UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12

Conn’s, Inc.


(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

N/A


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CONN’S, INC.

3295 College StreetSt.

Beaumont, TexasTX 77701

(409) 832-1696409-832-1696

NOTICE OF 20042012 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held June 3, 2004May 30, 2012

To the Stockholders of Conn’s, Inc.:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 20042012 annual meeting of stockholders of Conn’s, Inc. will be held on Thursday, June 3, 2004,Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, commencing at 10:11:00 a.m.A.M., local time, for the following purposes:

 

 1.

to elect twoseven (7) directors nominated by our board of directors;

 

 2.

to consider a proposal to approve an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to allowincrease the number of authorized shares of our board of directorscommon stock from 40 million (40,000,000) to determine the size of the board of directors and to remove the provisions providing for a classified board of directors;fifty million (50,000,000);

 

 3.

to consider a proposal to approve an amendment to the Conn’s, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan to provide for a maximum number of sharesCompensation Award Agreement with respect to which options may be granted during a specified period to any single employee and to grant the chief executive officer the authority to grant options to non-executive officers; andTheodore M. Wright, our Chief Executive Officer;

 

 4.

to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2013;

5.

to hold an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers; and

6.

to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

A copy of the proxy statement relating to the 2004 annual meeting of stockholders, in which the foregoing matters are described in more detail, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K outlining our operations for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004, accompanies this notice of 2004 annual meeting of stockholders.

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 20042, 2012, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the 20042012 annual meeting of stockholders or any postponement or adjournment thereof. A list of such stockholders, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of and the number of shares registered in the name of each such stockholder, will be available for examination by any stockholder for any purpose relating to the meeting during ordinary business hours for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting at theour principal offices of the company located at 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.

Your vote is important. WhetherWe are pleased to take advantage of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rule that allows companies to furnish proxy materials to their stockholders over the Internet. As a result, we are mailing to our stockholders, other than those who previously requested electronic or not you expectpaper delivery of the proxy materials, aNotice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012, on or about April 20, 2012. The Notice contains instructions on how to be present ataccess those documents over the meeting, please complete, sign, dateInternet. The Notice also contains instructions on how to request a paper copy of our proxy materials, including this proxy statement, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 and return promptly the encloseda form of proxy card or voting instruction card.

The vote of each stockholder is important. You may vote your shares via a toll-free telephone number or over the Internet. If you received a proxy card or voting instruction card by mail, you may submit your proxy card or voting instruction card by completing, signing, dating and mailing your proxy card or voting instruction card in the enclosed pre-addressed, postage-paid return envelope.envelope provided. Any stockholder attending the meeting may vote in person, even if you have already returned a proxy card or voting instruction card.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

/s/ David R. Atnip

DAVID R. ATNIPSydney K. Boone, Jr.

SYDNEY K. BOONE, JR.

Corporate Secretary

April 30, 200420, 2012

Beaumont, Texas

This proxy statement is first being mailed to our stockholders on or about April 30, 2004.


[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]

PROXY STATEMENT

20042012 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Date:  June 3, 2004

May 30, 2012

Time:  10:

11:00 a.m.A.M., local time

Location:  

Conn’s, Inc., 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701

Record Date and Number

of Votes:

  

April 15, 2004.2, 2012. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock they
owned as of the close of business on April 15, 2004.2, 2012. You may not cumulate votes.

Agenda:  

1.

to elect twoseven (7) directors nominated by our board of directors;

2.

to consider a proposal to approve an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to allowincrease the number of authorized shares of our board of directorscommon stock from forty million (40,000,000) to determine the size of the board of directors and to remove the provision providing for a classified board of directors;
fifty million (50,000,000);

3.

to consider a proposal to approve an amendmentIncentive Compensation Award Agreement with Theodore M. Wright, our Chief Executive Officer

4.      a proposal to ratify the Conn’s, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option PlanAudit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2013;

5.      to provide for a maximum numberhold an advisory vote to approve the compensation of shares with respect to which options may be granted during a specified period to any single employee and to grant the chiefour named executive officer the authority to grant options to non-executive officers; and

4.

6.      to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Proxies:  

Unless you tell us on the enclosed form of proxy to vote differently, wethe named proxies will vote signed returned proxies
“FOR”proxies:

1.      “FOR” the board’s nominees,election of the seven (7) directors nominated by the board of directors and named in this proxy statement;

2.      “FOR” approval of the proposal to approve an amendment to our certificate of incorporation and
“FOR” approvalto increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock from forty million (40,000,000) to fifty million (50,000,000);

3.      “FOR” the proposal to approve an Incentive Compensation Award Agreement with Theodore M. Wright, our Chief Executive Officer

4.      “FOR” the ratification of the amendment toappointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our incentive stock option plan.independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2013; and

5.      “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers.

         The proxy holders will use their
discretion on other matters. If a nominee for the board of directors cannot or will not serve as a director, the proxy holders will vote for
a person whom they believe will carry on our present policies.

Proxies

Solicited By:

The board of directors

Proxies Solicited By:The Board of Directors
First MailingDistribution Date:  We

The Notice or the proxy materials, including this proxy statement, proxy card or voting instruction card and our Annual Report on Form 10-K, are first mailing this Proxy Statementbeing distributed and the form of proxymade available on or about April 30, 2004.20, 2012.

Revoking Your Proxy:  

You may revoke your proxy before it is voted at the meeting. To revoke your proxy, follow the procedures
listed beginning on page 21 under “General Information Regarding the 20042012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders;
Revocation of Proxies. Can I revoke or change my vote?

PLEASE VOTE BY RETURNING YOUR PROXY. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE PROMPTLY.

Prompt return of your proxy will help reduce the costs of resolicitation.re-solicitation.


Table of Contents

 

   Page

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE 20042012 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

  1

QuorumWhat constitutes a quorum? What is the Record Date? How many shares are outstanding?

 1

Votes Required to Approve ProposalsWhat matters will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?

 1

Record Date, Shares Outstanding and NumberHow does the board of Votesdirectors recommend that I vote?

 1

Method of Counting Votes, Abstentions and Broker Non-VotesWhat vote is required to approve the proposals?

 1

HowWho is entitled to vote at the Proxies Will Be VotedAnnual Meeting?

 2

Revocation of ProxiesWhat will happen if I do not specify how my shares are to be voted, but do submit a proxy?

 2

Stockholder Proposals and Other BusinessWhat will happen if I do not vote my shares?

 2

Solicitation of ProxiesHow do I vote and what are the voting deadlines?

 3

Annual ReportCan I revoke or change my vote?

 3

What is the effect of a broker non-vote?

3

Who will count the votes?

4

How will the Stephens Inc. shares owned be voted?

4

How are Stockholder Proposals included in the proposals submitted to Stockholders for voting? How is any Other Business voted on by stockholders?

4

Who is paying the cost of solicitation of proxies?

4

Do we provide for Electronic Delivery of Proxy Materials?

4

How can I find the result of the voting at the annual meeting?

5

PROPOSALS FOR STOCKHOLDER ACTION

  46

PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

6

Number of Directors to be Elected

6

Board Nominees

6

PROPOSAL TWO: APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

  48

General

  48

Proposed Amendment

  48

Purpose of Proposed Amendment

  58

Effect of Proposed Amendment

  58

PROPOSAL TWO: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

6

Number of Directors To Be Elected

6

Board Nominees

6

PROPOSAL THREE: APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED 2003AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLANCOMPENSATION AWARD AGREEMENT WITH THEODORE M. WRIGHT, OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

  7

General Description of the Plan

7

Administration

7

Amendment

7

Proposed Amendment to the Plan

7

Purpose of the Amendment

8

Tax Effects of Participation in the Plan

8

Options Granted Under the Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan

9

Equity Compensation Plan Information Prior to Stockholder Approval of the Amendment to the Plan

 10

BOARD OF DIRECTORSGeneral

10

Code Section 162(m)

10

Summary of Proposed Award Agreement

10

Purpose of Agreement

 11

Board NomineesNew Plan Benefits

 11

Continuing DirectorsOther Compensation

 11

Board CompositionPROPOSAL FOUR: RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 12

Board MeetingsPROPOSAL FIVE: ADVISORY VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

  1213

i


Page

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

14

Existing Board of Directors and Board of Director Nominees for 2012 and 2013

14

Nomination Policies and Procedures

16

Independent Board Composition

17

Board Meetings

18

Policy Regarding Director Attendance at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders

  1218

Committees of the Board

  1218

Nominating PoliciesCOMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

  1321

Compensation of DirectorsOverview

  1421

Indemnification ArrangementsObjectives/Reward

  1422

Determining Compensation

23

Elements of Compensation

24

Annual Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

27

Employment Agreements

27

Stock Ownership Guidelines for our Named Executive Officers

27

Other Compensation

28

Compensation for the Named Executive Officers in Fiscal 2012

28

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

29

Compensation Tables

30

Executive Severance Agreements

33

Compensation of Non-Employee Directors

34

Stock Ownership Guidelines for our Non-Employee Directors

35

Indemnification Arrangements

36

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

37

Code of Ethics

37

Separation of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

37

Risk Oversight

37

Stockholder Communications with the Board

  1538

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

  1639

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORTThe Committee

  1739

PERFORMANCE GRAPHReview and Discussion

  1939

EXECUTIVE OFFICERSRecommendation

  2039

Biographical InformationPERFORMANCE GRAPH

  2040

Code of EthicsEXECUTIVE OFFICERS

  2141

Executive CompensationBiographical Information

  2141

Employment AgreementsEquity Incentive Plans

  2243

Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

22

Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option Values

22

Employee Equity Incentive Plans

22

STOCK OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

  2345

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

  2648

ii


Page

Review and Approval of Related Person Transactions

48

Related Party as Provider of Printing Services

48

Related Party as Financial Advisor

48

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

28

INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

28

APPENDIX A - AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

   49

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

49

STOCKHOLDERS SHARING THE SAME LAST NAME AND ADDRESS

49

APPENDIX A – INCENTIVE COMPENSATION AWARD AGREEMENT

A-1

 

i

iii


GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE 20042012 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

QuorumWhat constitutes a quorum? What is the Record Date? How many shares are outstanding?

The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the 20042012 annual meeting of stockholders, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the meeting. However, if a quorum is not present or represented at the meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, have the power to adjourn the meeting, without notice, other than by announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or represented. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the original meeting.

On April 2, 2012, Record Date, there were 32,281,495 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, meaning that 16,140,748 shares of our common stock must be present in person or by proxy to have a quorum.

Votes Required to Approve ProposalsWhat matters will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?

The following matters will be voted on at the Annual Meeting:

1.

to elect seven (7) directors nominated by our board of directors;

2.

to consider a proposal to approve an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock from forty million (40,000,000 to fifty million (50,000,000);

3.

a proposal to approve an Incentive Compensation Award Agreement with Theodore M. Wright, our Chief Executive Officer

4.

a proposal to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2013;

5.

an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers; and

6.

such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

How does the board of directors recommend that I vote?

The board of directors recommends that you vote:

1.

FOR the election of the seven (7) directors nominated by the board of directors and named in this proxy statement;

2.

FOR the proposal to approve an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock from forty million (40,000,000) to fifty million (50,000,000);

3.

FOR the proposal to approve an Incentive Compensation Award Agreement with Theodore M. Wright, our Chief Executive Officer

4.

FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2013; and

5.

FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers.

What vote is required to approve the proposals?

Provided a quorum exists, the following votes are required for each Proposal:

Proposal OneTo be elected, directorseach director must receive aplurality of the shares voting in person or by proxy, provided a quorum exists.proxy. A plurality means receiving the largest number of votes, regardless of whether that is a majority. The

Proposal Two – An affirmative vote of amajority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote is necessary to approve the amendment to our certificate of incorporation requiresto increase the number of shares of capital stock which the company shall have authority to issue to be 51 million

1


(51,000,000) shares of stock, of which fifty million (50,000,000) shares are Common Stock, par value of $0.01 per share, and one million (1,000,000) shares are Preferred Stock.

Proposal Three – An affirmative vote of the holdersamajority of at least 75% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote. The amendment to our incentive stock option plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote that are present, in person or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote at the meeting.meeting is required to approve the proposal to approve an Incentive Compensation Award Agreement with Theodore M. Wright, our Chief Executive Officer.

Proposal Four – An affirmative vote of amajorityof shares present, in person or proxy, and entitled to vote at the meeting is required to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2013.

Proposal Five – An affirmative vote of amajority of the shares present, in person or proxy, and entitled to vote at the meeting is required to give advisory (non-binding) approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the board of directors or on us; however, the board of directors and we will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding executive compensation.

Record Date, Shares Outstanding and Number of VotesWho is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on the Record Date, April 15, 2004, the record date set for the meeting by our board,2, 2012, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournments of the meeting. On the record date, there were 23,151,799 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote per share.

MethodWhat will happen if I do not specify how my shares are to be voted, but do submit a proxy?

Stockholders of Counting Votes, AbstentionsRecord. If you are a stockholder of record and Broker Non-Votesyou submit a proxy, but you do not provide voting instructions, your shares will be voted:

 

Votes cast by proxy or in person will be counted by the inspector of election appointed by the company.

Those who fail to return a proxy or who do not attend the meeting will not count towards determining any required quorum, plurality or majority of votes cast. Stockholders and brokers returning proxies or attending the meeting who abstain from voting onFOR the election of the seven (7) directors nominated by our board of directors and named in this proxy statement.

FOR approval of the amendment to our certificate of incorporation orto increase the number of shares of capital stock which the company shall have authority to issue to be 51 million (51,000,000) shares of stock, of which fifty million (50,000,000) shares are Common Stock, par value of $0.01 per share, and one million (1,000,000) shares are Preferred Stock

FOR approval of the amendment toIncentive Compensation Award Agreement with Theodore M. Wright, our incentive stock option plan will count towards determining a quorum. Such abstentions will have no effect onChief Executive Officer;

FOR the electionratification of the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our directors orindependent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2013.

FOR advisory approval of the amendmentcompensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement.

Beneficial Owners. If you are a beneficial owner and you do not provide voting instructions to our incentive stock option plan, butthe broker or other nominee that holds your shares, the broker or other nominee will havedetermine if it has the discretionary authority to vote on a particular proposal, and may not be able to vote on all proposals presented for a vote at the annual meeting, including Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 5.

What will happen if I do not vote my shares?

Stockholders of Record.If you are the stockholder of record and you do not vote by proxy card, by telephone, by the internet or in person at the annual meeting, your shares will not be voted at the annual meeting. For proposals One, Three, Four and Five, failure to vote will not affect the outcome of the proposal. However, for Proposal Two, the failure to vote has the same effect as voting against the proposal.

2


Beneficial Owners.If you are the beneficial owner of shares, your broker or nominee may vote your shares only on those proposals on which it has discretion to vote, which does not include non-routine matters, including Proposals 1, 2, 3, and 5.

How do I vote and what are the voting deadlines?

Stockholders of Record.If you are a nostockholder of record, you may vote on the approvalby any of the amendment to our certificate of incorporation.following methods:

 

Brokers holdingBy Mail.You may submit your vote by completing, signing and dating your proxy card received and returning it in the prepaid envelope so that it is received no later than May 29, 2012.

By Internet or Telephone.You may vote your shares by Internet or telephone, by following the instructions in your Notice. If you vote by Internet or telephone, you should not return your proxy card. These votes must be received by 11:59 P.M., Eastern Time, on May 29, 2012.

In person at the annual meeting.You may vote your shares in person at the annual meeting. Proxy cards will be available for you at the meeting, or you may bring the one provided you, and deliver the completed and executed card to the inspector of record for customers generallyelection at the annual meeting.

Beneficial Owners.If you are not entitled to vote on certain matters unless theya beneficial owner of your shares, you should receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or voting instructions from the broker or nominee holding your shares. You should follow the instructions provided to you by your broker in order to properly advise them of your voting instructions. Shares held beneficially may be voted at the annual meeting only if you obtain a legal proxy from your broker or nominee giving you the right to vote, and presenting that legal proxy together with your vote to the inspector of election at the annual meeting.

Can I revoke or change my vote?

Stockholders of Record.If you are a stockholder of record, you may revoke your vote at any time before the final vote at the annual meeting by:

signing and returning a new proxy card at a later date;

submitting a vote by telephone or the Internet at a later date;

attending the annual meeting and voting in person again; or

delivering a written revocation to our Corporate Secretary at the address provided to you in this proxy statement or toBroadridge Financial Services, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717, Attn: Vote Processing.

Beneficial Owners.If you are the beneficial owner of your shares, you must contact your broker or nominee holding your shares, and follow their customers. instructions for revocation or changing your vote.

Your attendance at the annual meeting will not automatically revoke your proxy unless you vote again at the annual meeting.

What is the effect of a broker non-vote?

Brokers are permittedor other nominees who hold shares of our common stock for a beneficial owner have the discretion to vote on routine non-controversial proposals in instances wherewhen they have not received voting directions from the beneficial owner at least ten days prior to the annual meeting. If the broker or nominee does not receive voting instructions from the beneficial owner in sufficient time to enable its timely voting of the stock but are not permitted to vote on non-routine matters. In the event that a broker does not receive voting instructions for non-routine matters, a broker may notify us that it lacks voting authority to vote those shares. These “broker non-votes” refer to votes that could have been cast on the matter in question by brokers with respect to uninstructed shares, if the brokers had received their customers’ instructions. The inspector of election will treat broker non-votes as shares that are present and entitled to vote for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. However, for the purpose of determining the outcome of any matter as to which the broker has indicated on the proxy that it does not have discretionary authorityvoting rights to vote thosethe shares for particular proposals, such is treated as a broker non-vote. This broker non-vote will be treated ascounted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists, but

3


will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of votes present in person or represented by proxy and not entitled to vote with respect to that matter (even though those shares are considered entitleda particular proposal. In order to vote for quorum purposes and may be entitled to vote on other matters). Theseminimize the number of broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome ofand to ensure that your voice is heard in the election of directors,we encourage you to provide voting instructions to the organization that holds your shares by carefully following the instructions provided in the Notice.

Who will count the votes?

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has been engaged as our directors orindependent agent to receive and tabulate our stockholder votes, and will act as our independent inspector of election, who will will certify the amendment to our incentive stock option plan, but will haveelection results and perform any other acts required by the same effect as a no vote on the approval of the amendment to our certificate of incorporation.Delaware General Corporation Law.


How will the Proxies Will Be VotedStephens Inc. shares owned be voted?

The enclosed proxies will be voted in accordance with the instructions you place on the form of proxy. Unless you tell us on the form of proxy to vote differently, we will vote signed returned proxies “FOR” the board’s nominees, “FOR” approval of the amendment to our certificate of incorporation and “FOR” approval of the amendment to our incentive stock option plan. The proxy holders will use their discretion on other matters. If a nominee cannot or will not serve as a director, the proxy holders will vote for a person whom they believe will carry on our present policies.

Pursuant to the terms of a voting“voting trust agreementagreement” entered into by Stephens Group, Inc., Stephens Inc. and certain affiliates of Stephens Inc., which collectively own approximately 58.7%23.7% of our common stock, unless the voting trustVoting Trust is revoked or otherwise expires, the trustee of the voting trustVoting Trust must vote the shares of common stock held by the voting trust “FOR” and/or “AGAINST” any proposal or other matter submitted to theour stockholders of the company for approval in the same proportion as the votes cast “FOR” and “AGAINST” such proposal or other matter by all other stockholders, not counting abstentions. Therefore, each proxy received voting “FOR” or “AGAINST” any of the three proposalsproposal will result in a proportionate number of shares held in the voting trustVoting Trust to be voted “FOR” or “AGAINST” a proposal. However, abstentionsFor proposals requiring a selection of a particular choice, the Voting Trust will be voted in the same proportion as the votes cast for each alternative, not counting abstentions. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not impact how the shares in the voting trust are counted.

Revocation of ProxiesHow are Stockholder Proposals included in the proposals submitted to Stockholders for voting? How is any Other Business voted on by stockholders?

You may revoke your proxy before it is voted. Any stockholder returningStockholders have the enclosed form of proxy may revoke such proxy at any time priorright to its exercise by:

delivering a signed proxy, dated later than the original proxy, to our transfer agent, EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., at 150 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, Attention: Therese Collins (please make sure our transfer agent receives your proxy at least two business days prior to the date of the meeting);

delivering a signed, written revocation letter, dated later than the proxy, to our transfer agent, EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., at 150 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, Attention: Therese Collins (please make sure our transfer agent receives your revocation letter at least two business days prior to the date of the meeting); or

attending the meeting and voting in person (attending the meeting alone will not revoke your proxy).

Your last vote is the vote that will be counted.

Stockholder Proposals and Other Business

From time to time, stockholders seek to nominate directors orand present proposals for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy for consideration at an annual meeting of stockholders. To be included in our proxy statement and form of proxy or considered at our next annual meeting, you must timely submit nominations of directors or other proposals, in addition to meeting other legal requirements.requirements within appropriate time periods. We must receive your nominations and/orand proposals for the 2005our 2013 annual meeting for possible consideration at the meeting no earlier than December 20, 2012 and no later than January 4, 200421, 2013, and for possible inclusion in the proxy statement or prior to March 4, 2004 for possible consideration at the meeting.by no later than December 20, 2012. However, if the date of the 20052013 annual meeting changes by more than 30 days from the first anniversary date of this year’s meeting, then we must receive your nominations and/orand proposals within a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials.

materials if you want them included in the proxy statement.

We do not intend to bring any business before the 20042012 annual stockholders meeting other than the matters described in this proxy statement norand we have wenot been informed of any matters or proposals that may be presented at the meeting by others.stockholders. If however, any other business should properly arise and be properly submitted for a vote at the 2012 annual meeting, the persons appointed in the enclosed proxy have discretionary authority to vote in accordance with their best judgment.

SolicitationWho is paying the cost of Proxiessolicitation of proxies?

TheWe will bear the cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the company.proxies. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, solicitation may be made by our directors, officers and employees by other means, including telephone, emaile-mail or in person. No special compensation will be paid to directors, officers or employees for the solicitation of proxies. To solicit proxies, we may also will request the assistance of banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries, and, upon request, will reimburse such organizations or individuals for their reasonable expenses in forwarding the Notice and other soliciting materials to beneficial owners and in obtaining authorization for the execution of proxies.

Annual ReportDo we provide for Electronic Delivery of Proxy Materials?

Pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC, we provide access to the proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we are sending aNotice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, the Notice, to our stockholders owning shares of our common stock as of the Record Date. All stockholders will have

 

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the ability to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice or request to receive a printed set of the proxy materials. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet or to request a printed copy may be found in the Notice. The booklet containingNotice also contains instructions on how to request a paper copy of our proxy materials, including this proxy statement, also contains our annual report to stockholders andAnnual Report on Form 10-K including audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004. The booklet has been mailed2012 and a form of proxy card or voting instruction card. In addition, the Notice will provide stockholders with instructions on how to allrequest to receive proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by e-mail on an ongoing basis. A stockholder’s election to receive proxy materials by mail or electronically by e-mail will remain in effect until the stockholder terminates such election. We encourage stockholders of record asto take advantage of the closeavailability of businessthe proxy materials on April 15, 2004. Any stockholder that has not receivedthe Internet to help reduce the environmental impact of the annual meeting and lower the costs of printing and distributing our proxy materials. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by e-mail, you will receive an e-mail message each successive year with instructions containing a copy oflink to those materials and a link to the proxy voting website.

Our proxy materials are also available on our annual report may obtain a copy, without charge, by writing to uswebsite at 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, Attention: C. William Frank. You may also obtain our SEC filings throughwww.conns.com, atwww.proxyvote.com, and at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.www.sec.gov.

How can I find the result of the voting at the annual meeting?

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the annual meeting. Final results will be published in a current report on Form 8-K or in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2012, to be filed with the SEC within four business days after the annual meeting. The Form 8-K or Form 10-K will be posted on our website atwww.conns.com, under “Investor Relations”.

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PROPOSALS FOR STOCKHOLDER ACTION

PROPOSAL ONE:

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Number of Directors to be Elected

Our board is currently constituted with ten director positions, seven (7) of which positions are to be elected at the 2012 annual meeting of stockholders. We currently intend to leave three (3) vacant board position in place to allow the board time to determine viable and qualified candidates to fill one or all of those positions. The seven (7) directors elected at the annual meeting will hold office until the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors have been elected and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal. You may not vote for a greater number of directors than those nominated.

Criteria for Nomination to the Board of Directors.Those persons nominated to our board of directors are selected by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in accordance with the Committee’s charter, our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, and the criteria determined by the board for our director candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our board of directors in considering the nomination of the directors identified below to serve until the 2013 annual meeting, sought and considered individuals with strong personal reputations and experience in business and other areas that are relevant and important to the financing, strategy and operations of the company, as well as financial expertise to qualify as a “financial expert” for our Audit Committee. Each nominee for election as a director at this annual meeting of the stockholders of the company holds or has held senior executive positions in organizations providing such background and expertise objectives, and each has the necessary business and financial experience sought by the company in those areas, including strategic and financial planning, public company financing and reporting, compliance, risk management and leadership. Each of the nominated directors also has experience of serving on boards or in senior executive management of publicly held companies or governmental services requiring strong business and leadership acumen and implementation.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considered and believes that each of the nominated individuals to serve as members of the board of directors has valuable personal and business attributes that have and will continue to be valuable to the company in their advice and guidance to the executive members of the company. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee takes into account in its considerations, diversity in range of backgrounds, perspectives and experience of the individuals it recommends for nomination to our board of directors. The specific experience of each nominee considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is detailed in their respective biographies set forth below.

Board Nominees

Our board of directors met in March 2012 and considered the candidates for nomination for election to the board at the 2012 annual meeting of stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the board of directors, consisting of three independent members of the current board of directors, recommended that the full board nominate:

Marvin D. Brailsford

Jon E.M. Jacoby

Bob L. Martin

Douglas H. Martin

David Schofman

Scott L. Thompson

Theodore M. Wright

for election or re-election to the board of directors at the 2012 annual meeting. Other than Mr. Schofman, each of the nominated directors was elected at our 2011 annual meeting and served on the board of directors during fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 and during the current fiscal year through the date of the 2012 annual meeting. Mr. Schofman was nominated by our Nominating and Corporate Governance

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Committee to stand for election to our board of directors at its meeing in March 2012. One of our current directors, William T. Trawick, has elected to not stand for reelection. Mr. Trawick is in process of entering retirement from all active business activities. In making these recommendations, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each of the nominees as described above and the requirements and qualifications discussed under “Board of Directors - Nominating Policies and Procedures” on page 21 of this Proxy Statement. Based on this recommendation, our board of directors has nominated the following individuals to be elected by the stockholders at the 2012 annual meeting:

Name

Position

Age

Director Since

Committee Membership

Marvin D. Brailsford

Independent

Director

73September 2003Audit Committee - Chair

Jon E.M. Jacoby

Independent

Director

74April 2003

Compensation Committee - Chair

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee - Chair

Bob L. Martin

Independent

Director

63September 2003

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Compensation Committee

Douglas H. Martin

Director58September 2003

David Schofman

Independent

Director

40

Scott L. Thompson

Independent

Director

53June 2004Audit Committee (Financial Expert)

Theodore M. Wright

Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President49September 2003

Those identified as “independent director” have been determined by our board to be independent. All nominees have consented to serve as directors. The board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to act as a director. In the event any of these nominated directors is unable to stand for election, the board of directors may either reduce the size of the board or designate a substitute.

For biographical information and the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each that caused the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and our board of directors to determine that the nominees should serve as one of our directors regarding each of the board’s nominees for director, please refer to “Existing Board of Directors and Board of Director Nominees for 2012 and 2013” on page 14 of this Proxy Statement.

We Recommend That You Vote For Each Of The Board Nominees.

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PROPOSAL TWO:

APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

General

Currently, our certificate of incorporation authorizes the number of directorsshares of capital stock which the company shall have authority to issue to be no more than seven41 million (41,000,000) shares of stock, of which forty million (40,000,000) shares are Common Stock, par value of $0.01 per share, and divides our board into three classes of directors who serve three year terms.one million (1,000,000) shares are Preferred Stock. In April 2004,March 2012, our board adopted a proposal to amend our certificate of incorporation to allowincrease the boardnumber of directorsshares of capital stock which the company shall have authority to determine the sizeissue to be 51 million (51,000,000) shares of our boardstock, of directorswhich fifty million (50,000,000) shares are Common Stock, par value of $0.01 per share, and to remove the provisions providing for a classified board,one million (1,000,000) shares are Preferred Stock, subject to stockholder approval of the amendment. Our board has declared the proposed amendment to be advisable and in the best interests of the company and the stockholders.

Proposed Amendment

We propose to amend the first paragraph of ARTICLE FOUR of our certificate of incorporation as follows:

Current Article Ten, Sections B and E of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation will be amended and restated to read as follows:

B. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article FOUR of this Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors, the totalThe aggregate number of directorsshares of capital stock which shall constitute the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be no less than three (3) directors. The numberhave the authority to issue is fifty one million (51,000,000) shares of directorsstock, of which shall constitute the entire Boardfifty million (50,000,000) shares are Common Stock, par value of Directors shall be determined as set forth in the Bylaws of the Corporation. Except with respect to the current terms of directors elected prior to the effective time of the amendment eliminating the classified Board of Directors, who shall serve the remainder of their term, each director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following such director’s election or appointment$0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), and the foregoing notwithstanding, shall serve until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, unless he shall resign, become disqualified, disabled or shall otherwise be removed.”

“C. Subject to the rights of the holders of any one or more series ofmillion (1,000,000) shares are Preferred Stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors. Any director so chosen shall hold office until the next election of directors and until his successor shall be elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.(“Preferred Stock”).

Article Ten, Sections C and D of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, which were provisions that only applied to a classified board, will be removed. Accordingly, Article Ten, Sections F, G and H will become Sections D, E and F, respectively.

The remaining provisions of ARTICLE FOUR and our certificate of incorporation will remain the same and in full force and effect.

Purpose of Proposed Amendment

DeclassificationAs of Board

Our primary purposethe Record Date, the company had 32,281,495 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Additionally the company had 2,504,044 shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the company’s existing Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan, 483,000 shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the company’s existing Amended and Restated 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, 1,135,000 shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company’s 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan for its employees, 300,000 shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company’s 2011 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan, and 1,105,138 shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. If all of the shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to these plans are in originally adopting afact issued, then 37,808,677 shares of the Company’s common stock would be issued and outstanding. The company’s certificate of incorporation with a classifiedcurrently provides that the Company shall have the authority to issue forty million (40,000,000) shares of common stock which will leave only 2,191,323 shares authorized for issuance by the Company for corporate business purposes. The board structure wasof directors has determined that in order to help assure continuity and stability in the management of the business and affairs of the company and thereby enhance the ability ofpermit the company to carry out long-range plans and goalshave sufficient authorized shares of common stock for its benefit and the benefit of its stockholders. However, a classified board structure may discourage hostile attempts to acquire control of our company without first negotiating the acquisition with our board of directors because the extended and staggered terms of directors in a classified board generally operates to delay the acquisition of control of the board by a would-be acquirer for at least a year. During that time, the would-be acquirer would bear the risk of a large investment in a company thatnormal corporate business purposes, it did not control. A classified board may encourage a person seeking control of a corporation to negotiate with the board of directors of that corporation, which negotiations may result in a higher price or more favorable terms for stockholders or may give the board an opportunity to prevent a takeover that it believes is not in the best interests of the stockholders.

The classificationcompany to increase its authorized shares of directors does havecommon stock by ten million (10,000,000) shares to fifty million (50,000,000) shares of authorized common stock. We believe that the effectavailability of making it more difficultauthorized but unissued shares will provide us with the flexibility to issue our common stock for a variety of corporate purposes, including but not limited to, acquisitions, declaring future stock splits and raising equity capital as necessary. We believe that we will benefit by having the additional shares available for such purposes without delay, and the risk of non-approval of this proposal by our stockholders is that we could be prohibited from taking advantage of these opportunities. There are no current plans, arrangements, commitments or understandings with respect to change the compositionissuance of any of the board of directors of the company. Some investors have come to view classified boards as having the effect of insulating directors from being accountable to a corporation’s stockholders. For example, a classified board of directors limits the ability of stockholders to elect all directors on an annual basis rather than waiting up to two additional years to replace some directors. It may also discourage proxy contests in which stockholders have an opportunity to vote for a competing slate of nominees. The election of directors is the primary means for stockholders to influence corporate governance policies and to hold management accountable for its implementation of those policies. A number of major corporations have determined that, regardless of the merits of a classified board in promoting continuity of management and experience and in deterring coercive takeover attempts, principles of good corporate governance dictate that all directors of a corporation be elected annually.

After due consideration of the various issues concerning the declassificationshares of our board,common stock which would be authorized by the boardproposed amendment.

Effect of directors unanimously determinedProposed Amendment

Our stockholders do not have preemptive rights with respect to propose to the stockholders the declassification of the board so that each director would stand for re-election on an annual basis. This determination byour common stock. Thus, should our board of directors is in furtheranceelect to issue additional shares of its goal of ensuring that our corporate governance policies comply with applicable rules and regulations and maximize our accountabilitycommon stock, existing stockholders would not have any preferential rights to our stockholders.

Increase in Number of Directors

One ofpurchase the purposes of the amendment to our certificate of incorporation is to enable us to take timely advantage of the availability of well-qualified candidates forshares. If our board of directors elects to issue additional shares of our common stock, the issuance could have a dilutive effect on the earnings per share, book value per share, voting power and interest of current stockholders.

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If the proposed amendment is approved by our stockholders, the additional shares generally will be available for issuance from time to time by us without further action by the stockholders. Stockholder approval of these issuances may be required by applicable law or regulatory agencies, but in most instances we will have the authority to issue or reserve for issuance additional shares of our common stock without the approval of our stockholders.

The proposal could have an anti-takeover effect, although that is not our intention. For example, if we were the subject of a hostile takeover attempt, we could try to impede the takeover by issuing shares of our common stock, which would dilute the voting power of the other outstanding shares and increase our abilitythe potential cost of the takeover. The availability of this defensive strategy could discourage unsolicited takeover attempts, which would limit the opportunity for stockholders to attract high-quality individuals to serve as directors. Our board of directors has deemed the amendment to berealize a higher price for their shares than is generally available in the best interestspublic markets. We are not aware of our stockholders becauseany attempt, or contemplated attempt, to acquire control of us, and this proposal is not being presented with the intent that it believes that the presencebe used as a type of additional talented individuals with industry experience will enhance our ability to meet the challenges we face in an increasingly competitive market.

Effect of Proposed Amendment

anti-takeover device.

If the proposed amendment is adopted, we intend to immediately file it with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, at which time it will become effective. TheHowever, even if the stockholders approve the proposed amendment will be filed prior to the electionour certificate of directors so that the directors to be elected at the annual meeting will serve one year terms which will expire at the 2005 annual meeting of stockholders. However, the amendment will not impact the current term of the directors which are not expiring at the 2004 annual meeting. After the amendment is filed, the board of directors will have the authority to increase or decrease the size ofincorporation, our board of directors subjectretains discretion under Delaware law not to implement the provisionsproposed amendment. If our board of our certificatedirectors were to exercise such discretion, the number of incorporation and bylaws.

shares of common stock authorized for issuance would remain at forty million (40,000,000).

We Recommend That You Vote For Approval

Of The Amendment To Our Certificate Of Incorporation.

PROPOSAL TWO:

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS9

Number of Directors To Be Elected

Our board is currently constituted with seven director positions. Two directors are to be elected at the 2004 annual meeting of stockholders. If the amendment to our certificate of incorporation is approved at the annual meeting, the two directors elected at the annual meeting will hold office until the 2005 annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors have been elected and qualified. If the amendment to our certificate of incorporation is not approved at the annual meeting, the newly elected directors will hold office until the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors have been elected and qualified.

You may not vote for a greater number of directors than those nominated.

Board Nominees

Our board of directors met in April 2004 and considered the candidates for election to the board at the 2004 annual meeting, and a majority of our independent directors recommended that the board nominate Marvin D. Brailsford and William T. Trawick for re-election at the 2004 annual meeting. In making these recommendations, the independent directors considered the requirements and qualifications discussed under “Board of Directors; Nominating Policies” on page 13 of this proxy statement. Based on this recommendation, our board has nominated Marvin D. Brailsford and William T. Trawick to be elected by the stockholders at the 2004 annual meeting. Both nominees have consented to serve as directors. The board has no reason to believe that either of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to act as a director. In the event either director is unable to stand for election, the board of directors may either reduce the size of the board or designate a substitute.

For biographical information regarding each of the board’s nominees for director, please refer to “General Information Regarding the Company; Board of Directors; Board Nominees” on page 11 of this proxy statement.

We Recommend That You Vote For Each Of The Board Nominees.


PROPOSAL THREE:

APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED 2003AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLANCOMPENSATION AWARD AGREEMENT

WITH THEODORE M. WRIGHT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Effective January 2003,General

In March 2012, our board of directors adopted the Conn’s, Inc. Amendeda proposal, subject to stockholder’s approval, to enter into an Incentive Compensation Award Agreement with Mr. Wright, our Chief Executive Officer and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan. The plan was approved by our stockholders at the January 17, 2003 special meetingPresident (the “Award Agreement”). Approval of the stockholders of Conn Appliances, Inc., our predecessor corporation. The purpose ofAward Agreement will allow the plan isannual incentive bonus payments payable to secure for Conn’s and our stockholders the benefits of the incentives inherent in the ownership of our common stock by our present and future employees.

General Description of the Plan

Under the plan, officers and employees are eligibleMr. Wright thereunder to receive awards in the form of stock options. At January 31, 2004, a total of 1,531,440 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding under the plan, 47,450 outstanding options had been exercised and 980,877 shares are currently available for issuance under the plan. All of the shares authorized for issuance under the plan have been approved by the stockholders and are registered on a Form S-8 filed with the SEC. Copies of the full text of the plan are available for review at our principal offices and we will furnish copies to our stockholders without charge upon written request directed to Conn’s, Inc., 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.

Administration

The plan is administered by our board of directors and thequalify as tax-deductible performance-based compensation committee of our board. Except as provided in the NASD exemptions, the members of the compensation committee must be “non-employee directors” as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and “outside directors” as required under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Our compensation committee currently consistsamended (“Code Section 162(m)”). The amounts previously paid to Mr. Wright may be found under the Summary Compensation Table on page 30.

Code Section 162(m)

Code Section 162(m) places a limit of Jon E.M. Jacoby, Theodore M. Wright and William T. Trawick. Mr. Jacoby is serving$1,000,000 per person on the committeeamount we may deduct in accordance withany one year for compensation paid to its CEO and the applicable NASD exemptions,next three highest compensated officers (other than the Chief Financial Officer). Compensation is exempt from this per-person limit and Messrs. Wright and Trawick are independent directors.

The board ortherefore deductible for tax purposes (even if the $1,000,000 is exceeded) if the compensation committee has discretion in determiningpaid to any of these individuals satisfies the terms, restrictions and conditions of each award grantedfor “qualified performance-based compensation” set forth under the plan. The board or the compensation committee is permitted, in its discretion, to change and/or rescind the terms of any award granted under the plan as long as such change or rescission does not adversely affect the rightsCode Section 162(m). One of the award recipient as stated in the applicable award agreement.

Amendment

The plan may be amended or terminated by the board or the compensation committee at any time. However, an amendment that would impair the rights of a recipient of any outstanding award will not be valid with respect to such award without the recipient’s consent. In addition, our stockholders must approve any amendment to increase the number of authorized shares under the plan, to change employees eligible to participate in the plan, to change the manner in which options are issued or exercised, to extend the term of the plan or to adopt any amendment whichconditions requires stockholder approval under NASD rules.

Proposed Amendment to the Plan

We proposed to amend the plan as follows:

Section 5(a) of the plan will be amended and restated to read as follows:

“(a) This Plan shall be administered by the Board or a Committee appointed by the Board, which Committee shall be constituted to comply with Applicable Laws. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chief Executive Officermaterial terms of the Company shall have the ability to grant Options to non-executive officersperformance goals of the Company under guidelines or formulae approved or adopted by the Committee.”

Section 6(a) of the plan will be amended and restated to read as follows:

“(a) Options may be granted only to Employees. The maximum number of Shares with respect to which Options may be granted during a specified period to any single Employee is 2,559,767.”

The remaining provisions of the plan will remain the same and in full force and effect.

Purpose of the Amendment

One of the purposes of the proposed amendment to the plan is to ensure that compensation related to stock options granted under the plan is considered performance-based compensation that is excluded from the $1 million deduction limit of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and therefore remains fully deductible. Section 162(m) requires that (i) the grant must be made by the compensation committee; (ii) the plan under which the option is granted statescompensation will be paid.

For purposes of Code Section 162(m), the maximum number of shares with respect to which options may be granted during a specified period (usually a fiscal year or a calendar year) to any employee; and (iii) under thematerial terms of the option,performance goals include: (i) the employees eligible to receive compensation under the plan, (ii) a description of the business criteria on which the performance goal is based, and (iii) either the maximum amount of compensation that can be paid to a covered employee under the performance goal or the formula used to calculate the amount of compensation that could be paid if the employee could receiveperformance goal is based solely on an increasesatisfied.

The Award Agreement will not become effective unless stockholder approval is obtained. However, if the stockholders do not approve the Award Agreement, Mr. Wright may still be entitled to such performance-based compensation, but the company may not be entitled to deduct, for federal income tax purposes, all compensatory payments to Mr. Wright.

Nothing in the value of the stock after the date of grant.

The other purpose of the amendment to the plan is to make the administration of the plan more efficient, which will further promote our ability to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide additional incentive to our employees and to promote the success of the Company’s business. Accordingly,following proposal precludes the board of directors unanimously determined to propose to the stockholders the inclusionor its Compensation Committee from making any payment or granting awards that do not qualify for tax deductibility under Code Section 162(m).

Summary of a maximum number of shares with respect to which options may be granted during a specified period to any single employee, and to grant authority to the chief executive officer to grant options to non-executive officers.

Tax Effects of Participation in the PlanProposed Award Agreement

The following is a brief summary of certain federal income tax consequences arisingthe material terms of the Award Agreement. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Award Agreement, which is attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement.

The Award Agreement provides that Mr. Wright will be eligible to receive a cash bonus following the close of the 2013 fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter for which Mr. Wright continues his employment with the company (each such fiscal year, a “Performance Period”).

Within ninety (90) days after the commencement of each Performance Period, the Compensation Committee will establish, in writing, the objective formula for determining the cash bonus for such performance period. The Compensation Committee will use one or more of the following performance measures for this purpose (applied with respect to options granted under the plan. This summary is not intendedcompany or any affiliate or division of the company, as determined by the Compensation Committee): (a) total revenues or any component thereof; (b) operating income, pre- or after-tax income, EBITA, EBITDA or net income; (c) cash flow, free cash flow or net cash from operations; (d) earnings per share; (e) value of the company’s stock or total return to be exhaustivestockholders; and (f) any combination of any or all of the foregoing criteria, in each case on an absolute or relative basis.

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Following the close of each Performance Period, the Compensation Committee will determine whether the applicable performance measures have been attained and the exact tax consequencesamount of the cash bonus, if any, payable to Mr. Wright. Such amount will be paid to Mr. Wright within thirty days of this determination.

Under no circumstances will the participant will depend on various factors and his or her particular circumstances. This summary is based on present laws, regulations and interpretations and does not purport to be a complete description of federal tax consequences. This summary of federal tax consequences may change in the event of a change in the Internal Revenue Code or regulations thereunder or interpretations thereof. We urge participants to consult with a tax advisorcash bonus payable Mr. Wright with respect to any state, local and foreign tax considerations or particular federal tax implications of options granted under the plan priorPerformance Period exceed $1,920,000. No bonus will be payable to taking action with respect to an option. The planMr. Wright for a Performance Period if Mr. Wright is not intended to be a “qualified plan” under Section 401(a)employed by the company on the last day of such performance period.

Purpose of the Internal Revenue Code.Agreement

Mr. Wright is in a position to have a significant impact on the performance of the company. The Award Agreement is intended provide the appropriate level of incentive compensation to Mr. Wright, as determined annually by the Compensation Committee, and to preserve the deductibility of such payments, if and when made to Mr. Wright, for federal income tax purposes.

WithholdingNew Plan Benefits

We may deduct from all amounts paid by usBecause it is within the discretion of the Compensation Committee to determine the participants in cash or other form, any federal, state, or local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such payments. The participant receiving shares of common stock issued under the plan upon the exercise of options will be required to pay usperformance targets and the amount of any taxes which we are requiredannual bonus payable to withhold with respectMr. Wright under the Award Agreement, it is not presently possible to such sharesdetermine the future amounts of common stock.

Incentive Stock Options

The grant or exercise of an incentive stock option will not result in ordinary taxable income to the participant or a tax deduction for us. However, when the option is exercised, the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise will be considered income for the purposes of the alternative minimum tax. Accordingly, the exercise of an incentive stock option may result in an alternative minimum tax liability.

Shares acquiredpayments, if any, payable pursuant to the exerciseAward Agreement.

Other Compensation

The Award Agreement is not exclusive. The company may pay other bonuses and other compensation to Mr. Wright under authority of an incentive stock option ordinarily receive capital gainthe board of directors and applicable law. If the Award Agreement is not approved by shareholders, the company currently contemplates that any cash bonus payable to Mr. Wright in respect of the 2013 fiscal year would be discretionary. Any such bonus then paid would not be deductible under Code Section 162(m) to the extent that (when combined with other non-exempt compensation paid) it exceeds the $1,000,000 limit on non-exempt compensation.

We Recommend That You Vote For

The Incentive Compensation Award Plan Agreement for

Theodore M. Wright, our Chief Executive Officer

11


PROPOSAL FOUR:

RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP served as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012. The Audit Committee of the board of directors has selected Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2013. Our board of directors has further directed that we submit the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by the stockholders at the 2012 annual meeting. Stockholder ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is not required by our Bylaws or loss treatment on their saleotherwise. However, the board is submitting the selection of Ernst & Young LLP to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. The Audit Committee believes it to be in the best interests of our stockholders to retain Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2013. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or other disposition. However,not to retain Ernst & Young LLP. Even if the holder disposesselection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent public accounting firm at any time during the shares acquiredyear if they determine that such a change would be in our best interests and those of our stockholders. The Audit Committee annually reviews the performance of our independent public accountants and the fees charged for their services. The Audit Committee anticipates, from time to time, obtaining competitive proposals from other independent public accounting firms for our annual audit. Based upon the exerciseAudit Committee’s analysis of an incentive stock option within two years after the date of grant or one

year after the date of exercise (a “disqualifying disposition”), the holder will generally recognize ordinary income in the amount of the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date the option was exercised over the exercise price, andthis information, we will be entitleddetermine which independent public accounting firms to a corresponding tax deduction, provided we comply with applicable income tax reporting requirements. Any excessengage to perform our annual audit each year. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will attend the amount realized by the holder on the disqualifying disposition over the fair market value2012 annual meeting of the shares on the date of exercise of the option will generally be a capital gain.

If an option is exercised through the use of shares previously owned by the holder, such exercise generally will not be considered a taxable disposition of the previously owned sharesstockholders and thus no gain or loss will be recognized with respectavailable to those shares upon such exercise.

Non-qualified Stock Options

Some of the options granted under the plan may be non-qualified stock options, that is, options not intendedrespond to be incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.

There are no tax consequences to the participant or us by reason of the grant of a non-qualified stock option. Upon exercise of a non-qualified stock option, the participant normally will recognize taxable ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the stock’s fair market value on the date the non-qualified stock option is exercised over the exercise price of the option. Upon disposition of the stock, the participant will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized as a result of the sale and the sum of the exercise price plus any amount recognized as ordinary income when the non-qualified stock option was exercised or, if later, when the shares subject to the non-qualified stock option are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Such gain or loss will be long-term or short-term depending on whether the stock was held for more than the applicable capital gains holding period.

If we comply with applicable income reporting requirements, we will be entitled to a federal income tax deduction in the same amount and at the same time as the participant recognizes ordinary income, subject to any deduction limitation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which is discussed below.

Section 162(m)

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a public company’s tax deduction for compensation paid in excess of $1 million in any tax year to its chief executive officer, or the individual acting in that capacity, and the four most highly compensated executives. However, compensation that qualifies as “performance-based compensation” is excluded from this $1 million deduction limit and therefore remains fully deductible by the company that pays it. We intend that options granted (i) with an exercise price at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the underlying shares of common stock at the date of grant and (ii) to employees the compensation committee expects to be named executive officers at the time a deduction arises in connection with these options, qualify as “performance-based compensation” so these options will not be subject to the Section 162(m) deduction limitations.

Options Granted Under the Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan

As of January 31, 2004, the closing sale price of our common stock was $16.00 per share, as reported by Nasdaq. The following table sets forth information with respect to options granted to the listed persons and groups under the plan through January 31, 2004.

Name and Principal Position


  

Number Of

Shares

Underlying

Options


  

Grant

Date


  Exercise
Price


  Expiration
Date


Thomas J. Frank, Sr.,

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

  56,500  11/25/03  $14.00  11/24/13

William C. Nylin, Jr.,

President and Chief Operating Officer

  56,500
28,070
  11/25/03
7/15/01
  $
 
14.00
8.21
  11/24/03
7/14/11

C. William Frank,

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

  48,500
29,680
70,000
  11/25/03
7/15/01
7/28/00
  $
 
 
14.00
8.21
8.21
  11/24/13
7/14/11
7/27/10

David W. Trahan,

Senior Vice President-Merchandising

  8,000  11/25/03  $14.00  11/24/13

Walter M. Broussard,

Senior Vice President-Store Operations

  8,000
45,500
  11/25/03
1/25/01
  $
 
14.00
8.21
  11/24/03
1/24/11

All Current Executive Officers, as a Group (8 persons)

  220,000
204,750
94,500
119,000
  11/25/03
7/15/01
1/25/01
7/28/00
  $
 
 
 
14.00
8.21
8.21
8.21
  11/24/13
7/14/11
1/27/10
7/27/10

All Current Directors Who Are Not Executive Officers, as a Group (6 persons)

  240,000  11/25/03  $14.00  11/24/13

All Employees, Including All Current Officers Who Are Not Executive Officers, as a Group (52 persons)

  149,000
244,140
297,500
199,500
  11/25/03
7/15/01
1/25/01
7/28/00
  $
 
 
 
14.00
8.21
8.21
8.21
  11/24/13
7/14/11
1/27/10
7/27/10

Equity Compensation Plan Information Prior to Stockholder Approval of the Amendment to the Plan

The following table provides information about our common stockappropriate questions that may be issued uponasked by stockholders. These representatives will also have an opportunity to make a statement at the exercise of options under all of our existing equity compensation plans as of January 31, 2004.

   (A)  (B)  (C)

Plan Category


  

Number of

Securities to be

Issued upon

Exercise of

Outstanding

Options, Warrants

and Rights


  

Weighted-

Average

Exercise Price

of Outstanding
Options,

Warrants and

Rights


  Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
Column (A))


Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Stockholders

  1,771,440  $10.26  1,040,877

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Stockholders

  —     —    —  

Total

  1,771,440  $10.26  1,040,877

meeting if they desire to do so.

We Recommend That You Vote For Approval Ofthe Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP As Our Independent

The Amendment To The Conn’s, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan.Registered Public Accounting Firm.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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Board NomineesPROPOSAL FIVE:

ADVISORY VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION

OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, enables our stockholders to vote to approve or disapprove, in a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of our named executive officers. At our annual meeting of stockholders held on May 24, 2011, our stockholders recommended in an advisory vote that we hold the advisory vote for approval of the compensation of our named executive officers annually. Our board of directors methas agreed with this advisory vote, and have determined to hold this vote annually.

As described in our “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, beginning on page 21, our compensation program for executives is designed to (i) reward performance that increases our stockholder value, including individual measured goals and objectives, (ii) attract, retain and motivate executives by offering competitive compensation, and (iii) build and encourage ownership of shares of our common stock. Toward these goals, our compensation program has been designed and implemented to reward our executives for strong financial and operating performance and leadership attributes and examples, and to coordinate these criteria with those of our stockholders. These goals are intended to reward our executive officers and encourage their long term commitment to the company. We believe that our compensation programs, consisting of base salary, annual bonus programs tied to the objective success of our company’s financial performance, and an equity incentive compensation program through granting of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units and other equity opportunities, tied to the executive officers performance, retention and motivation, fulfill our objectives. Please read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, beginning on page 21 for a complete discussion of these objectives, the determination of and the elements of compensation and awards for our executive officers, as well as these elements paid and awarded during our fiscal year 2012.

The Compensation Committee of our board of directors in applying these objectives, relied upon:

input and recommendations received from our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer regarding the performance of each executive officer other than the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer, each of whose performance is analyzed by the Compensation Committee, the provided documented support for the attainment by individual executive officers of their respective goals and objectives, and areas of responsibilities and expectations for future performance and goal attainment;

publicly available information with respect to the executive compensation practices of certain public companies in our industry and peer groups;

the analysis and recommendations regarding our compensation programs for our executive officers, of Frederick W. Cook & Co., a compensation consultant that served as an independent advisor; and

the individual members’ of the Compensation Committee knowledge of industry compensation practices and programs.

The vote on this Proposal is advisory, and not binding on us, the Compensation Committee or our board of directors. To the extent there is any significant vote against the named executive officers’ compensation, the Compensation Committee will consider our stockholders’ advisory vote, and evaluate whether, and if so to the extent any actions are necessary to address our named executive officers’ compensation program.

We Recommend That You Vote For The Compensation

Of Our Named Executive Officers.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Existing Board of Directors and Board of Director Nominees For 2012 and 2013:

Theodore M. Wright was elected as our Chief Executive Officer and President effective December 5, 2011, having previously served as our Interim Chief Executive Officer and President from February 27, 2011 until this election. He was elected as Chairman of our board of directors effective December 7, 2010 and has served as a director since September 2003 when the company became a publicly held entity. Mr. Wright served as the President of Sonic Automotive, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange listed and Fortune 300 automotive retailer, from October 2002 until his retirement in April 20042005. Previously Mr. Wright served as its Chief Financial Officer from April 1997 to April 2003. Mr. Wright also served on Sonic Automotive, Inc. board of directors from 1997 through 2004. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Wright was a Senior Manager in Deloitte & Touche LLP’s Columbia, South Carolina office. From 1994 to 1995, he was a Senior Manager in Deloitte & Touche LLP’s National Office of Accounting Research and considered the candidates for election toSEC Services Department. Mr. Wright currently serves on the board at the 2004 annual meeting,of directors of Titan Machinery, Inc., and serves as a majoritymember of its audit committee and its compensation committee. Mr. Wright received a B.A. from Davidson College.

Mr. Wright has extensive accounting knowledge and public company audit committee experience and provides valuable guidance to our board of directors in overseeing financial and accounting aspects of our independent directors recommended thatcompany’s operations. He previously served on the board nominate Marvin D. Brailsfordof directors’ audit committee as its chairman, and William T. Trawick for re-election aton the 2004 annual meeting. Based on this recommendation,board’s compensation committee. In addition, his prior experience as executive of a public company in the retail industry provides additional insights to our board has nominated Marvin D. Brailsfordof directors. His service to our company as our Chief Executive Officer and William T. Trawick to be elected by allPresident provides Mr. Wright with additional and particular knowledge of our stockholders.

company that he brings to our board of directors.

Marvin D. Brailsford has served as a director since September 2003. From 1996 until 2002, General Brailsford served as Vice President-Material Stewardship Project Manager for the U.S. government’s Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site where he was responsible for managing engineered systems and commodities purchasing. From 1992 to 1996, General Brailsford was president of the Brailsford Group, Inc., a management consulting company, and served as president of Metters Industries, Inc., an information technology and systems engineering company, during this time period. In 1992, he retired from the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant General, after 33 years of service, most recently where he served as Deputy Commanding General Materiel Readiness/Executive Director for Conventional Ammunition at the U.S. Materiel Command in Alexandria, Virginia. Since 1996,, General Brailsford has served on the board of directors of Illinois Tool Works, Inc. from 1996 until his resignation in 2011, and has beenwas a member of its audit committee and chairman of its corporate governance and nominating committee. He also serves or has served on the boards of directors of various private and governmental entities. General Brailsford earned a B.S. degree in biology from Prairie View A & M University and a M.S. degree in bacteriology from Iowa State University. He is also a graduate of the Executive Program at the Graduate School of Business Administration, University of California at Berkley; Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government; the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; and the Army War College.

General Brailsford has extensive experience overseeing and evaluating complex operational processes which enhance the analysis of our own internal operations, programs and processes. He is 65 years old.

William T. Trawicka highly respected leader who brings extensive experience from his days serving our country, and extensive board management and corporate governance experience to our board of directors. General Brailsford has served on our Audit Committee for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012, and as a director since September 2003. Since August 2000, he has served as Executive DirectorChairman of NATM Buying Corporation where he oversees the administrative activities of the multi-billion dollar regional group purchasing program of which we are a member. He also functions as a consultant to our merchandising department on an ongoing basis. From September 1996 to July 1999, Mr. Trawick served as our Vice President of Merchandising and was responsible for all product purchasing, merchandising and store operations. Mr. Trawick is 57 years old.

If the amendment to our certificate of incorporation is approved at the annual meeting, these directors will serve one year terms which expire at the 2005 annual meeting of stockholders. If the amendment is not approved, these directors will serve three year terms which expires at the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders.

Continuing Directors

Terms to Expire at 2005 Annual Meeting

Audit Committee from March 23, 2011.

Jon E. M.E.M. Jacobyhas served as a director since April 2003. In September 2006 Mr. Jacoby is a directorwas elected Vice Chairman and Senior Principal of The Stephens Group Inc.LLC, a family-owned investment company, and, its wholly-owned subsidiaryon June 30, 2006, was elected as Executive Vice President of SF Holdings, Inc., formerly known as The Stephens Group, Inc. In September 2003, he retired as a Senior Executive Vice PresidentChairman of Stephens Inc., where he had beenwas employed since 1963. His positions included Investment Analyst, Assistant to the President and Manager of the Corporate Finance Department and the Special Investments Department for Stephens Group, Inc. During the previous five years, Mr. Jacoby servesserved as a director of Stephens Group, Inc. and its then wholly-owned subsidiary Stephens Inc. until 2006, and of Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. until 2007. Mr. Jacoby has also previously served on the board of directors of Delta and Pine Land

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Company, Power-One, Inc., Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. and Eden Bioscience Corporation. He received his B.S. from the University of Notre Dame and his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Mr. Jacoby is 66 years old.

brings to our board of directors expertise in investment and financial analysis through his career and other board experience. His experience in investment valuation and analysis makes him a valuable resource to our board of directors. Additionally, Mr. Jacoby’s relationship with holders of a large number of our company’s shares of stock helps the board of directors to have more direct insight into how its decisions impact our stockholders.

Bob L. Martinhas served as a director since September 2003. Mr. Martin was elected as an Operating Partner of The Stephens Group LLC, a family-owned investment company in March, 2012. He was previously a consultant to that entity. Mr. Martin has over 3134 years of retailing and merchandising experience. Prior to retiring from the retail industry in 1999, he headed the international operations of Wal-Mart International, Inc. for 15 years. From 1968 to 1983 Mr. Martin was responsible for technology services for Dillard’s, Inc. HeDuring the previous five years, Mr. Martin served as a director of Dillard’s, Inc. until 2006, and also served as director of Sabre Holdings Corporation, Furniture Brands International and Guitar Center, Incorporated. Mr. Martin currently serves on the board of directors of Dillard’s, Inc., Gap, Inc., Sabre Holdings Corporation and Edgewater Technology, Inc. He has experience as chairman of the corporate governance committee and compensation committee, and has been a member of the audit committee of publicly held companies. Mr. Martin attended South Texas University and holds an honorary doctorate degree from Southwest Baptist University.

Mr. Martin is 55 years old.

Termswas selected to Expire at 2006 Annual Meeting

Thomas J. Frank, Sr. was appointed as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in 1994. He has been employed by us for 44 years, has been a member ofserve on our board of directors since 1980 and has held every key management position within the organization, including responsibilities for distribution, service, credit,due to his extensive experience in information technology accounting and general operations.the retail industry, as well as his service and experience on a host of other public company boards. Mr. FrankMartin’s experiences contribute to our board of directors’ understanding of innovations and C. William Frank are brothers. Mr. Frank holds a B.A. degreeissues affecting information technologies and retail strategies in industrial arts from Sam Houston State Universityour industry and attended graduate courses at Harvard University and Texas A&M University. Mr. Frank is 64 years old.

marketplace.

Douglas H. Martinhas served as a director of the predecessor to the company since 1998.1998, and was appointed as one of our directors in September 2003, when we became a publicly held entity. Mr. Martin is an Executive Vice President of Stephens Group, Inc. and Stephens Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stephens Group, Inc., where he has been employed since 1981. He is responsible for the investment of the firm’s capital in private companies. Mr. Martin serves as a member of the board of directors of numerous privately held companies. He received his B.A. in physics and economics from Vanderbilt University and his M.B.A. from Stanford University.

Mr. Martin brings to our board of directors diverse experience in investment analysis and valuation, and has extensive experience and insights into debt and equity financing and structuring, capital markets and capitalization strategies. Mr. Martin brings historical working knowledge of our company to our board of directors due to his long tenure and relationship with us. Mr. Martin’s relationship with the holders of a large number of shares of our stock also helps the board of directors to have more direct insight into how its decisions impact our stockholders.

David Schofmanwas nominated to serve on our board of directors by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at its meeting in March 2012. Mr. Schofman is 50 years old.currently the Chief Executive Officer of Coro Health, LLC, a new media healthcare company. He serves on the board of directors of CPO Commerce, Inc., a position he has held since January 2005, and an owner of 2L2 Development, Inc., a family owned development and construction company. In addition Mr. Schofman participates in several other business ventures through his private equity and management services business, AnderSchof, Investments LLP. Mr. Schofman has previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Callaway Golf Interactive from June 2004 to September 2007, and as the Executive Vice President Global Ecommerce of Callaway Golf from 2004 to 2007. Mr. Schofman was the co-founder and CEO of FrogTrader from 2000-2004 until the company was sold to Callaway Golf. Prior to that, Mr. Schofman was the co-founder and CEO of International Golf Outlet from 1995-1999, which was sold to CBS Sportsline. Mr. Schofman is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin in 1994.

Mr. Schofman has varied and valuable experience in electronic media, E-commerce, retail operations, branding and merchandising strategies. Having built and operated several business ventures, Mr. Schofman brings invaluable background and assets to our board of directors. He also brings our board of directors a high level of executive experience due to his serving as chief executive officer of businesses, as well as his serving as a director of other company boards of directors and advisors.

 

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Theodore M. WrightScott L. Thompsonhas served as a director since September 2003.June 2004. Mr. WrightThompson has been designated as a certified director by the National Association of Corporate Directors. Mr. Thompson is currently the Chief Executive Officer and President of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc., and Chairman of its board of directors, positions he has held since 2008. From May 2008 until October 13, 2008, Mr. Thompson served as the PresidentSenior Executive Vice president and Chief Financial Officer of SonicDollar Thrifty. Mr. Thompson retired from Group 1 Automotive, Inc., where he played a major role in the founding and subsequent growth of that New York Stock Exchange listed and Fortune 300500 Company. He served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Group 1 from February 2002 until his retirement in January 2004. From 1996 until February 2002, Mr. Thompson served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Group 1. From 1991 to 1996, Mr. Thompson served as Executive Vice President, Operations and Finance for KSA Industries, Inc., a billion dollar diversified enterprise with interests in automotive retailer, since October 2002retailing, investments, energy and professional sports. Mr. Thompson has previously served, during the previous five years, on the board of directors of UAP Holding Corp. through 2008, and is currently serving on the Board of Houston Wire and Cable. Mr. Thompson has extensive experience in automotive retailing, investments, energy and professional sports and is a certified public accountant.

Mr. Thompson’s varied and valuable experience in the financial, retail, operational, corporate governance and accounting areas of business brings invaluable background and assets to our board of directors. He also brings our board of directors a high level of executive experience due to his serving as chief executive officer of a public company, as well as his serving as a director of other public company boards of directors, and by being designated as a Certified Director by the National Association of Corporate Directors. Mr. Thompson has served ason our Audit Committee for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012, and to the 2012 Annual Meeting, and was our Audit Committee’s financial expert during that period.

If elected, these directors will serve one year terms which expire at our 2013 annual meeting of its directors since 1997. Previously Mr. Wright served as its chief financial officer from April 1997 to April 2003. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Wright was a Senior Manager in Deloitte & Touche LLP’s Columbia, South Carolina office. From 1994 to 1995, he was a Senior Manager in Deloitte & Touche LLP’s National Office of Accounting Research and SEC Services Department. Mr. Wright received a B.A. from Davidson College. Mr. Wright is 41 years old.

stockholders.

Nomination Policies and Procedures

In preparation of our initial public offering, the company conducted a thorough process of selecting qualified directors for our board. All directors whose terms expire at this annual meeting, except Mr. Jacoby and Mr. Thompson, were appointed in September 2003 in preparation for that offering. Mr. Jacoby was appointed to our board in April 2003, Mr. Thompson was appointed to our board in June 2004. Our independent directors acted as the nominating committee prior to the creation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee by our board of directors at its board meeting held in March 2008. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of three of our current independent directors, Jon E.M. Jacoby, Bob L. Martin and William T. Trawick.

The goal of our board has been and continues to be, to identify nominees for service on the board of directors who will bring a diversity and variety of perspectives and skills from their professional and business experience, including financial and accounting experience as appropriate. In carrying out its function to nominate candidates for election to our board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the mix of skills, experience, character, commitment, and diversity – diversity being broadly construed to mean a variety of opinions, perspectives, experiences and backgrounds, such as gender, race and ethnicity differences, as well as other differentiating characteristics, all in the context of the requirements of our board at that point in time. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will assess the effectiveness of this policy annually in connection with the nomination of directors for election at the annual meeting of stockholders. In furtherance of our board’s goal of identifying and selecting nominees, our board has adopted nominating policies and procedures which are available on our website atwww.conns.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance”.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists the board in fulfilling its responsibilities by (1) identifying individuals believed to be qualified to become members of the board, consistent with criteria approved by the board, (2) recommending candidates to the board for election or reelection as directors, including director candidates submitted by our stockholders, and (3) overseeing, reviewing and making periodic recommendations to the board concerning our corporate governance policies.

16


The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider candidates for nomination proposed by stockholders so long as they are made in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.14 of our Bylaws. Section 2.14 of our Bylaws requires that the stockholder provide written notice to our Secretary no later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the anniversary date of the mailing of the proxy statement for the immediately preceding annual meeting of the stockholders. The notice to our Secretary must set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected); (b) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of such business, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in the business by the stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address, as they appear on the company’s books, of such stockholder and beneficial owner; and (ii) the class and number of shares of the company that are owned beneficially and held of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner. Notwithstanding this procedure, the board may, in its discretion, exclude from any proxy materials sent to stockholders any matters that may properly be excluded under the Exchange Act, Securities and Exchange Commission rules or other applicable laws.

The Charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee sets forth the minimum requirements for a person to be qualified to be a member of the board of directors, which are that a person must (i) be an individual of the highest character and integrity and have an inquiring mind, vision, a willingness to ask hard questions and the ability to work well with others; (ii) be free of any conflict of interest that would violate any applicable law or regulation or interfere with the proper and reasonable performance of the responsibilities of a director; (iii) be willing and able to devote sufficient time to the affairs of the company and be diligent in fulfilling the responsibilities of a director and board committee member (including developing and maintaining sufficient knowledge of the company and its industry; reviewing and analyzing reports and other information important to the board and committee responsibilities; preparing for, attending and participating in board and committee meetings; and satisfying appropriate orientation and continuing education guidelines); and (iv) have the capacity and desire to represent the balanced, best interest of the stockholders as a whole and not primarily a special interest group or constituency. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates whether certain individuals possess the foregoing qualities and recommends to the board for nomination candidates for election or re-election as directors at the annual meeting of stockholders, or if applicable, at a special meeting of stockholders. This process is the same regardless of whether the nominee is recommended by our board or one of our stockholders.

Independent Board Composition

During fiscal 2004, ourNASDAQ requires that a majority of the board was constitutedof directors of a listed company be “independent.” NASDAQ’s rules provide that an independent director is a person other than an officer or employee of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship that, in the opinion of the company’s board of directors, would interfere with seven director positions held by Thomas J. Frank, Sr.,the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The board has determined that each of Marvin D. Brailsford, Jon E.M. Jacoby, Bob L. Martin, Douglas H. Martin,Scott L. Thompson and William T. Trawick is “independent” as defined under SEC and Theodore M. Wright.

The boardNASDAQ rules, and has determined that David Schofman, who is nominated by the followingNominating and Corporate Governance Committee to become a member of our board of directors are independentif elected at our 2012 annual meeting, to be “independent” as defined by NASD listing standards: Marvin D. Brailsford, Bob L. Martin, William T. Trawickunder SEC and NASDAQ rules. Prior to his becoming our Interim Chief Executive Officer and President on February 27, 2011, Theodore M. Wright. Wright had also been determined by our board as “independent” as defined under SEC and NASDAQ rules.

The independent directors of the board haveheld executive sessions scheduledat each regular meeting of the board of directors during fiscal 2012.

At the meeting of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held in March 2012, the Committee discussed the relationships of Jon E.M. Jacoby and Bob L. Martin with The Stephens Group, LLC, which together with its participants and family members owns approximately 26.07% of our common stock, and whether those relationships impacted their ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out their responsibilities as a director.

17


The Committee discussed the fact that Mr. Jacoby’s independence has been approved by the Committee and/or the company’s board of directors every year since the company’s fiscal year 2008, the year in which The Stephens Group, LLC and Stephens Inc. became independent of each other. The Committee considered Mr. Jacoby’s relationship with The Stephens Group, LLC, and that Mr. Jacoby, although previously employed by Stephens Inc, which has provided investment banking and brokerage services to the company, was not involved in any investment activities of Stephens Inc. The Committee considered Mr. Jacoby’s positions with these significant shareholders, the fact that Mr. Jacoby is not involved with the investment services of Stephens Inc., and his lack of control of voting of common stock owned by The Stephens Group, LLC, or SG-1890 LLC, an affiliate of The Stephens Group, LLC., and his continuous exercising of independent judgment as one of our directors over the years, and determined that and recommended to the board of directors that it approve Mr. Jacoby’s independence as defined under the SEC and the NASDAQ rules.

The Committee discussed the current position of Bob Martin with The Stephens Group, LLC, and the fact that the position is not substantively different from the consulting work that Mr. Martin has done in previous years for June 3, 2004The Stephens Group, LLC, the continuous exercise of independent judgment by Mr. Bob Martin since his election to our board in 2003, and November 30, 2004.his lack of control of voting of common stock owned by The Stephens Group, LLC or any of its affiliates, including SG-1890 LLC, the Committee has determined that and recommended to the board of directors that it approve Mr. Bob Martin’s independence as defined under the SEC and the NASDAQ rules.

Our board of directors at its meeting in March 2012 approved the independence of Messrs. Jacoby and Bob Martin.

Board Meetings

During fiscal 2004,2012, the board held threefour regularly scheduled meetings.meetings, one special meeting and one telephonic meetings, and acted by six unanimous written consents in lieu of meeting. Each person serving as a director during fiscal 20042012 attended all meetings of the board meetings, except Messrs. Trawick and Bob Martin, both of whom missed one meeting.

during the period.

Policy Regarding Director Attendance at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders

It is our policy that each member of the board of directors is encouraged to attend our annual meeting of stockholders.

Each director serving at the time of last year’s annual meeting attended our annual meeting of stockholders.

Committees of the Board

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee recommendsis responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of our independent auditors. It also approves audit reports and plans, accounting policies, audit fees and certain other expenses. In connection with the rules adopted by the SEC and NASD,NASDAQ, we adopted a revised written charter for the Audit Committee, which is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A and is posted on our website atwww.conns.com under “Investor Relations”.Relations – Corporate Governance.” The Audit Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of the written charter on an annual basis.

Messrs.Marvin D. Brailsford and Scott L. Thompson served on the Audit Committee for the entirety of our fiscal year ended January 31, 2012. Theodore M. Wright Douglas Martinserved on our Audit Committee, as its chairman, through February 27, 2011, at which time he resigned as a result of his election by our board of directors as our Interim Chief Executive Officer and BrailsfordPresident, which disqualified him as an independent director and thus as a member of our Audit Committee. Effective March 23, 2011, our board of directors elected William T. Trawick, who has been determined to be an independent director, to serve on the Audit Committee until he resigns or until his successor is elected by our board, and Marvin D. Brailsford was named chairman of the Audit Committee. Each served in those capacities for the balance of our fiscal year ended January 31, 2012. For the period February 27, 2011 through March 23, 2011, we were deemed to be out of compliance with NASDAQ audit committee requirements as set forth in Listing Rule 5605, as advised by the NASDAQ. Upon the election of Mr. Trawick to the Audit Committee on March 23, 2011, NASDAQ confirmed that we were back in compliance under the NASDAQ Listing Rules. We disclosed to the public through an 8-K filing with the SEC on March 25, 2011, our receipt of letters from

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NASDAQ advising of both the non-compliance upon Mr. Wright’s resignation from the Audit Committee, and then the compliance as a result of the election of Mr. Trawick to the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee held four regularly scheduled meetings and took action by unanimous written consent two times in fiscal 2004, which were2012. Each meeting of the Audit Committee was attended by all of the members.members of the Audit Committee. The board has determined that Mr. WrightThompson is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by SEC rules. In addition, each of the members of the Audit Committee is “independent” as defined by the NASDNASDAQ listing standards and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 except Mr. Douglas Martin who is serving on the Audit Committee until November 24, 2004, the first anniversaryas determined by our board of the company’s listing on Nasdaq, in accordance with NASD regulations.

directors.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee determinesestablishes, reviews and approves the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer and other senior officer compensation packages, and reviews and approves other senior executive officer compensation packages based upon recommendations by the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer. It also evaluates the compensation plans, policies and programs of the executive officers of the company and makes recommendations to the board of directors concerning such plans, policies and programs, advises the board regarding compensation plans, policies and programs applicable to non-employee directors for their services as a director, and administers our compensationstock option, stock purchase and incentiveother equity plans. The Compensation Committee also evaluates the competitiveness of our compensation and the performance of our executive officers, including ourChairman and Chief Executive Officer.Officer and other executive officers. In connection with the rules adopted by the SEC and NASD, weNASDAQ, the company adopted a revised written charter for the Compensation Committee, which is posted on our website atwww.conns.com under “Investor Relations.Relations – Corporate Governance.

Messrs.Jon E.M. Jacoby and William T. Trawick served on the Compensation Committee for the entirety of our fiscal year 2012. Theodore M. Wright served on our Compensation Committee through February 27, 2011, at which time he resigned as a result of his election by our board of directors as our Interim Chief Executive Officer and WrightPresident, which disqualified him as an independent director and thus as a member of our Compensation Committee. Effective March 23, 2011, our board of directors elected Marvin D. Brailsford, who has been determined to be an independent director, to serve on the Compensation Committee until he resigns or until his successor is elected by our board. On March 29, 2011, at our board’s annual review of committee composition, Mr. Brailsford resigned from the Compensation Committee and Bob L. Martin, an independent director, was elected to serve on the Compensation Committee. The Bob L. Martin served for the balance of our fiscal year ended January 31, 2012.

Compensation Committee held twofour regular meetings, one special meeting and acted by one unanimous written consent in lieu of meeting in fiscal 2004, which were2012. Each meeting was attended by all members of the members.committee at the time of the meeting. All members of the Compensation Committee arewere determined by the board of directors to be independent directors as defined by NASD regulations,NASDAQ listing standards. Additional information on the Compensation Committee’s processes and procedures for consideration of executive compensation are addressed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement below.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists the board in identifying and recommending individuals for election or reelection as directors, including director candidates submitted by our stockholders, and advises the board with respect to corporate governance policies and procedures. The committee will periodically review and make recommendations regarding our corporate governance policies and procedures; copies of which corporate governance policies and procedures are discussed below under “Corporate Governance” and are posted on our website atwww.conns.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance.” We adopted a written charter for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which is also posted on our website atwww.conns.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance.”

Members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are appointed by the board. The members of the Committee serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified, and they may be removed by the board of directors in its discretion. Members of the Committee are independent directors who are not employees of the company or any of its subsidiaries. The members of the Committee are Messrs. Jacoby, Bob L. Martin and Trawick. All members of the Nominating and

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Corporate Governance Committee were determined to be “independent” as defined by the SEC and NASDAQ listing standards.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held one regular meeting in fiscal 2012, which was attended by all members of the Committee.

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Overview

We have developed a compensation program for executives and key employees designed to: (i) reward performance that increases the value of our common stock; (ii) attract, retain and motivate executives and key employees with competitive compensation opportunities; and (iii) build and encourage ownership of our shares of common stock. Toward these goals, our compensation program has been designed and implemented to reward our executives for strong financial and operating performance and leadership attributes and examples, and to coordinate these criteria with those of our stockholders. These goals are intended to reward our executive officers and to encourage their long term commitment to the company. We believe that our compensation programs, consisting of base salary, annual bonus programs tied to the objective success of our financial performance, and an equity incentive compensation program through granting of stock options and other equity incentive awards tied to the executive officers performance and retention desires, fulfill our objectives.

The following is the executive compensation philosophy of our company adopted by our Compensation Committee effective August 30, 2011:

Compensation realized by executives should reflect the individual skills and contributions of the executive, as well as the company’s overall performance against its business plan and changes in shareholder value.

The basic objectives of the company’s executive compensation program include:

Attracting, motivating and retaining skilled executives necessary to execute its business strategy;

Motivate executives by linking compensation opportunity to the achievement of the company’s short and long term growth and profitability goals as well as execution of its business strategy;

Align interests of management and shareholders by tying realized compensation directly to increases in shareholder value and requiring ownership of company stock over a sustained period;

Promote a pay-for-performance culture on a risk-appropriate basis with a majority of the named executive’s compensation to be earned, or increase in value, based on company and stock performance.

In addition, the efficiency of the overall program from a tax, accounting, cash flow and shareholder dilution perspective should be balanced against the above objectives. In support of the stated objectives, the company delivers an executive compensation program that includes the following fundamental elements:

1.

Base salary

2.

Short term cash incentives

3.

Long term incentive in the form of options, restricted stock units and performance shares

Additional benefits and perquisites may be included when appropriate.

Target total compensation opportunities should be competitive, but not excessive, versus market practice. Market practice is generally defined as median compensation levels and prevalent pay elements found among companies of similar size and business to our company. Individual salaries and incentive targets may range around market, based on the following factors:

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The individual skills and experience of the incumbent

The difficulty of replacing the incumbent and importance of the position to the company

The risk profile of the compensation program being provided to the company’s executives relative to market norms

Actual compensation earned is above or below market levels depending on absolute and relative performance of the incumbent and company as a whole.

We will review the overall program on an annual basis, including targeted compensation levels, to ensure reasonable compliance with the philosophy as described herein.

The Chief Executive Offiicer and the Compensation Committee are responsible for administering the overall compensation program, except with regard to certain actions and responsibilities that are specifically reserved to the Compensation Committee or full Board of Directors. These responsibilities are identified in the Compensation Committee Charter.

In following and implementing this philosophy, our Compensation Committee seeks to structure executive compensation packages in such a manner as to avoid excessive risk. The variety of factors and considerations our Compensation Committee uses to measure executive performance diversifies the risk associated with any single metric. Also, we use both cash and equity incentives with varying time horizons to appropriately balance levels of attention to both short-term and long-term performance. We adjust the cash and equity award amounts in our executive compensation structures to balance our short-term and long-term needs. In so doing, we are better able to address market and company risks as they arise and adjust our direction and actions to compensate for such risks while still maintaining our stability over the long-term. This results in better levels of balance and alignment with both our performance and our stockholder interests in long-term value creation.

The following discussion and analysis are focused primarily on the compensation of our executive officers during fiscal 2012, with additional detail provided for our Chief Executive Officer during that period, and our other named executive officers. Our “named executive officers” are the individuals who served as our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer and our three other most highly compensated executive officers for fiscal 2012. Information regarding the compensation of our named executive officers is provided under the heading “Compensation Tables” following this section.

Our Compensation Committee retained a compensation consultant, Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc., to review our executive officers’ compensation programs and to make recommendations to the Compensation Committee for its use in determining the compensation packages for our executive officers for the fiscal year 2012. The Compensation Committee has utilized the recommendations of the consultant as well as input from our Chief Executive Officer and President in setting the compensation packages for our executive officers for our fiscal years 2012 and 2013.

Objectives/Reward

Reward Performance: Our performance is a key consideration in determining executive compensation, combined with the continued performance and service to us by each executive officer over an extended period of time. We also consider the accomplishment of strategic direction and goals, including specific business objectives. While our compensation policy recognizes that stock price performance is one measure of performance, given business conditions in the industry and the financial markets, and our long-term strategic direction and goals, we believe that it may not necessarily be the best current measure of executive performance. Our compensation packages are based upon a company-wide compensation structure that emphasizes bonus compensation based upon company pre-tax income performance and is consistent for each position relative to its authority and responsibility.

Attract, Retain and Motivate: We design our compensation program with the goal to obtain and retain the benefits of excellent executives in our significant areas of operations – sales, merchandising, financial and liquidity, consumer credit, distribution, product service and training. We understand that we must be competitive within our industry, including providing competitive salary, annual bonus opportunities and long-term compensation as part of our overall compensation program. Our equity compensation generally provides for vesting periods of five (5) years, subject to our Compensation Committee’s discretion in determining a different vesting schedule as it deems necessary and appropriate under the

22


circumstances to attain the goal of the compensation program. During fiscal 2012, our Compensation Committee approved an award of restricted stock units for our Interim Chief Execuive Officer which vested in three quarterly installments from the date of the award. Subsequently, upon our Chief Executive Officer becoming a permanent officer, the Compensation Committee approved an award of restricted stock units and options to our Chief Executive Officer that will vest in three equal annual installments on the anniversary date of the award, subject to certain stock price attainment (See Chief Executive Officer Compensation on page 28). Also, during fiscal 2012, our Compensation Committee approved restricted stock unit awards for our Chief Financial Officer and our Presidents of Retail and Credit Divisions, respectively, that will vest in four equal annual installments on the anniversary date of the award. All other equity awards during the fiscal 2012 vest over the five year vesting period. This equity compensation aligns our executive officers’ goals with those of our stockholders, in providing retention of qualified officers for long term growth of our company.

Encourage Ownership of our Shares of Common Stock: Equally important in our compensation objectives is our desire for our executive officers to obtain and benefit from ownership of our common stock. Our Compensation Committee through the issuance of stock options under our existing Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan and other equity opportunities, including restricted stock options and restricted stock under the 2011 Employee Omnibus Incentive Plan, believes its goals are being accomplished. The Compensation Committee believes that these requirements strongly emphasize its philosophy of equity ownership for the Board and executive management, which in turn reinforces alignment with stockholder interests.

Determining Compensation

Our compensation program consists of three basic elements: (i) base salary; (ii) annual bonus (both predetermined based on our company and individual performance, and with discretionary aspects to reward those with outstanding performances); and (iii) equity awards. These components work together in determining the overall compensation of our executive officers.

In applying the above-described objectives for our executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee, in making its final determination, primarily relies upon:

input and recommendations received from the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer, and other supervisors of each executive officer except the Chief Executive Officer, regarding the day-to-day performance of each individual and each executive officer’s areas of responsibilities and expectations for future performance;

publicly available information with respect to the executive compensation practices of certain public companies in our industry;

the analysis and recommendations regarding our compensation programs for our executive officers of Frederick W. Cook & Co., a compensation consultant that served as our independent advisor; and

its own judgment and knowledge of the industry.

Input Received from our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee has historically relied in part on the input and recommendations of the our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and, when the office was occupied, our Executive Vice Chairman, in making its determination regarding base salaries of the executive officers, individual levels for bonus compensation, and whether to grant long-term equity awards to our executive officers and if so, in what forms and amounts. The Compensation Committee believes that the executive Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer, by virtue of their role in overseeing the day-to-day performance of such individuals and their positions with us and their experience in the industry, are appropriately suited to make informed recommendations to the Compensation Committee with respect to the foregoing elements of our executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee alone, with input and guidance from its Compensation Consultant, determines the compensation for our Chief Executive Officer.

Peer Group Data. While the Compensation Committee does not deem it necessary or appropriate to base our executive compensation program on any comparative analyses of the amounts and forms of

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compensation which are paid to executive officers with comparable titles at other public companies in the home appliance and consumer electronics industry, it does review annually such other public information of public companies of comparable size and nature to ours of a retail business as well as those which provide in-house financing of their merchandise sales, as well as similarly situated public companies outside the retail business industry. We refer to such companies collectively as our “peer group.” For the year ended January 31, 2012, the companies which comprised the peer group for this review were hhgregg, Inc., Aaron Rents, Inc., Cost Plus, Duckwall-ALCO, Ethan Allen Interiors, Furniture Brands Intl., Gordmans Stores, Haverty Furniture, Kirkland’s, La-Z-Boy, Overstock.com, Pier 1 Imports, Select Comfort, Consumer Portfolio Services, Credit Acceptance and World Acceptance. The amount and structure of peer company compensation is a factor in the Compensation Committee’s determination of the compensation of executive officers, but the Compensation Committee does not target compensation of its executive officers based upon the levels of compensation of executives of the companies in our peer group due to the nature and responsibility level of each of our executive officers, since our business model and resulting levels of responsibility are not directly comparable with those of our peer group. However, based on the results of the review of peer companies, the Compensation Committee may determine to modify compensation of our executive officers. The Compensation Committee also relies on its explicit knowledge of the industry and our peers in determining the final salary, bonus and equity awards as it deems appropriate and necessary to reward the executive team for its overall performance and achievements and retain each executive as an integral part of our executive team.

Other Factors.Key factors which also affect our executive compensation program include our financial performance, to the extent that the Compensation Committee believes it may be fairly attributed or related to the performance of a particular executive officer, as well as the contribution of each executive officer relative to his individual responsibilities and capabilities. While the Compensation Committee does consider our stock price performance, it has not utilized it as a measure of our financial performance, or the performance of our executive officers, given the fact that it may not take into account a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the business conditions within the industry as well as our long-term strategic direction and goals.

Independent Compensation Consultant. In February 2011, the Compensation Committee retained the services of a compensation consultant, Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc., to serve as its independent advisor on the reasonableness of compensation levels of our executive compensation programs in comparison with those of other similarly situated companies, and on the appropriateness of the compensation program structure for our executive officers in supporting its business its business strategy and human resources objectives. In addition to the factors described above, the Compensation Committee will include and consider the recommendations of its compensation consultant in its analyses of the compensation programs our fiscal year 2013 and beyond.

Elements of Compensation

Our compensation program consists of three basic elements: (i) base salary; (ii) bonus (both pre-determined based on our performance and individual performance, and discretionary); and (iii) equity awards. These components work together in determining the overall compensation of our executive officers.

Base Salary: Each executive officer receives a base salary determined by the Compensation Committee to be commensurate with the officer’s area of responsibility and that officer’s areas and extent of responsibility in relation to our performance as a whole. The determination of this component is generally made at the first Compensation Committee meeting during each fiscal year, and is set for the ensuing fiscal year, or at other meetings as deemed necessary by the Compensation Committee. Such base salaries are intended to provide the executive officers with a competitive and equitable living salary. This determination was made by our Compensation Committee for the executives for fiscal 2012 at its meetings held in March and May 2011, and for our fiscal 2013 at its meeting held in March 2012. Named Executive Officers’ base salary component will be determined by our Compensation Committee in its meeting to be held in May 2013.

Bonus: The Compensation Committee establishes our bonus program for all named executive officers, after receiving recommendations from the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer, and when the offices were occupied, the Executive Vice Chairman and the Chief Operating Officer, for each individual named executive officer. The bonus program is based on both pre-determined levels of company

24


performance and bonus levels set for each named executive officer based on individual performance, and may include elements of discretionary bonus based upon an individual’s performance.

Executive officers receive bonus payments based on our achievement of pre-determined profit goals approved by the Compensation Committee each fiscal year. For the fiscal years ended January 31, 2010, January 31, 2011 and January 31, 2012, the profit goals and the bonus amount associated with each of those goals were as follows:

   Fiscal Year 2010 Pre-Tax Profit Goals (as adjusted) 
   $ 69,300,000   $ 72,765,000   $ 76,230,000   $ 79,695,000 

Name

  (1)   (1)   (1)   (1) 

Timothy L. Frank

   182,500     238,654     299,487     365,000  

Michael J. Poppe

   125,000     163,462     205,128     250,000  

Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr.

   150,000     196,154     246,154     300,000  

David W. Trahan

   150,000     196,154     246,154     300,000  

Clinton W. Harwood

   122,500     160,192     201,026     245,000  

(1)

Bonuses are calculated on a pro-rata basis when pre-tax profits fall between the levels shown above. Pre-tax profits for purposes of the bonus in fiscal year 2010 were calculated excluding:

a.

any effect of gain or loss from fair value adjustments recorded related to our interest in securitized assets;

b.

any effect of the increase in allowance for doubtful accounts due to the increase in receivables funded under our asset-based loan facility; and

c.

any effect of the goodwill impairment charge incurred during the third quarter of the current fiscal year.

   Fiscal Year 2011 Pre-Tax Profit Goals (as adjusted) 
   $ 31,400,000   $ 32,970,000   $ 34,540,000   $ 36,110,000 

Name

  (1)   (1)   (1)   (1) 

Timothy L. Frank

   200,000     261,224     328,571     400,000  

Michael J. Poppe

   137,500     179,592     225,893     275,000  

Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr.

   125,000     163,265     205,357     250,000  

David W. Trahan

   125,000     163,265     205,357     250,000  

Clinton W. Harwood

   100,000     130,612     164,286     200,000  

(1)

Bonuses are calculated on a pro-rata basis when pre-tax profits fall between the levels shown above. Pre-tax profits for purposes of the bonus in fiscal year 2011 were calculated excluding:

a.

any effect of the increase in allowance for doubtful accounts and increase in allowance for uncollectible interests due to the increase in receivables funded under our asset-based loan facility; and

b.

any effect of the increase in interest expense compared to the prior fiscal year; and

c.

any effect of the write-off of deferred financing costs associated with financing transactions that were not completed.

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   Fiscal Year 2012 Operating Profit Goals (as adjusted) 
   $ 36,423,000   $ 47,300,000   $ 58,250,000 

Name

  Threshold (1)   Target (1)   Maximum (1) 

Theodore M. Wright

   85,000     425,000     637,500  

Michael J. Poppe

   42,000     210,000     315,000  

Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr.

   35,400     177,000     265,500  

David W. Trahan

   35,400     177,000     265,500  

Clinton W. Harwood

   26,880     134,400     201,600  

Timothy L. Frank

   —       —       —    

(1)

Bonuses are calculated on a pro-rata basis when operating profits fall between the levels shown above. Operating profits for purposes of the bonus in fiscal year 2012 were calculated excluding:

a)

any effect of charges related to store closings and severance agreements; and

b)

any effect of charges related to the adoption of accounting guidance for troubled debt restructuring.

Individual named executive officers may also receive bonus payments based on individual performance. These bonus levels are recommended by the Chairman, when this office is occupied by an executive Chairman, and the Chief Executive Officer, and determined by the Compensation Committee, based on that named executive officer’s level of responsibility and ability to affect the performance of his area of responsibility and the company’s performance. None of these bonus levels are based upon any percentage of the individuals’ base salary or goals, but each does have defined objective calculations based upon the areas of that individual’s responsibilities. At the end of each fiscal year, the Compensation Committee may additionally establish individual performance bonus awards for each named executive officer upon recommendation of an executive Chairman, when the office is occupied, and the Chief Executive Officer, or as separately determined by the Compensation Committee.

Equity Awards

Equity awards are granted to executives through the deferred vesting of our stock option program and alternative equity incentive awards including restricted stock and restricted stock units pursuant to its 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan approved by our stockholders at the 2011 annual meeting. Awards under our stock option program and our 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan are determined by our Compensation Committee for all named executive officers. Award calculations and determinations are based primarily on three factors:

the relative value of the equity awards to the named executive officer’s base salary so that if all other factors were equal the equity awards granted to a named executive officer would be in the same relative proportion of equity awards to base salaries as granted to other employees;

the number of equity awards previously granted to the named executive officer; and

the named executive officer’s deemed contribution to the company.

Compensation under our equity incentive program is designed to align the long-term interests of our executives with that of our stockholders and to provide long-term performance incentives to our executives to complement the other forms of compensation they receive.

In making long-term incentive compensation decisions, no formal weighting formula is used in deciding award amounts under our stock option program. Our Compensation Committee instead considers each executive’s ability and individual responsibility to directly impact our company’s overall performance in the long-term, and makes equity awards based on considerations for each individual executive. Beginning in fiscal 2013, the Compensation Committee intends to add performance vesting of equity awards for a portion of the long term incentive compensation program. The Compensation Committee additionally considered the recommendations of its compensation consultant in formulating its equity awards for fiscal 2012 and its plans for the determination of equity awards under our equity plans for our fiscal year 2013.

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We use equity awards to counterbalance the short-term base salary and bonus compensation components issued to our executives. We do not target any set mix of compensation components. Our Compensation Committee reviews the goals of our company and the status of the markets in which we compete to determine which mix of short-term and long-term performance compensation should be structured in order to properly incentivize our executives to best implement both the short-term and long-term elements of our company strategies.

For each of these elements, the Compensation Committee, in making its final determination, reviews recommendations from our executive Chairman, when this office is occupied, and our Chief Executive Officer of the amounts and timing of each, based upon our performance as a company and their respective day to day working knowledge of the performance of each individual and each such individuals areas of responsibility and expectations for future performance and rewards. The Compensation Committee alone determines the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer. As a result of the Company achieving operating profit between the Target and Maximum levels, $2,270,044 of a potential maximum of $2,496,000 was paid out to participants. The named executive officers, including our current Chief Executive Officer, received total payment of $1,277,168. The Compensation Committee also relies on its explicit knowledge of the industry and our peers in determining the final salary, bonus and equity awards on a comparative basis as it deems appropriate and necessary to reward and maintain the executives as an integral part of our executive team and its overall performance and achievements.

Our Compensation Committee has retained a compensation consultant, Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc., to assess the company’s compensation policies and compare these policies with our peers and those of the industry as a whole, and to advise it in connection with its determination of our fiscal year 2012 executive officer compensation packages.

Annual Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

At our 2011 annual meeting, more than 99.7% of the votes cast voted to approve the advisory resolution on our executive compensation. The Compensation Committee believes that the positive outcome of this vote supports the compensation arrangements established by it for our named executive officers in fiscal 2011 as well as in fiscal 2012. In addition, at our 2011 annual meeting, our stockholders approved a recommendation of an annual advisory vote by the stockholders on our executive officers’ compensation. The board of directors has adopted that recommendation and intends to hold an annual advisory vote on our executive officers’ compensation.

Employment Agreements

On February 27, 2011, Timothy L. Frank resigned as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. In connection with Mr. Jacoby whoFrank’s resignation, we entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Frank. Under the agreement, Mr. Frank will continue to be employed by us in a non-executive capacity for two years, but will be given an opportunity to pursue other opportunities that do not compete with us. During the first year, Mr. Frank received a salary equal to his then current annual base salary of $450,000. During the second year expiring February 26, 2013, Mr. Frank is servingreceiving an annual salary of $18,000.

Stock Ownership Guidelines for our Named Executive Officers

Our Compensation Committee has established stock ownership guidelines for our named executive officers. The guideline for the chief executive officer is two times base salary. The guideline for the other three named executive officers is one and one-half times base salary. Our named executive officers have five years from August 30, 2011 to reach these targets. If these targets are not attained timely, then the applicable executive officer will be required to retain 50% of the net after-tax shares realized from the company’s equity incentive programs until the guideline is met. Shares that count toward the guideline include directly owned shares, beneficially owned shares held indirectly and shares held in any retirement or deferral account. Unexercised stock options, unearned/unvested performance shares and unvested restricted stock shares do not count in the guideline calculations.

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Other Compensation

We provide our named executive officers with other benefits, as reflected in the All Other Compensation column in the Summary Compensation Table on page 30, which the Compensation Committee believes is reasonable, competitive and consistent with our executive compensation program.

Compensation for the Named Executive Officers in Fiscal 2012

Chief Executive Officer Compensation

Our Chief Executive Officer’s annual compensation package was determined in accordance with our policies and procedures for all executive officers.

Theodore M. Wright, our Chief Executive Officer, received a base salary of $450,000 from the date of his election as our Interim Chief Executive Officer on February 27, 2011 through August 30, 2011, and $550,000 from September 1, 2011 through November 30, 2011, at which time his base salary was set by our Compensation Committee at $700,000, upon his election as our Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Wright was eligible to receive an annual cash bonus or Incentive Compensation, the amount of such bonus determined by the Compensation Committee in accordance with exemptions pursuanta pre-established performance goal which satisfies the requirements of Section 1.162-27(e)(2) of the Treasury regulations, taking into account any one or more of the following criteria with respect to NASD regulations.our (a) total revenues or any component thereof; (b) operating income, pre-tax or after-tax income, EBITA, EBITDA or net income; (c) cash flow, free cash flow or net cash from operations; (d) earnings per share; (e) value of our common stock or total return to stockholders; and (f) any combination of any or all of the foregoing criteria, in each case on an absolute or relative basis. The performance goals established for fiscal year 2012, and the bonus amount associated with each level were as follows:

 

   Fiscal Year 2012 Operating Profit Goals 
   $ 36,423,000   $ 47,300,000   $ 58,250,000 

Name

  Threshold (1)   Target (1)   Maximum (1) 

Theodore M. Wright

   85,000     425,000     637,500  

(1)

Bonuses are calculated on a pro-rata basis when operating profits fall between the levels shown above. Operating profits for purposes of the bonus in fiscal year 2012 were calculated excluding:

a)

any effect of charges related to store closings and severance agreements; and

b)

any effect of charges related to the adoption of accounting guidance for troubled debt restructuring.

Mr. Wright received a cash bonus of $548,834 paid on March 30, 2012, based upon the above criteria.

Our Compensation Committee approved the issuance to Mr. Wright of equity grants on May 24, 2011 of 65,000 restricted stock units vesting in three equal installments on August 24, 2011, November 24, 2011 and February 24, 2012. 65,000 shares of our common stock have been issued to Mr. Wright in accordance with the grants. On December 5, 2011, upon Mr. Wright’s being elected as our Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Wright an additional 50,000 restricted stock units and 175,000 stock options to vest in three equal installments on December 5, 2012, December 5, 2013 and December 5, 2014. However, no vesting of these restricted stock units and options shall occur until the closing price of our company’s common stock on the principal stock market on which it trades is no less than $18.00 per share for at least twenty consecutive trading days, as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends or similar events. Once the condition is attained, the restricted stock units and the stock options shall vest as provided herein, both prior to and subsequent to such price attainment.

The Incentive Compensation award for any year may not exceed $1,920,000.

The Compensation Committee evaluated and took into account each of the above listed criteria in determining the performance goals for fiscal 2012. The components of our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation package are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table and the footnotes following.

28


Other Named Executive Officers’ Compensation

Each of the named executive officer’s compensation, including our Chief Executive Officer, was determined in accordance with our policies and procedures for all executive officers, including bonus, stock option and other benefits. Each of the components is addressed in the Summary Compensation Table and the footnotes following for each named executive officer.

Nominating PoliciesCOMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and discussed it with the company’s management. Based on its review and discussions with management, the Committee recommended to the board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 and the company’s 2012 Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A related to the 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This report is provided by the following independent directors, who comprise the Compensation Committee.

Jon E.M. Jacoby, Chairman

William T. Trawick

Bob L. Martin

29


Summary Compensation

 

Name and Principal Position

  Fiscal
Year
   Salary
($)
   Bonus
($)
   Stock
Awards
($)
   Option
Awards
($)
   Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
  Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings

($)
  All Other
Compensation
($)
  Total
($)
 
           (2)   (3)   (4)              

Theodore M. Wright
Chairman, President & CEO(1)

   2012     482,628     548,834     932,950     955,500         3,500    2,923,412  
                 (5)   

Michael J. Poppe
CFO

   2010     260,583     85,000       112,800         8,108    466,491  
   2011     256,675     150,000       67,550         16,099    490,324  
   2012     350,000     271,188     183,050           19,563    823,800  
                             (6)    

David W. Trahan
President - Retail Division

   2010     260,583     70,000       112,800         12,302    455,686  
   2011     256,675     87,182       57,900         18,599    420,356  
   2012     295,000     228,573     154,285           21,925    699,783  
                 (7)   

Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr.
President - Credit Division

   2010     260,583     90,000       112,800         9,818    473,201  
   2011     256,675     103,371       57,900         18,600    436,546  
   2012     295,000     228,573     154,285           20,668    698,526  
                             (8)    

Clinton W. HarwoodSenior
Vice President -InformationTechnology

   2010     224,000     60,000       94,000         8,208    386,208  
   2011     224,000     51,991       48,250         5,534    329,775  
   2012     224,000     173,561     101,520           7,350    506,431  
                 (9)   

Timothy L. Frank
Former President and CEO(11)

   2010     329,000     109,863       112,800         10,455    562,118  
   2011     348,690         67,550         18,624    434,865  
   2012     450,000               8,575    458,575  
                             (10)    

In preparation

(1)

Mr. Wright did not receive any compensation as an officer or employee of the Company during fiscal year 2010 or 2011.

(2)

The executives shown above receive a base bonus amount based on the operating performance goals shown above under “Elements of Compensation”. The executives can also receive discretionary funds that are approved by the Compensation Committee. The table below shows the composition of bonus payments made for the fiscal years 2010, 2011 and 2012.

(3)

Aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the year in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”. Information regarding the assumptions used in calculating the fair value under ASC 718 can be found in Note 10 to the financial statements contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K.

(4)

Aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted during the year in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”. Information regarding the assumptions used in calculating the fair value under ASC 718 can be found in Note 10 to the financial statements contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K.

(5)

Automobile allowance of $3,500.

(6)

Company matched 401K contributions of $8,108, $5,599 and $7,563, for fiscal years 2010, 2011 and 2012 and automobile allowance of $10,500 and $12,000 for fiscal years 2011 and 2012, respectively.

(7)

Company matched 401K contributions of $9,492, $5,599 and $7,425 for fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively. Automobile allowance (including fuel) of $2,810, $13,000 and $14,500 for fiscal years 2011 and 2012, respectively.

(8)

Company matched 401K contributions of $7,818, $5,600 and $6,168 for fiscal years 2010, 2011 and 2012, fuel allowance of $2,000 for fiscal year 2010, and automobile allowance (including fuel) of $13,000 and $14,500 for fiscal years 2011 and 2012, respectively.

(9)

Company matched 401K contributions of $8,208, $5,534 and $7,350 for fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively.

(10)

Company matched 401K contributions of $8,255, $5,624, and $7,575 for fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively. Fuel allowance of $2,200 for fiscal year 2010 and automobile allowance (including fuel) of $13,000 fiscal year 2011. Mr. Frank received $1,000 automobile allowance for the month of February 2011.

(11)

Mr. Timothy Frank resigned as President and CEO effective February 27, 2011.

30


Name

      Base  bonus
earned

($)
   Discretionary
funds

($)
  Total  bonus
paid

($)
 

Theodore M. Wright(1)

   2012     548,834     —      548,834  

Michael J. Poppe

   2010     47,851     37,149    85,000  
   2011     54,301     95,699    150,000  
   2012     271,188     —      271,188  

Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr.

   2010     57,422     32,578    90,000  
   2011     103,371     —      103,371  
   2012     228,573     —      228,573  

David W. Trahan

   2010     70,000     —      70,000  
   2011     24,682     62,500    87,182  
   2012     228,573     —      228,573  

Clinton W. Harwood

   2010     60,000     —      60,000  
   2011     51,991     —      51,991  
   2012     173,561     —      173,561  

Timothy L. Frank

   2010     69,863     40,000    109,863  
   2011     78,983     (78,983  —    
   2012     —       —      —    

(1)

Mr. Wright did not receive any compensation as an officer or employee of the Company during fiscal year 2010 or 2011.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

      Estimated Future
payouts under
non-equity
incentive plan awards
  Estimated future payouts
under equity incentive
plan awards
  All other
stock
awards;
Number
of

shares
of stock
or units
(#)
  All other
option
awards;
Number of
securities
underlying
options (#)
   Exercise
or base
price of
option
awards
($/Sh)
   Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards
($)
 

Name

  Grant Date  Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
  Threshold
(#)
  Target
(#)
  Maximum
(#)
        

Theodore M. Wright

  5/24/2011  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  65,000   N/A     N/A     339,950  
  12/5/2011  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  50,000   N/A     N/A     593,000  
  12/5/2011  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A   175,000    $11.86     955,500  

Michael J. Poppe

  5/24/2011  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  35,000   N/A     N/A     183,050  

Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr.

  5/24/2011  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  29,500   N/A     N/A     154,285  

David W. Trahan

  5/24/2011  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  29,500   N/A     N/A     154,285  

Clinton W. Harwood

  11/30/2011  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  9,000   N/A     N/A     101,520  

Timothy L. Frank

  N/A ��N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A   N/A     N/A     N/A  

31


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

   Option Awards   Stock Awards

Name

  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options-
Exercisable
(#)
   Number
of  Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options-
Unexercisable
(#)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexcercised
Unearned
Options (#)
  Option
Exercise
Price
($)
   Option
Expiration
Date
   Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That
Have
Not

Been
Vested
(#)
  Market
Value of
shares or
Units of
Stock
That
Have Not
Been
Vested
($)
     RSU
Expiration
Date
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That Have
Not Vested
(#)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Un-earned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That

Have Not
Vested

($)

Theodore M. Wright

Chairman, President and

CEO

   15,000     0   N/A   14.00      N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   10,000     0   N/A   29.24      N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   10,000     0   N/A   16.93      N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   10,000     0   N/A   10.21      N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   10,000     0   N/A   7.54      N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   0     175,000(1)  N/A   11.86     12/5/2016    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   N/A     N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A    21,666  113,313   (6 5/24/2021  N/A  N/A
   N/A     N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A    50,000  593,000   (7 12/5/2016  N/A  N/A

Michael J. Poppe

Executive Vice President

and CFO

   15,000     0   N/A   14.48     10/7/2014    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   15,000     0   N/A   17.73     11/30/2014    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   10,000     0   N/A   33.88     11/30/2015    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   20,000     0   N/A   22.68     12/4/2016    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   16,000     4,000(2)  N/A   19.99     11/27/2017    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   18,000     12,000(3)  N/A   6.33     11/25/2018    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   12,000     18,000(4)  N/A   6.34     11/24/2019    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   7,000     28,000(5)  N/A   3.20     11/30/2020    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   N/A     N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A    35,000  183,050   (8 5/24/2021  N/A  N/A

Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr.

President - Credit

Division

   8,000     0   N/A   14.00     11/25/2013    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   10,000     0   N/A   17.73     11/30/2014    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   15,000     0   N/A   33.88     11/30/2015    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   15,000     0   N/A   22.68     12/4/2016    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   16,000     4,000(2)  N/A   19.99     11/27/2017    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   18,000     12,000(3)  N/A   6.33     11/25/2018    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   12,000     18,000(4)  N/A   6.34     11/24/2019    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   6,000     24,000(5)  N/A   3.20     11/30/2020    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   N/A     N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A    29,500  154,285   (8 5/24/2021  N/A  N/A

David W. Trahan

President - Retail

Division

   8,000     0   N/A   14.00     11/25/2013    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   10,000     0   N/A   17.73     11/30/2014    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   15,000     0   N/A   33.88     11/30/2015    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   20,000     0   N/A   22.68     12/4/2016    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   16,000     4,000(2)  N/A   19.99     11/27/2017    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   18,000     12,000(3)  N/A   6.33     11/25/2018    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   12,000     18,000(4)  N/A   6.34     11/24/2019    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   6,000     24,000(5)  N/A   3.20     11/30/2020    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   N/A     N/A   N/A   N/A  ��  N/A    29,500  154,285   (8 5/24/2021  N/A  N/A

Clinton W. Harwood

Senior Vice President -

Information Technology

   4,800     0   N/A   14.00     11/25/2013    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   8,000     0   N/A   17.73     11/30/2014    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   15,000     0   N/A   33.88     11/30/2015    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   20,000     0   N/A   22.68     12/4/2016    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   16,000     4,000(2)  N/A   19.99     11/27/2017    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   15,000     10,000(3)  N/A   6.33     11/25/2018    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   10,000     15,000(4)  N/A   6.34     11/24/2019    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   5,000     20,000(5)  N/A   3.20     11/30/2020    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   N/A     N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A    9,000  101,520   (9 11/30/2021  N/A  N/A

Timothy L. Frank

Former President and

CEO

   8,000     0   N/A   14.00     11/25/2013    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   10,000     0   N/A   17.73     11/30/2014    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   15,000     0   N/A   33.88     11/30/2015    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   20,000     0   N/A   22.68     12/4/2016    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   20,000     5,000(2)  N/A   19.99     11/27/2017    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   0     16,000(3)  N/A   6.33     11/25/2018    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   0     18,000(4)  N/A   6.34     11/24/2019    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A
   0     28,000(5)  N/A   3.20     11/30/2020    N/A  N/A   N/A  N/A  N/A

(1)

– Options vest over a three year period with 33.33% vesting on December 5, 2012, 33.33% vesting on December 5, 2013, and the balance vesting on December 5, 2014. No option shall vest until the closing price for the Company’s common stock is no less than $18.00 per share for at least twenty consecutive trading days (as adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends or similar events).

(2)

– Options vest ratably at 20% per year for five years with final vesting on 11/27/2012.

(3)

– Options vest ratably at 20% per year for five years with final vesting on 11/25/2013.

(4)

– Options vest ratably at 20% per year for five years with final vesting on 11/24/2014.

(5)

– Options vest ratably at 20% per year for five years with final vesting on 11/30/2015.

(6)

Remaining restricted stock units vest on February 24, 2012.

32


(7)

Restricted stock units vest ratably for three years with final vesting on 12/05/2014. No unit shall vest until the closing price for the Company’s common stock is no less than $18.00 per share for at least twenty consecutive trading days (as adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends or similar events).

(8)

Restricted stock units vest ratably at 25% per year for four years with final vesting on 5/24/2015.

(9)

Restricted stock units vest ratably at 20% per year for five years with final vesting on 12/05/2016.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

   Option Awards   Stock Awards 

Name

  Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)
   Value
Realized on
Exercise ($)
   Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting (#)
   Value
Realized on
Vesting ($)
 

Theodore M. Wright

   0     0     43,334     480,996  

Michael J. Poppe

   0     0     0     0  

Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr.

   42,000     34,020     0     0  

David W. Trahan

   0     0     0     0  

Clinton W. Harwood

   0     0     0     0  

Timothy L. Frank

   43,000     253,130     0     0  

Termination of Employment and Change of Control Arrangements

Executive Severance Agreements

On August 30, 2011, our initial public offering, we conducted a thorough process of selecting qualified directors for our board. Both directors whose terms expire at this annual meeting were appointed in September 2003 in preparation for that offering. Given this fact, the size of our companyCompensation Committee approved and recommended to our board of directors which also approved Executive Severance Agreements for our four named executive officers – Theodore M. Wright, our Chief Executive Officer and President, Michael J. Poppe, our Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, David W. Trahan, our President – Retail Division, and Rey de la Fuente, our President – Credit Division. Executive Severance Agreements were entered effective December 5, 2011 with Mr. Wright upon his becoming our Chief Executive Officer and President, and effective September 1, 2011 with Messrs. Poppe, Trahan and de la Fuente that provide for a one year automatically renewable one year term unless previously terminated, providing for eighteen months’ base salary and benefit coverage, together with vesting privileges of previously granted equity awards, in the fact that we have only one director thatevent of termination without cause or voluntary termination by executive for “good reason” as defined in the agreement. “Cause” is employed by us,defined as well as“(i) behavior of Executive which is adverse to the limited amountcompany’s interests, (ii) Executive’s dishonesty, criminal charge or conviction, grossly negligent misconduct, willful misconduct, acts of time we, as a newly listed public company, have had to comply with new Nasdaq regulations and the Sarbanes-Oxley Actbad faith, neglect of 2002, we do not currently have a standing nominating committee. Our board believes that atduty or (iii) material breach of this time it would not be a prudent use of our board’s resources to have a separate nominating committee and those resources are better utilized on our other committees and board functions. Thus, in accordance with Nasdaq rules, a majority of our independent directors will recommend director nominees for the board’s selection.

Agreement.”

The goalnamed executive officers will also receive benefits under the severance agreements in the event of our board has been, and continues“change of control” of (i) lump sum payment equal to be, to identify nomineesthree times the executive’s base salary, (ii) continued coverage of benefits for service oneighteen months following the board of directors who will bring a variety of perspectives and skills from their professional and business experience. In furtherance of this goal, our board had adopted nominating policies and procedures which are available on our website at www.conns.com under “Investor Relations.” The independent directors will consider candidates for nomination proposed by stockholders so long as they are made in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.14 of our Bylaws.

For the independent directors to consider candidates recommended by stockholders, Section 2.14 of our Bylaws requires that the stockholder provide notice to our Secretary not less than 90 days prior to the anniversary date of the change of control, and (iii) all equity awards shall immediately preceding annual meetingvest and continue to be exerciseable during the eighteen months following change of control.

The following table indicates the quantitative disclosure of the stockholders. The noticepayments that would be made to our Secretary must set forth (a) as tonamed executive officers under their severance agreements and estimated benefit of the acceleration of each person whomnamed executive officer’s unvested options had a change of control occurred on January 31, 2012 and is calculated based on the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitationsclosing price of proxies for electionour common stock on January 31, 2012:

33


Named

Executive

Officer

  Vesting
acceleration
of options
upon change
in control

(# of shares)
(b)
   Vesting
acceleration
of restricted
stock units
upon change
in control

(# of shares)
(c)
   Compensation
in lieu of
salary/bonus
upon
termination
not for cause

($)
   Compensation
in lieu  of
salary/bonus
upon change

in control
($)
 

Theodore M. Wright

   175,000     50,000     1,050,000     2,100,000  

Michael J. Poppe

   62,000     35,000     562,500     1,125,000  

Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr.

   58,000     29,500     442,500     885,000  

David W. Trahan

   58,000     29,500     442,500     885,000  

Clinton W. Harwood

   49,000     9,000     —       —    

(b)

Assumes vesting would accelerate on all unvested options per the employee stock option plan:

“1. Acceleration of directors, or is otherwise required,Vesting and Exercise Dates. The other provisions of this Agreement notwithstanding and pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected); (b) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of such business, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest of such stockholder in the business; and (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice (i) the name and address, as they appear on the company’s books, of such stockholder and (ii) the class and number of shares of voting stockParagraph 12 of the company which are beneficially owned by such stockholder.

2003 Incentive Plan:

The independent directors believe that(a) In the minimum requirements for a person to be qualified to be a member of the board of directors, are that a person must (i) be an individual of the highest character and integrity and have an inquiring mind, vision, a willingness to ask hard questions and the ability to work well with others; (ii) be free of any conflict of interest that would violate any applicable law or regulation or interfere with the proper and reasonable performance of the responsibilitiesevent of a director; (iii) be willing and able to devote sufficient time to the affairsproposed dissolution or liquidation of the company and at the discretion of the Administrator, this Option may be diligent in fulfillingimmediately exercised for the responsibilitiesentire number of Shares covered hereby until fifteen (15) days prior to such dissolution or liquidation;

(b) In the event of a director and board committee member (including developing and maintaining sufficient knowledgeMerger Transaction in which this Option shall not be assumed or an equivalent option issued as a substitute by a successor entity, the Administrator shall notify the Optionee in writing that this Option shall be exercisable for the entire number of Shares covered hereunder for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice; or

In the event of a Merger Transaction that constitutes a Change of Control in which this Option is assumed or an equivalent option is issued by a successor entity, an Involuntary Termination of the companyOptionee within one (1) year after the effective date of the Change of Control shall cause this Option or the equivalent substitute option to be immediately exercisable for the full number of Shares covered hereunder.”

(c)

Assumes vesting would accelerate on all unvested options per the Omnibus Incentive Plan:

“13.3. Acceleration of Vesting. Without limiting the authority of the Committee under Sections 3.2 and its industry; reviewing4.3 of the Plan, if a Change in Control occurs, then:

(a) all Options and analyzing reportsStock Appreciation Rights that have been outstanding for at least six months will become immediately exercisable in full and other information importantwill remain exercisable in accordance with their terms;

(b) all Restricted Stock Awards and RSUs that have been outstanding for at least six months will become immediately fully vested and non-forfeitable; and

(c) any conditions to the boardissuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Performance Stock Awards that have been outstanding for at least six months will lapse. All other Awards will terminate and committee responsibilities; preparing for, attending and participatingbe forfeited upon the Change in board and committee meetings; and satisfying appropriate orientation and continuing education guidelines); and (iv) have the capacity and desire to represent the balanced, best interest of the stockholders as a whole and not primarily a special interest group or constituency. The independent directors evaluate whether certain individuals possess the foregoing qualities and recommends to the board for nomination candidates for election or re-election as directors at the annual meeting of stockholders, or if applicable, at a special meeting of stockholders. This process is the same regardless of whether the nominee is recommended by our board or one of our stockholders.

Control.”

Compensation of Non-Employee Directors

In fiscal 2004,Each of our non-employee directors received an annual retainerDirector’s fee of $5,000. Additionally,$50,000, and each chair of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee received an annual fee of $10,000 to serve as the chair of those Committees for our fiscal year 2012. At the March meeting of our Compensation Committee, the annual fee for chairmanship of our Audit Committee was increased to $15,000.

In addition our non-employee directors received $1,000 for each board meeting(i) are allowed to participate in the company’s medical plan at the same contributories with all the benefits of full-time active employees, (ii) receive a

34


merchandise discount in the same amount as the discount our employees receive; and $750 for each committee meeting attended and were(iii) are reimbursed for their expenses in attending suchboard and committee meetings.

We adopted the 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan in February 2003 in connection with our initial public offering.offering, and amended the Plan by vote of stockholders at our 2006 annual meeting of stockholders. The plan is administered by the board of directors. Only non-employee directors are eligible grantees. Upon the closing of the initial public offering, we granted each of our then-current non-employee directors anthe option to purchase 40,000 shares of our common stock, andstock. Prior to fiscal 2012, we will grant an option to purchase 40,000 shares of our common stock to any new board member. We will also granthave automatically, per the Stock Option Plan, granted our non-employee directors an option to purchase an additional 10,000 shares following each annual stockholders meeting on and after the fourth anniversary of each non-employee director’s initial election or appointment to the board of directors. AllThis annual award of options was eliminated by our Compensation Committee for our non-employee board members for our fiscal year 2012, and the Compensation Committee awarded restricted stock units covering 9,561 shares of our common stock under the 2011 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan as discussed below, to each director, vesting on the annual anniversary date of the award, being May 24,2012.

The initial options to purchase 40,000 shares of our common stock issued to non-employee directors vestvested equally over a three year period. The boardperiod, and the additional options to purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock issued to non-employee directors has reserved 300,000 shares for issuance uponvested on the exercisefirst annual anniversary date of the date of the grant. All of these options granted under the plan, subject to adjustment.have vested. The exercise price of each option is equal to the fair market valueprice per share of our common stock at the timeclose of market on the date the option is granted. The options have a term of up to ten years. Upon a change in control or sale of the company, optionees have special vesting and exercise rights.

Under the 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, the number of options available to issue is 600,000. As of January 31, 2012, 550,000 options had been issued under this Plan. No options were awarded to non-employee directors during fiscal 2012. The Compensation Committee has determined that no further options will be granted under this Plan at this time, as a result of our stockholders approving the 2011 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan at our 2011 annual meeting.

At our 2011 annual meeting our stockholders approved the adoption of the company’s 2011 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan. This Plan is administered by our Compensation Committee,and only non-employee directors are eligible recipients of rewards under the Plan. The Plan permits the awarding restricted stock and restricted stock units. At the Compensation Committee May 24, 2011 meeting, the Committee approved the award of restricted stock units covering 9,561 shares of common stock of the company to each of the Company’s non-employee directors pursuant to the 2011 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan. The Compensation Committee at its March 2012 meeting approved an award to each director following the company’s 2012 annual meeting of restricted stock units in the value of $60,000 as per the price of our common stock at the close of business the day immediately preceding the award.

Stock Ownership Guidelines for our Non-Employee Directors

Our Compensation Committee has established stock ownership guidelines for our non-employee directors. The guideline for each of these non-employee directors is two times the annual retainer. Each non-employee director shall have five years from August 30, 2011 to reach these targets. If these targets are not attained timely, then the applicable non-employee director will be required to retain 50% of the net after-tax shares realized from the company’s equity incentive programs until the guideline is met. Shares that count toward the guideline include directly owned shares, beneficially owned shares held indirectly and shares held in any retirement or deferral account. Unexercised stock options, unearned/unvested performance shares and unvested restricted stock shares do not count in the guideline calculations.

35


Director Compensation

Name

  Fees
earned or
paid in
cash $
   Stock
Awards
($)
   Option
Awards
($)
   Non-equity
incentive

plan
compensation
($)
   Change in
pension value
and
nonqualified
deferred
compensation
earnings

$
   All Other
Compensation
($)
   Total
($)
 
       (1)                     

Marvin D. Brailsford

   60,000     50,004     —       —       —       —       110,004  

Jon E. M. Jacoby

   60,000     50,004     —       —       —       —       110,004  

Bob L. Martin

   50,000     50,004     —       —       —       —       100,004  

Douglas H. Martin

   50,000     50,004     —       —       —       —       100,004  

Scott L. Thompson

   50,000     50,004     —       —       —       —       100,004  

William T. Trawick

   50,000     50,004     —       —       —       —       100,004  

(1)

Aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted during the year in accordance with ASC 718. Information regarding the assumptions used in calculating the fair value under ASC 718 can be found in Note 10 to the financial statements contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K. On May 24, 2011, Messrs. Brailsford, Jacoby, Bob L. Martin, Douglas H. Martin, Thompson, and Trawick were each issued 9,561 restricted stock units pursuant to the Company’s Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan. Those awards fully vest after one year.

Indemnification Arrangements

As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, we have adopted provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws that provide for the indemnification of our directors and certain executive officers, including our named executive officers, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. These provisions, among other things, indemnify each of our directors and certain officers for certain expenses, including judgments, fines and amounts paid in settling or otherwise disposing of actions or threatened actions, incurred by reason of the fact that such person was a director or officer of Conn’sthe company or of any other corporation which such person served in any capacity at the request of Conn’s.

the company.

In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors pursuant to which we will indemnify them against judgments, claims, damages, losses and expenses incurred as a result of the fact that any director, in his capacity as a director, is made or threatened to be made a party to any suit or proceeding. The indemnification agreements also provide for the advancement of certain expenses (such as attorney’s fees, witness fees, damages, judgments, fines and settlement costs) to our directors in connection with any such suit or proceeding.

We maintain a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy to insure our directors and officers against certain losses resulting from acts committed by them in their capacities as our directors and officers, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933.

36


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Code of Ethics

Our board of directors has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics for our employees, a code of ethics for our chief executive officer and senior financial professionals and a code of business conduct and ethics for our board of directors. A copy of these codes is published on our website atwww.conns.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance.” We intend to make all required disclosures concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, these codes on our website.

Separation of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Effective December 7, 2010, our board of directors elected Theodore M. Wright as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Prior to February 27, 2011, Mr. Wright was not and never had been an employee or executive officer of our company, has been a member of our board of directors since September 2003, and has been designated an independent director each year since his election to the board of directors. Effective February 27, 2011, Mr. Wright was elected to serve as our Interim Chief Executive Officer and President while our board pursued and completed a search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer and President. Effective December 5, 2011, Mr. Wright was elected by our board to serve as our Chief Executive Officer and President, and our board requested that he continue to serve as its Chairman. While our bylaws and corporate governance guidelines do not require that our Chairman of the Board of Directors position and Chief Executive Officer positions be separated, effective February 27, 2011, with the election of Mr. Wright as Interim Chief Executive Officer and President, the board determined that, at least while the search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer and President was continuing and until such position is filled, the company’s best interests would be best served by having the positions of Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Interim Chief Executive Officer and President be filled by Mr. Wright, who was thereby deemed to no longer be an independent member of the board of directors. Upon Mr. Wright’s election by the board of directors to serve as the Chief Executive Officer in conclusion of its seach, the board determined that the company’s best interests are served by Mr. Wright serving as both Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company.

The determination by the board of directors to elect a director determined by the board of directors to no longer be independent as its Chairman, rather than to elect an independent member of the board as its Chairman, was based upon the board of directors belief that this a separation was not needed due to the length of time Mr. Wright had served on the Board as an independent director since 2003, and that his expertise in both roles would be in the best interest of the company and our stockholders, and would bring a different perspective to the board from that which previous executive officers whose time and efforts had been primarily devoted to the company operations.

During the period that our Chairman of the Board also serves as our Chief Executive Officer and President, the board has determined that our interests continue to be served without the designation or appointment of a lead independent director. This determination was made due to the board’s comfort that its Chairman has been independent since first appointed to the board of directors in 2003 when we elected to become a publicly held company, and that his combined positions do not adversely affect his continuing to lead the board of directors as its Chairman without the necessity of appointing an independent lead director. This determination will be reconsidered depending on the length of time that the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and President are occupied by the current Chairman.

Risk Oversight

The board is actively involved in oversight of risks that could affect the company. Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks we face, while the board, as a whole and through its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk management. The Audit Committee of our board of directors is charged by its charter with the responsibility to and does review and discuss the company’s policies and practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management at each of its regularly scheduled meetings, and to report to the board of directors various areas of risk, including credit, liquidity and operational, that should receive further attention and discussions among the board of directors and company management. Our management does present specifically to the Audit Committee, and the

37


board of directors if requested by the Audit Committee, various areas of risk concerns and management practices relative thereto as required by the Audit Committee, and when requested by the board, including particularly enterprise risk management which is the subject of intense scrutiny by the Audit Committee through presentations and discussions with the company’s management at each Audit Committee Meeting. Additionally, at various regularly scheduled Audit Committee meetings, our management presents a particular area of risk, either independently as a result of its assessment of materiality or at the request of the Audit Committee in addition to the discussions of enterprise risk management. The Audit Committee works with management in assessing and addressing the company’s policies’ strengths and weaknesses in each area presented or separately assessed. The full board of directors receives at each regularly scheduled meeting, and more often as necessary, a presentation from management of our operations, including presentations of liquidity and credit reports and risks. Upon request by the board of directors, representatives of management for the separate areas commit to and do subsequently or simultaneously provide additional information, revisions and explanations pertaining to their respective areas of management.

Stockholder Communications with the Board

We have adopted a policy whichthat allows stockholders to communicate directly with the board of directors. Stockholders may contact the board or any committee of the board by any one of the following methods:

 

By telephone:

 

By mail:

 

By e-mail:

(409) 832-1696, Ext. 32183398

 

Conn’s, Inc.

Board of Directors

3295 College Street

Beaumont, Texas 77701

Attn: Corporate General Counsel

 Conns1890tf@aol.com

generalcounsel@conns.com

All communications submitted under this policy will be compiled by theour Compliance Officer of the company and submitted to the board or the requisite board committee on a periodic basis. Complaints or concerns relating to accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters will be referred to the Audit Committee under the policy adopted by the Audit Committee. This policy and procedure is posted on our website atwww.conns.com under “Investor Relations”Relations – Corporate Governance”.

38


AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Committee

The Committee

Our board of directors established the Audit Committee to recommendbe responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of our independent auditors and to oversee the company’sour (i) financial reporting process; (ii) internal audits, internal control policies and procedures implementation and compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 requirements and authorities; (iii) treasury function and cash management policies; (iv) compliance with and performance against debt and other third party financing requirements; and (v)(iii) financial, tax, environmental and other risk management policies. The Audit Committee is composed of three members and operates under a written charter, a copy of which will be filed with this year’s proxy statement relating tois published on our 2004 annual meeting of stockholders.website atwww.conns.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance.” The Audit Committee has prepared the following report on its activities with respect to the company’sour financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004.

2012.

Review and Discussion

Management is responsible for Conn’sour financial reporting process including its system of internal controls, and for the preparation of Conn’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Ernst & Young LLP, the company’sour independent auditors,registered public accounting firm, is responsible for auditing those financial statements.statements and for attesting to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. It is the Audit Committee’s responsibility to monitor and review these processes. The members of the Audit Committee are not employees of Conn’sthe company and do not represent themselves to be or to serve as, accountants or auditors by profession or experts in the field of accounting or auditing.

In connection with the preparation of the company’sour audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004,2012, the Audit Committee:

 

reviewed and discussed theour Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our audited consolidated financial statements and Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting for the year ended January 31, 2012, with management;

 

discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61;61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1. AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Oversight Board in Rule 3200T; and

 

received the written disclosures and the letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence DiscussionsPCAOB Rule 3526 (Communication with Audit Committees)Committees Concerning Independence), and discussed with Ernst & Young LLP its independence from Conn’s,the company, including whether Ernst & Young’sYoung LLP’s provision of non-audit services to the company is compatible with the auditors’ independence.

The Audit Committee meets separately with the company’sour independent auditors to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the company’sour internal controls and the overall quality of the company’sour financial reporting. The Audit Committee held four regularly scheduled meetings and acted once by unanimous written consent in lieu of meeting during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004.

2012.

Recommendation

Based on the review and discussion referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the board of directors that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004,2012, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE:
Marvin D. Brailsford, Chairman

Theodore M. Wright, ChairmanScott L. Thompson

Marvin D. Brailsford

Douglas H. MartinWilliam T. Trawick

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

39

The Committee

The Compensation Committee determines the compensation of the company’s Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers of the company, evaluates the compensation plans, policies and programs applicable to executive officers of the company and makes recommendations to the board concerning such plans, policies and programs, advises the board regarding compensation plans, policies and programs applicable to non-employee directors for their services as a director and administers the company’s stock option, stock purchase and other plans, which under their terms are to be administered by the Compensation Committee.

Overall Philosophy and Objectives

We have developed a compensation program for executives and key employees designed to: (i) reward performance that increases the value of our common stock; (ii) attract, retain and motivate executives and key employees with competitive compensation opportunities; (iii) build and encourage ownership of our shares; and (iv) address the concerns of our stockholders, employees, the financial community and the general public.

To meet these objectives, we reviewed competitive compensation data and implemented the base salary and incentive programs discussed below.

Executive Compensation

The available forms of executive compensation include base salary, cash bonus awards and incentive stock options. Our performance is a key consideration in determining executive compensation. However, our compensation policy recognizes that stock price performance is only one measure of performance and, given industry business conditions and our long-term strategic direction and goals, it may not necessarily be the best current measure of executive performance. Therefore, our compensation policy also gives consideration to the achievement of specified business objectives when determining executive officer compensation. The Compensation Committee, in certain cases, offers employees and executive officers equity compensation in addition to salary in keeping with our overall compensation philosophy, which attempts to place equity in the hands of our employees in an effort to further instill stockholder considerations and values in the actions of all our employees and executive officers.

Compensation paid to executive officers is based upon a company-wide compensation structure that emphasizes incentive bonus compensation based upon individual and company performance and is consistent for each position relative to its authority and responsibility. Stock option awards in fiscal 2004 were used to reward certain officers and to retain them through the potential of capital gains and equity buildup in Conn’s. The number of stock options granted is determined by the subjective evaluation of the officer’s ability to influence our long-term growth and profitability. Stock options granted to our senior management have been granted only pursuant to our Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan. The board believes the award of options represents an effective incentive to create value for our stockholders.

CEO Compensation

The Compensation Committee established a base salary for Mr. Thomas Frank of $480,000 for fiscal year 2004. The Compensation Committee also awarded Mr. Thomas Frank a bonus of $900,000 for services rendered in fiscal year 2004. For the 2005 fiscal year, the Compensation Committee established a base salary for Mr. Thomas Frank of $480,000. The Compensation Committee deemed the 2004 bonus and the salary level for 2005 to be generally commensurate with the Chief Executive Officer’s position at comparable publicly owned companies and in recognition of the increased responsibilities associated with our growth, performance and public company status. In determining Mr. Thomas Frank’s salary and bonus, the Compensation Committee considered his industry experience, past performance and other subjective factors.

The Compensation Committee believes that the Chief Executive Officer’s 2004 and 2005 compensation levels were and are justified by Conn’s financial progress and performance against the goals set by the Compensation Committee.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:

Jon E.M. Jacoby, Chairman

William T. Trawick

Theodore M. Wright


PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following graph provides a comparison of the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock against the NasdaqNASDAQ U.S. Stock Market Index and the average of a peer group index comprised of five publicly traded consumer electronic and/or appliance retailers(1)(1) sinceagainst which we benchmark our initial public offering on November 24, 2003. Since we have not been publicly traded long enough to provide information on an annual basis, we have selected seven different measurement dates that are approximately equal periods of time between November 24, 2003 and January 30, 2004 (the last trading day of our fiscal year) for comparison purposes.executives’ compensation. The graph reflects the value of a $100 investment as of November 24, 2003January 31, 2007 in either our stock or the indices presented at the dates of measurement, including reinvestment of dividends. The corresponding index values and common stock price values are summarized in the table below by measurement date.

 

LOGOLOGO

 

TRADE DATE


  

CONN’S

INDEX


  

NASDAQ U.S.

STOCK MARKET

INDEX


  

PEER GROUP

STOCK INDEX1


  CONN’S CLOSING
STOCK PRICE


November 24, 2003

  $100.00  $100.00  $100.00  $14.00

December 5, 2003

   111.29   99.52   94.93   15.58

December 16, 2003

   106.07   98.83   87.70   14.85

December 30, 2003

   114.29   103.22   93.88   16.00

January 9, 2004

   113.86   107.18   82.58   15.94

January 22, 2004

   117.50   108.83   90.81   16.45

January 30, 2004

   114.29   106.11   93.87   16.00

Trade Date

  Conn’s
Index
   NASDAQ
US Stock
Market
Index
   Peer
Group
Stock
Index1
   Conn’s
Closing
Stock
Price
 

January 31, 2007

   100.00     100.00     100.00     23.47  

January 31, 2008

   82.24     97.75     93.09     19.30  

January 31, 2009

   51.81     60.96     57.51     12.16  

January 31, 2010

   23.95     89.57     77.61     5.62  

January 31, 2011

   18.83     113.82     77.66     4.42  

January 31, 2012

   49.42     119.85     63.70     11.60  

1(1)

The peer group index consists of the simple average of the indices of Sears, Roebuck & Co., Best Buy Co., Inc., Circuit City Stores,Aaron Rents, Inc., Ultimate Electronics,Rent-A-Center Inc., and Tweeter Home Entertainment Group,hhgregg, Inc.

.

40


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Biographical Information

The board appointselects our executive officers at the firstits board meeting immediately following our annual meeting of stockholders, and updates the executive officer positions as necessary. Our executive officers serve at the discretion of the board and until their successors are elected and qualified or until the earlier of their death, resignation or removal.

The following sets forth certain biographical information regarding our executive officers, including service with Conn Appliances, Inc., our predecessor company:company. For our executive officers who are also directors, you may find their biographies under “Board of Directors; Board of Director Nominees” above.

 

Name


  Age

  

Positions


  Years of Service
with Conn’s


Thomas J. Frank, Sr.

  64  Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer  44

William C. Nylin, Jr.

  61  President and Chief Operating Officer  11

C. William Frank

  57  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  6

David R. Atnip

  56  Senior Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer  11

Walter M. Broussard

  44  Senior Vice President – Store Operations  18

Robert B. Lee, Jr.

  57  Senior Vice President – Advertising  4

David W. Trahan

  43  Senior Vice President – Merchandising  16

Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr.

  43  Senior Vice President – Credit  5

Name

  

Age

  

Positions

  Years of Service
with Conn’s

Theodore M. Wright

  

49

  

Chief Executive Officer and President

  9 (as
director and
one year as an
officer)

Michael J. Poppe

  

44

  

Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President

  8

David W. Trahan

  

51

  

President – Retail Division

  25

Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr.

  

51

  

President – Credit Division

  14

David R. Atnip

  

63

  

Senior Vice President and Treasurer

  18

Walter M. Broussard

  

51

  

Senior Vice President – Store Operations

  25

Clinton W. Harwood

  

55

  

Senior Vice President – Information Technology

  18

ThomasMichael J. Frank, Sr.Poppe was appointed as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in 1994. He has been employed by us for 44 years, has been a member of our. Our board of directors since 1980 and has held every key management position within the organization, including responsibilities for distribution, service, credit, information technology, accounting and general operations.appointed Mr. Frank and C. William Frank are brothers. Mr. Frank holds a B.A. degree in industrial arts from Sam Houston State University and attended graduate courses at Harvard University and Texas A&M University.

William C. Nylin, Jr. has servedPoppe as our PresidentChief Financial Officer effective February 1, 2008, and Chief Operating Officer since 1995. He became a member of our board of directors in 1993 and served in that capacity until September 2003. In addition to performing responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer, he has direct responsibility for credit granting and collections, information technology, human resources, distribution, service and training. From 1984 to 1995, Dr. Nylin held several executive management positions, including Deputy Chancellor and Executive Vice President of Finance and Operations at Lamar University. Dr. Nylin obtained his B.S. degree in mathematics from Lamar University and holds both a masters degree and a doctorate degree in computer sciences from Purdue University. He has also completed a post-graduate program at Harvard University.

C. William Frank has served as our Executive Vice President since October 2001June 1, 2010. Mr. Poppe served as our Controller and as ourAssistant Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Treasurer since joininghe joined us in 1997. He joinedSeptember 2004 until February 1, 2008. Mr. Poppe is responsible for our accounting, treasury, risk management, human resources and service operations, and has been responsible for our legal and MIS functions. In the 14 years prior to his joining our company, Mr. Poppe served in various accounting and financial management positions in public accounting with Arthur Andersen LLP and in automotive retail companies, most recently as Vice President and Corporate Controller of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Mr. Poppe spent from January 1997 until May 2004 at Group 1 Automotive, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange listed, Fortune 500 retail company, and was a member of its founding management team. Mr. Poppe is a certified public accountant and obtained his B.B.A in accounting and finance from Texas A&M University.

David W. Trahan was elected President – Retail Division by our board of directors in October 1997 and served in that capacity until September 2003. From 1992 to 1996,on June 3, 2008. Mr. FrankTrahan has previously served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Living Centers of America, a publicly held provider of long term healthcare facilities. Mr. Frank and Thomas J. Frank, Sr. are brothers. Mr. Frank obtained his undergraduate degree in accounting– Retail from Lamar University and his M.B.A. from Pepperdine University.

David R. Atnip has servedJune 1, 2007, as our Senior Vice President since October 2001– Retail from April 1, 2006 and as our Secretary/Treasurer since 1997. He joined us in 1992 and served as Chief Financial Officer from 1994 to 1997. In 1995, he joined our board of directors and served in that capacity until September 2003. Mr. Atnip holds a B.B.A. in accounting from The University of Texas at Arlington and has over 20 years of financial experience in the savings and loan industry.

Walter M. Broussard has served as our Senior Vice President - Store Operations since October 2001. Mr. Broussard has served us in numerous retail capacities since 1985, including working on the sales floor as a sales consultant, store manager and district manager. He has over 24 years of retail sales experience. He attended Lamar University and has completed special study programs at Harvard University, Rice University and the University of Notre Dame.

Robert B. Lee, Jr. has served as our Senior Vice President - Advertising since October 2001. He joined us in 1999 as our Vice President - Advertising. His responsibilities include planning and implementing our $25 million advertising budget and our consumer research activities and validating geographical data for the site selection process. From 1990 until 1998, he was a partner in Ann Lee & Associates, a Beaumont-based advertising agency and public relations firm where he served as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Lee obtained a B.B.A.– Merchandising from The University of Texas at Austin and completed a post-graduate program at the University of Notre Dame.

David W. Trahan has served as our Senior Vice President - Merchandising since October 2001. He has been employed by us since 1986 in various capacities, including sales, store operations and merchandising. He has been directly responsible for our merchandising and product purchasing functions, as well as product display and pricing operations, for the last threefour years. Mr. Trahan has completed special study programs at Harvard University, Rice University and Lamar University.

Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr. was elected President – Credit Division by our board of directors on June 3, 2008. Mr. de la Fuente has previously served as our Executive Vice President – Credit from June 1, 2007, and as our Senior Vice President - Credit since October 2001. Since joining us in 1998, he has served in positions that involve direct responsibility for credit underwriting, customer service inbound operations, collections, recovery of charge-offs and legal activities. Mr. de-la-Fuentede la Fuente has worked in the credit receivables industry since 1986 with national credit organizations. His responsibilities included the strategic direction and development of large credit portfolios. Mr. de la Fuente obtained his B.B.A. in finance from The University of Texas at San Antonio and holds an M.B.A. from Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio.

Code of Ethics

Our board has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics for our employees, a code of ethics for our chief executive officer and senior financial professionals and a code of business conduct and ethics for our board of directors. A copy of these codes are published on our website at www.conns.com under “Investor Relations.” We intend to make all required disclosures concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, these codes on our website.

Executive Compensation

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the total compensation paid or accrued by us for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2003 and 2004 on behalf of each of our named executive officers.

Name and Position


Fiscal

Year


All Other
Compensation


Annual Compensation

Company
Contributions

to 401(k) Plan


Salary

Bonus

Thomas J. Frank, Sr.

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

2003
2004
$
480,000
465,000
$
825,000
900,000
$
11,198
9,600

(1)

William C. Nylin, Jr.

President and Chief Operating Officer

2003
2004
$
250,000
290,000
$
266,000
300,000
$
11,243
9,804

(1)

C. William Frank

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

2003
2004
$
250,000
250,000
$
230,000
250,000
$
12,258
8,973

(1)

David W. Trahan

Senior Vice President-Merchandising

2003
2004
$
180,000
180,000
$
168,500
180,000
$
9,730
7,884

Walter M. Broussard

Senior Vice President-Store Operations

2003
2004
$
144,000
144,000
$
153,000
170,000
$
8,388
7,752


(1)Includes $1,500 in fees paid to these officers for service as a director during fiscal 2004.

Employment Agreements

We have employment agreements with Thomas J. Frank, Sr., our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, William C. Nylin, Jr., our President and Chief Operating Officer, C. William Frank, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and David R. Atnip has served as our Senior Vice President since October 2001 and Secretary/Treasurer. Underas our Treasurer since 1997. He joined us in 1992 and served as Chief Financial Officer from 1994 to 1997 and as our Secretary from 1997 to 2005. In 1995, he joined our board of directors and served in that capacity

41


until September 2003. Mr. Atnip holds a B.B.A. in accounting from The University of Texas at Arlington and has over 21 years of financial experience in the termssavings and loan industry.

Walter M. Broussard has served as our Senior Vice President – Store Operations since June 2010, Senior Vice President – Recruiting since June 3, 2008, as our Senior Vice President – Sales since 2005, and previously served as our Senior Vice President – Store Operations from October 2001. Mr. Broussard has served us in numerous retail capacities since 1985, including working on the sales floor as a sales consultant, store manager and district manager. He has over 28 years of these employment agreements, eachretail sales experience. He attended Lamar University and has completed special study programs at Harvard University, Rice University and the University of Notre Dame.

Clinton W. Harwoodhas served as our executive officers is entitled to payment of an annual salary plus a bonus based upon attainment of performance goals determinedSenior Vice President – Information Technology since being appointed by our Compensation Committee,board of directors effective June 1, 2007. He previously served as our Vice President – Information Technology since August 2000. Mr. Harwood joined Conn’s in April 1994 as Manager of Computer Operations, and has served the company in all aspects of information technology since that time. Prior to participatejoining the company, he served in our employee benefit plansvarious information technology positions in the utility, academic and to receive options to purchase sharespetrochemical industries. Mr. Harwood holds both a Bachelor (1979) and Master (1988) of our common stock. In the event that we terminate the executive officer’s employment other than for cause or we do not renew the employment agreement when it expires, we are obligated to pay the executive officer severanceScience degrees in an amount equal to the executive officer’s annual base salary. All of our executive officers’ employment agreements with us contain confidentialityComputer Science from Lamar University, and other customary provisions.completed a special study program at Harvard University.

 

Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year42

Name


  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
Granted


  % of
Total
Granted
in Fiscal
2003


  Exercise
Price


  Expiration
Date


  Potential Realizable Value at
Assumed Annual Stock Price
Appreciation for Option Term


         5%

  10%

Thomas J. Frank, Sr.

  56,500  15.3% $14.00  11/24/13  $497,450  $1,260,650

William C. Nylin, Jr.

  56,500  15.3   14.00  11/24/13   497,456   1,260,650

C. William Frank

  48,500  13.1   14.00  11/24/13   427,019   1,082,151

Walter M. Broussard

  8,000  2.2   14.00  11/24/13   70,436   178,499

David W. Trahan

  8,000  2.2   14.00  11/24/13   70,436   178,499


Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option Values

The following table provides certain information with respect to options to purchase common stock held by our named executive officers as of January 31, 2004.

Name


  Shares
Acquired on
Exercise


 ��Value
Realized


  Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options at Fiscal Year End


  

Value of Unexercised

In-the-Money Options

at Fiscal Year End


      Exercisable

  Unexercisable

  Exercisable

  Unexercisable

Thomas J. Frank, Sr.

  —    —    —    56,500  $—    $113,000

William C. Nylin, Jr.

  —    —    11,228  73,342   87,474   244,211

C. William Frank

  —    —    53,872  94,308   419,701   453,877

Walter M. Broussard

  —    —    27,300  26,200   212,687   143,791

David W. Trahan

  —    —    —    8,000   —     16,000

Employee Equity Incentive Plans

Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan

In February 2003, we adopted our Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan.Plan, and amended the plan in June 2004 and May 2006. The plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of our board of directors. Our employees and employees of our subsidiaries, subject to certain exclusions, are eligible to participate in the plan. Option grants arehave been made withinat the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Options may be grantedCommittee, for such terms as the Compensation Committee may determine, but not for terms greater than ten years from the date of grant. The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under this plan is 2,559,7673,859,767 shares, subject to adjustment. All options issued vest equally over a five year term.five-year term or less, as per the grant. At January 31, 2004,2012, there were options to purchase 1,531,4402,336,670 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding under the plan and 281,187 shares remaining for future issuance under the plan.

2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan

In May, 2011, our stockholders approved our 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of our board of directors. Our employees and employees of our subsidiaries, subject to certain exclusions, are eligible to participate in the plan. The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under this plan is 1,200,000 shares, subject to adjustment and a cap of 300,000 to any one participant in any one taxable year. Restricted stock units that have been issued under the Plan vest at various periods, depending on the recipient, but none longer than five years. At January 31, 2012, there were restricted stock units issued to purchase 313,417 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding under the plan and 843,250 shares remaining for future issuance under the plan.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In February 2003, we adopted our Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan was amended on November 30, 2011 to permit highly compensated employees to participate. The plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of our board of directors. Our employees and employees of our subsidiaries, subject to certain exclusions, are eligible to participate in the plan. Eligible employees are able to purchase shares of our common stock without brokerage commissions and at a discount from market prices. The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under this plan is 1,267,085 shares, subject to adjustment.

At January 31, 2012, there were 1,111,632 shares available for future issuance under the plan.

401(k)2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan

We also have a defined contribution 401(k) plan for our full-time employees and the employees2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, which we adopted in February 2003. The maximum number of shares of our subsidiaries who are least 21 years oldcommon stock that may be issued under this plan is 600,000 shares, subject to adjustment. All options issued to a director when he or she becomes a director currently vest equally over a three-year term, while those issued to a director on his fourth anniversary date and have completed one yearthose issued immediately following each annual stockholders’ meeting upon the director’s election by the stockholders as a director, vest on the first anniversary date of service, working 1,000 hours in the 12-month period. Employees may contribute upgrant. As a result of the approval by the stockholders of the 2011 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan, discussed below, the Compensation Committee has determined to 20%issue no further options under this 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan at this time. At January 31, 2012, there were options to purchase 433,000 shares of their compensation toour common stock issued and outstanding under the plan and we will match up to 100% of50,000 shares remaining for future issuance under the first 3% and up to 50% of the next 2% contributedplan.

2011 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan

In May, 2011, our stockholders approved our 2011 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan. The plan is administered by the employee. AtCompensation Committee of our option, we may also make supplemental contributionsboard of directors. Only our non-employee directors are eligible to participate in the plan. During fiscal 2004, we contributed approximately $1.2 millionThe maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under this plan is 300,000 shares. Only restricted stock and restricted stock units may be awarded under the Plan. Restricted stock units that have been issued under the Plan vest at various periods, depending on the recipient, but none longer than five years. At January 31, 2012, there were restricted stock units issued to purchase 57,366 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding under the 401(k)plan and 242,634 shares remaining for future issuance under the plan.

 

43


The following table provides information regarding the number of shares of our common stock that may be issued on exercise of outstanding stock options and will be issued under restricted stock unit awards under our existing equity compensation plans as of January 31, 2012. These plans are as follows:

the Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan;

the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan;

the Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan;

the 2011 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan; and

the Employee Stock Purchase Program.

Plan Category

  Number of Securities to
be Issued upon Exercise
of Outstanding  Options,
Warrants and Rights
  Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
   Number of Securities Remaining
Available for Future Issuance
Under Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding Securities
Reflected in Column (A))
 

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Stockholders

   3,140,453(1)  $12.31     2,528,703(1) 

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Stockholders

   —      —       —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   —      —       —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)

Includes 433,000 outstanding options and 50,000 options available for future issue applicable to the Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan. Weighted average remaining life for options outstanding at January 31, 2012 – 5.4 years for Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan, 5.0 for Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, with overall weighted average remaining life for all options outstanding at January 31, 2012 being 5.3 years. Weighted average remaining life for restricted stock unit awards outstanding at January 31, 2012 – 9.3 years for Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan, 8.8 years for Omnibus Incentive Plan, with overall weighted average remaining life for all restricted stock unit awards outstanding at January 31, 2012 being 8.9 years.

44


STOCK OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock for each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our voting securities, for each director and named executive officer, and for all directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes, each person named below has sole voting and investment power over the shares indicated. For purposes of this table, a person is deemed to be the “beneficial owner” of the number of shares of common stock that such person has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 15, 20042, 2012 through the exercise of any option, warrant or right, through the conversion of any security, through the power to revoke a trust, discretionary account, or similar arrangement, or through the automatic termination of a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement.

 

Name


  Common Stock
Owned


  

Percent of
Common

Stock Owned


 

Conn’s Voting Trust (1)

  13,593,121  58.7%

Stephens Group, Inc. (2)

  1,021,538  4.4%

Stephens Inc.

  149,199  0.6%

Warren A. Stephens

  4,477,222(3) 19.3%

W.R. Stephens, Jr.

  4,035,570(4) 17.4%

Elizabeth Stephens Campbell

  3,365,723(5) 14.5%

Pamela Dianne Stephens Trust One

  1,682,862  7.3%

Jackson T. Stephens

  416,210(6) 1.8%

Bess C. Stephens

  2,118,741(7) 9.2%

Jon E.M. Jacoby

  3,032,701(8) 13.1%

Douglas H. Martin

  850,385(9) 3.7%

All other Stephens Affiliates

  451,175  1.9%

Thomas J. Frank, Sr.

  1,310,152  5.7%

William C. Nylin, Jr.

  354,158(10) 1.5%

C. William Frank

  276,192(11) 1.2%

David W. Trahan

  194,530(12) 0.8%

Walter M. Broussard

  121,800(13) 0.5%

Marvin D. Brailsford

  —    —   

Bob L. Martin

  —    —   

William T. Trawick

  75,390  0.3%

Theodore M. Wright

  —    —   

Directors and officers (14 persons) (10)(11)(12)(13)

  6,598,908  28.2%

Name

  Common Stock
Owned
  Percent of
Common
Stock
Owned
 

Conn’s Voting Trust (1)

   7,648,488    23.69

Warren A. Stephens

   3,622,123 (2)   11.22

Stephens Investments Holdings LLC

   427,382 (3)   1.32

Curtis F. Bradbury, Jr.

   1,859,573 (4)   5.76

Douglas H. Martin

   280,382 (5)   0.87

SG-1890, LLC

   8,415,991    26.07

W.R. Stephens, Jr.

   8,416,610 (6)   26.07

Jon E.M. Jacoby

   99,537 (7)   0.31

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP

   2,291,421 (8)   7.10

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

   1,627,535 (9)   5.04

Theodore M. Wright

   210,001 (10)   0.65

Michael J. Poppe

   137,324 (11)   0.42

Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr.

   143,375 (12)   0.44

David W. Trahan

   233,905 (13)   0.72

Clinton W. Harwood

   167,075 (14)   0.52

Marvin D. Brailsford

   94,561 (15)   0.29

Bob L. Martin

   78,922 (16)   0.24

David Schofman

   0    0.00

William T. Trawick

   50,605 (17)   0.16

Scott L. Thompson

   67,561 (18)   0.21

Directors and officers (12 persons)

   1,563,248 (19)   4.72


(1)

These shares have been contributed to a voting trust agreement and are held and voted by an independent third party as voting trustee. The voting trust will vote the shares held in the voting trust in the same proportion as votes cast “for” or “against” any proposals by all other stockholders. The voting trust agreement imposes substantial limitations on the sale or other disposition of the shares subject to the voting trust. The voting trust agreement will expire in November 2013 or such earlier time as Stephens Inc. ceases to be an affiliate of ours or a market maker of our common stock.

(2)The principal stockholders

Includes 217,560 shares owned by Stephens Inc. which have been contributed to the Voting Trust and as to which Mr. Stephens, as President, has no voting power and sole dispositive power. Also includes 7,897 shares held in discretionary trading accounts on behalf of Stephens Group, Inc. are the Jackson T.clients as to which Mr. Stephens, Trust No. One UID 1/4/88 and the Bess C. Stephens Trust UID 1/4/85. Warren A. Stephens is a director and an officeras President of Stephens Group, Inc., may be deemed to have shared voting power and its subsidiary Stephens Inc. W.R. Stephens, Jr. is a director and an officer of Stephens Group, Inc. and Stephens Inc. Mr. Jacoby is a director of Stephens Group, Inc. Mr. Martin is an officer of Stephens Group, Inc. Jackson T. Stephens is Chairman of the Board of Directors and Bess C. Stephens is a director of Stephens Group, Inc. The address of each of the above named persons is c/o Stephens Group, Inc. 111 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201.

(3)Includes 2,071,549shared dispositive power. Also includes 599 shares beneficially owned by Warren A. Stephens Trust 4,356as to which Mr. Stephens has sole voting and dispositive power. Also includes 2,743,513 shares beneficially owned by Warren Miles Amerine Stephens Trust, 4,356 shares owned by John Calhoun Stephens Trust and 4,356 shares owned by Laura WhitakerA. Stephens Trust which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which Mr. Stephens has no power to vote and sole power of disposition; 765,100 shares owned by Grandchild’sVoting Trust #2, which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which Mr. Stephens has no power to vote and shared power of disposition; 789,100 shares owned by Harriet C. Stephens Trust and 168,498 shares owned by Warren A. Stephens Grantor Trust, which have been contributed to the voting trust; 451,176 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners III LLC, 182,609 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners 2000 LLC and 36,122 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners 2001 LLC, which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which Mr. Stephens, as co-manager, has no power to vote and shared power of disposition. Does not include shares owned by Stephens Group, Inc. or any of its affiliates, except as mentioned in this footnote.
(4)Includes 1,362,530 shares owned by W.R. Stephens, Jr. Revocable Trust, which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which Mr. Stephens, as trustee, has no power to vote and sole power of disposition; 227,774 shares owned by W.R. Stephens, Jr. Children’s Trust, 39,489 shares held by W.R. Stephens III Trust, 39,489 shares held by Arden Jewell Stephens Trust and 1,682,862 shares held by Pamela D. Stephens Trust One, which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which Mr. Stephens, as a co-trustee or otherwise, has no power to vote and shared power of disposition; 13,519 shares owned by Carol Stephens which have been contributed to the voting trust; 451,176 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners III LLC, 182,609 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners 2000 LLC and 36,122 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners 2001 LLC, which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which Mr. Stephens, as co-manager, has no power to vote and shared power of disposition. Does not include shares owned by Stephens Group, Inc. or any of its affiliates, except as mentioned in this footnote.
(5)Includes 1,432,531 shares owned by Elizabeth S. Campbell Revocable Trust, which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which Ms. Campbell, as trustee, has no power to vote and sole power of disposition; 1,682,862 shares owned by Pamela D. Stephens Trust One and 250,330 shares owned by MAM International Holdings, Inc., which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which Ms. Campbell, as a co-trustee or otherwise, has no power to vote and shared power of disposition.
(6)Includes 208,105 shares owned by Jackson T. Stephens Trust No. One, which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which Mr. Stephens, as trustee, has no voting power and sole dispositive power, and 208,105power. Also includes 6,352 shares owned by Bess C.each of Warren Miles Amerine Stephens Trust, John Calhoun Stephens Trust, and Laura Whitaker Stephens Trust, which have been contributed to the voting trustVoting Trust and as to which Mr. Stephens, as co-trustee,sole trustee of the trusts, has no voting power and sharedsole dispositive power.
(7)Includes 227,774 Also includes 274,885 shares owned by W.R. Stephens Jr. Children’s Trust, 208,105 shares owned by Bess. C. Stephens Trust and 1,682,862 shares owned by Pamela D. Stephens Trust One,Investments Holdings LLC which have been contributed to the voting trustVoting Trust and as to which Ms.Mr. Stephens,

45


as a co-trustee,Manager, has no voting power and sole dispositive power. Also includes 152,497 shares owned directly by Stephens Investments Holdings LLC as to votewhich Mr. Stephens has sole voting power and sole dispositive power. Also includes 206,116 shares beneficially owned by WAS Conn’s Annuity Trust One, Harriet C. Stephens, trustee, which have been contributed to the Voting Trust and as to which Mr. Stephens has no voting power and may be deemed to have shared power of disposition.dispositive power.

(8)(3)

Includes 274,885 shares which have been contributed to the Voting Trust and as to which Stephens Investments Holdings LLC has no voting power and sole dispositive power, and 152,497 shares held directly as to which Stephens Investments Holdings LLC has sole voting power and sole dispositive power.

(4)

Includes 676,804296,442 which have been contributed to the Voting Trust and as to which Mr. Bradbury has no voting power and sole dispositive power. Also includes 74,779 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Jacoby, 168,498 shares owned by Warren A.each of John Calhoun Stephens Grantor95 Trust, 1,018,123 shares owned by Warren & HarrietLaura Whitaker Stephens Children’s95 Trust 51,282 shares owned byand Warren Miles Amerine Stephens 95 Trust, 51,282all of which have been contributed to the Voting Trust and as to which Mr. Bradbury, as sole trustee of the trusts, has no voting power and sole dispositive power. Also includes 1,338,794 shares beneficially owned by John CalhounWarren and Harriet Stephens 95 Trust and 51,282 shares owned by Laura Whitaker Stephens 95Children’s Trust which have been contributed to the voting trustVoting Trust and as to which Mr. Jacoby, as sole trustee or otherwise,Bradbury has no voting power to vote and sole power of disposition; 765,100dispositive power.

(5)

Includes 14,602 shares owned by Grandchild’s Trust #2Douglas H. Martin IRA as to which Mr. Martin has sole voting power and 250,331sole dispositive power, and 173,119 shares owned by MAM International Holdings, Inc., which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which Mr. Jacoby, as a co-trustee or otherwise, has no power to vote and shared power of disposition. Does not include shares owned by Stephens Group, Inc. or any of its affiliates, except as mentioned in this footnote.

(9)Includes 160,580 shares owned by Mr. Martin and 19,899 shares owned by IRA, which have been contributed to the voting trustVoting Trust and as to which Mr. Martin has no voting power and sole dispositive power; 451,176power. Also includes 1,100 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners III LLC, 182,609 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners 2000 LLC and 36,122 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners 2001 LLC,Douglas Martin Custodian for Haven Celeste Martin, which have been contributed to the voting trustVoting Trust and as to which Mr. Martin as co-manager, has no voting power to vote and shared power of disposition. Does not includesole dispositive power. Also includes 1,000 shares owned by Douglas Martin Custodian for Brett Austin Martin, which have been contributed to the Voting Trust and as to which Mr. Martin has no voting power and sole dispositive power. Also includes 1,000 shares owned by Douglas Martin Custodian for James Garth Martin, which have been contributed to the Voting Trust and as to which Mr. Martin has no voting power and sole dispositive power. Also includes 80,000 shares which Mr. Martin has the right to receive upon the exercise of options. Also includes 9,561 restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days after the record date of April 2, 2012.

(6)

Includes 619 shares owned directly by W.R. Stephens, Jr. Revocable Trust as to which Mr. Stephens, as sole trustee, has sole voting power and sole dispositive power. Also includes 8,415,991 shares owned by SG-1890, LLC as to which Mr. Stephens, as CEO of The Stephens Group, Inc.LLC, Manager of the LLC, has voting power and dispositive power.

(7)

Includes 9,976 shares owned individually as to which Mr. Jacoby has sole voting power and sole dispositive power. Also includes 80,000 shares which Mr. Jacoby has the right to receive upon the exercise of options. Also includes 9,561 restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days after the record date of April 2, 2012.

(8)

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP’s address is Palisades West, Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas, 78746. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, furnishes investment advice to four investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and serves as investment manager to certain other commingled group trusts and separate accounts (such investment companies, trusts and accounts, collectively referred to as the “Funds”). In certain cases, subsidiaries of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP may act as an adviser or sub-adviser to certain Funds. In its role as investment advisor, sub-adviser and/or manager, neither Dimensional Fund Advisors LP or its subsidiaries (collectively, “Dimensional”) possess voting and/or investment power over the securities of the Issuer that are owned by the Funds, and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares of the Issuer held by the Funds. However, all securities reported in this schedule are owned by the Funds. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities. In addition, the filing of this Schedule 13G shall not be construed as an admission that the reporting person or any of its affiliates.affiliates is the beneficial owner of any securities covered by this Schedule 13G for any other purposes than Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The information with respect to Dimensional comes from Dimensional ‘s Schedule 13G filed with the SEC, and we are not responsible for its accuracy.

(9)

JP Morgan Chase & Co.’s address is 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017. The information with respect to JP Morgan Chase and Co. comes from JP Morgan Chase and Co.’s Schedule 13G filed with the SEC, and we are not responsible for its accuracy.

(10)

Includes 302,930 restrictedoptions to purchase 55,000 shares of common stock andstock.

(11)

Includes options to purchase 11,228113,000 shares of common stock. Pursuant to a Restricted Stock Agreement dated July 21, 1998,Also includes 8,750 restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days after the restricted shares are subject to transfer limitations and forfeiturerecord date of unvested shares in the event of termination of employment.April 2, 2012.

(11)(12)

Includes 222,320 restricted shares of common stock and options to purchase 53,872100,000 shares of common stock. Pursuant to a Restricted Stock Agreement dated July 21, 1998,Also includes 7,375 restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days after the restricted shares are subject to transfer limitations and forfeiturerecord date of unvested shares in the event of termination of employment.April 2, 2012.

(12)(13)

Includes options to purchase 105,000 restricted shares of common stock. Pursuant to a Restricted Stock Agreement dated July 21, 1998,Also includes 7,375 restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days after the restricted shares are subject to transfer limitations and forfeiturerecord date of unvested shares in the event of termination of employment.April 2, 2012.

(13)(14)

Includes 59,500 restrictedoptions to purchase 93,800 shares of common stock andstock.

46


(15)

Includes options to purchase 18,20080,000 shares of common stock. PursuantAlso includes 9,561 restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days after the record date of April 2, 2012.

(16)

Includes options to a Restricted Stock Agreement dated July 21, 1998,purchase 40,000 shares of common stock. Also includes 9,561 restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days after the record date of April 2, 2012.

(17)

Includes options to purchase 40,000 shares of common stock. Also includes 9,561 restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days after the record date of April 2, 2012.

(18)

Includes options to purchase 58,000 shares are subjectof common stock. Also includes 9,561 restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days after the record date of April 2, 2012.

(19)

Includes options to transfer limitations and forfeiturepurchase 844,800 shares of unvested shares incommon stock. Also includes 104,333 restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days after the eventrecord date of termination of employment.April 2, 2012.

47


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions

Specialized Realty Development Services, L.P.The board has adopted a statement of policy with respect to all relationships and transactions in which our company and our directors and executive officers or their immediate family members are participants. Under this policy, the board of directors reviews all related party relationships and transactions to determine whether such persons have a direct or indirect material interest, and if so, if the transactions are at arms length and are acceptable to the board of directors. Each related party transaction must be entered into on terms that are comparable to those that could be obtained as a result of arm’s length dealings with an unrelated third party to be approved and accepted by the board of directors. As required under SEC rules, transactions that are determined to be directly or indirectly material to the company or a related person are disclosed in our proxy statement. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews any related person transaction that is required to be disclosed. In the course of its review of these relationships, the Audit Committee observes how each relates to a potential conflict of interest with the company:

 

Specialized Realty Developmentthe nature of the related person’s interest in the transaction;

the material terms of the transaction, including, without limitation, the amount and type of transaction, and the timing of the entering of such transaction;

the importance of the transaction to the related person;

the importance of the transaction to the company;

whether the transaction would impair the judgment of a director or executive officer to act in our best interest; and

any other matters the committee deems appropriate.

Related Party as Provider of Our Printing Services L.P.

During fiscal year 2012, we continued to engage the services of Direct Marketing Solutions, Inc., or SRDS,DMS, for a substantial portion of our direct mailing advertising and our credit collection mailings. Direct Marketing Solutions, Inc. is partially owned (less than 50%) by certainthe SF Holding Corp., members of the Stephens family, Jon E.M. Jacoby and Douglas H. Martin. SF Holding Corp. and the members of the Stephens family are significant stockholders of our company, and Messrs. Jacoby and Martin are members of our managementboard of directors. The fees we paid to DMS during fiscal 2010, 2011 and 2012 amounted to approximately $2.4 million, $2.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively. When DMS was initially engaged to perform direct marketing services and credit collection mailings for us, a competitive analysis was performed from submissions by various marketing and printing groups, with DMS presenting the low price point in these analyses. During fiscal 2010, 2011 and 2012, additional analyses have been performed which continually support that DMS offers us the lowest cost for the best service.

Related Party as Financial Advisor

From time to time we have engaged Stephens Inc. to act as our financial advisor. For example, in fiscal 2011 we engaged Stephens Inc. to be our financial advisor to advise us in connection with our rights offer. More recently we have engaged Stephens to advise us on certain affiliates of Stephens Group, Inc. (the “SGI Affiliates”) who are also our stockholders. SRDS was established to acquire, develop and lease real estate for our benefit. The capital contributed by the general partner and limited partners of SRDS and each partner’s ownership interesttransactions that we may consider during fiscal 2012. If these transactions are presented to the company, we agreed to pay Stephens, Inc success fees in the following table.

   

Capital

Contributed


  

Ownership

Interest


 

General Partner – SRDS, LLC(1)

  $12,500  1.0%

Limited Partners – Management

        

Thomas J. Frank, Sr.

   168,750  13.5 

Larry W. Coker

   106,250  8.5 

William C. Nylin, Jr.

   90,625  7.3 

C. William Frank

   90,625  7.3 

David R. Atnip

   62,500  5.0 

David Trahan

   25,000  2.0 

Walter M. Broussard

   25,000  2.0 

Timothy L. Frank

   25,000  2.0 

Robert B. Lee, Jr.

   25,000  2.0 

Limited Partners – SGI Affiliates (2)

   618,750  49.5 
   

  

Total

  $1,250,000  100.0%
   

  


(1)SRDS, LLC is owned 50% by Thomas J. Frank, Sr. and 50% by Douglas H. Martin.
(2)Consists of interests held by certain of the SGI Affiliates.

In order to encourage these members of management and the SGI Affiliates to invest in SRDS, we entered into an arrangement with SouthTrust Bank, N.A. under which we guaranteed the construction debt of SRDS during the construction of these projects. As of January 31, 2004, fiveevent of the six projects SRDS is responsibleconsummation of any such opportunity, together with an additional fee for developing were operational and the amount of outstanding indebtedness we guaranteed had been reducedany opinion our board asks Stephens Inc. to zero. We do not haverender in connection with any current obligation to guarantee additional SRDS construction debt, and we do not intend to guarantee any SRDS construction debt in the future.

We have leased each completed project from SRDS as a retail store location for an initial period of 15 years. At the time each lease was executed, our guarantee for that portion of the real estate loan was released and the lease then served as collateral for the loan. SRDS charges us annual lease rates of approximately 11.5% of the total cost of each project, which averages approximately $350,000 per project per year. In addition, we are responsible for the payment of all property taxes, insurance and common area maintenance expenses, which average approximately $70,000 per project per year. We are required to fund all leasehold improvements made to the buildings. Based on independent appraisals performed on each project, we believe that the terms of the leases are generally more favorable than we could obtain in an arms’ length transaction. SRDS pays us an annual management fee of $5,000 for administrative services that we provide to SRDS.

Lease Arrangement

Since 1996, we have leased one of our Houston, Texas store locations containing approximately 19,150 square feet from Thomas J. Frank, Sr., our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.such opportunity. The lease provides for base monthly rental payments of $17,235 plus escrow for taxes, insurance and common area maintenance expenses of $6,200 per month through January 31, 2011. We also have an option to renew the lease for two additional five-year terms. Mr. Frank received total payments under this

lease of $291,000 in fiscal 2001, $145,000 in the six-month fiscal period ended January 31, 2002, and $281,000 in fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2004. Based on current market lease rates for comparable retail space in the area, we believe that the terms of this lease are no less favorable to us than we could have obtained in an arms’ length transaction at the date of the lease commencement.

Independent Contractor

William T. Trawick has served as a memberdisinterested members of our board of directors since September 2003 and has served as an advisory director of Conn Appliances, Inc., our predecessor company, since August 1999. In addition to the fees paid to Mr. Trawick in his capacity as a director, we paid him consulting feeshave determined that it is in the amountcompany’s best interest to engage Stephens Inc. in such capacity to assist us in analyzing and advising us with respect to these opportunities. Stephens Inc. and its affiliates own approximately 23.69% of $60,000 in fiscal 2001, $30,000our outstanding common stock, and Douglas H. Martin, one of our directors, is a Senior Managing Director of Stephens Inc. The engagement of Stephens Inc. as financial advisor was approved by the independent members of our board of directors after full disclosure of the conflicts of interests of the related parties in the six month fiscal period ended January 31, 2002, $60,000 in fiscal 2003 and $58,000 in fiscal 2004.transaction. Mr. Trawick is also the President and Executive Director of NATM Buying Corporation, a national buying group representing nine regional retailers, including us,Douglas H. Martin did not participate in the appliance and electronics industry. NATM coordinates the buying and merchandising strategies for its member retailers. We recorded expenses of cash payments to NATM for membership dues of $83,000 in fiscal 2001, $41,500 in the six months ended January 31, 2002, $83,000 in fiscal 2003 and $83,000 in fiscal 2004.approval process.

 

Stock Transaction48

On January 10, 2003, Thomas J. Frank, Sr., our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, sold 490,000 shares of common stock of Conn Appliances, Inc., our predecessor company, for $4.9 million in cash.

Redemption of our Preferred Stock

Immediately after the closing of our initial public offering, we redeemed all of the outstanding shares of our preferred stock pursuant to the mandatory redemption feature of our preferred stock. In response to the call for redemption of our preferred stock, each holder of our preferred stock had the option to redeem his or her preferred stock for either:

cash in an amount equal to $87.18 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends at the time of the redemption; or

a number of shares of our common stock with a value, based on the initial public offering price, equal to the cash redemption price.

The following table sets forth the redemption of our preferred stock by our directors, executive officers and principal stockholders:

Stockholder


  

Shares

Redeemed


  Cash Paid

  

Common Stock

Issued


Stephen Group, Inc.

    Stephens Inc. and

    Stephens Affiliates

    (including Jon E.M. Jacoby and Douglas H. Martin)

  141,588  $427(1) 1,471,979

Thomas J. Frank

  19,252   1(1) 200,152

William C. Nylin, Jr.

  479   69,718  —  

David W. Trahan

  1,067   155,301  —  

Walter M. Broussard

  417   60,694  —  

David R. Atnip

  711   103,486   

Jon E. M. Jacoby

  7,175   5(1) 74,594

Douglas H. Martin

  1,914   11(1) 19,898

(1)Indicates cash paid for fractional shares.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that our directors, executive officers andas well as other persons who own more than 10% of our outstanding common stock file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock with the SEC. Officers, directors and other stockholders who own more than 10% of our outstanding common stock are required by the SEC to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.

file, other than a late filing of a Form 4 by Mr. Wright upon the vesting and ussuing of shares of common stock related to the previously reported grant of restricted stock units.

To our knowledge, based on a review of reports and information furnished to us by those persons who were directors, executive officers and/or the beneficial holders of 10% or more of our common stock at any time during the fiscal year ended January 31, 20042012 and upon representations from such persons, we believe that all stock ownership reports required to be filed under sectionSection 16(a) by such reporting persons during the fiscal year ended January 31, 20042012 were timely made, except as follows:

All of our directors and Section 16 officers, including David R. Atnip, Marvin D. Brailsford, Walter M. Broussard, Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr., Thomas J. Frank, Sr., C. William Frank, Jon E. M. Jacoby, Robert B. Lee, Jr., Bob L. Martin, Douglas H. Martin, William C. Nylin, Jr., David W. Trahan, William T. Trawick and Theodore M. Wright failed to timely report the grant of stock options immediately prior to our initial public offering on their respective Form 3 filings; these transactions were reported on Form 4 filings on December 18, 2003; and

Thomas J. Frank, Sr. failed to timely report the sale of shares of common stock in our initial public offering on December 1, 2003; this transaction was reported on a Form 4 filing on December 10, 2003.

made.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTSACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP served as our independent registered public accountantsaccounting firm for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004.2012. The board, upon recommendation of the Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accountantsaccounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2005.2013. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will attend the 20042012 annual meeting of stockholders and will be available to respond to appropriate questions whichthat may be asked by stockholders. These representatives will also have an opportunity to make a statement at the meeting if they desire to do so.

We paid the following fees toFees for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young for professional and other services rendered by themLLP during fiscal 20032011 and fiscal 2004:2012 in each of the following categories, including related expenses, are:

 

  Years Ended January 31,

  Years Ended January 31, 
  2003

  2004

  2011   2012 

Audit Fees

  $89,500  $142,500  $1,252,494    $922,289  

Audit-Related Fees

   55,200   10,000   6,273     —    

Tax Fees

   16,500   —     60,000     93,105  

All Other Fees (primarily IPO)

   —     670,895

All Other Fees

   —       11,000  

Audit fees included fees for the annual audit, including the audit of internal control over financial reporting, reviews of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, work performed to support our debt issuances, and accounting consultations. Audit-related fees principally include separate agreed upon procedures not required by statute or regulation. Tax fees include tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning services. Other Fees include those items unrelated to those specific audit or audit-related services described above.

Our Audit Committee Charter requires pre-approval of all services to be rendered by our independent auditors. Since we became a public company on November 24, 2003, services rendered prior to that date were not approved in advance. However, all fees paid or committed to our outside auditor for the last two years were reviewed in the Audit Committee meeting held on February 9, 2004, and itIt was determined that no services rendered by our outside auditors in fiscal 20042012 were prohibited under the new requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. FeesAll fees associated with the auditservices for fiscal 20042012 were approved in advance of services being rendered. In addition, the Audit Committee has considered whether Ernst & Young’sYoung LLP’s provision of services, other than services rendered in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements and reviews of our financial statements included in our Forms 10-Q for the most recent fiscal year, is compatible with maintaining Ernst & Young’sYoung LLP’s independence and has determined that such services rendered met the requirements of independence.

STOCKHOLDERS SHARING THE SAME LAST NAME AND ADDRESS

To reduce the expense of delivering duplicate proxy materials to stockholders who may have more than one account holding Intel stock but who share the same address, we have adopted a procedure approved by the SEC called “householding.” Under this procedure, certain stockholders of record who have the same address and last name, and who do not participate in electronic delivery of proxy materials, will receive only one copy of ourAPPENDIX ANotice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and, as applicable, any additional proxy materials that are delivered until such time as one or more of these

 

49


stockholders notifies us that they want to receive separate copies. This procedure reduces duplicate mailings and saves printing costs and postage fees, as well as natural resources. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to have access to and utilize separate proxy voting instructions.

CONN’S, INC.If you receive a single set of proxy materials as a result of householding, and you would like to have separate copies of ourNotice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, annual report, or proxy statement mailed to you, please submit a request to our Corporate Secretary at 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or call our Investor Relations department at 409) 832-1696 extension 3294, and we will promptly send you what you have requested. However, please note that if you want to receive a paper proxy or voting instruction form or other proxy materials for purposes of this year’s annual meeting, follow the instructions included in theNotice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials that was sent to you. You can also contact our Investor Relations department at the phone number above if you received multiple copies of the annual meeting materials and would prefer to receive a single copy in the future, or if you would like to opt out of householding for future mailings.

 

50


APPENDIX AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

(AMENDEDAND RESTATED APRIL 8, 2004)INCENTIVE COMPENSATION AWARD

AGREEMENT

This Incentive Compensation Award Agreement (this “The PurposesAgreement”) is made and entered into as of the Audit Committee

The purposesthis 1st day of the Audit Committee (the “April, 2012, by and between Conn’s Inc, a Delaware corporation (“Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Conn’s Inc. (the “Company”) shall be to:

represent and assist the Board in discharging its oversight responsibility relating to: (i) the accounting, reporting, and financial practices of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, and the audits of the financial statements of the Company; (ii) the surveillance of administration and financial controls and the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (iii) the Company’s independent auditor’s qualifications and independence; and (iv) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and the Company’s independent auditor;

provide an avenue of communication among the independent auditors, management, the internal auditing department and the Board;

prepare the report required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement; and

fulfill all other responsibilities and duties required to be performed by an audit committee under applicable law and regulations, including without limitation, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (“Nasdaq”).

Management of the Company is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, accounting and financial reporting principles and internal controls and procedures designed to promote compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. The Company’s independent auditor is responsible for performing an independent audit of the consolidated financial statements of the Company in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.

The Committee members are neither professional accountants nor auditors, and their functions are not intended to duplicate or to certify the activities of management and the Company’s independent auditor. The Committee serves a board level oversight role where it oversees the relationship with the Company’s independent auditor, as set forth in this Charter, and provides advice, counsel and general direction, as it deems appropriate, to management and the Company’s independent auditor on the basis of the information it receives, discussions with the Company’s independent auditor and the experience of the Committee’s members in business, financial and accounting matters.

In fulfilling its duties as a committee of the Board, the Committee is to use its best efforts to focus on the substance of its responsibilities and operate in the most efficient and cost effective manner reasonably practicable under the circumstances. In furtherance of these objectives, the Committee is to work closely with the Company’s management, internal auditors, independent auditor, outside legal counsel and other advisors in an effort to comply with all legal and regulatory requirements without creating unnecessary, redundant or burdensome procedures that provide no substantive benefit to the Company.

Audit Committee Membership

The Committee shall be comprised of at least three members of the Board of the Company determined by the Board to meet the independence and financial literacy requirements of Nasdaq, Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), and Theodore M. Wright, an individual (the “Executive”).

1. The Executive and Conn’s agree that Executive shall be eligible to receive a cash bonus (the “Incentive Compensation”) following the rules and regulationsclose of the Commission promulgated thereunder, subject to the applicable exemptions2013 fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter for newly listed public companies provided therein;provided however, that one non-independent director may serve on the Committee in accordance with the exceptional and limited circumstances exemption pursuant to NASD Rule 4350(d)(2)(B). Each member of the Committee must be “financially literate,” i.e., able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including the Company’s balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. At least one member of the Committee must be a “financial expert,” i.e., have past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or any other comparable experience or background which results in such person’s financial sophistication, including being or having been a chief executive officer, chief financial officer or other senior officer with financial oversight responsibilities. In addition, no member of the Committee shall have participated in the preparation of the financial statements of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company at any time during the past three years. Each member of the Committee must be free of any relationships that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere withExecutive continues his or her individual exercise of independent judgment.

Appointment to the Committee and the designation of any Committee member as an “audit committee financial expert” shall be made on an annual basis by the full Board upon recommendation of the Company’s Nominations Committee. Committee members may be replaced by the Board.

The Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members when appropriate, including the authority to grant preapprovals of audit and permitted non-audit services, provided that decisions of such subcommittee to grant preapprovals shall be presented to the full Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

Audit Committee Meetings

The Committee shall meet as often as it determines, but not less frequently than quarterly. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The Committee shall meet periodically with (i) management; (ii) the Company’s internal auditors; and (iii) the Company’s independent auditor in separate executive sessions without the presence of management. The Committee may require, to the same extent the Board may require, any officer or employee of the Company or the Company’s internal auditors, outside counsel or independent auditor to attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee. The Committee shall record, or cause to be recorded, minutes of the proceedings of each meeting of the Committee, and shall send, or cause to be sent, such minutes to Committee members and the members of the Board who are not members of the Committee. The Secretary of the Company shall permanently file the minutes of all meetings of the Committee in the Company’s corporate record books.

Audit Committee Responsibilities

The Committee shall:

1. Be directly and solely responsible, in its capacity as a committee of the Board, for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the Company’s independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting). In this regard, the Committee shall appoint, retain, compensate, evaluate, and terminate, when appropriate, the Company’s independent auditor, which shall report directly to the Committee.

2. Obtain and review, at least annually, a report by the Company’s independent auditor describing: the Company’s independent auditor’s internal quality-control procedures; and any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the Company’s independent auditor, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues.

3. Approve in advance all audit services to be provided by the Company’s independent auditor. By approving the audit engagement, an audit service within the scope of the engagement shall be deemed to have been pre-approved.

4. Establish policies and procedures for the engagement of the Company’s independent auditor to provide audit and permissible non-audit services, which shall include a requirement for pre-approval of all permissible non-audit services to be provided by the Company’s independent auditor.

5. Consider, at least annually, the independence of the Company’s independent auditor, including whether the Company’s independent auditor’s performance of permissible non-audit services is compatible with the auditor’s independence, and obtain and review a report by the Company’s independent auditor describing any relationships between the Company’s independent auditor and the Company or any other relationships that may adversely affect the independence of the auditor.

6. Review and discuss with the Company’s independent auditor: (a) the scope of the audit, the results of the annual audit examination by the Company’s independent auditor, and any difficulties the Company’s independent auditor encountered in the course of its audit work, including any restrictions on the scope of the Company’s independent auditor’s activities or on access to requested information, and any significant disagreements with management; and (b) any reports of the Company’s independent auditor with respect to interim periods.

7. Review and discuss with management and the Company’s independent auditor the annual audited financial statements of the Company, including: (a) an analysis of the auditor’s judgment as to the quality of the Company’s accounting principles, setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements; (b) the Company’s disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” including accounting policies that may be regarded as critical; and (c) major issues regarding the Company’s accounting principles and financial statement presentations, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of accounting principles and financial statement presentations; and receive reports from the Company’s independent auditor as required by the Commission’s rules.

8. Recommend to the Board, based on the review and discussion described in paragraphs 5 – 7 above, whether the annual audited financial statements should be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

9. Review and discuss with management and the Company’s independent auditor the quarterly financial statements of the Company, including: (a) an analysis of the auditor’s judgment as to the quality of the Company’s accounting principles, setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements; (b) the Company’s disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” including accounting policies that may be regarded as critical; and (c) major issues regarding the Company’s accounting principles and financial statement presentations, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of accounting principles and financial statement presentations; and receive reports from the Company’s independent auditor as required by the Commission’s rules.

10. Review and discuss quarterly reports, including without limitation, the fourth quarter and annual audit period reports, from the Company’s independent auditor about: (a) All critical accounting policies and practices to be used; (b) significant or material alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management, the ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the Company’s independent auditor; and (c) other material written communications between the Company’s independent auditor and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences.

11. Review and discuss the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls, including any material weaknesses in internal controls and significant changes in such controls reported to the Committee by the Company’s independent auditor or management.

12. Review and discuss the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and management reports thereon.

13. Require receipt of and review disclosures made to the Committee by the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer during their certification process, including any sub-certifications from other officers of the Company, for each Form 10-K and Form 10-Q about any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls or material weaknesses therein and any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls.

14. Review and discuss with the principal internal auditor of the Company the scope and results of the internal audit program, a portion of which review and discussion shall be conducted in executive sessions outside the presence of management.

15. Approve the appointment and replacement of the Company’s internal auditor.

16. Review the significant reports to management prepared by the Company’s internal auditor and management’s responses.

17. Discuss with the Company’s independent auditor and management the Company’s internal auditor’s responsibilities, budget and staffing and any recommended changes in the planned scope of the internal audit.

18. Review and discuss corporate policies with respect to earnings press releases, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and ratings agencies.

19. Review and discuss the Company’s policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management.

20. Oversee the Company’s compliance systems with respect to legal and regulatory requirements and review the Company’s codes of conduct and programs to monitor compliance with such codes.

21. Establish procedures for handling complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters, including procedures for confidential, anonymous submission of concerns by employees regarding accounting and auditing matters.

22. Establish policies for the hiring of employees and former employees of the Company’s independent auditor.

23. Review and approve all related party transactions for potential conflict of interest situations on an ongoing basis.

24. Annually evaluate the performance of the Committee and assess the adequacy of the Committee charter.

25. Perform any other activities required by applicable law, rules or regulations, including the rules of the Commission and Nasdaq, and perform other activities that are consistent with this Charter, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, and governing law, as the Committee or the Board may deem necessary or appropriate.

Outside Advisors and Funding

The Committee shall have the authority, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its duties, to engage and retain independent legal, accounting or other advisors and experts. The Committee shall have the full authority to authorize, and require the Company and its officers and employees to, provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, for the payment of (i) compensation to any independent auditor engaged for the purpose of rendering or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company; (ii) compensation to any advisors employed by the Committee; and (iii) ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties. Subject to any limitations under applicable law or regulations, including Nasdaq regulations, the Committee shall also have the authority, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, to delegate its duties to a sub-committee composed of one or more members of the Committee.

APPENDIX B

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2003 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN

Table of Contents

      Page

1.  

Purposes of this Plan

  1
2.  

Amendment and Restatement

  1
3.  

Definitions

  1
4.  

Shares Subject to this Plan

  4
5.  

Administration of this Plan

  4
6.  

Eligibility

  5
7.  

Term of Plan.

  5
8.  

Term of Option.

  6
9.  

Vesting

  6
10.  

Option Exercise Price and Consideration

  6
11.  

Exercise of Option.

  6
12.  

Limited Transferability of Options.

  8
13.  

Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Merger or Asset Sale.

  8
14.  

Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares

  10
15.  

Inability to Obtain Authority.

  10
16.  

Reservation of Shares.

  10
17.  

Reliance on Reports.

  10
18.  

Construction

  11
19.  

Governing Law.

  11
20.  

Approval, Amendment, and Termination of this Plan.

  11


CONN’S, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED

2003 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN

1. Purposes of this Plan. The purposes of this Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees and to promote the success of the Company’s business. Options granted under this Plan are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options. The provisions of this Plan shall be construed in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Code.

2. Amendment and Restatement. This Plan is an amendment and restatement of that certain Conn Appliances, Inc. Incentive Stock Option Plan dated October 21, 1999, which shall be superseded in its entirety by this Plan. It is intended that the terms of this Plan do not constitute a “modification, extension, or renewal” of options within the meaning of Section 424(h) of the Code. Any provisions of this Plan which shall constitute a modification, extension, or renewal of options under Section 424(h) of the Code shall be disregarded insofar as it would otherwise apply to any option outstanding on the date of the Board’s adoption of this Plan.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right of an Employee to require the Company to repurchase an Employee’s Shares upon termination of employment with the Company found in Section 5 of that certain Restricted Stock Agreement dated July 21, 1998 is hereby rescinded with respect to all unexercised Options granted under this Plan. Said Restricted Stock Agreement shall not apply to Options granted after the adoption of this amendment and restatement to the Plan.

3. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) “Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees as shall be administering this Plan in accordance with Paragraph 5 hereof.

(b) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of stock option plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any other country or jurisdiction where Options are granted under this Plan.

(c) “Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors.

(d)“Cause” means (i) the Optionee’s continued failure to substantially perform the principal duties and obligations of his position with the Company (other than anyConn’s (each such failure resulting from Disability); (ii) any act of personal dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation taken by the Optionee which was intended to result in substantial gain or personal enrichment of the Optionee at the expense of the Company; (iii) the Optionee’s violation offiscal year, a federal or state law or regulation applicable to the Company’s business which violation was or is reasonably likely to be injurious to the Company; or (iv) the Optionee’s conviction of a felony or a plea of nolo contendere under the laws of the United States or any state.


(e) “Change of Control” means (i) the acquisition of the Company by another entity by means of any transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation, any reorganization, merger or consolidation, but excluding any merger effected primarily for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company)Performance Period”), unless the Company’s shareholders of record as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or series of related transactions will, immediately after such transaction or series of related transactions hold at least a majority of the voting power of the surviving or acquiring entity or (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

(f) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(g) “Committee” means a committee of Directors appointed by the Board in accordance with Paragraph 5 hereof.

(h) “Common Stock” means the Company’s common stock.

(i) “Company” means Conn Appliances, Inc., a Texas corporation, and any successor to the Company.

(j) “Date of Grant” means the date on which the granting of an Option is authorized pursuant to Paragraph 6 of this Plan, by the Committee or such later date as may be specified by the Committee in such authorization.

(k) “Director” means a member of the Board.

(l) “Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

(m) “Employee” means any person, including officers, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A person shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary or any successor. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, then three (3) months following the 91/st/ day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Non-statutory Stock Option. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company shall be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.

(n) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(o) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:

(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the date of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the date of determination; or

(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator.

(p) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

(q) “Involuntary Termination” shall mean (i) a termination by the Company of the Optionee’s status as an Employee other than for Cause; (ii) without the Optionee’s consent, a material reduction of or variation in the Optionee’s duties, authority or responsibilities relative to the Optionee’s duties, authority or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior to such reduction or variation; (iii) without the Optionee’s consent, a material reduction in the base salary of the Optionee as in effect immediately prior to such reduction; (iv) without the Optionee’s consent, a material reduction by the Company in the kind or level of employee benefits to which the Optionee was entitled immediately prior to such reduction, with the result that the Optionee’s overall benefits package is materially reduced; or (v) without the Optionee’s consent, the relocation of the Optionee to a facility or a location more than fifty (50) miles from the Optionee’s then present location.

(r) “Non-statutory Stock Option” means an Option that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(s) “Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to this Plan.

(t) “Option Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and an Optionee substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant under this Plan. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

2. Within 90 days after the commencement of this Plan.

(u) “Optioned Stock” meanseach Performance Period the Common Stock subject to an Option.

(v) “Optionee” meansCompensation Committee shall establish in writing the holder of an outstanding Option granted under this Plan.

(w) “Paragraph” means a paragraph of this Plan.

(x) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether nowobjective formula for determining the Incentive Compensation for such Performance Period using one or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e)more of the Code.

(y) “Plan” means the Conn Appliances, Inc. 2003 Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option Plan, as may be amendedfollowing performance measures applied with respect to Conn’s or any affiliate or division of Conn’s: (a) total revenues or any component thereof; (b) operating income, pre-tax or after-tax income, EBITA, EBITDA or net income; (c) cash flow, free cash flow or net cash from time to time.

(z) “Share” means a shareoperations; (d) earnings per share; (e) value of the Common Stock, as may be adjusted in accordance with Paragraph 13.

(aa) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether nowConn’s stock or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f)total return to stockholders; and (f) any combination of any or all of the Code.

4. Shares Subject to this Plan. Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 13, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Options and sold under this Plan is 2,559,767 Shares. The Shares may be authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock.

If an Option expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall become available for future grant under this Plan (unless this Plan has terminated). However, Shares that have actually been issued under this Plan upon exercise of an Option shall not be returned to this Plan and shall not become available for future distribution under this Plan, except that if Shares acquired by exercise of an Option and subject to a restricted stock agreement are repurchased by the Company, such Shares shall become available for future grant under this Plan.

5. Administration of this Plan.

(a) This Plan shall be administered by the Board or a Committee appointed by the Board, which Committee shall be constituted to comply with Applicable Laws.

(b) Subject to the provisions of this Plan and, in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, and subject to the approval of any relevant authorities, the Administrator shall have the authority in its sole discretion:

(i) to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock;

(ii) to select the Employees to whom Options may from time to time be granted hereunder;

(iii) to determine the number of Shares subject to each Option granted hereunder;

(iv) to approve a form of Option Agreement;

(v) to determine the terms and conditions of any Option granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Options may be exercised (which may be based on performanceforegoing criteria, or period of employment service), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any

Option or the Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on an absolute or relative basis.

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

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

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

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

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

(vi) to determine whether and under what circumstances an Option may be settled in cash or Common Stock under Paragraph 11(e);A-1


(vii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating toIN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans, if any, established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws;

(viii) to allow or disallow one or more Optionees to satisfy withholding tax obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determinedAgreement as of the date the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All elections by Optionees to have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable; and

(ix) to construe and interpret the terms of this Plan and Options granted pursuant to this Plan.

(c) Effect of Administrator’s Decision. All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and binding on all Optionees.

6. Eligibility.

(a) Options may be granted only to Employees.

(b) Each Option shall be designated in the Option Agreement as an Incentive Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Non-statutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Paragraph 6(b), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Date of Grant.

(c) Neither this Plan nor any Option shall confer upon any Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee’s relationship as an Employee with the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with his right or the Company’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without Cause, and with or without notice.

7. Term of Plan. Subject to Paragraph 20, this Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by the Board. Unless sooner terminated under Paragraph 20, this Plan shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years from the later of (i) the effective date of this Plan or (ii) the date of the most recent Board approval of an increase in the number of Shares reserved for issuance under this Plan.

8. Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the Option Agreement; provided, however, that the term shall be no more than ten (10) years from the Date of Grant. In the case of an Option granted to an Optionee who, on the Date of Grant, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Option shall be five (5) years from the Date of Grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement.

9. Vesting. Unless stated otherwise in the Option Agreement, Options granted under this Plan shall vest and become exercisable, subject to the other terms of this Plan, according to the following schedule:written above.

 

Years from Date of GrantEXECUTIVE


  Vested Amount        CONN’S, INC.

Less than 1 year

 0%

        By:

1 year but less than 2 yearsTheodore M. Wright

 20%

2 years but less than 3 years

  40%

        Name:

3 years but less than 4 years

 60%

4 years but less than 5 years

  80%

5 years or more        Office:

100%

10. Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

 

(a) The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the Administrator, but shall be subject to the following:

(i) In the case of an Option granted to an Employee who, at the Date of Grant, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the exercise price shall be not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant. In the case of an Option granted to any other Employee, the per Share exercise price shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant.

(ii) In the case of a Non-statutory Stock Option granted to any other Employee, the per Share exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator.

(b) The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be determined by the Administrator on the Date of Grant. Such consideration may consist of cash or check or any combination thereof.

11. Exercise of Option.

(a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms hereof at such times and under such

conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Option Agreement. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Options granted hereunder shall be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

An Option shall be exercised when the Company receives: (i) written notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and this Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Paragraph 13.

Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of this Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

(b) Termination of Relationship as an Employee. If an Optionee ceases to be an Employee other than upon such Optionee’s death or Disability, such Optionee may exercise his Option within the period of time specified in the Option Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). The Option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Optionee’s termination, or such shorter period as may be provided in the Option Agreement. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his Optioned Stock, the unvested portion of the Optioned Stock shall revert to this Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Optioned Stock shall revert to this Plan.

(c) Disability of Optionee. If an Optionee ceases to be an Employee as a result of the Optionee’s Disability, the Optionee may exercise his Option for such period of time as specified in the Option Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). The Option shall remain exercisable for one (1) year following the Optionee’s termination, or such shorter period as may be provided in the Option Agreement. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to all of his Optioned Stock, the unvested portion of the Optioned Stock shall revert to this Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to this Plan.

(d) Death of Optionee. If an Optionee dies while an Employee, the Option may be exercised for such period of time as specified in the Option Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement) by the personal representative of the Optionee’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Optionee’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. The Option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Optionee’s termination, or such shorter period as may be provided in the Option Agreement. If, on the date of death, the Optionee is not vested as to all of his Optioned Stock, the unvested portion of the Optioned Stock shall immediately revert to this Plan. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Optioned Stock shall revert to this Plan.

(e) Repurchase Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer to repurchase for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted, based on such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

(f) Other Terms and Conditions. Among other conditions that may be imposed by the Committee with respect to Options granted pursuant to this Plan, if deemed appropriate, include but are not limited to (i) the period or periods and the conditions of exercisability of any Option; (ii) the minimum periods during which Participants must be Employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or must hold Options before they may be exercised; (iii) the minimum periods during which shares acquired upon exercise must be held before sale or transfer shall be permitted; (iv) conditions under which such Options or shares may be subject to forfeiture; (v) the frequency of exercise or the minimum or maximum number of shares that may be acquired at any one time; and (vi) the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria.

(g) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

12. Limited Transferability of Options. Options may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.

13. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Merger or Asset Sale.

(a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number and type of Shares that have been authorized for issuance under this Plan, but as to which no Options have yet been granted or which have been returned to this Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or repurchase of shares acquired by exercise of an Option and subject to a restricted stock agreement, and the number and type of Shares covered by each outstanding Option, as well as the price per Share covered by each such outstanding Option, shall be

proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number or type of issued Shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company. The conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number, type or price of Shares subject to an Option.

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to have the right to exercise his Option until fifteen (15) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Administrator may provide that any of the Company’s rights to repurchase any Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option shall lapse as to all such Shares, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent an Option has not been exercised, it will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed transaction.

(c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of (i) a merger of the Company with or into another entity or (ii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (either, a “Merger Transaction”), each outstanding Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor entity or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor entity. In the event that the successor entity refuses to assume or substitute for the Option, the Optionee shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise the Option as to all of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which such Option would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If an Option becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a Merger Transaction, the Administrator shall notify the Optionee in writing that the Option shall be fully exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of this Paragraph 13, the Option shall be considered assumed if, following the Merger Transaction, the option or right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option immediately prior to the Merger Transaction, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the Merger Transaction by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the Merger Transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Merger Transaction is not solely common stock of the successor entity or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor entity, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option, to be solely common stock of the successor entity or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Merger Transaction.

(d) Accelerated Vesting. Following either an assumption of or substitution for Options in connection with a Merger Transaction that constitutes a Change of Control and in the event of an Involuntary Termination of an Optionee upon or during the one (1) year period after the effective date of such Change of Control, (1) each Optionee’s rights to purchase Optioned Stock shall become automatically vested in their entirety on an accelerated basis and be fully exercisable as of the date immediately preceding any such Involuntary Termination and (2) all of the Company’s rights to repurchase Restricted Stock from an Optionee under all restricted stock purchase agreements shall lapse in their entirety on an accelerated basis as of the date immediately preceding any such Involuntary Termination.

14. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

(a) Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of legal counsel to the Company with respect to such compliance.

(b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Administrator may require the Optionee to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, such a representation is necessary or appropriate.

15. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

16. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan, shall at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Plan.

17. Reliance on Reports. Each member of the Committee and each member of the Board shall be fully justified in relying or acting in good faith upon any report made by the independent public accountants of the Company and its Subsidiaries and upon any other information furnished in connection with this Plan by any person or persons other than the Committee or Board member. In no event shall any person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee or the Board be liable for any determination made or other action taken or any failure to act in reliance upon any such report or information or for any action taken, including the furnishing of information, or failure to act, if in good faith.

18. Construction. The titles and headings of the sections in this Plan are for the convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of this Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.

19. Governing Law. This Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, except as superseded by applicable federal law.

20. Approval, Amendment, and Termination of this Plan.

(a) Shareholder Approval. This Plan must be approved by a majority of the votes cast at a duly held shareholders’ meeting at which a quorum representing a majority of all outstanding voting Shares is, either in person or by proxy, present and voting on the Plan within twelve (12) months after the date this Plan is adopted. The Board shall obtain similar shareholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws, which shall include:

(i) an increase in the number of Shares subject to Option under this Plan;

(ii) a change in the definition of Employee affecting eligibility;

(iii) a change in the manner in which Options are issued or may be exercised; or

(iv) an extension of the term of this Plan as set forth in Paragraph 7.

(b) NASD Rules. In addition to the foregoing, the Board shall obtain similar shareholder approval for any Plan amendment which requires such approval under the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers.

(c) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate this Plan.

(d) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of this Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company. Termination of this Plan shall not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Options granted under this Plan prior to the date of such termination.

(e) Effect of Failure to Obtain Shareholder Approval.

(i) If the shareholders fail to approve the amendment and restatement of this Plan as set forth in this Paragraph 20, all Options granted under the Plan subsequent to the Board’s adoption of such amendment and restatement shall expire and the amendment and restatement shall be disregarded.

(ii) If the shareholders fail to approve a Plan amendment as set forth in this Paragraph 20, the Plan amendment shall be disregarded.

EXHIBIT A

Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement

A-2


Conn’s, Inc.

20042012 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

JUNE 3, 2004May 30, 2012

FORM OF PROXY

YOU CAN VOTE OVER THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE

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Conn’s, Inc. encourages you to take advantage of convenient ways to vote. If voting by proxy, you may vote over the Internet, by telephone or by mail. Your Internet or telephone vote authorizes the named proxies to vote in the same manner as if you marked, signed, and returned your proxy card. To vote over the Internet, by telephone, or by mail, please read the accompanying proxy statement and then follow these easy steps:

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on May 29, 2012. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

VOTE BY PHONE – (800) 690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on May 29, 2012. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS

If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by Conn’s, Inc. in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in the future.

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717 or Conn’s Corporate General Counsel, 3295 College St., Beaumont, TX 77701

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Important Notice Regarding the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement, and Annual Report on Form 10-K are available atwww.conns.com andwww.proxyvote.com.

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By my signature below, I revoke all previous proxies and appoint Thomas J. Frank, Sr. and C. William FrankSydney K. Boone, Jr. as proxy, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to represent and to vote, as designated below, all shares of common stock of Conn’s, Inc. that I held of record as of the close of business on April 15, 20042, 2012 at the 2004 Annual Meeting2012 annual meeting of Stockholdersstockholders to be held at 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, on June 3, 2004May 30, 2012 at 10:11:00 a.m. local time, or any postponements or adjournments thereof. The above named proxy is hereby instructed to vote as shown on the reverse side.

specified.

THIS PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN THE BOXES BELOW USING DARK INK ONLY

Proposals:

 

1.

    1

 

To approve an amendment to our certificate of incorporation.elect the seven directors listed below:

 FOR  

AGAINSTWITHHOLD

AUTHORITY

  ABSTAIN

Marvin D. Brailsford

¨¨

Jon E.M. Jacoby

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR (To withhold authority to vote for either individual nominee, write the nominee’s name in the space provided below):

Bob L. Martin

Douglas H. Martin

Scott L. Thompson

David Schofman

Theodore M. Wright

     ¨ ¨


¨

2.

 To electapprove the two directors listed below:amendment to our certificate of incorporation to increase the number of shares of capital stock which the company shall have authority to issue to be 51 million (51,000,000) shares of stock, of which fifty million (50,000,000) shares are Common Stock, par value of $0.01 per share, and one million (1,000,000) shares are Preferred Stock  FORWITHHOLD
AUTHORITY
  

William T. TrawickFOR

Marvin D. Brailsford

¨

  

AGAINST

¨

¨
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR
(To withhold authority to vote for
either individual nominee, write
the nominee’s name in the space
provided below):

  

ABSTAIN


¨

  


3.

 To approve an amendment to the Conn’s, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan.Compensation Award Agreement with Theodore M. Wright, our Chief Executive Officer  FOR  AGAINST¨  ABSTAIN
¨  ¨  ¨¨¨

4.

To ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2013.¨¨¨

    5.

To approve, on an advisory basis, named executive officers compensation¨¨¨

    6.

 In the above named proxy’s discretion, to act upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.    ¨  ¨¨

IMPORTANT – This proxy must be signed and dated where provided on the reverse side.

If you execute and return this proxy it will be voted in the manner you have indicated on the reverse side.specified. If you execute and return this proxy without indicating any voting preference,no specification is made, this proxy will be voted “FOR” proposalsProposal 1, “AGAINST” Proposal 2, “FOR” Proposal 3, “FOR” Proposal 4, “FOR” Proposal 5, and 3“FOR” Proposal 6, and in the discretion of the above named person acting as proxy on such other matters that may properly come before the meeting.

Please sign exactly as your name appears on this proxy. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as a fiduciary, such as an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, etc., please give your full title as such. Please return this form of proxy promptly in the enclosed envelope.

The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of the Notice of 2004 Annual Meeting2012 annual meeting of Stockholdersstockholders and the Proxy Statement accompanying such Notice, each dated April 30, 2004.20, 2012.

 

Print Name 

Print Name 

Signature(s) Print Name

 

Signature(s) Print Name

Date Signature(s)

 

Signature(s)

Date

Date