WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORP
10-Q, 1999-02-16
PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS
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                                  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 AND
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 1998

                                       or

[   ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
      AND EXCHANGE ACT of 1934

For the transition period from                   to               
                               -----------------    -------------------

                         Commission File Number: 0-19599
                                                 -------


                          WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
                         ------------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter.)



           South Carolina                                   57-0425114
  -------------------------------                -------------------------------
  (State or other jurisdiction of                (I.R.S. Employer Identification
   incorporation or organization)                             Number)


                              108 Frederick Street
                        Greenville, South Carolina 29607
                    ----------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (Zip Code)


                                 (864) 298-9800
                           --------------------------
              (registrant's telephone number, including area code)


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 (or for shorter period than the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days.

                               X     Yes                 No
                            --------            --------

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of issuer's classes of common
stock, as of the latest practicable date, February 11, 1999.

      Common Stock, no par value                        19,016,573
      --------------------------                   ------------------        
               (Class)                                (Outstanding)

                                       1

<PAGE>

                          WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                                                   PAGE

Item 1.  Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited):

         Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31,
         1998, and March 31, 1998                                    3

         Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
         three-month periods and nine-month periods ended
         December 31, 1998, and December 31, 1997                    4

         Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
         for the year ended March 31, 1998, and the nine-month
         period ended December 31, 1998                              5

         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three-
         month periods and nine-month periods ended December 31,
         1998, and December 31, 1997                                 6

         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                  7

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
         Condition and Results of Operations for the three-month
         periods and nine-month periods ended December 31, 1998,
         and December 31, 1997                                       9


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.  Legal Proceedings                                           14

Item 2.  Changes in Securities                                       14

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                            15


SIGNATURES                                                           17

                                       2
<PAGE>

                          WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (UNAUDITED)


                                                   December 31,       March 31,
                                                       1998             1998
                                                   ------------       --------- 
                       ASSETS

Cash                                             $   1,505,660       1,212,611
Gross loans receivable                             166,479,291     130,559,256
Less:
   Unearned interest and fees                      (37,373,512)    (27,173,845)
   Allowance for loan losses                       (10,075,315)     (8,444,563)
                                                   -----------     -----------
      Loans receivable, net                        119,030,464      94,940,848
Property and equipment, net                          6,710,051       6,424,757
Other assets, net                                    6,083,123       6,193,300
Intangible assets, net                               9,921,058       9,610,394
                                                   -----------     -----------
                                                 $ 143,250,356     118,381,910
                                                   ===========     ===========



         LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Liabilities:
   Senior notes payable                             73,150,000      53,700,000
   Subordinated notes payable                       10,000,000      10,000,000
   Other note payable                                  482,000         482,000
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses             9,729,223       6,898,630
                                                    ----------      ----------
      Total liabilities                             93,361,223      71,080,630
                                                    ----------      ----------

Shareholders' equity:
   Common stock, no par value                            -               -
   Additional paid-in capital                          935,921         864,968
   Retained earnings                                48,953,212      46,436,312
                                                   -----------     -----------
      Total shareholders' equity                    49,889,133      47,301,280 
                                                   -----------     -----------
                                                 $ 143,250,356     118,381,910
                                                   ===========     ===========







           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                          WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (UNAUDITED)


                                   Three months ended       Nine months ended
                                      December 31,            December 31,
                                   ------------------       -----------------   
                                    1998         1997       1998         1997
                                    ----         ----       ----         ----

Revenues:
  Interest and fee income      $ 20,784,775  18,240,296  58,524,057  51,914,624
  Insurance and other income      3,051,166   2,480,096   7,727,586   6,494,059
                                  ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
   Total revenues                23,835,941  20,720,392  66,251,643  58,408,683
                                 ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

Expenses:
  Provision for loan losses       4,261,642   3,562,229   9,733,276   8,526,983
                                 ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
  General and administrative
  expenses:
   Personnel                      9,013,178   8,359,550  26,965,675  24,168,250
   Occupancy and equipment        1,629,300   1,525,198   4,821,281   4,576,570
   Data processing                  344,975     354,153   1,065,645     953,854
   Advertising                    1,643,864   1,844,398   3,376,122   3,356,681
   Legal                             98,288      85,424   5,785,468     318,139
   Amortization of intangible
     assets                       1,107,122     335,007     321,329     962,084
   Other                          1,947,729   1,827,404   5,656,821   5,303,903
                                 ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                 15,012,341  14,317,456  48,633,096  39,784,519
                                 ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

  Interest expense                1,456,033   1,452,844   4,083,371   4,017,726
                                 ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
      Total expenses             20,730,016  19,332,529  62,449,743  52,329,228
                                 ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

Income before income taxes        3,105,925   1,387,863   3,801,900   6,079,455

Income taxes                      1,052,000     495,000   1,285,000   2,067,000
                                 ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

Net income                     $  2,053,925     892,863   2,516,900   4,012,455
                                 ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

Net Income per common share:
   Basic                        $       .11         .05         .13         .21
                                  =========  ==========  ==========  ==========
   Diluted                      $       .11         .05         .13         .21
                                  =========  ==========  ==========  ==========

Weighted average common shares
  outstanding:
   Basic                         19,016,573  18,960,464  19,008,861  18,950,518
                                 ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========
   Diluted                       19,181,261  19,136,519  19,206,356  19,162,917
                                 ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========




           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       4
<PAGE>

                          WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                   (UNAUDITED)


                                              Additional
                                                Paid-in   Retained
                                                Capital   Earnings    Total
                                              ----------  --------    ----- 

Balances at March 31, 1997                    $ 625,592  38,337,871 38,963,463

Proceeds from exercise of stock options
   (62,000 shares), including tax
   benefits of $58,543                          239,376       -        239,376
Net income for the year                            -      8,098,441  8,098,441
                                                -------   --------- ----------

Balances at March 31, 1998                      864,968  46,436,312 47,301,280

Proceeds from exercise of stock options
   (18,000 shares), including tax
   benefit of $18,453                            70,953       -         70,953
Net income for the nine months                     -      2,516,900  2,516,900
                                                -------  ---------- ----------

Balances at December 31, 1998                 $ 935,921  48,953,212 49,889,133
                                                =======  ========== ==========









              See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                         WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               Three months ended        Nine months ended                  
                                                  December 31,              December 31,
                                            -----------------------    -----------------------                             
                                               1998          1997         1998         1997
                                              ------        ------       ------       ------                            
<S>                                         <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:                                                                         
   Net income                               $2,053,925      892,863     2,516,900    4,012,455                       
   Adjustments to reconcile net                                                                               
     income to net cash provided by                                                                           
     operating activities:                                                                                    
     Provision for loan losses               4,261,642    3,562,229     9,733,276    8,526,983                        
     Amortization of intangible assets         335,007      321,329       962,084    1,107,122                                      
     Amortization of loan costs and                                                                           
        discounts                               67,999       27,427       128,692       84,895                         
     Depreciation                              344,058      366,019     1,054,302    1,084,290                        
     Change in accounts:                                                                                      
       Other assets, net                        66,405     (362,334)      (18,515)  (2,245,464)                      
       Accounts payable and accrued                                                                           
          expenses                           1,016,950      385,666     2,849,046     (878,536)                        
                                            ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------                                      
         Net cash provided by                                                                                 
            operating activities             8,145,986    5,193,199    17,225,785   11,691,745                  
                                            ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------
                                                                                                              
Cash flows from investing activities:                                                                         
   Increase in loans, net                  (18,969,750) (15,322,847)  (30,206,973) (23,300,613)                                     
   Net assets acquired from office                                                                            
      acquisitions, primarily loans         (2,655,063)    (198,239)   (3,640,338)  (5,235,791)         
   Purchases of premises and equipment        (314,100)    (137,965)   (1,315,177)  (1,452,575)                    
   Purchases of intangible assets             (895,298)    (144,501)   (1,272,748)  (1,221,437)                    
                                            ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------                                      
         Net cash used by investing                                                                           
            activities                     (22,834,211) (15,803,552)  (36,435,236) (31,210,416)             
                                           -----------  -----------   -----------  -----------                                      
Cash flows from financing activities:                                                                         
   Proceeds of senior notes payable,                                                                          
      net                                   18,900,000   13,600,000    23,450,000   13,250,000                    
   Repayment of senior term notes           (4,000,000)  (4,000,000)   (4,000,000)  (4,000,000)                  
   Proceeds from senior subordinated                                                                          
      notes                                      -            -             -       10,000,000                   
   Proceeds from exercise of stock                                                                            
      options                                    -           29,166        52,500       84,583                       
                                            ----------    ---------     ---------   ----------                                      
         Net cash provided by financing                                                                 
            activities                      14,900,000    9,629,166    19,502,500   19,334,583                    
                                            ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------                                      
Increase (decrease) in cash                    211,775     (981,187)      293,049     (184,088)                        
                                                                                                              
Cash, beginning of period                    1,293,885    2,283,172     1,212,611    1,486,073                       
                                            ----------  -----------    ----------  -----------                       
                                                                                                              
Cash, end of period                        $ 1,505,660    1,301,985     1,505,660    1,301,985
                                            ==========   ==========    ==========  =========== 
Supplemental disclosure of cash                                                                               
   flow information:                                                                                          
   Cash paid for interest expense          $ 1,474,498    1,717,204     4,248,206    4,080,890                       
   Cash paid for income taxes                  295,500      882,919     4,048,885    4,561,689                        
Supplemental schedule of noncash                                                                              
   financing activities:                                                                                      
   Tax benefits from exercise of                                                                              
      stock options                               -           7,501        18,453       30,705                           
</TABLE>
                                                                        
           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       6
<PAGE>

                 WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                DECEMBER 31, 1998


NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION
- ------------------------------

   The consolidated financial statements of the Company at December 31, 1998,
and for the periods then ended were prepared in accordance with the instructions
for Form 10-Q and are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, all
adjustments (consisting only of items of a normal recurring nature) necessary
for a fair presentation of the financial position at December 31, 1998, and the
results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, have been
included. The results for the periods ended December 31, 1998, are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or
any other interim period.

   These consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures
required by generally accepted accounting principles and should be read in
conjunction with the Company's audited financial statements and related notes
for the year ended March 31, 1998, included in the Company's 1998 Annual Report
to Shareholders.


NOTE 2 - ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
- ----------------------------------

   The following is a summary of the changes in the allowance for loan losses
for the periods indicated (unaudited):

                                       Three months            Nine months
                                     ended December 31,     ended December 31,
                                 ----------------------- -----------------------
                                      1998       1997        1998       1997
                                     -----       ----        ----       ----
      Balance at beginning of
         period                 $ 8,908,102   7,526,452   8,444,563   6,283,459
      Provision for loan losses   4,261,642   3,562,229   9,733,276   8,526,983
      Loan losses                (3,450,666) (3,041,197) (8,930,531) (8,080,595)
      Recoveries                    317,770     341,581     972,288     840,410
      Allowance on acquired
         loans                       38,467       9,283    (144,281)    828,091
                                 ----------   ---------  ----------   ---------
      Balance at end of period $ 10,075,315   8,398,348  10,075,315   8,398,348
                                 ==========   =========  ==========   =========


NOTE 3 - PARADATA FINANCIAL SYSTEMS (PARADATA)
- ----------------------------------------------

   The following data for ParaData was included in the Consolidated Statements
of Operations for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 (unaudited):

                                      Three months            Nine months
                                   ended December 31,      ended December 31,
                                 ---------------------    --------------------
                                    1998        1997         1998        1997
                                    ----        ----         ----        ---- 
Sales and system-support         $537,701      634,152     1,674,512   1,504,876
Cost of sales                      54,811      188,777       273,031     352,478
                                  -------      -------     ---------   ---------
   Net margin (included in other
     income)                      482,890      445,375     1,401,481   1,152,398
                                  -------      -------     ---------   ---------
General and administrative
  expenses
   Personnel                      304,426      280,344       876,199     749,629
   Occupancy and equipment         29,561       72,137        94,427     207,409
   Advertising                        559        1,855         4,877       4,680
   Amortization of intangibles         -         7,189          -         21,567
   Other                           47,730       38,095       140,550     116,573
                                  -------      -------       -------   ---------
                                  382,276      399,620     1,116,053   1,099,858
                                  -------      -------     ---------   ---------
Net income before income taxes   $100,614       45,755       285,428      52,540
                                  =======      =======     =========   =========

                                       7
<PAGE>

NOTE 4 - LEGAL EXPENSE
- ----------------------

    Since April 1995, the Company and several of its subsidiaries have been
parties to litigation challenging the Company's non-filing insurance practices.
Non-filing insurance is an insurance product that lenders like the Company can
purchase in lieu of filing a UCC financing statement covering the collateral of
their borrowers. The litigation against the Company has been consolidated with
other litigation against other finance companies, jewelry and furniture
retailers, and insurance companies in a purported nationwide class action in the
U.S. District Court in Alabama under the caption In re: Consolidated "Non-filing
Insurance" Fee Litigation (Multidistrict Litigation Docket No. 1130), U.S.
District Court, Middle District of Alabama, Northern Division).

    On November 11, 1998, the Company and its subsidiaries named in the action
entered into a settlement agreement. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, which
is subject to the court's approval, the Company has agreed to settle all claims
alleged in the litigation involving it and its subsidiaries for an aggregate
cash payment of $5 million. In addition, the terms of the settlement will
curtail certain non-filing practices by the Company and its subsidiaries and
will allow the court to approve criteria defining those circumstances in which
the Company's subsidiaries can make non-filing insurance claims going forward.
As a result of the settlement, non-filing insurance fees charged to borrowers
will be reduced by 25%. The settlement agreement, which includes the settlement
by several other defendants in the litigation, including the Company's insurer,
is subject to the court's approval because the settlement concerns a class
action. The Company anticipates that a hearing will be held by the court during
the fourth quarter of its current fiscal year with respect to approval of the
settlement.

   The Company recorded an accrual for settlement costs, including the expected
expenses to comply with the terms of the settlement, of $5.4 million in the
quarter ended September 30, 1998. Going forward, the Company expects that the
settlement will limit and reduce the coverage for the types of losses with
respect to which its subsidiaries will submit claims. The Company cannot predict
the amount of this reduction, but believes that the settlement will negatively
impact the Company in the near term, but should not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations over time.

NOTE 5 - ADOPTION OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD'S (FASB) STATEMENT OF 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (SFAS) NO. 130
- ---------------------------------------------

   In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income
(Statement 130). Statement 130 establishes standards for reporting and display
of comprehensive income and its components in a full set of general purpose
financial statements. Enterprises are required to classify items of "other
comprehensive income" by their nature in the financial statements and display
the balance of other comprehensive income separately in the equity section of a
statement of financial position. The Company adopted Statement 130 effective
April 1, 1998, and no adjustments were necessary and comprehensive income (loss)
is equal to net income (loss).

                                       8

<PAGE>

                          WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                   ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                           ------------------------------------
                 OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                 ------------------------------------------------

Results of Operations
- ---------------------

    The following table sets forth certain information derived from the
Company's consolidated statements of operations and balance sheets, as well as
operating data and ratios, for the periods indicated (unaudited):

                                             Three months       Nine months
                                          ended December 31, ended December 31,
                                          ------------------ ------------------
                                              1998   1997     1998    1997
                                              ----   ----     ----    ----
                                                   (Dollars in thousands)

      Average gross loans receivable (1)   $150,585  131,915 141,326 122,803
      Average loans receivable (2)          116,578  102,295 109,938  95,402

      Expenses as a % of total revenue:
         Provision for loan losses            17.9%    17.2%   14.7%   14.6%
         General and administrative (3)       63.0%    69.1%   73.4%   68.1%
         Total interest expense                6.1%     7.0%    6.2%    6.9%

      Operating margin (4)                    19.1%    13.7%   11.9%   17.3%

      Return on average assets (annualized)    6.1%     3.0%    2.6%    4.8%

      Offices opened or acquired, net             9        -      23      24
      Total offices (at period end)             383      360     383     360

- -----------------
(1) Average gross loans receivable have been determined by averaging month-end
    gross loans receivable over the indicated period.
(2) Average loans receivable have been determined by averaging month-end gross
    loans receivable less unearned interest and deferred fees over the indicated
    period.
(3) Includes $5.4 million accrual for pending legal settlement for the
    nine-month periods ended December 31, 1998. Excluding this one time charge,
    the ratio would have been 65.3% for the nine-month period.
(4) Operating margin is computed as total revenues less provision for loan
    losses and general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of total
    revenues. Excluding the $5.4 million charge for the pending legal
    settlement, the operating margin for the nine-month period ended
    December 31, 1998 would have been 20.1%.

Pending Legal Settlement
- ------------------------

    Since April 1995, the Company and several of its subsidiaries have been
parties to litigation challenging the Company's non-filing insurance practices.
Non-filing insurance is an insurance product that lenders like the Company can
purchase in lieu of filing a UCC financing statement covering the collateral of
their borrowers. The litigation against the Company has been consolidated with
other litigation against other finance companies, jewelry and furniture
retailers, and insurance companies in a purported nationwide class action in the
U.S. District Court in Alabama under the caption In re: Consolidated "Non-filing
Insurance" Fee Litigation (Multidistrict Litigation Docket No. 1130), U.S.
District Court, Middle District of Alabama, Northern Division).

    On November 11, 1998, the Company and its subsidiaries named in the action
entered into a settlement agreement. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, which
is subject to the court's approval, the Company has agreed to settle all claims
alleged in the litigation involving it and its subsidiaries for an aggregate
cash payment of $5 million. In addition, the terms of the settlement will
curtail certain non-filing practices by the Company and its subsidiaries and
will allow the court to approve criteria defining those circumstances in which
the Company's subsidiaries can make non-filing insurance claims going forward.
As a result of the settlement, non-filing insurance fees charged to borrowers
will be reduced by 25%. The settlement agreement, which includes the settlement
by several other defendants in the litigation, including the Company's insurer,
is subject to the court's approval because the settlement concerns a class
action. The Company anticipates that a hearing will be held by the court during
the fourth quarter of its current fiscal year with respect to approval of the
settlement.

                                       9
<PAGE>

   The Company has recorded an accrual for settlement costs, including the
expected expenses to comply with the terms of the settlement, of $5.4 million in
the quarter ended September 30, 1998. Going forward, the Company expects that
the settlement will limit and reduce the coverage for the types of losses with
respect to which its subsidiaries will submit claims. The Company cannot predict
the amount of this reduction, but believes that the settlement will negatively
impact the Company in the near term, but should not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations over time.

Comparison of Three Months Ended December 31, 1998, Versus
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended December 31, 1997
- ------------------------------------

   Net income amounted to $2.1 million for the three months ended December 31,
1998, a 130% increase over the $893,000 earned during the corresponding
three-month period of the previous year. This increase resulted from an increase
in operating income (revenues less provision for loan losses and general and
administrative expenses) of $1.7 million , or 60.6% offset by an increase in
income taxes.

   Interest and fee income for the quarter ended December 31, 1998, increased by
$2.5 million, or 13.9%, over the same period of the prior year. This increase
resulted primarily from the $14.3 million increase, or 14.0%, in average loans
receivables over the two corresponding periods. The increase in interest and
fees was slightly less than the increase in average balances outstanding due to
a slight reduction in the overall yield in the loan portfolio, which was due to
lower interest rates charged on larger loans made in select offices of the
Company. Insurance commissions and other income increased by $571,000, or 23.0%,
when comparing the two quarterly periods. Insurance commissions increased by
13.8%, tracking the growth in loans in those states that allow the sale of
credit insurance. Other income increased by $3927,000, or 33.1%, primarily as
the result of gross profit increases at the Company's ParaData subsidiary and
the World Class Buying Club.

   Total revenues rose to $23.8 million during the quarter ended December 31,
1998, a 15.0% increase over the $20.7 million in total revenues for the same
quarter of the prior year. Revenues from the 314 offices open throughout both
three-month periods increased by approximately 10.5%. The strong revenue growth
from the 314 offices open throughout both three-month periods resulted primarily
from loans acquired that were added to certain of these offices as well as
increased volume from the sale finance program. At December 31, 1998, the
Company had 383 offices in operation, a net increase of 9 offices during the
current quarter, and 23 offices since the beginning of the fiscal year.

   The provision for loan losses amounted to $4.3 million during the quarter
ended December 31, 1998, representing an 19.6% increase over the $3.6 million
during the same quarter of fiscal 1998. This increase resulted from increases in
the general allowance for loan losses and in loan losses themselves. Although
actual net charge-offs during the quarter increased by $433,000, or 16.0%,
annualized net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans increased slightly
from 10.6% for the quarter ended December 31, 1997, to 10.7% for the most recent
quarter. Effective with the beginning of the current fiscal year, the Company
changed its method of accounting for charge-offs to a net of unearned income
basis. Prior to April 1, 1998, all loans were charged-off for the gross amount
with any remaining unearned income recognized as interest and fee income. There
is no net income effect of the change, but a reclassification between the
provision for loan losses and interest and fee income has been made. All prior
year numbers have been restated to reflect the change making the corresponding
numbers comparable.

   General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 1998,
increased by $695,000, or 4.9%, over the same quarter of fiscal 1998. This
increase resulted primarily from the additional expenses associated with the 33
new offices opened or acquired between December 31, 1997, and December 31, 1998.
During the same 12-month period, the Company has also sold or merged 10 offices
with other existing offices. These were offices that had not grown as expected
to a profitable size within a reasonable period of time. As a percentage of
total revenues, total general and administrative expenses decreased from 69.1%
for the quarter ended December 31, 1997, to 63.0% for the most recent quarter.
Additionally, excluding the expenses associated with ParaData, overall general
and administrative expenses when divided by the average open offices decreased
by .5% when comparing the two periods.

   Interest expense increased by $3,000, or .2%, when comparing the two
corresponding quarterly periods. This increase resulted from an increase in the
level of debt, which grew from $77.9 million at December 31, 1997, to $83.6
million at December 31, 1998, offset by a decrease in the overall interest rates
over the two corresponding quarters.

                                       10
<PAGE>

                          WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION

                 MANAGEMENTS' DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, CONTINUED
                 -----------------------------------------------


Comparison of Nine Months Ended December 31, 1998,
- --------------------------------------------------
Versus Nine Months Ended December 31, 1997
- ------------------------------------------

   For the nine-month period ended December 31, 1998, net income amounted to
$2.5 million. The results for this period were greatly affected by the accrual
for legal expenses resulting from a pending settlement of certain litigation
(see Pending Legal Settlement). Excluding the effects of this $5.4 million
pending legal settlement and related income tax benefit, net income amounted to
$6.1 million, an increase of $2.1 million, or 51.9%, from the corresponding
nine-month period of the prior year. Operating income increased by $3.2 million,
or 31.6%, over the two periods. This increase was offset by a slight increase in
both interest expense as well as income taxes.

   Total revenues amounted to $66.3 million during the current nine-month
period, an increase of $7.8 million, or 13.4%, over the prior-year period. This
increase resulted from an increase in interest and fee income of 12.7% combined
with an increase in insurance and other income of 19.0%. Revenues from the 314
offices open throughout both nine-month periods increased approximately 8.2%.

   Interest and fee income rose by $6.6 million, or 12.7%, during the two
corresponding nine-month periods primarily as a result of increases in loan
balances outstanding. Average loans receivable were $109.9 million during the
nine months ended December 31, 1998, representing a 15.2% increase over the
average balances of the prior year. Other income increased by 19.0% due to
increased insurance commissions, as well as increased gross profits from
ParaData and WCBC sales.

   The provision for loan losses increased by $1.2 million, or 14.1%, during the
current nine-month period when compared to the same period of fiscal 1998. This
increase resulted in an increase in the general reserve for loan losses, which
is a function of gross loans outstanding, as well as an increase in loan losses.
Net charge-offs increased by $718,000, or 9.9%, when comparing the two
nine-month periods. As an annualized percentage of average loans, this
represented a decrease to 9.7% during the current nine-month period compared to
10.1% for the same period of the prior fiscal year.

   General and administrative, excluding the pending legal settlement, expenses
increased by $3,449,000, or 8.7%, during the most recent nine-month period. As a
percentage of total revenues, these expenses decreased from 68.1% during the
prior year nine-month period to 65.3% during the current period. The Company's
expense ratios have benefited from the merger or sale of ten unprofitable
offices during the year, as well as the opening of fewer new offices during the
current fiscal year. Excluding the expenses associated with ParaData, overall
general and administrative expenses, when divided by the average open offices,
increased by 3.3% when comparing the two nine-month periods.

   Interest expense increased by $66,000 when comparing the two nine-month
periods, an increase of only 1.6%. This reflects the small increase in overall
debt from December 1997 to the end of the current quarter, a period during which
the Company's generated excess cash while growing total assets by 14.9% and
total debt by only 7.3%. The Company also benefited by a reduction in the prime
lending rate 14.9% during the past 12 months.

   The effective income tax rate decreased slightly during the current
nine-month period to 33.8% from 34.0% for the prior year period primarily as a
result of the legal settlement.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

   The Company's primary sources of funds are cash flow from operations and
borrowings under its revolving credit agreement. The Company's primary ongoing
cash requirements are funding the opening and operation of new offices, funding
overall growth of loans outstanding (including acquisitions), the legal
settlement and the repayment of existing debt.

   The Company has a $65.0 million revolving credit agreement, $4.0 million of
senior term notes, and $10.0 million of subordinated notes. The revolving credit
facility has been temporarily increased by an additional $12 million for the
period December 1, 1998 to March 15, 1999 to provide for additional seasonal
funding needs.

   The revolving credit facility expires on December 31, 2000, and bears
interest, at the Company's option, at the agent's prime rate or LIBOR plus
1.60%. At December 31, 1998, the interest rate under the facility was 7.21%, and
the Company's outstanding balance was $69.15 million, leaving $7.85 million in
borrowing availability under existing borrowing base limitations (based on
eligible loans receivable).

                                       11
<PAGE>

                          WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION

                   MANAGEMENTS' DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, CONTINUED
                   -----------------------------------------------

   The senior term notes provide for interest payments to be made semi-annually
at a fixed rate of 8.5%, with the fixed annual principal payments of $4.0
million to be made on December 1, 1999.

   The subordinated notes provide for interest payments to be made quarterly at
a fixed rate of 10.0%. Annual principal payments of $2.0 million will be due
beginning June 1, 1999, with a final maturity date of June 1, 2004.

   Borrowings under the revolving credit agreement, the senior term notes, and
the subordinated notes are secured by a lien on substantially all the tangible
and intangible assets of the Company and its subsidiaries pursuant to various
security agreements.

   The Company believes that cash flow from operations and borrowings under its
revolving credit facility will be adequate to fund the cost of the pending legal
settlement, to fund the principal payment due under the senior term and
subordinated notes as well as fund the expected costs of opening and operating
new offices, including funding initial operating losses of new offices, acquired
offices and funding loans receivable originated by those offices and the
Company's other offices.

Inflation
- ---------

   The Company does not believe that inflation has a material adverse effect on
its financial condition or results of operations. The primary impact of
inflation on the operations of the Company is reflected in increased operating
costs. While increases in operating costs would adversely affect the Company's
operations, the consumer lending laws of three of the six states in which the
Company currently operates allow indexing of maximum loan amounts to the
Consumer Price Index. These provisions will allow the Company to make larger
loans at existing interest rates, which could partially offset the effect of
inflationary increases in operating costs.


Quarterly Information and Seasonality
- -------------------------------------

   The Company's loan volume and corresponding loans receivable follow seasonal
trends. The Company's highest loan demand occurs each year from October through
December, its third fiscal quarter. Loan demand is generally the lowest and loan
repayment is highest from January to March, its fourth fiscal quarter. Loan
volume and average balances remain relatively level during the remainder of the
year. This seasonal trend causes fluctuations in the Company's cash needs and
quarterly operating performance through corresponding fluctuations in interest
and fee income and insurance commissions earned, since unearned interest and
insurance income are accreted to income on a collection method. Consequently,
operating results for the Company's third fiscal quarter are significantly lower
than in other quarters and operating results for its fourth fiscal quarter are
generally higher than in other quarters.

Year 2000
- ---------

   The Company recognizes that there is a business risk in computerized systems
and products as the calendar rolls over into the next century. Failure of these
systems and products to correctly process the date could cause miscalculations,
unpredictable or inconsistent results, or complete system failures. This problem
is commonly called the "year 2000 problem." In particular, in the Company's line
of business, the year 2000 problem could cause results such as miscalculations
of interest on loans or other significant problems.

   The Company has determined that its primary software package, the "Loan
Manager System" developed and maintained by its wholly owned subsidiary,
ParaData Financial Systems, is year 2000 compliant.

   The Company is also dependent upon several outside vendors for processing
information such as payroll, general ledger, benefits administration, etc.
Inquiries have been made of and assurances received from, each of these
providers that these systems are also prepared for the year 2000. Nevertheless,
the Company intends to conduct tests of all primary and secondary systems during
the next 12 months to ensure the accuracy of information to the extent possible.
The Company believes that its total costs of addressing the year 2000 problem
has been, and will continue to be, immaterial.

                                       12
<PAGE>

                        WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION

                 MANAGEMENTS' DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, CONTINUED
                 -----------------------------------------------


   The Company believes the most reasonably likely worst case year 2000 scenario
would be the failure of key suppliers (e.g. utility providers, phone and data
communication vendors, banks, etc.) to achieve year 2000 compliance, resulting
in lost revenues due to forced office closings or loss of communications for
extended periods of time. Currently, based on responses obtained from third
parties to date, the Company is not aware of any material third parties that do
not expect to be year 2000 compliant. However, due to the uncertainty
surrounding the readiness of third parties, the Company is unable to determine
whether the consequences of year 2000 failures will materially affect the
Company's financial condition or results of operations. The Company maintains a
contingency plan that allows individual offices to operate in a manual
environment for short periods of time; however, these alternatives would not be
sufficient should year 2000 failures cause blackouts for extended periods.

   The year 2000 disclosure set forth above should be read in connection with
"Forward-Looking Information," which follows.

Forward-Looking Information
- ---------------------------

   This report on Form 10-Q, including "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," may contain various
"forward-looking statements," within the meaning of Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that are based on management's belief and
assumptions, as well as information currently available to management.
Specifically, management's statements of expectations with respect to the
litigation and pending settlement (the "Settlement") described above in
"--Pending Legal Settlement" the litigation described below in "Legal
Proceedings," and the matters discussed above in "--Year 2000," may be deemed
forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words "anticipate,"
"estimate," "expect," and similar expressions may identify forward-looking
statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in any
such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that
such expectations will prove to be correct. Any 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,
the Company's actual financial results, performance or financial condition may
vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or expected. Among the key
factors that could cause the Company's actual financial results, performance or
condition to differ from the expectations expressed or implied in such
forward-looking statements are the following: changes in interest rates; risks
inherent in making loans, including repayment risks and value of collateral;
recently-enacted or proposed legislation; whether, and the terms upon which,
court approval of the Settlement is obtained; the occurrence of non-filing
claims at historical levels in circumstances validated by the Settlement; the
timing and amount of revenues that may be recognized by the Company; changes in
current revenue and expense trends (including trends affecting charge-offs);
changes in the Company's markets and general changes in the economy
(particularly in the markets served by the Company); the ability of the Company
and third parties with whom the Company deals to achieve year 2000 compliance;
the unpredictable nature of litigation; and other matters discusses in this
Report and the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

Legal Proceedings
- -----------------

   The Company is a party to certain legal proceedings.  See Part II, Item 1.




                                       13

<PAGE>

                          WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


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

        In addition to the litigation discussed in "Management's Discussion and
        Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," the Company
        has been named as a defendant in an action, Turner v. World Acceptance
        Corp. pending in District Court for the Fourteenth Judicial District,
        Tulsa County, Oklahoma (No. CJ-97-1921). The action, commenced against
        the Company on May 20, 1997, names numerous other consumer finance
        companies as defendants, and seeks certification as a statewide class
        action. The action alleges that the Company and other consumer finance
        defendants collected excess finance charges in connection with
        refinancing certain consumer finance loans in Oklahoma and seeks money
        damages and an injunction against further collection of such charges.
        The Company has filed an answer in the action denying liability, and
        discovery is proceeding. The plaintiff's claim is based on a recent
        opinion of the Oklahoma Attorney General interpreting a provision of the
        Oklahoma Consumer Credit Code with respect to the permitted amount of
        certain loan refinance charges in a manner contrary to prior regulatory
        practice in existence in Oklahoma since 1969. Enforcement of the
        Oklahoma Attorney General's opinion has been enjoined, and such action
        is currently pending before the Oklahoma Supreme Court. In addition, the
        State of Oklahoma has recently enacted legislation to clarify the
        interpretation of the disputed provision of the Oklahoma Consumer Credit
        Code consistent with prior regulatory practice. The Company intends to
        defend this action vigorously.

        From time to time the Company is involved in other routine litigation
        relating to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of
        business. The Company believes that it is not presently a party to any
        such other pending legal proceedings that would have a material adverse
        effect on its financial condition.


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

        None. The Company's credit agreements contain certain restrictions on
        the payment of cash dividends on its capital stock.


<PAGE>


                                        15
                          WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      PART II. OTHER INFORMATION, CONTINUED


Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

        (a)       Exhibits:
                                                      Filed
                                                  Herewith (*) or
                                                      Previous     Company
Exhibit                                               Exhibit      Registration
Number   Description                                  Number       No. or Report

 3.1     Second Amended and Restated Articles
         of Incorporation of the Company               3.1          1992 10-K
         Company

 3.2     First Amendment to Second Amended and
         Restated Articles of Incorporation            3.2          1995 10-K

 3.3     Amended Bylaws of the Company                 3.4          33-42879

 4.1     Specimen Share Certificate                    4.1          33-42879

 4.2     Articles 3, 4 and 5 of the Form of
         Company's Second Amended and Restated         
         Articles of Incorporation (as amended)        3.1, 3.2     1995 10-K  
                                                       
 4.3     Article II, Section 9 of the Company's
         Second Amended and Restated Bylaws            3.2          1995 10-K
         

 4.4     Amended and Restated Revolving Credit         
         Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1997,
         between Harris Trust and Savings Bank,
         the Banks signatory thereto from time 
         to time and the Company                       4.4          9-30-97 10-Q
                                                       
 4.5     Amended and Restated Note Agreements,
         dated as of June 30, 1997, between            
         Jefferson-Pilot Life Insurance Company
         and the Company                               4.5          9-30-97 10-Q
                                                       
 4.6#    Amended and Restated Note Agreement,
         dated as of June 30, 1997, between            
         Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company
         and the Company                               4.6          9-30-97 10-Q
                                                       
 4.7     Note Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1997,
         between Principal Mutual Life Insurance       
         Company and the Company re: 10%
         Senior Subordinated Secured Notes             4.7          9-30-97 10-Q
                                                       
 4.8     Amended and Restated Security Agreement,
         Pledge and Indenture of Trust, dated as of    
         June 30, 1997, between the Company and
         Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as
         Security Trustee                              4.8          9-30-97 10-Q

10.1     Employment Agreement of Charles D. Walters,
         effective April 1, 1994                      10.1          1994 10-K

10.2     Employment Agreement of A. Alexander McLean,
         III, effective April 1, 1994                 10.2          1994 10-K

10.3     Employment Agreement of R. Harold Owens,
         effective June 26, 1995                      10.3          1995 10-K

                                       15
<PAGE>

10.4     Securityholders' Agreement, dated as of
         September 19, 1991, between the Company      
         and certain of its securityholders           10.5          33-42879

10.5     1992 Stock Option Plan of the Company        4             33-52166

10.6     1994 Stock Option Plan of the Company,
         as amended                                   10.6          1995 10-K

10.7     The Company's Executive Incentive Plan       10.6         1994 10-K

10.8     The Company's Executive Strategic Incentive
         Plan                                         10.8         1995 10-K

10.9     Amendment No. 1, dated as of April 1, 1996,
         to the Executive Strategic Incentive Plan    10.9         1996 10-K
         
27       Financial Data Schedule (for SEC purposes only)

# Omitted from filing -- substantially identical to immediately preceding
exhibits, except for the parties thereto and the principal amount involved.

        (b) Reports on Form 8-K.

   There were no reports filed on Form 8-K during the quarter ended December 31,
1998.

                                       16
<PAGE>

                          WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                   SIGNATURES


   Pursuant to the requirements 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.


                                       WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION



Dated:  February 12, 1999                /s/ C. D. Walters                   
                                      ---------------------------------------
                                      C. D. Walters, Chief Executive Officer


Dated:  February 12, 1999                /s/ A. A. McLean III 
                                      ---------------------------------------
                                      A. A. McLean III, Executive Vice President
                                      and Chief Financial Officer

                                       17


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<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 3-MOS                   6-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999             MAR-31-1999             MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998             APR-01-1998             APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998             SEP-30-1998             DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                             770                   1,294                   1,506
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  107,061                 110,595                 129,105
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,799                   8,908                  10,075
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                99,032                 102,981                 120,536
<PP&E>                                           6,395                   6,721                   6,710
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                                0                       0                       0
                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                        49,461                  47,835                  49,889
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<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   121,171                 125,279                 143,250
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<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                20,734                  42,416                  66,252
<CGS>                                                0                       0                       0
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                13,925                  33,621                  48,633
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,360                   5,472                   9,733
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,216                   2,627                   4,084
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,233                     696                   3,802
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,100                     233                   1,285
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,133                     463                   2,517
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<NET-INCOME>                                     2,133                     463                   2,517
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