NASDAQ: PRAA

Nonperforming loan portfolios are typically sold through formal sales processes in which bids are requested from a group of pre-qualified potential buyers. In some cases, portfolios can also be sold on an exclusive basis directly to a seller's preferred buyer. In determining the price we bid for a portfolio, we leverage our extensive data set and modeling experience, which considers various factors, including projected cash collections, the estimated cost to collect and financing costs. All of our purchases are subject to approval by the applicable internal investment committee(s).

Credit originators sell nonperforming loans in either single portfolio transactions, referred to as spot sales, or through pre-arranged sales of multiple portfolios over time, referred to as forward flow sales. Under forward flows, portfolios are purchased on a periodic basis at a negotiated price over a specified term, typically ranging from six to 12 months. Forward flow agreements establish specific criteria for the loans to be purchased, and many allow for termination and/or price renegotiation should the underlying quality of the portfolio deteriorate over time.

Portfolio collections

Core

Our Core account collection efforts are driven by a combination of internally staffed call centers and external vendors. Except for accounts placed with a third-party debt collection agency, we utilize proprietary models to proportionally direct work efforts to those customers most able and willing to pay, and ultimately, to achieve the highest correlation to profitable collections from our call activities. As part of our focus on driving cost efficiency and optimizing the performance of our U.S. business, we have reduced our onshore call center headcount and moved approximately one-third of our U.S. call center capacity offshore.

An important component of our collection efforts involves legal recovery and the judicial collection of balances from customers who we believe have the ability to settle their obligations but are unwilling to pay. We do not initiate our collections activity in the legal channel, but consider using it when customers do not engage with us voluntarily. There are some markets, especially in the Nordic countries, where the collection process follows a prescribed and time-sensitive set of legal actions, but in the majority of instances, we are able to use models and analysis to identify accounts with a higher propensity to pay in legal recovery. The legal process can take an extended period of time and requires an upfront investment in court filing costs, but usually generates net cash collections that likely would not have been realized otherwise. We utilize a combination of internal resources (attorneys and supporting staff), external law firms and other third-party service providers to perform legal recovery and judicial collections.

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Insolvency

Accounts that are in an insolvent or bankrupt status are managed by our Insolvency operations team. These accounts fall under insolvency plans such as Individual Voluntary Arrangements ("IVAs") and Trust Deeds in the UK, Consumer Proposals in Canada and various forms of bankruptcy plans in the U.S., Canada, Germany and the UK. We file claims or claim transfers securing our creditor rights under these plans, and we actively manage these accounts through the entire life cycle of the insolvency proceeding to ensure that we participate in any distributions to creditors. The accounts we manage are derived from two sources: (1) purchased portfolios of insolvent nonperforming loans and (2) Core accounts when customers file for protection under insolvency or bankruptcy laws after we have purchased the accounts.

These types of accounts are managed under the relevant country's insolvency or bankruptcy codes and may have an associated payment plan that generally ranges from three to seven years. Accounts that are purchased while insolvent can be purchased at any stage of the insolvency or bankruptcy plan life cycle. Accounts sold close to the filing of the insolvency or bankruptcy plan may take months to generate cash flows, while accounts sold years after the filing of the insolvency or bankruptcy plan typically generate cash flows immediately.

Digital

We utilize digital platforms to support our inbound collection efforts, and where permitted by local regulations, our outbound communications. Our digital channels allow us to serve our customers in a way that many of them prefer, providing convenient, user-friendly platforms for receiving information, making payments, accessing account information, viewing documents and contacting an account representative. We have expanded collections activity through our digital platforms, which provide an efficient, cost-effective and growing channel for us.

Seasonality

In all of the countries in which we operate, customer payment patterns can be impacted by multiple factors, including seasonal employment trends, income tax refunds and holiday spending habits.

STRATEGY AND BUSINESS SEGMENTS

Strategy

During 2025, we focused on strengthening our U.S. platform, building on the strength and momentum of our European business, executing on our near-term priorities and developing our longer-term strategy. The three components of our global business strategy are the following:

1.Capital and investing - invest with discipline and allocate capital to opportunities that align with our return objectives: leverage our geographic diversification; maintain a solid financial profile with a strong and diversified funding base; and allocate capital prudently, prioritizing investments in portfolios.

2.Operations, technology and data - advance our core systems and infrastructure, becoming more efficient, flexible and technology-driven: optimize the mix of in-house and external collections capabilities; leverage technology standardization and AI; enhance data and analytics, generating better customer insights; and maintain disciplined cost management.

3.People and culture - maintain a performance-oriented culture focused on accountability and execution: establish clear objectives and key-result metrics while encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset; continue to align incentives with shareholder interests; and maintain a strong culture of compliance.

Business segments

During the fourth quarter of 2025, we reorganized our business segment structure from a single operating segment into two operating and reportable segments, comprised of our U.S. and European businesses. Our operations in South America, Canada and Australia are not operating segments individually or collectively. Subject to local regulations and market conditions, all of our businesses are engaged in substantially similar portfolio purchasing and collections activities, as described above.

For additional information about our reportable business segments, refer to Part I, Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Reportable Business Segments" of this Form 10-K and Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

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COMPETITION

Competition is derived primarily from other debt purchasers that either manage their own nonperforming loans or outsource such services. In the U.S., regulatory complexity and burdens, combined with seller preferences for experienced portfolio purchasers, create barriers to successful entry for new competitors, resulting in a fairly stable competitive landscape. In Europe, diverse regulatory environments create varying levels of competition, with some markets being more competitive than others. We compete with other debt purchasers on a number of individual factors, including price, reputation, industry experience and long-term performance. We believe that our competitive strengths include our:

•diverse global presence, with portfolios in 18 countries;

•strong and longstanding relationships with credit originators globally;

•strong capital position;

•extensive data set informing our proprietary underwriting process and disciplined approach to bidding;

•comprehensive compliance program;

•reputation from previous portfolio purchase transactions;

•customer service; and

•ability to efficiently and effectively collect on various asset types.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

We are subject to a variety of federal, state, local and international laws, some of which establish specific guidelines and procedures for the collection, use, retention, security and transfer of personal information that debt collectors must follow when collecting on customer accounts. The most significant government regulations that impact our business are discussed below. For further discussion about how these regulations may impact our business, refer to