NCO GROUP INC
10-Q, 2000-11-14
CONSUMER CREDIT REPORTING, COLLECTION AGENCIES
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<PAGE>


                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-Q

/X/  Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
     the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

     For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2000, or

/ /  Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
     the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

     For the transition period from      to

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-21639
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                 NCO GROUP, INC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                  PENNSYLVANIA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)


             515 Pennsylvania Avenue, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)


                                   23-2858652
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      (IRS Employer Identification Number)


                                      19034
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   (Zip Code)


                                  215-793-9300
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (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 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
                               Yes  X     No
                                  ----        ----

         The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock was 25,612,343 shares common stock, no par value, outstanding as of
November 10, 2000.

<PAGE>

                                 NCO GROUP, INC.
                                      INDEX

                                                                            PAGE

Part I                      FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  Item 1  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

          Consolidated Balance Sheets -
              December 31, 1999 and September 30, 2000                         3

          Consolidated Statements of Operations -
              Three months and nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 2000   4

          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
              Nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 2000                    5

          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                           6

  Item 2  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
            FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS                     14

  Item 3  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES
            ABOUT MARKET RISK                                                 19

PART II                                                                       20

  Item 1. Legal Proceedings
  Item 2. Changes in Securities
  Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
  Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Shareholders
  Item 5. Other Information
  Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K


<PAGE>


Part 1 - Financial Information
Item 1 - Financial Statements

                                 NCO GROUP, INC.
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets
                             (Amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                September 30,
                                                                               December 31,         2000
                                      ASSETS                                      1999           (Unaudited)
                                                                               ------------     -------------
<S>                                                                             <C>                <C>
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                                                  $  50,513          $  13,851
     Accounts receivable, trade, net of allowance for
       doubtful accounts of $5,391 and $5,622, respectively                        70,430             92,152
     Purchased accounts receivable                                                  6,719             24,987
     Deferred taxes                                                                 2,965              3,065
     Other current assets                                                           5,800             11,944
                                                                                ---------          ---------
          Total current assets                                                    136,427            145,999

Funds held on behalf of clients

Property and equipment, net                                                        53,714             63,995

Other assets:
     Intangibles,  net of accumulated amortization                                553,879            541,066
     Net assets of discontinued operations                                         41,492             18,861
     Other assets                                                                   6,180              8,515
                                                                                ---------          ---------
           Total other assets                                                     601,551            568,442
                                                                                ---------          ---------
Total assets                                                                    $ 791,692          $ 778,436
                                                                                =========          =========


                    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
     Long-term debt, current portion                                            $   1,302          $     805
     Corporate taxes payable                                                       11,490              2,888
     Accounts payable                                                               8,457              8,599
     Accrued expenses                                                              30,430             22,554
     Accrued compensation and related expenses                                     14,609             17,582
                                                                                ---------          ---------
          Total current liabilities                                                66,288             52,428

Funds held on behalf of clients

Long-term liabilities:
     Long-term debt, net of current portion                                       323,949            307,997
     Deferred taxes                                                                25,747             36,550
     Other long-term liabilities                                                   10,820              6,416

Commitments and contingencies

Shareholders' equity:
     Common stock,  no par value, 37,500 shares authorized,
       25,533 and 25,610 shares issued and outstanding, respectively              314,601            315,932
     Foreign currency translation adjustment                                          694               (889)
     Retained earnings                                                             49,593             60,002
                                                                                ---------          ---------
           Total shareholders' equity                                             364,888            375,045
                                                                                ---------          ---------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                      $ 791,692          $ 778,436
                                                                                =========          =========
</TABLE>
                            See accompanying notes.

                                      -3-


<PAGE>

                                 NCO GROUP, INC.
                      Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                   (Unaudited)
                  (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  For the Three Months                 For the Nine Months
                                                                   Ended September 30,                 Ended September 30,
                                                               ---------------------------         ---------------------------
                                                                   1999             2000               1999            2000
                                                               ------------     ----------         ------------     ----------
<S>                                                            <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
Revenue                                                        $ 127,100         $ 153,858         $ 320,583         $ 451,904

Operating costs and expenses:
     Payroll and related expenses                                 66,585            74,892           168,194           219,380
     Selling, general, and administrative
       expenses                                                   34,523            44,878            88,687           132,571
     Depreciation and amortization expense                         6,014             8,253            14,717            23,771
     Nonrecurring acquisition costs                                 --                --               4,601              --
                                                               ---------         ---------         ---------         ---------
          Total operating costs and expenses                     107,122           128,023           276,199           375,722
                                                               ---------         ---------         ---------         ---------
Income from operations                                            19,978            25,835            44,384            76,182

Other income (expense):
     Interest and investment income                                  366               609               864             1,575
     Interest expense                                             (5,590)           (6,450)          (12,372)          (19,265)
     Other income                                                   --                --                --               1,313
                                                               ---------         ---------         ---------         ---------
          Total other expense                                     (5,224)           (5,841)          (11,508)          (16,377)
                                                               ---------         ---------         ---------         ---------
Income before provision for income taxes                          14,754            19,994            32,876            59,805

Income tax expense                                                 6,349             8,447            14,943            25,242
                                                               ---------         ---------         ---------         ---------

Income from continuing operations                                  8,405            11,547            17,933            34,563

Accretion of preferred stock to redemption value                    --                --                (377)             --
                                                               ---------         ---------         ---------         ---------

Income from continuing operations applicable to
  common shareholders                                              8,405            11,547            17,556            34,563

Discontinued operations, net of taxes:
     Income (loss) from discontinued operations                      497              --                 996              (975)
     Loss on disposal of discontinued operations                    --              (2,365)             --             (23,179)
                                                               ---------         ---------         ---------         ---------


Net  income applicable to common shareholders                  $   8,902         $   9,182         $  18,552         $  10,409
                                                               =========         =========         =========         =========

Income from continuing operations applicable
   to common shareholders per share:
     Basic                                                     $    0.36         $    0.45         $    0.80         $    1.35
     Diluted                                                   $    0.35         $    0.45         $    0.76         $    1.34

Net income applicable to common shareholders per share:
     Basic                                                     $    0.38         $    0.36         $    0.84         $    0.41
     Diluted                                                   $    0.37         $    0.36         $    0.81         $    0.40

Weighted average shares outstanding:
     Basic                                                        23,169            25,610            22,034            25,576
     Diluted                                                      24,152            25,704            22,992            25,826
</TABLE>
                            See accompanying notes.

                                      -4-


<PAGE>


                            NCO GROUP, INC
                 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                              (Unaudited)
                        (Amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        For the Nine Months
                                                                                        Ended September 30,
                                                                                   ------------------------------
                                                                                       1999               2000
                                                                                   -----------         ----------
<S>                                                                                 <C>                 <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Income from continuing operations                                                 $  17,933           $  34,563
  Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing
    operations to net cash provided by continuing
    operating activities:
      Depreciation                                                                      5,418              10,924
      Amortization of intangibles                                                       9,299              12,847
      Write-off of deferred financing costs                                               353                --
      Provision for doubtful accounts                                                   1,120               3,421
      Compensation expense on stock options granted                                        34                --
      Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
        Accounts receivable, trade                                                    (13,135)            (25,419)
        Deferred taxes                                                                  2,521              10,703
        Other assets                                                                   (1,220)             (8,215)
        Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                           3,377               3,909
        Corporate taxes payable                                                         4,821              (8,260)
        Other long-term liabilities                                                     1,028              (4,404)
                                                                                    ---------           ---------
          Net cash provided by continuing operating activities                         31,549              30,069

          Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued operating activities             (1,489)              1,597
                                                                                    ---------           ---------
             Net cash provided by operating activities                                 30,060              31,666

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Acquisition of purchased accounts receivable                                         (6,180)            (20,901)
  Collections applied to principal of purchased accounts receivable                     2,006               2,633
  Purchase of property and equipment                                                  (14,348)            (24,348)
  Net cash paid for acquisitions                                                     (130,897)            (10,000)
                                                                                    ---------           ---------
             Net cash used in investing activities                                   (149,419)            (52,616)

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Repayment of notes payable                                                           (1,672)             (1,635)
  Repayment of acquired notes payable                                                 (42,000)               --
  Borrowings under revolving credit agreement                                         190,965                --
  Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit agreement                             (4,000)            (15,000)
  Payment of fees to acquire new debt                                                  (3,565)               --
  Issuance of common stock, net                                                         4,588               1,013
                                                                                    ---------           ---------
             Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                      144,316             (15,622)

Effect of exchange rate on cash                                                            56                 (90)
                                                                                    ---------           ---------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                   25,013             (36,662)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                       22,528              50,513
                                                                                    ---------           ---------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                          $  47,541           $  13,851
                                                                                    =========           =========

</TABLE>

                            See accompanying notes.


                                      -5-

<PAGE>


                                 NCO GROUP, INC.
                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                                   (Unaudited)


 1.  Nature of Operations:

NCO Group, Inc. (the "Company") is a leading provider of accounts receivable
management and other outsourced revenue cycle management services. The Company's
client base is comprised of companies located throughout North America, and in
the United Kingdom and Puerto Rico in the financial services, healthcare,
retail, commercial, education, utility, government and telecommunications
sectors.

 2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

     Interim Financial Information:

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of
Regulation S-X. 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 only normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation
have been included. Operating results for the three-month and nine-month periods
ended September 30, 2000, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may
be expected for the year ending December 31, 2000, or for any other interim
period. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements
and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2000, as amended on
April 11, 2000.

     Principles of Consolidation:

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
its wholly owned subsidiaries after elimination of significant intercompany
accounts and transactions.

     Revenue Recognition:

The Company generates revenue from contingent fees and contractual services.
Contingent fee revenue is recognized upon collection of funds on behalf of
clients. Contractual services revenue is recognized as services are performed
and accepted by the client.

     Credit Policy:

The Company has two types of arrangements under which it collects its contingent
fee revenue. For certain clients, the Company remits funds collected on behalf
of the client net of the related contingent fees while, for other clients, the
Company remits gross funds collected on behalf of clients and bills the client
separately for its contingent fees. Management carefully monitors its client
relationships in order to minimize its credit risk and generally does not
require collateral. In many cases, in the event of collection delays from
clients, management may, at its discretion, change from the gross remittance
method to the net remittance method.

     Intangibles:

The Company's intangible assets consist primarily of goodwill. Goodwill
represents the excess of purchase price over the fair market value of the net
assets of the acquired businesses based on their respective fair values at the
date of acquisition. Goodwill is amortized on a straight-line basis over 15 to
40 years. For certain acquisitions, such allocations have been based on
estimates that may be revised at a later date. The Company reviews the
recoverability of its goodwill whenever events or circumstances indicate that
the carrying amount of the goodwill may not be recoverable. In making such
determination with respect to goodwill, the Company evaluates the operating
results of the underlying business that gave rise to such amount.

                                      -6-

<PAGE>

2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued):

     Income Taxes:

The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach. The
asset and liability approach requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and
liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences
between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and
liabilities.

Income taxes were computed after giving effect to the nondeductible portion of
goodwill expenses attributable to certain acquisitions.

     Use of Estimates:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

     Reclassifications:

Certain amounts for December 31, 1999, and for the three months and nine months
ended September 30, 1999, have been reclassified for comparative purposes.

3.   Discontinued Operations:

On April 14, 2000 (the "Measurement Date"), the Company's Board of Directors
approved a plan to divest the Company's Market Strategy division as part of its
strategic plan to increase long-term shareholder value and focus on its core
business of accounts receivable management services. The Market Strategy
division provided market research and telemarketing services. The market
research assets were acquired through the January 1997 acquisition of the
Tele-Research Center, Inc. and the February 1998 acquisition of The Response
Center. The telemarketing assets were acquired as non-core components of the
March 1999 acquisition of JDR Holdings, Inc., and the August 1999 acquisition of
Compass International Services Corporation. On October 26, 2000, TRC Holdings,
Inc. and Creative Marketing Strategies, Inc., both management-led groups,
acquired the assets of the market research and telemarketing businesses,
respectively.

In consideration for the purchased assets of the market research business, the
Company received a $12.25 million note. The note earns interest at a fixed rate
of 9% per year and the interest payments are due monthly. The entire principal
balance is due on December 31, 2002. In the event that the principal and the
remaining interest is not paid in full on December 31, 2002, the principal of
the note will be increased by a maximum of $2.0 million. The remaining principal
and interest will be due in equal monthly payments until December 31, 2005.

In consideration for the purchased assets of the telemarketing business, the
Company received a $6.0 million note. The note earns interest at a fixed rate of
9% per year and the interest payments are due monthly. Commencing on December 1,
2003, in addition to the interest payments, principal payments of $25,000 will
be due monthly until November 1, 2005. The remaining principal and interest will
become due in full on November 1, 2005.

In accordance with the Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30, "Reporting
the Results of Operations - Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Business, and
Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions," the
consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes of the Company have
been presented to reflect the Market Strategy division as discontinued
operations for all periods presented.

                                      -7-

<PAGE>


3.   Discontinued Operations (continued):

The following summary of the Market Strategy division's assets and liabilities
has been presented net in the Company's consolidated balance sheets (amounts in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      December 31, 1999        September 30, 2000
                                                      -----------------        ------------------

<S>                                                       <C>                      <C>
      Current assets                                      $ 13,734                 $  8,236
      Total assets                                          47,740                   22,956

      Current liabilities                                   6,248                     4,053
      Total liabilities                                     6,248                     4,095

      Net assets of discontinued operations                 41,492                   18,861

</TABLE>



The following summary of the Market Strategy division's operations prior to the
Measurement Date have been presented net in the Company's consolidated
statements of operations (amounts in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       For the three months ended        For the nine months ended
                                                             September 30,                     September 30,
                                                       --------------------------     -----------------------------
                                                          1999            2000           1999               2000
                                                       ----------      ----------     ----------        -----------
<S>                                                     <C>               <C>           <C>                <C>
      Revenue                                           $  8,978          $--           $ 22,063           $  7,802
                                                        ========          ====          ========           ========

      Income (loss) from discontinued operations
        before provision for income taxes               $    865          $--           $  1,744           $ (1,498)

      Income tax expense (benefit)                           368           --                748               (523)
                                                        --------          ----          --------           --------
      Income (loss) from discontinued operations,
        net of taxes                                    $    497          $--           $    996           $   (975)
                                                        ========          ====          ========           ========
</TABLE>


For the nine months ended September 30, 2000, the Company recorded a $23.2
million loss (net of a tax benefit of $4.3 million), or $0.90 loss per share on
a diluted basis, on the disposal of the Market Strategy division. This loss
reflects the difference between the net assets of the Market Strategy division
over the proceeds from the divestiture and the operating losses from the
Measurement Date through the completion of the divestiture.

                                      -8-


<PAGE>
4.   Acquisitions:

     Pooling-of-Interests Transaction:

On March 31, 1999, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of JDR
Holdings, Inc. ("JDR") for approximately 3.4 million shares of NCO common stock.
The transaction was accounted for as a pooling of interests and a tax-free
reorganization. Accordingly, the historical financial information of the Company
has been restated to include the historical information of JDR. The following
discloses the amount of revenue and net income applicable to common shareholders
separately for each company for the period prior to the acquisition for the nine
months ended September 30, 1999 (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

For the nine months ended September 30, 1999:

Revenue:
    NCO                                                    $ 308,437
    JDR (for the period prior to the acquisition)             12,146
                                                           ---------

    Combined                                               $ 320,583
                                                           =========

Income from continuing operations
  applicable to common shareholders:
    NCO                                                    $  20,803
    JDR (for the period prior to the acquisition)                447
    Nonrecurring acquisition costs, net of taxes              (3,694)
                                                           ---------

    Combined                                               $  17,556
                                                           =========

For the nine months ended September 30, 1999, the Company incurred $4.6 million
of nonrecurring acquisition costs in connection with the JDR acquisition. These
costs consisted primarily of investment banking fees, legal and accounting fees,
and printing costs.

     Purchase Transactions:

The following acquisitions represent the acquisitions that were completed by the
Company during 1999 and the last quarter of 1998. All of the following
acquisitions have been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. As
part of the purchase accounting, the Company recorded accruals for acquisition
related expenses. These accruals included professional fees related to the
acquisition, termination costs related to certain redundant personnel
immediately eliminated at the time of the acquisitions, and certain future
rental obligations attributable to facilities which were closed at the time of
the acquisitions.

On November 30, 1998, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of
Medaphis Services Corporation ("MSC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Medaphis
Corporation, for $117.5 million in cash, which includes a $10.0 million earn-out
that was paid in April 2000.

On May 21, 1999, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of Co-Source
Corporation ("Co-Source") for approximately $122.7 million in cash plus a
warrant to purchase 250,000 shares of NCO common stock. The purchase price was
valued at approximately $124.6 million.

On August 20, 1999, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of
Compass International Services Corporation ("Compass") for approximately 3.3
million shares of NCO common stock and the assumption of stock options to
purchase approximately 200,000 shares of NCO common stock. The purchase price
was valued at approximately $104.1 million.

                                      -9-

<PAGE>
5.   Comprehensive Income:

Comprehensive income consists of net income from operations, plus certain
changes in assets and liabilities that are not included in net income but are
reported as a separate component of shareholders' equity under accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States. The Company's comprehensive
income is as follows (amounts in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    For the three months            For the nine months
                                                     ended September 30,            ended September 30,
                                                  --------------------------     --------------------------
                                                     1999            2000           1999            2000
                                                  ------------  ------------     ------------  ------------
<S>                                                <C>            <C>              <C>           <C>
Net income applicable to common
  shareholders                                     $  8,902       $  9,182         $ 18,552      $ 10,409

Foreign currency translation adjustment                 182           (944)           1,195        (1,583)
                                                   --------       --------         --------      --------
Comprehensive income                               $  9,084       $  8,238         $ 19,747      $  8,826
                                                   ========       ========         ========      ========
</TABLE>


6.   Funds Held on Behalf of Clients:

In the course of the Company's regular business activities as an accounts
receivable management company, the Company receives clients' funds arising from
the collection of accounts placed with the Company. These funds are placed in
segregated cash accounts and are generally remitted to clients within 30 days.
Funds held on behalf of clients of $47.7 million and $65.9 million at December
31, 1999 and September 30, 2000, respectively, have been shown net of their
offsetting liability for financial statement presentation.

7.   Long-Term Debt:

In May 1999, the Company's credit agreement with Mellon Bank, N.A., for itself
and as administrative agent for other participating lenders (collectively,
"Mellon Bank"), was amended to, among other things, increase the Company's
credit facility to provide for borrowings up to $350.0 million, structured as a
$350.0 million revolving credit facility. At the option of the Company, the
borrowings bear interest at a rate equal to either Mellon Bank's prime rate plus
a margin of 0.25% to 0.50% that is determined quarterly based upon the Company's
consolidated funded debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization ("EBITDA") ratio (Mellon Bank's prime rate was 9.50% at September
30, 2000), or the London InterBank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus a margin of 1.25%
to 2.25% depending on the Company's consolidated funded debt to EBITDA ratio
(LIBOR was 6.62% at September 30, 2000). Borrowings are collateralized by
substantially all the assets of the Company. The balance under the revolving
credit facility will be due upon the expiration of the five-year term. The
credit agreement contains certain financial covenants such as maintaining net
worth and funded debt to EBITDA requirements and includes restrictions on, among
other things, acquisitions, capital expenditures and distributions to
shareholders.

Prior to the JDR acquisition on March 31, 1999, JDR had $12.5 million of
borrowings outstanding against its revolving credit facility (the "JDR Credit
Facility"). On March 31, 1999, the Company repaid the outstanding balance on the
JDR Credit Facility with borrowings from its revolving credit agreement with
Mellon Bank and cancelled the JDR Credit Facility. Deferred financing costs of
$353,000 were written off on March 31, 1999, as a result of the cancellation of
the JDR Credit Facility.

                                      -10-

<PAGE>
8.   Earnings Per Share:

Basic earnings per share were computed by dividing the income from continuing
operations applicable to common shareholders and the net income applicable to
common shareholders for the three months and nine months ended September 30,
1999 and 2000, by the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted
earnings per share were computed by dividing the income from continuing
operations and the net income applicable to common shareholders for the three
months and nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 2000, by the weighted
average number of shares outstanding including all common equivalent shares.
Outstanding options, warrants and convertible securities have been utilized in
calculating diluted net income per share only when their effect would be
dilutive.

The reconciliation of basic to diluted income from continuing operations per
share and net income applicable to common shareholders per share consisted of
the following (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  For the three months ended September 30,
                            --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                              1999                                        2000
                            -----------------------------------------   ------------------------------------------
                                         Income from                                  Income from
                                         Continuing                                   Continuing
                                         Operations      Net Income                   Operations      Net Income
                             Shares       Per Share      Per Share        Shares       Per Share      Per Share
                            ---------- ---------------- -------------   ----------- ---------------- -------------

<S>                         <C>           <C>            <C>             <C>           <C>            <C>
Basic                       23,169        $   0.36       $   0.38        25,610        $   0.45       $   0.36
Dilutive effect of
  warrants                     266            --             --              17            --             --
Dilutive effect of
  options                      717           (0.01)         (0.01)           77            --             --
                            ------        --------       --------        ------        --------       --------
Diluted                     24,152        $   0.35       $   0.37        25,704        $   0.45       $   0.36
                            ======        ========       ========        ======        ========       ========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   For the nine months ended September 30,
                            --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                              1999                                        2000
                            -----------------------------------------   ------------------------------------------
                                         Income from                                  Income from
                                         Continuing                                   Continuing
                                         Operations      Net Income                   Operations      Net Income
                             Shares       Per Share      Per Share        Shares       Per Share      Per Share
                            ---------- ---------------- -------------   ----------- ---------------- -------------
<S>                         <C>           <C>            <C>             <C>           <C>             <C>
Basic                       22,034        $   0.80       $   0.84        25,576        $   1.35        $   0.41
Dilutive effect of
  warrants                     203           (0.01)         (0.01)           85            --              --
Dilutive effect of
  options                      744           (0.03)         (0.02)          165           (0.01)          (0.01)
Other                           11            --             --             --             --              --
                            ------        --------       --------        ------        --------        --------
Diluted                     22,992        $   0.76       $   0.81        25,826        $   1.34        $   0.40
                            ======        ========       ========        ======        ========        ========
</TABLE>



                                      -11-

<PAGE>

9.   Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

The following are supplemental disclosures of cash flow information for the nine
months ended September 30, 1999 and 2000 (amounts in thousands):

                                                              1999       2000
                                                            --------    ------

         Non-cash investing and financing activities:
              Fair value of assets acquired                $ 30,339     $   -
              Liabilities assumed from acquisitions          52,422         -
              Common stock issued for acquisitions          101,526         -
              Stock options issued for acquisitions           1,500         -
              Convertible note payable, exercised for
                common stock                                    900         -
              Warrants issued for acquisitions                1,925         -
              Warrants exercised                              4,575         -


10.  Segment Reporting:

The Company is organized into market-specific operating divisions that are
responsible for all aspects of client sales, client service, and operational
delivery of services. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as
those described in Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies." Segment
data include charges allocating corporate overhead costs to each of the
operating segments based on revenue and employee headcount. During 1999, the
operating divisions, which were each headed by a divisional chief executive
officer, included Accounts Receivable Management Services, Healthcare Services,
Technology-Based Outsourcing, Commercial Services, Market Strategy and
International Operations. In January of 2000, NCO realigned its corporate
structure into three operating divisions. The accounts receivable management
services portion of the Healthcare Services division was merged into the
Accounts Receivable Management Services division, and the pre-delinquency
services portion of the Healthcare Services division was merged into the
Technology-Based Outsourcing division. The Commercial Services division was
merged into the Accounts Receivable Management Services division. The Company
has divested the Market Strategy division and, as a result, that division has
been reflected as discontinued operations. The segment information for the three
months and nine months ended September 30, 1999, has been restated to reflect
the three continuing operating segments.

The Accounts Receivable Management Services division provides accounts
receivable management services to consumer and commercial accounts for all
market segments, serving clients of all sizes in local, regional and national
markets.

The Technology-Based Outsourcing division continues the growth of the client
relationship beyond bad debt recovery and delinquency management, delivering
cost-effective receivables and customer relationship management solutions to all
market segments, serving clients of all sizes in local, regional and national
markets.

The International Operations division provides accounts receivable management
services across Canada and the United Kingdom.

                                      -12-

<PAGE>
10.  Segment Reporting (continued):

The following tables represent the revenue, payroll and related expenses,
selling, general and administrative expenses, and earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") for each segment for the three
months and nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 2000. EBITDA is used by the
Company's management to measure the operating results of the segments and is not
intended to report the operating results of the segments in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  For the three months ended September 30, 1999
                                                             (amounts in thousands)
                                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Payroll and       Selling, General
                                                           Related             and Admin.
                                         Revenue           Expenses             Expenses           EBITDA
                                     ----------------  -----------------  -----------------   ---------------

<S>                                      <C>               <C>                 <C>               <C>
     A/R Management                      $ 84,269          $ 43,566            $ 22,952          $ 17,751
     Tech-Based Outsourcing                34,879            18,439               9,478             6,962
     International Operations               7,952             4,580               2,093             1,279
                                         --------          --------            --------          --------

     Total                               $127,100          $ 66,585            $ 34,523          $ 25,992
                                         ========          ========            ========          ========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  For the three months ended September 30, 2000
                                                             (amounts in thousands)
                                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Payroll and      Selling, General
                                                           Related           and  Admin.
                                         Revenue           Expenses           Expenses             EBITDA
                                     ----------------  -----------------  -----------------   ---------------

<S>                                      <C>               <C>                 <C>               <C>
     A/R Management                      $109,656          $ 51,830            $ 33,212          $ 24,614
     Tech-Based Outsourcing                36,096            18,786               9,328             7,982
     International Operations               8,106             4,276               2,338             1,492
                                         --------          --------            --------          --------
     Total                               $153,858          $ 74,892            $ 44,878          $ 34,088
                                         ========          ========            ========          ========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  For the nine months ended September 30, 1999
                                                             (amounts in thousands)
                                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Selling,         Non-
                                                    Payroll and     General and     Recurring
                                                      Related          Admin.      Acquisition
                                        Revenue       Expenses        Expenses         Costs         EBITDA
                                     ------------- --------------  --------------  -------------  -----------
<S>                                    <C>            <C>           <C>               <C>          <C>
     A/R Management                    $205,221       $105,035      $ 57,663          $   --       $ 42,523
     Tech-Based Outsourcing              91,954         49,561        24,675              --         17,718
     International Operations            23,408         13,598         6,349              --          3,461
     Other                                 --             --            --               4,601       (4,601)
                                       --------       --------      --------          --------     --------
     Total                             $320,583       $168,194      $ 88,687          $  4,601     $ 59,101
                                       ========       ========      ========          ========     ========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                  For the nine months ended September 30, 2000
                                                             (amounts in thousands)
                                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Payroll and           Selling,
                                                           Related            General and
                                         Revenue           Expenses        Admin. Expenses        EBITDA
                                     ----------------  -----------------  -----------------   ---------------
<S>                                    <C>                 <C>               <C>                 <C>
     A/R Management                    $317,510            $150,747          $ 95,781            $ 70,982
     Tech-Based Outsourcing             110,973              55,848            29,998              25,127
     International Operations            23,421              12,785             6,792               3,844
                                       --------            --------          --------            --------
     Total                             $451,904            $219,380          $132,571            $ 99,953
                                       ========            ========          ========            ========
</TABLE>
                                      -13-


<PAGE>

Item 2
                     Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     Certain statements included in this Report on Form 10-Q, other than
historical facts, are forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the regulations thereunder) that are
intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking
statements include, without limitation, statements as to the disposal of the
Market Strategy division and its effect on the Company; statements as to the
Company's objective to focus on internal growth, strategic acquisitions and
alliances, and integration; fluctuations in quarterly operating results; the
impact of acquisitions on the Company's earnings; the Company's ability to
realize operating efficiencies in the integration of its acquisitions; trends in
the Company's future operating performance; the effects of legal or governmental
proceedings; the effects of changes in accounting pronouncements; year 2000
compliance; and statements as to the Company's or management's beliefs,
expectations and opinions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties and may be affected by various factors that may cause actual
results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. In
addition to the factors discussed in this Report on Form 10-Q, certain risks,
uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, the risk that
the Company will not be able to implement its five-year strategy as and when
planned; risks associated with growth and future acquisitions; risks relating to
fluctuations in quarterly operating results; risks related to timing of
contracts; risks related to strategic acquisitions and international operations;
and the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K, filed on March 27, 2000, as amended on April 11, 2000, can cause
actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements.

     A copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K can be obtained, without charge
except for exhibits, by written request to Steven L. Winokur, Executive Vice
President, Finance/CFO, NCO Group, Inc., 515 Pennsylvania Avenue, Fort
Washington, PA 19034.

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2000, Compared to Three Months Ended
September 30, 1999

     Revenue. Revenue increased $26.8 million or 21.1% to $153.9 million for the
three months ended September 30, 2000, from $127.1 million for the comparable
period in 1999. The Accounts Receivable Management Services ("A/R Management"),
Technology-Based Outsourcing ("TBO"), and International Operations
("International") divisions represented $109.7 million, $36.1 million, and $8.1
million, respectively, of the revenue for the three months ended September 30,
2000.

     The A/R Management division's revenue increased $25.4 million or 30.1% to
$109.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2000, from $84.3 million
for the comparable period in 1999. The acquisition of Compass International
Services Corporation ("Compass") on August 20, 1999 represented $5.4 million of
the increase and $3.2 million of this increase was attributable to the
acquisition of Co-Source Corporation ("Co-Source") on May 21, 1999. The
remainder of the increase in the A/R Management division's revenue was
attributable to the addition of new clients and growth in business from existing
clients.

     The TBO division's revenue increased $1.2 million or 3.5% to $36.1 million
for the three months ended September 30, 2000, from $34.9 million for the
comparable period in 1999. This increase in the TBO division's revenue was
attributable to the addition of new clients and growth in business from existing
clients.

      The International division's revenue increased $154,000 or 1.9% to $8.1
million for the three months ended September 30, 2000, from $8.0 million for the
comparable period in 1999. This increase in the International division's revenue
was primarily attributable to the addition of new clients and growth in business
from existing clients. However, the growth was limited due to a weak Canadian
economy.


                                      -14-

<PAGE>


     Payroll and related expenses. Payroll and related expenses increased $8.3
million to $74.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2000, from
$66.6 million for the comparable period in 1999, but decreased as a percentage
of revenue to 48.7% from 52.4%. This decrease as a percentage of revenue was
partially attributable to the Company continuing the process of rationalizing
staff levels in both its acquired and existing businesses. The decrease as a
percentage of revenue was also attributable to the increase in productivity that
was achieved through the expansion of the Company's use of predictive dialing
equipment. The remaining portion of the decrease was the result of spreading the
fixed portion of the Company's payroll cost structure over a larger revenue
base.

     Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $10.4 million to $44.9 million for the three
months ended September 30, 2000, from $34.5 million for the comparable period in
1999, and increased as a percentage of revenue to 29.2% from 27.2%. The increase
as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to the increased
information technology costs associated with the expansion of the Company's use
of predictive dialing equipment. Increased productivity more than offset the
increase in selling, general, and administrative expense by a reduction in
payroll and related expenses. The Company experienced some increase in selling,
general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue as a result of
increased collection costs attributed to certain adverse changes in the payment
patterns of consumers which made collections more difficult, as well as further
integration of its information technology infrastructure.

     Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased to
$8.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2000, from $6.0 million
for the comparable period in 1999. Of this increase, $623,000 was attributable
to the Compass acquisition. The remaining $1.7 million increase consisted of
depreciation resulting from normal capital expenditures made in the ordinary
course of business. These capital expenditures included purchases associated
with the Company's planned migration towards a single, integrated information
technology platform, and predictive dialers and other equipment required to
expand the Company's infrastructure to handle future growth.

     Other income (expense). Interest and investment income increased $243,000
to $609,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2000, from $366,000 for the
comparable period in 1999. This increase was primarily attributable to an
increase in operating funds and funds held on behalf of clients, and the
implementation of the Company's new cash investment strategy. This new strategy
allows the Company to fully take advantage of its funds available for
investment. Interest expense increased to $6.5 million for the three months
ended September 30, 2000, from $5.6 million for the comparable period in 1999.
The increase was partially attributable to a full quarter of interest expense in
third quarter of 2000 from borrowings under the revolving credit facility of
$29.5 million that were used to repay debt that was assumed as a result of the
August 1999 acquisition of Compass. The remainder of the increase was
attributable to an increase in interest rates that was partially offset by
repayments of debt made during 2000.

     Income tax expense. Income tax expense increased to $8.4 million, or 42.2%
of income before taxes, for the three months ended September 30, 2000, from $6.3
million, or 43.0% of income before taxes, for the comparable period in 1999. The
decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily attributable to additional
revenues diluting the impact of the nondeductible goodwill related to certain
acquisitions.

     Discontinued operations. On April 14, 2000 (the "Measurement Date"), the
Company's Board of Directors approved a plan to divest the Company's Market
Strategy division as part of its strategic plan to increase long-term
shareholder value and focus on its core business of accounts receivable
management services. An estimate of the operations of the Market Strategy
division for the period from the Measurement Date to the expected completion of
the divestiture were recorded during the first quarter of 2000 as part of the
loss on the disposal of the Market Strategy division. The Company recorded an
additional loss $2.4 million during the third quarter of 2000. This additional
loss was primarily attributable to lower than expected operating results from
the Market Strategy division during the third quarter of 2000. The Company
completed the divestiture of the Market Strategy division on October 26, 2000.

                                      -15-

<PAGE>
     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2000, Compared to Nine Months Ended
September 30, 1999

     Revenue. Revenue increased $131.3 million or 41.0% to $451.9 million for
the nine months ended September 30, 2000, from $320.6 million for the comparable
period in 1999. The A/R Management, TBO, and International divisions represented
$317.5 million, $111.0 million, and $23.4 million, respectively, of the revenue
for the nine months ended September 30, 2000.

     The A/R Management division's revenue increased $112.3 million or 54.7% to
$317.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2000, from $205.2 million
for the comparable period in 1999. The acquisition of Compass on August 20, 1999
represented $31.2 million of the increase and $35.1 million of this increase was
attributable to the acquisition of Co-Source on May 21, 1999. The remainder of
the increase in the A/R Management division's revenue was attributable to the
addition of new clients and growth in business from existing clients.

     The TBO division's revenue increased $19.0 million or 20.7% to $111.0
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2000, from $92.0 million for the
comparable period in 1999. This increase in the TBO division's revenue was
attributable to the addition of new clients and growth in business from existing
clients.

     The International division's revenue decreased $13,000 or 0.1% to $23.4
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2000, from $23.4 million for the
comparable period in 1999. This lack of growth in the International division's
revenue was attributable to a weak Canadian economy.

     Payroll and related expenses. Payroll and related expenses increased $51.2
million to $219.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2000, from
$168.2 million for the comparable period in 1999, but decreased as a percentage
of revenue to 48.5% from 52.5%. This decrease as a percentage of revenue was
partially attributable to the Company continuing the process of rationalizing
staff levels in both its acquired and existing businesses. The decrease as a
percentage of revenue was also attributable to the increase in productivity that
was achieved through the expansion of the Company's use of predictive dialing
equipment. The remaining portion of the decrease was the result of spreading the
fixed portion of the Company's payroll cost structure over a larger revenue
base.

     Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $43.9 million to $132.6 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2000, from $88.7 million for the comparable period in
1999, and increased as a percentage of revenue to 29.3% from 27.7%. The increase
as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to the increased
information technology costs associated with the expansion of the Company's use
of predictive dialing equipment. Increased productivity more than offset the
increase in selling, general, and administrative expense by a reduction in
payroll and related expenses. The Company experienced some increase in selling,
general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue as a result of
significant start-up costs incurred as a result of new client relationships,
further integration of its information technology infrastructure, as well as
increased collection costs attributed to certain adverse changes in the payment
patterns of consumers which made collections more difficult.

     Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased to
$23.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2000, from $14.7 million
for the comparable period in 1999. Of this increase, $2.9 million was
attributable to the Compass acquisition and $1.6 million was attributable to the
Co-Source acquisition. The remaining $4.6 million increase consisted of
depreciation resulting from normal capital expenditures made in the ordinary
course of business during 2000. These capital expenditures included purchases
associated with the Company's planned migration towards a single, integrated
information technology platform, and predictive dialers and other equipment
required to expand the Company's infrastructure to handle future growth.

                                      -16-

<PAGE>


     Other income (expense). Interest and investment income increased $711,000
to $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2000, from $864,000 for
the comparable period in 1999. This increase was primarily attributable to an
increase in operating funds and funds held on behalf of clients, and the
implementation of the Company's new cash investment strategy. This new strategy
allows the Company to fully take advantage of its funds available for
investment. Interest expense increased to $19.3 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 2000, from $12.4 million for the comparable period in 1999.
The increase was primarily attributable to the Company financing the May 1999
acquisition of Co-Source with borrowings of $122.7 million under the revolving
credit facility. Additionally, a portion of the increase was attributable to
borrowings under the revolving credit facility of $29.5 million that were used
to repay debt that was assumed as a result of the August 1999 acquisition of
Compass. The remainder of the increase was attributable to an increase in
interest rates that was partially offset by repayments of debt made during 2000.

     Income tax expense. Income tax expense increased to $25.2 million, or 42.2%
of income before taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2000, from $14.9
million, or 45.5% of income before taxes, for the comparable period in 1999. The
decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily attributable to the
nondeductible portion of the $4.6 million of nonrecurring acquisition costs
incurred during the first quarter of 1999 in connection with the acquisition of
JDR Holdings, Inc. ("JDR"). In addition, a portion of the decrease was
attributable to additional revenues diluting the impact of the nondeductible
goodwill related to certain acquisitions.

     Accretion of preferred stock to redemption value. The accretion of
preferred stock to redemption value relates to JDR's preferred stock that was
outstanding prior to its conversion into NCO common stock on March 31, 1999.
This non-cash accretion represents the periodic amortization of the difference
between the original carrying amount and the mandatory redemption amount.

     Discontinued operations. The Market Strategy division had a loss from
operations of $975,000 for the period from January 1, 2000 to the Measurement
Date, as compared to income of $996,000 for the nine months ended September 30,
1999. For the nine months ended September 30, 2000, the Company recorded a $23.2
million loss on the disposal of the Market Strategy division. The loss on
disposal included the operations for the period from the Measurement Date to the
completion of the divestiture. The Company completed the divestiture of the
Market Strategy division on October 26, 2000.

     Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Historically, the Company's primary sources of cash have been bank
borrowings, public offerings, and cash flows from operations. Cash has been used
for acquisitions, repayments of bank borrowings, purchases of equipment,
acquisitions of purchased accounts receivable, and working capital to support
the Company's growth.

     Cash provided by operating activities was $31.7 million during the nine
months ended September 30, 2000, compared to $30.1 million for the comparable
period in 1999. This increase was primarily attributable to the increase in
income from continuing operations and deferred tax liabilities, primarily
associated with timing differences in depreciation and amortization. These
increases were partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable and a
decrease in corporate taxes payable.

     Cash used in investing activities was $52.6 million during the nine months
ended September 30, 2000, compared to $149.4 million for the comparable period
in 1999. During the nine months ended September 30, 2000, purchases of accounts
receivable portfolios were $20.9 million compared to $6.2 million for the
comparable period in 1999. Collections on purchased accounts receivable
portfolios for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 was $10.4 million, of
which $2.6 million, or 25.0%, was applied to reduce the principal balance of the
purchased portfolios. Capital expenditures were $24.3 million during the nine
months ended September 30, 2000 compared to $14.3 million for the comparable
period in 1999. The increase in purchases of accounts receivable portfolios, and
property and equipment was offset by the payment of $130.9 million of
acquisition related expenses paid during the first nine months of 1999 in
connection with the acquisitions of Medaphis Services Corporation ("MSC"), JDR,
Co-Source, and Compass compared to the payment of a $10.0 million earn-out in
the second quarter of 2000 in connection with the acquisition of MSC.

                                      -17-

<PAGE>


     Cash used in financing activities was $15.6 million during the nine months
ended September 30, 2000, compared to cash provided by financing activities of
$144.3 million for the comparable period in 1999. During the nine months ended
September 30, 1999, the Company had $149.0 million of borrowings, net of the
repayment of acquired notes payable, which were primarily attributable to the
acquisition of Co-Source. During the nine months ended September 30, 2000, the
Company repaid $15.0 million of borrowings under the revolving credit agreement.

     In May 1999, the Company's credit agreement with Mellon Bank, N.A., for
itself and as administrative agent for other participating lenders ("Mellon
Bank"), was amended to, among other things, increase the Company's credit
facility to provide for borrowings up to $350.0 million, structured as a $350.0
million revolving credit facility. At the option of the Company, the borrowings
bear interest at a rate equal to either Mellon Bank's prime rate plus a margin
of 0.25% to 0.50% depending on the Company's consolidated funded debt to EBITDA
ratio (Mellon Bank's prime rate was 9.50% at September 30, 2000) or LIBOR plus a
margin of 1.25% to 2.25% depending on the Company's consolidated funded debt to
EBITDA ratio (LIBOR was 6.62% at September 30, 2000). Borrowings are
collateralized by substantially all the assets of the Company. The balance under
the revolving credit facility will be due upon the expiration of the five-year
term. The credit agreement contains certain financial covenants such as
maintaining net worth and funded debt to EBITDA requirements and includes
restrictions on, among other things, acquisitions, capital expenditures and
distributions to shareholders.

     The Company believes that funds generated from operations, together with
existing cash and available borrowings under its credit agreement, will be
sufficient to finance its current operations, planned capital expenditure
requirements, and internal growth at least through the next 12 months. However,
the Company could require additional debt or equity financing if it were to make
any other significant acquisitions for cash during that period.

     Market Risk

     The Company is exposed to various types of market risk in the normal course
of business, including the impact of interest rate changes, foreign currency
exchange rate fluctuations, and changes in corporate tax rates. The Company
employs risk management strategies that may include the use of derivatives such
as interest rate swap agreements, interest rate ceilings and floors, and foreign
currency forwards and options to manage these exposures. The Company does not
hold derivatives for trading purposes.

     Goodwill

     The Company's balance sheet includes amounts designated as "intangibles"
that consist primarily of goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of purchase
price over the fair market value of the net assets of the acquired businesses,
based on their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. Accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States require that this and all
other intangible assets be amortized over the period benefited. Management has
determined that period to be from 15 to 40 years based on the attributes of each
acquisition.

     As of September 30, 2000, the Company's balance sheet included goodwill
that represented approximately 68.9% of total assets and 142.9% of shareholders'
equity.

     If management has incorrectly overestimated the length of the amortization
period for goodwill, earnings reported in periods immediately following the
acquisition would be overstated. In later years, NCO would be burdened by a
continuing charge against earnings without the associated benefit to income
valued by management in arriving at the consideration paid for the business.
Earnings in later years also could be significantly affected if management
determined then that the remaining balance of goodwill was impaired.

     Management has concluded that the anticipated future cash flows associated
with intangible assets recognized in the acquisitions will continue
indefinitely, and there is no persuasive evidence that any material portion will
dissipate over a period shorter than the respective amortization period.

                                      -18-


<PAGE>


     Recent Accounting Pronouncement:

     In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," which was
subsequently amended by SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133"
and SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain
Hedging Activities - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133" (collectively "SFAS
No. 133"). SFAS No. 133 is effective for the fiscal years beginning after June
15, 2000, and requires that an entity recognize all derivative instruments as
either assets or liabilities on its balance sheet at their fair value. Changes
in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current earnings or
other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is designated as
part of a hedge transaction, and, if it is, the type of hedge transaction. The
Company will adopt SFAS No. 133 by the first quarter of 2001. Due to the
Company's limited use of derivative instruments, SFAS No. 133 is not expected to
have a material effect on the consolidated results of operations, financial
condition or cash flows of the Company.

Item 3
           Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     Included in Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations, of this Report on Form 10-Q.

                                      -19-


<PAGE>


Part II.  Other Information
          -----------------

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
         -----------------

         The Company is involved in legal proceedings from time to time in the
     ordinary course of its business. Management believes that none of these
     legal proceedings will have a materially adverse effect on the financial
     condition or results of operations of the Company.

Item 2.  Changes in Securities
         ---------------------

     None - not applicable

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities
         -------------------------------

     None - not applicable

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Shareholders
         -----------------------------------------------

     None - not applicable

Item 5.  Other Information
         -----------------

     None - not applicable

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
         --------------------------------

     (a) Exhibits

         27.1 Financial Data Schedule

     (b) Reports on Form 8-K

         None - not applicable


                                      -20-

<PAGE>


                                   Signatures

Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



Date:    November 14, 2000                    By:  /s/ Michael J. Barrist
                                                   ----------------------
                                              Michael J. Barrist
                                              Chairman of the Board, President
                                              and Chief Executive Officer
                                              (principal executive officer)



Date:    November 14, 2000                    By:  /s/ Steven L. Winokur
                                                   ---------------------
                                              Steven L. Winokur
                                              Executive Vice President, Finance,
                                              Chief Financial Officer and
                                              Treasurer


                                      -21-



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