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olivLaw · US equity research

Atlanticus Holdings Corporation ATLC

Personal Credit Institutions · SIC 6141 · Vertical: Personal Credit Institutions (SIC 6141)

99.75USD+7.85% · 1 dayClose 04 Nov 2026

Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (ATLC) is a financial technology company that gives US lenders decisioning technology and servicing for private label and general purpose cards aimed at consumers underserved by larger banks. Its relevance is growing after the Mercury acquisition, which lifted managed receivables to 6953.4 million USD at December 31, 2025.

At the close of 04 Nov 2026, Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (ATLC) stock was 99.75 USD (+7.85% on the day), with market capitalisation 1.5 bn USD, P/E 12.8 on diluted EPS of 7.78 USD over the last 12 months, beta 1.62, 52-week range 47.96–111.79 USD. Latest reported quarter (Q2 2026): revenue of 744.3 m USD (+88.8% YoY), net income of 49.7 m USD (+62.6% YoY), diluted EPS 2.50 USD.

Data as of · AI analysis dated · Source: SEC filings and closing prices, computed by olivLaw.

Market cap
1.5 bn USD
shares as of 01 Aug 2026
P/E (TTM)
12.8
Diluted EPS TTM 7.78 · TTM to 30 Jun 2026
E/P (TTM)
7.80%
TTM to 30 Jun 2026
Dividend yield
unavailable
Beta (2y)
1.62
Volatility (1y) 52%
52-week range
47.96111.79

Price history

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Technical reading

RSI (14)
61.2
strong (55–70)
Bollinger (20, 2)
86.14 – 98.56
above the upper band · %B 1.10 · band width 13.5%
SMA 50 / 200
92.25 / 80.93
uptrend (price > SMA50 > SMA200)
MACD (12, 26, 9)
0.66 / -0.13
MACD above signal

Indicators describe past prices; on their own they do not predict direction. On our history the RSI ≤ 40 filter added no return (see the signals methodology).

Performance

CompanyS&P 500vs S&P 500Vertical median
1 month+7.4%−2.0%+9.4 pp—
3 months−10.4%−2.2%−8.2 pp—
6 months+28.2%+4.3%+23.9 pp—
Year to date+49.0%+10.6%+38.4 pp—
1 year+80.5%+10.5%+70.0 pp+5.4%
3 years+232.5%+73.7%+158.8 pp+99.1%
5 years+16.7%+61.7%−45.0 pp—
Max drawdown (1y)
−31.6%
26 Dec 2025 → 13 Mar 2026
Max drawdown (5y)
−74.2%
09 Nov 2021 → 17 Mar 2023
Compound annual growth (5y)
+3.1%
S&P 500 +10.1%

Price returns, dividends excluded.

Quarterly results

Latest quarter: Q2 2026 · 30 Jun 2026

Revenue
744.3 m USD
+88.8% YoY
Net income
49.7 m USD
+62.6% YoY
Diluted EPS
2.50
+65.6% YoY
net / operating
6.7% / unavailable

Quarterly margins

Quarterly statements · USD

Fiscal yearQ3 '24Q4 '24Q1 '25Q2 '25Q3 '25Q4 '25Q1 '26Q2 '26
Revenue351.2 m353.5 m345.2 m394.2 m494.7 m734.4 m679.6 m744.3 m
Cost of revenue28.1 m35.8 m32.2 m34.1 m39.0 m55.6 m44.9 m57.9 m
Depreciation & amortisation1.3 m ≈1.4 m1.6 m1.7 m ≈2.5 m ≈4.1 m5.1 m5.1 m ≈
Interest expense42.5 m44.7 m47.5 m53.7 m75.5 m125.2 m122.8 m123.4 m
Pre-tax income37.3 m39.9 m40.9 m40.1 m32.5 m46.2 m58.8 m66.0 m
Income tax8.1 m8.9 m9.7 m9.9 m7.9 m11.6 m14.3 m16.3 m
Net income29.5 m31.3 m31.5 m30.6 m25.0 m35.1 m44.2 m49.7 m
Diluted EPS1.271.66 ≈1.491.511.211.84 ≈2.232.50
Operating cash flow112.4 m ≈122.6 m131.6 m132.7 m ≈107.5 m ≈266.3 m286.3 m276.9 m ≈
Share repurchases25.8 m ≈25.0 m51.2 m1.9 m ≈25.0 k ≈16.4 m3.8 m55.0 k ≈

≈ derived quarter (cumulative difference / share-days average)

E/P over time

E/P = trailing-12-month diluted EPS / price at quarter end. E/P is the inverse of P/E and stays defined when earnings are negative.

Today's P/E sits at the 96 percentile of its own 27-quarter history (min 2.6, median 6.6, max 13.1; quarters with earnings only).

Fiscal years

Fiscal year20172018⚠ 201920202021202220242025
Revenue5.3 m5.6 m455.2 m563.4 m748.1 m1.0 bn1.3 bn2.0 bn
Revenue YoYunavailable+5.4%—+23.8%+32.8%+40.0%unavailable+50.1%
Net income-40.8 m7.9 m26.4 m94.1 m177.9 m135.6 m111.3 m122.2 m
Net income YoYunavailableunavailable—+255.9%+89.0%−23.8%unavailable+9.8%
Diluted EPS-2.930.561.663.957.565.834.775.96
Diluted EPS YoYunavailableunavailable—+138.0%+91.4%−22.9%unavailable+24.9%
net %-773.4%141.4%5.8%16.7%23.8%13.0%8.5%6.2%
Free cash flow-26.9 m41.5 m99.7 m212.0 munavailableunavailableunavailableunavailable

The series breaks before 2019: earlier years come from the original reports of the issuer of that time, later years from a subsequent filing that restated the perimeter (a separation, discontinued operations). The year-on-year change across the break is not shown.

Reported results vs expectations

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Balance sheet & financial health

Fiscal year 2025 · 31 Dec 2025

Cash
621.1 m USD
Financial debt
unavailable USD
Net debt
unavailable USD
Equity
603.8 m USD
Total assets
7.6 bn USD
Debt / equity
unavailable
Current ratio
unavailable
ROE
22.4%
ROA
2.2%
FCF margin
unavailable

Financial statements (source on every figure)

Revenue and net income (USD)

Margins

Income statement · USD

Revenue
2022
1.0 bn
2024
1.3 bn
2025
2.0 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Cost of revenue
2022
95.4 m
2024
118.4 m
2025
160.8 m

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Gross profit
2022
951.5 m ≈
2024
1.2 bn ≈
2025
1.8 bn ≈

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026derived

Depreciation & amortisation
2022
4.8 m
2024
5.2 m
2025
9.9 m

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Interest expense
2022
81.9 m
2024
160.2 m
2025
301.9 m

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Pre-tax income
2022
149.3 m
2024
138.6 m
2025
159.7 m

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Income tax
2022
14.7 m
2024
28.5 m
2025
39.1 m

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Net income
2022
135.6 m
2024
111.3 m
2025
122.2 m

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Diluted EPS
2022
5.83
2024
4.77
2025
5.96

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Weighted average diluted shares
2022
19.4 m
2024
18.8 m
2025
19.2 m

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Balance sheet · USD

Cash
2022
—
2024
375.4 m
2025
621.1 m

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Property, plant & equipment, net
2022
10.0 m
2024
10.5 m
2025
12.6 m

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Intangibles (excl. goodwill)
2022
—
2024
0
2025
30.3 m

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Total assets
2022
2.4 bn
2024
3.3 bn
2025
7.6 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Total liabilities
2022
1.9 bn
2024
2.7 bn
2025
7.0 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Equity
2022
325.0 m
2024
489.4 m
2025
603.8 m

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Cash flow · USD

Operating cash flow
2022
347.6 m
2024
469.4 m
2025
638.0 m

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Capex
2022
—
2024
—
2025
—

SEC (XBRL)· 31 Mar 2021verified

Free cash flow
2022
—
2024
—
2025
—

SEC (XBRL)· 31 Mar 2021derived

Investing cash flow
2022
-682.3 m
2024
-747.0 m
2025
-1.5 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Financing cash flow
2022
261.3 m
2024
393.6 m
2025
1.1 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Share repurchases
2022
89.0 m
2024
52.7 m
2025
69.6 m

SEC (XBRL)· 12 Mar 2026verified

Computed indicators

Growth

Revenue growth (YoY)
50.1%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Revenue CAGR 3Y
23.4%
computed by olivLawFY 2022 → FY 2025
Revenue CAGR 5Y
28.4%
computed by olivLawFY 2020 → FY 2025
EBIT growth (YoY)
unavailable
input data missing
Net income growth (YoY)
9.8%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Net income CAGR 3Y
-3.4%
computed by olivLawFY 2022 → FY 2025
Net income CAGR 5Y
5.4%
computed by olivLawFY 2020 → FY 2025
EPS growth (YoY)
24.9%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
EPS CAGR 3Y
0.7%
computed by olivLawFY 2022 → FY 2025
EPS CAGR 5Y
8.6%
computed by olivLawFY 2020 → FY 2025
FCF growth (YoY)
unavailable
input data missing

Profitability

Gross margin
92.6%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
EBITDA margin
unavailable
input data missing
EBIT margin
unavailable
input data missing
Net margin
5.8%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
FCF margin
unavailable
input data missing

Returns

ROE
24.3%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
ROA
2.8%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
ROIC
unavailable
input data missing
ROCE
unavailable
input data missing
Payout ratio (EPS)
unavailable
input data missing
Payout ratio (FCF)
unavailable
input data missing

Balance sheet

Net debt
unavailable
input data missing
Net debt / EBITDA
unavailable
input data missing
Debt / equity
unavailable
input data missing
Interest coverage
unavailable
input data missing

Liquidity

Current ratio
unavailable
input data missing
Quick ratio
unavailable
input data missing
Cash ratio
unavailable
input data missing

Cash

Operating cash flow
937.0 m USD
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
Capital expenditure
unavailable
input data missing
Free cash flow
unavailable
input data missing
FCF conversion
unavailable
input data missing
Cash conversion
unavailable
input data missing

Efficiency

Days sales outstanding
unavailable
input data missing
Days inventory outstanding
unavailable
input data missing
Days payables outstanding
unavailable
input data missing
Cash conversion cycle
unavailable
input data missing

Market and valuation

Market capitalisation
1.5 bn USD
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
Enterprise value
unavailable
input data missing
Market cap / net income TTM
9.8x
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
P/E (TTM)
12.8x
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
Earnings yield
7.8%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
P/B
2.2x
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
P/S
0.6x
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
EV/EBITDA
unavailable
input data missing
EV/EBIT
unavailable
input data missing
EV/Sales
unavailable
input data missing
P/FCF
unavailable
input data missing
FCF yield
unavailable
input data missing
Dividend yield
unavailable
no dividend in the structured statements; a missing line is not a confirmed zero
Shareholder yield (distributions)
1.3%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Jun 2026

1 indicators that do not apply to the sector.

Valuation

olivLaw classification

Insufficient data
What is missing
  • indicators available: 5 of at least 6
  • score weight coverage: 39.6% of at least 60%

A scoring methodology on indicators and valuation, not investment advice.

Closing price

99.75 USD

04 Nov 2026Source: olivLaw, closing series

Market cap: 1.5 bn USD

Key indicators

Market capitalisation
1.5 bn USD
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
P/E (TTM)
12.8x
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
P/B
2.2x
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
EV/EBITDA
unavailable
input data missing
ROE
24.3%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Jun 2026
Net margin
5.8%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Jun 2026
Revenue growth (YoY)
50.1%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Dividend yield
unavailable
no dividend in the structured statements; a missing line is not a confirmed zero

Coverage and freshness

22/37 reporting lines present
Latest full fiscal year: 2025
Latest reported period: 30 Jun 2026
Latest balance sheet date: 30 Jun 2026
Share count (cover of the latest filing), as of: 01 Aug 2026
Source: SEC (XBRL)published 06 Aug 2026
verified 1998derived 196

Score by group

40% · Insufficient data

Estimated value range

Low
70.45
USD per share
Mid
101.71
USD per share
High
120.65
USD per share
Price: 99.75 USD
The price is within the range
Potential to the central value: 2.0% (value / price − 1)
Margin of safety: 1.9% (1 − price / value)
Agreement between methods: single method · 1 methods used · 1 independent bases

The combined range = the median of the valid methods' low, central and high values; it is not a probability interval and does not cover every result. Envelope of all methods: 70.45 – 120.65 USD.

Valuation assumptions are editorial choices, not measured; beta is not measured.

Method ranges (USD per share)

— — Mid · ▏ Price

Valuation methods

  • DCF (discounted cash flow)unavailable · the input exists, but its latest figure is far older than the latest reported period: not used
  • Peers: EV/EBITDAunavailable · net debt missing: EV cannot be bridged to equity (missing debt is not zero)
  • Peers: P/E70.45 – 120.65 (Mid 101.71)
    8 companies used · median multiple 13.1x · quartiles 9.1x – 15.5x
    AFRM, BFH, CACC, ENVA, HAPN, NNI, RM, WRLD
  • Dividend discount (DDM)unavailable · the company pays no dividend: a dividend model needs an explicit initiation assumption
Multiple comparisons use the SIC vertical: Personal Credit Institutions (SIC 6141)

Classification (SIC) comparables group by industry code, not by economic activity; the direct group is an editorial selection by activity. Members' multiples are on their own trailing twelve months, at their own latest close.

Assumptions (illustrative, editorial)

Risk-free rate
4.3%
Equity risk premium
5.0%
Beta (default)
1.00
Cost of equity
9.3%
Terminal growth
2.5%

Factor scorecard

Insufficient data

Minimum-evidence gate: indicators available: 5 of at least 6; score weight coverage: 39.6% of at least 60%

FactorValueScoreWeight used
ROIC · Qualityunavailableunavailable—
Net margin · Quality5.8%0 (vs peers)16%
FCF conversion · Qualityunavailableunavailable—
Revenue CAGR 3Y · Growth23.4%100 (on a fixed band)21%
EPS CAGR 3Y · Growth0.7%5 (on a fixed band)21%
Net debt / EBITDA · Balance sheetunavailableunavailable—
Interest coverage · Balance sheetunavailableunavailable—
Current ratio · Balance sheetunavailableunavailable—
P/E (TTM) · Valuation12.8x50 (vs peers)26%
EV/EBITDA · Valuationunavailableunavailable—
FCF yield · Valuationunavailableunavailable—
Shareholder yield (distributions) · Returns1.3%19 (on a fixed band)16%
Payout ratio (FCF) · Returnsunavailableunavailable—

Factors without a value were dropped; the remaining weights were renormalised.

Score groups

  • Balance sheet· partialunavailable · 0/3 factors with a value
  • Growth52/100 · 2/2 factors with a value
  • Quality· partial0/100 · 1/3 factors with a value
  • Returns· partial19/100 · 1/2 factors with a value
  • Valuation· partial50/100 · 1/3 factors with a value

A «partial» group is computed from under half of its weight or from one factor: it is not a full assessment of the group.

Memo

Atlanticus Holdings Corp (ATLC). Latest full fiscal year: 2025; data up to 2026-06-30.

Figures computed from the financial statements: revenue 2.0 bn USD in 2025; YoY growth 50.1%; net margin 5.8%; ROE 24.3%.

The estimated value range is 70.45–120.65 USD per share (median of 1 methods, agreement: single method); assumptions are illustrative. Against the central value of 101.71 USD, the price of 99.75 USD leaves a potential of 2.0% (value / price − 1) and a margin of safety of 1.9% (1 − price / value). The range is the median of the methods' low, central and high values, not a probability interval.

Insufficient data for a verdict (indicators available: 5 of at least 6; score weight coverage: 39.6% of at least 60%).

Text generated deterministically from the figures shown; no language model. Not investment advice.

What supports the thesis

  • Revenue CAGR 3Y: 23.4%

What contradicts it

  • Net margin: 5.8%
  • EPS CAGR 3Y: 0.7%
  • Shareholder yield (distributions): 1.3%

Not assessed (insufficient data or a ratio without meaning): ROIC, FCF conversion, Net debt / EBITDA, Interest coverage, Current ratio, EV/EBITDA, FCF yield, Payout ratio (FCF).

Versus the vertical median

Personal Credit Institutions (SIC 6141) · same industry (4-digit SIC) · compared with 8 companies

Multiples and returns vs the median

P/E
12.8x
vertical median 13.1x
at median
EV/EBITDA
—
vertical median —
P/S
0.6x
vertical median 1.2x
below median (−53.0%)
P/B
2.2x
vertical median 1.2x
above median (+78.6%)
ROE
24.3%
vertical median 14.8%
above median (+64.0%)
Net margin
5.8%
vertical median 10.5%
below median (−44.6%)
EBIT margin
—
vertical median —
Revenue YoY
50.1%
vertical median 7.2%
above median (+599.8%)
Net debt/EBITDA
—
vertical median —
Dividend yield
—
vertical median 1.5%

Price rebased to 100 (monthly, 5 years)

Companies in the vertical

Market capP/EROENet marginRevenue YoY1A / 3A
CACCCredit Acceptance Corp5.1 bn16.322.7%14.4%+7.2%+8% / +9%
AFRMAffirm Holdings, Inc.4.5 bn13.745.1%45.3%+32.2%+7% / +120%
ENVAEnova International, Inc.4.4 bn12.526.8%10.5%+18.6%+38% / +340%
BFHBread Financial Holdings, Inc.4.0 bn8.315.9%—−19.0%+55% / +273%
HAPNHappen, Inc.1.9 bn9.313.8%—−58.5%−8% / +165%
ATLCAtlanticus Holdings Corp1.5 bn12.824.3%5.8%+50.1%+81% / +233%
WRLDWorld Acceptance Corp751.2 m19.49.9%6.6%+3.7%+4% / +45%
RMRegional Management Corp.353.4 m8.012.6%7.0%+9.7%+4% / +79%
NNINelnet, Inc.—15.38.2%—unavailable−1% / +52%

1- and 3-year price returns: for ATLC from daily closes (the same as the performance table), for the other companies from month-end closes.

olivLaw engine forecast

The world engine ran after the company's latest material disclosure. Probabilities are of TOUCHING a level within the horizon (not closing there) and sit next to the random walk (p_rw), the no-information benchmark.

The engine has no published run for this company yet.

Valuation scenarios (editable assumptions)

Illustrative scenarios

Illustrative: not forecasts and without probabilities. Each case is one coherent set of assumptions, computed on today's figures.

Bear
Allowed range: -50 … 50%
Allowed range: -100 … 100%
Allowed range: 0 … 100
Allowed range: -10 … 20%
Allowed range: 0 … 100%
Base
Allowed range: -50 … 50%
Allowed range: -100 … 100%
Allowed range: 0 … 100
Allowed range: -10 … 20%
Allowed range: 0 … 100%
Bull
Allowed range: -50 … 50%
Allowed range: -100 … 100%
Allowed range: 0 … 100
Allowed range: -10 … 20%
Allowed range: 0 … 100%
Nothing is saved.

Estimated price (USD)

Estimated priceBearBaseBull
1 years
85.10
Total return -15% · Per year -15%
149.76
Total return 50% · Per year 50%
224.64
Total return 125% · Per year 125%
3 years
100.94
Total return 1% · Per year 0%
198.05
Total return 99% · Per year 26%
323.48
Total return 224% · Per year 48%
5 years
119.73
Total return 20% · Per year 4%
261.93
Total return 163% · Per year 21%
465.81
Total return 367% · Per year 36%
What moves the 3-year price the most
  • Exit P/E± 49.51
  • Net margin± 34.66
  • Annual revenue growth± 25.85
  • Annual dilution± 2.91

AI analysis

AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.

In brief

Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (ATLC) is a financial technology company that gives US lenders decisioning technology and servicing for private label and general purpose cards aimed at consumers underserved by larger banks. Its relevance is growing after the Mercury acquisition, which lifted managed receivables to 6953.4 million USD at December 31, 2025 1.

SWOT

Strengths

  • Partnerships with several banks and retailers that diversify the distribution model 1.
  • Portfolio scale rose significantly after the Mercury acquisition, widening the servicing and fee base 1.

Weaknesses

  • Concentration of private label receivables in a few retail partners leaves revenue exposed to losing one major contract 1.
  • Reliance on debt funding with finite-term facilities and financial covenants may constrain growth 1.
  • Much reported income rests on management estimates of future receivable performance, which can cause earnings swings 1.

Opportunities

  • Expanding card offerings through Mercury could attract new partners and consumer segments 1.
  • A large population of consumers below prime thresholds remains underserved, which could support growth 1.
  • Third-party servicing and use of the technology platform could generate additional revenue 12.

Threats

  • An economic slowdown or high inflation could raise losses and delinquencies, directly hitting receivable returns 1.
  • Consumer protection rules and true lender interpretations could force costly changes to the operating model 1.
  • Capital markets may become volatile, limiting access to funding on acceptable terms 1.

Risks

  • Dependence on receivable paymentshigh

    Collections and revenue depend on consumer repayments, which can deteriorate in recessions or periods of high inflation 1.

  • Debt funding and access to capitalhigh

    Receivable purchases rely on finite-term financing facilities that must be renewed; difficult market conditions could reduce purchase volumes 1.

  • Regulation and litigationhigh

    Regulatory actions or true lender litigation could void or restrict certain receivables and bring penalties 1.

  • Partner concentrationmedium

    Much private label receivable exposure comes from a few retailers, and losing one could materially reduce revenue 1.

  • Integrating the Mercury acquisitionmedium

    Integrating a large portfolio and new programs could create operational difficulties and challenges in estimating performance 1.

Investment thesis

What would need to be true (bull case)

  • If the portfolio keeps growing and receivable performance stays within estimates, servicing and fee income could benefit from the newly gained scale 1.
  • The decisioning platform and multi-bank partnerships could give an advantage in winning new credit programs for underserved consumers 1.
  • Diversifying into general purpose cards and auto finance could reduce dependence on a single product or partner 1.

What would break the thesis

  • A weaker economic cycle could raise credit losses, which could significantly reduce portfolio profitability 1.
  • Dependence on a few retail partners and on finite-term funding facilities could amplify the impact of a single problem 1.
  • Regulatory and true lender risks could force costly changes to the business model or restrictions in some states 1.

What to watch

  • Trend in managed receivable balances and delinquency ratesQ3 2026
  • Integration of the Mercury portfolio and its performance against estimates2026
  • Any regulatory decisions or litigation on the true lender model2027

Products, market & competition

AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.

The business

Atlanticus acts as a program manager: it supplies technology, predictive analytics and services to bank partners (The Bank of Missouri, WebBank and First Bank and Trust), which originate the cards. Lenders pay the company a fee and are in most cases obliged to sell it the receivables they generate, which Atlanticus acquires at principal amount 1. It also earns merchant fees from retail partners that enhance returns, and pays its bank partners a monthly fee for regulatory oversight 1.

The company reports through two segments, Credit as a Service (CaaS) and Auto Finance, and its revenue and risks are closely tied to the quality of its receivables and the confidence of its bank partners 1.

Segments

Auto Finance

Through its CAR subsidiary, the segment buys and services auto loans for independent dealers in the buy-here, pay-here model and offers floor-plan financing; revenue comes from interest and the accretion of purchase discounts, plus servicing for third parties 1.

Market context

Citing Experian data, the company notes that a large share of Americans have FICO scores below 700, a population with limited access to credit from larger financial institutions 1. Its receivables come mainly from borrowers classed as less than prime, and loss rates tend to be higher at the lower end of the score range 1.

Financing for less-banked consumers is sensitive to the economic cycle: slowdowns, high inflation or tighter funding can quickly change delinquency rates and the cost of capital 1.

Trends

  • Growth in the card portfoliotailwind

    Managed receivables for private label and general purpose cards rose from 2724.8 million USD to 6953.4 million USD during 2025, largely through the Mercury acquisition 1. If that pace holds, the scale of operations could support servicing and fee income.

  • Concentration on a few retail partnersheadwind

    The five largest retail partners accounted for a very large share of private label receivables at December 31, 2025 1. If a significant partner reduces or ends its relationship, segment revenue could fall materially.

  • Regulatory pressure on true lender modelsheadwind

    If courts recharacterize the company as the true lender, affected receivables could be void in some states and attract fines or licensing requirements 1. The impact depends on how case law develops.

  • Wider offering through Mercury and dealer servicesmixed

    The Mercury acquisition complements existing products, and the CAR network serves over 700 dealers 1. Integrating these activities could support diversification, but it requires careful execution.

Competitive position

The company competes with other card issuers and consumer finance providers that may offer similar terms for higher-risk credit 1. Its cited advantages are a machine-learning decisioning platform and its partnerships with banks and retailers 1.

Competition also arises in buying receivables portfolios and in servicing, where providers with their own technology and data can win share 1.

  • General purpose card issuers

    Issuers offering cards to mid or lower-score customers, named as a source of competition in the annual report 1.

  • Point-of-sale retail and healthcare financing providers

    Other entities offering point-of-sale financing in the same retail and medical categories 1.

  • Non-prime auto finance companies

    Companies financing vehicle purchases for higher-risk borrowers, competing with the CAR segment 1.

  • Other credit technology platforms

    Providers of decisioning software and services to banks and lenders that compete for the same partners 1.

News & filings

In the press

The latest news item in our archive is from 23 Sept 2026; the newest SEC filing is from 06 Oct 2026. The press archive comes from the RSS feeds we follow and does not necessarily cover the latest event — the filings alongside do.

SEC filings

Sources

  1. [1] Form 10-K, fiscal year ended 2025-12-31 · SEC / Atlanticus Holdings Corporation · 12 Mar 2026
  2. [2] Form 10-Q, quarter ended 2026-06-30 · SEC / Atlanticus Holdings Corporation · 06 Aug 2026
  3. [3] Form 8-K, results release (exhibit 99.1) · SEC / Atlanticus Holdings Corporation · 23 Jul 2024

Figures computed by olivLaw from SEC filings and closing prices; the qualitative analysis is AI-generated from cited sources. Not investment advice.