Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2012

Commission File Number 000-50421

 

 

CONN’S, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

A Delaware Corporation   06-1672840
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

3295 College Street

Beaumont, Texas 77701

(409) 832-1696

(Address, including zip code, and telephone

number, including area code, of registrant’s

principal executive offices)

None

(Former name, former address and former

fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (l) 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 such shorter period that 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   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes   ¨     No   x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of May 31, 2012:

 

Class

  

Outstanding

 

Common stock, $.01 par value per share

     32,474,083   

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page No.  

PART I.

  FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  Financial Statements      1   
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 2012 and January 31, 2012      1   
  Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011      2   
  Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011      3   
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011      4   
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011      5   
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements      6   

Item 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      13   

Item 3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      27   

Item 4.

  Controls and Procedures      27   

PART II.

  OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  Legal Proceedings      27   

Item 1A.

  Risk Factors      28   

Item 2.

  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      28   

Item 3.

  Defaults Upon Senior Securities      28   

Item 4.

  Mine Safety Disclosures      28   

Item 5

  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders      28   

Item 6.

  Other Information      29   

Item 7.

  Exhibits      29   


Table of Contents

CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)

 

     April 30,     January 31,  
     2012     2012  
Assets     

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 6,730      $ 6,265   

Customer accounts receivable, net of allowance of $26,817 and $28,979 , respectively (includes balances of VIE of $63,947 at April 30, 2012)

     313,139        316,385   

Other accounts receivable, net of allowance of $56 and $54, respectively

     35,414        38,715   

Inventories

     68,890        62,540   

Deferred income taxes

     16,007        17,111   

Federal income taxes recoverable

     —          5,256   

Prepaid expenses and other assets (includes balance of VIE of $10,042 at April 30, 2012)

     15,785        6,286   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     455,965        452,558   

Long-term portion of customer accounts receivable, net of allowance of $23,293 and $24,999, respectively (includes balance of VIE of $55,536 at April 30, 2012)

     271,984        272,938   

Property and equipment

    

Land

     7,264        7,264   

Buildings

     10,455        10,455   

Equipment and fixtures

     24,786        24,787   

Transportation equipment

     911        1,468   

Leasehold improvements

     88,155        83,969   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     131,571        127,943   

Less accumulated depreciation

     (91,314     (89,459
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

     40,257        38,484   

Non-current deferred income tax asset

     9,570        9,754   

Other assets

     10,856        9,564   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 788,632      $ 783,298   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity     

Current Liabilities

    

Current portion of long-term debt (includes balances of VIE of $103,025 at April 30, 2012)

   $ 103,690      $ 726   

Accounts payable

     60,812        44,711   

Accrued compensation and related expenses

     7,494        7,213   

Accrued expenses

     22,314        24,030   

Income taxes payable

     2,394        2,028   

Deferred revenues and allowances

     16,153        15,966   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     212,857        94,674   

Long-term debt

     194,396        320,978   

Deferred again on sale of property

     675        699   

Other long-term liabilities

     12,219        13,576   

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ equity

    

Preferred stock ($0.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding)

     —          —     

Common stock ($0.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized; 32,390,419 and 32,139,524 shares issued at April 30, 2012 and January 31, 2012, respectively)

     324        321   

Additional paid-in capital

     139,533        136,006   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (265     (293

Retained earnings

     228,893        217,337   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     368,485        353,371   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 788,632      $ 783,298   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

1


Table of Contents

CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     April 30,  
     2012     2011  

Revenues

    

Product sales

   $ 152,115      $ 144,279   

Repair service agreement commissions, net

     11,392        8,902   

Service revenues

     3,430        3,889   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net sales

     166,937        157,070   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance charges and other

     33,914        34,912   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     200,851        191,982   

Cost and expenses

    

Cost of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs

     108,443        106,453   

Cost of service parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs

     1,550        1,730   

Selling, general and administrative expense

     59,656        59,445   

Provision for bad debts

     9,185        9,564   

Store closing costs

     163        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cost and expenses

     178,997        177,192   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     21,854        14,790   

Interest expense

     3,759        7,556   

Other (income) expense, net

     (96     52   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     18,191        7,182   

Provision for income taxes

     6,635        2,781   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 11,556      $ 4,401   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.36      $ 0.14   

Diluted

   $ 0.35      $ 0.14   

Average common shares outstanding:

    

Basic

     32,195        31,768   

Diluted

     32,904        31,772   

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

2


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CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     April 30,  
     2012     2011  

Net income

   $ 11,556      $ 4,401   

Change in fair value of hedges

     43        73   

Impact of provision for income taxes on comprehensive income

     (15     (26
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 11,584      $ 4,448   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STAT EMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Three Months Ended April 30, 2012 and 2011

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

                          Accumulated               
                   Additional      Other               
     Common Stock      Paid-in      Comprehensive     Retained         
     Shares      Amount      Capital      Loss     Earnings      Total  

Balance at January 31, 2012

     32,140       $ 321       $ 136,006       $ (293   $ 217,337       $ 353,371   

Exercise of stock options, net of tax

     223         3         2,866         —          —           2,869   

Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan

     6         —           63         —          —           63   

Issuance of common stock converted from vested restricted stock units

     21         —           —           —          —           —     

Stock-based compensation

           598              598   

Net income

     —           —           —           —          11,556         11,556   

Change in fair value of hedges, net of tax of $15

     —           —           —           28        —           28   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at April 30, 2012

     32,390       $ 324       $ 139,533       $ (265   $ 228,893       $ 368,485   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

                        Accumulated                          
                 Additional      Other                          
     Common Stock     Paid-in      Comprehensive     Retained     Treasury Stock        
     Shares     Amount     Capital      Loss     Earnings     Shares     Amount     Total  

Balance at January 31, 2011

     33,488      $ 335      $ 131,590       $ (71   $ 258,114        (1,723   $ (37,071   $ 352,897   

Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan

     7        —          26         —          —          —          —          26   

Stock-based compensation

     —          —          474         —          —          —          —          474   

Treasury shares cancelled

     (1,723     (17          (37,054     1,723        37,071        —     

Net income

     —          —          —           —          4,401        —          —          4,401   

Change in fair value of hedges, net of tax of $26

     —          —          —           47        —          —          —          47   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at April 30, 2011

     31,772      $ 318      $ 132,090       $ (24   $ 225,461        —        $ —        $ 357,845   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     April 30,  
     2012     2011  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net income

   $ 11,556      $ 4,401   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation

     2,402        2,884   

Amortization

     739        897   

Provision for bad debts and uncollectible interest

     11,282        11,152   

Stock-based compensation

     598        474   

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     (116     —     

Store closing costs

     163        —     

Provision for deferred income taxes

     1,272        426   

(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment

     (66     1   

Discounts and accretion on promotional credit

     (103     (482

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Customer accounts receivable

     (6,768     36,092   

Other accounts receivable

     3,095        (3,180

Inventory

     (6,350     (2,768

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     500        783   

Accounts payable

     16,100        (5,057

Accrued expenses

     (2,953     1,524   

Income taxes payable

     5,651        5,849   

Deferred revenues and allowances

     65        (1,966
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     37,067        51,030   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Purchase of property and equipment

     (4,404     (275

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     296        —     

Change in restricted cash

     (10,042     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (14,150     (275
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Net proceeds from stock issued under employee benefit plans, including tax benefit

     2,932        25   

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     116        —     

Proceeds from issuance of asset-backed notes, net of original issue discount

     103,025        —     

Borrowings under lines of credit

     33,729        25,216   

Payments on lines of credit

     (160,182     (78,238

Payments on promissory notes

     (190     (41

Payment of debt issuance costs

     (1,882     (73
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (22,452     (53,111
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash

     465        (2,356

Cash and cash equivalents

    

Beginning of period

     6,265        10,977   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 6,730      $ 8,621   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CONN’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation . The accompanying unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements of Conn’s, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. The accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, except as otherwise described herein. The Company’s business is somewhat seasonal, with a higher portion of sales and operating profit realized during the quarter that ends January 31, due primarily to the holiday selling season. Operating results for the three-month period ended April 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2013. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2012, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 12, 2012.

The Company’s balance sheet at January 31, 2012, has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for a complete financial presentation. Please see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete presentation of the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012, together with all required footnotes, and for a complete presentation and explanation of the components and presentations of the financial statements.

Principles of Consolidation . The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Conn’s, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Conn’s, Inc. is a holding company with no independent assets or operations other than its investments in its subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

In April of 2012, the Company transferred certain customer receivables to a bankruptcy-remote, variable-interest entity (“VIE”) in connection with a securitization. The VIE, which is consolidated within the accompanying financial statements, issued debt secured by the customer receivables that were transferred to it, which are included in customer accounts receivable and long-term portion of customer accounts receivable on the consolidated balance sheet.

The Company determined that the VIE should be consolidated within its financial statements due to the fact that it qualified as the primary beneficiary of the VIE based on the following considerations:

 

   

The Company directed the activities that generated the customer receivables that were transferred to the VIE;

 

   

The Company directs the servicing activities related to the collection of the customer receivables transferred to the VIE;

 

   

The Company absorbs losses incurred by the VIE to the extent of its interest in the VIE before any other investors incur losses; and

 

   

The Company has the right to receive benefits generated by the VIE after paying the contractual amounts due to the other investors.

The investors and the securitization trustee have no recourse to the Company’s other assets for failure of the VIE to repay the amounts due to them. Additionally, the Company has no recourse to the VIE’s assets to satisfy its obligations. The Company’s interests are subordinate to the investors’ interests, and will not be paid if the VIE is unable to repay the amounts due. The ultimate realization of the Company’s interest is subject to credit, prepayment, and interest rate risks on the transferred financial assets.

Use of Estimates . The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

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Earnings per Share . Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share include the dilutive effects of any stock options and restricted stock units granted, to the extent not anti-dilutive, which is calculated using the treasury-stock method. The following table sets forth the shares outstanding for the earnings per share calculations:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     April 30,  
(in thousands)    2012      2011  

Weighted average common shares outstanding—Basic

     32,195         31,768   

Assumed exercise of stock options

     576         4   

Unvested restricted stock units

     133         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding—Diluted

     32,904         31,772   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

During the periods presented, options with an exercise price in excess of the average market price of the Company’s common stock, or that are otherwise anti-dilutive, are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share calculations. The weighted average number of stock options not included in the calculation of the dilutive effect of stock options was 1.1 million and 2.9 million for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments . The fair value of cash and cash equivalents and accounts payable approximate their carrying amounts because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of customer accounts receivables, determined using a discounted cash flow analysis, approximates their carrying amount. The fair value of the Company’s debt approximates carrying value due to the recent dates at which all the facilities have been initiated, renewed or amended. The Company’s interest rate cap options are presented on the balance sheet at fair value. Fair value of these instruments were determined using Level 2 inputs of the GAAP hierarchy, which are defined as inputs not quoted in active markets, but are either directly or indirectly observable.

2. Supplemental Disclosure of Customer Receivables

Customer accounts receivable are originated at the time of sale and delivery of the various products and services. The Company records the amount of principal and accrued interest on customer receivables that is expected to be collected within the next twelve months, based on contractual terms, in current assets on its consolidated balance sheet. Those amounts expected to be collected after twelve months, based on contractual terms, are included in long-term assets. Typically, customer receivables are considered delinquent if a payment has not been received on the scheduled due date.

As part of its efforts in mitigating losses on its accounts receivable, the Company may make loan modifications to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty that are intended to maximize the net cash flow after expenses, and avoid the need for repossession of collateral. The Company may extend the loan term, refinance or otherwise re-age an account. In the quarter ended October 31, 2011, the Company adopted new accounting guidance that provides clarification on whether a debtor is experiencing financial difficulties and whether a concession has been granted to the debtor for purposes of determining if a loan modification constitutes a Troubled Debt Restructuring (“TDR”). The adoption was applied retrospectively to its loan restructurings after January 31, 2011. The Company defines TDR accounts that originated subsequent to January 31, 2011 as accounts that have been re-aged in excess of three months or refinanced. For accounts originating prior to January 31, 2011, if the cumulative re-aging exceeds three months and the accounts were re-aged subsequent to January 31, 2011, the account is considered a TDR.

The Company monitors the performance of customer accounts receivable and from time-to-time modifies its policies to improve the long-term portfolio performance. During the quarter ended July 31, 2011, the Company implemented a policy which limited the number of months that an account can be re-aged to a maximum of 18 months and further modified the policy to a maximum of 12 months in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. As of July 31, 2011, the Company modified its charge-off policy so that an account that is delinquent more than 209 days as of the end of a month is charged-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts and interest accrued subsequent to the last payment is reversed and charged against the allowance for uncollectible interest. Prior to July 31, 2011, the Company charged off all accounts for which no payment had been received in the past seven months, if the account was also delinquent more than 120 days.

 

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The Company segregates the population of accounts within its receivables portfolio is into two classes of accounts – those with origination credit scores less than 575 and those with origination scores equal to or greater than 575. The Company uses credit scoring criteria to differentiate underwriting requirements, potentially requiring differing down payment and initial application and documentation criteria. The following tables present quantitative information about the receivables portfolio managed by the Company, segregated by class:

 

     Total Outstanding Balance  
     Customer Accounts Receivable     60 Days Past Due (1)      Re-aged (1)  
     April 30,     January 31,     April 30,      January 31,      April 30,      January 31,  
(in thousands)    2012     2012     2012      2012      2012      2012  

Customer accounts receivable:

               

>= 575 credit score at origination

   $ 482,386      $ 479,301      $ 20,904       $ 23,424       $ 22,565       $ 26,005   

< 575 credit score at origination

     112,410        115,128        9,349         11,278         10,798         14,033   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     594,796        594,429        30,253         34,702         33,363         40,038   

Restructured accounts (2):

               

>= 575 credit score at origination

     23,627        27,760        9,516         11,428         23,619         27,749   

< 575 credit score at origination

     16,810        21,112        6,669         9,060         16,755         21,076   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     40,437        48,872        16,185         20,488         40,374         48,825   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total receivables managed

   $ 635,233      $ 643,301      $ 46,438       $ 55,190       $ 73,737       $ 88,863   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Allowance for uncollectible accounts related to the credit portfolio

     (45,368     (49,904           

Allowance for promotional credit programs

     (4,742     (4,074           

Current portion of customer accounts receivable, net

     (313,139     (316,385           
  

 

 

   

 

 

            

Long-term customer accounts receivable, net

   $ 271,984      $ 272,938              
  

 

 

   

 

 

            

 

(1) Amounts are based on end of period balances. Due to the fact that an account can become past due after having been re-aged, accounts may be presented in both the past due and re-aged columns shown above. The amounts included within both the past due and re-aged columns shown above as of April 30, 2012 and January 31, 2012 were $25.6 million and $32.5 million, respectively. The total amount of customer receivables past due one day or greater was $150.0 million and $152.4 million as of April 30, 2012 and January 31, 2012, respectively. These amounts include the 60 days past due totals shown above.
(2) In addition to the amounts included in restructured accounts, there are $5.0 million and $7.9 million, respectively, of accounts re-aged four or more months, included in the re-aged balance above, that did not qualify as TDRs as of April 30, 2012 and January 31, 2012, respectively, because they were not re-aged subsequent to January 31, 2011.

 

                   Net Credit  
     Average Balances      Charge-offs (3)  
     Three Months Ended      Three Months Ended  
     April 30,      April 30,  
(in thousands)    2012      2011      2012      2011  

Customer accounts receivable:

           

>= 575 credit score at origination

   $ 476,603       $ 489,156       $ 4,831       $ 6,118   

< 575 credit score at origination

     113,366         158,598         2,745         4,890   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     589,969         647,754         7,576         11,008   

Restructured accounts:

           

>= 575 credit score at origination

     25,796         —           3,153         —     

< 575 credit score at origination

     18,978         —           2,800         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     44,774         —           5,953         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total receivables managed

   $ 634,743       $ 647,754       $ 13,529       $ 11,008   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(3) Charge-offs include the principal amount of losses (excluding accrued and unpaid interest), net of recoveries which include principal collections during the period shown of previously charged-off balances.

 

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Following is the activity in the Company’s balance in the allowance for doubtful accounts and uncollectible interest for customer receivables for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

     Three Months Ended April 30, 2012        
(in thousands)    Customer
Accounts
Receivable
    Restructured
Accounts
    Total     Three Months
Ended April 30,
2011
 

Allowance at beginning of period

   $ 24,518      $ 25,386      $ 49,904      $ 44,015   

Provision (a)

     9,448        1,834        11,282        11,152   

Principal charge-offs (b)

     (8,597     (6,755     (15,352     (11,964

Interest charge-offs

     (1,282     (1,007     (2,289     (2,029

Recoveries (b)

     1,021        802        1,823        956   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Allowance at end of period

   $ 25,108      $ 20,260      $ 45,368      $ 42,130   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes provision for uncollectible interest, which is included in finance charges and other.
(b) Charge-offs include the principal amount of losses (excluding accrued and unpaid interest), and recoveries include principal collections during the period shown of previously charged-off balances. These amounts represent net charge-offs.

The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts, including estimated uncollectible interest, for its customer accounts receivable, based on its historical cash collections and net loss experience and expectations for future cash collections and losses. In addition to pre-charge-off cash collections and charge-off information, estimates of post-charge-off recoveries, including cash payments, amounts realized from the repossession of the products financed and, at times, payments received under credit insurance policies are also considered.

The Company determines reserves for those accounts that are TDRs based on present value of cash flows expected to be collected over the life of those accounts. The excess of the carrying amount over the discounted cash flow amount is recorded as a reserve for loss on those accounts. The Company estimates its allowance for bad debts by evaluating the credit portfolio based on the number of months re-aged, if any.

The Company typically only places accounts in non-accrual status when legally required to do so. Interest accrual is resumed on those accounts once a legally-mandated settlement arrangement is reached or other payment arrangements are made with the customer. The amount of customer receivables carried on the Company’s balance sheet that were in non-accrual status was $9.5 million and $9.8 million at April 30, 2012 and January 31, 2012, respectively. The amount of customer receivables carried on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet that were past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest was $34.1 million and $39.5 million at April 30, 2012 and January 31, 2012, respectively.

3. Supplemental Disclosure of Finance Charges and Other Revenue

The following is a summary of the classification of the amounts included as finance charges and other for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     April 30,  
(in thousands)    2012      2011  

Interest income and fees on customer receivables

   $ 28,640       $ 30,632   

Insurance commissions

     5,033         4,056   

Other

     241         224   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Finance charges and other

   $ 33,914       $ 34,912   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The amount included in interest income and fees on customer receivables related to TDR accounts for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 was $1.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The Company recognizes interest income on TDR accounts using the interest income method, which requires reporting interest income equal to the increase in the net carrying amount of the loan attributable to the passage of time. Cash proceeds and other adjustments are applied to the net carrying amount such that it always equals the present value of expected future cash flows.

 

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4. Accrual for Store Closures

During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012, the Company closed eleven retail locations that did not perform at the level the Company expects for mature store locations. As a result of the closure of the eight stores with unexpired leases, the Company recorded an accrual in fiscal 2012 for the present value of remaining lease obligations and anticipated ancillary occupancy costs, net of estimated sublease income. Revisions to these projections for changes in estimated marketing times or sublease rates will be made to the obligation as further information related to the actual terms and costs become available. The estimate was calculated using Level 2 fair value inputs as defined by the GAAP fair value hierarchy. During the three months ended April 30, 2012, the Company accrued lease exit costs of $450 thousand for the closure of an additional store. The changes in the liability recorded for store closures for the three months ended April 30, 2012 were as follows:

 

(in thousands)       

Balance at January 31, 2012

   $ 8,106   

Accrual for closure

     450   

Change in estimate

     (287

Cash payments

     (961
  

 

 

 

Balance at April 30, 2012

   $ 7,308   
  

 

 

 

The change in estimate results from the favorable impact of the termination of a lease and is partially offset by changes in sublet assumptions for certain locations and accretion of the present value of the expected future rental payments. The cash payments include payments made for facility rent and related costs.

5. Debt and Letters of Credit

The Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following at the period ended:

 

     April 30,      January 31,  
(in thousands)    2012      2012  

Asset-based revolving credit facility

   $ 186,797       $ 313,250   

Asset-backed notes, net of discount of $654

     103,025         —     

Real estate loan

     7,755         7,826   

Other long-term debt

     509         628   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt

     298,086         321,704   

Less current portion of debt

     103,690         726   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt

   $ 194,396       $ 320,978   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company’s asset-based revolving credit facility, as amended, provides for funding of up to $450 million based on a borrowing base calculation that includes customer accounts receivable and inventory. The credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 350 basis points to 400 basis points, based on a leverage ratio (defined as total liabilities to tangible net worth). In addition to the leverage ratio, the revolving credit facility includes a fixed charge coverage requirement, a minimum customer receivables cash recovery percentage requirement and a net capital expenditures limit. Additionally, the agreement contains cross-default provisions, such that, any default under another of the Company’s credit facilities would result in a default under this agreement, and any default under this agreement would result in a default under those agreements.

On April 30, 2012, the Company’s VIE issued $103.7 million of asset-backed notes which bear interest at 4.0% and were sold at a discount to deliver a 5.21% yield, before considering transaction costs. The principal balance of the notes, which are secured by certain customer receivables, will be reduced on a monthly basis by collections on the underlying customer receivables after the payment of interest and other expenses of the VIE. While the final maturity for the notes is April 2016, the Company currently expects to repay any outstanding note balance in April 2013 and, therefore, has classified the outstanding principal within the current portion of long-term debt. Additionally, the notes include a prepayment incentive fee whereby if the notes are not repaid by the expected final principal payment date of April 15, 2013, the VIE will be required to pay, in addition to accrued interest on the notes, a monthly fee equal to an annual rate of 8.5% times the outstanding principal balance. The VIE’s borrowing agreement contains certain covenants, including the maintenance of a minimum net worth for the VIE. The VIE’s debt is secured by the customer accounts receivable that were transferred to it, which are included in customer accounts receivable and long-term portion of customer

 

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accounts receivable on the consolidated balance sheet. At April 30, 2012, the VIE held cash of $10.0 million from collections on underlying customer receivables which is classified within prepaid expenses and other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The investors and the securitization trustee have no recourse to the Company’s other assets for failure of the VIE to pay the notes when due or any other of its obligations. Additionally, the VIE’s assets are not available to satisfy the Company’s obligations. The Company’s interests in are subordinate to the investors’ interests, and would not be paid if the VIE is unable to repay the amounts due. The ultimate realization of the Company’s interest is subject to credit, prepayment, and interest rate risks on the transferred financial assets. Net proceeds from the offering were used to repay borrowings under the Company’s asset-based revolving credit facility.

The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants at April 30, 2012.

As of April 30, 2012, the Company had immediately available borrowing capacity of approximately $145.4 million under its asset-based revolving credit facility, net of standby letters of credit issued, for general corporate purposes. The Company also had $113.5 million that may become available under its asset-based revolving credit facility if it grows the balance of eligible customer receivables and its total eligible inventory balances.

The Company’s asset–based revolving credit facility provides it the ability to utilize letters of credit to secure its deductibles under the Company’s property and casualty insurance programs and its obligations to remit payments collected as servicer of the VIE’s receivables, among other acceptable uses. At April 30, 2012, the Company had outstanding letters of credit of $4.3 million under this facility. The maximum potential amount of future payments under these letter of credit facilities is considered to be the aggregate face amount of each letter of credit commitment, which totals $4.3 million as of April 30, 2012.

6. Contingencies

Legal Proceedings. The Company is involved in routine litigation and claims incidental to its business from time to time, and, as required, has accrued its estimate of the probable costs for the resolution of these matters, which are not expected to be material. These estimates have been developed in consultation with counsel and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. Recently, the Company has been included in various patent infringement claims and litigation, the outcomes of which are difficult to predict at this time. Due to the timing of these matters, the Company has determined that no reasonable estimates of probable costs for resolution can be ascertained at this time, and it is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular period could be materially affected by changes in the Company’s assumptions or the effectiveness of its strategies related to these proceedings. However, the results of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, and changes in facts and circumstances could impact the Company’s estimate of reserves for litigation.

 

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7. Segment Reporting

Financial information by segment is presented in the following tables for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

     Three Months Ended April 30, 2012     Three Months Ended April 30, 2011  
(in thousands)    Retail     Credit      Total     Retail      Credit      Total  

Revenues

               

Product sales

   $ 152,115      $ —         $ 152,115      $ 144,279       $ —         $ 144,279   

Repair service agreement commissions, net

     11,392        —           11,392        8,902         —           8,902   

Service revenues

     3,430        —           3,430        3,889         —           3,889   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net sales

     166,937        —           166,937        157,070         —           157,070   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Finance charges and other

     241        33,673         33,914        225         34,687         34,912   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

     167,178        33,673         200,851        157,295         34,687         191,982   

Cost and expenses

               

Cost of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs

     108,443        —           108,443        106,453         —           106,453   

Cost of service parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy cost

     1,550        —           1,550        1,730         —           1,730   

Selling, general and administrative expense (a)

     46,049        13,607         59,656        44,102         15,343         59,445   

Provision for bad debts

     212        8,973         9,185        143         9,421         9,564   

Store closing costs

     163        —           163        —           —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cost and expense

     156,417        22,580         178,997        152,428         24,764         177,192   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

     10,761        11,093         21,854        4,867         9,923         14,790   

Interest expense, net

     —          3,759         3,759        —           7,556         7,556   

Other (income) expense, net

     (96     —           (96     52         —           52   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

   $ 10,857      $ 7,334       $ 18,191      $ 4,815       $ 2,367       $ 7,182   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Selling, general and administrative expenses include the direct expenses of the retail and credit operations, allocated overhead expenses and a charge to the credit segment to reimburse the retail segment for expenses it incurs related to occupancy, personnel, advertising and other direct costs of the retail segment which benefit the credit operations by sourcing credit customers and collecting payments. The reimbursement received by the retail segment from the credit segment is estimated using an annual rate of 2.5% times the average portfolio balance for each applicable period. The amount of overhead allocated to each segment was approximately $2.2 million and $2.2 million for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The amount of reimbursement made to the retail segment by the credit segment was approximately $4.0 million and $4.0 million for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

8. Subsequent Event

On May 30, 2012, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to its certificate of incorporation to increase the number of shares of capital stock which the Company shall have authority to issue to be 51,000,000 shares of stock, of which 50,000,000 shares are common stock, par value of $0.01 per share, and 1,000,000 shares are preferred stock.

 

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

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements. We sometimes use words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “project” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, our management and our industry, to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to our expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, prospects, future performance, anticipated trends and other future events. We have based our forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting our business. Actual results may differ materially. Some of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us that may cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

 

   

The success of our growth strategy and plans regarding opening new stores and entering adjacent and new markets, including our plans to continue expanding into existing markets;

 

   

Our intention to update, relocate or expand existing stores;

 

   

The effect of closing or reducing the hours of operating of existing stores;

 

   

Our ability to obtain capital for required capital expenditures and costs related to the opening of new stores or to update, relocate or expand existing stores;

 

   

Our ability to open and profitably operate new stores in existing, adjacent and new geographic markets;

 

   

Our ability to introduce additional product categories;

 

   

Technological and market developments, growth trends and projected sales in the home appliance and consumer electronics industry, including, with respect to digital products like Blu-ray players, HDTV, LED and 3-D televisions, tablets, home networking devices and other new products, and our ability to capitalize on such growth;

 

   

The potential for price erosion or lower unit sales points that could result in declines in revenues;

 

   

Our relationships with key suppliers and their ability to provide products at competitive prices and support sales of their products through their rebate and discount programs;

 

   

The potential for deterioration in the delinquency status of our credit portfolio or higher than historical net charge-offs in the portfolio that could adversely impact earnings;

 

   

Our inability to continue to offer existing customer financing programs or make new programs available that allow consumers to purchase products at levels that can support our growth;

 

   

Our ability to renew or replace our existing debt or other credit arrangements on or before the maturity of such arrangements;

 

   

Our ability to fund our operations, capital expenditures, debt repayment and expansion from cash flows from operations, borrowings from our asset-based revolving credit facility, and proceeds from securitizations and from accessing debt or equity markets;

 

   

Our ability to obtain additional funding for the purpose of funding the customer receivables we generate;

 

   

Our ability to profitably expand our credit operations;

 

   

Our ability to maintain compliance with the covenants of its debt and other credit arrangements, including taking the actions necessary to maintain compliance with the covenants, such as obtaining amendments to the borrowing facilities that modify the covenant requirements, which could result in higher borrowing costs;

 

   

Our ability to obtain capital to fund expansion of our credit portfolio;

 

   

Reduced availability under our asset-based revolving credit facility as a result of borrowing base requirements and the impact on the borrowing base calculation of changes in the performance or eligibility of the customer receivables financed by that facility;

 

   

The ability of the financial institutions providing lending facilities to us to fund their commitments;

 

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The effect of any downgrades by rating agencies of our lenders on borrowing costs;

 

   

The effect on our borrowing cost of changes in laws and regulations affecting the providers of debt financing;

 

   

The cost or terms of any amended, renewed or replacement debt or other credit arrangements;

 

   

The effect of rising interest rates or borrowing spreads that could increase our cost of borrowing;

 

   

The effect of changes in our credit underwriting and collection practices and policies;

 

   

General economic conditions in the regions in which we operate;

 

   

Both the short-term and long-term impact of adverse weather conditions (e.g. hurricanes) that could result in volatility in our revenues and increased expenses and casualty losses;

 

   

The outcome of litigation or government investigations affecting our business;

 

   

The potential to incur expenses and non-cash write-offs related to decisions to close store locations and settling our remaining lease obligations and our initial investment in fixed assets and related store costs;

 

   

The effect of rising interest rates or other economic conditions that could impair our customers’ ability to make payments on outstanding credit accounts;

 

   

The effect of changes in oil and gas prices that could adversely affect our customers’ shopping decisions and patterns, as well as the cost of our delivery and service operations and our cost of products, if vendors pass on their additional fuel costs through increased pricing for products;

 

   

The ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

 

   

Changes in laws and regulations and/or interest, premium and commission rates allowed by regulators on our credit, credit insurance and repair service agreements as allowed by those laws and regulations;

 

   

The laws and regulations and interest, premium and commission rates allowed by regulators on our credit, credit insurance and repair service agreements in the states into which we may expand;

 

   

The adequacy of our distribution and information systems and management experience to support our expansion plans;

 

   

The accuracy of our expectations regarding competition and our competitive advantages;

 

   

The potential for market share erosion that could result in reduced revenues;

 

   

The accuracy of our expectations regarding the similarity or dissimilarity of our existing markets as compared to new markets we enter;

 

   

The use of third-parties to complete certain of our distribution, delivery and home repair services; and

 

   

Changes in our stock price or the number of shares we have outstanding.

Additional important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations are discussed under “Risk Factors” in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 12, 2012. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this report might not happen.

The forward-looking statements in this report reflect our views and assumptions only as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

 

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General

We intend for the following discussion and analysis to provide you with a better understanding of the financial condition and performance of our retail and credit segments for the indicated periods, including an analysis of those key factors that contributed to our financial condition and performance and that are, or are expected to be, the key “drivers” of our business.

We are a specialty retailer of durable consumer products, and we also provide credit to support our customers’ purchases of the products that we offer. We derive our revenue from two primary sources: (i) retail sales and delivery of consumer goods, including sales of third-party repair service agreements; and (ii) our in-house customer credit program, including sales of credit insurance products. We operate a highly integrated and scalable business through our retail stores and our website, providing our customers with a broad range of brand name products, in-house and third-party financing options, next day delivery capabilities, and product repair service through well-trained and knowledgeable sales, credit and service personnel.

We currently operate 64 retail locations in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. The Company’s primary product categories include:

 

   

Home appliance, including refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers and ranges;

 

   

Furniture and mattress, including furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and related accessories and mattresses;

 

   

Consumer electronic, including LCD, LED, 3-D, plasma and DLP televisions, camcorders, digital cameras, Blu-ray and DVD players, video game equipment, portable audio, MP3 players and home theater products;

 

   

Home office, including desktop and notebook computers, tablets, printers and computer accessories.

Additionally, we offer a variety of products on a seasonal basis, including window room air conditioners and lawn and garden equipment, and continue to introduce additional product categories for the home to respond to customers product needs and to increase same store sales. We require our sales associates to be knowledgeable of all of our products.

Our business is moderately seasonal, with a greater share of our revenues, operating and net income historically realized during the quarter ending January 31, due primarily to the holiday selling season.

Unlike many of our competitors, we provide flexible in-house credit options for our customers. In the last three years, we financed, on average, approximately 61% of our retail sales through our internal credit programs. We offer our customers an interest-bearing installment financing program and, at times, we offer promotional credit programs to certain of our customers that provide for “same as cash” or deferred interest interest-free periods of varying terms, generally three, six and 12 months, and require monthly payments beginning in the month after the sale. In addition to our own credit programs, we use third-party financing programs to provide non-interest bearing financing, with terms greater than 12 months, for purchases made by our customers, as well as a Conn’s-branded revolving charge card. We also use a third-party provider to offer a rent-to-own payment option to our customers.

 

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The following tables present, for comparison purposes, information about our credit portfolios (dollars in thousands, except average outstanding customer balance).

 

     Three Months Ended  
     April 30,  
     2012     2011  

Total outstanding balance (period end)

   $ 635,233      $ 625,487   

Percent of total outstanding balances represented by balances over 36 months old (period end) (1)

     1.8     3.3

Percent of total outstanding balances represented by balances over 48 months old (period end) (1)

     0.4     0.9

Average outstanding customer balance

   $ 1,385      $ 1,273   

Number of active accounts (period end)

     458,493        491,441   

Account balances 60+ days past due (period end) (2)

   $ 46,438      $ 44,453   

Percent of balances 60+ days past due to total outstanding balance (period end)

     7.3     7.1

Percent of balances 60-209 days past due to total outstanding balance (period end)

     7.3     5.5

Total account balances reaged (period end) (2)

   $ 73,737      $ 121,197   

Percent of re-aged balances to total outstanding balance (period end)

     11.6     19.4

Account balances re-aged more than six months (period end)

   $ 27,052      $ 55,802   

Weighted average credit score of outstanding balances

     601        589   

Total applications processed

     179,907        175,761   

Weighted average origination credit score of sales financed

     615        623   

Total applications approved

     56.8     54.0

Average down payment

     4.5     8.0

Average total outstanding balance

   $ 634,743      $ 647,754   

Bad debt charge-offs (net of recoveries) (3)

   $ 13,529      $ 11,008   

Percent of bad debt charge-offs (net of recoveries) to average outstanding balance, annualized (3)

     8.5     6.8

Percent of total bad debt allowance to total oustanding customer receivable balance (period end)

     7.1     6.7

Percent of total outstanding balance represented by promotional receivables

     17.7     9.7

Weighted average monthly payment rate (4)

     6.1     6.4

Percent of retail sales paid for by:

    

Third-party financing

     12.5     6.3

In-house financing, including down payment received

     66.9     55.0

Third-party rent-to-own options

     3.7     3.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     83.1     64.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes installment accounts only. Balances included in over 48 months totals are also included in balances over 36 months old totals.
(2) Accounts that become delinquent after being re-aged are included in both the delinquency and re-aged amounts. Re-aged portfolio data was adjusted to include certain refinanced account balances not previously included.
(3) On July 31, 2011, we revised our charge-off policy to require an account that is delinquent more than 209 days at month end to be charged-off.
(4) Three-month rolling average of gross cash payments as a percentage of gross principal balances outstanding at the beginning of each month in the period.

 

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Historical Static Loss Table

The following static loss analysis calculates the cumulative percentage of balances charged off, based on the year the credit account was originated and the period the balance was charged off. The percentage computed below is calculated by dividing the cumulative net amount charged off since origination by the total balance of accounts originated during the applicable fiscal year. The net charge-off was determined by estimating, on a pro rata basis, the amount of the recoveries received during a period that were allocable to the applicable origination period.

 

     Cumulative loss rate as a % of balance originated (a)
Fiscal Year    Years from origination

of Origination

   0     1     2     3     4     5     6     Terminal (b)

2005

     0.3     1.7     3.4     4.3     4.7     4.9     5.0   5.0%

2006

     0.3     1.9     3.6     4.8     5.4     5.7     5.7   5.7%

2007

     0.2     1.7     3.5     4.6     5.4     5.6     5.6  

2008

     0.2     1.8     3.6     5.0     5.7     5.8    

2009

     0.2     2.0     4.6     6.0     6.3      

2010

     0.2     2.4     4.5     5.1        

2011

     0.4     2.6     3.4          

2012

     0.2     0.4            

 

(a) The most recent percentages in years from origination 1 through 6 include loss data through April 30, 2012, and are not comparable to prior fiscal year accumulated net charge-off percentages in the same column.
(b) The terminal loss percentage presented represents the point at which that pool of loans has reached its maximum loss rate.

Executive Overview

This narrative provides an overview of our operations for the three months ended April 30, 2012. A detailed explanation of the changes in our operations for this period as compared to the prior-year period is included under Results of Operations. The following is a summary of some of the specific items impacting our retail and credit segments:

Retail Segment Review

 

   

Net sales rose $9.8 million, or 6.3%, to $166.9 million for the quarter ended April 30, 2012, from the comparable prior-year period. The increase in net sales during the quarter was driven by higher average selling prices in the major product categories, improved and expanded product selection in the furniture and mattress category and retention of a portion of the unit volume from stores closed in the prior year. The reported increase in sales was partially offset by the impact of the closure of 11 stores in fiscal 2012;

 

   

The retail gross margin increased to 33.7% in the current-year quarter, from 30.5% in the same quarter of the prior year. The increase in the retail gross margin was driven by a favorable shift in product mix. The majority of the margin expansion was reported in the furniture and mattress category which contributed approximately 30% of our retail product gross margin in the current quarter; and

 

   

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense increased by $1.9 million, but declined 50 basis points as a percent of segment revenues to 27.5% for the quarter ended April 30, 2012 as compared to 28.0% for the quarter ended April 30, 2011. The SG&A expense increase was primarily due to higher sales-driven compensation expenses, partially offset by decreased depreciation and facility-related expenses.

Credit Segment Review

 

   

Total revenues for the three months ended April 30, 2012 declined by $1.0 million, as compared to the prior year, reflecting a higher proportion of short-term promotional receivables relative to the total portfolio balance outstanding and increased net charge-off levels which resulted in lower interest income and fee revenues. The average customer accounts receivable balance declined 2.0%, to $634.7 million for the quarter ended April 30, 2012 from $647.8 million for the quarter ended April 30, 2011;

 

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SG&A expense for the credit segment declined $1.7 million, primarily due to reduced compensation and related expense. Continued improvement in the performance of the portfolio has allowed us to reduce the cost of servicing the portfolio. Credit segment SG&A expense as a percent of revenues was 40.4% for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 44.2% in the prior year;

 

   

The provision for bad debts decreased by $0.4 million during the three months ended April 30, 2012, as we experienced continued improvement in the performance of our credit portfolio.

 

   

Net interest expense decreased in the three months ended April 30, 2012 by $3.8 million from the prior- year period primarily due to a reduction in the effective interest rate on outstanding borrowings and a decline in outstanding debt.

Operational changes and outlook

We have implemented, continued to focus on or modified operating initiatives that we believe will positively impact future results, including:

 

   

Reviewing our existing store locations to ensure the customer demographics and retail sales opportunity are sufficient to achieve our store performance expectations, and selectively closing or relocating stores to achieve those goals;

 

   

Evaluating store opening plans for future years. We are planning to open five to seven new locations during fiscal year 2013, all of which are expected to be in new markets;

 

   

Remodeling existing stores to improve our customers shopping experience and expand our product offering of furniture and mattresses;

 

   

The exit of lower-price, lower-margin products to improve operating performance;

 

   

Augmenting our credit offerings through the use of third-party consumer credit providers to provide flexible financing options to meet the varying needs of our customers, while focusing the use of our credit program to offer credit to customers where third-party programs are not available;

 

   

Limiting the number of months an account can be re-aged and reducing the period of time a delinquent account can remain outstanding before it is charged off. Additionally, we are utilizing shorter contract terms for higher-risk products and smaller-balances originated to continue to increase the payment rate and improve credit quality. We have increased credit lines to higher credit scored customers to allow them to purchase additional products given our furniture and mattress offerings expansion. In total, these changes are expected to continue to improve the performance of our portfolio and increase the cost-effectiveness of our collections operation; and

 

   

In fiscal 2012, we closed 11 retail locations that did not perform at the level we expect for mature store locations. We closed an additional store in May 2012. One of the 12 stores was located in Oklahoma, with 11 of the stores located in Texas, with two located in the Austin market, six in the Dallas market, one in the Houston market and two in the San Antonio market.

While we have benefited from our operations being concentrated in the Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma region in the past, continued weakness in the national and state economies, including instability in the financial markets and the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, have and will present significant challenges to our operations in the coming quarters.

 

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain statement of operations information as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     April 30,  
     2012     2011  

Revenues

    

Product sales

     75.7     75.2

Repair service agreement commissions, net

     5.7        4.6   

Service revenues

     1.7        2.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net sales

     83.1        81.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance charges and other

     16.9        18.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     100.0        100.0   

Cost and expenses

    

Cost of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs

     54.0        55.4   

Cost of service parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy cost

     0.8        0.9   

Selling, general, administrative expense

     29.7        31.0   

Provision for bad debts

     4.6        5.0   

Store closing costs

     0.0        0.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cost and expenses

     89.1        92.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     10.9        7.7   

Interest expense

     1.9        3.9   

Other (income) expense, net

     (0.1     0.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     9.1        3.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

     3.3        1.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     5.8     2.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Analysis of consolidated statements of operations

The presentation of gross margins may not be comparable to some other retailers since we include the cost of our in-home delivery and installation service as part of selling, general and administrative expense. Similarly, we include the cost related to operating our purchasing function in selling, general and administrative expense. It is our understanding that other retailers may include such costs as part of their cost of goods sold.

Total Consolidated

 

     Three Months Ended              
     April 30,     2012 vs. 2011  
(in thousands, except percentages)    2012     2011     Amount     %  

Revenues

        

Product sales

   $ 152,115      $ 144,279      $ 7,836        5.4

Repair service agreement commissions, net

     11,392        8,902        2,490        28.0

Service revenues

     3,430        3,889        (459     (11.8 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total net sales

     166,937        157,070        9,867        6.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Finance charges and other

     33,914        34,912        (998     (2.9 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total revenues

     200,851        191,982        8,869        4.6

Cost and expenses

        

Cost of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs

     108,443        106,453        1,990        1.9

Cost of service parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy cost

     1,550        1,730        (180     (10.4 %) 

Selling, general and administrative expense (a)

     59,656        59,445        211        0.4

Provision for bad debts

     9,185        9,564        (379     (4.0 %) 

Store closing costs

     163        —          163        100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total cost and expenses

     178,997        177,192        1,805        1.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating income

     21,854        14,790        7,064        47.8

Operating margin

     10.9 %       7.7 %      

Interest expense, net

     3,759        7,556        (3,797     (50.3 %) 

Other (income) expense, net

     (96     52        (148     (284.6 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income before income taxes

     18,191        7,182        11,009        153.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Provision for income taxes

     6,635        2,781        3,854        138.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income

   $ 11,556      $ 4,401      $ 7,155        162.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

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Retail Segment

 

     Three Months Ended              
     April 30,     2012 vs. 2011  
(in thousands, except percentages)    2012     2011     Amount     %  

Revenues

        

Product sales

   $ 152,115      $ 144,279      $ 7,836        5.4

Repair service agreement commissions, net

     11,392        8,902        2,490        28.0

Service revenues

     3,430        3,889        (459     (11.8 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total net sales

     166,937        157,070        9,867        6.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Finance charges and other

     241        225        16        7.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total revenues

     167,178        157,295        9,883        6.3

Cost and expenses

        

Cost of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs

     108,443        106,453        1,990        1.9

Cost of service parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy cost

     1,550        1,730        (180     (10.4 )% 

Selling, general and administrative expense (a)

     46,049        44,102        1,947        4.4

Provision for bad debts

     212        143        69        48.3

Costs related to store closings

     163        —          163        100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total cost and expenses

     156,417        152,428        3,989        2.6

Operating income

     10,761        4,867        5,894        121.1

Operating margin

     6.4 %       3.1 %      

Other expense (income), net

     (96     52        (148     (284.6 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Segment income before income taxes

   $ 10,857      $ 4,815      $ 6,042        125.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Credit Segment

 

     Three Months Ended              
     April 30,     2012 vs. 2011  
(in thousands, except percentages)    2012     2011     Amount     %  

Revenues

        

Finance charges and other

   $ 33,673      $ 34,687      $ (1,014     (2.9

Cost and expenses

        

Selling, general and administrative expense (a)

     13,607        15,343        (1,736     (11.3

Provision for bad debts

     8,973        9,421        (448     (4.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total cost and expenses

     22,580        24,764        (2,184     (8.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating income

     11,093        9,923        1,170        11.8   

Operating margin

     32.9 %       28.6 %      

Interest expense, net

     3,759        7,556        (3,797     (50.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Segment income before income taxes

   $ 7,334      $ 2,367      $ 4,967        209.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(a) Selling, general and administrative expenses include the direct expenses of the retail and credit operations, allocated overhead expenses and a charge to the credit segment to reimburse the retail segment for expenses it incurs related to occupancy, personnel, advertising and other direct costs of the retail segment which benefit the credit operations by sourcing credit customers and collecting payments. The reimbursement received by the retail segment from the credit segment is estimated using an annual rate of 2.5% times the average portfolio balance for each applicable period. The amount of overhead allocated to each segment was approximately $2.2 million and $2.2 million for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The amount of reimbursement made to the retail segment by the credit segment was approximately $4.0 million and $4.0 million for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

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Three months ended April 30, 2012 compared to three months ended April 30, 2011

 

     Three Months Ended               
     April 30,      Change  
(in thousands, except percentages)    2012      2011      $     %  

Total net sales

   $ 166,937       $ 157,070         9,867        6.3   

Finance charges and other

     33,914         34,912         (998     (2.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Revenues

   $ 200,851       $ 191,982         8,869        4.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

The following table provides an analysis of net sales by product category in each period, including repair service agreement commissions and service revenues, expressed both in dollar amounts and as a percent of total net sales.

 

     Three Months ended April 30,           %     Same store  
     2012      % of Total     2011      % of Total     Change     Change     % change  
(in thousands except for percertages)                                             

Home appliance

   $ 48,293         28.9   $ 45,133         28.7   $ 3,160        7.0        16.7

Furniture and mattress

     28,446         17.0        21,970         14.0        6,476        29.5        43.1

Consumer electronic

     52,446         31.4        58,132         37.0        (5,686     (9.8     (0.2 %) 

Home office

     12,150         7.3        11,109         7.1        1,041        9.4        19.9

Other

     10,780         6.5        7,935         5.1        2,845        35.9        47.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

     

Product sales

     152,115         91.1        144,279         91.9        7,836        5.4        16.0

Repair service agreement commissions

     11,392         6.8        8,902         5.7        2,490        28.0        36.8

Service revenues

     3,430         2.1        3,889         2.4        (459     (11.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total net sales

   $ 166,937         100.0   $ 157,070         100.0   $ 9,867        6.3        17.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

     

The following provides a summary of items impacting the Company’s product categories during the quarter, compared to the same quarter in the prior fiscal year:

 

 

Home appliance sales increased during the quarter on a 28.7% increase in the average selling price, partially offset by a 15.9% decrease in unit sales. Approximately half of the unit sales decline was attributable to store closures in the prior fiscal year. On a same store basis, laundry sales were up 20.0%, refrigeration sales were up 15.9% and cooking sales were up 32.1%, while room air conditioner sales were down 29.8% due to milder temperatures;

 

 

The growth in furniture and mattress sales was driven by enhanced displays and product selection, and increased promotional activity. The reported increase was moderated by the impact of the store closures. Furniture same store sales growth was driven by a 25.2% increase in the average sales price and a 12.5% increase in unit sales. Mattress same store sales also increased reflecting a favorable shift in product mix with the Company’s decision to discontinue offering low price-point products. The average mattress selling price was up 69.5%, while unit volume declined 12.1% on a same store basis; and

 

 

Consumer electronic sales decreased due primarily to the closure of 11 stores in fiscal year 2012. On a same store basis, sales were comparable with growth in home theater and television sales offset by a reduction in gaming hardware and accessory item sales. With the Company’s decision not to compete for low-priced, low-margin television sales during the current quarter, the same store average selling price for televisions increased 27.4%, while unit sales declined 21.0%;

 

 

Home office sales grew primarily as a result of the expansion of tablet sales and a 24.5% increase in the average selling price of laptop and desktop computers, partially offset by the impact of store closures, a decline in computer unit volume and lower sales of accessory items.

 

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Table of Contents
     Three Months Ended               
     April 30,      Change  
(in thousands, except percentages)    2012      2011      $     %  

Interest income and fees

   $ 28,640       $ 30,632         (1,992     (6.5

Insurance commissions

     5,033         4,056         977        24.1   

Other income

     241         224         17        7.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Finance charges and other

   $ 33,914       $ 34,912         (998     (2.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Interest income and fees and insurance commissions are included in the finance charges and other for the credit segment, while other income is included in finance charges and other for the retail segment.

The decrease in interest income and fees of the credit segment was driven primarily by a decline in portfolio interest and fee yield to 18.0% from 18.9% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, reflecting a higher proportion of short-term promotional receivables outstanding relative to the total portfolio balance outstanding, increased net charge-off levels and a decline in the average balance of customer accounts receivable outstanding.

The following table provides key portfolio performance information for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     April 30,  
     2012     2011  
(in thousands, except percentages)             

Interest income and fees (a)

   $ 28,640      $ 30,632   

Net charge-offs (b)

     (13,529     (11,008

Borrowing costs (c)

     (3,759     (7,556
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net portfolio yield

   $ 11,352      $ 12,068   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average portfolio balance

   $ 634,743      $ 647,754   

Interest income and fee yield % (annualized)

     18.0     18.9

Net charge-off % (annualized)

     8.5     6.8

 

(a) Included in finance charges and other.
(b) Included in provision for bad debts.
(c) Included in interest expense.

 

     Three Months Ended               
     April 30,     Change  
(in thousands, except percentages)    2012     2011     $      %  

Cost of goods sold

   $ 108,443      $ 106,453        1,990         1.9   

Product gross margin percentage

     28.7     26.2        2.5

Product gross margin expanded 250 basis points as a percent of product sales from the quarter ended April 30, 2011 due primarily to a shift in our relative product mix. The majority of the margin expansion was driven by the furniture and mattress category, attributable to improved gross margin levels and year-over-year sales growth which outpaced that of other product offerings.

 

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     Three Months Ended              
     April 30,     Change  
(in thousands, except percentages)    2012     2011     $     %  

Cost of service parts sold

   $ 1,550      $ 1,730        (180     (10.4

As a percent of service revenues

     45.2     44.5       0.7

Cost of service parts sold remained relatively constant while service revenues decreased by $0.4 million.

 

     Three Months Ended              
     April 30,     Change  
(in thousands, except percentages)    2012     2011     $     %  

Selling, general and administrative expense—Retail

   $ 46,049      $ 44,102        1,947        4.4   

Selling, general and administrative expense—Credit

     13,607        15,343        (1,736     (11.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Selling, general and administrative expense—Total

   $ 59,656      $ 59,445        211        0.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

As a percent of total revenues

     29.7     31.0       (1.3 %) 

For the three months ended April 30, 2012, SG&A expense increased $0.2 million, driven by the higher retail sales. These increases were partially offset by reductions in depreciation and occupancy expense, credit personnel costs and reduced credit card fees. The improvement in our SG&A expense as a percentage of total revenues was largely attributable to the leveraging effect of higher total revenues as overall SG&A expenses remained relatively constant.

Significant SG&A expense increases and decreases related to specific business segments included the following:

Retail Segment

The following are the significant factors affecting the retail segment:

 

   

Total compensation costs and related expenses increased approximately $3.6 million from the prior period. The increase was driven by higher sales-related compensation and increases in employee benefit costs;

 

   

Advertising expense increased approximately $0.2 million;

 

   

Depreciation and occupancy expenses decreased approximately $1.1 million with the closure of 11 stores; and

 

   

Credit card fees decreased approximately $0.7 million.

Credit Segment

The following are the significant factors affecting the credit segment:

 

   

Total compensation costs and related expenses decreased approximately $1.0 million from the prior period due to a decrease in staffing as the performance of the portfolio improved and our credit portfolio balance dropped;

 

   

Form printing and purchases and related postage decreased approximately $0.2 million as collection efforts did not utilize letter mailings to the same extent as the prior period; and

 

   

Information technology expenses decreased $0.2 million.

 

     Three Months Ended              
     April 30,     Change  
(in thousands, except percentages)    2012     2011     $     %  

Provision for bad debts

   $ 9,185      $ 9,564        (379     (4.0

As a percent of average portfolio balance (annualized)

     5.8     5.9       (0.1 %) 

The provision for bad debts is primarily related to the operations of our credit segment, with approximately $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the periods ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, included in the results of operations for the retail segment.

The provision for bad debts decreased by $0.4 million for the three months ended April 30, 2012, from $9.6 million in the prior-year period, as the credit portfolio performance continued to improve.

 

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Table of Contents
     Three Months Ended               
     April 30,      Change  
(in thousands, except percentages)    2012      2011      $     %  

Interest expense

   $ 3,759       $ 7,556         (3,797     (50.3

Net interest expense decreased for the three months ended April 30, 2012 decreased by $3.8 million from the prior-year period primarily due to the payoff of higher interest borrowings in the prior period and the effect of a lower overall debt balance outstanding. The entirety of our interest expense is included in the results of operations of the credit segment.

 

     Three Months Ended               
     April 30,     Change  
(in thousands, except percentages)    2012     2011     $      %  

Provision for income taxes

   $ 6,635      $ 2,781        3,854         138.6   

As a percent of income before income taxes

     36.5     38.7        (2.2 %) 

The provision for income taxes increased due to the year-over-year improvement in profitability. The improvement in profitability also drove a decline in the effective tax rate in the current quarter due to the impact of the Texas margin tax, which is based on gross margin and is not affected by changes in income before income taxes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash flow

Operating activities

During the three months ended April 30, 2012, net cash provided by operating activities was $37.1 million, which compares to $51.0 million provided during the prior-year period. The year-over-year improvement in operating performance was more than offset by the impact of a $36.1 million reduction in customer accounts receivable during the three months ended April 30, 2011. In the current-year period, the impact of activity driven investments in receivables and inventory were offset by an increase in accounts payable.

Investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities increased to $14.2 million in the current period, as compared to $0.3 million in the prior period, primarily due to the increase in restricted cash balances related to our VIE’s financing facility and expenditures for store remodels and relocations. We expect during the next nine months to invest between $16 million and $20 million, net of tenant allowances, in capital expenditures for new stores, remodels and other projects.

Financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities decreased from $53.1 million used during the three months ended April 30, 2011, to $22.5 million used during the three months ended April 30, 2012. During the three months ended April 30, 2012, we used net cash provided by operations and net proceeds from our VIE’s bond issuance to pay down outstanding balances under our asset-based revolving credit facility.

 

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Liquidity

We require capital to finance our growth as we add new stores and markets to our operations, which in turn requires additional working capital for increased customer receivables and inventory. We have historically financed our operations through a combination of cash flow generated from earnings and external borrowings, including primarily bank debt, extended terms provided by our vendors for inventory purchases, acquisition of inventory under consignment arrangements and transfers of customer receivables to asset-backed securitization facilities.

We currently have an asset-based revolving credit facility with capacity of $450 million that matures in July 2015. The facility provides funding based on a borrowing base calculation that includes customer accounts receivable and inventory. The credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 350 basis points to 400 basis points, based on a leverage ratio (defined as total liabilities to tangible net worth). In addition to the leverage ratio, the revolving credit facility includes a fixed charge coverage requirement, a minimum customer receivables cash recovery percentage requirement and a net capital expenditures limit. The leverage ratio covenant requirement is a required maximum of 2.00 to 1.00. The fixed charge coverage ratio requirement is a minimum of 1.10 to 1.00. We expect, based on current facts and circumstances, that we will be in compliance with the above covenants for the next 12 months. The weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding under the asset-based revolving credit facility at 4.3% at April 30, 2012.

On April 30, 2012, our VIE issued $103.7 million of notes which bear interest at 4.0% and were sold at a discount to deliver a 5.21% yield, before considering transaction costs. The principal balance of the notes, which are secured by certain customer receivables, will be reduced on a monthly basis by collections on the underlying customer receivables after the payment of interest and other expenses of the VIE. While the final maturity for the notes is April 2016, we currently expect to repay any outstanding note balance in April 2013. Additionally, the notes include a prepayment incentive fee whereby if the notes are not repaid by the expected final principal payment date of April 15, 2013, the VIE will be required to pay, in addition to accrued interest on the notes, a monthly fee equal to an annual rate of 8.5% times the outstanding principal balance. The VIE’s borrowing agreement contains certain covenants, including a minimum net worth requirement for the VIE.

We have an $8.0 million real estate loan, collateralized by three of our owned store locations, that will mature in July 2016 and requires monthly principal payments based on a 15-year amortization schedule. The interest rate on the loan is the prime rate plus 100 basis points with a floor of 5%.

We have interest rate cap options with a notional amount of $100 million. These cap options are held for the purpose of hedging against variable interest rate risk related to the variability of cash flows in the interest payments on a portion of its variable-rate debt, based on the benchmark one-month LIBOR interest rate exceeding 1.0%. These cap options have monthly caplets extending through August, 2014.

The weighted average effective interest rate on borrowings outstanding under all our credit facilities for the three months ended April 30, 2012 was 5.1%, including the interest expense associated with our interest rate caps and amortization of deferred financing costs.

A summary of the significant financial covenants that govern our credit facility compared to our actual compliance status at April 30, 2012, is presented below:

 

     Actual   Required
Minimum/
Maximum

Fixed charge coverage ratio must exceed required minimum

   2.01 to 1.00   1.10 to 1.00

Total liabilities to tangible net worth ratio must be lower than required maximum

   1.15 to 1.00   2.00 to 1.00

Cash recovery percentage must exceed stated amount

   6.10%   4.74%

Capital expenditures, net must be lower than stated amount

   $8.2 million   $25.0 million

Note: All terms in the above table are defined by the revolving credit facility and may or may not agree directly to the financial statement captions in this document. The covenants are required to be calculated quarterly on a trailing twelve month basis, except for the Cash recovery percentage, which is calculated monthly on a trailing three month basis.

As of April 30, 2012, we had immediately available borrowing capacity of $145.4 million under our asset-based revolving credit facility, net of standby letters of credit issued of $4.3 million, available to us for general corporate purposes before considering extended vendor terms for purchases of inventory. In addition to the $145.4 million currently available under the revolving credit facility, an additional $113.5 million may become available if we grow the balance of eligible customer receivables and total eligible inventory balances. Payments received on customer receivables which averaged approximately $46.5 million per month during the three months ended April 30, 2012, are available each month to fund new customer receivables generated.

 

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We will continue to finance our operations and future growth through a combination of cash flow generated from operations and external borrowings, including primarily bank debt, extended vendor terms for purchases of inventory, acquisition of inventory under consignment arrangements and transfers of customer receivables to asset-backed securitization facilities . Based on our current operating plans, we believe that cash generated from operations, available borrowings under our revolving credit facility, extended vendor terms for purchases of inventory, acquisition of inventory under consignment arrangements, and transfers of customer receivable to asset-based securitization facilities will be sufficient to fund our operations, store expansion and updating activities and capital programs for at least the next 12 months, subject to continued compliance with the covenants in our debt and other credit arrangements. Additionally, if there is a default under any of the facilities that is not waived by the various lenders, it could result in the requirement to immediately begin repayment of all amounts owed under our credit facilities, as all of the facilities have cross-default provisions that would result in default under all of the facilities if there is a default under any one of the facilities. If the repayment of amounts owed under our debit and other credit arrangements is accelerated for any reason, we may not have sufficient cash and liquid assets at such time to be able to immediately repay all the amounts owed under the facilities.

The revolving credit facility is a significant factor relative to our ongoing liquidity and our ability to meet the cash needs associated with the growth of our business. Our inability to use this program because of a failure to comply with its covenants would adversely affect our business operations. Funding of current and future customer receivables under the borrowing facility can be adversely affected if we exceed certain predetermined levels of re-aged customer receivables, write-offs, bankruptcies or other ineligible customer receivable amounts.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our VIE issued $103.7 million of fixed-rate notes on April 30, 2012. The notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.0% and were sold at a discount to deliver a 5.21% yield, before considering transaction costs. Net proceeds from the offering were used to repay borrowings under our asset-based revolving credit facility, which bears interest at LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 350 basis points to 400 basis points, based on a leverage ratio (defined as total liabilities to tangible net worth). There have been no other significant changes to our market risk since January 31, 2012.

For additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk, see Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” of Conn’s, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Based on management’s evaluation (with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO)), as of the end of the period covered by this report, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)), are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

For the three months ended April 30, 2012, there have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company is involved in routine litigation and claims incidental to its business from time to time, and, as required, has accrued its estimate of the probable costs for the resolution of these matters, which are not expected to be material. These estimates have been developed in consultation with counsel and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. Recently, the Company has been included in various patent infringement claims and litigation, the outcomes of which are difficult to predict at this time. Due to the timing of these matters, the Company has determined that no reasonable estimates of probable costs for resolution can be ascertained at this time, and it is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular period could be materially affected by changes in the Company’s assumptions or the effectiveness of its strategies related to these proceedings. However, the results of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, and changes in facts and circumstances could impact the Company’s estimate of reserves for litigation.

 

27


Table of Contents
Item 1A. Risk Factors

As of the date of the filing, there have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Part 1, Item A, of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure

None.

 

Item 5. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 30, 2012, the following proposals were submitted to stockholders with the following results:

 

  1. Election of seven directors:

 

     Number of Shares  
     For      Withheld  

Marvin D. Brailsford

     26,583,033         415,748   

Jon E.M. Jacoby

     25,558,096         1,440,685   

Bob L. Martin

     26,541,789         456,992   

Douglas H. Martin

     26,500,751         498,030   

David Schofman

     26,585,695         413,086   

Scott L. Thompson

     25,073,829         1,924,952   

Theodore M. Wright

     26,478,852         519,929   

 

  2. Approval of an amendment to certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock from 40 million (40,000,000) shares to 50 million (50,000,000).

 

     Number of Shares  

For

     26,806,262   

Against

     187,888   

Abstain

     4,631   

 

  3. Approval of an Incentive Compensation Award Agreement with Theodore M. Wright, our Chief Executive Officer:

 

     Number of Shares  

For

     26,791,784   

Against

     129,874   

Abstain

     77,123   

 

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Table of Contents
  4. Ratification of the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2013.

 

     Number of Shares  

For

     30,220,852   

Against

     17,415   

Abstain

     3,366   

 

  5. Advisory vote for the approval of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers:

 

     Number of Shares  

For

     24,267,029   

Against

     2,199,207   

Abstain

     532,545   

 

  6. Approval of such other business as may properly come before the Meeting:

 

     Number of Shares  

For

     20,298,737   

Against

     9,731,213   

Abstain

     211,683   

 

Item 6. Other Information

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to our board of directors since we last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 7(d)(2)(ii)(G) of Schedule 14A.

 

Item 7. Exhibits

The exhibits required to be furnished pursuant to Item 6 of Form 10-Q are listed in the Exhibit Index filed herewith, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURE

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.

 

CONN’S, INC.
 
By:  

/s/ Brian E. Taylor

  Brian E. Taylor
  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial Officer and duly authorized to sign this report on behalf of the registrant)

Date: June 5, 2012

 

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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

2    Agreement and Plan of Merger dated January 15, 2003, by and among Conn’s, Inc., Conn Appliances, Inc. and Conn’s Merger Sub, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to Conn’s, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).
3.1    Certificate of Incorporation of Conn’s, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Conn’s, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).
3.1.1    Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Conn’s, Inc. dated June 3, 2004 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2004 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 7, 2004).
3.1.2    Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Conn’s, Inc. dated May 30, 2012 (filed herewith).
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Conn’s, Inc. effective as of June 3, 2008 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2.3 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2008 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 4, 2008).
4.1    Specimen of certificate for shares of Conn’s, Inc.’s common stock (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Conn’s, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2003).
10.1    Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Conn’s, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003). t
10.1.1    Amendment to the Conn’s, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1.1 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2004 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 7, 2004). t
10.1.2    Form of Stock Option Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1.2 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2005 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2005). t
10.1.3    2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2011.
10.1.4    Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement from Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1.4 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 2011 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 8, 2011).
10.2    2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Conn’s, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046)as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003). t
10.2.1    Form of Stock Option Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2.1 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-K for the annual period ended January 31, 2005 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2005). t
10.2.2    Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2011.

 

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10.2.3    Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement from Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2011.
10.3    Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Conn’s, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).t
10.4    Conn’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Conn’s, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003).t
10.5    Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated November 30, 2010, by and among Conn’s, Inc. and the Borrowers thereunder, the Lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., a national banking association, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for the Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association , as Co-Syndication Agent, Joint Book Runner and Co-Lead Arranger for the Lenders, Wells Fargo Preferred Capital, Inc., as Co-Syndication Agent for the Lenders, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as Joint Book Runner and Co-Lead Arranger for the Lenders, Capital One, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agent for the Lenders, and Regions Business Capital, a division of Regions Bank, as Co-Documentation Agent for the Lenders incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9.4 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended October 31, 2010 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 2, 2010).
10.5.1    Amended and Restated Security Agreement dated November 30, 2010, by and among Conn’s, Inc. and the Existing Grantors thereunder, and Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as Agent for Lenders (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9.6 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended October 31, 2010 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 2, 2010).
10.5.2    Amended and Restated Continuing Guaranty dated as of November 30, 2010, by Conn’s, Inc. and the Existing Guarantors thereunder, in favor of Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as Agent for Lenders (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9.7 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended October 31, 2010 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 2, 2010).
10.5.3    First Amendment to Amended and Restated Security Agreement dated July 28, 2011, by and among Conn’s, Inc. and the Existing Grantors thereunder, and Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as Agent for Lenders (incorporated herein by reference to Form 8-K (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11, 2011).
10.6    Non-Executive Employment Agreement between Conn’s, Inc. and Thomas J. Frank, Sr., approved by the Board of Directors June 19, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14.1 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended October 31, 2009 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 27, 2009). t
10.7    Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Conn’s, Inc. registration statement on Form S-1 (file no. 333-109046) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2003). t
10.8    Description of Compensation Payable to Non-Employee Directors (incorporated herein by reference to Form 8-K (file no. 000-50421) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 2005). t
10.9    Executive Severance Agreement between Conn’s, Inc. and Michael J. Poppe, approved by the Board of Directors August 31, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 2011 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 8, 2011).
10.10    Executive Severance Agreement between Conn’s, Inc. and David W. Trahan, approved by the Board of Directors August 31, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 2011 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 8, 2011).
10.11    Executive Severance Agreement between Conn’s, Inc. and Reymundo de la Fuente, approved by the Board of Directors August 31, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Conn’s, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 2011 (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 8, 2011).

 

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Table of Contents
10.12    Executive Severance Agreement between Conn’s, Inc. and Theodore M. Wright, approved by the Board of Directors December 05, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Form 8-K (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 8, 2011).
10.12.1    Incentive Compensation Award Agreement between Conn’s, Inc. and Theodore M. Wright, approved by the Board of Directors May 30, 2012 (filed herewith).
10.13    Executive Severance Agreement between Conn’s, Inc. and Brian E. Taylor, approved by the Board of Directors April 23, 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Form 8-K (File No. 000-50421) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 2012).
10.14    Base Indenture dated April 30, 2012, by and between Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP, as Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (filed herewith).
10.15    Series 2012-A Supplement dated April 30, 2012, by and between Conn’s Receivable Funding I, LP, as Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (filed herewith).
10.16    Servicing Agreement dated April 30, 2012, by and among Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP, as Issuer, Conn Appliances, Inc., as Servicer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (filed herewith).
11.1    Statement re: computation of earnings per share is included under Note 1 to the financial statements.
12.1    Statement of computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (filed herewith)
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Chief Executive Officer) (filed herewith).
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Chief Financial Officer) (filed herewith).
32.1    Section 1350 Certification (Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) (furnished herewith).
101    The following financial information from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of fiscal 2013, filed with the SEC on June 5, 2012, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the condensed consolidated balance sheets at April 30, 2012 and January 31, 2012 and, (ii) the consolidated statements of earnings for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, (iii) the consolidated statements of cash flows for three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, (iv) the consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
t    Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

33

Exhibit 3.1.2

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF CONN’S, INC.

(“CORPORATION”)

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the undersigned Corporation files the following Certificate of Amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation (the Certificate of Incorporation ”), which amends Article Four thereof so as to increase the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation from 41,000,000 to 51,000,000 shares.

I

The same of the Corporation is Conn’s, Inc.

II

The following amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation was adopted by the board of directors of the Corporation on March 27, 2012, and by the stockholders of the Corporation on May 30, 2012:

Article Four of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

“The aggregate number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is fifty one million (51,000,000) shares of stock, of which fifty million (50,000,000) shares are Common Stock, par value of $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), and one million (1,000,000) shares are Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Preferred Stock”).”

III

The number of votes of holders of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the time of such adoption was 32,281,495 , which represents one vote for each of the 32,281,495 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding and entitled to vote on the amendment.

IV

The number of votes which voted for the amendment was 26,808,262 while the number of votes which voted against the amendments was 187,888. 4,631 shares abstained from voting on the amendment.

V

This amendment to Article Four of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand as of the 30th day of May, 2012.

CONN’S, INC.

By: /s/ Sydney K. Boone, Jr.                                                 

      Sydney K. Boone, Jr.

      Corporate General Counsel and Secretary

Exhibit 10.12.1

INCENTIVE COMPENSATION AWARD

AGREEMENT

This Incentive Compensation Award Agreement (this “ Agreement” ) is made and entered into as of this 1st day of April, 2012, by and between Conn’s Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Conn’s ”), and Theodore M. Wright, an individual (the “ Executive ”).

1. The Executive and Conn’s agree that Executive shall be eligible to receive a cash bonus (the “ Incentive Compensation ”) following the close of the 2013 fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter for which Executive continues his employment with Conn’s (each such fiscal year, a “ Performance Period ”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

2. Within 90 days after the commencement of each Performance Period the Compensation Committee shall establish in writing the objective formula for determining the Incentive Compensation for such Performance Period using one or more of the following performance measures applied with respect to Conn’s or any affiliate or division of Conn’s: (a) total revenues or any component thereof; (b) operating income, pre-tax or after-tax income, EBITA, EBITDA or net income; (c) cash flow, free cash flow or net cash from operations; (d) earnings per share; (e) value of the Conn’s stock or total return to stockholders; and (f) any combination of any or all of the foregoing criteria, in each case on an absolute or relative basis.

3. The Compensation Committee shall, promptly after the date on which all necessary financial or other information for a particular Performance Period becomes available, certify (a) the degree to which each of the performance measures has been attained and (b) the amount of the Incentive Compensation, if any, payable to the Executive. Such amount shall be paid to the Executive not later than thirty (30) days following such certification.

 

4. The Incentive Compensation for any Performance Period may not exceed $1,920,000.

5. No Incentive Compensation shall be paid to the Executive for a Performance Period if the Executive is not employed by Conn’s on the last day of such Performance Period.

6. The Executive and Conn’s agree that the Incentive Compensation is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.162-27(e).

[S IGNATURE P AGE F OLLOWS ]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

EXECUTIVE     CONN’S, INC.

/s/ Theodore M. Wright

    By:  

/s/ Sydney K. Boone, Jr.

Theodore M. Wright    

Sydney K. Boone, Jr.

Corporate General Counsel

Exhibit 10.14

CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP,

as Issuer

and

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

 

 

BASE INDENTURE

Dated as of April 30, 2012

 

 

Asset Backed Notes

(Issuable in Series)


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

  

Section 1.1. Definitions

     2   

Section 1.2. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     24   

Section 1.3. Cross-References

     24   

Section 1.4. Accounting and Financial Determinations; No Duplication

     24   

Section 1.5. Rules of Construction

     25   

Section 1.6. Other Definitional Provisions

     25   

ARTICLE 2. THE NOTES

  

Section 2.1. Designation and Terms of Notes

     25   

Section 2.2. New Series Issuances

     26   

Section 2.3. [Reserved]

     27   

Section 2.4. Execution and Authentication

     27   

Section 2.5. Authenticating Agent

     27   

Section 2.6. Registration of Transfer and Exchange of Notes

     28   

Section 2.7. Appointment of Paying Agent

     32   

Section 2.8. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

     32   

Section 2.9. Private Placement Legend

     33   

Section 2.10. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes

     34   

Section 2.11. Temporary Notes

     35   

Section 2.12. Persons Deemed Owners

     36   

Section 2.13. Cancellation

     36   

Section 2.14. Release of Trust Estate

     36   

Section 2.15. Payment of Principal and Interest

     37   

Section 2.16. Book-Entry Notes

     37   

Section 2.17. Notices to Clearing Agency

     40   

Section 2.18. Definitive Notes

     40   

Section 2.19. Global Note

     41   

Section 2.20. Tax Treatment

     41   

Section 2.21. Duties of the Trustee and the Transfer Agent and Registrar

     42   

ARTICLE 3. [ARTICLE 3 IS RESERVED AND SHALL BE SPECIFIED IN ANY SUPPLEMENT WITH RESPECT TO ANY SERIES OF NOTES]

  

ARTICLE 4. NOTEHOLDER LISTS AND REPORTS

  

Section 4.1. Issuer To Furnish To Trustee Names and Addresses of Noteholders

     42   

Section 4.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Noteholders

     42   

Section 4.3. Reports by Issuer

     43   

Section 4.4. Reports by Trustee

     44   

Section 4.5. Reports and Records for the Trustee and Instructions

     44   

ARTICLE 5. ALLOCATION AND APPLICATION OF COLLECTIONS

  

Section 5.1. Rights of Noteholders

     44   

Section 5.2. Collection of Money

     44   

Section 5.3. Establishment of Accounts

     45   

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

Section 5.4. Collections and Allocations

     47   

Section 5.5. Determination of Monthly Interest

     48   

Section 5.6. Determination of Monthly Principal

     48   

Section 5.7. General Provisions Regarding Accounts

     48   

Section 5.8. Removed Receivables

     48   

Section 5.9. [Reserved]

     49   

Section 5.10. Servicer Letter of Credit

     49   

ARTICLE 6. [ARTICLE 6 IS RESERVED AND SHALL BE SPECIFIED IN ANY SUPPLEMENT WITH RESPECT TO ANY SERIES]

  

ARTICLE 7. [ARTICLE 7 IS RESERVED AND SHALL BE SPECIFIED IN ANY SUPPLEMENT WITH RESPECT TO ANY SERIES]

  

ARTICLE 8. COVENANTS

  

Section 8.1. Money for Payments To Be Held in Trust

     52   

Section 8.2. Affirmative Covenants of Issuer

     52   

Section 8.3. Negative Covenants

     58   

Section 8.4. Further Instruments and Acts

     61   

Section 8.5. Appointment of Successor Servicer

     61   

Section 8.6. Perfection Representations

     61   

ARTICLE 9. [RESERVED]

  

ARTICLE 10. REMEDIES

  

Section 10.1. Events of Default

     61   

Section 10.2. Rights of the Trustee Upon Events of Default

     62   

Section 10.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee

     63   

Section 10.4. Remedies

     65   

Section 10.5. [Reserved]

     66   

Section 10.6. Waiver of Past Events

     66   

Section 10.7. Limitation on Suits

     66   

Section 10.8. Unconditional Rights of Holders to Receive Payment; Withholding Taxes

     67   

Section 10.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies

     67   

Section 10.10. The Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     67   

Section 10.11. Priorities

     68   

Section 10.12. Undertaking for Costs

     68   

Section 10.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative

     68   

Section 10.14. Delay or Omission Not Waiver

     68   

Section 10.15. Control by Noteholders

     69   

Section 10.16. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws

     69   

Section 10.17. Action on Notes

     69   

Section 10.18. Performance and Enforcement of Certain Obligations

     69   

Section 10.19. Reassignment of Surplus

     70   

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

ARTICLE 11. THE TRUSTEE

  

Section 11.1. Duties of the Trustee

     70   

Section 11.2. Rights of the Trustee

     73   

Section 11.3. Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Notes

     75   

Section 11.4. Individual Rights of the Trustee

     75   

Section 11.5. Notice of Defaults

     75   

Section 11.6. Compensation

     76   

Section 11.7. Replacement of the Trustee

     76   

Section 11.8. Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

     77   

Section 11.9. Eligibility: Disqualification

     78   

Section 11.10. Appointment of Co-Trustee or Separate Trustee

     78   

Section 11.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer

     80   

Section 11.12. Tax Returns

     80   

Section 11.13. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Notes

     80   

Section 11.14. Suits for Enforcement

     80   

Section 11.15. Reports by Trustee to Holders

     80   

Section 11.16. Representations and Warranties of Trustee

     80   

Section 11.17. The Issuer Indemnification of the Trustee

     81   

Section 11.18. Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Issuer

     81   

Section 11.19. [Reserved]

     81   

Section 11.20. Maintenance of Office or Agency

     81   

Section 11.21. Concerning the Rights of the Trustee

     81   

Section 11.22. Direction to the Trustee

     82   

ARTICLE 12. DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

  

Section 12.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

     82   

Section 12.2. Application of Issuer Money

     82   

Section 12.3. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent

     82   

Section 12.4. [Reserved]

     83   

Section 12.5. Final Payment with Respect to Any Series

     83   

Section 12.6. Termination Rights of Issuer

     84   

Section 12.7. Repayment to the Issuer

     84   

ARTICLE 13. AMENDMENTS

  

Section 13.1. Without Consent of the Noteholders

     84   

Section 13.2. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Noteholders

     85   

Section 13.3. Execution of Supplemental Indentures

     87   

Section 13.4. Effect of Supplemental Indenture

     87   

Section 13.5. Conformity With TIA

     88   

Section 13.6. Reference in Notes to Supplemental Indentures

     88   

Section 13.7. Series Supplements

     88   

Section 13.8. Revocation and Effect of Consents

     88   

Section 13.9. Notation on or Exchange of Notes

     88   

Section 13.10. The Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

     88   

Section 13.11. Back-Up Servicer Consent

     89   

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

ARTICLE 14. REDEMPTION AND REFINANCING OF NOTES

  

Section 14.1. Redemption and Refinancing

     89   

Section 14.2. Form of Redemption Notice

     89   

Section 14.3. Notes Payable on Redemption Date

     90   

ARTICLE 15. MISCELLANEOUS

  

Section 15.1. Compliance Certificates and Opinions, etc.

     90   

Section 15.2. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee

     92   

Section 15.3. Acts of Noteholders

     92   

Section 15.4. Notices

     93   

Section 15.5. Notices to Noteholders: Waiver

     94   

Section 15.6. Alternate Payment and Notice Provisions

     94   

Section 15.7. Conflict with TIA

     94   

Section 15.8. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

     95   

Section 15.9. Successors and Assigns

     95   

Section 15.10. Separability of Provisions

     95   

Section 15.11. Benefits of Indenture

     95   

Section 15.12. Legal Holidays

     95   

Section 15.13. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION

     95   

Section 15.14. Counterparts

     96   

Section 15.15. Recording of Indenture

     96   

Section 15.16. Issuer Obligation

     96   

Section 15.17. No Bankruptcy Petition Against the Issuer

     96   

Section 15.18. No Joint Venture

     97   

Section 15.19. Rule 144A Information

     97   

Section 15.20. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

     97   

Section 15.21. Third-Party Beneficiaries

     97   

Section 15.22. Merger and Integration

     97   

Section 15.23. Rules by the Trustee

     97   

Section 15.24. Duplicate Originals

     97   

Section 15.25. Waiver of Trial by Jury

     97   

Exhibits:

 

Exhibit A: Form of Release and Reconveyance of Trust Estate

Exhibit B: Form of Installment Contract and Revolving Charge Account Agreement

Exhibit C: Form of Lien Release

Schedule 1 Perfection Representations, Warranties and Covenants

 

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BASE INDENTURE, dated as of April 30, 2012, between CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP, a special purpose limited partnership established under the laws of Texas, as issuer (the “ Issuer ”) and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, as Trustee.

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly executed and delivered this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of one or more Series of Notes, issuable as provided in this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Issuer, enforceable in accordance with its terms, have been done, and the Issuer proposes to do all the things necessary to make the Notes, when executed by the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee hereunder and duly issued by the Issuer, the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuer as hereinafter provided;

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the receipt of the Notes by the Noteholders, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Noteholders, as follows:

GRANTING CLAUSE

The Issuer hereby grants to the Trustee at the Closing Date, for the benefit of the Trustee, the Noteholders, and any other Person to which any Issuer Obligations are payable (the “ Secured Parties ”), to secure the Issuer Obligations, a continuing Lien on all of the Issuer’s right, title and interest in, to and under the following property whether now owned or hereafter acquired, now existing or hereafter created and wherever located (a) all Contracts and all Receivables; (b) all Collections thereon received after the Cut-Off Date; (c) all Related Security; (d) the Collection Account, each Investor Account, any Series Account and any other account maintained by the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties of any Series of Notes (each such account, a “ Trust Account ”), all monies from time to time deposited therein and all Permitted Investments and other investment property from time to time credited thereto; (e) all certificates and instruments, if any, representing or evidencing any or all of the Trust Accounts or the funds on deposit therein from time to time; (f) all Permitted Investments made at any time and from time to time with moneys in the Trust Accounts or any subaccount thereof; (g) all monies available under the Servicer Letter of Credit; (h) the Issuer’s rights, powers and benefits, but none of its obligations, under the Servicing Agreement and the Purchase Agreement; (i) all additional property that may from time to time hereafter (pursuant to the terms of any Series Supplement or otherwise) be subjected to the grant and pledge made by the Issuer or by anyone on its behalf; and (j) all present and future claims, demands, causes and choses in action and all payments on or under and all proceeds of every kind and nature whatsoever in respect of any or all of the foregoing, including all proceeds of all of the foregoing and the conversion thereof, voluntary or involuntary, into cash or other liquid property, all cash proceeds, accounts, accounts receivable, notes, drafts, acceptances, chattel paper, checks, deposit accounts, insurance proceeds, investment property, rights to payment of any and every kind and other forms of obligations and receivables, instruments and other property which at any time constitute all or part of or are included in the proceeds of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Trust Estate ”).


The foregoing Grant is made in trust to secure the payment of principal of and interest on, and any other amounts owing in respect of, the Issuer Obligations, equally and ratably without prejudice, priority or distinction except as set forth herein, and to secure compliance with the provisions of this Indenture, all as provided in this Indenture.

The Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, hereby acknowledges such Grant, accepts the trusts under this Indenture in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Lien on the Trust Estate conveyed by the Issuer pursuant to the Grant, declares that it shall maintain such right, title and interest, upon the trust set forth, for the benefit of all Secured Parties, subject to Sections 11.1 and 11.2 , and agrees to perform its duties required in this Indenture to the best of its ability to the end that the interests of the Secured Parties may be adequately and effectively protected.

ARTICLE 1.

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.1. Definitions . Certain capitalized terms used herein (including the preamble and the recitals hereto) shall have the following meanings:

Adverse Claim ” means a Lien on any Person’s assets or properties in favor of any other Person (including any UCC financing statement or any similar instrument filed against such Person’s assets or properties), other than a Permitted Encumbrance.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if the controlling Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the controlled Person, whether through ownership of voting stock, by contract or otherwise.

Agent ” means any Transfer Agent and Registrar or Paying Agent.

Aggregate Investor Net Loss Amount ” has, with respect to any Series of Notes, the meaning specified in the related Series Supplement.

Amortization Commencement Date ” means, with respect to a Series of Notes, the date on which an Amortization Period starts.

Amortization Period ” has, with respect to any Series of Notes, the meaning specified in the related Series Supplement.

Applicants ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.2(b) .

Available Servicer Letter of Credit Amount ” means the amount available under the terms of the Servicer Letter of Credit and, if applicable, Section 5.10(e) .

 

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Back-Up Servicer ” has the meaning specified in the Servicing Agreement.

Back-Up Servicing Agreement ” has the meaning specified in the Servicing Agreement.

Bankruptcy Code ” means The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as amended from time to time, and as codified as 11 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq .

Base Indenture ” means this Base Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2012, between the Issuer and the Trustee, as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time, exclusive of Series Supplements.

Benefit Plan ” means any employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA in respect of which the Issuer, the Seller, an Originator, Servicer or any ERISA Affiliate thereof is, or at any time during the immediately preceding six (6) years was, an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA, or with respect to which the Issuer, the Seller, an Originator, Servicer or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has any liability, contingent or otherwise.

Benefit Plan Investor ” mean an “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, which is subject to Title I of ERISA, a “plan” as described in Section 4975 of the Code, which is subject to Section 4975 of the Code, or an entity deemed to hold plan assets of any of the foregoing.

Book-Entry Notes ” means Notes in which beneficial interests are owned and transferred through book entries by a Clearing Agency or a Foreign Clearing Agency as described in Section 2.16 ; provided that after the occurrence of a condition whereupon book-entry registration and transfer are no longer permitted and Definitive Notes are issued to the Note Owners, such Definitive Notes shall replace Book-Entry Notes.

Business Day ” unless otherwise specified in a Series Supplement, means any day that DTC is open for business at its office in New York City and any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions or trust companies in the State of New York generally, the City of New York, Chicago, Illinois, Beaumont, Texas, St. Joseph, Missouri or Minneapolis, Minnesota are authorized or obligated by law, executive order or governmental decree to be closed.

Business Taxes ” means any Federal, state or local income taxes or taxes measured by income, property taxes, excise taxes, franchise taxes or similar taxes.

Capitalized Lease ” of a Person means any lease of property by such Person as lessee which would be capitalized on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Class ” means, with respect to any Series, any one of the classes of Notes of that Series as specified in the related Series Supplement.

Clearing Agency ” means an organization registered as a “clearing agency” pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act or any successor provision thereto.

 

3


Clearing Agency Participant ” means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time a Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency effects book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency.

Clearstream ” means Clearstream Banking, société anonyme.

Closing Date ” means April 30, 2012.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Collateral Interests ” has the meaning, if any, with respect to any Series, specified in the related Series Supplement.

Collection Account ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.3(a) .

Collections ” means, with respect to any Receivable, all cash collections and other cash proceeds of such Receivable made by or on behalf of Obligors, including, without limitation, all principal, Finance Charges and Recoveries, if any, and cash proceeds of Related Security with respect to such Receivable (including any insurance and RSA proceeds and returned premiums) and any Deemed Collections in each case, received after the Cut-Off Date; provided , however , that, if not otherwise specified, the term “Collections” shall refer to the Collections on all the Receivables collectively together with any Investment Earnings and any other funds received with respect to the Trust Estate.

Conn Appliances ” means Conn Appliances, Inc., a Texas corporation.

Conn Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed by any Responsible Officer of the Issuer, the Seller or Conn Appliances, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee.

Consolidated Parent ” means initially, Conn’s, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor to Conn’s, Inc. as the indirect or direct parent of Conn Appliances, the financial statements of which are for financial reporting purposes consolidated with Conn Appliances in accordance with GAAP, or if there is none, then Conn Appliances.

Contract ” means any Installment Contract or Revolving Charge Account Agreement (which “Installment Contract or Revolving Charge Account Agreement” has been acquired (or purported to be acquired) by the Issuer from the Seller pursuant to the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement).

Contractual Obligation ” means, with respect to any Person, any provision of any security issued by that Person or of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement or other instrument to which that Person is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound or to which it or any of its properties is subject.

Corporate Trust Office ” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date of the execution of this Base Indenture is located at MAC N9311-161, 6 th and Marquette, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479, Attention: Corporate Trust Services/Asset-Backed Administration.

 

4


Credit and Collection Policies ” means the Servicer’s credit and collection policy or policies relating to Contracts and Receivables existing on the Closing Date and referred to in Exhibit C to the Servicing Agreement, as the same is amended, supplemented or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time in compliance with Section 2.12(c) of the Servicing Agreement; provided , however , if the Servicer is any Person other than the initial Servicer, “Credit and Collection Policies” shall refer to the collection policies of such Servicer as they relate to receivables of a similar nature to the Receivables.

Cut-Off Date ” shall mean March 31, 2012.

Daily Payment Event ” means any of the following events:

(i) the termination of Conn Appliances as Servicer;

(ii) a Servicer Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(iii) thirty-five (35) days (or five (5) Business Days, if the Servicer Letter of Credit Bank does not have letter of credit ratings equal to or higher than F3 (or the equivalent thereof) from the Rating Agency (or, if not rated by the Rating Agency, from any other rating agency)) shall have passed from the date the initial Servicer received notice pursuant to Section 5.10(b) of the downgrading of the letter of credit rating of the Servicer Letter of Credit Bank below the Required Rating and either (A) there shall not have been delivered to the Trustee a substitute Servicer Letter of Credit in accordance with Section 5.10(c) or (B) the initial Servicer shall not have instructed the Trustee to make a demand for a drawing under the Servicer Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 5.10(b) and in accordance with Section 5.10(e) ;

(iv) five (5) Business Days remain to the expiry or termination of the Servicer Letter of Credit and there shall not have been delivered to the Trustee a substitute Servicer Letter of Credit in accordance with Section 5.10(c) ; or

(v) the Servicer Letter of Credit shall be less than 1.00% of the then outstanding principal balance of the Class A Notes.

Deemed Collections ” means in connection with any Receivable, all amounts payable (without duplication) with respect to such Receivable, by (i) the Seller pursuant to Section 2.4 of the Purchase Agreement, (ii) the initial Servicer pursuant to Section 2.08 or Section 2.13 of the Servicing Agreement and/or (iii) the Issuer pursuant to Section 3.02(d) of the Servicing Agreement.

Default ” means any occurrence that is, or with notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default.

Defaulted Receivable ” means a Receivable (i) as to which, at the end of any Monthly Period, any scheduled payment, or part thereof, remains unpaid for 210 days or more past the due date for such payment determined by reference to the contractual payment terms, as amended, of such Receivable or (ii) which, consistent with the Credit and Collection Policies, would be written off the Issuer’s, the Seller’s or the Servicer’s books as uncollectible.

 

5


Definitive Notes ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16(f) .

Delinquent Receivable ” means a Receivable (other than a Defaulted Receivable) as to which (i) all or any part of a scheduled payment remains unpaid for thirty-one (31) days or more from the due date for such payment or (ii) the Obligor thereon is suffering or has suffered an Event of Bankruptcy.

Depository ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16 .

Depository Agreement ” means, with respect to each Series, the agreement among the Issuer and the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency, or as otherwise provided in the related Series Supplement.

Determination Date ” means, unless otherwise specified in the related Series Supplement, the third Business Day prior to each Series Transfer Date.

Dollars ” and the symbol “ $ ” mean the lawful currency of the United States.

DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company.

Earned Finance Charges ” means, with respect to any Monthly Period, the Finance Charges that have accrued during such Monthly Period with respect to the Receivables and any Investment Earnings for such Monthly Period.

Eligible Installment Contract Receivable ” means, as of the Cut-Off Date, each Installment Contract Receivable:

(a) that was originated in compliance with all applicable requirements of law (including without limitation all laws, rules and regulations relating to truth in lending, fair credit billing, fair credit reporting, fair debt collection practices and privacy) and which complies with all applicable requirements of law;

(b) with respect to which all consents, licenses, approvals or authorizations of, or registrations or declarations with, any Governmental Authority required to be obtained, effected or given by the Seller in connection with the creation or the execution, delivery and performance of such Receivable, have been duly obtained, effected or given and are in full force and effect;

(c) as to which, at the time of the sale of such Receivable to Issuer, the Seller was the sole owner thereof and had good and marketable title thereto free and clear of all Liens;

(d) that is the legal, valid and binding payment obligation of the Obligor thereon enforceable against such Obligor in accordance with its terms and is not subject to any right of rescission, setoff, counterclaim or defense (including the defense of usury) or to any repurchase obligation or return right;

 

6


(e) the related Installment Contract of which constitutes an “account” or “chattel paper”, in each case under and as defined in Article 9 of the UCC of all applicable jurisdictions;

(f) that was established in accordance with the Credit and Collection Policies in the regular and ordinary course of the business of the related Originator; provided that Installment Contract Receivables representing up to 5% of the Outstanding Receivables Balance of all Installment Contract Receivables may not have been established in accordance with the Credit and Collection Policies and shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this paragraph (f)  so long as the credit applications for such Installment Contract Receivables were approved by a senior manager and the related Obligors shall have made at least six consecutive payments by the due date therefor with respect to such Installment Contract Receivables;

(g) that is denominated and payable in Dollars, is only payable in the United States of America and each Obligor in respect of which resides in the United States of America;

(h) other than a Receivable (i) that is a Defaulted Receivable or (ii) as to which, on the related Purchase Date, all of the original Obligors obligated thereon are deceased;

(i) the terms of which have not been modified or waived except as permitted under the Credit and Collection Policies or the Transaction Documents;

(j) that was originated in connection with a sale of Merchandise by an Originator;

(k) that has no Obligor thereon that is a Governmental Authority;

(l) the original terms of which provide for repayment in full of the amount financed or the principal balance thereof in equal monthly installments over a maximum term not to exceed forty-eight months;

(m) the assignment of which to Issuer does not contravene or conflict with any law, rule or regulation or any contractual or other restriction, limitation or encumbrance, and the sale or assignment of which does not require the consent of the Obligor thereof; and

(n) that is originated under an Installment Contract substantially in the form of one of the Installment Contracts attached as Exhibit B hereto (with such changes therein as may be necessary or desirable from time to time in light of local statutes and regulations).

 

7


Eligible Receivable ” means an Eligible Revolving Charge Receivable or an Eligible Installment Contract Receivable.

Eligible Revolving Charge Receivable ” means, as of the Cut-Off Date, each Revolving Charge Receivable:

(a) that was originated in compliance with all applicable requirements of law (including without limitation all laws, rules and regulations relating to truth in lending, fair credit billing, fair credit reporting, fair debt collection practices and privacy) and which complies with all applicable requirements of law;

(b) with respect to which all consents, licenses, approvals or authorizations of, or registrations or declarations with, any Governmental Authority required to be obtained, effected or given by the Seller in connection with the creation or the execution, delivery and performance of such Receivable, have been duly obtained, effected or given and are in full force and effect;

(c) as to which, at the time of the sale of such Receivable to Issuer, the Seller was the sole owner thereof and had good and marketable title thereto free and clear of all Liens;

(d) that is the legal, valid and binding payment obligation of the Obligor thereon enforceable against such Obligor in accordance with its terms and is not subject to any right of rescission, setoff, counterclaim or defense (including the defense of usury) or to any repurchase obligation or return right;

(e) the related Revolving Charge Account Agreement of which constitutes an “account” or “chattel paper”, in each case under and as defined in Article 9 of the UCC of all applicable jurisdictions;

(f) that was established in accordance with the Credit and Collection Policies in the regular and ordinary course of the business of the Originators; provided that Revolving Charge Receivables representing up to 5% of the Outstanding Receivables Balance of all Revolving Charge Receivables may not have been established in accordance with the Credit and Collection Policies and shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this paragraph (f)  so long as the credit applications for such Revolving Charge Receivables were approved by a senior manager and the related Obligors shall have made at least six consecutive payments by the due date therefor with respect to such Revolving Charge Receivables;

(g) that is denominated and payable in Dollars, is only payable in the United States of America and each Obligor in respect of which resides in the United States of America;

(h) other than a Receivable (i) that is a Defaulted Receivable or (ii) as to which, on the related Purchase Date, all of the original Obligors obligated thereon are deceased;

 

8


(i) that arises under a Revolving Charge Account Agreement the terms of which have not been modified or waived except as permitted under the Credit and Collection Policies or the Transaction Documents;

(j) that was originated in connection with a sale of Merchandise by an Originator;

(k) that has no Obligor thereon that is a Governmental Authority;

(l) that arises under a Revolving Charge Account Agreement the original terms of which provide for the repayment of the balance thereof with a minimum monthly payment of not less than 1/48 of the highest outstanding balance since the last date on which the outstanding balance in such account was zero;

(m) the assignment of which to Issuer does not contravene or conflict with any law, rule or regulation or any contractual or other restriction, limitation or encumbrance, and the sale or assignment of which does not require the consent of the Obligor thereof; and

(n) that is originated under a Revolving Charge Account Agreement substantially in the form of one of the Revolving Charge Account Agreements attached as Exhibit B hereto (with such changes as may be necessary or desirable from time to time in light of local statutes or regulations).

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

ERISA Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation which is a member of the same controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code) as such Person; (ii) a trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control (within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code) with such Person; or (iii) a member of the same affiliated service group (within the meaning of Section 414(m) of the Code) as such Person, any corporation described in clause (i) above or any trade or business described in clause (ii) above.

ERISA Event ” means any of the following: (i) the failure to satisfy the minimum funding standard under Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code with respect to any Benefit Plan; (ii) the filing by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Benefit Plan or Benefit Plans or an event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or grounds to appoint a trustee to administer any Benefit Plan; (iii) the complete withdrawal or partial withdrawal by any Person or any of its ERISA Affiliates from any Benefit Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (iv) any “reportable event” as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Benefit Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived), (v) the commencement of proceedings by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to terminate a Benefit Plan or the treatment of a Benefit Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, the termination of any Benefit Plan (vi) the receipt by such Person or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice concerning a determination

 

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that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; or (vii) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA upon any Person or any of its ERISA Affiliates.

Euroclear ” means the Euroclear System, as operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V.

Event of Bankruptcy ” shall be deemed to have occurred with respect to a Person if:

(a) a Proceeding shall be commenced, without the application or consent of such Person, before any Governmental Authority, seeking the liquidation, reorganization, debt arrangement, dissolution, winding up, or composition or adjustment of debts of such Person, the appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator, assignee, sequestrator or the like for such Person or all or substantially all of its assets, or any similar action with respect to such Person under any Law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding up or composition or adjustment of debts, and in the case of any Person, such Proceeding shall continue undismissed, or unstayed and in effect, for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days; or an order for relief in respect of such Person shall be entered in an involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy Laws or other similar Laws now or hereafter in effect; or

(b) such Person shall (i) consent to the institution of (except as described in the proviso to clause (a)  above) any Proceeding or petition described in clause (a) of this definition, or (ii) commence a voluntary Proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, debt arrangement, dissolution or other similar Law now or hereafter in effect, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) for such Person or for any substantial part of its property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail to, or admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts generally as they become due, or, if a corporation or similar entity, its board of directors shall vote to implement any of the foregoing.

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.1 .

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Expected Final Principal Payment Date ” means, with respect to any Series of Notes, the date, if any, stated in the applicable Series Supplement as the date on which such Series of Notes is expected to be paid in full.

FDIC ” means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Finance Charge Account ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.3(b) .

Finance Charges ” means any finance, interest, late, servicing or similar charges or fees owing by an Obligor pursuant to the Contracts (other than with respect to Defaulted Receivables).

 

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Fiscal Year ” means any period of twelve consecutive calendar months ending on January 31.

Fitch ” means Fitch, Inc.

Foreign Clearing Agency ” means Clearstream and Euroclear.

GAAP ” means those principles of accounting set forth in pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or which have other substantial authoritative support and are applicable in the circumstances as of the date of a report , as such principles are from time to time supplemented and amended, and with respect to determinations or calculations to be made by a Person other than a successor Servicer, applied on a basis consistent with the most recent audited financial statements of Consolidated Parent before the Closing Date.

Global Note ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19 .

Governmental Authority ” means any government or political subdivision or any agency, authority, bureau, central bank, commission, department or instrumentality of any such government or political subdivision, or any court, tribunal, grand jury or arbitrator, in each case whether foreign or domestic.

Grant ” means the Issuer’s grant of a Lien on the Trust Estate as set forth in the Granting Clause of this Base Indenture.

Gross Receivables Balance ” means, with respect to any date of determination and any Receivable, the sum of each of the monthly payments originally contracted for less any payments or credits received prior to such date; provided , however , that, if not otherwise specified, the term “Gross Receivables Balance” shall refer to the Gross Receivables Balance of all Receivables collectively together.

Holder ” or “ Noteholder ” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered in the Note Register or such other Person deemed to be a “ Holder ” or “ Noteholder ” in any related Series Supplement.

Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s (i) obligations for borrowed money, (ii) obligations representing the deferred purchase price of property other than accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of such Person’s business on terms customary in the trade, (iii) obligations, whether or not assumed, secured by Liens on or payable out of the proceeds or production from, property now or hereafter owned or acquired by such Person, (iv) obligations which are evidenced by notes, acceptances, or other instruments, (v) Capitalized Lease obligations and (vi) obligations of another Person of a type described in clauses (i) through (v) above, for which such Person is obligated pursuant to a guaranty, put or similar arrangement.

Indenture ” means the Base Indenture, together with all Series Supplements, as the same maybe amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time.

Indenture Termination Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 12.1 .

 

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Independent ” means, when used with respect to any specified Person, that such Person (a) is in fact independent of the Issuer, any other obligor upon the Notes, each Originator, the Seller and any Affiliate of any of the foregoing Persons, (b) does not have any direct financial interest or any material indirect financial interest in the Issuer, any such other obligor, any Originator, the Seller or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing Persons and (c) is not connected with the Issuer, any such other obligor, any Originator, the Seller or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing Persons as an officer, employee, promoter, underwriter, trustee, partner, director or Person performing similar functions.

Independent Certificate ” means a certificate or opinion to be delivered to the Trustee under the circumstances described in, and otherwise complying with, the applicable requirements of Section 15.1 , prepared by an Independent appraiser or other expert appointed by an Issuer Order and approved by the Trustee in the exercise of reasonable care, and such opinion or certificate shall state that the signer has read the definition of “Independent” in this Indenture and that the signer is Independent within the meaning thereof.

Independent Manager ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.2(p) .

Initial Investor Interest ” means, with respect to any Series of Notes, the amount stated in the related Series Supplement.

Installment Contract ” means any retail installment sale contract originally entered into between an Originator and an Obligor in connection with a sale of Merchandise and all amounts due thereunder from time to time.

Installment Contract Receivable ” means any indebtedness of an Obligor arising under an Installment Contract.

Intercreditor Agreement ” means the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2012, by and among Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Conn Appliances, Inc., Conn Credit Corporation, Inc. and Conn Credit I, LP, as such agreement may be amended, modified, waived, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Interest Period ” means, with respect to any Series of Notes, the period specified in the applicable Series Supplement.

Investment Company Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Investment Earnings ” means all interest and earnings (net of losses and investment expenses) accrued on funds on deposit in the Trust Accounts (except if otherwise provided with respect to any Series Account in the Series Supplement).

Investor Account ” means each of the Excess Funding Account (as defined in the Series Supplements), if any, the Finance Charge Account, the Principal Account and each of the Payment Accounts.

Investor Interest ” has, with respect to any Series of Notes, the meaning specified in the related Series Supplement.

 

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Issuer ” has the meaning specified in the preamble of this Base Indenture.

Issuer Obligations ” means (i) all principal and interest, at any time and from time to time, owing by the Issuer on the Notes (including any Note held by the Seller, any Originator, the Parent or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing) and (ii) all costs, fees, expenses, indemnity and other amounts owing or payable by, or obligations of, the Issuer to any Person (other than the Seller, the Originators, the Parent or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing) under the Indenture or the other Transaction Documents.

Issuer Order ” and “ Issuer Request ” means a written order or request signed in the name of the Issuer by any one of its Responsible Officers and delivered to the Trustee.

Law ” means any law (including common law), constitution, statute, treaty, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, injunction, writ, decree or award of any Governmental Authority.

Legal Final Payment Date ” is defined, with respect to any Series of Notes, in the applicable Series Supplement.

Lien ” means any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, lien, charge, claim, security interest, easement or encumbrance, or preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any lease or title retention agreement, any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and the filing of, or agreement to give, any financing statement perfecting a security interest under the UCC or comparable Law of any jurisdiction).

Material Adverse Effect ” means any event or condition which would have a material adverse effect on (i) the collectibility of any material portion of the Receivables, (ii) the condition (financial or otherwise), businesses or properties of the Issuer, the Servicer or the Seller, (iii) the ability of the Issuer or the Seller to perform its respective obligations under the Transaction Documents or the ability of the Servicer to perform its obligations under the Servicer Transaction Documents and (iv) the interests of the Trustee or any Secured Party in the Trust Estate or under the Transaction Documents.

Merchandise ” means (i) home appliances, electronic goods, computers, furniture, mattresses, lawn and garden equipment and other goods and merchandise of the type sold by an Originator from time to time in the ordinary course of business, which in each case constitute “consumer goods” under and as defined in Article 9 of the UCC of all applicable jurisdictions, (ii) RSAs and services in respect of any goods or merchandise referred to in clause (i)  above, and (iii) credit insurance (including life, disability, property and involuntary unemployment) in respect of any goods or merchandise referred to in clause (i)  above or any Obligor’s payment obligations in respect of a Receivable.

Monthly Noteholders’ Statement ” means, with respect to any Series of Notes, a statement substantially in the form attached in the relevant Series Supplement, with such changes as the Servicer (with prior consent of the Back-Up Servicer) may determine to be necessary or desirable; provided , however , that no such change shall serve to exclude information expressly required by this Base Indenture or any Series Supplement.

 

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Monthly Period ” means, unless otherwise defined in any Series Supplement, the period from and including the first day of a calendar month to and including the last day of a calendar month.

Monthly Servicer Report ” means a report substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A-1 to the Servicing Agreement or in such other form as shall be agreed between the Servicer (with prior consent of the Back-Up Servicer) and the Trustee; provided , however , that no such other agreed form shall serve to exclude information expressly required by this Base Indenture or any Series Supplement.

Multiemployer Plan ” means a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA with respect to which the Seller, the Issuer, any Originator, Servicer or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates is making, is obligated to make, or has made or been obligated to make, contributions.

New Series Issuance ” means any issuance of a new Series of Notes pursuant to Section 2.2 .

New Series Issuance Date ” has the meaning, with respect to any Series issued pursuant to a New Series Issuance, specified in Section 2.2 .

New Series Issuance Notice ” has the meaning, with respect to any Series issued pursuant to a New Series Issuance, specified in Section 2.2 .

Non-U.S. Person ” means a person who is not a “U.S. Person” as such term is defined in Regulation S.

Note Interest ” means interest payable in respect of the Notes of any Series pursuant to the Series Supplement for such Series.

Note Owner ” means, with respect to a Book-Entry Note, the Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book-Entry Note, as reflected on the books of the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency, or on the books of a Person maintaining an account with such Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency (directly or as an indirect participant, in accordance with the rules of such Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency).

Note Principal ” means the principal payable in respect of the Notes of any Series pursuant to Article 5 .

Note Purchase Agreement ” has, with respect to any Series of Notes, the meaning stated in the related Series Supplement.

Note Rate ” means, with respect to any Series of Notes (or, for any Series with more than one Class, for each Class of such Series), the annual rate at which interest accrues on the Notes of such Series of Notes (or formula on the basis of which such rate shall be determined) as stated in the applicable Series Supplement, if any.

Note Register ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.6(a) .

 

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Notes ” means any one of the notes (including, without limitation, the Global Notes or the Definitive Notes) issued by the Issuer, executed and authenticated by the Trustee substantially in the form (or forms in the case of a Series with multiple Classes) of the note attached to the related Series Supplement or such other obligations of the Issuer deemed to be a “ Note ” in any related Series Supplement.

Notice Person ” means, with respect to any Series of Notes, the Person identified as such in the applicable Series Supplement.

Obligor ” means, with respect to any Receivable, the Person or Persons obligated to make payments with respect to such Receivable, including any guarantor thereof.

Opinion of Counsel ” means one or more written opinions of counsel to the Issuer, the Seller or the Servicer who (except in the case of opinions regarding matters of organizational standing, power and authority, conflict with organizational documents, conflict with agreements other than Transaction Documents, qualification to do business, licensure and litigation or other Proceedings) shall be external counsel, satisfactory to the Trustee, which opinions shall comply with any applicable requirements of Section 15.1 and TIA Section 314, if applicable, and shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, and shall be addressed to the Trustee. An Opinion of Counsel may, to the extent same is based on any factual matter, rely on a Conn Officer’s Certificate as to the truth of such factual matter.

Originator ” has the meaning specified in the Purchase Agreement.

Outstanding Receivables Balance ” means, as of any date with respect to any Receivable, an amount equal to (i) the Gross Receivables Balance of such Receivable minus (ii) the Unearned Finance Charges for such Receivable; provided , however , that if not otherwise specified, the term “Outstanding Receivables Balance” shall refer to the Outstanding Receivables Balance of all Receivables collectively.

Parent ” shall mean Conn Appliances.

Paying Agent ” means any paying agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 and shall initially be the Trustee.

Payment Account ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.3(c) .

Payment Date ” means, with respect to each Series, the dates specified in the related Series Supplement.

Payment Priorities ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.10(e) .

Pension Plan ” means a Benefit Plan that is an “employee benefit pension plan” as described in Section 3(2) of ERISA that is subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 302 of ERISA or 412 of the Code.

Perfection Representations ” means the representations, warranties and covenants set forth in Schedule 1 attached hereto.

 

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Permitted Encumbrance ” (a) with respect to the Issuer, any item described in clause (i) , (iv ) or (vi)  of the following, and (b) with respect to the Seller, any item described in clauses (i)  through (vi)  of the following:

(i) Liens for taxes and assessments that are not yet due and payable or that are being contested in good faith and for which reserves have been established, if required in accordance with GAAP;

(ii) Liens of or resulting from any judgment or award, the time for the appeal or petition for rehearing of which shall not have expired, or in respect of which the Seller shall at any time in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceeding for a review and with respect to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being maintained in accordance with GAAP;

(iii) Liens incidental to the conduct of business or the ownership of properties and assets (including mechanics’, carriers’, repairers’, warehousemen’s and statutory landlords’ liens and liens to secure the performance of leases) and Liens to secure statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds or other Liens of like general nature incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money, provided in each case, the obligation secured is not overdue, or, if overdue, is being contested in good faith by appropriate actions or Proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being maintained in accordance with GAAP;

(iv) Liens in favor of the Trustee, or otherwise created by the Issuer, the Seller or the Trustee pursuant to the Transaction Documents, and the interests of mortgagees and loss payees under the terms of any Contract;

(v) Liens that, in the aggregate do not exceed $250,000 (such amount not to include Permitted Encumbrances under clauses (i)  through (iv)  or (vi)) and which, individually or in the aggregate, do not materially interfere with the rights under the Transaction Documents of the Trustee or any Noteholder in any of the Receivables; and

(vi) any Lien created in favor of the Issuer or the Seller in connection with the purchase of any Receivables by the Issuer or the Seller and covering such Receivables, the related Contracts with respect to which are sold or purported to be sold by the Seller to the Issuer pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

Permitted Investments ” means book-entry securities, negotiable instruments or securities represented by instruments in bearer or registered form and that evidence:

(a) direct obligations of, and obligations fully guaranteed as to the full and timely payment by, the United States;

(b) demand deposits, time deposits or certificates of deposit of any depository institution or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia (or any domestic branch of a foreign bank) and subject to supervision and examination by federal or state banking or depository institution authorities (including

 

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depository receipts issued by any such institution or trust company as custodian with respect to any obligation referred to in clause (a) above or a portion of such obligation for the benefit of the holders of such depository receipts); provided that at the time of the investment or contractual commitment to invest therein (which shall be deemed to be made again each time funds are reinvested following each Payment Date), the commercial paper or other short-term senior unsecured debt obligations (other than such obligations the rating of which is based on the credit of a person other than such depository institution or trust company) of such depository institution or trust company shall have a credit rating from the Rating Agency in the highest investment category granted thereby;

(c) commercial paper having, at the time of the investment or contractual commitment to invest therein, a rating from Fitch of “F2”;

(d) investments in money market funds having a rating from Fitch of “AA” or, to the extent not rated by Fitch, rated in the highest rating category by another nationally recognized statistical rating agency;

(e) bankers’ acceptances issued by any depository institution or trust company referred to in clause (b) above;

(f) repurchase obligations with respect to any security that is a direct obligation of, or fully guaranteed by, the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in either case entered into with a depository institution or trust company (acting as principal) described in clause (b) above; or

(g) any other investment with respect to which the Rating Agency Condition is satisfied.

Permitted Investments may be purchased by or through the Trustee or any of its Affiliates.

Person ” means any corporation, limited liability company, natural person, firm, joint venture, partnership, trust, unincorporated organization, enterprise, government or any department or agency of any government.

Post Office Box ” has the meaning specified in the Servicing Agreement.

Principal Account ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.3(b) .

Principal Amortization Period ” means, with respect to any Series of Notes, the period specified, if any, in the applicable Series Supplement.

Principal Collections ” means, with respect to any Monthly Period, the excess, if any, of (i) all Collections received during such Monthly Period, including all Recoveries, over (ii) all Earned Finance Charges for such Monthly Period.

 

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Proceeding ” means any suit in equity, action at law or other judicial or administrative proceeding.

Purchase Agreement ” means the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2012, between the Seller and the Issuer, as such agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time.

Purchase Date ” has the meaning specified in the Purchase Agreement.

Qualified Institution ” means the following:

(a) a depository institution or trust company

(i) whose commercial paper, short-term unsecured debt obligations or other short-term deposits are rated “F2” by Fitch, if the deposits are to be held in the account for 30 days or less, or

(ii) whose long-term unsecured debt obligations are rated at least “A” by Fitch, if the deposits are to be held in the account more than 30 days, or

(b) a segregated trust account or accounts maintained in the trust department of a federal or state-chartered depository institution having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and subject to regulations regarding fiduciary funds on deposit similar to Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 9.10(b), or

(c) any other institution with respect to which the Rating Agency Condition shall be satisfied.

Rating Agency ” means, with respect to each outstanding Series of Notes, the rating agency or agencies, if any, selected by the Issuer to rate all or a portion of such Series of Notes or any Class thereof, as specified in the related Series Supplement, at the request of the Issuer.

Rating Agency Condition ” has, with respect to any Series of Notes, the meaning stated in the related Series Supplement.

Receivable ” means the indebtedness of any Obligor under a Contract (which “Receivable” has been acquired (or purported to be acquired) by the Issuer from the Seller pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement), whether constituting an account, chattel paper, an instrument, a general intangible, payment intangible, promissory note or otherwise, and shall include (i) the right to payment of such indebtedness and any interest or finance charges and other obligations of such Obligor with respect thereto (including, without limitation, the principal amount of such indebtedness, periodic finance charges, late fees and returned check fees), and (ii) all proceeds of, and payments or Collections on, under or in respect of any of the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon release from the Trust Estate pursuant to Section 2.14 , a Removed Receivable shall no longer constitute a Receivable. If an Installment Contract is modified for credit reasons, the indebtedness under the new Installment Contract shall, for purposes of the Transaction Documents, constitute the same Receivable as existed under the original Installment Contract. If an Installment Contract is refinanced in connection with the purchase of additional Merchandise, the original Receivable shall be deemed collected and cease to be a Receivable for purposes of the Transaction Documents upon payment in accordance with Section 2.5 of the Purchase Agreement with respect thereto.

 

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Receivable File ” has the meaning specified in the Purchase Agreement.

Record Date ” means, with respect to any Payment Date, the last Business Day of the preceding Monthly Period.

Records ” means all Contracts and other documents, books, records and other information (including, without limitation, computer programs, tapes, disks, punch cards, data processing software and related property and rights) maintained with respect to Receivables and the related Obligors.

Recoveries ” means, with respect to any period, all Collections (net of expenses) received during such period in respect of a Receivable after it became a Defaulted Receivable.

Redemption Date ” means (a) in the case of a redemption of the Notes pursuant to Section 14.1 , the Payment Date specified by the initial Servicer or the Issuer pursuant to Section 14.1 or (b) the date specified for a Series pursuant to redemption provisions of the related Series Supplement.

Redemption Price ” means in the case of a redemption of the Notes pursuant to Section 14.1 , an amount as set forth in the Series Supplement for the redemption of the Notes.

Registered Notes ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.1 .

Related Security ” means, with respect to any Receivable, all guaranties, indemnities, insurance (including any insurance and RSA proceeds and returned premiums) and other agreements (including the related Receivable File) or arrangement and other collateral of whatever character from time to time supporting or securing payment of such Receivable or otherwise relating to such Receivable (including any returned sales taxes).

Removed Receivables ” means any Receivable which is purchased or repurchased (i) by the initial Servicer pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 2.08 or Section 2.13 of the Servicing Agreement, (ii) by the Seller pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement or (iii) by any other Person pursuant to Section 5.8 of the Indenture.

Required Noteholders ” has, with respect to any Series of Notes, the meaning stated in the related Series Supplement.

Required Rating ” shall mean at least F2 (or the equivalent thereof) by the Rating Agency or, if not rated by the Rating Agency, by any other rating agency.

Required Remittance Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.10(a) .

 

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Requirements of Law ” means, as to any Person, the organizational documents of such Person and any Law applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

Responsible Officer ” means, with respect to any Person, the member, the Chairman, the President, the Controller, any Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, or any other officer of such Person or of a direct or indirect managing member of such Person, who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by any of the above-designated officers and also, with respect to a particular matter any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Restricted Period ” has, with respect to any Series of Notes, the meaning designated as the “ Restricted Period ,” if any, in the related Series Supplement.

Retailer Credit Agreement ” means the “Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement” dated as of November 30, 2010, as amended by the “First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement” dated effective July 28, 2011, the “Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement” dated effective March 15, 2012, and as may be further amended from time to time, by and among Conn Appliances, Inc., Conn Credit Corporation, Inc. and Conn Credit I, LP, as “Borrowers”, Conn’s, Inc., the “Lenders” named therein, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative and Collateral Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association and Wells Fargo Preferred Capital, Inc., as Co-Syndication Agent, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as Joint Book Runner and Co-Lead Arranger, and Capital One, N.A. and Regions Business Capital, a division of Regions Bank, as Co-Documentation Agent.

Retained Notes ” means any Notes retained by the Issuer or a Person that is considered the same Person as the Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes.

Revolving Charge Account Agreement ” means any retail revolving charge account agreement originally entered into between an Originator and an Obligor pursuant to which such Obligor is obligated to pay for Merchandise purchased under a credit plan and permits or permitted such Obligor to purchase such Merchandise on credit.

Revolving Charge Receivable ” means any indebtedness of an Obligor arising under a Revolving Charge Account Agreement.

RSA ” means a repair service agreement for Merchandise purchased by an Obligor provided by a third party or by Conn Appliances, Inc.

Secured Parties ” has the meaning specified in Granting Clause of this Base Indenture.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Seller ” means Conn Appliances.

Seller Note ” has the meaning specified in the Purchase Agreement.

 

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Series Account ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.3(d) .

Series of Notes ” or “ Series ” means any Series of Notes issued and authenticated pursuant to the Base Indenture and a related Series Supplement, which may include within any Series multiple Classes of Notes, one or more of which may be subordinated to another Class or Classes of Notes.

Series Supplement ” means a supplement to the Base Indenture complying with the terms of Section 2.2 of this Base Indenture.

Series Temporary Regulation S Global Note ” means, with respect to any Series of Notes, the notes designated as such, if any, in the related Series Supplement.

Series Termination Date ” means, with respect to any Series of Notes, the date specified as such in the applicable Series Supplement.

Series Transfer Date ” means, unless otherwise specified in the related Series Supplement, with respect to any Series, the Business Day immediately prior to each Payment Date.

Servicer ” means initially Conn Appliances and its permitted successors and assigns and thereafter any Person appointed as successor pursuant to the Servicing Agreement to service the Receivables.

Servicer Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04 of the Servicing Agreement.

Servicer LC Escrow Account ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.10(e) .

Servicer Letter of Credit ” shall mean a letter of credit, dated the Closing Date, issued by the Servicer Letter of Credit Bank for the benefit of the Trustee or any substitute therefor in accordance with Section 5.10(c) .

Servicer Letter of Credit Bank ” shall mean Bank of America, N.A. and the issuer of any substitute Servicer Letter of Credit delivered pursuant to Section 5.10(c) .

Servicer Transaction Documents ” means collectively, the Base Indenture, any Series Supplement, the Servicing Agreement, the Back-Up Servicing Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable.

Servicing Agreement ” means the Servicing Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2012, among the Issuer, the Servicer and the Trustee, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

Servicing Fee ” means (A) for any Monthly Period during which Conn Appliances or any Affiliate acts as Servicer, an amount equal to the product of (i) 3.00%, (ii)1/12 and (iii) the aggregate Outstanding Receivables Balance as of the last day of the immediately prior Monthly Period and (B) for any Monthly Period during which any other successor Servicer acts as Servicer, the Servicing Fee shall be an amount equal to (i) if SST acts as successor Servicer, the

 

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amount set forth pursuant to the SST Fee Schedule as set forth in the Back-Up Servicing Agreement or (ii) if any other successor Servicer acts as Servicer, the Servicing Fee shall be an amount equal to the product of (a) the current market rate for servicing receivables similar to the Receivables, (b) 1/12 and (c) the aggregate Outstanding Receivables Balance as of the last day of the immediately prior Monthly Period; provided , however , that in no event shall such amount exceed the product of (i) 5.00%, (ii) 1/12 and (iii) aggregate Outstanding Receivables Balance as of the last day of the immediately prior Monthly Period for purposes of the amount paid to SST as successor Servicer or another successor Servicer in respect of the Servicing Fee at the top of the priority of payments set forth in Section 5.15(a)(i) and Section 5.15(e)(i) of the Series Supplement.

Servicing Officer ” means any officer of the Servicer involved in, or responsible for, the administration and servicing of the Receivables whose name appears on a list of servicing officers furnished to the Trustee by the Servicer, as such list may from time to time be amended.

SST ” means Systems & Services Technologies, Inc.

SST Fee Schedule ” means Schedule I to the Back-Up Servicing Agreement.

Subsidiary ” of a Person means any other Person more than 50% of the outstanding voting interests of which shall at any time be owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person or any similar business organization which is so owned or controlled.

Supplement ” means a supplement to this Base Indenture complying with the terms of Article 13 of this Base Indenture.

Swap Agreement ” means one or more interest rate swap contracts, interest rate cap agreements or similar contracts entered into by the Issuer in connection with the issuance of a Series of Notes, as and to the extent specified in the related Series Supplement, providing limited protection against interest rate risks.

Tax Opinion ” means with respect to any action or event, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, for United States federal income tax purposes (x) in connection with the initial issuance of a Series of Notes, if so specified in the related Series Supplement, such Notes constitute indebtedness and (y) (a) such action or event will not adversely affect the tax characterization of Notes of any outstanding Series or Class of Notes issued to investors as debt and (b) such action or event will not give rise to a taxable event for any Secured Party or the Issuer.

Title IV Plan ” means a Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) that is subject to Title IV of ERISA.

Transaction Documents ” means, collectively, the Base Indenture, any Series Supplement, the Notes, the Servicing Agreement, the Back-Up Servicing Agreement, the Purchase Agreement, the Servicer Letter of Credit, the Note Purchase Agreement, and any agreements of the Issuer relating to the issuance or the purchase of any of the Notes.

 

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Transfer Agent and Registrar ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.6 and shall initially, and so long as Wells Fargo Bank, National Association is acting as Paying Agent, = be the Trustee.

Transition Costs ” means all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Back-Up Servicer in connection with a transfer of servicing.

Trust Account ” has the meaning specified in the Granting Clause to this Base Indenture, which accounts are under the sole dominion and control of the Trustee.

Trust Estate ” means all money, instruments, rights and other property that are subject or intended to be subject to the Lien of this Indenture for the benefit of the Secured Parties (including all property and interests Granted to the Trustee), including all proceeds thereof, as defined in the Granting Clause to this Base Indenture.

Trust Indenture Act ” or “ TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force on the date hereof, unless otherwise specifically provided.

Trust Officer ” means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office (or any successor group of the Trustee), including any Vice President, any Managing Director, any Assistant Vice President, any Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer, any Assistant Secretary or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any individual who at the time shall be an above-designated officer and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Trustee ” means initially Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and its successors and any corporation resulting from or surviving any consolidation or merger to which it or its successors may be a party and any successor trustee appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Base Indenture.

Trustee, Back-Up Servicer and Successor Servicer Fees and Expenses ” means, for any Series Transfer Date, (i) the amount of accrued and unpaid fees (including, without limitation, the Servicing Fee of any successor Servicer), indemnity amounts and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (but, as to expenses and indemnity amounts, not in excess of $50,000 per calendar year (or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, $150,000 per calendar year)) of the Trustee (including in its capacity as Agent), Back-up Servicer and any successor Servicer) (including, without limitation, SST as successor Servicer) and (ii) the Transition Costs (but not in excess of $100,000), if applicable. Additionally, Trustee, Back-Up Servicer and Successor Servicer Fees and Expenses shall include, if 100% of the Noteholders consent to such action, any costs and expenses associated with the designation of an employee of the successor Servicer being assigned to all or any Conn Appliances store to oversee the collection of in-store payments at such store.

UCC ” means, with respect to any jurisdiction, the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may, from time to time, be enacted and in effect in such jurisdiction.

 

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Unearned Finance Charges ” means, as of any date of determination with respect to any Receivable, that portion of the Gross Receivables Balance attributable to Finance Charges under such Receivable that have not accrued as of such date.

U.S. ” or “ United States ” means the United States of America and its territories.

written ” or “ in writing ” means any form of written communication, including, without limitation, by means of e-mail, telex, telecopier device, telegraph or cable.

Section 1.2. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act . Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture, except to the extent that the Trustee has been advised by an Opinion of Counsel that the Indenture does not need to be qualified under the TIA or such provision is not required under the TIA to be applied to this Indenture in light of the outstanding Notes. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“indenture securities” means the Notes.

“indenture security holder” means a Noteholder.

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Issuer and any other obligor on the indenture securities.

All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by Commission rule have the meaning assigned to them by such definitions.

Section 1.3. Cross-References . Unless otherwise specified, references in this Indenture and in each other Transaction Document to any Article or Section are references to such Article or Section of this Indenture or such other Transaction Document, as the case may be, and, unless otherwise specified, references in any Article, Section or definition to any clause are references to such clause of such Article, Section or definition.

Section 1.4. Accounting and Financial Determinations; No Duplication . Where the character or amount of any asset or liability or item of income or expense is required to be determined, or any accounting computation is required to be made, for the purpose of this Indenture, such determination or calculation shall be made, to the extent applicable and except as otherwise specified in this Indenture, in accordance with GAAP. When used herein, the term “financial statement” shall include the notes and schedules thereto. All accounting determinations and computations hereunder or under any other Transaction Documents shall be made without duplication.

 

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Section 1.5. Rules of Construction . In this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires:

(i) “or” is not exclusive;

(ii) the singular includes the plural and vice versa;

(iii) reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this Indenture, and reference to any Person in a particular capacity only refers to such Person in such capacity;

(iv) reference to any gender includes the other gender;

(v) reference to any Requirement of Law means such Requirement of Law as amended, modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time;

(vi) “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term; and

(vii) with respect to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “from and including” and “to” means “to but excluding”.

Section 1.6. Other Definitional Provisions .

(a) All terms defined in any Series Supplement or this Base Indenture shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meaning given to such term in the Servicing Agreement.

(b) The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Base Indenture or any Series Supplement shall refer to this Base Indenture or such Series Supplement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Base Indenture or any Series Supplement; and Section, subsection, Schedule and Exhibit references contained in this Base Indenture or any Series Supplement are references to Sections, subsections, Schedules and Exhibits in or to this Base Indenture or any Series Supplement unless otherwise specified.

ARTICLE 2.

THE NOTES

Section 2.1. Designation and Terms of Notes . Subject to Sections 2.16 and 2.19 , the Notes of each Series and any Class thereof shall be issued in fully registered form (the “ Registered Notes ”), and shall be substantially in the form of exhibits with respect thereto attached to the applicable Series Supplement, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and may have

 

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such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such restrictions, legends or endorsements placed thereon and shall bear, upon their face, the designation for such Series to which they belong so selected by the Issuer, all as determined by the officers executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution of the Notes. Any portion of the text of any Note may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Note. All Notes of any Series shall, except as specified in the related Series Supplement, be pari passu and equally and ratably entitled as provided herein to the benefits hereof without preference, priority or distinction on account of the actual time or times of authentication and delivery, all in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Base Indenture and the related Series Supplement. Each Series of Notes shall be issued in the minimum denominations set forth in the related Series Supplement.

Section 2.2. New Series Issuances . The Notes may be issued in one Series. The Series of Notes shall be created by a Series Supplement. The Issuer may effect the issuance of one Series of Notes on the Closing Date (a “ New Series Issuance ”) by notifying the Trustee in writing at least one (1) day in advance (a “ New Series Issuance Notice ”) of the date upon which the New Series Issuance is to occur (a “ New Series Issuance Date ”) and shall not effect any future issuances. The New Series Issuance Notice shall state the designation of the Series (and each Class thereof, if applicable) to be issued on the New Series Issuance Date and, with respect to such Series: (a) the Initial Investor Interest and (b) the aggregate initial outstanding principal amount of the Notes thereof. On the New Series Issuance Date, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver any such Series of Notes only upon delivery to it of the following:

(i) an Issuer Order authorizing and directing the authentication and delivery of the Notes of such new Series by the Trustee and specifying the designation of such new Series and the aggregate principal amount of Notes of such new Series (and each Class thereof) to be authenticated with respect to such new Series;

(ii) a Series Supplement in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee executed by the Issuer and the Trustee and specifying the principal terms of such new Series;

(iii) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee as to the Trustee’s Lien in and to the Trust Estate;

(iv) evidence (which, in the case of the filing of financing statements on form UCC-1, may be telephonic, followed by prompt written confirmation) that the Issuer has delivered the Trust Estate to the Trustee and has caused all filings (including filing of financing statements on form UCC-1) and recordings to be accomplished as may be reasonably required by Law to establish, perfect, protect and preserve the rights, titles, interests, remedies, powers and security interest of the Trustee in the Trust Estate for the benefit of the Secured Parties;

(v) any consents required pursuant to Section 13.1 or otherwise;

 

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(vi) a Conn Officer’s Certificate (upon which the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely), stating that all conditions precedent to the issuance of such Series of Notes (including but not limited to those set forth in clauses (i)-(v) above) have been satisfied; and

(vii) such other documents, instruments, certifications, agreements or other items as the Trustee may reasonably require.

Upon satisfaction of such conditions, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, as provided above, such Series of Notes.

Section 2.3. [Reserved ] .

Section 2.4. Execution and Authentication .

(a) Each Note shall be executed by manual or facsimile signature by the Issuer. Notes bearing the manual or facsimile signature of the individual who was, at the time when such signature was affixed, authorized to sign on behalf of the Issuer shall not be rendered invalid, notwithstanding that such individual has ceased to be so authorized prior to the authentication and delivery of such Notes or does not hold such office at the date of such Notes. Unless otherwise provided in the related Series Supplement, no Notes shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture, or be valid for any purpose, unless there appears on such Note a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein, duly executed by or on behalf of the Trustee by the manual signature of a duly authorized signatory, and such certificate upon any Note shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

(b) Pursuant to Section 2.2 , the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver a Series of Notes having the terms specified in the related Series Supplement, upon the written order of the Issuer, to the purchasers thereof, the underwriters for sale or to the Issuer for initial retention by it. If specified in the related Series Supplement for any Series, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver the Global Note that is issued upon original issuance thereof, upon the written order of the Issuer, to the Depository against payment of the purchase price therefor. If specified in the related Series Supplement for any Series, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Book-Entry Notes that are issued upon original issuance thereof, upon the written order of the Issuer, to a Clearing Agency or its nominee as provided in Section 2.16  against payment of the purchase price thereof.

(c) All Notes shall be dated and issued as of the date of their authentication.

Section 2.5. Authenticating Agent .

(a) The Trustee may appoint one or more authenticating agents with respect to the Notes which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee in authenticating the Notes in connection with the issuance, delivery, registration of transfer, exchange or repayment of the Notes. Whenever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication of Notes by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent. Each authenticating agent must be acceptable to the Issuer.

 

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(b) Any institution succeeding to the corporate agency business of an authenticating agent shall continue to be an authenticating agent without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or such authenticating agent.

(c) An authenticating agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Issuer. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an authenticating agent by giving notice of termination to such authenticating agent and to the Issuer. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time an authenticating agent shall cease to be acceptable to the Trustee or the Issuer, the Trustee promptly may appoint a successor authenticating agent. Any successor authenticating agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an authenticating agent.

(d) The Issuer agrees to pay each authenticating agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 2.5 .

(e) Pursuant to an appointment made under this Section 2.5 , the Notes may have endorsed thereon, in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:

This is one of the certificates described in the Indenture.

 

[Name of Authenticating Agent] ,

 

as Authenticating Agent

for the Trustee,

By:    
Responsible Officer

Section 2.6. Registration of Transfer and Exchange of Notes .

(a) (i) The Trustee shall cause to be kept at the office or agency to be maintained by a transfer agent and registrar (the “ Transfer Agent and Registrar ”), in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.6(c) , a register (the “ Note Register ”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall provide for the registration of the Notes of each Series (unless otherwise provided in the related Series Supplement) and registrations of transfers and exchanges of the Notes as herein provided. The Trustee is hereby initially appointed Transfer Agent and Registrar for the purposes of registering the Notes and transfers and exchanges of the Notes as herein provided. If a Person other than the Trustee is appointed by the Issuer as Transfer Agent and Registrar, the Issuer will give the Trustee prompt written notice of the appointment of such Transfer Agent and Registrar and of the location, and any change in the location, of the Note Register, and the Trustee shall have the

 

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right to inspect the Note Register at all reasonable times and to obtain copies thereof, and the Trustee shall have the right to rely upon a certificate executed on behalf of the Transfer Agent and Registrar by a Responsible Officer thereof as to the names and addresses of the Holders of the Notes and the principal amounts and number of such Notes. If any form of Note is issued as a Global Note, the Trustee may appoint a co-transfer agent and co-registrar in a European city. Any reference in this Indenture to the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall include any co-transfer agent and co-registrar unless the context otherwise requires. The Trustee shall be permitted to resign as Transfer Agent and Registrar upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Servicer and the Issuer. In the event that the Trustee shall no longer be the Transfer Agent and Registrar, the Issuer shall appoint a successor Transfer Agent and Registrar.

(ii) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at any office or agency of the Transfer Agent and Registrar, if the requirements of Section 8-401(1) of the UCC are met, the Issuer shall execute, subject to the provisions of Section 2.6(b) , and the Trustee shall authenticate and (unless the Transfer Agent and Registrar is different than the Trustee, in which case the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall) deliver and the Noteholder shall obtain from the Trustee, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Notes in authorized denominations of like aggregate principal amount.

(iii) All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes shall be valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(iv) At the option of any Holder of Registered Notes, Registered Notes may be exchanged for other Registered Notes of the same Series of the same Class in authorized denominations of like aggregate principal amounts in the manner specified in the Series Supplement for such Series, upon surrender of the Registered Notes to be exchanged at any office or agency of the Transfer Agent and Registrar maintained for such purpose.

(v) Whenever any Notes of any Series are so surrendered for exchange, if the requirements of Section 8-401(1) of the UCC are met, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and (unless the Transfer Agent and Registrar is different than the Trustee, in which case the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall) deliver and the Noteholders shall obtain from the Trustee, the Notes of such Series of the same Class that which the Noteholder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Every Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in a form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Transfer Agent and Registrar duly executed by the Noteholder thereof or his attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing.

(vi) The preceding provisions of this Section 2.6 notwithstanding, the Trustee or the Transfer Agent and Registrar, as the case may be, shall not be required to register the exchange of any Global Note of any Series for a Definitive Note or the transfer of or exchange any Note of any Series for a period of five (5) Business Days preceding the due date for any payment with respect to the Notes of such Series or during the period beginning on any Record Date and ending on the next following Payment Date.

 

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(vii) Unless otherwise provided in the related Series Supplement, no service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but the Transfer Agent and Registrar may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of Notes.

(viii) All Notes surrendered for registration of transfer and exchange shall be cancelled by the Transfer Agent and Registrar and disposed of in a manner satisfactory to the Trustee. The Trustee shall cancel and destroy any Global Note upon its exchange in full for Definitive Notes and shall deliver a certificate of destruction to the Issuer. Such certificate shall also state that a certificate or certificates of each Foreign Clearing Agency to the effect referred to in Section 2.19 was received with respect to each portion of the Global Note exchanged for Definitive Notes.

(ix) Upon written direction, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee or the Transfer Agent and Registrar, as applicable, Registered Notes in such amounts and at such times as are necessary to enable the Trustee to fulfill its responsibilities under this Indenture and the Notes.

(x) Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuer may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered (as of the day of determination) as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and neither the Trustee, any Agent nor the Issuer shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(xi) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.6 , the typewritten Note or Notes representing Book-Entry Notes for any Series may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency for such Series, or to a successor Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency for such Series selected or approved by the Issuer or to a nominee of such successor Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency, only if in accordance with this Section 2.6 .

(xii) If the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, the Trustee or the Luxembourg Agent, as the case may be, shall send to the Issuer upon any transfer or exchange of any Note information reflected in the copy of the register for the Notes maintained by the Registrar or the Luxembourg Agent, as the case may be.

(xiii) Unless otherwise provided in the related Series Supplement, by its acceptance of a Note, each Noteholder and Note Owner shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that either (i) it is not acquiring the Note (or any interest therein) with the assets of a Benefit Plan Investor or a governmental plan subject to applicable law that is substantially similar to Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or (ii) (a) such Note is rated at least “BBB-” or its equivalent by a nationally

 

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recognized statistical rating agency at the time of purchase or transfer, and (b) its purchase and holding of such Note (or any interest therein) will not result in a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (or, in the case of a governmental plan, any substantially similar applicable law).

(b) Unless otherwise provided in the related Series Supplement, registration of transfer of Registered Notes containing a legend relating to the restrictions on transfer of such Registered Notes (which legend shall be set forth in the Series Supplement relating to such Notes) shall be effected only if the conditions set forth in such related Series Supplement are satisfied.

Whenever a Registered Note containing the legend set forth in the related Series Supplement is presented to the Transfer Agent and Registrar for registration of transfer, the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall promptly seek instructions from the Issuer regarding such transfer. The Transfer Agent and Registrar and the Trustee shall be entitled to receive written instructions signed by a Responsible Officer prior to registering any such transfer or authenticating new Registered Notes, as the case may be. The Issuer hereby agrees to indemnify the Transfer Agent and Registrar and the Trustee and to hold each of them harmless against any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by them in reliance on any such written instructions furnished pursuant to this Section 2.6(b) .

(c) The Transfer Agent and Registrar will maintain at its expense in Minneapolis, Minnesota (and subject to this Section 2.6 , if specified in the related Series Supplement for any Series, any other city designated in such Series Supplement) an office or offices or an agency or agencies where Notes of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange. For purposes of this Section 2.6(c) , “ United States ” includes Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Wake Island and American Samoa.

(d) Any Retained Notes may not be transferred to another Person (other than a Person that is considered the same Person as the Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes) unless the Transferor shall cause an Opinion of Counsel to be delivered to the Seller and the Trustee at such time stating that either (x) such Notes will be debt for United States federal income tax purposes or (y) the sale of such Notes to a Person unrelated to the Issuer will not cause the Issuer to be treated as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation. With respect to any transfer for which the Opinion of Counsel provided pursuant to the preceding sentence is as described in clause (y), the sale or transfer of such Notes (A) must be to a Person who is a United States Person (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) and (B) may not be to a Special Pass-Through Entity. For the purposes of this Section 2.6(d), “Special Pass-Through Entity” means a grantor trust, S corporation, or partnership where more than 50% of the value of a beneficial owner’s interest in such pass through entity is attributable to the pass-through entity’s interest in such Notes. In addition, the Retained Notes will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

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Section 2.7. Appointment of Paying Agent .

(a) The Paying Agent shall make payments to the Secured Parties from the appropriate account or accounts maintained for the benefit of the Secured Parties as specified in this Base Indenture or the related Series Supplement for any Series pursuant to Articles 5 and 6 . Any Paying Agent shall have the revocable power to withdraw funds from such appropriate account or accounts for the purpose of making distributions referred to above. The Trustee (or the Issuer or the initial Servicer on behalf of the Issuer if the Trustee is the Paying Agent) may revoke such power and remove the Paying Agent, if the Trustee (or the Issuer or the initial Servicer on behalf of the Issuer if the Trustee is the Paying Agent) determines in its sole discretion that the Paying Agent shall have failed to perform its obligations under this Indenture in any material respect or for other good cause. The Trustee (or the Issuer or the initial Servicer on behalf of the Issuer if the Trustee is the Paying Agent) shall notify each Rating Agency of the removal of any Paying Agent. The Paying Agent, unless the Series Supplement with respect to any Series states otherwise, shall initially be the Trustee. The Trustee shall be permitted to resign as Paying Agent upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Issuer with a copy to the Servicer. In the event that the Trustee shall no longer be the Paying Agent, the Issuer or the initial Servicer shall appoint a successor to act as Paying Agent (which shall be a bank or trust company).

(b) The Issuer shall cause each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee that such Paying Agent will hold all sums, if any, held by it for payment to the Secured Parties in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Secured Parties and shall agree, and if the Trustee is the Paying Agent it hereby agrees, that it shall comply with all requirements of the Code regarding the withholding of payments in respect of Federal income taxes due from Note Owners or other Secured Parties.

Section 2.8. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .

(a) The Issuer will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee (and if the Trustee acts as Paying Agent, it hereby so agrees), subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:

(i) hold all sums held by it for the payment of amounts due with respect to the Issuer Obligations in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as provided herein and in the applicable Series Supplement and pay such sums to such Persons as provided herein and in the applicable Series Supplement;

(ii) give the Trustee written notice of any default by the Issuer (or any other obligor under the Issuer Obligations) of which it (or, in the case of the Trustee, a Trust Officer) has actual knowledge in the making of any payment required to be made with respect to the Notes;

(iii) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent;

 

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(iv) immediately resign as a Paying Agent and forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held by it in trust for the payment of the Issuer Obligations if at any time it ceases to meet the standards required to be met by a Trustee hereunder; and

(v) comply with all requirements of the Code with respect to the withholding from any payments made by it on any Issuer Obligations of any applicable withholding taxes imposed thereon and with respect to any applicable reporting requirements in connection therewith.

(b) The Issuer may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, by Issuer Order direct any Paying Agent to pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which the sums were held by such Paying Agent; and upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

(c) Subject to applicable Laws with respect to escheat of funds, any money held by the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Clearing Agency in trust for the payment of any amount due with respect to any Issuer Obligation and remaining unclaimed for two years after such amount has become due and payable shall be discharged from such trust and be paid to the Issuer on Issuer Request; and the holder of such Issuer Obligation shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuer for payment thereof (but only to the extent of the amounts so paid to the Issuer), and all liability of the Trustee, such Paying Agent or such Clearing Agency with respect to such trust money shall thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee, such Paying Agent or such Clearing Agency, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Issuer cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in New York City and, if the related Series of Notes has been listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, and if the Luxembourg Stock Exchange so requires, in a newspaper customarily published on each Luxembourg business day and of general circulation in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than thirty (30) days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer. The Trustee may also adopt and employ, at the expense of the Issuer, any other reasonable means of notification of such repayment.

Section 2.9. Private Placement Legend .

Unless otherwise provided for in a Series Supplement, in addition to any legend required by Section 2.16 , each Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THIS NOTE MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (1) TO A PERSON THE TRANSFEROR REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS

 

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DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”)) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, OR (2) IN A TRANSACTION OTHERWISE EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND ANY OTHER JURISDICTION AND BASED ON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUER AND THE TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR SO REQUEST, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE AND ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY TRANSFEREE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE.

BY ACQUIRING THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN), EACH PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT EITHER (I) IT IS NOT AN “EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN” AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(3) OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), WHICH IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA, A “PLAN” AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), WHICH IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE, AN ENTITY DEEMED TO HOLD PLAN ASSETS OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING, OR A GOVERNMENTAL PLAN SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR (II) (A) THIS NOTE IS RATED AT LEAST “BBB-” OR ITS EQUIVALENT BY A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL RATING AGENCY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE OR TRANSFER, AND (B) ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN) WILL NOT RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE (OR, IN THE CASE OF A GOVERNMENTAL PLAN, ANY SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR APPLICABLE LAW).

Section 2.10. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes .

(a) If (i) any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Transfer Agent and Registrar, or the Transfer Agent and Registrar receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, and (ii) there is delivered to the Transfer Agent and Registrar and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to hold the Transfer Agent and Registrar and the Trustee harmless then, in the absence of notice to the Trustee that such Note has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, and provided that the requirements of Section 8-405 of the UCC (which generally permit the Issuer to impose reasonable requirements) are met, then the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and (unless the Transfer Agent and Registrar is different from the Trustee, in which case the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall) deliver (in compliance with applicable Law), in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note, a replacement Note of like tenor

 

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and aggregate principal balance; provided , however , that if any such destroyed, lost or stolen Note, but not a mutilated Note, shall have become or within seven (7) days shall be due and payable or shall have been called for redemption, instead of issuing a replacement Note, the Issuer may pay such destroyed, lost or stolen Note when so due or payable without surrender thereof.

If, after the delivery of such replacement Note or payment of a destroyed, lost or stolen Note pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence, a bona fide purchaser for value of the original Note in lieu of which such replacement Note was issued presents for payment such original Note, the Issuer and the Trustee shall be entitled to recover such replacement Note (or such payment) from the Person to whom it was delivered or any Person taking such replacement Note from such Person to whom such replacement Note was delivered or any assignee of such Person, except a bona fide purchaser for value, and shall be entitled to recover upon the security or indemnity provided therefor to the extent of any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred by the Issuer or the Trustee in connection therewith.

(b) Upon the issuance of any replacement Note under this Section 2.10 , the Transfer Agent and Registrar or the Trustee may require the payment by the Holder of such Note of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other reasonable expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee and the Transfer Agent and Registrar) connected therewith.

(c) Any duplicate Note issued pursuant to this Section 2.10 shall constitute complete and indefeasible evidence of contractual debt obligation of the Issuer, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Note shall be found at any time.

(d) Every replacement Note issued pursuant to this Section 2.10 in replacement of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall constitute an original additional Contractual Obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be at any time enforceable by anyone and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

(e) The provisions of this Section 2.10 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.

Section 2.11. Temporary Notes .

(a) Pending the preparation of Definitive Notes, the Issuer may request and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, shall authenticate and deliver temporary Notes of such Series. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of Definitive Notes of like Series but may have variations that are not inconsistent with the terms of this Indenture as the officers executing such Notes may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Notes.

(b) If temporary Notes are issued pursuant to Section 2.11(a) above, the Issuer will cause Definitive Notes to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of Definitive Notes, the temporary Notes shall be exchangeable for Definitive Notes upon surrender of the temporary Notes at the office or agency of the Issuer to be maintained as provided in

 

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Section 8.2(b) , without charge to the Noteholder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Notes, the Issuer shall execute and at the Issuer’s request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as Definitive Notes.

Section 2.12. Persons Deemed Owners . Prior to due presentation of a Note for registration of transfer, the Servicer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent and Registrar and any agent of any of them may treat a Person in whose name any Note is registered (as of any date of determination) as the owner of the related Note for the purpose of receiving payments of principal and interest, if any, on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever whether or not such Note be overdue, and neither the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent and Registrar nor any agent of any of them shall be affected by any notice to the contrary; provided , however , that in determining whether the requisite number of Holders of Notes have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder (including under any Series Supplement), Notes owned by any of the Issuer, the Seller, the Servicer or any Affiliate controlled by or controlling Conn Appliances shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Notes which a Trust Officer in the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. The foregoing proviso shall not apply if there are no Holders other than the Issuer or its Affiliates.

Section 2.13. Cancellation . All Notes surrendered for payment, registration of transfer, exchange or redemption shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. The Issuer may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Issuer may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Notes so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No Notes shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Notes cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Notes may be held or disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its standard retention or disposal policy as in effect at the time unless the Issuer shall direct by an Issuer Order that they be destroyed or returned to it; provided that such Issuer Order is timely and the Notes have not been previously disposed of by the Trustee. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment.

Section 2.14. Release of Trust Estate . The Trustee shall (a) in connection with any removal of Removed Receivables from the Trust Estate, release the portion of the Trust Estate securing the Removed Receivables from the Lien created by this Indenture upon receipt of a Conn Officer’s Certificate certifying that the Outstanding Receivables Balance (or such other amount required in connection with the disposition of such Removed Receivables as provided by the Transaction Documents) with respect thereto has been deposited into the Collection Account, (b) in connection any redemption of the Notes of any Series, release the Trust Estate from the Lien created by this Indenture upon receipt of a Conn Officer’s Certificate certifying that the Redemption Price and all other amounts due and owing on the Redemption Date have been deposited into a Trust Account that is within the sole control of the Trustee and (c) on or after the

 

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Indenture Termination Date, release any remaining portion of the Trust Estate from the Lien created by this Indenture and in each case deposit in the Collection Account any funds then on deposit in any other Trust Account upon receipt of a Issuer Request accompanied by a Conn Officer’s Certificate, and Independent Certificates (if this Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA) in accordance with TIA Sections 314(c) and 314(d)(1) meeting the applicable requirements of Section 15.1 .

Section 2.15. Payment of Principal and Interest .

(a) The principal of each Series of Notes shall be payable at the times and in the amounts set forth in the related Series Supplement and in accordance with Section 8.1 .

(b) Each Series of Notes shall accrue interest as provided in the related Series Supplement and such interest shall be payable at the times and in the amounts set forth in the related Series Supplement and in accordance with Section 8.1 .

(c) Any installment of interest or principal, if any, payable on any Note which is punctually paid or duly provided for by the Issuer on the applicable Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note is registered at the close of business on any Record Date with respect to a Payment Date for such Note and such Person shall be entitled to receive the principal and interest payable on such Payment Date notwithstanding the cancellation of such Note upon any registration of transfer, exchange or substitution of such Note subsequent to such Record Date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account designated by the Holder of such Note, except that, unless Definitive Notes have been issued pursuant to Section 2.18 , with respect to Notes registered on the Record Date in the name of the nominee of the Clearing Agency (initially, such nominee to be Cede & Co.), payment will be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account designated by such nominee and except for the final installment of principal payable with respect to such Note on a Payment Date or on the Legal Final Payment Date (and except for the Redemption Price for any Note called for redemption pursuant to Section 14.1 ) which shall be payable as provided herein; except that, any interest payable at maturity shall be paid to the Person to whom the principal of such Note is payable. The funds represented by any such checks returned undelivered shall be held in accordance with Section 2.8 .

Section 2.16. Book-Entry Notes .

(a) If provided in the related Series Supplement, the Notes of such Series, upon original issuance, shall be issued in the form of Book-Entry Notes, to be delivered to the depository specified in such Series Supplement (the “ Depository ,”) which shall be the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency, by or on behalf of such Series. The Notes of each Series issued as Book-Entry Notes shall, unless otherwise provided in the related Series Supplement, initially be registered on the Note Register in the name of the nominee of the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency. Unless otherwise provided in a related Series Supplement, no Note Owner of Notes issued as Book-Entry Notes will receive a definitive note representing such Note Owner’s interest in the related Series of Notes, except as provided in Section 2.18 .

 

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(b) For each Series of Notes to be issued in registered form, the Issuer shall duly execute, and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 2.4 hereof, authenticate and deliver initially, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Series Supplement, one or more Global Notes that shall be registered on the Note Register in the name of a Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency or such Clearing Agency’s or Foreign Clearing Agency’s nominee. Each Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (“ DTC ”), A NEW YORK CORPORATION, TO CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. (“ CEDE ”) OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE, HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

So long as the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency or its nominee is the registered owner or holder of a Global Note, the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Notes represented by such Global Note for purposes of this Indenture and such Notes. Members of, or participants in, the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency, and the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency may be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee, any Agent and any agent of such entities as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Trustee, any Agent and any agent of such entities from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency or impair, as between the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency and its agent members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of any Note.

(c) Subject to Section 2.6(a)(xi) , the provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and the “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and such procedures governing the use of such Clearing Agencies as may be enacted from time to time shall be applicable to a Global Note insofar as interests in such Global Note are held by the agent members of Euroclear or Clearstream (which shall only occur in the case of a temporary Regulation S Global Note and a permanent Regulation S Global Note). Account holders or participants in Euroclear and Clearstream shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Note and the registered holder may be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee, any Agent and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee as the owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever.

 

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(d) Title to the Notes shall pass only by registration in the Note Register maintained by the Transfer Agent and Registrar pursuant to Section 2.6 .

(e) Any typewritten Note or Notes representing Book-Entry Notes shall provide that they represent the aggregate or a specified amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and may also provide that the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a typewritten Note or Notes representing Book-Entry Notes to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, or changes in the rights of Note Owners represented thereby, shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Issuer Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.4(b) . The Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any typewritten Note or Notes representing Book-Entry Notes in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Issuer Order. Any instructions by the Issuer with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a typewritten Note or Notes representing the Book-Entry Notes shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 13.3 hereof and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

(f) Unless and until definitive, fully registered Notes of any Series or any Class thereof (“ Definitive Notes ”) have been issued to Note Owners with respect to any Series of Notes initially issued as Book-Entry Notes pursuant to Section 2.18 or the applicable Series Supplement:

(i) the provisions of this Section 2.16 shall be in full force and effect with respect to each such Series;

(ii) the Issuer, the Seller, the Servicer, the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent and Registrar and the Trustee may deal with the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency and the Clearing Agency Participants for all purposes of this Indenture (including the making of payments on the Notes of each such Series and the giving of instructions or directions hereunder) as the authorized representatives of such Note Owners;

(iii) to the extent that the provisions of this Section 2.16 conflict with any other provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Section 2.16 shall control;

(iv) whenever this Indenture requires or permits actions to be taken based upon instructions or directions of Holders of such Series of Notes evidencing a specified percentage of the outstanding principal amount of such Series of Notes, the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency, as applicable, shall be deemed to represent such percentage only to the extent that it has received instructions to such effect from Note Owners and/or their related Clearing Agency Participants owning or representing, respectively, such required percentage of the beneficial interest in such Series of Notes and has delivered such instructions to the Trustee;

(v) the rights of Note Owners of each such Series shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency and their related Clearing Agency Participants and shall be limited to those established by Law and agreements

 

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between such Note Owners and the related Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency Participants. Pursuant to the Depository Agreement applicable to a Series, unless and until Definitive Notes of such Series are issued pursuant to Section 2.18 , the applicable Clearing Agencies or Foreign Clearing Agencies will make book-entry transfers among their related Clearing Agency Participants and receive and transmit payments of principal and interest on such Series of Notes to such Clearing Agency Participants; and

(vi) Note Owners may receive copies of any reports sent to Noteholders of the relevant Series generally pursuant to the Indenture, upon written request, together with a certification that they are Note Owners and payments of reproduction and postage expenses associated with the distribution of such reports, from the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office.

Section 2.17. Notices to Clearing Agency . Whenever notice or other communication to the Noteholders is required under this Indenture, unless and until Definitive Notes shall have been issued to Note Owners pursuant to Section 2.18 or the applicable Series Supplement, the Trustee shall give all such notices and communications specified herein to be given to Holders of the Notes to the applicable Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency for distribution to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 2.18. Definitive Notes .

(a) Conditions for Exchange . If with respect to any Series of Book-Entry Notes (i) (A) the Issuer advises the Trustee in writing that the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency is no longer willing or able to discharge properly its responsibilities under the applicable Depository Agreement and (B) neither the Trustee nor the Issuer is able to locate a qualified successor, (ii) the Issuer, at its option, advises the Trustee in writing that it elects to terminate the book-entry system through the Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency with respect to any Series of Notes or (iii) after the occurrence of a Servicer Default or Event of Default, Note Owners of a Series representing beneficial interests aggregating not less a majority of (or such other percent specified in a related Series Supplement) of the portion of outstanding principal amount of the Notes represented by such Series advise the Trustee and the applicable Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency through the applicable Clearing Agency Participants in writing that the continuation of a book-entry system through the applicable Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency is no longer in the best interests of the Note Owners of such Series, the Trustee shall notify all Note Owners of such Series, through the applicable Clearing Agency Participants, of the occurrence of any such event and of the availability of Definitive Notes to Note Owners of such Series requesting the same. Upon surrender to the Trustee of the typewritten Note or Notes representing the Book-Entry Notes of such Series by the applicable Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency, accompanied by registration instructions from the applicable Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency for registration, the Trustee shall issue the Definitive Notes of such Series or Class. Neither the Issuer nor the Trustee shall be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, such instructions. Upon the issuance of Definitive Notes of such Series and upon the issuance of any Series of Notes or any Class thereof in definitive form in accordance with the related Series Supplement, all references herein

 

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to obligations imposed upon or to be performed by the applicable Clearing Agency or Foreign Clearing Agency shall be deemed to be imposed upon and performed by the Trustee, to the extent applicable with respect to such Definitive Notes, and the Trustee shall recognize the Holders of the Definitive Notes of such Series or Classes as Noteholders of such Series or Classes hereunder. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, Definitive Notes shall not be issued in respect of any Temporary Regulation S Global Note unless the applicable Restricted Period has expired and then only upon receipt by the Trustee from the Holder thereof of any certifications required by the relevant Series Supplement.

(b) Transfer of Definitive Notes . Subject to the terms of this Indenture (including the requirements of any relevant Series Supplement), the holder of any Definitive Note may transfer the same in whole or in part, in an amount equivalent to an authorized denomination, by surrendering at the office maintained by the Transfer Agent and Registrar for such purpose in Minneapolis, Minnesota, such Note with the form of transfer endorsed on it duly completed and executed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Transfer Agent and Registrar by, the holder thereof and, if applicable, accompanied by a certificate substantially in the form required under the related Series Supplement. In exchange for any Definitive Note properly presented for transfer, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and deliver or cause to be executed, authenticated and delivered in compliance with applicable Law, to the transferee at such office, or send by mail (at the risk of the transferee) to such address as the transferee may request, Definitive Notes for the same aggregate principal amount as was transferred. In the case of the transfer of any Definitive Note in part, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and deliver or cause to be authenticated and delivered to the transferor at such office, or send by mail (at the risk of the transferor) to such address as the transferor may request, Definitive Notes for the aggregate principal amount that was not transferred. No transfer of any Definitive Note shall be made unless the request for such transfer is made by the Holder at such office. Neither the Issuer nor the Trustee shall be liable for any delay in delivery of transfer instructions and each may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, such instructions. Upon the issuance of Definitive Notes for such Series, the Trustee shall recognize the Holders of the Definitive Notes as Noteholders of such Series.

Section 2.19. Global Note . If specified in the related Series Supplement for any Series, (i) the Notes may be initially issued in the form of a single temporary global note (the “ Global Note ”) in registered form, without interest coupons, in the denomination of the initial aggregate principal amount of the Notes and (ii) a Class of Notes may be initially issued in the form of a single temporary Global Note in registered form, in the denomination of the portion of the initial aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented by such Class, each substantially in the form attached to the related Series Supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the related Series Supplement, the provisions of this Section 2.19 shall apply to such Global Note. The Global Note will be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions, in substantially the same manner and with the same effect as the Definitive Notes. The Global Note may be exchanged in the manner described in the related Series Supplement for Registered Notes in definitive form.

Section 2.20. Tax Treatment . The Notes have been (or will be) issued with the intention that, the Notes will qualify under applicable tax Law as indebtedness of the Issuer secured by the Trust Estate and any entity acquiring any direct or indirect interest in any (i) Note by acceptance

 

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of its Notes (or, in the case of a Note Owner, by virtue of such Note Owner’s acquisition of a beneficial interest therein) agrees to treat the Notes (or beneficial interests therein) for purposes of Federal, state and local and income or franchise taxes and any other tax imposed on or measured by income, as indebtedness. Each Noteholder agrees that it will cause any Note Owner acquiring an interest in a Note through it to comply with this Indenture as to treatment as indebtedness for such tax purposes.

Section 2.21. Duties of the Trustee and the Transfer Agent and Registrar. Notwithstanding anything contained herein or a Series Supplement to the contrary, neither the Trustee nor the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall be responsible for ascertaining whether any transfer of a Note complies with the terms of this Base Indenture or a Series Supplement, the registration provision of or exemptions from the Securities Act, applicable state securities laws, ERISA or the Investment Company Act; provided that if a transfer certificate or opinion is specifically required by the express terms of this Base Indenture or a Series Supplement to be delivered to the Trustee or the Transfer Agent and Registrar in connection with a transfer, the Trustee or the Transfer Agent and Registrar, as the case may be, shall be under a duty to receive the same.

ARTICLE 3.

[ARTICLE 3 IS RESERVED AND SHALL BE SPECIFIED IN ANY

SUPPLEMENT WITH RESPECT TO ANY SERIES OF NOTES]

ARTICLE 4.

NOTEHOLDER LISTS AND REPORTS

Section 4.1. Issuer To Furnish To Trustee Names and Addresses of Noteholders . The Issuer will furnish or cause the Transfer Agent and Registrar to furnish to the Trustee (a) not more than five (5) days after each Record Date a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such Record Date, (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Issuer of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than ten (10) days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided , however , that so long as the Trustee is the Transfer Agent and Registrar, no such list shall be required to be furnished. The Issuer will furnish or cause to be furnished by the Transfer Agent and Registrar to the Paying Agent (if not the Trustee) such list for payment of distributions to Noteholders.

Section 4.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Noteholders .

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of the Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 4.1 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Transfer Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in such Section 4.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

 

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(b) Noteholders may communicate (including pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) (if this Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA)) with other Noteholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Notes. Unless otherwise provided in the related Series Supplement, if holders of Notes evidencing in aggregate not less than 20% of the outstanding principal balance of the Notes of any Series (the “ Applicants ”) apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such Applicant has owned a Note for a period of at least 6 months preceding the date of such application, and if such application states that the Applicants desire to communicate with other Noteholders of any Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Notes and is accompanied by a copy of the communication which such Applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee, after having been adequately indemnified by such Applicants for its costs and expenses, shall within five (5) Business Days after the receipt of such application afford or shall cause the Transfer Agent and Registrar to afford such Applicants access during normal business hours to the most recent list of Noteholders held by the Trustee and shall give the Issuer notice that such request has been made within five (5) Business Days after the receipt of such application. Such list shall be as of the most recent Record Date, but in no event more than forty-five (45) days prior to the date of receipt of such Applicants’ request.

(c) The Issuer, the Trustee and the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c) (if this Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA). Every Noteholder, by receiving and holding a Note, agrees with the Issuer and the Trustee that neither the Issuer, the Trustee, the Transfer Agent and Registrar, nor any of their respective agents shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Noteholders in accordance with this Section 4.2 , regardless of the source from which such information was obtained.

Section 4.3. Reports by Issuer .

(a) (i) the Issuer or the initial Servicer on its behalf, shall deliver to the Trustee, on the date, if any, the Issuer is required to file the same with the Commission, hard and electronic copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Issuer is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

(ii) the Issuer or the initial Servicer on its behalf, shall file with the Trustee and the Commission in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission such additional information, documents and reports, if any, with respect to compliance by the Issuer with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations;

(iii) the Issuer or the initial Servicer on its behalf, shall supply to the Trustee (and the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Noteholders) such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Issuer (if any) pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.3(a) as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission; and

 

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(iv) the Servicer shall prepare and distribute any other reports required to be prepared by the Servicer (except, if a successor Servicer is acting as Servicer, any reports expressly only required to be prepared by the initial Servicer or Conn Appliances) under any Servicer Transaction Documents.

(b) Unless the Issuer otherwise determines, the fiscal year of the Issuer shall end on January 31 of each year.

Section 4.4. Reports by Trustee . If this Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA, within sixty (60) days after each April 1, beginning with April 1, 2013, the Trustee shall mail to each Noteholder as required by TIA Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such date that complies with TIA Section 313(a). If this Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA, the Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Noteholders shall be filed by the Trustee with the Commission and each stock exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee if and when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange.

Section 4.5. Reports and Records for the Trustee and Instructions .

(a) Unless otherwise stated in the related Series Supplement with respect to any Series, on each Determination Date the Servicer shall forward to the Trustee a Monthly Servicer Report prepared by the Servicer.

(b) Unless otherwise specified in the related Series Supplement, on each Payment Date, the Trustee or the Paying Agent shall make available in the same manner as the Monthly Servicer Report to each Noteholder of record of each outstanding Series and to the Rating Agency, the Monthly Noteholders’ Statement with respect to such Series.

ARTICLE 5.

ALLOCATION AND APPLICATION OF COLLECTIONS

Section 5.1. Rights of Noteholders . Each Series of Notes shall be secured by the entire Trust Estate, including the right to receive the Collections and other amounts at the times and in the amounts specified in this Article 5 to be deposited in the Investor Accounts and any other Series Account (if so specified in the related Series Supplement) or to be paid to the Noteholders of such Series. In no event shall the grant of a security interest in the entire Trust Estate be deemed to entitle any Noteholder to receive Collections or other proceeds of the Trust Estate in excess of the amounts described in Article 5 .

Section 5.2. Collection of Money . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Trustee may demand payment or delivery of, and shall receive and collect, directly and without intervention or assistance of any fiscal agent or other intermediary, all money and other property payable to or receivable by the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture. The Trustee shall apply all such money received by it as provided in this Indenture. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, if any default occurs in the making of any payment or performance under any agreement or instrument that is part of the Trust Estate, the Trustee may take such action as may

 

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be appropriate to enforce such payment or performance, including the institution and prosecution of appropriate Proceedings. Any such action shall be without prejudice to any right to claim a Default or Event of Default under this Indenture and any right to proceed thereafter as provided in Article 9 .

Section 5.3. Establishment of Accounts .

(a) The Collection Account . On or prior to the Closing Date, the Issuer shall cause the initial Servicer, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to establish and the Servicer shall maintain in the city in which the Corporate Trust Office is located, with a Qualified Institution or as a segregated trust account with the corporate trust department of a depository institution or trust company having corporate trust powers and acting as trustee for funds deposited in the Collection Account, in the name of the Trustee, a non-interest bearing segregated trust account (the “ Collection Account ”) bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties. Pursuant to authority granted to it pursuant to Section 2.02(a) of the Servicing Agreement, the Servicer shall have the revocable power to withdraw funds from the Collection Account for the purposes of carrying out its duties thereunder. The Trustee shall be the entitlement holder of the Collection Account, and shall possess all right, title and interest in all moneys, instruments, securities and other property on deposit from time to time in the Collection Account and the proceeds thereof for the benefit of the Secured Parties. Initially, the Collection Account will be established with the Trustee. Funds on deposit in the Collection Account that are not both deposited and to be withdrawn on the same day shall be invested in Permitted Investments.

(b) The Finance Charge and Principal Accounts . The Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall establish and maintain in the city in which the Corporate Trust Office is located, with a Qualified Institution, in the name of the Trustee, two non-interest bearing segregated trust accounts (the “ Finance Charge Account ” and the “ Principal Account ” respectively), each bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds therein are held for the benefit of the Secured Parties. The Trustee shall possess all right, title and interest in all funds on deposit from time to time in the Finance Charge Account and the Principal Account and in all proceeds thereof. The Trustee shall be the entitlement holder of both the Finance Charge Account and the Principal Account and, subject to the next sentence, the Finance Charge Account and the Principal Account shall be under the sole dominion and control of the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties. Pursuant to authority granted to it hereunder and in the Servicing Agreement, the Servicer shall have the revocable power to instruct the Trustee to withdraw funds from the Finance Charge Account and Principal Account for the purpose of carrying out the Servicer’s duties under the Servicing Agreement. The Trustee at all times shall maintain accurate records reflecting each transaction in the Principal Account and the Finance Charge Account and that funds held therein shall at all times be held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

(c) The Payment Accounts . For each Series, the Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties of such Series, shall establish and maintain in the State of New York or in the city in which the Corporate Trust Office is located, with one or more Qualified Institutions, in the name of the Trustee, a non-interest bearing segregated trust account (each, a “ Payment Account ” and collectively, the “ Payment Accounts ”) bearing a designation clearly indicating that

 

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the funds deposited therein are held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties of such Series. The Trustee shall possess all right, title and interest in all funds on deposit from time to time in the Payment Accounts and in all proceeds thereof. The Trustee shall be the sole entitlement holder of the Payment Accounts and the Payment Accounts shall be under the sole dominion and control of the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties of such Series.

(d) Series Accounts . If so provided in the related Series Supplement, the Trustee or the Servicer, for the benefit of the Secured Parties of such Series, shall cause to be established and maintained, in the name of the Trustee, one or more accounts (each, a “ Series Account ” and, collectively, the “ Series Accounts ”). Each such Series Account shall bear a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Secured Parties of such Series. Each such Series Account will be a trust account, if so provided in the related Series Supplement, and will have the other features and be applied as set forth in the related Series Supplement.

(e) Administration of the Collection Account, Finance Charge and Principal Accounts . Funds on deposit in the Collection Account, Principal Account and the Finance Charge Account that are not both deposited and to be withdrawn on the same date shall be invested in Permitted Investments. Any such investment shall mature and such funds shall be available for withdrawal on or prior to the Series Transfer Date related to the Monthly Period in which such funds were received or deposited, or if so specified in the related Series Supplement, immediately preceding a Payment Date. The Trustee shall: (i) hold each Permitted Investment (other than such as are described in clause (c) of the definition thereof) that constitutes investment property through a securities intermediary, which securities intermediary shall (I) agree that such investment property shall at all times be credited to a securities account of which the Trustee is the entitlement holder, (II) comply with entitlement orders originated by the Trustee without the further consent of any other Person, (III) agree that all property credited to such securities account shall be treated as a financial asset, (IV) waive any Lien on any property credited to such securities account, and (V) agree that its jurisdiction for purposes of Section 8-110 and Section 9-305(a)(3) of the UCC shall be New York, and that such agreement shall be governed by the Laws of the State of New York; and (ii) maintain for the benefit of the Secured Parties, possession or control of each other Permitted Investment (including any negotiable instruments, if any, evidencing such Permitted Investments) not described in clause (i) above (other than such as are described in clause (c) of the definition thereof); provided that no Permitted Investment shall be disposed of prior to its maturity date if such disposition would result in a loss. Terms used in clause (i) above that are defined in the New York UCC and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the New York UCC. At the end of each month, all interest and earnings (net of losses and investment expenses) on funds on deposit in the Principal Account and the Finance Charge Account shall be deposited in the Collection Account and treated as Investment Earnings. If at the end of a month losses and investment expenses on funds on deposit in any of the Collection Account, the Principal Account and the Finance Charge Account exceed interest and earnings on such funds during such month, losses and expenses to the extent of such excess will be allocated, with respect to any Series, among the Noteholders of such Series and the Issuer as provided in the related Series Supplement. Subject to the restrictions set forth above, the Issuer, or a Person designated in writing by the Issuer, of which the Trustee shall have received written notification thereof, shall have the authority to instruct the Trustee with respect to the investment of funds on deposit in the Collection Account, the Principal Account and the Finance Charge Account.

 

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(f) Qualified Institution . If, at any time, the institution holding any account established pursuant to this Section 5.3 ceases to be a Qualified Institution, the Trustee shall notify each Rating Agency and within ten (10) Business Days establish a new account or accounts, as the case may be, meeting the conditions specified above with a Qualified Institution, and shall transfer any cash or any investments to such new account or accounts, as the case may be.

Section 5.4. Collections and Allocations .

(a) Collections in General . Subject to the last paragraph of this Section 5.4(a) , until this Indenture is terminated pursuant to Section 12.1 , the Issuer shall or shall cause the Servicer under the Servicing Agreement to cause all Collections due and to become due, as the case may be, to be paid directly into the Collection Account as promptly as possible after the date of receipt of such Collections, but in no event later than the second Business Day following such date of receipt. All monies, instruments, cash and other proceeds received by the Servicer in respect of the Trust Estate pursuant to this Indenture shall be deposited in the Collection Account as specified herein and shall be applied as provided in this Article 5 and Article 6 .

The Servicer shall allocate such amounts to each Series of Notes and to the Issuer in accordance with this Article 5 and shall withdraw the required amounts from the Collection Account or pay such amounts to the Issuer in accordance with this Article 5 , in both cases as modified by any Series Supplement. The Servicer shall make such deposits or payments on the date indicated therein by wire transfer or as otherwise provided in the Series Supplement for any Series of Notes with respect to such Series.

Notwithstanding anything in this Base Indenture or the Servicing Agreement to the contrary, and in consideration of and reliance upon the Issuer and the initial Servicer securing the Servicer Letter of Credit, for so long as, and only so long as, no Daily Payment Event shall have occurred and the aggregate amount of Collections then held by the initial Servicer or otherwise commingled with its general funds does not exceed the Available Servicer Letter of Credit Amount under the Servicer Letter of Credit, the Issuer shall not be required to cause the Servicer to make daily deposits of Collections into the Collection Account in the manner provided in this Article 5 or as required under the Servicing Agreement or, with respect to any Series, make daily payments from and daily deposits into the Finance Charge Account, the Principal Account or any Series Account as provided in any applicable Series Supplement prior to the close of business on the day any Collections are deposited in the Collection Account as provided in this Article 5 , but instead, the Servicer may commingle such Collections with its general funds or otherwise during each Monthly Period and make one or more deposits in the Collection Account in immediately available funds not later than 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Series Transfer Date immediately preceding the related Payment Date in an amount equal to Collections received in the immediately preceding Monthly Period.

 

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If a Daily Payment Event shall have occurred or the aggregate amount of Collections then held by the Servicer or otherwise commingled with its general fund exceeds the Available Servicer Letter of Credit Amount, the Issuer shall or shall cause the Servicer under the Servicing Agreement to cause all Collections due and to become due, as the case may be, to be paid directly into the Collection Account as promptly as possible after the date of receipt of such Collections, but in no event later than the second Business Day following such date of receipt.

(b) Allocation of Collections Between Finance Charges and Principal . At all times and for all purposes of this Base Indenture, the Servicer shall allocate Collections received in respect of any Receivables for any Monthly Period to Finance Charges and to principal in the manner specified in Section 3.02(b) of the Servicing Agreement.

(c) [Reserved].

(d) [Reserved] .

(e) Disqualification of Institution Maintaining Collection Account . Upon and after the establishment of a new Collection Account with a Qualified Institution, the Servicer shall deposit or cause to be deposited all Collections as set forth in Section 5.3(a) into the new Collection Account, and in no such event shall deposit or cause to be deposited any Collections thereafter into any account established, held or maintained with the institution formerly maintaining the Collection Account (unless it later becomes a Qualified Institution or qualified corporate trust department maintaining the Collection Account).

(f) [Reserved] .

Section 5.5. Determination of Monthly Interest . Monthly interest with respect to each Series of Notes shall be determined, allocated and distributed in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable Series Supplement.

Section 5.6. Determination of Monthly Principal . Monthly principal with respect to each Series of Notes shall be determined, allocated and distributed in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable Series Supplement. However, all principal or interest with respect to any Series of Notes shall be due and payable no later than the Legal Final Payment Date with respect to such Series.

Section 5.7. General Provisions Regarding Accounts . Subject to Section 11.1(c) , the Trustee shall not in any way be held liable by reason of any insufficiency in any of the Trust Estate resulting from any loss on any Permitted Investment included therein except for losses attributable to the Trustee’s failure to make payments on such Permitted Investments issued by the Trustee, in its commercial capacity as principal obligor and not as trustee, in accordance with their terms.

Section 5.8. Removed Receivables . Upon satisfaction of the conditions and the requirements of any of (i)  Section 8.3(a) and Section 15.1 hereof (to the extent applicable), (ii)  Section 2.08 or Section 2.13 of the Servicing Agreement or (iii)  Section 2.4 of the Purchase Agreement, as applicable, the Issuer shall execute and deliver and the Trustee shall acknowledge an instrument in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C evidencing the Trustee’s release of the

 

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related Removed Receivables and Related Security, and the Removed Receivables and Related Security shall no longer constitute a part of the Trust Estate. No party relying upon an instrument executed by the Trustee as provided in this Article 5 shall be bound to ascertain the Trustee’s authority, inquire into the satisfaction of any conditions precedent or see to the application of any moneys.

Section 5.9. [Reserved ] .

Section 5.10. Servicer Letter of Credit . The following provisions of this Section 5.10 shall apply so long as Conn Appliances is the Servicer under the Servicing Agreement.

(a) Servicer Letter of Credit . If with respect to any Series Transfer Date the Issuer shall have failed to cause the Servicer to make in full, the remittance of Collections required to be remitted by it pursuant to the Servicing Agreement and Section 5.4 (the “ Required Remittance Amount ”), then the Trustee shall draw on the Servicer Letter of Credit, in accordance with the terms thereof, in the amount of the difference between (i) the Required Remittance Amount, and (ii) the amount of funds actually so remitted. Any such draw on the Servicer Letter of Credit shall be made on or before 2:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the applicable Series Transfer Date. Upon receipt of the proceeds of any drawing under the Servicer Letter of Credit, the Trustee shall deposit such proceeds into the Collection Account and such proceeds shall, for all purposes of this Indenture, be deemed to be Collections and shall be distributed accordingly. The Servicer shall include in each Monthly Servicer Report, the amount available under the Servicer Letter of Credit as of the last day of the immediately preceding calendar month. In the event that a successor Servicer is appointed and acting as such as a result of a failure by the Servicer to prepare and deliver a Monthly Servicer Report, the successor Servicer shall, based on information in its possession, prepare and deliver such statement to the Trustee as promptly as practicable, and the Trustee shall make a drawing on the basis of such statement on the next succeeding Series Transfer Date.

(b) Downgrade of Servicer Letter of Credit Bank or Expiration of Term of Servicer Letter of Credit .

(i) On the fifteenth day prior to the expiry date of the Servicer Letter of Credit (as such letter of credit may have been renewed or extended), the Trustee shall give written notice thereof to the Issuer, the Servicer and each Rating Agency.

(ii) In the event that the Trustee receives written notice from any Noteholder, the Rating Agency, the Seller, the Servicer or the Issuer that the short-term unsecured rating of the Servicer Letter of Credit Bank has been withdrawn or reduced below the Required Rating, the Trustee shall promptly (or, if the Trustee receives such notice from another source, it may) give written notice thereof to the Issuer (unless the notice of withdrawal or reduction was received from the Issuer) and the Servicer (unless the notice of withdrawal or reduction was received from the Servicer). Within thirty-five (35) days (or five (5) Business Days, if the Servicer Letter of Credit Bank does not have short-term unsecured ratings equal to or higher than F3 (or the equivalent thereof) from the Rating Agency (or, if not rated by the Rating Agency, from any other rating agency)) of receipt of notice by the Servicer, the Servicer shall either (x) deliver to the Trustee a substitute

 

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Servicer Letter of Credit in accordance with clause (c) below, (y) instruct the Trustee in writing to make a demand for a drawing under the Servicer Letter of Credit in accordance with Section 5.10(e) or (z) commence depositing Collections including any Collections then held by it, into the Collection Account in the manner described in the first paragraph of Section 5.4(a) .

(c) Substitute Servicer Letter of Credit . The Trustee shall accept delivery of a letter of credit in substitution for the Servicer Letter of Credit and shall deliver the Servicer Letter of Credit to the Servicer Letter of Credit Bank for cancellation upon the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(i) The substitute letter of credit shall be irrevocable and shall be issued by a bank or other financial institution whose letter of credit or short-term deposit or other debt obligations have the Required Rating, and the substitute letter of credit shall provide that drawings thereunder may be made on substantially the same terms and conditions as the initial Servicer Letter of Credit, and the substitute letter of credit shall have been delivered to the Trustee.

(ii) The amount available to be drawn under the substitute letter of credit shall be at least equal to the amount which was available to be drawn under the Servicer Letter of Credit being replaced.

(iii) The Trustee shall have received written opinions of counsel (acceptable to the Trustee) (including domestic and foreign counsel, if applicable) or other evidence from the issuer of the substitute letter of credit, which opinions or evidence shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and its respective counsel, as to the enforceability of the substitute letter of credit.

(iv) The Servicer shall have delivered to the Trustee a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Servicer confirming the items set forth in (i) and (ii) above.

Upon the delivery to the Trustee of a substitute letter of credit in accordance with this section, such substitute letter of credit shall be the Servicer Letter of Credit and the issuer thereof shall be the Servicer Letter of Credit Bank for all purposes hereof.

(d) Regular Remittances . If the Servicer elects to begin regular remittances of Collections to the Collection Account in accordance with the first paragraph of Section 5.4(a) , the Servicer shall instruct the Trustee in writing to submit the Servicer Letter of Credit to the Servicer Letter of Credit Bank for cancellation and the Servicer shall begin such regular remittances in accordance with the first paragraph of Section 5.4(a) .

(e) Special Drawing . On the Closing Date, the Trustee shall establish or cause to be established in the name of the Trustee a segregated trust account (the “ Servicer LC Escrow Account ”), bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Secured Parties. If the Servicer elects to instruct the Trustee to make a drawing as described in clause (b)(ii)(y) above, the Servicer shall provide two (2) Business Days notice to the Servicer Letter of Credit Bank and shall instruct the Trustee in writing to promptly draw upon the Servicer Letter of Credit to the full extent of the Available Servicer Letter of

 

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Credit Amount thereunder and deposit such amount into the Servicer LC Escrow Account. All funds on deposit in the Servicer LC Escrow Account shall, at the direction of the Servicer, be invested by the Trustee in Permitted Investments which will be held to maturity and which will mature so that all funds on deposit therein will be available prior to the Series Transfer Date next following the date of such investment. The Trustee shall: (i) hold each Permitted Investment (other than such as are described in clause (c) of the definition thereof) that constitutes investment property through a securities intermediary, which securities intermediary shall (I) agree that such investment property shall at all times be credited to a securities account of which the Trustee is the entitlement holder, (II) comply with entitlement orders originated by the Trustee without the further consent of any other Person, (III) agree that all property credited to such securities account shall be treated as a financial asset, (IV) waive any Lien on any property credited to such securities account, and (V) agree that its jurisdiction for purposes of Section 8-110 and Section 9-305(a)(3) of the UCC shall be New York, and that such agreement shall be governed by the Laws of the State of New York; and (ii) maintain for the benefit of the Secured Parties, possession or control of each other Permitted Investment (including any negotiable instruments, if any, evidencing such Permitted Investments) not described in clause (i) above (other than such as are described in clause (c) of the definition thereof); provided , however , that no Permitted Investment shall be disposed of prior to its maturity date if such disposition would result in a loss. Terms used in clause (i) above that are defined in the New York UCC and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the New York UCC. Until the Indenture Termination Date, if a drawing under the Servicer Letter of Credit is called for under clause (a) above, a withdrawal in the same amount from the Servicer LC Escrow Account shall instead be made and the related funds applied as provided therein. From and after the date of such drawing, the term “ Available Servicer Letter of Credit Amount ” with respect to the Servicer Letter of Credit shall be deemed to refer to the amount on deposit in the Servicer LC Escrow Account (excluding any Investment Earnings thereon). On the first Business Day after the Indenture Termination Date, all funds in the Servicer LC Escrow Account shall be paid, first , to the Servicer Letter of Credit Bank to the extent of any amounts payable thereto under the reimbursement agreement for the Servicer Letter of Credit, and second , to the Servicer (the “ Payment Priorities ”). Any Investment Earnings on the Servicer LC Escrow Account shall be remitted on each Series Transfer Date in accordance with the Payment Priorities. All funds on deposit in the Servicer LC Escrow Account shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Trustee, subject to the rights of the Servicer as provided herein. Neither the Issuer nor the Servicer shall at any time have any ownership or other interest in such funds or any right to withdraw or to receive such funds except as described in the third preceding sentence. In the event that, notwithstanding the intention of the parties hereto, such funds are deemed to be the property of the Issuer or the Servicer, each of the Issuer and the Servicer hereby grants to the Trustee, a security interest in and to all of the Issuer’s or the Servicer’s (as the case may be) right, title and interest in such funds for the purpose of securing the rights of the Trustee hereunder.

In the event that the Servicer delivers to the Trustee a substitute letter of credit meeting the requirements of clause (c) above, the Trustee shall release any funds on deposit in the Servicer LC Escrow Account in accordance with the Payment Priorities.

(f) Reimbursement . If any amounts are payable by the Issuer to the Servicer Letter of Credit Bank under the reimbursement agreement for the Servicer Letter of Credit, the Trustee shall pay such amounts on behalf of the Issuer solely from amounts held in the Trust Accounts and in accordance with each Series Supplement.

 

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(g) Notices . If the Servicer Letter of Credit is amended, replaced or terminated, the Issuer shall promptly provide written notice thereof to each Rating Agency.

[THE REMAINDER OF ARTICLE 5 IS RESERVED AND SHALL BE SPECIFIED IN ANY SERIES SUPPLEMENT WITH RESPECT TO ANY SERIES.]

ARTICLE 6.

[ARTICLE 6 IS RESERVED AND SHALL BE SPECIFIED IN ANY SUPPLEMENT WITH RESPECT TO ANY SERIES ]

ARTICLE 7.

[ARTICLE 7 IS RESERVED AND SHALL BE SPECIFIED IN ANY SUPPLEMENT WITH RESPECT TO ANY SERIES ]

ARTICLE 8.

COVENANTS

Section 8.1. Money for Payments To Be Held in Trust . At all times from the date hereof to the Indenture Termination Date, unless the Required Noteholders of each Series shall otherwise consent in writing, all payments of amounts due and payable with respect to any Notes that are to be made from amounts withdrawn from the applicable Payment Account shall be made on behalf of the Issuer by the Trustee or by another Paying Agent, and no amounts so withdrawn from such Payment Account for payments of such Notes shall be paid over to the Issuer except as provided in this Indenture.

Section 8.2. Affirmative Covenants of Issuer . At all times from the date hereof to the Indenture Termination Date, unless the Required Noteholders of each Series shall otherwise consent in writing, the Issuer shall:

(a) Payment of Notes . Duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Base Indenture and any applicable Series Supplement. Principal and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds on that date money designated for and sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due. Amounts properly withheld under the Code by any Person from a payment to any Noteholder of interest and/or principal shall be considered as having been paid by the Issuer to such Noteholder for all purposes of this Indenture.

(b) Maintenance of Office or Agency . Maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee, Transfer Agent and Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served, and where, at any time when the

 

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Issuer is obligated to make a payment of principal and premium upon the Notes, the Notes may be surrendered for payment. The Issuer hereby initially appoints the Trustee to serve as its agent for the foregoing purposes. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Issuer hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such surrenders, notices and demands.

The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Issuer hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Issuer.

(c) Compliance with Laws, Etc. Comply in all material respects with all applicable Laws (including those which relate to the Receivables).

(d) Preservation of Existence . Preserve and maintain its existence rights, franchises and privileges in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, and qualify and remain qualified in good standing as a foreign entity in the jurisdiction where its principal place of business and its chief executive office are located and in each other jurisdiction where the failure to preserve and maintain such existence, rights, franchises, privileges and qualifications would have a Material Adverse Effect.

(e) Performance and Compliance with Receivables . Timely and fully perform and comply with all provisions, covenants and other promises required to be observed by it under the Receivables and all other agreements related to such Receivables.

(f) Collection Policy . Comply in all material respects with the Credit and Collection Policies in regard to each Receivable.

(g) Reporting Requirements of The Issuer . Until the Indenture Termination Date, furnish to the Trustee:

(i) Financial Statements .

(A) as soon as available, and in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Issuer, a copy of the annual audited report for such Fiscal Year of the Issuer including a copy of the balance sheet of the Issuer, in each case, as at the end of such Fiscal Year, together with the related statements of earnings and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, certified without material qualification by Ernst & Young or other nationally recognized independent public accountants acceptable to the Trustee, together with a certificate of such accounting firm stating that in the course of the regular audit of

 

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the business of the Issuer, which audit was conducted in accordance with GAAP (as then in effect), such accounting firm has obtained no knowledge that an Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing, or if, in the opinion of such accounting firm, such an Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof; provided , that if the Issuer is consolidated with the Consolidated Parent for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP (as then in effect), then the requirements of (B) below will satisfy this section;

(B) as soon as available and in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year of Consolidated Parent, a balance sheet of Consolidated Parent as of the end of such year and statements of income and retained earnings and of source and application of funds of Consolidated Parent, for the period commencing at the end of the previous Fiscal Year and ending with the end of such year, in each case setting forth comparative figures for the previous Fiscal Year, certified without material qualification by Ernst & Young or other nationally recognized independent public accountants acceptable to the Trustee, together with a certificate of such accounting firm stating that in the course of the regular audit of the business of Consolidated Parent, which audit was conducted in accordance with GAAP (as then in effect), such accounting firm has obtained no knowledge that an Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing, or if, in the opinion of such accounting firm, such an Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof; and

(C) as soon as available and in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter, quarterly balance sheets and quarterly statements of source and application of funds and quarterly statements of income and retained earnings of Consolidated Parent, certified by a Responsible Officer of Consolidated Parent (which certification shall state that such balance sheets and statements fairly present the financial condition and results of operations for such fiscal quarter, subject to year-end audit adjustments), delivery of which balance sheets and statements shall be accompanied by a Conn Officer’s Certificate to the effect that no Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing.

For so long as Consolidated Parent is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act, its filing of the annual and quarterly reports required under the Exchange Act, on a timely basis, shall be deemed compliance with this Section 8.2(g)(i) .

(ii) Notice of Default or Event of Default . Immediately, and in any event within one (1) Business Day after the Issuer obtains knowledge of the occurrence of each Default or Event of Default, a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Issuer setting forth details of such Default or Event of Default and the action which the Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

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(iii) Change in Credit and Collection Policies . Within ten (10) Business Days after the date any material change in or amendment to the Credit and Collection Policies is made, a copy of the Credit and Collection Policies then in effect indicating such change or amendment;

(iv) ERISA . Promptly after the filing or receiving thereof, copies of all reports and notices with respect to any reportable event as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived) which either (i) the Issuer, Seller, any Originator, Servicer or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates files under ERISA with the Internal Revenue Service, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or the U.S. Department of Labor or (ii) the Issuer, Seller, any Originator, Servicer or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates receives from the Internal Revenue Service, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or the U.S. Department of Labor. The Issuer shall give the Trustee and each Noteholder prompt written notice of any event that could result in the imposition of a Lien under Section 430(k) of the Code or Section 303(k) or 4068 of ERISA;

(v) If a Responsible Officer of the Issuer shall have actual knowledge of the occurrence of a Servicer Default, notice thereof to the Trustee and the Rating Agency, which notice shall specify the action, if any, the Issuer is taking in respect of such default. If a Servicer Default shall arise from the failure of the Servicer to perform any of its duties or obligations under the Servicing Agreement, the Issuer shall take all reasonable steps available to it to remedy such failure, including any action reasonably requested by the Trustee; and

(vi) On or before April 1, 2013 and on or before April 1 of each year thereafter, and otherwise in compliance with the requirements of TIA Section 314(a)(4) (if this Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA), a Conn Officer’s Certificate stating, as to the Responsible Officer signing such Conn Officer’s Certificate, that

(A) a review of the activities of the Issuer during such year and of performance under this Indenture has been made under such Responsible Officer’s supervision; and

(B) to the best of such Responsible Officer’s knowledge, based on such review, the Issuer has complied with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a Default or Event of Default, specifying each such Default or Event of Default known to such Responsible Officer and the nature and status thereof.

(h) Use of Proceeds . Use the proceeds of the Notes solely in connection with the acquisition or funding of Receivables.

(i) Protection of Trust Estate . At its expense, perform all acts and execute all documents reasonably requested by the Trustee at any time to evidence, perfect, maintain and enforce the title or the security interest of the Trustee in the Trust Estate and the priority thereof. The Issuer will, at the reasonable request of the Trustee, prepare, deliver and authorize the filing

 

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of financing statements relating to or covering the Trust Estate sold to the Issuer and subsequently conveyed to the Trustee. The Issuer shall, within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, cause each Contract with respect to a Receivable to be stamped in a conspicuous place (or with respect to Contracts stored electronically, marked with an electronic stamp), and its Records relating to the Receivables to be marked, with a legend stating that it has been pledged to the Trustee for the benefit of the Noteholders.

(j) Inspection of Records . Permit the Trustee, any one or more of the Notice Person or their duly authorized representatives, attorneys or auditors to inspect the Receivables, the Receivable Files and the Records at such times as such Person may reasonably request. Upon instructions from the Trustee, any one or more of the Notice Person or their duly authorized representatives, attorneys or auditors, the Issuer shall release any document related to any Receivables to such Person.

(k) Furnishing of Information . Provide such cooperation, information and assistance, and prepare and supply the Trustee and the Notice Person of each Series with such data regarding the performance by the Obligors of their obligations under the Receivables and the performance by the Issuer and Servicer of their respective obligations under the Transaction Documents, as may be reasonably requested by the Trustee or any Notice Person from time to time.

(l) Accounts . Not maintain any bank accounts other than the Trust Accounts. Except as set forth in the Servicing Agreement the Issuer shall not make, nor will it permit the Seller or Servicer to make, any change in its instructions to Obligors regarding payments to be made to the Post Office Box. The Issuer shall not add any additional Trust Accounts unless the Trustee shall have consented thereto and received a copy of any documentation with respect thereto. The Issuer shall not terminate any Trust Accounts or close any Trust Accounts unless the Trustee shall have received at least thirty (30) days prior notice of such termination and shall have consented thereto.

(m) Performance and Compliance with Receivables and Contracts . At its expense, timely and fully perform and comply with all material provisions, covenants and other promises, if any, required to be observed by the Issuer under the Contracts related to the Receivables.

(n) Collections Received . Hold in trust, and immediately (but in any event no later than two (2) Business Days following its receipt thereof) transfer to the Servicer for deposit into the Collection Account (subject to Section 5.4(a) ) all Collections, if any, received from time to time by the Issuer.

(o) Enforcement of Transaction Documents . Use its best efforts to enforce all rights held by it under any of the Transaction Documents, shall not amend, supplement or otherwise modify any of the Transaction Documents and shall not waive any breach of any covenant contained thereunder without the prior written consent of the Required Noteholders for each Series. The Issuer shall take all actions reasonably requested by the Trustee to enforce the Issuer’s rights and remedies under the Transaction Documents. The Issuer agrees that it will not waive timely performance or observance by the Servicer or the Seller of their respective duties under the Transaction Documents if the effect thereof would adversely affect any of the Secured Parties.

 

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(p) Separate Legal Entity . The Issuer hereby acknowledges that the Trustee and the Noteholders are entering into the transactions contemplated by this Base Indenture and the other Transaction Documents in reliance upon the Issuer’s identity as a legal entity separate from any other Person. Therefore, from and after the date hereof, the Issuer shall take all reasonable steps to continue the Issuer’s identity as a separate legal entity and to make it apparent to third Persons that the Issuer is an entity with assets and liabilities distinct from those of any other Person, and is not a division of any other Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and in addition to and consistent with the covenant set forth herein, the Issuer shall take such actions as shall be required in order that:

(i) The Issuer will be a limited purpose limited partnership whose primary activities are restricted in a partnership agreement to owning financial assets and financing the acquisition thereof and conducting such other activities as it deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its primary activities;

(ii) At least two managers of the general partner of the Issuer (the “ Independent Managers ”) shall be individuals who are not present or former directors, officers, employees or 5% beneficial owners of the outstanding common stock of any Person or entity beneficially owning any outstanding shares of common stock of Conn Appliances or any Affiliate thereof; provided , however , that an individual shall not be deemed to be ineligible to be an Independent Manager solely because such individual serves or has served in the capacity of an “independent manager” or similar capacity for special purpose entities formed by Parent or any of its Affiliates. The partnership agreement of the Issuer shall provide that (i) the general partner of the Issuer shall not approve, or take any other action to cause the filing of, a voluntary bankruptcy petition with respect to the Issuer unless the Independent Managers shall approve the taking of such action in writing prior to the taking of such action, and (ii) such provision cannot be amended without the prior written consent of the Independent Managers;

(iii) Any employee, consultant or agent of the Issuer will be compensated from funds of the Issuer, as appropriate, for services provided to the Issuer;

(iv) The Issuer will allocate and charge fairly and reasonably overhead expenses shared with any other Person. To the extent, if any, that the Issuer and any other Person share items of expenses such as legal, auditing and other professional services, such expenses will be allocated to the extent practical on the basis of actual use or the value of services rendered, and otherwise on a basis reasonably related to the actual use or the value of services rendered;

(v) The Issuer’s operating expenses will not be paid by any other Person except as permitted under the terms of this Indenture or otherwise consented to by the Trustee and the Required Noteholders;

 

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(vi) The Issuer’s books and records will be maintained separately from those of any other Person;

(vii) All audited financial statements of any Person that are consolidated to include the Issuer will contain notes clearly stating that (A) all of the Issuer’s assets are owned by the Issuer, and (B) the Issuer is a separate entity;

(viii) The Issuer’s assets will be maintained in a manner that facilitates their identification and segregation from those of any other Person;

(ix) The Issuer will strictly observe appropriate formalities in its dealings with all other Persons, and funds or other assets of the Issuer will not be commingled with those of any other Person, other than temporary commingling in connection with servicing the Receivables to the extent explicitly permitted by this Indenture and the other Transaction Documents;

(x) The Issuer shall not, directly or indirectly, be named or enter into an agreement to be named, as a direct or contingent beneficiary or loss payee, under any insurance policy with respect to any amounts payable due to occurrences or events related to any other Person;

(xi) Any Person that renders or otherwise furnishes services to the Issuer will be compensated thereby at market rates for such services it renders or otherwise furnishes thereto. Except as expressly provided in the Transaction Documents, the Issuer will not hold itself out to be responsible for the debts of any other Person or the decisions or actions respecting the daily business and affairs of any other Person; and

(xii) comply with all material assumptions of fact set forth in the opinion with respect to certain bankruptcy matters delivered by Andrews Kurth LLP on the date hereof, relating to the Issuer, its obligations hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the conduct of its business with Conn Appliances, any other Originator, the Seller or any other Person.

(q) Minimum Net Worth . Have a net worth (in accordance with GAAP) of at least 1% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes.

(r) Servicer’s Obligations . Cause the Servicer to comply with Section 2.02(c) and Sections 2.09 and 2.10 of the Servicing Agreement.

(s) Income Tax Characterization . For purposes of federal income, state and local income and franchise and any other income taxes, unless otherwise required by the relevant governmental authority, the Issuer will treat the Notes as indebtedness.

Section 8.3. Negative Covenants . So long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer shall not, unless the Required Noteholders of each Series shall otherwise consent in writing:

(a) Sales, Liens, Etc. Except pursuant to, or as contemplated by, the Transaction Documents, the Issuer shall not sell, transfer, exchange, assign (by operation of law

 

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or otherwise) or otherwise dispose of, or create or suffer to exist voluntarily or, for a period in excess of thirty (30) days, involuntarily any Adverse Claims upon or with respect to any of its assets, including, without limitation, the Collateral, any interest therein or any right to receive any amount from or in respect thereof, unless directed to do so by the Trustee.

(b) Claims, Deductions . Claim any credit on, or make any deduction from the principal or interest payable in respect of, the Notes (other than amounts properly withheld from such payments under the Code) or assert any claim against any present or former Noteholder by reason of the payment of the taxes levied or assessed upon any part of the Trust Estate; or

(c) Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, Subsidiaries, etc . The Issuer shall not:

(i) be a party to any merger or consolidation, or directly or indirectly purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the assets or any stock of any class of, or any partnership or joint venture interest in, any other Person, except for Permitted Investments, or sell, transfer, assign, convey or lease any of its property and assets (or any interest therein) other than pursuant to, or as contemplated by, this Indenture or the other Transaction Documents;

(ii) make, incur or suffer to exist an investment in, equity contribution to, loan or advance to, or payment obligation in respect of the deferred purchase price of property from, any other Person, except for Permitted Investments or pursuant to the Transaction Documents;

(iii) create any direct or indirect Subsidiary or otherwise acquire direct or indirect ownership of any equity interests in any other Person other than pursuant to the Transaction Documents; or

(iv) enter into any transaction with any Affiliate except for the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and other transactions upon fair and reasonable terms materially no less favorable to the Issuer than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate.

(d) Change in Business Policy . The Issuer shall not make any change in the character of its business which would impair in any material respect the collectibility of any Receivable.

(e) Other Debt . Except as provided for herein, the Issuer shall not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness whether current or funded, other than (i) the Notes, (ii) Indebtedness of the Issuer representing fees, expenses and indemnities arising hereunder or under the Purchase Agreement (including the Seller Note) for the purchase price of the Receivables under the Purchase Agreement and (iii) other Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 8.3(h) .

(f) Certificate of Limited Partnership and Limited Partnership Agreement . The Issuer shall not amend its certificate of limited partnership or limited partnership agreement unless the Trustee shall have received written confirmation by the Rating Agency that after such amendment the Rating Agency Condition will be met.

 

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(g) Financing Statements . The Issuer shall not authorize the filing of any financing statement (or similar statement or instrument of registration under the laws of any jurisdiction) or statements relating to the Trust Estate other than the financing statements authorized and filed in connection with and pursuant to the Transaction Documents.

(h) Business Restrictions . The Issuer shall not (i) engage in any business or transactions, or be a party to any documents, agreements or instruments, other than the Transaction Documents or those incidental to the purposes thereof, or (ii) make any expenditure for any assets (other than Receivables) if such expenditure, when added to other such expenditures made during the same calendar year would, in the aggregate, exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000); provided , however , that the foregoing will not restrict the Issuer’s ability to pay servicing compensation as provided herein and, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Issuer’s ability to pay amounts due on the Seller Note or other payments or distributions legally made to the Issuer’s equity owners.

(i) ERISA Matters .

(i) To the extent applicable, the Issuer, Seller, any Originator or initial Servicer will not (A) engage or permit any of its respective ERISA Affiliates to engage in any prohibited transaction (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code and Section 406 of ERISA) for which an exemption is not available or has not previously been obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor; (B) fail to make, or permit any of its ERISA Affiliates to fail to make, any payments to any Multiemployer Plan that the Issuer, Seller, any Originator, initial Servicer or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates is required to make under the agreement relating to such Multiemployer Plan or any law pertaining thereto; (C) terminate, or permit any of its ERISA Affiliates to terminate, any Benefit Plan so as to result in any liability to Issuer, initial Servicer, Seller, any Originator or any of their ERISA Affiliates; or (D) permit to exist any occurrence of any reportable event described in Title IV of ERISA, if such prohibited transactions, failures to make payment, terminations and reportable events described in clauses (A), (B), (C) and (D) above would in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.

(ii) The Issuer will not permit to exist any failure to satisfy the minimum funding standard (as described in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code) with respect to any Title IV Plan.

(iii) The Issuer, Seller, initial Servicer, or any Originator will not cause or permit any of their respective ERISA Affiliates to cause or permit the occurrence of an ERISA Event with respect to Title IV Plans that could result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(j) Name; Principal Office . The Issuer will not change its name, its jurisdiction of organization or the location of its chief executive office or principal place of business (within the meaning of the applicable UCC) without prior written notice to the Trustee sufficient to allow the Trustee to make all filings (including filings of financing statements on form UCC-1) and recordings necessary to maintain the perfection of the interest of the Trustee in the Trust Estate pursuant to this Indenture. The Issuer further agrees that it will not become or

 

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seek to become organized under the Laws of more than one jurisdiction. In the event that the Issuer desires to so change its jurisdiction of organization or its office or change its name, the Issuer will make any required filings and prior to actually making such change the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee (i) a Conn Officers’ Certificate and (except with respect to a change of the location of the Issuer’s chief executive office or principal place of business to a new location in the same county) an Opinion of Counsel confirming that all required filings have been made to continue the perfected interest of the Trustee in the Trust Estate in respect of such change and (ii) copies of all such required filings with the filing information duly noted thereon by the office in which such filings were made.

Section 8.4. Further Instruments and Acts . Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuer will execute and deliver such further instruments, furnish such other information and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

Section 8.5. Appointment of Successor Servicer . If the Trustee has given notice of termination to the Servicer of the Servicer’s rights and powers pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Servicing Agreement, as promptly as possible thereafter, the Trustee shall appoint a successor servicer in accordance with Section 2.01 of the Servicing Agreement.

Section 8.6. Perfection Representations . The parties hereto agree that the Perfection Representations shall be a part of this Indenture for all purposes.

ARTICLE 9.

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE 10.

REMEDIES

Section 10.1. Events of Default . Unless otherwise specified in a Series Supplement, an “ Event of Default ”, wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(i) default in the payment of any interest on the Class A Notes when the same becomes due and payable, and such default shall continue (and shall not have been waived by the Required Noteholders) for a period of five (5) Business Days after receipt of notice thereof from the Trustee;

(ii) default in the payment of the principal of or any installment of the principal of the Class A Notes when the same becomes due and payable on the Legal Final Payment Date;

(iii) the filing of a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in respect of the Issuer or any substantial part of the Trust Estate in an

 

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involuntary case under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar Law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Issuer or for any substantial part of the Trust Estate, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of the Issuer’s affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days; or

(iv) the commencement by the Issuer of a voluntary case under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar Law now or hereafter in effect, or the consent by the Issuer to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such Law, or the consent by the Issuer to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Issuer or for any substantial part of the Trust Estate, or the making by the Issuer of any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the failure by the Issuer generally to pay its debts as such debts become due, or the taking of action by the Issuer in furtherance of any of the foregoing.

Section 10.2. Rights of the Trustee Upon Events of Default .

(a) If and whenever an Event of Default (other than in clause (iii)  and (iv)  of Section 10.1 ) shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee may, and, at the written direction of the Required Noteholders shall, cause the principal amount of all Notes of all Series outstanding to be immediately due and payable at par, together with interest thereon. If an Event of Default with respect to the Issuer specified in clause (iii)  and (iv)  of Section 10.1 shall occur, all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on all the Notes of all Series outstanding shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Noteholder. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee may exercise from time to time any rights and remedies available to it under applicable Law and Section 10.4 . Any amounts obtained by the Trustee on account of or as a result of the exercise by the Trustee of any right shall be held by the Trustee as additional collateral for the repayment of the Issuer Obligations and shall be applied as provided in Article 5 hereof. If so specified in the applicable Series Supplement, the Trustee may agree to limit its exercise of rights and remedies available to it as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default to the extent set forth therein.

(b) If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then at any time after such declaration of acceleration of maturity has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article 10 provided, the Required Noteholders, by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

(i) the Issuer has paid to or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay

(A) all payments of principal of and interest on all Notes and all other amounts that would then be due hereunder or upon such Notes if the Event of Default giving rise to such acceleration had not occurred; and

 

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(B) all sums paid by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements of the Trustee and its agents and counsel; and

(ii) all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of the Notes that has become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 10.6 .

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereto.

(c) Additional Remedies . In addition to any rights and remedies now or hereafter granted hereunder or under applicable Law with respect to the Trust Estate, the Trustee shall have all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC as enacted in any applicable jurisdiction.

Section 10.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee .

(a) The Issuer covenants that if (i) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period of five (5) days, or (ii) default is made in the payment of the principal of any Note when the same becomes due and payable on the Legal Final Payment Date, the Issuer will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, the whole amount then due and payable on such Notes for principal and interest, with interest upon the overdue principal, and, to the extent payment at such rate of interest shall be legally enforceable, upon overdue installments of interest, at the applicable Note Rate and in addition thereto such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel.

(b) If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may (in its discretion) and, at the written direction of the Required Noteholders, shall proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Secured Parties by such appropriate Proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effective to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy or legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by Law; provided , however , that the Trustee shall sell or otherwise liquidate the Trust Estate or any portion thereof only in accordance with Section 10.4(d) .

(c) In any Proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any Proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture), the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Secured Parties, and it shall not be necessary to make any such Person a party to any such Proceedings.

(d) In case there shall be pending, relative to the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Notes or any Person having or claiming an ownership interest in the Trust Estate, Proceedings under Title 11 of the United States Code or any other applicable Federal or state

 

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bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar Law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Issuer or its property or such other obligor or Person, or in case of any other comparable judicial Proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Notes, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of any Notes shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such Proceedings or otherwise:

(i) to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Notes and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, except as a result of negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct) and of the Secured Parties allowed in such Proceedings;

(ii) unless prohibited by applicable Law, to vote on behalf of the Secured Parties in any election of a trustee, a standby trustee or Person performing similar functions in any such Proceedings;

(iii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of the Secured Parties and of the Trustee on their behalf; and

(iv) to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee or the Secured Parties allowed in any judicial Proceedings relative to the Issuer, its creditors and its property;

and any trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official in any such Proceeding is hereby authorized by each of such Secured Parties to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to such Secured Parties, to pay to the Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

(e) Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of any Secured Party any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Secured Party or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Secured Party in any such Proceeding except, as aforesaid, to vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar Person.

 

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(f) All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture or under any of the Notes, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes or the production thereof in any Proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or Proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment, subject to the payment of the expenses, disbursements and compensation of the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents and attorneys, shall be for the Secured Parties.

Section 10.4. Remedies . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee may and, at the written direction of the Required Noteholders, shall do one or more of the following:

(a) institute Proceedings in its own name and as trustee of an express trust for the collection of all amounts then payable under the Transaction Documents, enforce any judgment obtained, and collect from the Issuer and any other obligor under the Transaction Documents moneys adjudged due;

(b) institute Proceedings from time to time for the complete or partial foreclosure of this Indenture with respect to the Trust Estate;

(c) subject to the limitations set forth in clause (d) below, exercise any remedies of a secured party under the UCC and take any other appropriate action to protect and enforce the rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Secured Parties; and

(d) sell the Trust Estate or any portion thereof or rights or interest therein, at one or more public or private sales called and conducted in any manner permitted by Law; provided , however , that the Trustee may not sell or otherwise liquidate the Trust Estate following an Event of Default unless:

(i) the Holders of 100% of the outstanding Notes direct such sale and liquidation,

(ii) the proceeds of such sale or liquidation distributable to the Noteholders of each Series are sufficient to discharge in full all amounts then due and unpaid with respect to all outstanding Notes for principal and interest and any other amounts due Noteholders, or

(iii) the Trustee determines that the proceeds of the Trust Estate will not continue to provide sufficient funds for the payment of principal of and interest on all outstanding Notes as such amounts would have become due if such Notes had not been declared due and payable and the Required Noteholders direct such sale and liquidation.

In determining such sufficiency or insufficiency with respect to clauses (d)(ii) and (d)(iii), the Trustee may, but need not, obtain and rely upon an opinion of an Independent investment banking or accounting firm of national reputation as to the feasibility of such proposed action and as to the sufficiency of the Receivables in the Trust Estate for such purpose.

 

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The Trustee may maintain a Proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the Proceeding, and any such Proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be in its own name as trustee. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by Law.

Section 10.5. [Reserved ] .

Section 10.6. Waiver of Past Events . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, prior to the declaration of the acceleration of the maturity of the Notes as provided in Section 10.2(a) , the Required Noteholders may waive any past Default or Event of Default and its consequences except a Default in payment of principal (or premium, if any) of any of the Notes. In the case of any such waiver, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist and be deemed to have been cured and not to have occurred, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured and not to have occurred, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

Section 10.7. Limitation on Suits . No Noteholder shall have any right to institute any Proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Base Indenture and related Series Supplement, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(i) such Noteholder previously has given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default;

(ii) the Holders of not less than 25% of the outstanding principal amount of all Notes of all affected Series have made written request to the Trustee to institute such Proceeding in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(iii) such Noteholder has offered and, if requested, provided to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in complying with such request;

(iv) the Trustee for sixty (60) days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute such Proceedings; and

(v) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such sixty (60) day period by the Required Noteholders;

it being understood and intended that no one or more Noteholder shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Noteholder or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Noteholder or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided.

 

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In the event the Trustee shall receive conflicting or inconsistent requests and indemnity from two or more groups of Secured Parties, each representing less than the Required Noteholders, the Trustee shall proceed in accordance with the request of the greater majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes, as determined by reference to such requests.

Section 10.8. Unconditional Rights of Holders to Receive Payment; Withholding Taxes .

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Noteholder of a Note to receive payment of principal and interest, if any, on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note or in this Indenture (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Noteholder.

(b) The Paying Agent shall (or if the Trustee is not the Paying Agent, the Trustee shall cause the Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee that such Paying Agent shall) comply with all requirements of the Code regarding the withholding of payments in respect of Federal income taxes due from Noteholders and otherwise comply with the provisions of this Indenture applicable to it.

Section 10.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies . If any Noteholder has instituted any Proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such Proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Noteholder, then and in every such case the Issuer, the Trustee and the Noteholders shall, subject to any determination in such Proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Noteholders shall continue as though no such Proceeding had been instituted.

Section 10.10. The Trustee May File Proofs of Claim . The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Noteholders allowed in any judicial Proceedings relative to the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property, and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim and any custodian in any such judicial Proceeding is hereby authorized by each Noteholders to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Noteholder, to pay the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 11.6 . To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 11.6 out of the estate in any such Proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, notes and other properties which the Noteholders may be entitled to receive in such Proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed

 

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to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Noteholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Noteholder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Noteholder in any such Proceeding.

Section 10.11. Priorities . Following the declaration of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 9.1 or 10.2 , all amounts in any Payment Account, including any money or property collected pursuant to Section 10.4 (after deducting the reasonable costs and expenses of such collection), shall be applied by the Trustee on the related Payment Date in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 and the applicable Series Supplement.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Secured Parties pursuant to this Section. At least fifteen (15) days before such record date the Issuer shall mail to each Secured Party and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount to be paid.

Section 10.12. Undertaking for Costs . All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Secured Party shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to (a) any suit instituted by the Trustee, (b) any suit instituted by any Noteholder, or group of Noteholders, in each case holding in the aggregate more than 10% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Notes on the date of the filing of such action or (c) any suit instituted by any Noteholder for the enforcement of the payment of principal of or interest on any Note on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Note and in this Indenture (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).

Section 10.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative . No right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Secured Parties is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by Law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at Law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 10.14. Delay or Omission Not Waiver . No delay or omission of the Trustee or any Secured Party to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Default or Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article 10 or by Law to the Trustee or to the Secured Parties may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Secured Parties, as the case may be.

 

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Section 10.15. Control by Noteholders . The Required Noteholders shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any Proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee with respect to the Notes or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided that:

(i) such direction shall not be in conflict with any Law or with this Indenture;

(ii) subject to the express terms of Section 10.4 , any direction to the Trustee to sell or liquidate the Receivables shall be by the Holders of Notes representing not less than 100% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of all the Notes of all Series;

(iii) the Trustee shall have been provided with indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it; and

(iv) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction;

provided , however , that, subject to Section 11.1 , the Trustee need not take any action that it determines might involve it in liability or might materially adversely affect the rights of any Noteholders not consenting to such action.

Section 10.16. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws . The Issuer covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead or in any manner whatsoever, claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension Law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuer (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such Law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such Law had been enacted.

Section 10.17. Action on Notes . The Trustee’s right to seek and recover judgment on the Notes or under this Indenture shall not be affected by the seeking, obtaining or application of any other relief under or with respect to this Indenture. Neither the Lien of this Indenture nor any rights or remedies of the Trustee or the Secured Parties shall be impaired by the recovery of any judgment by the Trustee against the Issuer or by the levy of any execution under such judgment upon any portion of the Trust Estate or upon any of the assets of the Issuer.

Section 10.18. Performance and Enforcement of Certain Obligations .

(a) Promptly following a request from the Trustee to do so the Issuer agrees to take all such lawful action as the Trustee may reasonably request to compel or secure the performance and observance by the Seller, the Parent and the Servicer, as applicable, of each of their obligations to the Issuer under or in connection with the Transaction Documents in accordance with the terms thereof, and to exercise any and all rights, remedies, powers and privileges lawfully available to the Issuer under or in connection with the Transaction Documents to the extent and in the manner directed by the Trustee, including the transmission of notices of default on the part of the Seller, the Parent or the Servicer thereunder and the institution of legal or administrative actions or Proceedings to compel or secure performance by the Seller, the Parent or the Servicer of each of their obligations under the Transaction Documents.

 

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(b) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee may, and, at the direction (which direction shall be in writing or by telephone (confirmed in writing promptly thereafter)) of the Required Noteholders shall, subject to Section 10.2(b) , exercise all rights, remedies, powers, privileges and claims of the Issuer against the Seller, the Parent or the Servicer under or in connection with the Transaction Documents, including the right or power to take any action to compel or secure performance or observance by the Seller, the Parent or the Servicer of each of their obligations to the Issuer thereunder and to give any consent, request, notice, direction, approval, extension or waiver under the Transaction Documents, and any right of the Issuer to take such action shall be suspended.

Section 10.19. Reassignment of Surplus . Promptly after termination of this Indenture and the payment in full of the Issuer Obligations, any proceeds of all the Receivables and other assets in the Trust Estate received or held by the Trustee shall be turned over to the Issuer and the Receivables and other assets in the Trust Estate shall be released to the Issuer by the Trustee without recourse to the Trustee and without any representations, warranties or agreements of any kind.

ARTICLE 11.

THE TRUSTEE

Section 11.1. Duties of the Trustee .

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and of which a Trust Officer of the Trustee has knowledge, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs; provided , however , that the Trustee shall have no liability in connection with any action or inaction taken, or not taken, by it upon the deemed occurrence of an Event of Default of which a Trust Officer has not received written notice; and provided , further that the preceding sentence shall not have the effect of insulating the Trustee from liability arising out of the Trustee’s negligence or willful misconduct.

(b) Except during the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of negligence and bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; provided , however , in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to

 

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determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture and, if applicable, the Transaction Documents to which the Trustee is a party, provided , further , that the Trustee shall not be responsible for the accuracy or content of any of the aforementioned documents and the Trustee shall have no obligation to verify or recompute any numeral information provided to it pursuant to the Transaction Documents.

(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct or for the breach of the express terms of the Indenture, except that:

(i) this clause does not limit the effect of clause (b)  of this Section 11.1 ;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be personally liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer or Trust Officers of the Trustee, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 10.15 ;

(iv) the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any failure by the Servicer referred to in clauses (a)-(h)  of Section 2.04 of the Servicing Agreement and the items referred to in the definition of “Daily Payment Event” unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee obtains actual knowledge of such failure or the Trustee receives written notice of such failure from the Servicer or any Holders of Notes evidencing not less than 10% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Notes of any Series adversely affected thereby.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture or any of the Transaction Documents, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights and powers, if there is reasonable ground (as determined by the Trustee in its sole discretion) for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture.

(e) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section and to the provisions of the TIA (if this Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA).

(f) The Trustee shall, and hereby agrees that it will, perform all of the obligations and duties required of it under the Servicing Agreement.

(g) Except for actions expressly authorized by this Indenture, the Trustee shall take no action reasonably likely to impair the interests of the Issuer in any asset of the Trust Estate now existing or hereafter created or to impair the value of any asset of the Trust Estate now existing or hereafter created.

 

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(h) Except as provided in this Section 11.1(h) , the Trustee shall have no power to vary the corpus of the Trust Estate including, without limitation, the power to (i) accept any substitute obligation for an asset of the Trust Estate assigned by the Issuer under the Granting Clause except for actions expressly authorized by this Indenture or (ii) release any assets from the Trust Estate, except in each case as permitted or contemplated by the Transaction Documents permitted under Sections 5.8 , 10.19 , 12.1 , 15.1 or Article 5 and Section 2.08 or Section 2.13 of the Servicing Agreement.

(i) The Trustee, upon receipt of all resolutions, certificates, statements, opinions, reports, documents, orders or other instruments furnished to the Trustee which are specifically required to be furnished pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, shall examine them to determine whether they substantially conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

(j) Without limiting the generality of this Section 11.1 and subject to the other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall have no duty (i) to see to any recording, filing or depositing of this Indenture or any agreement referred to herein, or to see to the maintenance of any such recording or filing or depositing or to any recording, refiling or redepositing of any thereof or to see to the validity, perfection, continuation, or value of any lien or security interest created herein, (ii) to see to the payment or discharge of any tax, assessment or other governmental Lien owing with respect to, assessed or levied against any part of the Issuer, (iii) to confirm or verify the contents of any reports or certificates delivered to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture or the Servicing Agreement believed by the Trustee to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties, (iv) to determine whether any Receivables is an Eligible Receivable or to inspect the Receivables at any time or ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the Issuer’s, the Seller’s, the Parent’s or the Servicer’s representations, warranties or covenants or the Servicer’s duties and obligations as Servicer and as Custodian of the Receivable Files under the Servicer Transaction Documents or (v) to determine when a Repurchase Event occurs.

(k) Subject to Section 11.1(d) , in the event that the Paying Agent or the Transfer Agent and Registrar (if other than the Trustee) shall fail to perform any obligation, duty or agreement in the manner or on the day required to be performed by the Paying Agent or the Transfer Agent and Registrar, as the case may be, under this Indenture, the Trustee shall be obligated as soon as practicable upon actual knowledge of a Trust Officer thereof and receipt of appropriate records and information, if any, to perform such obligation, duty or agreement in the manner so required.

(l) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to require the Trustee to perform, or accept any responsibility for the performance of, the obligations of the Servicer hereunder until it shall have assumed such obligations in accordance with this Section 11.1 and the provisions of the Servicing Agreement.

(m) Subject to Section 11.4 , all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by Law or the Transaction Documents.

 

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(n) Except as otherwise required or permitted by the TIA (if this Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA), nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to engage in any business operations or any activities other than those set forth in this Indenture. Specifically, the Trustee shall have no authority to engage in any business operations, acquire any assets other than those specifically included in the Trust Estate under this Indenture or otherwise vary the assets held by the Issuer. Similarly, the Trustee shall have no discretionary duties other than performing those ministerial acts set forth above necessary to accomplish the purpose of this Indenture.

(o) The Trustee shall not be required to take notice or be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof. In the absence of receipt of such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume that there is no Default or Event of Default.

(p) Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage regardless of the form of action.

(q) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Issuer, the Servicer and/or a specified percentage of Noteholders under circumstances in which such direction is required or permitted by the terms of this Base Indenture, a Series Supplement or other Transaction Document.

(r) The enumeration of any permissive right or power herein or in any other Transaction Document available to the Trustee shall not be construed to be the imposition of a duty, unless and except to the extent expressly set forth herein.

Section 11.2. Rights of the Trustee . Except as otherwise provided by Section 11.1 :

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in acting upon or refraining from acting upon and in accord with, without any duty to verify the contents or recompute any calculations therein, any document (whether in its original or facsimile form), including the Monthly Servicer Report, the annual Servicer’s certificate, the monthly payment instructions and notification to the Trustee, the Monthly Noteholders’ Statement, any resolution, Conn Officer’s Certificate, certificate of auditors or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, appraisal, bond or other paper or document, believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed by or presented by the proper Person. Subject to Section 11.1 , the Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, the Trustee may require a Conn Officer’s Certificate or consult with counsel of its selection and the Conn Officer’s Certificate or the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

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(c) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys, custodians and nominees and the Trustee shall not be liable for any misconduct or negligence on the part of, or for the supervision of, any such agent or attorneys, custodian or nominee so long as such agent, custodian or nominee is appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; provided , however , that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith or a breach of the express terms of this Indenture.

(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Base Indenture or any Series Supplement, or to institute, conduct or defend any litigation hereunder or in relation hereto, at the request, order or direction of any of the Noteholders, pursuant to the provisions of this Base Indenture or any Series Supplement, unless such Noteholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligations, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (which has not been cured or waived), to exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Base Indenture or any Series Supplement, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts of matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond or other paper or document (including, the Monthly Servicer’s Report, the annual Servicer’s certificate, the monthly payment instructions and notification to the Trustee or the Monthly Noteholders’ Statement), unless requested in writing so to do by the Holders of Notes evidencing not less than 25% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of Notes of any Series which could be materially adversely affected if the Trustee does not perform such acts, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuer and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation; provided , however , that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such cost, expense or liability as a condition to so proceeding; the reasonable expense of every such examination shall be paid by the Person making such request, or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be reimbursed by the Person making such request upon demand.

 

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(g) The Trustee shall have no liability for the selection of Permitted Investments and shall not be liable for any losses or liquidation penalties in connection with Permitted Investments, unless such losses or liquidation penalties were incurred through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or negligence. The Trustee shall have no obligation to invest or reinvest any amounts except as provided in this Indenture or as directed by the Issuer (or the initial Servicer on its behalf). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the initial Servicer is removed or replaced, the selected Permitted Investment for investment or reinvestment as provided in this Indenture shall be as in effect on the date of such removal or replacement.

(h) The Trustee shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any successor to the Trustee so long as such acts or omissions were not the result of the negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the predecessor Trustee.

(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(j) Except as may be required by Sections 11.1(b)(ii) , 11.1(i) , 11.2(a) and 11.2(f) , the Trustee shall not be required to make any initial or periodic examination of any documents or records related to the Trust Estate for the purpose of establishing the presence or absence of defects, the compliance by the Seller, the Parent or the Servicer with their respective representations and warranties or for any other purpose.

Section 11.3. Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Notes . The Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the recitals contained in this Indenture and in the Notes (other than the signature and authentication of the Trustee on the Notes). Except as set forth in Section 11.16 , the Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Notes (other than the signature and authentication of the Trustee on the Notes) or of any asset of the Trust Estate or related document. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer or the Seller of any of the Notes or of the proceeds of such Notes, or for the use or application of any funds paid to the Seller or to the Issuer in respect of the Trust Estate or deposited in or withdrawn from the Collection Account, the Principal Account, the Finance Charge Account or any Series Account by the Servicer.

Section 11.4. Individual Rights of the Trustee . The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 11.9 and 11.11 .

Section 11.5. Notice of Defaults . If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if a Trust Officer of the Trustee receives written notice or has actual knowledge thereof, the Trustee shall promptly provide each Notice Person (and, with respect to any Event of Default, each Noteholder) and the Rating Agency promptly (and in any event within three (3) Business Days) after such knowledge or notice occurs, to the extent possible by email or facsimile, and, otherwise, by first class mail at their respective addresses appearing in the Note Register.

 

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Section 11.6. Compensation .

(a) To the extent not otherwise paid pursuant to the Indenture, the Issuer covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, reasonable compensation (which shall not be limited by any provision of Law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) for all services rendered by it in the execution of the trust hereby created and in the exercise and performance of any of the powers and duties hereunder of the Trustee, and, the Issuer will pay or reimburse the Trustee (without reimbursement from the Collection Account, the Servicer LC Escrow Account, any Investor Account, any Series Account or otherwise) upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances (including legal fees and costs and costs of persons not regularly employed by the Trustee) incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith or breach of the express terms of this Indenture.

(b) The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 11.6 shall survive the termination of this Base Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

Section 11.7. Replacement of the Trustee .

(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 11.7 .

(b) The Trustee may, after giving sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Issuer and the Servicer, resign at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created; provided , however , that no such resignation of the Trustee shall be effective until a successor trustee has assumed the obligations of the Trustee hereunder. The Issuer may remove the Trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee if:

(i) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 11.9 ;

(ii) a court or Federal or state bank regulatory agency having jurisdiction in the premises in respect of the Trustee shall have entered a decree or order granting relief or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, conservator, sequestrator (or similar official) for the Trustee or for any substantial part of the Trustee’s property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of the Trustee’s affairs;

(iii) the Trustee consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, conservator, sequestrator (or other similar official) for the Trustee or for any substantial part of the Trustee’s property, or makes any assignment for the benefit of creditors or fails generally to pay its debts as such debts become due or takes any corporate action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; or

(iv) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

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If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of the Trustee for any reason, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning and one copy to the successor trustee.

(c) If a successor Trustee does not take office within thirty (30) days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring or removed Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Base Indenture and any Series Supplement. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Noteholders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided , however , that all sums owing to the retiring Trustee hereunder (and its agents and counsel) have been paid and all documents and statements held by it hereunder, and the Issuer and the predecessor Trustee shall execute and deliver such instruments and do such other things as may reasonably be required for fully and certainly vesting and confirming in the successor Trustee all such rights, powers, duties and obligations. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 11.7 , the Issuer’s obligations under Sections 11.6 and 11.17 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 11.7 shall not become effective until acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee pursuant to this Section 11.7 and payment of all fees and expenses owed to the retiring Trustee.

(e) No successor Trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 11.7 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 11.9 hereof.

Section 11.8. Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. Any Person into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such Person shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 11.9 hereof, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.

In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of

 

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authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

Section 11.9. Eligibility: Disqualification . The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA Section 310(a) (if this Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA).

The Trustee hereunder shall at all times be organized and doing business under the Laws of the United States of America or any State thereof authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a long-term unsecured debt rating of at least BBB- (or the equivalent thereof) by the Rating Agency or, if not rated by the Rating Agency, by another rating agency, having, in the case of an entity that is subject to risk-based capital adequacy requirements, risk-based capital of at least $50,000,000 or, in the case of an entity that is not subject to risk-based capital adequacy requirements, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to Law, then for the purpose of this Section 11.9 , the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b), including the optional provision permitted by the second sentence of TIA Section 310(b)(9) (if this Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA); provided , however , that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA Section 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities of the Issuer are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA Section 310(b)(1) are met.

In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.9 , the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 11.7 .

Section 11.10. Appointment of Co-Trustee or Separate Trustee .

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Base Indenture or any Series Supplement, at any time, for the purpose of meeting any legal requirements of any jurisdiction in which any part of the Trust Estate may at the time be located, the Trustee shall have the power and may execute and deliver all instruments to appoint one or more persons to act as a co-trustee or co-trustees, or separate trustee or separate trustees, of all or any part of the Trust Estate, and to vest in such Person or Persons, in such capacity and for the benefit of the Secured Parties, such title to the Trust Estate, or any part thereof, and, subject to the other provisions of this Section 11.10 such powers, duties, obligations, rights and trusts as the Trustee may consider necessary or desirable. No co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be required to meet the terms of eligibility as a successor trustee under Section 11.9 and no notice to Noteholders of the appointment of any co-trustee or separate trustee shall be required under Section 11.7 . No co-trustee shall be appointed without the consent of the Issuer unless such appointment is required as a matter of Law or to enable the Trustee to perform its functions hereunder. The appointment of any co-trustee or separate trustee shall not relieve the Trustee of any of its obligations hereunder.

 

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(b) Every separate trustee and co-trustee shall, to the extent permitted by Law, be appointed and act subject to the following provisions and conditions:

(i) the Notes of each Series shall be authenticated and delivered solely by the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee;

(ii) all rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed upon the Trustee shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Trustee and such separate trustee or co-trustee jointly (it being understood that such separate trustee or co-trustee is not authorized to act separately without the Trustee joining in such act), except to the extent that under any Law (whether as Trustee hereunder or as successor to the Servicer under the Servicing Agreement), the Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform, such act or acts, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations (including the holding of title to the Trust Estate or any portion thereof in any such jurisdiction) shall be exercised and performed singly by such separate trustee or co-trustee, but solely at the direction of the Trustee;

(iii) no trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of any other trustees, hereunder, including acts or omissions of predecessor or successor trustees;

(iv) the Trustee may at any time accept the resignation of or remove any separate trustee or co-trustee; and

(v) the Trustee shall remain primarily liable for the actions of any co-trustee.

(c) Any notice, request or other writing given to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been given to each of the then separate trustees and co-trustees, as effectively as if given to each of them. Every instrument appointing any separate trustee or co-trustee shall refer to this Indenture and the conditions of this Article 11 . Each separate trustee and co-trustee, upon its acceptance of the trusts conferred, shall be vested with the estates or property specified in its instrument of appointment, either jointly with the Trustee or separately, as may be provided therein, subject to all the provisions of this Base Indenture and any Series Supplement, specifically including every provision of this Base Indenture or any Series Supplement relating to the conduct of, affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee. Every such instrument shall be filed with the Trustee and a copy thereof given to the Servicer.

(d) Any separate trustee or co-trustee may at any time constitute the Trustee, its agent or attorney-in-fact with full power and authority, to the extent not prohibited by Law, to do any lawful act under or in respect to this Base Indenture or any Series Supplement on its behalf and in its name. If any separate trustee or co-trustee shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all of its estates, properties, rights, remedies and trusts shall vest in and be exercised by the Trustee, to the extent permitted by Law, without the appointment of a new or successor Trustee.

 

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Section 11.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer . The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b) (if this Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated (if this Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA).

Section 11.12. Tax Returns . Neither the Trustee nor (except to the extent the initial Servicer breaches its obligations or covenants contained in the Servicing Agreement) the Servicer shall be liable for any liabilities, costs or expenses of the Issuer, the Noteholders nor the Note Owners arising under any tax Law, including without limitation federal, state, local or foreign income or franchise taxes or any other tax imposed on or measured by income (or any interest or penalty with respect thereto or arising from a failure to comply therewith).

Section 11.13. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Notes . All rights of action and claims under this Base Indenture or any Series of Notes may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes or the production thereof in any Proceeding relating thereto, and any such Proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee. Any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of any Series of Noteholders in respect of which such judgment has been obtained.

Section 11.14. Suits for Enforcement . If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee, in its discretion may, subject to the provisions of Section 2.01 of the Servicing Agreement and Section 11.19 , proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of any Secured Party under this Indenture or any other Transaction Document by a Proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or such other Transaction Document or in aid of the execution of any power granted in this Indenture or such other Transaction Document or for the enforcement of any other legal, equitable or other remedy as the Trustee, being advised by counsel, shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of the rights of the Trustee or any Secured Party.

Section 11.15. Reports by Trustee to Holders . The Trustee shall deliver to each Noteholder such information as may be required by the Code.

Section 11.16. Representations and Warranties of Trustee . The Trustee represents and warrants to the Issuer and the Secured Parties that:

(i) the Trustee is a banking association duly organized, existing and authorized to engage in the business of banking under the Laws of the United States of America;

(ii) the Trustee has full power, authority and right to execute, deliver and perform this Base Indenture and any Series Supplement issued concurrently with this Base Indenture and to authenticate the Notes, and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of this Base Indenture and any Series Supplement issued concurrently with this Base Indenture and to authenticate the Notes;

 

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(iii) this Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by the Trustee; and

(iv) the Trustee meets the requirements of eligibility hereunder set forth in Section 11.9.

Section 11.17. The Issuer Indemnification of the Trustee . The Issuer shall fully indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee (and any predecessor Trustee) and its directors, officers, agents and employees from and against any and all loss, liability, claim, expense, damage or injury suffered or sustained by reason of any acts, omissions or alleged acts or omissions arising out of the activities of the Trustee pursuant to this Base Indenture or any Series Supplement and any other Transaction Document to which it is a party, including but not limited to any judgment, award, settlement, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs or expenses incurred in connection with the defense of any actual or threatened action, Proceeding or claim; provided , however , that the Issuer shall not indemnify the Trustee or its directors, officers, employees or agents if such acts, omissions or alleged acts or omissions constitute negligence or willful misconduct by the Trustee. The indemnity provided herein shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation and removal of the Trustee.

Section 11.18. Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Issuer . Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Issuer or the initial Servicer may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. Subject to Section 11.1 , the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than thirty (30) days after the date any Responsible Officer of the Issuer or the initial Servicer actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

Section 11.19. [Reserved]

Section 11.20. Maintenance of Office or Agency . The Trustee will maintain at its expense, an office or offices, or agency or agencies, where notices and demands to or upon the Trustee in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Trustee initially appoints its Corporate Trust Office as its office for such purposes. The Trustee will give prompt written notice to the Issuer, the Servicer and to Noteholders of any change in the location of the Note Register or any such office or agency.

Section 11.21. Concerning the Rights of the Trustee . The rights, privileges and immunities afforded to the Trustee in the performance of its duties under this Indenture shall apply equally to the performance by the Trustee of its duties under each other Transaction Document to which it is a party.

 

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Section 11.22. Direction to the Trustee . The Issuer hereby directs the Trustee to enter into the Transaction Documents.

ARTICLE 12.

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 12.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture . This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the Notes except as to (i) rights of Noteholders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon and any other amount due to Noteholders, (ii)  Sections 8.1 , 11.6 , 11.12 , 12.2 , 12.5(b) , 15.16 and 15.17 , (iii) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder (including the rights of the Trustee under Sections 11.6 and 11.17 and the obligations of the Trustee under Section 12.2 ) and (iv) the rights of Noteholders as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property deposited with the Trustee as described below payable to all or any of them, and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Notes (and their related Secured Parties), on the first Business Day after the Payment Date with respect to any Series (the “ Indenture Termination Date ”) on which the Issuer has paid, caused to be paid or irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited in the applicable Payment Account and any applicable Series Account funds sufficient to pay in full all Issuer Obligations and Collateral Interests, if any, and the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee a Conn Officer’s Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel and, if required by the TIA (if this Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA), an Independent Certificate from a firm of certified public accountants, each meeting the applicable requirements of Section 15.1(a) and each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

After any irrevocable deposit made pursuant to Section 12.1 and satisfaction of the other conditions set forth herein, the Trustee promptly upon request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture except for those surviving obligations specified above.

Section 12.2. Application of Issuer Money . All moneys deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.1 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Base Indenture and the related Series Supplement, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent, as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of the particular Notes for the payment or redemption of which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal and interest; but such moneys need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required herein or in the other Transaction Documents or required by Law.

The provisions of this Section 12.2 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Indenture.

Section 12.3. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent . In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Notes, all moneys then held by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee under the provisions of this Indenture with respect to such Notes shall, upon demand of the Issuer, be paid to the Trustee to be held and applied according to Section 8.1 and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

 

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Section 12.4. [Reserved]

Section 12.5. Final Payment with Respect to Any Series .

(a) Written notice of any termination, specifying the Payment Date upon which the Noteholders of any Series may surrender their Notes for final payment with respect to such Series and cancellation, shall be given (subject to at least two (2) Business Days’ prior notice from the Issuer to the Trustee) by the Trustee to Noteholders of such Series mailed not later than five (5) Business Days preceding such final payment (or in the manner provided by the Series Supplement relating to such Series) specifying (i) the Payment Date (which shall be the Payment Date in the month (x) in which the deposit is made as may be specified in the related Series Supplement, or (y) in which the related Series Termination Date occurs) upon which final payment of such Notes will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Notes at the office or offices therein designated, (ii) the amount of any such final payment and (iii) that the Record Date otherwise applicable to such Payment Date is not applicable, payments being made only upon presentation and surrender of the Notes at the office or offices therein specified. The Issuer’s notice to the Trustee in accordance with the preceding sentence shall be accompanied by a Conn Officer’s Certificate setting forth the information specified in Article 6 of this Base Indenture covering the period during the then current calendar year through the date of such notice and setting forth the date of such final distribution. The Trustee shall give such notice to the Transfer Agent and the Paying Agent at the time such notice is given to such Noteholders.

(b) Notwithstanding the termination or discharge of the trust of the Indenture pursuant to Section 12.1 or the occurrence of the Series Termination Date with respect to any Series, all funds then on deposit in the Payment Account shall continue to be held in trust for the benefit of the Noteholders of the related Series and the Paying Agent or the Trustee shall pay such funds to the Noteholders of the related Series upon surrender of their Notes. In the event that all of the Noteholders of any Series shall not surrender their Notes for cancellation within six (6) months after the date specified in the above-mentioned written notice, the Trustee shall give second written notice to the remaining Noteholders of such Series upon receipt of the appropriate records from the Transfer Agent and Registrar to surrender their Notes for cancellation and receive the final distribution with respect thereto. If within one and one-half years after the second notice with respect to a Series, all the Notes of such Series shall not have been surrendered for cancellation, the Trustee may take appropriate steps or may appoint an agent to take appropriate steps, to contact the remaining Noteholders of such Series concerning surrender of their Notes, and the cost thereof shall be paid out of the funds in the Payment Account or any Series Account held for the benefit of such Noteholders. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Issuer upon request any monies held by them for the payment of principal or interest which remains unclaimed for two (2) years. After such payment to the Issuer, Noteholders entitled to the money must look to the Issuer for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property Law designates another Person.

 

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(c) All Notes surrendered for payment of the final distribution with respect to such Notes and cancellation shall be cancelled by the Transfer Agent and Registrar and be disposed of in a manner satisfactory to the Trustee and the Issuer.

Section 12.6. Termination Rights of Issuer . Upon the termination of the Lien of the Indenture pursuant to Section 12.1 , and after payment of all amounts due hereunder on or prior to such termination, the Trustee shall execute a written release and reconveyance substantially in the form of Exhibit A pursuant to which it shall release the Lien of the Indenture and reconvey to the Issuer (without recourse, representation or warranty) all right, title and interest in the Trust Estate, whether then existing or thereafter created, all moneys due or to become due with respect to such Trust Estate (including all accrued interest theretofore posted as Finance Charges) and all proceeds of the Trust Estate, except for amounts held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent pursuant to Section 12.5(b) . The Trustee shall execute and deliver such instruments of transfer and assignment, in each case without recourse, as shall be reasonably requested by the Issuer or the Servicer to vest in the Issuer all right, title and interest in the Trust Estate.

Section 12.7. Repayment to the Issuer . The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuer upon written request any excess money or, pursuant to Sections 2.10 and 2.13 , return any Notes held by them at any time.

ARTICLE 13.

AMENDMENTS

Section 13.1. Without Consent of the Noteholders . Without the consent of the Holders of any Notes, and, unless otherwise provided in any Series Supplement, with the consent of the Notice Person and, if the Servicer’s rights and/or obligations are materially and adversely affected thereby, the Servicer, the Issuer and the Trustee, when authorized by an Issuer Order, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indenture supplements or amendments hereto or amendments to any Series Supplement (which shall conform to any applicable provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of execution thereof), in form satisfactory to the Trustee, unless otherwise provided in a Series Supplement, for any of the following purposes:

(a) to correct or amplify the description of any property at any time subject to the Lien of this Indenture, or better to assure, convey and confirm unto the Trustee any property subject or required to be subjected to the Lien of this Indenture, or to subject to the Lien of this Indenture additional property;

(b) to evidence the succession, in compliance with the applicable provisions hereof, of another Person to the Issuer, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Issuer herein and in the Notes;

(c) to add to the covenants of the Issuer for the benefit of any Secured Parties or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer;

 

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(d) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee any property or assets as security for the Issuer Obligations and to specify the terms and conditions upon which such property or assets are to be held and dealt with by the Trustee and to set forth such other provisions in respect thereof as may be required by this Indenture or as may, consistent with the provisions of this Indenture, be deemed appropriate by the Issuer and the Trustee, or to correct or amplify the description of any such property or assets at any time so mortgaged, pledged, conveyed and transferred to the Trustee;

(e) to cure any ambiguity, or correct or supplement any provision of this Indenture which may be inconsistent with any other provision of this Indenture or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided , however , that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holder of the Notes in any material respect without its consent;

(f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes of one or more Series or to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary and permitted to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee pursuant to the requirements of Article 11 ;

(g) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA or under any similar Federal statute hereafter enacted and to add to this Indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required by the TIA; or

(h) to add any provisions to, or change in any manner or eliminate any of the provisions of, this Indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Notes under this Indenture; provided , however , that no amendment or supplement shall be permitted if it would result in a taxable event to any Noteholder unless such Noteholder’s consent is obtained.

Upon the request of the Issuer and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 2.2 , the Trustee shall join with the Issuer in the execution of any supplemental indenture or amendment authorized or permitted by the terms of this Base Indenture and shall make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture or amendment that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 13.2. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Noteholders . The Issuer and the Trustee, when authorized by an Issuer Order, also may, and unless otherwise provided in any Series Supplement, with the consent of the Required Noteholders and, if the Servicer’s rights and/or obligations are materially and adversely affected thereby, the Servicer enter into one or more indenture supplements or amendments hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Notes of any Series under this Indenture; provided , however , that no such indenture supplement or amendment shall, without the consent of the Required Noteholders and without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby (and in the case of clause (iii) below, the consent of each Secured Party):

 

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(i) change the date of payment of any installment of principal of or interest on, or any premium payable upon the redemption of, any Note or reduce in any manner the principal amount thereof, the interest rate thereon or the Redemption Price with respect thereto, modify the provisions of this Base Indenture or any Series Supplement relating to the application of Collections on, or the proceeds of the sale of, the Trust Estate to payment of principal of, or interest on, the Notes, or change any place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Note or the interest thereon is payable;

(ii) change the definition of or the manner of calculating the Investor Interest or the Aggregate Investor Net Loss Amount;

(iii) change the voting requirements in any Transaction Document;

(iv) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of the certain provisions of this Indenture requiring the application of funds available therefor, as provided in Article 9 , to the payment of any such amount due on the Notes on or after the respective due dates thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date);

(v) reduce the percentage of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Notes, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such indenture supplement or amendment, or the consent of the Holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture;

(vi) modify or alter the provisions of this Indenture regarding the voting of Notes held by the Issuer, the Seller or an Affiliate of the foregoing;

(vii) reduce the percentage of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Notes, the consent of the Holders of which is required to direct the Trustee to sell or liquidate the Trust Estate pursuant to Section 10.4 if the proceeds of such sale would be insufficient to pay the principal amount and accrued but unpaid interest on the outstanding Notes;

(viii) modify any provision of this Section 13.2 , except to increase any percentage specified herein or to provide that certain additional provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby;

(ix) modify any of the provisions of this Indenture in such manner as to affect in any material respect the calculation of the amount of any payment of interest or principal due on any Note on any Payment Date (including the calculation of any of the individual components of such calculation), to alter the application of “Investor Principal Collections” or to affect the rights of the Holders of Notes to the benefit of any provisions for the mandatory redemption of the Notes contained in this Indenture; or

 

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(x) permit the creation of any Lien ranking prior to or on a parity with the Lien of this Indenture with respect to any part of the Trust Estate for the Notes (except for Permitted Encumbrances) or, except as otherwise permitted or contemplated in this Indenture, terminate the Lien of this Indenture on any such collateral at any time subject hereto or deprive any Secured Party of the security provided by the Lien of this Indenture; provided , further , that no amendment will be permitted if it would result in a taxable event to any Noteholder, unless such Noteholder’s consent is obtained as described above.

The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such amendment or supplement that affects the Trustee’s rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Notwithstanding anything in Sections 13.1 and 13.2 to the contrary but subject to Section 13.11 , the Series Supplement with respect to any Series may be amended with respect to the items and in accordance with the procedures provided in such Series Supplement.

It shall not be necessary for any consent of Noteholders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

The manner of obtaining such consents and of evidencing the authorization of the execution thereof by Note shall be subject to such reasonable requirements as the Trustee may prescribe.

Promptly after the execution by the Issuer and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture or amendment to this Base Indenture or any Series Supplement pursuant to this Section, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder of the Notes of all Series (or with respect to an amendment or supplemental indenture of a Series Supplement, to the Noteholders of the applicable Series), the Back-Up Servicer, the Servicer and to each Rating Agency rating any affected Series a copy of such supplemental indenture or amendment. Any failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or amendment.

Section 13.3. Execution of Supplemental Indentures . In executing any amendment or supplemental indenture permitted by this Article 13 or the modifications thereby of the trust created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and subject to Section 11.1 , shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized, permitted or not prohibited (as the case may be) by this Indenture. Such Opinion of Counsel may be subject to reasonable qualifications and assumptions of fact. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such amendment or supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 13.4. Effect of Supplemental Indenture . Upon the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions hereof, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith with respect to the Notes affected

 

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thereby, and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties, liabilities and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of the Notes shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such amendment or supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

Section 13.5. Conformity With TIA . Every amendment of this Indenture and every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article 13 shall conform to the requirements of the TIA as then in effect so long as this Indenture shall then be required to be qualified under the TIA.

Section 13.6. Reference in Notes to Supplemental Indentures . Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article 13 may, and if required by the Trustee shall, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such amendment or supplemental indenture. If the Issuer or the Trustee shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Issuer, to any such amendment or supplemental indenture may be prepared, executed, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for outstanding Notes.

Section 13.7. Series Supplements . The initial effectiveness of the Series Supplement shall be subject to the satisfaction of the Rating Agency Condition with respect to the Series Supplement. In addition to the manner provided in Sections 13.1 and 13.2 but subject to Section 13.11 , the Series Supplement may be amended as provided therein.

Section 13.8. Revocation and Effect of Consents . Until an amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Noteholder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Noteholder and every subsequent Noteholder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Noteholder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Noteholder or subsequent Noteholder may revoke the consent as to his Note or portion of a Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Noteholder. The Issuer may fix a record date for determining which Noteholders must consent to such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver.

Section 13.9. Notation on or Exchange of Notes . The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuer in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver. Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver.

Section 13.10. The Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc . The Trustee shall sign any amendment or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 13 if the amendment or supplemental indenture does not adversely affect in any material respect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If any amendment or supplemental indenture does have

 

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such a materially adverse effect, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In signing such amendment or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, if requested, an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and to receive and, subject to Section 11.1 , shall be fully protected in relying upon, a Conn Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized, permitted or not prohibited (as the case may be) by this Indenture and that it will be valid and binding upon the Issuer in accordance with its terms.

Section 13.11. Back-Up Servicer Consent . No amendment or indenture supplement hereto (including pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof) shall be effective if such amendment or supplement shall adversely affect the rights, duties or obligations of the Back-Up Servicer (including in its capacity as successor Servicer) without its prior written consent, notwithstanding anything to the contrary.

ARTICLE 14.

REDEMPTION AND REFINANCING OF NOTES

Section 14.1. Redemption and Refinancing . If specified in a Series Supplement, the Notes of any Series are subject to redemption as may be specified in the related Series Supplement, on any Payment Date on which the Issuer exercises its option to redeem the Notes for the Redemption Price; provided , however , that the Issuer has available funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price. If the Notes of any Series are to be redeemed pursuant to this Section 14.1 , the Issuer shall furnish notice of such election to the Trustee not later than fifteen (15) days prior to the Redemption Date and the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee in a Trust Account that is within the sole control of the Trustee no later than the Business Day prior to the Redemption Date the Redemption Price of the Notes of such Series to be redeemed whereupon all such redeemed Notes shall be due and payable on the Redemption Date upon the furnishing of a notice complying with Section 14.2 to each Holder of such Notes.

Section 14.2. Form of Redemption Notice . Notice of redemption under Section 14.1 shall be given by the Trustee by facsimile or by first-class mail, postage prepaid, transmitted or mailed prior to the applicable Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes of the Series to be redeemed, as of the close of business on the Record Date preceding the applicable Redemption Date, at such Holder’s address appearing in the Note Register.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(i) the Redemption Date;

(ii) the Redemption Price;

(iii) that the Record Date otherwise applicable to such Redemption Date is not applicable and that payments shall be made only upon presentation and surrender of such Notes and the place where such Notes are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price (which shall be the office or agency of the Issuer to be maintained as provided in Section 8.2 ); and

 

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(iv) that interest on the Notes shall cease to accrue on the Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption of the Notes shall be given by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer. Failure to give notice of redemption, or any defect therein, to any Holder of any Note to be redeemed shall not impair or affect the validity of the redemption of any other Note.

Section 14.3. Notes Payable on Redemption Date . The Notes of any Series to be redeemed shall, following notice of redemption as required by Section 14.2 (in the case of redemption pursuant to Section 14.1 ), on the Redemption Date become due and payable at the Redemption Price and (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price) no interest shall accrue on the Redemption Price for any period after the date to which accrued interest is calculated for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price.

ARTICLE 15.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 15.1. Compliance Certificates and Opinions, etc .

(a) Upon any application or request by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee if requested thereby (i) a Conn Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with, (ii) an Opinion of Counsel (subject to reasonable assumptions and qualifications) stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with and (iii) (if this Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA) an Independent Certificate from a firm of certified public accountants meeting the applicable requirements of this Section, except that, in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

(i) a statement that each signatory of such certificate or opinion has read or has caused to be read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(iii) a statement that, in the opinion of each such signatory, such signatory has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such signatory to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

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(iv) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such signatory such condition or covenant has been complied with.

(b) (i) Prior to the deposit of any Receivables or other property or securities (other than cash) with the Trustee that is to be made the basis for the release of any property or securities subject to the Lien of this Indenture, the Issuer shall, in addition to any obligation imposed in Section 15.1(a) or elsewhere in this Indenture, furnish to the Trustee upon the Trustee’s request a Conn Officer’s Certificate certifying or stating the opinion of each individual signing such certificate as to the fair value (within ninety (90) days of such deposit) to the Issuer of the Receivables or other property or securities to be so deposited.

(ii) Whenever the Issuer is required to furnish to the Trustee a Conn Officer’s Certificate certifying or stating the opinion of any signer thereof as to the matters described in clause (i) above, the Issuer shall also deliver to the Trustee an Independent Certificate as to the same matters, if the fair value to the Issuer of the securities to be so deposited and of all other such securities made the basis of any such withdrawal or release since the commencement of the then-current fiscal year of the Issuer, as set forth in the certificates delivered pursuant to clause (i) above and this clause (ii), is 10% or more of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all the Notes of all Series issued by the Issuer, but such a certificate need not be furnished with respect to any securities so deposited, if the fair value thereof to the Issuer as set forth in the related Conn Officer’s Certificate is less than $25,000 or less than 1% percent of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all the Notes of all Series issued by the Issuer of the Notes.

(iii) Other than with respect to the release of any cash (including Collections) in accordance with the Series Supplements, Removed Receivables or liquidated Receivables (and the Related Security therefor), and except for discharges of this Indenture as described in Section 12.1 , whenever any property or securities are to be released from the Lien of this Indenture, the Issuer shall also furnish to the Trustee a Conn Officer’s Certificate certifying or stating the opinion of each individual signing such certificate as to the fair value (within ninety (90) days of such release) of the property or securities proposed to be released and stating that in the opinion of such individual the proposed release will not impair the security under this Indenture in contravention of the provisions hereof.

(iv) Whenever the Issuer is required to furnish to the Trustee a Conn Officer’s Certificate certifying or stating the opinion of any signer thereof as to the matters described in clause (iii) above, the Issuer shall also furnish to the Trustee an Independent Certificate as to the same matters if the fair value of the property or securities and of all other property other than cash (including Collections) in accordance with the Series Supplements, Removed Receivables and Defaulted Receivable, or securities released from the Lien of this Indenture since the commencement of the then current calendar year, as set forth in the certificates required by clause (iii) above and this clause (iv), equals 10% or more of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Notes of all Series issued by the Issuer, but such certificate need not be furnished in the case of any release of property or securities if the fair value thereof as set forth in the related Conn Officer’s Certificate is less than $25,000 or less than 1% percent of the then aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Notes of all Series issued by the Issuer of the Notes.

 

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Section 15.2. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee . In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

Any certificate or opinion of a Responsible Officer of the Issuer may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate of an Responsible Officer or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the initial Servicer, the Seller or the Issuer, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of or known to the initial Servicer, the Seller or the Issuer, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Whenever in this Indenture, in connection with any application or certificate or report to the Trustee, it is provided that the Issuer shall deliver any document as a condition of the granting of such application, or as evidence of the Issuer’s compliance with any term hereof, it is intended that the truth and accuracy, at the time of the granting of such application or at the effective date of such certificate or report (as the case may be), of the facts and opinions stated in such document shall in such case be conditions precedent to the right of the Issuer to have such application granted or to the sufficiency of such certificate or report. The foregoing shall not, however, be construed to affect the Trustee’s right to rely upon the truth and accuracy of any statement or opinion contained in any such document as provided in Article 10 .

Section 15.3. Acts of Noteholders .

(a) Wherever in this Indenture a provision is made that an action may be taken or a notice, demand or instruction given by Noteholders, such action, notice or instruction may be taken or given by any Noteholder, unless such provision requires a specific percentage of Noteholders. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, so long as any other Person is a Noteholder none of the Seller, the Issuer or any Affiliate controlled by Conn Appliances or controlling Conn Appliances shall have any right to vote with respect to any Note.

 

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(b) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Noteholders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Noteholders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing; and except as herein otherwise expressly provided such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee, and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Noteholders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 11.1 ) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Section.

(c) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any customary manner of the Trustee.

(d) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.

(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any such Notes shall bind such Noteholder and the Holder of every Note and every subsequent Holder of such Notes issued upon the registration thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, the Servicer or the Issuer in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

Section 15.4. Notices . All demands, notices and communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered at, sent by facsimile to, sent by courier (overnight or hand-delivered) at or mailed by registered mail, return receipt requested, to (a) in the case of the Issuer, to 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, Attention: Office of the General Counsel, (b) in the case of the Servicer or Conn Appliances, to 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, Attention: Office of the General Counsel, (c) in the case of the Trustee, to the Corporate Trust Office and (e) in the case of the Rating Agency for a particular Series, the address, if any, specified in the Series Supplement relating to such Series; or, as to each party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to each other party. Unless otherwise provided with respect to any Series in the related Series Supplement or otherwise expressly provided herein, any notice required or permitted to be mailed to a Noteholder shall be given by first class mail, postage prepaid, at the address of such Noteholder as shown in the Note Register. Any notice so mailed or published, as the case may be, within the time prescribed in this Indenture shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Noteholder receives such notice.

The Issuer or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications; provided , however , the Issuer may not at any time designate more than a total of three (3) addresses to which notices must be sent in order to be effective.

Any notice (i) given in person shall be deemed delivered on the date of delivery of such notice, (ii) given by first class mail shall be deemed given five (5) days after the date that such

 

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notice is mailed, (iii) delivered by telex or telecopier shall be deemed given on the date of confirmation of the delivery of such notice by e-mail or telephone, and (iv) delivered by overnight air courier shall be deemed delivered one Business Day after the date that such notice is delivered to such overnight courier.

Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the Trustee shall have no liability based upon or arising from the failure to receive any notice required by or relating to this Indenture or the Notes.

If the Issuer mails a notice or communication to Noteholders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee at the same time.

Section 15.5. Notices to Noteholders: Waiver . Where this Indenture provides for notice to Noteholders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class, postage prepaid to each Noteholder affected by such event, at his address as it appears on the Note Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Noteholders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice nor any defect in any notice so mailed to any particular Noteholder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Noteholders, and any notice that is mailed in the manner here in provided shall conclusively be presumed to have been duly given.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by any Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Noteholders shall be filed with the Trustee but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such a waiver.

In case, by reason of the suspension of regular mail service as a result of a strike, work stoppage or similar activity, it shall be impractical to mail notice of any event to Noteholders when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice.

Where this Indenture provides for notice to the Rating Agency, failure to give such notice shall not affect any other rights or obligations created hereunder, and shall not under any circumstance constitute a Default or Event of Default.

Section 15.6. Alternate Payment and Notice Provisions . Notwithstanding any provision of this Indenture or any of the Notes to the contrary, the Trustee on behalf of the Issuer may enter into any agreement with any Holder of a Note providing for a method of payment, or notice by the Trustee or any Paying Agent to such Holder, that is different from the methods provided for in this Indenture for such payments or notices, provided that such methods are consented to by the Issuer (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). The Trustee will cause payments to be made and notices to be given in accordance with such agreements.

Section 15.7. Conflict with TIA . If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof that is required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the TIA, such required provision shall control (if this Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA).

 

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The provisions of TIA Sections 310 through 317 that impose duties on any Person (including the provisions automatically deemed included herein unless expressly excluded by this Indenture) are a part of and govern this Indenture, whether or not physically contained herein (if this Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA). Notwithstanding the foregoing, and regardless of whether the Indenture is required to be qualified under the TIA, the provisions of Section 316(a)(1) of the TIA shall be excluded from this Indenture.

Section 15.8. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents . The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents and Cross-Reference Table are for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall not affect the meaning or construction hereof.

Section 15.9. Successors and Assigns . All covenants and agreements in this Indenture and the Notes by the Issuer shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

Section 15.10. Separability of Provisions . If any one or more of the covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Indenture or Notes shall for any reason whatsoever be held invalid, then such covenants, agreements, provisions or terms shall be deemed severable from the remaining covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Indenture and shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions of this Indenture or of the Notes or rights of the Holders thereof.

Section 15.11. Benefits of Indenture . Except as set forth in this Indenture, nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder and the Secured Parties, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under the Indenture.

Section 15.12. Legal Holidays . In any case where the date on which any payment is due to any Secured Party shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of the Notes or this Indenture) any such payment need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date on which nominally due, and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after any such nominal date.

Section 15.13. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION . THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS, AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS INDENTURE AND EACH SECURED PARTY HEREBY AGREES TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND ANY APPELLATE COURT HAVING JURISDICTION TO REVIEW THE JUDGMENT THEREOF. EACH OF THE

 

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PARTIES AND EACH SECURED PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION BASED ON FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE OF ANY ACTION INSTITUTED HEREUNDER IN ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS AND CONSENTS TO THE GRANTING OF SUCH LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RELIEF AS IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY SUCH COURT.

Section 15.14. Counterparts . This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 15.15. Recording of Indenture . If this Indenture is subject to recording in any appropriate public recording offices, such recording is to be effected by the Issuer and at its expense accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel (which may be counsel to the Trustee or any other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee) to the effect that such recording is necessary either for the protection of the Noteholders or any other Person secured hereunder or for the enforcement of any right or remedy granted to the Trustee under this Indenture.

Section 15.16. Issuer Obligation . No recourse may be taken, directly or indirectly, with respect to the obligations of the Issuer or under this Indenture or any certificate or other writing delivered in connection herewith or therewith, against (i) the Seller, the Servicer or the Trustee or (ii) any partner, owner, incorporator, member, manager, beneficiary, beneficial owner, agent, officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Issuer, the Seller, the Servicer or the Trustee, except (x) as any such Person may have expressly agreed and (y) nothing in this Section shall relieve the Seller or the Servicer from its own obligations under the terms of any Servicer Transaction Document. Nothing in this Section 15.16 shall be construed to limit the Trustee from exercising its rights hereunder with respect to the Trust Estate.

Section 15.17. No Bankruptcy Petition Against the Issuer . Each of the Secured Parties and the Trustee by entering into the Indenture, any Series Supplement or any Note Purchase Agreement (as defined in such Series Supplement) and in the case of a Noteholder and Note Owner, by accepting a Note, hereby covenants and agrees that, prior to the date which is one year and one day after the payment in full of the latest maturing Note and the termination of the Indenture, it will not institute against, or join with any other Person in instituting against, the Issuer any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation Proceedings, or other Proceedings, under any United States Federal or state bankruptcy or similar Law in connection with any obligations relating to the Notes, the Indenture or any of the Transaction Documents. In the event that any such Secured Party or the Trustee takes action in violation of this Section 15.17 , the Issuer shall file an answer with the bankruptcy court or otherwise properly contesting the filing of such a petition by any such Secured Party or the Trustee against the Issuer or the commencement of such action and raising the defense that such Secured Party or the Trustee has agreed in writing not to take such action and should be estopped and precluded therefrom and such other defenses, if any, as its counsel advises that it may assert. The provisions of this Section 15.17 shall survive the termination of this Indenture, and the resignation or removal of the Trustee. Nothing contained herein shall preclude participation by any Secured Party or the Trustee in the assertion or defense of its claims in any such Proceeding involving the Issuer.

 

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Section 15.18. No Joint Venture . Nothing herein contained shall be deemed or construed to create a co-partnership or joint venture between the parties hereto and the services of the Servicer shall be rendered as an independent contractor and not as agent for the Trustee.

Section 15.19. Rule 144A Information . For so long as any of the Notes of any Series or any Class are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, the Issuer and the Trustee agree to reasonably cooperate with each other to provide to any Noteholders of such Series or Class and to any prospective purchaser of Notes designated by such Noteholder upon the request of such Noteholder or prospective purchaser, any information required to be provided to such holder or prospective purchaser to satisfy the condition set forth in Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act if at the time of the request the Issuer is not a reporting company under Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the Servicer agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Issuer and the Trustee in connection with the foregoing.

Section 15.20. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Trustee, any Secured Party, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exhaustive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by Law.

Section 15.21. Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Indenture will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, the Secured Parties, and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except as otherwise provided in this Article 15 , no other Person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

Section 15.22. Merger and Integration . Except as specifically stated otherwise herein, this Indenture sets forth the entire understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and all prior understandings, written or oral, are superseded by this Indenture.

Section 15.23. Rules by the Trustee . The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of any Secured Parties.

Section 15.24. Duplicate Originals . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture.

Section 15.25. Waiver of Trial by Jury . To the extent permitted by applicable Law, each of the Secured Parties irrevocably waives all right of trial by jury in any action or Proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Indenture or the Transaction Documents or any matter arising hereunder or thereunder.

[THIS SPACE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trustee and the Issuer have caused this Base Indenture to be duly executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.

 

CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP ,

as Issuer

By:   Conn’s Receivables Funding I GP, LLC,
its general partner

 

By:   /s/ Michael J. Poppe
Name:   Michael J. Poppe
Title:   President

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION , not in its individual capacity, but

solely as Trustee

By:   /s/ Kristen L. Puttin
Name:   Kristen L. Puttin
Title:   Vice President

 

S-1


EXHIBIT A

TO BASE INDENTURE

Form of Release and Reconveyance of Trust Estate

RELEASE AND RECONVEYANCE OF TRUST ESTATE

RELEASE AND RECONVEYANCE OF TRUST ESTATE, dated as of             ,             , between Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP (the “ Issuer ”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America (the “ Trustee ”) pursuant to the Base Indenture referred to below.

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, the Issuer and the Trustee are parties to the Base Indenture dated as of April 30, 2012 (hereinafter as such agreement may have been, or may from time to time be, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Base Indenture ”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Base Indenture, upon the termination of the Lien of the Base Indenture pursuant to Section 12.1 of the Base Indenture and after payment of all amounts due under the terms of the Base Indenture on or prior to such termination, the Trustee shall at the request of the Issuer reconvey and release the Lien on the Trust Estate;

WHEREAS, the conditions to termination of the Base Indenture pursuant to Sections 12.1 and 12.6 have been satisfied;

WHEREAS, the Issuer has requested that the Trustee terminate the Lien of the Indenture on the Trust Estate pursuant to Section 12.6 ; and

WHEREAS, the Trustee is willing to execute such release and reconveyance subject to the terms and conditions hereof;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Issuer and the Trustee hereby agree as follows:

1. Defined Terms . All terms defined in the Base Indenture and used herein shall have such defined meanings when used herein, unless otherwise defined herein.

2. Release and Reconveyance . (a) The Trustee does hereby release and reconvey to the Issuer, without recourse, representation or warranty, on and after             ,             (the “ Reconveyance Date ”) all right, title and interest in the Trust Estate whether then existing or thereafter created, all monies due or to become due with respect thereto (including all accrued interest theretofore posted as Finance Charges) and all proceeds of such Trust Estate, except for amounts, if any, held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent pursuant to Section 12.5 of the Base Indenture.

(b) In connection with such transfer, the Trustee does hereby release the Lien of the Indenture on the Trust Estate and agrees, upon the request and at the expense of the Issuer, to authorize the filing of any necessary or reasonably desirable UCC termination statements in connection therewith.

 

Base Indenture

 

A-1


3. Return of Lists of Receivables . The Trustee shall deliver to the Issuer, not later than five (5) Business Days after the Reconveyance Date, each and every computer file or microfiche list of Receivables delivered to the Trustee pursuant to the terms of the Base Indenture.

4. Counterparts . This Release and Reconveyance may be executed in two or more counterparts (and by different parties on separate counterparts), each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

5. Governing Law . THIS RELEASE AND RECONVEYANCE SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS, AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS.

 

Base Indenture

 

A-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Release and Reconveyance of Trust Estate to be duly executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers on the day and year first above written.

 

CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP, as Issuer
By:   Conn’s Receivables Funding I GP, LLC
its general partner

 

By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

Base Indenture

 

A-3


EXHIBIT B

TO BASE INDENTURE

Form of Installment Contract and Revolving Charge Account Agreement

 

Base Indenture

 

B-1


EXHIBIT C

TO BASE INDENTURE

Form of Lien Release

CONN FUNDING II, L.P.

3295 College Street

Beaumont, Texas 77701

[         , 20    ]

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

MAC N9311 – 161

6 th and Marquette

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain Base Indenture dated as of April 30, 2012 (hereinafter as such agreement may have been, or may be from time to time, amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified, the “Base Indenture”), by and between Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP (the “Issuer”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), pursuant to which the Issuer has granted to the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties a lien on and security interest in all of the Issuer’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Contracts and related Receivables and certain assets and rights of the Issuer more particularly described therein (the “Trust Estate”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given such terms in the Base Indenture.

[Reference is further made to Sections 5.8 of the Base Indenture and Sections 2.08 and 2.13 of the Servicing Agreement dated as of April 30, 2012, by and between the Issuer, Conn Appliances, Inc., as servicer (in such capacity, the “Servicer”), and the Trustee, pursuant to which the Servicer has deposited into the Collection Account an amount equal to the Outstanding Receivables Balance of those Receivables set forth on Schedule I hereto (such Receivables, “Removed Receivables”), together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon.]

[Reference is further made to Sections 5.8 of the Base Indenture and Section 2.4 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of April 30, 2012, by and between the Issuer and Conn Appliances, Inc., as seller (the “Seller”), pursuant to which the Seller has deposited into the Collection Account an amount equal to the Outstanding Receivables Balance of those Receivables set forth on Schedule I hereto (such Receivables, “Removed Receivables”), together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon.]

In connection with the Issuer’s sale, transfer and assignment of the Removed Receivables, the Issuer hereby certifies that the conditions precedent to the release of the Removed Receivables have been satisfied and requests that the Trustee, and the Trustee by acknowledging this Lien Release Request does, irrevocably and unconditionally release the

 

Base Indenture

 

C-1


Removed Receivables and the related Related Security (the “Released Assets”) from the lien granted to the Trustee pursuant to the Base Indenture, and the Released Assets shall no longer constitute a part of the Trust Estate under the Base Indenture, any related security agreement or financing statement.

 

Very truly yours,
CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP
By:   Conn’s Receivables Funding I GP, LLC

 

            By:    
            Name:    
            Title:    

 

Acknowledged as of the

above date:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION, not in its individual

    capacity, but solely as Trustee

By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

Base Indenture

 

C-2


SCHEDULE I

Removed Receivables

 

Base Indenture

 

C-3


Schedule 1

PERFECTION REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES

AND COVENANTS

In addition to the representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Indenture, the Issuer hereby represents, warrants, and covenants to the Trustee as follows on the Closing Date:

General

1. The Indenture creates a valid and continuing security interest (as defined in the applicable UCC) in the Contract and Receivables in favor of the Trustee, which security interest is prior to all other Liens, and is enforceable as such as against creditors of and purchasers from the Issuer.

2. The Contracts evidencing the Receivables constitute “accounts”, “tangible chattel paper” or “electronic chattel paper” within the meaning of the UCC as in effect in the State of Texas.

3. Each of the Trust Accounts and all subaccounts thereof constitute either a deposit account or a securities account.

Creation

4. The Issuer owns and has good and marketable title to the Receivables free and clear of any Lien, claim or encumbrance of any Person, excepting only Liens for taxes, assessments or similar governmental charges or levies incurred in the ordinary course of business that are not yet due and payable or as to which any applicable grace period shall not have expired, or that are being contested in good faith by proper Proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established, but only so long as foreclosure with respect to such a lien is not imminent and the use and value of the property to which the Lien attaches is not impaired during the pendency of such proceeding.

Perfection:

5. The Issuer has caused or will have caused, within ten (10) days after the effective date of the Indenture, the filing of all appropriate financing statements in the proper filing office in the appropriate jurisdictions under applicable law in order to perfect the sale of the Contracts and Receivables from the Seller to the Issuer, and the security interest in the Contracts and Receivables granted to the Trustee hereunder; and Servicer has in its possession the electronic or physical copies of the original of such instruments, certificated securities or tangible chattel paper that constitute or evidence the Receivables, and all financing statements referred to in this paragraph contain or will contain when filed a statement that: “A purchase of or security interest in any collateral described in this financing statement will violate the rights of the Trustee.”

6. With respect to Contracts that constitute tangible chattel paper, either:

(i) All original executed copies of each such tangible chattel paper have been delivered to the Trustee;

 

Base Indenture

 

Sch 1-1


(ii) (A) Such tangible chattel paper is in the possession of the Servicer and the Trustee has received a written acknowledgment from the Servicer that the Servicer is holding such tangible chattel paper solely on behalf and for the benefit of the Trustee; (B) the Seller has marked or will mark on or before the date that is sixty (60) days after the Closing Date the authoritative copy of each Contract that constitutes or evidences the Receivables with a legend to the following effect: “Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP has pledged all its rights and interest herein to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association”; and (C) such Contracts or leases do not have any other marks or notations indicating that they have been pledged, assigned or otherwise conveyed to any Person other than the Trustee; or

(iii) A third party custodian received possession of such instruments or tangible chattel paper after the Trustee received a written acknowledgment from such custodian that such custodian is acting solely as agent of the Trustee.

7. With respect to Receivables that constitute electronic chattel paper, either:

(a) The Issuer has caused, or will have caused within ten (10) days of the effective date of the Purchase Agreement, the filing of a financing statement against Issuer and Seller in favor of the Trustee in connection herewith describing such Receivables and containing a statement that: “A purchase of or security interest in any collateral described in this financing statement will violate the rights of the Trustee”; or

(b) All of the following are true:

(i) Only one authoritative copy of each such Contract or lease exists; and each such authoritative copy (A) is unique, identifiable and unalterable (other than with the participation of the Trustee in the case of an addition or amendment of an identified assignee and other than a revision that is readily identifiable as an authorized or unauthorized revision), (B) has been marked with a legend to the following effect: “Authoritative Copy” and (C) has been communicated to and is maintained by the Trustee or a custodian who has acknowledged in writing that it is maintaining the authoritative copy of each electronic chattel paper solely on behalf of and for the benefit of the Trustee, or is acting solely as its agent; and

(ii) The Seller has marked on or before the date that is sixty (60) days after the Closing Date the authoritative copy of each Contract or lease that constitutes or evidences the Receivables with a legend to the following effect: “Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP has pledged all its rights and interest herein to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.” Such Contracts or leases do not have any other marks or notations indicating that they have been pledged, assigned or otherwise conveyed to any Person other than the Trustee; and

(iii) The Seller has marked all copies of each Contract or lease that constitute or evidence the Receivables other than the authoritative copy with a legend to the following effect: “This is not an authoritative copy”; and

(iv) The records evidencing the Receivables have been established in a manner such that (a) all copies or revisions that add or change an identified assignee of the authoritative copy of each such electronic chattel paper must be made with the participation of the Trustee and (b) all revisions of the authoritative copy of each such electronic chattel paper must be readily identifiable as an authorized or unauthorized revision.

 

Base Indenture

 

Sch 1-2


8. With respect to each of the Trust Accounts and all subaccounts that constitute deposit accounts, either:

(i) The Issuer has delivered to the Trustee a fully executed agreement pursuant to which the bank maintaining the deposit accounts has agreed to comply with all instructions originated by the Trustee directing disposition of the funds in the Trust Accounts without further consent by the Issuer; or

(ii) The Issuer has taken all steps necessary to cause the Trustee to become the account holder of the Trust Accounts.

9. With respect to each of the Trust Accounts or subaccounts thereof that constitute securities accounts or securities entitlements, either:

(i) The Issuer has delivered to the Trustee a fully executed agreement pursuant to which the securities intermediary has agreed to comply with all instructions originated by the Trustee relating to the Trust Accounts without further consent by the Issuer; or

(ii) The Issuer has taken all steps necessary to cause the securities intermediary to identify in its records the Trustee as the person having a security entitlement against the securities intermediary in each of the Trust Accounts.

Priority

10. Other than the transfer of the Receivables to the Issuer under the Purchase Agreement and the security interest granted to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture, none of the Issuer or the Seller have pledged, assigned, sold, granted a security interest in, or otherwise conveyed any of the Receivables or the Trust Accounts. None of the Issuer or the Seller have authorized the filing of, or is aware of any financing statements against the Issuer or the Seller that include a description of collateral covering the Receivables or the Trust Accounts or any subaccount thereof other than those that have been released or any financing statement relating to the security interest granted to the Trustee hereunder or that has been terminated.

11. None of the Trust Accounts nor any subaccount thereof are in the name of any person other than the Trustee. The Issuer has not consented to the bank maintaining the Trust Accounts that constitute deposit accounts to comply with instructions of any person other than the Trustee. The Issuer has not consented to the securities intermediary of any Trust Account that constitutes a securities account to comply with entitlement orders of any person other than the Trustee.

12. None of the Issuer or the Seller is aware of any judgment, ERISA or tax lien filings against either the Issuer or the Seller.

 

Base Indenture

 

Sch 1-3


13. None of the Issuer or the Seller or a custodian holding any Collateral that is electronic chattel paper has communicated an authoritative copy of any Contract or lease that constitutes or evidences the Receivables to any Person other than the Trustee.

14. None of the tangible chattel paper or electronic chattel paper that constitutes or evidences the Receivables has any marks or notations indicating that it is currently pledged, assigned or otherwise conveyed to any Person other than the Trustee.

15. Survival of Perfection Representations . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Indenture or any other Transaction Document, the Perfection Representations contained in this Schedule shall be continuing, and remain in full force and effect (notwithstanding any replacement of the Servicer or termination of Servicer’s rights to act as such) until such time as the Issuer Obligations under the Indenture have been finally and fully paid and performed.

16. No Waiver . The parties to the Indenture shall not, without satisfying the Rating Agency Condition, waive any of the Perfection Representations.

 

Base Indenture

 

Sch 1-4

Exhibit 10.15

CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP,

as Issuer

and

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

SERIES 2012-A SUPPLEMENT

Dated as of April 30, 2012

to

BASE INDENTURE

Dated as of April 30, 2012

CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP

4.00% Asset Backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class A


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  

SECTION 1.

  Definitions      1   

SECTION 2.

  Article 3 of the Base Indenture      6   

SECTION 3.

  Servicing Compensation      7   

SECTION 4.

  Optional Redemption      7   

SECTION 5.

  Delivery and Payment for the Notes      7   

SECTION 6.

  Form of Delivery of the Notes; Depository; Denominations; Transfer Provisions      7   

SECTION 7.

  Article 5 of Base Indenture      14   

SECTION 8.

  Article 6 of the Base Indenture      18   

SECTION 9.

  [Reserved]      20   

SECTION 10.

  Article 7 of the Base Indenture      20   

SECTION 11.

  Amendments and Waiver      24   

SECTION 12.

  Counterparts      24   

SECTION 13.

  Governing Law      24   

SECTION 14.

  Waiver of Trial by Jury      24   

SECTION 15.

  No Petition      24   

SECTION 16.

  Rights of the Trustee      25   

EXHIBIT A-1

 

Form of Class A Restricted Global Note

  

EXHIBIT A-2

 

Form of Class A Temporary Regulation S Global Note

  

EXHIBIT A-3

 

Form of Class A Permanent Regulation S Global Note

  

EXHIBIT B

 

[Reserved.]

  

EXHIBIT C

 

[Reserved.]

  

EXHIBIT D

 

Form of Monthly Noteholders’ Statement

  

EXHIBIT E-1

 

Form of Transfer Certificate

  

EXHIBIT E-2

 

Form of Certificate to be Delivered to Exchange Temporary Regulation S Global Note for Permanent Regulation S Global Note

  

EXHIBIT E-3

 

Form of Certificate to Transfer from Restricted Global Note to Temporary Regulation S Global Note

  

EXHIBIT E-4

 

Form of Certificate to Transfer from Restricted Global Note to Permanent Regulation S Global Note

  

EXHIBIT E-5

 

Form of Certificate to Transfer from Temporary Regulation S Global Note to Restricted Global Note

  

SCHEDULE 1

 

List of Proceedings

  

SCHEDULE 2

 

Scheduled Aggregate Net Loss Amount

  

 

-i-


SERIES 2012-A SUPPLEMENT, dated as of April 30, 2012 (as amended, modified, restated or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, this “ Series Supplement ”), by and among CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP, a special purpose limited partnership established under the laws of Texas, as issuer (“ Issuer ”), and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, as trustee (together with its successors in trust under the Base Indenture referred to below, the “ Trustee ”) to the Base Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2012, between the Issuer and the Trustee (as amended, modified, restated or supplemented from time to time, exclusive of this Series Supplement, the “ Base Indenture ”).

Pursuant to this Series Supplement, the Issuer shall create a new Series of Notes and shall specify the principal terms thereof.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

WHEREAS, Section 2.2 of the Base Indenture provides, among other things, that Issuer and the Trustee may enter into a series supplement to the Base Indenture for the purpose of authorizing the issuance of this Series of Notes.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

DESIGNATION

(a) There is hereby created a Series of notes to be issued pursuant to the Base Indenture and this Series Supplement and such Series of notes shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, executed by or on behalf of the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee and designated generally 4.00% Asset Backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class A, Series 2012-A (the “ Class A Notes ” or the “ Notes ”). The Notes shall be issued in minimum denominations of $500,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

(b) Series 2012-A (as defined below) shall not be subordinated to any other Series.

SECTION 1. Definitions . In the event that any term or provision contained herein shall conflict with or be inconsistent with any provision contained in the Base Indenture, the terms and provisions of this Series Supplement shall govern. All Article, Section or subsection references herein mean Articles, Sections or subsections of this Series Supplement, except as otherwise provided herein. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein are defined in the Base Indenture. Each capitalized term defined herein shall relate only to the Notes.

Additional Interest ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.12 .

Aggregate Investor Net Loss Amount ” means, with respect to any Monthly Period, an amount equal to the Outstanding Receivables Balance of all Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables during such Monthly Period (each respective Outstanding Receivables Balance being measured as of the date the relevant Receivable became a Defaulted Receivable) minus any Deemed Collections and Recoveries deposited into the Collection Account during such Monthly Period in respect of Receivables that have become Defaulted Receivables before or during such Monthly Period.

 

1


Amortization Period ” means the period commencing on the Cut-Off Date and ending on the Series 2012-A Termination Date.

Available Funds ” means, with respect to any Monthly Period, the Finance Charge Collections deposited in the Finance Charge Account for such Monthly Period.

Cash Option ” means a provision in a Contract that provides that all Earned Finance Charges shall be considered Unearned Finance Charges to the extent the related Obligor makes all scheduled payments provided under the terms of the Contract on or prior to the end of the related Cash Option Period and otherwise complies with the terms of the Contract.

Cash Option Period ” means, with respect to any Cash Option Receivable, the period, not to exceed forty-eight months, from and including the Initiation Date for such Cash Option Receivable and ending on the last day, as set forth in the related Contract, that the related Obligor may pay off the Outstanding Receivables Balance of such Receivable to exercise the Cash Option.

Cash Option Receivable ” means any Receivable that includes a Cash Option.

Change in Control ” shall mean any of the following:

(a) the acquisition of ownership by any Person or group (other than one or more shareholders of Conn’s, Inc. (determined as of the Closing Date)) of shares representing more than 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding capital stock of Conn’s, Inc.; or

(b) the failure of Conn’s, Inc. to, directly or indirectly through its Subsidiaries, own 100% of the equity interest of Conn Appliances; or

(c) the failure of Conn Appliances to, directly or indirectly through its Subsidiaries, own 100% of the equity interest of the Issuer.

Class A Noteholder ” means a Holder of a Class A Note.

Class A Note Principal ” means the outstanding principal amount of Class A Notes.

Class A Note Rate ” means, with respect to each Interest Period, a fixed rate equal to 4.00% per annum with respect to the Class A Notes.

Class A Notes ” is defined in the Designation.

Closing Date ” means April 30, 2012.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

2


Conn’s, Inc. ” means Conn’s, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Contingent Liability ” means any agreement, undertaking or arrangement by which any Person guarantees, endorses or otherwise becomes or is contingently liable upon (by direct or indirect agreement, contingent or otherwise, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds to, or otherwise to invest in, a debtor, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss) the indebtedness, obligation or any other liability of any other Person (other than by endorsements of instruments in the course of collection), or guarantees the payment of dividends or other distributions upon the shares of any other Person. The amount of any Person’s obligation under any Contingent Liability shall (subject to any limitation set forth therein) be deemed to be the outstanding principal amount (or maximum outstanding principal amount, if larger) of the debt, obligation or other liability guaranteed thereby.

Deficiency Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.12 .

DWAC ” means the DTC Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian system.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

Exchange Date ” has the meaning specified in subsection 6(c)(ii) .

Expected Final Principal Payment Date ” means April 15, 2013.

Finance Charge Collections ” means all Collections other than Principal Collections.

Global Note ” has the meaning specified in subsection 6(a) .

Initial Investor Interest ” means the Initial Note Principal.

Initial Note Principal ” means the aggregate initial principal amount of the Notes, which is $103,679,000.

Initiation Date ” means, with respect to any Receivable, the date upon which such Receivable was originated by an Originator.

Interest Period ” means, with respect to any Payment Date, the period from and including the Payment Date immediately preceding such Payment Date (or, in the case of the first Payment Date, from and including the Closing Date) to but excluding such Payment Date.

Investor Interest ” means, on any date of determination, an amount equal to (a) the Initial Note Principal, minus (b) the aggregate amount of principal payments made to Noteholders prior to such date pursuant to Section 5.15(e)(iii) or a redemption of the Notes. Once all principal and interest on the Notes and any other amounts payable to the Noteholders pursuant to the Transaction Documents have been paid in full, the Investor Interest shall be zero.

 

3


Investor Principal Collections ” means, with respect to any Monthly Period, the sum of (a) the Principal Collections for such Monthly Period, (b) the aggregate amount of Available Funds in the Finance Charge Account to be treated as Investor Principal Collections for such Monthly Period pursuant to subsections 5.15(a)(iv) and 5.15(a)(v) and (c) in connection with the purchase or redemption of Notes, the aggregate amount deposited in the Payment Account pursuant to Section 4 hereof.

Issuer ” is defined in the preamble of this Series Supplement.

Legal Final Payment Date ” means April 15, 2016.

Monthly Interest ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.12 .

Monthly Period ” has the meaning specified in the Base Indenture.

Monthly Principal ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.13 .

Note Principal ” means on any date of determination the then outstanding principal amount of the Notes.

Note Purchase Agreement ” means the agreement by and among Jefferies & Company, Inc., as the initial Class A Noteholder, Conn Appliances and the Issuer, dated April April 25, 2012, pursuant to which Jefferies & Company, Inc. agreed to purchase an interest in the Class A Note, respectively from the Issuer, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Noteholder ” means with respect to any Note, the holder of record of such Note.

Notes ” has the meaning specified in paragraph (a) of the Designation .

Notice Person ” means the Rating Agency; provided that with respect to any provision requiring the consent or approval of the Notice Person, such consent or approval shall be deemed to have been obtained with respect to Series 2012-A if the Rating Agency Condition is satisfied.

Payment Account ” means the account established as such for the benefit of the Secured Parties of this Series 2012-A pursuant to subsection 5.3(c) of the Base Indenture.

Payment Date ” means May 15, 2012 and the fifteenth (15 th ) day of each calendar month thereafter, or if such fifteenth (15 th ) day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day.

Permanent Regulation S Global Note ” has the meaning specified in subsection 6(a)(ii) .

QIB ” has the meaning specified in subsection 6(a)(i) .

Rating Agency ” means Fitch.

 

4


Rating Agency Condition ” means, with respect to any action requiring rating agency approval or consent, either (a) that the Rating Agency has notified the Issuer and the Trustee in writing (which writing may be in the form of a letter, a press release or other publication, or a change in the Rating Agency’s published ratings criteria to this effect) that such action will not result in a reduction or withdrawal of its then current rating of the Class A Notes or (b) that the Rating Agency has been given notice of such action at least ten (10) days prior to the occurrence of such action (or, if so requested by such rating agency, at least fifteen (15) days prior to the occurrence of such action) and has not issued any written notice that the occurrence of such action will itself result in a reduction or withdrawal of the then current rating of any outstanding class of Class A Notes.

Regulation S ” has the meaning specified in specified in subsection 6(a)(ii) .

Required Interest Distribution ” has the meaning specified in subsection 5.15(e)(i) .

Required Noteholders ” means the holders of Class A Notes outstanding, voting together, representing in excess of 50% of the aggregate principal balance of the Class A Notes outstanding.

Restricted Global Note ” has the meaning specified in subsection 6(a)(i) .

Restricted Period ” has the meaning specified in subsection 6(c)(ii) .

RSA ” means a repair service agreement for Merchandise purchased by an Obligor provided by a third party or by Conn Appliances, Inc.

Rule 144A ” has the meaning specified in subsection 6(a)(i) .

Scheduled Aggregate Net Loss Amount ” means, for any Series Transfer Date, the amount set forth in Schedule 2 for such Series Transfer Date.

Series 2012-A ” means the Series of the Asset Backed Notes represented by the Notes.

Series 2012-A Termination Date ” means the earliest to occur of (a) the Payment Date on which the Notes, plus all other amounts due and owing to the Noteholders, are paid in full, (b) the Legal Final Payment Date and (c) the Indenture Termination Date.

Solvent ” means with respect to any Person that as of the date of determination both (A)(i) the then fair saleable value of the property of such Person is (y) greater than the total amount of liabilities (including Contingent Liabilities) of such Person and (z) not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liabilities on such Person’s then existing debts as they become absolute and matured considering all financing alternatives and potential asset sales reasonably available to such Person; (ii) such Person’s capital is not unreasonably small in relation to its business or any contemplated or undertaken transaction; and (iii) such Person does not intend to incur, or believe (nor should it reasonably believe) that it will incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become due; and (B) such Person is “solvent” within the

 

5


meaning given that term and similar terms under applicable laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances. For purposes of this definition, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

Temporary Regulation S Global Note ” has the meaning specified in subsection 6(a)(ii) .

United States ” has the meaning specified in Regulation S.

U.S. Person ” has the meaning specified in Regulation S.

Unrated Subordinate Prepayment Incentive Fee ” means, as of any Determination Date, with respect to any Payment Date occurring after the Expected Final Principal Payment Date, an amount equal to the product of (i) one-twelfth, times (ii) 8.50%, times (iii) the outstanding principal balance of the Class A Notes as of the immediately preceding Payment Date (after giving effect to any payments of principal on such Payment Date).

SECTION 2. Article 3 of the Base Indenture . Article 3 of the Indenture solely for the purposes of Series 2012-A shall be read in its entirety as follows and shall be applicable only to the Notes:

ARTICLE 3

INITIAL ISSUANCE OF NOTES

SECTION 3.1. Initial Issuance .

(a) Subject to satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in subsection (b) of this Section 3.1 , on the Closing Date, the Issuer will issue the Class A Notes in accordance with Section 2.2 of the Base Indenture and Section 6 hereof in the aggregate initial principal amount equal to $103,679,000.

(b) The Notes will be issued on the Closing Date pursuant to subsection (a) above, only upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions with respect to such initial issuance:

(i) The amount of each Note shall be equal to or greater than $500,000 (and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof);

(ii) Such issuance and the application of the proceeds thereof shall not result in the occurrence of (1) a Servicer Default or an Event of Default, or (2) an event or occurrence, which, with the passing of time or the giving of notice thereof, or both, would become a Servicer Default or an Event of Default; and

(iii) All required consents have been obtained and all other conditions precedent to the purchase of the Notes under the Note Purchase Agreement shall have been satisfied.

 

6


(c) Upon receipt of the proceeds of such issuance by or on behalf of the Issuer, the Trustee shall, or shall cause the Transfer Agent and Registrar to, indicate in the Note Register the amount thereof.

(d) The Issuer shall not issue additional Notes of this Series.

SECTION 3. Servicing Compensation . The Trustee, Back-Up Servicer and Successor Servicer Fees and Expenses (and, in the case of the initial Servicer, the Servicing Fee) and other fees, expenses and indemnity amounts owed to the Trustee, Back-Up Servicer and successor Servicer shall be paid by the cash flows from the Trust Estate and in no event shall the Trustee be liable therefor. The portion of the foregoing amounts allocable to Series 2012-A shall be payable to the Trustee, Servicer and Back-Up Servicer, as applicable, solely to the extent amounts are available for distribution in respect thereof pursuant to subsections 5.15(a)(i) , (a)(ii) , (a)(vii) , (e)(i) and (e)(v) , as applicable.

SECTION 4. Optional Redemption .

(a) The Notes shall be subject to redemption by the Issuer, at its option, in accordance with the terms specified in Article 14 of the Base Indenture, on any Payment Date on or after the Expected Final Principal Payment Date.

(b) The redemption price for the Class A Notes will be equal to the sum of (a) the Note Principal determined without giving effect to any Notes owned by the Issuer, plus (b) accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes through the day preceding the Payment Date on which the purchase occurs, plus (c) any other amounts payable to such Noteholders pursuant to the Transaction Documents, plus (d) any other amounts due and owing by the Issuer to the other Secured Parties pursuant to the Transaction Documents, minus (e) the amounts, if any, on deposit at such Payment Date in the Payment Account, the Principal Account and the Finance Charge Account for the payment of the foregoing amounts.

SECTION 5. Delivery and Payment for the Notes . The Trustee shall execute, authenticate and deliver the Notes in accordance with Section 2.4 of the Base Indenture and Section 6 below.

SECTION 6. Form of Delivery of the Notes; Depository; Denominations; Transfer Provisions .

(a) The Class A Notes shall be delivered as Registered Notes representing Book-Entry Notes as provided in this subsection (a) . For purposes of this Series Supplement, the term “ Global Notes ” refers to the Restricted Global Note, the Temporary Regulation S Global Note and the Permanent Regulation S Global Note, all as defined below.

(i) Restricted Global Note . The Class A Notes to be sold in the United States will be issued in book-entry form and represented by one permanent global Note in fully registered form without interest coupons (the “ Restricted Global Note ”), substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit A-1 hereto and will be offered and sold, only in the United States (1) by the Issuer to an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act in reliance on an exemption from the

 

7


registration requirements of the Securities Act and (2) thereafter only to a Person that is a qualified institutional buyer (“ QIB ”) as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“ Rule 144A ”) in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and shall be deposited with a custodian for, and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in the Base Indenture for credit to the accounts of the subscribers at DTC. The initial principal amount of the Restricted Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the custodian for DTC, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as hereinafter provided. Interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be exchangeable for Definitive Notes only in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.18 of the Base Indenture.

(ii) Temporary Regulation S Global Note; Permanent Regulation S Global Note . The Class A Notes to be offered and sold to non-U.S. Persons outside of the United States and in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act (“ Regulation S ”), shall initially be issued in the form of one temporary global Note in fully registered form without interest coupons (the “ Temporary Regulation S Global Note ”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A-2 , which shall be registered in the name of a nominee of DTC, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in the Base Indenture, for the credit to the subscribers’ accounts at Clearstream and Euroclear. Interests in a Temporary Regulation S Global Note will be exchangeable, in whole or in part, for corresponding interests in a permanent Regulation S global note in fully registered form without interest coupons (the “ Permanent Regulation S Global Note ”), representing the Notes, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A-3 , in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Temporary Regulation S Global Note and this Series Supplement. Until the Exchange Date, interests in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note may only be held through Euroclear or Clearstream (as indirect participants in DTC). The initial principal amount of the Temporary Regulation S Global Note and the Permanent Regulation S Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the custodian for DTC, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as hereinafter provided. Interests in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note will be exchangeable for Definitive Notes only in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.18 of the Base Indenture.

(b) The Notes will be issuable in minimum denominations of $500,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

(c) The Global Notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may not be exchanged for Definitive Notes except in the limited circumstances described in Section 2.18 of the Base Indenture; provided , however , that notwithstanding anything in the Indenture to the contrary, Definitive Notes shall not be issued in respect of any Temporary Regulation S Global Note unless the Restricted Period has expired and then only with respect to beneficial interests therein as to which the Trustee has received from Euroclear or Clearstream, as applicable, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E-2 hereto. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may be transferred only (i) to a Person that is a QIB in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and whom the transferor has notified that it

 

8


may be relying on the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Rule 144A or (ii) outside the United States to non-U.S. Persons in a transaction in compliance with Regulation S, in each such case, in compliance with the Indenture and all applicable securities laws of any State of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction, subject in each of the above cases to any requirement of law that the disposition of the seller’s property or the property of an investment account or accounts be at all times within the seller’s or account’s control. Each transferee of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall be deemed to have made the acknowledgments, representations and agreements set forth in subsection (e)  hereof. Any such transfer shall also be made in accordance with the following provisions:

(i) Transfer of Interests Within a Global Note . Beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the foregoing paragraph of this subsection 6(d) and the transferee shall be deemed to have made the representations contained in subsection 6(e) .

(ii) Temporary Regulation S Global Note to Permanent Regulation S Global Note . Interests in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note will be exchanged for interests in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note, not earlier than the first day following the 40-day period beginning on the later of the commencement of the offering of the Notes or the Closing Date (the “ Restricted Period ”) on which the Trustee has received a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E-2 (the “ Exchange Date ”). To effect such exchange the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate one Permanent Regulation S Global Note, representing the principal amount of interests in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note initially exchanged for interests in the Permanent Regulation S Global Notes. Such Permanent Regulation S Global Note shall be deposited with a custodian for, and registered in the name of, a nominee of DTC. Upon any exchange of interests in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note for interests in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note, the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall endorse such Temporary Regulation S Global Note to reflect the reduction in the principal amount represented thereby by the amount so exchanged and shall endorse the Permanent Regulation S Global Note to reflect the corresponding increase in the amount represented thereby. The Temporary Regulation S Global Note or the Permanent Regulation S Global Note shall also be endorsed upon any cancellation of principal amounts upon surrender of interests in such Notes purchased by the Issuer or upon any repayment of the principal amount represented thereby in respect of such Notes. Upon all interests in the Temporary Regulation S Notes being exchanged for corresponding interests in the Permanent Regulation S Notes as described in this clause (ii) , the Temporary Regulation s Notes shall be cancelled.

(iii) Restricted Global Note to Temporary Regulation S Global Note During the Restricted Period . If, prior to the Exchange Date, a holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note wishes at any time to exchange its interest in such Restricted Global Note for an interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note, or to transfer its interest in such Restricted Global Note to a non-U.S. Person, in a transaction in compliance with Regulation S, who wishes to take delivery thereof in the form of an interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note, such holder may, subject to this

 

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subsection 6(d) and the rules and procedures of DTC, exchange or cause the exchange or transfer of such interest for an equivalent beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note. Upon receipt by the Transfer Agent and Registrar of (1) instructions given in accordance with DTC’s procedures from an agent member directing the Transfer Agent and Registrar to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Note to be exchanged or transferred, (2) a written order given in accordance with DTC’s procedures containing information regarding the Euroclear or Clearstream account to be credited with such increase and the name of such account, and (3) a certificate in the form of Exhibit E-3 attached hereto given by the holder of such beneficial interest stating that the exchange or transfer of such interest has been made in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S, the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall instruct DTC to reduce the applicable Restricted Global Note by the aggregate principal amount of the beneficial interest in such Restricted Global Note to be so exchanged or transferred and the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall instruct DTC, concurrently with such reduction, to increase the principal amount of the Temporary Regulation S Global Note by the aggregate principal amount of the beneficial interest in such Restricted Global Note to be so exchanged or transferred, and to credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions (who shall be the agent member of Euroclear or Clearstream, or both, as the case may be) a beneficial interest in such Temporary Regulation S Global Note equal to the reduction in the principal amount of such Restricted Global Note.

(iv) Restricted Global Note to Permanent Regulation S Global Note After the Exchange Date . If, after the Exchange Date, a holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee wishes at any time to exchange its interest in such Restricted Global Note for an interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note, or to transfer its interest in such Restricted Global Note to a non-U.S. Person, in a transaction in compliance with Regulation S, who wishes to take delivery thereof in the form of an interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note, such holder may, subject to this subsection 6(d) and the rules and procedures of DTC, exchange or cause the exchange or transfer of such interest for an equivalent beneficial interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note. Upon receipt by the Transfer Agent and Registrar of (1) instructions given in accordance with DTC’s procedures from an agent member directing the Transfer Agent and Registrar to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Note to be exchanged or transferred, (2) a written order given in accordance with DTC’s procedures containing information regarding the account to be credited with such increase and (3) a certificate in the form of Exhibit E-4 attached hereto given by the holder of such beneficial interest stating that the exchange or transfer of such interest has been made in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S, the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall instruct DTC to reduce the Restricted Global Note by the aggregate principal amount of the beneficial interest in such Restricted Global Note to be so exchanged or transferred and the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall instruct DTC, concurrently with such reduction, to increase the principal amount of the

 

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Permanent Regulation S Global Note by the aggregate principal amount of the beneficial interest in such Restricted Global Note to be so exchanged or transferred, and to credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in such Permanent Regulation S Global Note equal to the reduction in the principal amount of such Restricted Global Note.

(v) Temporary Regulation S Global Note to Restricted Global Note . If a holder of a beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee wishes at any time to exchange its interest in such Temporary Regulation S Global Note for an interest in the Restricted Global Note, or to transfer its interest in such Temporary Regulation S Global Note to a Person who wishes to take delivery thereof in the form of an interest in the Restricted Global Note, such holder may, subject to this subsection 6(d) and the rules and procedures of Euroclear or Clearstream and DTC, as the case may be, exchange or cause the exchange or transfer of such interest for an equivalent beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Note. Upon receipt by the Transfer Agent and Registrar of (1) instructions from Euroclear or Clearstream or DTC, as the case maybe, directing the Transfer Agent and Registrar to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Note equal to the beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note to be exchanged or transferred, such instructions to contain information regarding the agent member’s account with DTC to be credited with such increase, and, with respect to an exchange or transfer of an interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note after the Exchange Date, information regarding the agent member’s account with DTC to be debited with such decrease, and (2) with respect to an exchange or transfer of an interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note for an interest in the Restricted Global Note prior to the Exchange Date, a certificate in the form of Exhibit E-5 attached hereto given by the holder of such beneficial interest and stating that the Person acquiring such interest in the Restricted Global Note is a QIB and is obtaining such beneficial interest in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, Euroclear or Clearstream or the Transfer Agent and Registrar, as the case may be, shall instruct DTC to reduce the Temporary Regulation S Global Note by the aggregate principal amount of the beneficial interest in such Temporary Regulation S Global Note to be exchanged or transferred, and the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall instruct DTC, concurrently with such reduction, to increase the principal amount of the Restricted Global Note by the aggregate principal amount of the beneficial interest in such Temporary Regulation S Global Note to be so exchanged or transferred, and to credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in such Restricted Global Note equal to the reduction in the principal amount of such Temporary Regulation S Global Note. Upon all interests in the Temporary Regulation S Notes being exchanged for corresponding interests in the Permanent Regulation S Notes as described in this clause (ii) , the Temporary Regulation s Notes shall be cancelled.

(vi) Transfers of Interests in Permanent Regulation S Global Note . The Transfer Agent and Registrar shall register any transfer of interests in a Permanent Regulation S Global Note in accordance with Section 2.6 of the Base Indenture to U.S. Persons without requiring any additional certification; provided , however , that all other transfer restrictions set forth in this Section 6 shall remain in full force and effect and each such transferee shall be deemed to have made the representations and warranties set forth in subsection 6(e) below (but excluding the certification and opinion of counsel provisions of paragraph (1) thereof).

 

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(d) Each transferee of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or of any Definitive Notes shall be deemed to have represented and agreed that:

(1) it either (A) (i) is a QIB, (ii) is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and (iii) is acquiring the Notes for its own account or for the account of a QIB or (B) is a non-U.S. Person and is not acquiring the Notes for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person and is purchasing the Notes in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S;

(2) the Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, and that, if in the future it decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise transfer such Notes, such Notes may be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred only (a) to a Person that is a QIB in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and whom the transferor has notified that it may be relying on the exemption form the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Rule 144A or (b) outside the United States to a non-U.S. Person in a transaction in compliance with Regulation S, in each such case, in compliance with the Indenture and all applicable securities laws of any State of the United States or any other jurisdiction, subject in each of the above cases to any requirement of law that the disposition of the seller’s property or the property of an investment account or accounts be at all times within the seller’s or account’s control and it will notify any transferee of the resale restrictions set forth above;

(3) the following legend will be placed on the Notes unless the Issuer determines otherwise in compliance with applicable law:

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THIS NOTE MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR TRANSFERRED ONLY (1) TO A PERSON THAT IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”)) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A OR (2) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A NON-U.S. PERSON (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH SUCH CASE, IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE INDENTURE AND ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION, SUBJECT IN EACH OF THE ABOVE CASES TO ANY REQUIREMENT OF LAW THAT THE DISPOSITION OF THE SELLER’S PROPERTY OR THE PROPERTY OF AN INVESTMENT

 

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ACCOUNT OR ACCOUNTS BE AT ALL TIMES WITHIN THE SELLER’S OR ACCOUNT’S CONTROL. THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY TRANSFEREE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE.

BY ACQUIRING THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN), EACH PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT EITHER (I) IT IS NOT AN “EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN” AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(3) OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), WHICH IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA, A “PLAN” AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), WHICH IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE, AN ENTITY DEEMED TO HOLD PLAN ASSETS OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING, OR A GOVERNMENTAL PLAN SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR (II) (A) THIS NOTE IS RATED AT LEAST “BBB-” OR ITS EQUIVALENT BY A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL RATING AGENCY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE OR TRANSFER AND (B) ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN) WILL NOT RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE (OR, IN THE CASE OF A GOVERNMENTAL PLAN, ANY SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR APPLICABLE LAW).

(4) in the case of Global Notes, the foregoing restrictions apply to holders of beneficial interests in such Notes as well as to Holders of such Notes and the transfer of any beneficial interest in such a Global Note will be subject to the restrictions and certification requirements set forth herein and in the Base Indenture, and in the case of Definitive Notes, the transfer of any such Notes will be subject to the restrictions and certification requirements set forth herein and in the Base Indenture;

(5) the Trustee, the Issuer, the initial purchasers or placement agents for the Notes and their Affiliates and others will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations and agreements and agrees that if any of the representations or agreements deemed to have been made by its purchase of such Notes cease to be accurate and complete, it will promptly notify the Issuer and the initial purchasers or placement agents for the Notes in writing;

(6) if it is acquiring any Notes as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, it has sole investment discretion with respect to each such account and it has full power to make the foregoing representations and agreements with respect to each such account; and

 

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(7) either (i) it is not acquiring the Notes (or any interest therein) with the assets of a Benefit Plan Investor, or a governmental plan subject to applicable law that is substantially similar to Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or (ii) (a) such note is rated at least “BBB-” or its equivalent by a nationally recognized statistical rating agency at the time of purchase or transfer and (b) its purchase and holding of the Notes (or any interest therein) will not result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (or, in the case of a governmental plan, any substantially similar applicable law).

In addition, such transferee shall be responsible for providing additional information or certification, as reasonably requested by the Trustee or the Issuer, to support the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations and agreements, it being understood that such additional information is not intended to create additional restrictions on the transfer of the Notes.

(e) Other Transfers or Exchanges . In the event that a Global Note is exchanged for Notes in definitive registered form without interest coupons, pursuant to Section 2.18 of the Base Indenture, such Definitive Notes may be exchanged or transferred for one another only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with Section 2.18 of the Base Indenture and the provisions of Section 6 of this Series Supplement (including the certification requirements intended to ensure that such exchanges or transfers comply with Rule 144A or Regulation S, as the case may be) and as may be from time to time adopted by the Issuer and the Trustee, and such holder shall provide the Issuer and the Transfer Agent and Registrar with a certification to that effect (in substantially the form of Exhibit E-1 hereto) and, if requested by the Issuer or the Trustee, an opinion of counsel in form and substance acceptable to the Issuer and to the Transfer Agent and Registrar to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, and the transferee of any such Note shall be deemed to have made the representations set forth in subsection 6(e) above other than the representation contained in paragraph (4) thereof.

SECTION 7. Article 5 of Base Indenture . Sections 5.1 , 5.2 , 5.3 , 5.4 , 5.5 , 5.6 , 5.7 , 5.8 , 5.9 and 5.10 of the Base Indenture shall be read in their entirety as provided in the Base Indenture. The following provisions, however, shall constitute part of Article 5 of the Indenture solely for purposes of Series 2012-A and shall be applicable only to the Notes.

ARTICLE 5

ALLOCATION AND APPLICATION OF COLLECTIONS

SECTION 5.11. Allocations of Collections . On or prior to each Series Transfer Date, the initial Servicer or if the initial Servicer has been removed or replaced, the Trustee shall make the following deposits from the Collection Account:

(i) Deposit into the Principal Account all Principal Collections then on deposit in the Collection Account (such deposit to be applied in accordance with the Indenture and subsections 5.15(c) and 5.15(e) ); and

 

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(ii) Deposit into the Finance Charge Account all Finance Charge Collections then on deposit in the Collection Account (such deposit to be applied in accordance with the Indenture and subsections 5.15(a) and 5.15(e) ).

SECTION 5.12. Determination of Monthly Interest . The amount of monthly interest payable on the Class A Notes on each Payment Date shall be determined as of each Determination Date and shall be an amount equal to the product of (i)(A) for the initial Payment Date, a fraction, the numerator of which is the actual number of days in the related Interest Period and the denominator of which is 360, and (B) for any Payment Date thereafter, one-twelfth, times (ii) the Class A Note Rate, times (iii) the principal balance of the Class A Notes as of the immediately preceding Payment Date (after giving effect to any payments of principal on such Payment Date), or with respect to the first Payment Date, as of the Closing Date (the “ Monthly Interest ”); provided , however , that in addition to Monthly Interest, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the amount of any unpaid Deficiency Amount, as defined below, plus (ii) an amount equal to the product (such product being herein called the “ Additional Interest ”) of (A) one-twelfth, times (B) a rate equal to 2% per annum over the Class A Note Rate, times (C) any Deficiency Amount, as defined below (or the portion thereof that has not theretofore been paid to Noteholders) shall also be payable to the Class A Noteholders. The “ Deficiency Amount ” for any Determination Date shall be equal to the excess, if any, of (x) the sum of the Monthly Interest, the Additional Interest and the Deficiency Amount as determined pursuant to the preceding sentence for the Interest Period ended immediately prior to the preceding Payment Date, over (y) the amount actually paid in respect thereof on the preceding Payment Date; provided , that the Deficiency Amount on the initial Determination Date shall be zero.

SECTION 5.13. Determination of Monthly Principal . On or prior to each Series Transfer Date, the Servicer will determine the amount of Principal Collections received and on deposit in the Collection Account in the immediately prior Monthly Period (“ Monthly Principal ”) and the initial Servicer or, if the initial Servicer has been removed or replaced, the Trustee shall deposit such amount into the Principal Account together with any other Investor Principal Collections to be distributed on the related Payment Date.

SECTION 5.14. [Reserved] .

SECTION 5.15. Monthly Payments . On or before each Series Transfer Date, the Servicer shall instruct the Trustee in writing (which writing shall be substantially in the form of the Monthly Servicer Report attached as Exhibit A-1 to the Servicing Agreement) to withdraw, and the Trustee, acting in accordance with such instructions, shall withdraw on such Series Transfer Date or the related Payment Date, as applicable, to the extent of the funds credited to the relevant accounts, the amounts required to be withdrawn from the Finance Charge Account, the Principal Account and the Payment Account as follows:

(a) An amount equal to the Available Funds deposited into the Finance Charge Account for the related Monthly Period shall be distributed on each Series Transfer Date in the following priority to the extent of funds available therefor:

 

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(i) first , an amount equal to the Trustee, Back-Up Servicer and Successor Servicer Fees and Expenses for such Series Transfer Date (plus the Trustee, Back-Up Servicer and Successor Servicer Fees and Expenses due but not paid on any prior Series Transfer Date) shall be set aside and paid to the Trustee, the Back-Up Servicer, and any successor Servicer (distributed on a pari passu basis) on the related Payment Date;

(ii) second, if Conn Appliances is the Servicer, an amount equal to the Servicing Fee for such Series Transfer Date (plus any Servicing Fee due but not paid on any prior Series Transfer Date) shall be set aside and paid to the Servicer on the related Payment Date;

(iii) third , an amount equal to Monthly Interest for such Series Transfer Date, plus the amount of any Deficiency Amount for such Series Transfer Date, plus the amount of any Additional Interest for such Series Transfer Date shall be deposited by the Trustee into the Payment Account on such Series Transfer Date ( the “Required Interest Distribution ”);

(iv) fourth , an amount equal to the greater of (A) the Aggregate Investor Net Loss Amount, if any, for the preceding Monthly Period and (B) the Scheduled Aggregate Net Loss Amount shall be treated as a portion of Investor Principal Collections and deposited into the Principal Account on such Series Transfer Date;

(v) fifth , to the extent that one or more Obligors related to Cash Option Receivables exercises the related Cash Option in accordance with the terms of the related Contract in such Monthly Period, an amount equal to aggregate Earned Finance Charges booked prior to the exercise of such Cash Option (including prior to the Closing Date) with respect to all such Cash Option Receivables shall be treated as a portion of Investor Principal Collections and deposited into the Principal Account on such Series Transfer Date (plus any such amounts due under this clause (v), but not paid on any prior Series Transfer Date);

(vi) sixth , an amount equal to any amounts payable to the Servicer Letter of Credit Bank by the Issuer under the reimbursement agreement for the Servicer Letter of Credit shall be set aside and paid to the Servicer Letter of Credit Bank on the related Payment Date;

(vii) seventh , an amount equal to any unreimbursed fees, reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and indemnity amounts (including, without limitation, any Transition Costs not previously paid pursuant to clause (i)) of the Trustee, the Back-Up Servicer, and any successor Servicer, shall be set aside and paid thereto (distributed on a pari passu basis) on the related Payment Date;

(viii) eighth, with respect to the Series Transfer Date immediately preceding the first Payment Date after the Expected Final Principal Payment Date and each Series Transfer Date thereafter, an amount equal to the Unrated Subordinate Prepayment Incentive Fee (plus Unrated Subordinate Prepayment Incentive Fees due but not paid on any prior Series Transfer Date) shall be deposited by the Trustee into the Payment Account on such Series Transfer Date; and

(ix) ninth , the balance, if any, shall be distributed to the Issuer.

 

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(b) [Reserved].

(c) An amount equal to the Investor Principal Collections on deposit in the Principal Account shall be deposited on each Series Transfer Date into the Payment Account.

(d) [Reserved].

(e) On each Payment Date, the Trustee, acting in accordance with instructions from the Servicer (substantially in the form of the Monthly Servicer Report attached as Exhibit A-1 to the Servicing Agreement), shall pay the amount deposited into the Payment Account pursuant to subsection 5.15(c) and from the Finance Charge Account pursuant to clauses (iii)  and (viii)  of subsection 5.15(a) on the immediately preceding Series Transfer Date to the following Persons in the following priority to the extent of funds available therefor:

(i) first , to the extent not paid or set aside above on the Series Transfer Date, an amount equal to the Trustee, Back-Up Servicer and Successor Servicer Fees and Expenses for such Series Transfer Date (plus the Trustee, Back-Up Servicer and Successor Servicer Fees and Expenses due but not paid on any prior Series Transfer Date) shall be paid to the Trustee, the Back-Up Servicer and the successor Servicer, if any (distributed on a pari passu basis);

(ii) second , to the Class A Noteholders, an amount equal to the Required Interest Distribution;

(iii) third , to the Class A Noteholders, an amount equal to the lesser of (A) the Investor Principal Collections for the related Monthly Period and (B) the outstanding principal amount of the Class A Notes;

(iv) fourth , to the Class A Noteholders, any other amounts (including, without limitation, accrued and unpaid Unrated Subordinate Prepayment Incentive Fees) payable thereto pursuant to the Transaction Documents;

(v) fifth, to the extent not paid above, to the Trustee, the Back-Up Servicer, and any successor Servicer, to pay unreimbursed fees, reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and indemnity amounts thereof (including, without limitation, any Transition Costs not previously paid) (distributed on a pari passu basis); and

(vi) sixth , after the Class A Noteholders have been paid in full, the balance, if any, shall be distributed to the Issuer.

SECTION 5.16. [Reserved] .

SECTION 5.17. [Reserved] .

SECTION 5.18. Servicer’s Failure to Make a Deposit or Payment . The Trustee shall not have any liability for any failure or delay in making the payments or deposits described herein resulting from a failure or delay by the Servicer to make, or give instructions to make, such payment or deposit in accordance with the terms herein. If the Servicer fails to make, or give

 

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instructions to make, any payment, deposit or withdrawal required to be made or given by the Servicer at the time specified in the Base Indenture or this Series Supplement (including applicable grace periods), the Trustee shall make such payment, deposit or withdrawal from the applicable Trust Account without instruction from the Servicer. The Trustee shall be required to make any such payment, deposit or withdrawal hereunder only to the extent that the Trustee has sufficient information to allow it to determine the amount thereof. The Servicer shall, upon reasonable request of the Trustee, promptly provide the Trustee with all information necessary and in its possession to allow the Trustee to make such payment, deposit or withdrawal. Such funds or the proceeds of such withdrawal shall be applied by the Trustee in the manner in which such payment or deposit should have been made (or instructed to be made) by the Servicer.

SECTION 8. Article 6 of the Base Indenture . Article 6 of the Base Indenture shall read in its entirety as follows and shall be applicable only to the Noteholders:

ARTICLE 6

DISTRIBUTIONS AND REPORTS

SECTION 6.1. Distributions .

(a) On each Payment Date, the Trustee shall distribute (in accordance with the Monthly Servicer Report delivered by the Servicer on or before the related Series Transfer Date pursuant to subsection 2.09(a) of the Servicing Agreement) to each Noteholder of record on the immediately preceding Record Date (other than as provided in Section 12.5 respecting a final distribution), such Noteholder’s pro rata share (based on the aggregate Investor Interests represented by the Notes held by such Noteholder) of the amounts on deposit in the Payment Account that are payable to the Noteholders of the applicable Class pursuant to Section 5.15 by wire transfer to an account designated by such Noteholders, except that , with respect to Notes registered in the name of the nominee of a Clearing Agency, such distribution shall be made in immediately available funds.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Base Indenture or this Series Supplement, if the amount distributable in respect of principal on the Notes on any Payment Date is less than one dollar, then no such distribution of principal need be made on such Payment Date.

SECTION 6.2. Monthly Noteholders’ Statement .

(a) On or before each Payment Date, the Trustee shall make available electronically to each Noteholder, with respect to each Noteholder’s interest and to the Rating Agency a statement substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto prepared by the Servicer and delivered to the Trustee on the preceding Determination Date and setting forth, among other things, the following information:

(i) the amount of Collections received during the related Monthly Period;

(ii) the amount of Available Funds on deposit in the Finance Charge Account on the related Series Transfer Date;

 

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(iii) the amount of (i) Recoveries, (ii) RSA, credit insurance and sales tax refunds and (iii) other Finance Charge Collections received during the related Monthly Period;

(iv) the amount of Monthly Principal;

(v) the amount of Trustee, Back-Up Servicer and Successor Servicer Fees and Expenses, Monthly Interest, Deficiency Amounts and Additional Interest, respectively;

(vi) the amount of the Servicing Fee for such Payment Date;

(vii) the total amount to be distributed to Class A Noteholders on such Payment Date;

(viii) the outstanding principal balance of the Class A Notes as of the end of the day on the Payment Date;

(ix) the cumulative Aggregate Investor Net Loss Amount as of the end of the preceding Monthly Period;

(x) the aggregate amount of Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables during the related Monthly Period;

(xi) the Aggregate Investor Net Loss Amount for the related Monthly Period; and

(xii) the aggregate Outstanding Receivables Balance of Receivables which were 1-30 days, 31-60 days, 61-90 days, 91-120 days, 121-180 days and more than 180 days delinquent, respectively, as of the end of the preceding Monthly Period.

On or before each Payment Date, to the extent the Servicer provides such information to the Trustee, the Trustee will make available the monthly Servicer statement via the Trustee’s Internet website and, with the consent or at the direction of the Issuer, such other information regarding the Notes and/or the Receivables as the Trustee may have in its possession, but only with the use of a password provided by the Trustee; provided , however , the Trustee shall have no obligation to provide such information described in this Section 6.2 until it has received the requisite information from the Issuer or the Servicer. The Trustee will make no representation or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of such documents and will assume no responsibility therefor.

(b) The Trustee’s internet website shall be initially located at “www.CTSLink.com“ or at such other address as shall be specified by the Trustee from time to time in writing to the Noteholders and the Notice Person. In connection with providing access to the Trustee’s Internet website, the Trustee may require registration and the acceptance of a disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be liable for information disseminated in accordance with this Series Supplement.

 

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(c) Annual Noteholders’ Tax Statement . To the extent required by the Code, on or before January 31 of each calendar year, the Trustee shall distribute to each Person who at any time during the preceding calendar year was a Noteholder, a statement prepared by the Servicer containing the information required to be contained in the regular monthly report to Noteholders, as set forth in subclauses (iv) and (v) above, aggregated for such calendar year, and a statement prepared by the initial Servicer or the Issuer with such other customary information (consistent with the treatment of the Notes as debt) required by applicable tax law to be distributed to the Noteholders. Such obligations of the Trustee shall be deemed to have been satisfied to the extent that substantially comparable information shall be provided by the Trustee pursuant to any requirements of the Code as from time to time in effect.

SECTION 9. [Reserved] .

SECTION 10. Article 7 of the Base Indenture . Article 7 of the Base Indenture shall read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE 7

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ISSUER

SECTION 7.1. Representations and Warranties of the Issuer . The Issuer hereby represents and warrants to the Trustee and each of the Secured Parties that:

(a) Organization and Good Standing, etc. The Issuer has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Texas, with power and authority to own its properties and to conduct its respective businesses as such properties are presently owned and such business is presently conducted. The Issuer is not organized under the laws of any other jurisdiction or governmental authority. The Issuer is duly licensed or qualified to do business as a foreign entity in good standing in the jurisdiction where its principal place of business and chief executive office is located and in each other jurisdiction in which the failure to be so licensed or qualified would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Power and Authority; Due Authorization . The Issuer has (a) all necessary power, authority and legal right to (i) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Indenture and each of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and (b) duly authorized, by all necessary action, the execution, delivery and performance of this Indenture and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the borrowing, and the granting of security therefor, on the terms and conditions provided herein.

(c) No Violation . The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Indenture and the other Transaction Documents and the fulfillment of the terms hereof will not (a) conflict with, result in any breach of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, (i) the organizational documents of the Issuer or (ii) any indenture, loan agreement, pooling and servicing agreement, receivables purchase agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it or its properties is bound, (b) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Adverse Claim upon its properties pursuant to the terms of any such indenture, loan agreement, pooling and servicing agreement, receivables purchase agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument, other than pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Documents, or (c) violate any law or any order, rule, or regulation applicable to the Issuer or of any court or of any federal, state or foreign regulatory body, administrative agency, or other governmental instrumentality having jurisdiction over the Issuer or any of its respective properties.

 

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(d) Validity and Binding Nature . This Indenture is, and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party when duly executed and delivered by the Issuer and the other parties thereto will be, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar law affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.

(e) Government Approvals . No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body required for the due execution, delivery or performance by the Issuer of any Transaction Document to which it is a party remains unobtained or unfiled, except for the filing of the UCC financing statements.

(f) [Reserved].

(g) Margin Regulations . The Issuer is not engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock, and no proceeds with respect to the sale of the Notes, directly or indirectly, will be used for a purpose that violates, or would be inconsistent with, Regulations T, U and X promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board from time to time.

(h) Perfection . (i) On and after the Closing Date and each Payment Date, the Issuer shall be the owner of all of the Receivables and Related Security and Collections and proceeds with respect thereto, free and clear of all Adverse Claims. On or prior to the Closing Date and each Payment Date, all financing statements and other documents required to be recorded or filed in order to perfect and protect the assets of the Trust Estate against all creditors (other than Secured Parties) of, and purchasers (other than Secured Parties) from, the Issuer, each Seller and the Initial Seller will have been duly filed in each filing office necessary for such purpose, and all filing fees and taxes, if any, payable in connection with such filings shall have been paid in full;

(ii) the Indenture constitutes a valid grant of a security interest to the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties in all right, title and interest of the Issuer in the Receivables, the Related Security and Collections and proceeds with respect thereto and all other assets of the Trust Estate, now existing or hereafter created or acquired. Accordingly, to the extent the UCC applies with respect to the perfection of such security interest, upon the filing of any financing statements described in Article 8 of the Indenture, and, solely with respect to the Related Security, to the extent required for perfection under the relevant UCC, the delivery of possession of all instruments, if any, included in such Related Security to the Servicer, the Trustee shall have a first priority perfected security interest in such property and the proceeds thereof (to the extent provided in Section 9-315), subject to Permitted Encumbrances and, to the extent the UCC does not apply to the perfection of such security interest, all notices, filings and other actions required by all applicable law have been taken to perfect and protect such

 

21


security interest or lien against and prior to all Adverse Claims with respect to the relevant Receivables, Related Security and Collections and proceeds with respect thereto and all other assets of the Trust Estate. Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Transaction Documents, neither the Issuer nor any Person claiming through or under the Issuer has any claim to or interest in the Collection Account; and

(iii) immediately prior to, and after giving effect to, the initial purchase of the Notes, the Issuer will be Solvent.

(i) Offices . The principal place of business and chief executive office of the Issuer is located at the address referred to in Section 15.4 (or at such other locations, notified to the Trustee in jurisdictions where all action required thereby has been taken and completed).

(j) Tax Status . The Issuer has filed all tax returns (Federal, State and local) required to be filed by it and has paid or made adequate provision for the payment of all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges then due and payable (including for such purposes, the setting aside of appropriate reserves for taxes, assessments and other governmental charges being contested in good faith).

(k) Use of Proceeds . No proceeds of any Notes will be used by the Issuer to acquire any security in any transaction which is subject to Section 13 or 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(l) Compliance with Applicable Laws; Licenses, etc.

(i) The Issuer is in compliance with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and orders of all governmental authorities, a breach of any of which, individually or in the aggregate, would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(ii) The Issuer has not failed to obtain any licenses, permits, franchises or other governmental authorizations necessary to the ownership of its properties or to the conduct of its business, which violation or failure to obtain would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(m) No Proceedings . As of the Closing Date,

(i) there is no order, judgment, decree, injunction, stipulation or consent order of or with any court or other government authority to which the Issuer is subject, and there is no action, suit, arbitration, regulatory proceeding or investigation pending, or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, threatened, before or by any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or other tribunal or governmental instrumentality, against the Issuer that, individually or in the aggregate, is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

22


(ii) there is no action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, regulatory or governmental investigation, pending or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, threatened, before or by any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, or other tribunal or governmental instrumentality (A) asserting the invalidity of this Indenture, the Notes or any other Transaction Document, (B) seeking to prevent the issuance of the Notes pursuant hereto or the consummation of any of the other transactions contemplated by this Indenture or any other Transaction Document or (C) seeking to adversely affect the federal income tax attributes of the Issuer.

(n) Investment Company Act, Etc. The Issuer is not an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(o) Eligible Receivables . Each Receivable is an Eligible Receivable as of the Closing Date.

(p) Receivables Schedule . The most recently delivered schedule of Receivables reflects, in all material respects, a true and correct schedule of the Receivables included in the Trust Estate as of the date of delivery.

(q) ERISA . (i) Each of the Issuer, the Seller, each Originator, Servicer and their respective ERISA Affiliates is in compliance in all material respects with ERISA unless any failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) no Lien exists in favor of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation on any of the Receivables. No ERISA Event has occurred with respect to any Title IV Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(r) Accuracy of Information . All information heretofore furnished by, or on behalf of, the Issuer to the Trustee or any of the Noteholders in connection with any Transaction Document, or any transaction contemplated thereby, is true and accurate in every material respect (without omission of any information necessary to prevent such information from being materially misleading).

(s) No Material Adverse Change . As of the Closing Date, since January 31, 2012, other than as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum related to the Notes, there has been no material adverse change in the collectibility of the Receivables or the Issuer’s (i) financial condition, business, operations or prospects or (ii) ability to perform its obligations under any Transaction Document.

(t) Subsidiaries . The Issuer has no Subsidiaries and does not own or hold, directly or indirectly, any equity interest in any Person.

(u) Notes . The Notes have been duly and validly authorized, and, when executed and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, and delivered to and paid for in accordance with each of the Note Purchase Agreement, will be duly and validly issued and outstanding and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

(v) Sales by Sellers or the Initial Seller . The Sale of Receivables by the Seller to the Issuer shall have been effected under, and in accordance with the terms of, the Purchase Agreement, including the payment by the Issuer to the Seller of an amount equal to the purchase price therefor as described in the Purchase Agreement, and each such sale shall have been made for “reasonably equivalent value” (as such term is used under Section 548 of the Federal

 

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Bankruptcy Code) and not for or on account of “antecedent debt” (as such term is used under Section 547 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code) owed by the Issuer to such Seller.

SECTION 7.2. Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties by the Issuer . On the Closing Date and on each Business Day, the Issuer shall be deemed to have certified that all representations and warranties described in Section 7.1 hereof are true and correct on and as of such day as though made on and as of such day (except to the extent they relate to an earlier date or later time, and then as of such earlier date or later time).

SECTION 11. Amendments and Waiver . Any amendment, waiver or other modification to this Series Supplement shall be subject to the restrictions thereon in the Base Indenture.

SECTION 12. Counterparts . This Series Supplement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by different parties in separate counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

SECTION 13. Governing Law . THIS SERIES SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS, AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS SERIES SUPPLEMENT AND EACH NOTEHOLDER HEREBY AGREES TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND ANY APPELLATE COURT HAVING JURISDICTION TO REVIEW THE JUDGMENTS THEREOF. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND EACH NOTEHOLDER HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION BASED ON FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE OF ANY ACTION INSTITUTED HEREUNDER IN ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS AND CONSENTS TO THE GRANTING OF SUCH LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RELIEF AS IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY SUCH COURT.

SECTION 14. Waiver of Trial by Jury . To the extent permitted by applicable law, each of the parties hereto and each of the Noteholders irrevocably waives all right of trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of or in connection with this Series Supplement or the Transaction Documents or any matter arising hereunder or thereunder.

SECTION 15. No Petition . The Trustee, by entering into this Series 2012-A Supplement and each Noteholder, by accepting a Note, hereby covenant and agree that they will not prior to the date which is one year and one day after payment in full of the last maturing Note of any Series and termination of the Indenture institute against the Issuer, or join in any institution against the Issuer of, any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings, or other proceedings, under any United States federal or state bankruptcy or similar law in connection with any obligations relating to the Notes, the Indenture or the Transaction Documents.

 

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SECTION 16. Rights of the Trustee . The rights, privileges and immunities afforded to the Trustee under the Base Indenture shall apply hereunder as if fully set forth herein.

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Series Supplement to be duly executed by their respective officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP ,

as Issuer

By:   Conn’s Receivables Funding I GP, LLC,
  its general partner
By:   /s/ Michael J. Poppe
Name:   Michael J. Poppe
Title:   President

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION , not in its

individual capacity, but solely as Trustee
By:   /s/ Kristen L. Puttin
Name:   Kristen L. Puttin
Title:   Vice President

 

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EXHIBIT A-1

FORM OF CLASS A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE

RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THIS NOTE MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR TRANSFERRED ONLY (1) TO A PERSON THAT IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”)) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A OR (2) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A NON U.S. PERSON (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND BASED ON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE APPROVED BY THE ISSUER OR TRANSFER AGENT, IF THE ISSUER OR TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR SO REQUEST, IN EACH SUCH CASE, IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE INDENTURE AND ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION, SUBJECT IN EACH OF THE ABOVE CASES TO ANY REQUIREMENT OF LAW THAT THE DISPOSITION OF THE SELLER’S PROPERTY OR THE PROPERTY OF AN INVESTMENT ACCOUNT OR ACCOUNTS BE AT ALL TIMES WITHIN THE SELLER’S OR ACCOUNT’S CONTROL. THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY TRANSFEREE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE.

BY ACQUIRING THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN), EACH PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT EITHER (I) IT IS NOT AN “EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN” AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(3) OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), WHICH IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA, A “PLAN” AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), WHICH IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE, AN ENTITY DEEMED TO HOLD PLAN ASSETS OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING, OR A GOVERNMENTAL PLAN SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR (II) (A) THIS NOTE IS

 

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RATED AT LEAST “BBB-” OR ITS EQUIVALENT BY A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL RATING AGENCY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE OR TRANSFER AND (B) ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN) WILL NOT RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE (OR, IN THE CASE OF A GOVERNMENTAL PLAN, ANY SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR APPLICABLE LAW).

THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED BELOW) CONTAINS FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER AND RESALE OF THIS NOTE. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, IS DEEMED TO HAVE ACCEPTED THIS NOTE, SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY. IN ADDITION, EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, IS DEEMED TO HAVE MADE THE REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE.

BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AGREES TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE AND HEREIN.

EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

 

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No. R144A-1

   $103,679,000
   CUSIP No. 208245AA5
   ISIN US208245AA85

SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

THE PRINCIPAL OF THIS CLASS A NOTE MAY BE PAYABLE IN INSTALLMENTS AS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE DEFINED HEREIN. ACCORDINGLY, THE OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS CLASS A NOTE AT ANY TIME MAY BE LESS THAN THE AMOUNT SHOWN ON THE FACE HEREOF.

CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP

4.00% ASSET BACKED FIXED RATE NOTES, CLASS A, SERIES 2012-A

Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP, a limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (herein referred to as the “ Issuer ”), for value received, hereby promises to pay Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth above or such other principal sum set forth on Schedule A attached hereto (which sum shall not exceed $103,679,000), payable on each Payment Date in an amount equal to the Monthly Principal, as defined in Section 5.13 of the Series 2012-A Supplement, dated as of April 30, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Series 2012-A Supplement ”), between the Issuer and the Trustee to the Base Indenture (described below); provided , however , that the entire unpaid principal amount of this Note shall be due and payable on April 15, 2016 (the “ Legal Final Payment Date ”). The Issuer will pay interest on this Class A Note at the Class A Note Rate (as defined in the Series 2012-A Supplement) on each Payment Date until the principal of this Class A Note is paid or made available for payment, on the average daily outstanding principal balance of this Class A Note during the related Interest Period (as defined in the Series 2012-A Supplement). Interest will be computed on the basis set forth in the Indenture. Such principal of and interest on this Class A Note shall be paid in the manner specified on the reverse hereof. The aggregate principal sum of the Regulation S Global Notes and the Restricted Global Note shall not exceed $103,679,000.

The Class A Notes are subject to optional redemption in accordance with the Indenture on any Payment Date on or after the Expected Final Principal Payment Date.

The principal of and interest on this Class A Note are payable in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Class A Note set forth on the reverse hereof and to the Indenture, which shall have the same effect as though fully set forth on the face of this Class A Note.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee whose name appears below by manual signature, this Class A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer, has caused this instrument to be signed, manually or in facsimile, by its Authorized Officer as of the date set forth below.

 

CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP

By: Conn’s Receivables Funding I GP, LLC,

its general partner

By:    
  Authorized Officer

 

Attested to:
By:    
  Authorized Officer

 

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CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Class A Notes referred to in the within mentioned Series 2012-A Supplement.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION , not in its

individual capacity, but solely as Trustee

By:    
  Authorized Officer

 

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[REVERSE OF NOTE]

This Class A Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Class A Notes of the Issuer, designated as its 4.00% Asset Backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class A, Series 2012-A (herein called the “ Class A Notes ”), all issued under the Series 2012-A Supplement to the Base Indenture dated as of April 30, 2012 (such Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Series 2012-A Supplement and supplements and amendments relating to other series of notes, as supplemented or amended, is herein called the “ Indenture ”), between the Issuer and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ,” which term includes any successor Trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights and obligations thereunder of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Class A Noteholders. The Class A Notes are subject to all terms of the Indenture. All terms used in this Class A Note that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in or pursuant to the Indenture.

Principal of the Class A Notes will be payable on each Payment Date and may be prepaid, in each case, as set forth in the Indenture. “ Payment Date ” means the fifteenth day of each calendar month, or, if any such date is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day, commencing on May 15, 2012.

All principal payments on the Class A Notes shall be made pro rata to the Class A Noteholders entitled thereto.

Subject to certain limitations set forth in the Indenture, payments of interest on this Class A Note due and payable on each Payment Date, together with the installment of principal, if any, to the extent not in full payment of this Class A Note, shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the Person whose name appears as the Class A Noteholder on the Note Register as of the close of business on the immediately preceding Record Date without requiring that this Class A Note be submitted for notation of payment. Any reduction in the principal amount of this Class A Note effected by any payments made on any Payment Date or date of prepayment shall be binding upon all future Class A Noteholders and of any Class A Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange hereof or in lieu hereof, whether or not noted on Schedule A attached hereto. If funds are expected to be available, as provided in the Indenture, for payment in full of the then remaining unpaid principal amount of this Class A Note on a Payment Date, then the Trustee, in the name of and on behalf of the Issuer, will notify the Person who was the Holder hereof as of the Record Date immediately preceding such Payment Date prior to such Payment Date and the amount then due and payable shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of this Class A Note at the Trustee’s principal Corporate Trust Office or at the office of the Trustee’s agent appointed for such purposes located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

On any redemption, purchase, exchange or cancellation of any of the beneficial interests represented by this Restricted Global Note, details of such redemption, purchase, exchange or cancellation shall be entered by the Paying Agent in Schedule A hereto recording any such redemption, purchase, exchange or cancellation and shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer. Upon any such redemption, purchase, exchange or cancellation, the principal amount of this Restricted Global Note and the beneficial interests represented by the Restricted Global Note shall be reduced or increased, as appropriate, by the principal amount so redeemed, purchased, exchanged or cancelled.

 

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Each Class A Noteholder, by acceptance of a Class A Note, covenants and agrees that by accepting the benefits of the Indenture that such Class A Noteholder will not prior to the date which is one year and one day after the payment in full of the last maturing note of any Series and the termination of the Indenture institute against the Issuer or join in any institution against the Issuer of, any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings, or other proceedings, under any United States federal or state bankruptcy or similar law in connection with any obligations relating to the Notes, the Indenture or the Transaction Documents.

Each Class A Noteholder, by acceptance of a Class A Note, covenants and agrees that by accepting the benefits of the Indenture that such Noteholder will treat such Note as indebtedness for all Federal, state and local income and franchise tax purposes.

Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of this Class A Note, the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Class A Note (as of the day of determination or as of such other date as may be specified in the Indenture) is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Class A Note be overdue, and neither the Issuer, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

As provided in the Indenture, no recourse may be taken, directly or indirectly, with respect to the obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture, including this Class A Note, against any Seller, the Servicer, the Trustee or any partner, owner, incorporator, beneficiary, beneficial owner, agent, officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Issuer, any Seller, the Servicer or the Trustee except as any such Person may have expressly agreed.

The term “ Issuer ” as used in this Class A Note includes any successor to the Issuer under the Indenture.

The Class A Notes are issuable only in registered form as provided in the Indenture in denominations as provided in the Indenture, subject to certain limitations therein set forth.

This Class A Note and the Indenture shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to its conflict of law provisions, and the obligations, rights and remedies of the parties hereunder and thereunder shall be determined in accordance with such laws.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Class A Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Class A Note.

 

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ASSIGNMENT

Social Security or taxpayer I.D. or other identifying number of assignee

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto                                                          

(name and address of assignee)

the within Class A Note and all rights thereunder, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints                     , attorney, to transfer said Class A Note on the books kept for registration thereof, with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated:                    

     1   
  

 

 

 
     Signature Guaranteed:   

 

1  

NOTE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name of the registered owner as it appears on the face of the within Note in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.

 

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SCHEDULE A

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES

BETWEEN THE TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE

OR THE PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE AND

THIS RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE, OR REDEMPTIONS

OR PURCHASES AND CANCELLATIONS

The following increases or decreases in principal amount of this Restricted Global Note or redemptions, purchases or cancellation of this Restricted Global Note have been made:

 

Date of exchange, or redemption or purchase or cancellation    Increase or decrease in principal amount of this Restricted Global Note due to exchanges between the Temporary Regulation S Global Note or the Permanent Regulation S Global Note and this Restricted Global Note    Remaining principal amount of this Restricted Global Note following such exchange, or redemption or purchase or cancellation    Notation made by or on behalf of the Issuer

 

 

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EXHIBIT A-2

FORM OF CLASS A TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE

TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS A TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE FOR PURPOSES OF REGULATION S UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”). NEITHER THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD OR DELIVERED, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO BELOW.

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THIS NOTE MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR TRANSFERRED ONLY (1) TO A PERSON THAT IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”)) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A OR (2) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A NON U.S. PERSON (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND BASED ON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE APPROVED BY THE ISSUER OR TRANSFER AGENT, IF THE ISSUER OR TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR SO REQUEST, IN EACH SUCH CASE, IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE INDENTURE AND ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION, SUBJECT IN EACH OF THE ABOVE CASES TO ANY REQUIREMENT OF LAW THAT THE DISPOSITION OF THE SELLER’S PROPERTY OR THE PROPERTY OF AN INVESTMENT ACCOUNT OR ACCOUNTS BE AT ALL TIMES WITHIN THE SELLER’S OR ACCOUNT’S CONTROL. THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY TRANSFEREE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE.

BY ACQUIRING THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN), EACH PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT EITHER (I) IT IS NOT AN “EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN” AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(3)

 

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OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), WHICH IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA, A “PLAN” AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), WHICH IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE, AN ENTITY DEEMED TO HOLD PLAN ASSETS OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING, OR A GOVERNMENTAL PLAN SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR (II) (A) THIS NOTE IS RATED AT LEAST “BBB-” OR ITS EQUIVALENT BY A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL RATING AGENCY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE OR TRANSFER AND (B) ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN) WILL NOT RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE (OR, IN THE CASE OF A GOVERNMENTAL PLAN, ANY SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR APPLICABLE LAW).

THE INDENTURE CONTAINS FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER AND RESALE OF THIS NOTE. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, IS DEEMED TO HAVE ACCEPTED THIS NOTE, SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY. IN ADDITION, EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, IS DEEMED TO HAVE MADE THE REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE.

BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AGREES TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE AND HEREIN.

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

A-2-2


No. TREGS-1

   $103,679,000
   CUSIP No. U2077PAA3
   ISIN USU2077PAA31

SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

THE PRINCIPAL OF THIS CLASS A NOTE MAY BE PAYABLE IN INSTALLMENTS AS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE DEFINED HEREIN. ACCORDINGLY, THE OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS CLASS A NOTE AT ANY TIME MAY BE LESS THAN THE AMOUNT SHOWN ON THE FACE HEREOF.

CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP

4.00% ASSET BACKED FIXED RATE NOTES, CLASS A, SERIES 2012-A

Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP, a limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (herein referred to as the “ Issuer ”), for value received, hereby promises to pay Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth above or such other principal sum set forth on Schedule A attached hereto (which sum shall not exceed $103,679,000), payable on each Payment Date (as defined in the Series 2012-A Supplement) in an amount equal to the Monthly Principal, as defined in Section 5.13 of the Series 2012-A Supplement, dated as of April 30, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Series 2012-A Supplement ”), between the Issuer and the Trustee to the Base Indenture (described below); provided , however , that the entire unpaid principal amount of this Class A Note shall be due and payable on April 15, 2016 (the “ Legal Final Payment Date ”). The Issuer will pay interest on this Class A Note at the Class A Note Rate (as defined in the Series 2012-A Supplement) on each Payment Date until the principal of this Class A Note is paid or made available for payment, on the average daily outstanding principal balance of this Class A Note during the related Interest Period (as defined in the Series 2012-A Supplement). Interest will be computed on the basis set forth in the Indenture. Such principal of and interest on this Class A Note shall be paid in the manner specified on the reverse hereof. The aggregate principal sum of the Regulation S Global Notes and the Restricted Global Note shall not exceed $103,679,000.

The Class A Notes are subject to optional redemption in accordance with the Indenture on any Payment Date on or after the Expected Final Principal Payment Date.

The principal of and interest on this Class A Note are payable in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Class A Note set forth on the reverse hereof and to the Indenture, which shall have the same effect as though fully set forth on the face of this Class A Note.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee whose name appears below by manual signature, this Class A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer, has caused this instrument to be signed, manually or in facsimile, by its Authorized Officer as of the date set forth below.

 

CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP
By:  

Conn’s Receivables Funding I GP, LLC,

its general partner

By:    
  Authorized Officer

 

Attested to:
By:    
  Authorized Officer

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

A-2-4


CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Class A Notes referred to in the within mentioned Series 2012-A Supplement.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION, not in its

individual capacity, but solely as Trustee

By:    
  Authorized Officer

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

A-2-5


[REVERSE OF NOTE]

This Class A Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Class A Notes of the Issuer, designated as its 4.00% Asset Backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class A, Series 2012-A (herein called the “ Class A Notes ”), all issued under the Series 2012-A Supplement to the Base Indenture dated as of April 30, 2012 (such Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Series 2012-A Supplement and supplements and amendments relating to other series of notes, as supplemented or amended, is herein called the “ Indenture ”), between the Issuer and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”, which term includes any successor Trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights and obligations thereunder of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of the Class A Notes. The Class A Notes are subject to all terms of the Indenture. All terms used in this Class A Note that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in or pursuant to the Indenture.

Principal of the Class A Notes will be payable on each Payment Date and may be prepaid, in each case, as set forth in the Indenture. “ Payment Date ” means the fifteenth day of each calendar month, or, if any such date is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day, commencing on May 15, 2012.

All principal payments on the Class A Notes shall be made pro rata to the Class A Noteholders entitled thereto.

Subject to certain limitations set forth in the Indenture, payments of interest on this Class A Note due and payable on each Payment Date, together with the installment of principal, if any, to the extent not in full payment of this Class A Note, shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the Person whose name appears as the Class A Noteholder on the Note Register as of the close of business on the immediately preceding Record Date without requiring that this Class A Note be submitted for notation of payment. Any reduction in the principal amount of this Class A Note effected by any payments made on any Payment Date or date of prepayment shall be binding upon all future Class A Noteholders and of any Class A Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange hereof or in lieu hereof, whether or not noted on Schedule A attached hereto. If funds are expected to be available, as provided in the Indenture, for payment in full of the then remaining unpaid principal amount of this Class A Note on a Payment Date, then the Trustee, in the name of and on behalf of the Issuer, will notify the Person who was the Holder hereof as of the Record Date immediately preceding such Payment Date prior to such Payment Date and the amount then due and payable shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of this Class A Note at the Trustee’s principal Corporate Trust Office or at the office of the Trustee’s agent appointed for such purposes located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Any interest in a Class A Note evidenced by this Temporary Regulation S Global Note is exchangeable for an interest in a Permanent Regulation S Global Note upon the later of (i) the Exchange Date and (ii) the furnishing of a certificate, the form of which is attached as Exhibit A-2 to the Series 2012-A Supplement. Interests in this Temporary Regulation S Global Note are exchangeable for interests in a Permanent Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Global Note only upon presentation of the applicable certificate required by Section 6 of the Series 2012-A

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

A-2-6


Supplement to the Base Indenture. Upon exchange of all interests in this Temporary Regulation S Global Note for interests in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note and/or the Restricted Global Note, the Trustee shall cancel this Temporary Regulation S Global Note.

Until the provision of the certifications required by Section 6 of the Series 2012-A Supplement, beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Note may only be held through Euroclear or Clearstream or another agent member of Euroclear or Clearstream acting for and on behalf of them.

On any redemption, purchase, exchange or cancellation of any of the beneficial interests represented by this Temporary Regulation S Global Note, details of such redemption, purchase, exchange or cancellation shall be entered by the Paying Agent in Schedule A hereto recording any such redemption, purchase, exchange or cancellation and shall be signed on by or on behalf of the Issuer. Upon any such redemption, purchase, exchange or cancellation, the principal amount of this Temporary Regulation S Global Note and the beneficial interests represented by the Permanent Regulation S Global Note shall be reduced or increased, as appropriate, by the principal amount so redeemed, purchased, exchanged or cancelled.

Each Class A Noteholder, by acceptance of a Class A Note, covenants and agrees that by accepting the benefits of the Indenture that such Class A Noteholder will not prior to the date which is one year and one day after the payment in full of the last maturing note of any Series and the termination of the Indenture institute against the Issuer or join in any institution against the Issuer of, any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings, or other proceedings, under any United Stated Federal or state bankruptcy or similar law in connection with any obligations relating to the Class A Notes, the Indenture or the Transaction Documents.

Each Class A Noteholder, by acceptance of a Class A Note, covenants and agrees that by accepting the benefits of the Indenture that such Class A Noteholder will treat such Class A Note as indebtedness for all federal, state and local income and franchise tax purposes.

Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of this Class A Note, the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Class A Note (as of the day of determination or as of such other date as may be specified in the Indenture) is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Class A Note be overdue, and neither the Issuer, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

As provided in the Indenture, no recourse may be taken, directly or indirectly, with respect to the obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture, including this Class A Note, against any Seller, the Servicer, the Trustee or any partner, owner, incorporator, beneficiary, beneficial owner, agent, officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Issuer, any Seller, the Servicer or the Trustee except as any such Person may have expressly agreed.

The term “ Issuer ” as used in this Class A Note includes any successor to the Issuer under the Indenture.

 

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The Class A Notes are issuable only in registered form as provided in the Indenture in denominations as provided in the Indenture, subject to certain limitations therein set forth.

This Class A Note and the Indenture shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to its conflict of law provisions, and the obligations, rights and remedies of the parties hereunder and thereunder shall be determined in accordance with such laws.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Class A Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Class A Note.

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

A-2-8


ASSIGNMENT

Social Security or taxpayer I.D. or other identifying number of assignee

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto                                              

(name and address of assignee)

the within Class A Note and all rights thereunder, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints                     , attorney, to transfer said Class A Note on the books kept for registration thereof, with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated:                             

     2   
  

 

 

 
     Signature Guaranteed:   

 

2  

NOTE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name of the registered owner as it appears on the face of the within Class A Note in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

A-2-9


SCHEDULE A

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES

FOR NOTES REPRESENTED BY THE TEMPORARY

REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE, THE PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL

NOTE OR THE RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE, OR REDEMPTIONS OR

PURCHASES AND CANCELLATIONS

The following exchanges of a part of this Temporary Regulation S Global Note for the Permanent Regulation S Global Note or the Restricted Global Note or an exchange of a part of the Restricted Global Note for a part of this Temporary Regulation S Global Note, in whole or in part, or redemptions, purchases or cancellation of this Temporary Regulation S Global Note have been made:

 

Date of exchange, or redemption or purchase or cancellation    Part of principal amount of this Temporary Regulation S Global Note exchanged for Notes represented by the Permanent Regulation S Global Note or the Restricted Global Note, or redeemed or purchased or cancelled    Part of principal amount of the Regulation S Global Note exchanged for Notes represented by this Temporary Regulation S Global Note    Remaining principal amount of this Temporary Regulation S Global Note following such exchange, or redemption or purchase or cancellation    Amount of interest paid with delivery of the Permanent Regulation S Global Note    Notation made by or on behalf of the Issuer

 

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

A-2-10


EXHIBIT A-3

FORM OF CLASS A PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE

PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS A PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE FOR PURPOSES OF REGULATION S UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”). NEITHER THIS PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD OR DELIVERED, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO BELOW.

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THIS NOTE MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR TRANSFERRED ONLY (1) TO A PERSON THAT IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”)) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A OR (2) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A NON U.S. PERSON (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND BASED ON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE APPROVED BY THE ISSUER OR TRANSFER AGENT, IF THE ISSUER OR TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR SO REQUEST, IN EACH SUCH CASE, IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE INDENTURE AND ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION, SUBJECT IN EACH OF THE ABOVE CASES TO ANY REQUIREMENT OF LAW THAT THE DISPOSITION OF THE SELLER’S PROPERTY OR THE PROPERTY OF AN INVESTMENT ACCOUNT OR ACCOUNTS BE AT ALL TIMES WITHIN THE SELLER’S OR ACCOUNT’S CONTROL. THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY TRANSFEREE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE.

BY ACQUIRING THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN), EACH PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT EITHER (I) IT IS NOT AN “EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN” AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(3) OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

A-3-1


(“ERISA”), WHICH IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA, A “PLAN” AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), WHICH IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE, AN ENTITY DEEMED TO HOLD PLAN ASSETS OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING, OR A GOVERNMENTAL PLAN SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR (II) (A) THIS NOTE IS RATED AT LEAST “BBB-” OR ITS EQUIVALENT BY A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL RATING AGENCY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE OR TRANSFER AND (B) ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN) WILL NOT RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE (OR, IN THE CASE OF A GOVERNMENTAL PLAN, ANY SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR APPLICABLE LAW).

THE INDENTURE CONTAINS FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER AND RESALE OF THIS NOTE. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, IS DEEMED TO HAVE ACCEPTED THIS NOTE, SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY. IN ADDITION, EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, IS DEEMED TO HAVE MADE THE REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE.

BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AGREES TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE AND HEREIN.

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

A-3-2


No. REGS-1

   $103,679,000
   CUSIP No. U2077PAA3
   ISIN USU2077PAA31

SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

THE PRINCIPAL OF THIS CLASS A NOTE MAY BE PAYABLE IN INSTALLMENTS AS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE DEFINED HEREIN. ACCORDINGLY, THE OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS CLASS A NOTE AT ANY TIME MAY BE LESS THAN THE AMOUNT SHOWN ON THE FACE HEREOF.

CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP

4.00% ASSET BACKED FIXED RATE NOTES, CLASS A, SERIES 2012-A

Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP, a limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (herein referred to as the “ Issuer ”), for value received, hereby promises to pay Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth above or such other principal amount set forth on Schedule A attached hereto (which sum shall not exceed $103,679,000), payable on each Payment Date (as defined in the Series 2012-A Supplement) in an amount equal to the Monthly Principal, as defined in Section 5.13 of the Series 2012-A Supplement, dated as of April 30, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Series 2012-A Supplement ”), between the Issuer and the Trustee to the Base Indenture (described below); provided , however , that the entire unpaid principal amount of this Class A Note shall be due and payable on April 15, 2016 (the “ Legal Final Payment Date ”). The Issuer will pay interest on this Class A Note at the Class A Note Rate (as defined in the Series 2012-A Supplement) on each Payment Date until the principal of this Class A Note is paid or made available for payment, on the average daily outstanding principal balance of this Class A Note during the related Interest Period (as defined in the Series 2012-A Supplement). Interest will be computed on the basis set forth in the Indenture. Such principal of and interest on this Class A Note shall be paid in the manner specified on the reverse hereof. The aggregate principal sum of the Regulation S Global Notes and the Restricted Global Note shall not exceed $103,679,000.

The Class A Notes are subject to optional redemption in accordance with the Indenture on any Payment Date on or after the Expected Final Principal Payment Date.

The principal of and interest on this Class A Note are payable in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Class A Note set forth on the reverse hereof and to the Indenture, which shall have the same effect as though fully set forth on the face of this Class A Note.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee whose name appears below by manual signature, this Class A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

A-3-3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer, has caused this instrument to be signed, manually or in facsimile, by its Authorized Officer as of the date set forth below.

 

CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP
By:  

Conn’s Receivables Funding I GP, LLC,

its general partner

By:    
  Authorized Officer

 

Attested to:
By:    
  Authorized Officer

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

A-3-4


CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Class A Notes referred to in the within mentioned Series 2012-A Supplement.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION, not in its

individual capacity, but solely as Trustee

By:    
  Authorized Officer

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

A-3-5


[REVERSE OF NOTE]

This Class A Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Class A Notes of the Issuer, designated as its 4.00% Asset Backed Fixed Rate Notes, Class A, Series 2012-A (herein called the “ Class A Notes ”), all issued under the Series 2012-A Supplement to the Base Indenture dated as of April 30, 2012 (such Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Series 2012-A Supplement and supplements relating to other series of notes, as supplemented or amended, is herein called the “ Indenture ”), between the Issuer and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”, which term includes any successor Trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights and obligations thereunder of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Class A Noteholders. The Class A Notes are subject to all terms of the Indenture. All terms used in this Class A Note that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in or pursuant to the Indenture.

Principal of the Class A Notes will be payable on each Payment Date and may be prepaid, in each case, as set forth in the Indenture. “ Payment Date ” means the fifteenth day of each calendar month, or, if any such date is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day, commencing on May 15, 2012.

All principal payments on the Class A Notes shall be made pro rata to the Class A Noteholders entitled thereto.

Subject to certain limitations set forth in the Indenture, payments of interest on this Class A Note due and payable on each Payment Date, together with the installment of principal, if any, to the extent not in full payment of this Class A Note, shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the Person whose name appears as the Class A Noteholder on the Note Register as of the close of business on the immediately preceding Record Date without requiring that this Class A Note be submitted for notation of payment. Any reduction in the principal amount of this Class A Note effected by any payments made on any Payment Date or date of prepayment shall be binding upon all future Class A Noteholders and of any Class A Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange hereof or in lieu hereof, whether or not noted on Schedule A attached hereto. If funds are expected to be available, as provided in the Indenture, for payment in full of the then remaining unpaid principal amount of this Class A Note on a Payment Date, then the Trustee, in the name of and on behalf of the Issuer, will notify the Person who was the Holder hereof as of the Record Date immediately preceding such Payment Date prior to such Payment Date and the amount then due and payable shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of this Class A Note at the Trustee’s principal Corporate Trust Office or at the office of the Trustee’s agent appointed for such purposes located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

On any redemption, purchase, exchange or cancellation of any of the beneficial interest represented by this Permanent Regulation S Global Note, details of such redemption, purchase, exchange or cancellation shall be entered by the Paying Agent in Schedule A hereto recording any such redemption, purchase, exchange or cancellation and shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer. Upon any such redemption, purchase, exchange or cancellation, the principal amount of this Permanent Regulation S Global Note and the beneficial interests represented by this Permanent Regulation S Global Note shall be reduced or increased, as appropriate, by the principal amount so redeemed, purchased, exchanged or cancelled.

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

A-3-6


Each Class A Noteholder, by acceptance of a Class A Note, covenants and agrees that by accepting the benefits of the Indenture that such Class A Noteholder will not prior to the date which is one year and one day after the payment in full of the last maturing note of any Series and the termination of the Indenture institute against the Issuer or join in any institution against the Issuer of, any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings, or other proceedings, under any United Stated federal or state bankruptcy or similar law in connection with any obligations relating to the Class A Notes, the Indenture or the Transaction Documents.

Each Class A Noteholder, by acceptance of a Class A Note, covenants and agrees that by accepting the benefits of the Indenture that such Class A Noteholder will treat such Class A Note as indebtedness for all federal, state and local income and franchise tax purposes.

Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of this Class A Note, the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Class A Note (as of the day of determination or as of such other date as may be specified in the Indenture) is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Class A Note be overdue, and neither the Issuer, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

As provided in the Indenture, no recourse may be taken, directly or indirectly, with respect to the obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture, including this Class A Note, against any Seller, the Servicer, the Trustee or any partner, owner, incorporator, beneficiary, beneficial owner, agent, officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Issuer, any Seller, the Servicer or the Trustee except as any such Person may have expressly agreed.

The term “ Issuer ” as used in this Class A Note includes any successor to the Issuer under the Indenture.

The Class A Notes are issuable only in registered form as provided in the Indenture in denominations as provided in the Indenture, subject to certain limitations therein set forth.

This Class A Note and the Indenture shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to its conflict of law provisions, and the obligations, rights and remedies of the parties hereunder and thereunder shall be determined in accordance with such laws.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Class A Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Class A Note.

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

A-3-7


ASSIGNMENT

Social Security or taxpayer I.D. or other identifying number of assignee

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto                                                          

(name and address of assignee)

the within Class A Note and all rights thereunder, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints                         , attorney, to transfer said Class A Note on the books kept for registration thereof, with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated:                                     

     3   
  

 

 

 
     Signature Guaranteed:   

 

3  

NOTE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name of the registered owner as it appears on the face of the within Class A Note in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

A-3-8


SCHEDULE A

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES

BETWEEN THIS PERMANENT REGULATION S

GLOBAL NOTE AND THE TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE AND

THE RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE,

OR REDEMPTIONS OR PURCHASES AND CANCELLATIONS

The following increases or decreases in the principal amount of this Permanent Regulation S Global Note or redemptions, purchases or cancellation of this Permanent Regulation S Global Note have been made:

 

Date of exchange, or redemption or purchase or cancellation    Increases or decreases in principal amount of this Permanent Regulation S Global Note due to exchanges between the Temporary Regulation S Global Note or the Restricted Global Note and this Permanent Regulation S Global Note    Remaining principal amount of this Permanent Regulation S Global Note following such exchange, or redemption or purchase or cancellation    Notation made by or on behalf of the Issuer

 

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

A-3-9


EXHIBIT B

[RESERVED]

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

B-1


EXHIBIT C

[RESERVED]

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

C-1


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF MONTHLY NOTEHOLDERS’ STATEMENT

 

     CONN 2012A Monthly Noteholders Statement

Determination Date

   [        ]

Series Transfer Date

   [        ]

Payment Date

   [        ]

 

     Beginning Date   Ending Date

Monthly Period

   [        ]   [        ]

Interest Period

   [        ]   [        ]

Is Conn Appliances, Inc. the current Servicer?

   [        ]  

Outstanding Note Balance as of Determination Date

  [        ]

Principal Payments to Class A Note Holders for current Payment Date

  [        ]
       

 

Oustanding Note Balance following current Payment Date

  [        ]

Total Interest Payments paid to Class A Noteholders on current Payment Date

  [        ]

Payment Summary of Trust for Current Payment Date

 

Summary of Trust Payments

 

Total Payments paid to Trustee on current Payment Date

  [        ]

Total Payments paid to Back-Up Servicer on current Payment Date

  [        ]

Total Payments paid to successor Servicer on current Payment Date

  [        ]

Total Payments paid Servicer on current Payment Date

  [        ]

Total Payments paid to Class A Noteholders on current Payment Date

  [        ]

Total Payments paid to Servicer Letter of Credit Bank

  [        ]

Total Payments paid to Issuer on current Payment Date

  [        ]
       

 

Total Payments paid on current Payment Date

  [        ]

Collection Account Summary

 

Amount deposited into Finance Charge Collection Account from Collections Account on Series Transfer Date

  [        ]

Amount deposited into Principal Account form Collections Account on Series Transfer Date

  [        ]
       

 

Amounts remaining on desposit in Collections Account

  [        ]

Acitivity During Current Monthly Period

 

Portfolio Summary

 

Outstanding Receivable Balance as of Beginning of current Monthly Period

  [        ]

Total principal payments received on accounts

  [        ]

Oustanding Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables

  [        ]

Outstanding Receivables Balance as of End of current Monthly Period

  [        ]

Number of Eligible Receivables as of Beginning of current Monthly Period

  [        ]

Number of Eligible Receivables that closed account through payment

  [        ]

Number of Eligible Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables

  [        ]

Number of Eligible Receivables as of End of current Monthly Period

  [        ]
       

 

Payments to Collection Accounts

 

Total Principal payments received from customers and deposited into Collections Account

  [        ]

Total Recoveries received and deposited into Collections Account

  [        ]

Total Earned Finance Charges received from customers and deposited into Collection Acocunt

  [        ]

Total any other amounts due to Trust and deposited into Collections Account

  [        ]
       

 

Total payments received and deposited into Collections Account

  [        ]

Defaulted Receivables

 

Number of Accounts that became Defaulted Accounts

  [        ]

Outstanding Receivables Balances that became Defaulted Accounts

  [        ]

Recoveries

 

Principal recoveries received RSA refunds received

 

Credit insurance refunds received

  [        ]

Sales tax refunds received Total

  [        ]

Recoveries Received

  [        ]
       

 

  [        ]

 

   

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

D-1


Aggregate Net Investor Loss Amount

  

Total Outstanding Receivables Balance that became Defaulted Accounts during current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Total Recoveries received during current Monthly Period

   [        ]
  

 

Aggregate Net Investor Loss Amount for Current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Cash Option Receivables

  

Number of Cash Option Receivable Accounts that exercised Cash Option during current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Aggregate previous Earned Finance Charges of exercised Cash Option Receivables

   [        ]

Installment Receivables

  

Outstanding Receivables Balance of Installment Receivables at beginning of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Receivables Balance of Installments Receivables that paid off outstanding balance

   [        ]

Receivables Balance of Installments Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables

   [        ]
  

 

Outstanding Receivables Balance of Installment Receivables at end of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Number of Installment Receivables at beginning of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Number of Installment Receivables that paid off oustanding balance

   [        ]

Number of Installment Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables

   [        ]
  

 

Number of Installment Receivables at End of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Revolving Receivables

  

Outstanding Receivables Balance of Revolving Receivables at beginning of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Receivables Balance of Revolvings Receivables that paid off outstanding balance

   [        ]

Receivables Balance of Revolvings Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables

   [        ]
  

 

Outstanding Receivables Balance of Revolving Receivables at end of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Number of Revolving Receivables at beginning of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Number of Revolving Accounts that became Defaulted Receivables

   [        ]
  

 

Number of Revolving Receivables at End of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Total Oustanding Receivables Balance at end of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Total Number of Outstanding Receivables Balance at end of Montly Period

   [        ]

Portfolio Characteristics

  

Weighted Average Rate of Eligible Receivables as of End of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Weighted Average Term of Eligible Installment Receivables as of End of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Weighted Average Age of Eligible Receivables as of End of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

% of Eligible Receivables that are Cash Option Receivables as of End of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Delinquency Status

  

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 0 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 1 to 29 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 30 to 59 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 60 to 89 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 90 to 119 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 120 to 159 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 160 to 189 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 190 to 209 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]
  

 

Total Oustanding Receivables Balance as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Servicer Report as of the [    ] day of [            ], 20 [            ]

 

CONN APPLIANCES, INC, as Servicer
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

D-2


EXHIBIT E-1

FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

 

To:   

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Trustee and Registration and Transfer Agent

MAC N9311-161

6 th and Marquette

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479-0700

Attention: Corporate Trust Services/Asset-Backed Administration

Re:   

Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP-[        ]% Asset Backed

Fixed Rate Notes, Class A, Series 2012-A (CUSIP No. [            ] )

This Certificate relates to $                    principal amount of Class A Notes held in

by                             (the “ Transferor ”) issued pursuant to the Base Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2012, between Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP, as Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Base Indenture ”) and the Series 2012-A Supplement thereto, dated as of April 30, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Series Supplement ” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined, shall have the meanings given thereto in the Indenture.

The Transferor has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the transfer of a Note or Notes.

In connection with such request and in respect of each such Note, the Transferor does hereby certify as follows:

¨ Such Note is being acquired for its own account.

¨ Such Note is being transferred (i) pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and, accordingly, the Transferor further certifies that the Series 2012-A Notes are being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the Series 2012-A Notes for its own account, or for an account with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A; or (ii) outside the United States to a non-U.S. Person pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

E-1-1


[INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

Date:

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

E-1-2


EXHIBIT E-2

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED TO

EXCHANGE TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE

FOR PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE

Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP

3295 College Street

Beaumont, Texas 77701

Attn: David Atnip

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Trustee and Registration and Transfer Agent

MAC N9311-161

6 th and Marquette

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479-0700

Attention: Corporate Trust Services/Asset-Backed Administration

Reference is hereby made to the Base Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2012, between Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP, as Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (as amended, supplemented otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Base Indenture ”) and the Series 2012-A Supplement thereto, dated as of April 30, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Series Supplement ” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Base Indenture.

This is to certify that we have received in writing, by tested telex or by electronic transmissions from noteholders appearing in our records as persons being entitled to a portion of the principal amount of the Class A Notes represented by the Temporary Regulation S Note equal to, as of the date hereof, U.S. $            (our “ Class A Noteholders ”), certificates with respect to such portion, substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

We further certify (i) that we are not making available herewith for exchange any portion of the Temporary Regulation S Global Note excepted in such certificates and (ii) that as of the date hereof we have not received any notification from any of our Class A Noteholders to the effect that the statements made by such Class A Noteholder with respect to any portion of the part submitted herewith for exchange are no longer true and cannot be relied upon as at the date hereof. We understand that this certification is required in connection with certain securities laws of the United States. In connection therewith, if administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certification and related Exhibit(s) to any interested party in such proceedings.

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

E-2-1


Dated:                     , [            ] 4

 

Yours faithfully,
[Euroclear/Clearstream],
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

4  

To be dated no earlier than the earliest of the Exchange Date or the relevant Interest Payment Date or the redemption date (as the case may be).

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

E-2-2


EXHIBIT A

[Euroclear/Clearstream]

 

  Re: Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP —[        ]% Asset Backed

Fixed Rate Notes, Class A, Series 2012-A (CUSIP (CINS) No. [                ] )

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Base Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Base Indenture ”), between Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP (the “ Issuer ”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and the Series 2012-A Supplement thereto, dated as of April 30, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Series Supplement ” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

This letter relates to $            principal amount of Class A Notes which are represented by a beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note held with [Euroclear/Clearstream] (ISIN CODE [            ] ) through DTC by or on behalf of the undersigned as beneficial owner (the “ Holder ”) which bears a legend outlining restrictions upon transfer of such interests in such Class A Note. Pursuant to subsection 6(c)(ii) of the Series Supplement, the Holder hereby certifies that it is not (or it holds such securities on behalf of an account that is not) a “U.S. person” as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“ Regulation S ”). Accordingly, you are hereby requested to exchange such beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note for a beneficial interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note representing an identical principal amount of Class A Notes, all in the manner provided for in the Series Supplement.

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

E-2-3


Each of you is entitled to rely upon this letter and is irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.

 

Very truly yours,

[NAME OF HOLDER]

By:    
  Authorized Signature

Dated:                             , [                ]

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

E-2-4


EXHIBIT E-3

FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

FOR TRANSFER OR EXCHANGE FROM RESTRICTED GLOBAL

NOTE TO TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE

(exchanges or transfers pursuant to

Section 6 of the Series Supplement)

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Trustee and Registration and Transfer Agent

MAC N9311-161

6 th and Marquette

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479-0700

Attention: Corporate Trust Services/Asset-Backed Administration

 

  Re: Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP (the “Issuer”)

[        ]% Asset Backed Fixed Rate

Notes, Class A, Series 2012-A (CUSIP No. [            ] ) (the “Notes”)

Reference is hereby made to the Base Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Base Indenture ”), between the Issuer and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and the Series 2012-A Supplement thereto, dated as of April 30, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Series Supplement ” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

This letter relates to $            principal amount of the Class A Notes represented by a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Note held with DTC by or on behalf of the undersigned as beneficial owner (the “ Transferor ”). The Transferor has requested an exchange or transfer of its beneficial interest for an interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Series 2012-A Note (CUSIP (CINS) No. [            ] ) to be held with [Euroclear] [Clearstream] (ISIN Code [            ] ) through DTC.

In connection with such request and in respect of such Class A Note, the Transferor does hereby certify that such exchange or transfer has been effected in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Class A Notes and the Series Supplement and pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S and any applicable laws of the relevant jurisdiction, and accordingly the Transferor does hereby certify that:

 

                  (1)         the offer of the Class A Notes was not made to a person in the United States;
  (2)         (A   at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or the Transferor and any person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the transferee was outside the United States, or

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

E-3-1


  (B) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither the Transferor nor any person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States;

(3) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Regulation S;

(4) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act; and

(5) upon completion of the transaction, the beneficial interest being transferred as described above will be held with DTC through Euroclear or Clearstream or both (ISIN Code [                        ] ).

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                         , [            ]

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

E-3-2


EXHIBIT E-4

FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

FOR TRANSFER OR EXCHANGE FROM RESTRICTED GLOBAL

NOTE TO PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE

(exchanges or transfers pursuant to

Section 6 of the Series Supplement)

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Trustee and Registration and Transfer Agent

MAC N9311-161

6 th and Marquette

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479-0700

Attention: Corporate Trust Services/Asset-Backed Administration

 

  Re: Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP (the “Issuer”)

[        ]% Asset Backed Fixed Rate

Notes, Class A, Series 2012-A (CUSIP No. [        ] ) (the “Notes”)

Reference is hereby made to the Base Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Base Indenture ”), between the Issuer and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and the Series 2012-A Supplement thereto, dated as of April 30, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Series Supplement ” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

This letter relates to $            principal amount of the Class A Notes represented by a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Note held with DTC by or on behalf of the undersigned as beneficial owner (the “ Transferor ”). The Transferor has requested an exchange or transfer of its beneficial interest for an interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP (CINS) No.  [            ] ).

In connection with such request and in respect of such Class A Notes, the Transferor does hereby certify that such exchange or transfer has been effected in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Class A Notes and the Series Supplement and pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S and any applicable securities laws of the relevant jurisdiction and that:

 

                  (1)       the offer of the Class A Notes was not made to a person in the United States;
  (2)       (A)   at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or the Transferor and any person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the transferee was outside the United States, or

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

E-4-1


  (B) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither the Transferor nor any person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States;

(3) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Regulation S, and

(4) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer.

 

[INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                         , [            ]

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

E-4-2


EXHIBIT E-5

FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE FOR TRANSFER OR

EXCHANGE FROM TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE

TO RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE

(exchanges or transfers pursuant to

Section 6 of the Series Supplement)

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Trustee and Registration and Transfer Agent

MAC N9311-161

6 th and Marquette

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479-0700

Attention: Corporate Trust Services/Asset-Backed Administration

 

  Re: Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP (the “Issuer”)

[        ]% Asset Backed Fixed Rate

Notes, Class A, Series 2012-A (CUSIP No. [            ] ) (the “Notes”)

Reference is hereby made to the Base Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Base Indenture ”), between the Issuer and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and the Series 2012-A Supplement thereto dated as of April 30, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Series Supplement ” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

This letter relates to $            principal amount of Class A Notes which are represented by a beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP) (CINS) No. [            ] with Euroclear/Clearstream 5 (ISIN Code [            ]) through DTC by or on behalf of [ the undersigned ] as beneficial owner (the “ Transferor ”). The Transferor has requested an exchange or transfer of its beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note for an interest in the Restricted Global Note (CUSIP No. [            ] ).

In connection with such request, and in respect of the Notes, the Transferor does hereby certify that such Class A Notes are being transferred in accordance with Rule 144A and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws, to a transferee that is purchasing the Class A Notes for its own account or an account with respect to which the transferee exercises sole investment discretion and the transferee and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A, in each case in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A.

 

5  

Select appropriate depositary.

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

E-5-1


This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer.

 

[INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                         , [            ]

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

E-5-2


SCHEDULE 1

LIST OF PROCEEDINGS

None

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

Sch. 1-1


SCHEDULE 2

SCHEDULED AGGREGATE NET LOSS AMOUNT

 

Series Transfer Date

related to the

Payment Date

listed below

   Scheduled Aggregate
Net Loss Amount
 

5/15/2012

   $ 398,100.00   

6/15/2012

   $ 372,600.00   

7/15/2012

   $ 358,800.00   

8/15/2012

   $ 357,100.00   

9/15/2012

   $ 350,600.00   

10/15/2012

   $ 340,100.00   

11/15/2012

   $ 331,500.00   

12/15/2012

   $ 318,800.00   

1/15/2013

   $ 302,000.00   

2/15/2013

   $ 298,000.00   

3/15/2013

   $ 289,400.00   

4/15/2013

   $ 276,300.00   

5/15/2013

   $ 267,800.00   

6/15/2013

   $ 255,600.00   

7/15/2013

   $ 239,700.00   

8/15/2013

   $ 229,500.00   

9/15/2013

   $ 214,400.00   

10/15/2013

   $ 206,400.00   

11/15/2013

   $ 193,900.00   

12/15/2013

   $ 177,100.00   

1/15/2014

   $ 156,000.00   

2/15/2014

   $ 130,700.00   

3/15/2014

   $ 114,200.00   

4/15/2014

   $ 94,500.00   

5/15/2014

   $ 71,700.00   

6/15/2014

   $ 46,500.00   

7/15/2014

   $ 33,300.00   

8/15/2014

   $ 18,200.00   

9/15/2014

   $ 1,900.00   

10/15/2014

   $ 900.00   

11/15/2014

   $ 300.00   

 

Series 2012-A Supplement

 

Sch. 2-1

Exhibit 10.16

SERVICING AGREEMENT

among

CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP,

AS ISSUER,

CONN APPLIANCES, INC.,

AS SERVICER,

and

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

AS TRUSTEE

 

 

DATED AS OF April 30, 2012


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I

  DEFINITIONS   

Section 1.01

  Defined Terms      1   

Section 1.02

  Definitions      3   

Section 1.03

  Other Definitional Provisions      3   

ARTICLE II

  ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICING OF RECEIVABLES AND RELATED SECURITY   

Section 2.01

  Appointment of Servicer      3   

Section 2.02

  Duties of Servicer      4   

Section 2.03

  Rights After Designation of New Servicer      11   

Section 2.04

  Servicer Default      14   

Section 2.05

  Servicer Indemnification of Indemnified Parties      15   

Section 2.06

  Grant of License      16   

Section 2.07

  Servicing Compensation      17   

Section 2.08

  Representations and Warranties of the Servicer      17   

Section 2.09

  Reports and Records for the Trustee      20   

Section 2.10

  Reports to the Commission      21   

Section 2.11

  Affirmative Covenants of the Servicer      21   

Section 2.12

  Negative Covenants of the Servicer      22   

Section 2.13

  Sale of Defaulted Receivables      24   

ARTICLE III

  RIGHTS OF NOTEHOLDERS AND ALLOCATION AND APPLICATION OF COLLECTIONS   

Section 3.01

  Establishment of Accounts      24   

Section 3.02

  Collections and Allocations      25   

ARTICLE IV

  OTHER SERVICER POWERS   

Section 4.01

  Appointment of Paying Agent      25   

Section 4.02

  [Reserved.]      25   

ARTICLE V

  OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO THE SERVICER   

Section 5.01

  Liability of the Servicer      25   

Section 5.02

  Limitation on Liability of the Servicer and Others      26   

Section 5.03

  Servicer Not to Resign      26   

Section 5.04

  Waiver of Defaults      26   

ARTICLE VI

  ADDITIONAL OBLIGATION OF THE SERVICER WITH RESPECT TO THE TRUSTEE   


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

Section 6.01

  Successor Trustee      27   

Section 6.02

  Tax Returns      27   

Section 6.03

  Final Payment with Respect to Any Series      27   

ARTICLE VII

  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS   

Section 7.01

  Amendment      27   

Section 7.02

  Protection of Right, Title and Interest to Receivables and Related Security      28   

Section 7.03

  Governing Law      29   

Section 7.04

  Notices      29   

Section 7.05

  Severability of Provisions      30   

Section 7.06

  Delegation      30   

Section 7.07

  Waiver of Trial by Jury      30   

Section 7.08

  Further Assurances      30   

Section 7.09

  No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies      30   

Section 7.10

  Counterparts      30   

Section 7.11

  Third-Party Beneficiaries      30   

Section 7.12

  Actions by Noteholders      30   

Section 7.13

  Rule 144A Information      31   

Section 7.14

  Merger and Integration      31   

Section 7.15

  Headings      31   

Section 7.16

  Rights of the Trustee      31   

EXHIBITS

    

Exhibit A-1

  Form of Monthly Servicer Report   

Exhibit A-2

  Form of Monthly Noteholders’ Statement   

Exhibit B

  Form of Annual Servicer’s Certificate   

Exhibit C

  Form of Credit and Collection Policy   
SCHEDULES     

Schedule 2.08(i)

  Litigation   


SERVICING AGREEMENT dated as of April 30, 2012 (the “ Agreement ”) by and among CONN RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP, a Texas limited partnership, as issuer (the “ Issuer ”), CONN APPLIANCES, INC., a Texas corporation (“ Conn Appliances ”), as initial Servicer, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee under the Indenture (defined below) (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “ Trustee ”).

WHEREAS, the Issuer has purchased, or will purchase, from Conn Appliances (the “ Seller ”), Contracts, Receivables and other Related Security relating to such Receivables pursuant to the terms of and subject to the conditions set forth in the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time the “ Purchase Agreement ”), between the Seller and the Issuer.

WHEREAS, the Issuer is entering into a Base Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2012, together with a supplement thereto (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), between the Issuer and the Trustee, and each of the other related Transaction Documents, pursuant to which the Issuer plans to issue one or more Notes, in order to finance its purchase of the Contracts, Receivables and other Related Security relating to such Receivables.

WHEREAS, the Servicer is willing to service all Receivables and other Related Security acquired by the Issuer, pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

Back-Up Servicer ” means Systems & Services Technologies, Inc., together with its permitted successors and assigns, in such capacity.

Back-Up Servicing Agreement ” is defined in Section 2.01(b) .

Conn Appliances ” is defined in the preamble .

Consolidated Net Worth ” means at any date, with respect to any Person, the consolidated stockholders’ equity of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries, plus the principal amount of subordinated debt of such Person, minus (to the extent reflected in determining such consolidated stockholders’ equity) all intangible assets (determined in accordance with GAAP, applied on a basis consistent with the most recent audited financial statements of such Person before the Closing Date).


Custodian ” is defined in Section 2.02(a)(ii) .

Field Collections ” is defined in Section 2.02(c) .

Indemnified Parties ” is defined in Section 2.05 .

Indenture ” is defined in the second recital .

In-Store Payments ” is defined in Section 2.02(c) .

Issuer ” is defined in the preamble .

Mail Payments ” is defined in Section 2.02(c) .

Post Office Box ” means, collectively, post office box 815867and post office box 815868, each in Dallas, Texas 75234, and, upon notice to Trustee, each other post office box opened and maintained by the Issuer or the Servicer for the receipt of Collections from Obligors and governed by a Post Office Box Agreement reflecting that such post office box is in the name of the Issuer, as any such post office boxes may be closed from time to time by the Servicer with prior written notice to the Trustee (provided that (i) there shall at all times be at least one post office box open to receive Collections, (ii) the Servicer takes customary and prudent procedures to notify Obligors to make payments to such post office box and (iii) the closing or opening of any post office box is consistent with the servicing standard set forth in Section 2.02(b)(ii)).

Post Office Box Agreement ” means an agreement by and among the Issuer, the Trustee, the Servicer and the United States Postal Service, which is a standard post office box agreement, specifying the rights of the parties in the Post Office Box.

Purchase Agreement ” is defined in the first recital.

Seller ” is defined in the first recital.

Servicer ” is defined in Section 2.01(a) .

Servicer Default ” is defined in Section 2.04 .

Servicing Fee ” is defined in Section 2.07 .

Specified Servicer Default ” means any Servicer Default of the type specified in paragraph (d)  of Section 2.04 .

Successor Servicer ” is defined in Section 2.01(b)(i) .

Trustee ” is defined in the preamble .

 

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Section 1.02 Definitions . Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Series Supplement.

Section 1.03 Other Definitional Provisions .

(a) All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein.

(b) Where the character or amount of any asset or liability or item of income or expense is required to be determined, or any accounting computation is required to be made, for the purpose of this Agreement, such determination or calculation shall be made in accordance with GAAP. When used herein, the term “financial statement” shall include the notes and schedules thereto. All accounting determinations and computations hereunder or under any other Transaction Documents shall be made without duplication.

(c) [Reserved.]

(d) The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; and Section, subsection, Schedule and Exhibit references contained in this Agreement are references to Sections, subsections, Schedules and Exhibits in or to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

ARTICLE II

ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICING

OF RECEIVABLES AND RELATED SECURITY

Section 2.01 Appointment of Servicer .

(a) The servicing, administering and collection of the Receivables shall be conducted by such Person (the “ Servicer ”) so designated from time to time in accordance with this Section 2.01 . Until the Trustee gives notice to Conn Appliances of the designation of a new Servicer pursuant to this Section 2.01 , Conn Appliances is hereby designated as, and hereby agrees to perform the duties and obligations of, the Servicer pursuant to the terms hereof. The Servicer may not delegate any of its rights, duties or obligations hereunder, or designate a substitute Servicer, without the prior written consent of the Trustee and the Notice Person; provided , however , that the Servicer shall be permitted to delegate its duties hereunder to any of its Affiliates and may use subservicers, contractors or agents, but such delegation shall not relieve the Servicer of its duties and obligations hereunder.

 

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(b) (i) After the occurrence of a Servicer Default, the Trustee may, and upon the direction of the Required Noteholders or in the case of a Specified Servicer Default shall, in accordance with the provisions set forth in clause (ii)  below, appoint the Back-Up Servicer pursuant to the Back-Up Servicing Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Back-Up Servicing Agreement ”), among the Back-Up Servicer and the various other parties thereto or any other successor servicer (SST, or any other successor servicer so appointed, in such capacity, the “ Successor Servicer ”) to succeed to Conn Appliances as Servicer hereunder.

(ii) If (x) the Back-Up Servicer, on the date of its appointment as Successor Servicer or at any time following such appointment, fails or is unable to perform the duties of the Servicer hereunder or has previously resigned or otherwise been terminated as Back-Up Servicer, or (y) any other Person designated Successor Servicer in accordance with this Section 2.01  resigns, fails or is unable to perform the duties of the Servicer hereunder following its appointment as Successor Servicer, the Trustee may with the consent of the Required Noteholders, and upon the direction of the Required Noteholders shall, appoint as Servicer any Person to succeed the then-current Servicer on the condition in each case that any such Person so appointed shall agree to perform the duties and obligations of the Servicer pursuant to the terms hereof. Until such time as the Person so appointed becomes obligated to begin acting as Servicer hereunder, the then current Servicer will continue to perform all servicing functions under this Agreement and the other Servicer Transaction Documents. If the Trustee is not able to appoint a new Servicer to succeed Conn Appliances, the Back-Up Servicer or any other Person then acting as Servicer, within a reasonable time following the date upon which it is required to so appoint a successor to the Servicer pursuant to this Section 2.01 (but in any event not later than 30 days following such date), the Trustee shall at the Issuer’s expense petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint as the Servicer hereunder any established financial institution having, a net worth of not less than $25,000,000 and whose regular business includes the servicing of receivables comparable to the Receivables which are the subject of this Agreement and the other Servicer Transaction Documents. Following any appointment of a Successor Servicer pursuant to this Section 2.01 , the Trustee will provide notice thereof to the Issuer, the Seller and the Noteholders.

(c) The Trustee shall not be responsible for any differential between the Servicing Fee and any compensation paid to a Successor Servicer hereunder.

Section 2.02 Duties of Servicer .

(a) (i) The Servicer shall take or cause to be taken all such action as may be reasonably necessary or advisable to collect each Receivable from time to time, all in accordance with applicable Laws, with reasonable care and diligence,

 

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and in accordance with the Credit and Collection Policy. Each of the Issuer, each Noteholder by its acceptance of the related Notes and each of the other Secured Parties (through their deemed appointment of the Trustee pursuant to the Indenture), hereby appoints as its agent the Servicer, from time to time designated pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof, to enforce its respective rights and interests in and under the Contracts, Receivables and Related Security, Collections and proceeds with respect thereto. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each of the Issuer and Conn Appliances (to the extent not then acting as Servicer hereunder) hereby grants to any Servicer appointed hereunder all rights and powers of the Issuer and/or the Servicer, as the case may be, under the Contracts and with respect to the Related Security, and hereby grants an irrevocable power of attorney to take in the Issuer’s and/or Conn Appliances name and on behalf of the Issuer or Conn Appliances any and all steps necessary or desirable, in the reasonable determination of the Servicer, to collect all amounts due under any and all Receivables, including, without limitation, to cancel any policy of insurance, make demands for unearned premiums, commence enforcement proceedings, exercise other powers under a Contract, execute and deliver instruments of satisfaction or cancellation, or full or partial discharge, with respect to Receivables, endorse the Issuer’s and/or Conn Appliances name on checks and other instruments representing Collections and enforce such Receivables and the related Contracts. The Servicer shall, as soon as practicable following receipt thereof, turn over to Conn Appliances any collections of any Indebtedness of any Person which is not on account of a Receivable. The Servicer shall not voluntarily make the Trustee, any Noteholder or any of their respective agents a party to any litigation without the prior written consent of such Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and subject to Section 2.04 , the Servicer is hereby authorized and empowered unless such power and authority is revoked in writing by the Trustee pursuant to the terms of the Servicer Transaction Documents (A) to make deposits into or withdrawals from the Collection Account as set forth in this Agreement, the Indenture and the Series Supplement; provided, however, that with respect to any Successor Servicer, nothing contained in any Servicer Transaction Document shall impose an obligation on such Successor Servicer to make any withdrawals or payments from the Collection Account or any other Trust Account, (B) to instruct the Trustee in writing, substantially in the form of the Monthly Servicer Report, to make deposits or withdrawals and payments from the Finance Charge Account, the Principal Account, the Collection Account, the Payment Account and any Series Account, in accordance with such instructions as set forth in the Indenture or the Series Supplement, (C) to instruct or notify Trustee in writing as set forth in this Agreement, the Indenture and the Series Supplement, (D) to make all calculations, allocations and determinations required of the Servicer under the Indenture, the Series Supplement and as required herein or to establish Series Accounts, (E) to execute and deliver, on behalf of the Issuer for the benefit of the Noteholders, any and all instruments of satisfaction or cancellation, or of partial or full release or discharge, and all other comparable instruments, with respect to the Receivables and the other Contracts and Related Security and, after any delinquency in

 

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payment relating to any Receivable, to the extent permitted under and in compliance with applicable law and regulations, to commence enforcement proceedings with respect thereto (including cancellation of the related insurance policy) and (F) in the case of the initial Servicer only, to make any filings, reports, notices, applications, registrations with, and to seek any consents or authorizations from, the Securities and Exchange Commission and any state securities authority on behalf of the Issuer as may be necessary or advisable to comply with any federal or state securities or reporting requirements.

(ii) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.02(a)(ii) , the Servicer shall maintain custody and possession of the Receivable Files on behalf of, and as bailee for, Trustee (for the benefit of the Noteholders and the other Secured Parties) (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns, the “ Custodian ”).

(A) Custodian agrees to maintain possession of the related Receivable Files at its offices where they are presently maintained, at the offices of the related subcustodians or at such other offices of Custodian as shall from time to time be identified to Trustee by written notice. Custodian shall segregate physical Receivable Files from other files maintained by Custodian and shall, to the extent a Receivable File is stored in electronic format, maintain an authoritative electronic copy of each Receivable File on a data tape or other electronic media in a fire-resistant safe or room. The Issuer hereby appoints Conn Appliances, and Conn Appliances hereby agrees to act, as initial Custodian hereunder. Custodian may, at the Servicer’s request, temporarily deliver individual Receivable Files or any portion thereof to Servicer without notice as necessary to conduct collection and other servicing activities in accordance with its customary practices and procedures.

(B) As custodian and bailee, Custodian shall hold the Receivable Files (by itself and/or through subcustodians) on behalf of Trustee (for the benefit of the Secured Parties and, by agreeing to act as Custodian, is deemed to have received notice of the security interests of the Secured Parties in the Contracts and related Receivables), maintain accurate records pertaining to each Receivable to enable it to comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, maintain a current inventory thereof and conduct periodic physical inspections of Receivable Files held by it under this Agreement and attend to all other details in connection with maintaining custody of the Receivable Files.

(C) In performing its duties under this Section 2.02(a)(ii) , Custodian agrees to act with reasonable care, using that degree of skill and care that it exercises with respect to similar contracts owned and/or serviced by it. Custodian shall promptly report to Trustee any material failure by it to hold the Receivable Files as herein provided and shall promptly take appropriate action to remedy such failure. In acting as custodian of the Receivable Files, Custodian agrees further not to assert, and shall cause each related subcustodian not to assert any beneficial ownership interests in the Receivables. Custodian agrees to indemnify

 

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Trustee, the Secured Parties and Issuer, and their respective officers, directors, employees, partners and agents for any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, payments, costs, or expenses of any kind whatsoever which may be imposed on or incurred by any such Person arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Custodian in maintaining custody of the Receivable Files pursuant to this Section 2.02(a)(ii) ; provided , however , that Custodian will not be liable to the extent that any such amount resulted from the negligence or willful misconduct of such Person.

(D) The appointment of Custodian shall terminate upon termination of the Servicer in accordance with this Agreement. The Successor Servicer, by acceptance of its appointment, shall become the successor Custodian. Promptly following the appointment of a successor Custodian, and in any event within five days of such appointment, Custodian shall (at the initial Custodian’s sole cost and expense if a Servicer Default shall have occurred and at the Custodian’s sole cost and expense if the Custodian shall have been removed for cause) deliver all of the Receivable Files in its possession, and all records maintained by it with respect thereto, to such successor Custodian.

(b) (i) Servicer shall service and administer the Receivables on behalf of Issuer and Trustee (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) and shall have full power and authority, acting alone and/or through subservicers, contractors or agents as provided in Section 2.02(b)(iii) , to do any and all things which it may deem reasonably necessary or desirable in connection with such servicing and administration and which are consistent with this Agreement and the other Servicer Transaction Documents. Consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the other Servicer Transaction Documents, Servicer may waive, modify or vary any term of any Receivable or consent to the postponement of strict compliance with any such term or in any manner, grant indulgence to any Obligor if, in Servicer’s reasonable determination, such waiver, modification, postponement or indulgence is not materially adverse to the collectability of amounts due on such Receivable; provided , however , that Servicer may not permit any modification with respect to any Receivable that would change its interest rate, defer the payment of any principal or interest, reduce the Outstanding Receivables Balance (except for actual payments of principal), or extend the final maturity date on such Receivable except in accordance with the Credit and Collection Policy and in no case beyond the Legal Final Payment Date. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Servicer in its own name or in the name of Issuer is hereby authorized and empowered by Issuer when Servicer believes it appropriate in its reasonable judgment to execute and deliver, on behalf of Issuer, any and all instruments of satisfaction or cancellation, or of partial or full release or discharge and all other comparable instruments, with respect to the Receivable.

(ii) Servicer shall service and administer the Receivables by employing such procedures (including collection procedures) and degree of care, in each case consistent with industry standards, as are customarily

 

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employed by Servicer in servicing and administering contracts and notes owned or serviced by Servicer comparable to the Receivables. Servicer shall not knowingly take any action to impair Trustee’s (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) security interest in any Receivable, except to the extent allowed pursuant to this Agreement or required by law.

(iii) Servicer may perform any of its duties pursuant to this Agreement, including those delegated to it pursuant to this Agreement, through subservicers, contractors or agents appointed by Servicer. Such subservicers may include Affiliates of Servicer. Notwithstanding any such delegation of a duty, Servicer shall remain obligated and liable for the performance of such duty as if Servicer were performing such duty.

(iv) Servicer may take such actions as are necessary to discharge its duties as Servicer in accordance with this Agreement, including the power to execute and deliver on behalf of Issuer such instruments and documents as may be customary, necessary or desirable in connection with the performance of Servicer’s duties under this Agreement (including consents, waivers and discharges relating to the Receivable).

(v) Servicer shall keep separate records covering the transactions contemplated by this Agreement including the identity and collection status of each Receivable.

(c) Collections . (i) On or prior to the Closing Date, Issuer and initial Servicer shall have established and shall maintain thereafter the following system of collecting and processing Collections of Receivables. The Obligors may make payments of Receivables only (A) by check mailed to the Post Office Box (such payments, upon receipt in such Post Office Box being referred to herein as “ Mail Payments ”), (B) by cash, credit card or check delivered in person or by phone at retail stores or other business locations of an Originator or Servicer (such payments, upon receipt by such stores, being referred to herein as “ In-Store Payments ”), (C) by third party money wire transfer, ACH or other bill pay service that provides for the electronic deposit of funds into an account of the Servicer on behalf of Obligors or (D) by cash, credit card or check delivered in person or by phone or by an agent of Conn Appliances at a service center of Conn Appliances or, in the case of certain delinquent accounts, to employees of Conn Appliances operating out of a service center of Conn Appliances or Servicer (such payments, upon receipt by the service center, being referred to herein as “ Field Collections ”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.02(c) , any Successor Servicer shall collect and process Collections of Receivables in any manner that is in accordance with the servicing standard set forth herein.

(ii) Servicer’s right of access to the Post Office Box and the Collection Account shall be revocable at the option of Trustee (acting in its own discretion or at the direction of the Required Noteholders) upon

 

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the occurrence of any Default, Event of Default or Servicer Default. In addition, after the occurrence of any Default, Event of Default or Servicer Default, Servicer agrees that it shall, upon the written request of Trustee, notify all Obligors under Receivables to make payment thereof to (i) one or more bank accounts and/or post-office boxes designated by Trustee and specified in such notice or (ii) any Successor Servicer appointed hereunder. The Trustee may, and shall at the request of the Required Noteholders, if any Default, Event of Default or Servicer Default has occurred, require the Servicer to establish a lockbox account pursuant to a lockbox agreement acceptable to the Notice Person, and to direct all Obligors under Receivables to make payments to such lockbox account.

(iii) Servicer shall remove or cause all Mail Payments to be removed from the Post Office Box by the close of business on each Business Day. Servicer shall process all such Mail Payments and all Field Collections on the date received by recording the amount of the payment received from the Obligor and the applicable account number. Subject to Section 5.4(a) of the Indenture, no later than the close of business on the second Business Day following the date on which Mail Payments are received in the Post Office Box or Field Collections are received by Servicer, Servicer shall deposit or cause such Mail Payments and such Field Collections to be deposited in the Collection Account. Subject to Section 5.4(a) of the Indenture, Originator and Servicer shall cause all In-Store Payments to be (i) processed as soon as possible after such payments are received by Originator or Servicer but in no event later than the Business Day after such receipt, and (ii) deposited in the Collection Account no later than two Business Days following the date of such receipt. Subject to Section 5.4(a) of the Indenture, Servicer shall deposit all Recoveries into the Collection Account within two Business Days after the date of its receipt of such Recoveries.

(iv) [Reserved].

(v) All Collections received by any Originator, Seller or Servicer in respect of Receivables will, pending remittance to the Collection Account as provided herein, be held by such Originator, Seller or Servicer in trust for the exclusive benefit of Trustee and shall not, unless otherwise permitted by the Servicer Transaction Documents, be commingled with any other funds or property of such Originator, Seller or Servicer except as otherwise permitted in accordance with Section 5.4 of the Indenture. Only Collections shall be deposited in the Collection Account. The Servicer may withdraw from the Collection Account such amounts that have been deposited into the Collection Account in error not representing Collections or other proceeds of the Trust Estate and any amounts that are deposited by Servicer that relate to checks rejected by the Obligor’s bank for insufficient funds.

 

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(vi) Each Originator, Seller, Issuer and Servicer hereby irrevocably waive any right to set off against, or otherwise deduct from, any Collections.

(vii) Issuer and initial Servicer hereby transfer, assign, pledge, set over and convey to Trustee all of their right, title and interest in and to the Collection Account and the other Trust Accounts.

(viii) All payments or other amounts collected or received by Servicer in respect of a Receivable shall be applied to the Outstanding Receivables Balance of such Receivable and allocated first to the amount of any outstanding Earned Finance Charges due in respect thereof and then to the amount of any principal due in respect thereof.

(d) [Reserved.]

(e) (i) (A) On or before 120 days after the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date and on or before 120 days after each anniversary thereof, the initial Servicer shall cause a firm of nationally recognized independent public accountants (as used in this subsection 2.02(e) , the “accountants ”) (who may also render other services to the initial Servicer, the Issuer or any Affiliates of the foregoing) to perform certain agreed upon procedures, as they relate to the initial Servicer’s internal accounting control procedures and processing functions relating to the initial Servicer’s credit policies and originations, collections, aging and charge-off functions which are based on a statistically significant sample of Receivables and include one Monthly Servicer Report (such Monthly Servicer Report to be in a format similar to Exhibit A-1 attached hereto). The initial Servicer shall cause the accountants to furnish a report to the Issuer and Trustee describing the procedures performed and their related findings.

(B) If SST is then acting as Successor Servicer, it shall cause a firm of independent certified public accountants, which may also render other services to SST or its affiliates, to deliver to the Issuer and the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year thereafter, commencing in the year after SST becomes Successor Servicer, (i) an opinion by a firm of nationally recognized independent certified public accountants on the financial position of SST at the end of the relevant fiscal year and the results of operations and changes in financial position of SST for such year then ended on the basis of an examination conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, and (ii) a report from such independent certified public accountants to the effect that based on an examination of certain specified documents and records relating to the servicing of SST’s loan portfolio conducted substantially in compliance with SSAE 16 (the “Applicable Accounting Standards”), such firm is of the opinion that such servicing has been conducted in compliance with the Applicable Accounting Standards except for (a) such exceptions as such firm shall believe to be immaterial and (b) such other exceptions as shall be set forth in such statement.

 

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(ii) The Servicer will deliver to the Trustee on or before the one year anniversary of the Closing Date and on each anniversary thereof, a certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit B of an authorized officer of the Servicer stating that (a) a review of the activities of the Servicer during the preceding year and of its performance under this Agreement was made under the supervision of the officer signing such certificate and (b) to the best of such officer’s knowledge, based on such review, the Servicer has fully performed in all material respects all of its obligations under this Agreement and each other applicable Servicer Transaction Document to which it is a party throughout such period, or, if there has been a default in the performance of any such obligation, specifying such default known to such officer and the nature and status thereof.

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article II, the Servicer, if not Conn Appliances or any Affiliate of Conn Appliances, shall have no obligation to collect, enforce or take any other action described in this Article II with respect to any Indebtedness that is not included in the Trust Estate other than to deliver to the Issuer the collections and documents with respect to any such Indebtedness as described in Section 2.02(a) hereof.

Section 2.03 Rights After Designation of New Servicer . (a) At any time following the designation of a Successor Servicer (other than Conn Appliances or an Affiliate thereof) pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof:

(i) The Trustee may, at its option, or shall, at the direction of the Required Noteholders, direct that payment of all amounts payable under any Receivable be made directly to the Trustee or its designee.

(ii) The Issuer shall, at the Trustee’s request and at the Issuer’s expense, give notice (to the extent such notice has not otherwise already been provided) of the Trustee’s interest in Receivables to each Obligor and direct that payments be made directly to the Trustee or its designee.

(iii) The Issuer shall, at the Trustee’s request, (A) assemble all of the records relating to the Receivables and other Related Security, and shall make the same available to the Trustee or its designee at a place selected by the Trustee or its designee, and (B) segregate all cash, checks and other instruments received by it from time to time constituting Collections of Receivables in a manner acceptable to the Trustee and shall, promptly upon receipt, remit all such cash, checks and instruments, duly endorsed or with duly executed instruments of transfer, to the Trustee or its designee.

(iv) The Issuer hereby authorizes the Trustee to take any and all steps in the Issuer’s name and on behalf of the Issuer necessary or desirable, in the reasonable determination of the Trustee, to collect all amounts due under any and all Receivables, including, without limitation, endorsing the Issuer’s name on checks and other instruments representing Collections and enforcing such Receivables and the related Contracts.

 

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(v) Upon delivery of a Notice of Appointment (as defined in the Back-Up Servicing Agreement) to the Back-Up Servicer, Conn Appliances shall designate one or more employees acceptable to the Successor Servicer to assist the Successor Servicer with respect to In-Store Payments so long as the Successor Servicer continues to accept In-Store Payments; provided, however, such employee of Conn Appliances shall in no event be deemed an employee, agent, custodian or nominee of the Successor Servicer and the Successor Servicer shall have no responsibility or liability for any negligence or willful misconduct of such employee or for such employee’s failure to assist the Successor Servicer (including without limitation any acts or omissions unrelated to the transactions contemplated hereby). Upon the request of the Successor Servicer to the Trustee, 100% of the Noteholders may direct the Successor Servicer to designate an employee of Successor Servicer to be assigned to any or all Conn Appliances stores to oversee the collection of In-Store Payments at such stores. Each such employee shall be placed at such store at the expense of the Issuer at the monthly rate reflected in the SST Fee Schedule.

(b) The Successor Servicer may accept and reasonably rely on all accounting and servicing records and other documentation provided to the Successor Servicer by or at the direction of the initial Servicer, including documents prepared or maintained by any Originator, or previous servicer, or any party providing services related to the Contracts, the Receivables and other Related Security (collectively, “third party”). The initial Servicer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Successor Servicer, its respective officers, employees and agents against any and all claims, losses, penalties, fines, forfeitures, legal fees and related costs, judgments, and any other costs, fees and expenses that the Successor Servicer may sustain in any way related to the negligence or willful misconduct of any third party hired by or at the direction of the initial Servicer, any Affiliate of the initial Servicer or any of their respective agents with respect to the Contracts, the Receivables and other Related Security. The Successor Servicer shall have no duty, responsibility, obligation or liability (collectively, “liability”) for the acts or omissions of any such third party. If any error, inaccuracy or omission (collectively, “error”) exists in any information provided to the Successor Servicer and such errors cause or materially contribute to the Successor Servicer making or continuing any error (collectively, “continuing errors”), the Successor Servicer shall have no liability for such continuing errors; provided, however, that this provision shall not protect the Successor Servicer against any liability which would otherwise be imposed by reason of willful misconduct or negligence in discovering or correcting any error or in the performance of its duties contemplated herein.

In the event the Successor Servicer becomes aware of errors and/or continuing errors that, in the opinion of the Successor Servicer, impair its ability to perform its obligations hereunder, the Successor Servicer shall promptly notify the other parties hereto of such errors and/or continuing errors. The Successor Servicer may undertake to reconstruct any data or records appropriate to correct such errors and/or continuing errors and to prevent future continuing errors. The Successor Servicer shall be entitled to recover its costs thereby expended from the initial Servicer.

 

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Neither the Successor Servicer nor any of the directors or officers or employees or agents of the Successor Servicer shall be under any liability to the other parties hereto except as provided in this Agreement for any action taken or for refraining from the taking of any action in good faith pursuant to this Agreement; provided , however , that this provision shall not protect the Successor Servicer or any such Person against any liability that would otherwise be imposed by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence (excluding errors in judgment) in the performance of duties, by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or any violation of law by the Successor Servicer or such Person, as the case may be. The Successor Servicer and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Successor Servicer may rely in good faith on the advice of counsel or on any document of any kind prima facie properly executed and submitted by any Person respecting any matters arising under this Agreement.

The Successor Servicer will not be responsible for delays attributable to the initial Servicer’s failure to deliver information, defects in the information supplied by the initial Servicer or other circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Successor Servicer . In addition, the Successor Servicer (and in the case of clauses (A) and (C) below, if a Servicing Officer of the Successor Servicer has actual knowledge of errors, which in the reasonable opinion of the Successor Servicer impair its ability to perform its services hereunder, after reasonable inquiry), shall have no responsibility and shall not be in default hereunder or incur any liability for any act or omission, failure, error, malfunction or any delay in carrying out any of its duties under this Agreement for: (A) any such failure or delay that results from the Successor Servicer acting in accordance with information prepared or supplied by a Person other than the Successor Servicer or the failure of any such other Person (including without limitation the initial Servicer) to prepare or provide such information or other circumstances beyond the control of the Successor Servicer; (B) any act or failure to act by any third party (other than those hired by the Successor Servicer), including without limitation the initial Servicer, the Issuer and the Trustee; (C) any inaccuracy or omission in a notice or communication received by the Successor Servicer from any third parties (other than those hired by the Successor Servicer); (D) the invalidity or unenforceability of any Contracts, the Receivables and Related Security under applicable law; (E) the breach or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty made with respect to the Contracts, the Receivables and Related Security; or (F) the acts or omissions of any predecessor or Successor Servicer.

The initial Servicer and the Issuer agree to reasonably cooperate with the Successor Servicer in effecting the assumption of its responsibilities and rights under this Agreement. The initial Servicer shall provide to the Successor Servicer all necessary servicing files and records relating to the Contracts, the Receivables and Related Security (as deemed necessary by the Successor Servicer at such time on a reasonable basis) and the initial Servicer shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to provide to the Successor Servicer access to and transfer of records and use by the Successor Servicer of all licenses, servicing system, software, hardware, equipment, telephony, personnel, employees, facilities or other accommodations necessary or desirable to collect the Contracts, in all cases, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement. The departing Servicer shall be obligated to pay the costs associated with the transfer of servicing files and records to the Successor Servicer. The Issuer and the Trustee, and such successor shall take such action, consistent with this Agreement, as shall be necessary to effectuate any such succession.

 

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Indemnification by the initial Servicer under this Article shall be paid solely by the initial Servicer and not from the Trust Estate, and shall include, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and expenses of litigation. If the indemnifying party has made any indemnity payments pursuant to this Section 2.03(b) and the recipient thereafter collects any of such amounts from others, the recipient shall promptly repay such amounts collected to the indemnifying party, without interest.

Section 2.04 Servicer Default . The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute a Servicer default (each, a “ Servicer Default ”):

(a) failure by the Servicer (or, for so long as Conn Appliances is the Servicer, Conn Appliances) to make any payment, transfer or deposit under this Agreement or any other Servicer Transaction Document or to provide the Monthly Servicer Report to the Trustee to make such payment, transfer or deposit or any withdrawal or (in the case of Conn Appliances, as Servicer) to give notice to the Trustee as to any required drawing or payment under the Servicer Letter of Credit on or before the date occurring two (2) Business Days after the date such payment, transfer or deposit or such instruction or notice is required to be made or given, as the case may be, under the terms of this Agreement or any other Servicer Transaction Document (or in the case of a payment, transfer, deposit or instruction to be made or given with respect to any Interest Period, by the related Payment Date);

(b) failure on the part of the Servicer (or, for so long as the Servicer is Conn Appliances, Conn Appliances) duly to observe or perform any other covenants or agreements of the Servicer set forth in this Agreement or any other Servicer Transaction Document, which failure continues unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after the earlier of discovery by the Servicer or the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied, shall have been given to the Servicer by the Trustee, the Issuer or the Notice Person; or the Servicer shall assign its duties under this Agreement, except as permitted by Article II;

(c) any representation, warranty or certification made by the Servicer in this Agreement or any other Servicer Transaction Document or in any certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement or any other Servicer Transaction Document shall prove to have been incorrect when made which continues unremedied for a period of 30 days after the date on which the Servicer has actual knowledge thereof or on which written notice thereof, requiring the same to be remedied, shall have been given to the Servicer by the Trustee, the Issuer or the Notice Person;

(d) the Servicer shall become the subject of any Event of Bankruptcy or shall voluntarily suspend payment of its obligations;

 

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(e) for so long as Conn Appliances is the Servicer, the failure of Consolidated Parent to maintain Consolidated Net Worth of at least the sum of (i) $250,000,000 plus (ii) 50% of the positive net income of the Consolidated Parent generated after January 31, 2012.

(f) at any time that Conn Appliances is the Servicer, any event of default (which has not been waived or cured within ten (10) Business Days) under (A) the Retailer Credit Agreement, (B) any inventory financing agreement between any lender and Conn Appliances, or (C) any indenture, credit or loan agreement or other agreement or instrument of any kind pursuant to which Indebtedness of Conn Appliances in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $1,000,000 is outstanding or by which the same is evidenced, shall have occurred and be continuing;

(g) at any time that Conn Appliances is Servicer, a final judgment or judgments for the payment of money in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate shall have been rendered against the Issuer or Conn Appliances and the same shall have remained unsatisfied and in effect, without stay of execution, for a period of 30 consecutive days after the period for appellate review shall have elapsed; or

(h) for so long as Conn Appliances is Servicer, a Change in Control shall have occurred and be continuing.

Section 2.05 Servicer Indemnification of Indemnified Parties . The initial Servicer shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee, the Back-up Servicer, the Successor Servicer, the Noteholders (together with their respective successors and permitted assigns) and each of their respective agents, officers, members and employees (collectively, the “ Indemnified Parties ”), from and against any loss, liability, expense, damage or injury suffered or sustained solely by reason of any breach by the initial Servicer of any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement or any failure by the initial Servicer to perform any duty or obligation of the initial Servicer contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, including any judgment, award, settlement, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs or expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the defense of any actual action, proceeding or claim; provided , however , that the initial Servicer shall not indemnify the Indemnified Parties if such acts or omissions were attributable directly or indirectly to negligence or willful misconduct by such Indemnified Party. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section shall be had only from the assets of the initial Servicer and shall not be payable from Collections, except to the extent such Collections are released to the initial Servicer in accordance with Section 5.11 (or any related provision describing the allocation of Collections) of the Indenture in respect of the Servicing Fee. The provisions of such indemnity shall run directly to and be enforceable by such Indemnified Parties.

The Successor Servicer shall indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer and the Trustee, on behalf of the Noteholders, (together with their respective successors and permitted assigns) (collectively, the “ Successor Servicer Indemnified Parties ”), from and against any loss, liability, expense, damage or injury suffered or sustained solely by reason of such Successor Servicer’s negligence in the performance of or failure to perform its duties or obligations under the Servicer

 

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Transaction Documents or willful misconduct or breach by the Successor Servicer of any of its representations or warranties contained in this Agreement, including any judgment, award, settlement, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs or expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the defense of any actual action, proceeding or claim; provided , however , that the Successor Servicer shall not indemnify the Successor Servicer Indemnified Parties if such acts or omissions were attributable directly or indirectly to negligence or willful misconduct of such Successor Servicer Indemnified Party. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section shall be had only from the assets of the Successor Servicer and shall not be payable from Collections except to the extent such Collections are released to the Successor Servicer in accordance with Section 5.15 of the Indenture in respect of the Servicing Fee. The provisions of such indemnity shall run directly to and be enforceable by such Successor Servicer Indemnified Parties.

The Issuer shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Successor Servicer and its officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents, from and against and reimburse the Successor Servicer for any and all claims, expenses, obligations, liabilities, losses, damages, injuries (to person, property, or natural resources), penalties, stamp or other similar taxes, actions, suits, judgments, reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s and agent’s fees and expenses) of whatever kind or nature regardless of their merit, demanded, asserted or claimed against the Successor Servicer directly or indirectly relating to, or arising from, claims against the Successor Servicer by reason of its participation in the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation all reasonable costs required to be associated with claims for damages to persons or property, and reasonable attorneys’ and consultants’ fees and expenses and court costs except to the extent caused by the Successor Servicer’s negligence or willful misconduct. The provisions of this section shall survive the termination of this Agreement or the earlier resignation or removal of the Successor Servicer.

Section 2.06 Grant of License . For the purpose of enabling the Back-Up Servicer or any other Successor Servicer to perform the functions of servicing and collecting the Receivables upon a Servicer Default, Conn Appliances hereby (i) assigns, to the extent not prohibited by law or the terms of any agreement to which Conn Appliances is a party or by which it is deemed bound (by the terms thereof or by acceptance of a license), to the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties and shall be deemed to assign to the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the Back-Up Servicer or any other Successor Servicer all rights owned or hereinafter acquired by Conn Appliances (by license, sublicense, lease, easement or otherwise) in and to any equipment used for servicing (or reasonable access thereto) together with a copy of any software used in connection with the performance of its duties as Servicer and relating to the Servicing and collecting of Receivables, (ii) agrees to use all reasonable efforts to assist the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the Back-Up Servicer or any other Successor Servicer to arrange licensing agreements with all software vendors and other applicable persons in a manner and to the extent reasonably appropriate to effectuate the servicing of the Receivables, (iii) agrees to deliver to the Trustee, the Back-Up Servicer or any Successor Servicer executed copies of any landlord waivers in a form reasonably acceptable to the Notice Person that may be necessary to grant to the Trustee, the Back–Up Servicer or any other Successor Servicer access to any leased premises of Conn Appliances for which the Trustee, the Back-Up Servicer or any other Successor Servicer may require access to perform the collection and administrative functions to be performed by the Trustee, the Back-Up Servicer or any Successor Servicer under the Servicer Transaction Documents and (iv) agrees that it will

 

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terminate its activities as Servicer hereunder in a manner which the Trustee the Back-Up Servicer or any Successor Servicer reasonably believes will facilitate the transition of the performance of such activities to the Back-Up Servicer or any other designated Successor Servicer, as applicable, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Trustee, the Back-Up Servicer or any Successor Servicer in such transition. The terms of this Section 2.06 shall all be subject to the limitations on the Servicer’s rights as set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement.

Section 2.07 Servicing Compensation . As compensation for its servicing and custodial activities hereunder and reimbursement for its expenses (in the case of Conn Appliances only) as set forth in the immediately following paragraph, the Servicer shall be entitled to receive a servicing fee (the “ Servicing Fee ”) as set forth in the Transaction Documents (including, with respect to SST as Successor Servicer, as set forth in the SST Fee Schedule) prior to the Indenture Termination Date as described in Section 12.1 of the Indenture. The Servicing Fee shall be payable, with respect to each Series, at the times and subject to the limitations set forth in the Indenture.

The initial Servicer’s expenses include the fees and disbursements of independent public accountants and all other expenses incurred by the initial Servicer in connection with its activities hereunder; provided , that the initial Servicer in its capacity as such shall not be liable for any liabilities, costs or expenses of the Issuer, the Noteholders or the Note Owners arising under any tax law, including without limitation any federal, state or local income or franchise taxes or any other tax imposed on or measured by income or gross receipts (or any interest or penalties with respect thereto or arising from a failure to comply therewith) except to the extent that such liabilities, taxes or expenses arose as a result of the breach by the initial Servicer of its obligations under Section 6.02 hereof. In such case, the initial Servicer shall be required to pay such expenses for its own account and shall not be entitled to any payment therefor other than the Servicing Fee. The payment of the expenses of SST, as Successor Servicer, which with respect to SST are set forth in the SST Fee Schedule attached to the Back-Up Servicing Agreement, shall be distributed on each Payment Date to the extent of funds available therefor in accordance with Section 5.15 of the Indenture and the SST Fee Schedule. The provisions of this Section 2.07 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the earlier resignation or removal of the Servicer.

Section 2.08 Representations and Warranties of the Servicer . The Servicer hereby represents, warrants and covenants to and for the benefit of the Issuer, the Trustee, the Back-Up Servicer, the Successor Servicer and the Noteholders as of the date of this Agreement and, in the case of the initial Servicer, as of the Closing Date and, in the case of any Successor Servicer, as of the date of its appointment as Servicer:

(a) Organization and Good Standing, etc . Servicer has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of organization, with power and authority to own its properties and to conduct its business as such properties are presently owned and such business are presently conducted. Servicer is duly licensed or qualified to do business as a foreign entity in good standing in the jurisdiction where its principal place of business and chief executive office are located and in each other jurisdiction in which the failure to be so licensed or qualified would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b) Power and Authority; Due Authorization . Servicer has (i) all necessary power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform, as applicable, its obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Servicer Transaction Documents, and (ii) duly authorized, by all necessary action, the execution, delivery and performance, as applicable, of this Agreement and the other Servicer Transaction Documents. Servicer has and in the case of the initial Servicer only, had at all relevant times, and now has, all necessary power, authority and legal right to perform its duties as Servicer.

(c) No Violation . The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Servicer Transaction Documents and the fulfillment of the terms hereof will not (i) conflict with, result in any breach of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, (A) the organizational documents of Servicer, or (B) in the case of the initial Servicer only, any indenture, loan agreement, pooling and servicing agreement, receivables purchase agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument to which Servicer is a party or by which any of them or any of their respective properties is bound, (ii) in the case of the initial Servicer only, result in or require the creation or imposition of any Adverse Claim upon any of its properties pursuant to the terms of any such indenture, loan agreement, pooling and servicing agreement, receivables purchase agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument, other than pursuant to the terms of the Servicer Transaction Documents, or (iii) violate any law or any order, rule, or regulation applicable to Servicer or of any court or of any federal, state or foreign regulatory body, administrative agency, or other governmental instrumentality having jurisdiction over Servicer or any of its properties.

(d) Validity and Binding Nature . This Agreement is, and the other Servicer Transaction Documents when duly executed and delivered, as applicable, by Servicer and the other parties thereto will be, the legal, valid and binding obligation of Servicer enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar law affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.

(e) Government Approvals . No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body required for the due execution, delivery or performance by Servicer of any Servicer Transaction Document to which it is a party remains unobtained or unfiled, except in the case of the initial Servicer for the filing of the UCC financing statements referred to in Section 3.11(iii) and Schedule I to the Indenture.

 

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(f) Margin Regulations . Initial Servicer is not engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock, and no proceeds of any Class A Notes, directly or indirectly, will be used for a purpose that violates, or would be inconsistent with, Regulations T, U and X promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board from time to time.

(g) Offices . In the case of the initial Servicer, the principal place of business and chief executive office of the initial Servicer is located at the address referred to in Section 7.04 (or at such other locations, notified to the Trustee in jurisdictions where all action required thereby has been taken and completed).

(h) Compliance with Applicable Laws . Servicer is in compliance with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and orders of all governmental authorities, a breach of any of which, individually or in the aggregate, would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(i) No Proceedings . Except as described in Schedule 2.08(i) , provided that such schedule shall only apply to the initial Servicer,

(i) there is no order, judgment, decree, injunction, stipulation or consent order of or with any court or other government authority to which Servicer is subject, and there is no action, suit, arbitration, regulatory proceeding or investigation pending, or, to the actual knowledge of Servicer, threatened, before or by any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or other tribunal or governmental instrumentality, against Servicer that, individually or in the aggregate, is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

(ii) there is no action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, regulatory or governmental investigation, pending or, to the actual knowledge of Servicer, threatened, before or by any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, or other tribunal or governmental instrumentality (A) asserting the invalidity of this Agreement or any other Servicer Transaction Document, or (B) seeking to prevent the consummation of any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Servicer Transaction Document.

(j) Accuracy of Information . All information heretofore furnished by, or on behalf of, Servicer to the Trustee, the Notice Person or any Noteholder in connection with any Servicer Transaction Document, or any transaction contemplated thereby, is true and accurate in every material respect (without omission of any information necessary to prevent such information from being materially misleading).

(k) No Material Adverse Change . Since January 31, 2012, there has been no material adverse change in (A) Servicer’s (i) financial condition, business, operations or prospects or (ii) ability to perform its obligations under any Servicer Transaction Document and, (B) with respect to the representation made by the initial Servicer, only the collectability of the receivables.

 

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If SST is acting as Successor Servicer, with respect to the representations set forth in Sections 2.08(a), 2.08(h) and 2.08(i), when determining whether any Material Adverse Effect has occurred with respect to any matter described in such sections, clauses (ii) and (iii) of the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” shall apply without reference to the effect of such matter on Seller or on any Servicer (other than SST as Successor Servicer).

In the event that there is any breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants of the initial Servicer contained in Sections 2.11(a) and (e)  and 2.12(a) with respect to any Receivable, and such Receivable becomes a Defaulted Receivable or the rights of the Secured Parties in, to or under such Receivable or its proceeds are impaired or the proceeds of such Receivable are not available to the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties or the initial Servicer has released any Merchandise securing a Receivable from the lien created by such Receivable (except as specifically provided in the Servicer Transaction Documents), then the initial Servicer shall be deemed to have received on such day a collection of such Receivable in full, and the initial Servicer shall, on the Distribution Date, deposit into the Collection Account, subject to Section 5.4(a) of the Indenture, an amount equal to the Outstanding Receivables Balance of such Receivable, and such amount shall be allocated and applied by the initial Servicer as a Collection allocable to the Receivables or Related Security in accordance with Section 5.11 (or the applicable section relating to allocation of Collections) in the Indenture. In the event that the initial Servicer has paid to or for the benefit of the Noteholders or any other applicable Secured Party the full Outstanding Receivables Balance of any Receivable pursuant to this paragraph, each of the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties and the Issuer shall release and convey all of such Person’s right, title and interest in and to the related Receivable to the initial Servicer, without representation or warranty, but free and clear of all liens created by such Person, as applicable.

Section 2.09 Reports and Records for the Trustee . In addition to each of the reports required to be prepared and delivered by the Servicer pursuant to Section 2.02(e) hereof, the Servicer shall prepare and deliver in accordance with this Section 2.09 each of the following reports and notices:

(a) Periodic Reports . The Servicer shall prepare and forward to the Issuer, the Back-Up Servicer and, the Trustee (i) on or prior to the Series Transfer Date with respect to each calendar month, a Monthly Servicer Report in substantially the form set forth on Exhibit A-1 attached hereto as of the last Business Day of the immediately preceding calendar month, and (ii) as soon as reasonably practicable, from time to time, such other information in its possession as the Trustee, the Back-Up Servicer or the Notice Person may reasonably request.

(b) Monthly Noteholders’ Statement . Unless otherwise stated in the Series Supplement, on each Determination Date the Servicer shall forward to the Trustee and the Back-Up Servicer a Monthly Noteholders’ Statement substantially in the form set forth on Exhibit A-2 attached hereto prepared by the Servicer.

 

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(c) Issuer Reports . The initial Servicer or the Successor Servicer, as the case may be, shall prepare and deliver the reports applicable to it and comply with all the provisions applicable to it of Section 4.3 of the Indenture.

(d) Series Reports . The initial Servicer shall prepare and deliver any reports required to be prepared and delivered by the Servicer by the terms of any agreements of the Issuer or the Servicer relating to the issuance or purchase of any of the Notes.

Section 2.10 Reports to the Commission . The Issuer and/or Conn Appliances, if the Issuer and/or Conn Appliances or any Affiliate of either of them is not acting as Servicer, shall, at the expense of the Issuer or Conn Appliances, as applicable, cooperate in any reasonable request of the Trustee in connection with any filings required to be filed by the Trustee under the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or pursuant to Section 4.3 of the Indenture.

Section 2.11 Affirmative Covenants of the Servicer . At all times from the date hereof to the date on which the outstanding principal balance of all Notes shall be equal to zero, unless the Required Noteholders shall otherwise consent in writing:

(a) Credit and Collection Policy . The Servicer will comply in all material respects with the Credit and Collection Policy in regard to each Receivable and the related Contract.

(b) Collections Received . Subject to Section 5.4(a) of the Indenture, the Servicer shall set aside and deposit as soon as reasonably practicable (but in any event no later than two (2) Business Days following its receipt thereof) into the Collection Account all Collections received from time to time by the Servicer.

(c) Notice of Defaults, Events of Default, Potential Pay Out Event or Servicer Defaults . Immediately, and in any event within one (1) Business Day after the Servicer obtains knowledge or receives notice of the occurrence of each Default, Event of Default or Servicer Default, or in the case of any Successor Servicer within 3 Business Days of its actual knowledge or receipt of written notice, the Servicer will furnish to the Notice Person a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Servicer, setting forth to the extent actually known by the Servicer, details of such Default, Event of Default or Servicer Default, and the action which the Servicer, the Issuer or a Seller proposes to take with respect thereto.

(d) Conduct of Business . The Servicer will do all things necessary to remain duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted to the extent that the failure to maintain such would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(e) Compliance with Laws . The Servicer will comply in all respects with all laws with respect to the Receivables to the extent that any non-compliance would have a Material Adverse Effect.

(f) Further Information . The Servicer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee such other information relating to the Receivables and readily available public information regarding the financial condition of the Servicer, as soon as reasonably practicable, and in such form and detail, as the Trustee or the Notice Person may reasonably request.

(g) Furnishing of Information and Inspection of Records . The Servicer will furnish to the Trustee and the Notice Person from time to time such information in its possession with respect to the Receivables as such Person may reasonably request, including, without limitation, listings identifying the Outstanding Receivables Balance for each Receivable, together with an aging of Receivables. The Servicer will, at any time and from time to time during regular business hours and, upon reasonable notice, permit the Trustee, and the Notice Person, or their respective agents or representatives, (i) to examine and make copies of and abstracts from all Records relating to the Receivables and (ii) to visit the offices and properties of the Servicer for the purpose of examining such Records, and to discuss matters relating to Receivables or the Servicer’s performance hereunder and under the other Servicer Transaction Documents with any Servicing Officer of the Servicer having knowledge of such matters. Upon a Default or Event of Default, the Trustee and the Notice Person may have, without notice, reasonable access to all records and the offices and properties of the Servicer.

If SST is acting as Successor Servicer, with respect to the covenants set forth in Sections 2.11(d), 2.11(e) and 2.12(c), when determining whether any Material Adverse Effect has occurred with respect to any matter described in such sections, clauses (ii) and (iii) of the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” shall apply without reference to the effect of such matter on Seller or on any Servicer (other than SST as Successor Servicer).

Section 2.12 Negative Covenants of the Servicer . At all times from the date hereof to the date on which the outstanding principal balance of all Notes shall be equal to zero, unless the Required Noteholders shall otherwise consent in writing:

(a) Modifications of Receivables or Contracts . The Servicer shall not extend, amend, forgive, discharge, compromise, waive, cancel or otherwise modify the terms of any Receivable or amend, modify or waive any term or condition of any Contract related thereto; except in accordance with Section 2.02(b).

(b) Merger or Consolidation of, or Assumption of the Obligations of, the Servicer . (I) The initial Servicer shall not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:

 

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(i) the entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Servicer is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer the properties and assets of the Servicer substantially as an entirety shall be an entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any State or the District of Columbia and, if the Servicer is not the surviving entity, such corporation shall expressly assume, by an agreement supplemental hereto executed and delivered to the Trustee, the Notice Persons of each Series and the Servicer Letter of Credit Bank in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Notice Persons of each Series, the performance of every covenant and obligation of the Servicer under the Servicer Transaction Documents; and

(ii) the Servicer has delivered to the Trustee, each Notice Person and the Servicer Letter of Credit Bank (if requested by such Person) an Opinion of Counsel stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer comply with this paragraph (b) and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with (and if an agreement supplemental hereto has been executed as contemplated by clause (i) above, such opinion of counsel shall state that such supplemental agreement is a legal, valid and standing obligation of the Servicer enforceable against the Servicer in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles).

(II) Any corporation or other entity into which SST may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which SST shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to the business of SST must be the successor of SST hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper with any party hereto or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto except where an instrument of transfer or assignment is required by law to effect such succession, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, and SST will not merge, convert or consolidate if the resulting entity would not be the successor of SST hereunder.

(c) No Change in Business or the Credit and Collection Policy . Subject to Requirements of Law, the Servicer will not make any change in the character of its business or in the Credit and Collection Policy, which change would, in either case, impair the collectability of any Receivable or otherwise have a Material Adverse Effect. The Servicer agrees that prior to making any material change in the Credit and Collection Policy in effect on the Closing Date, it shall obtain the prior written consent of the Notice Person of such changes; provided , however , that in the case of any material change in its Credit and Collection Policy made pursuant to any Requirement of Law as to which it is unable to give ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice, then the Servicer shall give written notice to the Trustee, each Notice Person and the Issuer of such changes as soon as reasonably practicable prior to the implementation of such changes.

 

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Section 2.13 Sale of Defaulted Receivables . The initial Servicer may sell, on behalf of the Issuer, Defaulted Receivables that have been Defaulted Receivables for no less than six months, as to which the initial Servicer shall have determined eventual payment in full is unlikely, to an unaffiliated third party for the greatest market price available, if in its good faith judgment it determines that the proceeds ultimately recoverable with respect to such Receivables would be increased by such sale. Any such sale shall be made free and clear of the Lien of the Trustee under the Indenture, and the Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Section 5.8 of the Indenture with respect thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may the aggregate sales of Defaulted Receivables (by Outstanding Receivables Balance of such Defaulted Receivable as of the Cut-Off Date) pursuant to this Section 2.13 exceed 10% of the Outstanding Receivables Balance on the Cut-Off Date.

ARTICLE III

RIGHTS OF NOTEHOLDERS AND ALLOCATION

AND APPLICATION OF COLLECTIONS

Section 3.01 Establishment of Accounts .

(a) The Collection Account . The initial Servicer, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall establish and the Servicer shall maintain the Collection Account in the state of New York or in the city in which the Corporate Trust Office is located, with a Qualified Institution in the name of the Trustee, on behalf of the Secured Parties, a non-interest bearing segregated account bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties. Pursuant to authority granted to it pursuant to subsection 2.02(a) , the Servicer shall have the revocable power to withdraw funds from the Collection Account for the purposes of carrying out its duties hereunder and under the Indenture and the Series Supplement.

(b) Series Accounts . If so provided in the Series Supplement, the initial Servicer shall cause to be established and the Servicer shall maintain in the name of the Trustee for the benefit of the Noteholders and the other Secured Parties, one or more Series Accounts. Each such Series Account shall bear a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Noteholders and the other Secured Parties, to the extent applicable. Each such Series Account will be a trust account, if so provided in the Series Supplement, and will have the other features and be applied as set forth in the Series Supplement.

 

24


Section 3.02 Collections and Allocations .

(a) Collections . Subject to subsection 5.4(a) of the Indenture, the Servicer shall deposit all Collections in the Collection Account as promptly as possible after the date of receipt of such Collections, but in no event later than the second Business Day following such date of receipt.

The Servicer shall allocate such amounts in accordance with this Article III and Article 5 of the Indenture and the initial Servicer shall withdraw the required amounts from the Collection Account or pay such amounts to the Noteholders or other Persons entitled thereto in accordance with this Article III and Article 5 of the Indenture, in both cases as modified by the Series Supplement. The initial Servicer shall make such deposits or payments on the date indicated therein by wire transfer or as otherwise provided in the Series Supplement.

(b) Allocation of Collections Between Finance Charges and Principal Receivables . At all times and for all purposes of this Agreement and the Indenture, Collections received during the Monthly Period will be allocated by the Servicer between Principal Collections and Finance Charges and the appropriate amounts transferred from the Collection Account to the Principal Account and the Finance Charge Account. The portion allocable to Principal Collections will be equal to the positive difference between Collections for such Monthly Period and Earned Finance Charges for such Monthly Period. All other Collections not allocated to Principal Collections for such Monthly Period will be allocated to Finance Charges.

ARTICLE IV

OTHER SERVICER POWERS

Section 4.01 Appointment of Paying Agent . Subject to Section 2.7 of the Indenture, the Servicer may, but shall not be obligated to, revoke the power of the Paying Agent to withdraw funds from any account maintained for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Indenture and remove the Paying Agent, if the Servicer determines in its reasonable discretion that the Paying Agent shall have failed to perform its obligations under the Indenture in any material respect or for other good cause. The Servicer shall notify the Rating Agency of the removal of any Paying Agent pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence.

Section 4.02 [Reserved.]

ARTICLE V

OTHER MATTERS RELATING

TO THE SERVICER

Section 5.01 Liability of the Servicer . The Servicer hereby agrees to perform any and all duties and obligations set forth in the Indenture or the Series Supplement thereto that are specifically identified therein as duties of the Servicer. Subject to the foregoing, the Servicer shall be liable in accordance herewith only to the extent of the obligations specifically undertaken by it in such capacity herein.

 

25


Section 5.02 Limitation on Liability of the Servicer and Others . The directors, officers, employees or agents who are natural persons of the Servicer shall not be under any liability to the Issuer, the Trustee, the Noteholders or any other Person hereunder or pursuant to any document delivered hereunder for any action taken or for refraining from the taking of any action, it being expressly understood that all such liability is expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as consideration for, the execution of this Agreement and any supplement hereto. Except as provided in this Section 5.02 with respect to the Issuer and the Trustee, its officers, directors, employees and agents, the Servicer shall not be under any liability to the Issuer, the Trustee, its officers, directors, employees and agents, the Noteholders or any other Person for any action taken or for refraining from the taking of any action in its capacity as Servicer pursuant to this Agreement or any supplement hereto; provided , however , that this provision shall not protect the Servicer against any liability which would otherwise be imposed by reason of (x) willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder or under the Series Supplement or (y) breach of the express terms of any Servicer Transaction Document. The Servicer may rely in good faith on any document of any kind prima facie properly executed and submitted by any Person respecting any matters arising hereunder. The Servicer shall not be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action which is not incidental to its duties to service the Receivables or the other property in the Trust Estate in accordance with this Agreement, the Indenture and the Series Supplement that in its reasonable opinion may involve it in any expense or liability.

Section 5.03 Servicer Not to Resign . The Servicer shall not resign from the obligations and duties hereby imposed on it except upon determination that (i) the performance of its duties hereunder is no longer permissible under applicable law and (ii) there is no reasonable action which such Servicer could take to make the performance of its duties hereunder permissible under applicable law. Any such determination permitting the resignation of any Servicer shall be evidenced as to clause (i) above by an Opinion of Counsel and as to clause (ii) by a Conn Officer’s Certificate of the Servicer (or, if the Servicer is not Conn Appliances or an Affiliate thereof, a certificate of a responsible officer of such Servicer), each to such effect delivered, and satisfactory in form and substance, to the Notice Person. No such resignation shall become effective until the Trustee or a Successor Servicer shall have assumed the responsibilities and obligations of such Servicer in accordance with Section 2.01 hereof.

Section 5.04 Waiver of Defaults . Any default by the Servicer in the performance of its obligations hereunder and its consequences may be waived pursuant to Section 7.01 . Upon any such waiver of a default, such default shall cease to exist, and any default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been remedied for every purpose of this Agreement. No such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon except to the extent expressly so waived.

 

26


ARTICLE VI

ADDITIONAL OBLIGATION OF THE

SERVICER WITH RESPECT TO THE TRUSTEE

Section 6.01 Successor Trustee .

(a) If the Trustee resigns or is removed pursuant to the terms of the Indenture or if a vacancy exists in the office of the Trustee for any reason, the Servicer (or, if Conn Appliances is not the Servicer, the Issuer) shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee meeting the requirements of Section 11.9 of the Indenture, by written instrument, in duplicate, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor Trustee.

(b) The Servicer and/or the Issuer agree to execute and deliver such instruments and do such other things as may reasonably be required for fully and certainly vesting and confirming in the successor Trustee all rights, powers, duties and obligations under the Indenture and hereunder.

Section 6.02 Tax Returns . The Issuer shall prepare or shall cause to be prepared all tax information required by law to be distributed to Noteholders and shall deliver such information to the Trustee at least five days prior to the date it is required by law to be distributed to Noteholders. Except to the extent the Issuer breaches its obligations or covenants contained in this Section 6.02 , in no event shall the Issuer be liable for any liabilities, costs or expenses of the Noteholders or the Note Owners arising under any tax law, including without limitation federal, state, local or foreign income or excise taxes or any other tax imposed on or measured by income or gross receipts (or any interest or penalty with respect thereto or arising from a failure to comply therewith).

Section 6.03 Final Payment with Respect to Any Series . The initial Servicer or the Issuer shall provide any notice of termination as specified for the Issuer in Section 12.5(a) of the Indenture and in accordance with the procedures set forth therein.

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 7.01 Amendment .

(a) This Agreement may be amended in writing from time to time by the Issuer, the Servicer and the Trustee, without the consent of any of the Noteholders, to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provisions herein which may be inconsistent with any other provisions herein, to add any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement; provided , that such action shall not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any Noteholder or the Back-Up Servicer (including as Successor Servicer) without, in the case of the Back-Up Servicer, its prior written consent.

 

27


(b) Any provision of this Agreement may also be amended, supplemented, modified or waived in writing from time to time by the Issuer, the Servicer and the Trustee with the consent of the Required Noteholders for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Agreement or modifying in any manner the rights of Noteholders of any Series then issued and outstanding; provided , however , that no such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver shall (i) reduce in any manner the amount of, or delay the timing of, distributions which are required to be made on any Notes without the consent of each Holder of Notes so affected, (ii) change the definition of or the manner of calculating the Investor Interest or the Aggregate Investor Net Loss Amount without the consent of each Holder of Notes, (iii) reduce the aforesaid percentage required to consent to any such amendment, without the consent of each Holder of Notes adversely affected, (iv) result in a reduction or withdrawal of the then current ratings of any outstanding Notes by the Rating Agency or (v) adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the Back-Up Servicer (including as Successor Servicer) without its prior written consent. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such amendment which adversely affects the Trustee’s rights, duties or immunities under this Agreement or otherwise, except as otherwise may be provided in the Indenture.

(c) Promptly after the execution of any such amendment, the Trustee shall furnish notification of the substance of such amendment to the Rating Agency.

(d) It shall not be necessary for the consent of Noteholders under this Section 7.01 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof. The manner of obtaining such consents and of evidencing the authorization of the execution thereof by Noteholders shall be subject to such reasonable requirements as the Trustee may prescribe.

(e) In connection with any amendment, the Trustee may request an Opinion of Counsel (from an external law firm) from the Issuer to the effect that the amendment complies with all requirements of this Agreement, except that such counsel shall not be required to opine on factual matters.

Section 7.02 Protection of Right, Title and Interest to Receivables and Related Security .

(a) Conn Appliances or the Issuer shall cause this Agreement, the Indenture and the Series Supplement, all amendments hereto and/or all financing statements and continuation statements and any other necessary documents covering the Noteholders’ and the Trustee’s right, title and interest to the Trust Estate to be promptly recorded, registered and filed, and at all times to be kept recorded, registered and filed, all in such manner and in such places as may be required by law fully to preserve and protect the Trustee’s Lien (granted pursuant

 

28


to the Indenture for the benefit of the Secured Parties) on the property comprising the Trust Estate. Conn Appliances or the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee file-stamped copies of, or filing receipts for, any document recorded, registered or filed as provided above, as soon as available following such recording, registration or filing. The Seller shall cooperate fully with the Conn Appliances or the Issuer, as applicable, in connection with the obligations set forth above and will execute any and all documents reasonably required to fulfill the intent of this subsection 7.02(a) .

(b) Conn Appliances or the Issuer will give the Trustee prompt written notice of any relocation of any office from which it services the Receivables and Related Security or keeps records concerning such items or of its principal executive office and whether, as a result of such relocation, the applicable provisions of the UCC would require the filing of any amendment of any previously filed financing or continuation statement or of any new financing statement and shall file such financing statements or amendments as may be necessary to continue the Trustee’s security interest in the Trust Estate and the proceeds thereof for the benefit of the Secured Parties. The Servicer will at all times maintain each office from which it performs custody, collection and/or customer service obligations with respect to the Receivables, Related Security and other property in its possession and part of the Trust Estate and its principal executive office within the United States of America.

Section 7.03 Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS (OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW), AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS SERVICING AGREEMENT HEREBY AGREES TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND ANY APPELLATE COURT HAVING JURISDICTION TO REVIEW THE JUDGMENT THEREOF. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION BASED ON FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE OF ANY ACTION INSTITUTED HEREUNDER IN ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS AND CONSENTS TO THE GRANTING OF SUCH LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RELIEF AS IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY SUCH COURT.

Section 7.04 Notices . All demands, notices and communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered at, sent by facsimile to, sent by courier (overnight or hand-delivered) at or mailed by registered mail, return receipt requested, to (a) in the case of the Issuer, to 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, Attention: Office of the General Counsel, (b) in the case of the initial Servicer or Conn Appliances, to 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, Attention: Office of the General Counsel, (c) in the case of the Trustee, to the Corporate Trust Office and (e) in the case of the Rating Agency, the address, if any, specified in the Series Supplement; or, as to each party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to each other party.

 

29


Unless otherwise provided in the Series Supplement or otherwise expressly provided herein, any notice required or permitted to be mailed to a Noteholder shall be given by first class mail, postage prepaid, at the address of such Noteholder as shown in the Note Register. Any notice so mailed or published, as the case may be, within the time prescribed in this Agreement shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Noteholder receives such notice.

Section 7.05 Severability of Provisions . If any one or more of the covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Agreement shall for any reason whatsoever be held invalid, then such covenants, agreements, provisions or terms shall be deemed severable from the remaining covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Agreement and shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement.

Section 7.06 Delegation . Except as provided in Section 2.01 , 2.02 or 2.12(b) , the Servicer may not delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement.

Section 7.07 Waiver of Trial by Jury . To the extent permitted by applicable law, each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives all right of trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or the Transaction Documents or any matter arising hereunder or thereunder.

Section 7.08 Further Assurances . The Servicer agrees to do and perform, from time to time, any and all acts and to execute any and all further instruments required or reasonably requested by the Trustee or the Notice Person more fully to effect the purposes of this Agreement.

Section 7.09 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Trustee, the Notice Person, the Servicer, or the Noteholders, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exhaustive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

Section 7.10 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts (and by different parties on separate counterparts), each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 7.11 Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, the Secured Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except as provided in this Section 7.11 , no other Person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

Section 7.12 Actions by Noteholders .

(a) Wherever in this Agreement a provision is made that an action may be taken or a notice, demand or instruction given by Noteholders, such action, notice or instruction may be taken or given by any Noteholder, unless such

 

30


provision requires a specific percentage of Noteholders or unless otherwise provided in the Series Supplement, in each case, as certified by such Noteholder. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Servicer nor any Affiliate thereof shall have any right to vote with respect to any Note except as specifically provided in the Indenture.

(b) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other act by a Noteholder shall bind such Noteholder and every subsequent holder of such Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by the Trustee or the Servicer in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

Section 7.13 Rule 144A Information . For so long as any of the Notes are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, the Issuer and the Trustee agree to provide to any Noteholders and to any prospective purchaser of Notes designated by such a Noteholder upon the request of such Noteholder or prospective purchaser, any information required to be provided to such holder or prospective purchaser to satisfy the condition set forth in Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act, and the Servicer agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Issuer and the Trustee in connection with the foregoing.

Section 7.14 Merger and Integration . Except as specifically stated otherwise herein, this Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and all prior understandings, written or oral, are superseded by this Agreement.

Section 7.15 Headings . The headings herein are for purposes of reference only and shall not otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision hereof.

Section 7.16 Rights of the Trustee . The rights, privileges and immunities afforded to the Trustee in the Indenture shall apply to this Agreement as if fully set forth herein.

 

31


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer, the Servicer and the Trustee have caused this Servicing Agreement to be duly executed by their respective officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

CONN’S RECEIVABLES FUNDING I, LP,

as Issuer

By:   Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP,
  its general partner

 

By:   /s/ Michael J. Poppe

Name:  Michael J. Poppe

Title:    President

 

CONN APPLIANCES, INC.
By:   /s/ Michael J. Poppe

Name:  Michael J. Poppe

Title:    Executive Vice President

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee
By:   /s/ Kristen L. Puttin

Name:  Kristen L. Puttin

Title:    Vice President

 

Servicing Agreement

 

S-1


Exhibit A-1

Form of Monthly Servicer Report

FORM OF MONTHLY SERVICER REPORT

 

 

     CONN 2012A Servicer Report—Summary
Determination Date    [        ]
Series Transfer Date    [        ]
Payment Date    [        ]

 

Beginning Date         Ending Date
Monthly Period    [        ]    [        ]
Interest Period    [        ]    [        ]
Is Conn Appliances, Inc. the current Servicer?    [        ]   

Outstanding Note Balance as of Determination Date

      [        ]

Principal Payments to Class A Note Holders for current Payment Date

      [        ]
     

 

Oustanding Note Balance following current Payment Date

      [        ]

Total Interest Payments paid to Class A Noteholders on current Payment Date

      [        ]

Payment Summary of Trust for Current Payment Date

     

Summary of Trust Payments

     

Total Payments paid to Trustee on current Payment Date

      [        ]

Total Payments paid to Back-Up Servicer on current Payment Date

      [        ]

Total Payments paid to successor Servicer on current Payment Date

      [        ]

Total Payments paid Servicer on current Payment Date

      [        ]

Total Payments paid to Class A Noteholders on current Payment Date

      [        ]

Total Payments paid to Servicer Letter of Credit Bank

      [        ]

Total Payments paid to Issuer on current Payment Date

      [        ]
     

 

Total Payments paid on current Payment Date

      [        ]

Collection Account Summary

     

Amount deposited into Finance Charge Collection Account from Collections Account on Series Transfer Date

      [        ]

Amount deposited into Principal Account form Collections Account on Series Transfer Date

      [        ]
     

 

Amounts remaining on desposit in Collections Account

      [        ]

Acitivity During Current Monthly Period

     

Portfolio Summary

     

Outstanding Receivable Balance as of Beginning of current Monthly Period

      [        ]

Total principal payments received on accounts

      [        ]

Oustanding Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables

      [        ]
     

 

Outstanding Receivables Balance as of End of current Monthly Period

      [        ]

Number of Eligible Receivables as of Beginning of current Monthly Period

      [        ]

Number of Eligible Receivables that closed account through payment

      [        ]

Number of Eligible Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables

      [        ]
     

 

Number of Eligible Receivables as of End of current Monthly Period

      [        ]

Payments to Collection Accounts

     

Total Principal payments received from customers and deposited into Collections Account

      [        ]

Total Recoveries received and deposited into Collections Account

      [        ]

Total Earned Finance Charges received from customers and deposited into Collection Acocunt

      [        ]

Total any other amounts due to Trust and deposited into Collections Account

      [        ]
     

 

Total payments received and deposited into Collections Account

      [        ]

Defaulted Receivables

     

Number of Accounts that became Defaulted Accounts

      [        ]

Outstanding Receivables Balances that became Defaulted Accounts

      [        ]

Recoveries

     

Principal recoveries received

      [        ]

RSA refunds received

      [        ]

Credit insurance refunds received

      [        ]

Sales tax refunds received

      [        ]
     

 

Total Recoveries Received

      [        ]

Aggregate Net Investor Loss Amount

     

Total Outstanding Receivables Balance that became Defaulted Accounts during current Monthly Period

      [        ]

Total Recoveries received during current Monthly Period

      [        ]
     

 

Aggregate Net Investor Loss Amount for Current Monthly Period

      [        ]

 

Servicing Agreement

 

A-1-1


Cash Option Receivables

  

Number of Cash Option Receivable Accounts that exercised Cash Option during current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Aggregate previous Earned Finance Charges of exercised Cash Option Receivables

   [        ]

Installment Receivables

  

Outstanding Receivables Balance of Installment Receivables at beginning of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Receivables Balance of Installments Receivables that paid off outstanding balance

   [        ]

Receivables Balance of Installments Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables

   [        ]
  

 

Outstanding Receivables Balance of Installment Receivables at end of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Number of Installment Receivables at beginning of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Number of Installment Receivables that paid off oustanding balance

   [        ]

Number of Installment Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables

   [        ]
  

 

Number of Installment Receivables at End of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Revolving Receivables

  

Outstanding Receivables Balance of Revolving Receivables at beginning of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Receivables Balance of Revolvings Receivables that paid off outstanding balance

   [        ]

Receivables Balance of Revolvings Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables

   [        ]
  

 

Outstanding Receivables Balance of Revolving Receivables at end of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Number of Revolving Receivables at beginning of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Number of Revolving Accounts that became Defaulted Receivables

   [        ]
  

 

Number of Revolving Receivables at End of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Total Oustanding Receivables Balance at end of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Total Number of Outstanding Receivables Balance at end of Montly Period

   [        ]

Portfolio Characteristics

  

Weighted Average Rate of Eligible Receivables as of End of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Weighted Average Term of Eligible Installment Receivables as of End of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Weighted Average Age of Eligible Receivables as of End of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

% of Eligible Receivables that are Cash Option Receivables as of End of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Delinquency Status

  

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 0 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 1 to 29 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 30 to 59 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 60 to 89 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 90 to 119 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 120 to 159 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 160 to 189 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 190 to 209 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]
  

 

Total Oustanding Receivables Balance as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Servicer Report as of the [    ] day of [    ]20 [            ].

CONN APPLIANCES, INC, as Servicer

By:                                                                          

Name:

Title:

 

Servicing Agreement

 

A-1-2


Exhibit A-2

Form of Monthly Noteholders’ Statement

FORM OF MONTHLY NOTEHOLDERS’ STATEMENT

 

     CONN 2012A Monthly Noteholders Statement

Determination Date

   [        ]

Series Transfer Date

   [        ]

Payment Date

   [        ]

 

     Beginning Date    Ending Date

Monthly Period

   [        ]    [        ]

Interest Period

   [        ]    [        ]

Is Conn Appliances, Inc. the current Servicer?

   [        ]   

 

Outstanding Note Balance as of Determination Date

   [        ]

Principal Payments to Class A Note Holders for current Payment Date

       [        ]
  

 

Oustanding Note Balance following current Payment Date

   [        ]

Total Interest Payments paid to Class A Noteholders on current Payment Date

   [        ]

Payment Summary of Trust for Current Payment Date

  

Summary of Trust Payments

  

Total Payments paid to Trustee on current Payment Date

   [        ]

Total Payments paid to Back-Up Servicer on current Payment Date

   [        ]

Total Payments paid to successor Servicer on current Payment Date

   [        ]

Total Payments paid Servicer on current Payment Date

   [        ]

Total Payments paid to Class A Noteholders on current Payment Date

   [        ]

Total Payments paid to Servicer Letter of Credit Bank

   [        ]

Total Payments paid to Issuer on current Payment Date

   [        ]
  

 

Total Payments paid on current Payment Date

   [        ]

Collection Account Summary

  

Amount deposited into Finance Charge Collection Account from Collections Account on Series Transfer Date

   [        ]

Amount deposited into Principal Account form Collections Account on Series Transfer Date

   [        ]
  

 

Amounts remaining on desposit in Collections Account

   [        ]

Acitivity During Current Monthly Period

  

Portfolio Summary

  

Outstanding Receivable Balance as of Beginning of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Total principal payments received on accounts

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables

   [        ]

Outstanding Receivables Balance as of End of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Number of Eligible Receivables as of Beginning of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Number of Eligible Receivables that closed account through payment

   [        ]

Number of Eligible Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables

   [        ]

Number of Eligible Receivables as of End of current Monthly Period

   [        ]
  

 

Payments to Collection Accounts

  

Total Principal payments received from customers and deposited into Collections Account

   [        ]

Total Recoveries received and deposited into Collections Account

   [        ]

Total Earned Finance Charges received from customers and deposited into Collection Acocunt

   [        ]

Total any other amounts due to Trust and deposited into Collections Account

   [        ]
  

 

Total payments received and deposited into Collections Account

   [        ]

Defaulted Receivables

  

Number of Accounts that became Defaulted Accounts

   [        ]

Outstanding Receivables Balances that became Defaulted Accounts

   [        ]

Recoveries

  

Principal recoveries received RSA refunds received

   [        ]

Credit insurance refunds received

   [        ]

Sales tax refunds received Total

   [        ]

Recoveries Received

   [        ]
  

 

   [        ]

 

Servicing Agreement

 

A-2-1


Aggregate Net Investor Loss Amount

  

Total Outstanding Receivables Balance that became Defaulted Accounts during current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Total Recoveries received during current Monthly Period

   [        ]
  

 

Aggregate Net Investor Loss Amount for Current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Cash Option Receivables

  

Number of Cash Option Receivable Accounts that exercised Cash Option during current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Aggregate previous Earned Finance Charges of exercised Cash Option Receivables

   [        ]

Installment Receivables

  

Outstanding Receivables Balance of Installment Receivables at beginning of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Receivables Balance of Installments Receivables that paid off outstanding balance

   [        ]

Receivables Balance of Installments Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables

   [        ]
  

 

Outstanding Receivables Balance of Installment Receivables at end of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Number of Installment Receivables at beginning of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Number of Installment Receivables that paid off oustanding balance

   [        ]

Number of Installment Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables

   [        ]
  

 

Number of Installment Receivables at End of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Revolving Receivables

  

Outstanding Receivables Balance of Revolving Receivables at beginning of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Receivables Balance of Revolvings Receivables that paid off outstanding balance

   [        ]

Receivables Balance of Revolvings Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables

   [        ]
  

 

Outstanding Receivables Balance of Revolving Receivables at end of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Number of Revolving Receivables at beginning of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Number of Revolving Accounts that became Defaulted Receivables

   [        ]
  

 

Number of Revolving Receivables at End of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Total Oustanding Receivables Balance at end of Monthly Period

   [        ]

Total Number of Outstanding Receivables Balance at end of Montly Period

   [        ]

Portfolio Characteristics

  

Weighted Average Rate of Eligible Receivables as of End of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Weighted Average Term of Eligible Installment Receivables as of End of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Weighted Average Age of Eligible Receivables as of End of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

% of Eligible Receivables that are Cash Option Receivables as of End of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Delinquency Status

  

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 0 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 1 to 29 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 30 to 59 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 60 to 89 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 90 to 119 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 120 to 159 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 160 to 189 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

Oustanding Receivables Balance that are 190 to 209 days delinquent as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]
  

 

Total Oustanding Receivables Balance as of end of current Monthly Period

   [        ]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Servicer Report as of the [         ] day of [            ], 20 [            ]

CONN APPLIANCES, INC, as Servicer

By:                                                                          

Name:

Title:

Servicing Agreement

 

A-2-2


Exhibit B

Form of Annual Servicer’s Certificate

FORM OF ANNUAL SERVICER’S CERTIFICATE

CONN APPLIANCES, INC.

The undersigned, a duly authorized representative of Conn Appliances, Inc. (“ Conn Appliances ”), as Servicer pursuant to the Servicing Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2012 (the “ Servicing Agreement ”) by and among Conn Appliances, Conn’s Receivables Funding I, LP., as issuer, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), does hereby certify that:

1. Conn Appliances is a Servicer under the Servicing Agreement.

2. The undersigned is duly authorized pursuant to the Servicing Agreement to execute and deliver this certificate to the Trustee.

3. This certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 2.02(e)(ii) of the Servicing Agreement.

4. A review of the activities of the Servicer during (the period from the Closing Date until) (the twelve month period ended)                             , 20            and of its performance under the Servicing Agreement was conducted under my supervision.

5. Based on such review, the Servicer has, to the best of my knowledge, fully performed in all material respects all of its obligations under the Servicing Agreement and each other applicable Transaction Document to which it is a party throughout such period and no default in the performance of such obligations has occurred or is continuing except as set forth in paragraph 6 below.

6. The following is a description of each default in the performance of the Servicer’s obligations under the provisions of the Servicing Agreement and each other applicable Transaction Document to which it is a party, known to me to have been made during such period which sets forth in detail (i) the nature of each such default, (ii) the action taken by the Servicer, if any, to remedy each such default and (iii) the current status of each such default:

[If applicable, insert “None.”]

7. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Servicing Agreement.

[signature page follows]

 

Servicing Agreement

 

B-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this certificate this             day of             ,             .

 

CONN APPLIANCES, INC.,
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

Servicing Agreement

 

B-2


Exhibit C

Form of Credit

and Collection Policy

FORM OF CREDIT AND COLLECTION POLICY

On file with the Servicer

 

Servicing Agreement

 

E-1


Schedule 2.08(i)

Litigation

LITIGATION

None

 

Schedule 208(i)-1

EXHIBIT 12.1

Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended April 30,  
     2012     2011  

Income before income taxes

   $ 18,191      $ 7,182   

Fixed charges

     7,144        10,676   

Capitalized interest

     (20     (12
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total earnings

   $ 25,315      $ 17,846   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense (including capitalized interest)

   $ 3,759      $ 6,810   

Amortized premiums and expenses

     584        747   

Estimated interest within rent expense

     2,801        3,119   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed charges

   $ 7,144      $ 10,676   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     3.54        1.67   

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Theodore M. Wright, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Conn’s, Inc.;

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(s) 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 (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) 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(s) 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 the 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.

/s/ Theodore M. Wright                            

Theodore M. Wright

Chief Executive Officer and President

Date: June 5, 2012

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I, Brian E. Taylor, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Conn’s, Inc.;

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(s) 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 (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) 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(s) 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 the 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.

/s/ Brian E. Taylor                                                 

Brian E. Taylor

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: June 5, 2012

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Conn’s, Inc. (the “ Company ”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 30, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “ Report ”), we, Theodore M. Wright, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and Brian E. Taylor, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of our knowledge:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Theodore M. Wright                                    

Theodore M .Wright

Chief Executive Officer and President

/s/ Brian E. Taylor                                                 

Brian E. Taylor

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Dated: June 5, 2012

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Conn’s, Inc. and will be retained by Conn’s, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.