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EZCORP INC - Annual Report: 2015 (Form 10-K)

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
þ
 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2015
or
o
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File No. 000-19424
EZCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
74-2540145
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
2500 Bee Cave Road, Rollingwood, Texas
 
78746 
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (512) 314-3400
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Class A Non-voting Common Stock, $.01 par value per share
 
The NASDAQ Stock Market
 
 
(NASDAQ Global Select Market)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for 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 þ No o
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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosures of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
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 “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer þ
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
The only class of voting securities of the registrant issued and outstanding is the Class B Voting Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, all of which is owned by an affiliate of the registrant. There is no trading market for the Class B Voting Common Stock. The aggregate market value of the Class A Non-voting Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $493 million, based on the closing price on the NASDAQ Stock Market on March 31, 2015.
As of November 30, 2015, 51,868,607 shares of the registrant’s Class A Non-voting Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and 2,970,171 shares of the registrant’s Class B Voting Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding.
Documents incorporated by reference: None
 
 
 
 
 


Table of Contents

EZCORP, INC.
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
INDEX TO FORM 10-K
Item
Page
No.
No.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Table of Contents

PART I
This report contains forward-looking statements that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. Our actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements because of a number of risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under “Part I, Item 1A — Risk Factors.” We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results, and the differences can be material. See also “Part II, Item 7 — Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Cautionary Statement Regarding Risks and Uncertainties That May Affect Future Results.”
Unless otherwise specified, references to the “company,” “we,” “our,” “us” and “EZCORP” refer to EZCORP, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. References to a “fiscal” year refer to our fiscal year ended September 30 of the specified year. For example, “fiscal 2015” refers to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. All currency amounts preceded with “$” are stated in U.S. dollars, except otherwise indicated.
ITEM 1 — BUSINESS
Overview
EZCORP, Inc. is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Austin, Texas. We are a leading provider of pawn loans in the United States and Mexico and consumer loans in Mexico.
Our vision is to be the market leader in North America, within three years, in responsibly and respectfully meeting our customers’ desire for access to cash when they want it. That vision is supported by four key imperatives:
Market Leading Customer Satisfaction;
Exceptional Staff Engagement;
Attractive Shareholder Returns; and
Most Efficient Provider of Cash.
At our pawn stores (522 in the U.S. and 232 in Mexico), we offer pawn loans, which are non-recourse loans collateralized by tangible property, and we sell merchandise, primarily collateral forfeited from pawn lending operations and used merchandise purchased from customers.
Through our 94%-owned subsidiary, Prestaciones Finmart, S.A.P.I. de C.V., SOFOM, E.N.R. ("Grupo Finmart"), headquartered in Mexico City, we offer unsecured installment loans to employees of various Mexican employers (principally federal, state and local government agencies), which are repaid through payroll deductions. Grupo Finmart has over 100 active payroll withholding agreements (called “convenios”) with Mexican employers, giving it access to over five million potential customers.
In addition to our three core businesses (U.S. Pawn, Mexico Pawn and Grupo Finmart), we operate 27 CASHMAX financial services locations in Canada and we own 32% of Cash Converters International Limited (“Cash Converters International”), based in Australia, which franchises and operates a worldwide network of over 700 locations that provide financial services and also buy and sell second-hand goods.
During fiscal 2015, we announced and implemented a plan to exit our U.S. Financial Services business (“USFS”), ceasing all payday, installment and auto title lending in the U.S. As a result, our USFS operations have been included as discontinued operations. For additional information about our discontinued operations and restructuring plans, see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

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Revenue for fiscal 2015 was comprised of the following:

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Segment and Geographic Information
Our business consists of four reportable segments: “U.S. Pawn,” which includes our EZPAWN, Value Pawn & Jewelry and other branded pawn operations in the United States; “Mexico Pawn,” which includes our Empeño Fácil pawn operations and Cash Converters buy/sell store operations in Mexico; “Grupo Finmart,” which includes our Crediamigo and Adex payroll withholding loan operations in Mexico; and “Other International,” which includes our CASHMAX financial services operations in Canada and our equity interest in the net income (loss) of Cash Converters International. The following tables present store data by segment:
 
Company-owned Stores*
 
 
 
U.S. Pawn
 
Mexico Pawn
 
Grupo Finmart
 
Other International
 
Consolidated
 
Franchises
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of September 30, 2012
477

 
230

 
45

 
68

 
820

 
10

New locations opened
14

 
66

 
7

 
1

 
88

 

Locations acquired
12

 
20

 
6

 

 
38

 

Locations sold, combined or closed

 
(1
)
 
(4
)
 
(1
)
 
(6
)
 
(2
)
Discontinued operations**
(1
)
 
(57
)
 

 
(29
)
 
(87
)
 

As of September 30, 2013
502

 
258

 
54

 
39

 
853

 
8

New locations opened
9

 
3

 

 

 
12

 

Locations sold, combined or closed
(7
)
 

 
(1
)
 

 
(8
)
 
(3
)
As of September 30, 2014
504

 
261

 
53

 
39

 
857

 
5

New locations opened
5

 
3

 

 

 
8

 

Locations acquired
25

 

 

 

 
25

 

Locations sold, combined or closed
(12
)
 
(32
)
 

 
(12
)
 
(56
)
 
(4
)
As of September 30, 2015
522

 
232

 
53

 
27

 
834

 
1

*
USFS stores are excluded from presentation.
**
During the third quarter of fiscal 2013, we implemented a plan to close 87 legacy stores in a variety of locations. These stores were generally older, smaller stores that did not fit our future growth profile.
For additional information about our discontinued operations, see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
For additional information about our segments and geographic areas, see Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Pawn Activities
At our North American pawn stores, we offer secured loans, which are typically small, non-recourse loans collateralized by tangible personal property. As of September 30, 2015, we had a closing pawn loan principal balance of $160.0 million. We earn pawn service charge revenue on our pawn loans. In fiscal 2015, pawn service charges accounted for approximately 31% of our total revenues and 56% of our net revenues.
While allowable service charges vary by state and loan size, our United States pawn loans primarily earn 18% to 25% per month. The total United States pawn loan term ranges between 30 and 120 days, with an additional grace period up to 90 days. Individual loans vary depending on the valuation of each item pawned, but United States pawn loans made typically average approximately $100 to $120.
In Mexico, pawn loans earn 15% to 21% per month. The Mexico pawn loan primary term is 30 days, with an additional grace period up to 10 days. Individual loans are made in Mexican pesos and vary depending on the valuation of each item pawned, but Mexico pawn loans typically average approximately $1,000 Mexican pesos, or approximately $66 using the average exchange rate for fiscal 2015.
Collateral for our pawn loans consists of tangible personal property, generally jewelry, consumer electronics, power tools, sporting goods and musical instruments. Security for our pawn loans is provided via the estimated resale value of the collateral and the perceived probability of the loan’s redemption. We generally lend from 40% to 80% of the collateral’s estimated resale value depending on an evaluation of these factors.

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If a customer does not repay, renew or extend a loan, the collateral is forfeited and becomes inventory available for sale. We do not record loan losses or charge-offs of pawn loans because the principal amount of an unpaid loan becomes the inventory carrying cost of the forfeited collateral. If the subsequent sale of the forfeited collateral is less than the loan value, this is reflected in gross margin.
The following table presents our pawn loan redemption rates by segment:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Pawn loan redemption rate
84
%
 
83
%
 
83
%
Mexico Pawn loan redemption rate
77
%
 
77
%
 
75
%
Our ability to offer quality second-hand and refurbished goods at prices significantly lower than original retail prices attracts value-conscious customers. The gross profit on sales of inventory depends primarily on our assessment of the loan or purchase value at the time the property is either accepted as loan collateral or purchased. As over half of our inventory and sales involve gold and jewelry, our results can be heavily influenced by the market price of gold.
Customers may purchase a product protection plan that allows them to return or exchange certain general merchandise (non-jewelry) sold through our retail pawn operations within three to six months of purchase. We recognize the fees for this service as revenue ratably over the three to six month period of the plan.
Our inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market. We record a valuation allowance for obsolete or slow-moving inventory based on the type and age of merchandise. We generally establish a higher allowance percentage on general merchandise, as it is more susceptible to obsolescence, and establish a lower allowance percentage on jewelry, as it retains much greater commodity value. The total allowance was 5.4% of gross inventory as of September 30, 2015 compared to 10.4% as of September 30, 2014 due to the lower levels of aged inventory outstanding at the end of fiscal 2015.
Payroll Withholding Loans
In Mexico, Grupo Finmart offers payroll withholding loans or unsecured consumer loans. Grupo Finmart enters into payroll withholding agreements (called “convenios”) with Mexican employers, primarily federal, state and local governments and agencies, and provides unsecured installment consumer loans to the employees of the various employers. Interest and principal payments are collected through payroll deductions. The average loan is approximately MXP 19,000 to MXP 23,000 (approximately $1,300 to $1,500 using the average exchange rate for fiscal 2015), with a stated term of 30 months. Stated interest rates approximate 74% annually.
Other
We also operate financial services stores in Canada under the CASHMAX brand, all located in the Ontario province. These small footprint locations offer payday loan services.
Operations
Our pawn operations structure is built to provide the maximum level of support to the store team, providing coaching, mentoring and problem solving to identify opportunities to better serve our customers and position us to be the leader in customer service and satisfaction.
Our payroll withholding lending business in Mexico operates using a network of low-cost branch offices dedicated to making loans to employees of government agencies and other employers with whom Grupo Finmart has processing and withholding agreements in place. We had 53 such offices in operation as of September 30, 2015. A centralized corporate office provides the lending approval function, processing of loans and repayments, collections, sales support and other administrative functions. Sales professionals are commission-based, with earnings tied to loans originated. All loan requests are approved or declined through the centralized credit process. Grupo Finmart also utilizes a network of brokers to augment the sales force.
Our asset protection and compliance departments monitor the inventory system, lending practices, regulatory compliance and compliance with our policies and procedures. We perform full physical audits of active inventory and pawn collateral at each store on an annual basis. Cycle counts are completed daily for jewelry and firearms, and targeted high risk inventory categories are cycle counted multiple times annually. We record shrink adjustments for known losses at the conclusion of the annual full physical audit and as estimates during interim periods, and as discovered during cycle counts. Asset protection monitors all shrink adjustments for exceptions.

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Our success is dependent upon our team members’ ability to provide prompt and courteous customer service and to execute our operating procedures and standards. To achieve our long-range personnel goals, we offer a structured career development program for all of our field team members. This program includes computer-based training, formal structured classroom training and supervised on-the-job training. All store team members, including managers, must meet certain competency criteria prior to hire or promotion and participate in on-going training classes and formal instructional programs. Our career development program develops and advances our employees and provides training for the efficient integration of experienced managers and team members from outside the company.
Seasonality and Quarterly Results
Historically, pawn service charges are highest in our fourth fiscal quarter (July through September) due to a higher average loan balance during the summer lending season. Merchandise sales are highest in the first and second fiscal quarters (October through March) due to the holiday season with jewelry sales surrounding Valentine’s Day and additionally impacted by tax refunds in the United States.
Growth and Expansion
We plan to expand the number of locations we operate primarily through acquisitions and the opening of de novo locations. We continually evaluate and test new products and formats, which may result in expansion opportunities or strategic investments.
Our ability to add new stores is dependent on several variables, such as the availability of acquisition candidates at a realistic price or acceptable sites, the regulatory environment, local zoning ordinances, access to capital and the availability of qualified personnel.
Acquisitions
For information about our acquisitions, see Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
International Growth
We intend to open new stores as well as pursue acquisitions in our Mexican pawn business, but will adjust growth from time-to-time to conform to near-term market conditions. The Mexican pawn environment has mirrored the United States pawn environment as gold prices have dropped and the industry has seen a shift from gold and jewelry pawn activity to general merchandise pawn activity. Given that we have a bias towards general merchandise, we believe this structural shift will be beneficial to the business.
We anticipate Grupo Finmart will continue to sign new convenios with federal, state and local governments, as well as further penetrate its existing convenios. As of September 30, 2015, Grupo Finmart had over 100 active convenios, and the lending penetration into the existing convenios was approximately 4%, which indicates further growth opportunities.
Competition
We encounter significant competition in connection with all of our activities. These competitive conditions may have an impact on our revenues, profitability and ability to expand. We compete with other pawn stores, credit service organizations, banks, credit unions and other financial institutions, such as consumer finance companies. We believe that the primary elements of competition are the quality of customer service and relationship management, convenience, store location and a customer friendly environment. In addition, we believe the ability to compete effectively will be based increasingly on strong general management, regional focus, automated management information systems, access to capital and superior customer service.
Our competitors for merchandise sales include numerous retail and wholesale stores, such as jewelry stores, discount retail stores, consumer electronics stores, other pawn stores, other resale stores, electronic commerce retailers and auction sites. Competitive factors in our retail operations include the ability to provide the customer with a variety of merchandise at an exceptional value and convenience coupled with exceptional customer service.
The pawn industry in the United States is large and highly fragmented. The industry consists of pawn stores owned primarily by independent operators who own one to three locations, and the industry is relatively mature. We are the second largest public operator of pawn stores in the United States.
The pawn industry in Mexico is also fragmented, but less so than in the United States. The industry consists of pawn stores owned by independent operators and chains, including some not-for-profit organizations. The pawn industry, particularly full-

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line stores offering general merchandise and jewelry loans and resale, remains in more of an expansion stage in Mexico than in the United States due to the shift in focus to general merchandise.
The unsecured payroll lending industry in Mexico is marketed to public sector employees, who on average earn more and rotate less frequently than their private sector peers. Additionally, government entities tend to be more stable and on average have more employees than private companies.
Trademarks and Trade Names
We operate our U.S. pawn stores principally under the names “EZPAWN” or “Value Pawn” and the Mexico pawn stores under the name “EMPEÑO FÁCIL.” In Mexico, we offer payroll withholding loans under the names “Crediamigo” and “Adex." Our financial services stores in Canada operate under the name “CASHMAX.” We have a few stores in Mexico that operate under the name “Cash Converters.” We have registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office the names EZPAWN and EZCORP, among others. We hold a trademark in Mexico for the name “EMPEÑO FÁCIL.”
Regulation
Compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations is an integral part of how we manage our business, and we conduct our business in material compliance with all of these rules. The following is a general description of significant regulations affecting our business. For a geographic breakdown of our operating locations, see “Part I, Item 2 — Properties.”
U.S. Regulations
Pawn Regulations — Our pawn stores are regulated by the states in which they are located and, in some cases, by individual municipalities or other local authorities. The applicable statutes, ordinances and regulations vary from location to location and typically impose licensing requirements for pawn stores or individual pawn store employees. Licensing requirements typically relate to financial responsibility and character, and may establish restrictions on where pawn stores can operate. Additional rules regulate various aspects of the day-to-day pawn operations, including the pawn service charges that a pawn store may charge, the maximum amount of a pawn loan, the minimum or maximum term of a pawn loan, the content and format of the pawn ticket and the length of time after a loan default that a pawn store must hold a pawned item before it can be offered for sale. Failure to observe applicable regulations could result in a revocation or suspension of pawn licenses, the imposition of fines or requirements to refund service charges and fees, and other civil or criminal penalties. We must also comply with various federal requirements regarding the disclosure of the annual percentage rate, finance charge, amount financed, total of payments and payment schedule related to each pawn loan transaction. Additional federal regulations applicable to our pawn lending business are described in “Other Regulations” below.
A number of our pawn stores, voluntarily or pursuant to applicable laws, provide periodic (generally daily) reports to local law enforcement agencies. These reports provide local law enforcement with information about the items received from customers (whether through pawn or purchase), including a detailed description of the goods involved and the name and address of the customer. If we accept as collateral or purchase merchandise from a customer and it is determined that our customer was not the rightful owner, the merchandise is subject to recovery by the rightful owner and those losses are included in our shrinkage. Historically, we have not experienced a material number of claims of this nature.
Some of our pawn stores in the U.S. handle firearms and each of those stores maintain a federal firearms license as required by federal law. The federal Gun Control Act of 1968 and regulations issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms also require each pawn store dealing in firearms to maintain a permanent written record of all receipts and dispositions of firearms. In addition, we must comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which requires us to conduct a background check before releasing, selling or otherwise disposing of firearms.
Other Regulations — Our pawn lending activities are subject to other state and federal statutes and regulations, including the following:
We are subject to the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and its underlying regulations, as well as various state laws and regulations relating to privacy and data security. Under these regulations, we are required to disclose to our customers our policies and practices relating to the protection and sharing of customers’ nonpublic personal information. These regulations also require us to ensure that our systems are designed to protect the confidentiality of customers’ nonpublic personal information, and many of these regulations dictate certain actions that we must take to notify customers if their personal information is disclosed in an unauthorized manner. We are subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which was enacted, in part, to address privacy concerns associated with the sharing of consumers’ financial information and credit history contained in consumer credit reports and limits our ability to share certain consumer report information. We are subject to the Federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, which amended

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the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and requires us to adopt written guidance and procedures for detecting, preventing and mitigating identity theft, and to adopt various policies and procedures (including employee training) that address and aid in detecting and responding to suspicious activity or identify theft “red flags.”
Under the USA PATRIOT Act, we must maintain an anti-money laundering compliance program that includes the development of internal policies, procedures and controls; the designation of a compliance officer; an ongoing employee training program; and an independent audit function to test the program.
We are also subject to the Bank Secrecy Act and its underlying regulations, which require us to report and maintain records of certain high-dollar transactions. In addition, federal laws and regulations prohibit us from doing business with terrorists and require us to report certain suspicious transactions to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Treasury Department (“FinCen”). Generally, a transaction is considered to be suspicious if we know, suspect or have reason to suspect that the transaction (a) involves funds derived from illegal activity or is intended to hide or disguise such funds, (b) is designed to evade the requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act or (c) appears to serve no legitimate business or lawful purpose.
Mexico Pawn Regulations
Federal Regulation — Federal law in Mexico provides for administrative regulation of the pawnshop industry by Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (PROFECO), Mexico’s primary federal consumer protection agency. PROFECO regulates the form and terms of pawn loan contracts (but not interest or service charge rates) and defines certain operating standards and procedures for pawnshops, including retail operations, and establishes registration, disclosure, bonding and reporting requirements. There are significant fines and sanctions, including operating suspensions, for failure to comply with PROFECO’s rules and regulations. We believe that we comply with the rules and regulations, as currently administered, and believe that when fully implemented, the PROFECO registration requirements should have limited impact on our operations or profitability.
PROFECO requires that we report certain transactions (or series of transactions) that exceed certain monetary limits. Anti-money laundering regulations restrict the use of cash in certain transactions. Relevant aspects of the law specifically affecting the pawn industry include monthly reporting on “vulnerable activities,” which includes certain high-value pawn and precious metal transactions.
The Federal Personal Information Protection Law requires us to protect our customers’ personal information. Specifically, the law requires us to inform customers if we share customer personal information with third parties and to post (both on-line and in-store) our privacy policy.
State and Local Regulation — Our pawn business in Mexico is also subject to regulation at the state and local level through state laws and local zoning and permitting ordinances. For example, some states require permits for pawn stores to operate, certification of employees as trained in the valuation of merchandise, and strict customer identification controls. State and local agencies often have authority to suspend store operations pending resolution of actual or alleged regulatory, licensing and permitting issues.
General Regulation — In addition to the above, our pawn business in Mexico is subject to various general business regulations in the areas of tax compliance, customs, consumer protections, money laundering, public safety and employment matters, among others, by various federal, state and local governmental agencies.
Mexico Financial Services Regulations
Our Grupo Finmart operations are primarily regulated by the General Law of Auxiliary Credit Organizations and Credit Activities (Ley General de Organizaciones y Actividades Auxiliares del Crédito), certain regulations of the Banco de México, the Law for the Protection and Defense of Financial Service Users (Ley de Protección y Defensa al Usuario de Servicios Financieros), the Law for the Transparency and Ordering of Financial Services (Ley para la Transparencia y Ordenamiento de los Servicios Financieros), regulations issued by the National Commission for the Protection of the Users of Financial Services (Comisión Nacional para la Defensa de los Usuarios de los Servicios Financieros or “CONDUSEF”), General Provisions in Terms of Transparency Applicable to Multiple Purpose Financial Institutions, Non-Regulated Entities (Disposiciones de Carácter General en Materia de Transparencia Aplicables a las Sociedades Financerieras de Objeto Múltiple, Entidades No Reguladas) and the General Provisions Applicable to Credit Institutions, Exchange Houses, Credit Unions, Limited Purpose Financial Institutions and Regulated Multiple Purpose Financial Institutions (Disposiciones de Carácter General Aplicables a las Organizaciones Auxiliares del Crédito, Casas de Cambio, Uniones de Crédito, Sociedades Financieras de Objeto Limitado y Sociedades Financieras de Objeto Múltiple Reguladas), as well as other regulations issued by the National Banking and Securities Commission (La Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores or “CNBV”).

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General Law of Auxiliary Credit Organizations and Credit Activities — As a Non-Regulated SOFOM, Grupo Finmart is not subject to the supervision of the CNBV, except with respect to provisions related to money laundering.
Law for the Protection and Defense of Financial Service Users — The purpose of this law is to protect and defend the rights and interests of users of financial services. To this end, the law provides for the creation of CONDUSEF, an autonomous entity that protects the interests of users of financial services. CONDUSEF acts as arbitrator with respect to disputes submitted to its jurisdiction and seeks to promote better relationships among users of financial institutions and the financial institutions. As a SOFOM, Grupo Finmart must submit to CONDUSEF’s jurisdiction in all conciliation proceedings and may choose to submit to CONDUSEF’s jurisdiction in all arbitration proceedings that may be brought before it. We may be required to provide reserves against contingencies that could arise from proceedings pending before CONDUSEF. We may also be subject to recommendations by CONDUSEF regarding our adhesion agreements or information used to provide our services. We may be subject to coercive measures or sanctions imposed by CONDUSEF.
The Law for the Protection and Defense of Financial Service Users requires non-regulated SOFOMs, such as Grupo Finmart, to maintain an internal unit designated to resolve any and all controversies submitted by customers. Grupo Finmart maintains such a unit. CONDUSEF also maintains a Registry of Financial Service Providers that assists CONDUSEF in the performance of its activities. CONDUSEF is required to publicly disclose the products and services offered by financial service providers, including interest rates. To satisfy this duty, CONDUSEF has wide authority to request any and all necessary information from financial institutions. All SOFOMs are required to register their forms of adhesion agreements with CONDUSEF. All of our standard forms of agreement have been registered before CONDUSEF.
Law for the Transparency and Ordering of Financial Services — The purpose of this law is to regulate certain fees and other aspects related to financial services in an effort to make financial services more transparent and to protect the interests of the users of such services.
General Provisions in Terms of Transparency Applicable to Multiple Purpose Financial Institutions, Non-Regulated Entities — The purpose of this law is to regulate the contract with customers, account statements and advertising.
Law for the Protection of Personal Data — The purpose of this law is to protect personal data and to enforce processing of personal data in order to ensure privacy and the right to consent with respect to the use of protected information.
Money Laundering Regulations — Mexico’s current anti-money laundering rules impose various requirements, including:
The establishment and implementation of procedures and policies, including client identification and know-your-customer policies, to prevent and detect actions, omissions or transactions that might favor, assist or cooperate in any manner with terrorism or money laundering activities;
Implementing procedures for detecting relevant, unusual and internal suspicious transactions;
Reporting of relevant, unusual and internal suspicious transactions to the CNBV and the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit;
The establishment of a communication and control committee (which, in turn, must appoint a compliance officer) in charge of, among other matters, supervising compliance with anti-money laundering provisions; and
Certain audit, training and reporting requirements.
Under the anti-money laundering rules, we must provide to the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, through the CNBV, (i) quarterly reports with respect to transactions equal to, or exceeding, $10,000, (ii) monthly reports with respect to international funds transfers, received or sent by a client, with respect to transactions equal to, or exceeding, $10,000, (iii) reports of unusual transactions and (iv) periodic reports of suspicious transactions.
In connection with Mexico’s efforts against drug-trafficking organizations, the Mexican government recently announced several measures to further curtail money laundering. These measures are yet to be implemented but are expected to include (i) restricting transactions involving automobiles, real estate, jewelry and other highly-priced assets with cash, (ii) requiring certain persons to disclose transactions, such as gambling outlets, grantors of any types of loans, real estate and automobile agencies, jewelers, lawyers and accountants, carriers of cash and securities and art

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galleries, and (iii) modifying applicable laws to avoid the use of nominees and increase access to information by Mexican authorities.
Regulations Associated with Discontinued Businesses
In general, the regulatory burden on consumer financial services businesses has increased significantly in the last few years at the national, state and local levels. For example, some aspects of the business have been specifically prohibited in certain jurisdictions; the economic terms of products and services have been restricted in some jurisdictions; and new regulatory oversight bodies have been created or assumed jurisdiction, which in some cases have taken a more active and stringent regulatory approach to our industry. As a result, compliance costs have increased; the risk of regulatory inquiries, audits and fines or other penalties have increased; and we have chosen to exit substantially all of our payday, installment and auto title lending businesses (including our U.S. Financial Services business in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 and our online lending operations in the U.S. and U.K. in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014).
These businesses were also subject to a variety of U.S. federal regulations generally governing consumer financial services, such as the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, Warner National Defense Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, the Bank Secrecy Act - USA Patriot Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act (including prohibitions against potentially unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices), the Truth-in-Lending Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 and the CAN SPAM Act.
Available Information
We maintain an Internet website at www.ezcorp.com. All of our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and Section 16 filings, are accessible, free of charge, through the Investor Relations section of our website as soon as reasonably practicable after electronic filing. The public may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this report.
ITEM 1A — RISK FACTORS
There are many risks and uncertainties that may affect our operations, performance, development and results. Many of these risks are beyond our control. The following is a description of the important risk factors that may affect our business. If any of these risks were to actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently consider to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We have restated prior consolidated financial statements, which may lead to additional risks and uncertainties, including loss of investor confidence and negative impacts on our stock price.
We have restated our consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (including the quarterly periods within those years, other than the first quarter of fiscal 2012) and for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 in order to correct certain accounting errors related to our Grupo Finmart loan portfolio (the “Restatement”). For a description of the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting identified by management in connection with the Restatement and management’s plan to remediate those material weaknesses, see “Part II, Item 9A — Controls and Procedures.”
As a result of the Restatement and the circumstances giving rise to the Restatement, we have become subject to a number of additional costs and risks, including (a) accounting and legal fees incurred in connection with the Restatement and (b) legal fees, and possibly substantial damages or settlement costs, in connection with related stockholder litigation (as described in “Federal Securities Litigation” in Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”). In addition, the Restatement may lead to a loss of investor confidence and have negative impacts on the trading price of our common stock.
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting that, if not remediated, could result in additional material misstatements in our financial statements.
As described in “Part II, Item 9A — Controls and Procedures,” in connection with the Restatement, management identified control deficiencies that, collectively, represent material weaknesses (which had not been remediated as of September 30, 2015). In addition, in connection with the preparation of this Report, management identified other control deficiencies that,

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collectively, represent an additional material weakness. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. As a result of the identified material weaknesses, management has concluded that we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2015. See “Part II, Item 9A — Controls and Procedures.”
We are developing and implementing a remediation plan to address the material weaknesses. If our remediation efforts are insufficient or if additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting are discovered or occur in the future, our consolidated financial statements may contain material misstatements and we could be required to restate our financial results, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, restrict our ability to access the capital markets, require us to expend significant resources to correct the material weakness, subject us to fines, penalties or judgments, harm our reputation or otherwise cause a decline in investor confidence.
Changes in laws and regulations affecting our products and services could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial performance.
Our products and services are subject to extensive regulation under various federal, state and local laws and regulations. Adverse legislation or regulations could be adopted in any country, state or municipality in which we operate. If such legislation or regulation is adopted in any particular jurisdiction, we generally evaluate our business in the context of the new rules and determine whether we can continue to operate in that jurisdiction with new or modified products or whether it is feasible to enhance our business with additional product offerings. In any case, if we are unable to continue to operate profitably under the new rules, we may decide to close or consolidate stores, resulting in decreased revenues, earnings and assets. For example, the U.S. Department of Defense recently issued a final rule that expands certain protections under the Military Lending Act (MLA) to a wider range of credit products, including pawn loans. As a result, effective October 2016, pawn loans to active duty service members and their dependents will be subject to a 36% APR rate cap.
Litigation and regulatory proceedings could have a material adverse impact on our business.
We are currently subject to various litigation and regulatory actions, including those described in Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” These matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and unfavorable rulings could occur. An unfavorable ruling could include monetary damages or an injunction prohibiting us from conducting our business as we currently do. Any unfavorable ruling or outcome could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and could negatively affect our reputation.
We have procured management liability insurance policies that should protect us from much of the potential exposure related to the shareholder derivative litigation and the federal securities litigation described in Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” However, under the terms of those policies, we bear the first $1 million of costs or liability associated with each claim. Consequently, our results of operations will be adversely affected by the current litigation until we exhaust the retention under our management liability insurance policies. In addition, to the extent that our ultimate liability in the current litigation or any subsequent litigation that is included in the same policy year exceeds the management liability policy limits, our results of operations could be adversely affected.
One person beneficially owns all of our voting stock and controls the outcome of all matters requiring a vote of stockholders, which may influence the value of our publicly-traded non-voting stock.
Phillip E. Cohen is the beneficial owner of all of our Class B Voting Common Stock. As a result of his equity ownership stake, Mr. Cohen controls the outcome of all issues requiring a vote of stockholders and has the ability to appoint or remove directors who control our policies and operations. All of our publicly-traded stock is non-voting stock. Consequently, stockholders other than Mr. Cohen have no vote with respect to the election of directors or any other matter requiring a vote of stockholders except as required by law. This lack of voting rights may adversely affect the market value of our publicly-traded Class A Non-Voting Common Stock.
In July 2014, the sole voting stockholder made changes to the Company’s Bylaws that generally restructure certain aspects of the Company’s corporate governance. Those changes, which are described in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 18, 2014, permit the voting stockholders to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors and appoint and remove the Chairman of the Board and officers of the Company; provide that the presence of 100% of the directors is necessary to constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board; and provide that the affirmative vote of 100% of the directors is necessary to approve any resolution of the Board.

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A significant portion of our business is concentrated in Texas.
As of September 30, 2015, a significant portion of our U.S. pawn stores were located in Texas, and those stores account for a significant portion of our revenues and profitability. The legislative, regulatory and general business environment in Texas has been relatively favorable for our pawn business activities, but a negative legislative or regulatory change in Texas could have a material adverse effect on our overall operations and financial performance.
A significant or sudden decrease in gold values or the volume of gold transactions may have a material impact on our earnings and financial position.
Gold jewelry comprises a large portion of the collateral security for our pawn loans and our inventory. Pawn service charges, sales proceeds and our ability to liquidate excess jewelry inventory at an acceptable margin are dependent upon gold values and the volume of gold transactions. A decline in the availability of gold or our customers’ willingness or ability to sell us gold or use gold as collateral for pawn loans could impact our business. Over the fiscal 2013 to 2015 periods, we experienced a significant softening of gold prices and volumes, which had a negative impact on our profitability. The impact on our financial position and results of operations of a continued decrease in gold values or volumes or a change in customer behavior cannot be reasonably estimated because the market and customer response to changes in gold values is not known; however, a significant decline in gold values or gold volumes could result in decreases in sales, sales margins and pawn service charge revenues.
A significant change in foreign currency exchange rates could have a material adverse impact on our earnings and financial position.
We have foreign operations in Mexico and Canada and an equity investment in Australia. Our assets and investments in, and earnings and dividends from, each of these must be translated to U.S. dollars from their respective functional currencies. A significant weakening of any of these foreign currencies could result in lower assets and earnings in U.S. dollars, resulting in a potentially material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In part, achievement of our growth objectives is dependent upon our ability to open and acquire new stores.
Our expansion strategy includes acquiring existing stores and opening de novo store locations. Our acquisition strategy is dependent upon the availability of attractive acquisition candidates, while the success of our de novo store strategy is contingent upon numerous factors that cannot be predicted or controlled, such as the availability of acceptable locations with a desirable customer base, the negotiation of acceptable lease terms, the ability to obtain required government permits and licenses and the existence of a suitable competitive environment. The achievement of our growth objectives is also subject to our ability to attract, train and retain qualified team members. Failure to achieve our expansion goals could adversely affect our prospects and future results of operations.
Changes in the business, regulatory or political climate in Mexico could adversely affect our operations there, which could adversely affect our growth plans.
Our growth plans include potential expansion in Mexico. Changes in the business, regulatory or political climate in Mexico, or significant fluctuations in currency exchange rates, could affect our ability to expand or continue our operations there, which could have a material adverse impact on our prospects, results of operations and cash flows.
Fluctuations in our sales, pawn loan balances, sales margins and pawn redemption rates could have a material adverse impact on our operating results.
We regularly experience fluctuations in a variety of operating metrics. Changes in any of these metrics, as might be caused by changes in the economic environment, competitive pressures, changes in customers’ tastes and preferences or a significant decrease in gold prices could materially and adversely affect our profitability and ability to achieve our planned results of operations.
Changes in our liquidity and capital requirements or in banks’ abilities or willingness to lend to us could limit our ability to achieve our plans.
A significant reduction in cash flows from operations or the availability of credit could materially and adversely affect our ability to achieve our planned growth and operating results. During fiscal 2014, we completed the sale of $230 million principal amount of 2.125% Cash Convertible Senior Notes Due 2019 and used the proceeds to, among other things, pay all outstanding amounts under, and terminate, our revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks. Our ability to obtain additional credit or alternative financing, if needed, will depend upon market conditions, our financial condition and banks’ or other lenders’ willingness to lend capital at acceptable rates. The inability to access capital at acceptable rates and terms could restrict or limit our ability to achieve our growth objectives, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

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Changes in competition from various sources could have a material adverse impact on our ability to achieve our plans.
We encounter significant competition from other pawn stores, other consumer lending companies and other retailers, many of which have significantly greater financial resources than we do. Increases in the number or size of competitors or other changes in competitive influences could adversely affect our operations.
Infrastructure failures and breaches in data security could harm our business.
We depend on our information technology infrastructure to achieve our business objectives. If a problem, such as a computer virus, intentional disruption by a third party, natural disaster, telecommunications system failure or lost connectivity impairs our infrastructure, we may be unable to process transactions or otherwise carry on our business. An infrastructure disruption could damage our reputation and cause us to lose customers and revenue, result in the unintentional disclosure of company or customer information and require us to incur significant expense to eliminate these problems and address related data security concerns.
We invest in companies for strategic reasons and may not realize a return on our investments.
We currently have a significant investment in Cash Converters International Limited, which is a publicly-traded company based in Australia. We have made this investment, and may in the future make additional investments in this or other companies, to further our strategic objectives. The success of these strategic investments is dependent on a variety of factors, including the business performance of the companies in which we invest and the market’s assessment of that performance. If the business performance of any of these companies suffers, then the value of our investment may decline. If we determine that an other-than-temporary decline in the fair value exists for one of our equity investments, we will be required to write down that investment to its fair value and recognize the related write-down as an investment loss. Any realized investment loss would adversely affect our results of operations. We wrote down a portion of our investment in Cash Converters International Limited during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplemental Data.”
We may incur property, casualty or other losses not covered by insurance.
We maintain a program of insurance coverage for various types of property, casualty and other risks. The types and amounts of insurance that we obtain vary from time to time, depending on availability, cost and our decisions with respect to risk retention. The policies are subject to deductibles and exclusions that result in our retention of a level of risk on a self-insurance basis. Losses not covered by insurance could be substantial and may increase our expenses, which could harm our results of operations and financial condition.
Our acquisitions, investments and other transactions could disrupt our ongoing business and harm our results of operations.
In pursuing our business strategy, we routinely conduct discussions, evaluate opportunities and enter into agreements regarding possible acquisitions, investments and other transactions. These transactions may involve significant challenges and risks, including risks that we may not realize the expected return on an acquisition or investment, that we may not be able to retain key personnel of an acquired business, or that we may experience difficulty in integrating acquired businesses into our business systems and processes. If we do enter into agreements with respect to acquisitions, investments or other transactions, we may fail to complete them due to inability to obtain required regulatory or other approvals or other factors. Furthermore, acquisitions, investments and other transactions require substantial management resources and have the potential to divert our attention from our existing business. These factors could harm our business and results of operations.
We could be subject to changes in tax rates, the adoption of new tax laws in the U.S. or other countries, or exposure to additional tax liabilities.
We are subject to taxes in the U.S. and several foreign jurisdictions. Current economic and political conditions make tax rates in any of these jurisdictions subject to significant change. Our future effective tax rates could be affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities or changes in tax laws or their interpretation.
Events beyond our control could result in business interruption or other adverse effects on our operations and growth.
Our business or operations could be subject to interruption or damage due to inclement weather, natural disaster, power loss, acts of violence, terrorist attacks, war or similar events. Such events could impair our customers' access to our business, impact our ability to expand or continue our operations or otherwise have an adverse effect on our financial condition.

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Our Mexican payroll withholding business is highly dependent on the relationships that we build and sustain with state and local governments and labor unions.
Grupo Finmart and its brokers promote our payroll loan products through public-sector employers in governmental agencies across Mexico. If we are not able to maintain relationships with these entities or increase our distribution network through new relationships with other federal, state and local governments or labor unions, our ability to originate new payroll loans could be diminished, which would reduce the size of our payroll withholding lending loan portfolio. In addition, despite contractual arrangements which provide that the payroll counterparty will continue to deduct payments even if our relationship with that entity is terminated, the credit risk of our existing payroll loan portfolio could increase because payroll deduction payments on existing payroll loans could be disrupted, whether due to our severing a relationship with a broker or otherwise.
Goodwill comprises a significant portion of our total assets. We assess goodwill for impairment at least annually, which could result in a material, non-cash write-down and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial conditions.
The carrying value of our goodwill was $327.5 million, or approximately 27% of our total assets, as of September 30, 2015. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350-20-35 Goodwill — Subsequent Measurement, we test goodwill and intangible assets with an indefinite useful life for potential impairment annually, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, a change in strategic direction, legal factors, operating performance indicators, a change in the competitive environment, the sale or disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit, or future economic factors such as unfavorable changes in the estimated future discounted cash flows of our reporting units. Our annual goodwill impairment test is performed in the fourth quarter utilizing the income approach. This approach uses future cash flows and estimated terminal values for each of our reporting units (discounted using a market participant perspective) to determine the fair value of each reporting unit, which is then compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit to determine if there is an impairment. The income approach includes assumptions about revenue growth rates, operating margins and terminal growth rates discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital derived from other publicly-traded companies that are similar but not identical from an operational and economic standpoint. See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for a discussion of the impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets during fiscal 2015.
If our estimates of allowance for loan losses are not adequate to absorb losses, our results of operations and financial condition may be negatively affected.
We maintain an allowance for loan losses for estimated probable losses, as described under “Bad Debt and Allowance for Losses” in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in "Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” As of September 30, 2015, our aggregate reserve and allowance for losses on loans was $65.0 million. See Note 20 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” The amount of reserves and allowances is based on our current assessment of and expectations concerning various factors affecting the quality of our loan portfolio. These factors include, among other things, our borrowers’ financial condition, repayment abilities and repayment intentions. This reserve, however, is an estimate, and if actual losses are greater than our reserve and allowance, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
We may be exposed to liabilities under applicable anti-corruption laws, and any determination that we violated these laws could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We are subject to various anti-corruption laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We have business in countries and regions that are less developed and are generally recognized as potentially more corrupt business environments. Our activities in these countries create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by one of our employees or agents that could be in violation of various anti-corruption laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the "FCPA"). We have implemented safeguards and policies to discourage these practices by our employees and agents. However, our existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective, and our employees or agents may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible. If employees violate our policies or we fail to maintain adequate record-keeping and internal accounting practices to accurately record our transactions, we may be subject to regulatory sanctions. Violations of the FCPA or other anti-corruption laws may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions and penalties, and we may be subject to other liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We face other risks discussed under "Part II, Item 7A — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk."

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ITEM 1B — UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

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ITEM 2 — PROPERTIES
Our typical pawn store is a freestanding building or part of a retail strip center with contiguous parking. Store interiors are designed to resemble small retail operations and attractively display merchandise by category. Distinctive exterior design and attractive in-store signage provide an appealing atmosphere to customers. We maintain property and general liability insurance for each of our stores. Our stores are open six or seven days a week.
We lease all of our locations, and generally lease facilities for a term of three to ten years with one or more renewal options. Our existing leases expire on dates ranging between October 2015 and February 2030, with a small number of leases on month-to-month terms. All leases provide for specified periodic rental payments at market rates. Most leases require us to maintain the property and pay the cost of insurance and taxes. We believe the termination of any one of our leases would not have a material adverse effect on our operations. Our strategy generally is to lease rather than own space for our stores unless we find what we believe is a superior location at an attractive price.
On an ongoing basis, we may close or consolidate under-performing store locations. For additional information about our discontinued operations and restructuring plans, see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
The following table presents the number of store locations by state or province as of September 30, 2015:
 
Pawn Locations
 
Payroll Withholding Services Locations
 
Total
Locations
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States:
 
 
 
 
 
Texas
212

 

 
212

Florida
100

 

 
100

Colorado
37

 

 
37

Illinois
27

 

 
27

Oklahoma
21

 

 
21

Arizona
20

 

 
20

Nevada
16

 

 
16

Indiana
16

 

 
16

Tennessee
13

 

 
13

Iowa
11

 

 
11

Utah
10

 

 
10

Georgia
8

 

 
8

Minnesota
7

 

 
7

Alabama
5

 

 
5

Oregon
5

 

 
5

Virginia
5

 

 
5

Wisconsin
3

 

 
3

New York
2

 

 
2

Pennsylvania
2

 

 
2

Mississippi
1

 

 
1

Arkansas
1

 

 
1

Total United States Locations
522



 
522

 
 
 
 
 
 
Mexico:
 
 
 
 
 
Distrito Federal
39

 
4

 
43

Estado de Mexico
39

 
5

 
44

Veracruz
30

 
1

 
31

Jalisco
15

 
1

 
16

Guanajuato
15

 

 
15

Puebla
11

 

 
11

Nuevo León
10

 
2

 
12

Chiapas
7

 
4

 
11

Guerrero
7

 

 
7

Tabasco
7

 
2

 
9

Tamaulipas
6

 
1

 
7


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Coahuila
3

 
2

 
5

Quintana Roo
4

 
4

 
8

Michoacán
11

 
1

 
12

Hidalgo
6

 

 
6

Queretaro
6

 

 
6

Baja California

 
5

 
5

Baja California Sur

 
2

 
2

Oaxaca
4

 
2

 
6

Campeche
4

 
1

 
5

Morelos

 
2

 
2

Aguascalientes
4

 

 
4

Sinaloa

 
5

 
5

Tlaxcala
3

 
1

 
4

Sonora

 
4

 
4

San Luis Potosí
1

 

 
1

Zacatecas

 
4

 
4

Total Mexico Locations
232


53

 
285

Canada:
 
 
 
 
 
Ontario (1)
27

 

 
27

Total Canada Locations
27



 
27

Total Company
781


53

 
834

(1) The Canadian locations exclude 1 store that is franchised by the company to third parties.
In addition to our store locations, we lease corporate office space primarily in Austin, Texas (179,400 square feet), Querétaro, Mexico (8,400 square feet) and Ontario, Canada (8,400 square feet). Grupo Finmart leases corporate office space in Mexico City (20,800 square feet).
For additional information about store locations during fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, see “Segment and Geographic Information” included in “Part I, Item 1 — Business.”
ITEM 3 — LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For a discussion of legal proceedings, see Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
ITEM 4 — MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.

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PART II
ITEM 5 — MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our Class A Non-voting Common Stock (“Class A Common Stock”) is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “EZPW.” As of November 30, 2015, there were 97 stockholders of record of our Class A Common Stock. There is no trading market for our Class B Voting Common Stock (“Class B Common Stock”), which was held by one stockholder as of November 30, 2015.
The high and low per share sales price for our Class A Common Stock for the past two fiscal years, as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market, were as follows:
 
High
 
Low
 
 
 
 
Fiscal 2015:
 
 
 
Fourth quarter ended September 30, 2015
$
7.58

 
$
5.29

Third quarter ended June 30, 2015
9.88

 
7.10

Second quarter ended March 31, 2015
12.35

 
9.08

First quarter ended December 31, 2014
12.08

 
8.25

Fiscal 2014:
 
 
 
Fourth quarter ended September 30, 2014
$
11.86

 
$
9.29

Third quarter ended June 30, 2014
13.08

 
9.80

Second quarter ended March 31, 2014
13.55

 
9.22

First quarter ended December 31, 2013
17.21

 
9.85

As of September 30, 2015, the closing sales price of our Class A Common Stock, as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market, was $6.17 per share.
We have not declared or paid any dividends and currently do not anticipate paying any dividends in the immediate future. As described in Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” payment of a dividend requires an adjustment to the conversion rate of our 2.125% Cash Convertible Senior Notes due 2019. Should we pay dividends in the future, our certificate of incorporation provides that cash dividends on common stock, when declared, must be declared and paid at the same per share amounts on both classes of stock. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors.

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Stock Performance Graph
The following table compares cumulative total stockholder returns for our Class A Common Stock for the last five fiscal years, with the cumulative total return on the NASDAQ Composite Index (ticker symbol: IXIC) and the NASDAQ Other Financial Index (ticker symbol: IXFN) over the same period. The graph shows the value, at the end of each of the last five fiscal years, of $100 invested in our Class A Common Stock or the indices on September 30, 2010. The graph depicts the change in the value of our Class A Common Stock relative to the indices at the end of each fiscal year and not for any interim period. Historical stock price performance is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.        

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ITEM 6 — SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected financial information should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes.
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012*
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands, except per share and store figures)
Operating data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
$
788,369

 
$
800,292

 
$
809,525

 
$
805,653

 
$
697,366

Net revenues
444,943

 
456,774

 
480,433

 
474,512

 
404,896

Restructuring
17,080

 
6,664

 

 

 

Impairment of investments
29,237

 
7,940

 
43,198

 

 

(Loss) income from continuing operations, net of tax
(64,148
)
 
(3,993
)
 
22,527

 
110,819

 
85,770

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax
(27,316
)
 
(68,093
)
 
(1,517
)
 
30,296

 
36,389

Net (loss) income
(91,464
)
 
(72,086
)
 
21,010

 
141,115

 
122,159

Net (loss) income from continuing operations attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
(5,015
)
 
(7,387
)
 
(1,222
)
 
4,119

 

Net (loss) income from discontinued operations attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 
(76
)
 
151

 

Net (loss) income attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
(86,449
)

(64,699
)
 
22,308

 
136,845

 
122,159




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to EZCORP, Inc.:


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(1.09
)
 
$
0.05

 
$
0.44

 
$
2.10

 
$
1.72

Discontinued operations
(0.50
)
 
(1.25
)
 
(0.03
)
 
0.59

 
0.73

Basic (loss) earnings per share
$
(1.59
)
 
$
(1.20
)
 
$
0.41

 
$
2.69

 
$
2.45




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to EZCORP, Inc.:


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(1.09
)
 
$
0.06

 
$
0.44

 
$
2.09

 
$
1.70

Discontinued operations
(0.50
)
 
(1.25
)
 
(0.03
)
 
0.59

 
0.73

Diluted (loss) earnings per share
$
(1.59
)
 
$
(1.19
)
 
$
0.41

 
$
2.68

 
$
2.43




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
54,369

 
54,148

 
53,657

 
50,877

 
49,917

Diluted
54,369

 
54,292

 
53,737

 
51,133

 
50,369




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stores attributable to continuing operations at end of period
834

 
857

 
853

 
820

 
617

*
We acquired a 60% interest in Grupo Finmart in January 2012 and began consolidating its results of operations.

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September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012*
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Balance sheet data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pawn loans
$
159,964

 
$
162,444

 
$
156,637

 
$
157,648

 
$
145,318

Current consumer loans, net
36,533

 
63,995

 
56,880

 
45,036

 
14,611

Inventory, net
124,084

 
138,175

 
145,200

 
109,214

 
90,373

Working capital
347,811

 
486,649

 
376,360

 
381,567

 
291,968

Non-current consumer loans, net
75,824

 
85,004

 
65,488

 
46,704

 

Total assets
1,212,230

 
1,410,544

 
1,332,968

 
1,209,075

 
756,450

Long-term debt, less current maturities
306,337

 
392,054

 
215,939

 
198,836

 
17,500

Redeemable noncontrolling interest
3,235

 
22,800

 
47,297

 
50,998

 

Class A Non-voting Common Stock, subject to possible redemption
11,696

 

 

 

 

Total equity
676,735

 
832,304

 
895,883

 
827,791

 
664,248

*
We acquired a 60% controlling interest in Grupo Finmart in January 2012 and began consolidating its results of operations.

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Table of Contents

ITEM 7 — MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The discussion in this section contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those identified in “Part I, Item 1A — Risk Factors.” See also “Cautionary Statement Regarding Risks and Uncertainties That May Affect Future Results” below.
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Fiscal 2015 Financial Highlights
Core pawn revenue (pawn service charges and merchandise sales) from the U.S. Pawn and Mexico Pawn segments increased 1% and 6%, respectively, from fiscal 2014. The Mexico Pawn core pawn revenue growth rate was 22% on a constant currency basis. See “Part II, Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Results of Operations — Non-GAAP Financial Information” below.
We acquired an additional 25 pawn stores (12 in Central Texas, 8 in Arizona and 5 in Oregon). The Central Texas stores solidify our market-leading presence there, including our home market of Austin, Texas. The Arizona stores are located in the Phoenix area, which is a new market for us, and make EZCORP the second largest pawnshop operator in Arizona. The Oregon stores give us our first-ever presence in the Pacific Northwest, which we consider to be a significant opportunity.
Grupo Finmart revenue increased 25% (45% on a constant currency basis) from fiscal 2014.
We completed the acquisition of an additional 18% of Grupo Finmart, bringing our ownership to 94%.
We exited our U.S. Financial Services business to focus on growing our core pawn operations in the United States and Mexico and our Grupo Finmart business in Mexico.
We streamlined our structure and operating model to improve overall efficiency and reduce costs by moving from a divisional to a functional business model.
Aged inventory (inventory held for a year or more) decreased from 20% overall in the prior-year to 11% in the current year.
Consolidated cash flow from operations was $79.4 million, an increase of 6% over fiscal 2014.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, inventory, loan loss allowances, long-lived and intangible assets, income taxes, contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience, observable trends and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. We use this information to make judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from the estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The critical accounting policies and estimates that could have a significant impact on our results of operations, as well as relevant recent accounting pronouncements, are described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplemental Data.”
Results of Operations
Non-GAAP Financial Information
In addition to the financial information prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"), we provide certain other non-GAAP financial information on a constant currency basis ("constant currency"). We use constant currency to evaluate results of our Mexico Pawn and Grupo Finmart segment operations, which are denominated in Mexican pesos, and believe that presentation of constant currency results is meaningful and useful in understanding the activities and business metrics of our Mexico Pawn and Grupo Finmart operations and reflect an additional

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way of viewing aspects of our business that, when viewed with GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business. We provide non-GAAP financial information for informational purposes and to enhance understanding of our GAAP consolidated financial statements. Readers should consider the information in addition to, but not instead of or superior to, our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. This non-GAAP financial information may be determined or calculated differently by other companies, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes.
Constant currency results reported herein are calculated by translating consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of operations items denominated in Mexican pesos to U.S. dollars using the exchange rate from the prior-year comparable period, as opposed to the current period, in order to exclude the effects of foreign currency rate fluctuations. We used the end-of-period rate for balance sheet items and the average closing daily exchange rate during the appropriate period for statement of operations items. The end-of-period exchange rate as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 17.1 to 1 and 13.5 to 1, respectively. The average exchange rate for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was 15.1 to 1, 13.1 to 1, and 12.7 to 1, respectively. Constant currency results, where presented, also exclude the foreign currency gain or loss and the related foreign currency derivative gain or loss impact.

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Table of Contents

Fiscal 2015 Compared to Fiscal 2014
Summary Financial Data
The following table presents selected summary consolidated financial data for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2015 (the “current year”) and September 30, 2014 (the "prior-year"). This table, as well as the discussion that follows, should be read with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
Percentage Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
$
402,118

 
$
388,022

 
4
 %
Jewelry scrapping sales
57,973

 
96,241

 
(40
)%
Pawn service charges
247,204

 
248,378

 
 %
Consumer loan fees and interest
78,066

 
63,702

 
23
 %
Other revenues
3,008

 
3,949

 
(24
)%
Total revenues
788,369

 
800,292

 
(1
)%
Merchandise cost of goods sold
267,789

 
248,637

 
8
 %
Jewelry scrapping cost of goods sold
46,066

 
72,830

 
(37
)%
Consumer loan bad debt
29,571

 
22,051

 
34
 %
Net revenues
444,943

 
456,774

 
(3
)%
Operating expenses
453,871

 
438,450

 
4
 %
Non-operating expenses
81,915

 
29,563

 
*

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
(90,843
)
 
(11,239
)
 
*

Income tax benefit
(26,695
)
 
(7,246
)
 
*

Loss from continuing operations, net of tax
(64,148
)
 
(3,993
)
 
*

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
(27,316
)
 
(68,093
)
 
(60
)%
Net loss
(91,464
)
 
(72,086
)
 
27
 %
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
(5,015
)
 
(7,387
)
 
(32
)%
Net loss attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
$
(86,449
)
 
$
(64,699
)
 
34
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Pawn loans
$
159,964

 
$
162,444

 
(2
)%
Current consumer loans, net
36,533

 
63,995

 
(43
)%
Inventory, net
124,084

 
138,175

 
(10
)%
Non-current consumer loans, net
75,824

 
85,004

 
(11
)%
Consumer loans outstanding with unaffiliated lenders (a)
357

 
22,553

 
(98
)%
Total net earning assets
$
396,762

 
$
472,171

 
(16
)%
*
Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
(a)
Consumer loans outstanding with unaffiliated lenders ("CSO loans") are not recorded in our consolidated balance sheets.
Total revenues for fiscal 2015 were $788.4 million compared to $800.3 million in the prior-year. Excluding jewelry scrapping sales, total revenues increased $26.3 million driven by increased merchandise sales and consumer loan fee growth.
Total operating expenses increased from $438.5 million in the prior-year to $453.9 million in the current year. This $15.4 million, or 4%, increase was primarily due to:
A $10.4 million increase in restructuring expense related to our fiscal 2015 restructuring plan aimed to streamline our structure and operating model to improve overall efficiency and reduce costs;

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An $8.5 million decrease in gain on sale or disposal of assets, primarily due to the sale of seven U.S. pawn stores during the prior-year; and
A $1.4 million increase in depreciation expense primarily attributable to assets placed in service as we continue to invest in the infrastructure to support our growth; partially offset by
A $7.0 million decrease in administrative expense due to a $15.3 million decrease in labor expenses and associated costs primarily attributable to the discontinuance of USFS operations. The decrease in labor and associated costs was partially offset by a $3.2 million increase in professional fees as a result of the review of our Grupo Finmart loan portfolio and the restatement of previously-issued financial statements. The overall cost of the Grupo Finmart loan review and restatement is expected to total $8.3 million, $4.1 million of which had been incurred as of September 30, 2015.
Total non-operating expenses increased by $52.4 million from the prior-year. This increase was primarily due to:
Impairment of our investment in Cash Converters International in fiscal 2015 in the amount of $29.2 million ($18.8 million, net of taxes), as compared to an impairment of our investment in Albemarle & Bond in fiscal 2014 in the amount of $7.9 million ($5.4 million, net of taxes);
A $13.8 million increase in interest expense in fiscal 2015 due to an increase in Grupo Finmart weighted-average debt outstanding during fiscal 2015 compared with fiscal 2014 and increased interest on our 2.125% Cash Convertible Notes as a result of the full year inclusion of such notes, which were issued in June and July 2014, and the payment of additional interest during a portion of fiscal 2015 due to our delinquency in filing quarterly reports for the second and third quarters of fiscal 2015, which was cured on November 9, 2015;
An $11.4 million decrease in equity in net loss (income) of unconsolidated affiliate primarily due to a $40.2 million decrease in Cash Converters International’s profit attributable to owners of the company during its current fiscal year, mainly attributable to one-time charges of $26.4 million ($5.4 million after-tax financial impact to EZCORP) in contract termination charges, $17.7 million ($3.7 million after-tax financial impact to EZCORP) for class-action litigation settlement and $5.9 million ($1.2 million financial impact to EZCORP) for impairments of goodwill and long-lived assets, during the current year; and
A $6.1 million increase in other expense primarily due to net foreign currency transaction losses in the current year as a result of movement in exchange rates affecting the revaluation of intercompany amounts and foreign currency debt outstanding.

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U.S. Pawn
The following table presents selected summary financial data from continuing operations for the U.S. Pawn segment:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
Percentage Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Pawn service charges
$
216,211

 
$
217,891

 
(1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
334,635

 
325,337

 
3
 %
Merchandise sales gross profit
115,682

 
120,193

 
(4
)%
Gross margin on merchandise sales
35
%
 
37
%
 
(5
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jewelry scrapping sales
54,343

 
89,471

 
(39
)%
Jewelry scrapping sales gross profit
11,498

 
22,758

 
(49
)%
Gross margin on jewelry scrapping sales
21
%
 
25
%
 
(16
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other revenues
945

 
1,377

 
(31
)%
Net revenues
344,336

 
362,219

 
(5
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating expenses:
 
 
 
 


Operations
244,232

 
236,225

 
3
 %
Depreciation and amortization
15,227

 
13,333

 
14
 %
Segment operating contribution
84,877

 
112,661

 
(25
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other segment expenses (income)
5,029

 
(6,818
)
 
*

Segment contribution
$
79,848

 
$
119,479

 
(33
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other data:
 
 
 
 


Net earning assets — continuing operations
$
251,067

 
$
260,065

 
(3
)%
Inventory turnover — general merchandise
2.8

 
2.5

 
12
 %
Inventory turnover — jewelry
2.0

 
1.7

 
18
 %
Average monthly ending pawn loan balance per store (a)

$
252

 
$
270

 
(7
)%
Annualized average annual yield on pawn loans outstanding
165
%
 
161
%
 
400 bps

Pawn loan redemption rate
84
%
 
83
%
 
100 bps

*
Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
(a)
Balance is calculated based upon the average of the twelve monthly ending balance averages during the applicable fiscal year.
Net revenue decreased 5% ($17.9 million), with core pawn revenue (pawn service charges and merchandise sales) increasing $7.6 million, or 1%, from the prior year. The increase in core pawn revenue attributable to same stores and new stores added during the current year is summarized as follows:
 
Pawn Service Charges
 
Merchandise Sales
 
Core Pawn Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Same stores
$
(2.7
)
 
$
5.8

 
$
3.1

New stores
1.0

 
3.5

 
4.5

Total
$
(1.7
)
 
$
9.3

 
$
7.6


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Pawn service charges decreased 1%, with the annualized average yield increasing to 165% (161% in fiscal 2014), offset by the reduction in average monthly ending pawn loans outstanding of 7%.
Gross margin on merchandise sales decreased to 35% from 37% in the prior-year as a result of liquidating approximately 50% of aged inventory. We reduced aged general merchandise inventory to 5% from 8% and aged jewelry inventory to 15% from 31% in the prior-year. This decrease caused a 3% increase in merchandise sales of $9.3 million, with a reduction in merchandise sales gross profit of $4.5 million.
Gross margin on jewelry scrapping sales decreased to 21% from 25% in the prior-year as a result of an 8% decrease in proceeds realized per gram of gold jewelry scrapped, coupled with a 33% decrease in gold volume, primarily as a result of our continued strategy to sell rather than scrap jewelry.
Total segment expenses increased to $264.5 million (44% of revenues) in the current year from $242.7 million (38% of revenues) in the prior-year primarily due to:
A $8.0 million, or 3%, increase in operations expense primarily attributable to a $3.3 million increase in rent expense due to the addition of 25 new and acquired stores during the current year and a $5.3 million impairment of long-lived intangible and fixed assets attributable to the underperformance of certain U.S. Pawn store locations, partially offset by a $1.3 million decrease in advertising expense;
A $1.9 million, or 14%, increase in depreciation and amortization expense primarily attributable to assets placed in service as we continue to invest in the infrastructure to support our growth;
A $7.8 million decrease in gain on sale or disposal of assets primarily attributable to a $6.8 million gain realized on the sale of seven U.S. pawn stores during the prior-year; and
A $4.0 million increase in restructuring expense related to our fiscal 2015 restructuring plan aimed to streamline our structure and operating model to improve overall efficiency and reduce costs, which included the closure of 12 underperforming U.S. Pawn stores during fiscal 2015.

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Mexico Pawn
The following discussion presents constant currency results. See “Results of Operations — Non-GAAP Financial Information” above. The following table presents selected summary financial data from continuing operations for the Mexico Pawn segment, including constant currency results, after translation to U.S. dollars from its functional currency of the Mexican peso:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
Percentage Change GAAP
 
Percentage Change Constant Currency
 
2015
 
2015 Constant Currency (a)
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pawn service charges
$
30,993

 
$
35,725

 
$
30,487

 
2
 %
 
17
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
65,408

 
75,394

 
60,302

 
8
 %
 
25
 %
Merchandise sales gross profit
18,037

 
20,791

 
18,258

 
(1
)%
 
14
 %
Gross margin on merchandise sales
28
%
 
28
%
 
30
%
 
(7
)%
 
(7
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jewelry scrapping sales
3,267

 
3,766

 
6,302

 
(48
)%
 
(40
)%
Jewelry scrapping sales gross profit
313

 
361

 
495

 
(37
)%
 
(27
)%
Gross margin on jewelry scrapping sales
10
%
 
10
%
 
8
%
 
25
 %
 
25
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other revenues
1,021

 
1,177

 
1,016

 
 %
 
16
 %
Net revenues
50,364

 
58,054

 
50,256

 
 %
 
16
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 


 


Operations
43,927

 
50,633

 
48,907

 
(10
)%
 
4
 %
Depreciation and amortization
4,440

 
5,118

 
5,374

 
(17
)%
 
(5
)%
Segment operating contribution (loss)
1,997

 
2,303

 
(4,025
)
 
*

 
*

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other segment expenses (b)
2,982

 
1,145

 
165

 
*

 
*

Segment (loss) contribution
$
(985
)
 
$
1,158

 
$
(4,190
)
 
(76
)%
 
*

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earning assets — continuing operations
$
33,152

 
$
41,993

 
$
39,976

 
(17
)%
 
5
 %
Inventory turnover
2.6
 
2.6
 
2.4
 
8
 %
 
8
 %
Average monthly ending pawn loan balance per store (c)
$
65

 
$
82

 
$
64

 
2
 %
 
28
 %
Annualized average annual yield on pawn loans outstanding
196
%
 
196
%
 
197
%
 
(100 bps)

 
(100 bps)

Pawn loan redemption rate
77
%
 
77
%
 
77
%
 
0 bps

 
0 bps

*
Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
(a)
For income statement items, the average closing daily exchange rate for the applicable period was used. For balance sheet items, the end of the period rate for the applicable period end was used.
(b)
Fiscal 2015 constant currency balance excludes $2.0 million of net foreign currency transaction losses resulting from movement in exchange rates. The net foreign currency transaction losses for fiscal 2014 were $0.1 million and are not excluded from the above results.
(c)
Balance is calculated based upon the average of the twelve monthly ending balance averages during the applicable fiscal year.
The average exchange rate used to translate current year Mexico Pawn results from Mexican pesos to U.S. dollars was 15.1 to 1, a 15% change from the prior-year rate of 13.1 to 1.

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Our Mexico Pawn operations continued to grow significantly, with core pawn revenue increasing $20.3 million, or 22%, from the prior-year. The increase in core pawn revenue attributable to same stores and new stores added during the current year is summarized as follows:
 
Pawn Service Charges
 
Merchandise Sales
 
Core Pawn Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Same stores
$
5.1

 
$
15.0

 
$
20.1

New stores
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.2

Total
$
5.2

 
$
15.1

 
$
20.3

Pawn service charges increased 17%, with the actual yield decreasing to 196% (197% in fiscal 2014) and average monthly ending pawn loan balance per store increasing 28%.
Gross margin on merchandise sales decreased to 28% from 30% in the prior-year, primarily as a result of our efforts to reduce our aged inventory profile. We reduced aged general merchandise inventory to 4% from 23% and aged jewelry inventory to a nominal amount from 15% in the prior-year.
Total segment expenses increased to $56.9 million (49% of revenues) in the current year from $54.4 million (55% of revenues) in the prior-year. The increase was primarily due to a $1.7 million impairment in goodwill associated with our Tuyo reporting unit.

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Grupo Finmart
The following discussion presents constant currency results. See “Results of Operations — Non-GAAP Financial Information” above. The table below presents selected summary financial data from continuing operations for the Grupo Finmart segment, including constant currency results, after translation to U.S. dollars from its functional currency of the Mexican peso:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
Percentage Change GAAP
 
Percentage Change Constant Currency
 
2015
 
2015 Constant Currency (a)
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer loan fees and interest
$
68,114

 
$
78,513

 
$
53,377

 
28
 %
 
47
 %
Other revenues
255

 
294

 
1,145

 
(78
)%
 
(74
)%
Total revenues
68,369

 
78,807

 
54,522

 
25
 %
 
45
 %
Consumer loan bad debt
26,446

 
30,484

 
19,605

 
35
 %
 
55
 %
Net revenues
41,923

 
48,323

 
34,917

 
20
 %
 
38
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment expenses (income):
 
 
 
 
 
 


 


Operations
32,664

 
37,651

 
32,184

 
1
 %
 
17
 %
Depreciation and amortization
2,584

 
2,979

 
2,503

 
3
 %
 
19
 %
Interest expense
25,817

 
29,759

 
20,478

 
26
 %
 
45
 %
Interest income
(1,330
)
 
(1,533
)
 
(999
)
 
33
 %
 
53
 %
Other expense (income) (b)
4,424

 

 
(121
)
 
*

 
*

Segment loss
$
(22,236
)
 
$
(20,533
)

$
(19,128
)
 
16
 %
 
7
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other data:
 
 
 
 
 
 


 


Net earning assets — continuing operations
$
107,648

 
$
136,354

 
$
124,773

 
(14
)%
 
9
 %
Consumer loan originations (c)
$
86,173

 
$
100,359

 
$
80,992

 
6
 %
 
24
 %
Consumer loan bad debt as a percentage of gross average consumer loan balance (d)
23
%
 
23
%
 
17
%
 
600 bps

 
600 bps

*
Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
(a)
For income statement items, the average closing daily exchange rate for the applicable period was used. For balance sheet items, the end of the period rate for the applicable period end was used.
(b)
Fiscal 2015 constant currency balance excludes a $4.4 million loss from net foreign currency transaction losses and related gains on forward currency forwards resulting from movement in exchange rates. The net foreign currency transaction losses and related gains on foreign currency forwards for fiscal 2014 was a $0.1 million gain and is not excluded from the above results.
(c)
Constant currency result is calculated as the average monthly consumer loan origination balance translated at the average closing daily exchange rate for the applicable period.
(d)
Represents consumer loan bad debt expense during the applicable period as a percentage of the average monthly consumer loan balance during the applicable period. Constant currency consumer loan balance is calculated using the end of period rate for each month.
The average exchange rate used to translate current year Grupo Finmart results from Mexican pesos to U.S. dollars was 15.1 to 1, a 15% change from the prior-year rate of 13.1 to 1.
During January 2012 we acquired a 60% controlling interest in Grupo Finmart and began consolidating its results of operations. As of September 30, 2015 and 2014 we owned a 94% and 76% controlling interest, respectively, in Grupo Finmart. The results presented above and discussed below include the noncontrolling interest portion of Grupo Finmart’s segment loss. For information about our ownership in Grupo Finmart, see Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Grupo Finmart total revenues increased $24.3 million, or 45%, in fiscal 2015 to $78.8 million. The overall increase was primarily due to the $25.1 million, or 47%, increase in consumer loan fees and interest from the prior-year. This increase was attributable to income amortized from previously originated loans, coupled with a 24% increase in the consumer loan originations during the current year.

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Consumer loan bad debt increased $10.9 million, or 55%, from the prior-year to $30.5 million due to an increase in the number of loans becoming non-performing during the current year.
Total segment expenses increased to $68.9 million (87% of revenues) in fiscal 2015 from $54.0 million (99% of revenues) in fiscal 2014 primarily due to:
A $5.5 million, or 17%, increase in operations expense mainly attributable to a $4.2 million increase in commissions and other costs related to growth in loan originations; and
A $9.3 million, or 45%, increase in interest expense due to a similar increase in weighted-average debt outstanding during fiscal 2015 from fiscal 2014.

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Other International
The following table presents selected financial data from continuing operations for the Other International segment after translation to U.S. dollars from its reporting units’ functional currency of Canadian and Australian dollars:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
Percentage Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
$
2,075

 
$
2,383

 
(13
)%
Jewelry scrapping sales
363

 
468

 
(22
)%
Consumer loan fees and interest
9,952

 
10,325

 
(4
)%
Other revenues
787

 
411

 
91
 %
Total revenues
13,177

 
13,587

 
(3
)%
Merchandise cost of goods sold
1,465

 
1,449

 
1
 %
Jewelry scrapping cost of goods sold
267

 
310

 
(14
)%
Consumer loan bad debt
3,125

 
2,441

 
28
 %
Net revenues
8,320

 
9,387

 
(11
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating expenses (income):
 
 
 
 


Operations
6,780

 
8,605

 
(21
)%
Depreciation and amortization
616

 
817

 
(25
)%
Equity in net loss (income) of unconsolidated affiliate
5,473

 
(5,948
)
 
*

Segment operating (loss) contribution
(4,549
)
 
5,913

 
*

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other segment expenses
31,806

 
8,026

 
*

Segment loss
$
(36,355
)
 
$
(2,113
)
 
*

*
Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
Segment loss from the Other International segment increased $34.2 million from the prior-year to a loss of $36.4 million in the current year primarily due to:
An $11.4 million decrease in equity in net loss (income) of unconsolidated affiliate primarily due to a $40.2 million decrease in Cash Converters International’s profit attributable to owners of the company during its current fiscal year, mainly attributable to one-time charges of $26.4 million ($5.4 million after-tax financial impact to EZCORP) in contract termination charges, $17.7 million ($3.7 million after-tax financial impact to EZCORP) for class-action litigation settlement and $5.9 million ($1.2 million financial impact to EZCORP) for impairments of goodwill and long-lived assets, during the current year;
A $21.3 million increase in impairment of investments due to the current fiscal year impairment of our investment in Cash Converters International in the amount of $29.2 million ($18.8 million, net of taxes), as compared to the prior-year impairment of our investment in Albemarle & Bond in the amount of $7.9 million ($5.4 million, net of taxes), which brought our carrying value of this investment to zero; and
A $2.6 million increase in restructuring expense related to our fiscal 2015 restructuring plan aimed to streamline our structure and operating model to improve overall efficiency and reduce costs, which included the closure of 12 underperforming Canadian Cash Converters stores during fiscal 2015.

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Other Items
The following table reconciles our consolidated segment contribution discussed above to net loss attributable to EZCORP, Inc., including items that affect our consolidated financial results but are not allocated among segments:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
Percentage Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Segment contribution
$
20,272

 
$
94,048

 
(78
)%
Corporate expenses (income):
 
 
 
 


Administrative
72,986

 
79,944

 
(9
)%
Depreciation and amortization
10,676

 
9,735

 
10
 %
Loss on sale or disposal of assets
1,407

 
964

 
46
 %
Restructuring
9,702

 
6,664

 
46
 %
Interest expense
16,310

 
7,883

 
*

Interest income
(158
)
 
(278
)
 
(43
)%
Other expense
192

 
375

 
(49
)%
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
(90,843
)
 
(11,239
)
 
*

Income tax benefit
(26,695
)
 
(7,246
)
 
*

Loss from continuing operations, net of tax
(64,148
)
 
(3,993
)
 
*

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
(27,316
)
 
(68,093
)
 
(60
)%
Net loss
(91,464
)
 
(72,086
)
 
27
 %
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
(5,015
)
 
(7,387
)
 
(32
)%
Net loss attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
$
(86,449
)
 
$
(64,699
)
 
34
 %
*
Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
Net loss from continuing operations before income taxes increased $79.6 million from the prior-year to a loss of $90.8 million in the current year due to:
A $73.8 million, or 78%, decrease in segment contribution primarily due to a $39.6 million, $34.2 million and $3.1 million decrease in segment contribution from the U.S. Pawn, Other International and Grupo Finmart segments, respectively, partially offset by a $3.2 million increase in segment contribution from the Mexico Pawn segment;
A $3.0 million increase in restructuring expense related to our fiscal 2015 restructuring plan aimed to streamline our structure and operating model to improve overall efficiency and reduce costs; and
A $8.4 million increase in interest expense primarily due to increased interest on our 2.125% Cash Convertible Notes as a result of the full year inclusion of such notes, which were issued in June and July 2014, and the payment of additional interest during a portion of fiscal 2015 due to our delinquency in filing quarterly reports for the second and third quarters of fiscal 2015, which was cured on November 9, 2015; partially offset by
A $7.0 million decrease in administrative expense due to a $15.3 million decrease in labor expenses and associated costs primarily attributable to the discontinuance of USFS operations. Professional fees primarily associated with the review of our Grupo Finmart loan portfolio and the restatement of previously-issued financial statements increased by $3.2 million. The overall cost of the Grupo Finmart loan review and restatement is expected to total $8.3 million, $4.1 million of which had been incurred as of September 30, 2015.
Income tax benefit increased $19.4 million, to $26.7 million in the current year, primarily due to the $79.6 million increase in loss from continuing operations before income taxes.
In fiscal 2015, we announced our exit from the U.S. Financial Services business. As a result, loss from discontinued operations, net of tax includes a $32.8 million loss and $36.0 million of income from U.S. Financial Services in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, before taxes. We also incurred $42.4 million in pre-tax termination costs. This amount includes $10.6 million in goodwill impairment charges, $1.7 million in long-lived asset impairments, $21.0 million estimated costs related to regulatory

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compliance, employee severance and accelerated amortization of prepaid expenses and other assets, $7.4 million in asset write-downs to liquidation value and $1.7 million in lease termination costs.
In fiscal 2014, we announced our exit from the online lending markets in United States and the United Kingdom. As a result we incurred $103.1 million in pre-tax termination costs from our discontinued operations. This amount includes $84.2 million in goodwill impairment charges, $11.8 million in long-lived assets impairments, $7.6 million of estimated costs related to regulatory compliance, employee severance and accelerated amortization of prepaid expenses and other assets, $2.9 million in asset write-downs to liquidation value and $1.5 million in lease termination costs, partially offset by a $4.8 million reversal of contingent consideration payable.
Fiscal 2014 Compared to Fiscal 2013
Summary Financial Data
The following table presents selected summary consolidated financial data for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. This table, as well as the discussion that follows, should be read with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
Percentage Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
$
388,022

 
$
368,085

 
5
 %
Jewelry scrapping sales
96,241

 
131,675

 
(27
)%
Pawn service charges
248,378

 
251,354

 
(1
)%
Consumer loan fees and interest
63,702

 
51,861

 
23
 %
Other revenues
3,949

 
6,550

 
(40
)%
Total revenues
800,292

 
809,525

 
(1
)%
Merchandise cost of goods sold
248,637

 
218,617

 
14
 %
Jewelry scrapping cost of goods sold
72,830

 
96,115

 
(24
)%
Consumer loan bad debt
22,051

 
14,360

 
54
 %
Net revenues
456,774

 
480,433

 
(5
)%
Operating expenses
438,450

 
401,577

 
9
 %
Non-operating expenses
29,563

 
47,232

 
(37
)%
Income tax (benefit) expense
(7,246
)
 
9,097

 
*

(Loss) income from continuing operations, net of tax
(3,993
)
 
22,527

 
*

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
(68,093
)
 
(1,517
)
 
*

Net (loss) income
(72,086
)
 
21,010

 
*

Net loss from continuing operations attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
(7,387
)
 
(1,222
)
 
*

Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 
(76
)
 
(100
)%
Net (loss) income attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
$
(64,699
)
 
$
22,308

 
*

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Pawn loans
$
162,444

 
$
156,637

 
4
 %
Current consumer loans, net
63,995

 
56,880

 
13
 %
Inventory, net
138,175

 
145,200

 
(5
)%
Non-current consumer loans, net
85,004

 
65,488

 
30
 %
Consumer loans outstanding with unaffiliated lenders (a)
22,553

 
29,171

 
(23
)%
Total net earning assets
$
472,171

 
$
453,376

 
4
 %
*
Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
(a)
Consumer loans outstanding with unaffiliated lenders "CSO loans" are not recorded in our consolidated balance sheets.
In fiscal 2014, net loss attributable to EZCORP, Inc. was $64.7 million compared to net income attributable to EZCORP, Inc. of $22.3 million in fiscal 2013. This $87.0 million decrease was primarily due to a $23.7 million decrease in net revenues, a $36.9

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million increase in operating expenses and a $66.6 million decrease in income from discontinued operations, net of tax, partially offset by a $17.7 million decrease in non-operating expenses and a $16.3 million decrease in income tax expense.
Total revenues for fiscal 2014 were $800.3 million compared to $809.5 million for fiscal 2013, a 1% decrease. Excluding jewelry scrapping sales, total revenues increased $26.2 million, or 4%, driven by increase in merchandise sales and consumer loan fees and interest.
Total operating expenses increased $36.9 million, or 9%, from fiscal 2013. This increase was primarily due to:
A $24.2 million increase in operations expense primarily due to a $13.7 million increase in labor, benefits and bonuses driven by commissions on new loan originations at Grupo Finmart, a $3.9 million increase in other and professional fees, a $3.3 million increase in rent due primarily to operating costs at new and acquired stores opened during fiscal 2013 and 2014 and a $1.4 million increase in general taxes;
A $9.5 million increase in administrative expense primarily due to discretionary bonuses awarded in November 2013 and the one-time retirement benefit for our Executive Chairman of $8.0 million, in addition to one-time charges relating to reorganization and outsourcing of our internal audit department to a global advisory services firm;
A $3.7 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense due to assets placed in service as we continue to invest in the infrastructure to support our growth; and
A $6.7 million restructuring charge; partially offset by
A $7.1 million increase in gain on sale or disposal of assets, primarily due to the sale of seven U.S. pawn stores in fiscal 2014.
Total non-operating expenses decreased $17.7 million, or 37%, from fiscal 2013. This decrease was primarily due to:
A $35.3 million decrease in impairment of investments due to the prior-year impairment of $43.2 million, of which $42.5 million was related to our investment in Albemarle & Bond, as compared to the fiscal 2014 impairment of $7.9 million related to our investment in Albemarle & Bond, which brought the carrying value of this investment to zero; partially offset by
A $12.2 million increase in interest expense, primarily due to a higher weighted average debt outstanding, including consolidation of Grupo Finmart VIE debt, in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013; and
A $7.3 million decrease in equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates due to a $3.9 million decrease from Cash Converters International and a $3.4 million decrease due to Albemarle & Bond no longer reporting earnings. The decrease in Cash Converters International was due to an interest rate cap commencing in Australia on July 1, 2013, which impacted both margins and volumes, as well as an adjustment of $1.4 million pertaining to the correction of timing of our recognition of income from Cash Converters International. The decrease in Cash Converters International’s financial services operations was partially offset by increases in profitability of store and franchise operations.

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U.S. Pawn
The following table presents selected financial data from continuing operations for the U.S. Pawn segment:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
Percentage Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Pawn service charges
$
217,891

 
$
221,775

 
(2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
325,337

 
308,462

 
5
 %
Merchandise sales gross profit
120,193

 
126,391

 
(5
)%
Gross margin on merchandise sales
37
%
 
41
%
 
(10
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jewelry scrapping sales
89,471

 
122,484

 
(27
)%
Jewelry scrapping sales gross profit
22,758

 
34,272

 
(34
)%
Gross margin on jewelry scrapping sales
25
%
 
28
%
 
(11
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other revenues
1,377

 
1,438

 
(4
)%
Net revenues
362,219

 
383,876

 
(6
)%
Segment operating expenses:
 
 
 
 


Operations
236,225

 
229,115

 
3
 %
Depreciation and amortization
13,333

 
12,111

 
10
 %
Segment operating contribution
112,661

 
142,650

 
(21
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other segment (income) expenses
(6,818
)
 
151

 
*

Segment contribution
$
119,479


$
142,499

 
(16
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other data:
 
 
 
 


Net earning assets — continuing operations
$
260,065

 
$
262,966

 
(1
)%
Inventory turnover
2.2

 
2.5

 
(12
)%
Average monthly ending pawn loan balance per store (a)
$
270

 
$
279

 
(3
)%
Annualized average annual yield on pawn loans outstanding
161
%
 
161
%
 
0 bps

Pawn loan redemption rate
83
%
 
83
%
 
0 bps

*
Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
(a)
Balance is calculated based upon the average of the twelve monthly ending balance averages during the applicable fiscal year.
U.S. Pawn total revenues decreased $20.1 million, or 3%, from fiscal 2013 to $634.1 million. The overall decrease in total revenues was primarily driven by a $33.0 million, or 27%, decrease in jewelry scrapping sales. Excluding jewelry scrapping sales, total revenues increased $12.9 million, or 2%. The increase was primarily driven by overall improvement in core pawn revenues, or merchandise sales and pawn service charges, which consisted of a $16.9 million, or 5%, increase in merchandise sales, partially offset by a $3.9 million, or 2%, decrease in pawn service charges.
The $16.9 million increase in merchandise sales was primarily due to an increase in jewelry sales. The increase in jewelry sales was due to a shift in strategy to retailing jewelry rather than scrapping it. Merchandise sales gross profit decreased $6.2 million, or 5%, from the prior year to $120.2 million. The decrease in gross profit was primarily due to an increase in cost of goods sold as a result of an increase in online sales fees and an increase in our inventory reserve due to declining gold prices.
The $3.9 million decrease in pawn service charges was primarily due to a 3% decrease in the average monthly pawn loan balance per store.

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Gross profit on jewelry scrapping sales decreased $11.5 million, or 34%, from fiscal 2013 to $22.8 million. Jewelry scrapping revenues decreased $33.0 million, or 27%, primarily due to a 17% decrease in proceeds realized per gram of gold jewelry scrapped, coupled with a 17% decrease in gold volume. Same-store jewelry scrapping sales decreased $28.6 million, or 25%, and new and acquired stores decreased $4.4 million. Jewelry scrapping sales include the sale of approximately $12.1 million and $11.3 million of loose diamonds removed from scrap jewelry in fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively. As a result of the decrease in volume, scrap cost of goods decreased $21.5 million, or 24%.
Total segment expenses increased to $242.7 million (38% of revenues) in fiscal 2014 from $241.4 million (37% of revenues) in fiscal 2013 primarily due to:
A $7.1 million, or 3%, increase in operations expense primarily attributable to a $4.6 million increase in labor and benefits and a $2.6 million increase in rent expense due to the addition of new and acquired stores; and
A $1.2 million, or 10%, increase in depreciation and amortization expense primarily attributable to assets placed in service as we continue to invest in the infrastructure to support our growth; partially offset by
A $6.9 million increase in gain on sale or disposal of assets from fiscal 2013 primarily attributable to the gain realized on the sale of seven U.S. pawn stores during fiscal 2014.

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Table of Contents

Mexico Pawn
The following table presents selected financial data from continuing operations for the Mexico Pawn segment after translation to U.S. dollars from its functional currency of the Mexican peso:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
Percentage Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Pawn service charges
$
30,487

 
$
29,579

 
3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
60,302

 
57,564

 
5
 %
Merchandise sales gross profit
18,258

 
22,094

 
(17
)%
Gross margin on merchandise sales
30
%
 
38
%
 
(21
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jewelry scrapping sales
6,302

 
8,540

 
(26
)%
Jewelry scrapping sales gross profit
495

 
1,044

 
(53
)%
Gross margin on jewelry scrapping sales
8
%
 
12
%
 
(33
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other revenues
1,016

 
1,017

 
 %
Net revenues
50,256

 
53,734

 
(6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating expenses:
 
 
 
 


Operations
48,907

 
44,775

 
9
 %
Depreciation and amortization
5,374

 
4,706

 
14
 %
Segment operating (loss) contribution
(4,025
)
 
4,253

 
*

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other segment expenses
165

 
69

 
*

Segment (loss) contribution
$
(4,190
)
 
$
4,184

 
*

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other data:
 
 
 
 
 
Net earning assets — continuing operations
$
39,976

 
$
28,731

 
39
 %
Inventory turnover
2.4

 
2.5

 
(4
)%
Average monthly ending total pawn loan balances per store (a)
$
15,609

 
$
15,487

 
1
 %
Annualized average annual yield on pawn loans outstanding
197
%
 
191
%
 
600 bps

Pawn loan redemption rate
77
%
 
75
%
 
200 bps

*
Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
(a)
Balance is calculated based upon the average of the twelve monthly ending balance averages during the applicable fiscal year.
The average exchange rate used to translate fiscal 2014 Mexico Pawn results from Mexican pesos to U.S. dollars was 13.1 to 1, a 3% change from the fiscal 2013 rate of 12.7 to 1.
Merchandise sales increased $2.7 million, or 5%, from fiscal 2013 to $60.3 million. Merchandise sales gross profit decreased $3.8 million, or 17%, from fiscal 2013 to $18.3 million. Gross margins decreased 21% to 30% primarily due to an increase in merchandise cost of goods sold. The increase in merchandise cost of goods sold is due to inventory write-downs in order to move aged inventory in addition to an increase in our inventory reserve as a result of increases in aged merchandise.
Pawn service charges increased $0.9 million, or 3%, from fiscal 2013. The total increase was primarily due to a 1% increase in the average outstanding pawn loan balance during the period in addition to an increase in the average yield from 191% during fiscal 2013 to 197% during fiscal 2014.

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Table of Contents

Gross profit on jewelry scrapping sales decreased $0.5 million, or 53%, from fiscal 2013 to $0.5 million. Jewelry scrapping revenue decreased $2.2 million, or 26%, in fiscal 2014, to $6.3 million. The decrease was primarily due to a 10% decrease in proceeds realized per gram of gold jewelry scrapped coupled with a 10% decrease in gold volume processed. Same-store jewelry scrapping sales decreased $2.8 million, or 33%, and new and acquired stores contributed $0.6 million. Scrap cost of goods decreased $1.7 million, or 23%, due to the decrease in volume.
Total segment expenses increased to $54.4 million (55% of revenues) in fiscal 2014 from $49.6 million (51% of revenues) in fiscal 2013 primarily due to:
A $4.1 million increase in operations expense primarily attributable to a $0.9 million, $1.0 million, $0.8 million and $0.6 million increase in advertising, general taxes, rent and professional fees, respectively, associated primarily with new store openings and our general expansion of operations; and
A $0.7 million, or 14%, increase in depreciation and amortization expense due to depreciation of assets placed in service at new stores during fiscal 2014.
Grupo Finmart
The following table presents selected financial data from continuing operations for the Grupo Finmart segment after translation to U.S. dollars from its functional currency of the Mexican peso:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
Percentage Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer loan fees and interest
53,377

 
42,527

 
26
 %
Other revenues
1,145

 
1,959

 
(42
)%
Total revenues
54,522

 
44,486

 
23
 %
Consumer loan bad debt
19,605

 
11,714

 
67
 %
Net revenues
34,917

 
32,772

 
7
 %
Segment expenses (income):
 
 
 
 


Operations
32,184

 
17,593

 
83
 %
Depreciation and amortization
2,503

 
2,227

 
12
 %
Interest expense
20,478

 
11,929

 
72
 %
Interest income
(999
)
 
(669
)
 
49
 %
Other income
(121
)
 
(251
)
 
(52
)%
Segment (loss) contribution
$
(19,128
)
 
$
1,943

 
*

Other data:
 
 
 
 


Net earning assets — continuing operations
$
124,773

 
$
94,552

 
32
 %
Consumer loan originations
$
80,992

 
$
62,442

 
30
 %
Consumer loan bad debt as a percentage of gross average consumer loan balance (a)
17
%
 
14
%
 
300 bps

*
Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
(a)
Represents consumer loan bad debt expense during the applicable period as a percentage of the average monthly consumer loan balance during the applicable period.
The average exchange rate used to translate fiscal 2014 Grupo Finmart results from Mexican pesos to U.S. dollars was 13.1 to 1, a 3% change from the fiscal 2013 rate of 12.7 to 1.
During January 2012 we acquired a 60% controlling interest in Grupo Finmart and began consolidating its results of operations. During fiscal 2014 we increased our ownership by 16% to 76%. The results presented above and discussed below include the noncontrolling interest portion of Grupo Finmart’s segment (loss) contribution.
Grupo Finmart total revenues increased $10.0 million, or 23%, in fiscal 2014 to $54.5 million. The overall increase was primarily due to the $10.9 million, or 26%, increase in consumer loan fees and interest from fiscal 2013, mainly attributable to

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a 30% increase in the consumer loan originations as a result of higher penetration on existing contracts and the addition of new contracts in fiscal 2014.
Total consumer loan bad debt increased $7.9 million, or 67%, from fiscal 2013 to $19.6 million. The increase was primarily due to an increase in bad debt reserves after a government agency offered early retirement to its workers, which increased the number of loans outside of the automatic payroll deduction system.
Total segment expenses increased to $54.0 million (99% of revenues) in fiscal 2014 from $30.8 million (69% of revenues) in fiscal 2013 primarily due to:
A $14.6 million, or 83%, increase in operations expense due primarily to commissions of $9.9 million related to new loan originations at Grupo Finmart and $5.0 million in professional fees to support our operations; and
A $8.5 million, or 72%, increase in interest expense due to a higher weighted average debt outstanding as compared to fiscal 2013 and the inclusion of $4.3 million in interest expense on consolidated VIE debt in fiscal 2014, partially offset by a decrease in the weighted average rate on Grupo Finmart’s third party debt (excluding the consolidated VIEs) to 9% from 11% in in fiscal 2013. As of September 30, 2014, Grupo Finmart had outstanding third party debt of $144.4, excluding consolidated VIE debt, and $61.1 million of consolidated VIE debt, for a total debt outstanding of $205.5 million.
Other International
The following table presents selected financial data from continuing operations for the Other International segment after translation to U.S. dollars from its reporting units’ functional currency of Canadian and Australian dollars:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
Percentage Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
$
2,383

 
$
2,059

 
16
 %
Jewelry scrapping sales
468

 
651

 
(28
)%
Consumer loan fees and interest
10,325

 
9,334

 
11
 %
Other revenues
411

 
2,136

 
(81
)%
Total revenues
13,587


14,180

 
(4
)%
Merchandise cost of goods sold
1,449

 
1,076

 
35
 %
Jewelry scrapping cost of goods sold
310

 
407

 
(24
)%
Consumer loan bad debt
2,441

 
2,646

 
(8
)%
Net revenues
9,387

 
10,051

 
(7
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating expenses (income):
 
 
 
 


Operations
8,605

 
10,205

 
(16
)%
Depreciation and amortization
817

 
849

 
(4
)%
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates
(5,948
)
 
(13,240
)
 
(55
)%
Segment operating contribution
5,913

 
12,237

 
(52
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other segment expenses
8,026

 
44,792

 
(82
)%
Segment loss
$
(2,113
)

$
(32,555
)
 
(94
)%
*
Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
Loss from the Other International segment decreased $30.4 million from fiscal 2013 to a loss of $2.1 million in fiscal 2014 primarily due to:
A $35.3 million decrease in impairment of investments due to the prior-year impairment of $43.2 million, of which $42.5 million was related to our investment in Albemarle & Bond, as compared to the fiscal 2014 impairment of $7.9

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million related to our investment in Albemarle & Bond, which brought the carrying value of this investment to zero; and
A $1.6 million decrease in operations expense, mainly attributable to a $1.1 million decrease in professional fees primarily as a result of legal fees incurred in fiscal 2013; partially offset by
A $7.3 million decrease in equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates due to a $3.9 million decrease from Cash Converters International and a $3.4 million decrease due to Albemarle & Bond no longer reporting earnings. The decrease in Cash Converters International was due to an interest rate cap commencing in Australia on July 1, 2013, which impacted both margins and volumes, as well as an immaterial adjustment of $1.4 million pertaining to the correction of timing of our recognition of income from Cash Converters International. The decrease in Cash Converters International’s financial services operations was partially offset by increases in profitability of store and franchise operations.
Other Items
The following table reconciles our consolidated segment contribution discussed above to net (loss) income attributable to EZCORP, Inc., including items that affect our consolidated financial results but are not allocated among segments:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
Percentage Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Segment contribution
$
94,048

 
$
116,071

 
(19
)%
Corporate expenses (income):
 
 
 
 


Administrative
79,944

 
70,493

 
13
 %
Depreciation and amortization
9,735

 
8,203

 
19
 %
Loss on sale or disposal of assets
964

 
1,133

 
(15
)%
Restructuring
6,664

 

 
*

Interest expense
7,883

 
4,123

 
91
 %
Interest income
(278
)
 
(250
)
 
11
 %
Other expense
375

 
745

 
(50
)%
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes
(11,239
)
 
31,624

 
*

Income tax (benefit) expense
(7,246
)
 
9,097

 
*

(Loss) income from continuing operations, net of tax
(3,993
)
 
22,527

 
*

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
(68,093
)
 
(1,517
)
 
*

Net (loss) income
(72,086
)
 
21,010

 
*

Net loss from continuing operations attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
(7,387
)
 
(1,222
)
 
*

Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 
(76
)
 
*

Net (loss) income attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
$
(64,699
)
 
$
22,308

 
*

*
Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
Net income from continuing operations before income taxes decreased $42.9 million from fiscal 2013 to a loss of $11.2 million in fiscal 2014 primarily due to:
A $22.0 million, or 19%, decrease in segment contribution primarily due to a $23.0 million, $21.1 million and $8.4 million decrease in segment contribution from the U.S. Pawn, Grupo Finmart and Mexico Pawn segments, respectively, offset by a $30.4 million decrease in loss from the Other International segment;
A $9.5 million increase in administrative expense primarily due to a one-time retirement benefit for our Executive Chairman of $8.0 million in addition to discretionary bonuses awarded in November 2013, as well as one-time charges relating to reorganization and outsourcing of our internal audit department to a global advisory services firm;

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A $6.7 million restructuring charge due to our fiscal 2014 restructuring plan aimed to align our organization with our core business objective, which is to provide efficient, effective and economical instant cash solutions for our customers. During the year we reduced the non-customer-facing overhead structure in all of our businesses in order to streamline operations and create synergies and efficiencies;
A $3.8 million increase in interest expense due to higher average debt outstanding primarily attributable to the issuance in June and July 2014 of $230 million principal amount of 2.125% Cash Convertible Senior Notes due 2019, in addition to the accelerated amortization of $0.7 million of deferred financing costs related to our senior secured credit agreement and $2.1 million of debt discount amortization during fiscal 2014; and
A $1.7 million increase in amortization primarily due to additional assets placed in service as part of our multi-year information technology plan.
Income tax expense decreased $16.3 million to $7.2 million, primarily due to the $42.9 million decrease in income from continuing operations before income taxes. The fiscal 2014 effective tax rate decreased to 64% from 29% in fiscal 2013.
In fiscal 2014, we announced our exit from the online lending markets in U.S. and the U.K. As a result we incurred $103.1 million in termination costs from our discontinued operations. This amount includes $84.2 million in goodwill impairment charges, $11.8 million in long-lived assets impairments, $7.6 million of estimated costs related to regulatory compliance, employee severance and accelerated amortization of prepaid expenses and other assets, $2.9 million in asset write-downs to liquidation value and $1.5 million in lease termination costs, partially offset by a $4.8 million reversal of contingent consideration payable.
In fiscal 2015, we announced our exit from the U.S. Financial Services business. As a result, loss from discontinued operations, net of tax includes $23.5 million and $31.7 million of income from U.S. Financial Services in fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Overview
As of September 30, 2015, our primary source of liquidity was $59.1 million in cash and cash equivalents. Of this amount, approximately 14%, or $8.4 million, was held by foreign subsidiaries, portions of which we may be unable to repatriate without incurring United States income taxes. We actively manage our cash in order to fund operating needs, make scheduled interest and principal payments on our borrowings and make acquisitions. 
Sources and Uses of Cash
In February 2015, we completed the acquisition of 12 pawn stores in Central Texas doing business under the "Cash Pawn" brand. The aggregate purchase price for the acquisition was $16.5 million, comprised of $5.0 million cash and 1,168,456 shares of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock (the "Shares"), valued at $10.01 per share (the average closing sales price of the stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market for the five trading days immediately preceding the closing), less a $0.2 million Holding Period Adjustment. The Shares were issued in an unregistered private placement transaction pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 to a small number of related individuals and entities (the "Sellers").
On the first anniversary of the closing date, the Sellers have the right to require us to repurchase the Shares for an aggregate price of $11.8 million (the "Put Option"). The Sellers may terminate the Put Option, in whole or in part, at any time. The Sellers are required to hold the Shares for a period of six months following the termination of the Put Option (the "Holding Period"). If the trading price of the Class A Non-voting Common Stock at the end of the Holding Period is less than $10.06 per share, then we will make an additional cash payment to the Sellers equal to the aggregate deficit, but such payment will not exceed $1.0 million. If the trading price of the Class A Non-voting Common Stock at the end of the Holding Period is more than $10.06 per share, then we will receive from the Sellers (either in cash or by returning a portion of the Shares) an amount equal to 50% of the aggregate excess, but such payment will not exceed $1.0 million (the "Holding Period Adjustment"). As of September 30, 2015, the Sellers had not terminated the Put Option in whole or in part.
In June and July 2014, we issued $230.0 million aggregate principal amount of Cash Convertible Notes. All of the Cash Convertible Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated June 23, 2014 (the "Indenture") by and between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as the trustee. The Cash Convertible Notes were issued in a private offering and resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. The Cash Convertible Notes pay interest semi-annually in arrears at a rate of 2.125% per annum on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on December 15, 2014, and will mature on June 15, 2019 (the "Maturity Date"). Upon conversion or maturity, the Cash Convertible Notes will be settled only in cash

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(including, in the case of conversion, an amount of cash representing the net value attributable to certain increases in the price of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock).
Prior to December 15, 2018, the Cash Convertible Notes will be convertible only upon the occurrence of certain events and during certain periods, and thereafter, at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, as described in the indenture. The Cash Convertible Notes are convertible into cash based on an initial conversion rate of 62.2471 shares of Class A Non-voting Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Cash Convertible Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $16.065 per share of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock). The conversion rate will not be adjusted for any accrued and unpaid interest.
We entered into hedges in connection with the issuance of the Cash Convertible Notes with counterparties to limit our exposure to the additional cash payments above the $230.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Cash Convertible Notes that may be due to the holders upon conversion. In separate transactions, we sold warrants with a strike price of $20.83 per share.
The Cash Convertible Notes are our unsubordinated unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to any of our indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Cash Convertible Notes, equal in right of payment with all of our other unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness, and effectively junior to all debt or other obligations (including trade payables) of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Indenture governing the Convertible Notes does not contain any financial covenants.
As of September 30, 2015 the Cash Convertible Notes were not convertible because the conversion conditions have not been met. Accordingly, the net balance of the Cash Convertible Notes of $193.9 million was classified as a non-current liability in our consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2015.
For an additional description of the Cash Convertible Notes, the conversion terms thereof and the hedges and warrants transactions, see Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
In October 2014, one of our consolidated Variable Interest Entities related to Grupo Finmart issued $43.8 million of 11% Notes due October 2017. The debt was collateralized with the principal and interest collected from loan portfolios of the Variable Interest Entity. The 11% Notes due October 2017 require monthly payments of approximately $0.6 million, comprised of interest and principal.
In December 2014, one of our consolidated Variable Interest Entities related to Grupo Finmart issued $21.9 million of 11% Notes due December 2017. The debt was collateralized with the principal and interest collected from loan portfolios of the Variable Interest Entity. The 11% Notes due December 2017 require monthly payments of $0.3 million, comprised of interest and principal.
In July 2012 Grupo Finmart transferred certain consumer loans to a bankruptcy remote trust in a securitization transaction. On February 17, 2014, Grupo Finmart repaid this facility and entered into a new securitization transaction to transfer collection rights of certain eligible consumer loans to a bankruptcy remote trust. As of September 30, 2015, $42.7 million was outstanding under the securitization borrowing facility. The trust received financing as a result of the issuance of debt securities and delivered the proceeds of the financing to Grupo Finmart. The unrestricted cash received from this borrowing was primarily used to repay the previous securitization borrowing facility due in 2017 and the transaction costs associated with this transaction. The cash proceeds are restricted primarily for collection rights on the additional eligible loans from Grupo Finmart.
As of September 30, 2015, Grupo Finmart's third party debt (non-recourse to EZCORP) was $176.2 million, with a weighted-average interest rate of 10%.
We anticipate that cash flow from operations and our cash on hand will be adequate to fund our contractual obligations, planned store growth, capital expenditures and working capital requirements during the subsequent fiscal year. In addition, we expect to continue to obtain local financing to fund Grupo Finmart’s lending growth and our Mexican pawn growth.

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Cash Flows
The table below presents a summary of the sources and uses of our cash:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
Percentage
Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Cash flows from operating activities
$
79,398

 
$
74,701

 
6
 %
Cash flows from investing activities
(67,693
)
 
(80,060
)
 
(15
)%
Cash flows from financing activities
2,402

 
32,515

 
(93
)%
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(10,308
)
 
(931
)
 
*

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
$
3,799

 
$
26,225

 
(86
)%
* Represents an increase or decrease in excess of 100% or not meaningful.
The increase in cash flows from operating activities was primarily due to a $48.4 million increase from changes in operating assets and liabilities, partially offset by a $38.0 million decrease in net loss plus several non-cash items and $5.4 million in restructuring payments.
The increase in cash flows from investing activities was primarily due to a $30.5 million increase in net proceeds related to loan activities (net loans repaid and recovery of pawn loan principal through sale of forfeited collateral), and a $5.4 million decrease in acquisitions, net of cash acquired, offset by a $12.1 million investment in Cash Converters International in order to maintain our equity ownership percentage in connection with a non-underwritten placement of shares, a $1.3 million increase in additions to property and equipment and a $10.1 million decrease in proceeds from sale of assets.
The decrease in cash flows from financing activities was primarily due to a $140.9 million decrease in net payments on our revolving line of credit that was terminated in June 2014, a $13.5 million decrease in debt issuance costs, a $17.0 million decrease in payout of deferred and contingent consideration, a $98.8 million increase in change in restricted cash, $2.3 million in proceeds from settlement of forward currency contracts, $11.9 million in common stock repurchased in June 2014 and a $2.6 million decrease in purchases in subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests, partially offset by a $208.7 million decrease in net proceeds from our 2.125% Cash Convertible Senior Notes Due 2019 and related embedded derivative, hedges and warrants issued in June 2014 and a $105.6 million decrease in net proceeds from our outstanding bank borrowings.
The effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents was substantial as a result of the decline in the value of the Mexican peso against the United States dollar during fiscal 2015, primarily pertaining to the results and financial condition of Grupo Finmart.
The net effect of these and other smaller items was a $3.8 million increase in cash on hand during fiscal 2015, providing a $59.1 million ending cash balance.
Cash flows from discontinued operations are aggregated with cash flows from continuing operations in the statements of cash flows. We are unable to bifurcate consolidated cash flows into cash flows attributable to continuing operations and discontinued operations, as certain of these cash flows pertain to consolidated operations. However, we anticipate an overall decline in cash flows from operations and investing activities in future reporting periods as a result of discontinued operations. We expect cash flows to continue to be sufficient to fund our future operations and growth.

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Contractual Obligations
Below is a summary of our cash needs to meet future aggregate contractual obligations as of September 30, 2015:
 
 
 
Payments due by Period
 Contractual Obligations
 Total
 
Less than 1 year
 
1-3 years
 
 3-5 years
 
More than 5 years
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Long-term debt obligations (a)
$
406,245

 
$
76,986

 
$
268,944

 
$
60,315

 
$

Interest on long-term debt obligations (b)
37,245

 
14,028

 
17,845

 
5,372

 

Operating lease obligations
278,043

 
53,038

 
83,179

 
52,856

 
88,970

Deferred consideration and other
20,585

 
17,984

 
2,601

 

 

Total
$
742,118

 
$
162,036

 
$
372,569

 
$
118,543

 
$
88,970

(a)
Excludes debt premium related to Grupo Finmart and debt discount and convertible feature related to the Cash Convertible Notes.
(b)
Future interest on long-term obligations calculated on interest rates effective at the balance sheet date.
In addition to the operating lease obligations in the table above, we are responsible for the maintenance, property taxes and insurance at most of our locations. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 these collectively amounted to $25.1 million.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We discontinued our consumer loan operations in the United States during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. As a result, we expect to eliminate our current off-balance sheet arrangements in future reporting periods.
A discussion of our off-balance sheet arrangements is included in Note 24 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplemental Data.”
Cautionary Statement Regarding Risks and Uncertainties That May Affect Future Results
This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created by these laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. The words “may,” "can," “should,” “could,” “will,” "would," “predict,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such statements are only predictions of the outcome and timing of future events based on our current expectations and currently available information. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements due to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, you should not regard any forward-looking statement as a representation that the expected results will be achieved. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this report. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things:
The restatement of previously issued consolidated financial statements;
The identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting;
Changes in laws and regulations;
The outcome of current or future litigation and regulatory proceedings;
Our controlled ownership structure;
Concentration of business in Texas;
Changes in gold prices or volumes;
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates;
Our ability to continue growing our store count through acquisitions and de novo openings;

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Changes in the business, regulatory or political climate in Mexico;
Changes in pawn redemption rates, loan default and collection rates or other important operating metrics;
Changes in liquidity, capital requirements or access to debt and capital markets;
Changes in the competitive landscape;
Potential infrastructure failures or data security breaches;
Failure to achieve adequate return on our investments;
Potential uninsured property, casualty or other losses;
Potential disruptive effect of acquisitions, investments and new businesses;
Changes in U.S. or international tax laws;
Events beyond our control;
Failure to maintain satisfactory relationships with public-sector employers in Mexico;
Financial statement impact of potential impairment of goodwill;
Inadequacy of loan loss allowances; and
Potential exposure under anti-corruption laws.
For a discussion of these important risk factors, see "Part I, Item 1A — Risk Factors."
In addition, we cannot predict all of the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not regard any forward-looking statements as a representation that the expected results will be achieved.
We specifically disclaim any responsibility to publicly update any information contained in a forward-looking statement except as required by law. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
ITEM 7A — QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market Risk Disclosures
We are exposed to market risk related to interest rates, gold values and changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Our earnings are affected by changes in interest rates as significant amounts of our debt have variable rates. If interest rates averaged 50 basis points more than our current rates during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, our interest expense during the year would have increased by approximately $1.1 million. This amount is determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest rate change on our variable-rate debt during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015.
Our earnings and financial position are affected by changes in gold values, and to a lesser extent silver and stone values, and the resulting impact on pawn lending, jewelry sales and jewelry cost of goods sold. The proceeds of scrap sales and our ability to sell jewelry inventory at an acceptable margin depend on gold values. The impact on our financial position and results of operations of a hypothetical change in gold values cannot be reasonably estimated. We use insignificant short-duration derivative financial instruments in order to manage our commodity price risk associated with the forecasted sales of gold scrap. These derivatives are not designated as hedges and changes in their fair value are recorded directly in earnings.
Our earnings and financial position are affected by foreign exchange rate fluctuations related to our equity investments and our foreign operations. Cash Converters International’s functional currency is the Australian dollar, Empeño Fácil and Grupo Finmart’s functional currency is the Mexican peso and our Canadian operations’ functional currency is the Canadian dollar. The impact on our results of operations and financial position of hypothetical changes in foreign currency exchange rates cannot be reasonably estimated due to the interrelationship of operating results and exchange rates.

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The translation adjustment from Cash Converters International representing the weakening of the Australian dollar from our investment dates to June 30, 2015 (included in our September 30, 2015 results on a three-month lag) was an $8.3 million decrease to stockholders’ equity. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, the Australian dollar weakened to $1.00 Australian to $0.6976 U.S. from $0.8725 U.S. as of September 30, 2014.
The translation adjustment from Latin America representing the weakening of the Mexican peso during the year ended September 30, 2015 was a $44.3 million decrease to stockholders’ equity. We have currently assumed permanent reinvestment of earnings and capital in Mexico. Accumulated translation gains or losses related to any future repatriation of earnings or capital would impact our earnings in the period of repatriation. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, the Mexican peso weakened to $1.00 Mexican to $0.05854 U.S. from $0.07414 U.S. as of September 30, 2014.
The translation adjustment from our Canadian operations representing the weakening of the Canadian dollar during the year ended September 30, 2015 was a $1.4 million decrease to stockholders’ equity. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, the Canadian dollar weakened to $1.00 Canadian to $0.7456 U.S. from $0.8962 U.S. as of September 30, 2014.
We cannot predict the future valuation of foreign currencies or how further movements in exchange rates could affect our future earnings or financial position.

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ITEM 8 — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Page
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for each of the Three Years Ended September 30, 2015

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders
EZCORP, Inc.
Austin, Texas
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of EZCORP, Inc. as of September 30, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2015. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of EZCORP, Inc. at September 30, 2015, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), EZCORP, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated December 23, 2015, expressed an adverse opinion thereon.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP
Dallas, Texas

December 23, 2015


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
EZCORP, Inc.
Austin, Texas

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of EZCORP, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of September 30, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended September 30, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such 2014 and 2013 consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of EZCORP, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended September 30, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
As discussed in Note 25 to the consolidated financial statements, the accompanying 2014 and 2013 consolidated financial statements have been restated to correct errors.


/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Austin, Texas

November 26, 2014 (November 9, 2015 as to the effects of the restatement discussed in Note 25; December 23, 2015 as to Notes 2 and 19)

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EZCORP, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
59,124

 
$
55,325

Restricted cash
15,137

 
63,495

Pawn loans
159,964

 
162,444

Consumer loans, net
36,533

 
63,995

Pawn service charges receivable, net
30,852

 
31,044

Consumer loan fees and interest receivable, net
19,802

 
12,647

Inventory, net
124,084

 
138,175

Deferred tax asset, net
44,134

 
17,572

Prepaid income taxes
7,945

 
18,852

Income taxes receivable
37,230

 
38,217

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
21,076

 
33,097

Total current assets
555,881

 
634,863

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate
56,182

 
91,781

Property and equipment, net
75,594

 
105,900

Restricted cash, non-current
2,883

 
5,070

Goodwill
327,460

 
346,577

Intangible assets, net
50,434

 
66,086

Non-current consumer loans, net
75,824

 
85,004

Deferred tax asset, net
24,987

 
12,142

Other assets, net
42,985

 
63,121

Total assets (1)(3)
$
1,212,230

 
$
1,410,544

 
 
 
 
Liabilities, temporary equity and stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
$
74,345

 
$
36,111

Current capital lease obligations

 
418

Accounts payable and other accrued expenses
107,871

 
94,993

Other current liabilities
15,384

 
8,595

Customer layaway deposits
10,470

 
8,097

Total current liabilities
208,070

 
148,214

Long-term debt, less current maturities
306,337

 
392,054

Deferred gains and other long-term liabilities
6,157

 
15,172

Total liabilities (2)(4)
520,564

 
555,440

Commitments and contingencies


 


Temporary equity:
 
 
 
Class A Non-voting Common Stock, subject to possible redemption at $10.06 per share; 1,168,456 shares issued and outstanding at redemption value as of September 30, 2015; and none as of September 30, 2014
11,696

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest
3,235

 
22,800

Total temporary equity
14,931

 
22,800

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Class A Non-voting Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; shares authorized: 100 million at September 30, 2015 and 2014; issued and outstanding: 50,726,289 as of September 30, 2015; 50,614,767 as of September 30, 2014
507

 
506

Class B Voting Common Stock, convertible, par value $.01 per share; 3 million shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 2,970,171
30

 
30

Additional paid-in capital
307,080

 
332,264

Retained earnings
423,137

 
509,586

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(54,019
)
 
(10,082
)
EZCORP, Inc. stockholders’ equity
676,735

 
832,304

Total liabilities, temporary equity and stockholders’ equity
$
1,212,230

 
$
1,410,544

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (See Note 24)
(1)    Our consolidated assets as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 include the following assets of our consolidated variable interest entities:
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Restricted cash
$
1,361

 
$
1,921

Consumer loans, net
5,846

 
16,465

Consumer loan fees and interest receivable, net
6,399

 
3,058

Non-current consumer loans, net
27,162

 
35,780

Total assets
$
40,768

 
$
57,224

(2)    Our consolidated liabilities as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 include the following liabilities of our consolidated variable interest entities:
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses
$
4,313

 
$
2,105

Current maturities of long-term debt

 
25,438

Long-term debt, less current maturities
73,231

 
35,624

Total liabilities
$
77,544

 
$
63,167

Assets and Liabilities of Grupo Finmart Securitization Trust
(3)    Our consolidated assets as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 include the following assets of Grupo Finmart's securitization trust that can only be used to settle its liabilities:
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Restricted cash
$
12,033

 
$
23,592

Consumer loans, net
36,845

 
41,588

Consumer loan fees and interest receivable, net
6,067

 
5,489

Restricted cash, non-current
197

 
133

Intangible assets, net
1,793

 
2,847

Total assets
$
56,935

 
$
73,649

(4)    Our consolidated liabilities as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 include the following liabilities for which the creditors of Grupo Finmart's securitization trust do not have recourse to the general credit of EZCORP, Inc.:
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Long-term debt, less current maturities
$
42,689

 
$
54,045

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

53


EZCORP, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
$
402,118

 
$
388,022

 
$
368,085

Jewelry scrapping sales
57,973

 
96,241

 
131,675

Pawn service charges
247,204

 
248,378

 
251,354

Consumer loan fees and interest
78,066

 
63,702

 
51,861

Other revenues
3,008

 
3,949

 
6,550

Total revenues
788,369

 
800,292

 
809,525

Merchandise cost of goods sold
267,789

 
248,637

 
218,617

Jewelry scrapping cost of goods sold
46,066

 
72,830

 
96,115

Consumer loan bad debt
29,571

 
22,051

 
14,360

Net revenues
444,943

 
456,774

 
480,433

Operating expenses (income):
 
 
 
 
 
Operations
327,603

 
325,921

 
301,688

Administrative
72,986

 
79,944

 
70,493

Depreciation and amortization
33,543

 
31,762

 
28,096

Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets
2,659

 
(5,841
)
 
1,300

Restructuring
17,080

 
6,664

 

Total operating expenses
453,871

 
438,450

 
401,577

Operating (loss) income
(8,928
)
 
18,324

 
78,856

Interest expense
42,202

 
28,389

 
16,189

Interest income
(1,608
)
 
(1,298
)
 
(992
)
Equity in net loss (income) of unconsolidated affiliates
5,473

 
(5,948
)
 
(13,240
)
Impairment of investments
29,237

 
7,940

 
43,198

Other expense
6,611

 
480

 
2,077

(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes
(90,843
)
 
(11,239
)
 
31,624

Income tax (benefit) expense
(26,695
)
 
(7,246
)
 
9,097

(Loss) income from continuing operations, net of tax
(64,148
)
 
(3,993
)
 
22,527

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
(27,316
)
 
(68,093
)
 
(1,517
)
Net (loss) income
(91,464
)
 
(72,086
)
 
21,010

Net loss from continuing operations attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
(5,015
)
 
(7,387
)
 
(1,222
)
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 
(76
)
Net (loss) income attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
$
(86,449
)
 
$
(64,699
)
 
$
22,308

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to EZCORP, Inc.:
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(1.09
)
 
$
0.05

 
$
0.44

Discontinued operations
(0.50
)
 
(1.25
)
 
(0.03
)
Basic (loss) earnings per share
$
(1.59
)
 
$
(1.20
)
 
$
0.41

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to EZCORP, Inc.:
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(1.09
)
 
$
0.06

 
$
0.44

Discontinued operations
(0.50
)
 
(1.25
)
 
(0.03
)
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
$
(1.59
)
 
$
(1.19
)
 
$
0.41

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
54,369

 
54,148

 
53,657

Diluted
54,369

 
54,292

 
53,737

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income from continuing operations attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
$
(59,133
)
 
$
3,394

 
$
23,749

Loss from discontinued operations attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
(27,316
)
 
(68,093
)
 
(1,441
)
Net (loss) income attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
$
(86,449
)
 
$
(64,699
)
 
$
22,308

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

54

Table of Contents

EZCORP, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Net (loss) income
$
(91,464
)
 
$
(72,086
)
 
$
21,010

Other comprehensive (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation loss
(54,016
)
 
(4,065
)
 
(10,745
)
Foreign currency translation reclassification adjustment realized upon impairment

 
375

 
221

Loss on effective portion of cash flow hedge:
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss) gain before reclassifications

 
(453
)
 
2,388

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
457

 
49

 
(2,536
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

 
540

 
(1,721
)
Reclassification adjustment for (gain) loss on available-for-sale securities included in net income

 
(540
)
 
992

Income tax benefit (expense)
4,408

 
(1,157
)
 
3,346

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(49,151
)
 
(5,251
)
 
(8,055
)
Comprehensive (loss) income including redeemable noncontrolling interests
$
(140,615
)
 
$
(77,337
)
 
$
12,955

Attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest:
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
(5,015
)
 
(7,387
)
 
(1,298
)
Foreign currency translation loss
(5,312
)
 
(1,460
)
 
(1,784
)
Gain (loss) on effective portion of cash flow hedge
29

 
(154
)
 
(59
)
Comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
(10,298
)
 
(9,001
)
 
(3,141
)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
$
(130,317
)
 
$
(68,336
)
 
$
16,096

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

55

Table of Contents

EZCORP, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
$
(91,464
)
 
$
(72,086
)
 
$
21,010

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
37,034

 
38,627

 
34,918

Amortization (accretion) of debt discount (premium) and consumer loan premium (discount), net
8,888

 
2,611

 
(248
)
Consumer loan loss provision
51,966

 
45,014

 
34,146

Deferred income taxes
(39,407
)
 
(6,175
)
 
(14,883
)
Impairment of goodwill
12,253

 
84,158

 

Reversal of contingent consideration

 
(4,792
)
 

Impairment of long-lived assets
18,529

 
10,308

 
1,600

Restructuring
17,080

 
6,121

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs
4,150

 
5,137

 
3,208

Amortization of prepaid commissions
13,702

 
14,525

 
4,573

Other adjustments
13,925

 
(2,251
)
 
4,862

Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets
2,893

 
(5,371
)
 
7,043

Stock compensation
2,374

 
6,845

 
7,128

Loss (income) from investments in unconsolidated affiliates
5,473

 
(5,948
)
 
(13,240
)
Impairment of investments
29,237

 
7,940

 
43,198

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
 
Service charges and fees receivable
(9,987
)
 
(2,212
)
 
3,412

Inventory
433

 
346

 
(9,722
)
Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other assets
(8,482
)
 
(28,807
)
 
(17,671
)
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses and deferred gains and other long-term liabilities
(2,408
)
 
8,952

 
11,033

Customer layaway deposits
1,997

 
(499
)
 
1,416

Restricted cash
(147
)
 

 

Tax provision (benefit) from stock compensation

 
609

 
(293
)
Prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable
11,893

 
(33,480
)
 
(11,655
)
Payments of restructuring charges
(5,376
)
 

 

Dividends from unconsolidated affiliates
4,842

 
5,129

 
10,632

Net cash provided by operating activities
79,398

 
74,701

 
120,467

Investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Loans made
(842,074
)
 
(959,540
)
 
(923,103
)
Loans repaid
574,353

 
658,986

 
602,712

Recovery of pawn loan principal through sale of forfeited collateral
243,692

 
246,053

 
237,717

Additions to property and equipment
(24,286
)
 
(22,964
)
 
(46,698
)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(7,802
)
 
(13,226
)
 
(14,810
)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
(12,140
)
 

 
(11,018
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
564

 
10,631

 

Net cash used in investing activities
(67,693
)
 
(80,060
)
 
(155,200
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 
45

Tax (benefit) provision from stock compensation

 
(609
)
 
293

Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards
(210
)
 
(1,982
)
 
(3,640
)
Debt issuance costs
(556
)
 
(14,017
)
 
(1,283
)
Payout of deferred and contingent consideration
(6,000
)
 
(23,000
)
 
(13,277
)
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes

 
230,000

 

Purchase of convertible notes hedges

 
(46,454
)
 

Proceeds from issuance of warrants

 
25,106

 

Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest
(32,411
)
 
(29,775
)
 
(627
)
Proceeds from settlement of forward currency contracts
2,313

 

 

Contributions from noncontrolling interest

 

 
5,839

Change in restricted cash
40,949

 
(57,891
)
 
1,326

Proceeds from revolving line of credit

 
359,900

 
510,680

Payments on revolving line of credit

 
(500,800
)
 
(470,000
)
Proceeds from bank borrowings
70,686

 
176,013

 
(15,432
)
Payments on bank borrowings and capital lease obligations
(72,369
)
 
(72,073
)
 
9,725

Repurchase of common stock

 
(11,903
)
 

Net cash provided by financing activities
2,402

 
32,515

 
23,649


56

Table of Contents

EZCORP, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(10,308
)
 
(931
)
 
360

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
3,799

 
26,225

 
(10,724
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
55,325

 
29,100

 
39,824

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
59,124

 
$
55,325

 
$
29,100

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid (refunded) during the period for:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
$
16,472

 
$
16,361

 
$
12,553

Income taxes, net
(8,042
)
 
30,194

 
47,108

 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Pawn loans forfeited and transferred to inventory
$
230,998

 
$
241,696

 
$
261,837

Issuance of common stock due to acquisitions
11,696

 

 
38,705

Deferred consideration
9,500

 
2,674

 
25,872

Contingent consideration

 

 
248

Change in accrued additions to property and equipment
(1,337
)
 
(420
)
 
492

Issuance of common stock due to purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest

 

 
10,404

Purchase of shares from noncontrolling interest

 

 
(788
)
Issuance of common stock to 401(k) plan

 
557

 
556

Equity adjustment due to noncontrolling interest purchase
23,251

 
6,609

 

Deferred finance cost payable related to convertible notes

 
1,092

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

57

Table of Contents

EZCORP, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
 
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
 
Treasury Stock
 
EZCORP, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
 
Shares
 
Par
Value
 
 
Retained
Earnings
 
 
Shares
 
Par
Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Balances as of September 30, 2012
51,226

 
$
512

 
$
268,572

 
$
558,940

 
$
(233
)
 

 
$

 
$
827,791

Issuance of common stock related to 401(k) match
30

 
1

 
556

 

 

 

 

 
557

Stock compensation

 

 
7,128

 

 

 

 

 
7,128

Stock options exercised
18

 

 
45

 

 

 

 

 
45

Issuance of common stock due to acquisitions
1,965

 
20

 
38,685

 

 

 

 

 
38,705

Issuance of common stock due to purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest
592

 
6

 
10,398

 

 

 

 

 
10,404

Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest

 

 
(1,500
)
 

 
85

 

 

 
(1,415
)
Release of restricted stock
409

 
4

 

 

 

 

 

 
4

Excess tax benefit from stock compensation

 

 
293

 

 

 

 

 
293

Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards

 

 
(3,640
)
 

 

 

 

 
(3,640
)
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 
(1,119
)
 

 

 
(1,119
)
Effective portion of cash flow hedge

 

 

 

 
(89
)
 

 

 
(89
)
Reclassification adjustment for loss on available-for-sale securities included in net income

 

 

 

 
992

 
 
 

 
992

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 
(6,302
)
 

 

 
(6,302
)
Foreign currency translation reclassification adjustment realized upon impairment

 

 

 

 
221

 

 

 
221

Net income attributable to EZCORP, Inc.

 

 

 
22,308

 

 

 

 
22,308

Balances as of September 30, 2013
54,240

 
$
543

 
$
320,537

 
$
581,248

 
$
(6,445
)



$

 
$
895,883

Issuance of common stock related to 401(k) match
45

 

 
557

 

 

 

 

 
557

Stock compensation

 

 
6,845

 

 

 

 

 
6,845

Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest

 

 
(13,260
)
 

 
(15
)
 

 

 
(13,275
)
Release of restricted stock
300

 
3

 

 

 

 

 

 
3

Excess tax benefit from stock compensation

 

 
(609
)
 

 

 

 

 
(609
)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards

 

 
(1,982
)
 

 

 

 

 
(1,982
)
Effective portion of cash flow hedge

 

 

 

 
(250
)
 

 

 
(250
)
Net proceeds from sale of warrants

 

 
25,106

 

 

 

 

 
25,106

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 
(3,747
)
 

 

 
(3,747
)
Foreign currency translation reclassification adjustment realized upon impairment

 

 

 

 
375

 

 

 
375

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 
(1,000
)
 

 

Retirement of treasury stock
(1,000
)
 
(10
)
 
(4,930
)
 
(6,963
)
 

 
1,000

 

 
(11,903
)
Net loss attributable to EZCORP, Inc.

 

 

 
(64,699
)
 

 

 

 
(64,699
)
Balances as of September 30, 2014
53,585

 
$
536

 
$
332,264

 
$
509,586

 
$
(10,082
)



$

 
$
832,304

Stock compensation

 

 
(1,558
)
 

 

 

 

 
(1,558
)
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest

 

 
(23,180
)
 

 
(71
)
 

 

 
(23,251
)
Release of restricted stock
111

 
1

 

 

 

 

 

 
1

Excess tax benefit from stock compensation

 

 
(236
)
 

 

 

 

 
(236
)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards

 

 
(210
)
 

 

 

 

 
(210
)
Effective portion of cash flow hedge

 

 

 

 
428

 

 

 
428

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 
(44,294
)
 

 

 
(44,294
)
Net loss attributable to EZCORP, Inc.

 

 

 
(86,449
)
 

 

 

 
(86,449
)
Balances as of September 30, 2015
53,696


$
537


$
307,080


$
423,137


$
(54,019
)



$

 
$
676,735

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

58

Table of Contents

EZCORP, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Description of Business
We are a leading provider of pawn loans in the United States and Mexico and consumer loans in Mexico. In the U.S. and Mexico, we offer pawn loans, which are non-recourse loans collateralized by tangible property, and we sell merchandise, primarily collateral forfeited from pawn lending operations and used merchandise purchased from customers.
Through our 94%-owned subsidiary, Prestaciones Finmart, S.A.P.I. de C.V., SOFOM, E.N.R. ("Grupo Finmart"), headquartered in Mexico City, we offer unsecured installment loans to employees of various Mexican employers (principally federal, state and local government agencies), which are repaid through payroll deductions.
As of September 30, 2015, we operated a total of 834 locations, consisting of:
522 United States pawn stores (operating primarily as EZPAWN or Value Pawn & Jewelry);
232 Mexico pawn stores (operating primarily as Empeño Fácil);
53 Grupo Finmart locations in Mexico; and
27 financial services stores in Canada (operating as CASHMAX)
We also own approximately 32% of Cash Converters International Limited (“Cash Converters International”), based in Australia and publicly-traded on the Australian Stock Exchange, which franchises and operates a worldwide network of over 700 locations that provide pawn loans, short-term unsecured loans and other consumer finance products, and buy and sell second-hand goods, with significant store concentrations in Australia and the United Kingdom.
On July 27, 2015, as part of our new restructuring plan to concentrate on growing our core pawn operations in the United States and Mexico and our Grupo Finmart business in Mexico, we implemented a plan to exit our U.S. Financial Services business (“USFS”), ceasing all payday, installment and auto title lending in the United States. As a result of this plan, our USFS operations have been included as discontinued operations. See Note 2.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EZCORP, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Grupo Finmart. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
To determine if we hold a controlling financial interest in an entity, we first evaluate if we are required to apply the variable interest entity (“VIE”) model to the entity; otherwise, the entity is evaluated under the voting interest model. Where we hold current or potential rights that give us the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, combined with a variable interest that gives us the right to receive potentially significant benefits or the obligation to absorb potentially significant losses, we have a controlling financial interest in that VIE. Rights held by others to remove the party with power over the VIE are not considered unless one party can exercise those rights unilaterally. For additional information about our VIEs, see Note 24.
In evaluating whether we have the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, we consider the purpose for which the VIE was created, the importance of each of the activities in which it is engaged and our decision-making role, if any, in those activities that significantly determine the entity’s economic performance as compared to other economic interest holders. This evaluation requires consideration of all facts and circumstances relevant to decision-making that affects the entity’s future performance and the exercise of professional judgment in deciding which decision-making rights are most important.
In determining whether we have the right to receive benefits or the obligation to absorb losses that could potentially be significant to a VIE, we evaluate all of our economic interests in the entity, regardless of form (debt, equity, management and servicing fees and other contractual arrangements). This evaluation considers all relevant factors of the entity’s design, including the entity’s capital structure, contractual rights to earnings or losses, subordination of our interests relative to those of other investors, as well as any other contractual arrangements that might exist that could have the potential to be economically significant. The evaluation of each of these factors in reaching a conclusion about the potential significance of our economic interests is a matter that requires the exercise of professional judgment.

59

Table of Contents

Recasting of Certain Prior Period Information
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, our chief operating decision maker requested changes in the information that he regularly reviews for purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance. As a result, beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, we report our financial performance based on our new segments described in Note 19. We have recast prior period amounts to conform to the way we internally manage and monitor segment performance under the new segments for all periods presented. This change primarily impacted Note 7 and Note 19 with no net impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, except for the effects of discontinued operations as described below.
Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made related to discontinued operations described in Note 2. Furthermore, certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications, other than those discussed above pertaining to the recasting of prior period segment information and discontinued operations, primarily include the removal of historical corporate overhead allocations totaling $18.2 million, $17.8 million and $18.2 million for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, from the segment level to corporate items. These allocations were reclassified to provide greater clarity into the results of our operating segment operations. These changes primarily impacted Note 19 with no net impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
We further reclassified the presentation of changes in our “Deferred gains and other long-term liabilities” consolidated balance sheet account and combined with “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses and deferred gains and other long-term liabilities” in our consolidated statements of cash flows in fiscal 2014 and 2013 for amounts of $0.2 million and $10.3 million, respectively. In addition, we reclassified the presentation of prepaid income taxes totaling $38.2 million as of September 30, 2014 to income taxes receivable in our consolidated balance sheets. These changes had no net impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Restructuring Charges
We record a liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity at fair value in the period in which the liability is incurred, except for liabilities for certain employee termination benefit charges that are accrued over time. Employee termination benefits associated with an exit or disposal activity are accrued when the obligation is probable and estimable as a post-employment benefit obligation when local statutory requirements stipulate minimum involuntary termination benefits or, in the absence of local statutory requirements, termination benefits to be provided are similar to benefits provided in prior restructuring activities. Specifically for termination benefits under a one-time benefit arrangement, the timing of recognition and related measurement of a liability depends on whether employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits and, if so, whether employees will be retained to render service beyond a minimum retention period. For employees who are not required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits or employees who will not provide service beyond the minimum retention period, we record a liability for the termination benefits at the communication date. If employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits and will be retained to render service beyond the minimum retention period, we measure the liability for termination benefits at the communication date and recognize the expense and liability ratably over the future service period.
For contract termination costs, we record a liability for costs to terminate a contract before the end of its term when we terminate the agreement in accordance with the contract terms or when we cease using the rights conveyed by the contract. Liabilities related to termination of an operating lease or contract are measured and recognized at fair value when the contract does not have any future economic benefit and the fair value of the liability is determined based on the present value of the remaining lease obligations, adjusted for the effects of deferred items recognized under the lease, and reduced by estimated sublease rentals that could be reasonably obtained for the property. The assumptions in determining such estimates include anticipated timing of sublease rentals and estimates of sublease rental receipts and related costs based on market conditions. These estimates may vary from actual receipts, causing a change in the balance of accrued lease termination charges in future reporting periods. We record a liability for other costs associated with an exit or disposal activity in the period in which the liability is incurred.
Equity Method Investments
We account for our investment in Cash Converters International using the equity method. Since Cash Converters International’s fiscal year ends three months prior to ours, we report the income from this investment on a three-month lag. Due to the three-month lag, income reported for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 represents our percentage interest in the results of Cash Converters International’s operations from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015, July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 and July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, respectively. Because Cash Converters International publicly files semi-annual financial reports with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission as of and for the periods ended June 30 and December 31, we make estimates for our equity in Cash Converters International’s net income (loss) for Cash Converters International reporting periods ended March 31 (our reporting period ended June 30) and September 30 (our reporting period ended December 31). We record all other-than-temporary impairments as of the date of our reporting period.

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Our estimates for our equity in Cash Converters International’s net income (loss) for Cash Converters International reporting periods ended March 31 (our reporting period ended June 30) and September 30 (our reporting period ended December 31) may vary from actual results. Cash Converters International records its results of operations under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). There have historically been no material differences between Cash Converters International results of operations based upon IFRS versus results of operations as converted to GAAP and we continue to monitor for any such potential differences.
We have accounted for the negative basis in our investment in Cash Converters International of $11.2 million as a reduction in our portion of Cash Converters International goodwill. As such, we will increase our equity in Cash Converters International’s net income in future reporting periods for our portion of any impairments of goodwill recorded by Cash Converters International until such negative basis is restored.
Prior to the quarter ended March 31, 2014, we accounted for our investment in Albemarle & Bond Holdings, PLC ("Albemarle & Bond") using the equity method. As of March 31, 2014, we concluded that this investment was impaired and recognized an other-than-temporary impairment which brought our carrying value of this investment to zero. Albemarle & Bond’s fiscal year ended three months prior to ours; therefore, we reported the income from this investment on a three-month lag.
Pawn Loan and Sales Revenue Recognition
We record pawn service charges using the interest method for all pawn loans we believe to be collectible. We base our estimate of collectible loans on several unobservable inputs, including recent redemption rates, historical trends in redemption rates and the amount of loans due in the following two months. Unexpected variations in any of these factors could change our estimate of collectible loans, affecting our earnings and financial condition. If a pawn loan is not repaid, we value the forfeited collateral (inventory) at the lower of cost (pawn loan principal) or market value of the item.
The maximum United States pawn loan term ranges between 30 and 120 days, with an additional grace period between 0 and 90 days. The maximum Mexico pawn loan term is 30 days, with an additional grace period up to 10 days.
We record sales revenue and the related cost when inventory is sold, or when we receive the final payment on a layaway sale. Sales tax collected on the sale of inventory is excluded from the amount recognized as sales and instead recorded as a liability in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” in our consolidated balance sheets until remitted to the appropriate governmental authorities.
Consumer Loans and Fees and Interest Receivable
In Mexico, Grupo Finmart enters into agreements with employers that permit it to market consumer loans to employees. Payments are withheld by the employers through payroll deductions and remitted to Grupo Finmart.
Prior to the discontinuance of our USFS operations in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 as described in Note 2, we provided a variety of short-term consumer loans, including single-payment and multiple-payment unsecured loans and single-payment and multiple-payment auto title loans. In Texas, we provided fee-based credit services to customers seeking loans.
Consumer loan fees and interest receivable are carried in the consolidated balance sheets net of the allowance for uncollectible consumer loan fees and interest receivable, which is based on recent loan default experience adjusted for seasonal variations and collection percentages. Consumer loans are carried in the consolidated balance sheets net of the allowance for estimated loan losses, which is based on recent loan default experience adjusted for seasonal variations.
Revenue Recognition
Long-Term Unsecured Consumer Loan Revenue — Grupo Finmart customers obtain installment loans with a series of payments due over the stated term, which can be as long as four years. We recognize consumer loan interest related to loans we originate based on the percentage of consumer loans made that we believe to be collectible, and reserve the percentage of interest we expect not to collect, over the period in which payments are expected to be received under the effective interest method.
A number of circumstances cause delays in the receipt of payments on a Grupo Finmart loan. For example:
It often takes 90 days or more for the employer to set up initial payroll withholding and begin remitting payments to Grupo Finmart (a process referred to as “ratification”).
It is not unusual to have an interruption or delay in payments for a number of reasons, such as holidays, summer vacations, illness, convenio renewals, union permits and political elections.

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Many convenios limit the amount that can be withheld from a borrower’s paycheck, and if the borrower has multiple loans outstanding, the withheld amount is generally used to repay the loans in the order in which they were made.
Some larger employers act as a consolidator and remitter on behalf of other smaller employers and the payment consolidation processes, or other issues with employer systems, sometimes cause interruptions in payments.
Long-term unsecured consumer loan revenue is included in “Consumer loan fees and interest” in our consolidated statements of operations. Incremental direct costs incurred (commissions), other than certain brokerage and other costs, are capitalized and deferred ratably over the life of the loans. Amortization of these costs is included in “Operations” expense in our consolidated statements of operations.
We consider the average period of repayment of these loans a critical estimate in determining the appropriate period in which to recognize income under the effective interest method. The shortening or lengthening of our estimate of the period of repayment could have a material impact on the timing of future income recognition. We have utilized an approximate period of income recognition of 36 months during fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013.
The following policies primarily pertain to our USFS operations, which have been included as discontinued operations. For additional information about our discontinued operations, see Note 2.
Unsecured Consumer Loan Credit Service Fees — We earn credit service fees when we assist customers in obtaining unsecured loans from unaffiliated lenders. We initially defer recognition of a portion of the fees we expect to collect and recognize that deferred net amount over the life of the related loans. We reserve the percentage of credit service fees we expect not to collect. Fees related to defaulted loans increase credit service fee revenue upon collection.
Unsecured Consumer Loan Revenue — We accrue fees and interest in accordance with applicable laws on the percentage of unsecured loans (single-payment and multiple-payment) we have made that we believe to be collectible. Accrued fees related to defaulted loans reduce fee revenue upon loan default and increase fee revenue upon collection.
Auto Title Loan Credit Service Fee Revenue — We earn auto title credit service fees when we assist customers in obtaining auto title loans from unaffiliated lenders. We recognize the fee revenue ratably over the life of the loan, and reserve the percentage of fees we expect not to collect.
Auto Title Loan Revenue — We accrue fees in accordance with state laws on the percentage of auto title loans we have made that we believe to be collectible. We recognize the fee revenue ratably over the life of the loan.
Bad Debt and Allowance for Losses
We typically offer loan products to customers who do not have cash resources or access to credit to meet their cash needs. Our customers are considered to be in a higher risk pool with regard to creditworthiness when compared to those of typical financial institutions. As a result, our consumer loans do not have a credit risk profile that can easily be measured by the normal credit quality indicators used by the financial markets. We manage the risk through closely monitoring the performance of the portfolio and through our underwriting process. This process includes review of customer information, such as making a credit reporting agency inquiry, evaluating and verifying income sources and levels, verifying employment and verifying a telephone number where customers may be contacted.
The accuracy of our allowance estimates is dependent upon several factors, including our ability to predict future default rates based on historical trends and expected future events. We base our estimates on observable trends and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. We review and analyze our loan portfolios based on aggregation of loans by type and duration of the loan products. Loan repayment trends and default rates are evaluated each month based on each loan portfolio and adjustments to loss allowance are made accordingly. A documented and systematic process is followed.
Loans to Grupo Finmart customers whose employment is continuing are referred to as “in-payroll” loans, while loans to Grupo Finmart customers whose employment is discontinued are referred to as “out-of-payroll” loans. A customer is generally considered to have discontinued their employment if they are no longer employed by the employer that is responsible for the payroll withholding. We establish reserves for Grupo Finmart loans as follows:

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We reserve 100% of non-performing loans, which for this purpose we consider to be:
Out-of-payroll loans for which Grupo Finmart is not receiving payments; and
In-payroll loans for which Group Finmart has not received any payments for 180 consecutive days.
We also establish additional reserves on loan principal and accrued interest reserves for performing loans based on historical experience.
When we reserve 100% of a Grupo Finmart loan, we charge the loan principal to consumer loan bad debt expense, reduce interest revenue by the amount of unpaid interest theretofore accrued on the loan and cease accruing interest revenue. Future collections are recorded as a reduction of consumer loan bad debt expense (in the case of written-off principal) and an increase in consumer loan fee revenue (in the case of written-off accrued interest) after principal has been recovered. Long-term unsecured consumer loan bad debt expense is included in "Consumer loan bad debt" expense in our consolidated statements of operations.
Grupo Finmart provides an allowance for losses on performing, in-payroll loans and related interest receivable based on historical collection experience. Changes in the principal valuation allowance are charged to "Consumer loan bad debt" expense and changes in the interest receivable valuation allowance are charged to "Consumer loan fees and interest" in our consolidated statements of operations.
We consider the rate of charge-offs and subsequent collections on loans charged-off critical estimates in determining the appropriate amount of reserves for performing loans. Our estimate of future repayments used to develop our loan principal and accrued interest reserves for performing loans based on historical experience could have a material impact on the timing of recognition of bad debt expense.
The following policies primarily pertain to our USFS operations, which have been included as discontinued operations. For additional information about our discontinued operations, see Note 2.
Unsecured Consumer Loan Credit Service Bad Debt — We issue letters of credit to enhance the creditworthiness of our customers seeking unsecured loans from unaffiliated lenders. The letters of credit assure the lenders that if borrowers default on the loans, we will pay the lenders, upon demand, the principal and accrued interest owed to the lenders by the borrowers plus any insufficient funds fees. Although amounts paid under letters of credit may be collected later, we charge those amounts to consumer loan bad debt upon default. We record recoveries under the letters of credit as a reduction of bad debt at the time of collection. After attempting collection of bad debts internally, we occasionally sell them to an unaffiliated company as another method of recovery. We record the proceeds from such sales as a reduction of bad debt at the time of the sale.
Allowance for Losses on Unsecured Consumer Loan Credit Services — We provide an allowance for losses we expect to incur under letters of credit for brokered unsecured loans that have not yet matured. The allowance is based on recent loan default experience adjusted for seasonal variations. It includes all amounts we expect to pay to the unaffiliated lenders upon loan default, including loan principal, accrued interest and insufficient funds fees, net of the amounts we expect to collect from borrowers (collectively, “Expected LOC Losses”). Changes in the allowance are charged to consumer loan bad debt in our consolidated statements of operations. We include the balance of Expected LOC Losses in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” in our consolidated balance sheets. Based on the expected loss and collection percentages, we also provide an allowance for the unsecured loan credit service fees we expect not to collect, and charge changes in this allowance to consumer loan fee revenue.
Unsecured Consumer Loan Bad Debt — In general, we consider a single-payment loan defaulted if it has not been repaid or renewed by the maturity date. If one payment of a multiple-payment loan is delinquent, that one payment is considered defaulted. If more than one payment is delinquent at any time, the entire loan is considered defaulted. Although defaulted loans may be collected later, we charge the loan principal to consumer loan bad debt upon default, leaving only active loans in the reported balance. We record collections of principal as a reduction of consumer loan bad debt when collected. After attempting collection of bad debts internally, we occasionally sell them to an unaffiliated company as another method of recovery and record the proceeds from such sales as a reduction of bad debt at the time of sale.
We do not accrue additional revenues on delinquent loans. All outstanding principal balances and related fee receivables greater than 60 days past due are considered defaulted. Upon default, we charge consumer loan principal to consumer loan bad debt expense and reverse accrued unsecured consumer loan fee revenue.
Unsecured Consumer Loan Allowance for Losses — We provide an allowance for losses on unsecured loans that have not yet matured and related fees receivable, based on recent loan default experience adjusted for seasonal variations.

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Auto Title Loan Credit Services Bad Debt and Allowance for Losses — We issue letters of credit to enhance the creditworthiness of our customers seeking auto title loans from unaffiliated lenders. The letters of credit assure the lenders that if borrowers default on the loans, we will pay the lenders, upon demand, all amounts owed to the lenders by the borrowers plus any insufficient funds fees. Through a charge to auto title loan bad debt, we provide an allowance for losses we expect to incur under letters of credit for brokered auto title loans, and record actual charge-offs against this allowance. The allowance includes all amounts we expect to pay to the unaffiliated lenders upon loan default, including principal, accrued interest and insufficient funds fees, net of the amounts we expect to collect from borrowers or through the sale of repossessed vehicles. We include the allowance for expected losses in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” in our consolidated balance sheets.
Auto Title Loan Bad Debt and Allowance for Losses — Based on historical collection experience, the age of past-due loans and amounts we expect to receive through the sale of repossessed vehicles, we provide an allowance for losses on auto title loans and related fees receivable. We charge any increases in the principal valuation allowance to consumer loan bad debt and charge uncollectable loans against this allowance. Auto title loans remain as recorded investments when in delinquent or nonaccrual status. We consider an auto title loan past due if it has not been repaid or renewed by the maturity date. Based on historical collection experience, the age of past-due loans and amounts we expect to receive through the sale of repossessed vehicles, we provide an allowance for losses on auto title loans. On auto title loans more than 90 days past due, we reserve the percentage we estimate will not be recoverable through auction and reserve 100% of loans for which we have not yet repossessed the underlying collateral. No fees are accrued on any auto title loans more than 90 days past due. We also inspect the automobile, title and reference to market values of used automobiles.
Inventory and Cost of Goods Sold
If a pawn loan is not redeemed, we record the forfeited collateral at cost (the principal amount of the pawn loan) in "Inventory, net" in our consolidated balance sheets. We do not record loan loss allowances or charge-offs on the principal portion of pawn loans, as they are fully collateralized. We record our inventory using the specific identification method of accounting.
In order to state inventory at the lower of cost or market value, we record an allowance for excess, obsolete or slow moving inventory based on the type and age of merchandise. Our inventory consists primarily of general merchandise and jewelry. We include in "Merchandise cost of goods sold" in our consolidated statements of operations the historical cost of inventory sold, inventory shrinkage and any change in the allowance for inventory shrinkage and valuation. We also include the cost of operating our central jewelry processing unit, as it relates directly to sales of precious metals to refiners.
We consider our estimates of obsolete or slow moving inventory and shrinkage critical estimates in determining the appropriate overall valuation allowance for inventory. We monitor our sales margins for each type of inventory on an ongoing basis and compare to historical margins. Significant variances in those margins may require a revision to future inventory reserve estimates. We have historically revised our reserve estimates pertaining to jewelry inventory depending on the current price of gold. Future declines in the value of gold prices may cause an increase in reserve rates pertaining to jewelry inventory.
Earnings per Share and Common Stock
The two-class method is utilized for the computation of earnings per share. The two-class method requires a portion of net income to be allocated to participating securities, which are unvested awards of share-based payments with non-forfeitable rights to receive dividends or dividend equivalents, if declared. Income allocated to these participating securities is excluded from net earnings allocated to common shares. There were no participating securities outstanding during the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
We compute basic earnings per share on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. We compute diluted earnings per share on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options, restricted stock awards, and warrants.
Potential common shares are required to be excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share if the assumed proceeds upon exercise or vest, as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 718-10-25, are greater than the cost to re-acquire the same number of shares at the average market price, and therefore the effect would be anti-dilutive.
Our capital stock consists of two classes of common stock designated as Class A Non-voting Common Stock (“Class A Common Stock”) and Class B Voting Common Stock (“Class B Common Stock”). The rights, preferences and privileges of the Class A and Class B Common Stock are similar except that each share of Class B Common Stock has one vote and each share of Class A Common Stock has no voting privileges, except as required by law. All Class A Common Stock is publicly held.

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Holders of Class B Common Stock may, individually or as a class, convert some or all of their shares into Class A Common Stock on a one-to-one basis. Class A Common Stock becomes voting common stock upon the conversion of all Class B Common Stock to Class A Common Stock. We are required to reserve the number of authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock that would be issuable upon conversion of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Cash Concentrations
Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on deposit or highly liquid investments with original contractual maturities of three months or less, or money market mutual funds. We hold cash at major financial institutions that often exceed FDIC insured limits. We manage our credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents and cash concentrations by investing in high quality instruments or funds, concentrating our cash deposits in high quality financial institutions and by periodically evaluating the credit quality of the primary financial institutions issuing investments or holding such deposits. Historically, we have not experienced any losses due to such cash concentrations.
Restricted cash amounts primarily represent amounts that can only be used to settle liabilities of Grupo Finmart's securitization trust or for interest payments on Grupo Finmart's debt. See Note 9. The changes in these restricted cash amounts are classified as financing cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
“Other adjustments” included in cash provided by operating activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows primarily includes loss on re-measurement of foreign denominated transactions.
Software Development Costs
We capitalize certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use and amortize the costs on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each system, typically five years.
Customer Layaways
Customer layaway deposits are recorded as deferred revenue until we collect the entire related sales price and deliver the related merchandise to the customer. Nonrefundable customer layaway fees are charged upfront and recognized when collected.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and other intangible assets having indefinite lives are not subject to amortization. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350-20-35, we test goodwill and intangible assets with an indefinite useful life for potential impairment annually as of September 30, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The impairment test consists of two steps: in step one, the carrying value of the reporting unit is compared with its fair value; in step two, which is applied when the carrying value is more than its fair value, the amount of goodwill impairment, if any, is derived by deducting the fair value of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities from the fair value of its equity, and comparing that amount with the carrying amount of goodwill. 
We perform our impairment analysis utilizing the income approach. This approach uses future cash flows and estimated terminal values for each of our reporting units (discounted using a market participant perspective) to determine the fair value of each reporting unit, which is then compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit to determine if there is an impairment. We have determined that our reporting units are one level below our operating segments. The income approach includes assumptions about revenue growth rates, operating margins and terminal growth rates discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital derived from other publicly-traded companies that are similar but not identical from an operational and economic standpoint. We use discount rates that are commensurate with the risks and uncertainty inherent in the respective businesses and in our internally developed forecasts. Discount rates used in our reporting unit valuations ranged from 16% to 25%. Changes in the economic conditions or regulatory environment could negatively affect our key assumptions.
We may perform a qualitative assessment in making our determination of whether it is more likely than not goodwill and other intangible assets are impaired under appropriate accounting guidance on an annual basis in future reporting periods. In addition to the assumptions discussed above pertaining to the income approach, we consider the assessment of potential triggering events to be a critical estimate.
Property and Equipment
We record property and equipment at cost. We depreciate these assets on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of 30 years for buildings and two to seven years for furniture, equipment and software development costs. We depreciate

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leasehold improvements over the shorter of their estimated useful life (typically 10 years) or the reasonably assured lease term at the inception of the lease.
Valuation of Tangible Long-Lived Assets
We assess the impairment of tangible long-lived assets annually as of September 30, or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net recorded amount may not be recoverable. The following factors could trigger an impairment review: significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future cash flows, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the overall business, significant negative industry trends or legislative changes prohibiting us from offering our loan products. An impairment loss is recognized if the future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset and the estimated fair value of the asset are less than the asset's carrying value.
In addition to the assumptions associated with the determination of projected future cash flows, we consider the assessment of potential triggering events to be a critical estimate.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
We have elected not to measure at fair value any eligible items for which fair value measurement is optional. We determine the fair value of financial instruments by reference to various market data and other valuation techniques, as appropriate. Unless otherwise disclosed, the fair values of financial instruments approximate their recorded values, due primarily to their short-term nature.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
We recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets at their respective fair values. For all derivative instruments designated as accounting hedges, we formally document the hedging relationship and its risk‑management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, the hedging instrument, the hedged transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged, how the hedging instrument's effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively and a description of the method used to measure ineffectiveness. We also formally assess, both at the inception of the hedging relationship and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging relationships are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged transactions. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as part of a cash flow hedging relationship, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.
We discontinue hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting cash flows attributable to the hedged risk, the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, the cash flow hedge is redesignated because a forecasted transaction is not probable of occurring or management determines to remove the designation of the cash flow hedge. Whenever hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative remains outstanding, we continue to carry the derivative at its fair value on our consolidated balance sheets and recognize any gains and losses currently in accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to any repaid portion of the hedged item in addition to any subsequent changes in the fair value of the derivative under "Other expense (income)" in our consolidated statements of operations. We amortize the gains and losses currently in accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to any remaining outstanding portion of the hedged item to earnings under "Other expense (income)" in our consolidated statements of operations over the remaining term of the outstanding hedged item.
Acquisitions
In accordance with FASB ASC 805-10-65, we allocate the total acquisition price to the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired and immediately expense transaction costs that would have been included in the purchase price allocation under previous accounting standards.
Foreign Currency Translation
Our equity investment in Cash Converters International is translated from Australian dollars into United States dollars at the exchange rates as of the investee's balance sheet date each reporting period. The related interest in the investee's net income is translated at the average exchange rate for each six-month period reported by the investee. The functional currency of Empeño Fácil and Grupo Finmart is the Mexican peso. The functional currency of our wholly owned foreign subsidiary in Canada is the Canadian dollar. Our foreign subsidiaries' balance sheet accounts are translated from their respective functional currencies into United States dollars at the exchange rate at the end of each quarter, and their earnings are translated into United States dollars

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at the average exchange rate each quarter. We present resulting translation adjustments as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.
Foreign currency transaction gains and losses not accounted for as translations as discussed above are reported as “Other expense” in our consolidated statements of operations, “Other adjustments” in our consolidated statements of cash flows and were $13.9 million, $2.1 million and $0.9 million for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These amounts are offset by other gains on foreign currency forwards as discussed in Note 22.
Operations Expense
Included in operations expense are costs related to operating our stores, online businesses and any direct costs of support offices. These costs include labor, other direct expenses such as utilities, supplies and banking fees and indirect expenses such as store rent, building repairs and maintenance, advertising, store property taxes and insurance, regional and area management expenses and the costs of our bad debt collection center.
Administrative Expense
Included in administrative expense are costs related to our executive and administrative offices. This includes executive and administrative salaries, wages, stock and incentive compensation, professional fees, license fees, costs related to the operation of our administrative offices such as rent, property taxes, insurance, information technology and other corporate costs.
Advertising
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included in “Administrative” expense in our consolidated statements of operations. These costs were $4.0 million, $5.6 million and $5.3 million for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and their tax basis and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the related temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized when the rate change is enacted.
Management believes that it is more likely than not that forecasted income, including income that may be generated as a result of certain tax planning strategies, together with future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, will be sufficient to fully recover the deferred tax assets. In the event that we determine all or part of the net deferred tax assets are not realizable in the future, we will make an adjustment to the valuation allowance that would be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made.
A deferred tax liability is not recognized for the undistributed earnings or the excess of the amount for financial reporting over the tax basis of our investment in our foreign subsidiaries, as their earnings will be permanently reinvested outside of the U.S.  We provide deferred income taxes on all undistributed earnings from Cash Converters International
Under FASB ASC 740-10-25, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position to be recognized in the financial statements. In making the determination of sustainability, we must presume the appropriate taxing authority with full knowledge of all relevant information will examine tax positions. FASB ASC 740-10-25 also prescribes how the benefit should be measured, including the consideration of any penalties and interest. It requires that the standard be applied to the balances of tax assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the period of adoption and that a corresponding adjustment be made to the opening balance of equity.
Stock Compensation
We account for stock compensation in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of FASB ASC 718-10-25. We measure stock-based compensation expense at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognize it as expense, net of estimated forfeitures, ratably over the vesting or service period, as applicable, of the stock award. When we grant options and performance-based awards or market-conditioned awards, our policy is to estimate the grant-date fair value of the awards using the Black-Scholes-Merton or Monte Carlo, respectively, and amortize that fair value to compensation expense on a ratable basis over the awards’ vesting period for both cliff vesting and pro-rata vesting grants.

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Common Stock, Subject to Possible Redemption
We account for shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with FASB ASC 480. Under this standard, shares subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value and conditionally redeemable common shares (including shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, shares are classified as stockholders’ equity. The EZCORP common stock subject to possible redemption features certain redemption rights that are considered by the Company to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly as of September 30, 2015, shares subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Treasury Stock
We account for treasury stock under the cost method. When treasury stock is re-issued, proceeds in excess of cost are recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital in our consolidated balance sheets. Any deficiency is recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital to the extent that there are previously recorded gains to offset the losses. If there are no treasury stock gains in additional paid-in capital, the losses upon re-issuance of treasury stock are recorded as a component of retained earnings in our consolidated balance sheets.
Use of Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, inventory, loan loss allowances, long-lived and intangible assets, income taxes, contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience, observable trends and various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. We use this information to make judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from the estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. This ASU requires reporting entities to classify deferred income taxes as non-current on the consolidated balance sheets. Deferred income taxes were previously required to be classified as current or non-current on the consolidated balance sheets. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. A reporting entity should apply the amendment prospectively or retrospectively. The impact of ASU 2015-17 on our consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 would include a reclassification of current deferred tax assets to non-current deferred tax assets of $44.1 million and $17.6 million, respectively within the consolidated balance sheets. Other than these reclassifications, the adoption of ASU 2015-17 is not expected to have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. This ASU requires reporting entities to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. Measurement period adjustments were previously required to be retrospectively adjusted as of the acquisition date. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. A reporting entity should apply the amendment prospectively. We do not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2015-16 will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. This ASU requires reporting entities measuring inventories under the first-in, first-out or average cost methods to measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, where net realizable value is "estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation." Inventory was previously required to be measured at the lower of cost or market value, where the measurement of market value had several potential outcomes. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted provided that presentation is applied to the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. A reporting entity may apply the amendment prospectively. We have not completed the process of evaluating the impact that will result from adopting ASU 2015-11. Therefore we are unable to disclose the impact that adopting ASU 2015-11 will have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows when such standard is adopted.

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In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest — Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This ASU requires reporting entities to record costs paid to third parties that are directly related to issuing debt, and that otherwise would not be incurred, as a deduction to the corresponding debt for presentation purposes. In addition, in August 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest — Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements-Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting. Given the absence of authoritative guidance within ASU 2015-03 for debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements, ASU 2015-15 states the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The provisions of each ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted for each. A reporting entity may apply each amendment retrospectively and the adoption represents a change in accounting principle. The impact of adopting ASU 2015-15 would result in the election to continue to present debt issuance costs related to our revolving credit facilities as an asset. The impact of ASU 2015-03 on our consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 would include an estimated reclassification of unamortized debt issuance costs of $9.0 million and $14.3 million, respectively, from intangible assets to debt within the consolidated balance sheets. Other than these reclassifications, the adoption of ASU 2015-03 is not expected to have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other — Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. This ASU provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. A reporting entity may apply the amendment prospectively or retrospectively. We do not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2015-05 will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. This ASU provides guidance for reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, provided that presentation is applied to the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. A reporting entity may apply the amendment retrospectively or using a modified retrospective approach. We do not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2015-02 will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Determining Whether a Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share is More Akin to Debt or to Equity. This ASU requires reporting entities to determine the nature of a hybrid financial instrument host contract by considering all stated and implied substantive terms and features of the hybrid financial instrument, weighing each term and feature on the basis of relevant facts and circumstances. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, provided that presentation is applied to the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We do not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2014-16 will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40). This update provides guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern or to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 requires management to assess an entity's ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. Specifically, the amendments (1) provide a definition of the term substantial doubt, (2) require an evaluation every reporting period including interim periods, (3) provide principles for considering the mitigating effect of management's plans, (4) require certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management's plans, (5) require an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated, and (6) require an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). ASU 2014-15 is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years. We do not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2014-15 will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). On August 12, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) to defer the effective date to December 15,

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2017 for annual reporting periods beginning after that date. The FASB also permitted early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. The amendments in ASU 2014-09 will be added to the Accounting Standards Codification as Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, as well as some cost guidance in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition - Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve this core principle, the guidance provides that an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies a performance obligation. Notably, the existing requirements for the recognition of a gain or loss on the transfer of non-financial assets that are not in a contract with a customer (e.g., assets within the scope of Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, and intangible assets within the scope of Topic 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other) are amended to be consistent with the guidance on recognition and measurement in ASU 2014-09. For public entities, the amendments in ASU 2014-09, as amended by ASU 2015-14, are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early application is prohibited. The new standard allows for two methods of adoption: (a) full retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all periods presented, or (b) modified retrospective adoption, meaning the cumulative effect of applying the new standard is recognized as an adjustment to the fiscal 2017 opening retained earnings balance. We have not completed the process of evaluating the impact that will result from adopting ASU 2014-09. Therefore we are unable to disclose the impact that adopting ASU 2014-09 will have on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows when such statement is adopted.
In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360) — Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This update provides guidance for the reporting of discontinued operations if (1) a component or group of components of an entity meets the criteria in FASB ASC Paragraph 205-20-45-1E to be classified as held for sale; (2) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of by sale; or (3) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of other than by sale (for example, by abandonment or in a distribution to owners in a spinoff). This update states that a discontinued operation can also include a business or nonprofit activity. Among other disclosures, ASU 2014-08 requires an entity to present, for each comparative period, the assets and liabilities of a disposal group that includes a discontinued operation separately in the asset and liability sections, respectively, of the statement of financial position. ASU 2014-08 is effective prospectively for (1) all disposals of components that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years; and (2) all businesses or nonprofit activities that, on acquisition, are classified as held for sale that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. We do not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2014-08 will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
NOTE 2: DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND RESTRUCTURING
During the fourth quarter of 2015, in the context of a "transformational" change in strategy following an intensive six-month review of all Company activities, we implemented a plan that included:
Exiting our USFS business and ceasing the employment of the employees related to that business; and
Streamlining our structure and operating model to improve overall efficiency and reduce costs, which includes additional store closures, consolidations and relocations; additional headcount reductions in the remaining business and in the corporate support center; termination of various real property leases; and write-down and write-offs of various assets no longer to be used in the business.
Under the new strategy, we will (a) focus on growing our core pawn operations in the United States and Mexico and our Grupo Finmart business in Mexico and (b) simplify our operating structure by moving from a divisional to a functional business model. The costs of exiting of our USFS business are included in “Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax” and the cost of streamlining of our structure and operating model are included in “Restructuring” expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. Accrued charges are included under "Accounts payable and other accrued expenses" in our consolidated balance sheets.
Discontinued Operations
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 we exited our USFS business as discussed above.

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During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, as part of our new strategy to concentrate on an integrated, customer-centric financial services model that is focused on our core businesses of pawn and unsecured payroll lending, we implemented a plan to exit our online lending businesses in the United States and the United Kingdom. As a result of this plan, our online lending operations in the United States (EZOnline) and in the United Kingdom (Cash Genie) have been included as discontinued operations.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2013, we implemented a plan to close 107 legacy stores in a variety of locations. These stores were generally older, smaller stores that did not fit our future growth profile.
The following table summarizes the pre-tax charges (gains), inclusive of the charges presented in the accrued lease termination costs, severance costs and other costs rollforward below, pertaining to the above discontinued operations:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Goodwill impairment
$
10,550

 
$
84,158

 
$

Long-lived assets impairment
1,685

 
11,795

 
5,605

Other (a)
21,045

 
7,590

 
896

Asset disposals
7,443

 
2,882

 
7,081

Lease termination costs
1,720

 
1,504

 
8,608

Reversal of contingent consideration payable

 
(4,792
)
 

 
$
42,443

 
$
103,137

 
$
22,190

(a)
Includes estimated costs related to regulatory compliance, employee severance and accelerated amortization of prepaid expenses and other assets. The amount shown for fiscal 2015 includes a $10.5 million one-time charge associated with the settlement of outstanding issues with the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (see Note 17) and a $4.0 million charge related to the resolution of regulatory compliance issues in our Cash Genie U.K online lending business, which is a part of fiscal 2014 discontinued operations.
Changes in the accrued amounts pertaining to the above charges are summarized as follows:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Beginning balance
$
8.9

 
$
7.1

 
$

Charged to expense
10.6

 
9.1

 
8.7

Cash payments
(12.3
)
 
(4.0
)
 
(1.6
)
Other (a)
(0.8
)
 
(3.3
)
 

Ending balance
$
6.4

 
$
8.9

 
$
7.1

(a)
Includes adjustments due to foreign currency effects and other individually immaterial adjustments.
The remaining accrual is expected to be paid during fiscal 2016, at which time this initiative will be substantially complete.
Total revenue included in “Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax” was $124.7 million, $188.8 million and $205.9 million during fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Restructuring
Fiscal 2015
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 we streamlined our structure and operating model to improve overall efficiency and reduce costs included in our “transformational” change in strategy as discussed above. Restructuring charges related to this action are allocated to certain of our segments. See Note 19.

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The following table summarizes the pre-tax charges, inclusive of the charges presented in the changes in the balance of restructuring costs rollforward below, which have been recorded under “Restructuring” expense in our consolidated statements of operations:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Long-lived assets impairment
$
2,346

Other (a)
3,447

Asset disposals
3,650

Lease termination costs
7,637

 
$
17,080

(a)
Includes costs related to employee severance and other.
Changes in the balance of these restructuring costs are summarized as follows:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Beginning balance
$

Charged to expense
9,469

Cash payments
(1,393
)
Ending balance
$
8,076

We expect to amortize the accrued lease termination costs of $7.6 million into income ratably over the remaining lease terms through fiscal 2029. The remaining accrual is expected to be paid during fiscal 2016.
Fiscal 2014
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, we conducted a company-wide operational review to realign our organization to streamline operations and create synergies and efficiencies. The operational review resulted in the reduction of non-customer-facing overhead causing severance charges as presented below. Restructuring charges related to this action are considered corporate costs and therefore are not allocated to a specific segment. The remaining accrual is expected to be paid during fiscal 2016, at which time this initiative will be substantially complete. Changes in the balance of these restructuring costs are summarized as follows:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Beginning balance
$
6,121

 
$

Charged to expense
763

 
6,664

Cash payments
(3,983
)
 
(543
)
Ending balance
$
2,901

 
$
6,121

We continue to review the impact of these actions and will determine if, based on future operating results, additional actions to reduce operating expenses are necessary. The amount of any potential future charges for such actions will depend upon the nature, timing and extent of those actions.
NOTE 3: ACQUISITIONS
Grupo Finmart
On January 30, 2012, we acquired a 60% interest in Grupo Finmart. On April 1, 2013, Grupo Finmart completed an equity offering to its existing shareholders. We invested $9.2 million, which maintained our ownership at 60%. On June 30, 2014, we

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acquired an additional 16% of the ordinary shares outstanding of Grupo Finmart for $28.7 million, increasing our ownership percentage to 76%. These shares were acquired from the minority shareholders of Grupo Finmart pursuant to contractual put obligations entered into as part of the original acquisition.
On August 31, 2015, we acquired an additional 18% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Grupo Finmart for $29.6 million, increasing our ownership percentage to 94%. These shares were acquired from the minority shareholders of Grupo Finmart pursuant to contractual put obligations entered into as part of the original acquisition. We accounted for this transaction as an equity transaction with no adjustments to purchase price accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 810.
The holders of the remaining 6% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Grupo Finmart have the right, exercisable once in fiscal 2016 and once in fiscal 2017, to require us to purchase their remaining shares at a purchase price based on an independent valuation of the business.
USA Pawn & Jewelry
On August 17, 2015, we completed the acquisition of 13 pawn stores in Oregon and Arizona doing business under the "USA Pawn" brand. The aggregate purchase price was $12.3 million in cash, inclusive of a $0.2 million reduction for imputed interest and all ancillary arrangements. Of the total purchase price, $3.0 million was paid at closing, $3.0 million was paid in December 2015, and $6.5 million will be paid in February 2016. The total deferred consideration is recorded in the consolidated balance sheets under “Other current liabilities.” We have concluded that this acquisition was immaterial to our overall consolidated financial results and, therefore, have omitted the information required by ASC 805-10-50-2(h).
TUYO
On April 1, 2015, we completed the acquisition of the remaining 41% outstanding equity interest in TUYO for $2.8 million in cash and a $0.3 million note payable over the next five years. Prior to this acquisition we owned a 59% interest in TUYO, included their results in our consolidated financial statements and included redeemable noncontrolling interest (related to the minority ownership) in temporary equity.
Following our acquisition of the remaining outstanding equity interest in TUYO, we account for TUYO as a wholly-owned subsidiary. We accounted for this transaction as an equity transaction with no adjustments to purchase price accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 810.
Cash Pawn
On February 19, 2015, we completed the acquisition of 12 pawn stores in Central Texas doing business under the "Cash Pawn" brand. The aggregate purchase price for the acquisition was $16.5 million, comprised of $5.0 million cash and 1,168,456 shares of our Class A Common Stock (the "Shares"), valued at $10.01 per share less a $0.2 million Holding Period Adjustment discussed below. The Shares were issued in an unregistered private placement transaction pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 to a small number of related individuals and entities (the "Sellers") who were either "accredited investors" or "sophisticated investors." We have evaluated and concluded that this acquisition was immaterial to our overall consolidated financial results and therefore we have omitted the information required by ASC 805-10-50-2(h).
On the first anniversary of the closing date, the Sellers have the right to require us to repurchase the Shares for an aggregate price of $11.8 million (the "Put Option"). The Sellers may terminate the Put Option, in whole or in part, at any time. The Sellers are required to hold the Shares for a period of six months following the termination of the Put Option or such later date when we are in compliance with Rule 144(c) (the "Holding Period"). If the trading price of the Class A Common Stock at the end of the Holding Period is less than $10.06 per share (the average closing sales price of the stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market for the five trading days immediately preceding the closing), then we will make an additional cash payment to the Sellers equal to the aggregate deficit, but such payment will not exceed $1.0 million. If the trading price of the Class A Common Stock at the end of the Holding Period is more than $10.06 per share, then we will receive from the Sellers (either in cash or by returning a portion of the Shares) an amount equal to 50% of the aggregate excess, but such payment will not exceed $1.0 million (the "Holding Period Adjustment"). As of September 30, 2015, the Sellers had not terminated the Put Option in whole or in part.
The Put Option is not accounted for separately from the Shares and does not require bifurcation. The Shares are accounted for as common stock, subject to possible redemption under FASB ASC 480 and are included in temporary equity in our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2015. The Holding Period Adjustment is accounted for as a contingent consideration asset under FASB ASC 805, will be adjusted to fair value in subsequent reporting periods, and is recorded in our consolidated balance sheet at its estimated fair value under "Other assets, net" as of September 30, 2015. See Note 21 for additional information regarding the Holding Period Adjustment.

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NOTE 4: EARNINGS PER SHARE
Components of basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share and excluded anti-dilutive potential common shares are as follows:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations attributable to EZCORP, Inc. (A)
$
(59,133
)
 
$
3,394

 
$
23,749

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (B)
(27,316
)
 
(68,093
)
 
(1,441
)
Net (loss) income attributable to EZCORP (C)
$
(86,449
)
 
$
(64,699
)
 
$
22,308

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock (D)
54,369

 
54,148

 
53,657

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock

 
144

 
80

Weighted average common stock and common stock equivalents (E)
54,369

 
54,292

 
53,737

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to EZCORP, Inc.:
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations (A / D)
$
(1.09
)
 
$
0.05

 
$
0.44

Discontinued operations (B / D)
(0.50
)
 
(1.25
)
 
(0.03
)
Basic (loss) earnings per share (C / D)
$
(1.59
)
 
$
(1.20
)
 
$
0.41

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to EZCORP, Inc.:
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations (A / E)
$
(1.09
)
 
$
0.06

 
$
0.44

Discontinued operations (B / E)
(0.50
)
 
(1.25
)
 
(0.03
)
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (C / E)
$
(1.59
)
 
$
(1.19
)
 
$
0.41

 
 
 
 
 
 
Potential common shares excluded from the calculation of diluted (loss) earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
Stock options and restricted stock

 
208

 

Warrants
14,317

 
14,317

 

Total potential common shares excluded
14,317

 
14,525

 

See Note 3 for discussion of common stock subject to possible redemption issued in conjunction with the acquisition of Cash Pawn.

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NOTE 5: STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS
Cash Converters International Limited
As of September 30, 2015, we owned 151,948,000 shares, or approximately 32%, of Cash Converters International Limited. Our total investment in Cash Converters International was acquired between November 2009 and December 2014 for approximately $80.9 million.
In fiscal 2015 our equity in Cash Converters International’s net loss was $5.5 million. In fiscal 2014 and 2013 our equity in Cash Converters International’s net income was $7.1 million and $11.0 million, respectively. Additionally, in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 we recorded dividends from Cash Converters International of $4.8 million, $5.1 million and $5.1 million, respectively. Cash Converters International’s accumulated undistributed after-tax earnings included in our consolidated retained earnings were $8.9 million as of September 30, 2015.
Because Cash Converters International publicly files semi-annual financial reports with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission as of and for the periods ended June 30 and December 31, the latest Cash Converters International figures available are as of June 30, 2015. The following tables present summary financial information for Cash Converters International’s most recently reported results as of September 30, 2015 after translation to United States dollars:
 
June 30
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Current assets
$
186,472

 
$
207,415

Non-current assets
151,287

 
178,764

Total assets
$
337,759

 
$
386,179

 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
$
86,374

 
$
95,242

Non-current liabilities
51,044

 
60,441

Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Equity attributable to owners of the parent
$
200,340

 
$
233,788

Noncontrolling interest
1

 
(3,292
)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
337,759

 
$
386,179


 
Fiscal Year Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Gross revenues
$
313,748

 
$
304,432

 
$
280,059

Gross profit
197,873

 
195,325

 
183,368

(Loss) profit attributable to:
 
 
 
 
 
  Owners of the company
$
(17,980
)
 
$
22,206

 
$
33,754

  Noncontrolling interest
(169
)
 
(2,809
)
 

(Loss) profit for the year
$
(18,149
)
 
$
19,397

 
$
33,754

The fair value of Cash Converters International as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 was considered a Level 1 estimate within the fair value hierarchy of FASB ASC 820-10-50, and was calculated as (a) the quoted stock price on the Australian Stock Exchange as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 multiplied by (b) the number of shares we owned as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 multiplied by (c) the applicable foreign currency exchange rate as of September 30, 2015 and 2014. We included no control premium for owning a large percentage of outstanding shares.

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The table below summarizes the carrying amount and fair value of Cash Converters International as of the dates indicated after translation to U.S. dollars:
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Cash Converters International:
 
 
 
Carrying amount
$
56,182

 
$
91,781

Fair value
56,182

 
128,956

As of September 30, 2015, the fair value of our investment in Cash Converters International was below the carrying value. Therefore, we considered the guidance in FASB ASC 320-10-S99-1 and FASB ASC 323-10-35 and determined that this investment was impaired, and that such impairment was other-than-temporary. In reaching this conclusion, we considered all available evidence, including that (i) Cash Converters International had been negatively impacted by current regulatory requirements in the United Kingdom during its fiscal 2015; (ii) Cash Converters International reached an agreement in June 2015 to pay $17.7 million toward settlement of a class-action lawsuit brought by its customers alleging that Cash Converters International charged excessive interest on short-term loans; (iii) Cash Converters International’s primary banking facility, Westpac Banking Corporation, informed Cash Converters International that it was ceasing to provide services to the company in August 2015, and as of September 30, 2015 Cash Converters International had yet to find an alternative funding source; (iv) Cash Converters International failed to declare its final year-end dividend; and (v) there has a been a prolonged drop in Cash Converters International’s stock price primarily as a result of the above aforementioned factors. As a result, we recognized an other-than-temporary impairment in Cash Converters International of $29.2 million ($18.8 million, net of taxes), which caused a difference between the amount at which the investment was carried and the amount of underlying equity in net assets of Cash Converters International. This impairment charge was recorded under “Impairment of investment” in the consolidated statements of operations.
Albemarle & Bond Holdings, PLC
Prior to its bankruptcy reorganization, Albemarle & Bond was primarily engaged in pawnbroking, retail jewelry sales, check cashing and lending in the United Kingdom. In fiscal 2014 we owned 16,644,640 ordinary shares of Albemarle & Bond, representing almost 30% of its total outstanding shares.
In fiscal 2014 our equity in Albemarle & Bond’s net loss was $1.2 million and we received no dividends.
In March 2014, Albemarle & Bond entered into bankruptcy reorganization in the United Kingdom, and on April 15, 2014 Albemarle & Bond announced that the majority of its business and assets had been sold. In fiscal 2014 and 2013 we recognized other than temporary impairments of $7.9 million ($5.4 million, net of taxes) and $42.5 million ($28.7 million, net of taxes), respectively, which brought our carrying value of this investment to zero and $9.4 million as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 respectively.
There was no carrying amount or fair value for Albemarle & Bond as of September 30, 2015 and 2014.

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NOTE 6: PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Major classifications of property and equipment were as follows:
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Depreciation
 
Net Book
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Depreciation
 
Net Book
Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Land
$
4

 
$

 
$
4

 
$
4

 
$

 
$
4

Buildings and improvements
78,820

 
(48,385
)
 
30,435

 
95,365

 
(45,893
)
 
49,472

Furniture and equipment
96,314

 
(57,183
)
 
39,131

 
101,206

 
(54,498
)
 
46,708

Capital lease equipment

 

 

 
1,600

 
(756
)
 
844

Software
34,849

 
(31,222
)
 
3,627

 
36,194

 
(30,136
)
 
6,058

Construction in progress
2,397

 

 
2,397

 
2,814

 

 
2,814

 
$
212,384

 
$
(136,790
)
 
$
75,594

 
$
237,183

 
$
(131,283
)
 
$
105,900

During fiscal 2015, we recorded impairment charges of $4.3 million and $1.3 million related to long-lived assets of our U.S. Pawn and Mexico Pawn segment, respectively. These impairment charges were recorded under “Operations” expense in our consolidated statements of operations.

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NOTE 7: GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The following table presents the balance of each major class of indefinite-lived intangible assets:
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Pawn licenses
$
8,836

 
$
8,836

Trade name
5,676

 
6,990

Domain name

 
13

 
$
14,512


$
15,839

The following table presents the changes in the carrying value of goodwill, by segment in addition to discontinued operations, during the periods presented:
 
U.S. Pawn
 
Mexico Pawn
 
Grupo Finmart
 
Other
International
 
Discontinued Operations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Balances as of September 30, 2013
$
228,629

 
$
11,717

 
$
98,492

 
$

 
$
94,462

 
$
433,300

Goodwill impairment

 

 

 

 
(84,158
)
 
(84,158
)
Effect of foreign currency translation changes

 
(299
)
 
(2,512
)
 

 
246

 
(2,565
)
Balances as of September 30, 2014
$
228,629

 
$
11,418

 
$
95,980

 
$

 
$
10,550

 
$
346,577

Acquisitions
15,701

 

 

 

 

 
15,701

Goodwill impairment

 
(1,703
)
 

 

 
(10,550
)
 
(12,253
)
Effect of foreign currency translation changes

 
(2,399
)
 
(20,166
)
 

 

 
(22,565
)
Balances as of September 30, 2015
$
244,330

 
$
7,316

 
$
75,814

 
$

 
$

 
$
327,460

The following table presents the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each major class of definite-lived intangible assets:
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Book Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Book Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Real estate finders’ fees
$
1,643

 
$
(733
)
 
$
910

 
$
1,500

 
$
(713
)
 
$
787

Non-compete agreements
3,908

 
(3,147
)
 
761

 
3,823

 
(3,432
)
 
391

Favorable lease
1,001

 
(569
)
 
432

 
1,001

 
(484
)
 
517

Franchise rights

 

 

 
1,432

 
(210
)
 
1,222

Contractual relationship
13,579

 
(4,770
)
 
8,809

 
17,640

 
(4,418
)
 
13,222

Internally developed software
20,659

 
(4,959
)
 
15,700

 
23,851

 
(5,092
)
 
18,759

Deferred financing costs
16,614

 
(7,443
)
 
9,171

 
19,236

 
(4,093
)
 
15,143

Other
502

 
(363
)
 
139

 
547

 
(341
)
 
206

 
$
57,906


$
(21,984
)

$
35,922

 
$
69,030


$
(18,783
)

$
50,247

On February 19, 2015, we completed the acquisition of 12 pawn stores in Central Texas doing business under the "Cash Pawn" brand and recorded $10.7 million in goodwill related to this acquisition. On August 17, 2015, we completed the acquisition of 13 pawn stores in Oregon and Arizona doing business under the "USA Pawn & Jewelry" brand and recorded $5.0 million in goodwill related to this acquisition. These acquisitions were made as part of our continuing strategy to enhance our earnings over the long-term. The factors contributing to the recognition of goodwill were based on several strategic and synergistic benefits we expect to realize from the acquisitions. These benefits include a greater presence in the Central Texas, Phoenix, Arizona and Oregon markets, as well as the ability to further leverage our expense structure through increased scale. Goodwill

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from these acquisitions was recorded in the U.S. Pawn segment. We expect substantially all of this goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes. See Note 3 for additional information regarding these acquisitions.
In accordance with FASB ASC 350-20-35, we test goodwill and intangible assets with an indefinite useful life for potential impairment annually, or more frequently when there are events or circumstances that indicate that it is more likely than not that an impairment exists. During the three-month period ended June 30, 2015, we evaluated events and circumstances and concluded that there were indicators of impairment under ASC 350-20-35-3C, including a continued decline in the market price of our Class A Common Stock and proposals issued by the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in March 2015, whose impact was subsequently evaluated by management. We performed a quantitative Step 1 analysis under ASC 350-20-35 and determined that the fair value of each of our reporting units exceeded the carrying value, with the exception of our USFS reporting unit. The fair values of each reporting unit were determined based upon a discounted cash flow approach in addition to information pertaining to the fair value of similar businesses (market approach). We further measured the impairment of goodwill associated with the USFS reporting unit under Step 2 and determined that $10.6 million, the entire amount of goodwill associated with the USFS reporting unit, should be written-off during the three-month period ended June 30, 2015. The impairment was recorded under "Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax" on the consolidated statements of operations. No other long-term assets were determined to be impaired as of June 30, 2015.
During the fourth quarter ended September 30, 2015, we performed our required annual impairment test for all reporting units utilizing the income approach. The income approach uses future cash flows and estimated terminal values (discounted using a market participant perspective) to determine the fair value of each intangible asset. We recorded an impairment of $1.7 million included in “Operations” expense in our consolidated statements of operations as of September 30, 2015, the entire amount of the goodwill associated with our TUYO reporting unit.
As of September 30, 2015, the calculated fair value of each of the reporting units in the U.S. Pawn, Mexico Pawn and Grupo Finmart segments exceeded their carrying values by approximately 15%, 60% and 30%, respectively. Future events such as a decline in collections on Grupo Finmart loans or other unforeseen events may lead to future impairments of goodwill.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, we recorded a $3.7 million impairment of internally developed software and other assets, included in corporate “Administrative” expenses under in our consolidated statements of operations.
In fiscal 2014, we recorded a $1.6 million impairment of internally developed software, included in corporate “Administrative” expenses under in our consolidated statements of operations.

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The amortization of most definite-lived intangible assets is recorded as amortization expense. The favorable lease asset and other intangibles are amortized to operations expense (rent expense) over the related lease terms. The deferred financing costs are amortized to interest expense over the life of the related debt instruments.
The following table presents the amount and classification of amortization recognized as expense in each of the periods presented:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Amortization expense in continuing operations
$
5,690

 
$
5,317

 
$
3,402

Amortization expense in discontinued operations
583

 
1,976

 
1,859

Operations expense
103

 
111

 
108

Interest expense
4,150

 
5,137

 
3,208

 
$
10,526


$
12,541


$
8,577

The following table presents our estimate of future amortization expense for definite-lived intangible assets:
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
Amortization expense
 
Operations expense
 
Interest expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
2016
 
$
7,052

 
$
106

 
$
2,985

2017
 
5,809

 
106

 
2,391

2018
 
5,328

 
106

 
2,320

2020
 
2,820

 
78

 
1,472

2021
 
2,348

 
72

 
3

As acquisitions and dispositions occur in the future, amortization expense may vary from these estimates.

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NOTE 8: ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND OTHER ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses consisted of the following:
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Trade accounts payable
$
40,439

 
$
30,288

Accrued payroll
10,955

 
14,260

Bonus accrual
6,823

 
6,300

Other payroll related expenses
3,569

 
4,137

Accrued interest
3,654

 
3,337

Accrued rent and property taxes
11,491

 
14,064

Accrual for expected losses on credit service letters of credit
880

 
4,708

Collected funds payable to unaffiliated lenders under credit service programs
40

 
1,026

Deferred revenues
3,888

 
7,038

Other accrued expenses
14,648

 
9,835

Restructuring reserve
11,484

 

 
$
107,871

 
$
94,993

Other current liabilities consisted of the following
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Deferred consideration payable
$
15,384

 
$
8,595

 
$
15,384

 
$
8,595


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NOTE 9: LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
The following table presents our long-term debt instruments and balances under capital lease obligations outstanding as of September 30, 2015 and 2014:
 
September 30, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Debt Discount
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Debt (Discount) Premium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Recourse to EZCORP:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.125% Cash convertible senior notes due 2019
$
193,932

 
$
(36,068
)
 
$
185,693

 
$
(44,307
)
Cash convertible senior notes due 2019 embedded derivative
10,505

 

 
36,994

 

Capital lease obligations

 

 
418

 

Non-recourse to EZCORP:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured foreign currency debt up to $4 million due 2014*

 

 
63

 
3

Secured foreign currency debt up to $9 million due 2014*

 

 
86

 

Secured foreign currency debt up to $15 million due 2016*
1,142

 

 
4,796

 

Secured foreign currency debt up to $18 million due 2017*
17,567

 

 
22,240

 

Consumer loans facility due 2019
42,689

 

 
54,045

 

10% unsecured notes due 2014

 

 
1,158

 

8.5% unsecured notes due 2015
12,372

 

 
29,875

 

10% unsecured notes due 2015
1,500

 

 
943

 

11% unsecured notes due 2015
3,868

 

 
4,897

 

17% secured notes due 2015 consolidated from VIEs

 

 
3,207

 

10% unsecured notes due 2016
1,885

 

 
118

 

12% secured notes due 2016
2,928

 

 
3,881

 
174

13% unsecured notes due 2016
1,171

 

 

 

15% unsecured notes due 2016
233

 

 

 

15% secured notes due 2016 consolidated from VIEs
5,397

 

 
9,638

 

11% secured notes due 2017 consolidated from VIEs
56,113

 

 
28,572

 

14.5% secured notes due 2017 consolidated from VIEs
11,754

 

 
19,645

 

12.4% secured notes due 2020
17,626

 

 
22,314

 

Total
380,682


(36,068
)

428,583


(44,130
)
Less current portion
74,345

 

 
36,529

 
177

Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations
$
306,337

 
$
(36,068
)
 
$
392,054

 
$
(44,307
)
* Maximum amounts of debt are translated from Mexican pesos to United States dollars as of September 30, 2015.
Domestic Line of Credit up to $200 Million Due 2015
On May 10, 2011, we entered into a senior secured credit agreement with a syndicate of five banks. The credit agreement provided for a four year $175 million revolving credit facility that we could, under the terms of the agreement, request to be increased to a total of $225 million. On May 31, 2013, we amended the senior secured credit agreement to increase our revolving credit facility from $175 million to $200 million. We used approximately $119.4 million of net proceeds from the 2.125% Cash Convertible Senior Notes due 2019, as described below, to repay all outstanding borrowings under the senior secured credit agreement and terminated that agreement in June 2014.
2.125% Cash Convertible Senior Notes Due 2019
In June 2014 (“Original Issuance Date”), we issued $200 million aggregate principal amount of 2.125% Cash Convertible Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Cash Convertible Notes”). We granted the initial purchasers the option to purchase up to an additional $30 million aggregate principal amount of Cash Convertible Notes. That option was exercised in full on June 27, 2014, and we issued an additional $30 million principal amount of Cash Convertible Notes on July 2, 2014. All of the Cash

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Convertible Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated June 23, 2014 (the "Indenture") by and between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as the trustee. The Cash Convertible Notes were issued in a private offering under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. The Cash Convertible Notes pay interest semi-annually in arrears at a rate of 2.125% per annum on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing December 15, 2014, and will mature on June 15, 2019 (the "Maturity Date").
Prior to December 15, 2018, the Cash Convertible Notes will be convertible only upon the occurrence of certain events and during certain periods, and thereafter, at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the Maturity Date. At maturity, the holders of the Cash Convertible Notes will be entitled to receive cash equal to the principal amount of the Cash Convertible Notes plus unpaid accrued interest.
The Cash Convertible Notes are unsubordinated unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to any of our indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Cash Convertible Notes, equal in right of payment with all of our other unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness, and effectively junior to all debt or other obligations (including trade payables) of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Indenture governing the Cash Convertible Notes does not contain any financial covenants.
We incurred transaction costs of approximately $8.8 million (including adjustments to the originally estimated amount of $9.9 million) related to the issuance of the Cash Convertible Notes, which we recorded as deferred financing costs and are included in “Intangible assets, net” in our consolidated balance sheets. Deferred financing costs are being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the expected term of the Cash Convertible Notes.
Under the terms of our Cash Convertible Notes, payment of dividends requires a conversion rate adjustment equal to the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend multiplied by the last reported sale price of the Class A Common Stock on the trading day immediately preceding the ex-dividend date for such dividend, divided by the difference between the last reported sale price of the Class A Common Stock on the trading day immediately preceding the ex-dividend date for such dividend and the amount in cash per share we distribute to all or substantially all holders of Class A Common Stock. Should we pay dividends in the future, our certificate of incorporation provides that cash dividends on common stock, when declared, must be declared and paid at the same per share amounts on both classes of stock. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors.
Convertible Notes Embedded Derivative
We account for the cash conversion feature of the Cash Convertible Notes as a separate derivative instrument (the “Convertible Notes Embedded Derivative”), which had a fair value of $46.5 million on the Original Issuance Date that was recognized as the original issue discount of the Cash Convertible Notes. This original issue discount is amortized to interest expense over the term of the Cash Convertible Notes using the effective interest method. As of September 30, 2015, the Convertible Notes Embedded Derivative is recorded as a non-current liability under “Long-term debt, less current maturities” in our consolidated balance sheets, and will be marked to market in subsequent reporting periods. The classification of the Convertible Notes Embedded Derivative liability as current or non-current on the consolidated balance sheets corresponds with the classification of the net balance of the Cash Convertible Notes as discussed below.
The Cash Convertible Notes are convertible into cash, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions and during the periods described below, based on an initial “Conversion Rate” of 62.2471 shares of Class A Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Cash Convertible Notes (equivalent to an initial “Conversion Price” of approximately $16.065 per share of our Class A Common Stock). Upon conversion of a note, we will pay cash based on a daily conversion value calculated on a proportionate basis for each trading day in the applicable 80 trading day observation period as described in the Indenture. The conversion rate will not be adjusted for any accrued and unpaid interest.
Holders may surrender their Cash Convertible Notes for conversion into cash prior to December 15, 2018 only under the following circumstances (the “Early Conversion Conditions”): (1) during any fiscal quarter commencing after the fiscal quarter ending on September 30, 2014 (and only during such fiscal quarter), if the last reported sale price of our Class A Common Stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the Conversion Price on each applicable trading day; (2) during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”) in which the trading price, as defined in the Indenture, per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our Class A Common Stock and the conversion rate on such trading day; or (3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events, as defined in the Indenture. On or after December 15, 2018 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, holders may convert their notes into cash at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances.

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If a holder elects to convert its Cash Convertible Notes in connection with certain make-whole fundamental changes, as that term is defined in the Indenture, that occur prior to the Maturity Date, we will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate for Cash Convertible Notes converted in connection with such make-whole fundamental changes by a specified number of shares of Class A Common Stock. In addition, the conversion rate is subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments (for example, certain dividend distributions or tender or exchange offer of our Class A Common Stock).
Upon the occurrence of a fundamental change, as defined in the Indenture, holders may require us to repurchase for cash all or any portion of the then outstanding Cash Convertible Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Impact of Early Conversion Conditions on Financial Statements
As of September 30, 2015, the Cash Convertible Notes were not convertible because the Early Conversion Conditions described above have not been met. Accordingly, the net balance of the Cash Convertible Notes was classified as a non-current liability in our consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2015. The classification of the Cash Convertible Notes as current or non-current in the consolidated balance sheets is evaluated at each balance sheet date and may change from time to time depending on whether one of the Early Conversion Conditions has been met.
If one of the Early Conversion Conditions is met in any future fiscal quarter, we will classify our net liability under the Cash Convertible Notes as a current liability in the consolidated balance sheets as of the end of that fiscal quarter. If none of the Early Conversion Conditions have been met in a future fiscal quarter prior to the one-year period immediately preceding the Maturity Date, we will classify our net liability under the Cash Convertible Notes as a non-current liability in the consolidated balance sheets as of the end of that fiscal quarter. If the note holders elect to convert their Cash Convertible Notes prior to maturity, any unamortized discount and transaction costs will be expensed at the time of conversion. If the entire outstanding principal amount had been converted on September 30, 2015, we would have recorded an expense associated with the conversion, comprised of $36.1 million of unamortized debt discount and $6.6 million of unamortized debt issuance costs. As of September 30, 2015, none of the note holders had elected to convert their Cash Convertible Notes.
Convertible Notes Hedges
In connection with the issuance of the Cash Convertible Notes, we purchased cash-settled call options (the “Convertible Notes Hedges”) in privately negotiated transactions with certain of the initial purchasers or their affiliates (in this capacity, the “option counterparties”). The Convertible Notes Hedges provide us with the option to acquire, on a net settlement basis, approximately 14.3 million shares of our Class A Common Stock at a strike price of $16.065, which is equal to the number of shares of our Class A Common Stock that notionally underlie the Cash Convertible Notes and corresponds to the Conversion Price of the Cash Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes Hedges have an expiration date that is the same as the Maturity Date of the Cash Convertible Notes, subject to earlier exercise. The Convertible Notes Hedges have customary anti-dilution provisions similar to the Cash Convertible Notes. If we exercise the Convertible Notes Hedges, the aggregate amount of cash we will receive from the option counterparties to the Convertible Notes Hedges will cover the aggregate amount of cash that we would be required to pay to the holders of the converted Cash Convertible Notes, less the principal amount thereof. As of September 30, 2015, we have not purchased any shares under the Convertible Notes Hedges.
The aggregate cost of the Convertible Notes Hedges was $46.5 million (or $21.3 million net of the total proceeds from the Warrants sold, as discussed below). The Convertible Notes Hedges are accounted for as a derivative asset and are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at their estimated fair value in “Other assets, net.” The Convertible Notes Embedded Derivative liability and the Convertible Notes Hedges asset will be adjusted to fair value each reporting period and unrealized gains and losses will be reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. The Convertible Notes Embedded Derivative and the Convertible Notes Hedges are designed to have similar fair values. Accordingly, the changes in the fair values of these instruments are expected to offset and not have a net impact on the consolidated statements of operations.
The classification of the Convertible Notes Hedges asset as current or long-term on the consolidated balance sheet corresponds with the classification of the Cash Convertible Notes, which is evaluated at each balance sheet date and may change from time to time depending on whether one of the Early Conversion Conditions has been met.
Convertible Notes Warrants
In connection with the issuance of the Cash Convertible Notes, we also sold net-share-settled warrants (the “Warrants”) in privately negotiated transactions with the option counterparties for the purchase of up to approximately 14.3 million shares of our Class A Common Stock at a strike price of $20.83 per share, for total proceeds of $25.1 million, net of issuance costs, which was recorded as an increase in stockholders' equity. The Warrants have customary anti-dilution provisions similar to the Cash Convertible Notes. As a result of the Warrants, we will experience dilution to our diluted earnings per share if our average

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closing stock price exceeds $20.83 for any fiscal quarter. The Warrants expire on various dates from September 2019 through February 2020 and must be settled in net shares of our Class A Common Stock. Therefore, upon expiration of the Warrants, we will issue shares of Class A Common Stock to the purchasers of the Warrants that represent the value by which the price of the Class A Common Stock exceeds the strike price stipulated within the particular warrant agreement. As of September 30, 2015, there were 14.3 million warrants outstanding.
Cash Convertible Notes Interest Expense
Total interest expense pertaining to the Cash Convertible Notes for fiscal 2015 and 2014 was $14.1 million and $3.5 million, respectively, comprised of contractual interest expense and debt discount amortization of $4.9 million and $9.2 million, respectively for fiscal 2015 and $1.4 million and $2.1 million, respectively for fiscal 2014. The effective interest rate for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was approximately 7%.
As of September 30, 2015, the remaining unamortized issuance discount will be amortized over the next four years assuming no early conversion.
Non-Recourse Debt to EZCORP, Inc.
Non-recourse debt amounts in the table above represent Grupo Finmart’s third-party debt including secured notes consolidated from VIEs. Amounts due are in Mexican pesos and are translated each reporting period.
Secured Foreign Currency Debt, Secured Notes not Consolidated from VIEs and Unsecured Notes
Foreign currency debt and secured notes (not including secured notes consolidated from VIEs, which are discussed below) are guaranteed by Grupo Finmart's loan portfolio or collateralized cash at Grupo Finmart’s option. As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, Grupo Finmart’s secured foreign currency debt and notes, excluding secured notes consolidated from VIEs, were guaranteed by consumer loans totaling $37.5 million and $13.9 million, respectively, included in “Consumer loans, net” and “Non-current consumer loans, net” in our consolidated balance sheets, and collateralized cash totaling $2.3 million and $37.7 million, respectively, included in “Restricted cash” and “Restricted cash, non-current” in our consolidated balance sheets.
Interest on secured foreign currency debt due 2016 is charged at the Mexican Interbank Equilibrium (“TIIE”) plus a margin of 4.9%, or a total of 8.2% as of September 30, 2015 and requires monthly payments of $0.1 million with the remaining principal due at maturity. The secured foreign currency debt due in 2017 has a 14.5% fixed interest rate and requires monthly payments of $1.5 million, beginning May 2016, with the remaining principal due at maturity.
The 12.4% secured notes due 2020 require monthly payments of $1.0 million beginning December 2018, with the remaining principal due at maturity.
All unsecured notes are collateralized with Grupo Finmart’s assets. The 10% unsecured notes due 2015, 11% unsecured notes due 2015, 10% unsecured notes due 2016, 12% secured notes due 2016, 13% unsecured notes due 2016 and 15% unsecured notes due 2016 are due in full at maturity.
On May 15, 2013, Grupo Finmart issued and sold $30.0 million of 9% Global Registered Notes due November 16, 2015. Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $14.0 million were purchased by EZCORP and, therefore, eliminated in consolidation in prior periods. In December 2014, Grupo Finmart repaid $17.5 million of these outstanding notes. The entire remaining principal balance of the 8.5% unsecured notes due 2015 is due at maturity. See Note 22 for a discussion of associated derivatives.
Consumer Loans Facility Due 2019
On February 17, 2014, Grupo Finmart entered into a new securitization transaction to transfer collection rights of certain eligible consumer loans to a bankruptcy remote trust in exchange for cash. The trust received financing as a result of the issuance of debt securities and delivered the proceeds of the financing to Grupo Finmart. Portions of the cash received from this borrowing was primarily used to repay the previous securitization borrowing facility due 2017 and the transaction costs associated with this transaction. The remaining cash proceeds are restricted primarily for collection rights on eligible loans from Grupo Finmart, and $2.1 million of interest and trust maintenance costs to be recovered at repayment. The restricted cash proceeds are recourse to Grupo Finmart unless additional eligible loans are delivered within the two year period specified in the agreement. The borrowing facility has a two year lending period and matures on March 19, 2019. Upon the termination of the lending period, Grupo has an option to start prepaying the principle early from the collection received by the trust. Grupo Finmart will continue to service the underlying loans in the trust.

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Deferred financing costs related to the Consumer Loans Facility Due 2019 totaling approximately $1.8 million are included in “Intangible assets, net” on our consolidated balance sheets and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the agreement. Interest is charged at TIIE plus a 2.5% margin, or a total of 5.8% as of September 30, 2015.

Grupo Finmart is the primary beneficiary of the securitization trust because Grupo Finmart has the power to direct the most significant activities of the trust through its role as servicer of all the receivables held by the trust and through its obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the trust. Consequently, we consolidate the trust. See “Assets and Liabilities of Grupo Finmart Securitization Trust” included in our consolidated balance sheets.
Secured Notes Consolidated from VIEs
During the year ended September 30, 2014, Grupo Finmart entered into three separate agreements with third party investors and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) to securitize selected loans providing asset backed financing for operations. The VIEs issued promissory notes to the third party first beneficiaries of the VIEs. The VIEs are referred to as VIE C, VIE B and VIE A. The debt described below is collateralized by all of the assets of the VIEs as presented in our consolidated balance sheets. See Note 24.
The secured notes consolidated from VIEs contain certain prepayment clauses. Where the collections on consumer loans held by the VIEs are greater than anticipated in future reporting periods, we expect an accelerated repayment of the secured notes. See “Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated Variable Interest Entities” included in our consolidated balance sheets.
In October 2013, VIE C issued $9.3 million of 17% Notes due May 2015 and $10.0 million of 15% Notes due October 2016 to the first beneficiary of VIE C. The debt was collateralized with the principal and interest collected from loan portfolios of VIE C. The 17% Notes due May 2015 and the 15% Notes due October 2016 require monthly payments of approximately $0.4 million and $0.3 million, each, comprised of interest and principal.
In March 2014, VIE B issued $16.0 million of 11% Notes due April 2017 to the first beneficiary of VIE B. In June 2014, VIE B issued $16.5 million of 11% Notes due July 2017 to the first beneficiary of VIE B. The debt was collateralized with the principal and interest collected from loan portfolios of VIE B. The 11% Notes due April 2017 and the 11% Notes due July 2017 require monthly payments of approximately $0.2 million each, comprised of interest and principal.
In June 2014, VIE A issued $21.8 million of 14.5% Notes due October 2017 to the first beneficiary of VIE A. The debt was collateralized with the principal and interest collected from loan portfolios of VIE A. The 14.5% Notes due October 2017 require monthly payments of approximately $0.2 million, comprised of interest and principal.
In October 2014, VIE B issued $43.8 million of 11% Notes due October 2017 to the first beneficiary of VIE B. The debt was collateralized with the principal and interest collected from loan portfolios of VIE B. The 11% Notes due October 2017 require monthly payments of approximately $0.6 million, comprised of interest and principal.
In December 2014, VIE B issued $21.9 million of 11% Notes due December 2017. The debt was collateralized with the principal and interest collected from loan portfolios of VIE B. The 11% Notes due December 2017 require monthly payments of $0.3 million, comprised of interest and principal.
NOTE 10: COMMON STOCK AND STOCK COMPENSATION
Common Stock
The following table presents information on shares of our Class A Common Stock issued as acquisition consideration. Fiscal 2013 shares were registered on a “shelf" Registration Statement on Form S-4 that was declared effective in January 2011, and fiscal 2015 shares were issued through an unregistered private placement transaction pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 to a small number of related individuals and entities who were either “accredited investors" or “sophisticated investors.”
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Shares issued due to acquisitions
1,168

 

 
1,965

Shares issued due to purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest

 

 
592


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Stock Compensation
During fiscal 2015, we granted awards to employees based upon underlying shares that were not issued, and therefore we accounted for these as phantom share-based awards under FASB ASC 718-30. These awards were classified as a current liability and recorded at their fair value of $3.9 million in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” on our consolidated balance sheets for unvested share-based payment awards as of September 30, 2015.
Our net income includes the following compensation costs related to our stock compensation arrangements:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Gross compensation costs:
 
 
 
 
 
Phantom stock
$
3,932

 
$

 
$

Restricted stock
(1,558
)
 
6,845

 
7,128

Total gross compensation costs
2,374

 
6,845

 
7,128

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax benefits:
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted stock

 
(3,576
)
 
(2,460
)
Total income tax benefits

 
(3,576
)
 
(2,460
)
Net compensation expense
$
2,374

 
$
3,269

 
$
4,668

Our non-employee directors are eligible for grants of restricted stock awards and non-qualified stock options. All options and restricted stock relate to our Class A Common Stock. No options have been granted to non-employee directors since fiscal 2007. The restricted stock awards that have been granted to non-employee directors in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 vest over two years from the date of grant (50% on or about the first anniversary of the date of grant and 50% on or about the second anniversary). Restricted stock awards, non-qualified options and incentive stock options have been granted to our officers and employees under our 1998, 2003, 2006 and 2010 Incentive Plans. A portion of the restricted stock awards granted in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 contain both performance and time-based vesting provisions and generally vest over three years. Additionally, there are fiscal 2015 awards, accounted for as phantom share-based awards, that are market-conditioned in which a certain number of shares vest in specified amounts if the per-share trading price of our Class A Common Stock achieves specified levels ranging from $15 to $80 within six years. These market conditioned shares are also subject to a transfer restriction until the end of the vesting period. The derived service period on these shares is between 1.1 and 4 years and varies by tranche.
On May 1, 2010 our Board of Directors approved the adoption of the EZCORP, Inc. 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”). The 2010 Plan permits grants of options, restricted stock awards and stock appreciation rights covering up to 1,575,750 shares of our Class A Common Stock plus any shares that become available for issuance under either the 2010 Plan or prior plans as a result of forfeitures or cancellations of awards without delivery of shares or as a result of withholding shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations. In February and March 2015, the Board of Directors and the voting stockholder approved the addition of 643,673 shares and 1,081,200 shares, respectively, to the 2010 Plan. The 1,081,200 shares have not yet been registered in a Form S-8, however, and will not be available to be issued in satisfaction of approved awards until so registered.
Generally, newly issued shares are used to satisfy stock option exercises and restricted stock awards. We measure the fair value of restricted stock awards and phantom share-based awards as of the grant date and record compensation expense ratably over the vesting period based on the closing market price of the Class A Common Stock as of the grant date for time-based and performance-based awards. We utilize Monte Carlo simulation models to estimate the fair value of certain stock price-based awards.
The fair value of fiscal 2015 phantom share-based awards that were estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation model incorporated the closing share price of our Class A Common Stock on the date of grant (considered, for this purpose, to be

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October 1, 2014), as well as the following assumptions, which we consider to be Level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy:
Expected volatility of EZCORP, Inc. Class A Common Stock
49.7
%
Risk-free interest rate
1.9
%
Expected term in years
6

Cost of equity
11.5
%
Dividend yield

The following is a summary of restricted stock award activity, excluding the 1,863,550 shares being accounted for as phantom stock as of September 30, 2015, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015:
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
Outstanding as of September 30, 2014
685,551

 
$
19.82

Granted
94,000

 
10.34

Released (a)
(132,412
)
 
14.03

Forfeited
(63,978
)
 
20.79

Outstanding as of September 30, 2015
583,161

 
$
18.94

(a)
Approximately 22,009 shares were withheld to satisfy related federal income tax withholding.
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions except per share amounts)
Weighted average grant-date fair value per share granted (a)
$
10.34

 
$
14.58

 
$
20.43

Total grant date fair value of shares vested
$
1.8

 
$
7.6

 
$
10.7

(a)
2015 shares granted exclude phantom share-based awards. Including these shares, weighted average grant-date fair value was $5.69 per share.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we determined the performance targets required for performance based awards to vest (which were based on EBITDA growth) were improbable of being achieved, and therefore we reversed all expense previously recognized in prior periods in the quarter ended December 31, 2014. In the first quarter of fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved certain adjustments to the calculation of EBITDA for purposes of measuring year-over-year EBITDA growth. With these adjustments, the fiscal 2015 performance target was probable of being achieved. This triggered a type III modification, as defined under FASB ASC 718, creating a change from an improbable to probable vesting condition. This required that we calculate a new fair value as of the date of the modification (considered to be September 30, 2015) and catch up expense for all probable performance based awards as of September 30, 2015 at the new fair-value. The expense recorded to true-up these awards was $1.5 million.
As of September 30, 2015, the unamortized fair value of restricted stock awards and phantom share-based awards to be amortized over their remaining vesting periods was approximately $11.6 million and the fair value of all options had been fully amortized to expense. The weighted-average period over which these costs will be amortized is four years.

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The following is a summary of option activity:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions except share amounts)
Shares issued due to stock option exercises

 
100

 
18,000

Proceeds due to stock option exercises
$

 
$

 
$
0.05

Tax benefit from stock option exercises
$

 
$

 
$

Intrinsic value of stock options exercised
$

 
$

 
$
0.28

On March 25, 2014, following the shareholders' approval, we filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a Certificate of Amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized Class A Common Stock from 55,550,000 to 100,000,000.
In connection with the retirement of our Executive Chairman effective June 30, 2014, we agreed to accelerate the vesting of 270,000 shares of restricted stock and recorded $2.2 million of the related gross compensation costs in the quarter ending March 31, 2014. Out of the 270,000 shares, 135,000 shares would have otherwise vested on October 2, 2014 and 135,000 shares would have otherwise vested on October 2, 2016.
In June 2014, in connection with the issuance of the Cash Convertible Notes discussed in Note 9, we repurchased 1.0 million shares of outstanding Class A Common Stock in privately negotiated transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $11.9 million. We recognized the total amount of the repurchased shares in “Treasury Stock” on our consolidated balance sheets. In July 2014, we retired all 1.0 million of the previously repurchased shares.
NOTE 11: TEMPORARY EQUITY
The following table provides a summary of the activity in our temporary equity balances:
 
Common Stock, Subject to Possible Redemption
 
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
 
Total Temporary Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Balances as of September 30, 2013
$

 
$
47,297

 
$
47,297

Sale of additional shares to parent

 
(15,496
)
 
(15,496
)
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 
(7,387
)
 
(7,387
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 
(1,460
)
 
(1,460
)
Effective portion of cash flow hedge

 
(154
)
 
(154
)
Balances as of September 30, 2014
$

 
$
22,800

 
$
22,800

Issuance of common stock, subject to possible redemption
11,696

 

 
11,696

Sale of additional shares to parent

 
(9,267
)
 
(9,267
)
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 
(5,015
)
 
(5,015
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 
(5,312
)
 
(5,312
)
Effective portion of cash flow hedge

 
29

 
29

Balances as of September 30, 2015
$
11,696

 
$
3,235

 
$
14,931

See Note 3 for discussion of common stock subject to possible redemption issued in conjunction with an acquisition and redeemable noncontrolling interest comprised of the minority interest of Grupo Finmart and TUYO.

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NOTE 12: INCOME TAXES
The following table presents the significant components of the income tax provision from continuing operations:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
(6,149
)
 
$
10,060

 
$
23,437

State and foreign
2,000

 
(11,132
)
 
593

 
(4,149
)
 
(1,072
)
 
24,030

Deferred:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
(5,643
)
 
(1,220
)
 
(17,689
)
State and foreign
(16,903
)
 
(4,954
)
 
2,756

 
(22,546
)
 
(6,174
)
 
(14,933
)
 Total income tax (benefit) expense
$
(26,695
)
 
$
(7,246
)
 
$
9,097

The following table presents a reconciliation of income taxes calculated at the statutory rate and the provision for income taxes attributable to continuing operations:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Income taxes (benefit) at the federal statutory rate
$
(31,798
)
 
$
(3,933
)
 
$
11,071

Non-deductible expense related to incentive stock options
13

 

 

State income tax, net of federal benefit
(701
)
 
(1,543
)
 
271

Change in valuation allowance
6,055

 
481

 
680

Federal tax credits
(4,567
)
 
(124
)
 
(314
)
Foreign tax credit and valuation allowance
(3,440
)
 
(2,174
)
 
(3,263
)
Tax basis balance sheet adjustment
4,488

 

 

Effect of permanently reinvesting foreign earnings
880

 
(445
)
 
86

Other
2,375

 
492

 
566

Total income tax (benefit) expense
$
(26,695
)
 
$
(7,246
)
 
$
9,097

Effective tax rate
29
%
 
64
%
 
29
%
The amount of income tax allocated to discontinued operations was a benefit of $9.5 million and $7.3 million during fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, and an expense of $10.4 million during fiscal 2013.

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The following table shows significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities:
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Albemarle & Bond loss carryforward
$

 
$
4,067

Cash Converters International impairment
10,438

 

Tax over book inventory
11,402

 
15,599

Accrued liabilities
31,034

 
16,536

Pawn service charges receivable

 
3,450

Book over tax depreciation
4,988

 

Book over tax amortization

 
1,066

Prepaid expenses
2,316

 

Stock compensation
431

 

Foreign tax credit
4,567

 

Foreign income and dividends
9,767

 

State and foreign net operating loss carry-forwards
14,904

 
198

Total deferred tax assets
89,847

 
40,916

Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Tax over book amortization
14,507

 

Foreign income and dividends

 
476

Tax over book depreciation

 
8,299

Stock compensation

 
875

Prepaid expenses

 
1,388

Total deferred tax liabilities
14,507

 
11,038

Net deferred tax asset
75,340

 
29,878

Valuation allowance
(6,219
)
 
(164
)
Net deferred tax asset
$
69,121

 
$
29,714

Deferred taxes are not provided for temporary differences of approximately $15.9 million representing losses of non-United States subsidiaries intended to be permanently reinvested outside the United States. We estimate that, upon distribution of our share of these earnings, we would be subject to United States income taxes of approximately $0.9 million as of September 30, 2015. We provided deferred income taxes on all undistributed earnings from Cash Converters International. Any taxes paid to foreign governments on these earnings may be used in whole or in part as credits against the United States tax on any dividends distributed from such earnings.
A full valuation allowance was recognized on the net operating loss carryforward of one of our Canadian operations as it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized based on the weight of available evidence. This net operating loss carryforward totaling $20.7 million will expire during the years 2030 to 2036.
No valuation allowance was recognized on the net operating loss carryforward totaling $28.9 million of one of our Mexican operations as it is more likely than not that the loss will be fully utilized based on the weight of available evidence. This net operating loss carryforward will expire in 2025.
Additionally, we have a $4.6 million foreign tax credit that will expire in 2025 that we expect is more likely than not to be fully utilized based on the weight of available evidence
We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as “Income tax expense” in our consolidated statements of operations, which were nominal during fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013.
We are subject to United States, Mexico, United Kingdom and Canada income taxes as well as income taxes levied by various state and local jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to examinations by tax authorities for years before

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the tax year ended September 30, 2010. Management believes that adequate provisions have been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations.
NOTE 13: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Participation in Grupo Finmart Financing by Santiago Creel Miranda
In August 2015, Grupo Finmart completed a $3.5 million financing with a group of investors. The proceeds of this financing were used for general working capital purposes. As part of the financing, Grupo Finmart entered into a separate loan agreement with each investor pursuant to which the investor loaned a specified amount. The terms of each loan agreement call for an interest at a rate of 10% to 15% per annum. The loans can be prepaid at any time. Santiago Creel Miranda (a member of our Board of Directors) was a participant in this financing and loaned Grupo Finmart approximately $250,000 for one year at an interest rate of 15% per annum. This loan was paid off in December 2015 and is no longer outstanding. Through the final payoff, Grupo Finmart paid Mr. Creel a total of approximately $14,000 in interest on the loan.
Agreements with Madison Park
For fiscal 2014 and 2013, we entered into one-year advisory services agreements with Madison Park, LLC, a business and financial advisory firm wholly owned by Phillip E. Cohen, the beneficial owner of all of our outstanding Class B Common Stock, pursuant to which, Madison Park provided advisory services related to our business and long-term strategic plan. Pursuant to the agreements, the annual fee for the services, recorded in “Administrative” expense in our consolidated statements of operations, was $7.2 million in fiscal 2014 and $7.2 million in fiscal 2013. There were no accrued fees recorded in our consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2015 and 2014. The entire amount pertaining to fiscal 2014 was not recorded in our consolidated statements of operations due to the termination of the agreement discussed below.
Prior to entering into each of those Madison Park agreements and pursuant to our Policy for Review and Evaluation of Related Party Transactions, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors implemented measures designed to ensure that the agreement was considered, analyzed, negotiated and approved objectively. Those measures included the engagement of an independent financial advisory firm to counsel and advise the committee in the course of its consideration and evaluation of the Madison Park relationship and the proposed agreement and the receipt of a fairness opinion with respect to the consideration to be paid to Madison Park pursuant to the agreement.
In each case, after consideration and discussion of a number of factors, the information and fairness opinion provided by its independent financial advisory firm, and the relationships and the interests of Mr. Cohen, the Audit Committee concluded that the proposed agreement was fair to, and in the best interests of, the company and its stockholders and, on that basis, approved the engagement of Madison Park pursuant to the agreement.
On May 20, 2014 and as permitted by the agreement, we issued a 30-day notice of termination to Madison Park, and the advisory services agreement for fiscal 2014 was terminated effective June 19, 2014. During fiscal 2014, prior to the termination of the agreement on June 19, 2014, we paid $5.2 million in fees pursuant to the agreement.
Agreements with LPG Limited
For fiscal 2014 and 2013, we entered into one-year consulting agreements with LPG Limited (HK) (“LPG Limited”), a business and financial advisory firm wholly-owned by Lachlan P. Given, who is currently Executive Chairman and a director. Under the agreements, LPG Limited provided a variety of consulting and advisory services to the Company, and we paid LPG Limited total fees of $259,000 in fiscal 2014 (prior to the termination of the agreement in June 2014) and $480,000 in fiscal 2013. These agreements were entered into, and the fiscal 2014 agreement was terminated, prior to Mr. Given’s appointment to our Board of Directors in July 2014.

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NOTE 14: LEASES
We lease and sublease various facilities, pawn locations, payroll withholding services locations and certain equipment under operating and capital leases. Future minimum rentals due under non-cancelable leases and annual future minimum rentals expected under subleases are as follows:
 
September 30, 2015
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
Operating Lease Payments
 
Sublease Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
2016
$
52,715

 
$
918

2017
45,503

 
852

2018
36,685

 
783

2019
28,942

 
715

2020
22,932

 
736

Thereafter
88,970

 
3,172

 
$
275,747

 
$
7,176

After an initial lease term of generally three to 10 years, our real property lease agreements typically allow renewals in three to five-year increments. Our lease agreements generally include rent escalations throughout the initial lease term. Rent escalations are included in the above numbers. For financial reporting purposes, the aggregate rentals over the lease term, including lease renewal options that are reasonably assured, are expensed on a straight-line basis.
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Gross rent expense from continuing operations
$
59,784

 
$
59,565

 
$
54,731

Sublease rent revenue from continuing operations
(479
)
 
(263
)
 
(217
)
Net rent expense from continuing operations
$
59,305

 
$
59,302

 
$
54,514

In December 2014, we entered into a non-cancelable 13-year operating lease for our corporate offices, with rent payments beginning February 2016 and ending March 2029. Annual rent escalates from $3.0 million at lease inception to $4.6 million in the terminal year of the lease. The lease includes two five-year extension options at the end of the initial lease term. The estimated minimum future rental payments under the lease are approximately $57.1 million. We intend to initiate subleases for a portion of our corporate operating office lease; however no such sublease revenue is included in our future minimum rentals expected under non-cancelable subleases above.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, we entered into non-cancelable subleases for our Miami and Mexico City regional offices for estimated minimum future sublease payments of approximately $8.7 million. Sublease payments are expected to partially offset our operating lease obligations over the nine-year period beginning March 2015 and ending September 2024 (in the case of the Miami lease) and the three-year period beginning March 2015 and ending June 2018 (in the case of the Mexico City lease). Annual total sublease payments escalate from $0.6 million at sublease inception to $1.0 million in the terminal year of the last sublease.
NOTE 15: EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Paul E. Rothamel, our former President and Chief Executive Officer, had an employment agreement that provided for certain benefits (principally, a payment equal to one year of then-current base salary plus, in some cases, the prorated annual incentive bonus at target amount) if Mr. Rothamel’s employment was terminated under certain circumstances. This employment agreement was terminated on July 18, 2014, and in November 2015 we paid Mr. Rothamel approximately $2.6 million (representing one year of base salary and the prorated annual incentive bonus at target amount for fiscal 2014). This amount was previously charged to expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.
In June 2014, the Board of Directors approved two plans that provide severance benefits to certain senior executives (including the executive officers).
As approved, the EZCORP, Inc. Change in Control Severance Plan provides certain of our senior executives with certain severance benefits if (1) the executive’s employment is either terminated by the Company for any reason other

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than Cause (as defined in the plan) and (2) such termination of employment occurs within two years after a “Change in Control” of the Company or prior to, but in connection with, a potential Change in Control. The term “Change in Control” is defined in the plan and includes not only a change in beneficial ownership of our voting stock, but also certain changes in the composition of the Board of Directors. To date, a Change in Control (as defined in the plan) has not occurred, and there are no current participants in the plan.
As approved, the EZCORP, Inc. Executive Severance Pay Plan provided participants with certain severance benefits in non-change in control circumstances, generally if the participant’s employment was either terminated by the Company for any reason other than Cause (as defined in the plan), death, disability or mandatory retirement or terminated by the participant for Good Reason (as defined in the plan). The original participants in the plan included certain of our senior executives. The plan was intended to replace various severance arrangements that were otherwise reflected in offer letters and other documents. On August 25, 2014, the Board of Directors terminated the Executive Severance Pay Plan and reinstated the various severance arrangements that existed prior to the adoption of the plan.
We provide the following severance benefits to our executive officers:
Each of our executive officers will receive salary continuation for one year if his or her employment is terminated without cause. In addition, the severance arrangement for Jodie E. B. Maccarrone, an executive officer, includes (a) an amount equal to prorated annual incentive bonus at target, (b) continuation of healthcare benefits for one year and(c) accelerated vesting of outstanding restricted stock, restricted stock units and SERP contributions awarded prior to July 29, 2015; provided, however, that such enhanced benefits are payable only if Ms. Maccarrone’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause prior to August 1, 2017.
Generally, restricted stock awards, including those granted to the executive officers, provide for accelerated vesting of some or all of the unvested shares in the event of the holder’s death or disability.
NOTE 16: RETIREMENT PLANS
We sponsor a 401(k) retirement savings plan under which eligible employees may contribute a portion of pre-tax earnings. In our sole discretion, we may match employee contributions in the form of either cash or our Class A Common Stock. Prior to July 1, 2013, a participant vested in the matching contributions pro rata over their first five years of service. As of July 1, 2013, a participant vests in the matching contributions pro rata over their first three years of service. All of a participant’s matching contributions vest 100% in the event of the participant’s death or disability or the termination of the plan due to a change in control.
The following table presents matching contribution information for our 401(k) Plan:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Matching contributions to EZCORP Inc. 401(k) Plan and Trust
$
547

 
$
570

 
$
557

We also provide a non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for selected executives. Funds in the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan vest over three years from the grant date, with one-third vesting each year. All of a participant’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan funds from all grants vest 100% in the event of the participant’s death or disability or the termination of the plan due to a change in control. In addition, the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan funds are 100% vested when a participant attains his or her normal retirement age (generally 60 years old and five years of active service) while actively employed by us. Expense of contributions to the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan is recognized based on the vesting schedule.
The following table provides contribution and amortized expense amounts related to the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Contributions to the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
$
356

 
$
499

 
$
1,069

Amortized expense due to Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
405

 
484

 
976


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NOTE 17: CONTINGENCIES
We are involved in various claims, suits, investigations and legal proceedings, included those discussed below. We cannot give any assurance as to the ultimate outcome of any of these matters. Except as noted below, we have not recorded a liability for any of these matters as of September 30, 2015 because we do not believe at this time that any loss is probable or that the amount of any loss can be reasonably estimated. The following is a description of significant proceedings.
Shareholder derivative litigation — On July 28, 2014, Lawrence Treppel, a purported holder of Class A Non-voting Common Stock, filed a derivative action in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware styled Treppel v. Cohen, et al. (C.A. No. 9962-VCP). The complaint, as originally filed and as amended on September 23, 2014, names as defendants Phillip E. Cohen, the beneficial owner of all of our outstanding Class B Voting Common Stock; several current and former members of our Board of Directors (Joseph J. Beal, Sterling B. Brinkley, John Farrell, Pablo Lagos Espinosa, William C. Love, Thomas C. Roberts and Paul E. Rothamel); three entities controlled by Mr. Cohen (MS Pawn Limited Partnership, the record holder of our Class B Voting Common Stock; MS Pawn Corporation, the general partner of MS Pawn Limited Partnership; and Madison Park LLC); and EZCORP, Inc., as nominal defendant. The amended complaint asserts the following claims:
Claims against the current and former Board members for breach of fiduciary duties and waste of corporate assets in connection with the Board’s decision to enter into advisory services agreements with Madison Park from October 2004 to June 2014;
Claims against Mr. Cohen and MS Pawn Limited Partnership for aiding and abetting the breaches of fiduciary duties relating to the advisory services agreements with Madison Park; and
Claims against Mr. Cohen and Madison Park for unjust enrichment for payments under the advisory services agreements.
The plaintiff seeks (a) recovery for the Company in the amount of the damages the Company has sustained as a result of the alleged breach of fiduciary duties, waste of corporate assets and aiding and abetting, (b) disgorgement by Mr. Cohen and Madison Park of the benefits they received as a result of the related party transactions and (c) reimbursement of costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees.
On November 13, 2014, pursuant to the parties’ stipulation, the Court dismissed the action as to Mr. Brinkley, Mr. Rothamel and Mr. Lagos.
Each of the remaining defendants have filed motions to dismiss, and a hearing on those motions was held before the Court on September 8, 2015. On October 6, 2015, the Court requested the parties to submit supplemental briefing addressing the applicability of a recent Delaware Supreme Court decision, and the parties did so on October 27, 2015. The parties are awaiting the Court's ruling on the motions to dismiss.
We intend to continue to defend vigorously against the claims asserted in this lawsuit. Although the lawsuit does not seek relief against the Company, we have certain indemnification obligations to the other defendants (including Madison Park and Mr. Cohen), which obligations include the payment of attorney’s fees in advance of the outcome. We cannot predict the outcome of this lawsuit, or the amount of time and expense that will be required to resolve it.
Federal securities litigation (SDNY) — On August 22, 2014, Jason Close, a purported holder of Class A Non-voting Common Stock, for himself and on behalf of other similarly situated holders of Class A Non-voting Common Stock, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York styled Close v. EZCORP, Inc., et al. (Case No. 1:14-cv-06834-ALC). The complaint names as defendants EZCORP, Inc., Paul E. Rothamel (our former chief executive officer) and Mark Kuchenrither (our former chief financial officer and former chief operating officer) and asserts violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In general, the complaint alleges that the implementation of certain strategic and growth initiatives were less successful than represented by the defendants, that certain of the Company’s business units and investments were not performing as well as represented by the defendants and that, as a result, the defendants’ disclosures and statements about the Company’s business and operations were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
On October 17, 2014, the Automotive Machinists Pension Plan, also purporting to be the holder of Class A Non-voting Common Stock and acting for itself and on behalf of other similarly situated holders of Class A Non-voting Common Stock, filed a lawsuit in the United Stated District Court for the Southern District of New York styled Automotive Machinists Pension Plan v. EZCORP, Inc., et al (Case No. 1:14-cv-8349-ALC). The complaint names EZCORP, Inc., Mr. Rothamel and Mr. Kuchenrither as defendants, but also names Mr. Cohen and MS Pawn Limited Partnership. The complaint likewise asserts violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as well as Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder,

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alleging generally that (1) EZCORP and the officer defendants (Mr. Rothamel and Mr. Kuchenrither) issued false and misleading statements and omissions concerning the business and prospects, and compliance history, of the Company’s online lending operations in the U.K. and the nature of the Company’s consulting relationship with entities owned by Mr. Cohen and the process the Board of Directors used in agreeing to it, and (2) Mr. Cohen and MS Pawn Limited Partnership, as controlling persons of EZCORP, participated in the preparation and dissemination of the Company’s disclosures and controlled the Company’s business strategy and activities.
On October 21, 2014, the plaintiff in the Automotive Machinists Pension Plan action filed a motion to consolidate the Close action and the Automotive Machinists Pension Plan action and to appoint the Automotive Machinists Pension Plan as the lead plaintiff. On November 18, 2014, the court consolidated the two lawsuits under the caption In Re EZCORP, Inc. Securities Litigation (Case No. 1:14-cv-06834-ALC), and on January 16, 2015, appointed the lead plaintiff and lead counsel.
On March 13, 2015, the lead plaintiff filed a Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint (the "Amended Complaint"). The Amended Complaint asserts violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as well as Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, alleging generally that:
EZCORP and the officer defendants (Mr. Rothamel and Mr. Kuchenrither) issued false and misleading statements and omissions regarding the Company's online lending operations in the U.K. (Cash Genie) and Cash Genie's compliance history;
EZCORP and the officer defendants issued false and misleading statements and omissions regarding the nature of the Company's consulting relationship with Madison Park LLC (an entity owned by Mr. Cohen) and the process the Board of Directors used in agreeing to it;
EZCORP's financial statements were false and misleading, and violated GAAP and SEC rules and regulations, by failing to properly recognize impairment charges with respect to the Company's investment in Albemarle & Bond; and
Mr. Cohen and MS Pawn Limited Partnership, as controlling persons of EZCORP, were aware of and controlled the Company's alleged false and misleading statements and omissions.
The defendants have filed motions to dismiss, and the parties have submitted their respective supporting and opposing briefs. That motion is pending before the Court.
We cannot predict the outcome of the litigation, but we intend to continue to defend vigorously against all allegations and claims.
Federal Securities Litigation (WDT) — On July 20, 2015, Wu Winfred Huang, a purported holder of Class A Non-voting Common Stock, for himself and on behalf of other similarly situated holders of Class A Non-voting Common Stock, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas styled Huang v. EZCORP, Inc., et al. (Case No. 1:15-cv-00608-SS). The complaint names as defendants EZCORP, Inc., Stuart I. Grimshaw (our chief executive officer) and Mark E. Kuchenrither (our former chief financial officer) and asserts violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. The complaint relates to the Company’s announcement on July 17, 2015 that it will restate the financial statements for fiscal 2014 and the first quarter of fiscal 2015, and alleges generally that the Company issued materially false or misleading statements concerning the Company, its finances, business operations and prospects and that the Company misrepresented the financial performance of the Grupo Finmart business.
On August 14, 2015, a substantially identical lawsuit, styled Rooney v. EZCORP, Inc., et al. (Case No. 1:15-cv-00700-SS) was also filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. On September 28, 2015, the plaintiffs in these 2 lawsuits filed an agreed stipulation to be appointed co-lead plaintiffs and agreed that their two actions should be consolidated. On November 3, 2015, the Court entered an order consolidating the two actions under the caption In re EZCORP, Inc. Securities Litigation (Master File No. 1:15-cv-00608-SS), and appointed the two plaintiffs as co-lead plaintiffs, with their respective counsel appointed as co-lead counsel. Under the Court’s current scheduling order, the plaintiffs have until early January 2016 to file an amended complaint, after which the defendants will have 45 days to file a motion to dismiss.
This case is in the very early stages. We cannot predict the outcome of the litigation, but we intend to defend vigorously against all allegations and claims.
SEC Investigation — On October 23, 2014, we received a notice from the Fort Worth Regional Office of the SEC that it was conducting an investigation into certain matters involving EZCORP, Inc. The notice was accompanied by a subpoena, directing us to produce a variety of documents, including all minutes and materials related to Board of Directors and Board committee meetings since January 1, 2009 and all documents and communications relating to our historical advisory services relationship with Madison Park (the business advisory firm owned by Mr. Cohen) and LPG Limited (a business advisory firm owned by

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Lachlan P. Given, our current Executive Chairman of the Board). The SEC has also issued subpoenas to current and former members of our Board of Directors requesting production of similar documents, as well as to certain third parties, and has conducted interviews with certain individuals. We continue to cooperate fully with the SEC in its investigation.
CFPB Investigation — From February 2014 through January 2015, we received several Civil Investigative Demands ("CIDs") from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB") requiring the production of documents and oral testimony regarding aspects of our U.S. Financial Services business, particularly our payday and installment loans. We cooperated fully with the CFPB in its investigation and provided the CFPB with the requested information.
On April 13, 2015, we received a NORA ("Notice of Opportunity to Respond and Advise") call from the CFPB, in which the CFPB staff asserted alleged violations of federal consumer financial protection laws, including allegations that certain of our historical practices constitute “unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices” (“UDAAP”). We submitted our written response to the NORA allegations on May 1, 2015, in which we stated our position with respect to each of the alleged violations.
Following our decision in July 2015 to exit the USFS business, including all payday, installment and auto title lending activities in the United States, we commenced discussions with the CFPB staff regarding a settlement of the outstanding issues, which discussions continued through the first of December. On December 15, 2015, we agreed to the issuance of a Consent Order that calls for us to (a) pay $3 million in civil money penalties and $7.5 million in customer restitution and (b) forgive all payday and installment debt outstanding as of the effective date of the Consent Order (December 15, 2015). The agreement with the CFPB fixed the amount of the liability that was probable at September 30, 2015, and we recorded a charge of $10.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. All payday and installment debt outstanding as of December 15, 2015 had previously been written off, either as bad debt expense or as part of the charge associated with discontinuing the USFS business in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, and therefore, the forgiveness of such debt will not result in any incremental expense.

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NOTE 18: QUARTERLY INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
 
First Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Third Quarter
 
Fourth Quarter
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Year Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
$
212,724

 
$
205,190

 
$
181,621

 
$
188,834

Net revenues
117,056

 
113,570

 
107,988

 
106,329

(Loss) income from continuing operations, net of tax
2,801

 
(4,294
)
 
(1,401
)
 
(61,254
)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax
6,877

 
4,731

 
(8,836
)
 
(30,088
)
Net (loss) income
9,678

 
437

 
(10,237
)
 
(91,342
)
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
(1,934
)
 
(906
)
 
(390
)
 
(1,785
)
Net (loss) income attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
$
11,612


$
1,343


$
(9,847
)

$
(89,557
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to EZCORP, Inc.:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.09

 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
(1.08
)
Discontinued operations
0.13

 
0.09

 
(0.16
)
 
(0.55
)
Basic (loss) earnings per share
$
0.22

 
$
0.03

 
$
(0.17
)
 
$
(1.63
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to EZCORP, Inc.:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.09

 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
(1.08
)
Discontinued operations
0.13

 
0.09

 
(0.16
)
 
(0.55
)
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
$
0.22

 
$
0.03

 
$
(0.17
)
 
$
(1.63
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
$
210,345

 
$
205,179

 
$
188,117

 
$
196,651

Net revenues
121,386

 
117,256

 
110,517

 
107,615

(Loss) income from continuing operations, net of tax
10,091

 
(7,216
)
 
(1,568
)
 
(5,300
)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax
6,843

 
11,805

 
3,161

 
(89,902
)
Net (loss) income
16,934

 
4,589

 
1,593

 
(95,202
)
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
(1,796
)
 
(1,553
)
 
(2,337
)
 
(1,701
)
Net (loss) income attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
$
18,730

 
$
6,142

 
$
3,930

 
$
(93,501
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to EZCORP, Inc.:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.22

 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
0.01

 
$
(0.07
)
Discontinued operations
0.13

 
0.21

 
0.06

 
(1.68
)
Basic (loss) earnings per share
$
0.35


$
0.11

 
$
0.07


$
(1.75
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to EZCORP, Inc.:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.22

 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
0.01

 
$
(0.07
)
Discontinued operations
0.12

 
0.21

 
0.06

 
(1.68
)
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
$
0.34


$
0.11

 
$
0.07

 
$
(1.75
)
Financial information in the table above has been adjusted to reflect reclassification of all discontinued operations. See Note 2 for further discussion of discontinued operations and restructuring plans.
We recorded total pre-tax charges of $42.4 million and $17.1 million pertaining to discontinued operations and restructuring, respectively, during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 as further discussed in Note 2.

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We further recorded impairments in goodwill of $10.6 million pertaining to discontinued operations and $1.7 million pertaining to continuing operations during the quarters ended June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015, respectively, as further discussed in Note 7.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, we recorded impairment charges of $4.3 million and $1.3 million related to long-lived assets of our U.S. Pawn and Mexico Pawn segments, respectively, as further discussed in Note 6.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, we recorded a $3.7 million impairment of internally developed software and other assets, as further discussed in Note 7, and a $29.2 million ($18.8 million, net of taxes) impairment in Cash Converters International, as further discussed in Note 5.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, our equity in net loss of unconsolidated affiliates included one-time after-tax charges of $5.4 million due to a contract termination, $3.7 million due to a class-action litigation settlement and $1.2 million due to impairments of goodwill and long-lived assets recorded by our unconsolidated affiliate.
We recorded total pre-tax charges of $103.1 million and $6.7 million pertaining to discontinued operations and restructuring, respectively, during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 as further discussed in Note 2.
We recorded an impairment of investments of $7.9 million in continuing operations during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 as further discussed in Note 5.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2013, we sold seven U.S. pawn stores (three in Louisiana, two in Mississippi, one in Alabama and one in Florida) for $11.0 million, of which $10.0 million was paid in cash and $1.0 million with a 14% promissory note due on December 31, 2018. The carrying value of the stores' net assets amounted to $3.7 million, primarily consisting of $1.5 million of pawn loans, $1.9 million of inventory, and $0.4 million of pawn service charge receivable, offset by $0.1 million of assumed liabilities. During the quarter ended December 31, 2013 we realized a gain of $6.3 million, which is included under "Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets" in the consolidated statements of operations. In addition, we recorded a deferred gain of $0.7 million. During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, we settled the promissory note for $0.9 million and realized the net deferred gain of $0.6 million which is included in our consolidated statements of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.
NOTE 19: SEGMENT INFORMATION
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, our chief operating decision maker requested changes in the information that he regularly reviews for purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance. As a result, beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, we report our financial performance based on our new segments described below. We have recast certain prior period amounts to conform to the way we internally manage and monitor segment performance under the new segments.
Segment information is prepared on the same basis that our chief operating decision maker reviews financial information for operational decision-making purposes.
We currently report our segments as follows:
U.S. Pawn — All pawn activities in the United States
Mexico Pawn — All pawn activities in Mexico and other parts of Latin America
Grupo Finmart — All payroll lending activities in Mexico and other parts of Latin America
Other International — Our equity interest in the net income of Cash Converters International and consumer finance activities in Canada

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There are no inter-segment revenues, and the amounts below were determined in accordance with the same accounting principles used in our consolidated financial statements. The following tables present operating segment information for the three years ending September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, including reclassifications discussed in Note 1.
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2015
  
U.S. Pawn
 
Mexico Pawn
 
Grupo Finmart
 
Other
International
 
Total Segments
 
Corporate Items
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
$
334,635

 
$
65,408

 
$

 
$
2,075

 
$
402,118

 
$

 
$
402,118

Jewelry scrapping sales
54,343

 
3,267

 

 
363

 
57,973

 

 
57,973

Pawn service charges
216,211

 
30,993

 

 

 
247,204

 

 
247,204

Consumer loan fees and interest

 

 
68,114

 
9,952

 
78,066

 

 
78,066

Other revenues
945

 
1,021

 
255

 
787

 
3,008

 

 
3,008

Total revenues
606,134

 
100,689

 
68,369

 
13,177

 
788,369

 

 
788,369

Merchandise cost of goods sold
218,953

 
47,371

 

 
1,465

 
267,789

 

 
267,789

Jewelry scrapping cost of goods sold
42,845

 
2,954

 

 
267

 
46,066

 

 
46,066

Consumer loan bad debt

 

 
26,446

 
3,125

 
29,571

 

 
29,571

Net revenues
344,336

 
50,364

 
41,923

 
8,320

 
444,943

 

 
444,943

Operating expenses (income):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operations
244,232

 
43,927

 
32,664

 
6,780

 
327,603

 

 
327,603

Administrative

 

 

 

 

 
72,986

 
72,986

Depreciation and amortization
15,227

 
4,440

 
2,584

 
616

 
22,867

 
10,676

 
33,543

Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets
995

 
258

 

 
(1
)
 
1,252

 
1,407

 
2,659

Interest expense
60

 
15

 
25,817

 

 
25,892

 
16,310

 
42,202

Interest income
(42
)
 
(78
)
 
(1,330
)
 

 
(1,450
)
 
(158
)
 
(1,608
)
Equity in net loss of unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

 
5,473

 
5,473

 

 
5,473

Impairment of investments

 

 

 
29,237

 
29,237

 

 
29,237

Restructuring
4,016

 
799

 

 
2,563

 
7,378

 
9,702

 
17,080

Other expense

 
1,988

 
4,424

 
7

 
6,419

 
192

 
6,611

Segment contribution (loss)
$
79,848

 
$
(985
)
 
$
(22,236
)
 
$
(36,355
)
 
$
20,272

 


 


Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
20,272

 
$
(111,115
)
 
$
(90,843
)

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Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2014
  
U.S. Pawn
 
Mexico Pawn
 
Grupo Finmart
 
Other
International
 
Total Segments
 
Corporate Items
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
$
325,337

 
$
60,302

 
$

 
$
2,383

 
$
388,022

 
$

 
$
388,022

Jewelry scrapping sales
89,471

 
6,302

 

 
468

 
96,241

 

 
96,241

Pawn service charges
217,891

 
30,487

 

 

 
248,378

 

 
248,378

Consumer loan fees and interest

 

 
53,377

 
10,325

 
63,702

 

 
63,702

Other revenues
1,377

 
1,016

 
1,145

 
411

 
3,949

 

 
3,949

Total revenues
634,076

 
98,107

 
54,522

 
13,587

 
800,292

 

 
800,292

Merchandise cost of goods sold
205,144

 
42,044

 

 
1,449

 
248,637

 

 
248,637

Jewelry scrapping cost of goods sold
66,713

 
5,807

 

 
310

 
72,830

 

 
72,830

Consumer loan bad debt
5

 

 
19,605

 
2,441

 
22,051

 

 
22,051

Net revenues
362,214

 
50,256

 
34,917

 
9,387

 
456,774

 

 
456,774

Operating expenses (income):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operations
236,225

 
48,907

 
32,184

 
8,605

 
325,921

 

 
325,921

Administrative

 

 

 

 

 
79,944

 
79,944

Depreciation and amortization
13,333

 
5,374

 
2,503

 
817

 
22,027

 
9,735

 
31,762

(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets
(6,809
)
 
27

 

 
(23
)
 
(6,805
)
 
964

 
(5,841
)
Interest expense
3

 
25

 
20,478

 

 
20,506

 
7,883

 
28,389

Interest income
(18
)
 
(3
)
 
(999
)
 

 
(1,020
)
 
(278
)
 
(1,298
)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

 
(5,948
)
 
(5,948
)
 

 
(5,948
)
Impairment of investments

 

 

 
7,940

 
7,940

 

 
7,940

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 
6,664

 
6,664

Other expense (income)
1

 
116

 
(121
)
 
109

 
105

 
375

 
480

Segment contribution (loss)
$
119,479

 
$
(4,190
)
 
$
(19,128
)
 
$
(2,113
)
 
$
94,048

 


 


Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
94,048

 
$
(105,287
)
 
$
(11,239
)



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Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2013
 
U.S. Pawn
 
Mexico Pawn
 
Grupo Finmart
 
Other
International
 
Total Segments
 
Corporate Items
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise sales
$
308,462

 
$
57,564

 
$

 
$
2,059

 
$
368,085

 
$

 
$
368,085

Jewelry scrapping sales
122,484

 
8,540

 

 
651

 
131,675

 

 
131,675

Pawn service charges
221,775

 
29,579

 

 

 
251,354

 

 
251,354

Consumer loan fees and interest

 

 
42,527

 
9,334

 
51,861

 

 
51,861

Other revenues
1,438

 
1,017

 
1,959

 
2,136

 
6,550

 

 
6,550

Total revenues
654,159

 
96,700

 
44,486

 
14,180

 
809,525

 

 
809,525

Merchandise cost of goods sold
182,071

 
35,470

 

 
1,076

 
218,617

 

 
218,617

Jewelry scrapping cost of goods sold
88,212

 
7,496

 

 
407

 
96,115

 

 
96,115

Consumer loan bad debt

 

 
11,714

 
2,646

 
14,360

 

 
14,360

Net revenues
383,876

 
53,734

 
32,772

 
10,051

 
480,433

 

 
480,433

Operating expenses (income):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operations
229,115

 
44,775

 
17,593

 
10,205

 
301,688

 

 
301,688

Administrative

 

 

 

 

 
70,493

 
70,493

Depreciation and amortization
12,111

 
4,706

 
2,227

 
849

 
19,893

 
8,203

 
28,096

Loss on sale or disposal of assets
105

 
17

 

 
45

 
167

 
1,133

 
1,300

Interest expense
52

 
85

 
11,929

 

 
12,066

 
4,123

 
16,189

Interest income
(7
)
 
(66
)
 
(669
)
 

 
(742
)
 
(250
)
 
(992
)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

 
(13,240
)
 
(13,240
)
 

 
(13,240
)
Impairment of investments

 

 

 
43,198

 
43,198

 

 
43,198

Other expense (income)
1

 
33

 
(251
)
 
1,549

 
1,332

 
745

 
2,077

Segment contribution (loss)
$
142,499

 
$
4,184

 
$
1,943

 
$
(32,555
)
 
$
116,071

 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
 
$
116,071

 
$
(84,447
)
 
$
31,624

The following table presents separately identified segment assets:
 
U.S. Pawn
 
Mexico Pawn
 
Grupo Finmart
 
Other
International
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Assets as of September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
4,812

 
$
3,662

 
$
2,880

 
$
812

 
$
12,166

Restricted cash

 

 
14,992

 

 
14,992

Pawn loans
143,500

 
16,464

 

 

 
159,964

Consumer loans, net

 

 
31,824

 
2,396

 
34,220

Service charges and fees receivable, net
28,338

 
2,544

 
19,105

 
205

 
50,192

Inventory, net
107,568

 
16,502

 

 
14

 
124,084

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate

 

 

 
56,182

 
56,182

Property and equipment, net
42,717

 
12,985

 
1,656

 
815

 
58,173

Restricted cash, non-current

 

 
2,883

 

 
2,883

Non-current consumer loans, net

 

 
75,824

 

 
75,824

Goodwill
244,330

 
7,316

 
75,814

 

 
327,460

Intangibles, net
14,208

 
338

 
13,195

 
8

 
27,749

Total separately identified segment assets
$
585,473

 
$
59,811

 
$
238,173

 
$
60,432

 
$
943,889

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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U.S. Pawn
 
Mexico Pawn
 
Grupo Finmart
 
Other
International
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Assets as of September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
6,000

 
$
3,904

 
$
5,405

 
$
1,690

 
$
16,999

Restricted cash

 

 
63,495

 

 
63,495

Pawn loans
145,258

 
17,186

 

 

 
162,444

Consumer loans, net

 

 
39,769

 
2,596

 
42,365

Service charges and fees receivable, net
28,374

 
2,468

 
7,172

 
548

 
38,562

Inventory, net
114,793

 
22,790

 

 
582

 
138,165

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate

 

 

 
91,781

 
91,781

Property and equipment, net
50,660

 
21,987

 
1,707

 
2,544

 
76,898

Restricted cash, non-current

 

 
5,070

 

 
5,070

Non-current consumer loans, net

 

 
85,004

 

 
85,004

Goodwill
228,629

 
11,418

 
95,980

 

 
336,027

Intangibles, net
13,697

 
609

 
21,051

 
1,379

 
36,736

Total separately identified segment assets
$
587,411


$
80,362

 
$
324,653

 
$
101,120

 
$
1,093,546

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Pawn
 
Mexico Pawn
 
Grupo Finmart
 
Other
International
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Assets as of September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
4,632

 
$
5,284

 
$
4,328

 
$
1,093

 
$
15,337

Restricted cash

 

 
9,176

 

 
9,176

Pawn loans
142,930

 
13,707

 

 

 
156,637

Consumer loans, net

 

 
29,367

 
2,890

 
32,257

Service charges and fees receivable, net
28,250

 
1,823

 
12,143

 
610

 
42,826

Inventory, net
120,814

 
23,833

 

 
548

 
145,195

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

 
97,085

 
97,085

Property and equipment, net
52,804

 
26,191

 
2,007

 
3,245

 
84,247

Restricted cash, non-current

 

 
3,509

 

 
3,509

Non-current consumer loans, net

 
303

 
65,185

 

 
65,488

Goodwill
228,629

 
11,717

 
98,492

 

 
338,838

Intangibles, net
15,209

 
2,653

 
21,383

 
1,453

 
40,698

Total separately identified segment assets
$
593,268


$
85,511

 
$
245,590

 
$
106,924

 
$
1,031,293


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The following table reconciles separately identified recorded segment assets, as shown above, to our consolidated total assets:
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Total separately identified recorded segment assets
$
943,889

 
$
1,093,546

 
$
1,031,293

Corporate assets*
268,341

 
316,998

 
301,675

Total assets
$
1,212,230

 
$
1,410,544

 
$
1,332,968

* Fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 include assets related to discontinued financial services of $4.6 million, $57.8 million and $153.2 million, respectively. See Note 2 for further discussion of discontinued operations.
The following tables provide geographic information required by FASB ASC 280-10-50-41:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
United States
$
606,134

 
$
634,097

 
$
654,160

Mexico
169,058

 
152,629

 
141,186

Canada
13,177

 
13,566

 
12,640

United Kingdom

 

 
1,539

 
$
788,369

 
$
800,292

 
$
809,525

 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Long-lived assets:
 
 
 
 
 
United States
$
341,052

 
$
360,203

 
$
404,723

Mexico
111,610

 
153,214

 
162,914

Canada
826

 
3,787

 
4,755

United Kingdom

 

 
42,538

Other

 
1,359

 
42

 
$
453,488

 
$
518,563

 
$
614,972


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NOTE 20: ALLOWANCE FOR LOSSES AND CREDIT QUALITY OF CONSUMER LOANS
The following table presents changes in the allowance for credit losses, as well as the recorded investment in our financing receivable for the periods presented:
Description
Allowance
Balance at
Beginning
of Period
 
Charge-offs
 
Recoveries
 
Provision
 
Translation Adjustment
 
Allowance
Balance at
End of
Period
 
Financing
Receivable
at End of
Period
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Unsecured short-term consumer loans:*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended September 30, 2015
$
14,645

 
$
(31,428
)
 
$
16,315

 
$
12,744

 
$
(778
)
 
$
11,498

 
$
15,919

Year ended September 30, 2014
2,928

 
(46,968
)
 
26,865

 
31,817

 
3

 
14,645

 
31,747

Year ended September 30, 2013
2,390

 
(47,178
)
 
21,074

 
26,651

 
(9
)
 
2,928

 
22,289

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured short-term consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended September 30, 2015
$
1,049

 
$
(47,615
)
 
$
43,292

 
$
5,278

 
$

 
$
2,004

 
$
2,292

Year ended September 30, 2014
1,804

 
(64,916
)
 
58,453

 
5,708

 

 
1,049

 
8,173

Year ended September 30, 2013
942

 
(43,768
)
 
40,226

 
4,404

 

 
1,804

 
9,789

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unsecured long-term consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended September 30, 2015
$
38,087

 
$
(3,162
)
 
$
255

 
$
25,737

 
$
(10,272
)
 
$
50,645

 
$
158,293

Year ended September 30, 2014
19,849

 
(307
)
 

 
19,608


(1,063
)
 
38,087

 
162,860

Year ended September 30, 2013
8,574

 
(289
)
 

 
11,982

 
(418
)
 
19,849

 
114,871

* No aging allowance disclosure provided for these amounts as our policy is to charge-off all amounts greater than 60 days past due.
The provisions presented in the table above include only principal and exclude items such as non-sufficient funds fees, repossession fees, auction fees and interest. In addition, all credit service expenses and fees related to loans made by our unaffiliated lenders are excluded, as we do not own the loans made in connection with our credit services and they are not recorded as assets in our balance sheets. Expected losses on credit services are accrued and reported in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” in our consolidated balance sheets.

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The following table presents an aging analysis of past due financing receivables:
 
Days Past Due
 
Total Past Due
 
Current Receivable
 
Translation Adjustment
 
Total
Financing Receivable
 
Allowance Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
> 90 Days Accruing
 
1-30
 
31-60
 
61-90
 
>90
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Secured short-term consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2015
$
113

 
$
862

 
$
704

 
$
574

 
$
2,253

 
$
39

 
$

 
$
2,292

 
$
2,004

 
$

September 30, 2014
2,196

 
823

 
448

 
412

 
3,879

 
4,294

 

 
8,173

 
1,049

 

September 30, 2013
2,096

 
1,313

 
905

 
910

 
5,224

 
4,565

 

 
9,789

 
1,804

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unsecured long-term consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performing Loans
$
6,783

 
$
6,179

 
$
6,776

 
$
5,766

 
$
25,504

 
$
87,272

 
$

 
$
112,776

 
$
5,128

 
$
5,766

Non-Performing Loans
553

 
701

 
613

 
41,670

 
43,537

 
1,980

 

 
45,517

 
45,517

 

 
$
7,336

 
$
6,880

 
$
7,389

 
$
47,436

 
$
69,041

 
$
89,252

 
$

 
$
158,293

 
$
50,645

 
$
5,766

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performing Loans
$
4,942

 
$
3,546

 
$
2,035

 
$
1,600

 
$
12,123

 
$
116,870

 
$
2,230

 
$
131,223

 
$
6,450

 
$
1,600

Non-Performing Loans
1,854

 
907

 
884

 
25,674

 
29,319

 
2,318

 

 
31,637

 
31,637

 

 
$
6,796

 
$
4,453

 
$
2,919

 
$
27,274

 
$
41,442

 
$
119,188

 
$
2,230

 
$
162,860

 
$
38,087

 
$
1,600

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performing Loans
$
7,497

 
$
4,307

 
$
2,771

 
$
1,557

 
$
16,132

 
$
82,555

 
$
1,269

 
$
99,956

 
$
4,934

 
$
1,557

Non-Performing Loans
726

 
438

 
481

 
11,645

 
13,290

 
1,625

 

 
14,915

 
14,915

 

 
$
8,223

 
$
4,745

 
$
3,252

 
$
13,202

 
$
29,422

 
$
84,180

 
$
1,269

 
$
114,871

 
$
19,849

 
$
1,557

On November 29, 2013, Grupo Finmart acquired an unsecured long-term consumer loan portfolio, consisting of approximately 10,500 payroll withholding loans, for a total purchase price of approximately $15.9 million. Of the total purchase price, $11.7 million was paid, of which approximately $10.5 million was paid at closing, $0.6 million was paid on April 30, 2014 and $0.6 million was paid on November 28, 2014. The total price included deferred consideration of approximately $4.2 million, subject to the performance of the portfolio, of which approximately $2.1 million was paid on April 30, 2014. The remaining deferred consideration was paid on November 28, 2014. The fair value of the loan portfolio was $11.8 million as of the acquisition date.
NOTE 21: FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
In accordance with FASB ASC 820-10, our assets and liabilities discussed below are classified in one of the following three categories based on the inputs used to develop their fair values:
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Other observable inputs other than quoted market prices.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

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Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The tables below present our financial assets (liabilities) that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
Financial assets (liabilities):
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Foreign currency forwards
 
$
10,681

 
$

 
$
10,681

 
$

Foreign currency forwards
 
3,488

 

 
3,488

 

Holding period adjustment
 
4

 

 
4

 

Convertible Notes Hedges
 
10,505

 

 
10,505

 

Contingent consideration
 
(2,601
)
 

 

 
(2,601
)
Convertible Notes Embedded Derivative
 
(10,505
)
 

 
(10,505
)
 

Net financial assets (liabilities)
 
$
11,572

 
$

 
$
14,173

 
$
(2,601
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
Financial (liabilities) assets:
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Foreign currency forwards
 
$
1,152

 
$

 
$
1,152

 
$

Foreign currency forwards
 
2,420

 

 
2,420

 

Convertible Notes Hedges
 
36,994

 

 
36,994

 

Contingent consideration
 
(3,758
)
 

 

 
(3,758
)
Convertible Notes Embedded Derivative
 
(36,994
)
 

 
(36,994
)
 

Net financial (liabilities) assets
 
$
(186
)
 
$

 
$
3,572

 
$
(3,758
)
Grupo Finmart measured the value of the forward currency forwards using Level 2 inputs such as estimations of expected cash flows, appropriately risk-adjusted discount rates and available observable inputs (term of the forward, notional amount, discount rates based on local and foreign rate curves, and a credit value adjustment to consider the likelihood of nonperformance). Forward contracts are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets under “Other assets, net” and “Deferred gains and other long-term liabilities.”
We measured the fair value of the Holding Period Adjustment using an option pricing model based on observable Level 1 and Level 2 inputs such as implied volatility, risk free interest rate and other factors. The Holding Period Adjustment is recorded in the consolidated balance sheets under "Other assets, net."
We measured the fair value of the Convertible Notes Hedges and the Convertible Notes Embedded Derivative using an option pricing model based on observable Level 1 and Level 2 inputs such as implied volatility, risk free interest rate and other factors. The Convertible Notes Hedges are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets under “Other assets, net.” The Convertible Notes Embedded Derivative is recorded in the consolidated balance sheets under “Long-term debt, less current maturities.”
On April 26, 2013, Grupo Finmart, our 94%-owned subsidiary, purchased 100% of the outstanding shares of Fondo ACH, S.A. de C.V., a specialty consumer finance company. The total purchase price was performance-based and will be determined over a period of four years from the date of purchase. Total contingent consideration due on January 2, 2017 is based on interest income generated by the acquired portfolios and new loans made through Fondo ACH's contractual relationships. We used an income approach to measure the fair value of the contingent consideration using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow approach. Some of the significant inputs used for the valuation are not observable in the market and are thus Level 3 inputs. Contingent consideration is recorded in the consolidated balance sheets under "Deferred gains and other long-term liabilities." Significant increases or decreases in the underlying assumptions used to value the contingent consideration could significantly increase or decrease the fair value estimates recorded in the consolidated balance sheets.
During fiscal 2014, we reversed a previously recorded $4.8 million liability for contingent consideration related to the purchase of Go Cash as we discontinued our online lending businesses on September 31, 2014. Refer to Note 2 for further detail on discontinued operations. We further made a $12.0 million earn out payment related to the Grupo Finmart acquisition, and recorded $0.6 million of other individually immaterial adjustments, bringing the contingent consideration liability to $3.8

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million at September 30, 2014. During fiscal 2015, we recorded a $1.2 million valuation adjustment, bringing the contingent consideration liability to $2.6 million at September 30, 2015.
Financial Assets, Temporary Equity and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value
Our financial assets, temporary equity and liabilities as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 that are not measured at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
 
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
September 30, 2015
 
Fair Value Measurement Using
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
59,124

 
$
59,124

 
$
59,124

 
$

 
$

Restricted cash
 
15,137

 
15,137

 
15,137

 

 

Pawn loans
 
159,964

 
159,964

 

 

 
159,964

Consumer loans, net
 
36,533

 
37,559

 

 

 
37,559

Pawn service charges receivable, net
 
30,852

 
30,852

 

 

 
30,852

Consumer loan fees and interest receivable, net
 
19,802

 
19,802

 

 

 
19,802

Restricted cash, non-current
 
2,883

 
2,883

 
2,883

 

 

Non-current consumer loans, net
 
75,824

 
77,644

 

 

 
77,644

 
 
$
400,119

 
$
402,965

 
$
77,144

 
$

 
$
325,821

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Temporary equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock, subject to possible redemption
 
$
11,696

 
$
11,438

 
$

 
$

 
$
11,438

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Convertible Notes
 
$
193,932

 
$
169,050

 
$

 
$
169,050

 
$

Foreign currency debt
 
18,709

*
19,851

 

 
19,851

 

Consumer loans facility due 2019
 
42,689

 
40,774

 

 
40,774

 

Foreign currency unsecured notes
 
21,029

*
20,477

 

 
20,477

 

Foreign currency secured notes
 
20,554

*
22,476

 

 
22,476

 

Secured notes consolidated from VIEs
 
73,264

*
68,685

 

 
68,685

 

 
 
$
370,177


$
341,313


$


$
341,313


$


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Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
 
Fair Value Measurement Using
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
55,325

 
$
55,325

 
$
55,325

 
$

 
$

Restricted cash
 
63,495

 
63,495

 
63,495

 

 

Pawn loans
 
162,444

 
162,444

 

 

 
162,444

Consumer loans, net
 
63,995

 
64,631

 

 

 
64,631

Pawn service charges receivable, net
 
31,044

 
31,044

 

 

 
31,044

Consumer loan fees and interest receivable, net
 
12,647

 
12,647

 

 

 
12,647

Restricted cash, non-current
 
5,070

 
5,070

 
5,070

 

 

Non-current consumer loans, net
 
85,004

 
86,364

 

 

 
86,364

 
 
$
479,024

 
$
481,020

 
$
123,890

 
$

 
$
357,130

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Temporary equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
 
$
22,800

 
$
49,021

 
$

 
$

 
$
49,021

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Convertible Notes
 
$
185,693

 
$
185,738

 
$

 
$
185,738

 
$

Foreign currency debt
 
27,185

*
27,185

 

 
27,185

 

Consumer loans facility due 2019
 
54,045

 
54,178

 
54,178

 

 

Foreign currency unsecured notes
 
36,991

*
36,837

 

 
36,837

 

Foreign currency secured notes
 
26,195

*
26,144

 

 
26,144

 

Secured notes consolidated from VIEs
 
61,062

*
59,906

 

 
59,906

 

 
 
$
391,171

 
$
389,988

 
$
54,178

 
$
335,810

 
$

*
Portions of these amounts are included in “Current maturities of long-term debt” and “Long-term debt, less current maturities” in our consolidated balance sheets.
Based on the short-term nature of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, pawn loans, pawn service charges receivable and consumer loan fees and interest receivable, we estimate that their carrying value approximates fair value. Significant increases or decreases in the underlying assumptions used to value the pawn loans, pawn service charges receivable and consumer loan fees and interest receivable could significantly increase or decrease the fair value estimates disclosed above.
Consumer loans, other than those made by Grupo Finmart, have relatively short maturity periods that are generally 12 months; therefore, we estimate that their carrying value approximates fair value. Consumer loans made by Grupo Finmart have an average term of approximately 30 months. We estimated the fair value of the Grupo Finmart consumer loans by applying an income approach (the present value of future cash flows). Key assumptions include an annualized probability of default as well as a discount rate based on the funding rate plus the portfolio liquidity risk. Significant increases or decreases in the underlying assumptions used to value the consumer loans could significantly increase or decrease the fair value estimates disclosed above.
The fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest was estimated by applying an income approach. This fair value measurement is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement. Key assumptions include discount rates ranging from 5% to 10%, representing discounts for lack of control and lack of marketability that market participants would consider when estimating the fair value of the noncontrolling interest. Significant increases or decreases in the underlying assumptions used to value the redeemable noncontrolling interest could significantly increase or decrease the fair value estimates disclosed above.
The fair value of the Common stock, subject to possible redemption was estimated by applying an income approach. This fair value measurement is based on significant Level 3 inputs that are not observable in the market. Key assumptions include a discount rate of 7%, which approximated the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. Significant increases or decreases in the

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underlying assumptions used to value the Common stock, subject to possible redemption could significantly increase or decrease the fair value estimates disclosed above.
We measured the fair value of our Cash Convertible Notes using quoted price inputs from Bloomberg. The Cash Convertible Notes are not actively traded and thus the price inputs represent a Level 2 measurement. There was a change in the valuation technique we used to measure our Cash Convertible Notes during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 as we believe the quoted price inputs obtained from Bloomberg more accurately represent the fair value of our Cash Convertible Notes. As the Cash Convertible Notes are not actively traded, the quoted price inputs obtained from Bloomberg are highly variable from day to day and thus the fair value estimates disclosed above could significantly increase or decrease.
We measured the fair value of our Cash Convertible Notes using an income approach prior to March 31, 2015. The fair value was based on the carrying value of the Cash Convertible Notes accreting to the $230.0 million redemption value using a discount rate of 7%, which approximated the Company’s incremental borrowing rate for a similar debt instrument (without the cash conversion feature) as of the date of issuance and thus utilizes Level 2 inputs.
We utilize credit quality-related zero rate curves, quoted price and yield inputs for Mexican Pesos built by a price vendor authorized by the Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores to determine the fair value measurements of the remaining financial liabilities that are classified as Level 2 measurements. For financial liability fair value measurements that are classified as Level 1 measurements, we utilized quoted price and yield inputs from Bloomberg and a price vendor authorized by the Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores. We revised the price inputs and assumptions used to value our Consumer loans facility due 2019 during fiscal 2015 which caused a change in the classification of the fair value hierarchy from Level 1 to Level 2.
See Note 5 for discussion of the fair value of our investment in unconsolidated affiliate. See Note 10 for discussion of the fair value of our phantom share-based awards.
NOTE 22: DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
Derivative Instruments Previously Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
During the third quarter ended June 30, 2013, Grupo Finmart completed a $30.0 million cross-border debt offering for which it has to pay interest on a semiannual basis at a fixed rate. Grupo Finmart uses derivative instruments (the “foreign currency forwards”) to manage its exposure related to changes in foreign currency exchange rate on this instrument through its maturity on November 16, 2015. Grupo Finmart does not enter into derivative instruments for any purpose other than cash flow hedging.
At the beginning of the quarter ended December 31, 2014, we discontinued hedge accounting for our foreign currency forwards due to a determination that repayment of the $30.0 million cross-border debt was to occur prior to maturity. As such, not all of the forecasted interest payments were expected to occur. Grupo Finmart received proceeds of $2.3 million from settlement of the portion of the foreign currency forwards attributable to the repaid cross-border debt during the quarter ended December 31, 2014. See Note 9, 9% Unsecured Notes Due 2015, for additional discussion of the cross-border debt.

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The following tables set forth certain information regarding our derivative instruments discontinued as cash flow hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Derivative Instrument
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
September 30, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Foreign currency forwards
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
3,488

 
$
2,420

 
 
Amount of (Loss) Gain Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
  
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
Derivative Instrument
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Foreign currency forwards
 
$

 
$
(453
)
 
$
2,388

 
 
 
 
Amount of Loss (Gain) on Derivatives Reclassified into Income from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
  
 
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
Derivative Instrument
 
Location of Gain
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Foreign currency forwards
 
Other expense
 
$
(457
)
 
$
49

 
$
(2,536
)
Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedging Instruments
As described in Note 9, in June 2014 we issued and settled $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of Cash Convertible Notes. We granted the initial purchasers the option to purchase up to an additional $30.0 million aggregate principal amount of Cash Convertible Notes. On June 27, 2014, such option was exercised in full. On July 2, 2014, the purchase of the additional $30.0 million of Cash Convertible Notes was settled. The conversion feature of the Cash Convertible Notes can only be settled in cash and is required to be bifurcated from the Cash Convertible Notes and treated as a separate derivative instrument. In order to offset the cash flow risk associated with the Convertible Notes Embedded Derivative, we purchased Convertible Notes Hedges, which are accounted for as derivative instruments. The Convertible Notes Embedded Derivative and the Convertible Notes Hedges are adjusted to fair value each reporting period and unrealized gains and losses are reflected in the consolidated income statements. We expect that the realized gain or loss from the Convertible Notes Hedges will substantially offset the realized loss or gain of the Convertible Notes Embedded Derivative upon maturity of the Convertible Notes. See Note 21 for additional information regarding the fair values of the Convertible Notes Embedded Derivative and the Convertible Notes Hedges.
During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, Grupo Finmart entered into a cross currency forward contract in connection with the formation of the VIEs and the related transfers of certain loans described in Note 24. The Company guarantees the future cash outflows of the forward contract, which is included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and adjusted to fair value each reporting period through earnings.

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The following tables set forth certain information regarding our derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Derivative Instrument
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
September 30, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Foreign currency forwards
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
10,681

 
$
1,152

Convertible Notes Hedges
 
Other assets, net
 
10,505

 
36,994

Cash Convertible Notes Embedded Derivative
 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
 
(10,505
)
 
(36,994
)
 
 
 
 
Amount of Unrealized Gain on Derivatives
  
 
 
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
Derivative Instrument
 
Income Statement Location
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Foreign currency forwards
 
Other expense
 
$
9,529

 
$
1,152

 
$

NOTE 23: SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheets Information
The following table provides information on net amounts included in pawn service charges receivable, consumer loan fees and interest receivable and inventory:
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Pawn service charges receivable, net:
 
 
 
Gross pawn service charges receivable
$
39,877

 
$
41,351

Allowance for uncollectible pawn service charges receivable
(9,025
)
 
(10,307
)
 
$
30,852

 
$
31,044

 
 
 
 
Consumer loan fees and interest receivable, net:
 
 
 
Gross consumer loan fees and interest receivable
$
31,847

 
$
26,332

Allowance for uncollectible consumer loan fees and interest receivable
(12,045
)
 
(13,685
)
 
$
19,802

 
$
12,647

 
 
 
 
Inventory, net:
 
 
 
Gross inventory
$
131,174

 
$
154,218

Inventory reserves
(7,090
)
 
(16,043
)
 
$
124,084

 
$
138,175


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Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
The following table provides information on our valuation and qualifying accounts not disclosed elsewhere:
 
 
 
Additions
 
 
 
 
 Description
Balance at Beginning of Period
 
Charged to Expense
 
Charged to Revenue
 
Deductions
 
Balance at End of Period
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Allowance for valuation of inventory:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended September 30, 2015
$
16,043

 
$

 
$

 
$
8,953

 
$
7,090

Year Ended September 30, 2014
4,246

 
11,797

 

 

 
16,043

Year Ended September 30, 2013
5,574

 

 

 
1,328

 
4,246

Allowance for uncollectible pawn service charges receivable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended September 30, 2015
$
10,307

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,282

 
$
9,025

Year Ended September 30, 2014
9,974

 

 
333

 

 
10,307

Year Ended September 30, 2013
11,427

 

 

 
1,453

 
9,974

Allowance for uncollectible consumer loan fees and interest receivable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended September 30, 2015
$
13,685

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,640

 
$
12,045

Year Ended September 30, 2014
462

 

 
13,223

 

 
13,685

Year Ended September 30, 2013
3,763

 

 

 
3,301

 
462

Allowance for valuation of deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended September 30, 2015
$
164

 
$
6,055

 
$

 
$

 
$
6,219

Year Ended September 30, 2014
659

 

 

 
495

 
164

Year Ended September 30, 2013
2,242

 

 

 
1,583

 
659


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NOTE 24: VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
The Company performs ongoing qualitative assessments of VIEs it is involved with to determine if it has a controlling financial interest in the VIE and therefore is the VIE’s primary beneficiary. If it is determined to be the primary beneficiary, the Company consolidates the VIE in its consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
During the year ended September 30, 2014 and the first quarter of fiscal 2015, Grupo Finmart participated in the formation of three VIEs that purchased Mexican Peso denominated long-term unsecured Mexican consumer loans originated by Grupo Finmart whose borrowers were Mexican government employees at the time of loan origination. During fiscal 2014 and the first quarter of fiscal 2015, Grupo Finmart completed six transfers of consumer loans to various securitization trusts. We consolidate those securitization trusts under the VIE model. Each VIE issued its notes to third party investors and used the related net proceeds to purchase the loans from Grupo Finmart at a premium over their principal amount. The creditors of the VIEs do not have recourse to the general credit of EZCORP, Inc. We consolidate these VIEs as we have the power to direct the activities that significantly affect each VIE’s economic performance and have the right to receive benefits or the obligation to absorb losses that could potentially be significant to each VIE.
The first VIE (“VIE C”) was formed in October 2013 as a trust with third party "Investor C" as the purchaser of its Mexican Peso denominated notes and the VIE’s first beneficiary. The second VIE (“VIE B”) was formed in March 2014 (amended in June, September and December 2014) as a trust with "Investor B" as the purchaser of the VIE’s U.S. Dollar denominated notes and the VIE’s first beneficiary. The third VIE (“VIE A”) was formed in June 2014 as a trust with "Investor A" as the purchaser of the VIE’s Mexican Peso denominated notes and the VIE’s first beneficiary. Grupo Finmart is the servicer of the VIEs’ loans. In August 2014, "Investors D" and "E" purchased a portion of VIE A’s notes from Investor A and became additional VIE A first beneficiaries. Each VIEs’ notes are payable solely from the VIE’s assets. Grupo Finmart receives 100% of VIE C and VIE B cash flows and 50% of VIE A cash flows after (1) the VIE’s operating expenses are paid and (2) the VIE's notes are repaid. Grupo Finmart has an option to repurchase VIE A’s loans. VIE A is the only VIE for which Grupo Finmart can be terminated as servicer for reasons other than cause, with termination requiring unanimous first beneficiary approval.
VIE B has entered into foreign exchange forward contracts with Grupo Finmart to mitigate the risk associated with its U.S. Dollar denominated assets and Mexican Peso denominated liabilities. Grupo Finmart has entered into an offsetting foreign exchange forward contract with a third party. See Note 21 for additional information regarding the fair value of the forward contract.
The loans Grupo Finmart transferred to the VIEs at the date of transfer were as follows:
Description of Portfolio
 
Carrying (Par) Value of Principal of Loans Transferred
 
Carrying Value of Accrued Interest of Loans Transferred
 
Principal of VIE Promissory Note Issued at Par
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions, except number of loans)
14,500 in payroll loans transferred to VIE C in October 2013
 
$
14.0

 
$
0.7

 
$
19.3

7,500 in payroll loans transferred to VIE B in March 2014
 
10.0

 
1.3

 
16.0

7,100 in payroll loans transferred to VIE B in June 2014
 
10.0

 
2.1

 
16.5

8,500 in payroll loans transferred to VIE A in June 2014
 
14.0

 
2.3

 
21.8

16,135 in payroll loans transferred to VIE B in September 2014
 
26.7

 
3.3

 
43.8

10,900 payroll loans transferred to VIE B in December 2014
 
13.9

 
1.5

 
22.0

The assets of the VIEs can be used only to settle obligations of the VIEs. Information about our involvement with VIEs has been aggregated as the VIEs are similar and we believe separate reporting would not provide more useful information. The assets and liabilities of our consolidated VIEs described above are presented in our consolidated balance sheets and are net of intercompany balances which are eliminated in our consolidated financial statements.
The loans the VIEs purchased from Grupo Finmart are reflected in our consolidated financial statements at amortized cost based on Grupo Finmart’s pre-transfer basis. We did not recognize any gain or loss as a result of the loan transfer to the VIEs or from the consolidation of the VIEs. The excess of the principal amount of each VIE’s notes payable over the principal amount of the VIE’s loans (this is the unamortized loan premium paid by the VIEs) is to be repaid using a portion of the VIE’s loan interest, as the coupon of the VIE’s loans are greater than the coupon of the VIE’s notes payable.

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Income (principally, interest and fees on loans) earned by our consolidated VIEs was $34.4 million and $16.2 million for the years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. Related expenses, consisting primarily of interest expense, foreign exchange losses and consumer loan bad debt expense were $30.4 million and $7.4 million for the years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectfully. These amounts do not include intercompany transactions which are eliminated in our consolidated financial statements.
See “Non-recourse debt to EZCORP, Inc.” in Note 9 for a description of debt and “Derivative instruments discontinued as cash flow hedging instruments” in Note 22 for a description of derivatives related to our consolidated VIEs.
Non-Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
The Company holds a significant variable interest in two VIEs for which it is not the primary beneficiary and, therefore, were not consolidated, as discussed below.
Letters of Credit
We issue letters of credit (“LOC”) to enhance the creditworthiness of our customers seeking unsecured loans from unaffiliated lenders. The letters of credit assure the lenders that if borrowers default on the loans, we will pay the lenders, upon demand, the principal and accrued interest owed to the lenders by the borrowers plus any insufficient funds fees. In addition we post as cash collateral a specified percentage of the maximum exposure for LOC losses.
Information about our involvement with these VIEs has been aggregated as the VIEs are similar and we believe separate reporting would not provide more useful information. Our current carrying value of cash collateral and other assets, is included in “Prepaid expenses and other assets” in our consolidated balance sheets and expected LOC losses and accounts payable are included in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” in our consolidated balance sheets. Information pertaining to these VIEs is summarized below:
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Consumer loans:
 
 
 
Cash collateral and other assets
$
723

 
$
9,135

Expected LOC losses
880

 
4,708

Accounts payable
40

 
1,026

Maximum exposure for LOC losses (1)
1,294

 
29,502

(1) These amounts are not recorded in our consolidated balance sheets. Of the total maximum exposure for LOC losses as of September 30, 2014, $7.8 million was secured by titles to customers’ automobiles.
NOTE 25: RESTATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Correction of Accounting Errors
On November 9, 2015, the Company filed an amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 as management identified the following accounting errors relating to the Company’s Grupo Finmart loan portfolio:
During fiscal 2014, Grupo Finmart completed five structured asset sales pursuant to which a portion of Grupo Finmart’s consumer loan portfolio were sold to special purpose trusts for the benefit of third parties. These transactions were previously accounted for as sales. Management concluded that the special purpose trusts should have been consolidated variable interest entities and the transactions should have been accounted for as transfers of financial assets to those consolidated variable interest entities.
Management also concluded that the Company incorrectly accounted for interest revenue and bad debt expense on loans with respect to which Grupo Finmart was not currently receiving payments (“non-performing” loans). Specifically:
Management determined that the non-performing loans included out-of-payroll loans that had not been correctly classified and recognized as such, causing an understatement of bad debt expense and an overstatement of interest revenue;

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Management determined it was appropriate to (1) accrue and recognize interest income over the period that payments are expected to be received rather than over the stated term of the loan and (2) apply a 100% reserve policy on in-payroll loans that have been in non-performing status for 180 consecutive days; and
Management determined it was appropriate to expense certain brokerage and other commission costs as incurred rather than amortize those costs over future periods.
Other Restatement Adjustments
In addition to correcting the accounting errors discussed above, our restated financial statements for the affected periods included adjustments for certain other accounting errors. We assessed the impact of these errors and concluded that they were not material to the financial statements for the affected periods. However, in conjunction with the restatement of our financial statements to correct the errors described above, we determined that it was appropriate to make adjustments for all such previously unrecorded errors. These adjustments were primarily to correct for immaterial timing differences related to revenue recognition, impairment charges, inventory reserve estimates and other items.
ITEM 9 — CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
On December 15, 2014, Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, informed us that it was declining to stand for re-appointment as our independent registered public accounting firm for the audit of the financial statements for the year ending September 30, 2015. This decision was confirmed to the Chairman of our Audit Committee on December 16, 2014. There were no adverse opinions, disclaimers of opinion, or modification or qualification of opinions of the principal accountant’s report on the financial statements during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
In conjunction with the above, the Audit Committee selected and appointed BDO USA, LLP to serve as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2015. On February 3, 2015, the Company entered into an engagement letter formalizing the terms BDO USA, LLP's engagement. BDO USA, LLP is a registered public accounting firm and was our independent auditor from fiscal 2004 through 2012.
During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, and the subsequent interim period through December 19, 2014, neither the Company nor anyone acting on the Company's behalf consulted with BDO with respect to (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company's financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that BDO concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issues or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a "disagreement" or "reportable event" (as those terms are defined in Item 304(a)(1) of Regulation S-K).
The Company had no disagreements with its current or former independent registered public accounting firm.

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ITEM 9A — CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports 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 that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
In connection with the preparation of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2015. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, due to the existence of the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting described below (which we view as an integral part of our disclosure controls and procedures), our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2015. Based on the completion of the review of the Grupo Finmart loan portfolio that led to the Restatement and the performance of additional procedures designed to ensure the reliability of our financial reporting, we believe that the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows as of the dates, and for the periods, presented, in conformity with U.S. GAAP.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management, under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for the assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d(f) under the Exchange Act) is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (a) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of assets, (b) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, (c) provide reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with appropriate authorization of management and the Board of Directors, and (d) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
In connection with the preparation of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2015 based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on that assessment, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, due to the material weaknesses described below (which were not remediated as of September 30, 2015), we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2015.
In connection with the restatement of previously issued financial statements described in Note 25 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” (the “Restatement”), management identified a number of deficiencies in the design and operating effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls that represent material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. These deficiencies (which had not been remediated as of September 30, 2015) are the result of management’s failure to design, implement and maintain adequate operational and internal controls and processes to (1) identify complex transactions requiring specialized accounting expertise and other financial reporting requirements and (2) monitor and report the performance of the Grupo Finmart loan portfolio.
Management did not apply the appropriate authoritative accounting literature and thus reached incorrect conclusions with respect to proper accounting of certain Grupo Finmart structured asset sales as a result of the following deficiencies that, collectively, represent a material weakness:
The appropriate accounting expertise (internally and externally) was not engaged, resulting in a failure to recognize important U.S. GAAP issues;
The accounting consequences of significant, unusual transactions were not identified and evaluated; and

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The accounting positions taken on significant, unusual transactions were not reviewed and approved at the appropriate level.
Management did not recognize the extent of the Grupo Finmart non-performing loans, or understand the reasons that loans were non-performing, as a result of the following deficiencies that, collectively, represent a material weakness:
Processes to identify and address aging concerns (including loans with delayed or partial payments) were missing or inadequate;
Risk assessment processes were inadequate to identify situations that were likely to lead to payment non-performance;
Detailed loan performance data was not reviewed by the appropriate accounting and management personnel; and
Overall senior management supervision and review of Grupo Finmart’s business performance was ineffective at identifying loan portfolio issues.
These material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting resulted in the accounting errors that led to the Restatement and continued to exist as of September 30, 2015.
In addition, management’s assessment identified other deficiencies in management review controls that resulted in the failure to identify errors in several accounts (including income taxes, stock-based compensation, restructuring and other less material accounts). Although the errors were identified and corrected as part of the audit of our fiscal 2015 financial statements, management nevertheless determined that the management review control deficiencies, collectively, represent a material weakness that requires corrective and remedial actions.
Our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2015 has been audited by our independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing on the next page.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
EZCORP, Inc.
Austin, Texas

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of EZCORP, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Item 9A, Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Material weaknesses regarding management’s failure to design and maintain internal control over financial reporting have been identified and include the following as described in management’s assessment:

Management did not apply the appropriate authoritative accounting literature and thus reached incorrect conclusions with respect to proper accounting of the Company’s Grupo Finmart structured asset sales (“the Asset Sales”) as a result of the following deficiencies that, collectively, represent a material weakness:
The appropriate accounting expertise was not engaged, resulting in a failure to recognize important U.S. GAAP issues;
The accounting consequences of significant, unusual transactions were not identified and evaluated; and
The accounting positions taken on significant, unusual transactions were not reviewed and approved at the appropriate level.

Management did not recognize the extent of the Grupo Finmart non-performing loans, or understand the reasons that loans were non-performing, as a result of the following deficiencies that, collectively, represent a material weakness:
Process to identify and address aging concerns (including loans with delayed or partial payments) were missing or inadequate;
Risk assessment processes were inadequate to identify situations that were likely to lead to payment non-performance;
Detailed loan performance data was not reviewed by the appropriate accounting and management personnel; and
Overall senior management supervision and review of Grupo Finmart’s business performance was ineffective at identifying loan portfolio issues.

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Management did not maintain adequate controls over the financial reporting close process, including the following deficiencies that, collectively, represent a material weakness:
The adequacy of accounting personnel and management review;
Accounting for income taxes and stock compensation; and
Evaluation of significant nonrecurring transactions.

These material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2015 consolidated financial statements, and this report does not affect our report dated December 23, 2015, on those consolidated financial statements.
In our opinion, EZCORP, Inc. did not maintain, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2015, based on the COSO criteria.
We do not express an opinion on any other form of assurance on management’s statements referring to any corrective actions taken by the Company after the date of management’s assessment.  
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of EZCORP, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2015, and our report dated December 23, 2015, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP
Dallas, Texas

December 23, 2015

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Remediation Plan
Management is in the process of designing and implementing remediation efforts intended to address the material weaknesses described above. These remediation efforts are focused on:
Identifying and hiring additional internal resources in both Corporate Accounting and Grupo Finmart;
Improving the organizational structure to provide more direct management oversight for Grupo Finmart;
Establishing and maintaining appropriate operational and risk assessment processes, as well as transactional controls, at both the Grupo Finmart and EZCORP level in order to (1) ensure engagement and utilization of appropriately qualified U.S. GAAP experts where required and (2) provide appropriate access and visibility to loan performance information; and
Enhancing the overall control environment within both EZCORP and Grupo Finmart.
Management, under the supervision of the Audit Committee, is developing a comprehensive remediation plan, including a detailed plan and timetable for implementation, and will report regularly to the Audit Committee regarding the status of the implementation activities.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, other than the effects of the remediation plan described above.
Inherent Limitations on Internal Controls
Notwithstanding the foregoing, management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system will be met. Limitations inherent in any control system include the following:
Judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and control and process breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes.
Controls can be circumvented by individuals, acting alone or in collusion with others, or by management override.
The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with associated policies or procedures.
The design of a control system must reflect the fact that resources are constrained, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.
Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.
ITEM 9B — OTHER INFORMATION
None.

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PART III
ITEM 10 — DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board of Directors
Set forth below are the names of the persons who, as of November 1, 2015, constituted our Board of Directors and their ages and committee assignments as of that date:
Name
 
Age
 
Committees
 
 
 
 
 
Stuart I. Grimshaw
 
54
 
Lachlan P. Given (Executive Chairman)
 
38
 
Compensation
Matthew W. Appel
 
60
 
Audit (Chair)
Santiago Creel Miranda
 
60
 
Compensation
Peter Cumins
 
64
 
Pablo Lagos Espinosa
 
60
 
Audit, Compensation (Chair)
Thomas C. Roberts
 
73
 
Audit, Compensation
Joseph L. Rotunda
 
68
 
Director Qualifications — The Board believes that individuals who serve on the Board should have demonstrated notable or significant achievements in business, education or public service; should possess the requisite intelligence, education and experience to make a significant contribution to the Board and bring a range of skills, diverse perspectives and backgrounds to its deliberations; and should have the highest ethical standards, a strong sense of professionalism and intense dedication to serving the interests of our stockholders. The following are qualifications, experience and skills for Board members which are important to our business and its future:
Leadership Experience — Our directors should demonstrate extraordinary leadership qualities. Strong leaders bring vision, strategic agility, diverse and global perspectives and broad business insight to the company. They demonstrate practical management experience, skills for managing change and deep knowledge of industries, geographies and risk management strategies relevant to our business. They have experience in identifying and developing the current and future leaders of the company.
Finance Experience — We believe that all directors should possess an understanding of finance and related reporting processes.
Strategically Relevant Experience — Our directors should have business experience that is relevant to our strategic goals and objectives, including geographical and product expansion. We value experience in our high priority growth areas, including new or expanding geographies or customer segments and existing and new technologies; understanding of our business environments; and experience with, exposure to or reputation among a broad subset of our customer base.
Government Experience — Our business is subject to a variety of legislative and regulatory risks. Accordingly, we value experience in the legislative, judicial or regulatory branches of government or government relations.
Biographical Information — Set forth below is current biographical information about our directors, including the qualifications, experience and skills that make them suitable for service as a director.
Stuart I. Grimshaw — Mr. Grimshaw joined the Company in November 2014 as Executive Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors. He became Chief Executive Officer in February 2015. Prior to joining EZCORP, he was Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Queensland Limited (ASX: BOQ), a consumer banking and financial services institution with branches in every Australian state and territory. During his 30-year career in financial services, Mr. Grimshaw held a wide variety of other roles at various banking and finance companies. From 2009 to 2011, he was Chief Executive Officer of Caledonia Investments Pty Ltd. Prior to that, Mr. Grimshaw spent eight years at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, where he served as Group Executive, Premium Business Services (2006 to 2009), Group Executive, Investment and Insurance Services (2002 to 2006) and Chief Financial Officer (2001 to 2002). From 1991 to 2001, Mr. Grimshaw held a variety of roles at National Australia Bank (including Chief Executive Officer – Great Britain, and other executive roles in Credit, Institutional Banking, Corporate Financial Services and Global Business Financial Services). Mr. Grimshaw began his career at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (1983 to

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1991). Mr. Grimshaw represented New Zealand in Field Hockey at the 1984 Olympics and has a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration degree from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand and an MBA from Melbourne University. He has also completed the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School. Mr. Grimshaw also serves on the board of directors of Cash Converters International Limited.
Director qualifications: leadership, chief executive officer and executive management experience; broad business and strategically relevant experience; financial experience; international experience and global perspective; industry knowledge; experience in developing growth strategies; personnel development; deep understanding of conducting business in highly regulated environments.
Matthew W. Appel — Mr. Appel joined EZCORP as a director in January 2015 and is Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Governance Committee. Mr. Appel spent 37 years in finance, administration and operations roles with a variety of companies, most recently Zale Corporation, a NYSE listed jewelry retailer, where he served as Chief Financial Officer from May 2009 to May 2011 and Chief Administrative Officer from May 2011 to July 2014 and co-led the successful turnaround of the company. Prior to joining Zale, Mr. Appel was Chief Financial Officer of EXL Service Holdings, Inc., a NASDAQ listed business process solutions company (February 2007 to May 2009); spent four years (February 2003 to February 2007) at Electronic Data Systems Corporation, serving as Vice President, Finance and Administration BPO and Vice President, BPO Management; and held a variety of finance and operations roles from 1984 to 2003 at Tenneco Inc., Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Appel began his professional career with Arthur Andersen & Company, working there from 1977 to 1984. Mr. Appel received an MBA in Accounting from the Rutgers University Graduate School of Business in 1977 and a Business Administration degree from Rutgers College in 1976. Mr. Appel is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant.
Director qualifications: leadership, chief financial officer and executive management experience; broad business and strategically relevant experience; retail management experience; financial experience, including accounting, tax and financial reporting; experience in developing growth strategies; personnel development.
Lachlan P. Given — Mr. Given was appointed to the Board of Directors as Non-Executive Chairman in July 2014, became Executive Vice Chairman in August 2014 and Executive Chairman in February 2015. Mr. Given serves on the Compensation Committee and was Chair of that committee until October 2015. Mr. Given is the sole beneficial owner of LPG Limited (HK), a business and financial advisory firm, and prior to assuming the role of Executive Vice Chairman of EZCORP, provided international financial and advisory serves to a number of companies, including EZCORP from October 2012 to June 2014. Since 2004, Mr. Given has also served as a consultant and advisor to Madison Park LLC, which has, in the past, provided certain advisory services to the Company. Madison Park is wholly owned by Phillip E. Cohen, who is the beneficial owner of all of our Class B Voting Common Stock. Mr. Given is also a director of The Farm Journal Corporation, a 134-year old pre-eminent U.S. agricultural media company; Senetas Corporation Limited (ASX: SEN), the world's leading developer and manufacturer of certified, defense-grade encryption solutions; CANSTAR Pty Ltd, the leading Australian financial services ratings and research firm; and RateCity.com Pty Ltd, one of Australia's largest Internet based financial services comparison organizations. Mr. Given began his career working in the investment banking and equity capital markets divisions of Merrill Lynch in Hong Kong and Sydney, Australia, where he specialized in the origination and execution of a variety of M&A, equity, equity-linked and fixed income transactions. Mr. Given also serves on the board of directors of Cash Converters International Limited.
Director qualifications: broad business experience; financial experience and expertise; international experience and global perspective; industry knowledge; experience in developing growth strategies; understanding of our unique business environment.
Santiago Creel Miranda — Mr. Creel joined EZCORP as a director in January 2014 and is a member of the Compensation Committee and Governance Committee. Mr. Creel is a former Senator of Mexico, having served from 2006 to 2012. During his term, he acted as Speaker of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate's Political Coordination Committee. Prior to being elected to the Senate, Mr. Creel served as Secretary of Governance in President Vicente Fox's administration from 2000 to 2005 and as a Federal Deputy (Congressman) in the 57th Congress, where he was Vice Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and chaired the Government and Constitutional Issues Committee. Mr. Creel practiced law with the firm of Noriega y Escobedo in Mexico City for almost 20 years, and has been a legal consultant to many companies, both domestic and foreign, as well as to international organizations and to the Mexican government. Mr. Creel is now a member of the governing body of Pacto por México, which sponsors an extensive agenda of political, economic and structural changes in Mexico.
Director qualifications: leadership experience; experience in developing, implementing and managing strategic plans; understanding of our unique business environment; government service experience.

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Peter Cumins — Mr. Cumins joined EZCORP as a director in July 2014. He is the Managing Director, and serves on the board of directors, of Cash Converters International Limited (ASX: CCV), a public company headquartered in Perth, Western Australia. Cash Converters International owns and franchises retail and financial services stores in 21 countries. Mr. Cumins joined Cash Converters International in August 1990 as Finance and Administration Manager, became General Manager in March 1992 and became Managing Director in April 1995. Mr. Cumins has overseen the major growth in the number of company-owned and franchised locations in Australia, as well as the international development of the Cash Converters International franchise system. Mr. Cumins is a qualified accountant, and his experience in the management of large organizations has included senior executive positions in the government health sector, specifically with the Fremantle Hospital Group, where he was Finance and Human Resources Manager.
Director qualifications: leadership and executive management experience; retail management experience; deep understanding of consumer businesses and customer service strategies; risk management experience; financial experience; experience in developing, implementing and managing strategic plans; personnel development; deep understanding of conducting business in highly regulated environments.
Pablo Lagos Espinosa — Mr. Lagos joined EZCORP as a director in October 2010. He is Chair of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit Committee and Governance Committee. Mr. Lagos served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Pepsi Bottling Group Mexico from 2006 to 2008 and as its Chief Operating Officer from 2003 to 2006. He previously held various executive management positions with Pepsi Bottling Group, PepsiCo Inc., Unilever Mexico and PepsiCola International, Inc., concentrating exclusively in Latin America. Since his retirement in December 2008, Mr. Lagos has been an investor and consultant in various private business ventures and has served as a keynote speaker on organizational leadership and management. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board and Executive President for the Mexican subsidiary of Areas, a Spanish global organization dedicated to restaurant and retailing operations in key public transportation hubs, and as Chairman of the board of Residencial Puente de Piedra, a privately held enterprise focused on developing affordable housing projects in and around Mexico City.
Director qualifications: leadership, chief executive officer and executive management experience in significant multi-national environments; deep understanding of strategically important geographies and international markets; risk management experience; financial experience; experience in developing, implementing and managing strategic plans, including international expansion; personnel development; legislative and government relations experience
Thomas C. Roberts — Mr. Roberts rejoined the Board of Directors in July 2014 and serves as a member of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Governance Committee. He previously served as a director from January 2005 to January 2014 and was Lead Director from November 2008 until September 2013. He also served as a member of both the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee until September 2013. Since 1990, Mr. Roberts has been a private investor and is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pensco, Inc., a financial services company, having previously served as a senior executive (including Chief Financial Officer) of Schlumberger, Ltd. (1970 to 1985) and President of Control Data Computer Systems and Services and a member of the board of directors of Control Data Corporation (1985 to 1989).
Director qualifications: leadership experience; chief financial officer, chief executive officer and general management experience in significant and complex multi-national environments; deep understanding of strategically important geographies and international markets; risk management experience; financial expertise; experience in developing, implementing and managing strategic plans, including international expansion; personnel development.
Joseph L. Rotunda — Mr. Rotunda was named President, North American Pawn in May 2015. He has a relationship with the Company that spans the past 15 years. Mr. Rotunda joined EZCORP as President and Chief Operating officer and a director in February 2000 and was promoted to its Chief Executive Officer in August 2000. He retired from that position, and as a member of the Board of Directors, in October 2010 and became a consultant to the Company pursuant to a five-year consulting agreement. That agreement was mutually terminated in November 2013, and Mr. Rotunda rejoined the Board of Directors in July 2014. Prior to joining EZCORP in 2000, Mr. Rotunda was the Chief Operating Officer of G&K Services, Inc. (1998 to 2000) and held several executive positions, including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, with Rent-A-Center, Inc. (1991 to 1998). Mr. Rotunda served as a director of EasyHome Ltd of Toronto, Canada from 2000 until 2010. Mr. Rotunda also currently serves as a member of the board of directors of eCommission Financial Services, Inc., headquartered in Austin, Texas.
Director qualifications: leadership, chief executive officer and executive management experience; retail management experience; deep understanding of consumer businesses and customer service strategies; risk management experience; financial experience; experience in developing, implementing and managing strategic plans; personnel development;

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deep understanding of conducting business in highly regulated environments; understanding of our unique business environment.
Executive Officers
Set forth below are the name, age, position and biographical information of each of the persons serving as our executive officers as of November 1, 2014, except for Mr. Grimshaw, Mr. Given and Mr. Rotunda whose biographical information is included under “Board of Directors” above:
Name
 
Age
 
Title
 
 
 
 
 
Stuart I. Grimshaw
 
54
 
Chief Executive Officer
Lachlan P. Given
 
38
 
Executive Chairman
Scott Alomes
 
56
 
Chief Human Resources Officer
Mark Ashby
 
55
 
Chief Financial Officer
Jodie E. B. Maccarrone
 
38
 
Chief Strategy Officer and Vice Chair, Grupo Finmart
Joseph L. Rotunda
 
68
 
President, North American Pawn
F. Carl Spilker, III
 
50
 
Chief Risk Officer
Jacob Wedin
 
44
 
Chief Business Development Officer
Thomas H. Welch, Jr.
 
60
 
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
William E. Wood
 
44
 
Chief Information Officer
Scott Alomes — Mr. Alomes has been serving as Chief Human Resources Officer since he joined us in March 2015. He has over 30 years in Human Resources experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining us, Mr. Alomes was the Human Resources Leader in the Southern Region for Crowe Horwath Australia. Prior to that, he held Human Resource positions at ClearView Wealth Ltd., Suncorp, Commonwealth Bank and National Australia Bank. Mr. Alomes received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tasmania, Australia.
Mark Ashby — Mr. Ashby joined EZCORP as Chief Financial Officer in May 2015. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Meyer Holdings Limited, Australia's largest department store group; Chief Financial Officer and Group General Manager, Home and Trade Division of Mitre 10 Australia Ltd., a large home improvement and hardware retailer and wholesaler; Founder and Director, Business Development and Funding Consulting for Clearview Business Advisory Pty Ltd., a business consulting firm; Chief Financial Officer for The Ozitel Network, a joint venture telecommunications company set up by Motorola Inc.; and Finance Director for Sportsgirl Sportscraft Group. Mr. Ashby also spent nine years with Motorola Australia Pty Ltd. in various finance and accounting roles, including Director of Finance, Australasia and Director of Customer Finance, Asia.
Jodie E. B. Maccarrone — Ms. Maccarrone has been serving as President, Global Financial Services since July 2014. Ms. Maccarrone joined EZCORP as Vice President, Change Capital in April 2012, and in July 2012 was promoted to Managing Director of Change Capital Operations, where she was responsible for the performance of Grupo Finmart and TUYO and EZCORP’s expansion into Latin America. Prior to joining EZCORP, she served as Director of Operations for Sun Capital Partners, a major private equity firm, where she was responsible for leading strategic growth and cost reduction activities within and across various portfolio companies with an emphasis on profit improvement. She has also held consulting and operational positions at the Monitor Group in Boston and at Honeywell International.
F. Carl Spilker, III — Mr. Spilker joined EZCORP in May 2015 as Chief Risk Officer. Previously he was the Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer at Dollar Financial Group (“DFG”) Global Corp. in charge of domestic and international risk management and analytics operations. He was with DFG from July 2008 through May 2015. In other prior positions he was Director of Credit at Lloyds Bank, Vice President of Consulting and Analtyics at Experian-Scores Americas and Vice President of Decision Management at Citigroup/The Associates. Mr. Spilker received his Business Administration degree from the University of Memphis.
Jacob Wedin — Mr. Wedin joined EZCORP in September 2015 as Chief Business Development Officer. Prior to joining us, Mr. Wedin was the CEO of the Mexico Division at Bayport Financial Services, a provider of consumer financial services including short, medium, and long-term loans, where he led Bayport’s expansion into Mexico. Prior to that, he was Bayport’s Business Development Executive in Latin America. Prior to joining Bayport, he served as a representative of the Swedish Trade Commissions for several countries in Latin American and the Caribbean, based in Brazil. He is a native of Sweden and received his MBA from the American International University in London.

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Thomas H. Welch, Jr. — Mr. Welch joined us in April 2009 as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. He joined Dell Inc.’s legal department in 1995, and served as Vice President, Legal and General Corporate Counsel from April 1999 to April 2008. Mr. Welch was principally responsible for legal support of Dell’s corporate securities, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, financial services, executive compensation and benefits, facilities, corporate governance and general corporate matters. From 1992 to 1995, Mr. Welch was Vice President - Corporate Development of Parker & Parsley Petroleum Company (predecessor to Pioneer Natural Resources Company), and previously was a shareholder with the law firm of Johnson & Gibbs, P.C., Dallas, Texas.
William E. Wood — Mr. Wood joined EZCORP as Chief Information Officer in April 2014. He has spent his career in retail, working in various management and executive positions with PetSmart, Inc., Revco Drug Stores, Inc., Darice, Inc. and Dollar General Corporation before serving as Vice President, CIO, Supply Chain & Customer Care for Brookstone, Inc. and Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Bass Pro Shops. Mr. Wood has served as a board member for several charities, including Goodwill of Middle Tennessee, Camp Allen, NH and Easter Seals of Central Texas. He graduated with an MBA from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management in 2004. Mr. Wood resigned from the Company, effective December 11, 2015.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Based on written representations and a review of the relevant Forms 3, 4 and 5, during fiscal 2014, all persons subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to EZCORP timely filed all reports required by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act.
Code of Conduct
We maintain a Code of Conduct that is applicable to all of our employees, including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and chief accounting officer. That Code of Conduct, which satisfies the requirements of a “code of ethics” under applicable SEC rules, contains written standards that are designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest; full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable public disclosures and communications, including financial reporting; compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; prompt internal reporting of violations of the code, and accountability for adherence to the code. A copy of the Code of Conduct is posted in the Investor Relations section of on our website at www.ezcorp.com
We will post any waivers of the Code of Conduct, or amendments thereto, that are applicable to our chief executive officer, our chief financial officer or chief accounting officer in the Investor Relations section of our website at www.ezcorp.com. To date, there have been no such waivers.
Corporate Governance
Controlled Company Exemptions — The NASDAQ Listing Rules contain several corporate governance requirements for NASDAQ-listed companies. These requirements generally relate to the composition of the board and its committees. For example, the rules require the following:
A majority of the directors must be independent (Rule 5605(b)(1));
The audit committee must have a least three members, each of whom must be independent (Rule 5605(c)(2));
Executive officer compensation must be determined, or recommended to the board of directors for determination, by either (1) a majority of the independent directors or (2) a compensation committee comprised solely of independent directors (Rule 5605(d)); and
Director nominations must be selected, or recommended for the board’s selection, by either (1) a majority of the independent directors or (2) a nominations committee comprised solely of independent directors (Rule 5605(e)).
Rule 5615(c)(2), however, provides that a “Controlled Company” is exempt from the requirement to have a majority of independent directors and from the requirements to have independent director oversight over executive compensation and director nominations. The Listing Rules define a “Controlled Company” as a company of which more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors is held by an individual, a group or another company. EZCORP is a “Controlled Company” within this meaning by virtue of the fact that 100% of the outstanding Class B Voting Common Stock (the only class of voting securities outstanding) is held of record by MS Pawn Limited Partnership and beneficially by Phillip E. Cohen. See “Part III, Item 10 — Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance — Corporate Governance — Committees of the Board” and “Part III, Item 13 — Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence — Director Independence.”

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Committees of the Board — The Board of Directors maintains the following committees to assist it in its oversight responsibilities. The current membership of each committee is indicated in the list of directors set forth under “Board of Directors” above.
Audit Committee — The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility to provide oversight with respect to our financial statements and reports and other disclosures provided to stockholders, the system of internal controls, the audit process and legal and ethical compliance. Its primary duties include reviewing the scope and adequacy of our internal and financial controls and procedures; reviewing the scope and results of the audit plans of our independent and internal auditors; reviewing the objectivity, effectiveness and resources of the internal audit function; appraising our financial reporting activities and the accounting standards and principles followed; and reviewing and approving ethics and compliance policies. The Audit Committee also selects, engages, compensates and oversees our independent auditor and pre-approves all services to be performed by the independent auditing firm.
The Audit Committee is comprised entirely of directors who satisfy the standards of independence described under “Part III, Item 13 — Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence — Director Independence,” as well as additional or supplemental independence standards applicable to audit committee members established under applicable law and NASDAQ listing requirements. The Board has determined that each Audit Committee member meets the NASDAQ “financial literacy” requirement and that Mr. Appel, Chair of the committee, is a “financial expert” within the meaning of the current rules of the SEC.
Compensation Committee — The Compensation Committee reviews and approves, on behalf of the Board, the amounts and types of compensation to be paid to our executive officers; reviews and recommends to the full Board the amount and type of compensation to be paid to our non-employee directors; reviews and approves, on behalf of the Board, all bonus and equity compensation to be paid to our other employees; and administers our stock compensation plans. Until September 2014, the Compensation Committee was comprised entirely of directors who satisfy the standards of independence described under “Part III, Item 13 — Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence — Director Independence,” as well as additional or supplemental independence standards applicable to compensation committee members established under applicable law and NASDAQ listing requirements. Since September 2014, pursuant to the NASDAQ Controlled Company exemption described above, the Compensation Committee has included certain non-independent directors (Mr. Given and Mr. Rotunda (until May 2015)). See “Part III, Item 11 — Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Composition of the Compensation Committee.” The committee has formed an “independent subcommittee,” consisting solely of independent directors, to consider and approve any items of compensation that are required to be approved solely by “independent,” “non-employee” or “outside” directors.
The Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee are governed by written charters, copies of which can be found in the Investor Relations section of our website at www.ezcorp.com.
Because all of our voting stock is beneficially owned by Phillip E. Cohen and the remaining stockholders are not entitled to vote on the election of directors, we do not currently maintain a standing nominating committee of the Board of Directors. In the absence of a nominating committee, director nominees are typically considered by the full Board, which has historically been comprised of a majority of independent directors.
Meetings and Attendance — The following table sets forth the number of meetings held during fiscal 2015 by the Board of Directors and each committee thereof, as well as the number of times during the year that action was taken by unanimous written consent. All directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and of the committees on which they served.
 
Fiscal 2015
 
Meetings Held
Action by Unanimous Written Consent
 
 
 
Board of Directors
10
17
Audit Committee
21
1
Compensation Committee
11
12

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ITEM 11 — EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes our compensation practices and the executive compensation policies, decisions and actions of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors (the “Committee”). It focuses specifically on compensation earned during fiscal 2015 by Stuart Grimshaw (who has served as principal executive officer since February 2, 2015), Mark Ashby (who has served as principal financial officer since May 26, 2015), Lachlan P. Given, Thomas H. Welch, Jr. and Jodie Maccarrone (the three other most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers at the end of fiscal 2015), as well as Mark E. Kuchenrither (who served as principal executive officer from July 18, 2014 through February 1, 2015, and principal financial officer through May 26, 2015). This group is referred to collectively as the "Named Executive Officers."
Composition of the Compensation Committee
During fiscal 2015, the Company, relying on the controlled company exemption provided by the Nasdaq listing rules, has included two non-independent directors (Mr. Given and Mr. Rotunda) on the Compensation Committee. See Part II, Item 10 — Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance — Corporate Governance — Controlled Company Exemptions.” When Mr. Rotunda was appointed to the executive position of President, North American Pawn, on May 25, 2015, the Board of Directors determined that he should no longer serve on the Committee. Santiago Creel Miranda was added to the Committee effective August 7, 2015. On October 15, 2015, Pablo Lagos Miranda was appointed Chair of the Committee in place of Mr. Given, who remains on the Committee as the only non-independent member.
The Board of Directors believes that, with the unique perspective of the non-independent member combined with the perspectives of the independent members, the current Committee is well-situated to act in the interests of all Company stockholders. The Committee has formed a sub-committee consisting of only independent directors (Mr. Lagos and Mr. Roberts) to act on and approve any executive compensation matters that require approval of solely independent directors. Even though Mr. Creel is considered to be independent (see “Part III, Item 13 — Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence”), he is not included on the independent sub-committee due to the relationship described in “Part III, Item 13 — Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence — Related Party Transactions.”
Compensation Philosophy
Our executive compensation philosophy is grounded in two fundamental principles:
Pay for performance — Our philosophy is to expect diligent effort, unwavering commitment and hard work from our executives, and our compensation plans should recognize and reward superior results that generate significant shareholder value. Actual realized compensation should reflect Company and individual performance against specific and quantifiable objectives. Executives should be compensated based on their ability to achieve key operational, financial and strategic results. Compensation earned should parallel our sustained growth in terms of profitability and shareholder value.
Attract and retain high performers — We want to build and maintain an organization that achieves consistently high results. Therefore, we strive to pay at levels that will attract and retain high quality executives capable of performing at the highest levels and willing to be accountable for the achievement of results. In line with our philosophy of paying well for strong performance, a majority of executive compensation is in the form of incentives that are at risk, but offer significantly higher rewards for the achievement of outstanding results.
In support of this philosophy, and in order attract high caliber talent to support our goal of improving financial results, the Committee has designed compensation plans that provide:
Competitive base salaries;
Incentive opportunities based on overall Company financial performance, business unit financial performance (in appropriate cases), individual contribution and performance and creation of stockholder value;
Retention of top performers over the long-term; and
Alignment of executive interests with the long-term interests of stockholders.

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Executive Compensation Program Design
Goals In support of the principles of our compensation philosophy and our interest in ensuring stockholder alignment, we have designed our executive compensation programs to accomplish the following primary goals:
Goal
How Accomplished
 
 
Pay for performance — Design of compensation plans will provide payouts that are closely aligned with the actual financial results of the Company.

  Executive total compensation opportunities will include a significant portion of performance-based incentives tied to achievement of specific financial or strategic objectives and the growth in stockholder value.
  Incentive objectives will be specific, quantifiable and measurable, but may also include goals that require an element of subjective evaluation.
  Long-term incentives will have both retention and performance requirements and therefore will vest over time so long as specific objectives are achieved.
Attract and retain high performers  We want to pay at levels that will help us attract and retain highly qualified individuals capable of leading us to achieve our business objectives.


  Our total compensation plans are designed to provide base salaries and short- and long-term incentive opportunities that will result in highly competitive pay levels when performance objectives are achieved, as well as above-market opportunities when outstanding results are achieved.
  Our incentive plans provide clear and measurable objectives for top performers to achieve high-level compensation.
Shareholder alignment and long-term commitment

  Senior executives are required to be shareholders and own a minimum level of Company stock throughout their employment.
  The vesting of equity incentive awards is tied directly to continued multi-year service (retention) and the achievement of specific long-term financial results.
Components Executive officer “total direct” compensation is composed of three principal components, each one contributing to the accomplishment of our compensation program goals:
Compensation Component
Description
Attract and Retain
Pay for Performance
Shareholder Alignment
Long-term Commitment
 
 
 
 
 
 
Base Salary
  A market-competitive salary is an essential factor in attracting and retaining qualified personnel.
ü
 
 
 
Annual Incentives
  Annual cash bonus opportunity that is tied to an assessment of annual corporate and business unit financial performance, as well as individual contribution.
ü
ü
ü
 
Long-term Incentives
  Equity incentive grants, including performance-vested restricted stock grants tied to achievement of consistent multi-year growth in earnings and stockholder value.
ü

ü

ü

ü

  Annual Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan contributions that vest over three years.
ü

 
 
ü

Competitive Posture In order to attract and retain the best executives for key management positions, we target our compensation plans to approximate the 75th percentile of the competitive marketplace. The Committee believes that this competitive positioning is appropriate in order for us to attract and retain the caliber of executives required to maintain exceptional operational and financial results over time.
It is important to note, however, that the majority of pay opportunities for our top executives are incentive-based and that actual realizable compensation is heavily dependent upon actual Company results. Failure to achieve targeted results may result in realized compensation being below the 75th percentile, and perhaps below the market median. On the other hand, our incentive compensation programs provide opportunities for compensation to exceed the 75th percentile if specified objectives are achieved at targeted levels or higher. The Committee believes that actual realizable compensation for our top executives is well aligned with our performance.
Pay Mix The Committee reviews the mix of base salary, cash bonus and long-term incentives annually. The Committee does not target a fixed percentage allocation among the compensation elements, but rather aims to provide the majority of executive officer compensation opportunities in the form of incentive compensation.

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In light of the significant changes among our senior management team during fiscal 2015, the Committee will continue to reevaluate the appropriate mix for fiscal 2016 and beyond, including a particular emphasis on performance-based long-term incentive compensation with challenging strategic performance conditions.
Compensation Methodology and Process
Role of the Committee
The Board of Directors has authorized the Committee to establish the compensation programs for all executive officers and to provide oversight for compliance with our compensation philosophy. The Committee delegates the day-to-day administration of the compensation plans to management, but retains responsibility for ensuring that the plan administration is consistent with the Company's policies.
Annually, the Committee sets the compensation for our executive officers, including objectives and awards under incentive plans. The Committee also makes recommendations to the Board of Directors on appropriate compensation for the non-employee directors.
In addition to overseeing the compensation of our executive officers, the Committee approves all awards under equity-based compensation plans and long-term cash incentive plans for all other employees. For more information on the Committee's role, see the Committee's charter, which can be found in the Investor Relations section of our website at www.ezcorp.com.
Role of the Compensation Consultant
Pursuant to its charter, the Committee has the sole authority to retain, terminate, obtain advice from, oversee and compensate its outside advisors, including its compensation consultant. The Company has provided appropriate funding to the Committee to do so.
For the past several years, the Committee has retained Pearl Meyer & Partners (“Pearl Meyer”) as its independent executive compensation consultant. None of our management participated in the Committee's decision to retain Pearl Meyer. Pearl Meyer reports directly to the Committee, and the Committee may replace Pearl Meyer or hire additional consultants at any time. Pearl Meyer communicates with, and attends meetings of, the Committee as requested; however, the Committee makes all decisions regarding the compensation of the Company's executive officers.
Pearl Meyer provides various executive compensation services to the Committee, including advising the Committee on the principal aspects of our executive compensation program and evolving best practices and providing market information and analysis regarding the competitiveness of our program design and award values in relationship to our performance.
The Committee regularly reviews the services provided by its outside consultants and believes that Pearl Meyer is independent in providing executive compensation consulting services. In making this determination, the Committee noted the following:
Pearl Meyer has not provided any services to the Company or management other than services requested by or with the approval of the Committee, and its services have been limited to executive compensation consulting. Specifically, Pearl Meyer has not provided, directly or indirectly through affiliates, any non-executive compensation services, including pension consulting or human resource outsourcing.
In any year, fees we paid to Pearl Meyer were less than 1% of Pearl Meyer's total revenue for that year.
Pearl Meyer maintains a conflicts policy, which was provided to the Committee, with specific policies and procedures designed to ensure independence.
None of the Pearl Meyer consultants working for the Company, or Pearl Meyer, has any business or personal relationship with Committee members or any executive officer of the Company
None of the Pearl Meyer consultants working on Company matters directly own Company stock.
The Committee continues to monitor the independence of its compensation consultant on a periodic basis.
Role of Management
The Committee also receives data regarding compensation trends, issues and recommendations from management. One member of management, Mr. Given, is a member of the Committee and participates in Committee discussions, deliberations and decisions (except for those matters that require approval solely of independent directors, in which case the decisions are made by a subcommittee consisting of only independent directors).

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Other members of management, including our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Human Resources Officer and our General Counsel, attend Committee meetings at the invitation of the Committee. In addition, our Chief Executive Officer provides input on individual performance and recommendations regarding compensation adjustments to the Committee for positions other than his own.
2015 Competitive Posture
As noted above, the Committee generally targets total compensation at the 75th percentile for our executive officers as a group. However, it does not consider that philosophy to be a prescription for each individual executive officer. Various factors affect the relationship between target total direct compensation for each individual executive and our targeted market reference point, including specific retention concerns, tenure, internal equity, year-over-year volatility of market data and the comparability of available market benchmarks.
Fiscal 2015 was a unique year for the Company in terms of the composition of the executive team and, consequently, executive compensation. During the year, all but two executive officer positions were replaced or filled with newly hired employees. Therefore, the Committee’s decisions regarding compensation for individual executive officers were based primarily on arms-length negotiations with candidates, taking into consideration a variety of factors, including the market dynamics for the particular position being filled and the compensation levels that have to be matched in order to attract the desired candidates. The Committee believes that the compensation terms offered to each of the new executive officers reflect the competitive market for the level of talent the Company is trying to attract, and will continue to benchmark the compensation levels for each executive officer position against relevant market data.
2016 Competitive Posture
In September 2015, the Committee engaged Pearl Meyer to do a full executive compensation review for the purpose of setting fiscal 2016 compensation levels. It will continue to be the Committee's intent to design our compensation plans to approximate the 75th percentile for target total direct compensation for our executive officers as a group, with a significant portion of total compensation being delivered in the form of performance-based long-term incentive awards, so that actual realized compensation will be heavily dependent upon performance and directly aligned with long-term growth in stockholder value.
Benchmarking and Peer Group Data
While the Committee does not set compensation levels for our executive officers based solely on survey or peer group benchmarks, the Committee does regularly refer to external benchmarking data in their deliberations in order to ensure that the pay opportunities offered to our executives are appropriate in light of our performance relative to our peers. In September 2015, the Committee asked Pearl Meyer to conduct a competitive compensation review for our executive officers in order to benchmark compensation for fiscal 2016. Data in the Pearl Meyer study were collected from several sources, including published compensation surveys and peer company proxy statements.
Competitive pay data for our Named Executive Officers was collected from SEC filings for a peer group of 15 publicly-traded companies. The peer group includes companies that are direct competitors within our industry, have similar business models to our company or have comparable key executive roles.

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Fiscal 2016 Compensation Peer Group
Peer Company
Stock Symbol
Primary Business
 
 
 
Aaron’s Inc.
AAN
Specialty Retail
Credit Acceptance Corp.
CACC
Consumer Finance
Cardtronics Inc.
CATM
Consumer Finance — IT Services
Cash America International, Inc.
CSH
Consumer Finance — Pawn & Payday Lending
First Cash Financial Services Inc.
FCFS
Consumer Finance — Pawn & Payday Lending
Green Dot Corporation
GDOT
Consumer Finance — Debit Cards
H&R Block, Inc.
HRB
Diversified Consumer Services
Heartland Payment Systems, Inc.
HPY
Consumer Finance — IT Services
Moneygram International Inc.
MGI
Consumer Finance — Money Transfer and Payment Services
Outerwall Inc.
OUTR
Specialty Retail
Rent-a-Center, Inc.
RCII
Specialty Retail
Springleaf Holdings Inc.
LEAF
Consumer Finance
Total System Services Inc.
TSS
Consumer Finance — IT Services
WEX Inc.
WEX
Consumer Finance — Payment Card Solutions
World Acceptance Corp.
WRLD
Consumer Finance — Small Loans
Survey Data
To supplement peer group data, Pearl Meyer also provided compensation statistics from a review of published compensation surveys. Survey data reflected compensation rates across a broad group of general industry companies with revenues of around $1 billion. Using a robust survey sample in combination with peer group data (along with the practice of reviewing market quartiles, as opposed to averages) mitigates the impact of outliers, year-over-year volatility of compensation levels and the risk of selection bias
Compensation Risk
The Committee continually monitors the Company's general compensation practices, specifically the design, administration and assessment of our incentive plans, to identify any components, measurement factors or potential outcomes that might create an incentive for excessive risk-taking detrimental to the Company. The Committee has determined that our compensation plans and policies do not encourage excessive risk taking.
Our executive compensation program provides a balance of short-term and long-term incentives that reward achievement of profitable, consistent and sustainable results.
Annual incentive compensation tied to achievement of profitable Company or business unit performance (as measured by consolidated net income, EBITDA and/or business unit operating contribution); and
Meaningful equity incentive opportunities that provide an incentive to deliver sustained long-term growth in shareholder value and earnings.
Components of Compensation
Base Salary
Our primary objective with respect to the base salary levels of our executive officers is to provide sufficient fixed cash income to retain and attract these experienced and valuable executives in a competitive market for executive talent. The base salaries of our executive officers are reviewed and adjusted (if appropriate) annually to reflect, among other things, individual performance, base salaries for comparable positions from a review of market data discussed previously, the tenure of the officers, economic conditions and the base salaries of the officers relative to one another.

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The following table shows, for each of our Named Executive Officer, the base salaries that were in effect for fiscal 2014 (where applicable) and fiscal 2015. The increases, where applicable, were effective October 1, 2014.
Named Executive Officer
Position
Fiscal 2014
 
Fiscal 2015
 
Increase
Base Salary
 
Base Salary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stuart Grimshaw (a)
Chief Executive Officer

 
$
1,000,000

 
N/A
Mark Ashby (b)
Chief Financial Officer

 
700,000

 
N/A
Lachlan P. Given (c)
Executive Chairman
600,000

 
600,000

 
—%
Thomas H. Welch, Jr.
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
375,000

 
410,000

 
9%
Jodie E. B. Maccarrone (d)
Chief Strategy Officer, Vice Chairman Grupo Finmart
400,000

 
400,000

 
—%
Mark E. Kuchenrither (e)
Former President and Chief Executive Officer and Former Chief Financial Officer
700,000

 
800,000

 
14%
(a)
Mr. Grimshaw joined the Company as Executive Chairman in November 2014 and became Chief Executive Officer in February 2015. His base salary was negotiated at the time he joined the Company and did not change when he became Chief Executive Officer.
(b)
Mr. Ashby joined the Company as Chief Financial Officer in May 2015. His base salary was negotiated at the time he joined the Company.
(c)
Mr. Given joined the Company as Executive Vice Chairman in August 2014 and became Executive Chairman in February 2015. His base salary was negotiated at the time he joined the Company and did not change when he became Executive Chairman.
(d)
Ms. Maccarrone was promoted to President, Global Financial Services in July 2014, and in connection with that promotion, her base salary was increased from $340,000 to $400,000 (18%).
(e)
Mr. Kuchenrither served as President and Chief Executive Officer until February 2015, when he became President and Chief Operating Officer. He also served as Chief Financial Officer until May 2015, when he became a consultant to the Company.
In October 2015, the Committee determined that the base salaries for the executive officers would be held flat for fiscal 2016 (other than modest market adjustments for two of the executive officers). None of the Named Executive Officers received any base salary increase for fiscal 2016. Consequently, the fiscal 2016 base salary for each of the Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Kuchenrither) will be the same as the base salary for fiscal 2015, as shown in the table above.
Annual Incentive Bonus
Our executive officers, as well as other key employees, are eligible to participate in our annual Incentive Compensation Plan. The annual cash bonus opportunities offered to participants in the plan are designed to provide a powerful performance incentive contingent upon participants' contributions toward achievement of annual corporate and business unit financial results, as well as personal objectives that are tied to our strategic goals. The plan is administered by the Committee, which has the authority to:
Designate eligible participants for each year;
Establish annual performance goals and incentive opportunities under the plan; and
Adjust, approve or decline to pay the incentive bonus for each participant (subject to the restriction that the Committee does not have the power to increase, or make adjustments that would have the effect of increasing, the incentive bonus otherwise payable to any executive officer).
The Committee has the right to delegate to the Chief Executive Officer its authority and responsibilities with respect to the incentive bonuses payable to employees other than executive officers.
For fiscal 2015, the incentive bonus opportunity for each executive officer was a function of a designated target amount (stated as a percentage of base salary) and a business performance modifier ranging from 0% to 150% based on the achievement of specified levels of consolidated net income. The following table sets forth the incentive bonus target (stated as a percentage of base salary) for each of the Named Executive Officers:

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Named Executive Officer
FY 2015 Target Amount
Business Performance Modifier Based On
(as a % of base salary)
 
 
 
Mr. Grimshaw (a)
250%
Consolidated net income attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
Mr. Ashby
100%
Consolidated net income attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
Mr. Given (b)
150%
Consolidated net income attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
Mr. Welch
75%
Consolidated net income attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
Ms. Maccarrone
100%
Consolidated net income attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
Mr. Kuchenrither
150%
Consolidated net income attributable to EZCORP, Inc.
(a)
As previously disclosed, the terms of Mr. Grimshaw’s employment, which were negotiated at the time he joined the Company, call for a Target Amount of 250% of base salary for the first year (fiscal 2015) and increasing by 25 percentage points per year up to 400% after six years. The annual short-term incentive bonus will be payable two-thirds in cash and one-third in the form of restricted stock subject to vesting over one or two years.
(b)
Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Given’s employment, any short-term incentive bonus for fiscal 2015 will be payable (at the Company’s option) two thirds in cash and one third in the form of restricted stock subject to vesting over one year.
Whether a participant was awarded the full payout depended on the evaluation of such participant’s individual performance against specified key performance indicators for each participant. During fiscal 2015, the Company failed to achieve the minimum performance goals established by the Committee at either the consolidated or business unit level. Consequently, no incentive bonuses were paid for fiscal 2015. The Committee did, however, approve certain “retention bonuses” in November 2016, which are discussed below under “Discretionary Bonuses.”
In December 2015, the Committee approved the incentive bonus plan for fiscal 2016. The terms of the fiscal 2016 incentive bonus plan are substantially the same as those for fiscal 2015, except that the payout will be based on the achievement of specified levels of EBITDA rather than consolidated net income. The fiscal 2016 Targets Amount for each of the Named Executive Officers is the same as the fiscal 2015 Target Amount (as shown in the table above), except for Mr. Grimshaw, whose fiscal 2016 Target Amount is increased to 275% pursuant to the terms of his employment (as described in footnote (a) to the table above).
Discretionary Bonuses
In November 2015, the Committee approved “Retention Bonus” awards to be paid to selected key employees, including the executive officers. In approving such awards, the Committee recognized that the Company’s fiscal 2015 performance would not generate any payout under the previously-approved fiscal 2015 incentive compensation plan. Nevertheless, the Committee considered the need to provide appropriate compensation opportunities in order to attract and retain high performing executives and other key employees who are critical to the Company’s future success. The following table shows the amount of the Retention Bonus that was approved for each of the Named Executive Officers:
Named Executive Officer
Retention Bonus
 
 
Mr. Grimshaw
$
1,250,000

Mr. Ashby
122,750

Mr. Given
450,000

Mr. Welch
153,750

Ms. Maccarrone
200,000

In each case, the amount of the Retention Bonus is equal to 50% of the target payout that would have been paid under the fiscal 2015 incentive bonus plan. Mr. Ashby’s Retention Bonus was prorated to reflect the number of days he was employed by the Company during fiscal 2015.
Special Short-Term Incentive Bonus Awards for Mr. Grimshaw
As previously disclosed, when Mr. Grimshaw was hired as Executive Chairman, he was given two special short-term bonus opportunities:
An “initial” short-term incentive bonus opportunity of $600,000 based on his performance against objectives established by the Committee. In March 2015, those objectives were revised to better reflect the Company’s strategic position and were designed to drive the implementation of a strategic restructuring plan (measured by significant reductions in ongoing and recurring operating and administrative expenses). The Committee, after certifying that Mr.

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Grimshaw had achieved the established performance objectives, approved payout of the bonus in May 2015 in accordance with the terms of Mr. Grimshaw’s offer letter.
An additional $460,000 per year for the first two years of his employment contingent upon the Company achieving specified performance metrics based on sustained growth in EBITDA. The Committee reviewed the EBITDA performance for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015, and after adjusting the EBITDA for both years to account for the restructuring of the business and other special circumstances, determined that, based on the EBITDA growth in the core businesses from fiscal 2014 to fiscal 2015, the performance objectives had been achieved. Consequently, the Committee approved payout of the bonus in October 2015 in accordance with the terms of Mr. Grimshaw’s offer letter.
Long-Term Incentives
General Long-term incentive compensation, in the form of performance-vested or time-vested equity awards, is a key component in our executive compensation program, helping to encourage long-term commitment, shareholder alignment and long-term performance orientation. The value of equity awards over time bears a direct relationship to the price of our shares and the returns experienced by our shareholders. These awards are made under the EZCORP 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
All of our executive officers are eligible to receive equity incentive awards. Our approach to long-term incentive compensation for our executive officers for fiscal 2015 provides for equity awards that vest over multiple years based upon achievement of sustained earnings growth as measured by the compound annual growth rate in EBITDA over the performance period. They are also eligible for awards tied to achievement of specified stock prices ranging from $15 to $80 per share. The Committee believes that the value delivered to executives through long-term equity awards should reflect the value realized by all stockholders. Therefore, the grants to executive officers are subject to performance-based vesting requirements tied to measurable financial objectives or stock price, in addition to time-based vesting, which encourages retention and a long-term strategic view of creating stockholder value.
Eligibility and participation level Participation in the long-term incentive plan is based on the following criteria:
Analysis of competitive information for comparable positions;
Evaluation of the value added to the Company by hiring or retaining specific executives; and
Each executive's long-term potential contributions to the Company in terms of impacting overall performance, strategic direction, financial results and stockholder value.
Grant frequency The Committee considers new grants for all executives every year, although we do not necessarily grant new equity to all executives every year. The frequency of grants and the amount of equity awards granted in a given year are based in part upon an assessment of past equity awards still outstanding at the time new grants are to be made.
Although equity awards may be made at any time as determined by the Committee, they are generally made on the first business day of our fiscal year (or as soon as practicable thereafter) or on or around the recipient's hire date (in the case of new-hire grants).
During fiscal 2015, the Committee approved restricted stock awards for our key employees, including the executive officers. The approved awards for the non-executive officers generally call for vesting over a three-year period contingent upon the Company having achieved specified EBITDA growth goals. The approved awards for the executive officers were divided into two portions, with one portion vesting over a three-year period contingent upon the Company having achieved specified EBITDA growth goals and the other portion vesting over six years contingent upon the achievement of specified stock prices ranging from $15 to $80 per share.
The following table shows the approved fiscal 2015 awards (number of shares) for the Named Executive Officers:
Named Executive Officer
EBITDA-Based Vesting (a)
Stock Price-Based Vesting (b)
 
 
 
Mr. Grimshaw (c)
400,000

600,000

Mr. Ashby (d)
21,000

14,000

Mr. Given (e)
300,000

120,000

Mr. Welch
24,000

16,000

Ms. Maccarrone
24,000

16,000

Mr. Kuchenrither (f)
46,800

120,000


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(a)
For Mr. Grimshaw and Mr. Given, these shares vest over a four-year period (one-fourth on September 30, 2015, one-fourth on September 30, 2016, one-fourth on September 30, 2018 and one-fourth on September 30, 2020); for Mr. Kuchenrither, these shares vest over a four-year period (one-half on September 30, 2016 and one half on September 30, 2018; and for Mr. Ashby, Mr. Welch and Ms. Maccarrone (and the remaining executive officers), these shares vest over a three-year period (one-third on September 30, 2015, one-third on September 30, 2016 and one-third on September 2017). In each case, vesting is contingent upon the achievement of specified EBITDA growth goals.
(b)
These shares vest over a six-year period in specified amounts if the per-share trading price of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock achieves specified levels ranging from $15 to $80. Any shares that vest during this six-year period will remain subject to a transfer restriction until the end of such six-year period, and any shares that remain unvested at the end of the six-year period because the stock price has not achieved the specified levels will be forfeited.
(c)
These awards were specified in Mr. Grimshaw’s offer letter.
(d)
These awards were specified in Mr. Ashby’s offer letter, and represent a prorated award based on the number of days during fiscal 2015 Mr. Ashby was employed by the Company.
(e)
These awards were specified in Mr. Given’s offer letter.
(f)
Mr. Kuchenrither has terminated his consulting agreement, effective January 4, 2016, and therefore, these shares will remain unvested and will be forfeited at that time.
Even though these awards were approved by the Committee in fiscal 2015, they were not actually issued due to an insufficient number of available shares in the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan. In February and March 2015, our voting stockholder approved additions to the plan of a sufficient number of shares to make the approved awards, but we were not able to register those shares on a Form S-8 registration statement or issue the awards during the time that we were delinquent with our periodic SEC filings due to the Grupo Finmart loan portfolio issues. Now that those issues have been resolved and we are again current in our SEC reporting obligations, we are in the process of filing the necessary registration statement to enable the issuance of these awards. When we issue these awards, the Committee has authorized us to issue them with vesting terms that match as closely as possible the intended vesting terms at the time of approval. Therefore, the portion of the awards that would have vested on or as of September 30, 2015 in accordance with their approved terms will be issued with no vesting restrictions, while the remainder of the awards will be issued with vesting terms matching the original approved terms. These awards will be treated for all purposes as fiscal 2015 awards even though they were not actually issued during fiscal 2015.
The Committee is currently considering the structure of the long-term incentive plan for fiscal 2016, and to date has not approved any awards for fiscal 2016.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
We provide selected executives, including all of the Named Executive Officers, with a non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) in order to offset some of the negative impacts of the highly paid executive contribution limitations applicable to our 401(k) retirement savings plan. For 2015, the Committee approved contributions to the SERP for each of the executive officers equal to 10% of base salary. This resulted in the following contributions to the SERP for each of the Named Executive Officers:
Named Executive Officer
Fiscal 2015 SERP Contribution
 
 
Mr. Grimshaw
$
100,000

Mr. Ashby (a)

Mr. Given
60,000

Mr. Welch
41,000

Ms. Maccarrone
40,000

Mr. Kuchenrither
80,000

(a)
Mr. Ashby became an executive officer in May 2015 and, therefore, did not receive a SERP contribution for fiscal 2015.
For 2016, the Committee has also approved contributions to the SERP equal to 10% of base salary for each of the executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers.
Other Benefits and Perquisites
The executive officers participate in other benefit plans on the same terms as other employees. These plans include medical, dental and life insurance benefits, and our 401(k) retirement savings plan. In addition, we provide supplemental healthcare benefits to our executive officers. The amount of that benefit for the Named Executive Officers during fiscal 2015 is included in the “All Other Compensation” table below.
During fiscal 2015, we hired several new executive officers who relocated to Austin, Texas from other countries. To assist these executives with securing suitable housing arrangements in Austin, the Committee has approved temporary housing allowances to cover mortgage or rental payments actually made with respect to housing arrangements in the Austin, Texas area. Generally,

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these allowances apply for up to one year (two years, in the case of Mr. Grimshaw). The following table shows, for each of the Named Executive Officers who have temporary housing allowances, the amount of the allowance approved by the Committee, along with the amount actually utilized by the executive:
 
Approved Temporary Housing Allowance
Amount of Allowance Utilized in Fiscal 2015 (a)
Named Executive Officer
Amount (per month)
Period
 
 
 
 
Mr. Grimshaw
$
25,000

Through Nov 2016
$
168,393

Mr. Ashby
12,000

Through May 2016
58,258

Mr. Given
10,000

Through Feb 2016
85,033

(a)
These amounts are included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation table below.
In addition, our executives who come to the U.S. from other countries find it difficult to secure automobile leases because of their visa status. To assist with this difficulty, the Company has either purchased or leased automobiles on behalf of certain of our expatriate executive officers and then leased or released the automobiles to the executives. We do not consider these arrangements to be compensatory, as the executives are reimbursing the Company the full costs associated with these arrangements.
Other Executive Compensation Matters
Severance In May 2015, we entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Kuchenrither, pursuant to which Mr. Kuchenrither will provide certain consulting and advisory services as directed by the Chief Executive Officer. During the term of the agreement, the Company will pay Mr. Kuchenrither $450,000 per year and will continue Mr. Kuchenrither’s executive-level healthcare benefits. The agreement runs for two years, unless sooner terminated by either party. If the agreement is terminated prior to the end of its stated two-year term, Mr. Kuchenrither, under certain circumstances, will be entitled to a severance payment equal to $800,000 (the amount of the severance benefit Mr. Kuchenrither was entitled to at the time he moved into a consulting role) less the aggregate amount of payments Mr. Kuchenrither previously received under the agreement. The agreement also allows for Mr. Kuchenrither to continue vesting in any existing equity awards in accordance with their terms. In the agreement, Mr. Kuchenrither provided a general release of claims against the Company and affirmed certain noncompetition and nonsolicitation obligations to which he is subject during the term of the agreement and for a period of one year thereafter. The terms of the agreement supersede and supplant all other obligations the Company has to pay severance to Mr. Kuchenrither. On November 30, 2014, Mr. Kuchenrither notified us that he would be terminating the agreement effective January 4, 2016. By reason of such termination, Mr. Kuchenrither will be entitled to a severance payment of approximately $575,000.
As of September 30, 2015, the company provides the following severance benefits to its executive officers:
Each of our executive officers will receive salary continuation for one year if his or her employment is terminated by the Company without cause. In addition, the severance arrangement for Jodie E. B. Maccarrone, an executive officer, includes (a) an amount equal to prorated annual incentive bonus at target for the year in which termination of employment occurs, (b) continuation of healthcare benefits for one year following termination of employment and(c) accelerated vesting of outstanding restricted stock, restricted stock units and SERP contributions awarded to Ms. Maccarrone prior to July 29, 2015; provided that these additional benefits will be payable only if Ms. Maccarrone’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause prior to August 1, 2017.
Generally, restricted stock awards, including those granted to the executive officers, provide for accelerated vesting of some or all of the unvested shares in the event of the holder's death or disability.
More information on severance arrangements can be found under “Other Benefit Plans Certain Termination Benefits” below. The Committee believes that these benefits provide important protection to the executive officers, are consistent with practice of the peer companies and are appropriate for attraction and retention of executive talent.
The additional severance benefits for Ms. Maccarrone (who was serving as President, U.S. Financial Services at the time we discontinued that business) were intended to incent Ms. Maccarrone to accept the position of Chief Strategy Officer and protect for a limited period of time the severance arrangement she would have received had her employment been terminated as a result of the discontinuance of the USFS business.
Restrictive Covenants Each of the Company's executive officers, along with other key employees, has entered into a Protection of Sensitive Information, Non-competition and Non-solicitation Agreement, under which the executive is subject to

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confidentiality and non-disclosure obligations with respect to various categories of proprietary, competitively sensitive and confidential information. In addition, the executive has agreed that, for a period of one year (six months, in the case of Mr. Grimshaw) following the termination of employment with the Company, he or she will not compete with the Company (within a defined area) and will not solicit the Company's employees or suppliers.
Other Factors Affecting Compensation In establishing total compensation for the executive officers, the Committee considers the effect of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which limits the deductibility of compensation paid to each covered employee. Generally, Section 162(m) prevents a company from receiving a federal income tax deduction for compensation paid to a covered employee in excess of $1 million for any year, unless that compensation is performance-based. To the extent practical, the Committee intends to preserve deductibility, but may choose to provide compensation that is not deductible if necessary to attract, retain and reward high-performing executives or if otherwise appropriate under the circumstances. For example, the Committee specifically acknowledged that the Retention Bonuses discussed above would not qualify as performance-based compensation for Section 162(m) purposes and, thus, will be subject to the tax deduction limitations specified in Section 162(m). The Committee nevertheless concluded that the benefits of paying the Retention Bonuses (as described above) made it appropriate under the unique circumstances of fiscal 2015.
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee has reviewed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis and has discussed it with management. Based on that review and those discussions, the Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015.
 
Santiago Creel Miranda Lachlan P. Given
Pablo Lagos Espinosa (Chair)
Thomas C. Roberts
 
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Mr. Given (who served as Chair of the Compensation Committee through all of fiscal 2015 and is still a member of the Committee) is also an executive officer of the Company. Joseph L. Rotunda (who served as a member of the Compensation Committee until assuming an executive officer role in May 2015) is a former executive of, and consultant to, the Company. See “Part III, Item 10 — Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance — Corporate Governance — Committees of the Board — Compensation Committee.” Mr. Creel was a party to a loan transaction with Grupo Finmart that qualified as a “related party transaction.” See “Part III, Item 13 — Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.” The other two members of the Compensation Committee (Mr. Lagos and Mr. Roberts) are not and have never been an officer of or employed by the Company and do not have any relationship that requires disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S K, the SEC’s rules requiring disclosure of certain relationships and related party transactions.
Mr. Grimshaw and Mr. Given (both executive officers of the Company) serve as directors of Cash Converters International Limited, and Mr. Cumins (a director) is the Managing Director and a member of the board of directors of Cash Converters International Limited. Mr. Given was appointed in 2014 to the Remunerations Committee of Cash Converters International Limited, but Mr. Cumins does not serve on the Company’s Compensation Committee.

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Summary Compensation Table
The table below summarizes the total compensation for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 for the Named Executive Officers. See “Part III, Item 11 — Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for a description of how we determined the Named Executive Officers.
Name and Principal Position
Fiscal Year
 
Salary
(1)
 
Bonus
(2)
 
Stock Awards
(3)
 
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (4)
 
All Other Compensation (5)
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stuart Grimshaw (6)
Chief Executive Officer
2015
 
$
865,385

 
$

 
$
5,314,000

 
$
1,060,000

 
$
278,817

 
$
7,518,202

2014
 

 
1,000,000

 

 

 

 
1,000,000

2013
 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark Ashby
Chief Financial Officer
2015
 
212,692

 
665,000

 
169,179

 

 
59,695

 
1,106,566

2014
 

 

 

 

 

 

2013
 

 

 

 

 

 

Lachlan P. Given (6)(7)
Executive Chairman
2015
 
604,038

 

 
2,420,200

 

 
154,505

 
3,178,743

2014
 
82,258

 

 

 

 
259,000

 
341,258

2013
 

 

 

 

 
480,000

 
480,000

Thomas H. Welch, Jr.
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
2015
 
408,385

 

 
223,963

 

 
56,367

 
688,715

2014
 
375,000

 

 
450,984

 

 
63,460

 
889,444

2013
 
325,962

 
125,000

 
323,040

 

 
62,645

 
836,647

Jodie Maccarrone
Chief Strategy Officer, Vice Chair Grupo Finmart
2015
 
400,000

 

 
223,963

 

 
55,367

 
679,330

2014
 
350,385

 

 
360,525

 

 
132,193

 
843,103

2013
 
247,115

 
100,000

 
232,185

 

 

 
579,300

Mark Kuchenrither
Former President and Chief Executive Officer, Former Chief Financial Officer
2015
 
526,731

 

 
857,956

 

 
250,698

 
1,635,385

2014
 
700,000

 
350,000

 

 

 
161,898

 
1,211,898

2013
 
690,385

 

 
4,038,000

 

 
154,434

 
4,882,819

(1)
The Salary amounts in the above Summary Compensation Table reflect the gross amounts of base salary paid to each of the Named Executive Officers during the fiscal years so noted. The fiscal 2015 amounts for Mr. Grimshaw and Mr. Ashby reflect the number of days during fiscal 2015 that each was employed by the Company. The fiscal 2015 amount for Mr. Kuchenrither reflects the base salary paid while he was an executive officer.
(2)
The fiscal 2014 amount shown for Mr. Grimshaw and the fiscal 2015 amount shown for Mr. Ashby represent sign-on bonuses paid pursuant to the terms of their respective offer letters. The fiscal 2013 amounts shown for Ms. Maccarrone and Mr. Welch and the fiscal 2014 amount shown for Mr. Kuchenrither represent discretionary bonuses awarded in those years. This column does not include the Retention Bonuses that were approved and paid in November 2016, as those amounts were not “earned” until approved by the Compensation Committee.
(3)
Amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards, computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718-10-25. See Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II, Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” The actual value realized by the Named Executive Officer with respect to stock awards will depend on whether the award vests and, if it vests, the market value of our stock on the date the stock is sold.
The fiscal 2015 amounts reflect the awards that were approved in fiscal 2015 even though those awards were not actually issued. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation — Long-Term Incentives” above. The amounts shown represent a fair value of the performance and time-based awards of $6.17 per share, and fair value of the market-based shares between $2.25 and $8.51 per share depending on the stock price target that must be reached for vesting to occur.
(4)
The Company did not pay bonuses pursuant to the annual Incentive Compensation Plan for fiscal 2013, 2014 or 2015. The fiscal 2015 amounts shown for Mr. Grimshaw represents the special short-term incentive bonuses paid to Mr. Grimshaw pursuant to the terms of his offer letter and as described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation — Special Short-Term Incentive Bonus Awards for Mr. Grimshaw” above.
(5)
Amounts include the cost of providing various perquisites and personal benefits (including housing allowances, where applicable), as well as the value of our contributions to the company-sponsored 401(k) plan and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. For detail of the amounts shown for each Named Executive Officer, see the table under “Other Benefits and Perquisites — All Other Compensation” below.
(6)
Mr. Grimshaw and Mr. Given also served on the board of directors of Cash Converters International Limited, and in that capacity received $53,927 and $78,953, respectively, in director fees during fiscal year 2015. These amounts are not included in the Summary Compensation Table, as the amount was paid by Cash Converters International Limited, which is not controlled by EZCORP.
(7)
The amounts shown for Mr. Given under All Other Compensation for fiscal 2014 and 2013 include amounts we paid to LPG Limited (HK), a business and financial advisory firm wholly-owned by Mr. Given, prior to August 12, 2014 (when Mr. Given became an executive officer) pursuant to consulting agreements between the Company and LPG Limited.

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Incentive Plan Based Awards
The following table sets forth certain information about plan-based awards that we made to the Named Executive Officers during fiscal 2015. For information about the plans under which these awards were granted, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation — Annual Incentive Bonus” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation — Long-Term Incentives” above. In addition to the awards described below, Mr. Grimshaw received two special short-term incentive bonus opportunities pursuant to the terms of his offer letter and as described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation — Special Short-Term Incentive Bonus Awards for Mr. Grimshaw” above.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
 
 
 
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)
 
Stock Awards:
Number of Shares of Stock or Units (2)
 
Grant Date Fair Value (3)
Name
Grant Date
 
Threshold

Target

Maximum
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Grimshaw
11/3/2014
 
1,250,000

 
$
2,125,000

 
$
2,500,000

 
1,000,000

(4)
 
$
5,314,000

Mr. Ashby
5/26/2015
 
350,000

 
$
700,000

 
$
1,050,000

 
35,000

(5)
 
$
169,179

Mr. Given
10/1/2014
 
450,000

 
$
900,000

 
$
1,350,000

 
420,000

(6)
 
$
2,420,200

Mr. Welch
10/1/2014
 
153,750

 
$
307,500

 
$
461,250

 
40,000

(5)
 
$
223,963

Ms. Maccarrone
10/1/2014
 
200,000

 
$
400,000

 
$
600,000

 
40,000

(5)
 
$
223,963

Mr. Kuchenrither
10/1/2014
 
525,000

 
$
1,050,000

 
$
1,575,000

 
166,800

(7)
 
$
857,956

(1)
The “Target” amount is the target award under the fiscal 2015 Incentive Compensation Plan. It represents a specified percentage of the Named Executive Officer’s fiscal 2015 base salary. The “Threshold” amount reflects the amount that would be paid if the minimum financial and other specified incentive goals are achieved, while the “Maximum” amount represents the amount that would be paid if the maximum financial and other specified incentive goals are achieved. As discussed in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation — Annual Incentive Bonuses,” the Company did not achieve the minimum level of specified business performance goals during fiscal 2015, and therefore, no bonuses were paid pursuant to the fiscal 2015 Incentive Compensation Plan. See the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column in the Summary Compensation Table above.
(2)
Represents the number of shares of restricted stock awarded in fiscal 2015, although the awards have not yet been issued. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation — Long-Tern Incentives” above.
(3)
Represents the full estimated grant date fair value of fiscal 2015 equity awards. This is the estimated amount we will expense in our financial statements over the awards’ vesting schedules, assuming a fair value of the performance and time-based awards of $6.17 per share, and fair value of the market-based shares between $2.25 and $8.51 per share depending on the stock price target that must be reached for vesting to occur.
(4)
Of these shares, 400,000 vest over a six-year period subject to specified EBITDA growth performance objectives (100,000 on September 30, 2015, 100,000 on September 30, 2016, 100,000 on September 30, 2018, and 100,000 on September 30, 2020), and 600,000 vest over a six-year period in specified amounts if the per-share trading price of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock achieves specified levels ranging from $15 to $80. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation — Long-Term Incentives” above..
(5)
Of these shares, 60% vest over a three-year period subject to specified EBITDA growth performance objectives (one-third on September 30, 2015, one-third on September 30, 2016 and one-third on September 30, 2017), and 40% vest over a six-year period in specified amounts if the per-share trading price of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock achieves specified levels ranging from $15 to $80. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation — Long-Term Incentives” above.
(6)
Of these shares, 300,000 vest over a six-year period subject to specified EBITDA growth performance objectives (75,000 on September 30, 2015, 75,000 on September 30, 2016, 75,000 on September 30. 2018, and 75,000 on September 30, 2020), and 120,000 vest over a six-year period in specified amounts if the per-share trading price of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock achieves specified levels ranging from $15 to $80. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation — Long-Term Incentives” above.
(7)
Of these shares, 46,800 vest over a four-year period subject to specified EBITDA growth performance objectives (23,400 on September 30, 2016 and 23,400 on September 30, 2018), and 120,000 vest over a six-year period in specified amounts if the per-share trading price of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock achieves specified levels ranging from $15 to $80. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation — Long-term Incentives” above. In May 2015, the Company and Mr. Kuchenrither entered into a consulting agreement pursuant to which the vesting of these awards will continue in accordance with their terms unless the consulting agreement is terminated prior to the specified vesting dates. On November 30, 2015, Mr. Kuchenrither notified us that he was terminating the consulting agreement effective January 4, 2016. All of these shares will be forfeited upon the termination of that agreement. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Other Executive Compensation Matters — Severance” above.





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The following table sets forth certain information about outstanding stock awards held by the Named Executive Officers as of the end of fiscal 2015. None of the Named Executive Officers holds any stock options.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
 
 
 
Stock Awards
Name
Award Date
 
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
 
 
 
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Grimshaw
11/3/2014
 
1,000,000

 
(2)
 
$
6,170,000

Mr. Ashby
5/26/2015
 
35,000

 
(3)
 
215,950

Mr. Given
10/1/2014
 
420,000

 
(4)
 
2,591,400

Mr. Welch
1/2/2013
 
10,666

 
(5)
 
65,809

2/18/2014
 
34,400

 
(6)
 
212,248

10/1/2014
 
40,000

 
(3)
 
246,800

Ms. Maccarrone
1/2/2013
 
3,833

 
(5)
 
23,650

2/18/2014
 
18,333

 
(6)
 
113,115

10/1/2014
 
40,000

 
(3)
 
246,800

Mr. Kuchenrither
1/2/2013
 
200,000

 
(7)
 
1,234,000

10/1/2014
 
166,800

 
(8)
 
1,029,156

(1)
Market value is based on the closing price of our Class A Common Stock on September 30, 2015, the last market trading day of fiscal 2015 ($6.17).
(2)
Of these shares, 400,000 vest over a six-year period subject to specified EBITDA growth performance objectives (100,000 on September 30, 2015, 100,000 on September 30, 2016, 100,000 on September 30, 2018, and 100,000 on September 30, 2020), and 600,000 vest over a six-year period in specified amounts if the per-share trading price of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock achieves specified levels ranging from $15 to $80. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation -—Long-Term Incentives” above.
(3)
Of these shares, 60% vest over a three-year period subject to specified EBITDA growth performance objectives (one-third on September 30, 2015, one-third on September 30, 2016 and one-third on September 30, 2017), and 40% vest over a six-year period in specified amounts if the per-share trading price of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock achieves specified levels ranging from $15 to $80. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation — Long-Term Incentives” above.
(4)
Of these shares, 300,000 vest over a six-year period subject to specified EBITDA growth performance objectives (75,000 on September 30, 2015, 75,000 on September 30, 2016, 75,000 on September 30. 2018, and 75,000 on September 30, 2020), and 120,000 vest over a six-year period in specified amounts if the per-share trading price of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock achieves specified levels ranging from $15 to $80. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation — Long-Term Incentives” above.
(5)
These shares vest over three years (one-third on October 1, 2013, one-third on October 1, 2014 and one-third on the October 1, 2015), so long as, at each vesting date, the Company has achieved an average annual compounded growth rate in EBITDA of at least 5% when compared to the Company’s EBITDA for the completed fiscal year immediately preceding the grant date. Any shares that do not vest as a result of the failure to attain the applicable performance goal will vest on the next succeeding vesting date so long as the performance goal for that succeeding vesting date has been attained. Based on the Company’s audited financial statements for fiscal 2014, the performance goal for the October 2014 vesting was not met, and the vesting of those shares has been deferred to October 1, 2015, subject to meeting the performance objective for the October 2015 vesting.
(6)
These awards are restricted stock units that vest over three years (one-third on October 1, 2014, one-third on October 1, 2015 and one-third on October 1, 2016), so long as, at each vesting date, the Company has achieved an average annual compounded growth rate in EBITDA of at least 5% when compared to the Company’s EBITDA for the completed fiscal year immediately preceding the grant date. Any shares that do not vest as a result of the failure to attain the applicable performance goal will vest on the next succeeding vesting date so long as the performance goal for that succeeding vesting date has been attained. Based on the Company’s audited financial statements for fiscal 2014, the performance goal for the October 2014 vesting was not met, and the vesting of those shares has been deferred to October 1, 2015, subject to meeting the performance objective for the October 2015 vesting.
(7)
These shares vest over six years (one-third on October 1, 2014, one-third on October 1, 2016, and one-third on October 1, 2018), so long as, at each vesting date, the Company has achieved an average annual compounded growth rate in EBITDA of at least 5% when compared to the Company’s EBITDA for the completed fiscal year immediately preceding the grant date. Any shares that do not vest as a result of the failure to attain the applicable performance goal will vest on the next succeeding vesting date so long as the performance goal for that succeeding vesting date has been attained. Based on the Company’s audited financial statements for fiscal 2014, the performance goal for the October 2014 vesting was not met, and the vesting of those shares has been deferred to October 1, 2016, subject to meeting the performance objective for the October 2016 vesting. In May 2015, the Company and Mr. Kuchenrither entered into a consulting agreement pursuant to which the vesting of these awards will continue in accordance with their terms unless the consulting agreement is terminated prior to the specified vesting dates. On November 30, 2015, Mr. Kuchenrither notified us that he was terminating the consulting agreement effective January 4, 2016. All of these shares will be forfeited upon the termination of that agreement. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Other Executive Compensation Matters — Severance” above.
(8)
Of these shares, 46,800 vest over a four-year period subject to specified EBITDA growth performance objectives (23,400 on September 30, 2016 and 23,400 on September 30, 2018), and 120,000 vest over a six-year period in specified amounts if the per-share trading price of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock achieves specified levels ranging from $15 to $80. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation — Long-term Incentives” above. In May 2015, the Company and Mr. Kuchenrither entered into a consulting agreement pursuant to which the vesting of these awards will continue in accordance with their terms unless the consulting agreement is terminated prior to the specified vesting dates. On November 30, 2015, Mr. Kuchenrither notified us that he was terminating the consulting agreement effective January 4, 2016. All of these shares will be forfeited upon the termination of that agreement. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Other Executive Compensation Matters — Severance” above.

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Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table sets forth, with respect to each of the Named Executive Officers, certain information about option exercises and restricted stock vesting during fiscal 2015.
 
Stock Awards
 Named Executive Officer
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting
 
Value Realized on Vesting (1)
 
 
 
 
Mr. Grimshaw

 

Mr. Ashby

 

Mr. Given

 

Mr. Welch

 

Ms. Maccarrone
13,000

(2)
128,960

Mr. Kuchenrither

 

(1)
Computed using the fair market value of the stock on the date of vesting.
(2)
These shares vested on October 1, 2014 (market value of $9.92 per share on the date of vesting).
Other Benefits and Perquisites
401(k) Retirement Plan — All employees are given an opportunity to participate in our 401(k) retirement savings plan (following a new-hire waiting period). This plan allows participants to have pre-tax amounts withheld from their pay and provides for a discretionary employer matching contribution (historically, 25% up to 6% of salary). Until fiscal 2015, we made the matching contribution in the form of shares of our Class A Non-voting Common Stock, but made the fiscal 2015 matching contribution in the form of cash. Participants may invest their contributions in various fund options, but are prohibited from investing their contributions in our common stock. Prior to July 1, 2013, a participant vested in the matching contributions pro rata over their first five years of service. As of July 1, 2013, a participant vests in the matching contributions pro rata over their first three years of service. All of a participant’s matching contributions vest 100% in the event of the participant’s death or disability or the termination of the plan due to a change in control.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan — The Internal Revenue Code limits the amount of pre-tax savings that highly paid executives can contribute to the 401(k) plan. To offset some of the negative impact of these limitations on retirement savings and to encourage retention of key executives, we provide selected executives with a non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”). Company contributions to the SERP are formula-based, reviewed and recommended by management and approved by the Compensation Committee each year. For fiscal 2015, our annual contributions to the SERP were calculated as a percentage of base salary, with that percentage being 10% for Senior Vice Presidents and above and 6% for Vice Presidents. For fiscal 2016, the contributions to the SERP will continue at the same rate. There were eight participants in the SERP during fiscal 2015.
All SERP funds have a vesting schedule as an additional retention tool. Generally, the funds vest over three years from the contribution date, with one-third vesting each year. All of a participant’s SERP funds vest 100% in the event of his or her death or disability or the termination of the plan due to a change in control. In addition, all SERP funds are 100% vested when a participant attains his or her normal retirement age (generally 60 years old and five years of active service) while actively employed by us. All SERP funds are forfeited, regardless of vesting status, if the participant’s employment is terminated for cause.
A participant may not withdraw any portion of his or her SERP account while still employed by the Company unless, in the sole opinion of management, the participant has an unforeseeable emergency, which is defined as a severe financial hardship resulting from an illness or accident of the participant, the participant’s spouse or a dependent; the loss of the participant’s property due to casualty; or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstance arising as a result of events beyond the participant’s control.


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The following table describes the contributions, earnings and balance at the end of fiscal 2015 for each of the Named Executive Officers:
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Named Executive Officer
Company Contributions in Fiscal 2015 (1)
 
Aggregate Earnings in Fiscal 2015 (2)
 
Aggregate Withdrawals/Distributions in Fiscal 2015
Aggregate Balance at September 30, 2015 (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Grimshaw
$
100,000

 
$
(4,571
)
 
$

 
$
95,429

Mr. Ashby (4)

 

 

 

Mr. Given
60,000

 
(5,552
)
 

 
54,448

Mr. Welch
41,000

 
1,168

 

 
356,437

Ms. Maccarrone
40,000

 
863

 

 
81,810

Mr. Kuchenrither (5)
80,000

 
2,280

 

 
650,722

(1)
These amounts were included in the Summary Compensation Table above in the column labeled “All Other Compensation.”
(2)
These amounts were not included in the Summary Compensation Table as the earnings were not in excess of market rates.
(3)
Of the Aggregate Balance at September 30, 2015, the following amounts were previously reported as compensation in the Summary Compensation Tables for prior years: $318,504 for Mr. Welch, $41,160 for Ms. Maccarrone and $536,506 for Mr. Kuchenrither.
(4)
Mr. Ashby did not become an executive officer until May 2015 and, therefore, did not receive any SERP contribution for fiscal 2015.
(5)
Mr. Kuchenrither’s employment terminated in May 2015, and 100% of his balance was vested as of that date. These vested funds have been paid to Mr. Kuchenrither.
All Other Compensation — The following table describes each component of the amounts shown in the “All Other Compensation” column in the Summary Compensation Table above.
 
Named Executive Officer
Year
 
Health Care Supplemental Insurance (1)
 
Value of Supplemental Life Insurance Premiums (2)
 
Company Contributions to Defined Contribution Plans (3)
 
Consulting Fees (4)
 
Housing Allowance
 
Other Benefits (5)
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Grimshaw
2015
 
$
6,717

 
$
1,173

 
$
100,000

 
$

 
$
168,393

 
$
2,534

 
$
278,817

 
 
2014
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
2013
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Mr. Ashby
2015
 

 
472

 

 

 
58,258

 
965

 
59,695

 
 
2014
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
2013
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Mr. Given
2015
 
8,528

 
944

 
60,000

 

 
85,033

 

 
154,505

 
 
2014
 

 

 

 
259,000

 

 

 
259,000

 
 
2013
 

 

 

 
480,000

 

 

 
480,000

 
Mr. Welch
2015
 
10,072

 
1,395

 
44,900

 

 

 

 
56,367

 
 
2014
 
6,628

 
1,332

 
55,500

 

 

 

 
63,460

 
 
2013
 
10,003

 
1,372

 
51,270

 

 

 

 
62,645

 
Ms. Maccarrone
2015
 
10,072

 
1,395

 
43,900

 

 

 

 
55,367

 
 
2014
 
5,276

 
1,332

 
25,585

 

 

 
100,000

 
132,193

 
 
2013
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Mr. Kuchenrither
2015
 
10,072

 
1,395

 
80,000

 
159,231

 

 

 
250,698

 
 
2014
 
18,816

 
1,332

 
141,750

 

 

 

 
161,898

 
 
2013
 
11,280

 
1,404

 
141,750

 

 

 

 
154,434

(1)
We reimburse certain of our executives, including all of the Named Executive Officers, for healthcare costs in excess of amounts covered by our health insurance plans. The amounts shown represent the amount of such supplemental healthcare benefits we paid to each of the Named Executive Officers during each of the years presented.
(2)
Represents taxable group life insurance premiums paid on behalf of the Named Executive Officers. The benefit provides life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage at three times the Named Executive Officer’s annual salary up to a maximum of $1 million.
(3)
Includes the fiscal 2015 Company contributions to the 401(k) plan and the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan.

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(4)
During fiscal 2013 and part of fiscal 2014, we had a consulting agreement with LPG Limited (HK), an entity wholly-owned by Mr. Given. The amounts shown represent the amount of consulting fees we paid to LPG Limited pursuant to such consulting agreement. The fiscal 2015 amount shown for Mr. Kuchenrither represents the consulting fees paid to him pursuant to the consulting agreement effective May 26, 2015. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Other Executive Compensation Matters — Severance” above
(5)
The amounts shown represent the aggregate amounts we paid to each of the Named Executive Officers associated with their relocation to Austin, Texas.
Certain Termination and Change-in-Control Benefits — The following is a summary of various agreements that provide for benefits to the Named Executive Officers upon termination of employment or a change-in-control:
Kuchenrither Consulting Agreement — In May 2015, we entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Kuchenrither, pursuant to which Mr. Kuchenrither will provide certain consulting and advisory services as directed by the Chief Executive Officer. During the term of the agreement, the Company will pay Mr. Kuchenrither $450,000 per year and will continue Mr. Kuchenrither’s executive-level healthcare benefits. The agreement runs for two years, unless sooner terminated by either party. If the agreement is terminated prior to the end of its stated two-year term, Mr. Kuchenrither, under certain circumstances, will be entitled to a severance payment equal to $800,000 (the amount of the severance benefit Mr. Kuchenrither was entitled to at the time he moved into a consulting role) less the aggregate amount of payments Mr. Kuchenrither previously received under the agreement. The agreement also allows for Mr. Kuchenrither to continue vesting in any existing equity awards in accordance with their terms. In the agreement, Mr. Kuchenrither provided a general release of claims against the Company and affirmed certain noncompetition and nonsolicitation obligations to which he is subject during the term of the agreement and for a period of one year thereafter. The terms of the agreement supersede and supplant all other obligations the Company has to pay severance to Mr. Kuchenrither. On November 30, 2014, Mr. Kuchenrither notified us that he would be terminating the agreement effective January 4, 2016. By reason of such termination, Mr. Kuchenrither will be entitled to a severance payment of approximately $575,000.
Restricted Stock Award Agreements — The standard restricted stock award agreement pursuant to which we grant restricted stock to our employees generally provides that vesting is accelerated in whole or in part in the event of the holder’s death or disability.
SERP Contributions — For all executives (including the Named Executive Officers), any unvested Company contributions to the SERP will vest in the case of death or disability of the participant or a change-in-control.
Change in Control Benefits — In June 2014, the Board of Directors approved the EZCORP, Inc. Change in Control Severance Plan that provides certain of our senior executives with certain severance benefits if (1) the executive’s employment is either terminated by the Company for any reason other than Cause (as defined in the plan), death, disability or mandatory retirement or terminated by the executive for Good Reason (as defined in the plan) and (2) such termination of employment occurs within two years after a “Change in Control” of the Company or prior to, but in connection with, a potential Change in Control. The term “Change in Control” is defined in the plan and includes not only a change in the beneficial ownership of the Company’s voting stock, but also certain changes in the composition of the Board of Directors. To date, a Change in Control (as defined in the plan) has not occurred. There are currently no participants in the plan.
General severance benefits — We currently provide each of our executive officers with one year salary continuation if his or her employment is terminated by the Company without cause. In addition, the severance arrangement for Jodie E. B. Maccarrone, an executive officer, includes (a) an amount equal to prorated annual incentive bonus at target for the year in which termination of employment occurs, (b) continuation of healthcare benefits for one year following termination of employment and(c) accelerated vesting of outstanding restricted stock, restricted stock units and SERP contributions awarded to Ms. Maccarrone prior to July 29, 2015; provided that these additional benefits will be payable only if Ms. Maccarrone’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause prior to August 1, 2017.

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The following table sets forth the amounts of severance or termination benefits that would have been payable to each of the Named Executive Officers upon the occurrence of various events, assuming each of the events occurred on September 30, 2015:
 
Salary
 
Incentive
Bonus
 
Healthcare
Payments
 
Accelerated Vesting of
Restricted
Stock (1)
 
Accelerated Vesting of
SERP Balance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Resignation for Good Reason:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Grimshaw
$
1,000,000

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Mr. Ashby
700,000

 

 

 

 

Mr. Given
600,000

 

 

 

 

Mr. Welch
410,000

 

 

 

 

Ms. Maccarrone
400,000

 
400,000

 
10,072

 
383,564

 
62,361

Mr. Kuchenrither
667,325

 

 

 

 

Termination Without Cause:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Grimshaw
$
1,000,000

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Mr. Ashby
700,000

 

 

 

 

Mr. Given
600,000

 

 

 

 

Mr. Welch
410,000

 

 

 

 

Ms. Maccarrone
400,000

 
400,000

 
10,072

 
383,564

 
62,361

Mr. Kuchenrither
667,325

 

 

 

 

Death or Disability:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Grimshaw
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
6,170,000

 
$
95,429

Mr. Ashby

 

 

 
215,950

 

Mr. Given

 

 

 
2,591,400

 
54,448

Mr. Welch

 

 

 
524,857

 

Ms. Maccarrone

 

 

 
383,564

 
62,361

Mr. Kuchenrither
667,325

 

 

 
2,263,156

 

(1)
Represents the number of shares subject to accelerated vesting (as described above), multiplied by the closing sales price of the Class A Common Stock on September 30, 2015 ($6.17).
The Compensation Committee has the authority under our stock-based compensation plans to issue awards with provisions that accelerate vesting and exercisability in the event of a change-in-control. To date, the Committee has not included change-in-control acceleration provisions in any awards. Unless such provisions were subsequently included, then the only benefit that would inure to the Named Executive Officers by reason of a change-in-control itself would be the accelerated vesting for SERP contributions (equal to the same benefit as that set forth under “Death or Disability” in the table above). If an executive’s employment was terminated following a change-in-control, then the additional benefits described above would apply, depending on the circumstances of the termination.
Director Compensation
Each non-employee director receives a basic annual retainer fee, with the chair of the Audit Committee and the chair of the Compensation Committee each receiving an additional amount. During fiscal 2015, the basic annual retainer fee was $80,000, and additional amounts paid to the chair of the Audit Committee and the chair of the Compensation Committee was $27,500 and $15,000, respectively. Annual retainer fees are paid in cash on a quarterly basis. The non-employee director compensation for fiscal 2016 will be the same as that for fiscal 2015.
The non-employee directors are also eligible for stock option and restricted stock awards. The number of options or shares of restricted stock awarded, as well as the other terms and conditions of the awards (such as vesting and exercisability schedules and termination provisions), are determined by the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee. No options have been awarded to the non-employee directors since fiscal 2007. Equity awards are generally granted on the first business day of the fiscal year (or as soon as practicable thereafter).

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The following table sets forth the compensation paid to our non-employee directors for fiscal 2015. Mr. Grimshaw and Mr. Given are executive officers of the company and do not receive any additional compensation for serving on the Board of Directors. Mr. Rotunda assumed the executive officer role of President, North American Pawn on May 25, 2015, and since that date has not received any additional compensation for serving on the Board of Directors. The amounts shown below for Mr. Rotunda represent non-employee director compensation paid to Mr. Rotunda prior to May 25, 2015.
 
Director
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash
 
Restricted Stock Awards (1)
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Matthew Appel (2)
$
80,625

 
$
169,120

 
$
249,745

 
Santiago Creel Miranda
80,000

 
160,640

 
240,640

 
Peter Cumins
80,000

 
160,640

 
240,640

 
Pablo Lagos Espinosa
80,000

 
160,640

 
240,640

 
Thomas C. Roberts
86,875

 
160,640

 
247,515

 
Joseph Rotunda
60,000

 
160,640

 
220,640

(1)
Amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock awards, computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718-10-25. See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplemental Data.” The actual value realized by the director with respect to stock awards will depend on the market value of our stock on the date the stock is sold.
Each non-employee director received a grant of 16,000 shares of restricted stock on October 2, 2014 (except for Mr. Appel, who received 14,000 shares on January 16, 2015). These shares vest over a two-year period (50% on September 30, 2015 and 50% on September 30, 2016). The values shown above were computed using the closing price of our Class A Common Stock on the date of grant ($10.04 on October 2, 2014 and $12.08 on January 16, 2015).
At September 30, 2015, the directors held the following restricted stock: Mr. Appel, 7,000 shares; Mr. Creel, 13,000 shares; Mr. Cumins, 8,000 shares; Mr. Lagos, 13,000 shares; Mr. Roberts, 8,000 shares; Mr. Rotunda, 8,000 shares; and Mr. Appel, 7,000 shares.
(2)
Mr. Appel joined the Board of Directors in January 2015 and received non-employee director fees for the second, third and fourth quarters.
Mr. Creel and Mr. Lagos also serve, at the request of EZCORP, on the boards of directors of Grupo Finmart and in that capacity earn additional director fees, paid in cash, from Grupo Finmart. During fiscal 2015, the Grupo Finmart director fees earned by Mr. Creel and Mr. Lagos were $63,717 and $64,895, respectively.

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ITEM 12 — SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Equity Compensation Plans
Stockholders have approved the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which we currently use for stock incentive awards. These awards can be in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock bonuses, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units or performance shares. We do not have any equity compensation plans that were not approved by stockholders. The following table summarizes information about our equity compensation plans as of September 30, 2015:
Plan Category
Number of Securities to
be Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options
(a) (1)
 
Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options
(b)
 
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
Column (a))
(c)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 
$

 
1,157,454

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

Total

 
$

 
1,157,454

(1)
Excludes 583,161 shares of restricted stock that were outstanding at September 30, 2015.

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Stock Ownership
Phillip E. Cohen controls EZCORP through his ownership of all of the issued and outstanding stock of MS Pawn Corporation, the sole general partner of MS Pawn Limited Partnership, which owns 100% of our Class B Voting Common Stock. The following table presents information regarding the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock as of October 31, 2015 for (i) each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the total number of shares outstanding, (ii) each of our directors, (iii) each of the Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Kuchenrither, who is no longer an executive officer), and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, each person named below holds sole voting and investment power over the shares shown, subject to community property laws where applicable.
 
Class A Non-voting
Common Stock
 
 
 
Class B Voting
Common Stock
 
 
Beneficial Owner
Number
 
 
 
Percent
 
 
 
Number
 
Percent
 
Voting Percent
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MS Pawn Limited Partnership (a)
   MS Pawn Corporation
   Phillip Ean Cohen
   1901 Capital Parkway
   Austin, Texas 78746
2,974,047

 
(b)
 
5.42
%
 
(b)
 
2,970,171

 
100
%
 
100
%
Blackrock, Inc.
   40 East 52nd Street
   New York, New York 10022
5,077,362

 
(c)
 
9.25
%
 
 
 

 

 

FMR LLC 245 Summer Street Boston, MA 02110
4,921,272

 
(d)
 
8.97
%
 
 
 

 

 

The Vanguard Group, Inc.
   100 Vanguard Blvd.
   Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355
3,170,245

 
(e)
 
5.78
%
 
 
 

 

 

Huber Capital Management LLC
    2321 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 3245
    El Segundo, California 90245
2,613,748

 
(f)
 
4.76
%
 
 
 

 

 

Matthew Appel
7,000

 
(g)
 
*

 
 
 

 

 

Santiago Creel Miranda
18,000

 
(h)
 
*

 
 
 

 

 

Peter Cumins
8,000

 
(h)
 
*

 
 
 

 

 

Lachlan P. Given

 
(h)
 
*

 
 
 

 

 

Stuart I. Grimshaw

 
(j)
 
*

 
 
 

 

 

Pablo Lagos Espinosa
35,700

 
(h)
 
*

 
 
 

 

 

Thomas C. Roberts
50,700

 
(h)
 
*

 
 
 

 

 

Joseph L. Rotunda
728,973

 
(k)
 
1.40
%
 
 
 

 

 

Scott Alomes

 
(l)
 
*

 
 
 

 

 

Mark Ashby

 
(m)
 
*

 
 
 

 

 

Jodie E. B. Maccarrone
25,615

 
(n)
 
*

 
 
 

 

 

Carl Spilker

 
 
 
*

 
 
 

 

 

Jacob Wedin

 
 
 
*

 
 
 

 

 

Thomas H. Welch, Jr.
30,805

 
(o)
 
*

 
 
 

 

 

William Wood
5,179

 
(p)
 
*

 
 
 

 

 

Directors and executive officers as a group (11 persons)
909,972

 
(q)
 
1.75
%
 
 
 

 

 

(a)
MS Pawn Corporation is the general partner of MS Pawn Limited Partnership and has the sole right to vote its shares of Class B Common Stock and to direct their disposition. Mr. Cohen is the sole stockholder of MS Pawn Corporation.
(b)
The number of shares and percentage reflect Class A Common Stock, inclusive of Class B Common Stock, shares of which are convertible to Class A Common Stock on a one-to-one basis.
(c)
Based on the Forms 13G filed by various Blackrock managers on March 10, 2015.
(d)
Based on the Form 13G filed by FMR LLC on June 10, 2015.
(e)
Based on the Form 13F filed by The Vanguard Group, Inc. on February 11, 2015.
(f)
Based on the Form 13F filed by Huber Capital Management LLC on February 12, 2015.
(g)
Does not include 7,000 shares of unvested restricted stock.
(h)
Does not include 8,000 shares of unvested restricted stock.
(i)
Does not include 420,000 shares of restricted stock that have been awarded but not yet issued.
(j)
Does not include 1,000,000 shares of restricted stock that have been awarded but not yet issued.

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(k)
Includes 1,865 shares held through the Company’s 401(k) retirement savings plan. Does not include 8,000 shares of unvested restricted stock or 24,700 shares of restricted stock that have been awarded but not yet issued.
(l)
Does not include 30,000 shares of restricted stock that have been awarded but not yet issued.
(m)
Does not include 35,000 shares of restricted stock that have been awarded but not yet issued.
(n)
Does not include 9,166 unvested restricted stock units or 40,000 shares of restricted stock that have been awarded but not yet issued.
(o)
Includes 433 shares held through the Company's 401(k) retirement savings plan. Does not include 10,666 shares of unvested restricted stock, 34,400 unvested restricted stock units or 40,000 shares of restricted stock that have been awarded but not yet issued.
(p)
Does not include 3,000 shares of unvested restricted stock or 35,000 shares of restricted stock that have been awarded but not yet issued.
(q)
Group includes those persons who were serving as directors and executive officers on October 31, 2015. Number shown does not include 51,400 shares of unvested restricted stock, 52,733 unvested restricted stock units or 1,570,000 shares of restricted stock that have been awarded but not yet issued.
* Shares beneficially owned do not exceed one percent of Class A Common Stock, inclusive of Class B Common Stock.
ITEM 13 — CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Related Party Transactions
Review and Approval of Transactions with Related Persons
The Board of Directors has adopted a written comprehensive policy for the review and evaluation of all related party transactions. Under that policy, the Audit Committee is charged with the responsibility of (a) reviewing and evaluating all transactions, or proposed transactions, between the company and a related person and (b) approving, ratifying, rescinding or taking other action with respect to each such transaction. With respect to any specific transaction, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, transfer its responsibilities to either the full Board of Directors or to any special committee of the Board of Directors designated and created for the purpose of reviewing, evaluating, approving or ratifying such transaction.
Participation in Grupo Finmart Financing by Santiago Creel Miranda
In August 2015, Grupo Finmart completed a $3.5 million financing with a group of investors. The proceeds of this financing were used for general working capital purposes. As part of the financing, Grupo Finmart entered into a separate loan agreement with each investor pursuant to which the investor loaned a specified amount. The terms of each loan agreement call for an interest at a rate of 10% to 15% per annum. The loans can be prepaid at any time. Santiago Creel Miranda (a member of our Board of Directors) was a participant in this financing and loaned Grupo Finmart approximately $250,000 for one year at an interest rate of 15% per annum. This loan was paid off in December 2015 and is no longer outstanding. Through the final payoff, Grupo Finmart paid Mr. Creel a total of approximately $14,000 in interest on the loan.
Director Independence
The Board of Directors believes that the interests of the stockholders are best served by having a substantial number of objective, independent representatives on the Board. For this purpose, a director is considered to be independent if the Board determines that the director does not have any direct or indirect material relationship with the Company that may impair, or appear to impair, the director’s ability to make independent judgments.
The Board has evaluated all relationships between each director and the Company and has made the following determinations with respect to each director’s independence:
Director
 
Status (a)
 
 
 
Matthew Appel
 
Independent
Santiago Creel Miranda (b)
 
Independent
Peter Cumins
 
Not independent (c)
Pablo Lagos Espinosa
 
Independent
Lachlan P. Given
 
Not independent (d)
Stuart I. Grimshaw
 
Not independent (d)
Thomas C. Roberts
 
Independent
Joseph L. Rotunda
 
Not independent (d)
(a)
The Board’s determination that a director is independent was made on the basis of the standards for independence set forth in the NASDAQ Listing Rules. Under those standards, a person generally will not be considered independent if he or she has a relationship that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The NASDAQ rules also describe specific relationships that will prevent a person from being considered independent.

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(b)
In making the determination that Mr. Creel is independent, the Board specifically considered the transaction described under “Related Party Transactions” above, and concluded that such transaction, and the relationship arising from that transaction, does not interfere with Mr. Creel’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying his responsibilities of a director.
(c)
Mr. Cumins is the Managing Director of Cash Converters International Limited. Mr. Grimshaw serves and the chairman of the board of directors of Cash Converters International, and Mr. Given also serves on the board of directors, and is a member of the Remunerations Committee. Because of this relationship, Mr. Cumins is not independent in accordance with the standards set forth in the NASDAQ Listing Rules.
(d)
Mr. Grimshaw, Mr. Given and Mr. Rotunda are executive officers and, therefore, are not independent in accordance with the standards set forth in the NASDAQ Listing Rules.
The Company has elected to apply the “Controlled Company” exemption to the NASDAQ requirement that a majority of the directors be considered independent under the standards set forth in the NASDAQ Listing Rules. See “Part III, Item 10 — Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance — Corporate Governance — Controlled Company Exemptions.”
ITEM 14 — PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
BDO USA, LLP is a registered public accounting firm and is our independent auditor for fiscal 2015 and was also our independent auditor from fiscal 2004 through fiscal 2012.
Deloitte & Touche LLP is a registered public accounting firm and was our independent auditor for fiscal 2014 and 2013. In addition to retaining Deloitte & Touche LLP to audit our consolidated financial statements, we engaged the firm from time to time to perform other services.
The following table presents all fees we incurred in connection with professional services provided by BDO USA, LLP and Deloitte & Touche LLP for fiscal 2015 and 2014:
 
Year Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Audit fees:
 
 
 
Audit of financial statements and audit pursuant to section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (a)
$
853,650

 
$
1,278,429

Quarterly reviews and other audit fees
128,900

 
123,000

Total audit fees
982,550

 
1,401,429

Audit related fees (b)
2,653,790

 
324,434

Tax fees (c)
9,523

 
177,371

Total fees for services
$
3,645,863

 
$
1,903,234

(a)
Amount for fiscal 2015 includes $30,650 in BDO USA, LLP fees pertaining to the fiscal 2014 audit.
(b)
Audit related fees for fiscal 2015 (including $886,632 billed by BDO USA, LLP and $1,767,158 billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP) consist primarily of (1) consultations, (2) fees incurred in conjunction with the restatement of previously issued financial statements, (3) fees incurred in conjunction with our registration statements on Forms S-3, S-4 and S-8 and (4) the audit of our 401(k) retirement savings plan. Audit related fees for fiscal 2014 consist of consultations and the audit of our 401(k) retirement savings plan.
(c)
Tax fees were billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP and comprised primarily tax restructuring.
The amounts shown for fiscal 2015 include our estimated costs for the fiscal 2015 integrated audit, for which we have not yet received final billings. Included in the audit of financial statements and audit pursuant to section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act amounts for fiscal 2014 above is $211,775 of fees billed subsequent to the originally filed fiscal 2014 Form 10-K/A, as our actual billings exceeded the previously estimated costs.
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy requiring its pre-approval of all fees to be paid to our independent audit firm, regardless of the type of service. All non-audit services were reviewed with the Audit Committee, which concluded that the provision of such services by BDO USA, LLP and Deloitte & Touche LLP was compatible with the maintenance of that firm’s independence in the conduct of its auditing functions.

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PART IV
ITEM 15 — EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this 10-K:
(1) Financial Statements
The following consolidated financial statements of EZCORP, Inc. are included in “Part II — Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (2015) — BDO USA, LLP
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (2014 and 2013) — Deloitte & Touche LLP
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2015
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2015
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2015
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2015
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules
Financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not required or are not applicable, or the required information is provided in the consolidated financial statements or notes described in Item 15(a)(1) above.

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(3) Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed with, or incorporated by reference into, this report:
Exhibit No.
 
Description of Exhibit
 
 
 
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 1, 2013, Commission File No. 0-19424)
3.2
 
Certificate of Amendment, dated March 25, 2014, to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 25, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
3.3
 
Amended and Restated By-Laws, effective July 20, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 18, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
4.1
 
Specimen of Class A Non-voting Common Stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 effective August 23, 1991, Commission File No. 33-41317)
4.2
 
Description of EZCORP, Inc. Class A Non-voting Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 1, 2013, Commission File No. 0-19424)
4.3
 
Indenture, dated June 23, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc., and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 17, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.1*
 
EZCORP, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan effective December 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.94 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 28, 2005 and filed December 1, 2005, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.2*
 
EZCORP, Inc. 2006 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.104 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2006, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.3*
 
Amended and Restated EZCORP, Inc. 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 23, 2015, Commission File No. 01-19424)
10.4*
 
Form of Protection of Sensitive Information, Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation Agreement between the Company and certain employees, including the executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.5*
 
Form of Restricted Stock Award for executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.6*
 
Form of Restricted Stock Award for non-employee directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.7
 
Call Option Confirmation, dated June 17, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Jefferies International Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.8
 
Call Option Confirmation, dated June 17, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.9
 
Call Option Confirmation, dated June 17, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and UBS AG, London Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.10
 
Warrant Confirmation, dated June 17, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Jefferies International Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.11
 
Amendment Agreement (Warrant Confirmation), dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Jefferies International Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.12
 
Warrant Confirmation, dated June 17, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Morgan and Stanley & Co. International plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.13
 
Amendment Agreement (Warrant Confirmation), dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.14
 
Warrant Confirmation, dated June 17, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and UBS AG, London Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.15
 
Amendment Agreement (Warrant Confirmation), dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and UBS AG, London Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.16
 
Additional Call Option Confirmation, dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Jefferies International Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)

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10.17
 
Additional Call Option Confirmation, dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.18
 
Additional Call Option Confirmation, dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and UBS AG, London Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.19
 
Additional Warrant Confirmation, dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Jefferies International Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.20
 
Additional Warrant Confirmation, dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.21
 
Additional Warrant Confirmation, dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and UBS AG, London Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.22*
 
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award for executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.23*
 
EZCORP, Inc. Change in Control Severance Plan, effective June 2, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 2, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.24*
 
EZCORP, Inc. Executive Severance Pay Plan, effective June 2, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 2, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.25*
 
Retirement Agreement dated April 3, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Sterling B. Brinkley, former Executive Chairman of the Board (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.26*
 
Separation Agreement dated September 12, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Barry W. Guest, former President, U.S. Pawn & Retail
10.27*
 
Consulting Agreement, effective May 26, 2015, between the Company and Mark Kuchenrither, former President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 21, 2015, Commission File No. 01-19424)
21.1†
 
Subsidiaries of EZCORP, Inc.
23.1†
 
Consent of BDO USA, LLP
23.2†
 
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
31.1†
 
Certification of Stuart I. Grimshaw, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2†
 
Certification of Mark S. Ashby, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1††
 
Certification of Stuart I. Grimshaw, Chief Executive Officer, and Mark S. Ashby, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS†††
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH†††
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL†††
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB†††
 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.DEF†††
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.PRE†††
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
_____________________________
*
 
Identifies Exhibit that consists of or includes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
Filed herewith.
††
 
Furnished herewith.
†††
 
Filed herewith as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2015, and September 30, 2014; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2015, September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended September 30, 2015, September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013; Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the for the years ended September 30, 2015, September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013; Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended September 30, 2015, September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013; and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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:
 
EZCORP, Inc.
 
 
Date: December 23, 2015
By:  
/s/ Mark S. Ashby
 
 
 
Mark S. Ashby,
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Stuart I. Grimshaw
 
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(principal executive officer)
 
December 23, 2015
 
Stuart I. Grimshaw
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Mark S. Ashby
 
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
 
December 23, 2015
 
Mark S. Ashby
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Lachlan P. Given
 
Executive Chairman of the Board
 
December 23, 2015
 
Lachlan P. Given
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Matthew W. Appel
 
Director
 
December 23, 2015
 
Matthew W. Appel
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Santiago Creel Miranda
 
Director
 
December 23, 2015
Santiago Creel Miranda
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Peter Cumins
 
Director
 
December 23, 2015
 
Peter Cumins
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Pablo Lagos Espinosa
 
Director
 
December 23, 2015
 
Pablo Lagos Espinosa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Thomas C. Roberts
 
Director
 
December 23, 2015
 
Thomas C. Roberts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Joseph L. Rotunda
 
Director
 
December 23, 2015
 
Joseph L. Rotunda
 
 
 
 

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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
 
Description of Exhibit
 
 
 
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 1, 2013, Commission File No. 0-19424)
3.2
 
Certificate of Amendment, dated March 25, 2014, to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 25, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
3.3
 
Amended and Restated By-Laws, effective July 20, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 18, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
4.1
 
Specimen of Class A Non-voting Common Stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 effective August 23, 1991, Commission File No. 33-41317)
4.2
 
Description of EZCORP, Inc. Class A Non-voting Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 1, 2013, Commission File No. 0-19424)
4.3
 
Indenture, dated June 23, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc., and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 17, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.1*
 
EZCORP, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan effective December 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.94 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 28, 2005 and filed December 1, 2005, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.2*
 
EZCORP, Inc. 2006 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.104 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2006, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.3*
 
Amended and Restated EZCORP, Inc. 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 23, 2015, Commission File No. 01-19424)
10.4*
 
Form of Protection of Sensitive Information, Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation Agreement between the Company and certain employees, including the executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.5*
 
Form of Restricted Stock Award for executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.6*
 
Form of Restricted Stock Award for non-employee directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.7
 
Call Option Confirmation, dated June 17, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Jefferies International Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.8
 
Call Option Confirmation, dated June 17, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.9
 
Call Option Confirmation, dated June 17, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and UBS AG, London Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.10
 
Warrant Confirmation, dated June 17, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Jefferies International Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.11
 
Amendment Agreement (Warrant Confirmation), dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Jefferies International Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.12
 
Warrant Confirmation, dated June 17, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Morgan and Stanley & Co. International plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.13
 
Amendment Agreement (Warrant Confirmation), dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.14
 
Warrant Confirmation, dated June 17, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and UBS AG, London Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.15
 
Amendment Agreement (Warrant Confirmation), dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and UBS AG, London Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.16
 
Additional Call Option Confirmation, dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Jefferies International Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.17
 
Additional Call Option Confirmation, dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)

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10.18
 
Additional Call Option Confirmation, dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and UBS AG, London Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.19
 
Additional Warrant Confirmation, dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Jefferies International Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.20
 
Additional Warrant Confirmation, dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.21
 
Additional Warrant Confirmation, dated June 27, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and UBS AG, London Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.22*
 
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award for executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.23*
 
EZCORP, Inc. Change in Control Severance Plan, effective June 2, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 2, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.24*
 
EZCORP, Inc. Executive Severance Pay Plan, effective June 2, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 2, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.25*
 
Retirement Agreement dated April 3, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Sterling B. Brinkley, former Executive Chairman of the Board (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Commission File No. 0-19424)
10.26*
 
Separation Agreement dated September 12, 2014, between EZCORP, Inc. and Barry W. Guest, former President, U.S. Pawn & Retail
10.27*
 
Consulting Agreement, effective May 26, 2015, between the Company and Mark Kuchenrither, former President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 21, 2015, Commission File No. 01-19424)
21.1†
 
Subsidiaries of EZCORP, Inc.
23.1†
 
Consent of BDO USA, LLP
23.2†
 
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
31.1†
 
Certification of Stuart I. Grimshaw, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2†
 
Certification of Mark S. Ashby, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1††
 
Certification of Stuart I. Grimshaw, Chief Executive Officer, and Mark S. Ashby, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS†††
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH†††
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL†††
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB†††
 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.DEF†††
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.PRE†††
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
_____________________________
*
 
Identifies Exhibit that consists of or includes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
Filed herewith.
††
 
Furnished herewith.
†††
 
Filed herewith as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2015, and September 30, 2014; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2015, September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended September 30, 2015, September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013; Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the for the years ended September 30, 2015, September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013; Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended September 30, 2015, September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013; and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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