
November 9,
2015
November 9,
2015
November 9,
2015
January 30,
2017
8-K
10.1
May 2, 2017
Exhibit
number
10.14
10.15
10.16
10.17
10.18
10.19
10.20
10.21
10.22
10.23
10.24
10.25
10.26
Description
Fourth Amendment to Financing Agreement, dated October
15, 2018, by and among Elastic SPV, Ltd. and Today Card
LLC, as borrowers; the guarantors party thereto, the lenders
party thereto, and Victory Park Management, LLC, as the
agent.
Amended and Restated Financing Agreement dated
February 7, 2019 by and among Elastic SPV, Ltd. as
borrower, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party
thereto and Victory Park Management, LLC as
administrative agent and collateral agent.
Fourth Amended and Restated Financing Agreement, dated
October 15, 2018, by and among Rise SPV, LLC, EF SPV,
Ltd., Elevate Credit International Ltd. and Elevate Credit
Service, LLC as borrowers, the guarantors party thereto, the
lenders party thereto, and Victory Park Management, LLC
as the agent.
Fifth Amended and Restated Financing Agreement dated
February 7, 2019 by and among Rise SPV, LLC, Today Card
LLC, Elevate Credit International Ltd., and Elevate Credit
Service, LLC as borrowers, the guarantors party thereto, the
lenders party thereto and Victory Park Management, LLC as
administrative agent and collateral agent.
Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement between
VPC Onshore Specialty Finance Fund II, L.P. and various
assignees
Financing Agreement dated February 7, 2019 by and among
EF SPV, Ltd. as borrower, the guarantors party thereto, the
lenders party thereto and Victory Park Management, LLC as
administrative agent and collateral agent.
First Amendment to Financing Agreement, dated August 1,
2019 by and among EF SPV, Ltd. as borrower, the
guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and
Victory Park Management, LLC as administrative agent and
collateral agent.
Intercreditor Agreement, dated July 1, 2015, by and among
the Registrant, Rise SPV, LLC, Elevate Credit International
Ltd., Elevate Credit Service, LLC, Elastic SPV, Ltd., the
guarantors party thereto, and Victory Park Management,
LLC, as collateral agent
Filed /
Incorporated
by Reference
from Form
10-Q
Incorporated
by Reference
from Exhibit
Number
10.5
8-K
10.2
10-Q
10.4
Date Filed
November 9,
2018
February 11,
2019
November 9,
2018
8-K
10.1
February 11,
2019
S-1
8-K
10.80
March 27, 2017
10.3
February 11,
2019
10-Q
10.1
August 9, 2019
S-1
10.10
November 9,
2015
Program Agreement Between Credit Services Organization
and Third-Party Lender dated September 29, 2017 by and
between Integrity Funding Ohio LLC and Rise Credit
Service of Ohio, LLC
Guaranty dated September 29, 2017 by Rise Credit Service
of Ohio, LLC to and for the benefit of Integrity Funding
Ohio LLC
Parent Guaranty Agreement dated September 29, 2017 by
Elevate Credit, Inc. to and for the benefit of Integrity
Funding Ohio LLC
Credit Services Agreement dated September 29, 2017 by
and between Redpoint Asset Funding Ohio, LLC and Rise
Credit Service of Ohio, LLC
Credit Services Organization Guaranty by Rise Credit
Service of Ohio, LLC dated September 29, 2017 to and for
the benefit of Redpoint Asset Funding Ohio, LLC
8-K
8-K
8-K
8-K
8-K
10.1
October 5, 2017
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
October 5, 2017
October 5, 2017
October 5, 2017
October 5, 2017
163
Exhibit
number
10.27
Description
Parent Guaranty dated September 29, 2017 by Rise Credit,
LLC and Elevate Credit, Inc. to and for the benefit of
Redpoint Asset Funding Ohio, LLC
Filed /
Incorporated
by Reference
from Form
8-K
Incorporated
by Reference
from Exhibit
Number
10.6
Credit Services Agreement dated September 29, 2017 by
and between Redpoint Capital Asset Funding, LLC and Rise
Credit Service of Texas, LLC
Credit Access Business Guaranty by Rise Credit Service of
Texas, LLC dated September 29, 2017 to and for the benefit
of Redpoint Capital Asset Funding, LLC
Parent Guaranty dated September 29, 2017 by Rise Credit,
LLC and Elevate Credit, Inc. to and for the benefit of
Redpoint Capital Asset Funding, LLC
Amended and Restated Special Limited Agency Agreement
dated September 29, 2017 by and between First Financial
Loan Company LLC and Rise Credit Service of Texas, LLC
8-K
8-K
8-K
8-K
Date Filed
October 5, 2017
October 5, 2017
October 5, 2017
October 5, 2017
10.7
10.8
10.9
10.10
October 5, 2017
Amendment to Amended and Restated Special Limited
Agency Agreement, dated April 1, 2019, between First
Financial Loan Company, LLC as lender and Rise Credit
Service of Texas, LLC as CSO.
Credit Services Agreement, dated July 15, 2015, by and
between NCP Finance Ohio, LLC and Rise Credit Service of
Ohio, LLC
Amendment to Services Agreement, dated November 22,
2016, by and between NCP Finance Ohio, LLC and Elevate
Credit Service, LLC
Second Amendment to Services Agreement, dated October
9, 2017 and effective as of October 1, 2017, by and between
NCP Finance Ohio, LLC and Elevate Credit Service, LLC
Third Amendment to Services Agreement, dated May 8,
2019, by and between NCP Finance Ohio, LLC and Elevate
Credit Service, LLC.
Fourth Amendment to Services Agreement, dated January
25, 2019, by and between NCP Finance Ohio, LLC and
Elevate Credit Service, LLC
Guaranty, dated July 15, 2015, by and between NCP Finance
Ohio, LLC and Rise Credit Service of Ohio, LLC
Amendment to Guaranty, dated October 15, 2015, by and
between NCP Finance Ohio, LLC and Rise Credit Service of
Ohio, LLC
Parent Guaranty, dated July 15, 2015, by and among NCP
Finance Ohio, LLC, Rise Credit, LLC and the Registrant
Credit Services Agreement, dated January 18, 2016, by and
between NCP Finance Limited Partnership and Rise Credit
Service of Texas, LLC
Guaranty, dated January 18, 2016, by and between NCP
Finance Limited Partnership and Rise Credit Service of
Texas, LLC
Parent Guaranty, dated January 18, 2016, by and among
NCP Finance Limited Partnership, Rise Credit, LLC and the
Registrant
Program Agreement between Credit Services Organization
and Third-Party Lender, dated June 26, 2015, by and
between Sentral Financial LLC and RISE Credit Service of
Ohio, LLC
164
10-Q
10.5
May 10, 2019
S-1
10.68
10-Q
10.12
10-Q
10.13
10-Q
10.3
January 30,
2017
November 9,
2017
November 9,
2017
August 10,
2018
10-K
10.34
March 8, 2019
S-1
S-1
S-1
S-1
S-1
S-1
S-1
10.69
10.71
10.70
10.65
10.66
10.67
10.28
January 30,
2017
January 30,
2017
January 30,
2017
January 30,
2017
January 30,
2017
January 30,
2017
November 9,
2015
10.28
10.29
10.30
10.31
10.32
10.33
10.34
10.35
10.36
10.37
10.38
10.39
10.40
10.41
10.42
10.43
10.44
Exhibit
number
10.45
10.46
10.47
10.48
10.49
10.50
10.51
10.52
10.53
10.54
10.55
10.56
10.57
10.58
10.59
10.60
10.61
10.62
10.63
Description
Parent Guaranty Agreement, dated June 26, 2015, by the
Registrant to and for the benefit of Sentral Financial LLC
Guaranty, dated June 26, 2015, by RISE Credit Service of
Ohio, LLC to and for the benefit of Sentral Financial LLC
Amendment to Guaranty, dated October 5, 2015, between
Sentral Financial LLC and Rise Credit Services of Ohio,
LLC
License Agreement for Nortridge Loan System dated May 9,
2013, by and between Nortridge Software, LLC and Elevate
Credit Service, LLC (as successor in interest to TC Loan
Service, LLC)
Support Agreement for Nortridge Loan System dated May 9,
2013, by and between Nortridge Software, LLC and Elevate
Credit Service, LLC (as successor in interest to TC Loan
Service, LLC)
TransUnion Master Agreement for Consumer Reporting and
Ancillary Services, dated April 3, 2014, by and between
Trans Union LLC and the Registrant
Fort Worth Sublease Agreement, dated May 1, 2014, by and
between TC Loan Service, LLC and Elevate Credit Service,
LLC
Amendment to Fort Worth Sublease Agreement, dated
December 1, 2014, by and between TC Loan Service, LLC
and Elevate Credit Service, LLC
Second Amendment to the Fort Worth Sublease Agreement,
dated May 22, 2015, by and between TC Loan Service, LLC
and Elevate Credit Service, LLC
Third Amendment to the Fort Worth Sublease Agreement,
dated October 12, 2015, by and between TC Loan Service,
LLC and Elevate Credit Service, LLC
Fourth Amendment to Fort Worth Sublease Agreement,
dated July 31, 2016, by and between TC Loan Service, LLC
and Elevate Credit Service, LLC
Lease Agreement (Fort Worth Property), dated July 13,
2016, by and between FLDR/TLC Overton Centre, L.P. and
Elevate Credit Service, LLC
First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated August 31,
2018, by and between FLDR/TLC Overton Centre, L.P. and
Elevate Credit Service, LLC.
Second Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated December 3,
2018, by and between FLDR/TLC Overton Centre, L.P. and
Elevate Credit Service, LLC
Filed /
Incorporated
by Reference
from Form
S-1
Incorporated
by Reference
from Exhibit
Number
10.29
S-1
S-1
S-1
S-1
S-1
10.30
10.31
10.72
10.73
10.34
Date Filed
November 9,
2015
November 9,
2015
November 9,
2015
January 30,
2017
January 30,
2017
November 9,
2015
10-K
10.41
March 9, 2018
10-K
10.42
March 9, 2018
S-1
S-1
S-1
S-1
10.12
10.54
10.55
10.56
10-Q
10.3
November 9,
2015
January 30,
2017
January 30,
2017
January 30,
2017
November 9,
2018
10-K
10.55
March 8, 2019
Addison Sublease Agreement, dated May 1, 2014, by and
between TC Loan Service, LLC and Elevate Credit Service,
LLC
Amendment to Addison Sublease Agreement, dated
December 1, 2014, by and between TC Loan Service, LLC
Second Amendment to the Addison Sublease Agreement,
dated May 22, 2015, by and between TC Loan Service, LLC
Office Lease Agreement, dated January 24, 2018, by and
between the Registrant and COP-Spectrum Center, LLC
First Amendment to Office Lease dated March 25, 2019 by
and between COP-Spectrum Center, LLC as landlord and
Elevate Credit, Inc. as tenant.
S-1
S-1
S-1
10-K
10-Q
10.17
10.16
10.15
10.50
10.4
November 9,
2015
November 9,
2015
November 9,
2015
March 9, 2018
May 10, 2019
165
Exhibit
number
10.64+
10.65+
10.66+
10.67+
10.68+
10.69+
10.70+
10.71+
10.72+
10.73+
10.74+
10.75+
10.76+
10.77+
10.78+
10.79+
10.80+
10.81+
10.82+
10.83+
10.84+
10.85+
10.86+
Date Filed
March 10, 2017
January 30,
2019
November 9,
2015
November 9,
2015
November 9,
2015
January 30,
2019
December 31,
2015
August 9, 2019
December 31,
2015
Filed /
Incorporated
by Reference
from Form
S-1
Incorporated
by Reference
from Exhibit
Number
10.18
Description
Forms of Indemnification Agreements between the
Registrant and each of its directors and its officers
Elevate 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended
Elevate Form Stock Option Agreement
Elevate Form Stock Option Agreement with vesting
acceleration for Kenneth E. Rees and Jason Harvison
Employment Option Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2014,
by and between the Registrant and Kenneth E. Rees
Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan Notice of
Restricted Stock Bonus Award (Prior Form)
8-K
S-1
S-1
S-1
8-K
S-1
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Notice of
Restricted Stock Bonus Award. (Prior Form)
10-Q
10.5
10.20
10.21
10.22
10.4
10.43
10.8
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Notice of
Restricted Stock Bonus Award.
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan Notice of
Restricted Stock Bonus Award (Section 16 Grantees) (Prior
Form)
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Notice of
Restricted Stock Bonus Award (Section 16 Grantees). (Prior
Form)
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Notice of
Restricted Stock Bonus Award (Section 16 Grantees).
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan Notice of
Restricted Stock Unit Award (Prior Form)
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan Notice of
Restricted Stock Unit Award (Prior Form)
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Notice of
Restricted Stock Unit Award. (Prior Form)
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Notice of
Restricted Stock Unit Award.
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan Notice of
Restricted Stock Unit Award (Section 16 Grantees) (Prior
Form)
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan 2016 Notice
of Restricted Stock Unit Award (Section 16 Grantees) (Prior
Form)
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan Notice of
Restricted Stock Unit Award (Section 16 Grantees) (Prior
Form)
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Notice of
Restricted Stock Unit Award (Section 16 Grantees). (Prior
Form)
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Notice of
Restricted Stock Unit Award (Section 16 Grantees).
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan Notice of
Stock Option Award (Prior Form)
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Notice of
Stock Option Award. (Prior Form)
166
Filed herewith.
S-1
10.47
10-Q
10.11
August 9, 2019
Filed herewith.
S-1
10-Q
10-Q
Filed herewith.
S-1
S-1
10.44
10.3
10.7
10.48
10.74
December 31,
2015
May 11, 2018
August 9, 2019
December 31,
2015
January 30,
2017
10-Q
10.4
May 11, 2018
10-Q
10.10
August 9, 2019
Filed herewith.
S-1
10-Q
10.45
10.9
December 31,
2015
August 9, 2019
Exhibit
number
10.87+
10.88+
10.89+
10.90+
10.91+
10.92+
10.93+
10.94+
10.95+
10.96+
10.97+
10.98+
10.99+
10.100+
10.101+
10.102+
10.103+
10.104+
10.105+
10.106+
Filed /
Incorporated
by Reference
from Form
Filed herewith.
Incorporated
by Reference
from Exhibit
Number
10.46
10.12
10.6
10.10
10.24
10.39
Description
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Notice of
Stock Option Award.
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan Notice of
Stock Option Award (Section 16 Grantees) (Prior Form)
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Notice Stock
Option Award (Section 16 Grantees). (Prior Form)
Form of Elevate 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Notice Stock
Option Award (Section 16 Grantees).
Elevate 2016 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended
Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award and Restricted Stock
Unit Agreement with Brian Biglin
Employment, Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement,
dated May 1, 2014, by and between Kenneth E. Rees and
Elevate Credit Service, LLC
First Amendment to Employment, Confidentiality and Non-
Compete Agreement, dated December 11, 2015, by and
between Kenneth E. Rees and Elevate Credit Service, LLC
Second Amendment to Employment, Confidentiality and
Non-Compete Agreement, dated March 1, 2017, by and
between Kenneth E. Rees and Elevate Credit Service, LLC
Third Amendment to Employment, Confidentiality and Non-
Compete Agreement, dated January 24, 2019, by and
between Kenneth E. Rees and Elevate Credit Service, LLC.
Resignation and Release of Claims Agreement, dated July
25, 2019, between Elevate Credit Service, LLC and Kenneth
E. Rees
Employment, Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement,
dated May 1, 2014, by and between Jason Harvison and
Elevate Credit Service, LLC
First Amendment to Employment, Confidentiality and Non-
Compete Agreement, dated December 11, 2015, by and
between Jason Harvison and Elevate Credit Service, LLC
Second Amendment to Employment, Confidentiality and
Non-Compete Agreement, dated March 1, 2017, by and
between Jason Harvison and Elevate Credit Service, LLC
S-1
10-Q
Filed herewith.
8-K
S-8
S-1
S-1
S-1
8-K
10-Q
S-1
S-1
S-1
Third Amendment to Employment, Confidentiality and Non-
Compete Agreement, dated January 24, 2019, by and
between Jason Harvison and Elevate Credit Service, LLC.
8-K
Fourth Amendment to Employment, Confidentiality and
Non-Compete Agreement, dated August 1, 2019, by and
between Jason Harvison and Elevate Credit Service, LLC.
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated
November 21, 2019, by and between Jason Harvison and
Elevate Credit Services, LLC.
Employment, Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement,
dated January 5, 2015, by and between Christopher Lutes
and Elevate Credit Service, LLC
First Amendment to Employment, Confidentiality and Non-
Compete Agreement, dated December 11, 2015, by and
between Christopher Lutes and Elevate Credit Service, LLC
Second Amendment to Employment, Confidentiality and
Non-Compete Agreement, dated March 1, 2017, by and
between Christopher Lutes and Elevate Credit Service, LLC
10-Q
8-K
S-1
S-1
S-1
167
Date Filed
December 31,
2015
August 9, 2019
January 30,
2019
March 12, 2018
November 9,
2015
December 31,
2015
10.81
March 10, 2017
10.1
10.4
10.25
10.40
January 30,
2019
August 9, 2019
November 9,
2015
December 31,
2015
10.82
March 10, 2017
10.2
10.5
10.1
10.26
10.41
January 30,
2019
August 9, 2019
November 22,
2019
November 9,
2015
December 31,
2015
10.83
March 10, 2017
Exhibit
number
10.107+
10.108+
10.109
10.110
10.111
10.112
10.113
10.114
10.115
10.116
10.117
21.1
23.1
31.1
31.2
32.1&
32.2&
99.1
Description
Third Amendment to Employment, Confidentiality and Non-
Compete Agreement, dated January 24, 2019, by and
between Christopher Lutes and Elevate Credit Service, LLC.
Fourth Amendment to Employment, Confidentiality and
Non-Compete Agreement, dated August 1, 2019, by and
between Christopher Lutes and Elevate Credit Service, LLC.
Joint Marketing Agreement, dated October 15, 2018, by and
between FinWise Bank and EF Marketing, LLC
First Amendment to Joint Marketing Agreement, dated
August 1, 2019, by and between FinWise Bank and EF
Marketing, LLC
Technology and Support Agreement, dated October 15,
2018, by and between FinWise Bank and Elevate Decision
Sciences, LLC
First Amendment to Technology and Support Agreement,
dated August 1, 2019, by and between FinWise Bank and
Elevate Decision Sciences, LLC
Administrative Services Agreement, dated October 15,
2018, by and between EF SPV, Ltd. and EF Financial, LLC
Credit Default Protection Agreement, dated October 15,
2018, by and between EF Financial, LLC and EF SPV, Ltd.
First Amendment to Credit Default Protection Agreement,
dated April 24, 2019, by and between EF Financial, LLC
and EF SPV, Ltd.
Participation Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated
August 1, 2019, by and between EF SPV, LTD and FinWise
Bank
First Amendment to Participation Agreement, dated August
1, 2019, by and between EF SPV, LTD and FinWise Bank
Subsidiaries of Elevate Credit, Inc.
Consent of Grant Thornton, LLP
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14a and Rule 15d-14(a)
of the Securities and Exchange Act, as amended
Filed /
Incorporated
by Reference
from Form
8-K
Incorporated
by Reference
from Exhibit
Number
10.3
Date Filed
January 30,
2019
10-Q
10.6
August 9, 2019
Filed herewith.
Filed herewith.
Filed herewith.
Filed herewith.
Filed herewith.
Filed herewith.
Filed herewith.
Filed herewith.
Filed herewith.
Filed herewith.
Filed herewith.
Filed herewith.
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14a and Rule 15d-14(a)
of the Securities and Exchange Act, as amended
Filed herewith.
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002
Filed herewith.
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002
Filed herewith.
Participation Agreement, dated July 1, 2015, by and between
Elastic SPV, Ltd. and Republic Bank & Trust Company
S-1
99.1
November 9,
2015
101.INS* XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
Document.
Filed herewith.
Filed herewith.
Filed herewith.
101.DEF* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. Filed herewith.
101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.
Filed herewith.
101.PRE* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
Filed herewith.
Document.
168
+
Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.
Confidential treatment has been requested or granted as to certain portions of this exhibit, which portions have
been omitted and submitted separately to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
&
*
Confidential portions of this exhibit have been omitted as permitted by applicable regulations.
This certification is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (Exchange Act), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated
by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
Pursuant to applicable securities laws and regulations, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of
a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act, are deemed not
filed for purposes of section 18 of the Exchange Act and otherwise are not subject to liability under these
sections.
169
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Elevate Credit, Inc. has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Fort Worth, State
of Texas, on February 14, 2020.
Elevate Credit, Inc.
By:
/s/ Jason Harvison
Jason Harvison
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Jason Harvison, Christopher Lutes and Sarah Fagin Cutrona, jointly and severally, as his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary
to be done in and about the premises hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his, or their
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the
following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
170
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Jason Harvison
Jason Harvison
/s/ Christopher T. Lutes
Christopher Lutes
/s/ Chad Bradford
Chad Bradford
/s/ Saundra D. Schrock
Saundra D. Schrock
/s/ John C. Dean
John C. Dean
/s/ Stephen B. Galasso
Stephen B. Galasso
/s/ Tyler W. K. Head
Tyler W. K. Head
/s/ Robert L. Johnson
Robert L. Johnson
/s/ Kenneth E. Rees
Kenneth E. Rees
/s/ Stephen J. Shaper
Stephen J. Shaper
/s/ Bradley R. Strock
Bradley Strock
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
February 14, 2020
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
February 14, 2020
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
February 14, 2020
Chairman
February 14, 2020
February 14, 2020
February 14, 2020
February 14, 2020
February 14, 2020
February 14, 2020
February 14, 2020
February 14, 2020
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
171
(This page intentionally left blank)
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
Registered Public Accountants
Contact Information
Grant Thornton LLP
For more information please contact
1717 Main St., Suite 1800
Investor Relations at Elevate
Dallas, TX 75201-4667
Phone: (214) 561-2300
Solebury Trout
Sloan Bohlen
Phone: (817) 928-1646
investors@elevate.com
Computershare Investor Services
462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone:
Shareholder Services Local:
(800) 368-5948
Shareholder Services International:
+1 (781) 575-4223
Footnotes
1 Adjusted EBITDA is not a financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA represents our net income (loss),
adjusted to exclude: net interest expense primarily associated with notes payable under the VPC Facility and ESPV facility used to
fund or purchase loans; foreign currency gains and losses associated with our UK operations; depreciation and amortization expense
on fixed assets and intangible assets; loss on discontinued operations; non-operating income; stock-based compensation expense
and income taxes. See Exhibit 99.1 furnished on a Form 8-K filed on February 11, 2019 for a reconciliation to GAAP net income (loss).
Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue.
Footnotesr
2 2017 adjusted net income of $6 million is not a financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted net income for 2017
represents our $6.9 million net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017, adjusted to exclude the impact of $12.5 million in tax
expense incurred during the fourth quarter of 2017 due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
3 Based on states where Rise is offered and populations therein
3 Based on states where Rise is offered and populations therein.
4 For the period from 2013 through 2018 Based on the average effective APR for each of those full years This estimate which has
4 For the period from 2013 through 2018. Based on the average effective APR for each of those full years. This estimate, which has
1 For the period from 2013 to December 31, 2019. Based on the average effective APR of 122% for the twelve months ended
December 31, 2019. This estimate, which has not been independently confirmed, is based on our internal comparison of
revenues from our combined loan portfolio and the same portfolio with an APR of 400%, which is the approximate average APR
not been independently confirmed, is based on our internal comparison of revenues from our combined loan portfolio and the same
not been independently confirmed, is based on our internal comparison of revenues from our combined loan portfolio and the same
for a payday loan according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or the “CFPB.”
portfolio with an APR of 400%, which is the approximate average APR for a payday loan accordin
portfolio with an APR of 400%, which is the approximate average APR for a payday loan according to the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau.
g
g
p
y
2 Originations and customers from 2002-December 31, 2019, attributable to the combined current and predecessor direct and
5 According to an analysis of FICO credit score data as of 2018, nearly 42% of the US population had non-prime credit score of less
5 According to an analysis of FICO credit score data as of 2018, nearly 42% of the US population had non-prime credit score of less
branded products.
than 700, representing approximately 105 million Americans adults.
than 700, re
6 Approximately 22% of Americans over the age of 18, or approximately 53 million Americans, do not have a credit score at all or had
3 Adjusted EBITDA is not a financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA represents our net
credit records that were treated as “unscorable” by traditional credit scoring models used by nationwide credit reporting agencies,
credit records that were treated as “unscorable” by traditional credit scoring models used by nationwide credit reporting agencies,
according to a 2015 report by Fair Isaac Corporation.
according to a 2015 report by Fair Isaac Corporation.
income (loss), adjusted to exclude: net interest expense primarily associated with notes payable under the VPC Facility, EF SPV
Facility, and ESPV Facility used to fund or purchase loans; foreign currency gains and losses associated with our UK operations;
7 According to a PwC report from 2016, it is estimated that the UK near-prime credit market consisted of approximately 10 million people.
7 According to a PwC report from 2016, it is estimated that the UK near-prime credit market consisted of approximately 10 million people.
depreciation and amortization expense on fixed assets and intangible assets; non-operating income (loss); share-based
evate s Ce te o t e e
compensation expense and income tax expense (benefit). See our most recent 10-K for a reconciliation to GAAP net income.
8 Ipsos Omnibus survey Feb 2 4 2018 conducted for Elevate’s Center for the New Middle Class
8 Ipsos Omnibus survey Feb 2-4, 2018 conducted for Elevate’s Center for the New Middle Class.
, 0 8 co ducted o
bus su vey eb
dd e C a
os O
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Jason Harvison
President and Chief Executive Officer
Scott Greever
EVP, Products
Chris Lutes
Chief Financial Officer
Joan Kuehl
Chief Information Officer
Sharon Clarey
Chief Human Resources Officer
David Peterson
Chief Credit Officer
Sarah Fagin Cutrona
Chief Counsel
Kathleen Vanderkolk
Chief Risk Officer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jason Harvison
Chief Executive Officer
Elevate Credit
Robert L. Johnson
Chairman
The RLJ Companies
Kenneth E. Rees
Former Chief Executive Officer
Elevate Credit
Saundra D. Schrock
Chief Executive Officer
Mindful Planet, LLC
John C. Dean
Chairman Emeritus and Director
Central Pacific Bank
Stephen J. Shaper
Chief Executive Officer
Middlemarch Capital Corporation
Stephen B. Galasso
President
SBG Resources, LLC
Tyler W. K. Head
President
Corbett Capital, LLC
Bradley R. Strock
Former Chief Information Officer
PayPal
This Annual Report is delivered with, and accompanies, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December
31, 2019. This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are estimates and projec-
tions reflecting management’s judgment based on currently available information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reli-
ance on forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date when made. Forward-looking
statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,”
“seek,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” or similar expressions
and the negatives of those terms. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the Company’s plans to adopt
new credit models in the digital and partner channels; the Company’s potential for long-term growth; the Company’s expectations of fu-
ture financial performance; as well as those discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Consequently, you should not con-
sider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties. This Annual Report includes non-GAAP financial measures,
including adjusted EBITDA. The customer testimonial included herein are provided from actual Elevate customers or customers of banks
we support that have agreed to the use of their testimonials and likeness for marketing, advertising and other purposes. Experiences of
these customers may not be indicative of those of other customers. We generally refer to loans, customers and other information and data
associated with each of Rise, Elastic, Sunny and Today Card as Elevate’s loans, customers, information and data, irrespective of whether
Elevate originates the credit to the customer or whether such credit is originated by a third-party, or originated loans by FinWise Bank,
Republic Bank or Capital Community Bank, where Elevate provides support.
Better borrowing, by the numbers.
20%
ADJUSTED EBITDA3
(MILLIONS)
$139
$116
50%
Since 2013, our brands
dropped our average APR
by more than 50 percent
157%
NET INCOME
(MILLIONS)
$32
$13
2 0 1 8
2 0 1 9
2 0 1 8
2 0 1 9
4 BRANDS
3 BANK RELATIONSHIPS
2 COUNTRIES
4150 International Plaza
Suite 300
Fort Worth, Texas 76109
elevate.com