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Note 6 - Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Notes to Financial Statements  
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

6.

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities

 

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.

 

We update our fair value analysis each quarter, with changes since the prior reporting period reflected as a component of "Changes in fair value of loans" in the consolidated statements of income. Changes in yields, purchase and payment rates, servicing rates, realized and projected credit loss rates and discount rates will lead to changes in the fair value of loans and therefore impact earnings. Further, our retail asset typically has seasonal growth during the summer months, impacting the fair value of assets. 

 

Fair value differs from amortized cost accounting in the following ways:

 

•

Receivables are recorded at their fair value, not their principal and fee balance or cost basis;

 

•

The fair value of the loans takes into consideration net charge-offs for the remaining life of the loans with no separate allowance for credit loss calculation;

 

•

Certain fee billings (such as annual fees) and expenses of loans are no longer deferred but recognized (when billed or incurred) in income or expense, respectively;

 

•

The net present value of cash flows associated with future fee billings on existing receivables are included in fair value;

 

•

Changes in the fair value of loans impact net margins; and

 

•

Net charge-offs are recognized as they occur rather than through the establishment of an allowance and provision for credit losses for those loans, interest and fees receivable carried at amortized cost.

 

For receivables that are carried at net amortized cost, we include disclosures of the fair value of such receivables to the extent practicable within the disclosures below.

 

Where applicable, we account for our financial assets and liabilities at fair value based upon a three-tiered valuation system. In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs use quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs use inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. Where inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety has been determined is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

Valuations and Techniques for Assets

 

Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. The table below summarizes (in thousands) by fair value hierarchy the December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 fair values and carrying amounts of (1) our assets that are carried at fair value in our consolidated financial statements and (2) our assets not carried at fair value, but for which fair value disclosures are required:

 

Assets – As of December 31, 2024 (1)

 

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)

  

Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)

  

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

  

Carrying Amount of Assets

 

Loans at amortized cost, net for which it is practicable to estimate fair value and which are carried at net amortized cost

 $—  $—  $95,871  $84,332 

Loans at fair value

 $—  $—  $2,630,274  $2,630,274 

 

 

(1)

For cash, deposits and investments in equity securities, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

 

Assets – As of December 31, 2023 (1)

 

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)

  

Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)

  

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

  

Carrying Amount of Assets

 

Loans at amortized cost, net for which it is practicable to estimate fair value and which are carried at net amortized cost

 $—  $—  $105,409  $98,425 

Loans at fair value

 $—  $—  $2,173,759  $2,173,759 

 

 

(1)

For cash, deposits and investments in equity securities, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

 

For those asset classes above that are carried at fair value in our consolidated financial statements, gains and losses associated with fair value changes are detailed on our consolidated statements of income as a component of Changes in fair value of loans. Variations in the three month U.S. Treasury bill rate over the measurement period are used to determine the portion of change in fair value considered to be attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit risk. These variations are applied to the period end discount rate we use to determine fair value. For our loans included in the above table, we assess the fair value of these assets based on our estimate of future cash flows net of servicing costs. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we estimate the portion of fair value changes considered to be attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit risk to be $14.3 million and $(10.5) million, respectively.

 

For Level 3 assets carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs, the following table presents (in thousands) a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

  

Loans at Fair Value

 
  

2024

  

2023

 

Balance at January 1,

     $2,173,759      $1,817,976 

Changes in fair value of loans at fair value, included in earnings

  129,832       71,024     

Changes in fair value due to current period principal charge-offs, net of recoveries (1)

  (611,319)      (538,146)    

Changes in fair value due to current period finance and fee charge-offs (1)

  (251,984)      (222,455)    

Total Changes in fair value of loans (2)

      (733,471)      (689,577)

Purchases

      2,580,684       2,427,095 

Finance and fees, added to the account balance

      1,080,950       970,006 

Settlements

      (2,471,648)      (2,351,741)

Balance at December 31,(3)

     $2,630,274      $2,173,759 

Aggregate unpaid gross balance of loans carried at fair value

     $2,724,782      $2,411,255 

Change in unrealized losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the period

     $129,832      $71,024 

 

(1)Reflects the current period charge-offs (net of recoveries) of loans at fair value.
(2)Total Changes in fair value of loans is included in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
(3)As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the aggregate unpaid principal balance included within loans at fair value was $2,473 million and $2,177 million, respectively.

 

The unrealized gains and losses for assets within the Level 3 category presented in the tables above include changes in fair value that are attributable to both observable and unobservable inputs. 

 

Loans at Fair Value. The fair value of Loans at fair value is based on the present value of future cash flows using a valuation model of expected cash flows and the estimated cost to service and collect those cash flows. We estimate the present value of these future cash flows using internally-developed estimates of assumptions third-party market participants would use in determining fair value, including estimates of credit losses, payment rates, servicing costs, discount rates and yields earned on private label credit and general purpose credit card receivables. We forecast the cash flows underlying our fair value assessment based on the individual offer type (in the case of general purpose credit cards) or by specific offers at our retail partners (for private label credit). While overall product return requirements among the offer types may be similar, the individual product offerings necessary to achieve those returns is often unique to each offer and retailer based on several factors, including acceptance rates of the offers by consumers and underlying consumer performance data which varies by offer type. 

 

Our fair value models include market degradation to reflect the possibility of delinquency rates increasing in the near term (and the corresponding increase in charge-offs and decrease in payments) above the level that current trends would suggest. Further, recent rules enacted by the CFPB, which, if implemented, would further limit the late fees charged to consumers in most instances, are expected to adversely impact the revenue recognized on our receivables. In order to mitigate these impacts and continue to serve consumers, we have worked collaboratively with our bank partners to assist them in taking a number of steps, from modifying products and policies (such as further tightening the criteria used to evaluate new loans) to changing prices (including increasing interest rates and fees charged to consumers). While our bank partners have the flexibility to unilaterally make changes to program offerings and must approve all changes to existing or new program offerings, we are only obligated to acquire receivables originated by the bank that utilized mutually agreed upon underwriting standards. The changes will take several quarters to fully implement. These modifications and the timing of the CFPB's rules implementation could result in changes to certain estimates such as credit losses, payment rates, servicing costs, discount rates and yields earned on credit card receivables and affect the reported amount (and changes thereon) of our Loans at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of income.

 

The fair value of loans we acquire associated with our retail partners are typically lower than the aggregate unpaid gross balance of the underlying loans due to loan originations by our bank partners that contain below market interest rates or fees charged to consumers. Under agreements with our bank partners, we are required to purchase these receivables for amounts that may be in excess of fair value. In these instances, a fair value assessment that is less than the purchase price of the receivable can occur on the date we initially acquire the receivable, resulting in a loss on acquisition of the receivable. This negative fair value assessment is included in Changes in fair value of loans on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

In cases where we acquire these below market receivables, we charge merchant fees to our retail partners to facilitate the transaction and ensure we earn adequate returns. These merchant fees are based on the value of the goods purchased from our retail partners, the consumer’s credit risk and the terms of our bank partners' related product offering. These fees are recognized upon completion of our services, which coincides with the funding of the loan by our bank partners, in Consumer loans, including past due fees on our Consolidated Statements of Income. These merchant fees often offset the negative impact of the initial acquisition of the underlying receivable. As such, it is not always necessary for us to collect the aggregate unpaid gross balance of the underlying receivable to achieve desired returns.

 

Valuations and Techniques for Liabilities

 

Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the liability. The table below summarizes (in thousands) by fair value hierarchy the December 31, 2024 and 2023 fair values and carrying amounts of our liabilities not carried at fair value, but for which fair value disclosures are required:

 

Liabilities – As of December 31, 2024

 

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)

  

Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)

  

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

  

Carrying Amount of Liabilities

 
                 

Loan purchase commitment

 $—  $—  $285  $285 

Bank partner fees carried at fair value

 $—  $—  $13,644  $13,644 

Liabilities not carried at fair value

                

Revolving credit facilities

 $—  $—  $2,149,933  $2,193,993 

Amortizing debt facilities

 $—  $—  $5,455  $5,455 

Senior notes, net

 $281,703  $—  $—  $281,552 

 

Liabilities – As of December 31, 2023

 

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)

  

Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)

  

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

  

Carrying Amount of Liabilities

 
                 

Liabilities not carried at fair value

                

Revolving credit facilities

 $—  $—  $1,838,647  $1,838,647 

Amortizing debt facilities

 $—  $—  $23,038  $23,038 

Senior notes, net

 $138,229  $—  $—  $144,453 

 

Bank partner fees carried at fair value in accordance with ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging", reflect the estimated fair value of future compensation we owe our bank partners associated with the regulatory oversight they provide on our acquired receivables, the underlying accounts of which they continue to own and service. This compensation is based on both a fixed and variable component, dependent on the underlying performance of the acquired receivables. We estimate the present value of this compensation using internally-developed estimates of payment rates and discount rates. We recognize the fair value of these Bank partner fees within Card and loan servicing on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income on the date we acquire the underlying receivable.

 

For our credit and debt facilities where market prices are not available, we assess the fair value of these liabilities based on our estimate of future cash flows generated from their underlying credit card receivables collateral, net of servicing compensation required under the note facilities. We have evaluated the fair value of our third party debt by analyzing repayment terms and credit spreads included in our recent financing arrangements to those of our existing facilities. See Note 10, "Notes Payable," for further discussion on our other notes payable.

 

Other Relevant Data

 

Other relevant data (in thousands) as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 concerning certain assets and liabilities we carry at fair value are as follows:

 

As of December 31, 2024

 

Loans at Fair Value

  

Loans at Fair Value Pledged as Collateral under Structured Financings

 

Aggregate unpaid gross balance of loans carried at fair value

 $—  $2,724,782 

Aggregate unpaid principal balance included within loans at fair value

 $—  $2,472,999 

Aggregate fair value of loans at fair value

 $—  $2,630,274 

Aggregate fair value of loans at fair value that are 90 days or more past due (which also coincides with finance charge and fee non-accrual policies)

 $—  $32,781 

Unpaid principal balance of loans at fair value and are 90 days or more past due (which also coincides with finance charge and fee non-accrual policies) over the fair value of such loans, interest and fees receivable

 $—  $145,099 

 

As of December 31, 2023

 

Loans at Fair Value

  

Loans at Fair Value Pledged as Collateral under Structured Financings

 

Aggregate unpaid gross balance of loans carried at fair value

 $507  $2,410,748 

Aggregate unpaid principal balance included within loans at fair value

 $491  $2,176,845 

Aggregate fair value of loans at fair value

 $508  $2,173,251 

Aggregate fair value of loans at fair value that are 90 days or more past due (which also coincides with finance charge and fee non-accrual policies)

 $—  $29,149 

Unpaid principal balance of loans at fair value and are 90 days or more past due (which also coincides with finance charge and fee non-accrual policies) over the fair value of such loans, interest and fees receivable

 $9  $147,803