16. Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

 

U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of judgment, and therefore cannot be determined with precision. U.S. GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value and establishes the following three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2—Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted market prices in markets that are not active; or model-derived valuations or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities

 

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 

The Company holds certain financial assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, the Company elected the fair value option for the financial assets and liabilities of UACC’s consolidated CFEs, beneficial interests in the 2022-1 securitization transaction, certain of UACC’s finance receivables that are ineligible to be sold, and certain other finance receivables held for sale. Under the fair value option allowable under ASC 825, “Financial Instruments” (“ASC 825”), the Company may elect to measure at fair value financial assets and liabilities that are not otherwise required to be carried at fair value. Subsequent changes in fair value for designated items are reported in earnings.

 

The following tables present the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

 

Successor

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2025

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Financial Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds

 

$

2,534

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,534

 

CFE assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Finance receivables at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

441,084

 

 

 

441,084

 

Finance receivables at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

367,552

 

 

 

367,552

 

Other assets (beneficial interests in securitizations)

 

 

 

 

 

946

 

 

 

 

 

 

946

 

Total financial assets

 

$

2,534

 

 

$

946

 

 

$

808,636

 

 

$

812,116

 

Financial Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CFE liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Securitization debt of consolidated VIEs

 

 

 

 

 

393,244

 

 

 

 

 

 

393,244

 

Total financial liabilities

 

$

 

 

$

393,244

 

 

$

 

 

$

393,244

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2024

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Financial Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds

 

$

17,626

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

17,626

 

CFE assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Finance receivables at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

214,420

 

 

 

214,420

 

Finance receivables at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

289,428

 

 

 

289,428

 

Other assets (beneficial interests in securitizations)

 

 

 

 

 

2,184

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,184

 

Total financial assets

 

$

17,626

 

 

$

2,184

 

 

$

503,848

 

 

$

523,658

 

Financial Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CFE liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Securitization debt of consolidated VIEs

 

 

 

 

 

125,707

 

 

 

16,922

 

 

 

142,629

 

Total financial liabilities

 

$

 

 

$

125,707

 

 

$

16,922

 

 

$

142,629

 

 

Valuation Methodologies of Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for financial instruments carried at fair value. These methodologies are applied to financial assets and liabilities across the fair value levels discussed above, and it is the observability of the inputs used that determines the appropriate level in the fair value hierarchy for the respective asset or liability.

 

Money Market Funds: Money market funds primarily consist of investments in highly liquid U.S. treasury securities, with original maturities of three months or less and are classified as Level 1. The Company determines the fair value of cash equivalents based on quoted prices in active markets.

 

Financial assets and liabilities of CFEs: In accordance with ASC 825, the Company has elected the fair value option, for the eligible financial assets and liabilities of the 2022-2, 2023-1, and 2025-1 consolidated CFEs in order to mitigate potential accounting mismatches between the carrying value of the financial assets and liabilities. To eliminate potential measurement differences, the Company elected the measurement alternative included in ASC 810-30, allowing the Company to measure both the financial assets and liabilities of a qualifying CFE using the fair value of either the CFE’s financial assets or liabilities, whichever is more observable. Upon emergence from the Prepackaged Chapter 11 Case, and application of fresh start accounting, the Company made an accounting policy election to apply the

measurement alternative to the 2024-1 consolidated CFE. Under the measurement alternative prescribed by ASC 810-30, the Company recognizes changes in the CFE’s net assets, including changes in fair value adjustments and net interest earned, in its consolidated statements of operations.

 

The Company is required to determine whether the fair value of the financial assets or the fair value of the financial liabilities of the eligible CFEs are more observable, but in either case, the methodology results in the fair value of the financial assets of the securitization trust being equal to the fair value of their liabilities. The Company determined that the fair value of the liabilities of the securitization CFEs are more observable, since market prices of their liabilities are based on non-binding quoted prices provided by broker dealers who make markets in similar financial instruments. The assets of the securitization CFEs are not readily marketable, and their fair value measurement requires information that may be limited in availability.

 

In determining the fair value of the securitization debt of consolidated CFEs, the broker dealers consider contractual cash payments and yields expected by market participants. Broker dealers also incorporate common market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to the treasury curve or interest rate swap curve as well as underlying characteristics of the particular security including ratings, coupon, collateral type and seasoning or age of the security. When the Company obtains prices from multiple broker dealers for the same security and has a consensus among them, it deems these fair values to be based on observable valuation inputs and classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Where a third-party broker dealer quote is not available, an internal model is utilized using unobservable inputs or if the Company has multiple quotes that are not within determined range, it classifies the securitization debt as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

The financial assets of the consolidated CFEs are an aggregate value derived from the fair value of the CFEs liabilities and the valuation of residual interests, which is derived from an internal valuation model and calculated in line with the valuation of finance receivables at fair value not related to consolidated CFEs discussed below. The Company determined that CFEs finance receivables in their entirety should be classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Finance receivables at fair value: Finance receivables at fair value represent finance receivables for which the Company elected the fair value option in accordance with ASC 825. The Company estimates the fair value of these receivables using a discounted cash flow model and incorporates key inputs that include prepayment speed, default rate, recovery rate, as well as certain macroeconomics events the Company believes market participants would consider relevant.

Beneficial interests in securitization: Beneficial interests in securitization relate to the 2022-1 securitization completed in February 2022 and include rated notes as well as certificates. The beneficial interests in the 2022-2 securitization completed in July 2022 were eliminated upon consolidation of the VIE in March 2023. Refer to Note 4 – Variable Interest Entities and Securitizations. The Company elected the fair value option on its beneficial interests in securitization.

 

Beneficial interests may initially be classified as Level 2 if the transactions occur within close proximity to the end of each respective reporting period. Subsequently, similar to the securitization debt described above, fair value is determined by requesting a non-binding quote from broker dealers, or by utilizing market acceptable valuation models, such as discounted cash flows. Broker dealer quotes may be based on an income approach, which converts expected future cash flows to a single present value amount, with specific consideration of inputs relevant to particular security types. Such inputs may include ratings, collateral types, geographic concentrations, underlying loan vintages, delinquencies and defaults, loss severity assumptions, prepayments, and maturities. When the volume or level of market activity for a security is limited, certain inputs used to determine fair value may not be observable in the market. Broker dealer quotes may also be based on a market approach that considers recent transactions involving identical or similar securities. When the Company obtains prices from multiple broker dealers for the same security and has a consensus among them, it deems these fair values to be based on observable valuation inputs and classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Where a third-party broker dealer quote is not available, the Company utilizes an internally developed model using unobservable inputs. If internally developed models are utilized or if the Company has multiple quotes that are not within a consensus range of each other, the Company deems these securities to be classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Changes in Level 3 Recurring Fair Value Measurements

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the financial assets, which were measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs (in thousands):

 

Successor

 

Finance Receivables of Consolidated CFEs

 

 

Finance Receivables at Fair Value

 

 

Securitization Debt of Consolidated CFEs

 

Fair value as of January 15, 2025

 

$

387,444

 

 

$

437,568

 

 

$

14,934

 

Transfer within Level 3 categories

 

 

345,911

 

 

 

(345,911

)

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,129

)

Losses included in realized and unrealized losses

 

 

(78,241

)

 

 

(26,068

)

 

 

(805

)

Losses included in Warranties and GAP

 

 

(3,942

)

 

 

(3,058

)

 

 

 

Issuances, net of discount

 

 

 

 

 

419,745

 

 

 

 

Paydowns

 

 

(208,708

)

 

 

(108,045

)

 

 

 

Other

 

 

(1,381

)

 

 

(6,679

)

 

 

 

Fair value as of December 31, 2025

 

$

441,084

 

 

$

367,552

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

Finance Receivables of Consolidated CFEs

 

 

Finance Receivables at Fair Value

 

 

Securitization Debt of Consolidated CFEs

 

Fair value as of January 1, 2025

 

$

214,420

 

 

$

289,428

 

 

$

16,922

 

Reclassification of finance receivables due to a change in Accounting Policy

 

 

180,883

 

 

 

139,052

 

 

 

 

Transfer within Level 3 categories

 

 

(439

)

 

 

439

 

 

 

 

Losses included in realized and unrealized losses

 

 

(4,707

)

 

 

(2,265

)

 

 

(1,988

)

Losses included in Warranties and GAP

 

 

(52

)

 

 

(188

)

 

 

 

Issuances, net of discount

 

 

 

 

 

14,337

 

 

 

 

Paydowns

 

 

(2,947

)

 

 

(2,992

)

 

 

 

Other

 

 

286

 

 

 

(243

)

 

 

 

Fair value as of January 14, 2025

 

$

387,444

 

 

$

437,568

 

 

$

14,934

 

 

Predecessor

 

Finance Receivables of Consolidated CFEs

 

 

Finance Receivables at Fair Value

 

 

Securitization Debt of Consolidated CFEs

 

Fair value as of January 1, 2024

 

$

316,998

 

 

$

31,672

 

 

$

 

Transfer within Level 3 categories

 

 

52,279

 

 

 

(52,279

)

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,864

 

Losses included in realized and unrealized losses

 

 

(55,166

)

 

 

(21,513

)

 

 

(3,942

)

Losses included in Warranties and GAP

 

 

(2,571

)

 

 

(1,931

)

 

 

 

Issuances, net of discount

 

 

 

 

 

404,089

 

 

 

 

Paydowns

 

 

(109,136

)

 

 

(68,163

)

 

 

 

Other

 

 

12,016

 

 

 

(2,447

)

 

 

 

Fair value as of December 31, 2024

 

$

214,420

 

 

$

289,428

 

 

$

16,922

 

 

The Company's transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are assumed to have occurred at the beginning of the reporting period on a quarterly basis. During the year ended December 31, 2025, transfers out of Level 3 liabilities related to achieving consensus pricing from third-party broker dealers on the 2022-2 E rated notes related to the securitization debt of consolidated CFEs. During the year ended December 31, 2024, transfers into Level 3 liabilities related to not achieving consensus pricing from third-party broker dealers on the 2022-2 E rated notes related to the securitization debt of consolidated CFEs.

 

Other Relevant Data for Financial Assets and Liabilities for which FVO Was Elected

 

The following table presents the gains or losses recorded in "Realized and unrealized losses, net of recoveries" in the consolidated statements of operations related to the eligible financial instruments for which the fair value option was elected (in thousands):

 

 

Successor

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

 

Period from January 15 through December 31,

 

 

 

Period from January 1 through January 14,

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

2025

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

Finance receivables at fair value

$

105,302

 

 

 

$

6,451

 

 

$

78,049

 

Finance receivables held for sale, net

 

 

 

 

 

2,737

 

 

 

57,531

 

Debt of securitized VIEs at fair value

 

981

 

 

 

 

(2,267

)

 

 

(7,358

)

Collection expenses

 

11,175

 

 

 

 

492

 

 

 

10,670

 

Recoveries

 

(19,702

)

 

 

 

(683

)

 

 

(18,918

)

Other

 

(498

)

 

 

 

62

 

 

 

(106

)

Total net loss included in "Realized and unrealized losses, net of recoveries"

$

97,259

 

 

 

$

6,792

 

 

$

119,868

 

 

The following table presents other relevant data related to the finance receivables carried at fair value (in thousands):

 

As of December 31, 2025 (Successor)

 

Finance Receivables of CFEs at Fair Value

 

 

 

Finance Receivables at Fair Value

 

 

Aggregate unpaid principal balance included within finance receivables that are reported at fair value

 

$

490,303

 

 

 

$

419,632

 

 

Aggregate fair value of finance receivables that are reported at fair value

 

$

441,084

 

 

 

$

367,552

 

 

Unpaid principal balance of receivables within finance receivables that are reported at fair value and are on nonaccrual status (90 days or more past due)

 

$

8,315

 

 

 

$

5,824

 

 

Aggregate fair value of receivables carried at fair value that are on nonaccrual status (90 days or more past due)

 

$

7,460

 

 

 

$

4,050

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2024 (Predecessor)

 

Finance Receivables of CFEs at Fair Value

 

 

 

Finance Receivables at Fair Value

 

 

Aggregate unpaid principal balance included within finance receivables that are reported at fair value

 

$

244,345

 

 

 

$

331,882

 

 

Aggregate fair value of finance receivables that are reported at fair value

 

$

214,420

 

 

 

$

289,428

 

 

Unpaid principal balance of receivables within finance receivables that are reported at fair value and are on nonaccrual status (90 days or more past due)

 

$

5,969

 

 

 

$

3,663

 

 

Aggregate fair value of receivables carried at fair value that are on nonaccrual status (90 days or more past due)

 

$

5,228

 

 

 

$

2,551

 

 

 

All finance receivables of CFEs are pledged to the CFEs trusts.

 

The following table presents other relevant data related to securitization debt of consolidated VIEs carried at fair value (in thousands):

 

As of December 31, 2025 (Successor)

 

Securitization debt of consolidated VIEs at Fair Value

 

Aggregate unpaid principal balance of rated notes of securitized VIEs

 

$

403,414

 

Aggregate fair value of rated notes of securitized VIEs

 

$

393,244

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2024 (Predecessor)

 

Securitization debt of consolidated VIEs at Fair Value

 

Aggregate unpaid principal balance of rated notes of securitized VIEs

 

$

153,160

 

Aggregate fair value of rated notes of securitized VIEs

 

$

142,629

 

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value

 

The carrying amounts of restricted cash and other liabilities approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The carrying value of the Warehouse Credit Facilities and related party lines of credit were determined to approximate fair value due to its short-term duration and variable interest rate that approximates prevailing interest rates as of each reporting period.

 

Finance receivables held for sale, net: For finance receivables eligible to be sold in a securitization, the Company determined the fair value of these finance receivables utilizing sales prices based on estimated securitization transactions, adjusted for transformation costs, risk and a normal profit margin associated with securitization transactions. Such fair value measurement is considered Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Upon emergence from the Prepackaged Chapter 11 Case, and application of fresh start accounting, the Company made an accounting policy election to elect the fair value option for all finance receivables held for sale, net. As of December 31, 2025, the Company did not have any finance receivables held for sale, net. As of December 31, 2024, the carrying value and fair value of the finance receivables held for sale, net were $114.6 million.

 

For finance receivables sold in a securitization, the Company determined the fair value of these finance receivables by estimating the proceeds that would be generated from selling the notes and the residual interests in the securitization trust. The fair value of the notes was determined utilizing non-binding quoted prices provided by broker dealers, as discussed above, and the Company used a discounted cash flow model to estimate the fair value of the residual interests in the trust. Such fair value measurement is considered Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. As of December 31, 2025, there were no finance receivables held for sale, net that were sold in a securitization. As of December 31, 2024, the carrying value and fair value of the finance receivables held for sale, net that were sold in a securitization were $178.8 million and $183.3 million, respectively. The significant unobservable inputs utilized in the discounted cashflow model include the following:

 

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Inputs as of December 31,

Unobservable inputs

 

 

2024

Cumulative net loss

 

 

24.2%

Recoveries

 

 

30%

Discount Rate

 

 

17%-19%

 

In addition, the Company also had finance receivables that were no longer eligible to be sold in a securitization. As of December 31, 2025, there were no finance receivables held for sale, net, that were no longer eligible to be sold in a securitization. As of December 31, 2024, the carrying value and fair value of the finance receivables held for sale, net were no longer eligible to be sold in a securitization were $24.8 million. These were finance receivables that became delinquent and no longer meet the expected securitization sales criteria. The Company used a discounted cash flow model to estimate the fair value of future recoveries for finance receivables. Such fair value measurement is considered Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The significant unobservable inputs utilized in the discounted cashflow model include the following:

 

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

Inputs as of December 31,

Unobservable inputs

 

 

2024

Cumulative net loss

 

 

19.3% - 33.2%

Recoveries

 

 

26.3% - 47.2%

Discount Rate

 

 

14.5%

 

 

Convertible Senior Notes:

 

The fair value of the 2030 Notes, which are not carried at fair value on the Company's consolidated balance sheets, approximated their carrying value as of December 31, 2025.

 

The fair value of the 2026 Notes, which are not carried at fair value on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, was determined utilizing actual bids and offer prices of the 2026 Notes in markets that are not active and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

 

2024

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Carrying value

 

 

$

290,488

 

Fair value

 

 

$

145,244

 

 

Securitization Debt: Upon emergence from the Prepackaged Chapter 11 Case, and application of fresh start accounting, the Company made an accounting policy change to elect the fair value option and apply the measurement alternative to the 2024-1 securitization debt. As of December 31, 2024, the 2024-1 securitization debt was not carried at fair value on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2024, the fair value of the debt was determined utilizing non-binding quoted prices provided by broker dealers, as discussed above, and classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

 

2024

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Carrying value

 

 

$

210,727

 

Fair value

 

 

$

213,988

 

 

Financing of beneficial interests in securitizations: The fair value of the financing of beneficial interests in securitizations, which are not carried at fair value on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, approximated their carrying value as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 and are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Junior Subordinated Debentures: The fair value of the junior subordinated debentures, which are not carried at fair value on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, approximated their carrying value as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 and are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Fresh start accounting: In accordance with ASC Topic 852, with the application of fresh start accounting, the Company allocated the reorganization value to its individual assets and liabilities based on their estimated fair values in conformity with ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. Refer to Note 6 — Fresh Start Accounting for further details.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Mar 26, 2026Showing above
2024Mar 11, 2025
2023Mar 13, 2024

About Fair Value Disclosures

Fair value disclosures classify all assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy: Level 1 (quoted market prices), Level 2 (observable inputs like yield curves), and Level 3 (unobservable inputs requiring management estimates). The proportion of Level 3 assets directly reflects how much of the balance sheet depends on internal models rather than market evidence.

Key signals: a growing Level 3 balance relative to total fair-value assets increases valuation uncertainty and earnings volatility risk. Watch for transfers between levels — assets moving from Level 2 to Level 3 often signal deteriorating market liquidity. Unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 positions flow through earnings or other comprehensive income, so large swings deserve scrutiny. For financial institutions, examine the sensitivity disclosures that show how Level 3 valuations change under alternative assumptions. Compare the fair value of debt against its carrying amount to gauge hidden leverage.