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PRA Group, Inc.

praa · NASDAQ Financial Services
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Ticker praa
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Financial Services
Industry Financial - Credit Services
Employees 2991
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FY2015 Annual Report · PRA Group, Inc.
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PRA
Group

20th Anniversary

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

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Cash Receipts

Cash Collections plus Fee Income  

(in millions)

Revenues

(in millions)

Net Income

attributable to PRA  

(in millions)

$1,604

$1,444

$1,214

$971

$762

$942

$881

$735

$593

$459

$175

$177

$168

$127

$101

2011 2012 2013 2014

Financial Highlights

2015

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Cash Collections
(in millions)

From portfolios acquired in:

2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
1996–2004

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

$1,500

$1,000

$500

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

0

0

Cash Receipts
Cash Collections plus Fee Income  
(in millions)

Cash Receipts
Cash Collections plus Fee Income  
(in millions)

Cash Receipts
Cash Collections plus Fee Income  
(in millions)

Revenues
Revenues
(in millions)
(in millions)

Revenues
(in millions)

Net Income
Net Income
Net Income
attributable to PRA  
attributable to PRA  
attributable to PRA  
(in millions)
(in millions)
(in millions)

2004

2004

2004

2005

2005

2005

2006

2006

2006

2007

2007

2007

2008

2008

2008

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2010

2011

2011

2011

2012

2012

2012

2013

2013

2013

2014

2014

2014

2015

2015

2015

0

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$1,604

$1,604

$1,604
$1,444

$1,444

$1,444

$942

$942

$942

$881

$881

$881

$735

$735

$735

$1,214

$1,214

$1,214

$971

$971

$971

$762

$762

$762

$593

$593

$593

$459

$459

$459

$175

$175

$177

$177

$175

$177

$168

$168

$168

$127

$127

$127

$101

$101

$101

2011 2012 2013 2014

2011 2012 2013 2014

2011 2012 2013 2014

2015

2015

2015

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

From portfolios acquired in:

Cash Collections
Cash Collections
(in millions)
(in millions)

Cash Collections
($ in millions, except earnings per share)
(in millions)
Revenues
Operating Income
From portfolios acquired in:
From portfolios acquired in:
Net Income attributable to PRA
2015
2015
2015
Earnings Per Share diluted
2014
2014
2014
2013
2013
2013
Operating Margin
2012
2012
2012
Net Margin 
2011
2011
2011
Return on Average Equity
2010
2010
2010
Net Finance Receivables
2009
2009
2009
Total Assets
2008
2008
2008
2007
Total Debt
2007
2007
2006
2006
2006
Stockholders’ Equity attributable to PRA
2005
2005
2005
1996–2004
1996–2004
1996–2004

2013
$  735
$  298
$  175
$  3.45

40.5%
24.1%
22.2%

$ 1,239
$ 1,601
$  452
$  869

2014
$  881
$  342
$  177
$  3.50

38.8%
20.0%
18.9%

$ 2,002
$ 2,779
$ 1,482
$  902

$1,500

$1,500

$1,500

2015
$  942
$  310
$  168
$  3.47

$1,000

$1,000

$1,000

32.9%
17.8%
19.9%

$ 2,202
$ 2,997
$ 1,723
$  800

$500

$500

$500

2000

2000

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About PRA

PRA Group (Nasdaq: PRAA), a global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans, returns capital  
to banks and other creditors to help expand financial services for consumers in the Americas and Europe. PRA 
Group companies collaborate with customers to help them resolve their debt and provide a broad range of 
additional revenue and recovery services to business and government clients.

PRA has been recognized as one of Fortune’s 100 Fastest-Growing Companies for three years and one of 
Forbes’ Best Small Companies in America for eight consecutive years since 2007. 

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Operating Principles that continue to shape PRA Group

We are honest and 
open with sharehold-
ers and keep them 
up-to-date with 
important news and 
developments. Our 
goal is to set the 
standard by which 
companies in our 
sector are measured.

We build a diverse 
portfolio across 
business lines and 
stay true to our 
methodology. We 
make sure each 
investment, whether 
it’s a portfolio or a 
business, has been 
reviewed, assessed 
objectively and 
priced to achieve 
appropriate returns.

To keep costs low 
and productivity high, 
we operate fewer, 
larger call centers. 
We develop and 
retain great employ-
ees to deliver great 
customer service.

We keep debt levels 
as low as possible. 
We borrow prudently 
to expand and to 
build a more inte-
grated business.

Growth for growth’s 
sake drives down 
productivity, margin 
and net income. We 
maintain a base of 
experienced, highly 
productive employ-
ees and add new 
employees opportu-
nistically to support 
growth.

Many of our senior 
managers have a 
significant portion  
of their net worth 
invested in the  
company. We expect 
and encourage our 
senior managers to 
retain substantial 
stock own er ship 
positions—common 
stock, not just 
options—throughout 
their tenure.

In a customer- 
focused business 
like ours, it is crucial 
to provide ongoing 
employee skill devel-
opment. This raises 
each person’s per-
formance level and 
drives PRA’s growth 
and profitability.

Set the Bar for 
Disclosure and 
Transparency

Invest Carefully with 
a Long-Term View

Contain Costs,  
Boost Productivity

 Maintain a 
Conservative Capital 
Structure

Focus on  
Profitable Growth

Encourage Senior 
Managers to  
Hold Stock

Create Careers,  
Not Just Jobs

1996 
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC 
co-founded by current Chairman and 
CEO Steve Fredrickson and current 
President Kevin Stevenson

1999 
Establishes headquarters in  
Norfolk, Virginia

2000 
Opens second call center in 
Hutchinson, Kansas

2002 
Inc. magazine recognizes PRA as one 
of 500 Fastest-Growing Companies

IPO to launch Portfolio Recovery 
Associates, Inc. as a public company 
(Nasdaq: PRAA)

Our History...

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Letter to Shareholders

2015 was a year of contrasts. For the first time in quite a while, I felt 

a data set that is unmatched, a management team that is experi-

the tension between pursuing the best long-term interests of share-

enced, consistent, and excellent, and operating and underwriting 

holders and pursuing shorter-term and shorter-lasting results that 

capabilities that are best in class worldwide. We are well capital-

please the investment community’s desire for instant gratification. 

ized, own more than $5 billion of future estimated remaining  

Of course, my team and I remain steadfastly committed to running 

collections, and have access to significant and attractively priced 

the company with the same long-term focus we always have. That 

financing that extends our investment capacity well beyond our 

focus, however, seems to have shaken the views of some investors 

substantial free cash flow.

of PRA Group, resulting in a stock valuation that I believe is discon-

nected from the reality of our future prospects. My team and I look 

forward to correcting that imbalance by producing the same type of 

excellent results we have driven for 20 years now.

Meanwhile, we produced a year of record cash collections and 

record normal course portfolio acquisition (surpassed only when 

including the value of the Aktiv Kapital acquisition in 2014). We 

achieved an important regulatory milestone by settling with the 

CFPB on terms that included a monetary penalty and operational 

changes that were either already implemented or reasonable to 

accommodate. And we exited the year as one of only a handful of 

remaining material participants in the U.S. debt purchase market 

due to regulatory, compliance, and competitive pressures that have 

forced the vast majority of our rivals permanently out of the busi-

Europe

In Europe, we began implementing operating strategies that were 

created and optimized in the U.S. through years of innovation and 

testing. We use a unique collection strategy that we believe is 

responsible for our exceptional margins and consistent ability to 

increase our productivity over time. In those offices where our ROI-

based methodology is fully applied, we have seen substantial oper-

ational improvements resulting in widened margins and increased 

net income. But we have yet to scratch the surface of this potential. 

Our focus is on knowing the cost of every eligible collection action 

and matching that with a statistically calculated prediction of 

account value, updated on a daily basis. Doing so yields an opti-

mized approach to the problem of profitably and compliantly  

collecting massive portfolios of distressed debt.

ness. Our resulting position as a market share leader is not just 

During the year we were able to leverage both our data set and our 

attributed to the financial value we provide, but also to results from 

operating efficiency to make significant portfolio purchases, par-

our long-held recognition as a compliance and customer experi-

ticularly in the UK. We have a strong competitive advantage there 

ence leader. Our European business is performing extremely well, 

in our highly efficient and very cost-effective call center located in 

giving us a powerful new growth engine. We now have one of the 

Kilmarnock, Scotland. In the UK we also continue to grow our insol-

very finest European debt-purchase platforms in existence.

vency portfolio and legal capacity, making us capable of effectively 

To be sure, we and our remaining industry competitors face chal-

collecting on virtually any asset class.

lenges, particularly in the U.S. The regulatory environment in which 

Our large call center in Madrid, Spain has also embraced our  

we operate has never been more stringent. The attitudes of state 

disciplined, analytics-driven approach, which has improved its 

and federal regulators have never been more scrutinizing of busi-

operating efficiency dramatically. There we have also improved our 

nesses of all types, but particularly of financial services firms. We 

proficiency with underwriting and collecting small business loans 

continue to participate in a U.S. market bereft of some large con-

by hiring a team of experts from a leading commercial bank. We 

sumer lenders that have withdrawn from debt sale, we believe  

look to follow the successes achieved in Spain in both Italy and 

temporarily, out of concern for regulatory and compliance-related 

Poland, where we accumulated scale, data, and critical talent  

issues. Finally, charge-off and bankruptcy filing levels have remained 

during the year. Combined, our European operations contributed  

at historically very low levels, further depressing the portfolio vol-

a record $351 million in cash collections in 2015.

ume available for sale in the U.S. All of this, in a world seeking 

yield, has translated to heightened price competition in virtually 

every market in which we compete across the globe.

Competitor consolidation is already underway in Europe. Over the 

next few years, I believe the result will be significant, yielding a rela-

tively small group of larger, pan-European participants, similar to 

The core competencies required to be successful in our industry 

what we have seen in the U.S. Those that cannot access cheap 

are unchanged since our entry 20 years ago: accurate underwriting 

capital, underwrite accurately and consistently, operate compliantly, 

and efficient collection operations. The old cliché of “easier said 

and collect on a highly efficient basis will be forced from the busi-

than done” has never been more aptly applied to anything. Nearly 

ness. I anticipate we will see company and portfolio acquisition 

all of the competitors we faced in 1996 are now gone. The same 

opportunities alike during this consolidation phase.

can be said of those we faced in 2001, 2006, and even 2011. 

Onetime market leaders such as CFS, Creditrust, Arrow Financial 

Services, Asset Acceptance, NCO, and others, even a number 

sponsored by major banks, are all out of the debt buying business. 

My point here is not to reminisce, but rather to remind you that PRA 

has navigated well past these misfortunes, and we exist today with 

Americas

In the Americas, our Core debt purchasing set a record at $448 

million. Our Americas call centers were more productive than ever, 

recovering an incredible $470 million, up 26% over the prior year. 

This accomplishment is all the more impressive when one considers 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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we continue to work with highly restrictive laws and regulations, 

Capital

including the TCPA, where regulatory rulings are preventing 

We are in a capital-intensive business. Optimizing our weighted 

American businesses from efficiently communicating with our  

average cost of capital while balancing our ability to always have 

customers in a manner appropriate for the 21st century. Collecting 

access to capital for opportunistic investing is one of the great 

through our call centers is our preferred collection method, since it 

challenges of running PRA. Our industry-leading profit margins and 

offers both a better customer experience and a more cost-effective 

accurate underwriting, together with several high-margin fee busi-

option for us. Our call center success led to a reduction in our need 

nesses, have allowed us to create a balance sheet that is one of 

to use our legal recovery channel, where collections fell slightly to 

the least leveraged among any of our public competitors, in either 

$355 million from $371 million in 2014.

the U.S. or Europe. This, in turn, helps keep our borrowing rates 

Our Insolvency business in the Americas is in what we view as a 

temporary state of decline based upon our inability to replenish the 

Insolvency portfolios at the same rate at which they are liquidating. 

For the year, we collected $344 million in Americas Insolvency cash 

collections, although this was down 25% from $458 million in the 

prior year. This type of decline will continue into 2016 and will cre-

ate a measureable headwind for us during the next several years. 

low, our interest expense down, and our access to capital high. 

During the year we once again increased the size of our revolving 

credit facilities, both in the U.S. (to $725 million) and in Europe (to 

$750 million). This gives us plenty of dry powder to be able to take 

down even sizeable portfolio offerings, especially when factoring  

in our free cash flow from the $1.5 billion of cash collections we 

generated in 2015.

Year-end upticks in bankruptcy filings (Chapter 13) hint at increased 

We continued to repurchase stock throughout the year as our stock 

volume in the future; however, we believe the effect is a couple  

was sold off by investors. All told, we returned $166 million in 2015 

of years out.

to investors through repurchases, reducing our share count by 7% 

After three years of study and relationship building, we entered 

to 46.2 million shares by the end of the year.

Brazil in early 2015 with the purchase of a portfolio serviced by the 

Team Optimization

leading master-servicer in that market, RCB Investimentos. We fol-

In mid-2015 we reconfigured our executive team through an effort 

lowed that up by acquiring a controlling stake in RCB and providing 

to optimally design it for the challenges ahead of us, the interna-

them with significant growth capital in a mid-year transaction. We 

tional company that we have become, and to further develop our 

look for exciting growth in Brazil over the long term as that market 

already best-in-class team. The results I have seen in the first nine 

expands and becomes more sophisticated.

months exceed my expectations, as leaders selflessly accept new 

Compliance

The year 2015 marked the first significant settlement we have had 

roles with energy, vigor, and wisdom that continue to drive our busi-

ness forward.

with a regulator, the CFPB, in our 20 years in existence. While we 

The Way Forward

felt that our practices over the years had gone beyond that which 

In 2016, it will be more challenging than ever for PRA Group to 

was prescribed by applicable law, in the end we decided that set-

grow net income. Although I think our longer-term prospects are 

tling, rather than engaging in a protracted legal battle with the 

excellent, growth during the year will be difficult to achieve for  

CFPB, was in the best interests of the company. As a result, we 

all the reasons described above. However, don’t get confused 

redesigned certain processes, paid the required fine and compen-

between short-term growth prospects and financial strength. We 

sated certain debtors for actions the CFPB found objectionable.

have an exceptionally strong balance sheet, best-in-class operating 

I look forward to a day when the CFPB provides debt collection 

rules and then enforces those rules, in order to bring a good cus-

tomer experience and a level playing field to the entire industry.  

I want to be clear that we welcome the CFPB as the industry’s  

primary regulator, and we wholly support its mission.

efficiency, and very strong cash flow generation. We are taking a 

long, hard look at all of our costs, as well as our capital allocations. 

As a purchaser of distressed assets, we learned long ago that we 

must remain focused and disciplined, regardless of what others are 

doing, oftentimes ignoring pressure to act for the short term. The 

result has been exceptional over the past 20 years, a record my 

We have spent a significant amount of money ramping up our com-

team and I look to continue during the next 20 years.

pliance and internal audit capability over the past several years. It 

is what is needed to continue to operate at the highest level in our 

industry, but it is an incremental cost nonetheless.

The good news for us is that these same requirements, together with 

operational capabilities and other competitive factors, have forced 

the majority of PRA’s U.S. competitors out of the market. We are left 

with a much more significant market share than I ever thought pos-

Steve Fredrickson
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

sible, even just a few years ago. And I believe this significant com-

March 2016

petitive moat is not only deep and formidable, but permanent.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated Remaining Collections

(in millions)

Europe

Americas

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

$6,000

$5,000

$4,000

$3,000

$2,000

$1,000

0

6000

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

United States

0

United Kingdom

Central Europe

Northern Europe

Southern Europe 

Canada

82%

10%

3%

2%

2%

1%

Portfolio Acquisitions

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Portfolio Acquisitions
Estimated Remaining Collections 
(in millions)
by Region, 2015

$1,433**

Europe
North America

Estimated Remaining Collections
(in millions)

Europe
Americas

$5,007

$4,366

7%

$2,669

$2,315

$1,953

$657

E
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59%

$367

$408

$542*

16%

S
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2010

2011

2012

S
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2013

2014

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

O
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H
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I

1%

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300

0

C
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E
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S
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7%

10%

3500

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0

2003 
BusinessWeek recognizes PRA as a 100 Best Small 
Company and 100 Hot Growth Company

2004 
Diversifies U.S. portfolio into acquisition and  
servicing of bankruptcy claims

Opens third call center in Hampton, Virginia

Enters vehicle location services business in the  
U.S. with acquisition of IGS Nevada (now PRA 
Location Services)

2005 
Enters local government revenue-enhancement  
market in the U.S. with acquisition of Revenue 
Discovery Systems (RDS) in Birmingham, Alabama

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Compliance & Operations 

A culture of responsibility and respect.

If you start with the premise that no one sets out to fall 
behind financially, if you believe that sometimes good and 
well-intentioned people find themselves in challenging sit-
uations, then you are much more likely to treat those peo-
ple with respect. From there, it’s a natural step to assume 
the role of a solutions provider that can help customers 
manage, and eventually pay off, their delinquencies. Few, 
if any, companies in our industry are as consumer-minded. 
Nor, by extension, as successful.

A founding tenet of PRA’s operations was our focus on 
compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, 
as well as our internal code of conduct. Because these 
capabilities must grow in direct proportion to the expan-
sion of our operations, in 2015 we expanded our internal 
audit function to create a global Corporate Audit enterprise. 
This team works in tandem with our global Compliance 
staff to assure our Board of Directors and Executive 
Management that risks are properly managed and activi-
ties are being carried out in accordance with written  
policies and procedures.

In this increasingly regulated and scrutinized industry, sell-
ers prefer buyers who are partners. Partners who return 
money to their bottom line while preserving their reputa-
tion. Not only does PRA Group offer sellers such confi-
dence thanks to our long record of compliance, we also 
bring other benefits to every deal. Sellers know we are 

dependable with funding long-term contracts, we have 
significant free cash flow and a large credit line capacity, 
and we are reasonable and fair negotiators. Finally, sellers 
count on us for responsive and effective post-sale support.

The world economy passes through our doors every day.
The first thing about PRA Group that strikes many inves-
tors, bankers and others in the financial services industry 
is our size and breadth—we have become a global leader 
in our industry. But it is our unique business model, 
including our highly experienced workforce, our industry- 
leading analytics and our overarching philosophy of how 
we conduct our business, that truly sets us apart and to 
which we attribute much of our success.

Perhaps our greatest innovation, which leads to an unas-
sailable advantage over our competitors, is our proprietary 
statistical modeling approach. Over the past 20 years, we 
have acquired more than 40 million customer accounts in 
the U.S. alone. By relying on decades worth of collection 
experience with these customers, the people who analyze 
this data create highly predictive models for the pricing of 
portfolios we consider for purchase. This efficiency returns 
more capital to our investors, creates more value for our 
investors and shareholders, and extends more opportunity 
to our customers.

2006 
Fortune Small Business names PRA one of America’s 
100 Fastest-Growing Small Companies

Opens fourth call center in Jackson, Tennessee

2008 
Expands local government revenue-enhancement 
services in U.S. with acquisitions of MuniServices 
and Broussard Partners & Associates (BPA)

Exits U.S. contingency collections business

2010 
Diversifies into class action claims servicing  
with acquisition of controlling interest in CCB

Opens fifth U.S. call center in Las Vegas, Nevada

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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“PRA has been committed to supporting the Foodbank since 2002,  
allowing us to distribute more than $1 million worth of food and grocery products that have provided 
580,000 meals to families and individuals in need. In addition to PRA’s corporate sponsorships, its 
employees have devoted hundreds of volunteer hours over the years to support the Foodbank’s mission 
of eliminating hunger in our community.” 

– Ruth Jones Nichols, CEO, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore

2011
Opens sixth U.S. call center in Birmingham, Alabama

2012
Begins to acquire and service secured  
bankruptcy debt with acquisition of National  
Capital Management assets

Expands into UK consumer debt buying and  
contingency collections with acquisition of  
Mackenzie Hall

2013
PRAA included in Barron’s 400 Index of most funda-
mentally sound and attractively priced stocks for  
second consecutive year

Credit Collections & Risk awards PRA UK Credit 
Excellence Award in Compliance

Opens seventh U.S. call center in Dallas, Texas,  
exiting all offshore management of U.S. accounts

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PRA Cares

Committed | Accountable | Respectful | Ethical | Successful

Every PRA employee is part of a bigger picture, and each plays a role in the company’s 
long-term success. Our shared values are represented in the acronym PRA Cares.

Demonstrating our commitments.
In 2015 we articulated a new set of combined global core val-
ues. All employees in the Americas and Europe share a com-
mon set of values and commitments that define how we treat 
each other, how we relate to our customers, and the responsi-
bilities we have to shareholders, regulators, clients and others. 
Simply put, they’re the principles that reflect our company’s 
culture, why PRA was started, and who PRA is today. These 
principles are built on five words that form the acronym CARES: 
Committed, Accountable, Respectful, Ethical and Successful. 
Our goal is for every PRA employee to personalize and live these 
shared values, because they are guidelines for everything we do.

Global reach with a local touch.
A few times a year, we pay our employees not to show up. 
Beginning in January 2015, we implemented a program to 
give each U.S. employee eight hours of paid time off each 
year to participate in Volunteer Days, and we will be rolling  
out this program in Europe in 2016. We also match our employ-
ees’ charitable monetary contributions. Our corporate support 
spans a wide range of nonprofit causes, from human services 
to the arts. At PRA, we know that giving back is a wonderful 
way to lift up, because when communities profit, we all win.

7

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These are some of the many nonprofit organizations our company and employees support:

2014
Named one of Fortune’s 100 Fastest-Growing Companies for third consecutive year

Named one of Forbes’ Best Small Companies for eighth consecutive year

Acquires Aktiv Kapital AS, a leader in acquiring and servicing nonperforming 
consumer loans throughout Europe and Canada 

Acquires UK Individual Voluntary Arrangements platform and other assets from 
Pamplona Capital Management 

2015
Purchases majority position in RCB Investimentos, Brazil’s leading NPL  
master servicing platform

Recognized for Global M&A Deal of the Year in the M&A Atlas Awards for  
acquisition of Aktiv Kapital AS

Expands Norfolk headquarters to support long-term growth

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8

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Officers & Directors

Corporate Leadership

Steve Fredrickson
Chairman and  
Chief Executive Officer

Kevin Stevenson
President, Chief 
Administrative Officer, and 
Interim Chief Financial Officer

Tiku Patel 
Chief Executive Officer,  
PRA Group Europe

Neal Stern
Executive Vice President, 
Chief Investment,  
Analytics, and Operational 
Strategy Officer

Chris Graves
Executive Vice President, 
Americas Core

Michael Petit
President, Insolvency 
Investment Services

Chris Lagow
Senior Vice President, 
General Counsel and 
Assistant Secretary

Judith Scott
Corporate Secretary

Laura White
Chief Compliance Officer

Deborah Cassidy 
Chief Information Officer

Michelle Link
Chief Human Resources 
Officer

Steve Roberts
Chief Strategy and Business 
Development Officer

Kent McCammon
Executive Vice President, 
Strategy and Business 
Development

Neil Chakravarty
Senior Vice President, 
Corporate Audit Services

Nancy Porter
Vice President,  
Corporate Communications

Board of Directors

Steve Fredrickson
Chairman and  
Chief Executive Officer

Kevin Stevenson
President, Chief 
Administrative Officer,  
and Interim Chief  
Financial Officer

David Roberts
Lead Director

Vikram Atal 
Director

John Fain
Director

Penelope Kyle
Director

James Nussle
Director

Geir Olsen
Director

Scott Tabakin
Director

James Voss
Director

Lance Weaver
Director

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015

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: 000-50058

PRA Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

75-3078675

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

120 Corporate Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia

(Address of principal executive offices)

23502

(Zip Code)

(888) 772-7326

(Registrant's Telephone No., including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

(Title of Class)

NASDAQ Global Select Market

(Name of Exchange on which registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

(Title of Class)

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 Section 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 and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data 
File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period 
that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES  

   NO  

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be 
contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 
10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting 
company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange 
Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer  

   Smaller reporting company  

   Non-accelerated filer  

   Accelerated filer  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES  

   NO  

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2015 was $2,970,224,983 based on the 
$62.31 closing price as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

The number of shares of the registrant's Common Stock outstanding as of February 25, 2016 was 46,221,037.

Documents incorporated by reference: Portions of the registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for our 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders 
are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

Part I

Item 1.

Item 1A.

Item 1B.

Item 2.

Item 3.

Item 4.

Part II

Item 5.

Item 6.

Item 7.

Item 7A.

Item 8.

Table of Contents

Business

Risk Factors

Unresolved Staff Comments

Properties

Legal Proceedings

Mine Safety Disclosure

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases 
of Equity Securities

Selected Financial Data

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Income Statements

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1 – General and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2 – Finance Receivables, net

3 – Investments

4 – Operating Leases

5 – Goodwill and Intangibles Assets, net

6 – Borrowings

7 – Property and Equipment, net

8 – Fair Value

9 – Share-Based Compensation

10 – Earnings Per Share

11 – Proforma Financial Information

12 – Derivatives

13 – Stockholders' Equity

14 – Income Taxes

15 – Commitments and Contingencies

16 – Retirement Plans

17 – Subsequent Event

Item 9.

Item 9A.

Item 9B.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Controls and Procedures

Other Information

continued

2

6

18

30

30

30

30

31

32

35

60

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

69

75

76

77

78

79

83

83

85

87

88

88

89

89

91

93

93

94

94

96

Table of Contents

continued

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Executive Compensation

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related 
Stockholder Matters

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Part III

Item 10.

Item 11.

Item 12.

Item 13.

Item 14.

Part IV

Item 15.

Signatures

96

96

96

96

96

97

100

3

Cautionary Statements Pursuant to Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking 
statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our results 
to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of 
historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding overall cash collection trends, gross margin trends, 
operating cost trends, liquidity and capital needs and other statements of expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated 
events or trends, and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions 
referred to above may include the following:

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changes in the credit or capital markets, which affect our ability to borrow money or raise capital;
a prolonged economic recovery or a deterioration in the economic or inflationary environment in North America or Europe, 
including the interest rate environment;
our ability to replace our nonperforming loans with additional receivables portfolios;
our ability to purchase nonperforming loans at appropriate prices;
our reliance on third-party vendors having procedures and controls which are compliant or error free;
our ability to obtain accurate and authentic account documents relating to accounts that we acquire and the possibility 
that documents that we provide could contain errors;
our ability to collect sufficient amounts on our nonperforming loans;
our ability to successfully acquire receivables of new asset types;
changes in, or interpretations of, bankruptcy or collection laws that could negatively affect our business, including by 
causing an increase in certain types of bankruptcy filings involving liquidations, which may cause our collections to 
decrease;
changes in, or interpretations of, federal, state, local, or foreign laws or the administrative practices of various bankruptcy 
courts, which may impact our ability to collect on our nonperforming loans;
our ability to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable prices;
our ability to manage risks associated with our international operations;
changes in tax laws regarding earnings of our subsidiaries located outside of the United States ("U.S.");
the possibility that we could incur goodwill or other intangible asset impairment charges;
our ability to retain members of our senior management team;
the possibility that our U.S. work force could become unionized in the future, which could adversely affect the stability 
of our production and increase our costs;
the imposition of additional taxes on us;
the possibility that we could incur significant allowance charges on our finance receivables;
our loss contingency accruals may not be adequate to cover actual losses;
the possibility that class action suits and other litigation could divert our management's attention and increase our expenses;
adverse outcomes in pending litigations;
the possibility that we could incur business to technology disruptions or cyber incidents;
the degree, nature, and resources of our competition;
the possibility that new business acquisitions prove unsuccessful or strain or divert our resources;
the potential effects of threatened or actual terrorism and war;
our ability to compete in markets where we do business;
our ability to manage growth successfully or to successfully integrate our growth strategy;
the possibility that we or our industry could experience negative publicity or reputational attacks;
the possibility that a sudden collapse of one of the financial institutions in which we are depositors could negatively affect 
our financial results;
our ability to collect and enforce our finance receivables may be limited under federal, state, and foreign laws;
our ability to adjust to debt collection and debt-buying regulations that may be promulgated by the Consumer Financial 
Protection Bureau ("CFPB") and the regulatory and enforcement activities of the CFPB;
our ability to comply with existing and new regulations of the collection industry, the failure of which could result in 
penalties, fines, litigation, damage to our reputation, or the suspension or termination of or required modification to our 
ability to conduct our business;
changes in accounting standards, governmental laws and regulations or the manner in which they are interpreted or applied 
which could increase our costs and liabilities or impact our operations;
investigations or enforcement actions by governmental authorities, which could result in changes to our business practices; 
negatively impact our portfolio purchasing volume; make collection of account balances more difficult or expose us to 
the risk of fines, penalties, restitution payments, and litigation;
the possibility that compliance with foreign and U.S. laws and regulations that apply to our international operations could 
increase our cost of doing business in international jurisdictions;

4

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net capital requirements pursuant to the European Union Capital Requirements Directive ("CRD IV"), which could impede 
the business operations of our subsidiaries;
our ability to maintain, renegotiate or replace our credit facility;
our ability to satisfy the restrictive covenants in our debt agreements;
the possibility that the accounting for convertible debt securities could have an adverse effect on our financial results;
our ability to raise the funds necessary to repurchase the convertible senior notes or to settle conversions in cash;
the possibility that conversion of the convertible senior notes could affect the price of our common stock;
changes in interest or exchange rates, which could reduce our net income, and the possibility that future hedging strategies 
may not be successful, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition, as could our failure 
to comply with hedge accounting principles and interpretations; and
the risk factors listed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

You should assume that the information appearing in this annual report is accurate only as of the date it was issued. Our 

business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

For a discussion of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our future events, developments or results, you 
should carefully review the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page 18, as well as the "Management's Discussion and Analysis 
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section beginning on page 35 and the "Business" section beginning on page 6.

Our forward-looking statements could be wrong in light of these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The future 
events, developments or results described in this report could turn out to be materially different. Except as required by law, we 
assume no obligation to publicly update or revise our forward-looking statements after the date of this report and you should not 
expect us to do so.

Investors should also be aware that while we do, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts and others, we do 
not, by policy, selectively disclose to them any material nonpublic information or other confidential commercial information. 
Accordingly, stockholders should not assume that we agree with any statement or report issued by any analyst regardless of the 
content of the statement or report. We do not, by policy, confirm forecasts or projections issued by others. Thus, to the extent that 
reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not our responsibility.

5

Item 1. Business.

General

PART I

Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia and incorporated in Delaware, we are a leading company in the acquisition and collection 
of nonperforming loans in the Americas and Europe. Our business focuses upon the acquisition, collection, and processing of both 
unpaid and normal-course accounts receivable originally owed to credit grantors, government entities, and others. Our primary 
business is the purchase, collection and management of portfolios of nonperforming consumer loans. The accounts we acquire are 
the unpaid obligations of individuals owed to credit grantors, which primarily include banks and other types of consumer, retail, 
and auto finance companies. We also provide the following fee-based services:

•  Contingent collections of nonperforming loans in Europe;
•  Vehicle location, skip tracing and collateral recovery for auto lenders, government entities and law enforcement;
•  Revenue administration, audit and debt discovery services for local government entities; and
•  Class action claims recovery services and related payment processing.

We have one reportable segment, accounts receivable management, based on similarities among the operating units including 
the nature of the products and services, the nature of the production processes, the types or classes of customers for our products 
and services, the methods used to distribute our products and services, and the nature of the regulatory environment.

On August 3, 2015 we acquired 55% of the equity interest in RCB Investimentos S.A. ("RCB"). The remaining 45% of the 
equity interest in RCB is owned by the executive team and previous owners of RCB. RCB was founded in 2007 and is a leading 
master servicing platform for nonperforming loans in Brazil. RCB specializes in structuring, investing and operating receivable 
and credit-related assets. The founders of RCB each entered into long-term employment agreements with us and will continue to 
manage  RCB's  local  business  in  Brazil.  Our  investment  for  the  55%  ownership  of  RCB  was  paid  for  with  approximately 
$55.2 million in cash which was borrowed under our existing domestic revolving credit facility. The majority of cash paid to 
acquire the equity interest in RCB is expected to be used in the ordinary course of business. As part of the investment and call 
option agreements, we have the right to purchase the remaining 45% of RCB at certain multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, 
depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") beginning August 3, 2019 and lasting for two years.

The scale and scope of our international business expanded substantially during 2014 primarily due to the acquisition of 
Aktiv Kapital ("Aktiv"), a Norway-based leader in acquiring and servicing nonperforming consumer debt throughout Europe and 
Canada. With the Aktiv acquisition, we became one of the world's largest acquirers of nonperforming consumer loans from banks 
and other creditors. The Aktiv acquisition provided us entry into several new markets, resulting in additional geographic diversity 
in portfolio purchasing and collection. Aktiv's executive team and the more than 400 Aktiv employees joined our workforce upon 
the closing of the transaction.

We believe that the strengths of our business are our analytical approach to portfolio pricing and servicing, our processing 
systems and procedures, our relationships with many of the largest consumer lenders, and our extensive compliance systems and 
culture. The success of our business depends on our ability to purchase nonperforming loans at appropriate valuations and to collect 
on those receivables in a compliant, effective and efficient manner.

Our Core business specializes in receivables that have been charged-off by the credit grantor. Because the credit grantor 
and/or other debt servicing companies have unsuccessfully attempted to fully collect these receivables, we are able to purchase 
them at a substantial discount to their face value.

Our Insolvency business consists primarily of purchasing and collecting accounts that are involved in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy 
proceeding from credit grantors based in the United States. During 2014, the geographic footprint of the Insolvency business 
expanded into Canada and Europe.

We were initially formed as Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, on March 20, 
1996. In connection with our 2002 initial public offering, all of the membership units of Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C. 
were  exchanged, simultaneously with the  effectiveness  of our  registration statement, for a  single class  of  Portfolio Recovery 
Associates, Inc. common stock, a new Delaware corporation formed on August 7, 2002. Accordingly, the members of Portfolio 
Recovery Associates, L.L.C. became the common stockholders of Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc., which became the parent 
company of Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C. and its subsidiaries. On October 23, 2014, we changed our name to PRA Group, 
Inc.

6

Frequently Used Terms

We use the following terminology throughout this document:

• 

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• 
• 
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• 

• 

• 
• 

• 

• 

"Allowance charges" refers to a reduction in income recognized on finance receivables on pools of finance receivables 
whose cash collection estimates were below expectations or are projected to be below expectations.
"Amortization rate" refers to cash collections applied to principal on finance receivables as a percentage of total cash 
collections.
"Buybacks" refers to purchase price refunded by the seller due to the return of ineligible accounts.
"Cash collections" refers to collections on our owned finance receivables portfolios.
"Cash receipts" refers to collections on our owned finance receivables portfolios plus fee income.
"Core" accounts or portfolios refer to accounts or portfolios that are nonperforming loans and are not in an insolvent status 
upon purchase. These accounts are aggregated separately from insolvency accounts.
"Estimated remaining collections" or "ERC" refers to the sum of all future projected cash collections on our owned finance 
receivables portfolios.
"Fee income" refers to revenues generated from our fee-for-service businesses.
"Income recognized on finance receivables" refers to income derived from our owned finance receivables portfolios.
"Income recognized on finance receivables, net" refers to income derived from our owned finance receivables portfolios 
and is shown net of allowance charges/reversals.
"Insolvency" accounts or portfolios refer to accounts or portfolios of receivables that are in an insolvent status when we 
purchase them and as such are purchased as a pool of insolvent accounts. These include Individual Voluntary Arrangements 
("IVAs"), Trust Deeds in the United Kingdom, Consumer Proposals in Canada and bankruptcy accounts in the United 
States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
"Net finance receivable balance" is recorded on our balance sheet and refers to the purchase price less principal amortization 
and net allowance charges/reversals.
"Principal amortization" refers to cash collections applied to principal on finance receivables.
"Purchase price" refers to the cash paid to a seller to acquire nonperforming loans, plus certain capitalized costs, less 
buybacks.
"Purchase  price  multiple"  refers  to  the  total  estimated  collections  (as  defined  below)  on  owned  finance  receivables 
portfolios divided by purchase price.
"Total estimated collections" refers to actual cash collections, including cash sales, plus estimated remaining collections 
on our finance receivables portfolios.

All references in this report on Form 10-K to the "PRA Group," "our," "we," "us," the "Company" or similar terms are to 

PRA Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Available Information

We maintain an Internet website at the following address: www.pragroup.com.

We make available on or through our website certain reports that we file with or furnish to the SEC in accordance with the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These include our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current 
reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We make this information available on our website free of charge as soon as reasonably 
practicable after we electronically file the information with or furnish it to the SEC. The information that is filed with the SEC 
may be read or copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. In addition, information 
on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an 
Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically 
with the SEC at: www.sec.gov.

Reports filed with or furnished to the SEC are also available free of charge upon request by contacting our corporate office 

at:

PRA Group, Inc.
Attn: Investor Relations
120 Corporate Boulevard, Suite 100
Norfolk, Virginia 23502

7

Competitive Strengths

We Offer a Compelling Alternative to Global Debt Owners and Domestic Governmental Entities

We offer global debt owners the ability to realize immediate value for their charged-off and insolvent receivables, through 
either one-time spot purchase contracts or forward flow contracts that arrange for regular purchases from the debt owner. Our 
transactional flexibility helps us to meet the needs of global debt owners, leverages our access to capital, and provides us with the 
opportunity to create consistent and enduring supply relationships. Through our government services business and our European 
and South American businesses, we have the ability to service receivables in various ways including collecting on a contingent 
fee basis. For our government services business, this also includes such services as processing tax payments on behalf of the client 
and extends to more complicated tax audit and discovery work, as well as additional services that fill the needs of our clients.

Disciplined and Proprietary Underwriting Process

One of the key components of our growth has been our ability to price portfolio acquisitions at levels that have generated 
profitable returns on investment. Since inception, we have been able to consistently collect more than our purchase price and costs 
over the collection life cycle of the finance receivables portfolios we have acquired. In doing so, we have generated profits and 
operational cash flow from these portfolio acquisitions, without relying on the resale of portfolios to achieve these results. In the 
United States, we have not resold any of our purchased portfolios since 2002 and sold a minimal number of accounts prior to this 
time frame.

By retaining and collecting, as opposed to selling, the accounts we purchase over the long term, we create static pool history 
that we believe is unique among our peers. Our portfolio underwriting process utilizes collection results, customer data, and account 
attributes to effectively value portfolios. Our modeling capabilities continuously evolve as we incorporate new data and develop, 
test, and adopt new analytical tools that help us improve our underwriting accuracy.

The Core portfolio underwriting process includes both quantitative analytical modeling and qualitative judgment-based 
analysis that considers the effects of the origination, servicing, and collection history of the portfolios we price. With the addition 
of data from the Aktiv acquisition and our interest in RCB in Brazil, we have similar capabilities in European and South American 
markets.  We  believe  the  combination  of  our  deep  sample  of  purchase  data,  our  sophisticated  analytical  modeling,  and  the 
underwriting judgment gained from thousands of portfolios affords us a significant competitive advantage.

Established Systems and Infrastructure

We have devoted significant effort to developing our systems, including statistical models, databases and reporting packages, 
to optimize our portfolio purchases and collection efforts. In addition, we believe that our technology infrastructure is flexible, 
secure, reliable and redundant, to protect the privacy of our sensitive data and to mitigate exposure to systems failure or unauthorized 
access.

We have developed financial models and systems for pricing portfolio acquisitions, managing the collections process and 
monitoring operating results. We regularly prepare a static pool report for each of our portfolios, populating actual results back 
into our acquisition models to enhance their accuracy. We monitor collection results continuously, seeking to identify and resolve 
negative trends promptly. By retaining and collecting upon our purchased finance receivables over the long-term, we enhance our 
knowledge of a portfolio's performance. The combination of hardware, software and proprietary modeling and systems has been 
developed by our management team through years of experience in this industry and we believe provides us with an important 
competitive advantage from the acquisition process all the way through collection and payment operations.

Our systems and infrastructure also enhance our compliance activities. We employ a staff of Quality Assurance employees 
in our Compliance function who monitor calls and observe collection system entries and monitor and test our daily activities. To 
enhance this process, where permissible, we employ sophisticated call and work action recording systems which allow us to better 
monitor compliance and quality of our customer contacts.

Strong Relationships with Major Credit Grantors

We have done business with most of the largest consumer lenders in the United States and in Europe. We maintain an active 
marketing effort and our senior management team is in contact on a regular basis with existing and potential sellers of nonperforming 
loans. In addition, we protect our reputation as a reliable and compliant purchaser of nonperforming loans. Management views 
our reputation as compliant collectors as an integral part of our value proposition for existing and potential sellers. Moreover, we 
consistently attempt to negotiate reasonable and mutually acceptable contract terms, resulting in a confident and expeditious closing 
process for both parties. We believe our strong relationships with major credit grantors provide us with access to quality opportunities 
for portfolio purchases.

8

Experienced Management Team

Prior to our formation, our founders played key roles in the development and management of a receivables acquisition and 
divestiture  operation  of  Household  Recovery  Services,  a  subsidiary  of  Household  International. As  we  have  grown,  we  have 
expanded our management team with seasoned executives to better sustain our business growth strategy. Our team has considerable 
expertise in the accounts receivable management industry.

Following is a summary of our executive management team as of February 26, 2016, including each executive officer's 
principal occupation, business experience, and employment during the past five years. The principal occupation, employment and 
business experience history of each member provides a brief explanation as to the nature of responsibility undertaken by such 
individual in their prior positions to provide adequate disclosure of his or her prior business experience.

Executive Officers of the Registrant
Tenure, Experience and Age in years

Name

Current Position

Prior Experience

Steven D. Fredrickson (1) Chairman of the Board of 

Kevin P. Stevenson (2)

Chris Graves (3)

Chris Lagow (4)

Michelle Link (5)

Tiku Patel (6)

Michael Petit (7)

Steve Roberts (8)

Neal Stern (9)

Directors, and Chief Executive 
Officer

President, Chief Administrative 
Officer, and Interim 
Chief Financial Officer

Executive Vice President, 
Americas Core Acquisitions & 
Core Operations

Household Recovery Services, 
Continental Illinois National Bank 
and Trust Company

Household Recovery Services, 
Household Bank

Capital One, Signet Bank, First 
Union

Senior Vice President and 
General Counsel

Togut, Segal & Segal, LLP, LeClair 
Ryan, PC

Chief Human Resources Officer Amerigroup, Corning, Cigna, Blue 

Cross Blue Shield

Chief Executive Officer, PRA 
Group Europe

Aktiv Kapital, Experian, Barclays, 
Kingfisher, Redland

President, Insolvency 
Investment Services

Chief Strategy and Business 
Development Officer

Executive Vice President, Chief 
Investment, Analytics and 
Operations Strategy Officer

Pacific Crest Securities, Caterpillar, 
Banc One Capital Markets, Ford 
Motor Company, Jefferies and 
Company, Continental Bank

ShopText, Interpublic Group, Otis, 
Carrier, Digitas, United 
Technologies

Target Financial Services, US Bank, 
Transamerica

Allianz, Federal Reserve Bank of 
Richmond, Capital One

Laura White (10)

Chief Compliance Officer

Deborah Cassidy (11)

Neil Chakravarty (12)

Senior Vice President, Chief 
Information Officer

Genworth Financial, Allianz 
Assistance, Tredegar Corporation

Senior Vice President, 
Corporate Audit Services

Genworth Financial, Capital One 
Financial, KPMG

PRA 
Group 
Tenure
20

Relevant 
Industry 
Experience
30+

Age
56

20

10

10

5

2

12

3

9

2

1

1

27

23

15

18

14

30

30

25

24

11

18

51

47

42

41

50

56

54

47

45

58

38

(1)  Mr. Fredrickson, co-founder, served as PRA Group's President until 2015 when he assumed his current position.
(2)  Mr. Stevenson, co-founder, served as PRA Group's Executive Vice President until 2015 when he assumed his current position.
(3)  Mr. Graves joined PRA Group in 2006. He served as Vice President, Portfolio Acquisitions until 2009, and Executive Vice 

President, Core Acquisitions until 2013 when he assumed his current position.

(4)  Mr. Lagow joined PRA Group in 2006. He served as U.S. Counsel-Litigation until 2014 and Deputy General Counsel until 

2015 when he assumed his current position.

(5)  Ms. Link joined PRA Group in 2011. She served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources until 2014 when she assumed 

her current position.

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(6)  Mr. Patel transitioned to PRA Group from Aktiv Kapital where he served as Chief Operating Officer for six years. Aktiv 
Kapital was acquired by PRA Group, Inc. in 2014; following the transition he continued his role as Chief Operating Officer 
for PRA Group Europe until 2016 when he took on the role of Chief Executive Officer, PRA Group Europe. His extensive 
operational  knowledge  of Aktiv  Kapital,  his  background  and  skills  in  the  financial  services  industry,  and  his  leadership 
capabilities are highly leveraged in his continued role with PRA Group. 

(7)  Mr. Petit joined PRA Group in 2004. He served as President, Bankruptcy Services from 2011 until 2015 when he assumed 

his current position.

(8)  Mr. Roberts was the Chief Executive Officer of ShopText for the six years prior to joining PRA Group. He has a significant 
background in marketing and operations and worked as a chief operating officer and chief financial officer at subsidiaries of 
the  publicly-held  McCann  Erikson  and  Modem  Media  organizations.  He  served  as  President,  Business  and  Government 
Services at PRA Group until 2015 when he assumed his current position.

(9)  Mr. Stern joined PRA Group in 2007. He served as Senior Vice President, Operations from 2008 until 2011, and Executive 

Vice President, Chief Operating Officer Owned Portfolios until 2015 when he assumed his current position.

(10) Prior  to  joining  PRA  Group,  Ms. White  was  the  Chief  Risk  and  Compliance  Officer, Americas  Zone  for Allianz  Global 
Assistance from 2010-2014. Ms. White has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the financial services industry. In 
her role with Allianz she was responsible for risk management and compliance, including operational risk, internal controls, 
business continuity and regulatory compliance. A significant amount of this experience is leveraged in her role at PRA Group.
(11) Ms. Cassidy served as Vice President and Business Chief Information Officer at Genworth Financial and Vice President and 
Americas  Chief  Information  Officer  at Allianz  prior  to  joining  PRA  Group.  She  has  over  25  years  of  experience  within 
information technology; 11 years were focused within financial services.

(12) Prior to joining PRA Group, Mr. Chakravarty served as Senior Manager, Card Operations Audit, Capital One Financial for 
over  two  years  before  transitioning  to  Genworth  Financial where  he  served  as Audit  Director  for  three  years.  He  has  an 
extensive background in the audit and risk management industry and leverages these skills at PRA Group.

Portfolio Acquisitions

Our portfolio of finance receivables includes a diverse set of accounts that can be categorized by asset type, age and size of 
account, level of previous collection efforts, payment history, and geography. To identify buying opportunities, we maintain an 
extensive marketing effort with our senior officers contacting known and prospective sellers of finance receivables. We have 
acquired receivables of Visa®, MasterCard®, private label and other credit cards, installment loans, lines of credit, insolvency 
accounts, deficiency balances of various types, legal judgments, trade payables, and other types, all from a variety of receivable 
owners. These sellers include major banks, credit unions, consumer finance companies, telecommunication providers, retailers, 
utilities, auto finance companies, student loan companies, and other debt owners. In  addition, we make periodic visits to the 
operating sites of sellers of receivables and attend numerous industry events in an effort to develop account purchase opportunities. 
We also maintain active relationships with brokers of nonperforming loans.

We purchase accounts from a variety of debt owners. We have acquired portfolios at various price levels, depending on the 
age of the portfolio, its geographic distribution, our historical experience with a certain asset type or credit grantor and similar 
factors. A typical nonperforming loan portfolio that we acquire in the United States ranges from $1 million to $150 million in face 
value and contains receivables from diverse geographic locations with average initial individual account balances of $400 to 
$7,000. Our portfolio purchases outside the United States can vary from these ranges based upon a number of factors.

In the United States, the age of a Core portfolio (the time since the underlying account has been charged-off) is an important 
factor in determining the value we place on the portfolio. Generally, there is an inverse relationship between the age of a Core 
portfolio and the price we can pay to purchase the portfolio. This relationship is due to the fact that older Core portfolio receivables 
typically  liquidate  at  lower  rates. The  accounts  receivables  management  industry  places  U.S.  Core  portfolio  receivables  into 
categories depending on the number of collection agencies that have previously attempted to collect on the receivables. Fresh 
accounts are typically past due 120 to 270 days, charged-off by the credit grantor and are typically sold prior to the seller conducting 
any post-charge-off collection activity. These accounts typically sell for the highest purchase price. Primary accounts are charged-
off, are typically 360 to 450 days past due, and have been previously placed with one contingent fee servicer and receive a lower 
purchase price. Secondary and tertiary accounts are charged-off, are typically more than 540 days past due, and have been placed 
with two or three contingent fee servicers and receive even lower purchase prices. We also occasionally purchase portfolios of 
charged-off accounts previously worked by four or more agencies and these are typically older and receive an even lower price. 
In Europe we also purchase portfolios of paying, charged-off accounts. Such pools have liquidation results that can have much in 
common with Insolvency portfolios.

In addition, we purchase portfolios of accounts that are included in certain types of consumer insolvency proceedings. Given 
our United States focus historically, these insolvency accounts are typically those filed under Chapter 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy 
Code and have an associated payment plan that generally ranges from 3 to 5 years in duration. We purchase portfolios of insolvency 
accounts in both forward flow and spot transactions and, consequently, they can be at any age in the bankruptcy plan life cycle. 
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Non-U.S. Insolvency accounts may have some slight differences, but will generally operate similarly. In Canada, we purchase 
Consumer Proposal, Consumer Credit Counseling and Bankrupt Accounts. In the United Kingdom, we purchase IVAs, Company 
Voluntary Arrangements, Trust Deeds and Bankrupt Accounts. In Germany, we acquire consumer bankruptcies which may also 
consist of small business loans with a personal guarantee.

We also review the geographic distribution of accounts within a portfolio because we have found that state-specific laws 
and rules can have an effect on the collectability of accounts located there. In addition, economic factors and bankruptcy trends 
vary regionally and are factored into our purchase price equation.

Purchasing Process

We acquire portfolios from debt owners through auctions and negotiated sales. In an auction process, the seller will assemble 
a portfolio of receivables and will seek purchase prices from specifically invited potential purchasers. In a privately negotiated 
sale process, the debt owner will contact one or more purchasers directly, receive a bid, and negotiate the terms of sale. In either 
case, typically, invited purchasers will have already successfully completed a qualification process that can include the owner's 
reviews of any or all of the following: the purchaser's experience, reputation, financial standing, operating procedures, business 
practices, and compliance oversight.

We also acquire accounts through forward flow contracts. Under a forward flow contract we agree to purchase nonperforming 
loans from a debt owner on a periodic basis, at a price equal to a set percentage of face value of the receivables over a specified 
time period, generally from three to twelve months. These agreements often contain a requirement that the attributes and selection 
criteria of the receivables to be sold will not significantly change each month. If this requirement is not adhered to, the contract 
will typically allow for the correction of any material file deficiencies by the seller or other appropriate remedies as mutually 
agreed upon. Forward flow contracts provide debt owners with a predictable source of value for nonperforming loans and provide 
the debt purchaser with a steady and reliable source of receivables for its collection operation.

In  a  typical  U.S.  and  Canadian  Core  portfolio  sale  transaction,  after  signing  a  non-disclosure  agreement,  a  debt  owner 
distributes a computer data file containing ten to fifteen essential data fields on each account in the portfolio offered for sale. Such 
fields typically include, but are not limited to, the customer's name, address, outstanding balance, date of charge-off, date and 
amount of last payment and the date the account was opened. Customer information may be masked or altogether excluded from 
the  pricing  file  provided  by  the  seller. Additionally,  we  typically  receive  a  survey  from  the  debt  owner,  which  describes  the 
origination, servicing, and collection history of the accounts selected for sale. We may also receive representative samples of 
account documentation for review, to include statements, account agreements, promissory notes, and other documents, as applicable. 
We perform our data due diligence on the portfolio by electronically checking the data, provided to us through secured delivery, 
using proprietary data quality algorithms, and when possible, cross-check the data against the accounts in our owned portfolio 
database. We compile a variety of portfolio level reports, examining all available data. In certain markets, we will also perform 
on-site due diligence at the debt owner's operation.

In order to determine a purchase price for a Core portfolio in the United States, we generally use two separate internally 
developed computer models. We analyze the portfolio using our proprietary multiple linear regression model, which analyzes the 
accounts of the portfolio using predictive variables and projects a portfolio liquidation rate. We also analyze the portfolio as a 
whole using an adjustment model, which is used in combination with a cash flow model that utilizes our collections results from 
similar portfolios we have previously purchased. We supplement the adjustment model with qualitative background information 
about the origination, servicing and collection history of the portfolio. Finally, we may employ a model that creates statistically 
similar portfolios from our existing accounts across our purchased inventory and develops estimated collection curves that are 
used in our price modeling. From these models we derive our quantitative projections which are used to help price transactions. 
The multiple linear regression model is also used to prioritize collection work efforts subsequent to purchase. With respect to 
prospective forward flow contracts and other long-term relationships, we obtain a representative file that we use to determine the 
price of the forward flow arrangement. Then each month during the flow term, we receive the actual sale file to be funded, and 
compare it to the representative file noted above to determine if the delivered file meets the file quality standards established by 
the initial pricing file. This process allows us to confirm that the accounts we are purchasing are materially consistent with those 
we agreed to purchase under the forward flow contract. When purchasing insolvency receivables, we follow a similar analytical 
process but utilize completely separate, specifically designed pricing models.

In order to determine a purchase price for a Core portfolio in Europe, we use a combination of models. One is a reference 
model that utilizes actual collections and cost experience yielded from other comparable portfolios previously acquired within the 
same country as the portfolio being considered for purchase. Other models utilize data from our data warehouse and employ 
statistical approaches to project the likelihood and amount of receiving payments over the economic life of the portfolio being 
considered. Models that use decay and amortization approaches can also be employed, depending on the portfolio. When available, 
external data sources are utilized to enhance underwriting accuracy. As in the United States, quantitative projections of collections 

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and costs are adjusted based upon qualitative background information we collect that describes the origination, servicing and 
collection history of the portfolio.

We maintain a detailed static pool profile for each portfolio that we have acquired, capturing demographic data and revenue 
and expense items for further analysis. We use our static pool analysis to refine the underwriting models that we use to price future 
portfolio purchases. The results of the static pool analysis are input back into our models, increasing the accuracy of the models 
as the data set increases with every portfolio purchase and each day's collection efforts. We generally do not sell our purchased 
receivables, but rather we work them over the long-term, enhancing our knowledge of a pool's long-term performance.

The quantitative and qualitative data derived in our due diligence process is evaluated, considering both any subjective factors 
about the portfolio or the debt owner and our knowledge of the current nonperforming loan market. A portfolio acquisition approval 
memorandum is then prepared for each prospective portfolio before a binding purchase price is submitted to the debt owner. This 
approval memorandum, which outlines the portfolio's anticipated collectability, costs, returns, risks, and purchase structure, is 
distributed to members of an Investment Committee, which varies depending on the country. The approval by the Investment 
Committee sets a maximum purchase price for the portfolio.

Once a portfolio purchase has been approved by the applicable Investment Committee and the terms of the sale have been 
agreed to with the debt owner, the acquisition is documented in an agreement that contains mutually agreeable terms and conditions. 
Provisions are typically incorporated for disputed, fraudulent, deceased, bankrupt (in the case of Core portfolio purchases), or 
other ineligible accounts and the debt owner typically either agrees to repurchase these accounts or replace them with acceptable 
replacement accounts within certain time frames.

Owned-Portfolio Collection Operations

Call Center Operations

In higher volume markets our collection efforts leverage call centers. In some newer markets or in markets that have less 
consistent debt purchasing patterns, most notably outside the United States, we may utilize external vendors to do some or all of 
this work. Whether the accounts are being worked internally or externally we utilize our analysis to proportionally direct work 
efforts to those customers most likely to pay. The analysis driving those decisions relies on various models, and variables that have 
the highest correlation to profitable collection call activity.

The collectability forecast for a newly acquired portfolio will help determine our initial collection strategy. Accounts that 
are initially determined to have the highest predicted collection probability will be worked with greater efforts. Less collectible 
accounts may be set aside to be worked with less frequency or with lower cost methods. After owning an account for a month we 
begin reassessing the collectability based on a set of observed account characteristics and behaviors. Some accounts may be worked 
using a letter and/or settlement strategy.

On the initial contact call, a customer is given a standardized presentation on resolving his or her account with us. During 
this call, emphasis is placed on determining the reason for the customer's default to better assess the customer's situation and create 
a  plan  for  repayment. The  collectors  work  to  obtain  a  repayment  plan  that  is  appropriate  to  the  customer's  ability  to  make  a 
repayment. At times, when determined to be appropriate, and in many cases with management approval, a reduced lump-sum 
settlement may be agreed upon.

If a collector or an external vendor is unable to establish contact with a customer based on information received or stored, 
the systems generally will supplement the account information by leveraging a series of automated skip tracing procedures. Skip 
tracing is the process of developing new phone, address, job or asset information on a customer, or verifying the accuracy of such 
information.

Legal Recovery – Core Portfolios

An important component of our collections effort involves our legal recovery department and the judicial collection of 
accounts of customers who we believe have the ability, but not the willingness, to resolve their obligations. There are some markets 
in which the collection process follows a prescribed time-sensitive and sequential set of legal actions, but in the majority of instances 
we use models and analysis and select those accounts reflecting a high propensity to pay in a legal environment. Depending on 
the balance of the receivable and the applicable local collection laws, we determine whether to commence legal action to judicially 
collect on the receivable. The legal process can take an extended period of time and can be costly, but it also generates net cash 
collections that likely would not have been realized otherwise.

We use a combination of internal staff (attorney and support), as well as external attorneys, to pursue legal collections under 
certain circumstances. Over the past several years we have focused on developing our internal legal collection capability. Throughout 

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our markets, we have the capability to initiate lawsuits in amounts up to the jurisdictional limits of the respective courts. Our legal 
recovery department, using external vendors, also collects claims where appropriate against estates in cases involving deceased 
debtors having assets at the time of death. Our legal recovery department oversees our internal legal collections and coordinates 
nationwide collections attorney networks which are responsible for the preparation and filing of judicial collection proceedings 
in multiple jurisdictions, determining the suit criteria, and instituting wage garnishments to satisfy judgments. Our external law 
firms usually work on a contingent fee basis.

Insolvency Operations

Insolvency Operations in the United States manages customer filings under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on debtor accounts 
derived from three sources; (1) our purchased pools of bankrupt accounts, (2) our Core purchased pools of charged-off accounts 
that  have  filed  for  bankruptcy  or  insolvency  protection  after  being  acquired  by  us,  and  (3)  our  third-party  servicing  client 
relationships. On PRA Group owned accounts, we file proofs of claim ("POCs") or claim transfers and actively manage these 
accounts through the entire life cycle of the insolvency proceeding in order to substantiate our claims and ensure that we participate 
in any distributions to creditors. On accounts managed under a third-party relationship, we work on either a full service contingency 
fee basis or a menu style fee-for-service basis.

We developed our proprietary Bankruptcy Management System ("BMS") as a highly secured, access controlled platform 
for providing bankruptcy notification services, filing POCs and claim transfers, managing documents, administering our case load, 
posting and reconciling payments and providing customized reports. BMS is a robust system designed to manage claims processing 
and case management in a high-volume, compliance-sensitive environment. The system is highly flexible and its capacity is easily 
expanded. Daily processing volumes are managed to meet individual bar dates associated with each bankruptcy case and specific 
client turnaround times. BMS and its underlying business rules were developed with emphasis first on minimizing risks through 
strict  compliance  to  the  bankruptcy  code  and  applicable  laws,  rules  and  regulation,  and  then  on  maximizing  recoveries  from 
electronic claim filing and strategic case administration.

Each of our insolvency operations employees goes through an entry-level training program to familiarize them with BMS 
and the bankruptcy process, including a general overview of how we interact with the courts, debtors' attorneys and trustees. We 
also use a tiered process of cross training designed to familiarize advancing employees with a variety of operational assignments 
and analytical tasks. For example, we utilize specially trained employees to perform advanced data matching and analytics for 
clients, while others are tasked with resolving various case matters directly with attorneys and trustees.

Our global insolvency business operates under the name Insolvency Investment Services. Non-U.S. insolvency operations 
involve relationships with third-party servicing organizations that are well established in their specific market. We closely monitor 
and manage these relationships, which include regular audits to verify compliance with PRA Group requirements, as well as local 
laws and regulations.

Fee-for-Service Businesses

Through our subsidiaries, we provide fee-based services, including vehicle location, skip tracing and collateral recovery 
services for auto lenders, governments and law enforcement via PRA Location Services, LLC ("PLS"); revenue administration, 
audit, and discovery/recovery services for government entities through PRA Government Services, LLC and MuniServices, LLC, 
(collectively "PGS"); class action claims recovery services and related payment processing through Claims Compensation Bureau, 
LLC ("CCB") and contingent collection of finance receivables through PRA Group Europe ("PRA Europe").

PLS, through call center operations, performs national skip tracing, asset location and collateral recovery services, principally 
for auto finance companies, for a fee. In addition, PLS locates clients' inventories for a fee with a fleet of cars equipped with license 
plate recognition cameras. The amount of fee earned is generally dependent on several different outcomes: whether the debtor was 
found and a resolution on the account occurred, if the collateral was repossessed or if payment was made by the debtor to the debt 
owner.

PGS primarily derives its revenue from servicing taxing authorities in several different ways, including processing their tax 
payments and tax forms, collecting delinquent taxes, identifying taxes that are not being paid and auditing tax payments. The 
processing  and  collection  services  are  standard  commission-based  billings  or  fee-for-service  transactions.  When  audits  are 
conducted, there are two components. The first is a charge for the hours incurred on conducting the audit, based on a contractual 
billing rate. The gross billing amount based on the aforementioned billing rate is a component of the line item "Fee income" while 
the salary expense is included in the line item "Compensation and employee services." The second item is for expenses incurred 
while conducting the audit. Most jurisdictions will reimburse us for direct expenses incurred for the audit including such items as 
travel and meals. The billed amounts are included in the line item "Fee income" and the expense component is included in its 
appropriate expense category, generally, "Other operating expenses."

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CCB derives its revenue from filing anti-trust and securities class action claims on behalf of institutional investors, retailers, 
manufacturers, and other businesses. CCB's process allows clients to maximize settlement recoveries, in many cases participating 
in settlements they would otherwise not know existed. CCB charges fees for its services and works with clients to identify, prepare 
and submit claims to class action administrators charged with disbursing class action settlement funds. In addition, we purchase 
the rights to existing and future class action claims identified by CCB.

PRA Europe contributes to the fee-for-service business through its servicing of finance receivables on a contingent fee basis. 
These receivables are owned by our clients and placed under a contingent fee commission arrangement. PRA Europe is paid to 
collect funds from the client's debtors and earns a commission generally expressed as a percentage of the gross cash collections 
amount. This portion of the "Fee income" line of our income statement reflects the contingent fee amount earned, and not the gross 
collection amount.

Competition

We face competition in both of the markets we serve: receivables purchasing and collecting, and fee-for-service receivables 
management. Purchased portfolio competition comes from both third-party contingent fee collection agencies and other purchasers 
of debt that manage their own nonperforming loans or outsource such servicing. Fee-for-service competition comes from new and 
existing  providers  of  outsourced  receivables  management  services.  Many  debt  owners  have  become  more  cautious  recently, 
preferring to sell to experienced portfolio purchasers that maintain compliance with all applicable regulations. This trend effectively 
constitutes significant barriers to successful entry for new competitors. While both markets remain competitive, the contingent 
fee industry is more fragmented than the purchased portfolio industry.

We face bidding competition in our acquisition of nonperforming loans and in obtaining placements for our fee-for-service 
businesses. We also compete on the basis of reputation, industry experience and performance. Among the positive factors which 
we believe influence our ability to compete effectively in this market are our ability to bid on portfolios at appropriate prices, our 
reputation  from  previous  portfolio  purchase  transactions  regarding  our  ability  to  close  transactions  in  a  timely  fashion,  our 
relationships with grantors of receivables, our team of well-trained collectors who provide quality customer service while complying 
with applicable collection laws, and our ability to efficiently and effectively collect on various asset types. Competitors that have 
a substantially greater number of personnel; financial and other resources; greater adaptability to changing market needs; or more 
established relationships in our industry than we currently have, could influence our ability to compete effectively.

Information Technology

The  information  and  technology  resources  of  PRA  Group  support  our  global  businesses  through  compliant,  secure  and 
customer-focused solutions. Continuous review and improvement of our platforms and services ensure that proprietary and third-
party solutions are aligned with a customer oriented business strategy.

Through collaboration with technology and industry leaders our information technology teams have developed a responsive 

roadmap structured to meet the needs of the unique businesses that make up PRA Group.

Protecting customer information is a fundamental aspect of our application development and ongoing technology operations. 

We employ security focused strategies in the development and delivery of systems supporting our global businesses.

Our Virginia headquarters has two separate telecommunication feeds, uninterruptible power supplies and natural gas and 
diesel generators, all of which provide a level of redundancy should a power outage or interruption occur. We have generators 
installed at each of our domestic call centers, as well as some of our subsidiary locations in the United States. The configuration 
of our locally distributed call control systems provides enterprise-wide call and data distribution between our call centers for 
efficient portfolio collection and business operations. In addition to data replication between the sites, backups of both software 
and databases are performed on a daily basis. We employ rigorous physical and electronic security to protect our data. Our call 
centers have restricted card key access and appropriate additional physical security measures. Electronic protections include data 
encryption, firewalls and multi-level access controls.

As PRA Group continues to grow, our information and technology work will remain focused on the evaluation of partnerships, 

products and services that provide quality, secure, scalable solutions to further position us as a global industry leader.

Employees

As of December 31, 2015, we employed 3,799 persons on a full-time basis in the Americas and Europe. We believe that our 
relations with our employees are generally satisfactory. While none of our North American employees are represented by a union 
or covered by a collective bargaining agreement, in Europe we work closely with a number of Works Councils, and in countries 
where it is the customary local practice, such as Finland and Spain, we have collective bargaining agreements.

14

Office of General Counsel

Our Office of General Counsel provides legal evaluation and guidance to all business units across the entire enterprise and 
manages general corporate governance; litigation; insurance; corporate and commercial transactions; intellectual property; contract 
and  document  preparation  and  review;  compliance  with  federal  securities  laws  and  other  applicable  regulations  and  statutes; 
business acquisitions; and dispute and complaint resolution. Our Office of General Counsel also partners with other risk management 
functions such as Compliance and Corporate Audit Services.

Compliance

Our Code of Ethics is available at the Investor Relations page of our website at www.pragroup.com. We have implemented 
company-wide compliance training for our employees and directors, ethics training and annual compliance testing. In addition, 
we have established a confidential telephone hotline and email and web-based portals to report suspected policy violations, fraud, 
embezzlement, deception in record keeping and reporting, accounting, auditing matters and other acts which are inappropriate, 
criminal and/or unethical. Our Chief Compliance Officer is a direct report to the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and reports to 
the Compliance Committee of the Board of Directors. Our compliance department regularly tests controls embedded in business 
processes  designed  to  provide  for  compliance  with  laws,  regulations  and  internal  policy.  These  practices  of  regular  internal 
monitoring and testing assist in identifying compliance risks and detecting and preventing deviations from policy. So that our 
employees may carry out their job responsibilities in a compliant way, our Office of General Counsel continuously evaluates the 
legislative and regulatory environment and provides our operations personnel and our training department with summaries and 
updates on statutory and regulatory changes and relevant case law, so that they are aware of and in compliance with the laws and 
judicial decisions that may impact their job duties. The Office of General Counsel also works with business units to pro-actively 
adjust our practices as needed, and advises employees on compliance with the laws and regulations that govern the various industries 
and markets within which the Company operates.

Regulation

We are subject to a variety of federal, state, local, and foreign statutes that establish specific guidelines and procedures which 
debt collectors must follow when collecting customer accounts, including domestic and foreign laws relating to the collection, 
use, retention, security and transfer of personal information. It is our policy to comply with the provisions of all applicable federal 
laws  and  corresponding  state  and  local  statutes  in  all  of  our  activities;  however,  these  laws  continue  to  develop  and  may  be 
inconsistent from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and inconsistent in their interpretation. Our failure to comply with these laws could 
have an adverse effect on us in the event and to the extent that they apply to some or all of our activities. Federal, state, local, and 
foreign consumer protection, privacy and related laws and regulations extensively regulate the relationship between debt collectors 
and debtors, and the relationship between customers and credit card issuers. Significant laws and regulations applicable to our 
business include the following:

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The U.S. Fair Credit Debt Collection Practices Act ("FDCPA") imposes certain obligations 
and  restrictions  on  the  practices  of  debt  collectors,  including  specific  restrictions  regarding  communications  with  customers, 
including the time, place and manner of the communications. This act also gives consumers certain rights, including the right to 
dispute the validity of their obligations and a right to sue debt collectors who fail to comply with its provisions, including the right 
to recover their attorney fees.

Fair Credit Reporting Act. The U.S. Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA") places certain requirements on credit information 
providers regarding the verification of the accuracy of information provided to credit reporting agencies and investigating consumer 
disputes concerning the accuracy of such information. We provide information concerning our accounts to the three major credit 
reporting agencies, and it is our practice to correctly report this information and to investigate credit reporting disputes. The Fair 
and Accurate Credit Transactions Act amended the Fair Credit Reporting Act to include additional duties applicable to data furnishers 
with respect to information in the consumer's credit file that the consumer identifies as resulting from identity theft, and requires 
that data furnishers have procedures in place to prevent such information from being furnished to credit reporting agencies.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The U.S. Gramm-Leach Bliley Act requires that certain financial institutions, including collection 
agencies, develop policies to protect the privacy of consumers' private financial information and provide notices to consumers 
advising them of their privacy policies. This act also requires that if private personal information concerning a consumer is shared 
with another unrelated institution, the consumer must be given an opportunity to opt out of having such information shared. Since 
we do not share consumer information with non-related entities, except as required by law, or except as needed to collect on 
receivables, our consumers are not entitled to any opt-out rights under this act. This act is enforced by the U.S. Federal Trade 
Commission (the "FTC"), which has retained exclusive jurisdiction over its enforcement, and does not afford a private cause of 
action to consumers who may wish to pursue legal action against a financial institution for violations of this act.

15

Electronic Funds Transfer Act. The U.S. Electronic Funds Transfer Act regulates the use of the Automated Clearing House 
("ACH") system to make electronic funds transfers. All ACH transactions must comply with the rules of the National Automated 
Check Clearing House Association ("NACHA") and Uniform Commercial Code §3-402. This act, the NACHA regulations and 
the Uniform Commercial Code give the consumer, among other things, certain privacy rights with respect to electronic fund transfer 
transactions, the right to stop payments on a pre-approved fund transfer, and the right to receive certain documentation of the 
transaction. This act also gives consumers a right to sue institutions which cause financial damages as a result of their failure to 
comply with its provisions.

Telephone Consumer Protection Act. In the process of collecting accounts, we use a variety of methods to communicate with 
our customers. This U.S. act and similar state laws place certain restrictions on users of certain automated dialing equipment and 
pre-recorded messages that place telephone calls to consumers.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 was amended in December 2003 as the 
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ("SCRA"). The SCRA gives U.S. military service personnel relief from credit obligations they 
may have incurred prior to entering military service, and may also apply in certain circumstances to obligations and liabilities 
incurred by a servicemember while serving on active duty. The SCRA prohibits creditors from taking specified actions to collect 
the nonperforming loans of servicemembers. The SCRA impacts many different types of credit obligations, including installment 
contracts and court proceedings, and tolls the statute of limitations during the time that the servicemember is engaged in active 
military service. The SCRA also places a cap on interest bearing obligations of servicemembers to an amount not greater than 6% 
per year, inclusive of all related charges and fees.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA") 
provides standards to protect the confidentiality of patients' personal healthcare and financial information in the United States. 
Pursuant to HIPAA, business associates of health care providers, such as agencies which collect healthcare receivables, must 
comply with certain privacy and security standards established by HIPAA to ensure that the information provided will be safeguarded 
from misuse. This act is enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services and does not afford a private cause of action 
to consumers who may wish to pursue legal action against an institution for violations of this act.

U.S. Bankruptcy Code. In order to prevent any collection activity with bankrupt debtors by creditors and collection agencies, 
the U.S. Bankruptcy Code provides for an automatic stay, which prohibits certain contacts with consumers after the filing of 
bankruptcy petitions. The U.S. Bankruptcy Code also dictates what types of claims will or will not be allowed in a bankruptcy 
proceeding and how such claims may be discharged.

Americans with Disabilities Act. The Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"), signed into law in 1990, mandates equal 
treatment for people with disabilities in the United States. More specifically, the ADA requires that telecommunications companies 
operating in the United States take steps to ensure functionally equivalent services are available for their consumers with disabilities, 
and requires accommodation of consumers with disabilities, such as the implementation of telecommunications relay services.

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. On July 21, 2010 the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and 
Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act") became law, and along with it, the Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices 
("UDAAP") provisions included therein. The Dodd-Frank Act restructured the regulation and supervision of the financial services 
industry in the United States and created the CFPB, with rulemaking, supervisory, and enforcement authority over larger consumer 
debt collectors. The Dodd-Frank Act also provides for the CFPB to have the authority to adopt rules describing specified acts and 
practices as being "unfair," "deceptive," or "abusive," and hence unlawful. Additional prohibitions against unfair or deceptive acts 
or practices are included in Sec. 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, under which the Federal Trade Commission is empowered, 
among other things, to seek monetary redress and other relief for conduct considered injurious to consumers, prescribe rules 
defining acts or practices that are unfair or deceptive and conduct investigations relating to business practices. 

U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, United Kingdom Bribery Act and Other Applicable Legislation. Our operations outside 
the United States are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA"), which prohibits United States companies and 
their agents and employees from providing anything of value to a foreign official for the purposes of influencing any act or decision 
of these individuals in order to obtain an unfair advantage, to help, obtain or retain business. Violations of these laws and related 
rules and regulations can result in the imposition of significant civil and criminal fines, penalties and sanctions.

The U.S. Congress and several states have enacted legislation concerning identity theft. Additional domestic and foreign 

consumer protection and privacy protection laws may be enacted relating to credit card or installment accounts.

Our United Kingdom subsidiaries are subject to regulatory oversight by the Financial Services Authority ("FSA") under the 
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. In April 2013, the FSA was split into a new Prudential Regulatory Authority and the 
Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"). In April 2014, the FCA took over regulation of the United Kingdom consumer credit regime 
previously regulated by the Office of Fair Trading. We must also comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Act of 1998, 
16

authorization, notification and reporting requirements specific to our operations in the United Kingdom, and in Canada, the Personal 
Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

Under  the  United  Kingdom's  consumer  credit  regime,  the  requirements  for  entering  into,  and  ongoing  management  of, 
consumer  credit  agreements  are  included  in  the  Consumer  Credit Act 1974  (and  its  related  regulations),  the  Unfair Terms  in 
Consumer Contracts Regulations of 1999 and the FCA's consumer credit conduct of business rules. Failure to comply with the 
Consumer Credit Act 1974 and the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations of 1999 can make agreements (or particular 
unfair terms contained within agreements) unenforceable or can result in a requirement that charged and collected interest be 
repaid. The failure to comply with the FCA's consumer credit conduct of business rules can result in enforcement action being 
taken against us. In addition, a debt owner under a regulated consumer credit agreement who is a private person may have a right 
of action against us where it has suffered a loss as a result of our failure to comply with such rules.

In addition to the regulations on debt collection and debt purchase activities, we must comply with requirements established 
by the United Kingdom Data Protection Act of 1998 in relation to processing the personal data of its consumers and similar national 
legislation  in  other  European  countries.  Similarly,  the  European  Union's  (the  "EU")  Data  Protection  Directive  regulates  the 
processing and free movement of personal data within the EU and transfer of such data outside the EU.

Various domestic and foreign legislative or regulatory bodies may enact new or additional laws and regulations, including 
those concerning privacy, data-retention and data-protection issues. Any new laws, rules or regulations that may be adopted, as 
well as existing consumer protection and privacy protection laws, may adversely affect our ability to recover the receivables. In 
addition, our failure to comply with these requirements could result in damage awards, fines, criminal actions, sanctions, or penalties 
against us, our officers or our employees, prohibitions on the conduct of our business, damage to our reputation and adverse effects 
on our ability to enforce the receivables.

Additionally,  there  are  some  state  statutes  and  regulations  comparable  to  the  above  federal  laws,  and  specific  licensing 
requirements which affect our operations. State laws may also limit credit account interest rates and fees, as well as limit the time 
frame in which judicial and non-judicial actions may be undertaken.

Some of the following United States laws, which apply principally to credit grantors, may also affect our operations to some 

extent:

•  Truth in Lending Act;
• 
Fair Credit Billing Act; and
•  Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

United States federal laws which regulate credit grantors require, among other things, that credit card issuers disclose to 
consumers  the  interest  rates,  fees,  grace  periods  and  balance  calculation  methods  associated  with  their  credit  card  accounts. 
Consumers are entitled under current laws to have payments and credits applied to their accounts promptly, to receive prescribed 
notices and to require billing errors to be resolved promptly. Some laws prohibit discriminatory practices in connection with the 
extension of credit. Federal statutes further provide that, in some cases, consumers cannot be held liable for, or their liability is 
limited with respect to, charges to the credit card account that were a result of an unauthorized use of the credit card. These laws, 
among others, may give consumers a legal cause of action against us, or may limit our ability to recover amounts owing with 
respect to the receivables, whether or not we committed any wrongful act or omission in connection with the account. If the credit 
grantor fails to comply with applicable statutes, rules and regulations, it could create claims and rights for consumers that could 
reduce or eliminate their obligations to repay the account and have a possible adverse effect on us. Accordingly, when we acquire 
nonperforming loans, typically we contractually require credit grantors to indemnify us against any losses caused by their failure 
to comply with applicable statutes, rules and regulations relating to the receivables before they are sold to us.

The U.S. Congress and several states have enacted legislation concerning identity theft. Additional consumer protection and 
privacy protection laws may be enacted domestically or in foreign jurisdictions that would impose additional requirements on the 
enforcement of and recovery on consumer credit card or installment accounts. As a purchaser of nonperforming loans, we may 
acquire receivables subject to legitimate defenses on the part of the consumer. Typically our account purchase contracts allow us 
to return to the debt owners certain receivables that may not be collectible, due to these and other circumstances. Upon return, the 
debt owners are required to compensate us or replace the receivables with similar receivables or repurchase the receivables. These 
provisions limit to some extent our losses on such accounts.

In addition to our obligation to comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in 
which we operate, we are also obligated to comply with judicial decisions reached in court cases involving legislation passed by 
any such governmental bodies. Specifically, in accordance with the CRD IV, the Swedish Banking and Financing Business Act 
and the Supervision of Credit and Investment Institutions Act, certain of our EU subsidiaries are subject to capital adequacy and 
liquidity requirements as prescribed by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority ("SFSA"). As part of our acquisition of Aktiv, 
17

the SFSA made an initial determination that these requirements would apply to our European business on a consolidated basis 
because they are included in a group that includes an entity which has been determined to be an EU authorized credit institution 
(AK Nordic AB). If the SFSA affirms this position, our European operations could be subject to SFSA's prudential supervision of 
our consolidated regulatory capital requirements and certain other applicable provisions.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

An investment in our Company involves risk, including the possibility that the value of the investment could fall substantially. 
The following are risks that could materially affect our financial results and condition, and the value of, and return on, an investment 
in our Company.

Risks related to our operations and industry

A prolonged economic recovery or deterioration in the economic or inflationary environment in North America or Europe may 
have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Our performance may be affected by economic or inflationary conditions in any market in which we operate. Economic 
conditions may be impacted by domestic conditions or by global political and economic conditions such as the sovereign debt 
crises experienced in several European countries and the uncertainty on the future of the European Union. Deterioration in economic 
conditions, a prolonged economic recovery, or a significant rise in inflation could cause personal bankruptcy and insolvency filings 
to increase, and the ability of consumers to pay their debts could be adversely affected. This may in turn adversely impact our 
financial  results.  Deteriorating  economic  conditions  or  a  prolonged  recovery  could  also  adversely  impact  the  businesses  and 
governmental entities to which we provide fee-based services, which could reduce our fee income and cash flow.

If global credit market conditions and the stability of global banks deteriorate, it could negatively impact the generation of 
comprehensive receivable buying opportunities and our business, financial performance, and ability to succeed in foreign markets 
could be adversely affected. If conditions in major credit markets deteriorate, the amount of consumer or commercial lending and 
financing could be reduced, thus decreasing the amount of potentially purchasable defaulted receivables which we depend on for 
our operations.

Other factors associated with the economy that could influence our performance include the financial stability of the lenders 
on our line of credit and our access to capital and credit. The financial turmoil which affected the banking system and financial 
markets in recent years resulted in a tightening in the credit markets. There could be a number of follow-on effects from the financial 
turmoil on our business, including a decrease in the value of our financial investments and the insolvency of lending institutions, 
including the lenders on our line of credit, resulting in our difficulty in or inability to obtain credit. These and other economic 
factors could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to continually replace our defaulted receivables with additional receivables portfolios sufficient to operate 
efficiently and profitably, and/or we may not be able to purchase defaulted receivables at appropriate prices.

To operate profitably, we must acquire and service a sufficient amount of defaulted receivables to generate revenue that 
exceeds our expenses. Fixed costs such as salaries and other compensation expense constitute a significant portion of our overhead 
and, if we do not replace the defaulted receivables portfolios we service with additional portfolios, we may have to reduce the 
number of our collection personnel. We would then have to rehire collection staff if we subsequently obtain additional defaulted 
receivables portfolios. These practices could lead to:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

low employee morale;
fewer experienced employees;
higher training costs;
disruptions in our operations;
loss of efficiency; and
excess costs associated with unused space in our facilities.

The availability of receivables portfolios at prices which generate an appropriate return on our investment depends on a 

number of factors both within and outside of our control, including the following:

• 
• 
• 

the continuation of high levels of consumer debt obligations;
sales of defaulted receivables portfolios by debt owners; and
competitive factors affecting potential purchasers and credit grantors of receivables.

Furthermore, heightened regulation of the credit card and consumer lending industry or changing credit origination strategies 
may  result  in  decreased  availability  of  credit  to  consumers,  potentially  leading  to  a  future  reduction  in  defaulted  consumer 
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receivables available for purchase from debt owners. We cannot predict how our ability to identify and purchase receivables and 
the quality of those receivables would be affected if there were a shift in consumer lending practices, whether caused by changes 
in the regulations or accounting practices applicable to debt owners, a sustained economic downturn or otherwise.

Moreover, there can be no assurance that debt owners will continue to sell their defaulted receivables at recent levels or at 
all, or that we will be able to continue to offer competitive bids for defaulted receivables portfolios. Because of the length of time 
involved in collecting defaulted receivables on acquired portfolios and the variability in the timing of our collections, we may not 
be able to identify trends and make changes in our purchasing strategies in a timely manner. If we are unable to expand our business 
or adapt to changing market needs as well as our current or future competitors, we may experience reduced access to defaulted 
receivables portfolios at appropriate prices and reduced profitability.

Currently, a number of large banks that historically sold defaulted consumer debt in the United States are out of the debt sale 
market. This includes sellers of bankrupt accounts, some of whom feel that regulatory guidance concerning sales of bankruptcy 
accounts has been ambiguous. Should these conditions worsen, it could negatively impact our ability to replace our receivables 
with additional portfolios sufficient to operate profitably.

We utilize third-party vendors for many services, including the judicial collection of certain accounts. Should they fail to adhere 
to regulatory requirements, it could negatively impact our business.

We depend on third-party vendors for a wide array of services, systems and applications, including the collection of accounts 
through the legal channel. If one of our vendors fails to adhere to applicable regulatory requirements, their failure could negatively 
impact our business and could subject us to litigation and regulatory risk. Management implemented a formal vendor management 
governance program in 2014 which outlines certain processes intended to mitigate risks involved with third-party vendors. These 
processes include but are not limited to due diligence and risk assessment for material vendors; specific contractual requirements, 
ongoing oversight of our vendors and vendor performance reporting. Some of our service providers are subject to the CFPB's 
supervisory and enforcement authority, which includes on-site examination of their operations and the CFPB's authority to make 
findings of unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices. Violations of federal consumer financial protection laws by our service 
providers could result in our legal responsibility for their actions.

A portion of our collections depends on success in individual lawsuits. Additionally, in pursuing legal collections, we may be 
unable to obtain accurate and authentic account documents for accounts that we purchase, and despite our quality control measures, 
we cannot be certain that all of the documents we provide are error free.

A portion of our collections on accounts is achieved through the legal channel. Accordingly, a percentage of our future 
collections is dependent on success in individual lawsuits, and a portion of those are dependent on the success of third-party 
attorney firms. In addition, when we collect accounts judicially, certain legal and regulatory requirements, as well as courts in 
certain jurisdictions require that a copy of certain account documents be attached to the pleadings in order to obtain a judgment 
against the account debtors. If we are unable to produce accurate and authentic account documents, these courts will deny our 
claims. We rely on the debt owners that we purchase from to fulfill their contractual obligations, and if applicable, to provide 
account documents to us in an accurate and timely fashion. Our inability to obtain these documents from the debt owners may 
negatively impact the liquidation rate on such accounts that are subject to judicial collections. Additionally, our ability to collect 
non-judicially may be negatively impacted by orders, laws or regulations which require that certain types of account documentation 
be in our possession prior to the institution of any collection activities.

We may not be able to collect sufficient amounts on our defaulted receivables to fund our operations.

Our principal business consists of acquiring and liquidating receivables that consumers have failed to pay and that the credit 
grantor has deemed uncollectible and has charged-off. The debt owners have typically made numerous attempts to recover on their 
defaulted receivables, often using a combination of in-house recovery efforts and third-party collection agencies. These defaulted 
receivables are difficult to collect and we may not collect a sufficient amount to cover our investment and the costs of running our 
business.

We may not be successful at acquiring and collecting receivables of new asset types.

We may pursue the acquisition of receivables portfolios of new asset types, and in countries in which we have little current 
experience. We may not be successful in completing acquisitions of receivables of these asset types or in these countries, and our 
limited experience in these asset types and in these countries may impair our ability to collect on these receivables. This may cause 
us to pay too much for these receivables and, consequently, we may not generate a profit from these receivables portfolio acquisitions.

19

Our collections may decrease if certain types of insolvency proceedings and bankruptcy filings involving liquidations increase.

Various economic trends and potential changes to existing legislation may contribute to an increase in the amount of personal 
bankruptcy and insolvency filings. Under certain of these filings a debtor's assets may be sold to repay creditors, but because most 
of the receivables we collect through our collections operations are unsecured, we typically would not be able to collect on those 
receivables. Although our insolvency collections business could benefit from an increase in personal bankruptcies and insolvencies, 
we cannot ensure that our operations collections business would not decline with an increase in personal insolvencies or bankruptcy 
filings or changes in related regulations or practices. If our actual collection experience with respect to a defaulted or insolvent 
bankrupt consumer receivables portfolio is significantly lower than the total amount we projected when we purchased the portfolio, 
our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely impacted.

Increases in insurance costs or limitations in insurance coverage may adversely impact our operations and financial results.

We purchase insurance to cover potential risks and liabilities, including, but not limited to, property and casualty insurance, 
cyber risk insurance, general liability insurance, directors' and officers' insurance and errors and omissions liability insurance. The 
premiums that we pay for our insurance coverage may increase significantly, thereby increasing our costs. Also, our insurance 
does not cover all potential losses, costs or liabilities that we may incur; the successful assertion of one or more large claims against 
us could exceed available insurance coverage; and some policies may carry high deductibles, limits on liability or exclusions, 
causing  us  to  self-insure  a  portion  of  our  liabilities. Additionally,  our  insurance  carriers  may  in  the  future  decline  to  provide 
insurance coverage to us. If we do not have sufficient insurance to cover the full amount of claims against us and we are found 
liable for a substantial uninsured claim, we could suffer losses and may be forced to expend a significant amount to resolve any 
uninsurable or uninsured risks.

Our international operations expose us to risks which could harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.

A significant portion of our operations is conducted outside the United States. This could expose us to increased adverse 
economic and industry conditions which may have a negative impact on our ability to manage our existing operations or pursue 
alternative strategic transactions, which could have a negative effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The global nature of our acquisitions expands the risks and uncertainties described elsewhere in this section, including the 

following:

• 

• 

• 

• 
• 

• 
• 

• 

• 
• 
• 

• 

• 
• 

changes in local political, economic, social and labor conditions in the markets in which we operate, including Europe, 
Brazil and Canada;
foreign exchange controls on currency conversion and the transfer of funds that might prevent us from repatriating cash 
earned in countries outside the United States in a tax-efficient manner;
currency exchange rate fluctuations, currency restructurings, and hyperinflation or deflation, and our ability to manage 
these fluctuations through a foreign exchange risk management program;
different employee/employer relationships, laws and regulations and existence of employment tribunals;
laws and regulations imposed by foreign governments, including those relating to governing data security, sharing and 
transfer;
potentially adverse tax consequences resulting from changes in tax laws in the foreign jurisdictions in which we operate;
logistical, communications and other challenges caused by distance and cultural and language differences, each making 
it harder to do business in certain jurisdictions; 
risks related to crimes, strikes, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist attacks, wars and natural disasters in a variety of new 
geographical locations; 
volatility of global credit markets and the availability of consumer credit and financing in our international markets
uncertainty as to the enforceability of contract and intellectual property rights under local laws;
the potential of forced nationalization of certain industries, or the impact on creditors' rights, consumer disposable income 
levels, flexibility and availability of consumer credit, and the ability to enforce and collect aged or charged-off debts 
stemming from foreign governmental actions, whether through austerity or stimulus measures or initiative, intended to 
control or influence macroeconomic factors such as wages, unemployment, national output or consumption, inflation, 
investment, credit, finance, taxation or other economic drivers;
rapid changes in government policy, political or civil unrest, acts of terrorism, or threat of international boycotts or United 
States anti-boycott legislation;
increases in anti-American sentiment and the identification of international acquisitions with American sentiments;
the presence of varying levels of business corruption in international markets and the effect of various anti-corruption 
and other laws on our foreign operations;

20

• 

• 
• 

given our high employee turnover rates, changing labor conditions and long-term trends towards higher wages in developed 
and emerging international markets as well as the potential impact of union organizing efforts on day-to-day operations 
and our ability to staff our international operations;
potential damage to our reputation due to non-compliance with foreign and local laws; and
the complexity and necessity of using non-U.S. representatives and consultants.

Any one of these factors could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.

We operate internationally, enter into transactions denominated in foreign currencies, and report our financial results in U.S. 
dollars. As a result, we face exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Significant fluctuations in exchange rates between 
the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies or amongst the foreign currencies may adversely affect our net income. We may or may not 
implement a hedging program related to currency exchange rate fluctuations. Additionally, if implemented, such hedging programs 
could expose us to additional risks that could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Goodwill or other intangible asset impairment could negatively impact our net income and stockholders' equity.

We have recorded a significant amount of goodwill as a result of our acquisitions. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested 
for impairment at the reporting unit level. Goodwill is required to be tested for impairment annually and between annual tests if 
events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. 
There are numerous risks that may cause the fair value of a reporting unit to fall below its carrying amount, which could lead to 
the recognition of goodwill impairment. These risks include, but are not limited to, adverse changes in macroeconomic conditions, 
the business climate, or the market for the entity's products or services; significant variances between actual and expected financial 
results;  negative  or  declining  cash  flows;  lowered  expectations  of  future  results;  failure  to  realize  anticipated  synergies  from 
acquisitions; significant expense increases; a more likely-than-not expectation of selling or disposing all or a portion of a reporting 
unit; the loss of key personnel; an adverse action or assessment by a regulator; and a sustained decrease in the Company's share 
price.

Our goodwill impairment testing involves the use of estimates and the exercise of judgment, including judgments regarding 
expected future business performance and market conditions. Significant changes in our assessment of such factors, including the 
deterioration of market conditions, could affect our assessment of the fair value of one or more of our reporting units and could 
result in a goodwill impairment charge in a future period.

Other intangible assets, such as client and customer relationships, non-compete agreements and trademarks, are amortized. 
Risks such as those that could lead to the recognition of goodwill impairment, could also lead to the recognition of other intangible 
asset impairment.

Our senior management team is important to our continued success and the loss of one or more members of senior management 
could negatively affect our operations.

The loss of the services of one or more of our key executive officers or key employees could disrupt our operations. We 
have employment agreements with our CEO and several of our other senior executives. The current agreements contain non-
compete provisions that survive termination of employment. However, these agreements do not and will not assure the continued 
services of these officers and we cannot ensure that the non-compete provisions will be enforceable. Our success depends on the 
continued service and performance of our key executive officers, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to retain those 
individuals.

Our U.S. work force could become unionized in the future, which could adversely affect the stability of our operations and increase 
our costs.

Currently, none of our employees in the United States are represented by unions. However, our U.S. employees have the 
right at any time under the National Labor Relations Act to form or affiliate with a union. If some of our U.S. workforce were to 
become unionized and the terms of the collective bargaining agreement were significantly different from our current compensation 
arrangements, it could adversely affect the stability of our work force and increase our costs.

Additional tax obligations, results of tax audits, or unanticipated changes in our effective tax rate could harm our financial results.

We are subject to taxes in the markets in which we operate. Our future effective tax rates could be affected by changes in 
the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, or 
changes in tax laws or their interpretation. Recent proposals by the current U.S. administration for fundamental U.S. international 
tax reform, including without limitation provisions that would limit the ability of U.S. multinationals to defer U.S. taxes on foreign 
21

income, if enacted, could have a significant adverse impact on our effective tax rate. Any of these changes could have an adverse 
effect on our profitability. The determination of the worldwide provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities requires significant 
judgment. Although we believe our estimates are reasonable, the ultimate tax outcome may differ from the amounts recorded in 
our financial statements and may adversely affect our financial results in the period or periods for which such determination is 
made.

Our tax filings are subject to audit by domestic and foreign tax authorities. These audits may result in assessments of additional 
taxes, adjustments to the timing of taxable income or deductions or allocations of income among tax jurisdictions. If any such 
challenges are made and are not resolved in our favor, they could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial 
condition.

For tax purposes, we utilize the cost recovery method of accounting for our finance receivables. Under the cost recovery 
method, collections on finance receivables are applied first to principal to reduce the finance receivables to zero before taxable 
income is recognized. The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") examined our 2005 through 2012 tax returns and asserted that tax 
revenue recognition using the cost recovery method does not clearly reflect taxable income. We believe we have sufficient support 
for the technical merits of our position, and believe cost recovery to be an acceptable tax revenue recognition method for our 
industry. We received Notices of Deficiency for tax years ended December 31, 2005 through 2012. The proposed deficiencies 
relate to the cost recovery method of tax accounting for finance receivables. In response to the notices, we filed petitions in the 
United States Tax Court (the "Tax Court") challenging the deficiency. On July 10, 2015 and July 21, 2015, the IRS filed motions 
for summary judgment for tax years 2008 through 2012 and 2005 through 2007, respectively. On October 30, 2015, the Tax Court 
held oral arguments on the IRS motions. On November 12, 2015, the IRS Motions for Summary Judgment were denied. The Tax 
Court also set this matter for trial, to begin on September 19, 2016. If we are unsuccessful in the Tax Court and any potential 
appeals,  we  may  ultimately  be  required  to  pay  the  related  deferred  taxes,  and  possibly  interest  and  penalties. Any  adverse 
determination on this matter could result in our amending state tax returns for prior years, increasing our taxable income in those 
states. We file tax returns in multiple state jurisdictions; therefore, any underpayment of state tax will accrue interest in accordance 
with the respective state statute. Deferred tax liabilities related to this item were $251.7 million at December 31, 2015. Any adverse 
determination on this matter could result in our amending state tax returns for prior years, increasing our taxable income in those 
states.  Our  estimate  of  the  potential  federal  and  state  interest  is  $91.0  million  as  of  December 31,  2015.  See  Note 15  to  the 
Consolidated Financial Statements "Commitments and Contingencies" as included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
year ended December 31, 2015 for more information.

For financial reporting purposes, we utilize the interest method of revenue recognition for determining our income recognized on 
finance receivables, which is based on an analysis of projected cash flows that may prove to be less than anticipated and could 
lead to reductions in future revenues or the incurrence of allowance charges.

We  utilize  the  interest  method  to  determine  income  recognized  on  finance  receivables  under  the  guidance  of  Financial 
Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification 310-30, "Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with 
Deteriorated Credit Quality" ("ASC 310-30"). Under this method, pools of receivables we acquire are modeled upon their projected 
cash flows. A yield is then established which, when applied to the unamortized purchase price of the receivables, results in the 
recognition of income at a constant yield relative to the remaining balance in the pool. Each pool is analyzed regularly to assess 
the actual performance compared to that derived from our models. Under ASC 310-30, rather than lowering the estimated yield 
if the collection estimates are not received or projected to be received, the carrying value of a pool would be written down to 
maintain the then current yield and is shown as a reduction in revenue in the consolidated income statements with a corresponding 
valuation allowance offsetting finance receivables, net, on the consolidated balance sheets. As a result, if the accuracy of the 
modeling process deteriorates or there is a significant decline in anticipated future cash flows, we could incur reductions in future 
revenues resulting from additional allowance charges, which could reduce our profitability in a given period.

Our loss contingency accruals may not be adequate to cover actual losses.

We are involved in judicial, regulatory, and arbitration proceedings or investigations concerning matters arising from our 
business activities. We have adopted reasonable compliance procedures and believe we have meritorious defenses in all material 
litigation pending against us; however, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome. We establish accruals for potential 
liability arising from legal proceedings when it is probable that such liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be 
reasonably estimated. We may still incur legal costs for a matter even if we have not accrued a liability. In addition, actual losses 
may be higher than the amount accrued for a certain matter, or in the aggregate. An unfavorable resolution of a legal proceeding 
or claim could adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. For more information, refer to the 
"Litigation and Regulatory Matters" section of Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements "Commitments and Contingencies" 
as included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

22

Class action suits and other litigation could divert our management's attention from operating our business and increase our 
expenses.

Grantors, debt purchasers and third-party collection agencies and attorneys in the consumer credit industry are frequently 
subject to putative class action lawsuits and other litigation. Claims include failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations 
and improper or deceptive origination and servicing practices. Even when the basis for the litigation is groundless, considerable 
resources may be needed to respond, and such class action lawsuits or other litigation could adversely affect our results of operations, 
financial condition and cash flows.

Adverse litigation outcomes could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial position.

It is likely that legal actions, proceedings and other claims arising out of the collection of nonperforming loans will continue 
to be filed against us and our debt collection affiliates for the foreseeable future. Victories by plaintiffs in highly publicized cases 
against us or other debt collection companies may stimulate further claims. A material increase in the number of pending claims 
could significantly increase our defense costs. In addition, adverse outcomes in pending cases could have adverse effects on our 
results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and our ability to prevail in other related litigation. For more information, 
refer to the "Legal Proceedings" section below.

We rely on our systems, including our telecommunications and computers systems, our employees, significant vendors, and certain 
failures or disruptions could adversely affect the continuity of our business operations.

We may be subject to disruptions of our operating systems arising from events that are not entirely within our control. Those 
events may include, for example, terrorist attacks, war and the outcome of war and threats of attacks; computer viruses; electrical 
or telecommunications outages; natural disasters; computer hacking attacks; malicious employee acts; other intentional destructive 
human acts; loss or disruption of significant vendors; and disease pandemics. We could be subject to both private and public legal 
actions if consumer information stored in our systems is lost or misappropriated, as we are subject to extensive laws and regulations 
concerning the use and safeguarding of this information. Any or all of these occurrences could have an adverse effect on our results 
of operations and financial condition.

Additionally, our success depends in large part on sophisticated telecommunications and computer systems. The temporary 
or  permanent  loss  of  our  computer  and  telecommunications  equipment  and  software  systems,  through  casualty  or  operating 
malfunction, could disrupt our operations. In the normal course of our business, we must record and process significant amounts 
of data quickly and accurately to access, maintain and expand the databases we use for our collection activities. A failure of our 
information systems or software and our backup systems would interrupt our business operations and harm our business. Our 
headquarters are located in a region that is susceptible to hurricane damage, which may increase the risk of disruption of information 
systems and telephone service for sustained periods.

Further,  our  business  depends  heavily  on  services  provided  by  various  local  and  long  distance  telephone  companies. A 
significant increase in telephone service costs or any significant interruption in telephone services could reduce our profitability 
or disrupt our operations and harm our business.

The  occurrence  of  cyber  incidents,  or  a  deficiency  in  our  cyber-security,  could  negatively  impact  our  business  by  causing  a 
disruption in our operations, a compromise or corruption of our confidential information or damage to our Company's image, all 
of which could negatively impact our financial results.

A  cyber  incident  is  considered  to  be  any  adverse  event  that  threatens  the  confidentiality,  integrity  or  availability  of  our 
information  resources.  More  specifically,  a  cyber  incident  is  an  intentional  or  unintentional  event  that  can  include  gaining 
unauthorized access to systems to disrupt operations, corrupt data or steal confidential information. Our business is highly dependent 
on our ability to process and monitor a large number of transactions across markets and in multiple currencies. As our geographical 
reach expands, maintaining the security of our systems and infrastructure becomes more significant. Privacy laws in the United 
States, Europe and elsewhere govern the collection and transmission of personal data. As our reliance on technology has increased, 
so have the risks posed to our systems, both internal and those we have outsourced. Our three primary risks that could directly 
result from the occurrence of a cyber incident are operational interruption, damage to our image, and private data exposure. Private 
data may include customer information, our employees' personally identifiable information, or proprietary business information 
such as underwriting and collections methodologies. We have implemented solutions, processes, and procedures to help mitigate 
these risks, but these measures, as well as our organization's increased awareness of our risk of a cyber incident do not guarantee 
that our financial results will not be negatively impacted by such an incident. Should such a cyber incident occur, we may be 
required to expend significant additional resources to notify affected consumers, modify our protective measures or to investigate 
and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures, and we may be subject to fines, penalties, litigation costs and settlements and 
financial losses that may not be fully covered by our cyber insurance.

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We serve markets that are highly competitive, and we may be unable to compete with businesses that may have greater resources 
than us.

We face competition in the markets we serve from new and existing providers of outsourced receivables management services, 
including other purchasers of defaulted receivables portfolios, contingent fee businesses and debt owners that manage their own 
defaulted receivables rather than outsourcing them.

We face bidding competition in our acquisition of defaulted receivables and in our placement of fee based receivables, and 
we also compete on the basis of reputation, industry experience and performance. Some of our current competitors and possible 
new competitors may have greater financial, personnel and other resources, and greater adaptability to changing market needs. 
There has been substantial activity in mergers and consolidation of companies in our industry, and efforts by our competitors to 
gain market share have resulted in significant portfolio pricing pressure. Moreover, our competitors may elect to pay prices that 
we determine are not reasonable and, in that event, our volume of purchases may be diminished.

We may make business acquisitions that prove unsuccessful or strain or divert our resources.

Through acquisitions, we may enter markets in which we have no or limited experience. Further, acquisitions may place 
additional constraints on our resources by diverting the attention of our management team from other business concerns. Moreover, 
any acquisition may result in a potentially dilutive issuance of equity securities or may result in the incurrence of additional debt 
and amortization expenses of related intangible assets, which could reduce our profitability and harm our business.

We intend to consider additional acquisitions of companies that could complement our business, including the acquisition 
of entities offering greater access and expertise in other asset types and markets that are related but that we do not currently serve. 
We may not be able to successfully operate future acquired entities, or integrate these businesses with our own, and we may be 
unable to maintain our standards, controls and policies.

We may not be able to maintain and manage our growth effectively.

Our strategy is to grow organically and supplement that growth with select acquisitions. We have grown significantly since 
our formation and we intend to maintain this focus. Our growth places additional demands on our resources and we cannot ensure 
that we will be able to manage our growth effectively. In order to successfully manage our growth, we may need to:

• 
• 
• 

expand and enhance our administrative infrastructure;
continue to improve our management, financial and information systems and controls; and
recruit, train, manage and retain our employees effectively.

Continued growth could place a strain on our management, operations and financial resources. We cannot ensure that our 
infrastructure, facilities and personnel will be adequate to support our future operations or to effectively adapt to future growth. 
If we cannot manage our growth effectively, our results of operations may be adversely affected.

Negative publicity or reputational attacks could damage our reputation and our business.

From time to time there are negative news stories about our industry or company, especially with respect to alleged conduct 
in collecting debt from customers. Internet sites are maintained where consumers can list their concerns about the activities of 
debt collectors and seek guidance from other website posters on how to handle the situation. Advertisements by debt relief attorneys 
and credit counseling centers are becoming more common, adding to the negative attention given to our industry. Negative public 
opinion about our alleged or actual debt collection practices or about the debt collection industry, including those expressed via 
television, newspapers, radio, or social media such as blogs, websites or newsletters, regardless of the factual accuracy of the 
assertions, could adversely impact our stock price and our ability to retain and attract customers and employees and customers 
may be more reluctant to pay their debts and more likely to pursue legal action against us regardless of whether those actions are 
warranted. Furthermore, such negative publicity could result in financial institutions reducing or eliminating sales of portfolios to 
us which would harm our business and negatively impact our financial results.

The sudden collapse of one of the financial institutions in which we are depositors could negatively affect our financial results.

We maintain depository accounts with financial institutions in the Americas and Europe for daily cash flow needs. If one of 
the financial institutions in which we have significant deposits were to collapse suddenly, we could potentially be unable to retrieve 
our deposits and therefore incur significant losses relating to the lost deposits in excess of the insured amounts. This could have 
an adverse effect on our financial results. The International Association of Deposit Insurers, a non-profit organization based in 
Switzerland, provides guidance for deposit insurance which is provided either publicly or privately by each country in which we 
hold deposit accounts.

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Risks associated with governmental regulation and laws

Our ability to collect and enforce our finance receivables may be limited under federal, state and foreign laws, regulations and 
policies.

The businesses conducted by our operating subsidiaries are subject to licensing and regulation by governmental and regulatory 
bodies in the many jurisdictions in which we operate and conduct our business. Federal and state laws and the laws and regulations 
of the foreign countries in which we operate may limit our ability to collect and enforce our defaulted consumer receivables 
regardless of any act or omission on our part. Some laws and regulations applicable to credit issuers may preclude us from collecting 
on defaulted consumer receivables we purchase if the credit issuer previously failed to comply with applicable laws in generating 
or servicing those receivables. Collection laws and regulations also directly apply to our business. Such laws and regulations are 
extensive  and  subject  to  change. A  variety  of  federal,  state  and  international  laws  and  regulations  govern  the  collection,  use, 
retention, transmission, sharing and security of consumer data. Additional consumer protection and privacy protection laws may 
be  enacted  that  would  impose  additional  requirements  on  the  enforcement  of  and  collection  on  consumer  credit  receivables, 
including regulations that are expected to be adopted by the CFPB, and any other laws that U.S. and non-U.S. governments are 
implementing or considering concerning the regulation and supervision of financial institutions and consumer lending. Any new 
laws, rules or regulations that may be adopted, as well as existing consumer protection and privacy protection laws, changes in 
the ways that existing rules or laws are interpreted or enforced and any procedures that may be implemented as a result of regulatory 
consent orders may adversely affect our ability to collect on our receivables and may harm our business. In addition to the oversight 
of our industry by the CFPB noted below, other federal, state and local governmental bodies are also considering, and may consider 
in the future, legislative proposals that would regulate the collection of our receivables. Further, certain tax laws could negatively 
impact our ability to collect or cause us to incur additional expenses. Although we cannot predict if or how any future legislation 
would impact our business, our failure to comply with any current or future laws or regulations applicable to us could limit our 
ability to collect on our receivables, which could reduce our profitability and harm our business.

Our ability to collect on portfolios of bankrupt or insolvent consumer receivables may be impacted by changes in, or interpretations 
of, laws or changes in the administrative practices of the various courts.

We file claims on consumer receivables in which consumers have filed for insolvency or bankruptcy protection under relevant 
laws. We receive payments from courts, receivers and liquidators on receivables which became bankrupt after we acquired them, 
and we also purchase accounts that are currently in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings. Our ability to collect on portfolios of 
bankrupt or insolvent receivables may be impacted by changes in, or interpretations of, laws or changes in administrative practices 
of the various courts.

Failure to comply with existing and new government regulation of the collections industry could result in penalties, fines, litigation, 
damage to our reputation or the suspension or termination of our ability to conduct our business.

The collections industry throughout the markets in which we operate is governed by various laws and regulations, many of 
which require us to be a licensed debt collector. Our industry is also at times investigated by regulators and offices of state attorneys 
general,  and  subpoenas  and  other  requests  or  demands  for  information  may  be  issued  by  governmental  authorities  who  are 
investigating debt collection activities. These investigations may result in enforcement actions, fines and penalties, or the assertion 
of private claims and lawsuits. For instance, in the United States the FTC has the authority to investigate consumer complaints 
against debt collection companies and to recommend enforcement actions and seek monetary penalties. In the United Kingdom 
our operations are subject to regulation and supervision by the Prudential Regulation Authority. As discussed below, our U.S. debt 
collection activities are also subject to supervision and enforcement action by the CFPB. Refer to "Compliance with complex and 
evolving foreign and United States laws and regulations that apply to our international operations, which have expanded as a result 
of our foreign acquisitions, could increase our cost of doing business in international jurisdictions." If any such investigations 
result in findings that we or our vendors have failed to comply with applicable laws and regulations, we could be subject to penalties, 
litigation losses and expenses, damage to our reputation, or the suspension or termination of, or required modification to, our ability 
to conduct collections, which would adversely affect our financial results and condition. In addition, new laws or regulations or 
changes in the ways that existing rules or laws are interpreted or enforced could limit our activities in the future or significantly 
increase the cost of compliance. Furthermore, judges or regulatory bodies could interpret current rules or laws differently than the 
way we do, leading to such adverse consequences described above.

In a number of jurisdictions, we must maintain licenses to perform debt recovery services and must satisfy related bonding 
requirements. It is our policy to comply with all applicable licensing and bonding requirements. Our failure to comply with existing 
licensing requirements, changing interpretations of existing requirements, or adoption of new licensing requirements, could restrict 
our ability to collect in regions, subject us to increased regulation, increase our costs, or adversely affect our ability to collect our 
receivables.

25

Some laws, among other things, also may limit the interest rate and the fees that a credit grantor may impose on our consumers, 
limit the time in which we may file legal actions to enforce consumer accounts, and require specific account information for certain 
collection activities. In addition, local requirements and court rulings in various jurisdictions also may affect our ability to collect.

Moreover, the relationship between consumers and credit card issuers is extensively regulated by consumer protection and 
related laws and regulations. These laws may affect some of our operations because the majority of our receivables originate 
through credit card transactions. If the originating institution fails to comply with applicable statutes, rules, and regulations, it 
could create claims and rights for the consumers that could reduce or eliminate their obligations related to those receivables. When 
we acquire receivables, we generally require the credit grantor or portfolio reseller to represent that they have complied with 
applicable statutes, rules and regulations relating to the origination and collection of the receivables before they were sold to us.

Regulations and statutes applicable to our industry further provide that, in some cases, consumers cannot be held liable for, 
or their liability may be limited with respect to, charges to their debt or credit card accounts that resulted from unauthorized use 
of their credit. These laws, among others, may limit our ability to recover amounts owing with respect to the receivables, whether 
or not we committed any wrongful act or omission in connection with the account. If we fail to comply with applicable laws and 
regulations, such failure could result in penalties, litigation losses and expenses, damage to our reputation, or otherwise impact 
our ability to conduct collections efforts, which could adversely affect our financial results and condition.

Investigations or enforcement actions by governmental authorities may result in changes to our business practices; negatively 
impact our receivables portfolio purchasing volume; make collection of receivables more difficult or expose us to the risk of fines, 
penalties, restitution payments and litigation.

Our business practices are subject to review from time to time by various governmental authorities and regulators, including 
the CFPB, who may commence investigations or enforcement actions or reviews targeted at businesses in the financial services 
industry. These reviews may involve governmental authority consideration of individual consumer complaints, or could involve 
a  broader  review  of  our  debt  collection  policies  and  practices.  Such  investigations  could  lead  to  assertions  by  governmental 
authorities that we are not complying with applicable laws or regulations. In such circumstances, authorities may request or seek 
to impose a range of remedies that could involve potential compensatory or punitive damage claims, fines, restitution payments, 
sanctions or injunctive relief, that if agreed to or granted, could require us to make payments or incur other expenditures that could 
have an adverse effect on our financial position. Government authorities could also request or seek to require us to cease certain 
of our practices or institute new practices. We may also elect to change practices that we believe are compliant with applicable 
law and regulations in order to respond to the concerns of governmental authorities. In addition, we may become required to make 
changes to our internal policies and procedures in order to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements under the Dodd-
Frank Act or other applicable laws. Such changes in practices or procedures could negatively impact our results of operations. 
Negative publicity relating to investigations or proceedings brought by governmental authorities could have an adverse impact on 
our reputation, could harm our ability to conduct business with industry participants, and could result in financial institutions 
reducing or eliminating sales of receivables portfolios to us which would harm our business and negatively impact our financial 
results.  Moreover,  changing  or  modifying  our  internal  policies  or  procedures,  responding  to  governmental  inquiries  and 
investigations and defending lawsuits or other proceedings could require significant efforts on the part of management and result 
in increased costs to our business. In addition, such efforts could divert management's full attention from our business operations. 
All of these factors could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

The CFPB has issued civil investigative demands to many companies that it regulates, and is currently examining practices 
regarding the collection of consumer debt. We responded to such an investigation regarding our debt collection practices and 
provided documents and data to the CFPB. In addition to providing the CFPB with the data and documents requested, we engaged 
in discussions, including a number of face-to-face meetings with the CFPB staff wherein we shared our views on potential changes 
to the debt collection industry. Subsequently, in September 2015, we entered into a consent order with the CFPB (the "Consent 
Order"), which resulted in the payment of $19 million in consumer refunds and an $8 million penalty. In addition, we were required 
to cease collection of approximately $3 million of consumer debt and modify some of our collections practices. Although we do 
not anticipate any material adverse impact on our operations as a result of our entry into the Consent Order, there can be no 
assurance that additional litigation or new industry regulations currently under consideration by the CFPB would not have an 
adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

In addition, the CFPB may monitor our compliance with the Consent Order and could make a determination that we have 
failed to appropriately adhere to our obligations. Such a determination could result in additional inquiries, penalties or liabilities, 
which could have an adverse effect on our business.

26

Changes in governmental laws and regulations could increase our costs and liabilities or impact our operations.

Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act (also referred to as the Consumer Financial Protection Act) created a new independent regulator, 
the CFPB. The CFPB has rulemaking, supervisory, and enforcement and other authorities relating to consumer financial products 
and services, including debt collection, provided by covered persons. We are subject to the CFPB's supervisory and enforcement 
authority.

As stated above, the relationship between consumers, lenders and credit card issuers is extensively regulated by consumer 
protection and related laws and regulations. Changes in laws and regulations or the manner in which they are interpreted or applied 
may alter our business environment. This could affect our results of operations or increase our liabilities. These negative impacts 
could result from changes in collection laws, laws related to credit reporting, statutes of limitation, laws related to consumer 
bankruptcy or insolvency, privacy protection, accounting standards, taxation requirements, employment laws and communications 
laws, among others. For example, the CFPB is currently in the process of formulating new debt collection regulations.

The CFPB also accepts debt collection consumer complaints and has provided form letters for consumers to use in their 
correspondences  with  debt  collectors.  The  CFPB  makes  publicly  available  its  data  on  consumer  complaints,  and  consumer 
complaints against us could result in reputational damage to us. The Dodd-Frank Act also mandates the submission of multiple 
studies and reports to Congress by the CFPB, and CFPB staff is regularly making speeches on topics related to credit and debt. 
All of these activities could trigger additional legislative or regulatory action.

The CFPB has rulemaking authority with respect to significant federal statutes that impact the debt collection industry, 
including the FDCPA, the FCRA, and Section 5 of the FTC Act, which prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices. As a result, 
the CFPB has the authority to adopt regulations that interpret the FDCPA, and the FTC Act, potentially describing specified acts 
and practices as being "unfair," "deceptive" or "abusive," impacting the manner in which we conduct our debt collection business.

The CFPB has the authority to conduct hearings and adjudication proceedings, impose monetary penalties for violations of 
applicable federal consumer financial laws (including Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act, FDCPA, and FCRA, among other consumer 
protection statutes) which may require remediation of practices and include enforcement actions. The CFPB also has the authority 
to obtain cease and desist orders (which can include orders for restitution or rescission of contracts, as well as other kinds of 
affirmative relief), costs, and monetary penalties (ranging from $5,000 per day to over $1 million per day, depending on the nature 
and gravity of the violation). In addition, where a company has violated Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act or CFPB regulations 
implemented thereunder, the Dodd-Frank Act empowers state Attorneys General and other state regulators to bring civil actions 
to remedy violations under state law. The CFPB has been active in its supervision, examination and enforcement of financial 
services companies, most notably bringing enforcement actions imposing fines and mandating large refunds to customers of several 
financial institutions for practices relating to the extension and collection of consumer credit. If the CFPB, the FTC, acting under 
the FTC Act or other applicable statute such as the FDCPA, or one or more state Attorneys General or other state regulators make 
findings that we have violated any of the applicable laws or regulations, they could exercise their enforcement powers in ways 
that could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition.

We may become subject to additional costs or liabilities in the future resulting from our own, or our vendors' supervision or 
examination by the CFPB, or by changes in, or additions to laws and regulations that could adversely affect our results of operations 
and financial condition. Further, we cannot definitively predict the scope and substance of any such laws or regulations ultimately 
adopted by the CFPB related to our activities and the exact efforts required by us to comply therewith, nor can we have any way 
to know with certainty the ultimate impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition that such regulations may 
have.

Compliance with complex and evolving foreign and United States laws and regulations that apply to our international operations, 
which have expanded as a result of our foreign acquisitions, could increase our cost of doing business in international jurisdictions.

As a result of our foreign acquisitions, we will operate on an expanded international basis with additional offices or activities 
in a number of new jurisdictions throughout Europe, Canada and Brazil. We will face increased exposure to risks inherent in 
conducting business internationally, including compliance with complex foreign and United States laws and regulations that apply 
to our international operations, which could increase our cost of doing business in international jurisdictions. These laws and 
regulations include anti-corruption laws such as the FCPA, the United Kingdom Bribery Act of 2010 and other local laws prohibiting 
corrupt  payments  to  governmental  officials,  and  those  related  to  taxation.  The  FCPA  and  similar  anti-bribery  laws  in  other 
jurisdictions  generally  prohibit  U.S.-based  companies  and  their  intermediaries  from  making  improper  payments  to  non-U.S. 
officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. The United Kingdom Bribery Act of 2010 prohibits certain entities 
from making improper payments to governmental officials and to commercial entities. Given the high level of complexity of these 
laws, there is a risk that we may inadvertently breach certain provisions of these laws, for example through fraudulent or negligent 
behavior of individual employees, our failure to comply with certain formal documentation requirements, or otherwise. Violations 

27

of these laws and regulations could result in fines and penalties; criminal sanctions against us, our officers, or our employees; 
prohibitions on the conduct of our business and on our ability to offer our products and services in one or more countries, and 
could also adversely affect our brand, our international expansion efforts, our ability to attract and retain employees, our business 
and our operating results. Although we have implemented and, with respect to any new jurisdictions we will enter, will implement, 
policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with these laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that our employees, 
contractors or agents will not violate our policies. Additionally, in accordance with the CRD IV, the Swedish Banking and Financing 
Business Act and the Supervision of Credit and Investment Institutions Act, certain of our EU subsidiaries are subject to capital 
adequacy requirements as prescribed by the SFSA, because they are included in a group that includes an entity which has been 
determined to be an EU authorized credit institution (AK Nordic AB), thereby resulting in their supervision by the SFSA and 
regulatory capital requirements.

Net capital requirements pursuant to the CRD IV may impede the business operations of our subsidiaries.

A sub-group of the Company's EU subsidiaries has been determined by the SFSA to be financial institutions subject to 
consolidated capital requirements under EU Directives and regulatory oversight, supervision and reporting requirements by the 
SFSA. These  and  other  similar  provisions  of  applicable  law  may  limit  our  ability  to  withdraw  capital  from  our  subsidiaries. 
Additionally, we have limited experience with the regulatory oversight, supervision, and reporting requirements of the SFSA.

Risks associated with indebtedness

We may not be able to retain, renegotiate or replace our credit facilities.

Our sources of financing include a domestic credit facility along with a European multicurrency revolving credit facility. 
The domestic facility includes an aggregate principal amount of $945 million which consists of a $170 million variable rate term 
loan, a $725 million domestic revolving credit facility and a $50 million Canadian revolving credit facility, all which mature on 
December 19, 2017. The European multicurrency revolving credit facility includes an aggregate principal amount of $790 million 
which consists of a $750 million revolving facility and a $40 million overdraft facility, and matures on October 23, 2019. Both 
facilities include financial and other restrictive covenants. If we are unable to retain, renegotiate or replace our credit facilities, 
our growth could be adversely affected, which could negatively impact liquidity and our business operations.

We may not be able to continue to satisfy the restrictive covenants in the agreements governing our debt.

The agreements governing our debt impose a number of covenants, including restrictive covenants on how we operate our 
business. Failure to satisfy any one of these covenants could result in negative consequences including the following, each of 
which could have an adverse effect on our liquidity and our ability to conduct business:

• 
• 
• 
• 

acceleration of outstanding indebtedness;
exercise by our lenders of rights with respect to the collateral pledged under certain of our outstanding indebtedness;
our inability to continue to purchase receivables needed to operate our business; or
our inability to secure alternative financing on favorable terms, if at all.

We have additional indebtedness in the form of Convertible Senior Notes.

In August 2013, we completed a private offering of $287.5 million aggregate principal amount of 3.00% Convertible Senior 
Notes due 2020 (the “Notes”). Our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on, or to refinance our 
indebtedness, including the Notes, or to make cash payments in connection with any conversion of the Notes depends on our future 
performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. Our business may not 
continue to generate cash flow from operations in the future sufficient to service our indebtedness and make necessary capital 
expenditures. If we are unable to generate such cash flow, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling 
assets, restructuring indebtedness or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. Our ability 
to refinance our indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at that time. We may not be able to 
engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on our debt 
obligations.

We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to repurchase the Notes upon a fundamental change or to settle conversions 
in cash.

Holders of the Notes will have the right to require us to repurchase their Notes upon the occurrence of a fundamental change 
at a repurchase price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, in the event 
the conditional conversion feature of the Notes is triggered, holders of the Notes will be entitled to convert the Notes at any time 
during specified periods at their option. Upon a conversion of Notes, unless we elect to deliver solely shares of our common stock 

28

to settle such conversion (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional shares of our common stock), we will be 
required to make cash payments in respect of the Notes. However, we may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain 
financing at the time we are required to make repurchases of Notes surrendered to settle conversions in cash, and our ability to 
repurchase the Notes or pay cash upon conversion may be limited by law.

Conversion of the Notes may affect the price of our common stock.

The conversion of some or all of the Notes may dilute the ownership interest of existing stockholders to the extent we deliver 
shares of common stock upon conversion. Holders of the Notes will be able to convert them only upon the satisfaction of certain 
conditions prior to February 1, 2020. Upon conversion, holders of the Notes will receive cash, shares of common stock or a 
combination of cash and shares of common stock, at our election. Any sales in the public market of shares of common stock issued 
upon conversion of the Notes could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

Changes in interest rates could increase our interest expense and reduce our net income.

Our revolving credit facilities bear interest at variable rates. Increases in interest rates could increase our interest expense 
which would, in turn, lower our earnings. From time to time, we may enter into hedging transactions to mitigate our interest rate 
risk on all or a portion of our debt. Hedging strategies rely on assumptions and projections. If these assumptions and projections 
prove to be incorrect or our hedges do not adequately mitigate the impact of changes in interest rates, we may experience volatility 
in our earnings that could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Risks associated with ownership of our common stock

The market price of our shares of common stock could fluctuate significantly.

Wide fluctuations in the trading price or volume of our shares of common stock could be caused by many factors, including 
factors  relating  to  our  company  or  to  investor  perception  of  our  company  (including  changes  in  financial  estimates  and 
recommendations by research analysts), but also factors relating to (or relating to investor perception of) the receivables management 
industry, debt collection or the economy in general.

Our certificate of incorporation, our by-laws and Delaware law contain provisions that may prevent or delay a change of control 
or that may otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.

Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws contain provisions that may make it more difficult, expensive or otherwise 
discourage a tender offer or a change in control or takeover attempt by a third-party, even if such a transaction would be beneficial 
to our stockholders. The existence of these provisions may have a negative impact on the price of our common stock by discouraging 
third-party  investors  from  purchasing  our  common  stock.  In  particular,  our  certificate  of  incorporation  and  by-laws  include 
provisions that:

• 
• 
• 
• 

• 

• 

• 
• 
• 

classify our board of directors into three groups, each of which will serve for staggered three-year terms;
permit a majority of the stockholders to remove our directors only for cause;
permit our directors, and not our stockholders, to fill vacancies on our board of directors;
require stockholders to give us advance notice to nominate candidates for election to our board of directors or to make 
stockholder proposals at a stockholders' meeting;
permit a special meeting of our stockholders to be called only by approval of a majority of the directors, the chairman of 
the board of directors, the chief executive officer, the president or the written request of holders owning at least 30% of 
our common stock;
permit our board of directors to issue, without approval of our stockholders, preferred stock with such terms as our board 
of directors may determine;
permit the authorized number of directors to be changed only by a resolution of the board of directors; 
require that derivative actions or proceedings must be brought in a court located in the state of Delaware; and
require the vote of the holders of a majority of our voting shares for stockholder amendments to our by-laws.

In addition, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law which provides certain restrictions on 
business combinations between us and any party acquiring a 15% or greater interest in our voting stock other than in a transaction 
approved by our board of directors and, in certain cases, by our stockholders. These provisions of our certificate of incorporation, 
our by-laws and Delaware law could delay or prevent a change in control, even if our stockholders support such proposals. Moreover, 
these provisions could diminish the opportunities for stockholders to participate in certain tender offers, including tender offers at 
prices above the then-current market value of our common stock, and may also inhibit increases in the trading price of our common 
stock that could result from takeover attempts or speculation.

29

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Item 2. Properties.

Our corporate headquarters and primary domestic operations facility are located in Norfolk, Virginia. In addition, we have 
operational centers, all of which are leased except the facilities in Kansas and Tennessee, in the following locations in the Americas 
and Europe:

- Birmingham, Alabama

- Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

- Folsom, California

- Fresno, California

- Hampton, Virginia

- Houston, Texas

- Hutchinson, Kansas

- Jackson, Tennessee

Americas

- Lake Forest, California

- Las Vegas, Nevada

- London, Ontario, Canada

- North Richland Hills, Texas

- Rosemont, Illinois

- San Diego, California
- São Paulo, Brazil

- Bromley, United Kingdom

- Luxembourg, Luxembourg

Europe

- Duisburg, Germany

- Eisenstadt, Austria

- Helsinki, Finland

- Kilmarnock, Scotland

- London, United Kingdom

- Madrid, Spain

- Oslo, Norway

- Uppsala, Sweden

- Zug, Switzerland

We also lease several less significant facilities in various locations throughout North America and Europe which are not 
listed above. We do not consider any specific leased or owned facility to be material to our operations. We believe that equally 
suitable alternative facilities are available throughout our geographic market areas.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

We and our subsidiaries are from time to time subject to a variety of routine legal and regulatory claims, inquiries and 
proceedings, most of which are incidental to the ordinary course of our business. We initiate lawsuits against customers and are 
occasionally countersued by them in such actions. Also, customers, either individually, as members of a class action, or through 
a governmental entity on behalf of customers, may initiate litigation against us in which they allege that we have violated a state 
or federal law in the process of collecting on an account. From time to time, other types of lawsuits are brought against us.

Refer to Note 15 "Commitments and Contingencies" of our Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this Form 

10-K) for information regarding legal proceedings in which we are involved.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

30

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 
Securities.

Price Range of Common Stock

The Company's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market ("NASDAQ") under the symbol "PRAA." 
The following table sets forth the high and low sales price for the Company's common stock, as reported by the NASDAQ, for 
the periods indicated.

Quarter ended March 31,

Quarter ended June 30,

Quarter ended September 30,

Quarter ended December 31,

2015

2014

High

$58.42

$64.24

$64.82

$56.00

Low

$47.84

$52.92

$50.03

$32.49

High

$60.48

$60.00

$62.20

$65.00

Low

$47.53

$50.29

$52.01

$52.30

Based on information provided by our transfer agent and registrar, as of February 17, 2016, there were 73 holders of record 

and 54,615 beneficial owners of the Company's common stock.

Stock Performance

The  following  graph  and  subsequent  table  compares  from  December  31,  2010  to  December 31,  2015,  the  cumulative 
stockholder returns assuming an initial investment of $100 in the Company's common stock (PRAA) at the beginning of the period, 
the stocks comprising the NASDAQ Financial 100 (IXF), and the stocks comprising the NASDAQ Global Market Composite 
Index (NQGM). Any dividends paid during the five year period are assumed to be reinvested.

PRA Group, Inc.

PRAA $

NASDAQ Financial 100
$
NASDAQ Global Market Composite Index NQGM $

IXF

100

100

100

$

$

$

90

89

87

$

$

$

142

104

100

$

$

$

211

148

167

$

$

$

231

155

177

$

$

$

138

165

177

Ticker

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

The  comparisons  of  stock  performance  shown  above  are  not  intended  to  forecast  or  be  indicative  of  possible  future 
performance of PRA Group's common stock. PRA Group does not make or endorse any predictions as to its future stock performance.

31

Dividend Policy

Our board of directors sets our dividend policy. We do not currently pay regular dividends on our common stock and did 
not pay dividends in the three years ended December 31, 2015; however, our board of directors may determine in the future to 
declare or pay dividends on our common stock. Under the terms of our credit facility, cash dividends may not exceed $20 million 
in any fiscal year without the consent of our lenders. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of dividends will 
be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on then existing conditions, including our results of operations, 
financial condition, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors that our board of directors 
may consider relevant.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

For  information  regarding  securities  authorized  for  issuance  under  equity  compensation  plans  see  Note  9  "Share-Based 

Compensation" of our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Share Repurchase Programs 

On  October 22,  2015,  the  Company's  board  of  directors  authorized  a  new  share  repurchase  program  to  purchase  up  to 

$125,000,000 of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock on the open market.

The following table provides information about the Company's common stock purchased during the fourth quarter of 2015.

Month Ended

October 31, 2015

November 30, 2015

December 31, 2015

Total

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

Total Number of
Shares Purchased

Average Price
Paid per Share

Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of Publicly
Announced Programs

Maximum Remaining Purchase
Price for Share Repurchases
Under the Program

— $

2,072,721

—

2,072.721 $

—

38.60

—

38.60

— $

2,072,721

—

2,072.721 $

—

45,000,920

—

45,000,920

The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section below, the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes to the 
audited consolidated financial statements. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current period 
presentation.

32

Consolidated Income Statement, Operating and Other Financial Data
Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Years Ended December 31,

Income Statement Data:

Revenues:

Income recognized on finance receivables, net

$

865,122

$

807,474

$

663,546

$

530,635

$

401,895

Fee income

Other revenue

Total revenues

Operating expenses:

64,383

12,513

942,018

65,675

7,820

880,969

71,532

57

735,135

62,164

2

592,801

56,115

925

458,935

Compensation and employee services

268,345

234,531

192,474

168,356

138,202

Legal collection fees

Legal collection costs

Agency fees

Outside fees and services

Communication

Rent and occupancy

Depreciation and amortization

Other operating expenses

Impairment of goodwill

Total operating expenses

Gain on sale of property

Income from operations

Other income and (expense):

Interest expense

Foreign exchange gain/(loss)

Income before income taxes

Provision for income taxes

Net income

53,393

76,063

32,188

65,155

33,113

14,714

19,874

68,829

—

631,674

—

310,344

(60,336)

7,514

257,522

89,391

168,131

51,107

88,054

16,399

55,821

33,085

11,509

18,414

29,981

—

538,901

—

342,068

(35,226)

(5,829)

301,013

124,508

176,505

41,488

83,063

5,901

31,615

28,161

8,311

14,417

25,781

6,397

437,608

—

297,527

(14,466)

4

283,065

106,146

176,919

34,393

72,325

5,906

28,867

25,225

7,498

14,515

19,661

—

376,746

—

216,055

(9,031)

9

207,033

80,934

126,099

23,621

38,659

7,653

19,310

20,328

6,437

12,943

14,914

—

282,067

1,157

178,025

(10,562)

—

167,463

66,319

101,144

Adjustment for net income/(loss) attributable to
noncontrolling interest

205

—

1,605

(494)

353

Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.

$

167,926

$

176,505

$

175,314

$

126,593

$

100,791

Net income per common share attributable to PRA Group, 
Inc.:

Basic

Diluted

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:

Basic

Diluted

Operating and Other Financial Data:

Cash receipts

Operating expenses to cash receipts
Return on equity (1)
Acquisitions of finance receivables, at cost (2)
Employees at period end

$3.49

$3.47

48,128

48,405

$3.53

$3.50

49,990

50,421

$3.48

$3.45

50,366

50,873

$2.48

$2.46

50,991

51,369

$1.96

$1.95

51,330

51,690

$

1,603,878

$

1,444,487

$

1,213,969

$

970,848

$

761,605

39%

20%

37%

19%

36%

22%

39%

20%

37%

19%

$

963,811

$

1,432,764

$

656,785

$

542,451

$

408,408

3,799

3,880

3,543

3,221

2,641

(1)  Calculated by dividing net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc. for each year by average monthly stockholders' equity - 

PRA Group, Inc. for the same year.

(2)  Represents cash paid for finance receivables as well as the acquisition date finance receivable portfolio that was acquired in 

connection with the Aktiv acquisition in 2014. It does not include certain capitalized costs or buybacks.

33

Key Balance Sheet Data
Amounts in thousands

As of December 31,

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

$

71,372

$

39,661

$

162,004

$

32,687

$

2,202,113

2,996,706

1,723,268

839,747

2,001,790

2,778,751

1,482,456

902,215

1,239,191

1,601,232

451,780

869,476

1,078,951

1,288,956

327,542

708,427

26,697

926,734

1,071,123

221,246

595,488

Quarterly Income Statement Data
Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts

Dec 31,
2015

Sep 30,
2015

Jun 30,
2015

Mar 31,
2015

Dec 31,
2014

Sep 30,
2014

Jun 30,
2014

Mar 31,
2014

$

208,471

$

208,184

$

220,064

$

228,403

$

222,660

$

224,326

$

182,518

$

177,970

19,649

2,065

17,803

3,443

13,878

3,255

13,053

3,750

22,800

5,271

12,757

1,890

14,510

315

15,608

344

230,185

229,430

237,197

245,206

250,731

238,973

197,343

193,922

68,670

11,873

16,774

8,182

27,309

6,601

3,991

4,935

10,678

159,013

71,172

(15,321)

301

56,152

15,164

40,988

66,084

13,715

18,879

7,961

12,583

8,021

3,684

5,413

38,963

175,303

54,127

(16,787)

(3,160)

34,180

16,597

17,583

68,320

14,114

19,556

7,784

12,466

8,073

3,479

4,916

9,610

65,271

13,691

20,854

8,261

12,797

10,418

3,560

4,610

9,578

65,448

15,125

15,725

7,497

15,707

7,715

3,477

5,307

4,870

148,318

88,879

149,040

96,166

140,871

109,860

(13,452)

(14,776)

3,584

79,011

27,586

51,425

6,789

88,179

30,044

58,135

(13,493)

(2,898)

93,469

46,478

46,991

65,237

13,778

20,367

5,988

17,210

8,642

3,283

4,949

11,330

150,784

88,189

(11,807)

3,258

79,640

28,473

51,167

52,461

11,371

25,429

1,464

12,113

7,765

2,411

4,211

7,681

51,385

10,833

26,533

1,450

10,791

8,963

2,338

3,947

6,100

124,906

72,437

122,340

71,582

(5,067)

(6,197)

61,173

23,666

37,507

(4,859)

8

66,731

25,891

40,840

18

187

—

—

—

—

—

—

40,970

$

17,396

$

51,425

$

58,135

$

46,991

$

51,167

$

37,507

$

40,840

0.87

0.86

$

$

0.36

0.36

$

$

1.06

1.06

$

$

1.19

1.19

$

$

0.94

0.93

$

$

1.02

1.01

$

$

0.75

0.74

$

$

0.82

0.81

Cash and cash equivalents

Finance receivables, net

Total assets

Borrowings

Total equity

Revenues:

Income recognized on finance
receivables, net

Fee income

Other revenue

Total revenues

Operating expenses:

Compensation and employee
services

Legal collection fees

Legal collection costs

Agency fees

Outside fees and services

Communication

Rent and occupancy

Depreciation and amortization

Other operating expenses

Total operating expenses

Income from operations

Other income and (expense):

Interest expense

Foreign exchange gain/(loss)

Income before income taxes

Provision for income taxes

Net income

Adjustment for net income 
attributable to noncontrolling 
interest

Net income attributable to PRA
Group, Inc.

Net income per common share 
attributable to PRA Group, Inc.:

Basic

Diluted

Weighted average number of shares
outstanding:

$

$

$

Basic

Diluted

47,197

47,539

48,265

48,498

48,325

48,529

48,724

49,052

49,892

50,444

50,075

50,439

50,065

50,437

49,929

50,363

34

Quarterly Balance Sheet Data
Amounts in thousands

Dec 31,
2015

Sep 30,
2015

Jun 30,
2015

Mar 31,
2015

Dec 31,
2014

Sep 30,
2014

Jun 30,
2014

Mar 31,
2014

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

71,372

$

69,111

$

56,811

$

40,542

$

39,661

$

70,300

$

270,526

$

191,819

Investments

Finance receivables, net

Other receivables, net

Income taxes receivable

Net deferred tax asset

Property and equipment, net

Goodwill

Intangible assets, net

Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities and Equity

Liabilities:

Accounts payable

Accrued expenses

Income taxes payable

Net deferred tax liability

Interest-bearing deposits

Borrowings

Other liabilities

Total liabilities

Equity:

Common stock

Additional paid-in capital

Retained earnings

Accumulated other
comprehensive (loss)/gain

73,799

75,985

88,295

91,470

89,703

—

—

—

2,202,113

2,167,178

2,012,552

1,954,772

2,001,790

1,913,710

1,219,595

1,253,961

30,771

1,717

13,068

45,394

495,156

23,788

39,528

24,648

12,840

831

46,105

502,383

24,458

61,011

18,443

1,580

125

46,215

503,001

9,450

47,284

16,834

12,959

—

5,771

46,855

—

6,126

48,258

18,217

11,506

4,639

45,969

496,653

527,445

594,401

10,042

37,674

10,933

41,876

12,315

86,372

12,458

6,072

1,404

38,902

105,122

13,805

27,478

11,551

1,015

1,369

35,130

104,086

14,714

28,968

$ 2,996,706

$ 2,984,550

$ 2,783,756

$ 2,700,613

$ 2,778,751

$ 2,757,429

$ 1,695,362

$ 1,642,613

$

4,190

$

3,693

$

3,933

$

7,838

$

4,446

$

6,934

$

10,928

$

9,173

95,380

21,236

261,498

46,991

97,123

9,534

267,587

46,277

77,007

9,758

252,638

33,248

69,250

22,120

265,661

32,439

89,361

11,020

255,587

27,704

88,991

5,547

237,201

27,300

47,897

37,248

—

—

226,011

220,883

—

1,723,268

1,654,457

1,503,363

1,479,262

1,482,456

1,425,409

448,785

4,396

4,460

5,933

6,725

5,962

6,187

9,485

2,156,959

2,083,131

1,885,880

1,883,295

1,876,536

1,797,569

743,106

462

64,622

482

31,344

483

35,360

964,270

1,032,966

1,015,570

483

31,339

964,145

496

111,659

906,010

501

141,490

859,019

501

137,512

807,852

—

450,278

14,813

732,395

501

134,892

770,345

(228,861)

(201,275)

(153,537)

(178,649)

(115,950)

(41,150)

6,391

4,480

Total stockholders' equity -
PRA Group, Inc.

Noncontrolling interest

800,493

39,254

863,517

37,902

897,876

817,318

902,215

959,860

952,256

910,218

—

—

—

—

—

—

Total equity

$

839,747

$

901,419

$

897,876

$

817,318

$

902,215

$

959,860

$

952,256

$

910,218

Total liabilities
and equity

$ 2,996,706

$ 2,984,550

$ 2,783,756

$ 2,700,613

$ 2,778,751

$ 2,757,429

$ 1,695,362

$ 1,642,613

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Overview

We are a global financial and business services company with operations in the Americas and Europe. Our primary business 
is the purchase, collection and management of portfolios of nonperforming loans. We also service receivables on behalf of clients 
on either a commission or transaction-fee basis, provide class action claims settlement recovery services and related payment 
processing  to  corporate  clients,  and  provide  vehicle  location,  skip  tracing  and  collateral  recovery  services  for  auto  lenders, 
governments and law enforcement.

We are headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, and employ 3,799 full time equivalents. Our shares of common stock are traded 
on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "PRAA." Effective October 23, 2014, we changed our name from Portfolio 
Recovery Associates, Inc. to PRA Group, Inc.

On August 3, 2015, we acquired 55% of the equity interest in RCB. The remaining 45% of the equity interest in RCB is 
owned by the executive team and previous owners of RCB. RCB was founded in 2007 and is a leading master servicing platform 
for nonperforming loans in Brazil. RCB specializes in structuring, investing and operating receivable and credit-related assets. 
The previous owners of RCB each entered into long-term employment agreements with us and will continue to manage RCB's 
local business in Brazil.

35

Our investment for the 55% ownership of RCB was paid for with approximately $55.2 million in cash which was borrowed 
under our existing domestic revolving credit facility. The majority of cash paid to acquire the equity interest in RCB is expected 
to be used in the ordinary course of business. As part of the investment and call option agreements, we have the right to purchase 
the remaining 45% of RCB at certain multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") 
beginning August 3, 2019 and lasting for two years.

On July 16, 2014, we completed the purchase of the outstanding equity of Aktiv, a Norway-based company specializing in 
the  acquisition  and  servicing  of  nonperforming  consumer  loans  throughout  Europe  and  in  Canada,  for  a  purchase  price  of 
approximately $861.3 million, and assumed approximately $433.7 million of Aktiv's corporate debt, resulting in an enterprise 
acquisition value of approximately $1.3 billion.

The Aktiv acquisition provided us entry into several new markets, resulting in additional geographic diversity in portfolio 
purchasing and collection. Aktiv's executive team and the more than 400 Aktiv employees joined our workforce upon the closing 
of the transaction.

Our industry is highly regulated under various laws. In the United States they include the FDCPA, FCRA, Dodd-Frank Act, 
Telephone Consumer Protection Act and its prohibition against UDAAP and other federal and state laws. Likewise, our business 
is regulated by various laws in the European countries and Canadian territories in which we operate. We are subject to inspections, 
examinations, supervision and investigation by regulators in the United Kingdom, in each U.S. state in which we are licensed, and 
also by the CFPB. If any such inspections or investigations result in findings or there is an adjudication that we have failed to 
comply with applicable laws and regulations, we could be subject to penalties, litigation losses and expenses, damage to our 
reputation, or the suspension or termination of or required modification to our ability to conduct collections, which would adversely 
affect our financial results and condition. The CFPB is currently looking into practices regarding the collection of consumer debt 
in our industry. The CFPB is also expected to adopt additional rules that will affect our industry, and has sought feedback on a 
wide range of debt collection issues.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, we incurred approximately $5.6 million of integration and other costs related to the 
business acquisitions. Additionally, as a result of expanding our international footprint into many countries with various currencies 
throughout Europe, we are exposed to foreign currency fluctuations between and among the U.S. dollar and each of the other 
currencies in which we now operate. As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded a net foreign currency 
transaction gain of $7.5 million in our consolidated income statement, as compared to a loss of $5.8 million in the prior year.

Earnings Summary

For the year ended December 31, 2015, net income attributable to PRA Group was $167.9 million, or $3.47 per diluted share, 
compared with $176.5 million, or $3.50 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2014. Total revenues were $942.0 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2015, up 6.9% from the same year ago period. Revenues during the year ended December 31, 
2015 consisted of $865.1 million in income recognized on finance receivables, net of allowance charges, $64.4 million in fee 
income and $12.5 million in other revenue. Income recognized on finance receivables, net of allowance charges, for the year ended 
December 31, 2015 increased $57.6 million, or 7.1%, over 2014, primarily as a result of an increase in cash collections primarily 
due to the Aktiv acquisition. Cash collections were approximately $1.5 billion during the year ended December 31, 2015, up 7.1% 
compared to approximately $1.4 billion in the year ended December 31, 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2015, PRA 
Group recorded $29.4 million in net allowance charges, compared with $4.9 million in net allowance charge reversals in the year 
ended December 31, 2014. Our finance receivables amortization rate, including net allowance charges/reversals, was 43.8% for 
the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to 41.4% for the year ended December 31, 2014. Our finance receivables amortization 
rate, excluding net allowance charges/reversals, was 41.9% for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to 41.8% for the year 
ended December 31, 2014.

Fee income decreased from $65.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 to $64.4 million in 2015, primarily due to 
a  decrease  in  revenues  generated  by  CCB  and  PRA  Europe. The  decrease  in  revenue  from  CCB  is  due  primarily  to  smaller 
distributions of class action settlements. The decline in fee income from PRA Europe is due primarily to a decline in the amount 
of contingent fee work provided to us by debt owners. This was partially offset by higher fee income generated by PLS, PGS and 
our operations in Brazil.

36

A summary of how our revenue was generated during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is as follows 

(amounts in thousands):

Cash collections

Amortization of investment

Net allowance reversals/(charges)

Income recognized on finance receivables, net

Fee income

Other revenue

Total revenues

$

$

2015

1,539,495
(645,004)
(29,369)
865,122

64,383

12,513

2014

$

1,378,812
(576,273)
4,935

807,474

65,675

7,820

2013

1,142,437
(480,913)
2,022

663,546

71,532

57

$

942,018

$

880,969

$

735,135

Operating expenses were $631.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $92.8 million or 17.2% from 
the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to the inclusion of Aktiv's expenses for the full year in 2015 compared to the 
period from July 16 through December 31 in 2014, as well as an increase in outside fees and services and other operating expenses. 
Outside fees and services expenses were $65.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $9.4 million or 16.8% 
compared to outside fees and services expenses of $55.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was mainly 
attributable to an incremental increase of $13.3 million in corporate legal expenses incurred in 2015 as a result of outstanding 
litigation and regulatory matters. See Note 15 for a description of our litigation and regulatory matters. This increase was offset 
by a decrease of $12.3 million in transaction costs incurred during 2015 compared to 2014. The remaining increase is a result of 
the outside fees and services incurred by our European operations for the full year in 2015 as compared to the prior year period 
from July 16, 2014 to December 31, 2014. Other operating expenses were $68.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, 
an increase of $38.8 million or 129.3% compared to other operating expenses of $30.0 million for the year ended December 31, 
2014. The increase was primarily due to the $28.8 million in expenses incurred during 2015 relating to the Consent order, as well 
as other operating expenses incurred by our European operations for the full year in 2015 as compared to the prior year period 
from July 16, 2014 to December 31, 2014.

During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we acquired finance receivables portfolios at an approximate 
cost of $963.8 million, $1.4 billion and $656.8 million, respectively. The figures for 2014 include the acquisition-date fair value 
of the Aktiv portfolios. In any period, we acquire nonperforming loans that can vary dramatically in their age, type and ultimate 
collectability. We may pay significantly different purchase rates for purchased receivables within any period as a result of this 
quality  fluctuation.  In  addition,  market  forces  can  drive  pricing  rates  up  or  down  in  any  period,  irrespective  of  other  quality 
fluctuations. As a result, the average purchase rate paid for any given period can fluctuate dramatically based on our particular 
buying activity in that period. However, regardless of the average purchase price and for similar time frames, we intend to target 
a similar internal rate of return, after direct expenses, in pricing our portfolio acquisitions; therefore, the absolute rate paid is not 
necessarily relevant to the estimated profitability of a period's buying.

Results of Operations

The results of operations include the financial results of PRA Group and all of our subsidiaries, all of which are in the 
receivables management business. Under the guidance of the FASB ASC Topic 280 "Segment Reporting" ("ASC 280"), we have 
determined that we have several operating segments that meet the aggregation criteria of ASC 280, and therefore, we have one 
reportable segment, accounts receivables management, based on similarities among the operating units including homogeneity of 
services, service delivery methods and use of technology.

37

The following table sets forth certain operating data as a percentage of total revenues for the years indicated (amounts in 

thousands):

Revenues:

Income recognized on finance
receivables, net

Fee income

Other revenue

Total revenues

Operating expenses:

2015

2014

2013

$

865,122

91.8% $

807,474

91.7% $

663,546

90.3%

64,383

12,513

942,018

6.8

1.4

100.0

65,675

7,820

880,969

7.5

0.8

71,532

57

9.7

—

100.0

735,135

100.0

Compensation and employee services

268,345

28.5

234,531

Legal collection fees

Legal collection costs

Agency fees

Outside fees and services

Communication

Rent and occupancy

Depreciation and amortization

Other operating expenses

Impairment of goodwill

Total operating expenses

Income from operations

Other income and (expense):

Interest expense

Foreign exchange gain/(loss)

Income before income taxes

Provision for income taxes

Net income

Adjustment for net income attributable to 
noncontrolling interest

53,393

76,063

32,188

65,155

33,113

14,714

19,874

68,829

—

631,674

310,344

(60,336)

7,514

257,522

89,391

168,131

205

5.7

8.1

3.4

6.9

3.5

1.6

2.1

7.3

—

67.1

32.9

(6.4)

0.8

27.3

9.5

17.8

—

51,107

88,054

16,399

55,821

33,085

11,509

18,414

29,981

—

538,901

342,068

(35,226)

(5,829)

301,013

124,508

176,505

26.6

5.8

10.0

1.9

6.3

3.8

1.3

2.1

3.4

—

61.2

38.8

(4.0)

(0.7)

34.1

14.1

20.0

192,474

41,488

83,063

5,901

31,615

28,161

8,311

14,417

25,781

6,397

437,608

297,527

(14,466)

4

283,065

106,146

176,919

26.2

5.6

11.3

0.8

4.3

3.8

1.1

2.0

3.5

0.9

59.5

40.5

(2.0)

—

38.5

14.4

24.1

0.2

23.9%

Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.

$

167,926

17.8% $

176,505

20.0% $

175,314

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014

Revenues

—

—

1,605

Total revenues were $942.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $61.0 million or 6.9% compared 

to total revenues of $881.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Income Recognized on Finance Receivables, net

Income recognized on finance receivables, net, was $865.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 
$57.6 million or 7.1% compared to income recognized on finance receivables, net, of $807.5 million for the year ended December 31, 
2014. The increase was primarily due to an increase in cash collections on our finance receivables to $1.5 billion for the year ended 
December 31, 2015 compared to $1.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $100.0 million or 7.1%. This 
increase was largely due to the inclusion of Aktiv's cash collections for the full year in 2015 as compared to the prior year period 
from July 16, 2014 to December 31, 2014.

Our finance receivables amortization rate, including net allowance charges, was 43.8% for the year ended December 31, 

2015 compared to 41.4% for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Accretable yield represents the amount of income recognized on finance receivables the Company can expect to generate 
over the remaining life of its existing portfolios based on estimated future cash flows as of the balance sheet date. Additions 
represent the original expected accretable yield, on portfolios purchased during the period, to be earned by the Company based 
on its proprietary buying models. Net reclassifications from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield primarily result from the 

38

Company's increase in its estimate of future cash flows. Increases in future cash flows may occur as portfolios age and actual cash 
collections exceed those originally expected. If those cash flows are determined to be incremental to the portfolio's original forecast, 
future projections of cash flows are generally increased resulting in higher expected revenue and hence increases in accretable 
yield.

During  the  years  ended  December 31,  2015  and  2014,  the  Company  reclassified  $502.7  million  and  $390.3  million, 
respectively, from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield due primarily to increased cash collection forecasts related to pools 
primarily acquired from 2011-2014. When applicable, net reclassifications to nonaccretable difference from accretable yield result 
from the Company's decrease in its estimates of future cash flows and allowance charges that exceed the Company's increase in 
its estimate of future cash flows.

Income recognized on finance receivables, net, is shown net of changes in valuation allowances which are recorded for 
significant decreases in expected cash flows or a change in timing of cash flows which would otherwise require a reduction in the 
stated yield on a pool of accounts. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded net allowance charges of $29.4 million. 
On our domestic Core portfolios, we recorded net allowance charges of $23.3 million on portfolios purchased between 2010 and 
2013, offset by net allowance reversals of $1.4 million on portfolios primarily purchased between 2005 and 2008. We also recorded 
a net allowance charge of $7.5 million on our portfolios in the United Kingdom and $0.1 million on our Denmark portfolios. On 
our Insolvency portfolios, we recorded net allowance reversals of $0.2 million on our domestic portfolios. For the year ended 
December  31,  2014,  we  recorded  net  allowance  reversals  of  $4.9  million.  On  our  domestic  Core  portfolios,  we  recorded  net 
allowance reversals of $10.9 million on portfolios purchased between 2005 and 2008, offset by allowance charges of $6.0 million 
on  portfolios  primarily  purchased  in  2010  and  2011.  On  our  Insolvency  portfolios,  we  recorded  net  allowance  reversals  of 
$1.7 million on our domestic portfolios primarily purchased in 2007 and 2008, offset by net allowance charges of $1.1 million on 
Canadian portfolios purchased in 2014. We also recorded a net allowance charge of $0.5 million on our portfolios in the United 
Kingdom.

Fee Income

Fee income was $64.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $1.3 million or 2.0% compared to fee 
income of $65.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Fee income decreased primarily due to a decrease in revenues 
generated by CCB and PRA Europe. The decrease in revenue from CCB is due primarily to smaller distributions of class action 
settlements. The decline in fee income from PRA Europe is due primarily to a decline in the amount of contingent fee work provided 
to us by debt owners, which was partially offset by higher fee income generated by PLS, PGS and our operations in Brazil.

Other Revenue

Other revenue was $12.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $4.7 million or 60.3% compared to 
$7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase is due primarily to an increase in revenue generated from our 
Poland investments.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses were $631.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $92.8 million or 17.2% 
compared to total operating expenses of $538.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Total operating expenses were 
39.4% of cash receipts for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared with 37.3% for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Compensation and Employee Services

Compensation and employee service expenses were $268.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 
$33.8  million  or  14.4%  compared  to  compensation  and  employee  service  expenses  of  $234.5  million  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2014. Compensation expense increased primarily as a result of larger average staff sizes, mainly attributable to the 
acquisition of Aktiv, in addition to increases in incentive compensation and normal pay increases. Total employees decreased 2.1% 
to  3,799  as  of  December 31,  2015  from  3,880  as  of  December 31,  2014.  Compensation  and  employee  service  expenses  as  a 
percentage of cash receipts increased to 16.7% for the year ended December 31, 2015 from 16.2% of cash receipts for the year 
ended December 31, 2014.

Legal Collection Fees

Legal collection fees represent contingent fees incurred for the cash collections generated by our independent third-party 
attorney network. Legal collection fees were $53.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $2.3 million, or 
4.5%, compared to legal collection fees of $51.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Legal collection fees for the year 
ended December 31, 2015 were 3.3% of cash receipts, compared to 3.5% for the year ended December 31, 2014.

39

Legal Collection Costs

Legal collection costs consist of costs paid to courts where a lawsuit is filed and the cost of documents paid to sellers of 
nonperforming loans. Legal collection costs were $76.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $12.0 million, 
or 13.6%, compared to legal collection costs of $88.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. During 2012 and 2013, we 
expanded the number of accounts brought into the legal collection process resulting in increased legal collections costs. This 
expansion has subsided over the last several quarters which led to the decrease in the current year. Legal collection costs represent 
4.7% and 6.1% of cash receipts for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Agency Fees

Agency fees primarily represent third-party collection fees and also include costs paid to repossession agents to repossess 
vehicles. Agency fees were $32.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $16.4 million for the year ended 
and December 31, 2014, an increase of 15.8 million or 96.3%. This increase was mainly attributable to third-party collection fees 
incurred by PRA Europe due to our utilization of outsourcing in our blended operational collection model there.

Outside Fees and Services

Outside fees and services expenses were $65.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $9.4 million 
or 16.8% compared to outside fees and services expenses of $55.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase 
was mainly attributable to an incremental increase of $13.3 million in corporate legal expenses incurred in 2015 as a result of 
outstanding litigation and regulatory matters. See Note 15 for a description of our litigation and regulatory matters. This was offset 
by a decrease of $12.3 million in transaction costs incurred during 2015 compared to 2014. The remaining increase is a result of 
the outside fees and services incurred by our European operations for the full year in 2015 as compared to the prior year period 
from July 16, 2014 to December 31, 2014.

Communication

Communication expenses were $33.1 million for both the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Rent and Occupancy

Rent and occupancy expenses were $14.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $3.2 million or 
27.8% compared to rent and occupancy expenses of $11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily 
due to the rent and occupancy expense incurred by our European operations for the full year in 2015 as compared to the prior year 
period from July 16, 2014 to December 31, 2014.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense was $19.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $1.5 million 
or 8.2% compared to depreciation and amortization expenses of $18.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase 
was primarily due to the depreciation and amortization expenses incurred by our European operations for the full year in 2015 as 
compared to the prior year period from July 16, 2014 to December 31, 2014.

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses were $68.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $38.8 million or 129.3% 
compared to other operating expenses of $30.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to 
the $28.8 million in expenses incurred during 2015 relating to the Consent Order entered into with the CFPB, as well as other 
operating expenses incurred by our European operations for the full year in 2015 as compared to the prior year period from July 
16, 2014 to December 31, 2014.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $60.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $25.1 million or 71.3% compared 
to interest expense of $35.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to additional borrowings 
for the Aktiv and RCB acquisitions and the additional interest incurred on the Aktiv assumed debt and interest rate swap contracts.

Net Foreign Currency Transaction Gain/(Loss)

Net foreign currency transaction gains were $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to a net foreign 
currency transaction loss of $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. In any given period, we are exposed to foreign 
currency transactions gains or losses from transactions in currencies other than our functional currency.

40

Provision for Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $89.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $35.1 million or 28.2% compared 
to income tax expense of $124.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease was due to a decrease of 14.4% in 
income before taxes, in addition to a decrease in the effective tax rate to 34.7% for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared 
to 41.4% for the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in the effective tax rate was due primarily to having proportionately 
more income during 2015 in foreign jurisdictions with lower tax rates than the U.S. and changes in amounts and mix of taxable 
foreign currency translation gains and non-deductible foreign exchange losses, partially offset by the non-tax deductible payments 
made pursuant to the Consent Order entered into with the CFPB.

We intend for predominantly all foreign earnings to be permanently reinvested in our foreign operations. If foreign earnings 
were repatriated, we would need to accrue and pay taxes. The amount of cash on hand related to foreign operations with permanently 
reinvested earnings was $51.5 million as of December 31, 2015.

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013

Revenues

Total revenues were $881.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $145.9 million or 19.8% compared 

to total revenues of $735.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Income Recognized on Finance Receivables, net

Income recognized on finance receivables, net, was $807.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of 
$144.0  million  or  21.7%  compared  to  income  recognized  on  finance  receivables,  net,  of  $663.5  million  for  the  year  ended 
December 31,  2013.  The  increase  was  primarily  due  to  an  increase  in  cash  collections  on  our  owned  finance  receivables  to 
approximately $1.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to approximately $1.1 billion for the year ended 
December 31, 2013, an increase of $236.4 million or 20.7%. This increase was largely due to the inclusion of Aktiv's cash collections 
subsequent to the acquisition date of July 16, 2014.

Our finance receivables amortization rate, including net allowance charges, was 41.4% for the year ended December 31, 

2014 compared to 41.9% for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Accretable yield represents the amount of income recognized on finance receivables the Company can expect to generate 
over the remaining life of its existing portfolios based on estimated future cash flows as of the balance sheet date. Additions 
represent the original expected accretable yield, on portfolios purchased during the period, to be earned by the Company based 
on its proprietary buying models. Net reclassifications from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield primarily result from the 
Company's increase in its estimate of future cash flows. Increases in future cash flows may occur as portfolios age and actual cash 
collections exceed those originally expected. If those cash flows are determined to be incremental to the portfolio's original forecast, 
future projections of cash flows are generally increased resulting in higher expected revenue and hence increases in accretable 
yield.

During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company reclassified amounts from nonaccretable difference to 
accretable yield due primarily to increased cash collection forecasts relating to pools acquired from 2009-2011. When applicable, 
net reclassifications to nonaccretable difference from accretable yield result from the Company's decrease in its estimates of future 
cash flows and allowance charges that exceed the Company's increase in its estimate of future cash flows.

Income recognized on finance receivables, net, is shown net of changes in valuation allowances which are recorded for 
significant decreases in expected cash flows or a change in timing of cash flows which would otherwise require a reduction in the 
stated yield on a pool of accounts. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded net allowance reversals of $4.9 million. 
On our domestic Core portfolios, we recorded net allowance reversals of $10.9 million on portfolios purchased between 2005 and 
2008, offset by allowance charges of $6.0 million on portfolios primarily purchased in 2010 and 2011. On our Insolvency portfolios, 
we recorded net allowance reversals of $1.7 million on our domestic portfolios primarily purchased in 2007 and 2008, offset by 
net allowance charges of $1.1 million on Canadian portfolios purchased in 2014. We also recorded a net allowance charge of 
$0.5 million on our portfolios in the United Kingdom. No allowance charges or reversals were recorded during the period on the 
portfolios acquired from Aktiv. For the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded net allowance reversals of $2.0 million, which 
consisted of net allowance reversals of $8.9 million on our Core portfolios, mainly on pools purchased between 2005 and 2008, 
offset by allowance charges of $6.9 million on our Insolvency portfolios acquired mainly in 2007 and 2008.

41

Fee Income

Fee income was $65.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, a decrease of $5.8 million or 8.1% compared to fee 
income of $71.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Fee income decreased primarily due to a decrease in revenues 
generated by CCB and our contingent collection fee business in the United Kingdom. The decrease in revenue from CCB is due 
primarily to smaller distributions of class action settlements. The decline in fee income from our contingent collection fee business 
in the United Kingdom is due primarily to a decline in the amount of contingent fee work provided to us by debt owners. This was 
partially offset by higher fee income generated by PGS and the fee income generated by Aktiv during 2014.

Other Revenue

Other revenue increased to $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from less than $0.1 million for the year ended 

December 31, 2013. The 99.3% increase is primarily due to an increase in revenue earned on our investments.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses were $538.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $101.3 million or 23.1% 
compared to total operating expenses of $437.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Total operating expenses were 
37.3% of cash receipts for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared with 36.0% for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Compensation and Employee Services

Compensation and employee service expenses were $234.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of 
$42.0  million  or  21.8%  compared  to  compensation  and  employee  service  expenses  of  $192.5  million  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2013. Compensation expense increased primarily as a result of larger staff sizes, mainly attributable to the acquisition 
of Aktiv, in addition to increases in incentive compensation and normal pay increases. Total employees grew 9.5% to 3,880 as of 
December 31, 2014 from 3,543 as of December 31, 2013. Compensation and employee service expenses as a percentage of cash 
receipts increased to 16.2% for the year ended December 31, 2014 from 15.9% of cash receipts for the year ended December 31, 
2013.

Legal Collection Fees

Legal collection fees represent contingent fees incurred for the cash collections generated by our independent third-party 
attorney network. Legal collection fees were $51.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $9.6 million, or 
23.1%, compared to legal collection fees of $41.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase was the result of 
a  $10.3  million  or  5.4%,  increase  in  our  external  legal  collections,  which  increased  from  $192.4  million  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2013 to $202.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Legal collection fees for the year ended December 31, 
2014 were 3.5% of cash receipts, compared to 3.4% for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Legal Collection Costs

Legal collection costs consist of costs paid to courts where a lawsuit is filed and the cost of documents paid to sellers of 
nonperforming loans. Legal collection costs were $88.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $5.0 million, 
or 6.0%, compared to legal collection costs of $83.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase is the result of 
the expansion in the number of accounts brought into the legal collection process. These legal collection costs represent 6.1% and 
6.8% of cash receipts for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Agency Fees

Agency fees primarily represent third-party collection fees and also include costs paid to repossession agents to repossess 
vehicles. Agency fees were $16.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $5.9 million for the year ended and 
December 31, 2013, an increase of $10.5 million or 178.0%. This increase was mainly attributable to the third-party collection 
fees incurred by PRA Europe due to our utilization of outsourcing in our blended operational collection model there.

Outside Fees and Services

Outside fees and services expenses were $55.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $24.2 million 
or 76.6% compared to outside fees and services expenses of $31.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase 
was mainly attributable to the $17.2 million of transaction costs incurred during the year ended December 31, 2014 related to the 
Aktiv acquisition in addition to the outside fees and services expenses incurred by Aktiv.

42

Communication

Communication expenses were $33.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $4.9 million or 17.4% 
compared to communication expenses of $28.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was largely due to 
the inclusion of Aktiv's communication expenses as well as additional postage expenses incurred as a result of an increase in special 
collection letter campaigns and a larger customer base. The remaining increase was attributable to higher telephone expenses. 
Expenses related to customer mailings were responsible for 69.4%, or $3.4 million, of this increase, and the remaining 30.6%, or 
$1.5 million, was attributable to increases in telephone related charges.

Rent and Occupancy

Rent and occupancy expenses were $11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $3.2 million or 
38.6% compared to rent and occupancy expenses of $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was primarily 
due to the rent and occupancy expenses incurred by Aktiv as well as the additional space leased at our Norfolk headquarters during 
the second half of 2013 and the additional space leased as a result of the opening of our Texas call center in December 2013.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense was $18.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $4.0 million 
or 27.8% compared to depreciation and amortization expenses of $14.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase 
was primarily due to the depreciation and amortization expenses incurred by Aktiv, as well as capital expenditures resulting from 
the additional space leased at our Norfolk headquarters during the second half of 2013, additional space leased as a result of the 
opening of our Texas call center in December of 2013, and the relocation of our PGS Birmingham operations in March 2014.

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses were $30.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $4.2 million or 16.3% 
compared to other operating expenses of $25.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was primarily due to 
an increase in taxes, fees and licenses of $6.0 million mainly attributable to Aktiv. This was offset by a decrease of $6.1 million 
related to the reversal of accrued VAT taxes recognized upon acquisition of Aktiv. The remaining increase is the result of increases 
in repairs and maintenance of $1.0 million, travel and meals of $1.0 million, and insurance expenses which increased $1.2 million. 
None of the remaining increase was attributable to any significant identifiable items.

Impairment of Goodwill 

Impairment of goodwill was $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $0 for the year ended December 
31, 2014. During the third quarter of 2013, we evaluated the goodwill associated with our PLS reporting unit, which had experienced 
a decline in revenue and profitability, recent net losses and the loss of a significant client during the quarter. Based on this evaluation, 
we recorded a $6.4 million impairment of goodwill. This non-cash charge represented the full amount of goodwill previously 
recorded for PLS. All other intangible assets related to PLS were fully amortized as of December 31, 2013.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $35.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $20.7 million or 142.8% compared 
to interest expense of $14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was primarily due to the additional 
financing needed to facilitate the closing of the Aktiv acquisition and the additional interest incurred on the Aktiv assumed debt 
and interest rate swap contracts as well as a full year of interest on the $287.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the Company's 
3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 which was completed through a private offering on August 13, 2013. This was partially 
offset by a reduction in interest expense of $4.8 million related to the amortization of fair value adjustment on Aktiv's debt.

Net Foreign Currency Transaction Gain/(Loss)

Net foreign currency transaction losses were $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to a net foreign 
currency transaction gain of less than $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. In any given period, we are exposed to 
foreign currency transactions gains or losses from transactions in currencies other than our functional currency.

Provision for Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $124.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014,  an increase of  $18.4 million or  17.3% 
compared to income tax expense of $106.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was due to an increase of 
6.3% in income before taxes, in addition to an increase in the effective tax rate to 41.4% for the year ended December 31, 2014 
compared to 37.5% for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily attributable to the 

43

taxation of foreign exchange by operating in various international tax jurisdictions. We incurred taxable foreign currency translation 
gains that are not included in income before income taxes. Additionally, we incurred non-deductible foreign exchange losses that 
were included in income before income taxes.

We intend for predominantly all foreign earnings to be permanently reinvested in our foreign operations. If foreign earnings 
were repatriated, we would need to accrue and pay taxes. The amount of cash on hand related to foreign operations with permanently 
reinvested earnings was $23.0 million as of December 31, 2014.

Supplemental Performance Data

Finance Receivables Portfolio Performance

The following tables show certain data related to our finance receivables portfolio. These tables describe the purchase price, 
actual cash collections and future estimates of cash collections, income recognized on finance receivables (gross and net of allowance 
charges/(reversals)), principal amortization, allowance charges/(reversals), net finance receivable balances, and the ratio of total 
estimated collections to purchase price (which we refer to as purchase price multiple) as well as the original purchase price multiple. 
Certain adjustments, as noted in the footnotes to these tables, have been made to eliminate the impact of foreign currency fluctuations 
on purchase price multiples.

Further,  these  tables  disclose  our Americas  and  European  Core  portfolios  and  our Americas  and  European  Insolvency 
portfolios. The accounts represented in the Insolvency tables are those portfolios of accounts that were in an insolvency status at 
the time of purchase. This contrasts with accounts in our Core portfolios that file for bankruptcy/insolvency protection after we 
purchase them, which continue to be tracked in their corresponding Core portfolio. Core customers sometimes file for bankruptcy/
insolvency protection subsequent to our purchase of the related Core portfolio. When this occurs, we adjust our collection practices 
accordingly to comply with bankruptcy/insolvency rules and procedures; however, for accounting purposes, these accounts remain 
in the related Core portfolio. Conversely, Insolvency accounts may be dismissed voluntarily or involuntarily subsequent to our 
purchase of the related Insolvency portfolio. Dismissal occurs when the terms of the bankruptcy are not met by the petitioner. 
When this occurs, we are typically free to pursue collection outside of bankruptcy procedures; however, for accounting purposes, 
these accounts remain in the related Insolvency pool.

Purchase price multiples can vary over time due to a variety of factors including pricing competition, supply levels, age of 
the receivables purchased, and changes in our operational efficiency. For example, increased pricing competition during the 2005 
to 2008 period negatively impacted purchase price multiples of our Core portfolio compared to prior years. Conversely, during 
the 2009 to 2011 period, pricing disruptions occurred as a result of the economic downturn. This created unique and advantageous 
purchasing opportunities, particularly within the Insolvency market, relative to the prior four years.

Purchase price multiples can also vary among types of finance receivables. For example, we incur lower collection costs on 
our Insolvency portfolio compared with our Core portfolio. This allows us, in general, to pay more for an Insolvency portfolio and 
experience lower purchase price multiples, while generating similar internal rates of return, net of expenses, when compared with 
a Core portfolio.

When  competition  increases  and/or  supply  decreases,  pricing  often  becomes  negatively  impacted  relative  to  expected 

collections, and yields tend to trend lower. The opposite tends to occur when competition decreases and/or supply increases.

Within a given portfolio type, to the extent that lower purchase price multiples are the result of more competitive pricing and 
lower  yields,  this  will  generally  lead  to  higher  amortization  rates  and  lower  profitability. As  portfolio  pricing  becomes  more 
favorable on a relative basis, our profitability will tend to increase. Profitability within given Core portfolio types may also be 
impacted by the age and quality of the receivables, which impact the cost to collect those accounts.

The numbers presented in the following tables represent gross cash collections and do not reflect any costs to collect; therefore, 
they may not represent relative profitability. We continue to make enhancements to our analytical abilities, with the intent to collect 
more cash at a lower cost. To the extent we can improve our collection operations by collecting additional cash from a discrete 
quantity and quality of accounts, and/or by collecting cash at a lower cost structure, we can positively impact profitability.

Revenue recognition under ASC 310-30 is driven by estimates of total collections as well as the timing of those collections. 
We  record  new  portfolio  purchases  based  on  our  best  estimate  of  the  cash  flows  expected  at  acquisition,  which  reflects  the 
uncertainties inherent in the purchase of past due loans and the results of our underwriting process. Subsequent to the initial 
booking, as we gain collection experience and confidence with a pool of accounts, we continuously update ERC. These processes, 
along with the aforementioned operational enhancements, have tended to cause the ratio of ERC to purchase price for any given 
year of buying to gradually increase over time. As a result, our estimate of total collections has often increased as pools have aged. 

44

Thus, all factors being equal in terms of pricing, one would typically tend to see a higher collection to purchase price ratio from 
a pool of accounts that was six years from purchase than say a pool that was just two years from purchase.

Due to all the factors described above, readers should be cautious when making comparisons of purchase price multiples 

among periods and between types of receivables.

45

Purchase Period

Purchase Price (3)

Americas-Core

Net Finance 
Receivables (4)

ERC-Historical 
Period Exchange 
Rates (5)

Total Estimated 
Collections (6)

ERC-Current 
Period Exchange 
Rates (7)

Current Purchase 
Price Multiple

Original Purchase 
Price Multiple (2)

Multiples Tables
Amounts in thousands

1996 - 2004

$

254,734 $

— $

9,363 $

1,114,484 $

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013
2014 (1)
2015

Subtotal

Americas-Insolvency

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Subtotal

Total Americas
Europe-Core

2012

2013
2014 (1)
2015

Subtotal

Europe-Insolvency

2014

2015

Subtotal

Total Europe

113,865

90,039

179,836

166,507

125,179

148,285

209,871

254,807

391,801

406,687

448,817

2,790,428

7,468

29,301

17,627

78,524

108,579

156,001

209,107

181,277

251,999

228,163

149,167

65,231

1,482,444

4,272,872

20,459

20,372

798,669

425,200

1,264,700

10,880

19,659

30,539

1,295,239

4,019

4,553

12,274

13,377

5,543

14,026

31,058

71,695

176,813

240,782

396,931

971,071

—

13

34

195

1,159

—

843

14,371

46,727

81,276

82,955

63,735

291,308

1,262,379

173

2,134

528,744

385,063

916,114

6,498

17,122

23,620

939,734

12,857

12,161

42,309

35,519

51,881

78,972

146,540

230,958

506,912

639,641

802,271

2,569,384

26

167

409

1,135

2,342

10,603

17,804

33,941

76,831

121,022

106,225

78,369

448,874

3,018,258

1,004

3,767

1,525,141

634,693

2,164,605

11,924

25,241

37,165

291,680

198,804

450,948

379,839

453,507

525,544

718,186

704,913

1,050,401

988,930

919,279

7,796,515

14,616

43,983

32,440

106,480

169,448

475,136

554,047

361,022

372,050

337,824

194,146

81,764

2,742,956

10,539,471

31,197

22,308

2,009,128

680,307

2,742,940

16,606

27,247

43,853

2,201,770

2,786,793

Total PRA Group

$

5,568,111 $

2,202,113 $

5,220,028 $

13,326,264 $

9,363

12,857

12,161

42,309

35,519

51,881

78,972

146,540

230,958

506,912

629,865

801,192

2,558,529

26

167

409

1,135

2,342

10,603

17,804

33,941

76,831

121,022

106,003

78,369

448,652

3,007,181

914

3,364

1,346,448

614,037

1,964,763

10,847

24,031

34,878

1,999,641

5,006,822

438%

256%

221%

251%

228%

362%

354%

342%

277%

268%

243%

205%

196%

150%

184%

136%

156%

305%

265%

199%

148%

148%

130%

125%

152%

110%

252%

160%

153%

139%

300%

221%

225%

227%

220%

252%

247%

245%

226%

211%

204%

205%

174%

142%

139%

150%

163%

214%

184%

155%

136%

133%

124%

125%

187%

119%

208%

160%

129%

139%

(1)  The amount reflected in the Purchase Price column includes the acquisition date finance receivable portfolios in Canada and 

Europe that were acquired in connection with the Aktiv acquisition.

(2)  The Original Purchase Price multiple represents the initial full year purchase price multiple in the year of acquisition.
(3)  For our international amounts, purchase price is presented at the exchange rate at the end of the quarter in which the portfolio 
was purchased. In addition, any purchase price adjustments that occur throughout the life of the pool are presented at the 
period end exchange rate for the respective quarter of purchase.

(4)  For our international amounts, Net Finance Receivables are presented at the December 31, 2015 exchange rate.
(5)  For our international amounts, ERC-Historical Period Exchange Rates is presented at the period end exchange rate for the 

respective quarter of purchase.

(6)  For our international amounts, Total Estimated Collections is presented at the period end exchange rate for the respective 

quarter of purchase.

(7)  For our international amounts, ERC-Current Period Exchange Rates is presented at the December 31, 2015 exchange rate.

46

Purchase Period

Purchase Price (3)

Cash
Collections (2)

Americas-Core

Gross Revenue (2) Amortization (2)

Allowance (2)

Net Revenue (2)

Net Finance 
Receivables (4)

Portfolio Financial Information
Amounts in thousands

1996 - 2004

$

254,734 $

9,601 $

9,601 $

— $

— $

9,601 $

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013
2014 (1)
2015

113,865

90,039

179,836

166,507

125,179

148,285

209,871

254,807

391,801

406,687

448,817

Subtotal
Americas-Insolvency

2,790,428

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Subtotal

Total Americas
Europe-Core

2012

2013
2014 (1)
2015

Subtotal
Europe-Insolvency

2014

2015

Subtotal

Total Europe

7,468

29,301

17,627

78,524

108,579

156,001

209,107

181,277

251,999

228,163

149,167

65,231

1,482,444

4,272,872

20,459

20,372

798,669

425,200

1,264,700

10,880

19,659

30,539

4,658

4,034

14,198

13,786

24,896

38,110

73,793

97,267

194,026

253,448

116,951

844,768

24

73

205

500

1,034

5,781

43,649

76,915

80,079

81,679

50,880

3,395

344,214

1,188,982

3,175

2,347

291,980

45,760

343,262

4,297

2,954

7,251

3,214

2,441

9,775

8,194

19,002

30,382

60,778

71,944

133,467

130,541

65,342

544,681

24

35

142

212

375

5,804

32,838

47,290

22,832

28,276

14,706

1,899

154,433

699,114

2,701

992

177,351

12,883

193,927

852

598

1,450

195,377

1,444

1,593

4,423

5,592

5,894

7,728

13,015

25,323

60,559

122,907

51,609

300,087

—

38

63

288

659

(23)

10,811

29,625

57,247

53,403

36,174

1,496

189,781

489,868

474

1,355

114,629

32,877

149,335

3,445

2,356

5,801

155,136

645,004 $

165

(150)

(300)

(1,100)

—

395

4,275

15,400

3,250

—

—

21,935

—

(15)

(40)

(100)

(100)

—

60

—

—

—

—

—

(195)

21,740

—

1,712

5,917

—

7,629

—

—

—

7,629

3,049

2,591

10,075

9,294

19,002

29,987

56,503

56,544

130,217

130,541

65,342

522,746

24

50

182

312

475

5,804

32,778

47,290

22,832

28,276

14,706

1,899

154,628

677,374

2,701

(720)

171,434

12,883

186,298

852

598

1,450

187,748

29,369 $

865,122 $

—

4,019

4,553

12,274

13,377

5,543

14,026

31,058

71,695

176,813

240,782

396,931

971,071

—

13

34

195

1,159

—

843

14,371

46,727

81,276

82,955

63,735

291,308

1,262,379

173

2,134

528,744

385,063

916,114

6,498

17,122

23,620

939,734

2,202,113

Total PRA Group

$

5,568,111 $

1,539,495 $

894,491 $

1,295,239

350,513

(1)  The amount reflected in the Purchase Price column includes the acquisition date finance receivable portfolios in Canada and 

Europe that were acquired in connection with the Aktiv acquisition.

(2)  For our international amounts, amounts are presented using the average exchange rates during the current reporting period.
(3)  For our international amounts, purchase price is presented at the exchange rate at the end of the quarter in which the portfolio 
was purchased. In addition, any purchase price adjustments that occur throughout the life of the pool are presented at the 
period end exchange rate for the respective quarter of purchase.

(4)  For our international amounts, net finance receivables are presented at the December 31, 2015 exchange rate.

47

The following graph shows the purchase price of our portfolios by year since 2006.

*  Excludes the $27.9 million and $34.7 million investment in a securitized fund in Poland during the years ended December 31, 

2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

As shown in the above chart, the composition of our purchased portfolios shifted in favor of Insolvency accounts in 2009 
and 2010, then returning to equilibrium with Core in 2011 and 2012. We began buying Insolvency accounts during 2004 and slowly 
increased the volume of accounts we acquired through 2006 as we tested our models, refined our processes and validated our 
operating assumptions. After observing a high level of modeling confidence in our early purchases, we began increasing our level 
of purchases more dramatically commencing in 2007. Between 2013 and 2015, Core purchases exceeded those of Insolvency 
accounts.

Our  ability  to  profitably  purchase  and  liquidate  pools  of  Insolvency  accounts  provides  diversity  to  our  distressed  asset 
acquisition business. Although we generally buy Insolvency portfolios from many of the same consumer lenders from whom we 
acquire Core customer portfolios, the volumes and pricing characteristics as well as the competitors are different. Based upon 
market dynamics, the profitability of portfolios purchased in the Insolvency and Core markets may differ over time. We have found 
periods when Insolvency accounts were more profitable and other times when Core accounts were more profitable. A primary 
driver of portfolio profitability is determined by the amount of purchase price relative to the expected returns of the acquired 
portfolios. When pricing becomes more competitive due to reduced portfolios available for purchase or increased demand from 
competitors entering or increasing their presence in the market, prices tend to go up, driving down the purchase price multiple and 
lowering the overall expected returns. When pricing relaxes due to market dynamics, purchase price multiples tend to increase, 
thereby increasing the overall expected returns.

In order to collect our Core portfolios, we generally need to employ relatively higher amounts of labor and incur additional 
collection costs to generate each dollar of cash collections as compared with Insolvency portfolios. In order to achieve acceptable 
levels of net return on investment (after direct expenses), we are generally targeting a total cash collections to purchase price 
multiple in the 2.0-3.0x range. On the other hand, Insolvency accounts generate the majority of their cash collections through the 
efforts of bankruptcy courts and trustees. In this process, cash is remitted to our Company with no corresponding cost other than 
the cost of filing claims at the time of purchase, court fees associated with the filing of ownership claim transfers and general 
administrative costs for monitoring the progress of each account through the bankruptcy process. As a result, overall collection 
costs are much lower for us when liquidating a pool of Insolvency accounts as compared to a pool of Core accounts, but conversely 
the price we pay for Insolvency accounts is generally higher than Core accounts. We generally target similar net returns on investment 
(measured after direct expenses) for Insolvency and Core portfolios at any given point in the market cycles. However, because of 
the lower related collection costs, we can pay more for Insolvency portfolios, which causes the estimated total cash collections to 
purchase price multiples of Insolvency pools generally to be in the 1.2-2.0x range. In summary, compared to a similar investment 
in a pool of Core accounts, to the extent both pools had identical targeted net returns on investment (measured after direct expenses), 
the Insolvency pool would be expected to generate less revenue, less direct expenses, similar operating income, and a higher 
operating margin. From time to time, especially in Europe, we purchase Core portfolios which consist of a majority of paying 
previously charged-off accounts. These portfolios have some of the same financial dynamics as Insolvency accounts, with lower 
collection costs and lower purchase price multiples.

48

As a result of these purchase price and collection cost dynamics, the mix of our portfolios impacts the relative profitability 
we realize in a given year. We minimize the impact of higher pricing, to the degree possible, with increased analytics used to score 
Core accounts and determine on which of those accounts to focus our collection efforts.

We utilize a long-term approach to collecting our owned portfolios of receivables. This approach has historically caused us 
to realize significant cash collections and revenues from purchased portfolios of finance receivables years after they are originally 
acquired. As a result, we have in the past been able to temporarily reduce our level of current period acquisitions without a material 
negative current period impact on cash collections and revenue.

49

The following tables, which exclude any proceeds from cash sales of finance receivables, illustrate historical cash collections, 

by year, on our portfolios.

Purchase 
Period

Purchase 
Price (3)

1996 - 
2004

Americas-Core

Cash Collections by Year, By Year of Purchase (2)
Amounts in thousands

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Total

$ 254,734 $466,629 $167,854 $134,321 $ 94,075 $ 58,820 $ 44,275 $ 35,586 $ 31,123 $ 24,873 $

17,648 $

13,061 $

9,601 $1,097,866

— 15,191

59,645

57,927

42,731

30,048

22,351

16,769

13,052

— 17,363

43,736

34,038

25,351

19,522

16,663

11,895

— 39,412

87,039

69,175

60,230

50,996

39,585

— 47,253

72,080

62,363

53,654

42,850

— 40,703

95,627

84,339

69,385

— 47,076

113,554

109,873

9,747

8,316

28,244

31,307

51,121

82,014

6,703

5,724

19,759

21,027

35,555

55,946

4,658

4,034

14,198

13,786

24,896

38,110

73,793

97,267

278,822

186,642

408,638

344,320

401,626

446,573

571,646

473,955

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

— 61,971

174,461

152,908

108,513

— 56,901

173,589

146,198

—

—

—

—

—

—

101,614

247,849

194,026

543,489

—

—

92,660

253,448

346,108

—

116,951

116,951

Subtotal

2,790,428

466,629

183,045

211,329

235,150

269,881

281,632

342,755

429,069

542,875

656,508

752,995

844,768

5,216,636

4,554

3,777

3,956

2,777

15,500

11,934

1,455

6,845

6,522

496

3,318

4,398

164

1,382

2,972

149

466

1,526

108

250

665

27,972

25,630

22,829

16,093

7,551

9,455

2,850

— 14,024

35,894

37,974

35,690

28,956

— 16,635

81,780

102,780

107,888

90

169

419

1,206

11,650

95,725

74

102

261

714

1,884

53,945

—

—

—

—

—

—

— 39,486

104,499

125,020

121,717

101,873

—

—

—

—

—

— 15,218

66,379

82,752

—

—

—

—

— 17,388

103,610

—

—

—

—

—

—

52,528

—

—

85,816

94,141

82,596

37,045

—

24

73

205

500

1,034

5,781

43,649

76,915

80,079

81,679

50,880

3,395

14,590

43,816

32,031

105,345

167,106

464,534

536,244

327,080

295,218

216,803

87,925

3,395

Subtotal

1,482,444

743

8,331

25,064

27,016

56,818

86,371

186,587

276,421

354,205

469,866

458,451

344,214

2,294,087

Total 
Americas

4,272,872

467,372

191,376

236,393

262,166

326,699

368,003

529,342

705,490

897,080

1,126,374

1,211,446

1,188,982

7,510,723

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

5,608

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

— 11,604

—

—

—

—

—

—

8,995

7,068

—

—

5,641

8,540

3,175

2,347

29,415

17,955

153,180

291,980

445,160

—

45,760

45,760

— 11,604

16,063

167,361

343,262

538,290

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

5

—

5

4,297

2,954

7,251

4,302

2,954

7,256

— 11,604

16,063

167,366

350,513

545,546

1996 - 
2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013
2014 (1)

2015

113,865

90,039

179,836

166,507

125,179

148,285

209,871

254,807

391,801

406,687

448,817

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Americas-Insolvency

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

7,468

29,301

17,627

78,524

108,579

156,001

209,107

181,277

251,999

228,163

149,167

65,231

743

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Europe-Core

2012

2013
2014 (1)

2015

20,459

20,372

798,669

425,200

Subtotal

1,264,700

Europe-Insolvency

10,880

19,659

30,539

1,295,239

2014

2015

Subtotal

Total 
Europe

Total 
PRA 
Group

$5,568,111 $467,372 $191,376 $236,393 $ 262,166 $ 326,699 $ 368,003 $ 529,342 $ 705,490 $ 908,684 $1,142,437 $1,378,812 $1,539,495 $8,056,269

(1)  The amount reflected in the Purchase Price column includes the acquisition date finance receivable portfolios in Canada and 

Europe that were acquired in connection with the Aktiv acquisition.

(2)  For our international amounts, cash collections are presented using the average exchange rates during the cash collection 

period.

(3)  For our international amounts, purchase price is presented at the exchange rate at the end of the quarter in which the portfolio 
was purchased. In addition, any purchase price adjustments that occur throughout the life of the pool are presented at the 
period end exchange rate for the respective quarter of purchase.

50

Collections Productivity (Domestic Portfolio)

The following tables display various collections productivity measures that we track.

Cash Collections per Collector Hour Paid
Domestic Portfolio

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

$

$

$

$

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Core cash collections (1)

$

247

245

250

239

$

223

220

217

203

$

193

190

191

190

$

166

169

171

150

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Total cash collections (2)

$

350

344

343

325

$

337

354

338

310

$

304

315

310

308

$

258

275

279

245

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Non-legal cash collections (3)

$

294

288

287

273

$

282

293

280

259

$

251

261

259

256

$

216

225

230

200

Non-legal/non-insolvency cash collections (4)

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

$

191

188

194

187

$

167

158

159

151

$

140

137

140

138

$

125

120

122

105

162

154

152

137

241

243

249

228

204

205

212

194

125

116

115

103

(1)  Represents total cash collections less Insolvency cash collections from trustee-administered accounts. This metric includes 
cash collections from Insolvency accounts administered by the Core call center as well as cash collections generated by our 
internal staff of legal collectors. This calculation does not include hours paid to our internal staff of legal collectors or to 
employees processing the required notifications to trustees on Insolvency accounts.

(2)  Represents total cash collections (assigned and unassigned) divided by total hours paid (including holiday, vacation and sick 

time) to collectors (including those in training).

(3)  Represents total cash collections less external legal cash collections. This metric includes internal legal collections and all 

insolvency collections and excludes any hours associated with either of those functions.

(4)  Represents  total  cash  collections  less  external  legal  cash  collections  and  less  Insolvency  cash  collections  from  trustee-
administered  accounts. This  metric  does  not  include  any  labor  hours  associated  with  the  Insolvency  or  legal  (internal  or 
external) functions but does include internally-driven cash collections from the internal legal channel.

51

Seasonality

Cash collections in the Americas tend to be higher in the first and second quarters of the year and lower in the third and 
fourth quarters of the year; by contrast, cash collections in Europe tend to be higher in the third and fourth quarters of the year. 
Customer  payment  patterns  are  affected  by  seasonal  employment  trends,  income  tax  refunds  and  holiday  spending  habits 
geographically.

The following table displays our quarterly cash collections by geography and portfolio type, for the periods indicated.

Cash Collections by Geography and Type
Amounts in thousands

2015

2014

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

Americas-Core

$ 195,835

$ 210,725

$ 218,838

$ 219,371

$ 185,921

$ 189,027

$ 190,229

$ 187,818

Americas-Insolvency

Europe-Core

Europe-Insolvency

73,842

97,149

2,545

81,865

85,635

2,528

92,974

76,602

1,210

95,533

83,876

967

103,104

110,544

124,101

120,702

84,398

73,172

5

—

4,944

—

4,847

—

Total Cash Collections $ 369,371

$ 380,753

$ 389,624

$ 399,747

$ 373,428

$ 372,743

$ 319,274

$ 313,367

The following table provides additional details on the composition of our U.S. Core cash collections for the periods indicated.

Domestic Portfolio Core Cash Collections by Source
Amounts in thousands

2015

2014

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

$ 108,979

$ 117,560

$ 121,148

$ 122,316

$ 95,784

$ 92,814

$ 90,128

$ 92,889

42,432

47,318

49,995

49,578

46,761

49,930

55,011

50,990

38,998

41,338

42,482

42,464

38,157

41,400

45,090

43,939

$ 190,409

$ 206,216

$ 213,625

$ 214,358

$ 180,702

$ 184,144

$ 190,229

$ 187,818

Call Center and Other
Collections

External Legal
Collections

Internal Legal
Collections

Total Domestic Core
Cash Collections

Portfolio Purchasing

The following table displays our quarterly portfolio purchases for the periods indicated.

Portfolio Purchase by Geography and Type
Amounts in thousands

2015

2014

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

Americas-Core

$ 120,554

$ 90,912

$ 98,317

$ 138,498

$ 119,714

$ 118,018

$ 91,904

$ 79,085

Americas-Insolvency
Europe-Core (1)(2)
Europe-Insolvency

Total Portfolio
Purchasing

20,589

79,735

4,976

9,300

240,385

3,959

19,111

88,499

2,450

16,437

21,579

8,510

24,949

38,535

123,194

734,803

11,625

—

16,187

1,121

—

72,003

1,626

—

$ 225,854

$ 344,556

$ 208,377

$ 185,024

$ 279,482

$ 891,356

$ 109,212

$ 152,714

(1)  Excludes the $27.9 million and $34.7 million investments in a securitized fund in Poland during the three months ended 

March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

(2)  The amount reflected in Q3 of 2014 includes the nonperforming loan portfolios that were acquired as a result of the Aktiv 

acquisition.

52

Portfolio Purchases by Stratifications (Domestic Only)

The following table categorizes our life-to-date domestic portfolio purchases as of December 31, 2015 into major asset type, 

delinquency category, and geographic location.

Domestic Portfolio Purchases by Stratification, life-to-date
Amounts in thousands

Stratifications

Number of Accounts

%

Face Value (1)

%

Original Purchase
Price (2)

%

Major Asset Type

Major Credit Cards

Consumer Finance

Private Label Credit Cards

Auto Deficiency

Total

Delinquency Category

Fresh

Primary

Secondary

Tertiary

Insolvency

Other

Total

Geographic Location

California

Texas

Florida

New York

Ohio

Pennsylvania

Illinois

North Carolina

Georgia
Other (3)
Total

21,468

6,717

11,883

681

53% $

57,442,103

66% $

16

29

2

8,743,105

15,648,519

4,854,055

10

18

6

2,569,390

161,500

1,421,946

164,472

60%

4

33

3

40,749

100%

86,687,782

100%

4,317,308

100%

4,456

5,331

9,327

4,871

5,895

10,869

40,749

4,418

5,456

3,265

2,340

1,846

1,500

1,544

1,488

1,353
17,539

40,749

11%

13

23

12

14

27

100%

11%

13

8

6

5

4

4

4

3
42

100%

9,750,541

10,103,052

12,381,615

6,797,760

23,983,733

23,671,081

86,687,782

11,383,515

9,268,692

8,082,552

5,036,132

3,256,214

3,188,738

3,125,019

3,092,561

2,880,124
37,374,235

86,687,782

11%

1,171,173

27%

12

14

8

28

27

638,657

640,610

136,788

1,548,741

181,339

15

15

3

36

4

100%

4,317,308

100%

13%

11

9

6

4

4

4

4

3
42

100%

536,579

380,842

378,331

225,290

176,130

160,055

170,225

153,530

12%

9

9

5

4

4

4

4

168,398
1,967,928

4,317,308

4
45

100%

(1)  Represents the original face amount purchased from sellers and has not been reduced by any adjustments, including payments 

and buybacks.

(2)  Represents the cash paid to sellers to acquire portfolios of nonperforming loans and has not been reduced by any adjustments, 

including payments and buybacks.

(3)  Each state included in "Other" represents less than 2% of the face value of total life-to-date domestic purchases.

Investments in Securitized Assets

We hold a majority interest in a closed-end Polish investment fund. The fund was formed in December 2014 to acquire 
portfolios of nonperforming loans in Poland. Our investment consists of a 100% interest in the Series B certificates and a 20% 
interest in the Series C certificates. Each certificate comes with one vote and is governed by a co-investment agreement. Series C 
certificates, which share equally in the residual profit of the fund, are accounted for as debt securities classified as available-for-
sale and are stated at fair value. Income is recognized using the effective yield method.

53

The  total  initial  investment  by  the  Polish  investment  fund  in  finance  receivables  is  $62.6 million. The  gross  estimated 
remaining collections and gross total estimated collections, related to our proportional ownership of the fund are $108.1 million 
and $123.9 million, respectively at December 31, 2015.

Estimated Remaining Collections

The following chart shows our ERC by geographical region at December 31, 2015 (amounts in millions).

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2015, cash and cash equivalents totaled $71.4 million, compared to $39.7 million at December 31, 2014. 
At December 31, 2015, we had approximately $1.7 billion in borrowings outstanding with $446.8 million of availability under all 
of our credit facilities (subject to the borrowing base and applicable debt covenants). See the "Borrowings" section below for more 
information. Conversely, at December 31, 2014, we had approximately $1.5 billion outstanding on the revolving portion of our 
credit facility with availability of $352.9 million (subject to the borrowing base and applicable debt covenants).

Our operating activities provided cash of $186.7 million, $267.9 million, and $225.1 million for the years ended December 31, 
2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. In these periods, cash from operations was generated primarily from net income earned through 
cash collections and fee income received for the period.

Our investing activities used cash of $282.3 million, approximately $1.0 billion, and $175.6 million for the years ended 
December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Cash provided by investing activities is primarily driven by cash collections 
applied to principal on finance receivables. Cash used in investing activities is primarily driven by acquisitions of nonperforming 
loans, purchases  of property and  equipment, and  business acquisitions. The change  in net  cash used in  investing activities is 
primarily due to net cash payments for corporate acquisitions totaling $1.4 million, $851.2 million, and zero for the years ended 
December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013. The change was also due to an increase in acquisitions of finance receivables, excluding the 
acquisition date Aktiv portfolios purchased in 2014, which increased to $955.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 
compared to $682.4 million and $638.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In addition, we 
had net sales and maturities of investments of $14.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to net purchases of 
investments of $44.0 million and zero for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This increase was partially 
offset by an increase in collections applied to principal on finance receivables of $674.4 million, $571.3 million, and $478.9 million 
for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Our financing activities provided cash of $136.5 million, $648.0 million and $79.8 million for the years ended December 31, 
2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Cash for financing activities is normally provided by draws on our line of credit, proceeds 
from long-term debt and gross proceeds from convertible debt offerings. Cash used in financing activities is primarily driven by 
principal payments on our lines of credit, principal payments on long-term debt and repurchases of our common stock. The decrease 

54

in cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 
was primarily due to the additional funding required in 2014 for the Aktiv acquisition. During the year ended December 31, 2015, 
net draws on our lines of credit totaled $327.2 million and repayments on our long-term debt totaled $47.4 million. During the 
year ended December 31, 2014, net draws on our lines of credit and long-term debt totaled $409.0 million and $264.1 million, 
respectively.  During  the  year  ended  December 31,  2013,  net  repayments  on  our  lines  of  credit  and  long-term  debt  totaled 
$127.0 million and $5.5 million, respectively. The increase in cash provided by financing activities in 2014 compared to 2013 was 
primarily attributable to the additional funding required for the Aktiv acquisition mentioned above. In addition, cash flow related 
to financing activities was impacted by stock repurchases of $165.5 million, $33.2 million, and $58.5 million for the years ended 
December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Cash paid for interest was $49.8 million, $31.8 million, and $9.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 
2013, respectively. Interest was paid on our revolving credit facilities, long-term debt, convertible debt and interest rate swap 
agreements. The increase during the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to 2014 and 2013, was mainly attributable to the 
interest  paid  on  debt  assumed  and  additional  funding  required  for  the Aktiv  acquisition.  Cash  paid  for  income  taxes  was 
$86.3 million, $47.9 million, and $105.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. The increase 
in taxes paid for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, is primarily due to the 
utilization of foreign net operating losses and the full year inclusion of Aktiv cash paid for taxes. The decrease in taxes paid for 
the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the year ended December 31, 2013 is primarily due to lower taxable income in 
2014, as well as an income tax refund in 2014 due to the overpayment of prior year taxes.

We have in place forward flow commitments for the purchase of nonperforming loans over the next twelve months with a 
maximum purchase price of $541.1 million as of December 31, 2015. We may enter into new or renewed flow commitments in 
the next twelve months and close on spot transactions in addition to the aforementioned flow agreements. We believe that funds 
generated from operations and from cash collections on finance receivables, together with existing cash and available borrowings 
under our credit facility will be sufficient to finance our operations, planned capital expenditures, the aforementioned forward 
flow commitments, and additional, normal-course portfolio purchasing during the next twelve months. Business acquisitions or 
higher than normal levels of portfolio purchasing could require additional financing from other sources.

As described in Note 15, the IRS has issued Notices of Deficiency to us for the tax years ended December 31, 2005 through 
2012 related to our use of the cost recovery method of tax revenue recognition on our finance receivables. The Tax Court set this 
matter for trial, to begin on September 19, 2016.

We believe we have sufficient support for the technical merits of our position. However, if we are unsuccessful in the Tax 
Court and any potential appeals, we may ultimately be required to pay the related deferred taxes, and possibly interest and penalties. 
Deferred tax liabilities related to this item were $251.7 million at December 31, 2015. Any adverse determination on this matter 
could result in our amending state tax returns for prior years, increasing our taxable income in those states. Our estimate of the 
potential federal and state interest is $91.0 million as of December 31, 2015. Accordingly, an adverse determination on this matter 
could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity.

As described in Note 15, an unfavorable jury verdict was delivered against the Company in the Portfolio Recovery Associates, 
LLC v. Guadalupe Mejia matter. The jury awarded Guadalupe Mejia $251,000 in compensatory damages and $82,009,549 in 
punitive damages for her counter-claim against the Company, alleging malicious prosecution and impermissible collection practices. 
The Company believes the verdict and magnitude of the award to be erroneous and appealed the award. Unless overturned or 
significantly reduced, the award could result in a loss of up to the amount of the jury award, materially impacting our liquidity.

Cash generated from operations is dependent upon our ability to collect on our finance receivables. Many factors, including 
the economy and our ability to hire and retain qualified collectors and managers, are essential to our ability to generate cash flows. 
Fluctuations in these factors that cause a negative impact on our business could have a material impact on our future cash flows.

On  December 10,  2014,  the  Company's  board  of  directors  authorized  a  share  repurchase  program  to  purchase  up  to 
$100 million of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock on the open market. During the year ended December 31, 
2015, the Company purchased 1,610,082 shares of its common stock under the share repurchase program at an average price of 
$53.10 per share. This concluded purchasing under this plan.

On  October 22,  2015,  the  Company's  board  of  directors  authorized  a  new  share  repurchase  program  to  purchase  up  to 
$125 million of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock on the open market. Repurchases depend on prevailing market 
conditions and other factors. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. During 2015, we purchased 
2,072,721  shares  of  our  common  stock  under  the  new  share  repurchase  program  at  an  average  price  of  $38.60  per  share. At 
December 31,  2015,  the  maximum  remaining  purchase  price  for  share  repurchases  under  the  new  program  is  approximately 
$45.0 million.

55

Borrowings

Domestic Revolving Credit and Term Loan

On December 19, 2012, we entered into a credit facility with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and a syndicate 
of lenders named therein (such agreement as later amended or modified, the "Credit Agreement"). On August 4, 2015, we entered 
into a fifth amendment (the "Fifth Amendment") to the Credit Agreement. Among other things, the Fifth Amendment (a) added 
Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as Canadian Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement, (b) 
added our wholly-owned subsidiary, PRA Group Canada Inc., as a Borrower under the Credit Agreement, (c) removed the Financial 
Covenant with respect to Consolidated Tangible Net Worth, (d) terminated the Multi Currency Revolving B Commitments, (e) 
added $50.0 million of Canadian Revolving Commitments, (f) modified the definition of Permitted Acquisitions to increase the 
baskets included therein, (g) permits our subsidiaries organized under the laws of Brazil to borrow up to $150.0 million and to 
grant liens with respect to such borrowings, and (h) acknowledged the change of our legal name in October 2014 to PRA Group, 
Inc. On September 30, 2015, we entered into a sixth amendment to the Credit Agreement which increased the allowable amount 
of  stock  repurchases  during  the  term  of  the  agreement  to  $315  million  and  removed  the  requirement  that  we  cannot  exceed 
$100 million in share repurchases during a given year. On December 23, 2015, we fully exercised the accordion feature available 
under the Credit Agreement. The commitments of two existing Lenders under its domestic revolving credit facility were increased, 
and  an  additional  Lender  was  included.  This  execution  of  the  accordion  feature  under  the  Credit Agreement  increased  by 
$125 million the commitments under the domestic revolving credit facility, bringing the total amount available under the domestic 
revolving credit facility to an aggregate principal amount of $725 million.

The total credit facility under the Credit Agreement includes an aggregate principal amount of $945.0 million (subject to 
compliance with a borrowing base and applicable debt covenants), which consists of (i) a fully-funded $170.0 million term loan, 
(ii) a $725 million domestic revolving credit facility, of which $198.0 million is available to be drawn, and (iii) a $50 million 
Canadian revolving credit facility, of which $35.2 million is available to be drawn. The facilities all mature on December 19, 2017. 
The term and revolving loans accrue interest, at the option of the Company, at either the base rate or the Eurodollar rate (as defined 
in the Credit Agreement) for the applicable term plus 2.50% per annum in the case of the Eurodollar rate loans and 1.50% in the 
case of the base rate loans. The base rate is the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 
0.50%, (b) Bank of America's prime rate, and (c) the Eurodollar rate plus 1.00%. The Company's revolving credit facility includes 
a $20 million swingline loan sublimit and a $20 million letter of credit sublimit. The Credit Agreement is secured by a first-priority 
lien on substantially all of our assets.

Borrowings outstanding on this credit facility at December 31, 2015 consisted of $170.0 million outstanding on the term 
loan with an annual interest rate as of December 31, 2015 of 2.92% and $541.8 million outstanding in 30-day Eurodollar rate loans 
on the revolving facility with a weighted average interest rate of 2.89%. At December 31, 2014, our borrowings on this credit 
facility consisted of $185.0 million outstanding on the term loan with an annual interest rate as of December 31, 2014 of 2.67% 
and $409.0 million outstanding in 30-day Eurodollar rate loans on the revolving facility with a weighted average interest rate of 
2.68%.

Note Payable

In conjunction with the closing of the Aktiv business acquisition on July 16, 2014, we entered into a $169.9 million promissory 
note with an affiliate of the seller in the Aktiv transaction. On May 22, 2015, we amended the note to extend the maturity date to 
January 19, 2016 and allow the Company an option to extend the maturity to July 19, 2016. On December 30, 2015, we exercised 
the option to extend the maturity date to July 19, 2016. The note bears interest at the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate 
("LIBOR") plus 3.75%. The quarterly interest due can be paid or rolled into the note payable balance at our option. At December 31, 
2015 and 2014, the balance due on the note was $169.9 million with an annual interest rate of 4.36% and 4.01%, respectively.

Multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility

On October 23, 2014, we entered into a credit agreement with DNB Bank ASA for a Multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility 
(such agreement as later amended or modified, "the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement"). Subsequently, two other lenders 
joined the credit facility and on June 12, 2015, we entered into a first amendment to the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement 
which provided, among other things, an increase in the total commitments from $500 million to an aggregate of $750 million, 
subject to certain requirements, and an increase in the maximum ERC ratio from 28% to 33%, subject to the payment of additional 
associated fees. Under the terms of the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement, the credit facility includes an aggregate amount 
of $750 million, of which $192.2 million is available to be drawn, accrues interest at the Interbank Offered Rate ("IBOR") plus 
2.50-3.30% (as determined by the ERC Ratio as defined in the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement), bears an unused line 
fee of 1.05% per annum, payable monthly in arrears, and matures on October 23, 2019. The Multicurrency Revolving Credit 
Agreement also includes an Overdraft Facility aggregate amount of $40 million, of which $21.4 million is available to be drawn, 

56

accrues interest at the IBOR plus 2.50-3.00% (as determined by the ERC Ratio as defined in the Multicurrency Revolving Credit 
Agreement), bears a facility line fee of 0.125% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears, and also matures October 23, 2019.

The Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement is secured by the shares of most of our European subsidiaries and by all 

intercompany loan receivables in Europe.

At December 31, 2015, the balance on the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement was $576.4 million, with a weighted 

average annual interest rate of 3.64%.

On  February  19,  2016,  we  entered  into  a  second  amendment  to  the  Multicurrency  Revolving  Credit Agreement  which 
provided, among other things, (i) the extension of the final repayment date to February 19, 2021, (ii) an increase to the total 
commitments from $750 million to $900 million, subject to certain requirements, (iii) the ability to obtain shareholder loans of up 
to 10% of the Total Commitment (as defined in the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement) under certain circumstances, and 
(iv) an ERC ratio (as defined in Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement) ranging from and an increase in the maximum ERC 
ratio from 32.2% to 38.7% depending on the mix of portfolios owned, subject to the payment of additional associated fees.

Aktiv Subordinated Loan

On December 16, 2011, Aktiv entered into a subordinated loan agreement with Metrogas Holding Inc., an affiliate with 
Geveran Trading Co. Ltd (the "Commitment"). During the first quarter of 2015, the Company elected to prepay (as allowed for 
in the agreement) the outstanding balance on the Aktiv subordinated loan of $30.0 million and terminate the agreement. The Aktiv 
subordinated loan accrued interest at LIBOR plus 3.75%, and originally was scheduled to mature on January 16, 2016.

Convertible Senior Notes

On August 13, 2013, we completed the private offering of $287.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the Notes. The 
Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated August 13, 2013 (the "Indenture") between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National 
Association, as trustee. The Indenture contains customary terms and covenants, including certain events of default after which the 
Notes may be due and payable immediately. The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest on the Notes is 
payable semi-annually, in arrears, on February 1 and August 1 of each year, beginning on February 1, 2014.

We were in compliance with all covenants under our financing arrangements as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries

We intend to  use remaining accumulated and future undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries  to expand  operations 
outside the United States; therefore, such undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested 
outside the United States. Accordingly, no provision for federal and state income tax has been provided thereon. If management's 
intentions change and eligible undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries are repatriated, we would be subject to additional U.S. 
income taxes and withholding taxes payable to various foreign jurisdictions, where applicable. This could result in a higher effective 
tax rate in the period in which such a decision is made to repatriate accumulated or future undistributed foreign earnings. The 
amount of cash on hand related to foreign operations with permanently reinvested earnings was $51.5 million and $23.0 million 
as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Refer to the Notes of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information 
related to our income taxes and undistributed foreign earnings.

Stockholders' Equity Attributable to PRA Group, Inc.

Stockholders' equity was $800.5 million at December 31, 2015 and $902.2 million at December 31, 2014. The decrease was 
primarily attributable to net foreign currency translation losses of $112.9 million and share repurchases of $165.5 million offset 
by $167.9 million in net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc. during the year ended December 31, 2015.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2015 as defined by Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-

K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

57

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2015 were as follows (amounts in thousands):

Contractual Obligations

Operating leases
Line of credit (1)
Long-term debt (2)
Purchase commitments (3)
Employment agreements

Total

Payments due by period

Total

Less than 1 
year

1 - 3 years

3 - 5 years

More than 5 
years

$

39,171

$

10,894

$

17,286

$

7,816

$

3,175

1,235,641

732,109

542,402

21,856

38,725

208,039

450,132

8,822

602,353

171,996

65,886

13,034

594,563

352,074

26,384

—

—

—

—

—

$ 2,571,179

$

716,612

$

870,555

$

980,837

$

3,175

(1)  This amount includes estimated interest and unused line fees due on our domestic and multicurrency lines of credit and assumes 
that  the  balances  on  the  lines  of  credit  remain  constant  from  the  December 31,  2015  balances  of  $541.8  million  and 
$576.4 million, respectively.

(2)  This amount includes scheduled interest and principal payments on our term loans and our convertible debt.
(3)  This amount includes the maximum remaining amount to be purchased under forward flow contracts for the purchase of 

nonperforming loans in the amount of approximately $541.1 million.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 
Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our significant 
accounting policies are fundamental to understanding our results of operations and financial condition because they require that 
we use estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities.

Three of these policies are considered to be critical because they are important to the portrayal of our financial condition and 
results, and because they require management to make judgments and estimates that are difficult, subjective, and complex regarding 
matters that are inherently uncertain.

We base our estimates on historical experience, current trends and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable 
under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities 
that  are  not  readily  apparent  from  other  sources.  If  these  estimates  differ  significantly  from  actual  results,  the  impact  on  our 
consolidated financial statements may be material.

Management has reviewed these critical accounting policies with the Company's Audit Committee.

Revenue Recognition - Finance Receivables

We account for our investment in finance receivables under the guidance of ASC 310-30. Revenue recognition for finance 
receivables accounted for under ASC 310-30 involves the use of estimates and the exercise of judgment on the part of management. 
These estimates include projections of the quantity and timing of future cash flows and economic lives of our pools of finance 
receivables. Significant changes in such estimates could result in increased or decreased revenue or the incurrence of allowance 
charges.

We implement the accounting for income recognized on finance receivables under ASC 310-30 as follows:

We create each accounting pool using our projections of estimated cash flows and expected economic life. We then compute 
the effective yield that fully amortizes the pool over a reasonable expectation of its economic life based on the current projections 
of estimated cash flows. As actual cash flow results are recorded, we balance those results to the data contained in our proprietary 
models to ensure accuracy, then review each pool watching for trends, actual performance versus projections and curve shape (a 
graphical depiction of the timing of cash flows), regularly re-forecasting future cash flows utilizing our statistical models. The 
review process is primarily performed by our finance staff; however, our operational and statistical staff are also involved, providing 
updated  statistical  input  and  cash  projections  to  the  finance  staff.  Significant  judgment  is  used  in  evaluating  whether 
overperformance is due to an increase in projected cash flows or an acceleration of cash flows (a timing difference). If determined 
to be a significant increase in expected cash flows, we will recognize the effect of the increase prospectively first through an 
adjustment  to  any  previously  recognized  valuation  allowance  for  that  pool  and  then  through  an  increase  in  yield.  If  the 
overperformance is determined to be due to a timing difference, we will: a) adjust estimated future cash flows downward which 
effectively extends the amortization period to fall within a reasonable expectation of the pool's economic life, b) adjust future cash 
58

flow projections as noted previously coupled with an increase in yield in order for the amortization period to fall within a reasonable 
expectation of the pool's economic life, or c) take no action at all if the amortization period falls within a reasonable expectation 
of the pool's expected economic life. To the extent there is underperformance, we will record an allowance if the underperformance 
is significant and will also consider revising estimated future cash flows based on current period information, or take no action if 
the pool's amortization period is reasonable and falls within the currently projected economic life.

Valuation of Acquired Intangibles and Goodwill

In accordance with ASC Topic 350, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other" ("ASC 350"), we amortize intangible assets over their 
estimated useful lives. Goodwill, pursuant to ASC 350, is not amortized but rather is evaluated for impairment annually and more 
frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist. Goodwill is reviewed for potential impairment at the reporting unit level. A 
reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below.

Goodwill is evaluated for impairment either under the qualitative assessment option or the two-step test approach depending 
on facts and circumstances of a reporting unit, including the excess of fair value over carrying amount in the last valuation or 
changes in business environment. If the Company qualitatively determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting 
unit is greater than its carrying amount, the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. Otherwise, goodwill is evaluated for impairment 
using the two-step test, where the carrying amount of a reporting unit is compared to its fair value in Step 1; if the fair value exceeds 
the carrying amount, Step 2 is unnecessary. If the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, this could indicate 
potential impairment and Step 2 of the goodwill evaluation process is required to determine if goodwill is impaired and to measure 
the amount of impairment loss to recognize, if any. When Step 2 is necessary, the fair value of individual assets and liabilities is 
determined using valuations (which in some cases may be based in part on third-party valuation reports), or other observable 
sources of fair value, as appropriate. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the excess is recognized as 
an impairment loss.

We determine the fair value of a reporting unit by applying the approaches prescribed under the fair value measurement 
accounting framework, the income approach, the market approach, and the transaction approach. Depending on the availability 
of public data and suitable comparables, we may or may not use the market approach and the transaction approach or we may 
emphasize the results from the approaches differently. Under the income approach, we estimate the fair value of a reporting unit 
based  on  the  present  value  of  estimated  future  cash  flows  and  a  residual  terminal  value.  Cash  flow  projections  are  based  on 
management's  estimates  of  revenue  growth  rates,  operating  margins,  necessary  working  capital,  and  capital  expenditure 
requirements, taking into consideration industry and market conditions. The discount rate used is based on the weighted-average 
cost of capital adjusted for the relevant risk associated with business-specific characteristics and the uncertainty related to the 
reporting unit's ability to execute on the projected cash flows. Under the market approach, we estimate fair value based on market 
multiples  of  revenue  and  earnings  derived  from  comparable  publicly-traded  companies  with  operating  and  investment 
characteristics similar to the reporting unit. Under the transaction approach, we estimate fair value based on market multiples from 
comparable transactions where the acquisition target has similar operating and investment characteristics to the reporting unit. The 
transaction approach is less likely to be used given the lack of publicly available detailed data on transactions for comparable 
companies.

Income Taxes

We are subject to the income tax laws of the various jurisdictions in which we operate, including U.S. federal, state, local, 
and international jurisdictions. These tax laws are complex and are subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and the 
relevant government taxing authorities. When determining our domestic and foreign income tax expense, we must make judgments 
about the application of these inherently complex laws.

We follow the guidance of ASC Topic 740 "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740") as it relates to the provision for income taxes and 
uncertainty in income taxes. Accordingly, we record a tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results 
of operations. In accordance with ASC 740, the provision for income taxes is computed using the asset and liability method, under 
which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between 
the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and for operating losses and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax 
assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which 
those tax assets are expected to be realized or settled. The evaluation of a tax position in accordance with the guidance is a two-
step process. The first step is recognition: the enterprise determines whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be 
sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of 
the position. In evaluating whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the enterprise should 
presume that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant 
information. The second step is measurement: a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured 
to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of 

59

benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to 
meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in 
which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold 
should be derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. We record interest 
and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.

In the event that all or part of the deferred tax assets are determined not to be realizable in the future, a valuation allowance 
would be established and charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. If we subsequently realize deferred tax 
assets that were previously determined to be unrealizable, the respective valuation allowance would be reversed, resulting in a 
positive adjustment to earnings in the period such determination is made. The establishment or release of a valuation allowance 
does not have an impact on cash, nor does such an allowance preclude the use of loss carry-forwards or other deferred tax assets 
in future periods. The calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the 
application of complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with our expectations could have a 
material impact on our results of operations and financial position.

For domestic income tax purposes, we recognize revenue using the cost recovery method with respect to our debt purchasing 
business. We believe cost recovery to be an acceptable method for companies in the bad debt purchasing industry. Under the cost 
recovery method, collections on finance receivables are applied first to principal to reduce the finance receivables to zero before 
any income is recognized.

Our  international  expansion  requires  the  use  of  material  estimates  and  interpretations  of  complex  tax  laws  in  multiple 

jurisdictions, and increases the complexity of our accounting for income taxes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a summary of recent accounting pronouncements and the anticipated effects on our consolidated financial statements 
see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements "General and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" as included in 
this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Interest Rate Risk

We are subject to interest rate risk from outstanding borrowings on our variable rate credit facilities. As such, our consolidated 
financial results are subject to fluctuations due to changes in the market rate of interest. We assess this interest rate risk by estimating 
the increase or decrease in interest expense that would occur due to a change in short-term interest rates. The borrowings on our 
variable rate credit facilities were approximately $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2015. Assuming a 25 basis point decrease in 
interest  rates,  for  example,  interest  expense  over  the  following  twelve  months  would  decrease  by  an  estimated  $3.1  million. 
Assuming a 50 basis point increase in interest rates, interest expense over the following twelve months would increase by an 
estimated $6.2 million.

To reduce the exposure to changes in the market rate of interest, we have entered into interest rate swap agreements for a 
portion of our floating rate financing arrangements. Terms of the interest rate swap agreements require us to receive a variable 
interest rate and pay a fixed interest rate. For the majority of our floating rate financing arrangements, we have no interest rate 
swap agreements in place. The sensitivity calculations above consider the impact of our interest rate swap agreements.

The fair value of our interest rate swap agreements was a net liability of $1.6 million at December 31, 2015. A hypothetical 
25 basis point decrease in interest rates would cause a decrease in the estimated fair value of our interest rate swap agreements 
and the resulting estimated fair value would be a liability of $3.5 million at December 31, 2015. Conversely, a hypothetical 50 
basis point increase in interest rates would cause an increase in the estimated fair value of our interest rate swap agreements and 
the resulting estimated fair value would be an asset of $0.9 million at December 31, 2015.

Currency Exchange Risk

We operate internationally and enter into transactions denominated in foreign currencies, including the euro, the Great British 
pound, the Canadian dollar, Norwegian kroner, Swiss franc, Danish kroner, Swedish kroner, Polish zloty, and Brazilian real. In 
2015, we generated $219.6 million of revenues from operations outside the United States and used eight functional currencies. 
Weakness in one particular currency might be offset by strength in other currencies over time.

As a result of our international operations, fluctuations in foreign currencies could cause us to incur foreign currency exchange 
gains and losses, and could adversely affect our comprehensive income and stockholders' equity. Additionally, our reported financial 
results could change from period to period due solely to fluctuations between currencies.

60

Foreign currency exchange gains and losses are the result of the re-measurement of account balances in certain currencies 
into an entity's functional currency. Foreign currency gains and losses are included as a component of other income and (expense) 
in our consolidated income statements.

When  an  entity's  functional  currency  is  different  than  the  reporting  currency  of  its  parent,  foreign  currency  translation 
adjustments may occur. Foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a component of other comprehensive (loss)/
income in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and as a component of equity in our consolidated balance sheets.

We are taking measures to mitigate the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. We have restructured our European operations 
so that portfolio ownership and collections generally occurs within the same entity. Our European credit facility is a multi-currency 
facility, allowing us to borrow in the same currency as our entity's functional currency. We strive to maintain the distribution of 
our European borrowings within defined thresholds based on the currency composition of our finance receivables portfolios. When 
those thresholds are exceeded, we engage in foreign exchange spot transactions to mitigate our risk.

61

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

See Item 6 for quarterly consolidated financial statements for 2015 and 2014.

Index to Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Income Statements

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2 – Finance Receivables, net

3 – Investments

4 – Operating Leases

5 – Goodwill and Intangibles Assets, net
6 – Borrowings

7 – Property and Equipment, net

8 – Fair Value

9 – Share-Based Compensation

10 – Earnings Per Share

11 – Proforma Financial Information

12 – Derivatives

13 – Stockholders' Equity

14 – Income Taxes

15 – Commitments and Contingencies

16 – Retirement Plans

17 – Subsequent Event

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

69

75

76

77

78
79

83

83

85

87

88

88

89

89

91

93

93

62

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
PRA Group, Inc.:

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  PRA  Group,  Inc.  and  subsidiaries  (the "Company")  as  of 
December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated income statements, and statements of comprehensive income, changes 
in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015. These consolidated financial 
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated 
financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements 
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures 
in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by 
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable 
basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position 
of PRA Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows 
for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting 
principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), PRA 
Group, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control 
– Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), 
and our report dated February 26, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of PRA Group, Inc.'s internal control 
over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Norfolk, Virginia
February 26, 2016

63

PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2015 and 2014
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

2015

2014

Assets

$

71,372

$

Cash and cash equivalents

Investments

Finance receivables, net

Other receivables, net

Income taxes receivable

Net deferred tax asset

Property and equipment, net

Goodwill

Intangible assets, net

Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities and Equity

Liabilities:

Accounts payable

Accrued expenses

Income taxes payable

Net deferred tax liability

Interest-bearing deposits

Borrowings

Other liabilities

Total liabilities

Equity:

Preferred stock, par value $0.01, authorized shares, 2,000, issued and
outstanding shares, 0

Common stock, par value $0.01, authorized shares, 100,000, issued and
outstanding shares, 46,173 at December 31, 2015; 100,000 authorized shares,
49,577 issued and outstanding shares at December 31, 2014

Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Total stockholders' equity - PRA Group, Inc.

Noncontrolling interest

Total equity

$

$

73,799

2,202,113

30,771

1,717

13,068

45,394

495,156

23,788

39,528
2,996,706

$

4,190

$

95,380

21,236

261,498

46,991

1,723,268

4,396

2,156,959

—

462

64,622

964,270
(228,861)
800,493

39,254

839,747

39,661

89,703

2,001,790

12,959

—

6,126

48,258

527,445

10,933

41,876
2,778,751

4,446

89,361

11,020

255,587

27,704

1,482,456

5,962

1,876,536

—

496

111,659

906,010
(115,950)
902,215

—

902,215

2,778,751

Total liabilities and equity

$

2,996,706

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

64

PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Income Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

2015

2014

2013

Revenues:

Income recognized on finance receivables, net

$

865,122

$

807,474

$

Fee income

Other revenue

Total revenues

Operating expenses:

64,383

12,513

942,018

65,675

7,820

880,969

663,546

71,532

57

735,135

Compensation and employee services

268,345

234,531

192,474

Legal collection fees

Legal collection costs

Agency fees

Outside fees and services

Communication

Rent and occupancy

Depreciation and amortization

Other operating expenses

Impairment of goodwill

53,393

76,063

32,188

65,155

33,113

14,714

19,874

68,829

—

51,107

88,054

16,399

55,821

33,085

11,509

18,414

29,981

—

41,488

83,063

5,901

31,615

28,161

8,311

14,417

25,781

6,397

Total operating expenses

631,674

538,901

437,608

Income from operations

Other income and (expense):

Interest expense

Foreign exchange gain/(loss)

Income before income taxes

Provision for income taxes

Net income

Adjustment for net income attributable to 
noncontrolling interest

Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.

Net income per common share attributable to PRA Group, Inc.:

Basic

Diluted

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:

Basic

Diluted

310,344

342,068

297,527

(60,336)
7,514

257,522

89,391

168,131

(35,226)
(5,829)
301,013

124,508

176,505

205

—

167,926

$

176,505

$

3.49

3.47

$

$

3.53

3.50

$

$

48,128

48,405

49,990

50,421

(14,466)
4

283,065

106,146

176,919

1,605

175,314

3.48

3.45

50,366

50,873

$

$

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

65

PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
(Amounts in thousands)

2015

2014

2013

$

168,131

$

176,505

$

176,919

(119,043)
49,088

(119,982)
56,523

1,181

178,100

205
(6,132)
(5,927)
55,015

—

—

—

1,605

—

1,605

$

56,523

$

176,495

Net income

Other comprehensive (loss)/income:

Change in foreign currency translation

Total other comprehensive income

Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest:

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

Change in foreign currency translation

Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest

Comprehensive income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

66

 
PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
(Amounts in thousands)

Common Stock

Shares

Amount

Additional 
Paid-in 
Capital

Retained 
Earnings

Accumulated  
Other 
Comprehensive 
Income/(Loss)

Noncontrolling
Interest

Total Equity

Balance at December 31, 2012

50,727

$

507

$

150,878

$

554,191

$

2,851

$

— $

708,427

Components of comprehensive income:

Net income

Foreign currency translation 
adjustment

Vesting of nonvested shares

Repurchase and cancellation of common 
stock
Amortization of share-based 
compensation
Excess income tax benefit from share-
based compensation
Employee stock relinquished for payment 
of taxes
Component of convertible debt

Deferred taxes on component of 
convertible debt
Purchase of noncontrolling interest

Adjustment of the redeemable 
noncontrolling interest measurement 
amount

—

—

316

—

—

2

—

—

(2)

(1,203)

(11)

(58,500)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

12,272

4,552

(7,350)

31,306

(12,517)

14,986

(184)

175,314

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1,181

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

175,314

1,181

—

(58,511)

12,272

4,552

(7,350)

31,306

(12,517)

14,986

(184)

Balance at December 31, 2013

49,840

$

498

$

135,441

$

729,505

$

4,032

$

— $

869,476

Components of comprehensive income:

Net income

Foreign currency translation 
adjustment

Vesting of nonvested shares

Repurchase and cancellation of common 
stock
Amortization of share-based 
compensation
Excess income tax benefit from share-
based compensation
Employee stock relinquished for payment 
of taxes

—

—

311

—

—

4

—

—

(4)

(574)

(6)

(33,158)

—

—

—

—

—

—

14,968

5,558

(11,146)

176,505

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(119,982)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

176,505

(119,982)

—

(33,164)

14,968

5,558

(11,146)

Balance at December 31, 2014

49,577

$

496

$

111,659

$

906,010

$

(115,950) $

— $

902,215

Components of comprehensive income:

Net income

Foreign currency translation 
adjustment

Initial noncontrolling interest related to 
business acquisition
Vesting of nonvested shares

Repurchase and cancellation of common 
stock
Amortization of share-based 
compensation
Excess income tax benefit from share-
based compensation
Employee stock relinquished for payment 
of taxes

—

—

—

279

—

—

—

3

—

—

—

(3)

—

—

—

(3,683)

(37)

(55,798)

(109,666)

—

—

—

—

—

—

16,325

4,386

(11,947)

—

—

—

167,926

—

205

168,131

(112,911)

(6,132)

(119,043)

—

—

—

—

—

—

45,181

—

—

—

—

—

45,181

—

(165,501)

16,325

4,386

(11,947)

Balance at December 31, 2015

46,173

$

462

$

64,622

$

964,270

$

(228,861) $

39,254

$

839,747

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

67

PRA Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
(Amounts in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities:

2015

2014

2013

$

168,131

$

176,505

$

176,919

Amortization of share-based compensation
Depreciation and amortization
Amortization of debt discount
Amortization of debt fair value
Impairment of goodwill
Deferred tax (benefit)/expense
Net foreign currency transaction (gain)/loss
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Other assets
Other receivables, net
Accounts payable
Income taxes payable/receivable, net
Accrued expenses
Other liabilities

Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property and equipment
Acquisition of finance receivables, net of buybacks
Collections applied to principal on finance receivables
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Purchase of investments
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:

Excess income tax benefit from share-based compensation
Payment of liability-classified contingent consideration
Proceeds from lines of credit
Principal payments on lines of credit
Repurchases of common stock
Payments of line of credit origination costs and fees
Cash paid for purchase of portion of noncontrolling interest
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interest
Proceeds from long-term debt
Principal payments on long-term debt
Net increase in interest-bearing deposits
Proceeds from convertible debt, net

Net cash provided by financing activities
Effect of exchange rate on cash
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

Cash paid for interest
Cash paid for income taxes

Noncash investing and financing activities:

Adjustment of the redeemable noncontrolling interest measurement amount
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest

16,325
19,874
4,260
—
—
(8,569)
(7,514)

2,015
(18,124)
786
5,735
5,299
(1,553)
186,665

(14,454)
(954,954)
674,373
(1,423)
(48,085)
62,217
(282,326)

4,386
—
790,967
(463,733)
(165,501)
(5,000)
—
—
—
(47,374)
22,721
—
136,466
(9,094)
31,711
39,661
71,372

49,777
86,255

$

$

14,968
18,414
4,058
(4,827)
—
52,978
5,829

(1,794)
9,435
(20,265)
16,862
9,746
(14,007)
267,902

(24,385)
(682,441)
571,338
(851,183)
(69,862)
25,821
(1,030,712)

5,558
—
543,000
(134,000)
(33,164)
—
—
—
623,354
(359,281)
2,492
—
647,959
(7,492)
(122,343)
162,004
39,661

31,831
47,947

$

$

12,272
14,417
1,508
—
6,397
11,011
—

(4,783)
(1,786)
(928)
(14,814)
28,958
(4,044)
225,127

(15,875)
(638,616)
478,891
—
—
—
(175,600)

4,552
(5,240)
217,000
(344,000)
(58,511)
—
(5,663)
(2,075)
—
(5,542)
—
279,281
79,802
(12)
129,317
32,687
162,004

9,830
105,719

— $
—

— $
—

(184)
14,986

$

$

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

68

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. General and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

Nature of operations: Throughout this report, the terms "PRA Group," "our," "we," "us," the "Company," or similar terms 

refer to PRA Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

PRA Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries, is a financial and business service company operating in the 
Americas and Europe. The Company's primary business is the purchase, collection and management of portfolios of nonperforming 
loans. The Company also services receivables on behalf of clients, provides business tax revenue administration, audit, discovery 
and recovery services for state and local governments in the United States, and provides class action claims settlement recovery 
services and related payment processing to corporate clients.

Recent acquisitions: On August 3, 2015, the Company acquired 55% of the equity interest in RCB Investimentos S.A. 
("RCB"). The remaining 45% of the equity interest in RCB is owned by the executive team and previous owners of RCB. RCB 
was founded in 2007 and is a leading master servicing platform for nonperforming loans in Brazil. RCB specializes in structuring, 
investing  and  operating  receivable  and  credit-related  assets.  The  founders  of  RCB  each  entered  into  long-term  employment 
agreements with the Company and will continue to manage RCB's local business in Brazil.

The Company's investment for the 55% ownership of RCB was paid for with approximately $55.2 million in cash which 
was borrowed under the Company's existing domestic revolving credit facility. The majority of cash the Company paid to acquire 
the equity interest in RCB is expected to be used in the ordinary course of business. As part of the investment and call option 
agreements, the Company has the right to purchase the remaining 45% of RCB at certain multiples of EBITDA beginning on 
August 3, 2019 and lasting for two years. In accordance with ASC Topic 810, "Consolidation," the Company has consolidated all 
financial  statement  accounts  of  RCB  in  its  consolidated  balance  sheet  as  of  December  31,  2015  and  its  consolidated  income 
statement for the year ended December 31, 2015. The consolidated income statement for the year ended December 31, 2015 
includes the results of operations of RCB from August 3, 2015 through December 31, 2015. The noncontrolling interest amount 
is included as a separate component of equity and represents the 45% interest not controlled by the Company. In addition, net 
income attributable to the noncontrolling interest is stated separately in the consolidated income statement for the year ended 
December 31, 2015. 

On  July  16,  2014,  the  Company  completed  the  acquisition  of Aktiv  Kapital AS  ("Aktiv"),  a  Norway-based  company 
specializing in the acquisition and servicing of non-performing loans throughout Europe and in Canada, for a purchase price of 
approximately $861.3 million, and assumed approximately $433.7 million of Aktiv's corporate debt, resulting in an acquisition of 
estimated total enterprise value of $1.3 billion. The Company's consolidated income statements and statements of comprehensive 
income, equity and cash flows include the results of operations of Aktiv for the period from July 16, 2014 through December 31, 
2015.

Basis of presentation: The consolidated financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally 
accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and include the accounts of all of its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts 
and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires 
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Realized results could differ from 
those estimates and assumptions. 

Segments: Under the guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification 
("ASC") Topic 280 "Segment Reporting" ("ASC 280"), the Company has determined that it has several operating segments that 
meet the aggregation criteria of ASC 280, and, therefore, it has one reportable segment, accounts receivable management, based 
on similarities among the operating units including the nature of the products and services, the nature of the production processes, 
the types or class of customer for their products and services, the methods used to distribute their products and services and the 
nature of the regulatory environment.

Stock Split: On June 10, 2013, the Company's board of directors declared a three-for-one stock split by means of a stock 
dividend. The new shares were distributed on August 1, 2013, and the shares began trading on a split-adjusted basis beginning 
August 2, 2013. As a result of this action, approximately 33.8 million shares were issued to stockholders. The par value of the 
common  stock  remained  at  $0.01  per  share  and,  accordingly,  approximately  $0.3  million  was  retroactively  transferred  from 
additional paid-in capital to common stock for all periods presented. Earnings per share, weighted average shares outstanding and 
other share related information are presented in this Form 10-K after the effect of the stock split.

Translation of foreign currencies: The financial statements of certain of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are measured 
using their local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated as of the balance sheet date and revenue 

69

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

and expenses are translated at an average rate over the period. Unrealized gains or losses resulting from currency translation 
adjustments are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income/(loss). Realized gains and losses from foreign currency 
transactions are recorded as a component of "Foreign exchange gain/(loss)" in the consolidated income statements.

Revenues and long-lived assets by geographical location: Revenue for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 

2013, and long-lived assets held at December 31, 2015 and 2014, by geographic location (amounts in thousands) are:

2015

Years Ended December 31,
2014
Revenues

As of December 31,

2013

2015

2014

United States
Outside the United States
Total

$

$

722,393
219,625
942,018

$

$

766,262
114,707
880,969

$

$

725,649
9,486
735,135

$

$

$

Long-Lived Assets
36,075
9,319
45,394

$

37,335
10,923
48,258

Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the related operations. Long-lived assets consist of net property 
and equipment. The Company reports revenues earned from its debt purchasing and collection activities and its fee-based services. 
It is impracticable for the Company to report further breakdowns of revenues from external customers by product or service.

Cash and cash equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less 
when purchased to be cash equivalents. Included in cash and cash equivalents are funds held on the behalf of others arising from 
the collection of accounts placed with the Company. The balance of the funds held on behalf of others was $3.9 million and 
$5.5 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There is an offsetting liability that is included in "Accounts payable" 
on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Concentrations of credit risk: Financial instruments, which potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit 

risk, consist primarily of cash, investments and finance receivables.

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss): The Company records unrealized gains and losses on certain available-
for-sale investments and foreign currency translation adjustments. Unrealized gains and losses on available for sale investments 
are reclassified to earnings as the gains or losses are realized upon sale of the securities. Translation gains or losses on foreign 
currency translation adjustments are reclassified to earnings upon the substantial sale or liquidation of investments in foreign 
operations.

Investments: The Company accounts for its investments under the guidance of ASC Topic 320-10, "Investments-Debt and 
Equity Securities" ("ASC 320-10"). The Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments in debt and equity 
securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such determinations at each balance sheet date. Debt securities are classified as 
held to maturity when the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Debt securities for which 
the Company does not have the intent or ability to hold to maturity are classified as available for sale. Held-to-maturity securities 
are stated at amortized cost. Marketable securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near 
term are classified as trading securities and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recognized in earnings. Debt 
and marketable equity securities not classified as held to maturity or as trading, are classified as available for sale, and are carried 
at fair market value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, included in the determination of comprehensive income and 
reported in stockholders' equity.

Finance receivables and income recognition: The Company accounts for its investment in finance receivables under the 
guidance of ASC Topic 310-30, "Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality" ("ASC 310-30"). The 
Company  acquires  portfolios  of  accounts  that  have  experienced  deterioration  of  credit  quality  between  origination  and  the 
Company's acquisition of the accounts. The amount paid for a portfolio reflects the Company's determination that it is probable 
the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to an account's contractual terms. At acquisition, the Company 
reviews the accounts to determine whether there is evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination, and if it is probable 
that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the loan's contractual terms. If both conditions exist, the 
Company then determines whether each such account is to be accounted for individually or whether such accounts will be assembled 
into pools based on common risk characteristics. The Company considers expected prepayments and estimates the amount and 
timing of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows (expected at acquisition) for each acquired portfolio based 
on the Company's proprietary models, and the Company subsequently aggregates portfolios of accounts into pools. The Company 
determines the excess of the pool's scheduled contractual principal and contractual interest payments over all cash flows expected 
at acquisition as an amount that should not be accreted (nonaccretable difference). The remaining amount, representing the excess 
of the pool's cash flows expected to be collected over the amount paid, is accreted into income recognized on finance receivables 
over the remaining estimated life of the pool (accretable yield). ASC 310-30 requires that the excess of the contractual cash flows 

70

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

over expected cash flows, based on the Company's estimates derived from proprietary collection models, not be recognized as an 
adjustment of revenue or expense or on the balance sheet.

Each static pool is recorded at cost and is accounted for as a single unit for the recognition of income, payments applied to 
principal and loss provision. Once a static pool is established for a calendar quarter, individual receivable accounts are not added 
to the pool (unless replaced by the seller) or removed from the pool (unless sold or returned to the seller). ASC 310-30, utilizing 
the interest method, initially freezes the yield, estimated when the accounts are purchased, as the basis for subsequent impairment 
testing. The yield is estimated and periodically recalculated based on the timing and amount of anticipated cash flows using our 
proprietary  collection  models.  Income  on  finance  receivables  is  accrued  quarterly  based  on  each  static  pool's  effective  yield. 
Significant increases in expected future cash flows may be recognized prospectively, through an upward adjustment of the yield, 
over a pool's remaining life. Any increase to the yield then becomes the new benchmark for impairment testing. Under ASC 310-30, 
rather than lowering the estimated yield if the collection estimates are not received or projected to be received, the carrying value 
of a pool would be written down to maintain the then current yield and is shown as a reduction in revenue in the consolidated 
income statements with a corresponding valuation allowance offsetting finance receivables, net, on the consolidated balance sheets. 
Cash flows greater than the interest accrual will reduce the carrying value of the static pool. This reduction in carrying value is 
defined as payments applied to principal (also referred to as principal amortization). Likewise, cash flows that are less than the 
interest accrual will accrete the carrying balance. Generally, the Company does not record accretion in the first six to twelve months 
of the estimated life of the pool; accordingly, the Company utilizes either the cost recovery method or cash method when necessary 
to prevent accretion as permitted by ASC 310-30. Under the cash method, revenue is recognized as it would be under the interest 
method up to the amount of cash collections. Under the cost recovery method, no revenue is recognized until the Company has 
fully collected the cost of the pool, or until such time that the Company considers the collections to be probable and estimable and 
begin to recognize income based on the interest method as described above. The Company also uses the cost recovery method 
when collections on a particular pool of accounts cannot be reasonably estimated.

A pool can become fully amortized (zero carrying balance on the balance sheet) while still generating cash collections. In 

this case, all subsequent cash collections are recognized as revenue when received. 

The Company records a valuation allowance when significant decreases in expected cash flows are identified or there are 
changes in the timing of expected cash flows that would otherwise require a reduction in the stated yield on a pool of accounts. 
In any given period, the Company may be required to record valuation allowances due to pools of receivables underperforming 
previous expectations. Factors that may contribute to the recording of valuation allowances include both external and internal 
factors. External factors that may have an impact on the collectability, and subsequently on the overall profitability of purchased 
pools of nonperforming loans, would include: new laws or regulations relating to collections, new interpretations of existing laws 
or  regulations,  and  the  overall  condition  of  the  economy.  Internal  factors  that  may  have  an  impact  on  the  collectability,  and 
subsequently the overall profitability of purchased pools of nonperforming loans, would include: necessary revisions to initial and 
post-acquisition scoring and modeling estimates, non-optimal operational activities (which relate to the collection and movement 
of accounts on both the collection floor of the Company and external channels), and decreases in productivity related to turnover 
and tenure of the Company's collection staff. 

The Company capitalizes certain fees paid to third parties related to the direct acquisition of a portfolio of accounts. These 
fees are added to the acquisition cost of the portfolio and accordingly are amortized over the life of the portfolio using the interest 
method.

The agreements to purchase the aforementioned receivables include general representations and warranties from the sellers 
covering account holder death or bankruptcy and accounts settled or disputed prior to sale. The representation and warranty period 
permitting the return of these accounts from the Company to the seller is typically 90 to 180 days. Any funds received from the 
seller of finance receivables as a return of purchase price are referred to as buybacks. Buyback funds are applied against the finance 
receivable balance received and are not included in the Company's cash collections from operations. In some cases, the seller will 
replace the returned accounts with new accounts in lieu of returning the purchase price. In that case, the old account is removed 
from the pool and the new account is added.

Fee 

income  recognition:  The  Company  utilizes 

the  provisions  of  ASC  Topic  605-45,  "Principal  Agent 
Considerations" ("ASC 605-45"), to account for fee income revenue from certain of its fee-for-service subsidiaries. ASC 605-45 
requires an analysis to be completed to determine if certain revenues should be reported gross or reported net of their related 
operating expense. This analysis includes an assessment of who retains credit risk, controls vendor selection, establishes pricing 
and remains the primary obligor on the transaction. Each of these factors was considered to determine the correct method of 
recognizing revenue from these fee-based subsidiaries.

71

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Property and equipment: Property and equipment, including improvements that significantly add to the productive capacity 
or extend useful life, are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repairs are expensed currently. Property and equipment are depreciated 
over their useful lives using the straight-line method of depreciation. Software and computer equipment are amortized or depreciated 
over three to five years. Furniture and fixtures are depreciated over five to ten years. Equipment is depreciated over five to seven 
years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the useful life, which ranges from three to ten years, or the 
remaining term of the lease. Building improvements are depreciated straight-line over ten to thirty-nine years. When property is 
sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet and any gain or loss is included 
in the income statement.

Business combinations: The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method. The cost of an 
acquired company is assigned to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and the liabilities assumed on the basis of their fair 
values at the date of acquisition. The determination of fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management 
to make estimates and use valuation techniques when market values are not readily available. Any excess of purchase price over 
the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired is allocated to goodwill. Transaction costs associated with business 
combinations are expensed as incurred.

Goodwill  and  intangible  assets:  Goodwill,  in  accordance  with  ASC  Topic  350,  "Intangibles-Goodwill  and 
Other" ("ASC 350"), is not amortized but rather is reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if indicators of potential 
impairment exist. The Company performs its annual assessment on October 1. The Company may first assess qualitative factors 
to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including 
goodwill. If management concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying 
amount, management conducts a two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. The first step of the impairment test involves 
comparing the fair value of the applicable reporting unit with its carrying value. The Company estimates the fair values of its 
reporting  units  using  a  combination  of  the  income,  or  discounted  cash  flows  approach,  the  market  approach,  which  utilizes 
comparable companies' data, and the transaction approach, which uses market multiples from comparable transactions where the 
acquisition target has similar operating and investment characteristics to the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of a reporting 
unit exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, management performs the second step of the goodwill impairment test. The second 
step of the goodwill impairment test involves comparing the implied fair value of the affected reporting unit's goodwill with the 
carrying value of that goodwill. The amount, by which the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, if any, is 
recognized as an impairment loss. See Note 5 for additional information.

Convertible  senior  notes:  The  Company  accounts  for  its  convertible  senior  notes  (the  "Notes")  in  accordance  with 
ASC 470-20, "Debt with Conversion and Other Options." ASC 470-20 requires that, for convertible debt instruments that must 
be settled fully or partially in cash upon conversion, issuers must separately account for the liability and equity components in a 
manner that will reflect the entity's nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. 
The excess of the principal amount of the liability component over its carrying amount is amortized to interest cost over the expected 
life  of  a  similar  liability  that  does  not  have  an  associated  equity  component,  using  the  effective  interest  method. The  equity 
component is not remeasured as long as it continues to meet the conditions for equity classification under ASC 815-40, "Derivatives 
and Hedging - Contracts in Entity's Own Equity." Transaction costs incurred with third parties are allocated to the liability and 
equity components in proportion to the allocation of proceeds and accounted for as debt issuance costs and equity issuance costs, 
respectively.

For diluted earnings per share purposes, based upon the Company's intent and ability to settle conversions of the Notes 
through a combination of cash and shares, only the conversion spread is included in the diluted earnings per share calculation, if 
dilutive. Under such method, the settlement of the conversion spread has a dilutive effect when the average share price of the 
Company's common stock during any quarter exceeds $65.72.

Income taxes: The Company follows the guidance of ASC Topic 740 "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740") as it relates to the 
provision for income taxes and uncertainty in income taxes. Accordingly, the Company records a tax provision for the anticipated 
tax consequences of the reported results of operations. The provision for income taxes is estimated using the asset and liability 
method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary 
differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and for operating losses and tax credit carry-
forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in 
effect for the years in which those tax assets are expected to be realized or settled. 

The evaluation of a tax position in accordance with the guidance is a two-step process. The first step is recognition: the 
enterprise determines whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution 
of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position 
has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the enterprise should presume that the position will be examined by the 

72

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information. The second step is measurement: a tax 
position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in 
the financial statements. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being 
realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold 
should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax 
positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be derecognized in the first subsequent financial 
reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax 
benefits as a component of income tax expense.

In the event that all or part of the deferred tax assets are determined not to be realizable in the future, a valuation allowance 
would be established and charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. If the Company subsequently realizes 
deferred tax assets that were previously determined to be unrealizable, the respective valuation allowance would be reversed, 
resulting in a positive adjustment to earnings.

The estimate of income tax expense involves significant judgment in evaluating the impact of uncertainties in the application 
of complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with our expectations could have a material impact 
on our results of operations and financial position.

For domestic income tax purposes, the Company recognizes revenue using the cost recovery method with respect to the 
Company's debt purchasing business. The Company believes cost recovery to be an acceptable method for companies in the bad 
debt purchasing industry. Under the cost recovery method, collections on finance receivables are applied first to principal to reduce 
the finance receivables to zero before any income is recognized.

Advertising costs: Advertising costs are expensed when incurred.

Operating leases: General abatements or prepaid leasing costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the 
lease. Future minimum lease payments (including the impact of rent escalations) are expensed on a straight-line basis over the life 
of the lease. Material leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the remaining life of the lease.

Share-based compensation: The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with the provisions of 
ASC Topic 718 "Compensation-Stock Compensation" ("ASC 718"). ASC 718 requires that compensation expense associated with 
share equity awards be recognized in the income statement. Based on historical experience, the Company estimates a forfeiture 
rate for most equity share grants. Time-based equity share awards generally vest between three and five years from the grant date 
and are expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Equity share awards that contain a performance metric, are 
expensed  over  the  requisite  service  period,  generally  three  years,  in  accordance  with  the  performance  level  achieved  at  each 
reporting period. See Note 9 for additional information.

Use  of  estimates: The  preparation  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  U.S.  generally  accepted 
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and 
liabilities and 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. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant estimates have been made by management with respect to the timing and amount of future cash collections of 
the Company's finance receivables portfolios and the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed related to the acquisition 
of Aktiv. Actual results could differ from these estimates making it reasonably possible that a change in these estimates could occur 
within one year.

Commitments and contingencies: We are subject to various claims and contingencies related to lawsuits, certain taxes, 
and commitments under contractual and other obligations. We recognize liabilities for contingencies and commitments when a 
loss is probable and estimable. We expense related legal costs as incurred. For additional information, see Note 15.

Estimated  fair  value  of  financial  instruments:  The  Company  applies  the  provision  of ASC  Topic  820  "Fair  Value 
Measurements and Disclosures" ("ASC 820"). ASC 820 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. ASC 820 also requires 
the consideration of differing levels of inputs in the determination of fair values. Disclosure of the estimated fair values of financial 
instruments often requires the use of estimates. See Note 8 for additional information.

Reclassification of prior year presentation: Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the 

current year presentation.

73

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Recent accounting pronouncements: In April 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-08, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and 
Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity" ("ASU 2014-08") that amends the requirements for reporting discontinued 
operations. ASU 2014-08 requires the disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity to be reported 
in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the entity's operations and 
financial results. ASU 2014-08 also requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations and disclosures about the disposal 
of a significant component of an entity that does not qualify as a discontinued operation. ASU 2014-08 is effective prospectively 
for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2014-08 in 
the first quarter of 2015 which had no material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASU 2014-09") that updates the 
principles for recognizing revenue. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the 
transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be 
entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also amends the required disclosures of the nature, amount, timing 
and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years, and 
interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and can be adopted either retrospectively to each prior 
reporting period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption, with early application not permitted. 
The Company is evaluating its implementation approach and the potential impacts of the new standard on its existing revenue 
recognition policies and procedures.

In June 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-12, "Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide 
That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period" ("ASU 2014-12"). ASU 2014-12 requires that 
a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance 
condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. ASU 2014-12 
is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of the 
new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

In  February  2015,  FASB  issued  ASU 2015-02,  "Consolidation  (Topic 810),  Amendments  to  the  Consolidation 
Analysis" ("ASU 2015-02"). The amendments under the new guidance modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and 
similar legal entities are variable interest entities ("VIEs") or voting interest entities and eliminate the presumption that a general 
partner should consolidate a limited partnership. ASU 2015-02 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for 
interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in 
an interim period. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively. The adoption of the new guidance is not 
expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-03, "Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt 
Issuance Costs" ("ASU 2015-03"). ASU 2015-03 requires an entity to present debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt 
liability in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. 
The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this update. For public 
business entities, this update is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and 
interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity should apply the new guidance on a retrospective basis. The Company has debt 
issuance costs which will be reclassified upon adoption of the guidance, which is not expected to have a material impact on the 
Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-05, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): 
Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement" ("ASU 2015-05"). ASU 2015-05 provides explicit 
guidance to help companies evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement. The new 
guidance clarifies that if a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the license 
consistent with its accounting for other software licenses. If the arrangement does not include a software license, the customer 
should account for the arrangement as a service contract. For public business entities, this update is effective for financial statements 
issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity can elect to 
adopt the new guidance either prospectively for all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date, or 
on a retrospective basis. The adoption of the new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for 
Measurement-Period Adjustments" ("ASU 2015-16") which eliminates the requirement for an acquirer to retrospectively adjust 
the financial statements for measurement-period adjustments that occur in periods after a business combination is consummated. 
ASU 2015-16 is effective for public business entities for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, 
beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of the new guidance is not expected to have a 

74

material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred 
Taxes" ("ASU 2015-17"), which requires entities with a classified balance sheet to present all deferred tax assets and liabilities as 
noncurrent. ASU 2015-17 is effective for public business entities for interim and annual periods in fiscal years beginning after 
December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of the new guidance will not have an impact on the Company's 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company does not expect that any other recently issued accounting pronouncements will have a material effect on its 

Consolidated Financial Statements.

2. Finance Receivables, net:

Changes in finance receivables, net, for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows (amounts in thousands):

Balance at beginning of year
Acquisitions of finance receivables (1)
Foreign currency translation adjustment

Cash collections
Income recognized on finance receivables, net

Cash collections applied to principal

Balance at end of year

2015

2014

$

2,001,790

$

954,954
(80,258)
(1,539,495)
865,122
(674,373)
2,202,113

$

$

1,239,191

1,427,436
(93,499)
(1,378,812)
807,474
(571,338)
2,001,790

(1)  Acquisitions of finance receivables are net of buybacks and include certain capitalized acquisition related costs. It also includes 
the  acquisition  date  finance  receivable  portfolio  that  was  acquired  in  connection  with  the Aktiv  acquisition  in  2014  of 
$727.7 million.

At the time of acquisition, the life of each pool is estimated based on projected amounts and timing of future cash collections 

using the proprietary models of the Company.

Based upon current projections, cash collections applied to principal are estimated to be as follows for the following years 

ending December 31, (amounts in thousands):

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Thereafter

$

582,464

490,594

385,772

314,620

211,479

142,869
66,748

7,567

Total estimated cash collections applied to principal

$

2,202,113

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had aggregate net finance receivables balances in pools accounted for under 

the cost recovery method of $21.0 million and $17.1 million, respectively.

Accretable yield represents the amount of income recognized on finance receivables the Company can expect to generate 
over the remaining life of its existing portfolios based on estimated future cash flows as of the balance sheet date. Additions 
represent the original expected accretable yield, on portfolios purchased during the period, to be earned by the Company based 
on its proprietary buying models. Net reclassifications from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield primarily result from the 
Company's increase in its estimate of future cash flows. When applicable, net reclassifications to nonaccretable difference from 
accretable yield result from the Company's decrease in its estimates of future cash flows and allowance charges that exceed the 
Company's increase in its estimate of future cash flows.

75

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Changes in accretable yield for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (amounts in thousands):

Balance at beginning of year

Income recognized on finance receivables, net
Additions (1)
Reclassifications from nonaccretable difference

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Balance at end of year

2015

2014

2,513,185
(865,122)
756,628

502,665
(180,152)
2,727,204

$

$

1,430,067
(807,474)
1,609,340

390,255
(109,003)
2,513,185

$

$

(1)  Additions for 2014 include the acquisition date accretable yield that was acquired in connection with the Aktiv acquisition of 

approximately $1.0 billion.

The following is a summary of activity within the Company's valuation allowance account, all of which relates to loans 

acquired with deteriorated credit quality, for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):

Beginning balance

Allowance charges
Reversal of previous recorded allowance charges

Net allowance charges/(reversals)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Ending balance

3. Investments:

2015

2014

2013

86,166

$

91,101

$

31,974
(2,605)
29,369
(674)
114,861

8,010
(12,945)
(4,935)
—

$

86,166

$

93,123

9,666
(11,688)
(2,022)
—

91,101

$

$

Investments consist of the following at December 31, 2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands):

Trading

Short-term investments

Available-for-sale

Securitized assets

Government bonds and fixed income funds

Held-to-maturity

Securitized assets

Other investments

Private equity funds

Total investments

Trading

2015

2014

— $

37,405

4,649

3,405

50,247

15,498

73,799

$

3,721

—

31,017

17,560

89,703

$

$

Short-term investments: The Company's investments in money market mutual funds are stated at fair value. Fair value is 

estimated using the net asset value of the investment. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded in earnings.

Available-for-Sale

Investments in securitized assets: The Company holds a majority interest in a closed-end Polish investment fund. The fund 
was formed in December 2014 to acquire portfolios of nonperforming consumer loans in Poland. The Company's investment 
consists of a 100% interest of the Series B certificates and a 20% interest of the Series C certificates. Each certificate comes with 
one vote and is governed by a co-investment agreement. Series C certificates, which share equally in the residual profit of the 
fund, are accounted for as debt securities classified as available-for-sale and are stated at fair value. Income is recognized using 
the effective yield method. There was no revenue recorded in 2015 or 2014 from this investment.

76

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Government bonds and fixed income funds: The Company's investments in government bonds and fixed income are 
classified as available-for-sale and are stated at fair value. Fair value is estimated using the net asset value of the investment. 
Unrealized gains and losses are included in comprehensive income and reported in equity.

Held-to-Maturity

Investments in securitized assets: The Company holds Series B certificates in a closed-end Polish investment fund. The 
certificates, which provide a preferred return based on the expected net income of the portfolios, are accounted for as a beneficial 
interest in securitized financial assets and stated at amortized cost. The Company has determined it has the ability and intent to 
hold these certificates until maturity, which occurs when the fund terminates or liquidates its assets. The preferred return is not a 
guaranteed  return.  Income 
in  Securitized  Financial 
Assets" ("ASC 325-40"). Income is recognized using the effective yield method. The Company adjusts the yield for changes in 
estimated cash flows prospectively through earnings. If the fair value of the investment falls below its carrying amount and the 
decline  is  deemed  to  be  other  than  temporary,  the  investment  is  written  down,  with  a  corresponding  charge  to  earnings. The 
underlying  securities  have  both  known  principal  repayment  terms  as  well  as  unknown  principal  repayments  due  to  potential 
borrower pre-payments. Accordingly, it is difficult to accurately predict the final maturity date of these investments.

is  recognized  under  ASC  Topic 325-40,  "Beneficial  Interests 

Other Investments

Investments  in  private  equity  funds:  Investments  in  private  equity  funds  represent  limited  partnerships  in  which  the 
Company has less than a 3% interest and are carried at cost. Distributions received from the partnerships are included in other 
revenue. Distributions received in excess of the Company's proportionate share of accumulated earnings are applied as a reduction 
of the cost of the investment. Distributions received from investments carried at cost were $7.8 million and $7.1 million for 2015 
and 2014, respectively.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for sale and held-to-maturity investments at December 31, 2015 

and 2014 were as follows (amounts in thousands):

Available-for-sale

Securitized assets

Government bonds and fixed income funds

Held-to-maturity

Securitized assets

Available-for-sale

Securitized assets

Held-to-maturity

Securitized assets

4. Operating Leases:

Amortized Cost

Gross Unrealized 
Gains

Gross Unrealized 
Losses

Aggregate Fair 
Value

December 31, 2015

$

5,855

$

3,405

— $

—

50,247

5,366

1,206

$

—

—

4,649

3,405

55,613

Amortized Cost

Gross Unrealized 
Gains

Gross Unrealized 
Losses

Aggregate Fair 
Value

December 31, 2014

$

3,721

$

— $

— $

3,721

31,017

—

—

31,017

The Company leases office space and equipment under operating leases. Rental expense was $11.3 million, $8.7 million 

and $6.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

77

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Future minimum lease payments for operating leases at December 31, 2015, are as follows for the years ending December 31, 

(amounts in thousands):

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Thereafter

Total future minimum lease payments

5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net:

$

$

10,894

9,351

7,935

4,924

2,892

3,175

39,171

In connection with the Company's previous business acquisitions, the Company acquired certain tangible and intangible 
assets. Intangible assets resulting from these acquisitions include client and customer relationships, non-compete agreements, 
trademarks and technology. Pursuant to ASC 350, the Company performs an annual review of goodwill on October 1 or more 
frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The Company performed an annual review of goodwill as of October 1, 2015, and 
concluded that no goodwill impairment was necessary.

During 2013, the Company evaluated the goodwill associated with one of its reporting units, which had experienced a revenue 
and profitability decline, recent net losses, and the loss of a significant client. The Company estimated the fair value of the reporting 
unit using the present value of future cash flows and earnings and concluded that the carrying value of goodwill exceeded the 
implied fair value. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $6.4 million impairment of goodwill in the third quarter of 2013. This 
charge represents the full amount of goodwill recorded for the reporting unit.

Goodwill recognized from the acquisitions of RCB, $38.5 million, in 2015 and Aktiv and Pamplona Capital Management, 
LLP, $512.0 million, in 2014 represents, among other things, a significant dataset, portfolio modeling, an established workforce, 
and the future economic benefits arising from expected synergies and expanded geographical diversity. The acquired goodwill is 
not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes.

The  following  table  represents  the  changes  in  goodwill  for  the  years  ended  December 31,  2015  and  2014  (amounts  in 

thousands):

Balance at beginning of period:

Goodwill

Accumulated impairment loss

Changes:
Acquisitions

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Net change in goodwill

Balance at end of period:

Goodwill

Accumulated impairment loss

2015

2014

$

$

$

533,842
(6,397)
527,445

38,489
(70,778)
(32,289)

501,553
(6,397)
495,156

$

110,240
(6,397)
103,843

512,049
(88,447)
423,602

533,842
(6,397)
527,445

78

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Intangible assets, excluding goodwill, consist of the following at December 31, 2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands):

Client and customer relationships

Non-compete agreements

Trademarks

Technology

Total

2015

2014

Gross
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

Gross
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

47,674

$

28,064

$

35,252

$

25,132

858

4,367

1,211

119

2,038

101

627

3,432

—

572

2,674

—

54,110

$

30,322

$

39,311

$

28,378

$

$

The Company amortizes the intangible assets over the estimated useful lives. Total amortization expense for the years ended 
December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $3.7 million, $4.8 million and $4.7 million, respectively. The Company reviews these 
intangible assets for possible impairment 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 and thereby necessitate further evaluation of these intangible assets.

The future amortization of these intangible assets is estimated to be as follows as of December 31, 2015 for the following 

years ending December 31, (amounts in thousands):

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Thereafter
Total

6. Borrowings:

$

$

4,692
3,826
3,275
2,798
2,293
6,904
23,788

The Company's borrowings consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (amounts in thousands): 

Domestic revolving credit

Term loan

Note payable

Multicurrency revolving credit

Subordinated loan

Convertible senior notes

Less: Debt discount

Total

Domestic Revolving Credit and Term Loan

December 31,
2015

December 31,
2014

$

541,799

$

170,000

169,938

576,433

—

287,500
(22,402)
1,723,268

$

$

409,000

185,000

169,938

427,680

30,000

287,500
(26,662)
1,482,456

On December 19, 2012, the Company entered into a credit facility with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and 
a syndicate of lenders named therein (such agreement as later amended or modified, the "Credit Agreement"). On August 4, 2015, 
the Company entered into a fifth amendment to the Credit Agreement (the "Fifth Amendment"). Among other things, the Fifth 
Amendment (a) added Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as Canadian Administrative Agent under the 
Credit Agreement, (b) added the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, PRA Group Canada Inc., as a Borrower under the Credit 
Agreement, (c) removed the Financial Covenant with respect to Consolidated Tangible Net Worth, (d) terminated the Multi Currency 
Revolving B Commitments, (e) added $50.0 million of Canadian Revolving Commitments, (f) modified the definition of Permitted 
Acquisitions to increase the baskets included therein, (g) permits Company subsidiaries organized under the laws of Brazil to 
borrow up to $150.0 million and to grant liens with respect to such borrowings, and (h) acknowledged the change of the Company's 
legal name in October 2014 to PRA Group, Inc. On September 30, 2015, the Company entered into a sixth amendment which 
increased the allowable amount of stock repurchases during the term of the agreement to $315 million and removed the requirement 
that the Company cannot exceed $100 million in share repurchases during a given year. On December 23, 2015, the Company 

79

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

fully exercised the $125 million accordion feature available under the Credit Agreement. The commitments of two existing Lenders 
under its domestic revolving credit facility were increased, and an additional Lender was included. This execution of the accordion 
feature under the Credit Agreement increased by $125 million the commitments under the domestic revolving credit facility, 
bringing the total amount available under the domestic revolving credit facility to an aggregate principal amount of $725 million.

The total credit facility under the Credit Agreement includes an aggregate principal amount of $945.0 million (subject to 
compliance with a borrowing base and applicable debt covenants), which consists of (i) a fully-funded $170.0 million term loan, 
(ii) a $725 million domestic revolving credit facility, of which $198.0 million is available to be drawn, and (iii) a $50 million 
Canadian revolving credit facility, of which $35.2 million is available to be drawn. The facilities all mature on December 19, 2017. 
The term and revolving loans accrue interest, at the option of the Company, at either the base rate or the Eurodollar rate (as defined 
in the Credit Agreement) for the applicable term plus 2.50% per annum in the case of the Eurodollar rate loans and 1.50% in the 
case of the base rate loans. The base rate is the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 
0.50%, (b) Bank of America's prime rate, or (c) the Eurodollar rate plus 1.00%. The Company's revolving credit facility includes 
a $20 million swingline loan sublimit and a $20 million letter of credit sublimit.

The Credit Agreement is secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the Company's domestic assets. The Credit 

Agreement, as amended and modified, contains restrictive covenants and events of default including the following:

• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 

• 

borrowings may not exceed 33% of the ERC of all eligible asset pools plus 75% of eligible accounts receivable;
the consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) cannot exceed 2.0 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal 
quarter;
capital expenditures during any fiscal year cannot exceed $40 million;
cash dividends and distributions during any fiscal year cannot exceed $20 million;
stock repurchases during the term of the agreement cannot exceed $315 million;
permitted acquisitions (as defined in the Credit Agreement) during any fiscal year cannot exceed $250 million;
indebtedness in the form of senior, unsecured convertible notes or other unsecured financings cannot exceed $500 million 
in the aggregate (without respect to the Company's 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020);
the Company must maintain positive consolidated income from operations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) during 
any fiscal quarter; and
restrictions on changes in control.

The revolving credit facility also bears an unused line fee of 0.375% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears.

The Company's borrowings on this credit facility at December 31, 2015 consisted of $170.0 million outstanding on the term 
loan with an annual interest rate as of December 31, 2015 of 2.92% and $541.8 million outstanding in 30-day Eurodollar rate loans 
on the revolving facility with a weighted average interest rate of 2.89%. At December 31, 2014, the Company's borrowings on 
this credit facility consisted of $185.0 million outstanding on the term loan with an annual interest rate as of December 31, 2014 
of 2.67% and $409.0 million outstanding in 30-day Eurodollar rate loans on the revolving facility with a weighted average interest 
rate of 2.68%.

Note Payable

In conjunction with the closing of the Aktiv business acquisition on July 16, 2014, the Company entered into a $169.9 million 
promissory note with an affiliate of the seller in the Aktiv acquisition. On December 30, 2015, the Company exercised its option 
to extend the maturity date to July 19, 2016. The note bears interest at the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") 
plus 3.75%. The quarterly interest due can be paid or rolled into the note payable balance at the Company's option. At December 31, 
2015 and 2014, the balance due on the note was $169.9 million with an annual interest rate of 4.36% and 4.01%, respectively.

Multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility

On October 23, 2014, the Company entered into a credit agreement with DNB Bank ASA for a Multicurrency Revolving 
Credit Facility (such agreement as later amended or modified, "the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement"). Subsequently, 
two other lenders joined the credit facility and on June 12, 2015, the Company entered into a first amendment to the Multicurrency 
Revolving Credit Agreement which provided, among other things, an increase in the total commitments from $500 million to an 
aggregate of $750 million, subject to certain requirements, and an increase in the maximum ERC ratio from 28.0% to 33.0%, 
subject to the payment of additional associated fees. Under the terms of the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement, the credit 
facility includes an aggregate amount of $750 million, of which $192.2 million is available to be drawn, accrues interest at the 
Interbank Offered Rate ("IBOR") plus 2.50-3.30% (as determined by the ERC Ratio as defined in the Multicurrency Revolving 
Credit Agreement), bears an unused line fee of 1.05% per annum, payable monthly in arrears, and matures on October 23, 2019. 
The Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement also includes an Overdraft Facility aggregate amount of $40 million, of which 

80

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

$21.4 million is available to be drawn, accrues interest at the IBOR plus 2.50-3.00% (as determined by the ERC Ratio as defined 
in the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement), bears a facility line fee of 0.125% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears, 
and also matures October 23, 2019.

The Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement is secured by the shares of most of the Company's European subsidiaries 
and by all intercompany loan receivables in Europe. The Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement contains restrictive covenants 
and events of default including the following:

• 
• 

• 
• 

the ERC Ratio (as defined in the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement) may not exceed 33%;
the GIBD Ratio (as defined in the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement) cannot exceed 3.0 to 1.0 as of the end of 
any fiscal quarter;
interest bearing deposits in AK Nordic AB cannot exceed SEK 500,000,000; 
cash collections must exceed 95% of Europe's ERC for the same set of portfolios, measured monthly on a quarterly basis.

At December 31, 2015, the balance on the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement was $576.4 million, with a weighted 
average annual interest rate of 3.64%. At December 31, 2014, the balance on the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement was 
$427.7 million, with a weighted average annual interest rate of 4.25%.

Aktiv Subordinated Loan

On December 16, 2011, Aktiv entered into a subordinated loan agreement with Metrogas Holding Inc., an affiliate with 
Geveran Trading Co. Ltd (the "Commitment"). During the first quarter of 2015, the Company elected to prepay (as allowed for 
in the agreement) the outstanding balance on the Aktiv subordinated loan of $30.0 million and terminate the agreement. The Aktiv 
subordinated loan accrued interest at LIBOR plus 3.75%, and originally was scheduled to mature on January 16, 2016.

Convertible Senior Notes

On August 13, 2013, the Company completed the private offering of $287.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the 
Company's  3.00%  Convertible  Senior  Notes  due  2020  (the  "Notes"). The  Notes  were  issued  pursuant  to  an  Indenture,  dated 
August 13, 2013 (the "Indenture") between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. The Indenture 
contains  customary  terms  and  covenants,  including  certain  events  of  default  after  which  the  Notes  may  be  due  and  payable 
immediately. The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually, in arrears, 
on February 1 and August 1 of each year, beginning on February 1, 2014. Prior to February 1, 2020, the Notes will be convertible 
only upon the occurrence of specified events. On or after February 1, 2020, the Notes will be convertible at any time. Upon 
conversion, the Notes may be settled, at the Company's option, in cash, shares of the Company's common stock, or any combination 
thereof. Holders of the Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or some of their Notes at 100% of their 
principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the Indenture). 
In addition, upon the occurrence of a make-whole fundamental change (as defined in the Indenture), the Company may, under 
certain circumstances, be required to increase the conversion rate for the Notes converted in connection with such a make-whole 
fundamental change. The conversion rate for the Notes is initially 15.2172 shares per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which is 
equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $65.72 per share of the Company's common stock, and is subject to 
adjustment in certain circumstances pursuant to the Indenture. The Company does not have the right to redeem the Notes prior to 
maturity. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, none of the conditions allowing holders of the Notes to convert their Notes had 
occurred.

As  noted  above,  upon  conversion,  holders  of  the  Notes  will  receive  cash,  shares  of  the  Company's  common  stock  or  a 
combination of cash and shares of the Company's common stock, at the Company's election. However, the Company's current 
intent is to settle conversions through combination settlement (i.e., the Notes will be converted into cash up to the aggregate 
principal amount, and shares of the Company's common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company's common 
stock, at the Company's election, for the remainder). As a result and in accordance with authoritative guidance related to derivatives 
and hedging and earnings per share, only the conversion spread is included in the diluted earnings per share calculation, if dilutive. 
Under such method, the settlement of the conversion spread has a dilutive effect when the average share price of the Company's 
common stock during any quarter exceeds $65.72.

The net proceeds from the sale of the Notes were approximately $279.3 million, after deducting the initial purchasers' discounts 
and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company used $174.0 million of the net 
proceeds from this offering to repay the outstanding balance on its revolving credit facility and used $50.0 million to repurchase 
shares of its common stock.

81

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company determined that the fair value of the Notes at the date of issuance was approximately $255.3 million, and 
designated  the  residual  value  of  approximately  $32.2  million  as  the  equity  component. Additionally,  the  Company  allocated 
approximately $7.3 million of the $8.2 million original Notes issuance cost as debt issuance cost and the remaining $0.9 million 
as equity issuance cost.

ASC 470-20, "Debt with Conversion and Other Options" ("ASC 470-20"), requires that, for convertible debt instruments 
that may be settled fully or partially in cash upon conversion, issuers must separately account for the liability and equity components 
in a manner that will reflect the entity's nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. 
Additionally, debt issuance costs are required to be allocated in proportion to the allocation of the liability and equity components 
and accounted for as debt issuance costs and equity issuance costs, respectively.

The balances of the liability and equity components of all of the Notes outstanding were as follows as of the dates indicated 

(amounts in thousands):

Liability component - principal amount
Unamortized debt discount
Liability component - net carrying amount
Equity component

December 31,
2015

December 31,
2014

$

$
$

287,500
(22,402)
265,098
31,306

$

$
$

287,500
(26,662)
260,838
31,306

The debt discount is amortized into interest expense over the remaining life of the Notes using the effective interest rate, 

which is 4.92%. 

Interest expense related to the Notes was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands):

Interest expense - stated coupon rate

Interest expense - amortization of debt discount

Total interest expense - convertible senior notes

2015

2014

2013

$

$

8,625

4,260

12,885

$

$

8,625

4,058

12,683

$

$

3,306

1,508

4,814

The Company was in compliance with all covenants under its financing arrangements as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.

The  following  principal  payments  are  due  on  the  Company's  borrowings  at  December 31,  2015  for  the  years  ending 

December 31, (amounts in thousands):

2016

2017

2018

2019
2020

Thereafter

Total

$

189,938

691,799

—

576,433
287,500

—

$

1,745,670

82

7. Property and Equipment, net:

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Property and equipment, at cost, consist of the following as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands):

2015

2014

Software

Computer equipment

Furniture and fixtures

Equipment

Leasehold improvements

Building and improvements

Land

$

62,198

$

21,109

11,888

12,874

15,112

7,235

1,296
(86,318)
45,394

$

53,076

20,488

11,502

12,880

14,429

7,049

1,269
(72,435)
48,258

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

Property and equipment, net

$

Depreciation and amortization expense relating to property and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 

and 2013 was $16.2 million, $13.6 million and $9.7 million, respectively.

The Company, in accordance with the guidance of ASC Topic 350-40 "Internal-Use Software" ("ASC 350-40"), capitalizes 
qualifying computer software costs incurred during the application development stage and amortizes them over their estimated 
useful life on a straight-line basis beginning when the project is completed. Costs associated with preliminary project stage activities, 
training, maintenance and all other post implementation stage activities are expensed as incurred. The Company's policy provides 
for the capitalization of certain direct payroll costs for employees who are directly associated with internal use computer software 
projects, as well as external direct costs of services associated with developing or obtaining internal use software. Capitalizable 
personnel costs are limited to the time directly spent on such projects. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company has 
incurred and capitalized $15.0 million and $12.9 million, respectively, of these direct payroll costs related to software developed 
for internal use. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, $0.1 million and $1.0 million of these costs are for projects that are in the 
development stage and therefore are a component of "Other assets." Once the projects are completed, the costs will be transferred 
to Software and amortized over their estimated useful life of three to seven years. Amortization expense relating to this internally 
developed software for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $2.2 million, $1.9 million and $1.5 million, 
respectively. Remaining unamortized costs relating to this internally developed software as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 
were $6.6 million, $5.9 million and $4.4 million, respectively.

8. Fair Value:

As defined by ASC Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" ("ASC 820"), fair value is 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. ASC 820 also requires the consideration of differing levels of inputs in the determination of fair values.

Those levels of input are summarized as follows:

•  Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. 

•  Level 2: Observable inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices, such as 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 for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

•  Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity. Level 3 assets and liabilities include 
financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar 
techniques as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment 
or estimation. 

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which a fair value measurement in its entirety falls is based on the lowest level 

input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

83

Financial Instruments Not Required To Be Carried at Fair Value

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

In accordance with the disclosure requirements of ASC Topic 825, "Financial Instruments" ("ASC 825"), the table below 
summarizes fair value estimates for the Company's financial instruments that are not required to be carried at fair value. The total 
of the fair value calculations presented does not represent, and should not be construed to represent, the underlying value of the 
Company. The carrying amounts in the table are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 
2014 (amounts in thousands):

Financial assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

Held-to-maturity investments

Other investments

Finance receivables, net

Financial liabilities:

Interest-bearing deposits

Revolving lines of credit

Term loans

Notes and loans payable

Convertible senior notes

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

Carrying
Amount

Estimated
Fair Value

Carrying
Amount

Estimated
Fair Value

$

71,372

$

71,372

$

39,661

$

50,247

15,498

55,613

16,803

31,017

17,560

39,661

31,017

19,776

2,202,113

2,704,432

2,001,790

2,460,787

46,991

1,118,232

170,000

169,938

265,098

46,991

1,118,232

170,000

169,938

241,126

27,704

836,680

185,000

199,938

260,838

27,704

836,680

185,000

199,938

324,757

Disclosure of the estimated fair values of financial instruments often requires the use of estimates. The Company uses the 

following methods and assumptions to estimate the fair value of financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount approximates fair value and quoted prices for identical assets can be 

found in active markets. Accordingly, the Company estimates the fair value of cash and cash equivalents using Level 1 inputs.

Held-to-maturity  investments:  Fair  value of  the  Company's  investment  in  Series  B  certificates of  a  closed-end  Polish 
investment fund is estimated using proprietary pricing models that the Company utilizes to make portfolio purchase decisions. 
Accordingly,  the  Company  estimates  the  fair  value  of  its  held-to-maturity  investments  using  Level  3  inputs  as  there  is  little 
observable market data available and management is required to use significant judgment in its estimates.

Other investments: This class of investments consists of private equity funds that invest primarily in loans and securities 
including single-family residential debt; corporate debt products; and financially-oriented, real-estate-rich and other operating 
companies in the Americas, Western Europe, and Japan. These investments are subject to certain restrictions regarding transfers 
and withdrawals. The investments can never be redeemed with the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this class is that 
distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the fund. The fair value of the Company's interest is 
valued by the fund managers; accordingly, the Company estimates the fair value of these investments using Level 3 inputs. The 
investments are expected to be returned through distributions as a result of liquidations of the funds' underlying assets over 1 to 
4 years.

Finance receivables, net: The Company computed the estimated fair value of these receivables using proprietary pricing 
models that the Company utilizes to make portfolio purchase decisions. Accordingly, the Company's fair value estimates use Level 
3 inputs as there is little observable market data available and management is required to use significant judgment in its estimates.

Interest-bearing deposits: The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the deposits and 
the observable quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for its fair 
value estimates.

Revolving lines of credit: The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the interest rate 
periods and the observable quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs 
for its fair value estimates.

84

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Term loans: The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the interest rate periods and the 
observable quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for its fair value 
estimates.

Notes and loans payable: The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the loan terms and 
the observable quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for its fair 
value estimates.

Convertible senior notes: The notes are carried at historical cost, adjusted for the debt discount. The fair value estimates 
for these notes incorporates quoted market prices which were obtained from secondary market broker quotes which were derived 
from a variety of inputs including client orders, information from their pricing vendors, modeling software, and actual trading 
prices when they occur. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for its fair value estimates.

Financial Instruments Required To Be Carried At Fair Value

The carrying amounts in the following table are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the accompanying consolidated 

balance sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands):

Assets:

Available-for-sale investments

$

3,405

$

— $

4,649

$

8,054

Liabilities:

Interest rate swap contracts (recorded in accrued expenses) $

— $

1,601

$

— $

1,601

Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2015

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Assets:

Trading investments

Available-for-sale investments

Liabilities:

Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

$

37,405

$

—

— $

—

— $

3,721

37,405

3,721

Interest rate swap contracts (recorded in accrued expenses) $

— $

3,387

$

— $

3,387

Trading investments: Fair value of the Company's investments in money market mutual funds is reported using the closing 

price of the fund's net asset value in an active market. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 1 inputs.

Available-for-sale investments: Fair value of the Company's investment in Series C certificates of a closed-end Polish 
investment fund is estimated using proprietary pricing models that the Company utilizes to make portfolio purchase decisions. 
Accordingly, the Company estimates the fair value of these available-for-sale investments using Level 3 inputs as there is little 
observable market data available and management is required to use significant judgment in its estimates. At December 31, 2015, 
unrealized losses in other comprehensive income were $1.2 million. There were no unrealized gains or losses in other comprehensive 
income in 2014.

Fair value of the Company's investment in government bonds and fixed income funds is estimated using quoted market 

prices. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 1 inputs.

Interest rate swap contracts: The interest rate swap contracts are carried at fair value which is determined by using industry 
standard valuation models. These models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-
based observable inputs, including interest rate curves and other factors. Accordingly, the Company uses Level 2 inputs for its fair 
value estimates.

9. Share-Based Compensation:

The Company has an Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "Plan") to assist the Company in attracting and retaining selected individuals 
to serve as employees and directors, who are expected to contribute to the Company's success and to achieve long-term objectives 
that will benefit stockholders of the Company. The Plan enables the Company to award shares of the Company's common stock 
to select employees and directors, as described in the Plan, not to exceed 5,400,000 shares as authorized by the Plan.

85

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Total share-based compensation expense was $16.3 million, $15.0 million and $12.3 million for the years ended December 31, 
2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of share-based compensation expense 
(windfall tax benefits) recognized under the provisions of ASC 718 are credited to additional paid-in capital. Realized tax shortfalls, 
if any, are first offset against the cumulative balance of windfall tax benefits, if any, and then charged directly to income tax expense. 
The total tax benefit realized from share-based compensation was approximately $8.9 million, $10.8 million and $8.2 million for 
the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Nonvested Shares

As of December 31, 2015, total future compensation costs related to nonvested awards of nonvested shares (not including 
nonvested shares granted under the Long-Term Incentive Program ("LTI") is estimated to be $8.8 million with a weighted average 
remaining life for all nonvested shares of 1.5 years. Grants made to key employees and directors of the Company were assumed 
to have no forfeiture rates associated with them due to the historically low turnover among this group. With the exception of the 
awards made pursuant to the LTI program and a few employee and director grants the nonvested shares vest ratably generally over 
three to five years and are expensed over their vesting period.

The following summarizes all nonvested share transactions, excluding those related to the LTI program, from December 31, 

2012 through December 31, 2015 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

December 31, 2012

Granted

Vested

Canceled

December 31, 2013

Granted

Vested

Canceled

December 31, 2014

Granted

Vested

Canceled

December 31, 2015

Nonvested Shares
Outstanding

Weighted-Average
Price at Grant Date

288

$

110
(143)
(29)
226

272
(155)
(4)
339

100
(151)
(4)
284

$

20.84

37.31

19.75

20.57

29.58

56.69

37.34

50.41

47.34

53.29

42.15

47.49

52.20

The total grant date fair value of shares vested, excluding those granted under the LTI program, during the years ended 

December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, was $6.4 million, $5.8 million and $2.8 million, respectively.

Long-Term Incentive Program

Pursuant to the Plan, the Compensation Committee may grant time-vested and performance based nonvested shares. All 

shares granted under the LTI program were granted to key employees of the Company.

86

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table summarizes all LTI share transactions from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2015 (amounts 

in thousands, except per share amounts):

Nonvested LTI Shares
Outstanding

Weighted-Average
Price at Grant Date

December 31, 2012

Granted at target level

Adjustments for actual performance

Vested

Canceled

December 31, 2013

Granted at target level

Adjustments for actual performance

Vested

December 31, 2014

Granted at target level

Adjustments for actual performance
Vested

Canceled

December 31, 2015

497

124

108
(279)
(16)
434

111

222
(279)
488

132

122
(252)
(7)
483

$

$

21.71

34.59

17.91

19.10

25.01

25.79

49.60

22.32

24.21

30.52

52.47

34.59
20.21

40.05

42.80

The  total  grant  date  fair  value  of  LTI  shares  vested  during  the  years  ended  December 31,  2015,  2014  and  2013,  was 

$5.1 million, $6.8 million and $5.3 million, respectively.

At December 31, 2015, total future compensation costs, assuming the current estimated performance levels are achieved, 
related to nonvested share awards granted under the LTI program are estimated to be approximately $8.8 million. The Company 
assumed a 7.5% forfeiture rate for these grants and the remaining shares have a weighted average life of 0.9 years at December 31, 
2015.

10. Earnings per Share:

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") are computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders of PRA Group, 
Inc. by weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS are computed using the same components as basic EPS with 
the denominator adjusted for the dilutive effect of the Notes and nonvested share awards, if dilutive. For the Notes, only the 
conversion spread is included in the diluted earnings per share calculation, if dilutive. Under such method, the settlement of the 
conversion spread has a dilutive effect when the average share price of the Company's common stock during any quarter exceeds 
$65.72, which did not occur during the period from which the Notes were issued on August 13, 2013 through December 31, 2015. 
Share-based awards that are contingent upon the attainment of performance goals are not included in the computation of diluted 
EPS until the performance goals have been attained. The dilutive effect of nonvested shares is computed using the treasury stock 
method, which assumes any proceeds that could be obtained upon the vesting of nonvested shares would be used to purchase 
common shares at the average market price for the period. The assumed proceeds include the windfall tax benefit that would be 
received upon assumed exercise.

The following table provides a reconciliation between the computation of basic EPS and diluted EPS for the years ended 

December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

Net income
attributable
to PRA
Group, Inc.

2015

Weighted 
Average
Common
Shares

Net income
attributable
to PRA
Group, Inc.

EPS

2014

Weighted 
Average
Common
Shares

Net income
attributable
to PRA
Group, Inc.

EPS

2013

Weighted 
Average
Common
Shares

EPS

Basic EPS

$ 167,926

48,128

$

3.49

$ 176,505

49,990

$

3.53

$ 175,314

50,366

$

3.48

Dilutive effect of 
nonvested share awards

277

(0.02)

431

Diluted EPS

$ 167,926

48,405

$

3.47

$ 176,505

50,421

$

(0.03)
3.50

507

$ 175,314

50,873

$

(0.03)
3.45

87

 
PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

There were no antidilutive options outstanding as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

11. Proforma Financial Information:

Aktiv Results

The Company's results for the year ended December 31, 2014 include the operations of Aktiv from the acquisition date of 

July 16, 2014 through December 31, 2014.

The table below presents the estimated impact of the Aktiv acquisition on our revenue and income from continuing operations, 
net of tax for the year ended December 31, 2014. The table also includes condensed pro forma information on our combined results 
of operations as they may have appeared assuming the Aktiv acquisition had been completed on January 1, 2013. These amounts 
include certain corporate expenses, transaction costs or merger related expenses that resulted from the acquisition and are therefore 
not representative of the actual results of the operations of these businesses on a stand-alone basis.

Included in the combined pro forma results are adjustments to reflect the impact of certain purchase accounting adjustments, 
including adjustments to Income recognized on finance receivables, net; Outside fees and services; Depreciation and amortization; 
and Interest expense.

The pro forma condensed combined financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and does not indicate 
the actual combined financial results had the closing of the Aktiv acquisition been completed on January 1, 2013 nor does it reflect 
the benefits obtained through the integration of business operations realized since acquisition. Furthermore, the information is not 
indicative of the results of operations in future periods. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does 
not reflect the impact of possible business model changes nor does it consider any potential impacts of market conditions, expense 
efficiencies or other factors.

(amounts in thousands)

Revenues

Net income attributable to PRA Group, Inc.

12. Derivatives:

Aktiv Impact

From July 16, 2014
through December 31,
2014

Combined Pro Forma Results
(Unaudited)

Year Ended December 31,

2014

2013

$

102,098

$ 1,020,234

$

970,148

22,537

219,947

320,470

The Company's activities are subject to various financial risks including market risk, currency and interest rate risk, credit 
risk, liquidity risk and cash flow risk. The Company's overall financial risk management program focuses on the unpredictability 
of financial markets and seeks to minimize potential adverse effects on the Company's financial performance. The Company may 
periodically enter into derivative financial instruments, typically interest rate swap agreements, to reduce its exposure to fluctuations 
in interest rates on variable-rate debt and their impact on earnings and cash flows. The Company does not utilize derivative financial 
instruments with a level of complexity or with a risk greater than the exposure to be managed nor does it enter into or hold derivatives 
for trading or speculative purposes. The Company periodically reviews the creditworthiness of the swap counterparty to assess 
the counterparty's ability to honor its obligation. Counterparty default would expose the Company to fluctuations in variable interest 
rates. Based on the guidance of ASC Topic 815 "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"), the Company records derivative financial 
instruments at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets.

The financing of portfolio investments is generally drawn in the same currencies as the underlying expected future cash flow 
from the portfolios. The interest rate risk related to the loans is reduced through the use of a combination of interest rate swaps in 
EUR, GBP, SEK, PLN and NOK. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, approximately 42% and 54%, respectively, of the net borrowings 
of PRA Europe was hedged, reducing the related interest rate risk.

The Company's financial derivative instruments are not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815 and therefore the 
gain or loss on such hedge and the change in fair value of the derivative is recorded in "interest income/(expense)" in the Company's 
consolidated financial statements. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded $4.9 million and 
$1.8 million, respectively, in interest expense related to its interest rate swaps in its consolidated income statements. There were 
no derivatives outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2013.

88

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table sets forth the fair value amounts of the derivative instruments held by the Company as December 31, 

2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands):

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under
ASC 815

Asset
Derivatives

Liability
Derivatives

Asset
Derivatives

Liability
Derivatives

Interest rate swap contracts

$

— $

1,602

$

— $

3,387

2015

2014

Liabilities for derivatives are recorded in accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

13. Stockholders' Equity:

On December 10, 2014, the Company's board of directors authorized a share repurchase program to purchase up to $100.0 
million of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock on the open market. During the year ended December 31, 2015, 
the Company purchased 1,610,182 shares of its common stock under the plan at an average price of $53.10 per share, which 
represented the remaining shares allowed under the plan.

On  October 22,  2015,  the  Company's  board  of  directors  authorized  a  new  share  repurchase  program  to  purchase  up  to 
$125.0 million of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock on the open market. During the year ended December 31, 
2015, the Company purchased 2,072,721 shares of its common stock under the new plan at an average price of $38.60 per share. 
At December 31, 2015, the maximum remaining purchase price for share repurchases under the plan is approximately $45.0 million.

14. Income Taxes:

The Company follows the guidance of ASC 740 as it relates to the provision for income taxes and uncertainty in income 
taxes. The guidance  prescribes a  recognition threshold and  measurement attribute for  the financial statement recognition  and 
measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.

The income tax expense/(benefit) recognized for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is comprised of the 

following (amounts in thousands):

For the year ended December 31, 2015:

Current tax expense

Deferred tax expense/(benefit)

Total income tax expense

For the year ended December 31, 2014:

Current tax expense

Deferred tax expense

Total income tax expense

For the year ended December 31, 2013:

Current tax expense

Deferred tax expense/(benefit)

Total income tax expense/(benefit)

Federal

State

Foreign

Total

$

$

$

$

$

$

62,869

2,887

65,756

57,336

30,319

87,655

82,163

13,321

95,484

$

$

$

$

$

$

9,399
(600)
8,799

8,823

4,717

13,540

12,163
(550)
11,613

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

25,692
(10,856)
14,836

5,342

17,971

23,313

833
(1,784)

97,960
(8,569)
89,391

71,501

53,007

124,508

95,159

10,987

(951) $

106,146

89

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

A reconciliation of the Company's expected tax expense at the statutory federal tax rate to actual tax expense for the years 

ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

Expected tax expense at statutory federal rates

State tax expense, net of federal tax benefit

Foreign taxable translation
Foreign rate difference

Penalties

Acquisition expenses

Other

Total income tax expense

2015

2014

2013

$

90,133

$

105,355

$

5,719
(708)
(8,787)
2,819

234
(19)
89,391

$

8,565

8,199

90

—

2,169

130

$

124,508

$

99,073

7,548

—

820

—

—
(1,295)
106,146

The Company has recognized a net deferred tax liability of $248.4 million and $249.5 million as of December 31, 2015 and 

2014, respectively. The components of the net deferred tax liability are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Deferred tax assets:

Employee compensation
Net operating loss carryforward
Other
Accrued liabilities
Interest

Total deferred tax asset

Deferred tax liabilities:

Depreciation expense
Intangible assets and goodwill
Convertible debt
Other
Finance receivable revenue recognition - international
Finance receivable revenue recognition - domestic

Total deferred tax liability

Valuation allowance
Net deferred tax liability

2015

2014

$

$

13,845
39,080
3,843
8,429
10,664
75,861

5,276
7,039
8,653
4,204
2,063
251,733
278,968
45,323
248,430

$

$

9,304
33,026
5,447
3,334
7,876
58,987

5,998
1,434
10,332
7,843
11,677
240,998
278,282
30,166
249,461

A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is recognized and charged to earnings in the period such determination is made, 
if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized. If the Company subsequently realized 
deferred tax assets that were previously determined to be unrealizable, the respective valuation allowance would be reversed, 
resulting in a positive adjustment to earnings in the period such determination is made. The determination for a valuation allowance 
is made on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the valuation allowance relating to tax losses and 
interest limitations in Norway and Luxembourg is $45.3 million and $30.2 million, respectively. The Company believes it is more 
likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the net deferred tax assets.

For tax purposes, the Company utilizes the cost recovery method of accounting. Under the cost recovery method, collections 
on finance receivables are applied first to principal to reduce the finance receivables to zero before taxable income is recognized. 
The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") examined the Company's 2005 through 2012 tax returns and has asserted that tax revenue 
recognition using the cost recovery method does not clearly reflect taxable income. The Company believes it has sufficient support 
for the technical merits of its position, and believes cost recovery to be an acceptable tax revenue recognition method for companies 
in the bad debt purchasing industry. The Company has received Notices of Deficiency for tax years ended December 31, 2005 
through 2012. The proposed deficiencies relate to the cost recovery method of tax accounting. In response to the notices, the 
Company filed petitions in the United States Tax Court ("Tax Court"). On July 10, 2015 and July 21, 2015, the IRS filed motions 
for summary judgment for tax years 2008 through 2012 and 2005 through 2007, respectively. On October 30, 2015, the Tax Court 
held oral arguments on the IRS motions. On November 12, 2015 the IRS motions for summary judgment were denied. The court 
also set this matter for trial to begin on September 19, 2016.

90

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

If the Company is unsuccessful in the Tax Court and any potential appeals, it may be required to pay the related deferred 
taxes, and possibly interest and penalties. At December 31, 2015 and 2014 deferred tax liabilities related to this item were $251.7 
million and $241.0 million, respectively. Any adverse determination on this matter could result in the Company amending state 
tax returns for prior years, increasing its taxable income in those states. The Company files tax returns in multiple state jurisdictions; 
therefore, any underpayment of state tax will accrue interest in accordance with the respective state statute. At December 31, 2015 
and 2014 the Company's estimate of the potential federal and state interest was $91.0 million and $79.0 million, respectively.

ASC 740 requires the recognition of interest if the tax law would require interest to be paid on the underpayment of taxes, 
and recognition of penalties if a tax position does not meet the minimum statutory threshold to avoid payment of penalties. The 
Company believes it has sufficient support for the technical merits of its position and that it is more likely than not this position 
will be sustained. Accordingly, the Company has not accrued for interest or penalties on any of its tax positions, including the cost 
recovery matter.

At December 31, 2015, the tax years subject to examination by the major federal, state and international taxing jurisdictions 
are 2003, 2005 and subsequent years. The 2003 tax year remains open to examination because of a net operating loss that originated 
in that year but was not fully utilized until the 2005 tax year. The examination periods for the 2005 through 2012 tax years are 
suspended until a decision of the Tax Court becomes final.

As of December 31, 2015, the cumulative unremitted earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are approximately 
$1.2 million. The Company intends for predominantly all foreign earnings to be indefinitely reinvested in its foreign operations 
and, therefore, the recording of deferred tax liabilities for such unremitted earnings is not required. It is impracticable to determine 
the total amount of unrecognized deferred taxes with respect to these permanently reinvested earnings. The amount of cash on 
hand related to foreign operations with permanently reinvested earnings was $51.5 million and $23.0 million as of December 31, 
2015 and 2014, respectively.

The Company's foreign subsidiaries have $1.7 million and $10.7 million of net operating loss carryforwards net of valuation 
allowances as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Most of the net operating losses do not expire under local law and 
the remaining jurisdictions allow for a 7 to 20 year carryforward period.

15. Commitments and Contingencies:

Employment Agreements:

The Company has employment agreements, most of which expire on December 31, 2017, with all of its U.S. executive 
officers and with several members of its U.S. senior management group. Such agreements provide for base salary payments as 
well as bonuses which are based on the attainment of specific management goals. As of December 31, 2015, estimated future 
compensation under these agreements is approximately $21.9 million. The agreements also contain confidentiality and non-compete 
provisions. Outside the United States, employment agreements are in place with employees pursuant to local country regulations. 
Generally, these agreements do not have expiration dates and therefore it is impractical to estimate the amount of future compensation 
under these agreements. Accordingly, the future compensation under these agreements is not included in the $21.9 million total 
above.

Leases:

The Company is party to various operating leases with respect to its facilities and equipment. The future minimum lease 

payments at December 31, 2015 total approximately $39.2 million.

Forward Flow Agreements:

The  Company  is  party  to  several  forward  flow  agreements  that  allow  for  the  purchase  of  nonperforming  loans  at  pre-
established prices. The maximum remaining amount to be purchased under forward flow agreements at December 31, 2015 is 
approximately $541.1 million.

Finance Receivables:

Certain agreements for the purchase of finance receivables portfolios contain provisions that may, in limited circumstances, 
require the Company to refund a portion or all of the collections subsequently received by the Company on particular accounts. 
The potential refunds as of the balance sheet date are not considered to be significant.

91

Litigation and Regulatory Matters:

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company is from time to time subject to routine legal claims, proceedings and regulatory matters, most of which are 
incidental to the ordinary course of its business. The Company initiates lawsuits against customers and is occasionally countersued 
by them in such actions. Also, customers, either individually, as members of a class action, or through a governmental entity on 
behalf of customers, may initiate litigation against the Company in which they allege that the Company has violated a state or 
federal law in the process of collecting on an account. From time to time, other types of lawsuits are brought against the Company. 
Additionally, the Company receives subpoenas and other requests or demands for information from regulators or governmental 
authorities who are investigating the Company's debt collection activities. The Company evaluates and responds appropriately to 
such requests.

The Company accrues for potential liability arising from legal proceedings and regulatory matters when it is probable that 
such liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. This determination is based upon currently 
available information for those proceedings in which the Company is involved, taking into account the Company's best estimate 
of such losses for those cases for which such estimates can be made. The Company's estimate involves significant judgment, given 
the varying stages of the proceedings (including the fact that many of them are currently in preliminary stages), the number of 
unresolved issues in many of the proceedings (including issues regarding class certification and the scope of many of the claims), 
and the related uncertainty of the potential outcomes of these proceedings. In making determinations of the likely outcome of 
pending litigation, the Company considers many factors, including, but not limited to, the nature of the claims, the Company's 
experience with similar types of claims, the jurisdiction in which the matter is filed, input from outside legal counsel, the likelihood 
of resolving the matter through alternative mechanisms, the matter's current status and the damages sought or demands made. 
Accordingly, the Company's estimate will change from time to time, and actual losses could be more than the current estimate.

The Company believes that the estimate of the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of the amount accrued 
for its legal proceedings outstanding at December 31, 2015, excluding the potential interest associated with the IRS matter described 
below, is from $0 to $80 million.

In certain legal proceedings, the Company may have recourse to insurance or third-party contractual indemnities to cover 
all or portions of its litigation expenses, judgments, or settlements. Loss estimates and accruals for potential liability related to 
legal proceedings are exclusive of potential recoveries, if any, under the Company's insurance policies or third-party indemnities. 
The Company has not recorded any potential recoveries under the Company's insurance policies or third-party indemnities, with 
the exception of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act Litigation matter.

The matters described below fall outside of the normal parameters of the Company's routine legal proceedings.

Telephone Consumer Protection Act Litigation

The Company has been named as defendant in a number of putative class action cases, each alleging that the Company 
violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act ("TCPA") by calling consumers' cellular telephones without their prior express 
consent. On December 21, 2011, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation entered an order transferring these matters 
into one consolidated proceeding in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California (the "Court"). On November 14, 
2012, the putative class plaintiffs filed their amended consolidated complaint in the matter, now styled as In re Portfolio Recovery 
Associates, LLC Telephone Consumer Protection Act Litigation, case No. 11-md-02295 (the "MDL action"). Following the ruling 
of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on June 10, 2015 on various petitions concerning the TCPA, the Court lifted 
the stay of these matters that had been in place since May 20, 2014. In January 2016, the parties reached a settlement agreement 
in principle under which the parties have agreed to seek court approval of class certification and the proposed settlement. The 
Company has fully accrued for the settlement amount as of December 31, 2015. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 
and 2013, the amounts charged to earnings through Outside fees and services expense, related to the accrual for this matter were 
$8.0 million, $0 and $1.2 million, respectively. The 2015 amount is net of expected insurance proceeds.

Internal Revenue Service Audit

The IRS examined the Company's 2005 through 2012 tax returns and has asserted that tax revenue recognition using the cost 
recovery method does not clearly reflect taxable income. The Company believes it has sufficient support for the technical merits 
of its position, and believes cost recovery to be an acceptable tax revenue recognition method for the Company's industry. The 
Company has received Notices of Deficiency for tax years ended December 31, 2005 through 2012. The proposed deficiencies 
relate to the cost recovery method of tax accounting for finance receivables. In response to the notices, the Company filed petitions 
in the Tax Court challenging the deficiency. On July 10, 2015 and July 21, 2015, the IRS filed motions for summary judgment for 
tax years 2008 through 2012 and 2005 through 2007, respectively. On October 30, 2015, the Tax Court held oral arguments on 
the IRS motions. On November 12, 2015, the IRS Motions for Summary Judgment were denied. The Tax Court also set this matter 

92

PRA Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

for trial, to begin on September 19, 2016. If the Company is unsuccessful in the Tax Court and any potential appeals to the Federal 
Court of Appeals, it may ultimately be required to pay the related deferred taxes, and possibly interest and penalties. Deferred tax 
liabilities related to this item were $251.7 million at December 31, 2015. Any adverse determination on this matter could result 
in the Company amending state tax returns for prior years, increasing its taxable income in those states. The Company files tax 
returns in multiple state jurisdictions; therefore, any underpayment of state tax will accrue interest in accordance with the respective 
state statute. The Company's estimate of the potential federal and state interest is $91.0 million as of December 31, 2015, which 
has not been accrued.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Investigation

On September 9, 2015, Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a 
Consent Order with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the "CFPB"), settling a previously disclosed investigation of 
certain debt collection practices of the subsidiary (the "Consent Order").

Among other things, the Consent Order requires the Company to: (i) vacate 837 judgments obtained after the applicable 
statute of limitations, refund $860,607 in payments received on account of such judgments and waive the remaining $3,411,094 
of judgment balances; (ii) refund $18,184,836 in Litigation Department Calls Restitution, as defined in the Consent Order, and 
(iii) pay an $8,000,000 civil money penalty to the CFPB.

All payments required by the Consent Order were made during 2015 and included in Other operating expenses.

Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC v. Guadalupe Mejia

On May 11, 2015, an unfavorable jury verdict was delivered against the Company in a matter pending in Jackson County, 
Missouri. The jury awarded Guadalupe Mejia $251,000 in compensatory damages and $82,009,549 in punitive damages for her 
counter-claim against the Company, alleging malicious prosecution and impermissible collection practices. The Company believes 
the verdict and magnitude of the award to be erroneous and appealed the award. Unless overturned or significantly reduced, the 
award could result in a loss of up to the amount of the jury award.

16. Retirement Plans:

The Company sponsors defined contribution plans both in the United States and Europe. The U.S. plan is organized as a 
401(k) plan under which all employees over eighteen years of age are eligible to make voluntary contributions to the plan up to 
100% of their compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Service limitations, after completing six months of service, as defined 
in the plan. The Company makes matching contributions of up to 4% of an employee's salary. For the defined contribution plans 
in Europe, the Company pays contributions to publicly or privately administered pension insurance plans on a mandatory, contractual 
or voluntary basis. Total compensation expense related to the Company's contributions was $4.3 million, $2.8 million, and $1.8 
million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

17. Subsequent Event:

On February 19, 2016, the Company entered into a second amendment to the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement 
which provided, among other things, (i) the extension of the final repayment date to February 19, 2021, (ii) an increase to the total 
commitments from $750 million to $900 million, subject to certain requirements, (iii) the ability to obtain shareholder loans of up 
to 10% of the Total Commitment (as defined in the Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement) under certain circumstances, and 
(iv) an ERC ratio (as defined in Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement) ranging from and an increase in the maximum ERC 
ratio from 32.2% to 38.7% depending on the mix of portfolios owned, subject to the payment of additional associated fees.

93

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act 
Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports 
is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such 
information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls 
and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide 
only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its 
judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Also, projections of any evaluation of 
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or 
that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. We conducted an evaluation, under the supervision 
and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure 
controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer 
and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2015, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that 
occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our 
internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s  Report  on  Internal  Control  Over  Financial  Reporting.  Our  management  is  responsible  for  establishing  and 
maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Exchange Act 
Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal 
financial  officers  and  effected  by  the  company’s  board  of  directors,  management  and  other  personnel,  to  provide  reasonable 
assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  for  external  purposes  in 
accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including 
our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal 
control over financial reporting based on the Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission. Based on its assessment under this framework, management has determined 
that, its internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2015. The Company’s independent registered 
public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting 
as of December 31, 2015, which is included herein.

Scope of Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. During the third quarter of 2015, we completed the 
RCB acquisition. As a result, RCB is excluded from the scope of management’s assessment of internal control over financial 
reporting. As of December 31, 2015, RCB represents approximately 3.2% of total assets and 0.2% of total revenue reflected in 
our Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015.

94

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
PRA Group, Inc.:

We have audited PRA Group, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established 
in  Internal  Control  –  Integrated  Framework  (2013)  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway 
Commission  (COSO).  PRA  Group,  Inc.'s  management  is  responsible  for  maintaining  effective  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying 
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting (Item 9A). Our responsibility is to express an opinion on PRA 
Group, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control 
over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control 
over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating 
effectiveness  of  internal  control  based  on  the  assessed  risk.  Our  audit  also  included  performing  such  other  procedures  as  we 
considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability 
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain 
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets 
of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial 
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are 
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable 
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that 
could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements. Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because 
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In  our  opinion,  PRA  Group,  Inc.  maintained,  in  all  material  respects,  effective  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of 
December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

PRA Group, Inc. acquired 55% of the equity interest of RCB Investimentos S.A. (RCB) during 2015, and management excluded 
from its assessment of the effectiveness of PRA Group, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, 
RCB’s internal control over financial reporting associated with approximately 3.2% of total assets and 0.2% of total revenues 
reflected in the consolidated financial statements of PRA Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 
2015. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of PRA Group, Inc. also excluded an evaluation of the internal control 
over financial reporting of RCB.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the 
consolidated balance sheets of PRA Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated 
income statements, and statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-
year  period  ended  December 31,  2015,  and  our  report  dated  February 26,  2016  expressed  an  unqualified  opinion  on  those 
consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Norfolk, Virginia
February 26, 2016

95

Item 9B. Other Information.

None.

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

PART III

The information required by Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to the sections labeled "Security Ownership of 
Management and Directors," "Board of Directors," "Corporate Governance," "Committees of the Board of Directors" and "Report 
of the Audit Committee" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement in connection with the Company's 2016 Annual Meeting 
of Shareholders.

Information for the section labeled "Executive Officers of the Registrant" can be found in the "Business" section beginning 

on page 6.

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

The information required by Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to (a) the section labeled "Compensation Discussion 
and Analysis" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement in connection with the Company's 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders 
and (b) the section labeled "Compensation Committee Report" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement in connection with 
the Company's 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which section (and the report contained therein) shall be deemed to be 
furnished in this report and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 as a result of such furnishing in this Item 11.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management And Related Stockholder Matters.

The information required by Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference to the section labeled "Security Ownership of 
Management and Directors" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement in connection with the Company's 2016 Annual Meeting 
of Shareholders.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

The information required by Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to the sections labeled "Policies for Approval of 
Related Party Transactions" and "Director Independence" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement in connection with the 
Company's 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

The information required by Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to the section labeled "Fees Paid to KPMG LLP" 

in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement in connection with the Company's 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

96

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)  Financial Statements.

PART IV

The following financial statements of the Company are included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Income Statements

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

(b)  Exhibits.

2.1

3.1

3.2

4.1

4.2

4.3

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

Equity Exchange Agreement between Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C. and Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. 
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on 
October 30, 2002).

Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PRA Group, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
3.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2014).

Amended and Restated By-Laws of PRA Group, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed on May 22, 2015).

Form of Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 15, 2002).

Form of Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-1 filed on October 30, 2002).

Indenture dated August 13, 2013 between Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
August 14, 2013).

Employment Agreement, dated December 19, 2014, by and between Steven D. Fredrickson and Portfolio Recovery
Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 5,
2015).

Employment Agreement, dated December 19, 2014, by and between Kevin P. Stevenson and PRA Group, Inc.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2015).

Employment Agreement, dated December 19, 2014, by and between Michael J. Petit and PRA Group, Inc.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2015).

Employment Agreement, dated December 19, 2014, by and between Neal Stern and PRA Group, Inc. (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2015).

Employment Agreement, dated December 19, 2014, by and between Christopher Graves and PRA Group, Inc.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2015).

Employment Agreement, dated February 19, 2014, by and between Geir Olsen and Aktiv Kapital AS. (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 10, 2014).

Portfolio Recovery Associates 2010 Stock Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on June 9, 2010).

97

10.8

10.9

10.10

10.11

10.12

10.13

10.14

Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc., Annual Bonus Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on June 9, 2010).

Credit Agreement dated as of December 19, 2012 by and among Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc., Portfolio
Recovery Associates, LLC, PRA Holding I, LLC, PRA Location Services, LLC, PRA Government Services, LLC,
PRA Receivables Management, LLC, PRA Holding II, LLC, PRA Holding III, LLC, MuniServices, LLC, PRA
Professional Services, LLC, PRA Financial Services, LLC, Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent,
swingline lender, and l/c issuer, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and SunTrust Bank as co-syndication agents, KeyBank,
National Association, as documentation agent, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Wells Fargo
Securities, LLC, and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. as joint lead arrangers and joint book managers, and the
lenders named therein. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
December 20, 2012).

First Amendment to Credit Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-
K filed on August 6, 2013).

Second Amendment to Credit Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form
8-K filed on March 20, 2014).

Third Amendment to Credit Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-
K filed on June 6, 2014).

Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form
8-K filed on June 3, 2015).

Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-
K filed on August 10, 2015).

10.15 Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of October 23, 2014. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit

10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2014).

10.16

10.17

10.18

10.19

10.20

10.21

10.22

First Amendment to Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of October 23, 2014. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 16, 2015).

Lender Commitment Agreement dated as of August 21, 2013 by and among Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.,
and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 8, 2013).

Lender Joiner Agreement dated as of August 21, 2013, by and among Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc., Bank of
Hampton Roads, Heritage Bank, Union First Market and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 8, 2013).

2013 Annual Bonus Plan (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on
April 19, 2013).

2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed
on April 19, 2013).

Deed of Novation, Amendment and Restatement, dated May 5, 2014, by and between Geveran Trading Co. Ltd and
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc., PRA Holding IV, LLC and Tekagel Invest 742 AS (Incorporated by reference to
the to Exhibit 10.1 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 8, 2014).

Novated, Amended and Restated Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated May 5, 2014, for the Sale and Purchase of
Aktiv Kapital AS (Incorporated by reference to the to Exhibit 10.1 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on
May 8, 2014).

21.1

Subsidiaries of PRA Group, Inc. (filed herewith).

23.1

Consent of KPMG LLP (filed herewith).

24.1

Powers of Attorney (included on signature page) (filed herewith).

98

31.1

31.2

32.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (filed
herewith).

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (filed
herewith).

Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley
Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

99

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused 

this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SIGNATURES

February 26, 2016

February 26, 2016

PRA Group, Inc.
(Registrant)

By:

/s/ Steven D. Fredrickson

Steven D. Fredrickson

Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Chief 
Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

By:

/s/ Kevin P. Stevenson

Kevin P. Stevenson

President, Chief Administrative Officer, and Interim 
Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned whose signature appears below constitutes and 
appoints Steven D. Fredrickson and Kevin P. Stevenson, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution and 
resubstitution for him and on his behalf, and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to execute and sign any and all 
amendments or post-effective 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, hereby ratifying and confirming all 
that said attorneys-in-fact or any of them or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue 
hereof and the registrant hereby confers like authority on its behalf.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following 

persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

February 26, 2016

February 26, 2016

By:

/s/ Steven D. Fredrickson
Steven D. Fredrickson

Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Chief 
Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

By:

/s/ Kevin P. Stevenson

Kevin P. Stevenson

President, Chief Administrative Officer, and Interim 
Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

100

February 26, 2016

February 26, 2016

February 26, 2016

February 26, 2016

February 26, 2016

February 26, 2016

February 26, 2016

February 26, 2016

February 26, 2016

By:

/s/ Vikram A. Atal
Vikram A. Atal
Director

By:

/s/ John H. Fain
John H. Fain
Director

By:

/s/ Penelope W. Kyle
Penelope W. Kyle
Director

By:

/s/ James A. Nussle
James A. Nussle
Director

By:

/s/ Geir Olson
Geir Olson
Director

By:

/s/ David N. Roberts
David N. Roberts
Director

By:

/s/ Scott M. Tabakin
Scott M. Tabakin
Director

By:

/s/ James M. Voss
James M. Voss
Director

By:

/s/ Lance L. Weaver
Lance L. Weaver
Director

101

Exhibit 21.1

SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

Subsidiaries of the Registrant and Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization:

Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC - Delaware

PRA Receivables Management, LLC - Virginia

PRA Group RM Israel, Ltd. - Israel

PRA Auto Funding, LLC - Virginia

PRA Holding I, LLC - Virginia

PRA Holding II, LLC - Virginia

PRA Holding III, LLC - Virginia (Doing business as PRA Café)

PRA Holding IV, LLC - Virginia

PRA Holding V, LLC - Virginia

PRA Group Brazil Investimentos e Participações S.A. - Brazil

RCB Investimentos S.A. - Brazil

Itapeva Recuperação de Créditos LTDA. - Brazil

RCB Planejamento Financeiro LTDA. - Brazil

RCB Portfolios LTDA. - Brazil

Claims Compensation Bureau, LLC - Delaware

PRA Financial Services, LLC -Virginia

PRA Australia Pty Ltd - Australia

PLS Holding I, LLC - Virginia

PLS Holding II, LLC - Virginia

PRA Location Services - Virginia

PRA Government Services, LLC - Delaware (Sometimes doing business as RDS and BPA)

MuniServices, LLC - Delaware (Sometimes doing business as PRA Government Services)

PRA Professional Services, LLC - Virginia

PRA Group Canada Inc. - Canada

AK NRM DE Mexico S.A. de C.V. - Mexico

PRA Group Europe Holding III S.a r.l. - Luxembourg

SHCO 70 S.a.r.l. - U.S. Branch, LLC - Virginia

PRA Group Europe Holding II S.a r.l - Luxembourg

SHCO 61 S.a.r.l. - U.S. Branch, LLC  - Virginia

PRA Group Europe Holding I S.a r.l. - Luxembourg

PRA Group Europe Holding S.a r.l. - Luxembourg

PRA Group (UK) Ltd. - United Kingdom (England and Wales)

PRA U.K. Holding Pty Ltd - United Kingdom (England and Wales)

PRA U.K. Management Services Ltd - United Kingdom (England and Wales)

Portfolio Recovery Associates U.K. Ltd - United Kingdom (England and Wales)

PRA Servicing Ltd - United Kingdom (England and Wales)

Mackenzie Hall Holdings, Limited. - United Kingdom (England and Wales)

Mackenzie Hall Limited - United Kingdom (Scotland)

Mackenzie Hall Debt Purchase Limited -United Kingdom (England and Wales)

PRA Group Österreich Inkasso GmbH - Austria

PRA Group Österreich Portfolio GmbH - Austria

PRA Group Sverige AB - Sweden

PRA Group Europe Holding S.a r.l., Luxembourg, Zug Branch - Switzerland

PRA Group Italia Srl - Italy

PRA Group Italia Capital Srl - Italy

PRA Suomi OY - Finland

PRA Group Deutschland GmbH - Germany

PRA Group Polska sp. z o.o. - Poland

PRA Group Europe Subholding AS - Norway

PRA Group Europe AS - Norway

PRA Group Europe Investments AS - Norway

PRA Group Europe Financial Services AS - Norway

PRA Iberia, S.L.U. - Spain

PRA Group Norge AS - Norway

Aktiv Kapital Portfolio AS - Norway

Aktiv Kapital Portfolio AS, Oslo, Zug Branch - Switzerland

PRA Group Portfolio Switzerland AG - Switzerland

Aktiv Kapital Sourcing AS - Norway

Aktiv Kapital Sourcing AS, sucursal en España, Spanish Branch - Spain

AK Nordic AB - Sweden

AK Nordic AB, Oslo Branch - Norway

Aktiv Kapital Portfolio OY - Finland

AK Portfolio Holding AB - Sweden

Crystal Production AS - Norway

Green Sea AS - Norway

Crystal Ocean AS - Norway

Exhibit 23.1

The Board of Directors
PRA Group, Inc.:

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

and the registration statement 

10331) 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements 
on Form 
of PRA Group, Inc. of our reports dated 
February  26,  2016  with  respect  to  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  PRA  Group,  Inc.  and  subsidiaries  as  of 
December 31,  2015  and  2014,  and  the  related  consolidated  income  statements,  and  statements  of  comprehensive 
income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, 
and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, which reports appear in the 
of PRA Group, Inc.
December 31, 2015 annual report on Form 

10330 and 

on 

Our report dated February 26, 2016, on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 
2015, contains an explanatory paragraph that states that PRA Group, Inc. acquired 55% of the equity interest of RCB 
Investimentos S.A. (RCB) during 2015, and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of PRA 
Group, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, RCB’s internal control over financial 
reporting associated with approximately 3.2% of total assets and approximately 0.2% of total revenues reflected in 
the consolidated financial statements of PRA Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 
2015. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of PRA Group, Inc. also excluded an evaluation of the 
internal control over financial reporting of RCB.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Norfolk, Virginia
February 26, 2016

Exhibit 31.1

I, Steven D. Fredrickson, certify that:

1.

2.

3.

4.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of PRA Group, Inc.;

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and
for, the periods presented in this report;

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed
under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is
being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal controls over financial reporting, or caused such internal controls over financial reporting to be
designed under our supervision to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of the financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our

conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by
this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the
registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;
and

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control
over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or
persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and
report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the

registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

February 26, 2016

By:

/s/ Steven D. Fredrickson

  Steven D. Fredrickson

Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Chief Executive 
Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 
 
Exhibit 31.2

I, Kevin P. Stevenson, certify that:

1.

2.

3.

4.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of PRA Group, Inc.;

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and
for, the periods presented in this report;

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed
under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is
being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal controls over financial reporting, or caused such internal controls over financial reporting to be
designed under our supervision to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of the financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our

conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by
this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the
registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;
and

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control
over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or
persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and
report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the

registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

February 26, 2016

By:

/s/ Kevin P. Stevenson

  Kevin P. Stevenson

President, Chief Administrative Officer, and Interim 
Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 
 
Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of PRA Group, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 
2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Steven D. Fredrickson, Chief 
Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted 
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations 
of the Company.

February 26, 2016

By:

/s/ Steven D. Fredrickson

Steven D. Fredrickson

Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Chief Executive 
Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of PRA Group, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 
2015 as  filed with the Securities and  Exchange Commission on  the date hereof (the “Report”), I,  Kevin  P.  Stevenson, Chief 
Financial and Administrative Officer, Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of the Company, certify, pursuant 
to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations 
of the Company.

February 26, 2016

By:

/s/ Kevin P. Stevenson

  Kevin P. Stevenson

President, Chief Administrative Officer, and Interim 
Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Information

Stock Exchange Listing
PRA Group’s common stock has traded on the NASDAQ 
Global Select Market under the symbol “PRAA” since the  
company went public in 2002.

Financial Publications/Investor Inquiries
Shareholders may acquire copies of the 2015 Annual Report 
or Form 10-K, and other filed documents by visiting the 
Company’s website at www.pragroup.com or by writing to 
us at:

Transfer Agent and Registrar
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
17 Battery Place, 8th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Tel.: 212-509-4000
Fax: 212-509-5150

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
KPMG LLP
Norfolk, Virginia

Legal Counsel
Dechert, LLP
New York, New York

PRA Group, Inc.
Attn: Investor Relations
120 Corporate Blvd., Suite 100
Norfolk, Virginia 23502

Price Range of Common Stock
The following table sets forth the high and low sales price  
for the Company’s common stock for the year ended 
December 31, 2015.

2015                                       $64.82  $32.49

 High 

 Low

Based on information provided by our transfer agent and 
registrar, as of February 17, 2016, there were 73 holders  
of record and 54,615 beneficial owners of the Company’s 
common stock.

PRA
Group

Nasdaq: PRAA

About Forward-Looking Statements in This Annual Report
Statements  made  in  this  Annual  Report  which  are  not  historical,  including  statements  of  PRA’s  Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  in  his  “Letter  to 
Shareholders,” and other statements expressing an expectation or belief as to future outcomes or results, including, but not limited to, statements with respect 
to future revenue and earnings, and statements with respect to the anticipated benefits of our corporate acquisitions; our ability to effectively integrate new busi-
nesses and realize anticipated benefits; the ability of our subsidiaries to contribute to earnings; future portfolio-purchase opportunities; the risk of doing business 
in international markets; expectations regarding growth potential in various geographies and markets; changes in legal and regulatory requirements and enforce-
ment  practices;  the  behavior  of  financial  markets,  including  foreign  currency  fluctuations  and  fluctuations  in  interest  and  exchange  rates,  are  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. 
These  forward-looking  statements  are  based  upon  management’s  beliefs,  assumptions  and  expectations  of  PRA’s  future  operations  and  economic  perfor-
mance,  taking  into  account  currently  available  information.  These  statements  are  not  statements  of  historical  fact.  Forward-looking  statements  involve  risks  
and uncertainties, some of which are not currently known to PRA. Actual events or results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such 
forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the risk factors and other risks that are described from time to time in PRA’s filings with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission including but not limited to the attached Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, PRA’s previous annual reports 
on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its current reports on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available through 
PRA’s website, which contain detailed discussions of PRA’s business, including risks and uncertainties that may affect future results. Due to such uncertainties 
and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they were made. 
The content of this Annual Report includes time-sensitive information, and is accurate as of the March 2016 release of this Annual Report. Information in this 
document may be superseded by recent information or statements, which may be disclosed in later press releases, subsequent filings with the Securities and 
Exchange  Commission  or  otherwise.  Except  as  required  by  law,  PRA  assumes  no  obligation  to  publicly  update  or  revise  its  forward-looking  statements  
contained herein to reflect any change in PRA’s expectations with regard thereto or to reflect any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any 
such forward-looking statements are based, in whole or in part.

Annual Report Design by Curran & Connors, Inc. / www.curran-connors.com

                                               
PRA
Group

120 Corporate Blvd., Suite 100, Norfolk, Virginia 23502