CompuCredit (CCRT)

An economic slowdown could increase credit losses and/or decrease our growth. Because our business is directly related to consumer spending, during periods of economic slowdown or recession it is more difficult for us to add or retain accounts and receivables (we recently have almost entirely stopped opening new accounts), and receivables may decline if consumers restrain spending. In addition, during periods of economic slowdown or recession, we experience an increase in rates of delinquencies and frequency and severity of credit losses. Our actual rates of delinquencies and frequency and severity of credit losses may be comparatively higher during periods of economic slowdown or recession than those experienced by more traditional providers of consumer credit because of our focus on the financially underserved consumer market, which may be disproportionately impacted. Other economic and social factors, including, among other things, changes in consumer confidence levels, the public’s perception of the use of credit and changing attitudes about incurring debt, and the stigma of personal bankruptcy, also can impact credit use and account performance. Moreover, adverse changes in economic conditions in states where customers are located, including as a result of severe weather, can have a direct impact on the timing and amount of payments of receivables. Recent trends in the U.S. economy suggest that we are entering a period of economic downturn or recession, and although to date the impact on the performance of our receivables has not been significant, it may be in the future.