CPS Announces Fourth Quarter 2016 Earnings Preta

• Pretax income of $12.7 million
• Net income of $7.5 million, or $0.26 per diluted share
• New contract purchases of $215 million
• Total managed portfolio increases to $2.31 billion from $2.29 billion at September 30, 2016

LAS VEGAS, NV, Feb. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: CPSS ) (“CPS” or the “Company”) today announced earnings of $7.5 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2016.  This compares to net income of $9.0 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2016 were $108.2 million, an increase of $12.9 million, or 13.5%, compared to $95.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2015.  Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2016 were $95.5 million, an increase of $16.0 million, or 20.1%, compared to $79.5 million for the 2015 period.  Pretax income for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $12.7 million compared to pretax income of $15.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, a decrease of 19.8%.

For the year ended December 31, 2016 total revenues were $422.3 million compared to $363.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $58.6 million, or 16.1%.  Total expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $372.6 million, an increase of $70.4 million, or 23.3%, compared to $302.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Pretax income for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $49.7 million, compared to $61.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Net income for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $29.3 million compared to $34.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. 

During the fourth quarter of 2016, CPS purchased $215.3 million of new contracts compared to $242.1 million during the third quarter of 2016 and $269.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2015.  The Company's managed receivables totaled $2.308 billion as of December 31, 2016, an increase from $2.292 billion as of September 30, 2016 and $2.031 billion as of December 31, 2015.

Annualized net charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2016 were 6.97% of the average owned portfolio as compared to 6.23% for the fourth quarter of 2015.  Delinquencies greater than 30 days (including repossession inventory) were 10.96% of the total owned portfolio as of December 31, 2016, as compared to 9.53% as of December 31, 2015.

"Our operating results for the fourth quarter of 2016 were in line with our expectations," said Charles E. Bradley, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  “We marked our 22 ^nd consecutive quarter of positive earnings and with our fourth quarter securitization, achieved the lowest blended cost of funds of any deal since the second quarter of 2015.  We realized a year over year increase in revenue and improvement in operating leverage, although those positives were somewhat offset by increases in interest expense and provision for credit losses.”

Conference Call

CPS announced that it will hold a conference call on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. ET to discuss its quarterly operating results.  Those wishing to participate by telephone may dial-in at 877 312-5502 or 253 237-1131 approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time. The conference identification number is 67683022.

A replay of the conference call will be available between February 15, 2017 and February 22, 2017, beginning two hours after conclusion of the call, by dialing 855 859-2056 or 404 537-3406 for international participants, with conference identification number 67683022.  A broadcast of the conference call will also be available live and for 90 days after the call via the Company’s web site at www.consumerportfolio.com .

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, low incomes 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 and provision for credit losses, because these items are dependent on the Company’s estimates of incurred losses.  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