UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 FORM 10-QSB X QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934 FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001 TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED) For the transition period from ________ to _________. Commission file number: 0-26680 NICHOLAS FINANCIAL, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter) British Columbia, Canada 8736-3354 (State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.) 2454 McMullen Booth Road, Building C Clearwater, Florida 33759 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) (727) 726-0763 (Registrant's telephone number, Including area code) Not applicable (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No ____. As of October 31st, 2001 there were 4,980,560 shares of common stock outstanding 2 Nicholas Financial, Inc. Form 10-QSB Index Part I. Financial Information Page Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30,2001......................................3 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000............................4 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000............................5 Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements...................................6 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations...................11 Part II. Other Information Item 1. Legal Proceedings.....................................17 Item 2. Changes in Securities.................................17 Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities.......................17 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders...................................17 Item 5. Other Information.....................................17 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K......................17 Signatures............................................18 Exhibit Index.........................................19 3 Nicholas Financial, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) September 30 2001 --------------- Assets Cash $ 39,539 Finance receivables, net 69,185,266 Accounts receivable 17,444 Prepaid expenses and other assets 696,498 Property and equipment, net 338,384 Deferred income taxes 981,503 ------------ Total assets $71,258,634 ============ Liabilities Line of credit $50,323,426 Notes payable - related party 268,008 Accounts payable 3,005,193 Derivatives 1,859,305 Deferred revenues 676,419 ------------ Total liabilities 56,132,351 Shareholders' equity Preferred stock, no par: 5,000,000 shares authorized;none issued and outstanding - Common stock, no par: 50,000,000 shares authorized; 4,980,860 shares issued and outstanding 4,365,780 Other comprehensive loss (1,877,577) Retained earnings 12,638,080 ----------- 15,126,283 ----------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $71,258,634 =========== See accompanying notes. 4 Nicholas Financial, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) Three months ended Six months ended September 30 September 30 2001 2000 2001 2000 --------------------------------------------- Revenue: Interest income on finance receivables $4,857,907 $4,250,555 $9,389,658 $8,160,070 Sales 89,922 99,057 189,042 215,867 ---------------------------------------------- 4,947,829 4,349,612 9,578,700 8,375,937 Expenses: Cost of sales 19,873 19,771 43,562 45,628 Marketing 138,014 119,164 248,471 217,442 Administrative 1,798,052 1,545,740 3,482,578 3,069,876 Provision for credit losses 427,776 305,079 780,425 676,789 Depreciation and amortization 60,000 39,000 105,000 66,000 Interest expense 1,010,581 955,488 2,006,413 1,790,511 ---------------------------------------------- 3,454,296 2,984,242 6,666,449 5,866,246 ---------------------------------------------- Operating income before income taxes 1,493,533 1,365,370 2,912,251 2,509,691 Income tax expense (benefit): Current 468,024 526,951 1,011,146 1,042,958 Deferred 95,000 - 89,583 (75,000) ---------------------------------------------- 563,024 526,951 1,100,729 967,958 ---------------------------------------------- Net Income $930,509 $838,419 $1,811,522 $1,541,733 ============================================== Earnings per share - basic $0.19 $0.18 $0.38 $0.33 ============================================== Earnings per share - diluted $0.18 $0.17 $0.35 $0.31 ============================================== See accompanying notes. 5 Nicholas Financial, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Six months ended September 30 2001 2000 ------------------------------- Operating activities Net income $1,811,522 $1,541,733 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation of property and equipment 105,000 66,000 Provision for credit losses 780,425 676,789 Deferred income taxes 89,385 (75,000) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (2,976) (2,014) Prepaid expenses and other assets (147,312) (203,358) Deferred revenues 64,690 58,431 Accounts payable (30,583) (165,198) Income taxes payable (93,819) (9,043) --------------------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 2,576,332 1,888,340 Investing activities Increase in finance receivables, net of principal collected (4,924,823) (9,207,202) Purchase of property and equipment (109,625) (101,595) --------------------------- Net cash used in investing activities (5,034,448) (9,308,797) Financing activities Repayment of notes payable - related party - (200,000) Net proceeds from line of credit 2,200,000 7,505,000 Issuance (repurchase) of common stock 64,488 (45,505) --------------------------- Net cash provided by financing activities 2,264,488 7,259,495 --------------------------- Net decrease in cash (193,628) (160,962) Cash, beginning of period 233,167 259,183 --------------------------- Cash, end of period $39,539 $98,221 =========================== See accompanying notes. 6 Nicholas Financial, Inc. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) September 30, 2001 1. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Nicholas Financial Inc (the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-QSB pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended in Article 10 of Regulation SB, as amended. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and six months ended September 30, 2001 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending March 31, 2002. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2001. 2. Earnings Per Share On August 8, 2001, the Company declared a two-for-one stock split in the form of a stock dividend payable on September 10, 2001 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 28, 2001. All applicable share and per share amounts in the accompanying unaudited financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to take into account the effect of this split. Basic earnings per share excludes any dilutive effects of common stock equivalents such as options, warrants, and convertible securities. Diluted earnings per share includes the effects of dilutive options, warrants, and convertible securities. Basic and diluted earnings per share have been computed as follows: 7 Nicholas Financial, Inc. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) Three months ended Six months ended September 30, September 30, 2001 2000 2001 2000 --------------------------------------------- Numerator: Numerator for basic earnings per share - Net income $930,509 $838,419 $1,811,522 $1,541,733 available to common stockholders Effect of dilutive securities: Convertible debt 4,068 15,554 13,423 31,108 --------------------------------------------- Numerator for dilutive earnings per share - income available to common stockholders after assumed conversions $934,577 $853,973 $1,824,945 $1,572,841 Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares 4,875,683 4,686,016 4,756,949 4,694,718 Effect of dilutive securities:(A) Employee stock options 307,967 112,420 264,676 126,644 Convertible debt 96,618 361,112 203,865 361,112 ---------------------------------------------- Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted- average shares and assumed conversions 5,280,268 5,159,548 5,225,490 5,182,474 ============================================== Earnings per share - basic $0.19 $0.18 $0.38 $0.33 ============================================== Earnings per share - diluted $0.18 $0.17 $0.35 $0.31 ============================================== Footnote A: The following options were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares and, therefore, the effect would be antidilutive. Options - 35,500 - 35,500 8 Nicholas Financial, Inc. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 3. Finance Receivables Finance receivables consist of automobile finance installment contracts and direct consumer loans and are detailed as follows: Finance receivables, gross contract $109,777,221 Less: Unearned interest (25,894,881) ------------- 83,882,340 Nonrefundable dealer reserves (10,755,104) Allowance for credit losses (3,941,970) ------------- Finance receivables, net $69,185,266 ============= The terms of the receivables range from 12 to 60 months and bear a weighted average effective interest rate of 24%. 4. Line of Credit The Company has a $75 million line of credit facility (the Line) which expires on November 30, 2002. Borrowings under the Line bear interest at the prime rate. The Company also has several LIBOR pricing options available. If the outstanding balance falls below $10 million the Line bears interest at the prime rate plus 1.75%. Pledged as collateral for this credit facility are all of the assets of Nicholas Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries. 5. Notes Payable - Related Party Notes payable consisted of the following: Note payable, unsecured, interest at 12%, principal and interest due through August 2002, at which time the entire principal balance is due. 268,008 9 Nicholas Financial, Inc. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 6. Derivatives and Hedging In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"). This statement establishes requirements for accounting and reporting of derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS 133 was updated by the issuance of SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of SFAS No. 133" and SFAS No. 138 "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities - amendment of FASB Statement No. 133." As amended, SFAS 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives), and for hedging activities. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 133, as amended by SFAS 137 and SFAS 138, on April 1, 2001, which require that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The estimated fair value of derivative financial instruments represents the amount required to enter into similar offsetting contracts with similar remaining maturities based on quoted market prices. The Company utilizes interest rate swaps to manage its interest rate exposure. The swaps effectively convert a portion of the Company's floating rate debt to a fixed rate, more closely matching the interest rate characteristics of the Company's finance receivables. When entering into contracts intended by the Company to receive hedge accounting treatment, the Company formally designates and documents the financial instrument as a hedge of a specific underlying exposure, as well as the risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction. The Company has entered into the following cash-flow hedges: On May 11, 1999 the Company entered into an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $10 million at a fixed rate of 5.81%, maturing on May 24, 2002. On May 21, 1999 the Company entered into two interest rate swaps with notional amounts of $5 million each, at fixed rates of 5.81% and 6.08%, maturing on May 24, 2001 and May 24, 2004, respectively. On August 18, 1999 the Company terminated a $5 million swap maturing on May 24, 2004 in exchange for $52,000. In addition the Company entered into an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $10 million at a fixed rate of 5.80%, maturing on August 1, 2003. On May 17, 2000 the Company entered into an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $10 million at a fixed rate of 6.87%, matuing on May 17, 2004. On March 30, 2001 the Company entered into an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $10 million at a fixed rate of 4.89%, maturing on March 30, 2003. The Company has also entered into various interest rate option agreements with maturities through May 17, 2004. 10 Nicholas Financial, Inc. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) For cash-flow hedge transactions, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income, and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which earnings are affected by the variability of the cash flows of the hedged item. Any ineffective portion of a derivative instrument's change in fair value is immediately recognized in earnings. In connection with the adoption of SFAS 133, the Company recorded the fair value of its derivatives as a liability totaling approximately ($975k) on April 1, 2001. The fair value of such derivative was approximately ($1.86m) as of September 30, 2001. The fair value of the options, approximately ($37k), was accounted for in the consolidated statement of income as an increase to current period earnings. 7. Subsequent Events On October 5, 2001 the Company entered into an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $10 million at a fixed rate of 3.85%, maturing on October 5, 2004. 11 Part I. Item 2 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Introduction Consolidated net income increased for the three month period ended September 30, 2001 to $930,509 from $838,419 for the three month period ended September 30, 2000. Earnings were favorably impacted by an increase in the outstanding loan portfolio. The Company's NDS subsidiary did not contribute significantly to consolidated operations in the three month periods ended September 30, 2001 or 2000. Consolidated net income increased for the six month period ended September 30, 2001 to $1,811,522 from $1,541,733 for the six month period ended September 30, 2001. Earnings were favorably impacted by an increase in the outstanding loan portfolio. The Company's NDS subsidiary did not contribute significantly to consolidated operations in the six month periods ended September 30, 2001 or 2000. Three Months Ended Six Months Ended September 30 September 30 2001 2000 2001 2000 --------------------------------------------------- Average Net Finance Receivables(1) $83,284,788 $72,742,751 $81,937,694 $70,043,032 Average Indebtedness(2) 50,374,767 46,669,224 50,158,101 44,409,224 Total Interest Revenues 4,857,907 4,250,555 9,389,658 8,160,069 Interest Expense 1,010,581 955,488 2,006,413 1,790,511 --------------------------------------------------- Net Interest Income 3,847,326 3,295,067 7,383,245 6,369,558 Gross Portfolio Yield(3) 23.33% 23.37% 22.92% 23.30% Average Cost of Borrowed Funds(2) 8.02% 8.19% 8.00% 8.06% --------------------------------------------------- Net Interest Spread(4) 15.31% 15.18% 14.92% 15.24% Net Portfolio Yield(3) 18.48% 18.12% 18.02% 18.19% Write-off to Liquidation(5) 9.37% 8.13% 8.38% 6.94% Net Charge-Off Percentage(6) 8.24% 6.78% 7.30% 5.83%(1) Average net finance receivables represents the average of net finance receivables throughout the period. Net finance receivables represents gross finance receivables less any unearned finance charges related to those receivables. (2) Average indebtedness represents the average outstanding borrowings under the Line of Credit and notes payable-related party. Average cost of borrowed funds represents interest expense as a percentage of average indebtedness. (3) Gross portfolio yield represents total revenues as a percentage of average net finance receivables. Net portfolio yield represents net interest income as a percentage of average net finance receivables. (4) Net interest spread represents the gross portfolio yield less the average cost of borrowed funds. (5) Liquidation is defined as beginning receivable balance plus current period purchases minus voids and refinances minus ending receivable balance. (6) Net charge-off percentage represents net charge-offs divided by average net finance receivables outstanding during the period. 12 Three months ended September 30, 2001 compared to three months ended September 30, 2000 Interest Income and Loan Portfolio Interest revenue increased 14% to $4.9 million for the period ended September 30, 2001, from $4.3 million for the period ended September 30, 2000. The net finance receivable balance totaled $69.2 million at September 30, 2001, an increase of 14% from $60.5 million at September 30, 2000. The gross finance receivable balance increased 14% to $109.8 million at September 30, 2001 from $96.6 million at September 30, 2000. The primary reason interest revenue increased was the increase in the outstanding loan portfolio. The gross portfolio yield decreased from 23.37% for the period ended September 30, 2000 to 23.33% for the period ended September 30, 2001. The primary reason that net finance receivables increased was the opening of two additional offices. Computer Software Business Sales for the period ended September 30, 2001 were $89,922 compared to $99,057 for the period ended September 30, 2000, a decrease of 9%. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in new installations during the ended September 30, 2001. Operating Expenses Operating expenses, excluding provision for credit losses and interest expense, increased to $2.0 million for the period ended September 30, 2000 from $1.7 million for the period ended September 30, 2000. This increase of 17% was primarily attributable to the opening of two additional branches, increased home office personnel and increased general operating expenses. Interest Expense Interest expense increased to $1,010,581 for the period ended September 30, 2001 as compared to $955,488 for the period ended September 30, 2000. This increase was due to an increase in average outstanding borrowings from $46.7 million to $50.4 million during the comparable periods. The impact of this increase was offset, in part by a decrease in the average cost of funds borrowed from 8.19% for the period ended September 30, 2000 to 8.02% for the period ended September 30, 2001. 13 Six months ended September 30, 2001 compared to six months ended September 30, 2000 Interest Income and Loan Portfolio Interest revenue increased 15% to $9.4 million for the period ended September 30, 2001, from $8.2 million for the period ended September 30, 2000. The net finance receivable balance totaled $69.2 million at September 30, 2001, an increase of 14% from $60.5 million at September 30, 2000. The gross finance receivable balance increased 14% to $109.8 million at September 30, 2001 from $96.6 million at September 30, 2000. The primary reason interest revenue increased was the increase in the outstanding loan portfolio. The gross portfolio yield decreased from 23.30% for the period ended September 30, 2000 to 22.92% for the period ended September 30, 2001. The primary reason that net finance receivables increased was the opening of two additional offices. Computer Software Business Sales for the period ended September 30, 2001 were $189,042 compared to $215,867 for the period ended September 30, 2000, a decrease of 12%. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in new installations during the period ended September 30, 2001. Operating Expenses Operating expenses, excluding provision for credit losses and interest expense, increased to $3.9 million for the period ended September 30, 2001 from $3.4 million for the period ended September 30, 2000. This increase of 14% was primarily attributable to the opening of two additional branches, increased home office personnel and increased general operating expenses. Interest Expense Interest expense increased to $2.0 million for the period ended September 30, 2001 as compared to $1.8 million for the period ended September 30, 2000. This increase was due to an increase in average outstanding borrowings from $44.4 million to $50.2 million during the comparable periods. The average cost of borrowed funds decreased from 8.06% for the six month period ended September 30, 2000 to 8.0% for the six month period ended September 30, 2001. 14 Analysis of Credit Losses Because of the nature of the borrowers under the Contracts and its direct consumer loan program, the Company considers the establishment of adequate reserves for credit losses to be imperative. The Company segregates its Contracts into pools for purposes of establishing reserves for losses. Each such pool consists of the loans purchased by a Company branch office during a three month period. The average pool consists of 78 Contracts with an aggregate initial principal amount of approximately $628,000. As of September 30, 2001, the Company had 316 active pools. The Company pools Contracts according to branch location because the branches purchase contracts in different markets located in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. All Contracts purchased by a branch during a fiscal quarter comprise a pool. This method of pooling by branch and quarter allows the Company to evaluate the different markets where the branches operate. The pools also allow the Company to evaluate the different levels of customer income, stability, credit history, and the types of vehicles purchased in each market. A pool retains an amount equal to 100% of the discount into a reserve for credit losses. In situations where, at the date of purchase, the discount is determined to be insufficient to absorb all potential losses associated with the pool, a portion of future unearned income associated with that specific pool will be added to the reserves for credit losses until total reserves have reached the appropriate level. Subsequent to the purchase, if the reserve for credit losses is determined to be inadequate for a pool which is not fully liquidated, then a charge to income is used to reestablish adequate reserves. If a pool is fully liquidated and has any remaining reserves, the excess reserves are accreted into income. In analyzing a pool, the Company considers the performance of prior pools originated by the branch office, the performance of prior Contracts purchased from the dealers whose Contracts are included in the current pool, the credit rating of the borrowers under the Contracts in the pool, and current market and economic conditions. Each pool is analyzed monthly to determine if the loss reserves are adequate, and adjustments are made if they are determined to be necessary. As of September 30, 2001, the Company had established reserves for losses on Contracts of $14,697,074 or 17.52% of net outstanding receivables. 15 The following tables present certain information regarding the delinquency rates experienced by the Company with respect to Contracts and under its direct consumer loan program: Three Months Ended Three Months Ended September 31, 2001 September 31, 2000 ------------------ ------------------ Contracts Gross Balance Outstanding $105,378,020 $92,511,899 Dollar Dollar Delinquencies Amount Percent* Amount Percent* --------- ------- --------- -------- 30 to 59 days $ 2,472,836 2.35% $ 2,101,653 2.27% 60 to 89 days 733,846 0.70% 574,363 0.62% 90 + days 242,889 0.23% 308,290 0.33% ---------- ----- ---------- ------ Total Delinquencies $ 3,449,571 $ 2,984,306 *Total Delinquencies as percent of outstanding balance 3.28% 3.22% Direct Loans Gross Balance Outstanding $ 4,399,201 $ 4,090,680 Delinquencies 30 to 59 days $ 76,561 1.74% $ 46,018 1.12% 60 to 89 days 5,414 0.12% 10,856 0.27% 90 + days 6,187 0.14% 10,091 0.25% --------- ----- ------- ----- Total Delinquencies $ 88,162 $ 66,965 *Total Delinquencies as a percent of outstanding balance 2.00% 1.64% The provision for credit losses was $427,776 for the three month period ended September 30, 2001 and $780,425 for the six month period ended September 30, 2001 as compared to $305,079 for the three month period ended September 30, 2000 and $676,789 for the six month period ended September 30, 2000. The Company increased its total reserve percentage from 13.34% for the period ended March 31, 2001 to 13.38% for the period ended September 30, 2001. Management believes that the reserve adjustments made during the three and six month periods ended September 30, 2001 are consistent with its reserve methodology. Income Taxes The Company's effective tax rate decreased to 37.70% and 37.80% for the three and six months ended September 30, 2001, as compared to 38.59% and 38.57% for the three and six months ended September 30, 2000, respectively. 16 Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company's cash flows for the six months ended September 30, 2001 and September 30, 2000 are summarized as follows: Six months ended Six months ended September 30, September 30, 2001 2000 ----------------------------------- Cash provided by (used in): Operating Activities - $ 2,591,332 $ 1,888,340 Investing Activities - (primarily purchase of Contracts) (5,034,448) (9,308,797) Financing Activities 2,264,488 7,259,495 ------------------------------ Net decrease in cash (193,628) (160,962) The Company's primary use of working capital during the six months ended September 30, 2001 was the funding of the purchase of Contracts. The Contracts were financed substantially through borrowings on the Company's line of credit. The line of credit is secured primarily by Contracts, and available borrowings are based on a percentage of qualifying Contracts. As of September 30, 2001 the Company had approximately $24.8 million available under the line of credit. The Company is currently negotiating to extend the maturity date of its line of credit. Since inception, the Company has also funded a portion of its working capital needs through cash flows from operating activities. The self-liquidating nature of installment Contracts and other loans enables the Company to assume a higher debt-to-equity ratio than in most businesses. The amount of debt the Company incurs from time to time under these financing mechanisms depends on the Company's need for cash and it's ability to borrow under the terms of its line of credit. The Company believes that borrowings available under the line of credit as well as cash flow from operations and, if necessary, the issuance of additional subordinated debt and, or the sale of additional securities in the capital markets, will be sufficient to meet its short term funding needs. Future Expansion The Company currently operates twenty-two branch locations, fifteen in the State of Florida, three in the State of Georgia, three in the State of North Carolina and one in the State of South Carolina. Each office is budgeted (size of branch, number of employees and location) to handle up to 1,000 accounts and up to $7,500,000 in outstanding receivables. To date three of our branches have reached this capacity. The Company intends to continue its expansion through the purchase of additional Contracts and the expansion of its direct consumer loan program. As the branches continue to add customers, the size of the loan portfolio will continue to grow. With the added volume in each branch and as the company adds new branches, it will be necessary for the Company to increase the size of its Line of Credit. The Company believes that opportunity for receivable growth continues to exist in the States of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The Company has identified Ohio and Virginia as areas where it may open additional branches during the remainder of fiscal 2002 and beyond. As of this date no commitments have been made for additional expansion. 17 Forward-Looking Information This 10-QSB contains various forward-looking statements and information that are based on management's beliefs and assumptions, as well as information currently available to management. When used in this document, the words "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or expected. Among the key factors that may have a direct bearing on the Company's operating results are fluctuations in the economy, the degree and nature of competition, demand for consumer financing in the markets served by the Company, the Company's products and services, increases in the default rates experienced on Contracts, adverse regulatory changes in the Company's existing and future markets, the Company's ability to expand its business, including its ability to complete acquisitions and integrate the operations of acquired businesses, to recruit and retain qualified employees, to expand into new markets and to maintain profit margins in the face of increased pricing competition. Part II - Other Information Item 1. Legal Proceedings - None Item 2. Changes in Securities On August 8, 2001, Nicholas Financial, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors had declared a two-for-one stock split on the Company's outstanding shares of common stock, payable in the form of a 100% stock dividend, on September 10, 2001 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 28, 2001. The Company also announced that its Board of Directors had approved the Company's second stock repurchase plan. The plan authorizes the repurchase of up to 5% of the Company's outstanding common stock, or approximately 250,000 shares, as adjusted to reflect the aforementioned two-for-one stock split. This authorization is in addition to the original September 23, 1998 repurchase authorization of 120,000 shares (5% of the Company's outstanding common stock at that time), which, as of August 7, 2001, had been completely utilized. As previously announced through the Company's 10-QSB for the period ended June 30, 2001, the Company on August 9, 2001 issued 111,111 shares of its Common Stock to the Mahan Family Trust (the "Family Trust") pursuant to the Family Trust's exercise of its conversion right under a Convertible Promissory Note, dated November 30, 1992 (the "Family Trust Note"), issued by the Company in favor of the Family Trust. The aggregate principal amount of the Family Trust Note was $500,000 and the maturity date was November 30, 2001, subject to certain prepayment rights granted to the Company thereunder. Pursuant to such rights, the Company gave notice on July 10, 2001 that it intended to prepay the Family Trust Note in full. Under the terms of the Family Trust Note, this notification entitled the Family Trust to convert the note into shares of Common Stock, at a conversion price of $4.50 per share. As result of such conversion, the Family Trust Note was cancelled. The issuance of shares of the Company's Common Stock pursuant to this transaction is claimed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof. The above transaction, if adjusted for the Company's two-for- one stock-split, would have resulted in the issuance of 222,222 shares of Common stock at a conversion price of $2.25 per share. Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities - None Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders - None Item 5. Other Information - None Item 6. (a) Exhibits - See exhibit index following the signature page. (b) Reports on Form 8-K - None 18 SIGNATURES In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 10-QSB and authorized this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, in the City of Clearwater, State of Florida, on November 14, 2001. NICHOLAS FINANCIAL, INC. (Registrant) Date: November 14, 2001 /s/ Peter L. Vosotas Peter L. Vosotas Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Date: November 14, 2001 /s/ Ralph T. Finkenbrink Ralph T. Finkenbrink (Principal Financial Officer and Accounting Officer) 19 EXHIBIT INDEX 3.1 Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of Nicholas Financial, Inc. Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-SB (File No. 0-26680) filed on March 13, 1996 4.1 Stock Certificate Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form 10-SB (File No. 0-26680) filed on March 13, 1996 10.1.1 Loan and Security Agreement dated March 31, 1993 between BA Business Credit, Inc. and Nicholas Financial, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1.1 to the Company's Form 10-SB (File No. 0-26680) filed on March 13, 1996 10.1.2 Amendment No. 1 to Loan Agreement dated January 14, 1994 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1.2 to the Company's Form 10-SB (File No. 0-26680) filed on March 13, 1996 10.1.3 Temporary Line Increase Agreement dated Mach 28, 1994 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1.3 to the Company's Form 10-SB (File No. 0-26680) filed on March 13, 1996 10.1.4 Amendment No. 2 to Loan Agreement dated June 3, 1994 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1.4 to the Company's Form 10-SB (File No. 0-26680) filed on March 13, 1996 10.1.5 Amendment No. 3 to Loan Agreement dated July 5, 1994 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1.5 to the Company's Form 10-SB (File No. 0-26680) filed on March 13, 1996 10.1.6 Amendment No. 4 to Loan Agreement dated March 31, 1995 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1.6 to the Company's Form 10-SB (File No. 0-26680) filed on March 13, 1996 10.1.7 Amendment No. 5 to Loan Agreement dated July 13, 1995 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1.7 to the Company's Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996 10.1.8 Amendment No. 6 to Loan Agreement dated May 13, 1996 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1.8 to the Company's Form 10-QSB for the three months ended June 30, 1996 10.1.9 Amendment No. 7 to Loan Agreement dated July 5, 1997 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1.9 to the Company's Form 10-QSB for the three months ended September 30, 1997 20 10.1.10 Amendment No. 8 to Loan Agreement dated September 18, 1998 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2.0 to the Company's Form 10-QSB for the three months ended September 30, 1998 10.1.11 Amendment No. 9 to Loan Agreement dated November 25, 1998 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2.1 to the Company's Form 10-QSB for the three months ended December 31, 1998 10.1.12 Amendment No. 10 to Loan Agreement dated November 24, 1999 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2.2 to the Company's Form 10-QSB for the three months ended December 31, 1999 10.1.13 Amendment No. 11 to Loan Agreement dated August 1, 2000 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1.13 to the Company's Form 10-KSB for the year ended March 31, 2001 10.1.14 Amendment No. 12 to Loan Agreement dated March 16, 2001 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1.14 to the Company's Form 10-KSB for the year ended March 31, 2001 10.3.1 Employee Stock Option Plan Incorporated by reference to the Company's 1999 Annual proxy statement dated June 29, 1999 10.3.2 Non-Employee Stock Option Plan Incorporated by reference to the Company's 1999 Annual proxy statement dated June 29, 1999 10.4.1 Employment Contract, dated November 22, 1999, between Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Ralph Finkenbrink, Senior Vice President of Finance. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2.1 to the Company's Form 10-QSB for the three months ended December 31, 1999 10.4.2 Employment Contract, dated March 16, 2001, between Nicholas Financial, Inc. and Peter L. Vosotas President & Chief Executive Officer. Incorporated by reference to the Company's 2001 Annual proxy statement dated July 2, 2001 21 Subsidiaries of Nicholas Financial, Inc. Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-SB (File No. 0-26680) filed on March 13, 1996 24 Powers of Attorney (included on signature page hereto) (b) Reports on Form 8-K The Company did not file any Current Reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended September 30, 2001