Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Mar. 31, 2018	May 01, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	ECPG
Entity Registrant Name	ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001084961
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		25,917,344

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 217,138	$ 212,139
Investment in receivable portfolios, net	3,024,141	2,890,613
Deferred court costs, net	85,887	79,963
Property and equipment, net	81,008	76,276
Other assets	276,966	302,728
Goodwill	957,120	928,993
Total assets	4,642,260	4,490,712
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	244,948	284,774
Debt, net	3,607,101	3,446,876
Other liabilities	33,187	35,151
Total liabilities	3,885,236	3,766,801
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	155,249	151,978
Equity:
Convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $.01 par value, 50,000 shares authorized, 25,912 shares and 25,801 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively	259	258
Additional paid-in capital	45,906	42,646
Accumulated earnings	626,130	616,314
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(61,463)	(77,356)
Total Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity	610,832	581,862
Noncontrolling interest	(9,057)	(9,929)
Total equity	601,775	571,933
Total liabilities, redeemable equity and equity	4,642,260	4,490,712
Variable Interest Entities
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	104,679	88,902
Investment in receivable portfolios, net	1,423,774	1,342,300
Deferred court costs, net	30,169	26,482
Property and equipment, net	23,089	23,138
Other assets	121,499	122,263
Goodwill	750,427	724,054
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	126,691	151,208
Debt, net	2,133,605	2,014,202
Other liabilities	$ 2,103	$ 1,494

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Convertible preferred stock, par value (USD per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Convertible preferred stock authorized (shares)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Convertible preferred stock issued (shares)	0	0
Convertible preferred stock outstanding (shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (USD per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock authorized (shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock issued (shares)	25,912,000	25,801,000
Common stock outstanding (shares)	25,912,000	25,801,000

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Revenues
Revenue from receivable portfolios	$ 281,009	$ 249,838
Other revenues	35,968	19,971
Total revenues	316,977	269,809
Allowance reversals on receivable portfolios, net	9,811	2,132
Total revenues, adjusted by net allowances	326,788	271,941
Operating expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	89,259	68,278
Cost of legal collections	53,855	47,957
Other operating expenses	33,748	26,360
Collection agency commissions	11,754	11,562
General and administrative expenses	39,284	33,318
Depreciation and amortization	10,436	8,625
Total operating expenses	238,336	196,100
Income from operations	88,452	75,841
Other (expense) income
Interest expense	(57,462)	(49,198)
Other income	2,193	602
Total other expense	(55,269)	(48,596)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	33,183	27,245
Provision for income taxes	(9,470)	(12,067)
Income from continuing operations	23,713	15,178
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(199)
Net income	23,713	14,979
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,886)	7,119
Net income	21,827	22,098
Amounts attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc.:
Income from continuing operations	21,827	22,297
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(199)
Net income	$ 21,827	$ 22,098
Basic earnings (loss) per share from:
Continuing operations (USD per share)	$ 0.84	$ 0.86
Discontinued operations (USD per share)	0.00	(0.01)
Net basic earnings per share (USD per share)	0.84	0.85
Diluted earnings per share from:
Continuing operations (USD per share)	0.83	0.85
Discontinued operations (USD per share)	0.00	0.00
Net diluted earnings per share (USD per share)	$ 0.83	$ 0.85
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (shares)	26,056	25,876
Diluted (shares)	26,416	26,087

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 23,713	$ 14,979
Change in unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments:
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments	(669)	471
Income tax effect	(160)	(547)
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of tax	(829)	(76)
Change in foreign currency translation:
Unrealized gain on foreign currency translation	18,505	14,464
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	17,676	14,388
Comprehensive income	41,389	29,367
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net (income) loss	(1,886)	7,119
Unrealized gain on foreign currency translation	(1,783)	(3,250)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(3,669)	3,869
Comprehensive income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders	$ 37,720	$ 33,236

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 23,713	$ 14,979
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	199
Depreciation and amortization	10,436	8,625
Other non-cash expense, net	12,939	11,904
Stock-based compensation expense	2,276	750
Deferred income taxes	5,071	(4,040)
Allowance reversals on receivable portfolios, net	(9,811)	(2,132)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Deferred court costs and other assets	(5,811)	(2,413)
Prepaid income tax and income taxes payable	(2,245)	15,383
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities	(35,539)	(16,095)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,029	27,160
Investing activities:
Purchases of receivable portfolios, net of put-backs	(280,909)	(222,885)
Collections applied to investment in receivable portfolios, net	206,402	189,665
Purchases of property and equipment	(11,220)	(6,081)
Other, net	1,239	(9,690)
Net cash used in investing activities	(84,488)	(48,991)
Financing activities:
Payment of loan costs	(90)	(2,742)
Proceeds from credit facilities	177,449	199,962
Repayment of credit facilities	(87,356)	(258,073)
Repayment of senior secured notes	(1,029)	(3,087)
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes	0	150,000
Repayment of convertible senior notes	0	(60,406)
Proceeds from convertible hedge instruments	0	5,580
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards	(2,571)	(2,065)
Other, net	(1,765)	(876)
Net cash provided by financing activities	84,638	28,293
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,179	6,462
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	3,820	3,704
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	212,139	149,765
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 217,138	$ 159,931

Ownership, Description of Business, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Ownership, Description of Business, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Ownership, Description of Business, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Encore Capital Group, Inc. (“Encore”), through its subsidiaries (collectively with Encore, the “Company”), is an international specialty finance company providing debt recovery solutions and other related services for consumers across a broad range of financial assets. The Company purchases portfolios of defaulted consumer receivables at deep discounts to face value and manages them by working with individuals as they repay their obligations and work toward financial recovery. Defaulted receivables are consumers’ unpaid financial commitments to credit originators, including banks, credit unions, consumer finance companies, commercial retailers, and telecommunication companies. Defaulted receivables may also include receivables subject to bankruptcy proceedings. The Company is a market leader in portfolio purchasing and recovery in the United States, including Puerto Rico. Cabot Credit Management plc (together with its subsidiaries, “Cabot”), the Company’s largest international subsidiary, is one of the largest credit management services providers in Europe and is a market leader in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Encore controls Cabot via its majority ownership interest in the indirect holding company of Cabot, Janus Holdings S.a r.l. (“Janus Holdings”). These are the Company’s primary operations. Financial Statement Preparation and Presentation The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, in accordance with the instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for the interim periods presented reflects all adjustments, consisting of only normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire fiscal year. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and the disclosure of contingent amounts in the Company’s financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Basis of Consolidation The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, and reflect the accounts and operations of the Company and those of its subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. The Company also consolidates VIEs, for which it is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary has both (a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the entity’s economic performance, and (b) either the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits. Refer to Note 9, “Variable Interest Entities,” for further details. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Translation of Foreign Currencies The financial statements of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using their local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates in effect during each period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income or loss. Equity accounts are translated at historical rates, except for the change in retained earnings during the year which is the result of the income statement translation process. Intercompany transaction gains or losses at each period end arising from subsequent measurement of balances for which settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future are included as translation adjustments and recorded within other comprehensive income or loss. Translation gains or losses are the material components of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Transaction gains and losses are included in other income or expense. Reclassifications Certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to the condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation. Change in Accounting Principle In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“Topic 606” or “ASU 2014-09”). The objective of ASU 2014-09 is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 supersedes most of the existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). Under the prior accounting standard, the Company recognized revenue when there was persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the sales price was fixed or determinable, the services had been performed and collectability was reasonably assured. The Company’s investment in receivable portfolios is outside of the scope of Topic 606 since it is accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-30. Certain of the Company’s international subsidiaries earn fee-based income by providing portfolio management services to credit originators for non-performing loans. Performance obligations for this revenue stream under the new standard primarily arise from debt collection and management activities. These performance obligations are typically satisfied when services are performed, or debt is collected. Consideration is typically variable based on indeterminate volumes or collection activity. Under the new accounting standard, revenue is recognized over time as a series of single performance obligations when the Company is entitled to a percentage of collections received, since the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Company’s performance of debt collection and management. The method for measuring progress towards satisfying a performance obligation is based on transaction volumes or debt collected, depending on whether the contract is based on services performed or based on commissions. Costs to fulfill a contract are expensed when incurred. The Company adopted the requirements of Topic 606 as of January 1, 2018, utilizing the modified retrospective method of transition and elected to apply the revenue standard only to contracts that were not completed as of the adoption date. Prior periods were not restated. The cumulative effect of adopting this new standard had no impact to retained earnings. The impact of adopting Topic 606 on the Company’s revenue is not material to any of the periods presented. Fee-based income is included in “Other Revenues” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Other than the adoption of ASU 2014-09 as discussed in the “Change in Accounting Principle” section above, there have been no new accounting pronouncements made effective during the three months ended March 31, 2018 that have significance, or potential significance, to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Effective In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities—Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) (“ASU 2017-12”) which amends the hedge accounting recognition and presentation requirements in ASC 815. ASU 2017-12 improves Topic 815 Derivatives and Hedging by simplifying and expanding the eligible hedging strategies for financial and nonfinancial risks by more closely aligning hedge accounting with a company’s risk management activities, and also simplifies its application through targeted improvements in key practice areas. This includes expanding the list of items eligible to be hedged and amending the methods used to measure the effectiveness of hedging relationships. In addition, the ASU prescribes how hedging results should be presented and requires incremental disclosures. These changes are intended to allow preparers more flexibility and to enhance the transparency of how hedging results are presented and disclosed. Further, the new standard provides partial relief on the timing of certain aspects of hedge documentation and eliminates the requirement to recognize hedge ineffectiveness separately in earnings in the current period. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements as well as whether to adopt the new guidance early. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). The amendments in this update simplify the test for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the impairment test, which required the entity to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities following the procedure that would be required in determining fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. The amendments in this update are effective for public companies for annual or any interim goodwill impairments tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company did not early adopt this guidance for its annual goodwill impairment testing. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 applies a current expected credit loss model which is a new impairment model based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under this model, an entity would recognize an impairment allowance equal to its current estimate of all contractual cash flows that the entity does not expect to collect from financial assets measured at amortized cost. The estimate of expected credit losses should consider historical information, current information, as well as reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments. The expected credit losses, and subsequent adjustments to such losses, will be recorded through an allowance account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, with the net carrying value of the financial asset presented on the consolidated balance sheet at the amount expected to be collected. ASU 2016-13 eliminates the current accounting model for loans and debt securities acquired with deteriorated credit quality under ASC 310-30, which provides authoritative guidance for the accounting of the Company’s investment in receivable portfolios. Under this new standard, entities will gross up the initial amortized cost for the purchased financial assets with credit deterioration (“PCD assets”), the initial amortized cost will be the sum of (1) the purchase price and (2) the estimate of credit losses as of the date of acquisition. After initial recognition of PCD assets and the related allowance, any change in estimated cash flows (favorable or unfavorable) will be immediately recognized in the income statement because the yield on PCD assets would be locked. ASU 2016-13 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The guidance will be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period in which ASU 2016-13 is adopted. However, the FASB has determined that financial assets for which the guidance in Subtopic 310-30, Receivables-Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, has previously been applied should prospectively apply the guidance in ASU 2016-13 for PCD assets. A prospective transition approach should be used for PCD assets where upon adoption, the amortized cost basis should be adjusted to reflect the addition of the allowance for credit losses. This transition relief will avoid the need for a reporting entity to reassess its purchased financial assets that exist as of the date of adoption to determine whether they would have met at acquisition the new criteria of more-than insignificant credit deterioration since origination. The transition relief also will allow an entity to accrete the remaining noncredit discount (based on the revised amortized cost basis) into interest income at the effective interest rate at the adoption date of ASU 2016-13. The same transition requirements should be applied to beneficial interests that previously applied Subtopic 310-30 or have a significant difference between contractual cash flows and expected cash flows. The Company is in the process of determining the effects the adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements as well as whether to adopt the new guidance early. The Company has established a project management team and is in the process of developing its accounting policy, evaluating the impact of this pronouncement and researching software resources that could assist with the implementation. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 changes accounting for leases and requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities arising from most leases, including those classified as operating leases under previous accounting guidance, on the balance sheet and requires disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements to increase transparency and comparability among organizations. The new guidance must be adopted using the modified retrospective approach and will be effective for the Company starting in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. Early adoption is permitted; however, the Company does not intend to early adopt ASU 2016-02. The Company is developing an inventory of all leases, accumulating the lease data necessary to apply the amended guidance and is in the process of determining the effects the adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements, systems and processes. The Company has selected a software to assist with implementation to the standard. With the exception of the updated standards discussed above, there have been no new accounting pronouncements not yet effective that have significance, or potential significance, to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Earnings Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings or loss per share is calculated by dividing net earnings or loss attributable to Encore by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options, restricted stock, and the dilutive effect of the convertible senior notes, if applicable.

A reconciliation of shares used in calculating earnings per basic and diluted shares follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018	2017
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic	26,056	25,876
Dilutive effect of stock-based awards	360	211
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted	26,416	26,087

Anti-dilutive employee stock options outstanding were approximately 13,000 and 84,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

The authoritative guidance for fair value measurements defines fair value as the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or the price paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the “exit price”). The guidance utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of each level:


•	Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.


•	Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.


•	Level 3: Unobservable inputs, including inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

Financial Instruments Required To Be Carried At Fair Value

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (in thousands):



	Fair Value Measurements as of March 31, 2018
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3			Total
Assets
Foreign currency exchange contracts	$	—	$	1,256		$	—		$	1,256
Interest rate cap contracts	—		3,984			—			3,984
Liabilities
Foreign currency exchange contracts	—		(477		)	—			(477		)
Interest rate swap agreements	—		(19		)	—			(19		)
Contingent consideration	—		—			(8,142		)	(8,142		)
Temporary Equity
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	—		—			(155,249		)	(155,249		)



	Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3			Total
Assets
Foreign currency exchange contracts	$	—	$	1,912		$	—		$	1,912
Interest rate cap contracts	—		3,922			—			3,922
Liabilities
Foreign currency exchange contracts	—		(1,110		)	—			(1,110		)
Interest rate swap agreements	—		(7		)	—			(7		)
Contingent consideration	—		—			(10,612		)	(10,612		)
Temporary Equity
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	—		—			(151,978		)	(151,978		)

Derivative Contracts:

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Fair values of these derivative instruments are estimated using industry standard valuation models. These models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-based observable inputs, including interest rate curves, foreign currency exchange rates, and forward and spot prices for currencies.

Contingent Consideration:

The Company carries certain contingent liabilities resulting from its mergers and acquisition activities. Certain sellers of the Company’s acquired entities could earn additional earn-out payments in cash based on the entities’ subsequent operating performance. The Company recorded the acquisition date fair values of these contingent liabilities, based on the likelihood of contingent earn-out payments, as part of the consideration transferred. The earn-out payments are subsequently remeasured to fair value at each reporting date. The Company reviewed the earn-out analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and determined that, based on actual and forecasted operating performance, the expected future earn-out payments would be reduced by approximately $2.3 million. As of March 31, 2018, the aggregated fair value of the contingent consideration was approximately $8.1 million.

The following table provides a roll forward of the fair value of contingent consideration for the periods ended March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):



	Amount
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	2,531
Issuance of contingent consideration in connection with acquisition	10,808
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(2,465		)
Payment of contingent consideration	(781		)
Effect of foreign currency translation	519
Balance at December 31, 2017	10,612
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(2,274		)
Payment of contingent consideration	(232		)
Effect of foreign currency translation	36
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	8,142

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest:

Some minority shareholders in certain subsidiaries of the Company have the right, at certain times, to require the Company to acquire their ownership interest in those entities at fair value and, in some cases, to force a sale of the subsidiary if the Company chooses not to purchase their interests at fair value. The noncontrolling interest subject to these arrangements is included in temporary equity as redeemable noncontrolling interest, and is adjusted to its estimated redemption amount each reporting period with a corresponding adjustment to additional paid-in capital. Future reductions in the carrying amount are subject to a “floor” amount that is equal to the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest at the time it was originally recorded. The recorded value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest cannot go below the floor level. Adjustments to the carrying amount of redeemable noncontrolling interest are charged to retained earnings (or to additional paid-in capital if there are no retained earnings) and do not affect net income or comprehensive income in the consolidated financial statements.

The components of the change in the redeemable noncontrolling interest for the periods ended March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are presented in the following table (in thousands):



	Amount
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	45,755
Addition to redeemable noncontrolling interest	277
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	(4,905		)
Adjustment of the redeemable noncontrolling interest to fair value	108,296
Effect of foreign currency translation attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	2,555
Balance at December 31, 2017	151,978
Redemption of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(11,536		)
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	1,184
Adjustment of the redeemable noncontrolling interest to fair value	12,011
Effect of foreign currency translation attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	1,612
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	155,249

Financial Instruments Not Required To Be Carried At Fair Value

Investment in Receivable Portfolios:

The Company records its investment in receivable portfolios at cost, which represents a significant discount from the contractual receivable balances due. The Company computes the fair value of its investment in receivable portfolios using Level 3 inputs by discounting the estimated future cash flows generated by its proprietary forecasting models. The key inputs include the estimated future gross cash flow, average cost to collect, and discount rate. In accordance with authoritative guidance related to fair value measurements, the Company estimates the average cost to collect and discount rates based on its estimate of what a market participant might use in valuing these portfolios. The determination of such inputs requires significant judgment, including assessing the assumed market participant’s cost structure, its determination of whether to include fixed costs in its valuation, its collection strategies, and determining the appropriate weighted average cost of capital. The Company evaluates the use of these key inputs on an ongoing basis and refines the data as it continues to obtain better information from market participants in the debt recovery and purchasing business.

In the Company’s current analysis, the fair value of investment in receivable portfolios was approximately $3,376.3 million and $3,415.3 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, as compared to the carrying value of $3,024.1 million and $2,890.6 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. A 100 basis point fluctuation in the cost to collect and discount rate used would result in an increase or decrease in the fair value of U.S. and European portfolios by approximately $49.9 million and $70.1 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2018. This fair value calculation does not represent, and should not be construed to represent, the underlying value of the Company or the amount which could be realized if its investment in receivable portfolios were sold.

Deferred Court Costs:

The Company capitalizes deferred court costs and provides a reserve for those costs that it believes will ultimately be uncollectible. The carrying value of net deferred court costs approximates fair value.

Debt:

The majority of Encore and its subsidiaries’ borrowings are carried at historical amounts, adjusted for additional borrowings less principal repayments, which approximate fair value. These borrowings include Encore’s senior secured notes and borrowings under its revolving credit and term loan facilities, Cabot’s senior secured notes and borrowings under its revolving credit facility, and other borrowing under revolving credit facilities at certain of the Company’s other subsidiaries.

Encore’s convertible senior notes are carried at historical cost, adjusted for the debt discount. The carrying value of the convertible senior notes was $453.2 million and $450.8 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The fair value estimate for these convertible senior notes, which incorporates quoted market prices using Level 2 inputs, was approximately $535.8 million and $520.9 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Cabot’s senior secured notes are carried at historical cost, adjusted for debt discount and debt premium. The carrying value of Cabot’s senior secured notes was $1,258.3 million and $1,214.6 million, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The fair value estimate for these senior notes, which incorporates quoted market prices using Level 2 inputs, was $1,292.4 million and $1,258.9 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

The Company’s preferred equity certificates are legal obligations to the noncontrolling shareholders of certain subsidiaries. They are carried at the face amount, plus any accrued interest. The Company determined that the carrying value of these preferred equity certificates approximated fair value as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Derivatives and Hedging Instruments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivatives and Hedging Instruments

The Company may periodically enter into derivative financial instruments to manage risks related to interest rates and foreign currency. Certain of the Company’s derivative financial instruments qualify for hedge accounting treatment under the authoritative guidance for derivatives and hedging.

The following table summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments as recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value			Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency exchange contracts	Other assets	$	1,256		Other assets	$	1,912
Interest rate swap agreements	Other liabilities	(19		)	Other liabilities	(7		)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency exchange contracts	Other liabilities	(477		)	Other liabilities	(1,110		)
Interest rate cap contracts	Other assets	3,984			Other assets	3,922

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

The Company has operations in foreign countries, which expose the Company to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations due to transactions denominated in foreign currencies. To mitigate a portion of this risk, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments, principally foreign currency forward contracts with financial counterparties. The Company adjusts the level and use of derivatives as soon as practicable after learning that an exposure has changed and reviews all exposures and derivative positions on an ongoing basis.

Certain of the foreign currency forward contracts are designated as cash flow hedging instruments and qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Gains and losses arising from the effective portion of such contracts are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”) as gains and losses on derivative instruments, net of income taxes. The hedging gains and losses in OCI are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the same period in which the underlying transactions affect the Company’s earnings. If all or a portion of the forecasted transaction is cancelled, this would render all or a portion of the cash flow hedge ineffective and the Company would reclassify the ineffective portion of the hedge into earnings. The Company generally does not experience ineffectiveness of the hedge relationship and the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any such gains or losses.

As of March 31, 2018, the total notional amount of the forward contracts that are designated as cash flow hedging instruments was $8.4 million. All of these outstanding contracts qualified for hedge accounting treatment. The Company estimates that approximately $1.3 million of net derivative gain included in OCI will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months. No gains or losses were reclassified from OCI into earnings as a result of forecasted transactions that failed to occur during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

The Company may periodically enter into interest rate swap agreements to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates on variable interest rate debt and their impact on earnings and cash flows. As of March 31, 2018, there were two interest rate swap agreements outstanding with a total notional amount of $30.0 million Australian dollars (approximately $23.1 million U.S. dollars). The interest rate swap instrument is designated as cash flow hedge and accounted for using hedge accounting.

The following table summarizes the effects of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships designated as hedging instruments on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):



Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments	Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI- Effective Portion					Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from OCI into Income - Effective Portion	Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from OCI into Income - Effective Portion				Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing
	Three Months Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended March 31,					Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017			2018		2017			2018		2017
Foreign currency exchange contracts	$	(107	)	$	589	Salaries and employee benefits	$	549	$	175	Other (expense) income	$	—	$	—
Foreign currency exchange contracts	—			80		General and administrative expenses	—		14		Other (expense) income	—		—
Interest rate swap agreements	9			5		Interest expense	—		77		Other (expense) income	—		—

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

The Company enters into currency exchange forward contracts to reduce the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations between the British Pound and Euro. These derivative contracts generally mature withinone to three months and are not designated as hedge instruments for accounting purposes. The Company continues to monitor the level of exposure of the foreign currency exchange risk and may enter into additional short-term forward contracts on an ongoing basis. The gains or losses on these derivative contracts are recognized in other income or expense based on the changes in fair value. The Company also holds two interest rate cap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of £300.0 million (approximately $421.6 million) that are used to manage its risk related to interest rate fluctuations. The Company does not apply hedge accounting on the interest rate cap contracts.

The following table summarizes the effects of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships not designated as hedging instruments on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):



Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in income on Derivative	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2018			2017
Foreign currency exchange contracts	Other income (expense)	$	(766	)	$	(252	)
Interest rate cap contracts	Interest expense	(88		)	—
Interest rate swap agreements	Interest expense	—			77

Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Receivables [Abstract]

Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net

In accordance with the authoritative guidance for loans and debt securities acquired with deteriorated credit quality, discrete receivable portfolio purchases during the same fiscal quarter are aggregated into pools based on common risk characteristics. Common risk characteristics include risk ratings (e.g. FICO or similar scores), financial asset type, collateral type, size, interest rate, date of origination, term, and geographic location. The Company’s static pools are typically grouped into credit card, purchased consumer bankruptcy, and mortgage portfolios. The Company further groups these static pools by geographic region or location. Portfolios acquired in business combinations are also grouped into these pools. During any fiscal quarter in which the Company has an acquisition of an entity that has portfolio, the entire historical portfolio of the acquired company is aggregated into the pool groups for that quarter, based on common characteristics, resulting in pools for that quarter that may consist of several different vintages of portfolio. Once a static pool is established, the portfolios are permanently assigned to the pool. The discount (i.e., the difference between the cost of each static pool and the related aggregate contractual receivable balance) is not recorded because the Company expects to collect a relatively small percentage of each static pool’s contractual receivable balance. As a result, receivable portfolios are recorded at cost at the time of acquisition. The purchase cost of the portfolios includes certain fees paid to third parties incurred in connection with the direct acquisition of the receivable portfolios.

In compliance with the authoritative guidance, the Company accounts for its investments in receivable portfolios using either the interest method or the cost recovery method. The interest method applies an internal rate of return (“IRR”) to the cost basis of the pool, which remains unchanged throughout the life of the pool, unless there is an increase in subsequent expected cash flows. Subsequent increases in expected cash flows are recognized prospectively through an upward adjustment of the pool’s IRR over its remaining life. Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows do not change the IRR, but are recognized as an allowance to the cost basis of the pool, and are reflected in the consolidated statements of income as a reduction in revenue, with a corresponding valuation allowance, offsetting the investment in receivable portfolios in the consolidated statements of financial condition. With gross collections being discounted at monthly IRRs, when collections are lower in the near term, even if substantially higher collections are expected later in the collection curve, an allowance charge could result.

The Company accounts for each static pool as a unit for the economic life of the pool (similar to one loan) for recognition of revenue from receivable portfolios, for collections applied to the cost basis of receivable portfolios and for provision for loss or allowance. Revenue from receivable portfolios is accrued based on each pool’s IRR applied to each pool’s adjusted cost basis. The cost basis of each pool is increased by revenue earned and portfolio allowance reversals and decreased by gross collections and portfolio allowances.

If the amount and timing of future cash collections on a pool of receivables are not reasonably estimable, the Company accounts for such portfolios on the cost recovery method as Cost Recovery Portfolios. The accounts in these portfolios have different risk characteristics than those included in other portfolios acquired during the same quarter, or the necessary information was not available to estimate future cash flows and, accordingly, they were not aggregated with other portfolios. Under the cost recovery method of accounting, no revenue is recognized until the carrying value of a Cost Recovery Portfolio has been fully recovered.

Accretable yield represents the amount of revenue the Company expects to generate over the remaining life of its existing investment in receivable portfolios based on estimated future cash flows. Total accretable yield is the difference between future estimated collections and the current carrying value of a portfolio. All estimated cash flows on portfolios where the cost basis has been fully recovered are classified as zero basis cash flows.

The following table summarizes the Company’s accretable yield and an estimate of zero basis future cash flows at the beginning and end of the period presented (in thousands):



	Accretable Yield			Estimate of Zero Basis Cash Flows			Total
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	3,695,069		$	369,632		$	4,064,701
Revenue from receivable portfolios	(249,821		)	(31,188		)	(281,009		)
Allowance reversals on receivable portfolios, net	(8,082		)	(1,729		)	(9,811		)
Reductions on existing portfolios, net	(24,945		)	(39,529		)	(64,474		)
Additions for current purchases, net	285,172			—			285,172
Effect of foreign currency translation	57,577			643			58,220
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	3,754,970		$	297,829		$	4,052,799



	Accretable Yield			Estimate of Zero Basis Cash Flows			Total
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	3,092,004		$	365,504		$	3,457,508
Revenue from receivable portfolios	(211,105		)	(38,733		)	(249,838		)
Allowance reversals on receivable portfolios, net	(613		)	(1,519		)	(2,132		)
(Reductions) additions on existing portfolios, net	(90,138		)	57,446			(32,692		)
Additions for current purchases, net	200,728			—			200,728
Effect of foreign currency translation	38,712			467			39,179
Balance at March 31, 2017	$	3,029,588		$	383,165		$	3,412,753

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company purchased receivable portfolios with a face value of $1.8 billion for $276.8 million, or a purchase cost of 15.4% of face value. The estimated future collections at acquisition for all portfolios purchased during the three months ended March 31, 2018 amounted to $556.2 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company purchased receivable portfolios with a face value of $1.7 billion for $218.7 million, or a purchase cost of 13.2% of face value. The estimated future collections at acquisition for all portfolios purchased during the three months ended March 31, 2017 amounted to $419.4 million.

All collections realized after the net book value of a portfolio has been fully recovered (“Zero Basis Portfolios”) are recorded as revenue (“Zero Basis Revenue”). During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, Zero Basis Revenue was approximately $31.2 million and $38.7 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, allowance reversals on Zero Basis Portfolios were $1.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

The following tables summarize the changes in the balance of the investment in receivable portfolios during the following periods (in thousands, except percentages):



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Accrual Basis Portfolios			Cost Recovery Portfolios			Zero Basis Portfolios			Total
Balance, beginning of period	$	2,879,170		$	11,443		$	—		$	2,890,613
Purchases of receivable portfolios	276,762			—			—			276,762
Disposals or transfers to held for sale	(3,072		)	—			—			(3,072		)
Gross collections⁽¹⁾	(455,143		)	(1,171		)	(32,788		)	(489,102		)
Put-backs and Recalls⁽²⁾	(3,691		)	—			(129		)	(3,820		)
Foreign currency adjustments	61,590			350			—			61,940
Revenue recognized	249,821			—			31,188			281,009
Portfolio allowance reversals, net	8,082			—			1,729			9,811
Balance, end of period	$	3,013,519		$	10,622		$	—		$	3,024,141
Revenue as a percentage of collections⁽³⁾	54.9		%	0.0		%	95.1		%	57.5		%

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	Accrual Basis Portfolios			Cost Recovery Portfolios			Zero Basis Portfolios			Total
Balance, beginning of period	$	2,368,366		$	14,443		$	—		$	2,382,809
Purchases of receivable portfolios	218,727			—			—			218,727
Disposals or transfers to held for sale	(4,771		)	—			—			(4,771		)
Gross collections⁽¹⁾	(400,004		)	(640		)	(40,219		)	(440,863		)
Put-backs and Recalls⁽²⁾	(1,757		)	—			(33		)	(1,790		)
Foreign currency adjustments	30,020			(84		)	—			29,936
Revenue recognized	211,105			—			38,733			249,838
Portfolio allowance reversals, net	613			—			1,519			2,132
Balance, end of period	$	2,422,299		$	13,719		$	—		$	2,436,018
Revenue as a percentage of collections⁽³⁾	52.8		%	0.0		%	96.3		%	56.7		%

________________________


(1)	Does not include amounts collected on behalf of others.


(2)	Put-backs represent accounts that are returned to the seller in accordance with the respective purchase agreement (“Put-Backs”). Recalls represent accounts that are recalled by the seller in accordance with the respective purchase agreement (“Recalls”).


(3)	Revenue as a percentage of collections excludes the effects of net portfolio allowances or net portfolio allowance reversals.

The following table summarizes the change in the valuation allowance for investment in receivable portfolios during the periods presented (in thousands):



	Valuation Allowance
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Balance at beginning of period	$	102,576		$	137,037
Provision for portfolio allowances	940			—
Reversal of prior allowances	(10,751		)	(2,132		)
Effect of foreign currency translation	1,552			1,420
Balance at end of period	$	94,317		$	136,325

- Definition

The entire disclosure for claims held for amounts due a entity, excluding financing receivables. Examples include, but are not limited to, trade accounts receivables, notes receivables, loans receivables. Includes disclosure for allowance for credit losses.

+ References + Details

Deferred Court Costs, Net

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Deferred Court Costs, Net

The Company pursues legal collections using a network of attorneys that specialize in collection matters and through its internal legal channel. The Company generally pursues collections through legal means only when it believes a consumer has sufficient assets to repay their indebtedness but has, to date, been unwilling to pay. In order to pursue legal collections the Company is required to pay certain upfront costs to the applicable courts that are recoverable from the consumer (“Deferred Court Costs”).

The Company capitalizes Deferred Court Costs in its consolidated financial statements and provides a reserve for those costs that it believes will ultimately be uncollectible. The Company determines the reserve based on an estimated court cost recovery rate established based on its analysis of historical court costs recovery data. The Company estimates deferral periods for Deferred Court Costs based on jurisdiction and nature of litigation and writes off any Deferred Court Costs not recovered within the respective deferral period. Collections received from debtors are first applied against related court costs with the balance applied to the debtors’ account balance.

Deferred Court Costs for the deferral period consist of the following as of the dates presented (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Court costs advanced	$	774,091		$	743,584
Court costs recovered	(310,014		)	(299,606		)
Court costs reserve	(378,190		)	(364,015		)
Deferred court costs	$	85,887		$	79,963

A roll forward of the Company’s court cost reserve is as follows (in thousands):



	Court Cost Reserve
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Balance at beginning of period	$	(364,015	)	$	(327,926	)
Provision for court costs	(25,067		)	(18,005		)
Net down of reserve after deferral period	12,952			12,024
Effect of foreign currency translation	(2,060		)	(732		)
Balance at end of period	$	(378,190	)	$	(334,639	)

Other Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Other Assets

Other assets consist of the following (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Identifiable intangible assets, net	$	75,620	$	75,736
Prepaid expenses	29,472		27,606
Prepaid income taxes	27,962		27,917
Service fee receivables	25,998		25,609
Assets held for sale	20,117		18,741
Other financial receivables	16,861		18,997
Deferred tax assets	16,231		18,773
Derivative instruments	5,240		5,834
Security deposits	3,329		3,451
Funds held in escrow	—		28,199
Other	56,136		51,865
Total	$	276,966	$	302,728

Debt, Net

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt, Net

The Company is in compliance with all covenants under its financing arrangements as of March 31, 2018. The components of the Company’s consolidated debt and capital lease obligations were as follows (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Encore revolving credit facility	$	363,000		$	328,961
Encore term loan facility	203,670			181,687
Encore senior secured notes	325,000			326,029
Encore convertible notes	483,500			483,500
Less: debt discount	(30,291		)	(32,720		)
Cabot senior secured notes	1,260,399			1,216,485
Less: debt discount	(2,120		)	(1,927		)
Cabot senior revolving credit facility	219,914			179,008
Cabot securitisation senior facility	407,508			391,790
Preferred equity certificates	271,284			253,324
Other credit facilities	68,319			68,001
Other	76,345			92,792
Capital lease obligations	5,058			6,069
	3,651,586			3,492,999
Less: debt issuance costs, net of amortization	(44,485		)	(46,123		)
Total	$	3,607,101		$	3,446,876

Encore Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility

The Company has a revolving credit facility and term loan facility pursuant to a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 20, 2016 (as amended, the “Restated Credit Agreement”). The Restated Credit Agreement includes a revolving credit facility of $794.6 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), a term loan facility of $206.7 million (the “Term Loan Facility”, and together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”), and an accordion feature that allows the Company to increase the Senior Secured Credit Facilities by an additional $250.0 million (approximately $150.3 million of which has been exercised).

Provisions of the Restated Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2018 include, but are not limited to:

•

Revolving Credit Facility commitments of (1) $626.0 million that expire in December 2021 and (2) $168.6 million that expire in February 2019, in each case with interest at a floating rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either: (a) reserve adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), plus a spread that ranges from 250 to 300 basis points depending on the cash flow leverage ratio of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries; or (b) alternate base rate, plus a spread that ranges from 150 to 200 basis points, depending on the cash flow leverage ratio of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries. “Alternate base rate,” as defined in the Restated Credit Agreement, means the highest of (i) the per annum rate which the administrative agent publicly announces from time to time as its prime lending rate, (ii) the federal funds effective rate from time to time, plus 0.5% per annum, (iii) reserved adjusted LIBOR determined on a daily basis for a one month interest period, plus 1.0% per annum and (iv) zero;

•

A $190.8 million term loan maturing in December 2021, with interest at a floating rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either: (1) reserve adjusted LIBOR, plus a spread that ranges from 250 to 300 basis points, depending on the cash flow leverage ratio of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries; or (2) alternate base rate, plus a spread that ranges from 150 to 200 basis points, depending on the cash flow leverage ratio of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries. Principal amortizes $7.4 million in 2018 and $14.8 million in each of 2019 and 2020 with the remaining principal due in 2021;

•

A $15.9 million term loan maturing in February 2019, with interest at a floating rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either: (1) reserve adjusted LIBOR, plus a spread that ranges from 250 to 300 basis points, depending on the cash flow leverage ratio of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries; or (2) alternate base rate, plus a spread that ranges from 150 to 200 basis points, depending on the cash flow leverage ratio of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries. Principal amortizes $1.6 million in 2018 with the remaining principal due in 2019;


•	A borrowing base under the Revolving Credit Facility equal to 35% of all eligible non-bankruptcy estimated remaining collections plus 55% of eligible estimated remaining collections for consumer receivables subject to bankruptcy;


•	A maximum cash flow leverage ratio permitted of 3.00:1.00;


•	A maximum cash flow first-lien leverage ratio of 2.00:1.00;


•	A minimum interest coverage ratio of 1.75:1.00;


•	The allowance of indebtedness in the form of senior secured notes not to exceed $350.0 million;


•	The allowance of additional unsecured or subordinated indebtedness not to exceed $1.1 billion, including junior lien indebtedness not to exceed $400.0 million;


•	Restrictions and covenants, which limit the payment of dividends and the incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens, among other limitations;


•	Repurchases of up to $150.0 million of Encore’s common stock after July 9, 2015, subject to compliance with certain covenants and available borrowing capacity;


•	A change of control definition, that excludes acquisitions of stock by Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC, JCF FPK I, LP and their respective affiliates of up to 50% of the outstanding shares of Encore’s voting stock;


•	Events of default which, upon occurrence, may permit the lenders to terminate the facility and declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable;


•	A pre-approved acquisition limit of $225.0 million per fiscal year;


•	A basket to allow for investments not to exceed the greater of (1) 200% of the consolidated net worth of Encore and its restricted subsidiaries; and (2) an unlimited amount such that after giving effect to the making of any investment, the cash flow leverage ratio is less than 1.25:1:00;


•	A basket to allow for investments in persons organized under the laws of Canada in the amount of $50.0 million;

•

A requirement that Encore and its restricted subsidiaries, for the four-month period ending February 2019, have sufficient cash or availability under the Revolving Credit Facility (excluding availability under revolving commitments expiring in February 2019) to satisfy any amounts due under the revolving commitments that expire in February 2019 and the sub-tranche of the Term Loan Facility that expires in February 2019;


•	Collateralization by all assets of the Company, other than the assets of certain foreign subsidiaries and all unrestricted subsidiaries as defined in the Restated Credit Agreement.

At March 31, 2018, the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility was $363.0 million, which bore a weighted average interest rate of 4.62% and 3.79% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Available capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility, after taking into account borrowing base and applicable debt covenants, was $237.5 million as of March 31, 2018, not including the $99.7 million additional capacity provided by the facility’s remaining accordion feature. At March 31, 2018, the outstanding balance under the Term Loan Facility was $203.7 million.

Encore Senior Secured Notes

In August 2017, Encore entered into $325.0 million in senior secured notes with a group of insurance companies (the “Senior Secured Notes”). The Senior Secured Notes bear an annual interest rate of 5.625%, mature in 2024 and beginning in November 2019 will require quarterly principal payments of $16.3 million. As of March 31, 2018, $325.0 million of the Senior Secured Notes remained outstanding.

The Senior Secured Notes are guaranteed in full by certain of Encore’s subsidiaries. The Senior Secured Notes are pari passu with, and are collateralized by the same collateral as, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities. The Senior Secured Notes may be accelerated and become automatically and immediately due and payable upon certain events of default, including certain events related to insolvency, bankruptcy, or liquidation. Additionally, any series of the Senior Secured Notes may be accelerated at the election of the holder or holders of a majority in principal amount of such series of Senior Secured Notes upon certain events of default by Encore, including the breach of affirmative covenants regarding guarantors, collateral, minimum revolving credit facility commitment or the breach of any negative covenant. Encore may prepay the Senior Secured Notes at any time for any reason. If Encore prepays the Senior Secured Notes, payment will be at the higher of par or the present value of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the portion being prepaid. The discount rate used to determine the present value is 50 basis points over the then current Treasury Rate corresponding to the remaining average life of the Senior Secured Notes. The covenants and material terms in the purchase agreement for the Senior Secured Notes are substantially similar to those in the Restated Credit Agreement. The holders of the Senior Secured Notes and the administrative agent for the lenders of the Restated Credit Agreement have an intercreditor agreement related to their pro rata rights to the collateral, actionable default, powers and duties and remedies, among other topics.

Encore Convertible Notes

In June and July 2013, Encore sold $172.5 million aggregate principal amount of 3.0% 2020 Convertible Notes that mature on July 1, 2020 in private placement transactions (the “2020 Convertible Notes”). In March 2014, Encore sold $161.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.875% 2021 Convertible Notes that mature on March 15, 2021 in private placement transactions (the “2021 Convertible Notes”). In March 2017, Encore sold $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% 2022 Convertible Senior Notes that mature on March 15, 2022 in private placement transactions (the “2022 Convertible Notes” and together with the 2020 Convertible Notes and the 2021 Convertible Notes, the “Convertible Notes”). The interest on the Convertible Notes is payable semi-annually.

Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding their respective conversion date (listed below), holders may convert their Convertible Notes under certain circumstances set forth in the applicable Convertible Notes indentures. On or after their respective conversion dates until the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding their respective maturity date, holders may convert their Convertible Notes at any time. Certain key terms related to the convertible features for each of the Convertible Notes as of March 31, 2018 are listed below.



	2020 Convertible Notes		2021 Convertible Notes		2022 Convertible Notes
Initial conversion price	$	45.72	$	59.39	$	45.57
Closing stock price at date of issuance	$	33.35	$	47.51	$	35.05
Closing stock price date	June 24, 2013		March 5, 2014		February 27, 2017
Conversion rate (shares per $1,000 principal amount)	21.8718		16.8386		21.9467
Conversion date	January 1, 2020		September 15, 2020		September 15, 2021

In the event of conversion, holders of the Company’s 2020 Convertible Notes, 2021 Convertible Notes, and 2022 Convertible Notes will receive cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s common stock, at the Company’s election. The Company’s current intent is to settle conversions through combination settlement (i.e., convertible into cash up to the aggregate principal amount, and shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s common stock, at the Company’s election, for the remainder). As a result, and in accordance with authoritative guidance related to derivatives and hedging and earnings per share, only the conversion spread is included in the diluted earnings per share calculation, if dilutive. Under such method, the settlement of the conversion spread has a dilutive effect when, during any quarter, the average share price of the Company’s common stock exceeds the initial conversion prices listed in the above table.

Authoritative guidance requires that issuers of convertible debt instruments which, upon conversion, may be settled fully or partially in cash, must separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that will reflect the entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. Additionally, debt issuance costs are required to be allocated in proportion to the allocation of the liability and equity components and accounted for as debt issuance costs and equity issuance costs, respectively.

The debt and equity components, the issuance costs related to the equity component, the stated interest rate, and the effective interest rate for each of the Convertible Notes are listed below (in thousands, except percentages):



	2020 Convertible Notes			2021 Convertible Notes			2022 Convertible Notes
Debt component	$	140,247		$	143,645		$	137,266
Equity component	$	32,253		$	17,355		$	12,734
Equity issuance cost	$	1,106		$	581		$	398
Stated interest rate	3.000		%	2.875		%	3.250		%
Effective interest rate	6.350		%	4.700		%	5.200		%

The balances of the liability and equity components of all of the Convertible Notes outstanding were as follows (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Liability component—principal amount	$	483,500		$	483,500
Unamortized debt discount	(30,291		)	(32,720		)
Liability component—net carrying amount	$	453,209		$	450,780
Equity component	$	62,696		$	62,696

The debt discount is being amortized into interest expense over the remaining life of the convertible notes using the effective interest rates. Interest expense related to the convertible notes was as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Interest expense—stated coupon rate	$	3,642	$	3,524
Interest expense—amortization of debt discount	2,428		2,486
Total interest expense—convertible notes	$	6,070	$	6,010

Convertible Notes Hedge Transactions

In order to reduce the risk related to the potential dilution and/or the potential cash payments the Company may be required to make in the event that the market price of the Company’s common stock becomes greater than the conversion prices of the Convertible Notes, the Company maintains a hedge program that increases the effective conversion price for each of the 2020 Convertible Notes and 2021 Convertible Notes. The Company did not hedge the 2022 Convertible Notes. All of the hedge instruments related to the Convertible Notes have been determined to be indexed to the Company’s own stock and meet the criteria for equity classification. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company recorded the cost of the hedge instruments as a reduction in additional paid-in capital, and will not recognize subsequent changes in fair value of these financial instruments in its consolidated financial statements.

The details of the hedge program for each of the Convertible Notes are listed below (in thousands, except conversion price):



	2020 Convertible Notes		2021 Convertible Notes
Cost of the hedge transaction(s)	$	18,113	$	19,545
Initial conversion price	$	45.72	$	59.39
Effective conversion price	$	61.55	$	83.14

Cabot Senior Secured Notes

On August 2, 2013, Cabot Financial issued £100.0 million (approximately $151.7 million) in aggregate principal amount of 8.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (the “Cabot 2020 Notes”). Interest on the Cabot 2020 Notes is payable semi-annually, in arrears, on February 1 and August 1 of each year.

On March 27, 2014, Cabot Financial issued £175.0 million (approximately $291.8 million) in aggregate principal amount of 6.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (the “Cabot 2021 Notes”). Interest on the Cabot 2021 Notes is payable semi-annually, in arrears, on April 1 and October 1 of each year.

On October 6, 2016, Cabot Financial issued £350.0 million (approximately $442.6 million) in aggregate principal amount of 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (the “Cabot 2023 Notes” and together with the Cabot 2020 Notes and the Cabot 2021 Notes, the “Cabot Notes”). Interest on the Cabot 2023 Notes is payable semi-annually, in arrears, on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The Cabot 2023 Notes were issued at a price equal to 100% of their face value. The proceeds from the offering were used to (1) redeem in full the Cabot 2019 Notes plus a call premium of £13.7 million (approximately $17.4 million), (2) partially repay amounts outstanding under Cabot’s revolving credit facility, (3) pay accrued interest on the Cabot 2019 Notes, and (4) pay fees and expenses in relation to the offering of the Cabot 2023 Notes.

The Cabot Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by the following indirect subsidiaries of the Company: Cabot Credit Management Limited (“CCM”), Cabot Financial Limited, and all material subsidiaries of Cabot Financial Limited (other than Cabot Financial and Marlin Intermediate Holdings plc). The Cabot Notes are secured by a first ranking security interest in all the outstanding shares of Cabot Financial and the guarantors (other than CCM and Marlin Midway Limited) and substantially all the assets of Cabot Financial and the guarantors (other than CCM). Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement described below under “Cabot Senior Revolving Credit Facility”, the guarantees provided in respect of the Cabot Notes are pari passu with each such guarantee given in respect of the Cabot Floating Rate Notes, Marlin Bonds and the Cabot Credit Facility described below.

On November 11, 2015, Cabot Financial (Luxembourg) II S.A. (“Cabot Financial II”), an indirect subsidiary of Encore, issued €310.0 million (approximately $332.2 million) in aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2021 (the “Cabot Floating Rate Notes”). The Cabot Floating Rate Notes were issued at a 1%, or €3.1 million (approximately $3.4 million), original issue discount, which is being amortized over the life of the notes and included as interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Cabot Floating Rate Notes bear interest at a rate equal to three-month EURIBOR plus 5.875% per annum, reset quarterly. Interest on the Cabot Floating Rate Notes is payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2016. The Cabot Floating Rate Notes will mature on November 15, 2021.

The Cabot Floating Rate Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by the following indirect subsidiaries of the Company: CCM, Cabot Financial Limited and all material subsidiaries of Cabot Financial Limited (other than Cabot Financial II and Marlin Intermediate Holdings plc). The Cabot Floating Rate Notes are secured by a first-ranking security interest in all the outstanding shares of Cabot Financial II and the guarantors (other than CCM and Marlin Midway Limited) and substantially all the assets of Cabot Financial II and the guarantors (other than CCM).

Interest expense related to the Cabot senior secured notes was as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Interest expense—stated coupon rate	$	21,600		$	23,982
Interest income—accretion of debt premium	—			(1,016		)
Interest expense—amortization of debt discount	(116		)	110
Total interest expense—Cabot senior secured notes	$	21,484		$	23,076

At March 31, 2018, the outstanding balance on the Cabot senior secured notes was $1.3 billion.

Cabot Senior Revolving Credit Facility

On December 12, 2017, Cabot Financial (UK) Limited (“Cabot Financial UK”) entered into an amended and restated senior secured revolving credit facility agreement, which provides for a total committed facility of £295.0 million (approximately $395.2 million) (as amended and restated, the “Cabot Credit Facility”). The Cabot Credit Facility consists of a £245.0 million tranche that expires in September 2021 and a £50.0 million tranche that expires in March 2022, and includes the following key provisions:


•	Interest at LIBOR (or EURIBOR for any loan drawn in euro) plus 3.25% per annum, which may decrease to 2.75% upon certain specified conditions;


•	A restrictive covenant that limits the loan to value ratio to 0.75 in the event that the Cabot Credit Facility is more than 20% utilized;


•	A restrictive covenant that limits the super senior loan (i.e. the Cabot Credit Facility and any super priority hedging liabilities) to value ratio to 0.275 in the event that the Cabot Credit Facility is more than 20% utilized;


•	Additional restrictions and covenants which limit, among other things, the payment of dividends and the incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens; and


•	Events of default which, upon occurrence, may permit the lenders to terminate the Cabot Credit Facility and declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable.

The Cabot Credit Facility is unconditionally guaranteed by the following indirect subsidiaries of the Company: CCM, Cabot Financial Limited, and all material subsidiaries of Cabot Financial Limited. The Cabot Credit Facility is secured by first ranking security interests in all the outstanding shares of Cabot Financial UK and the guarantors (other than CCM) and substantially all the assets of Cabot Financial UK and the guarantors (other than CCM). Pursuant to the terms of intercreditor agreements entered into with respect to the relative positions of the Cabot Notes, the Cabot Floating Rate Notes and the Cabot Credit Facility, any liabilities in respect of obligations under the Cabot Credit Facility that are secured by assets that also secure the Cabot Notes and the Cabot Floating Rate Notes will receive priority with respect to any proceeds received upon any enforcement action over any such assets.

At March 31, 2018, the outstanding borrowings under the Cabot Credit Facility were approximately $219.9 million. The weighted average interest rate was 3.75% and 3.51% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Cabot Securitisation Senior Facility

Cabot Securitisation has entered into a senior facility agreement (the “Senior Facility Agreement”) for a committed amount of £300.0 million, of which £290.0 million was drawn as of March 31, 2018. The Senior Facility Agreement has an initial availability period ending in September 2020 and an initial repayment date in September 2022. The obligations of Cabot Securitisation under the Senior Facility Agreement are secured by first ranking security interests over all of Cabot Securitisation’s property, assets and rights (including receivables purchased from Cabot Financial UK from time to time), the book value of which was approximately £308.1 million (approximately $432.9 million) as of March 31, 2018. Funds drawn under the Senior Facility Agreement will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus a margin of 2.85%.

At March 31, 2018, the outstanding borrowings under the Cabot Securitisation Senior Facility were approximately $407.5 million. The weighted average interest rate was 3.35% for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Preferred Equity Certificates

On July 1, 2013, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary Encore Europe Holdings, S.à r.l. (“Encore Europe”), completed the acquisition of Cabot (the “Cabot Acquisition”) by acquiring 50.1% of the equity interest in Janus Holdings Luxembourg S.à r.l. (“Janus Holdings”). Encore Europe purchased from J.C. Flowers & Co. LLC (“J.C. Flowers”): (i) E Bridge preferred equity certificates issued by Janus Holdings, with a face value of £10,218,574 (approximately $15.5 million) (and any accrued interest thereof) (the “E Bridge PECs”), (ii) E preferred equity certificates issued by Janus Holdings with a face value of £96,729,661 (approximately $147.1 million) (and any accrued interest thereof) (the “E PECs”), (iii) 3,498,563 E shares of Janus Holdings (the “E Shares”), and (iv) 100 A shares of Cabot Holdings S.a r.l. (“Cabot Holdings”), the direct subsidiary of Janus Holdings, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately £115.1 million (approximately $175.0 million). The E Bridge PECs, E PECs, and E Shares represent 50.1% of all of the issued and outstanding equity and debt securities of Janus Holdings. The remaining 49.9% of Janus Holdings’ equity and debt securities are owned by J.C. Flowers and include: (a) J Bridge PECs with a face value of £10,177,781 (approximately $15.5 million), (b) J preferred equity certificates with a face value of £96,343,515 (approximately $146.5 million) (the “J PECs”), (c) 3,484,597 J shares of Janus Holdings (the “J Shares”), and (d) 100 A shares of Cabot Holdings.

All of the PECs accrue interest at 12% per annum. Since PECs are legal form debt, the J Bridge PECs, J PECs and any accrued interests thereof are classified as liabilities and are included in debt in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. In addition, certain other minority owners hold PECs at the Cabot Holdings level (the “Management PECs”). These PECs are also included in debt in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The E Bridge PECs and E PECs held by the Company, and their related interest eliminate in consolidation and therefore are not included in debt in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The J Bridge PECs, J PECs, and the Management PECs do not require the payment of cash interest expense as they have characteristics similar to equity with a preferred return. The ultimate payment of the accumulated interest would be satisfied only in connection with the disposition of the noncontrolling interest of J.C. Flowers and management.

On June 20, 2014, Encore Europe converted all of its E Bridge PECs into E Shares and E PECs, and J.C. Flowers converted all of its J Bridge PECs into J Shares and J PECs in proportion to the number of E Shares and E PECs, or J Shares and J PECs, as applicable, outstanding on the closing date of the Cabot Acquisition.

As of March 31, 2018, the outstanding balance of the PECs, including accrued interest, was approximately $271.3 million.

Capital Lease Obligations

The Company has capital lease obligations primarily for computer equipment. As of March 31, 2018, the Company’s combined obligations for capital leases were approximately $5.1 million. These capital lease obligations require monthly, quarterly or annual payments through 2022 and have implicit interest rates that range from 2.4% to approximately 5.9%.

Variable Interest Entities	3 Months Ended
Variable Interest Entities	Mar. 31, 2018
Variable Interest Entity, Measure of Activity [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities	Variable Interest Entities A VIE is defined as a legal entity whose equity owners do not have sufficient equity at risk, or, as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack any of the following three characteristics: decision-making rights, the obligation to absorb losses, or the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity. The primary beneficiary is identified as the variable interest holder that has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb expected losses or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company’s VIEs include its subsidiary Janus Holdings and other immaterial special purpose entities that were created to purchase receivable portfolios in certain geographies. Janus Holdings is the indirect parent company of Cabot. The Company has determined that Janus Holdings is a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The key activities that affect Cabot’s economic performance include, but are not limited to, operational budgets and purchasing decisions. Through its control of the board of directors of Janus Holdings, the Company controls the key operating activities at Cabot. Assets recognized as a result of consolidating these VIEs do not represent additional assets that could be used to satisfy claims against the Company’s general assets. Conversely, liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating these VIEs do not represent additional claims on the Company’s general assets; rather, they represent claims against the specific assets of the VIE. The Company evaluates its relationships with its VIEs on an ongoing basis to ensure that it continues to be the primary beneficiary.

Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income tax expense on income from continuing operations was $9.5 million and $12.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Reform Act”) was signed into law by President Trump. The Tax Reform Act significantly revised the U.S. corporate income tax regime by, among other things, lowering the U.S. corporate tax rate from a top rate of 35% to a flat rate of 21% effective January 1, 2018, implementing elements of a territorial tax system and imposing a repatriation tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The decrease in the Company’s income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to the decrease in the U.S. corporate tax rate as a result of the Tax Reform Act.

Due to the complexities involved in accounting for the Tax Reform Act, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“SAB 118”) allowed the Company to record provisional amounts in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2017. SAB 118 provides that where reasonable estimates can be made, the provisional accounting should be based on such estimates. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, there were no changes made to the provisional amounts recognized in 2017.

The Tax Reform Act subjects U.S. shareholders to a tax on global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) earned by certain foreign subsidiaries. Under U.S. GAAP, the Company is allowed to make an accounting policy choice of either (1) treating taxes due on future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI as a current-period expense when incurred (the “period cost method”) or (2) factoring such amounts into the Company’s measurement of its deferred taxes (the “deferred method”). The Company has not yet adopted an accounting policy with respect to GILTI at March 31, 2018. The Company has reasonably estimated provisional amounts related to GILTI, based on current year operations only, and has included such amounts in its financial statements.

The Company will continue to analyze the effects of the Tax Reform Act, including the effects of GILTI, and additional impacts, if any. The impact of the Tax Reform Act may differ from the Company’s estimates, possibly materially, during the one-year measurement period due to, among other things, further refinement of the Company’s calculations, changes in interpretations and assumptions the Company has made, guidance that may be issued and actions the Company may take as a result of the Tax Reform Act.

The effective tax rates for the respective periods are shown below:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Federal provision	21.0	%	35.0	%
State provision	1.4	%	3.3	%
International provision⁽¹⁾	7.0	%	4.3	%
Permanent items	0.4	%	0.8	%
Other⁽²⁾	(1.3	)%	0.9	%
Effective rate	28.5	%	44.3	%

________________________


(1)	Relates primarily to the lower tax rates attributable to international operations, and the impact of valuation allowances recorded on foreign loss jurisdictions.


(2)	Includes impact of discrete items.

In accordance with the authoritative guidance for income taxes, each interim period is considered an integral part of the annual period and tax expense or benefit is measured using an estimated annual effective income tax rate. The estimated annual effective income tax rate for the full year is applied to the respective interim period, taking into account year-to-date amounts and projected amounts for the year. Since the Company operates in foreign countries with varying tax rates, some of which are lower than the tax rate in the United States, the magnitude of the impact of the results international operations has on the Company’s quarterly effective tax rate is dependent on the level of income or loss from the international operations in the period.

The Company’s subsidiary in Costa Rica is operating under a 100% tax holiday through December 31, 2018 and a 50% tax holiday for the subsequent four years. The impact of the tax holiday in Costa Rica for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, was immaterial.

The Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits, inclusive of penalties and interest, of $22.2 million at March 31, 2018. These unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would result in a net tax benefit of $9.9 million as of March 31, 2018. The gross unrecognized tax benefits did not change from December 31, 2017.

Of the $217.1 million of cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2018, $187.8 million was held outside of the United States. Following the enactment of the Tax Reform Act and the associated transition tax, in general, repatriation of cash to the United States can be completed with no incremental U.S. tax. However, repatriation of cash could subject the Company to non-U.S. jurisdictional taxes on distributions. The Company maintains non-U.S. funds in its foreign operations to (i) provide adequate working capital, (ii) satisfy various regulatory requirements, and (iii) take advantage of business expansion opportunities as they arise. The non-U.S. jurisdictional taxes applicable to foreign earnings are not readily determinable or practicable. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the Tax Reform Act on its election to indefinitely reinvest certain of its non-U.S. earnings. As of March 31, 2018, management believes that it has sufficient liquidity to satisfy its cash needs, including its cash needs in the United States.

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Mar. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Litigation and Regulatory The Company is involved in disputes, legal actions, regulatory investigations, inquiries, and other actions from time to time in the ordinary course of business. The Company, along with others in its industry, is routinely subject to legal actions based on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”), comparable state statutes, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), state and federal unfair competition statutes, and common law causes of action. The violations of law investigated or alleged in these actions often include claims that the Company lacks specified licenses to conduct its business, attempts to collect debts on which the statute of limitations has run, has made inaccurate or unsupported assertions of fact in support of its collection actions and/or has acted improperly in connection with its efforts to contact consumers. Such litigation and regulatory actions could involve potential compensatory or punitive damage claims, fines, sanctions, injunctive relief, or changes in business practices. Many continue on for some length of time and involve substantial investigation, litigation, negotiation, and other expense and effort before a result is achieved, and during the process the Company often cannot determine the substance or timing of any eventual outcome. At March 31, 2018, there were no material developments in any of the legal proceedings disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. In certain legal proceedings, the Company may have recourse to insurance or third party contractual indemnities to cover all or portions of its litigation expenses, judgments, or settlements. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company records loss contingencies in its financial statements only for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Where a range of loss can be reasonably estimated with no best estimate in the range, the Company records the minimum estimated liability. The Company continuously assesses the potential liability related to its pending litigation and regulatory matters and revises its estimates when additional information becomes available. As of March 31, 2018, other than the reserves related to the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) Consent Order and ancillary state regulatory matters, the Company has no material reserves for legal matters. Additionally, based on the current status of litigation and regulatory matters, either the estimate of exposure is immaterial to the Company’s financial statements or an estimate cannot yet be determined. The Company’s legal costs are recorded to expense as incurred. Purchase Commitments In the normal course of business, the Company enters into forward flow purchase agreements and other purchase commitment agreements. As of March 31, 2018, the Company has entered into agreements to purchase receivable portfolios with a face value of approximately $2.8 billion for a purchase price of approximately $469.7 million. Most purchase commitments do not extend past one year.

Segment and Geographic Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment and Geographic Information

The Company conducts business through several operating segments that have similar economic and other qualitative characteristics and have been aggregated in accordance with authoritative guidance into one reportable segment, portfolio purchasing and recovery. Since the Company operates in one reportable segment, all required segment information can be found in the consolidated financial statements.

The Company has operations in the United States, Europe and other foreign countries. The following table presents information about geographic areas in which the Company operates (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Revenues, adjusted by net allowances⁽¹⁾:
United States	$	171,944	$	170,316
International
Europe⁽²⁾	130,423		77,938
Other geographies	24,421		23,687
	154,844		101,625
Total	$	326,788	$	271,941

________________________


(1)	Revenues, adjusted by net allowances, are attributed to countries based on location of customer.


(2)	Based on the financial information that is used to produce the general-purpose financial statements, providing further geographic information is impracticable.

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

In accordance with authoritative guidance, goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level annually and in interim periods if certain events occur that indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value. Determining the number of reporting units and the fair value of a reporting unit requires the Company to make judgments and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions.

The annual goodwill testing date for the reporting units that are included in the portfolio purchasing and recovery reportable segment is October 1st. There have been no events or circumstances during the three months ended March 31, 2018 that have required the Company to perform an interim assessment of goodwill carried at these reporting units. Management continues to evaluate and monitor all key factors impacting the carrying value of the Company’s recorded goodwill and long-lived assets. Adverse changes in the Company’s actual or expected operating results, market capitalization, business climate, economic factors or other negative events that may be outside the control of management could result in a material non-cash impairment charge in the future.

The Company’s goodwill is attributable to reporting units included in its portfolio purchasing and recovery segment. The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s goodwill balance (in thousands):



	Total
Balance, December 31, 2017	$	928,993
Goodwill adjustments	(2,212		)
Effect of foreign currency translation	30,339
Balance, March 31, 2018	$	957,120

The Company’s acquired intangible assets are summarized as follows (in thousands):



	As of March 31, 2018							As of December 31, 2017
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Customer relationships	$	76,661	$	(8,973	)	$	67,688	$	73,875	$	(6,800	)	$	67,075
Developed technologies	6,848		(5,825		)	1,023		6,683		(5,411		)	1,272
Trade name and other	14,782		(7,873		)	6,909		14,413		(7,024		)	7,389
Total intangible assets	$	98,291	$	(22,671	)	$	75,620	$	94,971	$	(19,235	)	$	75,736

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

Guarantee of Subsidiary Debt	3 Months Ended
Guarantee of Subsidiary Debt	Mar. 31, 2018
Guarantees and Product Warranties [Abstract]
Guarantee of Subsidiary Debt	Guarantee of Subsidiary Debt Unless otherwise indicated in connection with a particular offering of debt securities, Encore will fully and unconditionally guarantee any debt securities issued by Encore Capital Europe Finance Limited (“Encore Finance”), a 100% owned finance subsidiary of Encore. Amounts related to Encore Finance are included in the consolidated financial statements of Encore issued subsequent to April 30, 2018, the date of the incorporation of Encore Finance.

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Mar. 31, 2018
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events On May 7, 2018, the Company entered into (i) a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “JCF SPA”) with JCF III Europe Holdings LP, JCF III Europe S.à r.l. (JCF III Europe Holdings LP and JCF III Europe S.à r.l. collectively referred to as “JCF Sellers”), Janus Holdings, and the other parties named therein, pursuant to which Encore will indirectly acquire from the JCF Sellers all of the equity interests owned by the JCF Sellers in Janus Holdings and Cabot Holdings (as defined below), resulting in Janus Holdings becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Encore, and (ii) a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Management SPA” and, together with the JCF SPA, the “Purchase Agreements”) with certain management shareholders of Cabot Holdings S.à r.l. Luxembourg (“Cabot Holdings,” and such holders, together with all other management holders that will sign a joinder to the Management SPA, the “Management Sellers”), pursuant to which Encore will indirectly acquire from the Management Sellers all of the equity interests in Cabot Holdings owned by the Management Sellers, resulting in Cabot Holdings becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Encore. The aggregate purchase price for the acquisition of the outstanding equity interests in Janus Holdings and Cabot Holdings not already owned by Encore is comprised of £175.5 million (approximately $238.2 million) and up to 4,999,947 shares of Encore’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share. The cash consideration portion of the purchase price is subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the applicable Purchase Agreement and the number of shares of Encore’s common stock may be reduced as a result of management holders owning 2,000 or less C Shares of Cabot Holdings electing to receive cash consideration only. The closing of the transactions is expected to occur in the second or third quarter of 2018. The closing of the JCF SPA is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, and the closing of the Management SPA is subject to the closing of the JCF SPA and other customary closing conditions. Encore and the other parties to the respective Purchase Agreements made customary representations, warranties and covenants in the respective Purchase Agreements.

Ownership, Description of Business, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, in accordance with the instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).

In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for the interim periods presented reflects all adjustments, consisting of only normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire fiscal year.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and the disclosure of contingent amounts in the Company’s financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Basis of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, and reflect the accounts and operations of the Company and those of its subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. The Company also consolidates VIEs, for which it is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary has both (a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the entity’s economic performance, and (b) either the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits. Refer to Note 9, “Variable Interest Entities,” for further details. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Translation of Foreign Currencies

The financial statements of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using their local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates in effect during each period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income or loss. Equity accounts are translated at historical rates, except for the change in retained earnings during the year which is the result of the income statement translation process. Intercompany transaction gains or losses at each period end arising from subsequent measurement of balances for which settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future are included as translation adjustments and recorded within other comprehensive income or loss. Translation gains or losses are the material components of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Transaction gains and losses are included in other income or expense.

Reclassifications

Certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to the condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Change in Accounting Principle and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Change in Accounting Principle

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“Topic 606” or “ASU 2014-09”). The objective of ASU 2014-09 is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 supersedes most of the existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). Under the prior accounting standard, the Company recognized revenue when there was persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the sales price was fixed or determinable, the services had been performed and collectability was reasonably assured.

The Company’s investment in receivable portfolios is outside of the scope of Topic 606 since it is accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-30. Certain of the Company’s international subsidiaries earn fee-based income by providing portfolio management services to credit originators for non-performing loans. Performance obligations for this revenue stream under the new standard primarily arise from debt collection and management activities. These performance obligations are typically satisfied when services are performed, or debt is collected. Consideration is typically variable based on indeterminate volumes or collection activity. Under the new accounting standard, revenue is recognized over time as a series of single performance obligations when the Company is entitled to a percentage of collections received, since the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Company’s performance of debt collection and management. The method for measuring progress towards satisfying a performance obligation is based on transaction volumes or debt collected, depending on whether the contract is based on services performed or based on commissions. Costs to fulfill a contract are expensed when incurred.

The Company adopted the requirements of Topic 606 as of January 1, 2018, utilizing the modified retrospective method of transition and elected to apply the revenue standard only to contracts that were not completed as of the adoption date. Prior periods were not restated. The cumulative effect of adopting this new standard had no impact to retained earnings. The impact of adopting Topic 606 on the Company’s revenue is not material to any of the periods presented. Fee-based income is included in “Other Revenues” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Other than the adoption of ASU 2014-09 as discussed in the “Change in Accounting Principle” section above, there have been no new accounting pronouncements made effective during the three months ended March 31, 2018 that have significance, or potential significance, to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Effective

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities—Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) (“ASU 2017-12”) which amends the hedge accounting recognition and presentation requirements in ASC 815. ASU 2017-12 improves Topic 815 Derivatives and Hedging by simplifying and expanding the eligible hedging strategies for financial and nonfinancial risks by more closely aligning hedge accounting with a company’s risk management activities, and also simplifies its application through targeted improvements in key practice areas. This includes expanding the list of items eligible to be hedged and amending the methods used to measure the effectiveness of hedging relationships. In addition, the ASU prescribes how hedging results should be presented and requires incremental disclosures. These changes are intended to allow preparers more flexibility and to enhance the transparency of how hedging results are presented and disclosed. Further, the new standard provides partial relief on the timing of certain aspects of hedge documentation and eliminates the requirement to recognize hedge ineffectiveness separately in earnings in the current period. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements as well as whether to adopt the new guidance early.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). The amendments in this update simplify the test for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the impairment test, which required the entity to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities following the procedure that would be required in determining fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. The amendments in this update are effective for public companies for annual or any interim goodwill impairments tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company did not early adopt this guidance for its annual goodwill impairment testing.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 applies a current expected credit loss model which is a new impairment model based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under this model, an entity would recognize an impairment allowance equal to its current estimate of all contractual cash flows that the entity does not expect to collect from financial assets measured at amortized cost. The estimate of expected credit losses should consider historical information, current information, as well as reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments. The expected credit losses, and subsequent adjustments to such losses, will be recorded through an allowance account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, with the net carrying value of the financial asset presented on the consolidated balance sheet at the amount expected to be collected. ASU 2016-13 eliminates the current accounting model for loans and debt securities acquired with deteriorated credit quality under ASC 310-30, which provides authoritative guidance for the accounting of the Company’s investment in receivable portfolios. Under this new standard, entities will gross up the initial amortized cost for the purchased financial assets with credit deterioration (“PCD assets”), the initial amortized cost will be the sum of (1) the purchase price and (2) the estimate of credit losses as of the date of acquisition. After initial recognition of PCD assets and the related allowance, any change in estimated cash flows (favorable or unfavorable) will be immediately recognized in the income statement because the yield on PCD assets would be locked. ASU 2016-13 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The guidance will be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period in which ASU 2016-13 is adopted. However, the FASB has determined that financial assets for which the guidance in Subtopic 310-30, Receivables-Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, has previously been applied should prospectively apply the guidance in ASU 2016-13 for PCD assets. A prospective transition approach should be used for PCD assets where upon adoption, the amortized cost basis should be adjusted to reflect the addition of the allowance for credit losses. This transition relief will avoid the need for a reporting entity to reassess its purchased financial assets that exist as of the date of adoption to determine whether they would have met at acquisition the new criteria of more-than insignificant credit deterioration since origination. The transition relief also will allow an entity to accrete the remaining noncredit discount (based on the revised amortized cost basis) into interest income at the effective interest rate at the adoption date of ASU 2016-13. The same transition requirements should be applied to beneficial interests that previously applied Subtopic 310-30 or have a significant difference between contractual cash flows and expected cash flows. The Company is in the process of determining the effects the adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements as well as whether to adopt the new guidance early. The Company has established a project management team and is in the process of developing its accounting policy, evaluating the impact of this pronouncement and researching software resources that could assist with the implementation.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 changes accounting for leases and requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities arising from most leases, including those classified as operating leases under previous accounting guidance, on the balance sheet and requires disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements to increase transparency and comparability among organizations. The new guidance must be adopted using the modified retrospective approach and will be effective for the Company starting in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. Early adoption is permitted; however, the Company does not intend to early adopt ASU 2016-02. The Company is developing an inventory of all leases, accumulating the lease data necessary to apply the amended guidance and is in the process of determining the effects the adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements, systems and processes. The Company has selected a software to assist with implementation to the standard.

With the exception of the updated standards discussed above, there have been no new accounting pronouncements not yet effective that have significance, or potential significance, to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Earnings Per Share

Fair Value Measurements


•	Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.


•	Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.


•	Level 3: Unobservable inputs, including inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

Derivatives

Segment Reporting

Goodwill

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Reconciliation of Shares Used in Calculating Earnings Per Basic and Diluted Shares

A reconciliation of shares used in calculating earnings per basic and diluted shares follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018	2017
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic	26,056	25,876
Dilutive effect of stock-based awards	360	211
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted	26,416	26,087

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

Financial Instruments Required To Be Carried At Fair Value

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (in thousands):



	Fair Value Measurements as of March 31, 2018
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3			Total
Assets
Foreign currency exchange contracts	$	—	$	1,256		$	—		$	1,256
Interest rate cap contracts	—		3,984			—			3,984
Liabilities
Foreign currency exchange contracts	—		(477		)	—			(477		)
Interest rate swap agreements	—		(19		)	—			(19		)
Contingent consideration	—		—			(8,142		)	(8,142		)
Temporary Equity
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	—		—			(155,249		)	(155,249		)



	Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3			Total
Assets
Foreign currency exchange contracts	$	—	$	1,912		$	—		$	1,912
Interest rate cap contracts	—		3,922			—			3,922
Liabilities
Foreign currency exchange contracts	—		(1,110		)	—			(1,110		)
Interest rate swap agreements	—		(7		)	—			(7		)
Contingent consideration	—		—			(10,612		)	(10,612		)
Temporary Equity
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	—		—			(151,978		)	(151,978		)

Schedule of Roll forward of the Fair Value of Contingent Consideration

The following table provides a roll forward of the fair value of contingent consideration for the periods ended March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):



	Amount
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	2,531
Issuance of contingent consideration in connection with acquisition	10,808
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(2,465		)
Payment of contingent consideration	(781		)
Effect of foreign currency translation	519
Balance at December 31, 2017	10,612
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(2,274		)
Payment of contingent consideration	(232		)
Effect of foreign currency translation	36
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	8,142

Schedule of Components of the Change in the Redeemable Non-controlling Interest

The components of the change in the redeemable noncontrolling interest for the periods ended March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are presented in the following table (in thousands):



	Amount
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	45,755
Addition to redeemable noncontrolling interest	277
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	(4,905		)
Adjustment of the redeemable noncontrolling interest to fair value	108,296
Effect of foreign currency translation attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	2,555
Balance at December 31, 2017	151,978
Redemption of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(11,536		)
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	1,184
Adjustment of the redeemable noncontrolling interest to fair value	12,011
Effect of foreign currency translation attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	1,612
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	155,249

Derivatives and Hedging Instruments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The following table summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments as recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value			Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency exchange contracts	Other assets	$	1,256		Other assets	$	1,912
Interest rate swap agreements	Other liabilities	(19		)	Other liabilities	(7		)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency exchange contracts	Other liabilities	(477		)	Other liabilities	(1,110		)
Interest rate cap contracts	Other assets	3,984			Other assets	3,922

Schedule of Effects of Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging



Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments	Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI- Effective Portion					Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from OCI into Income - Effective Portion	Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from OCI into Income - Effective Portion				Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing
	Three Months Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended March 31,					Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017			2018		2017			2018		2017
Foreign currency exchange contracts	$	(107	)	$	589	Salaries and employee benefits	$	549	$	175	Other (expense) income	$	—	$	—
Foreign currency exchange contracts	—			80		General and administrative expenses	—		14		Other (expense) income	—		—
Interest rate swap agreements	9			5		Interest expense	—		77		Other (expense) income	—		—



Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in income on Derivative	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2018			2017
Foreign currency exchange contracts	Other income (expense)	$	(766	)	$	(252	)
Interest rate cap contracts	Interest expense	(88		)	—
Interest rate swap agreements	Interest expense	—			77

Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Receivables [Abstract]

Schedule of Accretable Yield and an Estimate of Zero Basis Future Cash Flows

The following table summarizes the Company’s accretable yield and an estimate of zero basis future cash flows at the beginning and end of the period presented (in thousands):



	Accretable Yield			Estimate of Zero Basis Cash Flows			Total
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	3,695,069		$	369,632		$	4,064,701
Revenue from receivable portfolios	(249,821		)	(31,188		)	(281,009		)
Allowance reversals on receivable portfolios, net	(8,082		)	(1,729		)	(9,811		)
Reductions on existing portfolios, net	(24,945		)	(39,529		)	(64,474		)
Additions for current purchases, net	285,172			—			285,172
Effect of foreign currency translation	57,577			643			58,220
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	3,754,970		$	297,829		$	4,052,799



	Accretable Yield			Estimate of Zero Basis Cash Flows			Total
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	3,092,004		$	365,504		$	3,457,508
Revenue from receivable portfolios	(211,105		)	(38,733		)	(249,838		)
Allowance reversals on receivable portfolios, net	(613		)	(1,519		)	(2,132		)
(Reductions) additions on existing portfolios, net	(90,138		)	57,446			(32,692		)
Additions for current purchases, net	200,728			—			200,728
Effect of foreign currency translation	38,712			467			39,179
Balance at March 31, 2017	$	3,029,588		$	383,165		$	3,412,753

Schedule of Investment in Receivable Portfolios

The following tables summarize the changes in the balance of the investment in receivable portfolios during the following periods (in thousands, except percentages):



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Accrual Basis Portfolios			Cost Recovery Portfolios			Zero Basis Portfolios			Total
Balance, beginning of period	$	2,879,170		$	11,443		$	—		$	2,890,613
Purchases of receivable portfolios	276,762			—			—			276,762
Disposals or transfers to held for sale	(3,072		)	—			—			(3,072		)
Gross collections⁽¹⁾	(455,143		)	(1,171		)	(32,788		)	(489,102		)
Put-backs and Recalls⁽²⁾	(3,691		)	—			(129		)	(3,820		)
Foreign currency adjustments	61,590			350			—			61,940
Revenue recognized	249,821			—			31,188			281,009
Portfolio allowance reversals, net	8,082			—			1,729			9,811
Balance, end of period	$	3,013,519		$	10,622		$	—		$	3,024,141
Revenue as a percentage of collections⁽³⁾	54.9		%	0.0		%	95.1		%	57.5		%

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	Accrual Basis Portfolios			Cost Recovery Portfolios			Zero Basis Portfolios			Total
Balance, beginning of period	$	2,368,366		$	14,443		$	—		$	2,382,809
Purchases of receivable portfolios	218,727			—			—			218,727
Disposals or transfers to held for sale	(4,771		)	—			—			(4,771		)
Gross collections⁽¹⁾	(400,004		)	(640		)	(40,219		)	(440,863		)
Put-backs and Recalls⁽²⁾	(1,757		)	—			(33		)	(1,790		)
Foreign currency adjustments	30,020			(84		)	—			29,936
Revenue recognized	211,105			—			38,733			249,838
Portfolio allowance reversals, net	613			—			1,519			2,132
Balance, end of period	$	2,422,299		$	13,719		$	—		$	2,436,018
Revenue as a percentage of collections⁽³⁾	52.8		%	0.0		%	96.3		%	56.7		%

________________________


(1)	Does not include amounts collected on behalf of others.


(2)	Put-backs represent accounts that are returned to the seller in accordance with the respective purchase agreement (“Put-Backs”). Recalls represent accounts that are recalled by the seller in accordance with the respective purchase agreement (“Recalls”).


(3)	Revenue as a percentage of collections excludes the effects of net portfolio allowances or net portfolio allowance reversals.

Schedule of Valuation Allowance for Investment in Receivable Portfolios

The following table summarizes the change in the valuation allowance for investment in receivable portfolios during the periods presented (in thousands):



	Valuation Allowance
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Balance at beginning of period	$	102,576		$	137,037
Provision for portfolio allowances	940			—
Reversal of prior allowances	(10,751		)	(2,132		)
Effect of foreign currency translation	1,552			1,420
Balance at end of period	$	94,317		$	136,325

Deferred Court Costs, Net (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Deferred Court Costs

Deferred Court Costs for the deferral period consist of the following as of the dates presented (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Court costs advanced	$	774,091		$	743,584
Court costs recovered	(310,014		)	(299,606		)
Court costs reserve	(378,190		)	(364,015		)
Deferred court costs	$	85,887		$	79,963

Schedule of Court Cost Reserve

A roll forward of the Company’s court cost reserve is as follows (in thousands):



	Court Cost Reserve
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Balance at beginning of period	$	(364,015	)	$	(327,926	)
Provision for court costs	(25,067		)	(18,005		)
Net down of reserve after deferral period	12,952			12,024
Effect of foreign currency translation	(2,060		)	(732		)
Balance at end of period	$	(378,190	)	$	(334,639	)

Other Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Components of Other Assets

Other assets consist of the following (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Identifiable intangible assets, net	$	75,620	$	75,736
Prepaid expenses	29,472		27,606
Prepaid income taxes	27,962		27,917
Service fee receivables	25,998		25,609
Assets held for sale	20,117		18,741
Other financial receivables	16,861		18,997
Deferred tax assets	16,231		18,773
Derivative instruments	5,240		5,834
Security deposits	3,329		3,451
Funds held in escrow	—		28,199
Other	56,136		51,865
Total	$	276,966	$	302,728

Debt, Net (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Consolidated Debt and Capital Lease Obligations



	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Encore revolving credit facility	$	363,000		$	328,961
Encore term loan facility	203,670			181,687
Encore senior secured notes	325,000			326,029
Encore convertible notes	483,500			483,500
Less: debt discount	(30,291		)	(32,720		)
Cabot senior secured notes	1,260,399			1,216,485
Less: debt discount	(2,120		)	(1,927		)
Cabot senior revolving credit facility	219,914			179,008
Cabot securitisation senior facility	407,508			391,790
Preferred equity certificates	271,284			253,324
Other credit facilities	68,319			68,001
Other	76,345			92,792
Capital lease obligations	5,058			6,069
	3,651,586			3,492,999
Less: debt issuance costs, net of amortization	(44,485		)	(46,123		)
Total	$	3,607,101		$	3,446,876

Schedule of Hedge Program for Convertible Notes

Certain key terms related to the convertible features for each of the Convertible Notes as of March 31, 2018 are listed below.



	2020 Convertible Notes		2021 Convertible Notes		2022 Convertible Notes
Initial conversion price	$	45.72	$	59.39	$	45.57
Closing stock price at date of issuance	$	33.35	$	47.51	$	35.05
Closing stock price date	June 24, 2013		March 5, 2014		February 27, 2017
Conversion rate (shares per $1,000 principal amount)	21.8718		16.8386		21.9467
Conversion date	January 1, 2020		September 15, 2020		September 15, 2021

The details of the hedge program for each of the Convertible Notes are listed below (in thousands, except conversion price):



	2020 Convertible Notes		2021 Convertible Notes
Cost of the hedge transaction(s)	$	18,113	$	19,545
Initial conversion price	$	45.72	$	59.39
Effective conversion price	$	61.55	$	83.14

Schedule of Balances of the Liability and Equity Components



	2020 Convertible Notes			2021 Convertible Notes			2022 Convertible Notes
Debt component	$	140,247		$	143,645		$	137,266
Equity component	$	32,253		$	17,355		$	12,734
Equity issuance cost	$	1,106		$	581		$	398
Stated interest rate	3.000		%	2.875		%	3.250		%
Effective interest rate	6.350		%	4.700		%	5.200		%

The balances of the liability and equity components of all of the Convertible Notes outstanding were as follows (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Liability component—principal amount	$	483,500		$	483,500
Unamortized debt discount	(30,291		)	(32,720		)
Liability component—net carrying amount	$	453,209		$	450,780
Equity component	$	62,696		$	62,696

Schedule of Interest Expense



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Interest expense—stated coupon rate	$	3,642	$	3,524
Interest expense—amortization of debt discount	2,428		2,486
Total interest expense—convertible notes	$	6,070	$	6,010

Interest expense related to the Cabot senior secured notes was as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Interest expense—stated coupon rate	$	21,600		$	23,982
Interest income—accretion of debt premium	—			(1,016		)
Interest expense—amortization of debt discount	(116		)	110
Total interest expense—Cabot senior secured notes	$	21,484		$	23,076

Income Taxes (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Effective Tax Rates

The effective tax rates for the respective periods are shown below:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Federal provision	21.0	%	35.0	%
State provision	1.4	%	3.3	%
International provision⁽¹⁾	7.0	%	4.3	%
Permanent items	0.4	%	0.8	%
Other⁽²⁾	(1.3	)%	0.9	%
Effective rate	28.5	%	44.3	%

________________________


(1)	Relates primarily to the lower tax rates attributable to international operations, and the impact of valuation allowances recorded on foreign loss jurisdictions.


(2)	Includes impact of discrete items.

Segment and Geographic Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Geographical Areas of Operations

The Company has operations in the United States, Europe and other foreign countries. The following table presents information about geographic areas in which the Company operates (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Revenues, adjusted by net allowances⁽¹⁾:
United States	$	171,944	$	170,316
International
Europe⁽²⁾	130,423		77,938
Other geographies	24,421		23,687
	154,844		101,625
Total	$	326,788	$	271,941

________________________


(1)	Revenues, adjusted by net allowances, are attributed to countries based on location of customer.


(2)	Based on the financial information that is used to produce the general-purpose financial statements, providing further geographic information is impracticable.

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Activity in the Goodwill Balance



	Total
Balance, December 31, 2017	$	928,993
Goodwill adjustments	(2,212		)
Effect of foreign currency translation	30,339
Balance, March 31, 2018	$	957,120

Schedule of Acquired Intangible Assets

The Company’s acquired intangible assets are summarized as follows (in thousands):



	As of March 31, 2018							As of December 31, 2017
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Customer relationships	$	76,661	$	(8,973	)	$	67,688	$	73,875	$	(6,800	)	$	67,075
Developed technologies	6,848		(5,825		)	1,023		6,683		(5,411		)	1,272
Trade name and other	14,782		(7,873		)	6,909		14,413		(7,024		)	7,389
Total intangible assets	$	98,291	$	(22,671	)	$	75,620	$	94,971	$	(19,235	)	$	75,736

Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic (shares)	26,056	25,876
Dilutive effect of stock-based awards (shares)	360	211
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted (shares)	26,416	26,087
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (shares)	13	84

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Liabilities
Contingent consideration	$ (8,142)	$ (10,612)
Temporary Equity
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	(155,249)	(151,978)
Foreign currency exchange contracts
Assets
Foreign currency exchange contracts	1,256	1,912
Liabilities
Foreign currency exchange contracts	(477)	(1,110)
Interest rate cap contracts
Assets
Interest rate cap contracts	3,984	3,922
Interest rate swap agreements
Liabilities
Interest rate swap agreements	(19)	(7)
Level 1
Liabilities
Contingent consideration	0	0
Temporary Equity
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	0
Level 1 \| Foreign currency exchange contracts
Assets
Foreign currency exchange contracts	0	0
Liabilities
Foreign currency exchange contracts	0	0
Level 1 \| Interest rate cap contracts
Assets
Interest rate cap contracts	0	0
Level 1 \| Interest rate swap agreements
Liabilities
Interest rate swap agreements	0	0
Level 2
Liabilities
Contingent consideration	0	0
Temporary Equity
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	0
Level 2 \| Foreign currency exchange contracts
Assets
Foreign currency exchange contracts	1,256	1,912
Liabilities
Foreign currency exchange contracts	(477)	(1,110)
Level 2 \| Interest rate cap contracts
Assets
Interest rate cap contracts	3,984	3,922
Level 2 \| Interest rate swap agreements
Liabilities
Interest rate swap agreements	(19)	(7)
Level 3
Liabilities
Contingent consideration	(8,142)	(10,612)
Temporary Equity
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	(155,249)	(151,978)
Level 3 \| Foreign currency exchange contracts
Assets
Foreign currency exchange contracts	0	0
Liabilities
Foreign currency exchange contracts	0	0
Level 3 \| Interest rate cap contracts
Assets
Interest rate cap contracts	0	0
Level 3 \| Interest rate swap agreements
Liabilities
Interest rate swap agreements	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value inputs, fluctuation in cost to collect and discount rate	1.00%
Convertible senior notes, carrying value	$ 483,500	$ 483,500
Senior secured notes, carrying value	325,000	326,029
Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Convertible senior notes, carrying value	453,200	450,800
Senior Notes \| Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value estimate of convertible senior notes incorporates quoted market prices	535,800	520,900
Secured Debt
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Senior secured notes, carrying value	1,258,300	1,214,600
Secured Debt \| Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of senior notes	1,292,400	1,258,900
United States
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Increase or decrease of the fair value (100 basis points)	49,900
Europe
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Increase or decrease of the fair value (100 basis points)	70,100
Fair Value \| Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of investment receivable portfolios	3,376,300	3,415,300
Carrying Value \| Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of investment receivable portfolios	3,024,100	2,890,600
Contingent Consideration
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Contingent consideration	8,142	$ 10,612	$ 2,531
Contingent Consideration \| General and administrative expenses
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Issuance (reversal) of contingent consideration in connection with acquisition	$ (2,300)

- Contingent Consideration Roll Forward (Details) - Contingent Consideration - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period	$ 10,612	$ 2,531
Issuance of contingent consideration in connection with acquisition		10,808
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(2,274)	(2,465)
Payment of contingent consideration	(232)	(781)
Effect of foreign currency translation	36	519
End of period	$ 8,142	$ 10,612

Fair Value Measurements - Change in Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 151,978	$ 45,755
Addition to redeemable noncontrolling interest		277
Redemption of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(11,536)
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	1,184	(4,905)
Adjustment of the redeemable noncontrolling interest to fair value	12,011	108,296
Effect of foreign currency translation attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	1,612	2,555
Balance at end of period	$ 155,249	$ 151,978

Derivatives and Hedging Instruments - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Foreign currency exchange contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Foreign currency exchange contracts	$ 1,256	$ 1,912
Foreign currency exchange contracts	(477)	(1,110)
Interest rate cap contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate cap contracts	3,984	3,922
Interest rate swap agreements
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate swap agreements	(19)	(7)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments \| Foreign currency exchange contracts \| Other assets
Derivative [Line Items]
Foreign currency exchange contracts	1,256	1,912
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments \| Interest rate swap agreements \| Other liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate swap agreements	(19)	(7)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Foreign currency exchange contracts \| Other liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
Foreign currency exchange contracts	(477)	(1,110)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Interest rate cap contracts \| Other assets
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate cap contracts	$ 3,984	$ 3,922

Derivatives and Hedging Instruments - Narrative (Details) £ in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 GBP (£) agreement	Mar. 31, 2018 AUD ($) agreement	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) agreement
Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of instruments held \| agreement			2	2	2
Forward contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Net derivative (loss) included in OCI expected to be reclassified into earnings	$ 1,300,000
Gains or losses were reclassified from OCI into earnings	$ 0	$ 0
Forward contracts \| Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative instrument, notional amount					$ 8,400,000
Interest rate swap agreements \| Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative instrument, notional amount				$ 30.0	23,100,000
Interest rate cap contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative instrument, notional amount			£ 300.0		$ 421,600,000
Minimum \| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative [Line Items]
Term of contract	1 year
Maximum \| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative [Line Items]
Term of contract	3 years

Derivatives and Hedging Instruments - Effects of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments (Details) - Cash Flow Hedging - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Foreign currency exchange contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI- Effective Portion	$ (107)	$ 589
Foreign currency exchange contracts \| Salaries and employee benefits
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from OCI into Income - Effective Portion	549	175
Foreign currency exchange contracts \| Other (expense) income
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing	0	0
Foreign currency exchange contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI- Effective Portion	0	80
Foreign currency exchange contracts \| General and administrative expenses
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from OCI into Income - Effective Portion	0	14
Foreign currency exchange contracts \| Other (expense) income
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing	0	0
Interest rate swap agreements
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI- Effective Portion	9	5
Interest rate swap agreements \| Interest expense
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from OCI into Income - Effective Portion	0	77
Interest rate swap agreements \| Other (expense) income
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing	$ 0	$ 0

Derivatives and Hedging Instruments - Effects of Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (Details) - Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments - Cash Flow Hedging - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Foreign currency exchange contracts \| Other income (expense)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative	$ (766)	$ (252)
Interest rate cap contracts \| Interest expense
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative	(88)	0
Interest rate swap agreements \| Interest expense
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative	$ 0	$ 77

Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities Acquired During Period [Line Items]
Face Value Of Receivable Portfolios	$ 1,800,000	$ 1,700,000
Purchases of receivable portfolios	$ 276,762	$ 218,727
Face value on purchase cost	15.40%	13.20%
Estimated Future Collections At Acquisition For Receivable Portfolios	$ 556,200	$ 419,400
Revenue recognized, net	281,009	249,838
Allowance reversals on receivable portfolios, net	(9,811)	(2,132)
Estimate of Zero Basis Cash Flows
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities Acquired During Period [Line Items]
Revenue recognized, net	31,188	38,733
Allowance reversals on receivable portfolios, net	$ (1,729)	$ (1,519)

Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net - Accretable Yield and an Estimate of Zero Basis Future Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Investment in Receivables Portfolio [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 4,064,701	$ 3,457,508
Revenue from receivable portfolios	(281,009)	(249,838)
Allowance reversals on receivable portfolios, net	(9,811)	(2,132)
Reductions on existing portfolios, net	(64,474)	(32,692)
Additions for current purchases, net	285,172	200,728
Effect of foreign currency translation	58,220	39,179
Balance at end of period	4,052,799	3,412,753
Accretable Yield
Investment in Receivables Portfolio [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	3,695,069	3,092,004
Revenue from receivable portfolios	(249,821)	(211,105)
Allowance reversals on receivable portfolios, net	(8,082)	(613)
Reductions on existing portfolios, net	(24,945)	(90,138)
Additions for current purchases, net	285,172	200,728
Effect of foreign currency translation	57,577	38,712
Balance at end of period	3,754,970	3,029,588
Estimate of Zero Basis Cash Flows
Investment in Receivables Portfolio [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	369,632	365,504
Revenue from receivable portfolios	(31,188)	(38,733)
Allowance reversals on receivable portfolios, net	(1,729)	(1,519)
Reductions on existing portfolios, net	(39,529)
Additions on existing portfolios, net		57,446
Additions for current purchases, net	0	0
Effect of foreign currency translation	643	467
Balance at end of period	$ 297,829	$ 383,165

Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net - Investment in Receivable Portfolios (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Investment in Receivables Portfolio [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 2,890,613	$ 2,382,809
Purchases of receivable portfolios	276,762	218,727
Disposals or transfers to held for sale	(3,072)	(4,771)
Gross collections	(489,102)	(440,863)
Put-backs and Recalls	(3,820)	(1,790)
Foreign currency adjustments	61,940	29,936
Revenue recognized, net	281,009	249,838
Portfolio allowance reversals, net	(9,811)	(2,132)
Balance, end of period	$ 3,024,141	$ 2,436,018
Revenue as a percentage of collections	57.50%	56.70%
Accrual Basis Portfolios
Investment in Receivables Portfolio [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 2,879,170	$ 2,368,366
Purchases of receivable portfolios	276,762	218,727
Disposals or transfers to held for sale	(3,072)	(4,771)
Gross collections	(455,143)	(400,004)
Put-backs and Recalls	(3,691)	(1,757)
Foreign currency adjustments	61,590	30,020
Revenue recognized, net	249,821	211,105
Portfolio allowance reversals, net	(8,082)	(613)
Balance, end of period	$ 3,013,519	$ 2,422,299
Revenue as a percentage of collections	54.90%	52.80%
Cost Recovery Portfolios
Investment in Receivables Portfolio [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 11,443	$ 14,443
Purchases of receivable portfolios	0	0
Disposals or transfers to held for sale	0	0
Gross collections	(1,171)	(640)
Put-backs and Recalls	0	0
Foreign currency adjustments	350	(84)
Revenue recognized, net	0	0
Portfolio allowance reversals, net	0	0
Balance, end of period	$ 10,622	$ 13,719
Revenue as a percentage of collections	0.00%	0.00%
Zero Basis Portfolios
Investment in Receivables Portfolio [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 0	$ 0
Purchases of receivable portfolios	0	0
Disposals or transfers to held for sale	0	0
Gross collections	(32,788)	(40,219)
Put-backs and Recalls	(129)	(33)
Foreign currency adjustments	0	0
Revenue recognized, net	31,188	38,733
Portfolio allowance reversals, net	(1,729)	(1,519)
Balance, end of period	$ 0	$ 0
Revenue as a percentage of collections	95.10%	96.30%

- Valuation Allowance for Investment in Receivable Portfolios (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Valuation Allowance
Balance at beginning of period	$ 102,576	$ 137,037
Provision for portfolio allowances	940	0
Reversal of prior allowances	(10,751)	(2,132)
Effect of foreign currency translation	1,552	1,420
Balance at end of period	$ 94,317	$ 136,325

Deferred Court Costs, Net - Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Court costs advanced	$ 774,091	$ 743,584
Court costs recovered	(310,014)	(299,606)
Court costs reserve	(378,190)	(364,015)	$ (334,639)	$ (327,926)
Deferred court costs	$ 85,887	$ 79,963

Deferred Court Costs, Net - Court Cost Reserve (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ (364,015)	$ (327,926)
Provision for court costs	(25,067)	(18,005)
Net down of reserve after deferral period	12,952	12,024
Effect of foreign currency translation	(2,060)	(732)
Balance at end of period	$ (378,190)	$ (334,639)

Other Assets - Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Identifiable intangible assets, net	$ 75,620	$ 75,736
Prepaid expenses	29,472	27,606
Prepaid income taxes	27,962	27,917
Service fee receivables	25,998	25,609
Assets held for sale	20,117	18,741
Other financial receivables	16,861	18,997
Deferred tax assets	16,231	18,773
Derivative instruments	5,240	5,834
Security deposits	3,329	3,451
Funds held in escrow	0	28,199
Other	56,136	51,865
Total	$ 276,966	$ 302,728

Debt, Net - Consolidated Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 29, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes	$ 325,000		$ 326,029
Encore convertible notes	483,500		483,500
Less: debt discount	(30,291)		(32,720)
Preferred equity certificates	271,284		253,324
Capital lease obligations	5,058		6,069
Debt and capital lease obligations, gross	3,651,586		3,492,999
Less: debt issuance costs, net of amortization	(44,485)		(46,123)
Total	3,607,101		3,446,876
Other
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other	76,345		92,792
Cabot securitisation senior facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	407,508		391,790
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	363,000		328,961
Cabot credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	219,914		179,008
Other Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	68,319		68,001
Cabot senior secured notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes	1,260,399		1,216,485
Less: debt discount	(2,120)		(1,927)
Term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Encore term loan facility	$ 203,670	$ 206,700	$ 181,687

Debt, Net - Encore Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 29, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 20, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage to be added to base rate for alternate base rate	0.50%
Percentage to be added to adjusted base rate for alternate base rate	1.00%
Borrowing base as percentage of eligible estimated collection range end (percent)	35.00%
Eligible estimated remaining collections for consumer receivables (percent)	55.00%
Maximum cash flow leverage ratio	3.00
Maximum cash flow secured leverage ratio	2.00
Minimum interest coverage ratio	1.75
Maximum senior secured notes	$ 350,000,000
Allowance of additional unsecured indebtedness (not to exceed)	1,100,000,000
Company's repurchases, common stock (up to)	$ 150,000,000
Percentage of acquisitions excluded (up to)	50.00%
Acquisition limit	$ 225,000,000
Credit facility, provision, investments not to exceed maximum percentage of consolidated net worth (percent)	200.00%
Basket allowed for investments under laws of Canada	$ 50,000,000
Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum cash flow leverage ratio	1.25
Term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan facility	$ 203,670,000		$ 206,700,000	$ 181,687,000
Term Loan One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan facility	190,800,000.0
Principal amount amortized, 2018	7,400,000
Principal amount amortized, 2019	14,800,000
Principal amount amortized, 2020	14,800,000
Term Loan Subtranche One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan facility	15,900,000.0
Principal amount amortized, 2018	1,600,000
Junior Lien Portion
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Allowance of additional unsecured indebtedness (not to exceed)	400,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility					$ 794,600,000.0
Additional borrowing capacity	250,000,000
Amount of exercised of the additional borrowing capacity	150,300,000
Revolving credit facility	$ 363,000,000			$ 328,961,000
Weighted average interest rate (percent)	4.62%	3.79%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Restated Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current borrowing capacity	$ 237,500,000
Revolving Credit Facility One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	626,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility Two
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	168,600,000.0
Accordion Feature \| Restated Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current borrowing capacity	$ 99,700,000
LIBOR \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	3.00%
LIBOR \| Term Loan One \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.50%
LIBOR \| Term Loan One \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	3.00%
LIBOR \| Term Loan Subtranche One \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.50%
LIBOR \| Term Loan Subtranche One \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	3.00%
LIBOR \| Revolving Credit Facility \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.50%
Base Rate \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Base Rate \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Base Rate \| Term Loan One \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Base Rate \| Term Loan One \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Base Rate \| Term Loan Subtranche One \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Base Rate \| Term Loan Subtranche One \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%

Debt, Net - Encore Senior Secured Notes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread over the current Treasury Rate (percent)	1.00%
2017 Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issued	$ 325,000,000	$ 325,000,000.0
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	5.625%
Senior secured notes, periodic principal repayment	$ 16,300,000.0

Debt, Net - Convertible Notes (Details)	3 Months Ended
Debt, Net - Convertible Notes (Details)	Mar. 31, 2018 $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2013 USD ($)
2020 Convertible Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	3.00%
Initial conversion price (in dollars per share)	$ 45.72
Closing stock price at date of issuance (in dollars per share)	$ 33.35
Conversion rate (shares per $1,000 principal amount)	21.8718
2021 Convertible Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	2.875%
Initial conversion price (in dollars per share)	$ 59.39
Closing stock price at date of issuance (in dollars per share)	$ 47.51
Conversion rate (shares per $1,000 principal amount)	16.8386
2022 Convertible Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	3.25%
Initial conversion price (in dollars per share)	$ 45.57
Closing stock price at date of issuance (in dollars per share)	$ 35.05
Conversion rate (shares per $1,000 principal amount)	21.9467
Convertible notes \| 2020 Convertible Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issued \| $				$ 172,500,000.0
Debt instrument, stated interest rate				3.00%
Convertible notes \| 2021 Convertible Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issued \| $			$ 161,000,000.0
Debt instrument, stated interest rate			2.875%
Convertible notes \| 2022 Convertible Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issued \| $		$ 150,000,000.0
Debt instrument, stated interest rate		3.25%

Debt, Net - Debt and Equity Components and Issuance Costs of Convertible Notes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Equity component	$ 62,696	$ 62,696
2020 Convertible Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt component	140,247
Equity component	32,253
Equity issuance cost	$ 1,106
Stated interest rate	3.00%
Effective interest rate	6.35%
2021 Convertible Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt component	$ 143,645
Equity component	17,355
Equity issuance cost	$ 581
Stated interest rate	2.875%
Effective interest rate	4.70%
2022 Convertible Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt component	$ 137,266
Equity component	12,734
Equity issuance cost	$ 398
Stated interest rate	3.25%
Effective interest rate	5.20%

Debt, Net - Balances of Liability and Equity Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Liability component—principal amount	$ 483,500	$ 483,500
Unamortized debt discount	(30,291)	(32,720)
Liability component—net carrying amount	453,209	450,780
Equity component	$ 62,696	$ 62,696

Debt, Net - Interest Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Convertible notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense—stated coupon rate	$ 3,642	$ 3,524
Interest expense—amortization of debt discount	2,428	2,486
Total interest expense—convertible notes	6,070	6,010
Cabot senior secured notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total interest expense—convertible notes	21,484	23,076
Interest expense \| Cabot senior secured notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense—stated coupon rate	21,600	23,982
Interest expense—amortization of debt discount	(116)	110
Interest Income \| Cabot senior secured notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense—amortization of debt discount	$ 0	$ (1,016)

Debt, Net - Conversion and EPS Impact of Convertible Notes Hedging Transactions (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares
2020 Convertible Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cost of the hedge transaction(s) \| $	$ 18,113
Conversion price (in dollars per share)	$ 45.72
2021 Convertible Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cost of the hedge transaction(s) \| $	$ 19,545
Conversion price (in dollars per share)	$ 59.39
Hedging of Convertible Debt Instrument \| 2020 Convertible Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion price (in dollars per share)	61.55
Hedging of Convertible Debt Instrument \| 2021 Convertible Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion price (in dollars per share)	$ 83.14

Debt, Net - Cabot Senior Secured Notes - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	Oct. 06, 2016 GBP (£)	Nov. 11, 2015 EUR (€)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Oct. 06, 2016 USD ($)	Nov. 11, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2014 GBP (£)	Mar. 27, 2014 USD ($)	Aug. 02, 2013 GBP (£)	Aug. 02, 2013 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes			$ 325,000	$ 326,029
Unamortized discount			30,291	32,720
Cabot senior secured notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes			1,260,399	1,216,485
Unamortized discount			2,120	1,927
Cabot 2020 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes									£ 100,000,000	$ 151,700
Debt instrument, stated interest rate									8.375%	8.375%
Cabot 2021 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes							£ 175,000,000.0	$ 291,800
Debt instrument, stated interest rate							6.50%	6.50%
Cabot 2023 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of face value issued	100.00%
Cabot 2019 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Call premium paid	£ 13,700,000				$ 17,400
Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes			$ 1,258,300	$ 1,214,600
Senior Secured Notes due 2023 \| Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	7.50%				7.50%
Debt issued	£ 350,000,000.0				$ 442,600
Senior Secured Cabot Floating Rate Notes \| Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured notes		€ 310,000,000.0				$ 332,200
Discount rate		1.00%
Unamortized discount		€ 3,100,000				$ 3,400
Senior Secured Cabot Floating Rate Notes \| Secured Debt \| Three-Month EURIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		5.875%

Debt, Net - Cabot Senior Revolving Credit Facility - Narrative (Details) - Cabot credit facility	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 GBP (£)	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 12, 2017 GBP (£)	Dec. 12, 2017 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility					£ 295,000,000	$ 395,200,000.0
Maximum loan to value ratio	75.00%
Credit facility, outstanding amount \| $			$ 219,914,000	$ 179,008,000
Weighted average interest rate (percent)	3.75%	3.51%
Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan-to-value credit facility utilization trigger (more than)	20.00%
Secured Debt \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	3.25%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread On Variable Rate Upon Meeting Specified Conditions	2.75%
Secured Debt \| Tranche with Expiration in September 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	£ 245,000,000.0
Secured Debt \| Tranche with Expiration in March 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	£ 50,000,000.0
Senior Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum loan to value ratio	27.50%
Loan-to-value credit facility utilization trigger (more than)	20.00%

Debt, Net - Cabot Securitisation Senior Facility (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 GBP (£)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Book value \| $		$ 4,642,260	$ 4,490,712
Cabot securitisation senior facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Facility agreement, borrowing capacity \| £	£ 300,000,000.0
Current borrowing capacity \| £	290,000,000
Book value	£ 308,100,000	432,900
Credit facility, outstanding amount \| $		$ 407,508	$ 391,790
Weighted average interest rate	3.35%	3.35%
Cabot securitisation senior facility \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.85%

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References + Details

Debt, Net - Preferred Equity Certificates and Capital Lease Obligations - Narrative (Details)	Jul. 01, 2013 GBP (£) shares	Jul. 01, 2013 USD ($) shares	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Jul. 01, 2013 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Preferred equity certificates \| $			$ 271,284,000	$ 253,324,000
Capital lease obligations \| $			$ 5,058,000	$ 6,069,000
Preferred Equity Certificate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate			12.00%
Common Class A
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Business combination number of shares still held by minority interest (in shares)	100	100
Cabot Holdings \| Common Class A \| J C Flowers And Company Limited Liability Company
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Business acquisition, number of shares acquired	100	100
Cabot Acquisition
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Business acquisition, equity interest	50.10%				50.10%
Janus Holdings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Business combination, consideration transferred	£ 115,100,000	$ 175,000,000
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage	49.90%				49.90%
Janus Holdings \| Common Class E
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Business acquisition, number of shares acquired	3,498,563	3,498,563
Janus Holdings \| E Bridge Preferred Equity Certificates
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Business acquisition, face value	£ 10,218,574				$ 15,500,000
Janus Holdings \| E Preferred Equity Certificates
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Business acquisition, face value	£ 96,729,661				147,100,000.0
Janus Holdings \| Cabot Holdings \| Common Class J \| J C Flowers And Company Limited Liability Company
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Business combination number of shares still held by minority interest (in shares)	3,484,597	3,484,597
Janus Holdings \| Cabot Holdings \| J Bridge PECs \| J C Flowers And Company Limited Liability Company
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Business acquisition, face value	£ 10,177,781				15,500,000.0
Janus Holdings \| Cabot Holdings \| J Preferred Equity Certificates \| J C Flowers And Company Limited Liability Company
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Equity certificates with a face value	£ 96,343,515				$ 146,500,000
Janus Holdings \| Cabot Credit Management
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Business acquisition, equity interest	50.10%				50.10%
Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate			2.40%
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate			5.90%

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income tax expense (benefit) for income from continuing operations	$ 9,470	$ 12,067
Unrecognized tax benefit	22,200
Net tax benefit from unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized	9,900
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 217,138		$ 212,139
Costa Rica \| Tax holiday through December 31, 2018
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Holiday tax rate	100.00%
Costa Rica \| Tax holiday for the subsequent 4 years
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Holiday tax rate	50.00%
Income tax holiday, term	4 years
International
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 187,800

Income Taxes - Effective Tax Rates (Details)	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes - Effective Tax Rates (Details)	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal provision	21.00%	35.00%
State provision	1.40%	3.30%
International provision	7.00%	4.30%
Permanent items	0.40%	0.80%
Other	(1.30%)	0.90%
Effective rate	28.50%	44.30%

Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Purchase price of receivable portfolios	$ 2,800,000,000
Purchase price	469,700,000
TCPA settlement fund
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Material reserves for litigation	$ 0

Segment and Geographic Information - Summary (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) Segment	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments \| Segment	1
Revenues	$ 326,788	$ 271,941
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	171,944	170,316
International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	154,844	101,625
Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	130,423	77,938
Other geographies
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 24,421	$ 23,687

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Activity in Goodwill Balance (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 928,993
Goodwill adjustments	(2,212)
Effect of foreign currency translation	30,339
Balance at end of period	$ 957,120

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Acquired Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 98,291	$ 94,971
Accumulated Amortization	(22,671)	(19,235)
Net Carrying Amount	75,620	75,736
Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	76,661	73,875
Accumulated Amortization	(8,973)	(6,800)
Net Carrying Amount	67,688	67,075
Developed technologies
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	6,848	6,683
Accumulated Amortization	(5,825)	(5,411)
Net Carrying Amount	1,023	1,272
Trade name and other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	14,782	14,413
Accumulated Amortization	(7,873)	(7,024)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 6,909	$ 7,389

Subsequent Events - Narrative (Details) $ / shares in Units, £ in Millions, $ in Millions	May 07, 2018 GBP (£) shares	May 07, 2018 USD ($) shares	Mar. 31, 2018 $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2017 $ / shares
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common stock, par value (USD per share) \| $ / shares			$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Janus Holdings and Cabot Holdings \| Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash payments to acquire business	£ 175.5	$ 238.2
Parent stock issued in acquisition (shares)	4,999,947	4,999,947
Number of C-class stock (shares)	2,000	2,000