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 December 31, 2007
or
o
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:
0-19599
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. Yes
x
No
o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check
One):
Large
Accelerated Filer
x
Accelerated
Filer
o
Non-accelerated
filer
o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
o
No
x
The
number of outstanding shares of the issuer’s no par value common stock as of
January 30, 2008 was 16,929,652.
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND
SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
|
|
Page
|
PART
I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
Item
1.
|
Consolidated
Financial Statements (unaudited):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended December
31,
2007 and December 31, 2006
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income for
the year
ended March 31, 2007 and the nine months ended December 31,
2007
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended December 31,
2007 and
December 31, 2006
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
7
|
|
|
|
Item
2.
|
Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition
and Results of Operations
|
15
|
|
|
|
Item
3.
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
|
21
|
|
|
|
Item
4.
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
22
|
|
|
|
PART
II - OTHER INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
Item
1.
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
22
|
|
|
|
Item 1A.
|
Risk
Factors
|
22
|
|
|
|
Item
2.
|
Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
|
22
|
|
|
|
Item
6.
|
Exhibits
|
23
|
|
|
|
Signatures
|
25
|
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND
SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
|
|
December
31,
|
|
March
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2007
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
7,728,090
|
|
|
5,779,032
|
|
Gross
loans receivable
|
|
|
663,217,054
|
|
|
505,788,440
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unearned
interest and fees
|
|
|
(175,152,051
|
)
|
|
(127,750,015
|
)
|
Allowance
for loan losses
|
|
|
(36,789,724
|
)
|
|
(27,840,239
|
)
|
Loans
receivable, net
|
|
|
451,275,279
|
|
|
350,198,186
|
|
Property
and equipment, net
|
|
|
17,834,844
|
|
|
14,310,458
|
|
Deferred
taxes
|
|
|
20,825,126
|
|
|
14,507,000
|
|
Other
assets, net
|
|
|
8,994,224
|
|
|
10,221,562
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
5,352,675
|
|
|
5,039,630
|
|
Intangible
assets, net
|
|
|
10,509,355
|
|
|
11,060,139
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$
|
522,519,593
|
|
|
411,116,007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
& SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior
notes payable
|
|
|
163,050,000
|
|
|
60,600,000
|
|
Convertible
senior subordinated notes payable
|
|
|
110,000,000
|
|
|
110,000,000
|
|
Other
notes payable
|
|
|
400,000
|
|
|
600,000
|
|
Income
taxes payable
|
|
|
3,503,527
|
|
|
8,015,514
|
|
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
|
|
17,527,629
|
|
|
16,407,846
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
294,481,156
|
|
|
195,623,360
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders'
equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
stock, no par value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized
5,000,000 shares, no shares issued or outstanding
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Common
stock, no par value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized
95,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 16,878,552 and 17,492,521
shares
at December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007,
respectively
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
2,830,522
|
|
|
5,770,665
|
|
Retained
earnings
|
|
|
225,285,667
|
|
|
209,769,808
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
(77,752
|
)
|
|
(47,826
|
)
|
Total
shareholders' equity
|
|
|
228,038,437
|
|
|
215,492,647
|
|
Commitments
and contingencies
|
|
$
|
522,519,593
|
|
|
411,116,007
|
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND
SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
|
|
Three
months ended
December
31,
|
|
Nine
months ended
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
and fee income
|
|
$
|
75,207,879
|
|
|
63,509,413
|
|
|
210,303,422
|
|
|
176,795,459
|
|
Insurance
and other income
|
|
|
12,835,015
|
|
|
10,593,333
|
|
|
34,326,841
|
|
|
28,352,370
|
|
Total
revenues
|
|
|
88,042,894
|
|
|
74,102,746
|
|
|
244,630,263
|
|
|
205,147,829
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision
for loan losses
|
|
|
23,223,929
|
|
|
18,365,040
|
|
|
55,856,170
|
|
|
43,345,287
|
|
General
and administrative expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Personnel
|
|
|
29,280,288
|
|
|
25,777,752
|
|
|
86,027,643
|
|
|
73,044,091
|
|
Occupancy
and equipment
|
|
|
5,555,057
|
|
|
4,439,229
|
|
|
15,856,114
|
|
|
12,769,189
|
|
Data
processing
|
|
|
343,486
|
|
|
571,233
|
|
|
1,532,994
|
|
|
1,620,976
|
|
Advertising
|
|
|
6,023,271
|
|
|
4,734,272
|
|
|
10,753,160
|
|
|
8,417,723
|
|
Amortization
of intangible assets
|
|
|
621,844
|
|
|
683,437
|
|
|
1,874,838
|
|
|
2,219,354
|
|
Other
|
|
|
5,645,730
|
|
|
5,253,576
|
|
|
15,546,532
|
|
|
13,524,267
|
|
|
|
|
47,469,676
|
|
|
41,459,499
|
|
|
131,591,281
|
|
|
111,595,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
3,338,181
|
|
|
2,822,951
|
|
|
8,606,177
|
|
|
6,993,730
|
|
Total
expenses
|
|
|
74,031,786
|
|
|
62,647,490
|
|
|
196,053,628
|
|
|
161,934,617
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
before income taxes
|
|
|
14,011,108
|
|
|
11,455,256
|
|
|
48,576,635
|
|
|
43,213,212
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
taxes
|
|
|
6,723,034
|
|
|
4,444,007
|
|
|
19,972,176
|
|
|
16,354,457
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
7,288,074
|
|
|
7,011,249
|
|
|
28,604,459
|
|
|
26,858,755
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$
|
0.43
|
|
|
0.40
|
|
|
1.66
|
|
|
1.48
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$
|
0.43
|
|
|
0.39
|
|
|
1.63
|
|
|
1.45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average common shares
outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
16,892,219
|
|
|
17,572,202
|
|
|
17,200,506
|
|
|
18,169,659
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
17,148,112
|
|
|
17,950,091
|
|
|
17,511,074
|
|
|
18,547,439
|
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND
SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME
(Unaudited)
|
|
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
|
|
Retained
Earnings
|
|
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Loss, Net
|
|
Total
Shareholders’ Equity
|
|
Total
Comprehensive Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances
at March 31, 2006
|
|
$
|
1,209,358
|
|
|
209,270,853
|
|
|
(50,092
|
)
|
|
210,430,119
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from exercise of stock options (331,870 shares), including excess
tax
benefits of $2,937,122
|
|
|
6,423,279
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
6,423,279
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock repurchases (1,209,395 shares)
|
|
|
(6,698,538
|
)
|
|
(47,397,425
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
(54,095,963
|
)
|
|
|
|
Issuance
of restricted common stock under stock option plan (33,442
shares)
|
|
|
449,331
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
449,331
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
option expense
|
|
|
3,481,617
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
3,481,617
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
benefit from Convertible note
|
|
|
9,359,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
9,359,000
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from sale of warrants associated with convertible notes
|
|
|
16,155,823
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
16,155,823
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase
of call option associated with convertible notes
|
|
|
(24,609,205
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(24,609,205
|
)
|
|
|
|
Other
comprehensive income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
2,266
|
|
|
2,266
|
|
|
2,266
|
|
Net
income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
47,896,380
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
47,896,380
|
|
|
47,896,380
|
|
Total
comprehensive income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
47,898,646
|
|
Balances
at March 31, 2007
|
|
|
5,770,665
|
|
|
209,769,808
|
|
|
(47,826
|
)
|
|
215,492,647
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from exercise of stock options (82,250 shares), including excess
tax
benefits of $569,613
|
|
|
1,822,266
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,822,266
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock repurchases (690,100 shares)
|
|
|
(8,740,277
|
)
|
|
(12,538,600
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
(21,278,877
|
)
|
|
|
|
Issuance
of restricted common stock under stock option plan (44,981
shares)
|
|
|
1,092,331
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,092,331
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
option expense
|
|
|
2,885,537
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
2,885,537
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative
effect of FIN 48
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(550,000
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
(550,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
Other
comprehensive loss
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(29,926
|
)
|
|
(29,926
|
)
|
|
(29,926
|
)
|
Net
income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
28,604,459
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
28,604,459
|
|
|
28,604,459
|
|
Total
comprehensive income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
28,574,533
|
|
Balances
at December 31, 2007
|
|
$
|
2,830,522
|
|
|
225,285,667
|
|
|
(77,752
|
)
|
|
228,038,437
|
|
|
|
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND
SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
|
|
Nine
months ended
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
28,604,459
|
|
|
26,858,755
|
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision
for loan losses
|
|
|
55,856,170
|
|
|
43,345,287
|
|
Amortization
of intangible assets
|
|
|
1,874,838
|
|
|
2,219,354
|
|
Amortization
of loan costs and discounts
|
|
|
572,446
|
|
|
189,069
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
2,666,458
|
|
|
2,088,592
|
|
Compensation
related to stock option and restricted stock plans
|
|
|
4,186,351
|
|
|
2,524,976
|
|
Change
in accounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
tax assets
|
|
|
(1,818,126
|
)
|
|
(1,249,382
|
)
|
Other
assets, net
|
|
|
631,780
|
|
|
(1,097,219
|
)
|
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
|
|
621,939
|
|
|
(1,028,571
|
)
|
Income
taxes payable
|
|
|
(9,561,987
|
)
|
|
(6,778,276
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
83,634,328
|
|
|
67,072,585
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
in loans, net
|
|
|
(154,168,220
|
)
|
|
(122,858,663
|
)
|
Tangible
assets acquired from office acquisitions,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
primarily
loans
|
|
|
(2,899,857
|
)
|
|
(16,101,334
|
)
|
Purchases
of premises and equipment
|
|
|
(6,062,844
|
)
|
|
(4,790,681
|
)
|
Purchases
of intangible assets in office acquisitions
|
|
|
(1,637,099
|
)
|
|
(2,003,678
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(164,768,020
|
)
|
|
(145,754,356
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
change in bank overdraft
|
|
|
497,844
|
|
|
1,522,061
|
|
Proceeds
from senior notes payable, net
|
|
|
102,450,000
|
|
|
26,500,000
|
|
Proceeds
from convertible senior subordinated notes
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
110,000,000
|
|
Repayments
of other notes payable
|
|
|
(200,000
|
)
|
|
(200,000
|
)
|
Repurchases
of common stock
|
|
|
(21,278,877
|
)
|
|
(49,581,323
|
)
|
Proceeds
from sale of warrants associated with convertible notes
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
16,155,823
|
|
Purchase
of call option associated with convertible notes
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(24,609,205
|
)
|
Loan
cost associated with convertible notes
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(3,613,883
|
)
|
Proceeds
from exercise of stock options
|
|
|
1,252,653
|
|
|
3,103,167
|
|
Excess
tax benefit from exercise of stock options
|
|
|
569,613
|
|
|
2,492,660
|
|
Other
|
|
|
(208,483
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
83,082,750
|
|
|
81,769,300
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
1,949,058
|
|
|
3,087,529
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents beginning of period
|
|
|
5,779,032
|
|
|
4,033,888
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents end of period
|
|
$
|
7,728,090
|
|
|
7,121,417
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
disclosure of cash flow information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
6,910,529
|
|
|
6,997,336
|
|
Cash
paid for income taxes
|
|
|
30,802,289
|
|
|
23,153,254
|
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007 and 2006
(Unaudited)
NOTE
1
- BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The
consolidated financial statements of the Company at December 31, 2007, and
for
the three and nine months 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 of items of a normal recurring nature)
necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position at December 31,
2007, and the results of operations and cash flows for the period then ended,
have been included. The results for the period ended December 31, 2007 are
not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year
or
any other interim period.
Certain
reclassification entries have been made for fiscal 2007 to conform with fiscal
2008 presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on shareholders’
equity, comprehensive income or net income.
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that
affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent 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.
These
consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures required by
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and should be read in conjunction
with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and related notes
for the year ended March 31, 2007, included in the Company's 2007 Annual Report
to Shareholders.
NOTE
2
–
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(LOSS)
The
Company applies the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board’s
(“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 130
“
Reporting
Comprehensive Income
.”
The
following summarizes accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of
December 31, 2007:
|
|
Three
months
|
|
Nine
months
|
|
|
|
ended
December 31,
|
|
ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
at beginning of period
|
|
|
(63,995
|
)
|
|
(95,283
|
)
|
|
(47,826
|
)
|
|
(50,092
|
)
|
Unrealized
income (loss) from foreign
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
exchange
translation adjustment
|
|
$
|
(13,757
|
)
|
|
81,026
|
|
|
(29,926
|
)
|
|
35,835
|
|
Balance
at end of period
|
|
$
|
(77,752
|
)
|
|
(14,257
|
)
|
|
(77,752
|
)
|
|
(14,257
|
)
|
NOTE
3
- ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The
following is a summary of the changes in the allowance for loan losses for
the
periods indicated:
|
|
Three
months
|
|
Nine
months
|
|
|
|
ended
December 31,
|
|
ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
at beginning of period
|
|
$
|
32,268,714
|
|
|
26,548,792
|
|
|
27,840,239
|
|
|
22,717,192
|
|
Provision
for loan losses
|
|
|
23,223,929
|
|
|
18,365,040
|
|
|
55,856,170
|
|
|
43,345,287
|
|
Loan
losses
|
|
|
(20,283,740
|
)
|
|
(16,300,585
|
)
|
|
(51,639,877
|
)
|
|
(40,338,087
|
)
|
Recoveries
|
|
|
1,532,579
|
|
|
1,446,900
|
|
|
4,627,973
|
|
|
4,123,139
|
|
Allowance
on acquired loans
|
|
|
48,242
|
|
|
654,989
|
|
|
105,219
|
|
|
867,605
|
|
Balance
at end of period
|
|
$
|
36,789,724
|
|
|
30,715,136
|
|
|
36,789,724
|
|
|
30,715,136
|
|
Effective
April
1, 2005,
the Company adopted Statement of Position No. 03-3 ("SOP 03-3"), "
Accounting
for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer
,"
which
prohibits carry over or creation of valuation allowances in the initial
accounting of all loans acquired in a transfer that are within the scope of
this
SOP. Management believes that a loan has shown deterioration if it is over
60
days delinquent. The Company believes that loans acquired since the adoption
of
SOP 03-3 have not shown evidence of deterioration of credit quality since
origination, and therefore, are not within the scope of SOP 03-3 because the
Company did not pay consideration for, or record, acquired loans over 60 days
delinquent. Loans acquired that are more than 60 days past due are included
in
the scope of SOP 03-3 and therefore, subsequent refinances or restructures
of
these loans would not be accounted for as a new loan.
For
the
quarters ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded adjustments
of
approximately $48,000 and $655,000, respectively, to the allowance for loan
losses in connection with acquisitions in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. These adjustments were approximately $105,000 and
$868,000 for the nine-months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
These adjustments represent the allowance for loan losses on acquired loans
which do not meet the scope of SOP 03-3.
NOTE
4
–
AVERAGE
SHARE INFORMATION
The
following is a summary of the basic and diluted average common shares
outstanding:
|
|
Three
months ended December 31,
|
|
Nine
months ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average common shares outstanding (denominator)
|
|
|
16,892,219
|
|
|
17,572,202
|
|
|
17,200,506
|
|
|
18,169,659
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average common shares outstanding
|
|
|
16,892,219
|
|
|
17,572,202
|
|
|
17,200,506
|
|
|
18,169,659
|
|
Dilutive
potential common shares
|
|
|
255,893
|
|
|
377,889
|
|
|
310,568
|
|
|
377,780
|
|
Weighted
average diluted shares outstanding (denominator)
|
|
|
17,148,112
|
|
|
17,950,091
|
|
|
17,511,074
|
|
|
18,547,439
|
|
Options
to purchase 141,375 and 30,936 shares of common stock at various prices were
outstanding during the periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively,
but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the option
price
was greater than the average market price of the common shares. The shares
related to the convertible senior notes payable (1,762,519) and related warrants
were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the effects of
such
instruments were anti-dilutive during the periods ended December 31, 2007 and
2006.
NOTE
5
–
STOCK-BASED
COMPENSATION
Stock
Option Plans
The
Company has a 1992 Stock Option Plan, a 1994 Stock Option Plan, a 2002 Stock
Option Plan and a 2005 Stock Option Plan for the benefit of certain directors,
officers, and key employees. Under these plans, 5,350,000 shares of authorized
common stock have been reserved for issuance pursuant to grants approved by
the
Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors. Stock options
granted under these plans have a maximum duration of 10 years, may be subject
to
certain vesting requirements, which are generally one year for directors and
three to five years for officers and key employees, and are priced at the market
value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant of the option. At
December 31, 2007, there were 234,123 shares available for grant under the
plans.
Effective
April 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based
Payment” SFAS 123-R, using the modified prospective transition method, and did
not retroactively adjust results from prior periods. Under this transition
method, stock option compensation is recognized as an expense over the remaining
unvested portion of all stock option awards granted prior to April 1, 2006,
based on the fair values estimated at grant date in accordance with the original
provisions of SFAS 123. The Company has applied the Black-Sholes valuation
model
in determining the fair value of the stock option awards. Compensation expense
is recognized only for those options expected to vest, with forfeitures
estimated based on historical experience and future expectations.
Option
activity for the nine months ended December 31, 2007, was as
follows:
|
|
Weighted
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Remaining
|
|
Aggregated
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Price
|
|
Contractual Term
|
|
Intrinsic Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
outstanding, beginning of year
|
|
|
1,139,949
|
|
$
|
23.41
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
286,250
|
|
$
|
28.55
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(82,250
|
)
|
$
|
15.23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
(35,700
|
)
|
$
|
27.19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
outstanding, end of period
|
|
|
1,308,249
|
|
$
|
24.95
|
|
|
7.1
|
|
$
|
7,821,988
|
|
Options
exercisable, end of period
|
|
|
554,899
|
|
$
|
16.16
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
$
|
6,975,883
|
|
The
aggregate intrinsic value reflected in the table above represents the total
pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the closing stock price on
December 31, 2007 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of
in-the-money options) that would have been received by option holders had all
option holders exercised their options as of December 31, 2007. This amount
will
change as the stock’s market price changes. The total intrinsic value of options
exercised during the period ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was as
follows:
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Three
months ended
|
|
$
|
693,655
|
|
|
1,452,961
|
|
Nine
months ended
|
|
$
|
1,738,972
|
|
|
6,935,825
|
|
As
of
December 31, 2007, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related
to non-vested stock options amounted to approximately $7.3 million, which is
expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately three
years.
The
weighted-average fair value at the grant date for options issued during the
three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were $14.21 and $26.44,
respectively, and options issued during the nine months ended December 31,
2007
and 2006 were $14.41 and $15.11 per share, respectively. This fair value was
estimated at grant date using the following weighted-average
assumptions:
|
|
Three months ended December 31,
|
|
Nine month ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend
yield
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
0
|
%
|
Expected
volatility
|
|
|
42.99
|
%
|
|
43.37
|
%
|
|
42.99
|
%
|
|
43.37
|
%
|
Average
risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
3.98
|
%
|
|
4.69
|
%
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
|
4.69
|
%
|
Expected
life
|
|
|
6.
9 years
|
|
|
7.5
years
|
|
|
6.
9 years
|
|
|
7.5
years
|
|
Vesting
period
|
|
|
5
years
|
|
|
5
years
|
|
|
5
years
|
|
|
5
years
|
|
The
expected stock price volatility is based on the historical volatility of the
Company’s stock for a period approximating the expected life. The expected life
represents the period of time that options are expected to be outstanding after
their grant date. The risk-free interest rate reflects the interest rate at
grant date on zero-coupon U.S. governmental bonds that have a remaining life
similar to the expected option term.
Restricted
Stock
On
April
30, 2007, the Company granted 8,000 shares of restricted stock (which are equity
classified), with a grant date fair value of $42.93 per share, to its
independent directors. One-half of the restricted stock vested immediately
and
the other half will vest on the first anniversary of grant.
On
November 12, 2007, the Company granted 8,000 shares of restricted stock (which
are equity classified), with a grant date fair value of $28.19 per share, to
certain officers. One-third of the restricted stock vested immediately and
one-third will vest on the first and second anniversary of grant.
On
November 28, 2007, the Company granted 20,800 shares of restricted stock (which
are equity classified), with a grant date fair value of $30.94 per share, to
certain executive officers. One-third of the restricted stock vested immediately
and one-third will vest on the first and second anniversary of grant. The
Company granted an additional 15,150 shares of restricted stock (which are
equity classified), with a grant date fair value of $30.94 per share, to the
same executive officers. The 15,150 shares will vest in three years based on
the
Company’s compounded annual EPS growth according to the following
schedule:
|
|
Compounded
|
|
Vesting
|
|
Annual
|
|
Percentage
|
|
EPS
Growth
|
|
100%
|
|
|
15% or higher
|
|
67%
|
|
|
12% - 14.99
%
|
|
33%
|
|
|
10% - 11.99
%
|
|
0%
|
|
|
Below 10
%
|
|
Compensation
expense related to restricted stock is based on the number of shares expected
to
vest and the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date. The
Company recognized $584,000 and $1.3 million of compensation expense for the
quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2007, respectively, and $679,000
and
$843,000 of compensation expense for the quarter and nine months December 31,
2006, respectively, related to restricted stock, which is included as a
component of general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements
of Operations. All shares are expected to vest.
As
of
December 31, 2007, there was approximately $1.2 million of unrecognized
compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards granted, which
is
expected to be recognized over the next two years.
A
summary
of the status of the Company’s restricted stock as of December 31, 2007, and
changes during the nine months ended December 31, 2007, is presented below:
|
|
Number of
Shares
|
|
Weighted Average
Fair
Value at Grant Date
|
|
Outstanding
at March 31, 2007
|
|
|
29,442
|
|
|
43.87
|
|
Granted
during the period
|
|
|
51,950
|
|
|
32.36
|
|
Vested
during the period, net
|
|
|
(23,323
|
)
|
|
40.83
|
|
Cancelled
during the period
|
|
|
(6,969
|
)
|
|
29.92
|
|
Outstanding
at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
51,100
|
|
$
|
35.46
|
|
Total
share-based compensation included as a component of net income during the
quarters and nine months ended December 31, were as follows:
|
|
Three
months ended
|
|
Nine
months ended
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Share-based
compensation related to equity classified units:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based
compensation related to stock options
|
|
$
|
972,335
|
|
|
977,263
|
|
$
|
2,885,537
|
|
|
2,239,369
|
|
Share-based
compensation related to restricted stock units
|
|
|
583,841
|
|
|
678,787
|
|
|
1,300,814
|
|
|
842,892
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
share-based compensation related to equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
classified
awards
|
|
$
|
1,556,176
|
|
|
1,656,050
|
|
|
4,186,351
|
|
|
3,082,261
|
|
NOTE
6
–
ACQUISITIONS
The
following table sets forth the acquisition activity of the Company for the
nine
months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006:
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of offices purchased
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
84
|
|
Merged
into existing offices
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase
Price
|
|
$
|
4,536,956
|
|
|
18,105,012
|
|
Tangible
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loans
|
|
|
2,765,043
|
|
|
15,962,834
|
|
Furniture,
fixtures & equipment
|
|
|
128,000
|
|
|
138,500
|
|
Other
|
|
|
6,814
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excess
of purchase prices over carrying value of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
net
tangible assets
|
|
$
|
1,637,099
|
|
$
|
2,003,678
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer
lists
|
|
|
1,228,054
|
|
|
1,612,473
|
|
Non-compete
agreements
|
|
|
96,000
|
|
|
63,000
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
313,045
|
|
|
328,205
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
intangible assets
|
|
$
|
1,637,099
|
|
$
|
2,003,678
|
|
The
Company evaluates each acquisition to determine if the acquired enterprise
meets
the definition of a business. Those acquired enterprises that meet the
definition of a business are accounted for as a business combination under
SFAS
No. 141 and all other acquisitions are accounted for as asset purchases. All
acquisitions have been with independent third parties.
When
the
acquisition results in a new office, the Company records the transaction as
a
business combination, since the office acquired will continue to generate loans.
The Company typically retains the existing employees and the office location.
The purchase price is allocated to the estimated fair value of the tangible
assets acquired and to the estimated fair value of the identified intangible
assets acquired (generally non-compete agreements and customer lists). The
remainder is allocated to goodwill. During the nine months ended December 31,
2007, 13 acquisitions were recorded as business combinations.
When
the
acquisition is of a portfolio of loans only, the Company records the transaction
as an asset purchase. In an asset purchase, no goodwill is recorded. The
purchase price is allocated to the estimated fair value of the tangible and
intangible assets acquired. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007,
eight acquisitions were recorded as asset acquisitions.
The
Company’s acquisitions include tangible assets (generally loans and furniture
and equipment) and intangible assets (generally non-compete agreements, customer
lists, and goodwill), both of which are recorded at their fair values, which
are
estimated pursuant to the processes described below.
Acquired
loans are valued at the net loan balance. Given the short-term nature of these
loans, generally four months, and that these loans are subject to continual
repricing at current rates, management believes the net loan balances
approximate their fair value.
Furniture
and equipment are valued at the specific purchase price as agreed to by both
parties at the time of acquisition, which management believes approximates
their
fair values.
Non-compete
agreements are valued at the stated amount paid to the other party for these
agreements, which the Company believes approximates the fair value. The fair
value of the customer lists is based on a valuation model that utilizes the
Company’s historical data to estimate the value of any acquired customer lists.
In a business combination the remaining excess of the purchase price over the
fair value of the tangible assets, customer list, and non-compete agreements
is
allocated to goodwill. The offices the Company acquires are small, privately
owned offices, which do not have sufficient historical data to determine
attrition. The Company believes that the customers acquired have the same
characteristics and perform similarly to its customers. Therefore, the Company
utilized the attrition patterns of its customers when developing the method.
This method is re-evaluated periodically.
Customer
lists are allocated at an office level and are evaluated for impairment at
an
office level when a triggering event occurs, in accordance with SFAS 144. If
a
triggering event occurs, the impairment loss to the customer list is generally
the remaining unamortized customer list balance. In most acquisitions, the
original fair value of the customer list allocated to an office is generally
less than $100,000, and management believes that in the event a triggering
event
were to occur, the impairment loss to an unamortized customer list would be
immaterial.
The
results of all acquisitions have been included in the Company’s consolidated
financial statements since the respective acquisition dates. The pro forma
impact of these purchases as though they had been acquired at the beginning
of
the periods presented would not have a material effect on the results of
operations as reported.
NOTE
7
–
NOTES
PAYABLE
Summaries
of the Company's notes payable follow:
Senior
Notes Payable
$187,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility
This
facility, as amended effective August 31, 2007, provides for borrowings of
up to
$187 million, with $163.1 million outstanding at December 31, 2007, subject
to a
borrowing base formula. An additional $30 million is available as a seasonal
revolving credit commitment from November 15 of each year through March 31
of
the immediately succeeding year to cover the increase in loan demand during
this
period. The Company may borrow, at its option, at the rate of prime or LIBOR
plus 1.80%. At December 31, 2007, the Company’s interest rate was 7.25% and the
unused amount available under the revolver was $53.9 million. The revolving
credit facility has a commitment fee of 0.375% per annum on the unused portion
of the commitment. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility mature on
December 31, 2009.
Substantially
all of the Company’s assets are pledged as collateral for borrowings under the
revolving credit agreement.
Convertible
Senior Notes
On
October 10, 2006, the Company issued $110 million aggregate principal amount
of
its 3.0% convertible senior subordinated notes due October 1, 2011 (the
“Convertible Notes”) to qualified institutional brokers in accordance with Rule
144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Interest on the Convertible Notes is payable
semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing
April
1, 2007. The Convertible Notes are the Company’s direct, senior subordinated,
unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all existing
and
future unsecured senior subordinated debt of the Company, senior in right of
payment to all of the Company’s existing and future subordinated debt and junior
to all of the Company’s existing and future senior debt. The Convertible
Notes are structurally junior to the liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries.
The Convertible Notes are convertible prior to maturity, subject to certain
conditions described below, at an initial conversion rate of 16.0229 shares
per
$1,000 principal amount of notes, which represents an initial conversion price
of approximately $62.41 per share, subject to adjustment. Upon conversion,
the
Company will pay cash up to the principal amount of notes converted and deliver
shares of its common stock to the extent the daily conversion value exceeds
the
proportionate principal amount based on a 30 trading-day observation
period.
Holders
may convert the Convertible Notes prior to July 1, 2011 only if one or more
of
the following conditions are satisfied:
•
|
|
During
any fiscal quarter commencing after December 31, 2006, if the last
reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days
during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last
trading
day of the preceding fiscal quarter is greater than or equal to 120%
of
the applicable conversion price on such last trading day;
|
|
|
|
•
|
|
During
the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day
period
in which the trading price per note for each day of such ten consecutive
trading day period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported
sale price of the Company’s common stock and the applicable conversion
rate on each such day; or
|
|
|
|
•
|
|
The
occurrence of specified corporate
transactions.
|
If
the
Convertible Notes are converted in connection with certain fundamental changes
that occur prior to October 1, 2011, the Company may be obligated to pay an
additional make-whole premium with respect to the Convertible Notes converted.
If the Company undergoes certain fundamental changes, holders of Convertible
Notes may require the Company to purchase the Convertible Notes at a price
equal
to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes purchased plus accrued
interest to, but excluding, the purchase date.
Holders
may also surrender their Convertible Notes for conversion anytime on or after
July 1, 2011 until the close of business on the third business day immediately
preceding the maturity date, regardless of whether any of the foregoing
conditions have been satisfied.
The
contingent conversion feature was not required to be bifurcated and accounted
for separately under the provisions of FAS 133 “Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities.”
The
aggregate underwriting commissions and other debt issuance costs incurred with
respect to the issuance of the Convertible Notes were approximately $3.6 million
and are being amortized over the period the Convertible Notes are
outstanding.
Convertible
Notes Hedge Strategy
Concurrent
and in connection with the sale of the Convertible Notes, the Company purchased
call options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the
conversion rate as of the date the options are exercised for the Convertible
Notes, at a price of $62.41 per share. The cost of the call options totaled
$24.6 million. The Company also sold warrants to the same counterparties to
purchase from the Company an aggregate of 1,762,519 shares of the Company’s
common stock at a price of $73.97 per share and received net proceeds from
the
sale of increasing these warrants of $16.2 million. Taken together, the
call option and warrant agreements increased the effective conversion price
of
the Convertible Notes to $73.97 per share. The call options and warrants
must be settled in net shares. On the date of settlement, if the market price
per share of the Company’s common stock is above $73.97 per share, the Company
will be required to deliver shares of its common stock representing the value
of
the call options and warrants in excess of $73.97 per share.
The
warrants have a strike price of $73.97 and are generally exercisable at
anytime. The Company issued and sold the warrants in a transaction exempt
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
by
virtue of section 4(2) thereof. There were no underwriting commissions or
discounts in connection with the sale of the warrants.
In
accordance with EITF. No. 00-19 “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments
Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, the Company’s Own Stock”, the Company
accounted for the call options and warrants as a net reduction in additional
paid in capital, and is not required to recognize subsequent changes in fair
value of the call options and warrants in its consolidated financial
statements.
Other
Note Payable
The
Company also has a $400,000 note payable to Carolina First Bank, bearing
interest of LIBOR plus 2.00% payable monthly, which is to be repaid in two
remaining annual installments of $200,000 ending on May 1, 2009.
Debt
Covenants
The
various debt agreements contain restrictions on the amounts of permitted
indebtedness, investments, working capital, repurchases of common stock and
cash
dividends. At December 31, 2007, $29.9 million was available under these
covenants for the payment of cash dividends, or the repurchase of the Company's
common stock. In addition, the agreements restrict liens on assets and the
sale
or transfer of subsidiaries. The Company was in compliance with the various
debt
covenants for all periods presented.
NOTE
8
–
DERIVATIVE
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
On
October 5, 2005, the Company entered into an interest rate swap with a notional
amount of $30 million to economically hedge a portion of the cash flows from
its
floating rate revolving credit facility. Under the terms of the interest rate
swap, the Company will pay a fixed rate of 4.755% on the $30 million notional
amount and receive payments from a counterparty based on the 1 month LIBOR
rate
for a term ending October 5, 2010. Interest rate differentials paid or received
under the swap agreement are recognized as adjustments to interest
expense.
At
December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded a liability of $737,000 and
an
asset of $239,000, respectively, related to the interest rate swap, which
represented the fair value of the interest rate swap at those dates. A
corresponding unrealized loss of $610,000 and a gain of $24,000 were recorded
as
other income for the quarters ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
During the quarters ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, interest expense was
decreased by approximately $65,000 and $44,000 as a result of net receipts
under
the terms of the interest rate swap.
For
the
nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, unrealized losses of $829,000
and
$253,000, respectively, were recorded as other income and interest expense
was
decreased by approximately $118,000 and $107,000, respectively, as a result
of
net receipts under the terms of the interest rate swap.
On
May 9,
2007, the Company entered into a $3 million foreign exchange currency option
to
economically hedge its foreign exchange risk relative to the Mexican peso.
Under
the terms of the option contract, the Company can exchange $3 million U.S.
dollars at a rate of 11.18 Mexican pesos on May 9, 2008. The fair value of
the
option at December 31, 2007 was immaterial.
The
Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or
speculative purposes. The purpose of these instruments is to reduce the exposure
to variability in future cash flows attributable to a portion of its LIBOR-based
borrowings and to reduce variability in foreign cash flows. The fair value
of
the interest rate swap and option is recorded on the consolidated balance sheets
as an other asset or other liability. The Company is currently not accounting
for these derivative instruments using the cash flow hedge accounting provisions
of SFAS 133; therefore, the changes in fair value of the swap and option are
included in earnings as other income or expenses.
By
using
derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to credit and market risk. Credit
risk, which is the risk that a counterparty to a derivative instrument will
fail
to perform, exists to the extent of the fair value gain in a derivative. Credit
risk is created when the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, since
this generally indicates that the counterparty owes the Company. When the fair
value of a derivative is negative, no credit risk exists since the Company
would
owe the counterparty. Market risk is the adverse effect on the financial
instruments from a change in interest rates or implied volatility of exchange
rates. The Company manages the market risk associated with interest rate
contracts and currency options by establishing and monitoring limits as to
the
types and degree of risk that may be undertaken. The market risk associated
with
derivatives used for interest rate and foreign currency risk management
activities is fully incorporated in the Company’s market risk sensitivity
analysis.
NOTE
9
– ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES
The
Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48,
Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
,
on
April 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of Interpretation 48, the
Company recognized a charge of approximately $550,000 to the April 1, 2007
balance of retained earnings. As of April 1, 2007, the Company had approximately
$5.5 million of total gross unrecognized tax benefits. Of this total,
approximately $800,000 represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that
are permanent in nature and, if recognized, would affect the annual effective
tax rate.
The
Company does not expect that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits
will
significantly increase or decrease between the present time and March 31,
2008.
The
Company is subject to U.S and Mexican income taxes, as well as various other
state and local jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer
subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations
by
tax authorities for years before 2003, although carryforward attributes that
were generated prior to 2003 may still be adjusted upon examination by the
taxing authorities if they either have been or will be used in a future period.
The
federal income tax (2005 and 2006) are currently under examination by the taxing
authorities. In addition, the income tax return (2001 through 2006) are under
examination by a state authority which has completed its examinations and issued
a proposed assessment for tax years 2001 and 2006. The Company is in the very
initial process of responding to the Jurisdiction. In consideration of the
proposed assessment, net income for this quarter was reduced by a charge of
$1.5
million and the total gross unrecognized tax benefits has increased by $2.3
million as a result of this examination. At this time, it is too early to
predict the outcome on this tax issue and any future recoverability of this
charge. Until the tax issue is resolved, the Company expects to accrue
approximately $40,000 per quarter for interest and penalties.
The
Company's continuing practice is to recognize interest and penalties related
to
income tax matters in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2007, the Company
had approximately $889,000 accrued for interest and penalties, of which $393,000
and $533,000 were expensed during the quarter and nine months ended December
31,
2007, respectively.
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:
|
|
Three
months
|
|
Nine
months
|
|
|
|
ended
December 31,
|
|
ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(Dollars
in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
gross loans receivable
(1)
|
|
$
|
608,880
|
|
|
511,210
|
|
|
566,563
|
|
|
470,399
|
|
Average
net loans receivable
(2)
|
|
|
448,946
|
|
|
379,879
|
|
|
419,050
|
|
|
350,384
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
as a % of total revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision
for loan losses
|
|
|
26.4
|
%
|
|
24.8
|
%
|
|
22.8
|
%
|
|
21.1
|
%
|
General
and administrative
|
|
|
53.9
|
%
|
|
55.9
|
%
|
|
53.8
|
%
|
|
54.4
|
%
|
Total
interest expense
|
|
|
3.8
|
%
|
|
3.8
|
%
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
margin
(3)
|
|
|
19.7
|
%
|
|
19.3
|
%
|
|
23.4
|
%
|
|
24.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
on average assets (annualized)
|
|
|
5.9
|
%
|
|
6.9
|
%
|
|
8.3
|
%
|
|
9.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Offices
opened or acquired, net
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
99
|
|
|
111
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
offices (at period end)
|
|
|
831
|
|
|
731
|
|
|
831
|
|
|
731
|
|
(1)
|
Average
gross loans receivable have been determined by averaging month-end
gross
loans receivable over the indicated
period.
|
(2)
|
Average
net loans receivable have been determined by averaging month-end
gross
loans receivable less unearned interest and deferred fees over the
indicated period.
|
(3)
|
Operating
margin is computed as total revenues less provision for loan losses
and
general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of total
revenue.
|
Comparison
of Three Months Ended December 31, 2007, Versus
Three
Months Ended December 31, 2006
Net
income increased to $7.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007
compared to $7.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006. Operating
income (revenues less provision for loan losses and general and administrative
expenses) increased approximately $3.1 million, or 21.5%, and was offset
partially by an increase in interest expense and an increase in income taxes.
The increase in operating margins from 19.3% for the three months ended December
31, 2006 compared to 19.7% for the three months ended December 31, 2007 resulted
from a decrease in general and administrative expenses.
Total
revenues rose to $88.0 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2007,
an
18.8% increase over the $74.1 million for the corresponding quarter of the
previous year. This increase was attributable to an increase in the average
loan
balances and an increase in other income. In addition, revenues from the 640
offices open throughout both quarterly periods increased by approximately 11.0%.
At December 31, 2007, the Company had 831 offices in operation, an increase
of
99 offices from March 31, 2007.
Interest
and fee income for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, increased by $11.7
million, or 18.4%, over the same period of the prior year. This increase
resulted from a $97.7 million increase, or 19.1%, in average gross loans
receivable over the two corresponding periods.
Insurance
commissions and other income increased by $2.2 million, or 21.2%, between the
two quarterly periods. Insurance commissions increased by $2.1 million, or
33.2%, during the most recent quarter when compared to the prior year quarter
due to the increase in loans in those states where credit insurance is sold
in
conjunction with the loan. Other income increased by approximately $160,000,
or
3.7%, over the two corresponding quarters. The increase is attributed to an
increase in revenue from motor club products of approximately $271,000 and
an
increase in World Class Buying Club sales of $566,000 when comparing the two
quarters. The increase was offset by a $610,000 loss on the interest rate
swap.
The
provision for loan losses during the quarter ended December 31, 2007 increased
by $4.9 million, or 26.5%, from the same quarter last year. This increase
resulted from an increase in the general allowance for loan losses due to loan
growth and an increase in charge-offs. Net charge-offs for the current quarter
amounted to $18.8 million, a 26.2% increase from the $14.9 million charged
off
during the same quarter of fiscal year 2007. As a percentage of average loans
receivable, net charge-offs increased to 16.7% on an annualized basis for the
current quarter from 15.6% for the quarter ended December 31, 2006. The Company
believes that the increase is attributed to a soft economy.
General
and administrative expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 increased
by
$6.0 million, or 14.5% over the same quarter of fiscal year 2007. Overall,
general and administrative expenses, when divided by average open offices,
decreased by approximately 0.6% when comparing the two periods; and, as a
percentage of total revenue, decreased from 55.9% over the same quarter of
fiscal year 2007 to 53.9% during the most recent period. This decrease resulted
from a higher growth in revenue than in expenses.
Interest
expense increased by $515,000 when comparing the two corresponding quarterly
periods as a result of an increase in the average outstanding debt
balance.
Income
tax expense increased $2.3 million, or 51.3%, primarily from an increase in
pre-tax income and a charge of $1.5 million related to a tax examination. A
State jurisdiction has completed its examinations and issued a proposed
assessment for tax years 2001 through 2006. The Company is in the very initial
process of responding to the Jurisdiction. In consideration of the proposed
assessment, net income for this quarter was reduced by this charge of $1.5
million and the total gross unrecognized tax benefits has increased by $2.3
million as a result of this examination. At this time, it is too early to
predict the outcome on this tax issue and any future recoverability of this
charge. Until the tax issue is resolved, the Company expects to accrue
approximately $40,000 per quarter for interest and penalties. As a result,
the
Company’s effective income tax rate increased to 47.98% for the three months
ended December 31, 2007 from 38.79% for the prior year quarter.
Comparison
of Nine Months Ended December 31, 2007, Versus
Nine
Months Ended December 31, 2006
Net
income increased to $28.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2007,
or 6.5%, from the nine month period ended December 31, 2006. Operating income
increased approximately $7.0 million, or 13.9%, and was offset partially by
an
increase in interest expense and an increase in income taxes. The decrease
in
operating margins from 24.5% for the nine months ended December 31, 2006
compared to 23.4% for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 resulted from
an
increase in the provision expense.
Total
revenues rose to $244.6 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2007,
a 19.2% increase over the $205.1 million for the corresponding period of the
previous year. This increase was attributable to a 19.6% increase in average
net
loans and an increase in revenues from offices open throughout both periods.
Revenues from the 640 offices open throughout both periods increased by
approximately 9.8%.
Interest
and fee income for the nine months ended December 31, 2007, increased by $33.5
million, or 19.0%, over the same period of the prior year. This increase
resulted from a $96.2 million increase, or 20.4%, in average gross loans
receivable over the two corresponding periods.
Insurance
commissions and other income increased by $6.0 million, or 21.1%, between the
two periods. Insurance commissions increased by $4.8 million, or 26.6%, during
the most recent nine months when compared to the prior year first nine months
due to the increase in loans in those states where credit insurance is sold
in
conjunction with the loan. Other income increased by approximately $1.2 million,
or 11.6%, over the two corresponding periods primarily due to an increase in
revenue from motor club products of approximately $1.1 million and increased
World Class Buying Club revenue of $637,000 when comparing the two nine month
periods. The increase was offset by an $829,000 loss on the interest rate swap
recorded in fiscal 2008 compared to a $253,000 loss recorded in fiscal
2007.
The
provision for loan losses during the nine months ended December 31, 2007
increased by $12.5 million, or 28.9%, from the same period last year. This
increase resulted from an increase in the general allowance for loan losses
due
to loan growth and an increase in charge-offs. Net charge-offs for the current
nine month period amounted to $47.0 million, a 29.8% increase from the $36.2
million charged off during the same period of fiscal 2007. As a percentage
of
average loans receivable, net charge-offs increased to 15.0% on an annualized
basis for the current nine month period from 13.8% for the nine month period
ended December 31, 2006. As discussed above, the Company believes that increase
is attributed to a soft economy.
General
and administrative expenses for the nine month period ended December 31, 2007
increased by $20.0 million, or 17.9% over the same nine month period of fiscal
2007. Overall, general and administrative expenses, when divided by average
open
offices, decreased by approximately 0.4% when comparing the two periods. Total
general and administrative expenses as a percent of total revenues decreased
from 54.4% during the prior year nine month period to 53.8% during the most
recent nine month period due to a higher growth in revenues than in expenses.
Interest
expense increased by $1.6 million when comparing the two corresponding nine
month periods as a result of an increase in the average outstanding debt
balance.
Income
tax expense increased $3.6 million, or 22.1%, primarily from an increase in
pre-tax income and a charge of $1.5 million related to a tax examination. A
State jurisdiction has completed its examinations and issued a proposed
assessment for tax years 2001 through 2006. The Company is in the very initial
process of responding to the Jurisdiction. In consideration of the proposed
assessment, net income for this quarter was reduced by this charge of $1.5
million and the total gross unrecognized tax benefits has been increased by
$2.3
million as a result of this examination. At this time, it is too early to
predict the outcome on this tax issue and any future recoverability of this
charge. Until the tax issue is resolved, the Company expects to accrue
approximately $40,000 per quarter for interest and penalties. As a result,
the
Company’s effective income tax rate increased to 41.11% for the three months
ended December 31, 2007 from 37.85% for the prior year quarter.
Critical
Accounting Policies
The
Company’s accounting and reporting policies are in accordance with U. S.
generally accepted accounting principles and conform to general practices within
the finance company industry. Certain critical accounting policies involve
significant judgment by the Company’s management, including the use of estimates
and assumptions which affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities,
revenues, and expenses. As a result, changes in these estimates and assumptions
could significantly affect the Company’s financial position and results of
operations. The Company considers its policies regarding the allowance for
loan
losses and share-based compensation to be its most critical accounting policies
due to the significant degree of management judgment involved.
Allowance
for Loan Losses
The
Company has developed policies and procedures for assessing the adequacy of
the
allowance for loan losses that take into consideration various assumptions
and
estimates with respect to the loan portfolio. The Company’s assumptions and
estimates may be affected in the future by changes in economic conditions,
among
other factors. Additional information concerning the allowance for loan losses
is discussed under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions
and Results of Operations - Credit Quality” in the Company’s report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.
Share-Based
Compensation
The
Company measures compensation cost for share-based awards at fair value and
recognizes compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest.
The
fair value of restricted stock is based on the number of shares granted and
the
quoted price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date, and the fair value
of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The
Black-Scholes model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions,
including expected volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected life,
changes to which can materially affect the fair value estimate. In addition,
the
estimation of share-based awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment,
and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from the Company’s
current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment
in
the period estimates are revised. The Company considers many factors when
estimating expected forfeitures, including types of awards, employee class,
and
historical experience. Actual results, and future changes in estimates, may
differ substantially from the Company’s current estimates.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
The
Company has financed its operations, acquisitions and office expansion through
a
combination of cash flow from operations and borrowings from its institutional
lenders. The Company's primary ongoing cash requirements relate to the funding
of new offices and acquisitions, the overall growth of loans outstanding, the
repayment of indebtedness and the repurchase of its common stock. As the
Company's gross loans receivable increased from $351.5 million at March 31,
2005
to $505.8 million at March 31, 2007, net cash provided by operating activities
for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 was $87.7 million, $98.0
million and $110.1 million, respectively.
During
the first nine months of fiscal 2008, the Company repurchased 690,100 shares
of
its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $21.3 million. The Company
believes stock repurchases to be a viable component of the Company’s long-term
financial strategy and an excellent use of excess cash when the opportunity
arises. In addition, the Company plans to open or acquire at least 75 new
offices in the United States and 20 new offices in Mexico in fiscal 2008.
Expenditures by the Company to open and furnish new offices generally averaged
approximately $25,000 per office during fiscal 2007. New offices have also
required from $100,000 to $400,000 to fund outstanding loans receivable
originated during their first 12 months of operation.
The
Company acquired 13 offices and 8 loan portfolios from competitors in 6 states
in 9 separate transactions during the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Gross
loans receivable purchased in these transactions were approximately $4.1 million
in the aggregate at the dates of purchase. The Company believes that attractive
opportunities to acquire new offices or receivables from its competitors or
to
acquire offices in communities not currently served by the Company will continue
to become available as conditions in local economies and the financial
circumstances of owners change.
The
Company has a $187.0 million base credit facility with a syndicate of banks.
In
addition to the base revolving credit commitment, there is a $30 million
seasonal revolving credit commitment available November 15 of each year through
March 31 of the immediately succeeding year to cover the increase in loan demand
during this period. The credit facility will expire on December 31, 2009. Funds
borrowed under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at the Company's
option, at either the agent bank's prime rate per annum or the LIBOR rate plus
1.80% per annum. At December 31, 2007, the interest rate on borrowings under
the
revolving credit facility was 7.25%. The Company pays a commitment fee equal
to
0.375% per annum of the daily unused portion of the revolving credit facility.
Amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility may not exceed specified
percentages of eligible loans receivable. On December 31, 2007, $163.1 million
was outstanding under this facility, and there was $53.9 million of unused
borrowing availability under the borrowing base limitations.
The
Company's credit agreements contain a number of financial covenants, including
minimum net worth and fixed charge coverage requirements. The credit agreements
also contain certain other covenants, including covenants that impose
limitations on the Company with respect to (i) declaring or paying dividends
or
making distributions on or acquiring common or preferred stock or warrants
or
options; (ii) redeeming or purchasing or prepaying principal or interest on
subordinated debt; (iii) incurring additional indebtedness; and (iv) entering
into a merger, consolidation or sale of substantial assets or subsidiaries.
The
Company was in compliance with these agreements as of December 31, 2007, and
does not believe that these agreements will materially limit its business and
expansion strategy.
On
April
1, 2007, the Company adopted FIN No. 48. As of December 31, 2007, the Company’s
contractual obligations, relating to FIN No. 48, included unrecognized tax
benefits of $5.5 million which are expected to be settled in greater than one
year. While the settlement of the obligation is expected to be in excess of
1
year, the precise timing of the settlement is indeterminable.
The
Company believes that cash flow from operations and borrowings under its
revolving credit facility or other sources will be adequate to fund the expected
cost of opening or acquiring new offices, including funding initial operating
losses of new offices and funding loans receivable originated by those offices
and the Company's other offices and the scheduled repayment of the other notes
payable (for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future beyond that).
Management is not currently aware of any trends, demands, commitments, events
or
uncertainties related to the Company’s operations that it believes will result
in, or are reasonably likely to result in, the Company’s liquidity increasing or
decreasing in any material way. From time to time, the Company has needed and
obtained, and expects that it will continue to need on a periodic basis, an
increase in the borrowing limits under its revolving credit facility. The
Company has successfully obtained such increases in the past and anticipates
that it will be able to obtain such increases or secure other sources of
financing in the future as the need arises; however, there can be no assurance
that this additional funding will be available (or available on reasonable
terms) if and when needed.
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 eleven 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.
Recently
Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting
for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments
In
February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 155, “Accounting for Certain
Hybrid Financial Instruments - an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and
140”
(“SFAS 155”). SFAS 155 permits an entity to measure at fair value any financial
instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would be required
to be bifurcated and accounted for separately under SFAS 133. SFAS 155 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. The adoption
of
SFAS 155 had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial
statements.
Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
In
July
2006, FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), was
issued. It clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized
in an entity’s financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” by prescribing
the minimum recognition threshold and measurement attribute a tax position
taken
or expected to be taken on a tax return is required to meet before being
recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on
derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting
in interim periods, disclosure and transition.
In
May
2007, the FASB issued FSP FIN No. 48-1, “Definition of Settlement in FASB
Interpretation No. 48.” FSP FIN No. 48-1 provides guidance on how a company
should determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose
of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits. FSP FIN No. 48-1 is
effective upon initial adoption of FIN No. 48, which the Company adopted in
the
first quarter of fiscal 2008, as discussed in footnote 9 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
Fair
Value Measurements
In
September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No.
157, "Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 provides a common
definition of fair value and a framework for measuring assets and liabilities
at
fair values when a particular standard prescribes it. In addition, the Statement
prescribes a more enhanced disclosure of fair value measures, and requires
a
more expanded disclosure when non-market data is used to assess fair values.
As
required by SFAS 157, the Company will adopt this new accounting standard
effective April 1, 2008. Management is currently reviewing the impact SFAS
157
on the Company’s financial statements.
Fair
Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
On
February 15, 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 (“SFAS 159”), “The
Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which allows
an entity the irrevocable option to elect fair value for the initial and
subsequent measurement for certain financial assets and liabilities on a
contract-by-contract basis. Subsequent changes in fair value of these financial
assets and liabilities would be recognized in earnings when they occur. SFAS
159
further establishes certain additional disclosure requirements. SFAS 159 is
effective for the Company’s financial statements for the year beginning on
April 1, 2008. The Company does not expect the effect of adopting this
standard to be material to its Consolidated Financial Statements.
Accounting
for Purchases of Life Insurance
In
September 2006, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the EITF on Issue
No. 06-5, “Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance — Determining the
Amount That Could Be Realized in Accordance with FASB Technical Bulletin
No. 85-4, Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance.” FASB Technical
Bulletin No. 85-4 requires that the amount that could be realized under the
insurance contract as of the date of the statement of financial position should
be reported as an asset. Since the issuance of FASB Technical Bulletin
No. 85-4, there has been diversity in practice in the calculation of the
amount that could be realized under insurance contracts. Issue
No. 06-5 concludes that the Company should consider any additional amounts
(e.g., cash stabilization reserves and deferred acquisition cost taxes) included
in the contractual terms of the insurance policy other than the cash surrender
value in determining the amount that could be realized in accordance with FASB
Technical Bulletin No. 85-4. The adoption of this Interpretation had no
material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Business
Combinations
In
December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007),
Business
Combinations,
which
replaces SFAS No. 141,
Business
Combinations
.
SFAS No. 141R requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired,
the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at
the
acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date, with limited
exceptions. SFAS No. 141R also requires acquisition-related costs and
restructuring costs that the acquirer expected, but was not obligated to incur
at the acquisition date, to be recognized separately from the business
combination. In addition, SFAS No. 141R amends SFAS No. 109,
Accounting
for Income Taxes,
to
require the acquirer to recognize changes in the amount of its deferred tax
benefits that are recognizable because of a business combination either in
income from continuing operations in the period of the combination or directly
in contributed capital. SFAS No. 141R applies prospectively to
business combinations in fiscal years beginning on or after December 15,
2008 and would therefore impact our accounting for future acquisitions beginning
in fiscal 2010.
Noncontrolling
Interest in consolidated Financial Statements
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements, an Amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”).
SFAS 160 clarifies the accounting for noncontrolling interests and establishes
accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a
subsidiary, including classification as a component of equity. SFAS 160 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, our fiscal 2010.
The
Company is in the process of determining the effect, if any, that the
adoption of SFAS 160 will have on our financial statements.
Forward-Looking
Information
This
report on Form 10-Q, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contains 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.
Statements other than those of historical fact, as well as those identified
by
the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” “may,” “will,”
and “should” any variation of the foregoing and similar expressions are
forward-looking statements. Specifically, the statements in “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of the
Company’s expectations regarding charge-off trends or office expansion plans and
are 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; the timing and
amount of revenues that may be recognized by the Company; changes in current
revenue and expense trends (including trends affecting delinquencies and
charge-offs); changes in the Company’s markets and general changes in the
economy (particularly in the markets served by the
Company);
the unpredictable nature of litigation, and other matters discussed in this
Report in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent annual
report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
and the Company’s other reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC from time
to time. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements it makes.
Item
3.
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest
Rate Risk
The
Company’s financial instruments consist of the following: cash, loans
receivable, senior notes payable, convertible senior subordinated notes payable,
another note payable, an interest rate swap and a foreign currency option.
Fair
value approximates carrying value for all of these instruments, except the
convertible senior subordinated notes payable, for which the fair value
represents the quoted market price. Loans receivable are originated at
prevailing market rates and have an average life of approximately four months.
Given the short-term nature of these loans, they are continually repriced at
current market rates. The Company’s outstanding debt under its revolving credit
facility was $163.1 million at December 31, 2007. Interest on borrowings under
this facility is based, at the Company’s option, on the prime rate or LIBOR plus
1.80%.
Based
on
the outstanding balance at December 31, 2007, a change of 1% in the interest
rates would cause a change in interest expense of approximately $1.3 million
on
an annual basis.
In
October 2005, the Company entered into an interest rate swap to economically
hedge the variable cash flows associated with $30 million of its LIBOR-based
borrowings. This swap converted the $30 million from a variable rate of
one-month LIBOR to a fixed rate of 4.755% for a period of five
years.
In
accordance with SFAS 133, the Company records derivatives at fair value, as
other assets or liabilities, on the consolidated balance sheets. Since the
Company is not utilizing hedge accounting under SFAS 133, changes in the fair
value of the derivative instrument are included in other income. As of December
31, 2007, the fair value of the interest rate swap was a liability of $737,000
and is included in other liabilities. The change in fair value from the
beginning of the year, recorded as an unrealized loss in other income, was
$829,000.
The
Company has another note payable which has a balance of $400,000 at December
31,
2007, and carries an interest rate equal to LIBOR + 2.00%.
Foreign
Currency Exchange Rate Risk
In
September 2005 the Company began opening offices in Mexico, where its local
businesses utilize the Mexican peso as their functional currency. The
consolidated financial statements of the Company are denominated in U.S. dollars
and are therefore subject to fluctuation as the U.S. dollar and Mexican peso
foreign exchange rates change. International revenues were less than 2% of
the
Company’s total revenues for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2007
and net loans denominated in Mexican pesos were approximately $6.3 million
(USD)
at December 31, 2007.
The
Company’s foreign currency exchange rate exposures may change over time as
business practices evolve and could have a material effect on the Company’s
financial results. There have been, and there may continue to be,
period-to-period fluctuations in the relative portions of Mexican revenues.
On
May 9,
2007, the Company economically hedged its foreign exchange risk by purchasing
a
$3 million foreign exchange currency option with a strike rate of 11.18 Mexican
peso per US dollar. This option expires on May 9, 2008. Changes in the fair
value of this option are recorded as a component of earnings since the Company
does not apply hedge accounting under SFAS 133. The fair value of the option
at
December 31, 2007, and the change in the fair value of the option in fiscal
2008
was less than $30,000.
Because
its earnings are affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar
against foreign currencies, the Company has performed an analysis assuming
a
hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar relative
to the Mexican peso in which our transactions in Mexico are denominated. At
December 31, 2007, the analysis indicated that such market movements would
not
have had a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The actual effects on the consolidated financial statements in the future may
differ materially from results of the analysis for the quarter and nine months
ended December 31, 2007. The Company will continue to monitor and assess the
effect of currency fluctuations and may institute further hedging
alternatives.
Item
4.
Controls
and Procedures
An
evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation
of
the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and
Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), of the effectiveness of the Company's
disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2007. Based on that
evaluation, the Company's management, including the CEO and CFO, has concluded
that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of
December 31, 2007. During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, there was no change
in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal
control over financial reporting.
PART
II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item
1.
Legal
Proceedings
From
time
to time the Company is involved in 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 pending legal proceedings that
would have a material adverse effect on its financial condition.
Item
1A.
Risk
Factors
There
have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed under
Part I, Item 1A (page 9) of the Company Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year
ended March 31, 2007.
Item
2.
Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The
Company's credit agreements contain certain restrictions on the payment of
cash
dividends on its capital stock. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
–
Liquidity
and
Capital Resources” and Note 7 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements
included in this report.
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
AND
SUBSIDIARIES
PART
II. OTHER INFORMATION, CONTINUED
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Previous
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Company
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Exhibit
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Exhibit
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Registration
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Number
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|
Description
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Number
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|
No.
or Report
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3.1
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Second
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as
amended
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3.1
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333-107426
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3.2
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Fourth
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company
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99.3
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8-02-07
8-K
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4.1
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Specimen
Share Certificate
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4.1
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33-42879
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4.2
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Articles
3, 4 and 5 of the Form of Company's Second Amended and Restated Articles
of Incorporation (as amended)
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3.1
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333-107426
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4.3
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Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement dated July 20, 2005
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4.4
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6-30-05
10-Q
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4.4
|
|
First
Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated
as of
August 4, 2006
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4.4
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6-30-06
10-Q
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4.5
|
|
Second
Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated
as of
October 2, 2006
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10.1
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10-04-06
8-K
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4.6
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Third
Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated
as of
August 31, 2007
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10.1
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|
9-07-07
8-K
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|
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4.7
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Subsidiary
Security Agreement dated as of June 30, 1997, as amended through
July 20,
2005
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4.5
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9-30-05
10-Q
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4.8
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Company
Security Agreement dated as of June 20, 1997, as amended through
July 20,
2005
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4.6
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9-30-05
10-Q
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4.9
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Fourth
Amendment to Subsidiary Amended and Restated Security Agreement,
Pledge
and Indenture of Trust (i.e. Subsidiary Security
Agreement)
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4.7
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6-30-05
10-Q
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4.10
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Fourth
Amendment to 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
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4.8
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9-30-07
10-Q
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4.11
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Fifth
Amendment to Amended and Restated Security Agreement, Pledge and
Indenture
of Trust (i.e. Company Security Agreement)
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4.9
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6-30-05
10-Q
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4.12
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Form
of 3.00% Convertible Senior Subordinated Note due 2011
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4.1
|
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10-12-06
8-K
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4.13
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Indenture,
dated October 10, 2006 between the Company and U.S. Bank National
Association, as Trustee
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4.2
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10-12-06
8-K
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10.1
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World
Acceptance Corporation Supplemental Income Plan
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10.7
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2000
10-K
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10.2
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Board
of Directors Deferred Compensation Plan
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10.6
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2000
10-K
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10.3
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1992
Stock Option Plan of the Company
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4
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33-52166
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Previous
|
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Company
|
Exhibit
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|
Exhibit
|
|
Registration
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Number
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|
Description
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|
Number
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|
No.
or Report
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10.4
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1994
Stock Option Plan of the Company, as amended
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10.6
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1995
10-K
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10.5
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2002
Stock Option Plan of the Company
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|
Appendix
A
|
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Definitive
Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 2002 Annual
Meeting
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10.6
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2005
Stock Option Plan of the Company
|
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Appendix
B
|
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Definitive
Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 2005 Annual
Meeting
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10.7
|
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The
Company's Executive Incentive Plan
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10.6
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1994
10-K
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|
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10.8
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World
Acceptance Corporation Retirement Savings Plan
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4.1
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|
333-14399
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10.9
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Executive
Deferral Plan
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|
10.12
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2001
10-K
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|
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10.10
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|
First
Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation 1992 And 1994 Stock
Option
Plans
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|
*
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10.11
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|
First
Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation 2002 Stock Option
Plan
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.12
|
|
First
Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation 2005 Stock Option
Plan
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.13
|
|
Second
Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation Board of Directors
Deferred
Compensation Plan (2000)
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.14
|
|
Second
Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation Executive Deferral
Plan
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.15
|
|
Second
Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation Supplemental Income
Plan
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.16
|
|
First
Amended and Restated World Acceptance Corporation Board of Directors
2005
Deferred Compensation Plan
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.17
|
|
First
Amended and Restated World Acceptance Corporation 2005 Executive
Deferral
Plan
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.18
|
|
Second
Amended and Restated World Acceptance Corporation 2005 Supplemental
Income
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31.1
|
|
Rule
13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive
Officer
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31.2
|
|
Rule
13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial
Officer
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32.1
|
|
Section
1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32.2
|
|
Section
1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
|
|
*
|
|
|
*
Filed
or
furnished herewith.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/
A. Alexander McLean, III
|
|
A.
Alexander McLean, III, Chairman and
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
Date:
February 1, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Kelly M. Malson
|
|
Kelly
M. Malson, Vice President and
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
Date:
February 1, 2008
|
FIRST
AMENDMENT
TO
THE
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
1992
and 1994 STOCK OPTION PLANS
This
First Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation 1992 and 1994 Stock Option
Plans is made and entered into effective as of January 1, 2008.
WHEREAS
,
World
Acceptance Corporation ("Company") adopted the World Acceptance Corporation
1992
Stock Option Plan, effective April 22, 1992, and the World Acceptance
Corporation 1994 Stock Option Plan, effective January 26, 1994, copies of which
Plans are attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference and which are
referred to herein as the “1992 Plan” and the “1994 Plan” and collectively as
the “Plans; and
WHEREAS
,
in
response to the enactment of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, the Company
has
determined that the Plans should be amended to clarify that the Plans are
intended to qualify for the exemptions from the application of Section 409A
for
ISOs under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(ii), NQOs under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(i)(A), and restricted Stock under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(6), and to clarify that the Plans provide for
no
feature for the deferral of compensation.
NOW,
THEREFORE
,
the
Plans are hereby amended as follows.
1.
Section 10 (Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization) of the Plans is amended
to read as follows:
In
the
event of a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without
limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend,
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off,
combination or exchange of shares), the Committee shall adjust Awards to
preserve the benefits or potential benefits of the Awards. Action by the
Committee shall include, as appropriate: (i) adjustment of the number and kind
of shares which may be delivered under the Plan; (ii) adjustment of the number
and kind of shares subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) adjustment of the
Exercise Price of outstanding Options; and (iv) any other adjustments that
the
Committee determines to be equitable and consistent with the provisions of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(v).
2.
Section 13 (Amendment and Termination) of the Plans is amended by adding after
the first paragraph and before the second paragraph of said Section the
following:
To
the
extent that the Board or Committee determines that the restrictions imposed
hereby preclude the achievement of the material purposes of the Awards in any
applicable jurisdiction, the Board or Committee will have the authority and
discretion to modify those restrictions as the Board or Committee determines
to
be necessary or appropriate to conform to applicable requirements or practices
of such jurisdictions. Specifically, and without
limiting
the foregoing, Awards under this Plan are intended to be exempt from the
provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and all regulations
and
rules promulgated thereunder. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the
Committee and the Board shall have the authority to revise any of the terms
and
provisions hereof to the extent necessary to cause Awards to be exempt from
Section 409A and all regulations and rules promulgated thereunder.
3.
Section 19 b. (Change of Control) of the 1994 Plan is amended to read as
follows:
b.
|
For
purposes of this Section, “Change in Control” means a “change in control
event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-3(i)(5).
|
4.
Sections 4 c. of the 1992 Plan 4 d. of the 1994 Plan are amended by striking
that portion of the Sections beginning with “If the Company’s shares of Common
Stock are:…” and ending with “… (3) not traded, the Board or Committee shall
consider any factor or factors which it believes affects fair market value,
and
shall determine fair market value without regard to any restriction other than
a
restriction which by its terms will never lapse.” and replacing that stricken
portion with the following:
Fair
Market Value
.
For
purposes of determining the “Fair Market Value” of a share of Stock as of any
date, the following rules shall apply:
(i)
If
the
principal market for the Stock is a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq
stock market, then the “Fair Market Value” as of that date shall be the closing
price of the Stock on the immediately preceding date on the principal exchange
or market on which the Stock is then listed or admitted to trading.
(ii)
If
sale
prices are not available or if the principal market for the Stock is not a
national securities exchange and the Stock is not quoted on the Nasdaq stock
market, then the “Fair Market Value” as of that date shall be determined in good
faith by the Committee using a reasonable application of a reasonable valuation
method consistent with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv)(B).
(iii)
If
the immediately preceding date is not a business day, and as a result, clause
(i) above is inapplicable, the Fair Market Value of the Stock shall be
determined as of the next earlier business day.
5.
Section 3 (Stock Subject to Plan) of the Plans is amended by adding at the
beginning of the Sections the following:
Notwithstanding
the following provisions of this Section 3, the term “Stock” shall mean and
shall be limited to shares of common stock of the Company that satisfy the
requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii).
6.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plans, no Award or Plan
provision shall be construed as providing a Participant with a right to defer
payment of an Award or as a feature for the deferral of
compensation.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF
,
the
Company has executed this First Amendment to the Plans this _____ day of
_____________, 2007.
FIRST
AMENDMENT
TO
THE
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
2002
STOCK OPTION PLAN
This
First Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation 2002 Stock Option Plan
is
made and entered into effective as of January 1, 2008.
WHEREAS
,
World
Acceptance Corporation ("Company") adopted the World Acceptance Corporation
2002
Stock Option Plan, effective May 14, 2002, attached hereto as Exhibit A and
incorporated herein by reference ("Plan"); and
WHEREAS
,
in
response to the enactment of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, the Company
has
determined that the Plan should be amended to clarify that the Plan is intended
to qualify for the exemptions from the application of Section 409A for ISOs
under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(ii), NQOs under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(i)(A), and restricted Stock under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(6), and to clarify that the Plan provides for
no
feature for the deferral of compensation.
NOW,
THEREFORE
,
the
Plan is hereby amended as follows.
1.
Section 5.2(f) of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
(f)
In
the
event of a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without
limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend,
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off,
combination or exchange of shares), the Committee shall adjust Awards to
preserve the benefits or potential benefits of the Awards. Action by the
Committee shall include, as applicable: (i) adjustment of the number and kind
of
shares which may be delivered under the Plan; (ii) adjustment of the number
and
kind of shares subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) adjustment of the Exercise
Price of outstanding Options; and (iv) any other adjustments that the Committee
determines to be equitable and consistent with the provisions of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(v).
2.
Section 5.5 of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
5.5
Grant
and Use of Awards
.
In the
discretion of the Committee, a Participant may be granted any Award permitted
under the provisions of the Plan, and more than one Award may be granted to
a
Participant. Subject to the overall limitation on the number of shares of Stock
that may be delivered under the Plan, the Committee may use available shares
of
Stock as the form of payment for compensation, grants or rights earned or due
under any other compensation plans or arrangements of the Company or a
Subsidiary, including the plans and arrangements of the Company or a Subsidiary
assumed in business combinations.
3.
Section 5.6 of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
5.6
Dividends
and Dividend Equivalents
.
An
Award (including without limitation an Option) may provide the Participant
with
the right to receive dividend payments or dividend equivalent payments with
respect to Stock subject to the Award (both before and after the Stock subject
to the Award is earned, vested, or acquired), which payments shall be made
currently, and may be settled in cash or Stock, as determined by the Committee.
4.
Section 5.7 of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
5.7
Settlement
of Awards
.
The
obligation to make payments and distributions with respect to Awards may be
satisfied through cash payments, the delivery of shares of Stock, or combination
thereof as the Committee shall determine. Satisfaction of any such obligations
under an Award, which is sometimes referred to as “settlement” of the Award,
shall not be subject to any conditions, restrictions or contingencies. Each
Subsidiary shall be liable for payment of cash due under the Plan with respect
to any Participant to the extent that such benefits are attributable to the
services rendered for that Subsidiary by the Participant. Any disputes relating
to liability of a Subsidiary for cash payments shall be resolved by the
Committee.
5.
Section 7.2(b) of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
(b)
To
the
extent that the Committee determines that the restrictions imposed hereby
preclude the achievement of the material purposes of the Awards in jurisdictions
outside the United States, the Committee will have the authority and discretion
to modify those restrictions as the Committee determines to be necessary or
appropriate to conform to applicable requirements or practices of jurisdictions
outside of the United States. Specifically, and without limiting the foregoing,
Awards under this Plan are intended to be exempt from the provisions of Section
409A of the Internal Revenue Code and all regulations and rules promulgated
thereunder. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the Committee and the
Board shall have the authority to revise any of the terms and provisions hereof
to the extent necessary to cause Awards to be exempt from Section 409A and
all
regulations and rules promulgated thereunder.
6.
Section 9(c) of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
(c)
Change
in
Control. The term “Change in Control” means a “change in control event” as
defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).
7.
Section 9(f) of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
(f)
Fair
Market Value
.
For
purposes of determining the “Fair Market Value” of a share of Stock as of any
date, the following rules shall apply:
(i)
If
the
principal market for the Stock is a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq
stock market, then the “Fair Market Value” as of that date shall be the closing
price of the Stock on the immediately preceding date on the principal exchange
or market on which the Stock is then listed or admitted to trading.
(ii)
If
sale
prices are not available or if the principal market for the Stock is not a
national securities exchange and the Stock is not quoted on the Nasdaq stock
market, then the “Fair Market Value” as of that date shall be determined in good
faith by the Committee using a reasonable application of a reasonable valuation
method consistent with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv)(B).
(iii)
If
the
immediately preceding date is not a business day, and as a result, clause
(i) above is inapplicable, the Fair Market Value of the Stock shall be
determined as of the next earlier business day.
8.
Section 9(h) of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
(h)
Stock
.
The
term “Stock” shall mean shares of common stock of the Company which satisfy the
requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii).
9.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same definitions
given to them under the Plan.
10.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, no Award or Plan provision
shall be construed as providing a Participant with a right to defer payment
of
an Award or as a feature for the deferral of compensation.
11.
The
Plan shall remain in full force and effect as modified by the terms of this
amendment.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF
,
the
Company has executed this First Amendment to the Plan this _____ day of
_____________, 2007.
|
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
|
|
A.
Alexander McLean, III, CEO
|
FIRST
AMENDMENT
TO
THE
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
2005
STOCK OPTION PLAN
This
First Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation 2005 Stock Option Plan
is
made and entered into effective as of January 1, 2008.
WHEREAS
,
World
Acceptance Corporation ("Company") adopted the World Acceptance Corporation
2005
Stock Option Plan, effective August 1, 2005, attached hereto as Exhibit A and
incorporated herein by reference ("Plan"); and
WHEREAS
,
in
response to the enactment of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, the Company
has
determined that the Plan should be amended to clarify that the Plan is intended
to qualify for the exemptions from the application of Section 409A for ISOs
under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(ii), NQOs under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(i)(A), and restricted Stock under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(6), and to clarify that the Plan provides for
no
feature for the deferral of compensation.
NOW,
THEREFORE
,
the
Plan is hereby amended as follows.
1.
Section 2.6 of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
2.6
Repricing
.
Except
for adjustments pursuant to Section 5.2(e) (relating to the adjustment of
shares), the Exercise Price for any outstanding Option granted hereunder may
not
be decreased after the date of grant, nor may an outstanding Option granted
hereunder be surrendered to the Company as consideration for the grant of a
new
Option with a lower exercise price.
2.
Section 3.6 of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
3.6
Repricing
.
Except
for adjustments pursuant to Section 5.2(e) (relating to the adjustment of
shares), the Exercise Price for any outstanding Option granted hereunder may
not
be decreased after the date of grant, nor may an outstanding Option granted
hereunder be surrendered to the Company as consideration for the grant of a
new
Option with a lower exercise price.
3.
Section 5.2(e) of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
(e)
In
the
event of a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without
limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend,
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off,
combination or exchange of shares), the Committee shall adjust Awards to
preserve the benefits or potential benefits of the Awards. Action by the
Committee shall include, as appropriate: (i) adjustment of the number and kind
of shares which may be delivered under the Plan; (ii) adjustment of the number
and kind of shares subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) adjustment of the
Exercise Price of outstanding Options; and (iv) any other adjustments that
the
Committee determines to be equitable and consistent with the provisions of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(v).
4.
Section 5.5 of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
5.5
Grant
and Use of Awards
.
In the
discretion of the Committee, a Participant may be granted any Award permitted
under the provisions of the Plan, and more than one Award may be granted to
a
Participant. Subject to the overall limitation on the number of shares of Stock
that may be delivered under the Plan, the Committee may use available shares
of
Stock as the form of payment for compensation, grants or rights earned or due
under any other compensation plans or arrangements of the Company or a
Subsidiary, including the plans and arrangements of the Company or a Subsidiary
assumed in business combinations.
5.
Section 5.6 of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
5.6
Dividends
and Dividend Equivalents
.
An
Award (including without limitation an Option) may provide the Participant
with
the right to receive dividend payments or dividend equivalent payments with
respect to Stock subject to the Award (both before and after the Stock subject
to the Award is earned, vested, or acquired), which payments shall be made
currently, and may be settled in cash or Stock, as determined by the Committee.
6.
Section 5.7 of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
5.7
Settlement
of Awards
.
The
obligation to make payments and distributions with respect to Awards may be
satisfied through cash payments or the delivery of shares of Stock, or any
combination thereof as the Committee shall determine. Satisfaction of any such
obligations under an Award, which is sometimes referred to as “settlement” of
the Award, shall not be subject to any conditions, restrictions or
contingencies.
7.
Section 6(b) is deleted in its entirety.
8.
Section 7.2(b) of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
(b)
To
the
extent that the Committee determines that the restrictions imposed hereby
preclude the achievement of the material purposes of the Awards in any
applicable jurisdiction, the Committee will have the authority and discretion
to
modify those restrictions as the Committee determines to be necessary or
appropriate to conform to applicable requirements or practices of such
jurisdictions. Specifically, and without limiting the foregoing, Awards under
this Plan are intended to be exempt from the provisions of Section 409A of
the
Internal Revenue Code and all regulations and rules promulgated thereunder.
Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the Committee and the Board shall
have the authority to revise any of the terms and provisions hereof to the
extent necessary to cause Awards to be exempt from Section 409A and all
regulations and rules promulgated thereunder.
9.
Section 9(c) of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
(c)
Ch
ange
in Control
.
The
term “Change in Control” means a “change in control event” as defined in
Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).
10.
Section 9(f) of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
(f)
Fair
Market Value
.
For
purposes of determining the “Fair Market Value” of a share of Stock as of any
date, the following rules shall apply:
(i)
If
the
principal market for the Stock is a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq
stock market, then the “Fair Market Value” as of that date shall be the closing
price of the Stock on the immediately preceding date on the principal exchange
or market on which the Stock is then listed or admitted to trading.
(ii)
If
sale
prices are not available or if the principal market for the Stock is not a
national securities exchange and the Stock is not quoted on the Nasdaq stock
market, then the “Fair Market Value” as of that date shall be determined in good
faith by the Committee using a reasonable application of a reasonable valuation
method consistent with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv)(B).
(iii)
If
the immediately preceding date is not a business day, and as a result, clause
(i) above is inapplicable, the Fair Market Value of the Stock shall be
determined as of the next earlier business day.
11.
Section 9(h) of the Plan is amended to read as follows:
(h)
Stock
.
The
term “Stock” shall mean shares of common stock of the Company that satisfy the
requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii).
12.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same definitions
given to them under the Plan.
13.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, no Award or Plan provision
shall be construed as providing a Participant with a right to defer payment
of
an Award or as a feature for the deferral of compensation.
14.
The
Plan shall remain in full force and effect as modified by the terms of this
amendment.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF
,
the
Company has executed this First Amendment to the Plan this _____ day of
_____________, 2007.
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
|
|
By:
|
|
|
A.
Alexander McLean, III, CEO
|
SECOND
AMENDMENT
TO
THE
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
DEFERRED
COMPENSATION PLAN
(2000)
This
Second Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation Board of Directors Deferred
Compensation Plan (2000) is made and entered into effective as of November
20,
2007.
WHEREAS
,
World
Acceptance Corporation ("Company") adopted the World Acceptance Corporation
Board of Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, pursuant to authority granted
by
its Board of Directors on October 20, 1999 ("2000 Plan"); and
WHEREAS,
effective
December 31, 2004, the Plan was first amended to ensure its compliance with
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code") as it then read;
and
WHEREAS
,
it is
now necessary and desirable to further amend the Plan to ensure that it is
in
compliance with the provisions of Code Section 409A that must be adopted
on or
before December 31, 2007.
NOW,
THEREFORE
,
the
2000 Plan is further amended such that new Article XII at the end of the
2000
Plan shall read.
ARTICLE
XII
PLAN
FROZEN EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31, 2004
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, this Plan is frozen effective December 31,
2004, so that benefits administered and payable under this Plan are limited
only
to those benefits, including earnings thereon accrued after December 31,
2004,
that are fully vested and are not subject to Section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code because such benefits are "grandfathered" within the meaning
of
Treasury Regulations Sections 1.409A-6(a)(3)(ii) and (iv). Furthermore, it
is
intended that nothing in this amendment shall be considered a "material
modification" of the Plan within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-6(a)(4), and that no amendment to this Plan may hereafter be adopted
that
would constitute such a material modification. Following the freeze, the
grandfathered benefits of a Participant shall thereafter be administered
and be
payable to the Participant in accordance with the terms and provisions of
this
Plan. The benefits, if any, that are not "grandfathered" will be administered
and payable under the terms of the New Plan, which will become effective
January
1, 2005 and will comply with the restrictions and requirements of Section
409A
of the Internal Revenue Code.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF
,
the
Company has executed this Second Amendment to the Plan this _____ day of
_____________, 2007.
SECOND
AMENDMENT
TO
THE
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
EXECUTIVE
DEFERRAL PLAN
This
Second Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation Executive Deferral Plan
is
made and entered into effective as of November 20, 2007.
WHEREAS
,
World
Acceptance Corporation ("Company") adopted the World Acceptance Corporation
Executive Deferral Plan, effective December 19, 2000, attached hereto as Exhibit
A and incorporated herein by reference (“2000 Plan”); and
WHEREAS,
effective
December 31, 2004, the 2000 Plan was first amended to ensure its compliance
with
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code") as it then read;
and
WHEREAS
,
it is
now necessary and desirable to further amend the 2000 Plan to ensure that it
is
in compliance with the provisions of Code Section 409A that must be adopted
on
or before December 31, 2007.
NOW,
THEREFORE
,
the
2000 Plan is further amended such that new Article XIV at the end of the 2000
Plan shall read.
ARTICLE
XIV
PLAN
FROZEN EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31, 2004
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, this Plan is frozen effective December 31,
2004, so that benefits administered and payable under this Plan are limited
only
to those benefits, including earnings thereon accrued after December 31, 2004,
that are fully vested and are not subject to Section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code because such benefits are "grandfathered" within the meaning of
Treasury Regulations Sections 1.409A-6(a)(3)(ii) and (iv). Furthermore, it
is
intended that nothing in this amendment shall be considered a "material
modification" of the Plan within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-6(a)(4), and that no amendment to this Plan may hereafter be adopted
that
would constitute such a material modification. Following the freeze, the
grandfathered benefits of a Participant shall thereafter be administered and
be
payable to the Participant in accordance with the terms and provisions of this
Plan. The benefits, if any, that are not "grandfathered" will be administered
and payable under the terms of the New Plan, which will become effective January
1, 2005 and will comply with the restrictions and requirements of Section 409A
of the Internal Revenue Code.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF
,
the
Company has executed this Second Amendment to the 2000 Plan this _____ day
of
_____________, 2007.
SECOND
AMENDMENT
TO
THE
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
SUPPLEMENTAL
INCOME PLAN
This
Second Amendment to the World Acceptance Corporation Supplemental Income Plan
is
made and entered into effective as of November 20, 2007.
WHEREAS
,
World
Acceptance Corporation ("Company") adopted the World Acceptance Corporation
Supplemental Income Plan, effective April 1, 2000, attached hereto as Exhibit
A
and incorporated herein by reference ("Plan"); and
WHEREAS,
effective
December 31, 2004, the Plan was first amended to ensure its compliance with
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code") as it then read;
and
WHEREAS
,
it is
now necessary and desirable to further amend the Plan to ensure that it is
in
compliance with the provisions of Code Section 409A that must be adopted on
or
before December 31, 2007; and
WHEREAS
,
under
the 2004 Plan amendment, benefits under the Plan were fully vested at December
31, 2004 only for participants who reached age 65 on or before December 31,
2004.
NOW,
THEREFORE
,
the
Plan is further amended such that new Article 10 at the end of the Plan shall
read.
10.
Plan
Frozen Effective December 31, 2004
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, this Plan is frozen effective December 31,
2004, so that benefits administered and payable under this Plan are limited
only
to those benefits, including earnings thereon accrued after December 31, 2004,
that are fully vested and are not subject to Section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code because such benefits are "grandfathered" within the meaning of
Treasury Regulation Sections 1.409A-6(a)(3)(ii) and (iv). Furthermore, it is
intended that nothing in this amendment shall be considered a "material
modification" of the Plan within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-6(a)(4), and that no amendment to this Plan may hereafter be adopted
that
would constitute such a material modification. Following the freeze, the
grandfathered benefits of an Executive shall thereafter be administered and
be
payable to the Executive in accordance with the terms and provisions of this
Plan. The benefits, if any, that are not "grandfathered" will be administered
and payable under the terms of the New Plan, which will become effective January
1, 2005 and will comply with the restrictions and requirements of Section 409A
of the Internal Revenue Code.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF
,
the
Company has executed this Second Amendment to the Plan this _____ day of
_____________, 2007.
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
|
|
By:
|
|
|
A.
Alexander McLean, III, CEO
|
FIRST
AMENDED AND RESTATED
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
2005
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
(November,
2007)
PURPOSE
The
purpose of this 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan ("Plan") is to recognize the
value to the Company of the services rendered by Eligible Directors covered
by
the Plan and to encourage and assure their continued service with the Company
by
making more adequate provisions for their future retirement security. This
Plan
is intended to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and the
regulations and other guidance issued thereunder, as in effect from time to
time. To the extent a provision of the Plan is contrary to or fails to address
the requirements of Code Section 409A and related treasury regulations, the
Plan
shall be construed and administered as necessary to comply with such
requirements to the extent allowed under applicable treasury regulations until
the Plan is appropriately amended to comply with such requirements.
The
Company also maintains for the benefit of certain Eligible Directors the World
Acceptance Corporation Board of Directors Deferred Compensation Plan authorized
by its Board of Directors on October 20, 1999, ("Prior Plan"). In response
to
the enactment of Code Section 409A, the Prior Plan was frozen as of December
31,
2004 so that the benefits payable under the Prior Plan are limited to those
benefits, including earnings accrued after December 31, 2004, that are not
subject to Code Section 409A because they were earned and vested as of December
31, 2004 (i.e., they are "grandfathered" within the meaning of Treasury
Regulations Section 409A-6(a)(3)(ii) and (iv).
Accordingly,
one of the purposes of this Plan is to continue to provide benefits to
Participants that would have been payable under the Prior Plan had the Prior
Plan not been frozen, subject to such changes as are required because the
"non-grandfathered" benefits payable under this Plan are subject to Code Section
409A. The benefits provided under this Plan include all amounts deferred on
and
after January 1, 2005.
This
Plan
shall be unfunded for tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of ERISA. This
Plan is a top hat plan within the meaning of Section 201(2), 201(a)(3), and
401(a)(1) of ERISA. As such, this Plan is subject to limited ERISA reporting
and
disclosure requirements, and is exempt from all other ERISA requirements.
Distributions required or contemplated by this Plan or actions required to
be
taken under this Plan shall not be construed as creating a trust or any kind
of
a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant, any
Participant's designated Beneficiary, or any other person.
ARTICLE
I
TITLE
AND EFFECTIVE DATE
1.1
Title
.
This
Plan shall be known as the World Acceptance Corporation Board of Directors
2005
Deferred Compensation Plan ("Plan").
1.2
Effective
Date
.
The
effective date of this Plan is January 1, 2005.
ARTICLE
II
DEFINITIONS
2.1
Account
.
"Account" means those separate bookkeeping Accounts established and maintained
by the Company under the Plan in the name of each Participant as required
pursuant to the provisions of Article V.
2.2
Beneficiary
.
"Beneficiary" means the person or persons designated by a Participant to receive
any benefits hereunder in the event of the death of the Participant, or in
the
absence of such a designated Beneficiary, the Participant's estate.
2.3
Board
.
"Board"
means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.4
Change
in Control
.
"Change
in Control" means a "change in control event" as defined in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).
2.5
Code
.
"Code"
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and
the
regulations promulgated thereunder.
2.6
Committee
.
"Committee" means the Committee charged with managing and administrating the
Plan and the individual Participant Enrollment and Election Forms in accordance
with Articles VIII and IX hereof.
2.7
Company
.
"Company" means World Acceptance Corporation, or any successor company as a
result of merger, consolidation, liquidation, transfer of assets, or other
reorganization.
2.8
Compensation
.
"Compensation" means payment for services provided by an Eligible Director
to
the Company in the form of retainer fees, meeting fees, or other such fees,
which would otherwise be paid in cash.
2.9
Deferred
Stock Unit
.
"Deferred Stock Unit" means a phantom stock unit having value at any time
equivalent to the Fair Market Value Per Share of the Company's common stock,
no
par value.
2.10
Dividend
Date
.
"Dividend Date" means each date, if any, on which cash or other dividends are
paid on the Company's common stock.
2.11
Eligible
Director
.
"Eligible Director" means a person not employed by the Company, but who is
a
member of the Board and receives Compensation.
2.12
Fair
Market Value Per Share
.
"Fair
Market Value Per Share" means on any date the average of the closing sales
prices per share for the Company's common stock, no par value, over the
preceding twenty (20) days on which common stocks are traded on the NASDAQ
Stock
Market.
2.13
Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation
.
"Nonqualified Deferred Compensation" means Compensation that is due to be earned
and which would otherwise be paid to a Participant, which the Participant elects
to defer under the Plan, and which is credited to an Account on behalf of a
Participant.
2.14
Participant
.
"Participant" means any Eligible Director who is or may become (or whose
beneficiaries may become) eligible to receive a benefit under the Plan by
executing a valid Participant Enrollment and Election Form.
2.15
Participant
Enrollment and Election Form
.
"Participant Enrollment and Election Form" means the form on which an Eligible
Director elects, prior to the period in which services are to be performed,
to
defer Compensation hereunder.
2.16
Plan
.
"Plan"
means the World Acceptance Corporation Board of Directors 2005 Deferred
Compensation Plan.
2.17
Plan
Year
.
"Plan
Year" means the calendar year.
ARTICLE
III
ELIGIBILITY
AND PARTICIPATION
3.1
Eligibility
Requirements
.
In
order to be eligible for participation in the Plan, a Participant must be an
Eligible Director. Participation in the Plan is voluntary. In order to
participate, an otherwise Eligible Director must execute a valid Participant
Enrollment and Election Form in such manner as the Committee may
require.
ARTICLE
IV
DEFERRAL
OF COMPENSATION
4.1
Nonqualified
Deferral Elections
.
A
Participant may elect to defer all or any part of his Compensation during any
Plan Year by use of a Participant Enrollment and Election Form submitted to
the
Committee no later than the last day of the last month immediately preceding
such Plan Year. Once made, a deferral election for any Plan Year shall be
irrevocable for such Plan Year.
A
Participant may change the amount of his deferred Compensation by delivering
to
the Committee prior to the beginning of any subsequent Plan Year a new
Participant Enrollment and Election Form, with such change being first effective
for Compensation to be earned in such subsequent Plan Year. Once made, an
election shall continue until changed by a Participant on a new Participant
Enrollment and Election Form delivered to the Committee.
4.2
Failure
to Elect
.
A
Participant failing to return a completed Participant Enrollment and Election
Form to the Committee on or before the specified due date for any Plan Year
shall be deemed to have elected not to defer receipt of his Compensation with
respect to such Plan Year.
ARTICLE
V
PLAN
ACCOUNTS
5.1
Establishment
of Accounts
.
There
shall be established and maintained by the Company separate Accounts in the
name
of each Participant to which the Company shall credit the amount of Compensation
deferred by the Participant under the Plan. For each Plan Year, the amount
of
Compensation credited to a Participant's Account shall equal the amount elected
by the Participant on the Participant Enrollment and Election Form that is
effective for that Plan Year. The Company shall credit the deferred amount
of
Compensation to the Participant's Account at the time the amount would otherwise
have been paid.
ARTICLE
VI
ALLOCATION
OF FUNDS
6.1
Account
Earnings
.
Unless
a Participant elects otherwise, each Account shall also be credited periodically
with interest as set forth below.
6.2
Interest
Credit
.
Interest will be calculated during each Plan Year on the outstanding balance
of
each Account at a per annum rate equal to the prime rate as announced by the
Harris Trust and Savings Bank for the applicable Plan Year. Interest will be
credited to each Account on the last day of each Plan Year.
6.3
Deferred
Stock Credit
.
If a
Participant elects otherwise, such Participant may allocate all or a portion
of
his Compensation into Deferred Stock Units, and the Company will credit his
Account with that number of Deferred Stock Units equal to the deferred
Compensation (or portion thereof) of such Participant, divided by the Fair
Market Value Per Share on the date such Compensation would have otherwise been
paid. The value of any Deferred Stock Units in a Participant's Account will
fluctuate based on changes from time to time in the Fair Market Value Per
Share.
If
at any
time any Deferred Stock Units are maintained in a Participant's Account, there
shall be credited to such Account additional Deferred Stock Units on each
Dividend Date. The number of such additional Deferred Stock Units shall be
determined by (i)
multiplying
the total number of Deferred Stock Units (including fractional Deferred Stock
Units) in the Account immediately prior to the Dividend Date by the amount
of
the dividend per share to be payable on such Dividend Date and (ii) dividing
the
product by the Fair Market Value Per Share on the Dividend Date. In the case
of
dividends payable on the Company's common stock other than in cash, the amount
of the dividend per share shall be based on the fair market value of the
property at the time of distribution of the dividend, as determined by the
Committee.
In
the
event of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company
upon which the stock equivalency hereunder is based, by reason of a merger,
consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split,
combination or exchange of shares, or any other change in corporate structure,
or in the event any dividend is paid in common shares of Company stock or other
property, the number of Deferred Stock Units credited to an Account shall be
equitably adjusted in such manner as the Committee shall determine to be fair
under the circumstances.
ARTICLE
VII
PAYMENT
OF BENEFITS
7.1
Payment
of Benefits
.
All
benefits payable under this Plan will be payable in cash. Except as otherwise
provided herein, the benefits payable under this Plan on account of a
Participant's termination of Board membership for any reason shall be paid
to
the Participant, or in the event of death, to the Participant's Beneficiary,
in
a cash lump sum no later than 60 days after termination of Board membership.
To
the extent that any Deferred Stock Units are in a Participant's Account at
a
time when benefits would otherwise be payable under this Plan, the cash benefit
represented by such Deferred Stock Units shall be equal to the number of
Deferred Stock Units in such Account multiplied by the Fair Market Value Per
Share on the date of termination of Board membership or such other event
requiring payment of benefits (including without limitation the occurrence
of a
Change in Control). The Participant may elect to change the time of payment,
or
to change the form of payments from a lump sum to payments in equal annual
installments over a five- year period, together with interest on unpaid amounts
at the rate set forth in Section 6.2, by filing a Participant Enrollment and
Election Form with the Committee at least twelve (12) months prior to
termination of Board service,
provided
,
that
the initial payment with respect to such election must be deferred for a period
of at least five (5) years from the date such payment would otherwise have
been
made.
7.2
Beneficiary
Designation
.
Each
Participant may, from time to time, by signing a form approved by the Committee,
designate any legal or natural person or persons (who may be designated
contingently or successively) to whom payments are to be made if the Participant
dies before receiving payment of all amounts due hereunder. A Beneficiary
designation form will be effective only after the signed form is filed with
the
Committee while the Participant is alive and will cancel all beneficiary
designation forms signed and filed earlier. If the Participant fails to
designate a Beneficiary as provided above, or if all designated Beneficiaries
of
the Participant die before the Participant or before complete
payment
of all amounts due hereunder, the Company shall pay the unpaid amounts to the
legal representative of the estate of the last to die of the Participant and
the
Participant's designated Beneficiary.
7.3
Change
in Control
.
In the
event of a Change in Control, all benefits payable under this Plan shall be
paid
to the Participant as provided in Section 7.1 above within 60 days after the
occurrence of such Change in Control.
ARTICLE
VIII
COMMITTEE
8.1
Membership
of the Committee
.
The
Committee shall consist of at least three people designated and appointed from
time to time by the Board. Any member of the Committee may resign by notice
in
writing and filed with the Secretary of the Committee. Vacancies shall be filled
promptly by the Board.
8.2
Duties
of the Committee
.
The
Company is the named fiduciary of the Plan. The Committee, acting on behalf
of
the Company, shall adopt, administer, construe, and interpret this Plan and
shall determine the amount, if any, due a Participant (or his Beneficiary)
under
this Plan. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any act done or
determination made in good faith. In carrying out its duties herein, the
Committee shall have discretionary authority to exercise all powers and to
make
all determinations, consistent with the terms of the Plan, in all matters
entrusted to it, and its determinations shall be given deference and shall
be
final and binding on all interested parties.
ARTICLE
IX
ADMINISTRATION
9.1
Administrative
Authority
.
Except
as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Committee shall have the sole
responsibility for and the sole control of the operation and administration
of
the Plan, and shall have the power and authority to take all actions and to
make
all decisions and interpretations which may be necessary or appropriate in
order
to administer and operate the Plan, including, without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, the power, duty, and responsibility to:
(a)
Resolve
and determine all disputes or questions arising under the Plan, including the
power to determine the rights of Participants and Beneficiaries, and their
respective benefits, and to remedy any ambiguities, inconsistencies, or
omissions in the Plan.
(b)
Adopt
such rules of procedure and regulations as in its opinion may be necessary
for
the proper and efficient administration of the Plan and as are consistent with
the Plan.
(c)
Implement
the Plan in accordance with its terms and the rules and regulations adopted
as
above.
(d)
Make
determinations concerning the crediting and distribution of Plan
Accounts.
(e)
Appoint
any persons or firms, or otherwise act to secure specialized advice or
assistance, as it deems necessary or desirable in connection with the
administration and operation of the Plan, and the Committee shall be entitled
to
rely conclusively upon, and shall be fully protected in any action or omission
taken by it in good faith reliance upon the advice or opinion of such firms
or
persons. The Committee shall have the power and authority to delegate from
time
to time by written instrument all or any part of its duties, powers, or
responsibilities under the Plan, both ministerial and discretionary, as it
deems
appropriate, to any person or committee, and in the same manner to revoke any
such delegation of duties, powers, or responsibilities. Any action of such
person or committee in the exercise of such delegated duties, powers, or
responsibilities shall have the same force and effect for all purposes hereunder
as if such action had been taken by the Committee. Further, the Committee may
authorize one or more persons to execute any certificate or document on behalf
of the Committee, in which event any person notified by the Committee of such
authorization shall be entitled to accept and conclusively rely upon any such
certificate or document executed by such person as representing action by the
Committee until such third person shall have been notified of the revocation
of
such authority.
9.2
Uniformity
of Discretionary Acts
.
Whenever in the administration or operation of the Plan discretionary actions
by
the Committee are required or permitted, such actions shall be consistently
and
uniformly applied to all persons similarly situated, and no such action shall
be
taken that will discriminate in favor of any particular person or group of
persons.
9.3
Litigation
.
Except
as may be otherwise required by law, in any action or judicial proceeding
affecting the Plan, no Beneficiary shall be entitled to any notice or service
of
process, and any final judgment entered in such action shall be binding on
all
persons interested in, or claiming under, the Plan.
9.4
Payment
of Administration Expenses
.
All
reasonable expenses incurred in the administration and operation of the Plan,
including any taxes payable by the Company in respect of the Plan, shall be
paid
by the Company.
9.5
Liability
of Committee, Indemnification
.
To the
extent permitted by law, the Committee shall not be liable to any person for
any
action taken or omitted in connection with the interpretation and administration
of this Plan unless attributable to its own bad faith or willful
misconduct.
9.6
Expenses
.
The
cost of the establishment of the Plan and the adoption of the Plan by Company,
including but not limited to legal and accounting fees, shall be borne by
Company.
9.7
Taxes
.
All
amounts payable hereunder shall be reduced by any and all Federal, state, and
local taxes imposed upon a Participant or his Beneficiary, which are required
to
be paid or withheld by Company. Any determination by the Company regarding
applicable income tax withholding requirements shall be final and binding on
the
Participant.
ARTICLE
X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1
Alienation
of Benefits
.
Benefits payable under this Plan shall not be subject in any manner to
alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, charge,
garnishment, execution or levy of any kind, either voluntary or involuntary,
and
any attempt to alienate, sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any interest
shall be void.
10.2
General
Creditor Status
.
Each
Participant shall be regarded as a general unsecured creditor of the Company
with respect to any rights derived by the Participant from the existence of
this
Plan or any benefit due him. A Participant's benefits under this Plan are
unfunded. No Participant shall have any rights as a shareholder of the Company
as a result of participation in this Plan.
10.3
Governing
Law
.
The
provisions of this Plan and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be
interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of South
Carolina.
10.4
Binding
On Successors
.
In the
event that the Company is merged or consolidated with another entity or in
the
event that substantially all the assets of the Company are sold or transferred
to another entity, the provisions of the Plan shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the continuing entity in such merger or consolidation
or
the entity to which such assets are sold or transferred.
10.5
No
Guarantee of Employment
.
Nothing
contained in this Plan shall be construed as a contract of employment between
the Company and any Participant.
10.6
Construction
.
The
masculine gender when used herein shall be deemed to include the feminine
gender, and the singular may include the plural unless the context clearly
indicates to the contrary.
10.7
Acceleration
of Payment
.
The
time or schedule of payment of a benefit hereunder may be accelerated upon
such
events and conditions as the IRS may permit in generally applicable published
regulatory or other guidance under Code Section 409A, including, without
limitation, payment to a person other than the Participant to the extent
necessary to fulfill the terms of a domestic relations order (as defined in
Code
Section
414(p)(1)(B)),
payment of FICA tax and income tax on wages imposed on any amounts under this
Plan, or payment of the amount required to be included in income for the
Participant as a result of failure of the Plan at any time to meet the
requirements of Code Section 409A with respect to the Participant.
10.8
Delay
of Payment
.
The
Company may delay payment of a benefit hereunder upon such events and conditions
as the IRS may permit in generally applicable published regulatory or other
guidance under Code Section 409A, including, without limitation, payments that
the Company reasonably anticipates will violate Federal securities laws or
other
applicable law provided that any such delayed payment will be made at the
earliest date at which the Company reasonably anticipates that the making of
the
payment would not cause such a violation.
ARTICLE
XI
AMENDMENT
AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN
11.1
Amendment
.
The
Committee reserves the right at any time and from time to time to modify or
amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the Plan, provided
that no modification or amendment shall be made that will affect adversely
any
right or obligation of any Participant with respect to a Participant's Account.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any modification or amendment of the Plan may
be
made, retroactively if necessary, which the Committee deems necessary or proper
to bring the Plan into conformity with any law or governmental regulation
relating to the Plan. No amendment to this Plan shall decrease a Participant's
Account balance.
11.2
Termination
.
The
Company may terminate the Plan for any reason at any time. The Company has
established the Plan with the bona fide intention and expectation that the
Plan
will continue indefinitely, but the Company shall be under no obligation to
maintain the Plan for any given length of time and may, in its sole discretion,
terminate the Plan at any time without any liability whatsoever. In the case
of
termination of the Plan, the amounts in Participant's Account will be paid
within a reasonable time after such termination if and to the extent permitted
under Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, the Company shall have the right to terminate
this Plan and to accelerate the payment of benefits under the Plan in accordance
with Code Section 409A and related treasury regulations and other guidance
issued under Section 409A in accordance with one of the following:
(1)
the
termination of the Plan within twelve (12) months of a corporate dissolution
taxed under Code Section 331 or with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant
to 11 U.S.C. 503(b)(1)(A), as provided in Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix)(A); or
(2)
the
termination of the Plan within the thirty (30) days preceding or the twelve
(12)
months following a "change in control" (within the Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-3(i)(5)) provided that all substantially similar arrangements are also
terminated, as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix)(B);
or
(3)
the
termination of the Plan, provided that the termination does not occur proximate
to a downturn in the financial health of the Company, all arrangements that
would be aggregated with the Plan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c)
are terminated, no payments other than payments that would be payable under
the
terms of the Plan if the termination had not occurred are made within twelve
(12) months of the Plan termination, all payments are made within twenty-four
(24) months of Plan termination, and no new arrangement that would be aggregated
with the Plan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c) is adopted within
three (3) years following the Plan termination, as provided in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix)(C); or
(4)
such
other events and conditions as the IRS may prescribe in generally applicable
published or regulatory guidance under Code Section 409A.
11.3
Notice
of Amendment or Termination
.
Notice
of every such amendment or termination shall be given in writing to each
Participant and Beneficiary of a deceased Participant.
ARTICLE
XII
CLAIMS
PROCEDURE
12.1
Claim
.
A
person with an interest in the Plan shall have the right to file a claim for
benefits under the Plan and to appeal any denial of a claim for benefits. Any
request for a Plan benefit or to clarify the claimant's right to future benefits
under the terms of the Plan shall be considered to be a claim.
12.2
Written
Claim
.
A claim
for benefits will be considered as having been made when submitted in writing
by
the claimant to the Company. No particular form is required for the claim,
but
the written claim must identify the name of the claimant and describe generally
the benefit to which the claimant believes he or she is entitled. The claim
may
be delivered personally during normal business hours or mailed to the
Company.
12.3
Claim
Determination
.
The
Committee, acting on behalf of the Company, will determine whether, or to what
extent, the claim may be allowed or denied under the terms of the Plan. If
the
claim is wholly or partially denied, the claimant shall be so informed by
written notice within 90 days after the day the claim is submitted unless
special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim.
If
such an extension of time for processing is required, written notice of the
extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the termination of the
initial 90-day period. Such extension may not exceed an additional 90 days
from
the end of the initial 90-day period. The extension notice shall indicate the
special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which
the
Plan expects to render the final decision.
12.4
Notice
of Determination
.
The
notice informing the claimant that his or her claim has been wholly or partially
denied shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant
and shall include:
(1)
The
specific reason(s) for the denial.
(2)
Specific
reference to pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is
based.
(3)
A
description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant
to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information
is
necessary.
(4)
Appropriate
information as to the steps to be taken if the claimant wishes to submit his
or
her claim for review.
12.5
Appeal
.
If the
claim is wholly or partially denied, the claimant (or his or her authorized
representative) may file an appeal of the denied claim with the Committee
requesting that the claim be reviewed. The Committee shall conduct a full and
fair review of each appealed claim and its denial. Unless the Committee notifies
the claimant that due to the nature of the benefit and other attendant
circumstances he or she is entitled to a greater period of time within which
to
submit his or her request for review of a denied claim, the claimant shall
have
60 days after he or she (or his or her authorized representative) received
written notice of denial of his or her claim within which such request must
be
submitted to the Committee.
12.6
Request
for Review
.
The
request for review of a denied claim must be made in writing. In connection
with
making such request, the claimant or his authorized representative may submit
written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the
claim for benefits, and shall be provided, upon request and free of charge,
reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other
information relevant to the claimant's claim. The review shall take into account
all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the
claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information
was
submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.
12.7
Determination
of Appeal
.
The
decision of the Committee regarding the appeal will be given to the claimant
in
writing no later than 60 days following receipt of the request for review.
However, if special circumstances (for example, if the Committee decides to
hold
a hearing on the appeal) require an extension of time for processing, the
decision shall be rendered as soon as possible, but not later than 120 days
after receipt of the request for review. If special circumstances require that
a
decision will be made beyond the initial time for furnishing the decision,
written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant (or his
authorized representative) prior to the commencement of the extension.
12.8
Hearing
.
The
Committee may, in its sole discretion, decide to hold a hearing if it determines
that a hearing is necessary or appropriate in order to make a full and fair
review of the appealed claim.
12.9
Decision
.
The
decision on review shall include specific reasons for the decision, written
in a
manner calculated to by understood by the claimant, as well as specific
references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is
based.
12.10
Exhaustion
of Appeals
.
A
Participant must exhaust his rights to file a claim and to request a review
of
the denial of his claim before bringing any civil action to recover benefits
due
to him under the terms of the Plan, to enforce his rights under the terms of
the
Plan, or to clarify his rights to future benefits under the terms of the
Plan.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF
,
this
Plan is hereby adopted this ____ day of _____________, 2007.
FIRST
AMENDED AND RESTATED
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
2005
EXECUTIVE DEFERRAL PLAN
(November,
2007)
PURPOSE
The
purpose of this 2005 Executive Deferral Plan is to provide deferred compensation
to a select group of management or highly compensated Employees. This Plan
is
intended to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and the
regulations and other guidance issued thereunder, as in effect from time to
time. To the extent a provision of the Plan is contrary to or fails to address
the requirements of Code Section 409A and related treasury regulations, the
Plan
shall be construed and administered as necessary to comply with such
requirements to the extent allowed under applicable treasury regulations until
the Plan is appropriately amended to comply with such requirements.
The
Company also maintains for the benefit of certain Employees the World Acceptance
Corporation Executive Deferral Plan dated December 19, 2000 (“Prior Plan”). In
response to the enactment of Code Section 409A, the Prior Plan was frozen as
of
December 31, 2004 so that the benefits payable under the Prior Plan are limited
to those benefits, including earnings accrued after December 31, 2004, that
are
not subject to Code Section 409A because they were earned and vested as of
December 31, 2004 (i.e., they are “grandfathered” within the meaning of Treasury
Regulations Section 409A-6(a)(3)(ii) and (iv).
Accordingly,
one of the purposes of this Plan is to continue to provide benefits to
Participants that would have been payable under the Prior Plan had the Prior
Plan not been frozen, subject to such changes as are required because the
“non-grandfathered” benefits payable under this Plan are subject to Code Section
409A. The benefits provided under this Plan include all amounts deferred on
and
after January 1, 2005.
This
Plan
shall be unfunded for tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of ERISA. This
Plan is a top hat plan within the meaning of Section 201(2), 201(a)(3), and
401(a)(1) of ERISA. As such, this Plan is subject to limited ERISA reporting
and
disclosure requirements, and is exempt from all other ERISA requirements.
Distributions required or contemplated by this Plan or actions required to
be
taken under this Plan shall not be construed as creating a trust or any kind
of
a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant, any
Participant’s designated Beneficiary, or any other person.
ARTICLE
I
TITLE
AND EFFECTIVE DATE
1.1
This
Plan
shall be known as the World Acceptance Corporation 2005 Executive Deferral
Plan
("Plan").
1.2
The
effective date of this Plan is January 1, 2005.
ARTICLE
II
DEFINITIONS
2.1
"Account"
means the record of deferrals and other amounts maintained with respect to
each
Participant pursuant to Article V.
2.2
"Beneficiary"
means the person or persons designated by a Participant, or by another person
entitled to receive benefits hereunder, to receive benefits following the death
of such person.
2.3
"Board
of
Directors" or "Board" means the Board of Directors of World Acceptance
Corporation.
2.4
“Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and
the
regulations promulgated thereunder.
2.5
"Company"
means World Acceptance Corporation, a corporation with headquarters in
Greenville, South Carolina.
2.6
"Deferral
Election" means a Participant's election, pursuant to Article IV, to defer
amounts payable to such Participant for a particular Plan Year. Each
Participant's Deferral Election for a Plan Year must be made on a form provided
by the Company.
2.7
"Distribution
Election" means a Participant's election as to the form of cash payment (either
single-sum or annual installments over a period of up to five years) of amounts
credited to his Account to be made in the event of his Termination of Employment
due to death, Disability, or Retirement. The form of payment elected need not
be
the same for any of these three possible reasons for Termination of Employment.
Each Participant's Distribution Election must be made on the form provided
by
the Company at the time a Participant makes an election to participate in the
Plan pursuant to Article III.
2.8
"Disability"
means any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be
expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period
of not less than 12 months which results in (i) the Participant being unable
to
engage in any substantial gainful activity or (ii) the Participant receiving
income replacement benefits for a period of not less than 3 months under an
accident and health plan covering employees of the Company. In addition, the
Participant will be deemed disabled if determined to be totally disabled by
the
Social Security Administration, or if determined to be disabled in accordance
with a disability insurance program provided the definition of disability
applied under such disability insurance program complies with the requirements
of the preceding sentence.
2.9
"Election
Date" means September 30 of the Plan Year during which executive incentive
compensation is earned pursuant to the Executive Incentive
Plan.
2.10
"Employee"
means any individual who is in the regular, full-time employment of the Company
as determined by the personnel rules and practices of the Company.
2.11
"Final
Award" means an incentive compensation amount to be paid under the Executive
Incentive Plan.
2.12
"Executive
Incentive Plan" means the World Acceptance Corporation Executive Incentive
Plan.
2.13
"Participant"
means any Employee for whom an Account is maintained under the
Plan.
2.14
"Plan"
means the World Acceptance Corporation 2005 Executive Deferral
Plan.
2.15
"Plan
Year" means the Company's fiscal year (April 1-March 31).
2.16
"Retirement"
means any "separation from service" (as that term is defined in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) from the Company and from all entities that
are
considered a single employer with the Company under Code Sections 414(b) and
414(c) within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.409A-1(g) and
1.409A-1(h)(3), occurring on or after a Participant reaches age 55.
2.17
"Termination
of Employment" means the date of a Participant's "separation from service"
(as
that term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) from the
Company and from all entities that are considered a single employer with the
Company under Code Sections 414(b) and 414(c) within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Sections 1.409A-1(g) and 1.409A-1(h)(3), by reason of death,
Disability, Retirement, resignation, discharge or otherwise.
ARTICLE
III
ELIGIBIILITY
3.1
Eligible
Employees
.
Only
those Employees who are participants in the Executive Incentive Plan shall
be
eligible to become Participants in the Plan.
3.2
Election
to Participate
.
An
eligible Employee will become a Participant at the time he makes his initial
Deferral Election.
ARTICLE
IV
PARTICIPANT
DEFERRALS
4.1
Deferrals
.
Each
Participant may elect to defer, in accordance with the terms of this Plan,
all
or a portion of the amount payable to the Participant as a Final Award under
the
Executive Incentive Plan. This Deferral Election must be made by the Participant
not later than the applicable Election Date. Deferred amounts will be credited
to the Participant's Account as of the date that the Final Award under the
Executive Incentive Plan becomes payable.
ARTICLE
V
ACCOUNTS
5.1
Maintenance
of Participant Accounts
.
An
Account shall be established and maintained with respect to each Participant.
Each Account shall reflect the amounts credited thereto pursuant to Article
IV,
plus or minus adjustments made in accordance with the provisions of this Article
V.
5.2
Investment
Direction
.
Each
Participant will have the right to direct the investment of the Account holding
the Participant's deferrals. The Company will establish an account with a
brokerage company for this purpose. Each Participant's Account will be adjusted
to reflect earnings, losses, commissions and fees attributable to such
Account.
ARTICLE
VI
BENEFITS
6.1
Death,
Disability, or Retirement
.
Upon
the Participant's Termination of Employment due to death, Disability, or
Retirement, the amount in the Participant's Account will be paid to the
Participant (or to the Beneficiary designated pursuant to Section 7.1) according
to the Participant's Distribution Election, either in cash in a single-sum
payment or, if the Participant has so elected, in annual cash installments
over
a period of up to five years. Payment pursuant to this section shall begin
within 90 days after the Termination of Employment; provided, however, that,
if
the Participant is then a "specified employee" within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i), payment hereunder shall commence on the date
that is six months after the date of the Participant's Termination of
Employment.
For
installment payments, subsequent installments will be paid on the anniversary
of
the payment of the first installment. The amount of each installment payment
will be determined by dividing the amount credited to the Participant's Account
by the number of years remaining in the payment period. The last installment
payment will be for the balance credited to the Participant's
Account.
6.2
Other
Termination of Employment
.
Upon
the Participant's Termination of Employment for any reason other than those
listed in Section 6.1 above, the amount in the Participant's Account will be
paid to the Participant in cash in a single-sum payment. Such payment shall
be
made within 90 days after the Termination of Employment; provided, however,
that
if the Participant is then a "specified employee" within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i), payment hereunder shall commence on the date
that is six months after the date of the Participant’s Termination of
Employment.
6.3
Payments
After Death.
If a
Participant (or a Beneficiary previously designated by a deceased Participant)
dies before receiving the amount payable hereunder, then the remaining amount
payable will be paid to the specified Beneficiary of such deceased person;
provided, however, that if such deceased person has failed to specify a
Beneficiary, then the person's estate will be considered to be the
Beneficiary.
6.4
Payment
For Unforeseeable Emergency
.
A
Participant or Beneficiary may submit a written request to the Board for a
distribution due to an "unforeseeable emergency" on such form and in such manner
as the Board prescribes. For purposes of this Section 6.4, “unforeseeable
emergency” means an unforeseeable emergency, consistent with Code Section 409A
and the regulations thereunder, that would result in severe financial hardship
to the Participant resulting from (i) a sudden and unexpected illness or
accident of the Participant, the Participant’s spouse, or a dependent (as
defined in Code Section 152(a)) of the Participant, (ii) a loss of the
Participant’s property due to casualty, or (iii) such other similar,
extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events
beyond the control of the Participant, all as determined in the sole and
absolute discretion of the Board based on the relevant facts and circumstances
of the case but only to the extent the emergency may not be relieved through
reimbursement or compensation from insurance or otherwise, by liquidation of
the
Participant’s assets to the extent the liquidation of the assets would not cause
severe financial hardship, or by the cessation of deferrals under the Plan.
Any
distribution on account of unforeseeable emergency will be limited to the amount
needed to meet the emergency.
The
Board
will have sole discretion to determine whether an unforeseeable emergency exists
and the amount of any distribution.
ARTICLE
VII
BENEFICIARY
7.1
Designation
of Beneficiary
.
A
Participant shall designate a Beneficiary to receive benefits under the Plan
by
submitting to the Company a Designation of Beneficiary in the form attached
hereto. A Participant shall have the right to change the Beneficiary by
submitting a new Designation of Beneficiary to the Company.
7.2
Discharge
of Obligations
.
Any
payment made by the Company in good faith and in accordance with this Plan
shall
fully discharge the Company from all further obligations with respect to that
payment. If the Company has any doubt as to the proper Beneficiary to receive
payments hereunder, the Company shall have the right to withhold such payments
until the matter is finally adjudicated.
7.3
Payment
to Minors, Etc
.
In
making any payment to or for the benefit of any minor or an incompetent
Participant or Beneficiary, the Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute
discretion, may make a distribution to a legal or natural guardian or other
relative of a minor or court-appointed committee of such incompetent. It may
also make a payment to any adult with whom the minor or incompetent temporarily
or permanently resides. The receipt by a guardian, committee, relative or other
person shall be a complete discharge of the Company. Neither the Board nor
the
Company shall have any responsibility to see to the proper application of any
payments so made.
ARTICLE
VIII
NATURE
OF COMPANY'S OBLIGATION
8.1
Unsecured
Promise
.
The
Company's obligation to the Participants under this Plan shall be an unfunded
and unsecured promise to pay. The rights of a Participant or Beneficiary under
this Plan shall be solely those of an unsecured general creditor of the
Company.
8.2
No
Right to Specific Assets
.
Any
assets that the Company may set aside in the Participant Accounts under this
Plan are and remain general assets of the Company subject to the claims of
its
creditors. The Company does not give, and the Plan does not give, any beneficial
ownership interest in any assets of the Company to a Participant or Beneficiary.
All rights of ownership in any assets are and remain in the Company. Any general
asset used or acquired by the Company in connection with the liabilities it
has
assumed under this Plan shall not be deemed to be held under any trust for
the
benefit of the Participant or any Beneficiary, and no general asset shall be
considered security for the performance of the obligations of the Company.
Any
such asset shall remain a general, unpledged, and unrestricted asset of the
Company.
8.3
Plan
Provisions
.
The
Company's liability for payment of benefits shall be determined only under
the
provisions of this Plan, as they may be amended from time to time.
ARTICLE
IX
AMENDMENT
AND TERMINATION
9.1
Amendment
.
This
Plan may be amended or modified in any way, in whole or in part, at any time,
in
the discretion of the Board of Directors. However, no amendment or modification
of the Plan will affect a Participant's right to receive the benefit such
Participant has accrued prior to the effective date of such amendment or
modification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment or modification
to
the Plan may be made, retroactively if necessary, which the Board deems
necessary or proper to bring the Plan into conformity with any law or
governmental regulation relating to this Plan.
9.2
Termination
.
This
Plan may be terminated for any reason at any time, in the discretion of the
Board of Directors, provided that no termination of the Plan will affect a
Participant’s right to receive the benefit such Participant has accrued prior to
the effective date of such termination. In the case of termination of the Plan,
the amounts in Participant’s Account will be paid within a reasonable time after
such termination if and to the extent permitted under Code Section 409A and
the
regulations thereunder.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, the Company shall have the right to terminate
this Plan and to accelerate the payment of benefits under the Plan in accordance
with Code Section 409A and related treasury regulations and other guidance
issued under Section 409A in accordance with one of the
following:
(1)
the
termination of the Plan within twelve (12) months of a corporate dissolution
taxed under Code Section 331 or with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant
to 11 U.S.C. 503(b)(1)(A), as provided in Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix)(A); or
(2)
the
termination of the Plan within the thirty (30) days preceding or the twelve
(12)
months following a “change in control” (within the Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-3(i)(5)) provided that all substantially similar arrangements are also
terminated, as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix)(B);
or
(3)
the
termination of the Plan, provided that the termination does not occur proximate
to a downturn in the financial health of the Company, all arrangements that
would be aggregated with the Plan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c)
are terminated, no payments other than payments that would be payable under
the
terms of the Plan if the termination had not occurred are made within twelve
(12) months of the Plan termination, all payments are made within twenty-four
(24) months of Plan termination, and no new arrangement that would be aggregated
with the Plan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c) is adopted within
three (3) years following the Plan termination, as provided in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix)(C); or
(4)
such
other events and conditions as the IRS may prescribe in generally applicable
published or regulatory guidance under Code Section 409A.
ARTICLE
X
LIMITATIONS
ON TRANSFER
10.1
Limitations
on Transfer
.
Neither
a Participant nor a Beneficiary may in any manner anticipate, alienate, sell,
assign, pledge, encumber or otherwise transfer the right to receive payments
under this Plan. Any attempt to do so will be void. Such rights are not subject
to legal process or levy of any kind.
ARTICLE
XI
ADMINISTRATION
11.1
Named
Fiduciary
.
The
Company is the named fiduciary of the Plan. The Board of Directors, acting
on
behalf of the Company, shall have the authority to control and manage the
operation and administration of the Plan except as otherwise expressly provided
in this Plan document.
11.2
Administration
.
The
Board, acting on behalf of the Company, has the discretion (1) to interpret
and
construe the terms and provisions of the Plan (including any rules or
regulations adopted under the Plan), (2) to determine eligibility to participate
in the Plan and (3) to make factual determinations in connection with any of
the
foregoing. A decision of the Board with respect to any matter pertaining to
the
Plan, including without limitation the Employees determined to be Participants,
the benefits payable, and the construction or interpretation of any provision
thereof, shall be conclusive and binding upon all interested persons. No Board
member shall participate in any decision of the Board that would directly and
specifically affect the timing or amount of his or her benefits under the
Plan.
ARTICLE
XII
CLAIMS
PROCEDURE
12.1
Claim
.
A
person with an interest in the Plan shall have the right to file a claim for
benefits under the Plan and to appeal any denial of a claim for benefits. Any
request for a Plan benefit or to clarify the claimant's right to future benefits
under the terms of the Plan shall be considered to be a claim.
12.2
Written
Claim
.
A claim
for benefits will be considered as having been made when submitted in writing
by
the claimant to the Company. No particular form is required for the claim,
but
the written claim must identify the name of the claimant and describe generally
the benefit to which the claimant believes he or she is entitled. The claim
may
be delivered personally during normal business hours or mailed to the
Company.
12.3
Claim
Determination
.
The
Board of Directors, acting on behalf of the Company, will determine whether,
or
to what extent, the claim may be allowed or denied under the terms of the Plan.
If the claim is wholly or partially denied, the claimant shall be so informed
by
written notice within 90 days after the day the claim is submitted unless
special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim.
If
such an extension of time for processing is required, written notice of the
extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the termination of the
initial 90-day period. Such extension may not exceed an additional 90 days
from
the end of the initial 90-day period. The extension notice shall indicate the
special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which
the
Plan expects to render the final decision.
12.4
Notice
of Determination
.
The
notice informing the claimant that his or her claim has been wholly or partially
denied shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant
and shall include:
(1)
The
specific reason(s) for the denial.
(2)
Specific
reference to pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is
based.
(3)
A
description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant
to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information
is
necessary.
(4)
Appropriate
information as to the steps to be taken if the claimant wishes to submit his
or
her claim for review.
12.5
Appeal
.
If the
claim is wholly or partially denied, the claimant (or his or her authorized
representative) may file an appeal of the denied claim with the Board of
Directors requesting that the claim be reviewed. The Board shall conduct a
full
and fair review of each appealed claim and its denial. Unless the Board notifies
the claimant that due to the nature of the benefit and other attendant
circumstances he or she is entitled to a greater period of time within which
to
submit his or her request for review of a denied claim, the claimant shall
have
60 days after he or she (or his or her authorized representative) received
written notice of denial of his or her claim within which such request must
be
submitted to the Board.
12.6
Request
for Review
.
The
request for review of a denied claim must be made in writing. In connection
with
making such request, the claimant or his authorized representative may submit
written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the
claim for benefits, and shall be provided, upon request and free of charge,
reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other
information relevant to the claimant’s claim. The review shall take into account
all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the
claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information
was
submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.
12.7
Determination
of Appeal
.
The
decision of the Board regarding the appeal will be given to the claimant in
writing no later than 60 days following receipt of the request for review.
However, if special circumstances (for example, if the Board decides to hold
a
hearing on the appeal) require an extension of time for processing, the decision
shall be rendered as soon as possible, but not later than 120 days after receipt
of the request for review. If special circumstances require that a decision
will
be made beyond the initial time for furnishing the decision, written notice
of
the extension shall be furnished to the claimant (or his authorized
representative) prior to the commencement of the extension.
12.8
Hearing
.
The
Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, decide to hold a hearing if
it
determines that a hearing is necessary or appropriate in order to make a full
and fair review of the appealed claim.
12.9
Decision
.
The
decision on review shall include specific reasons for the decision, written
in a
manner calculated to by understood by the claimant, as well as specific
references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is
based.
12.10
Exhaustion
of Appeals
.
A
Participant must exhaust his rights to file a claim and to request a review
of
the denial of his claim before bringing any civil action to recover benefits
due
to him under the terms of the Plan, to enforce his rights under the terms of
the
Plan, or to clarify his rights to future benefits under the terms of the
Plan.
ARTICLE
XIII
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
13.1
No
Rights to Employment
.
Nothing
in this Plan shall be deemed to give any person the right to remain in the
employ of the Company or affect the right of the Company to terminate any
Participant's employment with or without cause.
13.2
Withholding
.
Any
amount required to be withheld under applicable Federal, state and local income
tax laws will be withheld and any payment under the Plan will be reduced by
the
amount so withheld.
13.3
Acceleration
of Payment
.
The
time
or schedule of payment of a benefit hereunder may be accelerated upon such
events and conditions as the IRS may permit in generally applicable published
regulatory or other guidance under Code Section 409A, including, without
limitation, payment to a person other than the Participant to the extent
necessary to fulfill the terms of a domestic relations order (as defined in
Code
Section 414(p)(1)(B)), payment of FICA tax and income tax on wages imposed
on
any amounts under this Plan, or payment of the amount required to be included
in
income for the Participant as a result of failure of the Plan at any time to
meet the requirements of Code Section 409A with respect to the
Participant.
13.4
Delay
of Payment
.
The
Company may delay payment of a benefit hereunder upon such events and conditions
as the IRS may permit in generally applicable published regulatory or other
guidance under Code Section 409A, including, without limitation, payments that
the Company reasonably anticipates will be subject to the application of Code
Section 162(m), or will violate Federal securities laws or other applicable
law;
provided that any such delayed payment will be made at the earliest date at
which the Company reasonably anticipates that the making of the payment would
not cause such a violation
13.5
Governing
Law
.
This
Plan shall be construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the
State of South Carolina to the extent that such laws are not preempted by
federal law.
This
Plan
document has been executed on behalf of the Company this ____
day
of _____________
,
2007.
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
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By:
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A.
Alexander McLean, III, CEO
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WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
2005
EXECUTIVE DEFERRAL PLAN
DESIGNATION
OF BENEFICIARY
I,
__________________________, hereby name and designate _________________________
to be my beneficiary in the event of my death under the World Acceptance
Corporation 2005 Executive Deferral Plan
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Print
Name:
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Date:
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Signature:
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BENEFICIARY
DESIGNATION FORM
Employee
Information (please print)
_____________________________________________________________________
First
Name
Middle
Initial
Last
Name
Social
Security Number
Primary
Beneficiary(ies)
Please
complete this section to name, and provide the requested information for, the
beneficiary (or beneficiaries) who would receive any benefits due under the
plan
in the event of your death. If you are choosing more that one primary
beneficiary, you must specify the percentage of your deferral plan account
that
each beneficiary should receive. An attachment may be used if
necessary.
_____________________________________________________________________
First
Name
Middle
Initial
Last
Name
Social
Security Number
_____________________________________________________________________
Street
Address
_____________________________________________________________________
City
State
Zip
;
Relationship
Percent
_____________________________________________________________________
First
Name
Middle
Initial
Last
Name
Social
Security Number
_____________________________________________________________________
Street
Address
_____________________________________________________________________
City
State
Zip
60;
Relationship
Percent
Secondary
Beneficiary(ies)
Please
complete this section to name, and provide the requested information for, your
secondary beneficiary (or beneficiaries). Your secondary beneficiary (or
beneficiaries) receives payment only if all primary beneficiaries are
deceased.
_____________________________________________________________________
First
Name
Middle
Initial
Last
Name
Social
Security Number
_____________________________________________________________________
Street
Address
_____________________________________________________________________
City
State
Zip
&
#160;
Relationship
Percent
_____________________________________________________________________
First
Name
Middle
Initial
Last
Name
Social
Security Number
_____________________________________________________________________
Street
Address
_____________________________________________________________________
City
State
Zip
Relationship
Percent
Authorization
You
may
amend or revoke your designation at any time before your retirement date by
completing another copy of this form and submitting it to your employer. The
most recently date form on file will supersede all previous copies.
With
this signature, I am designating the individual(s) listed above as my
beneficiary(ies).
_____________________________________________________________________
Your
Signature
Date
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
2005
EXECUTIVE DEFERRAL PLAN
Deferral
Election
For
the
Plan Year ending March 31, ______, I hereby elect to defer $__________ amount
payable to me as a Final Award under the Executive Incentive Plan.
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Print
Name:
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Date:
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Signature:
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WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
2005
EXECUTIVE DEFERRAL PLAN
Distribution
Election
1.
Death
In
the
event of my Termination of Employment due to my death, I hereby elect to have
my
Plan benefits paid to my Beneficiary as follows:
(check
one)
_____
single cash payment
_____
annual cash installments over a ______
(not
to exceed five)
year
period
2.
Disability
In
the
event of my Termination of Employment due to my Disability, I hereby elect
to
have my Plan benefits paid to me as follows:
(check
one)
_____
single cash payment
_____
annual cash installments over a ______
(not
to exceed five)
year
period
3.
Retirement
In
the
event of my Termination of Employment due to my Retirement, I hereby elect
to
have my Plan benefits paid to me as follows:
(check
one)
_____
single cash payment
_____
annual cash installments over a ______
(not
to exceed five)
year
period
SECOND
AMENDED AND RESTATED
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
2005
SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME PLAN
(November,
2007)
PURPOSE
The
purpose of this 2005 Supplemental Income Plan is to provide deferred
compensation to a select group of management or highly compensated Employees.
This Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A
and
the regulations and other guidance issued thereunder, as in effect from time
to
time. To the extent a provision of the Plan is contrary to or fails to address
the requirements of Code Section 409A and related treasury regulations, the
Plan
shall be construed and administered as necessary to comply with such
requirements to the extent allowed under applicable treasury regulations until
the Plan is appropriately amended to comply with such requirements.
The
Company also maintains for the benefit of certain Employees the World Acceptance
Corporation Supplemental Income Plan dated April 1, 2000 ("Prior Plan"). In
response to the enactment of Code Section 409A, the Prior Plan was frozen as
of
December 31, 2004 so that the benefits payable under the Prior Plan are limited
to those benefits, including earnings accrued after December 31, 2004, that
are
not subject to Code Section 409A because they were earned and vested as of
December 31, 2004 (i.e., they are "grandfathered" within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 409A-6(a)(3)(ii) and (iv).
Accordingly,
one of the purposes of this Plan is to continue to provide benefits to
Executives that would have been payable under the Prior Plan had the Prior
Plan
not been frozen, subject to such changes as are required because the
"non-grandfathered" benefits payable under this Plan are subject to Code Section
409A. The benefits provided under this Plan include all amounts deferred on
and
after January 1, 2005.
This
Plan
shall be unfunded for tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of ERISA. This
Plan is a top hat plan within the meaning of Section 201(2), 201(a)(3), and
401(a)(1) of ERISA. As such, this Plan is subject to limited ERISA reporting
and
disclosure requirements, and is exempt from all other ERISA requirements.
Distributions required or contemplated by this Plan or actions required to
be
taken under this Plan shall not be construed as creating a trust or any kind
of
a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant, any
Participant's designated Beneficiary, or any other person.
ARTICLE
I
TITLE
AND EFFECTIVE DATE
1.1
This
Plan
shall be known as the World Acceptance Corporation 2005 Supplemental Income
Plan
("Plan").
1.2
The
effective date of this Plan is January 1, 2005.
ARTICLE
II
DEFINITIONS
2.1
"Beneficiary"
means, with respect to an Executive, the person or persons who are designated
as
such by an Executive, in his Participation Agreement, to receive payments under
the Plan following the death of the Executive.
2.2
"Code"
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and
the
regulations promulgated thereunder.
2.2
"Company"
means World Acceptance Corporation, a South Carolina corporation, or any
successor thereto and it subsidiaries.
2.3
"Disability"
means any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be
expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period
of not less than 12 months which results in (i) the Executive being unable
to
engage in any substantial gainful activity or (ii) the Executive receiving
income replacement benefits for a period of not less than 3 months under an
accident and health plan covering employees of the Company. In addition, the
Executive will be deemed disabled if determined to be totally disabled by the
Social Security Administration, or if determined to be disabled in accordance
with a disability insurance program provided the definition of disability
applied under such disability insurance program complies with the requirements
of the preceding sentence.
2.4
"Early
Retirement" means the "separation from service" (as that term is defined in
Treasury Regulation Section 1.401A-1(h)) of an Executive, prior to his Normal
Retirement Age, from employment with the Company and from all entities that
are
considered a single employer with the Company under Code Sections 414(b) and
(c)
within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.409A-1(g) and
1.409A-1(h)(3) and after the Executive has reached the age of 57 and been a
participant in the Plan for at least 8 years.
2.5
"Early
Retirement Benefit" means, with respect to each Executive, 45% of such
Executive's monthly base salary, at the time of Early Retirement, multiplied
by
his Days of Service Fraction.
2.6
"Early
Retirement Date" means the first day of the month following the month during
which the Executive is granted Early Retirement.
2.7
"Employment
Date" means the most recent date an Executive became employed as an officer
of
the Company. If the Executive was originally employed as a non-officer, then
the
date of promotion to officer status constitutes the Employment
Date.
2.8
"Executive"
means any employee who is an officer, who is designated as eligible to
participate in the Plan by the Board of Directors of the Company and who
executes a Participation Agreement.
2.9
"Fiscal
Year" means the 12-month period beginning on April 1 of each year.
2.10
"Normal
Retirement" means the "separation from service" (as that term is defined in
Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)), of an Executive after reaching Normal
Retirement Age, from employment with the Company and from all entities that
are
considered a single employer with the Company under Code Sections 414(b) and
(c)
within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.409A-1(g) and
1.409A-1(h)(3).
2.11
"Normal
Retirement Age" means the date on which an Executive attains the age of
sixty-five (65).
2.12
"Normal
Retirement Benefit" means, with respect to each Executive, 45% of such
Executive's monthly base salary at the time of Normal Retirement.
2.13
"Normal
Retirement Date" means the first day of the month following the month during
which the Executive attains Normal Retirement Age or, if later, the first day
of
the month following the Executive's retirement after attainment of his Normal
Retirement Age.
2.14
"Participation
Agreement" means the agreement executed by the Executive upon being admitted
to
the Plan. With respect to each Executive, the Participation Agreement shall
be
an integral part of the Plan.
2.15
"Plan"
means the World Acceptance Corporation 2005 Supplemental Income Plan as
described herein and as the same may hereafter from time to time be
amended.
2.16
"Day
of
Service" means, with respect to each Executive, each day following such
Executive's Employment Date on which such Executive is employed by the
Company.
2.17
"Days
of
Service Fraction" means, with respect to each Executive, at any time, the number
of Days of Service then accrued by such Executive, divided by the number of
Days
of Service such Executive would accrue if he were continuously employed by
the
Company from his Employment Date until his Normal Retirement Age.
ARTICLE
III
PAYMENT
OF BENEFITS
3.1
If
an
Executive voluntarily terminates employment before retirement, or if an
Executive's employment is terminated for reason of malfeasance, dishonesty,
or
other similar wrongdoing (even after becoming eligible for retirement), neither
the Executive nor his Beneficiary will be entitled to receive any benefits
under
this Plan. If an Executive's malfeasance, dishonesty or other wrongdoing is
discovered after payments to the Executive under this Plan have already begun,
neither the Executive nor his Beneficiary will be entitled to receive any
further payments under the Plan. All determinations under this paragraph will
be
made by World Acceptance Corporation's Board of Directors in its sole
discretion.
3.2
In
the
event of an Executive's Normal Retirement, the Company will make a series of
monthly payments to the Executive. Each payment will be equal to the Executive's
Normal Retirement Benefit. The first such payment shall be made on the Normal
Retirement Date; provided, however, that if the Executive is a "specified
employee" within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i) as
of
his Normal Retirement, then the first payment hereunder shall commence on the
date that is six months after the date of the Executive's termination of
employment. The remaining payments shall be made on the first day of each
succeeding month until 180 total payments have been made. If the Executive
dies
before all of the payments due to him have been made, the remaining payments
shall be made to the Executive's Beneficiary. If the Executive's Beneficiary
dies before receiving all the payments due to him, then the remaining payments
shall be made to the personal representative of the Beneficiary's
estate.
3.3
In
the
event of an Executive's Early Retirement, the Company will make a series of
monthly payments to the Executive. Each payment will be equal to the Executive's
Early Retirement Benefit. The first such payment shall be made on the
Executive's Early Retirement Date; provided, however, that if the Executive
is a
"specified employee" within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-1(i) as of his Early Retirement, then the first payment hereunder shall
commence on the date that is six months after the date of the Executive's
termination of employment. The remaining payments shall be made on the first
day
of each succeeding month until 180 total payments have been made. If an
Executive dies before receiving all of the payments due to him, then the
remaining payments shall be made to the Executive's Beneficiary. If the
Executive's Beneficiary dies before receiving all the payments due to him or
her, then the remaining payments shall be made to the personal representative
of
the Beneficiary's estate.
3.4
Except
as
provided in section 3.1, if the Company terminates an Executive's employment
before his death or retirement, or if an Executive terminates employment because
of Disability, the Executive will receive the same benefit he would have
received if he had retired on the date of his termination. For purposes of
this
paragraph, the age 57 and 8 years of Plan participation requirements for Early
Retirement will not apply. The first such payment shall be made on the first
day
of the month following the Executive's separation from service (as that term
is
defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) or, in the case of
disability, on the first day of the first month after the expiration of any
Company sponsored long term disability payments due to the Executive provided,
however, that if the Executive is then a "specified employee" within the meaning
of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i), payment hereunder shall commence
on
the date that is six months after the date of the Executive's termination of
employment. The remaining payments shall be made on the first day of each
succeeding month until 180 payments have been made. If the Executive's
Beneficiary dies before all of the payments due have been made, then any
remaining payments shall be made to the personal representative of the
Beneficiary's estate.
3.5
If
an
Executive dies while employed with the Company or while receiving Company
sponsored long term disability payments, his Beneficiary will receive payments
pursuant to section 3.2 calculated as if the Executive's date of death is his
Normal Retirement Date. The first such payment shall be made on the first day
of
the month following the date of the Executive's death, with remaining payments
to be made to the Executive's Beneficiary as described in Section
3.2.
3.6
If,
at
the death of the Executive, there is no properly designated living Beneficiary,
or, if the Beneficiary is an entity and such entity is not then in existence,
then any payments due under this Plan shall be made to the Executive's
estate.
3.7
In
making
any payment to or for the benefit of any minor or an incompetent Beneficiary,
the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, may make a distribution to
a
legal or natural guardian or other relative of a minor or court-appointed
committee of such incompetent. It may also make a payment to any adult with
whom
the minor or incompetent temporarily or permanently resides. The receipt by
a
guardian, committee, relative or other person shall be a complete discharge
of
the Company. Neither the Board nor the Company shall have any responsibility
to
see to the proper application of any payments so made.
ARTICLE
IV
NATURE
OF COMPANY'S OBLIGATION
4.1
The
Company's obligation to the Executives under this Plan shall be an unfunded
and
unsecured promise to pay. The rights of an Executive or Beneficiary under this
Plan shall be solely those of an unsecured general creditor of the Company.
The
Company shall not be obligated under any circumstances to set aside or hold
assets to fund its financial obligations under this Plan.
4.2
Any
assets that the Company may set aside, acquire or hold to help cover its
financial liabilities under this Plan are and remain general assets of the
Company subject to the claims of its creditors. The Company does not give,
and
the Plan does not give, any beneficial ownership interest in any assets of
the
Company to an Executive or Beneficiary. All rights of ownership in any assets
are and remain in the Company. Any general asset used or acquired by the Company
in connection with the liabilities it has assumed under this Plan shall not
be
deemed to be held under any trust for the benefit of the Executive or any
Beneficiary, and no general asset shall be considered security for the
performance of the obligations of the Company. Any such asset shall remain
a
general, unpledged, and unrestricted asset of the Company.
4.3
The
Company's liability for payment of benefits shall be determined only under
the
provisions of this Plan, as they may be amended from time to time.
ARTICLE
V
AMENDMENT
AND TERMINATION
5.1
Amendment
.
This
Plan may be amended in any way, in whole or in part, at any time, in the
discretion of the Board. However, no amendment of the Plan will have the effect
of reducing an Executive's retirement benefit below the amount of such benefit
computed as of the date of amendment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
amendment to the Plan may be made, retroactively if necessary, which the Board
deems necessary or proper to bring the Plan into conformity with any law or
governmental regulation relating to this Plan.
5.2
Termination
.
This
Plan may be terminated for any reason at any time, in the discretion of the
Board of Directors, provided that no termination of the Plan will have the
effect of reducing an Executive's retirement benefit below the amount of such
benefit computed as of the date of Plan termination. In the case of termination
of the Plan, the Executive's retirement benefit will be paid within a reasonable
time after such termination if and to the extent permitted under Code Section
409A and the regulations thereunder.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, the Company shall have the right to terminate
this Plan and to accelerate the payment of benefits under the Plan in accordance
with Code Section 409A and related treasury regulations and other guidance
issued under Section 409A in accordance with one of the following:
(1)
the
termination of the Plan within twelve (12) months of a corporate dissolution
taxed under Code Section 331 or with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant
to 11 U.S.C. 503(b)(1)(A), as provided in Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix)(A); or
(2)
the
termination of the Plan within the thirty (30) days preceding or the twelve
(12)
months following a "change in control" (within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)) provided that all substantially similar
arrangements are also terminated, as provided in Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix)(B); or
(3)
the
termination of the Plan, provided that the termination does not occur proximate
to a downturn in the financial health of the Company, all arrangements that
would be aggregated with the Plan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c)
are terminated, no payments other than payments that would be payable under
the
terms of the Plan if the termination had not occurred are made within twelve
(12) months of the Plan termination, all payments are made within twenty-four
(24) months of Plan termination, and no new arrangement that would be aggregated
with the Plan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c) is adopted within
three (3) years following the Plan termination, as provided in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix)(C); or
(4)
such
other events and conditions as the IRS may prescribe in generally applicable
published or regulatory guidance under Code Section 409A.
ARTICLE
VI
LIMITATIONS
ON TRANSFER
6.1
Neither
an Executive nor a Beneficiary may in any manner anticipate, alienate, sell,
assign, pledge, encumber or otherwise transfer the right to receive payments
under this Plan. Any attempt to do so will be void. Such rights are not subject
to legal process or levy of any kind.
ARTICLE
VII
ADMINISTRATION
7.1
The
Company is the named fiduciary of the Plan. The Board, acting on behalf of
the
Company, shall have the authority to control and manage the operation and
administration of the Plan except as otherwise expressly provided in this Plan
document
7.2
The
Board, acting on behalf of the Company, has the discretion (1) to interpret
and
construe the terms and provisions of the Plan (including any rules or
regulations adopted under the Plan), (2) to determine eligibility to participate
in the Plan and (3) to make factual determinations in connection with any of
the
foregoing. A decision of the Board with respect to any matter pertaining to
the
Plan, including without limitation the employees determined to be eligible,
the
benefits payable, and the construction or interpretation of any provision
thereof, shall be conclusive and binding upon all interested persons. No Board
member shall participate in any decision of the Board that would directly and
specifically affect the timing or amount of his or her benefits under the
Plan.
ARTICLE
VIII
CLAIMS
PROCEDURE
8.1
A
person
with an interest in the Plan shall have the right to file a claim for benefits
under the Plan and to appeal any denial of a claim for benefits. Any request
for
a Plan benefit or to clarify the claimant's rights to future benefits under
the
terms of the Plan shall be considered to be a claim.
8.2
A
claim
for benefits will be considered as having been made when submitted in writing
by
the claimant to the Company. No particular form is required for the claim,
but
the written claim must identify the name of the claimant and describe generally
the benefit to which the claimant believes he or she is entitled. The claim
may
be delivered personally during normal business hours or mailed to the
Company.
8.3
The
Board, acting on behalf of the Company, will determine whether, or to what
extent, the claim may be allowed or denied under the terms of the Plan. If
the
claim is wholly or partially denied, the claimant shall be so informed by
written notice within 90 days after the day the claim is submitted unless
special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim.
If
such an extension of time for processing is required, written notice of the
extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the termination of the
initial 90-day period. Such extension may not exceed an additional 90 days
from
the end of the initial 90-day period. The extension notice shall indicate the
special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which
the
Plan expects to render the final decision.
8.4
The
notice informing the claimant that his or her claim has been wholly or partially
denied shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant
and shall include:
(1)
The
specific reason(s) for the denial.
(2)
Specific
reference to pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is
based.
(3)
A
description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant
to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information
is
necessary.
(4)
Appropriate
information as to the steps to be taken if the claimant wishes to submit his
or
her claim for review.
8.5
If
the
claim is wholly or partially denied, the claimant (or his or her authorized
representative) may file an appeal of the denied claim with the Board requesting
that the claim be reviewed. The Board shall conduct a full and fair review
of
each appealed claim and its denial. Unless the Board notifies the claimant
that
due to the nature of the benefit and other attendant circumstances he or she
is
entitled to a greater period of time within which to submit his or her request
for review of a denied claim, the claimant shall have 60 days after he or she
(or his or her authorized representative) receives written notice of denial
of
his or her claim within which such request must be submitted to the
Board.
8.6
The
request for review of a denied claim must be made in writing. In connection
with
making such request, the claimant or his authorized representative may submit
written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the
claim for benefits, and shall be provided, upon request and free of charge,
reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other
information relevant to the claimant's claim. The review shall take into account
all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the
claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information
was
submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.
8.7
The
decision of the Board regarding the appeal will be given to the claimant in
writing no later than 60 days following receipt of the request for review.
However, if special circumstances (for example, if the Board decides to hold
a
hearing on the appeal) require an extension of time for processing, the decision
shall be rendered as soon as possible, but not later than 120 days after receipt
of the request for review. If special circumstances require that a decision
will
be made beyond the initial time for furnishing the decision, written notice
of
the extension shall be furnished to the claimant (or his authorized
representative) prior to the commencement of the extension.
8.8
The
Board
may, in its sole discretion, decide to hold a hearing if it determines that
a
hearing is necessary or appropriate in order to make a full and fair review
of
the appealed claim.
8.9
The
decision on review shall include specific reasons for the decision, written
in a
manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, as well as specific
references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is
based.
8.10
An
Executive or Beneficiary must exhaust his rights to file a claim and to request
a review of the denial of his claim before bringing any civil action to recover
benefits due to him under the terms of the Plan, to enforce his rights under
the
terms of the Plan, or to clarify his rights to future benefits under the terms
of the Plan.
ARTICLE
IX
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
9.1
Nothing
in this Plan shall be deemed to give any person the right to remain in the
employ of the Company or affect the right of the Company to terminate any
Executive's employment with or without cause.
9.2
Any
amount required to be withheld under applicable Federal, state and local income
tax laws will be withheld and any payment under the Plan will be reduced by
the
amount so withheld.
9.3
The
time
or schedule of payment of a benefit hereunder may be accelerated upon such
events and conditions as the IRS may permit in generally applicable published
regulatory or other guidance under Code Section 409A, including, without
limitation, payment to a person other than the Executive to the extent necessary
to fulfill the terms of a domestic relations order (as defined in Code Section
414(p)(1)(B)), payment of FICA tax and income tax on wages imposed on any
amounts under this Plan, or payment of the amount required to be included in
income for the Executive as a result of failure of the Plan at any time to
meet
the requirements of Code Section 409A with respect to the
Executive.
9.4
The
Company may delay payment of a benefit hereunder upon such events and conditions
as the IRS may permit in generally applicable published regulatory or other
guidance under Code Section 409A, including, without limitation, payments that
the Company reasonably anticipates will be subject to the application of Code
Section 162(m) or will violate Federal securities laws or other applicable
law,
provided that any such delayed payment will be made at the earliest date at
which the Company reasonably anticipates that the making of the payment would
not cause such a violation.
9.5
This
Plan
shall be construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State
of
South Carolina to the extent that such laws are not preempted by federal
law.
This
Plan
document has been executed on behalf of the Company this ____ day of
____________, 2007.
|
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
|
|
A.
Alexander McLean, III, CEO
|
PARTICIPATION
AGREEMENT
WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
2005
SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME PLAN
AS
AMENDED AND RESTATED
(November,
2007)
As
provided in the above referenced Plan, effective ____________, 200__, you
____________, are hereby invited to participate. By accepting the invitation
to
participate in the Plan, you acknowledge that you have read the Plan, understand
its terms, understand that benefits will be paid pursuant to the Plan only
under
specific circumstances described therein, understand that you are a general
creditor of World Acceptance Corporation and that you have no interest in
specific assets owned by the Company.
I
hereby
accept this invitation of World Acceptance Corporation to participate in
its
2005 Supplemental Income Plan.
For
purposes of the plan, I hereby designate the following Beneficiary or
Beneficiaries:
If
the
above named Beneficiary is not alive when payments are first due to be made
under the Plan, I hereby designate the following Contingent Beneficiary or
Beneficiaries:
Plan
Employment Date: _________________
EXHIBIT
31.1
CERTIFICATIONS
I,
A. A.
McLean III, certify that:
|
1.
|
I
have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of World Acceptance
Corporation;
|
|
2.
|
Based
on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement
of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report;
|
|
3.
|
Based
on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information
included in this report, fairly present in all material respects
the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this
report;
|
|
4.
|
The
registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a
–
15(e)
and
15d–15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined
in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and
have:
|
|
a.
|
Designed
such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure
controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to
ensure
that material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is
being
prepared;
|
|
b.
|
Designed
such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal
control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision,
to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles;
|
|
c.
|
Evaluated
the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures
and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness
of
the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period
covered by this report based on such evaluation;
and
|
|
d.
|
Disclosed
in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over
financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent
fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely
to
materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial
reporting; and
|
|
5.
|
The
registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting,
to
the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of
directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):
|
|
a.
|
All
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial information;
and
|
|
b.
|
Any
fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control
over financial reporting.
|
Dated:
February 1, 2008
|
|
/s/
A. A. McLean III
|
|
|
A.
A. McLean III
|
|
|
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
|
EXHIBIT
31.2
I,
Kelly
M. Malson, certify that:
|
1.
|
I
have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of World Acceptance
Corporation;
|
|
2.
|
Based
on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement
of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report;
|
|
3.
|
Based
on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information
included in this report, fairly present in all material respects
the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this
report;
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4.
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The
registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a
–
15(e)
and
15d–15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined
in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and
have:
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a.
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Designed
such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure
controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to
ensure
that material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is
being
prepared;
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b.
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Designed
such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal
control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision,
to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles;
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c.
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Evaluated
the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures
and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness
of
the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period
covered by this report based on such evaluation;
and
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d.
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Disclosed
in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over
financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent
fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely
to
materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial
reporting; and
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5.
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The
registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting,
to
the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of
directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):
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c.
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All
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial information;
and
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d.
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Any
fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control
over financial reporting.
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Dated: February
1, 2008
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/s/
Kelly M. Malson
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|
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Kelly
M. Malson
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Vice
President and Chief Financial
Officer
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EXHIBIT
32.1
CERTIFICATION
OF PERIODIC REPORT
I,
A. A.
McLean III, of World Acceptance Corporation (the “Company”), certify, pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that
(to my knowledge):
(1)
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the
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended
December 31, 2007, (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
and
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(2)
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the
information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.
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/s/
A. A. McLean III
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A.
A. McLean III
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Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
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EXHIBIT
32.2
CERTIFICATION
OF PERIODIC REPORT
I,
Kelly
M. Malson, of World Acceptance Corporation (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that
(to
my knowledge):
(1)
|
the
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended
December 31, 2007, (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
and
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(2)
|
the
information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.
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Date:
February
1, 2008
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/s/
Kelly M. Malson
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|
Kelly
M. Malson
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|
Vice
President and Chief Financial
Officer
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