(Logo) World Acceptance Corporation
July 1, 1998
To the Shareholders of
World Acceptance Corporation:
In connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of your Company to
be held on August 4, 1998, we enclose a Notice of the Meeting, a Proxy Statement
containing information about the matters to be considered at the Meeting, and a
form of proxy relating to those matters.
In addition, we enclose our 1998 Annual Report, which provides information
relating to the Company's activities and operating performance during the most
recent fiscal year.
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. We
would appreciate your signing and returning the form of proxy in the enclosed
postage-paid return envelope so that your shares can be voted in the event that
you are unable to attend the Meeting. Your proxy will, of course, be returned to
you if you are present at the Meeting and elect to vote in person. It may also
be revoked in the manner set forth in the Proxy Statement. We look forward to
seeing you at the Annual Meeting.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Charles D. Walters
Charles D. Walters
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
<PAGE>
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
108 FREDERICK STREET
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA 29607
--------------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
-----------------------------------
To Our Shareholders:
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of World
Acceptance Corporation will be held at the Company's main office in the city of
Greenville, South Carolina, on Tuesday, August 4, 1998, at 11:00 a.m., local
time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect seven (7) directors to hold office until the next annual
meeting of shareholders or until their successors have been duly
elected and qualified;
2. To consider and act upon a proposal to ratify the action of the Board
of Directors in selecting KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent public
accountants to audit the books of the Company and its subsidiaries for
the current fiscal year; and
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on June 19, 1998,
as the record date for determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and
to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors of the Company would appreciate your signing and
returning the accompanying form of proxy promptly, so that if you are unable to
attend, your shares can nevertheless be voted at the Annual Meeting.
/s/ Charles D. Walters
Charles D. Walters,
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
July 1, 1998
IMPORTANT NOTICE
PLEASE SIGN AND MAIL YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY
<PAGE>
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
108 FREDERICK STREET
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA 29607
-----------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
------------------------
The following statement, first mailed on or about July 1, 1998, is
furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors (the
"Board") of World Acceptance Corporation (the "Company") of proxies to be used
at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company (the "Meeting") to be held
on August 4, 1998, at 11:00 a.m., local time, at the Company's main office in
the city of Greenville, South Carolina, and at any adjournment or adjournments
thereof.
The accompanying form of proxy is for use at the Meeting if a shareholder
will be unable to attend in person. The proxy may be revoked by the shareholder
at any time before it is exercised by submitting to the Secretary of the Company
written notice of revocation, or a properly executed proxy of a later date, or
by attending the Meeting and electing to vote in person. All shares represented
by valid proxies received pursuant to this solicitation, and not revoked before
they are exercised, will be noted in the manner specified therein.
If no specification is made, the proxies will be voted in FAVOR of:
1. The election to the Board of the seven (7) nominees named in this
Proxy Statement; and
2. The ratification of the Board's selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as
independent public accountants to audit the books of the Company and
its subsidiaries for the current fiscal year.
The entire cost of soliciting these proxies will be borne by the Company.
In addition to the solicitation of the proxies by mail, the Company will request
banks, brokers, and other record holders to send proxies and proxy materials to
the beneficial owners of the Company's common stock, no par value (the "Common
Stock"), and secure their voting instructions, if necessary. The Company will
reimburse them for their reasonable expenses in so doing. If necessary, the
Company may use several of its regular employees, who will not be specially
compensated, to solicit proxies from shareholders, either personally or by
telephone, telegram, or special letter.
Pursuant to the provisions of the South Carolina Business Corporation Act,
the Board of Directors has fixed June 19, 1998, as the record date for the
determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting
and, accordingly, only holders of record at the close of business on that date
of outstanding shares (the "Shares") of the Common Stock will be entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Meeting.
<PAGE>
The number of outstanding Shares entitled to vote as of the record date
was 19,004,573. Each Share is entitled to one vote. In accordance with South
Carolina law and the Company's bylaws, a majority of the outstanding Shares
entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum
for the election of directors and the ratification of the selection of auditors.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining the
presence or absence of a quorum.
With regard to the election of directors, votes may either be cast in
favor of or withheld, and directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes
cast. Votes that are withheld will be excluded entirely from the vote and will
have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors. The ratification of
the selection of the auditors will be approved if more votes are cast in favor
of such proposal than are cast against it. Accordingly, abstentions will have no
effect on the outcome of the vote of such proposal. Broker non-votes, which will
not be counted as votes cast, will have no effect on the election of directors
or the approval of auditors. Cumulative voting is not permitted under the
Company's Articles of Incorporation.
On June 19, 1998, the only class of voting securities the Company had
issued and outstanding was its Common Stock. The following table sets forth the
names and addresses of, and the numbers and percentages of Shares beneficially
owned by, persons known to the Company to beneficially own five percent or more
of the outstanding Shares. Each shareholder listed below possesses sole voting
and investment power with respect to the Shares listed opposite his name, unless
noted otherwise.
2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
OWNERSHIP OF SHARES BY CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AS OF JUNE 19, 1998
AMOUNT AND NATURE PERCENT
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF CLASS
- ------------------------------------ ----------------------- ---------
Denver Investment Advisors LLC (1) 1,918,584 10.1%
1225 17th Street, 26th Floor
Denver, Colorado 80202
Charles D. Walters (2) 2,132,047 11.0%
108 Frederick Street
Greenville, South Carolina 29607
Thomas W. Smith et al. (3) 2,028,600 10.7%
323 Railroad Avenue
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
Wanger Asset Management L.P. (4) 1,594,200 8.4%
Wanger Asset Management, Ltd.
Acorn Investment Trust
227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3000
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Mills Value Advisor, Inc. (5) 1,575,600 8.3%
707 East Main Street
Richmond, Virginia 23218
James T. Martin (6) 1,140,000 6.0%
Tuppeny House
Tuckerstown Bermuda
</TABLE>
- --------------------
(1) Based on an amended Schedule 13G dated February 11, 1998. Includes
1,287,384 Shares over which Denver Investment Advisors, LLC reports sole
voting power.
(2) Includes 443,047 Shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
June 19, 1998, and 15,000 Shares held in trust for the benefit of Mr.
Walters' grandchildren and nephew. Mr. Walters disclaims beneficial
ownership of the 15,000 Shares held in trust. Also includes 190,857
Shares held by a family limited partnership of which Mr. Walters is the
general partner.
(3) Based on a Schedule 13D filed with the Company on January 14, 1993.
Includes 1,938,600 Shares held by three private investment limited
partnerships, of which each of Mr. Smith and Thomas N. Tryforos (each of
the same business address as Mr. Smith) is a general partner, and an
employee profit-sharing plan of a corporation of which Mr. Smith and Mr.
Tryforos are trustees.
(4) Based on an amended Schedule 13G dated February 6, 1998. Wanger Asset
Management, Ltd. reports shared dispositive power over all Shares listed,
and Acorn Investment Trust reports shared voting and dispositive power
over 1,390,000 of the Shares listed.
(5) Based on an amended Schedule 13D dated February 12, 1998. Mills Value
Advisor, Inc. reports sole dispositive power over all Shares listed.
These shares include the shares reported by James T. Martin below.
(6) Based on an amended Schedule 13D dated on or about March 18, 1998. Mr.
Martin reports sole voting power over all Shares listed. These shares are
included in those reported above by Mills Value Advisor, Inc..
3
<PAGE>
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
It is intended that the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote
only for the seven nominees for director named on the following pages, except to
the extent authority to so vote is withheld with respect to one or more
nominees. The number of directors and nominees has been set by the Board. Each
director will be elected to serve until the next annual meeting of Shareholders
or until a successor is elected and qualifies. Directors will be elected by a
plurality of the votes cast.
Although the Board does not expect that any of the nominees named will be
unavailable for election, in the event of a vacancy in the slate of nominees
occasioned by death or any other unexpected occurrence, it is intended that
Shares represented by proxies in the accompanying form will be voted for the
election of a substitute nominee selected by the persons named in the proxy.
During the most recent fiscal year, the Board of Directors held four
regularly scheduled quarterly meetings. Each director attended all meetings of
the Board of Directors and of each committee on which he served, except Mr.
Owens was unable to attend the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and related
Board of Directors meeting held the same day.
At June 19, 1998, compensation paid to each director who is not an
employee of the Company was $1,500 for each meeting of the Board of Directors
and $200 for each meeting of a committee on which he serves. All directors are
reimbursed for ordinary and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
attending meetings of the Board of Directors. In addition, each outside director
receives options to purchase 6,000 Shares on April 30 of each year pursuant to
the terms of the Company's 1992 and 1994 Stock Option Plans. The exercise price
for these options is the fair market value of the Shares on the date of grant,
and each option is exercisable for 10 years from the date of grant.
The Board of Directors maintains an Audit Committee on which Messrs.
Hummers, McLean, and Way serve. The Audit Committee reviews the results and
scope of each audit, the service provided by the Company's independent
accountants and all related-party transactions. The Audit Committee met once
during the most recent fiscal year.
The Board of Directors also maintains a Stock Option Committee on which
Messrs. Gilreath, Hummers, and Way serve. This Stock Option Committee
administers the Company's 1992 and 1994 Stock Option Plans. The Stock Option
Committee met two times during the most recent fiscal year.
The Board also maintains a Compensation Committee on which Messrs.
Gilreath, Hummers, and Way serve. The Compensation Committee establishes and
reviews the compensation criteria and policies of the Company, reviews the
performance of the officers of the Company and recommends appropriate
compensation levels to the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee met
two times during the most recent fiscal year.
4
<PAGE>
The following is a list of nominees for election to the Board of
Directors. Each nominee's name, age, current principal occupation (which has
continued for at least five years unless otherwise indicated), and the name and
principal business of the organization in which that occupation is carried on,
the year each incumbent was first elected to the Board, all positions and
offices presently held with the Company, and directorships in other public
companies are set forth below. Each of the nominees served on the Board of
Directors during the Company's last fiscal year. None of the following nominees
or current directors is related (as first cousin or closer) by blood, marriage,
or adoption to any other nominee, director, or person who may be deemed to be an
executive officer of the Company.
CHARLES D. WALTERS (59), CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION. Mr. Walters has served as Chairman of the Board of
Directors and Chief Executive Officer since July 1991 and as a director since
April 1989. Mr. Walters served as President from 1986 to 1996, Executive Vice
President from 1984 to 1986, and as Regional Vice President responsible for
operations in Texas and Oklahoma from 1976 to 1984. Mr. Walters joined a
predecessor of the Company in 1972.
R. HAROLD OWENS (50), PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION. Mr. Owens has served as President since August 1996, as
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since June 1995, and as a
director since August 1995. From March 1995 to June 1995, Mr. Owens served as
president and chief executive officer of Key Corp. Finance, Inc., a consumer
finance company based in Cleveland, Ohio. From October 1992 to June 1994, Mr.
Owens served as president and chief operating officer of Fleet Finance, Inc., a
consumer finance company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. From June 1978 to
October 1992, Mr. Owens was employed by Security Pacific Financial Services,
Inc., a consumer finance company based in San Diego, California, where he served
in various management positions, including president and chief executive
officer, from June 1989 to June 1992.
A. ALEXANDER MCLEAN, III (47), EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF
FINANCIAL OFFICER, WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION. Mr. McLean has served as
Executive Vice President since August 1996, Senior Vice President since 1992,
and as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and a director since June
1989. Mr. McLean is a certified public accountant in South Carolina.
JAMES R. GILREATH (56), ATTORNEY, JAMES R. GILREATH, P. A., Greenville,
South Carolina, a law firm. Mr. Gilreath has served as a director of the Company
since April 1989.
WILLIAM S. HUMMERS, III (52), EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL
OFFICER, CAROLINA FIRST CORPORATION, Greenville, South Carolina, a bank holding
company. Mr. Hummers has served in his present capacities with Carolina First
Corporation since 1988. From 1987 to 1988, Mr. Hummers served as a vice
president of management reporting of First Union Corporation, a bank holding
company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Hummers currently serves
as a director of Carolina First Corporation. Mr. Hummers has served as a
director of the Company since April 1989.
5
<PAGE>
CHARLES D. WAY (45), PRESIDENT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHAIRMAN,
RYAN'S FAMILY STEAK HOUSES, INC., Greer, South Carolina, a restaurant company.
Mr. Way has served as president of Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. since 1988,
as its chief executive officer since 1989, and as its chairman since October
1992. From 1986 until 1988, Mr. Way served as executive vice president,
treasurer and secretary of Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Mr. Way currently
serves as a director of Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Mr. Way has served as a
director of the Company since September 1991.
KEN R. BRAMLETT, JR. (38), SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL,
PERSONNEL GROUP OF AMERICA, INC., Charlotte, North Carolina, an information
technology and personnel staffing services company. Mr. Bramlett has served as
senior vice president and general counsel of Personnel Group of America, Inc.
since October 1996, and as a Director of that Company since August 1997. Prior
to October 1996, Mr. Bramlett was an attorney with Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson,
P.A. a Charlotte, North Carolina, law firm, for 12 years. Mr. Bramlett has
served as a director of the Company since October 1993.
The following table sets forth the sole (unless otherwise indicated)
beneficial ownership, as defined by Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, of Shares as of June 19, 1998, for each director, nominee,
or executive officer identified in the Summary Compensation Table and all
directors and executive officers as a group.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK OF MANAGEMENT AS OF JUNE 19, 1998
SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
NAME OF INDIVIDUAL OR NUMBER IN GROUP AMOUNT (1) PERCENT OF CLASS
- ------------------------------------- ------ ----------------
Charles D. Walters................................................ 2,132,047 (2) 11.0%
R. Harold Owens................................................... 144,704 *
A. Alexander McLean, III.......................................... 383,195 (3) 2.0%
Mark C. Roland.................................................... 11,000 *
James R. Gilreath................................................. 142,500 (4) *
William S. Hummers, III........................................... 58,000 *
Charles D. Way.................................................... 62,000 *
Ken R. Bramlett, Jr............................................... 31,500 *
Director and all executive
officers as a group (8 persons) .............................. 2,970,946 14.8%
</TABLE>
*Less than 1%.
(1) Includes the following Shares subject to options exercisable within 60
days of June 19, 1998: Mr. Walters - 443,047; Mr. Owens - 144,704; Mr.
McLean - 304,795; Mr. Roland - 11,000; Mr. Gilreath - 42,000; Mr. Hummers
- 42,000; Mr. Way - 42,000; Mr. Bramlett - 30,000; Directors and Executive
Officers as a group - 1,059,546.
(2) Includes 15,000 Shares held in trust for the benefit of Mr. Walters'
grandchildren and nephew. Mr. Walters disclaims beneficial ownership of
these Shares. Also includes 190,857 Shares held by a family limited
partnership of which Mr. Walters is the general partner.
6
<PAGE>
(3) Includes 51,000 Shares in a self-directed retirement account maintained
for the benefit of Mr. McLean.
(4) Includes 7,500 Shares held in a profit-sharing trust for which Mr.
Gilreath serves as trustee.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange act of 1934 requires the
Company's directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10
percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file with
the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership and reports
of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the
Company. Executive officers, directors, and greater-than-10-percent shareholders
are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all
Section 16(a) forms they file. To the Company's knowledge, based solely on a
review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written
representations that no other reports were required, all of the Company's
executive officers, directors, and greater-than-10-percent beneficial owners
have complied with such reporting requirements during the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1998.
SHAREHOLDER RETURN
PERFORMANCE GRAPH. The following chart provides a graphic comparison of
the cumulative shareholder return on the Company's Shares to (a) the cumulative
total return of the NASDAQ Composite Index and (b) the cumulative total return
of the NASDAQ Financial Index. All cumulative returns assume the investment of
$100.00 in each of the Company's Shares, the NASDAQ Composite Index and the
NASDAQ Financial Index on March 31, 1993.
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN BETWEEN WORLD
ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION, NASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX AND
NASDAQ FINANCIAL INDEX
(graph appears here with plot points)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
3/31/93 3/31/94 3/31/95 3/31/96 3/31/97 3/31/98
WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION 100.000 90.909 135.714 173.377 87.662 103.247
NASDAQ COMPOSIT INDEX 100.000 107.941 120.074 162.493 181.205 275.211
NASDAQ FINANCIAL INDEX 100.000 104.154 116.670 157.444 206.607 320.465
</TABLE>
7
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
JOINT REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AND THE STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing compensation
and benefits (other than stock option grants) for the members of senior
management of the Company. The Compensation Committee annually evaluates the
Company's performance and compensation paid to the Company's executive officers
and other senior management.
STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE
The Stock Option Committee is responsible for administering the Company's
1992 and 1994 Stock Option Plans and granting stock options and restricted stock
awards under these plans. The Stock Option Committee meets periodically to
consider option grants to newly-hired, promoted, and existing members of
management.
OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The Compensation Committee and the Stock Option Committee seek to
establish compensation policies, plans, and programs to accomplish two
objectives: (i) to attract and retain highly-capable and well-qualified
executives and (ii) to focus executives' efforts on increasing shareholder
value. To achieve these objectives, the committees have established a
compensation package consisting of base salary, short-term incentive
compensation in the form of annual cash bonuses based on the performance of the
Company during the prior fiscal year, and long-term incentive compensation
primarily in the form of stock options and restricted stock awards that vest
over a period of time.
Since the beginning of fiscal 1995, Messrs. Walters and McLean (and since
June 1995, Mr. Owens) have been compensated pursuant to the objectives described
above in accordance with employment agreements and incentive compensation plans
described herein and developed with the assistance of an independent executive
compensation consultant after a comparative assessment of the Company's existing
compensation system. This assessment revealed that, by comparison to other
similar companies, the Company has historically paid relatively modest base
salaries to its executives and has made incentive compensation a significant
component of its overall executive compensation packages. The Compensation
Committee concluded that the continuation of this policy was desirable to enable
the Company to tie a significant percentage of each executive's overall
compensation to the achievement of goals designed to maximize shareholder value.
Accordingly, the employment agreements provide for minimum base salary levels
subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Compensation Committee,
potentially significant annual cash bonus awards based on the achievement of
objective annual Company performance goals, and potentially significant awards
of stock options and restricted stock based on the achievement of objective
long-term Company performance goals.
8
<PAGE>
For fiscal 1998, Messrs. Walters, Owens, and McLean were paid the minimum
base salaries established under their employment agreements. The amount of cash
bonuses awarded to Messrs. Walters, Owens, and McLean for fiscal 1998 were
determined in accordance with the Company's Executive Incentive Plan (the
"Executive Incentive Plan") and based on the Company's achievement of
pre-established annual goals related to (1) increases in earnings per share, (2)
growth in loans receivable, and (3) expense control. The Compensation Committee
selected these goals to motivate and reward the maximization of shareholder
value based on its belief that earnings per share is the most direct measure of
shareholder value and that growth in loans receivable and expense control are
the two most significant determinants of earnings per share. The relative
weights assigned to each of these goals in determining the amount of cash bonus
compensation for Messrs. Walters, Owens, and McLean in fiscal 1998 were as
follows: earnings per share--40%; growth in loans receivable--30%; and expense
control--30%. Possible bonuses ranging from 25% to 150% of base salary for Mr.
Walters, from 25% to 135% of base salary for Mr. Owens, and from 20% to 120% of
base salary for Mr. McLean were available for fiscal 1998 depending upon whether
the Company reached the pre-established minimum, threshold, target, or maximum
levels of achievement with respect to a particular goal. During fiscal 1998, the
Company achieved minimum performance levels with respect to its goals for
earnings per share, and expense control and the maximum performance level with
respect to growth in loans receivable, and as a result the cash bonuses payable
under the Executive Incentive Plan amounted to 62.5%, 58.0% and 50.0% of base
salary for Messrs. Walters, Owens, and McLean, respectively.
The long-term incentive components of the Company's executive compensation
are stock options and restricted stock to be awarded under the 1992 and 1994
Stock Option Plans in accordance with the Company's Executive Strategic
Incentive Plan (the "Strategic Incentive Plan"). Options may have a term of up
to 10 years, but expire earlier upon an executive's termination of employment.
Options granted under the 1992 and 1994 Stock Option Plans are exercisable at
the fair market value of the Shares at the date of grant. Restricted stock
awards may contain such transfer restrictions and vesting and other terms as
determined by the Stock Option Committee.
At the beginning of each fiscal year, Messrs. Walters, Owens, and
McLean receive long-term incentive compensation based upon the achievement of
objective Company performance goals embodied in the Strategic Incentive Plan for
the previous fiscal year. This plan, adopted during fiscal 1995, is similar in
structure to the Executive Incentive Plan, but is designed to reward performance
over a three-year period. The performance goals on which long-term incentive
compensation are based relate to: (1) increases in earnings per share, (2)
growth in loans receivable, and (3) return on average equity. The relative
weights assigned to those goals as a percentage of the executive's total award
opportunity are as follows: earnings per share--40%; growth in loans
receivable--20%; and return on average equity--40%. During fiscal 1998, the
Company achieved below target performance with respect to earnings per share and
return on equity, and above target performance with respect to growth in loans
receivable. Accordingly, under the Strategic Incentive Plan, Messrs. Walters,
Owens, and McLean were
9
<PAGE>
awarded on April 1, 1998, options to purchase 29,840, 23,287, and 20,182 shares,
respectively, representing in value approximately 27.0% of the base salary.
One-third of the options granted on April 1, 1998, vested immediately and the
remaining two-thirds vest in equal increments over the next two years.
These options are for a term of 10 years and are exercisable at $6.69 per
share, the average of the high and low sales price of the Company's Common Stock
on the date of grant. The options will terminate upon the executive's
termination of employment, except in the event of death, disability, and certain
involuntary termination, in which case the options continue to be exercisable
for a certain period after termination of employment. Accordingly, the extent to
which these options appreciate in value depends upon the executive's continued
employment with the Company and the Company's continued performance.
In addition to the above, Messrs. Walters, Owens, and McLean were awarded
options to purchase 7,500, 6,500 and 6,000 shares, respectively, in April 1997
as special grants. These options were also for a term of 10 years, are
exercisable at a price of $5.18 per share, and vested 100% immediately. All of
the above options terminate upon the termination of the individual officer's
employment, except under certain circumstances as described above. The
compensation for the Company's other executive officer, Mr. Mark Roland, is
based 50% on the achievement of business unit performance goals and 50% on the
same Company performance goals that determine the compensation of Messrs.
Walters, Owens, and McLean.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code prohibits publicly-held
corporations from deducting as an expense for tax purposes the amount by which
compensation paid to certain executives exceeds $1,000,000. Certain types of
incentive compensation are excepted from this prohibition. While the current
compensation levels of the Company's executives are well below this limit, the
committees intend to consider the effects of Section 162(m) in determining
whether any of the committee's policies, or any of the Company's compensation
plans, should be changed to avoid payment of nondeductible compensation.
COMPENSATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mr. Walters' compensation for fiscal 1998 was determined in the manner and
in accordance with the policies described above. As a result, Mr. Walters'
compensation increased for the first time in the last three fiscal years,
reflecting the financial performance of the Company during this period.
During fiscal 1998, the Company and other companies in the consumer
financial services industry continued to be affected by increased industry
competition and higher loan losses. The operating environment and the Company's
efforts to combat these negative trends appeared to improve during the latter
part of fiscal 1998 as loan losses dropped to the lowest level in several years
and the Company reported record quarterly earnings during the fourth quarter of
fiscal 1998. These factors resulted in net income in fiscal 1998 approximately
equal to that in fiscal 1997. Notwithstanding the lack of earnings growth, the
Company performed very well in a difficult lending environment.
10
<PAGE>
During fiscal 1998, the Company earned $8.1 million, representing an 7.2%
return on average assets and a 19.1% return on average equity. During the last
three fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, 1997, and 1998, Mr. Walters has
overseen increases in the Company's office network of 38, 54, and 24 net new
offices, respectively; and in gross loans receivable, the Company's primary
earning assets, of 12%, 14%, and 15%, respectively. Based on these factors, the
committees continue to believe that Mr. Walters' compensation as Chief Executive
Officer appropriately reflects the Company's short-term and long-term
performance.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE
James R. Gilreath James R. Gilreath
William S. Hummers, III William S. Hummers, III
Charles D. Way Charles D. Way
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During fiscal 1998, Messrs. Gilreath, Hummers, and Way served as members
of the Compensation Committee and the Stock Option Committee. Mr. Gilreath is a
member of the law firm of James R. Gilreath, P.A., which, since 1989, has served
and will continue to serve as counsel to the Company.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE. The following table sets forth certain
information with respect to compensation paid or accrued by the Company during
the fiscal years ended March 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 with respect to the chief
executive officer of the Company and the three other executive officers of the
Company whose salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 in the fiscal year ended March
31, 1998. Mr. Owens and Mr. Roland became executive officers of the Company
during fiscal 1996.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Long-Term
Annual Compensation Compensation Award
-------------------------------------- ------------------
Other Annual Securities Underlying All Other
Name and Principal Position Year Salary($) Bonus($) Compensation($) Options (#) (1) (2)Compensation($)
Charles D. Walters 1998 222,000 138,750 (3) 40,276 43,423(4)
Chairman and Chief 1997 210,000 68,250 (3) 84,076 50,362(5)
Executive Officer 1996 210,000 120,750 (3) 130,674 34,423(6)
R. Harold Owens 1998 173,250 100,485 (3) 31,082 4,071(7)
President and Chief 1997 157,500 46,463 (3) 73,854 85,535(8)
Operating Officer 1996 114,808 71,250 - 75,000 50,000(9)
A. Alexander McLean, III 1998 150,150 75,075 (3) 27,304 4,750(7)
Executive Vice President 1997 136,500 35,490 (3) 58,847 5,124(7)
and Chief Financial
Officer 1996 130,000 59,800 (3) 81,018 2,540(7)
Mark C. Roland 1998 107,625 45,000 (3) 17,000 1,375(7)
Senior Vice President 1997 102,083 22,038 (3) 15,000 -
Eastern Division 1996 24,680 5,000 (3) 15,000 12,000(10)
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE>
(1) Amounts do not include options with respect to 29,840, 23,287, and 20,182
Shares that were granted on April 1, 1998 to Messrs. Walters, Owens, and
McLean, respectively, for fiscal 1998.
(2) All option amounts have been adjusted to reflect the three-for-one stock
split that was made on August 31, 1995.
(3) Certain amounts may have been expended by the Company which may have had
value as a personal benefit to the named officer. However, the total value
of such benefits did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the annual
salary and bonus of such named officer for the fiscal year reported.
(4) Includes $4,750 in Company matching contributions under the Company's
401(k) plan and $38,673 representing the assumed present value of the
non-term portion of premium payments made on behalf of Mr. Walters by the
Company to purchase split-dollar insurance covering Mr. Walters's life,
assuming repayment of such amount by Mr. Walters upon retirement at age 65
at an interest rate of 8% per annum.
(5) Includes $5,275 in Company matching contributions under the Company's
401(k) plan and $45,087 representing the assumed present value of the
non-term portion of premium payments made on behalf of Mr. Walters by the
Company to purchase split-dollar insurance covering Mr. Walters' life,
assuming repayment of such amount by Mr. Walters upon retirement at age 65
at an interest rate of 8% per annum.
(6) Includes $2,841 in Company matching contributions under the Company's
401(k) plan and $31,582 representing the assumed present value of the
non-term portion of premium payments made on behalf of Mr. Walters by the
Company to purchase split-dollar insurance covering Mr. Walters's life,
assuming repayment of such amount by Mr. Walters upon retirement at age 65
at an interest rate of 8% per annum.
(7) Amount represents Company matching contributions under the Company's
401(k) plan.
(8) Includes $3,605 in Company matching contributions under the Company's
401(k) plan and $81,930 in relocation-related special bonuses.
(9) Amount represents special bonus paid to Mr. Owens in connection with his
employment by the Company in June 1995.
(10) Amount represents special bonus paid to Mr. Roland in connection with his
employment by the Company in January 1996.
12
<PAGE>
OPTION GRANTS TABLE. The following table sets forth information with
respect to options granted during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 to the
named officers.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR (1)
Individual Grants
-----------------
% of Total Potential Realized
Number of Options Value at Assumed
Securities Granted to Annual Rates of Stock
Underlying Employees Exercise or Price Appreciation for
Options in Fiscal Base Price Expiration Option Term (2)
Name Granted (#) Year (%) ($/Sh)(1) Date 5% ($) 10% ($)
- ---- ----------- -------- --------- ---- ------ -------
Charles D. Walters........... 32,776 8.48 5.41 4/1/06 111,514 282,599
7,500 1.94 5.18 7/18/06 24,433 61,917
------ -------- ----------
40,276 135,947 344,516
R. Harold Owens.............. 24,582 6.36 5.41 4/1/06 83,636 211,950
6,500 1.68 5.18 7/18/06 21,175 53,661
------ -------- ----------
31,082 104,811 265,611
A. Alexander McLean, III..... 21,304 5.51 5.41 4/1/06 72,483 183,686
6,000 1.55 5.18 7/18/06 19,546 49,534
------ -------- ----------
27,304 92,029 233,220
Mark C. Roland............... 15,000 3.88 5.19 10/25/06 48,959 124,073
</TABLE>
(1) All Options shown in this table were granted under the Company's 1992
Stock Option Plan and 1994 Stock Option Plan at the fair market value of
the Shares on the date of grant (defined as the average of the high and
low sale prices of the Shares as quoted on the NASDAQ National Market
System). As of June 19, 1998, the Company has granted options covering
1,410,500 shares under the 1992 Stock Option Plan and 1,441,731 shares
under the 1994 Stock Option Plan to approximately 237 employees,
including the named officers, and to its outside directors.
(2) These amounts represent only certain assumed rates of appreciation.
Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises and common stock holding
cannot be predicted, and there can be no assurance that the gains set
forth in the table can be achieved. No gains to the option holders are
possible without increases in the price of the Shares, which will benefit
all shareholders.
OPTION YEAR-END VALUE TABLE. The following table sets forth information
with respect to unexercised options held as of March 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
Number of Securities Underlying Value of Unexercised In-the-Money
Unexercised Options at FY-End (#) Options at FY-End ($) (1)
--------------------------------- -------------------------
Name Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
Charles D. Walters ............... 443,047 81,819 310,761 13,274
R. Harold Owens ............... 129,704 73,519 30,126 13,244
A. Alexander McLean, III ............... 304,795 62,556 190,896 8,628
Mark C. Roland ............... 11,000 36,000 2,890 21,525
</TABLE>
13
<PAGE>
(1) The fair market value used for computations in this column was $6.625,
which was the last sales price of the shares on March 31, 1998.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. The Company maintains employment agreements with
Messrs. Walters, Owens, and McLean. With respect to Walters and McLean, these
agreements expire on April 1, 2001, and Mr. Owens' agreement expires on June 26,
1998. The terms of these agreements are three years and provide for current
annual base salaries of not less than $222,000, $173,250, and $150,150, for
Messrs. Walters, Owens, and McLean, respectively, as determined by the
Compensation Committee. These salaries are subject to annual increases as
determined by the Compensation Committee. In addition, the agreements provide
for the payment of annual cash incentive payments in accordance with the terms
of the Company's Executive Incentive Plan, based on the Company's achievements
of certain pre-established performance criteria. For fiscal 1998, the
performance criteria related to achievement of a certain level of earnings per
common share, a certain amount of growth in loans receivable, and the control of
general and administrative expenses within certain limits.
The agreements also provide for the payment of long-term incentive awards
in accordance with the Company's Strategic Incentive Plan. Long-term incentive
compensation is awarded under this plan based on the Company's achievement of
certain performance goals over a three-year period. At the beginning of each
three-year performance period, the Compensation Committee will establish
appropriate criteria for making such payments following the end of such
three-year performance period. Long-term incentive awards, at the discretion of
the Compensation Committee and subject to the approval of the Stock Option
Committee, may be paid in the form of restricted stock or stock options granted
under the Company's stock option plans. The intent of such long-term incentive
compensation awards is to motivate the achievement of longer range and strategic
goals. The current performance criteria for the long-term incentive awards
relate to earnings per share, growth in loans receivable, and return on average
equity.
Under the agreements with Messrs. Walters and McLean, the Company has
agreed to provide each with long-term disability insurance benefits equal to 60%
of such executive's base salary at the time of disability, and Mr. Walters'
agreement requires the Company to provide at least $2,000,000 in life insurance
coverage payable to Mr. Walters' designated beneficiary in the event of his
death. These agreements also provide for severance payments and the continuation
of certain benefits if either executive is terminated without cause or
constructively discharged (as defined in the agreements). In the event of such
termination without cause or constructive discharge, including any such
termination of discharge that occurs within one year after a change of control
of the Company, the executive is entitled to receive (i) severance pay equal to
100% of such executive's base salary at the time of termination or change of
control, as the case may be, for the longer of 24 months or the remaining term
of the employment agreement, (ii) the continuation of all other prerequisites
and benefits available under the agreement for a period of 24 months from the
date of termination, and (iii) annual incentive compensation payments prorated
to the date of termination.
Messrs. Walters, Owens, and McLean have agreed not to compete with the
Company during the term of their employment and for two years thereafter.
14
<PAGE>
APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, has approved
the selection of the firm KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent public
accountants to examine the books of the Company and its subsidiaries for the
current year, to report on the consolidated balance sheet and related statement
of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, and to perform such other
appropriate accounting services as may be required by the Board. The Board
recommends that the shareholders vote in favor of ratifying and approving the
selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP for the purposes set forth above. The Company
has been advised by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP that the firm did not have any direct
financial interest or any material indirect financial interest in the Company
and its subsidiaries during the Company's most recent fiscal year.
Representatives of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP are expected to be present at the
Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire, and they are
expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Approval of the proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of
the Shares voted on the proposal. Should the shareholders vote negatively, the
Board of Directors will consider a change in auditors for the next year.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR RATIFYING THE SELECTION OF
KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP AS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS TO AUDIT THE BOOKS OF
THE COMPANY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE CURRENT YEAR.
PROPOSALS FOR 1999 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Shareholders who intend to present proposals for consideration at next
year's annual meeting are advised that any such proposal must be received by the
Secretary of the Company no later than the close of business on March 3, 1999,
if such proposal is to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and
form of proxy relating to that meeting.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board and officers are not aware of any other matters that may be
presented for action at the Meeting, but if other matters do properly come
before the Meeting, it is intended that Shares represented by proxies in the
accompanying form will be voted by the persons named in the proxy in accordance
with their best judgement.
You are cordially invited to attend this year's Meeting. However, whether
you plan to attend the Meeting or not, you are respectfully urged to sign and
return the enclosed proxy, which will, of course, be returned to you at the
Meeting if you are present and so request.
/s/ Charles D. Walters
CHARLES D WALTERS
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
July 1, 1998
15
<PAGE>
(Logo) World Acceptance Corporation
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
AND
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING
OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON
AUGUST 4, 1998
<PAGE>
*******************************************************************************
APPENDIX
REVOCABLE WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
PROXY ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
to be held on August 4, 1998
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors.
The undersigned hereby appoints A. Alexander McLean, III and Jeffrey W.
Ohly as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby
authorizes each of them to represent and to vote, as designated below, all the
shares of common stock of WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION (the "Company") held of
record by the undersigned on June 19, 1998 at the annual meeting of
shareholders to be held on August 4, 1998 or any adjournment thereof.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS [ ] FOR all nominees listed below [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
(except as marked to the contrary below) to vote for all nominees listed below
</TABLE>
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, strike
a line through the nominee's name in the list below.)
Charles D. Walters; R. Harold Owens; A. Alexander McLean, III;
James R. Gilreath; William S. Hummers, III;
Charles D. Way; and Ken R. Bramlett, Jr.
2. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' SELECTION OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK
LLP as the Company's independent public accountants
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting.
Please sign and date on the reverse side and return in the enclosed
postage-prepaid envelope.
<PAGE>
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH PROPOSAL AND THE
ELECTION OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES NAMED HEREIN, AND THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR EACH PROPOSAL AND FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES NAMED HEREIN
UNLESS THE SHAREHOLDER DIRECTS OTHERWISE, IN WHICH CASE IT WILL BE VOTED AS
DIRECTED.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting and
Proxy Statement dated July 1, 1998, and revokes all proxies heretofore given by
the undersigned.
Please sign exactly as name appears below. When shares are held by joint
tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, as executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a
corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other
authorized officer. If a partnership please sign in partnership name by
authorized person.
DATED:------------------------ , 1998
--------------------------------
Signature
--------------------------------
Signature if held jointly
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY
USING THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE
