FirstCash Holdings, Inc.

Previous wording

•The Company faces significant competition from other pawnshops, branch-based consumer lenders, banks, credit unions, online lenders, POS consumer finance companies, LTO companies, general, specialty and online retailers, governmental entities and other organizations offering similar financial services and retail products to those offered by the Company.

Current wording

•The Company faces significant competition from other pawnshops, branch-based consumer lenders, online consumer lenders, banks, credit unions, POS consumer finance companies, LTO companies, buy-now/pay later (“BNPL”) providers along with general, specialty and online retailers, governmental entities and other organizations offering similar financial services and retail products to those offered by the Company.

Previous wording

•The inability to successfully identify attractive acquisition targets, realize administrative and operational synergies and integrate completed acquisitions could adversely affect results.

Current wording

•The inability to successfully identify attractive acquisition targets, realize anticipated benefits from and integrate completed acquisitions could adversely affect results.

Previous wording

•Changes impacting international trade, such as proposed or enacted tariffs, including pursuant to policies of the incoming U.S. administration, and corporate taxation and other related regulatory provisions may have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Current wording

•Changes impacting international trade, such as proposed or enacted tariffs, including pursuant to policies of the current U.S. administration, and corporate taxation and other related regulatory provisions may have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Previous wording

•The Company’s products and services are subject to extensive regulation and supervision under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations in both the U.S. and Latin America, and all consumer finance companies that serve credit-constrained consumers, including the Company, face increasing regulatory scrutiny under the current regulatory environment.

Current wording

•The Company’s products and services are subject to extensive regulation and supervision under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations in the U.S., Latin America and the U.K., and all consumer finance and lease-to-own companies that serve credit-constrained consumers, including the Company, face increasing regulatory scrutiny under the current regulatory environment.

Previous wording

•Current and future litigation or regulatory proceedings, both in the U.S. and Latin America, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

Current wording

•Current and future litigation or regulatory proceedings, in the U.S., Latin America and the U.K., could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

Previous wording

The Company’s financial position and results of operations may change significantly due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates in Latin American markets.

Current wording

•The Company’s financial position and results of operations may change significantly due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates in Latin American markets and in the U.K.

Previous wording

Increased competition from other pawnshops, POS consumer finance companies, other short-term consumer lenders, other LTO companies, governmental entities and other organizations offering similar financial services and retail products offered by the Company could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

Current wording

Competition from other pawnshops, POS consumer finance and BNPL companies, other short-term consumer lenders, other LTO companies, governmental entities and other organizations offering similar financial services and retail products offered by the Company could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

Previous wording

The Company’s principal competitors are other pawnshops, branch-based consumer lenders, banks, credit unions, credit card issuers, online lenders, POS consumer finance companies, LTO companies, general, specialty and online retailers, governmental entities and other organizations offering similar financial services and retail products to those offered by the Company. In addition, banks, credit card issuers, consumer finance companies and retailers continue to develop and enhance lending and retail POS payment products and services designed to compete for the credit-constrained customer, many of which have greater financial resources and brand recognition than the Company. Significant increases in the number and size of competitors for the Company’s business could result in a decrease in the number of the Company’s pawn transactions or in AFF’s transaction volumes, resulting in lower levels of revenue and earnings.

Current wording

The Company’s principal competitors are other pawnshops, branch-based consumer lenders, banks, credit unions, credit card issuers, online lenders, POS consumer finance and BNPL companies, LTO companies, general, specialty and online retailers, governmental entities and other organizations offering similar financial services and retail products to those offered by the Company. In addition, banks, credit card issuers, consumer finance companies and retailers continue to develop and enhance lending and retail POS payment products and services designed to compete for the credit-constrained customer, many of which have greater financial resources and brand recognition than the Company. Significant increases in the number and size of competitors for the Company’s business could result in a decrease in the number of the Company’s pawn transactions or in AFF’s transaction volumes, resulting in lower levels of revenue and earnings.

Previous wording

The success of the Company’s organic expansion strategy is subject to numerous external factors, including regulatory restrictions, general economic conditions and acceptance of the Company’s products. With respect to the Company’s pawn business, organic growth is largely driven by the ability to increase the productivity of its existing stores and successfully open new stores, which new store openings are impacted by the availability of sites with favorable customer demographics, limited competition from other pawn stores, community acceptance, suitable lease terms, its ability to attract, train and retain qualified associates and management personnel, the ability to obtain required government permits and licenses and the ability to complete construction and obtain utilities in a timely manner. With respect to the AFF business, organic growth is largely driven by the ability of AFF to expand its network of merchant partners, increase utilization of its products at its merchant partners and improve its technology to support increased growth, meet the needs of its merchants and consumers and make effective approval decisions with respect to its products. Some of these factors are beyond the Company’s control. The failure to execute the Company’s organic expansion strategy would adversely affect the Company’s ability to expand its business and could materially adversely affect its business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

Current wording

The success of the Company’s organic expansion strategy is subject to many external factors, including regulatory restrictions, general economic conditions and acceptance of the Company’s products. With respect to the Company’s pawn business, organic growth is largely driven by the ability to increase the productivity of its existing stores and successfully open new stores, which new store openings are impacted by the availability of sites with favorable customer demographics, limited competition from other pawn stores, community acceptance, suitable lease terms, its ability to attract, train and retain qualified associates and management personnel, the ability to obtain required government permits and licenses and the ability to complete construction and obtain utilities in a timely manner. With respect to the AFF business, organic growth is largely driven by the ability of AFF to expand its network of merchant partners, increase utilization of its products at its merchant partners and improve its technology to support increased growth, meet the needs of its merchants and consumers and make effective pricing and approval decisions with respect to its products. Some of these factors are beyond the Company’s control. The failure to execute the Company’s organic expansion strategy would adversely affect the Company’s ability to expand its business and could materially adversely affect its business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

Previous wording

The inability to successfully identify attractive acquisition targets, realize administrative and operational synergies and integrate completed acquisitions could adversely affect results.

Current wording

The inability to successfully identify attractive acquisition targets, realize anticipated benefits from and integrate completed acquisitions could adversely affect results.

Previous wording

The Company has historically grown in large part through strategic acquisitions, and the Company’s strategy is to continue to pursue attractive acquisition opportunities if and when they become available. The success of an acquisition is subject to numerous internal and external factors, such as competition rules, the ability to consolidate information technology and accounting functions, the management of additional sales, administrative, operations and management personnel, overall management of a larger organization, competitive market forces, and general economic and regulatory factors. It is possible that the integration process could result in unrealized administrative and operational synergies, the loss of key employees, the disruption of ongoing businesses, tax costs or inefficiencies, or inconsistencies in standards, controls, information technology systems, procedures and policies, any of which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to maintain relationships with customers, employees, or other third parties or the Company’s ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions and could harm its financial performance. Furthermore, future acquisitions may be in jurisdictions in which the Company does not currently operate or in lines of business that are new to the Company, which could make the successful consummation and integration of any such acquisitions more difficult. Acquisition targets may also become increasingly scarce in future periods or harder to acquire at attractive valuations. Failure to successfully integrate an acquisition could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition, and failure to successfully identify attractive acquisition targets and complete such acquisitions on favorable terms could have an adverse effect on the Company’s growth. Additionally, any acquisition carries the risk that the Company may not realize a return on the acquisition or the Company’s investment.

Current wording

The Company has historically grown in large part through strategic acquisitions, and the Company’s strategy is to continue to pursue attractive acquisition opportunities if and when they become available. The success of an acquisition is subject to numerous internal and external factors, such as competition rules, the ability to consolidate information technology and accounting functions, the management of additional sales, administrative, operations and management personnel, overall management of a larger organization, competitive market forces, and general economic and regulatory factors. It is possible that the integration process could result in unrealized administrative and operational synergies, the loss of key employees, the disruption of ongoing businesses, tax costs or inefficiencies, or inconsistencies in standards, controls, information technology systems, procedures and policies, any of which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to maintain relationships with customers, employees, or other third parties or the Company’s ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions

Previous wording

The Company depends on its senior management to execute its business strategy and oversee its operations. The Company’s senior management team has significant pawn industry experience in both Latin America and the United States as well as public company experience, which the Company believes is unique in the pawn industry. Furthermore, AFF’s senior management team provides the Company with significant experience with retail POS payment solutions for credit-constrained customers. The loss of services of any member of the Company’s senior management, including AFF’s management, could adversely affect the Company’s business until a suitable replacement can be found, if at all. There may be a limited number of persons with the requisite skills to serve in these positions, and the Company cannot ensure that it would be able to identify or employ such qualified personnel on acceptable terms. Furthermore, a significant increase in the costs to retain any members of the Company’s senior management could adversely affect the Company’s business and operations.

Current wording

The Company depends on its senior management to execute its business strategy and oversee its operations. The Company’s senior management team has significant pawn industry experience as well as public company experience, which the Company believes is unique in the pawn industry. Furthermore, H&T’s and AFF’s senior management teams provide the Company with significant experience with the U.K. pawn market and retail POS payment solutions industry, respectively. The loss of services of any member of the Company’s senior management could adversely affect the Company’s business until a suitable replacement can be found, if at all. There may be a limited number of persons with the requisite skills to serve in these positions, and the Company cannot ensure that it would be able to identify or employ such qualified personnel on acceptable terms. Furthermore, a significant increase in the costs to retain any members of the Company’s senior management could adversely affect the Company’s business and operations.

Previous wording

The Company’s pawn business relies heavily on hourly retail employees along with supervisory employees, while AFF relies heavily on sales, information technology, data science and customer service employees. The Company must attract, train, and retain a large number of employees, while at the same time controlling labor costs. In particular, the Company’s in-store positions have historically had high turnover rates, which can lead to increased training, retention and other costs and impair the overall customer service and efficiencies at the Company’s pawn stores. There has also been an increase in labor shortages and competition for employees, especially with respect to the Company’s hourly in-store employees, including from retailers and the restaurant industries. The Company also faces meaningful competition for AFF’s salesforce, information technology, call center and data science teams. The lack of availability of adequate employees or the Company’s inability to attract and retain qualified employees, or an increase in wages and benefits to current employees, could adversely affect its business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Current wording

The Company’s pawn businesses rely heavily on hourly retail employees along with supervisory employees, while AFF relies heavily on sales, information technology, data science and customer service employees. The Company must attract, train, and retain a large number of employees, while at the same time controlling labor costs. In particular, the Company’s in-store positions have historically had high turnover rates, which can lead to increased training, retention and other costs and impair the overall customer service and efficiencies at the Company’s pawn stores. There has also been an increase in labor shortages and competition for employees, especially with respect to the Company’s hourly in-store employees, including from retailers and the restaurant industries. The Company also faces meaningful competition for AFF’s salesforce, information technology, call center and data science teams. The lack of availability of adequate employees or the Company’s inability to attract and retain qualified employees, or an increase in wages and benefits to current employees, could adversely affect its business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Previous wording

The Company’s business depends highly upon its ability to perform, in an efficient and uninterrupted fashion, necessary business functions such as operating, managing and securing its retail locations, technical support centers, security monitoring, treasury and accounting functions and other administrative support functions. Additionally, the Company’s storefront operations depend on the efficiency and reliability of the Company’s proprietary pawn POS and loan management system and AFF depends on its systems to process its transaction volume and effectively take applications, decision and service its customers. Furthermore, third parties provide a number of key components necessary to the Company’s business functions and systems. Any problems caused by these third parties could adversely affect the Company’s ability to deliver products and services to its customers and otherwise conduct its business. A shut-down of or inability to access these systems due to a power outage, a cyber-security breach or attack, a breakdown or failure of one or more of its information technology, telecommunications or other systems, or sustained or repeated disruptions of such systems could significantly impair its ability to perform such functions on a timely basis and could result in a deterioration of the Company’s ability to perform its day-to-day operations, provide customer service or perform other necessary business functions.

Current wording

The Company’s business depends highly upon its ability to perform, in an efficient and uninterrupted fashion, necessary business functions such as operating, managing and securing its retail locations, technical support centers, security monitoring, treasury and accounting functions and other administrative support functions. Additionally, the Company’s storefront operations depend on the efficiency and reliability of the Company’s proprietary pawn POS and loan management systems and AFF depends on its systems to process its transaction volume and effectively take applications, decision and service its customers. Furthermore, third parties provide a number of key components necessary to the Company’s business functions and systems. Any problems caused by these third parties could adversely affect the Company’s ability to deliver products and services to its customers and otherwise conduct its business. A shut-down of or inability to access these systems due to a power outage, a cybersecurity breach or attack, a breakdown or failure of one or more of its information technology, telecommunications or other systems, or sustained or repeated disruptions of such systems could significantly impair its ability to perform such functions on a timely basis and could result in a deterioration of the Company’s ability to perform its day-to-day operations, provide customer service or perform other necessary business functions.

Previous wording

potential risk of unauthorized access to such confidential information. The Company is under constant threat of loss due to the velocity and sophistication of security breaches and cyber attacks. These security incidents and cyber attacks may be in the form of computer hacking, acts of vandalism or theft, malware, computer viruses or other malicious codes, phishing, employee error or malfeasance, catastrophes or unforeseen events or other cyber attacks. A security breach of the Company’s computer systems, or those of the Company’s third-party service providers, including as a result of cyber attacks, could cause loss of Company assets, sensitive customer information and transaction data, interrupt or damage its operations or harm its reputation. In addition, the Company could be subject to liability if confidential customer or employee information is misappropriated from its computer systems. Any compromise of security, including security breaches perpetrated on persons with whom the Company has commercial relationships, that results in the unauthorized access to or use of personal information or the unauthorized access to or use of confidential employee, customer, supplier or Company information, could result in a violation of applicable privacy and other laws, significant legal and financial exposure, damage to the Company’s reputation, and a loss of confidence of the Company’s customers, vendors and others, which could harm its business and operations. Any compromise of security could deter people from entering into transactions that involve transmitting confidential information to the Company’s systems and could harm relationships with the Company’s suppliers, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. Actual or anticipated cyber attacks may cause the Company to incur substantial costs, including costs to prevent future attacks and investigate actual attacks, deploy additional personnel and protection technologies, train employees and engage third-party experts and consultants. Despite the Company’s implementation of significant security measures, including the use of encryption and authentication technology to provide security and authentication to effectively secure transmission of confidential information, these systems may still be vulnerable to physical break-ins, computer viruses, programming errors, attacks by third-parties or similar disruptive problems. The Company may not have the resources or technical sophistication to anticipate or prevent rapidly evolving types of cyber attacks. Moreover, the Company may be unable to anticipate cyber attacks, react in a timely manner, or implement adequate preventative or remedial measures. Although the Company monitors its systems in order to detect security breaches or instances of unauthorized access to confidential information, there is no guarantee that its monitoring efforts will be effective. While the Company has not experienced any material losses relating to …

Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.

Current wording

An important component of the Company’s business involves collection, storage, use, disclosure, processing, transfer and other handling of a wide variety of sensitive, regulated and/or confidential information, including personally identifiable information, for various purposes in its business with customers and employees. While the Company’s pawn business has historically acquired and maintained minimal personal information (primarily name, address, government identification numbers and date of birth), AFF obtains additional personal information, including social security numbers, dates of birth, bank account and payment card information and data from consumer reporting agencies (including credit report information) from its customers, increasing the potential risk of unauthorized access to such confidential information. The Company is under constant threat of loss due to the velocity and sophistication of security breaches and cyber attacks. These security incidents and cyber attacks may be in the form of computer hacking, acts of vandalism or theft, malware, computer viruses or other malicious codes, phishing, employee error or malfeasance, catastrophes or unforeseen events or other cyber attacks. A security breach of the Company’s computer systems, or those of the Company’s third-party service providers, including as a result of cyber attacks, could cause loss of Company assets, sensitive customer or employee information, transaction data, interrupt or damage its operations or harm its reputation. In addition, the Company could be subject to liability if confidential customer or employee information is misappropriated from its computer systems. Any compromise of security, including security breaches perpetrated on persons with whom the Company has commercial relationships, that results in the unauthorized access to or use of personal information or the unauthorized access to or use of confidential employee, customer, supplier or Company information, could result in a violation of applicable privacy and other laws, significant legal and financial exposure, damage to the Company’s reputation, and a loss of confidence of the Company’s customers, vendors and others, which could harm its business and operations. Any compromise of security could deter people from entering into transactions that involve transmitting confidential information to the Company’s systems and could harm relationships with the Company’s suppliers, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. Actual or anticipated cyber attacks may cause the Company to incur substantial costs, including costs to prevent future attacks and investigate actual attacks, deploy additional personnel and protection technologies, train employees and engage third-party experts and consultants. Despite the Company’s implementation of significant security measures, including the use of encryption and authentication technology to provide security and authentication to effectivel…

Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.

Previous wording

Additionally, the regulatory environment related to information security and data collection, retention, use and privacy is increasingly rigorous, with new and constantly changing requirements applicable to the Company’s business, and compliance with those requirements could result in additional costs, such as increased investment in technology or investigative expenses, the costs of compliance with privacy laws, and fines, penalties and costs incurred to prevent or remediate information security or cyber breaches. Furthermore, federal and state regulators and many federal and state laws and regulations require notice of any data security breaches that involve personal information. These mandatory disclosures are costly to implement and often lead to widespread negative publicity, which may cause consumers to lose confidence in the effectiveness of the Company’s data security measures. Any security breach suffered by the Company or its vendors, any unauthorized, accidental, or unlawful access or loss of data, or the perception that any such event has occurred, could result in a disruption to the Company’s operations, litigation, an obligation to notify regulators and affected individuals, the triggering of indemnification and other contractual obligations, regulatory investigations, government fines and penalties, reputational damage, and loss of customers and ecosystem partners, and its business could be materially and adversely affected. For additional information on cybersecurity, see “Item 1C. Cybersecurity.”

Current wording

noncompliance. Furthermore, various regulators and regulations require notice of any data security breaches that involve personal information. These mandatory disclosures are costly to implement and often lead to widespread negative publicity, which may cause consumers to lose confidence in the effectiveness of the Company’s data security measures. Any security breach suffered by the Company or its vendors, any unauthorized, accidental, or unlawful access or loss of data, or the perception that any such event has occurred, could result in a disruption to the Company’s operations, litigation, an obligation to notify regulators and affected individuals, the triggering of indemnification and other contractual obligations, regulatory investigations, government fines and penalties, reputational damage, and loss of customers and ecosystem partners, and its business could be materially and adversely affected. For additional information on cybersecurity, see “Item 1C. Cybersecurity.”

Previous wording

Because the Company maintains a significant supply of cash, loan collateral and inventories in its pawn stores and certain processing centers, the Company may be subject to employee and third-party robberies, riots, looting, burglaries and thefts. The Company may also be subject to liability as a result of crimes at its pawn stores.

Current wording

Because the Company maintains a significant supply of cash, pawn loan collateral and retail inventories in its pawn stores and certain processing centers, the Company may be subject to employee and third-party robberies, riots, looting, burglaries and thefts. The Company may also be subject to liability as a result of crimes at its pawn stores.

Previous wording

The Company’s business requires it to maintain a significant supply of cash, loan collateral and inventories, including gold and other precious metals, in most of its pawn stores and certain storage and processing locations. As a result, the Company is subject to the risk of employee and third-party robberies, riots, looting, burglaries and thefts. Although the Company has implemented various programs in an effort to reduce these risks and utilizes various security measures at its facilities, there can be no assurance that robberies, riots, looting, burglaries and thefts will not occur. Robberies, riots, looting, burglaries and thefts could lead to losses and shortages and could adversely affect the Company’s business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition. The Company maintains a program of insurance coverage for various types of property, casualty and other risks. However, the insurance program generally has large deductibles and co-insurance requirements and may not be adequate to cover all such losses. The Company could also experience liability or adverse publicity arising from such crimes. Any such

Current wording

The Company’s business requires it to maintain a significant supply of cash, loan collateral and inventories, including gold and other precious metals, in most of its pawn stores and certain storage and processing locations. As a result, the Company is subject to the risk of employee and third-party robberies, riots, looting, burglaries and thefts. Although the Company has implemented various programs in an effort to reduce these risks and utilizes various security measures at its facilities, there can be no assurance that robberies, riots, looting, burglaries and thefts will not occur. Robberies, riots, looting, burglaries and thefts could lead to losses and shortages and could adversely affect the Company’s business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition. The Company maintains a program of insurance coverage for various types of property, casualty and other risks. However, the insurance program generally has large deductibles and co-insurance requirements and may not be adequate to cover all such losses. The Company could also experience liability or adverse publicity arising from such crimes. Any such event may have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

Previous wording

The success of the Company’s business depends to a certain extent upon the value associated with its intellectual property rights, including its proprietary, internally developed POS and loan management system that is in use in its pawn stores and its proprietary application and decisioning technology that is used by the AFF business. The Company relies on a combination of trademarks, trade dress, trade secrets, proprietary software, website domain names and other rights, including confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions, to protect its proprietary technology, processes and other intellectual property. While the Company intends to vigorously protect its trademarks and proprietary systems against infringement, it may not be successful. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries may not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S. The costs required to protect the Company’s intellectual property rights and trademarks could be substantial.

Current wording

The success of the Company’s business depends to a certain extent upon the value associated with its intellectual property rights, including its proprietary, internally developed POS and loan management system that is in use in its pawn stores and its proprietary application and decisioning technology that is used by the AFF business. The Company relies on a combination of trademarks, trade dress, trade secrets, proprietary software, mobile applications, website domain names and other rights, including confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions, to protect its proprietary technology, processes and other intellectual property. While the Company intends to vigorously protect its trademarks and proprietary systems against infringement, it may not be successful. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries may not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S. The costs required to protect the Company’s intellectual property rights and trademarks could be substantial.

Previous wording

The Company’s operations and cash management are dependent upon the Company’s ability to maintain retail banking services, treasury management services and borrowing relationships with commercial banks. Actions by federal regulators in the U.S. and Latin American countries where the Company operates have caused many commercial banks, including certain banks used by the Company, to cease offering such services to the Company and other businesses in the pawn, LTO and consumer finance industries. The Company also relies significantly on outside vendors to provide services related to financial transaction processing (including credit and debit card processors), utilities, store security, armored transport, precious metal smelting, data and voice networks and other information technology products and services. The failure or inability of any of these third-party financial institutions or vendors to provide such services could limit the Company’s ability to grow its business and could increase the Company’s costs of doing business, which could adversely affect the Company’s operations if the Company is unable to timely replace them with comparable service providers at a comparable cost.

Current wording

The Company’s operations and cash management are dependent upon the Company’s ability to maintain retail banking services, treasury management services and borrowing relationships with commercial banks. Certain banks have made strategic decisions to limit or restrict branch-based cash handling services. Additionally, actions by federal regulators in the U.S., Latin American countries where the Company operates and the U.K. have caused some commercial banks, including certain banks used by the Company, to cease offering such services to the Company and other businesses in the pawn, LTO and consumer finance industries. The Company also relies significantly on outside vendors to provide services related to financial transaction processing (including credit and debit card processors), utilities, store security, armored transport, precious metal smelting and sales, data and voice networks and other information technology products and services. The failure or inability of any of these third-party financial institutions or vendors to provide such services could limit the Company’s ability to grow its business and could increase the Company’s costs of doing business, which could adversely affect the Company’s operations if the Company is unable to timely replace them with comparable service providers at a comparable cost.

Previous wording

The Company could incur substantial losses and its business operations could be disrupted if the Company is unable to effectively identify, manage, monitor and mitigate financial risks, such as credit risk, interest rate risk, prepayment risk, liquidity risk and other market-related risks, as well as regulatory and operational risks related to its business, assets and liabilities. The Company’s risk management policies, procedures and techniques may not be sufficient to identify all of the risks it is exposed to, mitigate the risks the Company has identified or identify concentrations of risk or additional risks to which the Company may become subject in the future.

Current wording

The Company could incur substantial losses and its business operations could be disrupted if the Company does not effectively identify, manage, monitor and mitigate financial risks, such as credit risk, interest rate risk, commodity pricing risk, prepayment risk, liquidity risk and other market-related risks, as well as regulatory and operational risks related to its business, assets and liabilities. The Company’s risk management policies, procedures and techniques may not be sufficient to identify all of the risks it is exposed to, mitigate the risks the Company has identified or identify concentrations of risk or additional risks to which the Company may become subject in the future.

Previous wording

The Company’s products and services are subject to extensive regulation and supervision under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations in both the U.S. and Latin America. If changes in regulations affecting the Company’s pawn business or the AFF business create increased restrictions, or have the effect of prohibiting pawn loans or POS payment products in the jurisdictions where the Company currently operates, such regulations could materially impair or reduce the Company’s business and limit its expansion into new markets.

Current wording

The Company’s products and services are subject to extensive regulation and supervision under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations in the U.S., Latin America and the U.K. If changes in regulations affecting the Company’s pawn business or the AFF business create increased restrictions, or have the effect of prohibiting pawn loans or POS payment products in the jurisdictions where the Company currently operates, such regulations could materially impair or reduce the Company’s business and limit its expansion into new markets.

Previous wording

The Company’s products and services are subject to extensive regulation and supervision under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations in both the U.S. and Latin America. Federal and state regulatory authoritiesare increasingly focused on consumer finance and retail POS payment products, such as those offered by the Company, for credit-constrained consumers. The Company faces the risk that restrictions or limitations on pawn loans and retail POS payment products resulting from the enactment, change, interpretation or enforcement of laws and regulations in the U.S. or Latin America could have a negative effect on the Company’s business activities. For example, certain states have capped interest rates on consumer loans at 36% and there has been legislation proposed at the Federal level and in other states to implement a comparable cap on interest rates on consumer loans. If such caps were implemented more broadly, they could have a material impact on the Company’s revenues and profitability. In addition, certain consumer advocacy groups, federal, state and local legislators and governmental agencies have also asserted that rules, laws and regulations should be tightened so as to severely limit, if not eliminate, the availability of pawn transactions, POS payment products and buy/sell agreements to consumers.

Current wording

The Company’s products and services are subject to extensive regulation and supervision under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations in the U.S., Latin America and the U.K. Federal and state regulatory authoritiesare increasingly focused on consumer finance and retail POS payment products, such as those offered by the Company, for credit-constrained consumers. The Company faces the risk that restrictions or limitations on pawn loans and retail POS payment products resulting from the enactment, change, interpretation or enforcement of laws and regulations in the U.S., Latin America or the U.K. could have a negative effect on the Company’s business activities. For example, certain states have capped interest rates on consumer loans at 36% and there has been legislation proposed at the federal level and in other states to implement a comparable cap on interest rates on consumer loans. If such caps were implemented more broadly, they could have a material impact on the Company’s revenues and profitability. In addition, certain consumer advocacy groups, federal, state and local legislators and governmental agencies have also asserted that rules, laws and regulations should be tightened so as to severely limit, if not eliminate, the availability of pawn transactions, POS payment products and buy/sell agreements to consumers.

Previous wording

In particular, with respect to the Company’s pawn business, restrictions and regulations such as licensing requirements for pawn stores and their employees, customer identification requirements, suspicious activity reporting, disclosure requirements and limits on interest rates, loan service fees, or other fees have been and continue to be proposed. Adoption of such federal, state or local regulation or legislation in the U.S. and Latin America could restrict, or even eliminate, the availability of pawn transactions and buy/sell agreements at some or all of the Company’s locations, which would adversely affect the Company’s operations and financial condition.

Current wording

In particular, with respect to the Company’s pawn business, restrictions and regulations such as licensing requirements for pawn stores and their employees, customer identification requirements, suspicious activity reporting, disclosure requirements and limits on interest rates, loan service fees, or other fees have been and continue to be proposed. Adoption of such federal, state or local regulation or legislation in the U.S., Latin America and the U.K. could restrict, or even eliminate, the availability of pawn transactions and buy/sell agreements at some or all of the Company’s locations, which would adversely affect the Company’s operations and financial condition.

Previous wording

Media reports, statements made by regulators and elected officials and the general public perception that pawnshops, LTO and retail finance products for credit-constrained consumers are predatory or abusive could materially adversely affect the Company’s businesses. In recent years, consumer advocacy groups and some media reports, in both the U.S. and Latin America, have advocated governmental action to prohibit or place severe restrictions on the Company’s products and services.

Current wording

Media reports, statements made by regulators and elected officials and the general public perception that pawnshops, LTO and retail finance products for credit-constrained consumers are predatory or abusive could materially adversely affect the Company’s businesses. In recent years, consumer advocacy groups and some media reports, in the U.S., Latin America and the U.K., have advocated governmental action to prohibit or place severe restrictions on the Company’s products and services.

Previous wording

Reports and statements made by consumer advocacy groups, members of the media, regulators and elected officials often focus on the annual or monthly cost to a consumer of pawn, LTO and certain retail finance transactions, which are higher than the interest typically charged by banks to consumers with better credit histories. These reports and statements typically characterize these products as predatory or abusive and often focus on alleged instances of pawn operators purchasing or accepting stolen property as pawn collateral. If the negative characterization of the Company’s businesses becomes increasingly accepted by consumers, demand for its products could significantly decrease, which could materially affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, if the negative characterization of these types of transactions becomes increasingly accepted by legislators and regulators, the Company could become subject to more restrictive laws and regulations that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, any negative public perception of pawnshops generally would also likely have a material negative impact on the Company’s retail operations, including reducing the number of consumers willing to shop at the Company’s stores.

Current wording

Reports and statements made by consumer advocacy groups, members of the media, regulators and elected officials often focus on the annual or monthly cost to a consumer of pawn, LTO and certain retail finance transactions, which are higher than the interest typically charged by banks to consumers with better credit histories. These reports and statements typically characterize these products as predatory or abusive and often focus on alleged instances of pawn operators purchasing or accepting stolen property as pawn collateral. If the negative characterization of the Company’s businesses becomes increasingly accepted by consumers, demand for its products could significantly decrease, which could materially affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, if the negative characterization of these types of transactions becomes

Previous wording

Current and future litigation or regulatory proceedings, both in the U.S. and Latin America, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

Current wording

Current and future litigation or regulatory proceedings in the U.S., Latin America and the U.K. could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

Previous wording

Because the Company accepts firearms as pawn collateral and buys and sells firearms, ammunition and certain related accessories in many of its U.S. pawn locations, the Company is required to comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to the pawning, purchase, storage, transfer and sale of such products, and the Company is subject to reputational harm if a customer purchases or redeems a pawned firearm that is later involved in a shooting or other crime.

Current wording

Because the Company accepts firearms as pawn collateral and buys and sells firearms, ammunition and certain related accessories in many of its U.S. pawn locations, the Company is required to comply with U.S. federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to the pawning, purchase, storage, transfer and sale of such products, and the Company is subject to reputational harm if a customer purchases or redeems a pawned firearm that is later involved in a shooting or other crime.

Previous wording

Over the past several years, the purchase, sale and ownership of firearms, ammunition and certain related accessories has been the subject of increased media scrutiny and federal, state and local regulation. If enacted, new laws and regulations could limit the types of licenses, firearms, ammunition and certain related accessories that the Company is permitted to purchase and sell and could impose new restrictions and requirements on the manner in which the Company pawns, offers, purchases and sells these products, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

Current wording

Over the past several years, the purchase, sale and ownership of firearms, ammunition and certain related accessories have been the subject of increased media scrutiny and federal, state and local regulation. If enacted, new laws and regulations could limit the types of licenses, firearms, ammunition and certain related accessories that the Company is permitted to purchase and sell and could impose new restrictions and requirements on the manner in which the Company pawns, offers, purchases and sells these products, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

Previous wording

The Company is subject to the FCPA, which generally prohibits companies and their agents or intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business and/or other benefits. The Company is also subject to anti-money laundering laws in both the United States and Latin America andanti-terrorism financing laws and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act and the Patriot Act. Furthermore, AFF is required under its agreements with its originating bank partner to maintain an enterprise-wide program designed to enable it to comply with all applicable anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing laws and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act and the Patriot Act. Although the Company has policies and procedures designed to ensure that it, its employees, agents, and intermediaries comply with the FCPA, anti-money laundering laws and other similar laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that such policies or procedures will work effectively all of the time or protect the Company against liability for actions taken by its employees, agents, and intermediaries with respect to its business or any businesses that it may acquire. In the event the Company believes, or has reason to believe, its employees, agents, or intermediaries have or may have violated applicable anti-corruption laws in the jurisdiction in which it operates, including the FCPA, the Company may be required to investigate or have a third party investigate the relevant facts and circumstances, which can be expensive and require significant time and attention from senior management. The Company’s continued operation and expansion outside the U.S., especially in Latin America, could increase the risk, perceived or otherwise, of such violations in the future.

Current wording

The Company is subject to the FCPA, which generally prohibits companies and their agents or intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business and/or other benefits. The Company is also subject to anti-money laundering laws in the U.S., Latin America and the U.K. andanti-terrorism financing laws and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act and the Patriot Act. Furthermore, AFF is required under its agreements with its originating bank partner to maintain an enterprise-wide program designed to enable it to comply with all applicable anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing laws and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act and the Patriot Act. Although the Company has policies and procedures designed to ensure that it, its employees, agents, and intermediaries comply with the FCPA, anti-money laundering laws and other similar laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that such policies or procedures will work effectively all of the time or protect the Company against liability for actions taken by its employees, agents, and intermediaries with respect to its business or any businesses that it may acquire. In the event the Company believes, or has reason to believe, its employees, agents, or intermediaries have or may have violated applicable anti-corruption laws in the jurisdiction in which it operates, including the FCPA, the Company may be required to investigate or have a third party investigate the relevant facts and circumstances, which can be expensive and require significant time and attention from senior management. The Company’s continued operation and expansion outside the U.S., especially in Latin America, could increase the risk, perceived or otherwise, of such violations in the future.

Previous wording

Failure to maintain certain criteria required by state and local regulatory bodies could result in fines or the loss of the Company’s licenses to conduct business.

Current wording

Failure to maintain certain criteria required by various federal, state and local regulatory bodies could result in fines or the loss of the Company’s licenses to conduct business.

Previous wording

Most states and many local jurisdictions, both in the U.S. and in Latin America, in which the Company operates require registration and licenses of stores and employees to conduct the Company’s business. These states or their respective regulatory bodies have established criteria the Company must meet in order to obtain, maintain, and renew those licenses. In addition, the AFF business is also subject to certain states’ laws which regulate and require licensing, registration, notice filing or other approval by parties that engage in certain activity regarding consumer finance transactions, including facilitating and assisting such transactions in certain circumstances. Furthermore, certain states and localities have also adopted laws requiring licensing, registration, notice filing, or other approval for consumer debt collection or servicing, and/or purchasing or selling consumer loans. From time to time, the Company is subject to audits in various states to ensure it is meeting the applicable requirements to maintain the applicable licenses and registrations.

Current wording

The Company’s pawn businesses are subject to significant registration and licensing requirements from various federal, state and municipal governmental entities in the U.S., Latin America and the U.K. Many of these regulatory bodies require registration and licenses of stores and employees to conduct the Company’s business and have established criteria the Company must meet in order to obtain, maintain, and renew those licenses. In addition, the AFF business is also subject to certain states’ laws which regulate and require licensing, registration, notice filing or other approval by parties that engage in certain activity

Previous wording

•The Company’s financial position and results of operations may change significantly due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates in Latin American markets.

Current wording

The Company’s financial position and results of operations may change significantly due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates in Latin American and U.K. markets.

Previous wording

The Company derives significant revenue, earnings and cash flow from operations in Latin America, where business operations are transacted primarily in Mexican pesos, and in Guatemalan quetzales and Colombian pesos to a lesser extent. The Company’s exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations results primarily from the translation exposure associated with the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, as well as from transaction exposure associated with transactions and assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the respective subsidiaries’ functional currencies. While the Company’s consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars, the financial statements of the Company’s Latin American subsidiaries are prepared using their respective functional currency and translated into U.S. dollars by applying appropriate exchange rates. As a result, fluctuations in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar relative to the Latin American currencies could cause significant fluctuations in the value of the Company’s assets, liabilities, stockholders’ equity and operating results. In addition, while expenses with respect to foreign operations are generally denominated in the same currency as corresponding sales, the Company has transaction exposure to the extent expenditures are incurred in currencies other than the respective subsidiaries’ functional currencies. The costs of doing business in foreign jurisdictions also may increase as a result of adverse currency rate fluctuations. In addition, changes in currency rates could negatively affect customer demand, especially in Latin America and in U.S. stores located near the Mexican border. For a detailed discussion of the impact of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, see “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Current wording

The Company derives significant revenue, earnings and cash flow from operations in Latin America and the U.K., where business operations are transacted primarily in Mexican pesos and British pounds sterling, and to a lesser extent in Guatemalan quetzales and Colombian pesos. The Company’s exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations results primarily from the translation exposure associated with the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, as well as from transaction exposure associated with transactions and assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the respective subsidiaries’ functional currencies. While the Company’s consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars, the financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are prepared using their respective functional currency and translated into U.S. dollars by applying appropriate exchange rates. As a result, fluctuations in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar relative to the foreign currencies could cause significant fluctuations in the value of the Company’s assets, liabilities, stockholders’ equity and operating results. In addition, while expenses with respect to foreign operations are generally denominated in the same currency as corresponding sales, the Company has transaction exposure to the extent expenditures are incurred in currencies other than the respective subsidiaries’ functional currencies. The costs of doing business in foreign jurisdictions also may increase as a result of adverse currency rate fluctuations. In addition, changes in currency rates could negatively affect customer demand, especially in Latin America and in U.S. stores located near the Mexican border. For a detailed discussion of the impact of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, see “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2024, the Company had 1,826 pawn store locations in Latin America, including 1,725 in Mexico, 72 in Guatemala, 17 in El Salvador and 12 in Colombia, and the Company plans to open or acquire additional pawn stores in Latin America in the future. In addition, AFF owns customer service call centers operating in Jamaica and Mexico and utilizes third-party call center services located in the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Doing business in each of these countries involves increased risks related to geo-political events, political instability, corruption, economic volatility, property crime, drug cartel and gang-related violence, social and ethnic unrest including riots and looting, enforcement of property rights, governmental regulations, tax policies, banking policies or restrictions, foreign investment policies, public safety, health and security, anti-money laundering regulations, interest rate regulation and import/export regulations, among others. As in many developing markets, there are also uncertainties as to how both local law and U.S. federal law is applied, including laws related to commercial transactions and foreign investment. As a result, actions or events could occur in these foreign countries that are beyond the Company’s control, which could restrict or eliminate the Company’s ability to operate some or all of its locations in these countries or significantly reduce customer traffic, product demand and the expected profitability of such operations.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2025, the Company had 1,837 pawn store locations in Latin America, including 1,732 in Mexico, 75 in Guatemala, 18 in El Salvador and 12 in Colombia, and 286 stores in the U.K. The Company plans to open or acquire additional pawn stores in Latin America and the U.K. in the future. In addition, AFF owns customer service call centers operating in Jamaica and Mexico and utilizes third-party call center services located in the Dominican Republic. Doing business in foreign countries, especially in Latin America, involves increased risks related to geo-political events, political instability, corruption, economic volatility, property crime, drug cartel and gang-related violence, social and ethnic unrest including riots and looting, enforcement of property rights, governmental regulations, tax policies, banking policies or restrictions, foreign investment policies, public safety, health and security, anti-money laundering regulations, interest rate regulation and import/export regulations, among others. As in many developing markets, there are also uncertainties in the Latin American countries the Company operates in as to how both local law and U.S. federal law is applied, including laws related to commercial transactions and foreign investment. As a result, actions or events could occur in these foreign countries that are beyond the Company’s control, which could restrict or eliminate the Company’s ability to operate some or all of its locations in these countries or significantly reduce customer traffic, product demand and the expected profitability of such operations.

Previous wording

Many of the foreign countries in which the Company operates impose costs on non-domestic companies through the use of local regulations, tariffs, labor controls and other federal or state requirements or legislation. In addition, the 2024 presidential and congressional election results may have a significant impact on U.S. domestic and global trade policies. As the Company derives significant revenue, earnings and cash flow from operations in Latin America, primarily in Mexico, there are some inherent risks regarding the overall stability of the trading relationship between Mexico and the U.S. and the burdens imposed thereon by any changes to (or the adoption of new) regulations, tariffs or other federal or state legislation. Specifically, the Company has significant exposure to fluctuations and devaluations of the Mexican peso and the health of the Mexican economy, which, in each case, may be negatively impacted by changes in U.S. trade treaties, including the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and corporate tax policy. In some cases, there have been negative reactions to the enacted and/or proposed policies as expressed in the media and by politicians in Mexico, which could potentially negatively impact U.S. companies operating in Mexico. In particular, there is continued uncertainty around Mexico’s current federal administration and how the policies as applied by its administration, including conducting aggressive corporate tax and other regulatory audits, adverse government discretion, and support of increased employee minimum wages, profit sharing and benefit programs, may impact U.S. companies doing business in Mexico generally and pawn and consumer finance companies in particular. Any such changes in regulations, trade treaties, corporate tax policy, import taxes or adverse court or administrative interpretations of the foregoing could adversely and significantly affect the Mexican economy and ultimately the Mexican peso, which could adversely and significantly affect the Company’s financial position and results of the Company’s Latin America pawn operations.

Current wording

Many of the foreign countries in which the Company operates impose costs on non-domestic companies through the use of local regulations, tariffs, labor controls and other federal or state requirements or legislation. In addition, the U.S., China, Canada, Mexico, European Union and other countries have imposed, or threatened to impose, new or enhanced tariffs, quotas, trade barriers and other restrictions on imports into their respective territories. Numerous trade restrictions are currently in

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2024, including the Company's senior unsecured notes and the Company’s unsecured credit facilities, the Company had outstanding principal indebtedness of $1,748.0 million and availability of $528.9 million under its unsecured credit facilities, subject to certain financial covenants. The Company's level of indebtedness could:

Current wording

As of December 31, 2025, the Company had outstanding principal indebtedness of $2,224.0 million and availability of $178.0 million under its credit facilities, subject to certain financial covenants. The Company's level of indebtedness could:

Previous wording

Determining the AFF business’ allowance for lease and loan losses requires many assumptions and complex analyses. If the estimates prove incorrect, the AFF business may incur net charge-offs in excess of its reserves, or may be required to increase its provision for lease and loan losses, either of which would adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

Current wording

Determining the AFF business’ allowance for lease and loan losses and liability for off-balance sheet credit exposure requires many assumptions and complex analyses. If the estimates prove incorrect, the AFF business may incur net charge-offs in excess of its reserves or liabilities, or may be required to increase its provision for lease and loan losses, either of which would adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

Previous wording

The Company maintains an allowance for lease and loan losses at a level believed to be sufficient to cover estimated lifetime losses expected to be incurred in the lease and loan portfolio. This estimate is highly dependent upon the reasonableness of its assumptions and the predictability of the relationships that drive the results of its valuation methodologies. The Company performs a quantitative analysis to compute historical losses to estimate the allowance for future lease and loan losses. Lease and loan loss experience, first payment default histories, contractual delinquency of lease and loan receivables and management’s judgement are factors used in assessing the overall adequacy of the allowance and the resulting provision for lease and loan losses. Changes in estimates and assumptions can significantly affect the allowance and provision for lease and loan losses. It is possible that the Company will experience lease and loan losses that are different from its current estimates. If the Company’s estimates and assumptions prove incorrect and its allowance for lease and loan losses are insufficient, it may incur net charge-offs in excess of its reserves, or it could be required to increase its provision for lease and loan losses, either of which would adversely affect its results of operations.

Current wording

The Company maintains an allowance for lease and loan losses and a liability for off-balance sheet credit exposure related to the OBS Loans at a level believed to be sufficient to cover estimated lifetime losses expected to be incurred. These estimates are highly dependent upon the reasonableness of its assumptions and the predictability of the relationships that drive the results of its valuation methodologies. The Company performs a quantitative analysis to compute historical losses to estimate the allowance for future lease and loan losses and the liability for off-balance sheet credit exposure. Loss experience, first payment default histories, contractual delinquency of lease and loan receivables and OBS Loans and management’s judgment are factors used in assessing the overall adequacy of the allowance and liability and the resulting provision for lease and loan losses. Changes in estimates and assumptions can significantly affect the allowance, liability and provision for lease and loan losses. It is possible that the Company will experience losses that are different from its current estimates. If the Company’s estimates and assumptions prove incorrect and its allowance for lease and loan losses and liability for off-balance sheet credit exposure are insufficient, it may incur net charge-offs in excess of its reserves or liability, or it could be required to increase its provision for lease and loan losses, either of which would adversely affect its results of operations.

Previous wording

At December 31, 2024, the Company had $1,787.2 million of goodwill on its consolidated balance sheet, all of which represents assets capitalized in connection with the Company’s acquisitions and business combinations. Accounting for goodwill requires significant management estimates and judgment. Management performs periodic reviews of the carrying value of goodwill to determine whether events and circumstances indicate that an impairment in value may have occurred. A variety of factors could cause the carrying value of goodwill to become impaired. A write-down of the carrying value of goodwill could result in a non-cash charge, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

Current wording

At December 31, 2025, the Company had $2,023.4 million of goodwill on its consolidated balance sheet, all of which represents assets capitalized in connection with the Company’s acquisitions and business combinations. Accounting for goodwill requires significant management estimates and judgment. Management performs periodic reviews of the carrying value of goodwill to determine whether events and circumstances indicate that an impairment in value may have occurred. A variety of factors could cause the carrying value of goodwill to become impaired. A write-down of the carrying value of goodwill could result in a non-cash charge, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.