Encore Capital Group Announces First Quarter 2009 Results and Board Appointments

SAN DIEGO, April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Encore Capital Group, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ECPG), a leading distressed consumer debt management company, today
reported consolidated financial results for the first quarter ended March 31,
2009.

For the first quarter of 2009:

-- Gross collections were $115.2 million, a 10% increase over the $104.4
million in the same period of the prior year. Excluding portfolio
sales, collections were $114.4 million, a 14% increase over the $100.2
million in the same period of the prior year.
-- Investment in receivable portfolios was $55.9 million, to purchase
$1.3
billion in face value of debt, compared to $47.9 million, to purchase
$1.2 billion in face value of debt in the same period of the prior
year.
Available capacity under the revolving credit facility, subject to
borrowing base and applicable debt covenants, was $82.0 million as of
March 31, 2009. Total debt, consisting of the revolving credit
facility, convertible senior notes and capital lease obligations, was
$296.4 million as of March 31, 2009, a decrease from $303.7 million as
of December 31, 2008.
-- Revenue from receivable portfolios was $72.3 million, a 13% increase
over the $64.1 million in the same period of the prior year. Revenue
recognized on receivable portfolios, as a percentage of portfolio
collections, excluding the effects of impairment provisions, was 67%,
compared to 67% in the same period of the prior year.
-- Revenue from bankruptcy servicing was $4.1 million, a 21% increase
over
the $3.4 million in the same period of the prior year.
-- Total operating expenses were $60.2 million, an 18% increase over the
$51.1 million in the same period of the prior year. Operating expense
(excluding stock-based compensation expense and bankruptcy servicing
operating expenses) per dollar collected increased to 48.3% compared
to
45.3% in the same period of the prior year.
-- Adjusted EBITDA, defined as net income before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense and
portfolio amortization, was $63.8 million, a 9% increase over the
$58.5
million in the same period of the prior year.
-- Total interest expense was $4.3 million, compared to $5.2 million in
the
same period of the prior year.
-- Net income was $9.0 million or $0.38 per fully diluted share, compared
to net income of $6.8 million or $0.29 per fully diluted share in the
same period of the prior year.

-- Tangible book value per share, computed by dividing total
stockholders' equity less goodwill and identifiable intangible
assets by the number of diluted shares outstanding, was $8.30 as of
March 31, 2009, a 6% increase over $7.86 as of December 31, 2008.

Additional Financial Information:

Certain events affected the comparability of 2009 versus 2008 quarterly
results, as outlined below. For a more detailed comparison of 2009 versus
2008 results, refer to Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations included in the Company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.

-- In the first quarter of 2009, the Company recorded a net impairment
provision of $5.4 million, compared to a net impairment provision of
$5.3 million in the same period of the prior year.
-- In the first quarter of 2009, the Company expensed $13.3 million in
upfront court costs, compared to $6.8 million in the same period of
the
prior year.
-- Effective January 1, 2009, the Company retrospectively applied FASB
Staff Position APB 14-1 "Accounting for Convertible Debt
Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including
Partial Cash Settlement)" to account for its outstanding
convertible senior notes. As a result, prior years' consolidated
financial statements have been retrospectively adjusted. For the
quarter ended March 31, 2009, the impact of this change resulted in a
decrease in fully diluted earnings per share of $0.08, comprising of
$0.02 per share attributable to increased interest expense and $0.06
per
share attributable to reduced gain on repurchase of convertible notes.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, the impact of this change
resulted
in a decrease in fully diluted earnings per share of $0.03,
attributable
to interest expense. See Note 12 in the Company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 for additional
information on the application of this accounting principle.
-- In the first quarter of 2009, the Company repurchased $25.6 million
principal amount of its outstanding convertible senior notes, for a
total price of $19.8 million, plus accrued interest. These
repurchases
resulted in a gain of $3.1 million. As of March 31, 2009, there was
$45.8 million in principal outstanding of the convertible senior
notes.

-- Effective January 1, 2008, the Company increased its collection
forecasts from 72 months to 84 months. For the quarter ended March
31,
2008, the impact of this change resulted in an increase in fully
diluted
earnings per share of $0.08.

Board Appointments

In response to the favorable conditions in the distressed consumer debt market
and Encore's unique opportunity to capitalize on them, the Company's Board of
Directors has named George Lund, its current Chairman, to the expanded role of
Executive Chairman, effective July 6, 2009. Mr. Lund's enhanced role will
include developing the Company's corporate strategy and working with its
leadership team to execute on key initiatives. Mr. Lund was formerly Chairman
and CEO of BANKFIRST, a national issuer of consumer credit.

The Company is also pleased to announce the nomination of H Ronald Weissman to
serve on its Board of Directors, effective July 6, 2009. Mr. Weissman is
currently a senior partner with Ernst & Young's Financial Services Office and
will retire on July 3, 2009. Mr. Lund observed: "We are excited to have
someone on our Board with Ron's exceptional background and his ability to draw
upon 40 years of experience at the highest levels of the financial services
industry."

J. Brandon Black, President and CEO, commented: "This is an unprecedented
time of opportunity for Encore. George's new role and Ron's addition to the
Board will better position the Company to fully capitalize on it. While the
supply of charged-off credit card debt has reached a historically high level,
the number of well-capitalized consumer debt buyers is shrinking and portfolio
prices are trending down. Notwithstanding the weak consumer environment, we
have been able to increase collections year-over-year due to improvements in
our domestic platform, the expansion of our Indian capability and our
continuing investment in decision sciences and information technology. These
dynamics are very favorable for Encore's business model."

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company has included information concerning Adjusted EBITDA because
management utilizes this information, which is materially similar to a
financial measure contained in covenants used in the Company's credit
agreement, in the evaluation of its operations and believes that this measure
is a useful indicator of the Company's ability to generate cash collections in
excess of operating expenses through the liquidation of its receivable
portfolios. The Company has included information concerning total operating
expenses excluding stock-based compensation expense and bankruptcy servicing
operating expenses in order to facilitate a comparison of approximate cash
costs to cash collections for the debt purchasing business in the periods
presented. The Company has included information concerning tangible book
value per share because management believes that this metric is a meaningful
measure that reflects the equity deployed in the business. These non-GAAP
financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to, or more
meaningful than, net income and total operating expenses as indicators of
Encore Capital Group's operating performance and total stockholders' equity as
an indicator of Encore Capital Group's financial condition. Adjusted EBITDA,
operating expenses excluding stock-based compensation expense and bankruptcy
servicing operating expenses, and tangible book value per share have not been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
These non-GAAP financial measures, as presented by Encore Capital Group, may
not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
The Company has included a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to reported
earnings under GAAP, a reconciliation of operating expenses excluding
stock-based compensation expense and bankruptcy servicing operating expenses
to the GAAP measure total operating expenses, and a reconciliation of tangible
book value per share to the GAAP measure total stockholders' equity in the
attached financial tables.

About Encore Capital Group, Inc.

Encore Capital Group, Inc. is a systems-driven purchaser and manager of
charged-off consumer receivables portfolios. More information on the company
can be found at www.encorecapitalgroup.com.

Forward Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that are not historical facts, including,
most importantly, those statements preceded by, or that include, the words
"may," "believe," "projects," "expects," "anticipates" or the negation
thereof, or similar expressions, constitute "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
(the "Reform Act"). These statements may include, but are not limited to,
statements regarding effectiveness of Board appointments, future operating
results and industry trends. For all "forward-looking statements," the
Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking
statements contained in the Reform Act. Such forward-looking statements
involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results,
performance or achievements of the Company and its subsidiaries to be
materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks,
uncertainties and other factors are discussed from time to time in the reports
filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including
the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking
statements.

Contact:

Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Paul Grinberg (858) 309-6904
paul.grinberg@encorecapitalgroup.com
or
Ren Zamora (858) 560-3598
ren.zamora@encorecapitalgroup.com

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW

ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(In Thousands, Except Par Value Amounts)
(Unaudited)

March 31, December 31,
2009 2008
Adjusted

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $4,261 $10,341
Accounts receivable, net 1,775 1,757
Investment in receivable portfolios, net 473,484 461,346
Deferred court costs 30,645 28,335
Property and equipment, net 6,279 6,272
Prepaid income tax 2,515 7,935
Forward flow asset 10,302 10,302
Other assets 4,703 5,067
Goodwill 15,985 15,985
Identifiable intangible assets, net 1,578 1,739

Total assets $551,527 $549,079

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $17,805 $18,204
Deferred tax liabilities, net 15,253 15,108
Deferred revenue and purchased servicing
obligation 5,229 5,203
Debt 296,356 303,655
Other liabilities 3,176 3,483

Total liabilities 337,819 345,653

Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Convertible preferred stock, $.01 par
value, 5,000 shares authorized, no
shares issued and outstanding - -
Common stock, $.01 par value, 50,000
shares authorized, 23,061 shares and
23,053 shares issued and outstanding
as of March 31, 2009, and December 31,
2008, respectively 231 231
Additional paid-in capital 99,622 98,521
Accumulated earnings 115,792 106,795
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,937) (2,121)

Total stockholders' equity 213,708 203,426

Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $551,527 $549,079

ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended
March 31,
2009 2008
Adjusted

Revenue
Revenue from receivable portfolios, net $72,275 $64,068
Servicing fees and other related revenue 4,171 3,486
Total revenue 76,446 67,554

Operating expenses
Salaries and employee benefits
(excluding stock-based compensation
expense) 13,957 14,851
Stock-based compensation expense 1,080 1,094
Cost of legal collections 29,947 20,306
Other operating expenses 5,980 5,651
Collection agency commissions 2,891 4,031
General and administrative expenses 5,697 4,460
Depreciation and amortization 623 722
Total operating expenses 60,175 51,115

Income before other (expense) income and
income taxes 16,271 16,439

Other (expense) income
Interest expense (4,273) (5,200)
Gain on repurchase of convertible notes 3,053 -
Other (expense) income (81) 21
Total other expense (1,301) (5,179)

Income before income taxes 14,970 11,260
Provision for income taxes (5,973) (4,509)

Net income $8,997 $6,751

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 23,122 22,992
Diluted 23,631 23,431

Earnings per share:
Basic $0.39 $0.29
Diluted $0.38 $0.29

ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited, In Thousands)

Three Months Ended
March 31,
2009 2008
Adjusted

Operating activities:
Net Income $8,997 $6,751
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 623 722
Amortization of loan costs and debt discount 1,221 1,567
Stock-based compensation expense 1,080 1,094
Gain on repurchase of convertible notes,
Net (3,053) -
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) 145 (559)
Tax benefit from stock-based payment
Arrangements (21) (5)
Provision for impairment on receivable
portfolios, net 5,427 5,335
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Other assets (165) 1,386
Deferred court costs (2,310) (2,906)
Prepaid income tax 5,441 4,819
Deferred revenue and purchased service
Obligation 26 185
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (523) (2,559)

Net cash provided by operating activities 16,888 15,830

Investing activities:
Purchases of receivable portfolios, net of
forward flow allocation (55,913) (44,976)
Collections applied to investment in
receivable portfolios, net 37,424 34,877
Proceeds from put-backs of receivable
Portfolios 924 1,692
Purchases of property and equipment (469) (1,117)

Net cash used in investing activities (18,034) (9,524)

Financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving credit facility 32,000 9,000
Repayment of revolving credit facility (17,000) (11,169)
Repurchase of convertible notes (19,834) -
Proceeds from exercise of stock options - 2
Tax benefit from stock-based payment
Arrangements 21 5
Repayment of capital lease obligations (121) (83)

Net cash used in financing activities (4,934) (2,245)
Net (decrease) increase in cash (6,080) 4,061
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
Period 10,341 8,676
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $4,261 $12,737

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
information:
Cash paid for interest $3,699 $4,172
Income tax payment (refund) $499 $(407)
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing
and financing activities:
Allocation of forward flow asset to
acquired receivable portfolios $- $2,926

ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Supplemental Financial Information
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to GAAP Net Income, Operating Expenses,
Excluding Stock-based Compensation Expense and Bankruptcy Servicing
Operating Expenses to GAAP Total Operating Expenses, and Tangible Book
Value Per Share to GAAP Total Stockholders' Equity
(Unaudited, In Thousands)

Three Months Ended
March 31,
2009 2008
Adjusted

GAAP net income, as reported $8,997 $6,751
Interest expense 4,273 5,200
Provision for income taxes 5,973 4,509
Depreciation and amortization 623 722
Amount applied to principal on receivable
portfolios 42,851 40,212
Stock-based compensation expense 1,080 1,094
Adjusted EBITDA $63,797 $58,488

Three Months Ended
March 31,
2009 2008

GAAP total operating expenses, as reported $60,175 $51,115
Stock-based compensation expense (1,080) (1,094)
Bankruptcy servicing operating expenses (3,386) (2,738)
Operating expenses, excluding stock-based
compensation expense and bankruptcy
servicing operating expenses $55,709 $47,283

As of As of
March 31, December 31,
2009 2008
Adjusted

GAAP total stockholders' equity, as
Reported $213,708 $203,426
Goodwill (15,985) (15,985)
Identifiable intangible assets, net (1,578) (1,739)

Tangible book value $196,145 $185,702
Diluted shares outstanding 23,631 23,632

Tangible book value per share $8.30 $7.86

SOURCE Encore Capital Group, Inc.

Paul Grinberg, +1-858-309-6904, paul.grinberg@encorecapitalgroup.com, or Ren
Zamora, +1-858-560-3598, ren.zamora@encorecapitalgroup.com, both of Encore
Capital Group, Inc.