Insiders ranked by realized 90-day signed return on their open-market trades at Credit Acceptance Corp. Minimum 3 scored trades. Returns are signed - a sale followed by a rally counts against the insider.
Year-over-year tone shift - average net-tone change across Risk Factors and MD&A vs the prior 10-K. This filing is -0.01pp more bearish than last year's.
Why YoY instead of absolute: the LM lexicon has ~6.6× more negative words than positive (legal/risk-disclosure language is heavy on hedging), so every 10-K reads bearish on raw tone. Year-over-year change strips that bias and surfaces the actual shift in management's framing.
Tone shift by section
The two components the gauge averages: how Risk Factors and MD&A each shifted in net tone versus last year's 10-K. The headline above is their average, so a green needle over a soft section just means the other section carried it.
Risk Factors
+0.05pp
Flat
Net-tone change vs last year's 10-K.
MD&A
-0.08pp
Flat
Net-tone change vs last year's 10-K.
Per-snippet highlights
Sentence-level sentiment highlighting with category and subcategory filters is coming once the snippet-scoring pipeline lands. For now, dig into the actual section text on the Sections tab.
Language change vs prior 10-K
Risk Factors (Item 1A) - words with the biggest YoY frequency increase
Negative rising
challenges+4
adversely+3
harm+3
expose+3
failure+2
Positive rising
successfully+4
able+3
success+1
advancements+1
leading+1
Risk Factors (Item 1A)
14,878 words
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Cybersecurity
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
PART II
Market for Registrant ’ s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
[Reserved]
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements W ith Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
PART III
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 Accounting Fees and Services
Language change vs prior 10-K
MD&A (Item 7) - words with the biggest YoY frequency increase
Negative rising
loss+4
challenges+4
adversely+3
harm+3
disclosed+3
Positive rising
successfully+4
able+3
great+2
success+1
best+1
MD&A (Item 7)
27,278 words
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements W ith Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
PART III
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 Accounting Fees and Services
PART IV
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Form 10-K Summary
Signatures
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
Credit Acceptance Corporation (referred to as the “Company”, “Credit Acceptance”, “we”, “our” or “us”) makes vehicle ownership possible by providing innovative financing solutions that automobile dealers to sell vehicles to consumers, regardless of their credit history. Our financing programs are offered through a nationwide network of automobile dealers who from sales of vehicles to consumers who otherwise could not obtain financing; from repeat and referral sales generated by these same customers; and from sales to customers responding to advertisements for our financing programs, but who actually end up qualifying for traditional financing.
Credit Acceptance Corporation (referred to as the “Company”, “Credit Acceptance”, “we”, “our” or “us”) makes vehicle ownership possible by providing innovative financing solutions that enable automobile dealers to sell vehicles to consumers, regardless of their credit history. Our financing programs are offered through a nationwide network of automobile dealers who benefit from sales of vehicles to consumers who otherwise could not obtain financing; from repeat and referral sales generated by these same customers; and from sales to customers responding to advertisements for our financing programs, but who actually end up qualifying for traditional financing.
Without our financing programs, consumers are often unable to purchase vehicles or they purchase unreliable ones. Further, as we report to the three national credit reporting agencies, an important ancillary benefit of our programs is that we provide consumers with an opportunity to improve their lives by improving their credit score and move on to more traditional sources of financing.
Credit Acceptance was founded in 1972 to collect retail installment contracts (referred to as “Consumer Loans”) originated by automobile dealerships owned by Donald Foss, our founder. During the 1980s, we began to market this service to non-affiliated dealers and, at the same time, began to offer dealers a non-recourse cash payment (referred to as an “advance”) against anticipated future collections on Consumer Loans serviced for that dealer.
We refer to automobile dealers who participate in our programs and who share our desire to provide an opportunity to consumers to improve their lives as “Dealers.” Upon enrollment in our financing programs, the Dealer enters into a Dealer servicing agreement with us that defines the legal relationship between Credit Acceptance and the Dealer. The Dealer servicing agreement assigns the responsibilities for administering, servicing, and collecting the amounts due on Consumer Loans from the Dealers to us. We are an indirect lender from a legal perspective, meaning the Consumer Loan is originated by the Dealer and assigned to us.
The majority of the Consumer Loans assigned to us are made to consumers with impaired or limited credit histories. The following table shows the percentage of Consumer Loans assigned to us with either FICO ® scores below 650 or no FICO ® scores:
For the Years Ended December 31,
Consumer Loan Assignment Volume
Percentage of total unit volume with either FICO ® scores below 650 or no FICO ® scores
Business Segment Information
We currently operate in one reportable segment which represents our core business of offering innovative financing solutions and related products and services that enable Dealers to sell vehicles to consumers regardless of their credit history. For information regarding our one reportable segment and related disclosures, see Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Principal Business
We offer Dealers financing programs that enable them to sell vehicles to consumers, regardless of their credit history. We have two programs: the Portfolio Program and the Purchase Program. Under the Portfolio Program, we advance money to Dealers (referred to as a “Dealer Loan”) in exchange for the right to service the underlying Consumer Loans. Under the Purchase Program, we buy the Consumer Loans from the Dealers (referred to as a “Purchased Loan”) and keep all amounts collected from the consumer. Dealer Loans and Purchased Loans are collectively referred to as “Loans.” The following table shows the percentage of Consumer Loans assigned to us under each of the programs for each of the last three years:
Unit Volume
Dollar Volume (1)
For the Years Ended December 31,
Portfolio Program
Purchase Program
Portfolio Program
Purchase Program
(1) Represents advances paid to Dealers on Consumer Loans assigned under the Portfolio Program and one-time payments made to Dealers to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under the Purchase Program. Payments of Dealer Holdback (as defined below) and accelerated Dealer Holdback are not included.
Portfolio Program
As payment for the vehicle, the Dealer generally receives the following:
• a down payment from the consumer;
• a cash advance from us; and
• after the advance balance (cash advance and related Dealer Loan fees and costs) has been recovered by us, the cash from payments made on the Consumer Loan, net of certain collection costs and our servicing fee (“Dealer Holdback”).
We record the amount advanced to the Dealer as a Dealer Loan, which is classified within Loans receivable in our consolidated balance sheets. Cash advanced to the Dealer is automatically assigned to the Dealer’s open pool of advances. Dealers make an election as to how many Consumer Loans (either 50 or 100) will be assigned to an open pool before it is closed, and subsequent advances are assigned to a new pool. Unless we receive a request from the Dealer to keep a pool open, we automatically close each pool based on the Dealer’s election. All advances within a Dealer’s pool are secured by the future collections on the related Consumer Loans assigned to the pool. For Dealers with more than one pool, the pools are cross-collateralized so the performance of other pools is considered in determining eligibility for Dealer Holdback. We perfect our security interest with respect to the Dealer Loans by obtaining control or taking possession of the Consumer Loans, which list us as lien holder on the vehicle title.
The Dealer servicing agreement provides that collections received by us during a calendar month on Consumer Loans assigned by a Dealer are applied on a pool-by-pool basis as follows:
• first, to reimburse us for certain collection costs;
• second, to pay us our servicing fee, which generally equals 20% of collections;
• third, to reduce the aggregate advance balance and to pay any other amounts due from the Dealer to us; and
• fourth, to the Dealer as payment of Dealer Holdback.
If the collections on Consumer Loans from a Dealer’s pool are not sufficient to repay the advance balance and any other amounts due to us, the Dealer will not receive Dealer Holdback. Certain events may also result in Dealers forfeiting their rights to Dealer Holdback, including becoming inactive before assigning 100 Consumer Loans.
Dealers have an opportunity to receive an accelerated Dealer Holdback payment each time a pool of Consumer Loans is closed. The amount paid to the Dealer is calculated using a formula that considers the number of Consumer Loans assigned to the pool and the related forecasted collections and advance balance.
Since typically the combination of the advance and the consumer’s down payment provides the Dealer with a cash profit at the time of sale, the Dealer’s risk in the Consumer Loan is limited. We cannot demand repayment of the advance from the Dealer except in the event the Dealer is in default of the Dealer servicing agreement. Advances are made only after the consumer and Dealer have signed a Consumer Loan contract, we have received the executed Consumer Loan contract and supporting documentation in either physical or electronic form, and we have approved all of the related stipulations for funding.
For accounting purposes, the transactions described under the Portfolio Program are not considered to be loans to consumers. Instead, our accounting reflects that of a lender to the Dealer. The classification as a Dealer Loan for accounting purposes is primarily a result of (1) the Dealer’s financial interest in the Consumer Loan and (2) certain elements of our legal relationship with the Dealer.
Purchase Program
The Purchase Program differs from the Portfolio Program in that the Dealer receives a one-time payment from us at the time of assignment to purchase the Consumer Loan instead of a cash advance at the time of assignment and future Dealer Holdback payments. For accounting purposes, the transactions described under the Purchase Program are considered to be originated by the Dealer and then purchased by us.
Program Enrollment
Dealers are granted access to the Portfolio Program upon enrollment. Access to the Purchase Program is typically only granted to Dealers that meet one of the following:
• assigned at least 50 Consumer Loans under the Portfolio Program;
• franchise dealership; or
• independent dealership that meets certain criteria upon enrollment.
Revenue Sources
Credit Acceptance derives its revenues from the following principal sources:
• finance charges, which are comprised of: (1) interest income earned on Loans; (2) administrative fees earned from ancillary products; (3) program fees charged to Dealers under the Portfolio Program; (4) Consumer Loan assignment fees charged to Dealers; and (5) direct origination costs incurred on Dealer Loans;
• premiums earned on the reinsurance of vehicle service contracts; and
• other income, which primarily consists of ancillary product profit sharing, remarketing fees, and interest. For additional information, see Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 to this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The following table sets forth the percent relationship to total revenue of each of these sources:
For the Years Ended December 31,
Percent of Total Revenue
Finance charges
Premiums earned
Other income
Total revenue
Operations
Sales and Marketing . Our target market is approximately 60,000 independent and franchised automobile dealers in the United States. We have market area managers located throughout the United States that market our programs to prospective Dealers, enroll new Dealers, and support active Dealers. The number of Dealer enrollments and active Dealers for each of the last three years are presented in the table below:
For the Years Ended December 31,
Dealer Enrollments
Active Dealers (1)
(1) Active Dealers are Dealers who have received funding for at least one Loan during the period.
Once Dealers have enrolled in our programs, the market area managers work closely with the newly enrolled Dealers to help them successfully launch our programs within their dealerships. Market area managers also provide active Dealers with ongoing support and consulting focused on improving the Dealers’ success on our programs, including assistance with increasing the volume and performance of Consumer Loan assignments.
Dealer Servicing Agreement. As a part of the enrollment process, a new Dealer is required to enter into a Dealer servicing agreement with Credit Acceptance that defines the legal relationship between Credit Acceptance and the Dealer. The Dealer servicing agreement assigns the responsibilities for administering, servicing, and collecting the amounts due on Consumer Loans from the Dealers to us. Under the typical Dealer servicing agreement, a Dealer represents that it will only assign Consumer Loans to us that satisfy criteria established by us, meet certain conditions with respect to their binding nature and the status of the security interest in the purchased vehicle, and comply with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
The typical Dealer servicing agreement may be terminated by us or by the Dealer upon written notice. We may terminate the Dealer servicing agreement immediately in the case of an event of default by the Dealer. Events of default include, among other things:
• the Dealer’s refusal to allow us to audit its records relating to the Consumer Loans assigned to us;
• the Dealer, without our consent, is dissolved; merges or consolidates with an entity not affiliated with the Dealer; or sells a material part of its assets outside the course of its business to an entity not affiliated with the Dealer; or
• the appointment of a receiver for, or the bankruptcy or insolvency of, the Dealer.
While a Dealer can cease assigning Consumer Loans to us at any time without terminating the Dealer servicing agreement, if the Dealer elects to terminate the Dealer servicing agreement or in the event of a default, we have the right to require that the Dealer immediately pay us:
• any unreimbursed collection costs on Dealer Loans;
• any unpaidadvances and all amounts owed by the Dealer to us; and
• a termination fee equal to 15% of the then outstanding amount of the Consumer Loans assigned to us.
Upon receipt of such amounts in full, we reassign the Consumer Loans and our security interest in the financed vehicles to the Dealer.
In the event of a termination of the Dealer servicing agreement by us, we may continue to service Consumer Loans assigned by the Dealer to us prior to termination in the normal course of business without charging a termination fee.
Consumer Loan Assignment. Once a Dealer has enrolled in our programs, the Dealer may begin assigning Consumer Loans to us. For legal purposes, a Consumer Loan is considered to have been assigned to us after the following has occurred:
• the consumer and Dealer have signed a Consumer Loan contract; and
• we have received the executed Consumer Loan contract and supporting documentation in either physical or electronic form.
For accounting and financial reporting purposes, a Consumer Loan is considered to have been assigned to us after the following has occurred:
• the Consumer Loan has been legally assigned to us; and
• we have made a funding decision and generally have provided funding to the Dealer in the form of either an advance under the Portfolio Program or one-time purchase payment under the Purchase Program.
A Consumer Loan is originated by the Dealer when a consumer enters into a contract with the Dealer that sets forth the terms of the agreement between the consumer and the Dealer for the payment of the purchase price of the vehicle. The amount of the Consumer Loan consists of the total principal and interest that the consumer is required to pay over the term of the Consumer Loan. Consumer Loans are written on a contract form provided or approved by us. Although the Dealer is named in the Consumer Loan contract, the Dealer generally does not have legal ownership of the Consumer Loan for more than a moment, and we, not the Dealer, are listed as lien holder on the vehicle title. Consumers are obligated to make payments on the Consumer Loan directly to us, and any failure to make such payments will result in our pursuing payment through collection efforts.
Consumer Loans submitted to us for assignment are processed either through our Credit Approval Processing System (“CAPS”) or via an integration we have with aggregators used by Dealers to submit credit application information to various finance sources. Each of these processes allow Dealers to submit a consumer's credit application to us and receive a response. Each process allows Dealers to: (1) receive a quick approval from us; (2) interact with our proprietary credit scoring system to optimize the structure of each transaction prior to delivery; and (3) create, electronically execute, and print legally compliant Consumer Loan documents. All responses include the amount of funding (advance for a Dealer Loan or purchase price for a Purchased Loan), as well as any stipulations required for funding. The amount of funding is determined using a formula which considers a number of factors, including the timing and amount of cash flows expected on the related Consumer Loan and our target profitability at the time the Consumer Loan is submitted to us for assignment. The estimated future cash flows are determined based upon our proprietary credit scoring system, which considers numerous variables, including attributes contained in the consumer’s credit bureau report, data contained in the consumer’s credit application, the structure of the proposed transaction, vehicle information, and other factors, to calculate a composite credit score that corresponds to an expected collection rate. Our proprietary credit scoring system forecasts the collection rate based upon the historical performance of Consumer Loans in our portfolio that share similar characteristics. The performance of our proprietary credit scoring system is evaluated monthly by comparing projected to actual Consumer Loan performance. Adjustments are made to our proprietary credit scoring system as necessary. For additional information on adjustments to forecasted collection rates, please see the Critical Accounting Estimates section in Item 7 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
While a Dealer can submit any legally compliant Consumer Loan to us for assignment, the decision whether to provide funding to the Dealer and the amount of any funding is made solely by us. Through our Dealer Service Center, we perform all significant functions relating to the processing of the Consumer Loan applications and bear certain costs of Consumer Loan assignment, including the cost of assessing the adequacy of Consumer Loan documentation, the cost of compliance with our underwriting guidelines, and the cost of verifying employment, residence, and other information provided by the Dealer.
We audit Consumer Loan files for compliance with our underwriting guidelines on a daily basis in order to assess whether Dealers are operating in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Dealer servicing agreement. We occasionally identify breaches of the Dealer servicing agreement, and, depending upon the circumstances, and at our discretion, we may:
• change pricing or charge the Dealer fees for future Consumer Loan assignments;
• reassign the Consumer Loans back to the Dealer and require repayment of the related advances and/or purchase payments; or
• terminate our relationship with the Dealer.
Consumer Loans that have been assigned to us can be reassigned back to the Dealer at the Dealer’s discretion as follows:
• an individual Consumer Loan may be reassigned within 180 days of assignment, in which case we require repayment of the related advance or purchase payment and, if requested more than 90 days after assignment, payment of a fee; and
• all Consumer Loans assigned under the Portfolio Program may be reassigned through termination of the Dealer servicing agreement, as described under “Dealer Servicing Agreement,” above.
Our business model allows us to share the risk and reward of collecting on the Consumer Loans with the Dealers, more so with the Portfolio Program than the Purchase Program. Such sharing is intended to motivate the Dealer to assign better quality Consumer Loans, follow our underwriting guidelines, comply with various legal regulations, meet our credit compliance requirements, and provide appropriate service and support to the consumer after the sale. In addition, our Dealer Service Center works closely with Dealers to assist them in resolving any documentation deficiencies or funding stipulations. We believe this arrangement causes the interests of the Dealer, the consumer, and us to all be aligned.
We measure various criteria for each Dealer against other Dealers in their geographic area as well as the top performing Dealers. Dealers are assigned a Dealer rating based upon the performance of their Consumer Loans in both the Portfolio Program and Purchase Program as well as other criteria. The Dealer rating is one of the factors used to determine the amount paid to Dealers as an advance or to acquire a Purchased Loan. We provide each Dealer under the Portfolio Program with a monthly statement summarizing all activity that occurred on its Consumer Loan assignments.
Servicing. Our largest group of representatives services Consumer Loans that are in the early stages of delinquency. Our representatives work with consumers to attempt to develop a solution that will help them avoid becoming further past due and get them current where possible. We utilize a variety of methods to attempt to contact the consumer or to remind them of upcoming scheduled payments, including phone calls, email, text messaging, mail, and mobile notifications.
The decision to repossess a vehicle is based on policy-based criteria. When a Consumer Loan is approved for repossession, we continue to service the Consumer Loan while it is being assigned to a third-party repossession service provider, who works on a contingency fee basis. Once a vehicle has been repossessed, the consumer can redeem the vehicle, whereupon the vehicle is returned to the consumer in exchange for paying off the Consumer Loan balance; or, where appropriate or if required by law, the vehicle is returned to the consumer and the consumer is permitted to continue with the Consumer Loan in exchange for a payment or series of payments which eliminates the past due balance. If the consumer elects not to regain possession of the vehicle after repossession, the vehicle is sold at a wholesale automobile auction. Prior to sale, the vehicle is typically inspected by a representative at the auction who provides repair and reconditioning recommendations. Alternatively, our remarketing representatives may inspect the vehicle directly. Our remarketing representatives then authorize any repair and reconditioning work in order to maximize the net sale proceeds at auction.
If the vehicle sale proceeds are not sufficient to satisfy the balance owing on the Consumer Loan, we may offer the consumer the opportunity to settle any outstanding balance for less than the amount owed. At this point, the Consumer Loan is serviced by either: (1) our internal collection team, in the event the consumer is willing to make payments on the full or partial deficiency balance; or (2) where permitted by law, our external collection team, if it is believed that legal action will be successful in reducing or eliminating the deficiency balance owing on the Consumer Loan. Our external collection team may assign Consumer Loans to third-party collection attorneys who work on a contingency fee basis.
Representatives service Consumer Loans through our servicing platform, which consists of the following two systems:
• The collection system, which assigns Consumer Loans to representatives through a predictive dialer and records all collection activity, including:
• details of phone conversations with the consumer;
• collection letters sent;
• promises to pay;
• broken promises;
• payment history;
• repossession orders; and
• collection attorney activity.
• The servicing system, which maintains a record of all transactions relating to Consumer Loan assignments and is a primary source of data utilized to:
• determine the outstanding balance of the Consumer Loans;
• forecast future collections;
• analyze the profitability of our program; and
• evaluate our proprietary credit scoring system.
Ancillary Products
We provide Dealers the ability to offer vehicle service contracts to consumers through our relationships with Third-Party Providers (“TPPs”). A vehicle service contract provides the consumer protection by paying for the repair or replacement of certain components of the vehicle in the event of a mechanical failure. The retail price of the vehicle service contract is included in the principal balance of the Consumer Loan. The wholesale cost of the vehicle service contract is paid to the TPP, net of an administrative fee retained by us. We recognize our fee as finance charges on a level-yield basis over the life of the related Loan. The difference between the wholesale cost and the retail price to the consumer is paid to the Dealer as a commission. Under the Portfolio Program, the wholesale cost of the vehicle service contract and the commission paid to the Dealer are charged to the Dealer’s advance balance. TPPs process claims on vehicle service contracts that are underwritten by third-party insurers. We bear the risk of loss for claims on certain vehicle service contracts that are reinsured by us. We market the vehicle service contracts directly to Dealers. Our agreement with one of our TPPs allows us to receive profit sharing payments depending on the performance of the vehicle service contracts.
Our wholly owned subsidiary VSC Re Company (“VSC Re”) is engaged in the business of reinsuring coverage under vehicle service contracts sold to consumers by Dealers on vehicles indirectly financed by us. VSC Re currently reinsures vehicle service contracts that are offered through one of our TPPs. Vehicle service contract premiums, which represent the selling price of the vehicle service contract to the consumer, less fees and certain administrative costs, are contributed to trust accounts controlled by VSC Re. These premiums are used to fund claims covered under the vehicle service contracts. VSC Re is a bankruptcy remote entity. As such, our exposure to fund claims is limited to the trust assets controlled by VSC Re and our net investment in VSC Re.
We provide Dealers the ability to offer Guaranteed Asset Protection (“GAP”) to consumers through our relationships with TPPs. GAP provides the consumer protection by paying the difference between the loan balance and the amount covered by the consumer’s insurance policy in the event of a total loss of the vehicle due to severedamage or theft. The retail price of GAP is included in the principal balance of the Consumer Loan. The wholesale cost of GAP is paid to the TPP, net of an administrative fee retained by us. We recognize our fee as finance charges on a level-yield basis over the life of the related Loan. The difference between the wholesale cost and the retail price to the consumer is paid to the Dealer as a commission. Under the Portfolio Program, the wholesale cost of GAP and the commission paid to the Dealer are charged to the Dealer’s advance balance. TPPs process claims on GAP contracts that are underwritten by third-party insurers. Our agreement with one of our TPPs allow us to receive profit sharing payments depending on the performance of the GAP contracts.
Under the Purchase Program, we provide Dealers that meet certain criteria the ability to offer vehicle service contracts and GAP to consumers through the Dealers’ relationships with TPPs. The retail price of the vehicle service contract and/or GAP is included in the principal balance of the Consumer Loan and is paid to the Dealer. Under this arrangement, we do not receive an administrative fee, and the Dealers’ TPPs process claims.
Competition
The market for consumers who do not qualify for conventional automobile financing is large and highly competitive. The market is currently served by “buy here, pay here” dealerships, banks, captive finance affiliates of automobile manufacturers, credit unions, and independent finance companies both publicly and privately owned. Many of these companies are much larger and have greater resources than us. We compete on the basis of the level of service provided by our Dealer Service Center and sales personnel. In addition, we compete by offering a profitable and efficient method for Dealers to finance consumers who would be more difficult or less profitable to finance through other methods.
Customer and Geographic Concentrations
The following tables provide information regarding the five states that were responsible for the largest dollar volume of Consumer Loan assignments and the related number of active Dealers during 2025, 2024, and 2023:
For the Year Ended December 31, 2025
(Dollars in millions)
Consumer Loan Assignments
Active Dealers (2)
Dollar Volume (1)
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Michigan
Texas
Ohio
New Jersey
Florida
All other states
Total
For the Year Ended December 31, 2024
(Dollars in millions)
Consumer Loan Assignments
Active Dealers (2)
Dollar Volume (1)
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Michigan
Texas
New Jersey
Ohio
Florida
All other states
Total
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
(Dollars in millions)
Consumer Loan Assignments
Active Dealers (2)
Dollar Volume (1)
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Michigan
Texas
Ohio
New Jersey
Tennessee
All other states
Total
(1) Represents advances paid to Dealers on Consumer Loans assigned under the Portfolio Program and one-time payments made to Dealers to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under the Purchase Program. Payments of Dealer Holdback and accelerated Dealer Holdback are not included.
(2) Active Dealers are Dealers who have received funding for at least one Loan during the year.
No single Dealer’s Loans receivable balance accounted for more than 10% of total Loans receivable balance as of December 31, 2025 or 2024.
Seasonality
Our business is seasonal with peak Consumer Loan assignments and collections occurring during the first quarter of the year. This seasonality has a material impact on our interim results, as we are required to recognize a significant provision for credit losses expense at the time of assignment. For additional information, see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Regulation
Our business is subject to laws and regulations, including the Truth in Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, prohibitions againstunfair, deceptive, and abusive acts and practices, and various other state and federal laws and regulations. These laws and regulations, among other things, require licensing and qualification; limit interest rates, fees, and other charges associated with the Consumer Loans assigned to us; require specified disclosures by Dealers to consumers; govern the sale and terms of ancillary products; and define the rights to repossess and sell collateral. Failure to comply with these laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on us by, among other things, limiting the jurisdictions in which we may operate, restricting our ability to realize the value of the collateral securing the Consumer Loans, making it more costly or burdensome to do business, or resulting in potential liability. The volume of new or modified laws and regulations, and new interpretations of existing laws and regulations, has increased in recent years. From time to time, enactment and interpretations of legislation and regulations increase the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities, or affect the competitive balance among financial services providers. Proposals to change the laws and regulations governing the operations and taxation of financial institutions and financial services providers are frequently made in the U.S. Congress, in state legislatures, and by various regulatory agencies. Such changes in laws and regulations, or the interpretation of such laws and regulations, may change our operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways and may have a material adverse effect on our business.
We are subject to supervision by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “Bureau”). The Bureau has rulemaking and enforcement authority over certain non-depository institutions, including us. The Bureau is specifically authorized, among other things, to take actions to prevent companies providing consumer financial products or services and their service providers from engaging in unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices in connection with consumer financial products and services, and to issue rules requiring enhanced disclosures or consumer access to information for consumer financial products or services. Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), the Bureau also may restrict the use of pre-dispute mandatory arbitration clauses in contracts between covered persons and consumers for a consumer financial product or service. The Bureau also has authority to interpret, enforce, and issue regulations implementing enumerated consumer laws, including certain laws that apply to our business. The Dodd-Frank Act and regulations promulgated thereunder may affect our cost of doing business, may limit or expand our permissible activities, may affect the competitive balance within our industry and market areas, and could have a material adverse effect on us.
In addition to the Bureau, other state and federal agencies have the ability to regulate aspects of our business. For example, the Dodd-Frank Act provides a mechanism for state attorneys general to investigate us. Separately, state attorneys general and certain state regulators have authority under their respective rules and laws, to investigate and/or regulate aspects of our business. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission has jurisdiction to investigate aspects of our business. We expect that regulatory investigations of our business by both state and federal agencies will continue and that the results of these investigations could have a material adverse impact on us.
Ongoing Regulatory Matters
Regulatory matters to which we are a party include the following matters, in each case the eventual scope, duration, and outcome of which we cannot predict at this time.
• On May 7, 2019, we received a subpoena from the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau of the Office of the New York State Attorney General, relating to the Company’s origination and collection policies and procedures in the state of New York. After May 7, 2019 through April 30, 2021, we received additional subpoenas from the Office of the New York State Attorney General relating to the Company’s origination, collection, and securitization practices. On November 19, 2020 and August 23, 2022, we received letters from the Office of the New York State Attorney General indicating that it may commence litigationagainst the Company asserting violations of New York Executive Law § 63(12) and New York General Business Law §§ 349 and 352 et seq. and applicable federal laws, including but not limited to claims that the Company engaged in unfair and deceptive trade practices in auto lending, debt collection, and asset-backed securitizations in the State of New York in violation of the Dodd-Frank Act, New York Executive Law § 63(12), the New York Martin Act, and New York General Business Law § 349. See the description below of the lawsuit commenced by the Office of the New York State Attorney General on January 4, 2023.
On April 22, 2019, we received a civil investigative demand from the Bureau seeking, among other things, certain information relating to the Company’s origination and collection of Consumer Loans, TPPs, and credit reporting. After April 22, 2019 through March 7, 2022, we received additional subpoenas from the Bureau. On December 6, 2021, we received a Notice and Opportunity to Respond and Advise letter from the Staff of the Office of Enforcement (“Staff”) of the Bureau, stating that the Staff was considering whether to recommend that the Bureau take legal action against the Company for allegedviolations of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 (the “CFPA”) in connection with the Company’s consumer loan origination practices. See the description below of the lawsuit commenced by the Bureau on January 4, 2023.
On January 4, 2023, the Office of the New York State Attorney General and the Bureau jointly filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that the Company engaged in deceptive practices, fraud, illegality, and securities fraud in violation of New York Executive Law § 63(12) and New York General Business Law §§ 349 and 352, and that the Company engaged in deceptive and abusive acts and provided substantial assistance to a covered person or service provider in violation of the CFPA, 12 U.S.C. § 5531 and 12 U.S.C. § 5536(a)(1)(B). The complaint seeks injunctive relief, an accounting of all consumers for whom the Company provided financing, restitution, damages, disgorgement, civil penalties, and payment of costs. On March 14, 2023, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. On August 7, 2023, the court stayed the action pending the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Consumer Financial Protection Bureau v. Community Financial Services Association of America Ltd ., No. 22-448 (“CFSA”). On July 1, 2024, the court lifted the stay in view of the decision in CFSA and requested revised briefing on the Company’s motion to dismiss that would address the intervening legal developments and sharpen the issues for resolution. As of October 29, 2024, the Company's motion to dismiss has been fully briefed. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in this matter. On April 24, 2025, the Bureau filed an unopposed motion to withdraw as plaintiff, and on April 29, 2025, the court granted that motion and ordered that the Bureau is no longer a plaintiff in the litigation. In September 2025, we made an offer to jointly settle this matter and the multi-state matter discussed below on terms that included, among other things, a proposed cash payment of $45.0 million. In January 2026, we reached preliminary alignment with representatives of the agencies involved in this matter and the multi-state matter discussed below on certain material terms of a potential settlement of those legal matters, including a potential cash payment by us of $75.5 million. Discussions with respect to resolution of those matters are ongoing.
• On March 18, 2016, we received a subpoena from the Attorney General of the State of Maryland, relating to the Company’s repossession and sale policies and procedures in the state of Maryland. On April 3, 2020, we received a subpoena from the Attorney General of the State of Maryland relating to the Company’s origination and collection policies and procedures in the state of Maryland. On August 11, 2020, we received a subpoena from the Attorney General of the State of Maryland restating most of the requests contained in the March 18, 2016 and April 3, 2020 subpoenas, making additional requests, and expanding the inquiry to include 41 other states (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin) and the District of Columbia. Also on August 11, 2020, we received from the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey a subpoena that is essentially identical to the August 11, 2020 Maryland subpoena, both as to substance and as to the jurisdictions identified. The Company has been informed that the State of Kansas, the State of Texas, and the State of Iowa have withdrawn from the multi-state investigation. In September 2025, we made an offer to jointly settle this matter and the New York Attorney General matter discussed above on terms that included, among other things, a proposed cash payment of $45.0 million. In January 2026, we reached preliminary alignment with representatives of the agencies involved in this matter and the New York Attorney General matter discussed above on certain material terms of a potential settlement of those legal matters, including a potential cash payment by us of $75.5 million. Discussions with respect to resolution of those matters are ongoing.
In addition, governmental regulations that would deplete the supply of used vehicles, such as environmental protection regulations governing emissions or fuel consumption, could have a material adverse effect on us.
Dealers must also comply with credit and trade practice statutes and regulations. Failure of Dealers to comply with these statutes and regulations could result in consumers having rights of rescission and other remedies that could have a material adverse effect on us.
The sale of vehicle service contracts and GAP by Dealers in connection with Consumer Loans assigned to us from Dealers is also subject to state laws and regulations. As we are the holder of the Consumer Loans that may, in part, finance these products, some of these state laws and regulations may apply to our servicing and collection of the Consumer Loans. Although these laws and regulations do not significantly affect our business, there can be no assurance that insurance or other regulatory authorities in the jurisdictions in which these products are offered by Dealers will not seek to regulate or restrict the operation of our business in these jurisdictions. Any regulation or restriction of our business in these jurisdictions could materially adversely affect the income received from these products.
We believe that we maintain all material licenses and permits required for our current operations and are in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Our agreements with Dealers provide that the Dealer shall indemnify us with respect to any loss or expense we incur as a result of the Dealer’s failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations.
Team Members
Our team members are organized into four operating functions as follows:
Servicing . The servicing function includes team members that are responsible for servicing Consumer Loans. The majority of these team members are responsible for collection activities on delinquent Consumer Loans.
Originations. The originations function includes team members that are responsible for enrolling new Dealers and supporting active Dealers. Originations also includes team members responsible for processing new Consumer Loan assignments.
Engineering, Analytics, Marketing, and Product Management . This function consists of team members that are responsible for innovating, transforming, enhancing, modernizing, and optimizing our product for Dealers and consumers.
Support . The support function includes team members that are responsible for corporate legal and compliance, human resources, and finance.
The following table presents team members by operating function:
Number of Team Members
as of December 31,
Operating Function
Servicing
Originations
Engineering, Analytics, Marketing, and Product Management
Support
Total
As of December 31, 2025, we had 2,314 full- and part-time team members. Our team members have no union affiliations, and we believe our relationship with our team members is in good standing. We strive to create a work environment that is pleasant, professional, and free from intimidation, hostility, or other offenses that may interfere with work performance. All team members complete non-discrimination and anti-harassment training, promoting a safe and inclusive work environment.
The vast majority of our team members work remotely from locations within the United States, with more than half of our team members located outside of Michigan. Our remote-first work environment allows us to take advantage of the national talent pool and hire the most qualified team members. We believe our workplace supports an inclusive culture due to our practices of maintaining open and transparent communication and fostering a climate in which all team members are welcome to speak up and contribute. We engage in initiatives that encourage our team members to generate concrete actions that we can take together to enhance the environment of inclusion, a sense of belonging, and acceptance of others to make our culture and our Company stronger. We believe these factors naturally contribute to the diversity of our workforce.
We place great importance on listening to our team members, as we believe that “ the people doing the work know the most about it. ” We encourage participation in periodic anonymous surveys to gain honest feedback about our workplace from our team members, and we use this feedback to generate ideas for improvement. Our Company’s culture attracts talented people and enables them to perform to their potential. We have been honored to receive many workplace awards in recent years.
Available Information
Our internet address is creditacceptance.com . We make available free of charge on our internet web site our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, 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, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Industry, Operational, and Macroeconomic Risks
Our inability to accurately forecast and estimate the amount and timing of future collections could have a material adverse effect on results of operations.
The majority of the Consumer Loans assigned to us are made to individuals with impaired or limited credit histories. Consumer Loans made to these individuals generally entail a higher risk of delinquency, default, and repossession, and higher losses than loans made to consumers with better credit. Since most of our revenue and cash flows from operations are generated from these Consumer Loans, our ability to accurately forecast Consumer Loan performance is critical to our business and financial results. At the time of assignment, we forecast future expected cash flows from the Consumer Loan. Based on these forecasts, which include estimates for wholesale vehicle prices in the event of vehicle repossession and sale, we make an advance or one-time purchase payment to the related Dealer at a level designed to maximize economic profit, a non-GAAP financial measure. We continue to forecast the expected collection rate for each Consumer Loan subsequent to assignment. These forecasts also serve as a critical assumption in our accounting for recognizing finance charge income and determining our allowance for credit losses. Please see the Critical Accounting Estimates – Finance Charge Revenue & Allowance for Credit Losses section in Item 7 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference. Actual cash flows from any individual Consumer Loan are often different from cash flows estimated at the time of assignment. There can be no assurance that our forecasts will be accurate or that Consumer Loan performance will be as expected. In periods with changing economic conditions, accurately forecasting the performance of Consumer Loans is more difficult. In the event that our forecasts are not accurate in the aggregate, our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Due to competition from traditional financing sources and non-traditional lenders, we may not be able to compete successfully.
The automobile finance market for consumers who do not qualify for conventional automobile financing is large and highly competitive. The market is served by a variety of companies, including “buy here, pay here” dealerships. The market is also currently served by banks, captive finance affiliates of automobile manufacturers, credit unions, and independent finance companies both publicly and privately owned. Many of these companies are much larger and have greater financial resources than are available to us, and many have long-standing relationships with automobile dealerships. Providers of automobile financing have traditionally competed based on the interest rate charged, the quality of credit accepted, the flexibility of loan terms offered, and the quality of service provided to dealers and consumers. We may be unable to compete successfully in the automobile finance market or, due to the intense competition in this market, our results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition may be adversely affected as we adjust our business in response to competitive pressures. Increasing advance rates on Loans has the impact of reducing the return on capital we expect to earn on Loans. Additionally, if we are unsuccessful in maintaining and expanding our relationships with Dealers, we may be unable to accept Consumer Loans in the volume and on the terms that we anticipate.
Adverse changes in economic conditions, the automobile or finance industries, or the non-prime consumer market could adversely affect our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations, the ability of key vendors that we depend on to supply us with services, and our ability to enter into future financing transactions.
We are subject to general economic conditions which are beyond our control. During periods of economic slowdown or recession, delinquencies, defaults, repossessions, and losses may increase on our Consumer Loans, and Consumer Loan prepayments, which historically have been lower in periods with less availability of consumer credit, may decline. These periods are also typically accompanied by decreased consumer demand for automobiles and declining values of automobiles securing outstanding Consumer Loans, which weakens collateral coverage and increases the amount of loss in the event of default. Significant increases in the inventory of used automobiles during periods of economic recession may also depress the prices at which repossessed automobiles may be sold or delay the timing of these sales. Additionally, inflation, higher gasoline prices, the deferral or resumption of student loan payments, increased focus on climate-related initiatives and regulation, declining stock market values, unstable real estate values, resets of adjustable rate mortgages to higher interest rates, increasing unemployment levels, general availability of consumer credit, tariffs, or other factors that impact consumer confidence or disposable income could increase loss frequency and decrease consumer demand for automobiles as well as weaken collateral values of automobiles. Imposition of or increases in tariffs on U.S. imports could result in higher used car prices in the United States, leading to decreased Dealer origination of Consumer Loans and a decline in Consumer Loan assignments to us. Because our business is focused on consumers who do not qualify for conventional automobile financing, the actual rates of delinquencies, defaults, repossessions, and losses on our Consumer Loans could be higher than those experienced in the general automobile finance industry, and could be more dramatically affected by a general economic downturn.
We rely on Dealers to originate Consumer Loans for assignment under our programs. High levels of Dealer attrition, due to a general economic downturn or otherwise, could materially adversely affect our operations. In addition, we rely on vendors to provide us with services we need to operate our business. Any disruption in our operations due to the untimely or discontinued supply of these services could substantially adversely affect our operations. Finally, during an economic slowdown or recession, our servicing costs may increase without a corresponding increase in finance charge revenue. Any sustained period of increased delinquencies, defaults, repossessions, or losses or increased servicing costs could also materially adversely affect our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations and our ability to enter into future financing transactions.
Technological advancements or changes to trends in the automobile industry such as new autonomous driving technologies or car- and ride-sharing programs could decrease consumer demand for automobiles. Decreased consumer demand for automobiles could negatively impact demand for our financing programs as well as weaken collateral values of automobiles, which could materially adversely affect our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.
Reliance on third parties to administer our ancillary product offerings could adversely affect our business and financial results.
We have relationships with TPPs to administer vehicle service contracts and GAP underwritten by third-party insurers and indirectly financed by us. We depend on these TPPs to evaluate and pay claims in an accurate and timely manner. If our relationships with these TPPs were modified, disrupted, or terminated, we would need to obtain these services from an alternative administrator or provide them using our internal resources. We may be unable to replace these TPPs with a suitable alternative in a timely and efficient manner on terms we consider acceptable, or at all. In the event we were unable to effectively administer our ancillary products offerings, we may need to eliminate or suspend our ancillary product offerings from our future business, we may experience a decline in the performance of our Consumer Loans, our reputation in the marketplace could be undermined, and our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We are dependent on our senior management, and the loss of any of these individuals or an inability to hire additional team members could adversely affect our ability to operate profitably.
As of December 31, 2025, our senior management averaged 15 years of experience with us. Our success is dependent upon the management and the leadership skills of this team. In addition, competition from other companies to hire our team members possessing the necessary skills and experience required could contribute to an increase in team member turnover. The loss of any of these individuals or an inability to attract and retain additional qualified team members could adversely affect us. There can be no assurance that we will be able to retain our existing senior management or attract additional qualified team members.
Our reputation is a key asset to our business, and our business may be affected by how we are perceived in the marketplace.
Our reputation is a key asset to our business. Our ability to attract consumers through Dealers is highly dependent upon external perceptions of our level of service, trustworthiness, business practices, and financial condition. Negative publicity regarding these matters could damage our reputation among existing and potential consumers and Dealers, which could make it difficult for us to attract new consumers and Dealers and maintain existing Dealers. Adverse developments with respect to our industry may also, by association, negatively impact our reputation or result in greater regulatory or legislative scrutiny or litigationagainst us.
An outbreak of contagious disease or other public health emergency could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations.
Contagious-disease outbreaks or other public health emergencies could cause a deterioration in the U.S. economy and our industry, disruptions in our workforce, decreases in collections from our consumers, declines in Consumer Loan assignments, or extended periods of economic or supply chain disruptions. Financial market disruptions that occur as a result of contagious-disease outbreaks or other public health emergencies could reduce our ability to access capital or our consumers’ ability to repay past or future Consumer Loans and could negatively affect our liquidity and results of operations. A future contagious-disease outbreak or other public health emergency could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations and also intensify the risks described in the other risk factors disclosed in this Form 10-K.
The concentration of Dealers in several states could adversely affect us.
Dealers are located throughout the United States. During the year ended December 31, 2025, our five largest states (measured by advances paid to Dealers on Consumer Loans assigned under the Portfolio Program and one-time payments made to Dealers to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under the Purchase Program) contained 29.2% of Dealers. While we believe we have a diverse geographic presence, for the near term, we expect that significant amounts of Consumer Loan assignments will continue to be generated by Dealers in these five states due to the number of Dealers in these states and currently prevailing economic, demographic, regulatory, competitive, and other conditions in these states. Changes to conditions in these states could lead to an increase in Dealer attrition or a reduction in demand for our service that could materially adversely affect our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.
Reliance on our outsourced business functions could adversely affect our business.
We outsource certain business functions to third-party service providers, which increases our operational complexity and decreases our control. We rely on these service providers to provide a high level of service and support, which subjects us to risks associated with inadequate or untimely service. In addition, if these outsourcing arrangements were not renewed or were terminated or the services provided to us were otherwise disrupted, we would have to obtain these services from an alternative provider or provide them using our internal resources. We may be unable to replace, or be delayed in replacing these sources and there is a risk that we would be unable to enter into a similar agreement with an alternate provider on terms that we consider favorable or in a timely manner. In the future, we may outsource additional business functions. If any of these or other risks related to outsourcing were realized, our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our ability to hire and retain foreign engineering personnel could be hindered by immigration restrictions.
A portion of our engineering team is composed of foreign nationals whose ability to work for us depends on maintaining the necessary H-1B visas. The H-1B visa category allows U.S. employers to hire qualified foreign nationals to perform services in specialty occupations that require the attainment of at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. Our ability to hire and retain these foreign nationals and their ability to remain and work in the United States are affected by various laws and regulations, including limitations on the number of available H-1B visas, which the U.S. government allocates by lottery. Changes in the laws or regulations affecting the availability, allocation, and/or cost of H-1B visas, eligibility for the H-1B visa category, or otherwise affecting the admission or retention of skilled foreign nationals by U.S. employers, or any increase in demand for H-1B visas relative to the limited supply of those visas, may adversely affect our ability to hire or retain foreign engineering personnel and may, as a result, increase our operating costs and impair our business operations.
We may be unable to execute our business strategy due to current economic conditions.
Our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations depend on management’s ability to execute our business strategy. Key factors involved in the execution of our business strategy include achieving our desired Consumer Loan assignment volume, continued and successful use of CAPS and other internet-based credit application processing systems and pricing strategy, the use of effective credit risk management techniques and servicing strategies, continued investment in technology to support operating efficiency, and continued access to funding and liquidity sources. Although our pricing strategy is intended to maximize the amount of economic profit we generate, within the confines of capital and infrastructure constraints, there can be no assurance that this strategy will have its intended effect. Please see the Consumer Loan Volume section in Item 7 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference. Our failure or inability to execute any element of our business strategy could materially adversely affect our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.
Natural disasters, climate change, military conflicts, acts of war, terrorist attacks and threats, or the escalation of military activity in response to terrorist attacks or otherwise may negatively affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Natural disasters, climate change, military conflicts, acts of war, terrorist attacks, and the escalation of military activity in response to terrorist attacks or otherwise may have negative and significant effects, such as imposition of increased security measures, changes in applicable laws, economic and financial market disruptions, loss of lives, damage to infrastructure, and job losses. These types of events or developments and their consequences may have an adverse effect on the economy in general, including diminished liquidity and credit availability, reduced consumer confidence, disruptions to energy and food supplies, decreased economic growth, higher unemployment rates, increased inflation, and political and social upheaval. The consequences of these types of events or developments could reduce used-car sales and demand for our product, impair the performance of our Loan portfolio, limit our access to capital, and intensify other risk factors disclosed in this Form 10-K, including cybersecurity-related risks. Moreover, the potential for future military conflicts and terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and escalating effects of climate change, and the national and international responses to these threats, could affect our business in ways that cannot be predicted. The effect of any of these events, developments, or threats could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Governmental or market responses to climate change and related environmental issues could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Governments have become increasingly focused on the effects of climate change and related environmental issues. How governments act to mitigate climate and related environmental risks, as well as associated changes in the behavior and preferences of businesses and consumers, could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. A decline in demand for gasoline-powered automobiles, such as could occur due to regulatory restrictions or a shift in consumer preference toward electric vehicles, could decrease the value of gasoline-powered vehicles securing outstanding Consumer Loans, which would weaken collateral coverage and increase the amount of loss in the event of default. Further, we may be compelled to change our business practices or our operational processes, and we could have less access to capital or face a higher cost of capital, because of climate- or environmental-driven changes in applicable law or due to related political, social, or market pressure. It is possible as well that changes in climate and related environmental risks, perceptions of them, and governmental responses to them may occur more rapidly than our ability to adapt without disrupting our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.
A small number of our shareholders have the ability to significantly influence matters requiring shareholder approval and such shareholders have interests which may conflict with the interests of our other security holders.
As of December 31, 2025, based on filings made with the SEC and other information made available to us, Allan V. Apple beneficially owned 20.9% of our common stock, Prescott General Partners LLC and its affiliates beneficially owned 20.7% of our common stock, Jill Foss Watson beneficially owned 15.8% of our common stock, and John P. Neary beneficially owned 8.0% of our common stock (representing, collectively, beneficial ownership of 45.3% of our common stock, after taking into account those shares reported as beneficially owned by more than one of these shareholders). As a result, these shareholders are able to significantly influence matters presented to shareholders, including the election and removal of directors, the approval of significant corporate transactions, such as any reclassification, reorganization, merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and the control of our management and affairs, including executive compensation arrangements. Their interests may conflict with the interests of our other security holders.
The beneficial ownership reported by Mr. Apple and Mr. Neary includes, in each case, beneficial ownership in their capacity as trustees of shares held in a marital trust established by our late founder, Donald Foss, and representing 8.0% of our common stock as of December 31, 2025. The shares in the trust are subject to the terms of a shareholder agreement, entered into by Mr. Foss on January 3, 2017. Under the terms of that agreement that became applicable to the trustees of the trust upon Mr. Foss’s death on August 14, 2022, until the final adjournment of the Company’s 2026 annual meeting of shareholders, the shares in the trust are to be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Company’s Board of Directors with respect to election and removal of directors, certain routine matters, and any other proposal to be submitted to the Company’s shareholders with respect to any extraordinary transaction providing for the acquisition of all of the Company’s outstanding common stock.
Capital and Liquidity Risks
We may be unable to continue to access or renew funding sources and obtain capital needed to maintain and grow our business.
We use debt financing to maintain and grow our business. We currently utilize the following primary forms of debt financing: (1) a revolving secured line of credit facility; (2) revolving secured warehouse (“Warehouse”) facilities; (3) asset-backed secured financings (“Term ABS financings”); and (4) senior notes. We cannot guarantee that the revolving secured line of credit facility or the Warehouse facilities will continue to be available beyond their current maturity dates, on acceptable terms, or at all, or that we will be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms or at all. The availability of additional financing will depend on a variety of factors such as market conditions, the general availability of credit, our financial position, our results of operations, and the capacity for additional borrowing under our existing financing arrangements. If our various financing alternatives were to become limited or unavailable, we may be unable to maintain or grow Consumer Loan volume at the level that we anticipate and our operations could be materially adversely affected.
The terms of our debt limit how we conduct our business.
The agreements that govern our debt contain covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things:
• incur and guarantee debt;
• pay dividends or make other distributions on or redeem or repurchase our stock;
• make investments or acquisitions;
• create liens on our assets;
• sell assets;
• merge with or into other companies; and
• enter into transactions with stockholders and other affiliates.
Some of our debt agreements also impose requirements that we maintain specified financial measures not in excess of, or not below, specified levels. In particular, our revolving credit facility and warehouse facilities require, among other things, that we maintain (i) as of the end of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of consolidated funded debt less unrestricted cash and cash equivalents to consolidated tangible net worth at or below a specified maximum and (ii) as of the end of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of consolidated income available for fixed charges for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended to consolidated fixed charges, as defined in the agreements, for that period of not less than a specified minimum. These covenants limit the manner in which we can conduct our business and could prevent us from engaging in favorable business activities or financing future operations and capital needs and impair our ability to successfully execute our strategy and operate our business.
A breach of any of the covenants in our debt instruments would result in an event of default thereunder if not promptly cured or waived. Any continuing default would permit the creditors to accelerate the related debt, which could also result in the acceleration of other debt containing a cross acceleration or cross default provision. In addition, an event of default under our revolving credit facility or warehouse facilities would permit the lenders thereunder to terminate all commitments to extend further credit under such facilities. Furthermore, if we were unable to repay the amounts due and payable under our revolving credit facility or other secured debt, the lenders thereunder could cause the collateral agent to proceed against the collateral securing that debt. In the event our creditors accelerate the repayment of our debt, there can be no assurance that we would have sufficient assets to repay that debt, and our financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations would suffer.
A violation of the terms of our Term ABS financings or Warehouse facilities could have a material adverse impact on our operations.
Under our Term ABS financings and our Warehouse facilities, (1) we have various obligations and covenants as seller, servicer, and custodian of the Loans conveyed thereunder and in our individual capacity and (2) the special purpose subsidiaries to which we convey Loans have various obligations and covenants. A violation of any of these obligations or covenants in any of our Term ABS financings or our Warehouse facilities by us or the special purpose subsidiaries, respectively, may result in an early termination of the revolving period, repurchase or indemnification obligations on our part, and the termination of our servicing rights (and, accordingly, the loss of servicing fees), and may further result in amounts outstanding under such Term ABS financings and Warehouse facilities becoming immediately due and payable. In addition, the violation of any financial covenant under our revolving secured line of credit facility is an event of default or termination event under certain of our Term ABS financings and our Warehouse facilities.
The occurrence of any of the events described in the immediately-preceding paragraph could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.
Our substantial debt could negatively impact our business, prevent us from satisfying our debt obligations, and adversely affect our financial condition.
We have a substantial amount of debt, which could have negative consequences, including the following:
• our ability to obtain additional financing for Consumer Loan assignments, working capital, debt refinancing, or other purposes could be impaired;
• a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations will be dedicated to paying principal and interest on our debt, reducing funds available for other purposes;
• we may be vulnerable to interest rate increases, as some of our borrowings, including those under our revolving credit facility and Warehouse facilities, bear interest at variable rates;
• we could be more vulnerable to adverse developments in our industry or in general economic conditions;
• we may be restricted from taking advantage of business opportunities or making strategic acquisitions; and
• we may be limited in our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industries in which we operate.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding debt and fund operations and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under such debt.
Our ability to make payments of principal and interest on indebtedness will depend in part on our cash flows from operations, which are subject to economic, financial, competitive, and other factors beyond our control. We cannot assure you that we will maintain a level of cash flows from operations sufficient to permit us to meet our debt service obligations. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows from operations to service our debt, we may be required to sell assets, refinance all or a portion of our existing debt, or obtain additional financing. There can be no assurance that any refinancing will be possible or that any asset sales or additional financing can be completed on acceptable terms or at all.
Interest rate fluctuations may adversely affect our borrowing costs, profitability, and liquidity.
Our profitability may be directly affected by the level of and fluctuations in interest rates, whether caused by changes in economic conditions or other factors, which affect our borrowing costs. Our profitability and liquidity could be materially adversely affected during any period of higher interest rates. We monitor the interest rate environment and employ strategies designed to partially mitigate the impact of increases in interest rates. We can provide no assurance, however, that our strategies will mitigate the impact of increases in interest rates.
Reduction in our credit rating could increase the cost of our funding from, and restrict our access to, the capital markets and adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations.
Credit rating agencies evaluate us, and their ratings of our debt and creditworthiness are based on a number of factors. These factors include our financial strength and other factors not entirely within our control, including conditions affecting the financial services industry generally. As the financial services industry and the financial markets periodically face difficulties, there can be no assurance that we will maintain our current ratings. Failure to maintain those ratings could, among other things, adversely limit our access to the capital markets and affect the cost and other terms upon which we are able to obtain financing.
We may incur substantially more debt and other liabilities. This could exacerbate further the risks associated with our current debt levels.
We may be able to incur substantial additional debt in the future. Although the terms of our debt instruments contain restrictions on our ability to incur additional debt, these restrictions are subject to exemptions that could permit us to incur a substantial amount of additional debt. In addition, our debt instruments do not prevent us from incurring liabilities that do not constitute indebtedness as defined for purposes of those debt instruments. If new debt or other liabilities are added to our current debt levels, the risks associated with our having substantial debt could intensify.
The conditions of the U.S. and international capital markets may adversely affect lenders with which we have relationships, causing us to incur additional costs and reducing our sources of liquidity, which may adversely affect our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.
Periodically, there has been uncertainty in the global capital markets and the overall economy. Such uncertainty can result in disruptions in the financial sector and affect lenders with which we have relationships. Disruptions in the financial sector may increase our exposure to credit risk and adversely affect the ability of lenders to perform under the terms of their lending arrangements with us. Failure by our lenders to perform under the terms of our lending arrangements could cause us to incur additional costs that may adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations. There can be no assurance that future disruptions in the financial sector will not occur that could have similar adverse effects on our business.
Technology and Cybersecurity Risks
Our dependence on technology could have a material adverse effect on our business.
All Consumer Loans submitted to us for assignment are processed either through CAPS or via an integration we have with aggregators used by Dealers to submit credit application information to various finance sources. Our Consumer Loan servicing platform is also technology based. We rely on these systems to record and process significant amounts of data quickly and accurately. Our systems, and those of our third-party service providers, are dependent upon computer and telecommunications equipment, software systems, and internet access. The temporary or permanent loss of any components of these systems through hardware failures, software errors, operating malfunctions, the vulnerability of the internet, or otherwise could interrupt our business operations and harm our business.
Although Company systems and systems of third party service providers are subject to risks from cybersecurity threats and incidents, these have not materially affected the Company, including its business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition, though there can be no assurance that cybersecurity threats and incidents will not have a material adverse effect on us in the future.
We rely on a variety of measures to protect our technology and proprietary information, including copyrights and a comprehensive information security program. However, these measures may not prevent misappropriation or infringement of our intellectual property or proprietary information, which would adversely affect us. In addition, our competitors or other third parties may allege that our proprietary systems, processes, or technologies infringe their intellectual property rights.
Our ability to integrate computer and telecommunications technologies into our business is essential to our success. Computer and telecommunications technologies are evolving rapidly and, as a result, may be characterized by short product life cycles. We may not be successful in anticipating, managing, or adopting technological changes on a timely basis. While we believe that our existing information systems are sufficient to meet our current demands and continued expansion, our future growth may require additional investment in these systems. We cannot assure that adequate capital resources will be available to us at the appropriate time.
We depend on secure information technology, and a breach of our systems or those of our third-party service providers could result in our experiencing significant financial, legal, and reputational exposure and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We and our third-party service providers face ongoing threats to our systems and data and occasionally experience cyberattacks and other security incidents. Numerous national finance companies have disclosed security breaches involving sophisticated cyber-attacks, including ransomware, that were not recognized or detected until after such companies had been affected, notwithstanding the preventive measures such companies had in place. Further, the rapid evolution and increased adoption of artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies, increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists, activists, and other external parties may increase our level of cybersecurity risk. Additionally, our increased use of mobile and cloud technologies could heighten these and other operational risks by increasing our attack surface, and any failure by mobile or cloud technology service providers to adequately safeguard their systems and prevent cyber-attacks could disrupt our operations and result in misappropriation, corruption, or loss of confidential or propriety information. The security measures we have implemented to protect against cybersecurity incidents, or those of our third-party service providers, may not always prevent or mitigate the impact of a cybersecurity incident, and there can be no assurance that future efforts to prevent or mitigate a cybersecurity incident will be effective either. As a result, our computer systems, software, and networks, as well as those of our third-party service providers, are vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, malware attacks, and other events that could have a security impact beyond our control, and information we transmit and receive may be vulnerable to interception, misuse, or mishandling. Cybersecurity incidents, including such occurrences that compromise information processed by, stored in, or transmitted through our computer systems and networks, or those of our third-party service providers, or that cause interruptions or malfunctions in our or our service providers’ operations could result in losses, loss of business by us and loss of confidence in us, consumer and Dealer dissatisfaction, significant litigation, regulatory exposures, and harm to our reputation, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
While we have not been materially affected by cybersecurity incidents to date, we may be required to expend significant additional resources in the future to enhance our security controls, modify our protective measures, investigate the circumstances surrounding cybersecurity incidents, and implement mitigation and remediation measures in response to cybersecurity incidents and new or more sophisticated threats, as well as in response to new regulations related to cybersecurity. Cybersecurity incidents may result in our being subject to fines, penalties, litigation (including securities fraud class action lawsuits) and regulatory investigation costs and settlements and other financial losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our use of electronic contracts could impact our ability to perfect our ownership or security interest in Consumer Loans.
Our systems permit origination and assignment of Consumer Loans in electronic form. We have engaged a TPP to facilitate the process of creating, establishing control of, and storing electronic contracts in a manner that enables us to perfect our ownership or security interest in the electronic contracts by satisfying the requirements for “control” of electronic chattel paper under the Uniform Commercial Code.
Although the law governing the perfection of ownership and security interests in electronic contracts was enacted in 2001, the statutory requirements for the relevant control arrangements have not been meaningfully tested in court. In addition, market practices regarding control of electronic contracts are still developing. As a result, there is a risk that the systems employed by us or any TPP to maintain control of the electronic contracts may not be sufficient as a matter of law to give us a perfected ownership or security interest in the Consumer Loans evidenced by electronic contracts. In addition, technological failure, including failure in the security or access restrictions with respect to the systems, and operational failure, such as the failure to implement and maintain adequate internal controls and procedures, could also affect our ability to obtain or maintain a perfected ownership or security interest in the Consumer Loans evidenced by electronic contracts (or the priority of such interests). Our failure or inability to perfect our ownership or security interest in the Consumer Loans could materially adversely affect our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.
Failure to properly safeguard our proprietary business information or confidential consumer and team member personal information could subject us to liability, decrease our profitability, and damage our reputation.
In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data on our computer networks. This sensitive data includes our proprietary business information and personally identifiable information of our consumers and team members. The secure processing, maintenance, and transmission of this information is critical to our operations and business strategy.
If third parties or our team members are able to breach our network security or the network security of a third party that we share information with or otherwise are able to misappropriate our consumers’ and team members’ personal information, or if we give third parties or our team members improper access to our consumers’ and team members’ personal information, we could be subject to liability. This liability could include identity theft or other similar fraud-related claims. This liability could also include claims for other misuses or losses of personal information, including for unauthorized marketing purposes. Other liabilities could include claimsallegingmisrepresentation of our privacy and data security practices. Moreover, the loss of confidential customer personal information could harm our reputation, result in the loss of business, and subject us to liability under laws that protect personal information, resulting in increased costs, loss of revenues and substantial penalties. For instance, the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, as amended (“CCPA”), provides for enhanced consumer protections for California residents and statutory fines for data security breaches or other CCPA violations.
We rely on encryption and authentication technology licensed from third parties to provide the security and authentication necessary to secure online transmission of confidential consumer and team member information, which can include personal information. Advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography, advancements in AI, or other events or developments may result in a compromise or breach of the algorithms that we use to protect sensitive consumer transaction data. A party who is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in our operations. We may be required to expend capital and other resources to protect against, or alleviate problems caused by, security breaches or other cybersecurity incidents. Although we have experienced occasional cybersecurity incidents that have not had a material effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations, there can be no assurance that a cyber-attack, security breach, or other cybersecurity incident will not have a material adverse effect on us in the future. Our security measures are designed to protect against security breaches, but our failure to prevent security breaches could subject us to liability, decrease our profitability, and damage our reputation.
The development and use of artificial intelligence presents risks and challenges that may adversely impact our business.
We, or TPPs, third-party service providers, automobile dealers who participate in our programs, or other third parties with which we transact or have business relationships, may develop or incorporate AI technology in certain business processes, services, or products. The development and use of AI presents several potential risks and challenges to our business. The implementation by us of AI technologies may require significant additional investments in infrastructure, personnel, and training. There can be no assurance that such investments will yield the anticipated benefits or that we will be able to successfully integrate AI into our existing systems and processes without disruption. We may not be able to effectively implement or keep pace with evolutions in AI or other technology-driven products and services as quickly or with the same degree of success as our competitors. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could harm our ability to maintain and expand our relationships with Dealers and otherwise adversely affect our business and our ability to compete successfully in the automobile finance market.
The legal and regulatory environment relating to AI is complex and rapidly evolving in the United States and includes both regulatory frameworks targeting AI specifically and other laws and regulations related to such matters as intellectual property, privacy, consumer protection, and employment, among others, applicable to the use of AI. These evolving laws and regulations could affect our approach to AI technology and any implementation of AI technology that we may pursue and could result in significant compliance costs and risk of non-compliance.
AI models may produce output or take action that is incorrect, that reflects biases included in the data on which they are trained, that results in the release of private, confidential, or proprietary information, that infringes on the intellectual property rights of others, or that is otherwise harmful. The limited transparency of AI models increases the challenges associated with assessing the proper operation of AI models, understanding and monitoring the capabilities of AI models, reducing erroneous output of AI models, eliminating bias in AI models, and complying with relevant regulations. Further, we may rely on AI models developed by third parties, and, to that extent, would be dependent in part on the manner in which those third parties develop and train their models, which could expose us to risks arising from the inclusion of any unauthorized material in the training data for their models and the effectiveness of the steps these third parties have taken to limit the risks associated with the output of their models, matters over which we may have limited visibility.
Whether or not we are otherwise ablesuccessfully to manage the implementation of AI in our business and address the competitive challenges AI could pose to our business, any failure by TPPs, our third-party service providers, Dealers, or other third parties with which we transact or have business relationships to adhere to our AI policies, or otherwise to use AI in an appropriate manner, could result in legal or regulatory violations, jeopardize our intellectual property rights or those of other parties, or expose us to cybersecurity threats, any of which could adversely affect our business and result in our sustaining reputational, technical, or competitive harm.
Any of these risks could expose us to liability or adverse legal or regulatory consequences and harm our reputation and the public perception of our business or the effectiveness of our security measures.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
Litigation we are involved in from time to time may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
As a result of the consumer-oriented nature of the industry in which we operate and uncertainties with respect to the application of various laws and regulations in some circumstances, we are subject to various consumer claims, litigation, and regulatory investigations seeking damages, fines, and statutory penalties, based upon, among other things, usury, disclosure inaccuracies, wrongfulrepossession, violations of bankruptcy stay provisions, certificate of title disputes, fraud, and breach of contract. As the assignee of Consumer Loans originated by Dealers, we may also be named as a co-defendant in lawsuits filed by consumers principally against Dealers. We may also have disputes and litigation with Dealers. The claims may allege, among other theories of liability, that we breached the Dealer servicing agreement. We may also have disputes and litigation with vendors and other third parties. The claims may allege, among other theories of liability, that we breached a license agreement or contract. The damages, fines, and penalties that may be claimed by consumers, regulatory agencies, Dealers, vendors, or other third parties in these types of matters can be substantial. The relief requested by plaintiffs varies but may include requests for compensatory, statutory, and punitivedamages and injunctive relief, and plaintiffs may seek treatment as purported class actions or they may file individual arbitration demands for which arbitration providers may request separate filing fees. A significant judgment against us in connection with any litigation or arbitration or the requirement to pay filing fees for a large number of individual arbitration demands could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.
For a description of significant litigation to which we are a party, see Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Changes in tax laws and the resolution of uncertain income tax matters could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows from operations.
We are subject to income tax in many of the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Increases in statutory income tax rates and other adverse changes in applicable law in these jurisdictions could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. In the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. At any one time, multiple tax years are subject to audit by various taxing jurisdictions. We provide reserves for potential payments of tax to various tax authorities related to uncertain tax positions. Please see the Critical Accounting Estimates – Uncertain Tax Positions section in Item 7 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference. We adjust these liabilities as a result of changing facts and circumstances; however, due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the tax liabilities. Such payments could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows from operations.
The regulations to which we are or may become subject could result in a material adverse effect on our business.
Reference should be made to Item 1. Business “Regulation” for a discussion of regulatory risk factors.
enable
benefit
Without our financing programs, consumers are often unable to purchase vehicles or they purchase unreliable ones. Further, as we report to the three national credit reporting agencies, an important ancillary benefit of our programs is that we provide consumers with an opportunity to improve their lives by improving their credit score and move on to more traditional sources of financing.
Credit Acceptance was founded in 1972 to collect retail installment contracts (referred to as “Consumer Loans”) originated by automobile dealerships owned by Donald Foss, our founder. During the 1980s, we began to market this service to non-affiliated dealers and, at the same time, began to offer dealers a non-recourse cash payment (referred to as an “advance”) against anticipated future collections on Consumer Loans serviced for that dealer.
We refer to automobile dealers who participate in our programs and who share our desire to provide an opportunity to consumers to improve their lives as “Dealers.” Upon enrollment in our financing programs, the Dealer enters into a Dealer servicing agreement with us that defines the legal relationship between Credit Acceptance and the Dealer. The Dealer servicing agreement assigns the responsibilities for administering, servicing, and collecting the amounts due on Consumer Loans from the Dealers to us. We are an indirect lender from a legal perspective, meaning the Consumer Loan is originated by the Dealer and assigned to us.
The majority of the Consumer Loans assigned to us are made to consumers with impaired or limited credit histories. The following table shows the percentage of Consumer Loans assigned to us with either FICO ® scores below 650 or no FICO ® scores:
For the Years Ended December 31,
Consumer Loan Assignment Volume
Percentage of total unit volume with either FICO ® scores below 650 or no FICO ® scores
Business Segment Information
We currently operate in one reportable segment which represents our core business of offering innovative financing solutions and related products and services that enable Dealers to sell vehicles to consumers regardless of their credit history. For information regarding our one reportable segment and related disclosures, see Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Principal Business
We offer Dealers financing programs that enable them to sell vehicles to consumers, regardless of their credit history. We have two programs: the Portfolio Program and the Purchase Program. Under the Portfolio Program, we advance money to Dealers (referred to as a “Dealer Loan”) in exchange for the right to service the underlying Consumer Loans. Under the Purchase Program, we buy the Consumer Loans from the Dealers (referred to as a “Purchased Loan”) and keep all amounts collected from the consumer. Dealer Loans and Purchased Loans are collectively referred to as “Loans.” The following table shows the percentage of Consumer Loans assigned to us under each of the programs for each of the last three years:
Unit Volume
Dollar Volume (1)
For the Years Ended December 31,
Portfolio Program
Purchase Program
Portfolio Program
Purchase Program
(1) Represents advances paid to Dealers on Consumer Loans assigned under the Portfolio Program and one-time payments made to Dealers to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under the Purchase Program. Payments of Dealer Holdback (as defined below) and accelerated Dealer Holdback are not included.
Portfolio Program
As payment for the vehicle, the Dealer generally receives the following:
• a down payment from the consumer;
• a cash advance from us; and
• after the advance balance (cash advance and related Dealer Loan fees and costs) has been recovered by us, the cash from payments made on the Consumer Loan, net of certain collection costs and our servicing fee (“Dealer Holdback”).
We record the amount advanced to the Dealer as a Dealer Loan, which is classified within Loans receivable in our consolidated balance sheets. Cash advanced to the Dealer is automatically assigned to the Dealer’s open pool of advances. Dealers make an election as to how many Consumer Loans (either 50 or 100) will be assigned to an open pool before it is closed, and subsequent advances are assigned to a new pool. Unless we receive a request from the Dealer to keep a pool open, we automatically close each pool based on the Dealer’s election. All advances within a Dealer’s pool are secured by the future collections on the related Consumer Loans assigned to the pool. For Dealers with more than one pool, the pools are cross-collateralized so the performance of other pools is considered in determining eligibility for Dealer Holdback. We perfect our security interest with respect to the Dealer Loans by obtaining control or taking possession of the Consumer Loans, which list us as lien holder on the vehicle title.
The Dealer servicing agreement provides that collections received by us during a calendar month on Consumer Loans assigned by a Dealer are applied on a pool-by-pool basis as follows:
• first, to reimburse us for certain collection costs;
• second, to pay us our servicing fee, which generally equals 20% of collections;
• third, to reduce the aggregate advance balance and to pay any other amounts due from the Dealer to us; and
• fourth, to the Dealer as payment of Dealer Holdback.
If the collections on Consumer Loans from a Dealer’s pool are not sufficient to repay the advance balance and any other amounts due to us, the Dealer will not receive Dealer Holdback. Certain events may also result in Dealers forfeiting their rights to Dealer Holdback, including becoming inactive before assigning 100 Consumer Loans.
Dealers have an opportunity to receive an accelerated Dealer Holdback payment each time a pool of Consumer Loans is closed. The amount paid to the Dealer is calculated using a formula that considers the number of Consumer Loans assigned to the pool and the related forecasted collections and advance balance.
Since typically the combination of the advance and the consumer’s down payment provides the Dealer with a cash profit at the time of sale, the Dealer’s risk in the Consumer Loan is limited. We cannot demand repayment of the advance from the Dealer except in the event the Dealer is in default of the Dealer servicing agreement. Advances are made only after the consumer and Dealer have signed a Consumer Loan contract, we have received the executed Consumer Loan contract and supporting documentation in either physical or electronic form, and we have approved all of the related stipulations for funding.
For accounting purposes, the transactions described under the Portfolio Program are not considered to be loans to consumers. Instead, our accounting reflects that of a lender to the Dealer. The classification as a Dealer Loan for accounting purposes is primarily a result of (1) the Dealer’s financial interest in the Consumer Loan and (2) certain elements of our legal relationship with the Dealer.
Purchase Program
The Purchase Program differs from the Portfolio Program in that the Dealer receives a one-time payment from us at the time of assignment to purchase the Consumer Loan instead of a cash advance at the time of assignment and future Dealer Holdback payments. For accounting purposes, the transactions described under the Purchase Program are considered to be originated by the Dealer and then purchased by us.
Program Enrollment
Dealers are granted access to the Portfolio Program upon enrollment. Access to the Purchase Program is typically only granted to Dealers that meet one of the following:
• assigned at least 50 Consumer Loans under the Portfolio Program;
• franchise dealership; or
• independent dealership that meets certain criteria upon enrollment.
Revenue Sources
Credit Acceptance derives its revenues from the following principal sources:
• finance charges, which are comprised of: (1) interest income earned on Loans; (2) administrative fees earned from ancillary products; (3) program fees charged to Dealers under the Portfolio Program; (4) Consumer Loan assignment fees charged to Dealers; and (5) direct origination costs incurred on Dealer Loans;
• premiums earned on the reinsurance of vehicle service contracts; and
• other income, which primarily consists of ancillary product profit sharing, remarketing fees, and interest. For additional information, see Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 to this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The following table sets forth the percent relationship to total revenue of each of these sources:
For the Years Ended December 31,
Percent of Total Revenue
Finance charges
Premiums earned
Other income
Total revenue
Operations
Sales and Marketing . Our target market is approximately 60,000 independent and franchised automobile dealers in the United States. We have market area managers located throughout the United States that market our programs to prospective Dealers, enroll new Dealers, and support active Dealers. The number of Dealer enrollments and active Dealers for each of the last three years are presented in the table below:
For the Years Ended December 31,
Dealer Enrollments
Active Dealers (1)
(1) Active Dealers are Dealers who have received funding for at least one Loan during the period.
Once Dealers have enrolled in our programs, the market area managers work closely with the newly enrolled Dealers to help them successfully launch our programs within their dealerships. Market area managers also provide active Dealers with ongoing support and consulting focused on improving the Dealers’ success on our programs, including assistance with increasing the volume and performance of Consumer Loan assignments.
Dealer Servicing Agreement. As a part of the enrollment process, a new Dealer is required to enter into a Dealer servicing agreement with Credit Acceptance that defines the legal relationship between Credit Acceptance and the Dealer. The Dealer servicing agreement assigns the responsibilities for administering, servicing, and collecting the amounts due on Consumer Loans from the Dealers to us. Under the typical Dealer servicing agreement, a Dealer represents that it will only assign Consumer Loans to us that satisfy criteria established by us, meet certain conditions with respect to their binding nature and the status of the security interest in the purchased vehicle, and comply with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
The typical Dealer servicing agreement may be terminated by us or by the Dealer upon written notice. We may terminate the Dealer servicing agreement immediately in the case of an event of default by the Dealer. Events of default include, among other things:
• the Dealer’s refusal to allow us to audit its records relating to the Consumer Loans assigned to us;
• the Dealer, without our consent, is dissolved; merges or consolidates with an entity not affiliated with the Dealer; or sells a material part of its assets outside the course of its business to an entity not affiliated with the Dealer; or
• the appointment of a receiver for, or the bankruptcy or insolvency of, the Dealer.
While a Dealer can cease assigning Consumer Loans to us at any time without terminating the Dealer servicing agreement, if the Dealer elects to terminate the Dealer servicing agreement or in the event of a default, we have the right to require that the Dealer immediately pay us:
• any unreimbursed collection costs on Dealer Loans;
• any unpaidadvances and all amounts owed by the Dealer to us; and
• a termination fee equal to 15% of the then outstanding amount of the Consumer Loans assigned to us.
Upon receipt of such amounts in full, we reassign the Consumer Loans and our security interest in the financed vehicles to the Dealer.
In the event of a termination of the Dealer servicing agreement by us, we may continue to service Consumer Loans assigned by the Dealer to us prior to termination in the normal course of business without charging a termination fee.
Consumer Loan Assignment. Once a Dealer has enrolled in our programs, the Dealer may begin assigning Consumer Loans to us. For legal purposes, a Consumer Loan is considered to have been assigned to us after the following has occurred:
• the consumer and Dealer have signed a Consumer Loan contract; and
• we have received the executed Consumer Loan contract and supporting documentation in either physical or electronic form.
For accounting and financial reporting purposes, a Consumer Loan is considered to have been assigned to us after the following has occurred:
• the Consumer Loan has been legally assigned to us; and
• we have made a funding decision and generally have provided funding to the Dealer in the form of either an advance under the Portfolio Program or one-time purchase payment under the Purchase Program.
A Consumer Loan is originated by the Dealer when a consumer enters into a contract with the Dealer that sets forth the terms of the agreement between the consumer and the Dealer for the payment of the purchase price of the vehicle. The amount of the Consumer Loan consists of the total principal and interest that the consumer is required to pay over the term of the Consumer Loan. Consumer Loans are written on a contract form provided or approved by us. Although the Dealer is named in the Consumer Loan contract, the Dealer generally does not have legal ownership of the Consumer Loan for more than a moment, and we, not the Dealer, are listed as lien holder on the vehicle title. Consumers are obligated to make payments on the Consumer Loan directly to us, and any failure to make such payments will result in our pursuing payment through collection efforts.
Consumer Loans submitted to us for assignment are processed either through our Credit Approval Processing System (“CAPS”) or via an integration we have with aggregators used by Dealers to submit credit application information to various finance sources. Each of these processes allow Dealers to submit a consumer's credit application to us and receive a response. Each process allows Dealers to: (1) receive a quick approval from us; (2) interact with our proprietary credit scoring system to optimize the structure of each transaction prior to delivery; and (3) create, electronically execute, and print legally compliant Consumer Loan documents. All responses include the amount of funding (advance for a Dealer Loan or purchase price for a Purchased Loan), as well as any stipulations required for funding. The amount of funding is determined using a formula which considers a number of factors, including the timing and amount of cash flows expected on the related Consumer Loan and our target profitability at the time the Consumer Loan is submitted to us for assignment. The estimated future cash flows are determined based upon our proprietary credit scoring system, which considers numerous variables, including attributes contained in the consumer’s credit bureau report, data contained in the consumer’s credit application, the structure of the proposed transaction, vehicle information, and other factors, to calculate a composite credit score that corresponds to an expected collection rate. Our proprietary credit scoring system forecasts the collection rate based upon the historical performance of Consumer Loans in our portfolio that share similar characteristics. The performance of our proprietary credit scoring system is evaluated monthly by comparing projected to actual Consumer Loan performance. Adjustments are made to our proprietary credit scoring system as necessary. For additional information on adjustments to forecasted collection rates, please see the Critical Accounting Estimates section in Item 7 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
While a Dealer can submit any legally compliant Consumer Loan to us for assignment, the decision whether to provide funding to the Dealer and the amount of any funding is made solely by us. Through our Dealer Service Center, we perform all significant functions relating to the processing of the Consumer Loan applications and bear certain costs of Consumer Loan assignment, including the cost of assessing the adequacy of Consumer Loan documentation, the cost of compliance with our underwriting guidelines, and the cost of verifying employment, residence, and other information provided by the Dealer.
We audit Consumer Loan files for compliance with our underwriting guidelines on a daily basis in order to assess whether Dealers are operating in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Dealer servicing agreement. We occasionally identify breaches of the Dealer servicing agreement, and, depending upon the circumstances, and at our discretion, we may:
• change pricing or charge the Dealer fees for future Consumer Loan assignments;
• reassign the Consumer Loans back to the Dealer and require repayment of the related advances and/or purchase payments; or
• terminate our relationship with the Dealer.
Consumer Loans that have been assigned to us can be reassigned back to the Dealer at the Dealer’s discretion as follows:
• an individual Consumer Loan may be reassigned within 180 days of assignment, in which case we require repayment of the related advance or purchase payment and, if requested more than 90 days after assignment, payment of a fee; and
• all Consumer Loans assigned under the Portfolio Program may be reassigned through termination of the Dealer servicing agreement, as described under “Dealer Servicing Agreement,” above.
Our business model allows us to share the risk and reward of collecting on the Consumer Loans with the Dealers, more so with the Portfolio Program than the Purchase Program. Such sharing is intended to motivate the Dealer to assign better quality Consumer Loans, follow our underwriting guidelines, comply with various legal regulations, meet our credit compliance requirements, and provide appropriate service and support to the consumer after the sale. In addition, our Dealer Service Center works closely with Dealers to assist them in resolving any documentation deficiencies or funding stipulations. We believe this arrangement causes the interests of the Dealer, the consumer, and us to all be aligned.
We measure various criteria for each Dealer against other Dealers in their geographic area as well as the top performing Dealers. Dealers are assigned a Dealer rating based upon the performance of their Consumer Loans in both the Portfolio Program and Purchase Program as well as other criteria. The Dealer rating is one of the factors used to determine the amount paid to Dealers as an advance or to acquire a Purchased Loan. We provide each Dealer under the Portfolio Program with a monthly statement summarizing all activity that occurred on its Consumer Loan assignments.
Servicing. Our largest group of representatives services Consumer Loans that are in the early stages of delinquency. Our representatives work with consumers to attempt to develop a solution that will help them avoid becoming further past due and get them current where possible. We utilize a variety of methods to attempt to contact the consumer or to remind them of upcoming scheduled payments, including phone calls, email, text messaging, mail, and mobile notifications.
The decision to repossess a vehicle is based on policy-based criteria. When a Consumer Loan is approved for repossession, we continue to service the Consumer Loan while it is being assigned to a third-party repossession service provider, who works on a contingency fee basis. Once a vehicle has been repossessed, the consumer can redeem the vehicle, whereupon the vehicle is returned to the consumer in exchange for paying off the Consumer Loan balance; or, where appropriate or if required by law, the vehicle is returned to the consumer and the consumer is permitted to continue with the Consumer Loan in exchange for a payment or series of payments which eliminates the past due balance. If the consumer elects not to regain possession of the vehicle after repossession, the vehicle is sold at a wholesale automobile auction. Prior to sale, the vehicle is typically inspected by a representative at the auction who provides repair and reconditioning recommendations. Alternatively, our remarketing representatives may inspect the vehicle directly. Our remarketing representatives then authorize any repair and reconditioning work in order to maximize the net sale proceeds at auction.
If the vehicle sale proceeds are not sufficient to satisfy the balance owing on the Consumer Loan, we may offer the consumer the opportunity to settle any outstanding balance for less than the amount owed. At this point, the Consumer Loan is serviced by either: (1) our internal collection team, in the event the consumer is willing to make payments on the full or partial deficiency balance; or (2) where permitted by law, our external collection team, if it is believed that legal action will be successful in reducing or eliminating the deficiency balance owing on the Consumer Loan. Our external collection team may assign Consumer Loans to third-party collection attorneys who work on a contingency fee basis.
Representatives service Consumer Loans through our servicing platform, which consists of the following two systems:
• The collection system, which assigns Consumer Loans to representatives through a predictive dialer and records all collection activity, including:
• details of phone conversations with the consumer;
• collection letters sent;
• promises to pay;
• broken promises;
• payment history;
• repossession orders; and
• collection attorney activity.
• The servicing system, which maintains a record of all transactions relating to Consumer Loan assignments and is a primary source of data utilized to:
• determine the outstanding balance of the Consumer Loans;
• forecast future collections;
• analyze the profitability of our program; and
• evaluate our proprietary credit scoring system.
Ancillary Products
We provide Dealers the ability to offer vehicle service contracts to consumers through our relationships with Third-Party Providers (“TPPs”). A vehicle service contract provides the consumer protection by paying for the repair or replacement of certain components of the vehicle in the event of a mechanical failure. The retail price of the vehicle service contract is included in the principal balance of the Consumer Loan. The wholesale cost of the vehicle service contract is paid to the TPP, net of an administrative fee retained by us. We recognize our fee as finance charges on a level-yield basis over the life of the related Loan. The difference between the wholesale cost and the retail price to the consumer is paid to the Dealer as a commission. Under the Portfolio Program, the wholesale cost of the vehicle service contract and the commission paid to the Dealer are charged to the Dealer’s advance balance. TPPs process claims on vehicle service contracts that are underwritten by third-party insurers. We bear the risk of loss for claims on certain vehicle service contracts that are reinsured by us. We market the vehicle service contracts directly to Dealers. Our agreement with one of our TPPs allows us to receive profit sharing payments depending on the performance of the vehicle service contracts.
Our wholly owned subsidiary VSC Re Company (“VSC Re”) is engaged in the business of reinsuring coverage under vehicle service contracts sold to consumers by Dealers on vehicles indirectly financed by us. VSC Re currently reinsures vehicle service contracts that are offered through one of our TPPs. Vehicle service contract premiums, which represent the selling price of the vehicle service contract to the consumer, less fees and certain administrative costs, are contributed to trust accounts controlled by VSC Re. These premiums are used to fund claims covered under the vehicle service contracts. VSC Re is a bankruptcy remote entity. As such, our exposure to fund claims is limited to the trust assets controlled by VSC Re and our net investment in VSC Re.
We provide Dealers the ability to offer Guaranteed Asset Protection (“GAP”) to consumers through our relationships with TPPs. GAP provides the consumer protection by paying the difference between the loan balance and the amount covered by the consumer’s insurance policy in the event of a total loss of the vehicle due to severedamage or theft. The retail price of GAP is included in the principal balance of the Consumer Loan. The wholesale cost of GAP is paid to the TPP, net of an administrative fee retained by us. We recognize our fee as finance charges on a level-yield basis over the life of the related Loan. The difference between the wholesale cost and the retail price to the consumer is paid to the Dealer as a commission. Under the Portfolio Program, the wholesale cost of GAP and the commission paid to the Dealer are charged to the Dealer’s advance balance. TPPs process claims on GAP contracts that are underwritten by third-party insurers. Our agreement with one of our TPPs allow us to receive profit sharing payments depending on the performance of the GAP contracts.
Under the Purchase Program, we provide Dealers that meet certain criteria the ability to offer vehicle service contracts and GAP to consumers through the Dealers’ relationships with TPPs. The retail price of the vehicle service contract and/or GAP is included in the principal balance of the Consumer Loan and is paid to the Dealer. Under this arrangement, we do not receive an administrative fee, and the Dealers’ TPPs process claims.
Competition
The market for consumers who do not qualify for conventional automobile financing is large and highly competitive. The market is currently served by “buy here, pay here” dealerships, banks, captive finance affiliates of automobile manufacturers, credit unions, and independent finance companies both publicly and privately owned. Many of these companies are much larger and have greater resources than us. We compete on the basis of the level of service provided by our Dealer Service Center and sales personnel. In addition, we compete by offering a profitable and efficient method for Dealers to finance consumers who would be more difficult or less profitable to finance through other methods.
Customer and Geographic Concentrations
The following tables provide information regarding the five states that were responsible for the largest dollar volume of Consumer Loan assignments and the related number of active Dealers during 2025, 2024, and 2023:
For the Year Ended December 31, 2025
(Dollars in millions)
Consumer Loan Assignments
Active Dealers (2)
Dollar Volume (1)
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Michigan
Texas
Ohio
New Jersey
Florida
All other states
Total
For the Year Ended December 31, 2024
(Dollars in millions)
Consumer Loan Assignments
Active Dealers (2)
Dollar Volume (1)
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Michigan
Texas
New Jersey
Ohio
Florida
All other states
Total
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
(Dollars in millions)
Consumer Loan Assignments
Active Dealers (2)
Dollar Volume (1)
% of Total
Number
% of Total
Michigan
Texas
Ohio
New Jersey
Tennessee
All other states
Total
(1) Represents advances paid to Dealers on Consumer Loans assigned under the Portfolio Program and one-time payments made to Dealers to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under the Purchase Program. Payments of Dealer Holdback and accelerated Dealer Holdback are not included.
(2) Active Dealers are Dealers who have received funding for at least one Loan during the year.
No single Dealer’s Loans receivable balance accounted for more than 10% of total Loans receivable balance as of December 31, 2025 or 2024.
Seasonality
Our business is seasonal with peak Consumer Loan assignments and collections occurring during the first quarter of the year. This seasonality has a material impact on our interim results, as we are required to recognize a significant provision for credit losses expense at the time of assignment. For additional information, see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Regulation
Our business is subject to laws and regulations, including the Truth in Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, prohibitions againstunfair, deceptive, and abusive acts and practices, and various other state and federal laws and regulations. These laws and regulations, among other things, require licensing and qualification; limit interest rates, fees, and other charges associated with the Consumer Loans assigned to us; require specified disclosures by Dealers to consumers; govern the sale and terms of ancillary products; and define the rights to repossess and sell collateral. Failure to comply with these laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on us by, among other things, limiting the jurisdictions in which we may operate, restricting our ability to realize the value of the collateral securing the Consumer Loans, making it more costly or burdensome to do business, or resulting in potential liability. The volume of new or modified laws and regulations, and new interpretations of existing laws and regulations, has increased in recent years. From time to time, enactment and interpretations of legislation and regulations increase the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities, or affect the competitive balance among financial services providers. Proposals to change the laws and regulations governing the operations and taxation of financial institutions and financial services providers are frequently made in the U.S. Congress, in state legislatures, and by various regulatory agencies. Such changes in laws and regulations, or the interpretation of such laws and regulations, may change our operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways and may have a material adverse effect on our business.
We are subject to supervision by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “Bureau”). The Bureau has rulemaking and enforcement authority over certain non-depository institutions, including us. The Bureau is specifically authorized, among other things, to take actions to prevent companies providing consumer financial products or services and their service providers from engaging in unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices in connection with consumer financial products and services, and to issue rules requiring enhanced disclosures or consumer access to information for consumer financial products or services. Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), the Bureau also may restrict the use of pre-dispute mandatory arbitration clauses in contracts between covered persons and consumers for a consumer financial product or service. The Bureau also has authority to interpret, enforce, and issue regulations implementing enumerated consumer laws, including certain laws that apply to our business. The Dodd-Frank Act and regulations promulgated thereunder may affect our cost of doing business, may limit or expand our permissible activities, may affect the competitive balance within our industry and market areas, and could have a material adverse effect on us.
In addition to the Bureau, other state and federal agencies have the ability to regulate aspects of our business. For example, the Dodd-Frank Act provides a mechanism for state attorneys general to investigate us. Separately, state attorneys general and certain state regulators have authority under their respective rules and laws, to investigate and/or regulate aspects of our business. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission has jurisdiction to investigate aspects of our business. We expect that regulatory investigations of our business by both state and federal agencies will continue and that the results of these investigations could have a material adverse impact on us.
Ongoing Regulatory Matters
Regulatory matters to which we are a party include the following matters, in each case the eventual scope, duration, and outcome of which we cannot predict at this time.
• On May 7, 2019, we received a subpoena from the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau of the Office of the New York State Attorney General, relating to the Company’s origination and collection policies and procedures in the state of New York. After May 7, 2019 through April 30, 2021, we received additional subpoenas from the Office of the New York State Attorney General relating to the Company’s origination, collection, and securitization practices. On November 19, 2020 and August 23, 2022, we received letters from the Office of the New York State Attorney General indicating that it may commence litigationagainst the Company asserting violations of New York Executive Law § 63(12) and New York General Business Law §§ 349 and 352 et seq. and applicable federal laws, including but not limited to claims that the Company engaged in unfair and deceptive trade practices in auto lending, debt collection, and asset-backed securitizations in the State of New York in violation of the Dodd-Frank Act, New York Executive Law § 63(12), the New York Martin Act, and New York General Business Law § 349. See the description below of the lawsuit commenced by the Office of the New York State Attorney General on January 4, 2023.
On April 22, 2019, we received a civil investigative demand from the Bureau seeking, among other things, certain information relating to the Company’s origination and collection of Consumer Loans, TPPs, and credit reporting. After April 22, 2019 through March 7, 2022, we received additional subpoenas from the Bureau. On December 6, 2021, we received a Notice and Opportunity to Respond and Advise letter from the Staff of the Office of Enforcement (“Staff”) of the Bureau, stating that the Staff was considering whether to recommend that the Bureau take legal action against the Company for allegedviolations of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 (the “CFPA”) in connection with the Company’s consumer loan origination practices. See the description below of the lawsuit commenced by the Bureau on January 4, 2023.
On January 4, 2023, the Office of the New York State Attorney General and the Bureau jointly filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that the Company engaged in deceptive practices, fraud, illegality, and securities fraud in violation of New York Executive Law § 63(12) and New York General Business Law §§ 349 and 352, and that the Company engaged in deceptive and abusive acts and provided substantial assistance to a covered person or service provider in violation of the CFPA, 12 U.S.C. § 5531 and 12 U.S.C. § 5536(a)(1)(B). The complaint seeks injunctive relief, an accounting of all consumers for whom the Company provided financing, restitution, damages, disgorgement, civil penalties, and payment of costs. On March 14, 2023, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. On August 7, 2023, the court stayed the action pending the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Consumer Financial Protection Bureau v. Community Financial Services Association of America Ltd ., No. 22-448 (“CFSA”). On July 1, 2024, the court lifted the stay in view of the decision in CFSA and requested revised briefing on the Company’s motion to dismiss that would address the intervening legal developments and sharpen the issues for resolution. As of October 29, 2024, the Company's motion to dismiss has been fully briefed. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in this matter. On April 24, 2025, the Bureau filed an unopposed motion to withdraw as plaintiff, and on April 29, 2025, the court granted that motion and ordered that the Bureau is no longer a plaintiff in the litigation. In September 2025, we made an offer to jointly settle this matter and the multi-state matter discussed below on terms that included, among other things, a proposed cash payment of $45.0 million. In January 2026, we reached preliminary alignment with representatives of the agencies involved in this matter and the multi-state matter discussed below on certain material terms of a potential settlement of those legal matters, including a potential cash payment by us of $75.5 million. Discussions with respect to resolution of those matters are ongoing.
• On March 18, 2016, we received a subpoena from the Attorney General of the State of Maryland, relating to the Company’s repossession and sale policies and procedures in the state of Maryland. On April 3, 2020, we received a subpoena from the Attorney General of the State of Maryland relating to the Company’s origination and collection policies and procedures in the state of Maryland. On August 11, 2020, we received a subpoena from the Attorney General of the State of Maryland restating most of the requests contained in the March 18, 2016 and April 3, 2020 subpoenas, making additional requests, and expanding the inquiry to include 41 other states (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin) and the District of Columbia. Also on August 11, 2020, we received from the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey a subpoena that is essentially identical to the August 11, 2020 Maryland subpoena, both as to substance and as to the jurisdictions identified. The Company has been informed that the State of Kansas, the State of Texas, and the State of Iowa have withdrawn from the multi-state investigation. In September 2025, we made an offer to jointly settle this matter and the New York Attorney General matter discussed above on terms that included, among other things, a proposed cash payment of $45.0 million. In January 2026, we reached preliminary alignment with representatives of the agencies involved in this matter and the New York Attorney General matter discussed above on certain material terms of a potential settlement of those legal matters, including a potential cash payment by us of $75.5 million. Discussions with respect to resolution of those matters are ongoing.
In addition, governmental regulations that would deplete the supply of used vehicles, such as environmental protection regulations governing emissions or fuel consumption, could have a material adverse effect on us.
Dealers must also comply with credit and trade practice statutes and regulations. Failure of Dealers to comply with these statutes and regulations could result in consumers having rights of rescission and other remedies that could have a material adverse effect on us.
The sale of vehicle service contracts and GAP by Dealers in connection with Consumer Loans assigned to us from Dealers is also subject to state laws and regulations. As we are the holder of the Consumer Loans that may, in part, finance these products, some of these state laws and regulations may apply to our servicing and collection of the Consumer Loans. Although these laws and regulations do not significantly affect our business, there can be no assurance that insurance or other regulatory authorities in the jurisdictions in which these products are offered by Dealers will not seek to regulate or restrict the operation of our business in these jurisdictions. Any regulation or restriction of our business in these jurisdictions could materially adversely affect the income received from these products.
We believe that we maintain all material licenses and permits required for our current operations and are in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Our agreements with Dealers provide that the Dealer shall indemnify us with respect to any loss or expense we incur as a result of the Dealer’s failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations.
Team Members
Our team members are organized into four operating functions as follows:
Servicing . The servicing function includes team members that are responsible for servicing Consumer Loans. The majority of these team members are responsible for collection activities on delinquent Consumer Loans.
Originations. The originations function includes team members that are responsible for enrolling new Dealers and supporting active Dealers. Originations also includes team members responsible for processing new Consumer Loan assignments.
Engineering, Analytics, Marketing, and Product Management . This function consists of team members that are responsible for innovating, transforming, enhancing, modernizing, and optimizing our product for Dealers and consumers.
Support . The support function includes team members that are responsible for corporate legal and compliance, human resources, and finance.
The following table presents team members by operating function:
Number of Team Members
as of December 31,
Operating Function
Servicing
Originations
Engineering, Analytics, Marketing, and Product Management
Support
Total
As of December 31, 2025, we had 2,314 full- and part-time team members. Our team members have no union affiliations, and we believe our relationship with our team members is in good standing. We strive to create a work environment that is pleasant, professional, and free from intimidation, hostility, or other offenses that may interfere with work performance. All team members complete non-discrimination and anti-harassment training, promoting a safe and inclusive work environment.
The vast majority of our team members work remotely from locations within the United States, with more than half of our team members located outside of Michigan. Our remote-first work environment allows us to take advantage of the national talent pool and hire the most qualified team members. We believe our workplace supports an inclusive culture due to our practices of maintaining open and transparent communication and fostering a climate in which all team members are welcome to speak up and contribute. We engage in initiatives that encourage our team members to generate concrete actions that we can take together to enhance the environment of inclusion, a sense of belonging, and acceptance of others to make our culture and our Company stronger. We believe these factors naturally contribute to the diversity of our workforce.
We place great importance on listening to our team members, as we believe that “ the people doing the work know the most about it. ” We encourage participation in periodic anonymous surveys to gain honest feedback about our workplace from our team members, and we use this feedback to generate ideas for improvement. Our Company’s culture attracts talented people and enables them to perform to their potential. We have been honored to receive many workplace awards in recent years.
Available Information
Our internet address is creditacceptance.com . We make available free of charge on our internet web site our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, 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, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Industry, Operational, and Macroeconomic Risks
Our inability to accurately forecast and estimate the amount and timing of future collections could have a material adverse effect on results of operations.
The majority of the Consumer Loans assigned to us are made to individuals with impaired or limited credit histories. Consumer Loans made to these individuals generally entail a higher risk of delinquency, default, and repossession, and higher losses than loans made to consumers with better credit. Since most of our revenue and cash flows from operations are generated from these Consumer Loans, our ability to accurately forecast Consumer Loan performance is critical to our business and financial results. At the time of assignment, we forecast future expected cash flows from the Consumer Loan. Based on these forecasts, which include estimates for wholesale vehicle prices in the event of vehicle repossession and sale, we make an advance or one-time purchase payment to the related Dealer at a level designed to maximize economic profit, a non-GAAP financial measure. We continue to forecast the expected collection rate for each Consumer Loan subsequent to assignment. These forecasts also serve as a critical assumption in our accounting for recognizing finance charge income and determining our allowance for credit losses. Please see the Critical Accounting Estimates – Finance Charge Revenue & Allowance for Credit Losses section in Item 7 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference. Actual cash flows from any individual Consumer Loan are often different from cash flows estimated at the time of assignment. There can be no assurance that our forecasts will be accurate or that Consumer Loan performance will be as expected. In periods with changing economic conditions, accurately forecasting the performance of Consumer Loans is more difficult. In the event that our forecasts are not accurate in the aggregate, our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Due to competition from traditional financing sources and non-traditional lenders, we may not be able to compete successfully.
The automobile finance market for consumers who do not qualify for conventional automobile financing is large and highly competitive. The market is served by a variety of companies, including “buy here, pay here” dealerships. The market is also currently served by banks, captive finance affiliates of automobile manufacturers, credit unions, and independent finance companies both publicly and privately owned. Many of these companies are much larger and have greater financial resources than are available to us, and many have long-standing relationships with automobile dealerships. Providers of automobile financing have traditionally competed based on the interest rate charged, the quality of credit accepted, the flexibility of loan terms offered, and the quality of service provided to dealers and consumers. We may be unable to compete successfully in the automobile finance market or, due to the intense competition in this market, our results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition may be adversely affected as we adjust our business in response to competitive pressures. Increasing advance rates on Loans has the impact of reducing the return on capital we expect to earn on Loans. Additionally, if we are unsuccessful in maintaining and expanding our relationships with Dealers, we may be unable to accept Consumer Loans in the volume and on the terms that we anticipate.
Adverse changes in economic conditions, the automobile or finance industries, or the non-prime consumer market could adversely affect our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations, the ability of key vendors that we depend on to supply us with services, and our ability to enter into future financing transactions.
We are subject to general economic conditions which are beyond our control. During periods of economic slowdown or recession, delinquencies, defaults, repossessions, and losses may increase on our Consumer Loans, and Consumer Loan prepayments, which historically have been lower in periods with less availability of consumer credit, may decline. These periods are also typically accompanied by decreased consumer demand for automobiles and declining values of automobiles securing outstanding Consumer Loans, which weakens collateral coverage and increases the amount of loss in the event of default. Significant increases in the inventory of used automobiles during periods of economic recession may also depress the prices at which repossessed automobiles may be sold or delay the timing of these sales. Additionally, inflation, higher gasoline prices, the deferral or resumption of student loan payments, increased focus on climate-related initiatives and regulation, declining stock market values, unstable real estate values, resets of adjustable rate mortgages to higher interest rates, increasing unemployment levels, general availability of consumer credit, tariffs, or other factors that impact consumer confidence or disposable income could increase loss frequency and decrease consumer demand for automobiles as well as weaken collateral values of automobiles. Imposition of or increases in tariffs on U.S. imports could result in higher used car prices in the United States, leading to decreased Dealer origination of Consumer Loans and a decline in Consumer Loan assignments to us. Because our business is focused on consumers who do not qualify for conventional automobile financing, the actual rates of delinquencies, defaults, repossessions, and losses on our Consumer Loans could be higher than those experienced in the general automobile finance industry, and could be more dramatically affected by a general economic downturn.
We rely on Dealers to originate Consumer Loans for assignment under our programs. High levels of Dealer attrition, due to a general economic downturn or otherwise, could materially adversely affect our operations. In addition, we rely on vendors to provide us with services we need to operate our business. Any disruption in our operations due to the untimely or discontinued supply of these services could substantially adversely affect our operations. Finally, during an economic slowdown or recession, our servicing costs may increase without a corresponding increase in finance charge revenue. Any sustained period of increased delinquencies, defaults, repossessions, or losses or increased servicing costs could also materially adversely affect our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations and our ability to enter into future financing transactions.
Technological advancements or changes to trends in the automobile industry such as new autonomous driving technologies or car- and ride-sharing programs could decrease consumer demand for automobiles. Decreased consumer demand for automobiles could negatively impact demand for our financing programs as well as weaken collateral values of automobiles, which could materially adversely affect our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.
Reliance on third parties to administer our ancillary product offerings could adversely affect our business and financial results.
We have relationships with TPPs to administer vehicle service contracts and GAP underwritten by third-party insurers and indirectly financed by us. We depend on these TPPs to evaluate and pay claims in an accurate and timely manner. If our relationships with these TPPs were modified, disrupted, or terminated, we would need to obtain these services from an alternative administrator or provide them using our internal resources. We may be unable to replace these TPPs with a suitable alternative in a timely and efficient manner on terms we consider acceptable, or at all. In the event we were unable to effectively administer our ancillary products offerings, we may need to eliminate or suspend our ancillary product offerings from our future business, we may experience a decline in the performance of our Consumer Loans, our reputation in the marketplace could be undermined, and our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We are dependent on our senior management, and the loss of any of these individuals or an inability to hire additional team members could adversely affect our ability to operate profitably.
As of December 31, 2025, our senior management averaged 15 years of experience with us. Our success is dependent upon the management and the leadership skills of this team. In addition, competition from other companies to hire our team members possessing the necessary skills and experience required could contribute to an increase in team member turnover. The loss of any of these individuals or an inability to attract and retain additional qualified team members could adversely affect us. There can be no assurance that we will be able to retain our existing senior management or attract additional qualified team members.
Our reputation is a key asset to our business, and our business may be affected by how we are perceived in the marketplace.
Our reputation is a key asset to our business. Our ability to attract consumers through Dealers is highly dependent upon external perceptions of our level of service, trustworthiness, business practices, and financial condition. Negative publicity regarding these matters could damage our reputation among existing and potential consumers and Dealers, which could make it difficult for us to attract new consumers and Dealers and maintain existing Dealers. Adverse developments with respect to our industry may also, by association, negatively impact our reputation or result in greater regulatory or legislative scrutiny or litigationagainst us.
An outbreak of contagious disease or other public health emergency could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations.
Contagious-disease outbreaks or other public health emergencies could cause a deterioration in the U.S. economy and our industry, disruptions in our workforce, decreases in collections from our consumers, declines in Consumer Loan assignments, or extended periods of economic or supply chain disruptions. Financial market disruptions that occur as a result of contagious-disease outbreaks or other public health emergencies could reduce our ability to access capital or our consumers’ ability to repay past or future Consumer Loans and could negatively affect our liquidity and results of operations. A future contagious-disease outbreak or other public health emergency could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations and also intensify the risks described in the other risk factors disclosed in this Form 10-K.
The concentration of Dealers in several states could adversely affect us.
Dealers are located throughout the United States. During the year ended December 31, 2025, our five largest states (measured by advances paid to Dealers on Consumer Loans assigned under the Portfolio Program and one-time payments made to Dealers to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under the Purchase Program) contained 29.2% of Dealers. While we believe we have a diverse geographic presence, for the near term, we expect that significant amounts of Consumer Loan assignments will continue to be generated by Dealers in these five states due to the number of Dealers in these states and currently prevailing economic, demographic, regulatory, competitive, and other conditions in these states. Changes to conditions in these states could lead to an increase in Dealer attrition or a reduction in demand for our service that could materially adversely affect our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.
Reliance on our outsourced business functions could adversely affect our business.
We outsource certain business functions to third-party service providers, which increases our operational complexity and decreases our control. We rely on these service providers to provide a high level of service and support, which subjects us to risks associated with inadequate or untimely service. In addition, if these outsourcing arrangements were not renewed or were terminated or the services provided to us were otherwise disrupted, we would have to obtain these services from an alternative provider or provide them using our internal resources. We may be unable to replace, or be delayed in replacing these sources and there is a risk that we would be unable to enter into a similar agreement with an alternate provider on terms that we consider favorable or in a timely manner. In the future, we may outsource additional business functions. If any of these or other risks related to outsourcing were realized, our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our ability to hire and retain foreign engineering personnel could be hindered by immigration restrictions.
A portion of our engineering team is composed of foreign nationals whose ability to work for us depends on maintaining the necessary H-1B visas. The H-1B visa category allows U.S. employers to hire qualified foreign nationals to perform services in specialty occupations that require the attainment of at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. Our ability to hire and retain these foreign nationals and their ability to remain and work in the United States are affected by various laws and regulations, including limitations on the number of available H-1B visas, which the U.S. government allocates by lottery. Changes in the laws or regulations affecting the availability, allocation, and/or cost of H-1B visas, eligibility for the H-1B visa category, or otherwise affecting the admission or retention of skilled foreign nationals by U.S. employers, or any increase in demand for H-1B visas relative to the limited supply of those visas, may adversely affect our ability to hire or retain foreign engineering personnel and may, as a result, increase our operating costs and impair our business operations.
We may be unable to execute our business strategy due to current economic conditions.
Our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations depend on management’s ability to execute our business strategy. Key factors involved in the execution of our business strategy include achieving our desired Consumer Loan assignment volume, continued and successful use of CAPS and other internet-based credit application processing systems and pricing strategy, the use of effective credit risk management techniques and servicing strategies, continued investment in technology to support operating efficiency, and continued access to funding and liquidity sources. Although our pricing strategy is intended to maximize the amount of economic profit we generate, within the confines of capital and infrastructure constraints, there can be no assurance that this strategy will have its intended effect. Please see the Consumer Loan Volume section in Item 7 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference. Our failure or inability to execute any element of our business strategy could materially adversely affect our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.
Natural disasters, climate change, military conflicts, acts of war, terrorist attacks and threats, or the escalation of military activity in response to terrorist attacks or otherwise may negatively affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Natural disasters, climate change, military conflicts, acts of war, terrorist attacks, and the escalation of military activity in response to terrorist attacks or otherwise may have negative and significant effects, such as imposition of increased security measures, changes in applicable laws, economic and financial market disruptions, loss of lives, damage to infrastructure, and job losses. These types of events or developments and their consequences may have an adverse effect on the economy in general, including diminished liquidity and credit availability, reduced consumer confidence, disruptions to energy and food supplies, decreased economic growth, higher unemployment rates, increased inflation, and political and social upheaval. The consequences of these types of events or developments could reduce used-car sales and demand for our product, impair the performance of our Loan portfolio, limit our access to capital, and intensify other risk factors disclosed in this Form 10-K, including cybersecurity-related risks. Moreover, the potential for future military conflicts and terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and escalating effects of climate change, and the national and international responses to these threats, could affect our business in ways that cannot be predicted. The effect of any of these events, developments, or threats could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Governmental or market responses to climate change and related environmental issues could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Governments have become increasingly focused on the effects of climate change and related environmental issues. How governments act to mitigate climate and related environmental risks, as well as associated changes in the behavior and preferences of businesses and consumers, could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. A decline in demand for gasoline-powered automobiles, such as could occur due to regulatory restrictions or a shift in consumer preference toward electric vehicles, could decrease the value of gasoline-powered vehicles securing outstanding Consumer Loans, which would weaken collateral coverage and increase the amount of loss in the event of default. Further, we may be compelled to change our business practices or our operational processes, and we could have less access to capital or face a higher cost of capital, because of climate- or environmental-driven changes in applicable law or due to related political, social, or market pressure. It is possible as well that changes in climate and related environmental risks, perceptions of them, and governmental responses to them may occur more rapidly than our ability to adapt without disrupting our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.
A small number of our shareholders have the ability to significantly influence matters requiring shareholder approval and such shareholders have interests which may conflict with the interests of our other security holders.
As of December 31, 2025, based on filings made with the SEC and other information made available to us, Allan V. Apple beneficially owned 20.9% of our common stock, Prescott General Partners LLC and its affiliates beneficially owned 20.7% of our common stock, Jill Foss Watson beneficially owned 15.8% of our common stock, and John P. Neary beneficially owned 8.0% of our common stock (representing, collectively, beneficial ownership of 45.3% of our common stock, after taking into account those shares reported as beneficially owned by more than one of these shareholders). As a result, these shareholders are able to significantly influence matters presented to shareholders, including the election and removal of directors, the approval of significant corporate transactions, such as any reclassification, reorganization, merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and the control of our management and affairs, including executive compensation arrangements. Their interests may conflict with the interests of our other security holders.
The beneficial ownership reported by Mr. Apple and Mr. Neary includes, in each case, beneficial ownership in their capacity as trustees of shares held in a marital trust established by our late founder, Donald Foss, and representing 8.0% of our common stock as of December 31, 2025. The shares in the trust are subject to the terms of a shareholder agreement, entered into by Mr. Foss on January 3, 2017. Under the terms of that agreement that became applicable to the trustees of the trust upon Mr. Foss’s death on August 14, 2022, until the final adjournment of the Company’s 2026 annual meeting of shareholders, the shares in the trust are to be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Company’s Board of Directors with respect to election and removal of directors, certain routine matters, and any other proposal to be submitted to the Company’s shareholders with respect to any extraordinary transaction providing for the acquisition of all of the Company’s outstanding common stock.
Capital and Liquidity Risks
We may be unable to continue to access or renew funding sources and obtain capital needed to maintain and grow our business.
We use debt financing to maintain and grow our business. We currently utilize the following primary forms of debt financing: (1) a revolving secured line of credit facility; (2) revolving secured warehouse (“Warehouse”) facilities; (3) asset-backed secured financings (“Term ABS financings”); and (4) senior notes. We cannot guarantee that the revolving secured line of credit facility or the Warehouse facilities will continue to be available beyond their current maturity dates, on acceptable terms, or at all, or that we will be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms or at all. The availability of additional financing will depend on a variety of factors such as market conditions, the general availability of credit, our financial position, our results of operations, and the capacity for additional borrowing under our existing financing arrangements. If our various financing alternatives were to become limited or unavailable, we may be unable to maintain or grow Consumer Loan volume at the level that we anticipate and our operations could be materially adversely affected.
The terms of our debt limit how we conduct our business.
The agreements that govern our debt contain covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things:
• incur and guarantee debt;
• pay dividends or make other distributions on or redeem or repurchase our stock;
• make investments or acquisitions;
• create liens on our assets;
• sell assets;
• merge with or into other companies; and
• enter into transactions with stockholders and other affiliates.
Some of our debt agreements also impose requirements that we maintain specified financial measures not in excess of, or not below, specified levels. In particular, our revolving credit facility and warehouse facilities require, among other things, that we maintain (i) as of the end of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of consolidated funded debt less unrestricted cash and cash equivalents to consolidated tangible net worth at or below a specified maximum and (ii) as of the end of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of consolidated income available for fixed charges for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended to consolidated fixed charges, as defined in the agreements, for that period of not less than a specified minimum. These covenants limit the manner in which we can conduct our business and could prevent us from engaging in favorable business activities or financing future operations and capital needs and impair our ability to successfully execute our strategy and operate our business.
A breach of any of the covenants in our debt instruments would result in an event of default thereunder if not promptly cured or waived. Any continuing default would permit the creditors to accelerate the related debt, which could also result in the acceleration of other debt containing a cross acceleration or cross default provision. In addition, an event of default under our revolving credit facility or warehouse facilities would permit the lenders thereunder to terminate all commitments to extend further credit under such facilities. Furthermore, if we were unable to repay the amounts due and payable under our revolving credit facility or other secured debt, the lenders thereunder could cause the collateral agent to proceed against the collateral securing that debt. In the event our creditors accelerate the repayment of our debt, there can be no assurance that we would have sufficient assets to repay that debt, and our financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations would suffer.
A violation of the terms of our Term ABS financings or Warehouse facilities could have a material adverse impact on our operations.
Under our Term ABS financings and our Warehouse facilities, (1) we have various obligations and covenants as seller, servicer, and custodian of the Loans conveyed thereunder and in our individual capacity and (2) the special purpose subsidiaries to which we convey Loans have various obligations and covenants. A violation of any of these obligations or covenants in any of our Term ABS financings or our Warehouse facilities by us or the special purpose subsidiaries, respectively, may result in an early termination of the revolving period, repurchase or indemnification obligations on our part, and the termination of our servicing rights (and, accordingly, the loss of servicing fees), and may further result in amounts outstanding under such Term ABS financings and Warehouse facilities becoming immediately due and payable. In addition, the violation of any financial covenant under our revolving secured line of credit facility is an event of default or termination event under certain of our Term ABS financings and our Warehouse facilities.
The occurrence of any of the events described in the immediately-preceding paragraph could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.
Our substantial debt could negatively impact our business, prevent us from satisfying our debt obligations, and adversely affect our financial condition.
We have a substantial amount of debt, which could have negative consequences, including the following:
• our ability to obtain additional financing for Consumer Loan assignments, working capital, debt refinancing, or other purposes could be impaired;
• a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations will be dedicated to paying principal and interest on our debt, reducing funds available for other purposes;
• we may be vulnerable to interest rate increases, as some of our borrowings, including those under our revolving credit facility and Warehouse facilities, bear interest at variable rates;
• we could be more vulnerable to adverse developments in our industry or in general economic conditions;
• we may be restricted from taking advantage of business opportunities or making strategic acquisitions; and
• we may be limited in our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industries in which we operate.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding debt and fund operations and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under such debt.
Our ability to make payments of principal and interest on indebtedness will depend in part on our cash flows from operations, which are subject to economic, financial, competitive, and other factors beyond our control. We cannot assure you that we will maintain a level of cash flows from operations sufficient to permit us to meet our debt service obligations. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows from operations to service our debt, we may be required to sell assets, refinance all or a portion of our existing debt, or obtain additional financing. There can be no assurance that any refinancing will be possible or that any asset sales or additional financing can be completed on acceptable terms or at all.
Interest rate fluctuations may adversely affect our borrowing costs, profitability, and liquidity.
Our profitability may be directly affected by the level of and fluctuations in interest rates, whether caused by changes in economic conditions or other factors, which affect our borrowing costs. Our profitability and liquidity could be materially adversely affected during any period of higher interest rates. We monitor the interest rate environment and employ strategies designed to partially mitigate the impact of increases in interest rates. We can provide no assurance, however, that our strategies will mitigate the impact of increases in interest rates.
Reduction in our credit rating could increase the cost of our funding from, and restrict our access to, the capital markets and adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations.
Credit rating agencies evaluate us, and their ratings of our debt and creditworthiness are based on a number of factors. These factors include our financial strength and other factors not entirely within our control, including conditions affecting the financial services industry generally. As the financial services industry and the financial markets periodically face difficulties, there can be no assurance that we will maintain our current ratings. Failure to maintain those ratings could, among other things, adversely limit our access to the capital markets and affect the cost and other terms upon which we are able to obtain financing.
We may incur substantially more debt and other liabilities. This could exacerbate further the risks associated with our current debt levels.
We may be able to incur substantial additional debt in the future. Although the terms of our debt instruments contain restrictions on our ability to incur additional debt, these restrictions are subject to exemptions that could permit us to incur a substantial amount of additional debt. In addition, our debt instruments do not prevent us from incurring liabilities that do not constitute indebtedness as defined for purposes of those debt instruments. If new debt or other liabilities are added to our current debt levels, the risks associated with our having substantial debt could intensify.
The conditions of the U.S. and international capital markets may adversely affect lenders with which we have relationships, causing us to incur additional costs and reducing our sources of liquidity, which may adversely affect our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.
Periodically, there has been uncertainty in the global capital markets and the overall economy. Such uncertainty can result in disruptions in the financial sector and affect lenders with which we have relationships. Disruptions in the financial sector may increase our exposure to credit risk and adversely affect the ability of lenders to perform under the terms of their lending arrangements with us. Failure by our lenders to perform under the terms of our lending arrangements could cause us to incur additional costs that may adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations. There can be no assurance that future disruptions in the financial sector will not occur that could have similar adverse effects on our business.
Technology and Cybersecurity Risks
Our dependence on technology could have a material adverse effect on our business.
All Consumer Loans submitted to us for assignment are processed either through CAPS or via an integration we have with aggregators used by Dealers to submit credit application information to various finance sources. Our Consumer Loan servicing platform is also technology based. We rely on these systems to record and process significant amounts of data quickly and accurately. Our systems, and those of our third-party service providers, are dependent upon computer and telecommunications equipment, software systems, and internet access. The temporary or permanent loss of any components of these systems through hardware failures, software errors, operating malfunctions, the vulnerability of the internet, or otherwise could interrupt our business operations and harm our business.
Although Company systems and systems of third party service providers are subject to risks from cybersecurity threats and incidents, these have not materially affected the Company, including its business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition, though there can be no assurance that cybersecurity threats and incidents will not have a material adverse effect on us in the future.
We rely on a variety of measures to protect our technology and proprietary information, including copyrights and a comprehensive information security program. However, these measures may not prevent misappropriation or infringement of our intellectual property or proprietary information, which would adversely affect us. In addition, our competitors or other third parties may allege that our proprietary systems, processes, or technologies infringe their intellectual property rights.
Our ability to integrate computer and telecommunications technologies into our business is essential to our success. Computer and telecommunications technologies are evolving rapidly and, as a result, may be characterized by short product life cycles. We may not be successful in anticipating, managing, or adopting technological changes on a timely basis. While we believe that our existing information systems are sufficient to meet our current demands and continued expansion, our future growth may require additional investment in these systems. We cannot assure that adequate capital resources will be available to us at the appropriate time.
We depend on secure information technology, and a breach of our systems or those of our third-party service providers could result in our experiencing significant financial, legal, and reputational exposure and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We and our third-party service providers face ongoing threats to our systems and data and occasionally experience cyberattacks and other security incidents. Numerous national finance companies have disclosed security breaches involving sophisticated cyber-attacks, including ransomware, that were not recognized or detected until after such companies had been affected, notwithstanding the preventive measures such companies had in place. Further, the rapid evolution and increased adoption of artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies, increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists, activists, and other external parties may increase our level of cybersecurity risk. Additionally, our increased use of mobile and cloud technologies could heighten these and other operational risks by increasing our attack surface, and any failure by mobile or cloud technology service providers to adequately safeguard their systems and prevent cyber-attacks could disrupt our operations and result in misappropriation, corruption, or loss of confidential or propriety information. The security measures we have implemented to protect against cybersecurity incidents, or those of our third-party service providers, may not always prevent or mitigate the impact of a cybersecurity incident, and there can be no assurance that future efforts to prevent or mitigate a cybersecurity incident will be effective either. As a result, our computer systems, software, and networks, as well as those of our third-party service providers, are vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, malware attacks, and other events that could have a security impact beyond our control, and information we transmit and receive may be vulnerable to interception, misuse, or mishandling. Cybersecurity incidents, including such occurrences that compromise information processed by, stored in, or transmitted through our computer systems and networks, or those of our third-party service providers, or that cause interruptions or malfunctions in our or our service providers’ operations could result in losses, loss of business by us and loss of confidence in us, consumer and Dealer dissatisfaction, significant litigation, regulatory exposures, and harm to our reputation, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
While we have not been materially affected by cybersecurity incidents to date, we may be required to expend significant additional resources in the future to enhance our security controls, modify our protective measures, investigate the circumstances surrounding cybersecurity incidents, and implement mitigation and remediation measures in response to cybersecurity incidents and new or more sophisticated threats, as well as in response to new regulations related to cybersecurity. Cybersecurity incidents may result in our being subject to fines, penalties, litigation (including securities fraud class action lawsuits) and regulatory investigation costs and settlements and other financial losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our use of electronic contracts could impact our ability to perfect our ownership or security interest in Consumer Loans.
Our systems permit origination and assignment of Consumer Loans in electronic form. We have engaged a TPP to facilitate the process of creating, establishing control of, and storing electronic contracts in a manner that enables us to perfect our ownership or security interest in the electronic contracts by satisfying the requirements for “control” of electronic chattel paper under the Uniform Commercial Code.
Although the law governing the perfection of ownership and security interests in electronic contracts was enacted in 2001, the statutory requirements for the relevant control arrangements have not been meaningfully tested in court. In addition, market practices regarding control of electronic contracts are still developing. As a result, there is a risk that the systems employed by us or any TPP to maintain control of the electronic contracts may not be sufficient as a matter of law to give us a perfected ownership or security interest in the Consumer Loans evidenced by electronic contracts. In addition, technological failure, including failure in the security or access restrictions with respect to the systems, and operational failure, such as the failure to implement and maintain adequate internal controls and procedures, could also affect our ability to obtain or maintain a perfected ownership or security interest in the Consumer Loans evidenced by electronic contracts (or the priority of such interests). Our failure or inability to perfect our ownership or security interest in the Consumer Loans could materially adversely affect our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.
Failure to properly safeguard our proprietary business information or confidential consumer and team member personal information could subject us to liability, decrease our profitability, and damage our reputation.
In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data on our computer networks. This sensitive data includes our proprietary business information and personally identifiable information of our consumers and team members. The secure processing, maintenance, and transmission of this information is critical to our operations and business strategy.
If third parties or our team members are able to breach our network security or the network security of a third party that we share information with or otherwise are able to misappropriate our consumers’ and team members’ personal information, or if we give third parties or our team members improper access to our consumers’ and team members’ personal information, we could be subject to liability. This liability could include identity theft or other similar fraud-related claims. This liability could also include claims for other misuses or losses of personal information, including for unauthorized marketing purposes. Other liabilities could include claimsallegingmisrepresentation of our privacy and data security practices. Moreover, the loss of confidential customer personal information could harm our reputation, result in the loss of business, and subject us to liability under laws that protect personal information, resulting in increased costs, loss of revenues and substantial penalties. For instance, the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, as amended (“CCPA”), provides for enhanced consumer protections for California residents and statutory fines for data security breaches or other CCPA violations.
We rely on encryption and authentication technology licensed from third parties to provide the security and authentication necessary to secure online transmission of confidential consumer and team member information, which can include personal information. Advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography, advancements in AI, or other events or developments may result in a compromise or breach of the algorithms that we use to protect sensitive consumer transaction data. A party who is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in our operations. We may be required to expend capital and other resources to protect against, or alleviate problems caused by, security breaches or other cybersecurity incidents. Although we have experienced occasional cybersecurity incidents that have not had a material effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations, there can be no assurance that a cyber-attack, security breach, or other cybersecurity incident will not have a material adverse effect on us in the future. Our security measures are designed to protect against security breaches, but our failure to prevent security breaches could subject us to liability, decrease our profitability, and damage our reputation.
The development and use of artificial intelligence presents risks and challenges that may adversely impact our business.
We, or TPPs, third-party service providers, automobile dealers who participate in our programs, or other third parties with which we transact or have business relationships, may develop or incorporate AI technology in certain business processes, services, or products. The development and use of AI presents several potential risks and challenges to our business. The implementation by us of AI technologies may require significant additional investments in infrastructure, personnel, and training. There can be no assurance that such investments will yield the anticipated benefits or that we will be able to successfully integrate AI into our existing systems and processes without disruption. We may not be able to effectively implement or keep pace with evolutions in AI or other technology-driven products and services as quickly or with the same degree of success as our competitors. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could harm our ability to maintain and expand our relationships with Dealers and otherwise adversely affect our business and our ability to compete successfully in the automobile finance market.
The legal and regulatory environment relating to AI is complex and rapidly evolving in the United States and includes both regulatory frameworks targeting AI specifically and other laws and regulations related to such matters as intellectual property, privacy, consumer protection, and employment, among others, applicable to the use of AI. These evolving laws and regulations could affect our approach to AI technology and any implementation of AI technology that we may pursue and could result in significant compliance costs and risk of non-compliance.
AI models may produce output or take action that is incorrect, that reflects biases included in the data on which they are trained, that results in the release of private, confidential, or proprietary information, that infringes on the intellectual property rights of others, or that is otherwise harmful. The limited transparency of AI models increases the challenges associated with assessing the proper operation of AI models, understanding and monitoring the capabilities of AI models, reducing erroneous output of AI models, eliminating bias in AI models, and complying with relevant regulations. Further, we may rely on AI models developed by third parties, and, to that extent, would be dependent in part on the manner in which those third parties develop and train their models, which could expose us to risks arising from the inclusion of any unauthorized material in the training data for their models and the effectiveness of the steps these third parties have taken to limit the risks associated with the output of their models, matters over which we may have limited visibility.
Whether or not we are otherwise ablesuccessfully to manage the implementation of AI in our business and address the competitive challenges AI could pose to our business, any failure by TPPs, our third-party service providers, Dealers, or other third parties with which we transact or have business relationships to adhere to our AI policies, or otherwise to use AI in an appropriate manner, could result in legal or regulatory violations, jeopardize our intellectual property rights or those of other parties, or expose us to cybersecurity threats, any of which could adversely affect our business and result in our sustaining reputational, technical, or competitive harm.
Any of these risks could expose us to liability or adverse legal or regulatory consequences and harm our reputation and the public perception of our business or the effectiveness of our security measures.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
Litigation we are involved in from time to time may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
As a result of the consumer-oriented nature of the industry in which we operate and uncertainties with respect to the application of various laws and regulations in some circumstances, we are subject to various consumer claims, litigation, and regulatory investigations seeking damages, fines, and statutory penalties, based upon, among other things, usury, disclosure inaccuracies, wrongfulrepossession, violations of bankruptcy stay provisions, certificate of title disputes, fraud, and breach of contract. As the assignee of Consumer Loans originated by Dealers, we may also be named as a co-defendant in lawsuits filed by consumers principally against Dealers. We may also have disputes and litigation with Dealers. The claims may allege, among other theories of liability, that we breached the Dealer servicing agreement. We may also have disputes and litigation with vendors and other third parties. The claims may allege, among other theories of liability, that we breached a license agreement or contract. The damages, fines, and penalties that may be claimed by consumers, regulatory agencies, Dealers, vendors, or other third parties in these types of matters can be substantial. The relief requested by plaintiffs varies but may include requests for compensatory, statutory, and punitivedamages and injunctive relief, and plaintiffs may seek treatment as purported class actions or they may file individual arbitration demands for which arbitration providers may request separate filing fees. A significant judgment against us in connection with any litigation or arbitration or the requirement to pay filing fees for a large number of individual arbitration demands could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.
For a description of significant litigation to which we are a party, see Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Changes in tax laws and the resolution of uncertain income tax matters could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows from operations.
We are subject to income tax in many of the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Increases in statutory income tax rates and other adverse changes in applicable law in these jurisdictions could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. In the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. At any one time, multiple tax years are subject to audit by various taxing jurisdictions. We provide reserves for potential payments of tax to various tax authorities related to uncertain tax positions. Please see the Critical Accounting Estimates – Uncertain Tax Positions section in Item 7 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference. We adjust these liabilities as a result of changing facts and circumstances; however, due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the tax liabilities. Such payments could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows from operations.
The regulations to which we are or may become subject could result in a material adverse effect on our business.
Reference should be made to Item 1. Business “Regulation” for a discussion of regulatory risk factors.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
The Company regularly assesses risks from cybersecurity threats, monitors its information systems for potential vulnerabilities, and tests those systems pursuant to the Company’s cybersecurity policies, standards, processes, and practices, which are integrated into the Company’s overall risk management program. We have adopted NIST SP 800-37 Rev. 2 and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and we have aligned our information systems risk management to these guidelines. We categorize our information systems as either critical or secondary, depending on business value and/or risk of financial or compliance impact of cybersecurity incidents . Our information security team uses a multifaceted approach to assess, identify, and manage material risks to the Company from cybersecurity threats, including testing of the effectiveness of our cybersecurity incidentprevention and response systems; conducting routine vulnerability scanning of information systems assets; network/endpoint detection, and response coupled with anomaly identification enhanced logging capabilities powered by AI software; discovery through collaboration with the Company’s internal audit team; monitoring of threat intelligence feeds provided by industry associations/groups, service providers, and federal/state authorities; and professional service engagements, such as retaining the services of an external 24/7 security operations center and partnering with third parties in testing our information systems for vulnerabilities from external, internal, and social engineering perspectives and assessing the effectiveness of our cybersecurity controls.
The Company partners with third-party service providers and employs processes to assess, identify, and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats arising from the use of such third-party service providers. Our latest assessment attempted to identify vulnerabilities in our network and systems from external, internal, and social engineering perspectives. Our cybersecurity practices (including with respect to third-party service providers) have been assessed to represent a level of maturity consistent with industry best practices.
Risks from cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any previous cybersecurity incidents, have not materially affected the Company, including its business strategy, results of operations, and financial condition. For more information about these risks, see the disclosure under the heading “Technology and Cybersecurity Risks” in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Our board of directors oversees the Company’s risk management process, including cybersecurity risks, directly and through its committees. The audit committee of the Company’s board of directors provides structured oversight of the Company’s risk management program, which focuses on the most significant short-, intermediate-, and long-term risks the Company faces. The Company has an information security compliance committee (the “Committee”) that consists of the members of the Company's compliance committee, which reports to our board of directors, and at least three members of Company management. The Committee is responsible for overseeing the development and upkeep of written policies and procedures aimed at safeguarding the Company’s information systems and the nonpublic information stored within them. In addition, the Committee plays a crucial role in the governance of the cybersecurity risk management process. This involves collaborating with third-party industry experts and the Company’s internal audit team to conduct risk assessments of the Company’s information security program (the “Program”). The assessments encompass an evaluation of the Company’s adherence to the Program, including the elements of the Program that are dictated by relevant laws, regulations, and the Company’s information security manual. Furthermore, the Company conducts periodic cybersecurity assessments and preparedness analyses, supervised by our Vice President, Engineering – Security, Compliance, and Trust , who maintains a CRISC certification, has more than twenty years of experience in information security, risk management, and regulatory compliance in the financial services industry, and serves as our designated Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”).
At least annually, our internal audit team conducts a formal risk assessment and develops an audit plan that identifies, assesses, and prioritizes risks that include cybersecurity. The results of the risk assessment and the proposed audit plan are communicated to various leaders within the Company as well as the audit committee of our board of directors for input. The audit plan is reassessed throughout the year, and the plan is subject to modification by our internal audit team, e.g., based on such considerations as changes to resources, business operations, and internal or external risk factors. The CISO also issues an annual written report to our board of directors on the Program and material cybersecurity risks.
The Company takes a risk-based approach to cybersecurity and has implemented cybersecurity policies throughout its operations that are designed to address cybersecurity threats and incidents. In particular, the Company has adopted and maintains written policies and procedures for the protection of Company’s information systems and nonpublic information stored on those systems, which are based on the Company’s risk assessment and that address all other specific topics as may be required by applicable laws and regulations. The Company requires all team members with access to any of its information systems, including contractors, to complete social engineering, cybersecurity, and compliance training programs annually.
The Program includes processes to coordinate and facilitate the implementation of information security best practices and services throughout the Company and to comply with applicable cybersecurity requirements under federal and state laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, and the New York State Department of Financial Services Cybersecurity Requirements for Financial Services Companies, 23 NYCRR 500. The Program is based on the Company’s risk assessment and designed to perform in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Company has established and maintains a comprehensive information security incident management plan (the “Plan”) that allows the Company to respond quickly and effectively to cybersecurity threats and cybersecurity incidents, including cybersecurity breaches, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Company routinely engages third-party industry experts to work in conjunction with our internal audit team in performing risk assessments of the Program and the Plan and of the Company’s execution of the Program and the Plan.
The CISO, in coordination with the information security managers, is responsible for leading the assessment and management of cybersecurity risks. The Company’s information security team has extensive experience in information security and previous information security work experience in several industries, including defense, manufacturing, and financial services. The CISO reports to our board of directors and senior management on cybersecurity threats.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our headquarters is located in Southfield, Michigan, in an office building we purchased in 1993, which includes approximately 136,000 square feet of space. To take advantage of the national talent pool and to maximize team member satisfaction, we utilize a “remote first” strategy. While remote work has become the primary experience for most of our team members, some team members, due to the nature of their responsibilities, continue to work primarily on site at our headquarters. Additionally, we have various on-site meetings, events, and team building activities for which in-person attendance is encouraged. Therefore, we continue to have a need for office space.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In the normal course of business and as a result of the consumer-oriented nature of the industry in which we operate, we and other industry participants are frequently subject to various consumer claims, litigation, and regulatory investigations seeking damages, fines, and statutory penalties. The claimsallege, among other theories of liability, violations of state, federal, and foreign truth-in-lending, credit availability, credit reporting, consumer protection, warranty, debt collection, insurance, and other consumer-oriented laws and regulations, including claims seeking damages under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), for alleged physical and mental harm relating to the repossession and sale of consumers’ vehicles and other debt collection activities. As the assignee of Consumer Loans originated by Dealers, we may also be named as a co-defendant in lawsuits filed by consumers principally against Dealers. We may also have disputes and litigation with Dealers. The claims may allege, among other theories of liability, that we breached the Dealer servicing agreement. We may also have disputes and litigation with vendors and other third parties. The claims may allege, among other theories of liability, that we breached a license agreement or contract. The damages, fines, and penalties that may be claimed by consumers, regulatory agencies, Dealers, vendors, or other third parties in these types of matters can be substantial. The relief requested by plaintiffs varies but may include requests for compensatory, statutory, and punitivedamages and injunctive relief, and plaintiffs may seek treatment as purported class actions or they may file individual arbitration demands for which arbitration providers may request separate filing fees. An adverse ultimate disposition in any action to which we are a party or otherwise subject, or the requirement to pay filing fees for a large number of individual arbitration demands, could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, liquidity, and results of operations.
For a description of significant litigation to which we are a party, see Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market ® under the symbol “CACC.”
Holders
As of February 6, 2026, we had approximately 50 shareholders of record of our common stock.
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph compares the percentage change in the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock during the five-year period ended December 31, 2025 with the cumulative total return on the NASDAQ Composite Index and a peer group index based upon approximately 100 companies included in the Dow Jones U.S. Financial Services Index. The comparison assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2020 in our common stock and in the foregoing indices and assumes the reinvestment of dividends.
Source: Zacks Investment Research, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Copyright 1980-2026.
Index Data: Copyright Nasdaq, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Index Data: Copyright S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Stock Repurchases
The following table summarizes our stock repurchases for the three months ended December 31, 2025:
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid per Share (1)
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (2)
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (2)
October 1 through October 31, 2025
November 1 through November 30, 2025
December 1 through December 31, 2025
(1) Average price paid per share excludes excise tax. Our share repurchases in excess of issuances are subject to a 1% excise tax, which is recognized as part of the cost basis of the shares acquired in the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity.
(2) On August 21, 2023, our board of directors authorized the repurchase by us from time to time of up to two million shares of our common stock (the “August 2023 Authorization”). The August 2023 Authorization, which was announced on August 24, 2023, does not have a specified expiration date. On September 29, 2025, our board of directors authorized the repurchase by us from time to time of up to two million shares of our common stock (the “September 2025 Authorization”) in addition to the prior authorizations by our board of directors. The September 2025 Authorization, which was announced on September 30, 2025, does not have a specified expiration date. Repurchases under the August 2023 Authorization and the September 2025 Authorization may be made in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions, through block trades, pursuant to trading plans adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise.
(3) Includes 1,568 shares of common stock released to us by team members as payment of tax withholdings upon the settlement of restricted stock units in common stock.
(4) Includes 662 shares of common stock released to us by team members as payment of tax withholdings upon the settlement of restricted stock units in common stock.
(5) Consists of shares of common stock released to us by team members as payment of tax withholdings upon the settlement of restricted stock units in common stock and the vesting of restricted stock units.
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Overview
We make vehicle ownership possible by providing innovative financing solutions that enable automobile dealers to sell vehicles to consumers, regardless of their credit history. Our financing programs are offered through a nationwide network of automobile dealers who benefit from sales of vehicles to consumers who otherwise could not obtain financing; from repeat and referral sales generated by these same customers; and from sales to customers responding to advertisements for our financing programs, but who actually end up qualifying for traditional financing.
For the year ended December 31, 2025, consolidated net income was $423.9 million, or $36.38 per diluted share, compared to $247.9 million, or $19.88 per diluted share, for the same period in 2024. The increase in consolidated net income was primarily due to a decrease in provision for credit losses and an increase in finance charges, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses. Our results for the year ended December 31, 2025 included:
• $8.0 billion average balance of our Loan portfolio, which represented a 5.7% increase from 2024.
• A 12.6% and 16.5% year-over-year decline in Consumer Loan unit and dollar volumes, respectively, as compared to 2024.
• $169.5 million, or 1.5%, decrease in forecasted net cash flows from our Loan portfolio, which represented a smaller decrease compared to 2024.
• $725.4 million in the repurchase of approximately 1,514,000 shares, or 12.6% of the shares outstanding at the beginning of the year.
• The enrollment of 5,752 new Dealers, with 15,745 active Dealers during 2025, which is our highest ever number of active Dealers in a calendar year.
• $230.8 million in Dealer Holdback and accelerated Dealer Holdback payments to Dealers.
• $74.2 million contingent loss related to previously disclosed legal matters.
• $1.7 billion in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and unused and available revolving lines of credit as of December 31, 2025.
• 12 workplace awards, including reaching #34 on Great Place to Work ® and Fortune magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For ® list and #2 on the 2025 Top Workplaces USA list in the 1,000-2,499 employee company size category.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, consolidated net income was $247.9 million, or $19.88 per diluted share, compared to $286.1 million, or $21.99 per diluted share, for the same period in 2023. The decrease in consolidated net income was primarily due to increases in interest expense and provision for credit losses, partially offset by an increase in finance charges. Our results for the year ended December 31, 2024 included:
• $7.5 billion average balance of our Loan portfolio, which represented a 13.6% increase from 2023.
• A 16.1% and 11.3% year-over-year growth in Consumer Loan unit and dollar volumes, respectively, as compared to 2023.
• $314.0 million, of 3.1%, decrease in forecasted net cash flows from our Loan portfolio, which represented a larger decrease compared to 2023.
• An increase in our cost of debt from 5.5% to 7.2%.
• $313.3 million in the repurchase of approximately 590,000 shares, or 4.7% of the shares outstanding at the beginning of the year.
• The enrollment of 6,088 new Dealers, with 15,463 active Dealers during 2024.
• $300.2 million in Dealer Holdback and accelerated Dealer Holdback payments to Dealers.
• $23.7 million loss during the second quarter of 2024 related to the sale of one of our two office buildings. The building was sold to reduce excess office space and eliminate the associated annual operating costs of approximately $2.1 million.
• 13 workplace awards, including reaching #39 on Great Place to Work ® and Fortune magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For ® list and #9 on the 2024 Top Workplaces USA list in the 1,000-2,499 employee company size category.
CriticalSuccess Factors
Criticalsuccess factors include our ability to accurately forecast Consumer Loan performance, access capital on acceptable terms, and maintain or grow Consumer Loan volume at the level and on the terms that we anticipate, with the objective to maximize economic profit over the long term. Economic profit is a non-GAAP financial measure we use to evaluate our financial results and determine profit-sharing for team members. We also use economic profit as a framework to evaluate business decisions and strategies. Economic profit measures how efficiently we utilize our total capital, both debt and equity, and is a function of the return on capital in excess of the cost of capital and the amount of capital invested in the business.
Consumer Loan Metrics
At the time a Consumer Loan is submitted to us for assignment, we forecast future expected cash flows from the Consumer Loan. Based on the amount and timing of these forecasts and expected expense levels, an advance or one-time purchase payment is made to the related Dealer at a price designed to maximize economic profit.
We use a statistical model to estimate the expected collection rate for each Consumer Loan at the time of assignment. We continue to evaluate the expected collection rate for each Consumer Loan subsequent to assignment. Our evaluation becomes more accurate as the Consumer Loans age, as we use actual performance data in our forecast. By comparing our current expected collection rate for each Consumer Loan with the rate we projected at the time of assignment, we are able to assess the accuracy of our initial forecast. The following table compares our aggregated forecast of Consumer Loan collection rates as of December 31, 2025, with the aggregated forecasts as of December 31, 2024, as of December 31, 2023, and at the time of assignment, segmented by year of assignment:
Forecasted Collection Percentage as of (1)
Current Forecast Variance from
Consumer Loan Assignment Year
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Initial
Forecast
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Initial
Forecast
(1) Represents the total forecasted collections we expect to collect on the Consumer Loans as a percentage of the repayments that we were contractually owed on the Consumer Loans at the time of assignment. Contractual repayments include both principal and interest. Forecasted collection rates are negatively impacted by canceled Consumer Loans as the contractual amount owed is not removed from the denominator for purposes of computing forecasted collection rates.
For the year ended December 31, 2025, forecasted collection rates improved for Consumer Loans assigned in 2020 and 2025, declined for Consumer Loans assigned in 2022 through 2024, and were generally consistent with expectations at the start of the period for all other assignment years presented.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, forecasted collection rates improved for Consumer Loans assigned in 2019, declined for Consumer Loans assigned in 2021 through 2024, and were generally consistent with expectations at the start of the period for all other assignment years presented.
The changes to our forecast of future net cash flows from our Loan portfolio (forecasted collections less forecasted Dealer Holdback payments) are shown in the following table:
(Dollars in millions)
Decrease in Forecasted Net Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31,
Total Loans
% Change from Forecast at Beginning of Period
The decreases in forecasted net cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, were composed of ordinary decreases in forecasted net cash flows and the following adjustments applied to our forecasting methodology:
During the second quarter of 2025, we applied an adjustment to our methodology for forecasting the amount of future net cash flows from our Loan portfolio, which reduced the forecasted collection rates for Consumer Loans assigned in 2024. Consumer Loans assigned in 2024 prior to the implementation of our scorecard adjustment during the third quarter of 2024 had underperformed relative to the forecast adjustment we implemented during the second quarter of 2024. Accordingly, in the second quarter of 2025, we applied an adjustment to that segment of the Consumer Loans assigned in 2024 to reduce forecasted collection rates to what we believed the ultimate collection rates would be based on these trends. Changes in the amount and timing of forecasted net cash flows are recognized in the period of change as a provision for credit losses. The implementation of this forecast adjustment during the second quarter of 2025 reduced forecasted net cash flows by $18.6 million, or 0.2%, and increased provision for credit losses by $16.5 million.
During the second quarter of 2024, we applied an adjustment to our methodology for forecasting the amount of future net cash flows from our Loan portfolio, which reduced the forecasted collection rates for Consumer Loans assigned in 2022 through 2024. Consumer Loans assigned in 2022 had continued to underperform our expectations for several quarters. Consumer Loans assigned in 2023 had also begun exhibiting similar trends of underperformance, although not as severe as Consumer Loans assigned in 2022. During the second quarter of 2024, we determined that we had sufficient Consumer Loan performance experience to estimate the magnitude by which we expected Consumer Loans assigned in 2022 through 2024 would likely underperform our historical collection rates on Consumer Loans with similar characteristics. Accordingly, we applied an adjustment to Consumer Loans assigned in 2022 through 2024 to reduce forecasted collection rates to what we believed the ultimate collection rates would be based on these trends. Changes in the amount and timing of forecasted net cash flows are recognized in the period of change as a provision for credit losses. The implementation of this forecast adjustment during the second quarter of 2024 reduced forecasted net cash flows by $147.2 million, or 1.4%, and increased provision for credit losses by $127.5 million.
During the second quarter of 2023, we adjusted our methodology for forecasting the amount and timing of future net cash flows from our Loan portfolio through the utilization of more recent Consumer Loan performance and Consumer Loan prepayment data. We had experienced a decrease in Consumer Loan prepayments to below-average levels and, as a result, slowed our forecasted net cash flow timing. Changes in the amount and timing of forecasted net cash flows are recognized in the period of change as a provision for credit losses. The implementation of the adjustment to our forecasting methodology during the second quarter of 2023 reduced forecasted net cash flows by $44.5 million, or 0.5%, and increased provision for credit losses by $71.3 million.
The following table presents information on Consumer Loan assignments for each of the last 10 years:
Average
Total Assignment Volume
Consumer Loan Assignment Year
Consumer Loan (1)
Advance (2)
Initial Loan Term
(in months)
Unit Volume
Dollar Volume (2)
(in millions)
(1) Represents the repayments that we were contractually owed on Consumer Loans at the time of assignment, which include both principal and interest.
(2) Represents advances paid to Dealers on Consumer Loans assigned under the Portfolio Program and one-time payments made to Dealers to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under the Purchase Program. Payments of Dealer Holdback and accelerated Dealer Holdback are not included.
The profitability of our loans is primarily driven by the amount and timing of the net cash flows we receive from the spread between the forecasted collection rate and the advance rate, less operating expenses and the cost of capital. Forecasting collection rates accurately at Loan inception is difficult. With this in mind, we establish advance rates that are intended to allow us to achieve acceptable levels of profitability across our portfolio, even if collection rates are less than we initially forecast.
The following table presents aggregate forecasted Consumer Loan collection rates, advance rates, and spreads (the forecasted collection rate less the advance rate), and the percentage of the forecasted collections that had been realized as of December 31, 2025, as well as forecasted collection rates and spreads at the time of assignment. All amounts, unless otherwise noted, are presented as a percentage of the initial balance of the Consumer Loan (principal + interest). The table includes both Dealer Loans and Purchased Loans.
Forecasted Collection % as of
Spread % as of
Consumer Loan Assignment Year
December 31, 2025
Initial Forecast
Advance % (1)
December 31, 2025
Initial Forecast
% of Forecast
Realized (2)
(1) Represents advances paid to Dealers on Consumer Loans assigned under the Portfolio Program and one-time payments made to Dealers to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under the Purchase Program as a percentage of the initial balance of the Consumer Loans. Payments of Dealer Holdback and accelerated Dealer Holdback are not included.
(2) Presented as a percentage of total forecasted collections.
The risk of a material change in our forecasted collection rate declines as the Consumer Loans age. For 2021 and prior Consumer Loan assignments, the risk of a material forecast variance is modest, as we have currently realized in excess of 90% of the expected collections. Conversely, the forecasted collection rates for more recent Consumer Loan assignments are less certain as a significant portion of our forecast has not been realized.
The spread between the forecasted collection rate as of December 31, 2025 and the advance rate ranges from 11.9% to 24.1% for Consumer Loans assigned over the last 10 years. The spreads with respect to 2019 and 2020 Consumer Loans have been positively impacted by Consumer Loan performance, which has exceeded our initial estimates by a greater margin than the other years presented. The spreads with respect to 2022 and 2023 Consumer Loans have been negatively impacted by Consumer Loan performance, which has been lower than our initial estimates by a greater margin than the other years presented. The higher spread for 2025 Consumer Loans relative to 2024 Consumer Loans as of December 31, 2025 was primarily a result of Consumer Loan performance, as the performance of 2025 Consumer Loans has exceeded our initial estimates while the performance of 2024 Consumer Loans has been lower than our initial estimates.
The following table compares our forecast of aggregate Consumer Loan collection rates as of December 31, 2025 with the forecasts at the time of assignment, for Dealer Loans and Purchased Loans separately:
Dealer Loans
Purchased Loans
Forecasted Collection Percentage as of (1)
Forecasted Collection Percentage as of (1)
Consumer Loan Assignment Year
December 31, 2025
Initial
Forecast
Variance
December 31, 2025
Initial
Forecast
Variance
(1) The forecasted collection rates presented for Dealer Loans and Purchased Loans reflect the Consumer Loan classification at the time of assignment. The forecasted collection rates represent the total forecasted collections we expect to collect on the Consumer Loans as a percentage of the repayments that we were contractually owed on the Consumer Loans at the time of assignment. Contractual repayments include both principal and interest. Forecasted collection rates are negatively impacted by canceled Consumer Loans as the contractual amount owed is not removed from the denominator for purposes of computing forecasted collection rates.
The following table presents aggregate forecasted Consumer Loan collection rates, advance rates, and spreads (the forecasted collection rate less the advance rate) as of December 31, 2025 for Dealer Loans and Purchased Loans separately. All amounts are presented as a percentage of the initial balance of the Consumer Loan (principal + interest).
Dealer Loans
Purchased Loans
Consumer Loan Assignment Year
Forecasted Collection % (1)
Advance % (1)(2)
Spread %
Forecasted Collection % (1)
Advance % (1)(2)
Spread %
(1) The forecasted collection rates and advance rates presented for Dealer Loans and Purchased Loans reflect the Consumer Loan classification at the time of assignment.
(2) Represents advances paid to Dealers on Consumer Loans assigned under the Portfolio Program and one-time payments made to Dealers to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under the Purchase Program as a percentage of the initial balance of the Consumer Loans. Payments of Dealer Holdback and accelerated Dealer Holdback are not included.
Although the advance rate on Purchased Loans is higher as compared to the advance rate on Dealer Loans, Purchased Loans do not require us to pay Dealer Holdback.
The spread as of December 31, 2025 on 2025 Dealer Loans was 22.5%, as compared to a spread of 20.0% on 2024 Dealer Loans. The increase was primarily a result of Consumer Loan performance, as the performance of 2025 Dealer Loans has exceeded our initial estimates while the performance of 2024 Dealer Loans has been lower than our initial estimates.
The spread as of December 31, 2025 on 2025 Purchased Loans was 21.5%, as compared to a spread of 21.0% on 2024 Purchased Loans, reflecting the net impact of two offsetting factors. Consumer Loan performance increased the spread from 2024 to 2025, as the performance of 2025 Purchased Loans has exceeded our initial estimates while the performance of 2024 Purchased Loans has been lower than our initial estimates. This impact of Consumer Loan performance was partially offset by the impact of a lower initial spread on 2025 Purchased Loans, due to the advance rate increasing by a greater margin than the initial forecast in our Purchased Loan portfolio.
Access to Capital
Our strategy for accessing capital on acceptable terms needed to maintain and grow the business is to: (1) maintain consistent financial performance; (2) maintain modest financial leverage; and (3) maintain multiple funding sources. Our funded debt to equity ratio was 4.2 to 1 as of December 31, 2025. We currently utilize the following primary forms of debt financing: (1) our revolving secured line of credit facility; (2) Warehouse facilities; (3) Term ABS financings; and (4) senior notes.
Consumer Loan Volume
The following table summarizes changes in Consumer Loan assignment volume in each of the last three years as compared to the same period in the previous year:
Year over Year Percent Change
For the Year Ended December 31,
Unit Volume
Dollar Volume (1)
(1) Represents advances paid to Dealers on Consumer Loans assigned under the Portfolio Program and one-time payments made to Dealers to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under the Purchase Program. Payments of Dealer Holdback and accelerated Dealer Holdback are not included.
Consumer Loan assignment volumes depend on a number of factors including (1) the overall demand for our financing programs and (2) the amount of capital available to fund new Loans. Our pricing strategy is intended to maximize the amount of economic profit we generate, within the confines of capital constraints.
During 2025, unit and dollar volumes declined 12.6% and 16.5%, respectively, as the number of active Dealers increased 1.8% while average unit volume per active Dealer declined 14.4%. Dollar volume declined by more than unit volume in 2025 primarily due to a decrease in the average size of Consumer Loans assigned, which resulted in a decrease in the average advance paid.
During 2024, unit and dollar volumes increased 16.1% and 11.3%, respectively, as the number of active Dealers increased 9.1% while average volume per active Dealer increased 6.4%. Dollar volume increased less than unit volume in 2024 due to decreases in the average advance rate and the average size of Consumer Loans assigned, which resulted in a decrease in the average advance paid. Unit volume for 2024 was the highest unit volume in our history.
The following table summarizes the changes in Consumer Loan unit volume and active Dealers:
For the Years Ended December 31,
For the Years Ended December 31,
% Change
% Change
Consumer Loan unit volume
Active Dealers (1)
Average volume per active Dealer
Consumer Loan unit volume from Dealers active both periods
Dealers active both periods
Average volume per Dealer active both periods
Consumer Loan unit volume from Dealers not active both periods
Dealers not active both periods
Average volume per Dealer not active both periods
(1) Active Dealers are Dealers who have received funding for at least one Consumer Loan during the period.
The following table provides additional information on the changes in Consumer Loan unit volume and active Dealers:
For the Years Ended December 31,
For the Years Ended December 31,
% Change
% Change
Consumer Loan unit volume from new active Dealers
New active Dealers (1)
Average volume per new active Dealer
Attrition (2)
(1) New active Dealers are Dealers who enrolled in our program and have received funding for their first Loan from us during the period.
(2) Attrition is measured according to the following formula: decrease in Consumer Loan unit volume from Dealers who have received funding for at least one Loan during the comparable period of the prior year but did not receive funding for any Loans during the current period divided by prior year comparable period Consumer Loan unit volume.
Consumer Loans are assigned to us as either Dealer Loans through the Portfolio Program or Purchased Loans through the Purchase Program. The following table shows the percentage of Consumer Loans assigned to us under each of the programs for each of the last three years:
Unit Volume
Dollar Volume (1)
For the Years Ended December 31,
Portfolio Program
Purchase Program
Portfolio Program
Purchase Program
(1) Represents advances paid to Dealers on Consumer Loans assigned under the Portfolio Program and one-time payments made to Dealers to purchase Consumer Loans assigned under the Purchase Program. Payments of Dealer Holdback and accelerated Dealer Holdback are not included.
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the net Dealer Loans receivable balance was 72.1% and 72.3%, respectively, of the total net Loans receivable balance.
Results of Operations
The following is a discussion of our 2025 and 2024 results of operations and income statement data on a consolidated basis, including year-to-year comparisons between 2025 and 2024. Discussions of 2023 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
The net Loan income (finance charge revenue less provision for credit losses expense) that we recognize over the life of a Loan equals the cash we collect from the underlying Consumer Loan less the cash we pay to the Dealer. We believe the economics of our business are best exhibited by recognizing net Loan income on a level-yield basis over the life of the Loan based on expected future net cash flows. Under the GAAP methodology we employ, which is known as the current expected credit loss model, or CECL, we are required to recognize:
• a significant provision for credit losses expense at the time of the Loan’s assignment to us for contractual net cash flows we do not expect to realize; and
• finance charge revenue in subsequent periods that is significantly in excess of our expected yield.
Due to the GAAP treatment of contractual net cash flows we do not expect to realize at the time of loan assignment (i.e. significant expense at the time of loan assignment, which is offset by higher revenue in subsequent periods), we do not believe the GAAP methodology we employ provides sufficient transparency into the economics of our business, including our results of operations, financial condition, and financial leverage. For additional information, see Note 2 and Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Year Ended December 31, 2025 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2024
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
For the Years Ended December 31,
$ Change
% Change
Revenue:
Finance charges
Premiums earned
Other income
Total revenue
Costs and expenses:
Salaries and wages
General and administrative
Sales and marketing
Total operating expenses
Provision for credit losses on forecast changes
Provision for credit losses on new Consumer Loan assignments
Total provision for credit losses
Interest
Provision for claims
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Loss on sale of building
Total costs and expenses
Income before provision for income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Net income
Net income per share:
Basic
Diluted
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic
Diluted
Finance Charges. The increase of $149.1 million, or 7.5%, was the result of increases in the average net Loans receivable balance and the average yield on our Loan portfolio, as follows:
(Dollars in millions)
For the Years Ended December 31,
Change
Average net Loans receivable balance
Average yield on our Loan portfolio
The following table summarizes the impact each component had on the overall increase in finance charges for the year ended December 31, 2025:
(In millions)
Impact on finance charges:
For the Year Ended December 31, 2025
Due to an increase in the average net Loans receivable balance
Due to an increase in the average yield
Total increase in finance charges
The increase in the average net Loans receivable balance was primarily due to the dollar volume of new Consumer Loan assignments exceeding the principal collected on Loans receivable. The increase in the average yield of our Loan portfolio was primarily due to higher contractual yields on more recent Consumer Loan assignments.
Operating Expenses . The increase of $98.4 million, or 19.6%, was primarily due to:
• An increase in general and administrative expense of $63.5 million, or 64.9%, primarily due to an increase in legal expenses, which included a $74.2 million contingent loss recognized during 2025, compared to a $8.4 million contingent loss recognized during 2024, both related to previously disclosed legal matters as to which we have recognized cumulative contingent losses of $82.6 million through 2025. The cumulative amount reflects, among other things, preliminary alignment between us and representatives of the agencies involved in the previously disclosed multi-state and New York Attorney General legal matters on certain material terms of a potential settlement of those legal matters, including a potential cash payment by us of $75.5 million.
• An increase in salaries and wages expense of $27.9 million, or 9.0%, primarily due to increases in (i) the number of team members in Engineering as we are investing in our business with the goal of increasing the speed at which we enhance our product for Dealers and consumers, (ii) stock-based compensation expense, primarily due to equity awards granted to our executive officers and senior leaders, and (iii) fringe benefits, primarily due to higher medical claims.
Provision for Credit Losses . The decrease of $198.6 million, or 24.4%, was primarily due to a decrease in provision for credit losses on forecast changes.
We recognize provision for credit losses on new Consumer Loan assignments for contractual net cash flows that are not expected to be realized at the time of assignment. We also recognize provision for credit losses on forecast changes in the amount and timing of expected future net cash flows subsequent to assignment. The following table summarizes the provision for credit losses for each of these components:
(In millions)
For the Years Ended December 31,
Provision for Credit Losses
Change
Forecast changes
New Consumer Loan assignments
Total
The decrease in provision for credit losses related to forecast changes was primarily due to a smaller decline in Consumer Loan performance during 2025 compared to 2024.
During 2025, we decreased our estimate of future net cash flows by $169.5 million, or 1.5%, to reflect a decline in forecasted collection rates during the period and slowed our forecasted net cash flow timing to reflect lower-than-expected Consumer Loan prepayments, which remained below historical averages. The $169.5 million decrease in forecasted net cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2025 was composed of an ordinary decrease in forecasted net cash flows of $150.9 million, or 1.3%, and an adjustment applied to our forecasting methodology, which upon implementation, reduced forecasted net cash flows by $18.6 million, or 0.2%, and increased our provision for credit losses by $16.5 million. Consumer Loans assigned in 2024 prior to the implementation of our scorecard adjustment during the third quarter of 2024 had underperformed relative to the forecast adjustment we implemented during the second quarter of 2024. Accordingly, during the second quarter of 2025, we applied an adjustment to that segment of the Consumer Loans assigned in 2024 to reduce forecasted collection rates to what we believed the ultimate collection rates would be based on these trends.
During 2024, we decreased our estimate of future net cash flows by $314.0 million, or 3.1%, to reflect a decline in forecasted collection rates during the period and slowed our forecasted net cash flow timing to reflect a decrease in Consumer Loan prepayments, which remained below historical averages. The $314.0 million decrease in forecasted net cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2024 was composed of an ordinary decrease in forecasted net cash flows of $166.8 million, or 1.7%, and an adjustment applied to our forecasting methodology during the second quarter of 2024, which upon implementation, reduced forecasted net cash flows by $147.2 million, or 1.4%, and increased our provision for credit losses by $127.5 million. Consumer Loans assigned in 2022 had continued to underperform our expectations for several quarters. Consumer Loans assigned in 2023 had also begun exhibiting similar trends of underperformance, although not as severe as Consumer Loans assigned in 2022. During the second quarter of 2024, we determined that we had sufficient Consumer Loan performance experience to estimate the magnitude by which we expected Consumer Loans assigned in 2022 through 2024 would likely underperform our historical collection rates on Consumer Loans with similar characteristics. Accordingly, we applied an adjustment to Consumer Loans assigned in 2022 through 2024 to reduce forecasted collection rates to what we believed the ultimate collection rates would be based on these trends.
For additional information, see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The decrease in provision for credit losses related to new Consumer Loan assignments was primarily due to a 12.6% decrease in Consumer Loan assignment unit volume.
Interest. The increase in interest expense of $43.4 million, or 10.3%, was primarily due to an increase in our average outstanding debt balance.
The following table presents the change in interest expense, average outstanding debt balance, and average cost of debt for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024:
(Dollars in millions)
For the Years Ended December 31,
Change
Interest expense
Average outstanding debt balance
Average cost of debt
Loss on Sale of Building. For the year ended December 31, 2024, we recognized a loss on the sale of a building of $23.7 million. For additional information, see Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Provision for Income Taxes. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the effective income tax rate increased to 25.0% from 24.8% as compared with the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to an increase in state income taxes due to a revision of deferred tax estimates during 2025 and a reduction in excess tax benefits due to an increase in pre-tax income in 2025, partially offset by a decrease in non-deductible executive compensation expense.
For additional information, see Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we review our accounting policies, assumptions, estimates, and judgments to ensure that our financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with GAAP.
Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference. We believe that the following accounting estimates are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results, and involve a high degree of subjective or complex judgment, and the use of different estimates or assumptions could produce materially different financial results.
Finance Charge Revenue & Allowance for Credit Losses
Nature of Estimates Required. We estimate the amount and timing of future collections and Dealer Holdback payments. These estimates impact Loans receivable and allowance for credit losses on our balance sheet and finance charges and provision for credit losses on our income statement.
Assumptions and Approaches Used. On January 1, 2020, we adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which is known as the current expected credit loss model, or CECL. For additional information regarding the adoption impact of CECL, see Note 2 and Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
We recognize finance charges under the interest method such that revenue is recognized on a level-yield basis over the life of the Loan. We calculate finance charges on a monthly basis by applying the effective interest rate of the Loan to the net carrying amount of the Loan (Loan receivable less the related allowance for credit losses). For Consumer Loans assigned on or subsequent to January 1, 2020, the effective interest rate is based on contractual future net cash flows. Consumer Loans assigned prior to January 1, 2020 are no longer material to our consolidated financial statements.
The outstanding balance of the allowance for credit losses of each Loan represents the amount required to reduce the net carrying amount of Loans (Loans receivable less allowance for credit losses) to the present value of expected future net cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate. Expected future net cash flows for Dealer Loans are comprised of expected future collections on the assigned Consumer Loans, less any expected future Dealer Holdback payments. Expected future net cash flows for Purchased Loans are comprised of expected future collections on the assigned Consumer Loans.
Expected future collections are forecasted for each individual Consumer Loan based on the historical performance of Consumer Loans with similar characteristics, adjusted for recent trends in payment patterns. Our forecast of expected future collections includes estimates for prepayments and post-contractual-term cash flows. Unless the consumer is no longer contractually obligated to pay us, we forecast future collections on each Consumer Loan for a 120 month period after the origination date. Expected future Dealer Holdback payments are forecasted for each individual Dealer based on the expected future collections and current advance balance of each Dealer Loan.
We monitor and evaluate Consumer Loan performance on a monthly basis by comparing our current forecasted collection rates to our initial expectations. We use a statistical model that considers a number of credit quality indicators to estimate the expected collection rate for each Consumer Loan at the time of assignment. The credit quality indicators considered in our model include attributes contained in the consumer’s credit bureau report, data contained in the consumer’s credit application, the structure of the proposed transaction, vehicle information, and other factors. We continue to evaluate the expected collection rate for each Consumer Loan subsequent to assignment primarily through the monitoring of consumer payment behavior. Our evaluation becomes more accurate as the Consumer Loans age, as we use actual performance data in our forecast. Since all known, significant credit quality indicators have already been factored into our forecasts and pricing, we are not able to use any specific credit quality indicators to predict or explain variances in actual performance from our initial expectations. Any variances in performance from our initial expectations are the result of Consumer Loans performing differently from historical Consumer Loans with similar characteristics. We periodically adjust our statistical pricing model for new trends that we identify through our evaluation of these forecasted collection rate variances.
During the second quarter of 2025, we applied an adjustment to our methodology for forecasting the amount of future net cash flows from our Loan portfolio, which reduced the forecasted collection rates for Consumer Loans assigned in 2024. Consumer Loans assigned in 2024 prior to the implementation of our scorecard adjustment during the third quarter of 2024 had underperformed relative to the forecast adjustment we implemented during the second quarter of 2024. Accordingly, in the second quarter of 2025, we applied an adjustment to that segment of the Consumer Loans assigned in 2024 to reduce forecasted collection rates to what we believed the ultimate collection rates would be based on these trends. Changes in the amount and timing of forecasted net cash flows are recognized in the period of change as a provision for credit losses. The implementation of this forecast adjustment during the second quarter of 2025 reduced forecasted net cash flows by $18.6 million, or 0.2%, and increased provision for credit losses by $16.5 million.
During the second quarter of 2024, we applied an adjustment to our methodology for forecasting the amount of future net cash flows from our Loan portfolio, which reduced the forecasted collection rates for Consumer Loans assigned in 2022 through 2024. Consumer Loans assigned in 2022 had continued to underperform our expectations for several quarters. Consumer Loans assigned in 2023 had also begun exhibiting similar trends of underperformance, although not as severe as Consumer Loans assigned in 2022. During the second quarter of 2024, we determined that we had sufficient Consumer Loan performance experience to estimate the magnitude by which we expected Consumer Loans assigned in 2022 through 2024 would likely underperform our historical collection rates on Consumer Loans with similar characteristics. Accordingly, we applied an adjustment to Consumer Loans assigned in 2022 through 2024 to reduce forecasted collection rates to what we believed the ultimate collection rates would be based on these trends. Changes in the amount and timing of forecasted net cash flows are recognized in the period of change as a provision for credit losses. The implementation of this forecast adjustment during the second quarter of 2024 reduced forecasted net cash flows by $147.2 million, or 1.4%, and increased provision for credit losses by $127.5 million.
During the second quarter of 2023, we adjusted our methodology for forecasting the amount and timing of future net cash flows from our Loan portfolio through the utilization of more recent Consumer Loan performance and Consumer Loan prepayment data. We had experienced a decrease in Consumer Loan prepayments to below-average levels and, as a result, slowed our forecasted net cash flow timing. The below-average levels of Consumer Loan prepayments continued through the fourth quarter of 2023. Changes in the amount and timing of forecasted net cash flows are recognized in the period of change as a provision for credit losses. The implementation of the adjustment to our forecasting methodology during the second quarter of 2023 reduced forecasted net cash flows by $44.5 million, or 0.5%, and increased provision for credit losses by $71.3 million.
Our provision for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2025, included:
• $277.8 million provision for credit losses on new Consumer Loan assignments, which reduced consolidated net income by $208.4 million, or $17.89 per diluted share; and
• $338.3 million provision for credit losses on forecast changes related to changes in the amount and timing of expected future net cash flows, which reduced consolidated net income by $253.7 million, or $21.78 per diluted share.
Our provision for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2024, included:
• $320.9 million provision for credit losses on new Consumer Loan assignments, which reduced consolidated net income by $247.1 million, or $19.82 per diluted share; and
• $493.8 million provision for credit losses on forecast changes related to changes in the amount and timing of expected future net cash flows, which reduced consolidated net income by $380.2 million, or $30.49 per diluted share.
Key Factors. Variances in the amount and timing of future net cash flows from current estimates could materially impact earnings in future periods. A 1% decline in the forecasted future net cash flows on Loans as of December 31, 2025 would have reduced 2025 consolidated net income by approximately $56.4 million.
During periods of economic slowdown or recession, delinquencies, defaults, repossessions, and losses may increase on our Consumer Loans, and Consumer Loan prepayments, which historically have been lower in periods with less availability of consumer credit, may decline. These periods are also typically accompanied by decreased consumer demand for automobiles and declining values of automobiles securing outstanding Consumer Loans, which weakens collateral coverage and increases the amount of a loss in the event of default. Significant increases in the inventory of used automobiles during periods of economic recession may also depress the prices at which repossessed automobiles may be sold or delay the timing of these sales. Additionally, inflation, higher gasoline prices, the deferral or resumption of student loan payments, increased focus on climate-related initiatives and regulation, declining stock market values, unstable real estate values, resets of adjustable rate mortgages to higher interest rates, increasing unemployment levels, general availability of consumer credit, tariffs, or other factors that impact consumer confidence or disposable income could increase loss frequency and decrease consumer demand for automobiles as well as weaken collateral values of automobiles. Because our business is focused on consumers who do not qualify for conventional automobile financing, the actual rates of delinquencies, defaults, repossessions, and losses on our Consumer Loans could be higher than those experienced in the general automobile finance industry and could be more dramatically affected by a general economic downturn.
Premiums Earned
Nature of Estimates Required. We estimate the pattern of future claims on vehicle service contracts. These estimates impact accounts payable and accrued liabilities on our balance sheet and premiums earned on our income statement.
Assumptions and Approaches Used. Premiums from the reinsurance of vehicle service contracts are recognized over the life of the policy in proportion to the expected costs of servicing those contracts. Expected costs are determined based on our historical claims experience. In developing our cost expectations, we stratify our historical claims experience into groupings based on contractual term, as this characteristic has led to different patterns of cost incurrence in the past. We will continue to update our analysis of historical costs under the vehicle service contract program as appropriate, including the consideration of other characteristics that may have led to different patterns of cost incurrence, and revise our revenue recognition timing for any changes in the pattern of our expected costs as they are identified.
Key Factors. Variances in the pattern of future claims from our current estimates would impact the timing of premiums recognized in future periods. A 10% change in premiums earned for the year ended December 31, 2025 would have affected 2025 consolidated net income by approximately $7.2 million.
Contingencies
Nature of Estimates Required. We estimate the likelihood of adverse judgments against us and any resulting damages, fines, or statutory penalties owed. These estimates impact accounts payable and accrued liabilities on our balance sheet and are general and administrative expenses on our income statement.
Assumptions and Approaches Used. With assistance from our legal counsel, we determine if the likelihood of an adverse judgment for various claims, litigation, and regulatory investigations is remote, reasonably possible, or probable. To the extent we believe an adverse judgment is probable and the amount of the judgment is estimable, we recognize a liability. For information regarding current actions to which we are a party, see Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Key Factors. Negative variances in the ultimate disposition of claims and litigation outstanding from current estimates could result in additional expense in future periods.
Uncertain Tax Positions
Nature of Estimates Required. We estimate the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return. These estimates impact income taxes receivable and accounts payable and accrued liabilities on our balance sheet and provision for income taxes on our income statement.
Assumptions and Approaches Used. We follow a two-step approach for recognizing uncertain tax positions. First, we evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more-likely-than-not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. Second, for positions that we determine are more-likely-than-not to be sustained, we recognize the tax benefit as the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being sustained. We establish a reserve for uncertain tax positions liability that is comprised of unrecognized tax benefits and related interest. We adjust this liability in the period in which an uncertain tax position is effectively settled, the statute of limitations expires for the relevant taxing authority to examine the tax position, or more information becomes available.
Key Factors. To the extent we prevail in matters for which a liability has been established or are required to pay amounts in excess of our established liability, our effective income tax rate in future periods could be materially affected.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We need capital to maintain and grow our business. Our primary sources of capital are cash flows from operating activities, collections of Consumer Loans, and borrowings under: (1) our revolving secured line of credit facility; (2) Warehouse facilities; (3) Term ABS financings; and (4) senior notes. There are various restrictive covenants to which we are subject under each financing arrangement, and we were in compliance with those covenants as of December 31, 2025. For information regarding these financings and the covenants included in the related documents, see Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
We endeavor to run our business conservatively, with a large margin of safety in Loan pricing in the aggregate, low leverage on the balance sheet, and significant unused availability on our revolving credit facilities. Our forecasting models have performed best during relatively stable economic periods but have been less accurate during periods of volatility like we have experienced in recent years. Since forecasting collection rates is challenging, our business model is designed to produce acceptable returns in the aggregate even if Loan performance is worse than forecasted. When needed, we have made adjustments to our forecasts on both new and existing Loans, and our recent forecasts incorporate underperformance of post-pandemic vintages. We have also reduced advance rates to the Dealer on more recent vintages, which we believe increases the margin of safety in our business. Based on our estimates as of December 31, 2025 , total forecasted collections for the portfolio were $12.2 billion, which provides $4.5 billion of cushion to our lenders after considering $1.3 billion of estimated interest and operating expenses and $6.4 billion of outstanding debt.
Since 1998, we have completed 60 term securitizations totaling $17.1 billion of debt issued. We believe our securitization trusts contain a significant margin of safety for investors, including structural features such as overcollateralization, subordination, and reserve accounts to protect our investors against credit risk. Our securitization trusts have paid timely interest and principal of all maturing securities in full and have never experienced an early amortization event, event of default, or other adverse event that would cause early or late repayment. Our securitization transactions are generally structured to withstand a 35% decline in the forecasted collection rate before the most junior bond is at risk of taking a principal loss. Accordingly, we believe future net cash flows from collateral securing our outstanding securitization debt are more than sufficient to repay all future obligations of our outstanding securitization trusts.
On February 28, 2025, we issued $500.0 million of 6.625% senior notes due 2030 (the “2030 senior notes”). We used a portion of the net proceeds from the 2030 senior notes to redeem all of the $400.0 million outstanding principal amount of our 6.625% senior notes due 2026 (the “2026 senior notes”). We used the remaining net proceeds from the 2030 senior notes for general corporate purposes. During the first quarter of 2025, we recognized a pre-tax loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.2 million related to the redemption of the 2026 senior notes.
On March 27, 2025, we completed a $400.0 million Term ABS financing, which was used to repay outstanding indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. The financing has an expected average annualized cost of 5.6% (including upfront fees and other costs), and it will revolve for 24 months, after which it will amortize based upon the cash flows on the underlying Loans.
On June 24, 2025, we extended the maturity of our revolving secured line of credit facility from June 22, 2027 to June 22, 2028.
On July 11, 2025, we extended the date on which our $75.0 million Warehouse Facility VI will cease to revolve from September 30, 2026 to September 30, 2028. The interest rate on borrowings under the facility was decreased from the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 210 basis points to SOFR plus 185 basis points. The servicing fee was also decreased from 6.0% to 4.0% of collections on the underlying consumer loans.
On July 30, 2025, we extended the date on which our $300.0 million Warehouse Facility IV will cease to revolve from December 29, 2026 to July 30, 2028. The interest rate on borrowings under the facility was decreased from the Secured Overnight Financing Rate plus 221.4 basis points to SOFR plus 205 basis points.
On September 19, 2025, we extended the date on which our $200.0 million Warehouse Facility VIII will cease to revolve from September 21, 2026 to September 19, 2028. The interest rate on borrowings under the facility was decreased from SOFR plus 225 basis points to SOFR plus 185 basis points.
On November 13, 2025, we completed a $500.0 million Term ABS financing, which was used to repay outstanding indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. The financing has an expected average annualized cost of 5.1% (including upfront fees and other costs), and it will revolve for 24 months, after which it will amortize based upon the cash flows on the underlying Loans.
On January 15, 2026, we extended the date on which our $100.0 million Term ABS 2021-1 financing will cease to revolve from February 17, 2026 to January 18, 2028. The interest rate on borrowings under the financing was decreased from SOFR plus 220 basis points to SOFR plus 140 basis points.
Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $22.8 million as of December 31, 2025 from $343.7 million as of December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we had $1,627.7 million and $1,734.9 million, respectively, in unused and available lines of credit. Our total balance sheet indebtedness as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 was $6,353.9 million and $6,352.9 million, respectively.
A summary as of December 31, 2025 of our material financial obligations requiring future repayments is as follows:
(In millions)
Payments Due as of December 31, 2025
In less than
12 months
In 12 months
or more
Total
Long-term debt, including current maturities (1)
Dealer Holdback (2)
Operating lease obligations (3)
Purchase obligations (4)
Total financial obligations
(1) The amounts presented consist solely of principal and do not reflect deferred debt issuance costs of $33.9 million and unamortized debt discount of $0.1 million. We are also obligated to make interest payments at the applicable interest rates, as discussed in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference. Based on the actual principal amounts outstanding under our revolving secured line of credit facility, our Warehouse facilities, our Term ABS financings, and our senior notes as of December 31, 2025, the forecasted principal amounts outstanding on all other debt, and the actual interest rates in effect as of December 31, 2025, interest is expected to be approximately $350.8 million during 2026; $208.7 million during 2027; and $164.6 million during 2028 and thereafter.
(2) We have contractual obligations to pay Dealer Holdback to Dealers. Payments of Dealer Holdback are contingent upon the receipt of consumer payments and the repayment of advances. The amounts presented represent our forecast as of December 31, 2025.
(3) A lease liability of $2.1 million is recognized within accounts payable and accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2025.
(4) Purchase obligations consist primarily of contractual obligations related to our information system needs.
Based upon anticipated cash flows, management believes that cash flows from operations and our various financing alternatives will provide sufficient financing for debt maturities and for future operations. Our ability to borrow funds may be impacted by economic and financial market conditions. If the various financing alternatives were to become limited or unavailable to us, our operations and liquidity could be materially and adversely affected.
Market Risk
We are exposed primarily to market risks associated with movements in interest rates. Our policies and procedures prohibit the use of financial instruments for speculative purposes.
Interest Rate Risk. We rely on various sources of financing, some of which contain floating rates of interest and expose us to risks associated with increases in interest rates. Assuming that we maintain a level amount of floating rate debt, an increase in interest rates may result in higher interest expense for our floating rate debt facilities. From time to time, we may manage that risk through the use of derivatives such as interest rate caps.
As of December 31, 2025, we had $107.3 million of floating rate debt outstanding under our revolving secured lines of credit, without interest rate protection. For every 100-basis-point increase in interest rates on our revolving secured lines of credit, annual after-tax earnings would decrease by approximately $0.8 million, assuming we maintain a level amount of floating rate debt.
As of December 31, 2025, we had an interest rate cap agreement outstanding to manage the interest rate risk on Warehouse Facility V. However, as of December 31, 2025, there was no floating rate debt outstanding under this facility.
As of December 31, 2025, we did not have a balance outstanding under Warehouse Facility II, Warehouse Facility IV, Warehouse Facility VI, and Warehouse VIII, which do not have interest rate protection.
As of December 31, 2025, we had $100.0 million in floating rate debt outstanding under Term ABS 2021-1, without interest rate protection. For every 100-basis-point increase in interest rates on Term ABS 2021-1, annual after-tax earnings would decrease by approximately $0.8 million, assuming we maintain a level amount of floating rate debt.
As of December 31, 2025, we had $300.0 million in floating rate debt outstanding under Term ABS 2022-2, without interest rate protection. For every 100-basis-point increase in interest rates on Term ABS 2022-2, annual after-tax earnings would decrease by approximately $2.3 million, assuming we maintain a level amount of floating rate debt.
New Accounting Updates Not Yet Adopted
See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference, for information concerning the following new accounting updates and the impact of the implementation of these updates on our financial statements:
• Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative
• Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses
• Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software
Forward-Looking Statements
We make forward-looking statements in this report and may make such statements in future filings with the SEC. We may also make forward-looking statements in our press releases or other public or shareholder communications. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and include information about our expectations and possible or assumed future results of operations. When we use any of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “target,” or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.
We claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for all of our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent our outlook only as of the date of this report. While we believe that our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially since the statements are based on our current expectations, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth in Item 1A of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference, and the risks and uncertainties discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K and in our other reports filed or furnished from time to time with the SEC.
