EXHIBIT 10.1

____________________________________________________________

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
RAUL RAMOS
AND
FIRSTCASH, INC.

_________________________________________________________________

 
 
 
 
  

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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
1. Employment
2. Term
3. Extent of Service
4. Compensation and Benefits
(a)
Base Salary

(b)
Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans

(c)
Welfare Benefit Plans

(e)
Vacation

(f)
Expenses

5. Change in Control
6. Termination of Employment
(a)
Death

(b)
Disability

(c)
Termination by the Company

(d)
Termination by Executive

(e)
Notice of Termination

(f)
Date of Termination

7. Obligations of the Company upon Termination
(a)
Termination by the Company Other Than for Cause or Disability; Termination by
Executive for Good Reason    

(b)
Death or Disability

(c)
Termination by the Company for Cause; Executive’s Resignation without Good
Reason

(d)
Resignations

8. Restrictive Covenants
(a)
Acknowledgments

(b)
Definitions

(c)
Restrictions on Disclosure and Use of Confidential Information

(d)
Non-Competition

(e)
Non-Solicitation of Protected Customers

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(f)
Non-Recruitment of Employees

(g)
Proprietary Rights

(h)
Return of Materials

(i)
Enforcement of Restrictive Covenants

(j)
Disclosure of Agreement

9.
Agreement Not to Disparage

10. Non-exclusivity of Rights
11. Full Settlement; No Mitigation
12. Mandatory Reduction of Payments in Certain Events
13. Arbitration
14. Successors
15. Cooperation
16. Code Section 409A
17. Miscellaneous
(a)
Governing Law; Forum Selection; Consent to Jurisdiction    

(b)
Captions

(c)
Amendments

(d)
Notices

(e)
Severability

(f)
Withholding

(g)
Waivers

(h)
Entire Agreement

(i)
Construction

(j)
Counterparts

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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into this 30th
day of July 2018 (the “Effective Date”) by and between FirstCash, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Raul Ramos (the “Executive”), to be
effective as of the Effective Date. This Agreement supersedes and replaces that
certain Employment Agreement between the Company and the Executive dated as of
November 28, 2011, as amended (the “Original Employment Agreement”).

BACKGROUND

WHEREAS, the Company currently employs Executive as its Senior Vice President,
Latin American Operations under the terms and conditions as set forth in the
Original Employment Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to hereby amend and restate the
Original Employment Agreement, and agree that the Original Employment Agreement
shall have no further force or effect as of the Effective Date of this
Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and
agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
agree as follows:

1.    Employment. The Executive is hereby employed on the Effective Date as the
Senior Vice President, Latin American Operations of the Company. In this
capacity, the Executive shall have the duties, responsibilities and authority
commensurate with such position as shall be assigned by the Chief Executive
Officer (”CEO”) of the Company or the Board of Directors of the Company (the
“Board”). In the Executive’s capacity as Senior Vice President, Latin American
Operations of the Company, the Executive will report directly to the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company.

2.    Term. Unless earlier terminated herein in accordance with Section 6
hereof, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall be governed by the
terms and conditions of this Agreement for a period beginning on the Effective
Date and ending on December 31, 2021 (the “Term”). Commencing on December 31,
2021, and on each subsequent December 31 thereafter, the Term shall
automatically be extended for one (1) additional year unless, not later than
ninety days (90) prior to any such extension date, either party hereto shall
have notified the other party hereto in writing that such extension shall not
take effect.

3.    Extent of Service. During the Term, the Executive agrees to devote all of
Executive’s professional and business-related time to the business and affairs
of the Company and its affiliates and to use best efforts to perform faithfully
and efficiently the job responsibilities. Nothing in this Agreement shall
prohibit Executive from (i) serving on the boards of directors of trade
associations or charitable/non-profit organizations; (ii) engaging in charitable
activities and community affairs; (iii) serving on the boards of directors of
other public and/or private companies with the prior written approval of the
Board, which shall not be unreasonably withheld (provided that, for avoidance of
doubt, such service does not violate any of the restrictive covenants in Section
8 of this Agreement); or (iv) managing personal investments and affairs,
provided that the activities described in the preceding clauses (i) through (iv)
do not materially interfere with the proper performance of job duties and
responsibilities hereunder.

4.    Compensation and Benefits.

(a)    Base Salary. During the Term, the Company will pay to the Executive base
salary at the rate of U.S. Four Hundred Twenty Thousand dollars ($420,000.00)
per year (“Base Salary”), less

  

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normal withholdings, payable in approximately equal bi-weekly or other
installments as are or become customary under the Company’s payroll practices
for its employees from time to time. The Compensation Committee of the Board
(the “Compensation Committee”) shall review the Executive’s Base Salary annually
and may increase the Executive’s Base Salary from year to year. Such adjusted
salary then shall become the Executive’s Base Salary for purposes of this
Agreement. The annual review of the Executive’s salary by the Compensation
Committee will consider, among other things, the Executive’s own performance and
the Company’s performance.

(b)    Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Term, the Executive
shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings and retirement plans,
practices, policies and programs available to the other senior officers of the
Company. Without limiting the foregoing, following shall apply:

(i)During the Term, the Executive shall have an opportunity to receive an annual
bonus under the Company’s Annual Performance Incentive Plan, based upon the
achievement of performance goals established from year to year by the
Compensation Committee (the “Annual Bonus”). Unless and until changed by the
Compensation Committee, the Executive’s target for the Annual Bonus shall be no
less than 50% of Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”).

(ii)During the Term, the Executive will be eligible for grants of stock-based
awards under the Company’s long-term incentive plan or plans. Nothing herein
requires the Company to make grants of stock-based awards in any year.

(c)    Welfare Benefit Plans. The Executive and eligible dependents shall be
eligible for participation in the welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and
programs provided by the Company, if any, to the extent available to other
senior officers and subject to eligibility requirements and terms and conditions
of each such plan; provided, however, that nothing herein shall limit the
ability of the Company to amend, modify or terminate any such benefit plans,
policies or programs at any time and from time to time.

(d)    Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to three (3) weeks paid vacation
each year during the Term. Any vacation or personal business days not used in
any year shall be forfeited.

(e)    Expenses. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to receive
prompt reimbursement from the Company for all reasonable and customary expenses
incurred by the Executive in the course of performing the duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement, in accordance with the policies,
practices and procedures of the Company with respect to travel, entertainment
and other business expenses (“Business Expenses”).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the reimbursements for Business Expenses
provided in any one calendar year shall not affect the amount of such
reimbursements provided in any other calendar year; (ii) the reimbursement of an
eligible Business Expense shall be made within thirty (30) days following the
Executive’s submission of evidence, satisfactory to the Company, of the
incurrence of such Business Expense, but in no event later than December 31 of
the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; (iii) the
Executive’ s rights pursuant to this Section 4(f) shall not be subject to
liquidation or exchange for another benefit; and (iv) the reimbursements for
Business Expenses shall be provided in accordance with the policies, practices
and procedures of the Company.

5.    Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control”
shall mean the consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation,
statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the
Company or a subsidiary of the Company (a “Reorganization”), or the sale or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (a “Sale”)
or the acquisition of

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assets or stock of another corporation or other entity (an “Acquisition”),
unless immediately following such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition: (A) all
or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial
owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Act, as amended (“Beneficial Owners”)),
respectively, of the outstanding Company Stock and the Company’s then
outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of directors (“Company
Voting Securities”) immediately prior to such Reorganization, Sale or
Acquisition beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of,
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined
voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the entity
resulting from or surviving such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition (including,
without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the
Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or stock either
directly or through one or more subsidiaries, the “Surviving Entity”) in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such
Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition, of the outstanding Company Stock and the
outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, and (B) no person
(other than (x) the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, (y) the Surviving
Entity or its ultimate parent entity, or (z) any employee benefit plan (or
related trust) sponsored or maintained by any of the foregoing) is the
Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total common
stock or 50% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting
securities eligible to elect directors of the Surviving Entity. A Change in
Control shall not include a public offering of any class or series of the
Company’s equity securities pursuant to a registration statement filed by the
Company under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1933, as amended.

6.    Termination of Employment.

(a)    Death. The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon the
Executive’s death during the Term.

(b)    Disability. If the Company determines in good faith that the Executive
has become Disabled (as defined below) during the Term, then it may give to the
Executive written notice of its intention to terminate the Executive’s
employment. In such event, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall
terminate effective on the thirtieth (30th) day after receipt of such written
notice by the Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within
the thirty (30) days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned
to full-time performance of the Executive’s duties. For purposes of this
Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the inability of the Executive, as reasonably
determined by the Company, to perform the essential functions of Executive’s
regular duties and responsibilities, with or without reasonable accommodation,
due to a medically determinable physical or mental illness which has lasted (or
can reasonably be expected to last) for a period of six (6) consecutive months.
At the request of the Executive or Executive’s personal representative, the
Company’s determination that the Disability of Executive has occurred shall be
certified by a physician mutually agreed upon by the Executive, or Executive’s
personal representative, and the Company.

(c)    Termination by the Company. The Company may terminate the Executive’s
employment during the Term with or without Cause. For purposes of this
Agreement, a termination shall be considered to be for “Cause” if it occurs in
conjunction with a good faith determination by the Board that any of the
following have occurred:

(i)    the Executive’s material or habitual failure to meet performance
standards agreed to upon by the Executive and the Board, or to follow the
reasonable and lawful directions of the Board, or perform duties with the
Company (other than any such failure resulting from the Executive’s Disability)
which failure is not cured within ten (10) days after a written demand for
performance is delivered

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to the Executive by the Company which specifically identifies the manner in
which the Company believes that the Executive has materially or habitually
failed to perform the Executive’s duties;

(ii)    the Executive’s engaging in any illegal conduct, gross misconduct or
gross negligence in connection with the performance of duties hereunder, which
is, or is likely to be, injurious to the Company, its financial condition, or
its reputation, with the understanding that, without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, any circumstances with respect to the Executive that, in the
discretion of the Board or the FDIC, are deemed to be violation of Section 19 of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. § 1829(a)) shall constitute illegal
conduct in connection with the performance of duties hereunder that is injurious
to the Company, its financial condition, or its reputation;

(iii)    the Executive’s commission of or engagement in any act of fraud,
misappropriation, dishonesty or embezzlement, whether or not such act was
committed in connection with the business of the Company;

(iv)    the Executive’s breach of fiduciary duty, breach of any of the covenants
set forth in Section 8 or 9 of this Agreement, or material breach of any other
provisions of this Agreement;

(v)    the Executive’s conviction of, pleading guilty to, or confession to a
felony or any crime involving moral turpitude (including pleading guilty or nolo
contendere to a felony or lesser charge which results from plea bargaining),
whether or not such felony, crime or lesser offense is connected with the
business of the Company;

(vi)    the Executive’s indictment or conviction of, pleading guilty to, or
confession to a felony or any crime (including pleading guilty or nolo
contendere to a felony or lesser charge which results from plea bargaining),
which felony, crime or lesser offense is connected with the business of the
Company; or

(vii)    the Executive’s violation of the Company’s policy against harassment or
its equal employment opportunity policy or a material violation of any other
policy or procedure of the Company (including, but not limited to, the Company’s
code of business conduct).

(d)    Termination by the Executive. The Executive’s employment may be
terminated by the Executive for any reason or for Good Reason by providing
thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Company. For purposes of this
Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following,
without the Executive’s consent:

(i)    a material diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary or Annual Bonus
opportunity;

(ii)    a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties, or
responsibilities;

(iii)    the relocation of the Executive’s principal office to a facility or
location more than fifty (50) miles away from the Executive’s principal place of
work immediately prior to the relocation; provided, however, that Good Reason
shall not include (A) any relocation of the Executive’s principal office which
is proposed or initiated by the Executive; or (B) any relocation that results in
the Executive’s principal place office being closer to the Executive’s
then-principal residence;

(iv)    any material breach by the Company of this Agreement;

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The Executive’s termination for Good Reason must occur within a period of ninety
(90) days after the occurrence of an event of Good Reason. A termination by the
Executive shall not constitute termination for Good Reason unless the Executive
shall first have delivered to the Company written notice setting forth with
specificity the occurrence deemed to give rise to a right to terminate for Good
Reason (which notice must be given no later than thirty (30) days after the
initial occurrence of such event), and there shall have passed a reasonable time
(not less than thirty (30) days) within which the Company may take action to
correct, rescind or otherwise substantially reverse the occurrence supporting
termination for Good Reason as identified by the Executive. Good Reason shall
not include the Executive’s death or Disability. The parties intend, believe and
take the position that a resignation by the Executive for Good Reason as defined
above effectively constitutes an involuntary separation from service within the
meaning of Section 409A of the Code and Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(n)(2).

(e)    Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company or the Executive
shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given
in accordance with Section 17(d) of this Agreement. For purposes of this
Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (i) indicates
the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the
extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under
the provision so indicated, and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined
below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the
termination date. The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in
the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a
showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or
the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company,
respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the
Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.

(f)    Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” means (i) if the Executive’s
employment is terminated other than by reason of death or Disability, the date
of receipt of the Notice of Termination or, subject to any cure period, any
later date specified therein within sixty (60) days after receipt of the Notice
of Termination, as the case may be, or (ii) if the Executive’s employment is
terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be
the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case
may be.

7.    Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
        
(a)    Termination by the Company Other Than for Cause or Disability;
Termination by Executive for Good Reason. If, during the Term, (A) the Company
shall terminate the Executive’s employment other than for Cause or Disability,
or (B) the Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason, then, and with
respect to the payments and benefits described in clauses (ii) and (iii) below,
only if within sixty (60) days after the Date of Termination the Executive shall
have executed a separation agreement containing a full general release of claims
and covenant not to sue in a form satisfactory to the Company (the “Release”)
and such Release shall not have been revoked within the time period specified
therein:

(i)    the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within sixty
(60) days after the Date of Termination, the exact payment date to be determined
by the Company, the sum of (1) the Executive’s Base Salary through the Date of
Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, and (2) any accrued vacation pay
to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses
(1) and (2) shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Accrued Obligations”); and

(ii)    the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within
sixty (60) days after the Date of Termination, the exact payment date to be
determined by the Company, a severance

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payment equal to 0.75 times (or 1.5 times, if such termination occurs within
twelve (12) months following a Change in Control) the sum of (1) the Executive’s
Base Salary in effect as of the Date of Termination, and (2) the average of the
Annual Bonuses earned by Executive for each of the three fiscal years
immediately preceding the year in which the Date of Termination occurs (the
“Three-Year Average Annual Bonus”); and

(iii)if such termination occurs within twelve (12) months following a Change in
Control, the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within
sixty (60) days after the Date of Termination, the exact payment date to be
determined by the Company, a pro rata Annual Bonus equal to the product of (x)
the Target Bonus for the year in which the termination occurs (or, in the sole
discretion of the Compensation Committee, a larger amount not to exceed the
maximum payout opportunity for the Annual Bonus for the year in which the
termination occurs), and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
days in the calendar year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator
of which is 365 (if such termination does not occur within twelve (12) months
following a Change in Control, any pro rata Annual Bonus will be payable at the
discretion of the Compensation Committee); and

(iv)if such termination occurs within twelve (12) months following a Change in
Control, (A) all stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and
other time-vesting equity awards held by the Executive as of the Termination
Date shall immediately become fully vested and exercisable, and all time-based
vesting restrictions on outstanding awards shall lapse, and (B) all
performance-based equity awards shall be deemed to have been fully earned as of
the Date of Termination based upon an assumed achievement of all relevant
performance goals at “target” levels (or, in the sole discretion of the
Compensation Committee, based upon actual or deemed achievement of all relevant
performance goals above “target” levels, up to the maximum possible achievement
levels), and there shall be a full (non-prorated) payout to the Executive within
sixty (60) days following the Date of Termination, unless a later date is
required by Section 16 hereof (if such termination does not occur within twelve
(12) months following a Change in Control, then the outstanding equity awards
held by the Executive as of the Date of Termination shall be governed by the
plans under which they were granted and the agreements evidencing such awards);
and

(v)    if the Executive elects to continue participation in any group medical,
dental, vision and/or prescription drug plan benefits to which the Executive
and/or the Executive’s eligible dependents would be entitled under Section 4980B
of the Code (COBRA), then for a period of twelve (12) months following
Executive’s termination of employment (the “Welfare Benefits Continuation
Period”), the Company shall pay the excess of (1) the COBRA cost of such
coverage over (2) the amount that the Executive would have had to pay for such
coverage if Executive had remained employed during the Welfare Benefits
Continuation Period and paid the active employee rate for such coverage (the
“COBRA Subsidy”); provided, however, that (A) that if the Executive becomes
eligible to receive group health benefits under a program of a subsequent
employer or otherwise (including coverage available to the Executive’s spouse),
the Company’s obligation to pay any portion of the cost of health coverage as
described herein shall cease, except as otherwise provided by law; and (B) the
Welfare Benefits Continuation Period shall run concurrently with any period for
which the Executive is eligible to elect health coverage under COBRA; provided,
however, that if such termination occurs within twelve (12) months following a
Change in Control, then, in lieu of the COBRA Subsidy described above, Company
shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within sixty (60) days after
the Date of Termination, the exact payment date to be determined by the Company,
an amount equal to the full monthly COBRA cost of the coverage multiplied by
eighteen (18); and

(vi)    to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely
pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be
paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan,
program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its
affiliated companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter
referred to as the “Other Benefits”).

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For the avoidance of doubt, the parties acknowledge that, in the event that the
Executive terminates employment for Good Reason as a result of a decrease in
Base Salary as contemplated in Section 6(d)(i) hereof, then the Base Salary used
for purposes of the calculation of the Accrued Obligations and severance payment
under subsection (ii) above, shall be the Base Salary in effect immediately
prior to such reduction.

(b)    Death or Disability. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by
reason of the Executive’s death or Disability during the Term, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive or the Executive’s
legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued
Obligations shall be paid by the Company to the Executive or the Executive’s
estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30)
days after the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other
Benefits, the term Other Benefits as used in this Section 7(b) shall include
without limitation, and the Executive or the Executive’s estate and/or
beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits under such plans, programs,
practices and policies relating to death or disability benefits, if any, as are
applicable to the Executive on the Date of Termination.

(c)    Termination by the Company for Cause; Executive’s Resignation without
Good Reason. If, during the Term, the Company shall terminate Executive’s
employment for Cause or the Executive shall resign for any reason other than for
Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment
or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid by the Company
to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days after the Date of
Termination.

(d)    Resignations. Termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason
whatsoever shall constitute the Executive’s resignation as an officer of the
Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates.

8.    Restrictive Covenants.

(a)    Acknowledgments.

(i)    Condition of Employment and Other Consideration. The Executive
acknowledges and agrees that Executive has received good and valuable
consideration for entering into this Agreement and further acknowledges that the
Company would not continue to employ the Executive in the absence of Executive’s
execution of and compliance with this Section 8.

(ii)    Access to Confidential Information, Relationships, and Goodwill. The
Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive is being provided and entrusted
with Confidential Information (as that term is defined in Section 8(b) hereof),
including highly confidential customer information that is subject to extensive
measures to maintain its secrecy within the Company, is not known in the trade
or disclosed to the public, and would materially harm the Company’s legitimate
business interests if it was disclosed or used in violation of this Agreement.
The Executive also acknowledges and agrees that Executive is being provided and
entrusted with access to the Company’s customer and employee relationships and
goodwill. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that the Company would
not provide access to the Confidential Information, customer and employee
relationships, and goodwill in the absence of the Executive’s execution of and
compliance with this Agreement. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees
that the Company’s Confidential Information, customer and employee
relationships, and goodwill are valuable assets of the Company and are
legitimate business interests that are properly subject to protection through
the covenants contained in this Agreement.

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(iii)    Potential Unfair Competition. The Executive acknowledges and agrees
that as a result of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive’s
knowledge of and access to Confidential Information, and Executive’s
relationships with the Company’s customers and employees, the Executive would
have an unfair competitive advantage if the Executive were to engage in
activities in violation of this Section 8.

(iv)    No Undue Hardship. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that, in the
event that Executive’s employment with the Company terminates, the Executive
possesses marketable skills and abilities that will enable Executive to find
suitable employment without violating the covenants set forth in this Section 8.

(v)    Voluntary Execution. Executive acknowledges and affirms that Executive is
executing this Agreement voluntarily, that Executive has read this Agreement
carefully and had a full and reasonable opportunity to consider this Agreement
(including an opportunity to consult with legal counsel), and that Executive has
not been pressured or in any way coerced, threatened or intimidated into signing
this Agreement.

(vi)    Geographic Scope of Service. Executive acknowledges and agrees that, by
virtue of Executive’s [executive] status with the Company and Executive
substantial access to Confidential Information, customer and employee
relationships, and goodwill described above, the Executive will engage in
business on behalf of the Company throughout the entire geographic area in which
the Company conducts business, including but not limited to the Restricted
Territory (as that term is defined in Section 8(b) hereof).
    
(b)    Definitions. The following capitalized terms used in this Section 8 shall
have the meanings assigned to them below, which definitions shall apply to both
the singular and the plural forms of such terms:

(i)    “Competitive Services” means owning and/or operating retail-based pawn
stores or retail-based short-term consumer loan stores, as well as the business
of providing any other activities, products, or services of the type conducted,
authorized, offered, or provided by the Company and comprising more than 5% of
the Company's total revenues as of the Executive’s Termination Date, or during
the two (2) years immediately prior to the Executive’s Termination Date.

(ii)    “Confidential Information” means any and all data and information
relating to the Company, its activities, business, or clients that (A) is or has
been disclosed to the Executive or of which the Executive becomes or has become
aware as a consequence of Executive’s employment with the Company; (B) has value
to the Company; and (C) is not generally known outside of the Company.
“Confidential Information” shall include, but is not limited to the following
types of information regarding, related to, or concerning the Company: trade
secrets (as defined by O.C.G.A. § 10-1-761); financial plans and data;
management planning information; business plans; operational methods; market
studies; marketing plans or strategies; pricing information; product development
techniques or plans; customer lists; customer files, data and financial
information; details of customer contracts; current and anticipated customer
requirements; identifying and other information pertaining to business referral
sources; past, current and planned research and development; computer aided
systems, software, strategies and programs; business acquisition plans;
management organization and related information (including, without limitation,
data and other information concerning the compensation and benefits paid to
officers, directors, employees and management); personnel and compensation
policies; new personnel acquisition plans; and other similar information.
“Confidential Information” also includes combinations of information or
materials which individually may be generally known outside of the Company, but
for which the nature, method, or procedure

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for combining such information or materials is not generally known outside of
the Company. In addition to data and information relating to the Company,
“Confidential Information” also includes any and all data and information
relating to or concerning a third party that otherwise meets the definition set
forth above, that was provided or made available to the Company by such third
party, and that the Company has a duty or obligation to keep confidential. This
definition shall not limit any definition of “confidential information” or any
equivalent term under state or federal law. “Confidential Information” shall not
include information that has become generally available to the public by the act
of one who has the right to disclose such information without violating any
right or privilege of the Company.

(iii)    “Material Contact” means contact between the Executive and a customer
or potential customer of the Company (A) with whom or which the Executive has or
had dealings on behalf of the Company; (B) whose dealings with the Company are
or were coordinated or supervised by the Executive; (C) about whom the Executive
obtains Confidential Information in the ordinary course of business as a result
of Executive’s employment with the Company; or (D) who receives products or
services of the Company, the sale or provision of which results or resulted in
compensation, commissions, or earnings for Executive within the two (2) years
prior to the Executive’s Termination Date.

(iv)    “Person” means any individual or any corporation, partnership, joint
venture, limited liability company, association or other entity or enterprise.

(v)    “Principal or Representative” means a principal, owner, partner,
shareholder, joint venturer, investor, member, trustee, director, officer,
manager, employee, agent, representative or consultant.

(vi)    “Protected Customer” means any Person to whom the Company has sold its
products or services or actively solicited to sell its products or services, and
with whom the Executive has had Material Contact on behalf of the Company during
Executive’s employment with the Company.

(vii)    “Protected Work” means any and all ideas, inventions, formulas,
Confidential Information, source codes, object codes, techniques, processes,
concepts, systems, programs, software, software integration techniques, hardware
systems, schematics, flow charts, computer data bases, client lists, trademarks,
service marks, brand names, trade names, compilations, documents, data, notes,
designs, drawings, technical data and/or training materials, including
improvements thereto or derivatives therefrom, whether or not patentable, and
whether or not subject to copyright or trademark or trade secret protection,
conceived, developed or produced by the Executive, or by others working with the
Executive or under Executive’s direction, during the period of Executive’s
employment or service, or conceived, produced or used or intended for use by or
on behalf of the Company or its customers.

(viii)    “Restricted Period” means any time during the Executive’s employment
with the Company, and if the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason
during the Term, the Restricted Period shall mean during the Executive’s
employment plus twenty-four (24) months following the Termination Date.

(ix)    “Restricted Territory” means the U.S. states and foreign countries in
which the Company maintains one or more retail pawn stores or is actively
planning to open one or more stores at the time of the conduct in question (if
the conduct occurs while the Executive is still employed by the Company) or the
Termination Date (if the conduct occurs after the Executive’s Termination), as
applicable.

(x)    “Restrictive Covenants” means the restrictive covenants contained in
subsections (c) through (h) of this Section 8.

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(xi)    “Termination” means the termination of the Executive’s employment with
the Company, for any reason, whether with or without cause, upon the initiative
of either party.

(xii)    “Termination Date” means the date of the Executive’s Termination.

(c)    Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Confidential Information. The
Executive agrees that the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, use any
Confidential Information on the Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of any
Person other than Company, or reveal, divulge, or disclose any Confidential
Information to any Person not expressly authorized by the Company to receive
such Confidential Information. This obligation shall remain in effect for as
long as the information or materials in question retain their status as
Confidential Information. The Executive further agrees that Executive shall
fully cooperate with the Company in maintaining the Confidential Information to
the extent permitted by law. The parties acknowledge and agree that this
Agreement is not intended to, and does not, alter either the Company’s rights or
the Executive’s obligations under any state or federal statutory or common law
regarding trade secrets and unfair trade practices. Anything herein to the
contrary notwithstanding, the Executive shall not be restricted from disclosing
information that is required to be disclosed by law, court order or other valid
and appropriate legal process; provided, however, that in the event such
disclosure is required by law, the Executive shall provide the Company with
prompt notice of such requirement so that the Company may seek an appropriate
protective order prior to any such required disclosure by the Executive.

(d)    Non-Competition. The Executive agrees that during the Restricted Period,
the Executive will not, without prior written consent of the Company, directly
or indirectly (i) carry on or engage in Competitive Services within the
Restricted Territory on Executive’s own or on behalf of any Person or any
Principal or Representative of any Person, or (ii) own, manage, operate, join,
control or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control, of
any business, whether in corporate, proprietorship or partnership form or
otherwise where such business is engaged in the provision of Competitive
Services within the Restricted Territory. The Executive acknowledges that the
Restricted Territory is reasonable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive
may maintain or undertake purely passive investments on behalf of himself,
Executive’s immediate family or any trust on behalf of Executive or Executive’s
immediate family in companies engaged in a Competitive Services so long as the
aggregate interest represented by such investments does not exceed 1% of any
class of the outstanding publicly traded debt or equity securities of any
company engaged in a Competitive Services.

(e)    Non-Solicitation of Protected Customers. The Executive agrees that during
the Restricted Period, Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of
the Company, directly or indirectly, on Executive’s own behalf or as a Principal
or Representative of any Person, solicit, divert, take away, or attempt to
solicit, divert, or take away a Protected Customer for the purpose of engaging
in, providing, or selling Competitive Services.

(f)    Non-Recruitment of Employees. The Executive agrees that during the
Restricted Period, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, whether on
Executive’s own behalf or as a Principal or Representative of any Person,
solicit or induce or attempt to solicit or induce any employee of the Company to
terminate his or her employment relationship with the Company or to enter into
employment with the Executive or any other Person.

(g)    Proprietary Rights.

(i)    Ownership and Assignment of Protected Works. The Executive agrees that
any and all Confidential Information and Protected Works are the sole property
of the Company, and that

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no compensation in addition to the Executive’s base salary is due to the
Executive for development or transfer of such Protected Works. The Executive
agrees that Executive shall promptly disclose in writing to the Company the
existence of any Protected Works. The Executive hereby assigns all of
Executive’s rights, title and interest in any and all Protected Works, including
all patents or patent applications, and all copyrights therein, to the Company.
The Executive shall not be entitled to use Protected Works for Executive’s own
benefit or the benefit of anyone except the Company without written permission
from the Company and then only subject to the terms of such permission. The
Executive further agrees that Executive will communicate to the Company any
facts known to Executive and testify in any legal proceedings, sign all lawful
papers, make all rightful oaths, execute all divisionals, continuations,
continuations-in-part, foreign counterparts, or reissue applications, all
assignments, all registration applications, and all other instruments or papers
to carry into full force and effect the assignment, transfer, and conveyance
hereby made or to be made and generally do everything possible for title to the
Protected Works and all patents or copyrights or trademarks or service marks
therein to be clearly and exclusively held by the Company. The Executive agrees
that Executive will not oppose or object in any way to applications for
registration of Protected Works by the Company or others designated by the
Company. The Executive agrees to exercise reasonable care to avoid making
Protected Works available to any third party and shall be liable to the Company
for all damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, if Protected
Works are made available to third parties by Executive without the express
written consent of the Company.

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Executive will not be
obligated to assign to the Company any Protected Work for which no equipment,
supplies, facilities, or Confidential Information of the Company was used and
which was developed entirely on the Executive’s own time, unless (a) the
invention relates (i) directly to the business of the Company, or (ii) to the
Company’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development; or (b) the
invention results from any work performed by the Executive for the Company. The
Executive likewise will not be obligated to assign to the Company any Protected
Work that is conceived by the Executive after the Executive leaves the employ or
service of the Company, except that the Executive is so obligated if the same
relates to or is based on Confidential Information to which the Executive had
access by virtue of employment with the Company. Similarly, the Executive will
not be obligated to assign any Protected Work to the Company that was conceived
and reduced to practice prior to Executive’s employment, regardless of whether
such Protected Work relates to or would be useful in the business of the
Company. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that there are no Protected Works
conceived and reduced to practice by Executive prior to Executive’s employment
with the Company.

(ii)    No Other Duties. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that there is no
other contract or duty on Executive’s part now in existence to assign Protected
Works to anyone other than the Company.

(iii)    Works Made for Hire. The Company and the Executive acknowledge that in
the course of employment with the Company, the Executive may from time to time
create for the Company copyrightable works. Such works may consist of manuals,
pamphlets, instructional materials, computer programs, software, software
integration techniques, software codes, and data, technical data, photographs,
drawings, logos, designs, artwork or other copyrightable material, or portions
thereof, and may be created within or without the Company’s facilities and
before, during or after normal business hours. All such works related to or
useful in the business of the Company are specifically intended to be works made
for hire by the Executive, and the Executive shall cooperate with the Company in
the protection of the Company’s copyrights in such works and, to the extent
deemed desirable by the Company, the registration of such copyrights.

(h)    Return of Materials. The Executive agrees that Executive will not retain
or destroy (except as set forth below), and will immediately return to the
Company on or prior to the Termination Date,

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or at any other time the Company requests such return, any and all property of
the Company that is in Executive’s possession or subject to Executive’s control,
including, but not limited to, keys, credit and identification cards, personal
items or equipment, customer files and information, papers, drawings, notes,
manuals, specifications, designs, devices, code, email, documents, diskettes,
CDs, tapes, keys, access cards, credit cards, identification cards, computers,
mobile devices, other electronic media, all other files and documents relating
to the Company and its business (regardless of form, but specifically including
all electronic files and data of the Company), together with all Protected Works
and Confidential Information belonging to the Company or that the Executive
received from or through employment or service with the Company. The Executive
will not make, distribute, or retain copies of any such information or property.
To the extent that the Executive has electronic files or information in
Executive’s possession or control that belong to the Company, contain
Confidential Information, or constitute Protected Works (specifically including
but not limited to electronic files or information stored on personal computers,
mobile devices, electronic media, or in cloud storage), on or prior to the
Termination Date, or at any other time the Company requests, the Executive shall
(A) provide the Company with an electronic copy of all of such files or
information (in an electronic format that readily accessible by the Company);
(B) after doing so, delete all such files and information, including all copies
and derivatives thereof, from all non-Company-owned computers, mobile devices,
electronic media, cloud storage, or other media, devices, or equipment, such
that such files and information are permanently deleted and irretrievable; and
(C) provide a written certification to the Company that the required deletions
have been completed and specifying the files and information deleted and the
media source from which they were deleted. The Executive agrees to reimburse the
Company for all of its costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, of
recovering the above materials and otherwise enforcing compliance with this
provision if Executive does not return the materials to the Company or take the
required steps with respect to electronic information or files on or prior to
the Termination Date or at any other time the materials and/or electronic file
actions are requested by the Company or if the Executive otherwise fails to
comply with this provision.

(i)    Enforcement of Restrictive Covenants.
    
(i)    Rights and Remedies Upon Breach. The parties specifically acknowledge and
agree that the remedy at law for any breach of the Restrictive Covenants will be
inadequate, and that in the event the Executive breaches, or threatens to
breach, any of the Restrictive Covenants, the Company shall have the right and
remedy, without the necessity of proving actual damage or posting any bond, to
enjoin, preliminarily and permanently, the Executive from violating or
threatening to violate the Restrictive Covenants and to have the Restrictive
Covenants specifically enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction, it being
agreed that any breach or threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants would
cause irreparable injury to the Company and that money damages would not provide
an adequate remedy to the Company. The Executive understands and agrees that if
Executive violates any of the obligations set forth in the Restrictive
Covenants, the period of restriction applicable to each obligation violated
shall cease to run during the pendency of any litigation over such violation,
provided that such litigation was initiated during the period of restriction.
Such rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other
rights and remedies available to the Company at law or in equity. The Executive
understands and agrees that, if the Parties become involved in legal action
regarding the enforcement of the Restrictive Covenants and if the Company
prevails in such legal action, the Company will be entitled, in addition to any
other remedy, to recover from the Executive its reasonable costs and attorneys’
fees incurred in enforcing such covenants. The Company’s ability to enforce its
rights under the Restrictive Covenants or applicable law against the Executive
shall not be impaired in any way by the existence of a claim or cause of action
on the part of the Executive based on, or arising out of, this Agreement or any
other event or transaction.

(ii)    Severability and Modification of Covenants. The Executive acknowledges
and agrees that each of the Restrictive Covenants is reasonable and valid in
time and scope and in all other

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respects. The parties agree that it is their intention that the Restrictive
Covenants be enforced in accordance with their terms to the maximum extent
permitted by law. Each of the Restrictive Covenants shall be considered and
construed as a separate and independent covenant. Should any part or provision
of any of the Restrictive Covenants be held invalid, void, or unenforceable,
such invalidity, voidness, or unenforceability shall not render invalid, void,
or unenforceable any other part or provision of this Agreement or such
Restrictive Covenant. If any of the provisions of the Restrictive Covenants
should ever be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to exceed the scope
permitted by the applicable law, such provision or provisions shall be
automatically modified to such lesser scope as such court may deem just and
proper for the reasonable protection of the Company’s legitimate business
interests and may be enforced by the Company to that extent in the manner
described above and all other provisions of this Agreement shall be valid and
enforceable.

(j)    Disclosure of Agreement. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that,
during Restricted Period, Executive will disclose the existence and terms of
this Agreement to any prospective employer, business partner, investor or lender
prior to entering into an employment, partnership or other business relationship
with such prospective employer, business partner, investor or lender. The
Executive further agrees that the Company shall have the right to make any such
prospective employer, business partner, investor or lender of the Executive
aware of the existence and terms of this Agreement.

9.    Agreement Not to Disparage. The Executive hereby agrees that at all times
after the date hereof Executive will not make any statement, whether verbally or
in written form, or otherwise take any action that may reasonably be considered
to disparage or impugn the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; the
management, practices, services, or reputation of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates; or any of the Company’s or any of its subsidiaries’
or affiliates’ employees, officers, directors, agents, or affiliates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 9 shall not limit the rights of the
Executive to provide truthful testimony or make truthful statements which are
compelled by a court of competent jurisdiction, arbitrator, regulatory agency or
other tribunal or investigative body in accordance with any applicable statute,
rule or regulation.

10.    Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or
limit the Executive’s continuing or future participation in any employee benefit
plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or its affiliated
companies and for which the Executive may qualify, except as specifically
provided herein. Amounts that are vested benefits or which the Executive is
otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of the
Company or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of
Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or
program except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

11.    Full Settlement; No Mitigation. The Company’s obligation to make the
payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts
shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment.

12.    Mandatory Reduction of Payments in Certain Events.

(a)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event
it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for
the benefit of Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or
distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise) (such
benefits, payments or distributions are hereinafter referred to as “Payments”)
would, if paid, be subject to

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the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then,
prior to the making of any Payments to Executive, a calculation shall be made
comparing (i) the net after-tax benefit to Executive of the Payments after
payment by Executive of the Excise Tax, to (ii) the net after-tax benefit to
Executive if the Payments had been limited to the extent necessary to avoid
being subject to the Excise Tax. If the amount calculated under (i) above is
less than the amount calculated under (ii) above, then the Payments shall be
limited to the extent necessary to avoid being subject to the Excise Tax (the
“Reduced Amount”). The reduction of the Payments due hereunder, if applicable,
shall be made by first reducing cash Payments and then, to the extent necessary,
reducing those Payments having the next highest ratio of Parachute Value to
actual present value of such Payments as of the date of the Change in Control,
as determined by the Determination Firm (as defined in Section 9(b) below). For
purposes of this Section 12, present value shall be determined in accordance
with Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code. For purposes of this Section 12, the
“Parachute Value” of a Payment means the present value as of the date of the
Change in Control of the portion of such Payment that constitutes a “parachute
payment” under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, as determined by the
Determination Firm for purposes of determining whether and to what extent the
Excise Tax will apply to such Payment.

(b)    All determinations required to be made under this Section 12, including
whether an Excise Tax would otherwise be imposed, whether the Payments shall be
reduced, the amount of the Reduced Amount, and the assumptions to be utilized in
arriving at such determinations, shall be made by a nationally recognized
accounting firm or compensation consulting firm mutually acceptable to the
Company and Executive (the “Determination Firm”) which shall provide detailed
supporting calculations to the Company and Executive within 15 business days
after the receipt of notice from Executive that a Payment is due to be made, or
such earlier time as is requested by the Company. All fees and expenses of the
Determination Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any determination by
the Determination Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Executive. As a
result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the
time of the initial determination by the Determination Firm hereunder, it is
possible that Payments which Executive was entitled to, but did not receive
pursuant to Section 12(a), could have been made without the imposition of the
Excise Tax (“Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be
made hereunder. In such event, the Determination Firm shall determine the amount
of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be
promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive but no later
than March 15 of the year after the year in which the Underpayment is determined
to exist, which is when the legally binding right to such Underpayment arises.

(c)    In the event that the provisions of Code Section 280G and 4999 or any
successor provisions are repealed without succession, this Section 12 shall be
of no further force or effect.

13.    Arbitration. Any claim or dispute arising under or relating to this
Agreement or the breach, termination, or validity of any term of this Agreement
shall be subject to arbitration, and prior to commencing any court action, the
parties agree that they shall arbitrate all controversies; provided, however,
that nothing in this Section 13 shall prohibit the Company from exercising its
right under Section 8 to pursue injunctive remedies with respect to a breach or
threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants. The arbitration shall be
conducted in Tarrant County, Texas, in accordance with the Employment Dispute
Rules of the American Arbitration Association and the Federal Arbitration Act, 9
U.S.C. §1, et. seq. The arbitrator(s) shall be authorized to award both
liquidated and actual damages, in addition to injunctive relief, but no punitive
damages. The arbitrator(s) may also award attorney’s fees and costs, without
regard to any restriction on the amount of such award under Texas or other
applicable law. Such an award shall be binding and conclusive upon the parties
hereto, subject to 9 U.S.C. §10. Each party shall have the right to have the
award made the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

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14.    Successors.

(a)    This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written
consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than
by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Company may, without the Executive’s consent, assign, whether by assignment
agreement, merger, operation of law or otherwise, this Agreement to the Company
or to any successor or affiliate of the Company, subject to such assignee’s
express assumption of all obligations of the Company hereunder. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s legal
representatives.

(b)    This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
Company and its successors and assigns.

(c)    The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the
business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform
this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would
be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this
Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any
successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to
perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.

15.    Cooperation. The Executive shall provide the Executive’s reasonable
cooperation in connection with any action or proceeding (or any appeal from any
action or proceeding) which relates to events occurring during the Executive’s
employment hereunder. This provision shall survive any termination of this
Agreement. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for any reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the Executive’s performance
of obligations under this Section 15 at the request of the Company. If the
Executive is entitled to be paid or reimbursed for any expenses under this
Section 15, the amount reimbursable in any one calendar year shall not affect
the amount reimbursable in any other calendar year, and the reimbursement of an
eligible expense must be made no later than December 31 of the year after the
year in which the expense was incurred. The Executive’s obligations under this
Section 15, and the Executive’s rights to payment or reimbursement of expenses
pursuant to this Section 15, shall expire at the end of ten (10) years after the
Date of Termination and such rights shall not be subject to liquidation or
exchange for another benefit.

16.    Code Section 409A.

(a)    General. This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered in a manner
so that any amount or benefit payable hereunder shall be paid or provided in a
manner that is either exempt from or compliant with the requirements Section
409A of the Code and applicable Internal Revenue Service guidance and Treasury
Regulations issued thereunder (and any applicable transition relief under
Section 409A of the Code). Nevertheless, the tax treatment of the benefits
provided under the Agreement is not warranted or guaranteed. Neither the Company
nor its directors, officers, employees or advisers shall be held liable for any
taxes, interest, penalties or other monetary amounts owed by the Executive as a
result of the application of Section 409A of the Code.

(b)    Definitional Restrictions. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to
the contrary, to the extent that any amount or benefit that would constitute
non-exempt “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code
(“Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation”) would otherwise be payable or distributable
hereunder by reason of the Executive’s termination of employment, such
Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation will not be payable or distributable to the
Executive by reason of such circumstance unless the circumstances giving rise to
such termination of employment meet any description

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or definition of “separation from service” in Section 409A of the Code and
applicable regulations (without giving effect to any elective provisions that
may be available under such definition). This provision does not prohibit the
vesting of any Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation upon a termination of
employment, however defined. If this provision prevents the payment or
distribution of any Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation, such payment or
distribution shall be made on the date, if any, on which an event occurs that
constitutes a Section 409A-compliant “separation from service.”

(c)    Timing of Release of Claims. Whenever in this Agreement a payment or
benefit is conditioned on Executive’s execution of a release of claims, such
release must be executed and all revocation periods shall have expired within
sixty (60) days after the Date of Termination; failing which such payment or
benefit shall be forfeited. If such payment or benefit constitutes Non-Exempt
Deferred Compensation, then such payment or benefit (including any installment
payments) that would have otherwise been payable during such 60-day period shall
be accumulated and paid on the 60th day after the Date of Termination provided
such release shall have been executed and such revocation periods shall have
expired. If such payment or benefit is exempt from Section 409A of the Code, the
Company may elect to make or commence payment at any time during such period.

(d)    Permitted Acceleration. The Company shall have the sole authority to make
any accelerated distribution permissible under Treas. Reg. Section
1.409A-3(j)(4) to the Executive of deferred amounts, provided that such
distribution meets the requirements of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4).

17.    Miscellaneous.

(a)    Governing Law; Forum Selection; Consent to Jurisdiction. The Company and
the Executive agree that this Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas without giving
effect to its conflicts of law principles. The Executive agrees that the
exclusive forum for any action to enforce this Agreement, as well as any action
relating to or arising out of this Agreement, shall be the state or federal
court of the State of Texas. With respect to any such court action, the
Executive hereby (a) irrevocably submits to the personal jurisdiction of such
courts; (b) consents to service of process; (c) consents to venue; and (d)
waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or
otherwise) with respect to personal jurisdiction, service of process, or venue.
Both parties hereto further agree that such courts are convenient forums for any
dispute that may arise herefrom and that neither party shall raise as a defense
that such courts are not convenient forums.

(b)    Captions. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions
hereof and shall have no force or effect.

(c)    Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise
than-by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective
successors and legal representatives.

(d)    Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:

        
        

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If to the Executive:
Raul Ramos

Address on file with the Company

If to the Company:
FirstCash, Inc.

1600 West 7th Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Attention: CEO

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.

(e)    Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.

(f)    Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be
withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

(g)    Waivers    . The Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon
strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert
any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, shall not be deemed
to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of
this Agreement.

(h)    Entire Agreement. Except as provided herein, this Agreement contains the
entire agreement between the Company and the Executive with respect to the
subject matter hereof and, from and after the Effective Date, this Agreement
shall supersede any other agreement (including the Original Employment
Agreement) between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

(i)    Construction. The Company and the Executive understand and agree that
because they both have been given the opportunity to have counsel review and
revise this Agreement, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any
ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed
in the interpretation of this Agreement. Instead, the language of all parts of
this Agreement shall be construed as a whole, and according to its fair meaning,
and not strictly for or against either of the parties.

(j)    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts,
and it shall not be necessary that the signatures of the parties hereto be
contained on any one counterpart hereof. Each counterpart shall be deemed an
original but all counterparts together shall constitute one and the same
instrument. Any signature page of any such counterpart, or any electronic
facsimile thereof, may be attached or appended to any other counterpart to
complete a fully executed counterpart of this Agreement, and any telecopy or
other electronic transmission of any signature shall be deemed an original and
shall bind such party.

    

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive’s hand and,
pursuant to the authorization from the Board, the Company has caused these
presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year
first above written.

EXECUTIVE
 
 
 
 
__________________________________
 
Raul Ramos
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FirstCash, Inc.
 
 
By:_______________________________
 
Rick L. Wessel
 
Chief Executive Officer
 

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