CPS Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Earnings

• Pretax income of $0.9 million for the fourth quarter and $9.2 million for 2019
• New contract purchases of $1.0 billion for the full year 2019 

LAS VEGAS, NV, March 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: CPSS) (“CPS” or the “Company”) today announced earnings of $29,000 for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2019. This compares to a net income of $5.4 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2018. For the fourth quarter of 2018, the results include a $2.1 million net tax benefit related to certain tax planning strategies and other adjustments. Without the benefit, net income would have been $3.3 million, or $0.13 per diluted share.

Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $85.7 million, a decrease of $5.5 million, or 6.0%, compared to $91.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2018.  Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $84.8 million compared to $86.4 million for the 2018 period.  Pretax income for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $0.9 million compared to pretax income of $4.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 total revenues were $345.8 million compared to $389.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of approximately $44.0 million, or 11.3%.  Total expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 were $336.6 million, a decrease of $34.5 million, or 9.3%, compared to $371.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018.  Pretax income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $9.2 million, compared to $18.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018.  Net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $5.4 million compared to $14.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The full-year 2018 results include a $2.1 million net tax benefit related to certain tax planning strategies and other adjustments. Without the benefit, net income for 2018 would have been $12.8, or $0.51 per diluted share.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, CPS purchased $247.5 million of new contracts compared to $262.1 million during the third quarter of 2019 and $251.8 million during the fourth quarter of 2018.  The Company's receivables totaled $2.416 billion as of December 31, 2019, an increase from $2.413 billion as of September 30, 2019 and an increase from $2.381 billion as of December 31, 2018.

Annualized net charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2019 were 7.92% of the average portfolio as compared to 7.19% for the fourth quarter of 2018.  Delinquencies greater than 30 days (including repossession inventory) were 15.46% of the total portfolio as of December 31, 2019, as compared to 13.88% as of December 31, 2018.

“In 2019, our contract purchases grew 11% over the prior year and reached $1.0 billion for the first time since 2016, reported Charles E. Bradley, Jr., Chief Executive Officer.  “As of December 31, 2019, our receivables measured at fair value comprise $1.5 billion, or 62% of our total managed portfolio.  Continuing provisions for credit losses on the legacy portfolio have made for a difficult transition from a financial reporting standpoint, but we are looking forward to 2020 and the continued growth of the portfolio accounted for at fair value.”

About Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc.

Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. is an independent specialty finance company that provides indirect automobile financing to individuals with past credit problems or limited credit histories. We purchase retail installment sales contracts primarily from franchised automobile dealerships secured by late model used vehicles and, to a lesser extent, new vehicles. We fund these contract purchases on a long-term basis primarily through the securitization markets and service the contracts over their lives.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include the Company's recorded revenue, expense, provision for credit losses and fair value of receivables, because these items are dependent on the Company’s estimates of losses to be incurred. The accuracy of such estimates may be adversely affected by various factors, which include (in addition to risks relating to the economy generally) the following: possible increased delinquencies; repossessions and losses on retail installment contracts; incorrect prepayment speed and/or discount rate assumptions; possible unavailability of qualified personnel, which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to service its portfolio; possible increases in the rate of consumer bankruptcy filings, which could adversely affect the Company’s rights to collect payments from its portfolio; other changes in government regulations affecting consumer credit; possible declines in the market price for used vehicles, which could adversely affect the Company’s realization upon repossessed vehicles; and economic conditions in geographic areas in which the Company's business is concentrated. All of such factors also may affect the Company’s future financial results, as to which there can be no assurance. Any implication that the results of the most recently completed quarter are indicative of future results is disclaimed, and the reader should draw no such inference. Factors such as those identified above in relation to the provision for credit losses may affect future performance.

Investor Relations Contact

Jeffrey P. Fritz, Chief Financial Officer

844 878-2777