SEC Company Response from CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. (CPSS) (CIK 0000889609) (CPSS) — Apr 13, 2005
CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. (CPSS) (CIK 0000889609)
Date: April 13, 2005 · CIK: 0000889609 · Accession: 0001019687-05-001016
AI Filing Summary & Sentiment
File numbers found in text: 333-121913
Referenced dates: February 4, 2005
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April 13, 2005
Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporate Finance
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Mail Stop 0409
Washington, D.C. 20549
Attention: Gregory Dundas
Re: CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC.
FORM S-2 FILED JANUARY 7, 2005
FILE NO. 333-121913
FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND RELATED DOCUMENTS
FILE NO. 1-14116
Dear Mr. Dundas:
On behalf of Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. we submit this response
letter to the staff's comment letter dated February 4, 2005 addressed to the
registrant.
Our responses to the staff's comments in the February 4, 2005 comment
letter are set forth below. To facilitate your review, each comment of the staff
has been set forth below in italics and is followed by our response.
FORM S-2
--------
General
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1. PLEASE PROVIDE US SUPPLEMENTALLY WITH YOUR LEGAL ANALYSIS OF HOW THE
ROLLOVER FEATURE SATISFIES THE 1933 SECURITIES ACT. IT APPEARS THAT THE
NOTES MAY BE RENEWED FOR UP TO TEN ADDITIONAL YEARS, AND THAT ANY
SUBSEQUENT REQUEST TO HAVE THE NOTES REDEEMED MAY BE DENIED FOR ANY
REASON.
Pursuant to their terms, the notes may be renewed in perpetuity in
increments of up to 10 years. We believe that any securities issued in
connection with the automatic renewal of the notes pursuant to their
terms would exempted securities for purposes of Section 3(a)(9) of the
Securities Act since they would be securities exchanged by an issuer with
its existing securityholders exclusively where no commission or other
remuneration is paid or given directly or indirectly for soliciting such
exchange. We note that, in the case of notes with original maturities of
three years or less, payment of a portion of the commissions due to the
underwriter may be contingent upon one or more renewals. The commission
structure has been negotiated to make the program more economically
feasible for the issuer. It is not intended to provide the underwriter
with an incentive to solicit renewals of shorter term notes and the
underwriter has advised the registrant that it does not intend to
actively solicit renewals of the notes.
<PAGE>
Mr. Gregory Dundas
April 13, 2005
Page 2
2. WE NOTE THAT THE SPECIFIC TERMS OF THE DEBT SECURITIES WILL BE DISCLOSED
IN THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. IF THE TERMS WILL BE NOVEL OR UNIQUE, WE
MAY REVIEW THE SUPPLEMENT. IF YOU PROVIDE THE SUPPLEMENT TO US PRIOR TO
ITS USE, WE WILL REVIEW IT ON AN EXPEDITED BASIS.
The registrant is supplementally filing herewith an illustrative form of
prospectus supplement that it intends to use in connection with the
pricing of the debt securities offered under the registration statement
from time to time. The registrant does not currently anticipate that the
terms of the debt securities will be novel or unique. However, if the
terms of any of the debt securities are novel or unique, the registrant
will furnish a draft of the related prospectus supplement to the
Commission prior to its use for an expedited review.
3. PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH COPIES OF ALL MARKETING LITERATURE FOR OUR REVIEW,
AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. WE MAY HAVE COMMENTS.
The registrant is supplementally filing herewith copies of all marketing
literature prepared by the underwriter (Sumner Harrington Ltd.) in
connection with the marketing of the notes.
Cover Page
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4. PLEASE DISCLOSE THE NUMBER OF DAYS THAT AN INVESTOR WILL HAVE AVAILABLE
AFTER MATURITY TO REQUEST THAT THE NOTES NOT BE RENEWED.
On the cover page of the prospectus, we have specified on the number of
days (15) that an investor will have available after maturity to request
that the notes be repaid.
Prospectus Summary - Page 1
---------------------------
5. ALL REFERENCES TO THE COMPANY AND THE NOTES SHOULD BE CLEAR FROM THE
CONTEXT. REFER TO RULE 421 OF REGULATION C. SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD BE ABLE
TO ASCERTAIN THE MEANINGS OF THE TERMS USED WITHOUT THE DEFINITIONS IN
THE LAST SENTENCE OF THE INTRODUCTION TO THE SUMMARY.
We have removed the last sentence of the introduction to the summary.
<PAGE>
Mr. Gregory Dundas
April 13, 2005
Page 3
6. WE NOTE THE DISCLOSURE OF THE VALUE OF MOTOR VEHICLE CONTRACTS PURCHASED
IN 2004. PLEASE BALANCE THIS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION WITH
DISCLOSURE REGARDING THE LOSSES THE COMPANY SUFFERED IN 2004.
We have inserted the following language on page 1:
We reported a loss in the amount of $15.9 million for the year
ended December 31, 2004.
7. PLEASE DISCLOSE ANY LIMITATIONS ON THE ABILITY OF THE COMPANY TO REFUSE
REDEMPTION OF THE NOTES IF REQUESTED PRIOR TO MATURITY.
The limitations on the company's ability to refuse redemption of the
notes if requested prior to maturity are described in the second
paragraph under "Prospectus Summary - The Offering - Optional Redemption
or Repurchase".
Risk Factors - Page 6
---------------------
8. PLEASE DELETE THE DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS IN THE FIRST
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH. WHILE IT IS APPROPRIATE TO INCLUDE A DISCUSSION
OF FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER FROM THOSE EXPRESSED
IN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, THAT DISCUSSION SHOULD BE SEPARATE FROM
THE RISK FACTOR SECTION. IN ADDITION, DISCUSSION OF NON-MATERIAL RISKS OR
MATERIAL RISKS THAT ARE NOT YET KNOWN IS UNNECESSARILY CONFUSING TO THE
INVESTOR, SIMILARLY, REVISE TO CLARIFY WHAT IS MEANT IN THE SECOND
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH BY "OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS."
We have deleted the discussion of additional risk factors from the first
introductory paragraph and we have moved the discussion of factors that
may cause actual results to differ from those expressed in
forward-looking statements to the "Forward Looking Statements" section of
the prospectus. We have also revised the second (now first) introductory
paragraph to clarify that the reference to "other information contained
in this prospectus" refers to "other information regarding the notes and
the company contained in this prospectus".
9. WE NOTE THAT MANY OF YOUR SUBHEADINGS MERELY MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT THE
COMPANY AND DO NOT EXPRESS A CLEAR RISK. THE SUBHEADINGS TO THE RISK
FACTORS SHOULD CLEARLY STATE A RISK TO THE POTENTIAL INVESTOR. YOU MAY
FIND IT HELPFUL TO EXPRESS THIS IN TERMS OF CAUSE AND EFFECT, USING A
"BECAUSE OF X, Y FOLLOWS" MODEL. AS AN EXAMPLE ONLY, WE NOTE THE
SUBHEADING "THE NOTES WILL HAVE NO SINKING FUND, SECURITY, INSURANCE OR
GUARANTEE." REVISE THE SUBHEADINGS THROUGHOUT THIS SECTION ACCORDINGLY,
TO MAKE EXPLICIT THE RISK TO INVESTOR OR COMPANY.
We have revised the subheadings to more clearly state the risks to the
potential investors of an investment in the notes.
<PAGE>
Mr. Gregory Dundas
April 13, 2005
Page 4
the Notes Will Automatically Renew...- Page 7
---------------------------------------------
10. WE NOTE YOUR STATEMENT THAT "ANY REQUESTS FOR REPURCHASES AFTER YOUR
NOTES ARE RENEWED WILL BE SUBJECT TO OUR APPROVAL." PLEASE EXPLAIN
CLEARLY AND PROMINENTLY THAT THE NOTES MAY BE RENEWED AUTOMATICALLY FOR
UP TO TEN ADDITIONAL YEARS UNLESS THE INVESTOR REQUESTS REDEMPTION WITHIN
15 DAYS AFTER MATURITY, AND THAT ANY SUBSEQUENT REQUEST TO HAVE THE NOTES
REDEEMED PRIOR TO MATURITY MAY BE DENIED FOR ANY REASON.
We believe that the existing disclosure accurately describes that the
notes may be automatically renewed for the same term as the maturing
notes and that such renewals may continue in perpetuity. We also believe
that the suggested language would be misleading to investors since only
the 10-year notes may be automatically renewed for subsequent 10-year
periods. We have added language to clarify that the company may deny
subsequent requests to have the notes redeemed prior to maturity for any
reason.
Renewal or Redemption On Maturity - Page 23
-------------------------------------------
11. IT IS NOT CLEAR UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES YOU WOULD NOT SEND INVESTORS A
NEW PROSPECTUS, REQUIRING, THEM TO REQUEST ONE. PLEASE REVISE OR ADVISE.
We have added language to clarify that a new prospectus will not be sent
to investors unless the prospectus has changed since the delivery of the
prospectus in connection with an investor's original subscription or any
prior renewal.
PROXY STATEMENT
---------------
12. PLEASE TELL US WHERE YOU DISCUSS THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
MEMBERS. REFER TO ITEM 7(d)(2)(ii)(C) OF SCHEDULE 14A.
We undertake to include such discussion prominently in our proxy
statement for our 2005 annual meeting.
FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003
----------------------------------------------
ITEM 1: BUSINESS - PAGE 1
-------------------------
Delinquency Experience Tables - Page 8-9
----------------------------------------
13. WE NOTE YOUR DISCLOSURE ON PAGE F-10 THAT MANAGEMENT MAY AUTHORIZE A
TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF PAYMENT TERMS IF COLLECTION APPEARS TO BE LIKELY
DURING THE NEXT CALENDAR MONTH. SUPPLEMENTALLY TELL US WHETHER
RECEIVABLES RECEIVING THESE OR ANY OTHER TEMPORARY EXTENSIONS ARE
RE-AGED. TO THE EXTENT THAT RECEIVABLES HAVE BEEN RE-AGED, PLEASE REVISE
YOUR 2004 10-K TO QUANTIFY RECEIVABLES THAT HAVE BEEN RE-AGED ONCE AND
THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN RE-AGED MORE THAN ONCE.
<PAGE>
Mr. Gregory Dundas
April 13, 2005
Page 5
The Company grants extensions of payment terms in cases where it believes
the extension will ultimately increase the likelihood of collection of
the contract. In such cases, the Contract's aging status is impacted by
the terms of the extension. We have added two lines to the Delinquency
Experience Tables to quantify contracts that have been extended once, and
those that have been extended more than once, and have added language
following the tables to clarify the Company's extension policy. In
addition, we have omitted the word "temporary" from the description of
extensions in Footnote 1 since in most cases such extensions are in fact
permanent.
Flow Purchase Program - Page 11
-------------------------------
14. WE NOTE THAT CONTRACTS PURCHASED FROM DEALERS IN YOUR FLOW PURCHASE
PROGRAM WERE PURCHASED PRIMARILY FOR IMMEDIATE AND OUTRIGHT SALE TO THIRD
PARTIES. WE ALSO NOTE THAT THESE CONTRACTS WERE SOLD AT A MARK-UP ABOVE
THE AMOUNT PAID TO THE DEALER. PLEASE SUPPLEMENTALLY TELL US HOW YOU WERE
ABLE TO SELL THESE CONTRACTS AT A GAIN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEY WERE
PURCHASED AT A DISCOUNT.
The two flow purchasers were affiliates of Ford and General Motors. Each
agreed to purchase a portion of our Contract purchases. We believe they
were willing to do so as a way to explore the market for sub-prime
credits. They recognized that we would be unwilling to sell Contracts
other than for a mark-up, and the markup reflected services performed by
us, notably our application of our credit criteria and our verification
of credit information. We have added disclosure to that effect to the
Amendment; that disclosure omits the names Ford and General Motors,
because we do not wish to imply some level of endorsement that is not
present.
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - PAGE 19
------------------------------------------------------
Result of Operations - Page 24
------------------------------
General
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15. IN YOUR 2004 10-K WHERE YOU DESCRIBE TWO OR MORE BUSINESS REASONS THAT
CONTRIBUTED TO A MATERIAL CHANGE IN A FINANCIAL STATEMENT LINE ITEM
BETWEEN PERIODS, PLEASE QUANTIFY THE EXTENT TO WHICH EACH CHANGE
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OVERALL CHANGE IN THAT LINE ITEM. FOR EXAMPLE, WITH
RESPECT TO THE CHANGES IN INTEREST INCOME DURING 2003, PLEASE QUANTIFY
THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE CHANGES ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE CHANGE IN
SECURITIZATION STRUCTURE, INTEREST EARNED ON THE PORTFOLIO OF CONTRACTS
ACQUIRED IN THE TFC MERGER, INCREASE IN RESIDUAL INTEREST INCOME AND
DECLINE IN THE BALANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO OF CONTRACTS ACQUIRED IN THE MFN
MERGER. SEE ITEM 303(a) OF REGULATION S-K AND SEC RELEASE NO. 33-8350.
<PAGE>
Mr. Gregory Dundas
April 13, 2005
Page 6
Additional disclosure has been added to the 10-K for 2004.
The Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to the Year Ended December 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 Revenues
-------------
16. YOU STATE THAT THE 2003 GAIN ON SALE AMOUNT IS NET OF A NEGATIVE FAIR
VALUE ADJUSTMENT OF $4.1 MILLION RELATED TO THE COMPANY'S ANALYSIS AND
ESTIMATE OF THE EXPECTED ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY'S PREVIOUSLY
SECURITIZED POOLS. YOU ALSO STATE THAT THE DECREASE IN GAIN ON SALE FROM
2002 TO 2003 IS PARTIALLY OFFSET BY A NEGATIVE FAIR VALUE ADJUSTMENT OF
APPROXIMATELY $2.5 MILLION RECORDED DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2002
RELATED TO THE COMPANY RESIDUAL INTEREST IN SECURITIZATIONS. CLARIFY
WHETHER THE FAIR VALUE ADJUSTMENT FOR 2003 RELATES TO RESIDUAL INTERESTS.
IF NOT, TELL US THE ASSET THIS ADJUSTMENT RELATES TO. ALSO, TELL US WHICH
LINE ITEM ON YOUR TABLE IN NOTE 10 INCLUDES THESE ADJUSTMENTS.
The fair value adjustment of $4.1 million in 2003 relates to the residual
interest in securitizations. The fair value adjustment has been
reclassified in the 2004 financial statements such that they appear in
the Expenses section as an Impairment loss on residual asset and no
longer as a net to Gain on sale of contracts in the Revenue section. As a
result of this reclassification, the negative fair value adjustments for
2003 and 2002 no longer appear on the table in Note 10. Prior to this
reclassification, they were reported as a reduction to Gain on sale of
contracts in Note 10.
Liquidity and Capital Resources - Page 29
-----------------------------------------
17. PLEASE REVISE YOUR 2004 10-K TO IDENTIFY THE MAJOR COVENANTS OF YOUR
SECURITIZATION AND NON-SECURITIZATION RELATED DEBT FACILITIES. CONSIDER
DISCLOSING, IN A TABULAR FORMAT, REQUIRED FINANCIAL RATIOS AND ACTUAL
FINANCIAL RATIOS FOR EACH PERIOD PRESENTED.
Responsive language has been added to the 10-K for 2004. A table was not
added because the covenants required and the definitions and levels of
such covenants vary depending upon the debt facility. Management believes
that disclosing these details could negatively impact its negotiating
position in future transactions and, consequently, potentially have an
adverse impact on the common shareholders of the Company. More important,
the fact that similar terms have different definiti